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February 2005

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Monday, February 7, 2005

Feds Investigating Mercedes-Benz's ML320 SUV From 2003 After Complaints of Too-Hot Seat Warmer

Feds Investigating Mercedes-Benz's ML320 SUV From 2003 After Complaints of Too-Hot Seat Warmer

DETROIT February 7, 2005; The AP reported tghath Federal safety officials are investigating a Mercedes-Benz sport utility vehicle after getting three complaints that the driver's side seat warmers can overheat, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Monday. The investigation involves ML320 SUVs from th ... Continue reading

Paper Says Toyota to Reshuffle Top Management

Paper Says Toyota to Reshuffle Top Management

TOKYO, Feb 8, 2005; Reuters reported that Toyota Motor Corp. has finalised plans to promote an executive vice president in charge of purchasing to replace President Fujio Cho this June to rejuvenate the company's management, the Nihon Keizai newspaper reported on Tuesday. An official announcement could come as early as ... Continue reading

Action Performance to Broadcast Review of Fiscal First Quarter 2005 Financial Results

Action Performance to Broadcast Review of Fiscal First Quarter 2005 Financial Results

PHOENIX--Feb. 7, 2005--Action Performance Companies, Inc. will host its annual meeting of shareholders on February 8, 2005 at 11:00 AM (EST). Interested investors and other parties may listen to the simultaneous webcast of the annual meeting by logging onto the Company's website at http://www.action-performance.com. Du ... Continue reading

America's Service Station Continues to Grow

America's Service Station Continues to Grow

ATLANTA, Feb. 7 -- When you fix cars right the first time and provide the very best customer service, success in the auto repair industry is sure to follow. The opening of America's Service Station's 8th Atlanta area location is proof of that. By setting the standard for excellence in the auto service industry, America ... Continue reading

Amex Accepts Allied Holdings' Plan to Meet Continued Listing Standards

Amex Accepts Allied Holdings' Plan to Meet Continued Listing Standards

DECATUR, Ga., Feb. 7 -- Allied Holdings, Inc. (AMEX:AHI) announced today that on January 31, 2005, the American Stock Exchange ("Amex") notified Allied that it accepted Allied's plan to regain compliance with the shareholders' equity standard provided in Section 1003(a) of the Amex Company Guide. The Amex has determine ... Continue reading

Baldor Electric Company Announces 1st Quarter 2005 Dividend and Notice of Annual Shareholders' Meeting

Baldor Electric Company Announces 1st Quarter 2005 Dividend and Notice of Annual Shareholders' Meeting

FORT SMITH, Ark., Feb. 7 -- Baldor Electric Company markets, designs, and manufactures electric motors, drives, and generators and is based in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Today Baldor made the following announcements after the Company's Board of Directors' meeting on February 7, 2005. Cash Dividend ... The Board of Directors ... Continue reading

Boston Chauffeur First To Be Awarded Massachusetts Lodging Association 'Outstanding Allied Employee of the Year' Award

Boston Chauffeur First To Be Awarded Massachusetts Lodging Association 'Outstanding Allied Employee of the Year' Award

BOSTON--Feb. 7, 2005--Commonwealth Worldwide Chauffeured Transportation is pleased to announce chauffeur Joseph Rucker was honored with the prestigious 'Outstanding Allied Employee Of the Year' award given by the Massachusetts Lodging Association. This is the first time a chauffeur has been recognized with this award. ... Continue reading

Burning Rubber in the GS430: a First in New Lexus High-Performance Line? Sneak Preview: Chicago Auto Show. Toyota CEO Cho Outlines Plans for World Domination. Spy Shots: Ferrari F430. Putting Honda Ridgeline to Work. This Week on TheCarConnection.com.

Burning Rubber in the GS430: a First in New Lexus High-Performance Line? Sneak Preview: Chicago Auto Show. Toyota CEO Cho Outlines Plans for World Domination. Spy Shots: Ferrari F430. Putting Honda Ridgeline to Work. This Week on TheCarConnection.com.

DETROIT, Feb. 7 -- If you think Lexus is all plain vanilla luxury, the new GS430 is likely to change your mind. Take a ride with TheCarConnection.com, then get inside news on what Lexus has coming, possibly including a new AMG-style high-performance brand-within-the-Lexus-brand. Lexus is just a small part of the fast-g ... Continue reading

Chrysler Group Increases Purchases from Minority Suppliers in 2004

Chrysler Group Increases Purchases from Minority Suppliers in 2004

* $3.3 billion spent with minority suppliers in 2004 represents 12 percent of total purchases * Chrysler Group increases purchases from minority suppliers by more than $300 million AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Feb. 7 -- Chrysler Group announced today that it spent $3.3 billion with minority suppliers in 2004, which represents ... Continue reading

Codespear's SmartMSG Technology a Success at North American International Auto Show

Codespear's SmartMSG Technology a Success at North American International Auto Show

BIRMINGHAM, Mich., Feb. 7 -- Codespear, LLC announced today that the use of its flagship product at the 2005 North American International Auto Show was an unequivocal success(1). "SmartMSG" -- a multi-lingual, distributed and secure communication platform providing communications interoperability, voice and data suppor ... Continue reading

Commercial Vehicle Group Reports Fourth Quarter 2004 Results

Commercial Vehicle Group Reports Fourth Quarter 2004 Results

NEW ALBANY, Ohio, Feb. 7 -- Commercial Vehicle Group, Inc. , today reported revenues of $101.3 million for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2004, up 30 percent compared to $78.1 million in the prior-year period. Operating income for the fourth quarter was $12.5 million, a 67 percent increase, compared to $7.5 mill ... Continue reading

CTS Corporation Appoints Don R. Schroeder President Electronics Manufacturing Solutions Strategic Business Unit

CTS Corporation Appoints Don R. Schroeder President Electronics Manufacturing Solutions Strategic Business Unit

ELKHART, Ind.--Feb. 7, 2005--CTS Corporation today announced that Don R. Schroeder has been named President of CTS Electronics Manufacturing Solutions, a strategic business unit of CTS Corporation, according to an announcement today by Donald Schwanz, CTS Chairman and CEO. CTS Electronics Manufacturing Solutions is a c ... Continue reading

Dodge Dakota Pickup Truck and EB Games in Search of Las Vegas' Best Pick-Up Spots

Dodge Dakota Pickup Truck and EB Games in Search of Las Vegas' Best Pick-Up Spots

Las Vegas Residents Invited to Nominate Their Favorite Pick-Up Spots for a Chance to Win a New 2005 Dodge Dakota -- 'Key to the Best Pick-Up Spots' nominations collected online at http://www.DodgePickUpSpots.com and EB Games stores AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Feb. 7 -- Dodge and EB Games are conducting a city-wide search to i ... Continue reading

Dodge Dakota Pickup Truck and EB Games in Search of Phoenix's Best Pick-Up Spots

Dodge Dakota Pickup Truck and EB Games in Search of Phoenix's Best Pick-Up Spots

Phoenix Residents Invited to Nominate Their Favorite Pick-Up Spots for a Chance to Win a New 2005 Dodge Dakota -- 'Key to the Best Pick-Up Spots' nominations collected online at http://www.DodgePickUpSpots.com and EB Games stores AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Feb. 7 -- Dodge and EB Games are conducting a city-wide search to ide ... Continue reading

Dodge Dakota Pickup Truck and EB Games in Search of Sacramento's Best Pick-Up Spots

Dodge Dakota Pickup Truck and EB Games in Search of Sacramento's Best Pick-Up Spots

Sacramento Residents Invited to Nominate Their Favorite Pick-Up Spots for a Chance to Win a New 2005 Dodge Dakota -- 'Key to the Best Pick-Up Spots' nominations collected online at http://www.DodgePickUpSpots.com and EB Games stores AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Feb. 7 -- Dodge and EB Games are conducting a city-wide search to ... Continue reading

Dodge Dakota Pickup Truck and EB Games In Search of San Diego's Best Pick-Up Spots

Dodge Dakota Pickup Truck and EB Games In Search of San Diego's Best Pick-Up Spots

San Diego Residents Invited to Nominate Their Favorite Pick-Up Spots for a Chance to Win a New 2005 Dodge Dakota -- 'Key to the Best Pick-Up Spots' nominations collected online at http://www.DodgePickUpSpots.com and EB Games stores AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Feb. 7 -- Dodge and EB Games are conducting a city-wide search to i ... Continue reading

Exide Technologies to Announce Financial Results for Third Quarter of Fiscal 2005 on February 14; Conference Call Scheduled For Monday, February 14 at 10:30 a.m. Eastern Time

Exide Technologies to Announce Financial Results for Third Quarter of Fiscal 2005 on February 14; Conference Call Scheduled For Monday, February 14 at 10:30 a.m. Eastern Time

LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J.--Feb. 7, 2005--Exide Technologies , a global leader in stored electrical energy solutions, today announced that it will release financial results for the third quarter of fiscal 2005 ended December 31, 2004 when the market opens on Monday, February 14, 2005. Craig H. Muhlhauser, Exide's President an ... Continue reading

Freescale Strengthens 3G Leadership; Acquires Assets of PrairieComm, Inc.

Freescale Strengthens 3G Leadership; Acquires Assets of PrairieComm, Inc.

AUSTIN, Texas--Feb. 7, 2005--Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. continues to build on its technology leadership with the acquisition of the assets of PrairieComm, Inc. Founded in 1994, privately-held PrairieComm is a leading innovator in the 3G baseband market. "This acquisition supports our ability to provide comprehensive ... Continue reading

Gentlemen, Start Your Cell Phones - SPEED Channel Goes Into High Gear with Airborne Entertainment In Wide-ranging Mobile Product Deal

Gentlemen, Start Your Cell Phones - SPEED Channel Goes Into High Gear with Airborne Entertainment In Wide-ranging Mobile Product Deal

MONTREAL, Quebec, Canada and CHARLOTTE, N.C., USA--Feb. 7, 2005--Airborne Entertainment Inc. has just satisfied its need for speed. The innovative mobile publisher today announced an exclusive wireless partnership with SPEED Channel, North America's leading authority on all things fast. The deal will take millions of r ... Continue reading

Lear Employees Raise $430,000 For Tsunami Relief

Lear Employees Raise $430,000 For Tsunami Relief

SOUTHFIELD, Mich., Feb. 7 -- Lear Corporation today announced a total of $430,000 in financial support has been sent to the American Red Cross to support victims of the Asian tsunamis including $215,000 contributed by Lear employees worldwide during the month of January, as well as a 100% match by the company. The huma ... Continue reading

LISI Automotive Selects UGS' NX(TM) and Teamcenter(R) Product Lifecycle Management Software as Corporate Standard

LISI Automotive Selects UGS' NX(TM) and Teamcenter(R) Product Lifecycle Management Software as Corporate Standard

World-Leading Provider of Link Solutions for the Automotive Industry Will Use UGS Technology to Unify and Optimize Product Development and Manufacturing Processes PARIS and PLANO, Texas, Feb. 7 -- UGS, a leading global provider of product lifecycle management (PLM) software and services, today announced that LISI Autom ... Continue reading

Motability Operations Uses BroadVision to Help Manage Sales and Maximize Value from Its Used Fleet Cars

Motability Operations Uses BroadVision to Help Manage Sales and Maximize Value from Its Used Fleet Cars

REDWOOD CITY, Calif.--Feb. 7, 2005-- Motability Operations Uses BroadVision Self-Service Web Applications to Help Manage the Disposal and Sale of Its Used Vehicles Online to Cut Costs and Maximize Profit BroadVision, Inc. , a global provider of self-service web applications, today announced that Motability Operations ( ... Continue reading

MSED Hosts Feb. 24 Executive Briefing to Explore Success Factors of High-Performing Auto Suppliers

MSED Hosts Feb. 24 Executive Briefing to Explore Success Factors of High-Performing Auto Suppliers

TROY, Mich., Feb. 7 -- A half-day executive briefing for automotive managers, titled High Performance in the Automotive Supplier Industry, will be hosted by the Marketing & Sales Executives of Detroit (MSED) at The Somerset Inn in Troy on the morning of Thurs., Feb. 24, 2005. The briefing will feature Umar Riaz, North ... Continue reading

QuietShip Certified by ABS and U.S. Coast Guard Passes IMO tests, type-approved worldwide

QuietShip Certified by ABS and U.S. Coast Guard Passes IMO tests, type-approved worldwide

For Immediate Release QuietShip Certified by ABS and U.S. Coast Guard Passes IMO tests, type-approved worldwide Sunnyvale, CA – February 7, 2005 – Quiet Solution announced today that its novel QuietShip coating has received the coveted type approval and certifications under International Maritime Organization (IMO) ... Continue reading

Reichhold Announces Price Increase on Polyester & GMA Acrylic Resins for Powder Coatings Applications in North America; Effective March 1

Reichhold Announces Price Increase on Polyester & GMA Acrylic Resins for Powder Coatings Applications in North America; Effective March 1

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C.--Feb. 7, 2005--Reichhold, Inc. announced a general price increase today on polyester and GMA acrylic resin products for the powder coatings industry in North America. This increase applies to both list and off-list pricing and is effective for orders shipped on or after March 1, 2005. "We c ... Continue reading

Rexnord Corporation Conference Call to Report Fiscal Year 2005 Third Quarter Results

Rexnord Corporation Conference Call to Report Fiscal Year 2005 Third Quarter Results

MILWAUKEE--Feb. 7, 2005--Rexnord Corporation, a leading manufacturer of highly-engineered mechanical power transmission components, will hold a conference call with investors on Wednesday, February 16th, 2005 at 10:00 a.m. ET to discuss its fiscal year 2005 third quarter results, provide a general business update and r ... Continue reading

Rush Enterprises Conference Call Advisory for Q4/ Year End 2004 Earnings Results

Rush Enterprises Conference Call Advisory for Q4/ Year End 2004 Earnings Results

SAN ANTONIO, Texas--Feb. 7, 2005--Rush Enterprises Inc., , whose operations includes the largest network of Peterbilt heavy-duty truck dealerships in North America and a John Deere construction equipment dealership in Texas, will hold its quarterly conference call to discuss earnings on Monday, February 14 at 3 p.m. ES ... Continue reading

Shareholder Class Action Filed on Behalf of Shareholders of Tower Automotive, Inc. by the Law Firm of Schiffrin & Barroway, LLP

Shareholder Class Action Filed on Behalf of Shareholders of Tower Automotive, Inc. by the Law Firm of Schiffrin & Barroway, LLP

RADNOR, Pa., Feb. 7 -- The following statement was issued today by the law firm of Schiffrin & Barroway, LLP: Notice is hereby given that a class action lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York on behalf of all securities purchasers of Tower Automotive, Inc. ("Tower" o ... Continue reading

Standard Motor Products, Inc. Announces Quarterly Dividend

Standard Motor Products, Inc. Announces Quarterly Dividend

NEW YORK, Feb. 7 -- Standard Motor Products, Inc. , an automotive replacement parts manufacturer and distributor, reported today that its Board of Directors has approved the payment of a quarterly dividend of nine cents ($0.09) per share on the common stock outstanding. The dividend will be paid on March 1, 2005 to sto ... Continue reading

Thrifty Car Rental Wins IQPC's ''Internet/Intranet Best-in-Class'' Award With Percussion Software's Rhythmyx ECM

Thrifty Car Rental Wins IQPC's ''Internet/Intranet Best-in-Class'' Award With Percussion Software's Rhythmyx ECM

WOBURN, Mass. & TULSA, Okla.--Feb. 7, 2005-- Thrifty's Successful Deployment of Rhythmyx as the Content Management Foundation To Drive Its Brand Across 250-plus Web Sites Honored at Content Week 2005 Percussion Software, a leading developer of practical software solutions enabling customers to maximize the value and qu ... Continue reading

Veals DTOI Wall Street Pulse bellows

Veals DTOI Wall Street Pulse bellows

micah +++Investor Edge Weekly DTOI+++ "Where Investors Always Win" 570% Gains Last Month Don't Miss Our Pick For all week coming up, "DTOI" Will Be Hot All Week get it immediately monday morning, a big promotion will begin Wednesday evening followed up by a Huge Fax Campaign starting Thursday. Big profits all week. Bre ... Continue reading

Wadsworth Special DTOI Alert to Investors legislative

Wadsworth Special DTOI Alert to Investors legislative

retributive +++Investor Edge Weekly DTOI+++ "Where Investors Always Win" 570% Gains Last Month Don't Miss Our Pick For all week coming up, "DTOI" Will Be Hot All Week get it immediately monday morning, a big promotion will begin Wednesday evening followed up by a Huge Fax Campaign starting Thursday. Big profits all wee ... Continue reading

WireSpring, ZBMS and Diehl Motor Company Team up to Give Away New Suzuki; James Wakefield Selected as Winner from Users of Showroom Kiosk Systems at 7 Diehl Locations

WireSpring, ZBMS and Diehl Motor Company Team up to Give Away New Suzuki; James Wakefield Selected as Winner from Users of Showroom Kiosk Systems at 7 Diehl Locations

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.--Feb. 7, 2005--WireSpring Technologies, a developer of software and technology for interactive kiosks and digital signage systems, today announced that Diehl Motor Company has given away a new Suzuki using the FireCast/ZBMS showroom kiosk system. The winner, James Wakefield, drove his new vehicle ... Continue reading

Detroit Regional Chamber Names ArvinMeritor CEO World Trader of the Year

Detroit Regional Chamber Names ArvinMeritor CEO World Trader of the Year

DETROIT, Feb. 7 -- Charles G. "Chip" McClure, chairman of the board, CEO and president of ArvinMeritor Inc., has been named World Trader of the Year by the Detroit Regional Chamber. The award will be presented at the Detroit Regional Chamber Foundation's International Consular Ball, March 18 at The Ritz Carlton, Dearbo ... Continue reading

BRIDGESTONE AMERICAS BRINGS EXCITEMENT AND INNOVATION TO THE 2005 CHICAGO AUTO SHOW

BRIDGESTONE AMERICAS BRINGS EXCITEMENT AND INNOVATION TO THE 2005 CHICAGO AUTO SHOW

Chicago February 7, 2005; Racing legend Mario Andretti, often referred to as the greatest racer in motorsports history, and Andrew Firestone, great-grandson of Firestone Tire & Rubber Company founder, Harvey Firestone, will be making appearances at the Bridgestone Americas booth (N119) at this year's Chicago Auto Show. ... Continue reading

Ford matches GM's offer on interest-free loans

Ford matches GM's offer on interest-free loans

DETROIT, Feb 7, 2005; Reuters reported that Ford Motor Co. will match General Motors Corp.'s offer of interest-free loans for up to five years on most sport utility vehicles and some pickup trucks, the No. 2 U.S. automaker said on Monday. Ford, which saw sales drop 5.4 percent last month, is offering interest-free loan ... Continue reading

Faulty Fuel Pump Problem Slows DaimlerChrysler Output by More Than 4,000 Vehicles for January

Faulty Fuel Pump Problem Slows DaimlerChrysler Output by More Than 4,000 Vehicles for January

10:56 am ET FRANKFURT, Germany February 7, 2005; The AP reported that the delivery of 4,200 Mercedes-Benz cars from automaker DaimlerChrysler AG was held up in January due to a defective Bosch diesel fuel pump, a company spokesman said Monday. In addition, assembly at the company's largest plant in Sindelfingen has bee ... Continue reading

ABI Research Ranks Companies in Its First Annual Automotive Fuel Cell Vendor Analysis

ABI Research Ranks Companies in Its First Annual Automotive Fuel Cell Vendor Analysis

OYSTER BAY, N.Y.--Feb. 7, 2005--ABI Research has just released its first annual comparative study of companies active in the automotive fuel cell market. Titled "Automotive Fuel Cell Vendors - A Competitive Assessment", the report analyzes the activities of three groups: OEM automotive vendors (including buses), compon ... Continue reading

Bidding Race for First Dodge Charger is Underway!

Bidding Race for First Dodge Charger is Underway!

* The high bid is currently $50,100 for the first 2006 Dodge Charger volume production vehicle to roll off the assembly line and the race car body autographed by Richard Petty, Kasey Kahne and Chrysler Group CEO Dr. Dieter Zetsche * One-of-a-kind items are being auctioned at www.ebay.com/charger; auction runs until Feb ... Continue reading

Xenon Headlight Availability Grows 25 Percent in 2005 Model Year, According to the Motor Vehicle Lighting Council

Xenon Headlight Availability Grows 25 Percent in 2005 Model Year, According to the Motor Vehicle Lighting Council

Consumer Demand for Technology Drives Additional Applications RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., Feb. 7 -- The future of Xenon (also known as HID - High Intensity Discharge) headlights continues to brighten in North America with each model year. According to the Motor Vehicle Lighting Council (MVLC) there are a total of 95 ... Continue reading

Ikona Gear and Paccar Collaborate on Industrial Winch Technology

Ikona Gear and Paccar Collaborate on Industrial Winch Technology

COQUITLAM, BC, Feb. 7 -- Ikona Gear International, Inc. (OTC BB: IKGI), a leader in innovative gearing systems technology, and in keeping with their objective of licensing its patented gearing technologies announced today it has entered into a non-disclosure agreement with Paccar Winch Division (www.paccarwinch.com), a ... Continue reading

Toyota Upgrades Features and Increases Gentex Auto-Dimming Mirror Availability on New Avalon

Toyota Upgrades Features and Increases Gentex Auto-Dimming Mirror Availability on New Avalon

ZEELAND, Mich., Feb. 7 -- Gentex Corporation, the leading supplier of automatic-dimming rearview mirrors, announced today that the new Toyota Avalon offers the Company's interior and exterior auto-dimming mirrors with incremental electronic features, and that the Company's mirrors also are more widely available on the ... Continue reading

Autoweb Joins Rapidly Expanding JT Open Initiative

Autoweb Joins Rapidly Expanding JT Open Initiative

Autoweb Helps Solidify JT as the Leading 3D Data Format in the Global Automotive Industry; JT Poised for Further Expansion in Multiple Industries PLANO, Texas, Feb. 7 -- UGS, a leading global provider of product lifecycle management (PLM) software and services, today announced Autoweb Communications, Inc., the global l ... Continue reading

Autoweb Teams With UGS to Provide a New Collaboration Offering and Extend Its Data Exchange Capabilities Based on Teamcenter(R) and JT 3D Data Format

Autoweb Teams With UGS to Provide a New Collaboration Offering and Extend Its Data Exchange Capabilities Based on Teamcenter(R) and JT 3D Data Format

New Solutions Will Reduce Time-to-Market Through Improved Collaboration Among Automotive Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and Suppliers and Extend Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) Benefits to Small and Medium Size Organizations Widespread Use of Autoweb Services Reinforces Leadership of Teamcenter and Lightwei ... Continue reading

iN DEMAND Networks and NASCAR Announce 2005 Season of 'NASCAR IN CAR'

iN DEMAND Networks and NASCAR Announce 2005 Season of 'NASCAR IN CAR'

Emmy(R) Award-Winning Sports Package Begins Third Season Available Only on Digital Cable Free Preview During Daytona 500, February 20 NEW YORK, Feb. 7 -- iN DEMAND Networks and NASCAR Digital Entertainment (NDE) today announced the 2005 season premiere of NASCAR IN CAR, television's first enhanced multi-channel digital ... Continue reading

Wheels Will be Spinning on World's Largest Indoor Test Track at 2005 Chicago Auto Show

Wheels Will be Spinning on World's Largest Indoor Test Track at 2005 Chicago Auto Show

- Auto show attendees to have a chance to ride in Chrysler, Jeep(R) and Dodge vehicles on a specially designed half-mile driving course - Total display space equal to four football fields - Consumers able to experience more than 100 vehicles, live bands, video games, e-shot Web photos and other activities CHICAGO, Feb. ... Continue reading

Business Activity at All-Time Record Levels at Thermodynetics

Business Activity at All-Time Record Levels at Thermodynetics

WINDSOR, Conn.--Feb. 7, 2005--Thermodynetics, Inc. (TDYN: OTCBB): Net sales for the three (and nine) months ended December 31, 2004 totaled $5.8 ($17.2) million compared to $4.6 ($11.8) million for the comparable quarter of the prior year, respectively. Pre-tax income was $178,000 for the latest quarter ($157,000 prior ... Continue reading

MBA Holdings Commences Program to Grow Warranty Sales

MBA Holdings Commences Program to Grow Warranty Sales

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.--Feb. 7, 2005--MBA Holdings, Inc. (OTCBB:MBAH) has commenced a long-term strategic plan to increase sales of its traditional core business of extended vehicle warranties. MBA is one of the original innovators of direct marketing of warranties for Vehicle Service Contracts and Mechanical Breakdown Insu ... Continue reading

Mercury General Corporation Announces Fourth Quarter Results

Mercury General Corporation Announces Fourth Quarter Results

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 7 -- Mercury General Corporation reported today net income of $74.1 million ($1.36 per share- diluted), in the fourth quarter 2004 compared with $49.2 million ($0.90 per share-diluted), in the same period for 2003. For the year, net income was $286.2 million ($5.24 per share-diluted) in 2004 compared ... Continue reading

TOWER AUTOMOTIVE BANKRUPTCY NEWS: First Issue Free From Bankruptcy Creditors' Service, Inc.

TOWER AUTOMOTIVE BANKRUPTCY NEWS: First Issue Free From Bankruptcy Creditors' Service, Inc.

FAIRLESS HILLS, Pa., Feb. 7 -- Bankruptcy Creditors' Service, Inc., announces publication of TOWER AUTOMOTIVE BANKRUPTCY NEWS tracking the chapter 11 filing by Tower Automotive, Inc. , R.J. Tower Corporation, and some of their subsidiaries last week in Manhattan to shave hundreds of millions of dollars of debt from the ... Continue reading

Energy Conversion Devices Announces Second Quarter Fiscal 2005 Operating Results

Energy Conversion Devices Announces Second Quarter Fiscal 2005 Operating Results

ROCHESTER HILLS, Mich., Feb. 7 -- Energy Conversion Devices, Inc. (ECD Ovonics) announced today its operating results for the second quarter ended December 31, 2004. The Company reported net income of $67.1 million on revenues of $95.7 million, compared to a loss of $13.4 million on revenues of $15.7 million in the sam ... Continue reading

Wheels, Inc. Celebrates Over 40 Years of Canadian Fleet Management

Wheels, Inc. Celebrates Over 40 Years of Canadian Fleet Management

DES PLAINES, Ill., Feb. 7 -- Wheels, Inc., a leader in the multi-billion-dollar fleet-leasing industry, has offered fleet management and support to clients with Canadian fleet presence for over forty years since its Canadian subsidiary, Wheels Leasing Canada Ltd., was incorporated. This comes as Wheels, Inc. celebrates ... Continue reading

Universal Automotive Reports Independent Testing of New Friction Compound Reflects an 85% Reduction in Brake Dust

Universal Automotive Reports Independent Testing of New Friction Compound Reflects an 85% Reduction in Brake Dust

ALSIP, Ill., Feb. 7 -- Universal Automotive Industries, Inc. , one of the fastest growing manufacturer/distributors of brake parts for the $2.3 billion U.S. automotive brake part aftermarket, is pleased to announce that test results for its new friction compound code, named Kev11X, demonstrated an 85% reduction in dust ... Continue reading

Meineke Car Care Centers Team up with Comdata to Bring Maintenance Services Online

Meineke Car Care Centers Team up with Comdata to Bring Maintenance Services Online

CHARLOTTE, N.C. & BRENTWOOD, Tenn.--Feb. 7, 2005--Meineke Car Care Centers, Inc., a market leader in automotive services and repair, and Comdata Corporation, a leader in electronic payment systems for the transportation industry, have implemented a data logging system designed to bring online maintenance service tracki ... Continue reading

GXS Selected for China Automotive Industry Initiative; GXS Chosen to Drive eAuto Hub Pilot Project

GXS Selected for China Automotive Industry Initiative; GXS Chosen to Drive eAuto Hub Pilot Project

GAITHERSBURG, Md.--Feb. 7, 2005--Continuing its customer momentum in China, GXS today announced the company has been recently selected by China Enterprise Communications Limited (China Entercom) to develop the "eAuto Hub" pilot project. An industry-centric B2B platform, eAuto Hub will connect and integrate OEM and supp ... Continue reading

Super Bowl Advertisers Fall Short Online; Majority Miss the Opportunity to Carry T.V. Ad Buzz to the Web

Super Bowl Advertisers Fall Short Online; Majority Miss the Opportunity to Carry T.V. Ad Buzz to the Web

NEW YORK--Feb. 7, 2005-- -- Reprise Media Scores Super Bowl Advertisers on their Web Marketing Savvy -- While the Eagles and the Patriots battled it out on the football field, the "other" Super Bowl competition - the pricey advertising shoot-out - was played out on television screens worldwide. But despite the millions ... Continue reading

Thomas Equipment Inc. and Hyundai Heavy Industries, Korea, Complete Strategic OEM Agreement

Thomas Equipment Inc. and Hyundai Heavy Industries, Korea, Complete Strategic OEM Agreement

CENTERVILLE, New Brunswick--Feb. 7, 2005-- Thomas Equipment Inc. Completes Exclusive Global Supply Agreement with Multinational OEM Thomas Equipment Inc. ("Thomas") (OTCBB: TEQI) today announced that it has reached an exclusive global supply agreement with Hyundai Heavy Industries - Construction Equipment Division (HHI ... Continue reading

'Go Man, Go!' New 2006 Dodge Charger Daytona R/T Model Sure to be 'Top Banana'

'Go Man, Go!' New 2006 Dodge Charger Daytona R/T Model Sure to be 'Top Banana'

* Dodge celebrates Charger's return to NASCAR Nextel Cup racing at Daytona International Speedway with new Dodge Charger Daytona R/T * Dodge to boost HEMI(R) to 350 horsepower for Dodge Charger Daytona R/T model introduction * "Go ManGo!" and "Top Banana" classic paint schemes to appear on limited-production Dodge Char ... Continue reading

Automotive CEOs Warn Low Cost Competition is Key Threat, According to PricewaterhouseCoopers Annual Global CEO Survey

Automotive CEOs Warn Low Cost Competition is Key Threat, According to PricewaterhouseCoopers Annual Global CEO Survey

DETROIT, Feb. 7 -- CEOs of automotive companies see low-cost competition as the biggest threat to the future of their sector. The Eighth Annual PricewaterhouseCoopers Global CEO Survey found 73 percent believe such competition will threaten the revenue growth of their company over the next 12 months. Of all the sectors ... Continue reading

Consumer Activity on Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep Web Sites Posts Sharp Increase in 2004

Consumer Activity on Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep Web Sites Posts Sharp Increase in 2004

* Improved Web site usability and new tools leads to increased Web site use on chrysler.com, jeep.com and dodge.com * Number of vehicle page views increases 87% year-over-year * Use of some online tools grows by more than 100% AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Feb. 7 -- In a year in which Chrysler Group launched nine new products, ... Continue reading

The Internet Meets the Taxicab: Hundreds of ''Interactive Taxis'' Hit the Streets in Boston, Chicago and San Francisco

The Internet Meets the Taxicab: Hundreds of ''Interactive Taxis'' Hit the Streets in Boston, Chicago and San Francisco

--Interactive Taxi and PeerDirect Team Up to Redefine the Passenger Experience with Full-Featured, High-Performance Internet Portals in Every Backseat WHAT: Boring taxicab rides are a thing of the past, thanks to Interactive Taxi and PeerDirect Corporation, a division of Progress Software . These two companies have tea ... Continue reading

DaimlerChrysler to Postpone U.S. Launch of Mercedes-Benz Sport Wagon

DaimlerChrysler to Postpone U.S. Launch of Mercedes-Benz Sport Wagon

FRANKFURT, Germany February 7, 2005; Melissa Eddy writing for the AP reported that DaimlerChrysler AG is delaying the U.S. launch of its Mercedes-Benz B-Class sport wagon over concerns that the weak dollar would eat too deeply into profits, the automaker said Monday. The compact four-door hatchback was to have been bro ... Continue reading

Patriot Motorcycles Jumps into Freestyle MX World With Sponsorship of 2005 Freestyle MX Tour

Patriot Motorcycles Jumps into Freestyle MX World With Sponsorship of 2005 Freestyle MX Tour

DANA POINT, Calif.--Feb. 7, 2005--Patriot Motorcycles Corporation(TM) (Pink Sheets:PMCY) today announced it has teamed up with the fastest-growing spectator sport in America -- Freestyle Motocross. The premier event in this sport is the annual Freestyle MX Tour, featuring world-class riders on powerful motorcycles perf ... Continue reading

Gas Could Be Costly for Summer Motorists

Gas Could Be Costly for Summer Motorists

WASHINGTON February 6, 2005; Brad Foss writing for the AP reported that gasoline prices rose more than 7 percent in January, which typically is one of the slowest driving months of the year. That's leading experts to predict pump prices may surge past last year's record highs when highway travel picks up late in the sp ... Continue reading

FORD SUPER BOWL ADS TO FEATURE UNEXPECTED TWISTS ON RED-HOT CONVERTIBLE, LEGENDARY TRUCK TOUGHNESS

FORD SUPER BOWL ADS TO FEATURE UNEXPECTED TWISTS ON RED-HOT CONVERTIBLE, LEGENDARY TRUCK TOUGHNESS

2005 Ford Mustang Convertible Super Bowl Ad * Ford Super Bowl Kickoff Show to include two 60-second commercials showcasing the 2005 Ford Mustang Convertible and 2005 Ford F-Series trucks. * "Green Light" - Mustang Convertible is so irresistible, even sub-zero temperatures couldn't keep drivers from hitting the road wit ... Continue reading

OSRAM Opto Semiconductors at Strategies in Light 2005 Conference February 7-9, 2005

OSRAM Opto Semiconductors at Strategies in Light 2005 Conference February 7-9, 2005

--OSRAM Opto Semiconductors announces its participation as a sponsor of the sixth annual Strategies in Light Conference. Strategies in Light, a premier, executive-level forum for addressing high-brightness, light-emitting diode (HB LED) developments, offers unparalleled networking opportunities for both LED suppliers a ... Continue reading

GM Will Stop Making the Pontiac Bonneville This Summer

GM Will Stop Making the Pontiac Bonneville This Summer

DETROIT February 6, 2005; The AP reported that General Motors Corp. will stop making the Pontiac Bonneville this summer, saying declining sales and changing customer tastes no longer make the nearly half-century old sedan worthwhile. No jobs will be lost because the Detroit-Hamtramck factory where the Bonneville is cur ... Continue reading

Baldwin-Tafel Racing Earns Fourth At 24 Hour Debut

Baldwin-Tafel Racing Earns Fourth At 24 Hour Debut

Baldwin-Tafel Racing Earns Fourth At 24 Hour Debut DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., February 6, 2005 - Baldwin-Tafel Racing made a dramatic debut in their first Rolex 24 At Daytona with a fourth-place finish, 13th overall. The No. 73 Mesco Building Solutions/Davis Communications Porsche 911 GT3 Cup entry worked as high as second-p ... Continue reading

Shane Lewis Marks Career Milestone at Daytona

Shane Lewis Marks Career Milestone at Daytona

Shane Lewis Marks Career Milestone at Daytona DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., February 6, 2005 - As Shane Lewis belted into No. 3 OZEXE/ PAP-PARTS Cegwa Sport-Southard Motorsports Lexus-FABCAR Daytona Prototype (DP) yesterday afternoon, the Jupiter, Fla. resident passed a career milestone. The 2005 Rolex 24 At Daytona, the season ... Continue reading

NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series - FINAL results from Bradenton Motorsports Park in Bradenton, Fla.

NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series - FINAL results from Bradenton Motorsports Park in Bradenton, Fla.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE NHRA LUCAS OIL DRAG RACING SERIES - NHRA SOUTHEAST DIVISION BRADENTON MOTORSPORTS PARK SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2005 Contact: Jill Caliendo, NHRA Field Marketing (626) 327-4207 Allen upset winner at Lucas Oil Series event at Bradenton Motorsports Park BRADENTON, Fla. - After three days of stiff NHRA Lu ... Continue reading

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