ABC, ESPN to Provide Live Coverage of IRL Indycar Series
ESPN and ABC Sports have signed on to be the exclusive carriers of Indy Racing League (IRL) events, providing live television coverage of all 16 IRL IndyCar Series events for the 2004 season.
Delphi Set to Trim 150 Tech Jobs
Auto-parts giant Delphi Corp. is shedding at least 150 well-paying technology jobs and will shift some of the work overseas to an Indian firm. The move is one step in the company’s effort to pare down its 500-person information technology staff. Troy, Mich.-based Delphi becomes just the latest multibillion-dollar corporation to move white-collar jobs to India or other lower-wage countries. The increasingly common development called offshoring has become a hot-button issue in the presidential campaign as jobs have been slow to return to the U.S. economy.
North American Automotive Suppliers, Japanese Carmakers Meet for 10th Annual Business Conference
North American automotive suppliers and Japanese car manufacturers will meet to promote expanded business relationships at the 10th annual MEMA/JAMA One on One Business Conference, scheduled to take place Monday, Sept. 27, through Wednesday, Sept. 29, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Dearborn, Mich. The conference is sponsored by the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA) and the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA)
Alcoa Returns Unit to Former CEO
Alcoa Inc. has finally found a buyer for its automotive fasteners business, agreeing to sell the unit more than a year after putting it on the block. The Pittsburgh-based company said it would sell the business to a group led by Robert Kaminski for an undisclosed price. Kaminski is the former CEO and owner of Continental/Midland, one of the fastener maker’s predecessor companies. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
U.S. Faces Decline in Engineers As Student Programs Grow Overseas
The United States faces a shortage of engineers in coming years, and that could diminish the nation’s status as a leader in technology development and innovation, executives and educators say. The looming shortage comes as nations, including China and India, are seeing a boom in the number of students in engineering programs. Assuming the trend continues, it could result in the U.S. continuing to lose technology jobs to overseas competition.
“DST Asks” Parts Distributors: Which Features of a Computerized Business Management System are Most Useful to Your Business?
Our youngest readers may not be able to remember that there was a time before remote control technology when changing the channel on your television actually required getting up off the couch and making the long walk over to it. “Channel surfing” only existed when you could get one of your kids to sit next to the TV and turn the dial for you. Life was brutal then.
GM, Kia Face Growing Investigation
General Motors Corp. and Kia Motors Corp. are facing an expanded U.S. auto safety investigation and possible recalls because of fuel leaks that may occur on more than 760,000 vehicles. Gasoline may leak into the engine on 483,000 Cadillacs and Oldsmobile Auroras models for 1995 through 1997, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said. A total of 278,266 Kia Spectra and Sephia sedans from the 2000 and 2001 model years are being checked for spills during refueling, which led to the recall of 100,000 Sephias made before 2000.
GM Recalls Popular SUVs for Electrical Risk, Second Major Recall for GM This Month
General Motors said Monday that it will recall 636,000 of its most popular 2002 and 2003 midsize SUVs because of a windshield wiper system electrical problem that’s been tied to two crashes. GM plans to begin notifying owners starting in July, when they will be told to go to a dealer to have a vent hole in the windshield wiper system patched so that water does not leak in. The leaking water can corrode wiring, GM said, which in turn can lead to a short circuit or windshield wiper problems.
New Import Parts Specialist Certification Tests Available
Aftermarket firms can begin the new year with a competitive edge by encouraging employees and customers to take the newly updated Auto International Association (AIA) Import Parts Specialist and Master Import Parts Specialist certification tests. Better-trained counter personnel and service technicians are vital to ensuring quality repairs and satisfying import nameplate customers. These tests address the pressing need for professionals with knowledge and training to help drive improved sales and provide the best customer service to import nameplate owners.
Dana Names GM Europe Exec Michael Burns CEO and President, Acting President Bill Carroll to Retire
Dana Corp.’s board of directors has named Michael Burns CEO, president and a director of the company, succeeding the late Joe Magliochetti, who passed away Sept. 22, 2003. Burns, who has been president of General Motors Europe since 1998, will officially take over on March 1. Bill Carroll, who has served as acting president and COO since September, will continue in these positions until March 1, at which time he will retire from the company.