Premium Guard Inc. (PGI), an automotive manufacturer and supplier, has opened its new distribution center in Weirton, West Virginia, marking its third facility in the US. This expansion aims to enhance PGI's efficiency and speed from order entry to delivery, boosting its capacity to meet the increasing demand in the automotive aftermarket. Situated within a Foreign Trade Zone, the Weirton center benefits from strategic positioning for global sourcing and distribution, providing efficient deliver...

Standard Motor Products Inc. (SMP) inaugurated a new 575,000-square-foot national distribution center in Shawnee, Kansas, US, on June 17. The expansion adds over 200,000 square feet to SMP's distribution footprint, providing a centralized location for nationwide coverage, with the aim of reducing transportation lead time and enhancing service, the company said. The facility incorporates advanced logistics technology to improve distribution capabilities, addressing customers' growing f...

Stellantis UK has inaugurated a new Parts Distribution Centre in Ellesmere Port, designed to supply automotive parts for 10 Stellantis brands across the UK and Ireland. The facility, which spans 60,000 square meters, is capable of holding approximately 140,000 different types of parts for vehicles up to 10 years old. The Parts Distribution Centre is located on the site of a former shipping yard adjacent to the Stellantis electric van factory. The opening follows a multimillion-pound ...

Bridgestone India, a subsidiary of the Bridgestone Group, announced the opening of a new Bridgestone Select Store, Raj Tyres, in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh. This launch is part of Bridgestone's efforts to improve the tire retail experience across India through innovative and customer-focused services, the company said. The store, located on Renigunta Road opposite Auto Nagar, was inaugurated by Rajiv Sharma, director of Integrated Consumer Business at Bridgestone India. Raj Tyres is designed to...

Unipart has entered a three-year contract with Scania to manage its aftermarket logistics in mainland China from a newly launched site in Kunshan. This operation will offer comprehensive aftermarket logistics services and is anticipated to expand significantly, with both size and capacity expected to double within the next year. The new Kunshan site plays a crucial role in Scania's supply chain strategy for mainland China, centralizing both imported and locally-sourced products to efficiently...

Denmark-based spare parts logistics provider Danx, part of the Danx Carousel group, announced that it has inaugurated a new terminal in the Baltic region, located on the outskirts of Riga, Latvia. Spanning 600 square meters, this facility aims to enhance freight handling capacity, ensure faster delivery times and reduce CO2 emissions. By relocating, Danx has increased its operational capacity sixfold and improved access to Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia. This move should meet the growing ...

Mainland China has issued temporary export licenses to rare earth suppliers for the top three US automakers, according to a June 6 report by Reuters, citing sources familiar with the matter. These licenses, valid for six months, come amid supply chain disruptions caused by mainland China's recent export curbs on rare earth materials. The restrictions, imposed in April, have impacted industries globally, including automakers, aerospace manufacturers and semiconductor companies. The export curb...

GSF Car Parts, a UK-based supplier of car parts to the independent aftermarket, announced that it has commenced its 2025 expansion by opening a new branch on the Stourbridge Industrial Estate in the West Midlands, UK. This marks the first of seven new branches planned for the year, following substantial investments made over the past 12 months, the company said. The new site enhances services available to independent garages in the Black Country area, complementing existing branches in Kidder...

Stellantis announced the opening of a new Mopar Parts Distribution Center (PDC) in East Fishkill, New York. The facility, which represents a $64 million investment, aims to enhance service across the Northeast region of the US. The 534,000-square-foot center is designed to streamline parts distribution for Stellantis vehicles by stocking over 46,000 unique parts, handling more than 2 million shipments annually. It will employ nearly 100 workers and includes innovative technologies and a carbo...

Hunter Engineering Canada has completed a remodeling project of its distribution center in Aurora, Ontario. This redesign aims to significantly reduce lead times for shipping Hunter products throughout Canada, achieving a target of 14 days or less. The project, which was undertaken to accommodate expected future growth, lasted five months and focused on creating a more efficient operational layout. “Our customers depend on Hunter Canada to deliver solid, reliable equipment quickly, so they ...

Continental has extended its project to enhance sustainability in smallholder natural rubber cultivation with the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH by three years. Since 2018, about 5,000 local smallholders in West Kalimantan, Borneo, Indonesia, have already been trained to cultivate high-quality natural rubber in line with clearly defined sustainability criteria. By 2027, a further 1,000 smallholders are to be involved in the project, which is cofunded by ...

Spectra Premium Mobility Solutions has announced that it is partnering with Specialty Sales and Marketing (SS&M), a sales agency that specializes in the aftermarket for automotive and heavy-duty segments. SS&M has a team of over 25 professionals in every province across Canada that bring expertise and understanding of the Canadian automotive and heavy-duty aftermarket. Spectra Premium believes that SS&M's customer-centric approach aligns perfectly with its mission of exceeding its...

MANN+HUMMEL has expanded its manufacturing footprint with a new plant in Kempton Park, Johannesburg. This facility, encompassing 3,200 square meters in its initial phase, is set to become a critical hub for MANN+HUMMEL's supply chain, catering to the commercial vehicle, passenger car, and off-highway and industrial aftermarket industries in the region. This project is the culmination of a project that began in 2016 when the company identified South Africa, the largest automotive market o...

PPG announced the initiation of a new waterborne automotive coatings manufacturing facility in Samut Prakan, Thailand, aimed at bolstering its production capacity of waterborne basecoats and primers in response to the growing demand for sustainably advantaged coatings within the Southeast Asian automotive industry. The plant, which has an annual production capacity of 2,000 metric tons, is equipped with an automated spray application center to improve PPG's service capabilities and enhance it...

The Fuchs Group, a Germany-based independent supplier of lubrication solutions, has officially inaugurated the expansion of its production facility in Isando, Johannesburg, South Africa. With an investment of €26 million, this expansion strengthens the position of Fuchs Lubricants South Africa in key industries such as automotive, mining, original equipment manufacturing, industrial and specialty, the company stated in a release. The company’s efforts to expand in South Africa began with ...

Magneti Marelli Parts & Services has extended its logistics operations in Poland by enlarging the Sosnowiec Warehouse, a move realized through the renewal of a long-standing partnership with CEVA Logistics. This collaboration, originally established in 2004, has now been extended for an additional five years, lasting until 2029. The Sosnowiec facility, boasting 18,000 square meters of advanced infrastructure, ranks as the second main logistics hub for Magneti Marelli Parts & Services ...

TechMan has recently unveiled a new partnership with Alliance Automotive Group (AAG), aimed at enhancing the parts ordering process for its users. Through this integration, TechMan's platform now includes direct access to AAG's extensive parts catalogue, effectively streamlining the procurement process. This new feature allows users to remain on the TechMan system without the need to navigate between multiple platforms, thereby saving time that was previously spent in search of parts. It enab...

NexaMotion Group (NMG), a US-based company offering solutions to simplify complex vehicle repair, announced the inauguration of a new C&M Auto Parts store situated at 780 W Belden Avenue, Unit G, in Addison, Illinois. This new establishment enhances the company's presence in the Chicago area by offering a full spectrum of general repair and transmission parts, leveraging the quality associations of both C&M and Transtar products. With this addition, NMG aims to provide exceptional custom...

GSF Car Parts, a UK-based supplier of car parts to the independent aftermarket, announced that it has inaugurated its National Distribution Centre (NDC) in Wolverhampton, which began operations as the central logistics hub aimed at modernizing the company's supply chain infrastructure. Acquired in May 2024 and spanning nearly 500,000 square feet with the potential for expansion to 750,000 square feet, the facility significantly streamlines delivery processes to GSF's 194 branches nationwide. ...

Advance Auto Parts Inc., a prominent North American automotive aftermarket parts provider that caters to both professional installers and do-it-yourself customers, has announced Michael Beland's appointment as senior vice president, controller and chief accounting officer, effective Jan. 5. In his new role, Beland will oversee the company's accounting operations, tax, external financial reporting and compliance on an enterprisewide scale. Ryan Grimsland, the executive vice president and ...

ZC Rubber recently marked the beginning of phase one production at its new facility, PT. Matahari Tire Indonesia (MTI) in Central Java, Indonesia. The Indonesian plant represents ZC Rubber's second international manufacturing site and involves a substantial investment of $280 million. Covering an area of 500,000 square meters, the facility is designed to manufacture a diverse array of products, including truck and bus tires, two-wheeler tires, bias tires, inner tubes, tracks, and carbon bla...

Toyota Boshoku Corp., headquartered in Kariya City, Aichi Prefecture, Japan, announced its participation in the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025. This marks the company's first time exhibiting at the event, underscoring the significance of the Indian market to its global expansion strategy. Toyota Boshoku's decision to participate in the expo is driven by its aim to better understand local market needs and enhance its market presence in India to secure more orders in the future. At the expo, ...

MyTVS has announced its entrance into the quick commerce delivery segment for distribution of automotive parts and lubricants for passenger vehicles and commercial vehicles, aiming to cut down supply chain costs by 30%, according to a report by Motor India dated Dec. 19.  The initiative is set to enhance the company's supply chain efficiency through collaborations with its existing retail network while utilizing the myTVS digital catalog to minimize the inventory stocked in dark sto...

NexaMotion Group (NMG), a US-based company offering solutions to simplify complex vehicle repair, announced that it has officially opened a new C&M Auto Parts store in Beltsville, Maryland, marking this as its 10th expansion in 2024, according to a press release dated Dec. 10. This new addition aims to serve the local market by providing a broad spectrum of automotive aftermarket parts. With a partnership with Transtar Aftermarket Solutions, a sister NMG company, the Beltsville facility i...

Unity Automotive has announced its decision to shift production operations to Thailand, a move driven by the aim to circumvent the potential financial burdens of tariffs proposed by President-elect Donald Trump on goods imported from China. The company views this relocation as a strategic response to maintain its competitive edge in pricing while improving the quality of its products, which are integral to its industry reputation. Jeff Perusse, the vice president of Business Development at Un...

Denmark-based spare parts logistics provider Danx, part of the Danx Carousel group, announced that it has recently moved its Stockholm distribution center to a larger and refurbished facility in Kungens Kurva, Sweden, aiming to enhance its operational efficiency and sustainability measures, according to a press release dated Oct. 30. This relocation from the Skärholmen terminal is part of Danx's broader strategy to adapt to market growth and environmental concerns. The new hub is equipp...

Following its recent acquisition of PPi Automotive, NexaMotion Group (NMG), a US-based company offering solutions to simplify complex vehicle repair, has inaugurated a new store in Pittsburgh, according to a press release dated Oct. 8. The facility, which opened its doors on Oct. 1, spans 11,000 square feet and boasts a significantly enhanced offering with four times the inventory and double the number of delivery drivers compared to its predecessor, the release added. This expansion aims ...

Donaldson Company Inc., known for its filtration solutions, has inaugurated a new distribution center in Olive Branch, Miss., according to a press release dated Oct. 15. This expansion is set to bolster Donaldson's capacity to cater to the burgeoning demand in the mobile solutions aftermarket segment, which encompasses industries such as heavy-duty trucking, construction, mining and agricultural equipment, the release added. Situated within the Memphis, Tenn., metropolitan area, the Olive ...

Japan’s NTN Corp. has announced that it will establish a sales branch in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam, of NTN Bearing Vietnam Co. Ltd., as it believes the region will play a central role in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations region, where further market growth is expected in the future, according to a press release dated Sept. 25. NTN said it will work to further expand the aftermarket business through aggressive sales activities and the provision of technical services. The new division beg...

Continental has announced its plan to significantly increase the production capacity of its tire manufacturing facility in Rayong, Thailand, with an addition of 3 million units per year, according to a press release dated Oct. 9. This expansion represents a considerable investment exceeding €300 million, supported by the Board of Investment of Thailand under its Investment Stimulation Measure for Economic Recovery Scheme, the release added. This initiative not only underlines Continental's ...

Japan's Denso Corp. has announced the commencement of inverter production at Denso Fukushima Co. Ltd., a move aimed at strengthening its manufacturing capabilities in Japan and boosting the Denso Group's competitiveness in the electrification field, according to a press release dated Sept. 5. Denso Fukushima, a company within the Denso Group that specializes in manufacturing automotive thermal products and fuel system components, has added a new inverter production line to its operations. ...

Continental has announced its plan to build its first fully owned tire distribution center in the US, located in the Dallas-Fort-Worth-Metroplex, aiming to enhance service levels and customer support, according to a press release dated Sept. 18. The facility's construction is slated to start in September, with the objective of commencing operations in 2026. Initially, the distribution center will occupy 753,000 square feet with a capacity to store over 800,000 tires, and it has the potential ...

LKQ Europe, a distributor of automotive aftermarket parts, services and solutions across Europe, has recently initiated a centralized workshop concept hub aimed at strengthening the collaboration among its 16 concept brands, according to a press release dated July 26. This move is designed to facilitate the sharing of best practices and resources among LKQ Europe's in-country workshop concept teams and the garages they collaborate with. The company said the ultimate goal is to foste...

Vast-Auto Distribution, a subsidiary of Groupe Del Vasto, a distributor and marketer of automotive parts in Eastern Canada and a shareholder of the Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance, announced that it has expanded its presence in Newfoundland and Labrador by integrating three new stores into its Parts City Auto Parts chain, according to a press release dated Aug. 16. These stores, formerly operating under Browne's Auto Supplies, are strategically located in Mount Pearl, Newfoundland a...

Zhongce Rubber Group (ZC Rubber), a mainland China-based tire manufacturer, announced that it has initiated construction of its third international production site in Saltillo, Mexico, signaling a pivotal expansion to cater to the North and Latin American tire markets, according to a press release dated Aug. 8. The factory's strategic location within the Alianza Industrial Park, close to the US-Mexico border, involves an investment surpassing $500 million and spans approximately 600,000 ...

NTN Europe SA, a consolidated subsidiary of NTN Corp. that specializes in the development, manufacture and sale of bearings within the European region, announced that it has initiated the construction of a new head office in Haute-Savoie, France, with a groundbreaking ceremony held July 10, according to a press release dated July 22. The completion of this new facility is anticipated for March 2026. This construction decision aligns with city urban development plans. The ceremony sa...

CarParts.com Inc., an online provider of automotive parts and accessories, has announced the opening of its new state-of-the-art fulfillment center in Las Vegas, according to a press release dated July 24. The fully automated center integrates state-of-the-art AI capabilities to streamline operations, bolster safety measures, and extend availability of automotive parts and accessories, the company said. This facility is designed to significantly enhance the efficiency of handling both...

Meko (previously Mekonomen Group), an automotive spare-parts distributor based in Sweden, has announced that it is significantly enhancing its warehouse capabilities in Poland, a strategic move aimed at bolstering its market presence and facilitating ongoing growth, according to a press release dated July 19. The firm is relocating its central warehouse in Poland to a new facility, nearly double the size of the current one, located in the Warsaw region. The transition to a larger warehouse, s...

GSF Car Parts, a UK-based supplier of car parts to the independent aftermarket, announced the opening of new branches in East Manchester, UK, and Southeast London as part of their ongoing expansion efforts, according to a press release dated July 9 by the UK aftermarket industry body, the Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation (IAAF). The new Openshaw branch in East Manchester, which covers an area of 4,000 square feet, marked a significant milestone by achieving record-breaking sales ...

Stellantis North America has inaugurated a new Mopar Parts Distribution Centre (PDC) in Brampton, Ontario, Canada, at an investment of C$25.1 million and is set to provide employment for over 170 individuals, according to a press release dated July 9. The PDC, encompassing 513,000 square feet, is designed to serve the Greater Toronto Area, Quebec, and Eastern Canada, housing nearly 55,000 parts and having the capacity to ship up to 2 million orders annually. According to the company, a not...

Highline Warren, a US-based supplier of consumable and maintenance products for the automotive aftermarket, has announced the opening of a new distribution center in Vacaville, Calif., later in 2024, according to a press release dated July 1. In preparation for this expansion, the company is actively hiring for various roles, including equipment operators and administrative clerical assistants, with plans to add operations supervisors, merchandise processors and additional clerical positions ...

The Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd., based in Hiratsuka, Japan, has announced its plans to construct a new passenger car tire manufacturing facility in Qiantang New District, Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province, mainland China. This initiative, with an initial annual production target of 9 million tires and a capital investment of approximately 36.7 billion yuan (about $227 million), is set to commence production in the second quarter of 2026, according to a press release dated July 1. This move c...

Denmark-based spare parts logistics provider DANX, part of the Danx Carousel group, announced that it has acquired TLS, a Danish logistics company renowned for its comprehensive services in the transportation, setup and installation of new technical equipment across Scandinavia, according to a press release dated July 3. This acquisition is part of DANX Carousel's ongoing effort to enhance its final mile delivery and product offerings throughout Europe. In a statement, Lars Bo Larsen, managin...

Fisher Auto Parts, a US-based auto parts distribution network, has announced the opening of a Massachusetts, US, distribution center, according to a press release dated June 19. The company has purchased a 217,000-square-feet distribution center on 12 acres located at 2189 Westover Road in Chicopee, Massachusetts. Equipped with 32 loading docks, the new facility will become operational once it is fully outfitted with features to optimize efficiencies, including logistical and material-handlin...

Dorman Products (Dorman), a US-based aftermarket supplier of original equipment (OE) dealer-exclusive parts, has announced the grand opening of its new drive shaft manufacturing facility in Virginia Beach, Va., according to a press release dated June 12. The new 100,000-square-foot plant is five times larger than Dorman's former site in Virginia Beach and is equipped with advanced computer-controlled machine tools, robotic welding, drive shaft balancing equipment and testing gear. The ma...

PPG will invest $300 million in a new manufacturing plant in the US to support the growing demand of automotive paints and coatings, the company said in a press release May 21. The company will establish the new plant in Loudon County, Tenn. Construction of the 250,000 square-foot plant will commence in August and is expected to be complete in 2026. Once fully operational, the plant will produce more than 11 million gallon of paints and coatings annually. Initially, the plant will produce pai...

NexaMotion Group, a US-based company offering solutions to simplify complex vehicle repair, has announced the opening of a new Transtar Industries distribution center in Tampa, Fla., according to a press release dated May 16. The new location, which opened on May 13, marks a significant step in the company's expansion strategy, the release added. With a spacious new facility spanning 40,000 square feet, Transtar is poised to offer an extended product catalog for foreign and domestic applicati...

Meko (previously Mekonomen Group), an automotive spare-parts distributor based in Sweden, announced that it is modernizing its central warehouse in Helsinki with new technology and automated inventory management, according to a press release dated April 12. The renovated warehouse will enhance the efficiency of operations, lead to improved service, and result in sustainably lower costs. The facility is planned to be fully operational in the first half of 2025. Meko is the market leader in the...

Transtar Industries, a company from the NexaMotion Group, a US-based company offering solutions to simplify complex vehicle repair, has announced a new location that will carry an extended product offering, according to a press release dated April 16. In addition to transmission and driveline-related products, general repair product lines are now available at Transtar's branch in Fort Worth, Texas, the company said. This development follows a similar expansion at four other Transtar locations...

Koito Manufacturing, a Toyota-group lighting supplier, has started the operation of its third plant in India on March 18, according to a press release dated March 29. Koito expects production capacity for its front lighting and indicators to reach the 500,000-vehicles level at the end of fiscal year 2025. The plant is expected to supply to Maruti Suzuki, Tata and other manufacturers in western parts of the country. The plant has been established by Koito’s subsidiary India Japa...

Corteco, a German supplier of components for the independent aftermarket and the independent aftermarket unit of Freudenberg Sealing Technologies (FST), has announced that it has unveiled its new warehouse in Turkey with the aim of further expansion in Southeast Europe, according to a press release dated Mar. 19. Corteco says Turkey is a pivotal market for the company as it hosts many customers from the independent aftermarket in both passenger car and heavy-duty vehicle sectors. With the new...

Dayco, a US-based engine products and drive-systems supplier for the automotive and aftermarket industries, announced that it has begun full-scale production of original equipment quality drive belts in its new manufacturing facility in San Luis Potosí in Mexico, according to a press release dated March 4. The company had announced in end-2022 that it was investing in the facility. The official grand opening ceremony, which took place on Feb. 27, gave Dayco CEO Craig Frohock and several of t...

Zhongce Rubber Group or ZC Rubber, a mainland China-based tire manufacturer, has announced plans to establish a new factory in Saltillo, Mexico, according to a press release dated Feb. 9. The factory, with a potential size of up to 600,000 square meters, will be equipped with a North American warehouse center to improve the local distribution network and optimize cost efficiency. The strategic location of the factory, near the US-Mexico border, will enable the company to meet the dynamic dema...

MAN Truck & Bus is expanding its global logistics center in Salzgitter, Germany, to accommodate the growing demand for components for electric vehicles, including batteries and battery parts, according to a press release dated Feb. 1. The expansion will increase the center's size by 25% to about 230,000 square meters, with a new building covering 52,650 square meters. The center will have a capacity for up to 40,000 parts and will be completed by the end of 2024, with operations scheduled...

ZF Aftermarket has announced that it is continuing its expansion in India, and the country has become a hub for its brand TRW's shock absorber manufacturing expertise through its manufacturing facility in the region, according to a press release dated Feb. 1. The company, which has introduced TRW shock absorbers, brake pads and brake discs, in line with its "Make in India" for India commitment, said it is now focused on fortifying its TRW shock absorber manufacturing capabilities in India w...

Thyssenkrupp Materials de México announced that it has inaugurated its new service center in San Luis Potosí, Mexico, on Jan. 25, according to a press release dated Jan. 26. In total, the holding company Thyssenkrupp Materials Services, a mill-independent materials distribution and service provider, invested $37 million that will lead to the creation of about 65 new jobs. One of the main objectives of this site is to have a decisive impact on the future viability of the automobile supply indus...

Japan’s Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd. has announced that on November 2023, it spun off the sales unit of its Vietnam tire production and sales subsidiary Yokohama Tyre Vietnam Inc. (YTVI) into a new dedicated sales company, Yokohama Tyre Sales Vietnam Co. Ltd. (YTSV), according to a press release dated Dec. 19, 2023. YTSV will begin operations on Jan. 1, 2024, and YTVI becomes a dedicated tire production company, the release added. Yokohama Rubber considers the Association of Southeast Asian Nat...

Sailun, a tire manufacturing company based in China, has announced the establishment of a new factory in Mexico through a joint venture with TD International Holding, according to a press release dated Dec. 20. The move is aimed at focusing on strengthening stability for customers and improving supply efficiency. The new factory will have an annual production capacity of 6 million semisteel radial tires, with a total project investment of $240 million. The JV company is also considering the c...

Meko, an independent auto aftermarket company in Northern Europe, has announced that it is optimizing operations in Norway to increase efficiency, strengthen service and reduce emissions from transportations, according to a press release dated Dec. 7. The efforts are estimated to yield annual net savings of at least 66 million Swedish kronor (about $6.31 million) with full effect by 2025, which contributes to permanently improving Meko's profitability, the company said, adding that eff...

ZF Aftermarket, the aftermarket arm of German automotive supplier ZF Friedrichshafen, announced that it has expanded its commercial vehicle distribution center in Guadalajara, Mexico, according to a press release dated Nov. 15. The company had announced in 2022 its intention to significantly grow its commercial vehicle product distribution network in Mexico. As part of the move, it has expanded the Guadalajara center from 10,000 square meters to nearly 15,000 square meters. The hub enables ZF...

Eberspaecher, a German automotive supplier of thermal-management systems and automotive control components for original equipment manufacturers and the aftermarket, announced that it has opened a new technology plant for exhaust systems brand Purem by Eberspaecher in Xuchang, China, according to a press release dated Nov. 16. The plant, which covers an area of over 7,000 square meters, will produce exhaust gas aftertreatment systems for both passenger cars and commercial vehicles for Chi...

Meko (previously Mekonomen Group), an automotive spare-parts distributor based in Sweden, has announced that it is increasing its focus on the Norwegian market and investing in a new fully automated central warehouse in Oslo, Norway, according to a press release dated Nov. 9. The new facility will consolidate Meko's inventory management in Norway and is expected to provide lasting cost savings and improved service. The warehouse is anticipated to be fully operational by the end of 2025. Meko ...

South Korea's Daewoo, which previously operated in the Indian passenger vehicle market from 1995 to 2003 before exiting the country, has announced its reentry into the Indian market through a strategic partnership with Kelwon Electronics and Appliances, a press release dated Oct. 25 said. Kelwon recently showcased a range of consumer electronics and automotive aftermarket products, including lead-acid batteries for two- and four-wheelers, Daewoo-branded lubricants and electric bicycles. The c...

Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund (PIF), has announced a joint venture with Pirelli, a global tire manufacturer, to build a tire manufacturing facility in Saudi Arabia, according to a press release dated Oct. 26. The facility, which is expected to start production in 2026, will have an annual production capacity of 3.5 million units and will manufacture high-quality tires for passenger vehicles under the Pirelli brand, as well as tires under a new local brand fo...

TMD Friction, a supplier of brake-friction solutions for the automotive and brake industry, announced that the company has signed a long-term partnership agreement with Iberdrola Deutschland to provide its facilities with greener energy, according to a press release dated October 4. The new partnership is part of the manufacturer’s sustainability commitment to provide all its global facilities with renewable energy by 2030. The first project to be implemented will be for TMD Friction’s fa...

Sweden-based SKF, a supplier of rolling bearings, seals, mechatronics and lubrication systems, announced that it has inaugurated its new facility in Monterrey, Mexico, according to a press release dated October 4. The facility, a greenfield factory with an investment totaling 700 million Swedish kronor (about $64 million), will support SKF’s strategic development in the Americas and meet customer needs as the focus on electrification increases, the release added. The company said the invest...

SGL Carbon and Brembo have agreed to expand production capacities for the joint venture Brembo SGL Carbon Ceramic Brakes (BSCCB), according to a press release dated September 12. Both companies have been working together with BSCCB on the conditions and implementation plans for this in the preceding months. BSCCB will invest about €150 million until 2027 to expand by more than 70% production capacities at the sites in Meitingen, Germany, and Stezzano, Italy. BSCCB is a 50:50 JV of Brembo Sp...

Australia-based automotive parts distributor CoolDrive Auto Parts announced that it has relocated a number of its Queensland, Australia, branches to newer facilities, to allow the company to better serve its customers in the Brisbane and Gold Coast regions in Queensland, according to a press release dated September 28. As part of the rejig, CoolDrive’s Ashmore branch in Gold Coast has relocated to a facility in Yatala, Gold Coast, with ample space to showcase and warehouse CoolDri...

Singapore-based tire company Giti Tire announced that it has opened an advanced plant in Hefei, the capital and largest city of Anhui Province in China, according to a press release dated September 21. Designed with a strong commitment to Industry 4.0 principles, this facility will underscore efficiency, connectivity and innovative technology, the release added. Once the project is concluded, the Hefei plant will showcase the integration of the latest production machinery and techniques, ensu...

Alliance Automotive Group UK (AAG) has announced the acquisition of Tayna Ltd., a Welsh e-commerce platform focused on vehicle batteries, according to a press release dated September 1. The company said that with this acquisition, it aims to expand its battery distribution capabilities in the region. The acquisition would also allow it to develop its digital skill set in the long term.  Tayna, a digital e-commerce company based out of Wales, UK, and established in 2003, specializes in pr...

Klarius Products, a UK-based manufacturer of aftermarket emissions-control components, said it noticed that ordering the correct parts is a common stumbling block for garages under pressure to deliver a quick automotive repair turnaround. To address this issue, it is offering valuable advice and tools to garages to ensure the right part is specified and delivered, according to a press release dated August 22. The company believes that in the fast-paced, detail-oriented world of automotive rep...

US-based paints, coatings and specialty-materials manufacturer PPG announced that it has inaugurated a center of excellence at its Quattordio, Italy, site that will increase the efficiency for automotive color development and application, according to a press release dated August 2. The $2.6 million investment combines color development and application in a single process, reducing the lead time to bring new colors to market, optimizing costs and maximizing color performance, the company said...

According to a press release dated July 27, a new dedicated joint Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA) and the Auto Innovation Centre (AIC) campaign has been launched to support the country's aftermarket with battery-electric vehicle (BEV) training and product development opportunities, and to further aid in promoting the sale of BEVs among vehicle fleets in the state of Victoria, Australia.  The AIC has taken into its possession two new BEVs, a Ford F-150 Lightning ...

Garrett Motion, a Switzerland-based autoparts-maker and provider of turbocharging, electric boosting and automotive software solutions, has announced the expansion of its Wuhan Plant in Hubei, China, and also commemorated the production of 30 million turbochargers in China, according to a press release June 29. The multiphase expansion of Garrett Motion’s Wuhan facility included its first high-speed automated production line of advanced variable nozzle technology (VNT) for turbo passen...

India-based tire manufacturer, Apollo Tyres Ltd., announced that it has inaugurated the first exclusive branded retail outlet for Vredestein tires in India, according to a press release dated June 23. The company has chosen Madhus Tyre Centre in Bengaluru in the southern part of India, as the first exclusive outlet for Vredestein tires. The company said that by having a modern up-market retail format of selling tires — ensuring ample visual appeal, comfort and convenience to custo...

Magneti Marelli Parts and Services, the division of Marelli dedicated to the distribution of spare parts, automotive components and technical information to the independent aftermarket, announced that it has opened a new distribution center in Brazil, according to a press release dated Jun. 26. Located in the new logistics hub in the city of Varginha, in the southern region of Minas Gerais, the 21,000-square-meters warehouse is designed to meet the fast and efficient delivery needs of custo...

SPK Corp., a Japan-based aftermarket wholesaler, has announced the opening of a new branch in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and commencement of its start of operations, according to a press release dated May 30. Significance: The company believes Dubai is the economic center of the Middle East and one of the world’s leading logistics hubs. SPK said it has been supplying automotive parts and accessories for many years and has built strong relationships with business partners. “...

Australian automotive distribution company and provider of vehicle parts, accessories, equipment, service and solutions, Bapcor, announced the construction of its second centralized-distribution center, according to a press release dated May 29. The 41,580-square-meter Bapcor Distribution Centre is located in the Brisbane suburb of Redbank, Australia. When operational, the center will consolidate seven existing Brisbane-based warehouses into one purpose-designed facility, the compan...

US-based automotive components original equipment manufacturer, and aftermarket ride control and emission-products manufacturer, Tenneco, announced the opening of a 9,600-square-meter engineering center that will serve the company’s European Ride Control and Advanced Suspension Technologies (AST) businesses, according to a press release dated May 24. The new Monroe European Engineering Center is located approximately two kilometers from Tenneco’s manufacturing complex, in Gliwice, ...

DRiV, the aftermarket division of Tenneco, has inaugurated a fully-automated shuttle and packaging system at its European Distribution Center in Willebroek, Belgium, according to a press release dated April 25. This $12 million investment in automation further improves customer service by delivering DRiV’s automotive brands to where they need to be, faster, the release added. The shuttle hosts all fast-moving articles, allowing DRiV to pick 60% of its order lines at up to seven times the sp...

Japanese tiremaker Yokohama Rubber has announced a successful completion of its efforts to eliminate counterfeit versions of the company’s aluminum wheels in China, according to a press release dated May 24. Yokohama filed an administrative complaint and submitted information to the Administration for Market Regulation in Foshan, Guangdong Province, China, regarding five companies engaged in the distribution of counterfeit sports-car aluminum wheels imitating Yokohama’s "ADVAN Racing...

MAHLE Aftermarket, the aftermarket arm of Stuttgart, Germany-based global supplier of powertrain and thermal components, MAHLE, announced that it has decided to centralize its previously decentralized fulfillment activities by processing automotive spare parts orders from only one location per country, according to a press release dated May 19. To make this possible, several distribution centers globally would be equipped with an AutoStore robotic storage solution, including the log...

German supplier of automotive components, tires and aftermarket replacement parts, Continental, announced that it has sold its plant in Kaluga, Russia, to Russian company S8 Capital, according to a press release dated May 22. With this step, Continental said it has divested the majority of its activities in Russia as part of its announced controlled withdrawal from the Russian market — a decision taken in response to the war against Ukraine. Continental produced passenger tir...

The Volkswagen Group announced that it has completed the sale of its shares in Volkswagen Group Rus LLC including its local subsidiaries (Volkswagen Components and Services LLC, Scania Leasing LLC, Scania Finance LLC, Scania Insurance LLC) to Art-Finance LLC, who is supported by the Russian dealer Avilon, according to a press release dated May 19. With the registration of the transaction, ownership of the shares in the authorized capital of Volkswagen Group Rus LLC and its subsidiaries i...

Brembo, global manufacturer of high-performance braking systems, announced that it has inaugurated its latest plant expansion in Escobedo, in the state of Nuevo León, Mexico, according to a press release dated May 12. The expansion, which began in 2021, represents a $207 million investment in Mexico and will create 500 jobs, in addition to the 1,100 associates employed since 2016, the release added. Significance: Now fully operational, the 322,917-square-foot Escobedo expansion doubl...

MAM Software, a UK-based provider of business-management software and product-cataloging solutions, announced that it will be showcasing the latest developments to its current software and displaying brand-new additions to its expanding portfolio of products at the upcoming Automechanika Birmingham 2023 at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC), Birmingham, UK, from June 6–8, according to a press release dated May 12. MAM Software will shed light on their core business belief that "digit...

German supplier of automotive components, tires and aftermarket replacement parts, Continental, announced that it has launched the production of tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) for passenger cars at its plant in Bangalore, India, according to a press release dated April 24. The company will increase TPMS production capacity over the next three years, with a plan to cater to the local market with the current production, and to expand into the export markets as well in the...

According to a press release on March 23, Apollo Tyres announced a virtual prototyping and simulation platform to develop the new Vredestein Quatrac Pro EV all-season tire, with the simulation platform enabling the tire maker to significantly reduce time-to-market, the tire’s impact on the environment and development costs. Apollo used virtual prototyping to ensure that the Quatrac Pro EV had the quickest development cycle of any Vredestein tire to date. Apollo's in-house simulation and pro...

The UK and Ireland arm of Alliance Automotive Group (AAG), a European automotive aftermarket distributor, announced that it has partnered with global warehouse robotics provider Exotec, according to a press release dated March 20. As per the announcement, Exotec has won a significant contract with AAG as part of its UK expansion efforts, following a contract win with AAG France, which was announced in June 2022. AAG’s National Distribution Centre is expected to feature “Exotec’s co...

German automotive and industrial component supplier Schaeffler AG announced that as part of its regular action against counterfeit products, the company has now had around 30,000 counterfeits with a total weight of 10 metric tons destroyed in Schweinfurt, Germany, according to a press release dated March 22. The action took place at the premises of Riwald Recycling Franken GmbH in Schweinfurt-Sennfeld, Germany, and the scrap will now be compressed and subsequently melted down in a steelw...

German chemical company BASF announced that BASF Shanghai Coatings (BSC) has opened its new technical center building at the BSC Minhang, Shanghai, site with an aim to better serve automotive OEM customers in China with its technology, products and services, according to a press release dated March 8. Equipped with advanced laboratory facilities and a team of highly qualified and experienced staff, the new technical center building will provide customers with total solutions covering whole pr...

Denmark-based spare parts logistics provider Danx, part of the DANX Carousel group, announced a new joint venture with Polish logistics specialist, ILS, according to a press release dated 8 March. The strategic partnership is meant to create a strong distribution network in Poland, in response to growing demand for high quality, time critical, and in-night logistics solutions in Eastern Europe. DANX’s joint venture in Poland will support the DANX Carousel group in realizing i...

UK-based drive-systems supplier, GKN Automotive, announced the opening of its new Dallas-Fort Worth, US, warehouse, according to a press release dated 7 March. The new facility will house its portfolio of products for its aftermarket customers, including axle assemblies for light-duty passenger vehicles, driveshafts, joint, and boot kits for all common makes and vehicle types. The new third-party logistics provider (3PL) facility, finished in December 2022, is located in Fort Worth,...

MAXAM Tire, a manufacturer of specialty tires, announced its new warehouse facility in Houston, Texas, via a press release dated 28 February. Executing its major expansion plan, MAXAM Tire’s new facility in Houston features 244,000 square feet of warehouse space, carrying the momentum of growing global demands across specialty tire segments. According to the release, by locating its third warehouse in Houston, Texas, in addition to its existing warehouses in Los Angeles, Californi...

O’Reilly Automotive, a US-based automotive aftermarket parts retailer, has announced that after 65 years of operating in the automotive aftermarket space across the United States and Mexico, it has opened its 6,000th store in Fort Gibson, Oklahoma, according to a press release dated 22 February. Significance: Commenting on the announcement, Greg Johnson, O’Reilly’s CEO, said, “As we celebrate 65 years of O’Reilly Auto Parts and the opening of our 6,000th store location, we recognize...

Global automotive supplier Webasto has announced the opening of a new plant in Guanajuato, Mexico, according to a press release dated 20 February. It is the first site dedicated to the company's charging business in the Americas region and one of three Webasto plants in Mexico. The Guanajuato plant currently runs three lines that produce charging solutions, with plans to expand to eight lines by the end of the year with an output of over 20,000 units per week. More than 140 employees currentl...

Japanese tiremaker Yokohama Rubber has announced in a press release dated 17 February that it is expanding passenger car tire production capacity in India to meet the increasing demands from the local market. With an additional investment of USD82 million, the company said it is looking to increase its annual passenger car tire production capacity in India with Yokohama India Pvt. Ltd. (YIN), its local passenger car tire manufacturing and sales subsidiary, from the current 2.8 million to 4.5 ...

US-based auto accessory and window tinting franchise, Tint World Automotive Styling Centers, has announced the opening of its new location in Webster, Texas, according to a press release dated 15 February. Called Tint World Houston-Webster, the location offers automotive aftermarket accessories and services, including window-tinting solutions, to drivers throughout Webster and the Southeast Houston area. "Tint World delivers ultra-premium service and industry-leading value for drivers in...

Gentex Corporation, a US-based supplier of automatic-dimming rearview mirrors and electronics to the automotive industry, announced that it plans to open a satellite production facility in Grand Rapids, Michgan, according to a press release dated 1 February. By expanding its manufacturing footprint, the company hopes to boost its employee base and provide greater access to well-paying jobs as it continues to implement meaningful solutions to address the ongoing labor shortage. Significance...

US automotive OEM components and aftermarket ride control and emission products manufacturer Tenneco has announced that it has established new test facilities for hydrogen-powered internal combustion engines (ICE) at its powertrain test centers in Burscheid, Germany, and Ann Arbor, Michigan, according to a press release dated 1 February. These two test cells are specifically dedicated to hydrogen ICEs and support original equipment (OE) engine and vehicle manufacturers as they decarbonize the...