Category: News

News and updates from the automotive aftermarket: performance, restyling, hot rods, and customization.

IIHS Updates Longest-Running Crash Test to Address Rear Passenger Safety

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) is updating its longest-running crash test, the moderate overlap front evaluation, to address a growing gap in the protection provided for front and rear occupants, the organization announced. In the first tests, only two out of 15 small SUVs, the Ford Escape and Volvo XC40, protect the rear… Continue reading IIHS Updates Longest-Running Crash Test to Address Rear Passenger Safety

Sony Car Audio Names Build Contest Finalists

Sony Car Audio has named the finalists for its recent Sony Mobile ES build contest, according to Mobile Electronics. Contestants were tasked with building a Sony Mobile ES demo vehicle that highlights, Sony Mobile ES and demonstrates how the shop will use the vehicle as a sales tool, Mobile Electronics said. The finalists are: Absolute… Continue reading Sony Car Audio Names Build Contest Finalists

Peak BlueDEF Now Available from Meyer Distributing

Meyer Distributing is now an official supplier of Peak BlueDEF Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF), the distributor announced. DEF is a mixture of high purity synthetic urea and deionized water that is used in Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) systems in diesel vehicles. DEF is not a fuel or fuel additive. It’s injected into the exhaust stream… Continue reading Peak BlueDEF Now Available from Meyer Distributing

Wes Wise Joins AACF Board

Wes Wise, vice president of professional sales for O’Reilly Auto Parts, has been elected to the Automotive Aftermarket Charitable Foundation (AACF) Board of Trustees, the organization announced. Wise joined O’Reilly in 1991 as a Merchandising Specialist at store 4039-Springfield, Missour. He held many different management positions within the organization, and after completing his master’s degree,… Continue reading Wes Wise Joins AACF Board

Magna Acquires Veoneer Active Safety Business

Magna International has entered into an agreement with Veoneer to acquire Veoneer’s Active Safety business from SSW Partners, a New York based investment partnership, for $1.525 billion in cash, subject to working capital and other customary purchase price adjustments, the companies announced. Combining Veoneer’s Active Safety competence and product portfolio with Magna’s Advanced Driver Assistance… Continue reading Magna Acquires Veoneer Active Safety Business

Turn 14 Distribution Adds Vossen Wheels to Line Card

Performance parts distributor Turn 14 Distribution has added Vossen Wheels to its line card, the company announced. “Vossen Wheels is a premium wheel brand that has a large customer base in the luxury and performance automotive markets. Vossen Wheels are dedicated to its vision of designing innovative styles, aspiring to provide the utmost excellence in… Continue reading Turn 14 Distribution Adds Vossen Wheels to Line Card

Firstech Forms Direct Partnership with Tint World

Firstech, the maker of Compustar, DroneMobile and Momento, has announced a new direct partnership with retailer Tint World, the companies announced. As part of the new partnership, Tint World franchise partners will gain direct access to Firstech’s catalog of vehicle remote start, security and telematics solutions. Brands offered will include Compustar, iDatastart, DroneMobile, tesa tape… Continue reading Firstech Forms Direct Partnership with Tint World

F1 Establishes All-Women Academy Development Series

Five teams have been confirmed for the new Formula 1 all-women Academy Series, the series announced. Five veteran outfits in junior categories have confirmed their entries for next year with ART Grand Prix, Campos Racing, Carlin, MP Motorsport and PREMA Racing fielding three cars each to form the 15-car grid, the series said. F1 Academy… Continue reading F1 Establishes All-Women Academy Development Series

Eldora to Host $1M Winged Sprint Car Race

Eldora Speedway will host winged sprint cars for the richest purse in sprint car history for its third version of the Eldora Million, track owner Tony Stewart announced. Set for July 12-13, the unsanctioned event will feature a winner’s purse of $1,002,023 from a total purse of $1.4 million and is a cooperative effort with… Continue reading Eldora to Host $1M Winged Sprint Car Race

Head of Aftermarket Business at Continental Retires

Howard Laster, head of Continental’s automotive aftermarket business in North America, will retire by the end of this year, the company announced. James Bayley, head of the associated business area Smart Mobility in North America, will be taking over the role temporarily until a successor is announced, the company said. Laster, a 45-year veteran of… Continue reading Head of Aftermarket Business at Continental Retires

Donation Leads to New Scholarship for McPherson College Restoration Program

McPherson College has created an endowed scholarship fund for students pursuing a degree in automotive restoration thanks to a $1 million donation from the Rob and Melani Walton Foundation, the school announced. The Rob Walton Scholarship Fund will focus on attracting and retaining students in the college’s automotive restoration program. The $1 million gift from… Continue reading Donation Leads to New Scholarship for McPherson College Restoration Program