NEWSBRIEFS FOR THE WEEK OF JAN. 26, 2006

These rooftop-mounted solar panels could give consumers the boost in mpg figures they are looking for with their hybrid vehicles.
(Photo: Solatec LLC)  WELLS, NV - A Nevada-based company, Solatec LLC, has developed patent-pending rooftop-mounted solar panels for hybrid vehicles, including kits for 2002 through 2004 Toyota Prius models. Panels for other hybrids such as the Honda Civic are in development.

Solatec's photovoltaic kit adds two flexible, conformal panels that charge the hybrid automobile's auxiliary battery through a proprietary charger/current-limiter system concealed behind interior trim panels. The self-adhesive, rooftop-mounted panels are only 0.6mm thick and cause no change in aerodynamic drag, the company says. The development of the hybrid vehicle solar panels came about as a side project of the company's solar aircraft research, which uses the same high-efficiency flexible photovoltaic panels to sustain the aircraft in flight.

According to Solatec, with all-season testing still in progress, one prototype was operated in the northeast United States for several months under mixed driving conditions. With the panels installed on the roof, the prototype averaged 55 mpg city and 62 mpg highway - an overall 10 percent improvement over the pre-installation numbers. The $2,195 kits will be available nationwide through dealer franchises.

(Source: Solatec LLC)

BETHESDA, MD - More than 70 percent of motorists admit that they did not have their cars winterized in preparation for inclement weather, according to a survey conducted by the Car Care Council (CCC). Given that this can prove extremely dangerous if a customers' car were to break down, isn't this an opportune time to contact those customers you haven't seen in a while? 

Why take the risk to call? Because it shows you care about them, says CCC. Service-based professionals build credibility and relationship, whatever choice the customer makes- and regardless if a service appointment is scheduled. The benefit of the first choice for both shop and customer is clear: peace of mind in the months ahead. For the second, the business practice of keeping customers informed and showing you care before something happens can differentiate a shop from the one just down the street. And should a customer decline a winter check, would it hurt to send a reminder checklist to them, as recommended by the CCC, either via direct mail or a newsletter?

Before bad weather sets in, CCC suggests:

* Check the coolant (antifreeze) every year; coolant should be flushed and refilled at least every two years in most vehicles.

* Check the owner's manual to see if driving habits are considered "severe," and if so, have the oil changed accordingly, usually every 3,000 miles.

* Check the battery and exhaust system.

* Be certain the heater and defroster are working properly.

* Keep the gas tank at least half full, decreasing the chances of moisture forming in the gas lines and possibly freezing.

* Check your tires' tread depth and pressure. Consider special tires if snow and ice are a problem in your area.

* Make sure the headlights work and are properly aimed.

* Replace wiper blades every six months. Use special snow blades if the weather dictates.

Try it. When the time comes, don't you want to be the first person they think of when they need servicing?

(Source: Car Care Council)

TORONTO, CANADA - There's a difference in the honesty and accuracy of advertising between dealerships and aftermarket firms in Canada, says Paul Stern, president of the Toronto Automobile Dealers Association. Advertising is governed by the Code of Advertising Standards developed by the Advertising Standards Canada, a federal self-regulating body, and the province of Ontario's Motor Vehicle Act, which together, oversee an ethical framework to ensure consumers receive a clear and accurate message. 

"But I've noticed some recent ads from the automotive aftermarket sector that seem to overstep the boundaries," said Stern. Stern said it angers him that some of the advertising originating from certain aftermarket franchise operations is so questionable, while dealerships, independents and other franchises are happy to abide by the proper guidelines. He cited two examples of ads he considered misleading and discrediting to other competitors.

"In particular, I heard a radio commercial for an aftermarket franchise specializing in transmissions that attempted to discredit dealerships. It urged owners of cars with transmission problems to go to the franchise's shops because they are the 'experts.' It clearly implies that other types of repair facilities - independents and dealerships - are not fully qualified to fix transmissions."

I've also seen ads that say, "Are you tired of seeing the `check engine light' on - but afraid to go to the dealership because of the high cost to diagnose the problem? Come see us - we will do it for free." Stern argues that diagnosis takes technicians time to do, and suggested that when one claims to do it for free, that most diagnoses inevitably lead to some type of chargeable repair work. He suggests all shops should be upfront with consumers.

"I don't mean to single out non-dealership facilities, nor am I suggesting that some of these businesses don't produce effective advertising or service work," he added. Stern pointed out that, at times, dealerships and independents have gone out of bounds with ads. The problem is that misleading ads and subsequent bad experiences by consumers reflect on the entire industry, not just those who skirt guidelines. Ads that go beyond the established guidelines need to be dealt with, and prevented from impacting consumers and upstanding service professionals.

"There's no free lunch. If catchy ads appear too good to be true, they probably are," Stern advises consumers. Remember, he cautioned, "When was the last time you got something for nothing?"

(Source: The Toronto Service Dealers Association)

SAN FRANCISCO, CA -Virage Security and Surveillance, a subsidiary of Autonomy Corp. PLC recently introduced a new technology that has a number of potential automotive applications in the recognition, security and surveillance of automobiles.

Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) combines state-of-the-art neural network techniques and optical character recognition to allow organizations to identify and track both moving and stationary vehicles entirely automatically. It is capable of recognizing all international plates and able to conduct automatic number plate recognition operations, even when visibility is low, such as in adverse weather or poor light conditions. Virage says ANPR is suitable for applications including access control, identifying stolen vehicles, traffic law enforcement, border control, car park surveillance, traffic law enforcement, monitoring in car payments and more.

Data retrieval options - searching by number plate, partial plate, camera, date and time - allow security or surveillance staff to identify all vehicles accurately and efficiently, maintains Virage. ANPR also offers built-in digital recording capabilities and the ability to integrate with multiple repositories, such as police and other databases.

Once a vehicle has been correctly identified, ANPR will automatically trigger appropriate responses as defined by the operator(s). When combined with Autonomy's Intelligent Data Operating Layer (IDOL) technology, the technology can correlate and cross reference recorded number plates with other data which relates to any specified vehicle. 

(Source: Autonomy Corp. PLC)

PALO ALTO, CA - Frost & Sullivan says increasing automation of vehicles necessitates the need for using more electrical and electronic components. This is expected to drive the demand for plastics used in such components. Its recently released research paper, "U.S. Market for Plastics in Automotive Electrical and Lighting Systems," reveals that the market earned revenue of $642.4 million in 2004 and is estimated to reach $931.7 million in 2011.

Market dynamics force auto manufacturers to introduce new products frequently. As a result, they pressure their suppliers to develop new products with reduced development time to enhance features while at the same time cutting costs. 

"The ability to develop a new product within a short span of time will be one of the key success factors for suppliers to the automotive industry along the value chain," says Frost & Sullivan Research Analyst Deepak Tulsian.

(Source: Frost & Sullivan)

CHICAGO - More than 70 percent of consumers said it would take gasoline prices in excess of $3 a gallon before they would be motivated to replace their current vehicle with a more fuel-efficient alternative, according to a recent cars.com survey that targeted the future effect of gas prices on consumer buying habits.

A cars.com fuel-efficiency survey was conducted online by Impulse Research Corp. using a random sample of 1,515 U.S. residents who either recently purchased a vehicle or plan to purchase a vehicle in the next year. Some of the questions asked included:

What price per gallon would gasoline have to remain above in order to motivate a change to a more fuel-efficient vehicle? 
* 30 percent said gas prices would have to hit $4 a gallon before they would take action. 
* 40 percent said they would switch at $3 per gallon.
* 14 percent replied they had already changed vehicles due to high fuel prices.

What level of fuel efficiency would be adequate for the current vehicle or the next one purchased?
* 27 percent would require more than 35 miles per gallon (mpg).
* 30 percent responded that 30 to 35 mpg would suffice.
* 25 percent answered that 25 to 30 mpg would be adequate.

How will money be saved at the pump in the future?
* 63 percent said they would consider purchasing a hybrid vehicle for their next purchase.
* 27 percent replied they would not purchase a hybrid, citing concerns that hybrids are too expensive or they wanted to wait until the bugs were worked out.

(Source: Cars.com)