Buzz

JAY LENO SET TO DRIVE THE BMW HYDROGEN 7 ON U.S. ROADWAYS

"As an avid car enthusiast, I'm always interested in the future of automotive technology. With the BMW Hydrogen 7, I can experience all the fun and great features of a performance car, yet know that I'm being environmentally friendly at the same time! I look forward to driving the Hydrogen 7 and learning more about hydrogen as a fuel for our future."

In his "green garage," Leno uses giant steam and natural gas engines from the 19th century to effectively reduce his energy needs—transforming his garage into a self-sufficient power station. According to Leno, there is no reason why a garage full of old cars can't be environmentally responsible, even if it means having to go back more than a century for the technology. Working with expert consultants in a variety of fields to analyze his garage's energy use and devise alternative energy systems, Leno is committed to upgrading his nearly 20,000-sq.-ft. garage with the latest environmentally friendly shop equipment and products—and driving the BMW Hydrogen 7 is his latest example of this.

Running in hydrogen mode, the BMW Hydrogen 7 essentially emits nothing but water vapor, representing a major step in reducing harmful CO2 emissions. It is not a concept car, but a production model vehicle that has successfully completed the entire Product Development Process. While the BMW Hydrogen 7 is not for sale, it is considered to be a milestone in bringing forward hydrogen as the sustainable fuel for individual transportation.

BMW believes that hydrogen will replace petroleum as the long-term alternative to fossil fuel, and hopes the Hydrogen 7 will play a pioneering role in driving forward the hydrogen technologies that will ensure our mobility in the future. Through a program dubbed the Hydrogen 7 Pioneers Program, BMW is giving industry leaders and prominent figures in entertainment, politics, business, and more a BMW Hydrogen 7 for their daily use.

The hydrogen pioneers will be instrumental in helping people understand that hydrogen technology is here and is what BMW Group believe holds the key to our future mobility. By harnessing the power and influence of individuals who, like Leno, are at the forefront of their respective disciplines, BMW hopes to continue to generate support of hydrogen-drive vehicles in the short term and stimulate demand for a viable hydrogen infrastructure in the long-term.

BMW plans to announce in the coming months that Leno is one of the first Americans who will help the company in its mission to build widespread support of hydrogen as a viable alternative to fossil fuels.

DIRECTED ELECTRONICS OFFERS PROFESSIONAL INSTALLER TRAINING IN THE SNAKE PIT

One way to increase your business is to make certain there are plenty of trained installers to install your products correctly. That is just what Directed Electronics is doing with its Snake Pit Training. The name "Pit" comes from Professional Installer Training and the "Snake" comes from the popular Viper and Python lines of security products sold by Directed Electronics.

The Snake Pit claims to be the newest and most complete mobile electronics facility in the world. Located in a 17,000-square-foot facility adjacent to the headquarters of Directed Electronics in Vista, California, the Snake Pit offers mobile electronics and home theater installation training for veteran professional installers, shop owners, sales managers and sales associates, automotive enthusiasts, and beginners who are interested in a career in the mobile electronics business.

The Snake Pit facility features 24 ventilated workstations, a fully-equipped workshop with the latest in woodworking tools, an OSHA-approved paint booth, a 16-car installation bay, and a metal shop where MIG welding, TIG welding, and Plasma cutting are taught. Instruction includes both classroom and hands-on training that provide beginners with a strong foothold in the industry. The Snake Pit also offers MCEP certification and special deals and discounts for Directed Electronics customers. In addition, the facility offers discounted lodging for students.

The Snake Pit offers many different courses of instruction, including Mobile Electronics Career Development, Introduction to Electronics; Basic Security, Remote Start and Accessory installation; Video and Mobile Media Installation; Mobile Audio Design; Sound Theory and System Installation; Enclosure Calculation Design and Construction; and Custom Fabrication Techniques. There are also two specialty workshops offered: Advanced Construction with Fiber, Metal, and Exotic Materials and Advanced Security and Remote Start.

For more information, log on to www.directedsnakepit.com, or call (800)695-1350.

MAC TOOLS TEAMS UP WITH ROBBY GORDON

BMW PLANS TO BOOST SALES

"Our growth would have slowed down without strategically acting," said BMW Chief Executive Norbert Reithofer. "It was clear to us that those recipes successful in the past would not work for the future."

BMW promised to pay a higher dividend to investors in 2007 and allow shareholders to participate to a greater degree in the company's success. BMW has been accused of hoarding cash and that recent sales growth has not increased bottom-line earnings.

BMW says it will boost production at its U.S. plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina, to 240,000 vehicles per year by 2012 and the company's Mini plant in Oxford, England, will produce 260,000 vehicles. By then, BMW's production in China is expected to reach 14,000 units.

BMW's two top priorities are to lower material costs and communicate better with investors.

ASE UNVEILS ENHANCED WEB SITE NAVIGATION

ASE has announced an important upgrade to the Service Professionals section of the ASE Web site at www.ase.com. The section now features more streamlined navigation, with content organized more intuitively into key interest areas. The new hierarchy-based design facilitates easy access to the newly defined categories of Explore Certification, Register to Test, Prepare to Test, and Other Programs.

The redesign also enables quick access to the myASE service. Using myASE, service professionals can view certification status and history online, update their mailing address, view test registrations, and review work experience status.

"The redesign of the Service Professionals section is the end result of user feedback and an overall design goal towards user friendliness. It reflects ASE's customer-centric focus towards helping service professionals," said Ronald H. Weiner, ASE president.

The ASE Web site also includes a "send-to-a-friend" function, where links to information can be sent to anyone with an e-mail address. Users can change the site layout to printer-friendly formatting so printed information doesn't wind up with missing text on one side of the page. To further assist service professionals, the site also offers the interactive presentation, "Tips for ASE Test Taking," along with the most recent versions of the Official ASE Catalogs of Tests.

AMERICA ON THE ROAD: REAL-WORLD EPA RATINGS

New 2008-model cars and trucks now rolling into dealerships have EPA-estimated fuel economy labels that are more "real-world" and closer to the actual fuel-economy numbers the vehicles will generate, says Mike Anson, editor-in-chief, Styling & Performance and America on the Road radio host. Why? Because the previous testing process did not reflect true driving conditions.

Two years ago, an Auto Club study demonstrated the former testing system over-estimated fuel economy because the testing did not account for the equipment purchased and the way people actually drive today. Most consumers who purchased new vehicles in recent years rarely saw their personal fuel economy equal what was stated on the sales label. The old ratings were off by an average of 4 mpg, or 15 percent, according to Anson.

"Car buyers will now have more accurate fuel economy information, and that's a great step forward for consumers," said Steven Mazor, manager of the Auto Club's Automotive Research Center (ARC), one of the groups that helped the EPA develop new tests.

Called the USO6 test, it simulates aggressive driving, congesting, and high speeds—a closer resemblance to everyday driving. The results are usually within 1 mpg or 4 percent—much more accurate. The Auto Club and America On The Road radio program remind drivers that vehicle maintenance and driving habits still have the most effect on "real-world" fuel economy.

U.S. LAGS BEHIND EUROPE IN PROTECTING SMALL BUSINESS AND COMPETITION

The United States lags behind Europe in protecting small business and competition, according to the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA). General Motors, Daimler-Chrysler, Toyota, and Fiat, have made a legally binding commitment with the European Commission that these four car manufacturers will provide technical information to independent repair shops in the European Union. Yet, while major car manufacturers have committed to providing information to independent repair shops in Europe, they are still fighting the efforts in the U.S.

"We applaud the European Commission for taking the initiative in obtaining the truth in order to protect the ability of independent businesses to compete on a level playing field. However, we find it disturbing that the EC is taking a more aggressive role in protecting consumers from a repair monopoly than the U.S., which has yet to pass Right to Repair legislation," said Kathleen Schmatz, president and CEO of the AAIA.

"We further are disappointed that the big car companies can reach a legally binding agreement with the independent repair shops in Europe, but do not seem to want to provide the same accommodations to their counterparts in the United States. The car manufacturers' lack of interest in pursuing a legally binding U.S. agreement has forced us to seek a legislative solution in the form of the Motor Vehicle Owners' Right to Repair Act," continued Schmatz.

In announcing the agreement, the European Commission stated, "The commitments were given after a Commission investigation found that inadequate access to the full range of technical information could drive independent repairers from the market and the agreements between the carmakers and their authorized repairers would therefore infringe EC Treaty rules on restrictive business practices. The resulting reduction in competition between car repairers could lead to less choice and higher prices for consumers; independent repairers are often cheaper than authorized outlets, sometimes by more than 50 percent. In addition, if repairs were carried out without the right technical information, this could lead to vehicles being driven in an unsafe condition, and add to air pollution and wasted fuel."

The European Commission agreement mandates that all technical information provided to authorized repair shops also must be made available to independent shops on a nondiscriminatory basis. It allows the car companies to withhold information on anti-theft or performance-limiting functions of on-board electronics, but requires that the manufacturers ensure the absence of this information does not prevent independent shops from performing repairs not directly related to these systems.

"Although the U.S. car manufacturers would have you believe otherwise, this issue has always been about motorists having the right to choose where they take their vehicle for service and the ability of independent repair shops in the United States to compete fairly in the marketplace," stated Schmatz. "We hope that the U.S. car manufacturers will be willing and able to reach a legally binding agreement with us regarding the availability of repair tools and service information. In the meantime, we will continue to support the passage of the Right to Repair Act."

"The legislation is all about who owns the car owner's vehicle," Schmatz continued. "Right to Repair ensures that car owners can continue to enjoy the convenience and affordability of having their vehicle serviced at the repair shop of their choice, whether it's their neighborhood repair shop or a franchised dealership," she added.

DRIVERS IN A FIX FOR CAR REPAIRS WITHOUT 'RIGHT TO REPAIR' LEGISLATION

If left up to car manufacturers, consumers won't have a choice of where to bring their vehicles to be serviced or repaired. However, the Motor Vehicle Owners' Right to Repair Act (HR 2694) was recently introduced in Congress to protect the rights of car owners to decide where and how they have their vehicles serviced, whether at the new car dealer or an independent service facility.

"In the United States, there are nearly 225 million vehicles and only 21,640 car dealerships. I'm not great in math, but 225 million divided by 21,640 looks like the makings of a disaster for American consumers unless something is done," said Kathleen Schmatz, president and CEO of the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA). "The growing congressional support of the Right to Repair Act shows that Congress is taking this piece of legislation very seriously and wants their constituents to have the right to choose where to have their vehicles serviced and repaired."

The need for Right to Repair legislation has become apparent due to the increasing use of computers and electronics, which control nearly every vehicle function from safety and emissions to entertainment. The Right to Repair Act would mandate that car companies provide full access to all tools and service information needed to repair motor vehicles, thus leveling the competitive playing field between dealers and independent repair shops.

RECOMMENDED OIL-CHANGE INTERVALS FOR YOUR CUSTOMERS

Recommended oil-change intervals and automobile maintenance schedules have been in the news recently. Oil-change shops recommend doing it more often; auto makers say to use longer intervals. Which group is right?

We all know regular maintenance helps customers get more trouble-free miles from their vehicles, but what about oil changes? Should they do it more or less often? Start with the vehicle owner's manual for a basic recommendation. If your customers drive short or stop-and-go trips, then they are "severe" service drivers and should increase oil-change frequency and other scheduled maintenance. If they are severe service drivers, recommend they change the oil and filter every 3,000 miles; if they are less-severe service drivers, recommend oil changes every 5,000 miles. If they are really "light" service drivers (possibly high miles, but on mostly unclogged freeways or highways with the engine at normal operating temperature and very little idling), recommend the 7,500-mile interval.

According to the Automotive Oil Change Association, skipping an oil change to save money isn't smart. "Missing even one oil change can accelerate premature engine wear and cause engine damage," says the association. They also cite a popular consumer magazine, which figured out that maintaining a vehicle for 225,000 miles and 15 years saves the consumer more than $20,000 when comparing the cost of buying and financing a new car every five years. Regard the owner's manual recommendations as a minimum; most drivers should consider a more frequent oil-change and maintenance schedule.

BECK/ARNLEY INTRODUCES NEW IDENTITY CAMPAIGN

For Beck/Arnley, the GENUINE concept means providing quality parts that fit properly, developing product enhancements to make the installation job easier, and having one of the most well respected brands in the industry with service dealers who work on foreign nameplate vehicles. These advantages, combined with more than 90 years of global application sourcing experience, a multi-million-dollar original equipment/supplier parts library, and an extensive application and product database developed over the past 35 years, describe the meaning of 'GENUINE foreign nameplate parts,' that has become the new tagline for Beck/Arnley. The tagline is incorporated in the revised logo, which utilizes a cleaner more readable font for the Beck/Arnley name.

The new theme is exemplified by the Beck/Arnley Web site. It contains a wealth of practical content for Beck/Arnley customers, making it easier to find high-quality foreign nameplate parts. It features a product section with information on Beck/Arnley's six product modules, which include Engine Parts & Filtration, Clutch & Driveline, Brake & Chassis, Cooling Systems, Engine Management, and Electrical, as well as spotlights highlighting individual products. The product section also details how Beck/Arnley's products go "Beyond Form, Fit and Function."

The marketing section of the Web site allows customers to stay up-to-date with what's going on at Beck/Arnley. It contains the new "You Just Know When Something is Genuine" advertising campaign materials, as well as the latest brochures, flyers, and press releases.

NHRA FOUNDER WALLY PARKS DIES AT AGE 94

"Today is a sad day in the world of NHRA and the sport of drag racing," said Tom Compton, president of NHRA. "Words simply can't describe the immeasurable impact Wally has had on the sport he created and the millions of people's lives he touched along the way. The name Wally Parks is synonymous with drag racing, and his vision and direction will guide NHRA for years to come. Everyone in drag racing, and the industries formed to service the sport, will forever be indebted to Wally, his vision, his focus, and his desire to create, build, and grow NHRA."

Parks, who founded the NHRA in 1951, never implied that he did it all himself. Reflecting on the tremendous growth and success of NHRA, he noted how fortunate he was that so many dedicated people had shared his outlook that almost anything is possible if you believe in it strongly enough. One of the most dedicated was unquestionably his late wife, Barbara Parks.

Born in Oklahoma in 1913, Parks lived in Kansas until age 8, when his family moved to California, where his automotive interests surfaced. In his high-school years, he became active in building stripped-down Model-T Fords and Chevy fours for use on the street and in early speed trials conducted on dry lakebeds in the Mojave Desert, north of Los Angeles.

In 1937, Parks took part in the formation of the Southern California Timing Association (SCTA)—an organization focused on conducting land-speed record events—serving as one of its officials until World War II began. In 1946, following military service in the South Pacific, Parks was elected president of the reorganized SCTA. In 1947, after 10 years of employment as a road-test driver and process engineer for General Motors, Parks left GM to assume a new role as the SCTA's general manager. It was his concept that produced America's first Hot Rod Show, presented by the SCTA in 1948 at the Los Angeles Exposition Armory.

In 1948, Parks helped co-publishers Bob Petersen and Bob Lindsay in the introduction of HOT ROD magazine and later was named its first editor. In 1949, Parks organized the campaign that led to the opening of Utah's Bonneville Salt Flats for hot-rod speed trials—a still-thriving annual activity.

In 1951, utilizing HOT ROD as a conduit to nationwide readership, Parks formed the NHRA. In 1963, he resigned his position as editorial director for all of Petersen's automotive magazines— HOT ROD , Motor Trend, Car Craft, Sports Car Graphic, and Motor Life—to assume full-time administrative duties as president of NHRA.

An early recipient of Car Craft magazine's prestigious Ollie Award for his many contributions to motorsports, Parks was named Man of the Decade, 1962-1972, by Popular Hot Rodding magazine and was recognized as Man of the Year in 1973 by the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA). The American Auto Racing Writers & Broadcasters Association (AARWBA) honored Parks in 1988 and again in 1994 for his pioneering efforts in motorsports. Parks received his highest honors in 1992 and 1993 when he was drag racing's first inductee into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 1992 in Talladega, Alabama, and inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame in Novi, Michigan, in 1993.

In 1994, the tributes to Parks' legacy continued to pile up. A large bronze statue of Parks was presented at NHRA's Gainesville Raceway, which was eventually moved to its current location in front of the NHRA Motorsports Museum at Fairplex in Pomona, California. Later in 1994, Parks and wife Barbara were co-inductees into the Don Garlits International Drag Racing Hall of Fame in Ocala, Florida, for their pioneering efforts, which spearheaded NHRA's success.

In 2002, Parks again was recognized for his many contributions to the sport of drag racing. He was presented with the inaugural Robert E. Petersen Lifetime Achievement Award at the fourth-annual Hot Rod & Performance Trade Show in Indianapolis. The late Petersen, a renowned automotive publisher and creator of multiple automotive magazines, then presented Parks with the all-bronze sculpture, which was created to honor the entrepreneurs who have contributed to the history, growth, and well-being of the hot-rod industry. In late 2003, Parks received another honor of distinction, as he was named the Dean Batchelor Lifetime Achievement Award winner by the Motor Press Guild in Los Angeles.

Parks remained on NHRA's board of directors and dedicated much of his time to his personal involvement with the cultivation and expansion of The Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum at Fairplex in Pomona. Although much of the museum's historical focus is on the evolution of NHRA and drag racing, it also features many other forms of motorsports that relate closely to the formative years of NHRA, including dry lakes, Bonneville, and oval track. racing, and allied performance industries.

BUDWEISER TAPS KASEY KAHNE AS NEXT DRIVER OF ITS LEGENDARY RACE CAR

Labonte, Waltrip, Elliott, and Earnhardt. In addition to being among the most celebrated names in motorsports, these drivers share in the proud tradition of racing for one of NASCAR's most successful sponsors, Budweiser, which has announced Gillett Evernham Motorsports driver Kasey Kahne will become the next world-class racer to take the wheel of the iconic red Budweiser car when the 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup season kicks off in February.

Kahne began his NASCAR career in 2002 running 20 Busch Series races with one top-10. In 2003, he recorded his first victory in the series finale at Homestead, finishing the year with four top-fives, 14 top-10s, and a seventh-place ranking in the final points standings.

Kahne excelled during his rookie year in 2004 in all three of NASCAR's top series. He had 13 top-fives, 14 top-10s, and four Budweiser Pole Awards in his first full season racing Cup, nine top-fives and 14 top-10s in 30 Busch races, and won both Craftsman Truck races he started. Kahne picked up his first career Cup victory in 2005 before recording his breakthrough 2006 performance.