Federal-Mogul Introduces EDGE Brake Pad System (aUG)
Federal-Mogul’s Wagner brake products brand has introduced a new complete brake pad system engineered for drivers, their vehicles and the increasingly demanding driving environment.
The new Wagner EDGE brake pad system is the first technology engineered specifically for lighter, leaner, more precisely tuned automotive braking systems and the ever-rising consumer demand for superior brake performance and reliability. According to the company, the result is outstanding braking power and virtually silent brake performance in every covered application.
“It’s time for a new level of brake technology that will help automotive service providers keep pace with the changing demands of today’s market,” said Peter Murnen, global director, friction products, Federal-Mogul. “Wagner EDGE is the industry’s first complete brake pad system, providing shop owners and technicians with a powerful advantage over the original equipment service channel. By relying on EDGE brake pads, shops will be able to grow their share of the increasingly competitive friction category.”
Wagner EDGE brake pads are based on an exclusive laser-shaped friction technology that enables Federal-Mogul engineers to optimize the interaction between the rotor, pad and caliper. Each EDGE brake pad features a custom, laser-focused shape designed specifically for the application. This approach is designed to help eliminate pad vibration – and resulting noise – at its source while ensuring the precise transfer of caliper force where it’s needed most.
New Car Is Grand Prize in ACDelco’s ‘Summer Solstice’ Promotion
What better way to celebrate summer than with a 2008 Pontiac Solstice? ACDelco’s “Summer Solstice” promotion, which lasts for three months, is open to registered ACDelco WISE (Web Integrated Service Environment) and WIP (WISE Internet Parts) customers. Eligible customers will be grouped into one of three program levels based on their best monthly purchase history during the 12 months preceding the promotion, with that month then multiplied by three. New vehicle dealerships are not eligible for the promotion.
Contestants with the highest percentage increase in qualifying ACDelco product purchases using WISE or WIP through Aug. 31, 2007, will win the prize for their purchasing level. Prizes include a $1,000 gift certificate, a plasma TV and the Pontiac Solstice.
Visit acdelcotechconnect.com for the program rules and additional details.
WORLDPAC Provides Customer Retention System
WORLDPAC has selected MechanicNet’s Customer Retention System (CRS) as a service to enhance its customers’ marketing efforts toward their customers. The program benefits include: service reminders for routine maintenance, smoothing of business level inconsistencies, increased profitability of maintenance service, improved customer loyalty, customer referrals and overall satisfaction. In addition, the company has opened a new facility in Boulder, CO. The additional location supports WORLDPAC’s commitment to customer service within the area, and across the nation.
Phipps Fills New Global R&D Post At Morse Automotive
Mark Phipps has joined Morse Automotive as vice president of Research & Development. The position marks an expansion for the company, notes Morse Executive Vice President Jay McCorry. “This is an example of Morse’s commitment to consistently producing the most advanced products for our customers,” he said, “as we seek to broaden our focus into a global perspective for research and development.” Phipps will be overseeing R&D not only in the U.S., but also in Morse’s facilities in Mexico and China.
Phipps previously served as a development engineer with Ferodo America (which became part of Federal-Mogul in 1998), where he formulated semi-metallic and NAO materials.
Snap-on Diagnostics, ATG Partner with Mitchell 1 To Provide Expert Tips for OnDemand5.com
Snap-on Diagnostics and ATG (Automotive Training Group) have teamed up with Mitchell 1 to provide expert tips for Mitchell 1’s new OnDemand Live feature, now available in the latest software versions of OnDemand5.com and ShopKey5.com.
Mitchell 1’s new OnDemand Live feature provides the aftermarket’s only solution for accessing live real-world tips and complete OEM information. This exclusive combination of both types of repair information provides technicians with one place where they can go to find all the information they need to fix vehicles better and faster.
Mitchell 1’s online product continues to increase in popularity with users, so much so that the number of OnDemand5.com users recently surpassed the number of OnDemand5 desktop users.
“Not only are most new customers realizing all the advantages of using OnDemand5.com, but current customers are also rapidly transitioning from desktop to web users,” said Gary Hixson, product manager. “With all the recent enhancements we’ve made to OnDemand5.com, like the monthly updates and OnDemand Live expert tips, we expect to see strong continued growth in the number of web users.”
Whitsitt Named President Of Aisin World Corp. Of America
Aisin World Corp. of America (AWA) announced that Don Whitsitt has been named president. He was also appointed to AWA’s Board of Directors.
Whitsitt, a 19-year veteran of the company who was previously executive vice president, becomes the first American to head AWA, a subsidiary of Japan-based Aisin Group. AWA is responsible for OE and aftermarket sales and marketing in North America and Latin America.
Whitsitt replaces Junichi Nishimura, who returns to Japan as senior managing director of Aisin Seiki, and is now responsible for global sales. As president, Whitsitt is responsible for all aspects of AWA, including sales and sales-related functions for OE and aftermarket products, and research and development. He will also oversee the sales operation of AWA’s offices in Chicago, Cincinnati and Torrance, CA, and logistics operations in Detroit, Los Angeles and Loredo, TX.
Technicians Have Chance to Win Big with Raybestos Brand Promotion
Raybestos brand brakes’ One-Two-Three Foose Promotion gives technicians the opportunity to win a variety of prizes, including a one-of-a-kind custom Chip Foose-designed Stallion, when they make qualifying purchases in one of three categories. The promotion runs now through Oct. 31. Categories include the purchase of $400 worth of Raybestos brand hydraulics, the purchase of $600 worth of Raybestos brand rotors and the purchase of $600 worth of Raybestos brand friction. Purchases made in each category earn technicians entries into the Foose Sweepstakes for the custom- designed Chip Foose Stallion.
For the lucky technician who wins the Stallion, he or she will able to customize it to their liking with Foose option packages. Participants receive separate tally cards for each promotion to track their purchases. In addition, the first 1,500 tally cards submitted receive a free Foose cap and Raybestos Revolution T-shirt.
All tally cards must be received by Nov. 15, 2007, in order to qualify. For full program details or for additional tally cards, contact your local Raybestos brand sales representative.
Beck/Arnley Honors Employees at Awards Luncheon
Beck/Arnley honored all of its employees at an awards luncheon in May, giving special recognition to employees with 20-plus years of employment with the company. Forty-six employees were presented gifts for 20-plus years of service to Beck/Arnley, while 16 of those were recognized for 30-plus years of service. In addition, Joe Bagwell, vice president of sales, was honored for his 38 years of employment at Beck/Arnley, the longest tenure of any current employee.
“The awards luncheon was a great way to thank all of our employees for their hard work and dedication to Beck/Arnley,” said Max Dull, president and CEO of Beck/Arnley.
Jones Loflin to Be CARS 2007 Keynote Speaker
The Automotive Service Association (ASA) has announced that Jones Loflin, president of Helping Others Prepare for Excellence, will be the keynote speaker for the Congress of Automotive Repair and Service (CARS). Known as “The Speaker With Two Last Names,” Loflin will use his dynamic communication skills and enthusiasm to deliver an exciting, enlightening program.
Loflin will share with CARS attendees key strategies from the book, Juggling Elephants?, which he co-authored. Attendees will learn how to focus on being more productive in their professional and personal endeavors, as this presentation will be packed with meaningful examples and humor that can only come when everyday situations are compared to a circus.
Sponsored by ASA’s Mechanical Division, CARS 2007 will be held Nov. 1-3 at the Flamingo Las Vegas. For more information, visit www.CARSonline.org.
FRAM, Autolite, Bendix Brands Provide Access to REPAIR Info
Counterstaff and technicians get access to a plethora of product and repair information by logging on to the FRAM, Bendix and Autolite brand websites. Not only are there repair videos and the latest news from the brands, but now the sites feature Honeywell Consumer Products Group’s recently enhanced I-Parts online catalog.
Users can simply log on to www.bendixbrakes.com, www.autolite.com, or www.fram.com and click on the “Parts Catalog” or “IParts” icon. The site’s data, which is updated monthly, will list part information for passenger cars and light-duty trucks from model year 1936-2007.
The online catalogs feature application-specific information, installation details, product descriptions and images for a full line of friction materials, oil and air filter technology, and spark plugs and wire sets. Counterstaff and technicians can use the program to enter in the vehicle type, and then year, make and model to secure a list of part numbers for each brand, that fit that vehicle by engine type.
Mitchell 1 Names Brandon Belken 2007 Automotive Technology Outstanding
Student
Brandon Belken, who graduated from Tatum High School in Tatum, TX, is the 2007 recipient of the Automotive Technology Outstanding Student Scholarship. Each year, Mitchell 1 recognizes one U.S. high school senior for outstanding achievement in automotive technology scholastics. On July 19, Belken was presented with a check for $2,500, courtesy of Mitchell 1, at the North American Council of Automotive Teachers (NACAT) Conference held in Long Beach, CA.
“Brandon is truly worthy of receiving this scholarship, and Mitchell 1 is proud to recognize him for his outstanding academic achievement and commitment to pursuing a career in the automotive technology field,” said Karen Wagner, marketing manager for Mitchell 1.
Updated Kits Available for Fall Car Care Month
Newly-updated “Be Car Care Aware” point-of-sale kits, which include a copy of the new Car Care Guide and a pack of 25 vehicle inspection forms, are now available in time for Fall Car Care Month in October. The kits can be ordered at www.carcare.org.
“October will be here before you know it, so now is the time to order your starter kit for Fall Car Care Month,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. “There’s no better way to help increase traffic to your business than by using the starter kit marketing and promotional materials to help grow your business.”
The kits also contain “Be Car Care Aware” signage, the “How to Host Vehicle Check-Up Events” CD/DVD, consumer education materials and the Car Care Council’s comprehensive Service Interval Schedule. The schedule helps consumers track regular vehicle servicing by taking the guesswork out of what vehicle systems need to be routinely inspected and when service or repair should be performed.
