Pennzoil Platinum Prize Honors Vehicle Enthusiasts
Pennzoil presented the Platinum Prize to auto and truck enthusiasts around the country as part of its Platinum Garage Tour that traveled to auto events around the country. This award recognized enthusiasts who made the ultimate commitment to protect their most prized investment — their custom or classic vehicles.
Chris Theodore Joins ASC Incorporated
ASC announced that auto-industry veteran Chris Theodore has joined the company as vice chairman. Theodore, 55, will report to ASC President and CEO Paul Wilbur, and will immediately assume primary responsibility for all of the company’s product-development activities, while also assisting with operations and all other automotive business matters at ASC.
Gold Eagle Takes ‘Engine Answerman’ on the Road
Gold Eagle Co. has tapped eight-time STA-BIL National Lawn Mower Racing Series champion Bobby Cleveland to tour the country as ‘the Engine Answerman.’ The unique promotion is designed to reach out to consumers across the U.S. with expert advice on virtually all engine-powered vehicles and equipment.
Lear May Bid on Collins & Aikman
Lear Corp. is considering a bid to purchase bankrupt interior supplier Collins & Aikman Corp., according to a source close to the situation. The combination of the two companies would create the world’s third-biggest automotive supplier, with nearly $21 billion in sales, and enhance Lear’s standing as the industry’s largest supplier of interiors, with most major car companies as customers.
Dunlop Tires ‘Tune Into’ Supercharged ‘Tuner’ European Cars
Luxury vehicle builders are increasingly specifying Dunlop to outfit supercharged versions of Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz sports cars. Dunlop today said it’s making gains on high-profile “tuner” vehicles.
Troubled Supplier Finally Has a Suitor
Plastech Engineered Products Inc., a growing plastics auto parts maker from Dearborn,MI is expected to launch a bid in bankruptcy court this week for rival Collins & Aikman Corp., a company roughly four times the size of Plastech.
Dayco Celebrates Its First Hundred Years
With its celebration slogan “Continuing the Legacy,” Dayco Products, LLC is celebrating its 100th year as a company. In these days of corporate buy-outs and mergers, Dayco has maintained its identity, and in some ways returned to its early roots, to become a highly-respected, worldwide manufacturer of belts, hose, tensioners and related parts for the automotive original equipment and replacement markets. The legacy it celebrates is one of a strong company that has a reputation for an insatiable craving to develop new products, improve established products and increase manufacturing efficiencies.
Automotive Communicators Honored for Outstanding PR Achievements
The winners of the fourth annual Excellence in Automotive Public Relations Award were honored April 28 at the Spring Conference of the Automotive Public Relations Council (APRC) held in Dearborn, Mich. The only award of its kind, the Excellence in Automotive Public Relations Award identifies public relations programs that have successfully addressed an automotive-related public relations issue with exemplary professional skill, creativity and resourcefulness. The annual award honors complete public relations programs that incorporate sound planning, execution and evaluation.
John Z. DeLorean’s Death Boosting Prices on GTOs and DeLoreans
The market for the classic Pontiac GTO and the DeLorean Motor Cars gull-wing coupe is already being impacted by the recent death of John Z. DeLorean, according to officials from the Volo Auto Museum. The museum has sold three GTOs in the last four days, including a 1969 GTO convertible for more than $100,000.
NBC to Broadcast International Auto Show
NBC Sports is shifting into overdrive to produce a live two-hour, high-octane telecast of . . . the International Auto Show. Cars. On display. In Detroit. Surrounded by hordes of people. “We’re using our NASCAR team, who are used to creating a live, fast-paced feel to events,” says NBC Sports programming chief Jon Miller. “Imagine it as a two-hour pit stop that celebrates the automotive industry.”