Wednesday, November 20, 2002

BMW's VALVETRONIC engines receive the "Technology of the Year 2003" award in Japan

On Nov. 19, 2002 the Automotive Researchers' & Journalists' Conference of Japan (RJC) named BMW's VALVETRONIC innovation on the 2002 745i and 745Li "Technology of the Year 2003". According to the vote of the selection committee, the VALVETRONIC system of intake valve control, which dispenses with a traditional throttle ... Continue reading

Renault Megane II is voted European Car of the Year

Mégane II has been voted "Car of the Year 2003" by a jury of 58 motoring journalists from 22 European countries. Mégane II scored a total of 322 points, coming in ahead of the Mazda 6 (302 points) and Citroën C3 (214 points). In all, 30 new models were in the running for the 2003 award. The members of the jury prais ... Continue reading

Hyundai Motor spotlights technology and innovation at the 2002 Seoul Motor Show

Hyundai Motor Corporation has issued the following press release today: Korea’s premier motor vehicle manufacturer Hyundai Motor Co. took center stage today at the 2002 Seoul Motor Show in the COEX Center with an exhibit of 21 cars including two forward-thinking automotive concept cars, five show cars as well as ... Continue reading

Expanded NADA Web Site Allows Car Shoppers to Search Largest Online Inventory of Vehicles

MCLEAN, Va., Nov. 20, 2002; -- The National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) has expanded its flagship Web site at http://www.nada.org with more features for car shoppers. Among them is a content-rich "Auto Shopping" section for consumers including: * A vehicle locator that allows car shoppers to search the world' ... Continue reading

Ford's Jaguar unit had 2001 operating loss of $82 million

LONDON, November 20, 2002; Brian Lysaght writing for Bloomberg reported that Ford Motor Co.'s Jaguar unit had a loss of 52 million pounds ($82 million) in 2001 on higher development and sales costs as well as unfavourable exchange rates, the company said. The loss compares with a profit of 83 million pounds in 2000, ac ... Continue reading

Mitchell Launches New, Enhanced Corporate Web Site; What Took So Long?

SAN DIEGO--Nov. 20, 2002--Mitchell International Inc. today launched a redesigned corporate Web site with a new high-tech look, simpler navigation and expanded content that makes it even easier for visitors to find information about the company and its products and services. The site is located at www.mitchell.com. "Th ... Continue reading

Nissan first-half net rises to record on stronger sales

Tokyo November 20, 2002; Kae Inque writing for Bloomberg News Nissan Motor Co.'s first-half group profit rose 25 percent to a record, propelled by increasing U.S. and domestic sales of new models, and cost cuts. Japan's third-biggest automaker said net income increased to 287.7 billion yen ($2.4 billion), or 67.78 yen ... Continue reading

Toyota leases fuel-cell autos to 2 U.S. universities

Torrance, CA November 19, 2002;Bloomberg News is reporting that Toyota Motor Corp. said two California universities are its first U.S. customers for hydrogen fuel-cell autos as the company seeks to establish its low-pollution technology as an industry standard. The world's No. 3 automaker will lease a modified version ... Continue reading

Hyundai, IBM partner on telematics venture

DETROIT November 19, 2002; John Porretto writing for the AP reported that Hyundai Motor Co. and IBM Corp. are teaming up in a venture to provide an array of telematics services to vehicles made by the South Korean automaker. The two companies were scheduled to announce the deal Tuesday in Seoul. Terms were not disclose ... Continue reading

A.B.A.T.E. of PA Honored by Motorcycle Safety Foundation

HARRISBURG, Pa., Nov. 19, 2002; The Alliance of Bikers Aimed Toward Education (A.B.A.T.E.) recently received recognition for its support of rider education from the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (M.S.F.) at the Pennsylvania Motorcycle Safety Program's annual banquet held in New Cumberland. The Special Achievement Award ... Continue reading

GM Daewoo sees 2003 output at 400,000 units

SEOUL, Nov 20, 2002 Reuters reports that GM Daewoo Auto & Technology Co, South Korea's third largest automaker, said on Wednesday it expected to produce 400,000 units next year, up a third on this year's estimate. "Next year is only a start-up year. We are expecting 400,000 units in production", Nick Reilly, GM Daewoo ... Continue reading

Global Thermoelectric says may sell fuel cell unit

CALGARY, Alberta, Nov 19, 2002; Reuters is reporting that Global Thermoelectric Inc. said on Tuesday it may sell the fuel cell unit that had once made it a potential star in the alternative energy field. The Calgary-based company said that while it believed its solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) technology system was becomin ... Continue reading

NHSTA Looks Into Chrysler Seat Belts

DETROIT, Nov 19, 2002; Reuters reported that Federal auto safety regulators have opened an investigation into about 1 million DaimlerChrysler vehicles after 17 complaints that seat belts could loosen in use, especially when strapped around child seats. The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration began a pre ... Continue reading

Study: Nissan charges Hispanics higher interest rates than whites

MIAMI, November 19, 2002; Tal Abbdy writing for the AP reported that when Carlos Colon bought his first car in 2000, the Nissan salesman congratulated him on getting a sweet deal. Colon, who had moved from Puerto Rico to Miami in 1995, didn't question the 11 percent interest rate Nissan was charging for his new Xterra. ... Continue reading

$50,000 TO WIN (BOTH) TWIN 25 USAC MIDGET RACES: APRIL 26,2003

IRWINDALE SPEEDWAY IS VERY PLEASED TO SEND OUT THIS IMPORTANT RELEASE WHICH REACHED OUR HANDS LATE THIS AFTERNOON: PREMIER RACING ENTERTAINMENT FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: STEVE LEWIS 949/499-5414 EXCITING NEW TWIN 25'S RACE FORMAT COMING TO IRWINDALE IN APRIL - USAC's FINEST MIDGET DRIVERS WILL COMPETE FOR $50,000 ... Continue reading