NEWS BRIEFS FOR THE WEEK OF JULY 19, 2007

NEWS BRIEFS FOR THE WEEK OF JULY 19, 2007Delphi's Electrical/Electronic Architecture Improves Fuel Economy and Emissions TROY, MI (July 12, 2007) - Delphi Corp. will provide its advanced Electrical/Electronic (E/E) Architecture for Ford of Europe's new Mondeo, which was unveiled earlier this year at the Geneva Motor Show. Delphi's E/E Architecture weighs up to 20 percent less than conventional E/E solutions, which contributes to better fuel economy and lower exhaust emissions. Delphi's E/E Architecture also uses less copper than conventional systems. The new vehicle, along with Ford's Galaxy and S-Max vehicles, also features Delphi's smart cruise control with forward collision warning systems, in addition to wiring, actuators, body electronics, dampers, emission canisters, antenna and more. Delphi E/E Architecture provides power and signal distribution throughout the vehicle. At the E/E Architecture's heart is a Smart Junction Box (SJB), which integrates micro-controllers for the CAN databus, lighting, central locking and theft protection functions. The SJB works as a gateway between the CAN High/Low Speed and LIN data buses, which distribute signals throughout the vehicle with a speed and robustness optimized for each application. The E/E Architecture has 39 electronic modules with integrated memory and microelectronics to provide decision-making capability. One example of the benefits this provides is when a bulb fails, the system immediately notifies the driver of the malfunction. To maximize passenger space, Delphi paid particular attention to packaging and routing. The E/E Architecture was developed with a new generation of smaller, lighter and more compact connectors, wiring, sensors and actuators. "Ford chose Delphi's E/E Architecture because it applies innovative design to deliver advanced functionality and high compatibility with the diagnosis and servicing requirements of the automotive repair shop," says Stefaan Vandevelde, managing director, Delphi E/E Architecture, Europe. "Furthermore, it is flexible enough to integrate any future functions that the vehicle manufacturer might add during a given vehicle generation."(Source: Delphi Corp.)First Year Business-related Equipment Write-off Increased to $125,000 in 2007CHANTILLY, VA (July 5, 2007) - According to the Automotive Parts Rebuilders Association (APRA), companies are now able to take full advantage of one of the best tax breaks available to business owners today: the "Section 179" first-year depreciation allowance for equipment. With Section 179, companies can write off business equipment valued up to $125,000 in just one year, rather than depreciating it over several years. The change has resulted from the passage of the Small Business and Work Opportunity Tax Act of 2007. The equipment includes computers, copiers, fax machines, telephone systems and office furniture. Without Section 179, business-related equipment must generally be recovered over a period of years, through depreciation or amortization. With some careful timing, you can utilize your full $125,000 tax break for 2007. Look around your company toward year-end and buy any equipment you need. As long as you "place it in service" by Dec. 31, you can deduct the equipment with Section 179. You can even pay for it next year on credit and still write it off on this year's tax return. The guidelines for the application of Section 179 include: * To qualify for the Section 179 tax break, you must use the equipment more than 50 percent of the time for business. If you use it for personal purposes, too, you must keep records and you're only allowed to deduct the business-related percentage. * The amount you write off for Section 179 cannot exceed the taxable income from your business. This could be a problem for C-corporations if the business zeroes out its income (typically by paying deductible salaries and bonuses to shareholders) because there won't be enough income to cover the Section 179 election. In such cases, it might be better if the corporation pays less compensation and keeps enough taxable income to cover a Section 179 election. * Companies can carry over any excess to future years if they run up against the income limitation. The deduction also begins to phase out when you buy more than $500,000 worth of equipment during 2007 (previously for 2007, $450,000; in 2006, $430,000). * Many business owners are involved in more than one venture. In the case of pass-through entities (partnerships, LLCs and S-corporations), the dollar limitation rules for the Section 179 deduction apply at both the entity level and the owner level (see IRS Regulation 1.179-2). Therefore, advance planning may be necessary to maximize Section 179 deductions at the owner level, which is where the write-offs really count. Consult your tax adviser for further details.(Source: APRA)ETI Presents Another Successful Tech Week ROCHESTER, MI - More than 100 Equipment and Tool Institute (ETI) members from more than 40 companies flocked to Detroit for this years' Detroit Tech Week. Now in its 61st year, ETI uses forums such as the Detroit Tech Week to advance the vehicle service industry by providing technical data and open dialog among the manufacturers of transportation products, government regulators and the providers of tools, equipment and service information. Detroit Tech Week provides an opportunity for the engineers and designers of the OEM companies to meet with the makers of tools and equipment. These valuable information exchange forums are the place where engineers discuss and resolve issues before the products hit the market. ETI members who attend Detroit Tech Week can learn of new technologies that may be coming out, plan for those new technologies, gather information about servicing and repairing upcoming new models from the OEMs, and learn of repair and service tools that may be needed for the new models. The event provides automakers with an opportunity to give instruction on the servicing and repair of their new models, discuss new technologies that may affect the aftermarket tool and equipment industry, share information regarding their vehicles to ensure that the industry has the necessary information to provide the needed tools and equipment, and showcase their new launches and discuss any new tools or equipment that these new vehicles may require. The many highlights of this year's Tech Week included: * DaimlerChrysler presentations included discussions of powertrain and emissions, scan tool information, and vehicle overviews. * General Motors presented information on fuel cells, as well as a thorough recap of TPMS and tire/wheel information. GM also presented a session at the Vehicle Benchmarking Lab. * Ford presentations included Volvo information, hybrid information and a discussion of OBDII information and a discussion of TPMS. Discussions of body repair information, frame sectioning kits, and anti-corrosion treatment were also presented. * VW/Audi provided information on clean diesel technology, OBDII information and updates on diesel models. In addition, a presentation on the new Audi TT's aluminum body repair technology featured a firsthand look at the 2008 TT.(Source: ETI)Yokohama Unleashes Nanotechnology-enhanced S.drive Tire

FULLERTON, CA (July 2, 2007) - Yokohama Tire Corp.'s all-new S.drive tire, which uses nanotechnology, in now being shipped from the company's three distribution centers throughout the United States.

"Yokohama pioneered the use of nanotechnology, and the S.drive is the result of our developments using that innovation," says Dan King, Yokohama's vice president of sales.

Yokohama engineers created a silica-based compound that utilizes nanotechnology to maximize grip and handling in wet and dry conditions to conform to any road's surface. Tiny scores within the tire groove walls, similar to sipes on the tire's surface, effectively distribute stress loads and further reduce uneven wear

S.drive is equipped with four, wide circumferential grooves for enhanced wet traction, while angled groove walls optimize road surface contact and provide enhanced cornering traction.
An unbroken center rib maintains continuous road contact, improves lateral stability and minimizes uneven wear.

"Extensive testing shows the S.drive performs better in both wet and dry conditions than the AVS ES100 it replaces," adds King. "The S.drive is quieter, features more even wear and is available in a much greater range of sizes than the ES100 and others in its class. The S.drive also carries Yokohama's 30-day Performance Promise."

The S.drive is available in sizes to fit the broad range of sport sedans and coupes like BMW 3-series, Honda Civic and the Ford Mustang. The initial rollout will feature more than 70 sizes of 15- to 20-inch wheels, in aspect ratios from 30 to 55 and in sizes up to 285/30R20 99Y. It is scheduled to be introduced by the end of 2007.

(Source: Yokohama Tire Corp.) ContiTech Updates Practical Tips Belts Brochure Manual revised for mounting and maintenance of variety of automotive belts CLEVELAND (July 5, 2007) - ContiTech's Power Transmission Group has developed and released an updated brochure that gives installers, jobbers and distributors practical tips on storing, handling and mounting v-belts, multi-ribbed v-belts and timing belts. "This is another tool for the auto mechanic to help a customer when they say, 'My car squeals and howls. What's wrong?'" says Roger Homer, director of business development for ContiTech's North America Power Transmission Group. "There is no shortage of possible causes, and that includes improper mounting." In addition, the brochure contains: * Possible solutions for various defect patterns, provided in English, German, French and Spanish. * Step-by-step explanations on what to pay attention to when replacing a belt. * Comprehensive problem diagnosis. * Helpful tips on storing the belts. Valuable information for a customer-oriented presentation and a variety of sales aids and displays complete the offering. A CD version of the manual even contains training programs for mechanics. "In this way, we make it possible for auto repair shops and mechanics to ensure that the belts operate with as little friction as possible and achieve the longest possible service life," Homer says. "Of particular help are the checklists in the brochures, which help identify many problems before it is too late." The materials can be ordered online at www.contitech-online.de. Follow the prompts via>Products> Drive belts> Automotive> Aftermarket> Download area. (Source: ContiTech Power Transmission Group) SEMA Names 2007 Board of Directors DIAMOND BAR, CA (July 5, 2007) - The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) recently held elections for its 2007 Board of Directors, and has announced the following results: 2007 SEMA Board of DirectorsChair-ElectRick Rollins, Superchips Inc.Distributor/Retailer CategoryAnne Johnson, CTW Inc. (Incumbent)Van Woodell, Weathers Auto SupplyDonnie Eatherly, P&E Distributors Inc.Tony Napoli, American Speed CentersBob Price, CE Band LLC (Incumbent)Manufacturers CategoryGale Banks, Gale Banks EngineeringMike Spagnola, Street Scene EquipmentDoug Evans, Primedia (Incumbent)Richard Sherman, Baer Brakes (Incumbent)David Stutts, Hot Rod Air Inc.Dennis Gage, Bradley David Productions (Incumbent)Jeep Worthan, Auto MeterLarry Erickson, Ford Motor Co.Manufacturers? Rep CategoryBill Perry, Bill Perry & Associates (Incumbent)Dave Wrobleski, Jim Wrobleski & Co. (Source: SEMA) Nanospheres Set to Revolutionize Biodiesel Production AMES, IW (July 16, 2007) - Line up 250 billion of Victor Lin's nanospheres, and you've traveled a meter. But those particles - and just the right chemistry filling the channels that run through them - could make a big difference in biodiesel production. "This technology could change how biodiesel is produced," says Lin, an Iowa State University professor of chemistry, a program director for the U.S. Department of Energy's Ames Laboratory and the inventor of a nanosphere-based catalyst. Nanosphere technology allows efficient conversion of vegetable oils or animal fats into fuel by loading Lin's nanospheres with acidic catalysts to react with the free fatty acids and basic catalysts to react with the oils. The patent-pending technology replaces sodium methoxidea, which is a toxic, corrosive and flammable methanol derivative used as a catalyst in current biodiesel production. The process also eliminates the need for several production steps pertaining to acid neutralization, water washes and separations. All those steps dissolve the toxic catalyst so it can't be used again. Nanospheres are solid, which makes them easier to handle. They can also be recovered from the chemical mixture and recycled. In addition, the technology can also be used in existing biodiesel plants without major equipment changes, and it produces a cleaner fuel and a cleaner glycerol co-product. The bottom line is biodiesel production that is dramatically better, cheaper, faster and non-toxic. The research was developed with the support of grants from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Department of Energy and the Grow Iowa Values Fund. Now Lin and several team members, together with early-stage venture capital firm Mohr Davidow Ventures, have formed Catilin Inc. to take the technological breakthrough to market. The company's purpose is to produce, develop and market the biodiesel technology. Catilin employees are now working out of two labs and an office on the Iowa State campus. They are also building a biodiesel pilot plant at the Iowa Energy Center's Biomass Energy Conversion Facility, located in Nevada. Catilin has also signed licensing agreements with Iowa State's research foundation, which allows the company to commercialize Lin's catalyst technologies. (Sources: Iowa State University) NOx Storage Reduction Catalytic Converter Offers a Leaner, Cleaner Burn DEN HAAG, NETHERLANDS (July 4, 2007) - Dutch researcher Karen Scholz, of the Eindhoven University of Technology, has taken a careful look at the properties of a new type of catalytic converter found in cars. Her research was carried out in cooperation with car manufacturers (PSA Peugeot Citroen, Toyota and Ford), catalytic converter manufacturer BASF, Shell Oil, and others. Although diesel and "lean-burn" petrol engines are more economical than conventional engines, current strict environmental legislation demands advanced concepts to reduce the emission of harmful gases, such as nitrous oxide (NOx). These economical engines produce exhaust fumes that are particularly rich in oxygen - and therefore, the conventional three-way catalytic converter is not suitable for converting the generated NOx into nitrogen. In response, the current trend is to add specific components such as barium to the catalytic converter to store the NOx that is formed. In a NOx Storage Reduction (NSR) catalytic converter, the diesel or gasoline fuel is alternately combusted in the engine over long oxygen-rich and short fuel-rich periods. During a long oxygen-rich period, the generated NOx is stored in the barium component of the converter. When this component becomes saturated, the catalyst is regenerated. This happens during the short fuel-rich period when an oxygen-poor emission gas is produced. The NOx stored is released, and subsequently reduced to nitrogen over a precious metal such as platinum. Scholz investigated this NSR mechanism to gain a better understanding of how the storage component functions during the oxygen-rich and fuel-rich periods. She carried out experiments in a laboratory reactor containing the NSR catalyst. She studied the behavior of the catalyst in detail, including analysis of the effect of the various forms in which barium occurs in the catalytic converter, the effect of the presence of carbon dioxide and water in the exhaust gas, and the effect of the various reducing agents, such as carbon monoxide, hydrogen and ethylene on the NOx storage and reduction. Her research has yielded important new insights with respect to the function of various components in the catalytic converter. One is the development of a practical mathematical model that describes the various chemical reactions in the catalytic converter. Using this reaction model, a regulatory system in the car can determine when the maximum NOx capacity of the catalyst has been reached, followed by the length of time extra fuel must be injected to regenerate the catalyst. (Source: Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research) Take Control of Your E-mailRESTON, VA (July 8, 2007) - Did you know the average individual wastes more than $3,000 a year on disorganization? According to Balanced Spaces LLC, a firm that provides professional organizing services, getting organized both space- and time-wise can save a business and its individuals time and money. The company offers consulting advice and training in a range of topics. The firm says that the benefits that can accrue to business and individuals include improved concentration, stress reduction, reclaiming 30 minutes of work time per employee per day, regaining up to 40 percent of work space, being capable of locating important items within 30 seconds, downsizing to fewer filing cabinets and others. As an example, Balanced Spaces President Susan Kousek offers the following tips for managing e-mail. Receiving e-mail: * Set up scheduled intervals for reading e-mail, rather than reacting to each e-mail as it arrives. This tip alone will save you time, since you lose 10 minutes of productivity when you switch from one activity to another. * Make decisions right after you read each message. Reply immediately, whenever possible, to save the time of rereading the message later. Delete the message if you don't need to keep it. Create subject folders, and move messages you need to save to the appropriate folder. * Create follow-up reminders if you're not replying immediately. * Change the subject line of messages you're saving if it doesn't reflect the message content. * Save the sender's address to your contacts and/or address book. * Stop e-mail subscriptions you don't have time to read. Sending e-mail: * Watch your subject lines. Be concise. Change the subject line when replying if it's no longer appropriate. Send separate messages for separate subjects. * Organize content for maximum readability. Keep messages short. If a message must be long, use bullet points and short paragraphs. State the purpose of the message in the first line, even if it's in the subject line. Indicate, at the beginning of the message AND in the subject line, if a deadline or action is required. Got lots of questions? Number them. * Use Reply and Forward judiciously. Reply only if appropriate. Not all messages need a reply. Choose "Reply to all," "Copy" and "Return Receipt" only when necessary. Don't forward virus hoaxes. Don't overload friends and colleagues with joke e-mails. * Use a "signature" with your name, company and contact info. * Use virus-scanning software and keep it up-to-date. * When sending an attachment, tell your recipient and indicate the type of document attached (PDF, Word, etc.). Consider posting attachments to an internal Web site and sending the link instead. (Source: Balanced Spaces LLC) ASA Reviews BASF's Latest Technologies for Independent Shops BEDFORD, TX (July 10, 2007) - Automotive Service Association (ASA) members recently attended the BASF Refinish Technologies review following BASF's meeting with General Motors Corp. BASF and GM annually review BASF refinish coating products being used by GM dealers and independent repairers. "OEM standards for refinish paint performance have been in place for over 10 years," says Joseph Skurka, BASF manager of OEM and Industry Relations. "Many areas of friction between repairers, insurers and information providers could be reduced or eliminated if clear refinish standards were more widely adopted." Skurka hosted several industry representatives at the event, including ASA's Dan Stander, Roy Schnepper and Denise Caspersen, as well as Jack Aho, I-CAR director of Internal Services and Processes. BASF works with vehicle manufacturer paint engineers to review the refinish coating systems and to judge their individual performance. The meeting was held at the BASF facility in Southfield, MI, and included a review of current refinish coatings panels presented to GM. The panels simulated various repair scenarios for OEM finishes. This was followed by a tour of the onsite testing facility, of which Lynn Pattison is the head. BASF conducts extensive OEM-required tests within the facility. The Southfield campus also has an analytical laboratory, headed by Jim Laugal, that answers customer and internal inquiries regarding BASF OEM coatings. During the tour, BASF provided an introduction to the computerized spraying process used at OEM assembly plants. BASF also has a reduced manufacturing plant scenario created to test and measure actual coating situations. ASA's representatives were allowed to tour this facility to see its contents and capabilities. Following the tour, Skurka presented the group with a company overview, some of its product lines, and BASF's community involvement and corporate philosophy. In addition to its community involvement, BASF also offers employees a number of internal support and enrichment programs. (Source: ASA)