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

January 2007

Select Another Month

Friday, January 5, 2007

2007 Hyundai Accent Review: Dollar Store Queen or Something Better?

2007 Hyundai Accent Review: Dollar Store Queen or Something Better?

By: Rex Roy Photo: The Author Chevette. Omni. Metro. Le Car. Colt. ... Continue reading

2007 Detroit Auto Show: Sir Jackie Stewart Makes a Pit Stop at Charity Preview

2007 Detroit Auto Show: Sir Jackie Stewart Makes a Pit Stop at Charity Preview

Guests to compete for charities in interactive F1 simulator DETROIT, Jan. 5 -- Charter One Bank will help celebrate the opening of the 100th North American International Auto Show by showcasing The Royal Bank of Scotland Group's ("RBS") F1 simulator during press week from January 7 to 12, 2007 at Cobo Center. The RBS F ... Continue reading

2007 North American International Auto Show Luncheon at the Detroit Economic Club

2007 North American International Auto Show Luncheon at the Detroit Economic Club

DETROIT, Jan. 5 -- On Friday, January 12, 2007, the Detroit Economic Club (DEC) is pleased to continue their tradition of celebrating the opening of the 2007 North American International Auto Show, with featured speaker, the Honorable Kwame Kilpatrick, mayor, city of Detroit. The meeting will be held from noon to 11:30 ... Continue reading

Fighting a Suburban Speeding Ticket

Fighting a Suburban Speeding Ticket

THERE IS SOME JUSTICE IN THE WORLD By Steve Purdy TheAutoChannel.com Detroit Bureau The first blast of cold winter air hit me squarely in the face as I left the District Court building in Rochester, Michigan, but it couldn’t spoil my mood. The judge had just dismissed a 5-over ticket I’ve been stewing about s ... Continue reading

Production of the new smart fortwo gets off to a successful start

Production of the new smart fortwo gets off to a successful start

Ordering starts mid January: Stuttgart, Jan 05, 2007 At "smartville", the production plant for the smart fortwo in Hambach, France, production of the new smart fortwo has got off to a successful start. The first vehicle produced in the pure equipment line has white bodypanels and a black tridion safety cell. Since the ... Continue reading

2007 Volkswagen GTI Mk5 Review

2007 Volkswagen GTI Mk5 Review

2007 VOLKSWAGEN GTI Mk5 Honoring the Original Pocket Rocket By Steve Purdy TheAutoChannel.com Detroit Bureau I’m old enough to remember fondly the original Rabbit GTI of the early 80s, the hot-shot that first defined the genre we like to call “pocket rocket,” or later known as “hot hatch.” That ... Continue reading

2007 Dodge Charger R/T AWD Review

2007 Dodge Charger R/T AWD Review

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WITH CAREY RUSS 2007 Dodge Charger R/T AWD Despite its nostalgic name, "Hemi" power, and fastback roofline, the current Dodge Charger is anything but a retro car. Introduced forty years after the nameplate's first use in 1966, today's Charger is the first four-door to bear the name. "Bummer," thos ... Continue reading

2007 Detroit Auto Show; Scion tC Release Series 3.0 on Display

2007 Detroit Auto Show; Scion tC Release Series 3.0 on Display

TORRANCE, Calif., Jan. 5 -- Scion, of Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc., announced today that the tC Release Series 3.0 (tC R.S. 3.0) will be on display at the 2007 North American International Auto Show and hit dealer showrooms beginning in mid-February. The 2007 tC Release Series 3.0 will come in a frosty Blizzard Pea ... Continue reading

Freedom From Oil Campaign

Freedom From Oil Campaign

FREEDOM FROM OIL CAMPAIGN: THE ROAD TO RECOVERY BEGINS IN DETROIT Former Jumpstart Ford Campaign Now Challenging Entire Auto Industry to Create Jobs by Meeting 21st Century Demands for Fuel Efficient Cars DETROIT – With the North American International Auto Show about to kick into high gear, concerned consumers ar ... Continue reading

GM Style Red Carpet Event Delivered Live via the Internet

GM Style Red Carpet Event Delivered Live via the Internet

Detroit January 5, 2007; The whole online world can watch Saturday, January 6, as Jimmy Kimmel, host of ABC-TV’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” emcees the GM Style red carpet event via streaming video through GM's web site, http://www.gm.com. The event begins at 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Those who miss the live pres ... Continue reading

Cobra Renews Partnership with Tele Atlas to Deliver Superior Navigation for GPS Devices

Cobra Renews Partnership with Tele Atlas to Deliver Superior Navigation for GPS Devices

Rich and Accurate Map Content Enhances User-Friendly Mobile Navigation Experience LAS VEGAS, Jan. 5 -- Tele Atlas (FSE: TA6, EUNV: TA), a leading global provider of digital maps and dynamic content for navigation and location based solutions, and Cobra Electronics today announced the continuation of their partnership t ... Continue reading

ZAP (OTC BB: ZAAP) to Address Naked Short Position in Its Stock

ZAP (OTC BB: ZAAP) to Address Naked Short Position in Its Stock

SANTA ROSA, Calif., Jan. 5 -- Alternative transportation and energy pioneer ZAP (BULLETIN BOARD: ZAAP) , during periodic reviews, has identified a discrepancy in the shares being reported. For the record date December 26, 2006, ZAP's transfer agent Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company reported 25,014,345 shares b ... Continue reading

HUGHES Telematics Announces Chrysler Group as First Automotive Manufacturer Partner

HUGHES Telematics Announces Chrysler Group as First Automotive Manufacturer Partner

Chrysler Group Selects HUGHES Telematics as Future Solutions Provider ATLANTA, Jan. 5 -- HUGHES Telematics, Inc., an automotive telematics solutions company headquartered in Atlanta, today announced that the Chrysler Group will be the first automaker to integrate its leading telematics solution as the standard in futur ... Continue reading

Wherify Previews WheriFind™ Portable Locator Product

Wherify Previews WheriFind™ Portable Locator Product

REDWOOD SHORES, Calif.--Wherify Wireless, Inc. (OTCBB:WFYW), a leading developer of wireless location products and services, today announced that it will preview the WheriFind™, the first product in its new Universal Locator™ family of GPS location products, at the International CES 2007 show at the Wherify b ... Continue reading

SANYO and PureDepth™ Sign MOU for the Mobile Phone and Automotive Markets

SANYO and PureDepth™ Sign MOU for the Mobile Phone and Automotive Markets

REDWOOD SHORES, Calif.--PureDepth™, Inc. (OTC: PDEP), a global leader in next-generation display technologies and the pioneer of multi-layer display technology, today announced that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with SANYO Electric System Solutions Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of SANYO Electric Co., ... Continue reading

Delphi's Single Integrated Camera Brings Multiple Safety Features From One Sensor

Delphi's Single Integrated Camera Brings Multiple Safety Features From One Sensor

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 5 -- At the 2007 International Consumer Electronics Show, Delphi Corp. will demonstrate how a single camera can support multiple safety functions. (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020315/DEF002LOGO ) Delphi is exhibiting its technologies in the Las Vegas North Convention Center, Exhibit 5206 ... Continue reading

American Axle & Manufacturing to Webcast and Teleconference Fourth Quarter & Full Year 2006 Financial Results on February 2, 2007

American Axle & Manufacturing to Webcast and Teleconference Fourth Quarter & Full Year 2006 Financial Results on February 2, 2007

DETROIT, Jan. 4 -- American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc. (AAM), which is traded as AXL on the NYSE, will hold a briefing with institutional investors and security analysts, news media representatives and other interested parties at 10:00 a.m. EDT on Friday, February 2, 2007. AAM's Co-Founder, Chairman & CEO Rich ... Continue reading

Automaker Invests Over $700 Million to Save Plant from Closure, an Industrial Info News Alert

Automaker Invests Over $700 Million to Save Plant from Closure, an Industrial Info News Alert

SUGAR LAND, Texas--Researched by Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas). In the initial flood of news of plant closings by General Motors Corporation and the Ford Motor Company, GM announced in late 2005 that it would close its Oshawa #2 assembly plant at the sprawling 700-acre site in 2008, resulting in a direc ... Continue reading

GlobalAutoIndustry.com to Hold ''A Road Map for Sourcing from China'' Seminar on January 18 in Troy, Michigan

GlobalAutoIndustry.com to Hold ''A Road Map for Sourcing from China'' Seminar on January 18 in Troy, Michigan

TROY, Mich.--GlobalAutoIndustry.com, the leading worldwide portal and intelligence source for the automotive industry, announced it will hold its 10th in a series of seminars on doing business in China. The half-day event, “A Road Map for Sourcing from China,” will take place on Jan. 18 at the MSU Management Educat ... Continue reading

KUKA Robotics Selected by Nercon Engineering and Manufacturing, Inc. to Provide Robotics for Mixed Product Palletizing and Order Picking Applications

KUKA Robotics Selected by Nercon Engineering and Manufacturing, Inc. to Provide Robotics for Mixed Product Palletizing and Order Picking Applications

CLINTON TOWNSHIP, Mich.--KUKA Robotics Corporation, a leading global manufacturer of industrial robots, today announced it has been selected by Nercon Engineering and Manufacturing, Inc. as its robotics supplier for its new mixed product palletizing and order picking systems. Nercon, of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, will use the ... Continue reading

MICHauto Founding Sponsors Announce Launch of Michigan's Automotive Accelerator

MICHauto Founding Sponsors Announce Launch of Michigan's Automotive Accelerator

New Organization is the First to Focus on Promoting and Developing Michigan's Global Leadership in the Automotive Industry DETROIT, Jan. 4 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Four founding sponsors have announced the formation of MICHauto, Michigan's Automotive Accelerator, the first nonprofit membership group dedicated to prom ... Continue reading

Navistar Receives $1.3 Billion Loan Commitment

Navistar Receives $1.3 Billion Loan Commitment

WARRENVILLE, Ill.--Navistar International Corporation reported today that it has received a commitment for a five-year senior unsecured term loan facility and synthetic revolving facility in an aggregate amount of $1.3 billion. The facilities will be provided by J.P. Morgan Chase Bank and a group of lenders that includ ... Continue reading

Portage Electric Awarded New ISO Certification

Portage Electric Awarded New ISO Certification

N. CANTON, Ohio, Jan. 4 -- Portage Electric Products, Inc., a manufacturer of miniature thermostats and thermal controls, has been awarded ISO 9001:2000 With Design Certification. This award was made by ISO auditor Smithers Quality Assessments, Inc. The audit certified that Portage Electric's quality program met all th ... Continue reading

Raceway Media Partners with National Tractor Pullers Association

Raceway Media Partners with National Tractor Pullers Association

*Raceway Media Partners with National Tractor Pullers Association * *North Adams, MA* (January 4, 2007) – Raceway Media begins 2007 with a bang, announcing a new partnership with the National Tractor Pullers Association (NTPA), the premier sanctioning body of truck and tractor pulling. Under this agreement, RacingJun ... Continue reading

Reality Racing -- The Rookie Challenge to Launch in May as Part of Spike's Saturday Morning Powerblock

Reality Racing -- The Rookie Challenge to Launch in May as Part of Spike's Saturday Morning Powerblock

BOCA RATON, Fla., Jan. 4 -- Reality Racing, Inc. (OTC Pink Sheets: RRGI) announced today that Reality Racing -- The Rookie Challenge will be a central feature of Spike TV's highly publicized and much anticipated Saturday morning Powerblock, starting in May of 2007. A top 5 network among men 18-49, Spike's high revving, ... Continue reading

ZAP (OTC Bulletin Board: ZAAP) to Unveil Recharge-It-All Battery Line at CES

ZAP (OTC Bulletin Board: ZAAP) to Unveil Recharge-It-All Battery Line at CES

SANTA ROSA, Calif., Jan. 4 -- ZAP (BULLETIN BOARD: ZAAP) announced today that it is shipping the new Recharge-It-All Battery line for mobile electronics and laptop computers to major consumer electronic retailers and specialty dealers nationwide during the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), January 8-11 in Las Vegas. Rec ... Continue reading

Citroën Launches Its New Five-Seater C4 Picasso

Citroën Launches Its New Five-Seater C4 Picasso

PARIS - January 5, 2007: Following the successful launch of the Grand C4 Picasso (7-seater) visiospace, Citroën is broadening its MPV range further in first-quarter 2007 with the release of its second visiospace, the uniquely styled C4 Picasso (5-seater). The Marque's new compact MPV instantly stands out with its dyna ... Continue reading

Motorcycle SUPERSHOW Today

Motorcycle SUPERSHOW Today

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 2007 Motorcycle SUPERSHOW Starts Today! What: North America's largest and most comprehensive motorcycle show Where: International Centre, 6900 Airport Road, Mississauga When: Friday, January 5th - Sunday, January 7th, 2007 Friday & Saturday - 10am - 10pm Sunday - 10am - 6pm Friday, January 5, 2007 ... Continue reading

2007 Detroit Auto Show : DPM Auto Show Hours Reminder!

2007 Detroit Auto Show : DPM Auto Show Hours Reminder!

DETROIT, Jan. 4 -- The Detroit People Mover has announced the following extended hours for the 2007 North American International Auto Show, as follows: Press Days Sunday, Jan. 7 6:30 AM - Midnight Public Days Saturday, Jan. 13 7:00 AM - 2:00 AM Sunday, Jan. 14 7:00 AM - Midnight Saturday, Jan. ... Continue reading

Goodyear Announces Plans to Discontinue Tire Production at Valleyfield, Quebec Facility

Goodyear Announces Plans to Discontinue Tire Production at Valleyfield, Quebec Facility

AKRON, Ohio, Jan. 4 -- The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company today announced its plan to discontinue tire production at its facility in Valleyfield, Quebec. The company expects to be substantially complete with a transition of the Valleyfield facility to a materials mixing center by the end of the second quarter of 2007. ... Continue reading

Oil Prices Change Auto-Sales Landscape Permanently, KPMG Survey Of Automotive Executives Says

Oil Prices Change Auto-Sales Landscape Permanently, KPMG Survey Of Automotive Executives Says

Fuel efficiency and quality seen as consumers' most important car-buying criteria; Cars outpacing minivans and SUVs in market share DETROIT, Jan 4. -- Automotive executives worldwide strongly agree that high oil prices have permanently changed consumers' purchasing habits globally, driving them toward more fuel-efficie ... Continue reading

New Year Ushers in New Era of Clean Diesel Trucks

New Year Ushers in New Era of Clean Diesel Trucks

New 90% Cleaner Trucks Set to Roll Off Assembly Lines WASHINGTON, Jan. 4 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- With new clean diesel heavy- duty engines set to roll off of assembly lines nationwide this year, the diesel industry demonstrated today it has met the technological and regulatory challenges of manufacturing trucks that ... Continue reading

'Can You Hear 'i' Now?' Mopar(R) Expands Availability of Its iPod(R) Integration Kits for Chrysler Group Vehicles

'Can You Hear 'i' Now?' Mopar(R) Expands Availability of Its iPod(R) Integration Kits for Chrysler Group Vehicles

- More Chrysler, Jeep(R) and Dodge owners can enjoy their iPod tunes through their vehicle's audio system - iPod Integration Kit provides optimal digital audio quality - Simple plug-and-play installation means connect-in-a-snap to enjoy and listen CENTER LINE, Mich., Jan. 4 -- Mopar(R), DaimlerChrysler's original equip ... Continue reading

EnTire Solutions, LLC to Discuss Technology at 2007 North American International Auto Show

EnTire Solutions, LLC to Discuss Technology at 2007 North American International Auto Show

WHO: EnTire Solutions, LLC -- a joint venture between Michelin and TRW Automotive -- that develops, markets and sells direct, driver-oriented tire pressure monitoring systems and related tools and services to vehicle manufacturers WHAT: EnTire Solutions, LLC will be represented at the Michigan Economic Development Corp ... Continue reading

GM Awards Lithium Ion Battery Development Contracts

GM Awards Lithium Ion Battery Development Contracts

DETROIT, January 4 -- - 2 Suppliers Chosen to Work on Batteries for Saturn Vue Green Line Plug-in Hybrid SUV General Motors Corp. today announced it has awarded advanced battery development contracts to two suppliers to design and test lithium-ion batteries for use in the Saturn Vue Green Line plug-in hybrid SUV. One c ... Continue reading

2007 Detroit Auto Show: Auto Racing Day Cruises Into NAIAS With Celebrity Drivers and Interactive Exhibits

2007 Detroit Auto Show: Auto Racing Day Cruises Into NAIAS With Celebrity Drivers and Interactive Exhibits

WHO: 2007 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS). This year, the NAIAS again unveils concept and production vehicles to automotive enthusiasts around the globe. The 2007 show, which is in its 19th year as an international event, highlights the vehicles' designs and technology. (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi- ... Continue reading

A123Systems and Cobasys Partnership to Supply General Motors with Lithium Ion Battery for its Plug- in Hybrid Development Program

A123Systems and Cobasys Partnership to Supply General Motors with Lithium Ion Battery for its Plug- in Hybrid Development Program

WATERTOWN, Mass.--A123Systems today announced that it will supply General Motors Corp. advanced Lithium Ion batteries optimized for plug in hybrid vehicles through its Tier 1 partner, Cobasys LLC. A123Systems’ batteries will be evaluated in prototype Saturn Green Line Vue plug-in hybrid SUVs later this year. GM re ... Continue reading

Media Alert: To Keep Vehicles Safe From Theft During The Winter Months, LoJack Offers Timely Theft Prevention Tips

Media Alert: To Keep Vehicles Safe From Theft During The Winter Months, LoJack Offers Timely Theft Prevention Tips

Expert on Vehicle Theft Protection Available for Interviews What: As winter ushers in its cold and snowy weather, it also presents opportunities for car thieves who take advantage of people leaving their cars running to warm them up or defrost the windows. As such, LoJack Corporation is issuing recommendations on how t ... Continue reading

2007 Detroit Auto Show: Sharing the Road: International Collection of Safety Concept Vehicles Featured in Michelin Challenge Design(TM) Exhibit

2007 Detroit Auto Show: Sharing the Road: International Collection of Safety Concept Vehicles Featured in Michelin Challenge Design(TM) Exhibit

The following is the final feature in a four-part transportation design safety series GREENVILLE, S.C., Jan. 4 -- Concept vehicles are designed to inspire. Most are created to whet the appetite of the car-buying public (and the automotive press corps) for what might be coming down the road in a few years, whether it's ... Continue reading

2007 North American International Auto Show Offers Convenient Parking and Transportation

2007 North American International Auto Show Offers Convenient Parking and Transportation

DETROIT, Jan. 4 -- The 2007 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) is providing an easy and efficient parking system through Click and Park and new shuttle services from the Detroit Zoo and Greenfield Village during NAIAS 2007 Public Days. (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060728/NAIASLOGO ) "Our goa ... Continue reading

Child Safety Experts Reassure Parents That Car Seats are Safe and Effective When Correctly Used

Child Safety Experts Reassure Parents That Car Seats are Safe and Effective When Correctly Used

WASHINGTON, Jan. 4 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Safe Kids Worldwide wants to reassure parents and caregivers that car seats are safe and effective when used according to manufacturers' instructions. Every car seat on the market in the United States has passed the same rigorous crash tests required by the U.S. Department ... Continue reading

2007 Detroit Auto Show - World Debut of the 2008 Porsche Cayenne Model Line

2007 Detroit Auto Show - World Debut of the 2008 Porsche Cayenne Model Line

--Porsche Cars North America: What: Press Conference at the North American International Auto Show for the world debut of the 2008 Porsche Cayenne line up, the more powerful second generation of Porsche's sport utility vehicle. When: Monday, January 8, 2006, at 8:30 AM EST. Coffee and pastries to be served prior to the ... Continue reading

2007 Ford Shelby Mustang GT500 and Siblings Review

2007 Ford Shelby Mustang GT500 and Siblings Review

2007 Ford Mustangs Driving Ford's New Alpha Male, the GT500. By Rex Roy Photos: Ford Motor Company and the Author TheAutoChannel.com Clever those Ford marketing types … their new favorite phrase regarding the Mustang is "A steed for every need." So is this true, or just banal hyperbole? After driving a 2007 Mustan ... Continue reading

Child Safety Seats Highly Effective in Real World Crashes Says ACTS: Consumer Reports Conclusions Not Based on Real World Experience

Child Safety Seats Highly Effective in Real World Crashes Says ACTS: Consumer Reports Conclusions Not Based on Real World Experience

WASHINGTON--The Automotive Coalition for Traffic Safety (ACTS) reminds all parents and caregivers to properly secure young children in age and size-appropriate child safety seats whenever they are in a motor vehicle despite media reports that many rear-facing infant seats did not perform well in Consumer Reports tests. ... Continue reading

Consumer Reports Finds Child Car Seats Can't Withstand the Same Front- and Side-Impact Crash Tests as Most Cars

Consumer Reports Finds Child Car Seats Can't Withstand the Same Front- and Side-Impact Crash Tests as Most Cars

CR's Findings Show Need for Improved Crash-Testing Program YONKERS, N.Y., Jan. 4 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Consumer Reports crash- tested rear-facing infant car seats at the speeds most cars are tested at and found that most of the seats failed disastrously. The findings are reported in the February 2007 issue. Cars a ... 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.