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Icahn selling auto parts maker Federal Mogul to Tenneco for $5.4 billion
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By Counterman
Sunsong North American recently switched from an in-house cataloging solution to ShowMeTheParts.
Sunsong North America is a technology company specializing in research, development, manufacturing, sales and distribution of automotive fluid transfer hoses and lines.
Prior to using ShowMeTheParts, Sunsong was using an in-house solution created in 2014 by its IT department.
“It was an OK catalog, but it had some deficiencies in that it was very simplistic,” said Dan Lewis, director of product management for Sunsong North America. “You would put in year/make/model and it would pull up everything from brake hoses to power-steering hoses. You couldn’t filter on just the part type or front vs. rear. It just brought up everything.”
Another shortcoming of the existing lookup tool was that users couldn’t select specific attributes such as “with or without ABS brakes” to accurately narrow down their product choice. It also would provide a list of part numbers, but it wouldn’t show the pictures for each part. Each of these limitations combined to make it very time-consuming at times to find parts, according to Lewis.
While the in-house lookup tool was useful to search for OE interchanges, Lewis and the team at Sunsong felt an improved search tool would be good for business. The in-house solution hadn’t been updated since its launch and alongside the launch of their new website, they began looking for solutions to upgrade their online cataloging.
Selecting a Replacement Solution
Sunsong wanted to ensure the new lookup process was easy to use, accurate, and displayed information in an intuitive way. The company also needed to move quickly and had heard that Vertical Development had helped other companies get up and running in a short time period.
Sunsong offers bulk hose and end fittings in a range of sizes and needed a search tool that would help customers find these products that people might not lookup via application. This feature allows customers to look up by diameter and length to determine the proper number to order.
Customers also call in frequently for special applications such as a brake-hose assembly that is several inches longer than the original hose because the customer added a lift kit to their truck.
“ShowMeTheParts came up with an ‘Attribute Search’ feature where you could go in and say ‘I want to select a category such as brake-hoses hose’ and input fitting size, type and overall length,’” resulting in a list of hoses that meets those parameters, Lewis explained. “This gives people an easy way to find parts when everything isn’t by application.”
By creating a way to quickly find these items using key attributes, customers can quickly find what they need for customized applications. This custom feature puts the tool directly into the customer’s hands vs. having to call customer service or a product manager to manually do research through a series of spreadsheets or diagrams.
While the “Specialty Application” search upgrade was significant, it’s not the only advantage Sunsong has realized since switching to ShowMeTheParts.
One new feature that wasn’t possible with the in-house solution is to narrow search by engine size. This is particularly important for power-steering and A/C hose assemblies that can greatly vary by engine size.
More robust 360-degree images give customers a great way to see all aspects of a part.
Time Savings
Since switching to
link hidden, please login to view, the improved search functionality saves considerable time. Users are able to quickly enter key attributes that narrow down results, eliminating confusion or ordering errors. “Now, you can see pictures of all results in a row,” Lewis shared. “You don’t have to go back and key in other numbers. Simply scroll through and see all the images and options listed for the vehicle and narrow it down by selecting the position to see what options are presented. It’s dramatically faster.”
Working with Vertical Development
“I can’t imagine working with someone that doesn’t know the parts business,” Lewis said with a laugh. “That would be a nightmare.
“You absolutely have to have a company working with you that knows the parts business and knows cataloging. Working with Vertical Development is so much easier because they know what they are doing and they’ve done hundreds of these things.
“You don’t have to explain a whole lot as they just know how to do it. They ask you key questions and then it’s done. If you see something that isn’t quite right, then you let them know and it gets fixed.
“It’s very easy working with Vertical Development because of their background experience and how many ShowMeTheParts implementations they’ve done.”
Vertical Development provided this case study. For more information, visit the Vertical Development link hidden, please login to view.
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By Counterman
Standard Motor Products (SMP) announced the expansion of its Blue Streak line.
SMP’s latest Blue Streak product release includes 23 new part numbers in the direct-ignition and variable-valve timing (VVT) categories.
As part of the expansion, SMP introduced new Blue Streak ignition-coil multi-pack kits. These kits include a full set of heavier-duty ignition coils, providing technicians exactly what they need for a complete coil service.
Many of the most popular Blue Streak ignition coils now are available in these multi-packs, with coverage for more than 23 million repair opportunities.
“Blue Streak heavier-duty coils are engineered with improvements and upgrades that continue to elevate Blue Streak products above the competition,” the company said in a news release.
Also added to the Blue Streak lineup are VVT solenoid kits for 2017-2006 General Motors vehicles equipped with the 2.4-liter engine and 2010-1999 Lexus and Toyota vehicles powered by 3-liter and 3.3-liter six-cylinder engines. Each kit includes two premium Blue Streak solenoids, along with the necessary hardware, for a complete VVT solenoid repair solution.
Additionally, nine VVT solenoids, engineered and manufactured at SMP’s Poland facility, will be available in the Blue Streak brand. This adds coverage for more than 21 million vehicles in operation. Blue Streak VVT solenoids feature upgrades that ensure proper application-specific performance and long service life.
“The newest additions to our Blue Streak program are a testament to our commitment to the high level of quality and durability professional technicians have always expected from our Blue Streak brand,” said John Herc, vice president engine management marketing, SMP.
All new applications are listed in the catalog found at
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By Counterman
Advance Auto Parts announced it has opened 22 new stores in the Los Angeles market as part of the company’s broader strategic expansion into the Western United States.
In spring 2021, Advance announced its plan to expand into California by leasing 109 Pep Boys stores and converting them to Advance stores, more than half of which are in the Los Angeles area.
“We estimate that 70% of our customers in Los Angeles fit the profile of the classic do-it-yourselfer. Pairing that with the more than 7.6 million registered vehicles in Los Angeles’ unique car culture, this is a tremendous opportunity for Advance to bring care and speed to motorists through expert advice and best-in-class products and services,” said Tom Greco, president and chief executive officer of Advance. “Our timing couldn’t be better as the average vehicle age increases while used car and gasoline prices are rising, resulting in greater demand for vehicle maintenance.”
Vehicle owners in Los Angeles and other parts of the West will gain access to everything Advance stores offer, such as free curbside and in-store pickup within 30 minutes of ordering online, as well as some of the most trusted automotive brands in the world, including DieHard, the company noted. In response to the emerging popularity of hybrid and electric cars, Advance last month introduced the DieHard EV battery – the first-to-market 12-volt battery designed specifically for hybrid and electric vehicles and sold exclusively at Advance.
Advance also will support local communities and professional technicians across California by employing approximately 1,850 team members in the state when all 109 stores are converted, including staffing the company’s newly opened 45,000-square-foot “super hub” flagship location, centrally located off the 10 and 110 freeways in the Pico Union neighborhood near downtown Los Angeles.
With a growing need to service the approximately 14 million registered vehicles in California, including an increased number of electric and hybrid vehicles, Advance also brings the ability for professional repair partners to expand their technical knowledge with virtual and in-person training opportunities, available through Carquest Technical Institute and Worldpac Training Institute, which are developed and taught by factory-trained instructors and available to automotive technicians nationwide, Advance noted.
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By Counterman
In an ongoing effort to expand its current product offering for the North American automotive aftermarket, AISIN has expanded its line of premium window regulators.
The launch includes late-model Asian, domestic and European vehicle applications.
The 201 SKUs include:
95 power with motor (51 of the “smart motor” type covering Honda/Acura, Nissan and Mazda vehicle applications) 53 power regulator only 46 motor only Seven manual only All AISIN window regulators are designed and manufactured to the highest OE level standards, according to the company.
“AISIN continues to bring needed premium-quality parts to the aftermarket, which is reflected by this newly expanded product offering,” said Larrow Kaufman, senior sales manager for AISIN Aftermarket North America.
For more information, visit
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By Counterman
Transtar Industries, a Cleveland-based distributor of transmission and driveline-related solutions, has launched a comprehensive line of vehicle air-conditioning parts, components and tools.
The Transtar A/C product line is the organization’s first entry into non-transmission or driveline parts in its 47-year history. It signals a significant investment in the company’s commitment to supporting repair shops’ evolving needs, the company noted in a news release.
“Vehicles are evolving, and so are our customers’ parts needs,” Executive Vice President Tom DeMille said. “We’ve supported shops since three-speed transmissions, and we’ll be there to
support them with other complex vehicle repair, hybrid batteries and anything else the future of automotive throws our way.”
The Transtar A/C product line offers a complete line of air-conditioning parts and covers thousands of vehicles from 1970 to today, according to the company. Customers will benefit from all-new aftermarket clutches and compressors, condensers and evaporators, expansion valves and more – easily searchable on
link hidden, please login to view. “Our cutting-edge parts lookup and ordering platform, Transend, continues to improve and drive innovations in parts ordering,” CEO Neil Sethi asserted. “I am proud of our Transtar A/C product line and confident we are launching at the optimal time, as temperatures rise throughout the U.S.”
Interested parties can search for and order parts on Transend by registering for a free account. Get started by visiting
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