Identifix announced the launch of a powerful new search engine called Supercharged Search on its website, Direct-Hit. Supercharged Search is a web-based automotive search engine for technicians, developed from more than 1 million keyword searches submitted by Direct-Hit customers in the last year.

The search engine helps a technician cut through industry jargon by automatically searching on related symptoms and terms, including some areas a technician may not have thought to search. For example, if a technician is searching for information on a “No Start” problem, Supercharged Search will search Direct-Hit for the term “No Start” and it also will search “No Crank,” “No Fuel,” “No Injector Pulse,” “No Pulse” and other similar terms. For more information visit: www.identifix.com.

Affinia Under Vehicle Group Announces Raybestos Brand Brakes and Spicer Chassis 2007 Promotions
Affinia Under Vehicle Group’s lineup of sales promotions for 2007 are designed to increase customer sales and raise brand awareness for Raybestos brand brakes and Spicer chassis. The 2007 promotions schedule includes a series of promotions targeted to reach warehouse distributors, countermen and installers, including the Raybestos brand brakes and Spicer chassis Box Top Promotion and the “Raybestos Spring Sizzle Sweepstakes.” Launching this month and running throughout 2007, the promotions are supported by brochures that detail the promotion for participating auto parts stores, in-store posters and point-of-sale materials to help promote the programs, and news releases to publicize the promotions and generate additional product purchases and brand awareness. Visit www.brakeandchassis.com for more details.

Ingersoll-Rand Joins the ‘Get Nitrogen’ Institute
Ingersoll Rand is teaming with other corporate leaders to educate automobile owners on why nitrogen gas, when used to inflate tires, will save them hundreds of dollars each year, improve driver safety and enhance the environment.

“Ingersoll Rand Industrial Technologies is pleased to become a member of the Get Nitrogen Institute,” said Ryan Lang, portfolio manager. “As a whole, the nitrogen tire inflation industry has made great strides promoting awareness, but to this point, we have not had a true creative outlet for educating the consumer. The Get Nitrogen Institute is the ideal forum that allows the entire industry to reach out and educate the driving community with one voice that nitrogen is the best alternative for tire inflation.”

Universal Underwriters Group Adopts Zurich as Brand Name
Universal Underwriters Group has adopted the brand name Zurich as part of its ongoing integration with Zurich North America Commercial (ZNAC).

For nearly 25 years, Universal Underwriters and ZNAC have maintained a tradition of great customer service as the leader in the automotive insurance industry. All of the specialized knowledge, personal service and trusted relationships Universal Underwriters’ customers and associations have grown to expect will be combined with the global capabilities, financial strength and security of ZNAC.

“We are fully committed to developing the Zurich brand in the automotive and dealer categories and look forward to continue providing Universal Underwriters’ customers and associations with great value, products and services,” said Tom Bradley, president of Universal Underwriters Group.

ASA Mechanical Division Presents ASA/ASE Top Score Award at CARS
Greg Epsaro, owner of Harriman Auto in Harriman, NY, received the Automotive Service Association (ASA)/National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Top Score Award during the 2006 Congress of Automotive Repair and Service (CARS) in Las Vegas. The award recognizes the ASA Mechanical Division member who received the highest score on the 2006 ASE master automobile certification test. Earl Dohner, AAM, ASA Mechanical Division director, and Tony Molla, vice president of communications for ASE, presented the annual award during the CARS luncheon on Nov. 4 during the 2006 Congress of Automotive Repair and Service (CARS) held at The Mirage in Las Vegas.

WIX Filters Announces 2007 Promotions
WIX Filters’ lineup of sales promotions for 2007 are designed to increase customer sales and raise brand awareness, including the continuation of the WIX Hummer H2 mobile filtration education vehicle, a new “Geek My Garage” promotion and the launch of the WIX Filters Filtration eLearning Center.

Launching throughout the year, WIX promotions are supported by brochures that detail the promotion for participating auto parts stores, in-store posters and point-of-sale materials to help promote the programs, and news releases to publicize the promotions and generate additional filter purchases and brand awareness.

Visit www.wixfilters.com for more information.

Clevite Engine Parts Power Jimmie Johnson to First
NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Title
The 2006 Chase to the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup lived up to its name by keeping both fans and drivers on the edge of their seats up until the final lap of the last race of the season. But Jimmie Johnson and the No. 48 Lowe’s Chevrolet Monte Carlo team knew all along they had what it takes to capture racing’s most prestigious title — a strong team at the shop, a fast and dedicated crew at the track, a strong driver, and the help of Clevite 77 engine bearings, Victor Reinz gaskets and Perfect Circle piston rings.

“Clevite Engine Parts congratulates Jimmie Johnson, the No. 48 Lowe’s Chevrolet Monte Carlo team and everyone at Hendrick Motorsports on winning this year’s title,” said Bill McKnight, director of brand development for Clevite Engine Parts. “Clevite is proud of and is deeply committed to our strong relationships with Hendrick Motorsports. They were one of the first teams to use all of our performance engine bearing, gasket and piston ring products, and we look forward to working with them to further NASCAR engine building for years to come.”

In related news, Clevite Engine Parts and Clevite 77 engine bearings were recently named a preferred provider — for the 18th consecutive year — by Engine Pro. Engine Pro is a national network of affiliated engine parts warehouse distributors specializing in the supply of internal engine parts, engine kits and related components to qualified machine shops, engine rebuilders and jobber customers.

Turbonetics Donates Sport Compact to Motorsports Museum
The first sport compact car to exceed 200 mph on the drag strip has been donated by Turbonetics to the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum, presented by the Automobile Club of Southern California.

Turbonetics’ Twin-Turbo V8-powered 2000 Toyota Celica blasted through the barrier on May 6, 2001, collecting a $25,000 bonus from Summit Racing with a speed of 202.55 mph. The checkered-flag emblazoned white Celica completed the quarter mile in 7.159 seconds at the NHRA’s fabled Englishtown, NJ, track with Matt Scranton behind the wheel.

“Southern California is the birthplace of hot-rodding, and we’re very pleased to add this ‘new-generation’ hot rod to our collection,” said Tony Thacker, executive director of the Parks Museum.

Wagner ThermoQuiet ‘IPad’ Promotion Returned with Special
TWO-Month Offer
One of the most popular programs ever offered by Federal-Mogul Corporation’s Wagner brake products brand, the Wagner ThermoQuiet ‘iPad’ promotion, has returned for a special two-month run through Jan. 31, 2007. The original program ended in November 2006.

The promotion enables participants who install 20 or more sets of Wagner ThermoQuiet brake pads to earn a 30GB iPod or $25 iTunes Music Card. The 30GB iPods will be available to the first 200 program entrants who return a completed program tracking and redemption form. All remaining qualifying entries will earn a $25 iTunes Music Card. (Promotion not affiliated with Apple Computer, Inc.)

Visit www.tqipad.com for more information.

Tax Credits available for 2007 Honda Hybrid and Natural Gas Vehicles
Customers who purchase a new 2007 Honda hybrid or natural gas vehicle may be eligible for federal tax credits ranging from $1,300 to $4,000 when they file their tax returns for the year in which it was purchased, according to American Honda Motor Co., Inc. The announcement is the result of a ruling by the IRS, which calculated the tax credits based on the Energy Policy Act of 2005 passed by Congress last year. Honda’s 2007 Civic Hybrid, Civic GX and Accord Hybrid are all eligible for the federal government’s tax credits: $2,100 for the Civic Hybrid, $1,300 for the Accord Hybrid and $4,000 for the Civic GX.

Also, buyers of the natural gas vehicle home refueling appliance named “Phill” are also eligible for up to a $1,000 tax credit. Phill allows consumers to refuel their natural gas Civic GX from home at a much lower fuel cost than gasoline.

Automotive Distribution Network’s First International Convention Sells Out
Fusion ‘07, the first international convention of the Automotive Distribution Network, is sold out, with more than 1,500 attendees expected for the gathering Feb. 11–14 at the Mirage Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, according to Mike Lambert, president of the Network.

Fusion ‘07 will see Parts Plus warehouses, auto stores and Car Care Centers from across the country assemble with IAPA WDs, jobbers and Automotive Service Professional (ASP) shops to help chart the future direction of the Network. Representatives from the Network’s international associate members based in Canada, Mexico and Australia will also be in attendance.

WORLDPAC Opens New Queens, NY, Distribution Center
WORLPDAC has opened its newest location in Queens, NY. The facility is located in one of the most densely populated metro areas in the U.S. and will solidify the company’s distribution in the Northeast. The distribution center offers same-day service within the metro area and brings the total number of distribution points to 57 in North America.

In other company news, WORLDPAC Inc. recently launched its new website, www.worldpac.com, with a dynamic, new look that provides online visitors with dramatic improvements in navigation, uniformity, appearance and accessibility to all of its services.

For more information on WORLDPAC products and services, visit www.worldpac.com.

Mitchell 1 Adds NEW Feature to Customer Retention Marketing Program
Mitchell 1 announces it has added the Target Market Promotions feature to its popular Customer Retention Marketing (CRM) program. This new program is an innovative way to help participating shops acquire new customers, stay in contact with existing ones and recapture lost business.

This tool allows Mitchell 1 CRM shops to target existing customers, based on unique criteria, as well as acquire new ones through prospecting campaigns. Members work with Mitchell 1’s Marketing Support Team to divide their customers into various groups based on specific criteria, and then design a custom promotion to reach each targeted group. Prospect lists based on unlimited demographic criteria are also available. Promotional offers include oil change reminders, seasonal specials, maintenance service specials, fuel economy service, brake special and lost loyalty campaigns.