Bosch Celebrates 100 Years in U.S. Market, Launches New and Expanded Lines
Much has happened in the automotive world since Bosch entered the U.S. market a century ago. Innovations such as the first high-voltage spark plug (1906), the first electric windshield wiper system (1926), the first series-produced ABS system (1978) and the first platinum spark plug (1985) are just a few of the products and systems introduced by Bosch to its OE customers and the aftermarket over the past 100 years. But as Bosch looks to the future, it continues to search for new technologies for its OE customers, and by extension, the aftermarket. Systems such as Adaptive Cruise Control, Electronic Stability Control and diesel engine management systems are already — or will soon be — common on the vehicles of today and tomorrow.
Johnson Controls, European Firm Continue Study of Lithium-ion Energy for Autos
A Johnson Controls hybrid battery technology joint venture has won a contract to pursue two more years of research into next-generation automotive batteries. Johnson Controls-Saft Advanced Power Solutions, a joint venture of Johnson Controls and the European battery company Saft, will aim to continue research on lithium-ion batteries, under a contract from the United States Advanced Battery Consortium.
Survey Says Independent Repair Shops are Not Confident Car Makers Will Share Service Information
Seventy percent of independent repair shop owners, service advisors and technicians have no confidence that car companies will always provide access to the necessary information and tools for repair, according to a survey conducted by Opinion Research Corporation.
U.S. Medium & Heavy Truck Aftermarket to Exceed $12 Billion in 2010
The U.S. aftermarket for medium- and heavy-duty (MD/HD) truck components and parts is projected to increase at an annual rate of 3.9 percent, exceeding $12 billion in 2010. Some segments of the market such as electronics and emissions controls are expected to experience even faster growth, according to Cleveland-based market research firm The Freedonia Group.
BFNAT Pitches in For First Hybridfest
Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire (BFNAT) will be a premier sponsor and the sole tire supplier for the inaugural Hybridfest, a national event dedicated to hybrid-electric vehicles. More than 100 hybrids – many fitted with Bridgestone Ecopia tires – will be on display, including all 11 hybrid models currently on the market, and one-of-a-kind vehicles like the General Motors EV1.
Tomorrow’s Technician Editor Serves as Team Judge to Winning Team in National Student Auto Skills Competition
Earlier this week, 50 two-person student teams from across the country competed against each other, and against the clock, to accurately diagnose and fix vehicles in the 2006 Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills National Finals. The competition took place June 27 in Dearborn, MI. Two aspiring techs Bradley Bolton and Aaron Clay, seniors at Paris High School in Paris, TX, only needed 29 minutes and 34 seconds to accurately diagnose and fix their Ford Mustang Convertible and win the 2006 Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills national finals on Tuesday. Ed Sunkin, editor of Tomorrow’s Technician, a B-to-B automotive tech magazine that is distributed to 1,200 NATEF-certified schools, reaching more than 50,000 automotive technician students, served as a Team Judge for the Paris, TX, duo.
U.S. Medium- and Heavy-Duty Truck Aftermarket to Exceed $12 Billion in 2010
A new study from The Freedonia Group shows that the U.S. aftermarket for medium- and heavy-duty (MD/HD) truck components and parts is projected to increase at an annual rate of 3.9 percent, exceeding $12 billion in 2010. Some segments of the market such as electronics and emissions controls are expected to experience faster growth.
Raser Technologies Wins Frost & Sullivan’s Technology Innovation of the Year Award
Frost & Sullivan has selected Raser Technologies, Inc. as the recipient of the 2006 Motor Drive Systems Technology Innovation of the Year Award for developing and innovating the Symetron AC induction motor-based P-50 hybrid propulsion integrated starter alternator (ISA) drive technology. Frost & Sullivan has selected Raser Technologies, Inc. as the recipient of the 2006 Motor Drive Systems Technology Innovation of the Year Award for developing and innovating the Symetron AC induction motor-based P-50 hybrid propulsion integrated starter alternator (ISA) drive technology.
R. L. Polk & Co.’s Ask the Industry Goes to Washington
At MEMA’s recent Legislative Summit, congressional representatives discussed aftermarket issues with the association’s members. Counterman Managing Editor Michael Freeze spoke with a number of industry execs at the event, and asked: As an attendee at the MEMA Legislative Summit, what industry issue do you feel most passionate about?
Meijer to Sell Ethanol Blend: Fuel Due Soon at 20 Locations
E85, which some view as automotive fuel of the future, will soon be available at about 20 Meijer stores in Michigan. Meijer Inc. and General Motors Corp. will announce today, with Gov. Jennifer Granholm, plans to make the ethanol-gasoline blend E85 available at Meijer filling stations. More than 4 million flexible-fuel vehicles on the road are capable of burning E85 or gasoline or a combination of the two. However, most owners fill up with regular gasoline because of a shortage of filling stations offering the fuel.