Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Chrysler Pulling the Plug on Hybrid Aspen and Durango

DETROIT, MI. October 28, 2008: According to Bradford Wernle, writing for Automotive News, Chrysler LLC will stop producing its first two hybrid-electric vehicles slightly more than two months after they started arriving in dealerships. This summer, Chrysler introduced the Chrysler Aspen and Dodge Durango Hemi hybrid SU ... Continue reading

Accuride Corporation Announces Third Quarter 2008 Earnings Release and Conference Call Information

EVANSVILLE, Ind.--Accuride Corporation will announce its third quarter 2008 results on November 6, 2008, before the open of the financial markets. In conjunction, the Company will conduct a conference call on November 6, at 10 a.m. Central Time. The telephone number to access the conference call is (866) 800-8652 in th ... Continue reading

Lithia Motors Announces Third Quarter 2008 Results

MEDFORD, Ore.--Lithia Motors, Inc. today announced that net income from continuing operations in the third quarter of 2008 was thirteen cents per diluted share. Consolidated net loss was twelve cents per share after inclusion of the twenty-five cents per share loss on discontinued operations, of which eighteen cents wa ... Continue reading

Proliance Announces Preliminary 3Q 2008 Results; Final Results to Be Released Thursday

NEW HAVEN, Conn.--Proliance International, Inc. (AMEX:PLI), a leading global manufacturer and distributor of aftermarket heat exchange and temperature control products for automotive and heavy-duty applications, today announced preliminary results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2008. The Company expects net ... Continue reading

Rockwell Automation to Release FY2008 Fourth Quarter Results

MILWAUKEE--Rockwell Automation, Inc. is scheduled to release its FY2008 fourth quarter results on Tuesday, November 11, at 7:00 a.m. Eastern Time. The release will be posted on the Rockwell Automation website at www.rockwellautomation.com. A conference call to discuss the quarterly results will be held at 8:30 a.m. Eas ... Continue reading

Sonic Automotive, Inc. Declares Quarterly Cash Dividend

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Oct. 28 -- Sonic Automotive, Inc. , a leader in automotive retailing, today announced that its Board of Directors approved a quarterly dividend of $0.12 per share payable in cash for shareholders of record on December 15, 2008. The dividend will be payable January 15, 2009. Sonic Automotive, Inc., a Fo ... Continue reading

Group 1 Automotive Reports Third-Quarter 2008 Financial Results

HOUSTON--Group 1 Automotive, Inc. , a Fortune 500 automotive retailer, today reported 2008 third-quarter adjusted net income from continuing operations of $9.4 million, or $0.42 per diluted share. This compares to adjusted net income from continuing operations of $22.1 million, or $0.95 per diluted share, in the third ... Continue reading

Troy Coughlin Can't Wait To Race, Watch, In Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS October 27, 2008: Pro Mod racer Troy Coughlin can't wait to slip behind the wheel of his JEGS.com '68 Camaro and attack The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway at this weekend's eighth annual ACDelco Las Vegas Nationals. At the same time, the 25-year drag racing veteran admits he's excited just to see how every ... Continue reading

Switzerland Set the Pace In Final UK A1GP Test

Silverstone, Great Britain October 27, 2008: As the A1 Teams made their final preparations for round two of the A1GP World Cup of Motorsport in Chengdu, China next week it was the home event team and A1 Team Portugal who tested for the first time in the UK at Silverstone today. They were joined by the teams from Brazil ... Continue reading

PENSKE RACE REPORT - October 27, 2008

Ryan Briscoe Wins IndyCar Series Season Finale at Surfers Paradise SURFERS PARADISE, Australia – Team Penske driver Ryan Briscoe celebrated his first IndyCar Series race in his native Australia with a dominating performance in Sunday’s Nikon Indy 300 on the streets of Surfers Paradise, Australia. Starting fro ... Continue reading

Chevrolet Reveals the GPiX Crossover Coupe Concept

Concept developed in Brazil reflects global trends in design and functionality Sao Paulo, Brazil - General Motors revealed the Chevrolet GPiX crossover coupe concept today at the 25th edition of the Sao Paulo International Auto Show. The Chevrolet GPiX concept was developed by General Motors Design in Brazil and repres ... Continue reading

KENTUCKY SPEEDWAY NEWS AND NOTES - OCTOBER 27, 2008

KENTUCKY SPEEDWAY SEASON TICKET PLANS GO ON SALE OCT. 29 Four affordable ticket plans for the six-event 2009 Kentucky Speedway season that will include two doubleheader race days will be placed on sale Oct. 29. The four-weekend season will mark the facility’s 10th year of operation and open May 9 with an ARCA RE/M ... Continue reading

Krohn To Ford Power, AIM Autosport Tests Second Car

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. October 27, 2008): Twenty-four cars were on hand for the first of three days of Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series presented by Crown Royal Cask No. 16 testing at Daytona International Speedway, as teams and drivers earned nearly nine hours of quality track time at the 3.56-mile track. The test, which ... Continue reading

AUDI'S McNISH SAYS THANK YOU

Braselton, GA. October 27, 2008: Allan McNish: "I look forward to the next 10 years of the American Le Mans Series and seeing the championship grow even further again." Ever gracious, Allan McNish has a simple message for the fans who recently voted him the American Le Mans Series' Driver of the Decade: Thank you. "I'd ... Continue reading

Honda Motor Co., Ltd. Reports Consolidated Financial Results Ending Sept 30, 2008

TOKYO, Oct. 28 -- Honda Motor Co., Ltd. today announced its consolidated financial results for the fiscal second quarter and the fiscal first half ended September 30, 2008. Second Quarter Results Honda's consolidated net income for the fiscal second quarter ended September 30, 2008 totaled JPY 123.3 billion (USD 1,191 ... Continue reading

Kia Motors posts biggest gain in US Consumer Reports reliability study

NEWS FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Michael Choo ( <mailto:cdore@kia.co.kr> mjc@kia.co.kr), International Communications Manager, Kia Motors Corporation, Tel: +82-2-3464-5663 Kia Motors posts biggest gain in US Consumer Reports reliability study - Kia Motors makes largest improvement in trusted reliability survey - Opt ... Continue reading

Renault Reveals Sand'Up Concept At The Sao Paulo Motor Show

Sand'up Concept is a modular 2+2 coupé that transforms from coupé to cabriolet to pickup on the whim of its passengers. Based on Sandero Stepway - an 'urban sport' vehicle only available in Brazil and Argentina, Sand'up Concept goes 'topless' to give its four passengers a true cabriolet experience. ... Continue reading

FAW Toyota breaks ground for new Changchun plant

FAW Toyota breaks ground for new Changchun plant http://www.gasgoo.com/auto-news/1008181/FAW-Toyota-breaks-ground-for-ne w-Cha ngchun-plant.html Shanghai, October 28 (Gasgoo.com) Sichuan FAW Toyota Motor Co., Ltd. (SFTM), a joint venture between Toyota Motor and China FAW Group, held a groundbreaking ceremony on Monday ... Continue reading

Great Wall Motor to export pickups to Australia

Great Wall Motor to export pickups to Australia http://www.gasgoo.com/auto-news/1008182/Great-Wall-Motor-to-export-pick ups-t o-Australia.html Shanghai, October 28 (Gasgoo.com) After securing a $440-mln order for exporting 4,500 Deer pickups to Cuba, China's automaker Great Wall Motor recently announced that it will ex ... Continue reading

Tianjin FAW Xiali kicks off expansion project

Tianjin FAW Xiali kicks off expansion project http://www.gasgoo.com/auto-news/1008185/Tianjin-FAW-Xiali-kicks-off-exp ansio n-project.html Shanghai, October 28 (Gasgoo.com) Tianjin FAW Xiali Automotive Co., Ltd, Toyota Motor Co's Chinese partner, yesterday kicked off construction of a new facility with an annual capaci ... Continue reading

Alfa Romeo Announces New Business Partners To Support Dealer Used Vehicle Remarketing Programme

As part of its on-going network restructuring and business development plans, Alfa Romeo UK has recently appointed two new suppliers to help the company set class leading standards of quality and efficiency across its Approved Dealer used car remarketing programme. ... Continue reading

Lorinser Makes The C-Class "Hot" With 305 Hp

Hot camshafts? In the age of chip tuning, that sounds like a relic of the Eighties. Incorrectly, as there is not much extra power to be gained electronically from a naturally aspirated engine. Mechanical measures continue to be the first choice there, and more effective than ever before in combination with an adjustmen ... Continue reading

Sportility Volkswagen from Austria: More Power for 1.4 TSI Golf, Touran, Tiguan - by O.CT Tuning

The time has come! Austrian tuner O.CT Tuning has completed development on power upgrades for vehicles with the new ECU class MED 17 using the OBD II connection. ... Continue reading

Germany's Most Cost-Effective Car Is Heading To Australian Showrooms: The smart fortwo mhd Is On Its Way

One of the world's most fuel-efficient cars, the smart fortwo mhd (micro hybrid drive), will be in Australia showrooms this December, just in time for Christmas. ... Continue reading

Volkswagen Service Qualification World Championship: The Champions Come From Germany

Both winners of the Volkswagen brand's 2008 Service Qualification World Championship come from Germany: Oliver Buchinger from Regensburg defended his title as best service adviser and Guido Lembke from Stendal was the winner among the service technicians. ... Continue reading

Playful Collaboration Creates Volvo Cars For The Youngest Children

Volvo Cars and toy manufacturer Viking Toys have launched a playful collaboration - Volvo cars for the youngest members of the family. The XC90, Volvo XC70 and Volvo C30 will be produced in soft, safe and durable plastic in the classic colours yellow, red, green and blue. ... Continue reading

U.S. News & World Report Lists 10 Cars They Believe Nobody Would Miss

Washington DC October 28, 2008; The AIADA newsletter reported that so far in 2008, car sales are headed for the lowest level in at least 15 years. With a full-blown recession settling in, it looks like next year will be just as grim, if not worse. With an oversupply of cars, U.S. News & World Report ferreted out the on ... Continue reading

Multi-Million Pound Investment To Produce New Low Co2 Engines At Ford Bridgend

Ford is announcing a new investment programme at its high-tech Bridgend engine plant in Wales to produce next generation low CO2 1.6-litre, four-cylinder petrol engines. This latest investment totals £70 million for the plant, where this year employment rose to over 2,000 for the first time in its 28-year history. ... Continue reading

People's Choice: Opel Zafira Voted Most Attractive Compact Van

More than 14,000 readers from the automobile magazine "auto motor und sport" (ams) can't be wrong: The newest Opel Zafira is not only the most flexible van in the compact class, but the most attractive as well. ... Continue reading

More New Car Dealers Shut Down

Washington DC October 28, 2008; The AIADA newsletter reported that with credit drying up and new-vehicle sales slumping to a 25-year low, car dealerships from New Jersey to California are going out of business at an accelerating pace, threatening greater economic pain for communities around the country. The Wall Street ... Continue reading

The smart fortwo Comes to Brazil in April 2009

Starting in April 2009, the smart fortwo will be available in Brazil. This was announced by the company at the São Paulo Auto Show, where the two-seater celebrated its public debut. ... Continue reading

Audi Toolmaking Division Honored Again

In its third appearance in the 'Excellence in Production' competition, the Toolmaking Division of AUDI AG has once again received a renowned award. Voted as 'Toolmaker of the Year' in 2004 and 2006, Audi Toolmaking beat 30 other contestants to win first place in the 'Internal Toolmaking over 100 Employees' category aga ... Continue reading

Honda Soltec Begins Sales of Thin-Film Solar Cells for Public and Industrial Use

Japan, October 23, 2008– Honda's wholly-owned solar cell subsidiary Honda Soltec Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Kikuchi-gun, Kumamoto; President and CEO: Akio Kazusa) will begin sales throughout Japan of thin-film solar cells for public and industrial use on October 24, 2008. Having sold solar cells for home use since O ... Continue reading

Economy Has Americans 'In a Pinch' - Motivated Sellers, Buyers Have an Outlet

InAPinchSales.com is a one-of-a-kind web site that unites sellers who need to unload big-ticket items fast with serious buyers who are ready to make a purchase CHICAGO, Oct. 28 -- As rising debt, falling home prices, increasing food and energy costs and uncertainty over wage growth continues to weigh on the minds of Am ... Continue reading

Kerkorian Reduces Ford Stake

DETROIT, Oct 28, 2008; Soyoung Kim and Poornima Gupta writing for Reuters reported that billionaire investor Kirk Kerkorian has reduced his stake in Ford Motor Co to 4.89 percent over the past week, his investment company said on Tuesday. Kerkorian, the largest outside investor of Ford, had said last week he sold share ... Continue reading

Networkcar Becomes Networkfleet; Moves to Expanded Headquarters

SAN DIEGO--Networkcar®, a leader in wireless fleet management and a wholly owned subsidiary of Hughes Telematics, today announced that the company is changing its name to Networkfleet. The name change and corresponding new brand image reflects the company’s sole focus on helping commercial and government fleets ... Continue reading

Introducing Bond Girl Olga Kurylenko - First Driver of The New Ford Ka

BRENTWOOD, England - October 28, 2008: Excitement is mounting as film fans await the October 29 world premiere in London of the new James Bond adventure, ‘Quantum of Solace’, which also features a cameo appearance from the stylish new Ford Ka. In the movie the Ka is driven by Camille, the beautiful but feisty ... Continue reading

Renault Unveils Sand'up Concept at the Sao Paulo Motor Show - VIDEO ENHANCED

SAO PAULO, Brazil - October 28, 2008: Derived from Sandero Stepway, a vehicle sold under both the Renault badge and the Dacia label, Renault hopes that this urban sport concept will eventually help open up the Brazil market in a big way for its brand. The Sand’ up will only be available in Brazil and Argentina. Th ... Continue reading

Congressional, Labor Leaders Join USW Calling on Cooper to Commit in Findlay

Group to Discuss Stark Trade Differences between Candidates OHIO, Findlay -- The United Steelworkers (USW) today said that U.S. Rep. Phil Hare (D - IL), American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) International President Gerald W. McEntee, Ohio AFL-CIO President Joe Rugola and others will join ... Continue reading

NATSO Fuel Survey: Truckstop Diesel Volumes Increase in September

ALEXANDRIA, Va.--Diesel volumes at truckstops increased in September over 2007 volumes, according to a fuel survey conducted by NATSO, an association representing 1,100 truckstops and travel plazas. The September results marked the first year-over-year increase in diesel sales volumes since April and followed a sharp 7 ... Continue reading

Cooper-Standard Automotive Announces 2008 Third Quarter Results

NOVI, Mich., Oct. 27 -- Cooper-Standard Automotive will hold a conference call and webcast with investors on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2008 at 9 a.m. EST to discuss its 2008 third quarter results, provide a general business update and respond to investor questions. A news release detailing the company's results will be posted ... Continue reading

CarMax Provides Advice on Receiving the Best Auto Finance Offer

CARMAX PROVIDES ADVICE ON RECEIVING THE BEST AUTO FINANCE OFFER Credit Remains Widely Available for Qualifying Customers at Used Car Superstore RICHMOND, Va. (October 27, 2008)-Given the concern about the current credit environment, CarMax, Inc. , the nation’s largest retailer of used cars, says customer ... Continue reading

Shelby Autos Names Sean Hyland Motorsport as First International Authorized Mod Shop

LAS VEGAS--Shelby Automobiles, Inc. named Sean Hyland Motorsport as the first authorized Shelby mod shop outside of the U.S. to build high performance versions of current generation Shelby and Ford Mustangs for enthusiasts across Canada. SHM will begin building factory authorized post-title Shelby Mustangs at their fac ... Continue reading