Tuesday, March 26, 2002

JUSTIN BELL RETURNS TO TRANS-AM IN DERHAAG CORVETTE

PR: JUSTIN BELL RETURNS TO TRANS-AM IN DERHAAG CORVETTE March 26, 2002 For Immediate Release Contact: Caroline B. Wright gofazt@aol.com (281) 471-4584 JUSTIN BELL RETURNS TO TRANS-AM WITH DERHAAG Del Ray, FL Justin Bell, the 2001 Trans-Am Series Rookie of the Year, will return in the #40 Derhaag Motorsports Corvette fo ... Continue reading

Delco Remy Names Matt Mullarkey Sr. Vice President of Global Operations

ANDERSON, Ind., March 26 -- Delco Remy America's President Richard Stanley announced the appointment of Matt Mullarkey to the position of Sr. Vice President of Global Operations for Delco Remy America (DRA). Commenting on the appointment Stanley stated, ``Matt's proven track record, leadership skills and strong automot ... Continue reading

Online Advertising Really Works - Just Read This

IAB Website | Download a PDF | Subscribe | Unsubscribe The date is Monday January 14th. On my voice mail is a call from Greg Stuart, IAB President and CEO. "Have you seen today's Wall Street Journal?" He asked. "Can you believe this? Why didn't they bother to ask someone who knows something about Online Advertising? Ca ... Continue reading

New Ford Sedan Based on CrossTrainer Architecture

Bloomberg reported J.Mays, Ford vice president of design, said that, "Ford will build a large sedan based on the engineering architecture of the upcoming Ford CrossTrainer sport wagon" He also said that "the Ford Motor Co. may bring the Ford Mondeo compact sedan back to the U.S. market", speaking at a Morgan Stanley au ... Continue reading

General Motors Pursues An Elusive Goal: Profitable Small Cars

According to Alison Fitzgerald and Jeff Green / Bloomberg News, Bob Lutz, General Motors Corp.'s vice chairman for product development, says that a small car can make money and points to one he helped create at an earlier job: DaimlerChrysler AG's PT Cruiser. "The PT Cruiser proves that if you do a small car right you ... Continue reading

Doron Levin: German Carmakers Taking On All Competitors in U.S.

According to Bloomberg News, German automakers are trolling for U.S. buyers where they've never ventured before, are posing a tough new threat for rivals. The free-for-all is just starting. Bayerische Motoren Werke AG and DaimlerChrysler AG's Mercedes division, after selling mostly luxury sedans, are about to introduce ... Continue reading

Toyota Seeks to Draw Young Buyers With Its New Scion Line of Vehicles

The WSJ reported Toyota Motor Corp. has what is known in the auto industry as a "Buick problem." The Japanese automaker became one of the most powerful car brands in the U.S. by winning over millions of baby boomers. But now its most loyal consumers are entering their golden years, and senior Toyota executives worry yo ... Continue reading

DaimlerChrysler Named Top Domestic Auto Stock Performer In 2001 by Morgan Stanley

NEW YORK, March 26 -- DaimlerChrysler was recognized by Morgan Stanley last evening as the leading domestic automotive manufacturer stock performer in 2001. The award was presented as part of Morgan Stanley's 17th Annual Global Automotive Week, in conjunction with the New York International Automobile Show. Dieter Zets ... Continue reading

New 2003 Discovery From Land Rover Unveiled in New York

NEW YORK, March 26 /CNW/ -- The New York International Auto Show will see the debut of Land Rover's new 2003 Discovery. The latest Land Rover Discovery features a new look, with lineage to new the Range Rover, a revised interior with two all-new interior trims, a number of significant technical enhancements and a more ... Continue reading

Mitsubishi Motors President Plans To Propose Management Changes

Wall Street Journal is reporting that Mitsubishi Motors Corp. President Takashi Sonobe said Tuesday he will propose top management changes at a company board meeting to speed up a turnaround at the ailing automaker. Tokyo-based Mitsubishi, which is 37.3 percent-owned by DaimlerChrysler AG of Germany, has been trying to ... Continue reading

eAutoWorld Announces Heavy Hitting Lineup

DETROIT, March 26 -- A stellar group of automotive e-Business executives is ready to kick off the eAutoWorld conference and exhibition, April 17-18 at the Dearborn Ritz-Carlton. The program includes e-Business executives from General Motors, Ford, DaimlerChrysler, Johnson Controls, Cooper Tire, Covisint, MSX Internatio ... Continue reading

2003 Land Rover Discovery Brief Specifications

NEW YORK, March 26 -- 2003 Land Rover Discovery Brief Specifications: Construction * Separate steel body mounted to ladder frame at 14 rubber-insulated points. * Aluminum-alloy hood, quarter panels and rear door. * Zinc-coated (galvanized) steel roof and doors. * Nearly 700 vehicle modifications versus 2002 Discovery S ... Continue reading

Dura Automotive Raises First-Quarter and Full-Year Earnings Guidance

ROCHESTER HILLS, Mich.--March 26, 2002--DURA Automotive Systems, Inc. , announced today that it expects first-quarter and full-year 2002 results to exceed the current First Call consensus estimates due to an increase in North American automotive production volumes and the benefits of recent cost reduction initiatives. ... Continue reading

Advertising Veteran to Lead New Automotive Group

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., March 26 /PRNewswire-- In an effort to strengthen its automotive advertising practice, Alternate Marketing Network has established a Detroit-area office and hired a veteran newspaper advertising executive to lead its automotive sales group. The Grand Rapids, Mich.-based national marketing services ... Continue reading

Miller-Williams : Auto Companies Leave $2,000 or More Per Vehicle at the Sales Table

SAN DIEGO--March 26, 2002-- In the latest Miller-Williams Value Scoreboard research report on Auto Buyers' Expectations 2002, all five types of Auto Buyers are willing to spend almost $2K or more on purchases if Auto Manufacturers and Dealers would meet their expectations. The report provides an in-depth analysis of ho ... Continue reading

Fuddruckers 'Hot Rods and Harleys' Car Shows to Benefit Houston's Last Alarm Club

HOUSTON, March 26 -- It all started a few years ago at the suggestion of a guest, who was a retired firefighter. Mike Barginear, Director of Operations for the Fuddruckers restaurants in Houston was so impressed by what he heard about The Last Alarm Club that he became a full- time cheerleader and organizer for his hom ... Continue reading

Mitsubishi Motors to recall 344,806 trucks, buses

TOKYO, March 26 Reuters reported that Mitsubishi Motors Corp said on Tuesday it would recall 344,806 trucks and buses in Japan due to a faulty starter switch, further damaging its reputation after a devastating quality-control scandal in 2000. Japan's fourth-largest carmaker, 37 percent owned by DaimlerChrysler AG , sa ... Continue reading

Pricing Announced for 2003 Range Rover Includes Free Maintenance

NEW YORK, March 26 /PRNewswire-- Land Rover North America announced today that the all-new 2003 Range Rover will be priced at $69,330 with a destination charge of $665. Range Rover will also have free scheduled maintenance for the duration of the new vehicle limited warranty. The all-new Range Rover will be in retailer ... Continue reading

Cingular Wireless Asks Teen Drivers to 'Be Sensible'

ATLANTA, March 26 -- Cingular Wireless, the second largest wireless carrier in the nation, today announced that it has produced a free, comprehensive resource for health, safety and driving educators nationwide. Cingular created ``Be Sensible: Don't drive yourself to distraction,'' a teen program including a video, det ... Continue reading

Toyota, IBM and Dassault Establish Global Cooperation

PARIS & TOKYO--March 26, 2002-- Using PLM Solutions to Support Toyota Best-in-Class Processes across Design, Development and Production Engineering IBM and Dassault Systemes announced today the signing of a strategic agreement with Toyota Motor Corporation, a leading automobile manufacturer, to build a world-class coll ... Continue reading

Prolong Announces Year-End Financial Results

IRVINE, Calif.--March 26, 2002--Prolong International Corporation (AMEX:PRL), (http://www.prolong.com), a consumer products holding company and parent of Prolong Super Lubricants, Inc., manufacturer and marketer of patented consumer automotive, commercial/industrial and household products, announced today a net loss of ... Continue reading

Ford CFO Says Automaker Will Show Slight Loss in First Quarter

DETROIT AP reported that Ford Motor Co.'s chief financial officer on Monday reaffirmed that the automaker would show a loss in the first quarter, but said Ford was on track to break even for the year. "I'm not going to disagree with the overall analysts' interpretation of where we are in the first quarter," Martin Ingl ... Continue reading

MINI On-Sale Weekend Proves a Smash Hit

WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J., March 25 -- 'MINI Mania' took hold throughout the U.S. this weekend with the launch of the all-new MINI Cooper and MINI Cooper S. MINI dealers across the country held celebratory events for the return of a legendary automotive name to American shores and reported over 50,000 people attending. High ... Continue reading

Crime Up But Mopar EVS IT-s System Provides Ultimate Content Protection

CENTER LINE, Mich., March 25 -- According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), auto theft is again on the rise in the United States after a ten-year decline. Recent statistics released by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Uniform Crime Report show auto theft rates increased 1.2 percent from 1999 to 20 ... Continue reading

Easter Fuel Prices 23 Cents Less Than Last Year

BELLEVUE, Wash., March 25 -- Although the cost of gasoline is rising in anticipation of the upcoming travel season, fuel prices are 23 cents less per gallon than last Easter. Currently, the average price of self-serve regular unleaded gasoline is $1.260 per gallon. Nationally, the average price of self-serve regular un ... Continue reading

New Saab Brand Campaign Captures the Exhilaration of Driving

NORCROSS, Ga., March 25 -- Saab Cars USA has launched a new brand advertising campaign, the latest step in a series of initiatives that are preparing the marketplace for an unprecedented schedule of new Saab vehicle introductions. The new brand campaign's message captures the very core of what has differentiated the Sa ... Continue reading

Volkswagen Offers Customers Choice: Signs Agreement With Both XM and Sirius

NEW YORK and WASHINGTON, March 25 /PRNewswire-- Volkswagen of America, Inc., which also encompasses Audi of America, today announced it has signed distribution agreements with Sirius Satellite Radio and XM Satellite Radio to offer Volkswagen and Audi customers in the United States a choice of satellite radio services i ... Continue reading

Delphi, Ford, CART Racing Toward Improved Safety in 2002

TROY, Mich., March 25 -- The 2002 Championship Auto Racing Team (CART) FedEx Championship Series is underway and so is the beginning of a new safety research program conducted by Delphi, Ford and CART to help bring higher levels of safety to the sport of racing. The core of the safety program is Delphi's Accident Data ... Continue reading

Robert Bosch Corporation Names Rivard Vice President

FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich., March 25 -- Robert Rivard has been named vice president, advanced technology and product marketing for the Robert Bosch Corporation. In this position, Rivard is responsible for developing new technology opportunities with automotive customers, including the development of vehicle level strategi ... Continue reading

Music Industry Applauds Auto Makers' Enthusiasm for DVD-Audio

SECAUCUS, N.J., March 25 /PRNewswire- At the recently concluded SAE-CEA Digital Car Conference in Detroit, representatives of the recording industry joined Panasonic in hailing DVD-Audio as the in-car music delivery system of the future. Panasonic Automotive Electronics Company (PAEC) used the conference and exhibition ... Continue reading

TRW's Board of Directors Recommends Shareholders Vote Against Northrop Grumman Proposals

CLEVELAND, March 25 /PRNewswire-- TRW Inc. today announced that its Board of Directors, after full consideration, has unanimously recommended that TRW shareholders vote against the two shareholder proposals that Northrop Grumman plans to submit for approval at TRW's Annual Meeting of Shareholders on Wednesday, April 24 ... Continue reading

HOOTERS: New Smyrna Preview

For Immediate Release Tim Southers USAR Media Relations (770) 719-0204 usar@bellsouth.net www.usarprocup.com USAR Returns to Familiar Florida Track Fayetteville, GA (March 25, 2002) - The USAR Hooters ProCup Series will return to familiar territory on April 6 when New Smyrna Speedway hosts the Hooters ProCup Series 250 ... Continue reading

Powell Motorsports Returns To Victory Lane At California's Grand-Am Cup 250

Powell Motorsports Returns To Victory Lane At California's Grand-Am Cup 250 FONTANA, Calif. (March 24, 2002) -- Defending series champions Powell Motorsports returned to Victory Lane today after winning the Grand-Am Cup 250 on California Speedway's new road course. The #11 Sunoco/Encompass Corvette battled for the lead ... Continue reading

FW: BMW WilliamsF1 Team - Barcelona Test - 23Mar02

---------- From: BMW Media <HHientzsch@aol.com> To: Judy Stropus <jstropus@earthlink.net> Subject: BMW WilliamsF1 Team - Barcelona Test - 23Mar02 Date: Mon, Mar 25, 2002, 7:24 AM BARCELONA TEST -- 19-23 March 2002 Summary: The BMW WilliamsF1 Team completed a five day test In Barcelona on Saturday morning ahead of the f ... Continue reading

41 Target Bristol Race Report

Contact: Nealie Hamilton, Chip Ganassi Racing, 704/662-9642, nhamilton@ganassi.com FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 24, 2002 SPENCER FINISHES SECOND AT BRISTOL BRISTOL, Tenn. (March 24, 2002) - The Target Dodge Intrepid R/T driven by Jimmy Spencer finished second in the Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway. This is Spenc ... Continue reading

Dodge Motorsports Weekend Results

<<...OLE_Obj...>> Weekend Results Contact: Dave Elshoff, 248-512-2690 Ray Cooper, 803-466-9085 Spencer Survives at Bristol, Dodge Retains Winston Cup Advantage; Mopar's Mark Kinser finishes first in Outlaws Race BRISTOL, Tenn. (March 24, 2002) - Jimmy Spencer made an incredible save while leading late in the race after ... Continue reading

HOOTERS: New Smyrna Speedway Fact Sheet

2002 USAR Hooters ProCup Series race Facts WHAT: Hooters ProCup 250 USAR Hooters ProCup Series Race #3 of 32 (Southern Division Race #3) WHERE: New Smyrna Speedway - New Smyrna Beach, Florida .5 Mile High Banked Oval WHEN: Saturday, April 6, 2002 DISTANCE: 250 Laps/125 Miles POSTED AWARDS: $112,500 STARTING FIELD: 36 c ... Continue reading

Magnequench, Daido Steel Develop World's Highest Energy Product

ANDERSON, Ind.--March 25, 2002--Magnequench Inc. and Daido Steel Co., Ltd. developed new high energy, anisotropic Neodymium-Iron-Boron (Nd-Fe-B) magnets. The bonded magnets have the world's highest energy product with 22 MGOe as well as high heat resistance with the capability of operating at temperatures of more than ... Continue reading

ScanSoft Speech-Enables New Generation of Citroen Cars

ALMERE, Netherlands & PARIS--March 25, 2002-- Clarion and ScanSoft Team on Solution that Allows Voice Activated Command and Control of Navigation, CD, Radio, e-Mail and Telephony Features ScanSoft Inc. , a leading supplier of imaging, speech and language solutions, today announced that its speech and language technolog ... Continue reading

Goodyear Web Site Gets Needed New Look

AKRON, Ohio, March 25 -- A new look for the goodyear.com Web site has been unveiled as the world's largest tiremaker's redesigned homepage made its Internet debut. According to Pamela J. Cole, Goodyear's manager, Web site operations, the homepage was redesigned for several reasons. ``We wanted to create a visually more ... Continue reading

NY Auto Show Preview

DETROIT, March 25 -- There's big news from the Big Apple this week as the city that never sleeps opens the doors for its annual auto show. And TheCarConnection.com will be there all week, starting with a preview of the most interesting and important vehicles taking a bow. Turn to TCC for the first look at the all-new L ... Continue reading

USA TODAY and NADA Name First Dealer Innovation Award Winner

MCLEAN, Va., March 25 -- USA TODAY and the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) will award today the first annual Dealer Innovation Award to Fitzgerald Auto Malls of Gaithersburg, Md. The award recognizes franchised new vehicle dealers who have positively impacted their dealerships through the use of technolo ... Continue reading

Snap-on's Franchise Opportunity Recognized in Recent Rankings

KENOSHA, Wis.--March 25, 2002--Snap-on Incorporated , known for having one of the finest brands in American business, is also being recognized for offering one of the best franchise opportunities. In two separate publications, Snap-on ranks among the leaders in the franchise industry. For the eighth year in a row, Entr ... Continue reading

Ford Motor's Adams Joins NeoCore Board of Directors

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.--March 25, 2002--NeoCore has added Marvin W. Adams, vice president and chief information officer of Ford Motor Company, to its board of directors. Adams became interested in NeoCore via the company's major investor, Baker Capital of New York, based on his interest in the problem of how to effect ... Continue reading