By SEMA Editors
MSD's Atomic EFI Receives Distinctive CARB Exemption Status
 MSD Performance's Atomic Fuel Injection System. | |
MSD Performance's Atomic Fuel Injection System was granted an Executive Order Number from the California Air Resources Board. The E.O. Number signifies that the Atomic aftermarket EFI system is legal on ’87-and-older GM vehicles in California.
The Atomic EFI system received E.O. Number D-722 which permits the system to be installed in place of the factory carburetor on ’87-and-older GM passenger cars and trucks originally powered by a V8 engine. This Executive Order also means the Atomic EFI system provides "reasonable basis" for satisfying the anti-tampering requirements of the Federal Clean Air Act, thus allowing its use in all other states.
During thorough testing it was confirmed that the Atomic system did not reduce the effectiveness of the applicable vehicle pollution control systems and therefore was granted an exemption from the prohibitions of Section 27156 of the California Vehicle Code for ’87-and-older General Motors passenger cars and pickups originally equipped with a V8 engine and carburetor. MSD will supply an information label with the E.O. Number and details that must be affixed on the vehicle for inspection purposes.
Black Book to Provide Vehicle Valuation Services for Cars.com
Black Book, a division of Hearst Business Media Corp., announced a partnership with Chicago-based Cars.com to become the company’s official vehicle valuation service. Black Book vehicle values have been used for more than 55 years throughout the automotive industry in every facet of a vehicle’s lifecycle. Through the partnership, Cars.com customers will now have the benefit of leveraging the same Black Book valuation used by car dealers nationwide when pricing their vehicles.
Hellwig Products Hires Will Rowe for East Coast
 Will Rowe. | |
The family-operated company produces components for trucks, RV, musclecars and military vehicles. Hellwig is ISO9001 certified and is proud to develop, test and manufacture products in the United States.
Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association Rebrands to Auto Care Association
The Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association has officially change the organization's name to the Auto Care Association. The association began its rebranding initiative more than 18 months ago and culminated in the name change, as well as a new direction to redefine the aftermarket industry as the auto care industry in all communications. The Auto Care Association based both decisions on feedback from research findings, focus groups, industry leaders, media and consumers.
“The launch of the new brand comes at a key moment for the auto care industry, and we aim to use the momentum generated by the rebrand to build on our work across the industry,” said Kathleen Schmatz, president and CEO, Auto Care Association. “Our new brand will better enable us to champion for the auto care industry with state and national policymakers since it articulates upfront the scope and value of the work we deliver.
Marx Group to Celebrate 30 Years With Historical Videos, Articles
 The Marx Group will recognize its 30-year anniversary with short excerpts of the company's history through articles and videos. | |
To commemorate its 30 year anniversary, The Marx Group will release short excerpts of the company's history through articles and videos, from now until December. All of the information and materials will be available through the company's webpage dedicated to its anniversary, www.themarxgroup.com/30Years.
School of Automotive Machinists Announces High School Summer Series
The Auto Club Dragway announced a partnership with the School of Automotive Machinists (SAM) for the High School Summer Series contest, as well as the Inaugural Southern California High School Drag Challenge, presented by SAM. The program kicks off Saturday, May 3, at the dragway with the drag challenge, where high school students and alumni will bring their vehicles to the dragstrip and compete in one-quarter-mile drag racing, while earning points for their respective high schools. John Force, 16-time NHRA World Champion, will serve as the event's Grand Marshal, sign autographs and even race one lucky contest winner.
The High School Summer Series consists of four races throughout the summer, exclusively for high school students who graduate in 2014 or after. The series offers drag racers who meet the criteria a chance to earn individual points based on their performances at the four Summer Series events, in a quest to crown a Summer Series individual high school Grand Champion. The first Summer Series event date is just one week following the High School Drag Challenge on May 10, the other three Summer Series dates are June 28, July 26 and August 23.
The overall Grand Champion of the Summer Series will be eligible to win a full scholarship to SAM’s Block or Head program, with a potential value of more than $16,000, contingent on the fact that they have no moving violations throughout the series. For more information on the on the upcoming Southern California High School Drags Challenge, call 949-888-6878.
Dan Teitscheid Joins MAVTV
 Dan Teitscheid, a 30-year veteran of the TV industry, has joined the MAVTV network as vice president of content distribution and partner marketing. | |
Dan Teitscheid has joined the MAVTV network as vice president of content distribution and partner marketing. A 30-year veteran of the TV industry, Teitscheid spent 16 years with Viacom, rising to vice president of affiliate sales and marketing at MTV Networks before joining Disney and ESPN Media Networks in May 2008. During his career, Teitscheid has been involved in the introduction, launch and brand development of more than 25 cable TV networks.
Teitscheid stated, "MAVTV, as the destination for all motorsports, truly fills one of the few remaining voids in today's crowded TV channel line-ups. My job will be to get the MAVTV story in front of the programming acquisition executives and develop opportunities for them to take advantage of the incredibly valuable audience that MAVTV can deliver."Fidanza Names Don Baker Sales Manager
Don Baker has joined Fidanza Performance key account sales team as sales manager. He brings to the company more than 20 years of automotive parts and service experience, which includes 12 years of experience in sales, account management and sales management with SPX Service Solutions. Baker will oversee all national and international accounts, along with outside rep groups, for Fidanza Performance.
“Having a lifelong interest in cars, automobile repair and automotive performance, as well as, a family background in true car appreciation, Don will be a real asset to our company and our customers,” said Jeff Jenkins, owner and president of Fidanza Performance.
Grote's Robert "Bob" Dobrow Passes Away
Grote Industries announced the passing of Robert “Bob” Hugh Dobrow, one of the company's longest service employees. Dobrow died April 12, 2014, at the age of 69, after a battle with cancer. Most of Dobrow’s career was spent with Grote Industries. He joined the company in 1982 as an OEM sales specialist, rising to the position of director of OEM Sales. Dobrow helped Grote establish itself as a predominant leader in the OE segment of commercial vehicle truck lighting. During the mid-’80s and ’90s, he teamed with Vic Mastis, developing and establishing The Ultra-Blue Modular Wiring System for semi-trailers and building the Grote brand in HD lighting and safety systems.
After a short sabbatical, Dobrow returned to Grote, as harness business development manager, continuing to build the Grote Ultra Blue Seal harness system into the leading lighting and harness system it is today. “Bob’s intuitive mechanical abilities and his excellent communication skills allowed Bob to quickly identify and convey solutions for our customers. His passion for both our industry and the people he worked with will leave a lasting impression on all of us. We will miss Bob dearly.” said Bill Grote, chairman. Dobrow is survived by his wife of 42 years, Jean Dobrow as well as his two sons, Jeffery and Arron.
Roadwire Partners With eBay Motors to Launch Online Store
Roadwire Automotive Innovation has announced the launch of an all-inclusive eBay store offering consumers the ability to purchase aftermarket leather interiors and seat heaters online, and have the products installed through an experienced and trained installer network.
“By including installation in the sale, the consumer is treated to a professional experience from start to finish through a nationwide network of professional installers, provided by InstallerNet,” stated Roadwire Vice President Dave Edmondson.
InstallerNet is an installation-solutions provider for the consumer electronics industry, which delivers technology, services and logistics to consumer electronics retailers, manufacturers and installers. The company specializes in merchandising and coordinating consumer electronics installation services through the nation’s largest network of independently owned mobile- and home-electronics installers.
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