Automotive Trucks information on net.

Quickly responding to customer requests, ProClip is now providing holders for the newly introduced Apple iPod Mini. These holders expand ProClip's product line of custom mounts for several generations of the Apple iPod.

"Thanks to our manufacturer's unique design and production process, we can have custom-designed mounts available almost as soon as these popular accessories are introduced to the marketplace," said Bjorn Spilling, president of ProClip USA.

ProClip holders for the iPod Mini are designed to provide a perfect fit and make these digital music players even more portable. Holders are available with or without the tilt swivel feature, which provides easy adjustment and better viewing of the display and to avoid unnecessary light reflection.

The holders attach to ProClip mounts that clip on the car or truck's dashboard or console, without any damage to the vehicle's interior. They are easily self-installed.

"Taking your music with you becomes even easier, and ProClip will soon offer swivel belt clip holsters for the iPod Mini as well," added Spilling.

ProClip products are available for purchase on the Internet at www.proclipusa.com or by calling toll-free 800-296-3212 and through a number of wireless communication retail stores and outlets.

About ProClip USA

ProClip USA, with offices in Detroit, Michigan and Madison, Wisconsin, is the exclusive North American importer and distributor of ProClip vehicle communication accessories. ProClip products are custom fit for virtually every vehicle model and communication device available--including cell phones, handheld PCs, PDAs, navigation systems, TV monitors and others. Currently, more than 4,500 custom-made ProClip vehicle communication accessories are distributed in more than 30 countries worldwide.

Vowing to create a "financial powerhouse" with combined annual revenue of $7.5 billion - and huge cost savings down the road - Arvin Industries Inc. and Meritor Automotive Inc. announce they are merging.

On the surface, it appears Arvin's and Meritor's product lines are not exactly complimentary. Arvin is a leading exhaust and suspension product supplier, while Meritor produces roof, door and wheel products for light vehicles. About 60% of Meritor's business is supplying drivetrain systems and components for heavy trucks.

Look a little deeper, however, and the deal begins to make sense. Meritor gets the benefit of Arvin's strong presence in Europe. Meritor has coil springs and torsion and stabilizer bars to compliment Arvin's suspension products (coil over strut assemblies and shock absorbers).

With its leading exhaust position, Arvin knows plenty about a vehicle's undercarriage, which Meritor has recently identified as a strategic target.

Meritor's steel wheel business can move the two companies closer to supplying a full corner module. Plus, Arvin has wanted access to heavy truck exhaust business; now it has opportunities through Meritor's vast heavy truck customer base. Meritor also wants to expand its light vehicle business, which it does automatically by pairing with Arvin.

Despite logging strong profits for several years, both companies have been suffering from what they term "terribly undervalued" stock prices. The two top officers of the new ArvinMeritor Inc. admit that was at least part of the rationale for merging.

"It's not any secret that both companies wanted to grow and the low (stock) valuation probably does create an environment where mergers of equals are more likely to happen," says Bill Hunt, Arvin's chairman and chief executive at a press conference. However, he hastened to add that the companies were a good fit regardless of stock price. He predicts cost savings of $50 million in fiscal 2001 and $100 million by 2003.

"Our long-term financial goals are to grow sales organically by 10% and earnings per share by 15% to 18% annually," Mr. Hunt says. He adds there will be an "intense emphasis on cash" to make ArvinMeritor a strong investment grade company.

DaimlerChrysler and Sirius Satellite Radio (Nasdaq: SIRI) Monday announced an agreement to bring satellite radio to DaimlerChrysler customers beginning next year.

Sirius Radio will provide DaimlerChrysler customers with seamless coast-to-coast coverage of up to 100 channels of programming, including 50 channels of commercial-free music and up to 50 channels of news, sports and entertainment for a monthly subscription fee of $9.95.

Under the terms of the agreement, DaimlerChrysler Corporation will purchase $100 million of Sirius common stock and exclusively factory-install Sirius receivers in DaimlerChrysler cars and light trucks.

The arrangement includes all DaimlerChrysler brands sold in the United States, including Mercedes-Benz, Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Dodge Truck, as well as Freightliner and Sterling heavy trucks.

DaimlerChrysler and Sirius will also work together to develop innovative telematics functions using the Sirius national digital broadcasting system. These applications may include a range of wireless security, convenience and navigation services for DaimlerChrysler vehicle owners. This is a further step in DaimlerChrysler's strategy to create and develop technologies to better serve its customers.

DaimlerChrysler is North America's third largest auto manufacturer, selling more than 4.8 million vehicles worldwide per year. Freightliner is North America's largest heavy-duty truck manufacturer -- and the first truck manufacturer to agree to install satellite radios in commercial vehicles.

"We believe Sirius Radio has a superior system which will offer our vehicle

owners tailored, commercial-free broadcasts across the country," said Jim Holden, President, DaimlerChrysler Corporation. "We see this arrangement as part of DaimlerChrysler's on-going strategy to expand our business beyond the traditional automotive manufacturing and sale. This is all about DaimlerChrysler bringing new value and services to our Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge customers, and providing innovation in every area of their automotive experience."

"Luxury car owners expect the most advanced performance, information and entertainment technologies," added Ken Enders, Vice President of Marketing for Mercedes-Benz USA, Inc. "We believe Sirius Radio will provide our Mercedes-Benz clients with a revolution in audio information and entertainment."

Compared to the general public, owners of Class 8 truck fleets can find some significant value in telematics: Maximizing uptime by knowing where your trucks are at all times, how much fuel they are consuming, and whether their powertrains need adjustments or repairs can add significantly to the bottom line. That's why fleets are a key target for telematics developers. Now the truck manufacturer International Truck and Engine Corp. (Warrenville, IL) is getting into the act by offering a comprehensive telematics system on its latest vehicles. The hardware heart of the system is a black box that connects to International's multiplex electrical systems and can transmit real-time engine diagnostic data, as well as the truck's speed and location; so that fleet managers can not only monitor the vehicle's behavior but the driver's too. While this smacks of Big Brother in the cab, Mark Schumacher, marketing manager at International, points out that understanding driver behavior can help trucking companies identify problems like driver drowsiness and make adjustments that can reduce injury and property damage. The benefit to International (aside from raking in an approximately $40 monthly service fee per truck) is a robust flow of data about the performance of their products that can help reduce warranty costs and be fed back into new designs. To get its telematics venture off the ground, International chose IBM to orchestrate an end-to-end solution that included tapping telematics infrastructure service provider Wireless Car (Irvine, CA) for information capture and transmission, and setting up back-end servers based on IBM's Websphere architecture. Jim Ruthven, program director for Telematics Solutions at IBM, thinks that the depth of International's involvement with telematics could be a watershed event for vehicle manufacturers. "This is the most far-reaching integration of telematics into an enterprise to date," he says, "From an execution perspective International is pioneering and passenger car makers can learn a lot from this."--KEW

What the buyers of light-medium-,and heavy-duty trucks want is more roominess and power, with less downtime for service and repairs. And that's what manufacturers are rolling out for 1998.

Cabs are getting bigger everything from pickup trucks to trailer-hauling tractors, some of which have sleepers spacious enough to be outfitted like luxury motor homes. Makers of light-duty pickups are rushing to market with third or fourth doors to make the back seats of their extended cabs more accessible.

In the sport-utility-vehicle (SUV) segment, truck makers are going to great lengths. The king-of-the-road Chevrolet and GMC Suburbans, the longest SUVs ever built at 219 inches, may be outdone soon by a Ford "crew wagon" that is 10 inches longer.

Demands for power are satisfied by muscle as makers of light-duty trucks offer bigger engines or tweak engines to produce more horsepower. For the first time, a V-8 is an option on a compact SUV, the Dodge Durango. In the heavy-duty-truck segment, there are the Arnold Schwarzeneggers of diesel engines: the Cummins Signature 600 and the Caterpillar 3406E, both achieving 600 horsepower.

Less Wasted Time

For protection against costly downtime, some manufacturers are offering buyers more help if their vehicles go out of service. Chevrolet, for example, offers light-duty-truck owners 24-hour roadside assistance, and the company will provide a free rental vehicle if overnight repairs are needed during warranty-covered work.

Kenworth is finding that most buyers of its new T2000, a truck in Class 8 (more than 33,000 pounds gross vehicle weight, or GVW), are opting for the Extended Service Interval maintenance program. The service interval under this option is every 25,000 miles instead of the industry norm of 10,000 to 15,000 miles; the engine is guaranteed against repairs that might be needed because of the longer interval.

For 1998 models, most prices are holding steady. Chrysler announced in mid-August that its prices for 1998 cars and trucks will drop an average of 0.6 percent; Ford plans no price increases; and General Motors has said that prices for cars and light-duty trucks will rise an average of 1.3 percent.

Trucks, including mediums and heavies, made up 44.8 percent of total vehicle sales in 1996. For 1997, through July, trucks were up to 45.9 percent of the total market, according to GM spokeswoman Annemarie Sylvester.

International Harvester built the Scout sport utility vehicle from 1961 until October 1980, when it became victim of the near financial collapse of IH. Now, after a lengthy hiatus and a few corporate makeovers, International Truck and Engine Corporation is back in the SUT market with one serious brute called the 7300 CXT (Commercial Extreme Truck), said to be the largest pickup in the world.

One popular design theme found in pickups and SUVs in recent years is to give them styling cues from the big rig tracks. International goes just a step farther, why not simply give the consumer the big rig itself recast as a pickup? And that's essentially what they've done. At 258 inches in overall length, the CXT is 31 in. longer than the Ford Excursion, some 50 in. longer than Hummer 2.

In fact, with a GVWR of 25,999 lb. the CXT just remains in the Class 6 truck category. That means it is not necessary to secure a commercial driver's license to operate one. Class 7 Includes trucks with a GVWR over 26,000 lb., and those do require the pro license.

International's primary target for the CXT is commercial business operators from lawn care to masons to carpenters and every trade In between. It is claimed to be the world's largest production pickup and it does have a 12,000 lb. payload, three times that of a normal pickup. It has optional dumping and tilt bed capability so it is a serious commercial-grade truck

But International fully expects to find interest from the consumer market as well. It may only amount to dozens or hundreds of customers per year, but for people who like to make a statement with their wheels, here's one that quite simply can't be ignored.

It has first-rate appointments and all the amenities consumers have come to expect from drop-down DVD to XM satellite radio and lots of custom options. The 4-door crew cab version has plenty of room for six adults. It sits up high providing a commanding view of the road. Air conditioning is standard. Base price is $93,000. If that or filling up a 70 gallon fuel tank at today's prices don't slow you down, think about what you get.

Standard power for the CXT is International's ever-evolving DT466 mid-range diesel which delivers 220 hp and 540 lb.ft. of torque in this application. Higher horsepower engines are also available. The DT 466 itself has ratings as high as 300 hp and 860 lb.ft. of torque.

Torvec, Inc., based in Rochester, New York, a developer of advanced automotive technologies, said that it allocated $500,000 in new funds toward completing pre-production prototypes of a transmission that significantly reduces diesel soot emissions and fuel consumption in heavy-duty trucks. When production is completed, Torvec said it will send a diesel truck with the new transmission to the Environmental protection agency for emissions and fuel testing.

Keith Gleasman, President of Torvec, said, "We expect diesel trucks with our transmission will meet the EPA's aggressive and healthy goals for lower soot emissions. Commercial quantities of the Torvec transmission could be produced quickly and inexpensively because it has about 300 parts, compared to 600 in today's transmissions. It also weighs less, which further reduces manufacturing costs."

Torvec was founded by the same team that invented and commercialized the Torsen differential, which improves the handling of high-performance vehicles made by General Motors, Toyota, Audi, Porsche, Hummer, Mazda and Volkswagen and in Formula 1 and Indy race cars.

Torvec claims its transmission will reduce trucks' diesel emissions to a level that meets or beats the EPA's proposed goals for soot of 0.01 grams per brake-horsepower-hour by 2007. This is a 90 percent reduction from current standards of 0.1 grams per bhp-hr, the company said.

Torvec's patented infinitely variable transmission, which the company believes is the only one with enough torque for heavy trucks, allow engines to run at a steady speed, their "sweet spot" for fuel efficiency.

The Army's new SmarTruck III can detect an airborne biological hazard and alert authorities before it can cause harm, track and repel attackers in complete darkness, and sense an incoming missile and knock it out of the sky. Its armor, four-point safety belts, run-flat tires, and fire-suppression systems enhance crew protection.

SmarTruck III was built by Integrated Concepts and Research Corporation of Madison Heights, Michigan, and Heart International of Grand Blanc, Michigan, in partnership with International Truck and Engine Corporation, for the National Automotive Center (NAC). NAC is the Army Tank and Automotive Research, Development, and Engineering Center's technology transfer arm.

The vehicle can be used in a war zone, for homeland security, or for other security purposes, such as border patrol. Its weapons station module has a remote-controlled .50-caliber machinegun that rises from the back of the vehicle and sniper-detection directional sound capabilities. Antimissile missiles deployed from behind SmarTruck III's side flares offer perimeter defense from rocket-propelled grenades and antitank guided missiles.

SmarTruck III is outfitted with ballistic protection that can withstand 51-millimeter machinegun rounds. It can be equipped with armor flooring that will dissipate the energy of a ground explosion away from the vehicle. The vehicle's automatic fire-suppression system can sense an explosion or fire in the crew compartment and suppress it within milliseconds. Its diagnostics system will help the crew identity and solve vehicle maintenance problems.

The vehicle has two sophisticated camera systems: The periscope camera comprises a night-vision camera, visible light camera, and laser range finder. The telemmersion camera system can be raised 8 feet above the truck to record the 360-degree, full-motion spherical scene at 100 million pixels per second. The system includes directional sound monitoring and can record for up to 4 hours.

Here's a look at a study that was conducted by a committee of the American Iron and Steel Institute to determine whether steel could he used to create big, safe and light-weight sport utility vehicles and light trucks.

The UltraLight Steel Auto Body (ULSAB) project was launched in 1994 by an international consortium of sheet steel producers. One of the drivers for that program from the point of view of North American steel producers was the work initiated by the Partnership for a New Generation of Vehicles (PNGV), a U.S. auto industry and federal government initiative that has as its goal the development of a full-size vehicle that will get 80 mpg. Materials researchers within PNGV announced that they were concentrating on several materials to cut the weight of vehicles, including aluminum, magnesium, and titanium. They even noted that they were working on something called "Polymer X," a plastic material that could be molded and machined. Although they didn't count steel out, it seemed fairly evident that non-traditional - if not out-right exotic - materials were the subject of PNGV focus.

So ULSAB contracted Porsche Engineering Services, Inc. (Troy, MI), a North American unit of Porsche AG, to engineer a lighter vehicle. Through the use of holistic design practices (i.e., looking at components as parts of a larger system, not just as single-function pieces) and existing but not widely used processing technologies (e.g., hot forming, hydroforming, and the extensive use of tailor welded blanks), they created the engineering for a steel auto body that has 25% less mass and, importantly, a cost reduction of 14% compared with benchmarked four-door sedans.

In other words, the ULSAB group showed that auto makers could make a fuel-stingy but highly affordable automobile with steel. (Who knows what Polymer X would cost.) That was the result of the first of three phases, with Phase III, which is scheduled for 1998, involving the production, with an auto maker, of a production prototype ultralight steel car.

Trucks Are Hot. Can They Be Light?

So what has happened in the North American auto market since 1994? One thing that has really garnered a whole lot of attention on car lots is the pickup truck. In 1996, the top selling vehicle was the Ford F-series pickup. It was followed by the Chevrolet C/K pickup. And if people weren't buying trucks, they were in the market for sport utility vehicles (SUVs). The third best-selling vehicle in '96 was the Ford Explorer.

XM-ready radios will be available in select Peterbilt trucks beginning the fourth quarter of this year, XM Satellite Radio said. Peterbilt Motors Co. manufactures custom-designed trucks for owner-operators and premium fleets.

Peterbilt has partnered with Delphi Automotive Systems to provide Satellite Digital Audio Radio Service through its "ConcertClass" audio system, available on premium level Models 387 and 379.

"Our programming was carefully selected to provide listeners choices that will please every taste," said Dan Murphy, XM Satellite Radio Vice President of Retail Marketing and Distribution. "With the many hours truckers spend behind the wheel, they form a close bond with particular programs and music formats. XM Satellite Radio will provide them with their favorites whenever and wherever they want it, without having to search the dial."

With the new model year arriving, small-truck makers are fulfilling buyers' wishes for carlike comforts, and large-truck makers are racing to catch up with demand. The new light-, medium-, and heavy-duty trucks coming on the market for model year 1999 reflect the wishes of truck drivers, both those who drive commercially and those who use their trucks as practical personal transportation. The Polk Co., an automotive market-research firm based in Southfield, Mich., outside Detroit, reported in July that there are now 68.4 million light trucks on the road in the United States and Canada, accounting for more than one-third of the total vehicle count. The company, which compiles an annual "population profile" of vehicles for the automobile industry; also said that in the past 10 years, the number of passenger cars has increased by 4.8 million while the number of trucks has risen by more than 29 million. The total number of light-, medium-, and heavy-duty trucks sold in 1997 was 7.2 million. This year's sales through July were at 4.6 million, so total sales for 1998 are expected to surpass last year's. With so many people driving trucks, it's no surprise that manufacturers are relying more and more on driver input in the development of trucks. Mixed Messages According to Automotive News, n trade publication, drivers want trucks to be more carlike and cars to be more truck-like. Pickup-truck drivers want more comfort and convenience options, extended cabs, and doors for access to the cabs. Buyers of sport-utility vehicles (SUVs) are indicating that they prefer the carlike ride and handling of vehicles built on the smaller platform of a car rather than that of a truck. Minivan buyers want a second sliding door on the driver's side, and manufacturers are complying. However, because nearly all minivans in production have front-wheel drive, many businesses that once preferred rear-wheel-drive minivans because of their cargo-carrying ability are now opting for SUVs instead. In 1997, 6.8 million light trucks-- including pickups, vans, and SUVs-- were sold in the United States, up nearly 4 percent from 1996. Sales of light trucks will continue to increase, says Lincoln Merrihew, an analyst at the Troy, Mich., location of J.D. Power and Associates, a marketing-information and consulting firm based in Agoura Hills, Calif. Merrihew believes that the addition of carlike comforts, ride, and handling to light trucks has been an important factor in their sales growth. Getting "Productive Miles" In the medium- and heavy-duty-truck market, productivity is the key for buyers. They want trucks that reduce downtime by minimizing maintenance requirements and that are custom-tailored to handle specific tasks. "Productive miles is what original-equipment manufacturers are selling," says Marc Gustafson, president and CEO of Volvo Trucks North America, Inc. Truck makers have been consulting commercial drivers about features that could help the drivers avoid fatigue and stress and do their jobs as efficiently as possible. Two recently developed transmissions that can help reduce driver fatigue and training time are the Eaton Fuller AutoShift 10-Speed, from Eaton Corp. in Cleveland, and the Meritor SureShift, from Mentor Automotive, Inc., in Troy With the Eaton transmission, the clutch is used only for starting or stopping, reducing the driver's workload. When the driver wants more control of shifting, there is a "hold" mode, which maintains the current gear until a new gear is selected with the push of a button. The Meritor system reduces shifting effort and complexity like an automated transmission but retains the driver's ability to choose manual control. As with light-duty trucks, the ranks of medium- and heavy-duty trucks are increasing. Major truck-manufacturing companies are forecasting that U.S. sales of Class 8 vehicles-those with a gross vehicle weight (GVW) of more than 33,000 pounds-will total 200,000 for 1998. Last year's sales were about 178,500. With growing backlogs of orders, heavy-duty-truck makers are trying to increase production to meet strong demand. The Outlook On Prices Prices for light trucks are expected to remain steady, although manufacturers sometimes increase prices during the model year. The announced prices for most new-model light-duty 1999 trucks are only 0.5 to 1 percent higher than the prices for comparable 1998 models, and some prices have dropped. In addition, competition recently has prompted makers of passenger cars to offer incentives such as low finance rates and cash rebates, and such offers are spilling over into the light-duty-truck market. In the medium- and heavy-duty-truck segment, manufacturers are calling for price increases to offset the bare-bones prices of recent years. Light-Duty Trucks Following are new trucks and features in Class 1, up to 6,000 pounds GVW; Class 2, 6,001 to 10,000 pounds; and Class 3, 10,001 to 14,000 pounds. ACURA The upscale SLX sport-utility is essentially unchanged for 1999. It has a 3.5liter V-6 engine and "torque on demand" four-wheel-drive, which transfers power to all four wheels with the touch of a button. AM GENERAL The Hummer civilian truck, with full-time four-wheel drive, resembles a big, wide SUV, Actually, it's a Class 3 pickup truck, modified from the stalwart of the U.S. armed forces in the Persian Gulf War, the Humvee. The Hummer's upgrades include a premium audio system with six speakers. The Hummer's ride has been made quieter with the addition of a sound-deadening package. CADILLAC The Escalade, Cadillac's first entry in the SUY market, borrows from GMC's upscale, full-size Yukon Denali. The five-passenger Escalade is so loaded with features that it offers no options. Among the features: running boards to shorten the step-in and step-out distance; a flush-mounted luggage rack; leather seats; a Bose music system with six speakers; and the OnStar communications system, which combines cellular-phone and Global Positioning System satellite technologies to provide a range of services, from finding a lost vehicle to calling for help automatically in case of an accident. A 5.7-liter V-8 provides plenty of power, and extra pulling power comes from an AutoTrac four-wheel-drive system. There's a full-time all-wheel-drive setting for everyday use. CHEVROLET One of the most expensive new-model programs in GM's history brings to market a conservatively styled, full-sized Silverado pickup and its GMC cousin, the Sierra, GM says that the wider, longer, and taller dimensions, with more rear-seat legroom, add up to the biggest cab in the industry. A third door is standard on extended-cab models. There's a long list of standard-equipment improvements, including four-wheel disc brakes with an antilock braking system and a system that senses minute changes in wheel speed under braking and adjusts the rear brake accordingly In the power department, the Silver-ado's engines range from a standard 4.3liter V-6 to a 6.5-liter turbodiesel V-S. In between are three new Vortec small-block, cast-iron V-S gas engines that produce more horsepower per liter than the engines they replace. The four-speed automatic transmission has a tow/haul mode, which alters the shift pattern to maximize pulling power in each gear. Regular and extended cabs are offered, in six models of the 1500 (1/2-ton) series and three of the 2500 (3/4-ton) series. Chevrolet introduces an all-new Tracker mini-SUV, with a new look. For more information, see the Suzuki listing, where the Vitara-a twin to the Tracker-is described. CHRYSLER The luxurious Town and Country minivan gets even more elegant with a Limited edition featuring chrome-plated wheels and door handles, a gold-accented instrument cluster, radio controls on the steering wheel, and soft leather seats with suede-like trim. The Town and Country has front-wheel drive; all-wheel drive is an option. DODGE The Dakota, the only compact pickup with a V-8 engine, has two Magnum V-8 choices: a 230-horsepower, 5.2-liter version and a 250-horsepower, 5.9-liter option on the R/T model. The full-size Dodge Ram pickup has a 24-valve, six-cylinder Cummins diesel engine. On the model with a five-speed manual transmission, power is up from 215 horsepower to 235. A 5.2-liter V-8 engine that runs on compressed natural gas has been introduced, for fleets only, on the full-sized Ram van and wagon. FORD The power, size, and capabilities of Ford's work-truck lineup have been increased with the introduction of the Super Duty F-Series. The full-sized trucks are built on a separate platform from the F-150 and F-250. The two-platform strategy is designed to address the different needs of the commercial and personal-use markets. The new series extends to the F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 models. Length has been stretched by 9 inches to 226.6 inches, and the Super Duty F-250 and F-350 have the industry's first standard four-door extended cab in the GVW segment over 8,500 pounds. The Super Duty trucks offer four-wheel drive for dual-rear-wheel trucks, higher GVW ratings, and increased horsepower. They feature new 5.4-liter Triton V-8 and 6.8-liter Triton V-10 engines and an inter-cooled 7.3-liter diesel engine. Customers will have the choice of 44 vehicle configurations, including F-550 models whose GVWs-17,500 and 19,000 pounds-place them in Class 5. The pickups under 8,500 pounds GVW, the F-150 and F-250, get a new front bumper and grille and an optional 5.4-liter Triton V-8 engine. Their SuperCab gets a standard fourth door; making Ford the first manufacturer to offer a full range of extended-cab pickups with four doors from the compact Ranger to the Super Duty series. GMC The all-new Sierra full-sized pickup truck is a close cousin to the Chevrolet Silverado. Except for the Sierra's bigger grille, the vehicles are identical. HONDA Emphasis is on size as a new Accord-based edition of the Odyssey minivan hits the market this fall. The sleekly styled seven-passenger vehicle is 201.2 inches long and 68.5 inches high, making it as large as any competitor. Honda says the Odyssey's 3.6-liter; 220-horsepower V-6 engine is the most powerful in the minivan class. It's combined with an electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission. INFINTI A face-lifted QX4 sport-utility is planned for midway through the model year. No major changes are planned before then in the compact, five-passenger QX4, which has four-wheel drive with a two-wheel-drive mode. Isuzu The Vehi-Cross, an SUV based on a truck platform but resembling a sports car; formerly was sold only in Japan, but it is expected in the United States soon. It has full-time four-wheel drive and a front-mounted engine, a 3.5-liter, 24-valve V-6. The Rodeo SUV has added amenities such as a standard tilt steering wheel. The Amigo mini-SUV-recently returned to the U.S. market-is a two-door hardtop or soft-top version of the Rodeo. JEEP The new Grand Cherokee has gained an inch of headroom and 1.5 inches of width for improved roominess. The five-passenger SUV has new luxury amenities, such as heated front seats and an overhead console with 14 programmable features. A new on-demand four-wheel-drive system, called Quadra-Drive II, allows virtually 100 percent transfer of torque to a single wheel if it is the only one getting traction. A standard 4-liter, six-cylinder in-line engine produces up to 195 horsepower. The largest available engine is an optional 4.7liter, 230-horsepower V-8. KIA The two-door convertible Sportage is a smaller, more maneuverable version of the four-door model of the SUV. A removable cloth top covers only the rear bench seat; a permanent hardtop roof covers the driver and front-seat passenger. The Sportage is available with two-wheel drive and automatic transmission or four-wheel drive with a five-speed manual transmission. LAND ROVER The new Discovery Series II has permanent four-wheel drive and a standard four-speed automatic transmission. Longer by 6.5 inches and wider by 3.8 inches, the Discovery Series II has seating for seven as an option. It has a system that reduces leaning when cornering-a first for a production SUV Other features include four-wheel electronic traction control and electronic brake distribution to complement the anti-lock braking system. The 4-liter V-8 engine is noticeably quieter than its predecessor. LEXUS There are no changes for the RX 300, which Lexus calls a blend of luxury and sport-utility (it's built on a car chassis). The full-size LX 470 sport-utility, introduced in late 1997 along with the RX 300, also is a carryover for 1999. LINCOLN The successful Navigator sport-utility, introduced in model year 1998, has boosted performance with a standard 5.4liter, 32-valve V-8 with 300 horsepower. An optional adjustable pedal system allows drivers to shift the accelerator and brake pedals forward or back to suit them. A roller-wheel system has been added to the third-row bench seat for easy installation and removal. MAZDA The first import pickup with a four-door cab is the B-Series Cab Plus 4, which went on sale as 1998 1/2 models in late spring. The rear can be opened only when the front doors are open. Cab Plus 4 is available as an option on B-series trucks with the SE trim level. There are three models, powered by a 2.5liter, four-cylinder engine, a 3-liter V-6, or a 4-liter V-6. MERCEDES-BENZ There's a new, more powerful model of the M-Class sport-utility: the ML430, powered by a 268-horsepower, 4.3-liter V-8. The ML430 is distinguished from the earlier ML320 by its standard 17-inch alloy wheels, body-color bumpers, side panels, and side molding. Heated, leather power seats and wood trim are standard, along with a stability system that helps the driver maintain the direction of the vehicle even under hazardous circumstances. MERCURY The redesigned Villager minivan has been lengthened by 4.8 inches, and there's a standard second rear sliding door on the driver's side. The interior is roomier with seven-passenger seating standard. Under the hood, the Villager's V-6 engine has been increased in size to 3.3 liters from 3 liters and in horsepower to 170 from 151. The climate-control and audio systems are new. And for people who get brainstorms while driving, there's an optional Travelnote digital memo recorder mounted on the driver's sun visor. The Mountaineer sport-utility has added optional side air bags in the front seats and an optional rear load-leveling system. An optional sensing system detects obstacles up to 6 feet from the rear bumper when backing up and beeps to alert the driver. MITSUBISHI The Montero Sport, a midsize SUV, has a new Limited model with a 3.5-liter, 24-valve V-6 engine, a new chrome grille, and a front bumper with fog lamps. New standard features include alloy wheels; cruise control; integrated side steps; and power windows, door locks, and mirrors. NISSAN The Quest minivan, like its Mercury Villager cousin, has many new features, including a standard driver's-side rear sliding door. The Frontier compact pickup has a new 170-horsepower, 3.3-liter V-6 engine, available on four-wheel-drive, extended-cab models. There's a choice of a standard five-speed manual transmission or a four-speed automatic transmission. OLDSMOBILE Refinements on the five-passenger Bravada sport-utility begin with an airbag design that permits a clearer view of the instrument panel in any steering-wheel position. The turn-signal stalk has a headlamp "flash to pass" feature, and there is a warning lamp in the instrument cluster that alerts the driver when the tailgate is ajar. PONTIAC The Trans Sport minivan has adopted a name with a sport-utility flavor, the Montana. An optional performance and handling package includes traction control, automatic load-leveling control, and a sport suspension. SUZUKI Chevrolet's Japanese partner has redesigned its Sidekick and X-90 models from the ground up and renamed the mini-SUV the Vitara. It's available as a four-door or as a sporty, two-door convertible. The Vitara has about 25 percent more power than its predecessor, with a 127-horsepower, 2-liter, 16-valve, four-cylinder engine, which is standard on the four-door model and optional on the two-door convertible. A 155-horsepower V-6 version, not yet available on Chevy's Tracker; is called the Grand Vitara, available only as a four-door. TOYOTA A new full-size pickup, the Tundra, will go on sale in May. It will feature a chassis that is larger and stronger than that of the T100, which has been dropped. The Tundra's 4.7-liter engine is the first double-overhead-cam, 32-valve V-8 ever offered in this segment. Maximum payload is nearly a ton, and towing capacity is 7,200 pounds. The truck will be offered in two- or four-wheel drive and either a two-door regular cab with an 8foot bed or a four-door Access Cab with a 6 1/2-foot bed. Medium- And Heavy-Duty Trucks Following are new trucks and features in Class 4, 14,001 to 16,000 pounds GVW; Class 5, 16,001 pounds to 19,500 pounds; Class 6, 19,501 to 26,000 pounds; Class 7, 26,001 to 33,000 pounds; and Class 8, more than 33,000 pounds. BERING Bering Truck Corp., the first new U.S. truck company in decades, will produce cab-over trucks (the engine is beneath the cab instead of under a projecting hood) in Classes 3 through 8 that combine U.S.-made powertrains and components such as clutches, axles, and transmissions with chassis and cab-over-engine technology from the company's South Korean partner, Hyundai. Initially, all trucks will be built in South Korea, but Bering plans to manufacture Class 7 and Class 8 trucks at a plant being built near the company's headquarters in Front Royal, Va. The company will introduce 13 models in the cargo/delivery, tractor, and vocational categories. They will debut at intervals, beginning with Class 5 cargo trucks and Class 8 day-cab tractors on Oct. 1. FREIGHTLINER The Argosy, a cab-over tractor, has added up to 20 percent more cargo space yet is 2 feet shorter than most tractor-trailer combinations. The 90,000-pound-GVW Argosy, which has replaced the FLB, has a tight turning radius and improved visibility. On the Century Class sleepers, an option called Backpack increases storage space by anywhere from 16.6 to 27 cubic feet, depending on the size of the cab. Backpack, located against the back sleeper wall, concentrates storage behind the bunk between the mufflers. Freightliner debuts a premium interior package, called Chaparral, for its Classic and Classic XL trucks, which are popular with independent owners. GMC The W-series lineup of medium-duty, lowcab-forward trucks--marketed under both the GMC and Chevrolet nameplates--has been expanded with a new W5500 diesel in Class 5. A Vortec 7400 MD gas engine, at 210 or 270 horsepower, is new for the T-series of medium-duty, tilt-cab trucks and the conventional C-series trucks. HINO The horsepower of the diesel engines on the Hino FA and FB medium-duty trucks has been increased slightly, to 168 from 165. On the heavier models--the FD, FE, FF, and SG--computer-controlled anti-lock brake systems have been added. ISUZU The Class 5 NQR joins Isuzu's line of lowcab-forward, medium-duty trucks. Designed for low overall cost and heavy-duty tasks such as refrigeration, delivery, and construction, the NQR has a GVW of 16,500 pounds and a body/payload capability of about 10,500 pounds. Power comes from a new Isuzu 4.8-liter diesel rated at 175 horsepower. Also new are two heavy-duty versions of the popular NPR line of urban delivery trucks. KENWORTH The CityCab is a new Class 8 truck designed as an economical day cab for regional delivery operations. It is offered in single and tandem configurations, powered by Caterpillar C10 and C12 engines with up to 430 horsepower. The Studio AeroCab sleeper is available as an option on the W900B and W900L models. It provides ample storage and living space. MACK A new cast-iron axle that is stronger, lighter, and able to carry more payload has been added for the vocational-truck market. The axle reduces chassis weight by 87 pounds and increases payload capability substantially MITSUBISHI FUSO The FG, technically a Class 3, is the only four-wheel-drive, cab-over truck in the United States. It can handle payloads up to 12,000 pounds and can he fitted with various bodies up to 14 feet long. The FG is available in wheelbases of 109.4 inches and 133.1 inches. NAVISTAR The premium International Eagle 9900, developed with input from 100 owner-operators and drivers, will be available in early 1999. The flagship of the International line sports the long-nose design that truckers say they like, plus a smooth ride. It features a wider chrome grille, headlights set in chrome, and a full-width, bright-finish bumper. PETERBILT A premium cab interior, called Canadian/American Class Platinum, offers a more contemporary design and increased comfort, Increased insulation and padding create a rich appearance and reduce noise in the cab and sleeper. The Platinum interior can be ordered through Peterbilt's SmartSpec system of component specification, which makes available more than 200 customized packages and simplifies the ordering process. STERLING Sterling Truck Corp. takes over Ford's medium- and heavy-duty-truck operation, which was bought last year by Sterling's parent company, Freightliner. The former Louisville becomes the L-line, while the Ford Aeromax becomes the A-line. Sterling is focusing on high-end, high-tech, vocationally oriented trucks in Classes 6 through 8. Sterling now produces the Cargo, formerly marketed by Ford. The Class 7 and Class 8 vehicles provide excellent visibility and maneuverability. The low-cab-forward trucks and tractors are shorter in overall length than similar conventional combinations, and they have a low cab-to-ground height, UD TRUCKS Three new models have expanded the UD line of cab-over trucks to 10, ranging from Class 3 to Class 7. The new UD1200 is a Class 3 powered by a 145-horsepower, turbocharged diesel. It's available with a manual or an automatic transmission and in three wheelbases. The new UD1800CS is a hybrid, intended to combine the payload capacity and performance of a Class 5 (its GVW is 17,995 pounds) with the economy of a Class 4. Its turbocharged diesel engine is rated at 175 horsepower. VOLVO The Class 8 VNM Series offers a choice of two full-sized sleeper cabs in a smaller package--113 inches from the bumper to the hack of the cab. The VNMs combine compact design and maneuverability with comfort and luxury The VNM 610 offers a 61-inch-deep sleeper compartment with 77 inches of stand-up height and an optional upper bunk. WESTERN STAR The Star Light Sleeper weighs 400 pounds less than comparable Western Star models because it is constructed of panels of plastic honeycomb sandwiched between lightweight aluminum. New Western Star cab models feature roomier interiors and swivel seats.

According to a new study published by Telematics Research Group, automotive telematics is in the infancy stage and is on the start of an explosive growth cycle. While only 5 percent of new autos sold are telematics-enabled today, by 2006 one third of new autos sold will have telematics. More importantly, over the next five years, the installed base of telematics-enabled autos in the U.S. will reach nearly 21 million for a compound annual growth rate of 63 percent.

"Telematics is an emerging industry at the same stage the PC industry was in back in 1980," says Dr. Egil Juliussen, principal analyst with Telematics Research Group. "During the 1980s, the number of PCs-in-use per 1,000 people exploded from 6 PCs to just over 200 PCs per 1,000 people. From 2000 to 2010, the number of telematics-enabled autos-in-use are projected to grow from 4 per 1,000 people to nearly 200 telematics vehicles per 1,000 people," adds Dr. Juliussen.

Eventually all cars and light trucks will have some level of embedded telematics because the benefits to both the consumer and the auto manufacturers are so compelling, the report states. To the consumer, the safety and security aspects of telematics will eventually make telematics a requirement, much like anti-lock brakes are today, according to Freedonia.

To the auto manufacturer, the benefits of embedded telematics are widespread and may be enough to justify the cost based on operational cost avoidance alone. For example, the collection and analysis of remote diagnostics on large numbers of autos can identify reliability problems and this has the potential to lower warranty and recall costs, the study stated.

Furthermore, remote diagnostics is also likely to supply valuable data that can provide information for future design enhancements.

But telematics goes well beyond safety, security and remote diagnostics. Embedded telematics provides a platform for subscription-based content services. By 2005 these services will begin to exceed revenues from equipment, as telematics will serve as a delivery platform for everything from news, weather and traffic information, to e-mail, instant messaging and voice services, according to the study.

U.S. demand for automotive coatings, sealants and adhesives is forecast to rise 2.4 percent per year to 2.3 billion pounds in 2005, according to an automotive research group. Gains will slow from the expansionary pace set during the 1990s, primarily due to a deceleration in the production of larger-sized vehicles, according to a study by the Freedonia Group, a Cleveland-based research organization. However, larger vehicles will continue to account for a significant percentage of total motor vehicle production in comparison to a decade ago, thus ensuring gains in automotive coatings, sealants and adhesives demand, according to the study.

In addition, production of sedans and other smaller automobiles will rebound from declines during the 1990s when consumer demand favored SUVs, vans and trucks, the report said.

Automotive after-market growing-Although constituting a smaller segment, the aftermarket will benefit from the large number of vehicles put into service during the 1995- 2000 period, which will promote gains for coatings, sealants and adhesives used on automotive repair and various aftermarket parts. But gains will be restrained by the improved durability in automotive coatings, sealants and adhesives, as well as a reduction in the number of collisions, the study said. Among the collisions that do occur, more vehicles will be deemed as not worth the cost to repair, it added.

Nevertheless, all body parts and components have become more durable over the past decade or so, resulting in motor vehicles with longer useful life spans. Since older cars tend to require more repairs, this trend will promote aftermarket demand in the long run. Within the motor vehicle industry, coatings, sealants and adhesives are used for exterior, interior and under-the- hood applications.

Interior and exterior applications will continue to account for the majority of demand.

Although facing restrictive growth due to greater use of plastics, coatings will be a hot bed of product development as the product mix continues to switch from solvent-based to environmentally friendly technologies. For example, the commercialization of powder clearcoats in the U.S. (these products are already used in Europe), which is expected to occur within the next ten years, will have the greatest effect on this segment, according to Freedonia.