Chinese exhibitor caught by customs at Frankfurt IAA Show

For the first time the IAA has employed a special mobile customs group to check exhibitors from non-EU countries to expose counterfit products. Surprisingly the customes group with assistance from two patent lawyers found only one company in violation of a patent holders IP rights.

More on the story: http://www.autoindustry.co.uk/news/26-09-07_14

Valeo to sell its wiring operation

Yesterday, Valeo confirmed that it is in talk with German company Leoni AG on selling its wiring business. The activities in question had sales of 545 mill. EU in 2006. Leoni AG sad that the acqusition would gain the access to the French market for the first time.

More on this news: http://www.abcmoney.co.uk/news/042007128251.htm

Growing Automotive industry in India

In a recent published research report from Research and Markets Forecast to 2014 it is clear that the Indian Automotive industry has grown rapidly. It is a growth that is set to continue based on an influx of overseas technology and capital to a point were many globally companies now view India more favorably than China as a spuce point for components.

More info on the report: http://home.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20070903005017&newsLang=en

Federal-Mogul Gets OK for $3.5B Loan

AUg 29. Federal-Mogul Corp received a court approval to enter into a $3,5 Billion finance package to move the company out of Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

More: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/fn/5092848.html

Consumer Reports finds maintaining cars for 200,000 miles can save owners thousands of dollars

In the October issue of US magazine 'Consumer Reports' , an interesting research is published which spells good news for the Automotive Aftermarket. In a survey of 6769 readers with more than 200.000 miles on the clock it was found that it pays off to keep and maintain the cars for a long time rather than change it in after 3 - 4 years.

The report gives the folllowing example: 'Consumer Reports estimated the popular Honda Civic EX, with an automatic transmission, could potentially save its owner as much as $20,500 if properly maintained over 15 years — $1,500 more than its purchase price.'

More on this interesting report: http://www.search-autoparts.com/searchautoparts/Web+Exclusive/Good-news-for-the-aftermarket-mdash-Consumer-Repor/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/453716?contextCategoryId=41884&ref=25