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October 2002

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Tuesday, October 15, 2002

FORD CONCEPTS PROVIDE GLIMPSE OF FUTURE SAFETY TECHNOLOGY

FORD CONCEPTS PROVIDE GLIMPSE OF FUTURE SAFETY TECHNOLOGY

DEARBORN, Mich., Oct. 14, 2002 – You're driving down the road when your baby suddenly turns cranky. With the press of a button, a camera beams the image of your upset infant from its rear-facing child seat in the back seat onto the dashboard in front of you. The child camera is just one of numerous safety and tel ... Continue reading

Advanced Recycling Sciences Inc. Announces Senior Executive for Germany; Dr. Walter Lambrecht Appointed Manager, German Subsidiary Operations

Advanced Recycling Sciences Inc. Announces Senior Executive for Germany; Dr. Walter Lambrecht Appointed Manager, German Subsidiary Operations

IRVINE, Calif.--Oct. 15, 2002--As part of its continuing program to expand its local presence in Germany, Advanced Recycling Sciences Inc. ("ARS")(OTCBB:ARYC), a leader in innovative products and technologies for the tire and rubber recycling industry, announced the appointment of Dr. Walter Lambrecht as manager of its ... Continue reading

ADVISORY/Motor Trend to Announce 2003 ``Sport/Utility of the Year'' At California International Auto Show

ADVISORY/Motor Trend to Announce 2003 ``Sport/Utility of the Year'' At California International Auto Show

-- WHAT: (October 16, 2002) On opening day at the 2003-Model California International Auto Show, Motor Trend Magazine will unveil the winner of its internationally coveted "2003 Sport/Utility of the Year" award. In selecting this year's winner, Motor Trend editors tested every all-new or significantly changed 2003 spor ... Continue reading

AAA Texas Honors The University of Texas, Austin, for Drinking and Driving Prevention Program

AAA Texas Honors The University of Texas, Austin, for Drinking and Driving Prevention Program

AUSTIN, Texas--Oct. 15, 2002--The University of Texas, Austin (UT) has won the $5,000 grand prize from the AAA Texas College and University Drinking and Driving Prevention Awards Program. The competition challenges universities in six western states to develop and implement programs to prevent student drinking and driv ... Continue reading

Navistar International Corporation Appoints Two New Directors

Navistar International Corporation Appoints Two New Directors

WARRENVILLE, Ill., Oct. 15, 2002; Navistar International Corporation the nation's largest commercial truck, school bus and mid-range diesel engine producer, today announced that James H. Keyes, chairman of Johnson Controls, Inc. and Eugenio Clariond, chairman and chief executive officer of Grupo IMSA, have been named t ... Continue reading

New Hydraulic Technology From Permo-Drive Promises Major Fuel Economy Gains

New Hydraulic Technology From Permo-Drive Promises Major Fuel Economy Gains

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn., Oct. 15, 2002 -- A new "hybrid" hydraulic technology for commercial vehicles promises fuel economy improvements of up to 40 percent for both new and used vehicles, according to Paul Chandler, vice president of North American operations for Permo-Drive Technologies Ltd. Chandler said that based on pr ... Continue reading

Chrysler Recall: 143,500 Minivans

Chrysler Recall: 143,500 Minivans

DETROIT, Oct 15, 2002 Reuters repored that DaimlerChrysler AG's Chrysler arm said on Tuesday it was recalling about 143,500 minivans to fix fuel tanks that could leak. Chrysler said the recall involves 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country minivans built in Windsor, Ontario, between September 2001 and Ma ... Continue reading

Delphi Signs U.S. Parts and Service Distribution Agreement with Parts Plus

Delphi Signs U.S. Parts and Service Distribution Agreement with Parts Plus

TROY, Mich., Oct. 15, 2002 -- Marking another significant stride in its North American parts and service distribution strategy, Delphi Product & Service Solutions, a division of Delphi Corporation (DPH: NYSE), announced today that it has entered into an agreement with Parts Plus, a major automotive aftermarket parts di ... Continue reading

Consumer Portfolio Services, Inc. Third Quarter Earnings Scheduled for October 23, 2002

Consumer Portfolio Services, Inc. Third Quarter Earnings Scheduled for October 23, 2002

IRVINE, Calif.--Oct. 11, 2002--Consumer Portfolio Services, Inc. announced that it will release its third quarter 2002 operating results on October 23, 2002, following stock market close. Charles E. Bradley, President and CEO of the Company, will host a conference call to discuss the quarterly results on October 23, 20 ... Continue reading

G&W Motorsports Appointed Technical Advisor for Picchio

G&W Motorsports Appointed Technical Advisor for Picchio

G&W Motorsports Appointed Technical Advisor for Picchio ALTON, Va. (October 11, 2002) -- G&W Motorsports has been appointed as the technical advisor to Picchio for the new Daytona Prototype through the official importer Momentum Motorcars. Momentum has made this move in order to help service the needs of Picchio custom ... Continue reading

SDC International Audit Nears Completion

SDC International Audit Nears Completion

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.--Oct. 11, 2002--SDC International ("SDC") (OTC:SDCN) today announced that BDO CS s.r.o. (BDO) audit of SDC and its subsidiary Tatra, a.s. is near completion. SDC's consolidated financial statements, and its annual report on Form 10-KSB have been completed, and are only subject to final approval by ... Continue reading

Spartan's new feature: CEO Letter

Spartan's new feature: CEO Letter

Spartan Motors has launched a monthly online feature called the CEO Letter. In an effort to keep stakeholders better informed, CEO John Sztykiel will share his thoughts on the state of the business in a monthly letter that can be found on <http://www.spartanmotors.com> www.spartanmotors.com. Following is the letter for ... Continue reading

Take a Drive With Ashley Judd and Benefit Best Buddies! Fourteenth Annual Best Buddies Ball, Sponsored by AOL Time Warner, to be Held On October 12

Take a Drive With Ashley Judd and Benefit Best Buddies! Fourteenth Annual Best Buddies Ball, Sponsored by AOL Time Warner, to be Held On October 12

WASHINGTON--Oct. 11, 2002--Best Buddies, an international organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of people with mental retardation, is providing a unique opportunity for one lucky person to be the FIRST in the nation to own Volvo's new XC90 - and take a drive with Hollywood superstar Ashley Judd in a first-of-it ... Continue reading

"The Crank" Launches Licensing Deal for Trans-Am Tools Line Between Trans-Am Series, ProQuest Brands, Inc.

"The Crank" Launches Licensing Deal for Trans-Am Tools Line Between Trans-Am Series, ProQuest Brands, Inc.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: T.E. McHale (727) 533-0503 "THE CRANK" LAUNCHES LICENSING DEAL FOR TRANS-AM TOOLS LINE BETWEEN TRANS-AM SERIES, PROQUEST BRANDS, INC. BRASELTON, Ga. (October 11, 2002) - A five-year licensing agreement for a line of tools carrying the Trans-Am trademark is being launched today with the in ... Continue reading

Valence Technology Receives Purchase Order From USABC to Participate in Technology Assessment Program

Valence Technology Receives Purchase Order From USABC to Participate in Technology Assessment Program

AUSTIN, Texas--Oct. 11, 2002-- Valence's Saphion(tm) Technology Evaluated by Representatives From Ford, DaimlerChrysler and GM Valence Technology Inc. , a leader in the development and commercialization of Saphion(tm) technology and Lithium-ion polymer rechargeable batteries, today announced that it has been selected t ... Continue reading

Wescast Industries Inc. Hosts Conference Call and Webcast to Discuss 3rd Quarter Earnings

Wescast Industries Inc. Hosts Conference Call and Webcast to Discuss 3rd Quarter Earnings

BRANTFORD, Ontario--Oct. 11, 2002 (TSX:WCS.A, NASDAQ:WCST), Wescast Industries Inc., the world's largest supplier of exhaust manifolds for passenger cars and light trucks will hold its quarterly conference call to discuss third quarter financial results on Wednesday, October 23, 2002, at 3:00 p.m. (ET). To participate ... Continue reading

ASV Revises Outlook for 2002; Sees Sales and Earnings Increasing for 2003

ASV Revises Outlook for 2002; Sees Sales and Earnings Increasing for 2003

GRAND RAPIDS, Minn.--Oct. 14, 2002--ASV, Inc. announced today it has revised its anticipated sales and net earnings for 2002. Due to weakened construction equipment sales along with overall soft market conditions, ASV now expects its sales for the twelve months ending December 31, 2002 to be in the range of $43-47 mill ... Continue reading

Badger Meter Reports Increased Sales and Earnings in Third Quarter

Badger Meter Reports Increased Sales and Earnings in Third Quarter

MILWAUKEE--Oct. 14, 2002--Badger Meter, Inc. (AMEX:BMI) today reported increased sales and earnings for the third quarter ended September 30, 2002. Net sales for the third quarter of 2002 were $45,952,000, a 29% increase from sales of $35,575,000 for the same period in the prior year. Sales increased $4,207,000 or 12 p ... Continue reading

Diodes Incorporated Announces Conference Call To Discuss Third Quarter FY 2002 Results; Substantially Exceeds Gross Margin Guidance

Diodes Incorporated Announces Conference Call To Discuss Third Quarter FY 2002 Results; Substantially Exceeds Gross Margin Guidance

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif.--Oct. 14, 2002--Diodes Incorporated will host a conference call at 8 a.m. PST (11 a.m. EST) on Wednesday, October 30th to discuss third quarter of FY 2002 results. The Company also announced that it anticipates reporting a slight sequential increase in revenue, in-line with previously issued gu ... Continue reading

FleetBoss AutoGraphics Software, Enterprise Edition, Enters End-User Beta Testing Phase

FleetBoss AutoGraphics Software, Enterprise Edition, Enters End-User Beta Testing Phase

ORLANDO, Fla.--Oct. 14, 2002-- New, Enterprise Version is the Productivity Analysis Component of the Industry-Leading FleetBoss(R) GPS-Based Fleet Management System FleetBoss Global Positioning Solutions, Inc., based in Fern Park, Fla., today announced the beta-test release of FleetBoss AutoGraphics(R) Software, Enterp ... Continue reading

Hitachi's Introduces the Industry's Fastest Microcontroller: SH7058F SuperH RISC Device Operates at 80MHz and Has 1Megabyte of On-Chip Flash Memory

Hitachi's Introduces the Industry's Fastest Microcontroller: SH7058F SuperH RISC Device Operates at 80MHz and Has 1Megabyte of On-Chip Flash Memory

Asset Caption: SH7058F chip for powertrain systems Asset Caption: Web-ready logo Asset Caption: Press releaseAsset Description: Word document file Asset Caption: Downloadable headline & body textAsset Description: Text file containing headline & body text Business Editors & Automotive Writers NOTE TO MEDIA: Multimedia ... Continue reading

Pep Boys Opens 12th Long Island Store; Commack Supercenter Features 12 Service Bays

Pep Boys Opens 12th Long Island Store; Commack Supercenter Features 12 Service Bays

PHILADELPHIA--Oct. 14, 2002--The Pep Boys -- Manny, Moe & Jack , the nation's leading full service automotive aftermarket chain, announced the opening of its 12th store in Long Island, New York. The Supercenter is located on 6350 Jerico Turnpike in Commack and features 12 service bays and more than 28,000 automotive pa ... Continue reading

PPG Inducts Three Researchers Into Collegium

PPG Inducts Three Researchers Into Collegium

PITTSBURGH--Oct. 14, 2002--Three members of PPG Industries' science and technology teams have been inducted into the PPG Collegium, the highest honor the company can bestow upon its researchers. Robert Jerabek, James B. O'Dwyer and John F. Sopko were inducted into the Collegium during ceremonies here Saturday night. Es ... Continue reading

Starcraft Announces $2 Million Tecstar Contract Award; Tecstar Capacity Growing in Texas and Canada

Starcraft Announces $2 Million Tecstar Contract Award; Tecstar Capacity Growing in Texas and Canada

GOSHEN, Ind.--Oct. 14, 2002--Starcraft Corporation announced today that Tecstar, LLC, its tier 1 OEM automotive manufacturing joint venture, was awarded a $2 million contract by General Motors to produce ZRX upfit packages for GMC Sonoma midsize pickup trucks. Tecstar will support this program from its existing product ... Continue reading

Advanced Materials Group Reports Third Quarter Results

Advanced Materials Group Reports Third Quarter Results

RANCHO DOMINGUEZ, Calif.--Oct. 15, 2002-- Sales Up 2% Over Third Quarter of Prior Year, Year-to-Date Sales Still Down Compared to Prior Year Income For the Quarter of $27,000, Compared to Loss of $426,000 in Prior Year Advanced Materials Group, Inc. today reported increased sales of 2% over the prior year period with $ ... Continue reading

Another Profitable Quarter for MyCarPage.com; New Product, New Direction Continue Success of E-Mail Marketing Firm

Another Profitable Quarter for MyCarPage.com; New Product, New Direction Continue Success of E-Mail Marketing Firm

SANTA MONICA, Calif.--Oct. 15, 2002--Another quarter, another positive ledger sheet for MyCarPage.com. "We're profitable year-to-date and we expect the fourth quarter to produce more of the same," said C. Bryce Benjamin, CEO of e-mail marketing company MyCarPage.com, which debuted in August 1999. "Despite the difficult ... Continue reading

ARKONA Reports Record Second Quarter Sales and Corporate Growth

ARKONA Reports Record Second Quarter Sales and Corporate Growth

SALT LAKE CITY--Oct. 15, 2002--ARKONA Inc. (OTC: ARKN), a leader in dealer management solutions for the new and used car automobile industry, today announced record financial results for the three-month period ended Sept. 30, 2002. The company reported total revenue of $914,310 for the three-month period ended Sept. 30 ... Continue reading

Cognex Selected by Leading Steel Manufacturer

Cognex Selected by Leading Steel Manufacturer

NATICK, Mass.--Oct. 15, 2002--Cognex Corporation , the world's leading supplier of machine vision systems, announced today that Salzgitter Flachstahl GmbH, a leading European manufacturer of high-grade steel, will integrate Cognex's SmartView surface inspection system at its manufacturing plant in Salzgitter, Germany. ... Continue reading

Conti Temic microelectronic GmbH Selects I-Logix' Statemate MAGNUM and Rhapsody in MicroC Tool Chain for Complete Model-Based Development

Conti Temic microelectronic GmbH Selects I-Logix' Statemate MAGNUM and Rhapsody in MicroC Tool Chain for Complete Model-Based Development

ANDOVER, Mass.--Oct. 15, 2002-- Raises Level of Abstraction, Automatically Verifies and Tests Application, Eliminates Manual Coding with I-Logix Integrated Tool Chain I-Logix today announced that Conti Temic Product Line Body Electronics will utilize the Statemate MAGNUM(TM) and Rhapsody(R) in MicroC integrated tool ch ... Continue reading

Covansys Implements SAP R/3 System for Trelleborg Automotive Europe

Covansys Implements SAP R/3 System for Trelleborg Automotive Europe

FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich.--Oct. 15, 2002-- System Allows Company To Standardize Internal Processes, Improve Internal Efficiencies and Provide Higher Level of Customer Service Covansys Corporation , a global consulting and technology services company, today announced the completion of a multi-million dollar SAP R/3 implem ... Continue reading

Fitch To Host Teleconf On Pensions In the Auto Sector, 10/17

Fitch To Host Teleconf On Pensions In the Auto Sector, 10/17

NEW YORK--Oct. 15, 2002--Fitch analysts will host a teleconference on Thursday, October 17, at 10:30AM EDT to discuss pensions in the automotive sector. Fitch analysts Mark Oline and Chris Struve will host the call and address the automotive industry's significant pension exposure, as it has become the center of the pe ... Continue reading

Hertz Rolls Out Orion Systems' OnlineContracts Software to Dramatically Reduce Paper Used At Rental Check-In

Hertz Rolls Out Orion Systems' OnlineContracts Software to Dramatically Reduce Paper Used At Rental Check-In

DANVERS, Mass.--Oct. 15, 2002-- First Car Rental Agency to adopt electronic signature capture in rental contracts Orion Systems, Inc. is pleased to announce that The Hertz Corporation has rolled out Orion Systems' complete electronic contracts and signature capture software solution, Orion OnlineContracts, at Hertz' ma ... Continue reading

Industrial Minerals Inc. Approved for Listing in Standard and Poor's Corporation Records

Industrial Minerals Inc. Approved for Listing in Standard and Poor's Corporation Records

TORONTO--Oct. 15, 2002--Industrial Minerals Inc. (OTCBB:INDM), announced today, that the Editorial Board of Standard and Poor's has approved Industrial Minerals, Inc. for a complete listing and description in Standard and Poor's Corporation Records. In addition, Industrial Minerals, Inc. will have its corporate descrip ... Continue reading

J. B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. Reports Revenues and Record Earnings for the Third Quarter of 2002

J. B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. Reports Revenues and Record Earnings for the Third Quarter of 2002

LOWELL, Ark.--Oct. 15, 2002--J. B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc., announced third quarter 2002 net earnings of $16.8 million, or diluted earnings per share of 42 cents, compared with 2001 third quarter earnings of $4.5 million, or 12 cents per diluted share. The earnings represent the highest recorded third quarter pro ... Continue reading

Mace Purchases a Large Block of Its Common Stock Representing 1.7 Percent of Its Total Shares Outstanding

Mace Purchases a Large Block of Its Common Stock Representing 1.7 Percent of Its Total Shares Outstanding

MOUNT LAUREL, N.J.--Oct. 15, 2002--Mace Security International, Inc. ("Mace"), a manufacturer and marketer of security products and provider of car care services, today announced that it has purchased a block of 429,000 shares of the Company's common stock in the open market at a price of $.51 per share. These shares r ... Continue reading

Probex Announces Record Date for Annual Meeting

Probex Announces Record Date for Annual Meeting

DALLAS--Oct. 15, 2002--Probex Corp. (AMEX:PRB), a technology based renewable resource company, today announced that it has set the record date for its fiscal 2001 Annual Meeting as October 25, 2002. Stockholders of record of Probex common stock at the close of business on October 25, 2002 will be entitled to vote at th ... Continue reading

Tele Atlas Launches Most Powerful and Comprehensive Turn-By-Turn Map Database for North America

Tele Atlas Launches Most Powerful and Comprehensive Turn-By-Turn Map Database for North America

`S-HERTOGENBOSCH, Netherlands--Oct. 15, 2002--Tele Atlas N.V.-- Highly Accurate Database First to Integrate Real-Time Traffic Data, Powers Next Generation Navigation/Telematics, Location-Based Services and Intelligent Transport Systems Tele Atlas North America, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Tele Atlas N.V., today ... Continue reading

Tele Atlas North America Inc. and DMTI Spatial Announce Alliance With TELUS

Tele Atlas North America Inc. and DMTI Spatial Announce Alliance With TELUS

CHICAGO--Oct. 15, 2002-- Leading Mapping Data Providers in Canada and U.S. Collaborate on Ultimate North America Mapping Solution for Services Rendered to Telecommunications and Energy Service Providers Tele Atlas North America, Inc. and Canada's DMTI Spatial, Inc. today announced an alliance in which the two companies ... Continue reading

Toyota and Lexus Financial Services Deploy edocs' Customer Self-Service Platform To Provide Online Customer Care

Toyota and Lexus Financial Services Deploy edocs' Customer Self-Service Platform To Provide Online Customer Care

NATICK, Mass.--Oct. 15, 2002-- edocs provides new e-billing, correspondence and online payment capabilities for Toyota's two million retail auto finance and leasing customers edocs, Inc. (www.edocs.com), the leader in online account management and e-billing software solutions, today announced that Toyota Financial Serv ... Continue reading

UPS To Release Third Quarter Results on Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2002

UPS To Release Third Quarter Results on Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2002

ATLANTA--Oct. 15, 2002--UPS will announce its third quarter results on Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2002, at approximately 8 a.m. Eastern Daylight Savings Time. At 10 a.m. EDT, UPS Chief Financial Officer Scott Davis will conduct an investor conference call. This call will be open to reporters and the public, on a listen-only bas ... Continue reading

ABRA Auto Body & Glass Announces City-Wide Food Drive for the Atlanta Community Food Bank

ABRA Auto Body & Glass Announces City-Wide Food Drive for the Atlanta Community Food Bank

MINNEAPOLIS--Oct. 15, 2002--ABRA Auto Body & Glass will be collecting non-perishable food items for the Atlanta Community Food Bank starting October 21 through November 27. Consumers are urged to visit one of the ten ABRA repair centers located in metro Atlanta during these dates to receive a free headlight aiming in r ... Continue reading

Delphi Group Salutes Best Practice Organizations During 2002 Integrated Enterprise Summit, October 28, 2002

Delphi Group Salutes Best Practice Organizations During 2002 Integrated Enterprise Summit, October 28, 2002

BOSTON--Oct. 15, 2002-- General Motors, The United States Naval Research Laboratory and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Show Exceptional Results in Applying Content, Process and Portal-related Technologies Delphi Group recognizes the work of General Motors, The United States Naval Research Laboratory and Bharat Petroleum ... Continue reading

ISE Research, Assemblywoman Fran Pavley Receive WestStart-CALSTART Blue Sky Awards

ISE Research, Assemblywoman Fran Pavley Receive WestStart-CALSTART Blue Sky Awards

PASADENA, Calif.--Oct. 15, 2002-- WestStart-CALSTART: -- Merit Awards for Industry Leadership To: American Honda, Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Los Angeles Department of Transportation, ZEV-NET -- Presentations to be Made At WestStart-CALSTART Advanced Transportation Industry Conference At its upco ... Continue reading

3Q: GM EARNED $696 MILLION, OR $1.24 PER SHARE, EXCLUDING SPECIAL ITEMS

3Q: GM EARNED $696 MILLION, OR $1.24 PER SHARE, EXCLUDING SPECIAL ITEMS

FOR RELEASE: October 15, 2002 General Motors 2002 Highlights - Q3 Financial Results General Motors Consolidated Statements of Income 3rd Quarter '02 Click the above links to view/print the statements (requires program to recognize RTF files, such as Microsoft Word). GM EARNED $696 MILLION, OR $1.24 PER SHARE, EXCLUDING ... Continue reading

Good Housekeeping Announces 2002 Women's Automotive Satisfaction Awards

Good Housekeeping Announces 2002 Women's Automotive Satisfaction Awards

NEW YORK--Oct. 15, 2002-- Toyota Wins in Three Categories; Buick LeSabre and Chrysler Town & Country are Four-Time Favorites Good Housekeeping Institute Technical Director John Kupsch announced that seven automotive nameplates have earned the 2002 Good Housekeeping Institute Women's Automotive Satisfaction Award. All o ... Continue reading

Veteran Motor Car Club of America to Recreate AAA Auto Tour of Early 1900'S With 225 Pre-1942 Antique Vehicles

Veteran Motor Car Club of America to Recreate AAA Auto Tour of Early 1900'S With 225 Pre-1942 Antique Vehicles

-- WHAT: The AAA Glidden Tour(R) -- the largest and longest recurring annual antique automobile tour -- will travel the roads of Central Fla., Oct. 28-Nov. 1, making its first-ever stop at the AAA National Office in Heathrow, Florida, on Monday, Oct. 28. Throughout the week-long event, local motorists will be able to v ... Continue reading

SAE Detroit Section to Introduce 2003 Honda Accord at November 7 Meeting

SAE Detroit Section to Introduce 2003 Honda Accord at November 7 Meeting

DETROIT--Oct. 15, 2002--The leaders of Honda's efforts to develop and build the Accord will discuss Honda's development strategy for the Accord and innovations at the Marysville Plant at the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) Detroit Section dinner meeting November 7. Charlie Baker, executive engineer for Honda R&D ... Continue reading

Hurricanes, Cost of Crude Oil Boost Average Gas Price, AAA Reports

Hurricanes, Cost of Crude Oil Boost Average Gas Price, AAA Reports

ORLANDO, Fla.--Oct. 15, 2002--The nationwide average price of self-serve regular gasoline has increased 4.4 cents per gallon since mid-September, from $1.404 to $1.448 per gallon, AAA said today, bringing an end to a six-month streak of steady prices. Since April, the nationwide average gasoline price has hovered aroun ... Continue reading

2003 New Car Review - VW Passat W8

2003 New Car Review - VW Passat W8

2003 Volkswagen Passat W8 Base price: $37,900 Price as tested: $38,475 EPA mileage: 18 city/26 highway By Des Toups Is it a luxury car if none of the neighbors can tell it's a luxury car? That's the $40,000 question posed by the Volkswagen Passat W8, which wears the same clothes as the $22,000 Passat 1.8T but sports tw ... Continue reading

European New Auto Sales September Scorecard

European New Auto Sales September Scorecard

October 15, 2002 BRUSSELS, Reuters reported the provisional West European new car registrations and market share figures for September released by the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) on Tuesday. Brand SEPT 02 pct change mkt share vs SEPT 01 (pct) (pct) All brands 1,306,429 +0.9 Volkswagen 230,594 + ... Continue reading

Daihatsu sees '02 Japan minivehicle sales down 3%

Daihatsu sees '02 Japan minivehicle sales down 3%

TOKYO, Oct 15 Reuters reported that Daihatsu Motor Co, a minivehicle unit of Toyota Motor Corp, said on Tuesday it expected its domestic sales of minivehicles to fall three percent in calendar 2002 from 520,000 units in 2001. But Daihatsu Managing Director Katsuyuki Kamio told reporters at an unveiling of its remodeled ... Continue reading

Ducati Motor Holding Announces Growing Revenues For the Third Quarter and First Nine Months of 2002

Ducati Motor Holding Announces Growing Revenues For the Third Quarter and First Nine Months of 2002

BOLOGNA, Italy, Oct. 15, 2002 Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A., a leading manufacturer of high performance motorcycles, today announced record consolidated revenues for the third quarter and nine months, ended September 30, 2002. For the first nine months of 2002, revenues were Euro 298.9 million, up 5.5% from Euro 283.4 mi ... Continue reading

Harley-Davidson Couples Invited To Set World Record For Largest Biker Wedding Vow Renewal At Orlando Bike Week

Harley-Davidson Couples Invited To Set World Record For Largest Biker Wedding Vow Renewal At Orlando Bike Week

ORLANDO, FL --(INTERNET WIRE)--Oct 15, 2002 -- Harley owners never lose their passion for life and love! On March 2, 2003 they'll prove it as Orlando Harley-Davidson attempts to set the Guinness World Record for Largest Biker Wedding Vow Renewal. Orlando Harley-Davidson is hosting this historic reception in conjunction ... Continue reading

New Auto Show Coalition to be Introduced At California International Auto Show

New Auto Show Coalition to be Introduced At California International Auto Show

ANAHEIM, Calif., Oct. 15 -- A new coalition, which expects to network some 60 auto shows held annually in North America, will be introduced tomorrow as the annual show season gets underway. The announcement will be made Wednesday, Oct. 16, on media day at Anaheim's California International Auto Show. Auto Shows of Nort ... Continue reading

Microvision and BMW Showcase Revolutionary In-Vehicle Entertainment Display at Auto Shows

Microvision and BMW Showcase Revolutionary In-Vehicle Entertainment Display at Auto Shows

BOTHELL, Wash.--Oct. 15, 2002-- Laser-scanning projection display for passenger entertainment demonstrated in a BMW 7 Series sedan research car Microvision , the leader in light scanning technologies for displays and imaging, announced today that it has been working in close cooperation with German automaker BMW to cre ... Continue reading

Caterpillar to lay off up to 3,270 at Illinois, Georgia plants

Caterpillar to lay off up to 3,270 at Illinois, Georgia plants

Peoria, Illinois, October 15, 2002; Bloomberg News reported that Caterpillar Inc., the world's second-biggest maker of heavy-duty diesel engines, said it will lay off as many as 3,270 workers at Illinois and Georgia plants that make truck engines because of slowing demand. The layoffs will be at Illinois plants in Moss ... Continue reading

Hyundai Motor enters race to woo Chinese consumer

Hyundai Motor enters race to woo Chinese consumer

SEOUL, Oct 14 Reuters reported that South Korea's Hyundai Motor Co Ltd <05380.KS> on Monday said it got the green light to produce cars in China, becoming the latest automaker to join the race for the world's fastest growing car market. South Korea's largest carmaker plans to produce 500,000 cars a year by 2010 in Chin ... Continue reading

DaimlerChrysler Canada headed for strike-union

DaimlerChrysler Canada headed for strike-union

TORONTO, Oct 14 Scott Anderson writing for Reuters reported that some 11,000 workers at DaimlerChrysler's <DCX.N><DCXGn.DE> Canadian operations are headed for a strike unless the automaker promises no jobs will be lost at one production plant and backs down on demands for concessions, the head of Canada's auto union sa ... Continue reading

Delphi Wins $2.5 Billion Contract for Diesel Common Rail With Renault

Delphi Wins $2.5 Billion Contract for Diesel Common Rail With Renault

PARIS, Oct. 14, 2002; Delphi Corp. has won a contract with an estimated lifetime value exceeding $2.5 billion U.S. to supply advanced common rail diesel injection systems to Renault. The contract builds on the successful cooperation between Renault and Delphi in many areas of high technology, including the introduction ... Continue reading

Detroit Diesel Corporation Receives EPA Certification For the Series 60 Engine

Detroit Diesel Corporation Receives EPA Certification For the Series 60 Engine

DETROIT, Oct. 14, 2002 -- Detroit Diesel Corporation (DDC) confirmed today that it has received EPA certification for its 12.7 and 14.0 liter Series 60 on-highway engines. The Series 60 engine is fully certified to the new 2.5 g/hp-hr NOx + NMHC standard and does not require an aftertreatment device of any kind. In add ... Continue reading

Volvo's First XC90 Sold at Charity Auction; Company's First SUV Goes for $86,000 at Best Buddies Ball

Volvo's First XC90 Sold at Charity Auction; Company's First SUV Goes for $86,000 at Best Buddies Ball

WASHINGTON, Oct. 14, 2002; Volvo Cars of North America, LLC announces that its first XC90 sold in North America brought in $86,000 in a charity auction, benefiting Best Buddies International, a non-profit organization committed to improving the lives of people with mental retardation. A gleaming Black Sapphire XC90 AWD ... Continue reading

Aston Martin Jaguar Land Rover North America Announces New Vice President Of Franchise Operations

Aston Martin Jaguar Land Rover North America Announces New Vice President Of Franchise Operations

IRVINE, Calif., Oct. 14 -- Aston Martin Jaguar Land Rover North America today announces that Mark Scarpato is appointed vice president of Franchise Operations, effective immediately. Scarpato will report to Mike O'Driscoll, president of Aston Martin Jaguar Land Rover North America. Scarpato replaces Sally Eastwood, who ... Continue reading

Hitachi's Introduces the Industry's Fastest Microcontroller

Hitachi's Introduces the Industry's Fastest Microcontroller

-- Hitachi Semiconductor (America) Inc. announced the SH7058F, a high-speed 32-bit RISC MCU with the features and performance needed for advanced embedded control systems for automotive, factory automation and industrial equipment applications. You can reach the story directly by going to http://www.newstream.com/cgi-b ... Continue reading

Copart Acquires its Sixth Public Auction Facility

Copart Acquires its Sixth Public Auction Facility

BENICIA, Calif.--Oct. 14, 2002--Copart, Inc. today announced that its Motors Auction Group (MAG) subsidiary has acquired Richmond Auto Auction of Virginia, Inc., of Richmond, Virginia. The acquisition expands Copart's national network of vehicle auction and storage locations to 97 sites in 40 states. "Richmond Auto Auc ... Continue reading

Tele Atlas Launches Most Powerful and Comprehensive Turn-by-Turn Map Database for North America

Tele Atlas Launches Most Powerful and Comprehensive Turn-by-Turn Map Database for North America

CHICAGO--Oct. 14, 2002-- Highly Accurate Database First to Integrate Real-Time Traffic Data; Powers Next-Generation Navigation/Telematics, Location-based Services and Intelligent Transportation Systems Tele Atlas North America, Inc. today launched a new turn-by-turn capable map database that combines significantly impr ... Continue reading

Alcoa Receives EU Antitrust Clearance to Acquire Fairchild Fasteners

Alcoa Receives EU Antitrust Clearance to Acquire Fairchild Fasteners

PITTSBURGH--Oct. 14, 2002--Alcoa Inc. announced today that it has received antitrust clearance from the European Union to complete its previously announced acquisition of Fairchild Fasteners, a leading supplier of aerospace fasteners, from The Fairchild Corporation. Fairchild Fasteners is one of the world's premiere ma ... Continue reading

Global Response Reports Optimism for Telematics Among Auto Clubs Worldwide

Global Response Reports Optimism for Telematics Among Auto Clubs Worldwide

CHICAGO--Oct. 14, 2002--Representatives of Global Response, a telematics consortium of the world's largest motoring organizations, are reporting continued progress and optimism in the deployment of telematics systems worldwide. In presentations to the ITS World Congress in Chicago this week, representatives of Global R ... Continue reading

Flexcar Supports Rideshare Week With Special Promotion

Flexcar Supports Rideshare Week With Special Promotion

SEATTLE--Oct. 14, 2002-- Reduces membership fee for Rideshare participants, allowing them to have a car at the office without driving to the office Flexcar, the nation's oldest and largest car-sharing company today announced a special promotion in conjunction with Rideshare Week -- $15 off the normal $25 application fe ... Continue reading

FlyOver Visual Map Technology the First 3D Aerial Imagery Map to Enrich Kenwood's New Car Navigation System

FlyOver Visual Map Technology the First 3D Aerial Imagery Map to Enrich Kenwood's New Car Navigation System

SEVILLE, Spain--Oct. 14, 2002--FlyOver Technologies, Inc. announced today that the company's Visual Map(TM) technology was implemented in Kenwood's latest release of a Hard Disk Drive-based Car Navigation System in Japan, enriching users with Aerial map "Sky Cruise View". System view www.2flyover.com/FlyOver_Kenwood.jp ... Continue reading

Philips Launches Solution for Tire Pressure Monitoring System

Philips Launches Solution for Tire Pressure Monitoring System

SAN JOSE, Calif.--Oct. 14, 2002--Royal Philips Electronics is increasing vehicle safety and driver convenience by launching a new chip solution dedicated for direct measurement of vehicle tire pressure and identification, consolidating Philips' position as a technology leader in wireless connectivity and market leader ... Continue reading

Two Years in a Row: Manugistics Named Finalist for Prestigious Automotive News PACE Awards

Two Years in a Row: Manugistics Named Finalist for Prestigious Automotive News PACE Awards

DETROIT--Oct. 14, 2002-- Web-Based Supplier iHub Solution Honored for its Innovation and Excellence in Connecting the Automotive Supply Chain Manugistics Group, Inc. , the leading global provider of supply chain management and pricing optimization solutions, today announced that, for the second year in a row, it has be ... Continue reading

``The Vincent'' Makes Stunning Return; Four New Prototypes of the Legendary Motorcycle Unveiled

``The Vincent'' Makes Stunning Return; Four New Prototypes of the Legendary Motorcycle Unveiled

RANCHO SANTA FE, Calif.--Oct. 14, 2002--Vincent Motors USA(R), a San Diego company bringing back the legendary Vincent motorcycle, unveiled five prototypes to media and investors at a gala event held recently at the home of Vincent Motors Founder and President, Bernard Li. In its day, "The Vincent" was the world's most ... Continue reading

Pricing Experts Pinpoint Hefty Deals in the Big Wheels Category

Pricing Experts Pinpoint Hefty Deals in the Big Wheels Category

LOS ANGELES--Oct. 14, 2002--CarsDirect.com, the leading multi-brand online car buying service, today announced its October 2002 Best Bargains list. Launched just last month, this new service pinpoints the country's top new vehicle values as selected by CarsDirect.com's team of pricing experts. Best Bargains are selecte ... Continue reading

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