Bottom End : Industry News

Stimulus Plan Passes; New Auto Team to be Established

bbaker — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 19:29:00 GMT

From aftermarketNews

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Following passage of the $787 billion economic stimulus package late last week, President Barack Obama is expected to sign the bill today. The bill passed the Senate by a vote of 60-38. The House vote was 246-183.

Being touted by the President as a “major milestone” on the road to economic recovery, the legislation is said to be the costliest ever considered by Congress. The measure will provide tax relief to 95 percent of Americans by way of $400 rebates for individuals and $800 for couples, in addition to funding support for those who have lost jobs due to the recession. The bill also includes financial support for the development of green jobs, in addition to providing billions of dollars to states to aid schools and local governments and major transportation and technology projects.

Also included in the legislation is an amended version of the Auto Ownership Tax Assistance, which was whittled down from a $11.5 billion tax break down to $1.7 billion in the final version of the bill, with tighter limits on who qualifies. The total cost of the package is estimated to be $790 billion. This provision creates a new tax deduction for state and local sales taxes paid on new car purchases.

After signing the measure, President Obama is expected to today name a team to serve as a taskforce to oversee the turnaround of the U.S. auto industry. According to media reports, rather than appointing a single ‘car czar,’ the Presidential Task Force on Autos will act together to judge whether GM and Chrysler are making enough progress to keep the $17.4 billion in loans they received. The automakers are due to submit their turnaround plans to lawmakers on Tuesday.

Porsche Wins ''Best Performance Engine Award'' (Go Figure)

bbaker — Thu, 22 May 2008 18:45:00 GMT

For the second year in a row, Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, has won an award in the International Engine of the Year competition. By winning the coveted "Best Performance Engine Award," the 911 Turbo engine has underscored Porsche's position atop a star-studded field of high performance competitors. This is the tenth year this prize has been awarded by the British specialist journal "Engine Technology International" for outstanding engine characteristics.

Having won in the three to four liter category in 2007, the 3.6 Liter 480 horsepower boxer engine (530 HP in the GT2 version) scored its first place win in the "free capacity class," defeating other globally-recognized high performance automobiles like the BMW (M5 & M6 V-10), Ferrari (599 GTS V-12), Nissan (GT-R twin-turbo V-6) and the Audi (RS6 V-10).

For model year 2008, the 911 Turbo power unit features an exhaust gas turbocharger with variable turbine geometry (VTG: 8.42, -0.12, -1.40%) for efficient control of the exhaust gas flow throughout the entire RPM range, guiding the flow of exhaust gas in exactly the right direction and at the appropriate angle to the turbine blades. This leads to a discernible improvement in flexibility and acceleration, particularly at low speeds, and virtually eliminates "turbo lag."

The jury for the Engine of the Year Awards consists of 65 renowned automotive journalists from more than 30 countries. The judges review and evaluate engines in various different categories, considering factors such as overall performance, power output, fuel consumption, drivability and comfort. Special attention is paid to the use of advanced, cutting-edge technologies. Judge Jake Venter of South Africa's Car Magazine enthused, "Very few turbocharged engines have been honed to such a state of perfection."

Porsche Cars North America, Inc., based in Atlanta, Ga., and, Porsche Cars Canada, Ltd., based in Mississauga, Ont., are the two importers of Porsche sports cars and Cayenne sport utility vehicles for the United States and Canada respectively. Each is a wholly owned, indirect subsidiary of Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG. Combined, these two subsidiaries employ approximately 250 people who provide Porsche vehicles, parts, service, marketing and training for 200 U.S. and 12 Canadian dealers. They, in turn, provide Porsche owners with best-in-class service.

SOURCE: Porsche Cars North America, Inc.

Cummins Named Automotive News 2008 PACE Award Winner for Innovation of the 6.7l Turbo Diesel Engine

bbaker — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 15:11:00 GMT

Cummins has been recognized for the 6.7L Dodge Ram Turbo Diesel engine which debuted in January 2007 and is available in the Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 models. The 6.7L diesel engine is the strongest, cleanest, quietest heavy-duty diesel pickup truck engine available on the market and is the first to meet the 2010 EPA emissions regulations in all 50 states. Cummins achieves this by using a NOx Adsorber Catalyst – a breakthrough technology designed and integrated by Cummins.

Federal-Mogul Corporation Drives the Future Through Leading Technology at Auto Beijing 2008

bbaker — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 18:47:00 GMT

Federal-Mogul Corporation is pleased to bring its innovative products, brands and technologies to Auto Beijing 2008. This marks the first time Federal-Mogul will exhibit at Beijing's International Automotive and Manufacturing Technology Exhibit, one of the world's most exciting international automotive events.