News By Topic: Accessories and Parts

TRW's Second Generation Active Control Retractor Seat Belt System Launches in North America

Mar 20, 2014

TRW Automotive Holdings Corp. , today announced that its second generation Active Control Retractor system (ACR2) has started production on the award-winning 2014 Cadillac CTS. This is the first launch of this advanced seat belt technology in North America, combining active and passive approaches to offer enhanced safe ... Continue reading

10+ Year Vehicle Lifespan is the 'New Normal'

Mar 20, 2014

78% of consumers say appropriate lifespan is 10+ years or until vehicle dies--and say improving economy won't change that; two thirds have over 100,000 miles on primary vehicle, although number who say they will drive 'until it dies' decreases 20 percentage points from 2010 CARSON, Calif., March 20, 2014 -- Lengthy veh ... Continue reading

Volvo and Government Groups In Pilot Project To Determine Road Friction

Mar 20, 2014

Volvo Car Group (Volvo Cars), the Swedish Transport Administration (Trafikverket) and the Norwegian Public Roads Administration (Statens Vegvesen) are joining forces in a pilot project in which road friction information from individual cars is shared within a cloud-based system. The real-time data about slippery patche ... Continue reading

Toyota Agrees To Pay U.S. Government $1.2 Billion Dollars For Recall Communication's Shortcomings

Mar 19, 2014

Toyota Enters Agreement with U.S. Attorney's Office Related to 2009-2010 Recalls NEW YORK, NY, March 19, 2014; Today, Toyota announced that it reached an agreement with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York to resolve its investigation initiated in February 2010 into the communications a ... Continue reading

Secretary of Energy Moniz to Address Motor Vehicle Parts Suppliers

Mar 18, 2014

Secretary of Energy Dr. Ernest Moniz heads a lineup of speakers who will address motor vehicle parts suppliers at the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association's (MEMA) Legislative Summit. Dr. Moniz will speak to the group at 3 p.m. on April 2 at the W Hotel in Washington, D.C. MEMA -- with 1,000 motor vehicle parts ... Continue reading

Ford engineers subject LED headlamps to extreme heat and saltwater baths, and pummel with rocks, rock salt and ice to prove lamp toughness

Mar 18, 2014

When the assignment is to reinvent the Ford F-150 while maintaining its heritage of being Built Ford Tough, even the headlamps matter. Until now, headlamps often needed to be replaced long before the end of a vehicle’s life. For the all-new 2015 Ford F-150, Ford wanted durable headlamps that would last as long, or ... Continue reading

You Don't Need the Luck of the Irish to Make Your Car Green

Mar 17, 2014

The luck of the Irish won't make your car green, but performing basic vehicle maintenance will not only help protect the environment, but will also keep more "green" in your wallet, says the non-profit Car Care Council. "To be car care aware, you don't need to be lucky, just proactive," said Rich White, executive direc ... Continue reading

Aloca's Hungary Facility to Double Production of Alcoa's Aluminum Dura-Bright EVO Surface-Treated Wheels

Mar 17, 2014

Alcoa , the inventor and global leader of forged aluminum wheels, is investing US$13 million to expand its wheel manufacturing plant in Europe, to meet growing demand for its lightweight, durable, low-maintenance aluminum truck wheels. “Demand for Alcoa’s forged aluminum wheels continues to grow in Europe, as ... Continue reading

Goodyear Reveals Larger, Faster Airship; Launches Nationwide Contest to Choose its Name

Mar 14, 2014

The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company today unveiled an all-new, state-of-the-art version of its world-famous icon, the Goodyear Blimp. The new airship is larger, faster, and more maneuverable and builds on the company’s legacy as the world’s leading builder and operator of airships. The new blimp was introduced ... Continue reading

Jaguar has collaborated with luxury French luggage label Moynat to produce a bespoke trunk designed specifically to fit the Jaguar F-TYPE convertible sports car

Mar 14, 2014

Jaguar has collaborated with luxury French luggage label Moynat to produce a bespoke trunk designed specifically to fit the Jaguar F-TYPE convertible sports car The one-of-a-kind piece was created to celebrate the opening of Moynat’s first boutique outside Paris The unique trunk was unveiled at the boutique’s ... Continue reading

Honda and Acura Rearview Camera Systems First to be Recognized as Advanced Technology Features by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Mar 13, 2014

Honda's efforts in the areas of enhanced driver visibility have been recognized by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) as part of its 5-Star Safety Ratings program (also known as the New Car Assessment Program (NCAP)), with nearly all Honda and Acura models with rearview camera systems becoming t ... Continue reading

Increasing Age of Vehicles Sustains Growth in North American Brake Rotors, Drums, and Calipers Aftermarket

Mar 12, 2014

North American consumers are spending more on parts and service because they are keeping their cars and light trucks longer due to prolonged economic uncertainty. The increasing average age of vehicles – which currently stands at ten and a half years – will drive the aftermarket for brake rotors, drums, and c ... Continue reading

Engineering, Advanced Materials Help Slim Down Colorado

Mar 11, 2014

New midsize pickup is 880 to 1,400 pounds lighter than full-size pickups Lightweight high-strength steels, aluminum, play key roles in mass reduction DETROIT – Proving there is more than one way shed pounds, the 2015 Chevrolet Colorado uses engineering techniques and lightweight materials to create true pickup cap ... Continue reading

Authoritative European body supports safety of HFO-1234yf in final report

Mar 10, 2014

Thierry Vanlancker, president, DuPont Chemicals & Fluoroproducts, said the following today regarding the final report of the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) on its review of testing of HFO-1234yf. “DuPont is pleased with the final conclusions of the JRC, as they reinforce our high level of c ... Continue reading

Navistar continues commitment to vocational segments with new product offerings

Mar 10, 2014

Navistar, Inc. announced it continues to invest in its severe service and medium-duty product lines by expanding vehicle enhancements and powertrain choices on International® brand vocational truck models. In addition, the company will add selective catalytic reduction (SCR) emissions technology to its high horsepow ... Continue reading