Isaac Ronquillo Joins Truxxx Manufacturing
Isaac Ronquillo has joined the Truxxx lift and leveling kit sales team at Truxxx Manufacturing. He will work closely with Truxxx National Sales Manager Scott Gross to grow business internationally and throughout the United States. As a select committee member of SEMA's Light-Truck Accessory Alliance (TORA) and volunteer for its Young Executive Network (YEN), Ronquillo believes that maintaining and helping the automotive aftermarket segment as a whole is crucial to the long-term survival of any automotive company and to the automotive enthusiasts and hobbyists that make the industry thrive.
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| Ken Maynard |
Design Engineering Names Ken Maynard Product Manager for SPA Turbo USA
Design Engineering Inc. named Ken Maynard the product manager for SPA
Turbo USA. According to the company, Maynard is a seasoned race
enthusiast, business owner and repair technician. He was hired in late
2010 to oversee the development and promotion of DEI’s SPA Turbo USA
product line. Prior to joining DEI, Maynard worked as the director of
engineering for MISCO Refractometer in Beachwood, Ohio, and was the
former owner of Pressure Treated Technologies in Cleveland.
Reality TV Show to Auction '68 Shelby GT500KR
A new reality TV pilot will auction off a ’68 Shelby GT500KR to the highest bidder, with part of the proceeds to benefit the Carroll Shelby Foundation. The public can register to bid on the car and watch filming of the show, scheduled for Saturday, April 16, on The Queen Mary in Long Beach, California. The restored ’68 Shelby GT500KR convertible (Lot #3732) will be auctioned with only 31,000 original miles on the odometer. One of 318 total GT500KRs built in the Highland Green and black interior color combination, this Shelby features the original 428 Super Cobra Jet engine. In addition, the car comes with an automatic transmission, air conditioning, an oil cooler, a tilt wheel and an AM/FM radio. The Shelby is equipped with the period-correct smog equipment, including the air cleaner snorkel that is rare on this type of vehicle. The auction is scheduled to start at 11:00 a.m. (PDT). The TV pilot will be hosted by "Extreme Makeover Home Edition’s" Ty Pennington. Those interested in helping the Carroll Shelby Foundation by bidding on the ’68 Shelby during the show, should log on to www.HA.com/6065. Bidders can register to bid in person, online or by mail, fax or phone. For more information, contact Heritage Auctions at 214/528-3500 or visit www.HA.com.
David F. Byers Named CEO of CARSTAR
David F. Byers was named chief executive officer of CARSTAR Auto Body Repair Experts. Byers assumes the CEO role from Dick Cross, who is transitioning to a role on the CARSTAR board of directors. According to CARSTAR, Byers brings extensive franchise operations, finance and marketing expertise to the company. Byers will spend the next 60 days working closely with Cross and meeting the members of the CARSTAR team. Warren D. Feldberg, chairman of Champlain Capital Management, which owns CARSTAR, will assume the role of non-executive chairman of the board. Byers will report to Feldberg. Cross joined CARSTAR in 2004. In 2008, he orchestrated the sale of CARSTAR to Champlain Capital Partners and continued his leadership role with the new partnership.
Cie Games Partners With Regal Entertainment and Universal Pictures for Fast Five Promo
Cie Games' "Car Town" has partnered with Universal Pictures and Regal Entertainment for a social networking campaign in support of the movie Fast Five. The partnership includes in-game micro-transactions, in-game film integration, a Regal Cinemas ticket purchase promotion and a home entertainment retail component. In addition, players can engage in special missions that tie-in with Fast Five’s storyline and offerings of the fastest, most recognizable cars from the film franchise.
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| Pep Boys celebrated the grand opening of its first 3M Car Care Center with a car show, car-care demonstrations, appearances by the Laker Girls and former Los Angeles Laker Mychal Thompson. |
Pep Boys Celebrates Grand Opening of 3M Car Care Center
Pep Boys celebrated the grand opening of its first 3M Car Care Center in
March at its Los Angeles Supercenter. The festivities included a car
show featuring a variety of show vehicles and car-care demonstrations
from both 3M and Meguiar’s. Visitors were also able to have their
picture taken with company mascots Manny, Moe and Jack, and the Laker
Girls and former Los Angeles Laker Mychal Thompson were on hand to sign
autographs and take pictures with fans. The 3M Car Care Center is
located at 1200 W. Washington Blvd. in Los Angeles. According to
Pep Boys, additional 3M Car Care Centers will be opening across the
country throughout the year.
DRIVEN Media Communications to Co-Produce Inland Empire Auto Show
DRIVEN Media Communications, parent company of DRIVEN Public Relations, has signed an ownership agreement with the Ontario Convention Center and On the Edge Productions to co-produce the Inland Empire Auto Show (IEAS). DRIVEN Public Relations has provided PR services in support of the IEAS for the past four years. This year's show is scheduled for August 19–21, 2011, at the Ontario Convention Center in Ontario, California. As part of DRIVEN’s new role, the IEAS website will be newly developed and a social media marketing campaign will work to drive more interest in the show. More information about the event is available at www.ieautoshow.com.
GAAS Early-Bird Registration Extended to Friday, April 15
The early-bird registration deadline for the Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS) was extended to Friday, April 15. Participants who take advantage of early-bird registration will save $200 off the regular registration fee. Set for May 18 and 19 at the Hyatt Regency O'Hare in Rosemont, Illinois, the theme for the 2011 GAAS is "Aftermarket Fast Forward: What You Need to Know to Stay Ahead." Complete information on the GAAS is available at www.globalsymposium.org.
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| Edward Koczan |
Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp. Names Edward Koczan Regional Sales Manager
Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp. (TTC) hired Edward Koczan as regional sales
manager responsible for the sales region that includes Nevada, Northern
California and Utah. According to a Toyo release, Koczan has a strong
background in the UHP product segment, as well as customer service and
account management. He previously worked for The Tire Rack and is a
graduate of Trine University in South Bend, Indiana.
Roush Yates Hires Gene Jones for Performance Products Division
Roush Yates Engines announced that it hired Gene Jones to its Roush Yates Performance Products division—the company's sales outlet for all new parts to NASCAR teams as well as dirt and asphalt racing teams. Jones has more than 14 years of racing experience, and he most recently was the sales manager of CV Products. According to the release, Jones expanded short-track trackside support programs while at CV Products and will bring his extensive parts knowledge to Roush Yates. He has worked his way through all facets of the industry, from operation of a route truck to plumbing on race cars to developing new products for the motorsports industry.
Four Dallas-Area Charities Vie for $50,000 of Advertising
Four non-profit charities in the Dallas, Ft. Worth area—Big Thought,
Heroes for Children, The Family Place and Make-A-Wish Foundation of
North Texas—have an opportunity to earn $50,000 worth of advertising for their organization. The charities will compete in the Cadillac
Cares Challenge, which runs on Facebook from now until May 7, 2011.
Through the contest, sponsored by Metroplex Cadillac Dealers, each
charity will have a description and voting button on the Metroplex
Cadillac Dealers Facebook page at www.facebook.com/MetroplexCadillacDealers.
Anyone who has "liked" the Metroplex Cadillac Dealers Facebook page can
cast their votes for one charity once a day. The winner will be
completely decided by the voters. The winner of the grand award will be
the charity with the most votes at the end of the Challenge (May 7,
2011). The $50,000 grand award includes television advertising, radio
advertising and print advertising. The other charities will receive
$1,000 cash donations.