Early this morning, not far from Honda's U.S. facilities, we were lucky enough to get a quick glance at the next-generation Acura TSX. The new TSX will take on a more aggressive look, taking design cues from the Sports 4 concept car shown at the 2005 Tokyo Motor Show.

An improved 2.4L i-VTEC four-cylinder motor will go into the base model with an expected 20–30–hp bump. The entry-level model will sport either a six-speed manual, or five-speed auto, and will be front-wheel drive.

A hotter Type-S model should also appear with power coming from the 260-hp turbocharged motor also found in the Acura RDX. The sportier model will feature a six-speed auto/manual DSG gearbox, and is expected to feature Honda's Super Handling All-Wheel-Drive system. While this vehicle will be sold as the Acura TSX in the United States, this same car, with just a few minor styling adjustments, will also sell in European markets as the new Honda Accord.

With the 2008 Honda Accord getting a diesel motor, it is possible that we could see a diesel TSX as well. Look for the TSX to start production towards the end of 2008.

Photo Credit: Chris Doane for Brenda Priddy & Co.

SEMA appointed Petra Smeltzer as the association's new director of congressional affairs. Ms. Smeltzer joins SEMA with a broad range of public policy experience. She has a varied government relations background that spans both the state and federal government relations arenas and has substantial advocacy experience working within trade association environments of the energy sector. Her previous positions include working for the American Petroleum Institute, the Electric Power Supply Association and the National Electrical Manufacturers Association. She also served as the federal liaison to Gov. Bob Taft (R-OH) where she advocated energy and environmental issues before Congress on behalf of the state of Ohio.

“Petra brings to SEMA a wealth of experience in government relations, legislative analyses and advocacy, as well as the development and implementation of policy,”  SEMA’s Vice President of Government Affairs Steve McDonald commented. “We are pleased to have someone of her experience to supplement our continuing efforts on Capitol Hill to educate the federal legislature on the impact of our industry on the health of the nation’s economy. The breadth of her knowledge on environmental and business issues of critical importance to the aftermarket will provide SEMA with an effective advocate and a valuable resource in our efforts to protect and advance the aftermarket industry.” 

SEMA maintains an experienced government affairs staff and legal team in Washington, D.C. Responsible for communicating and advocating issues affecting the specialty automotive aftermarket, SEMA’s government affairs office has proven to be an influential and effective force in ensuring the continued growth and prosperity of the industry.

“I am pleased to join an organization with a proven track record of legislative successes,” said Smeltzer, who began her new job on October 15.  She can be reached directly at petras@sema.org or 202/783-6007, ext. 19.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) wants to change the way a manufacturer assigns the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to make sure there is a nearly endless number of possible combinations. The VIN is a grouping of 17 digits and letters unique to every car and truck in the United States but the current supply is shrinking (VIN positions: 1–3 identify manufacturer, 4–8 vehicle attributes, 9 accuracy code, 10 model year, 11 manufacturing plant, 12–17 sequential production numbers).

The NHTSA cannot solve the problem by simply adding numbers since too many computer software programs for governments, automakers, etc., are tied to the 17-digit program. Instead, the NHTSA is proposing to change the digit sequence and ease restrictions on the use of letters and digits in order to increase the possible combinations.

To obtain a copy of the proposal: http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-18925.pdf. For additional information, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

NEWS NUGGETS

NEW JOB: French Canadian open-wheel racer Patrick Carpentier will be a full-time stock-car driver next season. Carpentier will drive for Gillette Evernham Motorsports in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and the Nationwide Series.

RETIRING: Dale Jarrett will retire after running seven races in the UPS Toyota during the 2008 season. His Michael Waltrip Racing teammate, David Reutimann, will take over his seat in the No. 44 after Jarrett runs the first four races of the season. The 1999 Cup champion will also race in the Bud Shootout and All-Star race.

CLOSING: Robert Yates Racing will close its NASCAR Busch Series operation and it appears likely, with no sponsorship signed, that its two Cup Series teams could follow suit by the end of the year.

DRIVER CHANGE: David Powers Motorsports has replaced Top Fuel driver Whit Bazemore with David Baca for the final two events in the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series season.

CHANGES: Michigan International Speedway has announced $10 million worth of capital improvements to the two-mile superspeedway, which will celebrate its 40th season next year.

THE POWER OF RED: Ferrari will supply engines for all cars competing in the A1 GP World Cup of Motorsport Series beginning with the 2008 season.

NUMBER ONE: With his 19th World of Outlaws triumph of the season at Thunderbowl Raceway in Tulare, California, Donny Schatz remained atop the NSSN Power Rankings for the third-straight week.

SUBSCRIBE: National Speed Sport News has been published weekly since 1934. To subscribe to National Speed Sport News, click on the following link for a special industry rate: www.nationalspeedsportnews.com/subscribe.html?pid=NQ%2BVfhkepT4%3D.

CSK Auto Corp. reported that it completed all of its previously delinquent periodic SEC filings and is now current in its financial reporting. In addition, CSK Auto entered into a third amendment to its term credit agreement, increasing the leverage ratios for the third and fourth quarters of fiscal 2007, as well as the first and second quarters of fiscal 2008, in order to minimize the possibility that it will be unable to comply with the leverage ratio covenants for these periods.

LKQ Corp. completed its acquisition of Keystone Automotive Industries Inc., making Keystone a wholly owned subsidiary of LKQ Corp. Keystone stockholders will receive $48 in cash for each Keystone share they held prior to the closing. Upon completion of the merger, Ronald Foster, former chairman of the board of Keystone, and Rick Keister, former president and chief executive officer of Keystone, were appointed to LKQ's board of directors. Information about LKQ is available at www.lkqcorp.com.

On behalf of Edelbrock Corp. and in honor of his late father, Vic Edelbrock Jr. announced that Travis Miller is the recipient of the fourth annual Vic Edelbrock Sr. Memorial Scholarship. Edelbrock presented the award to Travis in September at the Laramie, Wyoming, campus of WyoTech. Miller plans to use the $5,500 scholarship as a way to further his education through WyoTech's high-performance engine class as well as expand his curriculum into other areas that will help him set the stage as a future small-business owner of his own performance vehicle shop.

Longtime tire industry executive Keith Jarman announced that he has founded AME International, a manufacturer of automotive maintenance equipment and tire-changing tools. The company is located in Brooksville, Florida, and sells products to the automotive aftermarket. Jarman was formerly the vice president of Florida-based ESCO.

The Marx Group announced that it sponsored the 12th Annual “Stepping Out to Celebrate Life” Gala Fundraiser at the Marin Center Exhibit Hall in San Rafael, California. The event is one of three annual fundraisers that support the To Celebrate Life Breast Cancer Foundation, a nonprofit volunteer organization. The Marx Group donated $4,000 to the organization, which grants funds to San Francisco Bay Area nonprofit organizations that help people who are dealing with breast cancer or who have breast health concerns.

The Busted Knuckle Garage, (TBKG) a brand of Almost There! Inc., a unique gift shop for car lovers and bikers, named Media Management Marketing to handle its PR initiatives. “We have created a huge retail demand for our unique products”, said president and founder Warren Tracy. “Since 80% of our buyers are women looking for gift ideas for their husbands, brothers, dads and male friends, we want to target our exposure to that market. Terry Kohl, president of Media Management Marketing, came highly recommended [and] we feel she is fully capable of helping us move into a new realm of success.”

Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA)

SEMA Show attendees are invited to join in the final countdown of the 2007 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series. The Final Four Championship contenders in each of the four POWERade Series categories (Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle) will come together at the NHRA Press Conference, open to all SEMA Show attendees, on Tuesday, 1:10 p.m., in the Continental Tire Media Experience in Room S219 of the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Be part of the inaugural season and celebrate with the finalists before they travel to Los Angeles for the Auto Club Finals, where the 2007 POWERade Series World Championship will be decided.

Toyota Corporate Marketing Manager Brian Smith will deliver his presentation, "Marketing for Personalization," at the 2007 SEMA Show Luncheon and Keynote Address, Monday, October 29. The presentation will include a 20-minute PowerPoint and Q&A session, and it will touch on specialty-equipment marketing support for both Scion and the Tundra. The Luncheon discussion illustrates the importance of vehicle personalization and the specialty-equipment industry to the Toyota brands.

For tickets to the SEMA Show Luncheon and Keynote Address, click here.

For a complete listing of all the 2007 SEMA Show Seminars and Special Events, click here.

The world-famous crew from West Coast Customs will produce the ultimate automotive experience at the 2007 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, and you can be a part of it! Register online today at www.wccexperience.com to participate in the build-up program. Four new Dodge vehicles are transformed into West Coast Custom cruisers during the SEMA Show.