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News in Briefs

SeaWorld Plans June Debut For Aquatica in Chula Vista

SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment plans a June 1 opening for Aquatica San Diego, the Chula Vista water park that it purchased in late 2012 from Cedar Fair Entertainment Co.

A statement said the park, formerly known as Knott’s Soak City San Diego, is being renovated to include rides, up-close animal experiences and amenities resembling those of a beach-side resort. New attractions will include Big Surf Shores, a wave pool with more than 500,000 gallons of water and a large sandy beach.

The park’s HooRoo Run will feature two enclosed and two open-air slides taking riders down an 80-foot descent. Operators are also adding live animals at various locations, including flamingos and freshwater turtles.

The park is located at 2052 Entertainment Circle, off Otay Valley Road. Florida-based SeaWorld operates 11 U.S. theme parks, including SeaWorld San Diego and two other Aquatica parks in Orlando and San Antonio.

The company has not disclosed its purchase price or planned financial investment in the Chula Vista water park renovation.

— SDBJ Staff Report

Perry Auto Group Buys McCune Motors

Perry Auto Group said it acquired McCune Motors of National City for an undisclosed price.

The transaction brings the number of dealerships operated by Perry Auto to six: two in National City, and one each in Escondido, Poway, San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara.

The deals ends a 65-year run by McCune on the National City Mile of Cars, which features nine family-owned dealerships offering some 18 models. Dick McCune, Tony McCune’s father, opened a Chrysler dealership in National City in 1948.

“It’s bittersweet but there comes a time in your life to let go,” said the younger McCune, who started his career at his dad’s dealership washing cars. He took control of the business in 1973. In the past few decades McCune and his dog were featured in ubiquitous local television commercials.

Perry Falk, president of Perry Auto Group, said he approached McCune about selling about a year ago. Perry Auto got into the Mile of Cars in 2002 when it acquired National City Ford.

Sales at the car businesses weren’t revealed but Perry and nearly all auto dealers are doing well with many car owners replacing their aging vehicles and taking advantage of record low interest rates.

— SDBJ Staff Report

Z Microsystems Receives $1.2M Contract from Boeing

Mira Mesa-based Z Microsystems said it received a $1.2 million contract for ruggedized computer displays from aircraft builder Boeing.

The screens will go aboard Boeing’s Advanced Warning and Control System (aka AWACS) military aircraft. Specifically they are for the Block 40/45 upgrades for the U.S. and French governments.

The screens are packaged in an aluminum “battle shell” with handles. They offer picture-in-picture capability as well as dual and quad view.

Z Microsystems will deliver the product through 2014.

— SDBJ Staff Report

Quidel Gets FDA Clearance For Virus Detection Test

San Diego-based diagnostic testing company Quidel Corp. has received clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for a new respiratory virus detection test.

The test distinguishes between two similar viruses that cause breathing infections. Quidel chief scientific officer Timothy Stenzel said in a statement that misdiagnosis “can cause ambiguity in assigning a course of treatment.”

The company is focusing on expanding its line of molecular diagnostics, the company said in the statement.

“We are pleased to have received FDA clearance for another molecular diagnostic product,” Douglas Bryant, Quidel president and chief executive officer said in the statement. “We intend to broaden our menu of molecular assays over the next several quarters, and in doing so, will provide our customers with a number of easy to use infectious disease tests.”

— SDBJ Staff Report

Verizon to Install Networkfleet On 18,000 Company Vehicles

The Verizon telecommunications company said recently that it plans to install its own recently acquired fleet-management solution, Networkfleet, on 18,000 company vehicles this year.

Keeping things all in the family, Verizon also announced that Networkfleet would use the Verizon Wireless network for its communications needs.

Networkfleet is based in San Diego, where it employs 150 people. It was previously a subsidiary of Hughes Telematics, which Verizon bought last year.

The Networkfleet system automatically reports vehicle status to a computer server, allowing fleet managers to get information on the vehicle through a simple Web browser.

The system tracks a vehicle’s location via GPS and reports vehicle diagnostic information. One Networkfleet client, Riverside-based Eastern Municipal Water District, reported cutting labor costs by $354,000, cutting fuel costs by $79,000, and reducing miles driven by 165,000, all within the first six months of using Networkfleet.

Verizon offers landline communications service in the New England states, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, a few states south of the Mason-Dixon Line, and portions of California and Florida.

It is part of the joint venture that owns Verizon Wireless. Vodafone owns the other portion of the wireless business.

— SDBJ Staff Report

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