Two Collins & Aikman Board Members Resign
Two board members investigated internally for insider deals have resigned from auto supplier Collins & Aikman Corp. (C&A), which has lost money three years in a row, and on Thursday reported another first-quarter loss. The quarter’s red ink was slightly less than it was the same period a year ago.
Drivers Hope Rule Changes Make Indy 500 More Competitive
Don’t be alarmed to see cars going slower around Indianapolis Motor Speedway this month. It’s intentional, and depending on which driver is talking, not necessarily a bad thing.
Retooling a Pool of Talent: Michigan Reaches Out from Brawn to Brains
Diego Rivera’s famous mural of Detroit’s industry depicts big, muscular men pulling on steel and manipulating heavy machines as they mold new cars. But if Rivera were here today, how would he see the city? Probably not muscling steel girders around. He’d see MBAs and computer geeks creating the modern automotive world in front of their computers.
Herman Trend Alert: Transnational Job Movement
Many Americans are upset about the migration of jobs to countries like India and China. While the perception is that a huge proportion of jobs is permanently leaving the U.S., the reality seems to be considerably different.
Auto-Wares Tech Expo Grows Customers & Skills
Every spring, Auto-Wares grows customer skills through a full weekend of technician training. Inside the Lansing Convention Center in Michigan, a line snaked out of the door that lead to a room where scores of automotive technicians were preparing to take the State of Michigan Mechanic Certification test, the state’s mandatory version of the ASE exam. Inside the Lansing Convention Center in Michigan, a line snaked out of the door that lead to a room where scores of automotive technicians were preparing to take the State of Michigan Mechanic Certification test, the state’s mandatory version of the ASE exam.
NHRA Retains JMPR for Public Relations Projects
The National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) has retained JMPR, Inc. for a variety of special public relations projects. NHRA is one of the world’s largest motorsports sanctioning bodies, with 80,000 members, 140 member tracks, more than 35,000 licensed competitors and more than 5,000 member-track events.
Experts to Discuss Asia-Pacific Aftermarket Opportunities at GAAS
The ninth annual Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS) will look into aftermarket opportunities in what many consider the hottest region of the world, the Asia-Pacific region, during a panel discussion on Tuesday, May 18. The panel will examine the rewards and challenges of doing business in the region — especially China and India — two of the largest and fastest-growing markets.
American Tire Distributors Hosts National TireStarz Dealer Conference
American Tire Distributors (ATD) hosted its first national TireStarz Dealer Conference March 4 – 7. Ninety-nine dealers and their guests attended the four-day session at the Opryland Resort in Nashville, Tenn. The meeting featured a series of seminars and workshops designed to give ATD dealers timely information on important market trends and strategies for building their business. Mark Emkes, outgoing chairman, CEO and president of Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire, addressed the group, as did William “Bill” Berry, American Tire Distributors’ president and COO.
Subaru Recalls Certain Six Cylinder Outbacks and Impreza WRX Vehicles
Subaru of America has announced a voluntary recall on certain 2001-2004 six cylinder Outback models, and 2002-2004 Impreza WRX 2.0L models to address a possible cruise control cable problem. Approximately 127,580 vehicles are potentially affected, according to Subaru.
SEMA Spring Expo Reaches New Level Of Success
Organizers for the 2004 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Spring Expo, have reported that this year’s show was the biggest regional show the association has held to date. The Expo took place March 5-6 at the Indiana Convention Center, Indianapolis. A day of seminars preceded the actual exhibit. Although attendance figures have not yet been audited, show organizers said preliminary reports show an increase of approximately 65 percent in buyer attendance, and 30 percent in total attendance from the SEMA Spring Expo in Nashville last February.