Executive Interview with Duane Miller, Executive Director of GM Service and Parts business channels – GM Service and Parts Operations (SPO)
This Executive Interview features Duane Miller, who is the Executive Director of GM’s Service and Parts business channels (GM Service and Parts Operations [SPO]). Miller was appointed to his position back in April 2005. He took time from his busy schedule to discuss with AftermarketNews.com his new responsibilities, the outlook of ACDelco going forward and how “Real Car Guys” know ACDelco.
SEMA Crushes Vehicle Scrappage Program; Highway Bill Excludes Funds to Flatten Cars
SEMA, the Specialty Equipment Market Association, has convinced lawmakers to prohibit the use of federal monies to fund motor vehicle scrappage programs. The latest victory came as Congress completed work on legislation to fund highway construction and public transportation through fiscal 2009. President Bush is expected to sign the $286.5 billion bill into law.
State Legislators Join Caucus to Support Automotive Enthusiasts
State legislators around the country with a common goal to support the motor vehicle hobby have joined the State Automotive Enthusiast Leadership Caucus. Formed this year, the Caucus is a bi-partisan group of state lawmakers whose common thread is a love and appreciation for automobiles. Fifty state legislators from California to New York and points in between constitute the charter members.
Study: Ethanol Not Worth The Energy
Farmers, businesses and state officials are investing millions of dollars in ethanol and biofuel plants as renewable energy sources, but a new study says the alternative fuels burn more energy than they produce.Supporters of ethanol and other biofuels contend they burn cleaner than fossil fuels, reduce U.S. dependence on oil and give farmers another market to sell their produce.
Patent Issued to Save the World Air for ZEFS Mark 1 Device
Save the World Air was issued patent number 6.901.917 on June 7 by the United States Patent & Trademark Office for its ZEFS Mark 1 device. The company’s ZEFS devices create magnetic fields to reduce the size of the fuel molecules passing from the carburetor or center point fuel injector of the vehicle to the inlet manifold prior to combustion. This creates an atomization process that enhances the efficiency of combustion, which reduces harmful toxic emissions and increases fuel economy, according to the company.
Aftermarket Associations Urge CARB to Drop 15/150 Warranty Regs
Eight aftermarket associations filed a petition this week with the California Air Resources Board (CARB) calling on the agency to rescind its regulations requiring that car companies warrant partial zero emission vehicles for 15 years/150,000 miles. The petition asserts that CARB has failed to present any evidence that a 15/150 warranty would reduce emissions, increase durability or improve maintenance of vehicle emissions systems.
Executive Interview with Guy Bargnes, Director of Marketing, North American Operations for BASF Corp. Refinish Group
Guy Bargnes has spent his entire life in the collision repair industry. He was born and raised in Buffalo, NY, where his father ran a family business, V. H. Bargnes Co., Inc., which distributed automotive paints, supplies and equipment to area collision shops. In 1992 Bargnes joined BASF full-time, and he is now director of marketing, North American Operations, for the Refinish Group. Bargnes recently sat down to a phone interview with aftermarketNews and shared with us some of the insights from his lifelong career in the industry. Join us as Bargnes talks about BASF’s four leading principles, trends in the refinish business and the return of paint companies to industry trade shows.
Remy to Sponsor Paul Dana in the Ethanol Hemelgarn Indy Racing League Entry
Remy International has signed a three-year associate sponsorship agreement with driver Paul Dana for the #91 Ethanol Hemelgarn Racing entry in the Indy Racing League IndyCar Series, starting with the 2005 season. Dana will pilot the Toyota-powered Dallara for the 17-race season. Ron Hemelgarn, a founding team owner in the Indy Racing League, will operate the team in an encore return to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
SEMA Seeks Vice President, Information Technology to Lead eBusiness Initiatives
SEMA today announced it will begin recruitment efforts for a new vice president of information technology. The position will oversee the development of SEMA’s eBusiness initiatives including collaborative efforts with other industry trade associations and strategic partners.
Eaton Wins Mutli-Year Patent Dispute with ArvinMeritor, ZF
A U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) judge has ruled in favor of Cleveland, Ohio-based Eaton Corp. in the unfair import proceeding it brought against ZF Friedrichshafen AG (ZF), Arvin Meritor, Inc. and ZFMeritor LLC (ZFM) in 2003.