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December 2008

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Friday, December 12, 2008

The U.S. Auto Industry Feeding Trough is Closed

The U.S. Auto Industry Feeding Trough is Closed

Auto Central December 12, 2008; Over the past couple of days I have vacillated between support for the U.S. auto industry bailout and the "enough is enough" let them go away as failed entities...but then I thought of all of my fellow Americans who have given their working lives over to companies and leaders who have co ... Continue reading

2009 Chevrolet Traverse Review by Mark Fulmer

2009 Chevrolet Traverse Review by Mark Fulmer

Here's a bit of Auto Channel straight-ahead logic for you. A "family car" should be reviewed by a family. And so we shall, all seven of us in our extended Fulmer family, which includes soccer players and soccer moms, a college student, and a teenager among others. First of all, we are not going to use the word "crossov ... Continue reading

Autobytel Names New President-CEO, Again... Reduces Workforce, Again

Autobytel Names New President-CEO, Again... Reduces Workforce, Again

IRVINE, CA - December 12, 2008: Just days after trumpeting their latest addition to their "AutoReach Ad Network," Autobytel Inc. today announced that Jeffrey H. Coats, a director of the company, was named President and Chief Executive Officer effective December 11, 2008. Coats, 51, has served on Autobytel’s Board ... Continue reading

Ralph Nader Makes a (Dumb) Comment on Auto Bailout

Ralph Nader Makes a (Dumb) Comment on Auto Bailout

WASHINGTON, Dec. 12 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following is a statement from consumer advocate Ralph Nader and Robert Weissman, director of the advocacy group Essential Action: In an effort to break the United Auto Workers -- a union that historically has been responsible for raising wages and benefits not just for ... Continue reading

Andy Grove Says Intel Should Go From Chips to Li Car Batteries - EXCLUSIVE VIDEO

Andy Grove Says Intel Should Go From Chips to Li Car Batteries - EXCLUSIVE VIDEO

Former Intel Corp. chairman Andrew Grove is pushing the world's biggest maker of microprocessors to consider a new venture -- becoming a manufacturer of advanced batteries for plug-in electric cars. Mr. Grove, who retired in 2005 but still advises Intel, is urging the current chief executive, Paul Otellini, to steer th ... Continue reading

Malcolm Bricklin Details Innovative EV Plan for Detroit Three - VIDEO ENHANCED

Malcolm Bricklin Details Innovative EV Plan for Detroit Three - VIDEO ENHANCED

Malcolm Bricklin, CEO and Founder of Visionary Vehicles Inc., today called on the Detroit 3 to join him in moving the industry forward by shifting 20% of manufacturing capacity to Electric Vehicles by 2012 and 80% by 2020. In the wake of today’s bleak automotive earnings reports, Bricklin said that current conditi ... Continue reading

LIZARDS REUNITE BERGMEISTER, LONG FOR 2009

LIZARDS REUNITE BERGMEISTER, LONG FOR 2009

Flying Lizard Motorsports will field a pair of Porsches in GT2 with factory drivers Patrick Long and Jorg Bergmeister in one car. Flying Lizard Motorsports announced a two-car GT2 program for the 2009 American Le Mans Series season, adding American Porsche factory driver Patrick Long to its lineup. Long will reunite wi ... Continue reading

INDYCAR SERIES NOTES - December 12, 2008

INDYCAR SERIES NOTES - December 12, 2008

1. Dallara partners with IndyCar Series to lower team operating costs: In an effort to reduce costs for IndyCar Series teams during the 2009 season, Dallara will lower the price of parts for its IndyCar Series chassis. The manufacturer plans to reduce the cost of general and specific spare parts, including items such a ... Continue reading

Tickets for the Sept. 25-27, 2009 Race Weekend At Dover International Speedway Go On Sale Monday, December 15

Tickets for the Sept. 25-27, 2009 Race Weekend At Dover International Speedway Go On Sale Monday, December 15

DOVER, Del. December, 12, 2008: Tickets for Dover International Speedway’s Sept. 25–27, 2009 “Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup” weekend go on sale on Monday, Dec. 15, 2008. This time of year, race tickets are the perfect alternative to a traditional holiday gift. ... Continue reading

Andretti Green Inks Marco Andretti for 2009 IndyCar Series Season

Andretti Green Inks Marco Andretti for 2009 IndyCar Series Season

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. Dec. 12, 2008: Andretti Green announced today that it has signed Marco Andretti to drive its #26 IndyCar Series entry for the 2009 season. Andretti will once again be part of the team's four-driver IndyCar Series lineup, which includes 2004 IndyCar Series champion Tony Kanaan, 2008 Bombardier Learjet ... Continue reading

Precision Parts International to Begin Winding Down Operations

Precision Parts International to Begin Winding Down Operations

Files Voluntary Chapter 11 to Assure Orderly Wind-down Process PPI will Consider Asset Sales as Part of Filing ROCHESTER HILLS, Mich., Dec. 12 -- Precision Parts International, LLC ("PPI"), a leading designer and manufacturer of high-precision metal components and subassemblies, specializing in metal-forming process te ... Continue reading

Machinists Union Blames McConnell, Shelby and Corker for Killing Auto Rescue Plan

Machinists Union Blames McConnell, Shelby and Corker for Killing Auto Rescue Plan

WASHINGTON, Dec. 12 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) today rejected attempts by a trio of Senate Republicans to deny responsibility for their campaign to force General Motors, Chrysler and Ford into bankruptcy and possible liquidation. "In a move worthy ... Continue reading

All-New Toyota Prius to Make World Debut at 2009 North American International Auto Show

All-New Toyota Prius to Make World Debut at 2009 North American International Auto Show

TORRANCE, Calif., Dec. 12 -- Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc. will stage the world premiere of the all-new 2010 Toyota Prius at a press conference at the 2009 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The all-new Toyota Prius, with a substantially revised Hybrid Synergy Drive system, will deliver improve ... Continue reading

Suppliers Express Dismay as Senate Fails to Act on Auto Loan

Suppliers Express Dismay as Senate Fails to Act on Auto Loan

WASHINGTON, Dec. 12 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA) expressed its dismay and disappointment as the Senate did not secure the votes necessary to pass financial assistance to the automotive industry. MEMA had urged the Senate to support the legislation in hopes of prevent ... Continue reading

2009 Mazda CX-7 Review

2009 Mazda CX-7 Review

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WITH CAREY RUSS 2009 Mazda CX-7 Grand Touring All-Wheel Drive Mazda makes the best-selling sports car ever, the MX-5 Miata, and the only successful series of Wankel rotary-piston powered sports cars, in the RX-7 and RX-8 line. Those are more than mere "halo vehicles" meant to provide an image that ... Continue reading

Sauer-Danfoss Inc. Announces Sale of AC Motor Business and Revises 2008 Earnings Guidance

Sauer-Danfoss Inc. Announces Sale of AC Motor Business and Revises 2008 Earnings Guidance

- AC Motor Business to be Sold to Schabmuller GmbH - Earnings also Impacted by Further Deterioration of Markets CHICAGO, Dec. 12 -- Sauer-Danfoss Inc. today announced that it has entered into an agreement to sell its AC motor business, primarily operating out of Odense, Denmark, to Schabmuller GmbH in Berching, Germany ... Continue reading

Autoliv Adjusts Guidance - Accelerates Action Program

Autoliv Adjusts Guidance - Accelerates Action Program

STOCKHOLM, Sweden--Regulatory News: Autoliv Inc. (STO:ALIV) – the global leader in automotive safety systems – today announced being ahead of schedule in reducing costs. However, the reductions in global light vehicle production for the current quarter will be significantly worse than previously anticipated. ... Continue reading

China Vehicle Sales Drop 15% In November

China Vehicle Sales Drop 15% In November

China vehicle sales drop 15% in November http://www.gasgoo.com/auto-news/1008693/China-vehicle-sales-drop-15-in- Novem ber.html Shanghai, December 12 (Gasgoo.com) China's vehicle sales in November plunged 14.56 percent from a year earlier to 685,100 units, the China Association of Automobile (CAAM) announced Thursday. ... Continue reading

Dongfeng Motor Delays 23-bln-yuan Investment

Dongfeng Motor Delays 23-bln-yuan Investment

Dongfeng Motor delays 23-bln-yuan investment http://www.gasgoo.com/auto-news/1008698/Dongfeng-Motor-delays-23-bln-yu an-in vestment.html Shanghai, December 12 (Gasgoo.com) China's third-biggest carmaker, Dongfeng Motor Group Co. Ltd. (0489.HK), has decided to slow down its investment in order to avoid the impact of the ... Continue reading

NADA Statement on Congressional Failure to Pass Auto Relief

NADA Statement on Congressional Failure to Pass Auto Relief

WASHINGTON, Dec. 12 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following statements were made by NADA Chairman Annette Sykora. Sykora is owner of two multi-franchise dealerships in Texas: "NADA is very disappointed that Congress failed to pass legislation to stabilize the auto industry. We are encouraged, however, by today's state ... Continue reading

HEELS ON WHEELS: TOP 10 GREEN AUTO TIPS & TRICKS FOR WOMEN

HEELS ON WHEELS: TOP 10 GREEN AUTO TIPS & TRICKS FOR WOMEN

HEELS ON WHEELS By Katrina Ramser San Francisco Bureau The Auto Channel What exactly does it mean to go green with autos? The term 'green' casts many different shades. One could be referring to using cleaner fuels or car products such as soap for your current car. Green is also a code word for frugal or cost-efficient, ... Continue reading

HEELS ON WHEELS: KATRINA'S 2008 TOP 10 VEHICLES FOR FEMALE DRIVERS

HEELS ON WHEELS: KATRINA'S 2008 TOP 10 VEHICLES FOR FEMALE DRIVERS

HEELS ON WHEELS By Katrina Ramser San Francisco Bureau The Auto Channel As an automotive journalist, I test drive many different vehicles. With one car always coming and another going each and every week, the desensitizing of 'new' has helped me develop objectivity (if not an attitude of blasé) towards all vehicles. ... Continue reading

HEELS ON WHEELS: 2009 ACURA TL REVIEW

HEELS ON WHEELS: 2009 ACURA TL REVIEW

HEELS ON WHEELS By Katrina Ramser San Francisco Bureau The Auto Channel INTRO TO THE ACURA TLM/b> Redesigned and looking sharper than ever since it's 1996 entry, the Acura TL is possibly one of the best sedans I've driven yet. Consumer Reports has noted in the past the TL model is one of the few cars that provides an i ... Continue reading

New York Auto Dealers Slam Decision to Reject Auto Bailout

New York Auto Dealers Slam Decision to Reject Auto Bailout

Greater New York Auto Dealers Association Disappointed in Senate's Decision to Reject Auto Bailout Millions of Jobs at Stake, President Must Act Quickly December 12, 2008 - (New York, NY): The Greater New York Automobile Dealers Association (GNYADA), an organization that represents 650 franchised new car dealerships in ... Continue reading

Citroen Sets Standard with BCA

Citroen Sets Standard with BCA

Despite the difficult current trading conditions, Citroën UK achieved a record result in a special Live Online Closed Sale at BCA Measham on 27th November. ... Continue reading

Drift Your X-Bow Through the Winter

Drift Your X-Bow Through the Winter

<p>Since the launch of the KTM X-Bow in mid- 2008, the radical, lightweight, mid-engined concept with its stunning carbon fibre monocoque has attracted massive interest from both consumers and from the media. It has been bestowed with numerous awards, of which the latest is Top Gear magazine's 'Sportscar of the Year' ... Continue reading

Top Boxers Weigh-In for Abarth Celebrity Bout at Wembley

Top Boxers Weigh-In for Abarth Celebrity Bout at Wembley

Four current and former British boxing champions will be warming up for a 'bout' with a difference - when they fire-up a Wembley Stadium crowd this weekend with a Race of Champions showdown in new Abarth 500 race cars. ... Continue reading

Detroit Auto Workers Stunned, Angered as Bailout Fades

Detroit Auto Workers Stunned, Angered as Bailout Fades

DETROIT December 12, 2008; Kevin Krolicki writing for Reuters reported that William Ford, an unemployed auto worker, grew angry and resigned and then angry again when he thought about the political debate that has stalled a bailout for the once-proud automakers that built Detroit. "If they can spend billions on war and ... Continue reading

$14 Billion Auto Aid Package Dies After UAW Autoworkers Refuse GOP Demands for Swift Wage Cuts

$14 Billion Auto Aid Package Dies After UAW Autoworkers Refuse GOP Demands for Swift Wage Cuts

WASHINGTON December 12, 2008; The AP reported that a $14 billion emergency bailout for U.S. automakers collapsed in the Senate late last night after the United Auto Workers refused to accede to Republican demands for swift wage cuts. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, a Nevada Democrat, said he was "terribly disappoint ... Continue reading

Performance in a Flick of the Wrist The Attractive Watch Trio for AC Schnitzer Men

Performance in a Flick of the Wrist The Attractive Watch Trio for AC Schnitzer Men

<p>AC Schnitzer models generate power from a flick of the wrist: and not only with the help of a petrol or diesel engine! The opulent Chrono S1 from the AC Schnitzer watch collection is driven by the high quality automatic movement "Caliber Dubois-Déprasz 2025". The link between the wearer and the sophisticated timepi ... Continue reading

Top Number Of Auto Workers In U.S. By State

Top Number Of Auto Workers In U.S. By State

The $14 billion plan to bail out the U.S. auto industry, has been killed by the Senate. How will this affect the economies of U.S. states? The following table lists some of the states with the largest concentrations of workers in three categories: auto manufacturers, suppliers and dealers. The data are from the October ... Continue reading

Failure to Secure US Car Industry "Bailout" Must Not Mean Delay in the UK

Failure to Secure US Car Industry "Bailout" Must Not Mean Delay in the UK

LONDON, December 12 -- The failure in the US to agree a package of financial support for the troubled car manufacturers must not delay UK Government assistance for the car industry in this country, warns the UK's biggest union Unite. According to Tony Woodley, joint general secretary of Unite said: "While it is clearly ... Continue reading

Britax Recalling Certain Frontier Child Restraint Systems

Britax Recalling Certain Frontier Child Restraint Systems

NHTSA Campaign ID Number: 08C010 Synopsis: Britax is recalling certain Frontier child restraint systems, Models E9L54E7 (Frontier Red Rock), E9L54H6 (Frontier Rushmore), E9L54H7 (Frontier Pink Sky), E9L54M6 (Frontier Canyon), and E9L5490 (Frontier Sahara), manufactured between April 1 and September 18, 2008. If the har ... Continue reading

Swiss Off-The-Wall Thinker Frank M. Rinderknecht Constructs Concept Cars With Fully Variable Body Design.

Swiss Off-The-Wall Thinker Frank M. Rinderknecht Constructs Concept Cars With Fully Variable Body Design.

World premiere at the Geneva International Motor Show (March 5th thru March 15th 2009): with the "iChange" the Swiss designers of Rinspeed present a "1-2-3-seater" powered by a 130kw-electric motor. The concept car's striking body structure adapts via "electronic trick-tail" to the number of passengers: while the ... Continue reading

Fiat 500 Joins the AVIS UK Fleet

Fiat 500 Joins the AVIS UK Fleet

Avis Rent A Car has added the fashionable Fiat 500 to its fleet just in time for Christmas! ... Continue reading

Lame Duck U.S. Senate Puts Brakes on Auto Bailout

Lame Duck U.S. Senate Puts Brakes on Auto Bailout

WASHINGTON December 12, 2008; John Crawley and Richard Cowan writing for Reuters reported that a proposed bailout of U.S. automakers failed in the Senate on Thursday night, raising the specter of an industry collapse that sent Asian markets reeling and sparked fears it could deepen the recession. "It's over with," Sena ... Continue reading

VW to proceed with diesel car plan in China

VW to proceed with diesel car plan in China

VW to proceed with diesel car plan in China http://www.gasgoo.com/auto-news/1008695/VW-to-proceed-with-diesel-car-p lan-i n-China.html Shanghai, December 12 (Gasgoo.com) Volkswagen will not give up its diesel car plan in China, although it has slowed down the process due to obstacles in the oil product quality and gove ... Continue reading

New Regional MD for Volvo Truck and Bus Centre, London

New Regional MD for Volvo Truck and Bus Centre, London

Volvo Truck and Bus Centre, London, has appointed Jim Collins to be its new Regional Managing Director. Reporting directly to Volvo Trucks' UK MD, Göran Nyberg, he will be responsible for 11 Dealer points in and around London, from Milton Keynes to Croydon and from Didcot to Bedford. He will be based at the region's h ... Continue reading

New Performance Options Available for 4.3 litre V8 Vantage

New Performance Options Available for 4.3 litre V8 Vantage

Following the launch of the new Aston Martin 4.7 V8 Vantage this summer, owners of the original 4.3 litre V8 Vantage are now afforded the choice of a retrospective-fit power enhancement and the hugely popular Sports Pack option. ... Continue reading

Renault Koleos Wins Hat-Trick at Plnaet 4x4 Magazine's 2008 Awards

Renault Koleos Wins Hat-Trick at Plnaet 4x4 Magazine's 2008 Awards

Proving that its first compact 4x4 has as much substance as style, Renault's recently launched Koleos has driven away with a hat-trick of titles at Planet 4x4 magazine's 2008 awards, including the '4x4 of the Year' trophy. ... Continue reading

Volvo Cars' Whiplash System WHIPS Celebrates 10 Years

Volvo Cars' Whiplash System WHIPS Celebrates 10 Years

Whiplash injuries are among the most common of all traffic injuries. Volvo Cars was one of the earliest manufacturers to introduce proper protection aimed at reducing the risk of whiplash. Volvo's highly effective system, WHIPS, which halves the risk of long-term after-effects, is now celebrating ten years in operation ... Continue reading

Further Award Recognition for Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles

Further Award Recognition for Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles

The Volkswagen Caddy and its new, larger sibling the Caddy Maxi received some good news at the What Van? Vans of the Year Awards 2008. This comes just days after Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles celebrated the Transporter winning the Best Medium Van award at the inaugural Fleet Van Awards. ... Continue reading

Bite Back at the Crunch - With Finance Options From Peugeot - Typical 2.9%

Bite Back at the Crunch - With Finance Options From Peugeot - Typical 2.9%

As the current economic climate is piling pressure on the family purse strings and savvy shoppers are bargain hunting for everything from petrol to potatoes, buying a brand new car can provide some real savings - but how best can this be funded? ... Continue reading

Muscle Cars Muster at Phillip Island Classic

Muscle Cars Muster at Phillip Island Classic

An alphabet of exotic muscle cars from Bathurst A9X Toranas to XA GT Falcons will form a major display in the Shannons Muscle Car Muster at the Phillip Island Classic Festival of Motorsport from March 13-15 next year. ... Continue reading

Chrysler Celebrates 25 Years of the World's First and Favourite MPV

Chrysler Celebrates 25 Years of the World's First and Favourite MPV

Chrysler is celebrating a quarter-century of MPV innovation, on-going development and leadership since launching the world's first MPV. ... Continue reading

Subaru's First Family Fan Club

Subaru's First Family Fan Club

Could father and son, Steve and Ian Brown, be Subaru's first family fan club? ... Continue reading

Daihatsu Sign up Mr & Mrs Christmas!

Daihatsu Sign up Mr & Mrs Christmas!

Daihatsu have found its biggest admirers in Sheila & Phil Scott (known locally as Mr & Mrs Christmas) from Torquay. ... Continue reading

Advanced Battery Announces Letter of Intent to Acquire EV Maker Wuxi Angell

Advanced Battery Announces Letter of Intent to Acquire EV Maker Wuxi Angell

NEW YORK and HARBIN, China, Dec. 11, 2008; Advanced Battery Technologies, Inc. , a leading developer, manufacturer and distributor of rechargeable Polymer Lithium-Ion (PLI) batteries, today announced it has entered into a Letter of Intent to acquire 55% of Wuxi Angell Autocycle Co. Ltd. (``Wuxi Angell''). The Letter of ... Continue reading

Bob Corker Junior Senator Takes Wheel in U.S Auto Aid Debate

Bob Corker Junior Senator Takes Wheel in U.S Auto Aid Debate

WASHINGTON, Dec 11, 2008; Karey Wutkowski writing for Reuters reported that Bob Corker, a first-term Republican senator and millionaire real estate developer, sought to broker one of the biggest deals of his life on Thursday -- a $14 billion bailout for Detroit automakers with tough enough conditions to win more Republ ... Continue reading

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