The very latest device in the battle against the car thieves has been launched by security specialists, Autolok. Developed from the Autolok 2000, the new Autolok 2000 Plus incorporates the latest security technology and new user friendly features.
As the automotive accessories industry grows and assumes even greater importance in both the U.S. and world markets, several automakers have made commitments to participate in the SEMA Show scheduled for November 1-4, 2005, in Las Vegas.
The event will be especially significant as 14 original equipment manufacturer (OEM) brands – the highest number of OEM participants in SEMA Show history – will join with their partners in the specialty auto parts industry. In addition to OEM vehicle displays, the participating automakers will give SEMA members unparalleled access to technical data and a hands-on look at the vehicles that provide the basis for SEMA members’ products.
Continental division ContiTech is in talks with private equity investor Orlando Management GmbH to sell its rubber sealing business ContiTech Profile to Orlando Management client Special Situations Venture Partners Fund, a spokesman for Orlando Management told the AFX news agency.
A 23,000 square feet converted warehouse in Byfleet has become the £1 million vehicle after-sales centre for the Lance Owen organisation in the area. The complex is home to a wide range of components and parts, including such diverse products as body panels, bumper units, exhaust pipes and tyres. Each component presented a different storage problem and the answer was a two-tier shelving installation from Link 51, providing more than 3 kilometres of shelving space alongside a number of specialist bays.
According to the site’s parts director, Stephen Kettle, the system is ideal, with 13,000 individual lines now held in stock. He said: “The Link 51 design allows us to store up to £1.5 million worth of stock and, with rapid turn round of, often, no more than one month a characteristic of our business, the need for a highly effective and accessible storage system is clearly vital. The Link 51 system meets this objective and also gives us the versatility we need to accommodate such a wide variation in product and component sizes and types.”
Delphi has added 290 new shock absorber references to its 2005 aftermarket parts catalogue, giving the company 97 per cent coverage of the European vehicle parc. Delphi’s shocks are categorised as either “Delphi de Carbon Comfort” twintube or “Delphi de Carbon Performance monotube.” To help customers find the right part quickly, each vehicle marque is listed alphabetically and then in numerical order according to model and engine size. Columns across the page show the correct monotube and twintube references suitable for the front or rear of the vehicle.
Euro Car Parts has released its new Porsche catalogue for 2005/06 packed with high performance exhaust systems and accessories from Original Equipment Manufacturer Dansk.
Dansk manufacture for the whole Porsche range, including the 356, 912, 914, 911, 964, 993, 996, 924, Boxster and Cayenne models. According to Euro Car Parts, the famous Dansk engineering produces the distinctive Porsche sound that owners demand.
Euro Car Parts has been appointed as the UK’s largest distributor of Contitech drive belts. The deal ensures that Euro Car Parts, the UK’s largest independent supplier of car parts, can meet the highest volume demands from trade and retail customers 30 branches nationwide. Contitech is an original equipment manufacturer on some of the world’s leading car marques including BMW, Mercedes, Porsche, Volvo, Seat and Audi.
Kwik-Fit will remain in its Edinburgh headquarters despite the fact that it has been bought by European equity firm, PAI partners. Paris-based PAI Partners confirmed to The Times that Kwik-Fit’s management team and the headquarters in Broxburn, West Lothian, would remain in place. London-based PAI partner Hamish Mackenzie, who negotiated the deal, said: “The business remains as it is. You wouldn’t think, with my name and my accent, it would be moving out of Scotland, now would you?” the newspaper reported.
CVC Capital Partners has sold Kwik-Fit to French private equity firm PAI for £800 million. The news follows months of speculation including suggestions that a Bridgestone/Mitsubishi joint venture was pulling out in front when it came to bidding for the UK’s largest fast-fit chain. Bloomberg reports that PAI plans to open more fast fit retail outlets as a result of the acquisition.
Beru AG has now introduced the 3rd generation of its own TSS Tyre Safety System. Beru engineers have succeeded in further reducing the number of parts for a convenient, functionally safe tyre safety system.
The system that has now been introduced consists of a compact control unit with integrated aerial, plus four electronic wheel-mounted devices; in them, the sensor, transmitter and battery are built into one unit. This development highlights Beru’s on-going attempts to reduce the system price.
Euro Car Parts has launched its new Lion battery range which it says has the most comprehensive fitment list in the industry. Lion Batteries, exclusive to Euro Car Parts, offer original equipment specification and use “third generation calcium/calcium technology” to deliver the highest levels of performance for the most demanding of today’s vehicles.
Montupet S.A., the French aluminium wheel manufacturer, is to put 70 million levs (£24.6 million) in the construction of a new production plant in Bulgaria, according to the Bulgarian investment agency.
Euro Car Parts has launched its brand new catalogue for 2005/06. The new catalogue, which contains 196 pages of more than 60,000 parts and accessories for the German, French and Scandinavian car marques provides claims to be the most comprehensive reference and ordering point in the UK.
Euro Car Parts has launched a new light commercial vehicle parts catalogue. The catalogue contains original equipment parts and accessories for light commercial vehicles covering Citroen, Mercedes, Peugeot, Renault and Volkswagen.
Car parts maker Visteon Corp, is to delay publishing its first-quarter earnings report while it sifts through financial records that it suspects might be bogus. The Michigan based company identified errors in costs relating to freight and material surcharges, raising questions about possible “improper conduct by a former senior finance employee” charged with overseeing North American purchasing.
The company reports that up to $31 million in first quarter charges published in first quarter results may need to be restated. Visteon said that its ongoing discussions with former parent company, Ford, won’t be affected by the news.
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