Annual Meeting & Board Elections Report
MEMBERS RETURN CLAYSON TO HELM: The association's 66th Annual Meeting on Saturday, November 27, 2004 was a lively affair. Nearly 80 people turned out, determined to set a new course for the Good Ship AARO. When the time came to elect a captain for the coming year, they opted to return 'seasoned experience' to the wheel. Venerable Wally Clayson, who served as president for 14 years (1986-99), was again put in charge. And in the election of Directors to fill five available seats, a 'new again' plus four all-new crew members were added to help 'Captain Wally' steady the vessel.

"I don't really see it that we're on a new course, it was more a matter of us finding our bearings and getting back ON course," commented Clayson. "We were listing, and headed in a direction some of us on (the) board didn't want to go. And it is now obvious that our members didn't want us going there, either," he added.

Of the five directors elected, one of them, Vatché Shahinian was returned following a brief, one-year absence from the AARO board - he'd served as a director since 1996. The Markham shop owner (Teknik Auto Service) said he was deeply disturbed when he learned about the controversy concerning the service information access issue involving prior president Dave Peck, executive director Bill Burkimsher and instructor Glenn McNally.

"I spoke with Bill and Glenn, and some of my trusted friends on the board about what was going down, and didn't like what I was hearing one bit. That's when I decided I'd better toss my hat back into the ring," explained Shahinian.

Four first-time directors were elected along with Shahinian. They are: Walter Copetti (Walter's Advanced Auto Repair, Oshawa); Gerrard De Souza (Gerry & Sons Auto Service, Markham); Fred Emslie (Fred Emslie & Sons Inc., Downsview); and Bill Jackson (Sonic Auto, Burlington).

Completing the second year of a two-year term are Lynda Collins (C. Armstrong Motors Inc., Ottawa); Rudy Graf (Graf Auto Centre, Toronto); Denis Poirier (J & D Auto-Tech Inc., Ottawa); and Randy Skinner (Skinner's Automotive Service, Beaverton).

Following the election of Wally Clayson as president, Andy Eaton (AE Auto Plus Inc., Thornhill), who also had one year remaining on his term, tendered his resignation from the board.

Five other individuals, who had previously declared their candidacy, requested that their names be removed from the ballot for 'Director - new, two-year term'. They were: Robert Anderson (Anderson's Automotive Services, Thornhill); Carlo Sabucco (Sil's Auto Diagnostic Centre, Mississauga); Rex Sarson (Stop "N" Go Services, Burlington); John Sawatsky (M S J Automotive Services Ltd., Windsor); and James Shields (Tommy's Motors, London).

Wally Clayson explained that a vice president will be appointed by the new board at its initial meeting. He expects it will be held in early January. Vacancies - such as the seat made available by Andy Eaton's resignation - are filled at the Board's discretion whenever the need arises, he explained.

"We have plenty of people to draw from. In addition to those who were on the ballot but not elected, eight members submitted applications at the annual meeting asking to be appointed as Industry Advocates," enthused Clayson. "I've asked our editor to publish a report about this pool of talent once everything has been processed. We have to double-check the intentions of a few existing Advocates before doing that," he explained.

During the course of the day's business, eight Resolutions were duly moved and seconded, and were subsequently passed by the voting members in attendance:

Resolution No. 1:  Be it resolved that all acts of the AARO Board of Directors taken at board meetings during the year 2003/04 be hereby ratified by the Members of the association attending this 66th Annual Business Meeting.

Resolution No. 2:  Be it resolved that a vote of thanks is hereby extended to Members and Guest Presenters for their attendance and participation at this 66th Annual Business Meeting of the association.

Resolution No. 3:  Be it resolved that AARO Members hereby express their gratitude to President Dave Peck, and to all Board Members, Industry Advocates and Associates, and Task Force Volunteers for their time and effort on behalf of our association during the 2003-04 year.

Resolution No. 4:  Be it resolved that a message of sincere gratitude is hereby conveyed to John Hiemstra for his past service on the AARO Board of Directors.

Resolution No. 5:  Be it resolved that a special vote of thanks be extended to Gerrard De Souza, Bill Jackson, Ken MacKenzie and Jeff Taylor, the core members of a joint AARO/MTO Task Force, and to fill in participants Don McLaughlin and Carlo Sabucco for their hard work in assisting ministry personnel to update Ontario's Safety Inspection Guidelines for Light-Duty Vehicles.

Resolution No. 6:  Be it resolved that members attending this 66th annual meeting hereby extend our sincere gratitude to instructor/member Glenn McNally for his tireless and determined efforts in helping us seek resolution to the service information access problem facing independent Canadian garage operators.

Resolution No. 7:  Be it resolved that the Members of AARO extend a vote of thanks and appreciation to Bill Burkimsher and his Staff Members Bonnie Black, Diane Freeman, Deborah Grimes, Luanne Ingram, Caroline Martin and Frances Ricci for their dedication and hard work during the 2003-04 year.

Resolution No. 8:  Be it resolved that AARO inform the Provincial Secretary of Ontario that the number of voting AARO Directors at the beginning of the year 2004-05 be fixed at 12 as confirmed by a vote of the membership on this day, November 27, 2004.

The annual meeting was followed by a complimentary buffet luncheon and a seminar at which business management instructor Duane Marino presented his interactive 'Psychology of Success' program. "From what I observed, Duane's seminar was very interactive - I think some budding new relationships might have developed during it," quipped AARO functions coordinator Frances Ricci, laughing.

Ricci said that in spite of the controversy surrounding the annual meeting and elections, many of the attendees returned to the La Vita Banquet Hall in Woodbrige that evening for the AARO Christmas Dinner/Dance. From the feedback received, she feels confident that just about everybody had a good time.

The report that the association's executive director Bill Burkimsher presented at the 2004 Annual Business Meeting follows:

Good morning:

Thank you for attending your Association's 66th Annual Business Meeting.

Borrowing from nautical terms, when the Good Ship AARO was launched in 1938, I'm sure its original pilots knew the seas to be navigated would not always be calm. Such has been the case during this past year. I am certain everyone in this room is well aware of the controversy surrounding the Service Information Access issue.

Controversy is not necessarily a bad thing. Apathy, on the other hand, definitely is. As the old axiom goes, "the world is run by those who show up". Your very presence here today indicates that you fully understand that, and want to help set the Association's course for the coming year. This is a good thing.

My position on the Service Information Access issue has been made very clear, and is a matter of record. I will therefore avoid reiterating my views this morning. Decisions in this regard are now yours to take, and it is your democratic right to make them. As another time-honoured saying goes, "black clouds sometimes have silver linings". I believe there is truth in that, and it is my wish that when everything has been said and done today, your association will emerge the stronger for it.

Moving on, I'd like to express my appreciation to our Board Members and Advocates, Committee Workers and Associates for their time and effort on behalf of AARO during the past year. And I'd be remiss, if not dead in the morning, (just kidding,) should I overlook extending my sincere gratitude to our loyal and hard-working Staff Members. For the benefit of those who might only know them 'as a voice on the telephone', perhaps they will stand and be recognized as I call their names: Bonnie Black … Diane Freeman … Debbie Grimes … Luanne Ingram … Caroline Martin … Frances Ricci.

'Hat's off' also to our Marketing Reps: Kathy Farrell, Diane Freeman, (whose time is split between the office and the field,) Earl Grant, Anna Sabucco, Virgil Scott and Garth Vogan.

The year-to-year status of our association's membership has traditionally been part of my annual report, and here is the current situation:

While prospective new members have not been queuing up at our front door, we have nonetheless continued in the right direction. The total of Voting and Associate Members reported to you a year ago was 837; the number this year has risen to 870 for a net increase of 33 members-in-good-standing. Factor in the Affiliate, Fraternal and Honourary membership classes, and that brings the total AARO membership to 949.

Needless to say that if any of you here this morning can assist our Reps in the recruitment process, your introduction to a prospective new member would help quicken the pace of our growth.

Membership Benefits and Services have also historically been included in my report, so let's look at what's new.

Four new programs were introduced during the year:

Affordable Telecommunications Services from PRIMUS , Canada - Land lines, long distance calls, (including toll free service,) cellular, dial-up and hi-speed Internet access - all are available under the Primus/AARO program at exceptional cost-saving rates. AARO Dollar Points, too!

Direct Line Environmental Services - The program includes interceptor pump outs, waste oil removal, used oil filter collection, plastic bottle removal, anti-freeze removal and parts washer servicing - all at an attractive fee schedule that is exclusive to AARO members. And Direct Line also provides AARO Dollar Point Rewards.

Esso Fleet Card Program -Imperial Oil has qualified AARO members (OAC) for a 2.4 cents per litre discount off the retail posted pump price on fuels sold at over 21,000 Esso retail locations in Canada. For many garage operators, the savings from this program alone will add up to several hundred dollars a year. This has been a very successful addition to our line up of benefit programs - since the initial rush of applications, Esso tell us that AARO members are continuing to sign up at the rate of one member a day.

Buyer Express Credit System - This great program from CitiBank permits AARO members to arrange flexible financing for their customers that is equal to - or superior to - the credit offerings of dealerships and chain stores. The service was only recently launched, and we've already processed participation agreements for more than 50 member shops. Buyer Express has put these members on an equal footing -they will no longer lose those big jobs because they can't match the flexible credit terms offered by their 'big-guy competitors'.

Forgive me for using yet another axiom, but our association's benefit programs prove that there is "strength in numbers". Collectively, the buying clout of you AARO members exceeds that of just about any other automotive business out there. Want the proof? Just consider the low discount rates you pay on your VISA, MasterCard and Interac sales through AARO. Our current 1.70% discount on your credit card sales and the eight cent per debit card transaction are fees that are darn hard to beat.

I wonder if many of you are aware of the annual sales volume generated by AARO members under this program. Hang on to your chairs. Prepare to pat yourselves on the back. Are you ready for this? Over $154 Million per year! Hey, not too shabby for us small Independents, eh. And the good news is that this number will continue to grow. We have just signed a new, four-year agreement with Moneris Solutions to ensure our Members will continue to profit from some of the lowest credit card discount rates on the street.

Thank you for indulging me, this completes my 2004 annual report. And thank you for the privilege of serving as your Association's executive director.

Posted Dec. 1/01

INSURERS HIGH ON SAAB 9-3 AIRBAGS: Yes, they're back in the news again. And since being introduced 'way back when', few parts or components on an automobile have attracted more attention than Inflatable Restraint Systems (IRS), commonly known as airbags. This time it's the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) that's gotten into the act.

Since 1987, airbags have saved nearly 14,000 lives; this comes from no less an authority than the U.S. government, and it's a statistic that's not lost on insurance company underwriters. The underwriters may in fact have influenced a recent spate of crash tests conducted by IIHS. The research prompted high acclaim from them for side-impact airbags in general, and particular praise for the side curtain airbags that come as standard equipment on the Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan.

Though every new car today is equipped with front airbags, the government has not yet required vehicle manufacturers to install bags of the side-impact variety. While automakers do offer side bags as an option, Saab provides them as standard equipment on its 9-3 model, and for good measure they've included driver torso airbags as well. What prompted Saab to do this voluntarily, you ask? That question also crossed our mind, and we gave it some thought.

There is an old Swedish proverb that goes, "What breaks in a moment may take years to mend". Although they are now owned by General Motors (GM), we can't help postulating that it may be Saab's Swedish roots that influenced the decision. Whatever their reason for making side air bags standard equipment on the 9-3 Sport Sedan, its performance in the crash tests certainly impressed IIHS. Their researchers made it their first ever "double best pick" for vehicles with standard equipment.

According to IIHS, side impact crashes can be especially dangerous when cars are struck by SUVs and pickup trucks. In their recent study, the researchers crashed a test barrier to replicate a large SUV or truck slamming into several mid-size cars. As you've likely guessed, the vehicle faring best in those tests turned out to be the Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan. And not just in the simulated side impact crashes; the 9-3 was also a "best pick" in the IIHS frontal offset test, earning it "the double best pick award".

Aside from the wide smiles flashing throughout their marketing division, what was Saab's reaction to the award from IIHS, you inquire? (You AARO members do ask a lot of questions, don't you.) In part, here's what they had to say: Saab credits the unique construction of the 9-3 for its stellar performance in the crash tests. "It's (our) patented pendulum b-pillar that absorbs crash energy away from car occupants - that's what especially helps to protect the occupants," they said.

GM has produced a video in cooperation with IIHS that shows how side airbags save lives: if watching crash test dummies being bounced about doesn't make your stomach queasy, "click" on the video disk animation to view it.

Posted Nov. 24/04

MOTOR TREND'S 'CAR OF THE YEAR' is widely recognized as one of the most coveted awards in the automotive industry. Founded in 1949, the magazine enjoys a circulation of 1.1 million, and a total readership of 7.1 million hard-core car enthusiasts.

This year, MOTOR TREND's editorial staff selected its winner from a robust field of 24 new vehicles. Extensive testing was conducted on everything from sports cars to minivans, all of which were 'truly new or substantially revised' for 2005. The panel's job was to decide which automobile offered exceptional value, superiority in its class, and also represented 'significant development on the new car scene' for 2005. No easy task.

To be in the running for the 2005 MOTOR TREND Car of the Year honours, a vehicle had to be available for public sale by January 1, 2005. The illustrious contenders included the following models: Acura RL, Audi A6, BMW 6 Series, Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac STS, Chevrolet Corvette, Chrysler 300, Dodge Magnum, Ford Five Hundred, Ford Mustang, Honda Accord Hybrid, Honda Odyssey, Kia Amanti, Kia Spectra, Lotus Elise, Mazda 3, Mercedes-Benz SLK, Mercury Montego, Pontiac G6, Porsche 911, Saab 9-2x, Scion tC, Subaru Legacy and Volvo S40/V50.

On November 18 the Chrysler 300 was made the 56th annual winner of MOTOR TREND's Car of the Year award. And in making the announcement, the magazine's editor-in-chief Angus MacKenzie didn't hide his enthusiasm.

"The Chrysler 300 is an extremely compelling combination of power, responsiveness, room and refinement," trilled MacKenzie. "A home run on significance, a slam dunk on value, and clearly superior to its rivals in every way, the Chrysler 300 is truly deserving of the 2005 MOTOR TREND Car of the Year award," he added.

Now, if you've conjured up visions of Mr. MacKenzie and his editorial staff bumping hips with frauleins in a Stuttgart disco, (on a DaimlerChrysler expense account,) perish the thought. For one thing, the Chrysler 300 is U.S.-built. It may offer world class levels of performance, road-holding and refinement, but it is also the first mainstream sedan in decades with bold, expressive and confidently North American styling. What's more, MOTOR TREND recognizes the trust its readers and the automotive industry place in them. MacKenzie says they strive to deliver the most unbiased vehicle evaluation possible, by putting the contending vehicles through a full battery of instrumental tests and hundreds of hours of hands-on assessment.

Each year, the editorial staff at MOTOR TREND evaluates vehicles eligible for their award based on three key categories: Significance, Superiority and Value. Significance refers to impact on the market and looks for mastery and innovation in engineering, technology, design, safety and packaging. Superiority levels the playing field and looks for class-leading levels of performance, style and functionality within its specific competitive set - not among all new vehicles. And finally, the all-important Value question asks, "What does this vehicle deliver in relation to what the (consumer) has to pay to purchase and own it?"

In making the selection, vehicles are taken to task through thousands of miles of on-track and on-street driving, in a wide variety of weather and road conditions to evaluate many factors, including styling and design; fit, finish and materials; engineering and technology; interior; safety; performance; and value. Additional aspects they evaluate include handling, balance, response, predictability, and power delivery.

Okay, we're convinced. Join with us in saying, "Congratulations to you Chrysler, on your award for the 2005 model-year Chrysler 300."

Editor's Note: The complete report on the Car of the Year testing and selection will be published in the January 2005 issue of MOTOR TREND (on newsstands December 2, 2004).

Posted Nov. 23/04

'Best New Mobile Electronics Entertainment Product for 2005'
HIGH ACCLAIM FOR GPS UNIT AT SEMA SHOW: Industry analysts and automotive journalists are usually missing from their desks for a few days at this time of year. Thousands upon thousands of them use the big Specialty Equipment Marketing Association (SEMA) Show as an excuse to flock to Las Vegas. It's an annual pilgrimage -"Try to understand, Sweety... I have to go, it's crucial to my work."

To be fair, the event is an important one for those who earn their keep writing about new automotive accessories and products. SEMA is, in fact, the premier automotive specialty products trade event in the world. And it's huge. The impressive showcase of merchandise and equipment is organized into twelve market-related categories. The iWay 500C Automotive GPS from Lowrance Electronics, Inc. was the 'best of' in one them, an award that influenced this News Brief.

The iWay 500C, which retails for under $1,000, is a versatile, portable, on-dash automotive GPS that uniquely adds MP3 player functions to precision, auto-routing, turn-by-turn navigation with visual and voice prompts.

The SEMA judges named the iWay 500C 'Best New Mobile Electronics Entertainment Product for 2005'. Their decision was based on the following criterion: innovation; technical achievement; quality; workmanship, and consumer appeal. According to the selection committee, Lowrance Electronics' product excelled in each of the rating categories over all other competitive entries and deserved the highest acclaim.

The iWay 500C has a sizable, 5-inch diagonal colour TFT touch-screen display that features Lowrance's proprietary technologies allowing for superb viewing, even in direct sunlight. An internal 20GB hard drive is included, 10GB of which is available for high-detail mapping coverage of Canada, the continental U.S. and Europe. Another 10GB of space is set aside for MP3 music storage. The unit comes complete with a full complement of accessories, including two portable mounting fixtures, power-audio-PC cables and adaptors, a protective cover and special screen cleaning cloth.

"We are thrilled and honoured to receive this award for the iWay 500C, which is yet another example of the leading-edge GPS products recently developed and introduced by our company," said Lowrance Electronics CEO, Darrell Lowrance. "The iWay 500C commenced shipping last month, (October '04,) right on schedule. It's targeted to the large automotive 'turn-by-turn' market, which we believe represents a significant growth opportunity for (us)."

Posted Nov. 16/04

One for the Windshield ... Another for the Dashboard
TWO MORE NEW AUTOMOTIVE PRODUCTS: Fresh from the SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) Show in Las Vegas is the iWay 500C GPS unit. And from Pittsburgh-based PPG Industries comes Aquapel, a glass treatment to help drivers see clearly, even during our harsh Canadian winters.

Given that sleety, snowy driving conditions are just around the corner, (our Nova Scotian bro's have already made the turn,) let's check out the Aquapel product today, and tomorrow take a look at iWay 500C, the SEMA award-winning "Best New Mobile Electronics Entertainment Product for 2005".

To help ensure they'll perform safely over the winter, many shops change the wiper blades on their customers' cars and trucks. Checking that their tires, fluids and batteries will prove equal to frigid driving conditions is another common fall maintenance procedure. But according to Paul Recrosio, Aquapel business manager for PPG Industries, glass treatment on windshields is equally important.

In addition to reducing night glare and causing rain to bead and shed off the glass, Recrosio says, "Aquapel glass treatment also makes it easier to scrape off ice, snow and dirt, which improves winter car care and driving. It's even good in milder climates to help with rain as well as bug and sap removal. One application of Aquapel on a vehicle's windshield, side windows or rear window may last as much as six times longer than other glass-treatment products," he claims.

The folks at PPG boast that a single application of Aquapel - even with wiper use, washing and scraping - should last the entire winter. The treatment forms a chemical bond with glass, preventing it from washing away, and an application can be done in just five minutes, they say.

A University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute study found that a driver's visual acuity can improve as much as 34 percent after a car windshield is coated with glass treatment. The study also found as much as a 25-percent improvement in a driver's response time after windshield treatment, from four seconds to three. At 40 mph, that represents 58 feet - a considerable difference when facing winter's slick, wet driving conditions.

And driver safety is the key feature of Aquapel, observes the product's spokesman. "Being able to clean the windshield faster is helpful, but being able to see clearly - even in harsh weather conditions - is critical," asserts Recrosio.

Pittsburgh-based PPG Industries is another of the global suppliers that now inundate the automotive aftermarket. With manufacturing facilities and equity affiliates in 23 countries, PPG racked up US$8.8 billion in sales of coatings, glass, fiber glass and chemicals last year. Members wanting more information on the glass treatment product can visit their Web site > www.aquapel.com

Editor's Note: Tomorrow we'll preview the SEMA Show award-winning iWay 500C GPS product.

Posted Nov. 15/04

Lube and Air Filter Breakthrough?
NANOFIBER TECHNOLOGY has led to major filtration system improvements in Class 6, 7 and 8 over-the-road commercial vehicles. This according to the technology-driven Donaldson Company Inc., headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota. A boastful claim from another start-up company? Not so. With 30 manufacturing locations and over 10,000 employees, Donaldson views itself as a leading worldwide provider of filtration systems and replacement parts. Hard to argue with them there. And considering that they were founded in 1915, no one can say they're newcomers to the field.

Okay. Donaldson's credentials are established, so let's see what they have to say about their 'Endurance' line of lube and air filters with nanofiber technology. By the way, the target market for these includes vans, beverage trucks, school buses, box trucks, tow trucks, city transports, fuel trucks, cement mixers, heavy construction cabs, refrigerated vans, and more.

The unique nanofiber technology traps sub micron containment below 1 micron in size. (To get a perspective on this, consider that a human hair is 50-80 microns in diameter.) The air filters utilize a sub micron, ultra-fine web that captures these fine contaminants at a very high efficiency level, says AMSOIL INC., the synthetic lubricants and performance filtration products company that has introduced the line of Donaldson Endurance Lube and Air Filters. They contend the cost-saving benefits to be gained from using the air filters is as follows:

• Longer engine life
• Longer filter life
• Extends maintenance intervals
• Twice the distance guarantee

Impressive. And what's the scoop on the lube filters, you ask? Well, maybe you didn't, but we did.

Donaldson Endurance lube filters are made with premium advanced synthetic media that incorporates sub-micron fibers in size, shape and fiber diameter. These also provide significant cost-saving benefits, according to AMSOIL:

• Extended service life
• Superior engine protection
• Improved lubricant flow
• Improved cold starts
• Reduced operating costs

Performance claims are made by the distributors of all sorts of automotive aftermarket parts and products. Some actually measure up to the promotional hoopla, unfortunately many do not. Objective comment about a product's relative merit is therefore desirable, and you Independent installers are often the best source for it.

With this in mind, perhaps some of you are familiar with the Donaldson Endurance filters, and can tell us about them. Use our Letter to the Editor feature to share your experience with the rest of us.

Editor's Note: We did some checking and found that AMSOIL has several Canadian distributors. You'll find them listed on the AUTOGUIDE.NET Web site. Here's a direct link to the AMSOIL pages > http://www.autoguide.net/partsandservices/amsoil.shtml

Posted Nov. 7/04

'Airbag Fraud' - 'Newest Gadgets for 2005 Cars' - 'Jeep Scales Skyscraper'
AUTOMOTIVE NEWS SMORGASBORD (PART TWO):  We continue here with our melange of automotive news snippets. And as you will see, we're still playing it safe. If the airbag scams and new car gadgets don't catch your interest, perhaps the piece about the wall-climbing vehicle will. There's some more realPlayer audio and video clips for you as well. Let's kick (or should we say 'fire') things off with the item on airbags, a subject we've visited before.

Buyer Beware: Quick, name an automotive safety device that is sometimes anything but safe. An easy one, right. Yes, that would be the much maligned and often abused airbag. We first addressed the topic in a News Brief written during the summer of 2000. The concern back then was the risk associated with 'salvaged airbags'. (Ref. News Brief posted July 8/00.)  

On April 8, 2002, AARO director Lynda Collins and her husband George attended a meeting of the Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators (CCMTA) in Ottawa. Recycled and rebuilt airbags were on the agenda that day, and what they heard was a nightmare. Rebuilt air bags that had been in wide distribution were found by CCMTA to be deficient, and capable of causing serious upper-body injuries. But when measured against the actions of some collision repair shops, the Quebec-based firm dealing in the rebuilt airbags seemed guilty of a mere misdemeanor.

"George and I nearly fell out of our chairs at what we heard," said Collins. "A few unscrupulous autobody boys had been caught replacing airbags with green garbage bags, and even pop cans," she gasped.

Add shoes and old rags to the list. As you'll hear when you listen to the realPlayer audio clip, (click the audio button to listen,) these scams associated with airbags just won't go away. According to the Carfax.com company, a recent report found that 1 out of every 25 previously damaged vehicles comes equipped with more than the buyer has bargained for - a faulty airbag. That would be if the compartment contains one to begin with, we guess.

Newest Gadgets for 2005 Cars:  Remember when a car's sole purpose was to get its driver from one place to another? Hey, for many of us that still is a vehicle's main function. But judging by the gadgets we find installed on some of our customers' cars, we're well aware of the unthinkable options the manufacturers have been offering in recent years.

People with a long commute to get to and from their workplaces are given to loading on the extras. Some appear to have more advanced electronics in their cars than they likely have at home. Whether it's the latest DVD players or stereos, vehicle owners are using sound systems to engulf themselves in their favourite movies and songs. (In the driver's case we hope it's only the music.) The sound systems on some cars include more than a dozen speakers.

There's also a wide variety of safety and convenience options available. For instance, adaptive or so-called 'smart' cruise control is now offered. Radar watches the road and actually slows the vehicle down if it gets too close to another that's ahead of it. (Remember when we used to read about this stuff in Popular Science?) Remote starters are now commonplace, but even seats have become more sophisticated. They can warm up by themselves or whip moisture and temperature away from the occupant.

And who says no one caters to the needs of short people? There's a chain of men's wear stores doing just that, and the vehicle manufacturers have come to their aid - not to mention their pocketbooks - as well. Some makes and models now have optional brake and gas pedals that adjust to fit drivers with short legs.

The list of special features that are optional on many cars is indeed growing longer. General Motors has produced a realPlayer video clip about some of these new gadgets and devices - click on the disc to view it.

Automotive Wall-Crawler Climbs New Heights:  So you've got unusual interests when it comes to reading stuff, eh. The five preceding topics in our potpourri of industry news were too routine, you say. Well did you really think we'd let you down? The item we've selected for the sixth and final installment of our Automotive News Smorgasbord is about as bizarre as they come. And we don't play favourites. GM was the source of the prior item; this one comes courtesy of the strange folks at Chrysler.

They claim it was a 'first-ever stunt of its kind', and we certainly won't argue the point: Last Thursday (October 21, 2004) a Jeep Grand Cherokee climbed a 30-story skyscraper at Penn Plaza in New York City. And it didn't quit until it reached its appointed parking space on the roof, said a Chrysler spokesman. Thousands of people witnessed it, he says. (Well, the Yankees blew it, what else did they have to watch?)

"Finding parking in Manhattan could drive you up the wall - literally!" says Chrysler. The point behind the stunt was to showcase their all-new 2005 Grand Cherokee (who'd have guessed?). Driving it up a skyscraper demonstrated its ultimate combination of off-road capability, on-road performance done 'big city' style, they explain.

Okay, wanna see it? Chrysler's off the wall - no, make that 'on-the-wall' - feat has been captured on yet another realPlayer video clip... click the disc to view it!

Posted Oct. 24/04

'Coolest Cars' - 'Steering Clear of Emergency Vehicles' - 'What Women Really Want'
AUTOMOTIVE NEWS SMORGASBORD (PART ONE):  Deciding which industry news items will most interest our members is always a challenge.  Reader surveys head us in the right direction, but it is still necessary to cull through dozens-upon-dozens of media releases to uncover something worthwhile. And even then it's a 'hit and miss' situation, so this time we're playing it safe.

Here follows a mixed-bag of automotive news snippets, some complete with an audio or video clip that's accessible from our Web site. There are six topics in all. We're hopeful that everyone will find at least one article to read and enjoy. Okay, we have to start somewhere, so let's dip into the file ...

Coolest Car of All Time:  Holy cow, that's a mind-bender; let the debating begin. Assuming you were asked to decide, and you could only pick one vehicle, what would your choice be? The folks at Automobile - a magazine that caters to car enthusiasts - tackled this very question. We're not clear as to how they came up with the winner, (subscriber poll?), but it was announced in their October issue.

The absolute coolest car of all-time - ra, ta da, da da... The 1963-67 Chevy Corvette Sting Ray.

And how about you, dear readers. Was the Sting Ray your choice, too? An editor for Automobile makes a pretty strong case for it.

Among the roadsters making the magazine's 'top 10' are Citroens, Jaguars, the Porsche 911, super-charged Duesenbergs and a gull-winged Mercedes. But the 1963-67 Sting Ray topped the list because, as the editor puts it, the Corvette "embodied America's post-war optimism and creativity in a glorious piece of rolling sculpture that is bold, brash, loud, fast, all rolled into a single package." Hmm, wonder why he was so restrained in his praise?

You picked a different vehicle, and feel equally passionate about your choice, you say. Well, why not use the Letters to the Editor feature on our Web site to make your case for it?

Steering Clear of Emergency Vehicles: Those frightening sirens that suddenly invade your space on our roadways usually signal one of two things: you're speeding, or it's an emergency vehicle en route to an accident, a fire or some other tragic event. In either case you're supposed to get out of the intersection (if you're in one) and then stop, or safely pull over. To make a wise decision about that requires one to ascertain where the emergency vehicle is. Easier said than done. This can be quite a challenge - particularly if you're startled out of your wits and unable to discern the direction from which the wail of the siren is coming.

The problem is a far bigger one than many of us are aware. Emergency vehicles are often involved in accidents of their own. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, (NHTSA,) in the U.S. more than 500 people died from accidents involving emergency vehicles in the year 2000 alone, and many more were injured. A new safety system is now being introduced to prevent such accidents.

E-VIEWS involves an emergency vehicle sign designed to keep drivers out of intersections when emergency vehicles are approaching. Transponders inside the emergency vehicles activate these warning signs at intersections, letting drivers know which direction an emergency vehicle is coming from. By showing where they're coming from, drivers won't have to wonder about that anymore - making the roads much safer for all concerned.

Designed and developed by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, E-VIEWS is being brought to market by the giant Siemens AG company. Siemens thinks the technology could also help improve overall communication among law enforcement agencies in times of crisis. They also expect that it will have many more applications such as intelligent transportation systems and for improving 'homeland security'.

"Click the Disc" above to view an interesting realPlayer video clip about E-VIEW's use in helping prevent accidents that involve emergency vehicles.

What Women Really Want:  Come on now, can anyone provide us with the answer to that? Okay, please... no Letters to the Editor concerning the remark, ladies. Honest, we were just teasing. You knew that, right?

Our headline regards 'what women really want' when they have their vehicles serviced and/or repaired. We've been down this road in the past, and the advice we're offering here is basically the same, but it bears repeating. Put simply, more women than men are bringing the family sedan to your shop these days. Way more. And if this is not what you've been experiencing at your garage, it's likely there is something you have noticed - that your customer base is declining.

General Motors has latched on to a new survey from the Car Care Council, and another from ASE - The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence, and are using the survey findings in a 'GM Goodwrench advertorial'. Sorry about the source, but the insights to be gleaned from their audio clip are just as applicable for you as they are for a GM dealership. And as we've said, customer relations advice concerning your female clientele is something you must take to heart and apply at your own auto repair facility.

Click on the Audio Button to hear the Goodwrench realPlayer promo. We suggest you have all staff members who come into contact with your customers listen to it as well.

Editor's Note: There are three more articles in our 'Automotive News Smorgasbord'. Check out 'Part Two' (above).

Posted Oct. 23/04

Dispute Over Handling of Data Access Issue Boils Over
McNALLY DROPS AFFILIATION WITH AARO: In a communication to our association's board of directors late Friday afternoon, October 15, 2004, instructor Glenn McNally said he could no longer work through AARO to correct technical and service information access problems in the Canadian automotive repair aftermarket. His decision to step aside was precipitated by an e-mail he received from AARO president Dave Peck on Thursday morning. Both McNally's and Peck's communications were copied to members of the association's board of directors.

Peck's e-letter was in reply to McNally's request for "clarification of his role" in the quest to resolve the data access issue. Addressed to McNally, with copies to the AARO board, it bore a 'proprietary information caution'. Suffice to say, it contained nothing to indicate Peck had recanted from his prior assertion that McNally's role was that of a "technical adviser".

Relations between the two have been on a downhill slide the last few months. (This should come as no surprise to anyone reading between the lines of the 'Letters to the Editor' and vBulletin message postings on the AARO Web site.) McNally said he has a vision of how to restore access to service data in Canada, but he feels Peck has allowed the Automotive Industries Association (AIA) to block his efforts.

The relationship took a sharp turn for the worse last month. The Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) had contacted AARO in response to the May 19, 2004 letter and background information that McNally had sent to them on the association's behalf. They told AARO executive director Bill Burkimsher that MTO's assistant deputy minister and several of his directors wished to meet with the association and McNally about the data access problem. Burkimsher in turn advised Peck and McNally, and proceeded making the necessary arrangements. McNally, Peck and longtime member Fred Emslie - a 'high-end' shop operator who has already been financially impacted by the service information blockage problem - were to represent AARO.

Burkimsher said he was in the process of setting up the meeting with MTO when Peck called him to say he'd invited Scott Smith of AIA to attend. Directions and meeting details were circulated to all parties involved with Peck, McNally and Emslie identified as the AARO representatives, and Smith properly listed as an 'observer'. According to McNally and Emslie, things did not turn out that way at the meeting. They, in fact, felt they'd been blindsided.

"Scott Smith of AIA was clearly acting as the lead voice in this meeting, and I was left with an impression that there had been some discussions with the government prior to the meeting that I had not been made aware of. It was abundantly clear to me that I was no longer the task force leader for AARO on the data access issue," said McNally. "But that's the lesser concern. There were inconsistencies and inaccuracies in some of the information presented that day which will have negative ramifications for the Independent sector of our industry," he added.

McNally said he wouldn't object to Peck having removed him as the lead voice for AARO if he could see that his AIA replacements were technically competent and fully informed to speak on the data access issue, or if they at least had an effective action plan for dealing with the problem in a timely fashion. But according to McNally, this is obviously not the case. Conversely, they have seriously undermined any effort to rapidly bring solution to the information, tool and equipment access issues in Canada on the emission control systems/power train controls systems issue, he contends.

"AIA has repeatedly contradicted my presentations on the data access issue, and up until recently, openly denied that there was a problem. Now they are to 'lead' the effort? I have attended many meetings with them, but I am left out of committees working on the issue," said McNally. "Why has the AARO president chosen to side with another association, particularly given its dismal performance in moving the issue forward?" he asks.

McNally contends that AIA has been 'dropping the ball' for a long time - ever since the consultation process was underway on the introduction of the Automotive sections of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA). He said he has it on good authority from within Environment Canada that AIA was at an early meeting on the project, but failed to maintain a presence.

"They (AIA) are the self-professed representatives of the Canadian automotive aftermarket, and yet there was no input from them during the stakeholder process on the revisions to CEPA. That was a precious window of opportunity that was missed. They appear more interested in gaining funding for their work on the data access issue than moving forward with it," contends McNally.

Where do members of the AARO board of directors stand on the matter?

Asked about this, Bill Burkimsher said he is embarrassed to admit that he is unable to provide an answer to the question. "The AARO directors will have to speak for themselves, because for the past three or four months I've been left out of the loop. That must seem odd given that I'm the association's executive director, but what can I say - I really don't know where they all stand concerning any of this."

Burkimsher contends that Peck has not consulted him about his actions since early in July. He said it was then that the AARO president assumed full control over all matters related to the data access issue, and he began liaising with paid staff members at AIA. And doing that is more than 'out of the norm'; it is a total contravention of association management convention, says Burkimsher. Volunteer board presidents never side-step their own manager to deal directly with his peers at another association, he claims.

AARO's executive director says it is also highly unusual for the president of a not-for-profit to exempt the senior staff person from his decision-making on the organization's behalf. There has to be teamwork in the process, he says.

Burkimsher thinks Peck has lost sight of an important reality: volunteer board members deal with association matters on a part-time basis, perhaps for 20 hours in a year. Conversely, an organization's paid staff deal with its business 40 or more hours per week, for 52 weeks (less holidays) each year. By-passing staff in the decision-making process is a recipe for problems, if not a complete crisis, he contends.

"Dave seldom informed me about what he was doing, and when he did tell me it was after the fact," said Burkimsher. "The telephone conference he had with MTO two days prior to the meeting he attended with McNally and Emslie is a case in point. They didn't know about that call, and I wasn't aware it had taken place until well after the meeting."

"Were any other AARO board members informed about that conference call? Did any of them approve of keeping McNally, Emslie and me in the dark? I would certainly hope not, but as I've said, I've been left out of the loop, so I just don't know," remarked Burkimsher. "All I know for sure is that this is definitely not the way to run a railroad."

We asked the AARO manager if his frankness concerning Glenn McNally's resignation might be detrimental to the association's good reputation.

"I would prefer for the membership to find out first from us, as opposed to hearing about it on the street," responded Burkimsher.

"I am ashamed for the way Glenn has been treated. Sometimes in life one has to stand up and be counted, and for me this is one of those times. I feel that the dignity of our association has been sacrificed at the altar of the Automotive Industries Association," lamented Burkimsher. "I told Dave Peck 'way back when' we would have to 'agree to disagree' about the direction he was taking the association on this issue. My indignation now that we've lost Glenn McNally as an ally should therefore not be a shock to him."

"Transparency is healthy and the opinions of AARO members and our associates, like Glenn, should never be suppressed. Our members are the stakeholders, and our actions must always be subject to their scrutiny," asserted Burkimsher. "In my opinion, some serious mistakes have been made - and yes, it's an embarrassment - but it would be yet another mistake if we tried to sweep all of this under the rug. Board members and staff alike… all of us have to be accountable for the actions we take in the association's name," he said.

The AARO office has fielded many telephone calls and e-mails from members concerned about the data access issue. They've wanted to know what is going on generally, and precisely what the association's official response is to the concerns Glenn McNally has raised in our vBulletin message forums, in his 'Letters to the Editor', and in the postings he's made to his own Web site.

Bill Burkimsher says the AARO membership has 'a right to know'. The time is overdue for full accountability, and for everyone on the board to disclose exactly where they stand. He said a questionnaire may be sent to establish their involvement, if any, in past decisions taken by the president; and also to poll them as to their respective positions concerning the serious matters raised by Glenn in his letter of resignation.

Posted Oct. 19/04

Scrap Tire Program Looms Into Focus
THE RUBBER IS MEETING THE ROAD:  Regulations lie ahead, and some industry players are crying foul. The Ministry of Environment (MOE) incorporated used tires in Bill 90, the diversified Waste Diversion Act the Ontario government passed in 2002. (Reference January 9/03 News Brief.)

Waste Diversion Ontario (WDO), a 14-member board operating under the auspices of MOE, was challenged to ensure the cost for the "reduction, reuse and recycling of waste" would be absorbed by the industries and businesses generating it. An Industry Funding Organization (IFO) known as the Ontario Tire Stewardship (OTS) was set up last year to create a self-financed waste diversion program for used tires. Chris Stockwell, then Minister of Environment, announced that the stewards for the program would be "the brand owners and first importers" of tires coming into the province. According to many retail tire dealers and scrap tire haulers, this is when the seeds of discontent were sewn.

Linda Foley, who with her husband Mike operates Tri City Services, a Guelph-based scrap tire haulage business, is decidedly unhappy with the recommendations flowing from OTS.

"It came as no surprise (to us) that OTS designated tire retailers as the stewards of the program since they were opposed to the Minister's request in the first place. They developed a plan that releases the brand owners and first importers of all responsibility. With the board made up of mostly brand owners and first importers, other stakeholders were improperly represented during the development of the program," said Foley.

The Scrap Tire Diversion Plan submitted by OTS to Hon. Leona Dombrowsky (the current Minister of Environment) is a detailed and multi-faceted package of recommendations. However, if Ms. Dombrowsky approves it, the essence of the program relative to AARO members who sell tires is as follows:

• You must be registered with the Ontario Tire Stewardship (OTS) to sell tires in the province.
• You will collect a fee (environmental tax) of $4.00 for each passenger/light truck tire you sell.
• You will remit to OTS $3.65 for each tire sold, keeping 0.35 cents as a handling allowance.
• For supporting the plan, your scrap tires will be picked-up free of charge by registered haulers.

The program the OTS is advocating will include a manifest system to track the collection and disposition of scrap tires from your garage to a final accredited processing facility. The objective is to ensure these recycling plants will have a predictable supply of rubber to crumble and develop into marketable by-products, such as those used in the paving of roadways.

And where, you ask, will the millions of dollars of "environmental tax" collected on tire sales go? Good question. Broadly stated in an addendum to Minister Stockwell's March 20, 2003 letter to Waste Diversion Ontario chair Gemma Zecchini, the intended use of the funds will be for:

• Research and development activities to support and increase the effectiveness of used tire diversion;
• activities to develop and promote products that result from the program; and
• educational and public awareness activities to support the program.

Linda Foley, for one, is not impressed: "Over the five-year periods of the Financial Forecast the numbers demonstrate that $46,295,000.00 will be in the hands of the IFO with no clear definition as to where the money will be applied. The cost of this program, with the stewards being the retailers, will trickle down to the consumer," she claims.

Haulers are concerned about how they'll be paid in the scheme of things. OTS advocates that they be paid by the processors, according to scale based on weight and distance, upon proof of delivery to an accredited processor under a manifest system. OTS says it will develop a set of guidelines to govern the procedure. Foley contends that both the haulers and processors feel the haulers should be paid by OTS directly.

"There is a concern over safeguards in the system to ensure that haulers will receive their money on time. We expressed a general consensus that funds should not flow from processors to haulers, but from OTS instead," said Foley. "There may be a problem policing accounts receivable and subsequent cash flow issues for haulers that could crash the system in parts of Ontario," she added.

Interested members can view the OTS Scrap Tire Diversion Proposal in its entirety on their Web site > www.ontariotirestewardship.ca

Minister Dombrowsky advises that when the Used Tire Diversion Plan is submitted for her approval, it will be posted on MOE's Environmental Registry for a minimum period of 30 days for public comment. After carefully reviewing the program and considering all the comments received from the posting, she said she intends to render a decision.

Members take note: Given that the Waste Tire Diversion Program is expected to be in force by early next year, the Environmental Registry posting period will likely be your last opportunity to officially provide comments on it.

Posted Oct. 15/04

BIGGER "VOICE" FOR INDEPENDENTS:  James Burchill (aka 'The Practical Marketeer™) was today appointed as Media/PR spokesperson for AARO. A Burlington resident, Burchill is an internationally published author, speaker, coach and mentor with 19-years of experience as a business and marketing consultant. His face is familiar in the automotive industry as the writer/editor and associate publisher of CASP and Tire News magazines.

"James has been retained to raise our profile with the news media. We've asked him to position AARO as the primary resource for definitive information about Independents and the aftermarket," said the association's executive director, Bill Burkimsher. "I guess we've always been that, but what good is one's credibility if it's a well-kept secret," he added.

Burchill, who will serve as our principle contact for media and public relations, says he has grown quite fond of AARO and its members.

"I am honoured and proud to support such a worthy group of people. It's time the association's message be heard," said Burchill. "After all, J.D. Powers and other official third parties have consistently rated Independents as #1 in customer service and satisfaction. People need to know this."

Raising awareness about us among media and vehicle owners is high on the marketing expert's 'to do' list. He wants them to know 'what AARO is'... that we are an association of retailers, the people who interact directly with the buying public, and to explain how we can help them.

But creating consumer and media awareness about Independents is not the only thing set in Burchill's sight. He also has a bead on the automotive aftermarket, itself. His modus operandi will include informing and educating the various levels within the chain - the OEM's, WD's and Jobbers - about AARO and its role in the marketplace. His objective is to make it known we're specialized, an association of retailers for retailers.

"AARO is just retailers, not a mixed bag of aftermarket companies. And it is far and away the largest organization of Independent automotive service and repair shops in Ontario. I want to get the word out that AARO specializes in the needs, the issues, the content and the facts surrounding this important link between the consumer and the industry," Burchill explained.

James Burchill's public relations strategies for AARO were met with much enthusiasm at a recent meeting of the board of directors. His appointment as the association's Media/PR spokesperson was effective October 1, 2004.

Editor's Note: To learn more about James Burchill, The Practical Marketeer, visit his Web site > www.jamesburchill.com

Posted Oct. 1/04

PLAUDITS FOR TASK FORCE VOLUNTEERS:   Following is commentary from AARO executive director Bill Burkimsher. His remarks were made in Oakville at a dinner held after the association's September 21, 2004 board meeting. The core members of the joint Ontario Ministry of Transportation /AARO Safety Guidelines Updating Task Force had been invited as special guests. MTO project head Andy Soutar, recently retired, turned out on his own time to present them with framed letters of commendation from the Ministry.

Editor's Note: The task force volunteers spent five consecutive Wednesday evenings in March, assisting MTO personnel to update the Ontario government's safety inspection guidelines for light duty vehicles.

"Gerrard and his family have been AARO members for 26.5 years.

In 1983, when we initially self-administered a group health and life insurance plan, and introduced the Auto Pac Employee Benefits Program, the De Souza's were one of the first shops to sign up. I know that because it was me who enrolled them. And they have remained on the program to this very day.

Gerrard's Dad, Gerry was still operating a BP service station on Birchmount Road in Agincourt back then. You may not remember, Gerrard - I had dark brown hair, and you were just 20 years old. How time flies when we're having fun, eh!

'Dad Gerry' served on the AARO board of directors for many years, and their garage - now located in Markham - is the most successful training location for our monthly technical update courses.

The De Souza family represents the very heart and soul of our association. Thanks for rising to the cause once again, Gerrard. Your participation on the Guidelines Updating Task Force was sincerely appreciated."

"Bill and his partner Miro Vrbanic left a Chrysler dealership to establish their own business about three years ago. Upon opening their new shop, one of the first things they did is join with us as members the association. But Jackson and AARO go back much further. Prior to his dealership stint, Bill had worked for many years as immediate past president Rex Sarson's ace technician . And I'm not using the term "ace technician" lightly.

Bill proved his mettle beyond doubt when the Ministry of Environment (MOE) was gearing up for the launch of its Drive Clean program. He was one of an elite few to survive the pilot examination for qualifying as a certified Drive Clean emissions repair technician. Believe me, the test was no 'walk in the park'. So many of the techs who challenged it failed, the ministry was forced to drop the passing grade. They lowered it a full 10 points; from 80 percent all the way down to 70, as I recall. Do I have those numbers right?

Whatever... suffice to say that you really 'know your stuff ', Billy. Your input during the guidelines updating project was invaluable. Thanks a million!"

"KenMac has been member of our association for about 12 years, and as many of you are aware, he is a past member of the AARO board of directors. We have a habit of trying to keep the good guys close. Although he is officially retired from the board, I still find myself appealing to Ken to help us out with one or another of our many projects.

Such was the case with the Guidelines Updating Task Force. When a serious illness forced one of the original, intended participants to withdraw, I asked Ken to be an 11th hour replacement. Ken, being affable Ken, agreed. And that was certainly to the benefit of the group - he was a knowledgeable and active contributor.

KenMac also has a unique talent for lightening things up when the atmosphere in a meeting room becomes a little heavy. He had me muffling chuckles on several occasions, but one in particular stands out: Andy was looking for assistance to get 'the language just right' for one of the regulations, and Ken rose to the challenge, sounding like a seasoned word merchant. "That's it. You've got it. Just perfect," exclaimed Andy.

With that Ken cupped his mouth, turned to Heather Clarke of MTO, and shouted "Oh my God, I'm starting to sound just like one of YOU GUYS!" That was it for me. So much for muffling my chuckles… I nearly fell right out of my chair.

Congratulations, and thank you, Ken."

"What more can one say about a guy who aces the regional finals in the AC Delco's 'Technician of the Millennium Contest', and after accomplishing that, he goes to the States and darn near rolls over the top technicians from all across North America?

I promised Andy Soutar we'd try to assemble some sharp fellows for the updating task force. When Bruce Eccles gave me permission to ask Jeff, and when he graciously agreed to participate, I felt sure AARO would deliver the goods. And believe me, Jeff Taylor lived up to his advance billing… and then some.

That Jeff is technically astute goes without saying. But he is also articulate, and given the nature of the task we undertook, his ability to express himself concisely and clearly served us very well indeed. Moreover, he's about the most pleasant man you could ever hope to meet.

Our sincere gratitude for helping with this important project, Jeff."

Posted Sept. 22/04

MOST POWERFUL V6 PICKUP is Nissan's promise for the all-new 2005 Frontier. Expected at dealership showrooms this December, the automaker says its horsepower and torque ratings will be 'best-in-class'. Better start behaving now if you plan to put one on your Christmas wish list. (Yeah, right!)

The completely redesigned Frontier will come equipped with an available 4.0-litre DOHC 24-valve V6 engine rated at 265 horsepower and 284 lb-ft torque. Oh momma. Both those figures are expected to be the highest ratings for any V6-equipped pickup, mid-size and full-size alike, Nissan says. And we're thinking they're probably correct about that.

"We want to announce the new Frontier's exceptional horsepower and torque ratings now to let mid-size truck buyers know that help is on the way," said Mark McNabb, vice president and general manager, Nissan Division. "Frontier's association with our full-size Titan goes far beyond its styling - it takes the same bold approach to offering new, unexpected levels of power, performance and innovation to buyers tired of the status quo."

The Frontier's hopped up powerplant is derived from the Nissan VQ engine series utilized in its 350Z, Maxima, Altima, Murano and Quest vehicles. Most industry analysts like the 3.5-litre V6 VQ, not the least of whom is Ward's Communications - they've named it to their 'Ten Best Engines' list for each of the last 10 years. The Frontier engine features a longer stroke than the 3.5-litre version, (92.0 mm versus 81.4 mm,) and has been specifically tuned for truck applications, the company says.

In addition to the taller engine block, the engine has been modified to include additional block reinforcements and increased main journal diameter for improved NVH. And just what is that, you ask? Seems it's engineer-speak for 'noise, vibration and harshness control'. (The Old AARO Philosopher said he wished his girlfriend Blanche came equipped with NVH.)

More details for the 'died-in-the-wool motorheads' in our membership:

Nissan points out that like the other engines in its VQ series, the new 4.0-litre version includes Electronic Throttle Control (secondary mapping inclusive in 4L0 - 4x4 models), Continuous Valve Timing Control (intake only), Nissan variable Induction Control System (NICS), Nissan Direct Ignition System (NDIS), silent timing chain, microfinished camshaft and crankshaft surfaces, molybdenum-coated pistons, resin intake manifold, digital knock control system, high capacity muffler, lightweight aluminum block and platinum-tipped spark plugs.

Had enough engine-specs... ready to cry mercy? Okay, just a little about the pickup's styling, and this'll be a wrap:

The all-new Frontier shares the rugged look, and rugged suspension design of its bigger brother, Titan. Frontier also borrows from Titan's spray-in bedliner, bed channel tie-down system and its fully boxed, all-steel frame based on the 'F-Alpha' platform. The new pickup will be offered in King Cab and Crew Cab body styles and in 4x2 and 4x4 driveline configurations.

As with its previous incarnations, the 2005 Frontier will be assembled by the good ol' boys at Nissan's manufacturing facility in Smyrna, Tennessee.

Posted Aug. 30/04

Charity Golf Tournament Kudos and Gratitudos:
"WHO WERE THOSE HOT SHOTS? And what was their score?" asked the golfer, incredulously. His purpose for calling us the morning after the golf tournament was to arrange for picking up the plaques he thought his foursome had won. They'd left early, missing the awards presentations, but he was convinced their score would have been the lowest. When Luanne Ingram told him another group had won 'Best Foursome', he lapsed into a state of disbelief.

"I told the fellow I was at the banquet and could recall their big smiles when the photographer was taking the picture, but that I couldn't remember the winners' names or their score," said Ingram. "I explained that Frances Ricci had the scorecards, but that she was away on holidays, and the conversation went downhill from there. The caller just said 'Oh, really' ... I could hear the skeptism in his tone. Darn that Frances, she's never here for me when I need her," chuckled Ingram.

"Summer vacations do take a toll on our efficiency," said the association's office administrator Debbie Grimes. "By the time Frances was back at her desk, our editor was just starting his holidays. As a result of all this we missed the publication deadline, and the names of our winning golfers didn't make it into the summer edition of The AAROgram. By now, that fellow who called Luanne must feel certain something's fishy," speculated Grimes, smiling.

Okay, it's high time to acknowledge them, and give our winning golfers their fair due:

Best Foursome (low gross): 369 - Harold Huitema, Buzz O'Brien, Scott McIntosh and Paul Cumming of Duff's Auto Service (Whitby)

Low Gross / Men: 75 - Don McLaughlin of Goodturn Ride Centres (Hamilton)

Low Gross / Ladies: 105 - Darlene Barber of Shell Canada (Toronto)

Low Net / Men: 69 - Tom Irwin of Thomas R. Irwin, Consultant (Toronto)

Low Net / Ladies: 71 - Elaine Johnston of Johnston Maintenance Ltd. (Milton)

Longest Drive - Bert Almeida of More Than Tires (Mississauga)

Closest to the Hole - Shael Beckenstein of Beck Automotive (Willowdale) 

As for the tournament itself, it was sold out almost a month in advance and can only be considered to have been a resounding success.

"The day must have been very gratifying for AARO past president Wally Clayson. He puts his heart and soul into organizing the event, and I think this year's was the biggest and best one yet," said Bill Burkimsher, AARO's executive director. "And when the final numbers have been crunched, I won't be surprised if we have a new high mark in funds raised for our charity, the Bloorview MacMillan Centre."

As for Clayson, his only comment was to request that everyone who pitched in to carry the day be thanked for their time and effort. It takes a lot of helping hands to run such a large function. Each year there's an appeal for assistance and it's important that the nice people who answered the call be acknowledged, he asserted. Clayson's highest praise was reserved for Frances Ricci, AARO's training coordinator and functions registrar. "Frances knocks herself out assisting me all through the year, and never complains about the extra workload - she's a truly a princess," he enthused.

Wally Clayson also expressed his heartfelt appreciation to the following nice folks:

The AARO members, staff and associates who worked from morning to dusk, both on the fairways and in the banquet hall: Jerry Douglas, Don Carrington, Martin Stripnieks, Diane Freeman, Debbie Grimes, Luanne Ingram, Caroline Martin, Frances Ricci, Bill Burkimsher and not to be overlooked, Bonnie Black who held down the association offices in the others' absence, and

Dave Peck and Bob Anderson for assisting with the delivery of prizes to the Cardinal Golf Club, and who prior to golfing helped the AAROettes stuff the 'golfers' goody bags', and

for facilitating the contribution of prize table and silent auction merchandise, Rudy Graf, Joel Klein, Don McLaughlin, Carlo Sabucco and John Sawatsky.

AARO thanks you, and the physically challenged children of the Bloorview MacMillan Centre wish to thank you, one and all, for lending a helping hand.

Editor's Note: Please accept our sincere apologies if we've overlooked any ' helpers' who contributed to the success of the 2004 AARO Charity Golf Tournament.

Posted Aug. 27/04

A CAR DESIGNED BY WOMEN, FOR WOMEN was unveiled in New York at the International Auto Show last week. The Volvo YCC (Your Concept Car) is an industry-first, but according to President and CEO Hans-Olov Olsson, the company has a long-standing tradition of listening carefully to what women want. Of all Volvos sold in North America, 54 percent are purchased by females, he points out.

"This (the Volvo YCC) is a fantastic opportunity for us. We can concentrate on the fast-growing group of women customers - without losing the men. Because I'm certain that our male customers will love this concept car," said Olsson.

Marti Barletta, an expert on female consumer patterns, is even more emphatic: "If you meet the expectations of women, you exceed the expectations of men," she asserts. (Mulling that comment over, guys?)

Barletta was herself a member of an all-woman team that made all of the decisions leading to the YCC's development. The conceptual planning was done at a series of workshops hosted by Volvo in the autumn of 2001. The team's expectations were perfectly clear: a free hand to develop a concept car capable of winning the approval of that most demanding Volvo customer of all - the independent female professional.

"We wanted to keep the woman's perspective all the way through," said Olsson. In December of 2002, the project was given a green light. In keeping with their modus operandi, Volvo management appointed three women as the concept car's chief designers. And concern for their guy-engineers' egos notwithstanding, the automaker also called in females to test and assess things during each stage of its development.

With Volvo having given them free rein to design its YCC vehicle, what did the all-woman team put on their wish list? (Having read this far, you were wondering about that, weren't you?) Well it seems these women wanted everything that men want in terms of performance, prestige and style. But they wanted more besides - their priorities were as follows:

• Smart storage solutions
• A car that is easy to get in and out of
• Good visibility
• A car you can personalize
• Minimal maintenance
• A car that is easy to park

The Volvo YCC concept car made its debut last week at the big New York auto show, and from all accounts it attracted a good deal of attention. Some of the ladies who had a hand in its development have provided us with a whole basketful of details about the vehicle. (See below.) Is it more information than you ever wanted or needed to know? You be the judge of that, but let it be known that the AAROettes - all six of them - think the ladies behind the YCC have designed a winner.

Smart storage

Smart storage goes far beyond where to put your handbag - it is a question of what to do with your mobile phone, your keys, your notebook computer, your briefcase, your sports bag for the gym and so many other things we carry in our cars. The best place for keeping all the things you want on hand in the car is between the front seats. But that is where you normally find the gear lever and handbrake.

"So we moved them. In the YCC, there are gear levers by the steering wheel and the parking brake is electronic and integrated. This freed up space for storage in the centre console," says Cindy Charwick, who designed the YCC interior. In the centre console, you find a shallow compartment for keys, mobile phones, coins and other small items. This compartment slides back to reveal a deeper one, big enough for a handbag. Another compartment takes a notebook computer and there is a cool box within reach of the driver's seat too. A wastepaper basket completes the theme of sheer convenience.

"Most of our target group said they carry a bag in the rear seat far more often than passengers. So we decided to design that area primarily for storage but instantly convertible to seats for two passengers whenever needed," says Camilla Palmertz. That is why the rear seats resemble cinema seats - normally folded up out of the way until someone needs them. This frees up large amounts of luggage space in the rear seat, easily accessed through the wide door. Passengers simply lower a seat each as they get in. The YCC is a one-off concept car, a Volvo showcase for sharing bright ideas and solutions with the world. The most popular solutions will be those that stand the best chance of appearing in a future production model. "We chose a gull-wing door with a modest wingspan to help us showcase the YCC's interior solutions," says Elna Holmberg, Technical Project Manager. "And it brought other advantages - it makes it easy to lift a bag in behind the driver's seat and it increases your visibility over your shoulder to the side because the B-pillar has been moved towards the rear. And when the door opens upwards, the drop-down door sill rotates simultaneously, so getting in and out is so much easier."

An easy car to get in and out of

Easy access to the car interior was high on the list of what the target group wanted. The YCC designers were happy to oblige. When the gull-wing door opens, the drop-down sill below it opens down out of the way, so you do not need to climb in over it. The ride height is automatically returned to Hi mode for door opening, a comfortable height for those getting in. For added space, the driver's seat moves back automatically and the steering wheel moves upwards. And the side bolsters on the driver's seat base are lowered out of the way so you can get in more easily, too. If you have a lot to carry, you can make the YCC open the door automatically when you reach it. You simply activate Auto-Open using the key before you pick up your bags, then, when you stand by the rear wheel, the relevant side door will be opened for you. If you go to the back of the car, the tailgate opens instead.

Good visibility

Your actual driving position and line of vision is very important for both safety and comfort in reaching all the controls.

"In the YCC, we have combined ergonomics and line of vision adjustment in our Ergovision system, which we are in the process of patenting," says Elna Holmberg.

This is how it works. Your whole body is scanned at the dealership, then the data on your relative proportions (height, leg length, arm length) is used to define a driving position just for you. This is stored in digital form on your personal key unit. Once you get into the driver's seat and dock your key on the centre console, the seat, steering wheel, pedals, head restraint and seat belt will all be adjusted automatically to suit your build. The result is a recommended fully personalized driving position with the best line of vision for you. If you want to alter the stored position, you can change the settings of the various car components in the system, then store that set of data on your key unit. The system will warn you if your line of vision is wrong by means of the lenticular hologram, which looks like a stylized eye displayed on the A-pillar, between wind-screen and door. The exterior design of the car has also been developed specifically to help the driver see better.

"The hood section has been lowered and the fenders have been deliberately brought into sight. Add to this the fact that the rear window extends right to the extremities of the car and the driver will know exactly where the four corners of the car are," says Anna Rosén, the designer of the YCC exterior.

More choice and flexibility

The YCC gives you all-round flexibility. You can choose the ride height - either Hi, if you like a commanding view of the road, or Lo, for a sportier feel. And you can radically change the look of the car interior whenever you feel like it. There are eight exchangeable seat pad options to choose from, everything from dark brown leather, linen and wool bouclé, to a shimmering yellow-green embroidered seat pad. Each of these has a matching carpet - also easy to swap over - for a whole range of styles inspired by home interior design.

"No need to trade in your car just because you have grown tired of its colour scheme!" says Maria Uggla, the Colour and Trim designer for the YCC.

Minimal maintenance

"We want cars to make life easier for their owners, not complicate things for them," says project manager Eva-Lisa Andersson. So the YCC has made user car care about as easy as it can get.

"The only time I ever open my hood is when I need to fill up with windshield washer fluid," says Tatiana Butovitsch Temm, YCC Communications Manager. "So we asked ourselves whether you should have to open the hood just to do that. We realized that it could just as easily be done from the side of the car." That is why the YCC has two capless ball-valve filling points like those used for racing cars beside the door on the driver's side. One for gas, the other for washer fluid. No fumbling with filler caps or hood latches! With the windshield washer fluid filler outside the car, no hood was needed, at least of the conventional type. Automotive technicians are the only ones who ever need to access the engine, when the time comes for routine service. When service is due, the car automatically notifies a service centre of your choice. (Editor's Note: Let's hope this will include Independent Volvo specialists.) The service centre then suggests an appointment time for you, that you can confirm or reject. The YCC also carries out its own diagnostic checks at regular intervals and notifies your service centre if anything needs attention. This also ensures that any spare parts or materials will be there when they are needed.

"To us, service is more than just mechanical maintenance. By pressing the Car Care button on the control panel, you can also book your car in for valeting, inside and out," says Eva-Lisa Andersson. The car is finished in Easy-Clean paint. This behaves rather like the coating on a non-stick pan - dirt finds it very hard to cling on in the first place and, if it does, it washes off very easily. The interchangeable seat covers and carpets are also washable. The YCC's tires are of the run-flat type. Even after a puncture, the car can be driven to a service centre or a suitable place to stop.

Easy to park

Parallel parking assistance is a function both males and females requested. In the YCC, this is a two-stage system. When you need to park between two other cars, but first want to make sure there will be enough space, you press the parking assistance button once for the space-check function. If the system says yes, you can then select the Autopark function by pressing the same button again. The car helps you with the steering to manoeuvre you into the parking space, but you control the accelerator, brakes and gearshift. Autopark streamlines your parallel parking with flair.

Engine and transmission

The YCC is prepared for a low-emission 215 bhp, five-cylinder PZEV engine with an Integrated Starter-Generator (ISG). This, like other Volvo PZEV engines, complies with the toughest North American emission standards. ISG has several advantages. It prevents unnecessary idling because the engine can be shut off automatically when waiting at places like traffic lights. It comes to life again as soon as the driver presses the accelerator. It also provides extra torque at low revs, which means maximum power right from the start. And the ISG provides a 60 V power supply, giving scope for even greater user convenience. The YCC has a six-speed Powershift gearbox. You can either choose the fully automatic mode, or use the controls on the steering column to change gear. Powershift means that the car in effect has dual wet-clutch transmission technology, ensuring that your gear changes are always at the right revs. This makes for smooth driving and lower fuel consumption.

Editor's Note: The Old AARO Philosopher informs us that the AAROettes have suddenly taken to buying lottery tickets. Seems that when the Volvo YCC goes into production, they all want one.

(Originally Posted April 17/04)