Automotive open house
Because of CEU’s automotive department’s success in national competitions, several large companies have donated money and equipment. CEU’s program is ranked third in the nation, for postsecondary generic programs.
Honda Motor Company donated a 2004 Acura MDX 4×4 with a navigation system, rear camera that shows what the car is backing into when it is in reverse with a color monitor, a DVD player with two color screens and a five-speed automatic transmission. DaimlerChrysler donated a 2004 Dodge Ram three-quarter ton 4×4 with a Cummins turbo diesel engine.
This archived article was written by: Heather Myers
Because of CEU’s automotive department’s success in national competitions, several large companies have donated money and equipment. CEU’s program is ranked third in the nation, for postsecondary generic programs.
Honda Motor Company donated a 2004 Acura MDX 4×4 with a navigation system, rear camera that shows what the car is backing into when it is in reverse with a color monitor, a DVD player with two color screens and a five-speed automatic transmission. DaimlerChrysler donated a 2004 Dodge Ram three-quarter ton 4×4 with a Cummins turbo diesel engine.
Director of the program, Stan Martineau, said the additions to the program are a great thing. He said it was important to have cars with new features so he can train students how to use it. “It is crucial for us to have new technology,” said Martineau, explaining that the new cars will be the ones that students will have to work on when they have completed their training.
On Feb. 28 the automotive department sponsored an 8 hour open house to showcase the new equipment and a table full of their awards. Thirteen students gave presentations and answered questions over the course of the night, using the new, and some other vehicles. Martineau presented with a piece of machinery the students have not yet covered in class.
The automotive department sent out invitations and flyers to CEU faculty and staff, as well as members of the local community. City and county officials, owners of local car dealerships and Utah Highway Patrol troopers attended the event along with CEU faculty, staff, administrators and students.
Observers found the event informative, Sgt. Joe Vasquez of UHP said he was very interested in the computer one student used to override the computer on a truck. Garrett Harrison hooked a handheld computer up to the engine of a truck, “I can make it turn on or turn off and I can find out what is wrong with it,” Harrison said.
“[There is] a lot to learn and to know. The stuff they have set up is very interesting,” said Vasquez who came to the event because he does safety inspections for vehicles and was interested in what he could learn.
