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May 2009

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Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Better Place Unveils First Automated Battery Swapping Process for Japan EV Study - MULI-VIDEOS

Better Place Unveils First Automated Battery Swapping Process for Japan EV Study - MULI-VIDEOS

YOKOHAMA, Japan--Better Place today achieved a milestone in accelerating the mass-market adoption of electric vehicles by demonstrating the world’s first battery switch technology along with electric car charging spots. This simple range extension technology delivers a cleaner, more convenient experience for drive ... Continue reading

IntelliChoice Awards Porsche's Certified Pre-Owned Vehicle Program as Having Best Luxury Warranty

IntelliChoice Awards Porsche's Certified Pre-Owned Vehicle Program as Having Best Luxury Warranty

<b>Porsche's Strong CPO Satisfaction is a Big Reason</b> ATLANTA, May 13, 2009: Porsche Cars North America's Certified Pre-Owned program (CPO) has been named by IntelliChoice - a leading source for independent analysis of automotive ownership costs and value - as offering the "Best Luxury Warranty for a Certified Pre-O ... Continue reading

May 13, 2009 Ford E-News

May 13, 2009 Ford E-News

DEARBORN, Mich., May 13 -- Ford Engineers Pit Shopping Carts, Water Cannons Against New Safety Technologies Using robots to ram shopping cars and bicycle wheels into car doors, and blasting water cannons to force vehicle into skids, Ford Motor Company [NYSE: F] engineers are using extreme tests to fine tune new, indust ... Continue reading

Cooper-Standard Automotive Announces Date for Teleconference to Discuss 2009 First Quarter Results

Cooper-Standard Automotive Announces Date for Teleconference to Discuss 2009 First Quarter Results

NOVI, Mich., May 13 -- Cooper-Standard Automotive will hold a conference call and webcast with investors on Tuesday, May 19, 2009 at 1 p.m. EDT to discuss its 2009 first quarter results, provide a general business update and respond to investor questions. A news release detailing the company's results will be posted to ... Continue reading

Tenneco Announces Results of 2009 Annual Meeting

Tenneco Announces Results of 2009 Annual Meeting

LAKE FOREST, Ill.--Tenneco Inc. announced at its annual meeting today that its stockholders re-elected Charles W. Cramb, Dennis J. Letham, Frank E. Macher, Hari N. Nair, Roger B. Porter, David B. Price, Jr., Gregg M. Sherrill, Paul T. Stecko, Mitsunobu Takeuchi, and Jane L. Warner to the company’s board of directo ... Continue reading

MX-5 Cup Arrives at Mazda Raceway

MX-5 Cup Arrives at Mazda Raceway

MONTEREY, May 13, 2009: For the fourth season in-a-row, the SCCA Pro Racing Playboy Mazda MX-5 Cup is heading back to where it all began: Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. In 2006, MX-5 Cup made its debut at the famed Monterey track, with Chip Herr taking the win. Since then, the series has wowed race fans across North Americ ... Continue reading

IndyCar Series Notes - May 13, 2009

IndyCar Series Notes - May 13, 2009

Servia lands Indianapolis 500 ride with Rahal Letterman Racing: With only two days of practice remaining before the final qualifying weekend for the 2009 Indianapolis 500, Rahal Letterman Racing has partnered with veteran driver Oriol Servia to pursue the team's sixth consecutive top-10 finish in the race. "We all know ... Continue reading

Dalziel Returns to Grand-Am to Defend Laguna Seca Victory

Dalziel Returns to Grand-Am to Defend Laguna Seca Victory

Orlando, May 13, 2009: Scotland’s Ryan Dalziel will return to the scene of his maiden Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series victory having been called up by Orbit Racing to compete in the ‘Verizon Festival of Speed’ this weekend at California’s Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, Friday 15th – Sunday 17th Ma ... Continue reading

Test session yields positive results for JEGS team

Test session yields positive results for JEGS team

NORWALK, May 13, 2009: It will be a short two-hour drive for Team JEGS drivers John, Mike and Troy Coughlin Jr., this weekend as they venture to nearby Norwalk, Ohio to continue their pursuit of NHRA North Central Division Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series titles. The Delaware, Ohio based Coughlin family will once again hav ... Continue reading

Sun Trust Preview - Laguna Seca - May 12, 2009

Sun Trust Preview - Laguna Seca - May 12, 2009

Safe to say Sunday’s Verizon Festival of Speed at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca near Monterey, Calif., won’t be the wet and wild affair experienced by the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series competitors two weekends ago at New Jersey Motorsports Park in Millville. That’s music to the ears of Max Angelelli and B ... Continue reading

GAINSCO/Bob Stallings Racing, Gurney and Fogarty carry Rolex Series Championship momentum to Mazda Raceway

GAINSCO/Bob Stallings Racing, Gurney and Fogarty carry Rolex Series Championship momentum to Mazda Raceway

MONTEREY, Calif. (May 12, 2009) — GAINSCO/Bob Stallings Racing and drivers Alex Gurney and Jon Fogarty head to Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca Raceway for this weekend’s Verizon Wireless Festival of Speed presented by SPEEDCOM Communications in solid championship contention for the 2009 Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Se ... Continue reading

AutoPacific's Research Reveals the Most Highly Recommended Vehicles

AutoPacific's Research Reveals the Most Highly Recommended Vehicles

WOULD YOU RECOMMEND YOUR CAR TO A FRIEND? TUSTIN, Calif. May 12, 2009; Who do you go to for advice when buying a new car? What about owners themselves? AutoPacific has just analyzed recommendation intentions from 25,000 new-car owners, and the results offer interesting insights. AutoPacific, which has provided automoti ... Continue reading

Cash for Guzzlers Bill Loping Through The Senate

Cash for Guzzlers Bill Loping Through The Senate

Washington DC May 13, 2009; The AIADA newsletter reported that Senators from both parties are reportedly planning to introduce a cash-for-guzzlers bill this week that is identical to the legislation hashed out last week in the House. According to Automotive News, the legislation would provide vouchers of up to $4,500 t ... Continue reading

Oncor Partners with Ford Motor Company To Seek Stimulus Funds for Plug-In Hybrid and Electric Vehicle Test

Oncor Partners with Ford Motor Company To Seek Stimulus Funds for Plug-In Hybrid and Electric Vehicle Test

DALLAS--Today, Oncor joined Ford Motor Company’s application for U.S. Department of Energy stimulus funds to support a groundbreaking test of plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles. If approved by the DOE, beginning in 2010, Oncor could receive as many as 67 plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles built by Ford as part ... Continue reading

Detroit Auto Dealers Association Fights Underage Drinking

Detroit Auto Dealers Association Fights Underage Drinking

DADA to announce winners of Courageous Persuaders student video contest What: The 2009 Courageous Persuaders Awards Celebration Banquet Who: Hosted by MOJO, morning show radio personality at Channel 955 Speakers include Rod Alberts, executive director, DADA; Kelley Chesney, communications director, Michigan Department ... Continue reading

DTE Energy Invests in Advanced Battery Maker A123Systems

DTE Energy Invests in Advanced Battery Maker A123Systems

DETROIT, May 13 -- DTE Energy Ventures recently made an equity investment in Massachusetts-based A123Systems, which is developing lithium ion batteries for automotive applications and announced plans to open a manufacturing plant in Livonia, Mich. The company also is developing batteries that can be used on the electri ... Continue reading

Rough Roads Costing Motorists Hundreds More Per Year

Rough Roads Costing Motorists Hundreds More Per Year

HARRISBURG, Pa., May 13 -- Keeping the nation's highways in good repair is a daily battle against age, weather and the wear and tear of unrelenting traffic. As a result, 33 percent of the nation's major highways are rated in poor or mediocre condition, according to a new report, Rough Roads Ahead: Fix Me Now or Pay for ... Continue reading

AK Steel Likely to Idle Ashland, KY Steel Operations

AK Steel Likely to Idle Ashland, KY Steel Operations

Company Adjusting To Automaker Announcements And Continued Global Downturn WEST CHESTER, Ohio, May 13 -- AK Steel announced today that it will likely idle most of its Ashland (KY) Works beginning late in July or early August. The idling will affect about 750 hourly and salaried employees, and is the result of recent an ... Continue reading

Lear Reaches Agreement With Lenders to Extend Waiver Under Its Primary Credit Facility

Lear Reaches Agreement With Lenders to Extend Waiver Under Its Primary Credit Facility

SOUTHFIELD, Mich., May 13 -- Lear Corporation , a leading global supplier of automotive seating systems, electrical distribution systems and electronic products, announced today that it has reached an agreement with its lenders to extend the waiver under its primary credit facility. Today's agreement extends, through J ... Continue reading

Parts Suppliers to Congress: Help Is Needed Now to Save Nation's Largest Manufacturing Sector

Parts Suppliers to Congress: Help Is Needed Now to Save Nation's Largest Manufacturing Sector

WASHINGTON, May 13 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Wes Smith, president of E&E Manufacturing, testified today before the House Small Business Committee at a hearing examining the economic impact of the domestic auto crisis on small suppliers throughout the United States. Smith's testimony outlined the stresses that dramatic ... Continue reading

Dow Automotive Presents NVH Testing Methodology

Dow Automotive Presents NVH Testing Methodology

Dow Automotive Expert Presents New NVH Testing Methodology at SAE Noise and Vibration Conference News release and photo attached. Interviews and additional information available upon request. ... Continue reading

BMW Wins Great Designs in Steel Automotive Excellence Award

BMW Wins Great Designs in Steel Automotive Excellence Award

DETROIT, May 13 -- The Automotive Applications Council of AISI's Steel Market Development Institute (SMDI) announced today that it has selected the BMW X6 research and development team as the winner of its annual Automotive Excellence Award. The team was selected for its cost-effective use of ultra high-strength steels ... Continue reading

8th Annual Great Designs in Steel Seminar Showcases Steel Solutions That Increase Fuel Economy and Reduce Emissions

8th Annual Great Designs in Steel Seminar Showcases Steel Solutions That Increase Fuel Economy and Reduce Emissions

Advanced high-strength steels offer automakers cost-effective, lightweight design solutions DETROIT, May 13 -- To demonstrate how new advanced high-strength steel (AHSS) technologies provide cost-effective solutions to help automakers increase fuel economy, curb emissions and improve safety, the Automotive Applications ... Continue reading

GM and Chrysler To Cut 3000 U.S. Dealers

GM and Chrysler To Cut 3000 U.S. Dealers

DETROIT May 13, 2009; Soyoung Kim and John Crawley writing for Reuters reportesd that General Motors Corp and Chrysler aim to drop as many as 3,000 U.S. dealers and are expected to begin sending notifications as early as Thursday, three people briefed on the still developing plans said. GM, facing a U.S. government-imp ... Continue reading

New Study Finds Increased Use of Advanced High-Strength Steels Helps Decrease Overall Vehicle Weight

New Study Finds Increased Use of Advanced High-Strength Steels Helps Decrease Overall Vehicle Weight

DETROIT, May 13 -- In a study released today by the Automotive Applications Council of AISI's Steel Market Development Institute (SMDI), researchers with Ducker Worldwide estimated that the use of advanced high-strength steels (AHSS) in 2009 model year light vehicles increased by more than four percent of total body we ... Continue reading

Auto Dealers Are Urging Congress to Intervene with the Obama Administration to Oppose Drastic Dealer Cuts

Auto Dealers Are Urging Congress to Intervene with the Obama Administration to Oppose Drastic Dealer Cuts

WASHINGTON, May 13 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- More than 100 new-car dealers will meet face-to-face today with select members of the House and Senate to ask them to urge President Obama's auto task force to slow down plans to rapidly reduce General Motors and Chrysler's dealer networks. "A rapid cut of dealers is a bad ... Continue reading

Research and Markets: Booming Russian Automobile Sector

Research and Markets: Booming Russian Automobile Sector

DUBLIN--Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/062a3d/booming_russian_au) has announced the addition of the "Booming Russian Automobile Sector" report to their offering. According to our new research report - "Booming Russian Automobile Sector" - the Russian automotive industry is growing at a ... Continue reading

KAR Holdings, Inc. Reports First Quarter 2009 Results

KAR Holdings, Inc. Reports First Quarter 2009 Results

CARMEL, Ind.--KAR Holdings, Inc. today reported its first quarter financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2009. For the first quarter of 2009, the company reported revenue of $442.5 million as compared with first quarter 2008 revenue of $462.1 million, a decline of 4%. Adjusted EBITDA declined 13% to $97 ... Continue reading

GM's China-made car import plans to be settled

GM's China-made car import plans to be settled

GM's China-made car import plans to be settled http://autonews.gasgoo.com/auto-news/1010436/GM-s-China-made-car-import -plan s-to-be-settled.html Shanghai, May 13 (Gasgoo.com) GM China said yesterday that GM's plan to import vehicles made in China starting 2011 indicated that the Detroit automaker would rely more on Ch ... Continue reading

Hong Kong introduces Mitsubishi's electric car

Hong Kong introduces Mitsubishi's electric car

Hong Kong introduces Mitsubishi's electric car http://autonews.gasgoo.com/auto-news/1010445/Hong-Kong-introduces-Mitsu bishi -s-electric-car.html Shanghai, May 13 (Gasgoo.com) Hong Kong¡¯s Financial Secretary John Tsang (Zeng Junhua) hosted the launching ceremony of Mitsubishi's electric vehicle, the iMiEV, on May 12 ... Continue reading

Guangzhou Auto acquiring Changfeng Motor

Guangzhou Auto acquiring Changfeng Motor

Guangzhou Auto acquiring Changfeng Motor http://autonews.gasgoo.com/auto-news/1010437/Guangzhou-Auto-acquiring-C hangf eng-Motor.html Shanghai, May 13 (Gasgoo.com) Guangzhou Auto is expected to announce its acquisition of Hunan-based SUV-maker Changfeng Motor on May 19 at the earliest, 163.com reported today, citing re ... Continue reading

Engine Parts Group: Professional Engine Rebuilding May Offer a Simpler, Lower Cost Way to Cut Greenhouse Gas Emissions Than Cash for Clunkers

Engine Parts Group: Professional Engine Rebuilding May Offer a Simpler, Lower Cost Way to Cut Greenhouse Gas Emissions Than Cash for Clunkers

WHEAT RIDGE, Colo., May 13 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Several plans are currently being debated in the public forum in an attempt to find a way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Most of these concepts have been debated for years -- setting higher mileage standards, implementing advanced technologies, and passing "cas ... Continue reading

NAVTEQ Announces Results of 2008 Map Update Study

NAVTEQ Announces Results of 2008 Map Update Study

Awareness of Navigation System Map Updates on the Rise in the US CHICAGO, May 13 -- NAVTEQ, the leading global provider of digital map, traffic and location data for in-vehicle, portable, wireless and enterprise solutions, is reporting the results of a proprietary research study that points to the growing importance of ... Continue reading

Westell to Host Fourth Quarter FY’09 Earnings Call on May 21

Westell to Host Fourth Quarter FY’09 Earnings Call on May 21

AURORA, Ill.--Westell Technologies, Inc. (“Westell”), a leading provider of broadband access products and conferencing services, announced today that its subsidiary, Conference Plus, Inc. (ConferencePlus™), will manage Westell’s fourth quarter fiscal 2009 earnings conference call on Thursday, May 21 ... Continue reading

Azure Dynamics Balance Hybrid Electric to Deliver Mail at the University of Alberta

Azure Dynamics Balance Hybrid Electric to Deliver Mail at the University of Alberta

OAK PARK, MI, May 13 -- Azure Dynamics Corporation (TSX: AZD) - ("Azure") or (the "Company"), a leading developer of state-of-the-art green technologies that address environmental and cost issues for the commercial transportation industry, announced today that four Balance(TM) Hybrid Electric trucks were sold to the Un ... Continue reading

Walter P. Chrysler Museum Launches New Web Site at New Web Address

Walter P. Chrysler Museum Launches New Web Site at New Web Address

-- www.wpchryslermuseum.org reflects Museum's nonprofit designation -- Enhanced content management capabilities keep site current AUBURN HILLS, Mich., May 13 -- The Walter P. Chrysler Museum has launched a bold, new Web site, providing easy online access to the Museum's programs and exhibitions, as well as Chrysler her ... Continue reading

SORL Auto Parts Reports First Quarter 2009 Financial Results

SORL Auto Parts Reports First Quarter 2009 Financial Results

ZHEJIANG, China, May 13 /PRNewswire-Asia-FirstCall/ -- SORL Auto Parts, Inc. (''SORL'' or ''The Company''), a leading manufacturer and distributor of commercial vehicle air brake valves as well as related auto parts in China, announced financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2009. For the first quarter of 200 ... Continue reading

Columbus, Ohio Seminar to Examine Japanese Manufacturing Philosophies in the Automotive Industry, and Their Relationship to Japan - U.S. Collaboration

Columbus, Ohio Seminar to Examine Japanese Manufacturing Philosophies in the Automotive Industry, and Their Relationship to Japan - U.S. Collaboration

COLUMBUS, Ohio, May 13 -- On Thursday, May 28, the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) and the Japan-America Society of Central Ohio will present a luncheon and seminar entitled, "Japanese Monozukuri Practices for the Automotive Industry: Enhancing Collaboration Between North American and Japanese Enterprises & S ... Continue reading

Lower Fuel Costs and Plentiful Travel Bargains to Spur Slight Rebound in Memorial Day Road Trips, AAA Says

Lower Fuel Costs and Plentiful Travel Bargains to Spur Slight Rebound in Memorial Day Road Trips, AAA Says

BURNSVILLE, Minn.--AAA today projected the number of Americans traveling on vacation this Memorial Day holiday weekend will increase 1.5 percent from 2008 with approximately 32.4 million travelers taking a trip of 50 or more miles away from home. Last year, 31.9 million Americans traveled during the same period; a dram ... Continue reading

Southwall Announces Q1 2009 Results

Southwall Announces Q1 2009 Results

PALO ALTO, Calif.--Southwall Technologies Inc. (OTCBB: SWTX) announced first quarter 2009 revenue of $6.5 million, down 8% from fourth quarter 2008 revenues of $7.0 million and down 39% from first quarter 2008 revenues of $10.6 million. The year over year decrease was primarily due to a sharp decline in sales of automo ... Continue reading

Progressive Reports April Results

Progressive Reports April Results

MAYFIELD VILLAGE, Ohio--The Progressive Corporation today reported the following results for April 2009: (millions, except per share amounts and ratios) April 2009 April 2008 Change Net premiums written $1,414.5 $1,414.9 0% Net premiums earned $1,322.2 $1,311.5 1% Net income $116.2 $108.9 7% Per share $.17 $.16 7% Pret ... Continue reading

High Growth Forecasted for the China Navigation Map Market Report, 2008-2009

High Growth Forecasted for the China Navigation Map Market Report, 2008-2009

NEW YORK--Reportlinker.com announces that a new market research report is available in its catalogue. China Navigation Map Market Report, 2008-2009 http://www.reportlinker.com/p0118597/China-Navigation-Map-Market-Report -2008-2009.html Compared to Japan, Europe and U.S.A, Chinese car navigation market was still in its ... Continue reading

Seat, First Manufacturer in Electronic Registration

Seat, First Manufacturer in Electronic Registration

SEAT is the first car manufacturer to carry out electronic technical vehicle inspection (ITV) and telematic registration of 6 Exeo units. The project, developed by Spain's Directorate General for Traffic (DGT) together with the Ministry of Industry, Tourism and Trade, in collaboration with the company T-Systems Iberia, ... Continue reading

Valence Technology and Oxygen Sign Supply Agreement

Valence Technology and Oxygen Sign Supply Agreement

AUSTIN, Texas & STAVANGER, Norway--Valence Technology Inc. , a leading manufacturer and supplier of lithium iron magnesium phosphate energy storage solutions, has today been named as a supplier of battery systems to Oxygen SpA of Padua, Italy. Oxygen develops and markets a range of light electric vehicles and has targe ... Continue reading

Real-Time Asset Data Most Critical in Managing Fleet Operations, GE Capital Fleet Services Survey Shows

Real-Time Asset Data Most Critical in Managing Fleet Operations, GE Capital Fleet Services Survey Shows

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn.--Real-time asset data is viewed as the most critical information in effectively managing fleet operations, according to recent findings from a GE Capital Fleet Services’ survey. More than half (56%) of those polled said the ability to track metrics, such as miles driven and fuel consumption, ar ... Continue reading

K2 Energy Solutions Joins with European Batteries to Construct Europe's Most Advanced Rechargeable Battery Factory

K2 Energy Solutions Joins with European Batteries to Construct Europe's Most Advanced Rechargeable Battery Factory

HENDERSON, Nev.--K2 Energy Solutions (K2), a manufacturer of rechargeable battery systems for electric vehicles, mobility devices, power tools, electronics, and energy storage applications, has announced the construction of a highly advanced lithium-ion battery factory in Varkaus, Finland. The new 90,000 square-foot fa ... Continue reading

AutoPacific Survey Says Dodge Nitro and Jeep(R) Wrangler Owners Recommend Their Vehicles

AutoPacific Survey Says Dodge Nitro and Jeep(R) Wrangler Owners Recommend Their Vehicles

- Dodge Nitro wins Mid-Size Sport Utility segment - Jeep Wrangler earns top honors in the Compact SUV/Off-Road Vehicle category AUBURN HILLS, Mich., May 13 -- Two Chrysler LLC vehicles are on AutoPacific's survey of the most highly recommended vehicles. According to the survey released today, owners of the Dodge Nitro ... Continue reading

Experience the New Porsche Panamera up Close and Personal

Experience the New Porsche Panamera up Close and Personal

In the Leipzig plant of Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, the production of the new Panamera has started. On April 19, it was presented to the global public in Shanghai for the first time. ... Continue reading

Harbin Electric to Present at Oppenheimer 3rd Annual China Dragon Call Conference on May 19, 2009

Harbin Electric to Present at Oppenheimer 3rd Annual China Dragon Call Conference on May 19, 2009

HARBIN, China, May 13 /PRNewswire-Asia-FirstCall/ -- Harbin Electric, Inc. ("Harbin Electric" or the "Company", Nasdaq: HRBN), a leading developer and manufacturer of a wide array of electric motors in the People's Republic of China, today announced that the Company will participate in the Oppenheimer 3rd Annual China ... Continue reading

Lancia Delta 1.8 Di Turbo Jet 200 HP

Lancia Delta 1.8 Di Turbo Jet 200 HP

Lancia Delta reflects perfectly the concept of "Anticrisis Luxury" as it fulfils the current requirements of prestige and mobility thanks to the logic of downsizing - i.e. it ensures high quality and performance, reducing cost, size and fuel consumption. Thanks to these winning characteristics, in March this model beca ... Continue reading

TÜV Sets Seal of Approval on Distinctive, Compact SUV: The GLK Awarded Environmental Certificate

TÜV Sets Seal of Approval on Distinctive, Compact SUV: The GLK Awarded Environmental Certificate

Spring 2009 sees the GLK receive not only a number of new items of equipment but also a special distinction: compact and distinctive, it is the first Mercedes-Benz SUV model family to receive the sought-after Environmental Certificate in accordance with ISO standard 14062. In awarding the certificate, the independent s ... Continue reading

China XD Plastics Announces Record First Quarter 2009 Results

China XD Plastics Announces Record First Quarter 2009 Results

HARBIN, China, May 13 /PRNewswire-Asia-FirstCall/ -- China XD Plastics Company Ltd. (''China XD Plastics'' or the ''Company''), (OTC:CXDC) (BULLETIN BOARD: CXDC) , as the largest Chinese manufacturer engaged in the development, manufacturing, and distribution of modified plastics primarily for use in automotive applica ... Continue reading

Rymco Appoints EcoSecurities to Audit and Offset its Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Rymco Appoints EcoSecurities to Audit and Offset its Greenhouse Gas Emissions

DUBAI, UAE, May 13 -- Rasamny-Younis Motor Company S.A.L. (RYMCO), exclusive dealer of Nissan Motors (Nissan, Infiniti), GM vehicles (GMC), Renault trucks, Nissan Diesel (UD), FAW trucks, and Kawasaki in Lebanon, has taken pioneering steps in its quest to emerge as one of the country's most environmentally-friendly aut ... Continue reading

Intermap Technologies Makes 3D Road Geometry for All of Germany Available to Automotive Industry

Intermap Technologies Makes 3D Road Geometry for All of Germany Available to Automotive Industry

DENVER--Intermap Technologies today announced that it has completed production of the first dataset of highly accurate 3D road vectors for Germany. Covering all classes of roads, the dataset features more than one million line kilometers of highly accurate road centerline position and elevation data for the entire coun ... Continue reading

From the Museum to the Road: BMW Classic at the 2009 Mille Miglia

From the Museum to the Road: BMW Classic at the 2009 Mille Miglia

BMW and the Mille Miglia are united by a shared history that goes back a long way. The triumphs of the BMW 328 are as inseparably linked with this 1,000-mile race as the winning appearance of the BMW 507 in the late 1950s. 2009 sees BMW Classic writing a further chapter of this historic narrative. ... Continue reading

Audi With Clearly Positive Operating Profit In First Quarter

Audi With Clearly Positive Operating Profit In First Quarter

Following a very successful 2008 fiscal year, the company's 13th consecutive record year, the Audi Group began this year by recording a significant operating profit for the first quarter, despite the ongoing global economic crisis. "Despite the difficult economic conditions, we are outperforming the overall market. Our ... Continue reading

Skoda Yeti Production Unleashed

Skoda Yeti Production Unleashed

The first Skoda Yeti rolled off the assembly line at Skoda's Kvasiny, Czech Republic plant on Tuesday 12 May 2009. With the start of series production, Skoda has officially introduced its fifth model line and entered the crossover segment. The very first Yeti spotted leaving the production hall was an Aqua Blue, four-w ... Continue reading

Vauxhall Announces Extended Warranty on Starters And Alternators

Vauxhall Announces Extended Warranty on Starters And Alternators

Vauxhall Aftersales is pleased to announce that with immediate effect the warranty on all its starters and alternators will be extended from the standard one year to two years. ... Continue reading

Aston Martin One-77 to Headline Numerous UK Public Debuts at Salon Prive 2009

Aston Martin One-77 to Headline Numerous UK Public Debuts at Salon Prive 2009

Salon Privé, the International showcase for high-end prestige and super car manufacturers, is to feature a number of outstanding World & UK public debuts when the event takes place at London's Hurlingham Club on the 22, 23, 24 July 2009. ... Continue reading

Ford Dagenham at 80

Ford Dagenham at 80

Ford Dagenham is celebrating 80 years of manufacturing as its engine production rate tops 1,000,000 units a year. The 475-acre complex on the Thames, which majors in diesel engine design and manufacture, produced 1,050,000 units in 2008, ranging from 1.4-litre four-cylinder engines to 3.6-litre V8s for delivery to vehi ... Continue reading

Driving Efficiently: New Technologies From Audi

Driving Efficiently: New Technologies From Audi

Audi is consistently pressing forward to improve fuel economy and CO2 emissions. Starting in the third quarter of 2009, the Vorsprung durch Technik brand will redouble its efforts to boost range average fuel economy by 20 per cent by 2012 through the gradual integration of new technologies, including a new start-stop s ... Continue reading

Daihatsu Materia: Individuality Comes as Standard

Daihatsu Materia: Individuality Comes as Standard

Daihatsu's fresh and funky new Materia mini-MPV offers an unrivalled, attractive, user-friendly mix of vast interior space, ultra green values (low CO2 at just 169 g/km and 46.3 mpg, manual model) and quirky, individual styling - making it the perfect vehicle for the environmentally sensitive and frugal family. ... Continue reading

Think Secures Electric Vehicle Homologation and Major Spanish Order

Think Secures Electric Vehicle Homologation and Major Spanish Order

Think today made its mark at EVS 24, the Electric Vehicle Symposium (Norway, 13-16 May) by announcing several highly significant developments that consolidate its position at the forefront of electric vehicle (EV) production. ... Continue reading

K2 Energy Solutions Joins with European Batteries to Construct Europe's Most Advanced Rechargeable Battery Factory

K2 Energy Solutions Joins with European Batteries to Construct Europe's Most Advanced Rechargeable Battery Factory

Located in Varkaus, Finland, the New Facility will Help Manufacture Safe, Eco-Friendly Batteries for Europe’s Industrial, Energy and Transportation Needs HENDERSON, Nev. May 13, 2009; K2 Energy Solutions (K2), a manufacturer of rechargeable battery systems for electric vehicles, mobility devices, power tools, elec ... Continue reading

World's First Billing System For Electric Vehicle Charging Posts Revealed At EVS 24

World's First Billing System For Electric Vehicle Charging Posts Revealed At EVS 24

A ground-breaking tool for monitoring and invoicing electricity drawn from vehicle charging stations will debut at the Norwegian zero-emissions exhibition, EVS 24, today (Wednesday 13 May). Called "EBConnect" - the latest technical innovation from British company Elektromotive - the system will make it easy to identify ... Continue reading

Lexus Takes the Pain out of Parking

Lexus Takes the Pain out of Parking

When it comes to parking manoeuvres, a moment's inattention can cause a costly mistake. Scraped alloy wheels and dented bumpers might seem part-and-parcel of modern driving, but with the new RX 450h Lexus has gone further to make life easier and safer when it comes to navigating tight spaces. ... Continue reading

Caterham Benefits as Supercar Owners Downsize

Caterham Benefits as Supercar Owners Downsize

Affluent motorists hit by the recession are ditching their supercar rides in favour of a taste of classic British motoring. Caterham Cars has become an unusual beneficiary of the economic downturn with an increasing number of owners downsizing their six-figure chargers in favour of pre-owned, but ironically faster, ver ... Continue reading

Opel to Present New Astra at 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show - VIDEO ENHANCED

Opel to Present New Astra at 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show - VIDEO ENHANCED

The new Opel Astra will premiere on September 17 in Frankfurt at the IAA. The new 4.42-meter long compact features an all-new mechatronic chassis, new generation of bi-xenon Advanced Forward Lighting (AFL+) and the Opel Eye front camera system, which recognizes road signs and warns the driver when the car inadvertently ... Continue reading

Detroit-Area Auto Workers to Fill Audience for Eminem's Exclusive Late-Night Performance on ABC's 'Jimmy Kimmel Live' May 15

Detroit-Area Auto Workers to Fill Audience for Eminem's Exclusive Late-Night Performance on ABC's 'Jimmy Kimmel Live' May 15

SANTA MONICA, Calif., May 13 -- Late-night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel and nine-time Grammy Award winner Eminem will bring approximately 200 laid-off auto workers from Eminem's home state of Michigan to Hollywood, CA for an exclusive late-night musical event on "Jimmy Kimmel Live" airing Friday, May 15 on ABC (12:05 a. ... Continue reading

GM To Ship China Built Cars To USA

GM To Ship China Built Cars To USA

SHANGHAI, May 13, 2009; Fang Yan and Jacqueline Wong writing for Reuters reported that General Motors Corp plans to export vehicles made at its joint ventures in China to the United States in the coming years, the official Shanghai Securities News reported on Wednesday. GM aims to ship about 50,000 China-made vehicles ... Continue reading

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