Consumers to Win All-New Dodge Challenger, Chrysler Sebring and Jeep(R) Wrangler Unlimited in Dream Car Sweepstakes

* Chrysler Group Sweepstakes is next phase of popular "Ask Dr. Z" campaign
* Dodge Challenger T-shirts to be sold at Woodward Dream Cruise; proceeds to Gail Purtan Ovarian Cancer Research Fund

ROYAL OAK, Mich., Aug. 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- How can consumers win a Dodge Challenger -- or an all-new 2007 Chrysler Sebring or Jeep® Wrangler Unlimited? By asking Dr. Z, of course.

Consumers can enter the "Ask Dr. Z" Dream Car Sweepstakes between Aug. 15 and Sept. 4 by going to http://www.AskDrZ.com , after visiting any Chrysler, Jeep or Dodge dealer showroom. George Murphy, Senior Vice President - Global Brand Marketing, Chrysler Group, announced the Dream Car Sweepstakes here on Woodward Avenue, kicking off the 2006 Woodward Dream Cruise.

"The Woodward Dream Cruise is all about dream cars and is the perfect place to introduce the 'Ask Dr. Z' Dream Car Sweepstakes," Murphy said. "The 'Ask Dr. Z' campaign has resulted in positive consumer feedback and increased brand Web site traffic, and we're building on that by driving even more consumers to http://www.AskDrZ.com and ultimately increasing traffic in Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge showrooms.

"We believe consumers will jump at the chance to win Chrysler Group's dream vehicles -- the Challenger, which looks right at home on Woodward; the completely-redesigned 2007 Chrysler Sebring, and the latest rendition of a true American icon, the 2007 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited," Murphy added.

A total of nine vehicles will be awarded: three all-new Dodge Challenger models, three all-new 2007 Chrysler Sebring models and three all-new 2007 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon models.

Dodge Challenger
Unprecedented public response to the Dodge Challenger concept resulted in Chrysler Group announcing last month that after nearly 35 years, the Dodge Challenger will return as the ultimate modern American muscle coupe.
Set to debut as a 2008 model in calendar-year 2008, the Challenger will feature the long hood, short deck, wide stance and two-door coupe body style that distinguished the iconic Challengers of the 1970s.

Chrysler Sebring
With the all-new 2007 Sebring, Chrysler is creating inspiration in the common car. An all-new mid-size sedan, Chrysler Sebring combines stunning design with interior craftsmanship, high levels of safety and reliability, exhilarating performance and excellent fuel efficiency -- all at a surprisingly affordable price. Sebring also features many class-leading technologies not available in the mid-size segment.

Jeep Wrangler Unlimited
Featuring a one-of-a-kind, four-door open-air design, the all-new 2007 Jeep® Wrangler Unlimited expands the Jeep experience to new dimensions. With room for five adult passengers -- a Wrangler first -- and the most cargo space ever offered in a Wrangler, the Unlimited combines class-leading off- road capability with everyday practicality.

Ask Dr. Z campaign
The Dream Car Sweepstakes is the next phase of Chrysler Group's "Ask Dr. Z" ad campaign that focuses on consumer benefits of the best of American and German Engineering and Design -- and specifically on the innovative design, quality, reliability, performance and fuel economy of Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge vehicles. The campaign's spokesperson is DaimlerChrysler Chairman Dieter Zetsche.
In the first six weeks of the campaign, there have been more than 600,000 visitors to the Web site and more than 4.2 million questions have been answered.

"The 'Ask Dr. Z' campaign has driven our brand Web site traffic up consistently by 15 percent over June and our Web leads have increased by 27 percent," Murphy said. "And recent Millward Brown research shows that 83 percent of in-market consumers find Dieter credible and believable, and 73 percent stated they understood Chrysler Group vehicles combine the best of American and German engineering and design -- additional evidence that our message is getting through.

"Furthermore, IAG Research -- a third-party service which measures advertising effectiveness -- reports that the campaign is significantly outperforming almost every IAG automotive norm," Murphy added.
Chrysler Group at Woodward Dream Cruise

The 12th annual Woodward Dream Cruise -- billed as the largest one-day celebration of car culture, attracting approximately 1.7 million people and more than 40,000 cars -- takes place on Saturday, Aug. 19. Located in the Northwood Shopping Center at the southwest corner of 13 Mile Rd. and Woodward in Royal Oak, Chrysler Group will host a variety of interactive, classic and concept vehicle displays.

Various Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge and Mopar® merchandise and apparel will be sold at the displays -- including made-for-Woodward "Dodge Challenger - It's A Go!" T-shirts. Proceeds from the shirt sales will be donated to the Gail Purtan Ovarian Cancer Research Fund at Karmanos Cancer Institute.

2007 Dodge Nitro intro MSRP pricing

ALLPAR NEWS, AUBURN HILLS MI - - Production startup: August 14 (R/T production begins in December)

NITRO 4X2
Nitro SXT $19,225 + $660
Nitro SLT $22,635 + $660

NITRO 4X4
Nitro SXT $20,735 + $660
Nitro SLT $24,145 + $660

Part-Time 4WD will be standard on all 4x4s until Mid-November, Full Time 4WD will then replace Part Time 4WD on all Nitro's with automatic transmissions. Sunburst Orange and Electric blue begin production in September. Running boards will begin production in October. 20-inch chrome clad wheels, new nav radio and Remote Start will be available in November.

Source: oh20 [Allpar User]
Photo Credit: http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2005/10/27/146803.4-lg.jpg

Problems with 'ASPEN' trademark

(words only): ASPEN

Standard Character claim: Yes

Current Status: An ex parte appeal of a final refusal to register the applied for mark is pending before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board.

Date of Status: 2006-07-11

Filing Date: 2004-10-28

Transformed into a National Application: No

Registration Date: (DATE NOT AVAILABLE)

Register: Principal

Law Office Assigned: LAW OFFICE 116

Attorney Assigned: OTT CHRISTOPHER Employee Location

Current Location: M7X -TMO Law Office 116 - Examining Attorney Assigned

Date In Location: 2006-01-11

Jalopnik Reviews: 2007 Jeep Compass, Part 1

JALOPNICK, AUBURN HILLS MI - - Jeep has always signified a go-anywhere-and-damned- if-I'm-not-allowed-to mentality. It's a marque that's retained the muddy patina of its roots as a military vehicle, despite post-decommissioning hazards that included rotating ownership and a raft of spotty offshoots. It even survived (and flourished amid) a more "feminine" -- as some would say -- tangent with the Jeep Liberty. That's because, despite the front office's desire to attract a wider audience, the Liberty shared the same "Trail Rated," status as the company's other Rubicon-crossing models. All of that history ends with the Jeep Compass, an economy car.

So what exactly is Jeep doing sticking an AWD grocery getter into its fleet of 4WD rock climbers? Is it, as many are saying, the worst possible choice for a brand that's built its name on an image of off-road utility? Or rather, like the Chrysler Group's crosstown competitors, is Jeep attempting a bold move by leveraging the brand's cachet to increase sales?

Before we answer that question, let's take a look at what the Compass is. In structure and styling, the Compass is a badge-engineered clone of the Dodge Caliber -- except with a big 'ol Jeep grille on the front. And it's right at the grille that the similarity between a Jeep and this ... vehicle ... ends.

Under the hood, the Compass diverges only slightly from the Caliber. Although the Compass is available with all-wheel-drive, it certainly doesn't have the goods to perform off-road like a Jeep. It does have an uprated, 172-hp version of Chrysler's 2.4-liter four-cylinder world engine with dual Variable Valve Timing (VVT) to optimize the torque curve and maximize fuel economy. Five-speed manual is standard, with a Continuously Variable transaxle (CVT2) optional.

All of this focus on fuel economy maximization and smoothing out the torque curve leaves the Compass with little Jeeplike capability off road, not that we were expecting any (Jeep's ad folks have gone out of their way to get us to Free Our Thoughts regarding the Compass). The base Compass is fitted with a standard front-wheel-drive system, and our test model had the available active full-time four-wheel-drive system with a lockable center coupling, which offers "lock mode" to handle somewhat rougher terrain.

What do I mean by somewhat rougher terrain? About the only place a Compass won't be flummoxed off-road is a flat stretch of hard-packed dirt. On a short trail of light crag, lock mode felt similar to that of a standard AWD car. That is to say, woe to it on a hard, rutted doubletrack. But again, Jeep is marketing the Compass as a versatile vehicle that offers just a "piece of the Jeep experience." It is a fun vehicle to drive, with more responsive pickup than the standard Caliber. With the seating set higher than most cars', it at least offers the on-road feel of a "real" Jeep. But with an MSRP of only $15,985 -- it comes at two-thirds the cost. In the end, the Compass is a versatile car with some decent storage room that can handle run-of-the-mill snow showers with aplomb. But it's not a Jeep, so why call it that? [By Ray Wert]

Why Mercedes might buy McLaren

GRAND PRIX F1 NEWS - - There has been speculation for a long time that DaimlerChrysler, the parent company of Mercedes-Benz, will eventually complete the purchase of the McLaren company. This began in July 1999 when the German company acquired 40% of the team and the two remaining shareholders, Ron Dennis and Mansour Ojjeh, redistributed the remaining shares so that they would each have 30%. In addition there is a shareholders agreements which mean that these sharesholdings can only be sold together and not independently of one another.

The arrangement followed a decision by DaimlerChrysler and McLaren Cars to jointly develop and produce the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren super sports car which was launched at the Frankfurt Motorshow in 2003 and is now being manufactured at the McLaren Technology Centre in Woking and at the company's second production factory in Portsmouth, where the SLR carbonfibre bodyshells are built.

The plan for the SLR was for a seven-year programme with around 3500 cars being produced. The company passed the 1000 mark in February this year which means that in 2010 it will be looking for a new project. Given the preparation needed, a decision over a new car must already be in the pipeline and since the arrival of the new DaimlerChrysler boss Dieter Zetsche there has been talk of producing different variants of the SLR and the first of those is the 722 Edition, which was launched in July. There were six different versions of the original McLaren F1 between 1992 and 1998, including a number of racing versions. There has also been talk of the company building a less expensive supercar to follow the $450,000 SLR, in order to compete with Ferrari's F430, which is retailing at $225,000.

If Zetsche intends to expand McLaren production in the future it may be wise to complete the purchase of the business, in order to bring the technology in-house and have greater control of all projects. It should be added that Mercedes is the only major manufacturer involved in F1 not to control its works team and there is no doubt that McLaren performance in recent years has been generally disappointing, despite a strong World Championship challenge in 2005.

McLaren has long been a company that does not rely on one individual and while some question the logic of its management theories in F1, it is clear that as a company it can now run itself quite successfully without Ron Dennis.

At 59 Dennis is already a multimillionaire and has no real need to go on working unless he wants to - and he has said as much on several occasions.

PT Cruiser PCH: Dodge Announces California Edition Cruiser

JALOPNICK AUTO NEWS, LOS ANGELES - - Carmakers have been building California edition cars since the Governator was just a seed in the pocket of some Austrian's brownish shirt. Now, as Wert found out -- he's prowling around metro Detroit, looking for a free press luncheon and a nice cabernet -- Chrysler's building a limited edition PT Cruiser with a West Coast theme. It's the 2007 PT Street Cruiser Pacific Coast Highway Edition, which is an homage to that famous route along the ocean; both killer of Ferrari Enzos and purveyor of spectacular scenery. Chrysler's already done the Route 66 edition; we're still waiting for the Long Island Expressway edition.

Magnitude 5.7 EASTERN NEW GUINEA REG., P.N.G.

== PRELIMINARY EARTHQUAKE REPORT ==

Region: EASTERN NEW GUINEA REG., P.N.G.
Geographic coordinates: 9.351S, 150.263E
Magnitude: 5.7 Mw
Depth: 68 km
Universal Time (UTC): 15 Aug 2006 05:43:29
Time near the Epicenter: 15 Aug 2006 15:43:29
Local time in your area: 15 Aug 2006 06:43:29

Location with respect to nearby cities:
110 km (68 miles) N (353 degrees) of Alotau, New Guinea, PNG
231 km (144 miles) ESE (107 degrees) of Popondetta, New Guinea, PNG
271 km (168 miles) W (264 degrees) of Kulumadau, Woodlark Island, PNG
336 km (209 miles) E (88 degrees) of PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea


ADDITIONAL EARTHQUAKE PARAMETERS
________________________________
event ID : US rkas

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/usrkas.php

Green is the new black: Local buyers turn on to fuel-efficient small cars

Rick Schweinhart/Journal Like other drivers looking to cut costs at the pump, Betsy Moseley, of Clyde Hill, chose a small, high-efficiency ride -- the Smart Car.

By Erica Hall
Journal Reporter


When Betsy Moseley pulls her Smart Car into a parking lot, people stop, stare, then start with the questions and comments:

It's so small!

How does it run?

How much did it
cost?

When Moseley first considered buying the tiny European car, her husband was skeptical. But now, with gas prices high and likely getting higher following the partial shutdown of the Prudhoe Bay oil field in Alaska, he's a skeptic no longer.

"Now he's like, 'Let's take your car!'" she said.

After all, it runs nearly a month on way less than $20 worth of gas.

With demand climbing for energy-efficient cars, local dealers are finding they can't keep them on the lots.

Sean Chapman, sales manager at Toyota of Kirkland, said last week he didn't have any of Toyota's hybrids in stock, with the possible exception of a Highlander. There's a waiting list for the brand-new hybrid Toyota Camry, he said, and there's been a list for the Prius since it came out four years ago.

"Welcome to Europe," said Tim Hamilton, executive director of AUTO, a nonprofit association of gasoline retailers.

"What the public is becoming more and more aware of is these rising prices and spikes are not an anomaly," said Hamilton, who predicted $4-a-gallon gas within a month.

Mike Lavigne, general manager at Honda Auto Center of Bellevue, said sales of Honda's hybrids have been consistently strong.

"Supply has not met demand," Lavigne said. "We might get 10 or 15 a month, and then they'll be gone. It would be unusual for a person to come in and be able to buy one off the lot."

The brand-new Honda Fit, expected in 2008, already is back-ordered several months, he said. The other hybrid models — the hybrid Civic and the hybrid Accord — are available in about a month if the buyer is flexible on color.

Many people might have expected to ride out the gas price increases earlier in the year, but it's becoming apparent gas prices aren't going to go down any time soon.

And car shoppers are buying accordingly.

"People aren't going to buy cars on a gas spike. They're going to buy cars based on this is reality now," Hamilton said. "There's a growing recognition that it's going to be one temporary increase after another."

Moseley didn't buy her Smart Car last March exclusively for the savings on gas, though it is a perk: She gasses up every three or four weeks, she said, and it only costs her $12 to fill her tank.

Though notably small, the two-door Smart car feels big on the inside. Driver and passenger sit up high off the road. The windshield angles forward all the way to the nose of the car and wraps around to the extra-large windows on the doors, providing lots of light and visibility. There's plenty of leg room, too; the pockets of leg space extend all the way to the front of the car.

Moseley said she's had several tall friends in the car and "no one's hit their head yet," she said.

Lavigne said there are a number of reasons his customers have purchased hybrids from his dealership.

"We have people who buy a hybrid because they want to feel they're doing their part. It's a lifestyle choice. Others are faced with long commutes," he said. "The rationale comes in all different shapes and sizes."

He said as people begin to cycle through their cars — trade in ones bought several years ago for newer models — they're downsizing and looking for fuel efficiency, even if they're not expressly shopping for a hybrid or alternative fuel model.

Smart Car owners will save on gas over the long run, but the car itself isn't cheap. The car costs between $25,000 and $30,000, though prices are expected to drop to about half the going rate if DaimlerChrysler starts distributing the cars in the United States in 2008. Currently, they have to be imported, retrofitted to meet U.S. safety and emissions standards, then distributed to a few dealers across the country.

Moseley's office is only two miles from her home in Clyde Hill, but she drives to Seattle a couple of times a week. She said she gets 40 miles per gallon driving in downtown Bellevue and downtown Seattle, and the car always keeps up with traffic. "I've never had a problem with acceleration," she said. "It's got to be pretty practical. It can't be a car with a lawn mower engine."

Moseley has had a number of nice cars, such as a Mercedes 500SL and a Lexus. Someday she might get another car, but she's hooked on her Smart Car for now.

Besides the obvious benefits, Moseley said there are other benefits, too. One of the best: She can always fit into the tiny spots left between two SUVs.

"I'm not going to just keep it for a year," she said. "I like the car."

This Day in Auto History: 15 AUGUST

8.15.1893 - Harlow Herbert Curtice of Buick and General Motors is born in Petrieville, MI 8.15.1917 - Charles L. Nedoma of the Chalmers Motor Corporation joins the Cadillac Motor Car Company as Secretary to the Chief Engineer 8.15.1934 - Guy Moll, winner of the 1934 Monaco Grand Prix, is killed at age 24 when his Alfa Romeo P3 crashes during the Coppa Acerbo voiturette race in Pescara, Italy 8.15.1941 - Racer Colin Bond is born in Australia 8.15.1956 - Roy H. Faulkner of Oakland, Nash, Auburn, Studebaker, and Pierce-Arrow dies at age 70

Source: Automobile History Day By Day, by Douglas A. Wick

2006-08-15 03:05 (Mb 6.1) BANDA SEA -4.7 126.8

== PRELIMINARY EARTHQUAKE REPORT ==

Region: BANDA SEA
Geographic coordinates: 4.715S, 126.820E
Magnitude: 6.1 Mb
Depth: 39 km
Universal Time (UTC): 15 Aug 2006 03:05:14
Time near the Epicenter: 15 Aug 2006 12:05:14
Local time in your area: 15 Aug 2006 04:05:14

Location with respect to nearby cities:
188 km (117 miles) SW (232 degrees) of Ambon, Moluccas, Indonesia
451 km (280 miles) NNE (18 degrees) of DILI, East Timor
474 km (294 miles) E (80 degrees) of Baubau, Sulawesi, Indonesia


ADDITIONAL EARTHQUAKE PARAMETERS
________________________________
event ID : US rkak

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/usrkak.php

Chrysler 300, Dodge Magnum and Dodge Charger Now Reservable Through Hertz

Hertz Adds Three New Models to 'Fun Collection,' Putting Excitement in High Gear This Summer

Chrysler 300, Dodge Magnum and Dodge Charger Now Reservable Through Hertz

PARK RIDGE, NJ -- (MARKET WIRE) -- August 14, 2006 -- Following the successful launch of its signature 'Fun Collection' and the special-edition Ford Shelby GT-H Mustang in Spring 2006, Hertz today puts even more exciting vehicle choices into travelers' hands with the addition of the Chrysler 300, Dodge Magnum, and Dodge Charger, now available in Hertz Fun Collection markets nationwide. Created for leisure travelers seeking exciting driving experiences, the Hertz Fun Collection features an array of sporty vehicles including convertibles, coupes, roadsters and SUVs.

Rounding out the Fun Collection with their robust performance credentials and elegant styling, these three new vehicle additions each offer unique features appealing to travelers exploring the open road. The Chrysler 300 features brawny good looks, a balance of handling and comfort, and an aerodynamic exterior delivering wind-noise management and enhanced fuel efficiency. The Dodge Charger features exceptional ride and handling, functional exterior enhancements and a race-inspired interior, while the Dodge Magnum incorporates such unique features as 'command-of-the-road' seating providing a better view of the road, and steering wheel-mounted controls giving drivers fingertip command of a variety of electronic functions.

"Hertz is proud to lead the way in giving customers more choices and control to enhance their travels this summer and beyond," said Frank Camacho, Hertz Staff Vice President, Marketing. "We are delighted to expand the Hertz Fun Collection, offering services and programs that highlight the driving experience."

Other vehicles available through the Hertz Fun Collection include such convertibles as the Ford Mustang, Mazda Miata, Toyota Solara, PT Cruiser and Chrysler Sebring; coupes/roadsters including the exclusive, limited-edition Shelby GT-H Mustang, Ford Mustang (hard-top), PT Cruiser, Chevy HHR and Nissan 350Z; and SUVs such as the Ford Escape XLT Sport, Jeep Wrangler, Nissan Murano and HUMMER H3. Adding more entertainment to the driving experience, Hertz Fun Collection vehicles feature SIRIUS Satellite Radio (NASDAQ: SIRI)*. And, as with vehicles in the Hertz Prestige Collection, the Hertz Fun Collection is specifically reservable by make and model.

With the addition of the Chrysler 300, Dodge Magnum, and Dodge Charger, Hertz now offers 17 Fun Collection models that can be specifically reserved. Hertz offers renters the broadest selection of vehicles to suit their tastes and the highest level of service, with more than 8,500 Hertz Fun Collection vehicles available in approximately 20 major leisure destinations throughout the United States.

*Satellite radio service is only available within the continental United States; Hertz vehicles in Hawaii will not feature SIRIUS.

Updare to both the Sebring Coupe Cabrio and Dodge Avenger [Paris Auto Show]

Sebring coupe-vabriolet

Chrysler's forthcoming Sebring saloon is to join the convertible fold...

14th August 2006



Chrysler's forthcoming Sebring saloon is to join the convertible fold - with a new coupé-cabrio version.

It's part of a range of changes from DaimlerChrysler, which also sees a butch Dodge arrive in the same sector within 12 months. And both of the US models will use Volkswagen's acclaimed 136bhp 2.0-litre TDI diesel in their line-ups.

Auto Express can confirm the new Dodge saloon will be called Avenger, and is set to be a sportier alternative to the Sebring. Its public debut is expected at the Paris Motor Show next month.

The Dodge draws inspiration from the Charger muscle car of the Seventies, and will also use 2.0-litre and 2.4-litre petrol engines. Both the Chrysler and Dodge models will be priced between £17,000 and £19,000.

Smart ForTwo will be shown in frankfurt [November 5]

FRANKFURT(Dow Jones) - - - German-U.S. automaker DaimlerChrysler AG (DCX) will present the new version of its Smart 'fortwo' model Nov. 9 in Stuttgart, a company spokesman said Monday.

DaimlerChrysler in March decided to cease production of Smart's four-seater model, named forfour, and focus solely on the tiny two-seater model.

Following a wide-ranging restructuring program at the division, DaimlerChrysler aims to reach break-even at Smart next year, nearly a decade after the brand's market launch in October 1998.

DaimlerChrysler in June had confirmed plans to launch the ultra-compact car in the U.S. at the beginning of 2008, in coop eration with retailer United Auto Group Inc. (UAG).

Caliber Could Be Cute - Small car attracts more women to Dodge

BRADFORD WERNLE | AUTOMOTIVE NEWS AutoWeek | Published 08/14/06, 7:46 am et -

DETROIT - When it comes to attracting female customers, Dodge, with its "Ram tough" image and aggressive styling, often brings up the rear of the industry pack. But the Dodge Caliber may be changing that perception - even though it has hard-edged Dodge styling and an ad campaign that disdains the cuteness akin to its predecessor, the Neon. From February, when the economy car went on sale, through July, 42.9 percent of Caliber's customers were women, according to the Power Information Network. That's below the Chrysler group's target of 50 percent but considerably higher than the percentage of female buyers for most Dodge vehicles. From Jan. 1 through July, 27.2 percent of all Dodge buyers were women. Only GMC (23.2) and Porsche (21.2) attracted a lower percentage. Andy Palmen, chairman of the Dodge National Dealer Council and owner of Palmen Motors in Kenosha, Wis., says Caliber's strong performance among women doesn't surprise him. "From day one, we were selling this car to every gender and age group," Palmen says. "We're seeing a lot of mature women buying this car." Palmen thinks new vehicles in the pipeline will bring more women to Dodge stores. The 2006 Nitro, an entry-level SUV based on the Jeep Liberty platform, is likely to appeal to women when it arrives this fall, he says. Says Mark Spencer, senior manager of Dodge communications: "I think we saw Caliber as an opportunity to get new consumers into the Dodge brand regardless of gender. We really didn't have a gender play on Caliber. It was a 50-50 male-female target." Steve Saxty, executive director of marketing solutions for J.D. Power and Associates, says the Neon was also attractive to women - 46.5 percent of buyers in 2005, its last full year on sale. Says Saxty: "All these female buyers haven't popped up out of nowhere. They've popped out of Neon."

DaimlerChysler wins contract to sell 600 buses to Russia's Mostransavto UPDATE

AFX News Limited, FRANKFURT (AFX) - DaimlerChrysler AG's Russian unit EvoBus Russia has won a contract to deliver 600 Mercedes-Benz Conecto H intercity buses to the Moscow transportation company Mostransavto.

DaimlerChrysler did not disclose the value of the contract.

Sources in the industry told AFX News, however, the order is worth an amount in the lower hundreds of millions of euros.

The Conecto H regular-service intercity bus is designed to accommodate up to 53 passengers, DaimlerChrysler said in a written statement.

The bus' engine and transmission are built at German DaimlerChrysler plants, while the rest of the bus is manufactured in Turkey.

2006-08-09 22:36 REVISED: (Mw 5.2) SOUTHERN PERU -14.3 -70.6

== PRELIMINARY EARTHQUAKE REPORT ==

***This event has been revised.

Region: SOUTHERN PERU
Geographic coordinates: 14.312S, 70.551W
Magnitude: 5.2 Mw
Depth: 35 km
Universal Time (UTC): 9 Aug 2006 22:36:09
Time near the Epicenter: 9 Aug 2006 17:36:09
Local time in your area: 9 Aug 2006 23:36:09

Location with respect to nearby cities:
137 km (85 miles) NNW (342 degrees) of Juliaca, Peru
174 km (108 miles) ESE (120 degrees) of Cuzco, Peru
241 km (150 miles) SW (218 degrees) of Puerto Maldonado, Peru
745 km (463 miles) ESE (110 degrees) of LIMA, Peru


ADDITIONAL EARTHQUAKE PARAMETERS
________________________________
event ID : US recg

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/usrecg.php

2006-08-12 18:39 (Mb 5.6) RYUKYU ISLANDS, JAPAN 28.8 130.0

== PRELIMINARY EARTHQUAKE REPORT ==

Region: RYUKYU ISLANDS, JAPAN
Geographic coordinates: 28.830N, 129.996E
Magnitude: 5.6 Mb
Depth: 28 km
Universal Time (UTC): 12 Aug 2006 18:39:18
Time near the Epicenter: 13 Aug 2006 03:39:18
Local time in your area: 12 Aug 2006 19:39:18

Location with respect to nearby cities:
313 km (194 miles) S (190 degrees) of Kagoshima, Kyushu, Japan
372 km (231 miles) SSW (202 degrees) of Miyazaki, Kyushu, Japan
375 km (233 miles) NE (37 degrees) of Naha, Okinawa, Japan
1003 km (624 miles) SSE (163 degrees) of SEOUL, South Korea


ADDITIONAL EARTHQUAKE PARAMETERS
________________________________
event ID : US rhbu

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/usrhbu.php

2006-08-11 20:54 (Mw 6.0) SIMEULUE, INDONESIA 2.4 96.3

== PRELIMINARY EARTHQUAKE REPORT ==

Region: SIMEULUE, INDONESIA
Geographic coordinates: 2.374N, 96.321E
Magnitude: 6.0 Mw
Depth: 10 km
Universal Time (UTC): 11 Aug 2006 20:54:12
Time near the Epicenter: 12 Aug 2006 03:54:12
Local time in your area: 11 Aug 2006 21:54:12
Location with respect to nearby cities:
285 km (177 miles) WNW (285 degrees) of Sibolga, Sumatra, Indonesia
291 km (181 miles) WSW (243 degrees) of Medan, Sumatra, Indonesia
364 km (226 miles) SSE (162 degrees) of Banda Aceh, Sumatra, Indonesia
603 km (375 miles) W (262 degrees) of KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia

ADDITIONAL EARTHQUAKE PARAMETERS
________________________________
event ID : US rgb2
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/usrgb2.php

Updated News: 2008 Dodge Viper

Photo Credit: Dodgeforum.Com

Predicted debut: 6:30pm-8:30pm Monday September 25th, 2006, VOI9 Las Vegas
Start of production (Job 1): January 8th, 2007
End of production: July 2008 (for the 2008 model)
Series: ZB
Models: SRT10 coupe and SRT convertible (+ Special edition models)

New features:

• Exterior refresh
• 8.4L SFI V10 engine replaces 8.3L V10 (650 hp estimate)
• High performance alternator
• New SRT-10 satin silver badging

Carryover features from 2006:

• 6-speed T56 manual transmission (revised?)
• 3.07 axle ratio
• 12-inch clutch
• 18.5-gallon fuel tank
• 18x10 and 19x13 wheels275/35ZR18 and 345/30ZR19 Michelin tires
• 310-watt amp w/7 speakers and subwoofer
• Anti-lock 4-Wheel-disc brakes
• Dual side exhaust
• HID headlamps
• Keyless Entry
• Leather wrapped Steering Wheel
• Power adjustable pedals
• Power windows (1-touch up)
• Preferred suede seats w/leather trim
• Radio RBQ AM/FM radio w/in-dash 6-disc CD
• Sirius satellite radio
• Sport SuspensionTilt steering column

2006-08-11 14:30 (Mw 5.9) MICHOACAN, MEXICO 18.6 -100.9

== PRELIMINARY EARTHQUAKE REPORT ==

Region: MICHOACAN, MEXICO
Geographic coordinates: 18.624N, 100.913W
Magnitude: 5.9 Mw
Depth: 94 km
Universal Time (UTC): 11 Aug 2006 14:30:44
Time near the Epicenter: 11 Aug 2006 09:30:44
Local time in your area: 11 Aug 2006 15:30:44
Location with respect to nearby cities:
6 km (4 miles) NW (325 degrees) of Huetamo, Michoacán, Mexico
44 km (27 miles) NW (321 degrees) of Altamirano, Guerrero, Mexico
78 km (48 miles) WNW (300 degrees) of Arcelia, Guerrero, Mexico
122 km (76 miles) S (170 degrees) of Morelia, Michoacán, Mexico
204 km (126 miles) WSW (245 degrees) of MEXICO CITY, D.F., Mexico

ADDITIONAL EARTHQUAKE PARAMETERS
________________________________
event ID : US rgaw
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/usrgaw.php

Report: SLR Roadster "well on its way to production"

AUTOBLOG NEWS, FRANKFURT - - That's what the British magazine Auto Express is reporting. According to them, the Woking, Surrey-built droptop will be unveiled within the next six months. Based on the Vision SLR Roadster concept car (above), the supposed production version will share its coupe sibling's power and performance credentials.

Prospective customers should expect to have their wallets lightened by around £350,000 ($667K USD).Assuming the information is accurate, it's a welcome development. By the time the ragtop appears, at least three years will have passed since the production coupe's launch, and save for the recent 722 variant, nothing has really changed. A convertible SLR should have sex appeal to spare and will re-energize the motoring press, enthusiasts, and the well-heeled jet-setters who find themselves in the enviable position to buy one. Stay tuned.Thanks for the tip, Omar!

[Source: Auto Express}

Tulsarama time capsule a 1957 Plymouth Belvedere

AUTOBLOG NEWS, TULSA - - On June 15, 1957, a new gold and white 1957 Plymouth Belvedere Sport Coupe was buried in a time capsule in downtown Tulsa, OK. The time capsule was part of Golden Jubilee Week: Tulsa‘s celebration of Oklahoma‘s semi-centennial. The car is buried under the sidewalk in front of the Tulsa County Courthouse, approximately 100 feet north of the intersection of Sixth Street and Denver Avenue.

The car was seen as a method of acquainting twenty-first century citizens with a suitable representation of 1957 civilization. According to event chairman Lewis Roberts Jr., the Plymouth was chosen because it was "an advanced product of American industrial ingenuity with the kind of lasting appeal that will still be in style 50 years from now." The contents of a women’s purse, including bobby pins, a bottle of tranquilizers, cigarettes and an unpaid parking ticket, were added to the glove compartment of the car shortly before burial. Other items included in the time capsule were:

• 10 gallons of gasoline
• 5 quarts of oil
• A Douglas Aircraft Co. aerial map of airport facilities and legend
• Statement from Tulsa council of Churches – and prayer for greatest good next 50 years a recently completed history of churches in Tulsa and a directory of the present churches
  Statement from board of education
• historical data related to 50 years of education in Tulsa and copies of "School Life" all-high school publication issued by Tulsa high schools each month
• Statements from Mayor and Chamber of Commerce officials
• Flags which have been flown over the national capitol, state capitol and in the county and city
• Other aerial photos of the area
• Statement from Tulsa Trades and Labor Council
• Statements from all former mayors of the city – their record of service and civic accomplishments in the city, state and nationally

2007 Dodge Charger 'Super Bee' SRT8

HEMISPERICAL BLOG, 11 AUG 2006, BRAMPTON - - According to one of our insiders, Chrysler decided it is time to produce the next 2007 Dodge Charger 'Super Bee' SRT8 model today.

All I can say is "WOW"! This car just grabs me for a test drive through the back roads of Carlsbad [California].

The only items I would change for this car, that I wish that they would of added the next generation 6.4-Liter Hemi engine matted with a six-speed manual transmission, and powered through a 4.10:1 ratio rear gears. Yea baby! Let the "Buzzing" begin...

CHRYSLER GROUP RELEASE.

What They Say: The only previous Dodge Charger available as a Super Bee was a 1971 model. Immaculately restored examples now sell for $80,000 to $100,000.

What It Means: Dodge is hoping the auction mania surrounding past muscle cars will boost interest in their new special editions. It sure can't hurt.

Full Release: Offered in "Detonator Yellow" with black accents, the 2007 Dodge Charger SRT8 Super Bee is the first special edition of the "Charger on Steroids." Powered by the Street and Racing Technology-engineered 6.1-liter HEMI producing 425 horsepower, the Dodge Charger SRT8 Super Bee features special logos on front and rear fenders, contrasting yellow stitching on the seats, steering wheel and shift knob.

It will be available in dealerships this fall.

NEW VEHICLE REVIEWS - Mercedes-Benz S-Class places safety foremost

Tom Keane, WASHINGTON TIMES, AUG 11 2006 - - The car of the future is available now. It's the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, an attractive sedan with amazing technological advancements in protection, safety, sound, design and comfort.

Outwardly, the 2007 S550 appears very muscular with circular wheel wells that seem to wrap into the headlamps. Fog lamps are enclosed in the bumper.

Lighting is just one of its many safety features. At night, Infrared Night View Assist allows the driver to see something not visible with low beams. This system is activated with a switch on the dashboard and what's on the road is shown on a screen just in front of the steering wheel.

Taillamps are another area of safety. In emergency braking, the taillamps display an extra-bright glow so a driver behind the S-Class will notice. Both front passenger seats are designed to protect the occupants in the event of a crash. Side bolsters wrap the person into the center of the seat while the safety belt pulls the occupant inward. Both seats also use the side bolsters to hug the rider as the car makes turns. When going through a left-hand curve, for example, the right bolster gently pushed my left side.

These seats also massaged my back during my 300-mile test-drive. In addition, these exceptionally comfortable seats contain a fan to cool the body. The interior of the Mercedes S550 not only has great eye-appeal, but has the quietest interior of any car I've ever driven.

The ride is smooth, solid, and quite responsive to its 5.5-liter V-8 all-aluminum engine that produces 382 horsepower and is linked to a seven-speed automatic transmission. However, the main focus of this $86,175 Mercedes-Benz is on safety.

It features a new version of PRE-SAFE. Should the system determine that the driver is not applying sufficient braking to avoid a collision, PRE-SAFE takes over and applies more braking power. Or if the sensors detect the car is about to spin out of control, it closes the side windows and sunroof to allow the occupants the full protection of the side impact air bags. Best of all, the brake assist system enables the vehicle to stop in a shorter distance, which in many cases eliminates any collision. But the braking advantage doesn't stop there. While on a crowded slow-moving highway, my tester would automatically slow down or stop according to the flow of traffic.

When traffic started moving, I gently nudged the accelerator pedal and my car picked up speed to follow at a safe distance. When parallel parking I simply pulled up to an open space, put the car in reverse, and on the screen on the dash panel I could clearly see the area I intended to back into outlined with blue, yellow and red lines where I could safely back up. Audible tones assisted me.

The Harman/Kardon sound system is the best I've heard. During my journey, music from Sirius Satellite was clear and centrally balanced when I was in the driver's seat.Yet when I rode in the back seat, the central balance still remained. Incidentally, the rear seats can be adjusted and reclined to various comfort positions.

And the trunk is enormous. The screen on the dash panel is very informative and even contains the proper names of gas stations throughout the country. This screen blends in with the dash panel, making it easy for the driver to see and use while driving. I've driven just about every car on the road and have never seen anything like this S-Class. Now it's a question of how long it will take other manufacturers to catch up.

Charger SRT8 a wonderful addition to Dodge family

Ron Moorhead, WASHINGTON TIMES, August 11, 2006 - - Dodge kept us waiting a good long time for the Charger. I for one could not wait to get behind the wheel and hit the streets. Enthusiasts were anxious to see just how the company would rework the reincarnation of the iconic Charger.

Like the original Dodge Ram pickup and Chrysler 300 C sedan, the Dodge Charger design seems to evoke a love-it-or-hate-it reaction from more than a few folks. It polarizes, with a wide range of reactions from enthusiasts.

I am on the like-it side of this equation, admittedly though I was not always in this corner. The first photographs of the Charger left me less than enthused. I wanted to like the design but the proportions just didn't sit right with my left brain. Or is that my right brain? Once I was able to rest my eyes on a real three-dimensional body, I felt better about the Charger.

I, however, had high hopes for this car from the first announcement that it would be built. I've driven many variations of the Chrysler 300 C, on which the Charger is based and I knew I liked those vehicles. The question was: Would Dodge do what Dodge should with the platform?

In speaking with lead designer Jeff Gale I learned that the one conflict was that the original Charger was a two-door coupe, and coupes are not the hottest vehicles on today's market. It quickly became apparent that the design would challenge Mr. Gale and the other designers. Challenges are good and I am just as quick to tell Mr. Gale that they have done a masterful job of giving the vehicle highlights that harken back to the 1968 Charger, even though it has two additional doors.

Well the good news is I've driven the Charger and it is a fine street and highway automobile. The really good news, I was given the potent SRT8 version that elevated my experience to a higher level.

I like the styling even if it's perceived to throw a curve ball at acceptable design. The Charger is a wonderfully comfortable and capable automobile on the road. Interestingly, the Charger will also be built in Graf Austria for the European market. It is hard to imagine this large car traveling through the streets and villages of Europe.

The base Charger equipped with a 250-horsepower V-6 is an adequate transporter. The most popular model, the 340 horsepower V-8, is plenty of performance for most drivers. But, the wonderful Charger SRT8 runs with a larger 6.1-liter Hemi that produces 425 horsepower and high adrenalin levels.

I spent a great deal of time driving in the car with Dan Knott, the director of Street and Racing Technology of Chrysler Group, and have a deep appreciation for what Mr. Knott and his team does. They have not only given the Charger SRT8 massive power, they have made it a vehicle you can live with on a daily basis. The suspension system is responsive, enabling you to enjoy spirited driving along country roads. Yet, the Charger in any iteration is quite comfortable on the street or highway.

The big Hemi V-8 engine sounds the part with a nice growl emitted from the dual exhaust pipes.
There will be a few who criticize the addition of the two rear doors, but they are just stuck in an era of great memory. Sedans brings us back to the realities of daily life. The SRT8 takes us back to the world of those memories and lets us live them today. What an oxymoron: It is a practical vehicle that is fun to drive. My hat is off to Mr. Knott and his group.

This Day in Auto History: 11 AUGUST

8.11.1916 Racer Johnny Claes is born in Fulham, England of Belgian ancestry

8.11.1932 Ray A. Graham of Graham-Paige drowns in Chatham, ON, Canada at age 45

8.11.1946 The Buick Super convertible is introduced

8.11.1959 E. R. Carolin, Sales Manager of the Kelsey-Hayes Company, dies at age 50

8.11.1968 Charles E. Sorensen of the Ford Motor Company dies in Bethesda, MD at age 86

Source: Automobile History Day By Day, by Douglas A. Wick

This Day in Auto History: 10 AUGUST

8.10.1905 Automobile parts manufacturer William Joseph Joyce Jr. is born in Columbus, OH

8.10.1913 President Woodrow Wilson, a strong supporter of improved roads, purchases Membership Certificate No. 1 in the Lincoln Highway Association

8.10.1931 Bruce Ford, holder of more than 50 patents relating to automotive batteries, dies in Philadelphia, PA at age 58

8.10.1940 The last Alexandria Bay (NY) Round the Houses race is won by Alfa Romeo

8.10.1949 Thomas P. Archer of General Motors dies in Detroit, MI at age 64

Source: Automobile History Day By Day, by Douglas A. Wick

2006-08-09 22:36 (Mb 5.5) SOUTHERN PERU -14.3 -70.6

== PRELIMINARY EARTHQUAKE REPORT ==

Region: SOUTHERN PERU
Geographic coordinates: 14.312S, 70.551W
Magnitude: 5.5 Mb
Depth: 35 km
Universal Time (UTC): 9 Aug 2006 22:36:09
Time near the Epicenter: 9 Aug 2006 17:36:09
Local time in your area: 9 Aug 2006 23:36:09
Location with respect to nearby cities:
137 km (85 miles) NNW (342 degrees) of Juliaca, Peru
174 km (108 miles) ESE (120 degrees) of Cuzco, Peru
241 km (150 miles) SW (218 degrees) of Puerto Maldonado, Peru
745 km (463 miles) ESE (110 degrees) of LIMA, Peru

ADDITIONAL EARTHQUAKE PARAMETERS
________________________________
event ID : US recg
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/usrecg.php

Chrysler Group Powertrain Strategy Powered by World Engine Lessons and Alternative Fuel Options

* Future family of V-6 engines off single architecture will streamline four
engines to one
* Chrysler Group powertrain strategy focuses on better fuel economy and
alternative fuel options
* Chrysler Group joins effort to educate consumers on ethanol-based fuels,
announces bright yellow fuel cap on FFV vehicles beginning in 2007

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich., Aug. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Chrysler Group Chief Operating Officer Eric Ridenour gave industry leaders an overview of the company's multi-pronged powertrain strategy which focuses on applying technological lessons and processes learned from its innovative World Engine plant. The strategy also includes identifying opportunities for better fuel economy and alternative fuel choices. He spoke today at the annual Management Briefing Seminars in Traverse City, Michigan.

Ridenour told the group that the entire Chrysler Group leadership team is "firmly committed to being competitive in all vehicle segments. We believe we have a sound strategy in place, the right products in the pipeline and the right people guiding our business to ensure we're prepared
for the coming challenges."

Chrysler Group is launching 10 new vehicles this year, a company record. The vehicles are fuel-efficient, and most are targeted to today's hottest segments: cars and small SUVs. Ridenour noted that a key part of the product offensive is an intense focus on fuel efficiency, offering
flexible-fuel vehicles (FFV) and a future powertrain strategy which includes a new V-6 engine program.

Chrysler Group is currently developing a business case for a new family of V-6 engines based on a single V-6 architecture. If approved, this one engine would replace four current Chrysler Group engine families while representing a major investment in three U.S. sites. This engine would be produced in a variety of displacements, built around an all-aluminum, dual-overhead cam, four-valve-per-cylinder design.

While the company is still developing its business case for the V-6 project, its Global Engine Manufacturing Alliance (GEMA) plant in Dundee, Michigan, is setting the foundation for future programs. "With GEMA, we were able to apply economies of scale to component and machine tool purchases to generate big savings that we were then able to invest back into the World Engine -- allowing us to add features that improve performance, refinement, durability and affordability," Ridenour noted.

He added that many of the technological lessons and processes learned at GEMA will be applied to any future engine architecture going forward. "We're very confident that we would be able to achieve the same flexibility in a V-6 family as we have in our family of four-cylinder World Engines," said Ridenour.

The future V-6 engine is only one part of the Company's powertrain strategy -- providing the highest possible fuel economy is another.

For example, four of the 10 all new vehicles coming out in 2007 will have better than 30 mpg highway mileage. Chrysler Group was the first to market modern cylinder de-activation with its Multi-Displacement System (MDS), in its HEMI(R) vehicles. MDS seamlessly alternates between smooth, high-fuel-economy four-cylinder mode when less power is needed, and V-8
mode when more power is in demand, and improves fuel economy by up to 20 percent.

Ridenour added that more than $60 million worth of gasoline will have been saved through the end of the 2007 model year thanks to MDS technology.

"We have 'fuel economy teams' that go through each of our vehicles -- piece by piece, ounce by ounce, joule by joule and amp by amp," Ridenour explained. "Here's an example: By optimizing our design, we were able to reduce the fuel pump amperage by about 40 percent. Since fuel pumps run all the time, this results in about 0.1 mpg savings on high-flow applications like flex-fuel and HEMI-equipped vehicles. No tenth-of-a-mile improvement is too small to consider in the battle for fuel efficiency."

The third part of the company's strategy is to provide vehicles that will help reduce our country's dependence on oil through increased use of renewable fuels, such as ethanol.

"We believe that flexible-fuel vehicles are part of the answer and part of a complete lineup of options that our customers expect. Ethanol-based fuels like E 85 are a part of a viable long-term strategy for our nation's energy security," Ridenour explained.

Ten percent of Chrysler Group vehicles produced over the past eight years are flex-fuel capable -- a greater percentage than any other company.

Today, there are 1.5 million ethanol-capable Chrysler, Jeep(R) and Dodge vehicles on the road. In 2007, the company will produce 250,000 more E 85-capable vehicles, and in 2008, it will double that number to 500,000. However, the challenge is to educate the owners of those vehicles.

Ridenour announced that starting next year, the Chrysler Group will share an element of General Motors' "Live Green, Go Yellow" campaign. The Chrysler Group will install bright yellow fuel caps on each of its FFVs which will allow consumers, at a glance, to know if their vehicle is flex-fuel capable. Additionally, the company will begin badging its FFV
vehicles.

In addition to ethanol vehicles, Chrysler Group has been a leader in supporting biofuels. Each Jeep Liberty is fueled with B5 (5 percent biodiesel) at the factory and the program will continue with the 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee CRD -- the company's first diesel-powered full-size SUV with a new 3.0-liter Mercedes-Benz engine. Going forward, the Chrysler Group continues to look for ways to leverage the diesel expertise of its sister division, Mercedes-Benz, to bring clean-burning diesels with superior fuel economy to consumers. Today's diesel engines are up to 95 percent cleaner than the diesels of 15 years ago, and provide an average of 30 percent better fuel economy.

DaimlerChrysler also has its eye on future technologies including hybrids and fuel cells. Ridenour explained that a new two-mode hybrid system, developed with GM and BMW, leapfrogs traditional hybrid design by improving fuel economy by up to 25 percent. Chrysler Group will introduce this system with the Dodge Durango in 2008. And with more than 100 fuel
cell vehicles on the road today -- more than any other company -- DaimlerChrysler is helping to speed the development of hydrogen-powered vehicles and promote customer familiarity.

"We are a full-line producer of vehicles, and we intend to compete in multiple powertrain technologies," said Ridenour. "We know that each has its merits. That's why we believe in a combination of biofuels, diesels, hybrids, fuel cells and advance gasoline technologies. No one technology will win the day. Bottom line is consumers want choice.

"Our customers will ultimately decide the technologies they want and need to power their vehicles -- now and in the future. And DaimlerChrysler will be standing at the ready with all the options available to meet their needs," Ridenour concluded.

SOURCE Chrysler Group

this Day in Auto History: 09 AUGUST

8.9.1896 Sir Bernard Dudley Frank Docker, a British businessman known for his numerous one-off custom Daimlers, is born

8.9.1912 The Sterling Motor Company is incorporated by William C. Durant, J. Dallas Dort, Curtis R. Hatheway, Edwin R. Campbell, and Fred A. Aldrich as part of the corporate web created with the Chevrolet Motor Car Company

8.9.1926 Joseph W. Eskridge joins the Hudson Motor Car Company

8.9.1948 Norman John Stewart of General Motors of Canada Ltd. is born in Toronto, ON

8.9.1963 Racer Alain Menu is born in Geneva, Switzerland

Source: Automobile History Day By Day, by Douglas A. Wick

DaimlerChrysler, MSU team up for research

AMANDA ROSS ·
The State News
Kurt Thelen, a professor of crop and soil sciences, inspects
soybean plants for damage from Japanese beetles. The soybeans are being raised
as part of a study concerning biofuels, or fuels that can be created from
plants. Soybeans, sunflowers and canola are part of a group called "oilseed
crops," while switchgrass and corn are ethanol crops.

JUSTIN KROLL, The State News - - There could be new uses for contaminated land, as MSU researchers try to develop ways to grow biofuel-producing plants on polluted sites.

The researchers teamed up with DaimlerChrysler AG in hopes of finding ways to increase the yield of plants — such as soybeans, switchgrass and sunflowers — that are used in the production of biofuels. They also aim to find a use for contaminated areas and hope growing plants on these sites will help to decontaminate them.

"We are first trying to find more ways to produce biofuel, and the second is to use the plant to eliminate some of the factors that are harmful to the environment," said Kurt Thelen, an associate professor of crop and soil sciences and one of the researchers on the project.

MSU researchers got involved in the project when NextEnergy, a nonprofit organization that supports energy technology development, approached them with the idea of working with DaimlerChrysler AG to research these biofuels.

"Our company had originally been asked by automotive companies to research warranty with their vehicles and the car's engine," said Dan Radomski, the director of market development at NextEnergy. "As we began looking into biofuel and its effect on a vehicle's engine, we made some connections — one of which was with DaimlerChrysler AG — and then contacted MSU in hopes these two groups could help with research on the fuels."

Radomski said the organization chose MSU to help with the project because of its proximity to the group and its reputation as a top agricultural university.

"MSU seemed to be the smart pick because they're in our backyard, they have one of the best agriculture colleges in the country and so far they have done a great job along with DaimlerChrysler," he said.

The research has been conducted on multiple sites in the state, including a two-acre area in Oakland County's Rose Township, where the group from MSU is conducting most of its study.
At the Rose Township site, Thelen and other MSU researchers are trying to find out whether or not the field can produce the proper amount of yield from the plants to be made into biofuel.

"We're at a point now where petroleum-base fuel is at such a high price to get that we need to look for other ways to get other fuels," Thelen said. "These fuels could also be helpful to our economy because we wouldn't have to import fuels from other countries if we can just grow it here in the states."

Representatives from DaimlerChrysler AG say the fuel from the fields could be used soon.
"We are working on a late '07 model of the Jeep Grand Cherokee that would be able to use biofuels," said Kristin Tyll, a spokeswoman from DaimlerChrysler's Safety and Environment department. "Biofuels cannot be used unless a car has a diesel engine, and this specific model has a diesel engine."

Though it might be a while before many more cars are able to use this fuel, Thelen is hopeful that its use will catch on quickly.

"It would be a couple of years because we are still looking for that yield of quality that allows us to grow more crops on more fields," Thelen said. "This is a type of thing that could take off quite fast."

SPY PICS: 2008 Jeep Liberty

HEMISPERICAL BLOG, MICHIGAN - - Thanks to a GMI's user name Kheiron, we finally have some close up of the claimed Jeep Liberty replacement. Noting the Jeep G test mule, this looks very close to both the mule and a scaled down Jeep Commander.

High-caliber Performance: With 300 Horsepower, All-new 2007 Dodge Caliber SRT4 to Dominate Sport-compact Market

Hispania News - Colorado Springs,CO,USA - -High-caliber Performance: With 300 Horsepower, All-new 2007 Dodge Caliber SRT4 to Dominate Sport-compact Market

Chrysler Group's Street and Racing Technology (SRT) group will take the SRT4 reputation to new heights with the introduction of the all-new, 300-horsepower 2007 Dodge Caliber SRT4.

Street and Racing Technology
Since its inception in 2002, SRT has introduced 12 extreme-performance vehicles, including the Viper-powered Dodge Ram SRT10 regular cab and Quad Cab TM , Chrysler Crossfire SRT6 Coupe and Roadster, Chrysler 300C SRT8, Dodge Magnum SRT8, Dodge Charger SRT8, Dodge Viper SRT10 Convertible and Coupe and Jeep® Grand Cherokee SRT8.

Standout Powertrain
The all-new 2007 Dodge Caliber SRT4 is capable of a 0-60 mph time in under six seconds. How is that possible?

Functional, Performance-oriented Exterior Design
Because there is only one chance to make a first impression, the all-new 2007 Dodge Caliber SRT4 makes the most of it with muscular exterior styling.

Race-inspired Interior Appointments
In the "business office" of the all-new 2007 Dodge Caliber SRT4, a new interpretation of traditional SRT themes is carried out.

Two communication options are available on the 2007 Dodge Caliber SRT4: UConnect TM Hands-free Communication System and SIRIUS Satellite Radio.

SIRIUS provides 2007 Dodge Caliber SRT4 customers with more than 120 streams of the best music, entertainment and information, coast to coast. SIRIUS channels include 100 percent commercial-free music, the most play-by-play sports, world-class news, as well as talk, comedy, women's, family and kids' programming, traffic and weather.World-class Ride and HandlingAnother hallmark of SRT's balanced approach to performance is ride and handling characteristics that make a smooth transition from street to track.

The all-new 2007 Dodge Caliber SRT4 rides on SRT-unique 19-inch cast aluminum wheels with 225/45R19 W-rated Goodyear tires. Wheel hubs and bearings on all four corners are adapted from Chrysler Group mid-size cars for strength.

Benchmark BrakingBenchmark braking is another ingredient in SRT's performance recipe.
The Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) was uniquely calibrated for the all-new 2007 Dodge Caliber SRT4's performance to maintain directional stability without wheel lockup.

2007 Dodge Caliber SRT4 Safety and Security Features
Following are safety and security features in the all-new 2007 Dodge Caliber SRT4:

- Advanced Multi-stage Air Bags: Offers enhanced protection for a range of occupants and is designed to identify the size of an occupant in the front passenger seat based primarily on weight - Anti-lock Braking System: Equipped with electronic sensors that help prevent wheel lockup, the ABS system offers improved steering control under extreme braking and/or slippery conditions
- Auto-reverse Sun Roof: An advanced sensing system that automatically engages and reverses the sun roof (to the open position)
- BeltAlert: This feature sounds a periodic chime to alert the driver and all occupants to fasten their seat belts
- Brake Assist: The vehicle senses a panic brake condition and applies maximum braking power, providing the shortest possible stopping distance
- Brake/Park Interlock: Prevents an automatic transmission or transaxle from being shifted out of Park unless the brake pedal is applied
- Constant Force Retractors (CFR): A mechanical device in each front seat belt is designed to mitigate the force of a seat belt according to the load or force exerted on it. CFRs are engineered to force
-limit the belt system and gradually release seat-belt webbing in a controlled manner during a severe impact - Crumple Zones: An area of the vehicle that is designed to compress during an accident to absorb energy from an impact, preventing transfer of that energy to occupants
- Electronic Stability Program (ESP): Feature aids the driver in maintaining vehicle directional stability, providing oversteer and understeer control to maintain vehicle behavior
- Energy-absorbing Steering Column: Steering column contains two hydroformed coaxial tubes that move relative to each other, which allows the column to move forward and provide more energy absorption during an impact
- Enhanced Accident Response System (EARS): In the event of an impact, this system makes it easier for emergency personnel to see and access occupants by automatically turning on interior lighting and unlocking doors after air bag deployment. The system also shuts off the flow of fuel to the engine
- Height-adjustable Seat Belts: Allows passengers to lift and lower the shoulder belt to a comfortable level. Encourages seat belt usage by offering a more comfortable fit
- HomeLink® Universal Home Security System Transceiver: HomeLink can store three separate radio-frequency codes to operate garage door openers, security gates, security lighting and other radio-controlled devices
- Inflatable Knee Blocker: The inflatable knee blocker is an air bag that deploys whenever the driver's primary air bag deploys, helping position the driver relative to the primary air bag
- Interior Head-impact Protection: Interior pillars above the belt line, instrument panel, windshield and rear window headers, roof and side rail structures, and shoulder-belt turning loops are specifically designed to limit head-impact forces
- Knee Bolsters: The steering column, lower instrument panel and the glove-box door are reinforced to protect unbelted occupants during frontal impacts. They both restrain and position the occupant properly and enable air bags to work effectively
- Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH): This system helps ease the installation of compatible aftermarket child seats
- Occupant Classification System (OCS): The OCS measures the conditions for activation or deactivation of the front passenger-side air bag based upon the weight of the occupant
- Octagonal Frame-rail Tips: Octagonal tips are designed to collapse rearward in a controlled manner during a frontal or offset front impact
- ParkSense Rear Back-up System: Assists with detecting stationary objects when driving at low speeds in Reverse. This system consists of visible (lights when the driver looks at the inside rearview mirror) and audible warnings
- Power-adjustable Pedals: Allows brake, accelerator and clutch pedals to move toward or away from the driver. This helps the driver achieve a safe and comfortable seating position for improved vehicle control
- Remote Keyless Entry: The remote keyless entry locks and unlocks doors, and turns on interior lamps. If the vehicle is equipped with a vehicle-theft security alarm, the remote also arms and disarms that system
- Seat-belt Pretensioners: During a collision, impact sensors initiate front seat belt pretensioners to immediately remove slack from seat belts, which reduces the forward movement of an occupant's head and torso
- Sentry Key® Engine Immobilizer: This utilizes an engine key that has an embedded transponder with a pre-programmed security key code. When the key is inserted into the ignition, the controller sends a random number to the transponder and the engine is allowed to start. If the correct key is not used, the engine will shut off after only a few seconds
- SmartBeam® Headlamps: Intelligent headlamp system that adjusts to ambient light and oncoming traffic to deliver maximum lighting
- Supplemental Side-curtain Air Bags: Available side-curtain air bags extend protection to front- and rear-seat outboard occupants. Each side air bag has its own impact sensor in order to autonomously trigger the air bag on the side where the side impact occurs
- Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPM): This advanced system monitors tire pressure and alerts the driver to improper tire pressure conditions. Low pressure on any tire illuminates the amber warning indicator in the instrument cluster

Street- and Track-tested Quality
The all-new 2007 Dodge Caliber SRT4 was designed and engineered under the Chrysler Development System (CDS), the comprehensive, coordinated and disciplined product-creation process that improves quality and speed-to-market while reducing costs and encouraging practical innovation in

Shutdown of the Chrysler Sebring platform cost Metaldyne

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. -- The shutdown of the Chrysler Sebring platform cost Metaldyne Corp. $10 million in revenue during the second quarter, but the chassis and driveline supplier says it will begin work on the next generation of the vehicle this fall.Metaldyne, based in Plymouth Township, Mich., has tied much of its business to DaimlerChrysler AG, which accounts for more than a quarter of Metaldyne's annual sales.

CEO Tim Leuliette has said Metaldyne wants to quietly improve profit margins this year and clean up its balance sheets. So far the company is meeting those goals, said Tom Amato, executive vice president of commercial operations."Metaldyne differentiates itself by sticking with our plan over a long period of time," Amato said in an interview with Automotive News today at the Management Briefing Seminars. "Given the decimation of this industry, on a relative basis, we've done pretty well."

During the second quarter, Metaldyne posted operating earnings of $26.5 million on revenue of $505.6 million, compared with operating earnings of $30.6 million on revenue of $506.6 million during the same quarter last year. Metaldyne is privately owned and doesn't trade its stock on open markets. But the company carries publicly traded bonds, so the investment community tracks operating profits and cash flow more than net income. The company posted a loss of $16.5 million in the second quarter, compared with a net income of $600,000 during the same quarter last year.

Chrysler ceased production of the current Chrysler Sebring and Dodge Status platforms on May 12 at the Sterling Heights, Mich., assembly plant. Production of the new platform is expected to begin in September. The loss of Sebring/Stratus production was somewhat offset for Metaldyne by increased work on the Chrysler 300 and Dodge Magnum and Charger. Chrysler through July has boosted production on that platform by 7.9 percent to 177,422 units, from the same period last year. Wall Street has remained concerned about Metaldyne's long-term debt load, which stood at $864.7 million at the end of the second quarter, up 7.4 percent from the same point last year.

Standard & Poor's Corp. has rated the company's debt as junk, assigning it a "B" rating."The ratings reflect the company's limited liquidity, its highly leveraged capital structure, and the cyclical and competitive pricing pressures of the capital-intensive automotive metal component supply industry," S&P said in an Aug. 4 report. Metaldyne says most of its debt doesn't amortize for several years."We have nice cash flow from operations," Amato says. "

We're comfortable with where we're at, but we want to focus where we can to take out that higher-cost debt."Metaldyne was formed in 2000 when private-equity fund Heartland Industrial Partners of Bloomfield Hills, Mich., combined MascoTech Inc., Simpson Industries Inc. and Global Metal Technologies Inc.The company ranks No. 25 on the Automotive News list of the top 150 suppliers to North America, with North American original-equipment automotive parts sales of $1.80 billion in 2005.

Chrysler Financial Expands E-Contract System

BANK NET 360 NEWS - - Captive lender Chrysler Financial announced Tuesday that it has booked more than 1,000 e-contracts for vehicle loans, claiming to be the first auto lender to offer electronic loan origination for both retail and lease contracts.

The web-based loan system is being used by more than 100 dealers in 11 states, according to the company. Chrysler Financial Vice President William F. Jones Jr. said he expects to have 1,000 dealers using the system by yearend, and another 1,000 by the end of 2007.

Chrysler Financial began deployment of AutOrigination, its contract-verification system, several years ago. This technology is the pulse of the e-contract system and now supports nearly 80% of Chrysler, Jeep, and Dodge dealers.

2006 Car Complaint Index - Chrysler Group is among the list

Thanks to consumer advocate Jack Gillis, author of the 2006 Car Book, and the efforts of the Center for Auto Safety, we are able to provide you with the vehicle complaints on file with the National Highway for Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Each year, thousands of Americans call their government to register complaints about their vehicles. The federal government collects this information but has never released it to the general public. The complaint index is based on a ratio of the number of complaints for each vehicle to the sales of that vehicle. The numbers represent relative index scores, not the number of complaints received. The complaint index score considers sales volume and years on the road. Lower index numbers are better.

The 2006 Projected Car Complaint Ratings

MODEL COMPLAINT INDEX RATIO
Dodge Magnum 34,477
Ford GT 27,905
Suzuki Verona 26,081
Pontiac GTO 25,023
Land Rover LR3 19,939
Chrysler 300 18,405
Buick Terraza 17,190
Nissan Armada 16,146
Nissan Quest 16,063
Toyota Prius 15,938
Volkswagen Touareg 12,588
Nissan 350z 12,360
Chevrolet Corvette 12,016
Chrysler Pacifica 11,944
Chevrolet Equinox 11,764
Pontiac Montana SV6 11,673
Nissan Titan 10,835
Acura RL 10,305
Scion tC 10,000

Source: http://www.lemonlaw.com/carcomplaintindex.html/rid.html

Mercedes outsells BMW for first time since March

Michael Shields, European Auto Correspondent FRANKFURT (Reuters) - BMW group vehicle unit sales fell 7.7 percent in July, the world's largest premium carmaker said on Monday, allowing rival Mercedes-Benz to outsell the core BMW brand for the first time since March.

But deliveries of BMW's Mini brand handily beat sales of the Smart minicar, keeping BMW group sales including luxury marque Rolls-Royce ahead of those at DaimlerChrysler's Mercedes Car Group, which also includes Maybach limousines.

BMW group sales slipped to 102,452 units last month -- still its second-best July ever and trailing only July 2005, when the then-new BMW 3 Series saloon sent sales rocketing.
Limited availability of the 3 Series coupe version before a new generation of that model arrives in September also weighed on sales, as did slumping deliveries of its ageing X5 and X3 offroaders, BMW said in a statement.

BMW brand global vehicle sales fell 7.7 percent to 86,597 units in July, while Mini brand deliveries also retreated 7.7 percent to 15,804 cars as capacity upgrades at the Mini plant in Britain restricted supply.

Roll-Royce sales gained 13.3 percent to 51 Phantoms.

In the first seven months, group deliveries rose 5.7 percent to 800,931 units. Sales of the 3 Series were up by a quarter to over 290,000 cars, while top-of-the-line 7 Series sales gained 16.4 percent and 5 Series sales rose 3.3 percent.

Bank Sal Oppenheim car sector analyst Michael Raab said the sales slowdown at BMW was set to continue for the next few months while customers await a facelifted X3 due out next month and new generations of the X5 and Mini by year's endThe picture should reverse back in favour of BMW early next year," he said, but the arrival of the new Mercedes-Benz C-Class car next year would shuffle the desk once again.

The question of whether to own BMW or DaimlerChrysler stock hinges largely on perceptions of the economy, Raab said. He anticipated a weaker economic environment over the next six months, particularly in the United States.

"Assuming that this is correct, you want to see quality with little risk, and if you do that you clearly choose BMW," he said.

DaimlerChrysler is more exposed to any downturn via its U.S. arm, Chrysler, and its role as the world's biggest truckmaker.

BMW has forecast record sales volume this year and vowed to remain the world's top premium carmaker.

Outgoing BMW Chief Executive Helmut Panke said last week that group sales through July would show a clear rise, although not to the same extent as the 8 percent gain in the first half as year-on-year comparisons became more difficult.

Mercedes Car Group reported last week that July sales rose 1.7 percent to 102,300 units, bringing seven-month sales up 7.7 percent to 729,600 vehicles.

Its sales charge has been led by the Mercedes-Benz brand, which delivered 11.9 percent more cars and SUVs through July. Sales at the Mercedes-Benz brand last month surpassed BMW brand vehicle sales by around 6,000 units.

This Day in Auto History: 08 AUGUST

8.8.1904 The Peerless Green Dragon becomes the first car to exceed 60 mph in Canada

8.8.1919 The Hispano-Suiza “Stork” mascot is patented by designer F. Bazin

8.8.1935 Doc MacKenzie clinches the Eastern AAA racing title by winning the 50-mile feature in Langhorne, PA

8.8.1939 The last Packard V-12 is produced

8.8.1946 Edward Thomas Schafer, Governor of North Dakota 1992-date whose various business ventures include a collectible car dealership, is born in Bismarck, ND

Source: Automobile History Day By Day, by Douglas A. Wick
Photo Credit: http://peerlessmotorcar.com/images/green_dragon_page.jpg

DaimlerChrysler Receives Major Order For Mercedes-Benz Bus Chassis For Brazil

• Biggest sale ever of Mercedes-Benz brand articulated bus chassis in Latin America
• All units to be delivered by Spring 2007

AUTO CHANNEL NEWS, Stuttgart/São Paulo - August 7, 2006: DaimlerChrysler has sold a total of 1,055 Mercedes-Benz urban bus chassis to companies acting in the public transport in the city of São Paulo. This volume includes 750 models of the rear engine 13.2 meter chassis and 305 units of the recently launched 18 meter articulated chassis with normal and low-entry type floors. Both models are equipped with the same electronic engine OM 457 LA. All chassis will be delivered until February 2007. As Brazil is a mere chassis market, these chassis will be built up by local body builders. “The sale of 305 articulated chassis represents the biggest volume of this model already negotiated in Latin America. This major order is a great success for our new product”, said Wolfgang Diez, Head of DaimlerChrysler Buses.

Considered the biggest metropolis in Latin America, the city of São Paulo is the major bus market in Brazil. Presently there are 25,000 Mercedes-Benz vehicles circulating in the city, which represent a 64% market share in relation to the total fleet of 38,800 buses. In a 10-year period, a total volume of more than 150,000 buses were sold in Brazil, and the Mercedes-Benz brand market share in this period reached 55%, with the sale of approximately 84,000 units.
DaimlerChrysler do Brasil is a wholly-owned subsidiary of DaimlerChrysler AG, the world's leading manufacturer of buses and coaches over eight tons GVW. DaimlerChrysler produces more than 36,000 buses and chassis a year.

GEMA manufacturing a world-class workforce

RP news wires - - In a speech August 7 to a leading automotive industry conference, Global Engine Manufacturing Alliance (GEMA) president Bruce Coventry outlined how his Dundee, Mich.-based engine plant is creating a globally competitive American manufacturing model.

As part of a panel addressing "World-Class Manufacturing: Manufacturing Strategies and Technologies for Enhancing Global Competitiveness," Coventry explained how GEMA leverages its three-way alliance between DaimlerChrysler, Hyundai Motor Company and Mitsubishi Motors Corporation to reach economies of scale that make the "World Engine" the largest operation of its kind.

With a combined annual production capability of 1.8 million engines between five plants in three countries, the World Engine program takes advantage of a common base engine design, global sourcing, common manufacturing procedures and benchmark lean processes.

"So, how does GEMA target value? We extracted the benefits of volume bundling on almost 2 million units per year," Coventry said. "We utilized an efficient investment strategy: We didn't buy a block line, we bought three block lines, utilizing the best engineering inputs from Mitsubishi, Hyundai and DaimlerChrysler.

"By agreeing to standardization and commonization of component designs, we leveraged the strengths of the partnership. For example, we pursued open-book pricing, shared sourcing and volume bundling. Additionally, partners have shared best practices and lessons learned from past and current experiences in an effort to enhance and refine the technology."

Coventry explained that the Global Engine Manufacturing Alliance offers its partners key advantages. A common base engine design allows any one of five World Engine plants to supply any partner, essentially making the engine a commodity.

Before closing, Coventry turned his attention to Michigan's workforce.

"A few automakers are building in the South," said Coventry. "They're saving a few dollars, but sacrificing the highly skilled work force found in the Midwest. Simultaneously, Michigan has experienced a loss in population over the last 10 years. Many of these are members of the highly skilled workforce for which we're known. To retain Michigan's competitive advantage, businesses must be involved with their local schools and communities. We must provide opportunities and incentives for our skilled workforce to stay in Michigan and help forge the future of manufacturing."

The 1.8-, 2.0- and 2.4-liter four-cylinder World Engine family is available in the all-new Dodge Caliber, Jeep Compass, upcoming Chrysler Sebring, Jeep Patriot and Dodge Caliber SRT4. The engine features a high-pressure die-cast aluminum block, aluminum heads and dual variable valve timing, giving it high-value features that improve performance, refinement, durability and affordability.