School Auto Center Revs Up Students
Alex Kosterman, Kevin Bendorf and Matt Beier hunched over the shiny red Pontiac Sunfire, carefully inspecting the car’s leaky battery before cleaning it up and replacing it. The hands-on lesson on starting systems and batteries took place Tuesday in Racine, Wis.-based Park High School’s new automotive technology center, a 5,000-square-foot dream for the school’s automotive students. The investment bucks a national trend, as more and more high school auto shops are stalling despite a huge demand for skilled auto technicians. The most common roadblocks: the hefty cost of running automotive programs and a more intense focus on college preparatory classes.
“Got Milk?” Promotion Found to be Illegal; Effect on TIA’s Tire Industry Checkoff Program Uncertain
On Feb. 24, a federal appeals court ruled that the familiar “Got Milk?” dairy promotion violates the First Amendment by forcing all farmers to pay for the ads, whether they agree with the ads or not. The 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Philadelphia ruled that federal laws requiring dairy farmers to pay fees to promote the industry infringe “free speech and association rights.” The decision could have serious ramifications for the tire industry, especially with regard to the Tire Industry Association’s (TIA) ongoing support and formal proposal for a tire industry checkoff program.
DENSO Increases Motorsports Sponsorships for 2004
Japan-based DENSO Corp. has announced it will co-sponsor two new teams for the 2004 racing season — Panasonic Toyota Racing team in Formula One (F1), and Subaru World Rally team. DENSO will also continue to support the Panasonic Toyota Racing team as a technical sponsor.
UAW Members at American Axle Plants on Strike
About 7,000 UAW members at 12 American Axle plants in Michigan, Ohio and New York went on strike early this morning. “We’re on strike, and we’ll resume negotiations today,” a UAW spokesman said. Negotiations began in December, and a tentative agreement was expected. But shortly after the 4-year contract expired at midnight, talks broke off and the union went on strike.
ABC, ESPN to Provide Live Coverage of IRL Indycar Series
ESPN and ABC Sports have signed on to be the exclusive carriers of Indy Racing League (IRL) events, providing live television coverage of all 16 IRL IndyCar Series events for the 2004 season.
Key Automotive Group Names President for Key Safety Systems, Promotes Tim Nelson to President of Key Plastics
Key Automotive Group (KAG) has named Daniel Ajamian president and COO of its affiliate, Key Safety Systems, Inc. KAG also announced that Tim Nelson has been promoted to president and COO for the North American operations of the company’s other principal subsidiary — Key Plastics L.L.C.
Collins & Aikman Exec Michael Mitchell to Retire
Michael Mitchell, president of global commercial operations for Collins & Aikman Corp., has announced he will retire at the end of the month. Mitchell has served in his current position with Collins & Aikman since January 2002. He joined the company through the 2001 acquisition of Textron Automotive’s trim division, where he served as executive vice president of business and product development.
Hayes Lemmerz Brake and Powertrain Components Group Receives ISO Certification
The International Automotive Task Force (IATF), a worldwide consortium of automotive manufacturers and trade associations, has granted all of Hayes Lemmerz International’s brake and powertrain components group facilities the ISO/TS 16949:2002 (with design) certification.
ETI Names New Marketing Manager
The Equipment & Tool Institute (ETI) has named Brian Irish to the newly created position of marketing manager. In this new role, Irish will be responsible for all of ETI’s marketing activities.
Bosch Awarded Patent for Oxygen Sensor Connection System
Robert Bosch Corp. has been awarded a U.S. patent for its sealed, submersible “quick-connection” system for Bosch universal heated oxygen sensors. The quick connection system, which features a unique sealing system and specially formulated, heat resistant Posi-Lock connectors, was developed by Bosch engineers at the company’s manufacturing facility in Anderson, SC, and Germany.