Automechanika Canada’s Seminar Program to Highlight the Industry’s Future
Automechanika Canada, which takes place June 19-21, at the International Centre in Toronto, Ontario, will offer seminars designed to help aftermarket professionals succeed in these changing times. Highlighting the program are a keynote address by Bob Greenwood, an award-winning automotive aftermarket industry expert; seven industry seminars; and nine educational courses. Additionally, the Automotive Parts Remanufacturers Association (APRA) and the Ontario Tire Dealers Association (OTDA), two of the show’s industry partners, will contribute to the seminar program, and OTDA will sponsor the exclusive Tire & Wheel Pavilion within Automechanika Canada.
Carroll Shelby Earns Auto Executive of the Year Lifetime Achievement Award
Automotive icon Carroll Shelby will receive the 2008 Automotive Executive of the Year Lifetime Achievement Award, which will be presented to him during an invitation-only luncheon at the Detroit Athletic Club on April 16. This is the first time in a decade that the Automotive Executive of the Year’s annual honoree will be recognized for lifetime achievement. The Automotive Executive of the Year Lifetime Achievement Award has recognized excellence in automotive leadership from OEM executives since 1964. Past winners include Jim Press, Bill Ford, Jr., Dieter Zetsche, Rick Wagoner, Henry Ford II, Robert Eaton, Thomas Stallkamp, Roger Smith, Harold E. Poling and Lee Iacocca.
IndyCar Series and Indy Pro Series Forge Promotional Partnership with Raybestos Brand Brakes
Indy Racing League officials have announced a two-year promotional partnership with the Affinia Under Vehicle Group, manufacturers of Raybestos brand brakes. The partnership designates Raybestos as the preferred competition brake friction of the IndyCar Series and Firestone Indy Lights at all road and street course races through 2009. The announcement renews a relationship between Raybestos brand brakes and Indy-style open wheel racing that dates back decades
Hapco Announces New Staff Appointments
FORT WORTH, Texas — Manufacturer’s rep firm Hapco has announced the addition of two new team members — Gill Kaszuba and Carlie Ethridge. Kaszuba will head up the expansion of Hapco’s performance division. Kaszuba brings extensive aftermarket background to his new role, having served as a national sales manager for a performance manufacturer with 40
Bosch Closes Deal to Acquire Accu Industries Inc.
BROADVIEW, Ill. — Robert Bosch LLC has finalized its acquisition of Accu Industries, Inc. The closing clears the way for the integration of Accu Industries facilities, operations and associates into the diagnostics business unit of Bosch’s North American Automotive Aftermarket division. Accu Industries brings new product additions and a nationwide sales and service organization to
Peak Motor Oil to Sponsor Indycar Series Pole Award
PEAK Motor Oil has announced it will sponsor the PEAK Motor Oil Pole Award at all 2008 IndyCar Series events. The award, presented to the fastest qualifier each race weekend, builds on the strong partnership already in place between the IndyCar Series and PEAK Performance Products. The PEAK Motor Oil Pole Award will give $10,000 to the fastest qualifier at each race on the schedule except for the Indianapolis 500, where it will award $100,000 for the top qualifier. In addition to the $100,000 for the Indianapolis 500 polesitter, PEAK will award $25,000 to the second place Indianapolis 500 qualifier, and $10,000 for the third-place qualifier. These top-three qualifiers will make up the PEAK Motor Oil Front Row.
IndyCar Series Unveils Redesigned Web Site to Kick Off 2008 Season
INDIANAPOLIS – With the start of the IndyCar Series just three days away, the official Web site of the IndyCar Series and Indy Pro Series, www.indycar.com, is keeping pace with a fresh look and expanded features for 2008. Highlighting the update is a daily TV-style show, “Up to Speed!” that reviews and previews events, showcases
Superior Industries Reports Fourth Quarter and 2007 Results
Superior Industries International announced sharply improved operating results for the fourth quarter and 2007 versus the same periods of the prior year. For the three months ended Dec. 31, 2007, consolidated net sales increased 8 percent to $229,243,000 compared to $212,169,000 for the fourth quarter of 2006, despite a reduction of $945,000 in wheel program development revenues. This revenue growth included a 1.5 percent increase in unit wheel shipments and a 7.1 percent increase in average selling prices, due principally to a higher percentage of larger diameter wheels in the sales mix than in the prior year.
Bosch Acquires Accu Industries
The Bosch Group is acquiring the operating assets of Accu Industries Inc., located in Ashland, VA. Accu Industries employs 45 associates and generated sales of roughly $16 million in 2007. The company sells tire changers, wheel balancers and wheel alignment equipment. With the acquisition, Bosch is strengthening its automotive aftermarket division and further expanding the workshop equipment business of its diagnostics business unit.
NASCAR Engine Builder Teams Sign Up Early to Compete in the 2008 MAHLE Engine Builder Showdown
The first round of the 2008 MAHLE Engine Builder Showdown is more than two months away, but already multiple NASCAR engine builder teams have signed up to compete in the contest, which pits teams in a race to build and run a Chevy RO7 engine in the shortest time possible. The Showdown, a tiered four-round competition, begins on May 5. This is the ninth year of the annual MAHLE competition for NASCAR engine builders.