Ward’s Reports Estimated Production
Vehicle production last week in the U.S., Canada and Mexico was expected to hit an estimated 339,878 units, up 15 percent from the 295,481 cars and trucks built last week, according to Ward’s Automotive Reports.
Hayes Lemmerz Renames European Wheel Group
Hayes Lemmerz International has changed the name of its European Wheel Group to the International Wheel Group. The company said the new name is intended to reflect the increased global awareness and presence of the group. The International Wheel Group has undergone extensive growth in areas outside of Europe, including South Africa, India, Brazil, Thailand, Mexico and Turkey, according to Fred Bentley, president of Hayes Lemmerz’ International Wheel Group.
Car Care Council Spokesperson Lauren Fix to Appear on NBC’s “Today” Show Tomorrow
Car Care Council spokesperson Lauren Fix will be a guest on NBC’s “Today” show tomorrow to discuss preparing viewers cars for extreme winter weather. She will also provide safe driving tips during the winter season.
Delphi Becomes Official Safety Supplier to IRL
In the first-ever agreement of its kind, Delphi has been designated the “Official Safety Supplier” to the Indy Racing League (IRL). Beginning this year, the league’s safety and rescue team will become the Delphi Indy Racing League Safety Team. The Delphi Indy Racing League Safety Team includes 15 trained professionals who will attend all IndyCar Series and Menards Infiniti Pro Series events to handle on-site emergencies. In addition, Delphi will provide new safety technologies for safety vehicles used by the team and will provide hydraulic sled testing and analysis services at the Delphi Safety Systems Test Center, a state-of-the-art safety testing facility in Vandalia, Ohio.
Four CART Board Members Resign
James Hardymon, James Henderson, Rafael Sanchez and Frederick Tucker have resigned from the Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART) board of directors, leaving President and CEO Christopher Pook as the sole member of the board. Their resignations come after the recent news that CART’s assets of would be bought out by Open Wheel Racing Series LLC, following a failed merger attempt between the two racing organizations.
Start Planning for National Car Care Month Now
For the second year, National Car Care Month will be held in April, providing tremendous opportunities to communicate with female consumers. That’s the word from the organizers of the Bluegrass Car Care Clinic in Lexington, Ky. For 15 years, the Professional Master Technician’s Association (PMTA) in Lexington, along with the Kentucky Indiana Automotive Wholesalers Association (KIAWA), have held vehicle check lane events during National Car Care Month (NCCM).
Tesma International Completes Acquisition of Davis Industries
Tesma International has completed its acquisition of Davis Industries. Tesma announced its intention to acquire all outstanding shares of the privately-held automotive supplier in mid-December. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. According to Tesma, Davis’ main product focus, in the area of stamped powertrain components and assemblies, will complement and broaden Tesma’s current product offerings and customer base.
Most Influential Women in Collision Repair for 2003 Honored
Akzo Nobel took time last month to honor five exceptional women from the collision repair industry. The five women were recognized as the 2003 Most Influential Women in the Collision Repair Industry, an award Akzo Nobel has been presenting for five years. The 2003 Most Influential Women are as follows: Bertha Bertrand, co-manager, Brian Cullen Body Shop, St. Catharines, Ontario; Teresa Bolton, collision repair/refinishing specialist, ASE, Leesburg, Va.; Georgina Carson, editor, BodyShop Business magazine, Akron, Ohio; Karen Fierst, president, KerenOr Consultants, Silver Spring, Md.; and Eileen Haberman, vice president and co-owner, Glen’s Auto Body, Waukesha, Wis.