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January 2012

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Wednesday, January 18, 2012

DealerTrack Debuts Dynamic SmartFind Online Inventory Search Solution

DealerTrack Debuts Dynamic SmartFind Online Inventory Search Solution

DealerTrack Holdings, Inc. today introduced SmartFind, a new cutting-edge online inventory search and comparison solution tied to actual dealer inventory for automotive manufacturers, portals, technology providers and dealers. This new web service, which allows dealers to dynamically limit online vehicle selections on ... Continue reading

Ford eNews -- Jan. 18, 2012

Ford eNews -- Jan. 18, 2012

Ford Fusion earns Autoweek's highest honor Just days after its world reveal, the new Ford Fusion was already bringing home awards. As "the car people will remember most five years from now," Autoweek Magazine chose Fusion for its Best in Show award at the North American International Auto Show. ... Continue reading

2012 Subaru Impreza 2.0i Limited Ride and Review By Larry Nutson

2012 Subaru Impreza 2.0i Limited Ride and Review By Larry Nutson

2012 Subaru Impreza 2.0i Limited 4-door Most Fuel Efficient A-W-D Car in the US. By Larry Nutson Senior Editor, Chicago Bureau The Auto Channel (IMG_2895) Subaru has been and continues to be on a roll. In spite of dismal auto industry sales in recent years, Subaru has bucked the trend and seen year-over-year increases. ... Continue reading

BYD SUV S6 Named 'SUV of the Year' --Leads China Sales

BYD SUV S6 Named 'SUV of the Year' --Leads China Sales

BYD Auto's first independently designed SUV, the S6, has been named 'SUV of the Year' according to the Annual Ranking of Chinese Automobiles the highest honor in the China Automotive Industry. It also has become the best selling China domestic SUV in sales volume by reaching 15,000 units in December. ... Continue reading

Ukraine Beats Other European Countries in 2011 Car Sales Upsurge

Ukraine Beats Other European Countries in 2011 Car Sales Upsurge

Ukrainian automobile market grew 30.8 percent in 2011, reported Delo.ua. Such growth offers a lot of potential, especially taking into account the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA) reported that most of the significant European passenger car markets declined in 2011. The demand for new cars in Europ ... Continue reading

Cyclone Power Technologies Selected to Present its Technology at Department of Energy Technology Summit

Cyclone Power Technologies Selected to Present its Technology at Department of Energy Technology Summit

Cyclone Power Technologies Inc. (OTCQB: CYPW), developer of the all-fuel, clean-tech Cyclone Engine, announced today that the Company has been selected to present its technology at the 2012 ARPA-E Energy Innovation Summit and Technology Showcase, to be held February 27-29 outside of Washington D.C. ... Continue reading

Stodgy Minivans are Innovating to Survive

Stodgy Minivans are Innovating to Survive

Washington DC January 18, 2012; The AIADA newsletter reported that at their peak, models like the Chrysler Town & Country, Honda Odyssey, and Ford Windstar accounted for about 8 percent of the U.S. new vehicle market. Without some breakthrough, that could soon slip to as little as 3 percent, according to a forecast by ... Continue reading

Nissan, ABB Link to Evaluate Second-Life Storage Applications for Nissan LEAF Battery Packs

Nissan, ABB Link to Evaluate Second-Life Storage Applications for Nissan LEAF Battery Packs

Nissan North America, Inc. (NNA) and ABB, the world's leading power and technology group, along with 4R Energy and Sumitomo Corporation of America, have formed a partnership to evaluate the reuse of lithium-ion battery packs that power the Nissan LEAF, the world's first and only all-electric car designed for the mass m ... Continue reading

CTS Awarded Accelerator Pedal Module Production Programs For the Chinese Market

CTS Awarded Accelerator Pedal Module Production Programs For the Chinese Market

CTS Corporation today announced that CTS Automotive Products has been awarded two new production programs for its Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) Accelerator Pedal Modules from Japanese and Chinese vehicle manufacturers. Both awards represent new programs for vehicles sold into the growing China market, and will resu ... Continue reading

Chrysler Group Dedicates New Training Facility in Warren, Mich.

Chrysler Group Dedicates New Training Facility in Warren, Mich.

What: Chrysler Group LLC Senior Vice President of Manufacturing Scott Garberding and UAW Chrysler Department Vice President General Holiefield, along with Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel and Warren Mayor Jim Fouts, will officially dedicate the state-of-the-art World Class Manufacturing (WCM) Academy in Warren, Mich ... Continue reading

PPG Completes Acquisition of Colombian Coatings Company Colpisa

PPG Completes Acquisition of Colombian Coatings Company Colpisa

PPG Industries announced today that it and its subsidiary, PPG Industries Colombia, have completed the acquisition of the coatings businesses of Colpisa Colombiana de Pinturas and its affiliates, including Colpisa Ecuador. The parties first announced an acquisition agreement Aug. 4, 2011. Financial terms were not discl ... Continue reading

SAE International and Nissan Partner to Expand Scientific-Literacy Through STEM Learning for Primary School Students

SAE International and Nissan Partner to Expand Scientific-Literacy Through STEM Learning for Primary School Students

Today SAE International and Nissan Americas unveiled the newest component of the SAE International A World In Motion ® program during the North American International Auto Show at Cobo Center in Detroit. SAE International and Nissan introduced the new program during a press conference at the Nissan booth. Students fro ... Continue reading

Celanese Endorses Congressman Pete Olson's Domestic Alternative Fuels Act of 2012

Celanese Endorses Congressman Pete Olson's Domestic Alternative Fuels Act of 2012

Celanese Corporation , a global technology and specialty materials company, applauds Representative Pete Olson (R-Texas) for introducing House Bill 3773 yesterday on the floor of the United States House of Representatives. H.R. 3773 would amend section 211(o) of the Clean Air Act to allow fuel blenders to use Domestic ... Continue reading

Disability Organizations React to Misleading Statements on Vehicle Conversions in National Media

Disability Organizations React to Misleading Statements on Vehicle Conversions in National Media

Recent unfounded statements surrounding the safety of wheelchair accessible vehicle conversions has caused industry organizations to rally in an effort to set the record straight. The National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association (NMEDA) and several of its manufacturing members announced today their position on the r ... Continue reading

DrivingSales Executive Summit and J.D. Power and Associates Automotive Marketing Roundtable Announce Joint October Keynote Presentation

DrivingSales Executive Summit and J.D. Power and Associates Automotive Marketing Roundtable Announce Joint October Keynote Presentation

DrivingSales today announced that the 2012 DrivingSales Executive Summit (DSES) has expanded to include a joint keynote with J.D. Power and Associates Automotive Marketing Roundtable. The company also announced the dates and location for its fourth annual event: the DrivingSales Executive Summit will be held Sunday, Oc ... Continue reading

L.L.Bean Unveils Larger-than-Life Version of Its Most Iconic Product

L.L.Bean Unveils Larger-than-Life Version of Its Most Iconic Product

As the launch of its 100th Anniversary celebration draws near, outdoor retailer L.L.Bean today debuted the “L.L.Bean Bootmobile" a larger-than-life embodiment of its most iconic product. The 13-foot high and 20-foot long vehicle was revealed to employees at the Brunswick, ME manufacturing facility where popular Bean b ... Continue reading

Nine Chrysler Group LLC Models Net 2012 Consumer Guide Automotive Awards

Nine Chrysler Group LLC Models Net 2012 Consumer Guide Automotive Awards

Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram Truck and FIAT brands all have vehicles recognized as Consumer Guide Automotive 'Best Buys' or 'Recommended Picks' for 2012 model year Quality and craftsmanship‚ of 16 all-new and significantly-refreshed models launched in 2010 and 2011 are reflected in new Consumer Guide awards Chrysler Gro ... Continue reading

Ronald McDonald House Charities in Five States Tap into Key Funding Opportunities Through Insurance Auto Auctions Car Donation Program

Ronald McDonald House Charities in Five States Tap into Key Funding Opportunities Through Insurance Auto Auctions Car Donation Program

Insurance Auto Auctions, Inc. (IAA), the leading live and live online salvage auto auction company and wholly owned subsidiary of KAR Auction Services, Inc. , today announced the addition of Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) as the newest benefactor charity to join its national car donation campaign, One Car One D ... Continue reading

Nissan Social Media Growth & Engagement Outpaces Industry Competition

Nissan Social Media Growth & Engagement Outpaces Industry Competition

Celebrating success on the brand's social media channels, Nissan North America recognized how important tools like Twitter, Facebook and YouTube have become to build brand loyalty, engage directly with consumers and generate website click-throughs. Nissan credits the recent achievements for being responsive to the comm ... Continue reading

Simple Steps to Save Gas Without Driving Less

Simple Steps to Save Gas Without Driving Less

Fuel Economy Directly Related to Vehicle Care, Driving Behavior-- Driving less doesn't have to be a consumer's reaction to rising gas prices, according to the Car Care Council. While consumers can't control the price of gas, they can control how much gas they use by following some simple and inexpensive vehicle mainten ... Continue reading

SureSale™ Certified Launches in Phoenix: More Vehicles Eligible for CPO Programs

SureSale™ Certified Launches in Phoenix: More Vehicles Eligible for CPO Programs

Mota Motors, a leading provider of online vehicle certification and selling platforms, today announced that SureSale Certified, a comprehensive certified pre-owned (CPO) marketing program launched today in Phoenix‚ SureSale expands the range of vehicles eligible for certification on dealer lots, online marketplaces, a ... Continue reading

NADAguides.com Brand Share Report for Q4 Shows Interest Gain for Domestics--Especially the Chevy Cruze and Japanese and Europeans Brands

NADAguides.com Brand Share Report for Q4 Shows Interest Gain for Domestics--Especially the Chevy Cruze and Japanese and Europeans Brands

News Highlights NADAguides.com announces its Brand Share Report for the fourth quarter of 2011 revealing that domestic brands, along with Japanese and Europeans saw increases in consumer interest on NADAguides.com during the fourth quarter of 2011; Korean brands saw a slight decrease in share of consumer interest durin ... Continue reading

Cayman Interseries - 2012 Series Schedule Released

Cayman Interseries - 2012 Series Schedule Released

WESTMONT, January 14, 2012: A schedule of race-weekend events that combines legendary U.S. road courses with North America’s top country club circuits will highlight the 2012 Cayman Interseries race schedule, which was announced today by officials from series owners and founders Napleton Porsche of Westmont. Celeb ... Continue reading

SCCA Announces Reorganization to Solo, Rally Departments

SCCA Announces Reorganization to Solo, Rally Departments

For Immediate Release SCCA Announces Reorganization to Solo, Rally Departments TOPEKA, Kan. (January 16, 2012) - With an eye on program development, enhanced customer service, and improved operational effectiveness, the Sports Car Club of America today announced a reorganization of the Rally/Solo department in the nati ... Continue reading

Sanctioning Body News - NASCAR Enters Partnership With EURO-RACECAR

Sanctioning Body News - NASCAR Enters Partnership With EURO-RACECAR

DAYTONA BEACH, Jan. 15, 2012: NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing) and Team FJ has announced a licensing agreement that recognizes EURO-RACECAR as a NASCAR touring series. EURO-RACECAR opened the Autosports International show in Birmingham, England with the announcement. EURO-RACECAR is registered as ... Continue reading

Special Motorsports Event - Hamlin/Grubb Interview

Special Motorsports Event - Hamlin/Grubb Interview

DENNY HAMLIN, No. 11 FedEx Toyota Camry, Joe Gibbs Racing How different has it been for you to work with Darian Grubb? "It's hard to say right now. Really, you just go through checklist stuff when you get to a test like this. Until we get somewhere -- I think we're going to have a tire test at Texas here in a few weeks ... Continue reading

CRA All-Stars - Rookie Of The Year Coughlin Enjoys Awards Ceremony In Indiana

CRA All-Stars - Rookie Of The Year Coughlin Enjoys Awards Ceremony In Indiana

FISHERS, Jan. 16, 2012: JEGS.com Chevrolet driver Cody Coughlin was awarded the Howie Littow Rookie of the Year Award for the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour during the Championship Racing Association awards ceremony at the Fishers Banquet Center. "We had a good time with all the drivers," Coughlin said. "I made a little speec ... Continue reading

UK H2mobility - Vauxhall Drives Hydrogen 4 Generations

UK H2mobility - Vauxhall Drives Hydrogen 4 Generations

At today's UK H2Mobility launch event in London, Vauxhall is presenting its 4th generation hydrogen fuel cell vehicle "HydroGen4". ... Continue reading

Nissan Welcomes Extension Of Plug-In Car Grant

Nissan Welcomes Extension Of Plug-In Car Grant

Nissan welcomes today's announcement by the Government to extend the Plug-in Car Grant to motorists buying a new electric vehicle. The grant now applies to vans, giving buyers 20% - up to £8000 - off the price of an electric van. ... Continue reading

Mercedes-Benz Announces SLK 55 AMG Pricing

Mercedes-Benz Announces SLK 55 AMG Pricing

Mercedes-Benz has announced pricing for the most powerful SLK of all time, the SLK 55 AMG. This exclusive high-performance pinnacle of the SLK range is now available to order for a highly competitive on-the-road price of £54,950. ... Continue reading

Renault To Give One Lucky Student Up To £9,000 Towards University Tuition Fees In New Twizy Design Competition

Renault To Give One Lucky Student Up To £9,000 Towards University Tuition Fees In New Twizy Design Competition

As buzz continues to grow for one of 2012's most eagerly-anticipated cars - the 100% electric, two seater Twizy, Renault has launched a competition with a top prize to delight college and university students alike up and down the country. ... Continue reading

Audi Adds a V8 Spyder to its Performance Car Line-Up

Audi Adds a V8 Spyder to its Performance Car Line-Up

The R8 Spyder's 4.2-litre FSI produces 316 kW and launches the open-top two-seater to 100 km/h in 4.8 seconds on its way to a top speed of 300 km/h. The engine is mated to either a six-speed manual or R tronic sequential manual gearbox and quattro permanent all-wheel drive is standard. ... Continue reading

Mark Pedder Joins Evans Motorsport And Honda In 2012 Bosch ARC

Mark Pedder Joins Evans Motorsport And Honda In 2012 Bosch ARC

Honda Australia has finalised its 2012 driver line-up for the Bosch ARC, signing Mark Pedder and co-driver Claire Ryan to compete alongside Eli Evans and Glen Weston. ... Continue reading

MINI Confirms Pricing for its Wayward Twins - The New MINI Coupe and MINI Roadster

MINI Confirms Pricing for its Wayward Twins - The New MINI Coupe and MINI Roadster

MINI Australia today announced pricing for the MINI Roadster starting from $45,500 for the Cooper S model and $55,100 for the range-topping John Cooper Works variant. Pricing for the drop-tops represents a premium of just $2,510 and $2,500 over their respective Coupé siblings. ... Continue reading

More Equipment, Same Price for MY12 207 CC

More Equipment, Same Price for MY12 207 CC

Peugeot Automobiles Australia has given its baby 207 CC a refresh for 2012 adding more equipment and cosmetic changes to see in the New Year. ... Continue reading

Actyon Sports Hits the Road in 2012

Actyon Sports Hits the Road in 2012

Ssangyong Australia has revealed the first details of the new tougher Actyon Sports that will be launched in Australia in March this year. The details follow the launch of the ute in Korea under the 'Korando' nameplate. ... Continue reading

Honda Hello Woods Leave Blue Skies for Our Children

Honda Hello Woods Leave Blue Skies for Our Children

Honda's Twin Ring Motegi race track facility is surrounded by 640 hectares of forest land, managed under the 'Hello Woods' initiative. ... Continue reading

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