Alliance Automotive Group UK (AAG) has announced the acquisition of Tayna Ltd., a Welsh e-commerce platform focused on vehicle batteries, according to a press release dated September 1. The company said that with this acquisition, it aims to expand its battery distribution capabilities in the region. The acquisition would also allow it to develop its digital skill set in the long term.  Tayna, a digital e-commerce company based out of Wales, UK, and established in 2003, specializes in pr...

Klarius Products, a UK-based manufacturer of aftermarket emissions-control components, said it noticed that ordering the correct parts is a common stumbling block for garages under pressure to deliver a quick automotive repair turnaround. To address this issue, it is offering valuable advice and tools to garages to ensure the right part is specified and delivered, according to a press release dated August 22. The company believes that in the fast-paced, detail-oriented world of automotive rep...

US-based paints, coatings and specialty-materials manufacturer PPG announced that it has inaugurated a center of excellence at its Quattordio, Italy, site that will increase the efficiency for automotive color development and application, according to a press release dated August 2. The $2.6 million investment combines color development and application in a single process, reducing the lead time to bring new colors to market, optimizing costs and maximizing color performance, the company said...

According to a press release dated July 27, a new dedicated joint Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA) and the Auto Innovation Centre (AIC) campaign has been launched to support the country's aftermarket with battery-electric vehicle (BEV) training and product development opportunities, and to further aid in promoting the sale of BEVs among vehicle fleets in the state of Victoria, Australia.  The AIC has taken into its possession two new BEVs, a Ford F-150 Lightning ...

Garrett Motion, a Switzerland-based autoparts-maker and provider of turbocharging, electric boosting and automotive software solutions, has announced the expansion of its Wuhan Plant in Hubei, China, and also commemorated the production of 30 million turbochargers in China, according to a press release June 29. The multiphase expansion of Garrett Motion’s Wuhan facility included its first high-speed automated production line of advanced variable nozzle technology (VNT) for turbo passen...

India-based tire manufacturer, Apollo Tyres Ltd., announced that it has inaugurated the first exclusive branded retail outlet for Vredestein tires in India, according to a press release dated June 23. The company has chosen Madhus Tyre Centre in Bengaluru in the southern part of India, as the first exclusive outlet for Vredestein tires. The company said that by having a modern up-market retail format of selling tires — ensuring ample visual appeal, comfort and convenience to custo...

SPK Corp., a Japan-based aftermarket wholesaler, has announced the opening of a new branch in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and commencement of its start of operations, according to a press release dated May 30. Significance: The company believes Dubai is the economic center of the Middle East and one of the world’s leading logistics hubs. SPK said it has been supplying automotive parts and accessories for many years and has built strong relationships with business partners. “...

Australian automotive distribution company and provider of vehicle parts, accessories, equipment, service and solutions, Bapcor, announced the construction of its second centralized-distribution center, according to a press release dated May 29. The 41,580-square-meter Bapcor Distribution Centre is located in the Brisbane suburb of Redbank, Australia. When operational, the center will consolidate seven existing Brisbane-based warehouses into one purpose-designed facility, the compan...

US-based automotive components original equipment manufacturer, and aftermarket ride control and emission-products manufacturer, Tenneco, announced the opening of a 9,600-square-meter engineering center that will serve the company’s European Ride Control and Advanced Suspension Technologies (AST) businesses, according to a press release dated May 24. The new Monroe European Engineering Center is located approximately two kilometers from Tenneco’s manufacturing complex, in Gliwice, ...

DRiV, the aftermarket division of Tenneco, has inaugurated a fully-automated shuttle and packaging system at its European Distribution Center in Willebroek, Belgium, according to a press release dated April 25. This $12 million investment in automation further improves customer service by delivering DRiV’s automotive brands to where they need to be, faster, the release added. The shuttle hosts all fast-moving articles, allowing DRiV to pick 60% of its order lines at up to seven times the sp...

Japanese tiremaker Yokohama Rubber has announced a successful completion of its efforts to eliminate counterfeit versions of the company’s aluminum wheels in China, according to a press release dated May 24. Yokohama filed an administrative complaint and submitted information to the Administration for Market Regulation in Foshan, Guangdong Province, China, regarding five companies engaged in the distribution of counterfeit sports-car aluminum wheels imitating Yokohama’s "ADVAN Racing...

MAHLE Aftermarket, the aftermarket arm of Stuttgart, Germany-based global supplier of powertrain and thermal components, MAHLE, announced that it has decided to centralize its previously decentralized fulfillment activities by processing automotive spare parts orders from only one location per country, according to a press release dated May 19. To make this possible, several distribution centers globally would be equipped with an AutoStore robotic storage solution, including the log...

German supplier of automotive components, tires and aftermarket replacement parts, Continental, announced that it has sold its plant in Kaluga, Russia, to Russian company S8 Capital, according to a press release dated May 22. With this step, Continental said it has divested the majority of its activities in Russia as part of its announced controlled withdrawal from the Russian market — a decision taken in response to the war against Ukraine. Continental produced passenger tir...

The Volkswagen Group announced that it has completed the sale of its shares in Volkswagen Group Rus LLC including its local subsidiaries (Volkswagen Components and Services LLC, Scania Leasing LLC, Scania Finance LLC, Scania Insurance LLC) to Art-Finance LLC, who is supported by the Russian dealer Avilon, according to a press release dated May 19. With the registration of the transaction, ownership of the shares in the authorized capital of Volkswagen Group Rus LLC and its subsidiaries i...

Brembo, global manufacturer of high-performance braking systems, announced that it has inaugurated its latest plant expansion in Escobedo, in the state of Nuevo León, Mexico, according to a press release dated May 12. The expansion, which began in 2021, represents a $207 million investment in Mexico and will create 500 jobs, in addition to the 1,100 associates employed since 2016, the release added. Significance: Now fully operational, the 322,917-square-foot Escobedo expansion doubl...

MAM Software, a UK-based provider of business-management software and product-cataloging solutions, announced that it will be showcasing the latest developments to its current software and displaying brand-new additions to its expanding portfolio of products at the upcoming Automechanika Birmingham 2023 at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC), Birmingham, UK, from June 6–8, according to a press release dated May 12. MAM Software will shed light on their core business belief that "digit...

German supplier of automotive components, tires and aftermarket replacement parts, Continental, announced that it has launched the production of tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) for passenger cars at its plant in Bangalore, India, according to a press release dated April 24. The company will increase TPMS production capacity over the next three years, with a plan to cater to the local market with the current production, and to expand into the export markets as well in the...

According to a press release on March 23, Apollo Tyres announced a virtual prototyping and simulation platform to develop the new Vredestein Quatrac Pro EV all-season tire, with the simulation platform enabling the tire maker to significantly reduce time-to-market, the tire’s impact on the environment and development costs. Apollo used virtual prototyping to ensure that the Quatrac Pro EV had the quickest development cycle of any Vredestein tire to date. Apollo's in-house simulation and pro...

The UK and Ireland arm of Alliance Automotive Group (AAG), a European automotive aftermarket distributor, announced that it has partnered with global warehouse robotics provider Exotec, according to a press release dated March 20. As per the announcement, Exotec has won a significant contract with AAG as part of its UK expansion efforts, following a contract win with AAG France, which was announced in June 2022. AAG’s National Distribution Centre is expected to feature “Exotec’s co...

German automotive and industrial component supplier Schaeffler AG announced that as part of its regular action against counterfeit products, the company has now had around 30,000 counterfeits with a total weight of 10 metric tons destroyed in Schweinfurt, Germany, according to a press release dated March 22. The action took place at the premises of Riwald Recycling Franken GmbH in Schweinfurt-Sennfeld, Germany, and the scrap will now be compressed and subsequently melted down in a steelw...

German chemical company BASF announced that BASF Shanghai Coatings (BSC) has opened its new technical center building at the BSC Minhang, Shanghai, site with an aim to better serve automotive OEM customers in China with its technology, products and services, according to a press release dated March 8. Equipped with advanced laboratory facilities and a team of highly qualified and experienced staff, the new technical center building will provide customers with total solutions covering whole pr...

Denmark-based spare parts logistics provider Danx, part of the DANX Carousel group, announced a new joint venture with Polish logistics specialist, ILS, according to a press release dated 8 March. The strategic partnership is meant to create a strong distribution network in Poland, in response to growing demand for high quality, time critical, and in-night logistics solutions in Eastern Europe. DANX’s joint venture in Poland will support the DANX Carousel group in realizing i...

UK-based drive-systems supplier, GKN Automotive, announced the opening of its new Dallas-Fort Worth, US, warehouse, according to a press release dated 7 March. The new facility will house its portfolio of products for its aftermarket customers, including axle assemblies for light-duty passenger vehicles, driveshafts, joint, and boot kits for all common makes and vehicle types. The new third-party logistics provider (3PL) facility, finished in December 2022, is located in Fort Worth,...

MAXAM Tire, a manufacturer of specialty tires, announced its new warehouse facility in Houston, Texas, via a press release dated 28 February. Executing its major expansion plan, MAXAM Tire’s new facility in Houston features 244,000 square feet of warehouse space, carrying the momentum of growing global demands across specialty tire segments. According to the release, by locating its third warehouse in Houston, Texas, in addition to its existing warehouses in Los Angeles, Californi...

O’Reilly Automotive, a US-based automotive aftermarket parts retailer, has announced that after 65 years of operating in the automotive aftermarket space across the United States and Mexico, it has opened its 6,000th store in Fort Gibson, Oklahoma, according to a press release dated 22 February. Significance: Commenting on the announcement, Greg Johnson, O’Reilly’s CEO, said, “As we celebrate 65 years of O’Reilly Auto Parts and the opening of our 6,000th store location, we recognize...

Global automotive supplier Webasto has announced the opening of a new plant in Guanajuato, Mexico, according to a press release dated 20 February. It is the first site dedicated to the company's charging business in the Americas region and one of three Webasto plants in Mexico. The Guanajuato plant currently runs three lines that produce charging solutions, with plans to expand to eight lines by the end of the year with an output of over 20,000 units per week. More than 140 employees currentl...

Japanese tiremaker Yokohama Rubber has announced in a press release dated 17 February that it is expanding passenger car tire production capacity in India to meet the increasing demands from the local market. With an additional investment of USD82 million, the company said it is looking to increase its annual passenger car tire production capacity in India with Yokohama India Pvt. Ltd. (YIN), its local passenger car tire manufacturing and sales subsidiary, from the current 2.8 million to 4.5 ...

US-based auto accessory and window tinting franchise, Tint World Automotive Styling Centers, has announced the opening of its new location in Webster, Texas, according to a press release dated 15 February. Called Tint World Houston-Webster, the location offers automotive aftermarket accessories and services, including window-tinting solutions, to drivers throughout Webster and the Southeast Houston area. "Tint World delivers ultra-premium service and industry-leading value for drivers in...

Gentex Corporation, a US-based supplier of automatic-dimming rearview mirrors and electronics to the automotive industry, announced that it plans to open a satellite production facility in Grand Rapids, Michgan, according to a press release dated 1 February. By expanding its manufacturing footprint, the company hopes to boost its employee base and provide greater access to well-paying jobs as it continues to implement meaningful solutions to address the ongoing labor shortage. Significance...

US automotive OEM components and aftermarket ride control and emission products manufacturer Tenneco has announced that it has established new test facilities for hydrogen-powered internal combustion engines (ICE) at its powertrain test centers in Burscheid, Germany, and Ann Arbor, Michigan, according to a press release dated 1 February. These two test cells are specifically dedicated to hydrogen ICEs and support original equipment (OE) engine and vehicle manufacturers as they decarbonize the...

VSE Corporation, a US-based provider of aftermarket distribution and maintenance, repair, and overhaul services for land, sea, and air transportation assets for commercial and government markets, announced the opening of its new distribution and e-commerce fulfillment center of excellence in the greater Memphis, Tennessee area, according to a press release dated 24 January. The new, state-of-the-art 450,000-square-foot distribution center more than doubles the existing warehouse footprin...

Hengst Filtration, a Germany-based specialist in liquid and air filtration, has announced that on 1 January, it took over the employees and offices of INEX Consulting in Warsaw, according to a press release dated 3 January. The two companies have been working together in a spirit of partnership for more than 25 years, and Inex’s owner Slawomir Góralewski and his team are largely responsible for the strong development of the Polish service parts market, the release added. As part of a succe...

Netherlands-based software-as-a-service (SaaS) solutions company TIE Kinetix, has announced a new five-year, USD400,000 contract with Camco Manufacturing, a US-based aftermarket parts supplier for the recreational vehicle, marine, camping, and powersports industries, according to a press release dated 7 December. TIE Kinetix has offices in the Netherlands, France, Germany, Australia, and the United States. With this upgrade towards TIE Kinetix's FLOW Partner Automation platform, Camco’s sup...

Applied Manufacturing Technologies (AMT), a US-based independent automation engineering company, has announced the opening of a second manufacturing facility near the company’s Orion, Michigan headquarters, according to a press release dated 21 December. AMT says its automation solutions have benefited automotive manufacturers apart from manufacturers from segments such as aerospace, medical, alternative energy, industrial machinery, rubber and plastics, and others. The new facility is desi...

Tire manufacturer, Apollo Tyres, has made further commitments in the environment, social, and governance (ESG) space, a press release dated 20 December read.  The company has undertaken the following commitments toward sustainability: Commitment to be carbon-neutral by 2050; this would entail improving Scope-1 and Scope-2 emission intensity by 25% by 2026 against a baseline year of 2020 and increasing renewable power in total power share to 25% by 2026 Improve...

MAHLE Aftermarket, the aftermarket arm of Stuttgart-based global supplier of powertrain and thermal components, MAHLE, has announced the opening of a highly-automated warehouse in Olive Branch, Mississippi, US. The automated warehouse will speed up deliveries to workshops and distributors, reduce the frequency of returns, and enable an order to be commissioned within 30 minutes, according to a press release dated 15 December. MAHLE has invested approximately EUR6 million (around USD6.4 m...

TireHub, the national tire distributor cofounded by Bridgestone Americas and The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, has announced its expansion into six new markets within the fourth quarter of 2022, according to a press release dated 6 December. TireHub will open TireHub Logistics Centers (TLCs) in Shreveport, Louisiana; Beltsville, Maryland; Greenville, South Carolina; Tulsa, Oklahoma; Grand Rapids, Michigan; and Spokane, Washington, the release added. Including the six openings, TireHub w...

Turbo Tec Remanufacturing, a Poland-based company specializing in diesel injection systems and turbochargers reconditioning, has announced that it has established its first joint venture factory in mainland China called Turbo Auto Parts Remanufacturing (Hebei) Co, located in Hejian City, Cangzhou City, Hebei Province, according to a press release dated 1 December. The company said the aim of the venture is to launch an independent plant, which will largely meet the demand of the Chinese marke...

Australian automotive aftermarket parts distributor CoolDrive Auto Parts has announced that it has begun stocking Bosch automotive aftermarket parts, diagnostics equipment, and the Bosch’s comprehensive workshop services offering, according to a press release dated 7 November. A preferred supplier to the Bosch Car Service Network, CoolDrive Auto Parts’ offering covers engine management, braking, alternators, and starter motors, wiper blades, diagnostic scan tools and software, ADAS, plus ...

Japanese tire manufacturer Bridgestone announced via press release on 17 November that it had been awarded a USD35 million from the US Department of Agriculture to invest in its desert shrub guayule-based natural rubber project. According to the press release, the company plans to use the grant funds to attract additional growers of the guayule desert shrub crop among local farmers and Native American tribes in the Southwestern US as well as provide growers with education regarding ...

Australian automotive aftermarket parts distributor CoolDrive Auto Parts has announced that it has secured an additional distribution center that will enable the company “to continue to deliver products to its branch network quickly and efficiently”, according to a press release dated 20 October. Located in the Melbourne suburb of Knoxfield, the new distribution center is said to provide support to CoolDrive’s existing distribution centers and became operational in early October, the re...

Dayco, a US-based engine products and drive systems supplier for the automotive and aftermarket industries, announced a major investment in a new manufacturing facility in San Luis Potosi in Mexico, to produce its globally recognized OE quality drive belts, according to a press release dated 2 November. Significance: The new high-tech belt production facility will be situated in Parque Tres Nations, a large industrial park and its construction is due to be completed by first quarter 2024. ...

HELLA, the automotive supplier operating under the FORVIA umbrella brand, announced that it is expanding its European research and development network in the electronics area with two new development sites in the Romanian cities of Iași and Oradea. The sites will see the development of automated driving and electromobility technologies, according to a press release dated 11 October. HELLA has been operating in Romania for more than 17 years and today employs over 4,500 people there. HELLA op...

Driven Brand Holdings, a US-based automotive service company, has announced that its Take 5 Oil Change service has opened its first California location on 2 September, according to a press release dated 19 September. This franchised Bay Area site in Richmond, California, continues Take 5 Oil Change’s expansion in the West, following recent expansion in Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah, the release added. The new location is owned and managed by Automotive Services Holdings, LLC (ASH), ...

US-based auto accessory and window tinting franchise, Tint World Automotive Styling Centers has announced the relocation of its Naples store to better serve Collier County, according to a press release dated 29 August. Tint World Naples provides automotive aftermarket services and accessories, including window tint, mobile electronics, audio and video equipment, paint protection films, and more, the release added. "Tint World's commitment to the industry's leading customer experience is one o...

LKQ Europe, a Switzerland-based distributor of automotive aftermarket parts for cars, commercial vans, and industrial vehicles in Europe and a subsidiary of LKQ Corporation, has announced that it has partnered with “Project Zebra”, an open-source think tank founded in 2021, the company announced in a press release dated 18 August. With more than 1000 branches and USD6.1billion revenue in 2021, LKQ Europe is a key player in the automotive aftermarket, and it aims to improve its ability to sen...

US-based auto accessory and window tinting franchise, Tint World Automotive Styling Centers, announces the opening of its second location serving the San Diego area, according to a press release dated 5 August.  Tint World San Diego, La Mesa, is owned by David Roche. It provides premier automotive aftermarket services and accessories, including window tint, mobile electronics, audio and video equipment, paint protection films, and more. The release read that, in addition to off...

German automotive and industrial component supplier Schaeffler’s Automotive Aftermarket division has officially inaugurated its new global headquarters in Frankfurt’s Gateway Gardens district in Germany on 21 July, according to a press release dated 22 July. The Automotive Aftermarket division is responsible for Schaeffler's global spare parts business and makes an important contribution to the overall success of Schaeffler AG, the release added. "With the move from Langen to Frankfurt, w...

Romeo Power, Inc., a US-based energy technology company delivering advanced electrification solutions for complex commercial vehicle applications, successfully completed the third and final phase of its relocation from Vernon, California, to its new manufacturing center and headquarters in Cypress, California, according to a press release dated 25 July.  The company recently completed the transition of remaining testing labs and equipment from its Vernon site to the new facility, with a ...

Beijing Hella-BHAP Automotive Lighting, a joint venture between HELLA and BHAP, a subsidiary of the BAIC Group, has announced that it opened a new lighting manufacturing facility in Changzhou, Jiangsu Province, mainland China, HELLA said in a press release on 25 July. The new plant marks the JV’s third lighting facility in mainland China. Didier Keskas, who is responsible for HELLA's lighting business in the Asian region, said, “Emotional car body lighting has long since become a sty...

Finnish tire company Nokian Tyres announced in a press release on 28 June that its Board of Directors have decided to initiate a controlled exit from the Russian market. The company said that it is no longer feasible nor sustainable for it to continue operations in Russia due to the war in Ukraine and the subsequent, tightening sanctions. According to the announcement, the exit preparations will start immediately, and the company will evaluate different options for the exit and the company sa...

HELLA, a German automotive supplier and a company of the Group FORVIA, announced that it has been commissioned with the world's first large-scale development and production of a completely electric brake pedal sensor, according to a press release dated 11 July. Unlike conventional brake systems, the so-called brake-by-wire technology transmits the braking commands purely by electric means. The first large-volume series production is expected to start in HELLA's European production network in ...

Automotive Parts Headquarters, a Minnesota, US-based distributor of automotive parts and accessories which owns and operates a chain of automotive parts stores, has announced the addition of Hi-Line Service & Hydraulics to its family of independently owned Auto Value parts stores, according to a press release dated 6 June. The new parts store will formally be known as Hi-Line Sales LLC, creating a one-stop-shop for parts and service, the release added. Since joining the Auto Value chain o...

Eberspaecher, a German producer of thermal management systems and automotive control components for OEMs and its aftermarket customers, has announced plans to manufacture electrical heaters in Bulgaria with the company outlining plans to build a new production plant in Ruse, near the Romanian border, by late summer 2023, according to a press release dated 1 June. By taking this step, the automotive supplier says it is responding to the strong increase in demand in the European market. Eberspa...

Webasto has announced that the company has expanded its manufacturing capabilities in Asia to meet the growing demand for vehicle roof and battery systems, it said in a press release on 24 June. The expansion includes India, Japan and South Korea. Dr. Holger Engelmann, chairman of the Management Board of Webasto SE, said, "With the new sites and the expanded plant, Webasto is now much more broadly positioned in Asia than before. In India, Japan and South Korea, we expect double-digit growth r...

The Automotive Aftermarket division of German automotive and industrial component supplier Schaeffler AG has said that as of 1 August, it is managing its European kitting and logistics center Aftermarket Kitting Operations (AKO) in a new operating model, according to a press release dated 23 June. The company will assume primary responsibility for planning and controlling all processes in the areas of Quality, Industrial Engineering, Operations, Maintenance & Facility Management, and Supp...

German chemical company BASF has announced that it expanded its automotive coatings application center at the company’s technology center in Mangalore, India, according to a press release dated 25 May.   Narayan Krishnamohan, managing director, BASF India Ltd. and head, BASF Group Companies in India, said, “The expansion of the application center is an important addition to serve the Indian market with high-quality coatings solutions. It symbolizes our strong commitment to supporting...

The Automotive Logistics Forum was organized at Messe Friedrichshafen, Germany on 18 and 19 May by the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA) and the German Logistics Association (BVL) with an aim to sharpen the focus on logistics, supply chain management, and automotive production, according to a press release dated 18 May. The event saw over than 40 speakers from OEMs, suppliers, logistics service providers, consulting companies and research provide information, assessments, ...

FIGIEFA, the international federation of independent automotive aftermarket distributors, has called on its members to comply with the sanctions imposed by the European Union, the United Kingdom, the United States, and other countries on Russia or Belarus, according to a statement dated 9 May. The distributor body said the safest and most effective way to ensure compliance with the sanctions is to cease all commercial activities with Russia and Belarus and it urged all operators in the automotiv...

HELLA MINTH Jiaxing Automotive Parts Co. Ltd, a joint venture of automotive supplier HELLA and the MINTH Group, has put a second production plant into operation in the Chinese city of Jiaxing, according to a press release from HELLA dated 3 May. With the new location, HELLA MINTH Jiaxing primarily serves the further increasing demand for radomes, which are permeable covers for radar systems that can be manufactured in special designs according to customer requirements and embedded, for example, ...

German oil and additive specialist, LIQUI MOLY, is building a new production hall in Ulm to create space for additional dispensing systems, the company announced via a press release dated 3 May.  An additional building for new dispensing systems will be built at the Ulm site. The lubricant specialist intends to lay the foundations for further growth and expand the filling capacities for additives. The new building will be erected between the main building used for administration ...

PARTS iD, a US-based e-commerce company for the automotive parts, accessories and the aftermarket, has added over 5,000 new locations to its tire installation network during the first quarter of 2022, bringing the total number of participating installers to 7,270, according to a press release dated 19 April. With this expansion, the company says it has an increase in installer density and service coverage in highly populous states and metropolitan areas including Texas, metro New York, Southe...

Motorcar Parts of America, a manufacturer and distributor of automotive aftermarket parts based in the United States, announced that its wholly owned subsidiary D&V Electronics has received an order for an electric motor emulator from one of China’s largest automotive companies, a press release dated 25 April read.  An electric motor emulator is a critical component of a Power Hardware-In-the-Loop (p-HIL) test system to validate the performance and design of drivetra...

GSP North America, a leading manufacturer and distributor in the automotive aftermarket, opened of it's first distribution warehouse in Mexico, according to a release dated 18 April.  According to the release, The move stems from GSP Latin America’s unprecedented growth in the last year and will enable GSP to maintain closer contact with its customers. The new distribution will provide an efficient expansion of the GSP supply chain with a 48-hour lead time, over 1,600 availab...

Bullet Liner, a US-based firm that supplies protective spray for truck beds and other uses, announced that Phoenix Protective Coatings, a protective coatings solutions based in the United States, has joined its exclusive North American distribution network, according to a press release dated 12 April. With its reputation for high product quality, excellent customer service, and consistency, Bullet Liner, a global pioneer in the elastomer sealant category, has long attracted entrepreneurs and ...

NOVUS Glass, a US-based automotive glass repair and replacement service provider, has announced that it has expanded its growing network in the United States with the addition of a new franchise, NOVUS Glass of St. Albans, in Vermont, according to a press release dated 8 April. The facility is said to be equipped with cutting-edge windshield repair and replacement tools and technologies. The location has a team of highly skilled technicians with extensive industry experience in handling all t...

Driven Brands Holdings, which claims to be North America’s largest automotive services company, announced that it has opened its latest Take 5 branded Oil Change and Car Wash location in Edinburg, Texas, its fifth in the country, according to a press release dated 12 April. Driven Brands has at least 10 more of these innovative locations in this year’s pipeline at locations such as Tennessee, North Carolina, Indiana, Missouri, Florida, Wisconsin, and Arkansas. In its first day, the locati...

Technology company Continental has inaugurated a new INR2.0 billion (USD26.43 million) greenfield plant in Pune, India, to produce premium surface materials for car interiors, including electric vehicles (EVs), according to a press release dated 8 April. The 149,000-square-foot manufacturing facility has an initial annual capacity of 5 million square meters of surface material, which can be scaled up to 10 million square meters to further expand production and re...

AUTOBACS Seven, a Tokyo-based car parts and accessories retailer, has announced that it has expanded its presence in Thailand with opening of three new stores, according to multiple company announcements over the past month with the latest one via a press release dated 7 April.  Called AUTOBACS Sam Khok, the latest of the newly opened stores is located in Pathum Thani Province, which is adjacent to the northern part of Bangkok, and was opened on 25 March. Prior to that, the company inaug...

Japanese tiremaker Yokohama Rubber has announced plans to expand the conveyor belt production capacity of its Hiratsuka Factory in Hiratsuka City, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, according to a press release dated 14 March. The company said the expansion is part of the its effort to strengthen its industrial products business. The expansion will be conducted in stages, with the initial stage amounting to a capital investment of about JPY1.6 billion (around USD 13 million). The expansion will focu...

Nexus Automotive International, a Geneva-based alliance of independent car parts distributors has announced six key strategic objectives for the global alliance for 2030, beyond the ongoing electric revolution, according to a press release dated 22 March. Outlining the six objectives, company CEO Gaël Escribe said the alliance aims to support new types of partnerships with OEMs, extend the current suppliers’ portfolio from just auto parts to parts & services solutions, launch “active...

Spanish braking system parts manufacturer NUADI announced via press release on 25 March that it will be expanding its customer base in North America by setting up a new component manufacturing facility in Queretaro, Mexico. According to the press release, the new facilities will be dedicated to the manufacturing of brake backing plates, shims, and electrical wear sensors, both for aftermarket and for OE business lines. The facilities will have two head press lines built by NUADI partners...

The aftermarket arm of German automotive supplier MAHLE announced to automate its distribution center in Olive Branch, Mississippi with Kardex AutoStore solution, according to a press release by PresseBox dated 21 February.  The intralogistics expert Kardex will implement the first AutoStore solution in the North American distribution center in Olive Branch and thus help MAHLE Aftermarket to achieve outstanding goals in terms of customer service and process quality.  MA...

French tire manufacturer Michelin announced via press release on 15 March that it would be suspending its industrial activity in Russia as well as exportations to Russia from other countries. According to the press release, the company’s Davydovo plant in Russia that manufactures passenger car tires and retreaded truck tires mainly for the domestic market will stop operations in response to the continued crisis in the Ukrainian region. The company stated that it will continue supporting its...

Japanese multinational auto parts manufacturer Bridgestone Corporation announced via press release on 14 March that it would be suspending local manufacturing in and exports to Russia in response to the ongoing conflict in the Ukrainian region. According to the press release, the company, as part of its new corporate commitment “Bridgestone E8 Commitment”, will suspend all operations in its car tire plant located in Ulyanovsk, Russia, from 18 March, after communicating with its employees ...

German aftermarket electronics firm and spare parts distributor HELLA has announced the expansion of its site in Großpetersdorf, Austria. Through its local unit, HELLA Fahrzeugteile Austria (HFA), the company is investing in the construction of a new tool warehouse on three levels with about 450 square meters and a logistics hall with 600 square meters, it said via a press release dated 9 March. In addition, the machinery is being renewed and expanded and the site is scheduled for completion by...

German oil and additive specialist, Liqui Moly, has announced the establishment of a subsidiary in the UK, according to a press release dated 28 February. In terms of its sales operations, Liqui Moly traditionally works with independent importers in most countries. In the UK, however, the company has had its own employees for years to personally support the wholesale and specialist trade and support them on visits to garages. According to the announcement, the establishment of a subsidiary...

Polaris, a US-based powersports company, has announced plans to expand its distribution facility in Wilmington, Ohio, aimed at providing additional distribution capacity, expanding product assortment, improving delivery, customer service, and optimizing operations, according to a press release dated 2 March 2022. The Wilmington distribution center will continue to support Polaris’ growing aftermarket, Parts, Garments, & Accessories (PG&A) businesses, according to the release, which add...

UK manufacturer of catalytic converters, DPFs and front pipes, BM Catalysts, has announced the opening of an additional UK production plant, as part of the company’s ongoing investment to meet customer demand, according to a press release dated 4 March. According to the release, the facility, based in Stoke, will enable BM Catalysts to increase its manufacturing capacity, highlighting its continual investment in its supply of products to UK and European markets. The company currently export...

Japan-based DENSO Corporation has announced that it has reached an agreement to transfer its Type 3 alternator business to a technical alliance partner in China, Chengdu Huawei Electric Co or Hwacheon Electrics. Denso began manufacturing and selling type III alternators in 1982, and at its peak, it produced 10 million units globally, mainly for passenger cars, and boasted the world's top market share, according to the release, which added that currently, the production scale of the previous g...

Japanese tiremaker Yokohama Rubber has announced that it is reorganizing its production of automotive hoses and couplings in the United States and Mexico, as part of its effort to strengthen its hose and couplings business, according to a press release dated 17 February. The move aims to consolidate and optimize products produced, increase operating rates at each plant, and create a more competitive production system. The restructuring will transfer the production of air conditioning hoses an...

The truck blockade by Canadians at a key border crossing between the US and Canada has sparked fears of economic disruption, including a serious impact on the auto industry, according to a report by the BBC. The truck blockade by Canadians protesting the country’s COVID-19 restrictions has forcing Ford, General Motors, and other car companies to shut down plants or otherwise scale back production on both sides of the US border, an ABC News report stated. The bumper-to-bumper demonst...

UK-based aftermarket logistics provider Carousel has announced its merger with Denmark-based spare parts logistics provider Danx in partnership with Axcel, a Nordic-based private equity investor, to become a European specialist logistics company for aftermarket and spare parts logistics, according to a press release dated 12 January. As part of the deal, Axcel is acquiring both companies from the founders and previous investors with the aim to significantly expand the combined company across Eur...

The North American arm of Nexus Automotive International, a Geneva-based alliance of independent car parts distributors, announced that the company is developing key strategies in North America to support the growth of its suppliers, according to a press release dated 26 January. The distributor body, which has six members in North America, said it will leverage its regional distribution centers to support logistic processes in local markets, creating a synergy between suppliers and distribut...

Italy-based filtration and thermal management company UFI Filters has announced that it is continuing its fight against counterfeit spare parts by tightening its surveillance measures and further extending its Internet Business Intelligence activity globally in partnership with CONVEY, a leading Turin-based internet and brand protection services provider, according to a press release dated 27 January. Monitoring activities carried out by CONVEY and UFI Filters to date have resulted in the int...

Autodistribution International, also known as ADI, a Belgium-based European group of distributors of automotive replacement parts for motor vehicles has announced the opening of a new warehouse in Russia, according to a press statement dated 20 January. The new warehouse, which will store products from Belgian automotive maintenance and spare parts producer MILES, is spread across 7,000-square-meters. The storage facilities at the warehouse are claimed to meet the highest international standa...

Australian automotive aftermarket parts distributor CoolDrive Auto Parts has announced that the company has been appointed the official importer of GYS battery charger/battery support units and GYS’s Powerduction range of induction heat tool products into Australia for multiple vehicle types including motorcycles, cars, trucks, and off-highway vehicles, according to a press release dated 20 January. GYS is a French, family-owned, industrial group that designs, manufactures, and sells arc weldi...

Marathon Warehouse Distribution, a UK-based automotive parts distributor, has announced that it has made a significant investment in further enhancing its frequent same day logistics capability with the acquisition of a new fleet of Citroen Dispatch XL vans across its network of regional distribution service centers, according to a release dated 29 December from the UK aftermarket industry body, Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation (IAAF). The new bigger vehicles come with an increas...

US-based auto accessory and window tinting franchise, Tint World Automotive Styling Centers, announces the opening of its third location in Newport News, Virginia via a press release dated 6 January.  This new store will provide full-service automotive styling services, window tinting and automotive aftermarket accessories to Newport News and the greater Williamsburg/Chesapeake area.  Significance: “I can’t say enough about the opportunity I’ve been given to serve...

Skoda Auto India has announced that its service touch points across the country grew by 58%, according to a press release dated 6 January stating the company's sales performance in India for 2021. Combined, the company’s sales and service network presence across the country grew by over 50% to 175 touchpoints in 2021. The carmaker said it aims to further expand this to over 225 touchpoints in 2022. Skoda says its newly introduced ‘Compact Workshop’ concept, which makes aftersales f...

German oil and additive specialist, Liqui Moly, has set a production record this year. The company announced via a press release dated 29 December that it has produced in excess of 100,000 tonnes of lubricant for the first time, a 27% increase from the previous year. The company said in the press release that it has produced more this year than ever before and it has passed the 100,000-tonne mark for the first time. The production volume increased not only for oils, b...

US-based auto accessory and window tinting franchise, Tint World Automotive Styling Centers, has opened a second location in Lexington, South Carolina, according to a release dated 26 December.  Tint World centre based in Lexington, South Carolina, will offer the latest in automotive aftermarket accessories, ultra-premium window tint, expert installation, and a staff of highly experienced installers and technicians. Significance: “The Nixons opened their Charleston location in ...

Automotive parts and crash repair products supplier, Partbusters, has partnered with the UK arm of Italian aftermarket engine products and drive systems supplier Dayco, to be first to market on the latter’s new steering and suspension range, according to a release dated 16 December from the UK aftermarket industry body, Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation (IAAF). A series of meetings and presentations had been held throughout the second half of 2021, resulting in this synergy betw...

Chinese battery maker Contemporary Amperex Technology Company Limited or CATL has started the production operations at its second plant, which is also CATL’s largest manufacturing facility located in the Fuding city, near Ningde in Fujian province, according to a report filed by the news website cnevpost.com on 22 December 2021. While the said battery plant will have a production capacity of 60 GWh per year in its first phase, the facility is slated to have a peak annual capacity of 120 GWh...

The Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA) has announced that the highly anticipated implementation of the Motor Vehicle Service and Repair Information Sharing Scheme took a step forward on 16 December with the inaugural board meeting of the Australian Automotive Service and Repair Authority (AASRA), according to a press release dated 16 December. The new law requires the operation of an industry body to implement the secure data release model and the program that supports ele...

South Korean tire manufacturer Hankook announced via press release on 8 December that it has partnered with Hapag-Lloyd, the world’s fifth-largest liner shipping company, to strengthen its logistics capabilities. Hapag-Lloyd is a Germany-based company established in 1847 that provides liner services between all continents and operates 257 ships. Under the agreement, Hapag-Lloyd will provide a stable supply of shipping containers as well as sustainable logistics services from 2022 to 2024. H...

South Korean tire manufacturer Hankook announced via press release on 8 December that it has opened a workshop at the Nürburgring located in the Ahrweiler district of southwest Germany. The decision to invest in a dedicated field office in the immediate vicinity of what is probably the world’s most demanding racetrack, was made after taking into account the growth in its original equipment used on high-performance vehicles, according to the release. The company has been an OE partner of ma...

HELLA, a lighting and electronics specialist, has doubled its production capacity at its Shanghai location, according to an official press release dated 22 October. In this case, a new building was added to the nearby electronics plant, and the existing space was completely remodeled. This is now the largest electronics plant in the global HELLA network, with a total building area of around 50,000-square-meters. The overall investment volume is in the high double-digit million euro range. HEL...