ACCC and CARQUEST Form Strategic Partnership and Launch MaxPak Program
American Car Care Centers Inc. (ACCC) and CARQUEST Auto Parts have formed a new strategic marketing partnership that will be marketed by ACCC as MaxPak. MaxPak will include training and education and an insurance offering, among other services. Set to launch Apr. 1, MaxPak will consist of two primary elements: ACCC University and a range of marketing and promotion offerings. ACCC University is a series of web-based, self-paced training modules, including nine non-technical courses, 10 ASE test-prep courses, two tech assessment classes, two other technical courses and more.
Joe Gibbs Driven Makes First Appearance as a Primary Sponsor of Joe Gibbs Racing Car
Joe Gibbs Driven, the automotive aftermarket division of Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR), will make its first appearance as a primary sponsor of a NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series race car when JGR development driver Aric Almirola attempts to qualify for his first Nextel Cup race March 9 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Bosch to Acquire Beissbarth and Sicam
The Bosch Group has unveiled plans to further consolidate its foothold in the workshop equipment market through the acquisition of Munich-based Beissbarth GmbH, and Italy ’s Sicam s.r.l., companies that both belong to parent company Beissbarth Automotive Group GmbH. An agreement between Bosch and Beissbarth Automotive was signed on Feb. 14.
Bosch Group 2006 Sales Grow 5 Percent
The Bosch Group announced that it reached its growth target for 2006, by achieving sales of $54.9 billion, a 5 percent increase over the previous year. Profit for the year was slightly down, with the pre-tax result at the lower end of the target corridor of between seven and eight percent of sales. The company said primary growth drivers were the Asia-Pacific region, the Consumer Goods and Building Technology business sector as well as the Industrial Technology business sector.
OBITUARY: Former Indy 500 Driver Len Sutton, 81
INDIANAPOLIS – Len Sutton, one of open-wheel racing’s most respected drivers and the runner-up in the 1962 Indianapolis 500, passed away on Dec. 4 at the age of 81. A lifelong resident of Portland, OR, Sutton had been battling ill health for some time but had been participating in vintage-car race meets until very recently.
Vange Proimos of AP Exhaust Elected Chairman of AASA
Vange Proimos, president of AP Exhaust in Goldsboro, NC, has been elected chairman of the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA) Board of Governors. Proimos and his brothers founded the USA Muffler Shop chain in the 1970s. The business grew to more than 20 shops throughout northeast Indiana and included a distribution center to service the muffler shops. In 1994, he and his family started Catco Catalytic Converters, known today as one of the largest aftermarket converter manufacturers in the country. Catco specializes in universal, direct fit and OBDII technology converters. In 1998, Proimos acquired the AP Exhaust Aftermarket Division with manufacturing facilities in Goldsboro, NC. Manufacturing exhaust products for the past several years under the Goerlich’s, Merit, TruckEx and Xlerator brands, the company will begin to market their products as AP Exhaust in 2007.
Carson Lev Named VP/COO for Foose Design
Foose Design, the automotive and industrial design company conceived by legendary auto designer Chip Foose, has announced the appointment of Carson Lev as its new vice president and chief operating officer. Lev will be responsible for the company’s entire range of day-to-day operations, including overall management of design projects, scheduling and manpower allocations. In addition, Lev will coordinate Foose Design’s licensing programs and agreements, including Chip Foose’s role on the popular Overhaulin’ and Rides television shows.
The Week In Review (Aug. 21-25, 2006)
THE WEEK IN REVIEW (August 21-25, 2006) _______________________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________________ ASSOCIATION & LEGISLATIVE NEWS: _______________________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________________ ASA to Communicate with Members through New Blog The Automotive Service Association (ASA) is among the latest in the aftermarket industry to launch a blog website. ASA’s new blog (http://blog.asashop.org) will provide commentary and analysis about the automotive service industry
Keystone Automotive Names New Director of Quality Assurance
POMONA, CA – Keystone Automotive Industries has announced the addition of a new director of quality assurance to its staff. Steve Barker will join the rest of Keystone’s quality assurance team at the company’s Manufacturing and Quality Assurance headquarters located in Grand Rapids, MI. Reporting to Vice President Carl Hartman, Barker has been charged with
American Axle CEO Has Eye on Delphi: Some Units Would Fit Well, Exec Says
Dick Dauch, CEO of American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings Inc., said Wednesday that parts of auto supplier Delphi Corp., which is in bankruptcy, would fit with his company’s business model.