Tuesday, September 15, 1998

1999 Villager Sets New Course as America's Favorite Minivan

The new 1999 Mercury Villager, the minivan with the highest level of customer loyalty in its segment, rolls off the line at Ford's Ohio Assembly Plant. ... Continue reading

28% of Motorists Had Auto Breakdown in Last Year

A large number of motorists have breakdowns in the past year, according to a survey released by AAA that shows many of these breakdowns could have been prevented if drivers had properly maintained their vehicles. ... Continue reading

ARCA: Kimmel Krushes ARCA Salem Warriors

ARCA: Kimmel Krushes ARCA Salem Warriors ... Continue reading

ASHA Corporation Brings Suit Against Dana's Spicer Axle Division

ASHA Corporation has brought suit against Dana Corporation's Spicer Axle Division to enforce rights to the proprietary GERODISC(TM) System Technology developed and licensed by ASHA. ... Continue reading

Atlantic American Corp Subsidiary Forms Joint Venture With AAA

Atlantic American Corporation announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, American Southern Insurance Co, has formed a joint venture with AAA Carolinas of Charlotte, NC to market personal automobile insurance to the members of the automobile club. ... Continue reading

Audi Announces 1999 Model Pricing

At its Annual Dealer Meeting in Atlanta, Georgia, Audi of America, Inc. announced that its 1999 model year pricing would be unchanged from its 1998 model year levels. ... Continue reading

Auto Network USA Announces the Completion of Audited Financials

Auto Network USA, Inc. announced the completion of their audited financial statements for the period from inception (July 10, 1997) to March 31, 1998. ... Continue reading

BULLHIDE Liner Gets Okay For Additional Jiffy Lube Locations

The BULLHIDE Liner Corp. announced that Jiffy Lube International, Inc. has asked Bullhide to spray 3-4 locations in Portland, Oregon. Jiffy Lube is an operating division of Pennzoil Corp. ... Continue reading

Business 2.0 Increases Presence in the Motor City

Business 2.0, the monthly business magazine of the Internet Age, announced the addition of Barbara Dickinson, a partner in the Michigan-based firm Dickinson Media L.L.C., to join the national ad sales team and service the automotive industry hub. ... Continue reading

Consolidated Freightways Orders New Trucks for 1998

Consolidated Freightways (CF) has ordered 561 new trucks for delivery before the end of 1998. All but 20 of the tractors are being supplied by CF's longtime truck manufacturer, Freightliner Corporation of Portland, Oregon. ... Continue reading

Cummins Engine Revises Q3

Cummins Engine Company, Inc. said that revenues for the third quarter are expected to be approximately 7 to 10 percent below those of the second quarter as a result of lower-than- anticipated sales. ... Continue reading

Dana Corporation Participates in NAFTA Public Meeting

Dana Corporation, a leading global supplier of vehicular components, participated Monday in a public meeting held by the Canadian National Administrative Office (NAO). ... Continue reading

Dana's Perfect Circle Recognized by Ford

The Perfect Circle Sealed Power Division of Dana Corporation has been awarded a Certificate of Merit from Ford Motor Company for 18 months of zero defects. Perfect Circle Sealed Power supplies piston rings to Ford's Dearborn, Mich., engine plant. ... Continue reading

Depowering Crucial to Development of Advanced Air Bag Technology

The following statement was released by the American Automobile Manufacturers Association (AAMA) in response to the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on advanced air bag technology issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. ... Continue reading

Detroit Diesel UAW Contract Agreement Ratified

Detroit Diesel Corporation and United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 163 announced that their new six-year master agreement was ratified on Monday, September 14, by 80% of those voting. ... Continue reading

Discount Auto Parts, Inc. Reports Fiscal 1999 Q1 Results

Discount Auto Parts, Inc. announced results for the Company's first quarter ended September 1, 1998. Total sales for the first quarter of fiscal 1999 increased 12.1% to a record $123.0 million, as compared to $109.7 million a year earlier. ... Continue reading

Dolphin Pulse Charge Technology Filed with U.S. Patent Office

BAT International and the inventors of Dolphin Pulse Charge technology have filed patents last week with the U.S. Patent Office. BAT is also preparing patent applications for filing in worldwide patent offices over the next year. ... Continue reading

DynaMotive Expands Partnership With Resource Transforms Intl Ltd

DynaMotive Technologies Corp announced that it has expanded its exclusive partnership with Resource Transforms Intl., Ltd., developer of the renowned BioTherm technology that converts organic forest and agricultural waste into crude BioOil. ... Continue reading

Eagle Ottawa Leather Co. Reveals Upcoming Interior Trends

More textures and color are likely to find their way in automotive interiors, according to Eagle Ottawa Leather Co., which unveiled its concepts for styles that will shape trends in automotive interiors well into the next millennium. ... Continue reading

Eaton Realigns Senior Operating Responsibilities

Eaton Corp announced that it has realigned its operations in order to place all of its automotive-related production under one senior officer and also created a new, high-level executive position to strengthen its global supplier management program. ... Continue reading

Electric Bikes and Scooters ZAP Houston

Kilowatts, not oil futures, are the latest buzz in Texas as industry and government energy leaders from around the world meet this week at the 17th World Energy Council Congress & Exhibition. ... Continue reading

Federal-Mogul's Chassis Products Awarded

Federal-Mogul Corporation's Mexico City chassis products manufacturing facility was awarded the company's Health and Safety Consecutive Hours Award for the second quarter of 1998. ... Continue reading

Free AAA Commute Alternatives Map Now Available

Tired of traffic gridlock? Looking for a faster, cheaper, calmer way to commute? The new AAA Commute Alternatives Map can help. Best of all, it's free and available at all Bay Area AAA offices. ... Continue reading

Future Three Completes Honda of America's 4010 Software Approval

Future Three, developers of fully integrated, Y2K-compliant EDI/release accounting and shipping control applications for automotive suppliers, has successfully completed Honda of America's 4010 EDI/Bar Code Software Approval test. ... Continue reading

GenCorp Names Vice President of Operations for Vehicle Sealing

GenCorp Inc. announced the appointment of Wesley E. Pitts to the position of Vice President of Operations for its automotive Worldwide Vehicle Sealing business, effective immediately. ... Continue reading

Gordon W. Robinson Named President - Timken China

Gordon W. Robinson has been named president - Timken China. In his new position, he will be located in Beijing to be near the company's manufacturing and customer base. ... Continue reading

Henry Timken to be Inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame

Henry Timken, creator of the Timken(R) tapered roller bearing and founder of The Timken Company, will be inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame on Saturday, Sept. 19, during a ceremony at E. J. Thomas Hall in Akron, Ohio. ... Continue reading

Indonesia's Largest Car Distributor Creates Web-Based Showroom

Computer Associates International, Inc., announced that PT Astra, one of Indonesia's largest conglomerates, has created a dynamic multimedia automotive shopping experience using Jasmine, CA's pure object-oriented database. ... Continue reading

Kimball International Finalizes Purchase of Transwall, Inc.

Kimball International, Inc. announced the completion of the purchase of Transwall, Inc. of West Chester, Pennsylvania. ... Continue reading

Lexus RX 300 Uses Keeloq Code-Hopping Technology

Microchip Technology Inc. announced that Toyota Motor Corp. is using its KEELOQ(R) code hopping technology for a highly secure remote-keyless-entry (RKE) system in the new 1999 Lexus RX 300 sport utility vehicle (SUV). ... Continue reading

Managing Director at Australia Timken Proprietary Ltd. Named

Peter G. Duffy has been named managing director of Australian Timken Proprietary Limited. In making the announcement, James W. Griffith said Mr. Duffy will be replacing John Hoover, who is returning to the US to assume a new position. ... Continue reading

Mark IV Reports Second Quarter Results

Mark IV Industries, Inc. reported results for its second fiscal quarter and six months ended August 31, 1998. In the quarter, net income decreased 24%, to $20.9 million from $27.5 million last year, while diluted earnings per share decreased 19%. ... Continue reading

Mazda Announces Reduced Prices on 1999 Protege and 626 Models

Mazda North American Operations announced substantial price reductions on its all-new 1999 Protege compact sedan and 626 midsize sedan, the company's two best-selling vehicle lines. Overall, the reductions amount to a decrease of $791. ... Continue reading

Metalforming Technologies Acquires MetalForm Industries

Metalforming Technologies, Inc., recently formed to acquire highly capable suppliers to the automotive and truck industries, announced that it has acquired MetalForm Industries, Inc. ... Continue reading

Michigan Motorists Can Purchase Auto Insurance on the Internet

Progressive, one of the nation's largest auto insurers, announced that Michigan consumers can now shop for and purchase auto insurance real-time, over the Internet. ... Continue reading

MK Intl Announces Distribution of New Mechanic's Utility Mat

MK International announces the distribution of a new tool for mechanics called the MECHANIC'S MAT. This rugged utility mat is made of 2" thick foam covered with durable 600 Denier duPont fabric to resist water and staining. ... Continue reading

Motorola Introduces RF Oncore

Motorola announces the introduction of its RF Oncore(TM) module, the GPS industry's first fully integrated radio frequency (RF) module and the latest addition to Motorola's popular Oncore GPS family of products. ... Continue reading

NASCAR BGN: Richmond Plays No Favorites with McLaughlin

NASCAR BGN: Richmond Plays No Favorites with McLaughlin ... Continue reading

NASCAR BGN/Trucks: Xpress Motorsports Team Looks to 1999

NASCAR BGN/Trucks: Xpress Motorsports Team Looks to 1999 ... Continue reading

NASCAR GDS: Hutto Gets His Third Win In-a-Row

NASCAR GDS: Hutto Gets His Third Win In-a-Row ... Continue reading

NASCAR SJAPS: Goodson Wins Memphis Inaugural

NASCAR SJAPS: Goodson Wins Memphis Inaugural ... Continue reading

NASCAR WCUP: Dover Peview, Team Pennzoil

NASCAR WCUP: Dover Peview, Team Pennzoil ... Continue reading

NASCAR WCUP: It's Old Times for Kenny Wallace

NASCAR WCUP: Square D Racing Review/Preview ... Continue reading

NASCAR WCUP: Park Groggy, But OK After Homestead Testing Wreck

NASCAR WCUP: Park Groggy, But OK After Homestead Testing Wreck ... Continue reading

NationsRent, Inc. Announces Don O'Neal as President

NationsRent, Inc. announced that Don O'Neal will become President of the Company. O'Neal has served as President of A- 1 Rental in Ft. Worth, Texas since 1985 and has been in the equipment rental business for over 30 years. ... Continue reading

Neiman Marcus Selects Audi TT Coupe as Gift for Its Christmas Book

At their annual Christmas Book launch party, Neiman Marcus announced that its featured automobile for this year's Christmas Book would be the all-new Audi TT Coupe. ... Continue reading

New Vehicle Sales Drive

Through July, total year-to-date sales for the average franchised new-vehicle dealership were up 7 percent from the same period in 1997, according to the National Automobile Dealers Association. ... Continue reading

NHRA: Anderson Feeling Momentum Building after Dunn Addition

NHRA: Anderson Feeling Momentum Building after Dunn Addition ... Continue reading

NHRA: Johnson Returning to Site of Special Final Round

NHRA: Johnson Returning to Site of Special Final Round ... Continue reading

NHRA: Scelzi and Team Winston Feeling Confident About Stretch Run

NHRA: Scelzi and Team Winton Feeling Confident About Stretch Run ... Continue reading

NHRA: Stevens Feels First Pro Stock Victory is Near

NHRA: Stevens Feels First Pro Stock Victory is Near ... Continue reading

NHTSA Publishes List of July Recalls

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) today released a list of auto safety recalls announced in July and urged consumers to have the problems fixed promptly. ... Continue reading

One Out of Four New Car Buyers Shop the Internet

Currently, 25 percent of all new-vehicle buyers use the Internet to arm themselves with vehicle product and pricing information during the vehicle-shopping process, according to the inaugural J.D. Power and Associates New Autoshopper.com. ... Continue reading

Onyx Acceptance Issues $250,000,285 in Asset Backed Securities

Onyx Acceptance Corporation announced the successful completion of a $250,000,285 automobile receivables asset-backed securitization. ... Continue reading

PACCAR Announces Dividends

Mark C. Pigott, chairman and chief executive officer of PACCAR Inc, announced that the board of directors declared a quarterly cash dividend in the amount of 15 cents per share, payable on Dec. 4, 1998, to stockholders of record. ... Continue reading

Restraints Industry Ready for New Safety Rules

The automotive occupant restraints industry pledged its support to meet the federal government's latest requirements that will govern the performance of all future motor vehicle air bags, reports Automotive Occupant Restraints Council (AORC). ... Continue reading

Saab Announces Mid-Modelyear Enhancements

Following the launch of the all-new 1999 Saab 9-5 and Saab 9-3 in the spring of 1998, Saab continues to add even more value with a number of mid-year performance, safety, and convenience enhancements. ... Continue reading

SAE Announces E-Mail Delivery of News Service

The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) International has begun e-mail delivery of Auto ENGINES NEWS, a bi-weekly news summary service focused on technology news in the global automotive engines industry. ... Continue reading

Slater Announces Proposal to Improve Air Bag Safety

Continuing the comprehensive plan to improve air bag safety, U.S. Transportation Secretary Rodney E. Slater announced an historic proposal to require 21st century technology to preserve and enhance the benefits of air bags while reducing the risks associated with them. ... Continue reading

SmarTire Systems Appoints Two to Board of Directors

SmarTire Systems Inc. announced the appointment of Mark Desmarais and Bernard Pinsky to its Board of Directors. ... Continue reading

TBC Board Authorizes Repurchase of 2,000,000 Additional Shares

TBC Corporation announced that its Board of Directors has approved the repurchase of 2,000,000 additional shares of the Company's common stock. This represents 9.4% of the 21.4 million shares of common stock currently outstanding. ... Continue reading

The Car Guy

The Car Guy ... Continue reading

The Wackenhut Corporation Selected By GM For Security

The Wackenhut Corporation announced that its affiliate, Wackenhut Thailand, has been selected by General Motors Opel Division to provide security and fire protection services at the automobile plant currently under construction in Rayong. ... Continue reading

Timken to Refocus in Australia

The Timken Company announced that Australian Timken Proprietary Limited will focus its resources on sales and service, and that the company's bearing manufacturing operations in Ballarat will close. ... Continue reading

Tomkins Sells Arrowhead Conveyor

Tomkins PLC, the international manufacturing company, has completed the sale of Arrowhead Conveyor to Arrowhead Acquisition Partners LLC, a company formed by investors, and Seneca Capital Partners LLC, a New York based investment firm. ... Continue reading

Transportation Secretary Announces Proposal on Air Bags

Continuing the comprehensive plan to improve air bag safety, U.S. Transportation Secretary Rodney E. Slater announced a historic proposal to require 21st century technology to preserve and enhance the benefits of air bags while reducing the risks associated with them. ... Continue reading

Travel Ports of America Reports Q1 Results

Travel Ports of America Inc. said that a strong increase in higher margin non-fuel sales contributed to record net income for its first quarter ended July 31, 1998, the company's 29th consecutive quarterly profit. ... Continue reading

USAC Sprints: Terre Haute Nationals Canceled by Race Organizer

USAC Sprints: Terre Haute Nationals Canceled by Race Organizer ... Continue reading

USAC: The Week in Sprints, Midgets and Silver Crown

USAC: The Week in Sprints, Midgets and Silver Crown ... Continue reading