Andretti Wins Lawsuit Over Name Usage
Mario Andretti won a court battle to prevent an auto parts supplier from quoting the famed race car driver to promote its products, but Andretti won’t get any money, a federal judge recently ruled. In March 2003, Andretti filed suit against California-based Borla Enterprises, a supplier of high-performance exhaust systems and catalytic converters, claiming the company wrongly used his words in an advertisement.
Shortage of Technology-Oriented Mechanics May Lead to Higher Repair Costs
Motorists, already facing soaring gas prices, can expect higher repair costs in the future because of a lack of qualified mechanics. Even as today’s cars and trucks become more technologically advanced, there are fewer students who can read well enough to understand manuals that explain how to repair them, mechanics and automotive instructors say.
MPA Secures New $15 Million Line of Credit
Motorcar Parts of America (MPA) has secured a new $15 million credit facility with Union Bank of California. The new revolving credit line, which will replace the company’s existing asset-based facility, bears interest either at the LIBOR rate plus 2 percent or the bank’s reference rate, at MPA’s option. The loan matures on October 2, 2006.
Second Annual Edelbrock Automotive Scholarship Winner Named
A senior at South Torrance High School has been selected as the recipient of the second annual Vic & Nancy Edelbrock Scholarship for excellence in automotive technology. Prouty becomes the first female recipient of the award. After graduation, she will attend Wyo Tech, a technical school with campuses in Wyoming, Pennsylvania and Sacramento, California.
Jury Punishes Ford in SUV Rollover Case, Awards $368.6 Million in Total Damages
Ford Motor Co. must pay $246 million in punitive damages to a California woman who was paralyzed when her Explorer sport-utility vehicle rolled over, a jury in San Diego ruled Thursday.
Pep Boys to Supply Independent Tire Dealers Group
Pep Boys has formed a supply arrangement with the Independent Tire Dealers Group (ITDG) to supply aftermarket hard parts, shop equipment and tires to the group’s 260 members. Pep Boys will supply the Independent Tire Dealers Group through its auto parts delivery business known as Pep Express Parts (PEP).
TIA Reaches Membership Milestone
The Tire Industry Association (TIA) has reached a new milestone as its membership has grown to 5,113 members. TIA membership climbed over the 5,000 mark with the addition of the Independent Tire Dealers Group (ITDG). With headquarters in Juno, Fla., ITDG is a marketing group comprised of 90 independent tire and wheel dealers. ITDG has 260 locations in California, Arizona, Nevada, Colorado, Montana, New Mexico and Hawaii.
Earl Scheib Sold to Elden Holding Group
Automotive paint shop chain Earl Scheib Inc. has been sold to Elden Holding Group LLC for $17 million in cash. Elden Holding Group is a California-based real estate investment firm.
Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum Unveils New Interactive Web Site
The Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum has launched a new interactive Web site — http://museum.nhra.com — designed to give visitors a history of motorsports as well as information on museum programs and events.
Holley NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion Gives Bowling Green $3.5 Million Economic Boost
When participants and fans cruise into Bowling Green, Ky., for the June 18-20 Holley NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion, they’ll bring their hot rods, cool cars…and their wallets. It’s estimated the Reunion, presented by DuPont Automotive Refinishes, and now in its second year at Beech Bend Raceway Park, will generate more than $3.5 million to the Warren County area, which is more than 2.19 percent of the almost $161 million economic impact of tourism on Bowling Green for the year, according to the Bowling Green Area Convention and Visitors Bureau.