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January 1999

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Monday, January 4, 1999

1999 EV-1 With Ovonic NiMH Batteries Enthusiastically Received

1999 EV-1 With Ovonic NiMH Batteries Enthusiastically Received

One month after General Motors introduced the 1999 model EV-1 electric car with GM Ovonic nickel metal hydride batteries in Los Angeles, Calif., Energy Conversion Devices, Inc. continues to receive high praise from EV-1 owners and test drivers. ... Continue reading

1999 International Wheel Award Winners Announced At Detroit Auto Show

1999 International Wheel Award Winners Announced At Detroit Auto Show

Winners in the 1999 International Wheel Awards competition for journalistic excellence were announced and awards were presented at the North American International Auto Show at Cobo Center. ... Continue reading

ALLSTAR Sprints: History and Membership Information

ALLSTAR Sprints: History and Membership Information

ALLSTAR Sprints: History and Membership Information ... Continue reading

AutoBond Announces Record Month to End Fourth Quarter

AutoBond Announces Record Month to End Fourth Quarter

AutoBond Acceptance Corporation is pleased to report finance contract acquisition volume of $18 million for December 1998. ... Continue reading

AUTOFACTS Group and JATO Dynamics, Inc. Announce Collaboration

AUTOFACTS Group and JATO Dynamics, Inc. Announce Collaboration

JATO Dynamics, Inc. and the AUTOFACTS Group of Pricewaterhouse- Coopers , January 4, 1999, announced their collaboration in the development of a new Internet-based system to track and analyze sales incentives in the automotive sector. ... Continue reading

Auto Network Group, Inc. to Launch Internet Service

Auto Network Group, Inc. to Launch Internet Service

Auto Network Group, Inc. announced the company's plans to launch an Internet service to complement its wholesale automobile business. ... Continue reading

Beetle and Jeep Grand Cherokee Win Car and Truck of the Year Awards

Beetle and Jeep Grand Cherokee Win Car and Truck of the Year Awards

The Volkswagen Beetle and the Jeep Grand Cherokee were named winners of the prestigious North American Car and Truck of the Year Awards, respectively, by the organizing committee at the 1999 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. ... Continue reading

'Belt-Minder' to Urge Ford Customers to Buckle Up

'Belt-Minder' to Urge Ford Customers to Buckle Up

Ford Motor Company wants to help remind customers to buckle up and announced plans to offer a safety belt reminder feature in the full line of cars, trucks, minivans and sport utility vehicles it sells in the United States. ... Continue reading

CCS to Make Big Impression with Trax Concept Design

CCS to Make Big Impression with Trax Concept Design

Trax, the Center for Creative Studies - College of Art and Design (CCS-CAD) concept vehicle designed with a nature sport theme, is on display at the 1999 North American International Auto Show. ... Continue reading

Chrysler PT Cruiser: A Winning Combination of Design & Function

Chrysler PT Cruiser: A Winning Combination of Design & Function

The all-new 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser blends a nostalgic, yet contemporary design with function and technology to create a segment-busting vehicle. ... Continue reading

Chrysler PT Cruiser: Defying Convention From All Angles

Chrysler PT Cruiser: Defying Convention From All Angles

The 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser adds a new dimension to the Chrysler brand around the world by breaking the barriers of conventional automotive design and function. ... Continue reading

Citadel Gives Hybrid Double Meaning

Citadel Gives Hybrid Double Meaning

Blend a luxury sport sedan with the brawn and sense of security of a sport-utility vehicle, mix in a futuristic performance powertrain, and you have the inspiration for the Chrysler Citadel concept car. ... Continue reading

Copart Announces 2-for-1 Stock Split

Copart Announces 2-for-1 Stock Split

The Board of Directors of Copart Inc. has declared a 2-for-1 split of the company's common stock. ... Continue reading

Dodge Power Wagon Blends Refined Design and Raw Power

Dodge Power Wagon Blends Refined Design and Raw Power

Dodge's Power Wagon concept truck is as refined and tailored as the original 1946 workhorse was rugged and simple. ... Continue reading

Dollar Days Returns to National Corvette Museum

Dollar Days Returns to National Corvette Museum

The National Corvette Museum has named the entire month of January "Dollar Days." All month long, Kentucky residents young and old can tour the popular attraction for just $1 per person. ... Continue reading

Drag Racing Tonight

Drag Racing Tonight

Drag Racing Tonight ... Continue reading

Drag Racing Tonight

Drag Racing Tonight

Drag Racing Tonight ... Continue reading

Ford Division Accelerates Race For The Cure(R)

Ford Division Accelerates Race For The Cure(R)

Ford Division is increasing its efforts to fight breast cancer as the exclusive national automotive sponsor of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation's Race for the Cure(R), the largest series of 5K fitness runs/walks in the world. ... Continue reading

Ford Focus Honored in Europe, Voted 'European Car of the Year'

Ford Focus Honored in Europe, Voted 'European Car of the Year'

Voted 1999 European Car of the Year, Ford Focus has been lauded with overwhelming acclaim and praise in Europe for its driving dynamics, interior package and safety features. ... Continue reading

Ford Focus: Raising the Standard for Small Cars

Ford Focus: Raising the Standard for Small Cars

The all-new Ford Focus is set to redefine customer expectations of small cars, as it makes its debut at the North American International Auto Show. ... Continue reading

Ford Thunderbird Concept: American Icon Is Back

Ford Thunderbird Concept: American Icon Is Back

An automotive legend is reborn as the Ford Thunderbird makes its return as an all-new concept car at the North American International Auto Show. ... Continue reading

Formtek Continues Successful Relationship With Volvo

Formtek Continues Successful Relationship With Volvo

Formtek, Inc., a leader in the integrated document and output management (IDOM) marketplace, announced a major contract expansion with Volvo Information Technology AB, a unit of the Volvo Group. ... Continue reading

Gentex 4th Quarter Earnings Per Share Expected to Exceed Analyst Expectations

Gentex 4th Quarter Earnings Per Share Expected to Exceed Analyst Expectations

Gentex Corporation reported that the Company expects to exceed analyst estimates for earnings per share for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 1998. ... Continue reading

Hertz' 1999 Affordable Europe Kicks-Off with Early Booking Special Bonus

Hertz' 1999 Affordable Europe Kicks-Off with Early Booking Special Bonus

The Hertz Corporation, the world's largest car rental company, announces its 1999 Affordable Europe program. ... Continue reading

Johnson Controls and the LEGO Group Announce Partnership

Johnson Controls and the LEGO Group Announce Partnership

"Are we there yet?" and "I'm bored" could be phrases of the past, thanks to a new strategic alliance between automotive interior supplier Johnson Controls and toy maker the LEGO Group. ... Continue reading

Johnson Controls Boosts Performance Of its HomeLink Universal Transceivers

Johnson Controls Boosts Performance Of its HomeLink Universal Transceivers

More than 4 million vehicles on the road today have Johnson Controls' HomeLink(R) Universal Transceiver on-board. ... Continue reading

Johnson Controls Debuts Line of 'Smart' Batteries with IQ Control

Johnson Controls Debuts Line of 'Smart' Batteries with IQ Control

While vehicle designs have dramatically changed over the years, the heavy, bulky, 12-volt battery found under the hood has changed little during the past few decades. ... Continue reading

Johnson Controls Helps Define Character of Chevy AdVenture Vehicle

Johnson Controls Helps Define Character of Chevy AdVenture Vehicle

The Chevrolet AdVenture concept vehicle promises to "do it all" for active, outdoor "adventurists." Its interior -- designed and produced by Johnson Controls -- offers the ultimate in many areas. ... Continue reading

Johnson Controls' Proves They Can Deliver Tomorrow's Technologies Today

Johnson Controls' Proves They Can Deliver Tomorrow's Technologies Today

Adopting this "Now" theme, automotive interior supplier Johnson Controls is exhibiting its latest products and advanced concepts at the 1999 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) at Cobo Center in Detroit. ... Continue reading

Lydall Acquires Gerhardi & Cie. GmbH & Co. KG

Lydall Acquires Gerhardi & Cie. GmbH & Co. KG

The acquisition of Gerhardi, which directly complements Lydall's domestic automotive thermal business, is key to the Company's strategy of becoming a global leader in thermal and acoustical automotive markets. ... Continue reading

Mercedes-Benz of North America Renamed Mercedes-Benz USA

Mercedes-Benz of North America Renamed Mercedes-Benz USA

In order to more accurately reflect its mission to be the leader in the luxury segment within the U.S. market, Mercedes- Benz of North America, Inc. (MBNA) will be officially renamed Mercedes-Benz USA, Inc. (MBUSA). ... Continue reading

Meritor Automotive Completes Acquisitions

Meritor Automotive Completes Acquisitions

Meritor Automotive, Inc. announced that it has completed the acquisition of Euclid Industries, a leading supplier and manufacturer of aftermarket replacement parts for a wide range of medium- and heavy-duty vehicles. ... Continue reading

Motorola's Telematics Technologies Power Mercedes-Benz TeleAid System

Motorola's Telematics Technologies Power Mercedes-Benz TeleAid System

Motorola announces it has teamed with Mercedes-Benz to introduce TeleAid, a telematics system which will be standard on all model year 2000 Mercedes-Benz S-Class sedans in North America. ... Continue reading

Motorsports 1999 Takes Pole Position

Motorsports 1999 Takes Pole Position

Motorsports 1999 Takes Pole Position ... Continue reading

Muscle Car Era Meets Future Technology in New Concept Dodge Charger R/T

Muscle Car Era Meets Future Technology in New Concept Dodge Charger R/T

The Dodge Charger R/T concept car allows you to "cruise" your favorite strip without any of the guilt. ... Continue reading

'My First Car' Concept Designs Combine Style With Affordability

'My First Car' Concept Designs Combine Style With Affordability

Center for Creative Studies students conceived these dynamic designs, which include a compact coupe, a hatchback and a sport utility vehicle (SUV). ... Continue reading

NASCAR WCUP: Introducing the Kenny & Kenny Show

NASCAR WCUP: Introducing the Kenny & Kenny Show

NASCAR WCUP: Introducing the Kenny & Kenny Show ... Continue reading

NASCAR WCUP: Jarrett Ready to Capture First Winston Cup Title

NASCAR WCUP: Jarrett Ready to Capture First Winston Cup Title

NASCAR WCUP: Jarrett Ready to Capture First Winston Cup Title ... Continue reading

NASCAR WCUP: Lepage Earns High Marks for '98 Season Performance

NASCAR WCUP: Lepage Earns High Marks for '98 Season Performance

NASCAR WCUP: Lepage Earns High Marks for '98 Season Performance ... Continue reading

NASCAR WCUP: Trickle Fastest On 1st Ford Test Day at Daytona

NASCAR WCUP: Trickle Fastest On 1st Ford Test Day at Daytona

NASCAR WCUP: Trickle Fastest On 1st Ford Test Day at Daytona ... Continue reading

RALLY: Ford Focus Rally Car Specifications

RALLY: Ford Focus Rally Car Specifications

RALLY: Ford Focus Rally Car Specifications ... Continue reading

RALLY: Ford Focus Rally Car Will Set New Standards

RALLY: Ford Focus Rally Car Will Set New Standards

RALLY: Ford Focus Rally Car Will Set New Standards ... Continue reading

RALLY: Interview with M-Sport Project Mananger Guenther Steiner

RALLY: Interview with M-Sport Project Mananger Guenther Steiner

RALLY: Interview with M-Sport Project Mananger Guenther Steiner ... Continue reading

RALLY: M-Sport, the Force Behind The Ford Rally Team

RALLY: M-Sport, the Force Behind The Ford Rally Team

RALLY: M-Sport, the Force Behind The Ford Rally Team ... Continue reading

Rand Cam Oil Pump Budget Approved by Ford Motor Co. for 1999

Rand Cam Oil Pump Budget Approved by Ford Motor Co. for 1999

Reg Technologies Inc. has received confirmation that Ford Motor Co.'s Advanced Vehicle Technology department has approved budgeted resources for 1999 to further evaluate the Rand Cam (tm) oil pump for use in automobile transmissions. ... Continue reading

Seattle Cycle World International Motorcycle Show Presented by Toyota Trucks

Seattle Cycle World International Motorcycle Show Presented by Toyota Trucks

The 7th Annual Seattle Cycle World International Motorcycle Show (R) Presented by Toyota Trucks, roars into Seattle, Jan. 1 - 3, 1999. ... Continue reading

Sheldahl Announces Annual Meeting

Sheldahl Announces Annual Meeting

Sheldahl, Inc., said that its annual meeting of shareholders will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, January 13, 1999, at the Raintree Plaza Hotel, 1900 Ken Pratt Boulevard, Longmont, Colorado. ... Continue reading

Silver and Natural Colors Attract More Car Buyers in 1998

Silver and Natural Colors Attract More Car Buyers in 1998

North American vehicle buyers are increasingly choosing natural and high-tech colors, such as light beige metallic with a gold effect and silver as their favorite car colors, but green and white were still the most popular in 1998. ... Continue reading

Spatial Technology Inc. Strengthens its Growing Development Organization

Spatial Technology Inc. Strengthens its Growing Development Organization

Spatial Technology Inc., the leading developer of open, component 3D modeling technology, announced the strengthening of its rapidly expanding development organization with two important executive appointments. ... Continue reading

Stoneridge Completes Acquisition of Hi-Stat

Stoneridge Completes Acquisition of Hi-Stat

Stoneridge, Inc. announced that it had completed its previously announced acquisition of Hi-Stat Manufacturing Co., Inc., on December 31, 1998. ... Continue reading

Stratasys, Inc. Acquires Rapid Prototyping Technology

Stratasys, Inc. Acquires Rapid Prototyping Technology

Stratasys, Inc. announced that it has acquired new rapid prototyping (RP) technology which the Company expects will significantly enhance its product mix and capabilities. ... Continue reading

Tesma Acquires Hanwha Automotive Components Corporation

Tesma Acquires Hanwha Automotive Components Corporation

Tesma International Inc. confirmed that on December 24, 1998 it entered into an agreement with Hanwha Corporation and Ford Motor Company to purchase 100% of the outstanding shares of Hanwha Automotive Components Corporation. ... Continue reading

Textron to Close Avco Sale

Textron to Close Avco Sale

Textron Inc. announced that all regulatory approvals required for the sale of Avco Financial Services to Associates First Capital Corporation have been received and that it expects an early January closing. ... Continue reading

Toyota Unveils Lightweight High Performance 'XYR' Sports Coupe Concept

Toyota Unveils Lightweight High Performance 'XYR' Sports Coupe Concept

Toyota Motor Sales (TMS) U.S.A., Inc., unveiled the XYR sports coupe, a lightweight high-performance concept vehicle styled by Toyota's CALTY Design Center in Newport Beach, Calif. ... Continue reading

Toyota Unveils New-Concept 'ECHO,' Designed for Youth Appeal

Toyota Unveils New-Concept 'ECHO,' Designed for Youth Appeal

Toyota Motor Sales (TMS) U.S.A., Inc., unveiled ECHO, an all- new approach to meeting the unique demands of young new-car buyers. ... Continue reading

Westar Financial's Lease Volume Exceeds 850% Growth in December Quarter

Westar Financial's Lease Volume Exceeds 850% Growth in December Quarter

Westar Financial Services Inc. reported it funded new leases totaling $16.2m during its third quarter of fiscal 1999 ended 12/31/98 compared to the $1.7m of new leases funded in the like quarter a year ago, achieving a growth rate in excess of 850%. ... Continue reading

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