NEWS BRIEFS FOR THE WEEK OF OCT. 5, 2006Mitchell 1 Sponsors CARS Luncheon POWAY, CA (Sept. 19, 2006) - Mitchell 1 will sponsor a free luncheon for registered attendees of the 2006 Congress of Automotive Repair and Service (CARS), on Friday, Nov. 3, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at The Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas. Nick DiVerde, general manager, Shop Management Solutions, Mitchell 1, will deliver a brief presentation during the event. "The Automotive Service Association (ASA) and Mitchell 1 have been partners for many years now because both organizations have the same goal: to help automotive shops improve their businesses," says DiVerde. To register for ASA's CARS event, visit www.asashop.org/cars06.(Source: Mitchell
1)Michelin Challenge Design Seeks to Improve Road Safety GREENVILLE, SC (Sept. 18, 2006) - Michelin North America Inc. announced the theme for the 2007 Michelin Challenge Design is "Sharing the Road" to celebrate, promote, publicize and give visibility to original creative thinking and innovation in vehicle design. With more than 260 entries from around the world, designs focus specifically on enhanced road safety for North America. The best of those entries will be displayed at the North American International Auto Show, scheduled Jan. 13 through 21, 2007 in Detroit. Safety by the NumbersEach year, 1.2 million people around the globe die as a result of motor vehicle collisions.China is just beginning to motorize, but already more than
100,000 people a year die in accidents.Half of those who die on India's roads are pedestrians.In Mexico, nearly 40 percent of all fatalities involve pedestrians.In the United States, vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among Americans
two to 34 years of age.In the United States, nearly 10 percent of all medical costs are caused by vehicle crash-related injuries. (Source: Michelin)Despite innovations to the passive and active safety technologies installed on so many new cars, trucks and SUVs, future developments will need to come from areas outside of automobiles, says Michelin. Integration of the transportation system is required, Michelin stipulates, as well as driver training, aging drivers, driver distractions and alcohol use; road maintenance, signage and lighting; real-time route guidance to smooth traffic flow, and awareness of and consideration for two-wheel and pedestrian traffic - the so-called "vulnerable" road user. (Source: Michelin)EU Delays Emissions Regulations BRUSSELS, BELGIUM - In a recent vote, the European Committee of the European Parliament decided to delay the implementation of Euro 5 emissions regulations for automobiles from mid-2008 to Sept. 1, 2009. Even then, while most private vehicles will already conform to the standards, some automobiles, such as seven-passenger diesels and light commercial trucks, will have an extra year to comply.
(Source: European Parliament)In addition, members of the decision panel have suggested that the date for Euro 6 emissions standards to become effective - which are close to U.S Tier 2, Bin 5 standards - be set at Sept. 1, 2014. A final vote on that recommendation will be made later this month.(Source: European Parliament)DHRA Expands Racing Series
(Photo: DHRA)REDKEY, IN - In a matter of seven short years, the Diesel Hot Rod Association (DHRA) is becoming a force to be reckoned within the drag racing world. Across the United States, you couldn't miss the thousands of diesel trucks rumbling toward the race tracks, awaiting their chance to show the fans what diesel racing is all about. After a successful 17-event season in 2006, including two national events, the DHRA is expanding to the West Coast. In 2007, DHRA will host the Vegas Diesel Nationals and the DieselPower! Diesel Additive Drag Racing Series to greatly expand West Coast participation. In addition, DHRA is expanding its DieselPower! Diesel Additive Drag Racing Series, which will add the West Coast series for DHRA Pro Street, Quick Diesel and bracket racing. The racing series will reflect the existing program DHRA is currently running on the East Coast. (Source: DHRA)AAA Names ATI Preferred Supplier SAVAGE, MD - The Automotive Training Institute (ATI) recently announced its affiliation with AAA as an Automotive Preferred Supplier. ATI will provide management and consulting services through a one-day seminar titled "Cash Profits Boot Camp," which features program materials and content customized for AAA/CAA service providers. The seminar is designed to help shop owners gain a better understanding of their business from a financial perspective in order to develop growth and marketing strategies, retain their existing customer base while attracting new business and improve overall shop efficiency. Course instruction includes: * Identifying a working profit model that works for shops. * Increasing parts margins. * Retaining an existing customer base and attracting new customers. * Maximizing shop efficiency. * Increasing car counts. In addition to gaining valuable insights into overall business practices, shop owners will receive a customized on-site business analysis, including a profit-and-loss review and a "Roadmap for Success." The seminar fee is $697 per shop owner, but a $300 scholarship is available, and the tuition may include two additional decision-makers associated with the shop owner's business. Shop owners can also enroll in ATI's Re-Engineering Program. (Source: ATI)Coal-Based Syngas Test Successful
on GM V8
on GM V8
HOUSTON, TX - Partners Synthesis Energy Systems Inc. (SES) and Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide Inc. announced the successful operation of the world's first engine generator using coal-based synthesis gas (syngas) as fuel. The engine generator set - a 125kW Kohler engine based on a General Motors' 8.1- liter V8 block - repeatedly produced stabilized power successfully, say the partners. The syngas fuel was produced using coal gasification technology developed by the Gas Technology Institute and licensed to SES.
(Source: Gas Technology Institute, Synthetic
Energy) "Successful operation of the generator set is a major step forward in the cost-effective utilization of synthesis gas," says Timothy Vail, SES CEO. The successful operation of an automotive engine, as well as power production from gas, demonstrates the fuel's flexibility a number of applications, including power generation, he adds. (Source: Synthesis Energy Systems
Inc.)EPA Recognizes Nine Plants for
Energy Efficiency WASHINGTON - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recognized 17 U.S. manufacturing plants - including nine automobile assembly plants - as first-time winners of the Agency's Energy Star award. Awarded to energy-efficient operations that prevented some 3 billion pounds of greenhouse gas emissions, four Ford, two Nissan and three Toyota plants were included in the inaugural listing. "By committing to smart energy use, America's historic economic backbone is now supporting our nation's brightening environmental future," says U.S. EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson. (Source: EPA)Rebels With Causes DIAMOND BAR, CA (Sept. 21, 2006) - According to the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA), "drifters," "donks" and "rat rods" represent three emerging youth culture trends that are making a big impact in the specialty equipment industry these days. First, you've got donks: big-built, high-rise rolling jewelry. Donk owners take '70s, '80s and '90s domestic sedans and customize interiors and paint, add monster tires and modify engines. These owners can pay as much as $60,000 to create over-the-top street sensations. Then there's the rat rod - a Franken-car, a junkyard medley of stripped-down power. The gloves are off with these anti-street rods, just like the bells and whistles. Every non-essential part is gone. The roofline and suspension are chopped. Upholstery is homemade, and the paint job is primer gray. The owners invest big money, but all of it's under the hood - if there is a hood, that is. And finally, there's drifters, who take those tight corners at high speeds with low traction. Big in Japan, this daredevil's pastime is just beginning its rise in status in the United States. Recognizing the importance of the youth market to the ongoing success of the specialty equipment industry, these trends add up to great potential - not just in terms of increased sales, but also in the cultivation of customer loyalty, says SEMA. (Source: SEMA)Spark Plug Combines Metals to Deliver Improved Performance FARMINGTON HILLS, MI (Sept. 29, 2006) - Bosch introduced its Platinum Ir Fusion premium spark plug late last week. The spark plug combines an iridium and platinum center electrode with the company's surface air gap technology and yttrium-enhanced ground electrodes designed to deliver better-than-OE performance, says Bosch. Iridium and platinum are combined in a fused fine-wire center electrode design. The technology provides a more durable and long lasting center electrode, better heat dissipation and lower, more stable ignition voltage requirements, advises Bosch. The spark plug also features four yttrium-enhanced ground electrodes, providing exceptional performance life. Yttrium is a rare earth element was discovered in Ytterby, Sweden in 1794; it is a key component in superconductors and television screens. According to Bosch, the use of yttrium, when combined with nickel chromium, produces a more stable alloy with significantly improved resistance to spark wear from erosion and oxidation. The company's on-road testing indicates ground electrode durability improvement of up to 87 percent versus ground electrode designs of nickel chromium alone. The spark plug's surface air gap is designed to deliver a longer, more powerful spark versus the conventional J-gap electrode design. Bosch says it provides optimal access to the air-fuel mixture, delivers the most efficient fuel combustion for optimum horsepower and the factory preset gap never requires adjustment. Seven plugs cover 99 percent of all OE iridium applications and 80 percent of total domestic and import vehicle applications on the road today. In addition, Bosch says it is upgrading its entire spark plug portfolio to further address consumer demands and market trends. (Source: The Bosch Group)
Energy Efficiency WASHINGTON - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recognized 17 U.S. manufacturing plants - including nine automobile assembly plants - as first-time winners of the Agency's Energy Star award. Awarded to energy-efficient operations that prevented some 3 billion pounds of greenhouse gas emissions, four Ford, two Nissan and three Toyota plants were included in the inaugural listing. "By committing to smart energy use, America's historic economic backbone is now supporting our nation's brightening environmental future," says U.S. EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson. (Source: EPA)Rebels With Causes DIAMOND BAR, CA (Sept. 21, 2006) - According to the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA), "drifters," "donks" and "rat rods" represent three emerging youth culture trends that are making a big impact in the specialty equipment industry these days. First, you've got donks: big-built, high-rise rolling jewelry. Donk owners take '70s, '80s and '90s domestic sedans and customize interiors and paint, add monster tires and modify engines. These owners can pay as much as $60,000 to create over-the-top street sensations. Then there's the rat rod - a Franken-car, a junkyard medley of stripped-down power. The gloves are off with these anti-street rods, just like the bells and whistles. Every non-essential part is gone. The roofline and suspension are chopped. Upholstery is homemade, and the paint job is primer gray. The owners invest big money, but all of it's under the hood - if there is a hood, that is. And finally, there's drifters, who take those tight corners at high speeds with low traction. Big in Japan, this daredevil's pastime is just beginning its rise in status in the United States. Recognizing the importance of the youth market to the ongoing success of the specialty equipment industry, these trends add up to great potential - not just in terms of increased sales, but also in the cultivation of customer loyalty, says SEMA. (Source: SEMA)Spark Plug Combines Metals to Deliver Improved Performance FARMINGTON HILLS, MI (Sept. 29, 2006) - Bosch introduced its Platinum Ir Fusion premium spark plug late last week. The spark plug combines an iridium and platinum center electrode with the company's surface air gap technology and yttrium-enhanced ground electrodes designed to deliver better-than-OE performance, says Bosch. Iridium and platinum are combined in a fused fine-wire center electrode design. The technology provides a more durable and long lasting center electrode, better heat dissipation and lower, more stable ignition voltage requirements, advises Bosch. The spark plug also features four yttrium-enhanced ground electrodes, providing exceptional performance life. Yttrium is a rare earth element was discovered in Ytterby, Sweden in 1794; it is a key component in superconductors and television screens. According to Bosch, the use of yttrium, when combined with nickel chromium, produces a more stable alloy with significantly improved resistance to spark wear from erosion and oxidation. The company's on-road testing indicates ground electrode durability improvement of up to 87 percent versus ground electrode designs of nickel chromium alone. The spark plug's surface air gap is designed to deliver a longer, more powerful spark versus the conventional J-gap electrode design. Bosch says it provides optimal access to the air-fuel mixture, delivers the most efficient fuel combustion for optimum horsepower and the factory preset gap never requires adjustment. Seven plugs cover 99 percent of all OE iridium applications and 80 percent of total domestic and import vehicle applications on the road today. In addition, Bosch says it is upgrading its entire spark plug portfolio to further address consumer demands and market trends. (Source: The Bosch Group)
