Businesses today are going green and if there is one company that is certainly placing emphasis on that aspect, it has to be Schoonover Bodyworks. Known as a premier shop for collision repairs and fine detailing, Schoonover has partnered with AkzoNobel and its new waterborne paints, while outfitting its shops with newly developed eco-friendly equipment.

“As an individual and a business owner, doing the right thing for the environment is simply good business,” said Mike Schoonover, president and CEO of Schoonover Bodyworks. “Our consumers like the idea of lessening their environmental impact, but they also want the beautiful, long-lasting finish they’ve come to expect. We’ve been watching the technology evolve and finally found a product and equipment that meets our high standards for both.”

Without sacrificing the quality of their service, Schoonover has employed an overall eco-friendly effort for its operations which include:

• Water-borne paint reducing paint material usage and emission
• Conserving 15 percent on electricity and 4 percent on gas per month
• Less Hazardous Materials
• Sheet Metal and Cardboard Recycling
• Paperless Office Setting

(Source) Press

Tags: akzonobel, bodyworks, business owner, cardboard, collision repair shop, collision repairs, consumers, doing the right thing, electricity, environmental impact, good business, hazardous materials, material usage, mike schoonover, Paint, paints, premier shop, sheet metal, twin cities

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While the entry of plug-in hybrid vehicles has been hailed as the ultimate solution to the growing problems of gas consuming cars as well as remedying the carbon emissions issue, not all motorists seem to be comfortable with the change in transport choices.

While improved fuel economy is the top reason cited for considering a plug-in hybrid, lower operating costs and positive environmental impact also contribute to interest. “With gasoline hovering around $2.00 per gallon, there is no real economic case for plug-in hybrids right now,” said Bryan Krulikowski, Morpace Vice President. “Those interested in plug-ins are also considering the non-economic benefits provided by the technology.”

Given the technology’s high up-front purchase cost, Krulikowski added, it’s not surprising that consideration is strongest among luxury car owners. However, those driving mid-size cars and minivans also tend to be more interested in plug-in hybrids.

The technology faces hurdles beyond purchase price. Among those not interested in plug-in hybrids, the primary concern is limited driving range during all-electric operation. “Consumers expect to drive more than 40 miles using only the electric motor,” Krulikowski said. “Further, the lack of infrastructure to support re-charging these vehicles weighs on consumers’ minds.”

Being able to re-charge the vehicle at home is important to 90 percent of consumers. Among all study respondents, 67 percent indicate having access to an outlet at the location where they park overnight. “That leaves a significant number of consumers who must rely on re-charging locations other than home,” Krulikowski pointed out. On average, consumers say they will pay $5.70 per hour to re-charge a plug-in hybrid at a public location.

(Source) Press

Tags: car owners, carbon emissions, driving range, economic benefits, economic case, environmental impact, fuel economy, hurdles, hybrid vehicles, luxury car, mid size cars, minivans, motorists, plug in hybrids, plug ins, public location, transport choices

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In an obvious marketing move, Pirelli has reportedly launched incentives a totally self financed initiative which, similar to incentives for substitution of vehicles, includes a contribution for purchase of fuel for those who decide to trade in their old tyres for Pirelli eco-compatible products.

This measure, an innovative one for the tyre industry, aims to sustain demand at a difficult time for the economy and stimulate the use of low environmental impact products for each segment of the automobile market, promoting substitution of tyres that are worn out beyond legal limits (equal to 1.6 millimeters of residual tread), in order to favor road safety.

The incentive for substitution of worn tyres is part of Pirelli’s program to develop solutions and products that are more and more innovative and ecological, as announced in the 2009-2011 industrial plan presented by the Group last February.

The program of incentives for substitution of tyres, promoted by Pirelli, the details of which will be published on the Company’s website, include, in collaboration with ENI and for You&Agip program members, a contribution for purchase of fuel of up to 60 euros, depending on the type of Cinturato tyre is purchased between the end of May and the end of July.

(Source) Azom

Tags: automobile market, compatible products, eco, environmental impact, impact products, millimeters, road safety, shifters, tyre, tyre industry, worn tyres

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In a move to help provide better safety-related technological solutions, Pirelli has partnered with Brembo braking systems to focus on developments of applications in the area of vehicular safety.

Pirelli has long been one of the outstanding tire brands and a reliable preference for car enthusiasts. With their tie-up, aside from safety issues, reducing environmental impact in line with international regulations and the European Union CO2 emissions limits are to be expected.

Under this project, Pirelli’s intelligent ‘Cyber Tyre’ will be integrated with Magneti Marelli electronic control systems and Brembo braking systems in order to achieve specific performance and safety related technological solutions.

(Source) Tire Review Online

Tags: braking systems, brembo, electronic control systems, emissions, environmental impact, Pirelli, safety issues, technological solutions, tire brands

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