NEWS BRIEFS FOR THE WEEK OF NOV. 16, 2006

The Goodyear Eagle's outboard sidewall of the tire is reinforced with a high-tech carbon fiber insert that provides stiffness for responsive handling and steering precision. Over the top of the belt package, the tire features a sound- and shock-absorbing InsuLayer, made with KEVLAR, to help provide a smooth, quiet ride, along with promoting even tread wear.

Other automotive products making the "100 Most Innovative Products of the Year" list include:

* Adaptive braking from Mercedes-Benz (M-B) that flashes the vehicle’s brake lights five times when the pedal is slammed. M-B says tests show that the flashing alerts drivers better to emergency braking ahead and helps prevents accidents.

* OnStar’s hands-free Directions and Connections navigation system.

* BMW's turbosteamer technology.

* Honda's first turbo, featured on the RDX SUV, varies the flow of exhaust gas into the turbocharger through a continuously adjusting valve, virtually eliminating turbo lag.

* Automatic parallel parking technology from Lexus, featured in the new LS460 sedan.

The complete list will be available in the magazine’s December 2006 issue.

(Sources: Goodyear, Popular Science)

Bernd Pischetsrieder
(Photo: Andreas Rentz/Getty Images)

FRANKFURT, GERMANY (Nov. 7, 2006) – The New York Times reports that Volkswagen's (VW) board of directors has ousted its chief executive, Bernd Pischetsrieder, six months after he appeared to win an internal power struggle by signing a new contract. VW gave no reason for the decision and the change will take effect at the end of the year.

Pischetsrieder will be replaced by Martin Winterkorn, the head of Volkswagen's Audi division.

(Source: NY Times)

SAN ANTONIO, TX (Nov. 8, 2006) – As Toyota expands its U.S.-based manufacturing operations, the automaker is taking proactive steps to manage the healthcare costs for its growing workforce. In a report in the Detroit News, company spokespeople addressed some of the major initiatives that Toyota has undertaken.

One step Toyota is taking is building a clinic at its new San Antonio factory to provide a wider array of treatments and services than a typical factory medical office. The clinic will offer workers at the San Antonio plant eye and dental care services, as well as pediatric services, laboratory tests and physical therapy.

San Antonio workers will not be required to visit the on-site clinic, but will be encouraged to do so with reduced co-pays and deductibles.

Toyota will also encourage employees to self-manage their own healthcare, particularly with ongoing medical conditions. Toyota will assess and measure the success of the clinic by monitoring employees' healthcare indicators, such as smoking-cessation rates and blood-pressure levels, and by tracking expenses.

"Typically we reduce costs by improving quality," says Ford Brewer, assistant general manager for health and wellness at Toyota's North American manufacturing headquarters. "That's the same thing we're doing here."

(Sources: Detroit News, AIADA)

YOKOHAMA, JAPAN (Oct. 27, 2006) – The International Federation of Automotive Engineering Societies (FISITA) gathered in late October for its 31st World Automotive Congress to discuss two future challenges facing automotive engineers: the consumption and the finite supply of fuel resources and safety.

The speakers in the environmental session looked at vehicle trends such as hybrids, plug-in hybrids and fuel cell cars; diesel technologies, including BlueTec and second-generation direct fuel injection systems; and gas-to-liquids technology, such as deriving fuel from clean coal facilities.

Safety session speakers highlighted several emerging trends that warrant continued support: Increased use of simulation systems, such as a traffic environment simulator currently under development in Japan, will help to predict traffic accidents in the future. Safety technologies, such as Electronic Stability Control, side-impact crash protection, and increased promotion of advanced active safety technologies, will need continued global support. Speakers also stressed that it is clear that safety issues need to be reviewed in each country, but cooperation and coordination among nations is necessary.

The next FISITA World Automotive Congress takes place in Munich, Germany, in September 2008.

(Source: FISITA)

YONKERS, NY (Nov. 10, 2006) – Consumer Reports (CR) released a list predicting the most- and least-reliable 2007 vehicles, based on surveys from the past three years. Toyota/Lexus leads automakers in predicted reliability, with top rankings in six of 10 segments. Conversely, General Motors vehicles were predicted to be the least reliable in four of the 10 segments.

The magazine's expert team of survey researchers and statisticians uses the survey data as a reliability predictor for 2007 model-year vehicles. CR averages the overall reliability scores for the most recent three years, provided that the vehicle remained substantially unchanged in that period and also didn't change for 2007. If a vehicle was new or redesigned in the past couple of years, one or two years' data may be used, if that's all that's available.

The list includes the following:

A complete review of 2007 vehicles is available at www.consumerreports.org.

(Source: Consumer Reports)

JASPER, IN (Oct. 24, 2006) – Jasper Engines and Transmissions has launched a new remanufacturing program, JASPER Authentic Custom Drivetrains. The program specializes in remanufacturing engines that are currently no longer offered or have been turned away in the past because they did not fit into a production remanufacturing system.

This new division will cater to the vehicle restoration customer base and customers looking for something extra when they get their engine remanufactured. 

“One type of client that would benefit from our division, for instance, is the individual restoring a ’69 Corvette that is wanting his or her serial numbers to match, and wants their engine to be hand-built by experienced professionals,” says Alex Ernst, JASPER Authentic group leader.

In addition, the new division will provide some extras for the enthusiast. “Customers can opt to have their engine dynamometer tested in addition to the live-run test we perform,” says Ernst. “And we are going to provide the customer with documentation of the remanufacturing process. With a login name and password, they will be able to go to our Web site and check the progress of their engine – and even view the dynamometer report if they have selected that option. They can print the information and archive it for their own records or use it to authenticate their engine as they show their vehicle.”

At the present time, JASPER Authentic Custom Drivetrains is remanufacturing engines, with plans to add transmissions and differentials in the coming months. For more information, call (800) 827-7455 or visit www.jasperengines.com.

(Source: Jasper Engines and Transmissions)

20061108_CG Best Buy List For 2007_Courtesy of Consumer Guide.doc

CHICAGO (Nov. 2, 2006) – Consumer Guide's (CG) automotive editors have released their "best buy" list for 2007 vehicles. The CG picks focus on overall vehicle value, and take into account performance, economy, reliability, ease of use, comfort and price.

The 2007 Best Buy list includes:

The CG staff of 10 full-time automotive editors evaluates each new vehicle as the typical owner would: shopping, commuting, on long trips, and in stop-and-go driving. Vehicles are measured on the ability to meet everyday needs, such as merging onto expressways or riding comfortably over potholes.

(Source: Consumer Guide)

(Photo: ASA)

BEDFORD, TX (Oct. 24, 2006) – The Automotive Service Association (ASA) has expanded its Ultimate Buyers Guide for Service Professionals, a Web-based buyer’s guide providing shop owners and industry professionals information on products and services catered specifically to their needs. The new version of the electronic publication includes enhanced searching capabilities by keyword or category and can be accessed at www.ASAUltimateBuyersGuide.com.

Users preferring the more traditional way of searching through a buyer’s guide can search by category, product or brand name. Supplier listings include address and phone number information, with many company listings including Web links, e-mail addresses and detailed product descriptions.

(Source: ASA)