Johnson Controls-Saft Names Mary Ann Wright CEO
Johnson Controls-Saft Advanced Power Solutions has announced the appointment of Mary Ann Wright as its chief executive officer. Her appointment was effective March 1. Johnson Controls-Saft Advanced Power Solutions (JCS) is the joint venture between Johnson Controls, Inc. and France-based Saft Groupe SA, which is the exclusive entity by which the companies participate in the hybrid battery market. Wright will be responsible for accelerating the growth and executing the launch of hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric vehicle battery programs with emphasis on state of the art technology, manufacturing and electronics integration.
Mary Aichlmayr, Tire Review Managing Editor, to Join the Advisory Panel of Ask Patty
AskPatty.com, Inc., announced today that Mary Aichlmayr, managing editor of Tire Review magazine, will join the automotive advisory panel of industry-expert women for their new woman’s portal, Ask Patty. The Ask Patty website, http://www.askpatty.com, which launched June 8, 2006, provides a safe place for women to get advice on car purchases, maintenance and other automotive related topics online.
R. L. Polk & Co.’s Ask the Industry Talks to Female Industry Executives About Their Vehicle Maintenance Habits
During the annual winter meeting of the Car Care Council Women’s Board held last week in Savannah, GA, Van Kirk, of Kirk’s Auto Repair, told the board that today approximately 72 percent of his customers are female. This number is in line with industry statistics that show females are becoming more actively involved in vehicle maintenance for their households. We asked several members of the Car Care Council Women’s Board how their habits compared to the numbers. We asked them: Who is the primary vehicle maintainer in their households, and how do they decide where to take their cars when it’s time for maintenance or repair?
GAAS 2007 to Feature Exciting Speakers, Register Early to Take Advantage of Discount
Surviving in a Changing Aftermarket is the theme for the 2007 Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS) on Tuesday, May 8 and Wednesday, May 9 at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare in Chicago. Participants who register before Friday, March 23, 2007 will receive $200 off regular registration rates. Registration forms can be accessed at http://www.globalsymposium.org.
Scot Manna Wins ACDelco Technician of the Millennium IV Competition
GRAND BLANC, MI — Scot Manna, owner of MB Automotive, in Des Plaines, IL, has won the ACDelco Technician of the Millennium IV competition, which was held recently at the ACDelco National Convention in Las Vegas. Manna, the U.S. North Central Region champion, prevailed over seven other U.S. and Canadian automotive technicians who qualified for
Polk Appoints Alice Miles Vice President, Global Data Acquisition
SOUTHFIELD, MI — R. L. Polk & Co. has appointed Alice Miles as vice president, global data acquisition. In this role, Miles will be responsible for managing and facilitating ongoing data acquisition efforts worldwide. Miles will report to Pat Barrett, senior vice president – business development, government relations and legal services. Prior to joining Polk,
Week in Review
THE WEEK IN REVIEW (August 14-18, 2006) _______________________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________________ ASSOCIATION & LEGISLATIVE NEWS: _______________________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________________ Updates Made to NASTF OEM Service Information Website NASTF recently added updated information to its OEM Service Websites page. According to NASTF, three notable changes have occurred within the listings: Acura and Honda have significantly reduced their annual subscription rates;
Detroit Free Press Tom Walsh Column: Detroit Way is Going Out of Style
Is the Detroit Way of doing business on its final lap? Yes, almost certainly, if the General Motors Corp. board of directors, which meets today, ultimately decides to cast its lot with billionaire investor Kirk Kerkorian and the daring automotive superstar of the moment, Carlos Ghosn, by steering GM into a sprawling global alliance with Nissan Motor Co. of Japan and French automaker Renault.
Detroit Free Press Tom Walsh column: Detroit Way is Going Out of Style
Is the Detroit Way of doing business on its final lap? Yes, almost certainly, if the General Motors Corp. board of directors, which meets today, ultimately decides to cast its lot with billionaire investor Kirk Kerkorian and the daring automotive superstar of the moment, Carlos Ghosn, by steering GM into a sprawling global alliance with Nissan Motor Co. of Japan and French automaker Renault.
R. L. Polk & Co.’s Ask the Industry Looks at the Value of Networking
This year, the Car Care Council Women’s Board celebrates ten years of bringing together aftermarket professionals to encourage more women to join the aftermarket and help women become better vehicle maintainers. At the recent Women’s Board summer meeting held last month in Atlanta, aftermarketNews Editor Amy Antenora asked a few longtime aftermarket executives what they get out of networking events and associations such as this. Here’s what they had to say.