Click here for show floor coverage.LAS VEGAS, Oct. 31–Looking at the activity surrounding the 2001 Automotive Aftermarket Industry Week gathering here in the Nevada desert, you’d have a hard time verifying reports of a stalled economy and withering tourism. Sure, the taxicab lines are blessedly shorter, but the airplanes arriving are packed solid, the restaurants have 2-hour waiting lines, and the aisles of the exhibit halls are crowded with tens of thousands of manufacturer reps, chain-store buyers, retail shop owners and an eager cadre of journalists.None are more eager than the automotive staff of Popular Mechanics, here to scope out the latest from theMedia Platforms Design Team $25 billion aftermarket auto goodies industry. Descending on the two convention centers here from their offices in New York, Detroit and Los Angeles, PM’s editors powered through more than 6000 exhibitors’ booths to select the best products for the annual Editor’s Choice Awards, presented in a Tuesday afternoon ceremony at the plush Venetian Hotel. Check out the awards presentations and the winning products below, then stop back on Friday for the full report on all the new industry trends and concepts.Media Platforms Design TeamLeft to right: Don Chaikin, automotive editor, Popular Mechanics; Adam Bruss, vice president, sales and marketing; Ben Miller, president; Joe Oldham, editor-in-chief, Popular Mechanics. AutoXray Tempe, AZwww.autoxray.comMedia Platforms Design TeamThe latest EZ-Link is an entry-level consumer-oriented diagnostic trouble code reader that can be upgraded via the Internet.Media Platforms Design TeamLeft to right: Don Chaikin; Otto Steffeiner, group product manager; Pam Krebs, director of advertising; Joe Oldham.Robert Bosch Corp. Broadview, IL www.boschusa.comMedia Platforms Design TeamAt $3.99, Platinum2 splits the difference between economical and expensive spark plugs while still offering advanced technology.Media Platforms Design TeamLeft to right: Don Chaikin; Jeffrey Stukenborg, senior project engineer; Joe Oldham.Delphi Aftermarket Operations Troy, MIwww.delphiauto.comMedia Platforms Design TeamDriver Selectable Ride is a professionally or DIY-installed set of four monotube shock absorbers and a controller that allows the driver to change suspension damping from soft to firm at the flip of a switch when towing heavy loads.Media Platforms Design TeamThird from left: Don Chaikin; Left to right: Dupli-Color team including John Ernst, development chemist, and Scott Jennie, director of marketing; Joe Oldham.Dupli-Color Products Co.Cleveland, OH www.duplicolor.comMedia Platforms Design TeamMetalcast is an aerosol high-gloss paint that sprays the color effects of red, blue and yellow anodized aluminum, and is heat resistant up to 500° FNo photo available.Media Platforms Design TeamEdelbrock Corp. Torrance, CA www.edelbrock.comMedia Platforms Design TeamThese heavy-duty adjustable upper trailing arms for 1964-88 General Motors A/G-body cars allow you to alter the rear-axle pinion angle for optimum straight-line acceleration and better handling.Media Platforms Design TeamLeft to right: Don Chaikin; John Church, product engineer; Phil Webb, product designer; Tom Peebles, brand manager; Joe Oldham.BFGoodrich Greenville, SC www.bfgoodrichtires.comMedia Platforms Design TeamThe G-Force T/A KDW is the first (that we’ve seen) regular-production 24-in. tire. In size 305/35VR24, this is a significant leap forward in tire technology for high-performance SUVs such as the Cadillac Escalade.Media Platforms Design TeamLeft to right: Don Chaikin; Mark Cherveny, product manager; Steve Myers, marketing manager; Joe Oldham.The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.Akron, OH www.goodyear.comMedia Platforms Design TeamThe Fortera HL SUV is a dedicated luxury SUV tire that rides and handles like a car tire but has the appearance of a rugged truck tire.Media Platforms Design TeamLeft to right: Don Chaikin; Butch Bass, vice president; Jeffrey King, president and chief executive officer; Joe Oldham.Holley Performance ProductsBowling Green, KY www.holley.comMedia Platforms Design TeamThe Truck Avenger Carburetor for V8 trucks improves low-end torque, and works well off-road because it can properly control fuel flow even at extreme lateral and downhill angles.Media Platforms Design TeamLeft to right: Don Chaikin; Bob Manthei, president; Joe Oldham.Longhorns West, division of B&L Technologies San Diego, CA www.4tiedown.comMedia Platforms Design TeamThe Rail-Rider Rolling Toolbox is a diamond-plate construction, automatic-latching, stake pocket-mounted box that slides to the back of the bed on rails for easy access.Media Platforms Design TeamLeft to right: Don Chaikin; Scott Smith, senior product manager; Joe Oldham.Meguiar’s Inc.Irvine, CA www.meguiars.comMedia Platforms Design TeamGold Class is an entire array of cleaning and polishing products in convenient pre-moistened wipe form for leather upholstery, vinyl and rubber trim and assorted detailing.Media Platforms Design TeamLeft to right: Don Chaikin; Ken Holland, marketing manager; Joe Oldham.Mothers Polishes Waxes CleanersHuntington Beach, CA www.mothers.comMedia Platforms Design TeamCalifornia Gold Paint Chip Repair puts a professional-looking flush finish on small blemishes.Media Platforms Design TeamLeft to right: Don Chaikin; Ted Hardenbergh, aftermarket product manager; Jim Jelin, direct marketing and sales distribution; Joe Oldham.Osram SylvaniaHillsboro, NH www.sylvania.comMedia Platforms Design TeamXenarc HID Lighting Systems comprises the first aftermarket applications of high intensity discharge illumination.Media Platforms Design TeamLeft to right: Don Chaikin; Adrian Murray, vice president, sales; Joe Oldham.Painless Performance ProductsFt. Worth, TX www.painlessperformance.comMedia Platforms Design TeamThe RF Control Center is a steering wheel-mounted radio-frequency programmable control for electric vehicle functions such as the lights, horn and signals.Media Platforms Design TeamLeft to right: Don Chaikin; Ahmed Alim, senior vice president, R&D; Joe Oldham.Pennzoil-Quaker StateHouston, TX www.pennzoil.comMedia Platforms Design TeamTotal Care is a waterless, one-step cleaner and polish that shines paint, plastic, vinyl, leather, chrome and glass, eliminating the need for separate products for each task.No photo available.Media Platforms Design TeamSimple Green, Sunshine Makers Inc.Huntington Harbour, CA www.simplegreen.comMedia Platforms Design TeamTotal Automotive Foaming Cleaner/Degreaser is a non-toxic, biodegradable, non-abrasive, non-corrosive clinging foam that can be used on most automotive surfaces, including paint and rubber.Media Platforms Design TeamLeft to right: Don Chaikin; Maarten Rutgers, vice president, R&D; Brett D’ambrosio, R&D associate; Jovo Majstorovic, president; Joe Oldham.Tesla Electronics Inc.Los Angeles, CA www.gtechpro.comMedia Platforms Design TeamG-Tech Pro LIBERATOR is a compact portable display that mounts to the inside of the windshield with a suction cup to record tax-deductible miles and provide current traffic and weather conditions.Media Platforms Design TeamLeft to right: Don Chaikin; Charles Walker, vice president; Joe Oldham.Trico ProductsBrownsville, TX tricoproducts.comMedia Platforms Design TeamTeflon Blade is a Teflon-coated wiper with reduced friction for a smoother, cleaner wipe on the windshield. Plus, it repels water, snow and ice, and won’t crack.Media Platforms Design TeamLeft to right: Don Chaikin; Thomas Giacomini, chief operating officer; Joe Oldham.Warn Industries Inc. Clackamas, OR www.warn.comMedia Platforms Design TeamPower Mate Winch is a pickup bedrail-mounted portable device that can pull 2000 pounds into the bed with its 30-ft. cable, internal braking system and remote control.Media Platforms Design TeamLeft to right: Don Chaikin; Bruce Johnston, brand manager; Joe Oldham.Wix Filtration, Dana Corp.Gastonia, NC www.dana.coMedia Platforms Design TeamA silicone antidrainback valve (orange) extends these filters’ usable life by thousands of miles.
