NEWS BRIEFS FOR THE WEEK OF NOV. 28, 2005EPA, China Launch
Clean Diesel Retrofit Program
BEIJING, CHINA (Nov. 10, 2005) - Work began on retrofitting 30 buses in Beijing with clean diesel technology, under a collaboration between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), China's State Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) and industry partners. As a member of the United Nations Partnership for Clean Fuels and Vehicles, the United States has established similar collaborations in countries such as Chile, India, Thailand and Mexico.
Last year, the parties agreed to a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on an integrated set of clean fuels and vehicles projects. EPA committed to providing technical expertise and more than $200,000 toward diesel retrofit demonstrations. The Texas-based Southwest Research Institute will manage the Beijing bus retrofits, coordinating closely with EPA, the Chinese government, the bus company and emissions control vendors. The institute, a Texas-based non-profit specializing in technology transfer, is contributing matching funds to the project.
The retrofit project will demonstrate reductions in emissions of particulates and other pollutants through the introduction of cleaner emissions control technologies and cleaner fuel. At least two technologies will be deployed: one that can reduce particulates by as much as 30 percent and another that when used with low-sulfur fuel, can reduce particulates by more than 90 percent.
Fine particulate matter and other emissions from older diesel-powered trucks and buses contribute to air pollution in Beijing and throughout China, posing serious public health concerns. Environmental impacts of diesel exhaust emissions include its contribution to ozone formation and acid rain. Retrofits are a quick and cost-effective strategy for reducing emissions from existing diesel vehicles, says EPA. In Beijing alone, close to 1,000 vehicles are added to the roads each day.
Click here for more information on the Beijing diesel retrofit program.
(Source: EPA)
NHTSA Releases2004 Teen Driver Statistics
WASHINGTON (Nov. 12, 2005) - Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death of 15 to 20 year olds says the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA). In particular, the summer months have the highest incidence. In response, General Motors (GM) announced it has initiated a teen driver safety program and launched an associated magazine to help support teen safety.
In 2004, according to NHTSA's National Center for Statistics and Analysis, teens accounted for 12.4 million of the 196.2 million registered drivers - 6.3 percent of the total. Yet as a group, teen drivers were involved in 13.6 percent of all fatal crashes. In the same year, 3,620 teen drivers were killed in accidents, with another 303,000 injured.
In measures to stem the tide of teenager deaths and injuries, more than 30 states have instituted graduated driver licensing systems. While legislation varies in scope, the systems incorporate a number of measures, such as requirements that a parent or legal guardian spend up to the first 50 hours in the vehicle with a newly licensed teen driver; limits on the number of non-adult passengers that can be transported; and restrictions from nighttime driving.
The message from NHTSA and GM is that parents need to be responsible and teach their kids how to drive safely. In addition to parent involvement, GM also urged parents to insist on the use of seat belts and to ensure their vehicles were properly maintained to help reduce risk. Interested parents can also access GM's Teen Magazine at www.gm.com
(Sources: NHTSA, GM)
Lemon Law Attorney OffersBuying Advice
NORWELL, MA (Nov. 9, 2005) - Winter is an ideal time to purchase a car, according to Lemon Law Attorney Craig Thor Kimmel. With an assortment of 2005 and 2006 models on the dealership lots and competitive pricing initiatives, consumers have plenty of opportunities to get behind the wheel of a shiny new car, truck or SUV that fits their lifestyle, he says.
Kimmel is a partner with Kimmel & Silverman, which has successfully handled more than 35,000 Lemon Law cases and has been honored for their efforts by the American Bar Association. Drivers, says Kimmel, need to take certain precautions to make sure they aren't taken for a ride when purchasing a car. "An automobile purchase is something that should not be rushed," warns Kimmel. He offers consumers the following tips:
* Research - Make sure the car you are looking at has a strong customer satisfaction rating, provides the features that you are looking for and is priced within your range. Consumer Reports remains an exceptional research tool, as is Kelly Blue Book. Kimmel's Web site also offers a "Lemon Dodger" worksheet on its Web site to insure that used car drivers don't discover problems down the road.
* Referrals - Ask your family, neighbors and friends. These people can provide useful information, experiences and recommendations on vehicle purchases.
* Know the manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) - Unless a car is in high demand, most dealers will offer their cars at a price that is lower than MSRP. Knowing the MSRP can help when you are discussing costs. Call other authorized dealerships to see if they can get a better offer for you. Remember, this is your hard-earned money and you want to get the best ride for your dollar.
* Try it before you buy it - This is a common error in judgment. We often order cars in special colors or with additional features and when they arrive, we sign on the dotted line and drive off. Before you sign and take possession of the car, you need to test-drive the exact car you are buying, not one just like it. This is the one time you are in control, says Kimmel. Demand perfection.
* Do not purchase a used car without a manufacturers' warranty - Make sure that any car you purchase is protected with a warranty from the manufacturer. And make sure that if you are buying a "pre-certified" car, it is certified by the manufacturer and not the dealership. This is the only way a manufacturer will stand behind a pre-owned vehicle. Otherwise, you will not be protected under the state and federal Breach of Warranty Statutes, warns Kimmel.
* Know your rights - If you have purchased a new car or a car with an existing manufacturer's warranty and you have a reoccurring problem that they can't seem to fix, you do have legal rights. If a car is in the shop 15 business days in the first year, or has a reoccurring problem under the manufacturer's original or extended warranty period, you could be entitled to a new car or a full or partial refund.
(Source: Kimmel & Silverman)
Teen Drag Racer Uses TechnologyTo Drive Success
REDMOND, WA (Nov. 10, 2005) Microsoft Corp. today announced the grand-prize winner of its "Start Something Amazing Awards": fifteen-year-old Jeannine Johnson of Puyallup, WA.
Johnson uses the Microsoft technology to help monitor her racecar's performance and keep it running flawlessly. She connects her Windows XP-based PC to her car and uses Crew Chief PRO software to gauge the car's data acquisition system and measure RPM, jack-shaft speed and motor temperature variances from start to finish during each race. She also relies on Windows-based technology off the track, using Microsoft Office Word and Microsoft Office PowerPoint to help maintain a 3.8 grade point average and retain her racing sponsorships, as well as Windows Movie Maker to document her drag racing adventures.
"We've seen great improvements this year thanks to using Windows technologies to monitor my car's performance," Johnson said. "We were able to gather much more information from the car - just little things we wouldn't have been able to notice without using the software to analyze the data. I want to race professionally and plan to use technology to continue improving my racing times."
Born three and a half months premature and given a 1 percent chance of survival, Johnson battled several health issues over the years, which left her unable to participate in traditional sports.
She turned to drag racing at age nine and became one of only four National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) Junior Dragsters to achieve a "perfect package" during a race, a feat that requires impeccable speed and timing.
(Source: Microsoft)
(Photo: Ford Motor Co.)Ford Hybrids Join NYC Taxi Fleet
NEW YORK (Nov. 10, 2005) - Six new Ford Escape Hybrids have joined the New York City taxi fleet, as the city continues taking steps to take on city traffic congestion and high emissions, as well as reduce foreign oil dependence.
The change in city policy was prompted by growing public concern over New York's air quality - ranked as the third worst among U.S. cities in 2004. Seven out of 10 New Yorkers in a poll conducted by CAST last summer said New York taxis should be converted to hybrids sooner than later.
New York City Council Member John C. Liu, chairperson of the Transportation Committee, stated: "Today, we witness New York City's first hybrid taxicab which will help ensure a decent living for taxicab operators struggling with high fuel prices, provide cleaner air for New Yorkers and help us contribute to a reduction in our nation's reliance on fossil fuels."
The two-wheel-drive version of the Escape Hybrid achieves 36 miles per gallon in city driving, close to 500 miles per tank of gas, allowing cabbies to go an entire shift without taking time to fill up. According to the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission, each New York taxi averages nearly 100,000 miles of driving annually. So, the fuel savings for drivers and operators could reach the thousands of dollars every year. The savings could enable hybrid owners to recover the premium cost of the technology within the first year on the road.
(Source: Ford Motor Co.)
Three Keys To SuccessCHICAGO, IL (Nov. 8, 2005) - According to NueVista Strategy, a management consultancy specializing in strategic information and organizational issues, future-focused organizations share three things: a cultural emphasis on customers and innovation, superior information gathering and fact-based management processes.
"Future-focused organizations concentrate attention externally and are driven by information about customers, markets and the competition," explained Greg Gleason, managing partner, NueVista Strategy. "These organizations make decisions more closely aligned with customer needs than those companies that rely primarily on information about what has happened in the past. They maximize shareholder value and excel when others in their industry run out of steam."
"The first characteristic that successful future-focused companies share is a cultural emphasis on customers and innovation," Gleason said. "This emphasis is inherently future-focused because the organization is closely connected to changing economic conditions, consumer needs and tastes, technological changes and other aspects of market evolution."
The second quality shared by future-focused organizations is an emphasis on continual information gathering. Having timely market and competitor intelligence and the ability to link it with internally generated information about performance and investment, tends to drive value-maximizing decisions. In order to gather and effectively use future-focused information, NueVista Strategy advises senior executives to concentrate on:
* Developing capabilities and tools for collecting and managing external information about markets, customers, and competitors.
* Building processes and systems that provide timely, reliable, accurate and segmented information about actual performance and investment.
* Having and using the forecasting and analytical skills to systematically link internal and external views in terms of value.
Fact-based management processes are the third key to success. This means actually using the market intelligence and the strategic information to drive agendas, discussions and priorities. Experience and expertise are important but facts often require tough questions to be asked. Gleason explained that in situations where there is a conflict between data and opinion, future-focused companies push to understand why the conflict exists and what it means.
"Creating these three keys to success and building a plan for their development requires management vision and a commitment to process discipline, people and tools to support them," Gleason said. "With these in place, leadership will be far more able to identify where adjustments should be made to ensure value is maximized."
(Source: NueVista Strategy)
J.D. Power Releases2005 Feature Contenting Report
WESTLAKE VILLAGE, CA (Nov. 2, 2005) - J.D. Power and Associates has released its 2005 Feature Contenting Report, which shows that safety-related equipment, such as side-impact airbags, remains a top priority for new-vehicle buyers.
The study examines 49 vehicle features in two categories: traditional and emerging. Emerging technology included such features as side impact bags, active safety systems such as collision avoidance and pre-crash preparation systems, and satellite radio. Traditional technologies are those that are well established in the market, such as anti-lock brakes, four-/all-wheel-drive options, and multi CD changers. The 2005 Feature Contenting Report is based on responses from more than 115,000 owners of new 2005 and early-release 2006 model-year vehicles.
Safety features reigned supreme in this year's study Neal Oddes, director of product research at J.D. Power and Associates, cautioned by saying, "''Safety outpaces convenience by a large margin on consumers' wish lists. Consumers have expressed that they are willing to pay generously for cutting-edge safety technologies. By increasing safety-related options on new vehicles, manufacturers will satisfy consumer demand and yield greater returns on their investments."Among emerging features included in the 2005 report, side impact airbags have the highest market penetration at 46 percent and the highest desirability among consumers at 82 percent. Penetration for side impact airbags has been increasing at a constant rate-up 8 percentage points from 2004. Demand is also high for other emerging safety-related features, including stability control, electronic traction control and run-flat tires.
The study reported that eight of the top 10 features that consumers said they would either ''definitely'' or ''probably" want in their next vehicles were safety-related. Those included side airbags, advanced multi-staging airbags, stability control electronic traction control systems, and advanced lighting technology. Automakers have responded to these consumer demand trends, with more models and High Intensity Discharge headlamps, which provide more light. All are becoming increasingly available on new models, although not necessarily in the $100 to $300 price range that consumers in the survey said they'd like.
Demand for satellite radio leads new features Six new features are examined in the 2005 report, including manually adjustable driver lumbar support; power adjustable lumbar support; power adjustable passenger lumbar support; and Sirius and XM satellite radio. "Satellite radio is poised to become an integral part of audio systems in new vehicles," said Oddes. "As this feature continues to be aggressively promoted, demand and market penetration will rapidly increase."Nearly 40 percent of consumers say they would like satellite radio in their next new vehicle, making it one of the fastest-growing features in the industry. While 17 percent of respondents purchased satellite radio for their new vehicle-a 6-percentage-point increase from 2004-desirability has dramatically increased by 20 percentage points.
According to a study, new-vehicle owners who have satellite radio are significantly more satisfied with their vehicle's sound system quality. Of owners who currently have a satellite radio system installed, almost 75 percent responded that they would "definitely" or "probably" want this feature in their next vehicle.
Among traditional features, anti-lock brakes have the highest penetration and desirability for a third consecutive year. With market penetration at 87 percent, manufacturers have essentially met consumer demand for this feature. Automatic transmission and split fold-down seats follow anti-lock brakes in penetration and desirability among traditional features.
Oddes expressed some caution when he added, "Although demand is high for safety-related features, the gap between consumers who have such features and those who desire them is still very large." One thing for consumers to look for when shopping for cars is to note which features are included in the sticker price versus being add-ons that bump the price.
(Source: J.D. Power and Associates)
DCX Sells Remaining Stake In Mitsubishi
STUTTGART, GERMANY (Nov. 11, 2005) - DaimlerChrysler AG (DCX) has agreed today to sell its remaining 12.4 percent equity interest in Mitsubishi Motors Corp. (MMC) to Goldman Sachs International, a business unit of investment banker Goldman Sachs. DCX once owned 37 percent of MMC, and this final sale of its stake leaves Goldman Sachs as the largest remaining shareholder in MMC. The investment bank plans to resell the former DCX stake to institutional investors.
Due to the complete sale of its shares in MMC, DCX financial income in 2005 will improve by approximately $585 million. The funds may be used to offset the projected $1.1 billion costs associated with the cutting of 8,500 jobs at its Mercedes Car Group in Germany. Proceeds of the sale and the exact impact on financial income will be published after closing of the equity stake, which will take place by the end of November at the latest.
The current cooperation projects between DCX and MMC will not be affected by the disposal and will continue as previously agreed. Some examples of such projects are the joint development and production of engines, the shared use of vehicle architecture and the joint production of passenger cars, sports utility vehicles and pickup trucks in Europe, North America, China and South Africa. In addition, DCX and MMC plan to renew and extend current projects which are mutually beneficial.
(Source: DaimlerChrysler)
Nissan Moving U.S. Headquarters
NASHVILLE, TN (Nov. 10, 2005) - Nissan North America Inc. (NNA) has announced that it will relocate its Gardena, CA headquarters functions and employees to an all-new facility in Franklin, TN, within the greater Nashville area. The move is expected to provide strategic, long-term operational benefits and to support NNA's ongoing efforts to create synergies and improve performance. Construction of the new building is expected to begin in 2006, and the facility would be completed in 2008.
Nissan currently employs about 1,300 people at its headquarters campus in Gardena, CA, about 15 miles south of Los Angeles. Corporate functions managed from that site include, sales, marketing, product planning, corporate planning, communications and training. Nissan operations at the Gardena facility began in 1960.
Locating its headquarters in Franklin, 15 miles southwest of Nashville, will allow much closer collaboration with Nissan's manufacturing, purchasing, product quality and supply chain management functions based 30 minutes away in Smyrna TN, says Nissan. The company has a $2.1 billion vehicle assembly plant and 6,700 employees there. Another 1,300 employees work at the powertrain assembly plant in Decherd, TN.
Citing reasons behind the relocation decision, Nissan President and CEO Carlos Ghosn mentioned the lower costs of doing business in Tennessee; the favorable business and taxation climate that exists in the state; the potential to improve operational efficiencies among its North American functions; and Tennessee's central location.
For employees, the relocation is expected to create more operational synergies and nurture employees' creativity and innovation. By bringing California headquarters and manufacturing functions closer together, there is a potential for higher levels of cross-functional involvement and better communication.
(Source: Nissan)
Probe Into Former And Current VW Employees Continues
WOLFSBURG, GERMANY (Nov. 11, 2005) - According to Bloomberg, Volkswagen AG has completed an internal probe, conducted for the automaker by KPMG International, of former managers who had set up and used shell companies, for their own personal gain, in addition to using VW funds for personal travel and entertainment. The improprieties cost VW and its shareholders nearly $6 million.
The probe was mirrored by an investigation also conducted by German federal authorities. One outcome of the probe will be stricter controls of its management. Under the new control system, employees giving anonymous tips will trigger the company to assign two attorneys to deal with such allegations.
German prosecutors are also investigating whether VW paid for 108 trips abroad between 2001 and 2005 for 10 members of the company's works council, which represents employee interests, in exchange for favorable votes on policy.
(Source: Bloomberg)
American Heroes Recognized By Jeep
AUBURN HILLS,MI (Nov. 10, 2005) - Jeep has announced the four grand-prize winners - one in each of four categories - to be recognized in a nationwide Jeep Heroes program which was established to honor military, police, fire and emergency medical services (EMS) personnel who deliver exemplary, unique and heroic service to improve the quality of life in cities and towns across America.
From more than 2,500 nomination, the four finalists, who received their choice of a new 2006 Jeep Commander or 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo, are:
* Military - Vera Harris from Denton, TX, was nominated by her daughter, Nitia. Harris recently returned from 15 months of service in Iraq for the U.S. Army as a Commander Sergeant Major, where she was responsible for the training, health and welfare of soldiers.
* Police - J.C. Dodd from Applegate, CA, is a California Highway Patrol (CHP) search and rescue helicopter pilot. He was nominated by his wife, Jacqueline Dodd. On behalf of Dodd, Jeep will donate his prize to a charity of his choice as state and CHP policies prevent him from accepting the vehicle.
* Fire - Bud Brinkerhoff from Placitas, NM, is a firefighter who spends time teaching fire safety to kids, in addition to responding to more than 50 percent of the 400+ calls per year. He was nominated by his colleague and friend in the Placitas Fire Department, Drew Owen.
* EMS - Cindy Gibson of Star Prairie, WI, is a volunteer first responder and emergency medical technician for more than 20 years. Her son, Rick Larson, nominated her, calling her "Mrs. Volunteer."
(Source: DaimlerChrysler)
OnStar By GM Wins Major IT AwardPHOENIX, AZ (Nov. 6, 2005) - CIO Magazine selected OnStar as the winner of the 2006 Annual CIO Grand Enterprise Value Award at the magazine's CIO|06: Year Ahead Conference. The Grand Enterprise Value Award is the magazine's most prestigious award, and is recognized as one of the leading awards in the IT industry.
"Over the many years we've been doing these awards, it's become apparent that at successful organizations, IT is an integral part of the business," says Abbie Lundberg, editor in chief, CIO magazine. "GM's OnStar was the judges' unanimous choice for this year's Grand CIO Enterprise Value Award because it delivers on so many critical dimensions: significant value to customers and the business; technical excellence behind the scenes with an extremely user-friendly front end; the social value of increasing the safety and security of drivers; and the continuous feedback loop of incorporating data from vehicle diagnostics into new car design. GM just seems to keep finding new ways to extract value from this system."
OnStar also won an Enterprise Value Award for the Manufacturing category and was one of twelve category winners being considered for the Grand Award. The Enterprise Value Award underscores the collaboration between information technology (IT) and business management and is bestowed upon a select group of organizations that clearly demonstrate how they leverage IT to achieve business objectives and produce positive business results.
"We are honored to have received the Grand Enterprise Value Award," said Chet Huber, president of OnStar. "Our entire team is focused on subscriber's services that are relevant and provide added peace of mind and we sincerely appreciate CIO magazine's recognition of our total organizational efforts."
OnStar recently launched a new " Only GM" service called OnStar Vehicle Diagnostics where your car automatically performs hundreds of diagnostic checks on four key vehicle operating systems -- the engine/transmission, anti-lock brakes, airbag and OnStar. The vehicle is automatically programmed to send the results via e-mail to the owner each month. This new service is another example of how OnStar continually strives to increase its relevance and value to its customers. Additionally, OnStar Vehicle Diagnostics is exclusively for GM customers, who have a 2004 model year or newer vehicle, and enhances GM's commitment to its Total Value Promise.
"OnStar is an industry-leading product differentiator for our company," said Ralph Szygenda, group vice president and CIO, General Motors. "OnStar leverages a number of technologies, but the fundamental relationship between IT and its business operations is the key ingredient to its success. We are gratified by CIO magazine's recognition of our achievements."
(Sources: CIO Magazine, GM)
AAIA AnnouncesTwo Award Recipients
BETHESDA, MD (Nov. 10, 2005) - The Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA) recognized a number of award recipients during Industry Week in Las Vegas, NV.
Bill Glasgow, Sr. was presented with the 2005 AAIA Automotive Aftermarket Executive of the Year Award during AAPEX. The award is presented to an outstanding individual in recognition of exemplary leadership in the aftermarket industry and commitment to the betterment of their community. The award, which is given only when there is a truly deserving recipient, honors a single automotive aftermarket executive who has demonstrated the highest level of support for and dedication to the goals of the association and to the advancement of the aftermarket industry. Glasgow was recognized for his contribution in managing shows including AAPEX, PAACE Automechanika Mexico and the brand new Heavy Duty Aftermarket Week debuting in 2006.
Congressman Joe Barton (R-TX) was recognized as the annual recipient of the AAIA Outstanding Service Award for 2005. The Outstanding Service Award is given to those who have shown their dedication to the causes and ideals of the industry, through countless hours of volunteer time spent to accomplish a goal. Recipients of the award have truly gone above and beyond the call of duty to benefit the aftermarket. Barton has fulfilled this criteria as he helps push for the Motor Vehicle Owners' Right to Repair Act (H.R.2048).
(Source: AAIA)
