SORL Auto Parts Inc., top producer and distributor of automotive air brake valves and other components, has just announced that it has been invited to grace the Goldman Sachs & Gao Hua Securities’ China Frontier Conference. Relatively, the location of said conference is said to be at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Beijing on November 12-13, 2007.
The two-day conference will be centering on the leading Chinese corporations that represent key sectors such as property, power, retail/consumer, financial, technology, commodities, telecom, manufacturing, auto, media and conglomerates.

For more details and information regarding SORL Auto Parts, below is a brief company profile, as taken from its press release statement:

About SORL Auto Parts, Inc.
As China’s leading manufacturer and distributor of Aftermarket Performance Parts such as automotive air brake valves, SORL Auto Parts, Inc. ranks first in market share in the segment for commercial vehicles weighing more than three tons, such as trucks and buses. The Company distributes products both within China and internationally under the SORL trademark. SORL ranks among the top 100 auto component suppliers in China, with a product range that includes 40 types of air brake valves and over 800 different specifications. The Company has three authorized international sales centers in Australia, United Arab Emirates, and the United States, with additional offices slated to open in other locations in the near future. For more information, please visit http://www.sorl.cn/.

Nissan’s presence at the 2007 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show in Las Vegas marks the Japanese automakers’ ninth year of participation and celebration of its performance vehicles. For this year, Nissan is proud to exhibit a lineup of vehicles meticulously built by its aftermarket vehicle suppliers and customizers. These include three 350Z sports cars, two custom-made 2008 Nissan Altima Coupes, two Titan trucks, and two Sentra sedans. Furthermore, a special Xterra SUV is also included, and from which the creators are Nissan’s own engineering division. These ten vehicles have been on display last October 30 to November 2 at the Nissan SEMA booth.

Bill Bosely, Nissan Vice President and General Manager, is confident that the company offerings in SEMA would have a positive impact to the program guests: “Nissan is thrilled to be at the 2007 SEMA show with a full array of vehicles, from our 350Z sports car to our full-size Titan trucks, which once again proves that Nissan vehicles are the premier foundations for creative expression by their owners. What I’m most excited about is how SEMA offers Nissan and its customers a glimpse to the over-the-edge performance potential of the all-new 2008 Altima Coupe, just like our partners did last year with Versa.”

NISMO, Nissan’s leading supplier of superior Aftermarket Performance Parts and accessories for its vehicles will also exhibit several NISMO high-performing components, accessories and apparel.

For a more detailed list and description of all the Nissan goods in the Sema Show, visit the following website:
http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2007/10/30/069105.html

Interamerican Motor Corporation (IMC), a flourishing distributor and importer of replacement tools and Aftermarket Performance Parts, has duly announced the availability of WHI’s Nexpart Virtual Inventory to its partners. This new program is sure to enhance the accessibility features of IMC, as Nexpart Virtual Inventory would create stock at the IMC Distribution centers through its channel associate Nexpart eCommerce websites. This would in turn allow the online purchase of parts, even if the nearest distributor is out-of-stock.

Thomas Beer, IMC President, is confident that this new partnership and new program would further boost the IMC growing business: “Virtual Inventory allows us to meet our customer’s inventory requirements in a way not possible before and our expectation is that it will have significant impact on helping them to grow their business. Providing channel partners and their customers the ability to seamlessly integrate real time ordering from our DCs will allow them to capture sales that they are missing today.”

Bryan Murphy, WHI’s President and CEO, is also positive that its product offering to IMC would produce nothing but exceptional results: “IMC is a company that understands how to use technology to create competitive advantage. Making DC inventory available online to their channel partners and over 76,000 Nexpart eCommerce users is another powerful reason to do business with IMC. Maximizing supply chain efficiency between manufacturers, distributors and their customers is critical to the long term profitability for the aftermarket, and Nexpart Virtual will play a key role.”

As additional background for Interamerican Motor Corporation and WHI, below are company profiles, as released in the press statement. For more details, please visit the company websites indicated below:

One of the fastest growing software companies in America, WHI provides solutions to over 1600 large and small companies in the Automotive, Hard goods and Electrical distribution markets, including over 21 Fortune 500 customers. WHI products and services are used by over 100,000 users to increase their effectiveness and efficiency. Products are specialized for use by manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and their customers. Investors in WHI, Inc. include Polaris Venture Partners, MidMark Capital, Goldman Sachs and Starboard Capital. Learn more at http://www.whisolutions.com/

Interamerican Motor Corporation has been in business for more than 40 years serving customers with quality import auto parts. IMC’s winning formula utilizes the latest technology to manage and deliver high quality auto parts while keeping the personal touch for the customer. Our corporate office/west coast distribution center is located in Canoga Park, CA. We have more than 430,000 square feet in our 10 locations nationwide with more on the way. http://www.imcparts.net/

Team IMC is not only composed of employees from the The InterAmerican Motor Corporation (IMC), these particular IMC employees also share the same passion in the sport of cycling. That is why in the upcoming 2007 AAPEX trade show, the team IMC would be doing the customary cycling together towards the trade show destination, this time from Los Angeles to Las Vegas. This act, besides the common cause of showing camaraderie, is also meant to raise funds and awareness for certain issues that would greatly affect the automotive aftermarket industry. This year’s concern is all about the challenge and possible benefit that Telematics could provide to the aftermarket world.

For those not in the know, Telematics is the technological process wherein vehicles wirelessly communicate with their respective dealerships, which in turn allows said dealers to run remote diagnostic tests over the cars. In this way, the dealer gets to be well informed of the status of the vehicles, and could then earnestly alert the vehicle owners with regards to the substantial issues of their cars. The snowball effect for such a proactive service is that the dealer is then given the first opportunity to repair and remedy said issues, thereby refraining the need for an independent mechanic. Indeed, this not only bodes well for the improved dealership business, it is also a benefit for the car owner as car problems can be detected at the early stages, and thus prevent more serious complications.

Thomas Beer, IMC President and Chief Executive Officer, has this to say: “The original goal was to ride from Los Angeles to Las Vegas to attend the AAPEX show. But after some thinking we thought that our ride could have a positive impact on our industry. The enhanced goal, other than surviving the ride, is to raise funds to study and then develop strategies on how we as an industry will turn Telematics from a threat into an opportunity.”

The raised money from said event will be forwarded to an aftermarket industry association as funding for a study and consequent white paper on Telematics.

The Tour d’ AAPEX cycling cause is set to set off on the 25th of October in Los Angeles and end four days after in Las Vegas on the 28th of October. The ride is said to cover 366 miles. In relation to this, the group has announced that for people interested in learning more about the Tour d’ AAPEX and would like to contribute funds to be used for the Telematics study, the contact person to look for is David Pollack at (818)-678-1233. Another way to gather more information is to log onto the website, http://www.imcparts.net/misc/teamIMC.shtml

Provided below is an excerpt of IMC’s company profile, as provided in the press release:

About IMC: Founded in 1962, Interamerican Motor Corporation is a distributor and importer of European and Asian OEM, Aftermarket Performance Parts and other Aftermarket auto parts, as well as Domestic coverage for top moving models. Headquartered in Canoga Park, California, IMC operates branches nationwide. For more information go to http://www.imcparts.com/ . IMC is a member of the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA).

It was previously reported that PACCAR parts recently organized a ceremony with regards to the laying of the foundation stone of the company’s newly acquired property in Budapest, Hungary. The said property would be made into a high-technology Parts Distribution Center (PDC). As it was quite an important event signifying PACCAR’s major advancement in product and technology, a number of important executives related to the company have graced such event. This would include PACCAR Chief Executive Officer and Chairman Mark Pigott, Dutch Ambassador Ronald Mollinger, as well as other senior Hungarian local and state officials.

And now, actual construction has already been started. PACCAR’s new PDC, a staggering 25,000 square meter facility, is said to be completed sometime in the middle of 2008.

Mark Pigott has been quoted as saying: “PACCAR is pleased to locate its new Parts Distribution Center in this strategic economic region near Budapest. This facility will provide excellent proximity to our dealers and customers and deliver outstanding service and parts availability.”

“This Distribution Center will utilize world-class technology such as: advanced logistics systems, radio-frequency identification (smart tags), tablet PCs and computer-generated voice order fulfillment,” said Rick Gorman, PACCAR Parts General Manager and PACCAR Vice President. “PACCAR continues to demonstrate environmental leadership by using innovative technologies to reduce the carbon footprint of its facilities, including utilizing electric material handling vehicles, recycled containers for parts shipments and a digitally controlled, high-efficiency environmental management and lighting system.”

Completion on the PDC facility in Budapest would equate to a total of 13 Parts Distribution Centers for PACCAR. Each of these PDCs is strategically positioned to produce aftermarket auto parts, Aftermarket Performance Parts, and accessories to PACCAR’s developing and continuously growing base of dealers and clientele.

Qualitor, Inc., a leading producer and distributor of aftermarket parts for the automotive and medium to heavy-truck vehicles, has chosen Charles Tornabene to be the new chief for Pylon Manufacturing.

Pylon Manufacturing Corporation, an ISO 9001-certified division of the Qualitor family of automotive companies, is a successful automotive aftermarket supplier that focuses its specialty on the engineering and marketing of wiper blades and tire care products. Relatively, Pylon had to undergo some considerable regrouping upon the departure of then President David Peace as the latter moves into Wells Manufacturing to become its new Chief Executive Officer. And so, after careful deliberation, the Qualitor group finally finds the right man for the job in the form of Tornabene.

In reference to his impressive professional background, Charles A. Tornabene comes into Pylon from an exceptional stint as President of Simoniz USA, Inc. He can be considered as the brains behind the triumphant reintroduction of Simoniz automotive appearance products to the industry. Prior to Simoniz, Tornabene also enjoyed 19 years with Turtle Wax, Inc., the final eleven years serving as its President and Chief Operations Officer. Other notable history of experience includes Sales and Marketing positions with Texise Chemicals (now called Dow Chemical) and the Campbell Soup Company.

As comment to this new addition, Qualitor CEO Dick Snell is pleased to announce: “We are excited to have an executive of Chuck’s experience and market knowledge join Pylon. Chuck is a natural leader with an unmatched depth of experience in very similar categories. I am confident that he will accelerate the already high-growth of Michelin Wiper Blades and automotive appearance products.”

In a special segment of this year’s customary Town Hall meeting, the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA) will be integrating the concept of the popular YouTube program. AAIA, in its own program, has planned to put up videotaped questions from aftermarket professionals from all over the country.

As Kathleen Schmatz, AAIA President and CEO, remarks: “This year we wanted to add some interactive fun to Town Hall and further engage aftermarket professionals in the program, so we decided to borrow the popular ‘YouTube’ concept and invite videotaped questions from aftermarket folks, and for our special guest Bob Schieffer to answer on stage.”

Featured guest Bob Schieffer is the anchor of “Face of the Nation” and CBS News Chief Washington Correspondent. Other stars of the show would be moderator Kathleen Schmatz and another guest Dick Morgan, AAIA Chair as well as President and CEO of Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance, Inc.

Hosted by AAIA and sponsored by NASCAR, the 2007 Town Hall meeting will be held on the 31^st of October, 7 am, in the Palazzo Ballroom in the Venetian Hotel.

This early, AAIA is asking for the cooperation from the general public in this YouTube-inspired segment. Video questions recorded from digital cameras, camcorders, cell phones and Web cams should be submitted in the WMV, AVI, MOV or MPG file formats and hopefully no longer than 45 seconds. Videos under 10MB file size can be emailed to townhallvideos@aftermarket.org. Videos over 10MB should be incorporated in a CD and mailed to: AAIA Town Hall, 7101 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 1300, Bethesda, MD 20814.

The annual Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo will have its first ever “Green Zone” to highlight environmentally friendly products, tools and services. The aftermarket expo “Green Zone” will feature products that service providers and retailers can sell to consumers to help make their vehicles more efficient and environmentally friendly.

It also will have aftermarket tools and diagnostic equipment used to repair new green cars, as well as suppliers that recycle waste or remanufacture parts, or that have environmentally friendly aftermarket parts.

“The automotive aftermarket is one of the most environmentally friendly industries in the world,” said Bill Glasgow Sr., show manager of the aftermarket expo. “The ‘Green Zone’ will provide an exceptional opportunity for suppliers to showcase their products to the aftermarket, and for retailers and service shops to advance their expertise in this field,” he added.

The aftermarket expo will be located in the Venetian Hotel Ballroom that adjoins the Sands Expo Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, from Oct. 30 to Nov. 1. In addition, many aftermarket parts exhibitors will promote their company’s green practices at the show, including environmentally friendly manufacturing processes and training programs to encourage employees to be environmentally responsible.

The “Green Zone” is the annual business-to-business trade show representing the global automotive aftermarket and features more than 2,000 exhibitors. The aftermarket expo is jointly sponsored by the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association and the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association.

The aftermarket auto parts association said this year’s exhibit area will feature products that manufacturers from every segment of the automotive industry, from tire dealers to service centers and automotive retailers, can offer to help make consumer vehicles “more efficient and environmentally friendly,” including tools and diagnostic equipment used to repair new green cars, and suppliers that recycle waste or remanufacture parts or that offer environmentally friendly aftermarket parts.

The aftermarket parts expo comes on the heels of recent report from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders that pins the increase of carbon dioxide emission from the rising weight of production cars. The association helps address this problem by introducing aftermarket parts designed to give the cars less load.

“Weight has been increasing by about 1.5% per year over the last 10 years,” confirms Greg Archer, director of the Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership. The automotive weight-gain is counter-intuitive, given that cars these days are built using lighter and more rigid steel than in the past.

The result of all this added weight being piled into cars—which have been designed more for visual impact than for efficient streamlining—is increased fuel consumption and, thus, a rise in emissions of carbon dioxide.

That is significant, given that 10 percent of the energy consumed during a car’s life goes into its production, with a further 5 percent consumed during its dismantling and recycling. In addition, petrol and diesel engines have become ever more efficient.

As it happens, consumers are gradually turning towards green cars, and the industry is already making the most of any green credentials they identify. This, however, has led to accusations of “green-washing,” where some automotive firms make out that their solutions are better than they actually are. The aftermarket expo seeks to show in the Green Zone the capacity of today’s green auto parts.