Car Maintenance

From Executive Suite to Service Bay: MotoRad CEO Matt Buchholz's Hands-On Return

This article details MotoRad CEO Matt Buchholz's journey from his executive role back to the garage, demonstrating his deep understanding of the automotive aftermarket through practical application. It highlights his philosophy that true leadership in the parts manufacturing industry requires hands-on experience and a direct connection to the products' use.

Bridging the Boardroom and the Bay: A CEO's Return to Automotive Roots

The Resurgence of 'My Road to AAPEX'

The popular series, 'My Road to AAPEX', is once again taking viewers across the nation, presenting a distinctive challenge to leading figures in the automotive aftermarket. Each installment transports these executives from their corporate settings directly into repair shops, where they undertake vehicle maintenance, utilizing the very components their own companies produce and distribute.

MotoRad CEO's Journey: A Return to Practical Expertise

Featured in this particular segment is Matt Buchholz, the Chief Executive Officer of MotoRad. For Buchholz, this experience is less about venturing into unfamiliar territory and more about revisiting his foundational expertise. His career began in the service sector, where he honed his skills as both a service advisor and a master technician before transitioning into an executive position.

Leadership Through Hands-On Experience: Buchholz's Philosophy

Buchholz reflects on his early career, stating, \"Before I was working on vehicles, I was a service advisor, and I recognized that technicians possessed far greater knowledge about cars than I did.\" He further elaborated on his belief that effective leadership necessitates a thorough understanding of the work at hand. This conviction led him to spend years in the trenches, becoming a master technician. He views his current leadership role at a parts manufacturing company as unique, having personally installed the very products his company develops.

Addressing Automotive Challenges: A Collaborative Repair

In this episode, Buchholz teams up with Mark Waggaman at the Medina Auto Mall, located in Akron, Ohio. Together, they confront and resolve a persistent leak in a vehicle, a common issue exacerbated by the extensive rust prevalent in Northeast Ohio. As they work, they engage in discussions about their respective paths within the automotive service industry, offering insights into their experiences.

Insights into the Aftermarket Industry and MotoRad's Offerings

Viewers are invited to discover the outcome of their repair efforts, gain deeper knowledge about MotoRad’s range of products, and more, as part of this installment of 'My Road to AAPEX'. The series is set to continue throughout the autumn season, bringing forth additional compelling narratives and progressively paving the way to the premier aftermarket trade show scheduled for November.

PRT Heavy Duty Unveils Next-Generation Shock Absorbers for Commercial Vehicles

PRT Heavy Duty has expanded its product line with the introduction of five new shock absorbers designed for commercial transport. These components are specifically engineered to cater to the robust requirements of both medium and heavy-duty vehicles. The company highlights that these additions undergo stringent manufacturing processes and extensive testing to meet original equipment (OE) performance benchmarks, ensuring optimal reliability for fleets and service professionals. This strategic move aims to strengthen PRT HD's position in the North American aftermarket by providing high-quality solutions for a wide array of commercial vehicle platforms.

The newly launched shock absorbers demonstrate PRT HD's commitment to innovation and market responsiveness. By focusing on critical segments such as medium-duty trucks and heavy-duty buses, the company addresses the diverse needs of the commercial vehicle industry. The widespread availability of these products across North America underscores PRT HD's robust distribution capabilities and dedication to supporting its customer base with readily accessible, high-performance parts. This initiative is set to enhance vehicle stability, ride comfort, and overall operational safety for a significant portion of the commercial transport sector.

Advancing Commercial Vehicle Performance with New Shock Absorbers

PRT Heavy Duty has unveiled five cutting-edge shock absorbers, meticulously developed for the commercial vehicle sector. This product release signifies a major stride in enhancing the operational efficiency and ride quality of a diverse range of medium and heavy-duty transport vehicles. The newly available components are specifically tailored to models such as the Isuzu NPR, Chevrolet W4500, and GMC W7500, alongside various Blue Bird bus series including the All American RE, FE, and TC/2000. Each shock absorber is designed to deliver consistent, top-tier performance, crucial for the demanding environments these vehicles operate in.

The development process behind these shock absorbers is rooted in PRT's commitment to engineering excellence. Bruno Bello, PRT's director of global marketing, underscored that these new parts are manufactured in advanced facilities and undergo rigorous OE-grade testing. This stringent quality assurance ensures that the components not only meet but exceed the durability and performance expectations of both fleet operators and maintenance professionals. The immediate availability of these products throughout North America reflects PRT's efficient supply chain and dedication to promptly serving the aftermarket, providing essential upgrades that contribute to vehicle longevity and driver comfort.

Strategic Market Expansion and Distribution Excellence

PRT Heavy Duty's introduction of new shock absorbers represents a strategic expansion aimed at capturing a larger share of the commercial vehicle aftermarket. By targeting specific medium and heavy-duty platforms, PRT HD is addressing a critical need for high-quality, reliable suspension components in a market segment that demands exceptional durability and performance. This targeted approach allows the company to cater to a broad spectrum of commercial applications, ensuring that a wide range of vehicles, from delivery trucks to passenger buses, can benefit from their advanced shock absorber technology.

The distribution network established by PRT is poised to ensure these essential new parts are readily accessible across North America. Bruno Bello highlighted the importance of their state-of-the-art manufacturing and rigorous testing, emphasizing that these factors guarantee the genuine OE performance expected by industry professionals. The commitment to widespread availability reinforces PRT's dedication to supporting the efficiency and safety of commercial fleets. This strategic launch not only enhances PRT HD's product portfolio but also solidifies its reputation as a trusted provider of high-performance aftermarket solutions for the heavy-duty segment.

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WAI Global Unveils 91 New Automotive Components, Expanding Vehicle Coverage

WAI Global has significantly broadened its product portfolio with the introduction of 91 new automotive components. This extensive launch encompasses a diverse range of parts, including starters, alternators, ignition coils, voltage regulators, wiper motors, and various sensor components. The primary objective of this expansion is to enhance vehicle coverage, now extending to more than 41 million vehicles currently on the road. This strategic move underscores WAI Global's dedication to meeting the evolving demands of the automotive aftermarket by providing a wider array of high-quality solutions for a vast number of vehicle models.

The newly introduced parts are designed to cater to a broad spectrum of modern vehicles, ensuring that a greater number of car owners and service professionals have access to WAI Global's reliable components. Among the notable applications covered by these new additions are the starter for the 2024 BMW X2, the alternator for the 2024 Hyundai Palisade, and the wiper motor for the 2024 Volkswagen Jetta. This targeted expansion demonstrates WAI Global's responsiveness to current market trends and the specific needs of popular vehicle models.

Ron Bernstein, President of North America at WAI, emphasized the strategic importance of this product release. He stated that each new part signifies the company's continuous drive for innovation and its unwavering commitment to supporting its clientele. Bernstein highlighted that the initiative extends beyond merely increasing product numbers; it is fundamentally about delivering optimal solutions that empower customers to maintain a competitive edge in the fast-paced automotive industry. This philosophy ensures that WAI Global remains a crucial partner for automotive service providers and parts distributors.

The development and release of these 91 new part numbers involved extensive research and development to ensure compatibility, performance, and durability across a wide range of vehicle makes and models. By focusing on critical components such as starters, alternators, and sensors, WAI Global is addressing essential maintenance and repair needs, thereby contributing to the longevity and optimal functioning of millions of vehicles. This commitment to quality and extensive coverage solidifies WAI Global's position as a leading supplier in the automotive aftermarket.

Looking forward, WAI Global plans to continue its trajectory of innovation and expansion. The company consistently monitors industry trends and technological advancements in vehicle design to anticipate future needs and develop new products accordingly. This proactive approach ensures that WAI Global's product line remains comprehensive and relevant, effectively serving the dynamic requirements of the global automotive landscape and reinforcing its commitment to customer success and market leadership.

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