Tuesday, January 5, 1999

2000 Lincoln LS: 'Luxury' and 'Sport' Are Standard Equipment

With the 2000 model year approaching, Lincoln is ready to join one of the most competitive leagues in the automotive industry -- the luxury sport segment. ... Continue reading

All-New Mercedes-Benz S-Class Debuts in Detroit

The model-year 2000 Mercedes-Benz S-Class premium luxury sedan made its U.S. debut during press activities preceding the North American International Auto Show (Jan. 9-17) at Detroit's Cobo Center. ... Continue reading

AMETEK Acquires National Controls Corporation

AMETEK, Inc. announced that it has acquired National Controls Corporation (NCC), a leading U.S. manufacturer of electronic instruments and controls for foodservice equipment, for approximately $29 million. ... Continue reading

Andrea Electronics' Automobile Microphone Certified For Use With Windows(R) CE

Andrea Electronics Corporation announced that Microsoft Corp. has certified the Andrea AutoArray(TM) for use with the Microsoft Windows CE(R) operating system. ... Continue reading

Audi Achieves Best Sales Year in Twelve Years

Audi of America, Inc. reported U.S. sales of 6,284 for the month of December, a 55.9 percent increase over the same month last year when sales were 4,031. ... Continue reading

Auto Network Group, Inc.'s November Sales Increase 100% Over Previous Year

Auto Network Group, Inc. announced financial results for the eight months ending Nov. 30. ... Continue reading

Auto Recyclers, Inc. Opens 40,000 SF Production and Distribution Facility

Auto Recyclers, Inc., the largest auto recycler in the Southwest, begins all production and distribution from its new 40,000 SF facility located at 1551 Carson in Haltom City, Texas. ... Continue reading

BMW New Car Review: BMW 540i Wagon ( 1999) New Car Prices for BMW

BMW 540i Wagon (1999) ... Continue reading

BMW New Car Review: BMW 740i Sport Package ( 1999) New Car Prices for BMW

BMW 740i Sport Package (1999) ... Continue reading

BMW New Car Review: BMW Z3 2.3 (1999) New Car Prices for BMW

BMW Z3 2.3 (1999) ... Continue reading

Breakthrough Design Process Provides Inside Look At Breakthrough Ford

Ford Motor Company is giving visitors to the North American International Auto Show an inside look at a futuristic, super- efficient family sedan; and, at the same time, a sneak preview of how cars and trucks might be designed in the next century. ... Continue reading

Budget Group Promotes Mark Sotir to President, Budget Rent a Car, North America

Budget Group, Inc. announced that Mark Sotir, 35, has been promoted to president of Budget Rent a Car Corporation, North America. ... Continue reading

Budget Rent a Car Executive Vice President Resigns

Budget Group, Inc. announced that Jeff Hendrickson, executive vice president, North American Rental Operations and Sales & Marketing of Budget Rent a Car Corporation and senior vice president, Budget Group, Inc., has resigned from the company. ... Continue reading

Bullhide Liner Corp. Signs Five New Application Centers

The Bullhide Liner Corp. announced that its number of application centers has increased to 44 in 21 states and two countries with five new signings. ... Continue reading

Carlisle Companies Divests Surfacing Products Division

Carlisle Companies Inc. announced that its subsidiary, Carlisle Tire & Wheel Company, sold its Surfacing Products Division to a private company that will manufacture and sell bonded rubber crumb surfacing products. ... Continue reading

Chevy, Jaguar and VW Bring in San Jose Debut Cars Under Heavy Security

Representatives of Chevrolet, Jaguar and Volkswagen have confirmed plans to unveil North American debut model vehicles at The San Jose International Auto Show Charity Preview Night January 5. ... Continue reading

Converse and Hummer Team Up to Produce Unrivaled, Rugged Footwear

Converse Senior Vice President of Marketing and Sales James E. Solomon announced that the Company has signed a multi-year global licensing agreement with the AM General Corporation of South Bend, Ind., to produce a line of Hummer footwear. ... Continue reading

Cooper Finalizes Dean Purchase

COOPER TIRE & RUBBER COMPANY announced the completion of their purchase of the business of Dean Tire & Rubber Company, a Louisville, Kentucky-based tire distributor. The purchase price was not disclosed. ... Continue reading

Cross-Continent Stockholders Approve Merger With Republic Industries

Cross-Continent Auto Retailers, Inc., announced that at a special meeting of stockholders, its stockholders approved the proposed merger with Republic Industries, Inc. ... Continue reading

CTS Corporation Joins the Bluetooth Consortium of Industry-Leading Companies

CTS Corporation has joined the Bluetooth consortium of industry- leading companies that are working together to deliver seamless connectivity between mobile devices. ... Continue reading

Dakota Quad Cab(TM) Leads Growing Market For Truck Versatility

Leading the way in a new truck segment, Dodge created the four- door Dakota Quad Cab(TM) -- a marriage of power, people- carrying capability and payload -- to meet those ever-expanding demands. ... Continue reading

Federal-Mogul Announces Organizational Appointments

Michael L. Schultz, vice president, national accounts Americas, Worldwide Aftermarket, Federal-Mogul Corporation, announces the following organizational appointments effective immediately: ... Continue reading

Ford Expands Adoption of EAI's Digital Prototyping and Human Simulation Solutions

Engineering Animation, Inc. announced that Ford Motor Company has expanded its adoption of EAI's solutions to enable unlimited enterprise-wide use of EAI's VisMockUp(R) digital prototyping and Jack(R) human simulation solutions. ... Continue reading

Ford Explorer Family Expands with New Sport Trac

Ford started a revolution with the introduction of the Explorer in 1991. Now, the Explorer family is expanding with the unveiling of the revolutionary new Explorer Sport Trac at the North American International Auto Show. ... Continue reading

Ford F-150 Crew Cab Adds New Dimension to Trucks

Ford Motor Company continues its tradition of truck leadership and innovation by adding another branch to its best-selling F- Series family tree and unveiling it -- the F-150 Crew Cab -- at the North American International Auto Show. ... Continue reading

Ford Windsor Engine Plant Increases Production of Award-Winning Engine

Ford is boosting production of its award-winning 5.4-liter, Triton V8 engine at Windsor Engine Plant. ... Continue reading

Fry Multimedia Selected to Produce ASK! Kiosks

Fry Multimedia, Inc. recently signed an agreement to develop and market kiosk solutions using High Speed Information's ASK! development suite. ... Continue reading

General Bearing Announces Three New Contracts

General Bearing Corporation announced that it reached a new, one-year, $1.2 million agreement with the Ford Motor Company. ... Continue reading

Global Automakers Still Deem Steel Their Material of Choice

Manufacturers will demonstrate many auto applications using the strength that only steel can provide. ... Continue reading

Grand Vitara Attracting New Customers to Suzuki Finds Marketing Survey

In only 4 months on the market the V6 Grand Vitara, Suzuki's new, powerful, mini SUV, has already succeeded in attracting a new generation of customers strengthening Suzuki's brand identity in the United States. ... Continue reading

Grand Vitara Attracting New Customers to Suzuki Finds Marketing Survey

In only 4 months on the market the V6 Grand Vitara, Suzuki's new, powerful, mini SUV, has already succeeded in attracting a new generation of customers strengthening Suzuki's brand identity in the United States. ... Continue reading

Green Flag Drops On 3-D Ultra NASCAR Pinball for Macintosh

The split second strategy and adrenaline rush of NASCAR(R) racing meets bumper-to-bumper with the excitement of pinball for Macintosh users. ... Continue reading

Group 1 Names Charles M. Smith SVP Industry Relations

Group 1 Automotive, a leading operator and consolidator in the automotive retailing industry, announced that it has named Charles M. Smith senior vice president-industry relations. ... Continue reading

Guaranty National Announces Second Rate Reduction in a Year

For the second time in less than a year, nonstandard automobile insurer Guaranty National, headquartered in Englewood, Colorado, has reduced rates for Colorado drivers. ... Continue reading

Hyundai Reports December Sales

Hyundai Motor America announced sales of 6,862 vehicles for the month of December. ... Continue reading

Infiniti Posts Best December Ever

Infiniti, the luxury division of Nissan North America, Inc. (NNA), reported total December sales of 7,019 units, up 26.9 percent from the previous year, Infiniti's best December ever. ... Continue reading

IRL: Arie Luyendyk Recovering Well After Recent Surgery

IRL: Arie Luyendyk Recovering Well After Recent Surgery ... Continue reading

Isuzu Reports Best Year Ever for Commercial Vehicle Retail Sales

American Isuzu Motors Inc. (AIMI) reported its best commercial vehicle retail sales year ever with a total of 16,625 units posted, a 28 percent increase over 1997's record sales. ... Continue reading

Isuzu Rings in the New Year With Strong Retail Sales

American Isuzu Motors Inc. (AIMI) celebrates the new year with total 1998 retail sales reaching 101,830, an 11 percent increase over last year. ... Continue reading

Jeep Grand Cherokee Named 1999 North American Truck of the Year

The all-new Jeep(R) Grand Cherokee was named the 1999 North American Truck of the Year, announced at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan. ... Continue reading

Johnson Controls Creates AutoVision Entertainment System

Automotive interior supplier Johnson Controls has developed a great answer to this question with AutoVision(R) -- a vehicle- integrated entertainment system that enables rear-seat passengers to play video games and watch their favorite movies. ... Continue reading

Kia Names New U.S. Chief Executive

Kia Motors America (KMA) announced that B.M. Ahn assumes the role of president and chief executive officer, effective immediately. ... Continue reading

Kia Reports Record Sales For 1998; Kia Sales Reach Nearly 85,000 Units

Kia Motors America announced that sales hit an all-time high in 1998, reaching 82,893 units. This represents a 50 percent increase from last year's sales total of 55,325 units. ... Continue reading

Land Rover Reports 1998 Year-End Sales Results

Land Rover North America, Inc. announced 1998 retail sales of 21,422, a decline of 10.1 percent from 1997 sales of 23,836. ... Continue reading

Lexus IS Compact Sport Sedan to Join U.S. Product Line-Up

In response to the continued demand for dynamic luxury vehicles in the United States, Lexus announced plans to bring the European compact sports sedan IS to the U.S. market in mid-2000. ... Continue reading

Lincoln Blackwood: Utility With Ultimate Style

Luxury taken to another level -- that's the essence of the new Lincoln Blackwood concept vehicle. It is described as the ultimate utility vehicle, with all the comfort of a luxury sedan and the convenience and versatility of a suv. ... Continue reading

Maxwell Technologies' PowerCache Ultracapacitor Selected

Maxwell Technologies Inc. announced that its PowerCache(TM) ultracapacitor will be tested in a prototype electric vehicle by EVermont, a consortium of public and private organizations developing advanced technology vehicles in the northeastern US. ... Continue reading

Mazda Announces December Sales; Mazda's Turnaround in North America Continues

Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) reported U.S. sales of 16,114 units for the month of December, a 13.5 percent increase over the same period last year. ... Continue reading

Mazda Celebrates Successful 1998, Looks to Prosper in 1999

With the books now closed for 1998, Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) officially completed the company's best year since 1995, and has begun looking toward greater success for the new year. ... Continue reading

Mercedes-Benz Unveils Sports Car Concept at Detroit

Mercedes-Benz unveiled a striking concept for a high- performance sports car at its press conference preceding the North American International Auto Show, January 9-17 at Detroit's Cobo Center. ... Continue reading

Mercedes Records Highest U.S. Sales in its History

Mercedes-Benz of North America, Inc. (MBNA) reported record- breaking year-end sales of 170,245 vehicles in 1998, a 39.2 percent increase over last year's previous high of 122,265 vehicles sold in the U.S. ... Continue reading

Mitsubishi Motors' 1998 Sales Produce Profit Turnaround

Meeting its financial objectives for 1998, Mitsubishi Motor Sales of America, Inc., (MMSA) announced that it would earn a pre-tax profit for the 1998 fiscal year, the company's first to be reported in several years. ... Continue reading

Mitsubishi Motors Debuts SSU Concept Vehicle

At this year's North American International Auto Show, there are hundreds of new sports cars, sedans, convertibles and sport utilities, but, you're unlikely to find anything more unique than Mitsubishi Motors' SSU concept vehicle. ... Continue reading

NASCAR WCUP: Craven Ready for New Season with New Team

NASCAR WCUP: Craven Ready for New Season with New Team ... Continue reading

NASCAR WCUP: Martin Seeks to Improve on 1998 Performance

NASCAR WCUP: Martin Seeks to Improve on 1998 Performance ... Continue reading

NASCAR WCUP: Pressley Gaining Ground on Consistency

NASCAR WCUP: Pressley Gaining Ground on Consistency ... Continue reading

Nissan December Sales Up 10.1 Percent

Showing momentum going into 1999, the Nissan division of Nissan North America, Inc. (NNA), reported total sales of 49,598 units for the month of December. ... Continue reading

Norm Lafave of ``Auto Talk'' Endorses Tornado

After several weeks of testing, Norm Lafave, host of 97.1 FM's radio program "Auto Talk," has officially endorsed the Tornado Air Management System. ... Continue reading

OSI Systems Inc. Announces $3M Shipment of Delayed Order

OSI Systems Inc. announced that the company has shipped four large cargo scanning machines that had undergone shipping delays occasioned by logistical issues on the part of an offshore customer. ... Continue reading

Penske Corporation Names J. Patrick Conroy Senior Vice President - Corporate Finance

Philadelphia International Auto Show Hosts a Sneak Peek for the Media

Press Day at the Philadelphia International Auto Show offers the media a sneak peak at more than 10 vehicles never seen before on the East Coast as they are world-premiered at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. ... Continue reading

Rand Cam(TM) Oil Pump Budget Approved by Ford Motor Company for 1999

Reg Technologies, Inc. has received confirmation that Ford Motor Company'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

Record Sales Year for DaimlerChrysler's Dodge, Jeep, Chrysler And Plymouth Brands

DaimlerChrysler Corporation sold a record 2,510,011 Dodge, Jeep (R), Chrysler and Plymouth-brand vehicles in the U.S. in 1998, capping its historic merger by posting its strongest sales year ever. ... Continue reading

Remarks by Charles R. Hughes President, Land Rover North America, Inc.

The following remarks were delivered by Charles R. Hughes, President, Land Rover North America, Inc., at the 1999 North American International Auto Show: ... Continue reading

Remarks by Tom Purves, Sales & Marketing Director, Rover Group

The following are remarks by Tom Purves, Sales & Marketing Director of the Rover Group: ... Continue reading

Road Service Call Volumes Remain High, Says AAA Michigan

The first day back to work after this weekend's storm continues to bring hundreds of calls from motorists for Emergency Road Service (ERS), according to AAA Michigan. ... Continue reading

Saab Debuts New 1999 Saab 9-5 Wagon and High Output Turbo Engine

Saab unveils its first-ever entry in the luxury wagon segment, the aerodynamic and cargo-savvy 1999 Saab 9-5 Wagon, at the North American International Auto Show, January 9-18, 1999. ... Continue reading

Suzuki Reports 28 Percent Sales Growth

Early sales reports from Suzuki show a dramatic 28% increase in sales over last year. The Grand Vitara, the new V6 mini SUV, has done particularly well, selling 5,909 units since its introduction in August of 1998. ... Continue reading

The Quantum Group Inc. Receives $3.6 Million Tire Reduction/Crumb Rubber Order

The Quantum Group Inc. has received a purchase order for German Marks 6,132,094, approximately $3.6m, for specialized tire recycling equipment that converts crumb rubber recovered from scrap tires into a wide range of valued after-market products. ... Continue reading

Trailgate Table to Debut at TCAA Show

Bill Ball, President, Trailgate Corp., announced that they will debut their breakthrough new product, the Trailgate Table, at the Truck Cap and Accessory Show in Orlando, FL. January 20-21, 1999. ... Continue reading

Twin Disc, Inc., Purchases Industrial Product Line

Twin Disc, Inc., has acquired a line of mechanical power take- off products from Rockford Powertrain, Inc., a privately owned manufacturer of drive lines and clutches. Terms of the purchase were not disclosed. ... Continue reading

Volkswagen Records Best Sales Since 1981 -- Best December in 17 Years

Firmly establishing itself again as the number-one selling European importer in the U.S., Volkswagen of America, Inc. reported its best annual sales results in 17 years. ... Continue reading

Volkswagen's New Beetle Selected 1999 North American Car of the Year

Volkswagen's New Beetle was awarded the prestigious North American Car of the Year at a press conference held this morning at Cobo Hall in Detroit, Michigan. ... Continue reading

Weak Automotive Aftermarket Will Reduce Tenneco 4Q Earnings

Tenneco's fourth quarter 1998 earnings will be substantially below estimates, due to weak performance in the company's automotive aftermarket business, and a number of charges taken to position the automotive business in support of the future. ... Continue reading

X-Rite Declares Fourth-Quarter Cash Dividend

Ted Thompson, chairman and chief executive officer of X-Rite, Incorporated, announced that the Company has declared a fourth- quarter cash dividend of 2 1/2 cents per share on its common stock. ... Continue reading