Auto news and reviews from Car Buyer's Notebook.com: Auto Marketing Archives

August 15, 2008

Zenn and the art of small, electric vehicles

Will smaller electric cars with limited speed and range catch on?

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It might sound surprising, but all-electric vehicles are already on American roads. They just haven't quite made it to the highway yet.

A growing cottage industry of Neighborhood Electric Vehicle manufacturers is spurring the development of cars like the Zenn, which has reached a state of vehicular enlightenment so advanced it doesn't even need a tail pipe.

"We saw this car in May of '06, and all of us were just freaking out: 'Finally, a car!'" said Steve Mayeda, sales manager at Seattle-based MC Electric Vehicles, which sells 30 percent of Zenn's U.S. inventory, in addition to electric vehicles made by Columbia, Canadian EV, E-Ride and Miles. "Zenn was the first neighborhood electric car that actually looked and felt and drove like a real car. Everything else before that was either a converted golf cart or a car that was built from the ground up."

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August 15, 2008

Lexus Introduces First-Ever Pebble Beach(R) Edition LS 600h L and Seach(R) Edition LS 600h L and Sixth ixth Annual Pebble Beach Edition(R) SC 430

Limited Edition LS flagship hybrid sedan and SC hardtop convertible to debut at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance Lexus Fashion Preview

PEBBLE BEACH, Calif.- Lexus will introduce the first-ever LS 600h L Pebble Beach Edition and the sixth SC 430 Pebble Beach Edition to commemorate its continuing partnership with Pebble Beach Company. The vehicles will be unveiled at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance Lexus Fashion Preview on August 15. Production of these 2009 Pebble Beach Edition vehicles will be limited to 50 LS 600h L flagship hybrid luxury sedans and 300 SC 430 hardtop convertibles. Pebble Beach Edition owners will have the opportunity to customize their ownership experience by selecting from one of three distinctive merchandise packages: Callaway Golf Experience, Travel Package or Epicurean Encounter.

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August 14, 2008

New Honda hybrid will compete with Prius

Hybrid-only car, due in 2009, to be priced less than Toyota vehicle

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. - A top Honda Motor Co. executive said Wednesday the company's new gas-electric hybrid will be priced lower than the Toyota Prius, its prime competitor.

The new five-door car will only be available with a hybrid powertrain. It will be smaller than Honda's Civic and also will be priced less than a hybrid gas-electric version of the Civic, said Richard Colliver, executive vice president of American Honda Motor Co.

Speaking to reporters at an industry seminar in Traverse City, Colliver said the new hybrid will be launched in April 2009.

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August 13, 2008

MINI in the Olympic Spirit

Munich/Beijing -- Just in time for the biggest sporting event of the year, the Olympic Games in the Chinese capital of Beijing, MINI is on top sporting form too - and is making a great start in Beijing!

A very special MINI vehicle is providing passengers with a fantastic, unforgettable driving experience of a most unusual type. Locals and visitors to the games alike can move smoothly through the busy traffic in the Asian capital in a MINI Rickshaw made specially for Beijing - a typical MINI experience.

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Volvo for Life and the Weavers

The Weaver family should be on a survival TV show: their son went off the road and and down a steep slope - and survived. His wife's car flipped over - but she was unhurt. A tree fell on the front of his own car - but it was still drivable.

"We would like to thank Volvo for helping to protect our lives," says Richard Weaver of Kentucky.

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Mercedes-Benz to introduce Attention Assist

Stuttgart - Accident researchers at Mercedes-Benz are acutely aware of the danger in nodding off at the wheel (the "one-second nap"). In the view of these specialists, long holiday journeys without intermediate breaks involve a high risk of overtiredness, whose signs drivers often fail to notice in time.

For this reason Mercedes-Benz has developed the innovative driver support system Attention Assist. This is able to recognise driver fatigue at an early stage, and warn the driver that a break is called for soon. The system will enter series production in spring 2009.

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Corvette kicks off GM's Woodward Dream Cruise activities

There's no better place for Chevy's performance icon to make an appearance than right in its own backyard on Woodward Avenue as General Motors kicks off its Woodward Dream Cruise activities with a special appearance of the latest model of the all American icon--the 2009 Corvette ZR1--at a private function for media on Thursday, August 14, at 3:45 pm at Athens Coney Island.

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4 million Volvo cars built in Ghent plant

On August 8, the four millionth car was built at Volvo Cars Gent. It was a Volvo V50, a sporty R Design version, ordered by VDL, a customer from Breda in Netherlands.

Volvo Cars Gent has been building cars in Belgium since 1965. Initially the plant was set up to avoid the country's high import taxes on finished cars, but over the years Volvo Cars Gent has, together with Volvo Cars Torslanda, become one of the two main Volvo Cars factories.

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Lincoln enhances color palette

DEARBORN, Mich. -- It shines, it glitters, it energizes and allures. In fact, the importance and psychology of color is unmistakable, even in the automotive realm.

"It's critical," says Susan Sage, Color and Materials design manager, at Ford Motor Company. "Color creates an aesthetic emotion. If it's a color that the customer loves, if it gives them that sense of balance and comfort, they'll want it. It can make or break a sale."

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Design Points Of The 2009 Toyota Venza

Torrance, CA - The 2009 Toyota Venza, scheduled to go on sale later this year, is the first example of Toyota's new direction in passenger car design combining elegance, innovation, comfort and utility.

"We wanted to create something entirely different," said Kevin Hunter, president of Toyota's Calty Design Research in Newport Beach, Calif., and Ann Arbor, Mich. "Not an SUV, not a wagon, not a coupe and not a sedan. We aimed for a more road-focused vehicle and sporty direction."

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Honda honors top suppliers

TORRANCE, Calif. - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. President and CEO Tetsuo Iwamura today presented the company's Premier Partner Award to 15 American Honda suppliers for demonstrating excellence in quality, value and customer service.

This year's award recipients were selected from among 53 suppliers nominated by American Honda associates, out of more than 1,000 eligible companies.

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GM to Invest $445 Million in New Plant, Thai Operations

Rayong, Thailand - General Motors is investing $445 million to build an engine plant and upgrade an existing vehicle assembly plant here, company Chairman and CEO Rick Wagoner announced today.

The new 14,492-square-meter (156,000-square-foot) facility will be GM's first diesel engine plant in Southeast Asia and will provide four-cylinder diesel engines for use by Chevrolet in Thailand and other global markets and brands.

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Audi Q7 earns IIHS Top Safety Pick award for 2008

HERNDON, Va. -- The Audi Q7, a luxury performance SUV, earned the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's (IIHS) Top Safety Pick award for 2008.

The 2008 Q7 received a "good" rating in all three crash tests: side impact, offset frontal and rear impact seat tests. In addition to the Q7, three Audi car models -- the A3, A4 and A6 -- have also been recognized as Top Safety Picks in 2008, earning Audi the most Top Safety Pick designations for 2008 models of any luxury automaker this year.

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August 12, 2008

Ford Sets Best-in-Class Quality Targets on New Global Small Vehicles

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. -- After climbing to the upper ranks in vehicle quality in the past two years, Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) said today it has set an aggressive new target -- best-in-class initial quality for compact cars the company will launch in North America in 2010.

"We aim to launch our new compact vehicles at 800 things gone wrong per 1,000 vehicles," said Bennie Fowler, Ford's group vice president, Global Quality. "That's more than 500 TGWs less than the predicted industry average -- and we believe these levels will ensure our upcoming small cars will achieve industry-best initial quality."

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Kia Brings 'Borrego Experience' to Boston for Fisherman's Feast

BOSTON -- Kia's Borrego Experience comes to Boston's Fisherman's Feast Aug. 14 - 17 in the next leg of its six-month national tour.

Visitors to the Kia Borrego Experience exhibit can check out the new Kia Borrego before it's in showrooms; enjoy a luxury oasis featuring a "Cool Zone" to beat the heat; and taste free samples in the Gourmet for Less cafe with cooking demonstrations prepared by nationally acclaimed chef, Rich Mead. Those who take test drives will receive a free $20 gift card.

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Chrysler Kicks Off Woodward Dream Cruise with '09 PT Dream Cruiser

ROYAL OAK, Mich. -- Chrysler kicked off the annual Woodward Dream Cruise today at Duggan's Irish Pub with the introduction of a special-edition PT Cruiser.

Announced in conjunction with Detroit's famed Woodward Dream Cruise, the new 2009 Chrysler PT Dream Cruiser Series 5 will be available this fall as a limited-production version of the 2009 Chrysler PT Cruiser.

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LeaseCompare.com Steps in as Chrysler and Others Exit Auto Leasing

CINCINNATI -- LeaseCompare.com, the leader in online direct-to-consumer auto leasing, today announced that it has the financial resources to provide leasing for those who want to lease Chrysler and other vehicle makes, including SUVs.

As an independent leasing company, http://www.LeaseCompare.com gives consumers access to new and used car leasing from banks, credit unions and other finance sources. Site visitors can instantly compare payments, rates and residual values from each source and select the best lease for their driving habits.

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Toyota Weighs Export of U.S. Vehicles

Toyota Motor Corp. is exploring whether to export its U.S. pickup and sport-utility vehicles to other countries. Toyota, like rivals Ford Motor Co. and General Motors Corp., is finding it difficult to sell the larger vehicles as gas prices hover near the $4 mark.

Automotive executives say there has been a fundamental shift away from the vehicles and that sales will never return to the levels they once reached. Tundra sales have dropped 15% through July 31, and production of both vehicles was idled last week due to rising inventories. Toyota, which imports about 30% of the vehicles it sells in the U.S., joins a growing list of companies that are considering exporting products given the weak dollar.

Honda's Lineup Prospers

If there were an award for the smartest and luckiest automaker, Honda probably would have been declared the winner this year. The spike in gasoline prices has pushed the product programs of some automakers into the shredder.

But Honda's conservative product plan was the proper path, after all. Honda ignored dealer and media criticism over the past years that it failed to offer what Americans really wanted: big, body-on-frame, V-8-powered SUVs and pickups.

GM Offers More Fuel-efficient Pickup Trucks, SUVs

DETROIT -- General Motors Corp. is releasing new, more fuel-efficient versions of its full-size pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles later this fall. The XFE -- or extra fuel economy -- versions of the 2009 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra trucks and Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon SUVs will get one mile per gallon more in both city and highway fuel economy than non-XFE versions.

The boost will give them a total of 15 miles per gallon in the city and 21 on the highway. The XFE pickups and SUVs will be available in the fourth quarter of this year.

Automakers Must Work Harder to Sell to Affluent

DETROIT -- Luxury cars and trucks are beginning to fall victim to the same woes dragging down the rest of the U.S. auto industry, forcing auto makers to fight hard for sales and to employ new tactics to peddle their highest-priced vehicles.

The luxury market is down 11% year-to-date, with overall U.S. auto sales down 18%. GM is taking a bet that there is still demand for big, status-symbol trucks among buyers unscathed by the slumping economy. Other auto makers aren't so sure.

Ford jumps into quality race

TRAVERSE CITY -- Ford Motor Co. threw down the gauntlet to its Japanese rivals Monday, vowing to snatch the quality title from rival Toyota Motor Corp., starting with the launch of its new small car lineup in 2010.

"That's right, I said it. Ford Motor Co. will be the quality leader," promised Bennie Fowler, Ford's group vice president of global quality. "This time, we're playing for all the marbles -- and we aim to win."

To help achieve its goal, the Dearborn automaker will enroll hourly workers from each of its U.S. factories in a rigorous quality training program at Wayne State University that is usually reserved for managers.

Chrysler Hunts for Contract Jobs from Other Automakers

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. -- Automaker Chrysler is seeking manufacturing alliances with other automakers in a bid to "generate cash as a smaller company," Chrysler's manufacturing chief said Monday. Chrysler has "the flexibility" to perform contract manufacturing for other automakers, Frank Ewasyshyn, Chrysler's executive vice president in charge of manufacturing, said during an industry forum in Traverse City. "We have looked at partners for a lot of things and we are going to continue to do that for the best business model," Ewasyshyn said.

August 11, 2008

BMW Hydrogen 7 hits the road

Portland, ME -- The BMW Hydrogen 7 -- the first hydrogen-powered luxury sedan -- joins an unprecedented cross-country journey featuring hydrogen-powered cars by the world's leading automakers in the 2008 Hydrogen Road Tour.

From August 11 - 23, the hydrogen powered convoy will travel from Portland, Maine to Santa Monica, California with one goal: to call on congressional leaders to support the creation of a nationwide hydrogen fueling station infrastructure.

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Mini celebrates a droptop milestone

Munich -- Style icon, global player, "value master" and now already a classic. Now that around 164,000 units have been produced, the MINI Convertible of the current generation has reached the end of its production period. As planned, the MINI plant in Oxford ceased production of the open-top four-seater.

The final specimen - a MINI Cooper S Convertible Sidewalk painted in metallic White Silver has been sold to a MINI fan in the USA.

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2009 Honda Accord Sets the Pace

Torrance, CA -- The 2009 Honda Accord lineup is designed to impress with premium features, accommodating technology and efficient performance geared for both the finish line and the bottom line.

Available as a sedan or a coupe and powered by advanced 4-cylinder or V-6 engines, the Accord embodies a sophisticated design and provides an accommodating, spacious interior.

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Zero Emission Volkswagen Tiguan will Travel to 31 Cities

HERNDON, Va.- Volkswagen's Hydrogen Fuel Cell concept vehicle, the HyMotion Tiguan, will travel from Portland, Maine to Los Angeles, Calif. over the next 13 days as part of the National Hydrogen Road Tour.

A dedicated Web blog, vwhydrogentour.com will provide daily updates and photos from the historic trip.

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BMW supportts Automotive Youth Education

Woodcliff Lake, NJ -- Passaic County Technical Institute students got a glimpse of their future with the donation of a BMW 745i which will be used as a state of the art automotive teaching tool.

The students are members of Automotive Youth Educational Systems (AYES), a nationwide partnership among automotive manufacturers, participating dealers, and selected high/prep schools.

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Hybrid Owners Top List of Loyal Vehicle Buyers

SCHAUMBURG, Ill. -- When it comes to the make of a vehicle, hybrid car owners are the most loyal buyers, with 47 percent purchasing another vehicle of the same make, according to recent research from Experian Automotive, a part of global information services company Experian.

This loyalty to a vehicle's make among hybrid owners comes in significantly higher than the 35 percent average of consumer loyalty to all vehicle classes combined.

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Carfax Grants a Wish at Nascar Series

BROOKLYN, Mich. -- Carfax today named Make-A-Wish recipient Eric Wright and country music star Pat Green as grand marshals of the NASCAR Nationwide Series Carfax 250 at Michigan International Speedway.

Following the conclusion of the Carfax 250, Green will perform a free concert along with fellow country singer Danielle Peck for fans attending the race.

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BMW global sales up 2.2% in July

Munich -- The BMW Group increased its sales volume in July of this year. In total, 125,812 BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce brand cars were delivered to customers.

This represents an increase of 2.2% compared to the same month last year (123,089 units). For the period to the end of July, sales rose by 4.4% to reach 890,699 units (January - July 2007: 853,142 units).

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Multicultural Market Accounts for Over 22% of New Vehicle Sales

SOUTHFIELD, Mich. -- Though overall new vehicle registrations were down 3.3 percent in 2007, Hispanic, Asian and African-American consumers maintained 22 percent of the market, a stable level from 2006, according to R. L. Polk & Co.

In this difficult U.S. auto market, addressing multicultural consumers and understanding their loyalty habits should play a critical role in vehicle manufacturers' brand strategies as they attempt to maintain and grow customers in this important segment.

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Diesel Myths Dispelled

FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. -- Would you consider buying a clean diesel passenger vehicle? What if owning a clean diesel vehicle translated into savings for your pocket book and helped protect the environment, without sacrificing vehicle performance?

If you are in the Detroit area on Labor Day weekend, make your way to Detroit's beautiful Belle Isle where you will have a chance to see clean diesel technology in action. The Audi R10 TDI racecar with Bosch clean diesel technology will be showcased at the 2008 Detroit Sports Car Challenge.

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Researchers Work to Turn Car's Exhaust into Power

WARREN, Mich. -- The stinky, steaming air that escapes from a car's tailpipe could help us use less gas. Researchers are competing to meet a challenge from the U.S. Department of Energy: Improve fuel economy 10 percent by converting wasted exhaust heat into energy that can help power the vehicle.

General Motors Corp. is close to reaching the goal, as is a BMW AG supplier working with Ohio State University. Their research into thermoelectrics - the science of using temperature differences to create electricity - couldn't come at a better time as high gas prices accelerate efforts to make vehicles as efficient as possible.

Cost Cuts Alone Can't Save Chrysler

Jim Press -- Chrysler LLC's co-president and optimist-in-chief -- says the company has slashed costs and is meeting its cash flow targets. So why is Wall Street so gloomy? In a report last week, Moody's Investors Service downgraded Chrysler's rating three notches to Caa1 -- a pessimistic "junk" rating.

The bottom line: Chrysler is slashing jobs, unused production capacity and assets to become smaller and more profitable. But is it spending enough on product development to ensure a healthy future? The Moody's report suggests the answer may be no. J. Bruce Clark, senior vice president of Moody's corporate finance group, praised Chrysler for its "relatively aggressive and successful cost-cutting program." But he adds that Chrysler must establish adequate demand for its minivans and crossovers, given the weakness of its car lineup.

Tight Credit Hinders Lease Deals

As automakers and big banks slash their vehicle leasing programs, dealers are finding few options. For customers who want or need low monthly payments, dealers say, financing will get tougher.

Since July, the Detroit 3's captive finance companies and several national banks have placed strict new limits on leasing or exited the business. Industry experts predict the cutbacks will have these effects: New-vehicle purchases financed by loans of six years or longer, once rare, will become more prevalent. Some independent lenders will seek to increase their leasing business, but their programs are likely to be less competitive and more restrictive than the factory-subsidized leases offered by captives. Customers who still want to lease vehicles will shift from Detroit 3 to import brands.

Ford Gains in Supplier Rankings

BIRMINGHAM, Mich. -- The turmoil in the U.S. auto industry is reflected in the 2008 rankings of the six major North American automakers by their suppliers, with Toyota and Nissan dropping significantly and Honda virtually tying Toyota for the best working relations among the automakers.

Chrysler is in free-fall, continuing its decline from 2006 and is now in last place -- slightly below General Motors -- but Ford improved dramatically and jumped two ranks to fourth place. The rankings are part of the annual Working Relations Study conducted by Planning Perspectives, Inc., Birmingham, MI.

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August 10, 2008

Chevrolet Launches New Advertising During Olympics

DETROIT - Chevrolet kicks off new advertising during Friday's Opening Ceremonies of the Olympic Games. The ads highlight Malibu and the rest of Chevy's fuel-efficient lineup, Silverado as America's Best Truck and the all-new Traverse as the crossover with an unmatched combination of features.

They will play a prominent role in the brand's marketing initiatives for the remainder of 2008 and will be complemented online, with micro Web sites and other digital initiatives.

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Cadillac Escalade Hybrid Launch Underway

DETROIT, Mich. - The launch of the world's first hybrid applied to a large luxury SUV, the 2009 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid, begins this month.

Achieving a 50-percent improvement in fuel economy in city driving, Escalade Hybrid arrives at Cadillac dealerships in the United States with an MSRP of $71,685. That represents a premium of only $3,600 over a comparably-equipped Escalade.

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Nissan previews new enviro-vehicles

TOKYO -- Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. today unveiled all-electric and original hybrid electric prototype vehicles, both powered by advanced lithium-ion batteries.

Under the NISSAN GT 2012 business plan, the company has committed to zero-emission vehicle leadership, and has announced plans to introduce an all-electric vehicle in 2010 and mass market globally in 2012.

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2009 Honda Ridgeline Adds Power, More Standard Equipment

Torrance, Calif. -- Updated for 2009 with a total of 50 significant changes and new features, the Honda Ridgeline takes on a bolder look and feel with new exterior and interior styling along with a more powerful engine.

A trailer hitch becomes standard on every model, and newly-introduced premium features include Bluetooth HandsFreeLink and a rearview backup camera on Ridgeline RTL models equipped with the available Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System.

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Nissan previews collision-free technology

TOKYO -- Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. has unveiled an All-Around Collision Free prototype incorporating two all-new technologies - Side Collision Prevention (SCP) and Back-up Collision Prevention (BCP). Incorporating the available Distance Control Assist (DCA) and Lane Departure Prevention (LDP) systems, this latest prototype vehicle further extends Nissan's "Safety Shield" concept to help protect the vehicle and its occupants from potential risks coming from multiple directions.

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Ford introduces powertrain upgrades for 2009

DEARBORN, Mich. -- Ford Motor Company is meeting the rapidly changing market and shifting customer preferences with a new 2009 lineup that features an array of all-new or upgraded vehicles as well as major improvements in fuel economy, smart technology, safety features and quality across its vehicle portfolio.

"This is without question the best Ford lineup we've ever produced - and it comes at a critically important time for the company," said Mark Fields, Ford's president of The Americas. "Our product-led transformation is well under way, and there is much more to come."

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Volvo Ocean Race takes part in pioneering environmental project

Portsmouth (England) The Volvo Ocean Race is taking part in a pioneering project aimed at finding out how the oceans have been affected by ships' exchanging of billions of tonnes of ballast water.

Each boat in the race will be involved in the programme which was initiated by the Official Logistics Partner, Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics (WWL).

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GM on CNBC

By Bob Lutz, GM Vice Chairman

Wednesday night, I watched Phil LeBeau's hour-long special on CNBC, which was titled "Saving GM." And I must say, I came away impressed -- and not just because they got my name right (although, not quite my title -- I am, after all, vice chairman of global product development, not global quality).

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Mitsubishi Motors Debuts "Phenomenal Four" Campaign

Cypress, Calif. -- Mitsubishi Motors North America (MMNA) today announced it will launch an all-new integrated national advertising campaign to support its lineup of fuel-efficient four-cylinder vehicles: the Lancer and Galant sedans, the Eclipse coupe, and the Outlander crossover SUV.

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Chrysler Mexico Sets a New Sales Record in July

Mexico City -- Chrysler Mexico and its Chrysler, Jeep® and Dodge brands established a new monthly sales record in July, with 9,859 units sold, an increase of one percent compared to same month in 2007.

It was the best July sales ever in Mexico and the best accumulated year-to-date sales since 2001. During the January-through-July time period, sales reached 69,973 units, 2.7 percent more than the same period in 2007.

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Volunteers Join HUMMER Recreation Rescue Project In Sierra National Forest

DETROIT - More than 35 volunteers from local four-wheel-drive clubs, Tread Lightly! and HUMMER joined U.S. Forest Service employees on August 1, for a day of trail maintenance on the Bald Mountain OHV route in Sierra National Forest, east of Fresno, Calif.

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Volvo enthusiasts gather in Gothenburg

Coming up this weekend is this summer's VROM - the Volvo Rendezvous for Owners & Members, when Volvo enthusiasts from all over Europe flock to Gothenburg.

VROM is a three-day event for owners and fans of classic Volvos. It has been held in Gothenburg situated on the Swedish west coast every year since 1987.

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August 9, 2008

Video: Chrysler's Shop Till You Drive Event

Five significant stories from Chrysler LLC the week of August 8, 2008: Stories include: Shop 'Til You Drive Event, grand opening of the first Dodge Commercial Truck Center, Chrysler anniversary, talking public and new personnel moves.

Gumball Rally Kicks Off in San Francisco

SAN FRANCISCO -- This Saturday, August 9, superstars and super cars converge in San Francisco for the official kick-off of the 10th Anniversary Gumball 3000 Rally. More than 100 of the most amazing cars, driven by film stars, musicians, athletes and billionaires, will take an incredible eight-day journey from San Francisco to Los Angeles, San Diego, Las Vegas, North Korea and China.

The "Gumballers," driving by day and reveling at VIP parties by night, will witness the Mass Games celebration in North Korea as part of a "global friendship initiative" as well as attend the Olympic finals in Beijing.

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Chrysler Financial Announces Leadership Changes

FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. -- Chrysler Financial announced today the appointment of key executives to further strengthen the company's focus on its core business.

Thomas F. Gilman is appointed to the newly created position of Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. This position combines the former roles of Executive Vice Chairman and President and Chief Executive Officer into a single position.

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Auto Dealers Take Child Passenger Safety Message to Public Television

MCLEAN, Va. -- The National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) is promoting September as Child Passenger Safety Month. And to further amplify its child safety messages, NADA is teaming up with SeeMore's Playhouse(TM), a children's public television series that reaches an audience of 60 million homes.

Since NADA's national child passenger safety campaign was launched six years ago, auto dealers have inspected more than one million child safety seats and discovered that nine out of 10 seats are improperly installed or need repair.

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Toyota Reports 28% Fall in Profit

TOKYO -- Toyota said Thursday that its fiscal first-quarter profit plummeted 28 percent and stuck to its forecast that full-year profit with fall for the first time in seven years as it faces more problems from the weakening U.S. market.

Toyota Motor Corp., which had been riding on the success of its fuel-efficient cars, has consistently posted growing profit since it started reporting under U.S. accounting standards. And there's no previous comparable data that shows its annual profit has ever fallen.

Chrysler's car plans in question

Reports that Chrysler LLC and Nissan Motor Co. are in discussions to jointly produce midsize cars raise questions about the future of Chrysler's car lineup.

If the Auburn Hills automaker is turning to Nissan for help, progress may have slowed or hit a snag in Chrysler's effort to redevelop its midsize cars, analysts said Thursday. That initiative, dubbed Project D, involves a special team of top engineers and designers charged with developing replacements for the Chrysler Sebring and Dodge Avenger sedans.

Cars are getting more reliable

DETROIT -- Compact and midsize cars are showing gains in long-term quality, says J.D. Power, which is good news for drivers looking to downsize into more fuel-efficient vehicles.

Power's Vehicle Dependability Study, out Thursday, shows that long-term quality is up 5% industrywide. Improvements in small and compact cars made up more than half of the gains.

Neal Oddes, director of product research and analysis for J.D. Power, says it helps that smaller cars tend to have fewer gadgets that can fail, such as navigation systems, than do larger cars. Oddes also says owners of smaller cars are more accepting of problems such as wind noise -- a common complaint among car owners -- than owners of luxury brands.

GM agrees to lend Delphi $300 million against bankruptcy

General Motors Corp agreed to lend Delphi Corp a further $300 million as the automaker's former parts unit struggles to exit bankruptcy protection, courts papers show.

Delphi, in court papers filed Wednesday, said GM would increase its loan to the auto parts supplier to $950 million from $650 million so Delphi can maintain a minimum level of liquidity.

A hearing with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in New York is scheduled for August 26.

Europe's Luxury Car Makers Feel Pain

The shift among consumers to smaller, more fuel-efficient cars has spread to Europe's premium auto makers... "There appears to be a trend toward smaller engines and smaller cars which makes it difficult to sustain profitability at current levels," says Adam Jonas, pan-European auto analyst at Morgan Stanley.

Daimler Chief Executive Dieter Zetsche hinted last month that the company may launch some versions of the next-generation A-class and B-class compact cars in the U.S., expanding availability of Daimler's smaller cars. Last week, BMW CEO Norbert Reithofer said the company had canceled plans to produce an X7 SUV, in response to changing customer demands.

Nissan shows test models of electric car

YOKOSUKA, Japan -- Nissan showed on Wednesday a spiffy electric car packed with a battery developed by the Japanese automaker to deliver more power than the type common in today's hybrids.

The electric vehicle, set for sale in 2010, carried a 300 kilogram (660 pounds) lithium-ion battery and still zipped around a Nissan Motor Co. test course, accelerating more quickly than comparable gas-engine cars.

It was extremely quiet, absent of engine noise _ a trademark of electric vehicles. Details such as cruising range are yet to be determined, Nissan officials said.

Ford boosts better fuel economy in engines

Ford Motor Co.'s group vice president for global product development, Derrick Kuzak, said Wednesday that Ford would "achieve class-leading fuel economy" for its new cars and trucks in North America "through unprecedented spending on advanced gasoline engines."
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That includes EcoBoost, a Ford-branded engine technology that combines gasoline-injection with turbocharging for up to a 20% improvement in fuel economy, as well as other technologies.

Chrysler, Nissan in Talks on Cars

DETROIT -- Chrysler LLC is in talks with Nissan Motor Co. about jointly producing midsize cars, a partnership that would move the U.S. auto maker toward a radical new business model.

The two companies agreed earlier this year to team up on pickup trucks and subcompact cars. Since then, they have been discussing an agreement under which Nissan would produce midsize sedans that Chrysler would sell in the U.S. under its own name, people familiar with the matter say.

A Chrysler spokesman said the company has "no new alliances" to announce, and declined to comment on any discussions it might be having.

Number of new-auto dealers falling

The loss of several area automobile dealerships -- including the recent closure announcement by Vinton Motor Co. -- is in keeping with a statewide and national trend.

Virginia is home to about 2 percent fewer franchised new-car dealerships than a year ago, according to the Virginia Automobile Dealers Association.

VADA estimates Virginia has 554 franchised new vehicle dealerships, a decrease of 11 from a year ago.

"We've been seeing dealerships closing around the state," association spokesman Michael Allen said.

This week, the owner of Vinton Motor Co. in Vinton said he will close Aug. 15.

GM Presses Ad Agencies on Costs

In its latest attempt to save money, General Motors has asked its advertising agencies to slash their fees by as much as 20% this year and next, according to several people familiar with the matter.

Several ad executives familiar with GM say he cuts could translate into more than $20 million in total savings for General Motors, but likely will mean layoffs for the agencies involved. GM's push shows how Detroit's pain -- caused by a sharp drop in U.S. car sales due to soaring gas prices -- is creating ripples in other sectors.

Weak U.S. Truck Sales Hurt Toyota Net

TOKYO -- Slumping U.S. sales of pickup trucks and sport-utility vehicles contributed to a 28% drop in Toyota Motor Corp.'s net profit for its fiscal first quarter, even as demand soared for its more fuel-efficient models.

Income for Japan's No. 1 auto maker by sales volume was also battered by a stronger yen, which reduces the value of overseas earnings, as well as higher material costs and losses from vehicle leasing in the U.S.

August 8, 2008

Glass roof Mustang lets the sun shine in

Ford Mustang, the country's best-selling sports car for 22 consecutive years and one of the auto industry's most successful nameplates ever, celebrates its 45th anniversary with a new panoramic glass roof option that opens the world to pony-car enthusiasts from Maine to Maui and all points between.

The segment first, factory-installed glass roof is available as a $1,995 option on Mustang V-6 and GT models.

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Nissan doubles fuel cell efficiency

TOKYO -- Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. has developed a new fuel cell stack with double the power density of the previous generation stack.

The new fuel cell stack also achieves a 35% cost reduction mainly due to half the use of platinum, a key material used in the production of fuel cell stacks. Test fleets incorporating the improved fuel cell stacks will be operational by the end of this year.

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Ford adds new options for 2009 Focus

The hot selling, fuel efficient Ford Focus sedan adds a new SEL series for 2009, offering small-car customers more upscale features while retaining key Focus attributes, such as bold styling, excellent driving dynamics, superb passenger roominess and leading safety and security features.

SEL models include 16-inch Euroflanged alloy wheels, chrome door handles, chrome heated mirrors and leather trimmed heated seats.

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Bill Would Let Insurers Track Where, When, How Californians Drive

SANTA MONICA, Calif. -- Legislation that would allow insurance companies to track when, where and how Californians drive passed the Senate Appropriations committee today.

The bill authorizes different insurance rates for drivers who choose to protect their privacy and those who agree to place a "black box" in their cars.

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Auto Affordability Best in 28 Years

DALLAS -- The purchase of an average-priced new vehicle took 23.1 weeks of median family income in the second quarter, according to the Auto Affordability Index compiled by Comerica Bank.

The latest reading is down 0.9 weeks from the first quarter and 1.9 weeks compared to a year ago. Including finance charges, the total cost of buying an average-priced light vehicle was $27,704 in the second quarter. Last quarter, it took fewer weeks of work to purchase a new car than in any quarter since early 1980.

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Hyundai Accent Named Most Dependable Sub-Compact Car

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif. -- The fuel-efficient Hyundai Accent, which gets up to 35 miles per gallon on the highway, today was named the most dependable sub-compact car by J.D. Power and Associates in its 2008 Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS).

The highly regarded study measures problems experienced by original owners of three-year-old (2005 model year) vehicles.

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Mitsubishi to Provide i MiEV Electric Vehicles to Southern California Edison

TOKYO -- Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) announced today that it has signed a letter of intent with Southern California Edison (SCE) to forge a unique collaboration for testing and evaluation of the new i MiEV electric vehicle.

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MINI USA Asks: 'What's Your Carfun Footprint?'

WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J. -- "What's Your Carfun Footprint?" A new marketing campaign from MINI USA and its agency Butler Shine Stern & Partners (BSSP) poses this very question and highlights that driver's don't have to sacrifice fun for fuel efficiency.

MINI USA defines Carfun Footprint as: "A measurement of how much fun your car is versus how much impact it has on the environment."

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Keeping Your Car Can Save You Money

BETHESDA, Md. -- You've just made your last car payment. Should you keep the car or trade it in for a brand new vehicle? According to the Car Care Council, keeping your car rather than buying a new one is the way to go, especially if your goal is to save money.

"People who keep their cars, treat them as valuable investments and commit to regular vehicle maintenance, end up saving a lot of money," said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council.

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First Three Years of Car Ownership Has a Major Impact on Customer Satisfaction

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif. -- Deterioration in vehicle quality during the first three years of ownership -- determined by comparing long-term dependability rates to initial quality problem rates -- strongly affects overall customer satisfaction as well as customer willingness to recommend their vehicle model, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2008 Vehicle Dependability Study(SM) (VDS) released today.

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August 7, 2008

New Golf points the way to Volkswagen's future

WOLFSBURG, Germany - Volkswagen is unveiling its most important automotive secret of the year: the new Golf. The car - Europe's most successful with more than 26 million sold - was improved in all areas.

"This sixth generation of Golf cars will completely redefine the quality and comfort level of its class over broad categories, offering more customer value than ever before", says Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn, Chairman of the Board at Volkswagen AG.

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2009 Scion xB Combines Unique Style And Performance

Torrance, CA -- The Scion xB urban utility vehicle, which received a major model change in 2008, enters the 2009 model year by appealing to young urban trendsetters with its fresh styling and performance.

It features a surprising level of refinement and is packaged with an array of standard equipment including a 160-watt maximum output Pioneer audio system with iPod connectivity. The head-turning xB receives one new exterior color, Stringray Metallic, which replaces Nautical Blue Metallic.

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Acura Announces Pricing For 2009 MDX

TORRANCE, Calif., -- Acura has announced pricing for the 2009 MDX luxury SUV, which is now on-sale at Acura dealerships nationwide.

For 2009, the MDX's power rear tailgate feature is standard equipment with the Technology and Sport packages - previously the power rear tailgate was only available on the Entertainment Package.

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2009 Ford Edge sports industry-first Blind Spot Mirror

DEARBORN, Mich. -- Ford is moving quickly to address driver demands for increased visibility with an industry-first innovation, the Blind Spot Mirror, pulling ahead the feature's introduction by one year to launch this fall as standard equipment on the 2009 Ford Edge.

"Ford is committed to delivering innovative features that provide a better driving experience for the customer," said Derrick Kuzak, Ford group vice president, Global Product Development. "The Blind Spot Mirror is the latest example of our strategy to move fast and to be industry leaders in enhancing the ownership experience."

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Toyota Earns 11 Awards in 2008 Dependability Study

Torrance, CA - Toyota and Lexus models have earned 11 segment awards out of a possible 19 in the 2008 J.D. Power and Associates Vehicle Dependability Study, more than any other manufacturer for the third consecutive year.

The VDS is one of many vehicle surveys which continue to consistently rank Toyota and Lexus at the top of their respective studies.

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Locally-built VW Tiguan goes on sale in Russia

WOLFSBURG, Germany - Russian customers can now also purchase the Tiguan, which, like the Passat and Jetta, is produced at the Volkswagen plant in Kaluga.

"The decision to build the Tiguan locally is an indication of the strategic importance of the Russian market for the Volkswagen brand," Frank Wittemann, Head of the Volkswagen brand in Russia, said.

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Scion tC Sports Coupe Cruises into '09

Torrance, CA =- The tC sports coupe, the best-selling vehicle in the Scion lineup, carries over unchanged for the 2009 model year after receiving minor changes last year. The tC Spec Package is discontinued for 2009.

The tC remains one of the best values in its segment and has EPA fuel economy estimates of 20 city/27 highway for the manual transmission and 21/29 for the automatic. In addition, the tC is rated ULEV.

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Nissan ECO Pedal system to be commercialized by 2009

TOKYO -- Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., today unveiled the ECO Pedal - a world first technology - designed to assist drivers to become more fuel-efficient.

When the eco-pedal system is on, each time the driver steps on the accelarator, a counter push-back control mechanism is activated if the system detects excess pressure, helping to inform the driver that they could be using more fuel than required.

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Build Your Own Plug-In Hybrid Capable of Up to 225 MPG

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Robert Q. Riley Enterprises, a product design firm in Glendale, Ariz., announced today the release of construction plans for anyone who wants to build its XR3, a two-passenger, plug-in hybrid that can travel up to 225 miles per gallon.

The three-wheel sports car's modular design can be outfitted with different power trains to create a 125-mpg, diesel-only vehicle; a 100-mile-range, battery-only vehicle; or a hybrid for increased performance and fuel versatility. Since no computer controls are needed on the hybrid system, costs are reduced and the need for re-programming is eliminated.

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Franz von Holzhausen Joins Tesla Motors as Chief Designer

SAN CARLOS, Calif. -- Franz von Holzhausen, former Director of Design for Mazda North America, has joined Tesla Motors as Chief Designer. In addition to driving the design direction of Tesla Motors in the short term, Franz is charged with building a world class design competency at Tesla Motors.

Franz will report to Elon Musk, Chairman and Product Architect of Tesla Motors. "Tesla is about stunning design, combined with breakthrough technology and fantastic service. Those three in combination are what will make us a great company. Franz is joining Tesla with the mission to build the world's leading automotive design studio," said Elon.

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Market Penetration of Satellite Radio and Nav Systems Increases Dramatically

WESTLAKE VILLAGE -- Growth in consumer demand for high-tech features supplied in new vehicles has led to a significant increase in market penetration for satellite radio and navigation systems according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2008 Multimedia Quality and Satisfaction Study(SM) released today.

The study finds that 55 percent of new-vehicle owners report having satellite radio capability in their audio system, up considerably from 39 percent in 2007. Additionally, market penetration for navigation systems has also increased -- up to 25 percent in 2008 from 20 percent in 2007.

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Hyundai Shuts Down Maiden Lane for Performance Rides

NEW YORK -- On Friday, Aug. 8, Hyundai will offer visitors in New York's Financial District an opportunity to take a fast ride or luxurious break in the new Genesis premium sports sedan -- a serious competitor to the likes of Lexus ES, Cadillac CTS and Chrysler 300.

Genesis will be driven on a special course by professional drivers at the annual Financial Community Day Festival (Aug. 8, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.).

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August 6, 2008

VW Jetta TDI Debuts at Teen Choice

Los Angeles, CA - Volkswagen of America, Inc. teamed up with FOX Television and TEEN CHOICE 2008 to support the initiative to "green" Teen Choice.

Young Hollywood showed their support for the environment by arriving at the eco-friendly TEEN CHOICE 2008 in Volkswagen's fleet of highly-anticipated 2009 Jetta TDIs - the newly released, clean diesel sedan.

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Mitsubishi Awards Cars to AFL Fans and ArenaBowl XXII MVP

CYPRESS, CA -- Mitsubishi Motors, the official automotive sponsor of the Arena Football League, handed the keys to three new Mitsubishi vehicles to Philadelphia Soul QB Matt D'Orazio and two lucky fans at the conclusion of ArenaBowl XXII Championship weekend in New Orleans, July 26-27.

Mitsubishi Motors presented D'Orazio with the keys to a 2009 Solar Yellow Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder GT after the QB led Philadelphia to a 59-56 victory over the defending champion San Jose SaberCats, completing 26 of 43 pass attempts for 302 yards and seven touchdowns and one rushing score.

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Ford Flex earns top 5-star crash ratings

DEARBORN, Mich. -- The 2009 Ford Flex has earned five-star frontal- and side-impact crashworthiness ratings, the highest possible scores, in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests.

The results for Ford's newest full-size crossover are better than the Toyota Highlander's and include class-leading four-star rollover ratings for both the front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive versions.

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Video: Taking a lap in the Cobalt SS

Join John Heinricy, an executive in GM's Performance Division, as he takes you for a ride in the new Chevy Cobalt SS!

Jim Press on Chrysler's Cash Position

Chrysler Vice Chairman and President Jim Press, speaking on the Paul W. Smith Show, said that the company is in a "very good, strong cash position", and that eliminating fleet sales and some models will position the company for a stronger future.

"We've been able to keep our cash position pretty much where it was at the beginning of this year," Press said during a 20-minute interview on Detroit radio station WJR-AM radio (760).

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Natural Gas: An Enticing Alternative

By Larry Burns, GM Vice President, Research & Development

Volatile oil prices have been dominating the news lately, underscoring growing unease about the automobile's heavy dependence on petroleum.

As these concerns reverberate from Main Street to Wall Street, General Motors is working toward new solutions that will answer the growing demand for personal transportation in an affordable and sustainable way.

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Toyota Awards $500,000 to IIT Academy

Chicago -- The Center for Strategic Competitiveness at Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) Stuart School of Business is pleased to announce that it has received a generous $500,000 grant from the Toyota U.S.A. Foundation to support the Academy for Future Leaders in Science and Technology.

The Academy, scheduled to launch in the summer of 2009, invites talented, but often under-served high school students, aged 16-18, from the metropolitan Chicago area to attend a summer-long science and technology education and internship experience at IIT's university campus.

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Video: Dodge Ram Challenges Texas

The Ram Challenge got underway on July 25, 2008 in San Antonio, Texas. It's a chance for consumers to learn about and drive the great new 2009 Dodge Ram pickup. Drive impressions are embargoed until the end of August, but here's a taste of what some Texans had to say about the truck and information on how you can take the Ram Challenge.

Suzuki sales up 2%, driven by SX4 lineup

BREA, Calif. - American Suzuki Motor Corp. today announced automotive sales of 8,103 units in July, an increase of 2 percent over last year's July sales total.

The monthly results bring Suzuki's year-to-date figures to 64,351 vehicles. Suzuki's market share has increased 14.3 percent through the first six months of 2008.

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BorgWarner Honored for Dual-Clutch Technology on the Nissan GT-R

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. -- BorgWarner received a 2008 Global Innovation Award from Nissan in recognition of its innovative dual-clutch technology, used in the all-new 2008 Nissan GT-R.

Launched in December in Japan and last month in the United States, the eagerly anticipated sports car is the first GT-R engineered for sale in global markets, the world's first longitudinal transaxle dual-clutch transmission, and the first Japanese transmission to feature BorgWarner's award-winning DualTronic technology.

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GM Certified Used Vehicles to List Entire Inventory Onine

DETROIT - GM Certified Used Vehicles, the industry's top-selling manufacturer-certified used vehicle brand*, announced it has reached an agreement to list the entire national inventory of GM Certified Used Vehicles and Saturn Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles on EveryCarListed.com, a new consumer automotive listings site.

The EveryCarListed.com relationship provides shoppers a new online resource that makes it easy for them to research and find GM Certified Used Vehicles.

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AAA Urges Motorists to Stay Alert as Kids Head Back to School

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Fifty-six million children across the country begin heading back to school this month, and AAA is urging motorists to slow down and stay alert in neighborhoods and school zones with its 75th annual School's Open - Drive Carefully campaign.

AAA's School's Open - Drive Carefully campaign hopes to curb a trend of unsafe driving behavior in school zones and neighborhoods that can result in children's injury and sometimes death.

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Chrysler Presents 16 Scholarships for Telling Their Story of Metro Detroit

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. -- Today Chrysler LLC presented high school, undergraduate and graduate student recipients of the "My Journey Through the D" essay contest with scholarships awards. Winning students shared a personal account or defining moment that underscores Detroit's impact on their life.

Of the nearly 400 applications submitted, 16 winning students were selected in the high school, undergraduate and graduate student categories and the sum of all scholarship awards total $29,000.

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CarMax Reports Decline in Store Sales

RICHMOND, Va. -- CarMax, Inc. today reported that comparable store used unit sales declined by an average of 17% for the months of June and July.

"As reported in June, the sudden and dramatic drop-off in our sales beginning Memorial Day weekend caused us to withdraw our previous sales and earnings guidance for the fiscal year," said Tom Folliard, president and chief executive officer.

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Chery Hybrid Vehicles Debut at Beijing Olympics

VAN BUREN TWP., Mich. -- As part of the transportation arrangements for the Beijing Olympics, 50 hybrid vehicles co-developed with Ricardo are being provided by Chery Automobile Company Ltd. Known as the "Olympics Green Messengers," these vehicles are some of China's first hybrid vehicles and will go into full production in the months following the games.

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August 5, 2008

Jamie Lee Curtis gets a Honda Hydrogen vehicle

TORRANCE, Calif. -- American Honda Motor Co., Inc., today announced that its second FCX Clarity customer, Jamie Lee Curtis, took delivery of the vehicle on July 31, 2008. Curtis and husband Christopher Guest are the second of approximately 200 customers who will begin leasing the vehicle in the United States and Japan over the next three years.

"I really wasn't expecting it to be so luxurious," said Curtis. "It's luxurious, luxurious, luxurious! I love the interior layout, design and access to controls. It is user-friendly and very modern."

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Toyota Announces Prices for 2009 RAV4 SUV

TORRANCE, Calif. -- Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., announced manufacturer's suggested retail prices (MSRP) today for the 2009 RAV4 compact sport utility vehicle (SUV).

Equipped with numerous enhancements for 2009, the average MSRP for the RAV4 will increase by $224, or 0.9 percent. The 2009 RAV4 will begin arriving at Toyota dealerships in early September.

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Car Market Continues to Offer Challenges

ATLANTA -- The Toyota Camry, the Honda Accord, the Honda Civic and the Nissan Altima topped the list of the most-searched-for new vehicles in July on AutoTrader.com, the ultimate automotive marketplace with over 3.5 million vehicle listings.

Using research gathered by studying the shopping habits of over 14 million unique monthly visitors to the site, many of whom are in-market shoppers looking to complete a vehicle purchase within the next 90 days, AutoTrader.com has begun compiling this data to offer insight into current and emerging sales trends in the automobile industry.

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Chrysler Jeep Superstores Airshow Soars August 9 & 10

DETROIT -- Special appearances by Gunnery Sgt. R. Lee Ermey, of The History Channel's Mail Call, the U.S. Navy's F/A-18C Hornet and the U.S. Air Force's F-16C "Viper" Tactical Demonstration Teams and a special tribute to the P-47 Thunderbolt will head up the spectacular entertainment lineup for the "Chrysler Jeep Superstores Thunder Over Michigan" Air Show, August 9th and 10th at Willow Run Airport.

The lineup announcement was made by title sponsor Chrysler Jeep Superstores Advertising Association President Jim Schebil and Air show Director Kevin Walsh.

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Audi North Shore to Host Race Car Drivers Marco Werner and Lucas Luhr

HERNDON, Va. -- Audi of America, Inc. announced today a motorsports gathering in partnership with Audi North Shore in Milwaukee, Wisc. on Wednesday evening, August 6, 2008.

Local customers and prospects will be hosted to welcome Audi Sport race car drivers Marco Werner and Lucas Luhr.

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The Audi Exchange to Host Race Car Driver Marco Werner

HERNDON, Va. -- Audi of America, Inc. announced today a motorsports gathering in partnership with The Audi Exchange dealership in Highland Park, IL on Tuesday evening, August 5, 2008.

Local customers and prospects will be hosted to welcome Le Mans-winning race car driver Marco Werner.

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Car Leasing's Fall Means Cost Climb for Consumer

A shakeout in the auto leasing industry that revved up with Chrysler's exit from the leasing business last week is expected to be felt quickly by consumers who enjoy switching vehicles every two or three years without down payments or other ownership obligations.

The used SUVs and other gas-guzzlers that the companies' financing arms sell when leases expire are fetching far less than initially expected, now that gas has surged to $4 a gallon.

Economy cars, holding their value well because of better gas mileage, are expected to be readily available and lease for roughly their current average price of $340 per month.

Bush Rules on Fuel Economy Hit from 2 Sides

At the first public hearing on the rules Monday, critics accused the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration of using false assumptions about gas prices and environmental impacts when it set the proposed fuel economy standards. For their part, auto industry officials insisted that the standards are so aggressive, they might be tough for some automakers to meet.

David Westcott, a Buick and Pontiac dealer from North Carolina who spoke on behalf of the National Automobile Dealers Association, noted that new vehicle sales have plummeted to a two-decade low as cash-strapped consumers are having trouble getting the credit needed to make a purchase. He warned that if adding new fuel-saving technologies increases the price of vehicles, it could keep many Americans from trading in their older, less efficient cars and trucks.

Obama: 1M Hybrids on Road by 2015

LANSING -- Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama said Monday the nation should set a goal of putting 1 million plug-in electric hybrid vehicles on the road by 2015, offering $4 billion in federal aid to meet the ambitious goal. But auto experts said the expense of meeting such goals will far exceed that amount, and that the plug-in hybrid goal will be difficult, if not impossible, to achieve.

"I know how much the auto industry and the auto workers of this state have struggled over the last decade or so," Obama said. "But I also know where I want the fuel-efficient cars of tomorrow to be built: Not in Japan, not in China, but right here in the United States of America. Right here in the state of Michigan."

Toyota Unit Cuts Staff Amid Weak U.S. Sales

TOKYO -- A production unit of Toyota Motor Corp. said Tuesday it laid off about 800 contract workers in June and August to reduce production of vehicles bound for North America, as car sales in the U.S. continue to slump.

However, a spokesman at Toyota Motor Kyushu Inc. said it will rehire 500 contract staff in the autumn or afterward to prepare to increase output, indicating it expects the production adjustment to end in several months. Toyota last week cut its U.S. sales projection for this year to 2.44 million vehicles from its previous plan of 2.64 million.

US Auto Sales Slump to 16-Year Low in July

DETROIT - U.S. auto sales slumped to a 16-year low in July as automakers failed to keep up with consumers' growing demand for smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles. While production changes may help that problem, trouble in the credit and auto leasing markets will continue to take a toll on sales.

General Motors, Ford, Toyota and other automakers said Friday that their U.S. sales fell by double-digits. Nissan Motor Co. was the only major automaker to report a gain, with truck sales up 18 percent thanks in part to the new Rogue crossover and a boost in incentives. Nissan's overall sales rose 8.5 percent.

Automakers Race Time as Their Cash Runs Low

DETROIT -- The downturn in the American auto industry is rapidly becoming a full-blown fight for survival among Detroit's big automakers. G.M. and Ford had expected economic conditions to improve in the second half of this year, but now are forecasting an even more dismal sales environment.

Neither company appears in immediate danger of failure. But analysts say Detroit is in a race against time. "Things are pretty bad, and the river is getting deeper, faster and wider," said David Cole, chairman of the Center for Automotive Research in Ann Arbor, Mich. "The question is, can they get to [the] other side before the cash runs out?

Nissan Murano, Volkswagen Tiguan Rated 'Very Good' in New Tests

YONKERS, N.Y. -- The new Volkswagen Tiguan and redesigned Nissan Murano achieved "Very Good" overall scores - and outpointed some of their competitors - in Consumer Reports' tests of compact and midsized, two-row sport-utility vehicles for the September issue.

The Tiguan and Murano were part of a group of six vehicles including the Infiniti EX, Land Rover LR2, Volkswagen Touareg 2, and Jeep Grand Cherokee that were tested. Prices-as-tested for the vehicles ranged from $35,479 for the Tiguan to $43,350 for the Touareg.

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Chrysler Announces New Head of Global Electric Motorcars

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. -- Chrysler LLC today named Bruce D. Coventry Chief Executive Officer of Global Electric Motor Cars LLC (GEM). He continues in his role at Global Engine Manufacturing Alliance (GEMA) serving as Non-Executive Chairman.

In addition to his responsibilities with GEMA, Coventry will continue to build on the innovation and engineering technology that are hallmark to the GEM vehicle. As well, he will focus on expanding market share in Chrysler's mission to deliver environmentally friendly products to our customers.

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States Hands-Free Law Boosts Bluetooth Sales

SAN FRANCISCO -- Since July 1 when the California and Washington hands-free driving legislation became effective, Parrot has seen a three-fold increase in sales of its hands-free car kits.

Parrot, the world's largest manufacturer of Bluetooth car kits attributes the increase to an aggressive advertising and public relations campaign it launched two months prior to the law taking effect.

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Chrysler Diversity Supplier Group Recognizes Top Suppliers and Employees

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. -- Chrysler LLC's Diversity Supplier Development group recognized top performing suppliers and employees that exemplify the core values of Chrysler LLC's Global Sourcing organization.

Employees are recognized for their efforts in successfully working with suppliers to improve spending with qualified minority suppliers. The recognized companies and individuals are:

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Chrysler Announces Leadership Changes

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. -- Chrysler LLC today announced the appointment of Jan A. Bertsch, Senior Vice President Treasurer and Chief Information Officer as part of an on-going effort to streamline functions for greater efficiencies. Bertsch will lead the efforts to consolidate Information Technology Management and Treasury into a new structure.

Under this integrated structure, Bertsch is responsible for the Company's global treasury operations. She continues to direct the Company's systems and computer hardware strategy and planning, systems applications development, data center operations and telecommunications network operations.

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August 4, 2008

Honda's ASIMO Visits Children Suffering from Sichuan Earthquake

China -- Honda made an effort to lift the spirits of children suffering from the Sichuan Earthquake through a special visit by ASIMO, Honda's humanoid robot.

ASIMO visited a school in Deyang in the Sichuan province of China, approximately 100km away from the epicenter of the earthquake. Children attending the school, as well as children invited from other kindergartens, elementary schools, and junior high schools in the surrounding areas, were able to have a fun time with ASIMO.

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Porsche Extends Range of Mid-Engined Sports Cars

Stuttgart. Introducing two new models, Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, are rounding off their range of dynamic mid-engined sports cars at the top.

The two new models, the Porsche Boxster S Porsche Design Edition 2 and the Cayman S Sport, develop 303 bhp (223 kW) from 3.4 litres, eight horsepower more than the respective S models.

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Nissan Delivers Strong Market-Share Gain in July

FRANKLIN, Tenn. -- Sales of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles took an 8.4 percent share of the U.S. market in July, a 2 percentage-point gain over June and the highest monthly market share in at least 28 years.

Combined July sales for Nissan North America's two divisions amounted to 95,319 vehicles, up 8.5 percent compared with July 2007 and up 25.7 percent compared with June 2008.

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18% of New Vehicles Cost over $100 to Fill at Pump

SANTA MONICA, Calif. -- Less than one year ago the national average price for regular gasoline was $2.96 per gallon, and many consumers simply wrote off monthly fuels costs as a mere annoyance.

Edmunds data shows that with gas prices at $4.06 per gallon (the average national price for regular fuel on July 21), there are 60 vehicles in the new-vehicle market that cost consumers more than $100 to fill.

Continue reading "18% of New Vehicles Cost over $100 to Fill at Pump"

Chrysler Financial Announces Completion of Credit Facilities Renewal

FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. -- Chrysler Financial today announced that it has completed the renewal of its annual credit facilities.

The $24 billion credit facilities provide funding for the company's dealer and consumer financial services products. Originally, the company was seeking a renewal of its conduit credit facilities in the amount of $30 billion. Chrysler Financial reduced the amount required due to conditions in the credit markets and changes in the company's retail strategy.

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American Le Mans in Elkhart Lake, USA: RS Spyder faces great new challenge

Stuttgart -- After the successful class-winning premiere of RS Spyder racing the new direct fuel injection engine at Mid-Ohio, the next great challenge is here: At the seventh round of the American Le Mans Series the Weissach-developed and built sports prototypes race on the legendary Road America track.

Porsche is eager to further increase its championship lead on one of America's oldest and most beautiful race circuits.

Continue reading "American Le Mans in Elkhart Lake, USA: RS Spyder faces great new challenge"

August 3, 2008

AirVenture Mustang to benefit youth program

DEARBORN, Mich. -- The numbers tied to the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) AirVenture Oshkosh are impressive, if not overwhelming - but there's one statistic especially worth eyeing.

Some 2,500 show aircraft and 650,000 visitors are expected at this year's meet, which runs from Monday - Aug. 3. An estimated 10,000 airplanes are expected to fly in to the airport in east-central Wisconsin. And here's the kicker: The event will feature one cool Ford Mustang.

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Volvo high-mileage ambassador names favorite small towns

IRVINE, Calif. -- Irv Gordon -- who as the first person to drive two million miles in the same car and has taken more road trips than anybody -- has some advice for families preparing a summer vacation on the road: ditch the fancy resorts and theme parks and take a drive to a small town.

Gordon, a retired science teacher from Long Island, New York, clocked his historic two millionth mile in his shiny red 1966 Volvo P1800 in 2002 while driving down Times Square in New York City.

Continue reading "Volvo high-mileage ambassador names favorite small towns"

Ford tunes cars to run on regular, vs. premium

DEARBORN, Mich. - With per-gallon prices hovering around $4, customers are sensitive to every penny spent at the pump, and Ford Motor Company is leveraging technologies to help consumers avoid an even further hit to their wallets.

Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles, including luxury models like the all-new 2009 Lincoln MKS, run - and run well - on regular unleaded gas, a true competitive advantage given today's skyrocketing fuel costs.

Continue reading "Ford tunes cars to run on regular, vs. premium"

Toyota Announces Prices for 2009 Yaris Subcompact

TORRANCE, Calif. -- Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., today announced manufacturer's suggested retail prices (MSRP) for the three fuel efficient 2009 Toyota Yaris subcompact models.

MSRPs will range from $12,205 for the three-door Liftback Base model to $15,880 for the Sedan S model when the vehicles hit dealerships later this summer.

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Audi Announces Pricing for 2009 A4 Sedan and Avant

HERNDON, Va. -- Audi of America today released pricing for two of its newest entries, the 2009 model year Audi A4 sedan and A4 Avant.

Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price for the A4 sedan will start at $32,700, while MSRP for the A4 Avant will start at $34,500.

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Volvo's Ultimate Red Sox Fan Prize

IRVINE, Calif. -- Linda Brennan, Boston Red Sox Foundation and Volvo Cars of North America raffle winner, now owns the ultimate 2007 World Series Championship collectible: The Boston Red Sox Special Edition Volvo C30.

Volvo and the Red Sox Foundation hosted the raffle to raise money for children and families in need across New England. Brennan took home the C30 during Saturday's Red Sox versus Yankees game at Fenway Park.

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Nissan offers buyouts to factory workers

SMYRNA, Tenn. - Nissan North America, Inc. (NNA) is offering a Voluntary Transition Program (VTP) to its technicians and salaried employees at its assembly plants in Smyrna and Decherd, Tenn.

The plan offers employees an opportunity to receive a lump sum of $100,000 or $125,000, depending on tenure, plus medical and car purchase benefits.

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Video: Chrysler's new incentives

Four significant stories from Chrysler LLC the week of August 1, 2008: Stories include: New retail strategy, Dodge Ram Challenge, FourWheeler best buys and Edmunds.com true cost to own results.

Ford revs up for Woodward Cruise

DEARBORN, Mich. -- Ford Motor Company will be at the heart of the action when 1.5 million car and truck enthusiasts flock to the city of Ferndale, Mich. for the start of the 2008 Woodward Dream Cruise on Aug.16.

"It's a great place for us to be because it truly reflects the essence of Woodward -- car lovers coming together and cruising, just like they've done for decades," said Robert Parker, Ford car marketing manager. "The Dream Cruise originated in Ferndale 14 years ago, and the city has been the home to Mustang Alley for the past 10 years."

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Jeep Patriot Ranked Least Expensive SUV to Own

Despite high gas prices and general economic uncertainty, many consumers are still in need of sport-utility vehicles and are looking for the best values in the marketplace.

A study by Edmunds.com reveals that the Jeep Patriot is the least expensive sport-utility vehicle to own at 48.6 cents per mile.

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Ford Touts 10 Top Success Stories

DEARBORN, Mich. - Ford continues to make great strides toward achieving its goal of best-in-class quality. The following ten examples show some of the successes already achieved along the way.

1. Now shoulder-to-shoulder with industry leaders in initial quality -- The quality of Ford brand vehicles soared to the top of the charts equaling that of Toyota and Honda, according to 2008 U.S. Global Quality Research System (GQRS) study conducted by RDA Group of Bloomfield Hills, Mich., for Ford.

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Volvo C30 impresses in a dramatic WTCC debut

Seventh fastest in testing and tenth in qualifying before being pushed off the track by Rickard Rydell.

Volvo's new Green C30 race car took its debut in the World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) in the seventh race of the series at Brands Hatch this past weekend. Volvo's priority was to test the new ethanol driven race car against the best in the world. This was a debut which offered a taste for the future and also some drama.

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August 2, 2008

Chrysler Statement Regarding Company's Financial Performance

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. -- The following can be attributed to Ron Kolka, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Chrysler LLC.

"Chrysler LLC today announced that in spite of the severe economic and industry challenges, we continue to perform ahead of our financial plan for the second quarter and first half of 2008.

Continue reading "Chrysler Statement Regarding Company's Financial Performance"

Massachusetts Legislature Keeps Right to Repair Legislation Moving Forward

BOSTON -- Massachusetts is proving to be a very receptive state for landmark legislation that would protect consumers' right to choose where they have their cars repaired.

The legislation (H4892) would require car manufacturers to provide independent repair shops equal access to the same diagnostic repair information and tools they provide for their dealer mechanics.

Continue reading "Massachusetts Legislature Keeps Right to Repair Legislation Moving Forward"

Ford Foundation Supports People Living Longer with HIV

MEXICO CITY -- As millions of people across the globe begin accessing treatment and care for HIV/AIDS, the Ford Foundation today said that creating a world where people with HIV/AIDS can lead full lives with dignity, purpose and access to opportunity is a critical priority in the global response to the disease.

The foundation invited donors, government agencies, NGOs and others to come together around initiatives that advance human rights, elevate leaders from marginalized groups to the highest levels of the AIDS movement, promote government accountability on both medical and social progress, and ensure equitable distribution of AIDS programs and services.

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August 1, 2008

Chrysler Introduces New Incentives

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. -- As the market makes a shift from leasing to retail purchasing, Chrysler LLC today announced that in August the Company will repackage its incentives to make purchasing a vehicle more affordable than ever.

The new strategy includes 72-month finance deals on an expanded range of compact, mid-size and full-size vehicles. The program creates retail payments similar to 36-month lease payments, and lower than previously offered finance payments. With these new incentive offers, customers can get lower payments with the benefits of ownership.

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Nissan Altima Hybrid Named to 'Top 10 Green Cars'

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Nissan Altima Hybrid, which offers the efficiency and fuel economy of a hybrid drivetrain with the performance and excitement customers have come to expect from the Altima line-up, has been named one of the "Top 10 Green Cars" by the editors of Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com.

In compiling the list, the kbb.com editors considered factors such as comfort, performance, utility and technology, along with fuel economy and price.

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2009 Subaru Impreza WRX to Debut at X Games 14

CHERRY HILL, N.J. -- The newly-announced 2009 Subaru Impreza WRX will make its public debut at X Games 14, to be held in Los Angeles, Calif. July 31 - August 3.

Boasting engine and handling upgrades, the 265 horsepower WRX will be on show at the Subaru display in the Sponsor's Village. A 2009 Subaru Impreza WRX will be awarded to the "Subaru Most Outstanding Athlete of the Games" recipient.

Continue reading "2009 Subaru Impreza WRX to Debut at X Games 14"

Kia Motors America Announces New Vice President of Marketing

IRVINE, Calif. -- Kia Motors America, Inc. (KMA) today announced Michael Sprague will be joining the company as vice president, marketing, effective August 11, 2008.

In his new role with Kia, Sprague will direct and manage all aspects of the marketing department, including brand marketing, advertising, retail marketing, sponsorships, CRM, product planning and public relations.

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One in Three Text Message While Behind Wheel

MINNEAPOLIS -- How many Twin Cities drivers are driving with one hand on the wheel and the other preoccupied with a cell phone, iPod, BlackBerry or hamburger?

According to a new "Twin Cities Driving Behavior" Survey commissioned by AAA Minneapolis, 77 percent of drivers ages 18-34 in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area snack while they drive, 70 percent talk on cell phones and one in three young adults actually text message while behind the wheel.

Continue reading "One in Three Text Message While Behind Wheel"

General Motors to Showcase Historic Motorama Vehicles

More than fifty years ago, General Motors' traveling Motorama showcased dramatic concept "Dream Cars" as interpretations of future automobile design.

From 1949 through 1960, expressive vehicles including the Cadillac Lemans and Firebird I traveled the United States as a statement of General Motors design leadership.

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Scion Reinvents Individuality With New Brand Campaign

Torrance, CA -- Scion recently launched its "United by Individuality" brand campaign, which reinvents the brand's distinctiveness by communicating several of its core philosophies - creativity, personalization, authenticity, and community.

The campaign also celebrates Scion owners as it demonstrates Scions as blank canvases for customization through unique treatments of actual owner vehicles in cinema, cable, print, online and out of home advertising.

Continue reading "Scion Reinvents Individuality With New Brand Campaign"

July 31, 2008

Subaru Unleashes New 265 HP 2009 Impreza WRX

CHERRY HILL, N.J. -- Performance leaps to a higher level in the 2009 Subaru Impreza WRX thanks to a 265-horsepower turbocharged intercooled Boxer engine, retuned suspension and wider, lower-profile summer performance tires.

The Impreza WRX moves closer to its supercar stablemate, the WRX STI in spirit, performance and styling with a new familial grille, integrated front spoiler and body-side moldings and gunmetal gray alloy wheels.

Continue reading "Subaru Unleashes New 265 HP 2009 Impreza WRX"

Tread Lightly! And HUMMER Help Maintain Trail In Sierra National Forest

DETROIT - At a time when recreation areas are closing from lack of funds, HUMMER and the nonprofit Tread Lightly! are partnering with the U.S. Forest Service and volunteers from local four-wheel-drive clubs to maintain a section of the popular Bald Mountain OHV route, located in the Sierra National Forest, east of Fresno, Calif.

The project is the second trail maintenance event supported by a new Tread Lightly! program called HUMMER's Recreation Rescue.

Continue reading "Tread Lightly! And HUMMER Help Maintain Trail In Sierra National Forest"

Video: New Jeep "Rollercoaster" Ad

Sometimes, just a simple, fun ad conveys all you need to say about your fantastic product.

Nissan Announces $50,000 Grant to Y-Hispanic Achievers

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Nissan North America, Inc. (NASDAQ:NSANY) announced today that it has contributed $50,000 to the Hispanic Achievers -- a program of the YMCA of Middle Tennessee.

This will mark the second year Nissan has partnered with the local non-profit contributing a total of $100,000 to date.

Continue reading "Nissan Announces $50,000 Grant to Y-Hispanic Achievers"

GMAC Posts $2.5 Billion Loss

DETROIT -- GMAC Financial Services said today it swung to a net loss of $2.48 billion in the second quarter as its auto finance business cratered on weaknesses in the leasing market. It posted a $293 million profit in the second quarter of last year.

The company's automotive finance business lost $717 million in the second quarter. The company said that was largely due to $716 million in writedowns related to its North American leases. GMAC said the writedowns were due to the falling residual value of leased trucks and SUVs.

Fairmont And Lexus Power Up New Marketing Alliance

Toronto - Fairmont Hotels & Resorts and Lexus, two global brands synonymous with luxury and style, today announced a formal partnership that will provide Fairmont President's Club members with an even greater level of personalized service during their stay.

The principal and most visible component of the new marketing alliance will be the use of Lexus hybrid vehicles as hotel courtesy cars at Fairmont Hotels & Resorts in the United States.

Continue reading "Fairmont And Lexus Power Up New Marketing Alliance"

July 30, 2008

Hyundai Teams Up With Rhys Millen Racing for SEMA

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif. -- Hyundai Motor America announced today that it has teamed up with Rhys Millen Racing (RMR) to create the "Art of Speed" Genesis Coupe show car.

The Hyundai RMR "Art of Speed" Genesis Coupe 2.0t will be on display at the Hyundai booth at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show in the Las Vegas Convention Center from Nov. 4 - Nov. 7, 2008.

Continue reading "Hyundai Teams Up With Rhys Millen Racing for SEMA"

Porsche to Build New Northeast Regional Facility

ATLANTA -- In a move to improve customer service by increasing operating efficiency across the board, Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (PCNA) plans to open a Northeast Regional Support Center next year at the to-be-constructed Chrin Commerce Centre in Pennsylvania's Lehigh Valley, less than 70 miles from both Philadelphia and New York City, one of Porsche's most vital sales regions.

Continue reading "Porsche to Build New Northeast Regional Facility"

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Car Buyer's Notebook

Recent Stories

Topics

August 15, 2008

Zenn and the art of small, electric vehicles

August 15, 2008

Lexus Introduces First-Ever Pebble Beach(R) Edition LS 600h L and Seach(R) Edition LS 600h L and Sixth ixth Annual Pebble Beach Edition(R) SC 430

August 14, 2008

New Honda hybrid will compete with Prius

August 13, 2008

MINI in the Olympic Spirit

Volvo for Life and the Weavers

Mercedes-Benz to introduce Attention Assist

Corvette kicks off GM's Woodward Dream Cruise activities

4 million Volvo cars built in Ghent plant

Lincoln enhances color palette

Design Points Of The 2009 Toyota Venza

Honda honors top suppliers

GM to Invest $445 Million in New Plant, Thai Operations

Audi Q7 earns IIHS Top Safety Pick award for 2008

August 12, 2008

Ford Sets Best-in-Class Quality Targets on New Global Small Vehicles

Kia Brings 'Borrego Experience' to Boston for Fisherman's Feast

Chrysler Kicks Off Woodward Dream Cruise with '09 PT Dream Cruiser

LeaseCompare.com Steps in as Chrysler and Others Exit Auto Leasing

Toyota Weighs Export of U.S. Vehicles

Honda's Lineup Prospers

GM Offers More Fuel-efficient Pickup Trucks, SUVs

Automakers Must Work Harder to Sell to Affluent

Ford jumps into quality race

Chrysler Hunts for Contract Jobs from Other Automakers

August 11, 2008

BMW Hydrogen 7 hits the road

Mini celebrates a droptop milestone

2009 Honda Accord Sets the Pace

Zero Emission Volkswagen Tiguan will Travel to 31 Cities

BMW supportts Automotive Youth Education

Hybrid Owners Top List of Loyal Vehicle Buyers

Carfax Grants a Wish at Nascar Series

BMW global sales up 2.2% in July

Multicultural Market Accounts for Over 22% of New Vehicle Sales

Diesel Myths Dispelled

Researchers Work to Turn Car's Exhaust into Power

Cost Cuts Alone Can't Save Chrysler

Tight Credit Hinders Lease Deals

Ford Gains in Supplier Rankings

August 10, 2008

Chevrolet Launches New Advertising During Olympics

Cadillac Escalade Hybrid Launch Underway

Nissan previews new enviro-vehicles

2009 Honda Ridgeline Adds Power, More Standard Equipment

Nissan previews collision-free technology

Ford introduces powertrain upgrades for 2009

Volvo Ocean Race takes part in pioneering environmental project

GM on CNBC

Mitsubishi Motors Debuts "Phenomenal Four" Campaign

Chrysler Mexico Sets a New Sales Record in July

Volunteers Join HUMMER Recreation Rescue Project In Sierra National Forest

Volvo enthusiasts gather in Gothenburg

August 9, 2008

Video: Chrysler's Shop Till You Drive Event

Gumball Rally Kicks Off in San Francisco

Chrysler Financial Announces Leadership Changes

Auto Dealers Take Child Passenger Safety Message to Public Television

Toyota Reports 28% Fall in Profit

Chrysler's car plans in question

Cars are getting more reliable

GM agrees to lend Delphi $300 million against bankruptcy

Europe's Luxury Car Makers Feel Pain

Nissan shows test models of electric car

Ford boosts better fuel economy in engines

Chrysler, Nissan in Talks on Cars

Number of new-auto dealers falling

GM Presses Ad Agencies on Costs

Weak U.S. Truck Sales Hurt Toyota Net

August 8, 2008

Glass roof Mustang lets the sun shine in

Nissan doubles fuel cell efficiency

Ford adds new options for 2009 Focus

Bill Would Let Insurers Track Where, When, How Californians Drive