“Etowah ThyssenKrupp Waupaca to go idle; 276 face layoff - WBIR” plus 4 more

Etowah ThyssenKrupp Waupaca to go idle; 276 face layoff - WBIR
Webasto Named 'Best Brand' for Air Conditioning/Heating in Commercial ... - Biloxi Sun Herald
Alissa Geving is Accepted into 2009 NASCAR Drive for Diversity Combine - Who Won
Toyota Says High Cost Limits Electric Cars - WPXI
Valvoline(R) Engine Guarantee Helps 'Clunkers' Buyers Keep Their New ... - MSN Money

Etowah ThyssenKrupp Waupaca to go idle; 276 face layoff - WBIR

Posted: 17 Sep 2009 08:46 AM PDT

As of next year, 276 workers in Etowah are facing the prospect of being laid off.

The company has offered or will offer about half the employees a chance to transfer to plants in Pell City, Indiana, or Waupaca, Wisconsin.

A slump in the automotive and heavy truck industry has prompted a drop in orders for the parts the ThyssenKrupp Waupaca plant produces.

On January 1, the Etowah plant is set to go idle, with a small maintenance crew on site to keep equipment in decent shape, in case the industry bounces back.

Of the 276 facing a layoff, 242 are hourly employees, and 34 are salaried.

The Etowah plant manufactures brake rotors and drums for the auto and heavy truck industry.

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Webasto Named 'Best Brand' for Air Conditioning/Heating in Commercial ... - Biloxi Sun Herald

Posted: 17 Sep 2009 08:03 AM PDT

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FENTON, Mich., Sept. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- For the fifth time in a row the readers of top German magazines have voted Webasto as the best brand for air conditioning and heating systems for commercial vehicles. With 67.3 percent of the votes, Webasto had a clear lead over its competitors in the area of air conditioning/heating.

The Stuttgart-based publishers ETM Verlag carried out the survey on "The Best Brands" for the thirteenth time. About 8,100 readers and decision makers from the commercial vehicle sector - which includes medium- and heavy-duty trucks and buses - took part this year and voted for their favorites., Webasto supplies these same solutions across the North America commercial vehicle market, providing in-cab comfort and fuel savings without engine idling. These green technologies are sold and serviced by Webasto Product North America, Inc., (WPNA) through its national distribution partner, WheelTime(R) Network LLC (WheelTime).

"We are very proud to again be voted the best brand in the air conditioning/heating category," said Dr. Joachim Damasky, Member of the Management Board of Webasto AG. "Long distance drivers spend up to 20 hours a day in their vehicles. The fact that they can make their trips comfortably and rested not only means safe delivery for their loads but also they are more alert while driving. With our solutions we ensure that safety is guaranteed both in the heat of the summer and in the cold of winter."

WPNA is the North American subsidiary of the Global Comfort Solutions (GCS) Business Unit of Munich, Germany-based Webasto AG, the world's largest supplier of vehicular parking and auxiliary heating and air-conditioning systems. In 2008 Webasto produced over one million heating systems and has a worldwide market share of nearly 60 percent of these heaters, which are widely fitted to cars, trucks and buses globally. The Webasto Air Top 2000 ST is North America's best-selling air heater for commercial vehicles.

WheelTime promotes, distributes and services Webasto's full line of idle-reducing technologies in the U.S. and part of Canada with the objective of growing idle reduction in the North American transportation market. This includes engine-off heating and cooling systems that can reduce idling while meeting the needs of the vehicle operator. One example is BlueCool Truck, an innovative bunk cooling storage system for sleeper cabs, which won the 2008 Frost and Sullivan Idle Reduction Technology of the Year award. When in use BlueCool Truck does not create any emissions or use any fuel.

About Webasto:

Webasto AG headquartered in Stockdorf near Munich has been a family-run business ever since the company was founded in 1901. It has about 6,500 employees at 50 international locations and is specialized in the Convertible, Roof & Body (CRB) and Global Comfort Solutions (GCS) business segments. With sales of around 1.6 billion euros (2008 business year) Webasto is one of the top 100 automotive suppliers worldwide. The company's core competencies include development and production of convertible, roof and body systems as well as heating, cooling and ventilation systems for passenger cars and commercial vehicles. You will find further information at: www.webasto.com

SOURCE Webasto

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Alissa Geving is Accepted into 2009 NASCAR Drive for Diversity Combine - Who Won

Posted: 17 Sep 2009 07:56 AM PDT

Thursday, September 17, 2009
Alissa Geving is Accepted into 2009 NASCAR Drive for Diversity Combine

by Bill Sullivan

PENNGROVE, Calif. -- All of her childhood life, Alissa Geving dreamed of one thing, becoming a professional race car driver. Wednesday afternoon the 18 year-old North Bay native received a phone call that put her one step closer to following that dream.

The call was from the ultimate leader in the auto racing industry, NASCAR. Officials from the National Association of Stock Car Racing informed Geving that she has officially been accepted into the 2009 NASCAR Drive for Diversity Combine which begins in mid October.

I was really surprised when they called, said Geving, a freshmen at Chico State University. Becoming a NASCAR driver has always been a dream of mine. Im looking forward to this opportunity and I am excited to get started.

According to the Drive for Diversity management group, Geving was one of twenty-five drivers from throughout the nation invited to attend the 2009 Drive for Diversity Testing & Evaluation Combine presented by Sunoco. The event is scheduled to be held October 18-20, 2009 at a location to be determined in the coming weeks.

The Drive for Diversity Testing & Evaluation Combine brings together 25 of the countrys top minority and female drivers for two days of on and off track competition. Drivers invited to the Combine are there for one reason - to showcase their skills in front of NASCAR officials, team owners and industry media in an effort to earn a ride with a team in either the NASCAR Camping World Series or the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series.

Combine participants take part in rigorous on-track testing and off-track media training and evaluation. Drive for Diversity affiliated team owners evaluate drivers and, based on performance and fit with their team, will select a driver to compete for them for a full race season.

Areas of competition at the Combine include: On-track assessment, including testing practice, qualifying laps and intermediate runs in a NASCAR Camping World Series stock car, in-car communication between the driver and crew, media and sponsor relations as well as media training and mock-interview sessions. For Geving, her patience behind the wheel combined with her off track personality make her a prime candidate to one day become a true ambassador to the sport at a national level.

Twenty-five drivers, representing 19 different states and Mexico, were invited to showcase their skills before a panel of 11 established NASCAR team owners for the 2008 Drive for Diversity Combine. Twelve drivers, based on their performance at the Combine, earned the opportunity to compete with a Drive for Diversity affiliated team for the 2009 season. The historic South Boston Speedway in South Boston, Va. has hosted the Testing & Evaluation Combine for the past four years; the Combine has also been held at Motor Mile Speedway in Radford, Va. and Hickory Motor Speedway in Hickory, N.C.

Drive for Diversity is the industrys leading development program for minority and female drivers and crew members. Managed by The 909 Group, the Drive for Diversity program currently supports drivers in two of NASCARs developmental series - the NASCAR Camping World Series and the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series. Drive for Diversity also supports crew member candidates through a year-long pit crew training program. Crew members have gone on to compete in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and the NASCAR Nationwide Series.

Alissa Geving began breaking records two years ago when she followed in the footsteps of her grandfather, Leroy Geving and her father, Gary Geving behind the wheel of a winged sprint car at her hometown track of Petaluma Speedway. In 2007 she became the youngest female driver in the nation to win a winged sprint car feature event at just 15-years-old.

One year later Geving took her accolades to the next level when she became the youngest lady competitor to win a winged sprint car championship which she followed up this season with a second such title in the Petaluma Speedway All Pro Series. Geving also earned the 2008 Rookie of the Year Award in the competitive Civil War Sprint Car Series and earned Rookie honors at both Petaluma Speedway and Antioch Speedway.

In addition to her experience in a winged sprint car, Geving has had great success this past season in wingless competition, including a heat race win and a top finish in a high profile USAC event at her hometown track. She made her asphalt racing debut earlier this summer when she drove for veteran car owner Ted Finkenbinder in a USAC Western States Sprint Car event in Northern California.

Regardless of the venue in which she competes, Geving displays a great deal of sportsmanship and professionalism. These two qualities are highly recognized by the sports highest level and are very crucial when it comes to one day driving a race car for a living. Talking to the fans, thanking her sponsors and communicating is one area where Geving has virtually no weakness.

There are young drivers that can drive the wheels off a car and win races. Then there are the ones that great ability to speak in public and represent the sport in a positive fashion, said Bill Sullivan, Public Relations representative for Geving and a select group of drivers. Alissa has both those qualities. You can learn how to drive with a lot of lessons, but personality and professionalism is something that comes naturally. Her spirit and drive will take her far in this sport if she continues to pursue it. This is a huge opportunity for her.

Prior to the upcoming Combine in October, Geving plans to continue driving her family owned sprint car at various late season events including an upcoming Civil War Series race at Petaluma Speedway and likely the Pacific Sprint Fall Nationals in Chico. She hopes to have the opportunity to gain additional practice on the asphalt in the coming weeks as well.

Im ready to do this, said Geving. I have a lot of people to thank for getting me where I am at today including my Mom and Dad who have both given me everything I have needed to be competitive and safe. All of my sponsors are very supportive of me and I am thankful for them. Im going to do my best at this and see where it goes.

Throughout the racing season, Alissa Geving has been supported by a number of great sponsors. These individuals not only have supported Geving financially but have shown great support emotionally as well, cheering her on in both good times and bad. Among the many supports are Tillett Tool, Matt Cordeiro Enterprises, Pit Stop USA, and Auto Repairs Unlimited.

Additional sponsors include Hushpower by Flowmaster Mufflers, Allstar Performance, A1A Performance Muffler, Rossi Auto Body, Afex Graphics, Simpson Racing Product, 21st Century Health Club, Butler Specialtys, Vanlare Steering Repair, DefNder Neck Restraints, Pro Shocks, DirtHead.com, Molecule Labs, Jeremys Chair Repair, ALC Machine, JW Web Design.

To learn more about Alissa Geving, her sponsors or how to become involved with the team as a sponsor visit her official website at www.chick-o-motorsports.com.

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Toyota Says High Cost Limits Electric Cars - WPXI

Posted: 17 Sep 2009 07:34 AM PDT

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Valvoline(R) Engine Guarantee Helps 'Clunkers' Buyers Keep Their New ... - MSN Money

Posted: 17 Sep 2009 06:58 AM PDT

700,000 new reasons to do what's best

LEXINGTON, Ky., Sept. 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- If you're the lucky owner of one of those 700,000 new vehicles purchased in the government's "cash for clunkers" program, there's no time like the present to take advantage of another terrific offer. Why not protect your major new investment with Valvoline(R) motor oil so that you can guarantee its engine for up to 300,000 miles?

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090917/CL77397LOGO )

Better yet, it's not just new cars and trucks that qualify. Most vehicles with fewer than 75,000 miles are eligible to be registered in the free Valvoline Engine Guarantee program.

According to recent studies, Americans are keeping their cars on the road longer than ever before, with the average personal vehicle nearly 10 years old. Valvoline is helping car owners continue to keep their vehicles going by offering an unparalleled engine guarantee of up to 300,000 miles.

Sam Mitchell, president, Ashland Consumer Markets (Valvoline), explains the special offer. "It's clear that in this economy, many people are focused on saving money and making their vehicles last longer. We're confident that Valvoline motor oil has what it takes to make that happen, and we're backing that confidence with a guarantee not only in our oil, but also in the life of our customers' engines when they use our oil as recommended," Mitchell says.

Drivers can choose from three levels of the Valvoline Engine Guarantee based on personal driving needs and vehicle requirements with the following oil selections:

MaxLife(R) Full Synthetic or Synpower(R) Full Synthetic - 300,000-mile limited guarantee
MaxLife(R) or DuraBlend(R) (synthetic blends) - 225,000-mile limited guarantee
Valvoline Premium Conventional - 150,000-mile limited guarantee

Enrollment in the Valvoline Engine Guarantee is simple and can begin at any Valvoline Instant Oil Change center, where the company's service professionals enter all initial vehicle and oil change information for customers online. Valvoline will then send customers a link via e-mail that enables them to complete their enrollment in the program from home. From that point forward, Valvoline Instant Oil Change automatically tracks all oil change records online; no paperwork is required.

"Regular auto maintenance is critical for maintaining a healthy engine," Mitchell says. "There is no better way for a new car owner to enhance the longevity of their vehicle and, as an added bonus, drivers have the ability to guarantee their engine in the event that the unthinkable happens."

'Clunkers' replacement buyers and other car owners are encouraged to visit http://www.EngineGuarantee.com/ to learn full details about Valvoline's 300,000-mile Engine Guarantee and program limitations, and to locate the nearest Valvoline Instant Oil Change centers.

About Valvoline

Valvoline, a brand of Ashland Inc., has been serving American motorists longer than any other motor oil. The Valvoline family of products includes Eagle One(R) appearance products, Car Brite(R) car restoration products, Zerex(R) antifreeze, SynPower(R) performance products, Pyroil(R) automotive chemicals and MaxLife(R) products created for higher-mileage engines. With more than 850 locations throughout the United States, Valvoline Instant Oil Change(R) is a leader in serving the quick lube market.

About Ashland

Ashland Inc. ASH provides specialty chemical products, services and solutions for many of the world's most essential needs and industries. Serving customers in more than 100 countries, it operates through five commercial units: Ashland Aqualon Functional Ingredients, Ashland Hercules Water Technologies, Ashland Performance Materials, Ashland Consumer Markets (Valvoline) and Ashland Distribution. To learn more about Ashland, visit http://www.ashland.com/.

(R) Trademark, Ashland or its subsidiaries

SOURCE Ashland Inc.

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