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December 2004

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Monday, December 6, 2004

NHTSA Opens Investigation of Hummer H2 Defect Complaints

NHTSA Opens Investigation of Hummer H2 Defect Complaints

DETROIT December 6, 2004; Reuters reported that U.S. regulators have opened an investigation into General Motors Corp.'s Hummer H2 after three consumers said a wheel came off the large sport utility vehicle after a steering part cracked. The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said it began a "prelimina ... Continue reading

Revolutionary Diagnostic System for Automotive Industry

Revolutionary Diagnostic System for Automotive Industry

LAS VEGAS, NV Dec 6, 2004; Diagnosing, servicing and repairing vehicles just got easier and more efficient thanks to a revolutionary new product introduced by Mobile Productivity, Inc. (MPi). The Advanced Repair Guidance Information System (ARGIS(TM)) will allow the automotive industry to reliably service increasingly ... Continue reading

Federal-Mogul Delays Bankruptcy Exit

Federal-Mogul Delays Bankruptcy Exit

CHICAGO, Dec 6, 2004; Reuters reported that auto parts maker Federal-Mogul Corp. said today that it had postponed a hearing to confirm its plan to exit bankruptcy court protection that was to start on Thursday. The company said it would move forward Thursday instead with an estimation of asbestos personal injury claims ... Continue reading

Fitch Rates University of Central Florida Parking Bonds 'A'; Upgrades Outstanding to 'A'

Fitch Rates University of Central Florida Parking Bonds 'A'; Upgrades Outstanding to 'A'

NEW YORK--Dec. 6, 2004--Fitch Ratings assigns an 'A' rating to the $18,550,000 State of Florida, Board of Regents, University of Central Florida (UCF) parking facility revenue bonds, series 2004A and upgrades to 'A' from 'A-' the rating assigned to outstanding UCF parking facility revenue bonds (listed below). The Rati ... Continue reading

Maxwell Technologies Expands Standardization of Ultracapacitor Solutions With Introduction of 15-Volt Packs and Modules

Maxwell Technologies Expands Standardization of Ultracapacitor Solutions With Introduction of 15-Volt Packs and Modules

New BOOSTCAP(R) Products Ease Integration of High-Power, Longer-Life, Alternatives to Batteries for Consumer, Industrial and Transportation Applications SAN DIEGO, Dec. 6 -- Maxwell Technologies, Inc. today announced the introduction of 15-volt BOOSTCAP(R) ultracapacitor packs and modules that provide easy-to-integrate ... Continue reading

Meeting of Pace The Suburban Bus Division Board of Directors Wednesday, December 8, 2004 4:30 p.m.

Meeting of Pace The Suburban Bus Division Board of Directors Wednesday, December 8, 2004 4:30 p.m.

--Pace The Suburban Bus Division: N O T I C E ----------- Meeting of Pace The Suburban Bus Division Board of Directors Wednesday, December 8, 2004 4:30 p.m. 550 West Algonquin Road, Arlington Heights, Illinois ----------------------------------------------------------- ----------- Pledge of Allegiance I. Roll Call II. ... Continue reading

ABI Research: In Asia, Handset-Based Navigation Enters the Vehicle Through Different Doors

ABI Research: In Asia, Handset-Based Navigation Enters the Vehicle Through Different Doors

OYSTER BAY, N.Y.--Dec. 6, 2004--Navigation and location-based services in East Asia are showing differences based on the varied conditions in the nations of the region. According to ABI Research, handset-based vehicle navigation will certainly take a share of the in-vehicle navigation market. But its popularity varies ... Continue reading

Shopping Mall Parking Lots Are Filling up; Don't Become a Theft or Crash Victim, Says the Auto Club

Shopping Mall Parking Lots Are Filling up; Don't Become a Theft or Crash Victim, Says the Auto Club

LOS ANGELES--Dec. 6, 2004--Motorists mall-bound for holiday shopping need to stay alert, according to the Automobile Club of Southern California, to avoid fender benders, injuries or thefts that could make the holidays less than happy. And if last year is any indication of consumers' timing, it's just going to get more ... Continue reading

Car Review: 2005 Lexus ES330

Car Review: 2005 Lexus ES330

THE AUTO PAGE By JOHN HEILIG <pre> <b>SPECIFICATIONS</b> <b>MODEL:</b> Lexus ES330 <b>ENGINE:</b> 3.3-liter DOHC V6 <b>HORSEPOWER/TORQUE:</b> 225 hp @ 5,600 rpm/240 lb.-ft. @ 3,600 rpm <b>TRANSMISSION:</b> 5-speed automatic <b>WHEELBASE:</b> 107.1 in. <b>LENGTH x WIDTH x HEIGHT:</b> 191.1 x 71.3 x 57.3 in. <b>TIRES:</b ... Continue reading

Tiz the Season for Stupid Deer Tricks, $1.5 Billion Worth - Be Careful Out There

Tiz the Season for Stupid Deer Tricks, $1.5 Billion Worth - Be Careful Out There

MANY DEATHS IN VEHICLE-ANIMAL COLLISIONS ARE AVOIDABLE MAJOR FACTOR IS FAILURE TO USE SAFETY BELTS AND MOTORCYCLE HELMETS; FATAL CRASHES JUMPED 27 PERCENT IN 2003 COMPARED WITH PREVIOUS YEAR ARLINGTON, VA -- Most of the motor vehicle crash deaths in collisions with animals such as deer occur in subsequent events when a ... Continue reading

Ringers Gloves at PRI

Ringers Gloves at PRI

Press Information: For Immediate Release Contact information Mindy Stephens Ringers Gloves Public Relations/Marketing 317.227.1044 _RingersIndy@aol.com_ (mailto:RingersIndy@aol.com) RINGERS GLOVES HEADS TO PRI SHOW Indianapolis â€&#8220; (December 6, 2004) Ringers Gloves, a leading manufacturer of high-quality specia ... Continue reading

Innovative New Software, Dealer DNA, Helps Dealerships Manage and Analyze DMS Data; Easy-to-Use Software Tool Shown to Dramatically Improve Profits

Innovative New Software, Dealer DNA, Helps Dealerships Manage and Analyze DMS Data; Easy-to-Use Software Tool Shown to Dramatically Improve Profits

MILLWOOD, N.Y.--Dec. 6, 2004--Dealer DNA(TM), a technology solutions company exclusively serving automotive dealerships, today announced the release of the Dealer Netprofit Accelerator (Dealer DNA) suite. Dealer DNA provides multiple tools, each designed to serve the business analytics and management reporting needs of ... Continue reading

Luxury Auto Maker BMW Selects Sprint to Provide Network Services for Operations in the Americas

Luxury Auto Maker BMW Selects Sprint to Provide Network Services for Operations in the Americas

'Government Grade' Peerless IP Network, International Connectivity and Cisco Gear Highlight Multiyear Agreement OVERLAND PARK, Kan., Dec. 6 -- Sprint today announced a new three-year, multimillion-dollar agreement with BMW Group Data Center Americas to provide data network services that will enable the automaker to con ... Continue reading

Resilience Capital Partners Acquires XLO Group

Resilience Capital Partners Acquires XLO Group

CLEVELAND, Dec. 6 -- Resilience Capital Partners LLC ( http://www.resiliencecapital.com/ ), a Cleveland-based private equity firm, and The Dan T. Moore Company have completed the acquisition of The XLO Group of Companies and its subsidiaries Excello Specialty Company and XLO Jacksonville. The new company will be known ... Continue reading

Southern California Auto Club Employees Settle Overtime Class Action for $19.5 Million

Southern California Auto Club Employees Settle Overtime Class Action for $19.5 Million

OAKLAND, Calif., Dec. 6 -- A federal court in Santa Ana, California approved a $19.5 million settlement today of class action overtime claims brought by over 1300 insurance sales agents employed by the Automobile Club of Southern California. But the workers' lawyer, David Borgen, of the Oakland class action law firm, G ... Continue reading

UPS Takes Over University Career Centers For Mass Peak Season Hiring Events

UPS Takes Over University Career Centers For Mass Peak Season Hiring Events

ATLANTA--Dec. 6, 2004--During the course of two days this week, UPS will interview hundreds of University of Georgia and Georgia State University students for part-time seasonal driver helper positions. UPS representatives will set up computers in the career centers at the two schools to process, interview and hire app ... Continue reading

Porsche Cars North America Announces Retirement of Richard Ford

Porsche Cars North America Announces Retirement of Richard Ford

ATLANTA, Dec. 6 -- Porsche Cars North America (PCNA) today announced the retirement of its Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Richard Ford, effective December 31, 2004. Ford, a 20-year veteran of PCNA, is a well-known, highly-respected figure in the automotive industry. His career spanned nearly 40 y ... Continue reading

Department of Labor Awards Grant to Help Address Critical Auto Dealership Workforce Shortage

Department of Labor Awards Grant to Help Address Critical Auto Dealership Workforce Shortage

Automotive Retailing Today to Gather Key Industry Data on Career Opportunities MCLEAN, Va., Dec. 6 -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration announced a $150,000 grant to Automotive Retailing Today (ART) as part of the Administration's High Growth Job Training Initiative to build America' ... Continue reading

Nissan Europe Reports November 2004 Sales

Nissan Europe Reports November 2004 Sales

TRAPPES, France, December 6 -- Nissan Europe reported total sales of 42,584 vehicles (1) in November 2004, a decrease of 0.3% over the same month last year. In the eleven month period from January to November 2004, Nissan Europe sold 498,417 units, 1.1% up on last year. HIGHLIGHTS BY COUNTRY - Nissan in France sold 4,2 ... Continue reading

JH Partners Acquires Bell Automotive for Approximately $60 Million

JH Partners Acquires Bell Automotive for Approximately $60 Million

SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 6 -- Today JH Partners LLC, a San Francisco-based private equity firm, announced it partnered with management to acquire Bell Automotive Products, Inc. ("Bell Automotive" or the "Company") from Brentwood Associates, a Los Angeles-based private equity firm, for approximately $60 million. Based in Sco ... Continue reading

Chrysler Group to Create World's Largest Indoor Auto Show Test Drive Track at 2005 Chicago Auto Show

Chrysler Group to Create World's Largest Indoor Auto Show Test Drive Track at 2005 Chicago Auto Show

Chicago Auto Show attendees will have the opportunity to experience Chrysler, Jeep(R) and Dodge products on a half-mile track at McCormick Place AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Dec. 6 -- Chrysler Group is taking the auto show experience to new heights with the creation of a half- mile test drive track that will debut at the 2005 ... Continue reading

New Government 2 Way-Radio Leaves Some Citizens Powerless

New Government 2 Way-Radio Leaves Some Citizens Powerless

NEW GOVERNMENT RADIO SYSTEM IS RENDERING CONSUMERS' GARAGE DOOR OPENERS USELESS; CITIZENS URGED TO TAKE ACTION STORY SUMMARY: Living in the twenty-first century, we take the little things for granted - cell phones, mp3 players, laptop computers. But what happens when one of America's most widely used wireless devices - ... Continue reading

IntelliChoice Announces New Car Best Deals for December 2004

IntelliChoice Announces New Car Best Deals for December 2004

CAMPBELL, Calif.--Dec. 6, 2004--PRIMEDIA's IntelliChoice, the leading source for automotive ownership cost and value analysis, today announced its "Best Deals of the Month" selections for December, identifying the vehicles with the best ownership cost value in 25 respective classes. IntelliChoice's "Best Deals of the M ... Continue reading

Bose Automotive Audio Achieves Highest J.D. Power and Associates Brand Score in the U.S. Two Years in a Row

Bose Automotive Audio Achieves Highest J.D. Power and Associates Brand Score in the U.S. Two Years in a Row

FRAMINGHAM, Mass.--Dec. 6, 2004-- Bose Continues to Be Recognized by U.S. Consumers for Audio Brand Strength For the second consecutive year, Bose is recognized as having the strongest brand power in the United States among audio brands included in the J.D. Power and Associates 2004 Global Automotive Component Branding ... Continue reading

Several New 2005 Ford Models Feature Gentex Mirrors

Several New 2005 Ford Models Feature Gentex Mirrors

ZEELAND, Mich., Dec. 6 -- Gentex Corporation , the leading supplier of automatic-dimming mirrors to the worldwide automotive industry, has begun shipping interior automatic-dimming mirrors for the all-new Ford Five Hundred sedan, Ford Freestyle sport wagon, and the Mercury Montego mid-size sedan. Gentex auto-dimming mi ... Continue reading

CarMax Reports Record Third Quarter Sales and Announces Fiscal 2006 Store Opening Plan;

CarMax Reports Record Third Quarter Sales and Announces Fiscal 2006 Store Opening Plan;

Expects Third Quarter EPS of Approximately 17 Cents RICHMOND, Va., Dec. 6 -- CarMax, Inc. today reported record sales for the third quarter ended November 30, 2004. * Total sales increased 13% to $1.22 billion from $1.07 billion in the same period last year. * Total used unit sales grew 15% for the quarter. * Comparabl ... Continue reading

3D Systems Announces Increased Manufacturing Capability at INCS in Japan

3D Systems Announces Increased Manufacturing Capability at INCS in Japan

VALENCIA, Calif.--Dec. 6, 2004-- INCS provides unmatched service to its customers with the addition of five Sinterstation(R) HiQ(TM) HS SLS(R) systems 3D Systems Corporation , a leading provider of rapid 3-D printing, prototyping and manufacturing solutions, today announced that INCS in Japan, a leading provider of des ... Continue reading

AIAG Appoints Goodrich as Director of Finance

AIAG Appoints Goodrich as Director of Finance

DETROIT, Dec. 6 -- The Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG) announced today that Lorraine Goodrich has been appointed director of finance for the association. (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040719/DEM007LOGO ) Goodrich will oversee AIAG's financial operations and reporting, as well as customer service ... Continue reading

Behr America Names Arneson as Dayton Thermal Products Plant Manager

Behr America Names Arneson as Dayton Thermal Products Plant Manager

DAYTON, Ohio, Dec. 6 -- Dean Arneson has been named the plant manager of Behr America's Dayton Thermal Products facility, according to Frank Mueller, the company's president. Arneson replaces Wilhelm Baum, who was recently named Behr America senior vice president of operations, with the responsibility for all Behr manu ... Continue reading

Circuit City Stores, Inc. Reports Third Quarter Sales

Circuit City Stores, Inc. Reports Third Quarter Sales

RICHMOND, Va., Dec. 6 -- Circuit City Stores, Inc. today reported sales for the third quarter and nine months ended November 30, 2004. Three Months Ended Year- Comparable November 30 Over- Store Sales (Dollar amounts in billions) 2004 2003 Year Change Change (a) Domestic segment sales $2.36 $2.41 (2.1)% (4.3)% Internat ... Continue reading

Dana Corporation Announces Results with Respect to Its Tender Offer

Dana Corporation Announces Results with Respect to Its Tender Offer

TOLEDO, Ohio, Dec. 6 -- Dana Corporation ("Dana") today announced the results to date of its tender offer commenced on November 15, 2004, for its $250 million of 10-1/8% Notes due 2010, EUR 200 million of 9% EUR Notes due 2011 and $575 million of 9% USD Notes due 2011 (collectively, the "Notes"). (Logo: http://www.news ... Continue reading

Decoma Announces Consolidation Plan and Fourth Quarter Impairment Charges

Decoma Announces Consolidation Plan and Fourth Quarter Impairment Charges

CONCORD, Canada, December 6 -- Decoma International Inc.'s (TSX:DEC.SV.A; NASDAQ:DECA) board of directors announced today that it has approved a plan to cease anodising operations currently being conducted at the Company's Anotech facility located in Concord, Ontario. The plan provides that those programs that are curr ... Continue reading

Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group Increases Share Repurchase Program to $100 Million

Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group Increases Share Repurchase Program to $100 Million

TULSA, Okla., Dec. 6 -- Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group, Inc. today announced the Company's Board of Directors increased its share repurchase program from $30 million to $100 million, effective immediately. The Company has repurchased 776,500 shares at a cost of $19.5 million since announcing the share repurchase progr ... Continue reading

Energy & Engine Technology Corporation Reports 55% Increase in Sales for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2004 Over Same Period in 2003

Energy & Engine Technology Corporation Reports 55% Increase in Sales for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2004 Over Same Period in 2003

PLANO, Texas, Dec. 6 -- EENT (BULLETIN BOARD: EENT) announces great improvements in its results as compared to the third quarter in 2003. For the three months ended September 30, 2004, net sales were $218,034 as opposed to $174,482 for the three months ended September 30, 2003, representing a 25% increase. For the nine ... Continue reading

Extended Lane Attributes Now Available for Integration with NAVTEQ Map of Germany

Extended Lane Attributes Now Available for Integration with NAVTEQ Map of Germany

Product Poised to Improve Clarity of Route Guidance for Highway Intersections CHICAGO, Dec. 6 -- NAVTEQ , a leading global provider of digital map data for vehicle navigation and location-based solutions, has integrated three new attributes providing detailed lane information into the NAVTEQ map of Germany. The initial ... Continue reading

Ferrari Selects TATA Consultancy Services for Pole Position

Ferrari Selects TATA Consultancy Services for Pole Position

First Indian Company on the Formula One Circuit MUMBAI, India, Dec. 6 -- Cutting-edge solutions delivered with speed and precision and the constant search for excellence and innovation have led to a deal between the makers of the world's fastest and most famous red car and Asia's largest software company. TATA Consulta ... Continue reading

Ford Makes History with HIV/AIDS Outreach Effort

Ford Makes History with HIV/AIDS Outreach Effort

There are 38 million men, women and children currently afflicted with HIV/AIDS, and every 60 seconds five people die from the disease. Ford Motor Company is doing its part to fight back against this pandemic, and on Monday, Dec. 6 Ford will announce another historic effort the company is undertaking to battle HIV/AIDS. ... Continue reading

Freescale Enables DDR-2 Memory Market with Low-Power Timing Solution

Freescale Enables DDR-2 Memory Market with Low-Power Timing Solution

AUSTIN, Texas--Dec. 6, 2004-- Power-efficient MPC96877 PLL clock driver optimized for DDR-2 memory modules used in computing, network storage and communications Today's memory market is advancing to the second generation of double data rate (DDR-2) SDRAM technology. To help computing, networking and communications syst ... Continue reading

INCAT International plc Completes Placement of Shares on the London Stock Exchange's AIM

INCAT International plc Completes Placement of Shares on the London Stock Exchange's AIM

LONDON and DETROIT, Dec. 6 -- INCAT International plc, a provider of software solutions and associated services to automotive, aerospace and industrial manufacturers, announced today that it has completed a placement of its shares on the London Stock Exchange's Alternative Investment Market (AIM) and its shares have co ... Continue reading

Lakes Community Credit Union Partners with Aimbridge Indirect Lending; Increases Services, Satisfaction, Loan Originations and Membership

Lakes Community Credit Union Partners with Aimbridge Indirect Lending; Increases Services, Satisfaction, Loan Originations and Membership

DENVER--Dec. 6, 2004--Aimbridge Indirect Lending, a division of The Aimbridge Group and a financing channel that connects credit unions with an automotive dealer network to provide members and potential members with automobile loans and leases, announced that it has launched an indirect lending program with Lakes Commu ... Continue reading

MBA Holdings Signs Agreement with AON Corporation

MBA Holdings Signs Agreement with AON Corporation

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.--Dec. 6, 2004--MBA Holdings (OTCBB:MBAH) has signed an agency agreement with AON Corporation to market and sell motorcycle vehicle service contracts. The sales channels of MBA and its subsidiary, the National Motorcycle Dealers Association (NMDA), will be deployed to market the Outdoor Advantage Plan ... Continue reading

Quantum Awarded Emissions Compliance Testing Contract From General Motors

Quantum Awarded Emissions Compliance Testing Contract From General Motors

IRVINE, Calif., Dec. 6 -- Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide, Inc. announced today that it has been awarded a contract to provide emissions compliance testing on General Motors Corporation's 2000 model year regular production passenger cars and trucks. This work was previously performed in California at GM's L ... Continue reading

The MathWorks Introduces SimDriveline for Modeling and Simulating Driveline Systems

The MathWorks Introduces SimDriveline for Modeling and Simulating Driveline Systems

Specialized Tool Extends the Power of Simulink; Reduces Reliance on Costly Powertrain, Driveline and Transmission Prototypes NATICK, Mass., Dec. 6 -- The MathWorks today announced the availability of SimDriveline for modeling and simulating the mechanics of automotive and aerospace driveline and drivetrain systems. It ... Continue reading

Volunteers of America to Receive $35,000; Recipient of the 2005 Randy's Ring & Pinion Public Service Award

Volunteers of America to Receive $35,000; Recipient of the 2005 Randy's Ring & Pinion Public Service Award

EVERETT, Wash., Dec. 6 -- Randy's Ring & Pinion, a leading supplier of truck and off-road differential parts, is proud to announce the selection of Volunteers of America as a recipient of the 2005 Randy's Ring & Pinion Public Service Award. "Caring about and improving our community are an extension of who we are," stre ... Continue reading

Westport Signs MOU with Beijing Sinogas Co., Ltd.

Westport Signs MOU with Beijing Sinogas Co., Ltd.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia--Dec. 6, 2004--Westport Innovations Inc. (TSX:WPT) today announced it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Beijing Sinogas Co. Ltd. (Sinogas) and Qingdao Sino-Canada S&T Park Co. Ltd. ... Continue reading

2005 World Automotive Design Competition Sponsored by Alias'R'

2005 World Automotive Design Competition Sponsored by Alias'R'

TORONTO--Dec. 6, 2004-- The Future of Design Starts Here Twenty-six Design Schools Compete for US$145,000 Worth of Prizes Transportation design students from 26 distinguished schools around the world have been invited to design a World Car that visually identifies its cultural origins and, at the same time, has appeal, ... Continue reading

XTREMEX3 Launches Retail Version of Next-Generation On-Vehicle Multimedia Data Acquisition System for Motor Sports

XTREMEX3 Launches Retail Version of Next-Generation On-Vehicle Multimedia Data Acquisition System for Motor Sports

CHANTILLY, Va., Dec. 6 -- XTREMEX3 has introduced its next- generation multimedia data acquisition system. The new XTREMEX3 system is a unique on-vehicle multimedia data fusion system that records, stores and plays back synchronized multi-camera digital video, digital audio, and vehicle data, including MPH, RPM, latera ... Continue reading

Sonic Automotive Extends Contract with Everdream, Citing Over $1 Million in Total Cost Savings

Sonic Automotive Extends Contract with Everdream, Citing Over $1 Million in Total Cost Savings

FREMONT, Calif.--Dec. 6, 2004--Everdream Corporation: -- Leading Automotive Retailer Boasts of Flexibility and Customization Capabilities with Everdream's Hosted Asset Management, Software Distribution, Patch Management, Online Backup and Help Desk Services Everdream Corporation, the leader in hosted desktop IT service ... Continue reading

Oshkosh Truck's Italian Fire Truck Subsidiary Awarded Contract by Saudi Arabia for 80 Rescue Trucks

Oshkosh Truck's Italian Fire Truck Subsidiary Awarded Contract by Saudi Arabia for 80 Rescue Trucks

OSHKOSH, Wis.--Dec. 6, 2004--Oshkosh Truck Corporation announced today that its Italian fire truck subsidiary, Brescia Antincendi International S.r.l (BAI), has been awarded a contract to supply 80 mini-rescues to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The contract is valued at approximately $7 million, and delivery of the vehic ... Continue reading

All Shell Gasolines Meet 'Top Tier' Gasoline Standard Introduced by BMW, General Motors, Honda and Toyota

All Shell Gasolines Meet 'Top Tier' Gasoline Standard Introduced by BMW, General Motors, Honda and Toyota

HOUSTON, Dec. 6 -- While the majority of gasolines on the market today contain only the minimum amount of cleaning agents required by government standards, some companies say that isn't enough. According to Shell, gasoline meeting only minimum requirements can leave harmful deposits on engine parts. Additionally, four ... Continue reading

Sonic Automotive, Inc. Added to S&P SmallCap 600 Index

Sonic Automotive, Inc. Added to S&P SmallCap 600 Index

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Dec. 6 -- Sonic Automotive, Inc. today confirmed that Standard and Poor's added the Company to the S&P SmallCap 600 Index after the close of trading on Tuesday November 30, 2004. "We are pleased that Sonic Automotive has been selected for inclusion in the S&P SmallCap 600 Index," said E. Lee Wyatt, Exe ... Continue reading

Magna Announces Charges

Magna Announces Charges

AURORA, Ontario, December 6 -- Magna International Inc. (TSX: MG.SV.A, MG.MV.B; NYSE: MGA) announced today that it expects to incur charges that would negatively impact diluted earnings per share by approximately $0.22 in the fourth quarter of 2004. Earlier today, Decoma International Inc. ("Decoma"), a publicly traded ... Continue reading

Randy's Ring and Pinion Wins Business of the Year Award

Randy's Ring and Pinion Wins Business of the Year Award

Western Washington Businesses Recognized for Excellence in the Marketplace SEATTLE, Dec. 6 -- The Better Business Bureau serving Oregon and Western Washington announced Randy's Ring & Pinion as the Community Involvement Business of the Year winner for Western Washington in the Large Business Category. "The Business of ... Continue reading

Remy Settles Patent Infringement Suit with Taiwan's Unipoint

Remy Settles Patent Infringement Suit with Taiwan's Unipoint

Authorizes new wholesale channel with Wetherill Associates Inc. ANDERSON, Ind., Dec. 6 -- Remy International, Inc., and Unipoint Electric Manufacturing Company Limited have settled a patent infringement lawsuit in which Remy asserted violations of various patents related to Remy's automotive alternator and starter tech ... Continue reading

Veteran Automotive Executive Darwin Clark Joins Oxlo Board of Directors

Veteran Automotive Executive Darwin Clark Joins Oxlo Board of Directors

Former GM Executive Brings Wealth of Automotive Experience to Dealership Integration Software Company BROOMFIELD, Colo., Dec. 6 -- Oxlo Systems Inc., the leading provider of specialized integration solutions for the automotive retail market, today announced the appointment of Darwin E. Clark to its board of directors e ... Continue reading

Innovative Visteon Technology Delivers Seamless Look and Feel on Instrument and Door Panels On New Renault Modus

Innovative Visteon Technology Delivers Seamless Look and Feel on Instrument and Door Panels On New Renault Modus

KERPEN, Germany, December 6 -- An innovative vehicle interiors technology from Visteon Corporation contributed to the unique seamless interior on the new Renault Modus. In this first commercial European application using a Visteon technology called negative vacuum forming TPO, the same high-quality look and feel is ach ... Continue reading

Spy Shots: '06 Audi Q7 and '07 BMW X5; Test Drive new Mercedes CLS and Mercury Mariner; Xmas Gift Guide for Auto Aficionado; Will VW Build U.S. Plant? Can Big Three Halt Sales Slide? Why is GM Cutting SUV Production? - And More on TheCarConnection.com

Spy Shots: '06 Audi Q7 and '07 BMW X5; Test Drive new Mercedes CLS and Mercury Mariner; Xmas Gift Guide for Auto Aficionado; Will VW Build U.S. Plant? Can Big Three Halt Sales Slide? Why is GM Cutting SUV Production? - And More on TheCarConnection.com

DETROIT, Dec. 6 -- What's the mystery behind Audi's upcoming Q7? Get the inside story in this week's issue of TheCarConnection.com, where you'll find spy shots of the 2006 German crossover, as well as secret pics of the next-generation, '07 BMW X5. It looks like the sort of car you'd expect to from the French, but the ... Continue reading

SmarTire Products Included on New Flyer Buses for Chicago Transit Authority

SmarTire Products Included on New Flyer Buses for Chicago Transit Authority

Nation's second largest transportation authority includes SmarTire monitoring systems in award RICHMOND, BC, Dec. 6 -- SmarTire Systems Inc. (OTCBB: SMTR) announced today that its tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) will be included on new buses that have been awarded by the Chicago Transit Authority to New Flyer I ... Continue reading

Winnebago Industries Launches New Products at 2004 National RV Trade Show in Louisville, Kentucky

Winnebago Industries Launches New Products at 2004 National RV Trade Show in Louisville, Kentucky

FOREST CITY, Iowa--Dec. 6, 2004--Winnebago Industries, Inc. , the nation's leading motor home manufacturer, generated a great deal of excitement with the launch of new products at the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association's 42nd Annual National RV Trade Show held last week in Louisville, Kentucky. The highlight of Wi ... Continue reading

TRG - Team16 youngest Daytona 24 entry

TRG - Team16 youngest Daytona 24 entry

TEAM16 The Racer's Group (TRG) is ready to set a record at the 2005 Rolex 24 at Daytona - the team will introduce the youngest driver lineup in the 43-year history of the event. Brad Coleman of Houston, Colin Braun of Ovalo, Texas, and Adrian Carrio of Monument, Colo., all age 16, will drive the No. 16 Team16 Porsche 9 ... Continue reading

Polk Moves Automotive Loyalty Awards Presentation To Autmotive News World Congress

Polk Moves Automotive Loyalty Awards Presentation To Autmotive News World Congress

SOUTHFIELD, Mich., Dec. 6 -- R. L. Polk & Co., the automotive industry's authoritative source of consumer loyalty among owners of new vehicles, will present its ninth annual Polk Automotive Loyalty Awards at the Automotive News World Congress, which will be held January 18, 2005 at the Hyatt Regency hotel in Dearborn, ... Continue reading

Navistar Signs Collaboration Pact with German Truck and Engine Manufacturer

Navistar Signs Collaboration Pact with German Truck and Engine Manufacturer

WARRENVILLE, Ill.--Dec. 6, 2004--Navistar International Corporation and MAN Nutzfahrzeuge AG of Munich, Germany announced today that they have signed a strategic agreement to collaborate on design, development, sourcing and manufacturing of components and systems for commercial trucks, including a range of diesel engin ... Continue reading

Porsche(R) Reveals New 911 Cabriolets for 2005

Porsche(R) Reveals New 911 Cabriolets for 2005

America's Most Popular 911 to Be Available in Both Carrera and Carrera S Models ATLANTA, Dec. 6 -- Porsche today announced it will launch the latest versions of the 911 Cabriolet, traditionally the most popular 911 model sold in America, in the first quarter of 2005. Based on the 911 Carrera and Carrera S Coupes releas ... Continue reading

Sales of Imported Vehicles In Japan Up in November

Sales of Imported Vehicles In Japan Up in November

TOKYO December 6, 2004; Japan Today reported that sales of new imported vehicles in Japan, including those Japanese manufacturers produced overseas, rose 1.1% in November from a year earlier to 22,752 units for the first rise in two months, the Japan Automobile Importers Association said Monday. Sales of foreign-brand ... Continue reading

Honda developing new compact car for global market

Honda developing new compact car for global market

TOKYO December 6, 2004; Japan Today reported that Honda Motor Co has started developing a compact car with a 1-liter-class engine as its strategic vehicle for the global market, the Nihon Keizai Shimbun newspaper reported Monday. The automaker is currently eyeing Thailand as a potential production base for the car and ... Continue reading

Gas Prices Continue Slide

Gas Prices Continue Slide

NEW YORK Dec 5, 2005; Reuters reported that U.S. average retail gasoline prices fell over the last two weeks and are poised to slip even further as crude oil prices continue to tumble, an industry analyst said on Sunday. The national average for self-serve regular unleaded gas was about $1.93 a gallon in the two weeks ... Continue reading

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