Auto News

Interstate Batteries, North America’s No. 1 Automotive Battery Brand, Launches Exclusive Partnership with Advance Auto Parts New battery program offers unrivaled automotive aftermarket product assortment and availability at Advance Auto Partsand Carquest locations ROANOKE, Va. & DALLAS, Tex.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 12, 2017-- Advance Auto Parts, Inc. (NYSE: AAP) and Interstate Batteries announce a strategic partnership to better serve the changing needs of the automotive aftermarket with premium quality products, expanded availability and enhanced customer service. Interstate Batteries®, the leading replacement battery brand with the largest independent battery distribution system in North America, will become the exclusive automotive and specialty battery brand to Advance Auto Parts® stores and customers in the spring of 2018. Advance Auto Parts, a leading parts provider serving both professional installers and do-it-yourself customers, will debut a comprehensive battery program featuring Interstate products at its more than 4,900 U.S. and international locations, and will offer free battery testing and installation in stores. Interstate products will be available initially at Advance’s company-owned stores and at independently owned Carquest stores. In the future, wholly owned Advance Auto Partssubsidiaries Worldpac, Autopart International and Carquest Canada will also offer Interstate products. “We are thrilled that Advance Auto Parts will be the only national auto parts retailer offering our customers the market leading battery brand,” said Tom Greco, president and CEO of Advance Auto Parts. “The trusted Interstate brand, coupled with Advance’s best-in-class customer service, is a winning combination. Offering Interstate products in store, online, and through delivery within our network demonstrates our commitment to serving our customers through differentiated, innovative solutions. Together with Interstate, we are positioned to increase market share in batteries and achieve growth. Long term strategic partnerships with our suppliers are important and this is a great example.” Automotive technicians have named Interstate Batteries the overall Best Automotive Battery Brand every year since 2007, according to Frost & Sullivan. Through the partnership, professional installers and do-it-yourself customers receive greater access and availability to premium automotive and specialty batteries as well as a broader warranty program. “Interstate Batteries’ long-term vision is to be the first choice in sustainable battery solutions in every community we serve,” said Scott Miller, president and CEO of Interstate Batteries. “This alliance places us where our professional and retail customers are making purchasing decisions, allowing Advance Auto Parts and independent Carquest stores to serve as convenient, one-stop shops to meet our customers’ needs.” Retail customers and professional installers alike will benefit from the partnership in many ways: Best-In-Class Brands: For 85 years, customers have relied on Advance Auto Parts for high quality parts, service and solutions. Customers value quality and reliability in batteries. Now, customers can get the entire line of the market leading Interstate brand from Advance Auto Parts. Interstate’s products are qualified at Interstate’s state-of-the-art testing lab to verify their products meet or exceed original equipment fit and function. Unmatched Availability: Through the partnership, DIY consumers and professional installers will benefit from more than 99 percent coverage for cars, light trucks, and specialty battery needs. Combining Advance’s online platforms and extended retail hours with Interstate’s expansive distribution network and route service program means the two companies will be able to provide the right battery at the right time when and where consumers need them. Best-In-Class Service: Advance locations will benefit from Interstate’s vast battery distribution network – the largest in North America – with more frequent product rotation and efficiencies through direct delivery to stores, keeping shelves fully stocked. Professional installers will appreciate Advance’s timely delivery service, allowing them more time to focus on customers’ needs. Additionally, with its portfolio of more than 900,000 quality products, Advance is ready to meet the full automotive parts needs of Interstate’s extensive professional customer base. For consumers, Advance stores will continue to offer free battery testing and installation through the expertise of its knowledgeable team. Nationwide Warranty Coverage: Interstate warranties now will be honored at all Advance locations and independently-owned Carquest stores in addition to the 200,000-plus professional shops that install Interstate batteries. The Advance footprint and name recognition bring increased convenience to Interstate customers seeking warranty support. Environmental Sustainability: In addition to sharing similar values based on quality, service and integrity, both companies also focus on environmental sustainability. Together, the companies will recycle more than 30 million batteries per year. That’s 1.1 billion pounds of lead and equates to more batteries recycled than sold. For more information, visit www.advanceautoparts.com or www.interstatebatteries.com. About Advance Auto Parts Advance Auto Parts, Inc. is a leading automotive aftermarket parts provider that serves both professional installer and do-it-yourself customers. As of October 7, 2017, Advance operated 5,074 stores and 129 Worldpac branches and employed approximately 73,000 Team Members in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The Company also serves approximately 1,250 independently owned Carquest branded stores across these locations in addition to Mexico and the Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, British Virgin Islands and Pacific Islands. Additional information about the Company, employment opportunities, customer services, and on-line shopping for parts, accessories and other offerings can be found at www.AdvanceAutoParts.com. About Interstate Batteries For more than 65 years, Interstate Batteries® has powered people down roads, trails and waterways and charged up businesses for success. Best known for its starting, lighting and ignition (SLI) batteries, its products have been under car hoods since 1952, each one backed by the company’s service, quality and value. Interstate All Battery Center®provides portable power in both retail and commercial markets, and Interstate PowerCare® offers premier products and technical expertise for all critical and motive power needs. Headquartered in Dallas, Interstate Batteries is an industry leader in recycling efforts, as well as a global leader in safe lead handling practices. Guided by a set of core values, the company’s purpose is to glorify God and enrich lives while delivering the most trustworthy source of power to the world. For more information, visit www.interstatebatteries.com. View the full article

MEMPHIS, Tenn., Dec. 05, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE:AZO) today reported net sales of $2.6 billion for its first quarter (12 weeks) ended November 18, 2017, an increase of 4.9% from the first quarter of fiscal 2017 (12 weeks). Domestic same store sales, or sales for stores open at least one year, increased 2.3% for the quarter. Net income for the quarter increased 1.0% over the same period last year to $281.0 million, while diluted earnings per share increased 6.8% to $10.00 per share from $9.36 per share in the year-ago quarter. For the quarter, gross profit, as a percentage of sales, was 52.8% (versus 52.7% for the same period last year). Gross margin was effectiv... View the full article

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MEMPHIS, Tenn., Nov. 14, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE:AZO), the nation’s leading auto parts retailer and a leading distributor of automotive replacement parts and accessories, will release results for its first quarter ended Saturday, November 18, 2017, before market open on Tuesday, December 5, 2017. Additionally, the Company will host a one hour conference call on Tuesday, December 5, 2017, beginning at 10:00 a.m. (EST), to discuss the results of the quarter. This call is being web cast and can be accessed, along with supporting slides, at AutoZone’s website at www.autozoneinc.com. Investors may also listen to the call by dialing (210) 839-8923. In addition, a tel... View the full article

MEMPHIS, Tenn., Nov. 14, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE:AZO), announced it will hold its Annual Meeting of Stockholders on December 20, 2017, at the J.R. Hyde III Store Support Center in Memphis, Tennessee. The meeting will begin at 9:00 a.m. (EST). Additionally, this event will be webcast and can be accessed, along with supporting slides, at AutoZone’s website at www.autozoneinc.com. About AutoZone: As of August 26, 2017 AutoZone sells auto and light truck parts, chemicals and accessories through 5,465 AutoZone stores in 50 states plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico in the U.S., and 524 stores in Mexico, 26 IMC branches and 14 stores in Brazil for a total count... View the full article

Net Sales of $2.18 Billion, Revenue Decline of 3.0%; Comparable Store Sales Decreased 3.4% Adjusted EPS $1.43; Diluted EPS $1.30 Reaffirms Full Year 2017 Guidance ROANOKE, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 14, 2017-- 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 third-quarter ended October 7, 2017. Third Quarter Performance Summary ... View the full article

Courtney Force’s Funny Car to Feature Big Machine Records’ Taylor Swift’s reputation Album Cover Courtney Force pictured with the No. 6 Big Machine Records Pomona funny car. BROWNSBURG, IN (November 7, 2017) – John Force Racing (JFR) announced today that Advance Auto Parts driver COURTNEY FORCE will drive the No. 6 Big Machine Records funny car at the Auto Club NHRA Finals in Pomona, CA this weekend in her final bid for the 2017 Championship. Through JFR’s partnership with the powerhouse record label, the Chevrolet Camaro SS funny car will promote Big Machine Records’ 10-time GRAMMY® winner TAYLOR SWIFT’S hig... View the full article

First female recipient of Counter Professional of the Year recognition in 20+ years honored during AAPEX awards reception Pictured: Kristine Hankey, Commercial Parts Pro at the Advance Auto Parts Dover, Pennsylvania store, accepts the highly acclaimed Retailer Counter Professional of the Year award during Babcox's Night of Excellence Award Reception held during the 2017 AAPEX Show in Las Vegas.ROANOKE, Va., November 7, 2017 – Advance Auto Parts, Inc., a leading automotive aftermarket parts provider in North America that serves both professional installer and do-it-yourself customers, is pleased to announce that Kristine Hankey, Commercial Parts Pro at Advance’s Dover, Pennsylvan... View the full article

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ROANOKE, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 31, 2017-- 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 third quarter 2017 results before market open on Tuesday, November 14, 2017. The Company will detail its results on a conference call scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday, November 14, 2017, which will be made available concurrently on the Company’s website, www.AdvanceAutoParts.com. The call is also available by dialing (844) 877-5989 and referencing conference identification numbe... View the full article

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- Enhances Industrial Offering with Acquisition of Apache Hose & Belting Company - View the full article

- Company Reports Sales of $4.1 Billion, Up 4% - View the full article

MEMPHIS, Tenn., Oct. 12, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AutoZone, Inc., (NYSE:AZO), the leading retailer and a leading distributor of automotive parts and accessories, has signed on as a national corporate sponsor of TechForce Foundation’s FutureTech SuccessSM campaign, an industry-wide initiative to fuel the future pipeline of transportation technicians by repositioning the image of the profession and providing middle- and high-school students and their parents with the resources and opportunities to foster hands-on, tactile intelligence. Since its creation, the initiative has rallied the support of many corporate and association partners, the latest being AutoZone, which, in addition to its r... View the full article

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Positions Company as a Leading Automotive Parts Distributor in Key European Markets View the full article

MEMPHIS, Tenn., Sept. 19, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE:AZO) today reported net sales of $3.5 billion for its fourth quarter (16 weeks) ended August 26, 2017, an increase of 3.3% from the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016 (16 weeks). Domestic same store sales, or sales for stores open at least one year, increased 1.0% for the quarter. Net income for the quarter increased 1.7% over the same period last year to $433.9 million, while diluted earnings per share increased 6.8% to $15.27 per share from $14.30 per share in the year-ago quarter. As previously reported, the Company adopted a new accounting standard on August 28, 2016, related to stock option exercises. Excluding th... View the full article

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MEMPHIS, Tenn., Aug. 23, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE:AZO), the nation’s leading auto parts retailer and a leading distributor of automotive replacement parts and accessories, will release results for its fourth quarter ended August 26, 2017, before market open on Tuesday, September 19, 2017. Additionally, the Company will host a one hour conference call on Tuesday, September 19, 2017, beginning at 10:00 a.m. (EDT), to discuss the results of the quarter. This call is being web cast and can be accessed, along with supporting slides, at AutoZone’s website at www.autozoneinc.com. Investors may also listen to the call via telephone by dialing (210) 839-8923. In addition,... View the full article

Leading parts provider recognizes five brand partners with awards during annual vendor summit ROANOKE, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 23, 2017-- Advance Auto Parts, Inc. (NYSE: AAP), a leading automotive aftermarket parts provider that serves both professional installer and do-it-yourself customers, presented its 2017 Vendor of the Year awards during the company’s annual vendor summit held this week in Raleigh, North Carolina. Advance honored five companies, including ExxonMobil and Motorcar Parts of America, who both received the prestigious recognition as Advance’s 2017 Vendors of the Year. Additional vendor partner awards ... View the full article

Q2 sales increased year over year to $2.26 Billion. Comparable store sales flat. Year to date free cash flow more than doubled versus prior year. Year to date operating cash flow grew 28% versus prior year. ROANOKE, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 15, 2017-- 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 15, 2017. Second quarter GAAP earnings per diluted share (Diluted EPS) were $1.17. Second quarter Adjus... View the full article

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