Bureau of Automotive Repair Begins Exhaust Noise Testing
Hella Signs Deal with TI Automotive
Automotive Scholarships Available from GAAS

BUREAU OF AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR BEGINS EXHAUST NOISE TESTING

The California Bureau of Automotive Repair has begun operating a new program to test vehicle exhaust noise.

The program was championed by the Specialty Equipment Market Association which sponsored legislation to create it. SEMA wanted an official venue to test vehicle exhaust noise to allow automotive enthusiasts "to fight unfair exhaust noise citations issued by state law enforcement offices. Motorists can now prove their vehicles comply with state noise standards."

The vehicle exhaust tests will be performed by the 40 Smog Check "referee" locations operating across California. These sites have been approved to issue certificates of compliance for vehicles when tests of their exhaust systems demonstrate that they create no more than 95 decibels of sound, the maximum allowed by California law.

Vehicle owners who have been cited may make an appointment for the test by calling the Referee Scheduling Center at (800) 622-7733. Those seeking the test should have their citation number and vehicle registration available when calling.

At this time, only those vehicles who have received an exhaust noise citation will be allowed to use the testing stations to determine their vehicle noise level. The BAR says, however, that they will expand the program to provide the test to interested car owners for a fee.

"For years, the enforcement policy used by police officers deemed nearly all exhaust system modifications illegal, even where the noise levels were not excessive or unusual," said SEMA's Director of Government Affairs Steve McDonald. "The new law forces compliance with an objectively measured standard in a fair and predictable test."

He added, "This program should serve to benefit consumers who favor state of the art products, the aftermarket industry which markets them, and even police officers who are charged with enforcing the law."

HELLA SIGNS DEAL WITH TI AUTOMOTIVE

TI Automotive has signed a multi-million dollar deal with Hella to supply automotive fuel pumps to Hella.

The TI pumps, which will carry the Hella brand, will include fuel pumps for domestic and import cars and light trucks. The pumps will give Hella aftermarket products for Japanese and Korean automobiles, a major part of the market the company had not been able to supply until this deal was signed.

The TI pumps will add more than 400 SKUs to Hella's offerings; the company currently offers 150 fuel pumps.

"Hella has successful implemented a number of strategic alliances with major auto suppliers around the world," said John Remakis, marketing manager for Hella North American Aftermarket, announcing the deal. "We believe this new program with TI Automotive will benefit both Hella and TI Automotive."

AUTOMOTIVE SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE FROM GAAS

Students interested in a career in the automotive aftermarket are encouraged to apply for the Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS) scholarships for 2004.

The GAAS scholarship program presented 181 awards in 2003. In the seven years the scholarship has been presented, nearly 700 students have received aid totaling nearly $600,000. The scholarship program is funded from the net proceeds of the Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium.

The scholarships are available to students in two-year technical college programs and vocational schools and four-year college programs. To be eligible for a GAAS scholarship, applicants must be enrolled full-time in a college-level program or a NATEF (National Automotive Technician Education Foundation) accredited automotive technical program. Graduate programs and part-time undergraduate programs do not qualify.

The GAAS scholarship is also unique in that recipients can receive two financial grants: one while in school to assist with tuition and an equivalent grant awarded to scholarship recipients who graduate from their program and show proof of employment as technicians in the automotive aftermarket for at least six months after graduation.

Applications are available from the Web site, www.automotivescholarships.com, or by calling the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association at (919) 549-4800. The deadline for applications is Wednesday, March 31, 2004.

Originally published in the December 2003/January 2004 issue of Automotive Booster Magazine.
Copyright 2003 by KAL Publications Inc.