NEWSBREAK - MOTOR | Automotive Data | Repair Guides

[Pages:2]NEWSBREAK

Tom Nash

Baby Jag Due This Summer

Jaguar's all-new, compact sports sedan, which goes on sale this summer, will be called the X-TYPE. The new four-door is Jaguar's first entrant in the highly competitive, fast-growing compact sedan segment, where it will compete with the Mercedes-Benz CClass, Audi A4 and BMW 3-Series.

According to the carmaker, for the first time on a Jaguar, the X-TYPE will feature all-wheel drive as standard equipment. This endows the sports sedan with nimble, sporty driving dynamics, making it a car for driving enthusiasts. Performance will come from 2.5- and 3.0-liter V6s, both derived from the AJV6 powertrain that's already used in the larger Jaguar S-TYPE.

AUTOVIA, iSalvage to Be Parts Partners

AUTOVIA, a provider of aftermarket e-commerce applications for repair shops and parts distributors, and iSalvage, an Internet-based procurement network for recycled and remanufactured automotive parts, announced an agreement in which iSalvage will provide recycledparts procurement capability to AUTOVIA. This will offer AUTOVIA's customers a greater selection

The new X-TYPE Jaguar, scheduled to arrive on these shores this summer, will be positioned below Jaguar's S-TYPE sedan in both size and price. It's equipped with all-wheel drive as standard equipment, and Jaguar hopes it will attract a new generation of customers.

of new and used parts, easing the process for ordering parts online.

"AUTOVIA's partnership with iSalvage is a unique expansion to AUTOVIA's vast online parts database," commented Rod Georgiu, AUTOVIA's founder and CEO. "Repair shops can purchase all the parts they need--whether they're aftermarket or salvage parts--at one convenient site."

The iSalvage application will be available initially to AUTOVIA customers by hyperlink, but the eventual integration will allow repair

shops, collision centers and dealers that use AUTOVIA to search iSalvage for recycled parts availability and purchase parts directly. The iSalvage database, which is updated daily, consists of parts from highquality recyclers in the salvage industry. The integration is expected to be complete in early 2001.

A National Repair Information Policy?

The Automotive Service Association (ASA) and the two major automotive manufacturer trade associations have joined together

to improve repair information accessibility across the United States.

The ASA, working with the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers (AAM) and the Association of International Automobile Manufacturers (AIAM), announced its support of a national initiative to identify and resolve gaps in information and tools needed to maintain and repair cars and light-duty trucks following the new-car warranty period.

This program began with a pilot initiative involving repair shop owners in Ari-

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zona. ASA has been involved with a number of industry groups in an effort to improve the long-term information gap problem of repairers. This has culminated in a formal dialogue and agreement with automobile manufacturers.

As part of this national agreement, repairers and carmakers have agreed to participate in a National Automotive Service Task Force to assure access to information and foster good communication throughout the auto service industry.

Visteon Flexes Its Aftermarket Muscle

Visteon Climate Control Systems has announced it will begin manufacturing replacement air conditioning compressors for GM vehicles in 2001. The company will initially offer the HT-style compressor to satisfy the growing SUV and light truck market. Production will take place in the same Connersville, Indiana, facility that produces the FS-10 compressor for Ford.

Key features for the GM application are a 10-cylinder design for smoother operation and low NVH, and a 170cc pump vs. the 140cc pump on the current OE design. The new design is based on the FS-10, which has a failure rate of less than .3%.

Jasper & FederalMogul Join Forces

Federal-Mogul Corp. has been named official supplier of replacement engine bearings, pistons, gaskets, piston rings and complete "loaded piston" assemblies to Jasper Engines & Trans-

missions, the nation's leading engine remanufacturer.

The strategic partnership, which includes both a supply agreement and a marketing element, is the first of its kind between a major aftermarket supplier and engine remanufacturer, according to Jay Burkhart, vice president of strategic planning and marketing for Federal-Mogul.

"This is a partnership in every sense of the word," Burkhart said. "Both organizations will benefit from Jasper's use of the world's finest engine components and systems and its commitment to leveraging the full value of the Sealed Power and Fel-Pro brands."

Terms of the agreement call for Federal-Mogul's Sealed Power pistons, piston rings and engine bearings and Fel-Pro gaskets to be installed in engines remanufactured by Jasper. In addition, Jasper will become the first aftermarket customer worldwide to utilize Federal-Mogul's signature engine systems development and manufacturing capabilities; Jasper will purchase complete, readyto-install Sealed Power piston-and-ring assemblies for its automotive and diesel engines, eliminating the need to source, stock and assemble pistons and rings prior to engine production.

New Sensors From Delphi

Delphi has introduced a new line of sensors and actuators designed to provide information to critical vehicle systems, including ride and handling, power and propulsion, safety control

Delphi's new INTELLEK Oil Condition Sensor monitors engine conditions, oil level and temperature and alerts the driver when the lube is nearing the end of its useful life.

and communications. The devices will be integrated into future multiplex telematics systems.

One of the first sensors in the line to be created is the INTELLEK Oil Condition Sensor. It monitors engine conditions, oil level and temperature and alerts the driver when the oil is nearing the end of its useful life, regardless of mileage. The sensor's ability to detect water and glycol contamination can also prevent engine failure.

The sensor offers the potential for fewer oil changes--and therefore fewer filters and less oil to dispose of--which would have a beneficial effect on the environment.

New Name for IMACA/NARSA Merger

The combination of the International Mobile Air Conditioning Association (IMACA) and the National Automotive Radiator Service Association (NARSA) will be called the International Mobile Air Conditioning and Radiator Association (IMACRA).

The announcement was made by current IMACA President Wayne Herndon at the combined conventions and trade shows of the two organizations in San Antonio during the week of November 14-18. Further information will be made public as details are worked out between the two groups.

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