October 1, 2008
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Remember the lessons of the McDonald's McLean Deluxe. Back in the early 1990s, survey after survey told the fast-food giant that customers were clamoring for healthier offerings. Yet when McDonald's finally unveiled the McLean — with less than half the fat of the Big Mac — the sandwich flopped.
October 1, 2008
By:
Larry Silvey, Krista McNamara
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The company that filed for Chapter 11 protection just seven years ago is no longer. Federal-Mogul has transformed itself into a global aftermarket contender with aspirations of continued international growth.
October 1, 2008
By:
Tony Cristello
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While attention of late has been focused on the recent acquisition of CSK by O'Reilly, we thought it would be worth taking a few moments to highlight yet another acquisition that, albeit smaller, still carries some importance. In an operating environment where high gas prices and declining miles driven have forced auto aftermarket participants to look deeper into their own businesses to maintain a competitive edge, it has also brought with it a heightened level of consolidation activity. The aftermarket should survive the turbulence and see annual growth in the 2 to 4 percent range return once the operating environment normalizes, yet the competition is intense and we continue to witness growth through consolidation — a trend that is here to stay.
October 1, 2008
By:
Krista McNamara
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It's not easy being green. We've all heard the cringe-worth adage. But despite Kermit's proclamation, it might not be quite as hard as we thought.
October 1, 2008
By:
Chris Miller
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If you haven't invested in your company's technology standards, "the time to wait is long past," advises Scott Luckett, VP of technology solutions and standards for the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA).
October 1, 2008
By:
Tschanen Niederkohr
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Training new technicians is part of any repair shop owner's job, but some owners warn that assuming an entry-level tech's skill level can have dangerous results. Recognizing this and the importance of testing in the aftermarket, three organizations in the industry have teamed up again to make skills assessment easier on shop owners.
October 1, 2008
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There's automotive action in South Africa as both imports and exports are on the rise. Despite near-term slumping new-car sales due to all-too-familiar reasons such as a devalued currency, high interest rates and expensive gasoline, OEMs and vendors are infusing investment dollars into the region. A ramping-up of car, truck and sport utility vehicle production, including the related components, remains ongoing.
October 1, 2008
By:
Brian Albright
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Independent repair shops have long been suspicious that OEMs don't provide the same information to independent repair shops as they do the dealerships. An Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA) survey found that 70 percent of independent shop owners and technicians have no confidence that car companies will always provide access to repair information.
October 1, 2008
By:
Sue Angell
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With gas prices holding steady at $4 a gallon or more in many parts of the country, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) are being touted as the next big thing by auto manufacturers and consumers alike. But with the research and development of these vehicles just in the beginning stages, it may be years before an affordable PHEV is made commercially available to consumers. Still, demand for these vehicles is high — leading aftermarket companies to develop kits that will convert hybrids, and in some cases regular vehicles, into full-fledged plug-in electric cars.
