The 2011 Chevrolet Volt won the 2011 AUTOMOBILE Magazine Automobile of the Year. Developed from a 2007 concept, and billed as the world’s first mass-produced electric vehicle with extended range, the Volt has a total driving range of more than 300 miles. With an innovative drive system not found in any other production car, many owners will be capable of driving anywhere from 25 to 50 miles emissions-free. When the Volt’s lithium-ion battery pack is depleted, a small gasoline powered engine/generator operates to provide electricity to the motor, extending the driving between charging and negating consumer ‘range anxiety’ found in other electric offerings.

Read

Snap-on released its Light and Medium Truck (LMT) software application that runs on the company’s Pro-Link iQ™ diagnostic tool. The software provides a wide range of diagnostic capability for light- and medium-duty trucks, including those manufactured by Ford, General Motors and Isuzu. Service bay technicians servicing light and medium-duty trucks can now take advantage of the power of the Pro-Link iQ™, and the LMT application, to diagnose potential engine, brakes, and transmission issues.

Read

Schrader launched the EZ-Sensor™, the automotive industry’s first patented OE-replacement TPMS sensor that can be programmed to function across diverse car makes and models. Created via a strategic alliance between Schrader and Bartec, EZ-Sensor will help aftermarket retailers simplify the TPMS repair process and optimize inventory levels. EZ-Sensor uses patented Schrader technology, which delivers a programmable sensor that requires only a single programming tool.

Continued