---

www.thecarconnection.com Shows Ford and Imports Up, GM and DaimlerChrysler Down as Another Record Year Rushes to a Close

7 December 1999

Ford and Imports Up, GM and DaimlerChrysler Down as Another Record Year Rushes to a Close

    DETROIT, Dec. 7 -- What goes up must come down, and while the
auto industry is riding a record wave, sales -- as well as prices and profits
-- could soon come crashing down, or so warns this week's edition of
TheCarConnection.com.
    The Web's leading automotive e-zine also examines the reasons why
DaimlerChrysler is lagging the pack in the current year's sales boom, and why
General Motors market share has slipped to a half-century low.  Ford is
posting the only strong showing of any domestic brand -- aided by its own
import line-up.
    http://www.thecarconnection.com also explores why -- in the words of retiring
President Tom Stallkamp, DaimlerChrysler is lagging behind Ford and GM in the
race to be the most effective car retailer on the Internet.  Is it Stallkamp's
sour grapes, or does DC have some catching up to do?
    While The Car Connection has run some heavily camouflaged spy photos of
the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe before, this week, the very first completely
undisguised pictures of the next-generation luxury sedan is Caught in the Web.
    Road tests in this week's edition include the Dodge Dakota Quad Cab, and
the 2000 Ford F-150 pickup, along with the 2000 Mazda MPV and the supercharged
Pontiac Bonneville.
    We know how the World Trade Organization meeting affected Seattle last
week, but The Car Connection's new Asia hand, Michael Dunne, wonders how
China's entry into the WTO will affect us all.
    Then, columnist Denise McCluggage contemplates the future of the
dashboard.  In TCC's Readers Scrapbook, get a glimpse of a rare and highly
modified BMW Isetta.
    Web users can access The Car Connection either through
http://www.thecarconnection.com or by going to the PR Newswire site
http://www.prnewswire.com .  In addition, PR Newswire provides the text of all the
manufacturers' news releases from the auto shows, along with all the other
business news of the day.
    The Car Connection, http://www.thecarconnection.com , is the nation's premier
automotive "e-zine."  Turn to it for the latest news, reviews, and often-
controversial reviews.  You'll find driving tips from racing instructor Bob
Bondurant, helpful maintenance advice from On-Site Mechanic Bob Weber, and
"spy shots" of tomorrow's hottest products Caught in the Web.
    Readers can now find new and used car prices, a complete photo gallery of
current models, and free new car brochures.  A new feature adds the respected
resources of the Kelley Blue Book used car price guide.  The Car Connection
also offers a timely car calendar and the web's most expansive automotive
Yellow Pages linking to auto sites all over the world.  On TCC Mall, site
visitors can get their best deal on a new car through AutoAdvantage, and top
it off with extended warranties at Warranty Direct.  And everyone can use the
TCC Forum to speak out, and get answers on, a wide range of automotive topics.