French Michelin Workers Hold Executives Hostage
From Bloomberg Michelin & Cie. workers protesting the planned closure of a site in eastern France held a pair of managers hostage overnight as company officials sought to end the situation. The executives held at the tire factory in Toul include the social-relations director and the local head of personnel, spokeswoman Francoise Rault said. “We’re
Green Progress to Speed Up
From Detroit Free Press DETROIT – The green movement will gain even more steam in the next few years as the United States tries to reduce its dependence on foreign oil and cut carbon dioxide emissions, a panel of auto executives and environmental experts agreed Tuesday at the Automotive News World Congress in Detroit .
The Top Ten Distribution Influences of 2007
In this article, Counterman and aftermarketNews editors present their annual look at the top 10 issues that most impact aftermarket distribution.
Dana’s Post Bankruptcy Board of Directors to Include Political, Financial Leaders and Top OE, Aftermarket Execs
As it prepares to emerge from Chapter 11 reorganization, Dana Corp. has announced the names of nine executives who are expected to serve as members of Dana’s board of directors, after its bankruptcy proceedings have ended. The board, which has been selected by creditors and new investors, assembles distinguished leaders from government, finance and automotive backgrounds. Collectively, the board represents more than 170 years of automotive industry experience.
OBITUARY: Former General Motors Chairman and CEO Roger Smith Dies at 82
Roger Smith, who led General Motors Corp. in the 1980s and was the subject of Michael Moore’s searing documentary "Roger & Me," has died, the automaker said Friday. He was 82. Smith died Thursday in the Detroit area after an unspecified brief illness, GM said. He had become chairman and chief executive on Jan. 1, 1981, and led the world’s largest automaker until his retirement on July 31, 1990. Earlier he was executive vice-president and a member of the board of directors beginning in 1974.
Siemens VDO Adds New Part Numbers to Electric Motor Line, Power Window Program and TPMS Replacement Parts
Siemens VDO Automotive has announced the addition of new part numbers to several of its product lines. The company is adding more than 130 part numbers to its full line of blower motors, radiator and condenser fan motors and cooling fan assemblies. Siemens VDO will now offer more than 900 SKUs with application coverage for more than 200 million North American vehicles. In addition, the company said it will add substantial coverage to its power window program with the addition of more than 135 new power window regulators and power window motor and regulator assemblies. Siemens VDO has also expanded its line of OE replacement parts for tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS).
Ford, UAW Tentative Deal: No Strike, No More Plant Closings
From Detroit Free Press Preliminary details of the tentative labor contract reached between the UAW and Ford Motor Co. show that the union extracted a rosier pact than many people had expected out of Detroit’s most financially fragile automaker. According to information provided to the Free Press by a top bargainer and another person familiar
European Commission Says Car Manufacturers Must Now Share Info with Independent Garages
From Tire Review/Tyres & Accessories Staffordshire, U.K. — The European Commission has moved to ensure that car manufacturers will provide technical information about car repairs to all independent garages in the European Union. According to a Dow Jones report, the decision will legally bind DaimlerChrysler, Toyota, General Motors and Fiat to change their business practices
From Counterman.com: Back to School
Mechanics always hear the plaintive cry, “If only I had the tools, I could fix it myself.” Of course, by saying that, the prospective customer implies that the act of acquiring the tool automatically bestows upon him the knowledge of how to do the repair! The same might also be said of today’s often taken-for-granted counter professional.
DENSO Announces Management Changes
KARIYA, Japan — DENSO Corp. has announced changes to its board of directors and managing officers. Changes will take place after the annual shareholders meeting on June 26. New Directors appointed to the Board: · Akihiko Saito, Chairman (from Vice Chairman) · Nobuaki Katoh, Senior Managing Director (from Managing Officer) · Kenji Ohya, Senior Managing