APPEX show features top auto products

DSN Retailing Today, Nov 20, 2000 by Peter J. Gallanis

LAS VEGAS -- The automotive aftermarket industry was out in full force at this year's AAPEX 2000 show, held at the Sands Expo Center at the beginning of November. Some 85,000 attendees flocked to the city of sin to kick off North America's largest trade event on Halloween day.

Among the retailers with the strongest presence at this year's show was AutoZone, whose product manager Tami Presley told DSN Retailing Today, "Having all of your vendors in one place at one time is a tremendous value because you can accomplish so much in a short period of time. This show is a great opportunity to get a lot of things done."

On the vendor side, oil companies were among the best represented, and Pennzoil-Quaker State may have been the most ingenious in launching a new line of oils. Pennzoil said some customers get confused when selecting oil for their cars, with so many grades to choose from, so it helped by putting pictures of the cars on the containers for which each oil is recommended--be it an SUV truck or high-mileage vehicle. Now, the consumer doesn't have to search for 30, 50 or any other weight oil, they can simply look for their car type on the container and go. The oils include 4x4 synthetic blends for 4x4s and SUVs, a high-performance synthetic blend, a full synthetic for any engine and specially blended oil for higher-mileage vehicles.

ExxonMobil's synthetic blends represent more than 62% of all synthetic sales, and the company claims its retail sales are up 25% for 2000. Also launched was a new 5W-20 brand specially made for all new Ford and Honda cars. The oil was manufactured to meet the demands of new car technology. It improved fuel economy, year-round protection and improved cold weather starting.

Jumping on the popular synthetic band wagon, the 76 Lubricants Company has added a new synthetics facility to its existing Los Angeles plant. It will now oversee the production of its own line of fully synthetic and blended lubricants, including its Nascar-licensed products of high-performance oils.

But having a smooth running engine won't do a consumer any good if their car gets stolen. Master Lock introduced three anti-theft systems: the advanced security steering wheel lock, the high security steering wheel lock and a maximum-security steering wheel and air bag lock. The maximum-security lock system can't be defeated by cutting the steering wheel, and protects the removal of the air bag, Master Lock said. A good investment since replacing an airbag costs $1,000, and the crime is increasing at 33% per year.

The Club brand of steering wheel lock security, and the No. 1 seller in this category, has introduced its Automotive Security Series for steering wheels, padlocks and cable locks.

The cable lock series consists of four security cables made of braided steel, which is inner woven for projection. It is considered more convenient than steel chains and sports a bright red cable to deter would-be thieves.

The steering wheel club has 95% national awareness, according to the company, and has launched a new color-coded package for its entire line. Rounding out the series are the security padlocks, offering effective protection for valuable property such as locking toolboxes, power tools.

The good old-fashioned spark plug was well represented at the show with Autolite launching its new brand of patented platinum and platinum pro series of spark plugs. The plugs offer double platinum tips for platinum-to-platinum firing, delivering a more consistent spark with virtually no gap erosion, and 30% more durability than other plugs.

Unlike previous years when car polish was very popular, Turtle Wax was touting a line of enhancement products. Color Cure, a new product similar to touch-up paint, was introduced. These products were designed to protect a car's finish and protect against damaging ultraviolet rays. Previously, the only option a car owner had was to use touch-up paint, a tricky venture at best. The Color Cure is a polyurethane silicone formula wax that resists acid and alkali. The color blends with the car's pigmentation, with the original color and, unlike touch-up paint, will not stain hands or clothes.

The company also introduced its Metal & Chrome polish, which is made for any type of metal and metal surfaces. Most brands of polish are made for specific wheels, such as chrome or aluminum, and the wrong polish can actually dull the wheels. Turtle Wax's product will remove tarnish, surface erosion and embedded grime, thereby eliminating the guess work of what kind of polish will work on any particular metal surface.

Of the e-commerce companies in attendance, the majority was business to business with most offering Web site access or software for ordering parts. Internet B2B Autovia was unique. Their service was being offered free to repair shops users.

This company is an on-line network that allows automotive repair shops to quickly access multiple auto and truck parts distributors in its area all at once. A jobber may access the site (for free) and enter any information to locate a particular part.