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From: Lance
Remote Name: 65.88.106.1
Date: 20 Mar 2004
Time: 16:09:03
Interesting News in the Automotive Sector, EPA, Honda Strikes, Franchising and Economy: “It all used to be done with mirrors, and a quick turn of the head. But high-tech companies are creating sophisticated gizmos that will help motorists see where they've never seen before. By 2007, automakers are expected to introduce vehicles equipped with high-tech radar systems that can help drivers "see" just over their shoulders and outside their peripheral vision - the dreaded blind spots, responsible for an estimated 830,000 accidents per year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Car buyers are about to be inundated with new systems purported to make the driving experience safer. There will be lane- departure warning systems that alert drivers when they drift off course, night-vision cameras that aid drivers who don't see well in the dark, airplane-like "black boxes" that keep running logs of driving activity. Generally, car buyers are willing to pay more for added safety features - with a limit. Such systems illustrate how automakers and automotive suppliers are changing their thinking about safety, said William Kozyra, president and CEO of Continental Teves, a brake and chassis system supplier. "What we realized is there's been too much emphasis on crash protection and not enough on crash avoidance," he said. Kozyra said air bags and seat belts have helped reduce injuries from traffic accidents in recent years, but traffic fatalities have continued to rise. "The next logical step would be to prevent accidents from occurring at all," said Maria Kremer, an engineer with Siemens VDO Automotive, which is also working on a blind-spot detection system.’ http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2004-03-16-auto-gadgets_x.htm What do they know that we do not? EDS selling automotive group? http://wardsauto.com/ar/auto_eds_sell_automotive/index.htm . This is an interesting development? ------------------------------- “Toyota Motor Corp.'s new American sales chief, Yuki Funo, may seem to fit the stereotype of the risk-averse Japanese businessman. But no one would say his ideas about boosting Toyota sales are timid. "Once you grab a 10% share in most markets, consumers almost always put your product on their shopping list," says the high- energy Mr. Funo, who has served in various sales positions in Asia-Pacific markets and North America before becoming head of Toyota Motor's American sales unit. "My experience ... tells me there's not a significant hurdle going from 10% to 20%." Not all of his colleagues are so bold. Some Toyota executives concede they worry it might get increasingly harder to boost market share and profit now that the company has pretty much entered every segment of the U.S. auto business. Toyota's official goal is to grab a 15% market share globally as well as in the U.S. as early as 2010. But for now, so far so good for Japan's No. 1 car maker. In the U.S. last year, Toyota scored 11.2% of the car and light-truck market to narrow the gap with No. 3 DaimlerChrysler AG, which had 14.1% of the business. Now, the 57-year-old Mr. Funo aims to expand Toyota's sales -- including its Lexus and youth-oriented Scion brands -- even further. Hoping to take on the Big Three U.S. auto makers' dominance in full-size pickup trucks, he's preparing to take his challenge to the truck makers' home turf, the Heartland. In such markets as Detroit and Chicago, cars and trucks from Motown brands continue to rule the roads.” Source: http://online.wsj.com/public/us ------------------------- Auto Interiors: Automotive interior fabrics are becoming lighter and cheaper while providing additional functionality, processing and production efficiencies and improved re-cyclability. Yet keeping pace with current fashions will also be an important selling point in the future. Flatwoven products have been a major growth area, especially at the top end of the market as they have excellent properties including texture quality, color and pattern variety and surface interest. OPEN ACCESS: Interior trim innovations; Source: http://just-auto.com/fd.asp?art=940 . Suggested further reading: The global market for automotive interiors, 2nd edition: companies, sectors and trends http://just-auto.com/pd.asp?art=25045&lk=e210 . We are use to this sort of thing in aviation where the fabrics are thin: http://www.detailguys.com/nw22.shtml and in Shuttle buses: http://www.detailguys.com/nw62.shtml ------------------------------------- Collision avoidance systems - forecasts to 2010 : In this report, we explore driver assistance technologies, summing up the main issues and market trends in collision -warning -mitigation and -avoidance systems. What are these technologies? When will they be phased in? What is the market potential for these technologies? Can and should we rely on these systems? Who is leading the effort? What challenges do they face? Does a crash proof car really exist? This report answers the above questions, and explores driver assistance technologies, summing up the main issues and market trends in collision-warning, mitigation and avoidance systems. We also set out our forecasts for specific technologies, namely adaptive cruise control and lane departure warning systems in Europe. For more information, simply go to: Source: http://just-auto.com/pd.asp?art=25854&lk=e210 We believe in this new technology too after having watched the DARPA Challenge in the desert and studied pedestrian radars: http://www.parthe.net/_cwg0703/0000001a.htm http://www.parthe.net/_cwg0703/0000000e.htm and the Honda Early Warning crash systems: http://www.parthe.net/_cwg0703/00000014.htm and Smart Transportation: http://www.parthe.net/_cwg1203/00000016.htm and http://www.parthe.net/_cwg1203/0000005e.htm and http://www.parthe.net/_cwg1203/00000063.htm and of course other methods of intelligent transportation: http://www.parthe.net/_cwg1003/0000005e.htm and http://www.parthe.net/_cwg1203/0000000f.htm and http://www.parthe.net/_cwg0803/00000083.htm . -------------------------------- Cost chopping affects Truck Wash Guys as fuel prices soar: http://www.TruckWashGuy.com FEDEX Profit Up on Costs Cuts, Trucking Washington Post - Washington, DC, http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A848-2004Mar17.html But FedEx is not the only one cutting back on things like washing? How about a dirty police car? http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/metropolitan/2454862 . There are issues out there with cost. http://www.parthe.net/_oilchangeguys/0000004c.htm -------------------------------- Here is an interesting new product: 'PUDDLE SUCKER' PUMPS WATER DOWN TO 1MM (Obart Pumps Ltd, 4 March 2004) Specialist submersible pump distributor and UK agents for Tsurumi of Japan, Obart, are now able to offer the LSC1.4S. This new model is the updated version of the popular LSC4 'puddle sucker', which has been used widely since 1986 in hire fleets, by utility companies and by flood control contractors. This new pump continues to offer the ability to pump water levels down to 1mm but offers a number of important improvements. Request free details from the supplier: Source: http://www.buildingtalk.com/rdx/da/oba/100/1 * Read more: http://www.buildingtalk.com/news/oba/oba100.html and as you know we are always on the edge of reclaim technologies: We comply with all EPA and local NPDES Permitting. Here are some posts and web pages, not in any particular order you may wish to view on the subject of the EPA requirements and innovations at WashGuys: http://www.washguys.com . Two devices we have invented: http://www.carwashguys.com/stormdrainprot.shtml Invented By: http://www.carwashguys.com/cyoung.shtml . We have done other things to such as: "Lance worked with the County of Ventura to design a NPDES permit for the Regional Water Quality Control Board in California to comply with the EPA federal Clean Water Act. He wrote many of the Best Management Practices for surface cleaners, a category in which mobile carwash and detailers fall into for storm water non-point source discharges. These same BMPs are now used all over the United States to help preserve our fresh water supply. Lance was recognized by the City of Los Angeles for their storm water discharge program. Lance wrote a manual for the cities program which allowed continued car wash fundraising efforts to exist even though at the time they were in conflict with the California Water Codes 13260-13280. Wash Guys BMPs are also available online through many governmental informational web sites. The City of Nashville, TN has linked their web site to WashGuys procedures as a way to help others comply with real environmental concerns." And here are several current projects: http://www.carwashguys.com/fundraisers/ch2.html and http://www.carwashguys.com/awarded.html and http://www.carwashguys.com/vegasepa.shtml and http://www.carwashguys.com/boatlaunch.shtml and http://www.carwashguys.com/fireseason.shtml and http://www.carwashguys.com/reclaimdevise.shtml and http://www.truckwashguy.com/reclamation.shtml and http://www.truckwashguy.com/mobileunits.shtml and http://www.truckwashguy.com/environment.shtml and As you can see, in our industry we are so far ahead of the curve in environmental washing we have left everyone in the dust. Also in washing technologies for water efficiency, we can wash cars with 2.4 - 4.0 gallons of water. The impending drought will be no problem as we expand our operations to wash everything in the world. www.ewashguy.com . Here are some links of value for you: http://parthe.net/_cwg1003/00000014.htm http://www.carwashguys.com/073102_6.shtml and http://www.carwashguys.com/cyoung.shtml and http://www.carwashguys.com/0102402_2.shtml and http://www.carwashguys.com/vegasepa.shtml and http://www.carwashguys.com/solution.pdf and http://www.truckwashguy.com/reclamation.shtml and http://www.detailguys.com/nw68.shtml and http://www.carwashguys.com/0031603_11.shtml and http://www.detailguys.com/nw41.shtml and http://www.carwashguys.com/fundraisers/ch2.html and http://www.carwashguys.com/0112102_1.shtml and http://www.carwashguys.com/0041003_7.shtml and http://www.detailguys.com/nw3.shtml and http://www.carwashguys.com/081502_3.shtml and http://www.carwashguys.com/081402_2.shtml and http://www.carwashguys.com/082902_1.shtml and http://www.carwashguys.com/082602_1.shtml and http://www.truckwashguy.com/environment.shtml and http://www.parthe.net/_cwg900/000000c5.htm and http://www.parthe.net/_cwg900/000000cd.htm and http://www.parthe.net/_cwg701/00000018.htm and http://www.parthe.net/_cwg0803/0000000b.htm and this will be of interest to you. Pictures of competition in various states. We wrote most of the environmental rules that are used around the US for Non-point source discharges back in the 1980's and 1990’s in CA. Not only do we comply with all environmental laws we exceed them. For you to make a statement that we dump our water illegally is slander. Our BMPs are full covered under all State of FL NPDES permits. -------------------------------------- Water and Drought issues are still huge and not being fully addressed. http://www.watertechonline.com/news.asp?mode=4&N_ID=46556 Mega Drought? http://www.infozine.com/news/stories/op/storiesView/sid/1864/ . Could be? At least the California Governor sees the bigger picture? http://www.watertechonline.com/news.asp?mode=4&N_ID=46535 . Arizona goes for a drought plan: http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/local/articles/0311droughtplan11.html . And in Las Vegas it ain’t exactly pretty either? http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2004/Mar-04-Thu-2004/news/23358195.html . http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-adna-vegaswater7mar07,1,3502578.story?coll=la-home-nation and we must realize that the growth rates in Phoenix and Las Vegas have been intense. http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2004/Mar-08-Mon-2004/news/23353970.html But what will happen if the growth rate which is fueling the economy goes away? And the water wars continue: http://www.thedesertsun.com/news/stories2004/national/20040310001256.shtml . Maybe Los Angeles is the smartest, they have mad a deal with JPL and NASA to claim rights to the water on Mars? What on Earth are these people thinking? http://www.lalatimes.com/Issue13/mars.html . As you know we are into the drought situation and watching closely: http://www.carwashguys.com/082902_2.shtml and http://www.carwashguys.com/051402_1.shtml and http://www.carwashguys.com/fireseason.shtml . ------------------------------------- Connecting with Hispanic Buyers? GM; really? http://www.hispanicbusiness.com/news/newsbyid.asp?fpa=0&id=15180 . Meanwhile some say GM is driving in circles? http://just-auto.com/news_detail.asp?art=43848&dm=yes apparently they are happy with their triple year to year growth in China? VW and Audi are there taking market share too and Adam Smith could have written his economic essays in Chinese in the year 2004 they would have described much of the same merchantilistic games we will soon see there as team pick sides and go for market share and sales. http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/200403/18/eng20040318_137842.shtml . But really GM, since they had such little numbers before that is nothing to brag about, looks good in headlines? But the test will come as we see how other companies compete and how much of the auto technology is stolen and then brought to our shores in cheaper cars and parts? Meanwhile does it make you feel safe to have to pick sides? http://www.spacewar.com/2004/040316093657.r3840gm7.html . Guess what folks the game continues? So the quote we are living in historic times goes without saying? http://www.spacewar.com/2004/040316093657.r3840gm7.html . Of course all these missiles have our latest stolen technology on them too? Interesting. -------------------------------------- No money down fractional jet program? Yep? http://www.bizjournals.com/dallas/stories/2004/03/15/daily13.html?f=et59 Maybe you can buy a new Honda Jet? Meanwhile what ever you buy let us wash it and yes we do offer services on a Pay as you go basis too: http://www.aircraftwashguys.com ------------------------------------------ CA Food Grocery Strikes, Well the strikers sure showed everyone, didn’t they? Well Ralph’s sees no point in continuing at least 15 stores so all those who went back to work there are losing their jobs for good and the consumers get less choice too: http://www.bizjournals.com/losangeles/stories/2004/03/15/daily40.html?f=et204 . Boy that was smart? Strikes and Union attacks are crippling the out put of the nation and actually adversely effecting jobs too. http://www.parthe.net/_cwg1003/0000006b.htm and http://www.parthe.net/_cwg1003/00000074.htm . ------------------------------------------- RFID is getting a boost? http://www.gcn.com/23_4/tech-report/24972-1.html . The DOD is seeing some cool ideas out there? As you know we have even bigger ideas for the future? http://www.parthe.net/_cwg1203/0000001f.htm ------------------------------------- Texas knows what’s up with franchising? http://www.bizjournals.com/sanantonio/stories/2004/03/08/daily17.html?f=et77 even AZ <http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/business/articles/0310franchise10.html> and NV <http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2004/Mar-09-Tue-2004/business/23389576.html> have figured it out, but of course CA needed this letter from me: Dear Staffer, First I would like to briefly describe who I am, please read bio: http://www.carwashguys.com/history/founder.html You may read this email out loud, forward it, copy it in whole or part; to anyone, assembly, group or media outlet. I cannot allow anymore degradation of my state or our people. Now then; There is a problem in the franchising community with the way the Department of Corporations goes about it's business. First there are only 12 franchise registration states in the Union currently, down from 14 two years ago. California is one of them. It is considered the most hostile by active franchisors, of which there are only 2230 total in the USA, which franchise about 300,000 outlets at an average of 15 employees. Not all these franchisors provide businesses or franchises in CA to the many displaced workers here. The reason is the slow nature of the process at the Department of Corporations. Hostile and perceived hostile bureaucracy of the Department and the hassles and horror stories which are discussed in the industry. 1/3 of every consumer dollar spent in the State of California goes through a franchise business. If those businesses do not exist, then no one works there, no cities derive revenue from the sales taxes of products since no products are sold where no store exists, no state income tax is earned since no one has a job there, buildings stay vacant and people who wish to own their own business stay unemployed or underemployed and never get a chance to pursue that part of their American Dream. Less franchisors mean higher franchise prices for those who do participate due to lack of competition and for the consumer or business owners less of a return on investment for the business owner. You can then compound that with less consumer choice and slowing of money flow/supply, which means less revenue to the state. The adverse effect being caused by this Department is utterly in-excusable and that is being nice and gentile. All this has occurred in CA due to the duplication of Federal Trade Commission Laws in the California Franchise registration and renewal process. Franchises are not like Business Opportunities where much fraud takes place, in franchising it is a long term relationship and one which is closely scrutinized by attorneys in the franchising field. In other words any franchisor trying to pull a fast one over on the consumer would have to deal with many private lawsuits and the later FTC. Yet the Department of Corporations adds a third and unnecessary tier to the situation which stifles free enterprise through slow processing of applications and renewals. Since the laws are a little different it compounds the problems of uniformity of concept and thus hurts economies of scale which franchisors and franchisees enjoy so they can compete against the larger box type stores which are crushing the little guys. Little guys meaning small business which employs 2/3 of the population in the state of California. Every time one of these franchisors is delayed in the application or renewal times it costs the state money in tax revenue and Californian constituents in jobs, lower standards of living, higher prices (artificial inflation), reduced choice and options in pursuing of their American Dream. What started out as a good idea to regulate Franchise Businesses at the DOC in California many years the prior is no longer needed as the private right of action to sue, attorneys who specialize in franchising, industry associations and the Federal Trade Commission have more than filled in the gap. The pendulum when the DOC is added to the equation by unnecessary duplication, additional paperwork, time to process only compounds the issues of slow recovery or our CA economy and of course lost sales tax revenues to cities and income tax payments and fees to the Great State of California. Recently on the ABA-American Bar Association for Franchising's online list serve the franchising attorneys throughout our great nation, many of which practice law in California were commenting on the problems with franchise registration renewal and applications being delayed for a stamp of approval. The fees are not bad considering the CA market size, $600.00 but the review process is a real quote: "bitch". Don't quote me alone, the whole industry agrees, it is a universal truth now as perception is reality. And even though some years we have had a quick return of application other years they have been many months, which is quite a more common occurrence. With this poor business attitude few franchisors look forward to the California market, regardless of it's status as the seventh largest economy in the World, which apparently has gone to a few people's heads. The reality is that Franchisor's who are amongst the largest group of economic inflow are not quite as excited as you might think, quite the contrary. Many dread the day when their brands are so large that it is time to finally go into the CA market place. And please do not take it from me, ask around the franchising industry which state is the worst place to do business as a franchise company? The State by allowing the duplication of resources with the Federal Trade Commission is cutting off the hand that is feeding them. Think of this, we are hurting 2230 companies which account for 1/3 of every dollar which goes through the hands of consumers, that is 33%. No other business format can compete with a Wal-Mart type box store without the incredible synergies and economies of scale that franchising delivers. Wal-Mart by the way Nationwide only does 10%. The consumers of California deserve a break, the franchising community is drowning in paperwork, the DOC cannot do the job fast enough and to top it all off it is a complete duplication of rules? With budget cuts the DOC will slow processing further, when in fact if you closed the franchising division at the DOC, you could save millions per year and increase capital inflows and jobs to the state and greater inflows of tax revenues to city, county and state governments. This is not really a very hard choice to make, if you are looking to cut, there is no better place than the DOC Franchising Division. If you must keep the fees, maybe lower them to $400.00 per year for "franchise notification" (notification can be done online and notification fees can be mailed in or taken by credit card-if you need web assistance for this, I will volunteer my web team at no charge and have this up and running within the week) and have the franchisors agree to abide by the Federal Trade Commission's rules on franchising (this is done in both FL and TX where no problems have been heard of), and watch the franchisors of this country come in and set up businesses for unemployed Californian's who were use to making $60,000-100,000 per year so they can pay income tax to the state. These franchised units will provide jobs, create sales tax for cities who are telling me they could really use it about now, even with Schwarzneger's recent release of monies to them. This will also spur on growth in commercial real estate and fill up some of those buildings which are empty, with warm bodies who are making a living and pursuing their dream. The average consumer in CA is living in a house they put 3% down on, refinanced twice, driving an SUV they bought for zero/zero, trying to afford soccer shoes for their 2.2 kids and figure out how they are going to pay off all those credit cards and student loans for degrees that will not help them in the future. Surely you can see the real problems and this simple solution. Our company has estimated that we alone could provide 4,000 jobs to the state of California in three years, yet we have focused in 23 other states across this nation. Please see the truth, we are hurting the entrepreneur, I myself have worked hard all my life to build a business and do my part to strengthen our state and my country. Help me with the regulatory nightmare and I and all my fellow franchisors will help you fix this problem. When I started my business at age 12, I was told, that I was part of the ten percent of Californian's who were self employed, that we together employed 2/3 of the people and that I and my fellow business owners were of value. If so, then why do we duplicate and layer all registrations, applications, paperwork, rules, etc on top of one another sending a clear and present message that California is all show and no go and that we do not believe in small business or entrepreneurship. If you continue to send this negative message and if this is true, then how can we believe in you? Will you please delete the franchising division of the Department of Corporations, as it is an unnecessary division of that department. By doing so you will achieve the following: 1.) save the tax payers, 2.) help economic growth by employing citizens 3.) generate tax revenue to my state 4.) send a signal to the franchising and business community that California means business Please help me, so I can help them and they can help you and you can serve us, and together we can all live free, feed our families and enjoy everything that makes California the greatest state in the country. Signed, The Entrepreneur. --------- Yes you might say we know about franchising too: http://www.franchising.org . Franchises Provide Big Boost to Nation's Economy Source: Yahoo News (press release) – USA Franchising employment is almost as large as that of the information and construction sectors combined. Combining both direct and ... http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/040309/dctu052a_1.html and in the UK? How about in the UK too? FRANCHISING: A Winning Formula Online Recruitment – UK Franchising is a winning formula for budding entrepreneurs looking to gain a first foothold in setting up their own business. http://www.onrec.com/content2/news.asp?ID=3775 About the only people who have no clue about franchising is the regulatory bodies here in the US. Maybe we need a Capitalist revolution ? Some think So? -------------------------------------- WashGuys approve AnChem; http://www.ankem.com/auto.html . They are in Houston. Good company. --------------------------------------- 2004 Dodge SRT-10 makes waves and seems to compete wel against the new stylish Ford F-150 uniquely styled truck. http://trucks.about.com/cs/dodgeramsrt10/fr/srt10_test.htm That is one cool truck we would most like to Detail; The Detail Guys; http://www.detailguys.com .
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