Tuesday, December 2, 2008

2009 Infiniti G Line Named to '10 Best Cars' List by Car and Driver Magazine

FRANKLIN, Tenn., Dec. 2 -- Infiniti has added another prestigious award to its trophy case with the announcement that its 2009 G Coupe and Sedan have captured a place on Car and Driver magazine's annual "10 Best Cars" list. (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080506/INFINITIBADGELOGO ) Lauded for its "enhanced ... Continue reading

Subaru Posts November 2008 Sales

- Year-to-Date Sales Up 1-Percent - - November Sales Down 8-Percent - - Forester Sets Record November sales, Up 64-percent - CHERRY HILL, N.J., Dec. 2 -- Subaru of America, Inc. today announced an 8-percent decrease in sales for the month of November versus November 2007. Subaru remains one of the few automotive brands ... Continue reading

Audi Reports November 2008 Sales

-- Sales down 25.4% compared to strong November last year -- Audi A5 and R8 sales more than double totals from November 2007 -- Audi TT sales up 74.6% in November HERNDON, Va., Dec. 2 -- Audi today announced sales for the month of November totaling 6,788 units, a decrease of 25.4% from November 2007. Audi continues to ... Continue reading

Nissan North America Announces November 2008 Sales

FRANKLIN, Tenn., Dec. 2 -- Nissan North America, Inc. (NNA) today reported sales for November of 46,605 units versus 80,683 units a year ago, a decrease of 42.2 percent. Sales of Nissan Division vehicles decreased 44.4 percent, while sales of Infiniti vehicles decreased by 28.0 percent. (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cg ... Continue reading

Mitsubishi Motors Reports November 2008 Sales

CYPRESS, Calif., Dec. 2 -- Mitsubishi Motors today announced November 2008 sales of 5,096. Highlights include: -- Galant was the volume leader in November. Galant sales are up 1 percent for the year compared to January through November 2007. -- Outlander sales were up 3.4 percent compared to October. ... Continue reading

GM Offers Cuts In Brands, Salaries, Debt, Payroll

WASHINGTON, DC December 2, 2008: According to Harry Stoffer writing for Automotive News, the General Motors of 2012 will have fewer brands and nameplates, thousands fewer dealers and employees, and much less debt on its balance sheet, under a restructuring plan GM gave Congress today. GM will focus on its "core brands" ... Continue reading

YOKOHAMA NAMED PRESENTING SPONSOR OF PATRÓN GT3 CHALLENGE BY YOKOHAMA

Yokohama is the presenting sponsor and official tire supplier for the 2009 Patron GT3 Challenge by Yokohama. Only days after announcing a new title sponsor for its Porsche GT3 Cup-based championship, the International Motorsports Association has secured leading tire manufacturer Yokohama as presenting sponsor and offic ... Continue reading

Runoffs Programming Continues Wednesday with Spec Miata and Formula Continental

TOPEKA, Kan. December 2, 2008: Week four of SCCA National Championship Runoffs TV programming on SPEED shines the spotlight on Spec Miata and Formula Continental, Wednesday, Dec. 3. Spec Miata kicks things off at noon (EST). Eric Foss, the 2008 SCCA Playboy Mazda MX-5 Cup Champion, leads the field to the green flag in ... Continue reading

Las Vegas Motor Speedway Added to Line-Up of Racetracks Available to Simulation Service Members

BEDFORD, MA. December 2, 2008: What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas? Not at iRacing.com, where members will soon be able to race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway without ever leaving home – even if home is halfway around the world from the glitz of the Strip. The 1.5-mile D-shaped oval, with its 20-degree banking, hos ... Continue reading

INDYCAR SERIES NOTES - December 2, 2008

1. Dixon, Castroneves, Matos earn First Team All-America honors: Scott Dixon, Helio Castroneves and Raphael Matos have been voted to the 2008 All-America Auto Racing First Team by the American Auto Racing Writers and Broadcasters Association. They are among 17 drivers in seven categories eligible for the Jerry Titus Aw ... Continue reading

A1GP's Adam Carroll for Race of Champions

London, Great Britain December 2, 2008: Adam Carroll’s exploits for the pride of his nation in A1GP World Cup of Motorsport have not gone un-noticed as the A1 Team Ireland driver has been invited to represent his country at the Race of Champions at London’s Wembley Stadium on the 14 December. The driver from ... Continue reading

Chrysler LLC Reports November 2008 U.S. Sales

-- All-new Dodge Ram sales continue to gain momentum -- Jeep(R) Liberty sales increased 6% compared to October 2008 -- Chrysler's U.S. retail market share increased 0.6 percentage points in November -- Fleet sales decreased 63%; Retail sales remain aligned with industry -- Additional incentives and financing arrangemen ... Continue reading

Fleetwood Continues to Focus on Product Innovation

- UNVEILS FIRST-EVER FLEETWOOD HYBRID AT RVIA INDUSTRY SHOW - RIVERSIDE, Calif., Dec. 2 -- Fleetwood Enterprises' RV Group, a leading producer of recreational vehicles, today announced the unveiling of its first-ever Fleetwood Hybrid motor home concept vehicle during RVIA's 46th Annual National RV Trade Show in Louisvi ... Continue reading

Tesla Motors Names New Senior Vice President of Global Sales, Marketing and Service

SAN CARLOS, Calif.--Former Harley-Davidson executive Michael van der Sande has joined Tesla Motors as senior vice president for global sales, marketing and service, effective immediately. He replaces Darryl Siry, who resigned to pursue other opportunities. Van der Sande is the latest executive with deep automotive expe ... Continue reading

Barrett-Jackson to Host Preview Days for Ford Tri-Motor Airplane in Goldsboro, N.C.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.--The Barrett-Jackson Auction Company will host a preview of the rare 1929 Ford 4-AT-E Tri-Motor airplane that is scheduled to sell at No Reserve during the 38th Annual Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction in Scottsdale, Ariz., Jan. 11-18, 2009. The preview is free to the public and will take place on ... Continue reading

Kia Motors America Announces November 2008 Sales

Rio, Optima, and Rondo sales each up more than 14-percent year-to-date IRVINE, Calif., Dec. 2 -- Kia Motors America (KMA) today announced November sales of 15,182 units with year-to-date sales of 258,753 units. Passenger cars have led the way in 2008, with Rio, Optima and Rondo all posting double digit increases year-t ... Continue reading

Acura Announces November 2008 Sales Results

All-New TL Is Sales Leader for Acura TORRANCE, Calif., Dec. 2 -- In its second full month of sales, the all-new 2009 TL performance luxury sedan remained Acura's sales leader for November with 3,160 vehicles sold. Acura sales for November were 7,888, down 38.9 percent* versus 2007, while year-to-date** sales for the lu ... Continue reading

BMW Group U.S. Division Reports November 2008 Sales

BMW Group sales in the U.S. (BMW and MINI combined) down by 26.8 percent. Company continues to outperform the market year-to-date. WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J., Dec. 2 -- The BMW Group in the U.S. (BMW and MINI combined) reported November sales of 19,762 vehicles, a decrease of 26.8 percent over the 26,985 vehicles sold in Nov ... Continue reading

MBUSA Reports November 2008 New Car Sales of 14,102

MONTVALE, N.J., Dec. 2 -- Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) reported November sales of 14,102 vehicles, bringing the company's year-to-date volume to 206,396, an 8.6 percent decrease over the year-to-date record set last year. Sales highlights for Mercedes-Benz USA include a 16.9 percent increase in C-Class sales and a 5.5 per ... Continue reading

Daimler AG Reports a 30 Percent Decrease for the Mercedes-Benz Cars Division in the U.S. for November 2008

- Total 15,991 of Units of Mercedes-Benz Cars Division Sold in U.S. in November - Mercedes-Benz USA Records November Sales of 14,102 - smart USA Records 1,889 Sales in November NEW YORK, Dec. 2 -- Daimler AG (stock exchange abbreviation DAI) today reported sales for the Mercedes-Benz Cars division (Mercedes-Benz and sm ... Continue reading

Mazda Reports November 2008 Sales

- MAZDA5 Sales Lead The Way - IRVINE, Calif., Dec. 2 -- Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) today reported November 2008 sales of 14,134, down 31.3 percent versus last year (down 28.6 percent on a DSR basis), and year-to-date sales of 245,984, down 9.3 percent. The MAZDA5 multi-activity vehicle had an incredible sal ... Continue reading

Hyundai Motor America Reports November 2008 Sales

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., Dec. 2 -- Hyundai Motor America today announced sales of 19,221 for the month of November, a 40 percent decrease from November 2007 levels. "We are still experiencing challenging times but believe that Hyundai remains exceptionally well positioned to confront these difficult market conditions," ... Continue reading

Ford Motor Company Submits Business Plan to Congress

- Based on current business planning assumptions, Ford expects both its overall and its North American Automotive business pre-tax results to be breakeven or profitable in 2011 - Ford provided initial details of an accelerated vehicle electrification plan for a family of hybrids, plug-in hybrids and battery electric ve ... Continue reading

American Honda Reports November 2008 Sales

Honda Pilot up 4.5 percent TORRANCE, Calif., Dec. 2 -- American Honda Motor Co., Inc., posted November sales of 76,233, a decline of 31.6 percent, compared to record November 2007 results. American Honda year-to-date sales of 1,342,680 represent a 5.8 percent decrease, based on the daily selling rate*. Honda Division p ... Continue reading

Fisker Automotive's First Production Vehicle, the Fisker Karma, to Be Showcased

IRVINE, Calif., Dec. 2 -- Fisker Automotive, Inc., a green American premium sports car company, today announced that its first production car, the Fisker Karma, will be showcased at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS). With only minor design enhancements made to the exterior of the vehicle, the productio ... Continue reading

Toyota Reports November 2008 Sales

TORRANCE, Calif., Dec. 2 -- Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., today reported November sales of 130,307 vehicles, a decrease of 33.9 percent from last November, on a daily selling rate basis. The Toyota Division posted November sales of 114,084 units, a decrease of 33.8 percent from last November. The Lexus Divisi ... Continue reading

Ford Share Increases for Second Straight Month

- Ford market share higher than a year ago for the second month in a row; Ford, Lincoln and Mercury sales totaled 118,818, down 30 percent versus November 2007 - F-Series sales totaled 37,911 including nearly 5,000 all-new 2009 model F-150s - Ford announces first quarter 2008 North American production plan DEARBORN, Mi ... Continue reading

Porsche Reports November 2008 Sales in U.S.

ATLANTA--Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (PCNA), importer and distributor of Porsche sports cars and Cayenne SUVs in the United States, today announced November sales in the U.S. of 1,378 units compared to the same period last year when it sold a near record-setting 2,662. The dramatic downturn in the car market, incl ... Continue reading

What's Next for Electric Drive Vehicles?

-EDTA Conference Addresses Progress, Policies and Potential of Electrifying Transportation Sector- WASHINGTON, Dec. 2 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Hundreds of leaders from the auto, energy, and government sectors began meeting here this week to discuss ways to accelerate the development and adoption of fuel-efficient, el ... Continue reading

FAW Mazda To Build New Plant To Raise Capacity

FAW Mazda to build new plant to raise capacity http://www.gasgoo.com/auto-news/1008576/FAW-Mazda-to-build-new-plant-to -rais e-capacity.html Shanghai, December 2 (Gasgoo.com) FAW Mazda is preparing for building a new plant, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2010 and will boost the carmaker's production ca ... Continue reading

Many Chinese Automakers Facing Overcapacity

Many Chinese automakers facing overcapacity http://www.gasgoo.com/auto-news/1008575/Many-Chinese-automakers-facing- overc apacity.html Shanghai, December 2 (Gasgoo.com) Many Chinese automakers are facing the problem of production overcapacity following aggressive expansions, a report from the Economic Observer showed M ... Continue reading

Beijing Auto To Spend 10 Bln Yuan On 3 Projects

Beijing Auto to spend 10 bln yuan on 3 projects http://www.gasgoo.com/auto-news/1008577/Beijing-Auto-to-spend-10-bln-yu an-on -3-projects.html Shanghai, December 2 (Gasgoo.com) In the coming few months, Beijing Automobile Industries Holding Co (Beijing Auto, Beiqi) will invest 10 billion yuan ($1.47 billion) in three k ... Continue reading

GM Daewoo Reports November Sales of 62,384 Vehicles

GM Daewoo Auto & Technology (GM Daewoo) announced today that it sold 4,537 vehicles in Korea and exported 57,847 vehicles for total November sales of 62,384 vehicles. ... Continue reading

Lamborghini Gallardo LP 560-4 Voted 2008 "SportsCar of the Year"

The Lamborghini Gallardo LP 560-4 has been voted "SportsCar of the Year" by German magazine AutoBild SportsCars. Stephan Winkelmann, President and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini, accepted the award for the best sports car of the year at the Essen Motor Show's "Race Night". ... Continue reading

Vauxhall To Pass On Chancellor's VAT Savings Across All Its Models

From today Vauxhall will reduce the cost of all its cars by 2.5 per cent, in line with the Chancellor's announcement earlier last week that VAT will be charged at 15 per cent, down from 17.5 per cent. ... Continue reading

Holden Commodore Named Car Buyers Favourite for Sixth Consecutive Year

GM Holden's highly acclaimed VE Commodore range has won the carsales.com Ltd People's Choice Award in the large car category for the sixth consecutive year. ... Continue reading

GM de Mexico Announces Grace Lieblein as President and Managing Director

General Motors Chairman and CEO Rick Wagoner announced today that Grace Lieblein, currently global vehicle chief engineer for front wheel drive trucks, has been appointed president and managing director of GM de Mexico (GMM) effective immediately. She succeeds Kevin Williams, who was recently appointed GM North America ... Continue reading

Friedrich Eichiner becomes BMW CFO

Dr. Friedrich Eichiner (53) will assume responsibility for the Finance Division with immediate effect. Dr. Michael Ganal (54) occupied this position from October 2007 and will remain a member of the Board of Management of BMW AG. ... Continue reading

Euro Car Body Award for the Audi Q5

Thanks to intelligent lightweight design, good aerodynamics, innovative technologies, and streamlined production, the Audi Q5 has won the renowned Euro Car Body Award. For the third time in just six years, the world's most important honor in this field goes to the brand with the four rings in Ingolstadt as recognition ... Continue reading

Audi: LED Technology & Light Design

Audi was the first automobile manufacturer to recognise the potential of revolutionary LED lighting technology and then incorporate it during development of its vehicles. The brand with the four rings has since acquired a technological edge putting it years ahead of the competition, and is a key driver of this innovati ... Continue reading

Toyota iQ: Smallest and Safest

It is a common assumption that the smaller the car, the more vulnerable driver and passengers are in an accident. The new Toyota iQ - the world's smallest four-seat production model - is proof this need not be the case, providing an unprecedented level of active and passive safety protection for an A-segment model. ... Continue reading

Volkswagen Diesel Golfs Added to ORIX Australia's Environmentally Friendly Short-Term Rental Fleet

ORIX Australia has purchased 30 Golf 1.9-litre diesels as part of its commitment to operating the most environmentally-friendly and fuel efficient fleet. ... Continue reading

Mercedes-Benz Delivers 500,000 Units of the Award-Winning C-Class

Mercedes-Benz has delivered 500,000 new C-Class models from the current 204 series to customers around the world since the vehicle's global market launch in March 2007. ... Continue reading

Lotus Carlton Voted Favourite Vauxhall of All Time

The 176mph Lotus Carlton super-saloon has been voted the UK's favourite Vauxhall in a poll of 630 owners ran by the website vauxhalldriverscentre.co.uk ... Continue reading

Big Three automakers to submit plans to Congress

Seeking $25 billion in loans, Big Three automakers to send detailed plans to Congress WASHINGTON December 2, 2008; Ken Thomas and Tom Krisher writing for the AP reported that Detroit's automakers, making a second bid for $25 billion in funding, are presenting Congress with plans Tuesday to restructure their ailing comp ... Continue reading

The VW Golf GTI Has Won Its Third Consecutive Award At The 2008 "Drive Car Of The Year Awards"

Volkswagen Group Australia's Managing Director, Jutta Dierks, said "this win is a great confirmation of what a convincing product the Golf GTI represents." ... Continue reading

Vibrant Launch of Thai Motor Expo 2008 in Bangkok: Gathering of 41 Prominent Car Brands

"The 25th Thailand International Motor Expo 2008" was officially launched at IMPACT Challenger 1-3, Muang Thong Thani, with as many as 41 brands of cars on display, creating a new phenomenon in motor shows of Thailand and Southeast Asia with the highest number of cars exhibited. ... Continue reading

Volkswagen Eos Repeats Success in Carsales Network People's Choice Award

The Volkswagen Eos has convinced judges in the Sports Car category for the second year in a row, being announced as winner in the Carsales Network People's Choice Awards 2008 this week. ... Continue reading

Jaguar XF Wins 2008 Drive Car Of The Year Award For Best Luxury Car Over $60,000

The Jaguar XF has won the Best Luxury Car over $60,000 category in the 2008 Drive Car of the Year awards. The XF 2.7 Diesel beat the Lexus LS460 and Mercedes Benz S320 CDI to take the title. ... Continue reading

Ballast Nedam Signs Concession Contract With HTM to Fuel Vehicles With Natural Gas

NIEUWEGEIN, the Netherlands - December 2, 2008: The Ballast Nedam company, CNG Net, has signed a cooperation contract with HTM Personenvervoer for the supply of natural gas to fuel its buses and for the financing, creation, operation, management and maintenance of a natural gas filling station. The filling station is d ... Continue reading

Nissan Releases New Fairlady Z

The latest Fairlady Z, while embodying the first generation's signature "Z-ness" in terms of high performance, design and high value, incorporates dramatic advances in dynamic performance and perceived quality. The Z also offers a strong feeling of "newness," as expressed by its fresh exterior and interior styling and ... Continue reading