SEPT. 28, 2006CARQUEST, MACS Announce Competition Finalists LANSDALE, PA (Sept. 19, 2006) - CARQUEST and the Mobile Air Conditioning Society (MACS) Worldwide have teamed up to find the best mobile air conditioning (A/C) and heat transfer service technician in the United States and Canada. The competition's first round , which included an online skill assessment, is complete and 13 finalists have made the cut. Qualifying for the final competition is:
* John Amberger, Pavilion, NY.
* Darren Andersen of Smithfield, UT.
* Michael DeCosmo, Tucson, AZ.
* Tadd Huegel, Ludowici, GA.
* Robert Jacobs, Van Wert, OH.
* Tim Koester, Lackawanna, NY.
* Chris Marker, Lima, OH.
* Peter Meier, Zephyrhills, FL.
* Edward Pope, Quincy, FL.
* Chris Tate, Eden, NY.
* David Taylor, Sanford, NC.
* Gary Thomas, Harrodsburg, KY.
* Greg Whitley, Wichita, KS.
(By Class, 1,000 = Perfect Score)Tire MakerLuxury & SportNon-LuxuryPickup & VanSUVBFGoodrich819N/A825849Bridgestone818825819842Continental821812729839Dunlop849N/AN/A781FirestoneN/A805N/AN/AGeneralN/A822747N/AGoodyear870825831851HankookN/A816798N/AKumhoN/A767N/AN/AMichelin887877853893Pirelli871883N/A843YokohamaN/A801N/AN/AClass Average852833801849Rankings that were above the class average are shaded in green. Brands with no tire ranking in a class are denoted by "N/A."
(Source: J.D. Power and Associates)The study found that repurchase intentions and recommendations were greatly impacted if a customer had to replace any of their OE tires. In particular, tire wear continues to be the most important factor in overall dissatisfaction. "In general, tire manufacturers will see the largest return on investment if they are able to improve in the wear factor," said Carolyn McBeth, director of automotive component research for J.D. Power and Associates. "Road hazards that cause common wear and tear on tires are normal and somewhat expected, or are at least tolerated. But issues such as poor traction/grip on dry roads and fast tread wear can have a more significant impact on a customer's overall impression of a tire brand." (Source: J.D. Power and Associates)NAIAS Launches New Web Site TROY, MU (September 22, 2006) - The North American International Show (NAIAS), held each year in Detroit, has launched a new Web site and is offering a free, downloadable screensaver to commemorate the show's 100th anniversary. The show is scheduled for January 13 to 21, 2007 for the general public. The revamped site is geared to assist new vehicle enthusiasts, media and exhibitors in finding updated information on the upcoming show. The Web site, www.naias.com, includes information on show preparations and tickets for public days and the annual charity event, as well as travel resources and a list of local attractions. The NAIAS 100th Anniversary screensaver, available on the site, features rare, historical snapshots of the auto show, as well as photos of the many exciting production and concept vehicles debuted at NAIAS.(Source: NAIAS)Continental AG, QUALCOMM Sign Telematics Agreement
SAN DIEGO, CA (Sept. 22, 2006) - Continental AG And QUALCOMM Inc. have entered into a CDMA2000 telematics module license agreement. Under the terms of the agreement, QUALCOMM has granted Continental a worldwide license under its CDMA patent portfolio to develop, manufacture and sell CDMA2000 telematics modules. The agreement will enable Continental to enhance its automotive supply business with the addition of wireless technologies. "Vehicle manufacturers can now offer drivers advanced wireless communications and safety solutions that help avoid and minimize the effects of crashes, including features such as post crash safety and emergency assistance of occupants while on the road," says Bill Kozyra, president and CEO, Continental Automotive Systems, North America. (Source: Continental AG)
NASCAR Launches New Race Series in Canada CHARLOTTE, NC (Sept. 23, 2006) - NASCAR has purchased the Canadian Association for Stock Car Racing (CASCAR) and has formed a new racing series. The NASCAR Canadian Tire Series involves a multiyear sponsorship from Canadian Tire and will kick off in May 2007. The 10- to 12-race schedule will run from May through October; drivers and teams from the former CASCAR Series are expected to compete. NASCAR said the official schedule, points fund and tracks would be announced at a later date. "We've been talking to Tony Novotny [CASCAR founder] for several years," says Jim Hunter, NASCAR vice president of corporate communications. "NASCAR has always been in and out of Canada, and this was an opportunity for us to actually take over an existing tour." The reason for the CASCAR acquisition by NASCAR is simple, says Hunter: "It's no secret that we have a strong fan base in Canada, with almost 6 million fans. That's one out of every four Canadians, and they've been following the sport for quite a while." Several months ago, NASCAR officials confirmed there would be a Busch Series race in Canada in the near future, but Hunter stressed the CASCAR deal is totally separate from the Busch Series race. "We've met with the folks; we know we want to go there," he adds. "We're just waiting now to work out all the details with the sanctioning agreement."(Source: NASCAR)A Force To Be Reckoned With
(Photo: NHRA)
GLENDORA, CA (Sept. 22, 2006) - Professional drag racer Ashley Force admits she'd be a little bit nervous if she had to line up a Funny Car at an National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) national event tomorrow. But after a recent career-best testing pass of 4.897 at 314.39 mph in a Mustang, which was intentionally throttled back to account for her learning curve, she is proving herself capable of moving up in the NHRA ranks. She currently races a Top Alcohol Fuel Dragster - which is slower than a Funny Car - and sits eighth in NHRA standings in her class.
Force is training to develop her skills before making any firm decision to moving to the Funny Car category. In addition, a full-time crew and sponsors have to be lined up. " The thing is, there is no rush. I've been racing five years now, but I'm still learning. The main goal right now is to get me ready so that if we do want to move up, if the situation is right, then I'll be ready to go," she explains. But she's looking forward to one day lining up, head-to-head, against her father John: "Everyone asks how I'll feel when I race against Dad. I think it'll be fun. He'll be the one who will be all nervous."(Source: NHRA)CA Defends Vehicle Emissions Standards FRESNO, CA (Sept. 15, 2006) - California should be permitted to enact the world's toughest vehicle emissions standards as part of its effort to combat global warming, a California state attorney recently told a federal judge. The state's attempt to limit tailpipe emissions is a key component of a broader state effort to reduce its emissions of gases that contribute to global warming. The state wants to cut the amount of such gases to 1990 levels by 2020. The California standards cap greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles beginning in 2009. The projected reduction in vehicle emissions accounts for about one-third of the state's strategy, says Linda Adams, secretary of the California Environmental Protection Agency. California has special authority under the Clean Air Act to set its own vehicle pollution standards because it began regulating air pollution before the federal government did. It must get a waiver from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency before setting new requirements and has an application pending with the Agency. Other states can adopt either the federal standards or California's rules. Currently, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington have adopted the California emission requirements that are now being challenged. At issue are tailpipe emission standards for greenhouse gases approved in 2004 by the California Air Resources Board. A coalition of automakers is challenging the rules as a de facto mandate on fuel-economy standards, which can be set only by the federal government. Some European countries and Japan already have higher fuel-efficiency standards than the United States. But automakers say those stricter benchmarks can be met because drivers in those countries have smaller cars with manual transmissions, both of which use less fuel. They said the technology does not yet exist or cannot be applied practically to the larger vehicles generally used in the United States. (Source: Associated Press)GM Launching Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle Fleet(Photo: GM) SAN DIEGO, CA (Sept. 23, 2006) - General Motors (GM) committed to building the world's largest fuel cell vehicle fleet by announcing its next-generation fuel cell vehicle - the Chevrolet Equinox Fuel Cell. GM will build more than 100 hydrogen-powered Chevrolet Equinox Fuel Cell vehicles and will begin placing them with customers in the fall of 2007 as part of a comprehensive deployment plan dubbed "Project Driveway." A variety of drivers in differing driving environments will operate these vehicles and refuel with hydrogen in three geographic areas - California, the New York metropolitan area and Washington, DC. The Equinox is a fully functional crossover vehicle, engineered for 50,000 miles of life. Importantly, the Equinox is able to start and operate in subfreezing temperatures during its 50,000-mile life, says GM. It is expected to meet all applicable 2007 U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, and it is equipped with a long list of standard safety features, including driver and passenger frontal air bags and roof rail side-impact air bags; anti-lock braking system (ABS); and StabiliTrak stability enhancement technology. (Source: GM) Ford Expands Factory-Customized Pickup Line
(Photo: Ford Motor Co.)
DETROIT, MI (Sept. 24, 2006) - Ford will unveil its newest F-150 project, the FX2 Sport, to the public at the Specialty Equipment Manufacturers Association (SEMA) show in Las Vegas this fall.
In a market where research has shown that more than 70 percent of new truck owners spend, on average, nearly $1,500 on aftermarket accessories in the first year of ownership, Ford is adding to its portfolio of factory-customized F-150 pickups.
In addition to its lineup of factory-customized pickups, Ford also offers Genuine Ford Accessories and Ford Racing Performance Parts (FRPP), specifically designed to help drivers personalize the appeal and boost the performance of their trucks.
The 2007 150 FX2 Sport includes performance, appearance, in-vehicle entertainment and telematics modifications that will allow customers to build trucks to their own specifications with dealer-installed Ford parts and accessories.
"The FX2 Sport performance truck demonstrates how customers can further personalize their pickups using Ford Racing Performance Parts (FRPP) and Genuine Ford Accessories," says Christine Feuell, director, Ford Vehicle Personalization.
"The most important part about this project F-150 is that any enthusiast could build it with parts from the Ford Racing and Genuine Ford Accessories catalogs," says Jamie Allison, Ford Racing Performance Group manager.
(Source: Ford)
