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March 2011

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Thursday, March 24, 2011

TEST - AutoAnything Article Here

TEST - AutoAnything Article Here

<b>CNG-Powered Vehicles - What's The Problem Here? Commentary by Rick Carlton</b> With gasoline point of sale prices averaging $3 per gallon nationally, and with spot oil costs remaining between $88 - $93 per barrel (based on 1/7/2011 Bloomberg energy metrics) the question becomes, at what point do we get serious about ... Continue reading

J.L. French Wins Large Automotive Programs from Ford Motor Company

J.L. French Wins Large Automotive Programs from Ford Motor Company

SHEBOYGAN, Wis.--J.L. French Automotive Castings, Inc. has been awarded significant pieces of business by the Ford Motor Company. Most recently, J.L. French was awarded the new Ford six speed front wheel drive transmission case and related converter housing. The products will be mated to Ford’s new inlin ... Continue reading

Maserati Granturismo MC Stradale to Make UK Debut at Salon Privé - VIDEO ENHANCED

Maserati Granturismo MC Stradale to Make UK Debut at Salon Privé - VIDEO ENHANCED

LONDON - March 24, 2011: Maserati's fastest, lightest and most powerful car in its range, the GranTurismo MC Stradale, will have its UK debut at this year's Salon Privé event at Syon Park. Sitting alongside some of the world's most desirable and powerful cars at Salon Privé 2011 the GranTurismo MC Stradale is a road ... Continue reading

Spring 2011 ALG Perceived Quality Study Highlights Continued Rebound of Toyota and Lexus Brands

Spring 2011 ALG Perceived Quality Study Highlights Continued Rebound of Toyota and Lexus Brands

PR Newswire SANTA BARBARA, Calif., March 24, 2011 SANTA BARBARA, Calif., March 24, 2011 -- Toyota's Perceived Quality Score rose four percent over the last six months and Lexus once again captured the luxury category's highest Perceived Quality rating in 2011, according to the Spring 2011 Perceived Quality Study (PQS) ... Continue reading

Porsche Promotes its Sports Cars From an Entirely New Perspective

Porsche Promotes its Sports Cars From an Entirely New Perspective

PR Newswire ATLANTA, March 24, 2011 ATLANTA, March 24, 2011 -- For the first time, Porsche is challenging many Americans' perception of Porsche sports cars -- and in particular the 911 -- in a new campaign launching today. The "Engineered for Magic. Everyday" campaign, via agency Cramer-Krasselt/Chicago, seeks to show ... Continue reading

Right to Repair Act Considered in Connecticut

Right to Repair Act Considered in Connecticut

PR Newswire BETHESDA, Md., March 24, 2011 Bill No. 160 Protects Motorists' Choice of Who Repairs Their Vehicles BETHESDA, Md., March 24, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Right to Repair Act is under consideration in the Connecticut legislature. Proposed Bill No. 160, introduced by Senator Martin Looney, would requir ... Continue reading

Toyota To Resume Japan Production Of Prius and Two Lexus Hybrids On Monday

Toyota To Resume Japan Production Of Prius and Two Lexus Hybrids On Monday

NEW YORK, NY (March 24, 2011; Posted at 7:00 AM EDT) Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) announced today that it will resume Japan production Monday of Prius along with the Lexus CT 200h and HS 250h. The Prius production will be restarted at TMC’s Tsutsumi plant, while the Lexus CT 200h and HS 250h will resume producti ... Continue reading

Jennifer Granholm Elected to Dow Board of Directors

Jennifer Granholm Elected to Dow Board of Directors

MIDLAND, Mich.--The Dow Chemical Company today announced that Jennifer M. Granholm, former governor of the state of Michigan, has been elected to its Board of Directors, effective immediately. “Jennifer Granholm’s experience and perspective will be instrumental as we continue to advocate for nationa ... Continue reading

Johnson Controls Combines Aluminum and Steel to Produce Weight-Saving, Multi-Material Seat Structure

Johnson Controls Combines Aluminum and Steel to Produce Weight-Saving, Multi-Material Seat Structure

BURSCHEID, Germany, March 24, 2011 -- - Composite and Adhesive Bonding Technology Enable Lighter Rear Seat Systems Johnson Controls, a global leader in automotive seating, interior components and electronics, has developed a new lightweight rear seat system. It combines steel and aluminum, creating a modular, multi-mat ... Continue reading

Allstate Received Claims From Bronx Staged Crash

Allstate Received Claims From Bronx Staged Crash

PR Newswire HAUPPAUGE, N.Y., March 24, 2011 HAUPPAUGE, N.Y., March 24, 2011 -- Allstate has received claims from a seemingly staged auto accident depicted in a surveillance video released by the New York City Police Department late Tuesday. The incident occurred in the Bronx less than a year ago. On the same day, the N ... Continue reading

New and Used Auto Sales Forecasts; Incentives Spending for March

New and Used Auto Sales Forecasts; Incentives Spending for March

SANTA MONICA, Calif., March 24, 2011 SANTA MONICA, Calif., March 24, 2011 -- TrueCar.com, today released its March 2011 sales and incentives forecast. ˆ The forecast shows the following: For March 2011, new light vehicle sales in the U.S. (including fleet) is expected to be 1,190,931 units, up 20 percent from March 20 ... Continue reading

SAE International 2011 World Congress to Focus on Automotive Propulsion Technology

SAE International 2011 World Congress to Focus on Automotive Propulsion Technology

PR Newswire DETROIT, March 24, 2011 DETROIT, March 24, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The SAE 2011 World Congress will offer relevant technical information and innovative content when it convenes April 12-14 at Cobo Center in Detroit. Host company for the event is General Motors; the Tier One Strategic Partner is LG C ... Continue reading

EPA Selects AVL for Critical Automotive Emissions Testing Initiative

EPA Selects AVL for Critical Automotive Emissions Testing Initiative

PR Newswire PLYMOUTH, Mich., March 24, 2011 PLYMOUTH, Mich., March 24, 2011 -- AVL announced today that it has been awarded a contract by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for critical automotive emissions testing to take place at the National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory (NVFEL) in Ann Arbor, Michigan ... Continue reading

Steel Industry to Offer New Grades and Lightweight Steel Solutions for Advanced Powertrain Vehicles

Steel Industry to Offer New Grades and Lightweight Steel Solutions for Advanced Powertrain Vehicles

PR Newswire DETROIT, March 24, 2011 DETROIT, March 24, 2011 -- North American steel industry experts will launch FutureSteelVehicle (FSV) at the 10th Annual Great Designs in Steel (GDIS) seminar Wednesday, May 18 in Livonia, Mich. FSV is a global, multi-million dollar program that delivers auto body concepts addressing ... Continue reading

Statement No. 4 Regarding Status of Japanese Earthquake and Impact on Nissan Americas Operations

Statement No. 4 Regarding Status of Japanese Earthquake and Impact on Nissan Americas Operations

PR Newswire FRANKLIN, Tenn., March 24, 2011 FRANKLIN, Tenn., March 24, 2011 -- Nissan Americas continues to make progress in assessing the operational impact from the Japanese earthquake and is putting countermeasures in place to address business needs. The following statement will serve as an update that is current as ... Continue reading

Lincoln Launches Nationwide Contest to Crown 'America's Smartest Company'

Lincoln Launches Nationwide Contest to Crown 'America's Smartest Company'

PR Newswire DEARBORN, Mich., March 24, 2011 DEARBORN, Mich., March 24, 2011 -- Lincoln Intelligence Project to visit corporate campuses of the most recognized American brands in search of smartest company Employees to drive select Lincoln vehicles and participate in interactive intelligence assessment games including p ... Continue reading

General Motors Recognizes Union Pacific With Best Supplier Award

General Motors Recognizes Union Pacific With Best Supplier Award

PR Newswire OMAHA, Neb., March 24, 2011 OMAHA, Neb., March 24, 2011 -- General Motors honored Union Pacific with a 2010 Supplier of the Year award at its annual awards presentation. (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110304/LA59497LOGO) Each year, General Motors compiles a list of its most exceptional global su ... Continue reading

Sixth Annual Spring Festival - Southern Cal Style Meet and Greet of Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger, Challenger and Magnum Owners

Sixth Annual Spring Festival - Southern Cal Style Meet and Greet of Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger, Challenger and Magnum Owners

PR Newswire Mar. 24 Auburn Hills, Mich., March 24, 2011 Incredible display of owner passion for Chrysler Group's iconic rear-wheel drive performance cars Highly anticipated and all-new second-generation 2011 Chrysler 300 series and seventh generation Dodge Charger performance sedans available for test drives All-new 20 ... Continue reading

Tony Stewart - In the Club

Tony Stewart - In the Club

KANNAPOLIS, March 24, 2011: Tony Stewart is finally in the club. After going winless in 18 career NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starts at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif., Stewart finally pulled off a victory at the Southern California oval in the series’ most recent trip there last October. After leading three ti ... Continue reading

AAA's Free App Helps Motorists Compare Gas Prices Close to Home and on the Road

AAA's Free App Helps Motorists Compare Gas Prices Close to Home and on the Road

PR Newswire ORLANDO, Fla., March 24, 2011 With gas prices 73 cents higher per gallon than last year, the AAA TripTik Mobile app for iPhone helps motorists compare prices at nearby stations ORLANDO, Fla., March 24, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Many Americans are feeling anxiety at the pump as the price of a tank of g ... Continue reading

Toyota Motorsports Tidbits

Toyota Motorsports Tidbits

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS): Since the start of the 2011 season, Toyota drivers have combined for one victory, three top-five results, nine top-10 finishes and have led 282 laps … After four races, three Toyota drivers are in the top-12 in the NSCS point standings -- Kyle Busch (sixth, -17), Martin Truex Jr. ( ... Continue reading

Yokohama Drivers Get Three Podiums In Lucas Oil Off Road Opener

Yokohama Drivers Get Three Podiums In Lucas Oil Off Road Opener

FULLERTON, March 24, 2011: Yokohama Tire Corporation-sponsored drivers combined for three podium finishes at the Lucas Oil Off-Road Racing Series opener at Firebird Raceway in Phoenix, Arizona, March 19-20. In the Pro Lite Unlimited class, Yokohama driver Jimmy Stephensen took his #33 Discount Tire/Ironclad Nissan, out ... Continue reading

Kyle Busch Fontana NNS Advance

Kyle Busch Fontana NNS Advance

HUNTERSVILLE, March 24, 2011: Since joining Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) in 2008, there is no question Kyle Busch has been the king of the NASCAR Nationwide Series. The driver of the No. 18 Z-Line Designs Toyota Camry for JGR won 10 races in 2008, nine in 2009 and a series-record 13 in 2010. He also helped JGR to Nationwide ... Continue reading

Bottom Line Up Front: Newman Off To Best Start As Stewart-Haas Driver

Bottom Line Up Front: Newman Off To Best Start As Stewart-Haas Driver

FONTANA, March 23, 2011: Ryan Newman is enjoying his best start to a season since joining the Stewart-Haas Racing team in 2009. After four NASCAR Sprint Cup races, the driver of the No. 39 U.S. Army Chevrolet has three top 10s and a average finish of 10.5. Had it not been for a late-race wreck in the Daytona 500, Newma ... Continue reading

Phil Giebler Racing's Holleran 2nd, Daughters 7th in final races of Florida Winter Tour

Phil Giebler Racing's Holleran 2nd, Daughters 7th in final races of Florida Winter Tour

OCALA, March 23, 2011: Phil Giebler Racing’s Tate Holleran finished second in TaG Cadet and teammate Mason Daughters was seventh in Formula Leopard Junior in the sixth and concluding main events of the Florida Winter Tour Formula Kart championship Sunday at Ocala Gran Prix’s .52-mile track. Holleran, of Denve ... Continue reading

JR Motorsports -- NNS California Preview

JR Motorsports -- NNS California Preview

Aric Almirola No. 88 Ragu Chevrolet “This team did what we had to do last weekend (first top-10 of 2011 at Bristol). I think we had a better car than where we finished, but Bristol was a good place to start running well. I’m hoping we can keep the ball rolling at Fontana and go into the off-weekend with some ... Continue reading

Intercontinental Trophy Cup Series First Official Test Thursday, 24th

Intercontinental Trophy Cup Series First Official Test Thursday, 24th

Indianapolis, March 23, 2011: Intercontinental Trophy Cup (ITC) officials and competitors are set to converge at Virginia International Raceway (VIR) in Alton, Virginia this coming Thursday (24th) for the series' first official test day. The test in being run in conjunction with the National Auto Sport Association's (N ... Continue reading

American Honda Adds Support To RRDC Evening With Roger Penske

American Honda Adds Support To RRDC Evening With Roger Penske

HILLIARD, March 23, 2011: American Honda Motor Co., Inc., will support the RRDC Evening with Roger Penske presented by Firestone by hosting the cocktail reception on April 14 at the Road Racing Drivers Club's third annual West Coast banquet, held prior to the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach (Calif.) "American Honda is ... Continue reading

Consumer Demand Drives Kia To Production Milestones

Consumer Demand Drives Kia To Production Milestones

Kia Motors Corporation reached the 10 millionth global vehicle export mark when a Snow White Pearl Optima sedan was shipped to the US market from Kia's main hub, Pyeongtaek Port, located 50 miles southwest of Seoul, South Korea. ... Continue reading

J.D. Power and Associates Reports: Strength in March New-Vehicle Retail Sales Drives Strong First-Quarter Finish

J.D. Power and Associates Reports: Strength in March New-Vehicle Retail Sales Drives Strong First-Quarter Finish

PR Newswire WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif., March 24, 2011 WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif., March 24, 2011 -- March new-vehicle retail sales are showing stability through the first three weeks of the month, continuing a trend of monthly double-digit year-over-year increases, according to J.D. Power and Associates, which gathers rea ... Continue reading

OnStar Selects PumpTopTV's Digital Network for 10-Car Giveaway Ad Campaign

OnStar Selects PumpTopTV's Digital Network for 10-Car Giveaway Ad Campaign

PR Newswire SANTA MONICA, Calif., March 24, 2011 SANTA MONICA, Calif., March 24, 2011 -- Outcast Media's PumpTopTV and OnStar today announced a new ad campaign and sweepstakes that, with the touch of the OnStar button, will give the on-the-go consumer a chance to win a 2011 Chevrolet, Buick, GMC or Cadillac vehicle of ... Continue reading

Volvo: Mack Launches Medium Heavy Version of Granite Model

Volvo: Mack Launches Medium Heavy Version of Granite Model

GÖTEBORG, Sweden--Regulatory News: “Considering the current economic climate, many companies are focusing on exactly how much truck they really need” The Volvo Group (STO:VOLVA)(STO:VOLVB) The Volvo Group’s US subsidiary Mack is launching a new medium heavy version of its highly succes ... Continue reading

AutoChina International Reports Unaudited 2010 Fourth Quarter and Year-end Financial Results

AutoChina International Reports Unaudited 2010 Fourth Quarter and Year-end Financial Results

SHIJIAZHUANG, China--AutoChina International Limited (“AutoChinaâ& acir c;‚¬??? or the “Companyââ& amp; amp; #130;¬???) , China’s largest commercial vehicle sales, servicing, leasing, and support network, today reported unaudited financial results for its fourth quarte ... Continue reading

Porsche Carrera Cup GB Championship Revs Up

Porsche Carrera Cup GB Championship Revs Up

The entry for this year’s Porsche Carrera Cup GB Championship has both quality and quantity with more potential race winners than ever before, as an influx of new drivers join established aces like Tim Harvey (Champion in 2008 and 2010), James Sutton (Champion in 2007) and Michael Caine (Championship Runner-up in 2008 ... Continue reading

Titan Introduces New Radial OTR Tires for Loaders

Titan Introduces New Radial OTR Tires for Loaders

QUINCY, Ill.--Titan Tire Corporation, a subsidiary of Titan International, Inc., is pleased to announce the introduction of new key sizes to its radial OTR tire lineup — the Titan LDR 250 and the Titan MXL. “The LD250 has been a proven performer in the Titan lineup for years” “Tita ... Continue reading

Titan Introduces Next Generation 007 MFT Mining Tires

Titan Introduces Next Generation 007 MFT Mining Tires

QUINCY, Ill.--Titan Tire Corporation, a subsidiary of Titan International, Inc., has introduced its next generation 007 MFT mining tire product line, offering enhanced durability, a more aggressive tread pattern and improved heat dissipation. “The next generation 007 MFT tires have been designed to end-usersââ ... Continue reading

Titan Introduces the IT525 Tire to Lineup of Radial Backhoe Tires

Titan Introduces the IT525 Tire to Lineup of Radial Backhoe Tires

QUINCY, Ill.--Titan Tire Corporation, a subsidiary of Titan International, Inc., is pleased to announce the introduction of the IT525 Tire to their lineup of radial backhoe tires. The IT525’s versatile design allows for smooth rides and increased lifespan on hard surfaces, as well as superior traction in ... Continue reading

Titan Introduces the DTE4 Haul Truck Tire to Lineup of Mining Tires

Titan Introduces the DTE4 Haul Truck Tire to Lineup of Mining Tires

QUINCY, Ill.--Titan Tire Corporation, a subsidiary of Titan International, Inc., is pleased to announce the introduction of the DTE4 Haul Truck Tire to their lineup of mining tires. The DTE4 offers a radial construction and a deep lug tread pattern that provides enhanced durability, excellent heat dissipation and super ... Continue reading

Vauxhall Celebrates Classic Car Motoring with 'DRIVE IT DAY'

Vauxhall Celebrates Classic Car Motoring with 'DRIVE IT DAY'

Vauxhall is supporting the annual classic car celebration and opens its Heritage Centre to mark the 'Drive it Day' celebrations of classic car motoring ... Continue reading

China Automotive Systems Receives 2010 Annual Best Parts Supplier Award From Chery Auto

China Automotive Systems Receives 2010 Annual Best Parts Supplier Award From Chery Auto

PR Newswire HUBEI, China, March 24, 2011 HUBEI, China, March 24, 2011 /PRNewswire-Asia-FirstCall/ --China Automotive Systems, Inc. ("CAAS" or the "Company"), a leading power steering components and systems supplier in China, today announced that its subsidiary, Wuhu HengLong Auto Steering System Co., Ltd., received the ... Continue reading

Nissan Leaf Joins UK Electric Vehicle Trial

Nissan Leaf Joins UK Electric Vehicle Trial

Fourteen people today took delivery of a 100% electric Nissan LEAF each as part of their participation in Switch EV, a major electric vehicle test drive in North East England. ... Continue reading

Fuel-Efficiency The Antidote To Budget Uncertainty

Fuel-Efficiency The Antidote To Budget Uncertainty

With fuel duty at the pumps cut, but an increase in tax on oil production alongside a new fair fuel stabiliser, increased rates of Vehicle Excise Duty and planned increases on company car tax, the Budget continues to confound when it comes to balancing the cost of motoring. ... Continue reading

English Footballers Team Up with Hyundai for iPhone App Videos

English Footballers Team Up with Hyundai for iPhone App Videos

LONDON - March 24, 2011: As part of Hyundai’s Euro 2012 qualifier sponsorship, Hyundai created a series of ‘Boot Shoot’ idents where famous retired footballers were set football challenges around a number of Hyundai cars. The idents are currently live and will be seen on Saturday’s Sky coverage of t ... Continue reading

Ferrari Shareholders' Meeting

Ferrari Shareholders' Meeting

The Annual Meeting of Ferrari Shareholders took place today under the chairmanship of Luca di Montezemolo. ... Continue reading

Chauffeur Company Set For Scottish First With Toyota Prius

Chauffeur Company Set For Scottish First With Toyota Prius

eCorporate Travel has a clear objective - to become Scotland's first carbon-neutral chauffeur company. With the arrival of the first of Toyota Prius full hybrid hatchbacks, and a flood of support from bluechip corporate clients, it believes it is well on the way to achieving its goal. ... Continue reading

Volkswagen and Audi Step Up to Help People in Japan

Volkswagen and Audi Step Up to Help People in Japan

Following the severe earthquake and the devastating tsunami in Japan, Volkswagen is to make significant donations to support the people of Japan ... Continue reading

Win a Renault Race Car At The 2011 Formula 1 Qantas Australian Grand Prix

Win a Renault Race Car At The 2011 Formula 1 Qantas Australian Grand Prix

Renault will give away a car raced at the Albert Park Grand Prix track this weekend. ... Continue reading

Mazda Australia Presented With Volume Increase Award

Mazda Australia Presented With Volume Increase Award

Mazda Motor Corporation has recognized Mazda Australia as one of its star performers as a result of continued volume increases and a record 2010 sales result. ... Continue reading

Kia Motors Hits New Export Milestone with 10 Millionth Vehicle

Kia Motors Hits New Export Milestone with 10 Millionth Vehicle

March 24, 2011 - Kia Motors Corporation reached the 10 millionth vehicle export mark today when a Snow White Pearl Optima sedan was shipped to the US market from Kia's main shipping hub, Pyeongtaek Port, located 80 km southwest of Seoul. Ever since recording South Korea's very first automotive export in 1975, when a sm ... Continue reading

Subaru of America, Inc. Announces Takeshi Tachimori as Chairman, President and CEO

Subaru of America, Inc. Announces Takeshi Tachimori as Chairman, President and CEO

PR Newswire CHERRY HILL, N.J., March 23, 2011 CHERRY HILL, N.J., March 23, 2011 -- Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) today announced that Mr. Takeshi Tachimori, corporate senior vice president and chief general manager of the Subaru Product and Portfolio Planning Division at Fuji Heavy Industries, Ltd. (FHI), will replace ... Continue reading

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