The Auto Channel
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
Official Website of the New Car Buyer

February 2008

Select Another Month

Monday, February 4, 2008

Porsche Celebrates Production of 200,000th Cayenne SUV

Porsche Celebrates Production of 200,000th Cayenne SUV

ATLANTA February 4,2008; Porsche AG had ample cause to celebrate the New Year when its high-selling SUV reached a significant production milestone. Amid applause and cheers from delighted factory employees, the 200,000th Porsche Cayenne rolled proudly off the assembly line in Leipzig, Germany. The celebrated vehicle, a ... Continue reading

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. Launches volkswagengroupamerica.com

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. Launches volkswagengroupamerica.com

New Web site will serve as central information hub on U.S. operations AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Feb. 4 -- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. today launched its new corporate Web site, http://www.volkswagengroupamerica.com/. The new website will serve as the central location for information about Volkswagen Group of America, ... Continue reading

SPECIAL EVENT (INDIANAPOLIS, IN.) - STEWART THRILLED BY RING PRESENTATION, HONORS AT STATEHOUSE

SPECIAL EVENT (INDIANAPOLIS, IN.) - STEWART THRILLED BY RING PRESENTATION, HONORS AT STATEHOUSE

Tony Stewart, one of Indiana’s most accomplished and popular sports figures in history, enjoyed the spotlight at the Indiana General Assembly and collected his second Allstate 400 at the Brickyard champion’s ring Feb. 4. Members of the Indiana House of Representatives and Indiana Senate honored Stewart in a j ... Continue reading

RACING VENUES (HAMPTON, GA.) - Atlanta Motor Speedway's Lap Sponsorship Packages

RACING VENUES (HAMPTON, GA.) - Atlanta Motor Speedway's Lap Sponsorship Packages

In one of the most exclusive ticket specials offered by Atlanta Motor Speedway, 325 lucky fans have the opportunity to put their name on a lap during the March 9 Kobalt Tools 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup race. With Atlanta Motor Speedway’s lap sponsorship packages, fans select a lap to sponsor in the Kobalt Tools 500 and ... Continue reading

RACE VENUE (DARLINGTON, SC.) - CAR-HUNGRY WALL UNDER ASSEMBLY AT DARLINGTON RACEWAY

RACE VENUE (DARLINGTON, SC.) - CAR-HUNGRY WALL UNDER ASSEMBLY AT DARLINGTON RACEWAY

The infamous wall that has dashed so many Darlington dreams and caused countless “Darlington Stripes” began to take shape on Monday as crews re-assembled the outer SAFER barrier wall at Darlington Raceway. Paving began at the track “Too Tough to Tame” in the mid January and with the outer groove of ... Continue reading

Capps set for new season start

Capps set for new season start

DON SCHUMACHER RACING 2008 NHRA POWERade DRAG RACING SERIES Round 1 of 24 CARQUEST Auto Parts Winternationals Auto Club Raceway Pomona, Calif. Feb. 7-10, 2008 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Judy Stropus, 203-438-0501; cell 203-243-2438; jstropus@earthlink.net CAPPS SET FOR NEW SEASON START CARLSBAD, Calif. (Feb. 4, 200 ... Continue reading

NHRA (POMONA, CA.) - J.R. TODD EAGER TO DEFEND CARQUEST CHAMPIONSHIP

NHRA (POMONA, CA.) - J.R. TODD EAGER TO DEFEND CARQUEST CHAMPIONSHIP

Defending CarQuest Auto Parts Winternationals champion, J.R. Todd is glad 2007 is finally behind him regardless of having a superlative season. He claimed two victories out of three final round appearances and was among the elite of the first cut of the NHRA POWERade Countdown to the Championship. Although, he began a ... Continue reading

INDYCAR (INDIANAPOLIS, IN.) - Cotman named Vice President of Competition

INDYCAR (INDIANAPOLIS, IN.) - Cotman named Vice President of Competition

The Indy Racing League, the sanctioning body for the IndyCar Series and Indy Pro Series, has named Tony Cotman Vice President of Competition. The announcement was made by Brian Barnhart, president of the competition and operations division. Cotman, who started in his new position on Feb. 4, will assist Barnhart in Race ... Continue reading

SPECIAL EVENT (MERENGO, ILL.) - Mecum Collector Car Auction a $15.2 Million Success

SPECIAL EVENT (MERENGO, ILL.) - Mecum Collector Car Auction a $15.2 Million Success

Mecum sold $15.2 million during its 3-day auction in Kissimmee, Florida at Osceola Heritage Park . A total of 778 vehicles were offered with 445 cars selling under the hammer January 24-26, 2008. “A 60% auction is a good indicator that the collector car market beats to its own drum while other markets and industri ... Continue reading

TEAM REPORTS (LAS VEGAS, NV.) - Streaking Coughlin ready for POWERade title defense

TEAM REPORTS (LAS VEGAS, NV.) - Streaking Coughlin ready for POWERade title defense

It's hard to start the season on a roll but that's exactly the position reigning NHRA POWERade Pro Stock champion Jeg Coughlin Jr. finds himself in heading into this weekend's 2008 season-opener in Pomona, Calif. Just days ago in Las Vegas, Coughlin used expert driving and a strong tune-up to log a victory at the Ponti ... Continue reading

Another Record Breaking Year for Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum Volunteers

Another Record Breaking Year for Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum Volunteers

AUBURN CORD DUESENBERG AUTOMOBILE MUSEUM NEWS RELEASE - 2/3/2008 For Immediate Release February - 2008 CONTACT: Gran Roberts Marketing Director (260) 925-1444 ext. 30 Another Record Breaking Year for Museum Volunteers! Volunteers Break 2006 Numbers.15,674 Hours Donated to the Museum in 2007! AUBURN - Volunteers at the ... Continue reading

China's top 10 commercial vehicle makers in 2007

China's top 10 commercial vehicle makers in 2007

Shanghai. February 4 (Gasgoo.com) – China’s domestic sales of commercial vehicles reached 2.49 million units last year, up 22.25 percent from one year earlier, according to China Association of Automobile Manufacturers. The table below shows top 10 commercial vehicle makers in Chinese market last year. Rank C ... Continue reading

H.E.A.T. Reports Increased Auto Theft Activity in Metro-Detroit and Michigan

H.E.A.T. Reports Increased Auto Theft Activity in Metro-Detroit and Michigan

Long-term Numbers Still Show Progress LIVONIA, Mich., Feb. 4 -- H.E.A.T. (Help Eliminate Auto Thefts) responded today to 2006 statistics released by the Auto Theft Prevention Authority (ATPA) that indicate a slight increase in the number of vehicles stolen in Michigan. "Auto theft statistics are often related to econom ... Continue reading

One Hundred New Toyotas to Be Given Away to Promote National Safety

One Hundred New Toyotas to Be Given Away to Promote National Safety

Nationwide sweepstakes to raise emergency alert awareness and to benefit the Ronald McDonald House PORT ORANGE, Fla., Feb. 4 -- First Alert System Text (FAST), a state-of-the-art text message system which alerts citizens about emergencies, has announced that beginning January 30, 2008 they will give a new Toyota to 100 ... Continue reading

Outdoor Adventurers Wanted: Land Rover Offers the Ultimate Off-Road Adventure to Enthusiasts in Off-Road Paradise - Moab, Utah

Outdoor Adventurers Wanted: Land Rover Offers the Ultimate Off-Road Adventure to Enthusiasts in Off-Road Paradise - Moab, Utah

IRVINE, Calif., Feb. 4 -- Land Rover is setting up camp for consumers delivering three luxury off-road 'Adventures' between April 18-29 in Moab, Utah -- the legendary recreation haven that is known for its images of stunning scenery, immense red rock monuments and world-class outdoor recreation. The Land Rover Moab Adv ... Continue reading

Mercedes-Benz SLK accessories 2008: Unlimited individuality

Mercedes-Benz SLK accessories 2008: Unlimited individuality

Stuttgart February 4, 2008; In the new generation of the Mercedes-Benz SLK, the striking design and powerful engines place the focus very much on the dynamism and sportiness of the Roadster. The extensive range of genuine accessories from Mercedes-Benz Accessories GmbH is designed to add a highly individual touch to th ... Continue reading

RACING VENUES (TALLADEGA, ALA.) - Dodge Named Official Car and Truck of Talladege Speedway

RACING VENUES (TALLADEGA, ALA.) - Dodge Named Official Car and Truck of Talladege Speedway

Officials from Chrysler LLC and Talladega Superspeedway announced today a multi-year agreement establishing Dodge as the official car and truck of the historic Alabama racetrack. This move marks another page in the long and storied history between two legends in motorsports. “Talladega Superspeedway is pleased to ... Continue reading

SPECIAL EVENT (SEBRING, FLA.) - 2008 Skip Barber Karting Scholarship Shoot-out

SPECIAL EVENT (SEBRING, FLA.) - 2008 Skip Barber Karting Scholarship Shoot-out

A full season of Skip Barber National, courtesy of MAZDASPEED Motorsports Development Scholarship sponsorship worth appro ximately $130,000 was awarded to five young karters at the 11th annual Skip Barber Karting Scholarship Shoot-out following three days of on- and off-track assessment at Sebring International Raceway ... Continue reading

ATLANTIC CHAMPIONSHIP (INDIANAPOLIS, IN.) - Daniel Morad to join 2008 Champ Car Atlantic Championship

ATLANTIC CHAMPIONSHIP (INDIANAPOLIS, IN.) - Daniel Morad to join 2008 Champ Car Atlantic Championship

Fresh off a record-setting season that saw him crowned the 2007 Formula BMW USA Champion, seventeen-year-old Daniel Morad is making the move to the COOPER TIRE PRESENTS THE CHAMP CAR ATLANTIC CHAMPIONSHIP POWERED BY MAZDA for 2008. Daniel will once again join forces with Eurointernational, the team which would guide th ... Continue reading

TEAM REPORTS (SYDNEY, AUS.) - Canada's Wickens selected Red Bull Junior of The Week

TEAM REPORTS (SYDNEY, AUS.) - Canada's Wickens selected Red Bull Junior of The Week

With his stellar drive in the rain at the A1GP race in Australia, Robert has been selected as the Red Bull Junior of the Week. Robert would come from 15th on the grid in the sprint race to finish on the podium. Languishing mid-pack on a dry track, Robert put on a charge when the rains came and moved into contention ver ... Continue reading

Driver News: Daniel Morad to Champ Car Atlantic with Eurointernational

Driver News: Daniel Morad to Champ Car Atlantic with Eurointernational

Daniel Morad to join 2008 Champ Car Atlantic Championship Testing begins next week with Eurointernational February 04, 2008 - Indianapolis, Indiana - Fresh off a record-setting season that saw him crowned the 2007 Formula BMW USA Champion, seventeen-year-old Daniel Morad is making the move to the COOPER TIRE PRESENTS T ... Continue reading

PR: LARGEST STAGE RALLY IN AMERICA STARTS THIS WEEKEND

PR: LARGEST STAGE RALLY IN AMERICA STARTS THIS WEEKEND

For Immediate Release - Raleigh, North Carolina, February 4, 2008 LARGEST STAGE RALLY IN AMERICA STARTS THIS WEEKEND -NASA Rally Sport sanctioned Sandblast Rally starts February 9 in Cheraw, SC -Over 80 car and motorcycle teams -Dakar riders also entered -In-field audio reporting planned Sandblast Rally will be sending ... Continue reading

The New-Generation 2008 Mercedes-Benz SLK

The New-Generation 2008 Mercedes-Benz SLK

The new-generation SLK - More powerful, more economical, more intense: rediscovering roadster driving pleasure The Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class Roadsters have long captured the hearts of sports car enthusiasts. Following an extensive facelift incorporating around 650 newly developed components, the SLK models of 2008 are ev ... Continue reading

Chicago-Based vAuto Taps AutoCom Associates for Public Relations

Chicago-Based vAuto Taps AutoCom Associates for Public Relations

BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Mich., Feb. 4 -- Chicago-based vAuto, a leading high-tech provider of used-car business- and inventory-management systems for the nation's more than 60,000 franchised and independent dealerships, has selected AutoCom Associates as its public relations agency of record. Headquartered in the Chicago sub ... Continue reading

KVH Adds Coast Distribution to Bring TracVision to RV Dealers Across North America

KVH Adds Coast Distribution to Bring TracVision to RV Dealers Across North America

MIDDLETOWN, R.I., Feb. 4 -- KVH Industries, Inc., today announced that Coast Distribution System, Inc., is now offering TracVision(R) mobile satellite television systems to RV dealers across the U.S. and Canada. With the addition of Coast, KVH's TracVision products are now available from the RV industry's leading distr ... Continue reading

Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com to Offer Localized Video Ads for Dealers

Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com to Offer Localized Video Ads for Dealers

IRVINE, Calif., Feb. 4 -- Kelley Blue Book (http://www.kbb.com/), thinks they are the first of the major third-party automotive Web sites to offer video advertising opportunities to dealers on its Web site kbb.com, which reaches more than 13 million unique visitors each month. For the first time, dealers can participat ... Continue reading

Alfa Romeo Out to Win Younger Men's Hearts

Alfa Romeo Out to Win Younger Men's Hearts

By Gilles Castonguay MILAN (Reuters) - Pity the Alfa Romeo. Despite its status as an icon of Italian style and speed, its sales are mediocre, it struggles to exceed a one percent market share in its main European market, and it is losing money. Even though it has had the culture of motor-racing coursing through its val ... Continue reading

Retired Canadian RV'ers Going South on Stregnth of Strong Loonny

Retired Canadian RV'ers Going South on Stregnth of Strong Loonny

NACO, Ariz February 3, 2008; Tim Gaynor writing for Reuters reported that Canadian retiree Penny Macdonald and husband Stew have spent winters in the United States for 25 years, but never before have vacations been such good value for "snowbirds" flocking to trailer parks across America's sunbelt. Settled for the seaso ... Continue reading

2008 Chicago Auto Show: GMC to Introduce Denali XT - VIDEO ENHANCED

2008 Chicago Auto Show: GMC to Introduce Denali XT - VIDEO ENHANCED

Detroit February 3, 2008; General Motor’s GMC division will unveil its Denali XT, a sport-utility hybrid truck concept, at the 2008 Chicago Auto Show. The four-door Denali XT concept features a 2-mode hybrid propulsion system, E-85 capabilities and direct-injection technology. By using this technology, GM official ... Continue reading

Hyundai Genesis of Super Bowl Ad Fame - All the Details

Hyundai Genesis of Super Bowl Ad Fame - All the Details

HYUNDAI UNVEILS GENESIS PREMIUM SPORTS SEDAN Hyundai crafts a rival to the world's premier sports sedan. Rear-wheel drive and high-output V8 engine deliver world-class driving experience. Detroit, 01/13/2008 Hyundai aims to shatter premium automobile paradigms with the North American International Auto Show introductio ... Continue reading

2008 Chicago Auto Show - GMC Intoduces Sierra Hybrid - VIDEO ENHANCED

2008 Chicago Auto Show - GMC Intoduces Sierra Hybrid - VIDEO ENHANCED

[03-Feb-2008] GMC’s 2009 Sierra Hybrid is a full-size pickup truck designed to be fuel-efficient. GMC indicates that using General Motor’s two-mode hybrid system, the vehicle has a 40 percent greater city fuel economy and a 25 percent improvement in overall fuel economy, compared to other trucks. The Sierra H ... Continue reading

Search The Auto Channel

The Auto Channel content library (since 1996) has grown to become the world’s most extensive and complete interactive archive of automotive centric news, articles, reviews and intense event coverage, presented to viewers as Text, Video and Images.

The Auto Channel Content by Topic

Vehicle manufacturers and alt fuels.