Different authorities and individuals have expressed warning concerning on the bad effects of automobiles to the environment. Government support plays an integral role in environmental issues, as emissions gain attention on the international political agenda.

Various organizations have also been sounding the alarm about threats to the environment and more support is needed for the programs that address all vehicles on the road. The automotive aftermarket is the key to finding comprehensive solutions to vehicle emissions reductions. Recent vehicles produced nowadays are 37 times cleaner than those produced in 1987, and 12 times cleaner than vehicles from 1993.

Most vehicles on the road are serviced by the automotive aftermarket. An aftermarket product or service is any product or service that a vehicle requires after it is assembled by the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM). The automotive aftermarket is a $16.1 billion industry that directly employs more than 220,000 Canadians. It is made up of companies that manufacture, distribute and install automotive replacement parts, accessories, tools and equipment.

Controlling chemical pollution is not simply a problem for local authorities. The Kyoto Protocol challenges countries to stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere. The recent G8 summit in Heiligendamm, Germany was another milestone for political commitment to reducing emissions around the world.

In Canada, 13 percent of total greenhouse gas emissions and 10 percent of smog-causing emissions still come from passenger vehicles. Early results from Car Check Events show a net failure of 79 percent for vehicles inspected which suggest that the majority of Canadian vehicles on the road today require servicing. Of the vehicles inspected, 14 percent had under-inflated tires. In addition to severe safety implications, this is a concern for the environment. Improper inflation can cause 15 percent more gas to burn because the engine has to work harder. Higher fuel consumption means more greenhouse gas and smog emissions. Similarly, wheels that are not properly aligned also rob energy. Properly maintained tires last longer, lessening the volume of scrap tires for disposal. Another significant finding was that 11 percent of the vehicles inspected had dirty air filters. Replacing clogged filters could provide better gas mileage by as much as 10 percent. When an air filter clogs with dirt, dust and bugs, the engine must work harder and the vehicle becomes less fuel efficient.

Car Care Month is scheduled every month of May and Car Care Canada promoted the environmental benefits of vehicle maintenance. Kelly Williams and Jean-Francois Veilleux, race car drivers and BCCA spokespeople, toured the country hosting industry presentations, media interviews and free Consumer Car Check Events.

Car Care Canada, with support from the automotive aftermarket, launched the Canadian Be Car Care Aware (BCCA) consumer education campaign in 2004. It promotes regular vehicle care, maintenance and repair. The campaign’s goal is to build awareness and knowledge and prepare consumers to make sensible decisions about vehicle maintenance. The program focuses on dependability and safety, enhancing and maintaining vehicle value, and protecting the environment. BCCA gives vehicle-owners a chance to speak with technicians about repairs and services in a no-pressure environment, and learn more about maintenance.

The tips and different car instructions can be accessed through www.carcarecanada.ca, Be Car Care Aware’s official website. Vehicle-owners will get information about the various parts of their cars, and gain a better understanding of potential problems. A shop finder tool lists independent repair and service facilities for those participating in the program.

An endorsement was given by American Car Care Centers (ACCC) to Aftersoft Network N.A., Inc. for its network of 1,000 independent tire dealers. This support enables the VAST POS system to become an official resource to ACCC members, which can be purchased by members through a special pricing arrangement. AfterSoft Network N.A., Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Aftersoft Group, Inc. and a provider of software to the automotive aftermarket.

There are over 2,500 locations in the US that use the VAST POS system. Major independent tire dealers like Monro/ Mr. Tire, Sullivan Tire, Tire One Group, and over 200 Goodyear independents, as well as auto service chains including Midas, Meineke, Tuffy and CarX also apply VAST POS system.

The VAST system has been installed at 35 ACCC dealer locations. According to Bill Jarvis, owner of Midwest Tire and an ACCC 4 location dealer in Indiana, they chose VAST over other POS systems because of its ability to handle both tires and automotive service in one system. Of all of the systems they looked at, the VAST system was the only system that integrated electronic parts and tire ordering, labor estimating and automatic service interval quotes, while providing all the tools necessary to help sell the right tires.

“We are extremely pleased to be able to put this relationship together. Through VAST’s range of functionality for single and multi-location dealers we believe that the VAST Point of Sale system can potentially help our dealers become more profitable and efficient. We are pleased that VAST has the ability to electronically connect our members to their tire and parts suppliers for electronic ordering.”, Dave Crawford, ACCC’s Director of Marketing affirmed.

American Car Care Centers is the largest marketing group in the tire industry with over 1,100 locations in 44 states. It is headquartered in Memphis Tennessee and was established in 1989. The business offers its dealers marketing, training, purchasing and overall support programs to improve their efforts in the market.

AfterSoft Network N.A., Inc. is a software product provider which serves both the automotive aftermarket retail and wholesale business segments covering hard parts, tires, electrical rebuilding and body panels. It provides capabilities to help companies build and maintain their own secure supply chain solutions since AfterSoft Network N.A., Inc. has a wide collection of modern supply chain and business management solutions, ranging from warehouse distribution, jobber store POS and operations, tire and auto service, and ecommerce applications. Other products include industry specific point-of-sale, inventory control and accounting. It also includes a comprehensive ecommerce suite to connect partners within the supply chain through its connected application products. AfterSoft Network N.A., Inc. allows for real time communications between all levels in the automotive aftermarket supply chain.

AfterSoft Group, Inc. is a supplier of ERP supply chain management solutions to automotive parts manufacturers, distributors and retailers. It provides the automotive aftermarket with a combination of business management systems, information products, and online services that combine to deliver benefits for all parties involved in the timely repair of a vehicle.

A Lehman Brothers CEO Energy/Power Conference will be held this September. Dresser-Rand will make a presentation on September 6, 2007. Vincent R. Volpe, Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer will also participate in the conference.

The Company’s presentation will be aired live over the Internet. A replay audio webcast will also be available. The audio of the conference session and presentation slides will be accessible through a link on Dresser- Rand’s official website, located at www.dresser-rand.com, and is scheduled to start at 7:45 a.m. Eastern Time.

For more than a century, Dresser-Rand has been among the largest global suppliers of rotating equipment solutions to the worldwide oil, gas, petrochemical, and process industries. The Company also designs, manufactures and supplies a wide range of technologically advanced and field-proven centrifugal and reciprocating compressors, steam turbines, expanders, gas turbine packages, multiphase turbine separators, portable ventilators, control systems and aftermarket parts. Dresser-Rand is positioned to deliver a complete package of solutions, from initial concept to equipment retirement for the worldwide oil and gas, chemical, petrochemical, and process industries.

Dresser-Rand succeeds to meet these expectations by adding superior value in every phase of its business – from project development to life cycle support – through advanced technology, experienced workforce, and unsurpassed expertise in manufacturing. Because of innovative ways of the Company, leaders in the energy industry expect Dresser-Rand to meet their compression and other energy conversion needs with timely, cost-effective solutions.

The Company operates manufacturing facilities in the United States, France, Germany, Norway, and India and maintains a network of 26 service and support centers covering 140 countries.

Joy Global Inc., a mining equipment company, declares earnings for the third quarter. The company’s shares go down at about 1.3 percent and closed at $47.73 on Monday.

The Company was upgraded by David A. Bleustein from “Neutral” to “Buy”. Bleustein also cites expectations of growth in aftermarket sales and higher coal prices.

“We believe the combination of unfavorable weather conditions and reduced natural gas prices has contributed to an increase in coal inventories and a commensurate decline in coal prices. Over the balance of the year, we believe the combination of normal demand growth and reduced coal production levels is likely to reduce or eliminate the excess coal inventories that contributed to the recent weakness in coal spot prices.”, Bleustein said.

There are key developments and analyst opinion with regards to the earnings of Joy Global Inc. The results of the Milwaukee-based Company are tied heavily to the ups and downs of the coal market. Analysts polled by Thomson Financial expect a profit of 70 cents per share on $662.4 million in revenue.

In July, the company cut its fiscal-year guidance, saying it expected the second half of the year to be impacted by continued weakness in the U.S. coal market and certain operational factors. Joy Global said at the time that it’s been most impacted by the lack of demand for parts and aftermarket services in Central Appalachia which is historically the company’s largest U.S. underground market segment.

Additional factors which are expected to carry the third- and fourth-quarter and fiscal-year results include production and delivery delays, and a liability relating to a roof support system sold in China.

Five companies have been approved for Job Creation Tax Credits by the Ohio Tax Credit Authority. This was announced by Lieutenant Governor Lee Fisher. According to him, “To drive the long term competitiveness of our state, we are focusing on what businesses have told us they need to stay on top in a global economy. The partnerships we’re forming today with these five companies, and many others daily, are key to building upon our successes in each community across the State and enhancing opportunities for Ohioans.” Governor Fisher also serves as the Director of the Ohio Department of Development.

The Job Creation Tax Credit is a refundable tax credit against the business corporate franchise or income tax. The five companies granted by this were involved in business location or expansion projects that, if situated in Ohio, are likely to contribute more than $110 million to Ohio’s economy, create 228 positions, and retain 85 positions for Ohioans. The spread of projects became a big factor in the approval of tax credit with the businesses, to wit:

- ZincOx Resources plc. (ZincOx), to be located in York Township (Fulton County). It is a British company formed in 1997 with the principal activity of reevaluating and exploring mineral resources, and has carried out successful metallurgical research into the treatment of primary zinc oxide deposits that has enabled the company to develop a strategy for the recovery of zinc from secondary and waste materials. It has been awarded a 45 percent tax credit for a ten-year term to establish a new facility. The value of the tax credit is estimated at $192,100 over the term, and the company would be required to maintain operations at the project site for 20 years.

- Freeman Schwabe Machinery (FSM), to be located in Union Township (Clermont County). This business has been awarded a 40 percent tax credit for a five-year term to establish its first Ohio facility. The value of the tax credit is estimated at $118,864 over the term, and the company needs to maintain operations at the project site for 10 years.

- North American Bus Industries, Inc. (North American Bus), located in Delaware (Delaware County). North American Bus was founded in 1992. This industry designs, manufactures, assembles, and sells transit buses under the brand names of NABI, Optima, and Blue Bird. The company also owns and operates an aftermarket parts division located in the City of Delaware that supplies aftermarket parts for the products not only manufactured by North American Bus but also other bus manufacturers. It has been awarded a 45 percent tax credit for a seven-year term to expand its headquarters and national bus parts distribution facility. The value of the tax credit is estimated at $148,789 over the term, and the company would be required to maintain operations at the project site for 14 years.

- American Stone Corporation DBA Cleveland Quarries (American Stone), to be located in Vermillion (Erie County). This has been awarded a 45 percent tax credit for a seven-year term to establish a new quarrying facility. The value of the tax credit is estimated at $125,430 over the term, and the company would be required to maintain operations at the project site for 14 years. American Stone’s main business is the quarrying and fabricating of sandstone.

- Artco Group International, Inc. (Artco), to be located in the Village of Hannibal (Monroe County). This business has been awarded a 40 percent tax credit for a seven-year term to establish a new facility. The value of the tax credit is estimated at $124,224 over the term, and the company would be required to maintain operations at the project site for 14 years.

Market research has shown that majority of Hyundai owners are content with the core features of their Hyundai vehicles. The brand’s existing consumers are the type to focus more on the function, rather than on the customization process that is the trend nowadays for most car brands.

As it is, this kind of setup sells relatively well, with Hyundai sales increasing to 10.8 percent this year.

Nevertheless, Hyundai Canada’s Vice President of Sales and Marketing John Vernile still organized for Hyundai to be involved in the customizing business. A self-confessed car aficionado himself, Vernile wants to broaden and strengthen Hyundai’s market base by connecting with young enthusiasts.

“We want to create some excitement with the brand, something that gets the blood pumping.”

And with that opening salvo, Hyundai Canada worked its way on providing aftermarket selections for its valued clientele. To date, Hyundai has recently launched its auto parts campaign, wherein Hyundai consumers can now go to their respective Hyundai dealers and choose from a wide array of goodies and accessories. Not only are these aftermarket products guaranteed to have been sourced from major suppliers, said parts are also enhanced with available dealer installation and a Hyundai-backed warranty.

Qualitor, Inc., a leading producer and distributor of aftermarket parts for the automotive and medium to heavy-truck vehicles, has chosen Charles Tornabene to be the new chief for Pylon Manufacturing.

Pylon Manufacturing Corporation, an ISO 9001-certified division of the Qualitor family of automotive companies, is a successful automotive aftermarket supplier that focuses its specialty on the engineering and marketing of wiper blades and tire care products. Relatively, Pylon had to undergo some considerable regrouping upon the departure of then President David Peace as the latter moves into Wells Manufacturing to become its new Chief Executive Officer. And so, after careful deliberation, the Qualitor group finally finds the right man for the job in the form of Tornabene.

In reference to his impressive professional background, Charles A. Tornabene comes into Pylon from an exceptional stint as President of Simoniz USA, Inc. He can be considered as the brains behind the triumphant reintroduction of Simoniz automotive appearance products to the industry. Prior to Simoniz, Tornabene also enjoyed 19 years with Turtle Wax, Inc., the final eleven years serving as its President and Chief Operations Officer. Other notable history of experience includes Sales and Marketing positions with Texise Chemicals (now called Dow Chemical) and the Campbell Soup Company.

As comment to this new addition, Qualitor CEO Dick Snell is pleased to announce: “We are excited to have an executive of Chuck’s experience and market knowledge join Pylon. Chuck is a natural leader with an unmatched depth of experience in very similar categories. I am confident that he will accelerate the already high-growth of Michelin Wiper Blades and automotive appearance products.”

CSK Auto Corporation, one of the most prevalent automotive parts and accessories retailer in the United States, has chosen Informatica Corporation as its exclusive provider of data integration software.

CSK Auto has opted for the Informatica PowerCenter 8 Advanced Edition and Powerexchange platforms to improve operational management of its store operations, aftermarket merchandises, and parts supply chain systems.

With the main objective of improving product organization for better consumer service and operational effectiveness, the company will be utilizing Informatica technology in the forms of Informatica Data Quality (IDQ) and Informatica Data Cleansing & Matching (DC&M). Moreover, CSK Auto will also be employing the PowerExchange Change Data Capture (PCDD) program to transfer data feeds from its existing IBM data sources into a more proficient database warehouse. This new system would ensure that updated information are readily converted and broadcasted in the data source.

According to CSK Auto, Informatica was the final choice of the company among numerous other vendors due to its platform-neutral programmings. With this, the company is guaranteed to not be restricted into using any specific application procedure. It also served as quite a helpful aspect that Informatica has a stable reputation in providing exceptional clientele servicing.

Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide has duly announced that its Tecstar Automotive division has successfully forged an alliance with Force Protection, Inc. The contract agreement revolves on Tecstar Automotive providing engineering design and production assistance for Force Protection’s Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) Cheetah vehicle fleet. This is in line with Force Protection’s recent acquisition of a 430,000 square foot facility in North Carolina to serve as its expansion arena for the organization’s existing and future products, including the infamous Cheetah model.

Tecstar Automotive’s specific tasks in this affiliation include manufacturing and engineering support to develop the new Force Protection plant layout, procurement of the necessary equipments and tools, workforce hiring and training, organization of the assembly line set-up, and management of the enhanced production for the Cheetah vehicle line.

Quantum President and CEO, Alan Niedzwiecki, acknowledges this partnership: “We are pleased to continue supporting Force Protection, Inc. in producing its advanced ballistic- and blast-protected vehicles, which have protected and saved the lives of our armed forces and security personnel overseas.”

“We look forward to applying our fast-to-market, limited volume production expertise to assist in ramping up the production and deployment of these critically-needed vehicles.”

A Quantum Backgrounder:
Quantum is a fully integrated alternative energy corporation. It has practiced such specialty in the industry through powertrain engineering, system integration, and the manufacturing of packaged fuel systems and accessories for various vehicles. Specifically, Quantum enjoys thorough expertise for both OEM and aftermarket parts in reference to the following: fuel cells, alternative fuels, hydrogen refueling, hybrids, mid-cycle product enhancements, enhanced body stylings, superior performing engines, and drivetrains. Moreover, Quantum is into the designing and producing hybrid and fuel cell vehicles. And with the assistance of its partner company, Advanced Lithium Power, Quantum also has a specialty in manufacturing advanced lithium-ion batteries.

To date, with its supreme technological proficiency, Quantum has acquired product affiliations with the likes of General Motors, AM General and Sumitomo.

Quantum’s extensive customer base includes General Motors, Ford, DaimlerChrysler, Toyota, Opel, Hyundai, Suzuki, SunLine, Yamaha, AeroVironment, and the U.S. Army.

Car customization is turning out to be one huge business in the automotive industry. According to the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA), 2006 gave witness to a collective 7,000 retailers of aftermarket parts and accessories in garnering the total sales worth $36.7 Billion.

SEMA Vice President Peter MacGillivray further noted: “The interest in aftermarket avenues has been growing at the rate of 7 percent a year for the past ten years. For a lot of people, their car is a reflection of their passion. It’s their life.”

Mike Yagger, owner of Mid America Motorworks and author of “The Corvette Bible” book, affirms that a number of people can surprisingly spend about $100,000 to $150,000 to accentuate, enhance, or redesign a car.

Yager and MacGillivray points to the baby boomers for establishing this customized car fascination. Both concur that as most people from this said generation has more or less established themselves financially, they are now able to afford the cars they have always wanted, and they’re very much willing to shell out on the cost.