The Automotive Specialty Accessories and Parts (ASAP) has its new CEO, Tom West. The new 40 year old officer came from a computer industry which is DELL. In this previous company, he provided his service for the past nine years. Though West’s new company is in line with aftermarket auto parts and products, he already observes the resemblance involving consumers of car parts and computers.

Since he was engaged more on computers, he believes that the auto industry is perfect for the web. He said about looking on the way how people purchase aftermarket auto parts. According to him, “You need a unique fit for your specific vehicle. The average retailer carries 50,000 SKUs in store. The average vehicle has 20,000 unique parts by year, make, and model, and that gets complex.”

Just like other officials of automotive companies, West attended the recent Specialty Equipment Manufacturers Association (SEMA) Show held in Las Vegas. He commented regarding auto enthusiast’s market saying, “This is a great industry with passionate customers,” West says about the auto enthusiast’s market. “I saw a lot of people fired up about their cars. People are passionate about computers, but not like they are about their cars.”

ASAP is one of the largest auto parts and accessories retailer and the parent company of Aftermarket Performance Parts catalogers Whitney & Co. and Stylin’ Concepts. The new CEO believes ASAP for expansion reaching to a $1 billion company. “We can scale this thing pretty quickly. Both (Dell and ASAP) got their start with catalogs and have a deep set of experience managing catalog functions and, more recently, online functions. Those skill sets are absolutely critical. These are relationships you can track,” West said.

News via multichannelmerchant.com.

A three-year supply contract was made between Wonder Auto Technology, Inc., China’s leading producer of automotive electrical and suspensions parts, and a foreign auto company. The contract specifies that Wonder Auto is projected to provide the Shanghai-registered global automotive parts procurement center about 800,000 automotive alternators. All of the supplied alternators will then be exported out of the country to a large-scale international automotive manufacturer. The three-year contract value is estimated to reach approximately $32 million with an approximate value of $11 million for each year.

According to Mr. Qingjie Zhao, the Chairman and CEO of Wonder Auto, “This contract marks one of the most exciting milestones yet in the current stage of Wonder Auto’s continuing growth. Our selection to supply this major global auto parts center is another indicator of our growing reputation for delivering high-quality, cost-effective products in large quantities. This new contract complements our recent agreement to supply the European aftermarket and the opening of our Detroit office as we position Wonder Auto as an emerging force in the global auto parts marketplace.”

Mr. Zhao concluded the statement saying, “With this large new customer and the other new and existing customers, we are optimistic that our anticipated sales in 2008 could exceed $140 million, with over $20 million in net income.”

Wonder Auto Technology, Inc. is based in the city of Jinzhou in Liaoning Province of China. The company has made its expertise and dedication in manufacturing, designing and development of automotive electrical and suspension parts. It also supplies industries for Aftermarket Performance Parts and other products. Wonder Auto ranked as the second biggest producer of alternator and starter in 2006 in the Chinese market.

To know more details about this news, visit money.cnn.com.

One of the essential auto components that add to the safety features of a vehicle is the headlight. This makes driving possible especially at times with very limited visibility like in foggy weather or at night. The headlights help extend travel since the parts light up the road as well as making the vehicle visible for other drivers.

As said by Bryan Gregory, the consumer education’s director of Advance Auto Parts, “You will want to make sure of two things; that you have the correct type of light bulb in your vehicle’s head lights, and that the lights are aimed properly for maximum downrange illumination, if they are not adjusted properly, they may not be serving their purpose, which is for you to be able to see and be seen when you need it most.”

The proper alignment of headlights contributes to the safety of vehicles in the thoroughfare. Any misalignment could affect the ideal function of these lighting components, causing potential danger not only for the car owner but other drivers as well. The area of accurate visibility can be harmed if the headlights are not well-fixed. Very high beam can be blinding to approaching drivers which could possible cause any mishap or collision. The functions of headlights are affected by several factors including the size and load of vehicle, changes in the ride height, potential bumps or impacts and frequent use of headlights during driving.

There is a wide range of headlights and other lighting parts manufactured and offered in the market, may it be in OEM or Aftermarket Performance Parts. Modern headlights are crafted from sophisticated technology, providing outstanding illumination most of the time. Since the parts are located in front of the vehicle, they are the ones most exposed to damages. Thus, it is important to check the headlights together with other auxiliary lighting components. Repairs must be at hand if they show signs of malfunctioning like for brake lights, running lights, marker lights, third level brake lights and fog lights.

Advance Auto Parts provides more information on headlight replacement which can be visited via www.AdvanceAutoParts.com. The details on how to replace the headlights are shown at the site’s Advance Know-How Section for “Headlights and Taillights 101″ How- To Video Clinic.

To view other information about this article, visit www.newsobserver.com.

The increased use of automobiles especially in Canada indicates a prospective growth in the region’s Aftermarket Performance Parts and service businesses. More people are having a longer time driving their own vehicles as shown by a recent study.

Based from the released study by DesRosiers Automotive Consultants, there are more than six million automobiles still traveling on the road in the previous year though these vehicles are already older than 10 years. In 2000, 28% passenger vehicles that are bought 15 years ago can be seen in the thoroughfare but eventually, there is an apparent increase, reaching the number of cars to 43%. In addition, the imports brands remains to be enduring since a lot of these autos are still in use today. More than half of the import cars purchased in 1991 are actively driven on the road.

As said by Dennis DesRosiers, an industry analyst, “Canadian drivers are taking full advantage of their vehicles’ increased usage potential by extending their ownership into previously unplumbed high-mileage territory. Never before have we seen such compelling, large-scale evidence of improved long term durability - regardless of nameplate origin, country of manufacture, or class of vehicle.”

The positive boost in auto business provides a better opportunity and hints the expansion for Canada’s $16 billion automotive aftermarket industry. This business field is in line with the manufacturing, distribution and installing of replacement parts for automobiles aside from the offered equipments, accessories and tools.

“The longer those vehicles stay on the road, obviously the more work gets done. It’s just increased the size of that market exponentially. The future’s pretty bright,” the president of Automotive Industries Association of Canada, Ray Datt, commented.

For more details about this article, visit canada.com.

Not until after 2003, BMW, just like other car brands, cars were distributed in Ireland through imports. Toyota for instance, one of the leading OEM’s, sell with the use of a local dealer. BMW made a decisive choice last 2003 to put up its own national office in Dublin, sending its own agent since 1967, Frank Keane to set up the organization and structure there using the BWM traditional and yet proven process.

The 18 dealerships encompassing all BMW and MINI cars and BMW motorcycles in Ireland are being handled by the new BMW local office.

A big change and benefit for local vehicle owners and customers is the availability of both OEM and aftermarket parts since a lot of automakers now has direct control of its business network. This constitutes convincing dealers and customers that are used to the idea that aftermarket is the only option until manufacturers convinced them otherwise and promoted it as a great opportunity.

The dealers didn’t appear to realize it at first, that if given a great after sales experience, the customer and seller would fashion a valuable relationship, and produce new sales as well. In the present, online shopping for OEM and Aftermarket Performance Parts is available; this is applicable to that of new cars, through this, parts can be sent over for a next-day delivery.

Visit other related articles via ireland-digital and valuationresources.

Franchise Capital Corporation, a leading organization in Aftermarket Performance Parts, specifically in exhaust airflow technology as well as a known NASCAR Performance Collaborator, has announced the release of its investor newsletter for the period of October 2007. The said newssheet takes into account a detailed statement of Chief Executive Officer Bryan Hunsaker, from which he confers on various facets of the aftermarket supply industry, as well as the projected advantages of the company’s recent acquisition of Dr. Gas and Aero Exhaust, Inc.

As a backgrounder, Franchise Capital has newly entered into an agreement to obtain 100% of the Dr. Gas’ common stock, thus enabling Franchise Capital to fully utilize Dr. Gas’ design, manufacturing, and engineering abilities in order to boost the availability of Aero Exhaust products.

In his welcoming message to shareholders, Bryan Hunsaker affirms, “The recent announcement of a merger between Dr. Gas and Franchise Capital Corporation is a key step of our roll-up strategy. By merging Dr. Gas with Aero Exhaust, we accomplish several important goals, including: 1) Dr. Gas can immediately start producing Aero Exhaust product allowing us to ramp up our sales and become more competitive in the marketplace; 2) we can immediately start applying our sales and marketing skills to the Dr. Gas Product line; 3) we can apply our operational background to Dr. Gas to help them achieve manufacturing efficiencies; and 4) through our access to public capital, Dr. Gas will have the ability to invest in more capacity and infrastructure to better serve our growing client base.”

Moreover, Hunsaker attends to other particular aspects of the industry of aftermarket supply: “We have charted a course and are committed to building a company that will be a long-term, significant player in the automotive aftermarket supply industry. The automotive aftermarket is a fragmented market, with numerous automotive enthusiasts that have innovative products and ideas but lack the size to effectively market and distribute products. The major distribution channels within the automotive aftermarket prefer vendors who can supply a wide array of products to leverage buying power and simplify the supply chain. Since these two dynamics are divergent, our strategy is to establish our company as a recognizable brand that can supply our distribution partners with a comprehensive line of innovative products. Our approach is to leverage our existing strengths and assets and to combine our strengths with others in the market through a roll-up of companies in the early to mid stages of growth that provide varying assets to the company. Much like the manufacturing, product and R&D assets of Dr. Gas, we are looking for others with varying distribution channels, complimentary products and effective sales assets.”

“From a revenue perspective, it is important to realize that the exhaust market is a cyclical market with the more robust sales numbers in early to mid spring and early summer. This plays very well into our plans to facilitate increased manufacturing of Aero’s products so we can supply our distribution partners. We are working to capture as much of the early 2008 growth as possible and carry that momentum throughout the year. We look forward to showing the initial results of our ongoing efforts in the first and second calendar quarters of 2008.”

Hunsaker then concludes his “CEO Greeting” by affirming: “We have not taken a short-term view, and we believe that we are building a company that will be a long-term, significant player in the automotive supply industry. We are optimistic about the growth that is ahead for the company and are excited to see the benefit of that growth come to those shareholders that are genuinely interested in the future of Aero Exhaust, Dr. Gas and other companies that are included in our roll-up strategy.”

In addition to the abovementioned subject, this October newsletter also provides a review of the events and press releases given by Franchise Capital throughout the previous month.

To get ahold of a detailed and complete copy of such document, the newsletter’s PDF version is posted in the archive section of the company website, http://www.franchisecapitalcorp.net, under the “Newsletters” tab. Similarly, an announcement has already been disseminated through the Franchise Capital’s website mailing list.

Progressive Automotive Systems has promptly announced its new software called the R.O. Writer™ shop management system version 1.20. With such a new system, the company gets to be more connected with ACDelco, supplier of numerous automotive replacement tools and aftermarket performance parts.

With a single click of this R.O. Writer™, PAS is equipped to link up with ACDelco Warehouse distributors relative to parts availability, costing, and labor time. Once these three factors are established, the combined data is then incorporated on the repair order in the R.O. Writer™ System.

Paul Van Camp, Progressive Automotive Systems (PAS) Director of Sales, has this to say: “While the R.O. Writer™ shop management system has supported Internet parts ordering for several years, the technology used has been generic for all ACDelco independent repair centers. With the new ACDelco ‘WISEConnect™’ interface, ACDelco independent service centers will have availability to check their local ACDelco Warehouse partner’s inventory levels for parts, labor hours and ACDelco Marketing Incentive Dashboards, all from their R.O. Writer™ System.”

James Nagy, PAS Director of Development, further attests: “The new ‘WISEConnect™’ interface adds another strategic component to the R.O. Writer™ Shop Management Application Suite. Now ACDelco users will have complete access to ACDelco parts, labor, vehicle specifications, and more with this intuitively obvious user interface. All this functionality is completely integrated into the natural R.O. Writer™ Estimate and Repair Order workflow. This is truly a breakthrough for ACDelco independent service centers that have chosen to use the best Shop Management System on the market as they will now have direct access to ACDelco information.”

Stephen Sigg, ACDelco E-Business manager, for his part is also pleased about this enhanced partnership and development: “This is truly exciting. Progressive Automotive Systems’ R.O. Writer™ WISEConnect™ interface module now offers a powerful e-Sourcing tool for our independent service centers and distributors from the R.O. Writer™ point of sale solution. While it serves the repair shop’s business needs first (parts & labor), the interface will also benefit ACDelco online parts distributors. Not only will shops use this tool to do more e-Commerce, research proves the internal efficiencies created will let them generally fix more cars and buy more parts. We’re proud to be a part of this initiative.”

Below are concise profiles of both Progressive Automotive Systems and ACDelco, as provided in the release statement:

Progressive Automotive Systems, Inc.
Developer of the R.O. Writer™ shop management system, PAS has been providing software solutions to the automotive aftermarket since 1989. As early as 1977, PAS provided consulting services for franchise automobile dealers. In the decades that followed, PAS has helped thousands of shop owners reach their true potential. Automotive service provider Midas, Inc, acquired Progressive Automotive Systems in 2001.

ACDelco
ACDelco is a global leader in automotive replacement parts and related services and offers quality aftermarket products and Aftermarket Performance Parts for all makes and models, including Ford, Chrysler, General Motors, Toyota and Honda, plus some original equipment replacement parts. As of February 2007, ACDelco offers more than 100,000 parts across 37 product lines. ACDelco has nearly 100 years of experience in the automotive industry and is a brand of GM Service and Parts Operations, a division of General Motors.

Delphi is proud to announce that its line of aftermarket steering and suspension parts has been given an additional 414 new parts. To date, the company’s lineup has now accumulated to 3,050 part numbers. This is equivalent to a successful 95 percent coverage of the European auto parts, thereby solidifying Delphi’s hold as one of the most wide-ranging producer of Aftermarket Performance Parts and auto parts in the European market.

Ian Voce, Delphi Product & Service Solutions’ Global Business Line Director for Chassis Systems, remarks on this latest company development: “With this latest range extension and the results we have achieved so far, Delphi is positioned to achieve a leadership position for steering & suspension parts in Europe. Our entire chassis product line of safety critical components is tested to Delphi’s high standard of quality born from more than 100 years of rich OE heritage. In addition, we are proactively communicating this through a quality campaign targeted at distributors, garages and technicians.”

Products that are covered within Delphi’s range are track control arms, ball joints, link stabilizers, tie rods, wishbones, tie rod assemblies, and steering rack gaiters. On the other hand, cars that are now included in the range extension are the Ford Focus II, Skoda Octavia, BMW X3, Daewoo Nubira II, Chevrolet Lacetti, Kia Picanto, Kia Cerato, Kia Sorento, Peugeot 407, and Mercedes Viano.

In the power steering categories, Delphi’s range has been given an additional thirty new part numbers, resulting to a total amount of ninety units. The said parts, besides covering various Japanese and European applications, are Original Equipments and 100 percent fully tested, as well as equipped with hubs, pulleys, and reservoirs.

Full information and details of Delphi’s complete steering and suspension range can be obtained in the company’s new European steering catalogue. Consumers would find this manual quite helpful as all auto parts and kits are well backed with corresponding images and an updated cross-reference list to all other major European competitors.

For more information on Delphi and its complete offerings, visit www.delphi.com

TRW Automotive Aftermarket, a successful division of TRW Automotive Holdings Corporation, has promptly announced that it has formed a partnership with ArvinMeritor. The joint venture would involve the distribution of Gabriel and TRW brands of shock absorbers for the European independent aftermarket community, and for which the operation and actual distribution is slated to begin by January of next year.

Francois Augnet, TRW Automotive Aftermarket Vice President in the European and Asia Pacific Territories, has been quite receptive to explain the company’s goals for such an alliance: “Shock absorbers are an integral element of our core chassis portfolio. We already offer a comprehensive TRW branded range to our European customers and are committed to enhancing it with the Gabriel programme to maintain and develop our leading chassis position in the European aftermarket.”

“By combining the strengths of ArvinMeritor’s engineering and manufacturing competencies and the Gabriel brand name with TRW’s extensive sales and distribution network we are confident that we can roll out successful shock absorber programmes for the European independent aftermarket.”

As with the term ‘joint venture’, TRW Automotive and ArvinMeritor will jointly manage the sales, marketing, and distribution divisions of the TRW and Gabriel aftermarket programmes. As with the two company’s working plans, there is the objective that this joint partnership would flourishingly permeate all throughout Eastern, Western, and Central Europe.

Marlen Silverii, ArvinMeritor General Manager for the Global Ride Control Aftermarket Division, has this to say: “This is a great example of how both partners can share in the investment, as well as reap the benefits. The Gabriel aftermarket product line is technically very strong, and when partnered with TRW’s growing aftermarket presence, it will offer our aftermarket customers a strong chassis alternative.”

As a backgrounder relative to the two companies concerned, hereunder are brief company profiles as part of the press release statements. For additional details and information, please visit the sites also indicated below:

About TRW
TRW Automotive Aftermarket is a leading provider of high quality replacement parts, Aftermarket Performance Parts, service, diagnostics and technical support to both the independent aftermarket (IAM) and the vehicle manufacturer service (VMS) channels.

With 2006 sales of $13.1 billion, TRW Automotive ranks among the world’s leading automotive suppliers. Headquartered in Livonia, Michigan, USA, the Company, through its subsidiaries, operates in 28 countries and employs approximately 63,800 people worldwide. TRW Automotive products include integrated vehicle control and driver assist systems, braking systems, steering systems, suspension systems, occupant safety systems (seat belts and airbags), electronics, engine components, fastening systems and aftermarket replacement parts and services. TRW Automotive news is available on the Internet at http://www.trwauto.com/.

About ArvinMeritor
ArvinMeritor, Inc. is a premier global supplier of a broad range of integrated systems, modules and components to the motor vehicle industry. The company serves light vehicle, commercial truck, trailer and specialty original equipment manufacturers and certain aftermarkets.

Headquartered in Troy, Mich., ArvinMeritor employs approximately 19,000 people in 25 countries. ArvinMeritor common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol ARM. For more information, visit the company’s Web site at http://www.arvinmeritor.com.

SORL Auto Parts, Inc., one of China’s leading automotive producers and distributors of air brake valves and other Aftermarket Performance Parts, announced through its subsidiary, Ruili Group Ruian Auto Parts Co., Ltd, that it has acquired the property it has been leasing, as well as an extension of said land. This development, according to SORL management, is meant to enhance its seemingly deficient production output.

Existing setup shows that SORL is actually leasing Ruili property and occupying only about 50 percent of the production facility. In such a purchase, the acquired expansion is then expected to readily answer the company’s estimated growth demands for the subsequent two to three years.

Included in the announcement are the particulars of such purchase. According to the company, it has purchased land rights, an office building, and a manufacturing plant. The entirety of the property enjoys a spacious total floor area of 712,333 square feet or 66,177.91 square meters, and is said to be worth 152 million Yuan or equivalent to US 20 million dollars.

Xiaoping Zhang, SORL Chief Executive Officer, is more than accommodating enough to explain the company’s plans: “In order to solve the current production capacity bottleneck and meet the fast growing demand for our products in the domestic OEM, aftermarket and international markets, we have decided to purchase Ruili Group’s existing facility and scale up our capacity quickly to capture the market opportunity.”

“Completing the new facility under construction would have delayed our capacity expansion until late 2008 and hindered our near-term growth. The Chinese commercial vehicle market has experienced significant growth this year and especially for heavy trucks. We are benefiting from the growth of commercial activity in China as well as robust government spending on infrastructure buildout and the maturing of the domestic logistics industry. We see very favorable market conditions for commercial vehicle auto parts. The land use rights and facilities purchased will add to our production starting in the late fourth quarter of 2007, expanding our capacity for continued growth and to enhance shareholder value.”

Hereunder is a brief description of SORL Auto Parts, as taken from the company’s official press release.

As China’s leading manufacturer and distributor of 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.