Polk Study Finds Rising Gas Prices Getting Personal
Consumers are telling auto manufacturers they want fuel-efficient vehicles; they are reducing how much they drive and they will factor the price of gas into decisions concerning both the timing and type of vehicles they purchase, according to results from a public opinion poll and forthcoming study by the Polk Center for Automotive Studies.
Executive Interview with Duane Miller, Executive Director of GM Service and Parts business channels – GM Service and Parts Operations (SPO)
This Executive Interview features Duane Miller, who is the Executive Director of GM’s Service and Parts business channels (GM Service and Parts Operations [SPO]). Miller was appointed to his position back in April 2005. He took time from his busy schedule to discuss with AftermarketNews.com his new responsibilities, the outlook of ACDelco going forward and how “Real Car Guys” know ACDelco.
Executive Interview with Jerry McCabe, Vice President, Communications & Marketing Services, Affinia
Every other week, aftermarketNews.com offers an interview with high-profile individuals in the automotive aftermarket. We give executives free rein to express their views on anything from the state of their corporations to recent legislative news to future trends in their niche markets. Here you see what matters to the newsmakers themselves. Our latest Executive Interview features Jerry McCabe, vice president, communications & marketing services, Affinia. McCabe shares his thoughts of the use of technology and standards in the industry.
Supplier Wants to Build Cars for Big Three
Magna Steyr appears to be inching closer to its goal of being the first auto supplier in recent history to build entire vehicles on a contract basis for automakers in North America. The engineering unit of Canada’s Magna International Inc. still doesn’t have its first North American vehicle-building contract, but the unit’s top executive here said it has had initial talks with several U.S. automakers and could be close to inking a deal.
Goodyear Names Werner Vice President of Manufacturing, North American Tire
Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. has named Christopher Werner vice president of manufacturing for its North American Tire (NAT) business unit. Werner was most recently senior vice president, global operations for GST AutoLeather, Inc., a supplier of automotive leather for luxury vehicles from Toyota/Lexus, Acura, Ford, Chrysler and others.
DENSO Develops Smaller, Lighter Components for Large Hybrid Vehicles
DENSO Corp. has developed four new components for hybrid vehicles — a hybrid control computer; a battery- monitoring unit; a DC-DC converter and an electric compressor for air conditioning systems — all designed to be smaller and lighter than conventional components, while still being able to meet the needs of today’s larger hybrid vehicles.
Delphi Brings its OE Ignition Wire Sets to the Independent Aftermarket
Delphi Corp. announced this week it is expanding its original equipment engine management offering to the independent aftermarket with the addition of ignition wire sets. The initial offering includes the 42 highest volume part numbers, covering 20 percent of the vehicles on the road in North America.
Grote Forms European Lighting Joint Venture with Rinder
U.S. lighting manufacturer Grote Industries has announced a major new joint venture agreement with European lighting leader Rinder Group of Spain. The new company will be called Luxi and will based its operations out of Guernica, Spain, and Madison, Ind. Grote has provided state of the art safety solutions for OEM and aftermarket customers worldwide for more than 100 years. The company is QS-9000, ISO-14001 and TS-16949 certified and has manufacturing plants in Toronto and Waterloo Canada, as well as in Monterrey, Mexico.
Bosch Releases New Premium Fuel Pump Catalog
Bosch’s new Premium Fuel Pumps catalog (#2212151-05) covers more than 1200 electric and mechanical fuel pumps for domestic and import cars, light trucks and vans. Available in both print and electronic versions, the catalog features Bosch’s new Turbine Technology fuel pumps, designed to provide superior fuel flow and virtually silent operation.
DENSO Acquires 25 Percent of Automotive A/C Company in the Republic of South Africa
DENSO Corp. announced this week it is purchasing 25 percent of Smiths Manufacturing (Pty) the largest automotive air conditioner company in the Republic of South Africa (RSA). DENSO has been involved in the RSA’s automotive air conditioner market since 1982, when it entered into a technical assistance agreement for automotive air conditioners with Smiths. DENSO continues to provide technical assistance to the company on automotive air conditioners, heaters, radiators and electric fans.