Aftermarket: Latest news and analysis articles
Latest insights
Re-imagining the gas station and battery charge times - COMMENT
6 December 2017 | Dave Leggett
Fully electric vehicles come with a number of challenges, of course.
ANALYSIS - what the future holds for Chevrolet cars
13 July 2017 | Glenn Brooks
Following a major expansion in the 2000s, Chevrolet is now shrinking. Fast. GM has pulled its largest brand from all European markets (though the Corvette and Camaro remain available), and a withdrawal from India and South Africa has now begun too. Meanwhile, in the US, China and South Korea, sales of Chevy car models are falling, leaving Brazil as the world's only large market where things are improving.
THE WEEK THAT WAS - aftermarket player and new product
27 May 2016 | Graeme Roberts
Matthew Beecham's Q&A with Dayco, which develops and manufactures engine products and drive systems, including timing belts, chain kits, belts and pulleys for the OE and aftermarket attracted a lot of eyes this week. He caught up with Steve Carolan, national sales manager, Dayco Aftermarket UK to learn how its business is taking shape. New Jaguars always attract interest, and especially so when it's the brand's first foray into territory previously the domain of sibling brand Range Rover. Cue sibling war or complementary co-existence? And can it see off Porsche?
COMMENT - Detroit basks but for how long?
14 January 2016 | Dave Leggett
The mood at the Detroit Show this week was good, but there was also a sense that the future could be less bright. The good news right now is that the US light vehicle market is running north of 17m units a year and forecast to grow a little further in 2016.
Latest interviews
SRI’s acquisition of MTS bolsters brand awareness for Falken Tyres
2 October 2017 | Matthew Beecham
Following Sumitomo Rubber Industries’ (SRI) acquisition the Micheldever Group, including Micheldever Tyre and Auto Services (MTS), the UK’s second largest distributor of tyres. SRI has secured a route to market for the Falken brand. Continuing just-auto/QUBE’s series of interviews, we spoke to Stephan Cimbal, head of marketing at Falken Tyre Europe GmbH about MTS and some retail trends in the tyre industry.
Denso - digitalisation is transforming the European aftermarket
14 July 2017 | Matthew Beecham
Continuing just-auto/QUBE’s series of interviews with tier one component manufacturers, we spoke to Ruslan Leontiev, product manager starters & alternators and wiper blades, and Alexey Bartashevich, senior manager aftermarket products, both Denso Aftermarket & Industrial Solutions.
Latest news
Ford UK establishes new trade parts operation targeting independents
4 April 2018 | Graeme Roberts
Ford's UK unit is set to launch Parts Plus, a direct sales channel for trade parts.
Kumho Tire unions support Chinese takeover
3 April 2018 | Staff reporter
Kumho Tire's trade union workers have agreed to support creditor plans to sell South Korea's second largest tyre manufacturer to China's Qingdao Doublestar Company.
Tire Bank interested in bid for Kumho Tire
27 March 2018 | Dave Leggett
Tire Bank, a South Korean maker of tyres, has announced that it is planning to bid for the assets of bankrupt Kumho Tire - though doubts are emerging over whether it has the resources to do so.
Alibaba and Ford combine for 'vending machine' enabled test-drives
26 March 2018 | Dave Leggett
Alibaba-owned Tmall has unveiled what it says is China’s first 'auto vending machine', partnering with Ford for what is described as the first phase of a larger push to upgrade the test-drive experience for Chinese consumers
BMW HQ raided by prosecutors in emissions probe
20 March 2018 | Dave Leggett
BMW’s Munich headquarters were raided today (Tuesday, March 20) by German prosecutors investigating the possible use of illegal emissions control software.
Kumho union protests sale to Chinese firm
7 March 2018 | Dave Leggett
The Korea Development Bank's (KDP) decision to sell the assets of Kumho Tire to Chinese tyremaker Double Star continues to meet opposition from the labour union of Kumho Tire, which will stage a partial strike this week. A bigger general strike could follow next week, the union says.
PSA and BMW combine on French EV charging network
6 March 2018 | Dave Leggett
Groupe PSA and Digital Charging Solutions (DCS), a subsidiary of the BMW Group and operator of the ChargeNow service, have signed a partnership to provide Peugeot and Citroën customers with access to the largest network of electric charging stations in France.
GENEVA SHOW - Goodyear shows 'intelligent tyre'
6 March 2018 | Dave Leggett
Goodyear has showcased what it describes as an intelligent tyre prototype - a complete tyre information system that includes a tyre, sensors and cloud-based algorithms that all work together 'to communicate in real-time with fleet operators via a mobile app'.
EVgo announces 'simplified and lowered pricing' for fast charging
2 March 2018 | Dave Leggett
EVgo, a major US network of public electric vehicle (EV) DC Fast charging stations, has announced simplified and lowered pricing that goes into effect immediately.
US court confirms TK Holdings Ch 11 reorganisation
22 February 2018 | Dave Leggett
Takata Corporation has announced that the US Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware has confirmed the 'Fifth Amended Chapter 11 Plan of Reorganisation' filed by TK Holdings (TKH), Inc., Takata’s main US subsidiary.
Denso fined by EU over anti-competitive practices
21 February 2018 | Dave Leggett
The European Commission has imposed fines on component suppliers that infringed EU competition law in connection with past sales of automotive spark plugs.
Mark Fields joins HCV aftermarket firm's board
19 February 2018 | Dave Leggett
FleetPride, described as the US's 'largest independent distributor of aftermarket heavy-duty truck and trailer parts', has announced the appointment of former Ford President and CEO Mark Fields to its Board of Directors.
Freudenberg acquisition to boost floor mat business
7 February 2018 | Graeme Roberts
Freudenberg's German Japan Vilene Company will buy Hanns Glass to boost its floor mats business.
Tesla tells Uber and taxi drivers no to superchargers
19 December 2017 | Dave Leggett
Professional drivers using Tesla cars as taxis or on-demand services in the US, such as Uber and Lyft, are being told that they can no longer use the company's fast-charge 'superchargers'.
GM adds commerce platform for in-car purchases
8 December 2017 | Dave Leggett
General Motors customers will be able to order and pay for their morning coffee by tapping their in-vehicle touchscreen via a new commerce platform that will allow a range of on-demand reservations and purchases from inside the car.
Wabco now owns all of South Africa unit
4 December 2017 | Graeme Roberts
Wabco Holdings has acquired the remaining 51% interest of its South African partnership with Sturrock and Robson Industries.
New US/China a/c compressor JV forms
1 December 2017 | Graeme Roberts
Standard Motor Products, the automotive replacement parts manufacturer and distributor, announced it had formed a joint venture with Foshan Guangdong Automotive Air Conditioning, a China-based manufacturer of air conditioning compressors for the automotive aftermarket and the Chinese original equipment market.
Porsche uses AR technology to improve workshop services
21 November 2017 | Dave Leggett
Porsche Cars North America (PCNA) has announced the introduction of "Tech Live Look," an Augmented Reality (AR) technology designed to improve technical services at Porsche dealerships and workshops in the US.
BMW Korea fined $54.5m for emissions certification errors
10 November 2017 | Dave Leggett
BMW's South Korean subsidiary has received a hefty fine for 'sloppy certification' documents covering engine emissions for 28 models according to Korean media.
London introduces 'T-Charge' for older vehicles
23 October 2017 | Dave Leggett
London's transport authority has added a supplementary GBP10 charge ('T-Charge'; T for toxicity) for drivers of older, polluting vehicles who drive into the congestion charging zone in the centre of the city.
