Kia Amanti Achieves High Marks in the 2008 Strategic Vision Customer Delight Index(R) Report

Full-Size Sedan Tops Large Car Segment in Customer Delight

- 2008 Amanti recognized for meeting driver needs while remaining a great value

- Full-size sedan applauded for offering impressive design, engineering and fuel economy

IRVINE, Calif., Jan. 12 /PRNewswire/ — Garnering another significant accolade, Kia Motors America (KMA) announces the upscale Amanti topped the large car segment in the 2008 Strategic Vision Most Delightful(R) Vehicle study. According to the San Diego-based research firm, Most Delightful vehicles meet owners’ foundational needs while maintaining optional desires which include thoughtful engineering, alluring design cues, performance and fuel efficiency.

“As a safe, reliable and attractive full-size sedan, Amanti meets drivers’ needs at an exceptional price point,” said Michael Sprague, vice president of marketing, KMA. “Leading the Strategic Vision Most Delightful Vehicle study is another example of Amanti’s strengths and of Kia Motors’ commitment to providing a line-up embodying quality, fuel efficiency and value.”

Having also topped the Strategic Vision SmartGreen IndexSM and Total Value Index(R) in the large car segments and a recipient of a “Good” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in frontal and side impact crash tests, the well-appointed Amanti offers outstanding safety features, luxury and overall convenience in the full-size sedan segment. Amanti offers a long list of standard amenities, including: eight airbags; leather seats, chrome and wood accents; and a 3.8-liter all-aluminum DOHC V6 engine which generates 264 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque.

About Kia Motors America

Kia Motors America (KMA) is the sales, marketing and distribution arm of Kia Motors Corporation based in Seoul, South Korea. KMA offers a complete line of vehicles through more than 640 dealers throughout the United States. For 2008, KMA recorded its 14th consecutive year of increased U.S. market share. Kia Motors subscribes to a philosophy of building high value, high quality, safe and dynamic vehicles. Kia Motors prides itself on producing vehicles that are exciting and enabling and evoke the Kia tagline “The Power to Surprise.”

Kia Motors America is the “Official Automotive Partner of the NBA.” Information about Kia Motors America and its full vehicle line-up is available at its Web site – www.kia.com. For media information, including photography, visit www.kiamedia.com.

Ener1 to Participate in the 2009 Auto Analysts of New York Detroit Auto Conference

NEW YORK, Jan. 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Ener1, Inc. (Nasdaq : HEV) announced today that it will participate in the 2009 Auto Analysts of New York Detroit Auto Conference taking place on Tuesday, January 13, 2009 through Thursday, January 15, 2009 at the MGM Grand Detroit on Third Street in Detroit. The conference will be hosted by Deutsche Bank, to coincide with The North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Ener1 Chairman and CEO, Charles Gassenheimer, will present on Wednesday, January 14 at 3:00 pm Eastern Standard Time.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080312/CLW018LOGO )

To view Ener1’s webcast from the conference, please access the following link:

http://tinyurl.com/a48han

About Ener1, Inc.:

Ener1 develops and manufactures compact, high performance lithium-ion batteries to power the next generation of hybrid and electric vehicles. The publicly traded company (Nasdaq : HEV) is led by an experienced team of engineers and energy system experts at its EnerDel subsidiary located in Indiana. EnerDel has developed proprietary battery systems based on technology originally pioneered with the assistance of the Argonne National Lab.

Ener1 is seeking to become the first company to mass-produce a cost-competitive lithium-ion battery for hybrid and electric vehicles. Demand for battery solutions is being driven by a need to reduce dependence on oil as well as growing concern about vehicle emissions. In addition to the automobile market, applications for Ener1 lithium-ion battery technology include medical, military, aerospace, electric utility and other growing markets.

Major shareholders of Ener1 include Ener1 Group, Inc., a privately held, global investment and advisory firm, and ITOCHU Corporation, a Japanese trading company and distributor of manufacturing equipment essential to lithium-ion battery production. ITOCHU has annual revenue of approximately $90 billion and offices in more than 80 countries. Ener1 has also received funding from a growing number of institutional investors.

In addition to battery technology, Ener1 develops commercial fuel cell products through its EnerFuel subsidiary and nanotechnology-based materials and manufacturing processes for batteries and other applications through its NanoEner subsidiary.

    INVESTOR RELATIONS                  MEDIA RELATIONS
    Rachel Carroll                      Jon Coifman
    VP Corporate Communications         Waggener Edstrom Worldwide
    P: 212 920 3500                     P: 212 551 4815
    E: rcarroll@ener1.com               E: jcoifman@waggeneredstrom.com

National Safety Council Calls for Nationwide Ban on Cell Phone Use While Driving

Bold Plan Seeks to Involve Law Makers, Businesses and Public

ITASCA, Ill., Jan. 12 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The National Safety Council today is calling on motorists to stop using cell phones and messaging devices while driving, and is urging businesses to enact policies prohibiting it and governors and legislators in all 50 states and the District of Columbia to pass laws banning the behavior.

“Studies show that driving while talking on a cell phone is extremely dangerous and puts drivers at a four times greater risk of a crash,” said Janet Froetscher, president and CEO of the NSC. “Driving drunk is also dangerous and against the law. When our friends have been drinking, we take the car keys away. It’s time to take the cell phone away.”

A study from the Harvard Center of Risk Analysis estimates that cell phone use while driving contributes to 6 percent of crashes, which equates to 636,000 crashes, 330,000 injuries, 12,000 serious injuries and 2,600 deaths each year. The study also put the annual financial toll of cell phone-related crashes at $43 billion.

Talking on a cell phone may be less distracting than some other activities people may engage in while driving, but the use of cell phones and texting devices is much more pervasive, making it more dangerous overall, Froetscher said. The NSC also points to studies from researchers at the University of Utah that show that hands-free devices do not make cell phone calls while driving safe. Another study demonstrates that talking to passengers, as opposed to talking on a cell phone, actually makes adult drivers safer, because passengers help alert drivers to potential driving risks.

“When you’re on a call, even if both hands are on the wheel, your head is in the call, and not on your driving,” Froetscher said. “Unlike the passenger sitting next to you, the person on the other end of the call is oblivious to your driving conditions. The passenger provides another pair of eyes on the road.”

A significant amount of vehicular cell phone use is done on the job. Many businesses have already acknowledged the injuries and costs associated with this behavior by adopting policies that ban cell phone use by employees on the roads. Among NSC member businesses that responded to a survey, 45 percent said they have company policies prohibiting on-road cell phone use. Of those, 85 percent said the policies make no difference in business productivity.

“Anyone with a busy job knows the temptation to multi-task and stay in touch with the office while driving,” Froetscher said. “Believe me, I’ve been there. I didn’t realize how much risk I was taking. Most people don’t. Employers understand how dangerous the behavior is and their potential liability. We are asking all businesses to join us by adopting policies banning calling and texting while driving on the job.”

Froetscher is sending letters this week to all governors and state legislative leaders, encouraging them to adopt statewide bans. She acknowledged that achieving and enforcing bans in all states will be a challenge, but she said the NSC has successfully faced similar challenges in the past, such as seatbelt enforcement.

“It may be hard for some people to imagine how certain laws, such as those concerning drunk driving, teen driving, seatbelt use and booster seats, can be enforced by observation alone,” Froetscher said. “Smart people in law enforcement get together to address such issues. They develop creative and successful measures to identify violators, such as high-visibility enforcement strategies.”

The NSC will take a three-fold approach to leading change: advocating legislation; educating the public and businesses about the risk of cell phone use while driving; and supplementing distracted driving content in its training of 1.5 million people annually in defensive driving.

“The change we are looking for, to stop cell phone use while driving, won’t happen overnight. There will be a day, however, when we look back and wonder how we could have been so reckless with our cell phones and texting devices,” Froetscher said.

A fact sheet, data resources and other information concerning cell phone use while driving are available on the NSC website, at http://distracteddriving.nsc.org.

The National Safety Council (www.nsc.org) saves lives by preventing injuries and deaths at work, in homes, communities and on the road, through leadership, research, education and advocacy.

Richard Davidson Joins SmartDrive as Chief Financial Officer

Global Risk and Safety Technology Company Announces New CFO

SAN DIEGO, Jan. 12 /PRNewswire/ — SmartDrive Systems, Inc., a global Driver Safety and Risk Management company, announced the appointment of Richard Davidson as Chief Financial Officer.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080331/LAM040)

“Richard’s experience in providing financial leadership at IBM and restructuring companies, like Kintera, to position for growth will play a key role in our expansion strategy in the upcoming months,” said Greg Drew, CEO of SmartDrive. “Richard’s mix of both finance and operations expertise brings financial vigor to our operational efficiency to scale our business in the coming years.”

Richard Davidson is finance and operations executive with more than 17 years experience in the technology, professional services, financial services and wireless telecom industries. Davidson, former CFO of IBM’s $2.5 billion consumer division, was named SmartDrive System’s Chief Financial Officer. Most recently, he was the CFO of Kintera Inc., a publicly traded software as a service (Saas) company, focused on providing fundraising tools for the non-profit industry. Prior to Kintera, Davidson was the CFO of inCode Telecom Group, Inc and spent 10 years as a finance executive at IBM.

About SmartDrive Systems, Inc.

Based in San Diego, SmartDrive Systems mitigates risk by monitoring the safe operation of vehicle fleets worldwide and assesses liability in collisions. By combining sight and sound, event analysis and driver coaching, SmartDrive’s automated event recorder (AER) technology and associated web-based service reduces vehicle damages, workers’ compensation and personal injury costs by over 50 percent. Customers include enterprise with fleets: from small- to mid-size fleets (e.g. motor coaches, ambulances, and taxi companies) to large 500+ fleets (e.g. school bus, utility, waste management, and transit companies). For more information, please go to www.smartdrive.net.

China Automotive Systems Recognized as One of the Best Enterprises

WUHAN, Hubei, China, Jan. 12 /PRNewswire-Asia-FirstCall/ — China
Automotive Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq: CAAS), a leading power steering components
and systems supplier in China, today announced that China Automotive Systems
was identified as one of the 100 “Best Enterprises” and Mr. Hanlin Chen was
named one of the 10 “Best Entrepreneurs” by Jinzhou City at a recent ceremony
in recognition of the Company’s growth, rising market share and its ability to
win contracts with large domestic and global customers.

These awards acknowledge the Company’s achievements and contributions to
Jinzhou City. Between the 2005 and 2007 years, China Automotive Systems
achieved 110% sales growth with a faster 167% increase in net income. China
Automotive Systems has announced milestones which will help sustain the
Company’s growth. First, the Company has advanced its design, manufacturing
and quality control proficiency to develop world-class products. This
achievement resulted in its first ever purchase order from a global automotive
manufacturer headquartered in North America to supply power steering gears to
this automotive manufacturer. Second, the Company shipped its first power
steering gears to the Dongfeng Peugeot Citroen Automobile Company Ltd. (“DPCA”)
for use in DPCA-manufactured cars. Additionally, China Automotive Systems is
shipping product to another new client captured in 2008, ChangAn Auto Co. Ltd.,
one of China’s most distinguished carmakers in China producing a full line of
vehicles ranging from passenger cars, SUVs, light duty trucks, mini-vans,
coach buses and other commercial vehicles.

Mr. Hanlin Chen, Chairman, commented, “Through our success at China
Automotive Systems we have built a leading firm in our industry. We are now
leveraging our success in China to penetrate the global markets. Although
2008 was a difficult year for the automotive industry with slower growth, we
managed to continue our expansion and increase our market share. The
automotive industry has been declared one of the key industries in China and
we expect the Chinese government support and economic stimulus package will
help generate a recovery in 2009.”

The Chinese government has enacted policies to help stimulate the economy
with a 4 trillion yuan ($586 billion) package. Proposals to enhance
automobile demand include tax incentives for new purchases and providing
rewards to swap older cars for new cars.

Both China Automotive Systems’ and Mr. Chen’s contributions to
revitalizing Jinzhou City were acknowledged. Mr. Chen was the first of the 10
Best Entrepreneurs to receive a medal and a trophy. China Automotive Systems
has improved the working environment in Jinzhou City through greater direct
employment, as well as helping to build local suppliers and businesses.

About CAAS

Based in Hubei Province, People’s Republic of China, China Automotive
Systems, Inc. is a leading supplier of power steering components and systems
to the Chinese automotive industry, operating through seven Sino-foreign joint
ventures. The Company offers a full range of steering system parts for
passenger automobiles and commercial vehicles. The Company currently offers 4
separate series of power steering and 307 models of power steering with an
annual production capacity of 1.1 million sets, steering columns, steering oil
pumps and steering hoses. Its customer base is comprised of leading Chinese
auto manufacturers such as China FAW Group, Corp., Dongfeng Auto Group Co.,
Ltd., Brilliance China Automotive Holdings Ltd., Beiqi Foton Motor Co., Ltd.
and Chery Automobile Co., Ltd., etc. For more information, please visit:
http://www.caasauto.com .

Safe Harbor Statement This news release contains forward-looking
statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act
of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations or
beliefs, including, but not limited to, statements concerning the Company’s
operations, financial performance and condition, and the impact of
acquisitions on its financial performance. For this purpose, statements that
are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking
statements. The Company cautions that these statements by their nature
involve risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially
depending on a variety of important factors, including, among others, the
impact of competitive products, pricing and new technology; changes in demand
for the Company’s products; changes in consumer preferences and tastes; and
effectiveness of marketing; changes in laws and regulations; fluctuations in
costs of production, delays and cost overruns related to developing and
opening new production facilities; and other factors as those discussed in the
Company’s reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time
to time.

    For further information, please contact:

     Jie Li
     Chief Financial Officer
     China Automotive Systems
     Email: jieli@chl.com.cn

     Kevin Theiss
     Investor Relations
     Grayling Global
     Tel:   +1-646-284-9409
     Email: ktheiss@hfgcg.com

     Stacey Dimakakos
     Financial Media Relations
     Grayling Global
     Tel:   +1-646-284-9417
     Email: sdimakakos@hfgcg.com

GreenLite(TM) – The Evolution of Low Mass Automotive Foam Solutions

DETROIT, Jan. 12 /PRNewswire/ — The Woodbridge Group has announced GreenLite(TM) automotive foam, to support improved environmental performance initiatives. This new low mass foam technology, now offers many opportunities for customers looking to achieve high quality, high performance, low mass polyurethane foam solutions, at the industry’s highest green content levels.

While multiple firmness polyurethane foam is well known in the industry, the concept of significantly varied densities within the same part is new. Woodbridge Stream Architecture(TM) advanced chemical delivery systems, offer a broader chemical formulating window. Densities, as low as 24kg/m(cubed) can now be achieved, to help customers optimize low mass solutions based on performance requirements. Weight savings of up to 30-50% can now be offered for specific applications.

Martin Mazza, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Global Sales, The Woodbridge Group points out, “GreenLite automotive foam solutions respond to a very specific and time sensitive industry need, namely to deliver low mass technologies tailored to specific OEM requirements. GreenLite solutions are all about understanding where we can offer weight savings without sacrificing any aspect of performance, be it comfort, functionality or quality.”

GreenLite technologies include a growing menu of innovations including ComfortLite(TM) seating foams. ComfortLite solutions utilize appropriate performance requirements to drive seating foam weight reductions. Three key opportunities include the Frequency of Use for each seat within the vehicle, the Distinct Comfort Zones within each seat, and Smart Coring the bottom surface of a seat pad, to remove mass in non essential areas.

GreenLite applications also include StructureLite(TM) Seat Frames, StrataLiner(TM) Overhead Systems, CargoTuf(TM) Load Floors and SoftSound(TM) Acoustical Management Solutions. Beyond supporting fuel efficient lighter vehicles, the GreenLite products can also be offered with BioFoam technology, which offer 5-40% plant based Polyols, to further improve the environmental performance of any GreenLite solution.

The Woodbridge Group operates 64 facilities in 21 countries, as the global leader in the development and production of polyurethane products. Automotive applications include components for seating, structural support, occupant protection, headliner systems and acoustical management, as well as a full range of value added services including engineering and design, supply chain management, assembly, sequencing and JIT delivery solutions. For more information, visit www.woodbridgegroup.com.

(R) are registered trademarks and (TM) are trademarks which are either owned or used under license by Woodbridge Foam Corporation and are also denoted in bold type.

    John Bell, Director of Global Marketing
    Phone: 905-896-3626
    Email: john_bell@woodbridgegroup.com

Winter Weather – No Time for a Weak Alternator

BROADVIEW, Ill., Jan. 12 /PRNewswire/ — MS — Are you having difficulty starting your car in the morning? Is your car’s battery unable to hold its charge? Do your headlights dim when you are using your heater and wipers? These are all warning signs that the alternator in your car may not be working up to capacity.

“The alternator, which supplies power to your vehicle’s electrical system, works a lot harder today than it did in the past,” said Fred Padgett, Group Product Manager, Starting and Charging Products for Bosch, the world’s largest supplier of automotive parts to the automotive industry and the aftermarket. www.boschautoparts.com.

Earlier, it only had to power the lights and the horn. Today, with many more accessories — fancy headlights, quick-acting rear window defrosters and wipers, stereo system with multiple speakers, in-car television or DVD player, global navigation system and high output heating and air conditioning — the demands on the alternator may far exceed its capacity. While older cars did well with 50-60 amps, most modern vehicles have 130-plus amp alternators or more.

The alternator provides current to operate all of your car’s electrical systems — and very important, it keeps the vehicle’s battery charged. Therefore, it is a key player in the operation of a vehicle.

Alternators contain diodes and built-in voltage regulators that may allow enough output to keep the “ALT” or “Check Engine” light from coming on. But output may be compromised enough that the alternator is unable to keep up with demand and is actually draining the battery to operate the vehicle. The result? Dim lights, slow wipers and turn signals, possibly a slow start condition — and ultimately, a dead battery.

Fortunately, a repair shop can check alternator output and replace it if necessary. Bosch, Padgett said, offers both new and remanufactured alternators and both carry Bosch’s free two-year emergency roadside assistance.

According to Padgett, that Bosch is a supplier to most vehicle manufacturers has proved to be a tremendous production advantage for its aftermarket products such as remanufactured alternators. Bosch is familiar with the alternator’s basic technology and it is subjected to the same rigorous tests — OE spray testing, humidity cycle testing, salt water testing — to ensure performance and durability as is a new alternator.

Distinctive New Three-Row Lincoln MKT Offers Luxuries of Fuel Economy, Technology, Space

DETROIT, Jan. 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Lincoln offers a stylish new
choice with the 2010 Lincoln MKT, a three-row crossover delivering the optimal
blend of fuel economy, performance, technology and spaciousness.

“We’re growing Lincoln’s product portfolio by offering more of everything
luxury buyers want today,” said Mark Fields, Ford’s (NYSE: F) president of The
Americas. “Lincoln MKT features many meaningful, intuitively operated
technologies in a luxurious, distinctively designed package.”

Lincoln MKT showcases the brand’s signature design cues and precision
craftsmanship, with world-class panel margins and high-quality interior
surfaces while offering customers multiple preferred luxuries.

     -- Lincoln MKT offers six- and seven-passenger seating in three luxurious
        rows
     -- Choice of two powerful yet fuel-efficient V-6 engines, including
        EcoBoost(TM)
     -- SelectShift(R) six-speed transmission allows fully automatic
        operation, or manual control with paddle shifters
     -- Front-wheel or all-wheel drive
     -- Two audio system arrays with available voice-activated navigation
     -- Fixed or power-operated Panoramic Vista(TM) glass roof

Quiet, confident motoring

“The Lincoln MKT strikes the optimum balance between responsive control
and handling, while delivering a smooth, luxurious and quiet ride in all three
rows,” said Chief Engineer Ron Heiser.

Lincoln MKT offers stable and engaging steering and handling
characteristics, while delivering a luxurious ride quality consistent with
Lincoln brand character and a new level of quiet confidence with best-in-class
Noise, Vibration and Harshness control.

Premium innovations

Lincoln MKT is a showcase of customer convenience technologies, like
Active Park Assist.

This innovative Lincoln-exclusive technology employs an ultrasonic-based
sensing system, as opposed to video camera-reliant competitive offerings,
making hands-free parallel parking a breeze. Active Park Assist intuitively
works at the touch of a button while coaching the driver for throttle and
braking inputs and steering the vehicle through a quick and efficient
maneuver.

    Additional Lincoln MKT customer convenience features include:

     -- Adaptive Cruise Control (optional)
     -- Intelligent Access with Push Button Start
     -- SecuriCode(TM) Keyless Entry Keypad
     -- Adaptive High Intensity Discharge Headlamps
     -- Rain-Sensing Wipers
     -- Blind Spot Information System (BLIS(TM))
     -- Cross Traffic Alert
     -- Reverse Camera System

The Lincoln MKT will be built at Ford’s Oakville Assembly Complex in
Ontario, Canada.

Havoc TV Goes ‘Live’ With Volvo at Detroit Auto Show:

DETROIT, Jan. 11 /PRNewswire/ — Havoc TV, operator of the nation’s most-
highly viewed video-on-demand (VOD) channels, took its unique interactive
platform to the Detroit Auto Show this week. Havoc, which also has a daily
four-hour programming block on DIRECTV’s 101 Network, used the delivery
mechanism and the World Wide Web to invite media to participate in Volvo Car
Corporation’s press activities in Detroit. This marks the first time that an
automobile company has creatively utilized the potential for generating
immediate response communication between its executives and remote
journalists.

While Havoc TV reaches millions of viewers and generates over two-billion
ad impressions per year, its recent partnering with Volvo Car Corporation
clearly demonstrates the company’s technical flexibility, creativity and
innovative approach to contemporary broadcast and web programming.

Havoc TV’s CEO, Ryan Kresser said, “The idea of creating a live
interactive broadcast and webcast for Volvo was the direct result of our
action sports and live music coverage. Havoc TV has developed an interactive
system that allows viewers to actually participate in the live events we cover
by asking questions or making requests of those featured during the event.
Together with Volvo we believed the Havoc/DIRECTV system could become a
creative way of reaching out to journalists not physically present at major
auto shows. Detroit was the inaugural test of this approach and from our
perspective it was a complete success.”

“Media attendance at major auto shows is critically important to Volvo for
the launch of new vehicles and sharing of corporate news. We are always
looking for new ways of reaching our core media base,” said Peter Ganjbar,
Manager Broadcast Media Relations at Volvo Cars. Volvo presented its newest
crossover model the XC60 along with an innovative S60 concept car at the North
American International Auto Show and announced the company’s latest safety
engineering application; a leading-edge technology geared to protecting
pedestrians and drivers.

Volvo’s press conference served as the centerpiece to Havoc’s High
Definition (HD) televison broadcast, which aired on DIRECTV’s 101 Network, and
a simultaneous interactive global webcast. Both programs were produced and
distributed live from the Volvo display at the Detroit show. The combined
programs also featured executive interviews, product explanations and other
corporate information.

The Volvo/Havoc interactive webcast enabled viewing media — around the
world — to watch the Volvo press conference and other program elements online
and text their question from a computer or appropriate mobile device during
the one-hour program to an on-site host in Detroit. Program hosts asked Volvo
guests some of the submitted questions and their responses were seen and heard
live on both the DIRECTV HD broadcast and via the World Wide Web.

“Instead of sports or music fans asking live questions we had automotive
and business press pose their questions to those responsible for one of the
world’s most respected car companies,” added Kresser. The overall goal was to
provide media not present at Volvo’s Detroit press conference with exactly the
same information their colleagues saw and heard at the event. “Even if we
helped only a handful of media — unable to attend the Detroit show — the
effort was worthwhile. Volvo cannot permit a tough economy from preventing its
access to the media,” Ganjbar concluded.