S&P 500 falls 4.1%, worst decline since 2011

Stocks continued last week's selloff.

SpaceX readies Falcon Heavy rocket for launch

CNBC's Morgan Brennan reports on Elon Musk's SpaceX poised to launch its largest rocket, the Falcon Heavy.

SpaceX Falcon Heavy poised for debut test launch, with Tesla Roadster payload

A scarlet Tesla Roadster from the assembly line of Elon Musk's pioneering electric automobile business is poised this week to go where no sports car has gone before - outer space. The sleek, battery-powered hot rod is serving as a mock payload for the highly anticipated debut test flight of Musk's new Falcon Heavy jumbo rocket, set for liftoff as early as Tuesday by his other transportation venture, Space Exploration Technologies. If the launch succeeds, the Falcon Heavy will rank as the most powerful rocket in operation today, and the mightiest space vehicle to blast off from the United States since NASA's Saturn 5 rockets last carried astronauts to the moon 45 years ago.

House Republicans working to plan to avert another shutdown

WASHINGTON (AP) — The era of trillion-dollar budget deficits is about to make a comeback — and a brewing budget deal could mean their return comes just next year. In the meantime, House GOP leaders are grappling with the need to pass legislation to avert another government shutdown at midnight on Thursday.

Bee Line System Assesses Frame Damage with Infrared Camera

Bee Line has introduced the OM8000 Optical Frame Assessment System, featuring a single infrared camera that captures the initial conditions of a damaged frame, allowing the operator to determine what corrective measures need to be taken.

The camera, which has a self-contained light source for accuracy, connects with retro-reflective targets mounted with self-centering frame gauges that accurately represent vehicle conditions.

The 3D system is capable of accurate initial condition reporting, dynamic tracking of corrections as they are made and final condition reporting relative to appropriate specification tolerances.

How the system works:

• Enter specific vehicle data and capture “before” pictures of the damaged areas to upload to diagnosis software.
• Properly mount the frame gauges on the truck rails. New lock design secures the gauges to the frame, ensuring that they sit 90-degrees to the frame. Focus the camera and capture coordinates of all points on all targets.
• The 3D system diagnoses and illustrates the condition(s). Results are documented and a report is generated showing before and after photos and frame assessment data.

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Distributor, Dealer and Service Provider Panel On Handling Disruption

Heavy Duty Aftermarket Week. Photo: Heavy Duty Aftermarket Week

At the recent Heavy Duty Aftermarket in Las Vegas, a panel of distributors, dealers and service providers spoke about how they are focused on handling distruption.

Scott Gates, senior director and general manager at Ryder; Bill Long, president and COO of the Automotive Aftermarket Supplier Association; Bill Nolan, chairman and CEO Power Brake & Spring Service Co.; Matt Treadwell, general marketing manager at Paccar Parts; and Buzz Warner, dealer principal at Warner Trucks fielded questions from Tom Kraus, president and COO of the Heavy Duty Manufacturers Association, John Blodgett, vice president, sales and marketing at MacKay & Company, and the audience.

When asked to name one disrupting force in the truck parts aftermarket all members of a panel of aftermarket executives said technology whether on the vehicle, in the shop or in back office.

These technology changes are shortening the shelf life of employee skill sets. Gates told the audience it is critical to find people with an aptitude for technology and to continually train them. Nolan says, “We work in conjunction with our suppliers. We need their support. Product training is critical because products are changing so quickly.” Nolan has developed what he callas a reverse mentoring program. “Instead of providing mentorships for millennials, we did it in reverse to see how we could tap into their innovation and understanding of technology.”

Treadwell says, “It is our responsibility to work with our suppliers to get training for our dealer employees.” Warner says training must start with the fundamentals. “You have to make sure your employees understand the fundamentals first. Then we have a program that helps move them through the ranks.”

Talk then turned to the growth of e-commerce with Nolan saying he thinks e- commerce is the price of admission for anyone who wants to be ...Read the rest of this story

The real reason why traders are shorting Alibaba

Wall Street has a good reason to short Alibaba stock, which has tripled its value in two years.