WIX® Filters Wins Third Consecutive Vendor of the Year Award from Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance

Monday, 10 December 2007

WIX Filters received an unprecedented third consecutive Vendor of the Year Award from Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance during the Alliance’s annual banquet in Boca Raton, Fla., on Dec. 4.

The 2007 Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance Vendor of the Year award recognizes WIX Filters as the overall outstanding major vendor and as a valued and appreciated partner in the success of the Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance, one of the largest auto parts distribution and marketing organizations in the world.

“We are honored that the Alliance has recognized WIX Filters’ customer service and sales support efforts for the third straight year with their most prestigious award,” said Bill Sheehan, vice president of sales at WIX Filters, who accepted the award on behalf of WIX. “Providing our customers with the best filtration products on the market, industry leading fill rates, innovative marketing, and world-class customer and sales support is what separates WIX from the competition.”

The Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance Awards, voted on by shareholders of the Auto Value and Bumper to Bumper brands, honor excellence in sales support, marketing and customer service.

“We are pleased to recognize WIX Filters as a strong business partner who shares our commitment to exceptional customer service, mutual growth and shareholder value,” said Richard Morgan, president and chief executive officer of the Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance, who presented the award. “WIX earned this recognition from our shareholders due to their excellent support for the growth of our members’ businesses.”

Joining Sheehan onstage from the Affinia Group to receive the award for outstanding performance from Morgan and Fletcher Lord, chairman of the Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance Board of Directors, were: Terry McCormack, president and chief executive officer; John Washbish, president of customer relationship management; Jeff Stauffer, senior vice president for global group marketing; and Don Reimondo, senior vice president of customer relationship management.

“Through our family of aftermarket brands, Affinia has an extensive and successful relationship with the Alliance, and we are very proud of our professional field force’s sustained efforts and ability to provide the exceptional sales, marketing and service support that contributes to the Alliance’s continued growth and success,” Washbish said.

Since 1939, WIX Filters has been an innovator in filtration products. WIX designs, manufactures and distributes products for automotive, diesel, agricultural, industrial and specialty filter markets. Its product line includes oil, air, cabin interior, fuel, coolant, transmission and hydraulic filters for automobiles, trucks and off-road equipment. WIX, a member of the Affinia family of brands, is the number one filter in NASCAR and an exclusive NASCAR Performance Product. Its NASCAR relationship also includes the WIX Filters Lap Leader Award, which recognizes the drivers leading the most laps in each race. WIX Filters’ Internet address is www.wixfilters.com.

Affinia Group Inc. is a global leader in the on- and off-highway replacement products and service industry. In North America the Affinia family of brands includes WIX® filters, Raybestos®, AIMCO® and BrakePro® brake products, and McQuay-Norris® and Spicer® chassis parts. South American and European brands include Nakata®, Filtron®, Urba® and Quinton Hazell®. For more information, visit www.affiniagroup.com.