Tuesday, October 28, 2003

EXTRA! EXTRA! - LISTEN TO THE COMPLETE GM NASCAR "CHEVY ONLY" PRESS CONFERENCE

GM will eliminate support for Pontiac's participation in NASCAR. See press release below. To listen to the complete press conference < CLICK HERE NAASCAR: The General Black Flags Pontiac DETROIT - Following the end of the 2003 NASCAR season, GM will consolidate its resources in NASCAR to exclusively support the Chevrol ... Continue reading

Superior Industries Begins Shipping Wheels for 2004 Toyota Solara Coupe

VAN NUYS, Calif.--Oct. 28, 2003--Superior Industries International, Inc. announced today that it has begun shipping a new 17-inch cast aluminum wheel to Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky for the 2004 model year Solara coupe. "This new wheel for the 2004 Solara is our first for this strong-selling model, and represent ... Continue reading

State-of-the-Art Auction Facility Opens in Atlanta for Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge Dealers

ATLANTA--Oct. 28, 2003--ADESA Corp., an ALLETE company announces the opening of a new state-of-the-art auction facility in Fairburn, Ga. ADESA Atlanta partnered with the Chrysler Group of DaimlerChrysler Corp. to host a record sale of more than 2,100 vehicles. Slated to be the largest auction for Chrysler Group dealers ... Continue reading

Inaugural Inductees into Petersen Automotive Museum Hot Wheels Hall of Fame

EL SEGUNDO, Calif.--Oct. 28, 2003-- Five Automotive Legends, Rides and Moments to be Honored at Star-Studded November 11 Induction Gala with Master of Ceremonies Jay Leno Celebrating the 35th anniversary of Hot Wheels(R) cars, Mattel, Inc. today announced the five inaugural inductees into the Hot Wheels(R) Hall of Fame ... Continue reading

JEFF GORDON FOUNDATION EVENTS A SUCCESS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Amanda Hollingsworth (704) 455-0626 The Jeff Gordon Foundation Courtney Hurd (704) 455-0343 The Hendrick Marrow Program JEFF GORDON FOUNDATION EVENTS A SUCCESS (October 28, 2003 - Charlotte, N.C.) Jeff Gordon and The Jeff Gordon Foundation hosted "An Evening with Jeff Gordon" and the "3rd ... Continue reading

Aftermarket Business: CCITRIAD Discusses Name Change, Customer-Centric Focus in Exclusive Interview

CLEVELAND--Oct. 28, 2003--CCITRIAD, a leading technology solutions provider for automotive aftermarket businesses, recently changed its name to Activant Solutions. Why rename the company? Hoon Chung, senior vice president and general manager of the Automotive Group at Activant says the change is more symbolic as the co ... Continue reading

NAASCAR: The General Black Flags Pontiac

DETROIT - Following the end of the 2003 NASCAR season, GM will consolidate its resources in NASCAR to exclusively support the Chevrolet Monte Carlo and further advance and solidify the dominant position enjoyed by Chevrolet in this series. "GM Racing will focus its 2004 NASCAR program on the Chevrolet Monte Carlo, and ... Continue reading

ATX Launches Telematics-Based vRM Diagnostics in Europe - "Hey Mister Your Engine Needs Work...We Are Waiting"

New vRM (vehicle relationship management) program delivers benefits to OEM, dealer, driver DUSSELDORF, Germany, Oct. 28 -- ATX, the world's leading provider of telematics business solutions to the automotive industry, today announced the launch of its vRM (vehicle relationship management) diagnostics program. The BMW G ... Continue reading

Edmunds.com Announces Editors' Most Wanted Awards for 2004 Model Year

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Oct. 28 -- Edmunds.com ( http://www.edmunds.com/ ), the Internet's premiere resource for consumer automotive information, today announced the winners of the sixth annual Editors' Most Wanted vehicle awards. (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20031028/LATU017LOGO http://www.newscom.com/cgi- ... Continue reading

Delphi to Supply World's Most Advanced Electronic Unit Injector, E3, Into Japan Market

TROY, Mich., Oct. 28 -- Delphi Corporation has been awarded a contract by Nissan Diesel Motor Co. to supply diesel engine management systems (EMS) for heavy-duty, 2004 model year truck applications. The EMS systems will consist of Delphi's new E3 Electronic Unit Injector (EUI), along with the Electronic Control Unit (E ... Continue reading

Cross Lander USA To Unveil Prototypes of New Off-Road Vehicle Coming To U.S. In Spring 2004

MIAMI--Oct. 28, 2003-- Company Also Set to Announce Direct Contract with One of World's Largest Vehicle Parts Manufacturers WHAT: Miami-based Cross Lander USA will formally celebrate the opening of its new off-road vehicle manufacturing facility in Romania, with the unveiling of two prototypes of the Cross Lander 244X, ... Continue reading

Chrysler Group: Selling Cars in an Era of Trucks

* Suburban Dodge of Berwyn increases sales of Neon by 185 percent over 2002 * Dealership uses innovative strategies to attract customers AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Oct. 28 -- In an age of big SUVs and monster trucks, sometimes cars get overlooked. Not at Suburban Dodge of Berwyn in Berwyn, Ill. By focusing on the basics -- g ... Continue reading

Midas Shops Will Sell Bridgestone, Firestone Brand Tires in New Supply Arrangement

ITASCA, Ill.--Oct. 28, 2003--Midas, Inc. has entered into a strategic alliance with Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire, LLC, (BFNT) that provides for 1,900 Midas automotive service shops in the United States and Canada to become authorized Bridgestone and Firestone brand dealers. "The addition of these lines of ... Continue reading

NAASCAR: Benson #10 Pontiac Reaction To Pontiac's Black Flag

The following is #10 Valvoline Pontiac driver Johnny Benson's reaction to today's announcement that General Motors will consolidate its resources in NASCAR to exclusively support the Chevrolet Monte Carlo in 2004. Benson drove Pontiacs at Bahari' Racing in 1996 and 1997 and has driven Pontiacs since the 2000 season. Be ... Continue reading

GM NAASCAR RACING - Pontiac Black Flagged

Editor's Note: A media conference call is scheduled today from 2-2:30p.m. EST. Media should call (888) 428.4474 and ask for "GM Racing." (A digitized playback will be available from 4 p.m. today until midnight Thursday, Oct. 29, 2003 by calling (800) 475.6701; access code 704476.) GM Strengthens Chevrolet NASCAR Progra ... Continue reading

Toyota, FAW Form Joint Sales Company In China

TOKYO October 28, 2003; Hiroyuki Kachi writing for Dow Jones reported that Toyota Motor Corp. said Tuesday it has formed an automobile sales company in Beijing jointly with China's FAW Group Corp., in a bid to meet diversified consumer demand in the vast Chinese market. The new joint venture, called FAW Toyota Motor Sa ... Continue reading

GMski: Avtovaz To Start Making Chevrolet Astras in 2005

MOSCOW October 28, 2003; Anna Ivanova-Galitsina writing for Dow Jones reported that General Motors' Russian joint venture, GM-Avtovaz, said it will start producing Opel's Astra model in 2005, to be called Chevrolet Astra, Prime-Tass news agency reported Tuesday. GM-Avtovaz, which GM co-owns with Russia's largest carmak ... Continue reading

LKQ Corporation Announces Third Quarter 2003 Results

CHICAGO--Oct. 28, 2003--LKQ Corporation today reported results for its third quarter ended September 30, 2003, with revenue of $83.5 million and net income of $3.5 million, representing growth over the third quarter of 2002 of 16.2% and 49.1%, respectively. "We reported another quarter of year over year double digit re ... Continue reading

La tecnología de pilas de células de combustible de Nuevera, demostrada en los nuevos coches de Fiat

Milan, 28 October -- - La demostración confirma el compromiso del fabricante italiano con el desarrollo de vehículos impulsados por células de combustible Nuvera Fuel Cells ha anunciado hoy que su tecnología de pilas de células de combustible para aplicaciones de automoción ha sido integrada en dos vehículos por ... Continue reading

Vehicle Light Check Recommended with Holiday Travel, Less Daylight

Tips for Safer Night Driving ROANOKE, Va., Oct. 28 -- Shorter days, the end of Daylight Saving Time and holiday travel add up to more time spent driving in the dark, and increase the importance of having properly functioning vehicle lights to prevent accidents. In addition to illuminating a driver's field of vision, ve ... Continue reading

Oshkosh Truck Reports Fourth Quarter EPS up 48.0%

OSHKOSH, Wis.--Oct. 28, 2003--Oshkosh Truck Corporation , a leading manufacturer of specialty trucks and truck bodies, today reported that net income increased 26.9 percent to $75.6 million, or $2.16 per share, for its fiscal year ended September 30, 2003, on sales of $1.93 billion. This compares with net income of $59 ... Continue reading

Honda Motor Co., Ltd. Reports Consolidated Financial Results for the Fiscal Second Quarter and the First Half Ended September 30, 2003

TOKYO, Oct. 28 -- Honda Motor Co., Ltd. today announced its consolidated financial results for the fiscal second quarter and the first half ended September 30, 2003. Second Quarter Results Honda's consolidated net income for the fiscal second quarter ended September 30, 2003 totaled JPY137.3 billion (USD 1,235 million) ... Continue reading

Volkswagen Phaeton to be Unveiled at California International Auto Show in Anaheim

-- WHAT: (October 29, 2003) Opening day at the 2004-Model California International Auto Show offers the media a sneak-peek at several exciting new vehicles. Prior to the opening of the show, Volkswagen will host the North American debut of the Phaeton, VW's much talked about entry into the luxury sedan market. Also, Mo ... Continue reading

Factory-Fill Motor Oil for Cadillac's New CTS Sedans and SRX SUVs Named

FAIRFAX, Va.--Oct. 27, 2003--ExxonMobil today announced that Mobil 1(R) with SuperSyn(TM) with anti-wear technology, the world's leading synthetic motor oil, has been selected as original equipment (factory fill) in Cadillac's newest luxury sedan and utility vehicle. The new 2004 Cadillac CTS luxury performance sedans ... Continue reading

Continental Tire Supplying Tires to Ford Motor Company For Its 2004 F-150 Pick-Up Truck

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Oct. 27 -- Continental Tire North America, Inc. (CTNA), has announced that it is supplying original equipment tires to the Ford Motor Co. for the company's all-new 2004 F-150 pick-up truck. Continental is supplying Ford with Continental ContiTrac(TM) P255/65R17 tires, General AmeriTrac TR(TM) P255/ ... Continue reading

Visteon Delivers Full Cockpit for Nissan Titan, Quest and Pathfinder Armada

DEARBORN, Mich., Oct. 27 -- Visteon Corporation is applying its vehicle, systems and integration expertise in delivering the full cockpit system for the Nissan Titan, Pathfinder Armada and Quest. In addition, Visteon is the climate control systems integrator. (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20001201/DEF008LO ... Continue reading

'The Jerry Springer Show' Continues to Make Tracks With NASCAR

Jerry Springer Official Starter Saturday for Winston West Series Season Finale at Fontana's California Speedway CHICAGO, Oct. 27 -- "The Jerry Springer Show" continues to be the most popular sponsor of NASCAR's Winston West Series. Jerry Springer will be on hand this Saturday, Nov. 1, at Fontana's California Speedway f ... Continue reading

AIADA: 'We Must Send A Message To Autoterrorists'

American International Auto Dealers Commend Congressman Chris Chocola For Legislation Making Automobile Sabotage a Federal Crime ALEXANDRIA, Oct. 27 -- American International Automobile Dealers Association (AIADA) Chairman Tim Smith today positioned his 10,000- member association squarely behind Rep. Chris Chocola (IN- ... Continue reading

Coachmen Industries, Inc. Reports Strong Third Quarter Results

- Earnings of $5.4 million or $0.35 per share is the highest level of quarterly earnings in the last 16 quarters. - Sales of $200.8 million substantially increased over second quarter sales $173.9 million and sales of $177.5 million in 2002. - Company confirms 2003 operating income estimate ELKHART, Ind., Oct. 27 -- Co ... Continue reading

State Auto Financial Announces Record Third Quarter Profit

COLUMBUS, Ohio--Oct. 27, 2003--State Auto Financial Corporation -- Combined ratio of 97.6 -- Net income up 165% -- Revenue increase of 7.3% State Auto Financial Corporation today reported third quarter net income increased to $15,580,000, or $0.38 per diluted share, versus $5,885,000 or $0.15 per diluted share for the ... Continue reading

NASCAR NOTES & QUOTES--ATLANTA POST-RACE

Contact: Ron Lemasters Jr. or Nancy Wager GM Racing Communications r.lemasters@att.net (704) 792-1801 phone (704) 236-9831 cell nmwager@aol.com (727) 784-8465 (office) (727) 415-3109 (cell) For more information: http://media.gm.com/gmracing GM RACING WINSTON CUP NOTES & QUOTES; BASS PRO SHOPS/MBNA 500; ATLANTA MOTOR SP ... Continue reading

Nuvera Fuel Cell Stack Technology Demonstrated on FIAT New Generation Hydrogen Cars

Demonstration confirms OEM's commitment to pursue hydrogen-powered fuel cell fleet for on-road applications MILAN and CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Oct. 28 -- Nuvera Fuel Cells today announced its automotive fuel cell stack technology was integrated into 2 vehicles by Centro Ricerche Fiat (CRF) and demonstrated by FIAT Auto during ... Continue reading

BMW WilliamsF1 Team-test for Chinese driver Ho-Pin Tung

Formula One test for Chinese driver Ho-Pin Tung. Winner of Formula BMW Asia is offered test-drive with the BMW WilliamsF1 Team. Munich, October 27, 2003. For the Chinese racing driver Ho-Pin Tung a dream will become a reality. The 20-year-old dominated the inaugural Formula BMW Asia Championship in 2003 and in recognit ... Continue reading