The Week in Review (Sept. 4-7, 2007)
by Arianne Anderson The Week in Review offers a snapshot of the most 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
U.S. Panel to Study Auto Fuel-Efficiency Technology
The Bush administration will launch a new study next week to estimate what kind of technology automakers will need to raise fuel efficiency over the next 15 years, updating and expanding a 2002 report that’s been a benchmark in this summer’s energy debate. The National Academy of Sciences panel, which includes environmentalists, independent experts and automotive engineers, will spend the next year working on the report.
TI Automotive Awarded Contracts Totaling $154 Million
WARREN, MI — TI Automotive was awarded contracts totaling more than $154 million by six global automakers during the last three months. TI Automotive’s Fluid Carrying Systems group secured contracts with Ford, General Motors, The New Chrysler, PSA Peugeot Citroen, Toyota and Volkswagen, according to Rich Kolpasky, the company’s president of Fluid Carrying Systems division.
Conti Acquires Chinese Auto Components Firm
Continental AG’s Automotive Systems Division plans to further consolidate its position in China through the acquisition of Zhangjiagang Fugang Heli Electronics Co. Ltd. from China’s Fugang Group. Conti intends to integrate the operations of Fugang Heli, a manufacturer of cooling fan modules and window lift motors, into the division’s electric drives business unit upon regulatory approval of the purchase.
Jiffy Lube Adds Operations and Customer Experience Executives to Senior Management Team
HOUSTON — Jiffy Lube International (JLI) has named two new senior managers to its team. Rick Altizer recently joined the company as general manager, global operations, and Craig Linington arrived earlier this year to serve as customer experience manager. In his new role, Altizer, who previously worked at Midas International, is responsible for the operation
Bill Burns Named CEO of Independent Warehouse Distributors, LLC.
The IWD (Auto Pride/Truck Pride) board of managers has announced the appointment of Bill Burns as company CEO. Burns began his new duties on June 7. He succeeds former CEO Bruce Tavik, who left the position due to the sale of his business.
From Counterman.com: Mitch’s World — Non-Euclidian Geometry
This month, Counterman columnist Mitch Schneider writes about physics and geometry and how these disciplines, coupled with the correct formulas, play critical roles in the lives of automotive professionals. Schneider writes, "Once upon a time, having the ‘right’ parts at the ‘right’ place, at the ‘right’ time and at the ‘right’ price was enough. That formula will not work as effectively in the future as it did in the past. Service professionals are looking for more today. They are looking for more and will respond to the distribution partner who gives them what they are looking for. Just ask anyone with a successful service center program."
Magna Powertrain Establishes its First R&D Center in China
Magna Powertrain, a group of Magna International Inc., has announced that Magna Powertrain (Changzhou) Co. Ltd. has been established and put into production in the Changzhou National Hi-Tech District in Jiangsu, where the company has founded the first engineering (R&D) center in this district of China beside the already-existing manufacturing facility. Guenther Apfalter, president of Magna Powertrain Europe and Asia, said that the investment in Magna Powertrain (Changzhou) Co. Ltd. totaled $50 million.
ALLDATA Releases New Updates
ELK GROVE, CA — ALLDATA LLC has issued its quarterly release, adding more than 330,000 pages of factory-correct automotive service and repair information to its core product. In addition, 2,294 new Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs), totaling 7,963 pages, were added. The release reflects new and updated information from U.S., Asian and European auto manufacturers. During
From Counterman.com: Survey Says
Counterman publisher Jon Owens discusses the importance of data in the aftermarket in his August column. He says the industry may believe that traditional distributors are losing business to OE dealer parts channels, but the data suggests otherwise.