Two production-ready amphibious vehicles are planned for introduction in the United States in 2009, according to UK-based Gibbs Technologies, who is forming three new companies to produce and market its vehicles in North America. Quadski, an all-terrain vehicle, will be manufactured and sold by Gibbs Sports Amphibians. Aquada, a vehicle that combines the handling of a sports car with an ability to travel at more than 30 mph on water, will be built and marketed by Gibbs Amphibians.

Quadski is the third demonstration of Gibbs' HSA technology following the successes of the Aquada and the Humdinga. It is capable of traveling up to 50 mph (72 kph) on land and water and makes the transition at the flick of a switch.

According to Alan Gibbs, the firm's founder and chairman, "Our market research indicates that a lineup of high-speed amphibious vehicles similar to the Aquada could generate annual sales volumes of 100,000 or more within five years."

"I know consumers will love the fun of driving a Quadski on land one minute and then head straight into the sea or river the next. But there is a very serious side to Quadski as well: emergency services and aid workers will be able to reach areas and people no two-wheel- or four-wheel-drive vehicle could reach," Gibbs notes.

The Gibbs Aquada is transformed from road to water mode at the touch of a single button. The amphibian senses when it is in water, and so will not allow retraction of its wheels when on dry land. Hydraulic pressure is applied to the hydraulic strut, which lifts the wheel and tire assembly to its retracted position within the wheel housing. At the same time the wheels are "decoupled" so they are no longer driven by the engine. The steering nozzle is mounted on the back of the stator nozzle and is connected to the normal steering wheel. It is used to direct the water jet in order to steer the amphibian. The designers also devised a way to prevent water from entering the vehicle when in the water. Spray rails and chines contain the spray on either side of the amphibian and away from the cockpit.

Gibbs Technologies currently is considering locations for technical centers, sales offices and manufacturing plants in several states including Georgia, Virginia, Michigan and Texas, according to Alan Gibbs, the firm's founder and chairman.

"A commercially viable high-speed amphibious vehicle has eluded auto manufacturers, entrepreneurs and inventors for more than 100 years," Gibbs said. "Recent developments in light-weight materials, engine technology and vehicle architecture, however, have enabled us to accomplish what many believed to be impossible."

Source: Gibbs Technologies. (June 13, 2007). "Gibbs Entering U.S. Market With Amphibious Vehicles." Gibbs Technologies press release courtesy of PR Newswire.

A new study reports that safety is a major reason why consumers consider and purchase Xenon or High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlights on their automobiles.

The research was conducted by Brand-Aid Consulting of Wrentham, Massachusetts. In conjunction with R.L. Polk registration data, Brand-Aid surveyed 400 people who drove 2003–2005 model-year vehicles. Two hundred of the owners drove Xenon-equipped vehicles, while the other half drove vehicles with halogen lighting.

Ninety-seven percent of Xenon owners surveyed said they see better with the technology, and the headlights seem to perform better in poor weather conditions, when compared to standard halogen lighting. When asked about specific Xenon performance features, these consumers noted that they felt safer because they saw more of the oncoming road, as well as viewing roadside obstacles sooner. This is not surprising, as existing research shows that seven out of 10 drivers in the United States fear driving at night for reasons related to poor visibility.

"We have strong empirical evidence that shows that consumers appreciate and are loyal to Xenon because of the technology's unparalleled illumination and inherent safety benefits," said Matt Blewett, Xenon Product Manager, OSRAM SYLVANIA. "The technology provides its owners with 70% more light on the road, increasing visibility of many peripheral objects left in the shadows by standard halogen lighting."

The results of the consumer study reveal that nearly all (91%) of current Xenon vehicle drivers are "completely to very well satisfied" with their headlights. Of those polled, 92% indicated that visibility and enhanced safety are the most popular features of the technology. An overwhelming 97% of current Xenon owners said that they would purchase a future vehicle with Xenon technology, and 85% of those surveyed would recommend Xenon headlights to others.

The study reveals that 70% of non-Xenon drivers are aware of the technology and its benefits. The study also reveals that the vast majority (69%) have never driven or have never been a passenger in a vehicle equipped with Xenon headlights. This shows that the majority of non-Xenon drivers form opinions about the technology by only experiencing it from the perspective of on-coming traffic. Despite this lack of first-hand experience as a Xenon-headlight driver, 51% of non-Xenon owners said they believe the technology provides a safer nighttime driving experience.

Source: OSRAM SYLVANIA. (June 12, 2007). "Vehicle Owners Drawn to Xenon Lighting Because of Safety Features, Benefits." OSRAM SYLVANIA press release courtesy of PR Newswire.

Textron Inc. is now seeking licensing agreements for its latest surface-contamination detection system that enables accurate, automated, inline inspection of metallic and composite panels prior to bonding, coating, painting or welding operations. It says that the technology is currently used for real-time, in-process panel inspection at a leading U.S. aircraft manufacturer, where detecting surface contamination before subsequent operations has resulted in lower scrap and rework cost and improved customer satisfaction. The technology is transferable to any application where surface contamination of metal or composite panels is undesirable, necessitating the need for in-process inspection. According to the company, some of the benefits of its technology include:

• Infrared imaging: Infrared imaging of a part using a mid-wavelength camera (7–14 micron) after a rinse operation clearly reveals contaminated surfaces as low-emissivity (light) areas, and clean surfaces as high-emissivity (dark) areas. The images can be captured by the camera(s) within the processing line, but evaluated away from the undesirable conditions that may be present in the line. A sample image taken of a sheet of metal is shown below:

• Automated multiple camera system: Using multiple cameras enables the desired line throughput that may not be achievable with a single camera having to image the entire part surface(s). Each camera of the system automatically pans and tilts to cover the entire area of interest, and the images are integrated into a composite mosaic of the entire part.
  
• Warping and de-skewing imaging methods: Pre-processing of the images prior to evaluation enables accurate image representation and defect measurement.
  
• Automated image evaluation: Automated evaluation methods can be utilized with digital images of the parts to enable real-time, objective, error-free screening.

Textron notes that alternate methods for inspecting surface cleanliness are often destructive, very time-consuming or done on a sampling basis. The patented method and apparatus for surface-contamination detection overcomes all of these deficiencies of existing methods. Textron says that its technology makes 100% surface inspection feasible for high-throughput processing lines, enabling reduction in scrap/rework and improved quality to the customer.

All aspects of its technology have been fully developed and implemented in a production line, the company notes. Replication of its method and apparatus to a different production line will require some line-specific setup and training which could be facilitated through a consulting agreement in conjunction with a patent and technology license, and those interested should contact Robert Pascal of Textron Innovations at rpascal@textron.com.

Source: Yet2.com. "Automated, In-process Method for Surface Contamination Inspection of Panels." Retrieved June 14, 2007 from www.yet2.com.

According to a federal government ruling, 100% of new motor vehicles will, by law, need to have a tire-pressure monitoring system (TPMS) by the year 2008. While TPMS represent an important development in car safety, they also pose challenges for the specialty-equipment industry. Improper dismounting, for example, can break sensors, costing you time and money.

Servicing tires on vehicles equipped with TPMS can result in an expensive lesson if proper procedures aren't followed. The Tire Industry Association (TIA) has trained thousands of technicians in North America to handle the tires and vehicles and will present an overview of how TPMS technology affects the replacement-tire market. This webinar will focus on service-related issues that occur and the steps that service providers can take to prevent broken sensors and disabled systems.

Webinar: Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
Thursday, July 12, 2007
10:00 a.m. (PST)

Past webinar sessions are available for viewing and download by visiting www.sema.org/webinar, or by clicking here.

Filler for eNews

 
Mass production and mass markets are giving way to increased vehicle personalization and customization, and automakers are looking for products, processes and partners to help them create accessory-friendly vehicles for fragmenting market segments.

Contributions for the Council Cup-Cash for Kids golf tournament recently came from an unusual source: industry non-golfers.

Hot Rod Air Vice President and Hot Rod Industry Alliance Chairman David Stutts explains that while searching for HRIA members near California who were planning to attend the SEMA Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser, John Menzler of Comp Performance Group decided to step up with a contribution NOT to play. The idea took root almost as a gag, Stutts says.

“I sent John’s e-mail around to other select committee members,” Stutts says, “and I started getting a few hundred bucks here and there from other companies almost as a side joke.” Stutts adds that the non-golfers have helped raise about $400–500 so far.

Additionally, nearly all the SEMA councils have formed teams to challenge for the Council Cup. The Light-Truck Accessory Alliance (TORA) has even formed an affiliate team, the "SAC" Team, made up of members from Shur-Co., American Technology Components and Cap World.

Nissan Project-Vehicle Proposal Deadline

SEMA Show Exhibitors: The deadline to submit a project-vehicle proposal to Nissan is this Friday, June 15. For details on what the proposal should include and additional information, access the proposal form located here.  

For more information on project-vehicle programs, contact Bill Wolf at billw@sema.org. 

Nissan Measuring Session

Manufacturers: SEMA and Nissan North America have set a measuring session for Tuesday–Wednesday, June 19–20. The session will feature four 2008 Nissan vehicles—the Versa five-door hatchback, the Sentra and Sentra SE-R sedans and the all-new Altima Coupe.

Each company will get 60 minutes with the vehicles, and cameras are permitted. The session will take place at:

• The Westside Group
  527 Van Ness
  Torrance, CA 90501 

To participate, members must register by Friday, June 15.

Measuring sessions provide manufacturers the opportunity to get hands-on with production vehicles that have yet to hit the street. Many participating manufacturers use measuring sessions to attain vehicle measurements and ready products in time for the vehicles’ public releases. 

To register, e-mail your name(s), company name, address, phone number to measuringsession@sema.org. Questions? Contact Bill Wolf (billw@sema.org)  or Sandy Conolly (sandyc@sema.org) at 909/396-0289, ext. 177 or ext. 155, respectively.

Filler for eNews

The polished, curvaceous styling of Toyota’s FJ Cruiser belies its competence as an off-road machine with ample clearance and agility in the rough. Its popularity on the American highways is arguably due to its styling, power and interior quality. But many buyers, especially younger car shoppers, may be unaware of Toyota’s reputation for building, even breaking wide open, the adventure-ute segment, a segment that could best be described as hardy off-road vehicles in medium-size packages.

Toyota introduced the world to its own version of the Range Rover with its Land Cruiser, an adventure ute that can be found everywhere from the South American Pampas to the Beverly Hills suburbs. And the 4Runner was one of the hottest burning coals in what became the SUV inferno of the 90’s. 

Between May 10-June 8, fans of Toyota’s rugged machines spent a combined $446,462 on parts and accessories for the FJ Cruiser, 4Runner and Land Cruiser via online auction, according to data from Terapeak, a developer of market-focused research software that monitors online sales and auctions. Newest among those vehicles, the FJ accounted for a little less than 20% of the total, while the bulk of sales went toward the 4Runner, a vehicle in production since 1984. The remainder—approximately $77,000—went to Land Cruiser enthusiasts.

Exterior parts, led by bumpers, mirrors and grilles, proved the most profitable category for 4Runners, accounting for $46,500 of the $284,400 grand total in sales (amounts rounded to the nearest $100). Interior parts—dash, floor mats and trim pieces—followed, with tail-, corner-  and headlights, and other lighting accessories comprising $24,000 worth of transactions. The Land Cruiser follows almost identical patterns to the 4Runner.

The FJ Cruiser, on the other hand, accounted for $85,000 in sales, with exterior parts forming the bulk of that category—specifically grilles, towing and hauling products, and moldings/trim. Wheel and tire packages followed in sales amount ($17,200), with interior parts—trim pieces, floor mats and cargo nets, trays and liners—the third most profitable category.

Terapeak's Motors P&A Research provides sellers with access to comprehensive research on the past year of online auction data and allows users to get in-depth research reports on the competition and themselves. More at www.terapeak.com/motors.