Wednesday, August 8, 2007

Fiat and Chery sign a 'Memorandum of Understanding' to establish a passenger cars JV in China

Fiat Group Automobiles and Chery Automobiles have signed a “Memorandum of Understanding” for the establishment of a passenger car 50%-50% joint venture (JV). Located in Wuhu, Anhui province, the Joint Venture to be established, will produce and distribute Alfa Romeo & FIAT cars of Fiat Group Automobiles and C ... Continue reading

Nissan Reports July Sales in Europe

TRAPPES, France, August 8 -- Nissan Europe reported total sales of 48,100 vehicles (i) in July 2007, an increase of 8.6% compared to the same month last year. This is the fourth consecutive month this fiscal year in which Nissan sales in Europe have been higher year-on-year. The strongest performers were the UK, France ... Continue reading

Automakers Highlight Low-CO2 Vehicles

Wasghington DC August 8, 2007; The AIADA newsletter reported that automakers are putting a new emphasis on cars and trucks that excel at cutting carbon-dioxide emissions to reduce global warming. USA Today reports that in the past, CO2 was treated as just a component of the noxious vapors spewing from tailpipes. Now, i ... Continue reading

C.A.R. Management Briefing Seminars - Tuesday

Tuesday’s Insights in Traverse City By Steve Purdy TheAutoChannel.com Detroit Bureau Traverse City, MI – August 8, 2007 - Is Big Brother coming to take the fun out of driving? It was beginning to sound that way at the presentation on “Talking Cars and the Digital Highway.” A cadre of technical exper ... Continue reading

Hyundai anuncia el nombre de su futuro vehículo de cinco puertas

El completamente nuevo Elantra Touring 2009 dirige un nombre ya conocido hacia una dirección más deportiva y funcional. TRAVERSE CITY, Michigan, 8 de agosto /PR Newswire/ -- El Vicepresidente de Desarrollo de Producto y Planeación Estratégica de Hyundai Motor America, John Krafcik, durante los Seminarios para Geren ... Continue reading

The New Chrysler Posts Record Highs for July 2007 Certified Pre-owned Vehicle (CPOV) Sales

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Aug. 8 -- The New Chrysler reported that its Five Star(R) dealers sold a new July record of 9,629 Certified Pre-owned Vehicle (CPOV) units, an 11 percent increase from July 2006 sales of 8,689 units. Each of The New Chrysler brands posted sales increases in July; Chrysler brand sales rose 6 percent ... Continue reading

A Record Number of Prowlers Gather to Celebrate 10th Anniversary

- More than 175 cars in each of the 17 colors produced in its five year run will assemble at Walter P. Chrysler Museum on Aug. 16 - Largest gathering ever of Prowlers - Chrysler's Team Prowler members and owners to share stories of vehicle's five year run What: First turning heads as a concept car at the North American ... Continue reading

BMW and NASA Conclude Test Period of BMW Hydrogen 7

Eight-Week-Long Test Underscores Companies' Mutual Support of Hydrogen Technologies CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla., Aug. 8 -- As NASA engineers prepare to launch the Space Shuttle Endeavour today, BMW of North America and NASA announced the successful completion of an eight-week test period of the BMW Hydrogen 7 -- the first-eve ... Continue reading

SPECIAL EVENTS (FONTANA) - FNA RETURNS TO CALIFORNIA SPEEDWAY...

Ferrari North America, Inc., will be returning to Fontana's California Speedway after two years on the weekend of August 10-12. Open to the public, the race weekend will include Ferrari 430 Challenge and Shell Historic vintage racing events. Now in its 14th racing season in the North America, the Ferrari Challenge Seri ... Continue reading

TEAM REPORTS (BRAINERD, WI) - TEAM MOPAR READY FOR WISCONSIN...

Team Mopar® Pro Stock teammates Allen Johnson and Richie Stevens Jr. head into the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway in Brainerd, Minn. this weekend. Though focused on the same destination ‹ the NHRA Countdown to the Championship ‹ they have decidedly different strategies. Johnson, ... Continue reading

IHRA (BRAINERD) - Ashley eyes clinching his playoff spot after win

BRAINERD, Minn. (August 8, 2007) - Fresh off a win at last weekend's IHRA race in Martin, Mich. and on the heels of two No. 1 qualifying performances two weeks in a row in two different sanctioning bodies, Mike Ashley, driver of the Torco Race Fuels Dodge Charger R/T nitro Funny Car is anxious to clinch his spot in the ... Continue reading

NHRA (CHICAGO) - SCHUMACHER CONFIRMS FUNNY CAR CREW CHIEF RE-ASSIGNMENTS

Team owner Don Schumacher today confirmed that he has re-assigned Funny Car crew chiefs Todd Okuhara and Phil Shuler to take charge of tuning two DSR team Funny Cars through the completion of the 2007 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series: the Mail Terminal Services Dodge Charger R/T, with which they and driver Jack Beckman ... Continue reading

NASCAR NNCS (THE GLEN) - PRE-RACE ADVANCE

• Montoya Seeks History Making Road Course Win<P> • Kurt Busch Moves Into The 12th Position<p> • Second Half Of Race To The Chase Unfolds At The Glen<p> • Car Of Tomorrow Returns This Weekend<P> • Road Course Specialists Entered At The Glen<P> <P> Juan Pablo Montoya (No. 42 Wrigley’s Big R ... Continue reading

NASCAR BCS (THE GLEN) - PRE-RACE ADVANCE

• Rivalries Revisited This Weekend At Watkins Glen<P> • Carpentier Heads List of Montreal “Returnees”<P> • In the Loop: Robby Gordon Tops The Glen’s Stat Charts<P> • Back-to-Back Road Races A First for NASCAR Busch Series<P> • Dodge Carries Manufacturer Momentum To Upstate N.Y.<P ... Continue reading

Hyundai Announces Name of Future Five-Door

All-New 2009 Elantra Touring Moves a Popular Nameplate in a Sportier, More Functional Direction TRAVERSE CITY, Mich., Aug. 8 -- Hyundai Motor America Vice President of Product Development and Strategic Planning John Krafcik, speaking at the Center of Automotive Research Management Briefing Seminars, announced Hyundai's ... Continue reading

Mazda Releases 'Rotary Engine 40th Anniversary' Commemorative Limited Edition RX-8 in Japan

HIROSHIMA - August 8, 2007: To commemorate forty years of Mazda’s rotary engine vehicles sold globally, Mazda Motor Corporation has commenced sales of a limited edition model Mazda RX-8 throughout Japan. The RX-8 Rotary Engine 40th Anniversary edition is available from today at all Mazda and Mazda Anfini dealershi ... Continue reading

Oil Rich Texas Number One in Wind Power - Do They Know Something Down There?

Att. The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) today released its second quarter installation figures for the U.S. wind energy industry. Please see the full release below, or online at http://www.awea.org/newsroom/releases/AWEA_Quarterly_Market_Report_0808 0 7.html FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 8, 2007 Contact: Kathy ... Continue reading

WiCity™ To Provide Free Wireless Internet via Parking Meters

SURREY, British Columbia--Natco International, Inc. (OTCBB:NCII) is pleased to announce that Photo Violation Technologies Corp. is launching the debut of WiCity™. WiCity™ will provide free high-speed wireless Internet access to cities. When Photo Violation installs its meters in the cities, it establishes a c ... Continue reading

Autobytel Announces Second Quarter 2007 Financial Results

But First Snide's Remarks: It's interesting to see that Autobytel with all of the hundreds of million of dollar investment in the company, is now pinning their hopes for a profitable future on a johnny-come-lately imitation of The Auto Channel... welcome to the world of editorial publishing.Let me know what you think, ... Continue reading

AUTOMOBILE Magazine Names ``25 Greatest Cars of All Time''

ANN ARBOR, Mich.--AUTOMOBILE Magazine, an automotive lifestyle publication (www.automobilemag.com), today unveiled in its September 2007 issue the "25 Greatest Cars of All Time." "This feature is certain to get people talking at water coolers, kitchens, garages and bars," said Gavin Conway, editor in chief of AUTOMOBIL ... Continue reading

Eight Trends Emerging In China's Auto Industry

SHANGHAI - August 8, 2007: Eight trends emerged as China's auto industry has experienced fast expansion over recent years. Innovation oriented After years of reform and studies, business leaders in China auto industry realized that they needs more self-innovative capability to support its rapid development, and this in ... Continue reading

Future Trends and Developments in the AC Drives Industry

DUBLIN, Ireland--Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c65011) has announced the addition of “Global AC Drives” to their offering. Our Global AC Drives industry profile is an essential resource for top-level data and analysis covering the ac drives industry. It includes detailed data ... Continue reading

Grammer Names Kempis Chief Executive Officer

TROY, Mich., Aug. 8 -- Dr. Rolf-Dieter Kempis has been appointed chief executive officer (CEO) of Grammer AG Automotive. Dr. Kempis had been a member of the Grammer AG supervisory board. ... Continue reading

EV Motoring: Speedy Sleek All Electric Telsa For Sale in U.S. This Year

LOS ANGELES Aug 7, 2007; Mary Milliken writing for Reuters reported that Tesla Motors' all-electric Roadster sports car will start rolling out to nearly 600 buyers lined up for the $100,000 vehicle by October or November, after a slight delay, the company's chief said on Tuesday. "We will definitely ship in that time f ... Continue reading

Autoliv Continues its Consolidation Strategy

STOCKHOLM, Sweden--Regulatory News: Autoliv North America , a division of Autoliv Inc. (STO:ALIV), the world’s largest supplier of automotive safety systems, today announced plans to close its Madisonville Kentucky plant, which produces seat belt products for the North American market. Current operations at this f ... Continue reading

Wonder Auto Technology, Inc. Reports Record Second Quarter 2007 Results

JINZHOU CITY, China, Aug. 7 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Wonder Auto Technology, Inc., (BULLETIN BOARD: WATG) ("Wonder Auto" or the "Company"), a China- based manufacturer of automotive electrical parts, today announced its financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2007. Second Quarter 2007 Highlights -- Revenues incr ... Continue reading

Novelis Wins Sheet Contract for Cadillac CTS Aluminum Hood

DETROIT, Aug. 7 -- Novelis Inc. has been selected by General Motors to supply aluminum sheet for the hood of the 2008 Cadillac CTS, expected to launch in late August. Novelis is the world's leading supplier of high performance aluminum sheet for use in automotive applications. (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh ... Continue reading

Accuride Corporation Reports Second Quarter Results for 2007

EVANSVILLE, Ind.--Accuride Corporation , a leading manufacturer and supplier of commercial vehicle components, today announced its financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2007. The Company reported results of $245.1 million in net sales for the second quarter of 2007 compared to $361.7 million for the s ... Continue reading

94 Million American Drivers Unclear on School Bus Roadway Rules According to GMAC Insurance Study

Insurer Reveals Top 10 Tips to Keep the Roadways Safe During Back-to-School Time ST. LOUIS, Aug. 7 -- Today, GMAC Insurance announced study results indicating many drivers are unsure of proper roadway safety procedures involving school buses. The study, which polled 5,175 licensed Americans from all 50 states and the D ... Continue reading

ArvinMeritor Announces Sale of Light Vehicle Aftermarket European Exhaust Operations

Completes the Company's Divestiture of the Light Vehicle Aftermarket Business TROY, Mich., Aug. 7 -- ArvinMeritor, Inc. today announced that it has sold its Light Vehicle Aftermarket (LVA) European exhaust operations to Klarius Group Limited, located in the United Kingdom. Terms of the sale were not disclosed. "This tr ... Continue reading

China's Passenger Vehicle Sales Plummet In July

SHANGHAI - August 8, 2007: Typically July and August is a sluggish season for auto sales and there is no exception in this year. More than a half of automakers' sales declined in July, according to the statistics released by China Association of Automobile Manufacturers. New models, such as FAWVW Magotan, FAW Toyota Co ... Continue reading

Ford Chief Alan Mulally to Open the Los Angeles Auto Show Press Days as Keynote Speaker

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 7 -- Alan Mulally, president and chief executive officer for Ford Motor Company, will kick off the Los Angeles Auto Show by delivering the Motor Press Guild (MPG) keynote address on Nov. 14, 2007. The MPG breakfast and Mulally's address is open to all credentialed news media attending the show's press ... Continue reading

Michelin Expanding Every Major Facility in South Carolina; Investing $350 Million, Adding 100 Additional Jobs

Expansions at Greenville, Spartanburg, Anderson, Lexington county plants GREENVILLE, S.C., Aug. 7 -- Michelin North America is investing $350 million to improve and expand every major manufacturing facility in South Carolina over the next four years. This latest round of Michelin investments will upgrade all the compan ... Continue reading

C.A.R. Management Briefing Seminars - Casesa Interview

By Martha Hindes Special Event Editor The Auto Channel Detroit Bureau TRAVERSE CITY, MICHIGAN -- "Where the money comes from doesn't matter so much," said auto analyst John Casesa, managing partner of Casesa Shapiro Group. What it takes, he added, are investors with deep pockets that can ride out the hills and valleys ... Continue reading

Guangzhou Hyundai Commercial Vehicle Project Is Grounded

SHANGHAI - August 8, 2007: China's largest commercial vehicle project, Guangzhou Hyundai commercial vehicle, was grounded and its future remains unclear, Chinese media reported today. "There are no signs that the project could possibly start by the end of this year," said a worker at the planned project’s construc ... Continue reading

2007 Dodge Caliber SXT Sport Review

DODGE CALIBER SXT SPORT 2007 Design B+, Execution C- By Steve Purdy TheAutoChannel.com Detroit Bureau The old Dodge Neon really needed replacing. It was beginning to look like something from an earlier decade. Oh, I guess that’s what it was. I remember being impressed with it originally at the preview at the Detro ... Continue reading