Denso’s Thai Unit Aims to Raise Quality, Lower Costs
Autoparts maker Denso Corp.’s Thai unit will work to improve quality while lowering the cost of its products, President Shinji Takeuchi of Denso (Thailand) Co. told The Nihon Keizai Shimbun daily newspaper. The launch of Toyota Motor Corp.’s Innovative International Multi-purpose Vehicle project, in which it produces common automobile models overseas and exports them around the world, is expected to have an impact on the way autoparts makers operate in Southeast Asia.
Executive Interview with Paul Foley, Vice President, Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA)
Our latest edition of “Executive Interview” features Paul Foley, vice president of the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA), a market segment of the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA). Join us as Foley brings us up to speed on the rapid growth of AASA since its creation two years ago, as well as several industry initiatives AASA is currently focusing on.
Day Three at eForum: Trends and Predictions for Supply Chain Technology
“Great companies use technology as an accelerator of momentum, not a creator of it.” —- Jim Collins, from the book “Good to Great.” Wrenchead’s Bryan Murphy opened the final day of the 2004 Aftermarket eForum in Chicago using this quote from Collins’ popular book to drive home the point that technology is simply a tool; part of a multi-faceted system that can drive business growth. “Technology is not a strategy in and of itself. It’s a part of it,” Murphy explained.
i*SHOP Announces the Release of Version 2.0 Specification
The Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA) announced the release of the i*SHOP version 2.0 specification, marking a significant advance in the industry standard for the interoperability of shop equipment and systems.
NAPA Returns to NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series in 2005
NAPA Auto Parts has announced it will continue its sponsorship of the No. 15 Dale Earnhardt, Inc. (DEI) Chevrolet Monte Carlo for the 2005 NASCAR NEXTEL CUP season. Two-time Daytona 500 champion Michael Waltrip is piloting the NAPA Chevy in 2005. Waltrip carries the NAPA shield for the fifth consecutive year in NASCAR’s premier series.
DST Asks: How Do You Plan to Stay Competitive?
Daniel H. Burnham, the 19th century architect and city planner who designed the first skyscraper and conceived the master plans for Chicago and other great cities was quoted as once saying, “Make no little plans, for they have no magic to stir men’s blood. Make big plans, remembering that a noble, logical diagram once recorded will never die.” Trying to follow Mr. Burnham’s advice to make big plans can easily be precluded by the focus needed for just handling day-to-day activities, as described in another saying that goes something like, “When you’re up to your neck in alligators, it’s hard to remember that your original objective was to drain the swamp.”
Visteon’s Pallash Emphasizes Keys to Success in Chinese Automotive Market
Robert Pallash, vice president and general manager of Visteon Corporation’s Asian Customer Business Group (CBG), recently spoke at the Automotive News China Congress in Beijing, where he emphasized five keys to success for operating in the Chinese automotive market.
GSC Motorsports Launches New Web Site
GSC Motorsports announced that its new Web site, www.gscmotorsports.com is open for business. Now consumers have the opportunity to find the latest information on the hottest parts and accessories to make their cars go faster, handle better and look cooler.
White-Collar Jobs Also Exiting U.S.
Rows of engraved faces stare from plaques on the Inventors Wall. These are the faces of engineers who have made design breakthroughs used on some of the world’s most popular cars and trucks. All of the engineers work for Delphi, a Michigan company, at its Mexico Technical Center.
AAIA Factbook: Aftermarket Mergers and Acquisitions on the Rise Again
Consolidation within the U.S. automotive parts and accessories industry increased in 2003 after three consecutive years of decline, according to new data reported in the 2004/2005 Aftermarket Factbook published by the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA).A total of 48 reported aftermarket mergers and acquisitions took place in 2003, increasing 9.1 percent from 2002.