Judge Dismisses Class Action Move Against Steeltex Tires
A California judge today dismissed a motion seeking national class action status for an on-going lawsuit alleging defects in Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire’s entire Firestone Steeltex line. The ruling, which came after months of delays, is expected to be appealed by attorney Joseph Lisoni, who has made it a personal crusade to force the court-ordered recall of all Steeltex tires.
Transtar Autobody Technologies Selects BJM Associates for Advertising and Marketing
Transtar Autobody Technologies has named BJM Associates as its new advertising and marketing agency. Transtar Autobody Technologies develops and markets automotive refinish products, including VOC compliant clearcoat and primers, adhesives, sealers, coatings, plastic repair, compounds, glazes and waxes for the collision repair industry.
Manufacturers’ Rep Conference to Focus on Industry Partnerships
Make plans to attend the Manufacturers’ Rep Conference May 16-17, 2004 at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare in Chicago. Topics to be covered include customer relationship management, evaluating line profitability and agency profitability, pioneering new lines and adjusting income structures and developing a customer-focused sales force.
CSK’s Fraser, California Air Resources Board Representatives to Speak at ASPA Annual Meeting
Martin Fraser, president and COO of CSK Automotive, Peter Venturini of the CARB California Air Resource Board (CARB) Stationary Sources Division chief, and Janette Brook, CARB Air Quality Measures Branch chief, are the key speakers for the third annual Automotive Aftermarket Specialty Products Group (ASPA) meeting.
Campaign to Bring Back the “Midas Touch”
Midas wants to return to its core value of trust with the resurrection of a marketing campaign first used in Midas advertising in the 1980s. The company’s new national advertising agency DDB Chicago is collaborating with Ogilvy & Mather Toronto on the “Trust the Midas Touch” campaign. The campaign will include commercials that take place in a Midas shop and show a humorous dialog between a customer of Midas and a Midas service employee, who is hooked up to a polygraph machine. The commercials are the first in a long-term campaign to grow Midas’ category-leading shares in brakes and exhaust and to support the expansion of its services, including oil changes and other routine maintenance services.
Crump to Chair NACE 2004 in Las Vegas
The International Autobody Congress & Exposition (NACE) has re-appointed Vernon Crump, body shop director for John Eagle Collision Center in Dallas, Texas, as chairman for NACE 2004, which will be held Nov. 3-6, in Las Vegas, to coincide with Automotive Aftermarket Industry Week (AAIW). Crump was NACE 2003 chairman and received accolades for his leadership and experience, and for the innovative programs he introduced at NACE to spotlight new technologies and to strengthen industry and global relationships.
CARDONE Industries Accepted into EPA’s National Environmental Performance Track Program
Automotive parts remanufacturer CARDONE Industries has been accepted for membership in the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) National Environmental Performance Track Program. Performance Track rewards facilities that voluntarily exceed regulatory requirements, implement environmental management systems, work closely with their communities and set three-year goals to continuously improve environmental performance.
Moody’s Cuts ArvinMeritor Rating
ArvinMeritor Inc. said its debt rating was lowered to non-investment grade by Moody’s Investors Service and that the move will boost the company’s borrowing costs. Moody’s cut its rating on the Troy-based company’s long-term debt to Ba1, one level below investment grade, from Baa3, ArvinMeritor, said in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The company makes truck axles and automotive exhaust systems. Moody’s said the downgrade reflects ArvinMeritor’s “relatively poor performance” in 2003 and the first quarter of 2004, a result of lower vehicle production and slow demand for heavy trucks.
GM, Kia Face Growing Investigation
General Motors Corp. and Kia Motors Corp. are facing an expanded U.S. auto safety investigation and possible recalls because of fuel leaks that may occur on more than 760,000 vehicles. Gasoline may leak into the engine on 483,000 Cadillacs and Oldsmobile Auroras models for 1995 through 1997, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said. A total of 278,266 Kia Spectra and Sephia sedans from the 2000 and 2001 model years are being checked for spills during refueling, which led to the recall of 100,000 Sephias made before 2000.
Two Major Tiremakers Join U.S. EPA SmartWay Transport Partnership
Two major tiremakers — Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire (BFNT) and Michelin North America — have joined the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) SmartWay Transport Partnership, a national partnership to help reduce greenhouse gas and other emissions from ground freight transportation.