ASA Announces Dates, Location, Theme for CARS 2004
The 2004 Congress of Automotive Repair and Service (CARS) will be held Nov. 4-6. CARS 2004, sponsored by the Automotive Service Association’s (ASA) Mechanical Division, is an official event of Automotive Aftermarket Industry Week (AAIW), held annually in Las Vegas. This year’s event will take place at a new venue — The Flamingo Las Vegas — more conveniently located near the Sands Expo Center, the home of the Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX).
More Aftermarket Eye Candy at This Year’s North American International Auto Show
Although there’s no shortage of muscle on the main floor at this year’s North American International Auto Show — the 850-horsepower Chrysler ME412 concept is only the beginning — there’s also a subterranean performance theme that’s been missing from previous shows. Once the take-it-or-leave-it realm of marginal players like Daewoo and stillborns like the revival Cunningham sports car, Cobo Center’s downstairs Michigan Hall exhibit area is studded this year with an intriguing array of production vehicles enhanced by aftermarket bolt-on goodies: designer wheels, low-profile tires, oversize brakes, high-performance shock absorbers and more.
Power Steering Flaw Prompts GM Recall
General Motors Corp. is recalling more than 800,000 cars because of a power steering defect that may have led to eight injuries. About 750,000 cars in the U.S. and about 55,000 in Canada — all made between Jan. 1, 1996, and Oct. 31, 1997, — are affected, GM said. The models are the 1996 Buick Regal, 1997 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme, 1997-98 Oldsmobile Cutlass, Chevrolet Lumina, Monte Carlo, Malibu, and 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue cars. Also, some 1996 Pontiac Grand Prix and Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme, and 1997-98 Buick Regal cars are being recalled. Eight reported nonfatal injuries may be related to the defect.
AIA Canada and Matthew.Scott Data Marketing Begin Aftermarket Service Provider Market Research Project
The Automotive Industry Association of Canada (AIA) has selected Matthew.Scott Data Marketing Solutions as the agency of record for a new automotive service provider market research project. In order to better serve the needs of AIA membership, which includes wholesalers, warehouse distributors and suppliers, and their ultimate customer base — installers — AIA is investigating what types of services automotive service providers need to survive and thrive in the industry.
ACDelco to Sponsor MACS 2004 Convention
ACDelco will be a silver-level sponsor at this year’s Mobile Air Conditioning Society (MACS) Worldwide 2004 Convention and Trade Show, CRANK it UP!, Jan. 22-24 at the Caribe Royal All-Suites Resort and Convention Center in Orlando, Fla. Susan Christophersen, manager of product service and training development for ACDelco, and Bob Stewart, A/C training program development, ACDelco service training, both will be presenting during the MACS 24th annual convention.
Auto Executives Don’t See Big Profit Rise Until 2006, KPMG Study Reveals
The global automotive industry is not expected to return to peak profitability levels until at least 2006, according to the results of an annual global survey by KPMG, an audit, tax and advisory firm. However, automotive executives indicate the worst is behind them, citing 2003 as the worst year for profits in the half-decade, KPMG said. KPMG’s fifth annual survey, conducted in October and November 2003, polled 100 American, Asian and European automotive executives from 19 automakers and from 49 Tier 1 and 32 Tier 2 suppliers.
Tier One Auto Supplier Microheat Restructures Management Team
Microheat, a Tier One automotive supplier and manufacturer of HotShot, a windshield snow and ice removal product set to debut on a wide range of 2006 vehicles, has restructured its management team. Solomon Franco, who founded the firm in 1998, stepped down as CEO and president on January 1. Peter Neustadter, one of the initial investors in Microheat, will serve as interim CEO and board chairman until the company recruits a permanent CEO. Neustadter said he expects the new CEO will be in place by April.