August 5, 2008
Second Honda FCX Clarity Zero-Emissions Fuel Cell Vehicle Now on the Road
Honda Delivers FCX Clarity Hydrogen-powered Fuel Cell Vehicle to Jamie Lee Curtis.
Photo: Honda FCX Clarity
Photo: Honda FCX Clarity interior
American Honda Motor Co., Inc., today announced that its second FCX Clarity customer, Jamie Lee Curtis, took delivery of the vehicle on July 31, 2008. Curtis and husband Christopher Guest are the second of approximately 200 customers who will begin leasing the vehicle in the United States and Japan over the next three years.
Photo: Jamie Lee Curtis, second customer of Honda's FCX Clarity hydrogen fuel cell-powered vehicle at a hydrogen filling station in West Los Angeles. Curtis is the second of approximately 200 customers who will lease the vehicle in the United States and Japan, with the vast majority of vehicles being leased in Southern California. (Photo Credit: American Honda Motor Co., Inc., Alex Berliner(C)Berliner Studio/BEImages)
"I really wasn't expecting it to be so luxurious," said Curtis. "It's luxurious, luxurious, luxurious! I love the interior layout, design and access to controls. It is user-friendly and very modern."
Actress and children's book author Curtis and her husband, filmmaker Guest, live in Santa Monica. They have owned other alternative fuel and hybrid vehicles and continue to seek out ways to live and advocate a greener lifestyle.
Ron Yerxa and Annette Ballester, Santa Monica residents, took delivery of the first FCX Clarity on July 25, 2008.
Photo: Actress Q'Orianka Kilcher, who played Pocahontas in the film "The New World", poses for a photo after she drove the new Honda FCX Clarity hydrogen fuel cell car, Thursday, Nov. 15, 2007 at the LA Auto Show. (Photo Credit: American Honda Motor Co. Inc., Susan Goldman)
"The FCX Clarity is a next-generation, hydrogen-powered fuel cell vehicle. Propelled by an electric motor that runs on electricity generated in the fuel cell, the vehicle's only by-products are heat and water, and its fuel efficiency is three times that of a modern gasoline-powered automobile."
Source: American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
|GlobalGiants.com|
Edited & Posted by Editor | 1:09 PM | Link to this Post
August 3, 2008
Mercedes-Benz Cars Division of Daimler AG Reports a 25 Percent Increase in the U.S. Sales for July 2008
• Total of 23,292 Units of Mercedes-Benz Cars Division Sold in U.S.
• Mercedes-Benz USA Records 12 Percent Sales Growth for the Month with 20,733 New Vehicles Sold.
• smart USA Records 2,559 Sales in July.
Photos: In a Road Trip from Los Angeles to Detroit earlier this year, smart and Mercedes-Benz demonstrated high environmental friendliness in a real-world test.
Daimler AG (NYSE:DAI) today reported sales for the Mercedes-Benz Cars division (Mercedes-Benz and smart combined) of 23,292 units in the U.S. for July 2008.
As reported, there were sales of 20,733 new vehicles for July 2008, a 12 percent increase over last July. This brings the year-to-date sales total for MBUSA to 140,012 units, marking the best year-to-date sales for the period in the company's history. The most significant gains for the month were in the C-Class and E-Class passenger cars (45 percent and 38 percent respectively), while year-to-date growth was achieved in the M-Class and GL-Class line-up of SUVs (12 percent and 1 percent respectively).
Photo: Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Photo: Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Photo: Mercedes-Benz M-Class
Photo: Mercedes-Benz GL-Class.
Photo: smart fortwo
Sales for the smart fortwo remain strong with deliveries totaling 2,559 for the month of July. This brings the year-to-date total to an incredible 13,958 units in a little more than six months of being offered in the US market. The vehicle is attracting an overwhelming number of buyers who want a solution to high gas prices, a reduced environmental footprint and increased urban mobility on congested city streets -- all in a package that's fun to drive. The fortwo offers a combination of fuel efficiency, innovative safety, environmental friendliness and low cost of ownership. There are currently 69 smart centers open in 31 states. smart sales in the U.S. started in mid January 2008.
• Daimler AG's current global brand portfolio includes the world's most valuable automobile brand, Mercedes-Benz, as well as smart, AMG, Maybach, Freightliner, Sterling, Western Star, Mitsubishi Fuso, Setra, Orion and Thomas Built Buses.
Source: Daimler AG
|GlobalGiants.com|
Edited & Posted by Editor | 1:23 PM | Link to this Post
July 31, 2008
List of Top 10 Green Cars from Kelley Blue Book Website
Kelley Blue Book's Web site Kbb.com, which provides new and used vehicle information, today announced the launch of KBB Green, a new section designed to guide new-vehicle shoppers on environmental and fuel economy issues.
Kelley Blue Book's new Green section allows new-car shoppers to obtain information about alternative-fuel technologies, such as hydrogen cars, diesel cars, hybrid cars, natural gas cars, electric cars and flex fuel/ethanol vehicles, as well as fuel-sipping gasoline cars.
The editors of Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com have named their inaugural picks for the Top 10 Green Cars. With skyrocketing gas prices and growing environmental consciousness, Americans are seeking more fuel-efficient vehicles. While automakers are working to increase fuel efficiency, many economical standouts are already available in many categories to meet the needs of almost any new-car shopper.
In compiling the 2008 list of the Top 10 Green Cars, the kbb.com editors looked at more than just fuel economy and price. As would any new-car buyer, they also considered factors like comfort, performance, utility and technology. In addition to the three most fuel-friendly cars available today -- Toyota Prius, Honda Civic Hybrid and smart fortwo -- the list includes exceptionally efficient vehicles from a variety of categories, all the way up to a full-size SUV, like the Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid. The Top 10 Green Cars list also includes a sampling of the variety of drivetrains and Green technologies currently available to American consumers.
"In today's rapidly changing economy and environment, KBB Green is a one-of-a-kind resource for anyone interested in learning more about hybrid and alternative-fuel vehicles," said Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com. "Our list of the Top 10 Green Cars shows consumers that there are fuel-friendly vehicles available in almost every segment to accommodate a variety of lifestyles, so you don't have to sacrifice much, if anything, to go Green."
Listed below, in order of combined EPA-estimated fuel economy, are the kbb.com editors' choices for the 2008 Top 10 Green Cars:
TOP 10 GREEN CARS:
Vehicle --------- City MPG --- Highway MPG --- Combined MPG
2008 Toyota Prius -------------------- 48 --------- 45 --------- 46
2008 Honda Civic Hybrid ------------ 40 --------- 45 --------- 42
2008 smart fortwo ------------------- 33 --------- 41 --------- 36
2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid ---------- 35 --------- 33 --------- 34
2008 MINI Cooper -------------------- 28 --------- 37 --------- 32
2008 Ford Escape Hybrid ------------ 34 --------- 30 --------- 32
2008 Honda Fit ----------------------- 28 --------- 34 --------- 31
2008 Mercedes E320 BLUETEC ---- 23 --------- 32 --------- 26
2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid ---- 27 --------- 25 --------- 26
2008 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid ------ 21 --------- 22 --------- 21
Following are the Kbb.com Editorial Comments on the Top 10 Green Cars:
Toyota Prius:
Of all the vehicles sold in the United States by all the major manufacturers, none is more fuel-efficient than the Toyota Prius. Not surprisingly, the green-car poster child also is the best-selling hybrid on the market. With exceptional average fuel economy of 46 mpg, seating for five and optional goodies like a rearview camera and navigation, the Prius remains the "it" car for everyone from green-leaning celebrities to commuters just looking to save some green at the pump.
Honda Civic Hybrid:
Although the Civic Hybrid plays second fiddle to the Toyota Prius -- and only the Toyota Prius -- in terms of fuel economy, many buyers prefer the Civic's more traditional sedan shape to the Prius' "flashier" ovoid styling. Whether it pencils out financially compared with a gas-only Civic depends on a number of factors, but a Civic Hybrid owner will buy and burn around 30 percent less gasoline than his or her voltage-deficient counterpart.
smart fortwo:
Instead of horsepower and handling, it might be more useful these days to measure a vehicle's "bang for the buck" in terms of its fuel economy. On that scale, the smart fortwo is without equal. The tiny two-seater delivers 41 highway miles per gallon for the low, low starting price of just above $12,000 (add about $2,000 for conveniences like a stereo, air conditioning and power windows). Starting around $17,000, the convertible version easily qualifies as the most fuel-efficient, lowest-priced drop top on the road today.
Nissan Altima Hybrid:
Using hybrid technology licensed from Toyota, the Nissan Altima Hybrid combines impressive fuel-economy with much of the same sporty character that has helped establish the Altima's reputation as one of the most fun-to-drive mid-size sedans. The advanced technology isn't confined to the engine bay, either, as the Altima Hybrid offers a slew of electronic comforts and digital conveniences like push-button start, navigation with traffic info and a rearview camera.
MINI Cooper:
Cars that consume less fuel don't necessarily have to sacrifice style or driving excitement. Need proof? You won't find a more convincing argument than the lovable MINI Cooper. On the highway it can travel up to 37 miles on a single gallon. In the mountains, it demonstrates road-holding acumen on par with some much thirstier and more expensive performance cars. Offering one of the most distinctive designs on the road to boot, the MINI Cooper is a smart choice for cost-cutting, fun-seeking and fashion-conscious buyers alike.
Ford Escape Hybrid:
Rising gas prices have been particularly troublesome for drivers who've grown accustomed to the raised seating position and added interior flexibility of SUVs. With the Ford Escape Hybrid, those so inclined can have their cake and haul it, too. The Escape Hybrid sweetens the sensible balance of a compact crossover SUV with lower fuel costs and the amusement of quiet, all-electric operation in parking lots.
Honda Fit:
The littlest Honda isn't the most fuel-efficient car in its class - a distinction that belongs to the Toyota Yaris -- but it is the most versatile and most fun. An exceptionally flexible rear seat maximizes cargo- and people-hauling abilities, while an available Sport model offers a performance-tuned suspension and paddle shifters. Combined with a starting price of less than $15,000, the five-door Fit is a well-rounded economy car that's good at everything from long commutes to long weekends.
Mercedes-Benz E320 BLUETEC:
"Mercedes diesel." Can't you just see, hear and smell it idling so obtrusively before you at the stoplight? Now, forget that ever happened and picture a smooth, quiet and clean E-Class diesel that returns 36-percent better combined fuel economy than its gasoline-swilling counterpart. Like many new diesels on the way, the E320 BLUETEC combines cleaner diesel fuel with new engine and emissions technologies to deliver all the punch and efficiency of a diesel powerplant, but without all the shake and soot.
Toyota Highlander Hybrid:
For families that demand the added capacity of three rows, the Highlander Hybrid is the most fuel-efficient option available. The gas-electric version of Toyota's mid-size crossover SUV combines available seating for seven, impressive average fuel economy of 26 mpg and proven reliability. The standard equipment list even includes four-wheel drive, so you can commune with nature with the added peace of mind that you're spewing less into the air.
Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid:
Owners of full-size SUVs are suffering more than most at the pump, and many are trading the excess capacity for smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles. But what of the large, active families that really do need all the size and towing ability of a large SUV? Now there's a hybrid for them, too. The Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid can be equipped with seating for eight, four-wheel drive and can tow more than 8,000 pounds - all while seamlessly transitioning between gasoline and electric power and delivering 50-percent better city mileage than its gasoline-only counterpart.
• Since 1926, Kelley Blue Book has been providing vehicle buyers and sellers in America with the new and used vehicle information. The company's Web site KBB.Com displays new-car prices, car reviews and news, used-car blue book values, auto classifieds and car dealer locations.
Source: Kelley Blue Book
|GlobalGiants.com|
Edited & Posted by Editor | 1:40 PM | Link to this Post
July 25, 2008
Mobile map usage growing much faster than online map usage: comScore
comScore M:Metrics Reports Mobile Map Use Grows 82 Percent in United States, 49 Percent in Europe.
As families hit the road this summer, more will be turning to the mobile device for turn-by-turn directions.
Photo: Nokia 6110 Navigator
The use of mobile maps is increasingly popular in the United States and Europe, with 8 percent of American mobile subscribers and 3 percent of European subscribers accessing maps from the mobile phone in the three-month period ending May 2008, this was reported today by comScore, Inc. (NASDAQ:SCOR) , a leader in measuring the digital world. This represents a growth rate of 82 percent and 49 percent in the number of users, respectively. According to the comScore M:Metrics Benchmark Study, the iPhone is the leading device used to access maps in the United States, and in Europe, the device trails the Nokia N95 and N70.
"The mobile phone as a personal navigation device makes tremendous sense," observed Mark Donovan, senior analyst, comScore. "With the influx of devices, such as the iPhone with GPS, entering the market, Nokia's purchase of NAVTEQ and the growing popularity of downloadable navigation applications, you don't need a map to see where this sector is going."
According to comScore, 73 percent of mobile subscribers accessing maps are doing so via the browser in the U.S., and in Europe, 57 percent. Less than a third of Americans and Europeans are using a downloaded application, which allows even feature phones, with less computing power and often smaller screens, to better render graphic-rich maps and directions. Despite the ubiquity of SMS usage in Europe, the penetration of consumers accessing maps and directions via SMS is 24 percent; only one percentage point higher than it is in the United States.
Photo: Nokia N95 with GPS
The vast majority of mobile map users are seeking driving directions, even in Europe, where public transportation and non-vehicular options are more popular.
While mobile access to maps has surged, online access to maps using the PC shows more modest gains in the United States and Western Europe. In the United Kingdom, which posted the highest growth in mobile access to maps at 72 percent, online access via the PC dipped from 45 percent penetration in May 2007 to 41 percent in May 2008. In the U.S., the increase in the number of users accessing maps from a mobile device far outpaced the increase in the number of people who accessed maps via the PC.
Acquired by comScore, Inc. in May 2008, M:Metrics is an authoritative source of data on mobile usage. Using its proprietary on-device metering technology and one of the world's largest monthly surveys of mobile users, M:Metrics provides data on actual mobile content consumption by applying trusted media measurement methodologies to the mobile market. According to comScore, M:Metrics services are used by more than 180 clients, including global leaders in the mobile, advertising, technology and consumer goods industries such as Verizon, Vodafone, Microsoft, RIM, FOX, CBS, BBC, BMW, Samsung, Palm, Qualcomm, Ericsson, O&M, and JWT.
Source: comScore, Inc.
|GlobalGiants.com|
Edited & Posted by Editor | 1:46 AM | Link to this Post
July 23, 2008
2008 New York International Latino Film Festival: Suzuki Auto Hits Red Carpet With Actors Nick Cannon, Melonie Diaz and Jay Hernandez
Rising Latina star Melonie Diaz receives Suzuki 'Way of Life!' Award.
Automaker presents NYILFF opening night film 'American Son,' starring Nick Cannon, Melonie Diaz and Jay Hernandez.
Photo: Melonie Diaz arrives at a screening of her new film "American Son" at the New York International Latino Film Festival's opening night, presented by Suzuki Auto, Monday July 22, 2008 in New York. (AP Photo/Suzuki Auto, Jason DeCrow)
Suzuki Auto made a star appearance as the presenting sponsor of the New York International Latino Film Festival (NYILFF) opening night film "American Son," featuring rising stars Nick Cannon, Melonie Diaz and Jay Hernandez. Suzuki's sponsorship of the NYILFF, which runs from July 22 through 27, 2008 in New York City, is part of the carmaker's ongoing effort to connect its brand and products with a wide range of Latinos -- a segment that represents nearly 10 percent of Suzuki new vehicle sales.
As part of the festival's opening night activities, Suzuki presented its first ever "Way of Life!" Award to Latina star on the rise Melonie Diaz. The award recognizes Diaz as a flourishing young Latina actress that embodies the authentic, bold and dynamic qualities of Suzuki's "Way of Life!" brand philosophy. Included with the award, the automaker presented a $2,500 cash donation on Diaz's behalf to the Manhattan-based Latin American Theatre Ensemble/El Porton del Barrio (LATE), a not-for-profit theater group responsible for the development of dramatic and literary talent from within the Hispanic-American community of New York City.
Photo: Suzuki Equator
Photo: Suzuki Forenza
"The Suzuki brand is about confidently exploring the world and discovering one's ability to live life to the fullest, and we're glad we've found a like-minded partner in the New York International Latino Film Festival," said Gene Brown, vice president of marketing for American Suzuki Automotive Operations. "Just as Suzuki is dedicated to providing fun and exciting products that reflect our customers' 'Way of Life' attitude, the festival shares a similar commitment to providing exhilarating and culturally relevant entertainment for film fans."
The 2008 NYILFF is presented by HBO (Home Box Office, Inc.), and made possible with the additional support of Official Sponsors HBO Latino, Heineken, Suzuki Auto, TBS & TNT, American Airlines, The Hollywood Reporter, Daily News/VNY, Telemundo, Time Warner Cable's New York City Region, 103.5 WKTU, WNBC and Impre.com.
The NYILFF is one of the leading film festivals that focuses on the urban Latino experience and presents the work of the hottest emerging filmmakers from the U.S. and Latin America. This year's festival includes screenings throughout the day and evening, industry panel discussions, music showcases and an exclusive partnership with Australia's Hola Mexico Film Festival, all tailored to reach the diverse and generational Latino audience.
Source: Suzuki Auto
|GlobalGiants.com|
Edited & Posted by Editor | 12:01 PM | Link to this Post
July 16, 2008
US Automobile Buyers Want Advancements in Alternative Powertrain Technology: J.D. Power and Associates
Small Cars and Hybrids Lead the Automotive Environmental Index Top 30.
Photo: Smart Fortwo
According to the J.D. Power and Associates 2008 Alternative Powertrain Study released today, while most automotive manufacturers have shifted production to focus on smaller vehicles, nearly 70 percent of consumers say they want manufacturers to invest more in existing and emerging powertrain technologies.
Photo: Lexus RX Hybrid
Now in its third year, the Alternative Powertrain Study examines the reasons why consumers consider or avoid alternative powertrain vehicles, such as hybrid, flex fuel and clean diesel fuel models. The study includes the Automotive Environmental Index, which combines U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) publicly available information related to fuel economy, air pollution and greenhouse gases for 2008 model-year vehicles and J.D. Power and Associates' voice of the customer data related to stated fuel economy. Feedback from verified vehicle owners is also used to help determine the relative importance of these environmental factors.
Photo: 2008 Nissan Sentra
The study finds that more than 80 percent of consumers believe that the United States is currently faced with an energy crisis. Only 18 percent of these consumers believe this issue can be addressed by focusing on small vehicle production with better fuel economy. Approximately 30 percent of consumers believe that auto manufacturers should continue to produce a comparable vehicle lineup with a focus on hybrid-electric, clean diesel and flexible fuel vehicles, while an additional 39 percent believe manufacturers should focus on developing emerging technologies not currently available in the market, such as fuel cell and electric vehicles.
Photo: 2009 Honda Fit Sport
Photo: 2009 Ford Focus RS
"Nearly 80 percent of consumers believe that gas prices will continue to rise, which will have a significant effect on the vehicles they will consider," said Mike Marshall, director of automotive emerging technologies at J.D. Power and Associates. "However, some consumers still want more than small cars to choose from in the auto market. They still want their SUVs and pickup trucks, except with better fuel economy and more environmentally friendly."
The study also finds that the percentage of consumers who are considering a hybrid-electric vehicle is up from 50 percent in 2007 to 62 percent in 2008. Consideration for flexible fuel (E85) capable vehicles -- which are designed to run on gasoline or a blend of up to 85 percent ethanol -- has decreased slightly from 2007 (47% vs. 43% in 2008), while consideration for clean diesel demonstrated the most notable decline from 23 percent in 2007 to only 16 percent in 2008. The drop in consideration for diesel technology may be attributed to the substantial increase in the relative price of diesel since 2007.
Photo: 2009 Saturn Astra XR 3-door
Photo: 2009 Pontiac G5 GT
Among the top 30 models in the Automotive Environmental Index, Toyota has the highest number of vehicles (6), followed by Chevrolet, Honda and Nissan with three models each. Additionally, eight models in the Automotive Environmental Index top 30 are hybrid-electric vehicles. They are:
Ford Escape Hybrid
Nissan Altima Hybrid
Honda Civic Hybrid
Toyota Camry Hybrid
Lexus RX 400h
Toyota Highlander Hybrid
Mercury Mariner Hybrid
Toyota Prius
Photo: 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt SS Coupe
Photo: 2008 Chevrolet Aveo LT
The remaining models in the Top 30 Automotive Environmental Index are:
Chevrolet Aveo
Hyundai Accent
Nissan Sentra
Smart Fortwo Coupe
Chevrolet Aveo5
Hyundai Elantra
Nissan Versa
Toyota Corolla
Chevrolet Cobalt
Kia Rio
Pontiac G5
Toyota Matrix
Ford Focus
Kia Spectra
Pontiac Vibe
Toyota Yaris
Honda Civic
MINI Cooper
Saturn Astra
Honda Fit
MINI Cooper S
Smart Fortwo Convertible
The 2008 Alternative Powertrain Study includes responses from more than 4,000 consumers who plan to purchase a new vehicle within the next two years. The web-based study was fielded in May and June 2008. The voice of the customer components of the Automotive Environmental Index are derived from the 2008 Alternative Powertrain Study and the J.D. Power and Associates 2008 Initial Quality Study.
Source: J.D. Power and Associates
|GlobalGiants.com|
Edited & Posted by Editor | 10:06 AM | Link to this Post
June 16, 2008
2009 CADILLAC CTS -- DESIGN, TECHNOLOGY AND CRAFTSMANSHIP
Cadillac is a brand of luxury vehicles, part of General Motors, produced and mostly sold in the United States and Canada. In the United States, the name became a synonym for "high quality", used in such phrases as "the Cadillac of watches," referring to a Rolex. Cadillac's current slogan is "Life, Liberty and the Pursuit," in reference to the inalienable rights mentioned in the United States Declaration of Independence. (Wikipedia).
Thanks to a remarkable blend of dramatic design, technology and craftsmanship, Cadillac CTS enters 2009 riding a wave of acclaim from critics and consumers.
According to Jim Taylor, Cadillac general manager, "CTS is earning the acclaim of luxury buyers, the most discerning critics. It has earned a position as one of the premier luxury sports sedans, further strengthening Cadillac's historic resurgence into the top tier of global luxury brands."
The redesigned CTS has also been lauded for its safety. Features such as a robust body structure that helps absorb crash energy and six standard air bags - including a segment-first dual depth passenger frontal air bag, active headrests and head curtain side air bags - helped it earn a Top Safety Pick recognition by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
According to GM, CTS sales are rising sharply, with monthly sales increases consistently exceeding 50 percent. Changes to 2009 Cadillac CTS are evolutionary, comprising content and feature revisions that reflect market demands.
Photo: The Cadillac CTS Launch in China.
Vehicle Highlights
• Cadillac's award-winning luxury sedan
• Advanced 3.6L V-6 engine with gasoline direct injection technology
• Six-speed transmissions paired with all powertrains
• Rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive models
• Six standard air bags including dual depth front passenger air bag
• Leading-edge electronics with Bluetooth connectivity
• Handcrafted cut-and-sewn interior trim
Design: At a glance, there is no mistaking the CTS for anything but a contemporary Cadillac. Signature exterior cues include vertically oriented "light pipes," horizontal spline lines and a dihedral-shaped hood. It also strikes a sporting stance, with a wide track, communicating a dramatic presence unlike most traditional luxury sedans and the car's performance capabilities
Interior elements: The CTS' interior emphasizes technical precision with elegant, hand-crafted details. Analog instrumentation is streamlined and defined by bright accents. An integrated center stack design, with either a satin metallic finish or genuine Sapele Pommele wood, blends into the lower instrument panel that sweeps forward and away of front-seat occupants. The hand-assembled center console leads seamlessly into the center stack, providing a sportier "cockpit" feel for the driver and passenger without compromising space.
Available heated and ventilated seats incorporate "thin-seat" technology for maximum occupant comfort and enhanced rear-seat leg, knee and foot room.
Clean, white ambient light emitting diode (LED) accent lighting is available, positioned in the door pulls, foot wells and recessed between the upper and lower instrument panels. The result is a dramatic effect similar to recessed lighting used in contemporary homes.
Powertrains: Direct injection technology helps the CTS offer more power while maintaining fuel economy and lowering emissions. The standard 3.6L VVT engine that produces 263 horsepower (196 kW) and 253 lb.-ft (343 Nm) of torque serves as the base engine in North America and is available in rear- and all-wheel-drive layouts.
All CTS engines are matched with fuel-saving six-speed transmissions, including an Aisin six-speed manual or an electronically controlled Hydra-Matic 6L50 six-speed automatic. The Hydra-Matic 6L50 six-speed automatic features driver shift control, which enables on-demand clutch-less manual shifts.
Craftsmanship and quietness: Every CTS features Cadillac's "cut-and-sew" interior process that combines advanced technology with the hand-rendered precision of expert craftsmen. Coverings for components such as the instrument panel, center console and door trim are cut, sewn and wrapped by hand. This enables details such as decorative French stitching and the near elimination of gaps and seams, for a superbly tailored appearance.
Quietness is another measure of CTS' craftsmanship. Detailed analysis of sound and vibration was lavished on the CTS during its development. This reduced overall cabin noise via improved body sealing and sound insulation. It also focused on tuning the quality of the remaining sound.
Driving dynamics: The CTS chassis enables a great balance of performance and luxury. The CTS features advanced chassis technology in the form of Cadillac's StabiliTrak electronic chassis control system.
Infotainment and vehicle technology: CTS incorporates the best attributes, advanced technologies and electronics, including:
• Integrated iPod/MP3 capability - Designed in consultation with the engineers behind the iPod and other computer and entertainment industry experts, the center console of the CTS is tailored for MP3 players, iPods or other digital music devices. They can be charged via a USB port, which also enables playlists to appear on the car's touch-screen, and steering wheel controls can be used to advance tracks.
• Hard drive audio system - A 40-gigabyte hard drive allows pausing and rewinding of live radio, as well as "ripping" tracks from CDs. The hard drive enables 60-minute "buffering" of the car's radio, meaning that passengers can "pause" a live broadcast in order to take a phone call, or even leave the car to run an errand, or simply rewind to listen again.
• Navigation system - The navigation system includes 3D imaging of more than 800 major landmarks in 39 U.S. cities, voice recognition and real-time traffic and weather data. This available system uses an eight-inch diagonal, high-resolution full VGA infotainment display head with full touch-screen operation. The screen can retract into the instrument panel when not in use.
• Adaptive forward lighting system - When equipped with the uplevel HID headlamps, the CTS also includes an advanced forward lighting system that automatically adjusts headlamp direction for improved nighttime driving visibility. The system is capable of turning the headlamps a maximum of 5 degrees inboard and 15 degrees outboard on each lamp.
• Available Bluetooth connectivity - CTS is equipped from the factory for Bluetooth wireless connectivity of cell phones and other electronic data devices. It enables hands-free phone connectivity, providing easier and safer calling and dialing.
Safety features: The 2009 CTS is designed to enhance Cadillac's reputation for providing safe occupant environments in luxury vehicles. Details include:
• Dual-stage driver front air bag
• Segment-first dual depth front passenger air bag
• Driver and front passenger side seat-mounted pelvic/thorax side air bags
• Roof-rail side curtain air bags, cover front and rear seating rows
• Front safety belt pretensioners
• Tire pressure monitoring system
• Body structure with strategically placed high-strength steel
As with other Cadillac models, the 2009 CTS comes standard with OnStar with Turn-by-Turn Navigation, the first factory-installed, fully integrated GPS navigation system from OnStar. Turn-by-Turn allows consumers to talk to a live advisor, who in turn sends complete step-by-step directions to customers' vehicles through their OnStar system. These audio directions automatically play through the vehicle's stereo as needed, triggered by the OnStar system's GPS capabilities. This enables drivers to be led to their destination while keeping their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road.
Source: GM
|GlobalGiants.com|
Edited & Posted by Editor | 5:51 AM | Link to this Post
June 12, 2008
DuPont Car Color Update: White is Still Tops but Blue is Gaining in Popularity
Consumer Feedback Alerts Auto Designers to Possible Color Trends.
Photo: Suzuki XL7 -- White.
Photo: 2008 Honda Accord EX-L V-6 Sedan. White cars, such as this, remain the top color choice for consumers.
Although white, silver and black dominate the global mass auto market, car enthusiasts around the world are leaning toward various treatments of blue, according to leading auto industry designers and a global team of DuPont (NYSE:DD) color designers.
Photo: Ford Fusion 2008 -- Black.
"This year, we thought it would be interesting to ask car and color designers in mid year about automobile buyers' color preferences," said Karen Surcina, color marketing and technology manager -- DuPont Automotive Systems. For the last 55 years, the DuPont Global Automotive Color Popularity Report has provided a year-end, data-based snapshot of mass market car color preferences. DuPont is one of the world's largest global suppliers of paints and coatings to new car manufacturers and the automobile collision repair industry.
Asia Pacific: Emily Hung, DuPont color designer for the Asia Pacific region, says dark blue metallic is popular and is being fine-tuned for that region. Candy whites and tri-coat pearl finishes also are extremely popular, confirming the 2007 DuPont Global survey finding that white had overtaken silver as the most popular color in Asia and North America. Luxury car buyers in Asia-Pacific countries continue to favor black and mid-tone metallic grays while champagne is favored over light silver in medium-size cars.
"In India and China, the booming economies are reflected in the wide range of colors offered to attract young buyers to compact cars," Hung said.
Europe: Blue is the most important chromatic color in Europe, with 12 percent of the market, reports Elke Dirks, DuPont color designer for Europe. Chromatic colors are those with hue, unlike white, grey and black.
"Black, which overtook silver in popularity in Europe last year, is seen as a trendy newcomer there and could double in volume," Dirks said. Long-term, she predicts, European consumers will ask for a more colorful and individualistic palette from car makers. At the moment, though, preferences are highly influenced by ecological concepts, with demand growing for light, pure and sophisticated looks.
Photo: 2007 Chevrolet Aveo Hatchback (Venezuela) -- Yellow.
Latin America: Wolstano Marin, DuPont color designer for Venezuela, Colombia and Ecuador, says the "achromatic range," including white, silver, gray and black, dominates consumer preference in that area of Latin America. While green led the chromatic colors for several years, "blue now seems to be the most popular in that family," he said. Personal preference, fashion and resale value seem to be the major factors contributing to car color choice in the region.
Photo: Chrysler Aspen 2008 -- Blue.
North America: Blue also plays a role in American tastes, says Nancy Lockhart, DuPont color designer for North America. She sees lighter blues emerging with a reddish accent representing a clean, fresh trend. Medium and dark shades of blue are more greenish, evoking a modern feel.
White tri-coats such as pearls are chosen by buyers for their luxurious, yet unpretentious presentation. Oranges and golds are also important and reddish gold is an emerging influence, she said.
"While current economic conditions in North America are not being felt in car color choices, people are clearly being influenced by the 'green' movement, with natural versions of bold colors taking hold," Lockhart said. "For example, copper seems to be replacing flashier gold finishes and royal blues will give way to lighter, cleaner and more water-like blues. Even white will change, with ultra whites and yellowish whites giving way to cleaner versions."
"White seems to be the most prominent color on the road and on everyone's mind in design," said Mollie Engel, senior color designer for Kia Design Center America. "It is the new luxury color and it is also ecological. The lighter the colors we use, the less 'solar gain' is encouraged, and that means less gas we use to cool our cars."
Photo: 2009 SATURN ASTRA XR 3-DOOR -- Red.
Economic uncertainty in North America seems to be influencing people to return to basics such as white and red, according to Engel, "but they are new versions of these common color spaces." While Engel doesn't see car buyers moving toward blue, she sees a growing importance of "olive greens" as well as earth tones such as dark grey, bronze and dark browns as "part of this new, classically modern palette."
Auto Manufacturer Perspectives: Christopher Webb, General Motors lead color and trend designer, interior and exterior, says "customers are embracing color again," with brown, orange and blue selling well. Webb seeks first-hand color preference information from consumers by interacting with car enthusiasts at auto shows around the United States. He has also done several GM blogs on color.
GM takes consumer input seriously. Several years ago, Webb polled Corvette Car Club members to find out which color they would most like to see on their vehicles. Their request for orange came at a time when an "orange trend" was developing in other areas of product design. The result was a color, developed with DuPont, called "Atomic Orange."
"Blue will continue to be strong in the marketplace along with a growing trend in natural and authentic colors," said Jim Parker, senior manager, color and trim design, Chrysler LLC. "The 2009 Dodge Ram will be offered in several new colors like Deep Water Blue Pearl and Austin Tan Pearl, which will accentuate its distinctive, bold design and reflect these color trends."
Photo: Jeep Wrangler 2008 -- Green.
Although he has not yet seen any economy-related trends in consumer color choices, consumer buying tends to lean toward more conservative choices during economic downturns. Regardless of the economy, says Parker, Chrysler(R), Dodge(R) and Jeep(R) offer a wide variety of color choices, allowing consumers to express their own personalities.
Aftermarket Color Choices: Aftermarket color choices, such as those selected for custom cars and high-end restorations, are also highly individualistic, but don't conform to color trends seen in the new car market, according to Janine Little, marketing manager for the DuPont(TM) Hot Hues(TM) line of automotive finishes.
Some colors are more expensive than others because of the pigments needed to produce the right color - mostly in the red and silver ranges, Little said. "But to these enthusiasts, spending more on the perfect color for your car is a sacrifice worth enduring. They are also willing to pay for the newest coatings technologies, such as special metallic flakes and candy colors, to differentiate their vehicles and give them personality."
The 2007 DuPont Global Color Popularity Report, released in December, tracked color across vehicle segment, and also reported by geographic region, the only report of its kind to do so. The report remains the industry's authoritative standard for analyzing and predicting vehicle color trends based on consumer choices. The annual DuPont study is a benchmark for the automotive industry. Its influence reaches beyond the automotive segment to other industries including home furnishings, consumer electronics and fashion. The 2008 DuPont Global Color Popularity Report will be issued later this year.
|GlobalGiants.com|
Edited & Posted by Editor | 8:49 AM | Link to this Post
June 1, 2008
Volvo Ocean Race 2008-09: Fan Pier Boston is U.S. Stopover Venue
Photo © Oskar Kihlborg. Volvo Ocean Race 2005-2006
Photo © Oskar Kihlborg. Volvo Ocean Race 2005-2006
Photo © Oskar Kihlborg. Volvo Ocean Race 2005-2006
The Volvo Ocean Race has confirmed Fan Pier in Boston as the sole North American stopover when the race visits the US East Coast port city in April-May 2009.
Spanning some 37,000 nautical miles, stopping in 11 ports around the world and taking nine months to complete, the Volvo Ocean Race is the world's premier global race for professional racing crews.
Agreement between race organizers to bring the race to Fan Pier has been backed by the city of Boston and has been made possible by the efforts of the local developer Joe Fallon, who is working closely with city officials to ensure a successful, world-class event at the coveted waterfront location - Fan Pier.
The entire stopover facility including berthing for the seven-boat fleet, race village, entertainment complex and haul-out area will be accommodated on a five-acre Volvo Ocean Race zone within the development site.
Two weeks of festivals and local events are planned for the beginning of May 2009, to celebrate the arrival and departure of the Volvo Ocean Race, Boston's maritime history and the sport of sailing.
The Fallon Company is owner and developer of the large-scale, 21-acre Fan Pier site. Fallon's plans for the area include a five-star hotel, offices, designer boutiques, restaurants and luxury condominiums with 360-degree views of the Boston skyline and harbour.
Fan Pier also brings to life new public parks, a Harbor Walk, a state-of-the-art marina and the internationally acclaimed Institute of Contemporary Art. It is a vibrant, pedestrian-friendly area, and as the newest neighborhood in the city of Boston is the ideal spot to welcome the Volvo Ocean Race to Boston.
The visit of the Volvo race, Fallon says, will bring heightened awareness to Boston's waterfront, Fan Pier, extreme ocean racing and the sport of sailing in general. "I'm extremely proud and excited that Fan Pier and the city of Boston will join world-class ports like Rio de Janeiro, Cape Town, Singapore and Stockholm as hosts of the 2008-09 Volvo Ocean Race," Fallon said.
"Fan Pier represents the best of Boston's ability to bring new global events with international audiences to historic Boston Harbour," said Mayor Thomas M. Menino. "We believe this race will showcase Boston and the waterfront as a global destination to residents and tourists alike."
Photo: © Oskar Kihlborg. Volvo Ocean Race 2005-2006
Photo: © Rick Tomlinson. Volvo Ocean Race 2005-2006
Boston is the only North American port stopover for the 2008-09 Volvo Ocean Race. PUMA, which headquarters its North American operations in the greater Boston area, has entered the race with their boat il mostro representing the U.S. The boat is skippered by Ken Read who has strong ties to the greater Boston area.
At the completion of its stopover at Fan Pier, the re-start of the race continues onto its next port stopover, Galway, Ireland.
The Volvo Ocean Race 2008-09 will be the 10th running of this ocean marathon. Starting from Alicante in Spain, on 4 October 2008, it will, for the first time, take in Kochi, India, Singapore and Qingdao, China before finishing in St Petersburg, Russia.
Source: Volvo Ocean Race, Volvo Car Corporation
|GlobalGiants.com|
Edited & Posted by Editor | 3:36 AM | Link to this Post
May 28, 2008
4-Door Sports Car Nissan Maxima 2009 -- Production Begins
Photo: Members of the Maxima launch team hold the banner as the first all-new 2009 Nissan Maxima rolls off the line at the Nissan Vehicle Assembly Plant in Smyrna, Tenn., May 27. 2008.
The first production model of the all-new 2009 Nissan Maxima rolled off the assembly line at Nissan North America's Smyrna, Tenn., manufacturing plant on May 27, 2008, signaling the return of Nissan's flagship to its roots as a 4-door sports car.
Sporting a bold new look, as well as a more powerful V6 under the hood, the "Job 1" 2009 Maxima was driven off the assembly line during a midday celebration attended by Nissan employees and executives.
"The Maxima is an important car for Smyrna and for Nissan," said Greg Daniels, senior vice president, U.S. Manufacturing, Nissan North America. "It's our responsibility to build a high quality vehicle each and every time. Our customers deserve it and expect no less."
Changes were made in three key areas of the seventh generation Maxima. The exterior took on a more aggressive look that imparts a strong, premium presence. A "super" cockpit feel was integrated creating an interior that combines a driver orientation with high quality, roominess and user-friendly technology.
"We set out to create one of the best performing front engine, front-wheel drive sedans in the world," said Al Castignetti, vice president and general manager, Nissan division, Nissan North America. "The Maxima delivers on all levels offering the value, quality, and exhilarating performance consumers have come to expect from Nissan."
In calendar year 2007, Nissan North America sold 52,574 Maximas. The vehicles are also exported to Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Guam, and Saipan. In fiscal year 2008, Nissan will export approximately 3,600 Maximas.
Since production of the Maxima moved to Smyrna from Japan on Jan. 21, 2003, the plant has produced 384,303 units as of May 15, 2008.
Source: Nissan North America, Inc.
|GlobalGiants.com|
Edited & Posted by Editor | 10:14 AM | Link to this Post
May 18, 2008
Tissot Officially Presents Danica Patrick With Her New Limited Edition Watch
Photo: President of Tissot Worldwide Francois Thiebaud, right, presented Indy Racing League driver Danica Patrick with a Tissot PRC100 2008 Danica Patrick limited-edition watch during a press conference at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Premier Swiss watch brand Tissot announced the partnership renewal of its brand ambassador racing star Danica Patrick in Indianapolis Friday, May 16, 2008.
Premier Swiss watch brand Tissot has announced the partnership renewal of its brand ambassador racing star Danica Patrick. She endeared herself to the world when she made history by becoming the first woman ever to win a race in the sport of U.S. open-wheeled racing by clinching her victory in the Japan 300. In 2005, Patrick is the first female U.S. "Ambassador" for Tissot. In anticipation of the Indy 500 and to pay homage to Danica, the watch company signed a two year contract extension with the IndyCar(R) Series Star on Friday May 16, 2008.
Photo: Danica Patrick T-Touch Limited Edition by Tissot. Only 500 available worldwide.
IMS (Indianapolis Motor Speedway), home of the historic Indianapolis 500 served as a fitting backdrop for this unique occasion. Francois Thiebaud, President of Tissot Worldwide journeyed to the United States from Switzerland to jointly sign the extension of the contact with Danica. At that time, he personally presented Danica with her new Tissot PRC 100 Limited Edition watch that bears her name. The watch includes 27 glittering diamonds on a mother-of-pearl dial.
Photo: Danica Patrick joined forces with Swiss watchmaker, Tissot, as the new face of the brand. As the first female U.S. "Ambassador" for the 153-year-old brand, Patrick has been appearing in marketing and advertising. The first ad (pictured above), features Patrick wearing a Tissot T-Touch watch.
"Danica is an exceptional race car driver, athlete and a fantastic role model for both men and women around the globe. We are happy and proud to have her represent our brand in addition to being an integral part of the Tissot family. Danica's determination led to her historic first win and she fits perfectly with the brand's values of innovation, quest for performance and stretching oneself to the limits. It is these common features that produce a truly successful collaboration between Danica and Tissot," said Francois Thiebaud, President of Tissot Worldwide.
The relationship with Danica highlight's Tissot products and the brand. The marketing campaign will continue to feature Danica's image in all stores that carry Tissot products, print ads and billboards.
Source: Tissot
|GlobalGiants.com|
Edited & Posted by Editor | 8:42 AM | Link to this Post
May 14, 2008
Mercedes-Benz offers limited edition model in cooperation with IWC Schaffhausen
Photos: Mercedes-Benz SL 63 AMG Edition IWC.
Mercedes-Benz AMG Performance Studio has developed a new limited edition vehicle, the exclusive SL 63 AMG Edition IWC. Limited to a total of 200 units, the new roadster features an eye-catching Kashmir white finish as well as an AMG Exterior Carbon package with a matte surface. In keeping with the exterior appearance, the vehicle's interior is fitted with Carbon matte trim as well as Tobago Brown nappa leather upholstery that creates additional visual highlights. In addition, the vehicle features the AMG Performance package to ensure high class handling. All SL 63 AMG Edition IWC vehicles will be delivered to customers along with an exquisite "Grosser Ingenieur" (Great Engineer) watch from the Swiss watchmaker IWC Schaffhausen.
Photo: All SL 63 AMG Edition IWC vehicles will be delivered to customers along with an exquisite "Grosser Ingenieur" (Great Engineer) watch from the renowned Swiss watchmaker IWC Schaffhausen.
Mercedes-AMG has been collaborating with the Swiss watch manufacturer IWC Schaffhausen since 2004.
|GlobalGiants.com|
Edited & Posted by Editor | 1:17 PM | Link to this Post
May 3, 2008
Cadillac Escalade Hybrid introduced in China
Photo: 2009 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid.
At Auto China 2008, this year's leading auto show in China, which ran from April 20 through April 28 in Beijing, General Motors introduced the Cadillac Escalade Hybrid (the world's first fuel-saving hybrid applied to a large luxury SUV).
"Escalade, already the sales and style leader among large luxury SUVs, now adds the desirability of a fuel-saving, technically advanced hybrid system," said Jim Taylor, Cadillac General Manager. "The arrival of the Escalade Hybrid means that consumers can now use less fossil fuel, reduce emissions and still enjoy the benefits of a full-size luxury SUV."
No other manufacturer offers a hybrid than can seat eight luxuriously while simultaneously carrying or trailering lots of cargo comfortably. And no hybrid delivers the dramatic presence that is synonymous with the Escalade, said Taylor.
According to GM, the key to the Escalade's 2-Mode hybrid system is that the electric power used to propel the vehicle is generated by the hybrid system itself. When the brakes are applied or the vehicle is coasting, the electric motors within the hybrid system create electricity that is stored in the 300-volt battery. This stored energy is used to move the vehicle and the regenerative braking cycle is renewed.
The Escalade's 2-Mode Hybrid system allows it to return exceptional fuel economy in both city and highway while delivering the capabilities of a true luxury SUV. In city driving, this advanced hybrid power system enables the Escalade to launch and drive low speeds on electricity alone. As additional power is demanded, the system blends output from the battery and gas engine smoothly.
Photo: Chevrolet Camaro Bumble Bee takes the stage with models wearing fashions.
Before the opening of Auto China 2008, GM introduced its lineup of E-Flex concept vehicles at GM Premiere Night on April 19. The unique products that were shown include Chevrolet Volt and Opel Flextreme, as well as the Chevrolet Camaro, which played the role of Bumblebee in the movie "Transformers."
Photo: The new Buick Invicta show car made its world debut at a special event prior to the start of Auto China 2008 in Beijing, China on Saturday, April 19, 2008. The four-door midsize sedan with a coupe-like roofline presents bold direction for Buick's new generation of vehicles in the world's two biggest automotive markets - the United States and China. (Photo by Natalie Behring for General Motors) (China)
General Motors Corp. and its Chinese joint ventures highlighted their achievements in design and technology at Auto China 2008. In this context, the GM China family displayed a selection of models that are currently being sold by GM and its joint ventures in China or will soon enter the market.
Photo: 2008 Buick Enclave CXL. (China)
Buick showcased its freshened lineup, led by the new LaCrosse Eco-Hybrid, which will go on sale in advance of this summer's Beijing Olympic Games, and the Buick Enclave luxury crossover from North America. Buick's auto show lineup also includes the Park Avenue and non-hybrid LaCrosse premium sedans, the brand's best-selling Excelle lower-medium sedan, the HRV sport hatchback and the popular GL8 executive wagon.
Cadillac was represented by its full lineup of luxury models, starting with the all-new CTS luxury sedan and the China-made SLS luxury business sedan. Making its domestic debut at Auto China 2008 was the Escalade 2-Mode Hybrid. The non-hybrid Escalade SUV, SRX luxury utility vehicle and XLR luxury roadster round out the Cadillac display.
Making its debut from Chevrolet on the GM stand was the new Aveo hatchback, which is powered by an S-TEC II 1.2-liter engine. It is joined by its Chevrolet siblings, the latest edition of the Spark mini-car, the Lova compact sedan, the Captiva SUV and the new Epica intermediate sedan.
Opel had brought to China its new Astra notchback, which was launched at Auto China 2008, along with the Astra TwinTop convertible, Astra GTC Panorama sedan and Zafira MTA. Saab, GM's premium brand from Sweden, is showcasing its Turbo X, 900, 9-5 Aero and three 9-3 family members: the 9-3 Convertible, 9-3 Sporthatch and 9-3 Aero.
Among the vehicles of the future shown on the GM family's stand was the Buick Invicta. Designed collaboratively by GM's design centers in Warren, Michigan, and Shanghai, the Invicta presents a bold direction for Buick's new generation of vehicles to be built in the United States and China, the world's two largest vehicle markets.
Source: GM
|GlobalGiants.com|
Edited & Posted by Editor | 9:22 AM | Link to this Post
April 28, 2008
Honda Designs New Hot Wheels Car 'Honda Racer'
Honda is announcing the arrival of the Honda Racer™, a much-anticipated 1/64th scale Hot Wheels car designed by Honda R&D Americas, Inc., in Torrance. The Honda model, along with designs from five additional automakers, were selected as part of the Hot Wheels Designer's Challenge™ as a way to celebrate the die-cast brand's 40th anniversary. The Honda Racer arrives on store shelves in May 2008.
"The Honda Racer combines the excitement of Honda's racing heritage with Hot Wheels' reputation for speed, power, performance and attitude," says Guillermo Gonzalez, senior designer of Honda R&D Americas, Inc., and designer of the Honda Racer. "The core concept is built around our idea for an 'ultimate racecar' and leverages the design freedom made possible by a scale model car."
"Sure, it is awesome to play with the cars on the orange track again, but I discovered that designing a Hot Wheels car is very different and in some ways more liberating than designing a production car," says Gonzalez, a native of East Los Angeles who considers automotive design to be his dream job. "For example, the primary design constraint is that the car had to fit on the orange track and perform a loop. Aside from that, the possibilities are without limit."
The key element to the design of the entire car is that the body is in the shape of the Honda "H" emblem. The exterior shape resembles an imaginative side-by-side racecar of 1960s vintage that encloses a driver and a navigator. The general shape, styling and paint scheme is further inspired by Honda's early participation in Formula 1 racing and its 1967 RA 273™ racecar. The white and red paint scheme, the open cockpits, large exhaust system and open wheels are all elements inspired by the historic Honda racecar. The design of the Honda Racer debuted at the 2007 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show in Las Vegas in October as a 1/5th scale model.
Mattel invited auto manufacturers to participate in the Hot Wheels Designer's Challenge as part of the die-cast brand's 40th anniversary celebration. Mattel, Inc., (NYSE: MAT, www.mattel.com) is the worldwide leader in the design, manufacture and marketing of toys and family products. The Mattel family is comprised of such brands as Barbie, the popular fashion doll, Hot Wheels, Matchbox, American Girl, Radica and Tyco R/C.
Starting in mid-August, the Honda Racer 1/5th scale model and other cars from the Designer's Challenge will be part of the Hot Wheels 40th anniversary road trip traveling along historic U.S. Route 40, stopping at multiple cities along the way. The tour starts at the Mattel headquarters in El Segundo, California, in August and ends at Watkins Glen, New York, in early September.
Sources: Honda and Mattel
|GlobalGiants.com|
Edited & Posted by Editor | 1:19 AM | Link to this Post
April 25, 2008
MAZDA: 2009 MAZDA6 ANNOUNCED
Mazda North American Operations today confirmed that its all-new MAZDA6 sports sedan will launch later this year, with an expected on-sale date in late summer, 2008. The highly anticipated 2009 MAZDA6 is the first of Mazda's "Zoom-Zoom Evolution" second-generation vehicles, building on a heritage of sports sedans and sports cars.
Following on the heels of the CX-7 and CX-9 crossover SUVs, the 2009 MAZDA6 was designed and engineered for the needs, wants and desires of the North American customer. As it has been since the first MAZDA6 launched in 2002, all North American MAZDA6s will continue to be built at AutoAlliance International, in Flat Rock, Mich, a joint venture with partner Ford Motor Company.
"This is the most important new vehicle Mazda has launched in a decade," said Jim O'Sullivan, president and CEO, Mazda North American Operations, from Denver, where the car was unveiled to Mazda dealers a day earlier at the company's North American Dealer Meeting. "The midsize sedan segment -- where MAZDA6 competes -- is a real battleground, with some of the best vehicles in the industry going toe-to-toe for sales. This new MAZDA6 was designed and engineered specifically for the North American market -- the third Mazda in a row to be so -- and will take on the very best cars from Asia, Europe and the U.S."
The North American MAZDA6 differs from the similarly named car sold in the rest of the world in many ways: larger interior and exterior size, more powerful engines and unique styling. Transmission choices are a six-speed manual or five-speed Sport AT automatic with manual-shift mode (2.5-liter engine) or a six-speed Sport AT automatic with manual-shift mode (3.7-liter V6).
The 2009 MAZDA6 will be available only as a four-door sedan, and in three trim levels: Sport, Touring, Grand Touring, with varying levels of standard and optional equipment.
Source: Mazda North American Operations
|GlobalGiants.com|
Edited & Posted by Editor | 6:48 AM | Link to this Post
April 9, 2008
Daimler is well prepared for the current economic challenges, says Daimler CEO
Photo: The new generation A-Class: Mercedes-Benz A 170 Coupé
BERLIN, April 9, 2008 -- Daimler AG is expecting approximately 6,600 shareholders to attend today's first Annual Meeting under the new name of Daimler in Berlin.
Six months after the start of Daimler, Chairman of the Board of Management (CEO) and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars Dr. Dieter Zetsche sums up: "All of our business operations are developing well -- our key figures are significantly better than they have been in recent years." Addressing the shareholders, Zetsche says, "Your Company has made substantial progress over the past two years. Old virtues have given us new strength." Looking into the future, the Chairman of the Board of Management says, "We have a clear strategy for sustainable profitable growth."
Sustainable mobility and accident-free driving are the most important focuses of Daimler's research and development work. "We invented the automobile -- and we are passionately shaping its future," Zetsche says. The world is embarking on a second "automotive century," in which the number of automobiles in the world is growing five times as fast as its population. In the long term, this increase will only be ecologically acceptable if passenger cars and commercial vehicles become cleaner. Zetsche: "Customers expect us to provide solutions -- and we are willing to accept a pioneering role when it comes to clean and safe automobiles." Daimler has the required innovative power and the financial means to meet this challenge.
Daimler's "road map for sustainable mobility" consists of three pillars: the ongoing optimization of vehicles with innovative combustion engines; the additional improvement of efficiency through hybridization -- i.e. the combination of a combustion engine with an electric motor; and zero-emission driving with fuel cells and battery-driven systems.
Photo: Susanne Baldszun with her new smart fortwo cabrio (pulse 62 kW) and Ulrich Kowalewski, Director of the Mercedes-Benz Center Munich. Yesterday afternoon, Kowalewski handed over the 100,000th second-generation smart fortwo to this 36-year-old customer in the recently re-opened smart Center Munich. "The new fortwo is even more comfortable, more agile, safer, and more environmentally friendly than its successful predecessor," says Anders Sundt Jensen, who is responsible for brand management at smart. "The new fortwo is now offered in 37 countries, where enthusiastic customers are won over by the vehicle's lifestyle-oriented design, as well as its exceptional fuel economy and environmental compatibility." The unique two-seater is most popular with customers in Italy and Germany, who account for two-thirds of all drivers of the new fortwo. Demand is particularly high for the premium equipment line "passion", which is chosen by two out of three buyers worldwide.
Zetsche emphasizes that Daimler will not start building only small cars: "Our route to sustainable mobility is based on technological innovations, not renunciation." The company has the concrete goal of offering at least one model in each of the Mercedes-Benz core model series that is a leader in terms of consumption and emissions. In addition zero-emission driving, Daimler is also pursuing the goal of accident-free driving.
According to the text of his speech, Zetsche essentially confirms the outlook for 2008 and the coming years that was presented at the Annual Press Conference: "Currently, the economic climate suggests that things will get tougher rather than easier." Key factors are the credit crisis in the United States, the ongoing weakening of the Dollar against the Euro, the development of the raw material markets, and the low level of confidence in the U.S. economy with possible effects around the world.
In Daimler's view, the automotive markets will not remain unaffected by these developments. For example, the demand for passenger vehicles in the United States is likely to be much lower this year than in 2007; in Western Europe, it is expected to remain flat. Growth in the industry will therefore continue to be driven by the emerging markets, whose growth is so dynamic that it will more than offset the triad's weakness. Overall, Daimler assumes that the global market for passenger cars will grow by approximately 2% in 2008.
With regard to commercial vehicle markets, Europe is expected to maintain last year's high sales level. In North America, Daimler does not anticipate a recovery before the second half of the year.
Source: Daimler AG
|GlobalGiants.com|
Edited & Posted by Editor | 5:05 AM | Link to this Post
April 5, 2008
USA Consumer interest in Mini-Compact Cars increased 128 percent in the last two months, says NADAguides.com
Photo: Toyota Yaris 2008
NADAguides.com, a vehicle pricing and information website, says that from January to March 2008, consumer interest in its mini-compact category increased 128 percent, while consumer interest in its sub-compact and compact categories increased 83 percent and 77 percent respectively.
N.A.D.A. Appraisal Guides (NADAguides.com) is the world's largest publisher of vehicle pricing and specification information for new and used cars, trucks, vans, and SUVs.
The compact car segment at NADAguides.com consists of three sub-categories designated as mini-compacts, sub-compacts and compacts, while 'consumer interest' pertains to the amount of people who obtained pricing for a vehicle at NADAguides.com.
In the last two months, consumer interest in the overall compact car segment at NADAguides.com increased an average of 96 percent -- a fact the company's experts believe is closely related to an average nationwide increase in fuel prices of 19 cents per gallon during that same timeframe.
"We believe there is a direct correlation between the significant increase in consumer interest in the overall compact car segment of our website and the average nationwide increase in gas prices so far this year," said Don Christy, Jr., president and CEO of NADAguides.com. "In our opinion, car buyers are feeling the pinch at the pump and are researching more economical, fuel efficient vehicles as a result."
Nine of the top 25 makes and models that showed the most dramatic increase in consumer interest at NADAguides.com during the last two months were in the compact car segment. These nine compact cars represent the largest segment percentage with the most dramatic increase in consumer interest.
Photo: Mazda MAZDA3 2008
Of the top 25 most researched new cars across the entire NADAguides.com website, five were compact cars, with interest in the 2008 Mazda MAZDA3 increasing 105 percent and interest in the 2008 Toyota Yaris increasing 102 percent from January to March. The 2008 Honda Civic Sedan, which has long been a commonly researched vehicle, showed an increase in consumer interest of 80 percent during that same timeframe.
Photo: Toyota Corolla 2009
The Toyota Corolla, which experienced its model year changeover during this timeframe, was also immensely popular with the 2008 model ranking 12th in overall interest and the 2009 model ranking 20th in overall interest for the month of March.
"The Toyota Corolla is completely redesigned for 2009, which explains an increased interest in the 2009 model at NADAguides.com," said Christy. "However, the fact that the 2008 model ranked 12th in overall interest further validates the fact that consumers are increasingly interested in compact cars as fuel prices continue their ascent."
|GlobalGiants.com|
Edited & Posted by Editor | 7:12 AM | Link to this Post
March 28, 2008
General Motors was the Heaviest Online Advertiser Among Auto Manufacturers in January 2008: comScore Ad Metrix
Photo 2008 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid
Photo: 2008 Saturn Astra XR 3-door
GM delivers 27 percent more display ads than Toyota in total, but Toyota delivers 32 percent more ads per person reach, this was revealed today by edcomScore, Inc. (NASDAQ:SCOR). edcomScore, Inc. released a study using data from the comScore Ad Metrix service that examined online advertising by auto manufacturers in January 2008. comScore Ad Metrix provides detailed reporting of the number and types of online display ads viewed by Internet users (from both the publisher and advertiser perspectives) for the U.S. market, with January marking the first public release of the advertiser- level data.
comScore Ad Metrix measures the number of times each advertisers' ads are viewed and where they are viewed, along with information on the demographics and online behavior of those Internet users being reached. comScore Ad Metrix also provides reach and frequency calculations, samples of the creative ad units delivered, and information on ad sizes.
Photo: 2008 Honda Civic Coupe
Photo: Honda Acura 2009 TSX
GM Leads in Online Ads among Auto Manufacturers: General Motors was the top online advertiser among auto manufacturers in January, delivering nearly 1.7 billion total display ad views in the U.S., followed by Toyota (1.4 billion) and Ford Motor Company (1.1 billion). General Motors also led in reach, with approximately 103 million unique individuals receiving their display ads during the month, followed by Ford which reached 95 million people and Toyota which reached 62 million. But, both General Motors and Ford were outnumbered by Toyota in terms of ads delivered per person reached. Toyota delivered a frequency of 22 ads per person during the month, compared to 16 for General Motors and 11 for Ford.
Top Auto Manufacturer Online Advertisers
(by Total Display AdViews in January 2008)
Advertiser • Ad Views (000) • Share • Visitors (000) • Frequency
General Motors • 1,687,065 • 32.8% • 102,574 • 16.4
Toyota • 1,356,782 • 26.4% • 62,428 • 21.7
Ford Motor • 1,075,831 • 20.9% • 94,987 • 11.3
Honda • 377,863 • 7.3% • 57,923 • 6.5
Nissan • 291,666 • 5.7% • 31,262 • 9.3
Chrysler LLC • 123,868 • 2.4% • 22,142 • 5.6
Hyundai Motors • 95,246 • 1.9% • 16,723 • 5.7
Volkswagen • 60,498 • 1.2% • 7,126 • 8.5
Suzuki Motor • 42,491 • 0.8% • 5,389 • 2.8
Harley Davidson • 35,287 • 0.7% • 6,109 • 5.8
Total U.S. - Home/Work/University Locations
Source: comScore Ad Metrix
"GM has really led the auto industry in its use of online advertising," says Alistair Sutcliffe, vice president of comScore Advertising Solutions, "And, their recent announcement that half of their $3 billion annual advertising budget would be spent online in the coming years is likely to be a bellwether for many industries. Many traditional advertisers are beginning to understand that the Internet enables them to efficiently build their brands by achieving their demographic reach and frequency goals while at the same time reaching the most attractive, behaviorally-defined target segments. This is a winning recipe for achieving an attractive return on one's advertising investment."
Photo: 2008 Toyota Camry
Photo: 2008 Toyota Sequoia
Auto Manufacturers Advertise Heavily on Portals and Auto Resource Sites: The top publisher sites on which auto manufacturers advertise are primarily portals and auto resource sites. Yahoo! Sites (936 million display ad views) and Microsoft Sites (585 million display ad views) deliver the most total impressions for auto manufacturers, and both also deliver significant reach with these impressions.
Auto resource sites also factor prominently into auto manufacturers' online advertising strategies, with AutoTrader (114 million display ad views) and Edmunds.com (98 million display ad views) leading the way. Though these sites have a narrower reach than portals, they represent a desirable and highly targeted audience for auto manufacturers.
Auto Manufacturer Display Ads Appearance
Top Properties in January 2008
Property • Ad Views (000) • Share • Visitors (000) • Frequency
Yahoo! Sites • 935,550 • 18.0% • 72,041 • 13.0
Microsoft Sites • 584,889 • 11.2% • 39,615 • 14.8
Fox Interactive • 550,288 • 10.6% • 41,660 • 13.2
AOL LLC • 316,772 • 6.1% • 33,808 • 9.4
AutoTrader • 113,764 • 2.2% • 3,698 • 30.8
Edmunds.com • 97,579 • 1.9% • 4,359 • 22.4
KBB.com • 83,529 • 1.6% • 4,669 • 17.9
eBay • 80,918 • 1.6% • 15,027 • 5.4
Time Warner (Excl. AOL) • 53,674 • 1.0% • 8,855 • 6.1
Google Sites • 50,306 • 1.0% • 16,192 • 3.1
Total U.S. - Home/Work/University Locations
Source: comScore Ad Metrix
Toyota Scion xB Has Most Viewed Display Ad among Auto Manufacturers in January: The majority of the top 10 auto manufacturer display ads in January were for new model introductions, with the Toyota Scion xB 120 x 240 flash (swf) ad ranking atop the list with 12.6 percent of all display ad views in the category. Honda's "Battle of the Bands" ad ranked second with 2.9 percent, followed by a Chevy Malibu new model ad with a 2.4-percent share.
Top Online Display Ad (Creatives)
(Among Auto Manufacturers in January 2008)
Company • Make • Model • Ad Size & Type • % of Total
Toyota • Scion • xB • 120 X 240 swf • 12.6%
Honda • Honda • n/a • 175 X 110 gif • 2.9%
GM • Chevrolet • Malibu • 350 X 200 swf • 2.4%
GM • Saturn • All • 350 X 200 swf • 2.2%
GM • Chevrolet • Malibu • 728 X 90 swf • 2.1%
GM • Chevrolet • Malibu • 300 X 250 swf • 2.0%
GM • Chevrolet • Malibu • 300 X 250 swf • 2.0%
Toyota • Toyota • Sequoia • 300 X 250 swf • 1.7%
Toyota • Toyota • n/a • 88 X 31 gif • 1.5%
Honda • Acura • n/a • 468 X 60 gif • 1.3%
Total U.S. - Home/Work/University Locations
Source: comScore Ad Metrix
|GlobalGiants.com|
Edited & Posted by Editor | 12:34 PM | Link to this Post
March 26, 2008
FORD MOTOR COMPANY TO SELL JAGUAR LAND ROVER TO TATA MOTORS OF INDIA
India's largest automobile company, Tata Motors today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement with the Ford Motor Company for the purchase of Jaguar Land Rover, comprising brands, plants and Intellectual Property Rights.
Photo: 2008 Land Rover Range Rover
The transfer of ownership to Tata Motors is expected to close by the end of the next quarter, subject to applicable regulatory approvals.
The total amount to be paid in cash by Tata Motors for Jaguar Land Rover upon closing will be approximately US $2.3 billion. At closing, Ford will then contribute up to approximately US $600 million to the Jaguar Land Rover pension plans.
Photo: 2008 Jaguar XK
Commenting on the agreement, Chairman of Tata Sons and Tata Motors, Mr. Ratan N. Tata, said, "We are very pleased at the prospect of Jaguar and Land Rover being a significant part of our automotive business. We have enormous respect for the two brands and will endeavor to preserve and build on their heritage and competitiveness, keeping their identities intact. We aim to support their growth, while holding true to our principles of allowing the management and employees to bring their experience and expertise to bear on the growth of the business."
Mr. Alan Mulally, President and CEO of the Ford Motor Company, said, "Jaguar and Land Rover are terrific brands. We are confident that they are leaving our fold with the products, plan and team to continue to thrive under Tata's stewardship. Now, it is time for Ford to concentrate on integrating the Ford brand globally, as we implement our plan to create a strong Ford Motor Company that delivers profitable growth for all."
As part of the transaction, Ford will continue to supply Jaguar Land Rover for differing periods with powertrains, stampings and other vehicle components, in addition to a variety of technologies, such as environmental and platform technologies. Ford also has committed to provide engineering support, including research and development, plus information technology, accounting and other services.
Photo: Land Rover recently announced a multi-year relationship with Wimbledon Champion and one of the world's most talented female athletes - Maria Sharapova.
In addition, Ford Motor Credit Company will provide financing for Jaguar and Land Rover dealers and customers during a transitional period, which can vary by market, of up to 12 months.
Jaguar Land Rover's employees, trades unions and the UK Government have been kept informed of developments as the sale process progressed and have indicated their support for the agreement.
Founded in 1922, Jaguar has been amongst the premium brands for luxury saloons and sports cars. Since its very first design appeared in 1948, Land Rover has been identified as "the ultimate in four-wheel drive vehicles". Jaguar and Land Rover have been under Ford's ownership since 1989 and 2000 respectively. The two together have about 16,000 employees.
Speaking on behalf of Jaguar Land Rover, Geoff Polites, chief executive officer, said: "Jaguar Land Rover's management team is very pleased that Ford and Tata Motors have come to an agreement today. Our team has been consulted extensively on the deal content and feels confident that it provides for the business needs of both our brands going forward.
|GlobalGiants.com|
Edited & Posted by Editor | 12:29 PM | Link to this Post
March 23, 2008
Volvo's Development of Plug-in Hybrid Car: Volvo ReCharge Concept
Plug-in hybrid with battery-only range of 60 miles - and a combustion diesel engine for backup power.
The Volvo ReCharge Concept is a plug-in hybrid with individual electric wheel motors and batteries that can be recharged via a regular electrical outlet for maximum environmental benefit.
Recharging allows the car to be driven about 60 miles (100 km) on battery power alone before the car's four-cylinder diesel engine is needed to power the car and recharge the battery.
The ReCharge Concept has been developed at the Volvo Monitoring and Concept Center (VMCC), the Volvo Car Corporation's think-tank in Camarillo, California.
"This is a ground-breaking innovation for sustainable transportation. A person driving less than 60 miles a day will rarely need to visit a filling station. In the USA, this may apply to almost 80 percent of drivers," says Magnus Jonsson, Senior Vice President Research and Development at Volvo Cars. According to him, this plug-in hybrid car, when used as intended, should have about 66 percent lower emissions of carbon dioxide compared with the best hybrid cars available on the market today.
See Volvo Recharge Concept Movie
An electric motor at each wheel -- the Volvo ReCharge Concept shown combines a number of the latest technological innovations into a so-called "series hybrid" where there is no mechanical connection between the engine and the wheels.The battery pack integrated into the luggage compartment uses lithium-polymer battery technology. The batteries are intended to have a useful life beyond that of the car itself. Four electric motors, one at each wheel, provide independent traction power. Four-cylinder 1.6-litre turbo diesel engine (109 hp) drives an advanced generator that efficiently powers the wheel motors when the battery is depleted.
Electric car with a combustion engine as backup -- in principle, the Volvo ReCharge Concept is a battery electric car with an efficient generator, an Auxiliary Power Unit (APU), that steps in when battery charge becomes insufficient for adequate driving performance.
The driver can choose the power source -- the combustion engine starts up automatically when 70 percent of the battery power has been used up. However, the driver also has the option of controlling the four-cylinder diesel engine manually via a button in the instrument panel. This allows the driver to start the engine earlier in order to maximize battery charge, for instance when out on the highway in order to save battery capacity for driving through the next town.
Photo: Ichiro Sugioka, project manager for the Volvo ReCharge Concept, in front of the ReCharge Concept car.
"There is a considerable difference between our plug-in hybrid and today's hybrids. Today's hybrids use the battery only for short periods to assist the combustion engine. Our solution is designed for most people to run on electric power all the time, while providing the extra security that comes with having a combustion engine as a secondary source of electrical power," says Ichiro Sugioka, project manager for the Volvo ReCharge Concept. He adds: "What is more, our C30 with plug-in hybrid technology retains its lively and sporty driving properties. Acceleration from 0-60 mph takes 9 seconds and top speed is 100 mph."
The Volvo ReCharge Concept is best suited to car drivers who cover moderate distances every day. For example, a commuter who has less than 60 miles to drive between home and workplace can cover the entire round trip on electric power alone, making the car a Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) for most everyday driving.
Meanwhile, Volvo Car Corporation has just launched a unique cooperation for the development of plug-in hybrid cars in Sweden. Together with electricity provider Vattenfall, Saab Automobile, ETC and the Swedish state, Volvo Car Corporation is launching a joint broad-based research venture to develop spearhead technology in the area of plug-in hybrid cars. Sweden will be the arena for the field tests.
The aim of the project, which is being carried out jointly by Volvo Car Corporation, Saab Automobile, Vattenfall (electric supplier) and ETC (battery provider), is to develop and demonstrate the next-generation hybrid cars. A fleet of 10 plug-in hybrids will be produced that can be recharged directly from the mains wall socket.
|GlobalGiants.com|
Edited & Posted by Editor | 6:55 AM | Link to this Post
