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Kevin Huckins Joins NTN’s Automotive Aftermarket Sales Team
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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
Sunday, May 4, 2025, officially marks the 100th anniversary of NAPA and a century of service in the automotive industry. This automotive industry milestone highlights NAPA’s commitment to supporting drivers and repair shops nationwide. To commemorate the occasion,
link hidden, please login to view is debuting a celebratory paint scheme on all four of its race team cars. In a rare event, three of these teams will hit the track from May 1-4 at the Texas Motor Speedway. NAPA 100 Paint Scheme Honors Automotive Industry Milestone
The company said the NAPA 100 paint scheme is the perfect way to honor NAPA’s history and impact.
The rapid adoption of automobiles meant people across the country needed reliable repair shops to maintain their cars.
link hidden, please login to viewstepped up to meet that need. Today, as the automotive aftermarket industry evolves faster than ever, NAPA embraces new technologies and advancements to keep drivers on the road. link hidden, please login to view Design Details Celebrate a Century of Excellence
NAPA describes the paint scheme as a champagne gold that is sure to stand out from the pack.
Thoughtfully designed, the gilded look features NAPA’s unique 100-year logo and a matching driver fire suit. The design symbolizes celebration and NAPA’s impressive legacy, the company said.
NAPA’s Racing Community Joins the Celebration
As a decades-long sponsor of motorsports, NAPA said it was important to honor this milestone with its racing community. NAPA is a sponsor of NASCAR driver Chase Elliott, American NHRA Funny Car racer Ron Capps, NASCAR trucks driver Daniel Hemric and sprint car racer Brad Sweet.
link hidden, please login to view 100 Celebration Weekend – NAPA Race Team Schedule:
Series: Kubota High Limit Racing
Team: Kasey Kahne Racing
Car: #49 Sprint Car
Driver: Brad Sweet
Owner: Kasey Kahne
Dates: 5/1 & 5/3 (2-night event)
Race: Stockyard Stampede at The Dirt Track at Texas Motor Speedway
Series: NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series
Team: McAnally-Hilgemann Racing
Car: No. 19 NAPA Auto Care Chevrolet Silverado RST
Driver: Daniel Hemric
Owner: Bill McAnally
Date: Friday, May 2
Race: SpeedyCash.com 250 at Texas Motor Speedway
Series: NASCAR Cup Series
Team:
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Car: No.9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet
Driver: Chase Elliott
Owner: Rick Hendrick
Date: Sunday, May 4
Race: WÜRTH 400 NASCAR Cup Series
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By Counterman
Research by Carfax shows the used car market surging in both value and volume. The automotive aftermarket is positioned to benefit significantly—and among those who understand it best is
link hidden, please login to view, president of link hidden, please login to view (APA). In an industry where profitability is boosted by the number of repairable vehicles on the road, the recent upswing in used car sales is providing tailwinds that aftermarket businesses are ready to ride. “An increase in used car sales as well as an increased valuation of those cars both have huge benefits for our business,” Tucker explains. “With more vehicles on the road in that sweet spot of being 4-12 years old, our opportunity for selling parts increases exponentially.”
That “sweet spot” Tucker refers to is the prime range for aftermarket demand. These vehicles are typically out of warranty, increasingly in need of maintenance and repair, and owned by drivers more likely to invest in keeping them roadworthy—especially when used car values are holding strong. It’s a powerful combination that leads to increased part sales, especially in high-failure-rate categories.
Data is the Differentiator
According to Tucker, the key to capitalizing on this growing opportunity lies in one word: data.
“Keeping track of what we need to have on the shelf to service this aging car parc is the number one driver in capitalizing on servicing these vehicles,” he says. “Also understanding how the types of repairs change as the vehicle ages is important. Here again, data is the driver to success.”
From stocking the right parts for the right model years to understanding when customers shift from premium to value-tier products, every decision aftermarket businesses make should be rooted in understanding vehicle age trends and consumer vehicle repair behavior. “Understanding the brands and price points that change as the vehicle ages also must be top of mind,” he adds.
Growth For Established Players
With used car sales rising sharply, some might foresee a flood of new players entering the aftermarket to capitalize on that replacement parts demand. But Tucker doesn’t see it playing out that way.
“Having an aging car parc also means expanding your inventory in order to cover those additional model years adequately,” he says. “Having inventory dollars invested in the right places is not something that happens overnight, and so new entrants into this space are few and far between.”
Instead, he anticipates new investments going into existing aftermarket businesses. The industry’s resilience—especially during economic uncertainty—continues to attract capital. “I won’t ever say we are recession-proof as an industry, but we are recession-resistant,” Tucker notes. “Our space has proven to be an attractive one for investors and I don’t see that changing.”
Vehicle Categories for Strong Sales
While aging vehicles generally mean more part sales overall, Tucker is quick to point out that those sales fluctuate based on a variety of factors: vehicle miles driven, car parc composition and failure rates.
“When you take all of those into account, we see categories such as brakes, ride control and chassis all having exponential growth,” he says. “Anything the vehicle must have to start, run and stop effectively are all areas of strong growth.”
And as used car values rise, owners are more inclined to authorize discretionary repairs, reversing a trend often seen in older vehicles. “We will also see more of those discretionary repairs come into play on older vehicles as their value holds strong and steady,” Tucker adds.
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By Counterman
RBR Truck Parts, with three locations in Texas, recently joined
link hidden, please login to view. Founded in 2018, RBR Truck Parts LLC is a heavy-duty parts distributor serving the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex. The company provides aftermarket parts for all truck makes and models. RBR caters to owner-operators, local fleets, service centers and municipal accounts. It offers high-quality products to keep their customers’ vehicles running efficiently. Strategic Location in a Major Trucking Hub
The Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex is home to 8.5 million people across more than 200 cities. It is a major hub for the trucking industry. RBR’s Hutchins, Texas, location sits near Interstate 45, just 250 miles north of Houston. Houston ranks among the nation’s largest ports. RBR also operates near a large rail/container yard and major warehouse operations. This allows the company to serve the region’s trucking needs effectively. Its heavy-duty network connection strengthens its position in this critical market.
Product Selection and Facilities Support Growth
RBR serves a diverse customer base throughout North Central Texas. The company stocks a wide selection of aftermarket truck parts. These include engine components, suspension parts, brake systems, wheels and tires, filters, fluids and accessories. The Hutchins location includes a 14,000-sq.-ft. showroom and warehouse. A 5,000-sq.-ft. facility in Duncanville and a 7,000–sq.-ft. branch in Fort Worth support operations. Owner Rony Santos and general manager Cesar Perez lead the RBR team.
Partnering with Power Heavy Duty for Continued Success
“RBR Truck Parts is a well-established business known for honesty, integrity, and their strong ties in the community,” said Jim Pennig, vice president of business development,
link hidden, please login to view Heavy Duty Family of Companies. “They are dedicated to growing their business with quality parts from Power Heavy Duty’s network of supplier partners, and we look forward to supporting them with great programs and true group value.”
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