Gold Ferrari? Nah....

I came across this image of a gold Ferrari and didn't think very much of the colour.

Don't know what the history of it is but the colour doesn't do anything for me and looks a bit like something you would see in a bad porn-flick or an Austin Powers movie.

Ferrari's are red, black and maybe yellow but not gold...



There are a couple of other pics of it here.

Any ideas?

I don't know where this picture comes from and who would possibly think of this for their Bentley but it's definately something different!

Any ideas of what the history of this photo is and where it comes from?

Spies Hecker products approved by Ford

Top quality and efficiency are all-important when repairing damaged paintwork. Only quick, efficiently performed and high-value refinishes make the grade in the long run. This is why the Ford is now extending its many years of successful cooperation with Spies Hecker.

What this means in detail is that, from now on, also the Ford dealers in over 30 countries in the regions of Eastern Europe, North Africa and in the Near and Middle East will have the choice of using Spies Hecker product systems for the repair of damaged vehicles. As a preferred partner, Spies Hecker will be supporting service workshops and dealers with practical training and individual consultations on specialized, technical and business management issues. The Ford partners will benefit particularly from personal service by Spies Hecker locally.

“We’re delighted that we can now build on our successful cooperation with Ford in Western Europe. We’re happy to take up the challenge,” stresses Spies Hecker Brand Manager Thomas Melzer. “Armed with our high-grade products and professional training, we’re convinced that we can help to optimize accident repairs on Ford vehicles.”

Solutions for Ford – at Spies Hecker this means all-round support for greater efficiency and quality.

Spies Hecker - Efficient and truck vans

Competent service and efficient products – the Permafleet product system offers painters of commercial and special-purpose vehicles cost-effective solutions for all conceivable needs. Buses, coaches, trucks, box bodies, construction vehicles and tank trucks – commercial vehicles come in all shapes and sizes, and how the paint finish has to perform varies accordingly.

Different substrates such as aluminium, steel and plastic and different applications call for special product properties: Elasticity, non-slip characteristics and resistance to wear, chemicals, climatic effects and mechanical stressing, to name but a few.“Permafleet is more than just a paint system,” says Arno Steyns, Spies Hecker commercial vehicle specialist. “In addition to the balanced paints designed optimally for large surfaces, we support our customers with technical solutions, practical working aids and an extensive range of accessories.”

Technical data sheets and system posters give a rapid guide to the purposes, mixing and application of the paint system and ensure greater process security in the workshop. Individual support.

The Permafleet products meet the highest quality standards, and can be used for anything from customized original paintwork and repairs through to multicolour finishes. They score with rapid throughput and brief vehicle immobilization and adapt flexibly to the needs of the bodyshop. Professional advice is accorded top priority.

Arno Steyns explains: “Together with the bodyshop, we devise special paint system recommendations and optimize work processes in order to boost efficiency during application. We want commercial vehicles to stay on the road. Time laid-up in the bodyshop is costly for the owner.”“The range of services is rounded off with specialized seminars and practical training.” Arno Steyns adds. This way the business is perfectly equipped for trucks and vans.Another benefit is the possibility of branching out into new lines of business.

The Permafleet commercial vehicle system is compatible with the Permaflex product system for industrial coating and permits the painting of virtually any substrate with an abundance of possible effects.

Standowin - Modular, easy-to-use, precise results

The latest Standowin update from Standox features new practical aids that give refinishers even more support in their search for the right color. Combined with Genius, the handy Standox photospectrometer, the software detects even the smallest deviations from the original color and immediately provides a corrected formulation for the repair.

A dedicated database stores formulations generated by Genius under the customer’s name or reference for easy retrieval in future. Also it is now possible to operate Standowin using a touch screen. Before direct access to the formulations required operators to enter details such as the vehicle maker, model and color code via the PC keyboard. The 2/2009 update comes complete with a second CD, which contains the latest Technical Data Sheets and Safety Data Sheets with up-to-date information on the Standox standard range. The data is available in over 20 languages and reflects the latest legislation.

Standowin is highly adaptable, offering innovative solutions for the best refinishing processes and providing assistance in organisation and administration. Thanks to the modular structure, the functions can be used individually, in part or in their entirety. Every bodyshop can install and use Standowin as required. More complex modules require activation by Standox. This activation is free of charge and comes complete with an introduction to the different modules and their possible uses.

PPG introduces Audioguard Acoustical Coating

PPG Commercial Coatings has introduced Audioguard®, a waterborne, spray-applied coating that provides vibration dampening and reduces vehicle noise. Recipient of the prestigious PACE Award for Supplier Product and Process Innovation, Audioguard offers commercial OEM body builders a superior solution for structural vibration and noise reduction in cabs, under hoods, inside wheel wells and on interior panels.

“Audioguard is made of a proprietary combination of laminar, fiber and resin that hardens into a tough coating material,” says Dave Chapman, marketing director, PPG Commercial Coatings. “Because it’s waterborne, it’s a zero-VOC product and a very ecologically sound way to address vehicle noise and vibration issues.”

According to Chapman, Audioguard is particularly suited for fire and emergency equipment applications, as it reduces siren and road noise and provides patients and EMTs with a lower-decibel interior environment. It is also effective in numerous other noise and vibration reduction applications. Audioguard can be applied by spraying onto exposed surfaces and into restricted areas by spray wands.

Audioguard features:

* Superior sound and vibration dampening
* One-component waterborne product
* A zero-VOC and non-HAP coating
* Air dry or heat curable
* Chip, crack and mar resistant
* Thermal insulating properties
* A high performance-to-price ratio
* OEM automotive approved
* Allows OEMs to meet passenger compartment noise abatement requirements

New edition of ISO/TS 16949 quality specification for automotive industry supply chain

ISO has just published a new edition of ISO/TS 16949:2009, which specifies quality system requirements for suppliers in the automotive sector.

ISO/TS 16949:2009, Quality management systems – Particular requirements for the application of ISO 9001:2008 for automotive production and relevant service part organizations, replaces the 2002 edition which has been used by the major automotive manufacturers to approve more than 35 000 organizations worldwide that produce and supply parts for the sector.

The review of ISO/TS 16949:2002 resulting in the 2009 edition was carried out by the International Automotive Task Force (IATF) and ISO technical committee ISO/TC 176, Quality management and quality assurance. The generalized implementation of ISO/TS 16949 quality management systems by automotive suppliers is seen as an opportunity to improve quality while reducing costs.

ISO Secretary-General Rob Steele commented: "With the global nature of the automotive industry quality management systems based on ISO/TS 16949:2009 throughout the supply chain will serve to streamline operations, and thus help organizations cut costs while improving efficiency. The publication of ISO/TS 16949 will assist the sector and to reassure consumers and ensure significant benefits for automotive suppliers amid the challenges facing the industry."

The new document aims at the development of a quality management system that provides for continual improvement, emphasizing defect prevention and the reduction of variation and waste in the supply chain. Incorporating the requirements of ISO 9001:2008, ISO/TS 16949:2009 also includes detailed, sector-specific requirements for employee competence, awareness and training, design and development, production and service provision, control of monitoring and measuring devices, and measurement, analysis and improvement.

Joe Bransky, a member of the International Automotive Task Force (IATF) comments: “In today's lean manufacturing environment, huge contingency stocks of inventory have given way to just-in-time logistics and delivery. The foundation of certainty that ISO/TS 16949:2009 provides in terms of improved productivity, quality, and delivery in the supply-chain, is probably more essential than ever.”

The 2009 edition results from the amendment of ISO/TS 16949:2002 to ensure its compatibility with the requirements of ISO 9001:2008, Quality management systems – Requirements. There are no essential changes to the technical requirements. The modifications relate mainly to the management requirements in the document to reflect the content of ISO 9001:2008, and those that are intended to improve consistency with the environmental management system standard, ISO 14001:2004.

Up to the end of December 2008, at least 39,300 ISO/TS 16949:2002 certificates had been issued in 81 countries and economies. This represents a 12 % increase over 2007.

The IATF has set a transition period of 120 days from date of publication of the new edition – 15 June – for organizations to comply with the standard's requirements. The details of the plan are given in a communiqué by the IATF Oversight Certification Body (www.iatfglobaloversight.org).

Subaru - hatchback

The Subaru Impreza hatchback didn't really grab me when it first came out - I still prefer the older sedan style.

However I've been seeing a couple of them on the roads recently and they seem to have something about them which is quite eye-catching .... and they're damn fast!

Dunno - let me know what you think of them?

Historical colour database for Porsche now complete

The world’s biggest colour library by Glasurit continues to grow. And yet it is not the present-day automobile colours used by manufacturers that are household names all over the world that the refinish paint manufacturer stores in its database. Glasurit also collects the original colours of cars belonging to long-forgotten times. This historical collection is of great interest to bodyshops and to classic car aficionados alike. A first announcement of success: with its comprehensive collection of Porsche colours covering the period from 1950 until today, Glasurit has now, for the first time, documented nearly 100% of a car manufacturer’s colours.

The Porsche chronology in Glasurit’s colour database starts in 1950 with the 356 model – the first model to have been mass-produced by this exclusive sports car manufacturer. Glasurit’s colour experts have determined the colours of all models that came onto the market after that. With enormously painstaking attention to detail more than 1,050 sports car colours have thus been compiled.

Adriablau (Adriatic Blue), Azurblau (Azure), Elfenbein (Ivory), Erdbeerrot (Strawberry Red), and Schwarz (Black) – these were the names of the Porsche 356 colours in those days. The exact hue behind the name is something experienced spraypainters can now find out in Glasurit’s database on the Internet. Here is stored the exact mixing formula for the colour in question – which thus makes it possible to mix the original colour using the Glasurit 90 Line waterborne paint system.

Of course, Glasurit is continuing with its work on the colour database by entering the latest Porsche colours and those of all other major manufacturers. But it is also continuing with its detective work in the field of historic colours, partly with the support of the car manufacturers and brand clubs. For the historical colour library is the centrepiece of Glasurit Classic Car Colors. With this Internet service Glasurit helps classic car aficionados all over the world to pursue their passion – the faithful restoration of vintage cars in keeping with the original models.

www.glasurit.com

Audi A3

The Audi A3 has been steadily growing on me as a hatchback. I reckon there are some very nice things that you can do to them to get eye-catching - "in-your-face design".... Almost tempted to get one.

Check out this pic from the Autostyle website of some of the things they are able to do with the newer shape Audi A3... Not bad at all.

Car styling and modifications

There are many different car styling modifications that you can make to a car. They are generally used to make it go faster, look better or both. This article is concerned with ideas that could make your car look better.

A lot of external car styling modifications try to make the outside of the car look smoother. The smoother lines then appeal to our sense of order and purity. To make the lines of your car more even, you may need to remove or cover up some of the design features of the original car.

Some of these original features are easy to change and can create an almost instant effect. One such case is where a moulded rubber bumper strip is fitted, that continues the bumper stripe theme, along the rest of the car. In most cases this is simply stuck onto the surface of the body and can easily be peeled away. If it is peeled away carefully there should be very little of the glue left on the body finish. Removing the bumper strip immediately cleans up the lines of your car. In a similar fashion some cars such as early Fiestas have plastic on the door pillars and round the quarter windows. Once again this can be carefully peeled away improving the image of the car.

A number of cars have grooves pressed into the metal panels of the body especially on the belt or waist line of the car. These are a hang over from when smaller metal panels had to be joined together in order to make a larger body panel. The join called a swage line was then hidden by creating the groove effect along the side of the car. These days door panels can be made using one piece of metal, and the swage line is really redundant. Despite this, it has become a recognised styling form in car design. Just take a look at all the cars that have them as you drive down the road! These swage lines may also be on the bonnet and boot as well. Swage lines disrupt the smooth lines of the car and as a result many people try to get rid of them. The usual way is to fill them in and then respray the panels. The filling can be done using standard car body filler. This can be reasonably successful but problems can occur if the panels end up being vibrated or flexed a lot. In this situation the filler may crack. In cars that have stiff suspension or on bonnets and tailgates that end up getting flexed a lot, filling with lead metal is a better alternative. Although this takes a lot longer to do the results are far better and the lead metal won’t crack or fall out. An alternative is to use a higher grade filler than the standard ones used in car repairs. Fillers from the aircraft industry have proved to be more durable than standard filler in this situation.

Another area where improvements can be made involves the locks and handles of the car. Removing the locks is the first stage. This leaves a hole which can be dealt with by welding a plate over it. The area then needs to be filled and smoothed over before painting. Doors are then opened by using an electronic key fob. These are fitted to modern cars anyway. The only problem arises if the battery goes flat and the electronic key fob fails to work. For this reason the tailgate lock is often left so that the vehicle can be entered if problems occur. Sometimes the tailgate has the lock removed and the other locks are left as standard. This is all personal choice and depends on the effect you want to achieve. The handles can also be removed and the holes filled and smoothed. In this case solenoids have to be fitted so that the doors are pushed open, as well as being unlocked, when the electronic key fob is activated.

The above ideas are really just a start when it comes to smoothing out the lines of your car. However, by doing these simple things you can create a style for yourself that is very pleasing to the eye

Article Directory : http://www.articlecube.com

This article is written by Tim Vincent. For further information on restyling, modifications and the car parts that are needed to do it, see the author's specialist web sites at http://www.fiestacarparts.co.uk http://www.cosworthcarparts.co.uk and http://www.subaruimprezacarparts.co.uk

Gauteng Motor Show

The Gauteng Motor Show is coming up shortly - check out this lekker Mercedes that they've got promoting the show:

Venue:
Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit, 1 Allandale Rd
Kyalami, Midrand, Johannesburg

TIME:
08h00 to 17h00
(All Days)

SETUP:
Friday 24 April 2009
08:00 to 20:00

SHOW DATES:
Saturday 25 April 2009
Sunday 26 April 2009
Monday 27 April 2009

BREAK-UP
Tuesday 28 April 2009
8h00 to 11:00

ENTRANCE FEE:
R60 per Adult
R40 per Child
Kids Under 6 years free

New paint evokes the impression of pure water

In Japanese, the word kiyora means clean and pure. When a carmaker chooses this name for its new concept car, the environmental technologies on board and the car’s design have to deliver what the name promises. And Mazda is doing just that. At the Paris International Motor Show, the carmaker unveiled its concept of a new environmentally friendly compact car that is intended to appeal to young European city drivers. In meeting the huge challenge of translating the “pure water” theme into a visually prominent design, the Mazda Motor Europe team received support from Glasurit for colours.

Designers from the two companies collaborated closely to produce a blue-green colour that created a sensation among both visitors from the automotive sector and the general public at the Kiyora’s debut. After all, the finish does an ideal job of symbolizing the colour of water. What's more, the overall design of the car, with its blue-green finish, the transparent polycarbonate doors, the interior with its wave-shaped forms and the side members of the body that resemble flowing seaweed, produces an effect that Luciana Silvares, Senior Designer at Mazda Motor Europe, describes as follows: “The exterior finish stands for water. The lower you go, the darker the colour of the water becomes. With the Kiyora, we wanted to produce the impression of water, ice, seas and lakes, by showing transparency and depth.”

The man in charge of this project for Glasurit is Stefan Richter, Key Account Manager OEM Aftersales for automotive refinish products. During a visit to the Mazda Design Studio in Oberursel near Frankfurt, he became acquainted with the project – and tackled the big job. “It was fantastic how employees from our automotive OEM coatings and refinish coatings units collaborated with the designers from Mazda Motor Europe for several weeks. They kept on developing ideas, refining them and, in the end, came up with a really beautiful solution,” said Richter, praising all aspects of the teamwork. “The cross-divisional and company-wide cooperation was super. The idea of developing an environmentally friendly urban car and using lots of new future technologies was reinforced by the car's aesthetic features. The finish expresses the transparency and depth of water and is in complete harmony with the exterior design,” Richter said.

www.glasurit.com

Paint shops to be geared up to face the future

Appropriate expertise is required in order to give a bodyshop sound advice and provide the support needed. This is a particular challenge, which Glasurit has met by staging a consultant training programme of its own. Consultancy services in the bodyshops are provided almost solely by Glasurit employees who have gone through a special three-stage training programme for this purpose. This in-service training programme lasts more than three years altogether. Each stage – leading up to qualification, firstly, as a Process Expert, then as a Consultant and finally as a Senior Consultant – is concluded with an examination and a certificate. This enables Glasurit to guarantee uniform standards and a high level of expertise.

The training and qualification of consultants was an essential prerequisite for the launch of the RATIO-CONCEPT-plus programme. For the topics dealt with require specialised know-how as they go far beyond the actual paint product: topics relating to marketing and sales, alterations to bodyshops and the construction of new bodyshops, the assessment of capital projects, optimised bodyshop management and support for marketing and for the acquisition of new customers, to name only a few. Many qualified consultants are currently working for Glasurit throughout Europe and other employees are now undergoing training.

Basically, the offers made to bodyshops have two different goals: firstly to boost efficiency - for example by means of the Profit-Manager, a Bodyshop Audit or assistance with Bodyshop Design, via the optimisation of refinishing processes, or via Business Seminars - and secondly to generate additional business for bodyshops. In this respect, a solution for carrying out cosmetic damage repairs is available (RATIO Repair Shop) and, in addition, Glasurit has developed a special paintwork warranty which bodyshops can use to actively advertise their services to consumers.

The aim of this approach is to make the actual added value achieved by the consultancy service, in the form of greater efficiency or extra profit, transparent to the bodyshop right from the start. In the very first dialogue, a specially-developed Value Calculator is deployed; this calculates the potential savings or extra business that the bodyshop can generate with the activities planned.

Greater operating efficiency, enhanced quality of the work done, the opening up of new areas of business, differentiation of the bodyshop from its competitors – bodyshops are actively supported in these activities, which have become absolutely essential in the present-day competitive situation. For Glasurit, this business consultancy service means a huge effort – but it is not put in in a completely disinterested fashion. For RATIO-CONCEPT-plus entails objectives such as enhanced customer loyalty and, not least, the acquisition of new customers too. These customers include both independent bodyshops and ones linked to manufacturers, and in some cases projects have also been initiated in direct collaboration with the car manufacturers.

The success of a consultancy service is measured according to the number of concrete activities actually implemented on the basis of a given project. That is why Glasurit’s goal is also to monitor the bodyshop after the event. These follow-up measures include the Value Added Services Monitor with which Glasurit obtains feedback on customer satisfaction.

A professional concept has been developed for this in collaboration with Dortmund University of Technology. A detailed customer survey is to be used to determine the various factors contributing to the successful implementation of the individual services, the aim being to subsequently optimise the range of services offered whenever necessary. Using the Value Added Services Monitor, questions are to be asked about four different phases involved in the launching of a service, together with their potential success factors. Points to be determined include the quality of the selling and launching process, the quality of the service content and that of the follow-up process. This will enable valuable conclusions to be drawn regarding the quality of relations between the customer and the paint supplier.

The VAS Monitor is also an instrument for gauging what impact continuous improvement measures, advanced staff training and the optimisation of the range of services offered have in the market. It thus permits a lasting improvement in the quality of relations with the customer and the level of customer loyalty.

Almost three years after the launch of the programme, a definite trend is perceptible: the bodyshops’ expectations in terms of the support and consultancy services to be provided by the paint manufacturers are being raised. It is also perceived that the acceptability of company consultancy services, even going as far as the preparation of business plans, has increased considerably.

In-depth knowledge of the industry on the part of Glasurit is indispensable if services are to be developed that are tailored exactly to customer requirements. The range of services has already been greatly enlarged and there are plans to enlarge it even further in the years to come. Various services that focus on the bodyshop even more comprehensively are currently being prepared. Hence, there is to be an even greater shift from engineering topics to business and marketing subjects.

Charley Hutton—famed street rod painter teams up with PPG

Renowned street rod painter Charley Hutton has teamed with PPG Automotive Refinish for a number of automotive projects including custom painting of the Kurt Busch Foundation Dodge Challenger.

“I’m very excited about partnering with PPG,” said Hutton when reached at his newly expanded facility, Charley Hutton’s Color Studio in Nampa, Idaho. “I started painting cars with PPG and it’s great to be working with them again. I’ve always liked their products, support and service. While building our new facility, we have worked hard to be environmentally friendly. PPG’s new waterborne paint lines – Aquabase® Plus and Envirobase® High Performance fit perfectly into our plan. I am really impressed with the ease, sprayability and fast coverage of both of these products. The clarity of color is amazing and allows us to really be creative.”

Well-known in the custom car world for his work on high-end street rods, Hutton has won national recognition including two prestigious Ridler Awards, several Street Rod of the Year and Custom Rod of the Year awards as well as an America’s Most Beautiful Roadster Award. He made his mark in television on the Discovery Channel’s American Hot Rod show working with legendary custom car builder, the late Boyd Coddington. Hutton has also been featured on The Learning Channel’s Overhaulin’ and on Hot Rod TV.

“We’re thrilled about our partnership with Charley,” said Jeff Griffin, PPG manager, collision segment N.A. “With his sharp eye, steady hand, technical expertise and incredible creativity, he’s one of the most talented painters in the country. He’s been an advocate of PPG products for years and we’re looking forward to working together for a long time to come.”

Hutton started painting cars at 13, working in a body shop owned by a family friend and painted his first custom car when he was 15. He established his own business in 1993 at the age of 20. Hutton will be using PPG products exclusively in his shop.

BASF presents the first UVA-based system at Automechanika South Africa 2009

South Africa’s first Automechanika, a leading international trade fair in the fields of original equipment, aftermarket, workshops etc. within the automotive industry, will be held at the Johannesburg Expo Centre from 18 – 21 March 2009. Over 250 exhibitors and around 8,000 trade visitors are expected to take part in this newly launched international trade fair. Product groups highlighted at the fair include Parts and Systems, Accessories and Tuning as well as Repair & Maintenance and many more. BASF Coatings Services’ stand is listed under the latter product group and is showcasing its innovative products and solutions at its 200 square meter exhibition stand in Hall 6 at stand number 6IOO8.

BASF is exhibiting in partnership with CHIEF, an innovative equipment supplier to the collision repair industry. BASF Coatings Services is a specialist supplier to the collision repair industry located in Cape Town and has eleven branches nationwide. For the refinishing of cars and commercial vehicles, BASF offers topcoat and undercoat materials under the global brands Glasurit® and R-M® which are sold to paint distributors and automotive repair shops. BASF is a leader in the field of waterborne coatings as well as high-solid systems, enhanced by added-value tools for end users. Both BASF brands are well known for their innovative ideas: intelligent systems that make working in the paint shop faster, simpler, safer and ensure perfect refinishing results at the same time.

Glasurit® and R-M®’s UV system puts BASF ahead of the competition on two counts. Firstly, BASF is one of the first manufacturers to launch a complete system to the market, which consists of body filler; primer filler; clear lacquer; blender and the combination lamp. Secondly, BASF has increased safety measures over UVB and UVC technology.

UVA- increased safety
Unlike many competitors, BASF’s lamps use less harmful UVA and infra-red light. The benefits to the bodyshops are obvious. Workshops can use UVA light without expensive, cumbersome shielding: safety goggles for the painter are all that’s needed. Not so with UVB and UVC technology, which mean investing in a shielded workshop area and painters having to wear special protective clothing and a helmet every time. Pure drying time with UVB and UVC light may be quicker, but with UVA technology the improvements in safety; easier handling; higher throughput and no expensive shielding more than make up for this.

Who wouldn’t want to use less harmful UVA technology with a brilliant refinishing result?

Through these state-of-the-art solutions and an excellent client service, BASF Coatings Services has become known not only for its product excellence and technological reliability, but also for consistency in the market place.

Fully Networked Car Workshop at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show

For the fourth year running, a major event focusing on information and communication technologies (ICT) in motor vehicles is being organized by ISO, IEC and ITU, working together as the World Standards Cooperation (WSC). The Fully Networked Car Workshop will take place on 4 and 5 March 2009 at one of the world's leading automotive events, the Geneva International Motor Show, in Switzerland.

ICT in vehicles represents a significant added value for consumers in terms of safety, comfort and mobility. Predictions of the size of the market run into billions of dollars and stakeholders agree that standardization and coordination between the vehicle and ICT industries is a key factor in the development of new technologies.

The workshop will bring together key specialists in the field, from top decision-makers to engineers, designers, planners, government officials, regulators, standards experts and others.

The programme features speakers from some of the biggest names in the ICT and automobile industries:

• Burkhard Göschel, CTO, Magna International
• Jürgen Leohold, Executive Director Group Research, Volkswagen
• Russ Shields, Chairman, Ygomi
• Tadao Saito, CTO, Toyota InfoTechnology Centre
• Hermann Meyer, CEO, ERTICO (ITS Europe).
• The Lightning Car Company will display its Lightning GT prototype electric sports car to give special emphasis to the environmental theme.

Presentations will bring light to some of the complex questions that the ICT and car industries are faced with. As was the case in 2008, a major topic will be ICT and climate change. Experts believe that more sophisticated traffic management and driver assistance systems can help reduce the environmental impact caused by motoring.

Other topics include:

• Standards and spectrum
• Car-to-X communications
• Nomadic devices
• Voice and audiovisual services
• Advance driver assistance systems
• Wireless technologies for car production lines
• Safety
• Security and privacy.

No color in sight: Black dominates on European roads

Henry Ford would be so proud! Check out this press release from Standox around the most popular automotive colour in Europe:

Black once again leads the table of the most popular automotive colors, accounting for 26 percent of all new cars sold. This is the result of the Standox survey of 2008 automotive color trends. For the second year running, black lies ahead of silver and grey ‑ and it has even extended its lead. In the luxury and SUV segment, black scored 38 and 41 percent, respectively. With the exception of minivans, the timelessly elegant color is the No. 1 in all segments.

The silver times are over. In the eyes of European motorists, technology and progress are increasingly expressed also by other colors. Silver, which had been the uncontested No. 1 for many years in a variety of variants, has lost in popularity against the previous year and no longer leads any of the segments.

Grey is the “new silver”
Various shades of grey remain very popular and are almost on a par with related silver shades. In the MPV segment, grey even made first place. In the increasingly popular SUV segment, grey has also surpassed silver. Grey now reflects modernity and technology in the way silver did in the 1990s and the first years of the new millennium.

Europeans love blue. Whether it’s light or dark, brilliant or subtle ‑ blue remains the most popular chromatic color for new cars. At 13 percent, it is also the only chromatic color that passed the ten percent mark. In view of the never-ending popularity of blues, Standox has even developed “Blue Flame”, a mysteriously changing special effect color in the Standox Exclusive Line, which gives every vehicle an unmistakable and unique touch.

White has become a high fashion color at least on UK and German roads. It is clearly on the advance throughout all segments. Statistically speaking, however, this does not apply to all of Europe, as the total number of white colors has increased by only one percent as compared to the previous year. But in the luxury, SUV and MPV segments, white is the No. 4 directly behind the other “neutrals”.

While red is somewhat more popular than in the previous years, as reflected in a score of seven percent, there is no clear upward trend. Although the color spectrum offers a wide choice, there are not many other colors on our roads. Having been a major fashion color in many spheres of life in recent years, orange has become a permanent fixture on our roads but is yet to make a dent in the statistics. According to the Standox experts, 2008 ‑ just like the previous years ‑ saw no clear trend towards distinct or different colors.

Automotive color trends change very slowly. It will probably take a few more years before fundamental changes in color preferences will be reflected in the statistics – although it is not even certain that the chromatic colors will win over the highly popular neutrals. According to the coloristic experts from Standox, this applies not only to Europe but worldwide.

Standox is one of Europe’s leading manufacturers of automotive refinishing paints. With its headquarters in Wuppertal, Germany, the company offers innovative and environmentally compatible product systems worldwide. Standox seeks to build long term relationships with its customers based on premium product quality and high levels of practical support. Approvals from all major manufacturers reflect the company’s position as a leading partner to the automotive industry. As such, the Standox brand gives professional refinishers the assurance of perfect results every time.

MicroRepair – minor repairs for a great effect

It happens in every city every day: a moment of inattention and your car is marked by an ugly scratch or a small but obvious dent. Even though such minor incidents account for 20 to 30 percent of all vehicle damage, they often remain unrepaired as owners fear the presumed high cost. Luckily we now have state-of-the-art MicroRepair to remove such small flaws quickly, at low cost and to the highest levels of Standox quality. The advantages of such innovative repair procedures are obvious – motorists have less to pay compared to a conventional repair, they get their cars back fast and in perfect condition, and bodyshops can generate extra business.

A new information pack from Standox lays out the benefits, choices and conditions for a successful repair. The brochure, entitled “MicroRepair. Making minor damages a major source of profit“, introduces bodyshop professionals to the topic, shows the potential of reduced-cost minor damage repair and explains the conditions that need to be met. A CD is also available with two films showing MicroRepair’s easy and quick application – using both traditional Standox products and ultra-fast Standoflash UV products. The brochure includes a handy A4 guide with marking rings to assess the size of damaged areas; this makes it easy to decide whether a repair is suitable for MicroRepair when a car is brought in by a customer. The package is rounded off by an A2 size poster in that demonstrates all steps from damage assessment up to the finish.

Standox is one of Europe’s leading manufacturers of automotive refinishing paints. The company headquartered in the German town of Wuppertal offers innovative and environmentally compatible product systems worldwide. Standox seeks to build long term relationships with its customers based on premium product quality and high levels of practical support. Technical approvals from all major manufacturers reflect the company’s position as a leading partner to the automotive industry. As such, the Standox brand gives professional refinishers the assurance of perfect results every time.

www.standox.com

Wow!!

It might be a gas guzzler but WOW!... Check out this photo one of my mates forwarded me in an e-mail... Yeah!

LINE-X Protective Coatings Announces Partnership with Insignia Group

“LINE-X’s success in the last fifteen years has been three-fold,” said LINE-X CEO John Q. Wesley II. “First we have unbelievable franchisees that really believe in the product and apply our coatings with great skill. Because of their great work, our customer base continues to grow and we have a LINE-X fan base that does not waver. Finally, our products withstand the test of time due to our diligent corporate team. Their commitment to our brand can be seen across the board and it makes me very proud to be a part of the LINE-X family.”

LINE-X specializes in spray elastomers, polyurethanes and polyureas that are a fast cure, multipurpose, series of coatings designed for a wide range of retail, commercial and industrial uses. They exhibit excellent adhesion to most properly prepared surfaces and with its fast cure time, LINE-X can be sprayed vertically and even overhead without running or dripping. Available in every color imaginable, LINE-X contains no solvents, which means there are no air pollutants or harmful environmental contaminates.

Since its inception, LINE-X has been applied to over 2.5 million trucks and the company continues to strives to develop first-class products designed to support the existing LINE-X spray-on bedliners, but also give their over 500 global franchisees an advantage over the competition. Such products include LINE-X ReNew™, the first and only product in the industry to completely resurface an entire bedliner repairing and restoring the bedliner to its original condition; LINE-X XTRA®, the only color composite coating fortified with DuPont™ Kevlar®; as well as superior equipment to make application time easier, quicker and most importantly, aesthetically sound.

EXPANDING INTO NEW MARKETS
LINE-X launched its LINE-X® Industrial Coatings Division (LICD) in 1999 and has developed a full range of polyurea and polyurethane coatings that have been extensively engineered and independently tested to ensure they provide superior protection for virtually any properly prepared surface, including metal, concrete, fiberglass and wood. LINE-X industrial coatings are perfect for companies who are serious about protecting and prolonging the life of their assets or seek long-term, often permanent solutions against abrasion, bomb blast, chemical spillage, corrosion, environmental elements, impact and workplace slippage. Due to their exceptional durability and quick application turnaround time, LINE-X industrial coatings are becoming increasingly popular throughout a wide range of commercial and industrial industries, including construction, manufacturing, mining, material handling, marine, municipal/outdoor facilities, petrochemical, plating, primary/secondary containment, transportation and more.

In 2000, LINE-X was first to develop and launch a bomb blast coating, PAXCON PX-2350, which has been recognized by the U.S. military and the defense industry for its high levels of protection, and has been approved for protection of the U.S. Pentagon, as well as other government, military and private buildings around the globe. Late last year, LINE-X added PAXCON PX-2100, a high-performance chemical formulation that protects against spalling and fragmentation during a ballistic attack, to the LINE-X roster. Both products have met and exceeded the testing requirements of several U.S. Military and private agencies, such as PX-2350’s 1999 Air Force Research Laboratory test, which concluded that LINE-X was statistically shown to outperform 27 other competitors in a series of tests that were designed to identify the spray-on coating that could mitigate the effects of a bomb blast on a building. Additionally, PAXCON PX-2100 was certified by H.P. White Laboratory, Inc., one of the oldest and most respected ballistic and research centers in the nation. Moreover, PX-2100 was also selected for anti-spalling protection by MRAP (Mine Resistant Ambush Protected) vehicle manufacturers, the Pentagon’s top military personnel protection initiative. To learn more about PAXCON products or to see high-speed videos of the products in action, visit www.PAXCON.com.

INDUSTRY RECOGNITION
With a 92% customer satisfaction rating (2006 independent study), LINE-X has and continues to receive several awards recognizing its commitment to excellence, franchise network growth and more. For many years, LINE-X has secured top positions in the “Top New Franchises” and “Fastest Growing Franchises” awards by Entrepreneur Magazine. In 2000 and 2001, LINE-X was rated by INC. Magazine as one of the top 500 fastest growing private companies. Plus, LINE-X’s superior products continue to be noted in several trade publications, such as Four Wheeler, Popular Mechanics, Restyling, Street Trucks and Truckin’, as well as by national broadcast and print media.

About LINE-X
LINE-X is the industry leader in truck bed protection, offering specially formulated polymers that permanently bond to the truck’s bed for unmatched durability under the most extreme use. This high-quality, spray-on application contours to the shape of the truck bed to seal and protect it from weather, road grime, scratches, dents and most household chemicals, while adding an attractive finish that both protects and enhances the value of the vehicle. LINE-X products are also used in commercial, industrial, construction, agricultural, military, marine and custom applications. LINE-X also offers a Nationwide Limited Lifetime Warranty for spray-on bedliners throughout its network of more than 550 retail locations worldwide. For more information call 800-831-3232 or visit www.LineX.com.

LINE-X® TO RECEIVE PRESTIGOUS FROST & SULLIVAN AWARD FOR LINE-X RENEW™

Industry Protective Coatings Leader Presented with 2008 North American Truck Bedliners Product of the Year Award.

“We are more than honored to receive this prestigious award,” said LINE-X CEO John C. Wesley. “The LINE-X family works very hard to develop the best spray-on protective coatings on the market and this award confirms our dedication.”

Frost & Sullivan Best Practices Award recognizes companies in a variety of regional and global markets for demonstrating outstanding achievement and superior performance in areas such as leadership, technological innovation, customer service, and strategic product development. Industry analysts compare market participants and measure performance through in-depth interviews, analysis and extensive secondary research in order to identify best practices in the industry.

Recognized for its technological innovation, LINE-X introduced ReNew in early 2008 as the industry’s first truck bedliner protection solution that effectively restores any spray-on bedliner – whether it is a Line-X product or that of a competitor – to the quality of a brand new LINE-X Spray-On Truck Bedliner. The process includes spraying the truck bedliner with a coating formulation that chemically bonds permanently to the existing spray-on bedliner and eliminates unsightly chalking and fading, scratches, gouges, and rough spots that are common after years of bedliner use. In the past, truck owners have tried using various waxes and paint solvents to repair their bedliners, but these do not stand up well to ultraviolet rays and heat.

With the economy in a slump and consumers spending less on discretionary expenses, this low-cost alternative to a new bedliner offers truck owners the appearance and performance of a new bedliner for about the cost of having the vehicle detailed. In a few short months, ReNew™ has gained wide market acceptance, particularly at body shops, where truck beds damaged in collisions are repaired.

“LINE-X always puts its customers first and foremost,” commented LINE-X CEO John C. Wesley. “ReNew is the answer many have been waiting for and we are happy to offer a product that can keep any bedliner looking great, while still maintaining low costs, especially in a slow economy.”

LINE-X has a long withstanding relationship with Frost & Sullivan. In 2006, the company ranked LINE-X as the market share leader in the spray-on bedliner market. New 2007 Frost & Sullivan research shows that LINE-X has increased this margin by over four percent and is expected to continue to dominate the industry in the future.

About LINE-X Protective Coatings
LINE-X Protective Coatings (www.linex.com) is an industry leader in high performance protective coatings offering specifically formulated polymers that permanently bond to a wide range of surfaces for unmatched durability. LINE-X products are used in automotive, commercial, light industrial, heavy industrial, agricultural, military, marine and custom applications. Headquartered in Santa Ana, California, with more than 550 locations in 26 countries, LINE-X is focused on creating new protective coatings for a wide range of retail, industrial and other applications needing extreme protection.

Sportech Mustang

Check out this Mustang image I picked up off the Sportech site.

Say what you like about the future of the American motor manufacturers, but there is something distinct and unique about their big muscle cars!