Category Archives: aftermarket

U.S. Vehicle Ownership Now at a Record 71 Months

The average length of vehicle ownership that were purchased as new has risen to a record 71.4 months, or nearly six years, according to the latest Polk registration data. Consumers who purchased used vehicles held them nearly 49.9 months. Combined, new and used vehicle owners are holding on to their vehicles for an average 57 months. Continue reading

Posted in aftermarket, auto news, economy, marketing, news analysis, transportation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

U.S. Salvage Firm Links with Chinese Recycler to Export Autos

Chenlong is the first company in China to complete the installation of a shredder built specifically for the processing of scrap steel that includes automobiles coming from the United States. Continue reading

Posted in aftermarket, auto news, environment, news, transportation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Mopar Debuts Third Factory Built Hot Rod off Chrysler 300

Still working its muscle car roots, the Mopar 300 has a 363 horsepower (hum the Charger was 370?) 5.7-liter Hemi V8 engine and a now dated five-speed automatic transmission. A change from a 3.06:1 to a 3.91:1 final-drive means zero-to-60 mph times in the low 5-second range, according to Chrysler, same as the Charger. Continue reading

Posted in aftermarket, auto news, marketing, new vehicle, performance | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Pep Boys Sold to The Gores Group for $800 Million

The proposed transaction has already interested at least one legal firm trolling for business. Tripp Levy, a securities law firm, immediately put out a notice to investors that there are “potential claims of breaches of fiduciary duty and other violations of state law” against the board of directors of Pep Boys in connection with the sale. There likely will be more such allegations from firms looking to garner legal fees.

However, the agreement does provide for a 45-day “go-shop” period and contains customary closing conditions, including receiving the approval of Pep Boys’ shareholders and all applicable regulatory approvals. A special meeting of Pep Boys’ shareholders will be held following the filing of a definitive proxy statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Continue reading

Posted in aftermarket, auto news, news, news analysis | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Average Age of U.S. Vehicles Reaches Record High

Perhaps more significantly for automakers, 2011 ended the U.S. vehicle population decline that has occurred annually since 2008. This worrisome trend meant households were decreasing the number of vehicles. According to Polk, the total vehicles in operation – VIO – in July 2011 was just over 240.5 million, an increase of 500,000 units over July in the previous year, and nearly equal to 2009 VIO. The highest VIO on record was achieved in July 2008, when more than 242 million passenger cars and light trucks were on America’s roads. The financial markets collapsed that fall. Continue reading

Posted in aftermarket, auto news, news analysis, results, transportation | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Midas Sued in Europe for Breach of Contract

The unwelcome development for Midas shareholders comes as the Midas board of directors is exploring the possible sale of the company during an ongoing strategic review. Share prices have ranged from a 52-week high of $9.50 to a 52-week low of $5.08. Currently Midas is trading at $8.46. Midas during the first nine months of 2011 had net earnings of $4.4 million ($0.32 per diluted share), an increase from $2.3 million or $0.17 per diluted share in 2010. Midas pays no dividend. Continue reading

Posted in aftermarket, auto news, economy, litigation, news | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Right to Repair on Massachusetts Ballot. National Bill Stalled

A similar national measure, the Motor Vehicle Owners’ Right to Repair Act (H.R. 1449), died from inaction in the 2011 U.S. Congress. Various forms of Right to Repair bills have been tied up in successive Congresses since 2002. It is not surprising that the National Association of Automobile Dealers opposes the legislation. NADA says that automakers provide emissions service and some other data available to any technician who needs it already. Continue reading

Posted in aftermarket, auto news, news, news analysis | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Top Stolen Cadillac Escalade Has New Antitheft Devices

Cadillac Escalade is more than 6 times as likely as the average vehicle to be targeted by thieves and has overall theft losses more than 10 times as big, according the Highway Loss Data Institute – HLDI. So little wonder that Cadillac in a release today is touting what it claims are new security enhancements developed to thwart thieves on Escalade models. Continue reading

Posted in aftermarket, auto news, customer satisfaction, insurance, news | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

New 1967 Mustang Convertible Body for $15,995

While purists will scoff, the chances of finding a rust-free, undamaged sixties era Mustang suitable for restoration are slight, given the popularity of the Mustang among car enthusiasts. Some panel adjustment and alignment has to be done, but the new-old Mustang body comes rust proofed and primed, ready for painting and assembly. Continue reading

Posted in aftermarket, auto news, news, performance | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Latest Safety Problem – Deferred Auto Maintenance?

The latest pernicious problem of the flagging U.S. economy comes in the guise of drivers who deferred auto maintenance at the potential cost of their safety. According to a new survey, 40% of respondents who are involved in repair decisions said they are postponing car maintenance or repairs on their primary vehicle. Continue reading

Posted in aftermarket, auto news, economy, news, news analysis, safety | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

New Vehicle Sales Satisfaction Improves from 2010

Satisfaction with the new-vehicle sales process has improved from 2010, according to a new study released today. All sales satisfaction measures improved “notably” from 2010, with the greatest increase in the delivery process, despite the fact that the average length of time to complete the delivery portion of a new-vehicle sale has increased by four minutes to an average of 32 minutes in 2011. Continue reading

Posted in aftermarket, customer satisfaction, marketing, news, news analysis, results | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

MaxiGuard Super Premium Motor Oil Consumer Alert Issued

PQIA says there are labeling issues, as e well. The label claims API service SA, SC. These are obsolete Service Categories the API cautions can cause harm to engines built after 1967. The label does not warn consumers of this limited use. Continue reading

Posted in aftermarket, auto news, news, quality, results | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Build Your Own LS7, LS9 Chevrolet V8 Crate Engine

Chevrolet Performance is now offering customers the chance to build your own LS7 V8 or LS9 V8 crate engine – a unique program that combines a factory-engineered aftermarket engine with hands on experience for custom car builders and hot rodders. Continue reading

Posted in aftermarket, auto news, marketing, news, performance | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Kia Adds Carfax Vehicle History Reports to Used Cars

Kia’s decision means that 32 manufacturer brands that have chosen Carfax for their Certified Pre-Owned vehicles. Continue reading

Posted in aftermarket, news analysis, sales | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Volkswagen Opens Engine Rebuilding Plant in China with FAW

While all major automakers are scrambling to establish and maintain new vehicle manufacturing and sales in China, the so-called aftermarket is not being pursued with the same vigor, repeating the same mistake U.S. automakers made as their home market expanded 100 years ago. Continue reading

Posted in aftermarket, auto news, environment, milestones | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment