Aftermarket: Latest news and analysis articles
Latest insights
ANALYSIS - what the future holds for Chevrolet
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 - aftermarket player and new products
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.
THE WEEK THAT WAS: Out 'n' about with Mazda
13 March 2015 | Graeme Roberts
Post-Geneva, there was no shortage of auto industry happenings this week.
Latest interviews
Denso - digitalisation is transforming 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.
Changing times for wipers – Trico Products Q&A
12 July 2017 | Matthew Beecham
In theory, the wiper blade is a service replacement item. But in reality, motorists often wait until the product is disintegrating before replacing it. Research indicates that 60 percent of drivers who do not install their own wiper blades cite the confusing assortment of adaptors that accompany replacement blades as the reason. Trico Products has been doing its bit to raise awareness of the dangers of worn-out blades and make the mechanics of replacing them simpler. Continuing just-auto/QUBE’s series of interviews with tier one component manufacturers, we spoke to Sam Robinson, Product and Brand Manager for Trico Products to learn how the wiper blade market is shaping up and why step-by-step replacement blade fitting videos are rejuvenating the DIY market.
Latest news
Hankook Tire partly responsible for cancer death
14 August 2017 | Graeme Roberts
The Seoul Central District Court ruled last week Hankook Tire was partially responsible for the death of a factory worker surnamed Ahn who died of lung cancer caused by toxic chemicals in 2015, a local media report said.
Sumitomo to focus on Falken tyres at Buffalo, NY
8 August 2017 | Tony Pugliese
Sumitomo Rubber Industries will stop supplying original equipment (OE) tyres to Goodyear Tire & Rubber from its Buffalo plant in New York state from next year, according to reports in Japan.
Genesis offers augmented reality manual as an app
7 August 2017 | Graeme Roberts
Hyundai Motor America's Genesis premium brand is now offering an augmented reality manual (Genesis Virtual Guide) for the 2017 G80 and G90 as a free download on AppleApp Store and Google Play.
BP announcement ‘penny drop moment’ for EVs
3 August 2017 | Dave Leggett
Electric vehicle charging company InstaVolt has described BP’s plans to install electric vehicle chargers as the ‘penny drop moment’ for EVs.
Goodyear and union strike contract deal
31 July 2017 | Graeme Roberts
Goodyear Tire & Rubber and the United Steelworkers (USW) have reached tentative agreement on a new five year master labour contract covering nearly 7,000 workers at five plants in the United States.
BMW rejects emissions collusion reports
24 July 2017 | Dave Leggett
BMW has rejected reports in the German media that it and other German OEMs worked together to fix the design and lower the cost of diesel emissions treatment systems.
20 July 2017 | Graeme Roberts
Microfiltration specialist GVS has agreed to acquire Kuss Filtration from private equity firm Industrial Opportunity Partners.
Sumitomo to expand tyre capacity in China
19 July 2017 | Graeme Roberts
Sumitomo Rubber Industries plans to increase tyre production capacity in China by over 60% to 100,000 units per day by 2020, according to local reports in Japan.
Tyrepac moves into Thai online retailing
17 July 2017 | Tony Pugliese
Singapore-based online tyre retailer, Tyrepac, is entering Thailand’s tyre aftermarket sector by joining forces with local spare parts distributor Manoyont Group and Toyota Tsusho Thailand.
Suzuki to expand aftersales network in India
3 July 2017 | Graeme Roberts
Maruti Suzuki plans to expand its service network by over 56% in the next few years as it looks to defend its dominant position in India's expanding passenger vehicle market.
SupplyCore inks Department of State contract
30 June 2017 | Graeme Roberts
SupplyCore, a Rockford, Illinois-based supply chain management services and technology solutions integrator, announced it was awarded the US Department of State Automotive Parts Contract. This is the first state department contract – with an estimated value of US$25m during a five-year period – for the company.
EU issues antitrust fines to lighting suppliers
22 June 2017 | Dave Leggett
The EU's European Commission has fined Automotive Lighting and Hella a total of EUR26.7m for participating in an automotive lighting cartel, in breach of EU antitrust rules. Valeo was alsio in the cartel, but not fined because it revealed the cartel to the Commission.
OEMs join with Shell to launch 'FindAdBlue'
15 June 2017 | Dave Leggett
Several car manufacturers are working with Bosch and Shell, together with Integer Research Ltd, to launch a website - www.FindAdBlue.com - designed to help diesel engine drivers to find gas stations with AdBlue pumps.
MMC and LexisNexis develop usage-based insurance
2 June 2017 | Dave Leggett
LexisNexis Risk Solutions and Mitsubishi Motors (MMC) are working together so that MMC vehicles can connect directly to the LexisNexis Telematics Exchange to help lower insurance premiums based on driving data.
Ford launches new all-makes aftermarket brand
24 May 2017 | Graeme Roberts
Ford dealers in Europe can now service or supply parts for all makes of other vehicles following the automaker's launch of a new Omnicraft brand of replacement parts.
Toyota hails Japan hydrogen stations agreement
19 May 2017 | Dave Leggett
Toyota has announced that eleven companies in Japan have agreed to collaborate on the 'large-scale' construction of hydrogen stations for fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) across the country.
Mercedes announces logistic operators' support
9 May 2017 | Graeme Roberts
In cooperation with sales partner Fahrzeug-Werke LUEG AG, Mercedes-Benz Van Sales Germany is starting an innovative and completely new operator programme at the parking area connected to the recently inaugurated Amazon Logistics Distribution Centre in Bochum.
UK diesel drivers face scrappage compensation
3 May 2017 | Dave Leggett
Drivers of older polluting diesel cars in Britain are to receive compensation for scrapping them, according to a newspaper report.
Recaro seating launched in China
19 April 2017 | Graeme Roberts
For launch in China, Adient's Recaro Automotive Seating is positioning itself as a premium brand manufacturer of performance seats for sporty luxury vehicles. At Auto Shanghai 2017, the company is presenting tailor-made products for Chinese OEMs and aftermarket applications.
Venezuela hits Goodyear results
11 April 2017 | Graeme Roberts
Trends in the global tyre industry play to the strengths of The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company and its strategy to drive profitable growth.
