United Automotive Distributors Closes Doors

United Automotive Distributors Ltd. is closing its doors after selling off its remaining assets.

The company had been a major influence on the automotive aftermarket in Vancouver and other parts of British Columbia for 32 years.

Doug Reid, who heads up the company, told Jobber News that the company has been selling off its branches and its various divisions including the Paint and Bodyshop Division and the Sound Division over the past two years.

Effective October 31, most of the company’s remaining employees were laid off and the company commenced winding up its warehouse operations.

Reid and United Automotive Distributors have been very active participants in the industry, particularly as a member of the former Canadian Automotive Electric Association and the Automotive Industries Association of Canada. Reid has been with the company for 29 years. He says he has no immediate plans for the future, but has no intention of retiring.

Research to Gauge Consumer Reaction to Repowering

The Automotive Repower Council (ARC) will be conducting a study in the Houston market to determine the effectiveness of building awareness for rebuilt engines.

The council had previously announced the hiring of research firm R.L. Polk to conduct the initial phase of the study.

Consumer research will determine the consumer’s familiarity with repowering their vehicle, and the benefits to them. The research will also assess what types of vehicles require major engine work, including the average mileage at the time the work was needed. An important part of the research is to determine if a promotional campaign can increase the size of the market. Currently, it is estimated that nearly three-quarters of consumers are unaware of the rebuilt engine option.

Freudenberg-NOK Introduces Corteco Identity

Freudenberg-NOK has announced the alignment of its aftermarket product lines into a single business unit called Corteco.

The Corteco line, which replaces the Detroit Gasket identity, will incorporate a full range for the aftermarket, including CorTec engine cylinder head gaskets, seals, and rebuild kits; MounTec engine mounts, transmission mounts, torque struts, and suspension strut mounts; TransTec transmission and power steering overhaul kits; and oil seals, in-vehicle crankshaft seal kits, brake hoses and cabin air filters.

Mitchell 1 and Triad Integrate Products

Mitchell 1 and CCITriad announced an agreement to jointly integrate key products.

Under the terms of the agreement, CCITriad’s PartExpert parts lookup database will be integrated with Mitchell 1’s OnDemand5 Estimator and OnDemand5 Manager software (formerly called Mitchell Mechanical Labor Estimating Guide and Mitchell Management Solutions: Series I/II, respectively).