CARDONE Industries Named O’Reilly Auto Parts 2003 Vendor of the Year
CARDONE Industries was recently named “2003 Vendor of the Year” by O’Reilly Auto Parts. CARDONE is a leading supplier of remanufactured automotive products, including a full line of brakes, drivetrain, electronics, motors, pumps and steering. CARDONE was selected for the award based on its high service levels, including effective sales support, ease of business and high order fill, according to the company.
Visteon CFO Daniel Coulson to Retire Next Month
Daniel Coulson, Visteon’s executive vice president and CFO, has announced he will retire on March 31, after a distinguished 38-year career at Visteon and Ford Motor Co.Coulson originally intended to announce his retirement in early December 2003, but agreed to remain with the company on an interim basis after his replacement, George Strickler, former CFO at BorgWarner, withdrew from the new appointment.
Final Deadline for AASA Top Suppliers List — Friday, March 5
The final deadline to submit information for the 2004 Top Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers List is quickly approaching. Information for this free listing must be submitted by Friday, March 5. Published by Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA), the aftermarket segment of the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA), and produced by Babcox Publications, this multi-page, full-color publication will be distributed with the May issue of Counterman magazine, which reaches more than 50,000 automotive aftermarket parts distribution professionals every month.
Car Care Council’s Women’s Board Expands Sponsorship Opportunities
The Car Care Council Women’s Board is expanding its sponsorship program to allow for support of all of the Women’s Board activities for the year, which include industry outreach, consumer education and recruiting women to the industry, as well as serving as an advisory board to the “Be Car Care Aware” campaign.
Advance Auto Parts Hopes to Maintain Fast Pace of Earnings, Expansion
Roanoke, Va., is home to an automotive parts retailer that keeps pushing the pace. Advance Auto continues to expand, stretching itself across many markets. By the end of 2003, it had 2,546 stores in 39 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands with plans to open up to 135 in 2004. But how long can it keep up this speed?
School Auto Center Revs Up Students
Alex Kosterman, Kevin Bendorf and Matt Beier hunched over the shiny red Pontiac Sunfire, carefully inspecting the car’s leaky battery before cleaning it up and replacing it. The hands-on lesson on starting systems and batteries took place Tuesday in Racine, Wis.-based Park High School’s new automotive technology center, a 5,000-square-foot dream for the school’s automotive students. The investment bucks a national trend, as more and more high school auto shops are stalling despite a huge demand for skilled auto technicians. The most common roadblocks: the hefty cost of running automotive programs and a more intense focus on college preparatory classes.
Registration Forms Now Available for MEMA Counterfeiting Seminar
As part of its continuing efforts to address the counterfeiting and intellectual property right violations problems — which costs the U.S. automotive industry nearly $3 billion and costs the global industry $12 billion each year — MEMA will present a one-day seminar — “Taking Action Against Automotive Parts Counterfeiting, Diversion and IPR Violations” — on Monday, April 5, at the Dearborn Hyatt, Dearborn, Mich.
DENSO Increases Motorsports Sponsorships for 2004
Japan-based DENSO Corp. has announced it will co-sponsor two new teams for the 2004 racing season — Panasonic Toyota Racing team in Formula One (F1), and Subaru World Rally team. DENSO will also continue to support the Panasonic Toyota Racing team as a technical sponsor.
ABC, ESPN to Provide Live Coverage of IRL Indycar Series
ESPN and ABC Sports have signed on to be the exclusive carriers of Indy Racing League (IRL) events, providing live television coverage of all 16 IRL IndyCar Series events for the 2004 season.
Alcoa Named ‘Most Admired Company’ by Fortune Magazine
Alcoa has been named one of Fortune magazine’s “Most Admired Companies” in the magazine’s upcoming annual report on reputation. Alcoa is one of the world’s leading producers of primary aluminum, fabricated aluminum and alumina, and is active in all major aspects of the industry, including the aerospace, automotive, packaging, building and construction, commercial transportation and industrial markets.