TyreSafe has appointed Market Engineering as its PR agency. The agency was selected from a shortlist of five and will deliver a stream of news and educational stories to both trade and consumer audiences. The agency will also be responsible for promoting Tyre Safety Month in October.
MAK has launched the Fuoco, an innovative new SUV wheel featuring a special hump that allows particular run-flat tyres to be fitted to it. “Hump EH2+” holds ETRTO homologation, which opens up a whole new market for MAK. According to the company, the run-flat aftermarket is “profitable and very interesting [because] it is composed of customers and suppliers that represent prestigious car makers (for example BMW) on one hand, and people with an high purchasing power on the other hand.”
The MAK Fuoco is available in the following size range: 8J20”, 9J20”, 10,5J20”.
Hennessy Industries has launched a new Web microsite to support its Bada steel wheel weight products. The site – www.steelwheelweights.com – promotes the environmental benefits of its Bada steel wheel weights. The microsite is also accessible through a link on the Hennessy Industries web site at www.ammcoats.com. “The majority of wheel weights are made are still made of lead, but that is quickly changing,” said Don Vanderheyden, group marketing manager for Hennessy Industries Inc. “The new microsite will educate independent dealers and retailers, merchandisers, and aftermarket companies about the full line of non-lead products Bada now offers and the technical and environmental benefits associated with our steel wheel weights.” (Tire Review/Akron)
Custom wheels and performance tyres in the US are rapidly expanding beyond the hot rod and racing market and into the mainstream aftermarket population, reports the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA). Retail sales of custom wheels increased from US$1.265 billion in 1991 to more than $4.5 billion last year, a rise of 257 per cent. The percentage of cars produced with custom wheels has grown from 40.3 per cent in 1996 to 66.5 per cent in 2006, and the number of light trucks so equipped has gone from 70.9 per cent to 72.2 per cent during the same period.
Specialty/performance tyres often follow the custom-wheel market, SEMA adds. When customers upgrade the wheels on a vehicle, there is an inclination to do the same for the tyres. The market for performance tyres is slightly larger than the custom-wheel market. Performance tyres generated $4.4 billion in retail sales in 2006.
While Bristol based Luxury wheels is carving a name for itself as a source of quality aftermarket wheels, many people don’t realise the company also offers an extensive range of styling lines in its product portfolio.
To give an example of the company’s work, the Lexus LS600h pictured here was specced by one of Luxury Wheels’ Norwegian dealers with the full Autocouture styling package. The ‘Progressive Line’ kit consists of front bumper, fog lamps, side skirts (in either short or long wheelbase), rear bumper, two replacement front wings with vents, and a rather saucy dual stacked exhaust. This ensemble is topped off with a rear spoiler and Autocouture boot emblem for that final finishing flourish.
Robert Bosch LLC has finalised its acquisition of Accu Industries Inc. The closing clears the way for the integration of Accu Industries facilities, operations and associates into the diagnostics business unit of Bosch’s North American Automotive Aftermarket division.
According to Bosch, the integration will strengthen the overall Bosch Diagnostics North American operation and position the division for long-term growth and profitability in the future. (Tire Review/Akron)
Dave Hudrlik has left Kumho Tire USA to become president of Caravan Canopy International Inc., based in La Mirada, California. Hudrlik, who was with Kumho for 14 years, most recently as senior vice president of sales, will lead Caravan Canopy with focus on its efforts to expand in the automotive aftermarket. Caravan Canopy produces quick assembly portable canopies.
Kumho has not named a replacement for Hudrlik. (Tire Review/Akron)
To mark the forthcoming 2008 F1 season, Autogem will be hosting a series of online Playstation 3 (PS3) races for its customers, staff and suppliers. The idea is to host an ongoing competition that replications the season’s tour of real-life F1 circuits in the virtual world. Autogem is offering prizes for the 2008 championship, which is totally free of charge.
As Autogem’s managing partner Prashant Chopra explained: “We already have a select number of colleagues and friends within the industry that go absolutely bananas racing so we thought we’d put together a championship of our own and have some fun. Each race will coincide with actual races in the season and we already have a good online turnout. With prizes on offer and bragging rights to win for, come online and see if youre really as good as you think you are!”
Snap-on has announced the introduction of Ethos, its new entry level diagnostic tool. The Ethos is described as a compact, fast, accurate and versatile tool, designed for either the first time user or to complement existing competitive products. According to the manufacturer, Ethos has the same controls as the two other members of the Snap-on ‘family’ of diagnostic tools – Solus and Modis – and features a large easy to read display.
Ethos also includes onboard memory that allows the technician to store and retrieve details of the last 20 vehicles connected to, saving even more time when reconnecting to the vehicle to verify and confirm the repair. In addition, the CF (Compact Flash) medium can be used for data storage, now standard across the Snap-on ‘family’.
UK aftermarket parts supplier Motaquip has endorsed MAM’s Autopart software as the preferred business management solution it will recommend to its distributors. Motaquip was looking for an innovative product to recommend to new and existing distributors who are interested in upgrading their I.T. systems. “Motaquip has always been dedicated to developing long term partnerships and offering genuine support for businesses to grow and succeed” states Peter Cox, Motaquip National Sales Manager.
“After evaluating various management solutions, we unanimously agreed that MAM’s Autopart software would best suit the critical needs of our diverse customers,” he continued.
Snap-on Equipment has announced key new appointments in sales, marketing and operational roles as part of its strategy of further developing the Hofmann and John Bean brands and providing customers with an effective service and support infrastructure.
Matt Stephens has been appointed to the position of national sales manager. Stephens brings to Snap-on Equipment almost 20-years’ sales experience in the automotive aftermarket, most recently as UK sales manager for tyre consumables supplier, Auto4. Prior to that he was employed in the capacity of regional sales manager for Würth, the workshop supplies specialist. Stephens is supported by John Dawes, who joins as marketing coordinator. Dawes previously worked as a marketing specialist for semiconductor manufacturer, Microchip.
Snap-on Equipment has appointed new national sales, UK field service and marketing managers. Matt Stephens has been appointed as National Sales Manager. He brings almost 20-years’ sales experience in the automotive aftermarket, most recently as UK Sales Manager for tyre consumables supplier, Auto4. Prior to that Matt was a Regional Sales Manager for Würth, the workshop supplies specialist. He is supported by John Dawes, who joins as Marketing Coordinator. John previously worked as Marketing Specialist for semiconductor manufacturer, Microchip.
January 2008 sees the launch issue 22 of the Timax catalogue from Klarius UK Ltd, listing the company’s full range of Timax emission control products. One key change is that since the company takeover in 2007, the Timax replacement exhaust brand now features prominently on the front cover, replacing Arvin. Klarius acquired the European Light Vehicle Aftermarket division of ArvinMeritor in August 2007. The acquisition included the manufacture and distribution of all emission control products including, in the UK, Timax exhausts and MetalCat & EuroCat catalytic converters.
In the US the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA) has announced the results of a recent member survey showing that suppliers expect business to look a little less than rosy for the automotive aftermarket this year. The results were compiled from quarterly market segment surveys conducted by the three MEMA market segment groups – Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA), Heavy Duty Manufacturers Association (HDMA) and Original Equipment Suppliers Association (OESA). These member-only industry surveys serve as barometers for the business outlook for the next 12 months.
Chester based Aftersoft Group Inc., which supplies business software to the automotive aftermarket, has successfully completed a revolving credit and term loan agreement with ComVest Capital LLC, raising US$6 million in funds for working capital and other general corporate purposes.
Ian Warwick, Aftersoft’s chairman and CEO, said “we have successfully completed a complex financing agreement in a difficult market environment, which reflects the value, stability and growth potential of Aftersoft’s diverse businesses in the automotive aftermarket. Our management team can now turn its full attention to building those businesses, with the ultimate goal of duplicating in the US and other markets the growth and success we have achieved in the UK. In addition, we can now accelerate our efforts to complete the spin-off of Aftersoft from Auto Data Network.” (Tire Review/Akron)
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