MEPs CARS 21 report calls for trebled automotive R&D by 2012  
MEPs have called on EU Member States to increase research and development (R&D) funding for the car industry to help it meet legally binding CO2 targets. The call came in a report on the CARS 21 (Competitive Automotive Regulation System for the 21st Century) initiative, which was adopted by the European Parliament's Industry Committee on 21 November.

Among other things, the report calls for CO2 limits to be fixed at 125g/km by 2015. Car manufacturers need years to develop a car; a binding legislation has to consider that, said the German Liberal MEP Dr Jorgo Chatzimarkakis. Our CO2 targets have to be of course ambitious but also realistic. The Commission had called for CO2 emissions to be reduced to 120g/km by 2012, and has not as yet adjusted that target in the light of the MEPs vote.

The report also calls on the Commission to permit higher CO2 emissions if they are the result of fitting safety measures. Additional security systems will further increase the weight of passenger cars leading to more CO2 emissions, reads the report. By making allowance for extra weight caused by safety features, heavier cars with a poor safety record would be penalised for carrying 'useless weight', the report says.

The MEPs CARS 21 report underlines the importance of research and development activities in helping the automotive sector achieve its CO2 targets. Frequent new adaptations of the legislation (such as on CO2) require adaptation measures on the part of the industry, Dr Chatzimarkakis notes. In order to strengthen and maintain the European manufacturing base, member states have to raise considerably their investments in research on car technology, e.g. for alternative drives.

The report welcomes the funding already foreseen for transport research under the EU's Seventh Framework Programme (FP7), Competitiveness and Innovation Programme (CIP) and the i2010 initiative. The MEPs then go on to request the Commission to adopt a strategy to increase R&D funding for the automotive sector by 300% by 2012.

Furthermore, there should be a clear link between the increase in public R&D funding in the automotive sector and the binding character of CO2 targets, the report adds.

As part of the drive to boost research funding in the sector, the report recommends that one of the first Knowledge and Innovation Communities of the forthcoming European Institute of Technology be dedicated to CO2 reduction in vehicle technology.

Other topics addressed by the report include completing the internal market for cars, harmonising the international regulatory environment, and the effective protection of intellectual property rights. The report will be voted on in the European Parliaments plenary session in January 2008.

The European car industry produces 19 million vehicles a year and provides 2.3 million direct jobs and 10 million jobs indirectly: The Industry Committee hopes that its report will ensure that the industry will meet its environmental and other obligations while safeguarding jobs.

At the beginning of November the European Council for Automotive R&D (EUCAR) also called for increased funding for research in the sector.

Source : http://www.autoindustry.co.uk (11/30/2007)

Softly does it  
In a welcome moment of balmy summer escapism from a dank winter's day, Audi has revealed the new A3 Cabriolet.

Due to go on sale next spring, the A3 Cabrio is Audi's first ever compact cabriolet, and the big news is that - unlike most cars in this class - it gets a folding canvas instead of a hard-top.

That's good news for two reasons. One, as there's no bulky folding metal to store away, the A3 Cabrio retains a proper set of rear seats and a decent-sized boot. And two, weight is kept down - good news for performance.

Not that the A3 Cabrio will be exactly blistering. It'll initially be limited to the choice of two engines - two petrol and two diesel - with a 200bhp TFSI four-pot topping the range. That'll hit 60mph in a touch over seven seconds, but there's no word on a proper quattro model at the moment.

There's more choice in the roof department, though. Buyers have the choice of three colours - red, blue or black - and two specifications, semi-automatic and fully automatic, both of which will open in just nine seconds at speeds of up to 20mph.

If open-topped wafting is your bent, the A3 Cabrio looks like a decent first effort from Audi. Apart from those daft chrome roll-hoops, but at least they'll spend most of the year under the roof.

Source : http://www.topgear.com (11/30/2007)

Bring in the New Year at the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Museum!  
AUBURN - The Auburn Cord Duesenberg Museum invites the public to celebrate the arrival of 2008 with "A Classic New Year's Eve," Monday, Dec. 31.

The event will once again feature dinner and dance packages with Big Band dance music provided by the ITT Conglomernotes.

New to the event this year is the option of an upscale served dinner by Goeglein's Catering. The meal will include an appetizer bar with southwestern cheesecake, garden gift vegetables and sausage stuffed mushrooms. The served dinner will include a Caesar salad, romano almond chicken, roasted red potatoes, snow peas & carrots with assorted dinner rolls. A dessert bar and will feature a chocolate fountain with chocolate from DeBrand's Fine Chocolates and many dippers to choose from.

Revelers may choose among two ticket options and an overnight package this year:

Dinner/Dance Package: $60 per person. Dinner will be served at 7:30 p.m. in Willennar Hall. Doors will open at 7:00 p.m. The evening will include an upscale served dinner and dance package. Dancing will begin at 9:30 p.m. featuring a cash bar, hors d'oeuvres, champagne toast at midnight and party favors. Tickets must be purchased by December 28, 2007.

Dance Package: $30 per person. Attend only the dance from 9:30 p.m.-1:00 a.m. and enjoy a cash bar, hors d'oeuvres, champagne toast at midnight and party favors. Doors open at 9:00 p.m. Tickets must be purchased by December 30, 2007.

Tickets for the dinner/dance and the dance only may be purchased by telephone with a Visa or MasterCard by calling the museum at 260-925-1444, or in person at the admission desk.

The Best Western Auburn Inn Overnight Package: $129.99, double occupancy. This package includes free shuttle service to and from the museum, late check-out at 2 p.m. and a champagne breakfast. To make reservations call (260) 925-6363 or via e-mail, manager@auburninn.com. Mention the museum's New Year's Eve package to receive the discount. New Year's Eve dinner or dance tickets are not included with this package, but can be purchased separately.

Sponsors for "A Classic New Year's Eve" are DeKalb Financial Credit Union, Dr. Gary A. Scheumann, D.D.S., Envision Graphics, Inc., National City Bank, Nucor Building Systems, and museum corporate partner, Therma-Tru Corp.

"A Classic New Year's Eve" is one of several museum fundraising events scheduled during the year. The museum also hosts numerous receptions, business seminars and meetings and other gatherings in Willennar Hall and the Auburn, Cord and Duesenberg meeting rooms.

The Auburn Cord Duesenberg Museum - where the world's finest cars of yesterday live today! Over 120 classic, antique, vintage and special interest cars are displayed with other automotive related exhibits on three floors. The museum is located in the original 1930s national headquarters of the legendary Auburn Automobile Company and is a National Historic Landmark. Admission is charged, with group and family rates available. The museum is open daily from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. year round. In 2007, plan a visit and bring your family to the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Museum, a place where automotive history comes to life! acdmuseum.org

Source : http://www.theautochannel.com (11/30/2007)

What Van? Honours Volkswagen Caddy DSG With Second Award  
For the second year running, the Volkswagen Caddy DSG (Direct Shift Gearbox) has achieved honours at the What Van? magazine Van of the Year Awards.

The Caddy DSG, which uses twin clutch technology to provide faster gearchanges than a conventional automatic gearbox, received the exclusive Editor's Choice award at the magazine's 2007 awards ceremony in London on Wednesday 28th November. Last year the Volkswagen DSG won the What Van? Technology Award.

'More and more manufacturers are offering an alternative to the conventional manual gearbox as an extra-cost option. Nobody, however, has come up with a solution that is quite as novel - or quite as effective - as Volkswagen's DSG. It's so impressive that it's a worthy winner of the What Van? Editor's Choice Award for 2007,' said Neil McIntee, the Editor of What Van? magazine.

Gemma Cox, Product Manager, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles said: 'The What Van? Awards are a great testament to Volkswagen's advanced and efficient technology in the Caddy DSG and the quality Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles provide.'

The efficient, six-speed Volkswagen DSG uses two clutches which allow gear changes to occur in less than four hundredths of a second, enabling it to achieve the same 0-62 mph time of 13.3 seconds as the manual transmission with the same 1.9-litre, 104 PS TDI PD engine.

For the driver, the DSG is as easy to use as a conventional automatic transmission with added bonus of being able to select a manual mode and change gear by simply nudging the gearlever up or down.

The DSG is unique in the commercial vehicle market and is exclusively available in the Volkswagen Caddy van with an on the road price of £12,836.28 excluding VAT - a premium of only £1,000 over the equivalent model with manual transmission.

Other recent awards for the Volkswagen Caddy include Best Small Van from Van Fleet World and Professional Van & Light Truck magazines.

Source : http://www.theautochannel.com (11/30/2007)

100+ MPG Plug-in Prius To Be Field Tested in Massachusetts  
WESTBOROUGH, MA - - *The Energy Freedom Fighters < www.energyfreedomfighters.com/> and the Hybrid Center of Massachusetts < www.hybridcenterma.org/& gt; at Westboro Toyota < www.westborotoyota.com > are initiating field testing on what will soon become America's first volume-production, 100+-mile-per-gallon, plug-in Toyota Prius conversion product. The hybrid vehicle uses a high-performance conversion package developed by Toronto, Canada-based HyMotion < www.hymotion.com/>, a division of A123 System Inc., & lt : www.a123systems.com/> in Watertown, Massachusetts.

The field-test plug-in Prius will be on display this Saturday and Sunday at the Hybrid Center of Mass., located on Route 9 West in Westborough. The Energy Freedom Fighters will also be at Westboro Toyota, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. this Saturday, to test drive the plug-in Prius and interview people interested in this exciting, new wave of the future. The interviews will be used in an upcoming episode of the weekly, one-hour show on True Talk 830 AM WCRN < : www.wcrnradio.com/>, whose powerful 50,000-watt signal reaches all of New England during the day and half of the U.S. and Canada at night.

With rising fuel prices, Americans are increasingly interested in finding ways to achieve higher fuel efficiency and lower overall vehicle operating costs. In addition to various 40-to-55-mile-per-gallon hybrid vehicles produced by Toyota and Honda, there is significant interest in plug-in hybrids, which are ideal for commuting to work. This is because plug-in hybrids operate primarily on electric power for the first 25 to 35 miles of travel, achieving an average fuel economy of up to 100 miles per gallon. Plug-in hybrids have additional battery packs, which enable them to operate primarily on electric power for up to 40 miles before needing to be recharged in the evening or when not in use, utilizing a standard, 110-volt extension cord.

The recent demonstrations of plug-in hybrids at the White House and leading auto shows highlight the advantages of using low-cost electric energy instead of gasoline. This provides the added benefit of a reduction in the harmful CO2 and other emissions that contribute to extreme climate change.

The plug-in Prius being tested by the Energy Freedom Fighters and the Hybrid Center of Mass. was converted by HyMotion, using lithium-ion batteries made by A123 Systems. HyMotion has developed a unique system for quickly converting Toyota hybrids to plug-ins, typically in less than two hours. HyMotion has received numerous contracts for converting Prius vehicles to plug-ins, extending the range of the electric-only mode from two miles to more than 30, while doubling the net effective fuel consumption to 100+ miles per gallon. For those people whose average daily roundtrip commute is less than 30 miles, they will like using virtually zero gasoline. In addition, they will be able to recharge the additional set of batteries in the Prius at a cost of less than 75 cents per charge, or less than 3 cents per mile!

The Hybrid Center of Mass. has been promoting plug-in hybrids for more than eight years. Now, a giant step towards the solution is finally here! By using our nation's current electrical power grid, the U.S. generates enough off-peak electrical power to meet 70 to 75 percent of the daily commuting needs of Americans. In addition to cutting fuel costs and vehicle emissions, plug-in hybrids will greatly contribute to balancing our trade deficit.

Plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles are more than just the future of our transportation needs. Just as importantly, they will also help to make the U.S. independent of foreign energy suppliers!

Source : http://www.edmunds.com (11/30/2007)

SpongeTech Delivery Systems, Inc. $1.38 Million in Orders World Wide from the Trade...  
NEW YORK, SpongeTech Delivery Systems, Inc. announced today $1,381,562.50 in orders came in since the beginning of the month from the Las Vegas trade shows. The company received world wide orders from countries like Amsterdam, Dubai, Canada, Panama, and, of course, the USA. The company now has approximately $14 million in orders with shipping dates to customers over the next 12 months. The company shipped approximately $300,000 in orders, 9/01/07 - 11/30/07, this quarter only.

Steven Moskowitz, of SpongeTech Delivery Systems, stated "The SEMA / AAPEX Show in Las Vegas last month was a great show. We received close to $1.4 million for new products from countries world-wide. I was at the show and spoke to so many international buyers myself. I think we could see more orders coming in over the next few months, especially after we start integrating their company's products into our sponge technology. This is a nice 'thank you' to the investors and shareholders who have stayed with the company when we were getting started." Mr. Moskowitz also added, "We truly are a world-wide company! We have definitely forged ahead with our environmentally-safe products and look forward to continuing. SpongeTech, we are proud to say, is helping in the Green campaign by allowing our customers to 'Go Green' every month!"

Source : http://www.automotive.com (11/30/2007)

EcoCAR Competition Seeks Holy Grail of Fuel Economy and Reduced Emissions  
LOS ANGELES In a kind of environmentally friendly Manhattan Project for college students, General Motors and the U.S. Department of Energy said on Thursday they are kicking off EcoCAR: The NeXt Challenge in fall 2008.

Teams of college students from engineering schools in North America and Mexico will be charged with re-engineering a GM vehicle "to achieve improved fuel economy and reduce emissions while retaining the vehicle's performance and consumer appeal." OK, so it's more akin to bringing back the broomstick from the Wicked Witch of the West.

Students will design and build "advanced propulsion solutions that emulate the vehicle categories from the California Air Resources Board zero-emissions vehicle requirements," said GM and the U.S. Department of Energy in a joint statement.

"EcoCAR is a reflection of GM's philosophy that there is no single silver bullet that will solve the world's energy challenges," said Tom Stephens, group vice president of GM Global Powertrain and Quality.

The three-year program starts with a selection process open to all accredited engineering schools in the U.S., Canada and Mexico beginning December 3.

The program is the successor to Challenge X: Crossover to Sustainable Mobility, in which students from 17 universities re-engineered a Chevrolet Equinox with alternative propulsion systems.

Source : http://www.edmunds.com (11/30/2007)

2007 Essen Auto Show: Steinmetz Opel GT  
ESSEN, Germany Steinmetz, the noted Opel tuning house, has unveiled its take on the Opel GT. Although it's mostly a cosmetic job, the result is still satisfying.

Steinmetz starts by lowering the chassis by 0.8 inch. Then it fits either Conti or Michelin 245/35R20 performance tires on its own 20-inch alloy wheels. (18s and 19s are also available.) It also adapts a stainless-steel free-flow exhaust system with twin mufflers and pipes.

The Steinmetz body kit includes a new honeycomb grille and a two-piece front spoiler with integral foglamps and air intakes.

Source : http://www.edmunds.com (11/30/2007)

The Chrysler Foundation and the Michigan Ballet Theatre Brings Holiday Magic to Local Community  
AUBURN HILLS, Mich., The Chrysler Foundation and the Michigan Ballet Theatre (MBT) will bring the holiday magic of The Nutcracker to a local community this season. The Nutcracker Christmas classic will be held on December 8 - 9, 2007 at the Avondale High School Performing Arts Center in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The Chrysler Foundation will sponsor the MBT as a part of its commitment to support community growth and enrichment, education, arts and culture.

"Chrysler has a tradition of making a difference in the communities in which we do business," said Brian Glowiak, Vice President of The Chrysler Foundation. "As a significant member of the community, Chrysler is pleased that it can support the growth of art and entertainment programs that further enrich our communities."

The Michigan Ballet Theatre will also sponsor The Nutcracker holiday float at the Rochester Homeland Christmas parade, Sunday, December 2 on Main Street at 2:00 p.m. The float features MBT dancers; Stephanie Iacobelli (Sugar Plum Fairy), Megan White (Clara), Andrew Kaczmarek (Nutcracker), Cornelia Sampson (Mother) and Michael Anderson (Drosselmeyer).

The MBT, along with guest artists from the internationally acclaimed American Ballet Theatre from New York City will perform The Nutcracker story by recreating the Christmas Eve dream of a young girl named Clara, played by Caitlan Nordstrom of Commerce, Mich. and Megan White of Clarkston, Mich., and her vivid fantasies of a Nutcracker Prince, an evil Mouse King, and a Sugar Plum Fairy and her magical Kingdom of Sweets. The Arabian Princess and Snow Queen will be performed by Stephanie Iacobelli of Rochester Hills, Mich. Featured as the Sugar Plum Fairy and Cavalier are Elizabeth Mertz and Eric Tamm, dancers with the American Ballet Theatre.

MBT's Nutcracker glistens under the direction of artistic directors Cornelia Sampson and newly appointed Michael Anderson. With choreography by Sampson, she takes her vision to new heights in this annual performance. The production comes complete with an elegant Christmas party, the mysterious magical guest Herr Drosselmeyer, and the drama of Clara's brave rescue of the Nutcracker Prince as he duels and defeats the evil Mouse King. The story then unfolds with an invitation to a far away fantasy in the Kingdom of Sweets, with Spanish dancers depicting the richest chocolate, Arabian dancers symbolizing exotic coffee, tangy tea from China represented by a charming silk-garbed oriental trio, and Waltzing Flowers that culminate with visions of Sugar Plum and her Cavalier.

This beautiful holiday extravaganza is full of surprises and special effects, including a sky-scraping Christmas tree, swirling snow, dangling sweets, and a towering Mother Ginger complete with twelve helpers tucked under her skirt. These effects are teamed with captivating costumes and flawless presentation that promise to dazzle and delight your senses and offer you all the magic of the holiday season.

Michigan Ballet Theatre was founded in 1985 by Cornelia Sampson, who also founded the Rochester School of Dance and Cornelia's School of Dance. The Rochester School of Dance recently received four recognitions in the prestigious Youth American Grand Prix Competition in Chicago, Illinois. The school garnered first place for classical ensemble, third place for Junior Classical Solo and Titles of "Outstanding School" and "Outstanding Choreographer" awarded to Sampson during the competition featuring over 40 local and out-of-state organizations. Sampson served on the arts council of Oakland Community College and the dance faculty at Oakland University as well as the Flint Institute of Music and Dance. She started MBT to give her students and other local dancers an opportunity to perform professionally.

Recently, MBT announced Michael Anderson, a Joffrey Ballet veteran, Wayne State University (WSU) graduate and former alumnus, as the company's new associate director. Prior to his 15-year tenure with the Joffrey Ballet, Anderson studied at the Rochester School of Dance from 1989-1992 under the direction of Sampson. At the same time, Anderson was earning his masters degree in Arts Administration at WSU. The Salt Lake City native also has a B.A. in Dance from Southern Utah University.

MBT will offer four performances of The Nutcracker at the Avondale High School Performing Arts Center, 2800 Waukegan, Auburn Hills, Michigan, on Saturday, December 8 at 2:00 and 7:00 p.m. and Sunday, December 9 at 1:00 and 6:00 p.m. Tickets prices are $16 for adults, $14 for children and seniors, and $12 for groups of 20 or more. Tickets are available through the Rochester School of Dance, 1800 South Livernois, Rochester, MI 48307. To order by mail or for more information regarding performances, please call 248-652-3117.

Now in its 54th year, The Chrysler Foundation is the primary source of charitable grants made by Chrysler. The Foundation annually supports hundreds of charitable organizations with an emphasis on community growth and enrichment, education, arts and culture, public policy, youth development and disaster relief programs throughout the United States and, increasingly, the world. The Foundation's Good Neighbor, Good Citizen(R) programs make a positive, lasting investment in local communities where our employees, customers and neighbors live.

Source : http://www.theautochannel.com (11/30/2007)

Consumers Offered Exchange of Certain P215/70R14 Douglas, Kelly, Mohave and Republic Brand Tires  
AKRON, Ohio, The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company is conducting a precautionary customer satisfaction campaign to exchange certain P215/70R14 tires sold under a variety of names in the United States and Canada.

"This precautionary campaign is in response to our internal analysis and review of early warning data we monitor on our tires," said Sim Ford, manager of Goodyear's government and customer compliance. "The company has determined some of these tires have experienced adverse service conditions that have led to a tread separation, and in the interest of customer satisfaction has decided to replace qualifying tires.

"After an exhaustive analysis, no design or manufacturing defect was found in the tire."

The tires, all in size P215/70R14, were made from 2003 to 2006 under 23 names of Kelly, Associate brand and private label tires including Douglas, Kelly, Mohave and Republic. A complete list of the private label brand names involved in the program can be seen at Goodyear's website www.goodyear.com.

The replacement tires were sold through a variety of locations. The tires were predominantly made for application on older model compact pickup trucks and minivans which mostly were manufactured in the mid-1990s. Goodyear estimates approximately 400,000 of these tires might still be in use.

Consumers can have their tires checked at any Goodyear dealer location, or at their original point of purchase. The company will replace these tires with the Goodyear Regatta II, a premium tire with an excellent customer satisfaction history.

"While our analysis of this tire hasn't found a defect, consumers need to remember that all tires need to be checked regularly and ensure they are properly inflated," said Ford. "In general, statistics show the vast majority of tire failures are related to tires that are used while under-inflated, overloaded, poorly maintained or have suffered impact damage."

Goodyear is one of the world's largest tire companies. The company employs about 70,000 people and manufactures its products in more than 60 facilities in 26 countries around the world.

Source : http://www.theautochannel.com (11/30/2007)

SCCA Announces 2008 Hall of Fame Inductees  
SCCA Announces 2008 Hall of Fame Inductees Sports Car Club of America, Inc. has announced the four individuals and one couple who will be enshrined in the SCCA Hall of Fame class of 2008.

Roger Johnson, Don and Ruth Nixon, Kjell Qvale, Robert Ridges, and Fred Schmucker will join the 20 individuals previously inducted in 2005, 2006 and 2007 during the February 2 enshrinement ceremony that will close the 2008 SCCA National Convention in San Antonio, Texas.

Profiles:

Roger E. Johnson: A multiple Solo Champion, Johnson was the first Solo competitor to bring major commercial attention to the sport through his sponsorship arrangement with BF Goodrich Tires. Johnson interacted with BF Goodrich dealers and his victories were featured in product advertising. This paved the way for major commercial support for the Solo National Championships, first from Yokohama, then from The Tire Rack(r), as well as Valvoline's support of ProSolo in the early 90s. Johnson is known just as much for his personality as his Solo skills. The annual Johnson Spirit of the Sport Award, named in his honor, was the first Solo award named after a participant and he served as a memorable emcee at the National Convention for many years.

Don and Ruth Nixon: The Nixons are the first couple to be inducted into the Hall of Fame and for anyone who knew them, it would be impossible to think of them apart. The pair traveled the country as Timing and Scoring officials, bringing the specialty into the electronic age, from single hand, analog stopwatches, to digital clocks and chronograph timers that allowed a small team of workers to time an entire field of cars. They served in leadership roles at the Regional, Divisional and National level, and both were elected to the Board of Directors, Ruth being the first female to receive the honor. Don also served as the publisher of SportsCar for some time.

Kjell Qvale: Qvale put the "sports car" in Sports Car Club of America. He is known far outside the SCCA for his impact on the United States auto industry, importing European sports cars that fueled the 50s car frenzy. Qvale was the first major importer of MGs before expanding his line to include Jaguar, Bentley and others. He eventually became involved in German cars as well, bringing Volkswagen into the U.S. In addition to providing the cars that made the SCCA go, Qvale was a key organizer of West Coast races at Buchanan Field, Golden Gate Park and Pebble Beach. When racing was forced off the streets, he aided in the creation of Laguna Seca and is credited with the vision that created the famed Corkscrew, one of road racing's most celebrated turns. In addition to fielding numerous cars in SCCA, Qvale was able to put together a successful Indy 500 team as well.

Robert Ridges: Secretary of the Rally board from its inception in 1957 until his death, Ridges was one of those responsible for road rallying in the U.S. as we know it. He played a major role in the creation of the early RoadRally rules and was the continuity that helped steer the early Rally boards. Upon his death in 1965, SportsCar said of him: "Bob was a sportsman in the truest sense of the word. To him, sportsmanship lay in the manner of performance rather than in the winning; though as a competitor he always strived to do his best. His honesty, integrity, sincerity and never failing good humor as well as his dedication to sports car activities has left an indelible mark." His name graces the award given to the SCCA member who exemplifies the highest degree of dedication and sportsmanship to the sport of rally

Fred Schmucker: A member of the SCCA Hall of Fame Selection Committee until his death this past August, Schmucker is remembered as always putting the Club first. Becoming a member in 1961 with the Florida Region, Schmucker's SCCA career is decorated with dozens of committee appointments, awards and stewardships that span several Regions and more than four decades. He served as an F&C Chief for the Florida Region in the 60s, moving to the Northeast Oklahoma Region in 1965 where he became the Region Secretary and later, Assistant Regional Executive. From 1968 to 1995 he was a member of the Dixie Region, climbing all the way to RE and serving as a Solo II Safety Steward and SIT to the National Chief Steward. He was the Southeast Division Executive Steward from 1987 to 1993, was on the SCCA Court of Appeals from 1995 to 1997 and was heavily involved with the South Atlantic Road Racing Championship (SARRC). He became a member of the SCCA Stewards Committee in 2002 and the SEDIV Executive Steward in 2003. Throughout his service he became a role model to many in the Club, setting an example of what a Steward should be. His contributions were recognized with the John C Reuter, Robert W. Clark and Bryan Webb Awards from SEDIV as well as the John McGill and Dave Morrell Awards from SCCA.

The five 2008 inductees will join the three previous classes, including:

2005: Cameron Argetsinger, A. Tracy Bird, John Fitch, Arthur Gervais, Harry Handley, Vern Jaques, Bill Milliken, Sue Roethel, Art Trier and Rob Walker.

2006: John Bornholdt, John Buffum, Mark Donohue, Denise McCluggage and Grant Reynolds.

2007: Marge Binks, Marc Gerstein, Carl A. Haas, General Curtis E. LeMay, Theodore F. Robertson.

The formation of the SCCA Hall of Fame was announced February 7, 2004 at the National Convention. Hall of Fame inductees are selected for having made a significant contribution to the development and/or the preservation of SCCA that had a direct impact on the Club being the organization it is today.

Nominations were submitted to and reviewed by the Hall of Fame Nomination and Selection Committees. Of the nominated individuals, five were selected for the 2008 Class.

Source : http://www.theautochannel.com (11/30/2007)

Controversial former auto boss Roger B Smith dies  
New York - Roger B Smith, the former boss of General Motors who oversaw the auto giant's wrenching fall from dominance in the 1980s, has died at age 82, the company said Friday.

Smith died in suburban Detroit late Thursday after a short illness, the company said, offering no further details.

Smith was chairman and chief executive at GM from 1981 to 1990 when he launched a number of controversial strategies to help the once supreme auto maker meet emerging competition from domestic and Japanese companies.

When Smith took over at GM, the company dominated the automobile industry with 46 per cent of American market share. But by the time he retired in 1990, GM held only 35 per cent of the American market, with a lineup of low quality unimaginative vehicles that still plague the company.

But his ruthless cost-cutting and modernization programs made him a target for employee anger and his enduring legacy includes a starring role in Roger and Me, the documentary that launched the career of filmmaker Michael Moore. The film portrays the devastating effects of a GM plant closure on Moore's hometown of Flint, Michigan and Moore's unsuccessful attempts to force Smith to confront the issue.

However under his tenure as chairman and chief executive, GM introduced its first front-wheel-drive midsize cars, formed the NUMMI joint venture with Toyota to manufacture cars in California, created the Saturn brand to compete with imported cars, and acquired Electronic Data Systems and Hughes Aircraft Corp.

'Roger Smith led GM during a period of tremendous innovation in the industry,' GM Chairman and chief executive Rick Wagoner said in a statement. 'He was a leader who knew that we have to accept change, understand change, and learn to make it work for us. Roger was truly a pioneer in the fast-moving global industry that we now take for granted.'

Source : http://news.monstersandcritics.com (11/30/2007)

2008 Detroit Auto Show Preview: Nissan Forum  
NASHVILLE, Tenn. Nissan has always seemed determined to inject more sex appeal into staid minivans and it is living up to that pledge with its Forum concept. An interior sketch of the advanced minivan design study, which will debut in mid-January at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show, was released late Thursday.

The latest sketch shows the front row of the Forum concept, which is defined by cockpit-style seating for the front-row passengers, curvaceous lines and a futuristic-looking center console. The first exterior sketch of the Nissan Forum was released at the end of October.

Nissan said the cabin of the concept "offers an array of innovative family communications systems including an advanced Bose Media System with proximity sensor-based information controller, a one-button audio muting system, second- and third-row monitoring cameras and individual seat-mounted speakers for every row."

The concept is the work of Nissan Design American in La Jolla, California and Farmington Hills, Michigan.

For years Nissan has pitched its Quest minivan as the more alluring alternative to classic offerings such as the Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Caravan. Nissan marketers were fond of saying that the target buyer of the Quest was more similar to the actress Tea Leoni, who once played a bisexual tabloid reporter on a TV sitcom, than Marion Cunningham, the dowdy mom on Happy Days. It appears that the Forum follows the same path as the Quest, based on the teaser images we've seen thus far.

Source : http://www.edmunds.com (11/30/2007)

Daredevil Evel Knievel Dies at 69  
CLEARWATER, Florida Motorcycle daredevil Evel Knievel died today at age 69. A pop culture icon for decades, Knievel was best known for crashing his cycle during a failed jump over the fountains at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas, and for attempting to jump Snake River Canyon in 1974.

The Associated Press is reporting that his granddaughter, Krysten Knievel confirmed his death, and although the cause of death has not been reported, Knievel suffered from diabetes and pulmonary fibrosis, not to mention nearly 40 broken bones before he retired in 1980.

Knievel had also undergone a liver transplant in 1999 from hepatitis C, likely contracted through a blood transfusion after one of his many crashes.

Recognized by Washington's Smithsonian Institution as "America's Legendary Daredevil," Knievel continued to sell autographs and endorse products into his later years. "Evel Knievel Days" festival was celebrated annually in Butte, Montana, where Knievel was born.

"They started out watching me bust my ass, and I became part of their lives," Knievel said. "People wanted to associate with a winner, not a loser. They wanted to associate with someone who kept trying to be a winner."

Source : http://www.edmunds.com (11/30/2007)

Ticket Avoidance 2.0: Web Site Uses Internet Mapping To Keep Abreast of the World's Speed Traps  
PORTLAND, Ore. It's official: You can find absolutely anything on the Internet. A Web forum normally dedicated to auto repair issues has turned its attention to speeding-ticket avoidance and now lets you surf over and check out a global map database with handy tip-offs to speed traps.

Njection.com calls its Speed Trap feature a "mash-up," or Web application hybrid. It uses Microsoft Live Maps and offers members who join at no cost the opportunity to add new speed trap information about locations anywhere in the world, or to add details about speed traps that are already on the map. Details such as posted speed limits, level of enforcement and type of speed detection equipment can all be posted. There's also a handy "search for traps" feature. In practice, Njection.com's Speed Trap is in an embryonic stage with only a handful of traps on the map. But the possibilities for global cooperation in the name of speeding-ticket avoidance are clear.

Source : http://www.edmunds.com (11/30/2007)

National R.V. Holdings, Inc. Announces Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Filing  
PERRIS, Calif., National R.V. Holdings, Inc. today announced that the Company and National R.V., Inc., its wholly-owned subsidiary, filed voluntary petitions under the provisions of Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code in the United States Bankruptcy Court, Central District of California, Riverside Division. The Company has taken these actions after determining that seeking Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection is in the best interests of the Company, its creditors, stockholders and other interested parties in light of ongoing financial challenges and the inability to adequately fund operations and obligations. The Company is a debtor-in-possession under the jurisdiction of the Bankruptcy Court and in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Code and orders of the Court.

Dave Humphreys, the Company's Acting Chief Executive Officer, stated, "We are saddened to let go our excellent employees, especially so close to the Holidays, and even more so because National's motorhomes have never been better than they are today. After evaluating our options, however, we ultimately determined that seeking protection in bankruptcy was in the best interests of creditors and shareholders."

Source : http://www.theautochannel.com (11/30/2007)

Toyota Announces Prices for Four Vehicles in Model Lineup  
TORRANCE, Calif., -- Toyota announced mid-year price adjustments to manufacturer's suggested retail prices (MSRP) today for the 2008 model year Toyota Yaris, Prius, RAV4, and 2009 Camry and Camry Hybrid.

The 2008 Yaris Liftback and Sedan receive an average price increase of $50, or 0.4 percent. The new base MSRP for the Yaris Liftback ranges from $11,350 for the base grade with five-speed manual transmission to $13,925 for the Yaris Liftback S model with four-speed automatic transmission. The base MSRP for Yaris Sedan ranges from $12,225 for the base grade with five-speed manual transmission to $14,450 for the S model with four-speed automatic transmission.

The 2008 Prius receives an average price increase of $150, or 0.7 percent. The base MSRP for the Prius ranges from $21,100 for the Standard model to $23,370 for the Touring model.

RAV4 4x2 models carry a base MSRP that ranges from $21,250 for the base grade four-cylinder to $25,420 for the Limited V6. The base MSRP for the RAV4 4x4 ranges from $22,650 for the base grade with a four-cylinder to $26,820 for the Limited V6. Total RAV4 average MSRP increases $150 or 0.6 percent.

The new pricing for 2008 Toyota Yaris, Prius and RAV4 will be effective on December 17, 2007.

Camry, the best-selling passenger car in America, redefines global standards for comfort and performance. The new base MSRP for the 2009 Camry sedan ranges from $18,720 for the base grade with a four-cylinder engine and five-speed manual transmission to $28,270 for the premium XLE grade with a V6 engine and six-speed automatic transmission.

The 2009 Camry sedan combined base MSRP increases by $150, or 0.7 percent. 2009 Camry Hybrid will have a new base MSRP of $25,350. The Camry Hybrid combined base MSRP increases by $150, or 0.6 percent.

Source : http://www.theautochannel.com (11/30/2007)

Toilet-Automobile Created in Russia  
Toilet-Automobile Created in Russia

Russian can-do men have created a toilet-automobile (hybrid of Russian Oka car and a toilet cabin) and organized its tour from Moscow to Europe and Asia as contribution to the World Toilet Day that took place in November.

As soon as the toilet-automobile left Moscow, it stuck in a traffic jam. Drivers with amusement looked at the strange Oka car with a high cabin behind; some of them even asked to let them try it in action.

The toilet-automobile is equipped with a foreign system of air flows circulation, replaceable filters and a system removing liquids from the floor. According to the developers, the main peculiarity of the toilet-automobile is that it takes into account toilet traditions of different countries and lets people of various nations relieve nature in a habitual way.

Organizers of the toilet tour Moscow-Seoul mark, that the toilet-automobile was a success in Europe and Asia. Several British, Chinese and Korean companies expressed interest in purchasing the innovation.

Source : http://www.russia-ic.com (11/30/2007)

Patrick Industries Shareholders Approve Increase in Authorized Shares and a Rights...  
ELKHART, Ind., -- Patrick Industries, Inc. reported the results of its Special Meeting of Shareholders held on November 29, 2007. Shareholders approved a proposal for a $13.5 million rights offering of common stock to the Company's shareholders, granting shareholders one right to purchase 0.2 of a share of common stock for each share of common stock held, at a purchase price of $11.25 per share. Shareholders also approved a Standby Purchase Agreement, and the transactions contemplated thereunder, between the Company and Tontine Capital Partners, L.P. and Tontine Capital Overseas Master Fund, L.P. (collectively "Tontine") pursuant to which Tontine has agreed to purchase any shares that are unsubscribed for at the close of the rights offering at the same price of $11.25 per share.

Also receiving shareholder approval was an amendment to the Company's Articles of Incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of common stock from 12 million to 20 million and a proposal to offer certain management employees the opportunity to purchase up to 130,000 shares of common stock at the same price of $11.25 per share.

This announcement is neither an offer to purchase nor a solicitation of an offer to sell any securities.

Source : http://www.automotive.com (11/30/2007)

Singur on German auto component makers’ radar  
Kolkata, Auto components manufacturers from the State of Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany, are keen on setting up manufacturing facilities in West Bengal, and supply auto components and spares for the Tata Motors small car project that is being set up at Singur, 35 km from Kolkata.

This was stated here on Friday by Dr Hans-Dieter Roth, Commissioner for Industrial Locations, Baden-Wurttemberg International, an agency engaged in providing services for economic development and international co-operation.

Dr Roth was in Kolkata as part of a 17-member business delegation comprising representatives of nine small and medium enterprises (SMEs) from the State of Baden-Wurttemberg.

The delegation, which has also visited Chennai and Pune, held business meetings with companies here during its one-day visit to Kolkata.

Showing interest

Located in the South-West of Germany, Baden-Wurttemberg is a prime location for the European automotive industry, production and mechanical engineering, opto-electronics and medical technology.

Baden-Wurttemberg is home to large companies such as Daimler, Bosch, Porsche, SAP, Trumpf and Aesculap, among others.

Mr Roth told newspersons here that auto component manufacturers who were part of the delegation were keen to set up operations at Singur and serve as original equipment makers for the Tata small car project.

They were likely to firm up plans in this regard after returning to Germany.

Other companies, which were part of the delegation represented sectors such as engineering and tooling, plastics, metal processing and high-grade stainless steel, electricals and electronics, engineering, heating and precision cutting tools.

Stating that this was “the first contact with India” for most members of the delegation, Mr Roth said most of them were bullish on forging business relationships with their Indian counterparts.

In fact, each member of the visiting delegation on Friday met five-10 of his/her Indian counterparts to discuss the scope of developing business relations.

“The talks were promising and we hope to come back to India once or twice every year.

“We have also invited Indian SMEs to come to Baden-Wurttemberg and explore business opportunities there or even set up joint ventures with their German counterparts,” Dr Roth said.

Source : Business Line (Online Edition) (11/30/2007)

A3 goes topless  
A3 goes topless

Soft-top A3 here next spring

Two diesel, two petrol engines available

Prices expected from £20,000

Audi has launched is new A3 soft-top convertible that you can expect to see in UK showrooms next spring.

Eschewing the metal folding roof found on many rivals, the A3 cab has either a semi- or fully automatic fabric roof.

A fabric roof, claims Audi, takes up less space, therefore leaving more space for passengers in the back. It should also have better performance and lower emissions than a convertible with a metal roof.

The boot has 260-litres of space, extending to 674-litres with the rear seats folded.

Power comes from a choice of four engines - 1.8 and 2.0-litre TFSI petrol engines, or 1.9 or 2.0-litre turbo diesel engines.

The A3 Cabriolet will go on sale in spring 2008. Prices haven't been announced, but expect to pay around £20,000.

Source : http://www.whatcar.co.uk (11/30/2007)

EasyCare/Automobile Protection Corporation (APCO) joins DealerTrack Aftermarket Network(TM)  
LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., DealerTrackAftermarket Services, Inc., a subsidiary of DealerTrack Holdings, Inc.

(Nasdaq: TRAK), today announced that EasyCare/APCO has joined the DealerTrackAftermarket Network(TM), an industry-leading solution for real-timeaftermarket contract rating, quote generation and digital contracting.EasyCare/APCO is a leading provider of automotive aftermarket products andservices through its EasyCare programs which include dealershipdifferentiation processes and the EasyCare ownership enhancement product line,including vehicle service contracts, guaranteed auto protection (GAP)insurance, Loyalty Tire Rewards, and the recently introduced EasyCare KeyCareand DentRepair offerings, among others.

"We are very excited about this agreement with EasyCare. They are clearlyamong the industry leaders in automotive aftermarket services, products andtraining processes," said Mark O'Neil, chairman and chief executive officer ofDealerTrack. "EasyCare's programs and products are offered by almost 3,000franchised new car dealers in the U.S., including privately branded programsfor Jaguar, Land Rover, Mazda and Volvo dealerships."

Dealers using the DealerTrack Aftermarket Network will have free access toreal-time information on EasyCare's products and services. In addition,DealerTrack's online rating and digital contract functionality will create afaster F&I process, improve accuracy and eliminate duplicate data entry.Dealers subscribing to DealerTrack's eMenu, which is fully integrated with theAftermarket Network, can realize even greater efficiencies.Larry Dorfman, chairman and chief executive officer at APCO, said,"Joining the DealerTrack Aftermarket Network is a great opportunity forEasyCare to enhance the buying/selling experience for both the customer andour dealers. We believe it will drive additional sales growth for our dealersand allow us to provide the best technological processes in the industry.Providing real-time data on our available options and pricing for all of ourproducts for each vehicle and deal, plus digital contracting through theDealerTrack platform, will help reduce delays, contract errors and dealershipadministrative costs."

Source : http://www.reuters.com (11/30/2007)

Milestone: Former GM Chairman and CEO Roger B. Smith Dies  
DETROIT Roger B. Smith, the former General Motors chairman and CEO who launched the Saturn brand and was stalked in the documentary Roger & Me after ordering the closing of several factories in Flint, Michigan, died Thursday. He was 82.

In a statement released on Friday, General Motors said Smith, who started his career at GM as a general accounting clerk, died after a "brief illness." He led the automaker during a tumultuous time in its history from 1981-'90.

"During Smith's tenure as chairman and CEO, GM introduced its first front-wheel-drive midsize cars, formed NUMMI, a joint venture with Toyota to manufacture cars in California, created Saturn and acquired Electronic Data Systems and Hughes Aircraft Corp." GM said.

However, Smith may stand out in the popular culture as the bad guy in the 1989 Michael Moore documentary Roger & Me. Moore's film chronicles his search to buttonhole the GM chairman after several plant closings in Flint, Michigan devastated the city. Moore finally confronts Smith at a GM Christmas event. Moore describes "families being evicted on Christmas Eve," to which Smith famously responds, "General Motors didn't evict them. Talk to the landlord." As of late Friday morning, Moore had yet to post any word about Smith's death on his blog.

GM Chairman and CEO Rick Wagoner described Smith as "a leader who knew that we have to accept change, understand change and learn to make it work for us. Roger was truly a pioneer in the fast-moving global industry that we now take for granted."

Source : http://www.edmunds.com (11/30/2007)

NHRA 2008 NOPI DRAG RACING SERIES SANCTIONED BY NHRA SCHEDULE  
NOPI Motorsports has announced the schedule for the 2008 NOPI Drag Racing Series sanctioned by NHRA.

The eight-race series features stops at NHRA member tracks around the country, including two stops at Old Bridge Township in Englishtown, N.J.

Also on the schedule are visits to Atlanta Dragway outside Atlanta, Moroso Motorsports Park in South Florida, Atco Raceway in Atco, N.J., Bandimere Speedway just outside Denver, Rocky Mountain Raceway near Salt Lake City and Virginia Motorsports Park near Richmond, Va.

For more information regarding the NOPI Drag Racing Series sanctioned by NHRA, contact Theory Communications and Design at (954) 428-1800.

2008 NOPI Drag Racing Series sanctioned by NHRA

March 29-30 Atlanta Dragway Commerce, Ga.

April 5-6 Moroso Motorsports Park West Palm Beach, Fla.

April 26-27 Atco Raceway Atco, NJ

May 3-4 Old Bridge Township Raceway Englishtown, NJ

June 28-29 Bandimere Speedway Morrison, Colo.

July 18-19 Rocky Mountain Raceway West Valley City, Utah

August 9-10 Virginia Motorsports Park Petersburg, Va.

August 23-24 Old Bridge Township Raceway Englishtown, NJ

Source : http://www.theautochannel.com (11/30/2007)

India Pistons inks JV with German firm  
CHENNAI: Auto component manufacturer India Pistons Ltd has entered into a 50:50 joint venture with German company Mahle GmbH to make pistons for advanced engine applications.

Part of the Rs.52-billion, city-based Amalgamations group, India Pistons has hived off its 3.2 million pieces per annum piston plant at Maraimalai Nagar near Chennai for this purpose.

The joint venture company, Mahle India Pistons Ltd, is expected to double its capacity in three years.

"The partners envisage an investment of Rs.1.2 billion for the venture in the coming years," Gautam Venkataramani of India Pistons told IANS here.

"I am not in a position to disclose the plant valuation figure," he added.

Mahle India Pistons Ltd is expected to achieve a turnover of Rs.1.6 billion in 2008 employing a workforce of 300.

The euro 4.3-billon turnover Mahle group is one of the 30 largest automotive suppliers in the world.

The JV will primarily focus on pistons for engines requiring compliance with emission norms that are becoming progressively stringent, like Euro IV and above, and advanced design pistons like oil-cooled gallery pistons for diesel engines for automotive applications.

According to Venkataramani, India Pistons is expected to close this fiscal with a turnover of Rs.3.25 billion.

The Amalgamations group last month bought out the 30 percent stake held by Federal Mogul Corp in India Pistons.

Source : Economic Times (11/30/2007)

2008 Geneva Auto Show Preview: Koenigsegg CCXR  
ANGELHOLM, Sweden Koenigsegg Automobile left some mouths agape at the Geneva show earlier this year when it offered a sneak peek at its E85-fueled CCXR.

Now the Swedish supercar builder is providing more details on the production version, which will debut next March at the 2008 Geneva Auto Show. Word is the company will build only six vehicles, priced from a cool $2.2 million each. The more prosaic Koenigsegg CCX will retail for "only" $1.96 million, with all of 14 units slated to be hand-built.

What makes the CCXR so special? That is, outside of its slinky shell and novel fuel system?

Under that sexy skin is a 5.0-liter V8 with twin Rotrex superchargers. The all-aluminum DOHC engine makes an incredible 1,018 horsepower and 740 pound-feet of torque. With a six-speed racing-style gearbox and limited-slip diff, that's enough to propel this two-seater from zero to 60 in a Hayabusa-like 2.9 seconds. Top speed is said to exceed 250 mph. One other stat that bears mention: The CCXR will jet to 124 mph and back to zero in just 13.7 seconds. Put it all together, and you've got the makings of a true Veyron killer.

A few additional highlights include a lightweight composite body with a removable hardtop and adjustable carbon-fiber rear wing, double-wishbone suspension with gas-hydraulic shocks and electronically adjustable ride height, ceramic disc brakes and carbon-alloy wheels shod with Michelin Pilot Sport 2 performance tires (255/35R19s in front, 335/30R20s in the rear).

What else do you get for your $2.2 million? Custom-color leather upholstery, rear backup camera, GPS navigation, premium audio system and chronograph instrument cluster.

Source : http://www.edmunds.com (11/30/2007)

The Racing Chef Hits Time Warner's On Demand (NHRA/JEGS)  
The three initial pilot episodes of The Racing Chef, the reality show on the life and times of Team JEGS traveling chef Nicky Morse, was such a success on its debut on FSN Ohio that it will now be made available on Time Warner's On Demand (Station 1111) beginning Dec. 2. On Demand is currently available in 40 countries, stretching Morse's potential fanbase to an enormous number of viewers.

The Racing Chef follows the exploits of Chef Nicky as he crisscrosses the country on the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series, chasing down exotic ingredients and cooking up world-class cuisine for the Coughlin family and members of the various Team JEGS racing crews.

In addition to The Racing Chef, Time Warner will add a video entitled "JEGS -- The Business," as well as a piece on the JEGS Foundation "Racing for Cancer Research" program.

Source : http://www.theautochannel.com (11/30/2007)

Daimler stops smart lookalike  
The smart ForTwo...or is it the Shuanghuan Noble?

We've just heard that Daimler's lawyers have swung into action to prevent the Chinese-built Noble from debuting at the Bologna Motor Show next week.

The Noble, built by Chinese automaker Shuanghuan Automobile, bears a striking resemblance to the smart ForTwo and Daimler claims that it infringes its design copyright for the baby smart.

The Noble was apparently due to appear at the Frankfurt Show but was withdrawn at the eleventh hour.

It seems that Daimler is not content to accept this imitation mere flattery.

Source : http://www.newcarnet.co.uk (11/30/2007)

Softly does it  
In a welcome moment of balmy summer escapism from a dank winter's day, Audi has revealed the new A3 Cabriolet.

Due to go on sale next spring, the A3 Cabrio is Audi's first ever compact cabriolet, and the big news is that - unlike most cars in this class - it gets a folding canvas instead of a hard-top.

That's good news for two reasons. One, as there's no bulky folding metal to store away, the A3 Cabrio retains a proper set of rear seats and a decent-sized boot. And two, weight is kept down - good news for performance.

Not that the A3 Cabrio will be exactly blistering. It'll initially be limited to the choice of two engines - two petrol and two diesel - with a 200bhp TFSI four-pot topping the range. That'll hit 60mph in a touch over seven seconds, but there's no word on a proper quattro model at the moment.

There's more choice in the roof department, though. Buyers have the choice of three colours - red, blue or black - and two specifications, semi-automatic and fully automatic, both of which will open in just nine seconds at speeds of up to 20mph.

If open-topped wafting is your bent, the A3 Cabrio looks like a decent first effort from Audi. Apart from those daft chrome roll-hoops, but at least they'll spend most of the year under the roof.

Source : http://www.newcarnet.co.uk (11/30/2007)

Audi A3 Cabriolet Makes World Debut -- But You Won't See It Here  
GYOR, Hungary The hoopla surrounding the world premiere and production launch here of the 2008 Audi A3 Cabriolet was tempered by the official word on Friday that the German automaker's latest convertible will not come to the U.S.

"The A3 Cabriolet will not come to the USA or Canada, simply because the three-door A3 coupe also isn't certified for the USA," Christian Bokich, Audi of America manager of product and technology communications told Inside Line in an e-mail.

The first compact cabriolet from Audi goes on sale in Europe in the spring with four turbocharged direct injection engine options. They include two gas and two diesel engines. The performance range extends from 105 horsepower to 200 hp. The S tronic dual-clutch gearbox is optional, while a six-speed manual transmission is standard on engine versions from 140 hp upwards.

The four-seater will come with either a semi or fully automatic top. The rear seatbacks can be folded down for better storage. Two trim levels are available: Standard or Sport. The Sport model bundles 17-inch aluminum wheels, a sports suspension that lowers the body by 0.6 inch, a three-spoke leather sports steering wheel and sport seats. An upscale S line exterior package and S line sports package will be available later in 2008.

Source : http://www.edmunds.com (11/30/2007)

1-day lockout at MRF’s Chennai factory  
Chennai, MRF Ltd has declared a one-day lock out at its Tiruvottriyur factory in Chennai.

According to information provided by the company to the stock exchange, it has declared a token lockout for one day.

Its other factories in Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Goa were under production according to schedule.

On the reasons for the lock out, a company spokesperson said “because we are losing production in the last couple of weeks. We had come to an agreement on production norms. Workers have not implemented it.”

It is a token lockout and on Saturday the company will get the workers back.

Union version

According to the Union representatives, the issue related to an annual award of over Rs 2,500 to every worker along with the yearly bonus.

The management had declined to grant this award to the workers this year. In response, the workers had refused to work overtime.

This hit production during the third shift, which is done on overtime.

Following this the management tried to involve trainees in production in the third shift.

The permanent workers had objected to this move on grounds of safety.

The factory, which makes tyres for trucks, light trucks, tractors and OTRs, employs over 800 permanent workers and 400 trainees, the union representatives said.

On the stock exchange today, MRF’s shares of Rs 10 opened at Rs 7,100 and closed at Rs 7,062.40.

During the third quarter ended June 2007, the company reported a net profit of Rs 42.50 crore on net sales of Rs 1,133.43 crore.

Source : Business Line (Online Edition) (11/30/2007)

Japanese court says Toyota employee died of overwork  
TOKYO: A Japanese court today ruled that a Toyota employee died of overwork after putting in more than 100 hours of overtime in one month, ordering the government to pay benefits to his widow, a court official said.

The Nagoya District Court ruled that Kenichi Uchino had worked some 106 hours of overtime in the month before he died after collapsing at a Toyota Motor Corp plant in February 2002 aged just 30.

His wife argued that long working hours caused her husband to develop an abnormal heart rhythm, but her application for bereaved family benefits was rejected by the labour ministry, which said the death was not due to overwork.

A local labour standards inspection office, part of the ministry, estimated Uchino's overtime during the month before his death was about 45 hours.

But the court rejected the figure and upheld his wife's claim for benefits, ordering a local labour standards office to retract its decision, a court spokeswoman said.

Presiding Judge Toshiro Tamiya said Uchino "was so tired that he could not play with his children," Kyodo News reported.

Officials at the labour office declined to comment, saying they had yet to officially hear of the verdict.

Toyota Motor also declined to comment on the ruling, saying that the dispute was between the former employee and the government.

The growing auto giant offered its "deepest sympathies" for the death and vowed to make greater efforts to help employees stay in good health.

Source : Economic Times (11/30/2007)

Faster new Impreza WRX STi priced  
Faster new Impreza WRX STi priced

£1600 less than old model at £24,995

Faster than ever with 0-60mph in 4.8sec

Higher spec Prodrive version due later in 2008

Subaru's hot new Impreza WRX STi arrives in the UK next March with a price tag of £24,995.

Thats £1600 less than the previous version of the WRX STI, even though the new car is more powerful, faster to 60mph and more economical.

With 296bhp, the new Impreza has an extra 19bhp which helps to shave the 0-60mph time from 5.0sec to 4.8sec. Top speed is 155mph, while combined fuel consumption is cut by 1.5mpg to 27.4mpg.

Although it's 50mm shorter than the old car, the latest WRX STi has a 95mm longer wheelbase which, Subaru claims, makes the car more stable. Front and rear track are also increased over the standard versions of the new Impreza by 45mm and 40mm respectively, 17-inch wheels hiding in extended wheelarches.

Large bumpers, sills, air intakes and vents further mark the car apart from the 1.5- and 2.0-litre versions of the car, as do a large roof spoiler with high-mounted brake light, four exhausts.

The suspension and braking system are completely overhauled compared with standard cars, while the driver can choose from a variety of throttle and differential settings for different conditions and handling characterstics.

Standard equipment includes front, side and curtain airbags, climate control, Alcantara and leather bucket seats, six CD in-dash stereo with MP3 player input and cruise control.

Source : http://www.whatcar.co.uk (11/30/2007)

2007 Bologna Auto Show: Fiat Grande Punto Abarth SS  
BOLOGNA, Italy Fiat has pulled the wraps off the production version of its new Grande Punto Abarth SS the centerpiece of the first dedicated Abarth display here at the Bologna auto show.

The high-gloss white display area is accented in aluminum, chrome, carbon fiber and enamel and features the familiar Abarth shield.

The SS package (or "essesse," in Fiat's convoluted shorthand) will be available at retail outlets in Europe in early 2008. The kit includes a power boost, to 180 horsepower, as well as upgraded brakes, stiffer springs, lower ride height and Pirelli P Zero 215/40R18 performance tires on 18-inch alloy wheels.

And, of course, it carries the requisite SS decals and checkered roof appliqué.

Source : http://www.edmunds.com (11/30/2007)

Bugatti Revs Up Exclusive Driving Course for Veyron Owners  
COLMAR, France Bugatti's new driving school for owners of the $1.6-million Veyron is shaping up as perhaps the ritziest one of its kind in the world.

Students are tutored by Pierre-Henri Raphanel, the former Formula One driver who now works for Bugatti as a product specialist. The setting is the "Anneau du Rhin" track in Colmar, the home of Alsatian wine and a former stomping grounds of (appropriately enough) King Charles the Fat. Bugatti supplies the vehicles for the event, so you can leave yours back home in the garage.

The driving course includes a round of exercises including emergency braking, change maneuvers and slaloms. It ends with a high-speed drive.

Perhaps of greater note is the fact that after a grueling day on the track, participants can hoist a glass and share a meal with Raphanel that evening "when they will have the possibility to exchange their impressions of the day's experience," the automaker says. Bugatti is also offering a visit "to nearby Molsheim for a tour of the birthplace of the first and today's Bugattis."

Source : http://www.edmunds.com (11/30/2007)

TEAM REPORTS Hinchcliffe's View from the Pits  
James Hinchcliffe may not have been racing for A1 Team Canada in last weekend's third round of the 2007-08 A1GP World Cup of Motorsport in Malaysia but the Toronto-native was no less busy at the Sepang International Circuit. Invited to fulfill the role of pit-lane reporter on behalf of A1GP's world-feed broadcast crew, the 20-year-old happily accepted the challenge of switching from interviewee to interviewer for the weekend.

With race wins in Formula BMW USA, the Star Mazda Championship and the Champ Car Atlantic Championship, not to mention 18 race starts for A1 team Canada in A1GP, Hinchcliffe's a veteran of countless television interviews and while he's already forged a reputation as a commentator on Eurosport covering the Champ Car World Series from the booth, his experiences reporting from the pits in Malaysia were another first for the versatile Canadian.

"I have to say it was really cool to get the opportunity," stated Hinchcliffe. "I'm grateful to A1GP for giving me the chance to help out. They knew I was going to be in Malaysia with A1 Team Canada but wouldn't be racing so they asked if I'd be interested in reporting from the pits and giving my insight when required on what it's like to race an A1GP car."

He continued; "Obviously it's a little different from what I do for the Champ Car commentaries when I'm in a booth and remote from the action but armed with things like timing screens. Last weekend it was a case of being live on the ground in pit-lane and trying to stay on top of what's happening on-track without the aid of monitors or people passing you pieces of information. It was certainly a bit different being there from that perspective and looking for the story but it was a lot of fun!"

One aspect of the weekend's work new to Hinchcliffe, despite his previous TV experience, was the opportunity to interview drivers he regularly competes against in A1GP. While initially a little strange for the Canadian, he felt having the racer's perspective gave him an added advantage in grilling his fellow racers for the cameras.

"I was probably able to get a bit more information out of the drivers when I interviewed them," James reflected. "In turn they were probably a little more candid with me and I think that's what the producers wanted as it makes for good TV. We obviously all know each other pretty well from competing against each other and hanging out together so the interviews were relaxed but informative. That said, it was tough for me not being in the car at the weekend but the TV gig kept me pretty busy and it certainly helped me expand my experience on that side of the business!"

While James worked the pits, A1 Team Canada fielded series rookie Robert Wickens at Sepang, the 18-year-old subsequently scoring the team's first podium and points in the Sprint race.

"We knew the first couple of events for Canada would be tough as the new team came together pretty late," said Hinchcliffe. "We did pretty well all things considered but we knew we'd benefit from the break between Brno and Sepang. The whole team, spearheaded by Simon Cayzer, did a lot of work on the car and we definitely showed up in Malaysia with a much stronger package. Robbie did a fantastic job all weekend, in particular with his qualifying effort for the Sprint race. He really deserved that podium and I'm happy we've now got points on the board and a platform to build on."

Source : http://www.theautochannel.com (11/30/2007)

The Home Depot and NASCAR Select Don Miller as Recipient of Inaugural Humanitarian...  
ATLANTA, -- The Home Depot(R), the world's largest home improvement retailer, and The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR(R)) today announced that Don Miller of Mooresville, N.C., was selected as the recipient of the inaugural NASCAR Home Depot Humanitarian Award for his work with the Stocks-for-Tots program. The award is the first of its kind open to any member of the NASCAR community who has shown extraordinary dedication to serving others and improving communities through meaningful service efforts. Miller is an executive for Penske Racing.

As the NASCAR Home Depot Humanitarian of the Year, Miller received a specially designed crystal award and a $100,000 donation made by The Home Depot to his charity of choice, Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN), an organization whose mission is to continue to help and provide education, counseling and intervention programs for the prevention of child abuse and neglect. Miller will also receive a playground in the city of his choice built by volunteers from NASCAR, The Home Depot and KaBOOM!(R), the Company's national nonprofit partner which envisions a great place to play within walking distance of every child in America.

Miller developed Stocks-for-Tots as a holiday event and fundraiser for SCAN. Miller continues to be intimately involved in the event which brings together stock car racing and its fans to collect toys and raise funds for SCAN. Since 1989, the event has raised more than $400,000 and distributed nearly 40,000 toys to children in North Carolina and is now the largest fundraiser for SCAN.

"The Home Depot is proud to recognize Don Miller as the inaugural recipient of the NASCAR Home Depot Humanitarian Award," said John Ross, vice president of marketing, The Home Depot. "Don is an icon in NASCAR for his relentless drive and passion for the Stocks-for-Tots program. All three of the finalists exemplify the values of volunteerism and charitable giving of time and talent that are fundamental to both The Home Depot and NASCAR."

The other finalists for the award were Spencer Lueders, project creator, director and team member of 24 Hours of Booty; and Kyle Petty, driver for Petty Enterprises and co-founder of Victory Junction Gang Camp. They received a $25,000 donation each to their designated non-profit charities.

"NASCAR is proud to join with our valued partner, The Home Depot, to recognize an individual like Don Miller in our sport who has given back to the community in a special and meaningful way," said Jim O'Connell, vice president of corporate marketing at NASCAR. "The NASCAR Home Depot Humanitarian Award is an innovative way to recognize the efforts of those in the NASCAR industry who show extra dedication and service to their communities and those less fortunate."

All active employees within the NASCAR industry -- drivers, owners, team and track employees, licensees, media partners, sponsors, and motorsports media -- were eligible to receive the NASCAR Home Depot Humanitarian Award. Nominees were assessed based on their community commitment and dedication; impact on the community; and charitable giving of their time and talents. A blue-ribbon committee comprised of representatives from NASCAR, The Home Depot and motorsports media selected the three finalists.

Source : http://www.automotive.com (11/30/2007)

Lewis uncut  
With Lewis lapping our test track, it's a huge weekend for Top Gear - and we're following up with some exclusive video clips on Monday morning.

Not only will we bring you another excellent instalment of the highly acclaimed News Uncut, but we also plan to deliver all the bits from the Lewis Hamilton interview they couldn't show on Sunday's show. If Ron Dennis will let us...

So fingers crossed for Monday, then.

If not then Tuesday.

Definitely Wednesday.

Source : http://www.topgear.com (11/30/2007)

Rolls-Royce unveils Phantom Drophead Coupe  
Mumbai, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars unveiled Phantom Drophead Coupe today in Mumbai.

This is the first appearance of the new two-door, four-seat convertible in India. The luxury segment car targeting high-net-worth individuals is priced Rs 3.10 crore.

“This is an exclusive product. We target individuals with very high net worth, who have $30 million (Rs 120 crore) in cash,” said Mr Collin Kelly, Rolls Royce Regional Director for Asia Pacific.

Good response

According to Mr Kelly, the car has received good response worldwide. “We sold 100 Phantom Drophead Coupe across the world in 2007. We have received significant interest for the new Phantom Drophead Coupe and the first car is expected to be delivered to a customer very shortly,” said Mr Kelly.

About the sales in India, he said, “We are showing it to certain people exclusively across the country and we expect good sales”.

Phantom Drophead Coupe has an advanced all-aluminium spaceframe and a sleek, streamlined convertible body. Its exterior lines echo the styling of Rolls-Royce: a long bonnet, large diameter wheels, short front and long rear overhangs.

The sales of Rolls-Royce cars in India have increased over the years.

“The luxury car segment in India is expanding. We have sold 15 Rolls-Royce cars this year,” said Mr Navnit Kachalia, Chairman and Managing Director of Navnit Motors Pvt Ltd Mumbai. Navnit Motors

Source : Business Line (Online Edition) (11/30/2007)

Fabia dressed to thrill  
Fabia dressed to thrill

Skoda introduces new Sport trim

Choice of petrol or diesel

Prices start at £10,66

Skoda has added a Sport trim to its Fabia hatchback, priced just below its top-spec model, the Fabia 3.

Sport models can be distinguished from the rest of the range by their enlarged front spoiler, chrome exhaust pipe and mock rear diffuser.

The sporting theme continues inside with bolstered seats and a three-spoke leather steering wheel.

Equipment levels are generous and includes six airbags, an alarm, air conditioning, 16-inch alloy wheels and a connection for your iPod.

All of the changes are cosmetic; mechanically the Sport is the same as the standard car.

Buyers expecting fiery performance will be disappointed; the Sport uses the same engines as the Fabia 2 meaning that 1.2 (70 bhp) and 1.6 (105 bhp) petrol engines are available while diesel buyers can choose between 1.4 (80 bhp) and 1.9-litre (105 bhp) units.

Prices start at £10,660 for the 1.2 petrol, rising to £12,795 for the 1.9 diesel. Deliveries are expected to commence at the end of January 2008.

Source : http://www.whatcar.co.uk (11/30/2007)

Nissan GT-R: First drive  
Nissan GT-R: First drive

GT-R on UK sale in 2009

£55k for Porsche 911-rival

We drive awesome car

When it goes on sale in the UK in March 2009, the dazzling new 194mph, 477bhp Nissan GT-R will cost approximately £55,000.

Nissan GB hasn't quite finalised the spec yet, but it'll have a sure-fire supercar winner on its hands, not to mention one of the fastest, most exciting road cars in the world to sell and all for the price of a BMW M3.

Not only does the GT-R have 30 years of design heritage to back up its monumental performance, it also boasts one of the most sophisticated four-wheel-drive systems yet seen on a road car, plus a six-speed semi-auto paddle-shift gearbox which helps fire it from zero to 60mph in just 3.5sec.

That's more raw performance and a lot more technical sophistication than you get in a Porsche 911 Turbo with four seats and a decent-sized boot thrown in for good measure.

It's not all about the numbers

Unusually for such a focused high performance machine, the GT-R will also come with a full three-year factory warranty and low-cost servicing through a network of soon-to-be-announced Nissan High Performance Centres.

You don't imagine that Nissan GB will experience much trouble shifting the 600-800 GT-Rs it will be allocated by Nissan Japan each year.

So what does that level of performance feel like in a car that's made not by Lamborghini or Porsche, but Nissan?

To begin with it's the awesome acceleration of the GT-R that leaves the biggest impression. It's so responsive and pulls so hard when you put your foot down, you can't help but focus on the pure performance to begin with.

Nissan says it is 'slightly faster than a 911 Turbo', but in second gear from 3000rpm which is when the boost from the twin-turbo 3.8-litre V6 really starts to swell it feels like it's ready to take off.

Thanks to the super-sophisticated four-wheel-drive system, the handling, braking and steering are more than up to the job as well.

However, that's selling how capable and fast the GT-R is across the ground short; it handles beautifully and has more composure at high speed than even a 911 Turbo despite the fact that the ride is relentlessly stiff and might not make the GT-R the most comfortable of companions over typically lumpen UK roads.

Mind you, when the rest of the car is this good, this special, who cares if the ride's a mite firm?

On the inside

The GT-R even has a smart, well-made, appealingly futuristic cabin that, says Nissan GB, will be better equipped than any other rival at the same price.

All in all, what we're talking about is one of the great giant-killers of the modern era with all the usual Nissan practicalities thrown in for free. Wow.

Source : http://www.whatcar.co.uk (11/30/2007)

2007 Essen Auto Show: Abt R8  
ESSEN, Germany Abt Sportsline rolled out a new stable of high-end Audis at the Essen auto show, capped by its interpretation of the midengine R8.

Abt fitted high-performance brakes and stiffer springs, lowering the ride height in the process. The company's BR two-tone painted alloy wheels come in 20-by-9.0 inches in front and 20-by-11.0 in the rear.

The most striking feature of this conversion is the body kit, which includes a front skirt, rear skirt, side skirts and side blades made of carbon fiber. Customers also can choose the same components in glassfiber-reinforced plastic, and can specify a two-tone exterior color scheme.

Source : http://www.edmunds.com (11/30/2007)

2007 Essen Auto Show: Brabus SLR McLaren  
ESSEN, Germany Brabus caps its display at Essen with a new take on the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren roadster.

In typical Brabus fashion, the supercharged 5.5-liter V8 is upgraded with new camshafts, a fuel cooling system and a high-performance exhaust system. Output climbs to 650 horsepower. Coupled with a clutch-type limited-slip differential to enhance traction, the Brabus SLR rockets from rest to 60 in less than 3.6 seconds and reaches a top speed of 209 mph.

An aero body kit includes a carbon-fiber front spoiler and rear diffuser. Brabus fits its Monoblock VI multipiece wheels, shod with 255/30ZR20 tires in front and 305/25ZR20s in the rear. Customers can choose from Pirelli and Yokohama performance rubber.

Interior upgrades include hand-crafted leather upholstery and unique waffle-pattern leather carpeting, as well as carbon-fiber accents.

Source : http://www.edmunds.com (11/30/2007)

Real Logic Targets London Stock Exchange  
PALM BEACH, Fla., -- Real Logic, Inc., , an Alternative Transportation Vehicle company, advises that its Board of Directors has approved a Resolution for the company to initiate the process for making application to become listed on the London Stock Exchange's AIM Market. Real Logic would file to join the AIM for trading status on that bourse, while concurrently retaining its full trading status in the US. Real Logic, Inc. will appoint an Investment Banker in London, an Investor Relations firm and a 'Nomad' (Nominated Advisor), which is a firm that guides new candidates through the steps required for IPO capital raising and trading of its stock. The Company's expectations are that the listing would be completed within the first or second quarter of 2008, subject AIM's scheduling.

According to Brad Tolley, CEO, "The UK and Europe will love our 'green' vehicles. They are clearly open to making the transition away from high automobile emissions and expensive fuel consumption. Real Logic would be the 'first' Alternative Transportation Vehicle Company to trade on the London Stock Exchange."

President, Michael J. Posner, said, "With the Company's interest in selling our products worldwide, enabled with our new International Licensing Program, it only makes sense to get wider international market exposure and the AIM facilitates that for us. We should benefit from increased visibility and with this additional exposure."

Source : http://www.automotive.com (11/30/2007)

Eight GM vehicles in finals for automobile journalists awards  
Eight General Motors vehicles have qualified as category finalists in results announced this week by the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada following balloting by more than 70 AJAC members participating in the 20th annual Test Fest earlier this month at Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Source : http://autos.canada.com (11/30/2007)

TEAM REPORTS Raffo Racing Baja 1000 Race Report  
The Adventurous Baja 1000 Raffo Racing Report Chris Raffo with his all volunteer pit chasers, drivers, and navigators came from throughout the United States to run the 40th edition of the Tecate SCORE Baja 1000. This year?s edition saw the racers travel from Ensenada all the way to Cabo San Lucas. The trek down the peninsula for the Class 3 #306 Fig Partner, Phil?s Inc., DiMare Fresh, Reid Racing, Ringers Gloves, Fresh Air Systems, Bilstein, BFGoodrich Tires Chevrolet K5 Blazer was scheduled to be nearly 1300 miles long. This was the longest route ever for the ?1000.?

Along with all the guys in the chase truck, Chris put together four pairs of drivers looking to cross the finish line before the fifty three hour time limit expired.

Driver Lineup

Chris Raffo and his eighteen year old son, Pete, would go until mile 205, when Texan, Brianne Corn would navigate until mile marker 350.Then Californian Jeff Dolan and Wisconsin native, John Holtz, would take over the controls until the 830 mile marker. The Pennsylvania team of Dennis Chencharick at wheel with Jody Nevling keeping an eye on the course, would take over for another three hundred fifty miles. Finally Chris and Pete would get back in the Blazer to complete the final one hundred fifty miles into Cabo San Lucas.

1300 miles to Cabo The start of the race saw the #306 Fig Partner, Phil?s Inc., DiMare, Reid Racing, Ringers Gloves, Fresh Air Systems, Bilstein, BFGoodrich Tires Chevrolet K5 Blazer start strong, quickly catching up to the truck that started thirty seconds in front of them.

Just after Chris and Pete headed down the trail outside of Ensenada, a u-joint broke. Undaunted the team replaced the unit and quickly got back on course. Unfortunately this was the first of many diversions the team would experience. The longer course with hundreds of miles of new territory would really test Raffo Racing.

Here?s a list of stops the team made as they raced down the Baja Peninsula.

Race Mile Description

100 Replace right front flat and a broke brake hose. 160 Replace front driveshaft

205 Rebuild both front hubs, replace one front spindle, replace front driveshaft 250 Replace rear flat tire

280 Replace rear flat tire and found broken rear brake hose

340 Replace broken tie rod

350 Driver change ? Jeff Dolan and John Holtz

514 Run out of fuel and replace left front shackle bolt

791 Run out of fuel in the middle of nowhere

830 Driver change ? Dennis Chencharick and Jody Nevling, rear brake line repair

839 Replaced broken steering box

990 Transmission housing breaks in two and two rear shock mounts are broke.

At race mile 990, with a lengthy repair at hand, and time running out to make to finish, Raffo Racing retires from the 2007 Tecate SCORE Baja 1000.

In an effort to get some rest and decompress from the non-stop three day trek through Baja, Chris takes the team to a friend?s vacation home in Bahia de Los Angeles. There, the guys decided to replace the transfer case on the Blazer, giving the entire crew some time behind the wheel of the ?Raffonator? K5 Blazer.

Once back in the states, team owner Chris Raffo commented, "Our race obviously didn?t go as planned. All the competitors mentioned this year?s 1000 was one of the roughest in recent memory. Even the winner of our class had serious downtime. My guys never quit. No matter the problem, they kept plugging away, keeping the Blazer headed for Cabo. Unfortunately there wasn?t enough time to replace the transfer case and make it to the finish within the time limit."

"Thanks goes to Reid Racing, their steering knuckles performed flawlessly. I can?t forget Fig Partners, DiMare, D & L, High Angle Driveshaft, Powermaster, and Phil?s Inc. without their support we wouldn?t be here."

"Hats off to Brianne Corn and Jody Devling. It was their first time navigating the Baja 1000, let alone ever in Baja, they did a great job. Everybody stayed on their game for almost 50 straight hours. It?s just another incredible experience in Baja."

Source : http://www.theautochannel.com (11/30/2007)

Chicago's water district is now using 30 electric vehicles  
CHICAGO ; The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, one of the nations largest water authorities, today announced that it has purchased 30 all-electric, low-speed MILES ZX40 cars as part of its strategy to slash fleet emissions and costs. The acquisition represents the largest purchase of MILES electric vehicles by a government agency. It is estimated that the vehicles will eliminate hundreds of thousands of pounds of greenhouse gas emissions each year in operation.

The ZX40 hatchbacks will be officially delivered to Water Authority Commissioners on Tuesday, November 27th at 12:00 p.m. during a ceremonial "plug-in," reflecting the fact that MILES cars and trucks are powered by industry-leading batteries that can be charged at any standard household or business outlet.

Manufactured by Santa Monica, CA-based Miles Electric Vehicles, the MILES ZX40 produces zero tailpipe emissions, with a 40-50-mile driving range and is 10 times less expensive to operate than a gasoline-powered vehicle. The ZX40 is classified as a Low-Speed Vehicle (LSV), meaning that its street legal up to 25 mph, fast enough for a range of routine District fleet tasks, including maintenance, security, and transportation for engineers and water analysts.

The District prides itself on protecting the environment and utilizing our resources in the best public interest, and that mission extends to our fleet decisions, said District President Terrence J. O'Brien. In reviewing alternative fuel vehicle options, we feel these all-electric cars are an excellent choice in terms of emissions and overall costs, while meeting our practical needs for safety and comfort, he said.

Unlike open chassis, golf cart-like electric vehicles, the MILES ZX40 (a four-door, four-seat hatchback model) is built on an all-steel car chassis and offers features like AM/FM sound systems, power mirrors, and available air conditioning, while providing a superior driving range and delivering low operating costs.

The District is responsible for maintaining the main waterways and 1,300 streams within an 883-square-mile zone that includes the city of Chicago and 129 suburban municipalities. It also owns and controls more than 25,000 acres within four metro counties. If the District were a state, it would be the 21st most populous state in the country right between Minnesota and Colorado. On average, its seven facilities treat a flow of 1.2 billion gallons of wastewater per day.

A lot of fleets are looking for vehicle alternatives to reduce their overall carbon footprints, and we believe that our all-electric vehicles which cost less and pollute less than hybrids or ethanol-powered vehicles are the best fit, said Miles Electric Vehicles CEO Jeff Boyd. Were proud to help one of the nations largest environmental engineering agencies cut costs and eliminate hundreds of thousands of pounds of annual fleet emissions.

The District joins a growing list of MILES fleet customers that includes the U.S. Navy, the National Park Service, San Francisco International Airport, the Sacramento Municipal Utility District, and numerous colleges and universities, including Yale, Stanford and UCLA.

Source : http://www.theautochannel.com (11/30/2007)

Ford settles Explorer roll-over class action lawsuit - BBC  
Ford is reported by the BBC today to have settled a long-running class action lawsuit about whether its Explorer SUVs built between 1991 and 2001 were prone to rolling over. The settlement, subject to a preliminary court hearing scheduled for 3rd December, applies to about one million U.S. Explorer owners whose vehicles had lost value because of the perceived fault.

Over 250 people were killed in accidents involving tread separation on Bridgestone tyres as fitted to Explorers. The defective tyres were recalled in 2000 and 2001, and in 2005 Bridgestone Firestone agreed to pay Ford $240m (£116m) to settle its liability.

The settlement now reached is expected to give each of the claimants either a $500 voucher that can be used to reduce the price of a new Explorer, or a $300 voucher for any other Ford model. Ford will also undertake to distribute information about any rollover dangers on its SUVs, and limit safety claims in its advertising.

The U.S. National Highway Safety Administration has since mandated electronic stability control for all new vehicles in the U.S. by 2012, and a campaign is under way for universal ESC fitment in the EU.

Source : http://www.autoindustry.co.uk (11/30/2007)

Jaguar launches U.S. broadband multimedia magazine for iPhone and iPod Touch users  
Jaguars North American sales company is launching the industrys first broadband multimedia magazine specifically for Apple iPhone and iPod Touch users. 29HD Network developed this spin on the traditional website for Jaguar. By logging onto www.jxfphone.com, iPhone and iPod Touch owners can see the new Jaguar XF in still s and videos, all cropped to fit the portable devices displays.

Source : http://www.theautochannel.com (11/30/2007)

Abarth at the Bologna Show  
The Grande Punto Abarth esseesse

The reborn Fiat Abarth marque is to make a comeback with its own dedicated stand at the Bologna Motor Show next week.

On display will be the Grande Punto Abarth S2000 and a world preview of the Grande Punto Abarth with the "essesse" Kit.

The external test track of the Bologna Motor Show will also host the Team Abarth with the Grande Punto S2000, winner of the Italian Rally Championship 2007.

24 winners of an online competition on the official Abarth blog will be selected to experience what it is like to be the 'navigator', sitting beside the official drivers of the Abarth Competition Team. One of these will be superchampion Giandomenico Basso who, together with Mitia Dotta, has recently won the 2007 Italian Rally Championship.

Source : http://www.newcarnet.co.uk (11/30/2007)

Jianghuai Automobile Approved to Make Cargo Vehicles  
HEFEI, Anhui Jianghuai Automobile Co., Ltd. (SHSE: 600418), a Hefei-based automaker, announces on that it has been approved by the National Development and Reform Commission to manufacture medium-and heavy-duty cargo vehicles.

The project with annual production capacity of 40,000 vehicles is invested with CNY 837 million in total, CNY 647 million of which is for fixed assets and CNY 190 million of which is for working capital.

The project will reach its designed capacity in six years and can generate annual average sales revenues of CNY 4.48 billion, annual average profit of CNY 334 million and annual average after-tax profit of CNY 224 million.

The project has not started yet and related time and mode have not been decided either.

Jianghuai Automobile closed at CNY 7.88 on November 28. It had had CNY 7.745 total assets, CNY 10.891 billion revenues from major operations and CNY 299.782 million net profits by September 30 this year.

Source : http://www.tradingmarkets.com (11/30/2007)

AAA Michigan Offers Important Winter Driving Advice  
DEARBORN, Mich., -- With the season's first significant winter storm expected in Michigan this weekend, AAA Michigan reminds motorists of some important winter driving and survival tips.

Winter Driving Tips

-- Clear snow and ice from vehicle to improve visibility.Include hood, roof, trunk, turn signals, tail lights and headlights.

-- Slow down when visibility and road conditions are impaired, and increase the following distance between vehicles.

-- Anticipate dangers including ice on bridges, hidden lane markings, stalled cars and poor visibility.

-- Use proper winter braking techniques.For cars without anti-lock brakes, use "squeeze" or "threshold" braking by applying the brakes just short of lock-up, then easing off the brake pedal slightly.For vehicles with anti-lock brakes, continuous, firm braking is necessary.

-- Avoid skids by easing off the accelerator and not locking up the brakes.In a skid, carefully steer in the direction you want your vehicle to go and straighten the wheel as soon as the car begins to go in the desired direction.

During the winter months, it's important for everyone to monitor the weather forecasts that may affect their driving plans. If you become stranded in the winter, AAA advises that it is usually best to stay with your vehicle rather than risk exposure or becoming lost while seeking help. In these cases, a winter survival kit could save your life. AAA recommends all motorists carry the following items in their vehicles during the winter months.

Source : http://www.theautochannel.com (11/30/2007)

West Coast Choppers' Jesse James Joins a Powerful Lineup of Dynamic Designers at AutoWeek's 2008 Design Forum  
DETROIT, Mich., Jesse James, owner of West Coast Choppers, will be the keynote dinner speaker at the 15th annual AutoWeek Design Forum, 8 a.m. -- 9 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2008, in the Riverview Ballroom of Cobo Conference/Exhibition Center in Detroit, Michigan.

Rounding out the list of speakers sharing their insights on design in the automotive and consumer arenas are the following:

-- Paul Kolada, founder and principal, Priority Designs

-- Aaron Pizzuti, design manager, Chrysler LLC

-- Troy Trepanier, president, Rad Rides by Troy

-- Franz von Holzhausen, director of design, Mazda North American

Operations

-- Carl Zipfel, director of exterior design, HUMMER, General Motors

The Discovery Channel's "Monster Garage" catapulted James to national fame as the leader of televised teams of experts who built "monster machines." The hour-long program showcased the groups' adventures in transforming stock vehicles into other types of vehicles or machinery. Some of the more memorable projects included transformation of the Chrysler PT Cruiser into a wood chipper, a Lincoln Continental into an open road racer and a Ford Model A into a rat rod, just to name a few.

As owner of West Coast Choppers, a Long Beach, California, custom motorcycle fabrication shop he founded in 1992, James developed a following with the special-order motorcycles he painstakingly tailors for each buyer. Ranging in price from $60,000 to $150,000, one-of-a-kind bikes were created for such famous riders as basketball legend Shaquille O'Neal, musician Kid Rock, NASCAR driver Kyle Petty, NFL wide receiver Shawn Jefferson and model Tyson Beckford.

Designed for Fun is the theme of the daylong AutoWeek Design Forum, celebrating design as the ultimate differentiating factor between products, the catalyst of passion and the primary force that drives consumers' interest and purchase decisions. The event features individual morning presentations, afternoon tours of the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) and a dinner program.

Addressing the Design Forum attendees throughout the morning will be:

* Kolada of Priority Designs -- Kolada's industrial design consulting firm

-- which boasts TaylorMade, Adidas, Lowe's and American Standard among its clients -- is internationally recognized for its creativity and problem-solving capabilities.The firm specializes in three major design areas, including sporting goods, home products and medical devices.Kolada is a native Detroiter and a graduate of Cass Technical High School and the University of Michigan.

* Pizzuti of Chrysler LLC -- "Raised in a puddle of gasoline" in the family garage, Pizzuti's creativity has earned him patents for the Dodge Durango and Jeep(R) Hurricane, which also snagged an IDEA silver award. The Hurricane was further recognized as the "Best of What's New" by Popular Science and received an AutoWeek Editors' Choice Award in the Most Fun category.

* Trepanier of Rad Rides by Troy -- Rad Rides by Troy is one of the most well-known and respected custom automobile companies in the business. Clients include many of the nation's top collectors, celebrities and manufacturers such as Chrysler, Ford, General Motors and Toyota. Trepanier's creations include the Chicayne, the first twin-turbocharged small-block street machine and the nation's only EPA-certified e85 kit, which he's currently developing.The Grand National Roadster Show recognized Trepanier as the 2007 Builder of the Year.

* von Holzhausen of Mazda North American Operations -- von Holzhausen is responsible for Mazda's North American Design Center which houses the design and development of all concept and production vehicles for Mazda North America.As design manager for General Motors prior to joining Mazda, von Holzhausen oversaw concept and production design for several vehicle programs, including the Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky.

* Zipfel of General Motors -- A self-proclaimed "truck guy," Zipfel's career began as a professional off-road motorcycle racer and a motorcycle mechanic.Following a track injury that sidelined his racing, and a degree from the Cleveland Institute of Arts, Zipfel joined General Motors in 1993 to work on the C5 Corvette interior.He moved quickly to the Truck Studio and has been the exterior design director for Hummer since 2003, leaving his mark on the popular H2 and H3 models. His most recent work can be seen on the new HUMMER HX concept.

The AutoWeek Editors' Choice Awards, presented annually during the Design Forum dinner program, will recognize the Best in Show, Most Fun, Most Significant and Best Concept vehicles of the 2008 NAIAS.

Advance registration for the daylong program, which includes continental breakfast, lunch, NAIAS tour, reception and dinner, is $275. Advance tickets for the full day or dinner program only are $225 and $175 each, respectively. Deadline for online registration is Friday, January 11. Limited on-site registration will be available during the Design Forum at $325 for the full day and $225 for dinner-only attendance.

Visit AutoWeek.com/dforum for additional information and to register online. Information is also available by contacting Kathy Sovoda at 313-446-6041 or ksovoda@crain.com.

AutoWeek is the only weekly automotive-enthusiast magazine in North America providing its passionate readers with up-to-date information like no other automotive news source. With nearly 50 years of unbiased editorial, it delivers the latest on vehicle reviews, motorsports, events and trends, personalities, auto show coverage and more.

Source : http://www.theautochannel.com (11/30/2007)

BMW cracks down on broker discounts  
BMW cracks down on broker discounts

Huge online BMW discounts could be over

BMW remind its dealers of obligations

Dealers face having franchise terminated

Bargain BMWs could be harder to find from next year as the German brand clamps down on dealers selling through online brokers.

This year, weve seen prices slashed by up to 18% on new 3 and 5 Series at online brokers.

However, now BMW is reminding dealers of their obligations, which include not selling cars through online brokers.

Our broker sources have been told supply will soon dry up, and that dealers who continue to sell through brokers could have their franchises terminated.

A spokesperson from BMW said: 'It could get to a stage where the only person who makes any money is the broker not the car dealer. This clause in the dealers contract is their to protect the dealer.' Big discounts could also adversely affect the premium brand's residual values.

Whatever the reason, it should mean bargain-hunters will end up paying more for their BMWs. That might seem unfair, but under current the current 'Block Exemption' Regulation which governs the sales and servicing of cars across Europe BMW is perfectly entitled to take such action.

What Car? mystery shoppers will carry on haggling with BMW dealers across the country to find out if our Target Price will be affected, as it's possible dealers being prevented from selling their cars through online brokers will seek to recoup broker sales by offering bigger discounts to customers buying direct.

Source : http://www.whatcar.co.uk (11/30/2007)

NHRA News Nuggets  
NEWS NUGGETS

* LUCAS, TODD ENJOY THRILL RIDE COMPETING IN BAJA 1000: Lucas Oil racing teammates Morgan Lucas and J.R. Todds first appearance in the 40th annual SCORE Tecate Baja 1000 didnt quite produce the finish they were looking for. After rolling their truck on its side coming off a slippery corner and experiencing engine troubles from there on out, the Top Fuel drivers were only able to turn in 175 miles of the famous race, coming up 1,296-miles short of completing. But every heart-pounding moment of the experience was far from lost in the drivers memories. It was cool to say the least, said Lucas. We pulled up and when the starter raised his hand to begin the countdown, I brought up the motor to around 4,000 rpm and when he said 3-2-1, bam!, I dropped the clutch and probably had a .000 (reaction time) on the Tree leaving out of there. Todd and Lucas rode in the same Class 1 Lucas Oil Products/Torco Race Fuels Diablo Penhall/Chevy off-road vehicle, with Lucas driving and Todd navigating.

· PRO STOCKS RICHIE STEVENS AND DSR PART WAYS AFTER 2007 SEASON: Citing a 30-percent cutback in Mopars entire racing budget that has trickled down to the multi-car racing operation, Don Schumacher Racing parted ways with Pro Stock driver Richie Stevens Jr. Schumacher informed Stevens that he would not be fielding his J&J Racing/Team Mopar Dodge Stratus in 2008 unless another sponsor shows up to fill the void. Overall in his career, Stevens has six event wins in 11 final rounds and earned three No. 1 qualifier awards.

· JOHN FORCE DOING WELL AFTER SECOND SURGERY: Funny Car legend John Force traveled back to Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas Sunday, Nov. 18 to remove casts on his left ankle and hand and for further surgery on his left hand following a semifinal round accident in Dallas in September. John Force Racing marketing coordinator Chad Light told National DRAGSTER senior editor Phil Burgess that five pins that had originally been placed in Forces wrist were removed and that he was doing well following the surgery. Light also went on to say that Force was fitted with an air boot cast and that he still will be on a non-weight bearing status for two to three weeks. For pictures, visit nhra.com.

· TEAM OWNER DON SCHUMACHER PARTICIPATES IN PANEL DISCUSSION IN NEW YORK: Former racer and current team owner Don Schumacher, will participate in a panel discussion on Nov. 27 at the Motorsports Marketing Summit in New York City. Schumacher, who fields teams in four professional categories in the NHRA POWERade Series, will join other motorsports business leaders in the Opportunities in Emerging Motorsports: Reaching New Markets and Demographics discussion. Joining Schumacher in the discussion will be Robert Dingham of AMA, Roger Edmondson of Grand-Am, Ben Geisler of World of Outlaws, as well as other representatives. COMING ATTRACTIONS

· NITRO BLAST OFF, LAS VEGAS, THE STRIP AT LAS VEGAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY, JAN. 18-20: The elite teams of the NHRA POWERade Series will get their first whiff of the competition for 2008 at this first of three optional showcase pre-season test sessions.

· NATIONAL TIME TRIALS, PHOENIX, FIREBIRD INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY, JAN. 25-27: Pre-season action moves from Nevada to Arizona as the professional teams continue to tweak off-season changes at this second of three optional test sessions.

· LAST CHANCE TEST SESSION AND PONTIAC PRO STOCK SHOWDOWN, LAS VEGAS, THE STRIP AT LAS VEGAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY, FEB. 1-3: This aptly named test session is the final of three optional events that allow professional drivers to test their rides before formal competition opens for 2008. The 200 mph NHRA Pro Stock cars also will race for bragging rights in the annual Pro Stock Showdown.

· CARQUEST AUTO PARTS WINTERNATIONALS, AUTO CLUB RACEWAY AT POMONA, FEB. 7-10: Kick-off the 2008 NHRA POWERade Series Countdown to the Championship at the historic track where last years winners included J.R. Todd, Gary Scelzi and Greg Anderson.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

· 132: The number of POWERade Series wins, in 217 final-round appearances, split between Pro Stock father-son combo, Warren and Kurt Johnson, one of which came early this season in Phoenix with Kurt picking up his 36th career win. They are also the first father and son to compete in a professional final round (Atlanta 1993).

HE SAID, SHE SAID

· HERBERT HAPPY WITH COUNTDOWN PERFORMANCE: Battling back from as low as 16th in the point standings to make it in to the first round of the Countdown playoffs, The Countdown to 4, with an amazing rain-delayed win in Reading, no driver is more supportive of the Countdown to the Championship then Top Fuel driver Doug Herbert. Im the poster child for the Countdown, Herbert told NHRA.com senior editor Rob Geiger. To me, thats exactly what makes the Countdown exciting; the fact that just about any racer running full-time out there has a chance to make the playoffs. Im a believer. The Countdown worked for us. I think it worked for everyone pretty much.

DRIVERS TELL ALL

· LUCAS ON THE DANGERS OF BAJA : Top Fuel teammates for 2008, Morgan Lucas and J.R. Todd had the opportunity to build on that teammate bond, competing as driver and navigator in the 40th annual SCORE Tecate Baja 1000. Lucas, who drove while Todd navigated, said that some of the most difficult parts of the race came not from the terrain, but from the fans attending the event. We finally hit the open road, where we encountered everything from having to dodge fire pits and other booby traps people had set up to having rocks thrown at us. It was an unforgettable experience, driving across terrain you couldnt imagine.

Source : http://www.theautochannel.com (11/30/2007)

Commission approves Continentals acquisition of Siemens VDO  
The European Commission has cleared under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed acquisition of Siemens VDO Automotive GmbH.

Continental is active in tyres, brake systems, car electronics, sensors and telematics and technical rubber products. Siemens VDO's activities are focused on the manufacture and supply of electronic and electro-mechanical components and systems, including brake systems and sensors.

The Commission says the transaction would combine the rather complementary products offered by Continental and Siemens VDO to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in the automotive sector and create a player with a broad product range, capable of competing with other strong players with comparable products, such as Bosch, Denso, Delphi and Magna. The combined Continental/Siemens VDO entity would become the number five globally in terms of turnover among automotive OE suppliers behind Bosch, Denso, Delphi and Magna.

Although in general the parties' product portfolios complement each other, there are overlaps on some specific OE and aftermarket markets. The ECs market investigation revealed only limited potential competition concerns regarding certain specific markets for electronic control units (ECUs). However, these potential concerns were removed by evidence gathered during the detailed investigation of the specific conditions in the ECU markets concerned.

In particular, the investigation revealed that sufficient supply alternatives would still remain, as well as potential new entrants concerning the markets for ECUs for motor management for diesel engines in heavy commercial vehicles, ECUs for air suspension systems and ECUs for electric parking brakes in the EEA.

Continental Executive Board chairman Manfred Wennemer greeted the ECs decision with acknowledgment that the businesses integration planning had started some four months ago: At the beginning of December we can jointly tackle the major task of building the new Continental AG - at optimal operating temperature, so to speak.

When the transaction has been completed, Continental will have sales of more than â‚25 billion, against its 2006 total of â‚14.9bn, and approximately 140,000 (basis 2006) employees, compared with its present 89,000.

Source : http://www.autoindustry.co.uk (11/30/2007)

Vote in our Car of the Year Awards!  
Vote in our Car of the Year Awards!

What will be 2008's most exciting new car?

Choose from shortlist of 10 cars

Winner announced at What Car? Awards

2008 will be jam-packed with exciting car launches, and now you can decide which new car is going to be the most exciting of them all, in our annual What Car? Car of the Year Awards.

Our poll, the What Car? & RAC Reader Award for the most exciting car of 2008, will run until midday on January 17, and the winner will be announced on stage at the What Car? Awards that evening.

You have a chance to pick up a prize, too. RAC is giving away a fantastic RAC sat-nav to one lucky reader who takes part in our poll. To find out more about RAC sat-navs, click here.

You have voted Jaguar's XK and XF as the most exciting new cars over the past two years, so who will come out tops this time? Click here to vote.

Source : http://www.whatcar.co.uk (11/30/2007)

Consumers Offered Exchange of Certain P215/70R14 Douglas, Kelly, Mohave and Republic Brand Tires  
AKRON, Ohio, The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company is conducting a precautionary customer satisfaction campaign to exchange certain P215/70R14 tires sold under a variety of names in the United States and Canada.

"This precautionary campaign is in response to our internal analysis and review of early warning data we monitor on our tires," said Sim Ford, manager of Goodyear's government and customer compliance. "The company has determined some of these tires have experienced adverse service conditions that have led to a tread separation, and in the interest of customer satisfaction has decided to replace qualifying tires.

"After an exhaustive analysis, no design or manufacturing defect was found in the tire."

The tires, all in size P215/70R14, were made from 2003 to 2006 under 23 names of Kelly, Associate brand and private label tires including Douglas, Kelly, Mohave and Republic. A complete list of the private label brand names involved in the program can be seen at Goodyear's website www.goodyear.com.

The replacement tires were sold through a variety of locations. The tires were predominantly made for application on older model compact pickup trucks and minivans which mostly were manufactured in the mid-1990s. Goodyear estimates approximately 400,000 of these tires might still be in use.

Consumers can have their tires checked at any Goodyear dealer location, or at their original point of purchase. The company will replace these tires with the Goodyear Regatta II, a premium tire with an excellent customer satisfaction history.

"While our analysis of this tire hasn't found a defect, consumers need to remember that all tires need to be checked regularly and ensure they are properly inflated," said Ford. "In general, statistics show the vast majority of tire failures are related to tires that are used while under-inflated, overloaded, poorly maintained or have suffered impact damage."

Goodyear is one of the world's largest tire companies. The company employs about 70,000 people and manufactures its products in more than 60 facilities in 26 countries around the world.

Source : http://www.theautochannel.com (11/30/2007)

Ex-GM Chairman Roger Smith Dies  
DETROIT ; The AP reportee that Roger B. Smith, who led General Motors Corp. in the 1980s and was the subject of Michael Moore's searing documentary "Roger and Me," has died, the automaker said Friday. He was 82.

Smith died Thursday in the Detroit area after an unspecified brief illness, GM said.

He was appointed chairman and chief executive on Jan. 1, 1981, and led the world's largest automaker until his retirement on July 31, 1990.

During Smith's tenure as chief executive, GM introduced its first front-wheel-drive midsize cars, formed a joint venture with Toyota Motor Corp. to manufacture cars in California, created the Saturn brand and acquired Electronic Data Systems and Hughes Aircraft Corp.

"Roger Smith led GM (Charts, Fortune 500) during a period of tremendous innovation in the industry," current GM Chairman and CEO Rick Wagoner said in a statement. "He was a leader who knew that we have to accept change, understand change, and learn to make it work for us."

"Roger was truly a pioneer in the fast-moving global industry that we now take for granted," Wagoner said.

Smith also served GM as an executive vice president and a member of the board of directors beginning in 1974.

Moore has become an Oscar-winning documentary maker, but he became famous with "Roger and Me," which explored how GM's plant closings and layoffs affected his hometown of Flint, Mich.

Source : http://www.theautochannel.com (11/30/2007)

ALMS Audi Commits To Two-Car Effort For 2008 Season  
Audi will return to the American Le Mans Series in 2008 in pursuit of its ninth LMP1 championship.

Audi confirmed its plans to go for an unprecedented ninth consecutive LMP1 championship in the American Le Mans Series on Friday by committing to a two-car effort for the 2008 season. For the second straight season, two diesel-powered Audi R10 TDIs will be on the Series' grid for 12 rounds of the world's leading sports car series under the banner of Audi Sport North America.

In addition, Audi will shoot for its eighth championship at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and third straight for the Audi R10 TDI with a three-car effort.

Audi's record in the American Le Mans Series is unmatched. The German marque has posted 69 victories (second only to Porsche) and has captured every driver, team and manufacturer championship since 2000. With a stirring overall victory for Allan McNish and Dindo Capello in the 2007 finale at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, Audi established a new benchmark with its 22nd consecutive class win.

"Dating back to our first race at Sebring in 1999, Audi has been an integral part in the success of the American Le Mans Series," said Series President and CEO Scott Atherton. "The relevance of Audi's American Le Mans Series program and the transfer of its TDI clean diesel technology to its passenger cars is unmatched in any form of motorsport. As we prepare to celebrate the 10th season of the American Le Mans Series, it is truly fitting that Audi - one of our key founding partners - will once again be at the forefront."

Audi's driver pairings for Le Mans will be the same as in 2007: Frank Biela/Emanuele Pirro/Marco Werner, Capello/McNish/Tom Kristensen and Lucas Luhr/Alexandre Premat/Mike Rockenfeller. Primary drivers for Audi's sports car effort will be Capello, McNish, Werner and Luhr.

The first race for the 2008 model R10 TDI is scheduled to be the 56th Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring presented by Fresh from Florida. The American Le Mans Series Winter Test is scheduled for January 28-30 at Sebring International Raceway.

Source : http://www.theautochannel.com (11/30/2007)

2007 Essen Auto Show: AC Schnitzer ACS1 3.5i  
ESSEN, Germany AC Schnitzer has one more trick up its sleeve for the Essen show: the ACS1 3.5i, a sexed-up edition of the new BMW 1 Series coupe.

Schnitzer gooses the 135i's twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-6 to deliver 360 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque. The engine mods help trim 0-60-mph acceleration to less than 5.0 seconds, while nudging top speed to 186 mph.

The aero body kit bundles a front spoiler, side skirts, rear apron, rear wing and roof spoiler. The suspension gets upgrades, and a front strut brace further improves torsional rigidity.

The ACS1 3.5i rides on 225/35R19 tires, mounted on Schnitzer's Type IV BiColor alloy wheels.

Source : http://www.edmunds.com (11/30/2007)