UPDATED: Mercedes-Benz USA Reports Best September Sales Ever

              Mercedes-Benz Sales Up 13.3 Percent for the Year

   MONTVALE, N.J., Oct. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) today
reported its highest September on record with sales of 19,873 new vehicles,
an increase of 13.2 percent over last September. This brings MBUSA's
year-to-date sales to 177,001, a 13.3 percent increase over the same period
in 2005.
   Sales volume for the month was led by the C-Class with 4,238 units and
the E-Class with 4,112 units. Highlights for the month include an increase
in sales of the flagship S-Class which rose by 126.4 percent over September
2005 (2,357 v. 1,041 units) and a 10 percent jump in sales of the CLS-Class
four- door coupe (943 v. 857 units). In addition, sales of Mercedes-Benz
sedans posted year-to-date sales of 91,244, representing a seven percent
increase over year-to-date sales in 2005 of 85,278.
   Sales for Mercedes-Benz vehicles in the luxury light truck segment --
M- Class, R-Class, GL-Class and G-Class -- continue to demonstrate
impressive gains with a combined 84.5 percent increase over last September
and an 86.6 percent increase over year-to-date 2005 (47,354 v. 25,372).
   Separately, through the Mercedes-Benz Certified Pre-Owned program,
MBUSA sold 4,305 vehicles in September, an increase of 30.7 percent over
September 2005, bringing the year-to-date total to 35,787 units, a 5.5
percent increase over year-to-date 2005.
   In 2005, MBUSA achieved its twelfth consecutive year of sales growth by
setting the highest sales volume in its history with 224,421 new vehicle
sales. Headquartered in Montvale, N.J., MBUSA is responsible for the sales,
marketing and service of all Mercedes-Benz products in the United States.
More information on MBUSA and its products can be found on the Internet at
http://www.mbusa.com.
   Model        Sept '06  Sept '05  Monthly %   YTD 2006  YTD 2005  Yearly %

   C-CLASS         4,238     5,050     -16.1%     36,771    41,369    -11.1%

   E-CLASS         4,112     4,544      -9.5%     33,266    35,495     -6.3%

   S-CLASS         2,357     1,041     126.4%     22,601    11,321     99.6%

   CL-CLASS           41        87     -52.9%        476       919    -48.2%

   SL-CLASS          557       755     -26.2%      6,913     7,449     -7.2%

   CLK-CLASS         963     1,121     -14.1%     12,841    14,158     -9.3%

   SLK-CLASS         702       867     -19.0%      8,623     8,514      1.3%

   CLS-CLASS         943       857      10.0%      8,156    11,647    -30.0%

   R-CLASS         1,276       386     230.6%     14,131       386   3560.9%

   M-CLASS         2,706     2,727      -0.8%     21,790    23,998     -9.2%

   GL-CLASS        1,937       n/a       n/a      10,939       n/a       n/a

   G-CLASS            41       117     -65.0%        494       988    -50.0%

   GRAND TOTAL    19,873    17,552      13.2%    177,001   156,244     13.3%

SOURCE Mercedes-Benz USA

DaimlerChrysler is planning a bid for the McLaren Group, to gain full control of its F1 operation and production of the SLR supercar

CAR Online asked DC boss Dieter Zetsche if he was considering extending Mercedes' stake in McLaren, to give the Germans control. 'It's one of the options we might exercise,' he said. As for the timing, Zetsche would only venture: 'In a situation like this, you don't wait forever.' The smart money is on a bid before the end of the year.

Various prices have been mooted for the McLaren Group, with €600-750m the rumoured ballpark. Mercedes already owns 40 percent of the McLaren Group, with the remaining 60 percent split between CEO Ron Dennis and Mansour Ojjeh.

McLaren takeover would include new 650bhp SLR 722 edition

The industry grapevine has been buzzing with rumours of a DC takeover of McLaren. The Germans are seeking more control of the F1 team, having been disappointed with Team McLaren Mercedes' performance this season. The team has yet to win a race, despite strong showings from Kimi Raikkonen in qualifying, and in-team turmoil. Pedro de la Rosa replaced Juan Pablo Montoya halfway through the season.

And the SLR project has not gone smoothly, either. The 626bhp supercar arrived late and over budget, amid rumours of major tension between Mercedes and its British partner. The Woking plant has assembled more than 1000 of the carbonfibre sports cars. But a 650bhp, track-honed limited edition, the 722, and a forthcoming cabrio version are in the pipeline, to boost interest in the two-seater.

Mercedes and McLaren's relationship has had its ups and downs. A supercar to replace the SLR – inspired by the classic 300SL Gullwing of 1955 – will be built in-house by AMG, not McLaren. That's because two proposed mid-engined McLaren-Mercedes – one aimed at the Lamborghini Murcielago, the other at the Gallardo – were pulled in late 2004.

2006-10-04 03:53 (Mb 5.6) KEPULAUAN TALAUD, INDONESIA 4.1 126.5

== PRELIMINARY EARTHQUAKE REPORT ==

Region: KEPULAUAN TALAUD, INDONESIA
Geographic coordinates: 4.146N, 126.509E
Magnitude: 5.6 Mb
Depth: 10 km
Universal Time (UTC): 4 Oct 2006 03:53:36
Time near the Epicenter: 4 Oct 2006 11:53:36
Local time in your area: 4 Oct 2006 03:53:36

Location with respect to nearby cities:
264 km (164 miles) SE (146 degrees) of General Santos, Mindanao, Philippines
341 km (212 miles) SSE (163 degrees) of Davao, Mindanao, Philippines
349 km (217 miles) NNE (32 degrees) of Manado, Sulawesi, Indonesia
955 km (593 miles) WSW (249 degrees) of KOROR, Palau

ADDITIONAL EARTHQUAKE PARAMETERS
________________________________
event ID : US tkag

This event has been reviewed by a seismologist at NEIC For subsequent updates, maps, and technical information, see:
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqcenter/recenteqsww/Quakes/ustkag.php

Chrysler offers 0% financing, or cash back on vehicles

Terry Kosdrosky | DETROIT (MarketWatch) -- DaimlerChrysler AG's (DCX) Chrysler Group launched a new sales incentive offering 0% financing for 60 days or cash back on most 2006 Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge models as the auto maker tries to clear inventory of older vehicles.

The "All About the Best" offer runs until Oct. 31 and follows a 0% financing offer it ran in September. Cash-back amounts will vary depending on model, and can go as high as $6,000, said Chrysler spokesman Kevin McCormick.

Chrysler earlier Tuesday reported a 3.8% decline in September U.S. sales, a much lower drop than analysts expected.

Crosstown rival Ford Motor Co. (F) on Tuesday also launched a new "Truck Month" incentive offering 0% financing for 60 months.

U.S. auto makers have been stung this year by slowing sales for pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles. High fuel prices and high interest rates, along with a slowing housing market, depressed sales of these main profit centers.

Chrysler announced steep third-quarter production cuts, and a smaller fourth-quarter cut, after inventories of sport utility vehicles and pickup trucks piled up. Summer sales incentives didn't have the same effect as last year, when they generated a huge sales spike.

DaimlerChrysler AG's (DCX) Chrysler Group launched a new sales incentive offering 0% financing for 60 months or cash back on most 2006 Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge models as the auto maker tries to clear inventory of older vehicles.

("Chrysler Offers 0% Financing, Or Cash Back On Vehicles" at 1:18 p.m. EDT Tuesday incorrectly reported the length of the 0% financing.)

-Contact: 201-938-5400

EADS Says A380 Jet to Be Delayed a Year

AP | PARIS FRANCE | LAURENCE FROST - - Airbus parent EADS said Tuesday that the flagship A380 superjumbo jet will be delayed for another year and Virgin Atlantic and Emirates - the plane's biggest customer - hinted that the new setbacks could lead to order cancelations.

In a statement issued after its second board meeting in four days, EADS said the latest delays will cut an extra 2.8 billion euros ($3.6 billion) off operating profit and announced a restructuring plan to cut costs and boost productivity at Airbus.

Airbus sees "no significant signs" that cancelations are likely from any of its A380 customers, CEO Christian Streiff said during a conference call with reporters and analysts. "Until now, everybody's still on board."

But Dubai-based Emirates signaled that its bumper 45-plane order, worth over $13 billion at list prices, could be in doubt after suffering a further delay of 10 months.

"This is a very serious issue for Emirates and the company is now reviewing all its options," Chief Executive Tim Clark said in an e-mailed statement.

Virgin Atlantic Airways Ltd. spokesman Paul Charles said the carrier will be reviewing its six-plane order at an Oct. 12 board meeting, with "all options" on the table. "The depths of the delays have serious implications," he said.

But Air France and Lufthansa said they were still committed to the plane despite a new one-year delay to their deliveries.

While Air France "can only regret" the latest delays, the airline said in a statement, they will have no impact on its growth strategy.

"We're still convinced that the A380 is a success story and the A380 is a growth aircraft," Lufthansa spokeswoman Stefanie Stotz said.

Airbus CEO Streiff reiterated Tuesday that the latest production holdups - which leave the program two years behind its original schedule - were caused entirely by problems with the installation of the 300 miles of wiring aboard each plane. "This is the only weak link in the production chain," Streiff said.

Emirates, which had originally been scheduled to take delivery of an A380 this month, will receive the first plane 22 months late. Lufthansa now expects to get its first A380 between May and September 2009, and Air France said its first delivery has been pushed back to the second quarter of 2009.

Airbus has been discussing the latest holdups with airlines in recent days as it tries to gauge the likely compensation bill. EADS had confirmed last month that the plane would be delayed a third time, without giving details.

EADS shares had plunged 26 percent on June 14 after Airbus announced a second delay of six months to the 555-seater A380 and a 2 billion euro ($2.6 billion) profit warning. Tuesday's announcement takes the total financial impact of program delays to 4.8 billion euros ($6.1 billion) over four years.

The world's largest passenger jet has so far won 134 orders from 14 airlines and leasing companies and a further 25 for its freighter version.

The June revelations led to the sacking of Airbus boss Gustav Humbert and EADS co-CEO Noel Forgeard - who remains under investigation by market authorities after it emerged that he exercised stock options to make a profit of 2.5 million euros ($3.2 million) just weeks before ordering an internal probe into the production problems.

Airbus said Tuesday that A380 launch customer Singapore Airlines will receive its first jet in October next year - the only delivery promised for 2007. Until recently, Airbus had maintained that the first superjumbo would be delivered to launch customer Singapore Airlines by December this year, on schedule.

In June, Airbus had already slashed its delivery targets to nine planes from 25 in 2007; to 28 from 35 in 2008; and to 40 from 45 in 2009. EADS further reduced those forecasts Tuesday, pledging 13 deliveries in 2008 and 25 in 2009.

The defense group confirmed that it now expects to make a loss on some of the Airbus A380 sales contracts, warning of a 600 million euros ($760 million) charge this year to cover those losses. The A380 program will not generate positive operating earnings until 2010, EADS predicted.

The ripple effect of the fresh A380 delay is likely to hurt the group's industrial shareholders and to benefit U.S. rival Boeing Co., which is developing a 400- to 500-seat version of its 747 jumbo to compete with the A380.

German automaker DaimlerChrysler AG - which owns 22.5 percent of EADS - said it will review its own operating profit guidance as a result of the Airbus problems. Shares of Boeing rose $1.81, or 2.3 percent, to close at $81.78 on the New York Stock Exchange.

EADS also announced the launch of a new cost-cutting program to counter the impact of A380 delays as well as the weaker dollar and growing competition from Boeing. EADS gave few details of the plan but said it aims to generate annual cost savings of 2 billion euros ($2.6 billion) from 2010.

Management oversight of Airbus is also being tightened up at EADS - expected soon to buy the 20 percent of the aircraft maker that it does not already own from Britain's BAE Systems PLC. BAE shareholders vote Wednesday on a management recommendation to go ahead with the 2.75 billion euro ($3.5 billion) sale.

Shares in European Aeronautic Defence and Space Co., which had fallen recently in anticipation of the A380 delays, closed 1.1 percent higher at 22.65 euros ($28.85) in Paris before the company's statement, but after those issued by Emirates and Lufthansa.

Dodge-badged small car from China appears imminent

AUTOBLOG.COM | CHINA By Frank Filipponio

Word out of Detroit today has Chrysler almost ready to sign and seal a deal with Chinese automaker Chery Automobile. We just talked about this a few days ago, but it looks like it's actually going to happen any time now. DaimlerChrysler had previously told us that it really needed a partner if it were going to succeed at the low-margin end of the lineup, where Chery can certainly help with one of its small car platforms. The most likely vehicle coming out of this partnership would be the Dodge Hornet concept in production form. Dodge wants to be more competitive globally and Chery has the ability to produce the subcompacts and superminis Dodge would need to be a real player. Chery has also wanted to establish themselves in the U.S. to help build some credibility for the company, so this might be good for both parties.

Caught somewhere in the middle of this negotiation is none other than Malcolm Bricklin who has been working on his own Chery import deal. Bricklin should be well-known to Autoblog readers. His plans to make the Chery the Yugo Kia of this century, have been met with cynicism, especially after all of the delays and scaling back the project has encountered. But his dreams of bringing low-cost, decent quality cars would live on even if the Chrysler deal goes through. In fact, this would most likely help Bricklin a lot, as Chery would all of a sudden have a little more street cred.

[Source: Automotive News, sub req] Read

2006-10-03 18:03 (Mw 6.2) VANUATU -19.0 169.0

== PRELIMINARY EARTHQUAKE REPORT ==

Region: VANUATU
Geographic coordinates: 18.959S, 168.993E
Magnitude: 6.2 Mw
Depth: 164 km
Universal Time (UTC): 3 Oct 2006 18:03:14
Time near the Epicenter: 4 Oct 2006 05:03:14
Local time in your area: 3 Oct 2006 18:03:14

Location with respect to nearby cities:
70 km (44 miles) NNW (336 degrees) of Isangel, Vanuatu
153 km (95 miles) SSE (152 degrees) of PORT-VILA, Vanuatu
307 km (191 miles) NNE (22 degrees) of Tadine, Loyalty Islands, New Caledonia
1887 km (1173 miles) ENE (63 degrees) of Brisbane, Australia

ADDITIONAL EARTHQUAKE PARAMETERS
________________________________
event ID : US tjbd

This event has been reviewed by a seismologist at NEIC For subsequent updates, maps, and technical information, see:
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqcenter/recenteqsww/Quakes/ustjbd.php

Dodge's new diesel debuts at Texas State Fair

AUTOBLOG.COM | TEXAS By John Neff

The Texas State Fair was the location of another big truck announcement last week when Dodge announced its new Cummins turbo-diesel engine for the 2007 Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500. Enlarged to 6.7 liters from 5.9 through increases in both bore and stroke, the new inline-six turbodiesel now boasts 350 horsepower and 650 ft-lbs. of torque, all while meeting stricter diesel emissions standards for 2007. The engine also features an optional exhaust brake function that improves braking under heavy towing situations, a common feature of big rigs and large motor coaches.

The new power ratings makes the 6.7-liter Cummins turbodiesel competitive with new powerplants from both Ford and General Motors, each of which has also announced new or substantially upgraded diesel motors for 2007 and beyond.

Follow the jump to see how each automaker's new diesel compares with the others.

[Source: Dodge]

2007 Dodge Ram 2500/3500
6.7-liter inline-six turbo diesel
350 horsepower at 3,000 rpm
650 ft-lbs. of torque at 1,500 rpm
Six-speed automatic

2008 Ford F-Series Super Duty (F-250, F-350, F-450)
6.4-liter V8 twin-turbo diesel
350 horsepower at 3,000 rpm
650 ft-lbs. of torque at 2,000 rpm
Five-speed automatic or six-speed manual

2007 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra 2500HD/3500HD
6.6-liter V8 turbo diesel
365 horsepower
660 ft-lbs. of torque
Six-speed automatic

North America car and truck production - October 2

	9/25-	Sept.	1/1-	1/1-
	9/30/06	est.	9/30/06	10/1/05

300 (Can.)	2,774	11,025	120,399	139,306
300 wagon (Can.)*	0	0	0	1,068
Neon	0	0	0	269
Neon (rhd)*	0	0	0	336
PT Cruiser (Mex.)	1,918	9,317	112,204	103,551
PT Cruiser convertible (Mex.)	121	588	11,687	12,726
Sebring (2006)	0	0	34,812	48,373
Sebring (2007)	878	2,456	2,779	0
Sebring convertible	0	0	17,551	27,478
Aspen (trk.)	1,086	3,505	6,643	0
Pacifica (Can. trk.)	2,703	10,001	91,065	82,831
Town & Country (trk.)	0	1,955	40,459	44,098
Town & Country (Can. trk.)	2,522	9,346	76,630	109,832
Total Chrysler Division	12,002	48,193	514,229	569,868
Caliber	3,614	14,300	119,617	0
Charger (Can.)	3,130	12,441	97,102	47,470
Magnum (Can.)	1,233	4,905	32,507	40,464
Neon	0	0	0	124,008
Stratus	0	0	59,858	76,825
Viper	0	10	911	1,483
Caravan (trk.)	0	6,568	124,525	145,295
Caravan (Can. trk.)	1,742	6,455	55,905	86,784
Dakota (trk.)	0	4,933	66,958	91,423
Durango (trk.)	755	3,108	56,803	92,196
Nitro (trk.)	1,454	4,363	4,897	0
Ram pickup (trk.)	0	18,172	204,636	198,877
Ram pickup (Mex. trk.)	0	3,724	113,834	138,957
Sprinter (trk.)†	533	2,133	18,773	13,334
Total Dodge	12,461	81,112	956,326	1,057,116
Commander (trk.)	0	3,030	64,931	23,285
Compass (trk.)	1,875	7,226	20,893	0
Grand Cherokee (trk.)	0	7,080	110,901	186,873
Liberty (trk.)	3,768	15,005	135,095	169,586
Wrangler (2006, trk.)	0	0	33,779	56,110
Wrangler (2007, trk.)	495	1,222	1,228	0
Wrangler Unlimited 2-door (trk.)	0	0	11,958	16,627
Wrangler Unlimited 4-door (trk.)	1,164	3,732	7,710	0
Total Jeep	7,302	37,295	386,495	452,481
Total Chrysler group	31,765	166,600	1,857,050	2,079,465
GL class (trk.)	1,271	4,992	22,873	0
M class (trk.)	2,065	8,178	97,201	42,132
R class (trk.)	964	3,766	42,610	4,040
Total Mercedes-Benz	4,300	16,936	162,684	46,172
Mitsubishi Raider	0	40	401	3,926
Total U.S. car	4,492	16,766	235,528	278,772
Total Canada car	7,137	28,371	250,008	228,308
Total Mexico car	2,039	9,905	123,891	116,277
Total U.S. truck	15,430	99,008	1,073,274	1,087,802
Total Canada truck	6,967	25,802	223,600	279,447
Total Mexico truck	0	3,724	113,834	138,957
DAIMLERCHRYSLER AG	36,065	183,576	2,020,135	2,129,563

This Day in Auto History: 03 October

10.3.1896 - The Paris-Marseille-Paris race ends during its tenth day with M. Mayade winning in his Panhard et Levassor

10.3.1928 - The Ford Motor Company announces its entry into the bus business

10.3.1937 - Harry R. McMahon, founder in 1914 and President 1914-1936 of the Standard Steel Spring Company, dies in Coraopolis Heights, PA at age 64

10.3.1945 - The first post-World War II Chevrolet automobile is produced

10.3.1955 - William F. Pioch Sr., a manufacturing engineering consultant to the Ford Motor Company and an employee of the firm since 1912, dies

UHP Replacing Fleet with Dodge Chargers

October 2nd, 2006 @ 5:21pm

Sam Penrod Reporting

If you drive the freeway a lot, you may notice a new look to the cars driving by Highway Patrol Troopers. The UHP recently switched to Dodge Chargers.

The new cars can go fast, 0 to 60 in less than six seconds; and they are also much more fuel efficient than the Crown Victorias that troopers have been driving for the last several years.

UHP troopers in Utah County are probably jealous right now of fellow trooper Jim Brierley, who is driving the only Dodge Charger in the Utah County UHP fleet.

Trooper Jim Brierley, Utah Highway Patrol: "I haven't talked to one yet who doesn't wish they had it."

The Highway Patrol announced a few weeks ago it was switching from the Ford Crown Victorias to the Dodge Charger. Equipped with a hemi engine, the cars have power.

Trooper Jim Brierley, Utah Highway Patrol: "This is a 5.7 hemi, 345 horse, the Crown Vics are probably two and a quarter, 245, something like that. Doesn't take long to get to the speed limit, and that wasn't a heavy acceleration, that's just normal on ramp."

Besides power and speed, troopers are finding other advantages. It's quieter and can easily maneuver in and out of traffic.

Trooper Jim Brierley, Utah Highway Patrol: "It's really great as far as acceleration. The quickness of it helps you get into traffic and catch people quicker, and merge from the shoulder."

This is the seventh patrol car Brierley has been issued in his career. Other than a Ford Mustang in the late 80's, this is his favorite.

Trooper Jim Brierley, Utah Highway Patrol: "This is my office, we work four ten hour shifts and I'm in and out of the car all day long on stops. Spend a lot of time in the car."

The cars are getting good reviews from other drivers too.

Trooper Jim Brierley, Utah Highway Patrol: "I had a guy in Salt Lake that pulled up next to me at a traffic light and when I looked over at him, he gave me a thumbs up and said, ‘nice car.'"

The UHP plans to phase in Dodge Charges for troopers all over the state, so we will be seeing more of these cars in the future.

Chrysler Production Update - 02 October 2006

OCTOBER 2 2006
Source: Airfleet

2007* DaimlerChrysler Cars RED Indicates changed or new information
The lead time represents the estimated order to delivery period under normal conditions and does not take into consideration holds or delays. Extended lead times (when available) are noted under the Key Production Hold or Delay column. *All models and constraints are for the 2007 MY unless noted otherwise. Due to various assembly plant assignments for specific model lines or ordered options; the DaimlerChrysler constraints listed below may or may not apply at the time an order is placed.
MODEL	ESTIMATED LEAD TIME IN WEEKS	KEY PRODUCTION HOLD OR DELAY

Chrysler 300/300C, Dodge Magnum, Dodge Charger	10-12	The following options have a Job #1 of 10/1/06: (JHC+AFF) Rain sensitive wipers with Luxury Group (LXCP48) (MXX+2DG) Bodycolor spoiler with 2DG Pkg. (LXDH48) (WEF+2DE) 17” machined aluminum wheels with 2DE Pkg. (LXDH48) (WEF+2DC) 17” machined aluminum wheels with 2DC Pkg. (LXDH49) (ESF) 6.1L SRT Hemi V8 engine has a Job #1 of 10/2/06 <---- (PB6) Marine Blue paint has a Job #1 of 10/16/06 (AFS) Signature Series Job #1 is 10/16/06 (LXC***) (AWT) Road & Track Group has a Job #1 of 10/19/06 (LXDP48) (PW1) Stone White paint has a Job #1 of 10/23/06 (AWT) Road and Track Group has a Job #1 of 11/1/06 (LXDP49) (AJM) SRT Design Group has a Job #1 of 12/1/06 (2DZ) Pkg. w/o (AD4) Protection Group II has a Job #1 of 1/2/07 (NHP) Adaptive speed control has a Job #1 of 1/8/07 (29R) Heritage Group has a Job #1 of 1/17/07 (LXCS48) (PJV+29R) Cognac Crystal paint with 29R Pkg. has a Job #1 of 2/1/07 (PYG) Linen Gold paint is on hold
Chrysler Pacifica	8-10	(EGQ) 4.0L V6 engine w/(NAE) California Emissions has a Job #1 of 10/23/06 (RSB) Sirius satellite radio w/(RFB) 385 watt amp and (RDV) 6-disc changer Job #1 is TBD (XAC) Parkview rear backup camera w/o (JRC) power liftgate is on hold
Chrysler PT Cruiser	8-10	None
Chrysler Sebring Sedan	8-10	(XGY) Heated/cooled cupholder has a Job #1 of 10/23/06 (24M) 2.4 Limited Sedan has a Job #1 of 10/23/06 (RER) AM/FM CD MP3 Navigation radio has a Job #1 of 11/1/06 (CK6) Rear cargo organizer has a Job #1 of 11/1/06 (AFC) Electronics Convenience Group w/ (2DK) Pkg. has a Job #1 of 11/6/06 (JSCP41) The following options have a Job #1 of 12/4/06: (26N) Pkg. (24M) Pkg. w/ (BNB) electronic stability program (EER) 2.7L V6 engine w/ (NAE) California Emissions (EGF) 3.5L V6 engine (PV6) Sunburst Orange paint has a Job #1 of 1/29/06 (XRV) Rear seat video system has a Job #1 of 2/26/06 Linen Gold paint has a Job #1 of 4/16/06 (AHM) Convenience Group is on hold (JSCP41)

Dodge Caliber	6-8	(REC) Navigation radio has a Job #1 of 10/9/06 (CJ1) Front seat side airbags have a Job #1of 12/1/07 (PMDS49) Caliber SRT4 has a Job #1 of 3/12/07
Jeep Compass	6-8	(REC) Navigation radio has a Job #1 of 10/9/06 (ECN) 2.0L engine has a Job #1 of 10/16/06 (MKTH49) (CJ1) Front seat side airbags have a Job #1of 12/1/07

2007* DaimlerChrysler Trucks RED Indicates changed or new information
The lead time represents the estimated order to delivery period under normal conditions and does not take into consideration holds or delays. Extended lead times (when available) are noted under the Key Production Hold or Delay column. *All models and constraints are for the 2007 MY unless noted otherwise. Due to various assembly plant assignments for specific model lines or ordered options; the DaimlerChrysler constraints listed below may or may not apply at the time an order is placed.
MODEL	ESTIMATED LEAD TIME IN WEEKS	KEY PRODUCTION HOLD OR DELAY
Chrysler Town & Country Dodge Grand Caravan/Caravan	8-10	The following options are on hold: (LAB) Tire pressure monitoring system (RSP) Hands-free phone w/(RSB) satellite radio (JRC) Power liftgate (CVV) Removable center front seat console (EGM) 3.3L V6 OHV FFV engine has a Job #1 of 11/6/06 (25L) Pkg. w/Fleet has a Job #1 of 11/6/06
Dodge Dakota	6-8	(AGR) with SXT Group has a Job #1 of 11/15/06 (WPR) 18” wheel has a Job #1 of 11/20/06 (DMH) 3.92 rear axle ratio w/o (DSA) limited slip differential has a Job #1 of 11/28/06 (ASU) R/T Group has a Job #1 of 11/29/06
Dodge Durango	6-8	(ANR) Night Runner Group Job #1 is TBD (AFV) Adventurer Group has a Job #1 of 11/2/06 (WEE+EVA/EVD) 17” styled steel wheel w/ 4.7L V8 FFV engine has a Job #1 of 11/6/06 (HB*M74) (TVC) P265/50R20 AS tires have a Job #1 of 1/29/07 (TV9) P265/50R20 AS tires are on hold
Dodge Aspen	8-10	(TVC) P265/50R20 AS tires have a Job #1 of 1/29/07 (TV9) P265/50R20 AS tires are on hold
Dodge Nitro	8-10	(DHZ) Quadratrac I full-time 4WD has a Job #1 of 11/13/06 (ASU) R/T Group has a Job #1 of 12/4/06 (CW5) Portable utility table has a Job #1 of 12/4/06 (EGS+DGJ) 4.0L engine w/5-speed automatic has a Job #1 of 12/4/06 The following options have a Job #1 of 11/1/06: (SDD) Performance Suspension Pkg. w/(EKG) 3.7L engine (RER) AM/FM CD MP3 Navigation Radio (TX1) P245/50R20 AS tires (XBM) Remote start system (WP2) 20” aluminum wheels
Dodge Ram Pickup DR 1500, 2500, 3500 and Mega Cab	8-10	The following options have a Job #1 of 11/6/06: (AR9) Single Rear Wheel Group (DC****) (*CJ) Leather trimmed heated bucket seats w/(2TL) Sport model (TXE) LT265/70R17E BSW tires (TT5) (LT265/70R17E OWL tires (BAJ) 220 amp alternator has a Job #1 of 11/27/06 (MRK) Chrome tubular side steps have a Job #1 of 12/22/06 (ETJ) 6.7L Cummins turbo diesel engine has a Job #1 of 1/8/07 (ETH) 5.9L HO Cummins Turbo Diesel engine w/(NBA) Underground Calibration has a Job #1 of 1/8/06 (TT4) Tires are on hold (2TT) Pkg. is on hold (DH****)
Jeep Grand Cherokee	8-10	The following options have a Job #1 of 10/23/06: (ALS) Special Edition Group (AGS) Sun & Sound Group (AJP) Power Convenience Group w/2TE Pkg. (AMA) Premium Sound Group (EXL) 3.0L V6 Turbo Diesel engine has a Job #1 of 1/15/07 (TBB) Full-size spare has a Job #1 of 3/8/07 (EXL) 3.0L Turbo Diesel engine with (DHX) Quadra Trac II has a Job #1 of 4/9/07 (PXR/PX8) Black paint has late availability
Jeep Commander	6-8	(JRC) Power liftgate has a Job #1 of 10/18/06 The following options have a Job #1 of 10/23/06: (AMA) Premium Sound Group (AJY) Popular Equipment Group w/ (2TS) Pkg. (AGS) Sun & Sound Group (WPN) Platinum aluminum wheels have a Job #1 of 1/8/07 (AJP) Power Convenience Group is on hold (PXR/PX8) Black paint has late availability
Jeep Liberty	6-8	None
Jeep Wrangler	6-8	(TNB) Tires have a Job #1 of 10/9/06 (TNB, TYZ) tires have a Job #1 of 10/9/06 (RER) Navigation radio has a Job #1 of 11/1/06 (SHG) Electronic front sway bar w/o Rubicon model has a Job #1 of 1/8/07 (GWK) Sunrider soft top with 2-Door has a Job #1 of 1/17/07 (GCH) Half Doors have a Job #1 of 1/31/07
Jeep Patriot	8-10	None

Dodge Is So Tough, It Wears Panties

JALOPNICK AUTO NEWS | PARIS - - What happens when you're a brand all about being anything but cute, yet you're trying to sell your wares in liberal France? You sell Dodge branded panties -- on display now at the Mondial De L'Automobile. Just look for the new Avenger display. We think it'll probably cost extra to get the models to try them out...but that may be worth the effort. – Ray Wert

A Smaller Maybach or a Bigger Benz?

JALOPNICK AUTO NEWS - - If you were Mercedes-Benz and you wanted to attack the $150,000 to $200,000 market, would you build a more luxe S-Class, or a smaller Maybach? According to Richard Yarrow of The Car Connection, DaimlerChrysler's Dr. Z-is-for-Zetsche says he feels no pressure to make that decision anytime soon. If you'll recall, Rolls-Royce recently confirmed it was heading slightly downmarket from the Phantom, to produce a new line of sedans to rival the Bentley Arnage. Mercedes has considerable space between the top S-Class and bottom Maybach to slot in a new line. What say you? Benz or 'Bach? Operators are standing by.

Related: Slightly Lesser Roller: Rolls-Royce to Build New Sedan Range [internal]

DaimlerChrysler persuaded to enter the market in 2007

Ziarul Financiar | Data: 03 Oct 2006 - - The decision of German-American group DaimlerChrysler to get into the business of selling Mercedes cars on the Romanian as of 2007 through a joint venture with Ion Tiriac's Autorom, the exclusive importer of the German group's cars, is one of the most significant moves on the Romanian car market. Tiriac's partnership with the automotive group is the fourth such move that the businessman has made, after joining forces with trade group Metro, Allianz insurance company and financial group HVB. DaimlerChrysler and businessman Ion Tiriac have set up DaimlerChrysler Automotive Romania, which will, starting next year, take over import, marketing and sales for the brands the giant has on the domestic market - Mercedes-Benz, Smart, Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge and Fuso

Bricklin expects deal with Chery despite Chrysler

DETROIT, Oct 2 (Reuters) - Entrepreneur Malcolm Bricklin on Monday said he expected to close a delayed deal with Chery Automobile even as the Chinese automaker finalizes the terms of a partnership with auto giant DaimlerChrysler AG.(DCXGn.DE: Quote, Profile, Research)

DaimlerChrysler has also acknowledged discussions with Chery, in a move toward a tie-up analysts said could jump start the Chinese automaker's efforts to crack the U.S. market and boost its credibility.

People familiar with Chery's plans said last week that the upstart automaker was in late-stage negotiations with DaimlerChrysler to make a new small car for export.

DaimlerChrysler has been looking for a partner to build a new subcompact car expected to be modeled on the sporty Dodge Hornet concept car that the company showed off earlier this year.

Chrysler executives have repeatedly said they expect to announce that small-car partnership by the end of the year, saying the company could not go it alone in that low-margin part of the market.

But Bricklin said a DaimlerChrysler deal with Chery would not prevent the Chinese automaker from negotiating a separate joint-venture with Bricklin's Visionary Vehicles to sell cars in the United States.

"It has nothing to do with it," he told Reuters in a telephone interview. "Based on the information I have, all they're doing with Chrysler is building a car under the Chrysler name."

Bricklin grabbed headlines with his plans to bring Chinese made cars to the U.S. market, but his venture has faced repeated delays and deep-seated skepticism from industry analysts.

In September, Bricklin, best known for bringing the low-cost Yugo to America, said his ambitious plans to import a range of Chinese made vehicles had been delayed until the end of 2008 at the earliest.

Although he had said then he expected that a joint-venture agreement between his firm and Chery was "imminent," he indicated on Monday that the final deal could slip by several more weeks.

Bricklin said he still expected to conclude a joint venture agreement by the end of the year.

Bricklin said last month that he had signed 50 dealers to sell the Chery-made vehicles, which he has pitched as a lower cost alternative to luxury brands such as BMW, Audi and Mercedes.

A deal between Chery and Chrysler, he said, could build credibility for Chinese-made vehicles in the U.S. market, Bricklin said.

"I think it's a very smart move on Chrysler's part," he said. "And it's a nice way for Chery to get involved with some major companies."

This Day in Auto History: 2 OCTOBER

10.2.1912 - Semon Emil “Bunkie” Knudsen of General Motors and the Ford Motor Company is born in Buffalo, NY

10.2.1921 - Racer Giorgio Scarlatti is born in Rome, Italy

10.2.1930 - Construction begins on the new Ford-Werke AG factory in Cologne, Germany

10.2.1935 - The Rolls-Royce Phantom III, featuring a V-12 engine, is announced

10.2.1947 - The Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) splits the Grand Prix competitions into Formula 1 and Formula 2

As US slumps, Chrysler looks abroad

Avenger's debut in Paris showscases Dodge's export push

Bradford Wernle | | Automotive News Europe / DETROIT -- As Chrysler group's sales in the US fall, the brand is looking to Europe for a boost.

The group's muscle brand -- Dodge -- is leading the push to boost sales outside North America.

Chrysler's international operations have been profitable since 2004, says Thomas Hausch, Chrysler group executive director of international sales and marketing.

The group, which includes the Chrysler, Dodge and Jeeps brands, sold 129,294 units outside North America through August this year -- only 7.1 percent of its 1.82 million global total. But with the DaimlerChysler subsidiary's US business losing money because of the decline in sales of SUVs and trucks, it's increasingly important to Chrysler group that its brands are profitable overseas.

The Chrysler group's 1,900 dealers outside North America have sold 15,165 Dodges through August, more than double last year. The company forecasts that Dodge will account for 15 percent of the group's international sales by the end of this year.

Uphill battle

"With Dodge, we're able to come to the market in a price segment where we never could compete before," Hausch says. Jeep and Chrysler are seen as premium or near-premium brands in Europe.

In Europe and Latin America, Dodge offers the Caliber lower-medium hatchback and Viper sports car and will sell the Nitro medium SUV and Avenger upper-medium sedan. Dodge debuted an Avenger concept at the Paris auto show last week.

Dodge officials declined to say when the Avenger will go on sale. The Avenger shares a platform with the Chrysler Sebring, which also is destined for Europe and other markets.

US brands face an uphill battle to establish credibility in Europe. But John Lawson, auto analyst for Citigroup in London, says he believes the Chrysler group may have found the right formula for success, at least on a modest level.

"There is a class of consumer to whom the American lifestyle and this sort of encapsulation of it by Dodge truly does appeal," he says. "I'm quite upbeat about that part of the business. They're not being overambitious about it."

Although the Caliber has been a hit in foreign markets, Lawson says the Avenger might be a tougher sell.

"The three-box sedan is a much more heavily defended part of the automotive territory," he says. "It's very tough to break in with a sedan."

Jeep gets new diesel

Dodge sold 1,548 Calibers in Europe in July; after seven months last year, the entire brand had sold only 200 vehicles in Europe, according to UK-based market researcher JATO Dynamics.

"Without international sales, we would have altered the business case" for the Caliber, Compass and other cars, Hausch says, and it might not have been possible to get the programs approved.

In overseas markets, Chrysler offers diesels and smaller gasoline engines that are not available in the US.

The Jeep Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited four-door debuted at the Paris show with a new 2.8-liter diesel made by VM Motori of Italy.

So far this year, 45 percent of all Chrysler group vehicles sold outside North America were diesels, up from 39 percent last year.

This Day in Auto History: 01 October

10.1.1883 - Ormond Edson Hunt, a longtime Packard and General Motors official, is born in Saranac, MI

10.1.1908 - The Ford Model T is introduced

10.1.1913 - Eugene J. Farkas is put in charge of the experimental drafting room of the Ford Motor Company

10.1.1929 - The 1930 Nashes are introduced, including the Series 490 which featured the marque’s first 8-cylinder engine

10.1.1933 - The 1934 Nashes are introduced featuring new styling by Count Alexis de Sakhnoffsky

2006-10-01 09:06 (Mb 6.2) KURIL ISLANDS 46.6 153.2

== PRELIMINARY EARTHQUAKE REPORT ==

Region: KURIL ISLANDS
Geographic coordinates: 46.555N, 153.184E
Magnitude: 6.2 Mb
Depth: 10 km
Universal Time (UTC): 1 Oct 2006 09:06:01
Time near the Epicenter: 1 Oct 2006 21:06:01
Local time in your area: 1 Oct 2006 09:06:01

Location with respect to nearby cities:
436 km (271 miles) ENE (68 degrees) of Kuril'sk, Kuril Islands
796 km (495 miles) E (89 degrees) of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, Russia
1648 km (1024 miles) NE (39 degrees) of TOKYO, Japan

ADDITIONAL EARTHQUAKE PARAMETERS
________________________________
event ID : US thau

This event has been reviewed by a seismologist at NEIC For subsequent updates, maps, and technical information, see:
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqcenter/recenteqsww/Quakes/usthau.php