The Auto Channel
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
Official Website of the New Car Buyer

August 2006

Select Another Month

Wednesday, August 9, 2006

Sixty Percent of New Car Leads from Cars.com Result in a Sale, Study with Experian Automotive Finds

Sixty Percent of New Car Leads from Cars.com Result in a Sale, Study with Experian Automotive Finds

CHICAGO, Aug. 9 -- In a testament to the quality of prospects sent to dealers through its new car lead generation product, NewLeadsPlus, Cars.com announced today that more than 60 percent of its lead senders purchase a vehicle(1). The findings stem from an analysis by Experian Automotive of approximately 300,000 new ca ... Continue reading

Steve Saleen to Become Vice-Chairman of Saleen Inc.

Steve Saleen to Become Vice-Chairman of Saleen Inc.

Brian Walsh Named President and COO IRVINE, Calif., Aug. 9 -- Steve Saleen, founder of Saleen Inc., today announced that he has promoted the company's Chief Operating Officer, Brian Walsh, to the additional post of President. As President, Mr. Walsh will be responsible for the management of all of the company's day-to- ... Continue reading

Alternative Energy Touted on Capitol Hill

Alternative Energy Touted on Capitol Hill

Washington DC August 9, 2006; The AIADA newsletter reported that young people wearing green uniforms with the word "drive" printed across their chests recently mixed with tourists on Capitol Hill as part of the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturer's Discover Alternatives advertising campaign. The campaign, which promote ... Continue reading

J.D. Power and Associates Reports: The Vehicle Dependability Gap Between Luxury and Higher-Volume Brands Narrows Significantly

J.D. Power and Associates Reports: The Vehicle Dependability Gap Between Luxury and Higher-Volume Brands Narrows Significantly

Lexus and Toyota Models Each Rank Highest in Four Segments; Honda Models Rank Highest in Three Segments WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif., Aug. 9 -- The gap in long-term quality between luxury and non-luxury brands has been cut in half during the past four years, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2006 Vehicle Dependabi ... Continue reading

C.A.R.S. Management Briefing Seminar - Day 2 Report

C.A.R.S. Management Briefing Seminar - Day 2 Report

By Steve Purdy Detroit Bureau The Auto Channel Traverse City MI August 9, 2006; We’re still trying to get a sense of what these industry experts think of the general state of the auto business today and how that will impact the cars we love. Like all groups of experts there are probably as many opinions as there a ... Continue reading

Ford Recalls Flex-fuel Cars Made in Brazil

Ford Recalls Flex-fuel Cars Made in Brazil

SAO PAULO, Brazil, Aug 9, 2006; Reuters reported that Ford on Wednesday recalled 102,000 vehicles made in Brazil, saying the auxiliary gas tanks that help their popular flex-fuel cars start in cold weather were prone to cracking and leaking. Ford, which is battling shrinking U.S. market share and rising costs, has poin ... Continue reading

Chrysler Group Powertrain Strategy Powered by World Engine Lessons and Alternative Fuel Options

Chrysler Group Powertrain Strategy Powered by World Engine Lessons and Alternative Fuel Options

* Future family of V-6 engines off single architecture will streamline four engines to one * Chrysler Group powertrain strategy focuses on better fuel economy and alternative fuel options * Chrysler Group joins effort to educate consumers on ethanol-based fuels, announces bright yellow fuel cap on FFV vehicles beginnin ... Continue reading

Carlsson Introduces Tuning Package For The New Mercedes-Benz SL55 AMG

Carlsson Introduces Tuning Package For The New Mercedes-Benz SL55 AMG

Posted by www.eMercedesBenz.com on August 9th, 2006 At 10:00 AM CST For those of you looking to add a touch of flavor to your already- delectable Mercedes SL55 AMG, the tuning wunderkinds over at Carlsson have announced today the newest addition to their aftermarket Mercedes lineup. Titled the CK55 RS, Carlsson enginee ... Continue reading

Goodyear Expands DuraSeal Technology to Severe-Service Tires

Goodyear Expands DuraSeal Technology to Severe-Service Tires

AKRON, Ohio, Aug. 9 -- The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company announced today that it would expand its self-sealing commercial tire technology to include more mixed-service tires for vehicles that require maximum off-road traction. (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050204/GTLOGO ) DuraSeal Technology will be ava ... Continue reading

Go-ahead for the Scientific Award 2007

Go-ahead for the Scientific Award 2007

MUNICH, Germany, August 9 -- - The BMW Group Offers Support Worth EUR 70,000 to Talented Young Researchers From all Disciplines Worldwide The BMW Group is inviting young academics from all over the world to submit their entries for the prize for up-and-coming scientists - the Scientific Award 2007. The motto of the awa ... Continue reading

Zytek win EGS contract for 2007 Acura ALMS

Zytek win EGS contract for 2007 Acura ALMS

Press Release 09 August 2006 Zytek win EGS contract for 2007 Acura ALMS Electrically-operated gearshift system to be supplied to Acura endurance race teams Motorsport engineering specialist Zytek is to supply their electrically-operated gearshift system (EGS) to Acura teams for their assault on the American Le Mans Ser ... Continue reading

Yokohama Rubber Announces Rise in First-Quarter Sales

Yokohama Rubber Announces Rise in First-Quarter Sales

<http://www.japancorp.net/?page_num=1> JapanCorp: Yokohama Rubber Announces Rise in First-Quarter Sales Tokyo, Japan, Aug. 09, 2006 - (JCN Newswire) - The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. , posted an 11.0% increase in net sales, to 106.8 billion yen, in the three months ended June 30 - the first quarter of fiscal 2007, April ... Continue reading

Desk-Side Supercomputing Is Poised to Revolutionize Automotive Design and Engineering

Desk-Side Supercomputing Is Poised to Revolutionize Automotive Design and Engineering

Microsoft Brings High-Performance Computing to the Desktops of the Auto Industry for Entirely New Approaches to Engineering and Design REDMOND, Wash., Aug. 9 -- High-performance computing (HPC) -- once confined to CIA code-breaking and Pentagon war games before making inroads into large mainframe computer rooms at auto ... Continue reading

Rent Exotic Cars Network Announces U.S. Largest Luxury Car Rental Directory Website

Rent Exotic Cars Network Announces U.S. Largest Luxury Car Rental Directory Website

GRAPEVINE, Texas, Aug. 9 -- The Rent Exotic Cars Network (www.rentexoticcars.net) is now the largest and most complete listing of luxury and exotic car rental companies found on the Internet. "This website is all about the customer," says Cheryl Lyman, webmaster and president of CS Publications. "We've made it easy for ... Continue reading

Next Generation of Innovative Cars Relies on Collaborative Product Development

Next Generation of Innovative Cars Relies on Collaborative Product Development

Auto Industry Turns Increasingly to Microsoft Products to Collaborate on Design, Project Management and Data Management REDMOND, Wash., Aug. 9 -- A new study from the Center for Automotive Research (CAR) points out that automakers are developing the next generation of innovative car designs by moving in three primary d ... Continue reading

NHRA Warren Johnson Pre Race: Native Son WJ Looking to Add to his Minnesota Memories

NHRA Warren Johnson Pre Race: Native Son WJ Looking to Add to his Minnesota Memories

Contact: Jon G. Knapp TMG Sports Marketing (704) 662-3121 jgknapp@tmgsports.net Native Son WJ Looking to Add to his Minnesota Memories Having reined in their GTO, GM Performance Parts crew is ready to race in Brainerd Sugar Hill, Ga., August 9, 2006 - Throughout its 148-year history, the state of Minnesota has made its ... Continue reading

New Livery For #26 Claudio Burtin C6 Corvette

New Livery For #26 Claudio Burtin C6 Corvette

For Immediate Release Contact: johnt@c2group.com Claudio Burtin #26 New Livery For the Speed World Challenge Series LG Motorsports Committed To Fight The Good Fight Running on the LG Motorsports team of Lou Gigliotti, Claudio Burtin has added a <p> new sponsor to his car for the last 4 races in the Speed World Challeng ... Continue reading

Teradyne Diagnostic Solutions Gives Preview of Its Automechanika Product Launch

Teradyne Diagnostic Solutions Gives Preview of Its Automechanika Product Launch

FRANKFURT, Germany--Aug. 9, 2006--Teradyne Diagnostic Solutions with the working title T-200. Teradyne is a global market leader in vehicle diagnostic and information systems, testing one vehicle every second all over the world, both on the production line and in dealership service areas. Its stand at Automechanika wil ... Continue reading

Kenneth C. Johnsen Appointed President of Amerityre Corporation

Kenneth C. Johnsen Appointed President of Amerityre Corporation

BOULDER CITY, Nev., Aug. 9 -- Richard Steinke, Chairman of Amerityre Corporation , announced today that Kenneth C. Johnsen has been appointed to serve as the Company's President, effective August 7, 2006. Mr. Steinke, the Company's founder, has been serving as both President and CEO. Mr. Steinke will continue to serve ... Continue reading

Detroit Diesel Corporation Performs First In-Use Compliance Testing

Detroit Diesel Corporation Performs First In-Use Compliance Testing

DETROIT, Aug. 9 -- Detroit Diesel Corporation today announced that it has performed the first in-use emissions test on its Series 60(R) heavy-duty diesel engine. Results from the tests indicate that the engine is in good standing with the EPA standards. "Our testing really demonstrates that Detroit Diesel is ahead of t ... Continue reading

Ford Confirms New Shelby GT and Lincoln MKS Sedan; $1 Billion Potential Investment To Build More Products

Ford Confirms New Shelby GT and Lincoln MKS Sedan; $1 Billion Potential Investment To Build More Products

* New Ford Shelby GT to go on sale in January as the newest member of the Mustang performance car stable. * New Lincoln MKS flagship sedan to go on sale in 2008 - packed with more technology and features than any Lincoln before it, including innovative capless fuel-filler technology. * Nine new Ford and Lincoln Mercury ... Continue reading

Get A Grip on The US Motorcycle Market Includes 2005 Estimates and Five-Year Forecasts

Get A Grip on The US Motorcycle Market Includes 2005 Estimates and Five-Year Forecasts

DUBLIN, Ireland--Aug. 9, 2006--Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c40410) has announced the addition of US Motorcycles 2006 to their offering. The US Motorcycles 2006 report provides 2004 year-end market data, with 2005 estimates and five-year forecasts. The report gives an instant overview ... Continue reading

Delphi's Battery Disconnect Safety Device with New Engine Restart Option Further Enhances Passenger Safety

Delphi's Battery Disconnect Safety Device with New Engine Restart Option Further Enhances Passenger Safety

Technology prevents fires by pyrotechnically disconnecting vehicle batteries from unfused cables in case a short-circuit results from a collision TROY, Mich., Aug. 9 -- Delphi Corporation's Battery Disconnect Safety Device (BDSD) is now available with a safe engine restart option that allows drivers to restart their ve ... Continue reading

Saab Aero X Concept - Geneva's 'Best in Show' - Makes California Debut - VIDEO ENHANCED STORY

Saab Aero X Concept - Geneva's 'Best in Show' - Makes California Debut - VIDEO ENHANCED STORY

DETROIT - August 9, 2006: The striking 2006 Saab Aero X concept, voted ‘Best of Show’ at its world premiere in Geneva earlier this year, is scheduled to make its California debut at the 56 th Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance during the weekend of August 18-20. It will mark the very first time a Saab conc ... Continue reading

Ford Announces Key Management Changes

Ford Announces Key Management Changes

FORD ANNOUNCES KEY EXECUTIVE APPOINTMENTS IN INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS AND FINANCE John Parker, with 40 years of international experience at Ford Motor Company, is elected group vice president, Asia Pacific and Africa. Parker previously held the position of senior executive vice president, Mazda Motor Corporation. Bob G ... Continue reading

Old Dominion Largest Fleet to Install Iteris Lane Departure Warning Technology

Old Dominion Largest Fleet to Install Iteris Lane Departure Warning Technology

ANAHEIM, Calif.--Aug. 9, 2006--Iteris, Inc. (AMEX:ITI), a leader in vision-based technologies and Intelligent Transportation Systems that optimize traffic flow and enhance driver safety, today announced that Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc., a leading less-than-truckload (LTL) super regional carrier, will install Iteris ... Continue reading

Lexus Offers Behind-the-Scenes Look at Valet Parking

Lexus Offers Behind-the-Scenes Look at Valet Parking

Lexus Offers Behind-the-Scenes Look at Valet Parking, Reveals Results of National Survey TORRANCE, Calif., Aug. 9 -- It's no longer just for red carpets and country clubs. As greater convenience becomes a factor in our increasingly active lives, valet parking is now on hand at health clubs, hair salons, sporting events ... Continue reading

Bob Bondurant Featured in 40th Anniversary 'Grand Prix' DVD

Bob Bondurant Featured in 40th Anniversary 'Grand Prix' DVD

CHANDLER, Ariz., Aug. 9 -- To mark the 40th anniversary of the movie "Grand Prix," Warner Home Video has released a special DVD edition of the film, including a "Making of" documentary featuring Bob Bondurant. Bondurant was hired by director John Frankenheimer to personally instruct the star of the film, James Garner, ... Continue reading

Adam Carolla's 'Xtreme' Ride to Help Make 'Wishes Come True' for Deserving Children

Adam Carolla's 'Xtreme' Ride to Help Make 'Wishes Come True' for Deserving Children

One Lucky Bidder Will Receive the Keys to Adam Carolla's 'Xtreme Ride,' With 100% of Proceeds Benefiting Make-A-Wish Foundation(R) Local Chapters VAN NUYS, Calif., Aug 9 -- Al & Ed's Autosound, Southern California's largest mobile electronics specialist, is teaming-up with Santa Monica Subaru and 97.1 FREE-FM's Adam Ca ... Continue reading

Demand From Automotive and Shipbuilding Sectors to Power South Korean Welding Equipment Market

Demand From Automotive and Shipbuilding Sectors to Power South Korean Welding Equipment Market

LONDON, August 9 -- The presence of welding-intensive end-user sectors such as shipbuilding and automotive has fuelled the growth of the South Korean welding equipment market. Requirements for welding equipment will continue to expand as strong global demand drives South Korea's export-focused industrial sectors with t ... Continue reading

Ford Motor Ordered Advanced Design High Voltage Energy Converters (HVECs) by Enova Systems

Ford Motor Ordered Advanced Design High Voltage Energy Converters (HVECs) by Enova Systems

TORRANCE, Calif.--Aug. 9, 2006--Enova Systems (OTCBB:ENOV) (AIM:ENV) (AIM:ENVS), a leading developer and manufacturer of electric, hybrid and fuel cell digital power management systems, announced today that Ford Motor Company has ordered four (4) advanced design High Voltage Energy Converters (HVECs). This is another s ... Continue reading

Alfa Romeo UK Forges Partnership with HR Owen

Alfa Romeo UK Forges Partnership with HR Owen

LONDON - August 9, 2006: Italian sporting car manufacturer, Alfa Romeo, and prestigious retail group, HR Owen, have just announced the opening of a new Alfa Romeo dealership in London. The flagship site is located in Parsons Green. It has already opened its doors to the public, and demonstrates Alfa Romeo’s renewe ... Continue reading

The New BMW X5 - VIDEO ENHANCED STORY

The New BMW X5 - VIDEO ENHANCED STORY

Perfect Blend of Driving Dynamics, Functionality and Exclusivity * Sports Activity Vehicle with further enhanced driving dynamics. * More power and greater efficiency: inline six and V8 power * Only vehicle in its segment with Active Steering, AdaptiveDrive, Head-Up Display and standard runflat tires. * Standard: new s ... Continue reading

TI AUTOMOTIVE WINS THREE MAJOR AWARDS

TI AUTOMOTIVE WINS THREE MAJOR AWARDS

For Immediate Release TI AUTOMOTIVE WINS THREE MAJOR AWARDS FOR QUALITY WARREN, Mich. – TI Automotive’s Fuel Systems Division has earned awards for quality from three major automakers - DaimlerChrysler, Volkswagen Group and Honda. DaimlerChrysler presented TI Automotive and the company’s Ossian, Ill., pl ... Continue reading

MANN+HUMMEL Obtaining acoustic feedback From charged engines What does mobility sound like?

MANN+HUMMEL Obtaining acoustic feedback From charged engines What does mobility sound like?

Obtaining acoustic feedback From charged engines What does mobility sound like? Is it loud, quiet, aggressive, sporty, dynamic? Does it have a sonorous hum, or can’t you hear it at all? And, what does the filtration specialist MANN+HUMMEL have to do with the sound of mobility? The following is an interview with ac ... Continue reading

Press Release Submission

Press Release Submission

Dear Sirs, I thought you might be interested in the latest consumer tips from AWARE (Americans Well-informed on Automobile Retailing Economics) in the news release below. Sincerely, Amy Thompson AWARE Representative (202) 285-2997 ======================================================================= ======== For Imme ... Continue reading

Chinese Auto Manufacturer Exports First Production Electric Vehicle to US

Chinese Auto Manufacturer Exports First Production Electric Vehicle to US

BEIJING--Aug. 8, 2006--Shandong Jindalu Vehicle Co., LTD has become the first Chinese auto manufacturer to export to the USA via distributor ZAP , according to officials. Called XEBRAs, they are the first production electric vehicles designed for US roads. The colorful, pod-shaped vehicles are now rolling off assembly ... Continue reading

Ford Motor Company and Hot Rods & Horsepower Sale of First, Limited Edition, 75th Anniversary Deuce To Benefit JDRF

Ford Motor Company and Hot Rods & Horsepower Sale of First, Limited Edition, 75th Anniversary Deuce To Benefit JDRF

NEW YORK--Aug. 8, 2006--The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), the world's largest charitable funder of type 1 diabetes research, announced an exciting new fundraising initiative with Ford Motor Company and Hot Rods & Horsepower, LLC, manufacturer of the Dearborn Deuce(R). For 2007, Hot Rods & Horsepower is ... Continue reading

Indiana State Fair Goers Get Early Look at 2007 Toyota Tundra

Indiana State Fair Goers Get Early Look at 2007 Toyota Tundra

First Indiana Showing of Prototype Pickup INDIANAPOLIS, Aug. 8 -- Visitors to the Indiana State Fair will get a sneak preview of the 2007 Toyota Tundra pickup truck August 9 to 20, when a prototype Tundra is displayed in Indiana for the first time. The new Tundra is a true American truck that will set a new benchmark i ... Continue reading

Honda Aircraft Company, Established; New Honda Subsidiary Will Market and Produce HondaJet in the U.S

Honda Aircraft Company, Established; New Honda Subsidiary Will Market and Produce HondaJet in the U.S

<http://www.japancorp.net/?page_num=1> JapanCorp: Honda Aircraft Company, Established; New Honda Subsidiary Will Market and Produce HondaJet in the U.S Tokyo, Japan, Aug. 08, 2006 - (JCN Newswire) - Honda Motor Co., Ltd. today announced that is has established a wholly-owned subsidiary, named Honda Aircraft Company, wh ... Continue reading

Magna Announces Second Quarter and Year to Date Results

Magna Announces Second Quarter and Year to Date Results

AURORA, Canada, August 8 -- Magna International Inc. (TSX: MG.A, MG.B; NYSE: MGA) today reported financial results for the second quarter and six months ended June 30, 2006. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- -- THREE MONTHS ENDED SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, JUNE 30, ----------------- ... Continue reading

Grand-Am Series Makes Debut at Infineon Raceway

Grand-Am Series Makes Debut at Infineon Raceway

Contact: John Cardinale (707) 933-3907 Grand American Series to Make Infineon Raceway Debut at Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma SONOMA, Calif. (IMMEDIATE RELEASE) - The powerful machines of the Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series will make their Infineon Raceway debut, Aug. 25-26, combining with the IRL IndyCar(r) Series t ... Continue reading

Drive Smart Poised to Give Auto Care Industry a Much-Needed Tuneup

Drive Smart Poised to Give Auto Care Industry a Much-Needed Tuneup

Real estate development company introduces community-oriented conceptual auto care centers that enable independent operators to own their own facilities HEALDSBURG, Calif., Aug. 8 -- Since 1996, U.S. motor vehicle registrations of light vehicles have increased by about 41 million and the number of licensed drivers has ... Continue reading

Garmin Signs Contract to Purchase New European Headquarters Facility

Garmin Signs Contract to Purchase New European Headquarters Facility

ROMSEY, England, Aug. 8 -- Garmin (Europe), Ltd., a unit of Garmin Ltd. , today announced that it has today signed a contract to purchase a new facility to serve as the company's European headquarters for distribution, marketing, and product support. "The popularity of GPS navigation is growing exponentially, particula ... Continue reading

Toyota Nashville Notes and Quotes

Toyota Nashville Notes and Quotes

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/fi ... Continue reading

KB Racing LLC: The only thing is winning says Anderson

KB Racing LLC: The only thing is winning says Anderson

*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE* *KB RACING LLC* *NHRA POWERADE DRAG RACING SERIES* *SUMMIT RACING EQUIPMENT PONTIAC GTO PRO STOCK* *GREG ANDERSON -- DRIVER * *MEDIA CONTACT: Mickey Schultz* *PHONE: 425-557-8899* *E-MAIL: mschultz@bellsouth.net* *25th annual (Silver Anniversary) NHRA LUCAS OIL NATIONALS* *BRAINERD INTERNATIONAL ... Continue reading

KB Racing LLC: Win at Brainerd would be remembrance for Line

KB Racing LLC: Win at Brainerd would be remembrance for Line

*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE KB RACING LLC NHRA POWERADE DRAG RACING SERIES SUMMIT RACING EQUIPMENT PONTIAC GTO PRO STOCK JASON LINE -- DRIVER MEDIA CONTACT: Mickey Schultz PHONE: 425-557-8899 E-MAIL: mschultz@bellsouth.net 25th annual (Silver Anniversary) NHRA LUCAS OIL NATIONALS BRAINERD INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY -- BRAINERD, ... Continue reading

FEV Engine Technology, Inc. Reports Unprecedented Growth, Prompting Accelerated Expansion Plan

FEV Engine Technology, Inc. Reports Unprecedented Growth, Prompting Accelerated Expansion Plan

* Advanced engineering firm expects expansion to be completed by year end, two years ahead of schedule * Expansion will eventually result in a 30% percent increase in highly skilled engineering and technical positions * Indirect job creation in Michigan resulting from higher outsourcing volumes TRAVERSE CITY, Mich., Au ... Continue reading

View Top Level Research on All 100 Major Players in the Automotive Parts Manufacturing Market

View Top Level Research on All 100 Major Players in the Automotive Parts Manufacturing Market

DUBLIN, Ireland--Aug. 8, 2006--Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c40369) has announced the addition of "The Top 100 Automotive Parts Manufacturing Companies In Europe" to their offering. This report profiles the Top 100 companies in the European Automotive Parts Manufacturing market. The T ... Continue reading

VX5 USA Corp. Assumes Worldwide Marketing for Engine Technology From Korea

VX5 USA Corp. Assumes Worldwide Marketing for Engine Technology From Korea

SAN FRANCISCO--Aug. 8, 2006--VX5 USA Corp. of South SF has acquired worldwide marketing rights to the VX5 Engine Maximizer product developed in Korea. Proven in Korea to improve efficiency, power and mileage in internal combustion engines, the product is new to the U.S. The technology is based on more complete combusti ... Continue reading

Search The Auto Channel

The Auto Channel content library (since 1996) has grown to become the world’s most extensive and complete interactive archive of automotive centric news, articles, reviews and intense event coverage, presented to viewers as Text, Video and Images.

The Auto Channel Content by Topic

Vehicle manufacturers and alt fuels.