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Haman executives forecast four trends of automotive technology development in 2019


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3. Improving self-driving requires reconsidering user experience

OEM and Tier Ones have to rethink how humans understand and interact with autopilot technology, thus requiring the redevelopment of the entire dashboard. To ensure that drivers are 100% aware of what is happening, the limitations of the system and what they need to do if they need to drive, it is not enough to add a simple icon. Jason Johnson, Director of User Experience Design of Haman, points out that there are several problems to be solved in redesigning the vehicle dashboard. Does it involve tactile feedback? Is there an audio signal? Are warnings displayed on the head-up display? This year, the user experience of self-driving and semi-self-driving will begin to take shape.

4. The present and future automobiles need a sixth sense, or even a seventh sense.

Tim Van Goethem, Vice President of HARMAN X Advanced Mobile Travel Solutions, predicts that the handover between vehicles (especially Level 2 and 3 self-driving) and humans requires a set of sensor technologies to create a comprehensive environmental view. In the future, there will be a trend to use multiple sensors at the same time, but designers will face challenges and need to integrate multiple sensors in a beautiful, safe and efficient way. New features such as augmented reality and synchronization across cloud platforms will increasingly be used to create a coherent and safe driving experience.

 

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      First quarter comparable store sales growth of 3.4% 11% increase in first quarter diluted earnings per share to $9.20 Completed the acquisition of Groupe Del Vasto in January SPRINGFIELD, Mo., April 24, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- O’Reilly Automotive, Inc. (the “Company” or “O’Reilly”) (Nasdaq: ORLY), a leading retailer in the automotive aftermarket industry, today announced record revenue and earnings for its first quarter ended March 31, 2024.
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                                    For the Three Months Ended   For the Twelve Months Ended     March 31,    March 31,         2024   2023   2024   2023 Store and Team Member Information:                         Total employment     90,601     89,125             Square footage (in thousands) (4)     47,143     45,117             Sales per weighted-average square foot (4)(5)   $ 82.59   $ 81.09   $ 341.62   $ 328.29 Sales per weighted-average store (in thousands) (4)(6)   $ 634   $ 611   $ 2,601   $ 2,467  
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      AMN: The company uses AI to generate SEO titles, descriptions and marketing copy for products based on keywords and inputs in just seconds. In what other ways is PDM looking to use AI technology to make e-commerce easier for suppliers and distributors?
      Crepon: While our use of AI to generate SEO-optimized titles, descriptions, and marketing copy in mere seconds showcases our commitment to leveraging technology for efficiency, it’s just the tip of the iceberg regarding our AI applications.
      Our approach to AI technology is both strategic and discerning. Recognizing that AI’s strengths lie in its ability to process and optimize large sets of data quickly, we are mindful of its limitations, particularly when it comes to the precision required in our core data set—the richest automotive parts catalog in the industry. Accuracy is paramount, and while AI offers many opportunities, it is not inherently accurate. This understanding shapes how we integrate AI into our operations, ensuring that the reliability and accuracy of our core data are never compromised.
      One key area where we leverage AI is in the normalization of complex, non-structured data that has accumulated in the industry over the last century. This task, daunting for human teams due to the sheer volume and variability of the data, is where AI shines. Our engineering team utilizes AI algorithms to sift through and organize this data into a coherent, structured format. This normalization process improves the quality of our catalog and enhances the efficiency and accuracy of data management for our customers.
      Once we have perfected the data within the PDM catalog, we use AI to optimize it for specific channels. This optimization process involves adjusting product data to meet the unique requirements and standards of various e-commerce platforms, ensuring accurate presentations of our customers’ products, regardless of where they are sold. In doing this, we enable suppliers and distributors to maximize their online presence and sales potential across multiple channels.
      We’re exploring other ways to integrate AI into our solutions to further simplify and enhance e-commerce operations. These include predictive analytics for demand forecasting, AI-driven recommendations for inventory management and automated customer service solutions to improve buyer engagement and satisfaction.
      AMN: PDM was founded in 2017, and since it has grown exponentially. What does the company have in store for 2024? What can we expect from PDM in the next five years?
      Crepon: In 2024, we’re set to expand our reach and capabilities. Our recent investment in upgrading our system’s underlying infrastructure has positioned us to take full advantage of the opportunities that lie ahead. This strategic enhancement ensures our platform is scalable, resilient and capable of supporting our future ambitions.
      Our strategic priorities include developing more connectors, forging new partnerships, and expanding our catalog. Developing more connectors will broaden the scope of our network, making it easier for our customers to reach new markets and ensure accurate and up-to-date product information flows efficiently between manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, and retailers. We will add more partnerships; collaborating with other industry leaders and innovators is essential for driving collective progress and delivering comprehensive solutions to our clients.
      Another key focus is the ongoing expansion of our catalog. Our goal is to offer the industry’s most comprehensive and detailed automotive parts catalog, serving as the single source for all our clients’ data needs. This growing catalog, enriched with accurate and detailed product information, will empower our clients to make informed decisions and optimize their operations like before.
      Our vision for the next five years is to remain at the forefront of technology adoption in the industry, constantly exploring new ways to leverage technology to solve the unique challenges of our customers. Whether it’s through AI, machine learning, or other emerging technologies, our focus will be on providing solutions that make e-commerce easier, more efficient, and more profitable for suppliers and distributors.
      AMN: What do you want the automotive aftermarket to know about PDM Automotive? 
      Crepon: PDM Automotive is not just about managing product data; it’s about increasing our customer’s market share in a $300 billion industry. While we are widely recognized for our Product Information Management (PIM) capabilities, our vision extends beyond managing rich catalog data; it includes a far-reaching ambition to connect every parts manufacturer with every buyer who needs or wants a part.
      Our vision to connect every parts manufacturer with every buyer drives every innovation and decision at PDM Automotive. We aim to streamline buying and selling auto parts by facilitating connections and creating a more integrated and cohesive industry ecosystem. We are constantly exploring new technologies, developing new solutions, and forging strategic partnerships to enhance our platform’s ability to connect manufacturers and buyers in the most effective and meaningful ways possible.
      We believe that achieving this goal will unlock the full potential of the aftermarket, creating opportunities for growth, innovation, and success for everyone. We invite you to join us on this journey, as we work to realize a future where every part finds its place effortlessly, benefiting manufacturers, buyers and the automotive community.
      Read more AMN Executive Interviews 
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    • By NAPA
      In one of the closest Funny Car races in four-wide drag racing history, three-time world champion Ron Capps finished third in the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals final round Sunday afternoon at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Driving the link hidden, please login to view Toyota GR Supra, Capps laid down a weekend-best 3.902-second pass at 333.00 MPH to come up just thousandths of a second short in a four-wide photo finish. 
      Capps and crew chief Dean ‘Guido’ Antonelli worked their way through qualifying, steadily improving in each session. After a pair of 4-second passes on Friday, Capps laid down a 3.988 E.T. at 324.67 MPH to step up in the third session on Saturday. A consistent but slightly quicker 3.980 E.T. in the final session put Capps in the No. 11 position going into Sunday eliminations. 
      The first quad of Funny Car eliminations was a tricky one, but Capps came out on top. He and fellow Toyota driver J.R. Todd left first with identical .059 reaction times, then Capps held on to win with a 4.289 E.T. at 222.88 MPH over Todd, Dave Richards, and Daniel Wilkerson. Capps was first off of the starting line again in the second round, an advantage that helped him and his 3.932 E.T. finish ahead of Matt Hagan’s 3.938 E.T., Todd’s 3.951-second effort, and Jason Rupert’s 4.055 E.T. 
      Appearing in his 148th career final round, Capps cut his best light of the day, .056, and charged to his best performance of the weekend to reach the finish line third behind winner Bob Tasca III and runner-up Austin Prock. Capps finished less than a thousandth of a second behind Prock and just nine thousandths behind Tasca. 
      “What a drag race to watch as a fan,” said Capps, who’s won six times in Las Vegas. “I can’t tell you how ecstatic I am with our NAPA Auto Care team and what they’ve done with a brand-new car and a lot of the new parts that they’ve had to get used to. It usually takes teams a lot longer than this. I’m pretty bummed that we couldn’t win that round. I’m so happy we have our race car back, especially getting on a swing here where Guido is getting comfortable. I’m so happy about the car, but I’m so bummed at the same time. It’s going to take a little bit to digest.”
      No. 6-ranked Capps and the Ron Capps Motorsports Funny Car team will get another shot at four-wide glory in two weeks at the East Coast edition of the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals, April 26-28, at zMAX Dragway in Concord, N.C.
      Start / Finish: No. 11 / def. in Final Round
      Points Standing / Total: No. 6 / 242 pts.
      Next Race: April 26-28, Concord, N.C., NHRA Four-Wide Nationals
      How to Watch or Listen: FS1, 
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      link hidden, please login to viewRon Capps:  link hidden, please login to view
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    • By OReilly Auto Parts
      Automotive Shock and Strut Overview | What do they do and why are they important?
    • A-premium Auto Parts:5% OFF with Code GM5.
    • By OReilly Auto Parts
      SPRINGFIELD, Mo., April 01, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- O’Reilly Automotive, Inc. (the “Company” or “O’Reilly”) (Nasdaq: ORLY), a leading retailer in the automotive aftermarket industry, announces the release date for its first quarter 2024 results as Wednesday, April 24, 2024, with a conference call to follow on Thursday, April 25, 2024.
      The Company’s first quarter 2024 results will be released after 3:30 p.m. Central Time on Wednesday, April 24, 2024, and can be viewed, at that time, on the Company’s website at  link hidden, please login to view by clicking on “Investor Relations” and then “News Room.”
      Investors are invited to listen to the Company’s conference call discussing the financial results for the first quarter of 2024, on Thursday, April 25, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. Central Time, via webcast on the Company’s website at  link hidden, please login to view by clicking on “Investor Relations” and then “News Room.” Interested analysts are invited to join the call. The dial-in number for the call is (888) 506-0062 and the conference call identification number is 193896. A replay of the conference call will be available on the Company’s website through April 24, 2025.
      About O’Reilly Automotive, Inc.
      O’Reilly Automotive, Inc. was founded in 1957 by the O’Reilly family and is one of the largest specialty retailers of automotive aftermarket parts, tools, supplies, equipment, and accessories in the United States, serving both the do-it-yourself and professional service provider markets. Visit the Company’s website at  link hidden, please login to view for additional information about O’Reilly, including access to online shopping and current promotions, store locations, hours and services, employment opportunities, and other programs. As of December 31, 2023, the Company operated 6,157 stores across 48 U.S. states, Puerto Rico, and Mexico.
       
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