Automotive News
AASA
AASA Special Report - Parts Qualtiy
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. – In the latest of its “Special Report” series addressing aftermarket replacement parts quality, the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA) examines the many processes and services which accompany quality products in, “What Else Is in the Box? Beyond Aftermarket Replacement Parts.”
“There are many resources, including other AASA “Special Reports” that address the basic question of ‘what’s in the box,’” said Steve Handschuh, president and COO of AASA. “In our report, we address the broader question, “What else is in the box?” – those vital intangibles that go into producing and standing behind high quality replacement parts.”
“When it comes to choosing the right part for the job, technicians often ask, ‘What’s in the box?’ Simply looking at a part or even comparing it to the component being replaced is not enough,” noted Jack Cameron, AASA vice president and author of the report. “Parts that appear the same on the outside do not always perform as well as what was installed when the car was built.”
“What Else Is in the Box?” examines the important processes and services which accompany quality products, Cameron noted. Divided into three broad categories, these are incorporated prior to, during and even after the quality product is manufactured.
The processes and services provided by full service aftermarket suppliers include:
- Product specification and engineering
- Category management
- Quality control
- Product liability
- Intellectual property protection
- Supply chain management
- Application knowledge and technical support
- Defective product and labor claim protection
“When it comes to full service manufacturers’ products, there is far more in the box than the part. That is the basis of the Know Your Parts® slogan, ‘It’s What’s Inside That Counts,’” Cameron explained. “Just as the knowledge, experience, training and reputation of the professional technician who installs a part makes all the difference, so too, are the parts themselves. That’s why it is so important to remember what else is in the box when selecting a manufacturer,” he added.
The AASA Special Report, “What Else Is in the Box? Beyond Aftermarket Replacement Parts,” is available through the AASA Web site. AASA has many other resources and publications detailing the contributions of full service aftermarket suppliers, including its “Supplier Evaluation Standards.” For more information about the AASA Know Your Parts campaign, visit www.KnowYourParts.com
About AASA
AASA (www.aftermarketsuppliers.org) exclusively serves manufacturers of aftermarket components, tools and equipment, and related products. It is a recognized industry change agent – promoting a collaborative industry environment, providing a forum to address issues and serving as a valued resource for members. AASA is an affiliate of the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA). “AASA, The Voice for the Automotive Aftermarket Supplier Industry”
Manufacturer
Google Pitches Self-Driving Cars
Search-engine giant Google Inc. thinks self-driving cars can be on U.S. roads in the next few years and is in talks with automakers to roll out the cutting-edge technology.
Detroit News
DETROIT — Search-engine giant Google Inc. thinks self-driving cars can be on U.S. roads in the next few years and is in talks with automakers to roll out the cutting-edge technology.
"The most important thing computers can do in the next 10 years is drive a car," Anthony Levandowski, Google's driver-less car project manager, told a crowd of several hundred engineers Wednesday at the SAE World Congress in Detroit.
Google, he said, is eager to see self-driving vehicles on the nation's roads, and the company could make an announcement about the technology as early as next year.
The Mountain View, Calif.-based company could partner with one automaker to offer the technology or it could retrofit a small fleet of vehicles. "We don't want to make cars. That's not our interest," Levandowski said.
Google is in talks with major automakers, Levandowsi told reporters after his speech.
Automakers "understand it is happening and they want to play a role in that," he said.
In developing a self-driving vehicle, the company aims to reduce traffic deaths — Google noted that 90 percent of all crashes are caused by human error.
Car crashes account for nearly $200 billion in annual societal costs and more than 32,000 deaths; they're the leading cause of death for people ages 5-34.
"We don't know what it's going to take to show it's safer than a driver," Levandowski said, but he predicted: "It's much sooner than the next decade."
Last month, a blind driver named Steve Mahan was the first to use a self-driving car from Google — and he made a stop to get a taco. "How do we treat those in our society that need our help the most," Levandowski said.
Google needs to prove mathematically that self-driving cars are safer — and make fewer mistakes — than human drivers.
The Internet giant said that its self-driving cars on average complete a test course a couple of seconds faster than human drivers.
In addition to automakers, Google is talking to suppliers to find "partners that want to work with us."
"All options are open. From giving the technology away to licensing it to working with (suppliers), working with (automakers) building a car with them — everything is open — and we're trying to figure out which paths make the most sense," Levandowski said.
The company is also talking to insurance companies as part of a multi-pronged effort to make computer-driven cars a reality.
Google said it's unclear whether the company would have to provide some insurance to early drivers using the system.
"We're going to stand by our software products," he said, adding Google will have the data to prove its vehicles are safe.
He said that Google wouldn't wait for a federal recall to make fixes.
Levandowski noted that Google would have the power to deactivate its self-driving system remotely — something it could do if any safety issue arose. "We could control where and when it works," Levandowski said.
The company has logged more than 250,000 miles in a fleet of about 10 self-driving cars — but wants to log at least 1 million miles before it offers the technology to the general public. Google's self-driving vehicles are retrofitted Toyota Prius sedans with added sensors and cameras.
Many people have raised liability concerns over what happens if a driver-less car causes a crash. Google said the company won't move forward if the data doesn't demonstrate that its vehicles are safer than people.
Levandowski said Google doesn't want to eliminate human driving, but wants to make it safer. "We only want to drive cars when they are fun," he said.
Other companies are working on similar technologies.
General Motors Co. has been testing driver-less cars for more than five years.
In 2008, GM unveiled a prototype that then-CEO Rick Wagoner said could allow drivers one day "do your email, eat breakfast, apply your make-up, read the newspaper, watch a video… all while commuting to work."
This week, GM said it is road-testing semi-autonomous technology it calls "Super Cruise," capable of fully automatic steering, braking and lane-centering in highway driving under certain optimal conditions and could be ready for Cadillac production vehicles by mid-decade.
John Capp, GM's director of Global Active Safety Electronics and Innovation, said the goal of the "autonomous and semi-autonomous vehicle development is safety."
"In the coming years, autonomous driving systems paired with advanced safety systems could help eliminate the crash altogether by interceding on behalf of drivers before they're even aware of a hazardous situation. More than ever, consume
Partners
Walker Products Awarded Bronze At 2012 NCMA Conference
Walker Products of Garden Grove, Calif., is proud to announce that its 2012 Oxygen Sensor Catalog has received the bronze President’s Award for Electronic Data Excellence at the annual NCMA catalog conference in Las Vegas, NV.
Grand Junction, CO. 4/27/12 — Walker Products of Garden Grove, Calif., is proud to announce that its 2012 Oxygen Sensor Catalog has received the bronze President’s Award for Electronic Data Excellence at the annual NCMA catalog conference in Las Vegas, NV. The 2012 Oxygen Sensor Catalog features industry leading application coverage, maximum consolidation, and is both ACES and PIES compliant.
This is not the first occasion that Walker Products has received recognition for its exceptional publications. The 2010 Oxygen Sensor Catalog was awarded Best New Catalog for Import Cars and Trucks by AIA at the 2010 AAPEX show. Walker was also awarded for excellence in packaging by AIA in both 2006 and 2010.
The 2012 Oxygen Sensor Catalog is available at Walker’s online catalog center at www.walkerproducts.com. To order a printed copy of this or any other catalog, please call the Walker Products customer service center at 970-245-5949.
Company Profile
Walker Products Inc. has served the needs of the worldwide automotive aftermarket since 1946. Walker is one of the largest privately owned manufacturers of Fuel System Components and Engine Management Devices. The company offers its products to parts distributors worldwide.
Walker’s portfolio features a wide arrangement of quality automotive products. Walker manufactures fuel system components such as carburetion and fuel injection repair kits, fuel injectors, fuel injection components and fuel pressure regulators. Walker also offers engine management devices, such as oxygen sensors, throttle position sensors, air charge temperature sensors, engine coolant temperature sensors, manifold absolute pressure sensors, spark plug wires and glow plugs. Walker also has facilities that specialize in gasket fabrication and the production of custom, machined components. For any additional information, please log on to the company’s website at www.walkerproducts.com.
ExtremeWrench.com and Partners sponsor Independent Repair Shop Seminar
ExtremeWrench.com and many of their rewards partners sponsored the May 2012 Independent Repair Shop Summit this past weekend.
Minden, NV - May 7th -- ExtremeWrench.com and many of their rewards partners sponsored the May 2012 Independent Repair Shop Summit this past weekend. Over a Hundred attendees from around the United States gathered to learn about the latest BMW and MINI OE diagnostic tools from industry leading technologists. The seminar ran for two days and was hosted at RAMAC; a leading supplier of aftermarket parts for BMW, MINI, and Volvo.
Attendees got to meet with vendors and discuss the latest products on the market and the concern that installers have regarding products that are already in the field. The vendors and partners represented included: NGK, NTK, Fremax, Mahle, Suplex, Mann Filter, Nissens, Akebono, Contitech, ,Victor Reinz, Wahler, MicronAir, Hepu, Jurid, Pentosin, Rein and Optimal.
The seminar was a complete success. ExtremeWrench Media Director William Hinds said "It was amazing to see so many independent repair shops under one roof, learning together in this environment and getting to develop a deeper relationship with the manufacturers they are installing every day."
About ExtremeWrench
ExtremeWrench is the largest internet source of Independent Auto Repair Shops. All of the services provided to the consumer and the repair shop owner are completely free. The organic search results are merit based, and provide consumers with a unique perspective on the independent repair shops in their community. Consumers can view each member’s shop profile to see detailed information to help make an informed decision. The shop profile contains: services performed, carlines serviced, current rating, and an interactive map and directions feature. Consumers can also make on-line appointments and receive text message notifications when their repairs are completed.
Independent Repair shop owners are invited to participate in the industry's fastest growing rewards program. Rewards points are available from a host of TIER 1 manufactures on over 45 different products categories making the ExtremeWrench rewards program the largest cross-manufacturer rewards program in the aftermarket.
Tier 1 manufacturers interested in participating in this program are encouraged to contact ExtremeWrench.
ExtremeWrench News
New Features
ExtremeWrench.com launches complete suite of FREE Facebook apps.
ExtremeWrench is now offering a full suite of FREE Facebook apps for Independent Repair Shops. With these free applications Repair Shops can expand their marketing to the next level, reaching out to over 800 million active users on Facebook.
ExtremeWrench is now offering a full suite of free Facebook apps for Independent Repair Shops. With these free applications Repair Shops can expand their marketing to the next level, reaching out to over 800 million active users on Facebook. The ExtremeWrench Facebook application suite provides a complete set of free tools, including: online Appointments, Maps, Directions, Car Done Status alerts and Verified Shop Ratings. Repair shop owners are invited to www.ExtremeWrench.com today and request a guided tour.
Rewards
MAHLE Seeing Double ?
Double points on all MAHLE filters for May
Ann Arbor, Michigan, May 1, 2012 – MAHLE Clevite Inc. will offer double reward points through the month of May to independent repair shops on its complete line of MAHLE Original® filters via its partnership with ExtremeWrench.com. For every barcode saved from a MAHLE Original oil, air, fuel or cabin air filter and entered into the shop’s ExtremeWrench account, double points will be rewarded and can be redeemed for merchandise, technical training, trips and other valuable prizes.
In addition to reward points from a host of manufacturers including MAHLE Clevite, an ExtremeWrench membership provides repair shops with a complimentary listing and brief description of the establishment including contact information, and a direct link to the shop website. It also provides a way for customers to contact the repair shop directly through their online profile.
ExtremeWrench is the largest Internet source of independent auto repair shops. All of the services provided to the customer and the repair shop owner are completely free. The organic search results are merit-based and provide consumers with a unique perspective on the independent repair shops in their community. Consumers can view each member’s shop profile to see detailed information to help make an informed decision. The shop profile contains: services performed, carlines serviced, current rating, and an interactive map and directions feature. Consumers can also make online appointments and receive text message notifications when their repairs are completed.
Independent repair shops are invited to enroll free by visiting www.extremewrench.com. Tier 1 manufacturers interested in participating in this program are encouraged to contact ExtremeWrench.
MAHLE Clevite Inc. also offers rewards points on the most popular Victor Reinz® gasket set categories including heat, manifold, oil pan and valve cover via ExtremeWrench. For more information, visit www.mahle-aftermarket.com, or contact your local representative.
Stock up on MANN-FILTER Oil Filters!
Purchase MANN-FILTER Oil Filters and enter the barcodes at extremewrench.com from May 14 - 25, 2012 and receive double points!
Stock up on MANN-FILTER Oil Filters!
Earn Double Points for MANN-FILTER Oil Filters in May!
Purchase MANN-FILTER Oil Filters and enter the barcodes at extremewrench.com from May 14 - 25, 2012 and receive double points!
Benefits of MANN-FILTER Oil Filters
Optimum protection for engine
Housing is pressure-resistant and protected against corrosion
Long-life filter media made of mixed fibers
Long-life seal
Anti-drain valve made of high-quality silicone*
Teflon-coated bypass valve*
Fast replacement with wrench removal tools
*If required
Oil filter = 20 points
General News
Economy
Wall Street Journal - Slowing Growth Spurs Fears
The economy lost steam in the first quarter, as onetime engines of growth sputtered and robust consumer spending was unable to propel the recovery on its own.
Gross domestic product, the broadest measure of all goods and services produced in the economy, grew at an annualized rate of 2.2 percent in the first quarter, down from 3 percent at the end of 2011, the Commerce Department said April 27. The deceleration reflected sharp cutbacks in government spending and weaker business investment and came despite an unusually warm winter, which many economists said likely provided a mild economic boost.
The report did reveal a few areas of strength. Consumer spending, by far the biggest piece of the economy, accelerated in the first quarter, and the moribund housing sector also showed signs of improvement. Overall economic growth, though modest, was far stronger than at the start of last year, when the U.S. teetered on the brink of recession.
The glum economic news had a muted impact on financial markets, in part because many investors see a weakening economy as increasing pressure on the Federal Reserve to step in with a new round of stimulus. The Dow Jones Industrial Average nosed up 23.69 points to 13228.31. There was a note of caution in the bond market, where surging demand for the perceived safety of Treasurys sent 10-year bond yields to their lowest level in two months.
Recent data have suggested that the once-strong factory sector is weakening and that job growth, which picked up early this year, has begun to slow. Outside factors -- from high oil prices to Europe's continued financial turmoil -- could be a further drag on growth in coming months. The weak start to the year gives the economy little momentum to help carry it past such challenges.
"We're still very, very susceptible to shocks at this point, and there are still plenty of shocks that could occur out there," said Jay Bryson, an economist with Wells Fargo Securities.
The numbers were preliminary and will likely be revised in coming months. Still, they suggest a clear slowing of activity from the end of last year, and dashed hopes that the economy was entering a new phase of faster growth.
Instead, the report showed that many sectors that once helped drive the recovery are now becoming a drag on growth. Nonresidential fixed investment -- a measure of business spending on everything from factories to computers -- fell for the first time in more than two years.
Spending on equipment and software grew at its slowest pace since the recession ended in mid-2009. Other recent data have showed new industrial orders also falling, suggesting manufacturing isn't likely to rebound quickly in the second quarter.
Alexander Cutler, chairman and chief executive of Eaton Corp., which makes everything from industrial hoses to airplane parts, said manufacturers benefited earlier in the recovery as businesses scrambled to restock inventories following steep production cuts during the recession. But that cycle is now coming to an end, Cutler said, and the underlying economy isn't yet strong enough to spur another big increase in investment.
"We've seen quite a snapback," Cutler said. "Now we're starting to come back to the numbers that look more like a steady state."
Government spending, which helped prop up the economy during the recession, has also become a big drag in recent years. The winding down of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan is eating into military spending, which fell sharply in the first quarter, while tight budgets are leading to spending cuts at the state and local levels.
Suffolk County, New York, on Long Island, ended 2011 with its first budget deficit in 20 years and faces a projected $530 million deficit through 2013. On April 27, the county began sending out more than 300 layoff notices to county employees, part of a proposed $160 million in budget cuts and revenue increases. The county managed to paper over its deficits for a few years through one-time revenues, newly elected county executive Steven Bellone said, but with sales-tax revenues still not back to prerecession levels, such moves are no longer enough.
"We have no choice," Bellone said. "This is something we're going to be dealing with at the local-government level for a long time."
As government and business spending fall, consumers are helping to pick up the slack. Consumer spending, which accounts for more than two-thirds of the economy, was weak early in the recovery amid high unemployment and heavy household debt. But spending rose 2.9 percent in the first quarter, the strongest growth since late 2010, and investment in the housing sector, another laggard, shot up 19.1 percent.
A separate reading of consumer sentiment from the University of Michigan on April 27 showed that Americans are becoming more optimistic despite high gasoline prices and uneven economic indicators.
"The weak links have really been consumer spendEnergy
Rising Gas Prices Shift from Bane to Boon for Recovering OE Auto Industry
"I went from paying $80 every time I filled up to paying less than $40 and getting just as much distance out of a tank," said German, 23, of Rochester, N.Y
Bloomberg
DETROIT -- As rising gasoline prices became a pain in the pocketbook this year, Matt German decided it was time to buy a new car.
So he traded in his hot-rod Ford pickup for a Ford Focus compact car and cut his fuel bill in half.
"I went from paying $80 every time I filled up to paying less than $40 and getting just as much distance out of a tank," said German, 23, of Rochester, N.Y. "As gas prices were going up, I figured it was time to get out of that truck."
Rising gasoline prices have gone from bane to boon for the recovering U.S. auto industry.
In 2008, U.S. gas prices hit a record of $4.11 a gallon and contributed to Detroit's downfall, as truck and sport-utility vehicle sales collapsed. With gasoline again approaching $4, buyers are returning to showrooms to replace old guzzlers with new, fuel-efficient models.
"It's really astounding that you've gone from $4-a-gallon gasoline devastating sales to $4-a-gallon gasoline supporting sales today," Mike Jackson, chief executive officer of AutoNation Inc., the largest U.S. car dealer, said in an interview. "This is a real change in consumer behavior that puts us in a much better place than where we were in 2008."
Ford Motor Co. and Toyota Motor Corp. this month each raised their industrywide sales forecasts for 2012 following first-quarter sales that surprised on the positive side even as fuel prices rose to near-record levels.
U.S. gasoline averaged $3.90 a gallon April 17, according to AAA. Prices will reach $4.01 in May, the U.S. Energy Department said on April 11.
Not 'Paralyzing'
"The impact of $4-a-gallon gas on the sales rate is neutral to a slight positive," said Brian Johnson, Chicago- based auto analyst with Barclays Capital. "It certainly doesn't seem to be paralyzing the consumer this time."
Instead, it's motivating consumers to return to dealerships to trade in cars that average 11 years old, according to Mark Fields, Ford's president of the Americas.
"Four dollar-a-gallon gas is not as much of a shock as it was four years ago," Fields said at the New York auto show this month. "People are doing the math and saying, 'If I can get a lot better fuel economy, I'll go out and buy that new vehicle.'"
This year, fuel mileage has become the most influential reason for purchasing a new car, surpassing reliability, a good deal and exterior styling, according to a survey by researcher J.D. Power & Associates.
"That is practically unprecedented," said Tim Dunne, an analyst with J.D. Power in Troy, Mich. "For the last decade, people have made vehicle dependability and reliability their top priority."
Widespread Progress
As buyers return to showrooms, they're finding all models are more fuel efficient.
The average fuel economy of all 2012 cars and trucks is 24.5 miles (39 kilometers) per gallon, up from 21 mpg in 2008, according to automotive researcher Edmunds.com.
"That's a 16 percent jump in fuel economy," said Jessica Caldwell, director of industry analysis at Edmunds in Santa Monica, Calif. "So whatever you're buying, it's going to be more fuel efficient."
That across-the-board improvement has led to less downsizing, Caldwell said. Sales of mid-size SUVs have held up and large pickups still account for more than one in 10 vehicle sales, she said.
"We still sell lots of crossovers and SUVs," Tetsuo Iwamura, president of Honda Motor Co.'s U.S. unit, said in an April 4 interview. "The last time it hit $4, everybody had the reaction of no more big SUVs. I still remember the world downsizing, downsizing. These days, we don't see so much downsizing, downsizing."
Less Panic
This year's run-up in fuel costs is setting off less panic in showrooms than in 2008 and 2009, when car buyers swarmed to small cars and sales of large vehicles fell.
Compact cars, SUVs and trucks peaked at 42 percent of the market in August 2009, while large vehicles dropped to 16 percent that month, according to Edmunds.
Last month, compact models accounted for 34 percent of U.S. sales, while large vehicles claimed 18 percent of the market, Edmunds said. Instead of shrinking their cars, buyers are downsizing their engines.
Cars and trucks with four-cylinder engines accounted for more than half of U.S. auto sales in the first quarter, the highest recorded by Troy, Mich.-based researcher LMC Automotive.
In 2003, just 29 percent of car buyers chose a small, 4- cylinder engine. That rose to 49 percent last year and reached 54 percent in the first three months of this year, according to LMC.
Small-Engine Trucks
Ford now sells more F-150 pickups with V-6 engines th
Tips
Technical
Hub Inspection Quick Tips
When doing work on the brake or
wheel end systems of an automobile,
it always makes sense to check
the condition of your hub bearing
assembly.
When doing work on the brake or wheel end systems of an automobile, it always makes sense to check the condition of your hub bearing assembly. Use these visual and mechanical inspection tips to determine potential causes.
Remember there can be many causes behind wheel end system damage so be sure to explore all possibilities or visit a professional technician for a complete inspection.
Begin with a visual inspection. Look for abnormalities in the hub appearance such as:
--Mis-shaped parts, out of round or dents
--Excessive rust
--Bent bolts
++ Check for bolts or nuts that are loose or are backing off.
++ After removing the caliper and brake rotor, rotate the hub bearing by hand. If the bearing assembly appears to be loose, the bearing may be damaged. Any roughness, looseness or noise is an indication that the bearing is damaged and needs replaced.
++ Check for endplay using a dial indicator. If endplay is in excess of .004” there is an issue. For information on using a dial indicator reference Timken Automotive TechTip Vol. 3: Issue 1.
Headquartered in the U.S., with manufacturing and research facilities across the country and around the globe, Timken is trusted by more professional installers to provide the automotive and heavy-duty aftermarket with high-quality products and services. Timken is committed to the highest standards in training, quality and innovation, and is focused on reaching out to the technicians of today and tomorrow.
Automotive News
AASA
AASA Special Report - Parts Qualtiy
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. – In the latest of its “Special Report” series addressing aftermarket replacement parts quality, the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA) examines the many processes and services which accompany quality products in, “What Else Is in the Box? Beyond Aftermarket Replacement Parts.”
“There are many resources, including other AASA “Special Reports” that address the basic question of ‘what’s in the box,’” said Steve Handschuh, president and COO of AASA. “In our report, we address the broader question, “What else is in the box?” – those vital intangibles that go into producing and standing behind high quality replacement parts.”
“When it comes to choosing the right part for the job, technicians often ask, ‘What’s in the box?’ Simply looking at a part or even comparing it to the component being replaced is not enough,” noted Jack Cameron, AASA vice president and author of the report. “Parts that appear the same on the outside do not always perform as well as what was installed when the car was built.”
“What Else Is in the Box?” examines the important processes and services which accompany quality products, Cameron noted. Divided into three broad categories, these are incorporated prior to, during and even after the quality product is manufactured.
The processes and services provided by full service aftermarket suppliers include:
- Product specification and engineering
- Category management
- Quality control
- Product liability
- Intellectual property protection
- Supply chain management
- Application knowledge and technical support
- Defective product and labor claim protection
“When it comes to full service manufacturers’ products, there is far more in the box than the part. That is the basis of the Know Your Parts® slogan, ‘It’s What’s Inside That Counts,’” Cameron explained. “Just as the knowledge, experience, training and reputation of the professional technician who installs a part makes all the difference, so too, are the parts themselves. That’s why it is so important to remember what else is in the box when selecting a manufacturer,” he added.
The AASA Special Report, “What Else Is in the Box? Beyond Aftermarket Replacement Parts,” is available through the AASA Web site. AASA has many other resources and publications detailing the contributions of full service aftermarket suppliers, including its “Supplier Evaluation Standards.” For more information about the AASA Know Your Parts campaign, visit www.KnowYourParts.com
About AASA
AASA (www.aftermarketsuppliers.org) exclusively serves manufacturers of aftermarket components, tools and equipment, and related products. It is a recognized industry change agent – promoting a collaborative industry environment, providing a forum to address issues and serving as a valued resource for members. AASA is an affiliate of the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA). “AASA, The Voice for the Automotive Aftermarket Supplier Industry”
Manufacturer
Google Pitches Self-Driving Cars
Search-engine giant Google Inc. thinks self-driving cars can be on U.S. roads in the next few years and is in talks with automakers to roll out the cutting-edge technology.
Detroit News
DETROIT — Search-engine giant Google Inc. thinks self-driving cars can be on U.S. roads in the next few years and is in talks with automakers to roll out the cutting-edge technology.
"The most important thing computers can do in the next 10 years is drive a car," Anthony Levandowski, Google's driver-less car project manager, told a crowd of several hundred engineers Wednesday at the SAE World Congress in Detroit.
Google, he said, is eager to see self-driving vehicles on the nation's roads, and the company could make an announcement about the technology as early as next year.
The Mountain View, Calif.-based company could partner with one automaker to offer the technology or it could retrofit a small fleet of vehicles. "We don't want to make cars. That's not our interest," Levandowski said.
Google is in talks with major automakers, Levandowsi told reporters after his speech.
Automakers "understand it is happening and they want to play a role in that," he said.
In developing a self-driving vehicle, the company aims to reduce traffic deaths — Google noted that 90 percent of all crashes are caused by human error.
Car crashes account for nearly $200 billion in annual societal costs and more than 32,000 deaths; they're the leading cause of death for people ages 5-34.
"We don't know what it's going to take to show it's safer than a driver," Levandowski said, but he predicted: "It's much sooner than the next decade."
Last month, a blind driver named Steve Mahan was the first to use a self-driving car from Google — and he made a stop to get a taco. "How do we treat those in our society that need our help the most," Levandowski said.
Google needs to prove mathematically that self-driving cars are safer — and make fewer mistakes — than human drivers.
The Internet giant said that its self-driving cars on average complete a test course a couple of seconds faster than human drivers.
In addition to automakers, Google is talking to suppliers to find "partners that want to work with us."
"All options are open. From giving the technology away to licensing it to working with (suppliers), working with (automakers) building a car with them — everything is open — and we're trying to figure out which paths make the most sense," Levandowski said.
The company is also talking to insurance companies as part of a multi-pronged effort to make computer-driven cars a reality.
Google said it's unclear whether the company would have to provide some insurance to early drivers using the system.
"We're going to stand by our software products," he said, adding Google will have the data to prove its vehicles are safe.
He said that Google wouldn't wait for a federal recall to make fixes.
Levandowski noted that Google would have the power to deactivate its self-driving system remotely — something it could do if any safety issue arose. "We could control where and when it works," Levandowski said.
The company has logged more than 250,000 miles in a fleet of about 10 self-driving cars — but wants to log at least 1 million miles before it offers the technology to the general public. Google's self-driving vehicles are retrofitted Toyota Prius sedans with added sensors and cameras.
Many people have raised liability concerns over what happens if a driver-less car causes a crash. Google said the company won't move forward if the data doesn't demonstrate that its vehicles are safer than people.
Levandowski said Google doesn't want to eliminate human driving, but wants to make it safer. "We only want to drive cars when they are fun," he said.
Other companies are working on similar technologies.
General Motors Co. has been testing driver-less cars for more than five years.
In 2008, GM unveiled a prototype that then-CEO Rick Wagoner said could allow drivers one day "do your email, eat breakfast, apply your make-up, read the newspaper, watch a video… all while commuting to work."
This week, GM said it is road-testing semi-autonomous technology it calls "Super Cruise," capable of fully automatic steering, braking and lane-centering in highway driving under certain optimal conditions and could be ready for Cadillac production vehicles by mid-decade.
John Capp, GM's director of Global Active Safety Electronics and Innovation, said the goal of the "autonomous and semi-autonomous vehicle development is safety."
"In the coming years, autonomous driving systems paired with advanced safety systems could help eliminate the crash altogether by interceding on behalf of drivers before they're even aware of a hazardous situation. More than ever, consume
Partners
Walker Products Awarded Bronze At 2012 NCMA Conference
Walker Products of Garden Grove, Calif., is proud to announce that its 2012 Oxygen Sensor Catalog has received the bronze President’s Award for Electronic Data Excellence at the annual NCMA catalog conference in Las Vegas, NV.
Grand Junction, CO. 4/27/12 — Walker Products of Garden Grove, Calif., is proud to announce that its 2012 Oxygen Sensor Catalog has received the bronze President’s Award for Electronic Data Excellence at the annual NCMA catalog conference in Las Vegas, NV. The 2012 Oxygen Sensor Catalog features industry leading application coverage, maximum consolidation, and is both ACES and PIES compliant.
This is not the first occasion that Walker Products has received recognition for its exceptional publications. The 2010 Oxygen Sensor Catalog was awarded Best New Catalog for Import Cars and Trucks by AIA at the 2010 AAPEX show. Walker was also awarded for excellence in packaging by AIA in both 2006 and 2010.
The 2012 Oxygen Sensor Catalog is available at Walker’s online catalog center at www.walkerproducts.com. To order a printed copy of this or any other catalog, please call the Walker Products customer service center at 970-245-5949.
Company Profile
Walker Products Inc. has served the needs of the worldwide automotive aftermarket since 1946. Walker is one of the largest privately owned manufacturers of Fuel System Components and Engine Management Devices. The company offers its products to parts distributors worldwide.
Walker’s portfolio features a wide arrangement of quality automotive products. Walker manufactures fuel system components such as carburetion and fuel injection repair kits, fuel injectors, fuel injection components and fuel pressure regulators. Walker also offers engine management devices, such as oxygen sensors, throttle position sensors, air charge temperature sensors, engine coolant temperature sensors, manifold absolute pressure sensors, spark plug wires and glow plugs. Walker also has facilities that specialize in gasket fabrication and the production of custom, machined components. For any additional information, please log on to the company’s website at www.walkerproducts.com.
ExtremeWrench.com and Partners sponsor Independent Repair Shop Seminar
ExtremeWrench.com and many of their rewards partners sponsored the May 2012 Independent Repair Shop Summit this past weekend.
| Minden, NV - May 7th -- ExtremeWrench.com and many of their rewards partners sponsored the May 2012 Independent Repair Shop Summit this past weekend. Over a Hundred attendees from around the United States gathered to learn about the latest BMW and MINI OE diagnostic tools from industry leading technologists. The seminar ran for two days and was hosted at RAMAC; a leading supplier of aftermarket parts for BMW, MINI, and Volvo. |
ExtremeWrench News
New Features
ExtremeWrench.com launches complete suite of FREE Facebook apps.
ExtremeWrench is now offering a full suite of FREE Facebook apps for Independent Repair Shops. With these free applications Repair Shops can expand their marketing to the next level, reaching out to over 800 million active users on Facebook.
Rewards
MAHLE Seeing Double ?
Double points on all MAHLE filters for May
| Ann Arbor, Michigan, May 1, 2012 – MAHLE Clevite Inc. will offer double reward points through the month of May to independent repair shops on its complete line of MAHLE Original® filters via its partnership with ExtremeWrench.com. For every barcode saved from a MAHLE Original oil, air, fuel or cabin air filter and entered into the shop’s ExtremeWrench account, double points will be rewarded and can be redeemed for merchandise, technical training, trips and other valuable prizes. ExtremeWrench is the largest Internet source of independent auto repair shops. All of the services provided to the customer and the repair shop owner are completely free. The organic search results are merit-based and provide consumers with a unique perspective on the independent repair shops in their community. Consumers can view each member’s shop profile to see detailed information to help make an informed decision. The shop profile contains: services performed, carlines serviced, current rating, and an interactive map and directions feature. Consumers can also make online appointments and receive text message notifications when their repairs are completed. Independent repair shops are invited to enroll free by visiting www.extremewrench.com. Tier 1 manufacturers interested in participating in this program are encouraged to contact ExtremeWrench. MAHLE Clevite Inc. also offers rewards points on the most popular Victor Reinz® gasket set categories including heat, manifold, oil pan and valve cover via ExtremeWrench. For more information, visit www.mahle-aftermarket.com, or contact your local representative.
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Stock up on MANN-FILTER Oil Filters!
Purchase MANN-FILTER Oil Filters and enter the barcodes at extremewrench.com from May 14 - 25, 2012 and receive double points!
Stock up on MANN-FILTER Oil Filters!
Earn Double Points for MANN-FILTER Oil Filters in May!
Purchase MANN-FILTER Oil Filters and enter the barcodes at extremewrench.com from May 14 - 25, 2012 and receive double points!
Benefits of MANN-FILTER Oil Filters
Optimum protection for engine
Housing is pressure-resistant and protected against corrosion
Long-life filter media made of mixed fibers
Long-life seal
Anti-drain valve made of high-quality silicone*
Teflon-coated bypass valve*
Fast replacement with wrench removal tools
*If required
Oil filter = 20 points
General News
Economy
Wall Street Journal - Slowing Growth Spurs Fears
The economy lost steam in the first quarter, as onetime engines of growth sputtered and robust consumer spending was unable to propel the recovery on its own.
The report did reveal a few areas of strength. Consumer spending, by far the biggest piece of the economy, accelerated in the first quarter, and the moribund housing sector also showed signs of improvement. Overall economic growth, though modest, was far stronger than at the start of last year, when the U.S. teetered on the brink of recession.
The glum economic news had a muted impact on financial markets, in part because many investors see a weakening economy as increasing pressure on the Federal Reserve to step in with a new round of stimulus. The Dow Jones Industrial Average nosed up 23.69 points to 13228.31. There was a note of caution in the bond market, where surging demand for the perceived safety of Treasurys sent 10-year bond yields to their lowest level in two months.
Recent data have suggested that the once-strong factory sector is weakening and that job growth, which picked up early this year, has begun to slow. Outside factors -- from high oil prices to Europe's continued financial turmoil -- could be a further drag on growth in coming months. The weak start to the year gives the economy little momentum to help carry it past such challenges.
"We're still very, very susceptible to shocks at this point, and there are still plenty of shocks that could occur out there," said Jay Bryson, an economist with Wells Fargo Securities.
The numbers were preliminary and will likely be revised in coming months. Still, they suggest a clear slowing of activity from the end of last year, and dashed hopes that the economy was entering a new phase of faster growth.
Instead, the report showed that many sectors that once helped drive the recovery are now becoming a drag on growth. Nonresidential fixed investment -- a measure of business spending on everything from factories to computers -- fell for the first time in more than two years.
Spending on equipment and software grew at its slowest pace since the recession ended in mid-2009. Other recent data have showed new industrial orders also falling, suggesting manufacturing isn't likely to rebound quickly in the second quarter.
Alexander Cutler, chairman and chief executive of Eaton Corp., which makes everything from industrial hoses to airplane parts, said manufacturers benefited earlier in the recovery as businesses scrambled to restock inventories following steep production cuts during the recession. But that cycle is now coming to an end, Cutler said, and the underlying economy isn't yet strong enough to spur another big increase in investment.
"We've seen quite a snapback," Cutler said. "Now we're starting to come back to the numbers that look more like a steady state."
Government spending, which helped prop up the economy during the recession, has also become a big drag in recent years. The winding down of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan is eating into military spending, which fell sharply in the first quarter, while tight budgets are leading to spending cuts at the state and local levels.
Suffolk County, New York, on Long Island, ended 2011 with its first budget deficit in 20 years and faces a projected $530 million deficit through 2013. On April 27, the county began sending out more than 300 layoff notices to county employees, part of a proposed $160 million in budget cuts and revenue increases. The county managed to paper over its deficits for a few years through one-time revenues, newly elected county executive Steven Bellone said, but with sales-tax revenues still not back to prerecession levels, such moves are no longer enough.
"We have no choice," Bellone said. "This is something we're going to be dealing with at the local-government level for a long time."
As government and business spending fall, consumers are helping to pick up the slack. Consumer spending, which accounts for more than two-thirds of the economy, was weak early in the recovery amid high unemployment and heavy household debt. But spending rose 2.9 percent in the first quarter, the strongest growth since late 2010, and investment in the housing sector, another laggard, shot up 19.1 percent.
A separate reading of consumer sentiment from the University of Michigan on April 27 showed that Americans are becoming more optimistic despite high gasoline prices and uneven economic indicators.
"The weak links have really been consumer spend
Energy
Rising Gas Prices Shift from Bane to Boon for Recovering OE Auto Industry
"I went from paying $80 every time I filled up to paying less than $40 and getting just as much distance out of a tank," said German, 23, of Rochester, N.Y
Bloomberg
DETROIT -- As rising gasoline prices became a pain in the pocketbook this year, Matt German decided it was time to buy a new car.
So he traded in his hot-rod Ford pickup for a Ford Focus compact car and cut his fuel bill in half.
"I went from paying $80 every time I filled up to paying less than $40 and getting just as much distance out of a tank," said German, 23, of Rochester, N.Y. "As gas prices were going up, I figured it was time to get out of that truck."
Rising gasoline prices have gone from bane to boon for the recovering U.S. auto industry.
In 2008, U.S. gas prices hit a record of $4.11 a gallon and contributed to Detroit's downfall, as truck and sport-utility vehicle sales collapsed. With gasoline again approaching $4, buyers are returning to showrooms to replace old guzzlers with new, fuel-efficient models.
"It's really astounding that you've gone from $4-a-gallon gasoline devastating sales to $4-a-gallon gasoline supporting sales today," Mike Jackson, chief executive officer of AutoNation Inc., the largest U.S. car dealer, said in an interview. "This is a real change in consumer behavior that puts us in a much better place than where we were in 2008."
Ford Motor Co. and Toyota Motor Corp. this month each raised their industrywide sales forecasts for 2012 following first-quarter sales that surprised on the positive side even as fuel prices rose to near-record levels.
U.S. gasoline averaged $3.90 a gallon April 17, according to AAA. Prices will reach $4.01 in May, the U.S. Energy Department said on April 11.
Not 'Paralyzing'
"The impact of $4-a-gallon gas on the sales rate is neutral to a slight positive," said Brian Johnson, Chicago- based auto analyst with Barclays Capital. "It certainly doesn't seem to be paralyzing the consumer this time."
Instead, it's motivating consumers to return to dealerships to trade in cars that average 11 years old, according to Mark Fields, Ford's president of the Americas.
"Four dollar-a-gallon gas is not as much of a shock as it was four years ago," Fields said at the New York auto show this month. "People are doing the math and saying, 'If I can get a lot better fuel economy, I'll go out and buy that new vehicle.'"
This year, fuel mileage has become the most influential reason for purchasing a new car, surpassing reliability, a good deal and exterior styling, according to a survey by researcher J.D. Power & Associates.
"That is practically unprecedented," said Tim Dunne, an analyst with J.D. Power in Troy, Mich. "For the last decade, people have made vehicle dependability and reliability their top priority."
Widespread Progress
As buyers return to showrooms, they're finding all models are more fuel efficient.
The average fuel economy of all 2012 cars and trucks is 24.5 miles (39 kilometers) per gallon, up from 21 mpg in 2008, according to automotive researcher Edmunds.com.
"That's a 16 percent jump in fuel economy," said Jessica Caldwell, director of industry analysis at Edmunds in Santa Monica, Calif. "So whatever you're buying, it's going to be more fuel efficient."
That across-the-board improvement has led to less downsizing, Caldwell said. Sales of mid-size SUVs have held up and large pickups still account for more than one in 10 vehicle sales, she said.
"We still sell lots of crossovers and SUVs," Tetsuo Iwamura, president of Honda Motor Co.'s U.S. unit, said in an April 4 interview. "The last time it hit $4, everybody had the reaction of no more big SUVs. I still remember the world downsizing, downsizing. These days, we don't see so much downsizing, downsizing."
Less Panic
This year's run-up in fuel costs is setting off less panic in showrooms than in 2008 and 2009, when car buyers swarmed to small cars and sales of large vehicles fell.
Compact cars, SUVs and trucks peaked at 42 percent of the market in August 2009, while large vehicles dropped to 16 percent that month, according to Edmunds.
Last month, compact models accounted for 34 percent of U.S. sales, while large vehicles claimed 18 percent of the market, Edmunds said. Instead of shrinking their cars, buyers are downsizing their engines.
Cars and trucks with four-cylinder engines accounted for more than half of U.S. auto sales in the first quarter, the highest recorded by Troy, Mich.-based researcher LMC Automotive.
In 2003, just 29 percent of car buyers chose a small, 4- cylinder engine. That rose to 49 percent last year and reached 54 percent in the first three months of this year, according to LMC.
Small-Engine Trucks
Ford now sells more F-150 pickups with V-6 engines th
Tips
Technical
Hub Inspection Quick Tips
When doing work on the brake or wheel end systems of an automobile, it always makes sense to check the condition of your hub bearing assembly.
When doing work on the brake or wheel end systems of an automobile, it always makes sense to check the condition of your hub bearing assembly. Use these visual and mechanical inspection tips to determine potential causes.
Remember there can be many causes behind wheel end system damage so be sure to explore all possibilities or visit a professional technician for a complete inspection.
Begin with a visual inspection. Look for abnormalities in the hub appearance such as:
--Mis-shaped parts, out of round or dents
--Excessive rust
--Bent bolts
++ Check for bolts or nuts that are loose or are backing off.
++ After removing the caliper and brake rotor, rotate the hub bearing by hand. If the bearing assembly appears to be loose, the bearing may be damaged. Any roughness, looseness or noise is an indication that the bearing is damaged and needs replaced.
++ Check for endplay using a dial indicator. If endplay is in excess of .004” there is an issue. For information on using a dial indicator reference Timken Automotive TechTip Vol. 3: Issue 1.
Headquartered in the U.S., with manufacturing and research facilities across the country and around the globe, Timken is trusted by more professional installers to provide the automotive and heavy-duty aftermarket with high-quality products and services. Timken is committed to the highest standards in training, quality and innovation, and is focused on reaching out to the technicians of today and tomorrow.
