The Week In Review (Aug. 21-25, 2006)
THE WEEK IN REVIEW (August 21-25, 2006) _______________________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________________ ASSOCIATION & LEGISLATIVE NEWS: _______________________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________________ ASA to Communicate with Members through New Blog The Automotive Service Association (ASA) is among the latest in the aftermarket industry to launch a blog website. ASA’s new blog (http://blog.asashop.org) will provide commentary and analysis about the automotive service industry
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.
Save the World Air Signs Key North American Marketing and Development Partners
Save the World Air (STWA), a company that develops, markets and distributes devices that reduce harmful emissions caused by internal combustion engines, has entered into three new agreements for product development, promotion, marketing and related services targeting the North American automotive aftermarket.
EPA, UPS Unveil Hybrid Delivery Truck
The Environmental Protection Agency on Wednesday unveiled a hybrid diesel vehicle that could reduce the fuel costs of package delivery services like UPS by as much as 70 percent and cut harmful emissions. The hybrid, which was developed through a partnership between the EPA, UPS, the Army’s National Automotive Center, Eaton Corp. and Navistar’s International Truck and Engine Corp., combines a high-efficiency diesel engine with a hydraulic propulsion system, which replaces the vehicle’s conventional drivetrain and transmission.
ArvinMeritor Sells Gabriel South Africa Light Vehicle Aftermarket Ride Control Business
ArvinMeritor has announced the sale of Gabriel South Africa, its Light Vehicle Aftermarket (LVA) Ride Control business in Cape Town to Control Instruments Group Limited. The sale includes the Gabriel trademark in designated African countries. ArvinMeritor’s light vehicle emissions technologies business, housed at the same location, is not included in or affected by the sale.
ASPA Reports: Some Diesel Fuel Additives May Not Be Appropriate for Model Year 2007 Diesel Engines
Diesel fuel additives that are not clearly labeled as approved for use in model year 2007, or newer engines, should not be used in new diesel motor vehicles according to the Automotive Specialty Products Alliance (ASPA). ASPA made the announcement to coincide with the implementation of new ultra low sulfur diesel fuel requirements that went into effect June 1 that will enable 2007 model year, or newer, diesel (on-road) engines to reduce emissions by more than 90 percent.
Automotive Aftermarket in China Demand to Reach $4.9 Billion in 2009
The aftermarket for light vehicle components and parts in China is projected to increase at an annual rate of 13.8 percent, reaching 40 billion yuan (about $4.9 billion) in 2009, according to a new study from The Freedonia Group, Inc., a Cleveland-based industrial market research firm.
BorgWarner Provides 2006 Earnings Guidance
BorgWarner has provided 2006 earnings guidance of $4.22 to $4.57 per diluted share on a U.S. GAAP basis, which includes (16 cents) to (18 cents) per diluted share negative impact of the implementation of FAS 123(R) and (12 cents) to (25 cents) per diluted share negative impact of weaker foreign currencies. Excluding the implementation of FAS 123(R) and the impact of currency, earnings growth is expected to be in line with BorgWarner historical growth rates of approximately 10 percent.
ITC Rules in Favor of ArvinMeritor and ZF in FreedomLine Transmission Importation Case
ArvinMeritor and ZF have publicly expressed their ‘delight’ with the latest ruling from the International Trade Commission (ITC) on the importation of the FreedomLine transmissions, manufactured by ZF Friedrichshafen in Germany. The FreedomLine automated mechanical transmission became available in North America in 2001.
NTEA’s Economic Outlook Conference Forecasts Continued Growth in Truck Sales
Leading U.S. economists at the National Truck Equipment Association’s (NTEA) Economic Outlook Conference agreed that 2006 will be a year of continued growth for the commercial truck and transportation equipment industry. Four top analysts shared economic forecasts with nearly 100 industry professionals in Dearborn, MI.