Executive Interview with Mike Schultz Executive Vice President – Federated Auto Parts
A veteran of more than 30 years in the automotive aftermarket, Mike Schultz has served as executive vice president (EVP) for Federated Auto Parts since 2003. Federated is one of the industry’s premier programmed marketing groups, with more than 3,800 Federated Auto Parts Stores and 2,400 Federated Car Care Centers nationwide. Schultz recently brought aftermarketNews (AMN) up to speed on his role at Federated, having celebrated his first year as executive vice president. He also shared with AMN his thoughts on the future of programmed distribution groups and Federated’s role in the marketplace.
AAIA Legislative Summit Drives Home the Message
With record numbers and spirited optimism, representatives from the aftermarket industry assembled in Washington, D.C., for the Aftermarket Legislative Summit this past Tuesday and Wednesday. More than 250 attendees representing 37 states made the journey to the lobbying rally to discuss with members of Congress the issues that affect the aftermarket.
Hendrick Plane Crash Overshadows Victory
Jimmie Johnson’s series-high sixth victory of the season Sunday was tempered by word that a plane carrying two pilots and eight passengers crashed into a mountain Sunday afternoon en route to the Subway 500 NASCAR Nextel Cup race. Ten people were confirmed dead, including four relatives of Hendrick Motorsports CEO Rick Hendrick: His son Ricky Hendrick, his brother John Hendrick, and John’s twin daughters, Jennifer and Kimberly. John, 53, was the president of Hendrick Motorsports. Ricky owned a Busch series NASCAR team and ran Performance Honda of Pineville, N.C., a motorcycle dealership.
eBay Sells Increasingly More Used Cars
Automotive experts laughed when eBay began selling used cars online, but by 9 a.m. every day, eBay sells more cars than a dealership sells in a year. The Detroit Free Press reported Monday eBay sells a sports utility vehicle every nine minutes, while a Ford Mustang sells every 40 minutes.
Kyle Petty to Deliver NACE 2004 Keynote Address
NASCAR Nextel Cup driver Kyle Petty will deliver the 2004 keynote address on Nov. 4 at the International Autobody Congress & Exposition (NACE) in Las Vegas. NACE also announced Richard Flint, Richard Flint Seminars, as the speaker for the event’s luncheon on Nov. 5, and Jim “The Rookie” Morris, a school teacher who pursued his dream to become a professional baseball player, as the keynote speaker for the general session on Nov. 6.
Metaldyne, China’s Dongfeng to Form Joint Venture in China
Detroit-based Metaldyne Corp. signed a memorandum of understanding with Dongfeng Motor Co Ltd., a joint venture between Japan’s Nissan Motor Co Ltd. and China’s Dongfeng Motor Corp., to establish an additional joint venture in China. The planned joint venture will focus on manufacturing and selling powder metal-based automotive components for China’s domestic market, Metaldyne said on its Web site.
Lanny Barnes Named 2004 Engine Builder Showdown Champ
A single cross-threaded oil pan nut stood between Lanny Barnes and the Clevite Engine Builder Showdown record build time. Despite the minor oversight, Barnes and his Richard Childress Racing partner, Todd Hamm, defeated Mike Maiwald and Shane Parsnow of Hendrick Motorsports in a closely matched race to capture the 2004 Clevite Engine Builder Showdown championship.
GKN Driveline Names New Managing Director of Operations
Philippe Cabassol has been named managing director of operations for GKN Driveline Americas. Cabassol replaces Richard Best, who was recently named strategic director for global projects.
Action Executive to Join Jeff Gordon, Inc.
John Bickford Sr., executive vice president of strategic alliances for motorsports merchandise company Action Performance, has resigned to take the position of vice president and general manager of star NASCAR driver Jeff Gordon’s Jeff Gordon, Inc. Bickford will also oversee Gordon’s other business related interests.
High Schoolers Earn Certifications from Industry
A diploma isn’t the only important document that some students have in hand when they graduate from high school these days. A growing number of students, educators say, are graduating with specific, industry-defined skills certifications that can have immediate value in the job market. Industries in which such certification is available include computer maintenance, automotive repair, nursing, graphic arts and food service.