Attendance at free ASA workshops growing July 23, 2008

BEDFORD, Texas — The Automotive Service Association (ASA) recently hosted three more Service Information Workshops in Pittsburgh, Harrisburg and Willow Grove, Pa., to educate shop owners and technicians about the availability of service information to automotive repair shops.

Ficosa and OMRON partner on ADAS vehicle technology July 23, 2008

Ficosa International, an automotive systems and components maker, and OMRON Corporation, a vehicle electronics maker, have created a joint venture to develop, produce and commercialize driver assistance technology for the automotive industry

O'Reilly reports increasing sales, profits in tough economy July 23, 2008

Despite the dismal state of the economy and the dire prediction of financial analysts, O'Reilly Automotive, Inc. has reported increased sales and gross profits for the second quarter ended June 30, 2008. The company says sales are up 9.4 percent to $704 million, while gross profits are up 10.4 percent — all improvements from the previous year.

Taking the law into their own hands July 23, 2008 By: Sue Angell

Can you name your local lawmakers? The state representatives who are charged with protecting your interests in Washington, D.C.? When was the last time you wrote a legislator to explain how a piece of impending legislation would affect your business bottom line? If these questions have you stumped, chances are it's time for a refresher course on the importance of governmental processes as they relate to independent businesses, as well as the necessity of getting involved in these processes yourself.

Shops warned about engine fires sparked by ethanol use July 21, 2008 By: James E. Guyette

Repairers are being urged to prepare themselves for a heightened risk of engine fires stoked by motorists filling up with ethanol-laced gasoline when their vehicle is not properly outfitted to safely burn this type of fuel.

DENSO Taiyo celebrates reaches production milestone July 21, 2008

The employees at DENSO Taiyo Co., Ltd., a DENSO Group company employing people with disabilities, recently celebrated an important milestone — the cumulative production of 20 million automotive instrument clusters. The company held a celebration at its headquarters in Aichi, Japan, to commemorate the occasion.

Continental Illinois plant to increase production July 21, 2008

Continental Tire North America, Inc. (CTNA) has announced more than $60 million in new investments for its Mt. Vernon, Ill., facility over the next three years. These investments will significantly expand CTNA's Passenger & Light Truck (PLT) tire operations as well as its Commercial Vehicle Tire (CVT) operations. As a result of these investments, CTNA will also add approximately 75 new jobs in Mt. Vernon.

Guangxi Yuchai to build new state-of-the-art casting facility July 21, 2008

Guangxi Yuchai Machinery Limited Company (YCF) has begun the first phase of the construction of a state-of-the-art casting foundry, the company recently announced. A subsidiary of China Yuchai International Limited, Guangxi Yuchai's new facility will produce high-quality and high-strength cylinder heads and cylinder blocks for a variety of light- and heavy-duty diesel engines.

Overbeeke named president of Affinia's Global Brake & Chassis Group July 18, 2008

A recent organizational realignment for Affinia has brought H. David Overbeeke, a former GE executive with extensive global business experience, to the the company as president of the Global Brake & Chassis Group. The organizational realignment is aimed at enhancing Affinia's efficiency while preserving or improving responsiveness to market changes. Overbeeke will report to Terry R. McCormack, Affinia's president and CEO.