European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - January 23, 1993, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Behind the bpe�?Tf1 i Ota Maxw.  a is or i  of iwo two re. Searchers at Michigan technological University in Houghton Art trying to find out How to put the brakes on uneven Brake Wear. Karen Mikkola a graduate student in metallurgy is examining the microstructure of disk Brake rotors made of cast Iron. She has found that the Metal is most Wear resistant when the Graphite flakes in its Cross sections Are Long and randomly distributed rather than Short and clustered. T Chuck a Csc another Michigan tech graduate student also working on the project is studying residual stress within he rotors. He said if stresses arc uneven they might contribute to the rotors warping and in even Wear. The projects goal is to find the combination of factors that produces the Best rotors possible and the Long Cost lasting brakes they said. A 1 a a a Audi of America inc. Announced tuesday the recall of about 152,000 1985-1991 vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions to Correct a problem that could result in wheel lockup. It the company said differential gear Oil could evaporate Over time causing premature gear and bearing Wear and in extreme circumstances Block the vehicles drive wheels. Audi said it was aware of four accidents arising from wheel lockup two of them resulting in minor injuries. Owners will be asked to bring their vehicle to their Audi dealer to have the present Oil replaced with an advanced design synthetic lubricant. Audi also announced the recall of about 7,000 1992 Model Audi 100 vehicles to modify the Brake vacuum Booster system. A. 1 a a Toyota motor sales Usa inc. Said tuesday that it will open a replacement parts operation for North America. It is the first time that the japanese earnt Toyota motor corp., has Al i cd parts ordering and logistics anywhere but Japan. Toyota motor sales is investing More than $75 million in a new warehouse and parts ordering system. The move will add 400 jobs in California equally significant is Typo tax a plan to use . Companies to provide half its parts by 1995. The move is further evidence of tool a a attempt to ease .-Japan tensions Over the $45 billion Trade imbalance Between the countries. Three fourths of that amount is in autos and Auto parts a a a. Mazda motor corp. And Renault will Start joint production of compact station wagons in Europe a major japanese newspaper reported monday. The two automakers plan to manufacture 50,000 compact wagons based on Mazda a Familia Model at Renault a Plant in France starting around 1995, Sansei Shin Bun said. But Mazda a spokesman Bob in Amoto said Mazda places the biggest priority on concluding negotiations with l Ord motor co. Of the United states for their joint production in Europe although Japan a no 5 Auto maker is examining possible tie  with other foreign companies As Well. Since last week major japanese newspapers have been reporting Mazja has decided to abandon the tie up with Ford. But Inan Ioto denied it. Automakers gear up plans Call for increase in . Production for first Quarter of �?T93 Detorr a the . Auto Industry is boosting its production plans this Winter in response to Long awaited signs that a rebound has arrived after seven years of decline. The 2.8 million cars and trucks scheduled to be built through March will help the 10 companies that build vehicles in the United states get ready for the traditionally Strong Spring season. Consumer Confidence the most watched indicator for Auto sales moved up significantly in november and december. That apparently was enough for the people who plan factory time to aggressively restock inventories. Quot you be got several factors causing this a said Phillip Fricke an Auto Industry analyst with Prudential securities research in new York. Quot number one is that we re coming off a relatively Low base. Number two is that the first Quarter is the time when inventories Are traditionally increased a a third reason grounded More in Hope than fact is the Long awaited cyclical rebound. The last Peak in Auto sales was in 1986, a the companies Are looking for not Only a seasonal but a cyclical increase in sales a Fritcke said. Quot this first Quarter is More than the Normal seasonal buildup in  although the planned 23.7 percent production increase Over last years first Quarter looks Good automakers could trim the production schedules at the beginning of february and March if sales done to hold up. Quot it remains to be seen whether the cyclical rebound will last More than one Quarter a Fricke said. Most analysts see the next Peak in Auto sales coming in 1995 or 1996, but sales should be rising until then. Sales of cars and trucks were weak in Early january but no cause for concern analysts said because they followed Strong sales in late december fuelled by year end closeouts and other special promotions. General motors corp., Ford motor co. And Chrysler corp. Are the most bullish of the 10 major manufacturers of cars and trucks in the United states pm is counting on an 11.7 percent increase in car production Ana plans to build 21.2 percent More trucks. Ford expected to build 18 percent More cars and 16.7 percent More trucks and Chrysler will make 19.4 percent More cars and 63.5 percent More trucks. Ford needs to rebuild inventories of its isl Cayan Amaker by maker look in thousands of vehicles at estimated january through March . Car and truck production plans in thousands in thousands 0 300 600 900 0 300 600 900 a a a a i i 11 1 a Isle to. 93 1 a Isle or. 92 3 total car % changes a 18,3% total cars to qty 92 1 totals Tot Ammor in thousands o 200 400 600 n in thousands o 200 400 600 .1 a to q 1st car. 92 1st qty. �?T93 totals source Ward automotive reports and automakers Mote pm and Toyota car totals include production from California out ventures amps Edward comma Taurus midsize Sedan which fell As Low As a 17-Day Supply a Worth by year end in a triumphant sates Battle with Honda s Accord for Best Selling car bragging rights. The Norm is a 65-Day Supply. Chrysler a projected car increases come against Low production in the first Quarter last year. Among japanese manufacturers with . Plants Mazda Toyota and Nissan plan to build More cars. Honda and Mitsubishi plan to build fewer. Isuzu and Toyota will build More trucks Nissan will build fewer. New Saab has dual personalities by Hess Devault Cox news service believe Saab when it says general motors acquisition of a 50 percent interest a the swedish automaker does t mean its cars will lose their unique characteristics. A Case in Point is the 1993 use Hatchback which has typical Saab styling and two personalities. One is a very docile very comfortable five passenger car Good for commuting with commendable in town behaviour and excellent performance on the Highway. The other is All of the above but is capable of ripping at the Asphalt. The difference is $3,395, which is what the Turbocharger package adds to the luxurious Csecs base Price of $31,060. Include an option package highlighted by leather Interior $3,635 and the $913 luxury tax 10 percent of the amount Over $30,000 and the use Turbo becomes an almost-$4o,0oocar. However base prices for the 9000 series available As sedans and hatchbacks Start at $25,725. The Only engine choices Are the normally aspirated 2.3-liter, four Cylinder 150 horsepower and the turbocharged version 200 horsepower. A five Speed manual transmission is Standard. But a four Speed automatic is available for $920 with either Power Plant. The Turbo Model which gets a distinguishing spoiler and High Speed rated tires easily qualifies As a luxury performance car. Its 3.7 inches longer 187.4 inches Overall than the old 9000s and weighs 3,190 pounds but will scoot to 60 Mph in seven plus seconds with a top Speedo More than 140 Mph. The performance and trim Levels do vary but Saab a emphasis on safety changes Little from Model to Model. All have a Drivers air bag anti lock brakes body and Frame construction Strong enough to meet the Side Impact standards that will go into effect in 1994, and the Turbo models offer the added Security of traction control. In traffic and on interstate or two Lane roads the feel of the 9000 use is that of a solid stable car with a firm ride. The no turbocharged use lacks the oomph of the Turbo but it will transport As Many adults five has As much cargo potential 56-plus Square feet with the rear seat Dowland both enthusiasts and sedate Drivers will find it an accommodating machine albeit it one Wilh an upscale Price