ARI PUSH #193

Monday, November 19, 2001, #193
News digested November 12 — 16, 2001

Significant fleet management news & developments of particular importance to fleet management executives.

 

SIGNIFICANT NEWS

  1. Provisions Of Patriot Act Unclear, DOT Says Continue Old CDL Standards

  2. 2000 Work Zone Fatalities Up 26% Vs 1999 Record High

  3. Armored SUV Sales Explode; Bulletproof/Bomb-Resistant Vehicles In Demand After Terrorist Attacks

  4. AJ Prindle Delivers Products & Solutions To Meet Drivers' Needs

  5. Nasser Lands Golden Parachute; Agrees Not To Join Rival

  6. Lexus Tops JD Power Most Dependable Survey For 7th Straight Year With Only 1.73 Problems Vs 3.82 For Typical Vehicle

  7. GM Hopeful OnStar Becomes Profitable In 2003; Automaker Has 80% Telematics Market With 1.8M+ Subscribers

  8. Task Force On Driver Licensing Identification Security Created By AAMVA

  9. State DMVs Unclear With HAZMAT License Provisions In US Patriot Act

  10. Washington Auto Repairer Sues Farmers Insurance, Says Insurer Keeping Business Away

  11. NHTSA Asks Consumers For Best Ways To Inform Public On Child Restraint Performance

  12. US Supreme Court To Rule If Toyota Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Case Falls Under ADA

  13. Does Over-The-Counter Medication Effect Vehicle Operators? -- Asks NTSB & FDA

  14. DC Still Stumbling 3-Years After Merger, Says Automotive News

  15. Only 45-Day Supply Of New Units Available After Oct Sales Blitz, Lowest Since 1992

  16. Lutz Heads GM N America, Ending "Non-Car Guy" Zarrella's Reign

  17. Ford & BMW Offer Goodyear's BioTred "Corn" Tire on 2-Models; Tires Pollute Less & Get 5% Better Fuel Economy

  18. NY Delays Electric Vehicle Mandate Until 2007MY, Compromising With Automakers

  19. Recall Hits GM With 86K+ Chevy Trailblazer & GMC Envoy SUVs; Transmission May Shift Out Of Park

  20. EPA Says Smog & Fine Particles Still Challenging; Southern & North-Central Regions See Increases In Smog

  21. Jeep Liberty Wins "Economy SUV" Award From NW Auto Press Assoc For On & Off-Road Refinement & Size

  22. Dodge 2002 Ram 1500 Wins 'Four Wheeler' Magazine Race; Has "Qualities Enthusiasts Look For"

  23. Popular Mechanics Editors Pick Top Products Of AAIW; 6,000+ Booths Reviewed At Auto Show

 
 

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Sourced from: Transport Topics, 11/13/01

1) Provisions Of Patriot Act Unclear, DOT Says Continue Old CDL Standards

Situation

  • USA Patriot Act requires certification that all truck drivers who haul hazardous materials are not security risks
  • Requirement could drastically slow process of granting CDLs

Significant Points

  • DOT is working with state motor vehicle administrations to clarify processes & result expected in @ 1-mo
  • National Industrial Transportation League (NIT) members suggests side effects of Act could harm shippers & carriers
  • Until clarification, states instructed to continue issuing CDLs under old standards until updated guidelines received from DOT

Web Source

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Sourced from: JJ Keller & Assoc, 11/15/01

2) 2000 Work Zone Fatalities Up 26% Vs 1999 Record High

Situation

  • American Traffic Safety Services Assoc (ATSSA) published 2000 work zone fatality statistics
  • All-time high 2000 work zone fatalities are up 26% over 868 in 1999
  • Actual fatality numbers believed to be higher but not reported as "work zone" incidents

Significant Points

  • ATSSA says law enforcement officers help calm traffic in work zone areas
  • Adequately trained workers also identified as helpful during emergencies in work zones
  • Positive separation, crash cushions & impact attenuators recommended by ATSSA to protect workers & motorists

Work Zone Fatalities

  • Drivers = 652
  • Passengers = 264
  • Pedestrians = 157
  • Pedacyclist = 11
  • Other non-motorist = 9

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Sourced from: The Wall Street Journal, 11/7/01

3) Armored SUV Sales Explode; Bulletproof/Bomb-Resistant Vehicles In Demand After Terrorist Attacks

Situation

  • B4 Sept 11, tough year for custom stretch limousine makers, many also specialize in armored vehicles
  • 1-company sales down 25%, or by 100 cars for year & had laid-off workers
  • After Sept 11 terrorist attacks, business abruptly turned around, mainly for armored SUV market
  • Latest armored SUVs are bulletproof, bomb-resistant, & equipped with features of rolling office
  • Computers, wireless Internet access, TVs & DVDs allow execs, movie stars & other VIPs to get work done safely
  • Customized Ford Excursion runs $95K (without bulletproofing) & $175K (with bulletproofing)

Significant Points

  • Big Toys Coach Works had 50 orders for office-on-wheels, with 10 armored, most for East Coast clients
  • Companies sensitive about execs riding around in armored vehicle; numerous refused to discuss what leaders are driving
  • Limo services buying bulletproof/bomb-resistant vehicles to diversify business
  • Making up for lower demand for airport runs by leasing SUVs to execs for road trips to Philly, Boston, or across Manhattan
  • Becker Automotive Design in S Calif features SUVs that can withstand fire from AK-47s, shotguns & .44-caliber Magnums
  • Texas Armoring of San Antonio offers James Bond-like features to customers overseas, like electrified door handles, tear-gas dispensers & gadgets that drop tacks & oil slicks on roads

Web Source

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Sourced from: URL Wire, 11/6/01

4) AJ Prindle Delivers Products & Solutions To Meet Drivers' Needs

Situation

  • AJ Prindle dedicated to helping drivers adapt vehicles to way they work, live & play
  • Provides auto lifestyle solutions based on drivers' diverse needs
  • Offers innovative, useful & "gee-whiz" products
  • 1st Prindle catalog mailed to 300K target customers in March; 2nd catalog mailed in August

Significant Points

  • Transforms family's car, truck or van into efficient mobile office
  • Feature reputable brands such as Coleman, Swiss Army & 3M

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Sourced from: Financial Times 11-15-01 Page A17 & The Wall Street Journal 11-15-01 Page 6A

5) Nasser Lands Golden Parachute; Agrees Not To Join Rival

Situation

  • "Non-compete" agreement included in cushy golden parachute deal arranged for ousted CEO Jacques A Nasser
  • Ford Nasser gets stock awards for current year based on 100% performance level
  • Other post-Ford perks include office, financial planning services, ability to choose educational institution as grant recipient
  • Premier Auto GP chief Wolfgang Reitzle gets $5M if he stays with automaker 'till end 2005
  • All of Reitzle's stock options vest 1-1-06
  • Like all other ex-Ford chairman/CEOs, Nasser also keeps company chauffeur for biz trips

Significant Points

  • Nasser shouldn't have been too surprised by Oct 29 ouster --
  • Golden parachute OK'd by Ford board at Sept meeting Nasser attended
  • Ex-Treasury Sec'y Robert Rubin facilitated Nasser force out as Ford director
  • Rubin challenged Nasser's performance last July, complained of lack of candor in discussing problems with board
  • New CEO William Clay Ford Jr says company was "paralyzed" & Nasser had to go
  • All new hands untested in top jobs, but Bill Ford so far seems to have made right choices

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Sourced from: Automotive News, 11/15/2001

6) Lexus Tops JD Power Most Dependable Survey For 7th Straight Year With Only 1.73 Problems Vs 3.82 For Typical Vehicle

Situation

  • JD Power & Assoc announces results 2000 Vehicle Dependability Study of 40,000+ owners
  • 7th straight year, Toyota Motor's Lexus luxury division tops list
  • LS 400 premium luxury sedan & LX 450 full-size SUV top respective vehicle segments
  • Lexus SC Coupe & ES 300 sedan also placed within top 3-in their segments
  • Toyota Tacoma compact pickup, T100 full-size pickup, 4Runner SUV & Supra sports car top categories
  • Following Lexus in rankings: Nissan's Infiniti, Ford's Jaguar & Lincoln, & Honda's Acura brands

Significant Points

  • Average 1997 Lexus had 1.73 problems per vehicle, compared to 3.82 problems for average 1997 model
  • Durability of 4-& 5-year old Lexus cars & trucks had < 50% problems of average vehicle
  • Toyota's US sales rose 7.3% through Oct, mostly at expense of US automakers
  • Lexus also topped JD Power May 2001 study on initial quality --
  • Annual survey of customer-reported problems within 1st 90 days of ownership

Most Dependable Automakers

  • 1st = Toyota
  • 2nd = Honda
  • 3rd = Ford
  • 4th = Nissan
  • 5th = GM

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Sourced from: Reuters, 11/07/01

7) GM Hopeful OnStar Becomes Profitable In 2003; Automaker Has 80% Telematics Market With 1.8M+ Subscribers

Situation

  • GM hopes OnStar telematics unit begins generating profits at some point in 2003
  • Years of losses from investments in in-vehicle communications service
  • OnStar has @ 80% share of "telematics" market, 1.8M+ subscribers
  • Available on 36+ GM vehicles & on few selected competitors' models
  • OnStar expected to become cash-flow positive sometime next year

Significant Points

  • GM is far ahead of main competitors in offering telematics services
  • OnStar is part of GM's drive to try to derive more fee & service revenues from customers
  • Analysts question whether OnStar & similar services will generate considerable profits longer term
  • May become another feature consumers expect as part of overall package in new cars & trucks

Web Source

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Sourced from: AAMVA, 10/29/01

8) Task Force On Driver Licensing Identification Security Created By AAMVA

Situation

  • American Assoc of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA) established special task force on identification security
  • Task Force to build relationships with Congress & federal agencies to improve coordination & credentialing security
  • Task Force will develop strategy to increase issuance of secure ID credentials for driver licensing & photo ID purposes
  • AAMVA membership comprised of motor vehicle & law enforcement administrators

Significant Points

  • Task Force's recommendation report due to AAMVA Board of Directors Jan 2002
  • Betty Serian, deputy secretary, PA Dept of Transportation appointed chair of Task Force
  • Also appointed: representatives of NJ DMV, TX Vehicle Titles & Registration Division, Canadian council of Motor Transport Administrators, NY DMV, & TX Dept of Public Safety

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Sourced from: AAMVA, 11/9/01

9) State DMVs Unclear With HAZMAT License Provisions In US Patriot Act

Situation

  • American Assoc of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA) made recommendations to Congress & Depts of Justice & Transportation
  • Says to allow states to continue licensing commercial drivers to transport HAZMAT
  • Says some provisions in US Patriot Act are unclear & require clarification from Congress
  • Without clarification, commercial drivers may not be able to receive or renew HAZMAT endorsement
  • AAMVA calls for 6-month moratorium on issuing HAZMAT endorsements to non-US citizens, except for documented resident aliens
  • AAMVA wants to work with Justice Dept to develop workable system, procedures, & penalties for issuing HAZMAT endorsements

Significant Points

  • Policy interpretation letter issued by Federal Motor Carrier Safety Admin (FMCSA)
  • Instructs state motor vehicle agencies (MVAs) to continue issuing HAZMAT endorsements to CDL holders
  • Until ambiguous language is clarified, MVAs have to interpret ruling on HAZMAT provisions
  • AAMVA concerned DOT rulemaking may take up to 1-year before being issued
  • AAMVA recommends legislation include new HAZMAT definition applying to all drivers with HAZMAT endorsements, not just aliens

Web Source

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Sourced from: Auto Body Repair News, October 2001

10) Washington Auto Repairer Sues Farmers Insurance, Says Insurer Keeping Business Away

Situation

  • Stroud's Auto Rebuild Inc in Washington suing Farmers Insurance for "blackballing" facility
  • Stroud's dropped out of Farmers Circle of Dependability (COD) direct repair program (DRP) in 1994
  • Stroud's left program because Farmers would not pay for certain work & encouraged them to cut corners
  • Afterwards, Stroud's says Farmers told customers not to use facility for several reasons, including they charged too much
  • Farmers denies allegations

Significant Points

  • Plaintiff seeking damages under the Consumer Protection Act in Washington
  • Trial delayed until June 2002
  • Lawsuit alleges repair facility suffered "huge revenue losses" because of Farmers actions

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Sourced from: Collision Week, 11/8/01

11) NHTSA Asks Consumers For Best Ways To Inform Public On Child Restraint Performance

Situation

  • Nat'l Highway Safety Admin (NHTSA) asked public for input on best ways to inform them on child restraint performance
  • Transportation Recall Enhancement, Accountability, & Documentation (TREAD) Act, requires understandable system for child restraint safety rating
  • NHTSA concluded effective consumer info must be easy to use

Significant Points

  • NHTSA proposes testing includes child restraint at higher speeds or putting child restraints in back seat of test vehicles
  • NHTSA hopes new child restraint info program could motivate manufacturers to create safer, easier to use child restraints
  • Ratings must be available by Nov 2002
  • Submit written comments to: Dept of Transportation's Docket Management Section, Room PL-401, 400 Seventh Street SW, Washington, DC 20590
  • Comments can also be submitted via Website: dms.dot.gov

Web Source

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Sourced from: Reuters, 11/7/01

12) US Supreme Court To Rule If Toyota Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Case Falls Under ADA

Situation

  • US appeals court ruled carpal tunnel syndrome falls under American with Disabilities Act (ADA)
  • Lawyers for Justice Department & Toyota Motor argue carpal tunnel syndrome not covered by ADA
  • Lawyers for defendant, assembly line worker for Toyota, says law meant to cover carpal tunnel syndrome

Significant Points

  • Ruling could have significant impact on many different businesses & affect millions of workers
  • Supreme Court decision expected early next year

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Sourced from: NTSB Press Release, 11/5/01

13) Does Over-The-Counter Medication Effect Vehicle Operators? -- Asks NTSB & FDA

Situation

  • Nat'l Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) & Food & Drug Admin (FDA) looking at effect of prescription & OTC medication on vehicle operators
  • Some prescriptions & OTC medications cause drowsiness
  • Labeling guidelines not always helpful on whether medicine could impair driving skills
  • Safety Board investigations of accidents revealed operators impaired by prescription or OTC medication

Significant Points

  • Safety Board asked FDA to require clear warning labeling for all medications
  • Participants to discuss severity of problem medication impacts vehicle operators
  • Other issues: criteria to determine person's impairment level; current regs for addt'l regs & possible warning labels
  • Public invited to participate in meetings
  • Contact FDA to participate

Web Source

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Sourced from: Automotive News 11-12-01 Page 1

14) DC Still Stumbling 3-Years After Merger, Says Automotive News

Situation

  • Front-page Automotive News DC "overview" finds little to praise
  • 6-negative areas cited (see below)
  • Chairman & CEO Juergen E Schrempp's crystal ball murky from Day-1 on Chrysler GP's "vulnerability" to slide in US truck market
  • Parts sharing synergies stalled by Mercedes/Chrysler schism
  • Culture gap drove out all 12 members of Chrysler "dream team," followed by many talented jr execs
  • Unable to sell Chrysler products without incentives, defy marketing along tight-margin lower-MSRP template

Significant Points

  • Author of "analysis" piece, Diane T Kurylko, concludes "no fix in sight"
  • But disregards AN's own report on how Chrysler GP CEO Dieter Zetsche wowed NY bank parley Oct 30 with talk on future plans
  • Analyst Peter Schmidt advises shareholder fallout over plunge in merged company value warrants Mercedes divestiture of Chrysler GP
  • Feeling Chrysler millstone on Mercedes' neck now prevalent in view of minimal sales spike with 0% loans (unlike GM & Ford)
  • DC #1 shareholder Deutsche Bank will determine whether spin-off will happen
  • Only likely bidders inside auto industry remain Honda or Ford

Negative Areas Cited By Automotive News:

  1. Incompatible product programs e
  2. Ongoing key exec brain drain
  3. Depressed stock price
  4. Higher industry US sales/market share slid
  5. Lowest-ranked manufacturing productivity
  6. 2001 loss up to $2.5B

Web Source

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Sourced from: Detroit News 11-11-01 Page 1B & Automotive News 11-12-01 Page 1A

15) Only 45-Day Supply Of New Units Available After Oct Sales Blitz, Lowest Since 1992

Situation

  • Oct 31 stockpile of new cars slides to 45-day supply, lowest since Mar 1992
  • Breakout: 49-day supply of trucks/vans/SUVs, 41-day supply of cars
  • All-time Oct sales high slashes stockpile 7.6% from Sept 30 level, when supply more normal 58-day
  • Automakers reluctant to ratchet up production, thinning dealer stocks to shortage levels in many hot models
  • Last month's 1.7M sales would have chopped inventory of 2.9M to 1.2M by Nov 30 if no output this month
  • Unaccustomed shortages hit Ford Focus/Escape/Mustang, Cadillac Escalade, Chevy Corvette/Trailblazer/Impala

Significant Points

  • Scarce stocks could give Big-3 excuse to end 0% incentives
  • Factories prod dealers to order max supplies so plants can be run all-out to Xmas break & after New Year's
  • Prices, unrevised basically for 2002MY, unlikely to change up or down as topsy-turvy market rolls on
  • On other side of coin, used car sales taking big hit from 0% offers on new units
  • Lower prices for UCs, down nearly 5% on average from Oct 2000 to Oct 2001 wholesale, causing glut situation for auctions & dealers

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Sourced from: Detroit Free Press 11-14-01 Page 1A & The New York Times 11-14-01 Page C1 & The Wall Street Journal 11-14-01 Page B1

16) Lutz Heads GM N America, Ending "Non-Car Guy" Zarrella's Reign

Situation

  • GM installs vice-chair Robert A Lutz as N America chief
  • Controversial Ronald L Zarrella, "father" of brand marketing, resigns suddenly after 7-years
  • Charismatic Lutz chairs N America, promotes manufacturing & human resources chief Gary L Cowger to N America president
  • Dealer-distrusted Zarrella quit GM because he had no chance to become CEO
  • Lutz couldn't share power with "non-car guy" Zarrella
  • Zarrella lost favor with dealers over brand marketing push that let product upgrades languish & cost GM market share

Significant Points

  • Autocratic & blunt Lutz now has free rein to turn product side around while making marketing decisions
  • Cowger, 54, highly respected for shaping up GM's manufacturing efficiency & quality
  • Also for restoring GM peace with UAW after stormy period of strikes in late 1990s
  • Zarrella disdained for aborted dealership buyout initiative & avoiding dealer contacts as much as possible
  • In 15-day span, sr execs Zarrella & ex-Ford CEO Jacques A Nasser lost jobs after making moves opposed by "best customers" (dealers)
  • No more clueless vehicle brand managers be recruited outside auto industry, as was affable Zarrella

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Sourced from: Automotive News, 11/05/2001

17) Ford & BMW Offer Goodyear's BioTred "Corn" Tire on 2-Models; Tires Pollute Less & Get 5% Better Fuel Economy

Situation

  • Automakers to equip new cars with environmentally-friendly tires with compound derived from corn
  • BMW to offer tires on economy 3-series, following Ford's earlier decision to supply on economy Fiesta
  • Tires sold as replacements in European markets for past 2-years
  • Goodyear expects US sales to boom for tires containing corn-derived compound
  • BioTred uses polymer derived from ordinary cornstarch, or corn flour; material used to thicken sauces & commercial food products

Significant Points

  • GT3 BioTred less polluting to produce, quieter on road, boosts fuel economy 5% & stops faster on wet roads
  • Polymer mixed with synthetic rubber, largely replacing soot-like carbon black used in century-old tire-making process
  • Environmental image helped Goodyear market to consumers, capturing 30% of all Goodyear replacement business
  • With Ford & BMW deals, these 1st OEM offerings are major step towards broader acceptance

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Sourced from: News Day, 11/06/01

18) NY Delays Electric Vehicle Mandate Until 2007MY, Compromising With Automakers

Situation

  • NY Gov Pataki quietly negotiated deal w/ automakers to delay electric car sale mandates
  • Tentative decision would delay mandate 3-yrs till 2007MY
  • NY, Vermont & Mass only states to follow CA in electric car sales mandates
  • CA recently delayed implementation again
  • EV mandates repeatedly stymied by automaker lawsuits & consumer resistance

Significant Points

  • Electric cars cost $21K ea more to produce than comparable gasoline vehicles
  • EV 10% sale mandates without purchase mandates dictate automakers pass loss on to other customers
  • New deals allow automakers to earn credits in lieu of EV sales
  • Credits earned for hydrogen-powered demo or selling many very clean gasoline vehicles

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Sourced from: Reuters, 11/09/2001

19) Recall Hits GM With 86K+ Chevy Trailblazer & GMC Envoy SUVs; Transmission May Shift Out Of Park

Situation

  • General Motors again recalled new Chevrolet TrailBlazer & GMC Envoy mid-size SUVs
  • 3rd recall to affect TrailBlazer & 4th to affect Envoy
  • Latest recall follows reports of fears 86,312 of SUVs could shift out of park & roll
  • Included are 78,004 SUVs sold in US; 52,338 Trailblazers & 25,666 Envoys
  • Other 8,308 Tailblazers & Envoys sold in Canada, Mexico & elsewhere

Significant Points

  • New SUV models key contributor to GM's profitability & stable US market share this year
  • GM says problem originates with supplier's component on GM-made transmission
  • Owners can take SUV to GM dealership to be inspected for problem transmission
  • Automaker not received any consumer reports of problem & nobody had been injured

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Sourced from: Collision Week, 10/23/2001

20) EPA Says Smog & Fine Particles Still Challenging; Southern & North-Central Regions See Increases In Smog

Situation

  • US Air quality steadily improved through 2000 according to EPA's annual summary of air quality trends
  • Since EPA formed in 1970, GDP increased 158%, miles traveled by cars & trucks increased 143% & energy consumption increased 45%
  • Private companies & others working to reduce emissions through voluntary partnerships & programs like EPA's Energy Star consumer product initiative
  • Nat'l long-term trends toward cleaner air continued, but not air quality status of individual cities
  • Despite continuous improvements, certain types of pollution continue to present challenge for some areas of country
  • Overall smog levels decreased, but southern & north-central regions see increases in smog

Significant Points

  • National Governors Assoc called upon Congress to establish flexible, market-based program
  • Proposal would reduce & cap emissions of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, & mercury
  • Also provides market-based incentives like emissions trading credits to help achieve required reductions
  • Report titled, "Latest Findings on National Air Quality: 2000 Status & Trends" & addt’l info at http://www.epa.gov/airtrends/
  • EPA also proposed rule to improve nat'l parks by controlling emissions from older power plants & industrial facilities that contribute to haze

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Sourced from: PRNewswire, 11/06/2001

21) Jeep Liberty Wins "Economy SUV" Award From NW Auto Press Assoc For On & Off-Road Refinement & Size

Situation

  • All-new 2002 Jeep Liberty is segment winner in Northwest Automotive Press Association's (NWAPA) annual awards
  • 8th annual NWAPA competition held in Olympia, Washington
  • 2-day "Mudfest" featured @ 20 NWAPA auto journalists
  • 26 competitors put through tests at Bremerton Speedway & Thurston County Off-Road Vehicle Park
  • Jeep Liberty earned "Economy SUV of the Year"
  • Vehicles rated on overall design, comfort & convenience, quality, cornering ability, ride & handling, braking, on & off-road performance, value & personal appeal

Significant Points

  • New Liberty's on & off-road refinement & size make it unique in market
  • 210 hp 3.7L SOHC 12-valve V6 makes it most powerful in segment
  • Liberty also features coil spring independent front suspension & link-coil rear for on & off-road refinement
  • Also features patented single-action swing gate/flipper glass system for quick & easy access to cargo area

Web Source

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Sourced from: The Car Connection, 11/05/2001

22) Dodge 2002 Ram 1500 Wins 'Four Wheeler' Magazine Race; Has "Qualities Enthusiasts Look For"

Situation

  • Four Wheeler magazine held annual "Pickup Truck of the Year" competition
  • 2002 Dodge Ram 1500 wins top honors
  • Featuring 4-wheel drive & 4 doors
  • Full competition appears in January 2002 issue of Four Wheeler

Significant Points

  • Ram has "qualities enthusiasts look for" says magazine

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Sourced from: Popular Mechanics 10/31/2001

23) Popular Mechanics Editors Pick Top Products Of AAIW; 6,000+ Booths Reviewed At Auto Show

Situation

  • 2001 Popular Mechanics Editor's Choice Awards held in Las Vegas at Automotive Aftermarket Industry Week
  • AAIW is annual gathering of tens of thousands of manufacturer reps, chain-store buyers, retail shop owners & journalists
  • Popular Mechanics auto staff scoured latest products brought to $25B aftermarket industry

Significant Points

  • 6,000+ exhibitors booths reviewed before selecting best products for annual Editor's Choice Awards

Top Aftermarket Products

  • AutoXray EZ-Link: Consumer-oriented diagnostic code reader upgradeable via Internet
  • Robert Bosch Corp: Platinum2 spark plugs, mid-priced at $3.99
  • Delphi Aftermarket Operations: Driver Selectable Ride shock absorbers
  • BFGoodrich Tires: G-Force T/A KDW, 1st 24" diameter tire for high-performance SUVs
  • Goodyear Tire: Fortera HL SUV, dedicated luxury SUV tire offering car-like ride & handling but looks like car tire
  • Longhorns West: Rail-Rider Rolling Toolbox is stake pocket-mounted box that slides to back of bed on rails for easy access
  • Mothers Polishes Waxes Cleaners: California Gold Paint Chip Repair puts professional-looking flush finish on small blemishes
  • Simple Green: Total Automotive Foaming Cleaner/Degreaser is non-toxic, biodegradable, non-abrasive, non-corrosive clinging foam that can be used on most surfaces like paint & rubber
  • Tesla Electronics: G-Tech Pro Liberator - compact portable display that mounts to inside of windshield with suction cup to record tax-deductible miles, provides current traffic & weather
  • Trico: Teflon Blade is Teflon-coated wiper with reduced friction for smoother, cleaner wipe on windshield; it repels water, snow & ice, won't crack

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