Leading off the week’s top news are a few new executive appointments for some well-known industry names. Uni-Select this week announced that Willi Alexander has been promoted to the newly created position of executive vice president for corporate stores in the United States; and James Buzzard was appointed to the newly created position of senior vice president, corporate development USA. In addition, Gary O’Connor, executive vice president, who was responsible for the Canadian division of Uni-Select has been given the responsibility of managing the business with independent distributors and major accounts for all of North America.

And another well-known industry veteran, Dick Morgan, has retired from his role as president and CEO of Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance (Alliance), capping a remarkable 48-year career in the automotive aftermarket. Taking the reigns from Morgan is former Affinia executive John Washbish, who brings more than 35 years of industry experience to his new role at the Alliance.

In other news from the world of program groups, California distributor Bert Williams & Sons has joined National Pronto Association, effective Jan. 1. The distributor of automotive and heavy duty truck parts, which was founded in 1939, has two locations in Napa and Vallejo, Calif., serving the counties of Napa, Solano, Contra-Costa and Sonoma.

And in the manufacturing sector, Motorcar Parts of America this week announced the renewal of a primary supplier contract for remanufactured alternators and starters with a major automotive retailer. Terms of the 10-year contract were not disclosed.

Rounding out the week’s top news are this year’s North American Car and Truck of the Year, both of which were made by Ford. A jury of 49 automotive journalists has selected the Ford Fusion Hybrid as the 2010 North American Car of the Year; and the Ford Transit Connect as the 2010 North American Truck of the Year. This year was only the third time in 17 years that one automaker has won both awards.