“Basic vehicle maintenance goes a long way toward protecting the environment, and it can keep more ‘green’ in your wallet through better fuel economy,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. “Vehicle owners who do their own maintenance should remember to recycle or properly dispose of fluids and other vehicle components, including used motor oil, tires and batteries.”

• Drive Green – Recognize that how you drive has a lot to do with fuel economy. Avoid sudden starts and stops and go the speed limit. Jerky and aggressive driving decreases your miles per gallon (MPG) and increases wear and tear on your vehicle. Minimize unnecessary miles by combining errands in one trip.
• Get a Tune-Up – Regular tune-ups, maintenance and having clean air filters will help your car pollute less and burn less gas. With a proper tune-up, you can save 4 percent on the cost of gas and up to 40 percent by replacing a faulty oxygen sensor. Simply changing the car’s air filter can improve efficiency by 10 percent.
• Lighten the Load – Get the junk out of the trunk and the stuff out of your car, with the exception of emergency items such as a spare tire, flares and a first-aid kit. Extra items weigh the vehicle down and cause an increase in gas usage.
• Tire Checks – According to the Car Care Council, around two billion gallons of gas each year could be saved if the tires on every American’s car were properly inflated. Optimal tire pressure for your vehicle is listed in the owner’s manual. Tires that are not properly inflated add rolling resistance that makes the engine work harder to move the vehicle. All of this increases fuel costs as much as three to five cents per gallon, and increases the risk of engine damage.
• Gas Caps and Fill-Ups – Check your vehicle’s gas cap. Approximately 17 percent of vehicles on the road have loose, damaged or missing gas caps, causing 147 million gallons of gas to vaporize every year. Topping off your gas tank when filling up your car can also release harmful vapors into the environment.

Source Car Care Council

“The devastation in Japan is so overwhelming and we wanted to help in any way we could,” said Sylvain Tremblay of SpeedSource, Inc, who came up with the idea to race with special graphics on the Mazda race cars. “We will be donating all race winnings from Car #70 to the American Red Cross Japan relief efforts.”

“The racing community is a real family and you especially feel that in difficult times like this,” said John Doonan, Mazda’s Manager of Motor Sports Team Development.  ”That our MAZDASPEED teams want to help our friends, colleagues and the people of Japan by helping raise much needed relief funds, is testament to this family feeling and sense of a broader community.”

Racing Mazda RX-8s in Grand-Am’s premier series since 2007, Dempsey Racing will be running cars #40 and #41 with the American Red Cross message to donate.

“It’s been just three weeks since the tragedy in Japan and already news updates have begun thinning out, while the people of Japan still need so much help,” said Joe Foster of Dempsey Racing and who co-drives car #40 with Patrick Dempsey.  ”We are hoping to generate a second round of donations to the Red Cross this weekend by keeping Japan top-of-mind with both the racing community and our fans.”

Team Sahlen will be racing cars #42 and #43. “We are hoping to help make a difference by spotlighting the Red Cross efforts to assist Japan,” said Will Nonnamaker, team driver.

The Mazda Foundation (USA), Inc. made a $150,000 donation to the American Red Cross Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami Relief Fund, and has encouraged its dealers to do the same.  Additionally, Mazda Motor Corporation in Japan donated 30 million yen to the Japan Red Cross Society.

Source Mazda North America Operations

Between March 31 and November 14, 2011, fans who “like” the Copart Racing Facebook page can enter to win the “Copart Racing Ultimate VIP Experience.” This grand prize sweepstakes offers an all expenses paid trip for two to the Las Vegas 2012 SummitRacing.com National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) Nationals, including first-class airfare and private hotel transportation to and from the Las Vegas airport.

The grand prize winner will also get the chance to test their driving skills in a race against Copart Top Fuel Driver Brandon Bernstein, or six-time NHRA champion and the “King of Speed” Kenny Bernstein, in the official vehicle of the NHRA.

The winning contestant will also experience:

• A 5-night stay at a luxurious resort and casino on the Vegas strip and receive $3,500 in spending cash
• Two free tickets to all 3-days of the Las Vegas 2012 SummitRacing.com NHRA Nationals with limousine transportation to and from the race event
• An exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the track with the NHRA
• VIP access to the Copart Hospitality area and passes to the Pit, including an autograph and photo session with Brandon and Kenny Bernstein
• Watching their name speed down the drag strip on the side of the Copart Top Fuel Dragster

“The Kenny Bernstein Racing brand is among the preeminent brands in motorsports and a tremendous friend and partner to Copart.  Through this initiative, we are leveraging our relationship with the Bernsteins to elevate the profile of the Copart brand while also rewarding one of our Facebook fans with an incredible, once-in-a lifetime opportunity,” said Jay Adair, CEO, Copart, Inc.  “Engaging in this social media promotion will also allow Copart to heighten its digital presence and continue to grow and create new relationships and opportunities with car and racing enthusiasts.”

Throughout the racing season, all sweepstakes participants will receive multiple chances to win additional prizes, including autographed merchandise, die cast collectibles, plasma TVs and more.  Fans can also enter to win by visiting Copart’s midway display at select NHRA races throughout the season.  

To be eligible to win the Copart Racing Ultimate VIP Experience, start liking the Copart Racing Facebook page today. Registration forms will be available on a separate Facebook tab after March 31.

Source Copart, Inc.

Ford is using a $250 million Ex-Im Bank-guaranteed working capital line of credit to finance approximately $3.1 billion in sales of over 200,000 vehicles to buyers in Canada and Mexico.

“Ex-Im Bank’s line of credit will enable Ford and hundreds of its small business suppliers to support thousands of high-paying American jobs, and maintain competitiveness in global markets,” said Ex-Im Bank Chairman and President Fred P. Hochberg. “The structure of the facility allows Ford and Ex-Im Bank to leverage in-transit exports.”  

Prior to this transaction with Ex-Im Bank, Ford had not financed its short term exports from the U.S. to Canada and Mexico.  By utilizing its vehicles as collateral, Ford now is making strategic use of Ex-Im Bank’s formula-based working capital line of credit. Due to the revolving structure of the line of credit, coupled with the fact that these cross border sales are both continuous and short term, Ford is able to finance more than $3 billion in sales of over 200,000 vehicles to Canada and Mexico.  

“We are absolutely committed to using our U.S. manufacturing plants as a vibrant and growing source of exports around world,” said Ford Credit CFO Mike Seneski.  ”Our great partnership with the UAW (United Auto Workers) enables us to make cars competitive with any around the world.  Now our public-private partnership with Ex-Im Bank gives us competitive export financing that supports our exports and American jobs.”

The Ford vehicles will be manufactured in plants located in Chicago, Illinois.; Dearborn and Wayne, Michigan; Kansas City, Missouri; Louisville, Kentucky; and Avon Lake, Ohio.  The models to be exported – approximately 15 percent of Ford’s production  –  include the new, highly fuel-efficient crossover Ford Explorer SUV.  According to Ford, key suppliers to the Explorer are investing in new facilities and hiring for more than 600 jobs in Michigan, Indiana and Illinois.

According to Tony Brown, group vice president, Ford Global Purchasing, more than 650 companies in 41 states produce parts and components for the vehicles being exported. At the same time thousands of other indirect suppliers provide other services to Ford.

Ex-Im Bank’s Annual Conference on March 31st – April 1st will be held at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, D.C. The award ceremony will take place at 1:45 p.m. on March 31.

Ex-Im Bank is an independent federal agency that helps create and maintain U.S. jobs by filling gaps in private sector export financing at no cost to American taxpayers.  The Bank provides a variety of financing products, including working capital guarantees, export-credit insurance, and financing to help foreign buyers purchase U.S. capital goods and services.

By charging fees and interest on all loan related transactions, Ex-Im Bank is self-sustaining.  It is able to cover all operation costs and potential losses while also producing revenue.  The Bank has generated $3.4 billion for U.S. taxpayers over the past 5 years.

Source Export-Import Bank of the United States

 Harley-Davidson, Inc. (NYSE: HOG) today announced a $250,000 donation from The Harley-Davidson Foundation to support relief efforts following the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. The Harley-Davidson Foundation’s contribution to the American Red Cross will aid in the overall disaster relief efforts.

“Our hearts go out to all the people in Japan who have been impacted by these tragic events,” said Foundation President Gail Lione. “It is important to all of us at Harley-Davidson to support the relief efforts and help the country through this devastating time.”  

In addition, the company’s Harley-Davidson Japan subsidiary has established a local relief fund and has been sending food, water, and other necessities to the devastated areas. The Company also has the link to the Red Cross Web site (www.redcross.org) posted on its websites for employees, customers and others interested in making a donation.

Harley-Davidson, Inc. is the parent company for the group of companies doing business as Harley-Davidson Motor Company and Harley-Davidson Financial Services. The Harley-Davidson Foundation, Inc. is a non-profit organization supporting the communities in which the Company has facilities.

Source Harley-Davidson, Inc.

With more than 20 different hybrid cars available from most major automakers, hybrid vehicles are a crucial and growing market segment. Additionally, with several high profile plug-in hybrids coming out now or within the next year, innovation and development of hybrid vehicles is continuing at an ever-growing pace. Consumers continue to focus more on miles per gallon as well as vehicle performance and practicality. In this market, impeccable engineering and precision design is essential to commercial success.

The newly released book from SAE International, Hybrid Powered Vehicles, promises to provide executives and decision makers with the necessary information for making the best choices pertaining to hybrid vehicle engineering.

The book can be pre-ordered now through the SAE International website. It is available in both paperback and ebook formats, the latter available in both complete book or by chapter downloads, available in a suite of formats that are also saved in a personalized elibrary hosted by SAE International.

Hybrid vehicles significantly reduce fuel use and provide corresponding reductions in CO2 emissions, fuel cost to consumers and criteria air pollutants from fuel refining and distribution. However, the increasing drive to market hybrid vehicles has led to a very competitive market, where continual improvements to hybrid powertrains are necessary for the success of a hybrid platform. Also, many other commercialized alternative fuel technologies, including diesels, fuel cells, electric vehicles, and high efficiency gas cars are providing additional competition to the market. Engineering of vehicles will be the differentiator for consumers.

This second edition of Hybrid Powered Vehicles expands upon the details of the first book by detailing the major developments in the hybrid engineering world that have gained market share and traction. In addition, German reviews the development history of hybrid vehicles while highlighting the cycles of fuel availability, fuel economy, and concern for environmental issues. The book covers a diverse number of topics in hybrid vehicle design, such as:

• The current state of hybrid technology development
• Reducing the cost of hybrid technology implementation
• Possible future enhancements of hybrid technology
• The different engineering approaches of various hybrid vehicle manufacturers
• Market factors influencing mainstream customer acceptance of new hybrid technologies
• Plug-in-hybrid vehicle (PHEV) technology and market acceptance

This book will be of high interest to automotive executives, decision-makers, managers, academics, and engineering and research professionals who must quickly understand the latest technological developments concerning hybrid vehicles. It also briefs industry professionals on the market forces that are shaping the technology and the future of hybrid vehicles in the United States. With unparalleled depth and accessibility, German details the critical concepts that everyone in the automotive engineering industry requires to be competitive.  

John M. German is a Senior Fellow and Program Director for the International Council for Clean Transportation, with primary responsibility for technology innovation and United States policy development.

Source SAE International

Quadrozzi’s career in the insurance industry spans more than 20 years.  She has held several senior executive and management positions and has extensive experience in claims and operations management.  She joined Crawford in 2009 and in her current role is responsible for the development and marketing of new e-learning applications to the property and casualty insurance industry.

Before coming to Crawford, the world’s largest independent provider of claims management solutions, Quadrozzi served as senior vice president of claims and operations and vice president of claims for AssuranceAmerica.  She began her career as a claims adjuster with John Hancock Property and Casualty and later joined Superior Insurance Company, where she held several supervisory and management positions. Quadrozzi also served as director of accident management for Akzo Nobel Coatings.

Quadrozzi holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business administration from Shorter College in Atlanta. She has earned a variety of certifications, including Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU), Associate in Research and Planning (ARP), Associate in Management (AIM), Associate in Underwriting (AU), and Property Technical Certification (PTC). She is an active CPCU mentor and has been involved in I-CAR since 2008.

I-CAR, founded in 1979, is an international not-for-profit training organization dedicated to improving the quality, safety and efficiency of auto collision repair for the ultimate benefit of consumers. The board of directors sets the overall strategic direction for the organization and assists in obtaining resources in support of the I-CAR mission. The board is comprised of representatives from the following industry segments: collision repair; insurance; equipment, tools and supplies; education, training and research; vehicle manufacturers; and related industry services.

Source Crawford & Company