Underhood Service takes a look at some of the top automotive related articles from 2012.
What is your top story from this list? What do you think should have made the list that isn't reported here?
E-mail us at esunkin@babcox.com.
NASCAR Has a New Champ
Brad Keselowski, the No. 2 team for Penske Racing
organization, captures the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship.
Brown Races to the Top
NHRA Top Fuel driver, Antron Brown, wins the 2012 NHRA Top
Fuel title. This makes Brown the first African American to win a
championship in any NHRA pro series in the sport’s 61-year history.
http://bit.ly/SjylJE
New Refrigerant Gets Cold Shoulder
Volkswagen joins Daimler in the fight against using A/C
refrigerant HFO-1234yf
in new vehicles.
http://bit.ly/RpgEo1
MA Voters Like Right to Repair
In November, Massachusetts voters "resoundingly"
pass the Right to Repair ballot measure in their state.
http://bit.ly/TdLZe9
Fuel Fears
BMW, Chrysler, Nissan, Toyota and Volkswagen publicly state
that their warranties will not cover fuel-related claims caused by the use of
E15. GM, Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo have also
stated that the use of E15 does not meet the fuel requirements in their owner’s
manuals and may void warranty coverage.
http://bit.ly/UHwXL8
1 Million Hondas and Growing
In December, 25 years after the first U.S.-made Honda automobile was exported to overseas markets, associates at the company's
Marysville Auto Plant recently marked production of the 1 millionth Honda
automobile to be exported from the U.S. The silver 2013 Honda Accord EX-L Sedan
will be shipped to South Korea.
http://bit.ly/UBzOHC
AAPEX Show Numbers Improve
The Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX) opened with
a colorful splash of orange and ended on a similar celebratory note with an
increase in the number of exhibitors and exhibits at the 2012 event.
http://bit.ly/UHxm05
WIX Crowns New Top Tech
Kim Brant from Joe’s Tire & Auto Sales (www.stjoeautoservice.com)
in St. Joseph, Mo., is named the second-annual WIX Filters Best Tech.
http://bit.ly/VDhvRx
Toyota’s Window/Fire Recall Hits 2.5 Million Vehicles
In October, Toyota Motor Sales USA (TMS) has announces a
safety recall involving approximately 2.5 million vehicles to inspect and apply
a special fluorine grease to the driver's side Power Window Master Switch
(PWMS) to avoid a possible fire to the switch assembly.
http://bit.ly/Z3qXFi
Under Inspection
In celebration of October Fall Car Care Month, more than 100
vehicles were inspected on Sunday, Oct. 7, during the first-ever consumer
vehicle check-up event hosted by the Car Care Council in conjunction with the
Northwood University International Auto Show in Midland, MI.
http://bit.ly/12nKq1q
Braking Bad?
The states of California and Washington enact legislation to
limit the amount of copper and other constituents used in brake friction
materials.
http://bit.ly/Z3rw1U
MPG Standards Increased
The Obama Administration finalized groundbreaking standards
that will increase fuel economy to the equivalent of 54.5 mpg for cars and
light-duty trucks by model year 2025.
http://bit.ly/Puh7qZ
Cruising into a Recall
In June, General Motors began recalling 413,418 Chevrolet
Cruzes in the U.S. for the 2011 and 2012 model years to modify the engine
shield under the vehicle. This change will help prevent any liquids from being
trapped in the engine compartment, where a fire could start and spread.
http://bit.ly/UWd0F4
Focusing on Engine Efficiency
Ford's 999cc three-cylinder turbo engine is put to good use
as the powerplant in the Ford Focus, and is named the overall winner of the
International Engine of the Year Award.
http://bit.ly/My188m
Coming to a Pump Near You?
On June 15, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
gave approval to about 57 companies to begin selling gasoline with 15% ethanol (E15). Consumer reaction to the fuel
has been “mixed.”
http://bit.ly/SXnS4I
Safebraking.com Hits the 'Net
SafeBraking.com,
a news website that tackles the difficult issue of safety in brakes with a
message that keeps visitors engaged, becomes the latest collaboration between
NUCAP and Babcox Media and harnesses the power of targeted and unique content.
http://bit.ly/W9ktzb
Most Anticipated Car Museum Opens
In June, following two years of design and construction, the
Pacific Northwest’s newest attraction, the
LeMay – America’s Car Museum
(ACM) debuts as thousands of people flowed into the 165,000-square-foot,
four-level museum with sweeping views above Tacoma, WA.
http://bit.ly/UHDIN5
Losing a Legend
Carroll Hall Shelby, a man whose vision for performance
transformed the automobile industry, died at age 89 on May 10 in Dallas. Born
on Jan. 11, 1923, Shelby was one of America’s greatest success stories – championship-winning
racecar driver, “flying sergeant” wartime pilot, philanthropist, entrepreneur,
car manufacturer and racing team owner.
http://bit.ly/TXTZ5e
Holding On
Based on an analysis of U.S. vehicle registrations by Polk, a leading
global market intelligence firm, the average length of ownership of
vehicles that were purchased new has risen to a record 71.4 months, or
nearly six years.
http://bit.ly/wW8bwe
Merging Print with Video
Babcox Media Inc. acquired Automotive Video Inc. (AVI), effective Jan. 1,
2012. AVI’s broad range of educational products for technicians and video
production capabilities adds to Babcox Media’s portfolio of media properties
and marketing services and allows the company to extend its reach farther throughout
the automotive aftermarket, tire, performance, collision, commercial trucking,
engine building and powersports markets.
http://bit.ly/wW8bwe