The Auto Channel
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
Official Website of the New Car Buyer

September 2003

Select Another Month

Friday, September 12, 2003

NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, No Problem Raceway, Belle Rose, La.

NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, No Problem Raceway, Belle Rose, La.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE NHRA LUCAS OIL DRAG RACING SERIES - SOUTH CENTRAL DIVISION NO PROBLEM RACEWAY FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2003 MOTHER NATURE A PROBLEM AT NO PROBLEM RACEWAY BELLE ROSE, La. - Mother nature spoiled opening day at the O'Reilly Cajun Challenge for the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series at No Problem Raceway ... Continue reading

Opel Presses Forward With Changes

Opel Presses Forward With Changes

FRANKFURT, Germany September 12 2003; David Mchugh, writing for the AP reported that Adam Opel AG, the German arm of General Motors Corp., says it's weighed down by the weak German economy as its revamped top compact enters the fray against heavy competition and the company seeks to return to profitability. "I would ca ... Continue reading

UAW Deal with Automakers Appears Imminent

UAW Deal with Automakers Appears Imminent

DETROIT September 12, 2003; Michael Ellis writing for Reuters reported that a contract agreement between Detroit's Big Three and the United Auto Workers appeared imminent on Friday, a company and a union source said, although last-minute issues could still derail efforts to beat a midnight Sunday deadline. "We would ex ... Continue reading

GM RACING NOTES & QUOTES--SYLVANIA 300 QUALIFYING

GM RACING NOTES & QUOTES--SYLVANIA 300 QUALIFYING

Contact: Ron Lemasters Jr. GM Racing Communications r.lemasters@att.net (704) 792-1801 phone (704) 236-9831 cell For more information: http://www.media.gm.com GM RACING WINSTON CUP NOTES & QUOTES; QUALIFYING; SYLVANIA 300; NEW HAMPSHIRE INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY; SEPT. 12, 2003 BOBBY LABONTE, NO. 18 INTERSTATE BATTERIES C ... Continue reading

Auto Lease Volume Down Another 7% in 2002

Auto Lease Volume Down Another 7% in 2002

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Sept. 12 -- The Association of Consumer Vehicle Lessors announced today that member leasing companies reporting both 2001 and 2002 volume had a total reduction in new leases from 2.02 million to 1.89 million. This modest 6.8% 2002 volume decline shows that leasing activity has almost stabilized. Howev ... Continue reading

American Speed Association Acquires USPRO Cup Series

American Speed Association Acquires USPRO Cup Series

If the following text-only file is not easily readable, particularly any tables of numbers, try enlarging this window since every line has a forced end and there is no word-wrap. Otherwise, this report will look and print better from the following PDF file: http://www.sportssystems.com/applib/PDFload.cfm?file=/email /f ... Continue reading

SUV Owners of America Statement in Response to Latest Michigan Version Of 'What Would Jesus Drive?' Campaign

SUV Owners of America Statement in Response to Latest Michigan Version Of 'What Would Jesus Drive?' Campaign

TROY, Mich., Sept. 12 -- Monday in Lansing, Michigan, the small but vocal Evangelical Environment Network, along with the Michigan Interfaith Climate and Energy Campaign, will start another round of silliness, this time called "What Should the Governor Drive?" in conjunction with the "What Would Jesus Drive?" campaign. ... Continue reading

The 14th Annual Fall Detroit Camper & RV Show Is Coming to the Novi Expo Center, Oct. 1-5

The 14th Annual Fall Detroit Camper & RV Show Is Coming to the Novi Expo Center, Oct. 1-5

OKEMOS, Mich., Sept. 12 -- The Michigan Association of Recreation Vehicles and Campgrounds (MARVAC) is sponsoring the 14th Annual Fall Detroit Camper & RV Show, October 1-5, 2003, at the Novi Expo Center in Novi, Mich. New, year 2004 recreation vehicles will be on display, including folding campers, motor homes, travel ... Continue reading

GM RACING NOTES & QUOTES--KEVIN HARVICK PRESS CONFERENCE

GM RACING NOTES & QUOTES--KEVIN HARVICK PRESS CONFERENCE

Contact: Ron Lemasters Jr. GM Racing Communications r.lemasters@att.net (704) 792-1801 phone (704) 236-9831 cell For more information: http://www.media.gm.com GM RACING WINSTON CUP NOTES & QUOTES; PRE-RACE PRESS CONFERENCE; SYLVANIA 300; NEW HAMPSHIRE INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY; SEPT. 12, 2003 Loudon, N.H., Sept. 12, 2003 ... Continue reading

Alcoa Announces Dividend; Will Submit Future Severance Agreements for Shareholder Approval

Alcoa Announces Dividend; Will Submit Future Severance Agreements for Shareholder Approval

PITTSBURGH--Sept. 12, 2003--The Board of Directors of Alcoa today declared (a) a quarterly common stock dividend of 15 cents per share payable November 25, 2003 to shareholders of record at the close of business on November 7, 2003 and (b) a quarterly dividend of 93.75 cents per share on Alcoa's $3.75 cumulative prefer ... Continue reading

Amerada Hess Extends Agreement With PerformanceRetail Through 2009

Amerada Hess Extends Agreement With PerformanceRetail Through 2009

Leading Convenience Retailer Reaffirms Use of InSite(TM) Retail Management Suite to Drive Growth AUSTIN, Texas, Sept. 12 -- PerformanceRetail, Inc., the leading provider of web-based software for the convenience retailing industry, today announced that Amerada Hess will extend its agreement to license the company's ret ... Continue reading

Diodes, Inc. Included in Business 2.0 Magazine's Second Annual ``B2 100'' Ranking Of Fastest-Growing Technology Companies

Diodes, Inc. Included in Business 2.0 Magazine's Second Annual ``B2 100'' Ranking Of Fastest-Growing Technology Companies

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif.--Sept. 12, 2003--Diodes Incorporated , a leading manufacturer and supplier of high quality discrete semiconductors, announced its inclusion today in Business 2.0's second annual B2 100, the magazine's ranking of the fastest-growing technology companies. Diodes ranked 59 on the list. The B2 100 ... Continue reading

Fleetguard Announces New Salt Lake City Distribution Facility

Fleetguard Announces New Salt Lake City Distribution Facility

NASHVILLE--Sept. 12, 2003--Fleetguard Inc., the global filtration, exhaust, coolant and chemical specialist for all diesel-powered equipment, today announced plans to relocate its Western Distribution Center from Sparks, Nevada, to Salt Lake City, Utah. The new distribution center is expected to be operational by the e ... Continue reading

Honda Battle of the Bands Returns Bigger, Better, and in High Gear!

Honda Battle of the Bands Returns Bigger, Better, and in High Gear!

45 HBCU Marching Bands Prepare for Second Annual Celebration Tour and Invitational Showcase ATLANTA, Sept. 12 -- As the 2003-college football season approaches, Historically Black Colleges and Universities' (HBCU) world- renowned bands are gearing up for the second annual Honda Battle of the Bands Celebration Tour and ... Continue reading

International Speedway Closes On $300 Million Credit Facility

International Speedway Closes On $300 Million Credit Facility

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., Sept. 12 -- International Speedway Corporation (BULLETIN BOARD: ISCB) ("ISC") today announced that it has closed on a five-year, $300 million revolving credit facility that will be utilized for general corporate purposes, including external growth opportunities. The credit facility was jointly led ... Continue reading

Optibase Unveils New MPEG-4 Encoder; MPEG MovieMaker 400 Provides High Quality Video at Low Bit Rates

Optibase Unveils New MPEG-4 Encoder; MPEG MovieMaker 400 Provides High Quality Video at Low Bit Rates

AMSTERDAM, Netherlands & HERZLIYA, Israel--Sept. 12, 2003--Optibase, Ltd. , a leader in digital video encoding and streaming solutions, today unveiled its new MPEG-4 hardware video encoder, MPEG MovieMaker 400, which is ideal for organizations that want to implement surveillance, training, video conferencing and busine ... Continue reading

Smith System Granted Certification by International Association for Continuing Education and Training

Smith System Granted Certification by International Association for Continuing Education and Training

ARLINGTON, Texas--Sept. 12, 2003-- Now Offers Continuing Education Units (CEU's) for Driver and Instructor Training Programs Smith System, the leader in professional driver training, today announced that it has become certified as an Authorized Provider by the International Association for Continuing Education and Trai ... Continue reading

Ziebart Celebrates Grand Opening of Monroe Superstore

Ziebart Celebrates Grand Opening of Monroe Superstore

MONROE, Mich., Sept. 12 -- Ziebart, an automotive retailer focused on enhancing and maintaining vehicle appearance, celebrated the grand opening of its new Superstore in Monroe during two days of festivities. Monroe Mayor Al Cappuccilli welcomed the Superstore owner, Terry Pantall, and John Lynch, COO Ziebart, into the ... Continue reading

Mazda Develops New Paint Stripping Technology for Recycling Bumpers

Mazda Develops New Paint Stripping Technology for Recycling Bumpers

JapanCorp: <http://www.japancorp.net/?page_num=1> Mazda Develops New Paint Stripping Technology for Recycling Bumpers Tokyo, Japan, Sept. 12, 2003 - (JCN Newswire) - Mazda Motor Corporation has developed a new paint stripping process utilizing optical separation technology developed in conjunction with local machinery ... Continue reading

Shane Lewis and Mini Ready for Grand-Am Cup Return at Mosport

Shane Lewis and Mini Ready for Grand-Am Cup Return at Mosport

Shane Lewis and Mini Ready for Grand-Am Cup Return at Mosport BOWMANVILLE, Ontario, September 12, 2003 - Jupiter, Florida's Shane Lewis will return to the No. 20 Habberstad Mini/Nuzzo Motorsports Mini Cooper S this weekend at Mosport International Raceway. The Canadian track plays host to Saturday's Sunoco 94 3 Hour, t ... Continue reading

CART/Champ Car Series Bought By Prominent U.S. Investors

CART/Champ Car Series Bought By Prominent U.S. Investors

Telecommunications magnate Kevin Kalkhoven and power plant entrepreneur Gerald Forsythe to lead revival of open-wheel series Craig Pollock, High-Profile Team Owner and Associate of Kevin Kalkhoven, Available for Comment September 12, 2003 - Wednesday's announcement that a group of private investors, including billionai ... Continue reading

3D Roars Back: From Hollywood to Product Marketing - Lightspeed Completes 3D Ride-Film for Continental Teves

3D Roars Back: From Hollywood to Product Marketing - Lightspeed Completes 3D Ride-Film for Continental Teves

BELLEVUE, Wash., Sept. 12 -- Lightspeed Design Group today announced the completion of a stereoscopic 3D motion simulator ride-film for automotive supplier, Continental Teves. The 3D film was written, produced, and visually realized by Lightspeed, and will educate the public about Continental's innovative safety techno ... Continue reading

AAA Texas: Weekend Gas Watch; High Gas Prices Declining

AAA Texas: Weekend Gas Watch; High Gas Prices Declining

HOUSTON--Sept. 12, 2003--High gasoline prices have begun to decline with all major cities in Texas showing strong decreases, according to the Weekend Gas Watch by AAA Texas. Currently, the statewide average price for a gallon of regular self-serve is $1.55 - three cents lower than last week's average. A year ago, a gal ... Continue reading

Auto Club: Gas Prices Continue on a Slow Downward Slide

Auto Club: Gas Prices Continue on a Slow Downward Slide

LOS ANGELES--Sept. 12, 2003--Gasoline prices in Southern California declined for the second week in a row, but prices in most areas still are significantly above $2 per gallon, according to the Automobile Club of Southern California's Weekend Gas Watch. Currently, the average price of self-serve regular unleaded gasoli ... Continue reading

NHRA Pre Race: Warren Johnson Aims to Maintain his Mastery of Maple Grove

NHRA Pre Race: Warren Johnson Aims to Maintain his Mastery of Maple Grove

Contact: Jon G. Knapp TMG Sports Marketing Phone: (704) 662-3121 jgknapp@tmgsports.net Warren Johnson Aims to Maintain his Mastery of Maple Grove The Professor looks to power his GM Performance Parts Grand Am to fourth Reading win SUGAR HILL, GA., September 10, 2003 - The NHRA has been making an annual visit to Maple G ... Continue reading

NHRA Pre Race: Kurt Johnson is Ready to Repeat his Rookie Performance in Reading

NHRA Pre Race: Kurt Johnson is Ready to Repeat his Rookie Performance in Reading

Contact: Jon G. Knapp TMG Sports Marketing Phone: (704) 662-3121 jgknapp@tmgsports.net Kurt Johnson is Ready to Repeat his Rookie Performance in Reading ACDelco crew targets return appearance in Maple Grove winner's circle SUGAR HILL, GA., September 10, 2003 - One cannot really fault Kurt Johnson for taking an immediat ... Continue reading

Ward's Reports Estimated North American Vehicle Production

Ward's Reports Estimated North American Vehicle Production

SOUTHFIELD, Mich., Sept. 12 -- Vehicle production this week in the U.S., Canada and Mexico is expected to hit an estimated 354,218 units, up 20.3 percent from the 294,562 cars and trucks built last week, according to Ward's Automotive Reports. Including this week's estimates, calendar year North American output now tot ... Continue reading

Toyota Likely to Sell Hybrid Version of Lexus Sedan

Toyota Likely to Sell Hybrid Version of Lexus Sedan

NAGOYA, Japan September 11, 2003; Norihiko Shirouzu of the WSJ reported that Toyota Motor Corp. , which is expected to start selling a gasoline-electric sport-utility vehicle in the U.S. next year, also will likely add a hybrid version of its premium sedan, or the Lexus LS430, to its expanding lineup of alternative-fue ... Continue reading

Pep Boys 300 presented by Greased Lightning Orange Blast at Salem

Pep Boys 300 presented by Greased Lightning Orange Blast at Salem

If the following text-only file is not easily readable, particularly any tables of numbers, try enlarging this window since every line has a forced end and there is no word-wrap. Otherwise, this report will look and print better from the following PDF file: http://www.sportssystems.com/applib/PDFload.cfm?file=/email /f ... Continue reading

Empire Interactive Revs It Up With Ford Racing 2

Empire Interactive Revs It Up With Ford Racing 2

SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 11 -- Empire Interactive (LONDON: EMP) today announced the development of Ford Racing 2 on the Xbox(TM) video game system from Microsoft, the PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system and PC. The game is being developed by Razorworks and will hit store shelves in the fourth quarter of this year ... Continue reading

BET and National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration Partnership Raises Awareness in Traffic and Seat Belt Safety

BET and National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration Partnership Raises Awareness in Traffic and Seat Belt Safety

Campaign Leads to a Sharp Increase in Seat Belt Use Among African Americans WASHINGTON, Sept. 11 -- BET's two-year partnership with the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) to promote seatbelt safety awareness made great strides increasing seatbelt safety awareness and seatbelt usage among Afri ... Continue reading

Search The Auto Channel

The Auto Channel content library (since 1996) has grown to become the world’s most extensive and complete interactive archive of automotive centric news, articles, reviews and intense event coverage, presented to viewers as Text, Video and Images.

The Auto Channel Content by Topic

Vehicle manufacturers and alt fuels.