CARE Testifies Passage of Act Needed to Protect Small Businesses, Economy
The Coalition for Auto Repair Equality (CARE) called for passage of the Motor Vehicle Owners’ Right to Repair Act, H.R. 2048, to provide fairness and free market competition for small businesses in the automotive aftermarket industry. The automotive aftermarket is a $200 billion a year industry with over 495,000 automotive aftermarket locations.
Rancho Celebrates 50th Anniversary with Summer Promotion, Chances to Win iPod, Ford F-150
Enthusiasts can now earn fun and exciting premiums – including an Apple iPod Shuffle – through the purchase of qualifying Rancho products in the “Rancho’s Turning 50” promotion during the month of June. Participants also are entered into the grand-prize sweepstakes for the 2004 Rancho Ford F-150 project vehicle giveaway.
Meridian Seeks Chapter 11 Aid
In what is becoming a fairly regular and disconcerting occurrence in today’s auto industry, Meridian Automotive Systems Inc. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection Tuesday, citing the high cost of steel and increased pricing pressure from its automaker customers.
AAPEX Branding Strategy Featured As Best Practice in EXPO Magazine
The branding strategy used to build a new look for the 2004 Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX) was chosen as a Best Practice by EXPO magazine and featured in the publication’s March issue. The article, “Extreme Makeover,” details the steps taken to create a new look that would brand AAPEX as a must-attend event for the $250 billion automotive aftermarket industry.
AAIA President Promotes Aftermarket to Wall Street Investors
Wall Street investment analysts learned more about the aftermarket and initiatives to grow the industry during the first annual Automotive Aftermarket Conference held last week in New York City. Sponsored by Monarch Research at the Cornell Club in Manhattan, the conference was attended by representatives from JP Morgan Chase, Maynard Capital, Lipton Financial, Blue Harbor Group, SBZ Select, Vardon Partners, Pilot Advisors, Bozhardt Capital and Cantillon Capital. Kathleen Schmatz, president and CEO of the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA), spoke at the event.
Venture’s Bankruptcy Plan Out; Auction Likely
The murky future of troubled auto supplier Venture Industries got murkier as a bankruptcy judge denied the company’s plan to exit bankruptcy after nearly two years. Most likely the Fraser, Mich.-based company — which makes plastic parts such as bumpers and instrument panels for the auto industry — is headed for the auction block with it being sold off all at once, or piece by piece. Venture is one of the world’s largest auto-plastics suppliers and at its peak employed about 13,000 worldwide, including about 2,000 in metro Detroit.
Metal-Stamping Plants that Supply Auto Parts Face Bleak Future, Experts Warn
Up to half of the U.S. metal stamping plants that supply parts for the automobile industry could be out of business in six years, an industry attorney and trade group warned Thursday.
Charting Your Supply Chain DNA — The Transformation Roadmap
What is the roadmap that successful companies follow in redefining their supply chain? Technology companies like Apple, Cisco, Dell and others are setting the trend toward faster innovation cycle times and shorter time to market. Supply chain velocity and agility are the bedrock of their competitive differentiation. As this transformation gradually cascades across industries, including automotive, implementation of the supply chain lifecycle based on the DNA building blocks we have been talking about can help companies manage these transformations effectively. The DNA building blocks represent strategies and distinguishing capabilities that have been implemented by the business-innovation leaders.
Venture Survival More at Risk
The protracted bankruptcy of auto supplier Venture Corp. continues, and the longer it drags on the less likely the plastics firm will survive, say automaker officials, supplier consultants and lawyers handling the case. Based in Fraser, Mich., Venture is one of the world’s largest auto-plastics suppliers and at its peak employed about 13,000 worldwide, including thousands in Michigan.
Auto Customizers Spend Billions, Boost Aftermarket Parts Suppliers
Some adults decorate their houses to suit their personalities. Others “pimp out” their cars. Customizing cars is a hobby that’s been around for years, but these days — with television shows such as “Pimp My Ride” and “Monster Garage,” and movies like “The Fast and The Furious,” the trend is just starting to get noticed.