Reports on the latest technological advances in the auto industry.
2005/11/30
@ 11:08 AM (32 months, 6 days ago)
Hyundai Motor Co. today introduced the all-new Santa Fe sports utility vehicle. Larger, more elegant and more refined than its predecessor, the new Santa Fe sharpens Hyundai's competitiveness in the hotly-contested segment with third row seating plus an abundance of new comfort and convenience features. Just like its predecessor which carved out a unique niche for itself, the 2006 Santa Fe blazes a new trail for Hyundai and will take our brand to the heights of refinement and confidence, said Chairman and CEO Chung Mong-Koo. Developed at cost of 162 billion won (US$155 million) over a period of 26 months under the CM project code-name, the new Santa Fe rides on a 2.7m-long wheelbase, 8cm longer than its predecessor. This enabled an i...
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@ 10:05 AM (32 months, 6 days ago)
BMW has selected New York-based Dotglu, LLC as its new U.S. Consumer Relationship Management (CRM) agency-of-record. This selection was a result of a national agency search that began in July 2005. Dotglu will work in direct partnership with GSD&M, the lead agency recently awarded the BMW national brand and advertising business. As the CRM partner company, Dotglu will work with GSD&M and BMW to maximize the total customer experience in all areas of CRM, direct marketing, database marketing and interactive marketing initiatives, including the redesign of www.bmwusa.com. "We could not be more pleased that Dotglu will be joining the BMW team. Our relationship with consumers is the most important we have as a brand and Dotglu is the idea...
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@ 06:47 AM (32 months, 6 days ago)
Rolls-Royce has opened a new factory in Shanghai, China, to serve the world's largest commercial shipbuilding market. Together with an existing facility in Korea, the factory forms a new production hub for north-east Asia enabling the company to supply shipyards with marine equipment at the point of manufacture - and open up new markets in the process. The Asian shipbuilding market is currently worth ?19 billion annually and accounts for around 80 per cent of all global construction. In 2004 new orders and deliveries reached record levels. Marine President Saul Lanyado, who officially opened the site on 2 November, said: "This is a very exciting development for us and it opens up real opportunities to expand our business in As...
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2005/11/29
@ 12:04 PM (32 months, 7 days ago)
Mercedes-Benz is proud to announce its award-winning SL convertible sports car lineup has yet another trophy to add to its cabinet - the SL65 AMG was voted "The Fantasy Convertible" by the New England Motor Press Association (NEMPA). NEMPA members, consisting of New England-based automotive journalists, tested the limited-production, high-performance hardtop convertible during its annual Ragtop Ramble convertible driving event from Boston to Kennebunkport this summer. "Why fantasy?" asks Gerry Miles, NEMPA President and automotive editor for New Hampshire's Portsmouth Herald. "Because it would be a fantasy to own one, never mind be lucky enough to secure seat time behind the wheel of one." The Mercedes-Be...
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@ 10:37 AM (32 months, 7 days ago)
Saab's "Real-Life Safety" philosophy earned the Saab 9 3 Sport Sedan a "Double Best Pick" designation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the first passenger car to achieve this distinction. Eight mid-size cars were crashed in the latest round of IIHS side-impact testing. The Saab 9-3 is the only mid-size car yet to earn a "Best Pick" in the test. Important to note is that this result was achieved with standard equipment only. Among the Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan's standard safety features are adaptive, dual-stage front airbags, side-impact airbags engineered into the front seats, seat belts featuring crash pre-tensioners and load limiters, and Saab's "second generation"...
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@ 07:51 AM (32 months, 7 days ago)
TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION (TMC) today announced the nationwide launch in Japan, via "Netz" dealers, of the new RAV4, which is a completely redesigned version of the Toyota RAV4 J and RAV4 L that have been sold, respectively, through "Netz" and "Toyota Corolla" dealers in Japan. The RAV4 J and RAV4 L, launched in 1994 as small SUVs that were enjoyable to both look at and ride in, pioneered a new genre by being the first SUVs to provide the feel of a passenger vehicle. With the launch of the second-generation vehicle in 2000, they evolved into high-performance, urban SUVs that became global models. The new, third-generation model, developed to be a leader among SUVs for people with active lifestyles who enjoy t...
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@ 05:58 AM (32 months, 8 days ago)
Volkswagen AG, Europe's biggest carmaker, will stop selling the $66,700 Phaeton sedan in the U.S. next year after failing to compete with luxury models from BMW and DaimlerChrysler AG's Mercedes-Benz. Volkswagen will pull the Phaeton out of the world's largest market, where it never met sales targets, by September 2006, said Hans-Gerd Bode, a spokesman at the Wolfsburg, Germany-based automaker. The model's 10-month U.S. sales totaled 686 cars. The goal was to sell 10,000 Phaetons a year in the U.S. by 2004. ''They are simply not willing to spend additional money on this car in the U.S.,'' said Patrick Juchemich, an analyst with Sal Oppenheim in Frankfurt who has a ``buy'' recommendation on...
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2005/11/28
@ 12:03 PM (32 months, 8 days ago)
On the exact date of the launch of the Cayman S, Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG is undertaking a special kind of cooperation at its home location. From Saturday, November 26, 2005, the Cayman S will not just be in Porsche showrooms for the first time, ready to roll out to its new owners. At the same time, the South German sports car manufacturer will officially adopt a group of four caimans at Stuttgart's Wilhelma Zoo on this day. For five years, Marajo, Rana, Siri and Kaya - a male and three females - will be "adopted" by Porsche AG, which is supporting them with a sum of E10,000 Euros. Just as the Cayman S is celebrating its debut, this adoption agreement is also a first - both for Porsche AG and the Wilhelma. This is the fi...
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@ 11:01 AM (32 months, 8 days ago)
Greg Biffle capped off Ford Championship Weekend by winning Sunday's Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway as Roush Racing Ford Tauruses swept the top four positions for the first time in the team's history. Not only was it the first 1-2-3-4 finish in Roush Racing history, but it was Ford's first sweep of the top four positions since the Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe's Motor Speedway in May 2002. It was a fitting swansong for the Nextel Cup version of the Ford Taurus, which debuted in 1998 and ran for the final time on Sunday. During its time in service, the Taurus won 100 NASCAR Nextel Cup points races and eight more non-points races. The Taurus gave Ford manufacturer's championships in 1999, 2000 and 2002, and driver...
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@ 09:49 AM (32 months, 8 days ago)
Saab's "Real-Life Safety" philosophy earned the Saab 9 3 Sport Sedan a "Double Best Pick" designation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the first passenger car to achieve this distinction. Eight mid-size cars were crashed in the latest round of IIHS side-impact testing. The Saab 9-3 is the only mid-size car yet to earn a "Best Pick" in the test. Important to note is that this result was achieved with standard equipment only. Among the Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan's standard safety features are adaptive, dual-stage front airbags, side-impact airbags engineered into the front seats, seat belts featuring crash pre-tensioners and load limiters, and Saab's "second generation"...
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@ 07:56 AM (32 months, 8 days ago)
Audi is the first manufacturer ever to earn three "Double Best Pick" ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for their front and side crash test results on the A3, A4, and A6. Audi raised the bar again with the addition of the A3 to the list of "Double Best Pick." The Audi A3 earned the rating after its performance in the recently conducted IIHS side impact crash test and the frontal offset crash test. This past July, Audi became the first manufacturer ever to have two vehicles with a "Double Best Pick" rating after crash tests were conducted on the Audi A6. With the addition of the A3 premium compact to this prestigious list, Audi's meticulous commitment to safety becomes even more...
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2005/11/27
@ 11:52 AM (32 months, 9 days ago)
Rolls-Royce has opened a new factory in Shanghai, China, to serve the world's largest commercial shipbuilding market. Together with an existing facility in Korea, the factory forms a new production hub for north-east Asia enabling the company to supply shipyards with marine equipment at the point of manufacture - and open up new markets in the process. The Asian shipbuilding market is currently worth ?19 billion annually and accounts for around 80 per cent of all global construction. In 2004 new orders and deliveries reached record levels. Marine President Saul Lanyado, who officially opened the site on 2 November, said: "This is a very exciting development for us and it opens up real opportunities to expand our business in As...
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@ 09:46 AM (32 months, 9 days ago)
Coupe and hardtop convertible models with true 2+2 seating have joined the G6 sedan to create an entire family of expressive, new Pontiac performers. Pontiac introduced the G6 coupe and G6 convertible at the 2005 Greater Los Angeles Auto Show. The 2006 Pontiac G6 hardtop convertible offers customers open-air driving, as well as the security and refinement of a coupe. Its Karmann-designed retractable hardtop operates with the touch of single button and takes less than 30 seconds to transform from coupe-like styling to top-down convertible. Both the coupe and convertible deliver 2+2 seating suitable for four adults. This was enabled by the G6s class-leading 112.3-inch (2852 mm) wheelbase, which stretches the wheels to the vehicle corners an...
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@ 07:16 AM (32 months, 9 days ago)
Ford's integrated Spanish-language marketing campaign for the Fusion lets viewers mix their own music on the web. Check it out at www.fordenespanol.com "Chispa" - the Spanish word for spark - is the dominant theme of the integrated Spanish-language television, print and digital marketing campaign Ford has created to launch the 2006 Fusion in Hispanic communities nationwide. Chispa is reflected in Fusion ads that carry the tagline, "Energy that Moves You," in sponsorships and associations, and especially on the Internet. On the web, visitors to www.fordenespanol.com/cars/fusion/ can use the "Fusion Music Mixer" to blend Latin styles like reggaeton, salsa and tango with other genres, such as country, R&B...
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@ 05:47 AM (32 months, 10 days ago)
Alfa Romeo closes the season with the win of Farfus. Giovanardi third in the Driver World Championship. At the "urban-circuit" of Macau (China) the first edition of World Touring Car Championship has closed the season. In the last appointment of the serie, on the most difficult circuit of the season, the young Brasilian driver Augusto Farfus defended the Alfa Romeo Racing Team's colours with a beautiful win in race 1. Farfus defended his leadership from Priaulx's Bmw and Rydell's Seat. In race 2, the Brasilian finished in fourth (win for Huismann, Bmw). The liet-motiv of the Macau's weekend was given Drivers and Manufacturers titles. Fabrizio Giovanardi, in race for the win, closed the Championship in thir...
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2005/11/26
@ 12:43 PM (32 months, 10 days ago)
Dale Hug writing for JCN reported that Toyota announced on November 10 that it officially registered the first hybrid vehicles in China, under the country's national hybrid vehicle certification system, which came into effect October 1. In June 2004, the Chinese government announced the Automobile Industry Development Policy 2004, which is designed to encourage the introduction of vehicles that contribute to reducing environmental impact. After looking into various ways of actively complying with the policy, TMC decided to export 30 units of its hybrid Prius model produced in Japan to China, and made arrangements with the relevant organizations. The 30 units, which are now in the possession of TMC affiliates in China, are planned for...
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@ 10:19 AM (32 months, 10 days ago)
The NASCAR Nextel Cup Series sprints to its 2005 conclusion with the Ford 400 at the Homestead Miami Speedway this Sunday. The Ford sponsored race marks the end of the series, which began in February and accounted for millions of dollars of earnings for the top drivers, not to mention thrills for the growing legion of NASCAR fans. As the drivers go into the final race of the season, Tony Stewart leads with 6415 points. The closest drivers racing for Ford are Carl Edwards in third, 87 points behind the leader, and Greg Biffle, in fourth place and 102 points behind. Both Edwards and Biffle race for the Rousch Team. Edwards drives the Ford Taurus #99 and so far has racked up four wins and 12 top five placings in 2005. Biffle drive the Ford...
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@ 08:26 AM (32 months, 10 days ago)
The Meriva OPC will make its world premiere at the 38th Essen Motor Show. The sports minivan features a powerful 180 hp turbo engine and has a top speed of 222 km/h. The Meriva OPC's newly-developed 1.6-liter turbo gasoline engine is the most powerful in its segment. The high-performance version of the versatile Meriva will be available as of February 2006. The Meriva OPC features high-tech options that are unique in its segment, including the halogen cornering and curve light (Adaptive Forward Lighting). Joining the OPC versions of the Astra, Zafira, Vectra and Vectra station wagon, the Meriva OPC brings the high-performance model family to five members. The 38th Essen Motor Show will open its gates to the public on November 25 and...
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@ 05:08 AM (32 months, 11 days ago)
Newly-launched aircraft leasing company, LCAL (Low Cost Aircraft Leasing), has announced its selection of the Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engine to power six Boeing 787 Dreamliners. The value of the engine deal alone is $160 million at list prices, Rolls-Royce said today at the Dubai Air Show. In addition, the engines will be covered by a TotalCare(TM) service agreement (TCA) which gives lifetime protection for each powerplant and is portable between LCAL's customers. LCAL is the first leasing company to order the Trent-powered 787 and deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2009. Mike Terrett, President - Civil Aerospace at Rolls-Royce, said: "The Trent 1000 - powered Boeing 787 will enable LCAL to offer customers high levels of effi...
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2005/11/25
@ 12:54 PM (32 months, 11 days ago)
Ford's modern history in midsize family cars can be summed up in a few short sentences: Ford flew. Ford flopped. Now Ford expects to fly again with its 2006 Fusion, an all-new midsize four-door sedan aimed at the market once dominated by Ford's own Taurus but now ceded to the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord. The 1986 Ford Taurus was a sensation from the start. But Ford redesigned it a decade later with an eye away from its existing customers and toward an ill-defined group of supposed new buyers. The ovoid design scheme that resulted turned off a lot of people. Sales slid, and Ford was forced to concentrate on fleet sales as a way to prop up the sales numbers. That resulted in lower profits and poor resale value. Meanwhile, Toyo...
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@ 12:44 PM (32 months, 11 days ago)
TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION (TMC) announced today that it has donated 80,000 traffic safety placards to elementary school children in Beijing, China to promote traffic safety. The announcement came during a presentation ceremony held today at the elementary school affiliated with Beijing Jiaotong University (formerly Northern Jiaotong University). The Beijing Traffic Management Bureau and other municipal agencies, such as the Beijing Municipal Commission of Education, are jointly conducting traffic safety education and instructional activities for elementary school children in Beijing, as part of a traffic accident reduction campaign. In order to ensure the safety of children while they are going to and from school, children are encouraged...
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@ 09:43 AM (32 months, 11 days ago)
Scania's powerful V8 engines, which often operate in heavy long-haul or demanding construction tasks, use selective catalytic reduction (SCR) technology to ensure cooling capacity and absolute top performance in all situations. These engines are now available in more output steps and variants than ever before. Scania's highest-output V8, delivering 620 hp and 3000 Nm, is the most powerful in the market. SCR technology works very well under heavy loads. Scania has thus chosen to employ this technology in its most powerful engines, which are used for especially tough driving. For Euro 4 emission standards, Scania has expanded its V8 engine range from two to three outputs (500, 560 and 620 hp). Its most powerful engine produces 62...
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@ 05:54 AM (32 months, 12 days ago)
The Antara GTC (Gran Turismo Crossover) concept vehicle won the prestigious "Concept of the Year" title in this year's Autocar awards. The annual ceremony, hosted by Britain's longest-running car magazine, recognizes the very best in the global car industry. Autocar's editor Rob Aherne praised the dynamic design, saying: "Opel/Vauxhall is back on track with their design direction. There's no New Edge design or Flame Surfacing at their design centre, just a bunch of professionals designing some of the most attractive family cars of the moment." Accepting the honor, GM Europe's Executive Director of Design Bryan Nesbitt said: "It's quite rewarding to receive this honor from such a prest...
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2005/11/24
@ 12:04 PM (32 months, 12 days ago)
The 2007 Cadillac Escalade made its worldwide premiere in Beverly Hills last night at the grand opening of "Escalade on Rodeo." The red carpet rolled out for the week-long celebration where Oscar-winner Adrien Brody hosted the opening night preview party, "Chrome Couture." Guests including Allison Janney, Paris Hilton, Stavros Niarchos, Wilmer Valderrama, DJ AM, Regina King, Chris Kattan, Wolfgang Puck, Virginia Madsen, Jadakiss, Frankie Muniz, Eduardo Verastegui, Anthony Anderson, Billy Morrison, Eddie Griffin, John Salley, Rachel Hunter, Rodney Peete, Styles P and Vida Guerra had an exclusive first look at the 2007 Escalade, the next-generation of the iconic luxury SUV. "Since its inception, Escalade has been an...
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@ 09:54 AM (32 months, 12 days ago)
Today marks the beginning of Ford Championship Weekend at South Florida's Homestead-Miami Speedway, where the NASCAR season will conclude with titles decided in the NASCAR Nextel Cup, Busch and Craftsman Truck Series. Tonight is the Ford 200 Craftsman Truck Series race, followed by the Ford 300 Busch Series race on Saturday. The weekend wraps up Sunday with the Ford 400 to decide the winner in the Nextel Cup Series. Roush Racing Ford Taurus drivers Carl Edwards and Greg Biffle enter Ford Championship Weekend in third and fourth place, respectively, in Nextel Cup points and remain in contention for the championship. Should either Edwards or Biffle prevail, it would mark the third straight year for one of team owner Jack Roush'...
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@ 08:19 AM (32 months, 12 days ago)
For the first time in the video game industry, a car company has built a driving game around its entire brand with the release today of "Volvo Drive for Life," a game published by Microsoft for the Xbox game system. Prior to the launch of "Volvo Drive for Life" on Xbox, companies -- including Volvo -- had participated in video games by inserting their products into an existing game platform. The new Volvo video game was designed to immerse the user in Volvo's most important core value, safety -- while participating in an exciting gaming experience. Everything within the game, from the cars to the surroundings, is modeled from scratch to create test tracks and driving environments that illustrate the strengths of t...
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@ 04:59 AM (32 months, 13 days ago)
Beneath the hood of a Ford hybrid vehicle is a system of electronic controls that continuously monitors the interaction between the driver, the vehicle and the road to deliver class-leading fuel economy. Utilizing drive-by-wire (or direct drive) technology, the hybrid's electronic controls add a new degree of precision to the communication between driver and vehicle. Drive-by-wire technology refers to the replacement of mechanical components with electronic controls. While the technology itself is not new, drive-by-wire has gained a newfound importance in hybrid technology. "In the Ford hybrids, we use a brake-by-wire system," said Tom Gee, manager, Hybrid Controls. "It's part of the regenerative braking syste...
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2005/11/23
@ 12:39 PM (32 months, 13 days ago)
Rolls-Royce is supporting UK Enterprise Week with a series of events staged in schools around the country to promote classroom interest in the skills needed for success in business. Nine schools and colleges in London, Surrey, Cambridgeshire, Birmingham and Cheshire, will showcase Profitable Pursuit, a team-based educational game designed by Rolls-Royce for 14-to-19 year olds. Competing in small groups, approximately 140 pupils in the schools will be given 'companies' to run, and must make business decisions on strategy, finance, operations and marketing, whilst keeping an eye on their competitors. A computer model tracks their performance over a session that can be scheduled to suit teachers' timetable needs, and identifi...
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@ 11:28 AM (32 months, 13 days ago)
TheSouth Central Pennsylvania GM Goodwrench Dealers have teamed up with Toys for Tots to collect toys during the holiday season for needy children. Consumers who donate a new, unwrapped toy at a participating GM Goodwrench dealership by December 10 will receive a card valid for a free vehicle inspection and tire rotation in appreciation of their donation. "The GM Goodwrench Dealers are pleased to partner with Toys for Tots to help brighten the lives of children in need in the South Central Pennsylvania area," said Joan Muller, GM Goodwrench Local Area Marketing Manager. "We are proud to be affiliated with an organization that's run with the efficiency & professionalism of the U.S. Marine Corps. And, one that has a simp...
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@ 09:42 AM (32 months, 13 days ago)
"Beyond Precision," a new brand positioning and advertising campaign for the Buick division of General Motors, will break with television commercials on Nov. 21 for the 2006 Lucerne, an all-new luxury sedan. The campaign focuses on Buick's quality by showcasing Lucerne's luxury features and benefits including QuietTuning and other technical innovations. The advertising's new tagline - "Beyond Precision" - speaks to the care and exactitude the designers and engineers put into the Lucerne. "Beyond Precision" exemplifies qualities that resonate with people who want a car to reflect their intelligence and that thrives on scrutiny with compelling attributes. "The people who design, engineer an...
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@ 05:53 AM (32 months, 14 days ago)
The 2006 Volkswagen Passat has earned a "Double Best Pick" designation for outstanding performance in front and side tests conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The Passat earned the top rating in every individual measurement category (head protection, injuries and structural design) for both the side impact and frontal tests. Earlier this year, the all-new 2005 Jetta was named a "Best Pick" for side crash protection and earned good ratings for frontal crash protection by the IIHS. At the time, it was the first vehicle ever to earn the top rating in every individual measurement category in side impact tests. Together, the Jetta and Passat account for 67% of Volkswagen's U.S. sales. &q...
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2005/11/22
@ 11:45 AM (32 months, 14 days ago)
Further advancing its vision of a gasoline- and emissions-free transportation future, Honda R&D Americas, Inc., in conjunction with technology partner Plug Power Inc., today introduced the Home Energy Station III, which provides heat and electricity for the home as well as fuel for a hydrogen-powered fuel cell vehicle. This third generation unit, located at the company's North American headquarters in Torrance, California, is more compact and efficient than previous Home Energy Station models. Following Honda's strategy to develop intermediate as well as longer-term alternatives to traditional energy sources like gasoline, the Home Energy Station III uses natural gas as its base energy source. In keeping with the path established...
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@ 10:30 AM (32 months, 14 days ago)
If there's one thing men and women agree with when it comes to dating it's that cars make an impression, this according to a Ford Fusion "Life in Drive" Dating Survey that polled more than 400 singles and revealed a whopping 89 percent of males and 95 percent of females said they were somewhat likely to notice their date's car. The survey is part of an upcoming series of Ford-sponsored speed dating events in select U.S. cities to introduce the new Ford Fusion -- a mid-size car designed with style and attitude and marketed under the theme, "Life in Drive." On November 15, Miami-area singles will participate in the first Ford Fusion Speed Dating event from 6-8 p.m. at Cafeteria in Miami Beach. During the...
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@ 07:51 AM (32 months, 14 days ago)
Cadillac's heritage of technological innovation expands with the 2007 Escalade. From safety features such as new standard roof-mounted head curtain side air bags to StabiliTrak stability control with new rollover mitigation, Escalade delivers purposeful technologies to ensure exceptional levels of safety, convenience and luxury. "These vehicles envelop occupants with a comprehensive safety technology system that is built from a foundation of segment leadership in safety technology," said Jim Taylor, Cadillac general manager. Cadillac Escalade has a heritage of safety innovation. Previous-generation vehicles were the first in the industry to offer a passenger sensing system to suppress deployment of the front passenger air...
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@ 04:46 AM (32 months, 15 days ago)
The DaimlerChrysler Corporation Fund and Detroit's Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History today officially celebrated a $1 million gift from the automaker to support completion of the museum's largest exhibit area, now named the DaimlerChrysler Hall. Frank Fountain, Chrysler Group Senior Vice President - External Affairs and Public Policy (Auburn Hills), Nate Gooden, United Auto Workers (UAW) Vice President and Director of the union's DaimlerChrysler Department and Member of the DaimlerChrysler Supervisory Board, and Christy Coleman, President and CEO of the museum hosted the event which commemorated the DaimlerChrysler Corporation Fund's significant support of the museum. The DaimlerChrysler Hall houses...
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2005/11/21
@ 11:53 AM (32 months, 15 days ago)
The Asahi Shimbun reported that Toyota Motor Corp. in 2008 will put into practical use its third-generation hybrid-system (HS) engine, which will cut prices for eco-friendly vehicles, reduce fuel costs and slash production expenses, company sources said. The smaller, third-generation HS can be installed on many models. Most of the automaker's midsize and larger models will be equipped with the new engine, they said. Toyota plans to manufacture key parts of the new HS in the United States to expand the use of the technology around the world, they added. Toyota's HS combines gasoline power and an electric motor. The system requires less fossil fuel and is thus more environmentally friendly than vehicles that run only on gas. Toy...
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@ 10:44 AM (32 months, 15 days ago)
Fans of the San Francisco 49ers and automotive enthusiasts alike received an early holiday present when the one-of-a-kind customized San Francisco 49ers Cadillac Escalade was unwrapped for its world debut at the 48th Annual San Francisco International Auto Show. The unique vehicle was unveiled by Cadillac with the help of 49ers player Mike Rumph at the 2006 San Francisco International Auto Show's VIP Night, November 18, 2005, and will be displayed at Moscone Convention Center throughout the show's public days, November 19-27, 2005. A 2006 model Cadillac Escalade was transformed into a work of art inspired by the 49ers' legacy and team colors. The vehicle was created as the grand prize for the "49ers Kick to Drive"...
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@ 08:20 AM (32 months, 15 days ago)
Poornima Gupta writing for Reuters reported that Ford Motor Co., facing a deepening financial crisis, said on Friday it plans to eliminate 4,000 salaried jobs, or 10 percent of its North American white-collar work force, as part of a larger restructuring plan. A majority of the job cuts -- announced to employees in an e-mail distributed by Mark Fields, president of Ford's Americas business -- will be made in the first quarter of 2006, spokesman Oscar Suris said. The cuts will come through attrition, layoffs and the elimination of some agency and contract positions, Suris said. They will be in addition to the 2,750 job losses already announced by the automaker this year, Ford lost $284 million in the third quarter and its automotive...
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@ 04:56 AM (32 months, 16 days ago)
New York City's first mini-fleet of hybrid taxicabs - six Ford Escape Hybrids - took to the streets of the Big Apple on Thursday and demonstrated how the innovations of private industry can work hand in hand with the needs of government and public advocacy groups. The Escape Hybrid, the first hybrid manufactured by an American automaker, is now doing taxi duty in New York thanks to the Clean Air Taxis Act, passed by the New York City Council in July of this year. "I want to congratulate everyone involved for putting this innovative hybrid technology on the streets of New York City," said Ford Chairman and CEO Bill Ford at a ceremony in midtown Manhattan sending off the hybrid taxis. Spurred by growing concerns over New...
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2005/11/20
@ 12:27 PM (32 months, 16 days ago)
The Alfa 159 is much more than a great saloon. It marks a turning point in the way Alfa Romeo views its cars. A view in which engineering and technology are 'visible', almost tangible, right down to the tiniest construction detail. Even with the car stopped. Alfa needed a striking, concise message to mark the market launch of the new model. 'The new breed of Alfa' is the slogan selected by the Brand to showcase the latest addition to the family in a campaign that uses a very forceful language, with great visual and conceptual impact, and which involves a range of communication media: the Alfa 159 takes front stage in TV commercials lasting 45 and 30 seconds, on billboards, in the daily press and in a radio campaign, on...
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@ 11:16 AM (32 months, 16 days ago)
Volkswagen of America Inc. today hosted its first display in the 42-year history of the Specialty Equipment Market Association's (SEMA) annual exhibition of automotive parts and accessories, presenting a trio of ultra-high-performance dream vehicles, two new accessorized sport sedans, plus a glimpse into the future with a race-winning robotic SUV. Volkswagen has been a familiar marque at the SEMA Show since the first Beetle was transformed into a dune buggy, but never before has Volkswagen of America exhibited at the automotive aftermarket's most important gathering. In addition to the three project vehicles built in cooperation with HPA Motorsports, the display features two of Volkswagen's newest production cars, the Jetta...
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@ 07:04 AM (32 months, 16 days ago)
The technical town council of Weissach authorized the application for planning permission by Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart for a new drive center. This enables the automotive manufacturer to begin with the clearing and digging work on the site of the Weissach research and development center as early as mid-November. The new construction is to be a joint workshop and office building in which all development activities for drive technology with engine and gearbox components as well as corresponding prototype assembly will be combined. At the same time, development work for the new sport coupe "Panamera," which is due to be launched in 2009, will be integrated there. The building is due to be completed in its first stage of...
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@ 05:39 AM (32 months, 17 days ago)
Just in time for slippery-road season, the much anticipated, all-wheel-drive versions of Porsche's latest 911 model debut this weekend in Porsche showrooms across North America. Both the hardtop 911 Carrera 4 and 4S(R) Coupe, and open-top 911 Carrera 4 and 4S Cabriolets sport a more dynamic and muscular stance, thanks to wider rear wheels and accompanying bodywork flared nearly two inches (44 mm) beyond the flanks of the two-wheel-drive 911 Carrera. For the first time, four-wheel-drive 911 Carrera models will be available with two engine options. Carrera 4 Coupes and Cabriolets are powered by the proven, 325-horsepower (SAE), 3.6-liter flat-Six. Carrera 4S versions are equipped with a larger 3.8-liter powerplant that develops 355 hp (...
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2005/11/13
@ 11:48 AM (32 months, 23 days ago)
The Ford Focus is "the most complete all-rounder" - that's the verdict of Scotland's top motoring writers, who have named it Family Car of the Year 2005 in the prestigious Scottish Car of the Year Awards. The award was conferred by the 15 members of the Association of Scottish Motoring Writers. "Fulfilling the needs of all the family is a demanding task and several vehicles came close to taking the top honours," stated the judges. "However, our winner in this tough market segment is the most complete all-rounder and shows how things should be done." The motoring writers considered the performance, value for money, safety, Scots appeal and other aspects of more than 50 new models, split into seven...
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@ 10:36 AM (32 months, 23 days ago)
General Motors has expanded the availability of its full-size hybrid pickup trucks nationwide beginning with the 2006 model year. The Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra hybrid pickups are the world's first full-size hybrid pickup trucks, provide the highest estimated city fuel economy of any full-size truck in the market and offer customers the added benefit of a 2400-watt built-in generator. The trucks were previously available in select markets. The hybrid option is available on the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 extended cab pickups. The option is net priced at $1,500 MSRP and comes with an eight-year, 100,000-mile warranty on all hybrid-related components. The Silverado and Sierra hybrid pickups feature GM's Vo...
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@ 09:09 AM (32 months, 23 days ago)
As the 2006 Milan arrives in dealerships this season, Mercury is debuting its stylish mid-size sedan in ads that celebrate the humor and discoveries of everyday life - such as the "joys" of renewing your driver's license. Mercury is showcasing the new Milan - the brand's first new mid-size sedan in more than 10 years - in a marketing campaign that continues the "New Doors Opened" theme, which last year introduced consumers to an energized Mercury brand, as well as the new Montego full-size sedan and Mariner SUV. Since that time, Mercury already has made considerable gains in consumer recognition. GFK Automotive research shows brand awareness for Mercury climbed from 65 percent in Q1 2004 to 74 percent for the...
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2005/11/12
@ 12:00 PM (32 months, 24 days ago)
Subaru of America, Inc. will showcase two of its newest high-performance models at the 2005 Specialty Equipment Manufacturers Association (SEMA) Show at the Las Vegas Convention Center Nov. 1-4. The 2006 Impreza WRX TR and the limited edition Legacy 2.5 GT spec.B will make their North American show debut at the industry's premier automotive specialty performance products trade event. Subaru is America's All-Wheel Drive leader, with Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive standard on every vehicle in its model line. For 2006, Subaru has considerably upped the ante in the high-performance arena with a restyled and expanded Impreza WRX line featuring a new 230-horsepower 2.5-liter engine. The new WRX TR model, and a new, limited edition Legacy...
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@ 11:16 AM (32 months, 24 days ago)
As the 2006 Milan arrives in dealerships this season, Mercury is debuting its stylish mid-size sedan in ads that celebrate the humor and discoveries of everyday life - such as the "joys" of renewing your driver's license. Mercury is showcasing the new Milan - the brand's first new mid-size sedan in more than 10 years - in a marketing campaign that continues the "New Doors Opened" theme, which last year introduced consumers to an energized Mercury brand, as well as the 
