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Niterra Appoints Burchi to GM of Aftermarket and OE Product
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By Counterman
link hidden, please login to view announced the company has expanded product coverage for its starter and alternator, brake caliper, brake pad, brake shoe, power brake booster and brake rotor programs, with 505 new part numbers covering 302 million vehicles in operation. The new part numbers are offered through QB, Quality-Built, Quality-Built Black Series and Pure Energy brands powered by
link hidden, please login to view, which serve the professional installer market. A select list of late-model part number introductions can be found link hidden, please login to view. A complete list is available by contacting a Motorcar Parts of America sales representative. “In addition to our private label offerings, our Quality-Built and Pure Energy products are steadily gaining momentum in the professional market, and the introduction of new part numbers underscores our proactive approach to developing, cataloging, and distributing products to meet evolving demand,” said Jamie Cook, senior vice president of sales and marketing.
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By Counterman
link hidden, please login to view, a brand of ADD USA group, announced it will be exhibiting various product lines and new applications at AAPEX 2024 in the Venetian Expo, booth A4871. Some of the highlights to be presented at the show are new, recently released complete strut assemblies that are designed for the 2023 Chrysler Pacifica and the 2023 Kia Forte GT, the company said. In addition, PRT is featuring popular SUV and pickup truck applications, including the Jeep Compass, Audi Q5, Ford F-150, Chevrolet Silverado and Dodge Ram 1500, among others.
link hidden, please login to view said it also will be presenting other lines, including air shocks, motor and strut mounts and an extensive portfolio of HD applications with over 5,000 OEM references with 100% gas-charged shocks for trucks, trailers, buses, commercial vehicles, cement mixers, motor homes and many more. “We are more than happy to present our product lines and these numerous launches at the show! As an OE supplier, our company continually invests in research and development of new products, allowing us to bring the latest innovations to the aftermarket!” said Bruno Bello, director of marketing at PRT.
For more information, call 1-770-238-1611, visit
link hidden, please login to view, also follow us in our social networks @prtautoparts. The post
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By Counterman
link hidden, please login to view announced the release of an expanded range of timing chain kits and components for Q3 2024. The company said this latest product launch provides aftermarket solutions for a broad selection of popular vehicle makes and models. Cloyes said this quarter’s new offerings include comprehensive timing chain kits for Ford and Subaru vehicles. They’re designed to support Ford models such as the F-150, Mustang, Expedition and Transit, with engine sizes ranging from 2.7L to 3.7L. Subaru models, including the Forester, Impreza, Outback, and BRZ, are also covered, with kits tailored for 2.0L and 2.5L engines.
Cloyes further expanded its product line with new timing chain kits for Mercedes-Benz and Mazda vehicles. Mercedes-Benz kits are designed for the 2.1L and 2.7L engines found in models such as the E250, GLE300d, and Sprinter vans. For Mazda, owners of vehicles such as the Mazda 3, CX-5, and MX-5 Miata can benefit from Cloyes’ new timing and oil pump chain kits, the company said.
In addition,
link hidden, please login to view now offers expanded coverage for Hyundai, Kia, and General Motors vehicles. The new kits support popular Hyundai and Kia models like the Sonata, Optima, Santa Fe and Sorento, with engine sizes ranging from 2.0L to 2.4L. For GM, Cloyes has introduced timing chain kits for 1.4L and 1.5L engines in models such as the Chevrolet Spark, Malibu, and GMC Terrain. Cloyes said each kit is engineered for optimal engine performance and includes a variety of essential components such as timing chains, accessory drive belts, variable valve timing (VVT) components and water pumps, where applicable. The company added that the kits “provide all necessary timing and oil pump chain system components to ensure long-lasting, efficient engine performance, meeting or exceeding OEM standards.”
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By Counterman
“Humans think AI is going to replace them,” says Mike Mohler, executive vice president and chief purchasing officer with the Automotive Parts Service Group.
“It won’t. Somebody using AI to be better than you will replace you.”
The integration of artificial intelligence in the aftermarket is more advanced than many people might realize, according to Mohler. It’s already yielding impressive results for those who are using it effectively. The primary challenge is not just the availability of data, but the effective use of that data to drive actionable insights and decisions. Mohler cites a report from Accenture showing that AI-driven price optimization can result in a 5% increase in gross margin and a 15% boost in revenue.
“You look at some of our competitors, and they’re able to post comparatively outrageous profit margins,” says Mohler. “They’re using AI for logistical prowess. They’re using it for customer service. They’re using it to get the right pricing in play.”
The ability to make informed decisions based on comprehensive data analysis is a major advantage of AI. Data scientists in the aftermarket industry are increasingly using the technology to turn large sets of data into actionable insights. This includes identifying market trends, customer preferences and operational inefficiencies. The application of AI in this area can lead to better strategic planning and improved business outcomes. Mohler says those applications can have a significant impact on profitability.
“Let’s say the average WD would have a 25-45% gross profit margin, given their business model. Some competitors are posting 58%. AI is going to be the tool to help them catch up. We’ve got to get to 53% minimum, I think. That’s a rarefied position, but it’s been tested by some of the smartest people that I know, and it should be achievable when we’re planning and we’re hoping that it is,” Mohler explains.
A Customer Experience Revolution
AI’s application extends to customer service as well. Chatbots and virtual assistants are now commonplace, offering customers quick and efficient service. These AI-driven tools have evolved to the point where they can engage in conversations that are increasingly indistinguishable from human interaction.
“I wonder how many people know that they’re talking to a chatbot when they’re talking to a chatbot?,” asks Mohler.
Navigating the Risks
Despite its advantages, AI’s integration into the aftermarket raises several concerns. Cybersecurity is one of them, as increased reliance on data systems introduces new vulnerabilities.
“We have employees with access to the internet at a thumb’s notice, and if we’re not careful, they can mistakenly click on something that could disrupt our business for months,” Mohler explains.
Mohler also expresses concerns about protecting intellectual property. Misuse of data or inadequate protection against competitive eavesdropping could undermine trust and impact the industry’s integrity.
“Once the data hits the public domain, how do we protect it and how do we make sure that it’s not being used against us? How do we know that we’re not enabling our competitor who’s able to electronically eavesdrop on one another like never before?,” asks Mohler.
Envisioning AI’s Next Steps
Mohler stresses that AI’s influence on the aftermarket is only in its infancy. Over the next 5-10 years, he envisions an advancement from a basic understanding of AI as an algorithmic tool to more specialized applications tailored to industry-specific needs.
“So my thought would be that companies would have their own internalized GPTs and industries would have their own internalized GPTs. My hope is also that we will become as skilled at selling to disembodied customers via e-commerce as we are at selling to them when they’re across the counter from us or in our stores,” Mohler says.
Mohler references the seven stages of AI when looking ahead to the technology’s impact on the aftermarket.
“When it comes to supply chain, when it comes to logistically moving products around, when it comes to optimizing sale price, optimizing customer service, my hope is that we will be a little closer to stage seven. Right now, we’re really at stage one and a half, maybe two,” says Mohler.
As the technology evolves, moving beyond its current capabilities, AI’s exact impact on the aftermarket, and countless other industries, will be even more profound. Companies that invest in AI and adapt to its changes will be well-positioned to thrive in the future of the automotive aftermarket.
“It’s incumbent upon us to understand AI and to become data scientists ourselves, because everybody’s got access to the data. Whoever can use the most disparate sources for the best outcomes is going to win in my overall view of it,” says Mohler.
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