Lube Bay Strategies for Vehicle Inspections
The traditionally recommended 3,000-mile oil change interval is now rapidly becoming part of automotive history, meaning shops may have a reduced number of repairs sold during a routine lube bay visit. Here’s how to check for added profits during a standard oil change.
Bosch Completes Deal to Buy Unipoint
On Dec. 1, Bosch Automotive Aftermarket completed its acquisition of the Unipoint Group, based in Taipei, Taiwan. The final purchase price was not revealed. For 2010, Unipoint posted sales of $124 million, and it employs approximately 2,360 people at two plants in China and Taiwan, as well as at various sales locations. Bosch said that
Bosch Buys Out Unipoint Group
Bosch Automotive Aftermarket division has bought out automotive component-maker Unipoint Group. The deal includes Unipoint’s affiliated companies and the Unipoint and NSA brands. Unipoint Group produces starters, alternators, temperature control parts and wiper blades for the aftermarket, and had 2010 sales of $124 million, Bosch said. In addition, Unipoint has two manufacturing plants, one each
Cold Weather Brings Battery Sales Opportunities
If you live in the northern half of the country like I do, the hot summer will soon change to a cool fall. The leaves begin to change and the cold months of October and November will soon bring a rush of cold-weather battery performance complaints to your counter. Terminal VoltageIt’s imperative to remember the
Bosch Offers Fans One-of-a-Kind Mustang
Facebook users who enter Robert Bosch’s new Bosch Iridium Edition Mustang RTR Sweepstakes are eligible to win the grand prize: a one-of-a-kind 2011 Ford Mustang RTR custom-built by drifting champion Vaughn Gittin Jr. and powered by new-generation Bosch Iridium Spark Plugs. Everyone with a Facebook account is invited to enter this sweepstakes through Bosch’s Facebook
Technical Information: Can Stores Help?
During my 30-plus years of installing aftermarket parts, the disconnect between supplying technical information at the jobber level and installing the products he sells has become increasingly puzzling. Each year, the aftermarket spends millions of dollars replacing perfectly good fuel pumps, alternators, starters, batteries, ignition modules, computers and just about anything else associated with the
Pickup Tools: No Longer Out of Sight or Out of Reach
Have you ever dropped a nut or a bolt into an open intake manifold? Or dropped a fastener and watched it disappear into a crevice in the engine compartment? Or tried to find a wiring connector, plug or fastener by feel on the backside of an instrument cluster up under the dash? These are all
Uncover Potential Profit Sources With Belt and Hose Inspections
Although belts and hoses are still classified as expendable parts, their durability has improved to the point that many dealers and technicians are now neglecting to perform routine belt and hose inspections. From a historical perspective, belts and hoses have moved from a recommended replacement interval to an inspection interval. This means that, unless otherwise
Why Aftermarket Belts are Lasting Longer
There was a time when rubber belts were maintenance items that had to be replaced every five or six years, depending on their condition.The original equipment belts on today’s late-model vehicles are mostly made of EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer), a synthetic rubber that is far more durable, heat-resistant and wear-resistant than Neoprene. This means
A/C Compressor Bracket Replacement on Kia Sedona
Some 2002-’05 Sedona (GQ) vehicles may exhibit a humming noise and vibration when the A/C is turned on. To address this condition, replace the A/C compressor bracket with P/N 1K52Y 15810FFF. See Figure 1. Repair Procedure:1. Disconnect the negative battery cable. 2. Loosen the three mounting bolts (10 mm) to remove the air intake hose.