XPart is offering prizes to the MG Rover owners with the most interesting stories to tell in an ongoing bid to keep the British manufacturer’s heritage alive

MG Rover parts specialist XPart is inviting MG Rover owners around the country to enter a competition to decide whose car has the most interesting history. The company is offering three ultra-bright LED handlamps (each worth £60) to the top three entrants. In addition to MG’s strong racing heritage, many of Britain’s much-loved MG and Rover cars have led a varied and colourful life over the years, travelling far afield to exotic locations and even being used on film sets and in TV series. Entries will be judged by a panel of MG Rover specialists and the winners will be announced in July 2010.

New European Executive Director Appointed

Delphi Steering operations in Europe has transitioned to Nexteer Automotive, a new independent tier-one supplier focusing on Electric Power Steering (EPS). The multi-billion dollar business has the broadest portfolio of EPS architectures of any supplier and is the only EPS specialist with production experience in every passenger car segment.  Its history of innovation includes a number of steering safety and performance features, including permanent assist, which it was the first to bring to market in 1999.

A Suffolk-based high technology manufacturing plant is equipping its workforce with the skills required to further the cause of greener, more fuel efficient engine technology

SUDBURY, UK — Delphi, a leading global supplier of electronics and technologies for automotive, commercial vehicle and other market segments, is awarding several of its Suffolk-based employees with a level two National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) in Business Improvement Techniques on April 1, 2010. Phil Ramsey, Sudbury plant manager, will present the employees with certificates during an on-site graduation ceremony. The business improvement qualifications form part of Delphi’s ongoing commitment to providing technical training for its 700-strong Sudbury workforce, as the company introduces a new generation of greener, more fuel efficient diesel injectors and fuel filters. Employees can also enroll in a level 2 NVQ in Performing Engineering Operations, with the first group of 10 employees having completed 11 weeks of training at West Suffolk College. Funding for both courses was obtained through the government initiative ‘Train to Gain’.

MagneRide challenges the need to compromise between ride and handling New version extends applications range to large SUVs

Paris – Suspension and braking specialist BWI Group is developing a third generation of its successful MagneRide controlled suspension system. Already fitted by Audi and Ferrari in Europe, Honda in Japan, Cadillac in North America and HSV in Australia, MagneRide almost completely eliminates the need for compromise between ride and handling. The third generation system takes another substantial step towards this goal by introducing a new two wire dual coil (TWDC) actuation system, a new Electronic Control Unit (ECU), new control algorithms and various other upgrades that improve the dynamic range and speed of response of the system.

A prototype electric version of the Mercedes Vito Taxi has been designed and built in just six months by a consortium of British technology companies. Part-funded by the UK Government’s Advantage Niche Vehicle Research & Development Programme, the prototype vehicle meets the demanding requirements of the London Carriage Office and can carry up to six people more than 120 kilometres on a single six hour charge.

Offers technicians a straightforward, paperless approach to MOT testing with the option to upload results directly to their vehicle test station, saving time and improving accuracy.
The device can also be used as a comprehensive diagnostic tool.

WARWICK - Delphi is introducing a wireless electronic test tool to help technicians improve their accuracy while performing a Ministry of Transportation (MOT) test. The Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA)-approved Delphi MOT Test Master offers technicians the opportunity to conduct the annual test of automobile safety, roadworthiness and exhaust emissions for vehicles  three years and older rapidly and efficiently without recording any data on paper. Instead technicians simply enter all test results on the wireless handheld device as the test progresses.

One of Europe’s most senior automotive industry editors has joined Market Engineering as account director, responsible for leading the PR team. Tristan Honeywill, winner of two Guild of Motoring Writers awards, joins from Automotive Engineer, a highly regarded pan-European title published by Professional Engineering Publishing, the Institution of Mechanical Engineers’ publishing business. Before this he worked in the UK and Asia, launching a Chinese-language automotive manufacturing magazine.

MG Rover parts specialist XPart is offering price reductions on mechanical parts required to keep MG Rovers on the road in the event of a major mechanical breakdown

XPart’s Close Call team is offering price reductions on high value mechanical parts required to repair MG Rover cars affected by a major mechanical breakdown. The new reductions have been introduced in order to ensure that repairing an MG Rover car is less costly to owners and insurers than declaring it a total loss. Close Call has traditionally focussed on price reductions for crash repair items, however, in line with XPart’s continuing drive to slow the decline of the MG Rover car parc, the team has expanded its reach to encompass components such as engines, gearboxes and cylinder heads, in the event of engine or gearbox failure or complex engine rebuilds.

SOUTHFIELD, Michigan, Mar 24, 2010…Federal-Mogul Corporation (NASDAQ:FDML) has received the prestigious 2009 Supplier of the Year Award from General Motors, in recognition of its performance in engine piston products.  Federal-Mogul supplies aluminium pistons, rings and connecting rods to General Motors for both passenger cars and light trucks. This is the third consecutive year Federal-Mogul has received the GM award.

New IROXTM coating increases bearing durability by more than five times

Southfield, Michigan, March 23, 2010… Federal-Mogul Corporation (NASDAQ: FDML) has expanded the performance capabilities of engine bearings by developing an innovative polymer coated bearing shell that can reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by withstanding mechanical loads produced by heavily boosted engines.  Called IROX™, the new technology addresses the lubrication challenges associated with frequent engine re-starts found in hybrid and other future stop-start engines by protecting both the crankshaft and the bearing shells from damage where metal-to-metal contact would otherwise occur.  It is estimated that the IROX bearing overlay can help increase the life of crankshafts and bearing shells by more than five times in more extreme applications, such as direct-injected engines and engines with stop-start systems.