“White House adviser discusses auto R&D in Michigan - CNBC” plus 4 more

White House adviser discusses auto R&D in Michigan - CNBC
Small Biz Express Launches Automotive Web Design Solutions To Level ... - PR Inside
Stein Named Editor of Automotive News - The Auto Chanel
GKN CEO: Demand In Civil Aerospace Could Be Down 20-30% Next Year - CNN Money
State-mandated expenses - Ithaca Journal

White House adviser discusses auto R&D in Michigan - CNBC

Posted: 03 Aug 2009 03:01 PM PDT

TROY, Mich. - White House energy and climate adviser Carol Browner has told automotive, academic and government leaders near Detroit that fuel efficiency and emissions standards are part of an ongoing commitment to help the industry recover and retool.

Browner was part of a panel discussion Monday in Troy about advanced vehicle research and development in Michigan. Also included was U.S. Rep. Gary Peters.

The Michigan Democrat has sponsored a bill designed to expand advanced technology passenger and commercial vehicle development.

Some panelists talked about raising the federal fuel tax for the first time since 1993. It feeds the U.S. highway trust fund for roads, bridges and other infrastructure projects.

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Small Biz Express Launches Automotive Web Design Solutions To Level ... - PR Inside

Posted: 03 Aug 2009 11:51 PM PDT

2009-08-04 08:43:42 - Small Biz Express (www.SmallBizExpress.com) today launched full-service web solution packages to help independent auto repair shops build a web presence that leverage the power of the Internet to attract new business opportunities in an increasingly challenging economy.

NEW YORK, July 02, 2009 –

Small Business owners are facing unprecedented economic challenges. Discover's Small Business Watch recently reported that small business cash flow problems jumped to their highest level in 2½ years in May. As the leading resource for new service referral information, the Internet poses a tremendous opportunity for independent automotive service business owners. Yet, only

two in five small businesses currently invest in a web presence, while 75% of consumers go online before choosing a service.

"Small Biz Express is launching solutions that help automotive web design alleviate some of the issues faced by smaller automotive service shops," says Small Biz Express co-founder and chief marketing officer, Aditi Gokhale. "Our goal is to transform the use of the Internet by providing these small businesses with full-service packages customized to their needs."

Uniquely customized automotive web design packages provide independent auto service owners with a professional, polished, and affordable package. Features in the automotive web design package include online appointment scheduling with payment capabilities, postings to advertise weekly promotional offers and specials to customers, as well as many other helpful additions. Since most car repair shops obtain customers through word-of-mouth, Small Biz Express has supplied ExpressRefer, which allows the customer to receive a discount offer in return for a referral.

Small Biz Express also provides automotive web services to gain sales leads through advanced search engine optimization and online marketing packages.

Concludes Gokhale: "With no contract requirement, dedicated account managers for each project, and automotive web design packages starting at only $399 for a 10-page website, we aim to become the online arm for small business owners."

About Small Biz Express
Small Biz Express, leading automotive web design, online marketing and seo service provider founded by experienced executives from American Express and Discover, is dedicated to accelerating small business growth online. The company's management team applies best practices gleaned from some of America's best-known marketing companies to help small business owners succeed online. The Small Biz Express mission is to help automotive service provider and small business owners win online – with their belief in freedom, their resourcefulness, and their boundless optimism, these businesses embody the best of America.

Visit the Small Biz Express website: www.SmallBizExpress.com

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Stein Named Editor of Automotive News - The Auto Chanel

Posted: 03 Aug 2009 01:14 PM PDT

DETROIT, Aug. 3, 2009 -- Jason Stein, former publisher of Automotive News Europe, has become editor of Automotive News.

Based in Detroit, Stein, 37, will direct the Automotive News editorial staff of more than 40 reporters and editors around the world.

"Jason is one of the brightest lights of automotive journalism, and he'll help lead Automotive News to even greater prominence in this dramatically changing automotive environment," said Keith Crain, publisher and editor-in-chief. "Our readers are more attached to the news than ever, and Jason has the skills and leadership to serve their evolving needs."

Stein reports to Peter Brown, editorial director and associate publisher. As editor, he replaces David Sedgwick, who recently left Automotive News.

Stein will also continue to lead Automotive News Europe, which, since the closing of the Munich-based print edition in March, continues as a suite of online news products and events with staff in Europe.

A veteran newspaperman, Stein joined Automotive News as a reporter in 2003. He has covered important automotive beats in the United States and Europe.

Stein is Canadian and holds a degree in political science from the University of Western Ontario in London, Ontario.

About Automotive News

Owned by Crain Communications, Automotive News is a news resource for the automotive industry.

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GKN CEO: Demand In Civil Aerospace Could Be Down 20-30% Next Year - CNN Money

Posted: 04 Aug 2009 12:27 AM PDT

LONDON -(Dow Jones)- -U.K. automotive and aerospace components manufacturer GKN PLC (GKN.LN) expects demand for parts from civil airplane makers to fall sharply next year due to the downturn in the industry, but believes it is well- placed to cut costs in response to that fall, Chief Executive Kevin Smith said Tuesday.

Airlines around the world have been cutting or delaying orders of new planes from both Airbus and Boeing Co. (BA) as passenger numbers and cargo volumes have declined.

Smith said GKN could see demand from the civil sector fall 20% to 30% during 2010, but said the company will monitor the situation closely and respond. It already plans to cut 400 jobs from its aerospace unit, and has a large temporary workforce in the unit.

Civil aerospace accounts for about 55% of the unit's sales, with defense accounting for the remaining 45%.

Meanwhile, Smith expects a recovery for its automotive unit later this year, after one of the worst downturns in that industry since World War II. GKN's automotive unit returned to profit in the second quarter and Smith said demand will be flat in the third quarter before improving in the fourth quarter.

-By Steve McGrath , Dow Jones Newswires; 44-207-842-9284; steve.mcgrath@ dowjones.com

 (END) Dow Jones Newswires 08-04-09 0326ET Copyright (c) 2009 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.

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State-mandated expenses - Ithaca Journal

Posted: 03 Aug 2009 11:30 PM PDT

The automotive repair industry should thank the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the automotive manufacturing industry and the New York Legislature for creating an inspection requirement that forces the car owner to spend a lot of extra money for nothing, no need of repair or possible repair on the car, and no improvement in the car's function or even the questionable emission standards.

The case in point is a repeated "440 code" on the computer check. This produces what's called a "failed inspection" for which there is no remedy. I understand there is a loophole to get around this, which costs the car owner at least two more inspections. The law and the "sensors" need to be corrected so that this "440 code" is eliminated.

Another state-mandated expense serving to increase revenue for the state is this 2 percent tax on our electric delivery charge. This wouldn't cause so much resentful if it actually resulted in more efficient and dependable electricity delivery, but the lines are not maintained well and the dependability the last few years has reverted back to the frequent power outages of the 1940s era.

Raymond F. Bennett

Ithaca