Posted: 28 Feb 2010 04:46 AM PST

Auto Central February 28th, 2010; Bosch has recently developed a new generation antilock braking system (ABS) for motorcycles which has the potential to prevent 38 per cent of motorcycle accidents involving personal injury and 48 per cent of those leading to fatalities, according to a study published by the Swedish highways authority. Further, a study published by the German Federal Highway Research Institute (BASt) concludes that fatality rates would be reduced by 12 per cent if all motorcycles were equipped with ABS.

The lightweight, cost-optimized system developed by Bosch has received the 'Innovation and Environment' award from Germany-based ADAC, Europe's largest automobile club, making Bosch the third time recipient of this award since 2005. The pioneering equipment weighs only 0.7 kilograms, features a cost-effective design, and is half the size and weight of previous motorcycle ABS systems made by Bosch. It is part of a new Bosch modular generation which was introduced in November 2009. All other ABS systems currently on the market are based on passenger-car technology.

"This new system has the potential to greatly advance road safety initiatives throughout the Middle East, which has a strong base of motorcycling enthusiasts," said Volker Bischoff, General Manager, Robert Bosch ME.

Although the Middle East in general has a high incidence of road accidents, Saudi traffic authorities say that fatalities in the Kingdom have been decreasing since 2004 due to improved traffic laws. Motorcycle accidents in particular occur due mainly to poor driving experience and night driving with poor illumination. The introduction of new technologies such as Bosch's new braking system would perfectly complement the government's enforcement of stricter motorcycling laws.

The active safety mechanism used by the new Bosch product enables motorcyclists to brake safely in emergency situations without locking their wheels and significantly reduces braking distance. Only every tenth new motorcycle manufactured in Europe adopts this kind of system, while on a global scale only every one-hundredth is equipped. In comparison, around 80 per cent of passenger cars worldwide use it.

Bosch has been manufacturing brake control systems for motorcycles since 1994. Its new ABS system was designed by engineers at the company's competence center in Japan.

About Bosch:

The Bosch Group is a leading global supplier of technology and services. According to preliminary figures, some 270,000 associates generated sales of roughly 38 billion euros in the areas of automotive and industrial technology, consumer goods, and building technology in fiscal 2009. The Bosch Group comprises Robert Bosch GmbH and its more than 300 subsidiaries and regional companies in over 60 countries. If its sales and service partners are included, then Bosch is represented in roughly 150 countries. This worldwide development, manufacturing, and sales network is the foundation for further growth. Each year, Bosch spends more than 3.5 billion euros for research and development, and applies for over 3,000 patents worldwide. With all its products and services, Bosch enhances the quality of life by providing solutions which are both innovative and beneficial.

The company was set up in Stuttgart in 1886 by Robert Bosch (1861-1942) as "Workshop for Precision Mechanics and Electrical Engineering." The special ownership structure of Robert Bosch GmbH guarantees the entrepreneurial freedom of the Bosch Group, making it possible for the company to plan over the long term and to undertake significant up-front investments in the safeguarding of its future. Ninety-two percent of the share capital of Robert Bosch GmbH is held by Robert Bosch Stiftung GmbH, a charitable foundation. The majority of voting rights are held by Robert Bosch Industrietreuhand KG, an industrial trust. The entrepreneurial ownership functions are carried out by the trust. The remaining shares are held by the Bosch family and by Robert Bosch GmbH. http://www.bosch.com/>

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BoI approves new auto dev’t program - Manila Bulleting Online

Posted: 28 Feb 2010 01:40 AM PST

The Board of Investments (BoI) has finally approved the new Motor Vehicle Development Program (MVDP), an industry blueprint that aims to improve the competitiveness of the country's auto sector which has been lagging behind other ASEAN countries.

Trade and Industry Undersecretary and BoI Elmer C. Hernandez said the prepared Executive Order entitled "Providing for a New Comprehensive Motor Vehicle Industry Development Policy and Direction," has been submitted to Secretary Peter B. Favila, who will endorse it to President Gloria Arroyo for signing.

"We incorporated most comments from the automotive players in the EO. It is now up to Secretary Favila when to endorse it to Malacañang for the president's signature," Hernandez said.

As this developed, auto players are now bracing for the preparation of the implementing rules and regulations of the new MVDP, which are expected to be more contentious than in the preparation of the MVDP.

The implementing rules and regulations of the MVDP would spell out into specific measures the program's general provisions like the creation of the powerful automotive council, incentives, exports program, importation of used motor vehicles, standards, among others.

On the establishment of the Automotive Industry Development Council as a policy making body of the industry attached to the BoI, the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. has already opposed its creation stating they would rather maintain a status quo where the industry is under the BoI.

The creation of the Council calls for the upgrading of the Motor Vehicles Division of the BoI to a Department to be called Motor Vehicle Industry Department under the BoI with a manpower complement of at least 20 technical and clerical personnel.

The BoI shall submit a supplemental budget to the Department of Budget and Management, which shall set aside an initial amount of P20 million. Thereafter, the Council shall have a budgetary allocation from the General Appropriations Act under the BoI budget.

Article 2 of the proposed EO is a carry over from the old MVDP covering program components (passenger cars, commercial vehicles and motorcycles), the program participants, investment requirements and privileges.

Article 3 of the EO is entirely devoted to the prohibition on the importation of used motor vehicles. But, while Section 1 of Article 3 prohibits the importation into the country of all types of used motor vehicles, it also allows enough room for their entry.

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Patch not an issue at DIS - Daytona Beach News-Journal

Posted: 27 Feb 2010 11:16 PM PST

DAYTONA BEACH -- The tiny pothole that brought the mighty Daytona 500 to its knees has been eliminated as a racing nuisance.

The hole, which started as a gouge from the chassis of a Sprint Cup Series stock car, caused NASCAR to stop the 500 twice for more than 2 1/2 hours to repair the area.

The pothole was fixed with a concrete patch four days after the checkered flag fell on the Daytona 500, capping three weeks of auto racing events. The area was allowed to "cure" for several days to complete the repair.

Daytona 200 Motorcycle Week started Saturday with a dozen motorcycle road-racing events and the patch was not a worry for competitors.

"There have been no issues with the bikes," Speedway president Robin Braig said. "We talked to tire and bike manufacturers and riders and there are no concerns."

In a random survey of Championship Cup Series riders, who are racing in the West Banking area, the consensus was the patch -- closer to the apron than the outside retaining wall -- was not even in the preferred racing line.

"The higher you run, the better because there's less wind resistance," Bonita Springs rider Charles Long said. "That patch really has no effect. You can see it because it's a lighter gray than the rest of the track."

David Loikits, Allentown, Pa., a Speedway 'Cycle Week veteran, said he noticed the patch "on the cool down lap" after his race on Saturday.

"It's not an issue at all," Loikits said. "It's no big deal. Nobody has complained about it at all."

Braig is confident the patch will serve its purpose.

"We don't anticipate any other issues with our track surface," Braig said.

godwin.kelly @news-jrnl.com

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MARCH CALENDAR - Dallas Morning News

Posted: 27 Feb 2010 09:58 PM PST

Dates and sites may change. Before planning to attend an event, contact the chamber of commerce or tourist office to verify details.

Texas

Texas Onion Fest, Weslaco, March 1. Celebrating the development of the Weslaco-produced, world-famous Texas 1015 onion, the event features live music, onion-eating contests, magicians, rides, paintball, the Miss Onion Fest pageant and more. Contact: 956-968-2102; www.weslaco.com/onionfest.

Austin, 7, 82nd annual Zilker Park Kite Festival, Zilker Park; 12-21, SXSW, various locations.

Corpus Christi, 26-28, Corpus Christi Festival of the Arts, Art Center of Corpus Christi.

Eagle Pass, 19-28, International Friendship Festival 2010, various locations.

Elmendorf, 27, Olives Ole, Texas International Olive Festival, Sandy Oaks Olive Orchard.

Groesbeck, 5-7, 5th annual Texas Independence Day Rally, Lost Prairie Cycle Ranch.

Houston, 26-28, Bayou City Art Festival, Memorial Park.

La Grange, 12-13, The Best Little Cowboy Gathering in Texas, fairgrounds.

Laredo, 25-27, Laredo Birding Festival, various locations.

Nederland, 9-14, Heritage Festival, downtown.

Sweetwater, 12-14, Jaycee's World's Largest Rattlesnake Roundup, Nolan County Coliseum.

Tomball, 26-28, German Heritage Festival, downtown.

Tyler, 6-April 25, Four Winds Faire Renaissance Festival, County Road 2178.

Oklahoma

Medieval Fair, Norman, March 26-28. Free event, expected to attract 350,000 visitors, will feature arts and crafts, food, jousting tournaments on horseback, costume contests, human chess games, minstrels and jugglers, to name but a few highlights. Contact: 1-800-767-7260; www.medievalfair.org.

Chickasha, 18-20, Pre-War Auto Swap Meet, fairgrounds; 26-27, Springfest, fairgrounds.

Claremore, 12-13, Green Country Ham Fest, Claremore Expo Center.

Edmond, 27, Arbor Day Celebration, Mitch Park.

Norman, 27, Creative Craft Festival, Cleveland County Fairgrounds.

Oklahoma City, 13, Oklahoma City St. Patrick's Day Parade, Walker and Sheridan.

Yukon, 25, Taste of Yukon, Robertson Activity Center.

Arkansas

Smoke on the Water USA Barbecue Championship, North Little Rock, March 19-20. Teams will be grilling for the chance to win the guaranteed purse of $100,000. Other attractions include a carnival, car and motorcycle show, live entertainment and plenty of great food. Information: www.smokeonthewaterbbq.com.

Bradley, 26-27, 25th annual Governor Conway Days, downtown.

Camden, 12-13, Camden Daffodil Festival, downtown.

Eureka Springs, 27, 20th annual Kite Fest, Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge.

Hot Springs, 17-21, 6th annual Valley of the Vapors Independent Music Festival, Hot Springs National Park.

Mammoth Spring, 6, Cookin' With Coals Cook-Off, Mammoth Spring State Park.

Mountain View, 11-13, annual Spring Bluegrass Festival, Ozark Folk Center State Park.

Tyronza, 6, Sunken Lands Quilt Festival, Main Street.

Washington, 19-21, 42nd annual Jonquil Festival, Historic Washington State Park.

Louisiana

Independence Sicilian Heritage Festival, Independence, March 12-14. Town celebrates its status as the Little Italy of Louisiana with a car show, parade, pageant, spaghetti cook-off, live entertainment and special activities for kids. Contact: 1-800-542-7520; www.indysicilianfest.com.

Amite, 20-21, Amite Oyster Festival, Tangipahoa Parish Fairgrounds.

Iowa, 19-21, Iowa Rabbit Festival, Lawrence Toups Jr. Memorial Park.

Lake Charles, 5-6, Black Heritage Festival, Lake Charles Civic Center.

Ponchatoula, 5-7, Ponchatoula Antique Trade Days and Craft Fair, downtown.

Thibodaux, 12-14, 2nd annual Louisiana Swamp Stomp Festival, Nicholls State University.

Washington, 18-21, 11th annual Washington Catfish Festival, town ballpark.

New Mexico

Aztec UFO Symposium, Aztec, March 26-27. With a theme of "UFOs – Then & Now," this 13th annual event will feature a panel of experts, free guided tours of the alleged crash site in Aztec in 1948 and a meet-and-greet dinner. Members of the military, police, firefighters and EMTs are welcome to attend without charge. Regular admission is $25 for the symposium; $15, for dinner. Proceeds go to the Friends of the Aztec Library. Contact: 505-330-4616; www.aztecufo.com.

Albuquerque, 6, New Mexico Women's Expo 2010, Expo New Mexico.

Deming, 11-14, 45th annual Rockhound Roundup, SW New Mexico Fairgrounds.

Las Cruces, 6-7, Las Cruces Home & Garden Show, Dickerson's Event Center.

Rio Rancho, 26-27, 7th annual Rio Rancho Pork & Brew BBQ State Championship, Santa Ana Star Center.

Vadito, 20, 7th annual Cardboard Derby at Sipapu, Sipapu Ski and Summer Resort.

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