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REGULATORY REPORT SUPPLIER NEWS
INFO TECHNOLOGY PEOPLE IN THE NEWS
ASSOCIATION NEWS FACTOID
REGULATORY REPORT
U.S. DOT Launches Two New Agencies
U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta recently announced the creation of two new agencies at the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) � one to focus on innovation and research and the other on pipeline and hazardous materials safety. The new agencies will begin operating Feb. 20, a week before the deadline set by Congress.
The Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA) and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) were authorized on Nov. 30, 2004 when President Bush signed the Norman Y. Mineta Research and Special Programs Improvement Act.
RITA will be dedicated to the advancement of the department�s priorities for innovation and research in transportation technologies and concepts. PHMSA will oversee the safety of the more than 800,000 daily shipments of hazardous materials in the U.S. and the 64 percent of the nation�s energy that is transported by pipelines.
RITA will be composed of staff from RSPA�s Office of Innovation, Research and Education and include the Volpe National Transportation Systems Center in Cambridge, Mass. and the Transportation Safety Institute in Oklahoma City. RITA also will house the Secretary�s Office of Intermodalism and the Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Staff from the former Research and Special Programs Administration�s (RSPA) Office of Hazardous Materials Safety and Office of Pipeline Safety will form PHMSA.
Source: Truckinginfo.com, Feb. 16, 2005
SUPPLIER NEWS
Toyo Announces Targeted Commercial Tire Recall
Toyo Tire Corp. has announced the recall of a targeted batch of 24 medium-duty radial truck tires produced in the GTY plant in Mt. Vernon, Ill. during the week of Dec. 12-18, 2004.
According to the Toyo announcement, a defect related to motor vehicle safety is possible on tires manufactured with Department of Transportation (DOT) production date codes of �5004." To date, there have been no reports of accidents, injuries or property damage.
The affected tires were built with a non-specified rubber compound in the shoulder area of the tire. As a result, the overall durability of the tire is reduced. During extended operation, the shoulder area of the tire could lift, resulting in a degraded ride and handling. Failure to replace the tires will lead to tread separation and possible loss of vehicle control that could result in a crash. The GTY Tire Company is a joint venture production partnership between Yokohama Tire, Toyo Tire and Continental Tire.
The affected commercial tires will be replaced with standard in-specification production tires at no cost to end-users or dealers through July 31, 2005. Affected tires will be adjusted on a pro-rata basis thereafter.
Questions regarding this recall action may be directed to Toyo at 1-800-442-8696. Additional information on this recall can be found under the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) campaign identification number 05T001000.
Source: Truckinginfo.com, Feb. 10, 2005; Modern Tire Dealer, Feb. 7, 2005
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Meineke and Comdata Bring New Fleet Team Maintenance Services Online
Meineke Car Care Centers has partnered with Comdata Corp., a provider of electronic payment systems for the transportation industry, to create a data logging system that will provide online maintenance service tracking for Meineke's commercial fleet customers throughout the U.S. and Canada, at no additional cost to the customer.
Using Comdata's "Fleet Team" online maintenance system, all data regarding vehicle services performed and purchased is captured in an online maintenance system that tracks, aggregates and reports maintenance intelligence to the fleet manager. The system also features central billing capabilities that can streamline data handling and account service, of particular benefit to large, regional and national vehicle fleet accounts.
The system is scheduled to roll out to Meineke's approximately 900 franchised shops in North America over the next few months.
Source: Aftermarketnews.com, Feb. 7, 2005
PEOPLE IN THE NEWS
Dana Names Trailer Products Exec
Dana Corp. has appointed Mike Schwanzl as the new Global Director of Business Products-trailer products for the company�s Commercial Vehicle Systems group. Schwanzl will be responsible for growing the company�s commercial vehicle trailer products and systems business in North America. He will also be involved in promoting business development in Europe, South America and Asia Pacific. Schwanzl has worked at Dana for 26 years, most recently as manager of the Smyrna, Tenn. plant.
Source: Fleet Owner, Feb. 4, 2005
Hendrickson Names Guy Vachon Aftermarket Director
Hendrickson announced that Guy Vachon recently assumed duties as director of aftermarket for the Hendrickson International sales organization. According to the Hendrickson announcement, Vachon has 20 years of experience in the truck and trailer component industry
Vachon came to Hendrickson from Aurora Parts and Accessories of Lebanon, Ind. (formerly Wabash National Parts), where he served as director of aftermarket parts sales and marketing. Previously, he held various heavy duty OE sales, marketing and management posts with Federal-Mogul and was also product manager of trailer axles for ArvinMeritor�s OE trailer axle business.
Source: Truckinginfo.com, Feb. 3, 2005
ASSOCIATION NEWS
Price Not a Big Factor in Selecting Vehicle Service Provider
Quality and trust were the top two criteria for consumers when selecting a service provider for their vehicle, according to a recent study on the DIY and DIFM aftermarket by AAIA. Cost of service ranked seventh in factors that influence consumers� selection decision.
�Repair shops who currently advertise and market on price alone should rethink their strategy to meet the expectations and motivations of today�s more savvy motorist customer,� said Kathleen Schmatz, AAIA president and CEO. �Convenience, speed of service and their past experience with a service provider are more important than cost of service to consumers.�
The Aftermarket Consumer: DIY or DIFM reveals that quality also ranked number one in importance among DIYers in selecting an outlet to purchase the parts and supplies used to perform vehicle service themselves. About 68 percent of DIYers purchased their parts and supplies during the past 12 months from an auto parts store.
The report analyzes consumer responses to numerous topics covered in the survey, including:
- Consumer maintenance and repair behavior
- Light, medium and heavy DIY/DIFM work
- Frequency and type of DIY/DIFM work
- Where DIYers purchase products and why
- Factors in selecting service provider for DIFMers
- DIY and DIFM demographics
- Tool and accessory purchasing
The Aftermarket Consumer: DIY or DIFM is available to AAIA members for $295 and to non-members for $795. For more information or to order a copy, contact AAIA at 301-654-6664 or visit www.aftermarket.org.
Aftermarket Standards for e-Commerce Training
DENSO Sales North America will host the University of the Aftermarket seminar, �Industry Standards for Aftermarket e-Commerce,� March 14-15, in Long Beach, Calif. This program offers essential information for those about to implement the AAIA Catalog Enhanced Standard (ACES) and the Product Information Exchange Standard (PIES). New to the program this year is an overview and demonstration of the PARTnerShip Network and the Internet Parts Ordering standard � both are widely supported and low-cost communication solutions.
For more information and to register for the two-day program, contact the University of the Aftermarket at 800-551-2882 or visit www.univaftmkt.org.
Sponsors and Participants Wanted for LDN's Fun Walk & Run
Come out and stretch your legs at the Leadership Development Network�s (LDN) Fun Walk & Run on Saturday, April 16 during the spring AAIA Leadership Days in Huntington Beach, Calif. Participants will enjoy the beach front scenery and fresh air as they jog or walk in support of this worthy cause. The Fun Walk & Run will take place from 6 a.m. - 6:45 a.m., finishing in plenty of time to make the 7:30 a.m. AAIA committee meetings.
The purpose of the Fun Walk & Run is to raise money to support worthy causes like the Aftermarket Foundation and the Northwood University scholarships. LDN has many other great programs planned for this year, and your generous support will allow us to continue to operate at our present level. Sponsorship of this event entitles you to:
- Web link from LDN page;
- Your company logo added to Fun Walk & Run t-shirts and signage;
- One complimentary membership in the LDN.
To download a sponsorship form, click here.
For more information, contact Leslie Toussaint at 301-654-6664 or e-mail leslie.toussaint@aftermarket.org.
Industry Leader Challenges Aftermarket Companies for Global Scholarship
In an effort to get more industry people involved with education in their areas, and to reach out to local high schools and meet with teachers and students, Steven Hoellein, president, Felt Auto Parts in Ogden, Utah, has challenged all aftermarket companies to spread the word and sponsor more applications being sent in for the Global Scholarship, funded by the Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS). Hoellein will donate $1,000 to the scholarship fund for the first company who sponsors more applications than Felt Auto Parts. Scholarships must meet the GAAS application criteria for submission.
For more information on the Global Scholarship program, or GAAS, contact Barbara Clark at 301-654-6664 or e-mail barbara.clark@aftermarket.org.
FACTOID
The price of goods imported into the U.S. rose 0.9 percent in January, due mostly to higher petroleum costs, the Labor Department said on this week. Auto import prices fell 0.1 percent, the first decrease since September 2003.
Source: Transport Topics, Feb. 17, 2005 |