Category Archives: aftermarket

Aftermarket Services Beat Dealers Again in Latest Survey

The study, now in its third year following its debut in 2019, measures customer satisfaction with aftermarket service facilities, providing a numerical index ranking of the highest-performing facilities in the U.S. aftermarket doing full-service maintenance and repair; quick oil changes; and tire replacement. Continue reading

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Computer Bugs – Ford Launches New Certified Glass Network

Ford has apparently discovered the latest bugs in computerized vehicles. They are not the ones that smear your windshield. Continue reading

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Quirky Startups – Everrati, Aria Group Porsche 911 EVs

Everrati’s product range is now available in every major market, it claims. “Surging demand for Everrati products globally is being led by sustainability-conscious millennials and Gen-Z buyers who demand an iconic car from decades such as the 80s and 90s, and demand EV power over ICE,” Everrati said. Everrati buyers are also traditional car collectors with “a passion for the latest in automotive technology… there is one common thread, all Everrati customers are car enthusiasts driven by a desire to enjoy beautiful icons sustainably and responsibly.” Continue reading

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EPA: Bans Asbestos – First Under Chemical Safety Act

The proposed rule would ban chrysotile asbestos, the only known form of asbestos that’s currently imported into the U.S., which is found in products such as asbestos diaphragms, sheet gaskets, brake blocks, aftermarket automotive brakes/linings, other vehicle friction products, and other gaskets also imported into the U.S. Most consumer products that historically contained chrysotile asbestos have been discontinued. Continue reading

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Goodyear Expands Eagle Exhilarate Performance Tire Line

Popular vehicles that Eagle Exhilarate tires will now fit include the Acura TLX, Audi A5 and RS5, BMW 3-Series and X5, Cadillac XTS, Chevrolet Camaro and Corvette, Dodge Challenger and Charger, Ford Mustang, Infiniti Q50, Mercedes E-Class, Porsche 911 and Volvo S60. Continue reading

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Toyota to Upgrade Long Beach Manufacturing

Ford Motor Company successfully lobbied the Johnson Administration to expand the tax to Japanese automakers. The simple workaround at what was then Atlas Fabricators in 1972 was to produce Toyota truck beds for pickup trucks imported into the U.S. from Japan, a strategy also used by other importers.  Two years later, Toyota bought the operation and renamed it TABC, which become its first manufacturing investment in the U.S. It’s ironic that Ford, one of the Detroit Three companies that lobbied  for protection against imported light trucks, later did minor stateside work on the Turkish-built Transit Connect to escape paying the chicken tax. Continue reading

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General Motors Launches Online Parts Sales

GM forecasts that online sales of parts and accessories will make up a $40 billion total potential market by 2030. GM claims there will be significant revenue growth from its expanded e-commerce effort. GM launched online accessory sales in 2015 and sells all of its 5,000 accessory products online. Continue reading

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Canopy – Ford Forms JV with ADT Home Security

New products will integrate the Safe by ADT platform to provide professional monitoring and help businesses protect work equipment in vehicles and individual owners improve security inside and outside of their vehicles. Canopy plans to launch industry-first, multi-sensor security systems with optional professional monitoring early next year. Continue reading

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Used Car Marketplace Catch Up? GM introduces CarBravo

CarBravo uses the resources of GM, GM Financial and the GM dealer network to create a flexible, shopping and buying service that is already in full use at True Car, Edmunds, Autotrader, Cars Direct and AutoNation, among others. Major automakers have been slow to use the resources of the web, but Covid has forced changes in standard business practices across the vast automotive industry and the aftermarket. Continue reading

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GM Stalks $20B Electric Conversion Market

It’s the latest step in GM’s breakthrough commitment to electric vehicles that have fossil-fueled equity analysts living in the past questioning a strategy they clearly don’t understand given their questions during GM earnings calls. They are in a different cloud, so to speak. Continue reading

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Goodyear’s Aftermarket EV Tire. Web Ordering Skips Stores

Goodyear says it will expand the ElectricDrive product line in 2022. The initial release of the EDGT is size 255/45R19 104W XL. They will be available only through goodyear.com. and fits some of the most popular EV high-performance models. Continue reading

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Bosch Simplifies Electric Vehicle Charging Cables

The three-phase cable enables so-called mode 2 and mode 3 AC charging at up to 22 kilowatts. With the charging cable, there is no need for a wall-box when recharging at home. This is what customers want. In Europe, 84 percent of electric car drivers recharge their vehicle at home in the evening or overnight, claimed Bosch. Continue reading

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Global Village – Record UK Used Car Prices. Demand High

“It not only marks 66 weeks of consecutive price growth, but a huge acceleration on what is now a comparatively conservative 5.7% increase recorded during the week of 12th April when physical forecourts (dealerships) reopened, ” Auto Trader said. Continue reading

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Personalization – Bronco Riptide Project Vehicle Shown

It is part of Ford’s newly launched outdoor brand “Built Wild” with only-4×4 vehicles. Marketing Babble Alert> The 2021 Bronco Riptide custom build is designed with “West Coast fun and factory-backed accessory personalization in mind.” Continue reading

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Ford Refresh95 Cabin Air Filter Tweaks Interior Air Quality

Ford Refresh95 availability is expected during Q4 2021 for some vehicles, including the Bronco Sport, Escape, Explorer, Mustang Mach-E, Police Interceptor Utility and Maverick. Ford says customers won’t need to purchase a new vehicle. People with compatible vehicle will be able to purchase a Ford Refresh95 air filter from their local Ford dealer, starting later this year. Continue reading

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