Nearly four years to the day since first filing, Delphi this week officially emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The newly emerged company will focus its product portfolio on electronics and safety; powertrain; thermal; electrical and electronic systems; OE service; and the independent aftermarket. Rodney O’Neal will remain president and CEO of the company, and the current leadership will continue to manage the company’s global operations. The company will be exhibiting at this year’s AAPEX show (booth #4830), where Delphi Product & Service Solutions President Frank Ordonez will speak at a press conference at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 3.
Also in this week’s top news, Centric Auto Parts has been presented with the 2009 Supplier of the Year Award and the 2009 Partnership Award from National Pronto Association. The Partnership Award recognizes Centric Parts for the company’s efforts to help to grow sales and profitability through support and an ability to manage member’s local marketplace issues. Voters cited Centric Parts’ field support, product expertise and quick, efficient cataloging when casting their ballots. The Supplier of the Year Award recognizes Centric Parts for working the hardest to ensure "mutual success" for the shareholders, exemplifying excellence and performance. Factors mentioned by the shareholders during the voting process included best catalog and products, being first to market, strong margins and a great sales team.
AMN readers this week were also interested in getting the scoop on this year’s Northwood Auto Show. Brake & Front End Editor Andrew Markel attended the student-run event and brought back photos and highlights for aftermarketNews. The 46th annual show featured more than 400 cars and booths for aftermarket companies including Roush, NGK and NAPA. Also, on display in front of the new Sloan Family Building for Aftermarket Studies were more than 20 race cars and show cars. The show has an estimated economic impact of $3.5 million on the local Midland, Mich., economy.
Monday’s Executive Interview with Michael Schwab, vice president of NGK Spark Plugs’ (U.S.A.) aftermarket division, was among our five most read news items this week. In the interview, Schwab talks about the company’s Oxygen Sensor Salvage Sensor Recovery Program, keys to success in the oxygen sensor category, as well as the company’s focus on social media, and plans for AAPEX 2009.
The final item in our recap of the week’s top news comes from the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association, which is bringing its new “Know Your Parts” initiative to the airwaves this month. Thanks to a partnership with AASA affiliate member NASCAR Performance, two AASA PSAs – 10 seconds and 30 seconds – featuring Steve Letarte, crew chief for Jeff Gordon and the No. 24 DuPont Chevrolet race team, will remind viewers to “know your parts” and use quality aftermarket parts. The spots will be aired in October on ABC, ESPN and SPEED during coverage of four NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and four NASCAR Nationwide Series events. The PSAs also will run during one of the October races in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and during SPEED Channel programs during November. The PSAs were made possible through a grant from the University of the Aftermarket Foundation, the partnership with NASCAR Performance and the AASA Marketing Executives Council.
