* DaimlerChrysler’s German Sales Organization now has responsibility for nationwide wholesale operations
* Light-duty Canter truck will be available at 80 authorized dealers

DaimlerChrysler’s German Sales Organization (DCVD) will assume control of wholesale operations in Germany for the Mitsubishi Fuso brand on June 1, 2007, taking over this responsibility from the Mitsubishi Motors Deutschland (MMD) import company. MMD’s existing Mitsubishi Fuso sales network will be integrated into DCVD, thereby making the brand’s vehicles available at a total of 80 authorized dealers, 17 of which are DaimlerChrysler outlets, with the other 63 operated by contract partners.

Further integration of Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation (MFTBC) into the DaimlerChrysler Group is one of the goals of the Global Excellence Program at the DaimlerChrysler Truck Group.

MFTBC is the Truck Group´s Center for hybrid technology. Mitsubishi Fuso offers the light-duty Canter truck in Germany; the vehicle is produced in Tramagal, Portugal. The shift in wholesale management and integration into the Group-operated sales organization (DCVD) are designed to boost the light truck’s market share in the 3.5 – 7.5 ton GVW market segment from the current figure of 2.7 percent.

Mitsubishi Fuso Truck & Bus Corporation (MFTBC), which is headquartered in Kawasaki, Japan, is one of the leading truck manufacturers in Asia. The company sold a total of 186,000 vehicles in 2006, including light, medium-duty and heavy-duty trucks and buses. DaimlerChrysler AG owns 85 percent of MFTBC; the remaining 15 percent is held by the Mitsubishi Group. Mitsubishi Fuso is a key component of the DaimlerChrysler Truck Group.

Source: DaimlerChrysler

- You Don't Have to Wear Spandex to Be a Hero
- Hometown Hero Nominations for 6th Annual Volvo for life Awards Now Accepted Online


IRVINE, Calif., May 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Superheroes are popping up everywhere with Spiderman 3, Fantastic Four and the Heroes TV season finale hitting screens large and small this summer, but Volvo Cars of North America wants you to know -- you don't have to have superhuman powers to be a hero.

Since 2002, Volvo Cars of North America has discovered and celebrated more than 17,000 everyday heroes in its annual Volvo for life Awards. Heroes like this year's Grand Award Winner, Rose Mapendo, who, after suffering incredible adversity, went on to help bring thousands of African refugees to safety, or finalist Paula Lucas who helps overseas victims of spousal abuse find support, or Eli Kahn, a fifteen-year-old cancer survivor who, through his organization Cartridges for a Cure, is raising money for cancer research while helping protect the earth.

If you know someone like Rose, Paula or Eli, someone who is using their ordinary powers to do extraordinary things to improve the safety, quality of life or environment in your community, nominate them for the 6th Annual Volvo for life Awards at:
http://www.volvoforlifeawards.com/

When the nomination period closes this fall, the American public will be invited to vote for their favorite heroes online to decide the finalists in the categories of Safety, Quality of Life and Environment in the 6th Annual Volvo for life Awards.

A panel of distinguished judges will then select one winner for each of the categories, who will receive $50,000 to be donated to the charities of their choice, remaining finalists will receive a $25,000 charitable donation. The overall grand award winner will be named "America's Greatest Hometown Hero" and presented with a Volvo car every three years for the rest of his or her life at the annual Volvo for life Awards Ceremony in New York City, March 19.

To learn more or to nominate a hero, visit http://www.volvoforlifeawards.com/ (A Spanish version of the site can also be accessed at this address.)

Source: Volvo Cars of North America

TOKYO (May 29, 2007)-Nissan Motor Co. Ltd., today announced that its new Global Production Engineering Center (GPEC) has begun full-scale operations. The new state-of-the-art center for production engineering is located at Nissan's Zama Operations Center in Kanagawa Prefecture. As the focal point for production engineering and development for all of Nissan's production facilities worldwide, GPEC will play a key role in redefining Nissan's global standards in manufacturing. The center aims to develop breakthrough technologies in manufacturing processes, focusing on enhancing quality, productivity and development lead time.

"The new GPEC and Global Training Center (GTC) represent long-term investments for Nissan in terms of delivering high-quality products to our customers worldwide. Both facilities are critical to the continued evolution of the Nissan Production Way (NPW) as a proven global standard," said Nissan Executive Vice President, Hidetoshi Imazu. "As we cut down the development lead time to introduce more new products and build them across the world, it is important that Nissan maintains the high levels of quality that our customers expect."

Operations at the new GPEC will focus on intensive production trial and analysis for new vehicle production, covering every stage of the production process, from the press shop, to body -welding and vehicle assembly. At GPEC, the goal is to refine the quality and efficiency at the production trial stage, and ensure a consistent level of quality is achieved at the start of production (SOP) for a new vehicle, at all of Nissan's plants worldwide.

Under the Nissan Value-Up mid-term business plan, the company announced it will conduct 70 unique SOP events globally, with 30 still remaining for 2007 alone. The newly completed GPEC centralized production trial and analysis processes will contribute to these SOP events this year.

Since 2005, Nissan has been implementing V-3P (*1) in order to reduce development lead time. V-3P is an advanced multi-dimension digital design and engineering software program that allows the parallel development of design, engineering and production processes through virtual data manipulation. When a new vehicle project reaches its confirmation milestone, there is an immense amount of digital data available such as those related to the die, jig and tooling.

With the set of relevant data, the engineers at GPEC can set up a trial production line for the vehicle that is consistent to the Nissan Integrated Manufacturing System (NIMS). By employing this technology, the engineers can fully monitor, control and rectify all the parameters to ensure a smooth and seamless production process at the actual SOP. The final programs developed at GPEC can be accurately and exactly duplicated to any of Nissan's global manufacturing sites. Each plant can then start up a new vehicle production in a faster timeframe whilst maintaining the high quality standards.

Construction of GPEC commenced in October 2005 at Area 2 of the Zama Operations Center. With a total investment of 5.1 billion yen, the completed facility boasts an area of 30,000m2, which will accommodate 300 employees. The center includes a pilot plant designed to test equipment destined for overseas locations. It also conducts body-welding testing and other systems analysis. GPEC will serve as a centralized facility for all production trials and analysis for all future products.

*1: V-3P: Value-Up Innovation of Product, Process and Program is an advanced vehicle development process that aims to reduce development lead time from 20.75 to 10.50 months, stretching from design approval to new model launch.
*2: NIMS evolved from the Nissan Standard Line and was developed to deliver high quality new products at the global level in a shorter timeframe.

GPEC Fact Sheet
Facility Name: Global Production Engineering Center (GPEC)
Location: Zama Operations Center (Hironodai 2-10-1, Zama City, Kanagawa)
Area: Approximately 30,000m2
Investment: Approximately 5.1 billion yen
No. of Employees: Approximately 300

###

Source: Nissan

On May 30, 1967, Mazda launched the world's first twin-rotor rotary engined car, the Mazda Cosmo Sport. Today, 40 years to-the-date later, the company celebrates the 40th anniversary of the Mazda rotary engine. In the years between, Mazda has produced nearly two million vehicles powered by the rotary engine.

"Only Mazda -- a company with a laser-like focus on vehicle development and engineering success -- would have had the perseverance and unwavering spirit to pursue the rotary engine," said Jim O'Sullivan, president and CEO of Mazda North American Operations. "From humble beginnings in the 1950s to a very bright hydrogen-fueled future, the rotary engine represents Mazda as a company that follows the road less traveled, and makes its own successes where others have failed."

Through the years, automakers as diverse as General Motors, Daimler-Benz, Rolls-Royce and Citroen have experimented with the Wankel rotary engine, but only Mazda overcame the engineering challenges necessary to bring the engine to market in a mass-production vehicle.



The first vehicle Mazda sold in the United States was the 1970 Mazda R100, powered by the rotary engine. It was followed by the Mazda Mazda RX-2, Mazda RX-3, Mazda RX-4 and Mazda RX-5 Cosmo. The 1970s even saw Mazda install the rotary engine in its Rotary Pickup truck.

When Mazda launched the now-legendary Mazda RX-7 in 1979, it really shook up the sports-car establishment and set sales records never before seen with sports cars. Subsequent Mazda RX-7 generations were launched in 1986 and 1993, including the first production applications of turbocharging the rotary engine in the U.S. market. And when the company launched the innovative four-door sports car Mazda RX-8 in 2003, the rotary engine saw a dramatic update with the introduction of side porting, resulting in greatly reduced exhaust emissions and improved performance.

Mazda's rotary engine has been overwhelmingly successful in motorsports, too, powering the company's cars to over 100 professional sports car racing wins in the U.S. alone and enabling an overall win at the 1991 running of the famed 24-Hours of Le Mans. Mazda was the first -- and is still the only -- Japanese car company to ever win this grueling endurance race. So successful was Mazda's entry in the 1991 race that the rules for subsequent races were changed to ban the rotary engine.

The rotary continues to enjoy success in U.S. motorsports as it powers the SpeedSource team to victory in Grand Am Rolex GT competition in their specially prepared Mazda RX-8, as well as powering every vehicle in the ultra-competitive Star Mazda Championship for aspiring open-wheel racers.

Looking towards the future, Mazda remains committed to the rotary engine for the long run. After nearly five decades of development, the company has capitalized on the fact that rotary technology is uniquely suited to burning hydrogen as a fuel, especially as compared to conventional piston engines. Mazda has been experimenting with research and development into both hydrogen-fueled rotaries and hydrogen rotary hybrid-electric vehicles as well, and already has hydrogen-fueled rotary-powered Mazda RX-8s on the road in Japan.

Headquartered in Irvine, Calif., Mazda North American Operations oversees the sales, marketing, parts and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States, Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico through nearly 900 dealers. Operations in Canada are managed by Mazda Canada, Inc., located in Ontario, Canada, and in Mexico by Mazda Motor de Mexico in Mexico City.

Source: Mazda North American Operations

* During the last 73 years, the Windsor Casting Plant has produced more than 50 million cylinder block castings and crankshafts for Ford engines.
* Windsor Casting Plant employees have demonstrated leadership in their dedication to quality, environmental stewardship and their commitment to the community.
* Ford is moving away from in-house casting operations due to the competitive realities of today's auto industry and the need to focus on the core business.

Production at the 73-year-old Windsor Casting Plant ended today as Ford Motor Company continues to transform its North American automotive operations into a profitable and sustainable business.

"It is a tribute to the employees at the Windsor Casting Plant that they have achieved outstanding productivity levels with consistently high quality throughout this year, right down to the last engine block produced," said AdrianVido, Windsor site manager, Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited. " The company's decision to move away from in-house casting operations is based on a thorough analysis of our business and a need to focus on our core operations. While difficult, these are the right actions for Ford's future."

The company also recently announced that it will end casting production at the Ford facility in Cleveland, Ohio.

The Windsor Casting Plant opened in 1934 and most recently employed 500 people. It produces cylinder block castings for 4.2-litre V6 engines and crankshafts for 4.2-litre V6, 5.4-litre V8, 3.0-litre V6, 4.6-litre V8 and 2.3-litre engines. The plant is also one of the largest recyclers of iron and steel in Southern Ontario. All the steel used in the cylinder blocks and crankshafts is recycled material.

"For decades, workers at the Windsor Casting Plant have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to quality workmanship and pride in a job well done. They leave the plant today with their heads held high," said Mike Vince, president, Canadian Auto Workers Local 200.

Working with the CAW, Ford of Canada has offered financial assistance packages worth up to $100,000 to help employees in Windsor retire, or move their careers in new directions. The company has also partnered with the Ontario government to open an employment counseling and training centre specifically for Ford employees impacted by the restructuring. Programs and services for these workers include: job-search assistance, training information, vocational and educational counseling, personal support in dealing with the stress of job loss, financial counseling and information about starting a small business.

"A key priority is to help our employees, their families and the community through this difficult transition," said Tom McWilliams, manufacturing manager and a 24-year Ford veteran, including 17 years at Windsor Casting. "It's simply the right thing to do in a tough situation."

PLANT FACT SHEET – WINDSOR CASTING PLANT

* Opened November 9, 1934

* Size: 500,000 square feet (46,450 m 2) on 22-acre (nine-hectare) site

* Employees: 400 Hourly; 50 Salaried

* Current Products: Cylinder blocks – 4.2-litre V6

Crankshafts – 4.2-litre V6, 5.4-litre V8, 3.0-litre V6, 4.6-litre V8, 2.3-litre

* Production:
o 91,000 tonnes of molten metal poured/year
o Produces about 500,000 engine blocks/year
o Two million crankshafts produced each year for seven models, ranging from 22-pound to 38-pound crankshafts for everything from small inline four-cylinder engines to V-8s
o Largest recycler of iron and steel in Southern Ontario. All the steel used in cylinder blocks and crankshafts produced is recycled.

* Past Products: Cast iron cylinder heads, master cylinder for braking system, cylinder blocks and crankshafts

* Industry Awards:
o 1989 Windsor Casting Plant wins Ford's Q-1 award for meeting the company's highest quality standards audited by world headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan.
o 1998 Windsor Casting Plant certified to the ISO 14001 environmental management standard.
o 1999 The Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment awards Windsor Casting Plant its Pollution Prevention Award for Large Business for 1998.
o 1999 Windsor Casting Plant is the recipient of the 1999 Powertrain Division Most Improved Award for Safety Performance for Casting and Forging Operations.

HISTORIC TIMELINE – WINDSOR CASTING PLANT

1934 – Ground broken for new Foundry (Windsor Casting Plant).

1935 – Production at new Electric Furnace Foundry starts. First product is crankshafts.

1941 – Automotive casting work ceases to make parts for Universal and Windsor carriers produced for World War II.

1946 – Windsor Casting shifts back to civilian automotive production.

1970 – Name of plant changed from Windsor Iron Foundry to Windsor Casting Plant.

1970 – Waste water treatment plant opens at Windsor Casting.

1980 – Windsor Casting Plant shut down because of decreased demand.

1981 – Windsor Casting Plant reopened.

1989 – WCP wins Ford's Q-1 award. Q-1 winners are rated by the plants they supply for product quality, delivery performance and service levels. The company's highest standards must be met and a plant's performance is audited by world headquarters in Dearborn before the award is given.

1998 – Windsor Casting Plant uses the scrap steel from the demolished Windsor Engine #1 in production of 175,000 cast iron cylinder blocks.

1998 – WCP receives ISO 14001 certification for having implemented the highest standards of environmental conservation and preservation for the manufacture of cast iron cylinder blocks and crankshafts.

1999 – The Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment awards WCP its Pollution Prevention Award for Large Business for 1998.

1999 – WCP is the recipient of the 1999 Powertrain Division Most Improved Award for Safety Performance for Casting and Forging Operations.

2003 – Scrap steel from the old office building in Oakville is cut up and shipped to WCP for recycling. Scraps were melted down, purified and turned into crankshafts and engine blocks for V-6 engines.

2006 – Ford Motor Company announces its Way Forward plan to return its North American operations to profitability. The plan includes aligning customer demand with capacity, and Windsor Casting Plant is identified as one of nine manufacturing plants to be idled by 2008.

2007 – Windsor Casting Plant ceases production.

Source: Ford Motor Company

Hyundai Motor America announced pricing today for the 2008 Hyundai Sonata lineup. As gas prices surge, Hyundai is smartly offering the powerful, yet fuel-efficient 2.4-liter DOHC inline-four cylinder engine in all trim levels, including Hyundai Sonata SE and Hyundai Sonata Limited models, for the first time. Shoppers still looking for low-priced V6 performance can now find the Hyundai Sonata GLS V6 for $450 less than last year's lowest price V6 model. The sporty Hyundai Sonata SE version has also been upgraded with standard performance tires, decklid spoiler and a power driver seat. The previously optional Infinity(R) AM/FM/XM Satellite Radio(R)/6-CD Changer/MP3 audio system is now standard on the Limited model.

NEW EQUIPMENT HIGHLIGHTS
-- 2.4-liter DOHC inline-four cylinder now available on SE and Limited trim levels
-- GLS V6 offered
-- Eight-way power driver's seat now standard on SE
-- New SE performance tire and standard decklid spoiler
-- Limited model now features the Infinity(R) AM/FM/XM Satellite Radio/6-CD Changer/MP3 with six speakers, subwoofer and component amplifier as standard equipment
-- New aluminum bodyside molding on Limited
-- New premium seat cloth on GLS and SE

THREE ENHANCED, WELL-EQUIPPED MODELS

From the well-equipped Hyundai Sonata GLS, to the sport-focused Hyundai Sonata SE, to the downright luxurious Hyundai Sonata Limited, the 2008 Hyundai Sonata lineup addresses the needs and desires of midsize-sedan customers with a highly competitive mix of features and benefits. Each model delivers a level of standard equipment that is a cut above comparable models.

HYUNDAI SONATA GLS

With an MSRP of $18,195 (including freight), the 2008 Hyundai Sonata GLS continues to provide a sizable price advantage compared to its four-cylinder competition, undercutting the lesser-equipped base 2007 Honda Accord and 2007 Toyota Camry by $1,025 and $895 respectively. All Sonata models have standard Electronic Stability Control (ESC), the most effective lifesaving technology since the seatbelt, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). In comparison, Accord four-cylinder models are not available with ESC, while Toyota offers ESC as a $650 option on the 2007 Camry.

Hyundai Sonata features a sophisticated 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine matched to a smooth-shifting five-speed manual transmission, with a four-speed SHIFTRONIC(R) automatic transmission optional. The new Sonata GLS V6 starts at $21,645 - that's $2,515 less than the lowest price 2007 Camry V6 model, and $2,300 less than the lowest price 2007 Accord V6 sedan.

The Hyundai Sonata GLS features an impressive array of standard active and passive safety features including ESC, a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), six airbags, Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) and active front head restraints. Other standard features include new premium seat cloth, power windows, door locks and outside heated mirrors, keyless entry with alarm, an AM/FM/XM Satellite/CD/MP3 audio system, 60/40 split fold-down rear seats, air conditioning, cruise control and tilt-adjustable steering column.

The Popular Equipment Package includes automatic headlights, chrome window belt moldings, metalgrain/woodgrain interior accents, power driver seat with lumbar support, steering wheel audio controls and a trip computer.

HYUNDAI SONATA SE - V6 OR I4 PERFORMANCE, REMARKABLE VALUE

The sport-focused Hyundai Sonata SE adds a responsive, fuel-efficient 2.4-liter four- cylinder engine as standard equipment for 2008, matched with a smooth-shifting five-speed manual transmission. Other performance-oriented Hyundai Sonata SE features include 17-inch alloy wheels with new 215/55R17 all season performance tires, a new rear decklid spoiler, fog lights, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob and an eight-way power driver's seat with lumbar support (optional in 2007 MY). The new tires have stiffer sidewalls and a unique tread design for more responsive steering and capable handling. The Sonata SE V6 adds a five- speed automatic transmission and dual chrome exhaust tips.

Other standard features include automatic headlights, chrome window belt moldings, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, chrome window belt moldings, telescoping steering wheel and a trip computer. The Premium Package includes an AM/FM/XM Satellite Radio/6-CD Changer/MP3 audio system with six speakers, subwoofer and component amplifier, power/tilt sunroof and an electrochromic auto-dimming rear view mirror with HomeLink(R) and a compass.

SONATA LIMITED

Priced at $22,995 (including freight), the range-topping Hyundai Sonata Limited is a fully equipped luxury model for midsize buyers who want it all-at a great price. Distinguishing exterior features include new aluminum bodyside moldings, chrome center-bar grille and chrome-accented exterior door handles. The interior features luxurious leather seating surfaces, a standard Infinity(R) AM/FM/XM Satellite/6-CD Changer/MP3 audio system with six speakers, subwoofer and component amplifier (optional in 2007 MY), an eight- way power driver's seat and heated front seats. Other upgrades include automatic temperature control, an electrochromic auto-dimming rear view mirror with HomeLink(R) and compass, sliding center armrest, premium scuff plates and 215/55R17 tires. The Hyundai Sonata Limited is so well equipped that the only option is a power/tilt sunroof. The Sonata Limited four-cylinder comes with a four- speed automatic transmission, while the V6 features a five-speed automatic transmission. Both include the added control of the SHIFTRONIC(R) manual shifting.



WARRANTY

The all-new 2008 Hyundai Sonata is protected by the Hyundai Advantage, America's Best Warranty(TM). Coverage includes five-year/60,000-mile bumper- to-bumper protection, 10-year/100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty, five- year/unlimited mileage roadside assistance and seven-year/unlimited mileage anti-perforation coverage. In addition, Hyundai Sonata buyers receive 24-hour roadside assistance coverage at no extra charge for five years (no mileage limit) that includes emergency towing, lockout service and limited coverage for trip- interruption expenses.

Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Fountain Valley, Calif. is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Company of Korea. Hyundai vehicles are distributed throughout the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced by more than 750 Hyundai dealerships nationwide.

Source: Hyundai Motor America

* 13th annual Carlisle All-Ford Nationals held in Carlisle, Penn., June 1-3, 2007, will bring together more than 50,000 Ford fans from around the world.
* Ford Interceptor, Ford Reflex concepts headline the Ford-sponsored showroom display in the Gate 1 Building; additional vehicles include the new Ford Escape Hybrid, Ford F-Series Super Duty, Ford Fusion and Ford Edge.
* For the first time, Ford will offer current product test drives at annual Carlisle event.
* Enthusiasts will celebrate 40th anniversary of Mercury Cougar and stage Ford Mustang Mach 1 gathering.


Ford fanatics from around the world will gather in the hills of south central Pennsylvania beginning Friday, June 1, to celebrate the 13th annual Carlisle All-Ford Nationals, sponsored by Carlisle Events. One of the largest gatherings of its kind, the gathering at the Carlisle Pennsylvania Fairgrounds brings together a wide range of enthusiasts to celebrate the best products, old and new, from Ford, Lincoln and Mercury. The show routinely draws over 50,000 people, nearly 600 car clubs and approximately 2,500 show vehicles.

Ford Motor Company will have a big presence at the weekend event as well, with display vehicles, one-of-a-kind concept cars, spokespeople and, for the first time, available test drives of current Ford, Lincoln and Mercury products. The test drives and special display vehicles will be centered around the Gate 1 Building, in the southwest corner of the fairgrounds.

“This annual event brings together some of the biggest Ford enthusiasts in the country,” said Ford Regional Manager Peter Fong. “From our point of view, this event is a perfect opportunity to tell our success story and help rev up Ford fans everywhere.”

Ford Interceptor and Ford Reflex Concepts make Carlisle Debut
For the first time, Ford will be sponsoring a special “showroom” at the annual Carlisle event. Located in the Gate 1 Building, the showroom will feature current Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles as well as two noted concept cars, the Ford Interceptor and Ford Reflex.

The Ford Interceptor debuted earlier this year at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit. It is a modern, all-American sedan concept that combines “Built Ford Tough” attitude with the sporty elegance of iconic Ford sedans from the 1960s. The Ford Interceptor concept is motivated by a Ford Racing 5.0-liter V-8 Cammer engine that delivers 400 horsepower and runs on E-85 ethanol. The concept is a pure sedan that speaks to performance car lovers everywhere.

The Ford Reflex, which originally bowed at NAIAS in 2006, is a concept that proves small cars can be bold, American and innovative. Reflex appeals to the “small is big” trend in America today. With an advanced diesel-electric hybrid engine and new-generation lithium-ion batteries, the Ford Reflex showcases fuel-efficiency as well. A production version could deliver up to 65 miles per gallon. In all, it is a technological wonder, with solar panel-powered headlights, integrated child seat, inflatable rear safety belts and an interior quieted by scrap Nike athletic shoes.

Andreas Nilsson, a design manager in Ford's advanced design studio, will be at the event on Saturday to provide insight and background on the two Ford design concepts.

Hybrid Technology debuts at the All-Ford Nationals
In addition to the two concepts, the 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid will also be featured at Carlisle this year. This marks the first time Ford has highlighted a hybrid electric vehicle at the annual show, which traditionally caters to classic and collectible cars.

With the launch of the Ford Escape Hybrid in 2004, Ford became the first company to offer a full-hybrid SUV for sale in the U.S., and the first to build a full-hybrid vehicle in America. To date, Ford has sold roughly 45,000 Ford Escape Hybrids.

Launched in January of this year, the 2008 model Ford Escape Hybrid is all-new inside and out and features updated software in the control system to improve the transition between gasoline and electric operation. The transition from all-electric to gasoline power to a combination of the two is now even more seamless and virtually imperceptible to the driver.

Gil Portalatin, a hybrid specialist from Ford’s Research and Advanced Engineering team, will be available at Carlisle to discuss hybrid technology and the new 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid.

New Product Test Drives
For the first time ever, Ford will be hosting a new-product test drive at the Carlisle All-Ford Nationals. Ford products available for test drives will include the hot-selling Ford Edge, the new 2008 Ford F-Series Super Duty, the best-selling Ford F-150, the all-wheel-drive Ford Fusion sedan and the 2008 Ford Escape and Ford Escape Hybrid. The test drives will be conducted in the morning and afternoon on Saturday, June 2, leaving from a point near the Gate 1 building.

Ford Experience Tour Rolls into Carlisle
The Ford Experience Tour will also be setting up shop at the All-Ford Nationals this year. The nearly 4000 sq. ft. display features a number of new Ford products and provides consumers a chance to experience some of the newest Ford technologies. The interactive site will feature a number of free giveaways – including Ford Edge backpacks and Fordvehicle.com hats – and chances to win $100 American Express gift cards. Visitors will also be able to enter a nationwide sweepstakes to win any new Ford product valued up to $45,000.

About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles in 200 markets across six continents. With more than 280,000 employees and more than 100 plants worldwide, the company’s core and affiliated automotive brands include Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lincoln, Mercury, Volvo and Mazda. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company.

For more information regarding Ford’s products, please visit www.fordvehicles.com

Source: Ford Motor Company

- Economical: New TSI consumes six percent less fuel
- Powerful: Maximum torque of 200 Nm in reserve at a low 1,500 rpm


Maximum power with minimum fuel consumption – this characteristic has, within a very short period of time, made TSI four-cylinder engines a synonym for a new generation of economical and at the same time sporty Volkswagen engines. Performance specifications: 125 kW / 170 PS and 103 kW / 140 PS. The Volkswagen Golf, Volkswagen Golf Variant, Volkswagen Golf Plus, Volkswagen Jetta and Volkswagen Touran are powered by them. In 2006 and once again in 2007 they were awarded the coveted “Engine of the Year Award”. Now Volkswagen is presenting the third TSI; this one is 90 kW / 122 PS strong and will be introduced to the Volkswagen Golf lineup this year.

The new TSI will replace the 1.6 FSI with 85 kW / 115 PS in the mid-term. Decisive advantages of the new turbo engine: Besides being able to reduce fuel consumption by about six percent, the engine’s power and torque characteristics were also improved significantly. Due to its smaller displacement, vehicle taxes are also lower. Compared to the 1.6 FSI, maximum torque has now been increased by nearly 30 percent to 200 Newton-meter. And this power is already available at 1,500 rpm. In addition, 80 percent of the maximum torque is already available at speeds as low as 1,250 rpm. In the lower speed range the TSI even exhibits Newton-meter gains of up to 66 percent compared to its predecessor.

Another plus when it comes to economy: Since its maximum torque is available over a broad speed range from 1,500 to 3,500 rpm, conditions are ideal for combining the new Volkswagen TSI with longer and therefore fuel-saving gear ratios. That is why in the future Volkswagen is planning to pair it with the first transverse seven-speed dual clutch transmission in the world (DSG). Its debut will also be in 2007.

Key facts about the new engine at a glance:

* Utilized in models up to the Passat.
* 90 kW / 122 PS power between 5,000 and 6,400 rpm.
* 200 Nm maximum torque from 1,500 to 3,500 rpm.
* 80 percent of maximum torque starting at 1,250 rpm
* Maximum torque 30 percent greater than in the 1.6 FSI.
* 66 percent more torque at 1,500 rpm.
* Fuel consumption is about six percent lower.
* Specific torque of 144 Nm per liter.
* 16V in-line four cylinder of the EA111 engine series.
* 1,390 cm3 displacement.
* Cylinder spacing: 82 millimeters.
* Bore and stroke: 76.5 and 75.6 millimeters.
* Compression 10:1.
* Electronic gasoline direct injection.
* Electronic-map ignition with cylinder-selective anti-knock control.
* Advanced combustion process.
* New intake port without charge movement flaps.
* Turbocharger (max. 1.8 bar)
* 220,000 rpm as maximum rpm of the turbocharger.
* Electrically-controlled divert-air valve for turbocharger.
* Water-cooled charge air in intake port.
* Fuel: Super unleaded (95 ROZ).
* Reduced friction losses.
* Total engine weight per DIN: 131 kilograms.


Note:
All data and equipment contained in this press release apply to models offered in Germany. They may differ in other countries. All information is subject to change or correction.

TDI, TSI, DSG and Twincharger are registered trademarks of Volkswagen AG or other companies of the Volkswagen Group in Germany and other countries.

Source: Volkswagen Group

Mercedes-Benz presents a new face at first Fashion Week in Berlin


Top German model Eva Padberg is taking on a new role as brand ambassador for Mercedes-Benz. The sought-after star model is to represent the Stuttgart-based premium car brand at future international fashion and lifestyle events. Eva Padberg will make her debut appearance in this role at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Berlin which is being staged for the first time in July.

“Berlin and Eva Padberg both epitomise a modern and young lifestyle,” Dr Olaf Göttgens, Vice President Brand Communications Mercedes-Benz Passenger Cars pointed out. “The Mercedes-Benz brand has always been known for its innovative approach, its timeless and emotional design and its unique allure. Which is why Eva Padberg is the ideal fashion ambassador for our brand.”

As Mercedes-Benz brand ambassador, Eva Padberg will become the face of Mercedes-Benz’s long-term commitment to top-class fashion events. The star model has a special place in today’s fashion industry. She has dazzled the world on the catwalks of Milan, Paris and New York in fashion shows for Chanel, Versace and Armani. She has featured on the cover of glamorous fashion magazines and in major advertising campaigns. She is also making a name for herself as a presenter, actress and voice-over artist and is an official ambassador for both UNICEF and SOS Children’s Villages.

Eva Padberg’s first appearance as brand ambassador for Mercedes-Benz is very high-profile. The multi-talented model appears on all of the posters and official publicity materials for the first Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Berlin.


Mercedes-Benz commissioned renowned photographer Marc Trautmann for the fashion shoot in Berlin, and the pictures feature the model with an elegant Mercedes-Benz CL-Class Coupé to emphasise the close links between the worlds of fashion and cars.

A special venue is being constructed alongside the Brandenburg Gate for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Berlin. The four-day fashion event in Berlin is set to become one of the key dates on the international fashion calendar, which until now has revolved around London, Paris, Milan and New York –where Mercedes-Benz also has made its mark as a title sponsor. Berlin promises to be a top-quality event, with internationally renowned fashion designers poised to show their latest collections. Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Berlin also offers creative young designers a platform. The attractive, vibrant city has a reputation as an independent and inspiring creative centre for the young, unconventional figures of the fashion scene. Eva Padberg, who spends a good part of the year in Berlin, loves the atmosphere.

Eva Padberg will make her first appearance as the new face of the Mercedes-Benz brand at the inaugural Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Berlin, which will take place between July 12 and 15, 2007. From 2008 two fashion events will be staged in Berlin every year – in January and July. The top model will also represent Mercedes-Benz as brand ambassador at other important international events where emotion and experience are key factors.

For further information about Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Berlin, go to: www.mercedes-benzfashionweekberlin.com

Source: DaimlerChrysler

* A Benz Patent Motor Car from the year 1888, retained in its original condition, will be temporary exhibit in the Automuseum Dr. Carl Benz, Ladenburg
* Owned by the Science Museum in London since 1913
* A car that competed in rallies until the 1950s


The Benz Patent Motor Car is considered to be the world’s first automobile. One specimen of 1888 which is retained in its original condition now comes to Germany: The Automuseum Dr. Carl Benz in Ladenburg will host the oldest original automobile in the world. It is a loan of the Science Museum, London. The return to England is planned for November 2008.

Carl Benz introduced the Patent Motor Car in 1886 and subsequently built several units of this three-wheeler, about 25 vehicles in total. The Model I was the original Patent Motor Car. It featured wire wheels and a number of design details adopted from advanced contemporary bicycle manufacture.

The modified Model II also was a three-wheeler originally but was converted to four wheels for test purposes. The car featured axle pivot steering which was also tested on this car – another significant step towards the modern automobile. It is assumed that just one unit was built of this model.

But Model III turns out to be the first automobile, of which a small series with varying bodywork versions is sold. The customer was, for instance, able to opt for a folding roof or for an additional vis-à-vis seat bench and thus for a total of four seats. The car had wheels with wooden spokes; the two driven rear wheels (diameter: approx. 126 centimeters/49.6 inches) had steel linings while the steered front wheel (diameter: 76 centimeters/29.9 inches) was lined with solid rubber. The wheelbase was some 1.58 meters (62.2 inches) long and the track width was 1.18 meters (46.4 inches).

Benz had difficulties in marketing his cars – until Frenchman Emile Roger from Paris set up the first foreign sales office. The Patent Motor Car Model III, which is today owned by the London Science Museum, was supplied to Roger before being sold to England, as proved by a badge on the vehicle. It is assumed that it was built by Benz in 1888 and displayed at an exhibition of prime movers and working machines at the Isartor city gate in Munich in the same year. This unit is the oldest Benz Patent Motor Car that has been retained in its original condition, and it is thus the oldest original automobile. What’s more, it is most likely the first gasoline-engined vehicle that was operated in England. It is fitted with the vis-à-vis seat bench and originally also featured a folding leather roof.

The acquisition was handled by Mr. E. A. Forward from the Science Museum. In a letter written in April 1913, he advised the museum board to buy the car: “This car is a valuable historical relic, and I regard it as a great find. […] I should not have thought it possible to obtain one anywhere, and am very much surprised to find one in this country.” Forward very accurately identified the car’s position in Benz and automotive history and arrived at the following conclusion: “The work of Carl Benz, in the development of the modern motor car, was so important, equal in fact to that of Daimler himself, that we should be fully justified in acquiring an example of this first type of vehicle.”

Forward looked after the vehicle in subsequent years and retained it in ready-to-drive condition most of the time. In 1936, Forward even paraded the car outside the museum once a week to demonstrate the properties of the Patent Motor Car. To this end, the car obtained permanent registration and the number plate “A 250”.

In 1957, the car was completely overhauled – including its mechanical parts, bodywork, soft-top and finish in the original color – in the museum’s own workshop. It was subsequently run in and tested again and registered by the museum for the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run organized by the Royal Automobile Club in 1957 – a rally for which only vehicles up until production year 1905 were eligible. It had been expected that the car would have to be pushed on steep inclines but this was not the case, at least not before the incline outside Purley. There, the brakes failed in a rainstorm, and the front-wheel fork was damaged in a collision with another vehicle, with the result that the Benz had to be withdrawn. As disappointing as this may have been, the car had until then covered some 22 kilometers (13.6 miles) at an average speed of 12 km/h (7.4 mph) without a hitch. This raised hopes with respect to more successful participation in the event one year later. The damage was repaired in the museum’s workshop, and the Paten Motor Car was equipped with a band brake just for this rally.

“At 7 a.m. on 2nd November, 1958, the Benz set out from Hyde Park for Brighton in traditionally filthy weather. By 8.20 a.m. the top of Purley Hill was reached without pause; this initial 13.5 miles was thus covered at an average speed of 10 mph.” The Benz mastered other inclines without problem – on several occasions, the passenger had to alight before uphill stretches; on others, the car had to be pushed carefully on downhill stretches. The car had to stop four times for refueling and topping up water, and once for replacing the main drive belt. A report by a Mr. Caunter had this to say: “The finish at Madeira Drive [in Brighton] was reached at 2.40 p.m.” – without a single problem. The Benz Patent Motor Car had covered the distance of some 90 kilometers (56 miles) in a driving time of six hours and 25 minutes, at an average speed of 14 km/h (8.6 mph) – the remaining time had been taken up by service stops. In his report, Mr. Caunter complained about the steering and the brakes, especially on downhill stretches. By contrast, he assessed the clutch and the two-speed gearbox as highly effective and considered the car to be reliable overall. After this rally, the Patent Motor Car became an exhibit in the Science Museum’s permanent exhibition.

Incidentally, in September 1958, shortly before the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run, the car returned to Munich at the invitation of the German Museum, where it formed part of the celebrations marking the 70th anniversary of Daimler-Benz AG, which included a parade of veteran and vintage cars through the city. A Carl Benz Memorial was unveiled on Oskar-von-Miller-Ring, and the German Museum admitted Carl Benz to its Hall of Fame. After the celebrations, the Science Museum’s Patent Motor Car was displayed in the German Museum for two weeks. The German Museum itself owns the very first Patent Motor Car from Carl Benz. However, this car was reconstructed from original parts by Benz & Cie around 1900. After testing, the car, built in 1886, had partly been disassembled, and the engine had been used for driving a machine for several years. In 1906, the restored motor car arrived in Munich to become the first automobile to be displayed in the first German engineering museum.

Ready-to-drive replica

A replica of the Benz Patent Motor Car Model III in original size and ready to drive is currently being set up at the DaimlerChrysler trainees’ workshop at the Mannheim plant. It serves the young people as an object for training their thinking in engineering terms: there are no original blueprints, so important correlations have to be established anew, and the manufacture of the individual components has to be newly organized. Replica-building is a long-term project which was started in 1993 and has since provided several generations of trainees with practical object lessons. In the trainees’ workshop, several replicas of the different versions of the Benz Patent Motor Car have already been completed.

The engineering of the Benz Patent Motor Car Model III

The single-cylinder four-stroke engine is fitted in a horizontal position above the rear axle (displacement: 1.7 liters, bore x stroke: 116 x 160 millimeters). In its original specification, it developed an output of 2 hp (1.5 kW) at 250 rpm. On the Science Museum’s vehicle, slightly different values were measured. At the time of its restoration in 1957, the experts found out that the engine’s compression ratio was 3:1, and engine speed was as high as 450 rpm. This suggested an engine output of some 3 hp (2.2 kW).

The crankshaft is installed vertically because in designing the car, Carl Benz had assumed that the rotary movement of a vertically arranged flywheel would adversely affect the vehicle’s steerability – a design that was abandoned in 1890. The flywheel is fitted at the lower end of the crankshaft and mounted on a transverse chassis member.

At the upper end of the crankshaft, a helically geared pinion drives a shaft via an identical, vertically arranged pinion. This shaft is fitted with a belt pulley at its end, which in turn is connected to the gear selection mechanism. The car has two gears which are engaged by means of chains and permit speeds of 8 and 16 km/h (5 and 10 mph), respectively. From the same shaft, the camshaft operating the valves and the ignition is driven via a parallel mechanism at half the speed. A surface carburetor produces the explosive gas/air mixture, and the fuel tank is located under the rear seat bench. A spark plug generates the ignition spark which derives its electric energy from an ignition coil and a battery. The single-cylinder engine is water-cooled: the water is channeled from a reservoir (equally located under the rear seat bench) into the cylinder housing where it evaporates – a conventional principle before the advent of recirculation cooling in automotive engineering.

The single front wheel is steered by means of a vertically mounted rotary crank. Two steel tubes connect the control head with the rear axle and thus form a sub-frame on which three fully elliptic leaf springs (the front spring being mounted transversely to the direction of travel) decouple the wooden bodywork from the wheels. The chassis is made of iron tubing, and on cars with a vis-à-vis seat bench it is drawn upwards at the front end. The engine is mounted on a transverse T-type beam. The brakes act on the rear wheels and are lined with wood; they are activated via a crank mechanism whose linkage runs parallel to the gearshift lever. The car is steered from the rear seat bench.

For additional information on the Dr. Carl Benz Automotive Museum visit: http://www.automuseum-ladenburg.de

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. and Yulon Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. will jointly hold the "IMAGINATION FACTORY" design forum at Eslite Bookstore in Taipei City, Taiwan, from May 23 to 27, 2007.
NISSAN DESIGN FORUM IMAGE LOGO

This is part of a series of design forums launched by Nissan in Singapore last August. This year, Nissan will kick off the series in Taipei followed by several cities across Asia. The design forum is aimed at encouraging students who want to pursue a career in car or industrial design, as well as raise public interest in automotive design.



The Taipei design forum will include panel discussions between Nissan designers and local designers from various fields, and a workshop for design students. The interactive workshop will give the students an opportunity to display their sketches and clay models, and receive constructive feedback from Nissan's designers.

An "Imagination Factory" exhibition will be held to showcase Nissan's design philosophy and the creative development process involved in designing a car. The display will include nine quarter-scale models of concept cars and exploratory models. This exhibition will be open to public from May 23rd to provide visitors with a sense and feel of Nissan's design studio.

Yulon Nissan Design Center is one of Nissan's six design studios worldwide. The Center will be fully refurbished by this year to deliver more appealing designs for Nissan next generation products.

* For more information about this forum, please visit Nissan Global HP
( http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/DESIGN/index.html )

###

Source: Nissan

History repeats itself. Alfa Romeo has won the 2007 edition of the Mille Miglia with one of its most prestigious models, the 6C 1500S, that won the second edition of the famous race in 1928 with Giuseppe Campari and Giulio Ramponi, the first of eleven victories in the thirty editions of the celebrated Italian road race. Today the race is run as a revival regularity event for vintage cars, which does not detract in any way from the characteristics of speed and reliability that the cars must be able to demonstrate over 1600 km, along the roads that were taken by the original race until 1957, the last year that the Mille Miglia was run as a race.

The success of the Alfa Romeo 6C 1500S of Luciano Viaro and Luca Bergamaschi is the result of Alfa Romeo Automobiles’ determination to create a museum and an organisation to celebrate its prestigious history. No fewer than five cars from the Alfa Romeo Historical Museum competed in the 2007 Mille Miglia. In addition to the winner, they included the 8C 2300 Le Mans of 1931 driven by Marx – Verga, a sporty version of the 8C 2300 which won the Le Mans 24 Hours four consecutive times from 1931 to 1934; the Alfa Romeo 1900 Sport Spider of 1954 driven by Arceri-Di Mare, which came 35th, the 1900 C52 Disco Volante Spider of 1952, driven by journalists Francesca Grimaldi and Rossella Labate (147th), and the 750 Competizione of 1955, driven by Izquerdo-Azpilicueta.

As it did in 1928, Alfa Romeo managed to beat Bugatti, which had come to Italy in 1928 determined to win, but had to make do with the 6th place of Brilli-Peri, preceded by three Alfa Romeos, an OM and a Lancia.

The success of the Alfa Romeo 6C 1500S in the 2007 revival is all the more significant because of the large number of contestants: a total of 375 teams with the best cars from the growing number of makes that take part in the event each year. A total of 32 historical Alfa Romeos competed in the 2007 Mille Miglia, from all the periods in which the race was run. The unique context of the race, which crosses Italy, acclaimed by crowds of enthusiastic fans, is an important part of the history of vintage car racing, making this event unique.

New Ads Define Core Values of Company, Products to Consumer


With a range of new products hitting dealer showrooms this summer, Subaru is embarking on the next phase of the "It's What Makes a Subaru, a Subaru" campaign. The campaign, which started in early 2006, first focused on product attributes and now seeks to define the core values of the Subaru brand and business in television, radio and print ads breaking this month.

"We have such a strong story at Subaru and our research tells us that increasingly, consumers care about the values of the company in addition to the products they buy," said Tim Mahoney, senior vice president, chief marketing officer, Subaru of America, Inc. "We are using our key strengths of durability, performance and responsibility to tell this next part of the story."

The brand awareness ads feature the Subaru core values of:

-- Active Driving - offered through the unique combination of standard Subaru All-Wheel Drive and a boxer engine that together deliver unrivalled performance.

-- Engineering Excellence - Subaru is recognized time and again by industry leading, third-party organizations for its world class safety, reliability, and durability.

-- Environmental Responsibility - The Subaru plant in the heartland of America produces zero landfill, while its backyard was designated a wildlife habitat. Subaru also offers PZEV vehicles that are U.S. EPA Certified SmartWay(TM) and are recommended in its Green Vehicle Guide.


"These ads are designed to speak to opinion leaders," said Kevin Mayer, director of marketing communications, Subaru of America, Inc. "They provide a clear statement of Subaru values and let people know more about what is behind the brand. The ads also form part of the foundation for the upcoming product launches."

The print ads will run in such publications as Atlantic Monthly, The New Yorker, The Wall Street Journal, Smithsonian, and BusinessWeek, among others. The broadcast spots will run on both national and cable programming including NPR, Science Channel, Discovery, CNN, Headline News, CNBC, MSNBC and more.

Subaru dealerships across the country are welcoming this summer's new 2008 Subaru

All-Wheel Drive lineup including featured vehicles such as:

-- The 6-cylinder, 2008 Subaru Legacy 3.0 R Limited;
-- The more rugged 2008 Subaru Outback, the world's first sport utility wagon;
-- Completely redesigned 2008 Subaru Tribeca with more style, power and fuel efficiency;

-- And, the highly anticipated 2008 Subaru Impreza and WRX that boasts new styling and new body styles with improved comfort, space and utility.

China Automotive Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CAAS) , a leading power steering components and systems supplier in China, today announced the correction to its press release "China Automotive Systems Signed Supply Agreement with Volkswagen Joint Venture in China", issued on May 17th, 2007 by China Automotive Systems, Inc. over PR Newswire.

The agreement term in the news, which incorrectly included "Audi" and "systems", should read: "The power steering gears will be installed in Volkswagen's Jetta vehicles in China." and "Jingzhou Henglong Automotive Parts Co., has entered into an agreement with FAW Volkswagen to supply its high quality power steering gears."

About CAAS

Based in Hubei Province, People's Republic of China, China Automotive Systems, Inc. is a leading supplier of power steering components and systems to the Chinese automotive industry, operating through seven Sino-foreign joint ventures. The Company offers a full range of steering system parts for passenger automobiles and commercial vehicles. The Company currently offers 4 separate series of power steering and 307 models of power steering with an annual production capacity of 800,000 sets, steering columns, steering oil pumps and steering hoses. Its customer base is comprised of leading Chinese auto manufacturers such as China FAW Group, Corp., Donfeng Auto Group Co., Ltd., Brilliance China Automotive Holdings Ltd., Beiqi Foton Motor Co., Ltd. and Chery Automobile Co., Ltd. etc.

For more information, please visit: http://www.caasauto.com/

Safe Harbor Statement

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


Source: China Automotive Systems, Inc.

You may not recognize this man, but to thousands of treasure hunters tired of staring at his semi-naked body, he's standing in the way of $50,000 and a key to a new Volvo.

"Tattoo Man" holds the answer to puzzle number four in Volvo's online treasure hunt at volvocars.us/thehunt, a promotion celebrating Disney's new movie, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End. Or rather, the longitude and latitude coordinates to the next destination in The Hunt are right there in front of you, revealed in the tattoos covering his body. Simple, right? Wrong.

While thousands of people have solved the puzzle using Thai and Chinese numerical systems -- and even shared the solution on The Hunt's unofficial blog -- many other intrepid online hunters have been stumped, provoking blog comments like:

"I have been looking at the tattooed man all night, my wife thinks I have a serious problem"

"Anyone want to help an eye tired person for the 1/2 naked man? I'm ready to reach thru and make him all naked!"

"My eyeballs are about to pop out...I have never stared at a half naked man this long."

So, Volvo is relenting, just this once, to give people a clue.

"We never promised this would be easy, there's booty at stake after all," said Linda Gangeri, national advertising manager at Volvo Cars of North America. "Tattoo Man is just one in a series of 22 puzzles that expose people to different languages and cultures, taking them on a journey which so far has included Cuba, the Cape of Good Hope, Ceylon and Singapore. But, maybe he is a little too tough for so early in the game. So, here's a clue. The coordinates are spread out across the man's body, from head to toe -- right shoulder, chest, under his navel, left and right thighs and under his left knee. Use the other, complete number strings to translate them into a longitude-latitude combination such as 1234-5678 ... "

Got that?

If you think you can take on the Tattoo Man and the other 21 puzzles, there's still time to join The Hunt and catch up! Participants 18 and older must visit a Volvo retailer to pick up a special pirate chart then register at volvocars.us/thehunt any time between now and May 29. Winners will only be eligible if they can produce the original pirate chart upon conclusion of The Hunt. On June 2, the first person from each of the 22 participating markets to finish the online hunt will compete against one another in one final exciting online challenge.

The first of those 22 individuals to solve the final puzzle will be named the winner and will receive a trip to the burial location to retrieve the chest filled with $50,000 in gold and a key to a new Volvo XC90.

Volvo treasure hunt blog: Thehunt07.spaces.live.com


Source: Volvo Cars of North America

-- Chrysler Group executives and public officials break ground at site of new plant
-- Plant brings $700 million investment to Marysville, Mich.
-- New common axle program will improve overall fuel economy

Chrysler Group broke ground today at the future site of the Marysville Axle Plant its Marysville, Mich. Chrysler Group executives were joined by UAW officials and state and local dignitaries to celebrate the $700 million Michigan investment.

The plant represents just one step that Chrysler Group is taking toward reaching its Recovery and Transformation Plan, which is designed to return the company to profitability by 2008. The axle plant is part of the Company's "Powertrain Offensive" -- a $3 billion investment to produce more fuel- efficient engines, transmissions and axles for Chrysler Group.

"The Marysville Axle Plant and other powertrain investments show Chrysler Group's commitment to improving the fuel economy of all of our vehicles," said Frank Ewasyshyn, Chrysler Group Executive Vice President - Manufacturing. "We are proud to play a positive role in the economy of the State of Michigan, as well as in the City of Marysville."

"The investment in Marysville is a great start for the new Chrysler Corporation," said General Holiefield, UAW Vice President, who directs the union's DaimlerChrysler Department. "It shows that when we work together, we can preserve good-paying manufacturing jobs in the United States."

Construction on the plant will begin this summer. It will employ 900 people when it reaches full volume in 2010 and will produce 1.2 million axles annually.

"We came together as several separate entities to formulate the requirements necessary to attract Chrysler Group to a project site for their new axle plant," said Gary Orr, Mayor of Marysville, Mich. "For that we are so very grateful. As a City Council, we are excited and as Mayor of record I am extremely proud, as an administrative team, we stand ready to support the successful future of this great automotive giant."

The Marysville Axle Plant investment will include engineering and development costs.

Headquartered in Auburn Hills, Mich., Chrysler Group has invested $4.4 billion in its Southeast Michigan manufacturing operations since 2003.

Source: Chrysler Group

Taking Advertising to New Heights

Ford is to premiere a breakthrough TV advertisement for the new Ford Mondeo during the UEFA Champions League Final on 23 May 2007. The 90 second spectacular ad titled 'Desire' is a radical departure from traditional automotive advertising. In fact, the ad leaves the typical domain of the car commercial - the road - as the viewer's eyes are diverted upwards to see old cars being carried away by balloons. The ad brings to life the instant desirability of the new Ford Mondeo, -- upon seeing the new Mondeo people are saying goodbye to their old cars by floating them away.

"It is only fitting that we would unveil the new Ford Mondeo with advertising that is as innovative and distinctive as the car itself," said Stephen Odell, Ford of Europe's Vice President for Marketing, Sales and Service. "We wanted to reach a wide audience with 'Desire' so the UEFA Champions League Final felt like the perfect fit, especially because Ford has a longstanding relationship with the Champions League."

In a time when computer generated images are the norm, 'Desire' breaks the mould. The ad looks real because it is - some of the cars actually took flight using a combination of different techniques. The lightest car featured in the ad was developed by the German company Effekt Technik. It weighs only four to five kilograms and can float in its own right when filled up entirely with helium. 'Desire' marks the first time that such a vehicle has appeared in an ad or film. Other cars used in the shoot were made out of carbon fibre.

Shot in high definition, the ad was filmed in 30 locations in and around London, including internationally recognized landmarks such as Trafalgar Square and Tower Bridge.

The ad was directed by French director Philippe André who is recognized for his unique ability to blend imagination and striking visual effects. He has a diverse portfolio including commercial work, short films and music videos.

"I hope that 'Desire' will elicit wonder in those who see it" said André. "The new Mondeo is a special car for Ford and it seemed right to introduce it with a touch of magic."

'Desire' is set to music by Michael Andrews, a Los Angeles-based musician and film score composer. The track used in the ad appears on the soundtrack for Donnie Darko, a 2001 cult-favourite film starring American actors Jake and Maggie Gyllenhaal.

The advertisement was developed by Ogilvy Advertising London, part of WPP. The UK's eighth-ranking advertising agency, Ogilvy Advertising has decades' worth of experience and ability in creating, building, transforming and reinvigorating brands.

About the All-New Ford Mondeo

The Ford Mondeo has undergone a radical redesign both inside and out. The all-new model is stylish, more luxurious, and quieter than ever - enhancing the long-acclaimed Ford Mondeo driving experience with a host of new technical features

The Mondeo is Ford's strongest expression yet of kinetic design, a real embodiment of 'energy in motion'.

Inside, Mp3 connection, air conditioning, Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) come as standard, as well as multi-link rear suspension design plus optimised front suspension and steering system.

Since the Ford Mondeo was introduced in 1993, four million models have been sold.

For more information about the new Ford Mondeo, visit http://www.ford.co.uk

Source: Ford

Lexus, Luxury-Hybrid Leader, Sponsors Transportation Category for Second Consecutive Year

Lexus announced today its continued sponsorship of the California Clean Tech Open, the second annual competition promoting the creation of clean technology, at a launch event at San Francisco's City Hall. For the second consecutive year, Lexus will serve as the Transportation category prize sponsor.

"Lexus is committed to our leadership position in developing luxury-hybrid vehicles, and support of the California Clean Tech Open continues our belief in the advancement of transportation through technological innovation," said Jim Farley, Lexus group vice president and general manager. "Each of our hybrids, from the Lexus RX 400h and Lexus GS 450h to the new Lexus LS 600h L, has introduced improved efficiency and lower emissions to new segments of the public."

The California Clean Tech Open Transportation category is designed to attract technologies that improve fuel efficiency, reduce air pollution, and minimize dependence on gasoline, such as more efficient batteries, lightweight nano-materials, affordable fuel cells, and readily available flexible-fuel vehicles.

Lexus has been a leader in the hybrid automotive world since the 2004 debut of the Lexus RX 400h, the world's first luxury-hybrid vehicle that Lexus estimates saves 350-450 gallons of gasoline per year compared to comparable luxury SUVs. The debut of the Lexus GS 450h, the first-ever luxury hybrid sedan, and this summer's launch of the Lexus LS 600h L, the hybrid version of the brand's flagship sedan, illustrate the luxury brand's level of innovation and distinctiveness unique to the industry. Lexus' hybrids achieve a seemingly contradictory combination of powerful engine performance, impressive fuel efficiency and fewer smog-forming emissions.

As the luxury division of Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc. (TMS), Lexus and its parent company are dedicated to environmentally sustainable transportation. In addition to the company's commitment to hybrid technology and to the research and development of other advanced and alternative-fuel vehicle technologies, Toyota's environmental commitment extends beyond its automotive products.

Toyota manages the environmental impacts at each vehicle life-cycle stage, including design, manufacturing, sales and distribution, and end-of-life recycling. Toyota's average fuel economy is one of the best overall among all full-line automakers, and 90 percent of its models are certified to ULEV or better, with all hybrids garnering SULEV certification. The company's manufacturing plants incorporate state-of-the-art environmental technologies and have achieved zero-landfill status, and two of its newest sales and distribution facilities have earned Gold Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED(R)) certification by the U.S. Green Building Council. Toyota also contributes millions of dollars to external environmental programs and fosters an environmental spirit in its staff, with associates devoting countless hours at events like National Public Lands Day.

Source: Lexus
Printer Friendly Page

According to CSM Powertrain Analysis

Despite the pending sale of a controlling interest in the Chrysler group by DaimlerChrysler, powertrain analysts at CSM Worldwide expect the restructured Chrysler to remain highly competitive in the powertrain arena well into the next decade. According to CSM, Chrysler has been aggressively procuring designs and outsourcing powertrain production from its global partners. The link that will be maintained with Daimler AG will be a key element of this strategy.

"Decisions regarding the long-term supply of Chrysler engines and transmissions have already been made," said Eric Fedewa, vice president of global powertrain forecasts at CSM. "Moving forward, Chrysler will increasingly outsource its powertrain programs, both design and assembly, to outside suppliers and strategic partners."



As an example: of the engines Chrysler assembles, 42 percent are purchased designs, while almost 35 percent of its transmissions are purchased designs. By 2013, according to CSM's forecast, the company will increase design purchasing to 77 percent for engines and 68 percent for transmissions. This practice allows access to innovative technologies from suppliers, which is vital for product differentiation and maintaining a competitive edge.

Products from Chrysler's powertrain strategy include the new line of four- cylinder engines developed in a joint venture with Hyundai and Mitsubishi, the high-tech Phoenix V6 coming in 2010 as a replacement to the current lineup of V6s, and the Two Mode hybrid transmission codeveloped with General Motors and BMW.

CSM Worldwide provides trusted automotive market forecasting services and strategic advisory solutions to the world's top automotive manufacturers, suppliers and financial organizations.

CSM Worldwide covers the global automotive environment from Detroit, Frankfurt, London, Paris, Tokyo, Shanghai, Grand Rapids, Sao Paulo, Budapest and Goa. www.csmauto.com

Source: CSM Worldwide
Printer Friendly Page

Volkswagen Group Awards 2007 presented in Majorca

The 25 best suppliers of the Volkswagen Group were presented with the “Volkswagen Group Award” in Majorca yesterday evening. The winners received their awards from Professor Dr. Martin Winterkorn, Chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen AG, and Francisco J. Garcia Sanz, Member of the Board of Management of Volkswagen AG with responsibility for “Procurement”.

"Last year, the Volkswagen Group delivered more vehicles to all major markets worldwide than ever before. This success reflects the efforts we jointly made with our partners last year," said Dr. Winterkorn, welcoming 250 invited guests. "Our thanks go to all representatives of our award winners present here this evening, and in particular to all employees at sites around the world for their extraordinary dedication," Winterkorn added.

At the same time, he announced the further expansion of successful cooperation in future: "Shoulder to shoulder with our partners, we will bring Volkswagen even further forward as regards content and technology. We will take our orientation from the highest quality benchmarks, excellent products and, above all, from the wishes of our customers," Winterkorn said.

"For us, cooperation based on partnership means developing solutions together with our partners and giving special support to those suppliers who show a strong commitment," Francisco J. Garcia Sanz, Member of the Board of Management of Volkswagen AG, stressed in the presence of representatives from the award winning suppliers. He emphasized that companies bringing concrete solutions to support Volkswagen in its efforts to enhance competitiveness could simultaneously further strengthen, or even expand, their position as a business partner for Volkswagen.

Since October 2005, Volkswagen has been developing new approaches to optimize costs and improve quality in cooperation with suppliers. Millions have so far been saved through joint optimization efforts at so-called "suppliers conventions". At the beginning of 2006, Volkswagen invited suppliers to a "Suppliers Quality Forum" aimed at achieving a sustained reduction in production process failures. The objective of the "Innovation Forum" is to jointly integrate forward-looking fields of innovation in the production process at Volkswagen.

The Group Award is presented in five categories which play a crucial role in relations with suppliers: excellence in development, product quality, logistics, environmental awareness and entrepreneurial performance.

The excellence in development category reflects attributes such as innovative capabilities, technical equipment and the quality of cooperation. Product quality includes an assessment of production site quality performance with regard to series-production supplies. In the logistics category, criteria focus on compliance with delivery deadlines and quantities, delivery flexibility and communication behaviour. The award for environmental awareness is based on compliance with the Volkswagen criteria for sustainable environmental management and vehicle-related environmental innovation competence. Exceptional entrepreneurial performance is measured by flexibility with respect to series start-ups and innovation capabilities in terms of cost optimization and process improvements.

The 25 winners of the "Volkswagen Group Award 2007" and their winning sites are listed below:

1st category: Excellence in development

Visteon Deutschland GmbH, Berlin / D
Georg Fischer AG, Mettmann / D
DENSO AUTOMOTIVE Deutschland GmbH, Eching / D
Cadence Innovation k.s., Liberec / Czech Republic
ETO Magnetic KG, Stockach / D

2nd category: Logistics

Aisin AW Co. Ltd., Okazaki / Japan
MB Abrera, Barcelona / Spain
Aksys Insonit S.A., Barcelona / Spain
SAINT-GOBAIN SEKURIT INTERNATIONAL, Hořovice / Czech Republic
Robert Bosch Elektronik GmbH, Salzgitter / D

3rd category: Product quality

Grupo Antolin Navarra S.A., Arazur / Spain
Car Trim GmbH, Plauen / D
Ronal Ibérica, S.A.U., Teruel / Spain
GKN Driveline Trier GmbH, Trier / D
Barum Continental spol. s.r.o., Otrokovice / Czech Republic

4th category: Environmental awareness

MS Design Auto Tuning GmbH, Roppen / D

5th category: Entrepreneurial performance

Fredenhagen GmbH & Co. KG, Offenbach / D
Werkzeugbau Fahrzeuge Marke Volkswagen Pkw, Wolfsburg / D
Grob-Werke GmbH & Co. KG, Mindelheim / D
BP/Castrol, Hamburg / D
POSCO, Kwangyang / South Korea
Veritas AG, Donakilitti / Hungary
Maflow S.p.A., Tychy / Poland
AUTOLIV B.V. & Co. KG, Braunschweig / D
Suzhou Sonavox Electronics Co. Ltd., Ayuanhe Township / China

Source: Volkswagen

Ford's Dagenham facility is on target for an annual output of 1,000,000 engines thanks to two production landmarks this year.

The wind-powered Dagenham Diesel Centre (DDC) is celebrating the successful launch of a new line to produce low-carbon 1.4 and 1.6-litre Duratorq TDCi turbo diesel engines – the result of a £130 million investment programme.

Production of the larger engine is now underway, with the 1.4-litre unit to be added in June. These high technology diesel engines power the most fuel efficient versions of the Ford Fiesta, the Ford Fusion, the Ford Focus and the Ford C-MAX. Within the wider Ford family, these engines are also used in Volvo and Mazda models.

This additional production capacity at Dagenham is needed to satisfy rising demand for the high technology diesel engines that are part of the ongoing cooperative agreement between Ford Motor Company and PSA Peugeot Citroën. Around 250 extra assembly operators to date have been employed at the DDC in readiness for the start of production.

Total engine production output on the Ford Dagenham estate will rise to 1,000,000 units a year by 2009 with the addition of these engines. By then 1.4 and 1.6-litre production capacity will be 575,000. The balance will be accounted for by the estate's existing 1.8, 2.0, 2.2 and 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine ranges, plus the 2.7-litre V6 diesel engine for Jaguar, Land Rover and PSA Peugeot Citroën and the 3.6-litre V8 diesel engine produced for Land Rover.

The 1.4 and 1.6-litre units will be built in the DDC's Clean Room Assembly Hall, which boasts the sterile conditions required to produce today's high-tech diesel engines. Air supply to the Clean Room Assembly Hall is filtered and controlled to minimize airborne dust particles that could interfere with engine assembly.

Dave Parker, plant manager, said: "This new engine output for Ford Dagenham reinforces that Britain is a good place to do manufacturing business. Key to this success story has been the teamwork which secured this multi-million pound investment and then got production started in record time."

In a Ford Fiesta, Dagenham's new 1.6-litre engine produces only 116 grammes of CO2 per kilometre. Drivers' shift to diesel cars led to a 24 per cent rise last year in engine assembly at Dagenham – Ford's global centre for diesel engineering and manufacture.


Source: Ford Motor Company
Printer Friendly Page

Magna Inc. (TSX: MG.A, MG.B; NYSE: MGA) today reported that BMW AG has informed us of its intention to commence in-house assembly of the next generation BMW X3 in Spartanburg, South Carolina, following end of production of the current generation BMW X3 at our Graz, Austria facility. While end of production for the program is at the discretion of BMW, Magna Steyr currently expects BMW X3 production to end in 2010. We are currently a significant supplier to BMW's Spartanburg facility.

We have been the sole production source of the BMW X3 since we began producing the vehicle in 2003. BMW X3 production represented approximately 45% of total vehicles assembled at Magna Steyr in 2006. We are in discussions with customers about future potential assembly opportunities for our Graz facility.

We are the most diversified automotive supplier in the world. We design, develop and manufacture automotive systems, assemblies, modules and components, and engineer and assemble complete vehicles, primarily for sale to original equipment manufacturers of cars and light trucks in North America, Europe, Asia, South America and Africa. Our capabilities include the design, engineering, testing and manufacture of automotive interior systems; seating systems; closure systems; metal body and structural systems; vision systems; electronic systems; exterior systems; powertrain systems; roof systems; as well as complete vehicle engineering and assembly.

We have approximately 83,000 employees in 235 manufacturing operations and 62 product development and engineering centres in 23 countries.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
--------------------------

This press release may contain statements that, to the extent that they are not recitations of historical fact, constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking statements may include financial and other projections, as well as statements regarding our future plans, objectives or economic performance, or the assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. We use words such as "may", "would", "could", "will", "likely", "expect", "anticipate", "believe", "intend", "plan", "forecast", "project", "estimate" and similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements. Any such forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and analyses made by us in light of our experience and our perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors we believe are appropriate in the circumstances. However, whether actual results and developments will conform with our expectations and predictions is subject to a number of risks, assumptions and uncertainties. These risks, assumptions and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, execution of definitive agreements, regulatory, court and shareholder approvals and satisfaction of closing conditions relating to the proposed transaction involving Magna, the Stronach Trust and Russian Machines, as well as the impact of: declining production volumes and changes in consumer demand for vehicles; a reduction in the production volumes of certain vehicles, such as certain light trucks; the termination or non-renewal of our customers of any material contracts; our ability to offset increases in the cost of commodities, such as steel and resins, as well as energy prices; fluctuations in relative currency values; our ability to offset price concessions demanded by our customers; our dependence on outsourcing by our customers; our ability to compete with suppliers with operations in low cost countries; changes in our mix of earnings between jurisdictions with lower tax rates and those with higher tax rates, as well as our ability to fully benefit tax losses; other potential tax exposures; the financial distress of some of our suppliers and customers; the inability of our customers to meet their financial obligations to us; our ability to fully recover pre-production expenses; warranty and recall costs; product liability claims in excess of our insurance coverage; expenses related to the restructuring and rationalization of some of our operations; impairment charges; our ability to successfully identify, complete and integrate acquisitions; risks associated with new program launches; legal claims against us; risks of conducting business in foreign countries; unionization activities at our facilities; work stoppages and labour relations disputes; changes in laws and governmental regulations; costs associated with compliance with environmental laws and regulations; potential conflicts of interest involving our controlling shareholder, the Stronach Trust; and other factors set out in our Annual Information Form filed with securities commissions in Canada and our annual report on Form 40-F filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, and subsequent filings. In evaluating forward-looking statements, readers should specifically consider the various factors which could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements. Unless otherwise required by applicable securities laws, we do not intend, nor do we undertake any obligation, to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent information, events, results or circumstances or otherwise.

Source: Magna International Inc.

Six gold awards for Volkswagen Group brands

With six first places, the Volkswagen Group was the most successful company in “Company Cars of the Year 2007”, an event organized by the specialist journal “Firmenauto” and DEKRA, the German motor vehicle inspection association. The best fleet models in a total of nine categories were honored in an overall ranking and an importers ranking. The Volkswagen Group with its Volkswagen, Audi, Seat, Skoda and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles brands not only won six gold awards, but was also ranked second four times and took four third places.

In the run-up to the award ceremony in Bad Gögging, 150 fleet managers tested 70 different models over a two-day period. This involved more than 1,900 test drives over some 50,000 kilometers. In the compact class, the testers voted the new Golf Variant the winner, while the Touran Eco Fuel took first place in the alternative powertrain category. The Audi Q7 and A8 models convinced the jury in the SUV and top class categories respectively. Skoda won the testers’ vote in the small car category and the van category with the Fabia and the Roomster. The Skoda Fabia even took first place in both the overall ranking and the importers ranking.

"Apart from drive behavior and comfort, efficiency played an important role in the judging. With this achievement, the Volkswagen brands have impressively confirmed the outstanding position of our models in the fleet business," Dr. Stefan Brungs, Head Volkswagen Group Fleet International, commented.

Volkswagen AG - Volkswagen Group Fleet International
The Volkswagen Group offers a unique spectrum of products and services in the fields of key account and fleet management. Together, the brands Volkswagen, Audi, Skoda, Seat and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles offer vehicles in all classes from subcompact to luxury class and transporters. At the same time, Volkswagen Leasing can offer all the financial services relevant to fleet customers from insurance and full-service leasing to complete fleet management.

Source: Volkswagen

* Ford of Europe sales increased by 7.4 percent in April to 143,700
* Year-to-date total vehicle sales 6.3 percent higher, at 622,828

Ford of Europe's dynamic product range continued to draw customers in April, when the company sold 143,700 cars and commercial vehicles across its main 21 markets, an increase of 7.4 percent from the same month last year. Market share also improved by 0.3 percent to 8.24 percent.

The Ford Focus and Ford Fiesta remained Ford of Europe’s best-selling models in April, supported by the growing popularity of Ford S-MAX, Car of the Year 2007, and Ford Transit, International Van of the Year 2007.

There were strong monthly performances in markets across Europe. Britain increased sales by 13.3 percent to almost 32,000 units, and sales rose in Italy by 23.2 percent to 19,000 units. Russia continued its fast pace, where sales nearly doubled from last year to 15,570 units in April 2007.

The company’s solid showing in April contributed to a 6.3 percent sales improvement, to 622,828 units in the first four months of 2007. Market share was 0.2 percent higher, at 8.97 percent. “Our sales performance in April shows that we are building on the momentum of the first quarter," said Stephen Odell, vice president, Marketing, Sales & Service, Ford of Europe. "Our products are in demand and we are focused on continuing growth with further new models, such as the Ford Focus Coupé-Cabriolet, refreshed Ford C-MAX and, of course, the all-new Ford Mondeo. The Mondeo goes on sale in the summer, and the impressive press reaction so far confirms our view that we have another winner."

Ford's sales data includes both passenger cars and commercial vehicles from its 21 major European Sales Companies, including Russia and Turkey. Market share excludes Russia.


Source: Ford Motor Company

2007 Program Focuses on Environmental Protection at Local Communities

Ford Motor China launched the eighth annual Conservation & Environmental Grants, China Program (CEGC) today, with a focus on encouraging community environmental protection to raise environmental awareness in China. Along with continuing programs in youth engagement and NGO training, this year’s CEGC will unveil new Community Environmental Grants for fostering environmental projects in local communities.

Mei-Wei Cheng, Chairman and CEO of Ford Motor ( China) Ltd., announced the set up of a new category for Community Environmental Grants. “CEGC hopes to provide grants to those creative projects focused on community environmental protection.” Mei-Wei Cheng said, “CEGC has been constantly evolving ever since its first year of our program, in order to not only stay in step with changing developments in environment protection and conservation, but also to help focus public attention on environment protection efforts in China.”

Starting its eighth year, the 2007 CEGC is adopting a new theme of “Creating Green and Harmonious Communities Together”. Raising community awareness and enthusiasm for environmental protection, as well as encouraging a community approach to conservation are major goals of the CEGC in 2007. Therefore, as a leading corporate citizen, Ford Motor China is establishing the Community Environmental Grants to support active participation and raise environmental awareness in local communities.

“Mobilizing and leveraging community participation is a great direction for the CEGC this year,” said Professor Qu Geping who's known as 'Father of Environmental Protection in China', “I believe the concept of community-centered environment protection is going to be a driving force for China's environment protection in the future years”

Carrying forward last year’s efforts to engage young people, the CEGC is encouraging university students to take part in community action projects. By working with and participating in real-life community projects, university students will be able to find practical applications for their environmental studies.

Specialized training for grassroots NGOs, which began during last year’s CEGC, will be expanded and diversified to meet the variety of environmental challenges facing local NGOs. Training sessions will be organized in China’s northeast, northwest, and southern regions, where local NGOs will share practical experiences and work with environmental experts, global NGO leaders, and business executives to create localized solutions for China’s unique environmental issues.

With RMB1.05 million in cash grants, this year’s CEGC is recognizing the efforts and achievements of organizations and individuals who have made significant contributions in three categories – “Natural Environment Protection”, “Environmental Education”, and “Community Environmental Grants”.

Beginning in 2000, the CEGC has been awarding cash grants totaling 7.05 million yuan to organizations and individuals to promote initiatives and participation in projects that improve local environments, protect natural heritage, and conserve natural resources in China. A total of 113 organizations and individuals have been awarded grants from the CEGC over the past seven years, with another 40 receiving honorable mention.

The CEGC has been recognized by Chinese government and experts as the most influential business-operated environmental program in China. Now with more than seven years of experience, the CEGC is turning its focus to community environmental protection and NGO supports.

For more information about CEGC, please check with the following website: www.ford.com.cn/cegc

Source: Ford Motor Company

* Rainer Genes to succeed Simon Boag as head of Production Planning Mercedes-Benz Passenger Cars, effective June 1, 2007
* Simon Boag to return to Chrysler Group, effective June 1, 2007
* Peter Schabert new manager of the Bremen production plan, effective June 1, 2007
* Thomas Uhr to take over responsibility for Berlin production plant, effective June 1, 2007

The DaimlerChrysler Board of Management has appointed Rainer Genes, manager of the Bremen production plant, as the new head of Production Planning Mercedes-Benz Passenger Cars, effective June 1, 2007. Rainer Genes will succeed Simon Boag, who will be returning to Detroit, effective June 1, 2007.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank Simon Boag for his hard work and commitment over the past 15 months, particularly in the ar-eas of standard inspections and efficiency boosting”, says Rainer Schmückle, COO of the Mercedes Car Group.

Also on June 1, Peter Schabert, currently the director of the Berlin pro-duction plant, will take over the responsibility for the Bremen plant.

Thomas Uhr, at present head of the Production and Technology Center “Casting and Metal Forming” (PTU), will become the head of the Berlin plant on June 1.


Source: DaimlerChrysler