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December 2005

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Thursday, December 15, 2005

Directed Electronics Prices Initial Public Offering

Directed Electronics Prices Initial Public Offering

VISTA, Calif., Dec. 15 -- Directed Electronics, Inc. , the largest designer and marketer of consumer branded vehicle security and convenience systems in the United States and a major supplier of car and home audio, mobile video and satellite radio products, announced today the pricing of its initial public offering of ... Continue reading

Flextronics Reports New Option Grants

Flextronics Reports New Option Grants

SINGAPORE, Dec. 15 -- Flextronics today announced that it has granted options from its 2004 Award Plan for New Employees to purchase an aggregate of 342,125 ordinary shares to employees of recently acquired companies and other new employees. The options have an exercise price of $10.32 (which is equal to the closing pr ... Continue reading

General Motors Selects Reynolds and Reynolds to Provide Integrated Dealer Management System to All U.S. Saturn Retailers

General Motors Selects Reynolds and Reynolds to Provide Integrated Dealer Management System to All U.S. Saturn Retailers

DAYTON, Ohio, Dec. 15 -- The Reynolds and Reynolds Company today announced that it has been selected by General Motors Corporation to supply an Integrated Dealer Management System (IDMS) to all Saturn retailers in the U.S. As part of a multi-year agreement, Reynolds will convert GM's approximately 440 Saturn retailers ... Continue reading

Honeywell Completes Sale of Security Printing Services to M&F Worldwide

Honeywell Completes Sale of Security Printing Services to M&F Worldwide

MORRIS TOWNSHIP, N.J.--Dec. 15, 2005--Honeywell announced today that it has completed the sale of Clarke American, its Security Printing Services (SPS) business, to M&F Worldwide Corp for $800 million in cash. In the transaction, M&F Worldwide acquired all of the stock of Novar USA Inc., the parent company of the SPS b ... Continue reading

IDG's Computerworld Honors Kay Palmer of J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. as a 2006 Premier 100 IT Leader

IDG's Computerworld Honors Kay Palmer of J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. as a 2006 Premier 100 IT Leader

LOWELL, Ark.--Dec. 15, 2005--J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. today announced that Kay Palmer, Chief Information Officer for J.B. Hunt, has been recognized by IDG's Computerworld, the "Voice of IT Management," as one of the business world's Premier 100 IT Leaders. Honorees, including Ms. Palmer, will be honored at a ... Continue reading

LKQ Corporation Announces Two-for-One Stock Split

LKQ Corporation Announces Two-for-One Stock Split

CHICAGO, Dec. 15 -- LKQ Corporation announced today that its Board of Directors approved a two-for-one split of the Company's common stock. Each stockholder of record at the close of business on January 3, 2006 will receive an additional share for every outstanding share held on the record date, and trading will begin ... Continue reading

Microway Certified to Offer 3Dlabs Wildcat Realizm 500 Graphics Accelerator in WhisperStation(TM) Workstation Line; WhisperStation offers Affordable, High-end Performance in an Ultra-quiet Environment

Microway Certified to Offer 3Dlabs Wildcat Realizm 500 Graphics Accelerator in WhisperStation(TM) Workstation Line; WhisperStation offers Affordable, High-end Performance in an Ultra-quiet Environment

KINGSTON, Mass.--Dec. 15, 2005--Microway(R) today announced that their WhisperStation(TM) line of ultra-quiet workstations has been certified by 3Dlabs(R) to include Wildcat(R) Realizm(TM) 500 professional graphics accelerators. 3Dlabs Wildcat Realizm 500 is a powerful, PCI Express-based professional graphics solution ... Continue reading

Reynolds and Reynolds Announces Delay in Filing Form 10-K

Reynolds and Reynolds Announces Delay in Filing Form 10-K

DAYTON, Ohio, Dec. 15 -- The Reynolds and Reynolds Company today notified the Securities and Exchange Commission that it will delay filing its annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2005. As previously announced, the company is in the process of reviewing its revenue recognition policy in re ... Continue reading

Rocketsports Racing Sebring Testing Report

Rocketsports Racing Sebring Testing Report

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Heather Haupt ▪ cell: (517) 927-8472 ▪ e-mail: heatherh@rocketsportsracing.com ROCKETSPORTS RACING SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETES FIRST PRE-SEASON TEST EAST LANSING, Mich. (December 15, 2005) – Rocketsports Racing headed down south to warmer weather to get some on-track time for a p ... Continue reading

WIX Hummer H2 Program Brings WIX Filters Message to the Masses

WIX Hummer H2 Program Brings WIX Filters Message to the Masses

NEWS RELEASE Contact: Bruce Johnston Ashleigh Lockhart WIX Filters Wray Ward Laseter (704) 869-3383 (704) 926-1314 Bruce.Johnston@affiniagroup.com ALockhart@wwlcreative.com WIX Hummer H2 Program Brings WIX Filters Message to the Masses GASTONIA, N.C. (Dec. 15, 2005) - Following its debut in 2005, the WIX Hummer H2 prog ... Continue reading

GM suspends 401(k) match for salaried employees

GM suspends 401(k) match for salaried employees

DETROIT December 15, 2005; Reuters reported that General Motors Corp. is suspending contributions to its 401(k) retirement savings plan for salaried workers, a spokesman said on Thursday. "We continue to monitor the business in determining when to reinstate the matching contributions," GM spokesman Robert Herta said. T ... Continue reading

Detroit Diesel Makes Significant Investment in Service Technicians

Detroit Diesel Makes Significant Investment in Service Technicians

Enhanced program focused on increased uptime, improved quality for the customer DETROIT, Dec. 15 -- Detroit Diesel Corporation (DDC) is making certain that it's in top shape to support its customers with the launch of G2 -- or the Guild 2.0. With the launch of the new service technician program, service outlets are inc ... Continue reading

SmarTire Reports FQ1 2006 Financial Results

SmarTire Reports FQ1 2006 Financial Results

RICHMOND, British Columbia, Dec. 15 -- SmarTire Systems Inc. (BULLETIN BOARD: SMTR) reported today its financial results for its first quarter ended October 31, 2005. SmarTire's consolidated financial statements and all financial information contained in this release are stated in U.S. dollars and are prepared in accor ... Continue reading

Modine Promotes Margaret Kelsey to Corporate Treasurer

Modine Promotes Margaret Kelsey to Corporate Treasurer

RACINE, Wis.--Dec. 15, 2005--Modine Manufacturing Company , a world leader in the innovative designs of heating and cooling solutions for the agriculture, automotive, truck, heavy-duty and industrial markets, announced today it has promoted Margaret "Peggy" Kelsey to the position of Corporate Treasurer and Assistant Se ... Continue reading

2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx SS Review

2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx SS Review

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WITH CAREY RUSS 2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx SS General Motors is not normally thought of as a niche marketer, but times are not exactly normal at GM. And perhaps that is making the once-conservative corporation a little more adventuresome. If so, there is a silver lining to the cloud. Consider, as ... Continue reading

AMERICAN GT ROAD RACING HIRES PR VETERAN LEE ELDER

AMERICAN GT ROAD RACING HIRES PR VETERAN LEE ELDER

WILTON, CT Dec. 6, 2005; The American GT Road Racing Association announced today that it has retained the services of veteran public relations representative Lee Elder. Elder is part of Goodyear Racing’s public relations effort. He also works as a public relations consultant for Utts Racing, Custom Printing and o ... Continue reading

HowStuffWorks Secures Growth Capital from Carl Icahn

HowStuffWorks Secures Growth Capital from Carl Icahn

Also Acquires the Exclusive Digital Rights to the PIL Library of Over 10,000 Books and 1 Million Images ATLANTA, Dec. 15 -- HowStuffWorks(R), a trusted resource for people of all ages who want to learn more about the world around us, today announced that entities owned by Carl Icahn have made a significant investment o ... Continue reading

Harris Captures Focus Championship

Harris Captures Focus Championship

Press Information: For Immediate Release Contact Information Mindy Stephens Ringers Gloves Public Relations 800.421.8454 _RingersIndy@aol.com_ (mailto:RingersIndy@aol.com) HARRIS CAPTURES CALIFORNIA FORD FOCUS PAVEMENT CHAMPIONSHIP Moorpark, Calif. - (December 15, 2005) Ringers Gloves employee and Ringers racer Alex Ha ... Continue reading

Speech Recognition Consumer Products Hit it Big in 2005

Speech Recognition Consumer Products Hit it Big in 2005

SUNNYVALE, Calif.--Dec. 15, 2005--Sensory, Inc., the world leader in embedded speech technologies, today announced that in 2005 the company achieved record revenues and profits due to its customers' success in releasing speech enabled products, with revenues increasing 70% over the preceding year. Customers such as Rad ... Continue reading

The Place For A Diesel Is...On The Racetrack?

The Place For A Diesel Is...On The Racetrack?

By Carey Russ I received an interesting notice in my email recently. Audi is going racing in the 2006 24 Hours of LeMans, the famous French endurance race. No surprise there, Audi prototype racers have dominated the classic event for the past six years. But 2006 will be different. Previous R8s have used engines based o ... Continue reading

WL Ross Completes Purchase of VTG

WL Ross Completes Purchase of VTG

NEW YORK, Dec. 15 -- WL Ross & Co. LLC ("WL Ross") has completed the acquisition of rail logistics company VTG from TUI AG, the major European tourism company. The purchase price was not disclosed. Wilbur L. Ross, Jr., Chairman & CEO of WL Ross stated, "This is our first investment in Germany and the largest we have ma ... Continue reading

2006 North American International Auto Show Economic Impact Projected Between $580 to $600 Million

2006 North American International Auto Show Economic Impact Projected Between $580 to $600 Million

DETROIT, Dec. 13 -- The economic impact of the 2006 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) is projected to increase by 3 percent from last year, reaching between $580-$600 million, said David Sowerby, C.F.A., portfolio manager and chief market analyst at Loomis Sayles & Co. (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin ... Continue reading

Mercedes-Benz Showcases "Alustyle" Carrier System

Mercedes-Benz Showcases "Alustyle" Carrier System

Posted by www.eMercedesBenz.com on December 13, 2005 at 10:15 AM CST Although not the most exciting news of the day, Mercedes has put out a press release detailing...wait for it... their "Alustyle" line of carriers. Available for the A-, B-, C-, E-, M-, R-, S-, CLS-, CLK-, SL-, and SLK- models, the Alustyle carrier sys ... Continue reading

Apogee Enterprises 3rd Quarter EPS Increases; Apogee Increases Guidance for Fiscal 2006 to Reflect One-Time Item

Apogee Enterprises 3rd Quarter EPS Increases; Apogee Increases Guidance for Fiscal 2006 to Reflect One-Time Item

MINNEAPOLIS--Dec. 14, 2005--Apogee Enterprises, Inc. today announced fiscal 2006 third quarter earnings. Apogee develops and delivers value-added glass products and services for the architectural, large-scale optical and automotive industries. THIRD QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS -- Earnings from continuing operations were $0.32 p ... Continue reading

CSK Auto Corp. Announces Completion of the Pricing of Exchangeable Senior Note Offering

CSK Auto Corp. Announces Completion of the Pricing of Exchangeable Senior Note Offering

PHOENIX--Dec. 14, 2005--CSK Auto Corp. , the parent company of CSK Auto Inc. (the "company"), a specialty retailer in the automotive aftermarket, announced today that the company has completed the pricing of its private placement of $85.0 million aggregate principal amount of exchangeable senior unsecured notes. In add ... Continue reading

MOPAR'S HUBINETTE TO COMPETE IN D1 GRAND PRIX AT IRWINDALE SPEEDWAY

MOPAR'S HUBINETTE TO COMPETE IN D1 GRAND PRIX AT IRWINDALE SPEEDWAY

NEWS RELEASE December 14, 2005 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE TEAM MOPAR CONTACT: Misha Geisert J.R. Thompson Company (317) 432-4110 MoparPR@aol.com MOPAR'S HUBINETTE TO COMPETE IN D1 GRAND PRIX AT IRWINDALE SPEEDWAY Center Line, Mich. - Team Mopar's Samuel Hubinette is slated to compete in his final event for the 2005 season, ... Continue reading

Autoliv Expands Share Buy Back Program

Autoliv Expands Share Buy Back Program

STOCKHOLM, Sweden--Dec. 15, 2005--Autoliv Inc. (SSE:ALIV) - the worldwide leader in automotive safety systems - today announced that its Board of Directors has approved an expansion of the Company's stock repurchase program. As a result, management is authorized to repurchase an additional 10 million shares of its outs ... Continue reading

Autologica and ADC to Increase Auto Dealers' Bottom Line; Autologica and ADC(TM) Will Help Vehicle Dealers in Caribbean, Central and South America by Offering a Mix of Software and Consulting

Autologica and ADC to Increase Auto Dealers' Bottom Line; Autologica and ADC(TM) Will Help Vehicle Dealers in Caribbean, Central and South America by Offering a Mix of Software and Consulting

RICHMOND, Va.--Dec. 15, 2005--Autologica(TM), makers of the Autologica Dealer Management System, and ADC(TM)-Automotive Dealer Consulting, LLC today announced a partnership that will help automotive dealers, distributors and manufacturers throughout the Caribbean, Central and South America improve their business proces ... Continue reading

CA Acquisition REIT Extends Offer to Purchase for Capital Automotive REIT's 6.75% Monthly Income Notes Due 2019

CA Acquisition REIT Extends Offer to Purchase for Capital Automotive REIT's 6.75% Monthly Income Notes Due 2019

MCLEAN, Va., Dec. 15 -- CA Acquisition REIT and Capital Automotive REIT (the "Company") today announced that, as part of CA Acquisition REIT's previously announced cash tender offer for any and all of the Company's outstanding $125,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 6.75% Monthly Income Notes Due 2019 (CUSIP #139733 ... Continue reading

DaimlerChrysler Senior Manager of Diversity Receives Hispanic Advocate of the Year Award from Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

DaimlerChrysler Senior Manager of Diversity Receives Hispanic Advocate of the Year Award from Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

* 2005 Hispanic Advocate of the Year awarded to Jethro Joseph of DaimlerChrysler * Joseph is recognized for his contributions and commitment to the Michigan Hispanic business community * Second honor for Joseph this year ... Joseph recently received the 2005 Advocate Award from the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth ... Continue reading

Dana Corporation Announces Organizational Changes in Commercial Vehicle & Off-Highway Operations

Dana Corporation Announces Organizational Changes in Commercial Vehicle & Off-Highway Operations

TOLEDO, Ohio, Dec. 15 -- Dana Corporation today announced a pair of organizational changes within its global commercial vehicle and off-highway businesses. (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19990903/DANA) Bernard N. "Nick" Cole, president of Dana's Heavy Vehicle Technologies and Systems Group, has elected to r ... Continue reading

DIRT MotorSports Changes Ticker Symbol

DIRT MotorSports Changes Ticker Symbol

NORMAN, Okla.--Dec. 15, 2005--DIRT MotorSports, Inc. (OTCBB:DMSP) (formerly OTCBB:BMSR) announced the change of the company's ticker symbol to DMSP from BMSR. The Company has reserved "DIRT" as its future ticker symbol in anticipation of filing an application for listing on the Nasdaq SmallCap Market in early 2006. Abo ... Continue reading

Flexpoint Files Patent for Humidity Measuring Bend Sensor(R)

Flexpoint Files Patent for Humidity Measuring Bend Sensor(R)

DRAPER, Utah--Dec. 15, 2005--Flexpoint Sensor Systems, Inc. (OTCBB:FLXT) today announced the company recently filed a patent for a Hygrometer Bend Sensor(R); a hygrometer is an instrument that measures the moisture content or the humidity of air or any gas. This technology opens an entirely new market for Flexpoint and ... Continue reading

GenTek Inc. Announces Fourth Voluntary Term Loan Prepayment

GenTek Inc. Announces Fourth Voluntary Term Loan Prepayment

PARSIPPANY, N.J.--Dec. 15, 2005--GenTek Inc. announced that it has prepaid today an additional $3 million of its first lien term loan bringing cumulative prepayments of its term debt over the past five months to $12 million. "We continue our commitment to improve operating cash flow, reduce debt levels and drive value ... Continue reading

Henkel Unveils New Adhesives and Sealants Technology Center

Henkel Unveils New Adhesives and Sealants Technology Center

MADISON HEIGHTS, Mich., Dec. 15 -- Henkel recently announced the opening of its new Adhesives and Sealants Technology Center, which provides crucial expertise and testing resources to transportation manufacturers and suppliers. "From computer-based design to real-world simulation, the new Adhesives and Sealants Technol ... Continue reading

IMSA ACERO to Invest US$120 million to Increase Production Capacity

IMSA ACERO to Invest US$120 million to Increase Production Capacity

MONTERREY, Mexico--Dec. 15, 2005--Grupo Imsa (BMV:IMSA) announces that its Board of Directors has authorized a US$120 million investment for IMSA ACERO to increase its production capacity of cold-rolled, pre-painted and galvanized steel sheet. The additional capacity will be installed at the company's current facilitie ... Continue reading

International Speedway to Host 2006 Financial Guidance Conference Call

International Speedway to Host 2006 Financial Guidance Conference Call

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., Dec. 15 -- International Speedway Corporation (BULLETIN BOARD: ISCB) ("ISC") will host a conference call to discuss the Company's financial guidance for the fiscal year 2006 on Thursday, December 15, 2005 at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time. Susan Schandel, Senior Vice President, Treasurer and Chief Financia ... Continue reading

Magellan(R) RoadMate(TM) 760 Portable Vehicle Navigation System Receives CES 2006 Innovations Award

Magellan(R) RoadMate(TM) 760 Portable Vehicle Navigation System Receives CES 2006 Innovations Award

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--Dec. 15, 2005--Thales, global innovator of navigation and positioning solutions, proudly announces that the Consumer Electronics Association has named its Magellan RoadMate 760 portable vehicle navigation system a 2006 Innovations Design and Engineering honoree in the Vehicle/Mobile Electronics cat ... Continue reading

Marketing Associates Agrees to Represent Sense Technologies' ScopeOut(R) to Mass Merchandise Retailers

Marketing Associates Agrees to Represent Sense Technologies' ScopeOut(R) to Mass Merchandise Retailers

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. & CHANDLER, Ariz.--Dec. 15, 2005--Richard Julien, president of Arizona-based Marketing Associates, has agreed to introduce ScopeOut(R) to national mass merchandise retailers for Sense Technologies Inc. (OTCBB: SNSG). ScopeOut(R) is a newly developed automotive safety product designed to prevent accid ... Continue reading

Nissan Selects UGS' NX Software as New Standard for Its Next-Generation Computer-Aided-Design (CAD) System to Design and Build New Vehicles

Nissan Selects UGS' NX Software as New Standard for Its Next-Generation Computer-Aided-Design (CAD) System to Design and Build New Vehicles

UGS Win in Multi-Year-Long Contest Bolsters Company's Momentum in CAD Segment of Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) Market; Selection Extends to Nissan Affiliates Selection of UGS to Help Nissan Achieve Sustainable Growth, Profitability and Return on Investment Through Nissan's Mid-Term Business Plan 'Nissan Value-Up'; ... Continue reading

Raser Technologies Inc. Provides Update on Corporate Progress

Raser Technologies Inc. Provides Update on Corporate Progress

PROVO, Utah--Dec. 15, 2005--Raser Technologies Inc. (PCX: RZ)("Raser"), a technology licensing company that develops and licenses advanced electric motor, electronic motor drive and related technologies, announced today that there has been significant progress in regards to the design and testing of two new products in ... Continue reading

Sacramento Hometown Hero's Donation Request Brightens Holiday Season for Local Charity and Area Homeless

Sacramento Hometown Hero's Donation Request Brightens Holiday Season for Local Charity and Area Homeless

- Sacramento Loaves and Fishes receives all-new 2006 Jeep(R) Commander in honor of local hero, California highway Patrol Officer J.C. Dodd - Officer Dodd recognized for selfless contributions to public safety and the community - DaimlerChrysler Corporation Fund presents Loaves and Fishes with additional $10,000 cash do ... Continue reading

Titan International, Inc. Announces Fourth Quarter Cash Dividend

Titan International, Inc. Announces Fourth Quarter Cash Dividend

QUINCY, Ill.--Dec. 15, 2005--The Board of Directors of Titan International, Inc. has approved a quarterly cash dividend of $.005 (one half cent) per common share for the fourth quarter of 2005. The cash dividend is payable January 13, 2006, to stockholders of record on December 30, 2005. Titan International, Inc., a ho ... Continue reading

Utility Trailer Manufacturing Co. Receives Nifty Fifty Award for Wide Track Suspension System

Utility Trailer Manufacturing Co. Receives Nifty Fifty Award for Wide Track Suspension System

CITY OF INDUSTRY, Calif.--Dec. 15, 2005--Utility Trailer Manufacturing Company, a leading manufacturer of dry freight vans, flatbeds, refrigerated vans, and Tautliner(R) curtainsided trailers, is pleased to announce that it has been recognized along with Hendrickson International by Newport Communications Heavy Duty Tr ... Continue reading

WIX Filters Continues Popular Box Top Program in 2006

WIX Filters Continues Popular Box Top Program in 2006

NEWS RELEASE Contact: Bruce Johnston Ashleigh Lockhart WIX Filters Wray Ward Laseter (704) 869-3383 (704) 926-1314 Bruce.Johnston@affiniagroup.com ALockhart@wwlcreative.com WIX Filters Continues Popular Box Top Program in 2006 GASTONIA, N.C. (Dec. 15, 2005) - WIX Filters will continue its popular Box Top program in 200 ... Continue reading

WIX Racing Product Sponsorship Promotion Returns for 2006 Season

WIX Racing Product Sponsorship Promotion Returns for 2006 Season

NEWS RELEASE Contact: Bruce Johnston Ashleigh Lockhart WIX Filters Wray Ward Laseter (704) 869-3383 (704) 926-1314 Bruce.Johnston@affiniagroup.com ALockhart@wwlcreative.com WIX Racing Product Sponsorship Promotion Returns for 2006 Season GASTONIA, N.C. (Dec. 15, 2005) - In 2006, WIX Filters again will offer its popular ... Continue reading

Verizon Wireless Offers Tips To Help Customers Travel Safely This Holiday Season

Verizon Wireless Offers Tips To Help Customers Travel Safely This Holiday Season

BEDMINSTER, N.J., Dec. 15 -- Many Americans will pack up the car and drive to see friends, family and loved ones this holiday season. Verizon Wireless, owner and operator of the nation's most reliable wireless network, offers the following tips to help customers while traveling over the holidays. * Drive Responsibly - ... Continue reading

Champion(R) Spark Plug Motorsports Representative John Glover Receives Prestigious NASCAR Buddy Shuman Award

Champion(R) Spark Plug Motorsports Representative John Glover Receives Prestigious NASCAR Buddy Shuman Award

SOUTHFIELD, Mich.--Dec. 15, 2005--John Glover, who for more than two decades has been the "go-to guy" for NASCAR Cup Series engine tuners seeking the latest spark plug technologies, received the prestigious 2005 NASCAR Buddy Shuman Award during a December 2 ceremony in New York City. Presented annually by NASCAR, the S ... Continue reading

Chrysler Group Executive Vice President and Controller Accepts the National Society of Hispanic MBAs Corporation of the Year Award

Chrysler Group Executive Vice President and Controller Accepts the National Society of Hispanic MBAs Corporation of the Year Award

Chrysler Group is recognized for its dedication and commitment to expanding the local Detroit NSHMBA chapter's vision and presence in Michigan AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Dec. 15 -- For the first time, Chrysler Group has been honored as the "Corporation of the Year" by the Detroit chapter of the National Society of Hispanic M ... Continue reading

NeoMedia to Distribute PPG Auto Refinish Products in China

NeoMedia to Distribute PPG Auto Refinish Products in China

FT. MYERS, Fla. & PITTSBURGH--Dec. 15, 2005--NeoMedia Technologies, Inc. (OTC BB: NEOM), said today it has signed a contract with PPG Industries, Inc. , through PPG Paints Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., a 100% owned subsidiary of PPG, to distribute PPG Auto Refinish products throughout the People's Republic of China via ... Continue reading

MetLife Auto & Home Offers Tips and Free Brochures to Help Minimize the Threat of Holiday Fires

MetLife Auto & Home Offers Tips and Free Brochures to Help Minimize the Threat of Holiday Fires

WARWICK, R.I.--Dec. 15, 2005--There are many causes for celebration during the winter holiday months, but it's also the time of the year when the threat of home fires increases dramatically. Nearly one third of all residential fires occur during the winter, according to the National Fire Protection Association, resulti ... Continue reading

Automotive Powertrain Analyst

Automotive Powertrain Analyst

DUBLIN, Ireland--Dec. 15, 2005--Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c29567) has announced the addition of Automotive Powertrain Analyst - December Issue to their offering. Automotive is a dedicated round-up of all the latest global happenings and analysis specific to the automotive engine an ... Continue reading

Edmunds.com Editors' Top-10 Car-Themed Gifts for Kids to Delight Budding Car Enthusiasts

Edmunds.com Editors' Top-10 Car-Themed Gifts for Kids to Delight Budding Car Enthusiasts

SANTA MONICA, Calif.--Dec. 15, 2005--Editors at Edmunds.com, the premier online resource for automotive information, are coming to the rescue of parents who want to indulge their kids' budding enthusiasm for cars, yet haven't found the ideal gift as the holidays quickly approach. Even if getting their driver' license i ... Continue reading

Murray's Discount Auto Stores Opens Largest Auto Parts Store in Midwest

Murray's Discount Auto Stores Opens Largest Auto Parts Store in Midwest

BELLEVILLE, Mich.--Dec. 15, 2005--Murray's Discount Auto Stores, Inc., retailer of automotive parts and accessories, is opening the largest automotive parts and accessories store in the Midwest, located in Mundelein, Ill. The Grand Opening is scheduled for Saturday Dec. 17, 2005. Special guest Mayor Kenneth H. Kessler ... Continue reading

Autobytel Announces 2006 Editors' Choice Awards

Autobytel Announces 2006 Editors' Choice Awards

IRVINE, Calif.--Dec. 15, 2005--Autobytel Inc. , which provides millions of car shoppers with in-depth, expert vehicle information on its popular auto research and buying sites, today announced its third annual Editors' Choice Awards, a listing of the best new vehicles on the market according to Autobytel's veteran team ... Continue reading

New Concept Car 'zaZen' - New Ways to Automotive Enlightenment

New Concept Car 'zaZen' - New Ways to Automotive Enlightenment

ZUMIKON, Switzerland & LEVERKUSEN, Germany--Dec. 15, 2005-- Revolutionary Lighting Technology and Exciting Roof Design at the Geneva Motor Show On February 28, 2006, at the Geneva Motor Show, the exciting "zaZen" will go on show for the first time. The famous Swiss design company Rinspeed, and Bayer MaterialScience (FW ... Continue reading

Car and Driver Releases Annual 10 Best for 2006

Car and Driver Releases Annual 10 Best for 2006

Import Models Take Seven of 10 Honors ANN ARBOR, Mich., Dec. 15 -- The world's number one automotive enthusiast magazine, Car and Driver, today announced winners in its 24th annual roundup of the 10 best cars sold in America. The Car and Driver "10Best" winners are featured in the January 2006 issue of the magazine, on ... Continue reading

New Lincoln Website Flaunts Urban 'Vibe'

New Lincoln Website Flaunts Urban 'Vibe'

* Lincolnlounge.com will provide a highly personalized, unique gateway to the Lincoln brand allowing target users to experience "Lincoln luxury." * The new website is designed to be a destination space to communicate major Lincoln marketing initiatives, showcase new vehicles, capture user information and engage the use ... Continue reading

Volvo Take on The Safety Race: Everybody Wins

Volvo Take on The Safety Race: Everybody Wins

IRVINE, Calif., Dec. 15 -- The following letter from Clive Bengtsson, Volvo Crash Tester, was issued today by Volvo Cars of North America: As the end of the year approaches, so does the usual holiday revelry. It's a good time to look at how we drive and what that means for our friends and loved ones. Impaired driving, ... Continue reading

Freightliner Sells Fire and Emergency Vehicle Operation, American LaFrance, to Patriarch Partners, LLC

Freightliner Sells Fire and Emergency Vehicle Operation, American LaFrance, to Patriarch Partners, LLC

American LaFrance production in Charleston plant will continue until 2007 DaimlerChrysler to re-assemble Dodge Sprinter in Charleston STUTTGART, Germany and PORTLAND, Ore., Dec. 15 -- North America's leading commercial vehicle manufacturer, DaimlerChrysler's Freightliner LLC, announced today that it has reached an agre ... Continue reading

ZF Sales Increase 7 Percent Worldwide in 2005

ZF Sales Increase 7 Percent Worldwide in 2005

New Products, Along With an Upswing in the Heavy Truck and Construction Markets, Pay Dividends NORTHVILLE, Mich., Dec. 15 -- Automotive supplier ZF Friedrichshafen AG announced it achieved a worldwide sales increase of 7 percent during 2005 to $12.8 billion (euro 10.7 billion). The increase was attributed to new develo ... Continue reading

International Speedway Initiates 2006 Financial Guidance

International Speedway Initiates 2006 Financial Guidance

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., Dec. 15 -- International Speedway Corporation (BULLETIN BOARD: ISCB) ("ISC") today initiated financial guidance for the fiscal year ending November 30, 2006. "ISC will continue to leverage strategic internal initiatives and positive industry trends to fuel its near- and long-term growth," commented ... Continue reading

Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks Introduces New Electric Walkie; New Electric Walkie Line Combines Value with Superior Performance

Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks Introduces New Electric Walkie; New Electric Walkie Line Combines Value with Superior Performance

HOUSTON--Dec. 15, 2005--Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks has once again outshone industry standards with its new line of electric walkies boasting the highest maneuverability on the market, advanced regenerative breaking for increased run time and energy efficiency, and 500-hour service intervals. The new electric walkie lin ... Continue reading

Tripath to Showcase New Products at the 2006 Consumer Electronics Show; Company Plans to Introduce the First Trivici-Based Amplifier and Display New Class-T iPod Docking Stations and other Consumer Audio Electronics

Tripath to Showcase New Products at the 2006 Consumer Electronics Show; Company Plans to Introduce the First Trivici-Based Amplifier and Display New Class-T iPod Docking Stations and other Consumer Audio Electronics

SAN JOSE, Calif.--Dec. 15, 2005--Tripath Technology Inc. (Pink Sheets:TRPH), creators of Class-T(R) 1-bit digital audio amplifiers with Digital Power Processing (DPP(R)), today announced plans to showcase new products at the 2006 Consumer Electronics Show (CES). Tripath expects to unveil the first product utilizing its ... Continue reading

BMW Top Premium Brand for 2005

BMW Top Premium Brand for 2005

Washington DC December 15, 2005; The AIADA newsletter reported that with less than 3 weeks left in 2005, BMW AG looks like the top premium brand in sales for the 2005. According to The Wall Street Journal, data released yesterday shows new registrations of BMW vehicles rose 9.5 percent in Europe in November over the sa ... Continue reading

China's Cheap Labour Cannot Last

China's Cheap Labour Cannot Last

BEIJING, Dec. 8 -- As Chinese labour costs keep rising, some foreign investors and manufacturers have begun to look elsewhere for more profitable business opportunities. Nike, for example, has expanded four production lines in Viet Nam and invested US$16 million in new facilities there, giving the cold shoulder to Taif ... Continue reading

Hitachi to Make Hitachi Mobile a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary to Strengthen Automotive Systems Business

Hitachi to Make Hitachi Mobile a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary to Strengthen Automotive Systems Business

TOKYO--Dec. 15, 2005--Hitachi, Ltd. and Hitachi Mobile Co., Ltd. (TOKYO:9429) today announced that they signed a stock-for-stock exchange agreement today to make Hitachi Mobile a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hitachi. This move is intended to strengthen Hitachi's automotive systems business. ... Continue reading

Car Company Looking for a Few Good Heroes: One Month Remains to Nominate Top Hometown Hero

Car Company Looking for a Few Good Heroes: One Month Remains to Nominate Top Hometown Hero

$1 Million in Financial Contributions Awarded in Fourth Annual Volvo for life Awards Nominations for Everyday Heroes Sought at www.volvoforlifeawards.com; Top Winner Receives a Volvo Car for Life NEW YORK, Dec. 15 -- Do you know a hero -- someone in your community seeking to improve the safety, quality of life and/or e ... Continue reading

Automatic Plate Recognition at Virage Security and Surveillance

Automatic Plate Recognition at Virage Security and Surveillance

World Leading ANPR Technology Facilitates Automatic Vehicle Identification and Tracking in all Conditions SAN FRANCISCO, California, December 15 -- Virage, a wholly owned subsidiary of Autonomy Corporation plc (LSE: AU. or LSE: AU.L) and a leading supplier and visionary in Rich Media Management technology, today added ... Continue reading

Intel and BMW Enter Comprehensive Partnership; Agreement Includes Technology, Co-marketing and Motorsports Sponsorship

Intel and BMW Enter Comprehensive Partnership; Agreement Includes Technology, Co-marketing and Motorsports Sponsorship

MUNICH, Germany--Dec. 15, 2005--Intel Corporation and the BMW Group today announced a comprehensive partnership that includes technology, co-marketing and Intel's sponsorship of the BMW Sauber F1 Team. As part of this agreement, Intel technology will be deployed throughout the BMW Group and its worldwide dealer network ... Continue reading

Hybrid Central in China? Toyota Begins Prius Production at China Plant

Hybrid Central in China? Toyota Begins Prius Production at China Plant

TOKYO December 15, 2005; Reuters reported that Japan's Toyota Motor Corp. said on today it began production of the Prius hybrid car in China with local joint venture partner FAW Group as planned, with an aim to sell 3,000 units in 2006. The move marks a significant first step in Toyota's aim to promote the gasoline-ele ... Continue reading

WorldSource Launches Ice Free, a Spray to Combat Winter

WorldSource Launches Ice Free, a Spray to Combat Winter

- WDSC to Test Market Ice Free in Minneapolis and Pittsburgh Starting December 16 - PALM DESERT, Calif., Dec. 15 -- WorldSource, Inc. today announced it is launching a television marketing campaign for its new product, Ice Free, a spray for automobile windshields. Ice Free was developed with NASA-based technology to pr ... Continue reading

Ford Models Back in the Car of The Year Hunt

Ford Models Back in the Car of The Year Hunt

2006 Ford Fusion Ford repeats car-and-truck-of-the-year finals recognition All-new Ford Fusion mid-size sedan brings unique American character to competitive mid-size sedan segment New Ford Explorer features advancements in capability, refinement and safety Fusion and Explorer to be followed by a new wave of models, in ... Continue reading

Ford Back to Its Old Gay Self

Ford Back to Its Old Gay Self

DEARBORN, Mich., December 14, 2005 – Monday, senior executives from Ford Motor Company met in Washington D.C. with the leadership of national gay and lesbian organizations. Following is the letter sent today to the leadership attending that meeting, reiterating Ford's commitment to inclusion. The company said tha ... Continue reading

Alcoa Recognizes Student for Aluminum Intensive Ferrari of the Future

Alcoa Recognizes Student for Aluminum Intensive Ferrari of the Future

PITTSBURGH--Dec. 14, 2005--Alcoa announced today that it has awarded Shigenori Maeda, a design student from the College for Creative Studies of Detroit, a special design prize for Excellence in Design for Aluminum, for his model "612 Lafayette" Ferrari. Maeda designed the Ferrari for the "Ferrari: New Concepts of the M ... Continue reading

Oodle Now Has over 3 Million Auto Classifieds

Oodle Now Has over 3 Million Auto Classifieds

SAN MATEO, Calif.--Dec. 14, 2005--Oodle(TM), the search engine for local classifieds, has rapidly expanded its auto partnerships and now has the nation's largest index of auto classifieds in the 65 markets it serves. Oodle aggregates listings from national sites like CarsDirect as well as specialty sites like Truckerto ... Continue reading

With Strike Looming, Zipcar Offers Free Shuttle Service to All New Yorkers

With Strike Looming, Zipcar Offers Free Shuttle Service to All New Yorkers

NEW YORK, Dec. 14 -- New Yorkers always come together during difficult times, and as the City braces for a possible transit strike this Friday, two companies, Zipcar and the city's beloved H&H Bagels, are joining forces to help keep New Yorkers moving. On Friday, December 16th from 7:30 AM to 7:00 PM, Zipcar, the city' ... Continue reading

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