Automotive News

Stuttgart. Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, has successfully placed two bonds in the market via its finance subsidiary “Porsche International Financing plc” based in Dublin/Ireland. Porsche AG is to act as guarantor for each of the two bonds. Part of the issue involves a Eurobond for EUR 2 billion, where two separate tranches of EUR 1 billion have maturities of five and ten years respectively. The five-year maturity carries an interest coupon of 3.5 percent p.a., the ten-year maturity an interest coupon of 3.875 percent. A hybrid bond denominated in US dollars of USD 1 billion with perpetual maturity was also issued. The bond bears interest of 7.2 percent. Under IFRS international accounting standards, hybrid bonds are recognized in equity, and will therefore strengthen the Porsche Group’s equity base. Porsche can also use the bond as a currency-hedging instrument. Both bonds have generated extraordinarily high levels of demand from investors and each was many-times oversubscribed. This is all the more remarkable as Porsche currently has no rating, meaning that the high demand for the bonds reflects the sports car manufacturer’s excellent reputation in the international finance markets. Holger P. Harter, Chief Financial Officer of Porsche AG remarked: “In light of the overwhelmingly high demand shown by investors and the remaining low interest rates in the euro zone, we took the opportunity to issue high volumes. The new bonds not only optimize our structural liquidity, they also guarantee – totally in line with our conservative financing strategy – a consistent, comfortable liquidity cushion for the Company.”

Asks Highway Watch® members to help locate missing 2 year old girl
Alexandria , VA --The Highway Watch® program's Highway ISAC has issued an Amber Alert calling on Highway Watch® members to assist authorities in locating a two year old girl from Smyrna , TN who has been missing since the evening of April 23rd .
" Tennessee authorities believe that the girl’s abductor is trying to smuggle her out of the country so time is of the essence," said Highway Watch® Vice President Bill Jacobs. "Highway Watch® is happy to lend our assistance and we look forward to helping law enforcement find the young girl and safely returned to her parents."
The relevant information on the missing child is as follows:
ANALYCE GUERRA, age 2, missing from her home in Smyrna, TN

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Stuttgart. In addition to the 911 Turbo, Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG of Stuttgart, Germany, is presenting another new automobile at the Geneva Motor Show. The new 911 GT3 will be unveiled to the world public for the very first time on February 28, 2006. This two-seater sports coupe will go on sale across Europe in May 2006. In the 911 model range, the abbreviation GT3 stands for pure, unadulterated driving pleasure. With its uncompromising dynamics, this model impresses not only in normal day-to-day driving but also on the racetrack. The 305-kW (415-bhp) 3.6-liter flat-twin engine produces a specific output of 84.7 Kilowatts (115.3 bhp) per liter of displacement. This performance places the new-generation GT3 in its displacement class at the pinnacle of road-legal production sports cars with naturally aspirated engines. The six-cylinder engine reaches its nominal output at 7,600 rpm. At 8,400 rpm, the engine speed limit again lies 200 revolutions higher than for the previous model. This makes it a world leader in its engine-size class. In addition to this high engine speed concept, the optimized airflow rate considerably improves performance. This is made possible by the variable intake system with a throttle valve enlarged from 76 to 82 millimeters, the optimized cylinder heads and an exhaust system with low backpressure. The driver has a revised six-speed transmission at his disposal. It impresses with its very short gearlever travel and, thanks to the lower ratios of gears 2 to 6, ideally complements the racy engine. New for the GT3 is a change-up display, which lights up on the rev counter shortly before the relevant engine speed is reached. It provides an additional signal at the best time to change gear. The measured values prove just how well the engine and gearbox are harmonized: the GT3 accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.3 seconds, and reaches 160 km/h from a standing start in 8.7 seconds. Its top speed is 310 km/h. The new 911 GT3 boasts an active chassis for the first time. Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) offers two sporty chassis in one: the basic configuration is largely similar to that of the previous model and is suitable for driving on alternating road surfaces. In sport mode, the system switches to harder damping, thereby enabling even better dynamism on the racetrack. For the best-possible transmission of engine power to the road, the GT3 is equipped with a comprehensive traction package, which includes not only the standard-equipment 19-inch sports tires but also a mechanical limited slip differential. In addition, the new electronic Traction Control – adapted from the Carrera GT high-performance sports car – ensures safe traction under any driving conditions. It features traction-slip and drag-torque control functions, and can be switched off completely if required. The basic Euro price for the 911 GT3 is 93,000 Euros. In Germany, it will be offered including sales tax and country-specific requirements for 108,083 Euros. In the USA, the new GT3 will be available in dealerships from August 2006 for 106,000 Dollars (excluding tax).

Stuttgart. Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG has made a glorious start into the year 2006: At the Geneva Motor Show, Porsche proudly presented not only a broad and highly attractive range of models starring new highlights such as the 911 Turbo and the 911 GT3, but also disclosed the best half-year figures ever in the history of the Company. So everything looks as if Porsche will continue its record development in sales, revenue and profits also in the current 2005/2006 year of business. This unique story of success is based, first, on efficient production methods and clear brand management, and, as the second and most important point, on decades of experience in development going far beyond the production of sports cars alone. Indeed, over a number of decades Porsche has acquired the reputation of one of the most renowned and versatile providers of engineering services the world over. This area of business conducted by Porsche Engineering Group GmbH in Weissach near Stuttgart goes back to the oldest forerunner company preceding Porsche AG as we know it today: On 25 April 1931 Ferdinand Porsche founded an Engineering Office in Stuttgart under the name “Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung, Konstruktion und Beratung fur Motoren- und Fahrzeugbau" (“Dr. Ing. h. c. F. Porsche Ltd., Construction and Consultancy Company for Engine and Vehicle Production”), and subsequently had the new Company entered in the trade register. Despite the economic crisis in the early ‘30s, this step into independence was by no means a rash move made by the experienced engineer and production expert, but rather the logical consequence of Ferdinand Porsche’s professional career: At the time, Ferdinand Porsche was able to look back at more than 30 years of successful activities with the leading car manufacturers of his time. At the age of just 24, Porsche quite literally hit the headlin

Scott Dixon, Dan Wheldon and Casey Mears drove the Ganassi Racing Target Lexus-Riley to victory in the Rolex 24 at Daytona with fellow Lexus-powered drivers Oswaldo Negri, Justin Wilson, A. J. Allmendinger and Mark Patterson finishing second in their Michael Shank Racing Flight Options Lexus-Riley to give Lexus a one-two finish in the manufacturer's first-ever Rolex 24 victory. Lexus-powered cars led more than 14-and-a-half of the final 17 hours of the race – taking the lead at 7:22 p.m. on Saturday evening and giving up the lead only for a brief two-hour stint the rest of the way. After falling two laps down on three separate occasions, the #02 Ganassi Lexus took the lead for good on Lap 558 and went on to lead the final 168 laps over the final five-and-a-half hours. For the race, the #02 squad led 272 laps, while overall Lexus-powered cars led 514 of the 734 laps run. Mears led a race-high 109 laps, while Dixon was just behind with 105. In addition to the strong effort from the #02 car, the #60 Flight Options Lexus never fell below sixth throughout the twice-around-the-clock event. The second-place finish matched the team's best-ever Daytona Prototype showing to date. The #39 Cheever Racing Crown Royal Lexus-Crawford almost made it three Lexus' in the top-five. The team, making its sports car racing debut, took over the lead in the early evening hours and then led 74 laps and maintained a top-five position through most of the next 13 hours before being retiring due to mechanical problems with just over two hours remaining and while running third after a strong performance by drivers Eddie Cheever, Christian Fittipaldi and Patrick Carpentier. The Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series continues March 4 in Mexico City. Lexus Race Results Started/Finished #02 Target Lexus (Dixon, Mears, Wheldon) 2/1 #60 Flight Options Lexus (Negri, Wilson, Allmendinger, Patterson) 5/2 #39 Crown Royal Lexus (Fittipaldi, Carpentier, Cheever) 13/17 #51 NetVu Video Lexus (Johansson, Erdos, Newton, Hughes) 17/22 #01 CompUSA Lexus (Pruett, Diaz, Papis) 9/39 #6 Graydon Elliott Fusion Lexus (Tracy, Borkowski, Wilden, Mears) 12/54 Quotes: Brad Nelson, Lexus motorsports: "Winning the Rolex 24 at Daytona is a major accomplishment and we're fortunate to have some great teams in Chip Ganassi, Michael Shank Racing and Cheever Racing campaigning our engines, which were superbly prepared by TRD. I think this win helps demonstrate Lexus' very strong—and growing—performance dimension." Scott Dixon, #02 Target Lexus: "A 24-hour race is so difficult to win. It's a big team effort. Our guys seemed to have answers for every problem we might have. We definitely had a good pace on the track, but you're always going to have to have a problems. During the night we had a gear box, an alternator that had to be replaced, but they were quick to repair any problem we had. (On winning the race) It's sort of relieving after 24 hours. You're so worn out and it's just great to be here in Victory Circle. The last stint just seems like it's 24 hours by itself – it keeps going and going." Oswaldo Negri, #60 Flight Options Lexus: "I don't think we fell below sixth all race. The car ran very well. The Lexus engine was great and the team did a great job. What else can I say about this team? These are fantastic people. I chose to be with the guy because he wants to win as badly as I do – that says it all. I am so happy for this team, for Mike Shank and for Mark Patterson. Everything went almost perfectly, and to come so close to winning this race I think really gives us a lot of confidence looking to the rest of the season. To be racing with this team and with Mark is an opportunity that I am very thankful for, and I just can't wait to get the rest of the season going." Justin Wilson, #60 Flight Options Lexus: ""It's great to come here and be able to compete. There were a lot of fast cars here, the racing was close and everyone was going for it in the early stages. Other teams had their problems, but MSR gave us a fast car and it ran faultlessly. I had a couple of close shaves in traffic, but other than that it was just a case of putting in the lap times and taking care of the car. It's a fine achievement for the team, and I'd certainly love to come back again next year and do one better. Michael Shank Racing did an excellent job. The Lexus was very strong and reliable and was good to us all race. I'm just pleased that we were able to accomplish what we did. We didn't really have any major issues at all during the race, just little issues that would cost us 30 seconds here or there that probably took us out of contention for the win, but we've got to be happy and I think it's a great result." Mark Patterson, #60 Flight Options Lexus: "I'm really thrilled. This team is so well prepared, and it showed when we had two small problems that stayed just that-small problems, and we were able to get back on track right away and keep getting the laps in. This was a fantastic and humbling experience for me to be teamed up with drivers of this caliber and to come away with a second place in the biggest race of the season. Now, we just need to go win one of these." A.J. Allmendinger, #60 Flight Options Lexus: "I was really impressed with Mike Shank and his team-they have the same total devotion to winning that RuSPORT does, and obviously they know a lot about how to prepare and run in these 24 hour races. This was a great way to get the season started and hopefully we can come back again next year and go one better." Christian Fittipaldi, #39 Crown Royal Lexus: "All in all, I?ll have to say I?m happy. With the way the whole team performed all weekend, to our strategy, to our engineers and our three-driver lineup, it all went like clockwork until our unfortunate outcome. It was almost too good to be true. We never had to come in and fix anything. We didn't touch anybody out on the track. It was a big disappointment to see it end like that. We even started looking forward to being on the podium. Even without the podium, a top-five finish would have been a great, great result. We definitely have some good things to build on, and more than a month to get ready for the next one."

The Jeep® brand has announced Jeep Trail Rated™, a new way to communicate to consumers the extensive level of off-road requirements that Jeep 4x4 vehicles are capable of. The 2004 Jeep 4x4 vehicles - Grand Cherokee, Liberty and Wrangler - with Trail Rated badges start arriving in dealerships soon. "Jeep Trail Rated is an industry-leading methodology to objectively measure and predict off-road performance," said Jeff Bell, Vice President Jeep, DaimlerChrysler Corporation. "We created Jeep Trail Rated to communicate the legendary Jeep 4x4 capability." Jeep Trail Rated is supported by the Nevada Automotive Test Center (NATC), which has 45 years of off-road vehicle testing experience, including the creation of standards for the U.S. military. The new Jeep "Trail Rated" badge indicates that Jeep 4x4s have been designed to perform in a variety of challenging off-road conditions identified by five key consumer-oriented performance categories, including Traction, Ground Clearance, Maneuverability, Articulation and Water Fording. "Through a combination of natural and controlled field tests, as well as computer-simulated environments, Jeep Trail Rated provides a repeatable and consistent measurement of off-road performance," said Bell. "Trail Rated will help us ensure that our legendary 4x4 capability remains a cornerstone of the Jeep brand." Six new print ads and four new television spots will communicate the stringent requirements that Jeep vehicles must meet in order to earn the Jeep "Trail Rated" badge. The new spots will highlight one of the five consumer-oriented categories that make up Jeep Trail Rated. Consumers can also see details of Jeep Trail Rated here on Jeep.com. Additionally, the Jeep brand will debut Jeep Trail Rated creative in The New Yorker magazine's charter edition of the Tablet PC. Describing the overall direction of the ads, Bell added, "Each print ad will consistently show the performance standards with a capability graphic that highlights one of the five off-road conditions being demonstrated, along with the Trail Rated 4x4 badge. The television spots will also feature the performance categories and the Trail Rated 4x4 badge." "The Jeep brand continues to deliver on the promise to provide rugged, versatile vehicles with authentic 4x4 capability," said Bell.

DETROIT, Mich., January 8, 2006 - Hyundai Motor America today revealed the innovative HCD9 Talus, a 2+2 concept that previews the future of the sports car segment. Designed at the Hyundai Design Center in Irvine, Calif., Talus made its world debut at the North American International Auto Show. "The mission for Talus was to create a vehicle that would excite the inner passion of customers who haven't been able to justify parking a sports car in their garage," said Joel Piaskowski, chief designer at the Hyundai Design Center. "It's for a person who has grown accustomed to the needs and benefits of an SUV, but desires the emotional gratification of sports car styling and performance." CAPABILITY Unlike a traditional sporty coupe, Talus can traverse steep driveways, potholes or two-track access roads thanks to its increased ground clearance. Talus also offers the performance of optional 4WD to assist in applying horsepower to the pavement or for added confidence in inclement weather. The increased ride height also improves visibility, giving the driver the ability to see and anticipate the road ahead. Talus includes interior room for four adults, plus cargo space for that impromptu weekend getaway. More space, ease of access and the benefits of a commanding ride height are unique advantages Talus brings to the sporty car market. A sophisticated 4.6-liter V8 engine mated to a 5-speed automatic transmission delivers power to fit the demands of performance-oriented consumers. EXTERIOR DESIGN "The exterior design is very assertive and conveys confidence," said Eric Stoddard, senior creative designer. "It says Talus can do what it wants to; it opens your boundaries from a sports car perspective." The powerful curves and surface detail of Talus come from the same underlying inspiration that guided the all-new Santa Fe. Talus shares a similar assertive expression in its front grille, headlamps and bodyside feature lines with its cousin, the 2007 Santa Fe. The hood forms are confident, emphasizing an extremely powerful V8 engine underneath. An arcing roofline and tapering greenhouse highlight the exterior profile and emphasize the car's broad shoulders and wide sporty stance. Talus sits on 22-inch polished aluminum deep-dish wheels. Access into Talus' richly appointed cabin is made easier through its pillarless aperture supported by front-hinged doors and rear-hinged jump doors. The solenoid door release is integrated in the B-pillar allowing for a sculpturally clean bodyside. There is a balance between passion and functionality at the rear of the vehicle. The undulating beltline adds intrigue while enhancing outward visibility for both the rear passengers and driver. A power clamshell hatch opens to a spacious cargo area and allows easy access from the rear and sides of the vehicle. The dual exhaust tips are integrated into the rear fascia repeating the design theme of the fog lights up front. The exterior is finished in Molten Red metallic paint, selected as a refined evolution of bright red typically associated with sports cars. The body color is complemented with Cinder Black ground effects. INTERIOR DESIGN The HCD9 Talus concept is captivating and luxurious on the inside while providing great passenger and cargo versatility. The cascading metallic trim on the center console invites you to enter the Talus and explore the details and craftsmanship that were exclusively tailored into the interior. Blue LED lighting adds a harmonious ambience throughout the interior day or night. "Sitting behind the wheel of the Talus will make you feel privileged and empowered by the luxurious appointments and higher seating position," said Dragan Vukadinovic, senior creative designer. "We wanted to push the expectations of the sports car interior by injecting as many luxury cues as possible. The center console was designed to be visually alluring while providing all the practical functions a driver expects." The center stack was designed to look like a jeweled pendant hanging from a necklace. The necklace graphic defines a retractable hood that opens to expose a 10-inch LCD monitor, air vents and a clock capable of displaying time in three different time zones. Two control knobs that appear to be suspended from the necklace represent the jeweled pendant. Dual-zone climate controls flank the tapering center console. Secondary audio controls are dedicated to the rear passengers to enjoy watching individual nine-inch DVD monitors mounted in the rear of the front seats. The interior is finished in rich hues of supple leather. The palette consisting of Sierra Brown and Black Chestnut was selected to evoke the warmth affluence of a western lodge, while the accented metallic finishes maintain a fresh technological outlook toward the future. The rear seats fold flat and there is a covered storage locker beneath the typical load floor for additional cargo space.

• Domestic first quarter sales up 19.1 pct to 141,970 units • Overseas first quarter sales up 12.5 pct to 513,672 units Hyundai Motor Co.'s March sales at home and abroad reached a total of 246,126 units, equivalent to a 21.2 percent improvement over the same period last year. This brings the first quarter sales total to 655,642 units, up 13.9 percent year-over-year. Domestic sales of passenger cars, SUVs and commercial vehicles were up 13.1 percent y-o-y to 51,462 units. Exports sales, including sales by overseas manufacturing subsidiaries and shipments abroad from Korean factories, were up 23.5 percent to 194,664 units. Domestic Passenger Cars, Minivans & SUVs The Sonata retained its crown as Korea's best selling car for the second straight month, accounting for nearly a third of Hyundai's Korean passenger car sales for the month as 9,249 units of the mid-sized family sedan were sold. Total domestic passenger car sales reached 28,684 units, with the Grandeur /Azera and Elantra claiming second and third sales spots. Sales of sports utility vehicles were brisk thanks to the newly launched Santa Fe. A total of 8,148 SUVs and minivans were sold in March, up 8.5 percent over March '05. Total passenger car, SUV and minivan sales touched 36,832 units, up 14.4 percent over the comparable 2005 period. Domestic Commercial Vehicles Korean sales of commercial vehicles were up 10 percent y-o-y to 14,630 units. Bus sales rose 13.8 percent to 5,282 units and was matched by equally strong truck sales which were up 8 percent y-o-y to 9,348 units. Overseas Sales Export shipments from Hyundai's three Korean plants reached 115,939 units in March, 16.6 percent higher than March '05 while output at overseas units in USA, Turkey, India and China continued to gather momentum. Hyundai's four overseas manufacturing subsidiaries turned out 78,725 units in March, up 35.2 percent y-o-y. Total overseas sales (including CKD shipments), reached 194,664 units, up 23.5 percent y-o-y. Established in 1967, Hyundai Motor Co. has grown into the Hyundai Kia Automotive Group which includes Hyundai Mobis and over two dozen auto-related subsidiaries and affiliates. Employing over 68,000 people worldwide, Hyundai Motor posted US$27.383 billion in sales in 2005 (on a non-consolidated basis). Hyundai motor vehicles are sold in 193 countries through some 5000 dealerships and showrooms. Hyundai Motor Co. is a sponsor of the 2006 FIFA Germany World Cup. Further information about Hyundai Motor Co. and its products is available at http://www.hyundai-motor.com