Automotive Industry

Jonas Brothers to Play Special Concert in Detroit to Support the 2009 Charity Preview

December 23, 2008 · Leave a Comment

DETROIT, Dec. 23 /PRNewswire/ — The North American International Auto
Show (NAIAS) announced today the Grammy nominated artist, Jonas Brothers, will
play a special concert at Detroit’s Joe Louis Arena on January 18, 2009 to
help raise funds for the annual Charity Preview.

The 2009 Charity Preview will take place at Cobo Center on January 16 from
6-9 PM. Since its inception in 1976, Charity Preview has raised over $77
million for children’s charities in metro Detroit — over $32 million of which
was raised in the last five years alone. Medical treatment, clothing and
support services for local kids in need all are made possible through the
purchase of Charity Preview tickets. The annual event has delivered more than
$6 million to children’s charities in Southeastern Michigan.

Metro Detroit area beneficiaries of the Charity Preview include: Barat
Child and Family Services; Boys & Girls Club of Southeastern Michigan; Boys
Hope Girls Hope of Detroit; The Children’s Center; Judson Center; Children’s
Services of Northeastern Guidance Center Assistance League; The Detroit
Institute for Children; Think Detroit PAL; Easter Seals – Michigan; March of
Dimes; Children’s Hospital of Michigan; and the DADA Charitable Foundation
Fund, a fund of the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan.

The Jonas Brothers join a growing list of celebrities that have attended
Charity Preview in years past to help raise funds for children in need.
Previous attendees include Celine Dion, Aretha Franklin, Kid Rock, Kevin Bacon
and Jay Leno. Through their Change For The Children Foundation, the Jonas
Brothers raise funds to support programs that motivate and inspire children to
face adversity with confidence, determination and the will to succeed. Their
first fundraising initiative — You Decide. You Donate. — launched this past
summer and through the generosity of their fans, was able to donate to
charities including NothingButNets.net, American Diabetes Association’s
Diabetes Camp, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Children’s Hospital of
Los Angeles and Summer Stars.

“We couldn’t be more pleased that an act as large as the Jonas Brothers
have offered their support to Charity Preview,” said Joe Serra, senior
co-chair of the 2009 NAIAS. “Not only will attendees be supporting local
children’s charities in this time of dire need, but they will be able to
provide the kids in their life with a ticket to the hottest concert in town.”

For every Charity Preview ticket purchased, patrons will receive one free
ticket to see the Jonas Brothers live in concert on January 18, 2009 at Joe
Louis Arena. There are a limited number of Charity Preview tickets that are
tied to the Jonas Brothers concert. Tickets must be purchased between
December 23, 2008 and January 5, 2009. Proceeds from all ticket sales will go
to benefit Charity Preview. Charity Preview ticket holders who purchased
prior to December 23 will be contacted and given the option for Jonas Brothers
tickets as well.

For details on how funds from the Charity Preview are used to give back to
the local community, see link below:

http://www.naias.com/the-2009-show/charity-preview/what-a-charity-preview-

ticket-can-do.aspx (Due to the length of the URL, please copy and paste into
your browser. Remove the space if one exists.)

Charity Preview tickets are available for purchase today by calling
888-838-7500 or by visiting www.charitypreview.com.

Patrons that have already purchased tickets will also be able to take
advantage of this offer by simply contacting the Charity Preview ticket
offices at 888-838-7500 by December 29. After December 29, concert tickets
will be released to other Charity Preview ticket purchasers.

Categories: Uncategorized

Web Site for the Film ‘Truth in 24′ Earns a Creative Website Award

December 23, 2008 · Leave a Comment

HERNDON, Va., Dec. 23 /PRNewswire/ — Creative Website Awards, a showcase
for the world’s leading-edge online destinations, selected Truthin24.com as
one of the best sites for December.

Truthin24.com was developed by Factory Design Labs of Denver to support
the award-winning documentary ‘Truth in 24,’ a full-feature film produced by
NFL Films and Chicago-based Intersport. The movie plot revolves around the
quest by Audi’s Le Mans racing teams to claim their eighth 24 Hours of Le Mans
victory over the past nine years. ‘Truth in 24,’ narrated by actor Jason
Statham, debuted at Hollywood’s AFI Fest film festival in November and later
won top documentary honors at the Fort Lauderdale Film Festival.

Visitors to Truthin24.com enjoy a rich Flash presentation that includes
clips from the documentary and other interactive features. The site offers
movie trailers, background on the nine Le Mans drivers who raced for Audi in
2008 and useful information on the Le Mans racing circuit. The site also
allows visitors to download the movie trailer, wallpaper and a screensaver.

“Truth in 24 is a dream project for our agency. It combines an amazing
film and its components with completely new design and communication tools for
the brand,” said Scott Mellin, chief executive officer, Factory Design Labs.
“There is so much energy in the content that we had a blast cutting the
trailers and integrating those elements into this site. Viewers should know to
keep coming back as we’ll be adding more content and features.”

Negotiations are underway for worldwide distribution of ‘Truth in 24′ in
2009. The Web site will be enhanced as distribution details advance.

“The Web site does an extraordinary job of capturing the spirit of ‘Truth
in 24,” said Scott Keogh, chief marketing officer, Audi of America. “With
this body of work, our partners at Factory Design Lab greatly enhanced the
build-up for the dramatic story that propels this documentary.”

Experience this award-winning Web site yourself at www.truthin24.com . To
learn more about the Creative Website Awards visit
www.creativewebsiteawards.com .

About Audi of America

Audi of America Inc. and its 270 dealers offer a full line of |
German-engineered luxury vehicles. The Audi line up is one of the freshest in
the industry with 23 models, including 12 models launched during model years
2008 and 2009. Audi is among the most successful brands globally. Last year
AUDI AG recorded its 12th consecutive record year for sales and profit growth.
Visit www.audiusa.com or www.audiusanews.com for more information regarding
Audi vehicle and business issues.

Categories: Uncategorized

J.D. Power and Associates Reports: Hino Truck Engines Rank Highest in Customer Satisfaction Among Conventional Medium-Duty Truck Owners

December 23, 2008 · Leave a Comment

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif., Dec. 23 /PRNewswire/ — Hino Truck engines rank
highest in customer satisfaction among conventional cab
medium-duty truck owners, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2008
Medium-Duty Truck Engine and Transmission Customer Satisfaction Study(SM)
released today.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050527/LAF028LOGO-a)

The study measures customer perceptions of 2006 model-year Class 5, 6 and
7 gasoline and diesel engines, and provides manufacturers with a comprehensive
and objective measure of customer satisfaction with the products and related
dealer service. Four factors are measured to determine overall engine
satisfaction. In order of importance, they are: engine warranty; engine
quality; engine performance; and cost of engine ownership.

Hino Truck ranks highest in customer satisfaction with a score of 794 on a
1,000-point scale, and performs particularly well in engine quality and engine
warranty. Mercedes-Benz (758) and Caterpillar (748) follow Hino in the
rankings.

“Hino Truck engines perform well across the board, particularly with
regard to quality,” said Brian Etchells, senior research manager in the
commercial vehicle group at J.D. Power and Associates. “Compared with owners
of other brands, fewer owners of Hino Truck engines report experiencing an
engine problem or engine-related downtime. In past years, Hino Truck engines
have been well-regarded for their fuel economy, quality and performance in
cab-over trucks, and Hino engines continue to satisfy in these areas today
within the brand’s conventional model lineup.”

The study finds that while gasoline engines account for only 5 percent of
the medium-duty engines included in the study, owners of gasoline engines are
more satisfied than are diesel engine owners, particularly in the areas of
engine performance, engine quality and cost of engine ownership. Medium-duty
truck engine customers are more satisfied with gasoline engines in terms of
reliability and dependability, acceleration when the truck is fully loaded,
cost of routine engine maintenance, engine noise and engine vibration.

“Typically, gasoline engines are specified primarily for lower-class
trucks — 2C through 5 — and even then, they are the minority in Class 5,”
said Etchells. “Considering the jobs these classes of trucks have to perform,
it’s surprising that gasoline engine owners are more satisfied than diesel
engine owners. There are only two key areas in which diesel engines appear to
have an edge in satisfying customers, compared with gasoline engines — the
length and comprehensiveness of the engine warranty and fuel economy, where
diesel engines have a higher reported average miles per gallon than gasoline
engines.”

The 2008 Medium-Duty Truck Engine and Transmission Customer Satisfaction
Study is based on responses from 1,525 primary maintainers of two-year-old
conventional cab medium-duty trucks. The study was fielded in July and August
2008. For more information or to view medium-duty engine rankings, visit
JDPower.com.


    Customer Satisfaction Index Ranking
    (Based on a 1,000-point scale)

    Manufacturer                                 Index Score    JDPower.com
                                                               Power Circle
                                                                Ratings For
                                                                  Consumers

    Hino Truck                                           794              5
    Mercedes-Benz                                        758              4
    Caterpillar                                          748              4
    General Motors                                       744              4
    Isuzu                                                743              4
    Segment Average                                      722              3
    Cummins                                              713              3
    International                                        690              2

    Included in the study but not ranked due to small sample size is Ford.

About J.D. Power and Associates

Headquartered in Westlake Village, Calif., J.D. Power and Associates is a
global marketing information services company operating in key business
sectors including market research, forecasting, performance improvement,
training and customer satisfaction. The company’s quality and satisfaction
measurements are based on responses from millions of consumers annually. For
more information on car reviews and ratings, car insurance, health insurance,
cell phone ratings, and more, please visit JDPower.com. J.D. Power and
Associates is a business unit of The McGraw-Hill Companies.

About The McGraw-Hill Companies

Founded in 1888, The McGraw-Hill Companies (NYSE: MHP) is a leading global
information services provider meeting worldwide needs in the financial
services, education and business information markets through leading brands
such as Standard & Poor’s, McGraw-Hill Education, BusinessWeek and J.D. Power
and Associates. The Corporation has more than 280 offices in 40 countries.
Sales in 2007 were $6.8 billion. Additional information is available at
http://www.mcgraw-hill.com.

Media Relations Contacts: Jeff Perlman; Brandware Public Relations;
Agoura Hills, Calif.; (818) 706-1915; jperlman@brandwaregroup.com
Syvetril Perryman; J.D. Power and Associates; Westlake Village, Calif.; (805)
418-8103; syvetril.perryman@jdpa.com

No advertising or other promotional use can be made of the information in
this release without the express prior written consent of J.D. Power and
Associates. http://www.jdpower.com/corporate

Categories: Uncategorized

Hyundai Announces Pricing for Fuel-Efficient Elantra Touring

December 23, 2008 · Leave a Comment

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., Dec. 23 /PRNewswire/ — Hyundai Motor America has announced prices for its Elantra Touring five-door compact, starting at $18,495 for a very well-equipped entry-level model and $19,995 for one featuring a Premium-Sport package. The all-new 2009 Elantra Touring is a sportier, more functional variant of Hyundai’s popular Elantra sedan, and will be available at dealerships in the first quarter of 2009.


    2009 Elantra Touring Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Pricing

    Model          Package               Transmission             MSRP
    Touring M/T    Standard Equipment    Five-Speed M/T with
                                          B&M Sport shifter       $18,495
    Touring A/T    Standard Equipment    Four-Speed A/T           $19,295
    Touring M/T    Premium-Sport         Five-Speed M/T with
                                          B&M Sport shifter       $19,995
    Touring A/T    Premium-Sport         Four-Speed A/T           $20,795

    Note:  All prices in this release contain a freight charge of $695

“The all-new Elantra Touring is a fun-to-drive, functional five-door,” said Mark Dipko, manager, small car product development, Hyundai Motor America. “Elantra Touring provides buyers a unique offering in the compact segment, raising the bar as Hyundai likes to do in value, safety and quality. It is remarkable how many features a customer can get for under $20,000 in such a versatile five-door.”

The Elantra Touring is the first five-door compact to offer standard Electronic Stability Control (ESC) in addition to a host of other class-leading safety technologies. As with all Hyundai vehicles, the Elantra Touring was designed and manufactured to meet the most stringent quality standards in the industry, exemplifying Hyundai’s quality leadership position worldwide.

ELANTRA TOURING HIGHLIGHTS

  • Elantra Touring represents a return to the compact five-door segment for Hyundai. (The previous generation Elantra also featured a sporty five-door model, the Elantra GT.)
  • Unsurpassed safety technologies, including Electronic Stability Control (ESC) with Traction Control, ABS with Electronic Brake-force Distribution and Brake Assist, and six standard airbags.
  • Most interior volume (passenger volume plus cargo space) of any five-door in its class.
  • Unique sport suspension and steering tuned for greater response and handling.
  • Standard USB/iPod(R) auxiliary inputs and standard XM Satellite Radio(R).
  • Five-star frontal crash rating in the compact passenger car segment from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The Elantra Touring, with its modern, sleek styling and fun-to-drive qualities, was developed by Hyundai in response to the growing demand for stylish and functional five-door vehicles, sales of which doubled from 2001 to 2006. Five-door vehicle sales are projected to be strong into the next decade as well.

THE GOOD STUFF COMES STANDARD

Elantra Touring builds on Hyundai’s reputation for offering loads of standard equipment, including air conditioning, power windows, heated mirrors, door locks, remote keyless entry with alarm, steering wheel-mounted cruise control and audio controls, eight-way adjustable driver’s seat with lumbar support, a cooled glove box and plenty of storage compartments. For audiophiles, an integrated 172-Watt AM/FM/XM Satellite Radio/CD/MP3 audio system with six speakers, USB input and auxiliary input jack are standard. The Premium-Sport package adds a power sunroof with tilt and slide functions, heated front seats and 17-inch alloy wheels with P215/45VR17 tires.

STANDARD SAFETY TECHNOLOGIES

Like every Hyundai, top-tier safety was a key development goal for the Elantra Touring, which is fully equipped to protect driver and passengers. Passive safety features include dual front, side and curtain airbags — a total of six protective airbags in the vehicle. Other safety features include active front headrests, seatbelt pretensioners and seatbelt reminders. The combination of side and curtain airbags, which help protect the head and body during side impacts, can reduce fatalities by more than 50 percent, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The IIHS also notes that active front head restraints improve rear crash protection.

The Elantra Touring comes standard with Electronic Stability Control (ESC), one of the industry’s most effective life-saving technologies. NHTSA studies show that passenger cars equipped with ESC experience 30 percent fewer fatalities in single-vehicle crashes than cars without ESC. Santa Fe, Veracruz, Tucson, Sonata, Azera, Elantra SE, Entourage and Genesis are all equipped with standard ESC. Elantra Touring has earned five-star frontal and four-star side crash ratings in the compact passenger car segment from NHTSA.

ROOMY AND REFINED Interior

The long wheelbase and generous width of the Elantra Touring, combined with Hyundai’s expertise in interior packaging, have produced an interior that delivers class-leading comfort, functionality and practicality. Elantra Touring has the most interior volume (passenger volume plus cargo space) of any five-door in its class at 125.5 cubic feet. In fact, Elantra Touring’s cargo capacity is 65.3 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down, which is more cargo space than many larger wagons and crossovers.

The Elantra Touring is the first compact five-door to offer XM Satellite Radio(R) and USB/iPod(R) auxiliary inputs as standard equipment. When an iPod or flash drive is connected through the USB port, located in the center storage compartment, not only does it play music through the vehicle’s six-speaker audio system, but it also charges the iPod and allows the driver to access tracks with the steering wheel audio controls. This system also allows both driver and passengers to easily view song/artist/title information and control the music from the audio head unit rather than only the iPod itself. The center storage compartment location of the USB assures that iPods can be safely stowed out of sight.

The roomy and functional interior is also a quiet place to be. Based on internal tests, Elantra Touring has four decibels lower road noise levels than the Mazda3 five-door.

IMPRESSIVE PACKAGE EFFICIENCY

The Elantra Touring’s exterior dimensions (176.2 inches long, 69.5 inches wide and 59.8 inches high) make it a great fit in the compact five-door segment, while its long wheelbase (106.3 inches) offers class-leading interior volume. Elantra Touring features outstanding front legroom and both front and rear shoulder room. In addition, every Elantra Touring has 60/40 split folding rear seats that fold when needed for added storage, functionality and practicality.

The Elantra Touring matches best-in-class passenger volume with best-in-class cargo capacity. There is a useful 24.3 cubic feet of luggage space with rear seats upright and a cavernous 65.3 cubic feet with the rear seats folded flat. As in any Hyundai, the utility and convenience in the Elantra Touring has not been overlooked, with a stow-and-go removable luggage cover that stores conveniently out-of-site under the trunk area compartment. An optional restraining net is also offered.

The Elantra Touring includes a number of convenient, standard stowage and storage features, including a sunglass holder, two front and two rear cupholders, door bottle holders, dash storage, central console storage, front storage tray, front seatback pockets and a cargo area under-floor storage. For tailgaters, the cargo area also has a power-retained, 12-volt outlet that does not require the vehicle to be turned on in order to work.

Engine Performance

Elantra Touring is powered by the same fuel-efficient, 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder found in the Elantra sedan. This sophisticated, 16-valve powerplant employs Dual Overhead Camshafts (DOHC) and Continuously Variable Valve Timing (CVVT) for a power band, coupled with high fuel efficiency and low emissions. Elantra Touring is certified as an Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV). With a manual transmission, the Elantra Touring’s mileage is 23 mpg city and 31 mpg highway according to the EPA. With the optional four-speed, automatic transmission, the Elantra Touring’s EPA rating is 23 mpg city and 30 mpg highway.

AMERICA’S BEST WARRANTY

The 2009 Elantra Touring is protected by the Hyundai Advantage, America’s Best Warranty. Coverage includes five-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper protection, 10-year/100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty and seven-year/unlimited mileage anti-perforation coverage. In addition, Elantra Touring buyers receive 24-hour roadside assistance coverage at no extra charge for five years (no mileage limit), including emergency service.

HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA

Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Fountain Valley, Calif., is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Co. of Korea. Hyundai vehicles are distributed throughout the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced through more than 790 dealerships nationwide.

Journalists are invited to visit our news media web site: www.hyundainews.com

Claims based on Auto Pacific mainstream compact five-door segmentation.

Categories: Uncategorized

Toyota Announces U.S. Executive Appointment

December 23, 2008 · Leave a Comment

TORRANCE, Calif., Dec. 23 /PRNewswire/ — Toyota today announced the promotion of Robert C. Daly from group vice president to senior vice president at Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. (TMS), the U.S. sales, marketing and distribution arm, effective January 1, 2009.

Daly, 58, will replace Dave Illingworth, chief planning and administrative officer, who previously announced his retirement effective January 1, 2009.

In addition to overseeing the North American Planning department, the Toyota Customer Services division and the AirFlite Inc. subsidiary, Daly will be responsible for Finance and Administrative Services, Legal and Corporate Responsibility, Human Resources, Information Systems and the University of Toyota. He also is a member of the TMS Executive Committee.

“Bob Daly is especially well qualified to serve as one of our company’s top leaders,” said TMS President Jim Lentz. “His experience spans major operational and administrative areas, and he has an impressive record of achievement.”

Daly started with Toyota in 1985 as industry affairs manager in the Washington, D.C. office. He joined the headquarters staff in Torrance as service operations manager and subsequently served as corporate manager, Service and Parts Operations; vice president and general manager, Toyota Logistics Services, a subsidiary responsible for Toyota, Lexus and Scion vehicle logistics operations; and group vice president, Toyota Customer Service, prior to his current position.

Before joining Toyota, Daly was executive director for communications and industry relations at the National Automobile Dealers Association and worked for the Ford Motor Company’s Lincoln-Mercury Division. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Union College in New York and law degree from Albany Law School.

About Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.

Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc. is the marketing, sales, distribution and customer service arm of Toyota, Lexus and Scion. Established in 1957, TMS markets products and services through a network of more than 1,400 Toyota, Lexus and Scion dealers. Toyota directly employs over 36,000 people in the U.S. and sold more than 2.6 million vehicles in 2007. For more information about our company, please visit, http://www.toyota.com/ http://www.lexus.com/ and http://www.scion.com/.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20030501/TOYLOGO)

Categories: Uncategorized

Avoid the Last-Minute Rush: Vote in Audi’s Record the Rush Challenge

December 23, 2008 · Leave a Comment

HERNDON, Va., Dec. 23 /PRNewswire/ — It began with three simple questions
posed to some of the most dedicated Audi sports car enthusiasts in America.
It has become an opportunity for one of those fans to win two years behind the
wheel of an Audi RS 4 and an all-expense paid California trip to accept the
prize. Now everybody has a week left to help decide who wins.

The competition is the Audi Record the Rush Challenge and it is down to
the final 10 challengers who recorded the most creative video statements on
why they deserve to claim the high-performance model.

Altogether, more than 50 Audi fans submitted videos in hopes of winning
the Audi Record the Rush Challenge. The call for entries went out to
participants in 2008 Audi Driving Experience or Audi Sportscar Experience
driving events through November 30. Each entrant had to produce a video of no
more than three minutes that explained why they attended the Audi Sportscar
Experience, what emerged as their favorite moment during the event and, most
important, why they deserved to drive the Audi RS 4.

The 10 finalists come from California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia,
Illinois, New Jersey, Texas and Utah. Public voting on the 10 finalists began
this month at www.recordtherush.com, but the outcome is far from determined.
Ballots will be counted through Dec. 30 and a winner will be declared in
January.

To learn more about the Audi Driving Experience programs, please go to the
“Audi Lifestyle” link at www.audiusa.com.

About Audi of America

Audi of America Inc. and its 270 dealers offer a full line of
German-engineered luxury vehicles. The Audi line up is one of the freshest in
the industry with 23 models, including 12 models launched during model years
2008 and 2009. Audi is among the most successful brands globally. Last year
AUDI AG recorded its 12th consecutive record year for sales and profit growth.
Visit www.audiusa.com or www.audiusanews.com for more information regarding
Audi vehicle and business issues.

Categories: Uncategorized

Dale Jarrett Racing Adventure to Repurchase 3.4% of Outstanding Shares

December 23, 2008 · Leave a Comment

HICKORY, N.C., Dec 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Dale Jarrett Racing
Adventure, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: DJRT), a “Full Throttle” lifetime
experience company, announced today that it has negotiated an agreement to
repurchase and retire 855,000 shares from Mr. Ned Jarrett, one of the founders
of the company. This represents 3.42% of the company’s outstanding shares.
The transaction will close on December 24, 2008.

According to CEO, Tim Shannon, “We’re pleased to be able to announce such
a material reduction in the total outstanding shares in the company. Our
confidence in the company’s future and our belief in the value of our stock
can best be expressed by repurchasing it when the opportunity presents itself
and we look forward to continuing this practice in the future.”

Dale Jarrett Racing Adventure produces and markets “Full Throttle”
lifetime adventures for both the public and as private corporate events.
Currently the company offers a NASCAR racing adventure where participants can
drive or ride in NASCAR type race cars on some of America’s most famous race
tracks. It also recently introduced its latest product, the WWII Adventure
where, over three days a participant relives the life of a WWII B-17 aviator
preparing and embarking on a bombing mission over Occupied Europe. The
company’s websites are located at http://www.RacingAdventure.com and
http://www.WWIIAdventure.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain of the statements contained in this press release contain forward-
looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Such
forward-looking statements are within the meaning of that term in Section 27A
of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Dale Jarrett Racing Adventure, Inc. has
based these forward-looking statements on its current expectations and
projections about future events, based on the information currently available
to it. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release may
also include statements relating to Dale Jarrett Racing Adventure’s
anticipated financial performance, business prospects, new developments,
strategies and similar matters. Dale Jarrett Racing Adventure disclaims any
obligation to update any of its forward-looking statements, except as may be
required by law.

Contact: Tim Shannon (888)467-2231

Categories: Uncategorized

Reynolds’ Contact Management Approved for the Audi Lead Disposition Program

December 23, 2008 · Leave a Comment

DAYTON, Ohio, Dec. 23 /PRNewswire/ — The Reynolds and Reynolds Company
today announced that its ERA(R) Contact Management and Lead Management
solutions have both been approved for the Audi Lead Disposition Program. Now,
Audi dealerships using either Contact Management or Lead Management from
Reynolds are able to seamlessly receive Internet sales leads directly from
Audi’s online marketing sources. As dealers record the actions taken on those
leads, their status also will be automatically sent to Audi.

“As manufacturers and their dealers continue to shift marketing efforts to
online sources and away from newspaper advertising, the ability to receive
Internet sales leads becomes even more critical,” said Jon Strawsburg, vice
president of Product Planning for Reynolds. “By participating in the Audi
Lead Management Program, Reynolds is helping Audi dealers more effectively
receive and respond to Internet leads from their manufacturer.”

Audi dealerships using Contact Management or Lead Management are now able
to:

— Obtain Internet leads directly from the manufacturer.

— Integrate Internet leads into their daily prospect and follow-up
processes.

— Respond more consistently to consumers’ Internet requests for vehicle
information.

— Eliminate the need for manual processes to report lead status
information back to the manufacturer.

“One of the main goals of the Audi Lead Disposition Program is to help
dealers in our network better measure their marketing dollars and the
effectiveness of their online sales process,” said Marcel Aslund, department
manager for Online/CRM/Collateral, Audi Marketing. “We’re pleased that
Reynolds has enhanced their solutions so dealers can more easily receive and
manage leads from our digital marketing sources.”

Moreover, by receiving more timely lead status information from
dealerships, Audi is in a better position to monitor and manage its overall
digital marketing strategy.

Contact Management from Reynolds is one of the most comprehensive and
widely-used customer relationship management (CRM) tools for dealerships.
Currently, more than 3,500 dealerships rely on the solution to strengthen
customer relations and maximize dealership profitability.

About Reynolds

Reynolds and Reynolds is the automotive industry’s largest and most
trusted provider of automobile dealership software, services, and forms to
help dealerships improve business results. The company is headquartered in
Dayton, Ohio, with major operations in Houston and College Station, Texas, and
Celina, Ohio. (http://www.reyrey.com)

Categories: Uncategorized

Beacon Equity Issues Technical Trade Alerts on Major Auto Stocks: HMC, TM, DAI, F, GM

December 23, 2008 · Leave a Comment

DALLAS, Dec. 23 /PRNewswire/ — BeaconEquity.com announces the availability of Trade Alerts on stocks making news today.

Investors can view all of the daily trading notes for free by visiting: http://www.BeaconEquity.com/m

Today’s Trade Alerts include: Honda Motor Co. Ltd. (NYSE: HMC), Toyota Motor Corp. (NYSE: TM), Daimler AG (NYSE: DAI), Ford Motor Co. (NYSE: F) and General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM).

Join the fastest growing investment community at: http://www.stockhideout.com

See what Cramer has to say about these stocks at: http://maddmoney.net/

BeaconEquity.com’s Trade Alerts are brief analyses on the active stocks each day that are affecting the markets. These include breaking news, insider activity, recent 52-week highs/lows, technical breakouts, and other market driving information. Beacon is the authority on research in the small cap sector, and our analysts strive each day to find the stocks that are poised to be the biggest movers before the rest of the market is aware of them.

We encourage investors to subscribe to our FREE newsletter filled with daily trading ideas by visiting: http://www.BeaconEquity.com/m

BeaconEquity.com is one of the industry’s largest small cap research providers. Beacon strives to provide a balanced view of many promising small cap companies that would otherwise fall under the radar of the typical Wall Street investor. We provide investors with an excellent first step in their research and due diligence by providing daily trading ideas, and consolidating the publicly available information available on them. For more information on Beacon Research, please visit: http://www.BeaconEquity.com/m CRD# 1755680

BeaconEquity.com Disclosure

BeaconEquity.com is not a registered investment advisor and nothing contained in any materials should be construed as a recommendation to buy or sell any securities. BeaconEquity.com is a wholly owned entity of BlueWave Advisors, LLC, a financial public relations firm. Please read our report and visit our website, BeaconEquity.com, for complete risks and disclosures.

    Beacon Equity Research
    Jeff Bishop, (469)-252-3505
    press@beaconequity.com

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41 MPG! All-New Ford Fusion Hybrid Is Now America’s Most Fuel-Efficient Mid-Size Car

December 23, 2008 · Leave a Comment

DEARBORN, Mich., Dec. 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — The all-new Ford Fusion
Hybrid is now officially America’s most fuel efficient mid-size car with a
certified 41 mpg rating in the city and 36 mpg on the highway, topping the
Toyota Camry hybrid by 8 mpg in the city and 2 mpg on the highway.

“The new Ford Fusion Hybrid not only significantly exceeds the competition
but also embodies Ford’s 100 percent commitment to fuel efficiency leadership,
quality, innovation and advanced technology,” said Derrick Kuzak, group vice
president, Global Product Development. “The Ford team set the bar high — to
develop America’s most fuel efficient mid-size sedan — and that’s what they
delivered.”

The 2010 Ford Fusion’s final fuel economy certification was completed this
week at Ford’s testing laboratories in Allen Park, Mich., and the vehicle will
carry an EPA label of 41 mpg for city driving and 36 mpg on the highway when
it goes on sale this spring. The Fusion Hybrid, which beats even the much
smaller Honda Civic hybrid by 1 mpg in city driving, can travel more than 700
miles on a single tank of gas.

To deliver the class leading fuel economy performance, Ford’s engineers
spent the past three years developing in-house the vehicle’s next-generation
hybrid propulsion system. It allows the Fusion and Mercury Milan hybrid to
travel up to 47 miles per hour in pure electric mode, faster than the Toyota
Camry and all other hybrids currently on the road. In addition, the system’s
Advanced Intake Variable Cam Timing allows the Fusion and Milan hybrids to
more seamlessly transition from gas to electric mode and vice-versa.

“The Fusion Hybrid’s ability to run at a much higher speed in electric
mode allows drivers to maximize fuel efficiently in many driving situations,”
said Praveen Cherian, Fusion Hybrid program leader. “For example, this would
allow drivers to travel around their subdivision and parking areas in
all-electric mode.”

Fusion’s advanced hybrid system features:

— Smaller, lighter nickel-metal hydride battery, which produces 20
percent more power than Ford’s previous hybrid system. The battery’s improved
chemistry allows it to be run at a higher temperature and cooled using cabin
air.

— New 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine (155 horsepower / 136 lb.-ft. of
torque), which is mated to an electronically controlled continuously variable
transmission.

— Enhanced electronic throttle control, which reduces airflow on
shutdowns, reducing fueling needs on restarts.

— Smart climate control system, which monitors cabin temperature and only
runs the gas engine as needed to heat the cabin. It also includes an electric
air conditioning compressor to further minimize engine use.

— Regenerative brake system, which captures the energy normally lost
through friction in braking and stores it. Nearly 94 percent energy recovery
is achieved by delivering full regenerative braking, which means only 6
percent of braking is through traditional friction brakes

SmartGauge Teaches Eco-Driving

The new Fusion Hybrid literally teaches drivers how to make the most out
of their vehicle, thanks to Ford’s SmartGauge with EcoGuide. SmartGauge is a
unique instrument cluster that helps coach drivers on how to optimize the
performance of their hybrid.

SmartGauge with EcoGuide features two, high-resolution, full-color liquid
crystal display screens on either side of the vehicle’s speedometer. The
screens can be configured to show different levels of driver information,
including fuel and battery power levels, and average and instant
miles-per-gallon.

When set in tutorial mode, the instrument panel “grows” leaves and vines
on-screen to reward fuel-efficient driving. The more leaves and vines that
appear, the more efficient the driving behavior is and the more fuel is being
saved. In some recent tests, automotive journalists have reported exceeding
50 mpg with the Fusion Hybrid.

The Ford Fusion Hybrid also is distinct on the outside with Ford’s “road
and leaf” badges on both sides and the rear, unique 17-inch, eight-spoke
wheels, and a unique engine cover. On the inside, Fusion Hybrid features
eco-friendly seat fabric made from post-industrial 100 percent recycled
materials and a standard 110-volt power outlet.

Fusion Gasoline Model Also a Fuel Leader

In addition to the hybrid, Fusion will be offered with three
fuel-efficient gasoline engines — the Duratec 2.5-liter I-4 and enhanced
3.0-liter flex-fuel V-6 and 3.5-liter V-6 Duratec engines. Fusions equipped
with the 2.5-liter I-4 engine are expected to deliver at least 3 mpg better on
the highway than the Honda Accord and 2 mpg better than the Toyota Camry.

The new Fusion will be building off the strong quality reputation of the
current model, which has gained important third-party accolades, and will
offer class-exclusive features, including Ford SYNC(TM), SIRIUS(R)
TravelLink(TM), BLIS(TM) (Blind Spot Information System) with Cross Traffic
Alert and Sony-branded audio.

In addition to the Fusion, several other Ford vehicles are fuel-economy
standouts on the road today. They include:

— The Ford Focus with 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine and manual transmission
delivers 35 mpg on the highway, 5 mpg better than the Toyota Corolla’s
2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine and 2 mpg better than the Honda Fit’s 1.5-liter
4-cylinder engine, both also with manual transmissions.

— The all-new 2009 Ford F-150 – which just recently was named Motor Trend
magazine’s Truck of the Year – achieves 3 mpg more than the Toyota Tundra
pickup on the highway and 1 mpg better in the city with its 4.6-liter V-8
engine, compared to Toyota’s 4.7-liter V-8. The F-150’s larger 5.4-liter V-8
achieves 2 mpg better on the highway than the Tundra’s larger engine.

— The 2009 Ford Escape with new 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine achieves 28
mpg on the highway, the same as Toyota’s RAV4 and 1 mpg better than the Honda
CR-V, both with 4-cylinder engines, too.

— The Ford Expedition achieves 20 mpg on the highway, beating Toyota
Sequoia’s 4.7-liter V-8 engine by 3 mpg and its 5.7-liter V-8 by 1 mpg.

About Ford Motor Company:

Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F), a global automotive industry leader based in
Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six
continents. With about 224,000 employees and about 90 plants worldwide, the
company’s core and affiliated automotive brands include Ford, Lincoln,
Mercury, Volvo and Mazda. The company provides financial services through Ford
Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford’s products, please
visit www.ford.com.

Categories: Uncategorized