Participation at the Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX) 2011 in key target buyer categories – auto parts retailers, independent repair garages, program groups and warehouse distributors (WDs) – increased significantly compared to 2010, according to event owner associations Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA) and Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA).
The Tire Industry Association (TIA) recently announced that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has responded to a letter written earlier this year regarding questions related to the servicing of tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS). The letter outlines four different TPMS scenarios that tire retailers regularly face and how the “make inoperative” provision of the Motor Vehicle Safety Act (49 USC 30122(b)) applies to each situation.
From the outside looking in, one would never guess that Servando Orozco, owner of two successful Orozco’s Auto Service shops in Long Beach, CA, had any regrets about starting his business. After all, starting out as a technician, he realized his dream of opening his first shop in January 2000. But a wakeup call came in the form of a rather large tax bill six years ago.
Carolyn Cook, ACDelco general director, has been a field parts representative, regional parts manager, parts processing center plant manager and – most recently – director of aftersales for Chevrolet Europe. Since taking the reigns of ACDelco in July, Cook has spent a considerable amount of time on the road, talking with warehouse distributors and independent service centers about their businesses.
Registration is now open for the annual AAIA Aftermarket Legislative Summit, scheduled for March 14-15 in Washington, D.C. The event provides a unique opportunity for members of the automotive aftermarket from across the country to fly in for meetings with their elected officials to discuss issues of importance to their company and the industry.