Kicking off our top stories of the week Affinia has settled its lawsuit with Dura International. Affinia filed suit against Dura in July, alleging that the company was competing unfairly by falsely advertising the quality of certain brake rotors for cars and light-duty trucks. Affinia claimed that independent testing showed that certain “lightweight rotors” made by Dura International weighed significantly less than OE specifications. Over the past several months, Affinia had been on a public crusade to raise concerns about “lightweight rotors.” In a statement released earlier this week, Affinia said the two parties have resolved their differences and “Dura is no longer a target of Affinia’s ongoing light weight rotor campaign.”
Aftermarket professionals across the country are returning to their desks from the world’s largest annual business-to-business event in the automotive aftermarket industry, which wrapped up last week. And while AAPEX is officially over, interest in the event continues. Check out our AAPEX in Review recap article to view some of our exclusive photographic slideshows from the event.
Also in our round-up of the week’s top news is an announcement from Dorman Products that the company has released its 2009 Service Dealer Guide, Volume 2, featuring more than 50 formerly "dealer only" parts now available to the aftermarket. New in Volume 2 are European application parts and replacements for rust-prone parts. The guide consists of 18 pages packed with dozens of "New to the Aftermarket" parts including Vapor Canister Vent Valves, Ignition Lock Cylinder, Passlock Ignition Switch Case, Watts Linkage Bell Crank, ABS Tone Rings, Electric Steering Position and Torque Sensor, BMW Cup Holder and a Trailer Hitch Plug.
Two major personnel announcements crossed our desks this week. Just today, CARQUEST announced that Mike Broderick, senior vice president store sales, has been named president of CARQUEST U.S., effective Dec. 1. In his new role, Broderick, who began his career with CARQUEST in late 2008, will report directly to the CEO. As president, Broderick will have responsibility for CARQUEST U.S. independent sales, marketing, merchandising, supply chain and logistics, store sales and operations, finance and human resources. The company also stated that Todd Hack, who currently serves as senior vice president of marketing for CARQUEST U.S. and president of CARQUEST Corp., has announced that he will be leaving CARQUEST at the end of this month to join Gates Corp. Neil Stockel, president of BWP, a CARQUEST member, has been named president of CARQUEST Corp., assuming responsibilities Dec. 1.
Earlier this week it was announced that motivational speaker and industry veteran John Passante will join Brenton Productions as executive vice president. An aftermarket veteran of 38 years, Passante has successfully held the office of senior vice president for CARQUEST, senior vice president of human resources for Moog Automotive and senior director world wide human resources for Delphi Products and Service Solutions. He is a motivational speaker, trainer and an adjunct professor at Northwood University. As president of The Organizational Development Group Inc., Passante assists aftermarket companies in recruiting, coaching, change management and culture enhancement. He will continue in his role as president of The Organizational Development Group, as he assists Brenton Productions in its production of automotive series for national TV networks such as Fox’s Speed channel.
