Bosch Launches Free Gas Card Promotion
Robert Bosch Corp. has launched a new promotion designed to help increase sales of its spark plugs and oxygen sensors. Bosch is offering drivers the opportunity to earn up to $20 in free gas with the purchase of four Bosch Platinum Series Spark Plugs and one Bosch Oxygen Sensor.
Federal-Mogul and Champion Brands Strike Multi-Year Licensing Deal
Federal-Mogul Corp. and Champion Brands, LLC have announced a long-term licensing agreement adding the Champion “Bow Tie” logo to a line of performance additives for automotive, heavy truck, marine and specialty industries. The new products are in addition to the full line of performance additives and lubricants Champion Brands currently manufactures. The new line will be targeted to national accounts and mass merchants channels.
Bosch Named Service Parts Grand Vendor of the Year by Advance Auto Parts
Advance Auto Parts has named Robert Bosch Corp. recipient of the 2003 Service Parts Grand Vendor of the Year Award. Advance presents this award to the vendor with the top overall performance in the areas of service level, product and program quality, merchandising/promotions, customer service and account management.
Great Britain’s Automotive Aftermarket Holds Potential for U.S. Suppliers
Recent changes in market access regulations and similarities between consumers in the U.K. and U.S. make the $24 billion automotive aftermarket in Great Britain a potential sweet spot for U.S. suppliers.
Federal-Mogul Changes its Plan, Shareholders to Be Offered New Stock
Federal-Mogul Corp. has amended its plan for emerging from bankruptcy to guarantee current shareholders the right to buy new shares in the reorganized auto supplier at a predetermined price. Under both the former and amended plans, current shares would be voided once the company exits bankruptcy and new shares would be issued. In an unrelated matter, Federal-Mogul announced Friday that a fire had extensively damaged its Smithfield, Tenn., distribution facility. All employees were evacuated safely. The company is working on a plan to resume operations elsewhere late this week. The center employed 225.
Timken Transfers Some Logistics Operations to Joint Venture
Timken is transferring the balance of its Toronto, Ont., and Reno, Nev., warehousing operations to its joint venture CoLinx. CoLinx was formed as a joint venture between INA Holding Schaeffler KG, Rockwell Automation, The SKF Group and Timken. The company provides Web-based services and integrated logistics for premium-brand industrial manufacturers. Timken is transferring the balance of its Toronto, Ont., and Reno, Nev., warehousing operations to its joint venture CoLinx. CoLinx was formed as a joint venture between INA Holding Schaeffler KG, Rockwell Automation, The SKF Group and Timken. The company provides Web-based services and integrated logistics for premium-brand industrial manufacturers.
Federal-Mogul’s Champion, Wagner Lighting Brands Honored For Marketing Excellence
Federal-Mogul’s Champion spark plugs and Wagner lighting brands were honored in two recent international marketing competitions held in New York City. The Champion spark plugs “Champion Powers All” integrated marketing campaign was a finalist winner, and received a certificate of distinction in the 2004 AME (Advertising Marketing Effectiveness) Awards competition. Federal-Mogul’s Wagner lighting marketing team was also a finalist winner and recipient of a certificate of distinction in the 46th annual TV, Cinema and Radio Advertising competition of the prestigious New York Festivals.
Federal-Mogul Reports Loss
Federal-Mogul lost $120.7 million in the final three months of 2003, 7 percent more than it lost in the same quarter of 2002. For the year, the Southfield-based automotive supplier, which makes such products as Champion spark plugs, Anco wipers and Wagner lights, lost $189.5 million. That’s far below 2002’s net loss of $1.6 billion, which included a $1.4-billion accounting charge.
DENSO Becomes Toyota’s Corporate Sponsor for F1
Toyota Motor Corporation and Toyota Motorsport GmbH have announced today that DENSO Corp. has become a corporate sponsor for the Panasonic Toyota Racing F1 team from the 2004 season. DENSO has supported the Toyota F1 team as a technical partner since 2002, providing products such as tailor-made spark plugs for the team’s V10 engine.