NHTSA to Release Defect Data to Public
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said this week data collected from its defect warning system will be made public sometime this year. The agency agreed to keep warranty claims and consumer complaints confidential after automakers claimed access to the data would allow competitors to learn proprietary information about their vehicles. However, NHTSA dismissed manufacturers’ attempts to limit some information, such as the states in which defect-related deaths are occurring.
Tire Shipments Gain Momentum This Year: RMA
According to the Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA), tire shipments will grow 3.2 percent overall in 2004, due to a rebound in the commercial trucking sector and a strengthening U.S. economy. Tire shipments for 2003 increased by 0.6 percent, compared to 2002 levels, said the RMA, as a result of a strong replacement tire market demand being offset by a decline in light vehicle OE tire markets.
DENSO Earns 2004 Climate Protection Award from EPA
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded its 2004 Climate Protection Award DENSO Corp., Toyota Motor Corp. and Toyota Industries Corp., which together comprise the Electrical Inverter Air Conditioning Team. The team developed an electrical inverter air conditioning system that provides cooling for the new 2003 Toyota Prius during “idle” stop when the engine shuts down to save fuel and emissions. The team was one of 12 organizations and individuals to receive the award.
NHRA Retains JMPR for Public Relations Projects
The National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) has retained JMPR, Inc. for a variety of special public relations projects. NHRA is one of the world’s largest motorsports sanctioning bodies, with 80,000 members, 140 member tracks, more than 35,000 licensed competitors and more than 5,000 member-track events.
NASTF Reports on March 8 Meeting in Detroit
The National Automotive Service Task Force (NASTF) held its regular winter meeting on March 8 in conjunction with the SAE World Congress in Detroit. The task force meets twice yearly to maintain a forum for discussion and resolution of service-related issues. Approximately 55 people attended the meeting.
Auto Supplier Venture: Money Diverted Before its Bankruptcy
One of Michigan’s largest private corporations has taken the extraordinary action of suing the man who founded it, saying he, his family and side businesses owned by them siphoned more than $314 million from the corporation before it declared bankruptcy.
ANSA Automotive Names Mitch Williams National Sales Development Manager
Mitch Williams, founder of Vehicle Performance Systems, a recently formed international sales and marketing agency, has joined the ANSA Automotive sales team. Heading up National Sales Development, he will focus on expanding and managing the independent outside rep base and developing major WD relationships for both Silverline and ANSA SPORT performance exhausts.
ACDelco Wants to Reach “Real Car Guys”
ACDelco is launching new trade and consumer advertising campaigns this week designed to catch the eye of “Real Car Guys.” The campaign is being launched at this time to coincide with April’s National Car Care Month, in an effort to encourage proper vehicle maintenance. Playing off of its longstanding history in the business, ACDelco is using this new campaign to position itself as the most trusted name and leading brand in the aftermarket, for virtually all makes and models.
Experts Warn Industry’s Growth in South Carolina Will Be Flat at Best
South Carolina is chasing automotive manufacturing jobs even as the industry’s work force is slipping away from the U.S. Some experts warn South Carolina will lose its auto jobs too, as automakers and parts companies move jobs abroad or squeeze out jobs at home through efficiency gains. Some experts warn South Carolina will lose its auto jobs too, as automakers and parts companies move jobs abroad or squeeze out jobs at home through efficiency gains.
Wade&Partners Adds New Account Executive
Wade&Partners aftermarket consulting firm has added Aileen Gildea as a new account executive. In this role, she will be responsible for client contact, as well as a large range of public relations activities. Prior to joining Wade&Partners, Gildea was an advertising production manager at O’Reilly Media and had worked for WBUR radio.