American Expedition Vehicles, one of the leading suppliers of Aftermarket Performance Parts and replacement auto parts to the Jeep community, has acquired a partial product list of the now non-operational Nth Degree Mobility.

For those not updated, Nth Degree mobility, best known in the industry as a competent provider of innovative and top quality short-arm and long-arm suspension lift kits, have closed its doors to the automotive industry. This event has then triggered AEV in staking a claim on Nth Degree’s much-lauded suspension lift kits.

And now, the acquisition dialogue has been duly finalized, with AEV’s announcement that it will absorb into its own product lineup a considerable section of Nth Degree’s inventory line.

With such key changes, albeit positive, happening with AEV, it would then be reasonable if the company would undergo an adjustment period in areas of product handling. AEV is then asking for patience as the company takes in the new equipments and inventory. After said preliminary procedures, AEV is ensuring that it would deliver the same commitment to innovation and quality that the management of Nth Degree had provided for its consumers.

Dave Harriton, AEV President, has this to say on his company’s new endeavor: “It’s really unfortunate that Nth Degree had to close its doors. Nth Degree has been a major innovator in the suspension industry and has developed a near cult following with good reason. Because this has happened so quickly, we are still trying to determine how long it will take for us to incorporate their products into our system. It is our goal, however, to have most of the existing suspension line back on the market along with several new products in the near future.”

“Most of the line will remain unchanged, although we will be simplifying and redesigning some of the existing components to make it easier for our dealer network to stock and for our users to install,” Harriton added.

Provided below is the partial press release of AEV with regards to the acquisition:

AEV itself has been an Nth Degree customer, employing its suspension and skidplate products on AEV conversion vehicles. AEV will integrate Nth Degree’s design, engineering, and development operations into AEV’s Missoula, Montana facility while warehouse, distribution, and manufacturing will be moved into AEV’s Walled Lake, Michigan plant.
Watch for further announcements on plans for former Nth Degree products at www.aev-conversions.com.

Wonder Auto Technology, Inc., China’s leading manufacturer and distributor of automotive electrical parts and suspension devices, has announced this 1st of October that its subsidiary, Jinzhou Halla Equipment Electrical Equipment Co., Ltd., will be taking on the North American market. Such endeavor will be through a new office that would open in Detroit City, with focus on showcasing Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) products and Aftermarket Performance Parts.

In line with this new development is a new addition to the Wonder Auto management. Robert Forreider has joined the team of Jinzhou Halla, with an appointment as Vice President in the Marketing and Sales division. Forreider’s main responsibilities would involve marketing planning and strategy, as well as market development of the company’s sales network. All these duties devolve on Wonder Auto’s objective of capturing a substantial market share in North America.

Mr. Qingjie Zhao, Wonder Auto Chairman and CEO, has this to say on the recent developments and changes in the company: “We are excited to establish a local presence in Detroit after years of planning and product development. We are extremely pleased to have industry veterans like Robert Forreider join us who recognize Wonder Auto’s growth opportunity in North America. As the second largest starter and alternator producer in China, we believe we have the capability and quality to compete in the North American market as well.”

Below is a snippet of the press release pertaining to the wonders of Wonder Auto and its new member:

Robert Forreider has 39 years experience in the worldwide auto parts industry. He served as the Director of Global Sales for GM Delphi and was the Vice President of Global Sales for Delphi Automotive. Mr. Forreider has a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering and a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Michigan.

Based in Jinzhou City, Liaoning, China, Wonder Auto, through its Chinese subsidiaries, designs, develops, manufactures and sells automotive electrical parts, suspension products, and Aftermarket Performance Parts. Wonder Auto was ranked second in sales revenue in the China market for automotive alternators and starters in 2006. With respective 5 different series and over 150 models of alternators, 70 models of starters and various suspension related parts, the Company supplies a wide range of automakers, engine producers and auto parts suppliers both in domestic China and overseas. Wonder Auto’s main customers include Beijing Hyundai Motor Company, Shenyang Aerospace Mitsubishi Motors Engine Manufacturing Co., Ltd., Harbin Dongan Automotive Engine Manufacturing Co., Ltd., and Tianjin FAW Xiali Automotive Co., Ltd. For more information, please log on http://www.watg.cn/.

O’Reilly Auto Parts is pleased to announce the opening of its newest store in Toccoa, Georgia. To celebrate this brand new addition to the company’s chain of successful retail outlets, the Toccoa branch is having a grand opening celebration that will last for almost two weeks, specifically from September 26 to October 9.

Gracing the festivities would be District manager Randall Rowland, new Store Manager James Watson, and other esteemed members of the Toccoa community.

During the event, O’Reilly Auto Parts Spokesperson Denise Johnson did not fail to emphasize the company’s consumer-oriented focus. Johnson mentioned that the ultimate goal and priority of O’Reilly Auto Parts is to ensure absolute customer satisfaction.

“O’Reilly Automotive intends to be the dominant supplier of auto parts in our market areas by offering our retail customers, professional installers and jobbers the best combination of price/quality provided with the highest possible service level,” Johnson said.

“The firm is one of the largest specialty retailers of automotive Aftermarket Performance Parts, tools, supplies, equipment and accessories in the United States, serving both the do-it-yourself and professional installer markets.”

As a backgrounder, the company was founded by its namesake, the O’Reilly family, in the year 1957. The company is known for superior store and service features, such as a reasonably-priced guarantee with overnight service, competitive manufacturer’s warranty guidelines, and one of the biggest inventory of tools, auto parts, aftermarket performance parts, and accessories. To date, O’Reilly Auto Parts is in full operation in more than 1,700 stores throughout the states of Georgia, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Wyoming, Kentucky, Louisiana, Nebraska, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Texas, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia, and Wisconsin.

Hella Incorporated, Hella KGaA Hueck & Co.’s North American subsidiary for automotive lighting and Aftermarket Performance Parts, has promptly announced to the US and Canadian market the availability of its new lightning upgrade kit for the 2004-2008 Ford F150 models.

The enhanced lighting kit is equipped with the following premium grade products: two “blackout” headlamps, two LED tailgates, one cab-mounted brake light, and a composite grille assembly equipped with two Hella Rallye 4000 Compact Series Driving Lamps. While Hella is initially releasing the goods as a set, said products can also be acquired separately to cater to the consumers’ needs.

The Halogen headlamps are designed with a carbon fiber inlay and a matte black housing, which results to the tasteful “blackout” style.

The two LED tail lamps and cab-mounted brake light boast of 24 LEDs and CELIS light guides, with the former handling the stop and turn functions, while the latter managing the the tail lamp and parking lamp functions. Indeed, the LED taillights assure of an increased safety for all vehicle occupants, what with its fast and superior visibility brake light function.

Hella’s new offering of composite front grille shell assembly provides the customer a choice between either the Halogen or Xenon version, but with both lights equipped with Free-Form lighting technology. It also benefits with an easy installation feature with its simple bolt-into-place method, as well as an paint-ready attribute for color customizing.

All of the upgraded products in the new lighting kit are DOT and SAE compliant. Moreover, this Hella offering provides overall customer assistance with its ready-to-use wiring harness and step-by-step installation directions.

Below is the partial press release of Hella illustrating Hella Inc., Hella Co., and the combined success of the Hella group:

Hella, Inc., located in suburban Atlanta, GA, is the North American aftermarket sales and distribution headquarters for Hella KGaA Hueck & Co. Hella, Inc. provides world-class aftermarket and special OE support to automotive, marine, and heavy-duty accounts in the U.S., Canada, and the Caribbean. Its subsidiary, Hella, Inc. - Canada, serves the Canadian market with offices and warehouse in Mississauga, ON. For more information, visit www.hellausa.com or www.hellacanada.com.

Hella KGaA Hueck & Co., Lippstadt: The automotive parts supplier develops and manufactures components and systems for lighting technology and electronics for the automotive industry. In addition, joint venture companies also produce complete vehicle modules, air conditioning systems and vehicle electric systems. Hella has one of the largest aftermarket organizations in the world for automotive parts and accessories, with its own sales companies and partners in more than 100 countries.

The consolidated annual sales of the Hella Group is around 3.4 billion euros. Hella is one of the top 50 automotive parts suppliers in the world and one of the 100 largest industrial companies in Germany. More than 25,000 people work in 70 manufacturing facilities, production subsidiaries and joint ventures all over the world. Approximately 3,000 engineers and technicians work in research and development throughout the company group. Customers include all leading vehicle and system manufacturers, as well as the automotive parts aftermarket. For more information, visit www.hella.com.

PACCAR, a global technology leader in the designing and manufacturing of trucks in all ranges, held a ceremony for the laying of the foundation stone of its new Parts Distribution Center (PDC) located in Hungary. Gracing the said event was PACCAR Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Mark Pigott, U.S. Ambassador to Hungary April Foley, Dutch Ambassador Ronald Mollinger, the DAF Supervisory Board, and a select Hungarian state and local officials.

When asked for comment, CEO Mark Pigott reiterated the company’s primary plans regarding this new addition to production: “PACCAR is pleased to locate its new Parts Distribution Center in this strategic economic region near Budapest. This facility will support DAF’s ongoing growth in Central and Eastern Europe. It will provide excellent proximity to our dealers and customers and deliver outstanding service and parts availability. PACCAR and DAF Trucks are recognized as the quality and technology leaders in the industry. In the last decade, DAF commercial vehicles have earned the European Truck of the Year award three times – the most of any manufacturer in Europe. PACCAR’s legacy of technology and innovation has been recognized by the National Medal of Technology, awarded by President Bush.”

PACCAR Parts General Manager and Vice President Rick Gorman further provides the benefits that this new PDC to overall operations: “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. 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.”

DAF President and PACCAR Vice President Aad Goudriaan further asserts: “The new Parts Distribution Center will play a crucial role in DAF’s success in Central and Eastern Europe. In the fast growing market of the twelve new EU member states, DAF’s presence is accelerating as it currently has a 16 percent market share in the 15+ tonne segment in this region, compared to 13 percent last year. It is estimated that the Central and Eastern Europe truck market will expand to 100,000 units in the next five years and DAF is well positioned due to investments such as the new PDC.”

The new 25,000-square-meter Budapest facility is due to be finalized in mid-2008. And upon completion of this PDC facility, PACCAR will be operating 13 parts distribution centers all over the world, each on its own strategic location to provide aftermarket parts support to the industry’s growing base of dealers, retailers, and consumers. Furthermore, this new PDC facility could only equate to the company’s successful streak, as PACCAR Parts was estimated to have tripled its revenues since 1996, almost reaching the $2 billion mark in 2006.

CataDisc, a known provider of interactive and multimedia digital catalogs, has decided to offer its services to the aftermarket industry with their newly released industry solution software aptly called CataParts.

The minds behind CataDisc proudly asserts that the CataParts catalog can offer its targeted clientele, namely the vehicles and auto parts manufacturers and distributors, an opportunity to considerably increase their aftermarket business and enhance consumer loyalty. This is due to the fact that said catalog is working on a very detail-oriented interface, what with top features like the search engine, images of zoomable parts, instruction manuals, part specifications, and even an audio and video capability.

Moreover, said to be another great attribute of CataParts is its user-friendly nature that is formidably built on the foundation of CataDisc superior technology. There is a clever interactive list of auto parts that allows consumers to find and pinpoint the product they are interested in. What’s even more amazing is its great bonus feature of automotive diagrams that can explode into specific parts in order to demonstrate a clearer picture of said parts to the consumers. Ordering is also made easier with a couple of clicks from the customer: one click on the part to enter it to the shopping cart, and another click to order the part or inquire for a quotation to the parts distributor or manufacturer.

When interviewed for this latest technological product, CataDisc President Tony Higgins has this to say: “Imagine putting all the necessary documentation for a piece of industrial equipment or a vehicle in one place that is totally searchable and shoppable and providing it to a customer when they purchase a piece of equipment. We’ve seen some companies that provide their customers with a duffle bag of ‘books’ weighing 20 pounds with the specs, drawings, operating instructions and parts lists when they purchase a vehicle. CataParts can hold all of this information on a CD or a flash memory drive. This not only saves the manufacturer the cost of printing that 20 pounds of data, but it makes operating and servicing the vehicle so much easier for the buyer.”

“It’s a win-win for buyer and seller in terms of cost effectiveness, ease of use and productivity.”

Below is the partial Press Release of CataDisc as it discusses further the merit of CataParts technology:

CataParts also incorporates CataDisc’s technology which provides 100% security for the buyer. All the information including the parts catalog, pricing and shopping cart* are embedded on the CD. The customer doesn’t even need an Internet connection to use CataParts thereby providing total protection from privacy intrusion by “cookies”. When the customer is ready to place an order, they can connect to the Internet with “one click”* and send the order encrypted for security or print the order with all personal data encrypted and encoded in a 2D bar code for faxing or mailing. The information is decrypted only when received by the vendor.

CataParts catalogs are built using the manufacturer’s existing creative content from either their paper catalog or website, thereby leveraging monies already spent. Unlike other companies that sell CD catalog creation software to manufacturers who develop their own catalogs, CataDisc handles the entire catalog development and production, and can provide a turnkey solution including performing order fulfillment services. This can be a tremendous resource for those manufacturers without the in-house capability of developing their catalog.

The Pratt & Whitney Power Systems IGT aftermarket business offers large frame customers a competitive option for maintenance services.

The PWPS aftermarket business currently has more than 40 customers and has accumulated over 250,000 operating hours on Pratt & Whitney-manufactured IGT products.

With the guaranteed services and parts, Saudi Electric Company goes for Pratt & Whitney Power Systems, Inc. to provide Industrial Gas Turbine parts for the General Electric Frame 6B and the General Electric Frame 7EA gas turbines. The agreement will cover over the next three years and the financial terms were kept private.

The first purchase order for GE Frame 7EA hardware was received on May 9 and the first parts were delivered to Saudi Electric on July 29.

The service for the parts will be done on-site while repairs will be handled through Pratt & Whitney’s repair operations in San Antonio.

This is the first sale of new Industrial Gas Turbine (IGT) parts into the Middle East region for Pratt & Whitney Power Systems. The contract with the Saudi Arabian IGT market builds up Pratt & Whitney OEMROTM business growth strategy.

Peter Christman, President of Pratt & Whitney Power Systems said, “We are delighted to be given the opportunity to provide parts for SEC’s Frame 7EA industrial gas turbines. We are committed to building a solid working relationship with Saudi Electric and support their operational success now and in the future.”

Monro Muffler Brake, Inc. expects a range of $.41 to $.43 diluted earnings per share for its second quarter 2008. The Company’s pervious expected range is $.53 to $.56 per diluted share as stated in its first quarter earnings release. This also compares to the earnings of $.37 per diluted share for the comparable prior year period, which included an after-tax impairment charge of $.11 related to the Company’s Strauss Discount Auto equity investment. The revised range includes the effects of the recently announced Craven and Valley Forge acquisitions, which are performing in line with expectations.

The challenging business situations brought impacts in the entire chain, including the ProCare business. As a result, the Company’s updated earnings estimation includes the expectation that the ProCare business will manage for the second quarter versus a previously expected contribution of $.03 per share.

“Our business has been pressured by challenges in the macro economic environment and weakening consumer confidence. As is sometimes the case with our business, challenging conditions cause our loyal consumers to temporarily delay big ticket purchases until they feel more confident in the economy. While we are disappointed with our performance in the second quarter, we remain confident in the long-term strength of our businesses model and our strong position in the market. We are pleased with the on-track performance of the recently acquired Craven and Valley Forge businesses, and going forward we will continue to seek growth through reasonably priced acquisitions especially as tough economic conditions create additional opportunities,” said Robert G. Gross, President and Chief Executive Officer.

Monro Muffler Brake, Inc., a leading provider of automotive undercar repair and tire services, plans to release its second quarter 2008 results and revised fiscal year 2008 guidance on October 23, 2007.

A lineup of BMW Performance aftermarket parts will be released by BMW for the 3 Series and Z4 models. The 3 series is one of BMW’s most important models which also accounts for a majority of worldwide sales. A lot of aftermarket parts are for previous-generation BMW models.

A performance shift kit for 2004-’06 3 Series models is presented with performance-enhancing differential. A stainless-steel performance exhaust is made to add 5 horsepower aside from strut brace, air intake and cross-drilled brake rotors. The new 18- and 19-inch Ferric Gray two-tone performance alloy wheels are 2 pounds lighter than the original factory wheels. These are available for 2003-’07 Z4 roadsters and coupes and also offered to present and past models of the RWD 3 Series.

For owners who want to enhance turning capability and reduce right height, a performance suspension is in the aftermarket parts lineup. This is available for the current and past 3 Series excluding other models already equipped with BMW’s optional Sport Package.

All auto parts can be installed by dealers and are also under same terms and conditions as that of a new vehicle’s warranty. An unlimited-mileage two-year warranty will be applied once the parts are installed in other place.

Customers are assured to use these aftermarket parts since BMW notes that all the products meet emissions, noise compliance and safety regulations.

A lot of ease and improvement resulted in the business transactions and communication as CSK Auto, a leading specialty retailer of aftermarket automotive parts and equipment, issued smartphones to its 300 sales professionals and implemented a mobile, custom-developed application. This provides real-time sales, inventory, and customer service data which are useful in managing a business. There is an unlimited access to the network. The hottest sales for any CSK store can be monitored, inventories can be checked and a constant connection with the sales team is possible.

“If I see that there’s a problem with a particular store–say, if the day’s sales aren’t on the ball–I can get hold of the sales guy and find out what’s going on. I make a couple phone calls, maybe run a sale on some tools, and within two hours make up and even exceed that deficit,” says Kevin Jones, a regional sales manager in Sacramento, California. Likewise, he can intercede immediately if a large sale is on hold because of accounts receivable, pricing, or credit issues. With anytime, anywhere network access, “I can resolve these issues on the spot,” Kevin Jones said. Jones can check on sales for a store or region at 11 a.m., and if sales are behind targeted levels, drill down to the individual customer or SKU level and find out where the problem is.

Based in Phoenix, CSK Auto operates more than 1,300 stores in 22 states under the brand names Checker Auto Parts, Schuck’s Auto Supply, Kragen Auto Parts and Murray’s Discount Auto Stores. The stores cater to people who repair and maintain their own vehicles as well as to auto repair shops, fleet owners, government agencies, and municipalities. CSK is the largest specialty retailer of auto parts and accessories in the Western United States and one of the largest such retailers in the United States, based on store count. It CSK reported $1.9 billion in sales in fiscal 2006, an increase of more than 15% over the preceding year. The company is growing through expansion of its store network and by increasing per-store sales. With margins on auto parts under constant pressure, however, CSK must keep costs contained while it searches for ways to boost sales.

Additionally, CIO Larry Buresh along with senior director of IT David Waxberg drove the initiative to give mobile workers ubiquitous access to critical data in legacy and transactional databases. “We saw an opportunity to do both by using technology to increase the productivity of our field sales force,” says Buresh.