Compiled by SEMA Editors
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AASA Technology Conference Virtual Fundraising Effort Nets More Than $4,000 for Automotive Aftermarket Charitable Foundation
As the AASA Technology Conference (ATC) concluded its virtual conference last week, and the Automotive Aftermarket Charitable Foundation (AACF) was the beneficiary of a $4,175 gift from participants, thanks to some creative thinking by ATC organizers and “Loonie-Toonie” game sponsors Pricedex Software. The game is a variation of “heads and tails,” and requires participants to ante up to participate. To celebrate the heritage of Pricedex Software's roots in Canada, Canadian “Toonies” (a $2 coin) are tossed and participants stay alive by guessing the outcome of each toss until only one participant remains. This year, participants made online donations to the AACF as their ante to play the game.
“The ATC Conference is the premier technology conference in the aftermarket, and the Foundation is humbled to be the recipient of their generosity each year,” said Jon Owens, chair of AACF's Revenue Growth Committee. “The ‘Loonie-Toonie’ game is becoming renowned throughout the industry as a fun, light-hearted way to do something really good for the aftermarket family. Our heartfelt thanks goes out to Pricedex Software for sponsoring and conducting this great event, and the creative way in which they teamed with AASA to execute it this year. Just awesome!"
The AACF has been uniquely challenged this year as they have traditionally relied on more face-to-face, activity-based fundraisers. Given the circumstances of the global pandemic, AACF has had to adjust and get creative in order to sustain their fundraising efforts. To that end, the Foundation has partnered with TopGolf—a recreational golf simulation facility to host the AACF Top Contender National Championship. For more information on how you can participate in this nationwide event, go to www.aacfi.org and click on the “TopGolf Fundraiser” link.
 LIQUI MOLY has signed a sponsorship with SV Offshore for the remainder of the 2020 SuperCat PowerBoat race season as well as the 2021 race season. |
LIQUI MOLY Announces Sponsorship With SV Offshore
LIQUI MOLY has announced it has signed a sponsorship with SV Offshore for the remainder of the 2020 SuperCat PowerBoat race season as well as the 2021 race season. LIQUI MOLY is expanding its new marine line of high-performance lubricants and will utilize SV Offshore to promote and prove its different marine products in real-time race conditions. SV Offshore is a professional offshore power boat racing team competing in the SuperCat Power Boat Series sanctioned by P1 Offshore and the OPA. SV Offshore represents the factory Outerlimits powerboat manufacturer and is owned by Simon Prevost and Vinnie Dioro who are also the driver and throttleman respectfully. The deal was overseen by motorsports marketing agency Drive Motorsports International.
Champion Oil Provides Updated OBD-II Codes for Powerstroke, Cummins and Duramax
Champion Oil ecently updated its technical bulletins on OBD-II Codes for Powerstroke, Cummins and Duramax. Vehicle manufacturers have fitted on-board diagnostic (OBD) systems for many years that provide codes to help identify specific issues. The most recent diesel powertrain codes can be found for Powerstroke, Cummins and Duramax at the Champion’s Diesel Technical Bulletin button.
 Elisa Bannon-Jones |  Deborah Brundage |
Icahn Automotive Appoints Elisa Bannon-Jones Chief People Officer and Deborah Brundage Chief Marketing Officer
Icahn Automotive has announced the appointment of two senior executives: Elisa Bannon-Jones as chief people officer (CPO) and Deborah Brundage as chief marketing officer (CMO). Bannon-Jones will lead the overall human resources strategy, overseeing compensation and benefits, talent acquisition and performance and development. Brundage will direct the company’s marketing, communications, and customer experience strategies, with a strong focus on consumer insights and digital engagement.
Most recently, Bannon-Jones was chief human resources officer at Frontier Communications, where she had responsibility for developing and executing the human resource strategy in support of the overall strategic direction of the organization. Prior to joining Frontier Communications, Bannon-Jones served in human resources, sales and operations leadership roles at The Budget Group, T-Mobile, U.S. Cellular and Brightstar Corp. She has certifications from the Kellogg Strategic Human Resources and Cornell Women in Executive Leadership programs, and a master human capital strategist designation in organizational effectiveness from the Human Capital Institute. She is a member of the Consero talent management advisory board and the Capella University School of Business and Technology business advisory board.
Brundage comes to the company after having served as CMO at Monro Inc., where she led a rebranding strategy and oversaw the marketing and customer service teams. Prior to joining Monro, Deborah spent nearly 17 years with Procter & Gamble, where she held roles of increasing responsibility and worked on a diverse group of categories and well-known consumer products.
 David Salters |
Honda Performance Development Names David Salters President
Honda Performance Development (HPD), which leads all Honda and Acura high-performance racing programs in North America, has announced David Salters as the new president. He will become the seventh president in its history and will succeed Ted Klaus, who will retire from HPD on December 1, after a 30-year career with Honda. Salters joined HPD in 2015 as a chief engineer and engine technical leader, serving as technical director since 2019. As president, he will have responsibility for overseeing Honda's racing and engineering activities and working directly with the company's racing teams and sponsors. Prior to joining HPD, Salters had a series of roles in high profile racing programs, including serving as the head of ICE power unit development for the Ferrari Formula 1 program, as head of F1 engine development at Mercedes-Benz High Performance Engines (formerly Ilmor) and as a development/design engineer for the CART Indy car program at Cosworth Racing Ltd.
 Recaro Automotive has announced the grand opening of its new North American facility, Recaro Automotive HQ. |
Recaro Automotive Seating Opens New North American Facility
Recaro Automotive has announced the grand opening of its new North American facility, Recaro Automotive HQ. Located in Clinton Township, Michigan, the official ribbon-cutting ceremony for the facility took place October 6. Earlier this year, Recaro Automotive was acquired by Raven Acquisitions LLC. The new automotive facility will be responsible for OEM, commercial vehicle and aftermarket seats. Additionally, international shipments of seating materials and products will be processed through this specific plant moving forward. Recaro’s most recent product launch, the brand’s first-ever off-road seats, will soon begin production at Recaro Automotive HQ. These seats, known as the Pro Racer SPG XL ORV and the Cross Sportster ORV, will come to market by the end of 2020 for customer purchase. To support these endeavors, the Recaro Automotive HQ will create job opportunities for workers within the Detroit area.
Recaro worked hand-in-hand with community leaders throughout the site selection and construction process. The official ribbon cutting, which featured a speech by Emil Kreycik and a product display, was attended by Bob Cannon, Clinton Township supervisor, and Jack Johns, project manager at Macomb County Department of Planning & Economic Development. Moving forward, private and socially-distanced tours of the facility will be available by appointment for OEM customers and Recaro’s marketing partners.
Following the acquisition of Recaro Automotive Seating by Raven Acquisitions LLC, the company continues to focus on its core business—performance seats and ergonomic seats, as well as special applications. This new structure allows for shorter and faster decision-making processes with greater flexibility to better meet the requirements of the market, aftermarket, commercial and OEM customers.
Mopar to Offer More Than 100 Factory-Engineered Accessories for All-new ’21 Ram 1500 TRX
Mopar is offering more than 100 factory-engineered, quality-tested parts and accessories for the all-new 702hp ’21 Ram 1500 TRX. Accessories include RamBar, bed-mounted spare-tire carrier, off-road rock rails, rear bed step, beadlock-capable wheel rings and more.
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