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By Counterman
With a theme of “We the People,” the
link hidden, please login to view (The Group) held a successful national membership conference. The event took place at the Gaylord National Harbor in National Harbor, Maryland. Over 1,000 members, suppliers and associates attended the 2025
link hidden, please login to view. The event kicked off with an opening celebration linking the nation’s history to current aftermarket challenges and opportunities, including Right to Repair. A drum and fife corps opened the evening, followed by a unique look at history from Thomas Jefferson and Teddy Roosevelt. The Newsies then performed a musical stage production. The evening ended with a dinner and vendor expo.
Industry leaders outline shared goals
Day two of the Automotive Parts Services Group 2025 conference began with remarks from top industry leaders.
Sue Godschalk, CEO of Federated Auto Parts, Robert Roos, CEO of The Pronto Network, and JC Washbish, President and CEO of the Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance, welcomed attendees. They discussed the size of The Group and its supported initiatives.
Jeff Koviak, CEO of The Group, followed with an inspiring message. He emphasized building a collaborative culture using combined strength, collective action and shared innovation.
One-on-one meetings strengthen supplier partnerships
The four-day event included over 4,800 one-on-one sessions between Group members and supplier partners.
Attendees also joined brand-specific meetings and a vendor expo. The conference concluded with a D.C. Block Party Afterglow Reception and Celebration.
“We thank all who attended the 2025 Automotive Parts Services Group conference who helped us conduct a very positive, productive and collaborative meeting,” said Koviak. “The event gave us the opportunity to review objectives, set goals and strengthen partnerships, putting into perspective the importance of ‘We the People’ to our mutual success.”
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By Counterman
A Grand Kickoff in National Harbor, Maryland
The sun glinted off the bay as thousands of automotive aftermarket professionals gathered at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center for the
link hidden, please login to view (The Group) National Conference in National Harbor, Maryland. The event drew 442 member partners with more than 4,600 one-on-one meetings scheduled throughout the week.
Leaning into the conference’s theme, “We the People,” attendees were treated to inspiring appearances from unexpected guests, historical reenactors portraying Thomas Jefferson and Theodore Roosevelt. The two “former presidents” entertained the crowd with tales of America’s founding and the importance of fair business practices. Their appearance was followed by a performance from a troupe of “newsies” advocating for national Right to Repair legislation.
Following the lively kickoff, attendees enjoyed dinner, drinks and the opportunity to explore 150 booths hosted by select vendor partners. The event set the stage for several days of meetings and deal-making.
Leadership Champions Unity and Innovation
Jeff Koviak, CEO of
link hidden, please login to view, underscored the need for collaboration in today’s market. “Now more than ever is a time for shared innovation and collaboration,” Koviak said. “Organizations and people should be looking for creative, mutual opportunities for growth.”
JC Washbish, president and CEO of the Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance, added that agility remains a key strength for the independent aftermarket.
“One thing that makes us unique in the independent aftermarket is that we are so nimble and agile and we can react quickly,” Washbish said. “That’s why we’re here this week. Let’s work together and continue to execute on what has made us successful.”
That flexibility is increasingly important as industry leaders gather just miles from Washington, D.C., amid ongoing economic uncertainty.
Strength in Numbers and the Power of Partnership
“It pulls us together as a team. We never want any of our members to feel like they’re fighting anything alone,” said Sue Godschalk, CEO of Federated Auto Parts. “We are so much more effective in numbers. We are always eager to share, and we want people to know that we’ve got your best interests at heart, and we’re here for you.”
Robert Roos, president and CEO of the Pronto Network, echoed that sentiment, emphasizing the power of collaboration in a highly competitive marketplace.
“We compete with the Big Four retailers, and those guys are tremendous competitors — very good at what they do,” Roos said. “That just requires us to be better at what we do. The more we can bring groups together, whether through mergers, [or] partnerships like our joint venture with APSG, Federated and The Alliance, it’s critical for us to work together, buy together and sell together.”
The Group’s National Conference runs through May 1, with deals expected to be struck until the final booth closes. Koviak added that while the event ends this week, the follow-up work and opportunity will continue long afterward.
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By Counterman
The Automotive Parts Services Group (The Group) will hold its 2025 membership conference April 28- May 1. The event will take place at the Gaylord National Harbor in National Harbor, Maryland.
“This year’s conference promises to be a very productive meeting between members of The Group, supplier partners and associates. It gives us the opportunity to interact, collaborate and build growth initiatives that benefit all,” said Jeff Koviak, CEO of The Group. “We look forward to visiting our nation’s capital, learning how history influences our industry and joining forces to set a win-win course for the future.”
2025 Membership Conference: Four Days of Engagement and Strategy
The 2025 membership conference will run for four days and include many informative sessions. Topics will cover tariffs, inventory management, sales training and Right to Repair legislation.
The event will also feature a vendor expo and scheduled one-on-one meetings. These meetings will bring together members of
link hidden, please login to view and supplier partners. Breakout Sessions to Support Brands
The agenda will also include breakout sessions focused on each banner-marketing brand. These sessions will help teams align their goals and strategies, according to The Group.
“By coming together as ‘
link hidden, please login to view,’ we can harness our combined strength, share our ideas and innovations, develop plans for mutual success and profitability, and take collective action to achieve our common goals,” said Koviak. The post
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By Counterman
Standard Motor Products (SMP) announced new additions to its electronic parking brake actuator program. The company said the parking brake actuator is one of the fastest-growing categories in the automotive aftermarket. Standard offers coverage for both import and domestic vehicles.
Automakers now use electronic parking brake actuators on almost all new vehicles. These have replaced manually operated cable parking brakes. The new parking brake actuator plays a critical role in vehicle safety systems, according to SMP.
SMP: Quality Engineering in Every Parking Brake Actuator
Standard said its parking brake actuators are always 100% new and never remanufactured. They are engineered to match OE performance. These actuators integrate seamlessly with electronic safety systems.
The plug-and-play design simplifies installation. Technicians do not need additional programming. Many actuators also include the correct O-ring and hardware for a complete repair.
New Applications Cover Ford, Jeep, Subaru and More
link hidden, please login to view has introduced new applications for millions of late-model vehicles. Coverage now includes Ford models like the 2023–22 Escape, Bronco Sport, and Maverick. SMP also added the 2024–23 Super Duty trucks. Other new applications include the 2024–22 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Ram ProMaster. Mercedes-Benz vehicles through 2023 and Subaru models through 2024 are now covered.
SMP expanded its program to include additional Mazda, Audi, Volkswagen and General Motors vehicles.
SMP Supports Distributors with Training and Tools
“Standard’s parking brake actuator program is the most comprehensive in the industry,” said John Herc, vice president of vehicle control marketing at
link hidden, please login to view. “In addition to industry-leading coverage, we are providing our distribution partners with training, marketing materials and key category insights to help them capitalize on the growth of this category.” Actuator Catalog Available Online
Standard lists all parking brake actuators in its online catalog at
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By Counterman
SmartParts has announced the launch of DR!VE+ in North America at the 2025 NEXUS Business Forum in Abu Dhabi. This marks a major step in its global expansion. The launch follows strong growth in 2024 for the exclusive global aftermarket brand for NEXUS members worldwide. The first phase of the North American aftermaket expansion will introduce a 13,700-part Chassis range, with additional product lines to follow. DR!VE+ will serve as the unified brand for NEXUS North America members. SmartParts also introduces a new DR!VE+ battery range, reinforcing its commitment to a comprehensive aftermarket offering.
NEXUS Accelerates North American Aftermarket Expansion
To capitalize on growing market opportunities, NEXUS said it decided 18 months ago to speed up the deployment of the DR!VE+ brand. The aging car parc and transformation of the aftermarket are driving demand. The first phase of the North American aftermarket expansion will focus on the Chassis range, offering 13,700 part numbers. A roadmap will introduce multiple additional product lines over the next 18 months.
“This joint initiative marks a key milestone in the history of NEXUS North America,” said Robert Roos, president of APSG and NEXUS North America.
2024 Growth and 2025 Plans for SmartParts
SmartParts welcomed over 20 new
link hidden, please login to viewmembers and increased revenue by 50% in 2024. This success expands its reach to more than 80 members and customers in 50 countries, the company said. SmartParts aims to further increase its turnover in 2025. The company added it will fast-track expansion into North America, India and Asia. New DR!VE+ Battery Range to Meet Market Demand
SmartParts is unveiling its all-new DR!VE+ battery range at the NEXUS Business Forum. The lineup targets both light vehicles and heavy-duty applications. It is segmented into four categories—DR!VE+ Platinum (AGM), DR!VE+ Performance (EFB), DR!VE+ Essential (SLI), and DR!VE+ Access (Commercial Vehicles only). This range includes 61 part numbers, covering 99% of market demand and catering to older vehicles, hybrid models and commercial applications.
Future Growth and Global Expansion
The
link hidden, please login to view portfolio expanded by more than 1,100 part numbers in 2024. This brings the total to over 11,000 part numbers. SmartParts will continue expanding the range in 2025. The company remains committed to strengthening its position as the global aftermarket brand exclusive to link hidden, please login to viewmembers. “2024 has been an exceptional year for SmartParts,” said Pascal Popis, CEO of SmartParts. “With sales more than doubling compared to last year, this growth reflects the strong commitment of NEXUS members, the power of the DR!VE+ brand and the dedication of our team.”
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