Automotive News - March 24, 2008 - (Page 10)

10 • MARCH 24, 2008 With zest, activist Ditlow remains on lemon patrol uto industry leaders have called Clarence Ditlow a lot of names. “Chevy man” probably isn’t one of them. For more than 30 years, Ditlow has been executive director of the Center for Auto Safety. His consumer group often criticizes General Motors. But Ditlow, the son of a former service manager at a Chevrolet dealership in Harrisburg, Pa., also is a lifelong buyer and driver of Chevrolets. His early favorites were late-1960s Corvettes. Today he drives A Raiders,” says Nader no longer is involved with the center. In an office near Washington’s Dupont Circle, Ditlow discussed his life and work. Person to person a 2001 Chevrolet Prizm, a GM version of the Toyota Corolla. Consumer advocate Ralph Nader and Consumers Union founded the Center for Auto Safety in 1970. Ditlow, an early member of “Nader’s BILL DELANEY Clarence Ditlow, executive director of the Center for Auto Safety, oversees an experimental dynamic rollover crash test of a 2006 Hyundai Sonata. Ditlow says the test could lead to safer roofs. Lead Solutions Name: Clarence Ditlow Title: Executive director, Center for Auto Safety Age: 64 Personal: Single (“My brother has been married three times, so it averages out.”) Lives and works: Washington Education: Bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering, Lehigh University; juris doctorate, Georgetown University; master of law, Harvard University. Life-changing experience: College field trips to largely unregulated chemical, tire and steel plants were scary, Ditlow says, and many friends were getting M.B.A.s so they could manage those factories. “I looked at it and said, well, I’d rather become a lawyer.” Of what accomplishment are you most proud? We are responsible for lemon laws in every state (such laws force automakers to buy back “lemon” vehicles they can’t fix). I say about lemons: They are life’s great levelers. Sooner or later, everyone gets one. You say you operate for a year on half the cost of one automaker ad during the Super Bowl? Do you think of yourself as being in a David-andGoliath situation? We’re wise enough to not try to do everything. We just do a few things, but we like to do them well. Sure, we’re outresourced. But I don’t quite think of ourselves as David. We like to think of ourselves as David and friends. What’s your salary here? It’s $45,000 a year. What do you do for fun? I know I need a vacation when my New Yorkers and Business Weeks have piled up. I like to go to the Caribbean. That’s one of my big things for relaxation. Growing plants is my best hobby. What’s your top issue now? To do something about distracted driving. It’s a growing issue. If we don’t do something about it, we’re going to see distracted driving as bad as drunk driving. Is there a new generation of activists on the way? My generation came out of the into-the-streets movement of the late ’60s, early ’70s. Since then, we haven’t had something comparable to catch the imagination of the younger generation. My priority for the next five years is to find the next leader. We need one. Are you considering retirement? No. I jokingly say it is a standing offer to the auto industry — to retire when they start making safe and reliable vehicles. They haven’t gotten there yet. — Harry Stoffer See More Prospects Lead Prospector Internet There are a lot of potential customers, but only certain prospects are online and actively shopping for a car right now. Lead Prospector Internet from First Advantage CREDCO can help you find your next online customer, fast. Integrated on major dealer sales, finance and CRM platforms, Lead Prospector Internet delivers highly motivated leads directly to you, so you can quickly contact in-market consumers - and see more prospects! Sign Up Today • 866.491.4256 First 50 Customers Get 2nd Month FREE!* CREDCOservices.com/SeeMore *Offer expires March 31, 2008. Good for first 50 customers that sign up. First month of leads activity must equal a full calendar month to qualify for second free month. One rooftop per offer. Call for details. http://CREDCOservices.com/SeeMore http://CREDCOservices.com/SeeMore

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Automotive News - March 24, 2008

Ford lists 6 to succeed Mulally GM pushes luxury superstores Industry straps in for rough ride Bob Irvin is a worthy addition to Hall of Fame Debate at Scion: How to grow Ford moves executives in Asia to new jobs CEO of lanelogic: We're still here Kia's N.Y. duo Chrysler's exec trio: Reports of friction mostly fiction Where others see gloom, Honda chief sees boom in U.S. Fukui: Nickel battery is best bet for hybrid Beijing conference explores key issues in China market Planworks keeps its role as buyer for GM ads Lincoln: MKS will make up for brand's slow start in '08 Deal's no big deal: Styling top reason to buy GM Penske's Smart start: He'd like 15,000 more Dodge's pitch for Challenger: A halo that you can afford Chrysler plans 'We listen' ads You go, Bob With zest, activist Ditlow remains on lemon patrol Autos did the job after 9/11; don't bet on that now Chinese cars? Dealer beware Solar power is the only answer Where will we get power for the Volt? Want higher CAFE? First, do this In N. California, hybrids are hot Detroit 3 can learn from the Marlboro Man The Prius is a phenomenon Wait 3 years, then judge Ford How many Jeeps will India buy? Lithia looks into improper sales reports at dealerships AutoNation's lead shrinks as largest U.S. dealer group Honda ad agency creates unit to build Acura brand Study: Consistent theme in auto ads builds viewer recall Big-truck sales continue slide in Feb. -- off 27.1% MazdaSpeed revs up racing accessory sales Calif. company eyes electric charging stations for Volt, Vue Indictment: Bribe scheme cost GM $83.3 million The greening of Toyota dealerships 6 more finalists in race for PACE recognition Tenneco expands Japanese work, seeks more Bosch buys diagnostic equipment firm in China JV will design vehicle platforms Citation moves headquarters NxtGen tests emissions system VW stake may help Porsche on fuel economy rules Chrysler's Project Genesis wins over Ore. dealer Germany, new EU members send up European sales Saturn will choose store system soon VW thinks modular for flexibility at auto plants Automakers eager as axles turn high-tech Talking drivetrains with American Axle Dollar halts U.S. retail sales of Audi Q7 hybrid Hyundai: Genesis Coupe offers more go for dough Maxima's target: Luxury Euro makes Pontiac adds 3 sporty variants Outsider Elmer Johnson shook up GM Importer Yanase was Hall of Fame member Obituaries Redesigned TSX has many Acura firsts Dealers Certified sales up 7.5% in Feb.; Audi leads the way eBay's new Web site has new look, more features Big pickups and SUVs lead plunge in used-vehicle prices Ex-Reynolds CEO O'Neill joins J.D. Power Auto Hall of Fame will induct 8 Liberatore looks beyond Daimler Molina gets the top job at GMAC F&I pioneer Pat Ryan to retire from Aon Study: Hydrogen research worth the cost Gulf States trial halted As yuan rises, so do prices of Chinese parts Personnel exec Laymon: Ford still seeking outside talent GE gives supplier credit Dana CEO wants Asian growth Tesla launches production Todt steps down as Ferrari CEO Union pursues Toyota effort Chrysler offers spiffs for military Land Rover ads focus on heritage Mark Rechtin Fresh heir: To turn green, must BMW create brand? GM ponders mini-muscle Camaro New Ford ads coming in April With a spiffier image, Lincoln would rock abroad Rival says Nardelli's OK Ford hails its cab, but mpg is an issue

Automotive News - March 24, 2008

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