Maintenance and Aftermarket Publications

Each introduced a 50th anniversary example at the 2013 New York International Auto Show. Porsche featured a fifth generation of GT-3, a 911 derivative. Shelby showed the 1000, a new Ford Shelby GT500 Mustang variant that develops 1000 hp for street use on pump gasoline, up to 1200 hp for the track.

Although German carmakers express concern over R-1234yf safety, others remain nominally committed. But work on AC6 blend (R-445A) continues, and R-744 (carbon dioxide as a refrigerant) is back in the picture. The industry also faces preparation for challenges from new EPA AC17 drive cycle that measures A/C fuel consumption for future CAFE credits.

The company pumps up its Super Snake to 850 hp (634 kW) and lowers the Focus ST for Shelby-grade performance.

Cost remains the most significant challenge to overcome for composites to be more widely deployed in high-volume vehicles, according to a recent poll posted on AEI Online. Repairability was second, manufacturing/assembly third.

Massachusetts specifically names SAE J2534 in “Right to Repair” law approved overwhelmingly by voters on Election Day. Law aims to enable independent garages to have full access to OE service information, reprogramming, and diagnostics.