WIX Announces Two New In-Store Promotions
WIX Filters has launched two new promotions for collectors. An exclusive NASCAR Performance Product, WIX is launching the WIX #1 Fan Bobblehead Promotion designed to help spread the excitement of America’s fastest-growing sport to consumers. WIX is also unveiling the latest in its series of die-cast collectibles, celebrating the joint achievements of both Ford and WIX.
TRW Trims Losses
Livonia-based TRW Automotive Holdings Corp., the world’s No. 2 maker of automotive air bags, said its fourth-quarter loss narrowed to $1 million, or 1 cent a share, as currency-exchange gains and auto-parts demand boosted sales. TRW has a year-earlier loss of $33 million. Sales climbed 12 percent to $2.98 billion from $2.67 billion, the company said in a statement. A year ago, TRW was part of defense contractor Northrop Grumman Corp.
ASA Planning ‘Celebration of Excellence’
The Automotive Service Association (ASA) is finalizing plans for the “Celebration of Excellence” which will take place Friday, Nov. 5 at the Flamingo Las Vegas. The event will honor the achievements of ASA members and other industry leaders. The program will include a graduation ceremony recognizing those who have earned the Automotive Management Institute’s Accredited Automotive Manager (AAM) designation, as well as the presentation of a number of awards, including the Chairman’s Award of Excellence, a humanitarian award and a legislative award.
Automotive Communicators Discuss Preparing For and Dealing With Crisis
The Automotive Public Relations Council (APRC), the professional peer group of the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association, will examine the issue of “Dealing with Crisis” during its annual Spring Conference. Slated to take place Wednesday, April 21, at the Dearborn Hyatt Regency in Dearborn, Mich, this event will provide insight on how automotive public relations professionals should plan and execute successful crisis communications strategies.
SKF to Continue as Roush Racing Sponsor
SKF USA Inc. and Roush Racing have signed a new sponsorship agreement that features SKF as the primary sponsor of Jeff Burton’s No. 99 Ford Taurus for two NASCAR Nextel Cup events: February 22 in Rockingham, N.C., and March 14 in Atlanta, Ga.
Siemens VDO Automotive to Establish Diesel Systems Group; Focus on R&D, Testing
Siemens VDO Automotive has announced plans to establish a new division with headquarters in Columbia, Richland County, S.C. The new division — Powertrain Diesel Systems North America — will become a national center for research and development, engineering and testing of diesel fuel technology, including piezo electronic fuel injectors, diesel pumps and fuel rails, said the company. The company will invest $25 million in the new facility, which will employ 120 people, 70 of whom will be new hires from the region.
CBS Segment Featuring ASA’s Ron Pyle Sparks Criticism from Insurers, Repairers
The Automotive Service Association’s (ASA’s) Chief Staff Executive Ron Pyle was recently featured in two CBS programs that addressed the issue of insurer-owned body shops. A number of insurers and repairers responded negatively to the segment, including the National Auto Body Council (NABC), which sent a stern letter to CBS News stating that the segment didn’t live up to its sensationalized billing, when Dan Rather told the viewing audience to stay tuned to see how consumers are possibly being ripped off by collision repair shops.
Edelbrock 2004 Catalog Now Available
The new 2004 Edelbrock Catalog for American Cars & Trucks is now available. Sporting a historic cover shot of Vic Edelbrock Jr. with his father’s just-restored ’32 Ford Roadster, the new catalog has 244 pages of automotive parts including manifolds, shocks, cylinder heads, fuel pumps, carburetors, camshafts, headers, crate engines, etc. It is also the company’s largest catalog to date.
PERA Announces Schedule for 2004 Marketing and Technical Program
The Production Engine Remanufacturers Association (PERA) has announced the schedule for its 2004 Marketing and Technical Program, which is slated to take place April 1-3 at the Seelbach Hilton Hotel, in Louisville, Ky.
Tower Takes Charges, Posts Loss
Tower Automotive Inc., the world’s largest maker of vehicle frames, had a fourth-quarter loss of $24.7 million because of expenses for restructuring operations and writing down assets. The loss was 43 cents a share, compared with profit of $17.3 million, or 29 cents, a year earlier. Sales rose 5.2 percent to $717 million from $681.6 million, the Novi-based company said.