Ford Completes Sale of Glass Business
From AFX News Limited DEARBORN, Mich. — Ford Motor Co. says it’s completing the sale of its automotive and architectural glass business to Tulsa, Okla., investor Robert Price. The sale price hasn’t been disclosed. The operation is part of Automotive Components Holdings (ACH), which Ford created in 2005 to manage 17 plants that Ford reacquired
Exide Technologies Appoints New Vice President and Chief Information Officer
Exide Technologies has promoted Erach Balsara from vice president, human resources strategy and development, to vice president and chief information officer, effective immediately. Reporting to Gordon Ulsh, president and chief executive officer of Exide Technologies, Balsara will assume worldwide responsibility for all IT activities at the company.
Video on Global Outsourcing Available on Four Seasons Web Site
Four Seasons has added a powerful new video to its Web site, www.4s.com, about the quality of products being outsourced from other countries. “The automotive aftermarket air conditioning segment has been hit hard by a flood of poorly designed and constructed products coming into the U.S., so it’s more important than ever to know what you’re buying and where it’s coming from,” said Benny Araujo, marketing manager for Four Seasons Inc.
Fotios Katsardis to Discuss European Aftermarket at GAAS 2008
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. – Fotios Katsardis, managing director, TEMOT International Autoparts GmbH, will present "Opportunities in the Changing European Aftermarket" at the 2008 Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS) on Tuesday, May 20, at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare in Chicago. Katsardis, the head of Europe’s largest aftermarket parts program group, will provide a brief overview
UAW Membership Drops 14 Percent
The ranks of the United Auto Workers (UAW) declined last year by more than 73,538, or nearly 14 percent, as the domestic auto industry shed thousands of jobs and the union made little headway in organizing. According to its annual financial report filed late Thursday with federal regulators, the UAW counted 464,910 members at the end of 2007 — less than a third of its 1.5 million peak in the 1970s, and the smallest since the UAW was still organizing Detroit automakers before World War II.
R. L. Polk & Co.’s Ask the Industry: What’s in Store for the Aftermarket in ’08
For this week’s Ask the Industry, we gather insights and predictions from leading industry experts and analysts, to provide an overview of some of the industry’s biggest concerns right now, and how the aftermarket is expected to perform in 2008.
IRS Files Objection to Holley Bankruptcy
The Internal Revenue Service has filed an objection to the bankruptcy plan of Bowling Green, KY-based automotive parts supplier Holley Performance Products. The IRS said the court should delay confirming Holley’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy plan, so the IRS can have more time to "consider whether its claims are being treated fairly," and examine claims it may hold against the company.
Second Acquisition This Week for 1-800-Radiator
BENICIA, CA — 1-800-Radiator has announced its second acquisition this week. The distribution franchise has purchased San Diego, CA-based automotive cooling parts business AAA Radiator Warehouse. Earlier this week, 1-800-Radiator announced the purchase of New York’s two Tri-US Radiator locations. "Our business is in growth mode," said Mike Rippey, CEO of 1-800-Radiator. "We are expanding
Three-Day AAPEX Starts Nov. 4 in Las Vegas
The 2008 Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX) will take place Tuesday, Nov. 4 through Thursday, Nov. 6 at the Sands Expo Center in Las Vegas. The event runs three days – similar to the AAPEX schedule for the past two years – and is again co-located with the SEMA Show.
OBITUARY: Former AWDA Chairman Martin Brown
Former Automotive Warehouse Distributors Association (AWDA) Chairman Martin Brown passed away Saturday, March 8, at his home in Leawood, KS. He was 83. Brown was active in the AWDA throughout his business career and served as chairman in 1979.