-
Welcome to Auto Parts Forum
Whether you are a veteran automotive parts guru or just someone looking for some quick auto parts advice, register today and start a new topic in our forum. Registration is free and you can even sign up with social network platforms such as Facebook, X, and LinkedIn.
Samsung Electronics Leads European Autopilot Technology Patent Application
-
Similar Topics
-
By Counterman
link hidden, please login to view announced it has released Guided ADAS. This application enables Autel Calibration system owners to use their frame, targets and expedited setup, with OE software accessed in-house or via the Autel Remote Expert platform, to calibrate vehicles not yet covered by Autel tablet ADAS calibration software, according to Autel. “We are always playing catchup when it comes to coverage. That is just the reality of being an aftermarket software developer. Yet, technicians, especially those working in collision, need to calibrate new or newer vehicles. With Guided ADAS, Autel users can take advantage of all the benefits of their calibration systems—ease of use and efficiency—step-by-step instructions, optical positioning, unlevel floor compensation, and validated documentation, along with our quality targets, patterns, and calibrators—and use OE calibration software to complete the task,” said Stewart Peregrine, senior executive of ADAS sales at
link hidden, please login to view. Guided ADAS, which is compatible with all of the Autel calibration systems: the Standard, MA600, IA800, IA900, or the new IA700 frames, allows shops to use their own OE subscriptions and tools or contract with a Remote Expert with OE software subscriptions for the setup specifications and to initiate ADAS calibration on new vehicles, according to Autel.
There are three calibration scenarios available in the application
The first allows the in-house or Remote Expert technician who has referenced the OE calibration data and has determined that the vehicle uses the same procedures and targets as a previous model year to retrieve the detailed setup instructions, including target type from the Autel calibration database. Autel offers calibration coverage for more than 40 brands and hundreds of models and model year vehicles sold in North America.
The second application allows technicians to input and save the specifications for completely new or existing vehicles with new-to-the-model ADAS components that lack historical parameter data.
The third scenario allows technicians to use the Autel patterns, targets, and calibrators identified by the OE as acceptable for calibrating the identified vehicle. The technician would then determine the position identification method, i.e., radar location, front camera, or front of the vehicle, then input the distance and height of the target to meet the OE’s vehicle placement requirements.
Next, the user selects “Start Placement.” The system will display placement instructions for MA600 or Standard frame system users or activate the optical positioning cameras and guide the user to place the target and frame at the correct distance, offset, and angle to the vehicle when the IA700, IA800, and IA900 frames are used.
Remote Expert Platform
The Autel Remote Expert platform enables technicians to contract with an experienced technician with OE tools or subscriptions to complete the calibration if needed. Remote Experts are also available for modular flashing, new ECU programming, and OE tasks currently not supported by Autel software. Released on the Autel MaxiSYS Ultra series of tablets over two years ago, the Remote Expert platform has seen incredible growth, averaging more than 4,000 monthly orders.
“Remote Expert is like a virtual lifeline from the technician to an Expert. Whatever the challenge, from a tricky diagnosis to module programming, a technician can use the platform to reach out to an Expert. ADAS calibration assistance has quickly grown in need. With the development of Guided ADAS, we foresee even greater growth,” Autel’s Director of Technical Operations, Maurice Miller, said of the platform.
The post
link hidden, please login to view appeared first on link hidden, please login to view.
link hidden, please login to view -
By Counterman
link hidden, please login to view is excited to introduce Technology Auto Parts, a new startup based in Plano, TX, as the newest TruStar member. Mohamad-Hadi Saeed, the owner and CEO, shared his enthusiasm for joining TruStar, stating, “After researching the organization and speaking with various APA shareholders like Edward Harake from Value Plus Auto Parts, it became apparent that joining will really help us and give us a good head start. I’ve got a lot of great, knowledgeable people helping me get started and 20 to 30 commercial customers on day one. TruStar will be the last piece of the puzzle.”
The official opening of Technology Auto Parts is scheduled for early October.
link hidden, please login to view, president of APA, expressed his satisfaction with Mohamad and Technology Auto Parts joining TruStar, saying, “We are delighted to welcome Mohamad and Technology Auto Parts to TruStar. We enjoy collaborating with startups and new ventures. It’s inspiring to witness someone like Mohamad, who previously handled accounting at another auto parts store, venture out on his own. We are eager to support his growth.” The post
link hidden, please login to view appeared first on link hidden, please login to view.
link hidden, please login to view -
By Counterman
link hidden, please login to view (SMP) announced it has reached a definitive agreement to acquire AX V Nissens III APS (Nissens), a European manufacturer and distributor of aftermarket engine cooling and air conditioning products with a growing array of vehicle control technologies. The transaction values Nissens at approximately $388 million and is expected to be completed in the second half of 2024. “We are delighted to announce this acquisition, which will make our combined business the aftermarket leader in North America and Europe in thermal management products,” said Eric Sills, Standard Motor Products’ chairman and CEO. “It will also expand SMP’s portfolio of powertrain-neutral product categories. We plan to continue operating Nissens as a stand-alone unit, while leveraging the combined strength of the two companies to realize both cost and revenue synergies.”
In a news release announcing the acquisition, Sills added, “We believe the combination with
link hidden, please login to viewis a powerful one. Both companies have a similar go-to-market strategy of supplying full-line professional grade product offerings, and enjoy complementary product portfolios. Meanwhile, the two companies largely operate in different geographic markets. As such, we believe that we are stronger together, capitalizing on synergies in both markets and strengthening our position in each. Together, we can accelerate growth through cross-selling our product offerings, realize cost reduction through combined resources, and achieve enhanced operational excellence though collaboration and best practices.” “We are very excited to have SMP as our new owner”, said Klavs Pedersen, Nissens’ chief executive officer. “We have been following SMP’s activities in the US, and we see a lot of similarities in the way SMP and Nissens operate in their respective focus regions. I have personally known the SMP management team for several years, and I believe there is a very strong cultural fit that will support and accelerate the positive development of both companies. We look forward to becoming part of the SMP family.”
The transaction is subject to certain closing conditions, including receipt of applicable antitrust and other regulatory approvals.
The post
link hidden, please login to view appeared first on link hidden, please login to view.
link hidden, please login to view -
By Counterman
In this second installment, Jason Stahl from BodyShop Business and Mark Thomas, North American training manager with U-POL, discuss the application methods for U-POL’s Raptor Product System and its versatility as a two-coat texture replacement product.
link hidden, please login to view link hidden, please login to view
The post
link hidden, please login to view appeared first on link hidden, please login to view.
link hidden, please login to view 
-
By Counterman
In this aftermarketNews Executive Interview, Johannes Crepon, PDM Automotive Co-Founder & CEO, discusses the company’s platform, how it helps parts suppliers keep their product data up to date, how the use of AI technology makes e-commerce easier for suppliers and distributors, what the company has planned for this year, and more.
aftermarketNews: PDM Automotive provides commerce software for auto parts suppliers, manufacturers, resellers and distributors. Give us a brief overview of how aftermarket companies have found partnering with PDM most beneficial.
link hidden, please login to view Johannes Crepon: The genesis of PDM Automotive was rooted in my own experiences and challenges as the founder of Velocity Automotive, an ecommerce company that sells parts for American cars throughout Europe. At Velocity, we faced difficulties connecting with suppliers, managing product data, and ensuring brand visibility. Recognizing these industry-wide issues, I started PDM Automotive to increase efficiency in the automotive aftermarket through seamless connectivity between suppliers and retailers.
The PDM Automotive platform bridges the gap between auto parts suppliers, manufacturers, resellers and distributors. Manufacturers gain unprecedented transparency into where and how their brands are sold, enabling effective brand management and strategic decision-making. Resellers benefit from expedited access to up-to-date product data, reducing hurdles in acquiring and maintaining catalogs and allowing for agility in responding to market trends.
At its core, PDM Automotive fosters connections and streamlines information flow across the automotive aftermarket. By providing a platform that enhances transparency for manufacturers and accessibility for resellers, we’re creating an ecosystem that elevates the entire industry.
AMN: One of the hallmarks of PDM’s technology is allowing for a “seamless exchange of accurate and timely content across every facet of the automotive industry.” Tell us how PDM assists parts suppliers in keeping their product data up to date. How can the company help suppliers better adhere to ACES & PIES standards?
Crepon: While ACES & PIES has become the most relevant data standard in the Americas, its implementation across the industry has not been without challenges. The standard itself, although comprehensive, does not fully address the intricacies of data exchange, with many resellers interpreting and implementing the standard differently, leading to a fragmented array of data requirements.
Recognizing these challenges, our platform goes beyond merely supporting ACES & PIES standards; we enhance the standards with our proprietary connectors and algorithms, tailoring product data to meet the needs of every receiver. Suppliers can manage their data from a centralized platform, and we tailor this data to comply with the diverse interpretations and requirements of resellers across the industry. This process saves significant time and resources for suppliers and ensures that their product information is accurate, consistent, and easily accessible by resellers and end-users alike.
Our technology “puts ACES & PIES on steroids,” ensuring suppliers’ data is always optimized for every channel, leading to a more efficient supply chain, increased product visibility, and a better customer experience. is a testament to our commitment to innovation and efficiency in the automotive aftermarket.
Our ongoing development of proprietary connectors and algorithms signifies PDM’s dedication to continuous improvement. As the industry evolves, so do the standards and requirements for data exchange. PDM is at the forefront of these changes, ensuring our partners have the tools and support necessary to navigate the dynamic automotive aftermarket effectively.
AMN: PDM allows brands to sell parts anywhere—from Amazon to national retailers and local parts suppliers. How is the company creating sales opportunities for brands while minimizing channel conflict?
Crepon: Historically, brands struggled with over-distribution, diluting the brand image and causing inconsistent product presentation due to the lack of a cohesive strategy regarding distribution and authorized reselling partners. The rise of online marketplaces has further complicated this scenario, making it imperative for brands to actively manage how their products are represented across all channels.
PDM addresses these challenges by offering a platform that guarantees high-quality listings on marketplaces like Amazon, eBay, and Walmart, while adhering to Minimum Advertised Price (MAP) policies. This strategic approach allows brands to protect their interests across all channels, including traditional channels, which are often jeopardized by price dumping on online marketplaces. By ensuring that products listed on these platforms are presented in a manner that reflects the brand’s standards and pricing policies, PDM helps maintain the integrity of the brand across the digital landscape.
Additionally, our platform gives brands tools to actively manage their distribution, image, and product presentation, particularly important as consumer preference shifts towards online shopping. This allows brands to maintain control over their narrative and pricing.
With PDM’s technology, brands can navigate the complexities of modern retail, ensuring that their products are distributed in a way that supports their overall sales strategy while protecting the channels most valuable to them. This holistic approach to channel management is vital in today’s market, where visibility across a multitude of platforms is not just an advantage but a necessity.
AMN: The company uses AI to generate SEO titles, descriptions and marketing copy for products based on keywords and inputs in just seconds. In what other ways is PDM looking to use AI technology to make e-commerce easier for suppliers and distributors?
Crepon: While our use of AI to generate SEO-optimized titles, descriptions, and marketing copy in mere seconds showcases our commitment to leveraging technology for efficiency, it’s just the tip of the iceberg regarding our AI applications.
Our approach to AI technology is both strategic and discerning. Recognizing that AI’s strengths lie in its ability to process and optimize large sets of data quickly, we are mindful of its limitations, particularly when it comes to the precision required in our core data set—the richest automotive parts catalog in the industry. Accuracy is paramount, and while AI offers many opportunities, it is not inherently accurate. This understanding shapes how we integrate AI into our operations, ensuring that the reliability and accuracy of our core data are never compromised.
One key area where we leverage AI is in the normalization of complex, non-structured data that has accumulated in the industry over the last century. This task, daunting for human teams due to the sheer volume and variability of the data, is where AI shines. Our engineering team utilizes AI algorithms to sift through and organize this data into a coherent, structured format. This normalization process improves the quality of our catalog and enhances the efficiency and accuracy of data management for our customers.
Once we have perfected the data within the PDM catalog, we use AI to optimize it for specific channels. This optimization process involves adjusting product data to meet the unique requirements and standards of various e-commerce platforms, ensuring accurate presentations of our customers’ products, regardless of where they are sold. In doing this, we enable suppliers and distributors to maximize their online presence and sales potential across multiple channels.
We’re exploring other ways to integrate AI into our solutions to further simplify and enhance e-commerce operations. These include predictive analytics for demand forecasting, AI-driven recommendations for inventory management and automated customer service solutions to improve buyer engagement and satisfaction.
AMN: PDM was founded in 2017, and since it has grown exponentially. What does the company have in store for 2024? What can we expect from PDM in the next five years?
Crepon: In 2024, we’re set to expand our reach and capabilities. Our recent investment in upgrading our system’s underlying infrastructure has positioned us to take full advantage of the opportunities that lie ahead. This strategic enhancement ensures our platform is scalable, resilient and capable of supporting our future ambitions.
Our strategic priorities include developing more connectors, forging new partnerships, and expanding our catalog. Developing more connectors will broaden the scope of our network, making it easier for our customers to reach new markets and ensure accurate and up-to-date product information flows efficiently between manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, and retailers. We will add more partnerships; collaborating with other industry leaders and innovators is essential for driving collective progress and delivering comprehensive solutions to our clients.
Another key focus is the ongoing expansion of our catalog. Our goal is to offer the industry’s most comprehensive and detailed automotive parts catalog, serving as the single source for all our clients’ data needs. This growing catalog, enriched with accurate and detailed product information, will empower our clients to make informed decisions and optimize their operations like before.
Our vision for the next five years is to remain at the forefront of technology adoption in the industry, constantly exploring new ways to leverage technology to solve the unique challenges of our customers. Whether it’s through AI, machine learning, or other emerging technologies, our focus will be on providing solutions that make e-commerce easier, more efficient, and more profitable for suppliers and distributors.
AMN: What do you want the automotive aftermarket to know about PDM Automotive?
Crepon: PDM Automotive is not just about managing product data; it’s about increasing our customer’s market share in a $300 billion industry. While we are widely recognized for our Product Information Management (PIM) capabilities, our vision extends beyond managing rich catalog data; it includes a far-reaching ambition to connect every parts manufacturer with every buyer who needs or wants a part.
Our vision to connect every parts manufacturer with every buyer drives every innovation and decision at PDM Automotive. We aim to streamline buying and selling auto parts by facilitating connections and creating a more integrated and cohesive industry ecosystem. We are constantly exploring new technologies, developing new solutions, and forging strategic partnerships to enhance our platform’s ability to connect manufacturers and buyers in the most effective and meaningful ways possible.
We believe that achieving this goal will unlock the full potential of the aftermarket, creating opportunities for growth, innovation, and success for everyone. We invite you to join us on this journey, as we work to realize a future where every part finds its place effortlessly, benefiting manufacturers, buyers and the automotive community.
Read more AMN Executive Interviews
link hidden, please login to view. The post
link hidden, please login to view appeared first on link hidden, please login to view.
link hidden, please login to view
-
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now