Flex fuel refers to a vehicle with an engine that can run on both gasoline and an ethanol-based fuel, typically E85. Flex fuel vehicles are huge in Brazil, but haven’t really caught in the U.S. One reason could be that Brazil’s ethanol, which is sugar-cane based, is much more efficient that the corn-based ethanol used in the U.S.
Mark Phillips
Editor
Counterman
The Mercury brand was shuttered in 2010, while Lincoln is enjoying a bit of a renaissance.
Platform-sharing” and “badge engineering” are terms often used to describe the common industry practice of developing multiple vehicle models from a common design. The economy of a single design underpinning multiple vehicles allows manufacturers to streamline the development process, and to provide the buyer with options across their base, mid-line and luxury divisions. Much of this “twinning” occurs within a manufacturer’s “family” of brands, but cooperating with rival manufacturers already well-established in a market allows the manufacturer to produce vehicles outside their wheelhouse.
On a vehicle with rack-and-pinion steering, it’s not uncommon to replace outer tie-rod ends multiple times.
“We are prepared to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow head-on and with a passion unlike any other.”
Hubbard, president and CEO of HDA Truck Pride, asserts: “The only way to win is for every one of us to get involved.”
Godschalk, president of Federated Auto Parts, is optimistic about the back half of 2023.
“As a support team, collaboration is of the utmost importance,” says Patel, president of Carquest North America.
“The strengths of the players in the independent space are often difficult for the big-box guys to replicate.”
Washbish, VP of sales and marketing for the Alliance, is enthusiastic about the new partnership with Federated.
Beaulieu, VP, professional marketing for Advance, Carquest and Worldpac, talks about the importance of differentiation.
