Automotive Industry Trends News

Car Dealerships Put Out the Help Wanted Sign for Students, Veterans and Others Looking for Great Careers

Nearly 109,000 career jobs are available at U.S. auto dealerships, according to a new study by Automotive Retailing Today (ART). ART, a coalition of major automobile manufacturers and dealer organizations, also found that auto dealers have hired nearly 30,000 military veterans since January 2004 and that summer jobs and internships often lead to full time careers.

"At a time when the auto industry is undergoing significant change, franchise auto dealers have a good news story about thousands of well-paying jobs currently available at dealerships across the country," said Carter Myers, chairman of Automotive Retailing Today. "Students using internships or summer jobs to get experience have a foot in the door for a lucrative career of their choice. Veterans can parlay their work ethics, technical and managerial training into a variety of careers within dealerships."

Veterans' Employment

ART's study also shows that one-third of the nation's auto dealers reported hiring at least one veteran since January 2006. Roughly two veterans have been hired per dealership or an estimated total of 13,715, making total number of military vets hired in the last three years close to 30,000.

In January 2004, ART joined forces with the U.S. military to promote dealership hiring of recent military veterans. The initiative, known as Hire the Heroes, provided links for auto dealers with military outplacement agencies to post job vacancies and attract transitioning veterans to available jobs. The pool of recent military veterans includes technologically savvy, motivated workers whose skills and military training may be easily adaptable to a variety of dealership positions.

"Many U.S. veterans leave the service with significant technical and management training that is immediately useful to auto dealerships, particularly in the area of auto technicians," said Charles S. Ciccolella, assistant secretary of labor for Veterans' Employment and Training. "Many men and women have completed a great deal of this training and some earned technician certification while in the Service."

Internships/Summer Seasonal Employment

Students who want more of a challenge than flipping hamburgers over the summer should approach an auto dealership for summer employment or pursue an internship program. Attracting today's computer savvy youth into a lucrative career is a key focus of the auto retailing industry. A majority of dealerships (68 percent) report offering summer/seasonal employment and participate in internship programs. Three-in-four dealerships say that this is an effective method to identify candidates for permanent positions.

South Atlantic States Have Highest Need

"Dealerships are high-tech facilities requiring top-notch staff with computer and technical skills," said Myers. "America's franchised auto dealers are hanging out the help wanted sign for these high-paying jobs. There is a great demand for qualified, technically savvy and educated employees.

According to the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) the shortage of employees (108,814 vacancies) is largely due to growing dealership customer services, retirements and strong vehicle sales. Regions of the U.S. with the greatest number of vacancies, as reported in the survey, include the South Atlantic, West South Central and the Midwest states. Specific regional opportunities include:

South Atlantic (Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Washington, D.C., West Virginia): 25,149

West South Central (Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas): 18,443

Pacific (Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oregon, Washington): 14,660

Midwest (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin): 13,156

Mid-Atlantic (New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania): 11,436

North Central (Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota): 8,168

Mountain (Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico Utah, Wyoming): 8,125

East South Central (Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi, Tennessee): 5,804

New England (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire Rhode Island, Vermont): 3,876


Sales and Service Jobs in Greatest Demand
According to ART's study, current vacancies by job function include:

-- Sales: 45,698 vacancies (Est. Salary Range for Sales Positions $31,000-$118,000)

-- Service: 36,456 vacancies (Est. Salary Range for Service Positions $28,000-$96,000)

-- Collision Repair: 7,695 vacancies (Est. Salary Range for Collision Positions $31,000-$64,000)

-- Parts: 6,491 vacancies (Est. Salary Range for Parts Positions $22,000-$63,000)

-- Dealership Administration: 5,159 vacancies (Est. Salary Range for Administration Positions $21,000-$163,00)

-- Other (porters, car washers, detailers, etc): 7,315 vacancies (Est. Salary Range for Other Positions $21,000-$33,000)


Details of the 2007 jobs survey, estimated salary ranges (NADA), benefits, and the 2006 attitudes & perceptions survey are available at: www.autoretailing.org/

The study, conducted by Harris Interactive(R), March 28 -- April 12, 2007, surveyed 742 franchised new car dealers in the U.S. about the estimated number of vacant positions in their dealerships(1). Details about the more than 40 different careers found in auto dealerships are available at www.autocareerstoday.org

The Automotive Trade Policy Council (ATPC), speaking on behalf of General Motors, Ford and DaimlerChrysler, pointed to Japan's announcement earlier this week of record- breaking trade and current account surpluses as compelling evidence that the U.S. needs to pressure Japan to urgently realign its heavily undervalued yen.

Japan's overall trade surplus increased by 62.1% in March, its largest increase in three years, and its current account surplus rose 37% in March to reach an annual record of $176.4 billion. Japan's weak yen policy has targeted the U.S. auto sector in particular, with over 50 percent of the vehicles produced in Japan now slated for export to other countries, the highest rate in nearly twenty years. Japanese auto exports to the U.S. rose 9% percent in the first quarter of 2007 over last year.

"Japan's latest trade figures bring home the real-world consequences impact of the misaligned yen," said Stephen J. Collins, President of the ATPC. "This is not an innocent or victimless policy. Japan's exports and global trade surplus are hitting record levels because of the weak yen. Its auto exports to the U.S. continue to surge, while sales back in Japan decline. We know that almost half of all Toyotas sold in the U.S., for example, are now imported from Japan, not built in American plants."

Collins continued, "Congress has given notice that it will not stand aside if the U.S. government continues to turn a blind eye to Japan's beggar-thy- neighbor currency and trade practices. These latest Japanese trade figures provide further evidence that the time for action is now."

For additional information on Japan's artificially weak yen policy and its effects on the American auto-manufacturing industry, please visit http://www.autoyensubsidy.org/

The Automotive Trade Policy Council, Inc. (ATPC) is a Washington, D.C.- based non profit trade association that represents the common international economic, trade and investment interests of its member companies: DaimlerChrysler Corporation, Ford Motor Company and General Motors Corporation.

Source: Automotive Trade Policy Council

The Automotive Trade Policy Council (ATPC), speaking on behalf of General Motors, Ford and DaimlerChrysler, pointed to Japan's announcement earlier this week of record- breaking trade and current account surpluses as compelling evidence that the U.S. needs to pressure Japan to urgently realign its heavily undervalued yen.

Japan's overall trade surplus increased by 62.1% in March, its largest increase in three years, and its current account surplus rose 37% in March to reach an annual record of $176.4 billion. Japan's weak yen policy has targeted the U.S. auto sector in particular, with over 50 percent of the vehicles produced in Japan now slated for export to other countries, the highest rate in nearly twenty years. Japanese auto exports to the U.S. rose 9% percent in the first quarter of 2007 over last year.

"Japan's latest trade figures bring home the real-world consequences impact of the misaligned yen," said Stephen J. Collins, President of the ATPC. "This is not an innocent or victimless policy. Japan's exports and global trade surplus are hitting record levels because of the weak yen. Its auto exports to the U.S. continue to surge, while sales back in Japan decline. We know that almost half of all Toyotas sold in the U.S., for example, are now imported from Japan, not built in American plants."

Collins continued, "Congress has given notice that it will not stand aside if the U.S. government continues to turn a blind eye to Japan's beggar-thy- neighbor currency and trade practices. These latest Japanese trade figures provide further evidence that the time for action is now."

For additional information on Japan's artificially weak yen policy and its effects on the American auto-manufacturing industry, please visit http://www.autoyensubsidy.org/

The Automotive Trade Policy Council, Inc. (ATPC) is a Washington, D.C.- based non profit trade association that represents the common international economic, trade and investment interests of its member companies: DaimlerChrysler Corporation, Ford Motor Company and General Motors Corporation.

Source: Automotive Trade Policy Council

Continental Automotive Systems is the latest sponsor to join Carnegie Mellon University's Tartan Racing, a team that will enter a driverless Chevy Tahoe in the $2 million DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) Urban Challenge scheduled for November 3, 2007.

Continental is providing driver assistance technologies, including advanced sensors, plus its General brand Grabber UHP tires with Conti*Seal, and has embedded an engineer who is working full-time with the Pittsburgh- based team to help the vehicle to compete in the race. The race consists of traveling 60 miles in a mock urban setting without a driver or the use of remote controls in less than six hours. Vehicles must follow the rules of the road, negotiate intersections, merge into traffic, and avoid obstacles, with only computers at the wheel.

"We are thrilled to be part of the Tartan Racing team," said Dean McConnell, director, Occupant Safety and Driver Assistance Systems, Continental Automotive Systems, North America. "This experience will help further advance our active safety and other intelligent technologies for use in passenger cars and trucks of the future."

The Urban Challenge is designed to develop autonomous vehicles that will someday perform hazardous tasks with limited human involvement. Ultimately, the experimental technology developed for the Challenge could yield new devices that aid human drivers and improve highway safety.

"Continental brings to the team depth of knowledge, passion and appreciation for true innovation in developing smarter, more efficient vehicles," said William "Red" Whittaker, Fredkin research professor at Carnegie Mellon's Robotics Institute and team leader for Tartan Racing.

Since there are no human drivers in the Urban Challenge, the driverless cars must "see" roads and other vehicles with cameras, lasers, radar, sensors and other smart car technologies. Planning software continuously determines where and how to drive, how to avoid trouble and how to quickly reach a destination.

The Urban Challenge will be at an as-yet undisclosed site somewhere in the western United States. It will award a $2 million prize to the team whose vehicle completes the course the fastest in less than six hours, with $500,000 and $250,000 prizes going to the second- and third-place finishers.

Other sponsors of the Tartan Racing team include General Motors, Caterpillar, Google and Intel, among others.

The Continental Corporation is a leading automotive supplier of brake systems, chassis components, vehicle electronics, tires and technical elastomers. In 2006 the corporation realized sales of EUR14.9 billion. It has a worldwide workforce of around 87,000.

As a worldwide leading technology partner to the automotive industry, the Automotive Systems Division of Continental AG integrates extensive know-how and uncompromising quality in the fields of driving safety, embedded telematics and hands-free communication systems, powertrain and comfort. In 2006 the division achieved sales of approx. EUR6 billion with a workforce of more than 30,000. Continental Automotive Systems develops and produces electronic and hydraulic brake, stability and chassis control systems, electronic air suspension systems, sensors, engine management and transmission control systems, hybrid drives, cooling fan modules, body and security electronics and also is the industry leader of embedded telematics and communication systems in vehicles.

www.contiautomotive.com

For additional information, visit Tartan Racing on the Web at www.tartanracing.org

For additional information regarding the Urban Challenge, visit:
www.darpa.mil/grandchallenge

Source: Continental Automotive Systems

Power Information Network Reports: Rising Gas Prices Begin to Sway New-Vehicle Owners Toward Smaller Versions of Trucks and Utility Vehicles

Rising gasoline prices have some owners of large and midsize trucks trading to smaller vehicles, according to real-time retail transaction data from the Power Information Network (PIN), a division of J.D. Power and Associates.

Gasoline prices have surged more than 20 cents in recent weeks to a record nationwide average of $3.10 per gallon, surpassing the previous record of $3.07 per gallon set in September 2005, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. As gas prices rise, owner loyalty in the large pickup and midsize and large utility vehicle segments drops, according to PIN data gathered between February and April 2007. Owner loyalty is measured by the percent of owners in any given segment who trade for another vehicle in the same segment.

"We're seeing a broad, long-term -- but gradual -- movement to smaller vehicles," says Tom Libby, senior director of industry analysis at PIN. "For example, during periods of high gas prices over the past two years, we've seen movement from larger to smaller SUVs. However, the total SUV pie remains largely intact."

While rising gas prices are having a negative effect on large vehicle segments, owner loyalty has increased for small cars. Additionally, sales of small vehicles, including cars and light trucks, as a percentage of total new-vehicle retail sales, have risen from 26.3 percent in the first quarter of 2004 to 31.8 percent in the first quarter of 2007. Furthermore, PIN data shows that higher gas prices have had only a moderate impact on repeat purchases of midsize crossovers. The fact that several new midsize crossovers have just entered the market likely has softened the impact of rising gas prices on the segment, Libby said.

Not every new-vehicle segment has been affected by rising gas prices. For example, PIN findings show that owner loyalty for large and midsize cars, small crossovers, and small SUVs has remained relatively unchanged in recent months.

Libby notes that all of these trends are consistent with the patterns observed in spring 2006 when gas prices also rose.

Increased demand for smaller vehicles, coupled with higher gas prices, has also given four-cylinder engines a boost in powertrain market share. Four-cylinder engines as a percent of total retail sales has increased from 27.5 percent in April 2004 to 35.7 percent in April 2007.

While vehicles powered by four-cylinder engines are receiving a lift from rising gas prices, so are new vehicles powered by hybrid-electric engines. Hybrid vehicle sales have shown a strong correlation to gas prices. For more than two years, hybrid sales have increased as gas prices have risen and have decreased as gas prices have fallen.

Additionally, PIN data shows that the retail turn rates -- the amount of time a new vehicle spends on a dealership lot before being sold -- decrease for both new and used small cars as the price of gas increases. In particular, these retail turn rates suggest that certain parts of the used-vehicle market, such as small cars, compact basic cars and small luxury crossovers benefit when fuel prices rise.

PIN and J.D. Power and Associates data suggest that the small car market -- both new and used -- will continue to strengthen as fuel prices escalate.

"The recent strength of the small vehicle segments -- pricing, styling and an increasing number of new models -- is receiving an additional boost from high gas prices," said Bob Schnorbus, chief economist at J.D. Power and Associates. "We're expecting the small vehicle segments to continue to grow, regardless of gas prices, but higher gas prices certainly will help these segments relative to others."

About Power Information Network (PIN)

PIN's automotive solutions are based on the collection and analysis of daily new- and used-vehicle retail transaction information from more than 10,000 automotive dealership franchises in North America. PIN's industry-leading automotive solutions incorporate consumer demand and sales information to improve business for automotive dealers, manufacturers, lenders, and other companies in the industry.

Additional information is available at www.powerinfonet.com

About J.D. Power and Associates

Headquartered in Westlake Village, Calif., J.D. Power and Associates is an ISO 9001-registered global marketing information services firm operating in key business sectors including market research, forecasting, performance improvement, training and customer satisfaction. The firm's quality and satisfaction measurements are based on responses from millions of consumers annually. For more information on car reviews and ratings, car insurance, health insurance, cell phone ratings, and more, please visit JDPower.com. J.D. Power and Associates is a business unit of The McGraw-Hill Companies.

About The McGraw-Hill Companies:

Founded in 1888, The McGraw-Hill Companies (NYSE:MHP) is a leading global information services provider meeting worldwide needs in the financial services, education and business information markets through leading brands such as Standard & Poor's, McGraw-Hill Education, BusinessWeek and J.D. Power and Associates. The Corporation has more than 280 offices in 40 countries. Sales in 2006 were $6.3 billion. Additional information is available at http://www.mcgraw-hill.com/

No advertising or other promotional use can be made of the information in this release without the express prior written consent of J.D. Power and Associates. www.jdpower.com/corporate


Source: J.D. Power and Associates

12th annual event continues tradition of educating automotive supply chain on automatic identification technologies

The Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG) is hosting its third annual Early Warning Standards (EWS) - Warranty Conference on May 24, 2007, at the Rock Financial Showplace in Novi, Mich. AIAG will present progress on its EWS project as well as strategies to decrease warranty claims and save OEMs and suppliers millions of dollars each year.

Since 2004, AIAG has been tackling the warranty problem with the creation of the EWS project designed to reduce cost and latency, increase supply chain collaboration and improve the timeliness and accuracy of data. The association has identified industry needs for common business processes, standard data formats addressing the overall service event, electronic messaging standards and security. Priorities include reducing warranty and product liability costs, promoting compliance with TREAD Act requirements and using data from throughout the enterprise and the wider service chain to benefit the industry. Today, various OEMs and suppliers are preparing to prove and validate AIAG's EWS recommendations within their own environments.

AIAG's Early Warning Standards (EWS) - Warranty Conference will bring together OEMs, suppliers, service providers and dealers to gain insight on the real issues that drive up warranty costs - and to share challenges and success stories. The keynote presentation will feature Warranty Week editor Eric Arnum who will explore the value of warranty to a brand and present current warranty trends and statistics.

Other featured topics on the agenda include a voice of the business panel discussion, a CEO perspective, and case studies highlighting best practices and perspectives for warranty challenges. A second panel discussion will look at AIAG's wider approach to solving warranty issues - discussing the connections and focus of the various projects underway. Sponsoring companies will be on hand to discuss specific products, software and services related to warranty.

To register, visit the AIAG Web site at www.aiag.org (The complete conference agenda can be viewed there as well).

About AIAG

Founded in 1982, AIAG is a globally recognized organization where OEMs and suppliers unite to address and resolve issues affecting the worldwide automotive supply chain. AIAG's goals are to reduce cost and complexity through collaboration; improve product quality, health, safety and the environment; and optimize speed to market throughout the supply chain. Headquartered in the metro Detroit area, its more than 1,500 member companies include North American, European and Asia-Pacific OEMs and suppliers to the automotive industry.

Additional information is available on the Internet at www.aiag.org

Source: The Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG)

CCC Publishes 2007 Crash Course:
- Report shows lower claim frequency
- Examines factors contributing to changes in vehicle mix and complexity and the relationship to rising repair costs and total losses

CCC Information Services Inc. today announced the availability of its 2007 Crash Course, an annual report on the many factors impacting collision repair and total lost costs. Among the topics addressed in the report is the increased competition among vehicle manufacturers which has led to a proliferation of new vehicle models. The report looks at how the use of specialty equipment and materials, including expensive metals, engine types, electronics and safety features is impacting the collision repair industry. A full copy of the report, in its 12th year of publication, is available by on their website.

According to the report, the platform-sharing that began in the 1990s as a way for manufacturers to more quickly and cost-effectively produce vehicles has, over time, evolved into a more modular approach where manufacturers mix and match components to produce a wide range of different vehicles. The increase in model variations impacts sales -- the number of models selling less than 100,000 units grew in 2005 to 117 from 54 in 1999, but also has far-reaching implications for the collision repair industry and parts suppliers.

"Model proliferation, coupled with greater vehicle complexity means more parts, more inventory to manage and more electronics," said Susanna Gotsch, Director and Industry Analyst, CCC. "Each of these factors requires more training for insurance appraisers, repairers and mechanics, which costs time and money, and also has potential negative impacts on cycle time and customer satisfaction."

Another trend addressed in the report is declining claim frequency, which has translated to fewer repairers for the collision repair industry -- a situation aggravated by the increase in the percentage of vehicles deemed non-repairable of total loss. Nearly 13 percent of the vehicles for which an appraisal was generated were flagged as total loss in 2006, showing a slow, but steady increase from previous years.

CCC's data warehouse, which contains vehicle and repair-related information from 100 million estimates processed through its system, is the primary source of trending information included in Crash Course. CCC also includes third party research to highlight broader industry trends, providing Crash Course readers with a comprehensive view of the auto-claims industry. A mid-year report with year-to-date information will be available in Summer 07.

About CCC

CCC Information Services Inc. provides leading automotive claims and repair solutions that drive efficiencies and enable its clients to make smarter decisions in every step of the process. CCC delivers integrated products and deep industry insight to clients through its network of insurers, repair facilities and information providers. CCC's network includes 350 insurance carriers, in excess of 22,000 repair facilities and information from more than 30 data providers that has resulted in the industry's most comprehensive data warehouse of claims file information.

For more information about CCC Information Services Inc., visit our Web site at http://www.cccis.com/

Source: CCC Information Services Inc.

New Expanded Aftermarket Factbook Unveiled

For the first time, a single estimate of the size and scope of the total automotive aftermarket has been achieved through an alliance between the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA) and Lang Marketing Resources. Based on this analysis, the full size of the industry in 2006 is estimated to be $294 billion.

Through exclusive rights granted by Lang Marketing Resources, AAIA has produced the 2007-2008 Aftermarket Factbook Expanded Version. The 310-page report will contain both the traditional AAIA Aftermarket Factbook and the Lang Aftermarket Annual 2007-2008 with analysis never before available.

"To achieve this monumental harmonization of data, it was important to recognize that public companies in the automotive industry are using information from both AAIA and Lang," said Kathleen Schmatz, president and CEO, AAIA. "Every effort was made to preserve the integrity of the basic outline of this information so the financial community and public companies would not be confused."

AAIA will continue to publish its traditional Aftermarket Factbook, which this year includes an additional 32 pages and sample data from the Lang Aftermarket Annual.

"The partnership between AAIA and Lang Marketing for me began a year ago as a result of a phone call I received from a Wall Street analyst expressing frustration at not being able to reconcile our respective aftermarket data," said Jim Lang, president, Lang Marketing Resources. "After a number of meetings we decided to not only harmonize AAIA and Lang data on the size of the aftermarket, but also to present both sets of data in a single report."

Also this year, AAIA is offering an enhanced version of the eFactbook containing an interactive presentation of the printed Factbook, with PowerPoint slides for all of the data. This will provide users with a readily available customized presentation for each section of the report. The home page offers quick navigation to easily select the desired section of data. The eFactbook includes a printable PDF of the entire Factbook.

Following are examples of features in the 2007/2008 Aftermarket Factbook Expanded Version:

-- Service market product volume by major type of service outlet
-- DIY product volume by major type of retail outlet
-- Service market volume by geographic area
-- DIY product volume by geographic area
-- Purchased service volume by major type of service outlet
-- Number of jobbers in the U.S.
-- Number of jobbers by geographic region
-- Annual product volume for cars and light trucks
-- Distribution analysis by five major channels
-- Vehicles per service bay
-- Changes in vehicle mix
-- Number of DIY outlets
-- Number of service outlets
-- Bay population by major service outlet groups
-- Foreign vehicle market growth
-- Domestic vehicle market growth
-- Retail auto parts store population growth
-- Product volume analysis for each of 80 major product groups from three
perspectives:
* Product volume
* Product volume percentage growth
* Product contribution to car and light truck aftermarket growth

Analysis of growth by major aftermarket segment:
-- Service market
-- DIY market
-- Domestic vehicle market
-- Foreign vehicle market
-- Distribution channels
-- Vehicle type
-- More than 14 forecasts of 2008 key aftermarket trends, including:
* Passenger car product share
* Light truck product share
* Number of jobbers
* Number of auto parts stores



Source: Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association

The purchase of an average-priced new vehicle took 24.7 weeks of median family income in the first quarter, according to the Auto Affordability Index compiled by Comerica Bank. The latest reading is down 1.5 weeks from the fourth quarter, and is also down 0.5 weeks compared to a year ago. Including finance charges, the total cost of buying an average-priced light vehicle was $28,200 in the first quarter, up 1.6 percent from a year ago. We estimate that the median family income has increased 3.7 percent from a year ago.

"Consumers reacted to the sluggish economy, the rebound in gasoline prices, and the softness in home prices by spending about $550 less per car than they did in the fourth quarter," said Dana Johnson, Chief Economist at Comerica Bank. "That, along with the availability of more attractive financing rates, reversed somewhat more than half of the last quarter's deterioration in affordability. With demand soft and the car companies fighting for market share, buyers were able to find pretty attractive deals on new cars in the first quarter."

This report incorporates the latest data on consumer spending on light vehicles and on the terms available on auto loans.

Comerica Incorporated (NYSE:CMA) is a financial services company strategically aligned by three business segments: The Business Bank, The Retail Bank, and Wealth & Institutional Management. Comerica focuses on relationships and helping businesses and people to be successful.


Source: Comerica Bank

Today the First Free Online Vehicle Planning Tool has Been Released Under the Name Logiroom.

LogiRoom has been developed to make the planning of full truck loads, bulk carriage operations, groupage and/or express sending easier, cheaper and much more efficient. The most important in this is that LogiRoom is an easy application and very simple to use.

LogiRoom is available as a software as a service (SaaS) application, which means that it can be directly used by the end user via the internet without installation or consulting services. A registered LogiRoom user is able to create its own list of vehicles and manage the shipments and trucks according to the requirements of his or her own organization. Usage of old planning boards, paper notes and complex spreadsheets belong to the past with LogiRoom. The CEO of LogiRoom, Mr. Pieter Kinds, adds to this:" LogiRoom is an unrivalled alternative to expensive software and systems within the Supply Chain industry. Next to that, we enable transport companies to make use of comprehensive IT solutions in a whole new and very affordable way."

From the 9th of May the LogiRoom application will be made available to users from all around the world. Multiple languages will be added during the summer.

LogiRoom expects to have 100,000 users by mid 2008 as there is a great need within the logistics industry for efficient and cost effective IT solutions.

About LogiRoom:

LogiRoom is a Dutch based pure play software as a service (SaaS) company and is entirely focused at the supply chain industry. Its goal is to offer compelling solutions that allow small and midsize carriers and courier companies to greatly automate their operations at a fraction of the cost of traditional automation. LogiRoom was founded in 2006 and has offices in Breda, The Netherlands and Kiev, Ukraine.

Visit the website www.logiroom.com

Source: LogiRoom

Emërtimet: LogiRoom

Tuesday, 8th May, 2007 in Rome, the results of Euro NCAP’s survey on Electronic Stability Control fitment are released, compelling Euro NCAP to call for manufacturers to fit ESC as standard to all cars. The EU wide survey places the UK, Netherlands, Greece, Malta and Ireland bottom of a country ranking with Denmark, Sweden and Germany topping the list. ESC can turn potentially serious accidents into near misses and could drastically reduce accident occurrence across Europe.

ESC first emerged some ten years ago and its safety benefits quickly became apparent. Several studies have now shown that cars fitted with ESC are less likely to be involved in accidents than those which are not. Estimates vary, but ESC could prevent around one death in five of car occupants, saving the lives of thousands of people every year across the European Union if fitted to all cars. ESC recognises when a skid is starting to happen. In a fraction of a second the electronic control unit applies the brakes at individual wheels, helping to keep the car under control before the skid develops. Whether the skid is the result of an emergency avoidance manoeuvre or a simple error of judgement, ESC can help a driver maintain control of the vehicle.
The results are released today in association with the launch of the new ‘Choose ESC’ Campaign, led by eSafetyAware! and under the patronage of the European Commission, with the goal of raising awareness of ESC. There are huge differences in the extent to which this crucial safety technology is offered to car-buyers across Europe. The Euro NCAP survey released at the Rome event shows that Denmark and Sweden come out top of the league with ESC broadly fitted as standard equipment. Malta and Ireland come out bottom of the table with extremely low levels of standard ESC fit, especially for superminis and small family cars. And the reasons for the disparity are not technical ones. Some models have ESC fitted as standard equipment in one country, yet it is not available, even as an option, in others.

In presenting the results, Euro NCAP’s Secretary General Adrian Hobbs said ‘We must all do what we can to raise awareness of ESC’s importance. Car manufacturers respond to the demands of customers but customers will only demand ESC when they become aware of the benefits. The media and organisations such as fleet buyers can play a pivotal role in increasing this awareness and in helping to bring pressure to bear on manufacturers and distributors to fit ESC as standard on all new cars, in all countries.’

Euro NCAP and the new Choose ESC Campaign will do as the name of the Campaign implies: urge European motorists to choose a safety system that will help keep them and their families safe.

Euro NCAP’s commitment to consumers ensures that test results are released as soon as possible.

Source: Euro NCAP

Emërtimet: NCAP

WARRENDALE, Pa., May 1 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- SAE International's Annual Nominating Committee named Thomas W. Ryan III, Ph.D., as its candidate for 2008 SAE President.

Thomas Ryan is Institute Engineer at the Engine, Emissions and Vehicle Research Division for Southwest Research Institute (SwRI). He manages an industry consortium and a consulting service operated by SwRI for global engine and component manufacturers. He has managed projects for engine original equipment manufacturers, fuels and lubricants companies, and agencies of the U.S. government.

With a bachelor's degree in Marine Engineering from the United States Merchant Marine Academy, Thomas Ryan additionally holds master's and doctorate degrees in Mechanical Engineering from Pennsylvania State University.

Thomas Ryan's history of service with SAE International is extensive:
-- He began as a student member, presenting his first paper at the SAE 1974 World Congress.
-- Later, he assisted in revitalizing the South Texas Section, serving as Local Chair of the Fall Fuels and Lubricants meetings in 1996 and 2001, and as Section Chair from 2001-2002.
-- In the Fuels and Lubricant Activity, he served as Vice Chair for Combustion and as Chair of the Activity from 1998-2000.


While currently serving on the SAE Board of Directors, Ryan formerly was part of the Membership Benefits Committee, the Strategic Planning Committee, the Horning Award Committee, the Fellows Committee, and the Springer Award Committee.

Ryan, a resident of San Antonio, Texas, will take office in January 2008.

Source: SAE International

Seoul, South Korea, Tuesday, May 01, 2007:

1. The Korean Metal Workers’ Union (KMWU), representing over 150,000 automotive, shipbuilding, steel, and other metal industry workers in South Korea, and the United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW), representing over one million active and retired workers in the United States, stand together in strong opposition to the proposed Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA).

2. KMWU and UAW firmly call on the Korean National Assembly and the U.S. Congress to reject the KORUS FTA. With the conclusion of the FTA negotiations, many commentators have framed the discussion largely in terms of a worker “zero sum game,” by focusing on how much and how quickly each nation’s tariffs would be reduced. More importantly, the FTA will lead to an acceleration of capital mobility and financial speculation, thereby pitting American workers against Korean workers in unlimited restructuring and driving down wages, employment stability and working conditions.

3. KMWU and UAW have no illusions about the impact of the KORUS FTA on our respective memberships. In Korea, the IMF conditionality regime imposed on our country after the Asian Economic Crisis has demonstrated to us that such policies have acted to destroy jobs through restructuring instead of creating new employment. Neoliberal policies have given corporations free rein to disinvest and cemented the rights of speculative capital while flexibilizing work. At the same time, these policies have created a permanent “irregular” or “temporary” workforce and commercialization or privatization of public goods, thereby deepening social inequality and poverty.

4. In the United States, our experience with the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) has shown us the disastrous consequences of a free trade agreement lacking in strong and enforceable labor and environmental standards. When NAFTA was implemented, U.S. tariffs on cars and most auto parts were eliminated immediately. As a result, auto companies dramatically reduced their production of vehicles and parts in the United States and Canada. At the same time, wages and working conditions for Mexican workers were severely undermined. KMWU and UAW are deeply concerned that this same destructive scenario would occur if the KORUS FTA is adopted.

5. Yet, our respective governments failed to carry out a full evaluation of the likely economic and social impact that the proposed KORUS FTA would have on workers—no assessment was made as to its probable impact on worker rights, employment, wages and working conditions, public services, including health care and education, and/or cultural diversity. The ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work was once again ignored in this hastily negotiated deal.

6. KMWU and UAW have agreed to coordinate our opposition to the proposed KORUS FTA. We are committed to working together to ensure that this agreement is not adopted or implemented. On this May Day, KMWU and UAW reaffirm our will to succeed and to build upon the gains achieved in the past. Autoworkers have conviction that an alternative world is possible and we will continue to fight together to ensure a better future for all generations to come.

www.uaw.org

Source: International Union, UAW

MUNICH, Germany, May 2/PRNewswire/ -- The automotive networking platform AutomotiveK.com is opening its doors and going online in three language versions: English, German and Chinese.

Networking within the Automobile Industry

At the website people now have the opportunity to communicate and exchange globally on a one-to-one level within a special interest community. As a technology partner of XING, however, AutomotiveK.com is more than a well-known networking site on the Internet:

Direct Access to Automotive Experts

At AutomotiveK.com, employees of the automotive industry acquire personalized access to experts in the area. Current, specialized information is available cost-free to those in the industry, as well as the teaching and research fields.

Find Jobs and Forum Communities

In addition, the website offers all group and forum users the opportunity to exchange ideas about customized subject areas. And, whoever is looking for new employees or a new career perspective on AutomotiveK.com is in the right place. A separate job area displays interesting opportunities for career development within the automotive industry.

Verification of Industry Affiliation

The new internet offer is aimed exclusively at employees of the automotive sector. Accordingly, they can join this virtual community with an approved email registration. After this, users are free to consume expert knowledge, publish information, or simply make contacts in the industry.

www.automotiveK.com

Source: Automotive Knowledge GmbH

Emërtimet: networking