Jump to content

Auto News

Administrators
  • Posts

    571
  • Joined

  • Last visited

    Never
  • Days Won

    3

Everything posted by Auto News

  1. Represents Next Step Forward in Genuine Parts Company's Portfolio Optimization Strategy View the full article
  2. It’s back-to-school time and the Car Care Council wants to help families get their vehicles ready for car pools, playdates, soccer games and more. An informative new video from the non-profit organization provides motorists a with a five-point checklist to be performed before the start of the school year. “There is always a lot to do before school starts and making sure your vehicle is running safely and efficiently should be at the top of that ‘to-do’ list,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. “Our new back-to-school video offers maintenance and safety tips to help parents and their precious passengers travel safely to and from school and all kinds of activities.” Produced in conjunction with AutoNetTV (ANTV), the Car Care Council’s Back to School video highlights five areas that should be checked to make sure vehicles are kid-safe and road ready: Check lights and wipers for visibility.With shorter days and inclement weather ahead, make sure lights and wipers function properly so that you can see and be seen. Check wiper blades for signs of wear and replace if necessary. Get an annual brake inspection. The braking system is your car’s most important safety feature. Before carpool season gets in full swing, make sure that your brakes are functioning properly. Schedule a brake inspection and look for warning signs that your vehicle may need brake service, such as an illuminated brake light or screeching, grinding or clicking noises when applying the brakes. Check tires for under inflation or excessive wear.Check tire pressure and refill underinflated tires, including the spare, and look for uneven wear and check tread depth. Make sure everyone is buckled up. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website has important tips on seat belt fit and position. For the younger ones riding along, the site has information about how to install car seats as well as guidelines on selecting a car seat or booster based on your child’s age and size. Consider a back-up detection device.Consider having a back-up detection device installed that provides rearview video or warning sounds when moving in reverse. While drivers should not rely solely on these devices, they can help to reduce the risk of back-over incidents along with following other prevention tips from NHTSA. To learn more about keeping your vehicle in safe, dependable working condition, visit www.carcare.org and follow the Car Care Council on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube. The Car Care Council is the source of information for the “Be Car Care Aware” consumer education campaign promoting the benefits of regular vehicle care, maintenance and repair to consumers. For the latest car care news, visit the council’s online media room at http://media.carcare.org. To order a free copy of the popular Car Care Guide, visit the council’s consumer education website at www.carcare.org. The post Getting Your Car Ready for School appeared first on Be Car Care Aware. View the full article
  3. Second Quarter Net Sales Increased 0.2% to $2.3B; Comparable Store Sales Flat Diluted EPS Increased 8.8% to $1.73; Adjusted Diluted EPS Increased 1.5% to $2.00 Announces New $400M Share Repurchase Authorization RALEIGH, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 13, 2019-- Advance Auto Parts, Inc. (NYSE: AAP), a leading automotive aftermarket parts provider in North America, that serves both professional installer and do-it-yourself customers, today announced its financial results for the second quarter ended July 13, 2019. "As we begin the second half of 2019, I want to recognize the relentless focus and commitment of our entire team, including our network of Independent partners, a... View the full article
  4. Seeing your child off to college is an emotional transition, especially if they are going far away from home. Sending them away in the family vehicle can create even more worry and stress. A little advance planning and a well-maintained vehicle can offer peace-of-mind to parents, says the non-profit Car Care Council Get a sendoff vehicle inspection: College is a busy time for students and it is likely that car care at college will not be top of mind. Be sure to schedule a thorough vehicle inspection before packing up the car so you can rest easy knowing your child is driving a road-ready vehicle. Make an emergency plan: Discuss a plan with your child in case they experience a roadside emergency. Be sure they know who to contact for roadside assistance and stock the car with an emergency kit, including jumper cables, emergency flares, a flashlight with batteries, blankets and extra clothes, water and non-perishable snacks, a first aid kit, a portable USB charger and a fully charged cell phone. To be prepared for inclement weather, include an ice scraper, a snow brush and small shovel. Hit the books: Encourage your child to learn about auto care by reviewing the Car Care Council’s online Car Care Guide and becoming familiar with the owner’s manual. The printed Car Care Guide fits easily in a glove compartment and covers the most common preventive maintenance occasions and procedures that should be performed to keep cars safe, dependable and efficient. Stay on schedule: To stay on top of routine vehicle maintenance, sign up for the council’s free Custom Service Schedule and receive email service reminders and recall notices so that you and your child are aware of any issues and can address them in a timely fashion. The Car Care Council has introduced a new video, produced in conjunction with AutoNetTV (ANTV), with tips for parents, college-bound students and their vehicles. To learn more about keeping your vehicle in safe, dependable working condition, visit www.carcare.org or follow the Car Care Council on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube. The Car Care Council is the source of information for the “Be Car Care Aware” consumer education campaign promoting the benefits of regular vehicle care, maintenance and repair to consumers. For the latest car care news, visit the council’s online media room at http://media.carcare.org. To order a free copy of the popular Car Care Guide, visit the council’s consumer education website at www.carcare.org. The post Four Steps for Sending Your Car Away to College appeared first on Be Car Care Aware. View the full article
  5. RALEIGH, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jul. 29, 2019-- Advance Auto Parts, Inc. (NYSE: AAP), a leading automotive aftermarket parts provider in North America that serves both professional installer and do-it-yourself customers, will report its second quarter 2019 results before the market opens on Tuesday, August 13, 2019. Interested parties can listen to the event via a webcast scheduled to begin at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday, August 13, 2019. The webcast will be accessible via the Investor Relations page of the company’s website (www.AdvanceAutoParts.com). For individuals unable to access the webcast, the event will be available by dialing (844) 877-5989 and referencing conference id... View the full article
  6. Revamped program offers customers the fastest way to earn rewards in the automotive aftermarket industry RALEIGH, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jul. 29, 2019-- Advance Auto Parts, Inc. (NYSE: AAP), a leading automotive aftermarket parts provider that serves both professional installer and do-it-yourself customers, today launched its new Speed Perks rewards program enabling members to earn rewards faster than any other rewards program in the automotive aftermarket industry. Customers who sign-up for Speed Perks in store, online at https://shop.advanceautoparts.com, or by texting SPEED to 77333 can start earning $5 Perks Bucks after spending as little as $40 online or at any Advance Auto Part... View the full article
  7. LKQ Corporation Announces Results for Second Quarter 2019 July 25, 2019 Revenue growth of 7% to $3.25 billion Parts and services organic revenue declined 2.1%; (1.3% on a per day basis) Non-cash impairment charge of $25 million, net of tax, related to assets held for sale Net income from continuing operations attributable to LKQ stockholders of $150 million (down 4%); adjusted net income of $204 million (up 6%) Diluted EPS from continuing operations attributable to LKQ stockholders of $0.48 (down 4%); adjusted diluted EPS of $0.65 (up 7%) Operating cash flow of $461 million (up 151%) for the quarter; free cash flow of $413 million (up 217%) Repurchased 4.4 million shares for $120 million; paid down $220 million of debt 2019 annual guidance updated CHICAGO, July 25, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- LKQ Corporation (Nasdaq:LKQ) today reported revenue for the second quarter of 2019 of $3.25 billion, an increase of 7.2% as compared to $3.0 billion in the second quarter of 2018. For the second quarter of 2019, parts and services organic revenue declined 2.1%, (1.3% on a per day basis), and acquisition revenue growth was 12.6%, while the impact of exchange rates was (2.5%), for total parts and services revenue growth of 8.0%. Net income1 for the second quarter of 2019 was $150 million, a decrease of 4.2% year-over-year. Diluted earnings per share1 for the second quarter of 2019 was $0.48 as compared to $0.50 for the same period of 2018, a decrease of 4.0%. The second quarter 2019 results included a $25 million non-cash impairment charge, net of tax, related to an expected recovery below carrying value of our previously announced assets held for sale. On an adjusted basis, net income was $204 million, an increase of 6.3% as compared to the $192 million for the same period of 2018. On an adjusted basis, diluted earnings per share for the second quarter of 2019 was $0.65, an increase of 6.6% as compared to $0.61 for the same period of 2018. Dominick Zarcone, President and Chief Executive Officer of LKQ Corporation, stated, “We continued to make progress on our key productivity initiatives during the second quarter, which are having a positive impact on our financial and operational performance. We delivered this performance notwithstanding difficult revenue growth comparisons across all of our operating segments, a soft collision environment in the U.S. and the ongoing macroeconomic challenges and the impact of one less selling day in Europe. Against this backdrop, our continued focus on integrating and simplifying our operating model to drive cash conversion resulted in LKQ generating the highest quarter of operating cash flow in the Company’s history. Additionally, in North America we produced Segment EBITDA margins of 14.4%, a 130-basis point improvement over last year and the highest level since the second quarter of 2017.” On a six-month year-to-date basis, revenue was $6.3 billion, an increase of 10.4% from $5.8 billion for the comparable period of 2018. Parts and services organic revenue for the first six months of 2019 declined 1.1% (0.1% on a per day basis). Net income for the first six months of 2019 was $248 million, a decrease of 19.9% as compared to $310 million for the first half of 2018. Diluted earnings per share for the first six months of 2019 was $0.79, a decrease of 20.2% as compared to $0.99 for the same period of 2018. On an adjusted basis, net income for the first six months of 2019 was $380 million, an increase of 5.0% as compared to the $362 million for the same period of 2018. On an adjusted basis, diluted earnings per share for the first six months of 2019 was $1.21, an increase of 4.3% as compared to $1.16 for the same period of 2018. 1 References to Net Income and Diluted earnings per share, and the corresponding adjusted figures, in this release reflect amounts from continuing operations attributable to LKQ stockholders. Cash Flow and Balance Sheet Cash flow from operations totaled $638 million on a six-month year-to-date basis, up 94%, from a year ago. Free cash flow totaled $537 million, up 152%, year-over-year. We paid down $220 million of borrowings during the quarter, and as of June 30, 2019, our balance sheet reflected net debt of $3.7 billion. Net leverage as defined in the credit facility decreased to 2.8x EBITDA. During the second quarter of 2019, we repurchased approximately 4.4 million shares of our common stock returning approximately $120 million of capital to our stockholders. Since initiating our plan in late October 2018, we have repurchased 9.3 million shares for a total of $251 million. Company Outlook We updated our guidance for 2019 as set forth below. 2019 Updated Guidance 2019 Previous Guidance Organic revenue growth for parts & services 0.5% to 2.0% 2.0% to 4.0% Net income attributable to LKQ stockholders (1) $540 million to $565 million $586 million to $625 million Adjusted net income attributable to LKQ stockholders (1)(2) $718 million to $743 million $732 million to $771 million Diluted EPS attributable to LKQ stockholders (1) $1.73 to $1.81 $1.87 to $2.00 Adjusted diluted EPS attributable to LKQ stockholders (1)(2) $2.30 to $2.38 $2.34 to $2.46 Cash flows from operations $800 million to $875 million $775 million to $850 million Capital expenditures $225 million to $275 million $250 million to $300 million (1) Amounts reflect continuing operations. (2) Non-GAAP measures. See the table accompanying this release that reconciles the forecasted U.S. GAAP measures to the forecasted adjusted measures, which are non-GAAP, for further details. Varun Laroyia, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, commented, “Our operational focus and continued momentum on active working capital management and prudent capital spending enabled us to increase our 2019 annual guidance for free cash flow. However, our revised guidance also reflects the soft macroeconomic environment we are facing in Europe and the headwinds from lower scrap metal prices, two dynamics we believe will continue for the balance of 2019, though partially offset by our ongoing cost structure optimization.” Our guidance for the full year 2019 is based on current conditions (including acquisitions completed through July 25, 2019), and assumes no material disruptions associated with the United Kingdom’s potential exit from the European Union. The guidance for the full year 2019 is based on scrap prices remaining at current levels and exchange rates for our primary currencies holding near current levels. Changes in these conditions may impact our ability to achieve the guidance. Adjusted figures exclude (to the extent applicable) the impact of restructuring and acquisition related expenses; amortization expense related to acquired intangibles; excess tax benefits and deficiencies from stock-based payments; losses on debt extinguishment; impairment charges; and gains and losses related to acquisitions or divestitures (including changes in the fair value of contingent consideration liabilities). Conference Call Details We will host a conference call and webcast on July 25, 2019 at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time (7:00 a.m. Central Time) with members of senior management to discuss our results. To access the investor conference call, please dial (833) 236-5754. International access to the call may be obtained by dialing (647) 689-4182. The investor conference call will require you to enter conference ID: 4683713#. Webcast and Presentation Details The audio webcast and accompanying slide presentation can be accessed at (www.lkqcorp.com) in the Investor Relations section. A replay of the conference call will be available by telephone at (800) 585-8367 or (416) 621-4642 for international calls. The telephone replay will require you to enter conference ID: 4683713#. An online replay of the audio webcast will be available on our website. Both formats of replay will be available through August 8, 2019. Please allow approximately two hours after the live presentation before attempting to access the replay. About LKQ Corporation LKQ Corporation (www.lkqcorp.com) is a leading provider of alternative and specialty parts to repair and accessorize automobiles and other vehicles. LKQ has operations in North America, Europe and Taiwan. LKQ offers its customers a broad range of replacement systems, components, equipment and parts to repair and accessorize automobiles, trucks, and recreational and performance vehicles. Forward Looking Statements Statements and information in this press release that are not historical are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and are made pursuant to the “safe harbor” provisions of such Act. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding our outlook, guidance, expectations, beliefs, hopes, intentions and strategies. These statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors including those identified below. All forward-looking statements are based on information available to us at the time the statements are made. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. You should not place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements. Actual events or results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. The risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ from the events or results predicted or implied by our forward-looking statements include the factors set forth below, and other factors discussed in our filings with the SEC, including those disclosed under the captions “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 and in our subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. These reports are available on our investor relations website at lkqcorp.com and on the SEC website at sec.gov. These factors include the following (not necessarily in order of importance): changes in economic and political activity in the U.S. and other countries in which we are located or do business, including the U.K. withdrawal from the European Union (also known as Brexit), and the impact of these changes on our businesses, the demand for our products and our ability to obtain financing for operations; increasing competition in the automotive parts industry (including the potential competitive advantage to original equipment manufacturers (“OEMs”) with "connected car" technology); fluctuations in the pricing of new OEM replacement products; changes in the level of acceptance and promotion of alternative automotive parts by insurance companies and vehicle repairers; changes to our business relationships with insurance companies or changes by insurance companies to their business practices relating to the use of our products; our ability to identify sufficient acquisition candidates at reasonable prices to maintain our growth objectives; our ability to integrate, realize expected synergies, and successfully operate acquired companies and any companies acquired in the future, and the risks associated with these companies; the implementation of a border tax or tariff on imports and the negative impact on our business due to the amount of inventory we import; restrictions or prohibitions on selling certain aftermarket products through enforcement by OEMs of intellectual property rights; restrictions or prohibitions on importing certain aftermarket products by border enforcement agencies based on, among other things, intellectual property infringement claims; variations in the number of vehicles manufactured and sold, vehicle accident rates, miles driven, and the age profile of vehicles in accidents; the increase of accident avoidance systems being installed in vehicles; the potential loss of sales of certain mechanical parts due to the rise of electric vehicle sales; fluctuations in the prices of fuel, scrap metal and other commodities; changes in laws or regulations affecting our business; higher costs and the resulting potential inability to service our customers to the extent that our suppliers decide to discontinue business relationships with us; price increases, interruptions or disruptions to the supply of vehicle parts from aftermarket suppliers and vehicles from salvage auctions; changes in the demand for our products and the supply of our inventory due to severity of weather and seasonality of weather patterns; the risks associated with operating in foreign jurisdictions, including foreign laws and economic and political instabilities; declines in the values of our assets; additional unionization efforts, new collective bargaining agreements, and work stoppages; our ability to develop and implement the operational and financial systems needed to manage our operations; interruptions, outages or breaches of our operational systems, security systems, or infrastructure as a result of attacks on, or malfunctions of, our systems; costs of complying with laws relating to the security of personal information; product liability claims by the end users of our products or claims by other parties who we have promised to indemnify for product liability matters; costs associated with recalls of the products we sell; potential losses of our right to operate at key locations if we are not able to negotiate lease renewals; inaccuracies in the data relating to our industry published by independent sources upon which we rely; currency fluctuations in the U.S. dollar, pound sterling and euro versus other currencies; our ability to obtain financing on acceptable terms to finance our growth; our ability to satisfy our debt obligations and to operate within the limitations imposed by financing arrangements; changes to applicable U.S. and foreign tax laws, changes to interpretations of tax laws, and changes in our mix of earnings among the jurisdictions in which we operate; and disruptions to the management and operations of our business and the uncertainties caused by activist investors. View the full article
  8. SPRINGFIELD, Mo., July 24, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- O’Reilly Automotive, Inc. (the “Company” or “O’Reilly”) (Nasdaq: ORLY), a leading retailer in the automotive aftermarket industry, today announced record revenues and earnings for its second quarter ended June 30, 2019. View the full article
  9. SPRINGFIELD, Mo., July 24, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- O’Reilly Automotive, Inc. (the “Company” or “O’Reilly”) (Nasdaq: ORLY), a leading retailer in the automotive aftermarket industry, today announced record revenues and earnings for its second quarter ended June 30, 2019. View the full article
  10. SPRINGFIELD, Mo., July 24, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- O’Reilly Automotive, Inc. (the “Company” or “O’Reilly”) (Nasdaq: ORLY), a leading retailer in the automotive aftermarket industry, today announced record revenues and earnings for its second quarter ended June 30, 2019. View the full article
  11. SPRINGFIELD, Mo., July 24, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- O’Reilly Automotive, Inc. (the “Company” or “O’Reilly”) (Nasdaq: ORLY), a leading retailer in the automotive aftermarket industry, today announced record revenues and earnings for its second quarter ended June 30, 2019. View the full article
  12. Marketing veteran brings more than two decades of experience and a proven track record of building and growing brands to the Advance team RALEIGH, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jul. 17, 2019-- Advance Auto Parts, Inc. (NYSE: AAP), a leading automotive aftermarket parts provider that serves both professional installer and do-it-yourself customers, today announced that Jason McDonell will join the company as Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, effective July 29. In this role, McDonell will be responsible for all marketing activities across the Advance family of brands, including Advance, Carquest, Worldpac and Autopart International. This press release features multimedia... View the full article
  13. Marketing veteran brings more than two decades of experience and a proven track record of building and growing brands to the Advance team RALEIGH, N.C. --(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jul. 17, 2019-- Advance Auto Parts, Inc. (NYSE: AAP), a leading automotive aftermarket parts provider that serves both View the full article
  14. GPC's Alliance Automotive Group Enters Definitive Agreement to Acquire Leading Heavy-Duty Parts Distributor in France View the full article
  15. That little engine part called the spark plug performs a huge job in delivering a vehicle’s power, performance, dependability and fuel efficiency and, according to the non-profit Car Care Council, should be replaced periodically. “Spark plugs are one of the hardest working parts of a vehicle. A spark plug can fire 400 times per minute per cylinder or 1,600 times a minute on a four-cylinder engine,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. “Many car owners delay spark plug repair on their vehicles, even after they have failed. This is a mistake since fouled, damaged or worn out spark plugs can lead to engine damage, reduced fuel efficiency and poor performance like misfiring, hard starting and sluggish acceleration.” If you spot any of the following symptoms, the Car Care Council recommends having your vehicle checked to prevent more costly problems from developing. Rattling, pinging or knocking noises. When spark plugs begin to misfire, you may notice unusual noises from the force of the pistons and combustion not working properly. Pistons travel at high velocities; if the spark plug fires at the wrong time, this could lead to constant rattling, pinging or knocking sounds. Hard vehicle start. If your car is having trouble starting or just feels disjointed and jerky, your spark plugs may not be working right. This can lead to misfires and erratic performance. Reduced performance. Spark plugs fire when you accelerate and change gears. If the spark that the plug generates isn’t functioning at 100 percent, your vehicle performance will be poor, and you’ll experience a sluggish and fuel-wasting drive. Poor fuel economy. Lots of things can lead to poor fuel economy. In the case of old spark plugs, fuel is wasted because your vehicle fails to receive the proper, heat-generating spark at the right time. The Car Care Council recommends that consumers consult their owner’s manual for the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended spark plug replacement intervals. The council also recommends replacing all of the plugs at the same time and with the same type of spark plug that the vehicle was originally equipped. “Replacing spark plugs is a relatively inexpensive maintenance task and can be performed by a do-it-yourselfer or by a professional technician at any auto repair shop,” said White. The Car Care Council is the source of information for the “Be Car Care Aware” consumer education campaign promoting the benefits of regular vehicle care, maintenance and repair to consumers. For the latest car care news, visit the council’s online media room at http://media.carcare.org. To order a free copy of the popular Car Care Guide, visit the council’s consumer education website at www.carcare.org. The post Spark Plugs Need to Be Replaced Periodically appeared first on Be Car Care Aware. View the full article

×
  • Create New...