Notes

Big Wheels on Beach: Nissan North America Inc. again has the beaches covered. The Gardena-based arm of the Japanese auto maker has reenlisted as the official vehicle supplier for the Los Angeles County Lifeguard Division. Nissan agreed to donate 60 specially outfitted trucks and sport-utility vehicles to the county, which said the deal would cut its operating budget by $1.5 million over the life of the two-year agreement. Nissan had been the official vehicle supplier to the world-famous lifeguard division from 1986 to 1994, when Ford Motor Co. took over. Nissan also has struck a deal to become the “featured lifesaving vehicle” on the “Baywatch” television show, and is sponsoring the 1999 Ocean Festival Series, a festival that will travel to beaches in the Los Angeles and San Diego areas this summer.