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August 2007

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Thursday, August 30, 2007

J.D. Power and Associates Reports: Quality of Service Drives Auto Insurance Policy Renewal Rates

J.D. Power and Associates Reports: Quality of Service Drives Auto Insurance Policy Renewal Rates

Amica Mutual Leads the Auto Insurance Provider Rankings for an Eighth Consecutive Year WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif., Aug. 30 -- Policy retention is critical to the financial success of auto insurance carriers, and a customer's experience with their provider is the most important element-outweighing brand image-in generatin ... Continue reading

All-New 2008 Suzuki SX4 Sport Offers Trunkloads of Functionality

All-New 2008 Suzuki SX4 Sport Offers Trunkloads of Functionality

BREA, Calif., Aug. 30 -- The all-new 2008 Suzuki SX4 Sport is the automotive cousin to the SX4 Crossover and is designed to ease the day-in, day-out urban grind for its drivers. Sharing a common appeal for those who live a life consistent with Suzuki's "Way of Life" brand philosophy, the four-door SX4 Sport and five-do ... Continue reading

Volvo Opens the Door to Carbon-Dioxide Free Trucks - VIDEO ENHANCED

Volvo Opens the Door to Carbon-Dioxide Free Trucks - VIDEO ENHANCED

STOCKHOLM, Sweden--Regulatory News: The Volvo Group (STO:VOLV) is the first vehicle manufacturer to produce seven demonstration trucks that can all be driven without emitting any environmentally harmful carbon dioxide. These trucks were exhibited for the first time today in Stockholm and are equipped with diesel engine ... Continue reading

ARCA (DUQUOIN) - STEWART PREPS ENTRY FOR "KID ROCKET"....

ARCA (DUQUOIN) - STEWART PREPS ENTRY FOR "KID ROCKET"....

The young man known simply as “Kid Rocket” in dirt late model circles has joined forces with two-time NASCAR Nextel Cup Champion and 2003 Southern Illinois 100 winner Tony Stewart to debut the Tony Stewart Racing ARCA stock car in the 55th running of the Federated Car Care-Southern Illinois 100 at the DuQuoin ... Continue reading

Garmin Launches New Simple Yet Sophisticated Sat-Nav

Garmin Launches New Simple Yet Sophisticated Sat-Nav

THIS RELEASE HAS BEEN DISTRIBUTED BY WEBITPR writeit:- This release is available at: http://www.webitpr.com/release_detail.asp?ReleaseID=6562 Also Available: Imagery:- nüvi 700 sat-nav Image 1 – http://www.webitpr.com/writeitfiles/nuvi%20700%20sat%20nav%20image.JPG nüvi 700 sat-nav Image 2 ... Continue reading

Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT S World Premiere at the Frankfurt Motorshow

Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT S World Premiere at the Frankfurt Motorshow

Editors Note: A team of journalists from The Auto Channel will be covering the Frankfort Auto Show...with HD-TV as well as photos and text...stay tuned to The Auto Channel for a schedule of important and interesting automotive news from Frankfort...Thanks for TACh'n. Modena - 28 August 2007 – Coming on the heels o ... Continue reading

ALMS (BELLE ISLE) - PETERSON/WHITE LIGHTNING RACING READY TO PROVE A POINT......

ALMS (BELLE ISLE) - PETERSON/WHITE LIGHTNING RACING READY TO PROVE A POINT......

Saturday's Detroit Sports Car Challenge marks the last of four visits to temporary race circuits this season by Petersen Motorsports/White Lightning Racing. Making-up a third of the 2007 American Le Mans Series schedule, the street circuits, like the 2.125- mile, 14-turn course through Detroit's Belle Isle, have proven ... Continue reading

SCCA (TOPEKA) - CONWAY AND FIPPIN TO MC NATIONAL RUN-OFFS

SCCA (TOPEKA) - CONWAY AND FIPPIN TO MC NATIONAL RUN-OFFS

Sports Car Club of America and Heartland Park Topeka jointly announced today that Ed Conway and John Fippin will serve as the event announcers for the 44th SCCA National Championship Runoffs Presented by AT&T. Thirty-six of the last 37 Runoffs events have featured the familiar voices of either Conway or Fippin, who wil ... Continue reading

ALMS (BELLE ISLE) - IN THEIR OWN WORDS

ALMS (BELLE ISLE) - IN THEIR OWN WORDS

Allan McNish and Audi will try for an overall win in front of Audi of America faithful in Detroit. While other markets may be more populated and familiar to the American Le Mans Series paddock, none can match the strategic importance of Detroit. The world's leading sports car series visits the Motor City this weekend f ... Continue reading

INDYCAR (INDIANAPOLIS) - SERIES NOTES

INDYCAR (INDIANAPOLIS) - SERIES NOTES

1. If you missed it: P.J. Chesson and Helio Castroneves<P> 2. Unknowns of Belle Isle circuit challenges IndyCar Series contenders<P> 3. New layout better for Kanaan<P> <P> 1. If you missed it: P.J. Chesson and Helio Castroneves: Two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves and IndyCar Series driver P.J. Chesson w ... Continue reading

NASCAR NNCS (FONTANA) - IN THE LOOP

NASCAR NNCS (FONTANA) - IN THE LOOP

One story will dominate the thoughts of NASCAR drivers and onlookers over the next two weeks: Bubble drivers. There’s a four-driver battle for the final three spots in the Chase for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup. Though currently only five of the 12 spots have been clinched, a four-for-three scenario looks likely to play ... Continue reading

CORR (NEWPORT BEACH) - Championship off road racing partners with Raceway media

CORR (NEWPORT BEACH) - Championship off road racing partners with Raceway media

Championship Off Road Racing announces today a new private label partnership with Raceway Media. This collaboration will allow CORR free online classified services powered by RacingJunk.com® on its website for its racers and users. “We were thrilled to partner with RacingJunk. The site has a lot to offer our ra ... Continue reading

UAW President Ron Gettelfinger to Address Detroit Economic Club

UAW President Ron Gettelfinger to Address Detroit Economic Club

DETROIT, Aug. 30 -- On Thursday, September 6, 2007, the Detroit Economic Club (DEC) is pleased to host Ron Gettelfinger, president, International Union, UAW. The meeting will be held at noon at The Masonic in Detroit, MI. The International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of Americ ... Continue reading

Night Vision Alternatives Can Influence Vehicle Sales, According to ABI Research

Night Vision Alternatives Can Influence Vehicle Sales, According to ABI Research

NEW YORK--While availability of a night vision system is unlikely to play a pivotal role for many consumers in deciding which new vehicle to buy, there are some circumstances in which it may be the key to a sale. The ability to detect naturally camouflaged animals in their habitats along the roadside is one instance ci ... Continue reading

Edmunds.com Forecasts August Auto Sales: Housing Market Suppresses Consumer Demand for Autos

Edmunds.com Forecasts August Auto Sales: Housing Market Suppresses Consumer Demand for Autos

SANTA MONICA, Calif.--This month's new vehicle sales (including fleet sales) are expected to be 1.42 million units, a 4.5 percent decrease from August 2006 and an 8.7 percent increase from July 2007, according to Edmunds.com, the premier online resource for automotive information. "Early in August, sales were dismal. T ... Continue reading

GRAND AM (DAYTONA) - 2007 Season-Ending Party Scheduled During SEMA Show at Bally's

GRAND AM (DAYTONA) - 2007 Season-Ending Party Scheduled During SEMA Show at Bally's

Following the success of Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series presented by Crown Royal Special Reserve Champions Banquets in Las Vegas, the Grand-Am KONI Challenge Series is now heading to the famous Vegas Strip for its 2007 season-ending celebration. For the first time, the Grand-Am KONI Challenge Series will have its yea ... Continue reading

8.30Ford Verve-based sub concept may start production in China

8.30Ford Verve-based sub concept may start production in China

Ford Verve-based sub concept may start production in China http://www.gasgoo.com/autobiz/3129/Ford-Verve-based-sub-concept-may-sta rt-production-in-China.html Shanghai. August30 (Gasgoo.com) ¨C Ford Motor Co may start to produce a Verve-based concept car in China at Changan Ford Mazda within two or three years, accord ... Continue reading

8.30Man group to set up JV in China

8.30Man group to set up JV in China

Man group to set up JV in China http://www.gasgoo.com/autobiz/3131/Man-group-to-set-up-JV-in-China.html Shanghai. August 30 (Gasgoo.com) ¨C German heavy truck maker, Man group, will set up a joint venture with a Chinese engine maker, Weichai Power, a company source said today. "The two parties had signed letter of int ... Continue reading

8.30Women account for 30% of Chinese car buyers

8.30Women account for 30% of Chinese car buyers

Women account for 30% of Chinese car buyers http://www.gasgoo.com/autobiz/3109/Women-account-for-30-of-Chinese-car- buyers.html Shanghai. August 29 (Gasgoo.com) --A recent survey shows women car buyers account for a record high 30.9% of the total Chinese car buyers in 2006. And the percentage will continue to rise in t ... Continue reading

Keep on Trucking With the 2007 Heavy Duty Truck Manufacturing Industry Report

Keep on Trucking With the 2007 Heavy Duty Truck Manufacturing Industry Report

DUBLIN, Ireland--Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c67019) has announced the addition of 2007 Heavy Duty Truck Manufacturing Industry Report to their offering. The Heavy Duty Truck Manufacturing Industry report features 2007 current and 2008 forecast estimates on the size of the industry ( ... Continue reading

Pointer Telocation Reports Record Revenues of $11.7 Million for the Second Quarter of 2007

Pointer Telocation Reports Record Revenues of $11.7 Million for the Second Quarter of 2007

Gross Profit Increased 18.3% in Q2 2007 Over Q2 2006 to $4.3 Million $1.9 Million EBITDA in Q2 2007 GIVATAYIM, Israel, August 30 -- Pointer Telocation Ltd. (Nasdaq Capital Market: PNTR; Tel-Aviv Stock Exchange: PNTR), a leading provider of services to insurance companies and car owners, including road-side assistance, ... Continue reading

GEICO's message to Labor Day drivers: "Stay focused ...don't drive distracted"

GEICO's message to Labor Day drivers: "Stay focused ...don't drive distracted"

SAN DIEGO--“When researchers determined that distracted driving causes nearly 80 percent of automobile crashes,*” said Greg Kalinsky of GEICO’s San Diego office, “we thought it was our job to help spread the message, particularly for Labor Day. “We’re coming up to one of the most dangerous ... Continue reading

Nissan to Expand Global Qashqai / Dualis Production

Nissan to Expand Global Qashqai / Dualis Production

TOKYO, August 30 -- - Kyushu Plant Joins Sunderland Plant as a New Source for Crossover Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. today announced that it will expand the production of its popular Qashqai/Dualis mid-size crossover, adding new capacity at the Kyushu plant in Japan to meet high local demand and freeing up more capacity at i ... Continue reading

GM Insider's Book Reveals Secret Project Leading to Crumbling of GM's Empire

GM Insider's Book Reveals Secret Project Leading to Crumbling of GM's Empire

MIAMI, Aug. 30 -- As General Motors' empire started to crumble, automotive expert Bob Horvath was hardly surprised. "In fact, Detroit's Big Three forgot how to satisfy customers and dealers back in the eighties," says Horvath, a 40-year GM veteran, who details one of the carmaker's notable missteps in "Project 2000: Th ... Continue reading

MADD Tennessee and Tennessee Law Enforcement Remind Public: Law Enforcement Doesn't Take Labor Day Off

MADD Tennessee and Tennessee Law Enforcement Remind Public: Law Enforcement Doesn't Take Labor Day Off

Tennessee 'Booze It and Lose It.' Effort in Full Force, Cracking Down on Drunk Driving NASHVILLE, Tenn., Aug. 29 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Tennessee and Tennessee law enforcement agencies today kicked off Booze It and Lose It., a local drunk driving crackdown as part of the Nationa ... Continue reading

Dodge Introduces All-New 2008 Grand Caravan Cargo Van

Dodge Introduces All-New 2008 Grand Caravan Cargo Van

All-new Van Raises the Bar and Provides 'Garagable' Solution for Small Business and Commercial Needs -- New cargo van continues Dodge's commitment to the commercial vehicle market -- All-new exterior and interior design offers ideal balance of utility, functionality and visibility -- Enhanced commercial suspension for ... Continue reading

BorgWarner Takes Partner Role in SAE 2008 World Congress

BorgWarner Takes Partner Role in SAE 2008 World Congress

WARRENDALE, Pa., Aug. 29 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- BorgWarner Inc. of Auburn Hills, Mich., will serve as the Strategic Tier One Partner to Chrysler for the SAE 2008 World Congress. "The SAE World Congress always has benefited from the strategic leadership of a host company, and one of the leading Original Equipment Ma ... Continue reading

Honda's Newest ASIMO Humanoid Robot Runs onto Disneyland Stage

Honda's Newest ASIMO Humanoid Robot Runs onto Disneyland Stage

New Robot Capabilities Featured in Stage Show in 'Innoventions' ANAHEIM, Calif., Aug. 29 -- With the ability to run nearly 4 miles per hour, the all-new ASIMO (Advanced Step in Innovative Mobility) humanoid robot is advancing closer to in-home applications. Beginning today, Disneyland park guests can experience the lat ... Continue reading

SVOX Powers In-car Speech Output for the Infiniti Vehicle Lineup

SVOX Powers In-car Speech Output for the Infiniti Vehicle Lineup

SVOX designs the voice experience for the new Infiniti navigation system. ZURICH, Switzerland, Aug. 29 -- SVOX, the leading provider of embedded speech output solutions, today announced that Infiniti leverages SVOX speech solutions to provide drivers with enhanced convenience when using the in-vehicle navigation system ... Continue reading

AAA Chicago: Labor Day Travel Remains Steady Amid Concerns about Affordability

AAA Chicago: Labor Day Travel Remains Steady Amid Concerns about Affordability

AURORA, Ill., Aug. 29 -- Despite falling fuel prices, now around $2.76 per gallon nationally, Americans are still very concerned about the affordability of travel and so AAA expects travel over the Labor Day holiday weekend to be flat as the number of travelers holds steady from last year (with 0.2 percent growth). AAA ... Continue reading

Pioneer AVIC-N4 Navigation System Helps Change the Way Commuters Feel about Their Daily Drives

Pioneer AVIC-N4 Navigation System Helps Change the Way Commuters Feel about Their Daily Drives

LONG BEACH, Calif.--Today’s longer commutes and increased time spent in vehicles due to traffic make Pioneer’s AVIC-N4 DVD based in-dash navigation system the ideal gear for anyone looking to improve their daily driving experience. The AVIC-N4 serves as the hub for information, communication and entertainment ... Continue reading

Camping World Announces Opening in Little Rock

Camping World Announces Opening in Little Rock

BOWLING GREEN, K.Y.--Camping World, America's largest retailer of RV and outdoor supplies, accessories and recreational vehicles, today announced that it will open its first store in Arkansas scheduled for August 31. The new store complex continues the rapidly growing retailer’s expansion in to key markets and on ... Continue reading

Rare GM Historic Vehicles on Display at Salisbury Automobile Classic

Rare GM Historic Vehicles on Display at Salisbury Automobile Classic

DES MOINES, Iowa--Several multi-million dollar automobiles will be making rare appearances at the eighth annual Salisbury Automobile Classic on Sunday, September 9. The Salisbury House Foundation, in cooperation with General Motors and a local dealership, Betts Cadillac, has secured the arrival of the 1938 Buick Y Job, ... Continue reading

Top 20 Global Automotive Engine Families Analysed in Latest Report

Top 20 Global Automotive Engine Families Analysed in Latest Report

DUBLIN, Ireland--Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c66994) has announced the addition of Review of the Top 20 Global Automotive Engine Families to their offering This month's briefing is the latest of just-auto's regular in-depth look at the top 20 engine families worldwide in 2006. Engine ... Continue reading

Toyota Motor Sales Announces Management Changes

Toyota Motor Sales Announces Management Changes

TORRANCE, Calif., Aug. 29 -- Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc. announced management changes for its Toyota and Lexus divisions, and Toyota Financial Services (TFS). The following executive assignments are effective immediately: David Nordstrom, vice president, TFS product and marketing, is appointed vice president, Lexus m ... Continue reading

Los Angeles Auto Show Hosts World Premieres for Nine Global Auto Manufacturers

Los Angeles Auto Show Hosts World Premieres for Nine Global Auto Manufacturers

LOS ANGELES, August 29 -- - New Fall Dates (Nov. 14-25) Continue to Draw Attention From Automakers Worldwide Opening in less than 90 days, the 2007 Los Angeles Auto Show will feature at least a dozen world premieres of production and/or concept vehicles from nine top automakers during the show's media days Nov. 14 and ... Continue reading

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