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October 2003

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Friday, October 24, 2003

China Automakers Split on Domestic Versus Global Focus According to CSM Worldwide

China Automakers Split on Domestic Versus Global Focus According to CSM Worldwide

TOKYO, Oct. 24 -- The automotive market in China shows signs of breaking into two main camps, one favoring domestic control and the other focused on global rationalization, according to research presented by CSM Worldwide today in Tokyo, Japan. The divided approach could result in the Chinese auto industry becoming fra ... Continue reading

AAA Texas: Weekend Gas Watch; Gas Prices Remain Stable

AAA Texas: Weekend Gas Watch; Gas Prices Remain Stable

HOUSTON--Oct. 24, 2003--Gasoline prices in Texas remained stable this week, according to the Weekend Gas Watch by AAA Texas. The Texas average for a gallon of regular self-serve gasoline is $1.43 - the same as last week's average and only a penny more than last year's average. Corpus Christi remains the cheapest for th ... Continue reading

ZAP Plugs Into Auto Sales

ZAP Plugs Into Auto Sales

SANTA ROSA, Calif., Oct. 24 -- Officials at ZAP (BULLETIN BOARD: ZAPZ) and Voltage Vehicles say their new electric cars have sparked sales interest as dealers and consumers catch their first glimpse at industry events around the country. ZAP CEO Steve Schneider says that its automotive distribution subsidiary Voltage V ... Continue reading

Indian Motorcycles: One Man's Quest to Keep the Legend Alive

Indian Motorcycles: One Man's Quest to Keep the Legend Alive

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Oct. 24 -- When Indian Motorcycle Corporation unexpectedly closed their factory last month, one man knew he had to act in order to keep the legend alive. If he has his way, Bill Melvin and his partner Jim Grimwade (along with Great American Group) will be the successful bidders to purchase the asse ... Continue reading

Ward's Reports Estimated North American Vehicle Production October 24, 2003

Ward's Reports Estimated North American Vehicle Production October 24, 2003

SOUTHFIELD, Mich., Oct. 24 -- Vehicle production this week in the U.S., Canada and Mexico is expected to hit an estimated 352,141 units, up 7.4 percent from the 327,946 cars and trucks built last week, according to Ward's Automotive Reports. Including this week's estimates, calendar year North American output now total ... Continue reading

Johnson Controls Continues Growth in Asia, Showcases its Products at 2003 Tokyo Auto Show

Johnson Controls Continues Growth in Asia, Showcases its Products at 2003 Tokyo Auto Show

Company Steadily Develops in the Region To Meet Its Customers' Needs Worldwide TOKYO, Oct. 23 -- Reflecting its commitment to meeting the needs of Asian customers, leading automotive interior supplier Johnson Controls will display its latest products at the Tokyo Motor Show. The event runs from Friday, October 24 throu ... Continue reading

Johnson Controls Supplying the HandsFreeLink Telematics System for 2004 Acura TL Models

Johnson Controls Supplying the HandsFreeLink Telematics System for 2004 Acura TL Models

Company Supplying Bluetooth-Enabled, Hands-Free Telematics System TOKYO, Oct. 23 -- Officials from Johnson Controls today announced that the company is supplying the HandsFreeLink(TM) telematics system for the 2004 Acura TL sedan. The system will be standard equipment in the vehicle. (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-b ... Continue reading

DURA Automotive Reports Third Quarter 2003 Results

DURA Automotive Reports Third Quarter 2003 Results

ROCHESTER HILLS, Mich.--Oct. 23, 2003--DURA Automotive Systems, Inc. , today reported revenues of $554.4 million for the third quarter ended September 30, 2003, compared to $561.5 million recorded in the prior-year period. Net income for the quarter was $5.2 million, or $0.28 per diluted share, compared to $4.0 million ... Continue reading

ExxonMobil Develops Low SPAsh Diesel Engine Oil for DaimlerChrysler's New Diesel Particulate Filter

ExxonMobil Develops Low SPAsh Diesel Engine Oil for DaimlerChrysler's New Diesel Particulate Filter

FAIRFAX, Va.--Oct. 23, 2003-- Working Together Oil Filter and Engine Oil Meet EU Emission Standards Ahead of 2005 Deadline ExxonMobil today announced that a cooperative technology project with DaimlerChrysler has resulted in the development of a new low sulphur, phosphorus and ash -- Low SPAsh -- diesel engine oil that ... Continue reading

BMW Team PTG to fight for Speed GT titles in San Juan

BMW Team PTG to fight for Speed GT titles in San Juan

NEWS FROM BMW TEAM PTG For Immediate Release BMW Team PTG To Fight For Speed GT Championships in San Juan WINCHESTER, Va. (Oct. 23, 2003) - When BMW Team PTG entered the 2003 SCCA Pro Racing Speed GT Championship Series, its goals were simple: to win the Speed GT Manufacturer's Championship for BMW and the Driver's Cha ... Continue reading

Scott Riggs Replaces Benson Will Drive No. 10 Pontiac

Scott Riggs Replaces Benson Will Drive No. 10 Pontiac

Scott Riggs to Drive No. 10 Valvoline Pontiac CONCORD, N.C. (Oct. 23, 2003) – MBV Motorsports announced today that Scott Riggs has signed a multi-year agreement to drive the No. 10 Valvoline Pontiac in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, beginning with the 2004 season-opening Daytona 500. The announcement was made by J ... Continue reading

Discover America One Region at a Time

Discover America One Region at a Time

GREENVILLE, S.C., Oct. 23 -- Michelin, most widely known for tires, has just published two new collections of regional atlases geared specifically for today's travel trends. As reported by the Travel Industry Association of America, auto travel accounts for 75% of travel in the U.S. and nearly two-thirds of all domesti ... Continue reading

Revolution Motorsports Puerto Rico Preview

Revolution Motorsports Puerto Rico Preview

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: John Thawley johnthawley@GoRevolution.com 248.227.0110 Bobby Sak Has Last Shot at Rookie Title at the Puerto Rico Grand Prix 27-point margin leaves outside “mathematical” chance San Juan PR – Oct. 22, 2003 – It doesn’t help that the final event of the 2003 Tr ... Continue reading

Autobytel Inc. Reports Record Third Quarter Revenues and Profit

Autobytel Inc. Reports Record Third Quarter Revenues and Profit

IRVINE, Calif.--Oct. 23, 2003--Autobytel Inc. , a leading Internet automotive marketing services company, today announced financial results for the third quarter ended Sept. 30, 2003. Highlights for the quarter: -- Net income of $1.7 million, or $0.04 per share, on a GAAP basis, meeting consensus estimates -- Revenues ... Continue reading

AAA Michigan Says Share the Road Tips Will Help Combat Danger From Truck Splash and Spray

AAA Michigan Says Share the Road Tips Will Help Combat Danger From Truck Splash and Spray

DEARBORN, Mich., Oct. 23 -- In response to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety's new study on the reduced visibility of motorists due to truck splash and spray, AAA Michigan encourages the trucking industry to help address the problem by accelerating the retirement of older, less aerodynamic tractor-trailers. AAA Mic ... Continue reading

Honda Insight is EPA Fuel Economy Champion for Fifth Consecutive Year

Honda Insight is EPA Fuel Economy Champion for Fifth Consecutive Year

Honda Leads U.S. Hybrid Sales for 2003 TORRANCE, Calif., Oct. 23 -- The 2004 Honda Insight gas-electric hybrid vehicle, arriving in dealerships nationwide next week, has earned the highest EPA fuel economy rating for any passenger car for the fifth consecutive year. The EPA rates the Honda Insight city/highway fuel eco ... Continue reading

American Axle & Manufacturing Awarded New Business

American Axle & Manufacturing Awarded New Business

DETROIT, Oct. 23 -- American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc. (AAM), which is traded as AXL on the NYSE, today announced that it has secured a new driveline systems contract, new transmission components business, and its first ever production intent contract for its SmartBar(TM) technology. The launches for these pr ... Continue reading

Kevin Cywinski Wins Second ASA Championship

Kevin Cywinski Wins Second ASA Championship

If the following text-only file is not easily readable, particularly any tables of numbers, try enlarging this window since every line has a forced end and there is no word-wrap. Otherwise, this report will look and print better from the following PDF file: http://www.sportssystems.com/applib/PDFload.cfm?file=/email /f ... Continue reading

Automotive Legend Carroll Shelby Honored With Exhibit At The Petersen Automotive Museum

Automotive Legend Carroll Shelby Honored With Exhibit At The Petersen Automotive Museum

'Carroll Shelby: A Life in the Fast Lane' Exhibit Debuts - October 24, 2003 Through March 28, 2004 at The Petersen Automotive Museum LOS ANGELES, Oct. 23 -- Legendary automotive icon Carroll Shelby will be honored at The Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles with a powerful, performance-packed exhibit showcasing th ... Continue reading

Honda Motor September 2003 Japan Auto Output -14.1% On Year

Honda Motor September 2003 Japan Auto Output -14.1% On Year

TOKYO October 23, 2003; Dow Jones reported that domestic auto production at Honda Motor Corp. fell 14.1% in September from a year earlier, but rose 2.9% on year at Mazda Motor Corp. , the two automakers said Friday. Honda's local auto production totaled 105,561 units in September, while Mazda's was 76,915 units in the ... Continue reading

Economy Getting Boost from Country's Biggest Spenders, Survey Shows

Economy Getting Boost from Country's Biggest Spenders, Survey Shows

PINECREST, Fla.--Oct. 23, 2003--The economic recovery now underway will get a further boost from increased spending by the primary beneficiaries of both the recent tax cuts and the rise in the stock market, according to the latest semi-annual Survey of Affluent Americans(TM) conducted by the American Affluence Research ... Continue reading

Groundbreaking Technology for Automotive Seating at the 2003 Tokyo Motor Show

Groundbreaking Technology for Automotive Seating at the 2003 Tokyo Motor Show

Revolutionary Leap(R) Vehicle Seat System To Provide the Ultimate in Driving Comfort TOKYO, Oct. 23 -- A top, global automotive supplier and a leading office furniture manufacturer have teamed up to bring the very best comfort and support technology for office seating to luxury vehicles. Officials from Johnson Controls ... Continue reading

Magna Increases Presence in Japan With New Customer Support Center

Magna Increases Presence in Japan With New Customer Support Center

Opening of new center coincides with activities across the region. AURORA, Ontario, Oct. 23 -- Magna International Inc. announces the establishment of a new Customer Support Center in Tokyo to provide Japan-based OEMs with regional engineering and program management expertise, as well as easier access to the full resou ... Continue reading

MarketplaceAdvisors Opens Bidding Process for 210-Plus Convenience Stores/Gas Stations

MarketplaceAdvisors Opens Bidding Process for 210-Plus Convenience Stores/Gas Stations

Kiel Bros. (Tobacco Road) stores are located in southern and central Indiana, northern and central Kentucky, and southern Illinois COLUMBUS, Ind., Oct. 23 -- MarketplaceAdvisors, LLC (MPA) today announced commencement of the bidding process for more than 210 convenience stores/gas stations currently owned by Kiel Bros. ... Continue reading

Timken Announces Third Quarter Results

Timken Announces Third Quarter Results

CANTON, Ohio, Oct. 23 -- The Timken Company today announced results for the third quarter, which were in line with earnings guidance. (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19991012/TKRLOGO ) For the quarter ended September 30, sales increased 50 percent to $938.0 million from $628.6 million a year ago, due primari ... Continue reading

Chairman's Speech Orbital Engine Corporation Limited Annual General Meeting Thursday October 23, 2003

Chairman's Speech Orbital Engine Corporation Limited Annual General Meeting Thursday October 23, 2003

PERTH, Australia, Oct. 23 -- The following is the transcript of a speech given by the Chairman of Orbital Engine Corporation Limited at their Annual General Meeting, Thursday, October 23, 2003: Good morning ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the 15th annual general meeting of the Orbital Engine Corporation. My name is Do ... Continue reading

Michelin and TRW Launch EnTire Solutions, LLC as 50/50 Joint Venture

Michelin and TRW Launch EnTire Solutions, LLC as 50/50 Joint Venture

Company to Provide Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems to Original Equipment Market (Passenger Cars and Light Trucks) TOKYO - Tokyo Motor Show, Oct. 23 -- Group Michelin and TRW Automotive today announced a joint venture to bring advanced tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) to market worldwide. The new joint venture, ... Continue reading

See the Next-Generation Mazda Miata, the Future Acura NSX, and the Sporty Sedan That Will Redefine Infiniti. Check Out Jeep's Treo and Go For a Ride in Toyota's Pod-Mobiles. See the Car That Got 141 mpg - Only in TheCarConnection.com's Tokyo Motor Show Coverage.

See the Next-Generation Mazda Miata, the Future Acura NSX, and the Sporty Sedan That Will Redefine Infiniti. Check Out Jeep's Treo and Go For a Ride in Toyota's Pod-Mobiles. See the Car That Got 141 mpg - Only in TheCarConnection.com's Tokyo Motor Show Coverage.

DETROIT, Oct. 23 -- It's the auto show you don't want to miss. But if you haven't got the time to jump over to Japan this week, all you have to do is point your web browser to TheCarConnection.com for complete coverage of this year's Tokyo Motor Show, where scores of new products and concept vehicles are on display. Ch ... Continue reading

Spartan Motors Announces Improved 2003 Third-Quarter Results

Spartan Motors Announces Improved 2003 Third-Quarter Results

CHARLOTTE, Mich., Oct. 23 -- Spartan Motors, Inc. today announced results for the third quarter ended Sept. 30, 2003, highlighted by the completion of key operating initiatives, continued momentum in orders for emergency-rescue vehicles, and an improvement in motorhome chassis sales. The Charlotte, Mich.-based manufact ... Continue reading

Tower Automotive Announces Results for the Third Quarter and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2003

Tower Automotive Announces Results for the Third Quarter and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2003

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.--Oct. 23, 2003--Tower Automotive, Inc. today announced third-quarter revenues of $623 million, compared with $654 million in the third quarter of 2002. The company reported a net loss of $101 million, or $1.78 per diluted share, for the quarter versus net income for the third quarter of 2002 of $10 ... Continue reading

Auto Club Warns Motorists to Use Extra Caution During End to Daylight-Saving Time; Experts Offer Tips to Drivers on Handling Glare from New-Design Headlights

Auto Club Warns Motorists to Use Extra Caution During End to Daylight-Saving Time; Experts Offer Tips to Drivers on Handling Glare from New-Design Headlights

LOS ANGELES--Oct. 23, 2003--Daylight-saving time ends at 2 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 26. The Automobile Club of Southern California reminds motorists that they need to adjust their driving habits as well as their clocks so they can stay safe in darker driving conditions. After setting back their clocks an hour, motorists need ... Continue reading

Grammer Multimedia Headrests On Jaguar XJ

Grammer Multimedia Headrests On Jaguar XJ

TROY, Mich., Oct. 23 -- Jaguar, one brand of Ford's Premium Automotive Group (PAG), has selected Grammer Automotive GmbH to supply headrests with integrated video displays for their flagship Jaguar XJ. All versions of this model may be optionally equipped with a multimedia system for passengers seated in the rear of th ... Continue reading

Fel-Pro(R) PermaTorqueMLS(TM) Gaskets Continue to Seal Wins In NASCAR Winston Cup Action

Fel-Pro(R) PermaTorqueMLS(TM) Gaskets Continue to Seal Wins In NASCAR Winston Cup Action

SOUTHFIELD, Mich., Oct. 23 -- Second-year driver Ryan Newman's victory in the NASCAR Banquet 400 at Kansas Speedway earlier this month put an exclamation mark on an already impressive season for new Fel-Pro PermaTorqueMLS gaskets. (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20010320/DETU019LOGO ) Newman's #12 Dodge Intr ... Continue reading

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