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

August 2004

Select Another Month

Tuesday, August 17, 2004

Cleaner, Leaner and Greener: Toyota Offers a Bevy of Higher-Mileage, Lower-Emission Vehicles

Cleaner, Leaner and Greener: Toyota Offers a Bevy of Higher-Mileage, Lower-Emission Vehicles

August 17, 2004 -- Torrance, CA -- While hybrid cars like the Toyota Prius are capturing the nation's imagination, Toyota offers consumers many choices of vehicles that also achieve good fuel economy and cleaner emissions. To help spread the word, Toyota has debuted a national TV commercial and print advertising campai ... Continue reading

Scion Launches Limited Edition 2005 xA Release Series 1.0

Scion Launches Limited Edition 2005 xA Release Series 1.0

August 17, 2004 -- Torrance, CA -- Scion, the new line of cars from Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc, released manufacturer's suggested retail prices (MSRP) today for its limited edition Scion xA subcompact. The xA Release Series 1.0 will begin arriving in Scion dealerships in late August. The xA Release Series 1. ... Continue reading

CADILLAC OWNERS RECEIVE COMPLIMENTARY CADILLAC VIRTUAL ADVISOR BY ONSTAR ON ALL 2005 MODELS

CADILLAC OWNERS RECEIVE COMPLIMENTARY CADILLAC VIRTUAL ADVISOR BY ONSTAR ON ALL 2005 MODELS

Local Traffic, Weather and Stock Reports at the Touch of a Button TROY, MICH. - Compliments of Cadillac, all 2005 model year Cadillac owners in the United States receive 12 months of Cadillac Virtual Advisor service by OnStar at no charge. With the single touch of the white OnStar button, Cadillac Virtual Advisor servi ... Continue reading

Micrel bringt neuen QwikRadio UHF-Empfänger mit geringer Leistungsaufnahme auf den Markt

Micrel bringt neuen QwikRadio UHF-Empfänger mit geringer Leistungsaufnahme auf den Markt

SAN JOSE, Kalifornien, August 17 -- - Neuer Chip bietet verbesserte Leistung und höchste Integration Micrel Inc. , Branchenführer im Bereich Power-, Connect- und Protect-IC-Lösungen, führte heute den MICRF009-Chip, einen QwikRadio(R) UHF-Empfänger mit geringer Leistungsaufnahme für den Einsatz im Automobil-, Indu ... Continue reading

Experian Automotive Introduces AutoCheck(R) with Buyback Insurance

Experian Automotive Introduces AutoCheck(R) with Buyback Insurance

Provides Dealers Insured Protection Against Major Title Defects SCHAUMBURG, Ill., Aug. 17 -- Experian Automotive, a division of global information solutions company Experian(R), today announced the availability of AutoCheck with Buyback Insurance to its customers. AutoCheck with Buyback Insurance is the first and only ... Continue reading

Global Mobile Enterprise 2004 Conference to Feature Mobile Business Trends

Global Mobile Enterprise 2004 Conference to Feature Mobile Business Trends

OTTAWA, Aug. 17 -- Skyblace Communications Inc. today announced that it will hold, in association with the Mobile Enterprise Alliance, its inaugural Global Mobile Enterprise 2004 Conference and Exhibition, an exclusive event that will bring together senior executives and managers in the wireless enterprise industry. Th ... Continue reading

icarz, Inc. Announces PartsWatch 2.0 Now Available

icarz, Inc. Announces PartsWatch 2.0 Now Available

CEDAR KNOLLS, N.J.--Aug. 17, 2004--icarz, Incorporated, a supplier of demand chain solutions for complex distribution environments, today announced general availability of the latest version of its flagship product, PartsWatch(R). PartsWatch is a comprehensive store management system with built-in Internet connectivity ... Continue reading

Innovative Mobility Expert Joins WestStart-CALSTART Team; Dan Sturges to Expand Clean Mobility Systems Work of Advanced Transportation Organization

Innovative Mobility Expert Joins WestStart-CALSTART Team; Dan Sturges to Expand Clean Mobility Systems Work of Advanced Transportation Organization

PASADENA, Calif.--Aug. 17, 2004--WestStart-CALSTART -- North America's leading advanced transportation organization -- is pleased to announce the hiring of Dan Sturges, a nationally known expert in innovative mobility. Sturges will oversee clean and integrated mobility programs designed to give communities convenient, ... Continue reading

Micrel Launches New QwikRadio Low-Power UHF Receiver

Micrel Launches New QwikRadio Low-Power UHF Receiver

New Chip Offers Increased Performance, Highest Level of Integration SAN JOSE, Calif., Aug. 17 -- Micrel Inc., , an industry leader in Power, Connect and Protect IC solutions, today launched the MICRF009, a QwikRadio(R) Low-Power UHF Receiver aimed at the automotive, industrial and consumer markets. The IC offers enhanc ... Continue reading

Nation's Largest RV Retailer, FreedomRoads, Announces Acquisition of Gary's Sports and RV Center; Move Establishes Company in New England Market

Nation's Largest RV Retailer, FreedomRoads, Announces Acquisition of Gary's Sports and RV Center; Move Establishes Company in New England Market

LINCOLNSHIRE, Ill.--Aug. 17, 2004--FreedomRoads, LLC., the nation's largest recreational vehicle retailer, today announced the acquisition of Gary's Sports and RV Center. The move establishes FreedomRoads in a key New England Market. According to Marcus Lemonis, Co-Founder, President and CEO of FreedomRoads, "The acqui ... Continue reading

ORYXE Energy International is Selected for a Technology Grant from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality; Testing to Begin on ORYXE Energy Diesel Emission Reduction Additive

ORYXE Energy International is Selected for a Technology Grant from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality; Testing to Begin on ORYXE Energy Diesel Emission Reduction Additive

IRVINE, Calif.--Aug. 17, 2004--ORYXE Energy International announced today that the company has been selected for a grant from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) under their New Technology Research and Development Program. The New Technology Research and Development Program is designed to promote the d ... Continue reading

Petersen/ White Lightning Driver Craig Stanton to Appear on Thursday ALMS Web Chat

Petersen/ White Lightning Driver Craig Stanton to Appear on Thursday ALMS Web Chat

Petersen/ White Lightning Driver Craig Stanton to Appear on Thursday ALMS Web Chat ELKHART LAKE, Wisc., Aug. 17, 2004 - Petersen Motorsports/ White Lightning Racing driver Craig Stanton will be a special guest on Thursday evening's American Le Mans Series (ALMS) web site chat session. The Long Beach, California driver, ... Continue reading

Petersen/ White Lightning Likes Line-up of Final Three ALMS Races

Petersen/ White Lightning Likes Line-up of Final Three ALMS Races

Petersen/ White Lightning Likes Line-up of Final Three ALMS Races ELKHART LAKE, Wisc., Aug. 17, 2004 - Petersen Motorsports/ White Lightning Racing is the defending GT class champions for Sunday's American Le Mans Series (ALMS) Road America 500. That would make any team confident going into the Elkhart Lake, Wisc. race ... Continue reading

Shell Oil Products US and Motiva Enterprises LLC Donate $50,000 to the Volunteer Florida Foundation

Shell Oil Products US and Motiva Enterprises LLC Donate $50,000 to the Volunteer Florida Foundation

- American Red Cross to Receive Shell Gasoline to Support Recovery Effort - HOUSTON, Aug. 17 -- As the State of Florida embarks on the daunting task of rebuilding after Hurricane Charley's devastating landfall last week, Shell Oil Products US and Motiva Enterprises LLC donated $50,000 to the Volunteer Florida Foundatio ... Continue reading

Simply the Best n3TC

Simply the Best n3TC

Postmaster The Best 0n|ine Phar-macy is here. Why pay m0re when you can enjoy at a specia| disc0unt? -Cia|is -Via-gra -Vi0xx -S0ma and many many more! Visit Us t0day! http://www.worldwidemedstoday.com?wid=000018 This 0ne-time mai-|ing. ... Continue reading

Solomon Technologies Begins Trials of New Twenty Horsepower Motor

Solomon Technologies Begins Trials of New Twenty Horsepower Motor

TARPON SPRINGS, Fla.--Aug. 17, 2004--Solomon Technologies, Inc. (OTCBB:SOLM) today announced that it has begun tank testing of its new 20 hp electric motor targeting larger marine and land based applications. The increased power and versatility of this new motor will allow the Company to expand its product line into 50 ... Continue reading

Giant Motorsports Reports Record Second Quarter Results

Giant Motorsports Reports Record Second Quarter Results

Six Month Revenue Grows 38.4%; generates record operating income SALEM, Ohio, Aug. 17 -- Giant Motorsports, Inc. (BULLETIN BOARD: GMOS) announced yesterday record financial results for its second quarter ended June 30, 2004. The Company reported revenue of $33.9 million for the first six months of 2004, a 38.4% increas ... Continue reading

Toyota Donates $1,000,000 to Hurricane Charley Relief Efforts

Toyota Donates $1,000,000 to Hurricane Charley Relief Efforts

DEERFIELD BEACH, Fla.--Aug. 17, 2004--Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. (TMS), Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET), its parent company, JM Family Enterprises, Inc. (JMFE) and their employees have announced a $1,000,000 donation to aid victims of Hurricane Charley. The donation is being given both to the American Re ... Continue reading

Monaco Coach Corporation Announces Cash Dividend

Monaco Coach Corporation Announces Cash Dividend

COBURG, Ore., Aug. 17 -- Monaco Coach Corporation announced today that its upcoming quarterly cash dividend will be payable on September 15, 2004 to stockholders of record on September 1, 2004. The Company's Board of Directors declared the dividend on August 17, 2004. The Company initially announced on February 23, 200 ... Continue reading

MBUSA Designs Exclusive Roadster to Raise Funds for Women's Cancer Initiative

MBUSA Designs Exclusive Roadster to Raise Funds for Women's Cancer Initiative

Over $1 Million Expected Through Sale of the 2005 SLK350 for Saks Fifth Avenue's KEY TO THE CURE with the Entertainment Industry Foundation MONTVALE, N.J., Aug. 17 -- In tandem with the national launch of the all-new 2005 SLK, which was unveiled to the media today, Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) announced that a special lau ... Continue reading

Chrysler Group COO Tom LaSorda Frames 'Moment of Opportunity' for Young Leaders to Shape the Future of the Automotive Industry

Chrysler Group COO Tom LaSorda Frames 'Moment of Opportunity' for Young Leaders to Shape the Future of the Automotive Industry

- LaSorda addresses engineering students at Kettering University during DaimlerChrysler Day - Challenges students entering the automotive industry to bring "the right skills, the right mix of experiences and the right attitude" - Encourages future industry leaders to embrace three key values: seek challenges, become fu ... Continue reading

Deere Reports 62% Increase in Third-Quarter Earnings

Deere Reports 62% Increase in Third-Quarter Earnings

-- Quarterly net income reaches $401 million -- Business-improvement initiatives continuing to make strong impact -- Equipment markets in farm, construction and forestry sectors showing continued strength MOLINE, Ill., Aug. 17 -- Deere & Company today announced worldwide net income of $401.4 million, or $1.58 per share ... Continue reading

Wraps off - Citroën's new look C5 revealed

Wraps off - Citroën's new look C5 revealed

Citroën has released first details of the New Look C5, which features fresh new styling as well as significant technical, comfort and safety enhancements – some completely new to the class. The spacious New Look C5 is set to be revealed to the public this September at the Paris Motor Show. Incorporating the Comp ... Continue reading

Motorcar Parts of America, Inc. Announces First Quarter FY 2005 Results

Motorcar Parts of America, Inc. Announces First Quarter FY 2005 Results

LOS ANGELES--Aug. 17, 2004--Motorcar Parts of America, Inc. ("MPA") (OTC:MPAA), a leading provider of remanufactured starters and alternators for the automotive aftermarket, today reported financial and operating results for the first quarter of its Fiscal Year 2005 ended June 30, 2004. Financial Highlights: -- Q1 reve ... Continue reading

NHTSA Administrator Dr. Runge Signs on for Convergence(R) 2004 Driver Distraction Panel

NHTSA Administrator Dr. Runge Signs on for Convergence(R) 2004 Driver Distraction Panel

Panel to discuss convenience and consumer desire: How much is too much? DEARBORN, Mich., Aug. 17 -- While driver distraction gets more attention in the media and industry, Convergence 2004 organizers will take the issue head on with a premier interactive panel discussion during the October conference that includes Dr. ... Continue reading

Defective Door Latch Class Action Lawsuit V. Ford Commenced

Defective Door Latch Class Action Lawsuit V. Ford Commenced

ONTARIO, Canada, Aug. 17 -- Today the law firm of Will Barristers: Morin & Miller (on behalf of Maurice Poulin), commenced a Class Action in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice against Ford (in Canada and the U.S.), Magna International, as well as Magna Donnelly, Dortec Industries, Intier Automotive Inc., and Atoma L ... Continue reading

Luxeon LEDs Signal 'Lights Out' to Bulbs in Vehicles

Luxeon LEDs Signal 'Lights Out' to Bulbs in Vehicles

SAN JOSE, Calif.--Aug. 17, 2004--The incandescent bulb is headed for extinction in rear vehicle lighting with high-power Luxeon(R) LEDs from Lumileds Lighting that are bright enough to replace conventional bulbs on a one-for-one basis. Although LEDs began appearing a decade ago in center high-mount stop lamps, Luxeon L ... Continue reading

AOL Latino Lanza Nuevo Canal De Autos En Espanol Con Informacion Exclusiva De Autobytel

AOL Latino Lanza Nuevo Canal De Autos En Espanol Con Informacion Exclusiva De Autobytel

Editores de tecnología Autobytel Proveera Paquetes Especializados de Informacion e Investigacion con Herramientas de Compra para el Mercado de Autos Dulles, VA--(BUSINESS WIRE LATIN AMERICA)--17 de agosto de 2004--AOL(R) Latino, el proveedor lider de servicio de Internet en espanol para los hispanos en los Estados U ... Continue reading

Dana Announces Addition of Chief Information Officer

Dana Announces Addition of Chief Information Officer

TOLEDO, Ohio, Aug. 17 -- Dana Corporation today announced that Bruce C. Carver has joined the company as vice president and chief information officer. Mr. Carver will be responsible for the development, coordination, and advancement of Dana's global information systems and technologies. (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cg ... Continue reading

CarMax Reduces Second Quarter Expectations

CarMax Reduces Second Quarter Expectations

RICHMOND, Va., Aug. 17 -- CarMax, Inc. announced today that it is reducing sales and earnings expectations for the second quarter ending August 31, 2004, based on softer than expected sales. * CarMax has lowered second quarter comparable store used unit performance expectations to a range of -5% to -7% from the prior r ... Continue reading

Chrysler Kicks Off Woodward Dream Cruise In Style By Unveiling New 2005 Convertible PT Dream Cruiser

Chrysler Kicks Off Woodward Dream Cruise In Style By Unveiling New 2005 Convertible PT Dream Cruiser

Deep Lava Red Chrysler PT Dream Cruiser Series 4 Flows onto Scene at Motor City's Annual Dream Cruise AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Aug. 17 -- Chrysler kicked off this year's Woodward Dream Cruise today with an eruption on Woodward Avenue. Awash in Deep Lava Red paint, a maroon cloth convertible top and powered by a 220-horsepo ... Continue reading

GTC - the most exciting Opel Astra yet

GTC - the most exciting Opel Astra yet

Paris August 17, 2004; The new Opel Astra GTC makes its world premiere at the international Paris Motor Show (September 25 – October 10, 2004). With its expressive, dynamic design, the Astra GTC (Gran Turismo Compact) delivers what its name promises. At the same time, the third unique model – after the five ... Continue reading

AOL Latino Launches New Spanish Language Automotive Channel with Exclusive Content Provided by Autobytel

AOL Latino Launches New Spanish Language Automotive Channel with Exclusive Content Provided by Autobytel

Service Partner to Provide Customized Packages of Autos Info, Research, and Purchasing Tools DULLES, Va. Aug. 17, 2004; AOL® Latino, the leading Spanish language Internet service provider for U.S. Hispanics and Autobytel Inc. , a leading automotive marketing services company, today announced their partnership to launc ... Continue reading

Mills to pay GM unit $1 bln for stakes in 9 malls

Mills to pay GM unit $1 bln for stakes in 9 malls

NEW YORK, Aug 17, 2004; Reuters reported that Mills Corp., a real estate investment trust, on Tuesday said it agreed to buy a 50 percent managing stake in nine regional malls from General Motors Corp.'s General Motors Asset Management Corp. unit for about $1.033 billion, before transaction costs. Mills' chief executive ... Continue reading

LoJack Corporation to Acquire Boomerang Tracking Inc., Canada's Leader in Stolen Vehicle Recovery

LoJack Corporation to Acquire Boomerang Tracking Inc., Canada's Leader in Stolen Vehicle Recovery

Acquisition is Milestone in Achieving LoJack's Vision of Expanded Global Leadership WESTWOOD, Mass., Aug. 17, 2004; LoJack Corporation , the premier global marketer of wireless security and location products and services, announced today that it had entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Boomerang Tracking Inc. ... Continue reading

J.D. Power Study Shows Kelley Blue Book Most Visited Automotive Site Among Used Vehicle Buyers

J.D. Power Study Shows Kelley Blue Book Most Visited Automotive Site Among Used Vehicle Buyers

IRVINE, Calif., Aug. 17, 2004; Kelley Blue Book's Web site (http://www.kbb.com) has once again been shown to be the most visited automotive site among used-vehicle buyers by J.D. Power and Associates' 2004 Used AutoShopper.com Study. Since J.D. Power first completed the Used AutoShopper.com Study in 1999, Kelley Blue B ... Continue reading

Daewoo Europe to Join Chevy's World Wide Branding Efforts?

Daewoo Europe to Join Chevy's World Wide Branding Efforts?

FRANKFURT, Aug 17, 2004; Reuters reported that General Motors plans to sell Daewoo cars in Europe with Chevrolet nameplates as part of its campaign to make Chevrolet a global brand, an industry source said on Tuesday. "Indeed GM is going to build Chevrolet into a worldwide brand," the source said, adding that part of t ... Continue reading

Data Broadcasting Lets Enhanced TV Become Available in South Korea This Year

Data Broadcasting Lets Enhanced TV Become Available in South Korea This Year

Seoul August 17, 2004; Kim Tae-gyu writing for the Korea Times reported that the full-fledged arrival of data broadcasting, which has appeared on the horizon this year, would put an end to lack of information troubles by providing every K-Leaguer's profile in tandem with the football hook-up. A government official said ... Continue reading

Mercury Mariner Job # 1

Mercury Mariner Job # 1

Cleveland, Ohio - August 16, 2004 - - A row of 2005 Mercury Mariner's waits to come through the final inspection area as production began today on the new compact sport utility vehicle at the Ohio Assembly Plant in Avon Lake. The Mercury Mariner was introduced at the 2004 North American International Auto Show and soon ... Continue reading

Ford Raises F-150 Rebate on In Stock Units

Ford Raises F-150 Rebate on In Stock Units

DETROIT, Aug 16, 2004; Reuters reported that Ford Motor Co. has increased cash rebates on two of its 2004 F-Series pickup truck models by $500 to cut inventories of unsold vehicles, a spokesman said on Monday. Consumers buying the F-150 regular cab pickup with no rear seat and the four-door SuperCrew version will get t ... Continue reading

DaimlerChrysler Sells 10.5 Percent Stake in Hyundai, Expects to Raise More Than $900M

DaimlerChrysler Sells 10.5 Percent Stake in Hyundai, Expects to Raise More Than $900M

FRANKFURT, Germany August 16, 2004; David Mchugh writinf for the AP reported that DaimlerChrysler AG said Monday it has sold its 10.5 percent stake in South Korea's Hyundai Motor Co., a move it expects will raise more than $900 million. DaimlerChrysler bought the stake for $484 million in 2000 and 2001, spokesman Toni ... Continue reading

Ford to Phase Out $200 Million Web-based Purchasing System - Good Try Lads

Ford to Phase Out $200 Million Web-based Purchasing System - Good Try Lads

DETROIT, Aug 16, 2004; Reuters reported that Ford Motor Co. said on Monday it was phasing out an Internet-based purchasing software system after four years of trying to develop and integrate it with the automaker's existing systems. "We are going back to the proven legacy systems that are still in place," said Ford spo ... Continue reading

Goshen Coach Appoints New Vice President, Sales and Marketing

Goshen Coach Appoints New Vice President, Sales and Marketing

ELKHART, Ind., Aug. 16 -- Goshen Coach, a division of VSV Group, has appointed John Marshall to the position of vice president, sales and marketing. John will be responsible for all Goshen Coach sales activity including dealer sales, national accounts and international sales. John was formerly director of sales and cus ... Continue reading

MHE2 Motorsports Wins National Baby Grand Championship

MHE2 Motorsports Wins National Baby Grand Championship

MHE2 Motorsports Wins National Baby Grand Championship FRANKLIN, Tenn., August 16, 2004 - MHE2 Motorsports, of Franklin, Tenn., locked-up the 2004 Miniature Motorsports Racing Association (MMRA) Pro National Championship in its typical, dominating fashion. The culmination of the season came at Lake Erie Speedway (North ... Continue reading

FinishMaster Acquires Virginia Automotive Paint Distributor

FinishMaster Acquires Virginia Automotive Paint Distributor

INDIANAPOLIS--Aug. 16, 2004--FinishMaster, Inc. (Pink Sheets:FMST) announced today the acquisition of the automotive paint division of Virginia Paint Company, Incorporated ("VPC") in Richmond, Virginia. Prior to the acquisition, VPC serviced automotive paint customers in central Virginia through several locations. VPC ... Continue reading

Search The Auto Channel

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

The Auto Channel Content by Topic

Vehicle manufacturers and alt fuels.