“URG Sees Opportunity for Independent Auto Recyclers in LKQ Purchase of ... - Biloxi Sun Herald” plus 4 more

URG Sees Opportunity for Independent Auto Recyclers in LKQ Purchase of ... - Biloxi Sun Herald
Tesla Motors plans house calls for repairs - Portland Business Journal
Panic sets in; 5 test negative - Tribune
Fort looks to build new recreation activities - Desert Dispatch
Dylan Klymenko of Short Hills is cruising on Ford’s dime - Bridgeton News

URG Sees Opportunity for Independent Auto Recyclers in LKQ Purchase of ... - Biloxi Sun Herald

Posted: 05 Oct 2009 02:37 PM PDT

According to LKQ, the wholesale recycling business acquired from Greenleaf consists of 17 operating locations, including Michigan, Ohio, Massachusetts, Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Texas, and Nevada. LKQ says it plans to merge certain locations together with its existing wholesale recycling operations, which will result in the elimination of approximately 11 operating locations. In another part of the transaction, SSI acquires several self-service used auto parts operations. SSI says that all of the acquired operations will operate under the company's Pick-n-Pull brand.

LKQ Corporation is the largest nationwide provider of aftermarket collision replacement products, recycled OEM products and refurbished OEM collision replacement products such as wheels, bumper covers and lights which are used to repair light vehicles. LKQ operates approximately 280 facilities offering its customers a broad range of replacement systems, components, and parts to repair automobiles and light, medium and heavy-duty trucks. Additionally, they are a leading distributor of paint and body shop supplies.

United Recyclers Group, LLC is a partnership of over 330 industry leading auto recyclers that work together to improve and modernize the automotive recycling industry. Changes they have made include developing their own inventory management system, Pinnacle and Pinnacle Pro; creating a buying cooperative; and offering group marketing options. For more information, go to the United Recyclers Group website at www.u-r-g.com or call 303-367-4391.

 United Recyclers Group (URG) Contact: Michelle Alexander Phone: 303-367-4391 Fax: 303-367-4409 E-mail: michelle@u-r-g.com Website: www.u-r-g.com

SOURCE United Recyclers Group

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Tesla Motors plans house calls for repairs - Portland Business Journal

Posted: 05 Oct 2009 02:44 PM PDT

Electric car maker Tesla Motors Inc. plans to send mechanics to customers' homes or offices for repairs.

The San Carlos, Calif.-based carmaker will charge owners $1 per mile for house calls, with a minimum $100 per trip charge.

The "Tesla Mobile Service Rangers" will visit owners' homes, offices or parking garages equipped to perform procedures that include annual inspections and firmware upgrades.

"Instead of taking cues only from the auto industry, Tesla relied on customer feedback from some of its 700 owners and studied pioneering retailers such as Zappos.com, the computer repair service Geek Squad, and fresh-to-your-doorstep organic produce delivery services," the company said in a prepared statement.

Tesla recalled hundreds of its Roadster cars in May because of a steering problem, and began its house call service at that time.

In June the company won about $465 million in U.S. Department of Energy loans.

Daimler AG, the parent company of Portland-based Daimler Trucks North America, formerly known as Freightliner LLC, in May acquired an equity stake of nearly 10 percent in Tesla. The company plans to install Tesla's lithium-ion battery packs and equipment in its Smart car.

Daimler later sold part of its stake to Aabar Investment, an Abu Dhabi investment firm.

Tesla sells its cars online and at showrooms in Menlo Park, West Los Angeles, New York City, Seattle and London. It is expanding its network of showrooms this summer with stores in Chicago; South Florida; Washington, D.C.; Toronto; Munich; and Monaco.

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Panic sets in; 5 test negative - Tribune

Posted: 05 Oct 2009 02:15 PM PDT

Ludhiana Calling
Whither civic sense, residents?

Day in and day out, residents of the industrial city blame the civic administration for poor maintenance and upkeep of roads. In the wake of pathetic condition of majority of main and inner roads even in posh areas, this is understandable too. But people are no less to blame when it comes to causing damage to roads and streets. In spite of repeated appeals by the authorities, washing of cars on roads and streets goes unabated, which over a period causes damage to the top layer of the premix laid on the roads.

Also, iron poles are fixed right in the middle of the road or street to put up arcs, banners and signboards for functions or shobha yatras. Causing damage to roads or obstructing traffic is an offence under the provisions of the municipal laws, but those responsible for this nuisance do not give two hoots while the administration also looks the other way to avoid the allegations of hurting the religious sentiments of people.

Male vanity

With changing trends, men have become more conscious about their looks than the fairer sex. Though Karva Chauth is associated with women, it is surprising to see men lined up in beauty salon these days. At one such salon, two married men were overheard discussing facial and manicure. You should take facial message regularly as it helps keep skin stretched, one said. The two kept discussing creams, oils, et al. Finally, when they bade one another farewell, it was revealed that they were getting ready for Karva Chauth party at a club scheduled for Wednesday.

Pampering wives

Karva Chauth falls on October 7 and women in the city are all geared up to observe fast for the long life and well-being of their better-halves. And, to say the least, they are pampered by their husbands, especially at the time of applying of mehndi on hands. Men are often seen offering soft drinks, chips, popcorn or ice-cream to their wives as they sit comfortably receiving mehndi. While there are others who look for the best mehndiwala for their wives. And, some go to the extent of arguing with mehndiwalas for not applying decent mehndi on the hands of their wives.

Defying death

To earn their bread and butter, people do not mind taking up even the most hazardous of jobs. One such group of people are linemen of the Punjab State Electricity Board, who are often seen perched atop electricity poles to rectify snag. Though it is a thankless jobs, they do not mind climbing up a power pole even on a rainy day, when it can prove fatal for them. So the next time you find a worker perched atop a pole, spare a thought for him. (see pic)

Boxed in

Traffic sense of Ludhianvis never fails to shock and amuse outsiders. Recently, a Chandigarh resident, on his maiden trip to the city in his brand new Audi, was shocked beyond belief when he was insisted by the parking lot staff of a local mall to park his car in a space big enough to accommodate only a small car. When the driver refused to risk scratching his car, a parking lot attendant retorted: The way one parks their car is a proof of their residency status, for had you been from the city, you would not have thought twice even before parking a truck in this space. The remark left the young man wondering if it was a compliment on city residents driving skills or an insult on the cautious attitude of outsiders like him.

Typing blues

Typing and journalists go hand in hand as in spite of their years of practice on keyboard, very few actually achieve perfection. For old-school journalists, computer keyboards can never match the smooth flowing fountain pens. For those who have grown up with computers, the over-familiarity with machines is apparent from their loud tapping on the keyboards. Troubled by the noise made by journalists on their keyboards, a seasoned typist working in an English daily offered free typing lessons. Please dont say no as it will give relief to your fingers and curtail the irritating noise apart from decreasing the expenses incurred over repair of keyboards, said the anguished typist.

Contributed by Kuldip Bhatia, Jyotika Sood, Shivani Bhakoo, Kanchan Vasdev, Charu Chhibber, Anshu Seth

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Fort looks to build new recreation activities - Desert Dispatch

Posted: 05 Oct 2009 11:09 AM PDT

FORT IRWIN • Members of the Army that get stationed at Fort Irwin often hear that the post is located "in the middle of nowhere."

But fort officials are making an effort to change that, with plans to bring more recreational activities on the military installation.

The post's Morale, Welfare and Recreation office is making plans to build activities around the recently expanded skate park that include miniature golf and a water spray area, said Barry Pinsky, a manager in the department.

The plan hasn't secured funding yet, Pinsky noted, but is part of a five-year vision to develop the area surrounding the skate park into a center of recreation in between First Street and Second Street on the fort.

Soldiers and families that come to Fort Irwin that look for things to do often compare the post to larger installations, he said.

"'Hey, how come you don't have one of those?'" Pinsky said he's heard before.

The fort currently offers entertainment and activities including a fitness center, movie theater, two swimming pools, a do-it-yourself auto mechanic repair shop, roller-skating rink and a bowling alley.

The recreation features would only be accessible to the fort community or people cleared at the post's front gate, said Pinsky.

"If you have a reason to be here, it would be open to you," he said.

About 4,400 active duty soldiers and 240 soldiers from the Army Reserve and the National Guard are stationed at Fort Irwin, according to past reports by fort officials. In addition, up to 5,000 soldiers rotate through the fort every month for training before deployment.

Contact the writer:
(760) 256-4122 or elee@desertdispatch.com

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Dylan Klymenko of Short Hills is cruising on Ford’s dime - Bridgeton News

Posted: 05 Oct 2009 10:33 AM PDT

By Independent Press

October 05, 2009, 1:51PM

By Rebecca Lugara
MILLBURN — Imagine being given a brand new, state-of-the-art car with voice commands, keyless ignition, and bluetooth technology, for a six-month, unlimited mile test drive — with free gas, insurance and repairs on top of that. And it gets even better. One of the requirements is to have as much fun as you can with your free, borrowed car and to visit the most fun, bizarre places in the country.
This may sound like a television or internet scam or phishing prank. But for Dylan Klymenko of Short Hills, it was literally a dream come true when he won the Ford Fiesta Movement contest five months ago. This week he is behind the wheel somewhere… driving.
The Ford Fiesta Movement is an innovative initiative on the part of Ford Motors to market their new vehicle, the Ford Fiesta, through the use of social media like You Tube, Twitter and Facebook. During a recession era when automobile manufacturers are struggling with sales, Ford is using cutting edge advertising technology that appeals to young adults and completely gels with Generation Y's social networking habits. Just as Ford was the first automobile company to creatively introduce the assembly line 100 years ago, this American-based company is certainly doing more than just "reinventing the wheel" in 2009.
"At the end of April, 2009, Ford chose from among the best videos — on social networks like You Tube, Facebook or Flicker — that best advertised why we as contestants would choose the Ford Fiesta.... the videos were about two to five minutes in length," says winner Dylan Klymenko. The selection process then included phone interviews with the possible winners, and 100 contestants were chosen to drive the 2011 Ford Fiesta Eurospecht (at this time, this model is only manufactured in Europe and will undergo future testing to meet United States standards).
But it was quite an emotional rollercoaster for Dylan. "The winners were announced on Twitter — I was watching it constantly, and there was constant streaming of the selection process. I found out I was 101st on the list, and won a door prize," he said lightheartedly. "I was pretty bummed out, but then two weeks later I got a phone call because I was first on the alternate list, and they asked me if I was still interested!"
Dylan entered the Ford Fiesta advertising mission with an even stronger fervor, and enjoyed the most fun and exciting summer of his life. Each month, the 100 "test drivers" all meet and are given monthly missions. The first month's mission was basically to "drive until you run out of gas," according to Dylan. He and a friend explored most of New England this way. Other missions were to find the best seafood restaurant in Avalon and to find every cheesesteak restaurant or vendor in Philadelphia. Yet another, and possibly the most bizarre, was to visit five Speak-Easies in Manhattan — bars left over from the Prohibition Era that still operate in a clandestine way. Participants are given a fixed amount of spending money each month to help with their missions.
These "missions" get recorded and then uploaded onto social media networks like You Tube, Twitter and Flicker and are streamed on a constant basis. "Our goal is not just to advertise the car," says Dylan. "We're not just hucksters; Ford's goal is to engage us and get us active in enjoying the car and where we go with it."
The red, 2011 Ford Fiesta that Dylan has been driving comes with innovative conveniences such as a keyless ignition, voice-activated controls for weather and radio switches, and a computer with voice activation technology. "It's pretty rad," he comments. The Fiesta gets up to 40 miles per gallon when driven on highways.
Participants in Movement include people from all over the country, and according to Dylan he is "one of the most 'mainstream'." For example, one of the drivers is an actress from "Attack of the Show."
"Ford has really created 100 grand ambassadors for themselves," says Dylan. "To see a company get out there and do something new and fun like this is great. They haven't just 'sat back on their laurels' during a tough time in the automotive business."
The Ford Fiesta Movement also has a humanistic mission. Participants are offered the chance to devote some or all of one month's spending money to a social cause of their choice. Dylan chose to donate to a project involving after school activities for underprivileged children in New York City.
Dylan is a self-employed marketing associate himself, and a recent graduate of Emerson College in Boston. In his free time he enjoys sailing, speed reading and, obviously, traveling!
At the end of October, 2009 he will be returning the Ford Fiesta, and his missions will be completed; but these past six months he will mark down as some of the most fun, enriching and educational in his life. He's contributed to both business and society, and participated in an ever-growing world of computer social media.

CUTLINE

ON THE ROAD AGAIN — Photos and coverage of Dylan's, and other Ford Fiesta Movement participant's, activities can be tracked through the website link www.fiestamovement.com.