Automotive

FIXD Automotive Corporate Office

A team of students at Georgia Tech began working on a project which would help car owners understand their car electronics, the various systems of their cars, and how or why the Check Engine light is on.

The result is a small device called Fixd. This product hooks up the vehicle’s diagnostic port and uses an app to help you enter information and keep track of maintenance. When the Check Engine light comes on, the app can help to guide you on the problem your car is having and whether or not it is safe to continue to drive the car.

The Fixd device can be left in place or you can plug it in and remove it as the client wishes. In March 2019, the company announced that they were working in combination with VIZR, to create an add-on cell phone product where the GPS would be displayed as a small translucent screen, preventing the need for the driver to check at or look at their cell phone or navigation system.

Tom’s Guide recommended the Fixd product and app as far back as 2017.

Headquarters for Fixd are located in Atlanta, Georgia.

FIXD Automotive

History

Tom’s Guide recommended the Fixd product and app as far back as 2017.

Headquarters for Fixd are located in Atlanta, Georgia.

Belle Tire Corporate Office

Belle Tire was founded in 1921 by Sam Waze. He named the tire shop after his wife, Belle. The first location was in Detroit, Michigan. Originally selling tire inner tubes and tires, the company now also performs oil changes, brake repair, battery service, and glass replacement.

The company grows mainly through acquisition, including TireMan, and Sears, The company operates 133 locations in Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio.

The company settled a racial discrimination lawsuit for $55,000 in September 2019 after a former employee was fired 48 hours after reporting the manager of a Port Huron location.

The company ran into trouble with county zoning laws when they erected a 60-foot tall flagpole in front of one of their newest locations. Belle Tire executives are negotiating with county officials.

In September 2020, Home Depot and Belle Tire in the state of Michigan were fined for not following proper COVID prevention measures, such as face masks.

In March 2023, Belle Tire acquired 18 Tireman Auto Service Centers.

Headquarters for Belle Tire are located in Allen Park, Michigan.

Belle Tire

The company grows mainly through acquisition, including TireMan, and Sears, The company operates 133 locations in Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio.

History

The company settled a racial discrimination lawsuit for $55,000 in September 2019 after a former employee was fired 48 hours after reporting the manager of a Port Huron location.

The company ran into trouble with county zoning laws when they erected a 60-foot tall flagpole in front of one of their newest locations. Belle Tire executives are negotiating with county officials.

In September 2020, Home Depot and Belle Tire in the state of Michigan were fined for not following proper COVID prevention measures, such as face masks.

In March 2023, Belle Tire acquired 18 Tireman Auto Service Centers.

Headquarters for Belle Tire are located in Allen Park, Michigan.

Valvoline Corporate Office

Valvoline motor oil was founded back in 1866 by Dr. John Ellis, one of the pioneers for the refinement of crude oil. He originally hoped that oil would have medicinal properties but failed in that endeavor. The name Valvoline was incorporated in 1873.

Valvoline motor oil was used in the first North American car race held in Chicago, Illinois, in 1895 and by the early 1900s was the recommended oil of car manufacturer Henry Ford.

In 1950, Ashland Oil, Inc. acquired Valvoline and created an all-season motor oil that eliminated the need for different oil use in the winter.

The company has sponsored racing events and cars, including the Daytona 500, the Indy 500, NASCAR, and Formula One. Valvoline recently extended their support of Hendrick Motorsports 12 time NASCAR Cup winning champion driver Alex Bowman through 2022.

In 1987, the company introduced its own quick-service oil change locations, providing preventative maintenance for consumers, including oil changes, radiator flushing, batteries, belts, and transmission servicing.

In 2011, the company reported $2 billion in global sales. Valvoline has more than 60 processing and packaging plants around the world.

In July 2019, the company announced record third-quarter earnings, beating stock estimates of .32 per share profit at .37 per share.

An employee at an Asheville, Kentucky, Valvoline oil change center was fired in mid-July 2019, after listing a customer’s name on their invoice as “Pokahontas.” The post went viral on Facebook. The CEO called the customer to apologize and refunded the money spent at the location.

Valvoline is still owned by parent company Ashland Oil, Inc. and has headquarters in Lexington, Kentucky.

Valvoline

Valvoline motor oil was used in the first North American car race held in Chicago, Illinois, in 1895 and by the early 1900s was the recommended oil of car manufacturer Henry Ford.

History

In 1950, Ashland Oil, Inc. acquired Valvoline and created an all-season motor oil that eliminated the need for different oil use in the winter.

In 2011, the company reported $2 billion in global sales. Valvoline has more than 60 processing and packaging plants around the world.

In July 2019, the company announced record third-quarter earnings, beating stock estimates of .32 per share profit at .37 per share.

Valvoline is still owned by parent company Ashland Oil, Inc. and has headquarters in Lexington, Kentucky.

Audi Corporate Office

Car manufacturer Audi can trace its roots back to 1910 when August Horch created the August Horch Automobilwerke company. While trying to choose a name for his car, Horch’s son remarked that while the name Horch meant “hear” the word “Audi”, which means to listen, might be a better choice.

While the company went through numerous changes over the years, it was in 1969 that Audi NSU Auto Union was formed. Volkswagen introduced the Audi brand to the USA in 1970 with the Audi 100.

Audi remained a very conservative brand until the mid-1990s when the company decided to compete against the luxury brands of Mercedes Benz and BMW. Audi sales have continued to rise throughout the 2000s, with one of their strongest markets being China, where Audi is the formal car driven by government officials.

Outside of Germany, the company has manufacturing plants located in Mexico, China, India, Hungary, Indonesia, Belgium, Spain, and Slovakia.

Audi remains a division of Volkswagen. The company admits that a minimum of 2.1 million vehicles were involved in the Volkswagen emission software scandal. In May 2019, Audi announced a recall of Q5 SUVs for potential brake failure.

Audi has been involved in LeMans racing for decades but only recently has delved into the Formula One racing program.

The main headquarters for Audi remains in Germany, with the USA headquarters located in Herndon, Virginia.

Audi USA

While the company went through numerous changes over the years, it was in 1969 that Audi NSU Auto Union was formed. Volkswagen introduced the Audi brand to the USA in 1970 with the Audi 100.

History

Outside of Germany, the company has manufacturing plants located in Mexico, China, India, Hungary, Indonesia, Belgium, Spain, and Slovakia.

Audi has been involved in LeMans racing for decades but only recently has delved into the Formula One racing program.

The main headquarters for Audi remains in Germany, with the USA headquarters located in Herndon, Virginia.

Bennett Auto Supply Corporate Office

Bennett Auto Supply can trace its roots back to 1946 when Allen and Lettie Bennett opened a service station in Oakpark, Florida. The gas station also had a small grocery store and Allen used to repair bicycles and sell bicycle parts in the back.

By 1954, Bennett began selling tires and batteries to other service stations in the area. In 1957, the Bennett’s realized that auto parts were a major part of their overall business and decided to focus strictly on that. For better distribution, the company created a warehouse under the name Ben Clair, Inc.

The company expanded quickly in the 1960’s and is now the largest supplier of auto parts in southern Florida.

Bennett Auto Supply is still family owned and operated with Allen’s sons Barry and Harold as the executive team, as well as Allen’s grandchildren now working at the business.

The company has a 92,000 square foot warehouse and 34 locations throughout South Florida. Company headquarters are now located in Pompano Beach, Florida.

Bennett Auto Supply

History

The company expanded quickly in the 1960’s and is now the largest supplier of auto parts in southern Florida.

Bennett Auto Supply is still family owned and operated with Allen’s sons Barry and Harold as the executive team, as well as Allen’s grandchildren now working at the business.

The company has a 92,000 square foot warehouse and 34 locations throughout South Florida. Company headquarters are now located in Pompano Beach, Florida.