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December 2008

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Wednesday, December 10, 2008

U.S. House Passes Auto Aid - Next up The Senate, Where Prospect Is Less Certain

U.S. House Passes Auto Aid - Next up The Senate, Where Prospect Is Less Certain

WASHINGTON, December 10, 2008: According for Harry Stoffer, writing for Automotive News, the House of Representatives approved emergency U.S. aid for Detroit's automakers, setting up a showdown in the Senate where prospects for passage are less certain. The legislation would provide an immediate $14 billion in loans to ... Continue reading

Galves Auto Price List’s 2008 Used Car Values Year in Review

Galves Auto Price List’s 2008 Used Car Values Year in Review

As 2008 draws to a close, it can be said that this has been a most unusual year for the automotive industry. That is, of course, an understatement. This has been an unprecedented year, and certainly the most challenging year we’ve experienced since we first began publishing our trade-in values in 1957. A perfect s ... Continue reading

INDYCAR SERIES NOTES - December 10, 2008

INDYCAR SERIES NOTES - December 10, 2008

1. IndyCar Series extends deal with ESPN International for worldwide television rights: The IndyCar Series today announced an extension of its long-time association with ESPN International for worldwide (excluding the United States and Brazil) distribution of IndyCar Series broadcast rights until 2010, with a further t ... Continue reading

YOKOHAMA NAMED PRESENTING SPONSOR OF PATRÓN GT3 CHALLENGE BY YOKOHAMA

YOKOHAMA NAMED PRESENTING SPONSOR OF PATRÓN GT3 CHALLENGE BY YOKOHAMA

The Patron GT3 Challenge by Yokohama will be featured on SPEED with a full-season television package for 2009. For the first time in its five-year history, the Patrón GT3 Challenge by Yokohama will hit cable airwaves with a full-season television package on SPEED, series officials announced Friday. Each telecast will ... Continue reading

Dover International Speedway Reveals New Track Logo

Dover International Speedway Reveals New Track Logo

DOVER, Del. – December 10, 2008: On the heels of the track's celebration of "40 Fast Years," Dover International Speedway has redesigned its company logo in time for the 2009 season, using its previous logo as a foundation for an updated look for the track widely known as the "Monster Mile." The new logo features ... Continue reading

WSJ Opinion: The Bailout that Won't

WSJ Opinion: The Bailout that Won't

Washington DC The AIADA newslettr reported that in today's Wall Street Journal, Holman W. Jenkins predicts disastrous results from Congress' auto bailout. He says that to become "viable," as Congress chooses crazily to understand the term, the Big Three are setting out to squander billions on "green" cars that will hav ... Continue reading

Certified Used Car Market Remains Mixed

Certified Used Car Market Remains Mixed

Washington DC December 10, 2008; The AIADA newsletter reported that fresh off of its toughest month in almost four years, conditions in the certified pre-owned industry didn't improve much from October, as the market faced the toughest November for CPO sales since 2003. However, some automakers continue to forge ahead ... Continue reading

PLAYING WITH "OTHER PEOPLE'S" MONEY...

PLAYING WITH "OTHER PEOPLE'S" MONEY...

by Rick Carlton - The Auto Channel <b><i>"A free people ought not only be armed and disciplined, but they should have sufficient arms and ammunition to maintain a status of independence from any who might attempt to abuse them, which would include their own government." - George Washington</b></i> Yesterday afternoon, ... Continue reading

Chrysler Recalls 108,429 2007 and 2008 Dodge Ram Diesel Pickups

Chrysler Recalls 108,429 2007 and 2008 Dodge Ram Diesel Pickups

Auburn Hills MI December 10, 2008; Reuters reported that Chrysler said on Wednesday it was recalling 108,429 Dodge Ram diesel pickup trucks. Chrysler reported that an engine compartment flaw in Ram pickup trucks could cause fires. and that the recall to begin this month. So far there have been 14 complaints of Dodge Ra ... Continue reading

GBC Motorsports' Tires Give Winning Traction to Historic Sweep of Baja 1000

GBC Motorsports' Tires Give Winning Traction to Historic Sweep of Baja 1000

LONG BEACH, Calif.--GBC Motorsports (www.gbcmotorsports.com), a division of Greenball Corporation dedicated to the powersports industry, is thrilled to announce that its tires supported the historic victory of the Bi-Polar Extreme Racing Team/Arctic Cat win at this year’s grueling Baja 1000. This historic win is r ... Continue reading

NYT Op-Ed Columnist Friedman: While Detroit Slept, A Better Place Was Born

NYT Op-Ed Columnist Friedman: While Detroit Slept, A Better Place Was Born

By THOMAS L. FRIEDMAN December 9, 2008 As I think about our bailing out Detroit, I can’t help but reflect on what, in my view, is the most important rule of business in today’s integrated and digitized global market, where knowledge and innovation tools are so widely distributed. It’s this: Whatever can ... Continue reading

When Less is More: The Storied Success of Audi's 2.0 TFSI I-4 Engine

When Less is More: The Storied Success of Audi's 2.0 TFSI I-4 Engine

HERNDON, Va., Dec. 10 -- When leading trade publisher Ward's Automotive Group recently set out to recognize the world's 10 best automotive engines for 2009, one turbocharged four cylinder stood out. The Audi 2.0 TFSI I-4 won a place on the list for the fourth consecutive year. The recognition validated a core strategy ... Continue reading

Honda Ranks Highest in New-Vehicle Buyer Retention

Honda Ranks Highest in New-Vehicle Buyer Retention

As New-Vehicle Sales Continue to Fall, Customer Retention Becomes Critically Important WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif., Dec. 10 -- Honda leads the automotive industry in retaining the highest percentage of new-vehicle purchasers, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2008 Customer Retention Study(SM) released today. (Log ... Continue reading

15 Recession-Proof Cars From Business Week

15 Recession-Proof Cars From Business Week

As 2009 staggers to a close and Americans brace themselves for more bad economic news, we should keep in mind that good cars are still being built and sold every day. There are good deals out there in this recession; cars that are worth the price and will hold their value. Recently, BusinessWeek took a nuanced look at ... Continue reading

UK Car Industry Not Seeking US-Style Bailout - But it Urgently Needs Government Support or Jobs Will be Jettisoned

UK Car Industry Not Seeking US-Style Bailout - But it Urgently Needs Government Support or Jobs Will be Jettisoned

LONDON, December 10 -- Tony Woodley, joint general secretary of Unite, today (Wednesday) reiterated the union's call to Government to provide GBP13 billion in short-term industrial loans to help manufacturing and the car industry weather the current economic storm. Unite is warning that without rapid action from Govern ... Continue reading

CarMax, Inc. Announces Details of Third Quarter 2008 Earnings Conference Call

CarMax, Inc. Announces Details of Third Quarter 2008 Earnings Conference Call

RICHMOND, Va.--CarMax, Inc. today announced details of its investor conference call to be conducted in conjunction with the release of earnings for the third fiscal quarter ended November 30, 2008. What: Third Fiscal Quarter Earnings Conference Call. When: 9:00 a.m. ET on Friday, December 19, 2008. How: Dial 1-888-298- ... Continue reading

Green Truck and Bus Conference Tackles Fuel and Environmental Challenges, Showcases Clean Technology Solutions in Long Beach

Green Truck and Bus Conference Tackles Fuel and Environmental Challenges, Showcases Clean Technology Solutions in Long Beach

LONG BEACH, Calif.--Fuel prices may be dropping now, but experts predict that the energy and environmental challenges for the transportation and goods movement industry are far from over. In March 2009, join world-renowned industry and policy experts outlining clean solutions at the Clean Heavy Duty Vehicle Conference ... Continue reading

Shoppers Cite Dealer-Related Issues Among the Top Reasons for Rejecting Motorcycle Brands

Shoppers Cite Dealer-Related Issues Among the Top Reasons for Rejecting Motorcycle Brands

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif., Dec. 10 -- A majority of new-motorcycle buyers reject a motorcycle brand because of dealer-related issues, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2008 Motorcycle Escaped Shopper Study(SM) released today. (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050527/LAF028LOGO-a) The inaugural study, ... Continue reading

BorgWarner Expands Timing System Business in India with Buy-out of Joint Venture

BorgWarner Expands Timing System Business in India with Buy-out of Joint Venture

BorgWarner Engine Timing System Sales in India Expected to Show Strong Growth AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Dec. 10 -- With its engine timing system sales in India expected to show strong growth in the future, BorgWarner Morse TEC has completed the acquisition of its joint venture with Murugappa Group's Tube Investments of Indi ... Continue reading

Titan International, Inc. Announces Fourth Quarter 2008 Cash Dividend

Titan International, Inc. Announces Fourth Quarter 2008 Cash Dividend

QUINCY, Ill.--The Board of Directors of Titan International, Inc. has approved a quarterly cash dividend of $.005 (one half cent) per common share for the fourth quarter of 2008. The cash dividend is payable January 15, 2009, to stockholders of record on December 31, 2008. Titan International, Inc., a holding company, ... Continue reading

Quantum Schedules Fiscal 2009 Second Quarter Financial Results Conference Call

Quantum Schedules Fiscal 2009 Second Quarter Financial Results Conference Call

IRVINE, Calif., Dec. 10 -- Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide, Inc., will hold a conference call to announce its Fiscal 2009 Second Quarter financial results. The call will be held on Wednesday, December 10, 2008 at 1:30 pm Pacific Time (4:30 pm Eastern Time). If you are interested in participating, call the f ... Continue reading

International Speedway Provides 2009 Financial Guidance

International Speedway Provides 2009 Financial Guidance

~ Reiterates 2008 Full Year Financial Guidance ~ DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., Dec. 10 -- International Speedway Corporation (OTC:ISCB) (BULLETIN BOARD: ISCB) ("ISC") today reiterated financial guidance for fiscal 2008 and provided formal financial guidance for the fiscal year ending November 30, 2009. "The 2008 NASCAR season f ... Continue reading

SKF Reduces Capacity and Cost in Light of Weakening Demand

SKF Reduces Capacity and Cost in Light of Weakening Demand

GÖTEBORG, Sweden--Regulatory News: The automotive segments have continued to rapidly fall and a negative trend is now also seen for the industrial segments leading to a much lower total demand for the Group in the fourth quarter. SKF (Pink Sheets:SKFRY) (STO:SKFA) (STO:SKFB) (LSE:SKFB)has initiated a number of ... Continue reading

Kia Motors cumulative sales increase 10.1% through November 2008

Kia Motors cumulative sales increase 10.1% through November 2008

NEWS FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Michael Choo ( <mailto:cdore@kia.co.kr> mjc@kia.co.kr), International Communications Manager, Kia Motors Corporation, Tel: +82-2-3464-5663 Kia Motors cumulative sales increase 10.1% through November, surpassing 2007 annual total - Global sales of Kia vehicles through November increas ... Continue reading

VW China Ventures To Cut 15 Days' Production

VW China Ventures To Cut 15 Days' Production

VW China ventures to cut 15 days' production http://www.gasgoo.com/auto-news/1008672/VW-China-ventures-to-cut-15-day s-pro duction.html Shanghai, December 10 (Gasgoo.com) Volkswagen's joint ventures in China are planning to cut more than 15 working days of production from mid-December until the beginning of January, a ... Continue reading

Wanted: Czar for a Crumbling Auto Empire

Wanted: Czar for a Crumbling Auto Empire

DETROIT December 9, 2008; David Bailey and Poornima Gupta writing for Reuters reported - Wanted: Car Czar. Must be ready to deal with angry creditors, fearful suppliers and an entrenched auto union and to motivate distrustful CEOs limited to a $1 salary. Success will be measured by your unpopularity in Detroit and on W ... Continue reading

China Oil Price May Drop With Fuel Tax Reform

China Oil Price May Drop With Fuel Tax Reform

China oil price may drop with fuel tax reform http://www.gasgoo.com/auto-news/1008665/China-oil-price-may-drop-with-f uel-t ax-reform.html Shanghai, December 10 (Gasgoo.com) China's fuel tax and oil pricing reform to start in January will not push up domestic gasoline prices and may even push the prices down slightly, ... Continue reading

Chrysler China Confirms Ending Of Chery deal

Chrysler China Confirms Ending Of Chery deal

Chrysler China confirms ending of Chery deal http://www.gasgoo.com/auto-news/1008670/Chrysler-China-confirms-ending- of-Ch ery-deal.html Shanghai, December 10 (Gasgoo.com) Chrysler China confirmed today that Chrysler LLC has put off the deal with Chinese automaker Chery Auto to build small cars, said Gasgoo.com, citing ... Continue reading

White House: "Conceptual agreement" Reached on Auto Aid

White House: "Conceptual agreement" Reached on Auto Aid

WASHINGTON, Dec 10, 2008; Reuters reported that The White House said on Wednesday the Bush administration and congressional leaders had reached a "good conceptual agreement" on a plan to rescue troubled U.S. automakers. But White House deputy chief of staff Joel Kaplan said there was still "a lot of drafting going on" ... Continue reading

Innovative Splitview Technology: Mercedes-Benz S-Class: Two Programmes On A Screen

Innovative Splitview Technology: Mercedes-Benz S-Class: Two Programmes On A Screen

In future Mercedes-Benz is equipping its luxury class models as the first premium brand with a display screen that allows the driver and front passenger to view two different programmes at the same time. While the driver is checking the navigation instructions, the front passenger can sit back and watch a film on the v ... Continue reading

Five What Van? 2008 Awards For Ford Commercial Vehicles

Five What Van? 2008 Awards For Ford Commercial Vehicles

Judges at Britain's leading van magazine, What Van? have recognised Ford's range of commercial vehicles as winners and leaders in their 2008 awards. ... Continue reading

Key Report On The Global Market For Intelligent Transport Systems And Services (Itss) Charts Positive Future For Uk Transport Safety, Efficiency And Sustainability

Key Report On The Global Market For Intelligent Transport Systems And Services (Itss) Charts Positive Future For Uk Transport Safety, Efficiency And Sustainability

The report of this key global study was launched by Professor Brian Collins, chief scientific advisor to the Department for Business, Enterprise & Regulatory Reform (BERR) and the Department for Transport (DfT), at a press conference held at the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, 1 Birdcage Walk, Westminster ... Continue reading

Digital Progress: New Generation Of Sensors Replaces Analog Technology

Digital Progress: New Generation Of Sensors Replaces Analog Technology

Analog vehicle sensors can be replaced easily and economically with modern digital solutions. The basis is the new SENT protocol for data transmission in cars. Hella has developed a new generation of sensors with contactless measurement for this. The first application is the recording of throttle-body position; it will ... Continue reading

Top Marques Line Up For Melbourne

Top Marques Line Up For Melbourne

Top automotive marques from Europe, Asia and Australia have confirmed their bookings for the 75th annual Melbourne Motor Show from 27 February to 9 March. ... Continue reading

Five Volvo Models Green Car Of The Year Candidates

Five Volvo Models Green Car Of The Year Candidates

The C30, S40 and V50 DRIVe models and the V70 2.5FT and S80 2.5 FT (bioethanol powered) have all been nominated for World Green Car of the Year 2009. The winner will be announced at the New York International Auto Show in April 2009. ... Continue reading

GMC Acadia Scoops Saudi Auto Magazine's Editor's Choice Award

GMC Acadia Scoops Saudi Auto Magazine's Editor's Choice Award

The GMC Acadia has been awarded with the November 2008 'Editor's Choice Award' from Saudi Auto, the leading automotive magazine in Saudi Arabia. The Acadia picked up the award after a crossover comparative that saw it take on the Hyundai Veracruz, Mazda CX-9 and Honda Pilot. ... Continue reading

New Opel Antara with Front-Wheel Drive: Loads of Space at Lower Cost

New Opel Antara with Front-Wheel Drive: Loads of Space at Lower Cost

Opel now offers the Antara with front-wheel drive for active people and families who seek space and high seating and prefer the look of a crossover. By opting for a 4X2, buyers have a cost savings on a car that already offers high value for money. ... Continue reading

Olivier Quesnel named as Director of Peugeot Sport and Citroën Sport

Olivier Quesnel named as Director of Peugeot Sport and Citroën Sport

Olivier Quesnel has been appointed Director of both Citroën Sport and Peugeot Sport. He will take up his position on January 1, 2009. Peugeot Sport's current Director Michel Barge has moved on to another post. ... Continue reading

Kelley Blue Book Names Ford F-150 '2009 Best Redesigned Vehicle'

Kelley Blue Book Names Ford F-150 '2009 Best Redesigned Vehicle'

Editors of Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com Laud 2009 Ford F-150's Magnitude of Improvements, Options, Features IRVINE, Calif., Dec. 10 -- The expert editors at Kelley Blue Book www.kbb.com, the leading provider of new- and used-vehicle information, today announce the 2009 Ford F-150 pickup truck has been named 2009 Best Red ... Continue reading

No Comment To Sale Of Volvo Cars Ford's Chinese Partner Changan

No Comment To Sale Of Volvo Cars Ford's Chinese Partner Changan

SHANGHAI December 10, 2008; Fang Yan writing for Reuters reported that Ford Motor said on Wednesday it was still evaluating an option to sell its Volvo car unit but declined to comment on a local media report which named its China partner Changan Automobile Group as a potential buyer. The report did not provide details ... Continue reading

iMotor Readers Choose the New Lotus Evora as 'Overall Most Rated Car 2008'

iMotor Readers Choose the New Lotus Evora as 'Overall Most Rated Car 2008'

The new Lotus Evora has added yet another award to its growing trophy cabinet, this time for iMotor Magazine's 'Overall Most Rated Car of 2008'. In every issue of iMotor (which has an ABCe of 108,600), readers have been 'rating' and 'slating' the cars featured; and out of 40,000 votes counted, 95 per cent of voters rat ... Continue reading

Solomon Alsberg Selects Alcoa For Expanding Russian Forged Alloy Wheel Market

Solomon Alsberg Selects Alcoa For Expanding Russian Forged Alloy Wheel Market

Leading maker of forged aluminium wheels, Alcoa, is now supplying lightweight forgings for Solomon Alsberg's range of exclusive quality alloy wheels. Specialising in the niche vehicle tuning and customisation markets, Russia based Solomon Alsberg demanded high quality metallurgy, strength, style and lightness for its e ... Continue reading

PSA Peugeot Citroen And Robert Bosch Gmbh Join Forces On Hybrid Development

PSA Peugeot Citroen And Robert Bosch Gmbh Join Forces On Hybrid Development

PSA Peugeot Citroën and Robert Bosch GmbH have agreed on a strategic partnership for diesel hybrid technology. The recently signed agreement calls for Bosch to co-develop, industrialise and supply electric motors and power electronics for PSA Peugeot Citroën's four-wheel-drive diesel hybrid powertrain. ... Continue reading

Fiat Fiorino Crowned Van Of The Year 2008

Fiat Fiorino Crowned Van Of The Year 2008

Fiat Professional, the commercial vehicle arm of Fiat Group Automobiles UK Ltd, is celebrating a stunning result in this year's What Van? Van of the Year awards. ... Continue reading

South Yorkshire Police Hunt In Packs With Their Lancer Evolution Trilogy

South Yorkshire Police Hunt In Packs With Their Lancer Evolution Trilogy

The new Police specification Evolution X has arrived with South Yorkshire Police to the great delight of its drivers, and the chagrin of local villains. The new car will be used alongside the ever present Evolution VIII and IX in the Road Crime Unit where proactive road policing is the mission and officers will be driv ... Continue reading

Major What Van? Awards Success For Citroën!

Major What Van? Awards Success For Citroën!

Hot on the heels of its earlier industry triumphs Citroën LCVs have now just scooped the pot in the prestigious What Van? Awards - with no less than four top awards as well as a highly commended. ... Continue reading

Audi Q5 Voted Best Off-Roader

Audi Q5 Voted Best Off-Roader

The The "TOPautos 2009" have been selected by more than 150 renowned independent motor journalists from Germany, Austria and Switzerland. The new Audi Q5 ranks as top off-roader among the best new vehicle releases of the model year 2009. ... Continue reading

Continental Products Are Used Extensively In The New VW Golf Model Generation

Continental Products Are Used Extensively In The New VW Golf Model Generation

The Automotive Group of Continental, the international automotive supplier, has been closely involved in the development and production of the VW Golf's sixth model generation, providing it with a wide range of components and systems. ... Continue reading

Get Your Station Wagon Dressed Up Led Taillights From in.pro. For The Audi A6 Avant C5 (Type 4B)

Get Your Station Wagon Dressed Up Led Taillights From in.pro. For The Audi A6 Avant C5 (Type 4B)

High-quality technology, 1st class materials and loads of space: The Audi A6 Avant, C5 series, produced between 1998 and 2004 still remains highly coveted. The practical station wagon is still equally popular amongst fashion-conscious heads of family and long-distance commuters. Here the new LED rear lights from in.pro ... Continue reading

Design, development and production-made in Germany - Lorinser has been a byword for highly developed automobile tuning for over 30 years

Design, development and production-made in Germany - Lorinser has been a byword for highly developed automobile tuning for over 30 years

The technical and optical customisation of vehicles is often collectively referred to as tuning. This is a word that certainly applies to flagship companies in the sector, such as Sportservice Lorinser, as well, but this is only half of the story. Looking in more detail at the working methods of this Mercedes manufactu ... Continue reading

Critics Urge Ouster of GM CEO But Allies Rally

Critics Urge Ouster of GM CEO But Allies Rally

DETROIT, Dec 9, 2008; Kevin Krolicki writing for Reuters reported that as the U.S. government nears a deal to save General Motors Corp (GM.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz), a debate rages over whether Chief Executive Rick Wagoner's job should be spared in the bailout or its most visible symbol of shared sacrifi ... Continue reading

White House: Looks Like We Have A Deal

White House: Looks Like We Have A Deal

WASHINGTON, Dec 9, 2008; John Crawley and Thomas Ferraro writing for Reuters reported that The White House and congressional Democrats on Tuesday night reached an agreement in principle on a $15 billion proposal for bailing out U.S. automakers and forcing them to restructure or fail, officials said. A Bush administrati ... Continue reading

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