Visteon Ramps Up Aftermarket Activity

Van Buren, Michigan-based Visteon Corporation held a Media Day on August 25 to announce a major effort aimed at increasing the firm’s aftermarket presence. The firm, a major original equipment supplier with it’s origins as a Ford parts division, markets climate control (radiators, condensers and air conditioning products), rotating electrical (starters and alternators) and other components. The company also offers mobile electronics (in-car entertainment and communication) products. Visteon is supporting its growth plans with a variety of new marketing and customer support initiatives, including promotions designed to enhance awareness and preference for its OE quality solutions among North American service providers. The company recently introduced retail-style, branded packaging to its replacement radiator line to help distributors and installers better leverage the value of OE technologies.

“There’s a tremendous opportunity for aftermarket shops to position themselves as the convenient, trusted source of OE quality replacement technologies and skilled diagnostic and repair services for today’s vehicles,” said Greg Gyllstrom, Visteon vice president and general manager of North American aftermarket operations. Gyllstrom notes that the growing sophistication of engine, starting/charging, climate control, ignition, and other systems has helped vehicle dealerships, foreign-nameplate specialists and other competitors capture market share.

“The increased sophistication of late-model passenger vehicles is obvious to service professionals and long-time customers,” he stated, adding, “by relying on OE quality replacement parts from Visteon, established shops can protect and enhance customer relationships. These customer relationships are enhanced by eliminating potential quality comebacks associated with parts that weren’t engineered or built to the vehicle manufacturer’s specifications.” Visteon has about 70,000 employees working in more than 200 technical, manufacturing, sales and service facilities located in 24 countries.