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July 2008

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Thursday, July 24, 2008

Nissan Sets Fastest Lap For Fuel Cell Vehicle On Nurburgring Nordschleife

Nissan Sets Fastest Lap For Fuel Cell Vehicle On Nurburgring Nordschleife

TROISDORF July 23, 2008: Lap runs on the Nürburgring Nordschleife in Germany’s Eifel region are often cancelled due to rain. But the wet weather didn’t stop Nissan from taking its X-Trail fuel cell vehicle for a spin on the course recently, making Nissan the first automaker to record an FCV lap on the famo ... Continue reading

Nissan recalls 2007-2008 Sentras

Nissan recalls 2007-2008 Sentras

Automaker: Brake cylinders in 170,000 sedans in U.S. could leak fluid WASHINGTON July 23, 2008; the AP reported that Nissan Motor Co. is recalling nearly 170,000 Sentra sedans in the United States to address a brake cylinder that could leak fluid. The recall involves 2007-2008 Sentras, the National Highway Traffic Safe ... Continue reading

Ford After $8.67 Billion Loss: Plans To Bring European Small Cars to NA to Help Plug The Loss Dam - Duh!

Ford After $8.67 Billion Loss: Plans To Bring European Small Cars to NA to Help Plug The Loss Dam - Duh!

DEARBORN, Mich. July 24, 2008; The AP reported that Ford Motor Co. posted the worst quarterly performance in its history Thursday, losing $8.67 billion in the second quarter. The company also said it will retool two more North American truck and sport utility vehicle plants to build small, fuel-efficient vehicles, and ... Continue reading

MX-5 Cup Resumes at Portland

MX-5 Cup Resumes at Portland

PORTLAND, Ore. (July 24, 2008) – Finally, after 10 long weeks, the engines are being fired at Portland International Raceway for Round Three of the SCCA Pro Racing Playboy Mazda MX-5 Cup. PIR will be the center of all things Zoom-Zoom this weekend as the Mazda Grand Prix of Portland rolls into town. The 1.967-mile ... Continue reading

OnStar Opens 'Crisis Assist' Emergency Services to Those Affected by Dolly

OnStar Opens 'Crisis Assist' Emergency Services to Those Affected by Dolly

OnStar Provides All Services to All Subscribers Affected, Regardless of Plan DETROIT, July 24 -- OnStar reminds its subscribers in Southeast Texas that a simple push of the OnStar button in GM vehicles will put them in contact with specially-trained Crisis Advisors. OnStar's Crisis Assist capabilities include specially ... Continue reading

Individuals/Teams Honored for Leadership, Pioneering Activities and Giving Opportunities to Women Racers

Individuals/Teams Honored for Leadership, Pioneering Activities and Giving Opportunities to Women Racers

Media Contact: Jan Fambro (310) 308-6770 jfambro@speedworksllc.com Individuals and Teams Honored for Leadership, Spirit, Pioneering Activities and Providing Opportunities to Women Race Car Drivers 6th Annual Women in the Winner's Circle Luncheon celebrated women race car drivers from all Series Indianapolis, IN (July 2 ... Continue reading

Mazda Succeeds by Staying True to its Brand

Mazda Succeeds by Staying True to its Brand

Wahington DC July 24, 2008; The AIADA newsletter reported that Jim O'Sullivan, Mazda's top U.S. executive, recalls a time when auto dealers suggested the company make a pickup. They wanted something like the then-top-selling F-150 – call it the M-150. Good thing he didn't listen. "We couldn't go there with Mazda b ... Continue reading

Dana Holding Corporation Supplying Differentials for 2008 BMW X6

Dana Holding Corporation Supplying Differentials for 2008 BMW X6

TOLEDO, Ohio, July 24 -- Dana Holding Corporation announced today that it has begun supplying Spicer(R) front differential assemblies for the all-new BMW X6 Sports Activity Coupe. (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19990903/DANA ) Dana utilizes a high-speed machining process to cut the precise gear dimensions. ... Continue reading

TOP WORLDWIDE YOUNG RIDERS TO RACE IN RED BULL RIDERS CUP AT IMS

TOP WORLDWIDE YOUNG RIDERS TO RACE IN RED BULL RIDERS CUP AT IMS

Twenty of the world’s best young motorcycle racers will compete in the Red Bull Riders Cup, a special event during the Red Bull Indianapolis GP on Sunday, Sept. 14 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The Riders Cup is a team event that pits North and South America and the Caribbean against the rest of the world. S ... Continue reading

TRD STATEMENT ON NASCAR NATIONWIDE RULES CHANGES - WHAAAA!

TRD STATEMENT ON NASCAR NATIONWIDE RULES CHANGES - WHAAAA!

"We're extremely disappointed in NASCAR's decision. In our opinion, there is no technical justification to penalize the Toyota engine utilized in the Nationwide Series. Toyota always has, and will continue to, abide by all NASCAR-mandated engine specifications and the Nationwide engine was built strictly to NASCAR spec ... Continue reading

Coughlin family readies for busy weekend in Columbus

Coughlin family readies for busy weekend in Columbus

After a brief hiatus, brothers John and Mike Coughlin will return to the track for this weekend’s North Central Division Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at the team’s home track, National Trail Raceway just outside of Columbus, Ohio. As usual, John will be doing double duty, racing in the Top Dragster clas ... Continue reading

Canadian Blues

Canadian Blues

Tony Stewart Racing’s (TSR) Kraig Kinser and the No. 20 Bass Pro Shops team were ready to make their first Canadian invasion of the 2008 racing season Wednesday as they were to kick off this week’s World of Outlaws (WoO) Sprint Series action at Ohsweken (Ontario, Canada) Speedway. Heavy rain Tuesday postponed ... Continue reading

SPEED World Challenge at Mid-Ohio Airs Thursday on SPEED

SPEED World Challenge at Mid-Ohio Airs Thursday on SPEED

TOPEKA, Kan. Round Seven of the SCCA SPEED Touring Car Championship as well as the Mid-Ohio SPEED GT Presented by Remington will air Thursday, July 24, on SPEED. At noon (EDT), Peter Cunningham stages his No. 42 Acura/RealTime/Eibach/Red Line Oil Acura TSX at the head of the grid, but it’s teammate Kuno Wittmer in ... Continue reading

ALLSTATE 400 AT THE BRICKYARD NOTEBOOK

ALLSTATE 400 AT THE BRICKYARD NOTEBOOK

ESPN and the IMS Radio Network once again will provide extensive live television and radio coverage of on-track action at the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Race Day TV coverage on the ESPN networks starts with “NASCAR Now” at 10 a.m. (ET) Sunday, July 27 on ESPN2. Coverage ... Continue reading

Hybrid Models Dominate Searches, Prius up 500%

Hybrid Models Dominate Searches, Prius up 500%

LeaseCompare.com Names Most Requested Vehicles to Lease -- Fuel Efficient and Hybrid Models Dominate, Prius up 500% [ PR Newswire · 2008-07-24 ] CINCINNATI, July 24 -- Automobile Consumer Services, Inc. (ACS), the leader in online direct-to-consumer auto leasing, released a list of the top 10 most requested vehicles f ... Continue reading

Use CARE to Avoid Buying a Flood-Damaged Car, According to NADAguides.com

Use CARE to Avoid Buying a Flood-Damaged Car, According to NADAguides.com

COSTA MESA, Calif., July 24 -- Due to recent flooding in the Midwest and the fact that hurricane season is officially here with Hurricane Dolly making landfall yesterday, there will be many flood-damaged cars sold to unsuspecting buyers. During Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma, for example, NADA estimates that 500,00 ... Continue reading

Cooper-Standard Automotive Announces Date for Teleconference to Discuss 2008 2nd Quarter Results

Cooper-Standard Automotive Announces Date for Teleconference to Discuss 2008 2nd Quarter Results

NOVI, Mich., July 24 -- Cooper-Standard Automotive will hold a conference call with investors on Thursday, August 14, 2008, at 9:00 a.m. EDT to discuss its 2008 second quarter results, provide a general business update and respond to investor questions. A news release detailing the company's results will be posted to t ... Continue reading

Opinion: Gas Conservation Threatens Road Funding

Opinion: Gas Conservation Threatens Road Funding

Washington DC July 24, 2008; The AIADA newsletter reported that the U.S. House passed legislation that would steer $8 billion to highway projects next year, in a prelude to a broader debate over how much to invest in roads, bridges, and other transportation infrastructure. The bill passed Wednesday is essentially a sto ... Continue reading

London Motor Show - Toyota and Nissan Differ on Green Developments

London Motor Show - Toyota and Nissan Differ on Green Developments

Nissan and Toyota are pouring resources into eco-friendly car programmes in a bid to become the 'green' brand of choice for 21st century consumers. And while both manufacturers are working on a variety of battery-electric, hybrid and fuel-cell programmes, the Japanese rivals are taking a subtly different approach. ... Continue reading

Toyota Outsells GM Worldwide in First Half 2008

Toyota Outsells GM Worldwide in First Half 2008

DETROIT July 23, 2008; Dee-Ann Durbin writing for the AP reported that General Motors Corp., pummeled by falling U.S. sales and high gas prices, lost the global sales lead to Toyota Motor Corp. in the first half of this year, but the churning market makes it difficult to predict which automaker will end the year on top ... Continue reading

Girl Scouts Take to the Road for 'Toyota's Amazing Girl Scout Race'

Girl Scouts Take to the Road for 'Toyota's Amazing Girl Scout Race'

What: Toyota's Amazing Girl Scout Race When: July 25 (Friday a.m.) through July 27 (Sunday p.m.) NOON, SUNDAY, LAST STOP - AND FINAL CHALLENGE Followed by Picnic and 2 p.m. CLOSING CEREMONY (Confidential) South Picnic Shelter at Ford Field, 22051 Cherry Hill, Dearborn, 48124 MEDIA WELCOME Where: Sites in Michigan citie ... Continue reading

News Release (HQ): EPA Climate Leaders Now 200 Partners Strong, Eight Companies Establish New Greenhouse Gas Reduction Goals

News Release (HQ): EPA Climate Leaders Now 200 Partners Strong, Eight Companies Establish New Greenhouse Gas Reduction Goals

News for Release: Thursday, July 24, 2008 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) * EPA Climate Leaders Now 200 Partners Strong, Eight Companies Establish New Greenhouse Gas Reduction Goals *Contact: Marilyn Franklin, (202) 564-4355 / franklin.marilyn@epa.gov* *(Washington, D.C. - July 24, 2008)* *EPA welcomes 51 ne ... Continue reading

Volvo Announces Full Technical Specification for the New XC60

Volvo Announces Full Technical Specification for the New XC60

Volvo Car UK can now announce full technical and specification details for the new XC60 crossover which arrives in dealer showrooms this autumn. The XC60 is available to order now with prices starting at £24,750 OTR for the 2.4D S model and offers innovative standard features such as a low speed autobrake City Safety ... Continue reading

Buy a CARQUEST A/C Compressor, Receive a $20 Visa Prepaid Card

Buy a CARQUEST A/C Compressor, Receive a $20 Visa Prepaid Card

Count Up The Cash When You Install CARQUEST Compressors Promotion Dates: July 15, 2008 - August 31, 2008 RALEIGH, NC (July 22, 2008) - CARQUEST Auto Parts understands that professional technicians want to do the repair right the first time. That's why CARQUEST direct sources compressors from the most respected OE manuf ... Continue reading

Automotive Safety and Forensic Science Merge in SAE International Book

Automotive Safety and Forensic Science Merge in SAE International Book

WARRENDALE, Pa., July 24 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A new SAE International book examines how automotive safety professionals can use medical records to avoid and lessen injuries on the road. Authored by Jeffrey A. Pike, "Forensic Biomechanics" looks at the information contained in medical records and the insight such ... Continue reading

Chrysler LLC Honored for Diversity Leadership by Several National Organizations

Chrysler LLC Honored for Diversity Leadership by Several National Organizations

- Chrysler LLC makes Black Enterprise "40 Best Companies for Diversity" list for fourth consecutive year - Company's Supplier Diversity Program is highlighted as an asset by the magazine four years in a row - Company receives top grade in the Automotive sector in the 12th annual NAACP Economic Reciprocity Report AUBURN ... Continue reading

AutoNation Reports 2008 Second Quarter Results of Operations

AutoNation Reports 2008 Second Quarter Results of Operations

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., July 24 -- AutoNation, Inc. , America's largest automotive retailer, today reported 2008 second quarter net income from continuing operations of $53 million or $0.29 per share, compared to year-ago net income from continuing operations of $79 million or $0.38 per share. After adjusting for certai ... Continue reading

Monro Muffler Brake, Inc. Announces Record First Quarter 2009 Financial Results

Monro Muffler Brake, Inc. Announces Record First Quarter 2009 Financial Results

~ Total Sales Increase 11.8% to Record $120.4 Million ~ ~ Comparable Store Sales Increase 5.6% ~ ~ Record First Quarter 2009 EPS of $.39 ~ ~ Second Quarter 2009 Estimated EPS Range of $.36 to $.38 ~ ROCHESTER, N.Y., July 24 -- Monro Muffler Brake, Inc. , a leading provider of automotive undercar repair and tire service ... Continue reading

Ford Reports $8.7 Billion Net Loss For Second Quarter 2008, Including Pre-Tax Special Charges of $8 Billion; Company Also Details Accelerated Transformation Plan+

Ford Reports $8.7 Billion Net Loss For Second Quarter 2008, Including Pre-Tax Special Charges of $8 Billion; Company Also Details Accelerated Transformation Plan+

DEARBORN, Mich., July 24 -- -- Net loss of $8.7 billion, or $3.88 a share, for the second quarter of 2008. -- Pre-tax special charges of $8 billion, including impairments of $5.3 billion for Ford North America long-lived assets and $2.1 billion for Ford Motor Credit Company's operating lease portfolio. -- Pre-tax loss ... Continue reading

Ford Accelerates Transformation Plan With Small Car Offensive, Manufacturing Realignment

Ford Accelerates Transformation Plan With Small Car Offensive, Manufacturing Realignment

-- Ford adding new fuel-efficient small cars and crossovers to North American product lineup -- Six European small vehicles coming to North America from global B-car and C-car platforms -- Three large truck and SUV plants converting to small cars; retooling begins this December -- Ford, Lincoln and Mercury lineup to be ... Continue reading

J.D. Power and Associates Reports: China's New-Vehicle Market Shows Signs of Slowing after Several Years of Rapid Growth

J.D. Power and Associates Reports: China's New-Vehicle Market Shows Signs of Slowing after Several Years of Rapid Growth

J.D. Power Revises 2008 China New-Vehicle Sales Forecast Downward to 5.95 Million Units SHANGHAI, China, July 24 -- J.D. Power and Associates has reduced its forecast for passenger vehicle demand in China. The downward revision to 5.95 million units for 2008 marks a 4 percent decrease from the 6.2 million units forecas ... Continue reading

Ford Motor Credit Reports Second Quarter 2008 Preliminary Results*

Ford Motor Credit Reports Second Quarter 2008 Preliminary Results*

DEARBORN, Mich., July 24 -- Ford Motor Credit Company reported a net loss of $1,427 million in the second quarter of 2008, down $1,489 million from net income of $62 million a year earlier. On a pre-tax basis, Ford Motor Credit reported a loss of $2,380 million, compared with earnings of $112 million in the previous ye ... Continue reading

Daimler Achieves EBIT of euro 2,053 Million in Second Quarter of 2008

Daimler Achieves EBIT of euro 2,053 Million in Second Quarter of 2008

-- Net profit of euro 1,395 million (Q2 2007: euro 1,849 million) -- Earnings per share of euro 1.40 (Q2 2007: euro 1.74) -- Unit sales up by 10% to 566,500 cars and commercial vehicles -- Revenue up by 6% to euro 25.4 billion, adjusted for exchange-rate effects up by 11% -- Full-year EBIT from ongoing operations (excl ... Continue reading

Clarification of Daimler AG's Second Quarter 2008 Earnings Announcement Related to Its 19.9 Percent Interest in Chrysler Holding LLC

Clarification of Daimler AG's Second Quarter 2008 Earnings Announcement Related to Its 19.9 Percent Interest in Chrysler Holding LLC

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., July 24 -- Today, Daimler AG reported on its 19.9 percent share of Chrysler Holding LLC's first quarter 2008 results under IFRS. Daimler AG's results for Chrysler Holding LLC include net losses of euro 65 million on a U.S. GAAP basis, of which a euro 55 million net loss is attributable to the autom ... Continue reading

Fiat 500's Eco-Credentials Get Another Green Light

Fiat 500's Eco-Credentials Get Another Green Light

The award-winning Fiat 500 supermini has received further confirmation of its green credentials after scooping top honours for its 1.2 Pop version in the Green Supermini category of the What Car? Green Awards in London. ... Continue reading

Mercedes-Benz Further Advances Hydrogen-Operated Fuel Cell Technology

Mercedes-Benz Further Advances Hydrogen-Operated Fuel Cell Technology

AG has converted the first vehicles of its existing fuel cell fleet from 350 to 700-bar technology. With this more highly compressed hydrogen, the operating range of these vehicles can now be extended by up to 70 percent. ... Continue reading

Renault Reports Operating Margin of 4,1% In First Half of 2008

Renault Reports Operating Margin of 4,1% In First Half of 2008

With the launch of five new products - Clio Sport Tourer, Grand Modus, New Kangoo and Kangoo Van and Logan Pick-Up - the Renault group sold 1,325,500 vehicles, 4.3% more than in the first half of 2007. ... Continue reading

Michael Schumacher Completes Development Testing On Ferrari California

Michael Schumacher Completes Development Testing On Ferrari California

Michael Schumacher is currently completing the track and road development stages of the Ferrari California, the new 8-cylinder model due to be officially unveiled at the Paris International Motor Show on October 2nd this year. ... Continue reading

Skoda Auto With Record Sales - Profit Affected By The Czech Koruna

Skoda Auto With Record Sales - Profit Affected By The Czech Koruna

The first-half 2008 economic results published today show that, Skoda Auto, the largest company in the Czech Republic, has not been able to compensate for losses caused by the strong Czech Koruna despite a considerable increase in production volume. ... Continue reading

Class-Leading Saab XWD With Signature 2.0-liter Turbo Power

Class-Leading Saab XWD With Signature 2.0-liter Turbo Power

Saab's widely-acclaimed all-wheel-drive system - Saab XWD - is given a broader appeal in the latest 9-3 Sport Sedan and SportCombi range by being teamed with classic Saab four-cylinder turbo power, in addition to the current 2.8V6 turbo application. ... Continue reading

MINIVERSITY Graduate Awarded First-Class Honours at What Car? Green Awards 2008

MINIVERSITY Graduate Awarded First-Class Honours at What Car? Green Awards 2008

The MINI Cooper S has been singled out for praise by What Car? and taken the Green Sports Car award in the What Car? Green Awards ceremony at the 2008 British International Motor Show, where the MINI range is currently showing on a MINIVERSITY-themed stand. ... Continue reading

The BMW Welt Overall Experience

The BMW Welt Overall Experience

A truly multi-functional building, the BMW Welt offers a comprehensive experience and place of encounter for all visitors and attracting more than one million guests in the first six months alone, the BMW Welt is already one of the three most popular sights in the Bavarian State Capital of Munich. ... Continue reading

Memorandum of Understanding Signed for Construction of Mercedes-Benz Plant in Hungary

Memorandum of Understanding Signed for Construction of Mercedes-Benz Plant in Hungary

Representatives of Daimler AG, the Hungarian Government and the city of Kecskemét have signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the construction of a Mercedes-Benz plant in Kecskemét, Hungary. This MoU will lead to a final contract being signed in autumn 2008. ... Continue reading

Daimler achieves EBIT of EUR 2,053 million

Daimler achieves EBIT of EUR 2,053 million

Daimler AG continued its successful development of the prior quarter with a very good second quarter of 2008. "Strong unit sales and further efficiency improvements in all of our divisions led to very good results in a difficult environment" stated Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of the Daimler ... Continue reading

IIHS: New crash tests: 4 out of 5 small pickups earn marginal or poor ratings for side impact protection

IIHS: New crash tests: 4 out of 5 small pickups earn marginal or poor ratings for side impact protection

First time Institute side tests small pickups: Toyota rates good, but results for others are 'dismal' and key safety feature isn't standard on most models ARLINGTON, VA — Small pickups aren't providing as much protection in side crashes as many new cars and SUVs. The Toyota Tacoma was the only one of five small pi ... Continue reading

J.D.Power, Deutsche cut '08 U.S. auto outlook

J.D.Power, Deutsche cut '08 U.S. auto outlook

DETROIT July 24, 2008; Soyoung Kim writinf for Reuters reported that J.D. Power & Associates, the auto industry tracking firm, lowered its forecast for 2008 U.S. auto sales and expects no recovery in 2009 amid a deepening economic downturn and record gas prices. J.D. Power sees U.S. light vehicle sales of 14.2 million ... Continue reading

Dana Holding Corporation Appoints Johnson Controls President & COO Keith Wandell to Board of Directors

Dana Holding Corporation Appoints Johnson Controls President & COO Keith Wandell to Board of Directors

TOLEDO, Ohio, July 23 -- Keith E. Wandell, president and chief operating officer of Johnson Controls, Inc. has been appointed to the Dana Holding Corporation Board of Directors, Executive Chairman John Devine announced today. (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19990903/DANA ) "Over the past two decades, Keith h ... Continue reading

Sterling Heights Dodge Opens Commercial Center and Launches New Fleet Elite Service

Sterling Heights Dodge Opens Commercial Center and Launches New Fleet Elite Service

STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich., July 23 -- It is no secret that truck sales in the United States have not been good. And yet, one Detroit-area businessman is recommitting to the truck and fleet business with the opening of a new Commercial Center and the launch of Fleet Elite(TM), a new service experience to ensure that these ... Continue reading

Asbury Automotive Group Declares Quarterly Dividend

Asbury Automotive Group Declares Quarterly Dividend

NEW YORK, July 23 -- Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. , one of the largest automotive retail and service companies in the U.S., announced today that on July 22, 2008, its board of directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.225 per share of the Company's outstanding common stock. The dividend is payable on August 2 ... Continue reading

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