Twenty-seven companies that participated in this year's Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX) New Products Showcase received awards for their innovative new products that enhance the driving experience. Awards were announced on Nov. 1, the opening day of AAPEX in Las Vegas.

Companies received first place and honorable mention awards for their products, which were displayed in the following nine new and unique categories that reflect the overall AAPEX theme, "We Keep Them on the Road."

Cool Cars:

• 1st Place - InStant Fill by Stant Products
• Honorable Mention - Bluetooth Hands-free Car Kit by Movon Corp.
• Honorable Mention - M&B Wipers by Parts Center International

Earth-Friendly:

• 1st Place - MX Factor Exchange Program
• Honorable Mention - 16 QT. Oil Change Container by Double Duty Container Co.
• Honorable Mention - Islo N Go We Combo by Scepter Corp.

Fixing it Right:

• 1st Place - The Omnisonic Ultrasound Diagnostic System by Omitec Inc.
• Honorable Mention - CARDONE Service Plus Flash 2 from CARDONE Industries
• Honorable Mention - Retaining Ring Pliers by A&E Hand Tools

Good Sense:

• 1st Place - Gold Eagle's Complete Fuel System Cleaning for Dummies
• Honorable Mention - The Purolator PureONE™ High Capacity Air Filter by ArvinMeritor
• Honorable Mention - Dyno-Tab Octane Booster by Chemplex Automotive Group

Individuality:

• 1st Place - Custom Chrome Ball Mounts by Master Lock Co.
• Honorable Mention - Automotive Lights by TYC/Genera Corp.
• Honorable Mention - The All-Terrain Vehicle Light by Tiger Accessory Group

Safe & Sound:

• 1st Place - Easy Check by Brembo North America, Inc.
• Honorable Mention - SAFETY-DIM Universal Glare Reduction Mirror by ARA Automotive Systems, Inc.
• Honorable Mention - Mr. Clean Premium Windshield Wash by Old World Industries

Smooth Sailing:

• 1st Place - MOOG Performance Chassis Parts by Federal-Mogul Corp.
• Honorable Mention - Monroe Quick Start by Tenneco Automotive
• Honorable Mention - CARDONE Select Master Cylinders by CARDONE Industries

Work Smart:

• 1st Place - Conti-V Multi-Rib Elastic Tool Kit by CRP/ContiTech
• Honorable Mention - The RAKBOOT Stretch Steering Rack Boot from Products That Work
• Honorable Mention - Flow-Mix 2-ton Epoxy by VersaChem-ITW

Making It Better:

• 1st Place - ATE PremiumOne™Brake Rotor by Continental Teves, Inc.
• Honorable Mention - Actron®CP9138S OBDII AutoScanner® bySPX Service Solutions
• Honorable Mention - WD-40 No-Mess Pen

The new focus drew 418 products relating to vehicle safety, security, fuel efficiency and performance, as well as those that are environmentally friendly, and create individuality, comfort and convenience for today's drivers. New products also included those that make the diagnosis and repair easier and more efficient for the professional service provider and do-it-yourselfer. Members of the consumer and trade press were among the judges.

The New Product Showcase is located in the upper lobby entrance to the Sands Expo Center from the Venetian Hotel, the busiest entrance to AAPEX and the first stop for buyers before they enter the show floor.

AAPEX 2005 was held Tuesday, Nov. 1, through Friday, Nov. 4, at the Sands Expo Center in Las Vegas, Nev. Due to the record-setting number of exhibitors, AAPEX was expanded to include exhibits in a portion of the Venetian Ballroom.

AAPEX is the annual business-to-business trade show representing the $250 billion North American retail and service aftermarket, and features more than 2,063 exhibitors. AAPEX is jointly sponsored by the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA) and the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA). For more information, visit www.aapexshow.com.

The list below further details the new categories for the New Product Showcase, and products appropriate for each category.

Cool Cars - Products that are fun to use, enhance the driving experience or are unique in their own way, such as entertainment products, audio, comfort and convenience and lights.

Earth-Friendly - Products that help protect the environment in terms of emissions, recyclability, waste/scrappage or material usage, such as catalytic converters, diesel particulate filters and advances in recyclable materials.

Fixing it Right - Tools or equipment that improves the diagnosis or repair process for a professional technician or for a do-it-yourselfer, such as a new diagnostic tool, lifts, compressors and hand tools with increased functionality.

Good Sense - Products that will help consumers save money, such as products that help increase fuel economy, make a vehicle run leaner on fuel or lighten the vehicle for improved fuel efficiency.

Individuality - Products that enhance the appearance of a vehicle or the appearance of specific components on a vehicle, such as chemicals, paints, decals, waxes and lights.

Safe & Sound - Products that will increase the safety and/or security of a vehicle's driver, passengers, other vehicles on the road or pedestrians, such as brakes, security systems, anti-rollover/crash technologies, lights and seats.

Smooth Sailing - Products that increase the driving experience by improving the driving performance of the vehicle, such as ride control, better stopping brakes and products to help gain horsepower.

Work Smart - Products that improve labor productivity or shop efficiency, or products that are easy to install by a professional service technician or do-it-yourselfer. Examples include fluid extractor, shop management software, online solutions, e-cataloging, new training materials and service guides.

Making it Better - Products that are an improved version of a previous product. The improvement can include any of a number of characteristics including weight, durability, fit and finish, solving a problem. Examples include an alternator that produces increased voltage, or spark plugs or filters that last longer.

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