Executive Interview with Nancy McLean, Director of Marketing for ACDelco GM Service and Parts Operations
Nancy McLean is director of ACDelco Marketing for GM Service and Parts Operations (SPO). Read on as McLean shares with aftermarketNews the details of the new ACDelco 360 initiative and other marketing initiatives and plans for the new year.
R. L. Polk & Co.’s Ask the Industry Looks at the Fluctuating Dollar’s Impact on Manufacturing
This edition of “Ask the Industry” looks at the affect changes in U.S. currency is having on the automotive aftermarket industry, particularly the manufacturing sector. Helping us sort through this complex issue is Frank Hampshire, senior director of market research for the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA) and the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA). In this exclusive “Ask the Industry” discussion, Hampshire says the fluctuating value of the dollar isn’t all bad for aftermarket manufacturers.
Delphi Can Begin Bankruptcy Vote Process
Delphi Corp. can begin soliciting votes for its plan to exit bankruptcy, the company’s lawyer said on Friday, a major step toward letting the auto parts maker proceed with a restructuring that would shed thousands of jobs in plants across the country. Delphi attorney Jack Butler said bankruptcy judge Robert Drain verbally approved the order on Friday and that if all changes the judge requested meet his requirements, he would enter an order today. Delphi’s reorganization plan includes shrinking its unionized work force to a fraction of its former size and shifting manufacturing overseas.
Siemens VDO Adds New Part Numbers to Electric Motor Line, Power Window Program and TPMS Replacement Parts
Siemens VDO Automotive has announced the addition of new part numbers to several of its product lines. The company is adding more than 130 part numbers to its full line of blower motors, radiator and condenser fan motors and cooling fan assemblies. Siemens VDO will now offer more than 900 SKUs with application coverage for more than 200 million North American vehicles. In addition, the company said it will add substantial coverage to its power window program with the addition of more than 135 new power window regulators and power window motor and regulator assemblies. Siemens VDO has also expanded its line of OE replacement parts for tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS).
GUEST COMMENTARY: How to Go Beyond Customer Service and Deliver Customer Value
The following guest commentary comes from Joe Mejaly, vice president and general manager of ArvinMeritor’s Commercial Vehicle Aftermarket (CVA) business. His comments are excerpted from remarks made in October to a national meeting of warehouse distributors and independent service garage operators. ArvinMeritor provides its parts and services to and through authorized parts outlets, including warehouse distributors and OE dealers.
DENSO Announces First-half Financial Results, Global Consolidated Net Sales Rise 14.5 Percent
KARIYA, Japan – DENSO this week announced global financial results for the first half year, ended Sept. 30. Consolidated net sales totaled $16.9 billion, a 14.5 percent increase from the previous year. Consolidated operating income totaled $1.5 billion, a 22.3 percent increase from the previous year. Consolidated net income totaled $1 billion, a 25.7 percent
Executive Interview with Jay Pittas, President, Remy Electrical Aftermarket
This week’s Executive Interview features Jay Pittas, president for the Electrical Aftermarket business of Remy International. Pittas joined Remy in 2006 from Eagle-Picher Automotive where he served as president of the Wolverine Specialty Materials business. Prior to joining EaglePicher, Pittas held progressive positions with Honeywell, ARI Technologies and UOP. Pittas has nearly 30 years of manufacturing experience, holding management positions in customer service, sales, technical support and process engineering. He has been responsible for leading business expansion through new customer and international market development, implemented Six Sigma and other productivity programs and organized teams to meet competitive challenges. Pittas completed the chemical engineering program at the University of Notre Dame and the engineering management program at Hamilton University. Join us as Pittas shares with aftermarketNews the latest details on Remy’s Prepackaged Plan of Reorginzation as well as the company’s plans
WAI Introduces New Engine Management Product Line Using Omnitek’s CARS Product
Wetherill Associates, Inc. (WAI), a Pennsylvania-based, global supplier of auto parts, has selected Omnitek Information Systems Inc. to introduce its new engine management product line. WAI selected Omnitek’s Computerized Automotive Research System (CARS) to help produce and organize the cataloging for the new line.
AIAM Names John Mendel as Chairman
The Association of International Automobile Manufacturers (AIAM), has named John Mendel, executive vice president of American Honda Motor Co., Inc., as chairman of AIAM’s board of directors. AIAM represents 14 international motor vehicle manufacturers that account for 31 percent of all light duty motor vehicles produced in the United States.
Alcoa Sells Stake in Chalco for $2 Billion
Alcoa Inc, the biggest U.S. aluminum producer, has sold its nearly 7 percent stake in China’s largest aluminum maker for $2 billion. Pittsburgh-based Alcoa said yesterday that it will continue to invest in the aluminum industry in China where it first opened offices in 1993 and currently manufactures foil, fasteners, automotive components and other products. Alcoa had been an investor in Aluminum Corp. of China Ltd, also known as Chalco, since the Chinese company’s initial public offering in 2001. Its initial investment was less than $200 million.