• A large order for an OEM dealer service unit provided Hickok Inc. with its first profitable year since 2006. Fiscal 2013 net income came in at $138,805, compared to a $783,966 net loss a year ago. Sales increased 36 percent to $6.47 million.
• “Two Guys Garage” and “Truck U” have begun airing PSAs promoting automotivescholarships.com. You can see them here.
• According to the U.S. EPA, model year 2012 vehicles achieved an all-time high fuel economy of 23.6 miles per gallon — a 1.2 mpg increase over the previous year, making it the second-largest annual increase in the last 30 years. Fuel economy has now increased in seven of the last eight years.
• TRW’s North American Aftermarket Group has added a VIN reader to its mobile catalog apps.
• Spectra Premium Industries has announced a limited lifetime warranty on its fuel pump assemblies, electrical and mechanical fuel pumps, and fuel strainers, effective Jan. 1, 2014.
• Dorman Products has added a new VIN input search field to its website and launched a new mobile site.
• Users of the Dayco VIN-scanning smartphone application can now access the company’s “Augmented Reality” (AR) training on serpentine belt and timing belt replacements.
• SKF has added eight short videos to its YouTube channel, providing technicians with training on wheel end bearings and seals.
• Rotary Lift has introduced a new line of LED shop lights, called Tech Lights, with magnetic clips that allow the lights to be attached a lift’s columns, its arms, a tool cart or a vehicle itself.
• ARI Network Services has launched an online Wheel Studio as an extension of its Wheel & Tire website software, which is used by tire dealers to allow consumers to research and buy wheels and tires online. The Wheel Studio lets consumers see side-by-side, high-resolution images of wheels on their vehicle make and model.
• The Donald B. Rice Tire Co. (Frederick, MD) has changed its name to Rice Tire. The company has nine locations in Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia.
• MAM Software is now a member of the National Tyre Distributors Association (NTDA), a tire trade association in the United Kingdom.
• Service King Collision Repair Centers has acquired the three-shop network Body Works Collision Centers, expanding its footprint into Oklahoma. Service King has more than 100 locations in Texas, Tennessee, Arizona, Arkansas and Mississippi.
• MAACO’s new franchise center in Lauderhill, FL features a new customer-centric retail format and image, including digital sales boards and a retail color wall. The facility opened Jan. 6.
• Mitchell International is now an associate member of the Automotive Recyclers Association (ARA).
• Direct Lift is continuing its relationship with Barrett-Jackson collector car auctions, serving as the exclusive lift sponsor at all Barrett-Jackson events in 2014.
We encourage you to add your comments below concerning this article.