Auto Service Professional

APR 2016

Magazine for the auto service professional

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Advertorial ACDelco Gears Up for its Next 100 Years A s ACDelco turns 100 this year, its automotive aftermarket parts and related services business are among the best known and respected in the industry. Over the past 100 years, the ACDelco portfolio has grown to more than 90,000 parts and 37 product lines. In addition to service and maintenance items such as batteries, brakes, spark plugs and flters, ACDelco is focused on bringing more high-tech parts to the independent aftermarket, as well as the right tools and training to deliver exceptional customer experiences. That's because the same vision that led to ACDelco's creation in 1916 – that great parts and great service are inseparable – is embedded in the brand today. ACDelco's expertise is among the certainties that will keep the brand at the forefront of innova- tions in the automotive aftermarket for the next 100 years. Forward thinking: United Motors Corporation The early 20th Century saw monumen- tal innovation, particularly in the young, prospering automotive industry. A constant stream of new products, forward-thinking designs and great ingenuity converged to build the foundation for the vehicles we drive today. While the automotive industry and General Motors were still in their infancy, William Durant, who founded General Motors, cor- rectly predicted the importance of vehicle service to the growing ranks of automobile owners. He realized all of the vehicle brands he brought under the GM umbrella would require replacement parts, and he decided it would be more effcient to create a single company to handle those needs. So in 1916, Durant established United Motors Corporation – the company that would eventually become ACDelco – to bring a dream team of premium aftermarket brands under one roof. Durant's new holding company combined several parts manufacturers – including Dayton Engineering Laboratories Company, or DELCO. Others included the Hyatt Roller Bearing Company, New Departure Manu- facturing Company, Remy Electric Company and Perlman Rim Corporation. As the company grew, so did its customer trust and innovation. In 1927, AC Spark Plugs were used to power Charles Lind- bergh's frst fight across the Atlantic Ocean. And in 1934, the brand began selling the industry's frst manual turn signals for trucks, which helped to increase vehicle safety on the increasingly crowded roads of the time. During World War II, United Motors Service, like the rest of the country, was involved in the war effort, helping the Allies manufacture munitions and other necessi- ties. In 1944, the company became a fully integrated division of GM and continued building strong name recognition with the public. ACDelco ACDelco is training the next generation of service professionals.

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