Show Success!With the 1st Annual Truckin' & Sport Truck Vegas Nationals successfully behind us, we're ready to announce the next phase in show-'n'-shine events. On the weekend of September 27, Chevy Trucks and Vortec Engines will present the Grand Opening of the New Braunfels Texas Ski Ranch (a new multisport facility) in conjunction with the Truckin' & Sport Truck Show 'n' Shine Nationals to be held in New Braunfels, Texas. Likewise, we're letting you know up front about the Truckin' & Sport Truck State 2 State Charity Cruise presented by Chevy Trucks, Vortec Engines, and JC Whitney on October 10. The cruise will start at Dealer's Sport Truck and end at AIM Industries for the big bash that kicks off the Truckin' & Sport Truck 4X4 Nationals at the Firebird Raceway in Phoenix on October 11 and 12. For all show-'n-shine and vendor registration, contact Amber Pierce at (714) 939-2580.
Not PCToyota recently showed some humor in its ads with a radio advertisement that showed the similarities between buying an "uncertified used car" and "adopting a problem child." The ad, cited as insensitive, was quickly pulled off the air due to complaints. The controversial commercial ran in Salt Lake City and Albuquerque, New Mexico, for about a week before it was pulled at the beginning of May. Some people, huh?
Flunkies?Recently, 12 SUVs were crash-tested by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety to measure possible injuries sustained in the event of a side impact.
Only two of the dozen scored a grade of good: the Subaru Forester and Ford Escape (including the Mazda Tribute). The difference between those two compared with the others is that they are equipped with side airbags that protect the head in a side impact. The test consisted of a 3,300-pound weight that simulated the front end of an SUV or pickup, which was then crashed into the side of other vehicles at 30 mph. The Hyundai Santa Fe received an acceptable rating and the Honda CR-V received a marginal score. The Mitsubishi Outlander did the worst in testing, which damaged the test's crash dummy extensively. Other vehicles tested included the Toyota RAV4, Honda Element, Saturn Vue, Land Rover Freelander, and Suzuki Grand Vitara. Tests are conducted to help automakers make safety improvements to their current lineup of vehicles.
Wounded WheelsAn investigation into more than 380,000 GM vehicles produced from 1999-2003 began mid-June. Safety regulators offered a preliminary evaluation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, or NHTSA, since receiving complaints of cracked steel wheels. The complaints cover the GM six-lug, 16x6.5-inch full-face steel wheels. Most of the vehicles in question, however, were sold with aluminum wheels. The cracks can cause the tires to slowly leak.
Ranger ChangesTower Automotive Inc. said it would be cutting 250 jobs when it relocates its frame-assembly production of the Ford Ranger truck from Milwaukee to Bellevue, Ohio. The relocation is expected to be completed by June, 2004 and will save the company $10 million.
Fast 4-1-1* Nissan will spend $300 million to start producing transmissions in Mexico in 2005.* Rebates are still rising for new cars, but so are new car and truck prices.* GM will begin to receive more of its parts from China and other low-cost countries.* Mexico's automotive output dropped more than 13 percent in May, 2003.* Fleet sales and car rental agency purchases are currently propping up the U.S. auto market from overall weak sales.* Automakers are more than ever pushing for more vehicles equipped with diesel engines.* GM's newest ad campaign stresses quality over all other aspects to drive new business.* Toyota will soon be a part of NASCAR when it begins racing a Toyota Tundra alongside other NASCAR Super Trucks.
www.browsinaround.com.orgwww.silverstarcustoms.comCheck out the online communities at the Silver Star Customs' site.
www.truckrun.netGet your truck run groove on from the comfort of your own computer terminal.
www.customtruckforum.comLots of information, show stuff, and online raffles for mini-truck parts you need.
www.billetaceesoriesdirect.comThese guys like floral luggage and build killer billet parts.
www.mississippicustoms.comCheck out this forum dedicated to mini-truckers in the South.