ACDelco Reinforces Aftermarket Leadership Role by Adding More than 10,000 New Parts in 2006

ACDelco Reinforces Aftermarket Leadership Role by Adding More than 10,000 New Parts in 2006
GRAND BLANC, MICH. — In its ongoing effort to offer automotive aftermarket parts for most vehicles on the road today, ACDelco has introduced more than 10,000 new parts through October of 2006 across its 36 product lines. This brings the total number of ACDelco's parts offerings to more than 99,000.
"ACDelco continues to add part numbers to our all-makes / all-models product lines to maintain or enhance our position in the market," said Rick Karlewski, manager, product strategy, ACDelco. Karlewski noted ACDelco worked with its Warehouse Distributor and Total Service Support Advisory Boards over the past year to improve the position of ACDelco products in the independent aftermarket.
"These customers provide the feedback to help ACDelco maintain and improve its competitive position with high-quality parts for consumers' vehicles," Karlewski added. "They also provide guidance on the development and expansion of our product portfolio to help ensure the products are right for the market upon launch."
Of its 10,000-plus new part numbers introduced in 2006, ACDelco added more than 3,100 of them to its Undercar lines. ACDelco steering products, which include hoses, pumps, gears and racks, accounted for over 1,700 new part numbers, while its DuraStop® brake line added 900+ new parts.
The biggest addition occurred in ACDelco's Ignition, Emission and Wire & Cable product lines. ACDelco added more than 3,600 total parts to these three lines — on top of the nearly 12,000 parts introduced in its 2004–2005 expansion — providing even greater coverage of non-GM applications.
"This expansion further strengthens ACDelco's reputation as a leading provider of those parts," said Chris Brandt, portfolio manager, ACDelco Ignition, Emission and Wire & Cable. "The new part numbers allow Independent Service Centers to get competitively priced parts in all three lines from an ACDelco Warehouse Distributor."
ACDelco also expanded its Heating / Ventilating / Air Conditioning (HVAC) line by more than 750 parts, bringing the total number of ACDelco HVAC parts to more than 10,000. "Our HVAC expansion gives ACDelco more air conditioning part numbers than any of its competitors," said Jim Monaghan, product specialist, ACDelco Air Conditioning. "The new supplement has parts for more than 18,000 non-GM applications."
ACDelco also unveiled 10 new GM-application Original Equipment (OE) torque converter pressure plates assembly part numbers, eight of which feature ACDelco's Electronically Controlled Capacity Clutch (EC3) technology. The extraordinary EC3 clutch, made from a special GM-patented friction material, helps eliminate shifting hesitation and roughness.
Also in 2006, ACDelco launched its Beam Wiper Blade with a cutting-edge, frameless design that helps the blade conform to the shape of the windshield. Multiple pressure points help provide consistent contact with the glass, and the blade has no exposed parts that can get clogged with ice and snow.
ACDelco reintroduced a short line of Classic Oil Filters in 2006 to provide customers with a choice. "ACDelco's Classic Oil Filters complement our current lineup," said Bob Malone, Portfolio manager, ACDelco Quick Service Products.
"While many of our customers like the new design introduced in 2005, some kept asking for the original, which features a longer shell length, steel inner-core construction and a traditional mounting plate. Now, they have two different styles from which to choose."
ACDelco expanded its Marine Battery line by introducing the Marine 60 Series Batteries to complement the ACDelco Voyager® Batteries. "The addition of the Marine 60 Series battery gives our customers an alternative that is cost efficient, while still maintaining the quality and value they know," said Doug Merrill, ACDelco Product specialist. "The Marine 60 Series battery offers enough marine crank amps to start the most demanding outboard."
ACDelco also enhanced its automotive batteries by extending the warranty period on its Professional Series 6YR and 7YR batteries. The free replacement limited warranty period for ACDelco 6YR and 72-month Maintenance Free (MF) batteries increased to 30 months, while the free replacement limited warranty period for ACDelco 7YR and 84-month MF batteries jumped to 50 months.
"It's the best free replacement warranty in the business," said Doug Bidgood, Maintenance and Repair Portfolio manager, ACDelco Batteries. "ACDelco knows the warranty period is an important consideration when selecting a battery. By extending the free replacement limited warranty on our Professional 6YR and 7YR batteries, ACDelco is offering yet another reason for installers and consumers alike to choose our product."
ACDelco markets quality parts for Ford, Chrysler, Toyota, Nissan, Honda, GM and most vehicles on the road today. To find an ACDelco parts retailer near you, log on to acdelco.com or call 1-800-ACDelco.