NEWS BRIEFS FOR THE WEEK OF SEPT. 21, 2006

AUBURN HILLS, MI (Sept. 7, 2006) - .DaimlerChrysler has launched a new version of its HEMI Web site (www.hemi.com) and added 80 percent more images. New photos, graphics and drawings appear in timelines and galleries, as well as downloadable wallpaper images, including extremely rare shots of the 1950s HEMI Indy engine and photos assembled from the archives of Mopar collector Harold Sullivan.  New captions give background facts on the HEMI engine, including the 1951 Chrysler FirePower V8. The history of the 426 HEMI also is featured in detail to supplement information on new-generation 5.7- and 6.1-liter HEMI engines. (Source: DaimlerChryser)NHTSA Requires Crash Test Ratings on Windshields WASHINGTON (Sept. 8, 2006) - Auto manufacturers will be required to display the government's star safety ratings on every new vehicle with a price sticker, according to a federal rule recently finalized.  National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Administrator Nicole Nason announced that the 2008 model-year will start the program. The new rule requires an expanded window sticker intended to provide consumers with NHTSA safety ratings in three areas: front and side crash and non-destructive rollover tests. All three tests use the five-star rating, with five stars being the safest. "By making safety a selling point, it is my hope that this rule will encourage the faster development of these kinds of technologies," Nason says.  NHTSA safety ratings can be viewed online at www.safercar.gov. Further details for the "Stars on Cars" requirements can be viewed at the NHTSA Web site.(Source: NHTSA)AAA Says 48 Million 
U.S. Households Are UnderinsuredLIFE INSURANCE FACTSMore than one in four men have no life insurance coverage, and almost two-thirds of men ages 18 to 24 have no life insurance.Nearly one in three women has no life insurance coverage.In 2004, the average amount of life insurance coverage on insured individuals reached $146,300.Twenty-five percent of U.S. household heads believe they do not have a plan in place to provide a decent standard of living for their family if they died tomorrow.Three-fourths of Americans needing more insurance think they can't afford the premium.Eight in 10 find it difficult to decide how much and what type to buy, and worry about making the wrong decision.Two-thirds don't know where to buy or whom to turn to for help.(Table source: AAA Michigan)

DEARBORN, MI - A new study conducted by LIMRA International, on behalf of AAA Michigan, shows that 44 percent of all U.S. households either don't own life insurance and believe they should, or own life insurance and believe they need more. 

The study also revealed that three-fourths of American households do not have a personal life insurance agent or a personal financial advisor or planner. Survey respondents revealed that consumers procrastinate about insurance for a variety of reasons: affordability; doubting the need; questioning the timing; and indecision about proper coverage levels. 

To help educate consumers about life insurance needs, a new Web site has been established at www.life-line.org, where basic information is available without pressure to buy. In addition, the site offers a "Value and Needs Calculator" that helps consumers determine the best coverage for their individual needs.(Source: AAA Michigan)DCX: Biodiesel Enhances the 
Benefits of Clean Diesel  WASHINGTON (Sept. 13, 2006) - Modern, clean diesel engines will be a cornerstone of America's energy solutions, and clean, renewable biodiesel fuel will be critical to the success of diesel-powered vehicles in the U.S. market. That's according to Loren Beard, DaimlerChrysler (DCX) senior manager for Fuels. "Diesel will be good for America, and biodiesel makes diesel better," says Beard. "Emissions of particulates - an important issue in congested urban areas - can be reduced more than 80 percent with modern, clean diesel engines running on biodiesel."  He shared that DCX will continue to expand its lineup of diesel-powered vehicles and ensure they can run on biodiesel, while broadening its consumer education programs on home-grown biodiesel fuel.  Through two decades of advances, today's modern, clean diesel engines produce 80 percent less particulates and 70 percent less NOx.  Beard reports that B20 (20 percent biodiesel blended in conventional diesel fuel) can reduce particulate matter emissions by up to 15 percent more. If B5 (5 percent biodiesel blended in conventional diesel fuel) were used in all diesel fuel for on-road use in the United States, Beard says it would reduce fuel consumption by 1.85 billion gallons - the amount of fuel made from all oil imports from Iraq. See our story from last week's Briefs, "Ethanol Demand, Production Reach All-Time Highs." DCX announced it will market five diesel-powered passenger vehicles in 2007: the Jeep Grand Cherokee CRD sport-utility vehicle with 3.0-liter diesel engine; the Mercedes-Benz E320 luxury sedan with 3.0-liter engine and BlueTec emissions technology; and three new Mercedes-Benz utility vehicles, R320 CDI, ML320 CDI, and GL320 CDI. In addition, the Dodge Ram pickup and Dodge Sprinter van are also equipped with diesel engines for the U.S. market. (Source: DaimlerChrysler)What Do Pickup Truck Bedliners and the Pentagon Have in Common? SANTA ANA, CA (Sept. 11, 2006) - California-based Linex Corp. is using the same material it uses for pickup Line-X bedliners to protect buildings from terrorist bomb blasts, after it was found to significantly reduce fragmentation. One of the greatest threats from an explosion is fragmentation - pieces of walls, windows, fixtures and equipment - flying at high speeds. Linex says its bedliner polymer can be sprayed onto the exterior wall of existing buildings, effectively containing the shattered wall fragments and protecting the building's occupants from serious injury during the explosion. The U.S. Department of Defense selected the Line-X blast mitigation coating application for the renovation of the Pentagon after its attack. In addition, the coating has been applied at dozens of sites around the world.(Source: Linex Corp.)EPA Proposes Renewable Fuel Standard WASHINGTON (Sept. 7, 2008) - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Stephen L. Johnson proposed a Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program designed to double the use of renewable fuels such as ethanol and biodiesel by 2012.  The program, authorized by the Energy Policy Act of 2005, will promote use of fuels largely produced by American crops. A national RFS will expand the use of biodiesel and ethanol, creating new markets for farm products and greater energy security. Johnson says that advanced technologies under development could make it possible to produce renewable ethanol from agricultural and industrial waste at a cost competitive with today's gas prices. The RFS program is designed to cut petroleum use by approximately 3.9 billion gallons a year by 2012 and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 14 million tons annually. In 2006, there will be about 4.5 billion gallons of renewable fuel consumed as motor vehicle fuel in the United States. The RFS program requires that this volume increase to at least 7.5 billion gallons by 2012.(Source: EPA)Audi V12 Diesel Goes Commercial

The 2007 Q7 (top) features the commercially available version of Audi's 6.0-liter V12 TDI diesel engine (bottom).
(Photos: Audi)

INGOLSTADT, GERMANY (Sept. 17, 2006) - Audi European-version 2007 Q7 will include the first 12-cylinder diesel engine for a production passenger car. The new 6.0L V12 TDI diesel produces 500 horsepower and 738 ft.-lbs. of torque. Plans to import the new engine to the United States have not been announced yet.

The V12 TDI is similar to the engine featured in the new R10 Le Mans racing car - the first diesel to capture the Le Mans Series Championship. The high-tech diesel engine is equipped with Bosch's new 29,000 psi common rail system. The V12 TDI transmits this power through a new six-speed Tiptronic gearbox to the Quattro permanent four-wheel drive system.

Although the V12 TDI belongs to the Audi V-engine family, this model features a special cylinder angle of 60 degrees and a new chain drive assembly. The twin-turbo V12 TDI conforms to the Euro 5 emissions class that will be in effect in 2010. Fuel consumption is nearly 20 mpg. (Source: Audi)M-B Uses Shop Environment to Showcase Products, Service 

FRANKFURT, GERMANY (Sep. 17, 2006) - At the recent Automechanika show, Mercedes-Benz (M-B) transformed its exhibit space into an automobile sales and service outlet to highlight its vehicles this year. Visitors could view modern workshop processes, new workshop systems and service expertise in familiar surroundings, as well as customer-focused repair and service techniques, state-of-the-art diagnostic technology and data transfer from vehicles via wireless local area network (WLAN) technology.

Mercedes-Benz demonstrated customer-oriented service technologies at Automechanika 2006.
(Photo: Mercedes-Benz) All stations of a visit to a typical M-B workshop were open to public viewing - from the initial greeting of a customer to the service follow-up call. Necessary supporting processes that occur in the background were also displayed.  In the diagnostic station, technicians performed diagnostic tests and repair work on various models. Here, several new diagnostic tools were debuted: the SDconnect Diagnostic Multiplexer, Star Diagnosis Compact3W and Star Diagnosis Basic2. The SDconnect Diagnostic Multiplexer, connects to the diagnostic interface located in the vehicle's footwell. The multiplexer establishes a wireless link to the diagnostic station in the workshop, to which it sends the collected data.  Staff also demonstrated maintenance and repair techniques - specifically, using the networked information system's 24/7 diagnostic information and repair instructions.(Source: DaimlerChrysler)Automotive O2 Sensor Turns 30  BROADVIEW, IL (Sept. 16, 2006) - One of the most significant engine management devices developed to control harmful automotive exhaust emissions - the oxygen (O2) sensor - was invented 30 years ago and is in use now more than ever. In fact, practically every vehicle manufacturer today uses one, and often two or more such sensors per vehicle.