Auto Engineers Are in Demand, Jobs Experts Say
Automotive engineers remain in demand, despite this week’s announced layoffs at General Motors Corp. Just this week, Hella, a German manufacturer with a facility in Plymouth, MI, announced plans to hire 50 new lighting and electronics engineers before the end of the year. Ironically, Hella needs the new talent because it’s picking up more business from General Motors, and Ford Motor Co. chose it as a strategic supplier for exterior lighting.
Tony Thacker Named Executive Director of Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum
Tony Thacker has joined NHRA as executive director of the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum. Thacker, 56, of Pomona, CA, will be in charge of the daily operations of the museum, including maintaining its extensive displays and promoting the museum’s role within the community.
ASA Announces CARS 2006 Dates, Location
The Automotive Service Association (ASA) has announced that the 2006 Congress of Automotive Repair and Service (CARS) will be held Nov. 2-4 at The Mirage in Las Vegas. CARS is sponsored by ASA’s Mechanical Division and is an official event of Automotive Aftermarket Industry Week (AAIW), held annually in Las Vegas.
ASA Announces Dates, Location For 2006 Annual Business Meeting
The Automotive Service Association (ASA) has announced its 2006 annual business meeting will be held April 26-29 at the Driskill Hotel in Austin, TX. Highlighting the agenda will be open meetings of the ASA affiliate assembly and board of directors, as well as an operations committee forum featuring both collision and mechanical committee members. Ron Pyle, ASA president and chief staff executive, will deliver a state-of-the-association address during the Saturday luncheon, and a new chairman of the ASA board of directors will be sworn in during the event.
Kerkorian Aide Urges Ailing GM to Cut Salaries
General Motors faces a financial crisis requiring that it slash costs from top to bottom — cutting salaries of board members and top executives, hourly wages for factory workers and the dividend for shareholders — financier Kirk Kerkorian’s automotive lieutenant declared Tuesday.
SEMA Survey Shows Consumers Consider the Aftermarket for Gift Giving
Early in December SEMA asked a small group of consumers if they planned to purchase any specialty equipment for friends, family or themselves during this holiday season. Of the consumers who responded to SEMA’s holiday survey, 29 percent indicated that automotive parts and/or accessories were on their list of gifts they planned on purchasing this year.
Behr Returns to 2006 SAE World Congress
After a four-year absence, Behr America, a leading supplier of automotive engine cooling and air-conditioning systems, will return as an exhibitor to the SAE World Congress this year in Detroit (April 3-6 at Cobo Center).
Hella’s LED Rear Lamps Add Individuality, Safety
Hella will market new tail lamp kits for the automotive aftermarket featuring a combination of its innovative CELIS (Central Lighting Systems) and LED technology.
Executive Interview with Terry McCormack, President and CEO, Affinia
Every other week, aftermarketNews.com offers an interview with high-profile individuals in the automotive aftermarket. We give executives free reign to express their views on anything from the state of their corporations to recent legislative news to future trends in their niche markets. Here you see what matters to the newsmakers themselves. This week we catch up with Terry McCormack, president and CEO of Affinia.
Lund International Unveils Dealer Support Program
The Dealers-Edge Program — a free service — includes major components including customizable print and radio advertisements, point of sale materials, retail advertising techniques, installation/informative videos, featured dealer stories, program incentives, a comprehensive image library and relevant news sources.