R.L. Polk & Co.’s Ask The Industry Explores the Philosophy of Collaboration
For this edition of Ask The Industry, we venture into the philosophy of collaboration. It’s a single word solution to an extremely complex problem for everybody in the automotive aftermarket, from manufacturer CEO to warehouse manager. Although that word has been spoken from prominent voices throughout the years, the reality is that there are still major hurdles that need to be dealt with before the industry can begin to chart a course to success via collaboration. We spoke with some industry executives to give us insight on how we may be able to arrive at that point.
Pricing Pressures Impact Aftermarket Friction Revenues, Study Says
As the majority of automobile manufacturers employ disc-braking systems, demand for premium and ceramic brakes is on the rise in the United States and Canada. Despite their high cost, continued demand in the aftermarket is expected.
Arvin Sango Receives Toyota Improvement Recognition
ArvinMeritor, Inc. announced that its U.S. joint venture, Arvin Sango, Inc., received Toyota’s Breakthrough Supplier Quality Recognition for improved product quality and increased efficiency at its Madison, IN, exhaust assembly facility. During a personal visit with employees on June 17, President of Toyota Motor Manufacturing North America, Inc., Atsushi Niimi, and President of Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada, Inc., Ray Tanguay, presented the recognition and congratulated the team on its achievements.
Herman Trend Alert: Candidate Uprising Waiting to Happen
Many employers are not paying attention. Their lack of sensitivity is about to cause some serious damage to their corporate recruiting.
Michelin Pulls Cars from Races; Shares Fall More than 3 Percent
Racing fans booed and threw debris, and shares of French tire maker Michelin & Cie fell more than 3 percent after Formula One cars using its tires pulled out of the U.S. Grand Prix at Indianapolis Motor Speedway due to safety concerns. Seven teams, accounting for 14 of the 20 cars in the world’s most popular racing series, withdrew, leaving only six drivers using Bridgestone tires in the race Sunday.
Herman Trend Alert: The Secondary Talent Problem
In our rapidly changing world, the most successful employers will be those who can find, recruit, engage, support and retain the needed top talent. Senior executives are competitively hunting for people who can think creatively, take initiative and eagerly accept accountability for results. The hunt is not going well.
LIVE FROM GAAS: Day 2
The second day of the 2005 Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS) in Chicago included an overview of the aftermarket industry’s efforts to reach out the public and Wall Street – via initiatives like the Be Car Care Aware campaign.
GM Tries to Cut Up to 2,000 Workers
General Motors Corp.’s efforts to accelerate cuts to its salaried workforce helped the company’s stock rebound on Monday, a day when GM was one of the few automotive stocks to increase. GM is trying to cut up to 2,000 salaried positions in the first half of the year through early-retirement offers, said an official who is familiar with the situation. The move is an apparent acceleration of a plan already disclosed by the automaker.
Obituary: John Z. DeLorean — Auto Innovator Had Flair, Infamy
John Z. DeLorean was one of Detroit’s best-known — and most controversial — automotive innovators. He designed Pontiac’s GTO muscle car in the 1960s, then left Detroit to launch his own car company, one of just a handful of U.S. entrepreneurs to undertake such a challenge in the past 75 years.
Publisher Buys J.D. Power
James Dave Power III, who has spent more than half his life building an idea into a trusted company that provides information to consumers and companies — especially about automobiles — agreed Monday to sell his research firm to the behemoth McGraw-Hill Cos. Inc.