News Briefs
NACE 2000 Set for Dec. 7-10 in Florida
NACE 2000 will be held Dec. 7-10 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla.NACE show management has also announced the dates and places for the next two events. NACE 2001 will be held Nov. 29-Dec. 2 at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nev., and NACE 2002 is scheduled for Nov. 21-24 at McCormick Place in Chicago.
Chicago represents a new location for NACE and will become part of the show's three-city rotation.
It was also announced that NACE 2000 has been chosen by the U.S. Department of Commerce to be part of its International Buyer Program (IBP). NACE is one of only 22 U.S. trade shows chosen to participate based on criteria that includes the show's high export potential, its stature and international interest. "We are extremely proud of this recognition," said David Audrain, NACE show director. NACE has previously been chosen for program participation in 1996, 1997 and 1999 (program guidelines only allow two consecutive years of participation).
NACE 2000 information will be posted on the NACE Web site (currently under construction), located at the site's new address (www.NACEexpo.com).
Consumer Oil Changes Decline
A report released by the Council for Automotive Reliability suggests that private sector passenger car and light truck motor oil consumption declined by 1.3 percent in 1999. The consumption model was based on R.L. Polk vehicle registrations, average crankcase capacities, the average number of annual oil changes, top-off rates and factory fills. Factors driving this change were a 3 percent drop in the average number of oil changes, as well as a 6 percent increase in average annual miles driven between oil changes."While it is obvious that people are changing their oil less frequently, there isn't one specific cause for this trend," said Larry Northrup, the council's executive director. "Rather, we believe there are a number of contributing factors, most related to the general decline in consumer awareness of the need for regular oil changes and other auto maintenance. Confusion between 'normal' and 'severe' service maintenance schedules is also a problem as many 'severe' drivers consider themselves to be 'normal.'"
Northrup predicted that the combination of these factors will have significant impact on the automotive service and motor oil industries, and could also adversely affect long-term vehicle performance and durability.
Compact Performance Car Market Hot
Don't look now, but the hottest segment of the industry is the compact performance car market.According to the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA), this market niche jumped from an estimated $100 million in 1997 to $756 million (at retail level) in 1999, an increase of 152 percent.
The numbers confirm that this is the hottest segment of the market, said Charles R. Blum, SEMA president. "A few years ago, we referred to this dynamic segment as the 'hot rodders of the future.' It's quite obvious the future has arrived."
While the Honda Civic and other imports are still the vehicles of choice in this segment, domestic manufacturers such as Ford with the Focus and Escort, and DaimlerChrysler with the Neon, have helped broaden the market further."
Bumpers Badly Damaged, Even at 5 mph
Even at just 5 mph, the bumpers on some new cars sustain expensive damage, according to a new series of crash tests conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety."Too many of the 1999 and 2000 models tested this time allowed excessive damage in these 5 mph - walking speed - crashes," said Brian O'Neill, the institute's president.
Both front and rear bumpers on 17 new cars were subjected to a flat barrier test. Front bumpers also underwent an angle barrier crash test, and back bumpers were crashed into a pole. The results were mostly disappointing.
Worst performers overall were the 2000 Mazda MPV and the Volvo S80, said the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Total repair bill for the Mazda MPV passenger van was $5,669. The Volvo's total for all four crashes was $8,062. The 2000 Saturn LS survived best, according to the report. The Saturn LS survived all four crashes with a total repair bill of $823.
Crash Test Results Available on Web Site
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) latest crash test results for 2000 model year vehicles are now available on the agency's Web site: http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov.For frontal impact, the Buick LeSabre four-door, Cadillac Deville four-door, Nissan Altima four-door, and Nissan Maxima four-door are rated.
For side impact, the following are rated: Buick LeSabre four-door with side air bag for the torso, Ford Focus four-door, Ford Taurus four-door with side air bag for the torso and head, Mercury Villager van, Subaru Legacy Wagon four-door, Toyota Avalon four-door with side air bag for the torso, Volkswagen Jetta four-door with side air bag for the torso, and Honda Odyssey van.
AutoInc. Magazine ® Vol.XLVIII, May 2000 E-mail: asainfo@asashop.org, Web Site: http://www.asashop.org Copyright © 2000 Automotive Service Association (ASA). All rights reserved.