Automotive News back issues from March 2001:
Insureer liable for truck with dealer license plate.(Progressive Casualty Insurance Co.)(Brief Article)
Mar 05, 2001; ... A dealership's insurer is responsible for its legal defense costs, even though the dealership had no connection with a vehicle that was carrying its dealer plate at the time of a crash, the Rhode Island Supreme Court has held. The policy explicitly required Progressive Casualty ...
GM to spin off awd vehicles from Saab.(General Motors Corp. to used next-generation Saab 9-5 as starting point for new all-wheel vehicles)(Brief Article)
Mar 05, 2001; ... DETROIT-General Motors plans to create a wide range of premium all-wheel-drive vehicles that will evolve from architecture being created for the next-generation Saab 9-5. The product portfolio will be developed from a new engineering and manufacturing alliance that is expected ...
Ford loses lemon law appeal.(Ford Motor Co. wins lemon law case in Wisconsin Court of Appeals)(Brief Article)
Mar 05, 2001; ... The Wisconsin Court of Appeals has upheld a $109,192 award against Ford Motor Co. in a lemon law dispute over a car that cost less than $17,000 new. The three-judge panel rejected Ford's argument that the owners, Alan and Patricia Herzberg, should have required to certify that ...
Farewell to a giant.(Frank McCarthy dies)(Brief Article)
Mar 05, 2001 ... How do you replace Frank McCarthy? The simple answer: You don't. McCarthy, who died Feb. 25, served 33 years as the chief executive of the National Automobile Dealers Association. His experience and leadership gave NADA clout in Washington. But McCarthy also was a man of peace and a ...
How they differ.(description of how three welding processes work)(Brief Article)
Mar 05, 2001 ... Here's how the different welding processes work: Magnetic-pulse welding Two stationary pieces of metal overlap. A magnetic field forces the molecules to mash into each other, creating a metallurgical bond. Friction welding One piece of metal is ...
European hall of fame honors 13 who changed automotive history.(Geneva International Motor Show gala award ceremony)(Brief Article)
Mar 05, 2001; ... GENEVA - At a gala dinner at the Geneva International Motor Show, the European Automotive Hall of Fame was introduced to a gathering of industry executives and honorees' family members and the hall's two living members. The legacy of many of the 13 charter members lives on with ...
'Death tax' can mean a death sentence.(American International Automobile Dealers Association fights for end of inheritance tax)(Brief Article)
Mar 05, 2001; ... As the old saying goes, you can count on two things in life: death and taxes. Since 1916, the federal government has combined the two, with sometimes devastating results. The ``death tax'' requires heirs to pay up to 55 percent of the value of an inherited estate in cash to the ...
Finger on the pulse ; Dana sees magnetic-pulse welding technology as a good bet for cutting weight in autos.(Dana Corp.'s new magnetic-pulse welding process)(Brief Article)
Mar 05, 2001; ... Faster welds, straighter parts and lighter vehicles are some of the benefits Dana Corp. says its new magnetic-pulse welding process will give automakers. Magnetic-pulse welding, which Dana has been researching for almost a decade, uses magnetic fields and as much as 4,000 volts of energy ...
Personnel.(includes multiple appointments and promotions)(Brief Article)
Mar 05, 2001 ... DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP. - Bernard Robertson, 58, to senior vice president of engineering technologies and regulatory affairs. His new responsibilities include vehicle safety, stationary environmental and energy regulatory planning, vehicle certification programs and product analysis ....
Jan's plan.(Jan Klug, marketing executive for Ford Motor Co.)(Brief Article)
Mar 05, 2001 ... Jan Klug, the new top marketing executive at Ford, said she will: Evaluate whether current marketing practices help Ford's corporate and other brands Keep Ford's global brand positions from ...
Supply Line.(includes multiple records)(Brief Article)
Mar 05, 2001; ... Federal-Mogul lays off 1,100 DETROIT - Federal-Mogul Corp. is cutting about 1,100 people from its global salaried work force in response to current and expected business conditions. The Southfield, Mich., supplier also is eliminating 200 unoccupied salaried positions. ...
Wiring the future; The group charged with making electronic gizmos of the future talk to the cars in which they ride is off to a good start. But there's plenty more to do.(Automotive Multimedia Interface Collaboration Inc.)(Brief Article)
Mar 05, 2001 ... Although it is only about 2 years old, the Automotive Multimedia Interface Collabor-ation (AMI-C) is going through some significant changes. The group, formed by 12 automakers from the United States, Europe and Asia to define common standards so electronic devices from different ...
The benefits.(Brief Article)
Mar 05, 2001 ... As many as 200 stations from Sirius and XM Some stations commercial-free; others with fewer ads than conventional radio Offering ...
Rolling arsenal.(Brief Article)
Mar 05, 2001 ... Technologies on the Army's SmarTruck concept include: High-intensity spotlights to blind attackers Sensors to detect explosives Electrified exterior door handles to repel intruders Night-vision cameras Dispensers for oil and nails to ...
Court: Dealer can fight termination.(Sacramento Valley Ford Truck Sales can contest termination of its franchise agreement)(Brief Article)
Mar 05, 2001; ... A Ford-Sterling truck dealership in Broderick, Calif., can contest the termination of its franchise with Sterling Truck Corp. before the California New Motor Vehicle Board, the Ohio Court of Appeals has ruled. Sterling's franchise agreement recognizes the availability of state ...
Makers pressured on climate change policy.(General Motors Corp. trying to reduce greenhouse gas emissions)(Brief Article)
Mar 05, 2001; ... WASHINGTON - General Motors' large-car assembly plant at Orion Township, Mich., is using landfill gas from two adjacent dumps to provide power to the factory. The effort is an example of voluntary steps the automobile industry is taking to curb emissions of greenhouse gases. But ...
Raising the bar.(National Highway Traffic Safety Administration)(Brief Article)
Mar 05, 2001 ... Requirements of the legislation Automakers and suppliers must report overseas safety recalls. Automakers and some suppliers will be required to report: Incidents and claims involving serious injuries or deaths Data on property damage claims Customer ...
Upscale vans are major departure for Lear.(Lear Corp. finishes General Motors Corp. vans)
Mar 05, 2001; ... Lear Corp.'s new foray into finished van production required two skills that supplying parts rarely requires: the ability to gauge what consumers want in a completed vehicle, and the ability to deliver it. In early February, the U.S. seating and interiors giant became a ...
In the works.(PSA/Peugeot-Citroen S.A.)(Brief Article)
Mar 05, 2001 ... PSA/Peugeot-Citroen SA's plans Launch a minivan this year Begin production of hybrid cars and fuel-efficient vehicles ...
Image car for Indian maker.(Tata Ltd. unveils Aria coupe)(Brief Article)
Mar 05, 2001 ... Indian carmaker Tata unveiled a sport coupe it may sell in Europe and use as a halo car to boost its image. The ...
Mitsubishi to begin sales in Canada in 2003; Company expects to sell 38,000 a year through 150 dealerships.(Mitsubishi Motor Sales of America Inc.)(Brief Article)
Mar 05, 2001; ... LOS ANGELES - After shelving a decision three years ago to enter the Canadian market, Mitsubishi Motor Sales of America Inc. will begin sales there after all, starting in 2003. Mitsubishi last week said it will begin with 51 dealerships selling an expected 20,000 vehicles a ...
No me-too styling.(Renault Vel Satis)(Brief Article)
Mar 05, 2001 ... Renault wants to give Mercedes-Benz and BMW a run for their money with the Vel Satis, an upscale sedan expected to go on sale early in 2002. The styling is distinctive to avoid a ...
Aston unveils V-12 flagship.(Aston Martin Ltd.'s V-12 Vanquish)(Brief Article)
Mar 05, 2001; ... Ulrich Bez, Aston Martin's chief executive, said the automaker plans to boost production and expand its worldwide dealer network with the launch of its V-12 Vanquish. The flagship was unveiled Tuesday, Feb. 27, at the Geneva show. The car goes on sale in Europe this summer and ...
Corrections.
Mar 05, 2001 ... The Briefly column on Page 4 of the Feb. 26 issue pictured the wrong vehicle. The Land Rover Discovery was shown instead of the Land Rover Freelander. A story about Federal-Mogul Corp. on Page 42H in some editions of the Feb. 12 issue contained several errors. The story gave the ...
Realizing the DCX vision; New Chrysler LX to share Mercedes E-class electronics.(DaimlerChrysler AG, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi Motors Corp. to share engine)(Brief Article)
Mar 05, 2001; ... GENEVA - The new Chrysler LX large car and replacement Mercedes-Benz E class will be the first visible fruits of DaimlerChrysler CEO Juergen Schrempp's vision for molding his troubled, scattered empire into a unified, high-tech carmaker. The two rear-drive vehicles, both due ...
PSA plans 25 new models to help snare sales, share.(PSA/Peugeot-Citroen SA )(Statistical Data Included)
Mar 05, 2001; ... PARIS - PSA/Peugeot-Citroen SA will launch 25 models between 2001 and 2004 - nearly three times as many as in the previous three years. ``The trend is not toward a small number of world cars that would last a very long time,'' said PSA Chairman Jean-Martin Folz. PSA ...
Infiniti names new general manager.(Infiniti Div. hires Mark McNabb)(Brief Article)
Mar 05, 2001; ... LOS ANGELES - In a sudden move that surprised Nissan North America staffers, Infiniti Division boss Tom Orbe resigned Feb. 23 from his post as general manager. He was replaced by 39-year-old operations specialist Mark McNabb, who has been with Nissan since 1986. ...
Dealers consider outsourcing technology.(use of application service providers)(Brief Article)
Mar 05, 2001; ... Some car dealers say outsourcing their computer technology is the wave of the future. Rather than making an investment in a dealership management system - the computer hardware and software that does everything from parts ordering to accounting - dealers are outsourcing this ...
Letters.
Mar 05, 2001 ... Ford superdeals: Good idea, at last To the Editor: I read with interest your Feb. 5 article ``Ford wants superdeals.'' Ford now says it wants fewer dealers selling several of the company's brands - finally, something that makes sense from Ford's top ...
Colleagues say caring, respected McCarthy will be sorely missed.(Frank McCarthy, president and chief executive of National Automobile Dealers Association for 33 years)(Obituary)
Mar 05, 2001; ... On Monday morning, Feb. 26, the American flag hung at half-mast outside the National Automobile Dealers Association headquarters in McLean, Va. For most NADA employees, that was the first sign something was wrong. Frank McCarthy, the president and chief executive of ...
The Frank McCarthy file.(National Automobile Dealers Association)(Brief Article)
Mar 05, 2001 ... Joined NADA: 1968 Education: Graduate of the University of Notre Dame; law degree from Georgetown University School of Law Professional background: Legislative counsel to the Interstate Commerce Commission; minority counsel to the Rules Committee of the ...
Coupe was coup of subdued event.
Mar 05, 2001 ... The annual Geneva auto show does not have the blockbuster presence of a Paris or a Frankfurt show. So perhaps it was fitting that a tiny coupe from Indian carmaker Tata ranked as one of the big stars of the show. It stirred so much attention ...
European Automotive Hall of Fame.(first inductees)(Brief Article)
Mar 05, 2001 ... The first inductees are Giovanni Agnelli, head of the family owning the Fiat Group Karl Friedrich Benz, whose patent for a three-wheeler with a four-stroke engine is considered the birth certificate for the motor car Robert Bosch, whose shop specialized in ...
Sirius offers buffet for music-hungry drivers.(Sirius Satellite Radio Inc. readies service launch)(Brief Article)
Mar 05, 2001 ... Sirius Satellite Radio sees several promising market segments to target when it begins service this summer. Staff Reporter Gail Kachadourian discussed Sirius' plans with Doug Wilsterman, Sirius' vice president of marketing and distribution. What is Sirius' target market? ...
Mark McNabb.(vice president and general manager, Infiniti Division)(Brief Article)
Mar 05, 2001 ... Age: 39 Title: Vice president and general manager, Infiniti Division Previous Nissan posts: Nissan Division sales operations director; assistant regional manager; dealer operations manager; ...
EPA bets on direct-injection ethanol hybrid.(Environmental Protection Agency, engine runs on alcohol fuel)(Brief Article)
Mar 05, 2001; ... Ideas about what will power future cars and trucks are sprouting everywhere, from the labs of multinational corporations to the shops of backyard inventors. Engineers at the EPA, whose main automotive job is to regulate the environmental performance of the car companies, are ...
Fake ride, real benefits ; 2 high-tech simulators will generate data for safety debate over in-vehicle gadgets.(research on effects of driver behavior)(Industry Overview)
Mar 05, 2001; ... Come spring, the auto industry's capacity to research the effects of driver behavior will expand dramatically when two high-tech driving simulators are scheduled to open. One of those devices, the $56 million National Advanced Driving Simulator at the University of Iowa, is ...
Programs reward technical talent.(Ford Motor Co., recruiting, training and retaining technicians)(Brief Article)
Mar 05, 2001; ... Josh McFarlin finishes a frame-straightening job on a Ford Expedition and begins to tackle an engine repair on an F-150. He likes the challenge, crediting his ability to solve some of the toughest jobs to his intensive technician training. With more than 600 hours of training and testing ...
Changes in works for Web sites; EBay Motors looks at pricing, Edmunds offers credit tool.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
Mar 05, 2001 ... Changes are in store at two of the most-visited automotive Web sites. EBay Inc. is considering posting fixed prices for some vehicles - a departure from its popular auction format. And Edmunds.com is about to unveil an online tool that will give consumers ammunition to dicker ...
The road to profit.(Chrysler Corp.'s plan)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
Mar 05, 2001 ... Chrysler's plan Cut material costs by 15 percent by the end of 2003. Reduce work force by 20 percent by the end of 2003. Save money through cuts in Chrysler dealer subsidies and incentives. Reduce the number of Chrysler and Mitsubishi platforms ...
Klug's Job 1: What works?; Ford marketing chief will review all programs, find ways to stretch ad dollars.(Ford Motor Co., Jan Klug)(Brief Article)
Mar 05, 2001; ... DETROIT - Jan Klug's first challenge as Ford Motor Co.'s new marketing chief is to determine whether current marketing practices are helping the company's brands. That likely will include an evaluation of ``Trustmark,'' Ford's corporate umbrella brand designed to foster trust in ...
The cream of GM.
Mar 05, 2001 ... Likely players: Cadillac, Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Lancia, Opel, Saab Purpose: Create premium niche vehicles ...
Lexus makes marketing sales management changes.(Mike Wells, Bob Maling, Mike Slatger, Greg Kitzens)(Brief Article)
Mar 05, 2001 ... LOS ANGELES - Lexus Division has made four management changes in the marketing and sales departments. Mike Wells has been named vice president of marketing. He was general manager of Toyota Financial Services' insurance division. Wells replaces Greg Kitzens, who was ...
Relay Races; Data transmission means worldwide work around the clock to trim time from projects.(Project Advisors International Ltd.)(Company Profile)
Mar 05, 2001; ... It's 9 a.m., and the engineers at Project Advisors International Ltd.'s office in Shanghai, China, are reporting for work. Back in Detroit, where the company's customer of the moment is waiting for results, it's still 8 p.m., one calendar day behind. While the ...
'Social space' from Nissan.(Nissan's Chappo concept)(Brief Article)
Mar 05, 2001 ... Nissan's Chappo concept received much attention. Nissan said the vehicle is ``inspired by the changing nature and diversity of every individual's needs.'' Kaoru Satou, chief designer of the Chappo's interior, ...
Franchise fight.(Brief Article)
Mar 05, 2001 ... At issue: Dealer's protest of Sterling termination Who's winning: ...
Plate debate.(Brief Article)
Mar 05, 2001 ... At issue: Insurance coverage based on use of dealer plate ...
NADA after Frank McCarthy.(Bruce Kelleher; National Automobile Dealers Association)(Brief Article)
Mar 05, 2001 ... Bruce Kelleher, NADA chief administrative officer, is acting president. NADA's ...
Saab to create U.S. city showcases.(Brief Article)
Mar 05, 2001; ... GENEVA - Saab Automobile AB will form joint ventures with some of its dealers to put showcase dealerships in major cities around the world. Some will be in the United States. ``It's very important for us to be where our customers are,'' said Peter Augustsson, CEO of Saab ...
Briefly.(Adam Opel AG)(Brief Article)
Mar 05, 2001 ... Speedster takes off 10 years - for awhile Robert Hendry, chairman of Adam Opel AG, says there's a bit of the mythical Fountain of Youth in the extremely low-slung Opel Speedster. ``The Speedster is a great car,'' he said late last month at the car's introduction in Albufeira, ...
Key issues.(Brief Article)
Mar 05, 2001 ... Issues for computer modeling system suppliers: Growth in vehicle electronics requires more software coding Every design change means a potential software rewrite Manual writing of code creates potential for errors ...
Bond for glory.(Brief Article)
Mar 05, 2001 ... Some advantages of magnetic-pulse welding Uses no heat, producing a straighter part Allows for the joining of dissimilar metals such as steel ...
Japan output sags.(Brief Article)
Mar 05, 2001; ... TOKYO - Dragged down by slowing demand in the United States and Europe, Japan's vehicle exports got off to a weak start this year. The drop also pulled down production. Output in January slipped 1.1 percent from a year earlier to 745,796 units, despite a 0.9 percent rise in ...
`What should this thing do?'; Computer system vendor, auto industry sort out technology of modeling.(MathWorks Inc.)
Mar 05, 2001; ... The auto industry is in full agreement that anything that allows engineers to speed up a product development project is a good thing. To do that, the industry has put most of its bets on one horse: computer modeling. But the question that remains is, how do you speed up the process of ...
Wanted by Uncle Sam: A few good engineers.(Brief Article)
Mar 05, 2001; ... Dennis Wend is from the government, and he really does want to help the auto industry. Wend is director of the U.S. Army's National Automotive Center in Warren, Mich., part of the Army's Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command. Last year, the National Automotive Center ...
It's about time to revisit CAFE.(The Corporate Average Fuel Economy law)(Brief Article)
Mar 05, 2001; ... Automakers are starting to make some noise about raising the bar on fuel economy. Such a move may be long overdue. The Corporate Average Fuel Economy law was passed by Congress in 1975 after considerable discussion. I remember when Ed Cole, president of ...
Digest.(Saab Cars USA and Enterprise Rent-A-Car)(Brief Article)
Mar 05, 2001 ... Loaner could be a rental for Saab owners ST. LOUIS - Saab owners who bring their cars to dealerships for warranty service could end up with a rental car for a loaner because of a new partnership between Saab Cars USA and Enterprise Rent-A-Car. Dealers will authorize ...
Late News.(Delphi Automotive Systems Corp.)(Brief Article)
Mar 05, 2001 ... Delphi idles 4,200 DETROIT - Delphi Automotive Systems Corp. will idle 4,200 workers this week in eight states because of production cuts from General Motors and other customers. The layoffs follow last week's 6,600 from its 72,000-employee U.S. work force. The action includes about 1,700 ...
DCX: Suppliers cooperating.(Chrysler Corp.)(Brief Article)
Mar 05, 2001; ... Despite public comments from some suppliers about resisting Chrysler's demands for a 5 percent price cut, Chrysler officials say they are making progress on its plan to cut material costs by 15 percent, or $7.8 billion by the end of 2003. The first part of the plan was a demand ...
Digest.(FreeMarkets Inc.; Valeo Inc.)(Brief Article)
Mar 05, 2001 ... Valeo signs Marketplace PITTSBURGH - FreeMarkets Inc., a business-to-business e-marketplace, has signed a two-year agreement with Valeo Inc. FreeMarkets will provide Valeo with access to its B2B Global Marketplace. Valeo expects to use the marketplace for more than $300 million ...
Digest.(Sonic Automotive Inc.)(Brief Article)
Mar 05, 2001 ... GM, AutoVAZ to build SUVs GENEVA - General Motors said it will team up with Russia's largest automaker, AutoVAZ, and the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development to build sport-utilities at a new plant in Togliatti, Russia. Speaking at the auto show here, GM Europe ...
Feb. sales second highest in decade.(Chrysler Corp.)(Brief Article)
Mar 05, 2001; ... The nation's consumers still feel wealthy enough to buy new cars and light trucks. February auto sales beat industry expectations. U.S. light-vehicle sales fell 9.7 percent last month from an extraordinarily strong performance in February 2000. This was the second highest ...
Skoda concept has uptown flair.(Skoda Automobilovy Koncern Ltd.)(Brief Article)
Mar 05, 2001; ... Skoda appears to be preparing an image change. The Czech carmaker unveiled the Montreux, a high-end concept that, if produced, would rival models such as the BMW 3 series and Mercedes-Benz C class. Skoda, which is part of the VW group, has built its modern reputation ...
Sebring, Galant to share platform.(Chrysler Corp.; Mitsubishi Motors Corp.)(Brief Article)
Mar 05, 2001; ... DETROIT - There are several opportunities for platform and architectural sharing between Mitsubishi and Chrysler. But timing is everything. The earliest opportunity would be 2004 for the 2005 model year, when Chrysler's re-engineered Chrysler Sebring and Dodge Stratus sedans ...
Going for a ride.(Brief Article)
Mar 05, 2001 ... Two driving simulators serving the auto industry will open this spring. They are: National Advanced Driving Simulator Developer: NHTSA and the University of Iowa Cost: $56 million Description: 24-foot dome with six-leg hexapod on a base that moves 62 feet ...