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August 2007

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Thursday, August 9, 2007

Chrysler Brings Back Its Pentastar

Chrysler Brings Back Its Pentastar

AUBURN HILLS - August 9, 2007: Under new ownership, led by new Chairman and CEO Robert Nardelli, the New Chrysler is rolling out additional changes – starting with the return of its iconic logo, the Pentastar. After a nine-year hiatus, the now privately- owned automaker unveiled an updated version of the symbol on ... Continue reading

NewGen Launches New Biofuels Subsidiary to Secure and Develop Long-Term Ethanol and Biodiesel Production and Supply

NewGen Launches New Biofuels Subsidiary to Secure and Develop Long-Term Ethanol and Biodiesel Production and Supply

CHARLOTTE, N.C.--NewGen Technologies, Inc. (“NewGen”) (OTCBB: NWGN) today announced the formation of a new wholly-owned subsidiary, NewGen BioFuels Inc., to focus on investment and strategic partnerships in renewable fuel production ventures, providing ReFuel America’s fuel supply & distribution operatio ... Continue reading

Xi'an Cummins Engine Company Starts Production of Cummins ISM 11-Liter Engine

Xi'an Cummins Engine Company Starts Production of Cummins ISM 11-Liter Engine

XI'AN, China--Xi’an Cummins Engine Company Limited (XCEC), a 50/50 joint venture between Cummins Inc. and China's Shaanxi Automobile Group Company Limited (Shaanqi Group) today officially began production of the Cummins ISM 11-liter heavy-duty engine. The ISM is one of the flagship engines of Cummins’ heavy-d ... Continue reading

Ricardo Wins Funding for Two US Department of Energy Fuel Efficiency R&D Projects

Ricardo Wins Funding for Two US Department of Energy Fuel Efficiency R&D Projects

VAN BUREN TWP., Mich., Aug. 9 -- U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Samuel W. Bodman has announced the Department will award a total of up to $21.5 million for eleven cost-shared research and development (R&D) projects that aim to improve the fuel efficiency of light-duty vehicle engines. Ricardo, Inc. will be a ... Continue reading

Chrysler Announces New Appointments and Alignments

Chrysler Announces New Appointments and Alignments

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Aug. 9 -- The New Chrysler announces several organizational changes, reflecting the Company's new, privately held corporate structure and the naming of Robert L. Nardelli as Chairman and CEO. Ronald E. Kolka is appointed Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for The New Chrysler, with e ... Continue reading

C.A.R. Management Briefing Seminars - Wednesday

C.A.R. Management Briefing Seminars - Wednesday

CAR MANAGEMENT BRIEFING SEMINARS 2007 Wednesday’s Insights in Traverse City By Steve Purdy TheAutoChannel.com Detroit Bureau Traverse City, MI – August 9, 2007 – Featured speaker at the Wednesday morning session, Ford’s new big boss Alan Mulally, charmed the audience with an extemporaneous talk abou ... Continue reading

J.D. Power Reports: Market Penetration for Satellite Radio Increases

J.D. Power Reports: Market Penetration for Satellite Radio Increases

Hyundai Autonet, Clarion Corporation of America/SANYO Automotive U.S.A. and Panasonic Lead Multimedia Quality Rankings WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif., Aug. 9 -- Nearly 40 percent of consumers report having satellite radio capability in their new-vehicle's audio system-marking a considerable increase from 26 percent the previ ... Continue reading

Nissan Produces 3 Millionth Altima

Nissan Produces 3 Millionth Altima

Company's U.S. assembly plants have produced 9 million vehicles to date SMYRNA, Tenn., Aug. 9 -- Nissan North America produced its 3 millionth Altima today - 15 years after the first Altima rolled off the line at the Smyrna Plant. "The Altima plays an important role in Nissan's lineup, and we put a lot of discipline an ... Continue reading

ALMS (ELKHART LAKE) - CAPELLO BACK AT FRIENDLY ROAD AMERICA CONFINES

ALMS (ELKHART LAKE) - CAPELLO BACK AT FRIENDLY ROAD AMERICA CONFINES

Dindo Capello and Allan McNish are looking for their first overall win in the American Le Mans Series since St. Petersburg. Audi Sport North America employs only the best drivers and crew. Dindo Capello definitely qualifies. The defending LMP1 co-champion in the American Le Mans Series and winner of the Italian "Golden ... Continue reading

Toyota, Subaru to co-develop sports car

Toyota, Subaru to co-develop sports car

TOKYO, Aug 10, 2007; Chang-Ran Kim writing for Reuters reported that Toyota Motor Corp. and Subaru-maker Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. are finalizing plans to co-develop a sports car under the Toyota brand as part of their recently formed alliance, the Asahi newspaper reported on Friday. The new car, to be priced under 2 ... Continue reading

TEAM REPORTS (THE GLEN) - GANASSI/SABATES PRE-RACE ADVANCE

TEAM REPORTS (THE GLEN) - GANASSI/SABATES PRE-RACE ADVANCE

David Stremme and the No. 40 Coors Light Dodge Team Facts: * Back to The Glen for Cup Debut: Although Stremme has one NASCAR Busch Series start at Watkins Glen under his belt, this weekend's Centurion Boats at The Glen will be his NASCAR Nextel Cup debut at the track. Back in 2005, Stremme took home a 17th-place finish ... Continue reading

2008 Subaru Forester Awarded 5-Star Crash Safety Rating

2008 Subaru Forester Awarded 5-Star Crash Safety Rating

-- Subaru Forester received the highest government crash test ratings in both the frontal and side-impact NCAP crash tests -- CHERRY HILL, N.J., Aug. 9 -- Subaru of America, Inc. today announced that the 2008 Subaru Forester will have the highest rating in the U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffi ... Continue reading

Winnebago Industries Announces the Election of Donald L. Heidemann to the Position of Treasurer

Winnebago Industries Announces the Election of Donald L. Heidemann to the Position of Treasurer

FOREST CITY, Iowa--Winnebago Industries, Inc. , announced that Donald L. Heidemann has been elected to the position of Treasurer to fill the vacancy left by the recent retirement of Joe Soczek. A certified treasury professional, Heidemann, 35, joined Winnebago Industries on August 6, 2007. In his new position, he will ... Continue reading

SPECIAL EVENT (BRISTOL) - NASCAR Foundation and Speedway Children's Charities Announce Fall Track Walk

SPECIAL EVENT (BRISTOL) - NASCAR Foundation and Speedway Children's Charities Announce Fall Track Walk

Racing fans will once again have the chance to don their walking shoes and head to the track for The NASCAR Foundation Track Walks. The Foundation has announced that it will partner with Speedway Children’s Charities on three walks for the fall Track Walk season. Speedway Children’s Charities and The NASCAR F ... Continue reading

INDYCAR (INDIANAPOLIS) - SERIES NOTES

INDYCAR (INDIANAPOLIS) - SERIES NOTES

1. If you missed it – Vitor Meira and Wade Cunningham teleconference<P> 2. Franchitti applauds safety of IndyCar Series chassis<P> 3. Hornish seeks repeat<p> <P> 1. If you missed it – Vitor Meira and Wade Cunningham teleconference: IndyCar Series driver Vitor Meira and Indy Pro Series driver Wade Cunningham w ... Continue reading

Video to the Front Seat Is a Non-Starter, Says ABI Research

Video to the Front Seat Is a Non-Starter, Says ABI Research

NEW YORK--The prevalence of rear-seat video screens in motor vehicles has prompted some auto industry pundits to warn of the dangers of driver distraction, should front-seat video become just as popular. But a new research brief from ABI Research has a different message: don’t worry, that isn’t going to happe ... Continue reading

GM and A123Systems to Co-Develop Lithium-Ion Battery Cell for Chevrolet Volt

GM and A123Systems to Co-Develop Lithium-Ion Battery Cell for Chevrolet Volt

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich.--General Motors Corp. and A123Systems, Inc. will co-develop cells with A123System's nanophosphate battery chemistry for a long-lasting, safe and powerful battery for use in GM’s electric drive E-Flex system. The agreement is expected to expedite the development of the batteries for both electr ... Continue reading

J.D. Powers: Buick and Lexus Brands Tie for Highest Rank in Vehicle Dependability

J.D. Powers: Buick and Lexus Brands Tie for Highest Rank in Vehicle Dependability

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif. August 9, 2007; Buick ties with Lexus to rank highest among nameplates in vehicle dependability—marking the first time in 12 years that another brand ties with Lexus for the highest-rank position, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2007 Vehicle Dependability StudySM (VDS) released ... Continue reading

Statement by Hangzhou Zhongce Rubber Co. Regarding Recall of LTR Tires

Statement by Hangzhou Zhongce Rubber Co. Regarding Recall of LTR Tires

WASHINGTON, Aug. 9 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following is a statement by Hangzhou Zhongce Rubber Co. regarding the recall of LTR tires: Hangzhou Zhongce Rubber Co. (HZR) has a long record of producing high- quality, safe and reliable products. HZR has fully cooperated with the National Highway Transportation Safet ... Continue reading

NASCAR (DAYTONA) - IN THE LOOP

NASCAR (DAYTONA) - IN THE LOOP

'In The Loop' At Watkins Glen International CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THIS PRESS RELEASE IN A MICROSOFT WORD DOCUMENT. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THIS PRESS RELEASE AS A PDF FILE. Jeff Gordon The Top Closer; Stewart An Ace At The Glen DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Aug. 8, 2007) – There’s a reason why NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series ... Continue reading

Beijing Benz Insistent On Plan to Produce Mercedes-Benz C Class In China

Beijing Benz Insistent On Plan to Produce Mercedes-Benz C Class In China

SHANGHAI - August 9, 2007: Beijing Benz will not abandon its plan to produce Benz C class in China, a Beijing Benz press official said today. "We are prepared to produce Benz C class right here in Beijing by end of this year," Ruan Weijian, a public relations official, told Gasgoo.com today. Ruan denied earlier reports ... Continue reading

Expert Advice for Preserving Resale Value of Vehicles; Collision on Wheels Provides "Tips"

Expert Advice for Preserving Resale Value of Vehicles; Collision on Wheels Provides "Tips"

WARREN, Mich., Aug. 9 -- Consumers who've turned in lease vehicles with small dents are well aware of the financial "ding" taken on the resale value of their vehicles. More consumers are taking care of minor collision problems to improve resale pricing before selling or turning in a lease vehicle, says Greg Longe, mana ... Continue reading

OMRON Establishes Automotive Electronics Production & Sales Subsidiary in India

OMRON Establishes Automotive Electronics Production & Sales Subsidiary in India

TOKYO--OMRON Corporation (TOKYO:6645; ADR:OMRNY; ‘Omron’), a global leader in automation, sensing and control technology, today announced that it has established a new automotive electronics sales and production subsidiary, Omron Automotive Components India PVT Ltd. (‘OAI’), in Haryana, India. The G ... Continue reading

Toyota's Yaris and Camry To Share The Same Chinese Assembly Line

Toyota's Yaris and Camry To Share The Same Chinese Assembly Line

SHANGHAI - August 9, 2007: Camry, a new model of Guangzhou Toyota launched at the beginning of this year, has sold 80,000 units in the first half year and the company expects Camry sales to reach 150,000 units by the end of this year. Meanwhile, another hot selling Toyota model Yaris, which has sold 3,000,000 units glo ... Continue reading

Foreign Tire Sales Announces Voluntary Recall of Tires

Foreign Tire Sales Announces Voluntary Recall of Tires

UNION, N.J.--Foreign Tire Sales, Inc. (FTS) of Union, New Jersey today announced a recall of about 255,000 Chinese-made, steel-belted radial tires that it imported into the United States. The tires were defective because they lacked a safety feature called a “gum strip” or contained gum strips that were not l ... Continue reading

Magna announces second quarter and year to date results

Magna announces second quarter and year to date results

AURORA, ON, Aug. 9 -- Magna International Inc. (TSX: MG.A, MG.B; NYSE: MGA) today reported financial results for the second quarter and six months ended June 30, 2007. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- -- THREE MONTHS ENDED SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, JUNE 30, -------------------- -- ... Continue reading

Fiat Eyes Faster Expansion in China by Forming Partnership With Chery

Fiat Eyes Faster Expansion in China by Forming Partnership With Chery

SHANGHAI - August 9, 2007: Italian automaker Fiat, announced its plan to form a joint venture with Chery Automobile after being disappointed by its first Chinese partner Nanjing Automobile Corp. The company hopes to achieve fast business expansions in China by working with another partner. The two sides signed a memora ... Continue reading

Flexcar Brings Car-Sharing to The Ohio State University

Flexcar Brings Car-Sharing to The Ohio State University

COLUMBUS, Ohio--Flexcar (www.flexcar.com) achieves two major milestones as it rolls out a total of 20 total environmentally friendly vehicles on the campus of The Ohio State University this week: the launch of the largest campus car-sharing program at the largest university in the country; and the opening of its 13th U ... Continue reading

Toyota Brings 'Highway to the Future: Mobile Hybrid Experience' to the Missouri State Fair

Toyota Brings 'Highway to the Future: Mobile Hybrid Experience' to the Missouri State Fair

Toyota's Mobile Experience Offers Look Inside Hybrid Synergy Drive SEDALIA, Mo., Aug. 8 -- Toyota is bringing its nationwide tour called "Highway to the Future: Mobile Hybrid Experience," to the Missouri State Fair in Sedalia, Mo. on August 17-19, 2007. The tour is designed to provide consumers with a firsthand opportu ... Continue reading

Edmunds.com Series Examines Senior Driving Safety on the Road

Edmunds.com Series Examines Senior Driving Safety on the Road

SANTA MONICA, Calif.--Edmunds.com, the premier online resource for automotive information, released a six-part series on senior driving titled “What Should We Do About Grandma’s Driving?” Officials estimate that the senior driving population was responsible for approximately 11 percent of fatal crashes i ... Continue reading

Gain an Insight Into the Evolution of the UK Automotive Industry

Gain an Insight Into the Evolution of the UK Automotive Industry

DUBLIN, Ireland--Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c65033) has announced the addition of “UK Automotive Sector: Industry Profile” to their offering. This industry profile helps to gain an insight into the evolution of the industry and competitive dynamics prevalent in the market. ... Continue reading

World Leader in Automotive Headlamps Chooses DuPont Polymer

World Leader in Automotive Headlamps Chooses DuPont Polymer

WILMINGTON, Del., Aug. 8 -- Valeo, the world's leading manufacturer of automotive lighting products, has chosen DuPont(TM) Zytel(R) HTN PPA for use in the company's adaptive front lighting systems that are used on a number of vehicles such as the Volkswagen Passat or the Citroen C4. Such systems provide drivers with en ... Continue reading

'Right to Repair Act' Gains More Congressional Support

'Right to Repair Act' Gains More Congressional Support

24 Co-Sponsors Support H.R. 2694 BETHESDA, Md., Aug. 8 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Congressional support for the Motor Vehicle Owners' Right to Repair Act of 2007 (H.R. 2694) has reached 24 co-sponsors, it was announced today by Kathleen Schmatz, president and CEO of the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA ... Continue reading

Ducati Motor Holding Announces the Results for the First Half of 2007

Ducati Motor Holding Announces the Results for the First Half of 2007

Increase in Turnover to 235,7 Million Euro (+40%) Increase in Net Profit to 38,9 Million Euro (+71%) Increase in EBITDA to 16,3 Million Euro (+623%) BOLOGNA, Italy, August 8 -- - Marked improvement in the Net Financial Position (-4,7 Million Euro Compared to -33,4 Million Euro in the First Half of 2006) The New Strateg ... Continue reading

Auto Affordability Improves Slightly, Comerica Bank Chief Economist Reports

Auto Affordability Improves Slightly, Comerica Bank Chief Economist Reports

DETROIT, Aug. 8 -- The purchase of an average-priced new vehicle took 24.6 weeks of median family income in the second quarter, according to the Auto Affordability Index compiled by Comerica Bank. The latest reading is down 0.1 week from the first quarter, and is also down 1.1 weeks compared to a year ago. Including fi ... Continue reading

Dana Corporation Supplying Propshafts, Thermal Technology for New Nissan Rogue Crossover Vehicle

Dana Corporation Supplying Propshafts, Thermal Technology for New Nissan Rogue Crossover Vehicle

TOLEDO, Ohio, Aug. 8 -- Dana Corporation announced today that it is supplying propshafts and auxiliary transmission oil coolers for the new Nissan Rogue crossover vehicle. (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19990903/DANA ) "Dana is proud of its affiliation with Nissan, which today ranks as one of our largest au ... Continue reading

Smart Energy Solutions' Distributor Agreement to Significantly Increase Penetration of OEM RV Market

Smart Energy Solutions' Distributor Agreement to Significantly Increase Penetration of OEM RV Market

POMPTON PLAINS, N.J., Aug. 8 -- Smart Energy Solutions, Inc. (BULLETIN BOARD: SMGY) , developer and manufacturer of the innovative Battery Brain(TM) product line of vehicle and marine devices, has signed an exclusive Distributor Agreement with MITO Corp., based in Elkhart, Indiana. MITO will be representing SMGY primar ... Continue reading

Advance Auto Parts Reports Second Quarter Results

Advance Auto Parts Reports Second Quarter Results

ROANOKE, Va.--Advance Auto Parts, Inc. , a leading retailer of automotive aftermarket parts, accessories, batteries, and maintenance items, today announced its financial results for the fiscal second quarter ended July 14, 2007. Earnings per diluted share for the second quarter were $0.64, compared to $0.59 last year, ... Continue reading

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