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Big Three recycling efforts go for the ‘Green.’

Imagine a day when environmentalists hold the automobile up as a shining example of a "green" product.It's beginning to happen. In fact, solid-waste problems could be reduced greatly if other materials were as easy to recycle and reuse as the aluminum and steel from vehicles.Every year, approximately 10 million vehicles are scrapped, and about 75% of the material by weight from those vehicles is recycled.That's

By Labana, Sandy • Feb. 1, 1995

Cheap peso threatens trade

The devaluation of the Mexican peso is more than just a blip on the trade radar screen. How quickly it can be righted will decide the economic landscape of that nation and the look of its auto industry.Down nearly 40% against the dollar since Dec. 20, the plunging Mexican peso means spiraling inflation, expensive imports and a decline in living standards.The emerging middle class -- already hooked

By Sorge, Marjorie, David Zoia • Feb. 1, 1995

Emissions showdown: electronic emissions controls just keep growing and growing and....

Imagine: You need to renew your license plates and suddenly you discover you can't just go to your corner gas station to have your car's tailpipe tested for that all-important certificate giving your car its tailpipe exhaust a clean bill of health.Nope, you have to drive across town to a new state-run centralized facility to have several sophisticated tests performed that analyze not only tailpipe

By Drew Winter • Feb. 1, 1995

Coining a new cat: clad-metal tech promises lower-cost metal converters.

Pull a silver coin out of your pocket. Look at the edge. You'll notice a thin copper line running through the middle. That's because the "silver" coin isn't silver at all. It's actually a metal composite comprised of a layer of copper sandwiched between two layers of nickel alloy, but vending machines and telephones can't tell the difference.The U.S. Treasury saved a mint by replacing a precious metal

By Drew Winter • Feb. 1, 1995

Composites wary of Newt moves.

House Speaker Newt Gingrich is accused of being mean and nasty to a lot of people: the poor, Hillary Clinton, even his ex-wife. Many don't care, or think it's all a media conspiracy to "get" him. But here's a potential victim you won't hear about on the evening news or even Inside Edition that hits closer to home: advanced composites.It didn't get much publicity, but late last year the U.S. Dept.

By Drew Winter • Feb. 1, 1995

3Rs of lead-acid batteries: reclaiming, recycling, reusing

Lead-acid batteries are the most recycled domestic commodity in the U.S.For the past 60 years, the lead-acid battery industry has been in the forefront of our nation's recycling effort. Delco Battery has taken a leadership role in designing a product that is over 99% recyclable, while also developing a complete system to guarantee that virtually all batteries returned are completely recycled.The battery

By Steinbrunner, William L. • Jan. 1, 1995

SMC: lowest cost solution to saving weight; how sheet molding composite satisfies your customers

SMC'S Low Program CostFast, frequent, low-cost styling changes keep customers coming backSMC takes center stage as an economical quick-change artist. Its ability to play any number of roles -- and play them well -- is a major reason it continues to rise above the challenges of other plastics, steel and aluminum.Its strengths include:* Simpler, less capital-intensive tooling.* Greater parts consolidation.*

Jan. 1, 1995

Record robot sales

Strong demand for industrial robots led U.S.-based robotics companies to their best 9-month sales totals ever, says the Robotic industries Assn. Through September, new orders totaled 6,218 robots valued at $548 million, a 12% jump in units and 13% increase in dollar volume compared with the same period last year. Shipments climbed 30% in units and 26% in dollars over last year. The greatest demand

Jan. 1, 1995

U.S. approves GATT industry to benefit

Meantime, the auto industry's plans to go global get an extra boost as Congress passes GATT (the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade), which will reduce tariffs around the world by more than $700 billion over the next 10 years, eliminate limits on imports and end the local-content requirements on goods. "GATT has the same benefits as NAFTA, only on a wider basis," says Richard A. Snell, president

Jan. 1, 1995