eBay Motors Launches New Purchase Protections for Auto Parts and Accessories
eBay Motors has announced the launch of eBay Guaranteed Fit, a program designed to give users even more confidence when buying and selling on the marketplace. Shoppers can now look for the green 'Fits' compatibility checkmark on select parts and accessories listings to gauge whether the part will fit their vehicle. If the part arrives and doesn't fit as expected, eBay Motors will cover the cost of the return and the buyer will receive a full refund – enabling more seamless and trusted transactions for both shoppers and sellers.
“People are buying and selling parts online like never before, and eBay Guaranteed Fit helps take the guesswork out of the shopping experience,” said Chris Prill, vice president of eBay Motors. “Accurate fitment is critical to completing a project, from simple repairs to major modifications. With today’s launch, eBay Motors is empowering shoppers to browse and buy the millions of parts and accessories on the marketplace with that crucial added assurance.”
To learn about the program, visit eBay’s website.
Bronco Retains Crown in Ultra4 Stock Racing Class at King of the Hammers
Ford Bronco and Ford Performance repeated last year’s 1-2-3 podium sweep in the 18th annual King of the Hammers Ultra4 4600 stock class.
“Racing and off-road competition like King of the Hammers leads to better products, like Bronco and Bronco Raptor,” said Mark Rushbrook, global director, Ford Performance Motorsports. “The stock-class Every Man Bronco 4600s continue to showcase the development of new technologies, and these learnings can help us improve the vehicles our customers drive every day.”
Winning the Every Man Challenge was the team of Vaughn Gittin Jr. and Loren Healy in the No. 2567 Bronco 4600. Brad Lovell and brother Roger in the No. 4621 Bronco 4600 placed second in a tightly contested battle to the finish, and they were also the pacesetter in class qualifying. Bailey Cole placed third in the No. 13 Bronco 4600, covering 137 miles across a wide-array of terrain—from aggressive, technical rock formations to deep, high-speed desert sand.
Each of the podium-earning Bronco 4600 race vehicles started as a Bronco two-door at Michigan Assembly Plant, powered by proven 2.7L EcoBoost V6 engine with competition-engineered High-Performance Off-Road Stability Suspension (HOSS) System.
The 2022 King of the Hammers win is documented here. For more info on the 2023 King of the Hammers race, visit www.ultra4racing.com/ultra4-racing-live.
EGR USA Expands Distribution of EGR RollTrac Bed Covers and Precision Engineered Accessories in North America
EGR USA has announced six new distributors in North America. The newly signed distributors include Atech Motorsports, Dix Performance North, Frank Supply Company, New Level Motorsports, Competition Specialties and Premier Performance Products Distribution. All six distributors are now authorized to sell EGR RollTrac electric and manual retractable bed covers designed for most late-model domestic pickups and EGR’s full product line of precision-engineered truck accessories. ATECH and Premier will distribute the RollTrac nationally, Dix Performance will distribute in Canada, New Level Motorsports in Southern California, Competition Specialties will be focused on the West Coast and Frank Supply distributes mostly in the South, including Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma and southern New Mexico.
EGR North American Aftermarket National Sales Manager Pat Johnson said, “We are excited to expand our distribution of the EGR RollTrac and premium truck accessories so quickly in 2023. SEMA was a great opportunity to connect with key accounts and show off all of the features of our electric and manual bed covers that make them unique in the industry. We have the best security and water management system available, the ability to add sport bars and other accessories, and the sleek look and strength of our covers are second to none. We look forward to working with each WD to make sure they have everything they need to be successful with this new product line.”
DEI Adds New Vice President of Sales and Marketing
Design Engineering Inc. (DEI) has announced the addition of Brad Bricker to its sales team. As the new vice president of sales and marketing, Bricker will manage the inside sales team focused on DEI’s automotive aftermarket products, as well as work with automotive aftermarket representatives, outside representatives in the RV and Powersports groups and DEI’s marketing and product development teams. Bricker brings nearly 30 years of sales, marketing and management experience for automotive equipment and accessory manufacturers.
Tread Lightly! Announces MAXIMUS-3 as Newest Official Partner
Tread Lightly! has announced MAXIMUS-3 as its newest official partner. As an official partner of Tread Lightly!, MAXIMUS-3 will support Tread Lightly!’s mission to protect off-road trail access and public lands through stewardship projects and responsible recreation education. MAXIMUS-3 is a Jeep Wrangler product design, engineering and manufacturing company based in Detroit.
FRAM, Raybestos Parent Company Acquires Towing Brand
First Brands—the Rochester, Michigan-based parent company of FRAM, Raybestos, Centric/StopTech and more automotive manufacturing brands—has acquired a provider of towing and hauling accessories named Horizon Global. Based in Plymouth, Michigan, the company offers several brands, including Draw-Tite, Reese, Bulldog, Fulton, Tekonsha, Witter and more. Horizon Global is now a wholly-owned subsidiary of First Brands, company reps announced.
Taylor Cable Products Tuns 100
Taylor Cable Products announced that it kicked off the company’s 100th Anniversary celebration at the Grand National Roadster Show in Pomona, California. “This is a prestigious show and a favorite of ours because it draws the enthusiasts that Taylor Cable products cater to so we couldn’t think of a better place to commemorate the occasion,” said Marketing Director Kelli Murrow.
According to a company announcement, Taylor Cable was founded in 1923 by John Taylor. The company became renowned for its invention of the universal battery cable, taking a product specific to an automobile application and reducing the need to manage the product line across multiple applications. With this success, it was not long before high-performance ignition wire sets joined the Taylor Cable product line.
To celebrate 100 years in business, Taylor Cable will give away promotional items and prizes at shows throughout the year and offer a series of Limited Edition 100th Anniversary Spark Plug Wires.
BorgWarner Appoints Hau Thai-Tang to Board of Directors
BorgWarner has announced Hau Thai-Tang has been named to its board of directors. Thai-Tang retired from Ford Motor Co. in 2022 as chief industrial platform officer. He led global research and advanced engineering, product development, design, manufacturing engineering, purchasing and supply-chain teams to deliver a portfolio of digitally connected ICE and BEV vehicles. Thai-Tang also led Ford’s product development and purchasing organizations during its launches of the Mustang Mach-E, F-150 Lightning, Bronco, Maverick and Puma.
Off-Road Warehouse to Open Reno, Nevada, Location
Off-Road Warehouse (ORW) has announced a grand opening event for its ninth and newest location in Sparks near Reno, Nevada. The 14,000-sq.-ft. ORW Reno location will officially open with a special event on Saturday, February 18, from 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. Plans include tours of its new showroom, raffle giveaways, vehicle displays, vendor booths, family-friendly games, plus the chance to enter to win $5,000 ORW credit. ORW celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2023. To RSVP, visit the ORW event link here.
Quadratec Appoints New Accounts Payable Director
Quadratec Inc. recently named company attorney Larry Ashery as head of its accounts payable department. Ashery brings more than two decades of management and accounting experience to the company, and he will play a key element in ensuring the company’s financial operations run smoothly and efficiently. In this dual role, Ashery will continue to serve as Quadratec’s general counsel, while additionally overseeing the processing and payment of invoices, maintaining vendor relationships, and ensuring the accuracy of financial records.
Ashery officially joined Quadratec in 2020 after 30 years advising the company as outside counsel and has been instrumental in managing risk, patenting company-branded products, securing and enforcing trademark rights, negotiating contracts and addressing corporate and employment law issues.
Alex Camara to Leave AAMP Global
AAMP Global has announced that Alex Camara will leave his position as executive vice president of AAMP Global and president of AudioControl to pursue new opportunities, effective March 1. Camara will remain a shareholder in AAMP Global and an observer to the company’s board of directors. Camara acquired AudioControl in 2013. Under his leadership, AudioControl consistently experienced double-digit growth while also winning numerous awards for design innovation, product quality and outstanding customer service.
BorgWarner Announces Brady Ericson as CEO, Chris Gropp as CFO
BorgWarner Inc. has announced Brady Ericson will serve as president and CEO, and Chris Gropp will serve as executive vice president and CFO of the separate, publicly traded company that will result from completion of the previously announced proposed spin-off of BorgWarner’s Fuel Systems and Aftermarket segments. BorgWarner also announced that the intended company name is PHINIA Inc.
Ericson began his career at BorgWarner in 2000 and has served as vice president of BorgWarner and president and general manager of BorgWarner Fuel Systems and Aftermarket since March 2022. He has been an officer of BorgWarner since 2011 while serving as president and general manager of three different business units and as BorgWarner’s chief strategy officer. Prior to this, he served in roles of increasing responsibility in operations, manufacturing strategy, engineering and sales. He has served in overseas assignments in four different countries in Europe and Asia. Earlier in his career, Ericson held various sales and engineering positions with Honeywell, Remy International and Ford Motor Co.
Gropp began her career at BorgWarner in 2001, serving most recently as vice president of finance for fuel systems and aftermarket since October 2020. Over her 22 years at BorgWarner, Gropp has held positions of increasing responsibility in several BorgWarner businesses domestically and internationally, from plant controller and commercial controller to finance director and vice president of finance for three of BorgWarner’s businesses. Prior to joining BorgWarner, Gropp was an auditor for KPMG and director, finance/controller for Pressac Inc.
PHINIA is expected to be a product leader in fuel systems, starters, alternators and aftermarket distribution with balanced and synergistic exposure among commercial vehicle, light vehicle and aftermarket end markets, and to have broad regional and customer exposures. The proposed spin-off is expected to be completed in late 2023, subject to satisfaction of customary conditions.
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