SC October2011.pdf - Parts & People

Industry-wide product attribute project initiated by AAIA kicks off
Bethesda, Md.—AAIA has announced an
industry-wide project to define thousands of
product-specific performance and physical
attributes in support of resellers throughout
the aftermarket. Pricedex Software and
Direct Communications Inc. (DCi) were
chosen to provide project leadership and a
collaborative technical environment for
subject matter experts to use.
“Performance and physical attributes are
essential to help customers understand the
difference between products of different
grades, quality, and price,” said Kathleen
Schmatz, AAIA president and CEO. “The
expectations of customers for full, rich
content about products of all types have
never been higher. By commissioning an
industry-wide effort to define attributes for
products across all industry categories and
segments, AAIA aims to develop the very
best and most complete hierarchy available
anywhere. The scope of the AAIA effort
will include application and non-application
automotive products, tools and equipment,
performance and accessory products, paint
and collision products, and more.”
Scott Luckett, AAIA vice president for
technology standards, said, “We invite the
participation of subject matter experts from
across the full industry and from both
suppliers and their distribution and retail
partners. No one knows the product better
than the folks who make it. But no one
understands the needs and wants of the
customer better than their retail and
wholesale partners. We have designed a
process that will give everyone with
expertise an opportunity to contribute to
these attribute definitions.”
Pricedex Software and DCi proposed to
partner for the purpose of providing project
leadership and the software and online
technology to compile and manage the
resulting attributes. DCi has been actively
developing attribute definitions in the
performance and accessory segment for
many years and will donate their attributes
and expertise to the project. Pricedex
Software is donating software used to
manage hierarchical product information.
Upon completion, the attribute definitions
will be made an extension of the Parts
Classification database (PCDB) published
by AAIA as part of the industry data
standards. In addition, AAIA has agreed to
collaborate with The NPD Group and
members of the category management
committee to ensure close coordination
between this effort and the work on
attributes that has been done previously.
“We recognize that we are not the first to
take on this important project,” Luckett said.
“But we want to lead the broadest and most
inclusive attribute definition project in
service to all of our members in the vehicle
aftermarket. We believe the interests of the
industry are best served by eliminating the
redundant cost of supporting multiple
attribute hierarchies.”
To learn more about the AAIA Product
Attribute Project and to sign-up for project
updates and notifications, visit
www.aftermarket.org/Technology. n
Aisin to transfer aftermarket brake
product sales to Advics Group
Torrance, Calif.—Aisin World Corp. of
America (AWA) has announced that it will
transfer the sales and marketing of its
aftermarket brake products business to
Advics North America Inc.
In North America, Advics’ brake
products have been successfully marketed
by AWA through its sales network. As a
result, Advics brake products (pads,
calipers, brake hydraulics, and boosters) are
well received in the aftermarket, and are
known for quality and reliability, company
officials said.
The new arrangement means Advics will
now independently embark on sales,
service, and distribution of its aftermarket
brake products effective Jan. 1.
“This transition has been part of the
overall, combined strategy of Aisin and
Advics since the beginning,” said AWA’s
director of Aftermarket Sales, Bob Clark.
“We are taking the next, logical step in the
development of a relatively young, but
healthy company which enjoys a solid
foothold in the North American aftermarket
business.”
The Advics Group was established
globally in July 2001, when Aisin, Denso
Corp., Sumitomo Electric Industries, and
Toyota Motor Corp. joined together to
create a company to develop and sell
automotive brake systems. Aisin has since
produced and supplied components for
Advics’ brake system development.
Aisin and Advics will share exhibit booth
space at AAPEX, Nov. 1-3, in Las Vegas.
Clark said executives from both companies,
including AWA President Mike Saito, will
be on hand to discuss the transition. n
Zone Offroad introduces Jeep
four-inch suspension lift system
Coldwater, Mich.—Jeep Grand Cherokee
WK and Commander XK owners can now
take advantage of a four-inch suspension lift
option built to perform on and off-road,
company officials said.
Zone Offroad has announced the release
of its four-inch IFS lift kit. Designed and
manufactured in the U.S., the complete
system includes new steering knuckles,
drop crossmembers, and differential drop
brackets. The components maintain
factory operating geometry to ensure
compatibility with the factory ESP system.
The lift is achieved with front strut
spacers and new rear coils to maintain the
factory ride. Zone Offroad uniquely
includes greasable rear upper adjustable
control arms to provide the ability to
finetune an optimal pinion angle. A rear
track bar bracket is included to center the
rear axle.
The Zone kit also contains front and
rear sway bar links, brake line relocation
brackets, and rear shocks. n
SOCALGMPARTS.COM
NEXT DAY DELIVERY AVAILABLE
THROUGHOUT THE USA!
• Interactive Online Catalog • VIN Verification Guarantee
• Save Time &Money, Order Online
(877) 333-4587
Page 32 October 2011 Parts & People www.partsandpeople.com