Automotive News - September 1, 2008 - (Page 16) 16 • SEPTEMBER 1, 2008 ADVERTISING STAFF Dem delegates honor slain Arkansas dealer Harry Stoffer hstoffer@crain.com DENVER — Arkansas delegates at last week’s Democratic National Convention celebrated the life of Bill Gwatney, the auto dealer and state party chairman who was murdered Aug. 13. Gwatney’s wife, Rebecca, took his seat on the convention floor here. The Arkansas delegation held a party Tuesday, Aug. 26, on what would have been Gwatney’s 49th birthday, said state party staffer Darinda Sharp. Arkansas delegates wore buttons with the name “Gwatzilla” at the top and a silhouette of a Godzilla-like creature, in stars and stripes, in the center. Gwatzilla was the former chairman’s nickname. As a dealer, Gwatney used a giant inflated Godzilla figure to draw attention to his stores, Sharp said. As a state senator, he picked up the nickname for con- After the murder of dealer Bill Gwatney, left, Rebecca Gwatney took her husband’s seat as a delegate at the Democratic National Convention. fronting issues with the ferocity of Godzilla, she added. Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., formerly of Arkansas, mentioned Gwatney in her prime time convention address Tuesday. Calling his death a great loss, she said Gwatney “believed with all his heart that America and the South could be and should be De- mocratic from top to bottom.” During the speech, Rebecca Gwatney was seated directly to the right of former President and Arkansas Gov. Bill Clinton. In a statement about her selection as a delegate, Rebecca Gwatney said: “I’m happy to do this in memory of my husband and his love of people. Bill loved helping and serving people.” Rebecca Gwatney, 44, is a claims adjuster for an insurance company. Bill Gwatney, with his brother Russell, operated several dealerships in the Little Rock and Memphis, Tenn., areas. Sharp said there was an outpouring of sympathy from political and business leaders after Gwatney’s death at state party headquarters in Little Rock. Police shot and killed the gunman after a chase but have not indicated a motive for the slaying.c Circulation 313-446-0450 Advertising 313-446-6050 Classified Advertising 313-446-6065, 800-388-1800 Web site www.autonews.com ADVERTISING AND SALES DETROIT 1155 Gratiot Ave., Detroit, MI 48207-2997 313-446-6790 Fax: 313-446-8030 Carmakers cut weight, fuel use with plastic Bettina Mayer bmayer@craincom.de MUNICH — Plastics suppliers expect to benefit as automakers strive to reduce fuel use by building lighter vehicles. Today, plastics account for around 14 percent of a car by weight. By 2010, that will increase to 19 percent, says Raimar Jahn, CEO of the BASF Performance Polymers division. At BMW, plastics make up 17 percent of the parts in new models, up from 12 percent in 1990. In coming years, suppliers such as BASF, Dow Automotive and Sabic Innovative Plastics predict above-average growth in their plastics businesses. Another factor driving demand is the rising price of steel. Plastic body panels weigh half as much as steel ones. And plastics offer greater design freedom. “Engineers are well-aware of the advantages of plastics,” Jahn said. Japanese and Korean carmakers appear most receptive to plastic parts and panels. “They are typically more progressive in plastics,” said Todd Prey, Dow Automotive’s vice president for plastics. Hyundai Motor Europe used the QarmaQ (pronounced CAR’-mac) concept crossover at the 2007 Geneva auto show to preview advanced plastic body panels. The crossover — developed with Sabic, formerly GE Plastics — was 88 pounds lighter than a vehicle using traditional materials. Plastics are harder to incorporate in powertrain and structural body panels, partly because engineers have no experience using the material. “That’s a hurdle for a company that sells plastic, but also an opportunity for us to go to the automaker and become their leading designers for plastics,” Prey said. Steel makers say the advances in plastics technology are no threat. The average proportion of steel in car bodies is still above 90 percent, said Bernd Overmaat, spokesman for German supplier ThyssenKrupp Steel. ThyssenKrupp is developing thinner and stronger lightweight steel and is also working on combining steel and plastic for use in body panels.c Rick Greer Director of Sales and Marketing rgreer@crain.com 313-446-6050 Kathleen C. 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Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Automotive News - September 1, 2008 Automotive News - September 1, 2008 'Mr. Big Volume' hit again Auto ad spending plummets American Axle to grow outside U.S. Nissan, Renault aim to share more parts Steven Ribet joins Automotive News in Shanghai Salaried workers face the ax Asbury to challenge verdict Lutz wants loan guarantees VW passes Ford as No. 3 global seller in 1st half Suzuki in disguise Dodge hopes smooth ride of coil springs will distinguish Ram Candidates split on union organizing bill Check in the mail? Toyota, Ford can tell 10 CTS stays true to concept GM shifts some vehicle design work to U.S. Infiniti may add cars, big and small BMW slashes production of big engines Toyota cuts sales forecast Chrysler: Viper lures suitors Honda hybrid plan bets big on small cars Ford starts L-M consolidation meetings Obama renews aid offer — industry wants it now Honda taps rainwater to create wetlands U.S. loans could make sense, but can't be a bailout Wanna buy a car? Wanna buy a brand? PPG story recalls Exner's Imperial Toyota goofed on Scion; is Prius next? Editor grows up; import vet pleased Field reps blamed for GM's problems Honda Insight engine isn't noiseless Trucks, Vette fine; rest of GM, blah Reynolds to dealers: Replace aging servers by year end Saddle up! Dem delegates honor slain Arkansas dealer Kia makes a mark of its own Koreans step up; Indians step cautiously; Chinese step back The next batch of new Hyundais: Smaller, more fuel efficient To give fuel economy a boost, Hyundai spends big on r&d U.S. plans fizzle for most Chinese vehicles Mahindra delays U.S. retail launch until 4th quarter of '09 Dealers Personnel Despite tough times, Galpin profits by pimping rides Web service leads grow Uh, I didn't mean to say you should retire Remembering Phil Hill, racing's modest giant Mulally to speak at gadget show GM picks Volt battery supplier Split verdict in fraud case July auto output was up in Japan Bob Fisher Dems reopen the CAFE Hummer, king of the desert? MG remains a no-show in North America Mustang silly Protests could bring ta-ta from Tata The politicians (and I) need a new road map Welburn's design journey began in Philly Automotive News - September 1, 2008 Automotive News - September 1, 2008 - (Page Intro) Automotive News - September 1, 2008 - American Axle to grow outside U.S. (Page 1) Automotive News - September 1, 2008 - American Axle to grow outside U.S. (Page 2) Automotive News - September 1, 2008 - Suzuki in disguise (Page 3) Automotive News - September 1, 2008 - 10 CTS stays true to concept (Page 4) Automotive News - September 1, 2008 - 10 CTS stays true to concept (Page 5) Automotive News - September 1, 2008 - Chrysler: Viper lures suitors (Page 6) Automotive News - September 1, 2008 - Chrysler: Viper lures suitors (Page 7) Automotive News - September 1, 2008 - Obama renews aid offer — industry wants it now (Page 8) Automotive News - September 1, 2008 - Obama renews aid offer — industry wants it now (Page 9) Automotive News - September 1, 2008 - Honda taps rainwater to create wetlands (Page 10) Automotive News - September 1, 2008 - Honda taps rainwater to create wetlands (Page 11) Automotive News - September 1, 2008 - Field reps blamed for GM's problems (Page 12) Automotive News - September 1, 2008 - Field reps blamed for GM's problems (Page 13) Automotive News - September 1, 2008 - Trucks, Vette fine; rest of GM, blah (Page 14) Automotive News - September 1, 2008 - Saddle up! (Page 15) Automotive News - September 1, 2008 - Dem delegates honor slain Arkansas dealer (Page 16) Automotive News - September 1, 2008 - Koreans step up; Indians step cautiously; Chinese step back (Page 17) Automotive News - September 1, 2008 - To give fuel economy a boost, Hyundai spends big on r&d (Page 18) Automotive News - September 1, 2008 - Mahindra delays U.S. retail launch until 4th quarter of '09 (Page 19) Automotive News - September 1, 2008 - Personnel (Page 20) Automotive News - September 1, 2008 - Web service leads grow (Page 21) Automotive News - September 1, 2008 - Web service leads grow (Page 22) Automotive News - September 1, 2008 - Web service leads grow (Page 23) Automotive News - September 1, 2008 - Web service leads grow (Page 24) Automotive News - September 1, 2008 - Uh, I didn't mean to say you should retire (Page 25) Automotive News - September 1, 2008 - Uh, I didn't mean to say you should retire (Page 26) Automotive News - September 1, 2008 - July auto output was up in Japan (Page 27) Automotive News - September 1, 2008 - Bob Fisher (Page 28) Automotive News - September 1, 2008 - Bob Fisher (Page 29) Automotive News - September 1, 2008 - Welburn's design journey began in Philly (Page 30) Automotive News - September 1, 2008 - Welburn's design journey began in Philly (Page 31) Automotive News - September 1, 2008 - Welburn's design journey began in Philly (Page 32)
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