Welcome to our first installment of our 2023 Year in Review, presented by Goodyear Belts. To kick things off, we’re looking at the top manufacturing news in the automotive aftermarket this year.

In no particular order, this year’s top manufacturing news included:

1. Phinia Completes Separation from BorgWarner: Our first story is BorgWarner spinning off its fuel systems and aftermarket business into Phinia. With brands like Delphi, Delco Remy and Hartridge, the newly created Phinia has said its mission is to deliver high quality, innovative systems and components for OE and aftermarket customers that will service commercial and light vehicles as well as industrial applications.
2. AP Emissions Technologies Acquired by Berkshire Hathaway’s Marmon Holdings: Next up, early this year, AP Emissions Technologies announced that it was bought by Berkshire Hathaway’s Marmon Holdings. Marmon is comprised of more than 100 businesses serving diverse industries and markets worldwide. With Marmon’s backing, AP executives told us in our October cover story that their priorities are expanding investments in automation in their factories and boosting their R&D capabilities to introduce new products.
3. LIQUI MOLY Releases New AA 0W-8 Motor Oil: In product news, LIQUI MOLY released its thinnest motor oil to date with the Special Tec AA 0W-8. Launched in July, the new motor oil meets the latest JASO GLV-1 standard, as required for hybrid models from Mazda and Toyota.
4. LKQ Corporation to Acquire Uni-Select: In February, LKQ Corporation announced it would acquire Uni-Select and closed the deal in August. Uni-Select is a distributor of automotive refinish and industrial coatings, as well as other products, through its FinishMaster segment in North America. After completing the acquisition, LKQ divested GSF Car Parts, Uni-Select’s UK aftermarket parts business. For LKQ, the acquisition complements its existing paint distribution operation and enhances its global parts distribution business.
5. NGK Spark Plugs Announces New Company Name and Logo: Many stories build from year to year and this next one is no exception. This past April, NGK Spark Plugs officially changed its name to Niterra North America. The name change was announced in August 2022, but legally it became official this year. The rebranding came with a new company logo, which Niterra said reflects its vision for the future as it looks to expand its portfolio of products and services.
6. Schaeffler Celebrates Opening of New Aftermarket DC in Ohio: In June, Schaeffler hosted a grand opening for its new distribution center in Strongsville, Ohio. The 250,000-square-foot facility, just south of Cleveland, offers expanded warehouse capacity for Schaeffler’s growing North American aftermarket operations. At the grand opening, company executives noted that Schaeffler has invested more than $250 million in the Americas region over the past five years.
7. Clarios to Invest $550M In AGM Battery Production: Rounding out our top 10 manufacturing stories this year is Clarios investing $550 million to expand its global production capacity of AGM, or absorbent glass mat, batteries. The company said AGM batteries support the increase in vehicle electrification. The investment will nearly double the company’s capacity in North America and support growing AGM battery demand.
8. Transtar Holding Company Acquires C&M Auto Parts: Transtar announced it acquired C&M Auto Parts in March this year. C&M, a full-line warehouse distributor headquartered in Trenton, New Jersey, will help Transtar reach its strategic goals, the company said. This was the second acquisition Transtar completed in Q1 of 2023.
9. Stellantis Expands and Enhances Parts Business in North America: Stellantis announced the launch of its bproauto line of aftermarket parts in North America to further expand its replacement parts and service business. Stellantis said the line comes to North America after decades of success in Europe and other international markets.
10. Platinum Driveline, Delphi Announce Strategic Partnership: Last but certainly not least is Delphi Technologies partnering with Platinum Driveline’s operations in Mexico. Platinum Driveline said Delphi is looking to grow its presence in the Mexican automotive aftermarket.

Check back tomorrow to find out which stories made our Top 10 list in the aftermarket distribution realm.