NEWS BRIEFS FOR THE WEEK OF JAN. 19, 2006

SACRAMENTO, CA (Jan. 2, 2006) - A statewide notice program authorized by California's Sacramento County Superior Court was initiated to issue notices to those who bought, owned or leased 1991 through 2001 model-year Ford Explorers. The lawsuit is titled "Ford Explorer Cases, JCCP Nos. 4266 and 4270 (Sacramento County Superior Court, CA)." 

California residents who bought, owned or leased a new or used 1991 through 2001 model-year Ford Explorer in California could be affected by this class action. California residents, including individuals and entities, who bought, owned or leased, new or used one of these vehicles in California between 1990 and Aug. 9, 2000, are included in the suit. In addition, consumers who still own their vehicle and those who sold, ended the lease or otherwise disposed of it after Aug. 9, 2000 are included.

The lawsuit alleges that Ford concealed what it knew about a dangerous design flaw that increases the Explorer's tendency to roll over, thereby misleading California consumers to buy or lease Explorers, and to pay more than what they should have for their vehicles. The lawsuit seeks money or benefits for the class.

Ford denies that the Explorers at issue are defective and asserts that the unique handling characteristics of sport utility vehicles were fully disclosed by it through product literature and government-mandated warnings. Ford notes that the plaintiffs do not claim that the Explorers are more likely to roll over than other comparable SUVs.

This notice emphasizes that this suit is not a recall or a case about personal injuries or wrongful deaths. The court has not decided if Ford did anything wrong. Members of the class need to decide if they are willing to participate in the suit; they must notify the court of exclusion by March 14, 2006. A trial is scheduled to begin on Sept. 25, 2006. For more information and a detailed notice, suit members should visit the Web site at http://www.ExplorerCAsuit.com. 

(Source: Superior Court of California, Sacramento County)

WASHINGTON (Jan. 5, 2006) - This June 29, 2006 will mark the 50th anniversary of the day that the federal Interstate Highway Act was signed to begin one of the biggest engineering projects ever undertaken.

The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), which represents America's state transportation departments, has provided a dedicated Web site that will provide resources and events to be held throughout the year to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Interstate Highway System.

One such event is the acknowledgement at the 2006 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) of the cooperation between AASHTO and automakers in improving transportation safety and traffic in bringing enhanced car-roadway electronic communications onto American highways. In June, a San Francisco-to-Washington, D.C. convoy will retrace in reverse the route that President Eisenhower traveled in 1919 as a youth. AASHTO will also sponsor policy conferences that will examine the future of the interstate and transportation in the United States.

The ASSHTO commemorative site is at www.interstate50th.org/. There is also an extensive, in-depth public-domain information about the history of the interstates on the Federal Highway Administration Web site at http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/infrastructure/history.htm.

(Source: AASHTO)

DETROIT (Jan. 10, 2006) -Rob Tregenza, director, Consumer Strategist, Transportation, with Iconoculture Inc., spoke at the 2006 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) and outlined some consumer trends and behaviors the firm sees as the frontrunners for 2006. The research firm covers a number of industries, including the automotive/transportation sector.

Return of modern retro designs: "Retro" is back, and some of this year's biggest buzz surrounds both production and concept vehicle offerings. Consumers connect emotionally to authentic and nostalgic vehicles on the muscle side of the equation, such as the Dodge Challenger or the Chevy Camaro, says Tregenza, and the off-road theme with the Toyota FJ cruiser. The biggest concern for automakers, he advises, is to understand the relevance of retro and its role in creating a timeless car. The challenge, however, is making it possible with the pace at which consumers change their tastes.

The "Call of Small": Consumers of all ages are finding the compact segment now offers new-found levels of quality, value and style. From upcoming compacts such as the Toyota Yaris and Honda Fit, to the sportier Saturn Sky roadster and the Nissan URGE concept, automakers are providing vehicle options that are smaller and feel "cool." For consumers, it's easy on the pocketbook, says Tregenza, and a way to make a personal style statement.

Crossover vehicles: In 2006, there will be more than 50 vehicles on the market that fall into the crossover vehicle segment. Consumers have never felt more empowered to demand choice, but as more of these vehicles flood into a segment that Tregenza characterizes as "growing", the industry must be cautious not to overburden consumers with too much choice, he says. Vehicles such as the Jeep Compass and the Ford Edge may get a good majority of the spotlight as consumers seek out performance, utility, design and even thrift.

Hybrid staying power: Hybrid technology still gets consumers excited about a vehicle, Tregenza pointed out, and it's not going away anytime soon, given consumers' demand for thrift coupled with the uncertainty surrounding energy and gas prices. This year, consumers can experience the Subaru B5 Turbo Hybrid or the Saturn VUE Green Line among others, in their quest to be more environmentally conscious.

(Source: Iconoculture Inc.)

LIMA, OH (Jan. 9, 2006) - The University of Northwestern Ohio will unveil its new High Performance Motorsports Complex, on Jan. 20, 2006. The construction of the training center is the result of increasing enrollments and industry demands for highly trained and qualified graduates.

"The 70,000 square-foot complex is the future of high-performance motorsports education. We've incorporated the latest technology in chassis and engine dynamometers, suspension and drive line set-ups and welding classes for exotic materials into the complex," says university President, Dr. Jeffrey A. Jarvis. "Plus, just outside of the buildings, students will find a 500-foot launching pad for drag racing classes, an eighth-mile asphalt oval for stock car testing and an obstacle course/rock crawling hill for testing off-road technology."

The University of Northwestern Ohio established the first accredited High Performance Motorsports education program in the United States in 1992. Limaland Motorsports Park, a quarter-mile dirt track, was purchased in 1998 to provide students the opportunity to work on racecars and learn the intricacies of chassis tuning at the 40-acre classroom.

The university's has earned the recognition as the Official High Performance Technical Training University for ARCA, USAC, and DIRT Motorsports. Many university students work with race teams from these sanctioning bodies each week, giving them the opportunity to apply what they learn in the classroom during the week. 

(Source: University of Northwestern Ohio)

DELHI, INDIA (Jan. 8, 2006) - So how might emerging nanotechnology affect the aftermarket industry and service professionals? Some experts suggest that nanotechnology will lead to stronger and more durable components with increased efficiencies. This, in turn, will help cars last longer, result in fewer repairs and lower insurance claims. 

Research & Consultancy Outsourcing Services' (RCNOS) recently published "The World Nanotechnology Market 2005," is an in-depth study of the commercial potentials and the economic advantages of this new technology in the global market. The report predicts that demand for nanotechnology - nanoscale materials, tools, devices and processes - will exceed $1 trillion in sales by 2010. Much of the market growth will be led by the automotive sector.

The study says that for the automotive industry, the demand for nanotechnology that improves costs, efficiency, performance, appearance, emissions and safety will continue to rise. Already being employed in making metallic paints, catalytic converters nano-fiber reinforcements for plastics, hydrogen storage and other processes, RNCOS said that the auto industry's current 15 percent stake in the market could reach 84 percent by 2015.

Nanotechnology, the science of infusing minuscule molecules into existing and new technologies and processes, continues to evolve. Within the automotive industry, it is rapidly becoming part of mainstream product and process development. It is impacting nearly every industry sector including biotechnology, electronic, energy and automotive products. Nanotools made of nanostructured materials are used to make items like nanoparticles (used to create scratch-resistant finishes or to improve airbag propellants), nanocrystals (that can be used to enhance paints), nanocubes (miniature hydrogen fuel cells used for personal audio-visual devices or hydrogen storage), nanotubes (external body parts such as fenders or fuel line components) and a host of ever-emerging technological advances. Not only is a new vocabulary being created, but also new opportunities that will change the landscape of the aftermarket - adding pressure to businesses to keep up in some cases, and creating opportunities in others.

According to RCNOS, to facilitate and motivate research and development in this emerging field, governments have dramatically increased nanotechnology funding. At the same time, venture capitalists also have increased their investments six times over the previous two years. Even mainstream companies have invested in nanotechnology: Intel, IBM, DuPont, 3M, General Electric, Samsung, Hitachi and several automakers collectively spent more than $5 billion on nanotechnology research and development (R&D) in 2004. Globally, this has been divided into 46 percent by nanotechnology companies in North America, 36 percent by Asian companies, 17 percent by European companies and about 1 percent by the rest of the world. 

The market research report by RNCOS deals with nanotechnology applications worldwide. It gives the status of nanotechnology patents and IP, market for nanoparticles, and annual sales of nanotechnology tools, instruments and products. The market research report delineates the activities of concerned companies, the expenditure by national and local governments on nanotechnology R&D in emerging technologies and evaluates the challenges and how to overcome them. 

The report also highlights global nanotechnology market trends for 2004 through 2008, industry structure by geographical regions and components/products applications, end users with the greatest commercial potential through 2008, government and private companies' expenditures for research and development, patents file info, factors that will influence the long-term development of nanotechnology, social and economic impact of nanotechnologies, and important developments and breakthroughs.

(Source: RNCOS)

DETROIT (Jan. 8, 2006) - The 2006 Honda Civic and 2006 Honda Ridgeline have earned the 2006 "North American Car of the Year" and "North American Truck of the Year" awards respectively. 

American Honda Motor Co. Inc. announced that this marks the first time ever that a single brand has won both awards in the same year, and it marks the automaker's first win in either category. The Civic triumphed over the domestic-made Ford Fusion and Pontiac Solstice, two other finalists for the award. The Ridgeline beat out the other two finalists, the Ford Explorer and Nissan Xterra.

The North American Car of the Year and Truck of the Year Awards are chosen by a group of 49 international automotive journalists. The awards are unique because instead of being presented by a single publication, radio or television station, they are made by automotive journalists from the United States and Canada. Presented each year at the opening of the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, the awards are based on factors including innovation, design, safety, handling, driver satisfaction and value for the dollar.

(Source: Honda)

DETROIT, MI (Jan. 8, 2006) - At the North American International Auto Show today, Johnson Controls unveiled an Active Head Restraint system and an Active Anti-Submarining Seat ramp for automobile seating. These new technologies, says Johnson Controls, will help its customers to optimize the safety performance of their vehicles. Both products can be integrated into existing seating systems.