October 2003 Issue Highlights
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BorgWarner Launches AirWerks
ARI Merges With Car Component Technologies
CARB Schedules Truck OBD Meeting
Denso Increases Air Conditioner Manufacturing
Toyota Now One of the "Big Three" Automakers
BorgWarner Turbo Systems North America has launched a new line of aftermarket high-performance engine boosting devices under the brand name AirWerks.
"We have seen such an increase in consumer demand for high-quality aftermarket turbo upgrades and high-performance retrofits that we created a product line to serve this market," says Jack Lorimer, North American Aftermarket Director of Sales for BorgWarner Turbo Systems.
"Since this performance line specializes in forcing more air into an engine to enable it to produce considerably more power," he continued, "we have branded the product line AirWerks."
The AirWerks line will feature an assortment of K and S series turbochargers to meet a wide array of high-performance engine requirements.
"With participation from strategic partners like Area 51 and Innovative Turbo Systems, we also are bringing installation kits to market that make AirWerks products consumer-friendly."
Most of the AirWerks product offerings are available in North America.
American Remanufacturers Inc. of Anaheim has merged with Car Component Technologies Inc. The combined companies, which remanufacture and distribute undercar parts, will continue business under the ARI name.
Tim Campbell, the president and CEO of ARI, said "Our focus will continue to be centered on our industry-leading product quality, customer service and marketing programs."
ARI will now operate facilities in Anaheim as well as Compton, Phoenix, AZ., Cleveland, OH., Batesville, MS., Ontario, Canada, and the former headquarters of CCT in Bedford, NH.
ARI markets remanufactured CV drive axles, disc brake calipers, power steering pumps, gears & racks and power brake boosters.
The California Air Resources Board has announced a new date for a public workshop to discuss proposed first-time regulations for on-board diagnostics (OBD) for heavy-duty trucks.
The workshop will review CARB's proposed regulations for OBD for trucks and engines. The staff is asking for comments from industry members to refine their regulations as well as their implementation schedule.
There are currently no OBD requirements for heavy-duty trucks; CARB officials plan to present their regulatory plan to the Board in November.
The CARB meeting, originally scheduled for August, will be held on Oct. 16 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the Air Resources Board Annex IV Auditorium, 9520 Telstar Avenue, El Monte, CA.
The 99-page draft of the regulations is available on-line at: www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/obdprog/hdobdreg.htm.
Those wishing to make a formal presentation at the meeting to comment on the proposal should contact Michael McCarthy, manager, Advanced Engineering Section, at 626-575-6615 or via e-mail at mmccarth@arb.ca.gov.
Japan's largest auto parts manufacturer, Denso Corp., has begun increasing the manufacturing of automotive air conditioners.
The company said they increased production in April by almost 10% due to increased air conditioner demand.
Denso officials said they have set the goal of a 30% market share internationally for vehicle air conditioners.
Ford, Chevrolet and Toyota are the new "big three" according to a study by AutoPacific.
The Tustin-based research company found that Ford, Chevrolet, and Toyota are the top three car brands that consumers will look at when they're buying a new car.
According to AutoPacific, the top three rankings are "identical among every age category except those over the age of 70 years." Among customers over age 70, Buick moves into the third place behind Ford and Chevrolet.
Rounding out the top 10 are Honda, GMC, Dodge, BMW, Lexus, Acura, and Nissan.
With this information, predicting the automotive brands consumers are most likely to buy, auto parts retailers and installers can more accurately plan their inventories for the future.
Originally published in the October 2003 issue of Automotive Booster Magazine.
Copyright 2003 by KAL Publications Inc.
Covering the California auto parts aftermarket since 1928.