Automotive Industry

Index Measures the Perceptions Motorsports Fans Have of Key Drivers

January 6, 2009 · Leave a Comment

Junior, Castroneves, John Force score well in latest Motorsports DBI study conducted by Millsport

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Jan. 6 /PRNewswire/ — Jimmie Johnson may have won his third consecutive NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship, but it’s Dale Earnhardt Jr. who’s won the hearts of NASCAR race fans.

That’s according to the Motorsports DBI (MDBI), an index created by sports marketing agency Millsport as an extension to the celebrity index developed by Davie Brown Entertainment in Los Angeles. Both Millsport and Davie Brown are part of Omnicom’s The Marketing Arm.

In a survey of avid NASCAR fans, Earnhardt Jr. scored the highest across each of the index’s nine attributes, including trust, appeal, influence, and passion. His overall MDBI score was slightly higher than Mark Martin, the second-highest-rated driver overall, and Johnson, who ranked fifth overall.

“There are a lot of reasons to like Junior,” said Ken Cohn, a vice president in Millsport’s Charlotte, N.C., office. “Clearly, he’s inherited a strong percentage of fans who supported his father, a legend in the sport who really transcended racing emotionally. But Junior has built his own fan base that genuinely appreciates his style, personality, character, and so forth.”

Tony Stewart and Jeff Burton, the third- and fourth-highest-scoring NASCAR drivers in the index, round out the top 5.

“The top five NASCAR drivers have at least one of three things in common,” said Cohn. “First, they’re consistently competitive on the track. Fans consider these drivers to be ‘in the mix’ to win. Second, these drivers have a history of winning, especially in recent seasons. Or, they have strong legacies, meaning that they have an association with winning championships.”

For the first time, the updated Motorsports DBI also includes data on the top drivers from the NHRA and IndyCar racing circuits.

Fans rate Helio Castroneves, Tony Kanaan, Danica Patrick, Dario Franchitti, and Scott Dixon the highest among IndyCar drivers, though Castroneves and Kanaan posted the strongest scores in nearly every attribute, including appeal and trust.

According to the index, fans consider Patrick to be a trendsetter and solid endorser.

Among NHRA drivers, John and Ashley Force ranked in the top two spots, respectively, with John’s scores slightly higher than Ashley’s across all of the attributes except for aspiration, where Ashley’s scores were slightly better.

Tony Schumacher, Ron Capps, and Larry Dixon round out the top five NHRA drivers on the index.

For more information about the Motorsports DBI, contact Ken Cohn at Millsport, (704) 262-6470.

About Millsport

Millsport (www.millsport.com), the sports brand of The Marketing Arm, is a leading sports sponsorship agency. With offices in New York, Los Angeles, Dallas, Chicago and Charlotte, Millsport’s expertise lies in brand-centric strategic counsel, platform development, asset negotiation and acquisition, promotional concepting and activation, event/on site management, and ROI/program measurement. The agency was founded in 1975 as one of the nation’s first sports marketing consultancies.

    Contact:  Chris Anderson
              (214) 259-3290
              canderson@themarketingarm.com

Categories: Uncategorized

Wayne County to Sponsor Downtown Decor Program to Support 2009 NAIAS

January 6, 2009 · Leave a Comment

DETROIT, Jan. 6 /PRNewswire/ — Wayne County will be helping to promote the 2009 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) by sponsoring a banner and hospitality program to welcome visitors to this year’s auto show. As part of the program, Wayne County will be sponsoring welcome signage that will be seen along downtown Detroit streets and be posted in key Detroit hotels and restaurants.

“We are pleased to welcome the thousands of international and national visitors from around the world to Wayne County who will be attending the 2009 NAIAS,” comments Robert Ficano, Wayne County Executive. “We look forward to hosting these visitors and informing them about the many exceptional attractions to enjoy and experience in our region.”

The hospitality and decor program was developed by the NAIAS Host Committee, a group of Detroit business leaders organized by the Detroit Metropolitan Convention and Visitors Bureau (DMCVB) to create a positive and welcoming experience for NAIAS visitors. The program will include distributing Official DMCVB Visitor Guides from kiosks to NAIAS attendees arriving at the two terminals at the Detroit Metropolitan Airport. The visitor guides were developed by the DMCVB to promote Detroit’s key visitor attractions, museums and restaurants.

“We are very pleased that Wayne County has joined with the NAIAS Host Committee to welcome and provide visitor information to the show’s hundreds of thousands of attendees,” comments Joe Serra, Senior Co-Chair of NAIAS. “Wayne County is serving as a terrific host, inviting NAIAS visitors to experience and enjoy the City of Detroit and the greater region during their visit.”

More than 6,000 media and 75,000 automotive executives and government officials are expected to travel from around the world to attend NAIAS Press Preview, January 11-13, 2009 and Industry Preview, January 14-15, 2009. During Preview Week, 45 new vehicle and concept vehicles will be unveiled. More than 600,000 visitors are also expected during NAIAS Public Days, January 17- 25, 2009.

NAIAS 2009 Official Dates

January 11 – 25 at Cobo Center in Detroit

Press Preview will be held Sunday, Jan. 11 through Tuesday, Jan. 13

Industry Preview will be held Wednesday, Jan. 14 and Thursday, Jan. 15

The annual black-tie Charity Preview gala will be held Friday evening, Jan. 16

Public Days will be held Saturday, Jan. 17 through Sunday, Jan.25

The North American International Auto Show

Rod Alberts – Executive Director

Entering its 21st year as an international event, the North American International Auto Show is among the most prestigious auto shows in the world and is one of the largest media events in North America. The NAIAS is the only auto show in the United States to earn an annual distinguished sanction of the Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs d’Automobiles, the Paris-based alliance of automotive trade associations and manufacturers from around the world. The NAIAS Web site can be accessed at www.naias.com. Don’t miss it for the world!

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parkingticket.com Announces Press Conference Today – Get Paid to Fight Your Parking Ticket

January 6, 2009 · Leave a Comment

PRESS CONFERENCE

TUESDAY, JANUARY 6TH, 2009

AT 11:00 AM

THE PLAZA HOTEL

CENTRAL PARK VIEW

THE PULITZER ROOM

LUNCH AND REFRESHMENTS WILL BE SERVED

RSVP TELEPHONE NUMBER: (201) 291-7878

“Now … you can get paid to fight your parking ticket.”

A demonstration of how New Yorkers can get paid to fight a parking ticket.

NEW YORK, Jan. 6 /PRNewswire/ — Now, for the first time ever, you can get paid to fight your parking ticket. In a city where more than 80% of the public does not exercise their legal right to contest parking tickets a new program will get you paid to fight yours.

“The City has hired 793 new ticket agents but the public doesn’t have the time to fight every unfair ticket. Because we want them to fight every unfair ticket and to make sure it’s worth people’s time we are going to pay them,” says Glen Bolofsky, President of parkingticket.com.

Bolofsky says, “Our new ‘get paid’ program should excite the public and get them to fight increased levels of unfair ticketing. We have decided to pay people because frankly, the city takes advantage of the public’s lack of time and knowledge. There’s no doubt that paying people money to fight their tickets will motivate them. In addition to fighting their ticket on principle, getting paid to do it makes it worth while.”

The 1-888-NYC-PARK phone system will help to launch the “get paid” program. Letting people instantly fight a ticket the moment it’s issued the 1-888-NYC-PARK number is an interactive voice response system that allows you to enter your ticket information and fight your ticket 100% by phone — no computer and no printer is needed. It is available in English and in Spanish, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Retired New York City Police Officer Frank Signorile stated: “Good police officers can write bad tickets. If you think your ticket is wrong, you should fight it. Getting paid to do it removes any hesitation. Besides, the signs are confusing and the rules have always been complicated.”

Fighting a parking ticket by phone is quick, easy and convenient:

– Customer calls: 1-888-NYC-PARK.

– Enters parking ticket details into interactive telephone

– system using phone keypad.

– Enters credit card information.

– Enters parking ticket details.

– A customized dismissal request letter is prepared.

– Customer can have their customized dismissal request paperwork deposited into their online account for 24/7 accessibility.

– Alternatively, the customer can punch in their zip code and have their paperwork delivered to over 500 Fed Ex, UPS, STAPLES or local fax centers.

The new ‘get paid’ program will officially commence service at 5 P.M.January 6th, 2009 at the heart of the New York City evening rush hour.

About parkingticket.com:

Established in 2001 as a subsidiary of Parking Survival Experts (established 1982), parkingticket.com helps individuals fight against unfair parking tickets. Employing the help of retired police and Parking Violation Bureau Judges, parkingticket.com guarantees customers that tickets will be dismissed or reduced or they pay nothing for the service. Now, with the “get paid” program, customers will make money if there tickets are not dismissed or reduced.

    Contact:  Lynn Landsberger / Claudia Rubenstein
    Phone:    (212) 387-9565   / (201) 291-7878
    E-Mail:   press@parkingticket.com

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Camaro, Mustang Take Top Vehicle Honors in CarDomain People’s Choice Best of 2008 Awards

January 6, 2009 · Leave a Comment

SEATTLE, Jan. 6 /PRNewswire/ — The 2010 Chevy Camaro and the Ford Mustang
were the top vehicle vote getters in the CarDomain People’s Choice Best of
2008 Awards.
(http://blog.cardomain.com/2009/01/05/cardomains-peoples-choice-2008-winners/)
The Camaro took top honors for “Most Exciting Vehicle Launch” while the
Mustang won “Most Mod-Friendly Car.”

The winners were based on votes cast by visitors to the CarDomain Web site
in the last two weeks of 2008.

“Without question, the Camaro and Mustang are revered in the auto
enthusiast world,” said Rob Einaudi, CarDomain Editor-in-chief. “Car
enthusiasts have been making modifications to these vehicles for decades,
turning heads at vintage car shows or driving down the street. They are among
the most eye-catching, iconic vehicles in the industry and we expect them both
to be popular with car lovers for years to come.”

The top award for a CarDomain member’s modified vehicle, “Showoff of the
Year,” went to OrangeKrate owner Bud Burk for the OrangeKrate Mustang.
“Showoff of the Year” was selected from five previous winners of CarDomain’s
popular “Showoff of the Week” feature, which recognizes the top member-posted
vehicle of the week, nominated by CarDomain members and then selected by
CarDomain staff.

“Showoff of the Week is one of our site’s oldest and most popular features
and really speaks to what our community is all about … the celebration of
modified vehicles by truly passionate car enthusiasts,” Einaudi said. “Bud’s
Mustang is a perfect example of what many of our members are going for with
their cars.”

    Other winners in this year's awards include:
    1. Best Tire Manufacturer - BFGoodrich
    2. Best Wheel Manufacturer - BBS
    3. Best Exhaust Manufacturer - Flowmaster
    4. Best Car Audio Manufacturer - Alpine
    5. Best Motor Oil - Mobil
    6. Best Video Game - Midnight Club LA
    7. Best Racing Series - Formula D

“The CarDomain People’s Choice Best of 2008 Award winners have all
captured the imaginations of car fans around the world and continue to make a
lasting impact on the specialty vehicle market,” Einaudi said. “Whether it’s
a component that adds personality to a vehicle or a racing series or video
game that captures the spirit of the enthusiast community, all of this year’s
winners have brands that reflect the raw fun and enjoyment of the specialty
vehicle world.”

About CarDomain ( www.cardomain.com )

CarDomain operates the Web’s largest social network for the automotive
enthusiast with over 600,000 member-posted vehicle profiles. The CarDomain
community offers enthusiasts a place to show off their cars, tools to exchange
ideas and information, and member generated suggestions about purchasing,
modifying, enhancing and restoring vehicles.

Categories: Uncategorized

HD Radio(TM) Technology Enters Real-Time Traffic Category with Three Personal Navigation Device Form Factors and In-Dash Head Units

January 6, 2009 · Leave a Comment

Traffic Data Detail and Capacity Over HD Radio Broadcasts Far Exceeds Other Delivery Platforms

Prototypes to Be Unveiled at International CES 2009 Include Dual Aftermarket Head Unit, Visteon Advanced OEM Platform, and Prototypes for Built-In Receiver, Cigarette Lighter Adapter and Cradle Product

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 6 /PRNewswire/ — International Consumer Electronics Show — iBiquity Digital Corporation, the developer of digital HD Radio(TM) technology for AM and FM audio and data broadcasting, today announced a significant milestone in HD Radio advanced data services by entering into the real-time traffic category with two branded in-dash head units and three personal navigation device (PND) form factors. Receiving traffic data over HD Radio broadcasts provides a significant improvement in speed and road condition details as opposed to radio data systems-traffic message channel (RDS-TMC) and satellite. At the 2009 International CES (January 8-11, 2009), five prototypes will be unveiled, including a built-in receiver, cigarette lighter adapter, a cradle product, a Dual in-dash unit and a Visteon advanced OEM platform. These demonstrations will be unveiled at iBiquity’s booth #9034 in the Las Vegas Convention Center’s Central Hall.

“The radio industry set a precedent by coming together in 2005 to accelerate the adoption of HD Radio technology and the rollout of real-time traffic service over HD Radio broadcasts has been a collaborative effort among radio broadcasters and PND software suppliers,” said Joe D’Angelo, Vice President, Advanced Services, iBiquity Digital Corporation. “HD Radio technology is now at the size, power, form factor and functionality that can deliver on the promise of digital radio as a base for PNDs and navigation platforms. 2008 was the year of development for this service and this year is all about the commercialization.”

Real-time navigation devices using HD Radio technology deliver traffic and concierge services like gas station prices, movie listings, sports scores, stock quotes, school closings, and emergency alerts. Prototypes of the PNDs to be demonstrated at CES include:

  • Dual-branded PND touch screen with HD Radio receiver built into the platform
  • PND cigarette lighter adapter using HD Radio technology
  • PND with HD Radio receiver in cradle
  • Visteon advanced OEM platform head unit with external navigation (will be demoed at Visteon’s LVCC booth CP13 – Central Plaza)
  • NAVTEQ Development Platform that displays traffic and concierge services including gas prices, weather information and advertising data
  • iBiquity Advanced Development Platform

Two groups have announced that they will offer HD Radio real-time traffic data in the near future: Clear Channel is currently offering a real-time traffic service nationally. In 2008, a group of leading radio companies formed the Broadcaster Traffic Consortium, which is working with NAVTEQ to build a nationwide broadcasting network to distribute local traffic and other concierge data services via radio.

About iBiquity Digital

iBiquity Digital Corporation is the developer of the digital HD Radio(TM) system, which is fueling the digital radio revolution in the United States and around the world. HD Radio technology is the only digital broadcast system approved by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for AM and FM radio in the United States. With more than 1,800 HD Radio stations on the air in the US plus more than 900 new HD2/3 channels, iBiquity is also pursuing international opportunities. Due in large part to HD Radio technology’s ability to deliver digital-quality sound and services while leveraging existing analog spectrum, HD Radio technology is available throughout the U.S. and commercial implementation is gaining momentum in various countries, including Brazil, Mexico and The Philippines. Testing and demonstrations of the system are also underway in Canada, China, Colombia, Germany, Indonesia, Jamaica, New Zealand, Poland, Switzerland, Thailand and Ukraine, Vietnam and various other countries around the world.

iBiquity Digital’s investors include 15 of the nation’s top radio broadcasters, including ABC, Clear Channel and CBS Radio; leading financial institutions, such as Grotech Capital Group, J.P. Morgan Partners, New Venture Partners, FirstMark Capital, and strategic partners Ford Motor Company, Harris, Texas Instruments and Visteon. Founded in 2000, iBiquity Digital is a privately held company with operations in Columbia, MD, Detroit, MI, and Basking Ridge, NJ. For more information, please visit http://www.hdradio.com and http://www.ibiquity.com.

Note to editors: “HD Radio” and the “HD Radio” logo are proprietary trademarks of iBiquity Digital Corp. The “HD” in HD Radio(TM) is part of iBiquity Digital’s brand name for its advanced digital AM/FM system. It does not mean hybrid digital or high-definition digital; both of these are incorrect.

Categories: Uncategorized

Penda Corporation and Durakon Industries, Inc. to Merge

January 6, 2009 · Leave a Comment

PORTAGE, Wis., Jan. 6 /PRNewswire/ — Penda Corporation, a manufacturer
and marketer of innovative, high-quality thermoformed solutions, and Durakon
Industries, Inc. a supplier of advanced thermoformed automotive components,
have merged effective December 23, 2008. The name of the new entity will
remain Penda Corporation; the headquarters will be in Portage, Wisconsin.

Penda, a portfolio company of Resilience Capital Partners, is a leading
manufacturer of original equipment and aftermarket drop-in bedliners and
thermoformed tonneau covers and also serves a growing range of customers
through its innovative SmartDitch(TM) thermoformed channel/ditch-lining
system. Additionally, Penda provides turnkey operations for companies seeking
innovative, custom molded products and components for virtually any commercial
use.

Durakon Industries, a portfolio company of Littlejohn & Co., LLC, is a
leading manufacturer of vehicle protection and cargo management systems, which
include bedliners, lightweight hard tonneau covers, and cargo van panels for
the OEM and aftermarket. Durakon is also a pioneer in decorative exterior
panels including running boards, stone guards, rocker panels, front and bumper
fascias and more.

“Combining the core competencies, capacities and complementary channels to
market of Penda and Durakon will create a leading heavy gauge thermoformer
with a strong technology base, sufficient capacity for future growth and
diversified market participation,” according to Ulf Buergel, President & Chief
Executive Officer of the combined companies. The two companies currently
operate three facilities, in Portage, Wisconsin; Lapeer, Michigan; and Lerma,
Mexico. “Both companies have proprietary, state of the art technologies and
the merger will allow us to make these technologies and experience available
to customers within our core market, the automotive industry, as well as other
target markets,” said Buergel.

“We continue to be impressed with the management team, employees,
customers and suppliers of Penda and believe the combined companies will be
well positioned for success,” said Bassem Mansour, a Managing Partner of
Resilience Capital Partners.

“Durakon has leveraged its leading technology in order to transform its
operations and has made tremendous strides in developing innovative new
products for the automotive sector, as well as other industries,” said Brian
Ramsay, a Managing Director of Littlejohn & Co., LLC. “The combination with
Penda will create an enhanced platform to serve the marketplace.”

ABOUT RESILIENCE CAPITAL PARTNERS

Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Resilience Capital Partners is a leading
private equity firm specializing in investing in lower middle market companies
within a broad range of industries. Resilience’s value oriented investment
strategy is to acquire companies with solid business prospects in a variety of
special situations including underperformers, corporate divestitures,
turnarounds, and orphan public companies. Since its inception in 2001,
Resilience has acquired 17 companies with total revenue in excess of $1.5
billion. For more information, please visit www.resiliencecapital.com , or
Resilience can be reached at 216-292-0200.

ABOUT LITTLEJOHN & CO.

Founded in 1996, Littlejohn & Co., LLC is a Greenwich, Connecticut-based
control-oriented private equity firm seeking investment opportunities in the
middle-market sector that are undergoing a fundamental change in capital
structure, strategy, operations or growth that can benefit from its
operational and strategic approach. The firm’s professionals manage three
funds with committed capital of approximately $1.6 billion. The firm is
currently investing from Littlejohn Fund III, L.P. which has $850 million in
capital commitments. For more information, visit www.littlejohnllc.com , or
Littlejohn can be reached at 203-552-3500.

    CONTACTS
    For more information please contact Kathy Cromey, Penda Corporation at
    608-742-5301 or visit www.penda.com .
    For Resilience Capital Partners: Bassem Mansour at 216-292-0200
    For Littlejohn & Co.: Chris Tofalli, Chris Tofalli Public Relations at
    914-834-4334

Categories: Uncategorized

TechTeam Global Announces Contract Renewal with Ford Motor Company

January 6, 2009 · Leave a Comment

SOUTHFIELD, Mich., Jan. 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — TechTeam Global, Inc.
(Nasdaq: TEAM), a worldwide provider of information technology, enterprise
support and business process outsourcing services, today announced the renewal
of its Global Single Point of Contact (SPOC) contract with Ford Motor Company,
under which TechTeam provides support services for Ford Motor Company’s IT
infrastructure.

TechTeam provides service desk, deskside support, service management,
infrastructure management, and identity and access management services for
Ford Motor Company in North America, Western Europe and Asia, including a
recent expansion into Australia and New Zealand. To enable the best possible
balance of service and value, TechTeam will leverage additional blended-shore
delivery from the Philippines and Romania. These sites demonstrate the
company’s commitment to cost-effectively supporting its multi-national
customers. This international operation will handle support-related requests
from Ford Motor Company locations around the world.

The renewal of TechTeam’s support services enables Ford Motor Company end
users and suppliers to rely on a single point of contact for the resolution of
IT support incidents, which are resolved, tracked and analyzed using common
global best practices. Through this arrangement with TechTeam, Ford Motor
Company and its entities benefit from vendor accountability, a sharpened focus
on incident avoidance, increased customer satisfaction and substantial cost
savings.

“This enhanced service delivery model gives Ford the flexibility to expand
globally, while realizing significant business value operationally,” said Gary
J. Cotshott, President and CEO of TechTeam Global, Inc. “TechTeam has had a
29-year partnership with Ford Motor Company. This close collaboration allows
us to continue bringing the most effective support services to Ford, in this
case by leveraging our operations in the Philippines and Romania to provide
lower cost service delivery.”

About TechTeam Global, Inc.

TechTeam Global, Inc. is a worldwide provider of information technology,
enterprise support and business process outsourcing services to Fortune 1000
corporations, multinational companies, product providers, small and
medium-sized companies, and government entities. TechTeam’s ability to
integrate computer services into a flexible, ITIL-based solution is a key
element of its strategy. Partnerships with some of the world’s “best-in-class”
corporations provide TechTeam with unique expertise and experience in
providing information technology support solutions. For information about
TechTeam Global, Inc. and its services, call 800-522-4451 from the United
States or visit our Web sites at www.techteam.com and www.techteam.eu.
TechTeam’s common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol
“TEAM.”

Safe Harbor Statement

The statements contained in this press release that are not purely
historical, including statements regarding the company’s expectations, hopes,
beliefs, intentions, or strategies regarding the future, are forward-looking
statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
Forward-looking statements include statements regarding, among other things,
the potential impact of this contract on the company’s revenue and earnings
performance going forward. Forward-looking statements may be identified by
words including, but not limited to, “anticipates,” “believes,” “intends,”
“estimates,” “promises,” “expects,” “should,” “conditioned upon,” and similar
expressions. Prospective investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking
statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and
uncertainties, and that actual results may differ materially from those
projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors.
Such factors include, but are not limited to delays in the implementation of
the service model developed for the renewal contract business, the inability
of TechTeam to staff the project with sufficient qualified resources, changes
in the customer’s business or the requirements thereof, unanticipated problems
that arise from the transition from the customer’s former service model,
difficulties in providing the service solutions for the customer which
includes products or services delivered by the customer, the Company or the
customer ’s subcontractors or technology vendors. The forward-looking
statements included in this press release are based on information available
to the company on the date hereof, and the company assumes no obligation to
update any such forward-looking statement. Prospective investors should also
consult the risks described from time to time in the company’s Reports on
Forms 8-K, 10-Q, and 10-K filed with the United States Securities and Exchange
Commission.

     Contacts:

     TechTeam Global, Inc.
     Chris Donohue
     VP, Global Strategy & Marketing
     (248) 357-2866
     cdonohue@techteam.com

     Boscobel Marketing Communications
     Jessica Klenk
     (301) 588-2900 Ext. 121
     jklenk@boscobel.com

     Boscobel Marketing Communications
     Michael Rudd
     (301) 588-2900
     mrudd@boscobel.com

Categories: Uncategorized

China XD Plastics Completes Reverse Merger, Begins Trading as Public Company

January 6, 2009 · Leave a Comment

HARBIN, China, Jan. 6 /PRNewswire-Asia-FirstCall/ — China XD Plastics
Company Ltd. (“China XD Plastics” or the “Company”), formerly known as NB
Telecom, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: NBTE), today announced that on December 24,
2008, the Company acquired all of the outstanding capital stock of Favor Sea
Limited, a British Virgin Islands corporation, and will change its name to
China XD Plastics Company. Favor Sea Limited is a holding company whose only
asset, held through a subsidiary, is 100% of the registered capital of Harbin
Xinda Macromolecule Material Co., Ltd. (“Xinda”), a limited liability company
organized under the laws of the People’s Republic of China (“PRC” or “China”).
The Company has approximately 39 million shares, and trades on the OTC
Bulletin Board under the ticker symbol “NBTE”.

In connection with the merger and pursuant to Nevada Revised Statutes
Section 78.209, the Company has set December 31, 2008 as the effective record
date for a reverse split of 124.1 for 1 to reduce the total number of issued
and outstanding shares of common stock. The total authorized shares of common
stock will be reduced proportionately accordingly as well. The record holders
of the Company’s common stock on the date of December 31, 2008 will have their
fractional shares or shares numbering below one hundred shares post the
reverse split to be rounded up to one hundred shares, with the round-up shares
to be deducted from certain designated shareholders by the Company. Any
holders of the Company’s common stock after the date of December 31, 2008 will
not be eligible for the round-up shares.

Xinda, the Company’s wholly owned Chinese operating subsidiary, is engaged
in the development, manufacturing, and distribution of modified plastic,
primarily for the use in automobiles. Xinda produces specialized plastics that
are utilized in the exterior and interior trim and in the functional
components of more than 30 automobile brands manufactured in China, including
Audi, Red Flag, Volkswagen and Mazda. At present, Xinda manufactures
approximately 145 types of automobile-specific modified plastic products, 117
of which have been certified for use by one or more of the automobile
manufacturers in China.

The Company’s management team is led by Mr. Jie Han, Chairman, Chief
Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, and Mr. Qingwei
Ma, Chief Operating Officer and Director, and Mr. Junjie Ma, Head of Research
and Director.

“We are very pleased to become a public company in the United States. The
completion of this transaction enables us to broaden our investor base, create
a liquid market for our stock, and financially support the accelerated growth
of our business as we strive to become a leader in the modified plastic
industry in China,” said Mr. Jie Han, Chief Executive Officer of China XD
Plastics. “We are very positive on the growth potential of the automobile
industry in China. We estimate that by 2010, demand for modified plastics
should reach 1.2 million tons per year, and our immediate goal is to penetrate
the high end segment of the market leveraging our strong research and
development center.”

For the first nine months of 2008 Xinda’s revenue was up 177.6% to $55.8
million with gross profit margin of 25%, compared to revenue of $20.1 million
with gross profit margin of 20.7% during the first nine months of 2007.
Currently Xinda has an annual production capacity of 40,000 tons with the
potential to expand its capacity to over 100,000 tons through capacity
expansion and targeted acquisitions. Xinda was founded in September 2004,
currently has 296 full-time employees and is headquartered in Harbin,
Heilongjiang Province, in northeast China.

Additional information with regard to the reverse merger transaction can
be found on the Company’s Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on December 31, 2008.

About China XD Plastics Company Ltd.

China XD Plastics Company Ltd., through its wholly owned subsidiary Harbin
Xinda Macromolecule Material develops, manufactures, and distributes modified
plastics, primarily for the use in the automobile. Xinda’s specialized
plastics are used in the exterior and interior trim and in the functional
components of more than 30 automobile brands manufactured in China including
Audi, Red Flag, Volkswagen and Mazda. At present, Xinda manufactures
approximately 145 types of automobile-specific modified plastic products, 117
of which have been certified for use by one or more of the automobile
manufacturers in China.

Safe Harbor Statement

This announcement contains forward-looking statements within the meaning
of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act
of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical fact in this
announcement are forward-looking statements, including but not limited to, the
company’s ability to raise additional capital to finance the company’s
activities; the effectiveness, profitability, and the marketability of its
products; legal and regulatory risks associated with the share exchange; the
future trading of the common stock of the company; the ability of the company
to operate as a public company; the period of time for which its current
liquidity will enable the company to fund its operations; the company’s
ability to protect its proprietary information; general economic and business
conditions; the volatility of the company’s operating results and financial
condition; the company’s ability to attract or retain qualified senior
management personnel and research and development staff; and other risks
detailed in the company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission
and available on its website at http://www.sec.gov. These forward-looking
statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on
current expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections about the
companies and the industry. The company undertakes no obligation to update
forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent occurring events or
circumstances, or to changes in its expectations, except as may be required by
law. Although the company believes that the expectations expressed in these
forward looking statements are reasonable, they cannot assure you that their
expectations will turn out to be correct, and investors are cautioned that
actual results may differ materially from the anticipated results.

    For more information, please contact:

    China XD Plastics Company Ltd.
     Mr. Jie Han, Chief Executive Officer
     Phone: +86-451-8434-6600 (China)
     Email: xdtfx@hotmail.com

    CCG Investor Relations Inc.
     Mr. Crocker Coulson, President
     Phone: +1-646-213-1915 (New York)
     Mr. Ed Job, CFA
     Phone: +1-646-213-1914 (New York)
     Email: ed.job@ccgir.com

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KVH Industries’ CEO to Speak at 11th Annual Needham Growth Stock Conference

January 6, 2009 · Leave a Comment

MIDDLETOWN, R.I., Jan. 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — KVH Industries’ (Nasdaq: KVHI) chief executive officer, Martin Kits van Heyningen, will be speaking at the 11th Annual Needham Growth Stock Conference in New York City on Wednesday, January 7, 2009. The presentation, which is scheduled for 2:30 p.m., will be simulcast on the Internet and can be accessed via KVH Industries’ investor website, http://investors.kvh.com. An audio archive of the presentation will also be available for replay later in the day at the same website address.

About KVH Industries, Inc.

KVH Industries, Inc., is a premier manufacturer of systems to provide access to live mobile media ranging from satellite TV to telephone and high-speed Internet for vehicles and vessels as well as a leading source of navigation, pointing, and guidance solutions for maritime, defense, and commercial applications. The company’s products are based on its proprietary mobile satellite antenna and fiber optic technologies. An ISO 9001-certified company, KVH is based in Middletown, Rhode Island.

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Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group Provides Year-End Update

January 6, 2009 · Leave a Comment

TULSA, Okla., Jan. 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Dollar Thrifty Automotive
Group, Inc. (NYSE: DTG) today announced that, based on preliminary estimated
results, it ended the year with an unrestricted cash balance in excess of $210
million, approximately the same balance the Company reported on September 30,
2008. During the fourth quarter, operating losses and changes in working
capital were offset by the benefit of a $100 million cash dividend from the
Company’s vehicle finance subsidiary that was paid in November 2008.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020412/DTGLOGO)

“These are uncertain times in the overall economy and particularly in the
automobile and travel industries. Ending the quarter with estimated
unrestricted cash of over $210 million and tangible net worth provides us with
financial capacity to continue to execute our strategic plans over the coming
months as we, and the entire rental car industry, deal with a less robust
overall economy and a difficult used vehicle market,” said Scott L. Thompson,
President and Chief Executive Officer.

Consistent with its previously disclosed outlook, the Company estimates
that it will incur a fourth quarter non-GAAP pre-tax loss significantly in
excess of the prior year’s fourth quarter loss, resulting in a non-GAAP pre-
tax loss for the year.

“As anticipated, the fourth quarter was extremely challenging due to
current economic conditions. Based on preliminary data, our results were
negatively impacted in the areas of utilization, rate per day and vehicle
depreciation costs. Although we will end the quarter with a loss, our results
were in line with expectations. The management team’s focus is cash flow and
we have made good progress in that area while also reducing our overall cost
structure to position the Company for the anticipated challenges of 2009,”
said Thompson.

The above data relating to year-end results are preliminary estimates
based on information available at this time. The Company will release its
fourth quarter and full year results in February 2009.

About Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group, Inc.

Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group, Inc. is a Fortune 1000 Company
headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Driven by the mission “Value Every Time,”
the Company’s brands, Dollar Rent A Car and Thrifty Car Rental, serve value-
conscious travelers in approximately 70 countries. Dollar and Thrifty have
over 800 corporate and franchised locations in the United States and Canada,
operating in virtually all of the top U.S. and Canadian airport markets. The
Company’s approximately 7,000 employees are located mainly in North America,
but global service capabilities exist through an expanding international
franchise network. For additional information, visit http://www.dtag.com.

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” about our
expectations, plans and performance. These statements use such words as “may,”
“will,” “expect,” “believe,” “intend,” “should,” “could,” “anticipate,”
“estimate,” “forecast,” “project,” “plan” and similar expressions. These
statements do not guarantee future performance and Dollar Thrifty Automotive
Group, Inc. assumes no obligation to update them. Risks and uncertainties that
could materially affect future results include the impact of persistent
pricing and demand pressures, particularly in light of the current instability
in the global financial markets and concerns about economic prospects, which
have continued to depress consumer confidence and spending levels and could
affect the ability of our customers to meet their payment obligations to us;
the financial performance and prospects of our principal vehicle supplier and
whether recently adopted federal support for the U.S. automotive industry is
successful; volatility in gasoline prices; the impact of pricing and other
actions by competitors, particularly if demand continues to be soft; airline
travel patterns, including further disruptions or reductions in air travel
resulting from airline bankruptcies, industry consolidation, capacity
reductions and pricing actions; the cost and other terms of acquiring and
disposing of automobiles and the impact of current adverse conditions in the
used car market on our ability to reduce our fleet capacity as and when
projected by our plans; our ability to manage our fleet mix to match demand
and reduce vehicle depreciation costs, particularly as we increase the level
of Non-Program Vehicles (those without a guaranteed residual value) and our
exposure to the used car market; our ability to obtain cost-effective
financing as needed without unduly restricting operational flexibility,
particularly if the current instability in the global financial markets is
prolonged; our ability to comply with financial covenants or to obtain
necessary amendments or waivers; our ability to manage the consequences under
our financing agreements of a default by any of the Monolines that provide
credit support for our asset backed financing structures; whether
counterparties under our derivative instruments will continue to perform as
required; whether governmental and regulatory initiatives in the United States
and elsewhere to stabilize the financial markets will be successful; the
effectiveness of other actions we take to manage costs and liquidity;
disruptions in information and communication systems we rely on, including
those relating to methods of payment; access to reservation distribution
channels; the cost of regulatory compliance and the outcome of pending
litigation; local market conditions where we and our franchisees do business,
including whether franchisees will continue to have access to capital as
needed; and the impact of natural catastrophes and terrorism. Forward-looking
statements should be considered in light of information in this press release
and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

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