California Aftermarket Parts Bill Defeated
The California Automotive Wholesalers’ Association (CAWA) has announced a big win for California consumers with the defeat of SB 1059 (Migden), a bill aimed at restricting consumers’ ability to have aftermarket parts installed on their vehicles. A large coalition including CAWA, Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA), the Coalition for Automotive Repair Equality, LKQ/Keystone, California Retailers Association, AAA, insurance industry and others, worked together to lobby against SB 1059, which would have made it unlawful for any insurer to require the installation of an aftermarket part for the first three years of the vehicle’s life as well as restrict the ability of insurers to replace a part with a lower priced replacement part during this same three year period.
Ford Files Design Patent Infringement Complaint on Mustang
Ford Global Technologies recently filed a Section 337 complaint at the International Trade Commission (ITC) against manufacturers and U.S. distributors of automotive collision repair parts alleging infringement of design patents for certain exterior repair parts for the 2005 Ford Mustang. This follows a 2005 ITC complaint by Ford that alleged infringement of design patents for 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007 F-150s. An administrative law judge of the ITC ruled that seven of 10 design patents directed to parts for the Ford F-150 truck were enforceable and infringed Ford’s design patents, but agreed with Keystone Automotive Industries and other companies that had vigorously contested the case that three patents were invalid due to Ford’s prior public use of the designs. The ITC then issued a cease and desist order to stop the importation of these parts into the United States.
LKQ Reports Record Revenues
LKQ Corp. today announced results for its first quarter ended March 31, with revenue of $491.9 million, net income of $30.9 million and diluted earnings per share of 22 cents. Revenue from aftermarket collision replacement parts, paint, shop supplies, refurbished bumpers, refurbished wheels and refurbished lighting for the first quarter was $272.3 million.
Bando Adds Two New Regional Sales Managers
ITASCA, Ill. — Bando USA has announced the addition of Robert Talavera and Michael Walsh to the Bando sales management team. Talavera has accepted a position with Bando USA as western regional sales manager. He has more than eight years of industry experience, most recently with the Cardone Industries as a zone manager for the
OBITUARY: Former AWDA Chairman Martin Brown
Former Automotive Warehouse Distributors Association (AWDA) Chairman Martin Brown passed away Saturday, March 8, at his home in Leawood, KS. He was 83. Brown was active in the AWDA throughout his business career and served as chairman in 1979.
LKQ Announces 2007 Fourth Quarter, Full Year Results and 2008 Financial Guidance
LKQ has announced results for its fourth quarter ended Dec. 31, 2007, with revenue of $414.7 million, net income of $21.5 million and diluted earnings of 16 cents per share. For the fourth quarter of 2007, revenue increased 102.8 percent to $414.7 million compared with $204.5 million for the fourth quarter of 2006. Our organic revenue growth for the quarter was 13.3 percent. Net income for the quarter increased 111.3 percent to $21.5 million compared with $10.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2006. Diluted earnings per share was 16 cents for the quarter compared with 9 cents for the fourth quarter of 2006.
The Week in Review (Feb. 11-15, 2008)
By Amy Antenora The Week in Review offers a snapshot of the most highly read stories of the week as seen on aftermarketNews. To access the complete stories, simply click on the highlighted links. If you missed reading one of our daily news emails, click on any of the dates listed at the bottom of
The Week in Review (Jan. 21-25, 2008)
By Amy Antenora The Week in Review offers a snapshot of the most highly read stories of the week as seen on aftermarketNews. To access the complete stories, simply click on the highlighted links. If you missed reading one of our daily news emails, click on any of the dates listed at the bottom of
LKQ Announces Senior Level Promotions
LKQ Corp. has announced the promotion of three senior level team members. Eileen Sottile has been promoted to LKQ’s staff vice president of Government Affairs; Mike Smith has been promoted to associate vice president of the Keystone Midwest Region; and Arnie Kohorst has been promoted to vice president of LKQ/Keystone Paint, Body and Equipment (PBE) Division.
The Top Ten News Stories of 2007
For the fourth year in a row, the editorial staffs of aftermarketNews and Counterman magazine have selected what they determined to be the most significant events to impact the automotive aftermarket in the past year. News stories are presented in chronological order.