From Counterman.com: Keeping Your Independence
There was a time when independent import specialists flourished all over the country in the automotive aftermarket. Just the other day, I was going through some old customer files and was amazed to discover how many import specialists were no longer customers, because they simply went out of business.
See Spot Pick
You’ve heard the term, “feed the dogs the dog food,” right? Well, only if it’s not tainted with rat poison. Sadly, pets across America were at risk recently of being exposed to tainted dog and cat food that killed many, and made many others terribly sick. But, the ironic twist of fate is, not only were the powerless pets exposed to the toxic treats, so too were the brand managers and marketing executives whose supposedly “different” products were produced from this one, single manufacturing source.
The Week In Review (Aug. 21-25, 2006)
THE WEEK IN REVIEW (August 21-25, 2006) _______________________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________________ ASSOCIATION & LEGISLATIVE NEWS: _______________________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________________ ASA to Communicate with Members through New Blog The Automotive Service Association (ASA) is among the latest in the aftermarket industry to launch a blog website. ASA’s new blog (http://blog.asashop.org) will provide commentary and analysis about the automotive service industry
Ford Cuts Output
A rapid decline in pickup sales helped push Ford Motor’s decision to slash fourth-quarter production by 21 percent, a move that will take the automaker to its lowest production level since the fourth quarter of 1981.
OE Dealerships Are Improving Vehicle Service, According to New J.D. Power Study
According to a new study released today by J.D. Power and Associates, automotive dealerships are getting a lot better when it comes to repairs and maintenance, an area where OEMs are actively trying to increase market share. Dealerships are doing better at getting the work done right the first time and having the vehicle ready when promised, the J.D. Power and Associates 2006 Service Usage and Retention Study (SURS) finds.
Car Buzz Shifts to South: A GM-Nissan Alliance Would Spark Nashville
A Tale of Two Cities is emerging in the U.S. automotive industry. Detroit, once the proud capital, has been struggling to maintain leadership, bleeding jobs, investment and power to the South, where foreign rivals have been setting up shop for more than two decades. At the center of this shift, an exuberant, welcoming Nashville is turning over dirt throughout its hillsides, readying to build itself as the heart of what some call the new domestic auto industry: One that is foreign-owned and thrives, without the challenge of unions, retirees or decaying brand names.
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: Industry Execs Comment on the Top Ten Issues of Year
Today, aftermarketNews kicks off its second annual “Top Ten” series, produced in collaboration with our sister publication, Counterman magazine. For our first installation in a weeklong series, we recap the top ten issues addressed this year by executives in our bi-weekly feature “Ask the Industry.” Below are ten of the most intriguing insights that leading aftermarket executives shared with us this year.
AMN Top Ten Week: The Top 10 Newsmakers of 2005
Now in its second year, aftermarketNews, together with its sister publication Counterman magazine, present the Top 10 Newsmakers list. While it is difficult to whittle down the number of influential leaders who are making an impact on this industry today, our editorial team has carefully compiled a list of individuals whom we believe to have left a distinct impression on the marketplace in 2005, and perhaps for years to come.