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MILTON KEYNES - July 30, 2008: Europe’s first and only low CO2 vehicle rental company, Green Motion, today confirmed that it is changing the telephone number of its Central Reservations department to a new 03 prefix standard charge rate number – 0333 888 4000 from its existing 0870 number.

Following in the footsteps of the BBC who recently changed their main telephone number, Green Motion’s Founder, Richard Lowden, said ‘the cost of operating an 0870 number has recently increased for the customers with them being charged anything from 6p** per minute from a landline. This amount is increased when calling from mobiles/cell phones. 0870 numbers allow revenue sharing and, at present, aren’t included in free or discounted minutes. The new 03 prefix means the customers will only pay standard call charges -03 numbers are not revenue sharing and the cost of a call will be the same as national calls to 01 or 02 numbers.*

Green Motion is the UK’s first national rental company to change its Central Reservations number with multi national players, including Avis, Hertz and Enterprise still operating 087 numbers. Richard Lowden went on to say ‘Green Motion is delighted to have another first in the UK daily rental market with their customers not only being able to enjoy the benefit of hiring low CO2 cars and vans at highly competitive rates but also not being charged a premium to call our Central Reservations department.

ATLANTA, July 31 — Continuing its transition to a more environmentally-friendly fleet, Cox Enterprises announced the addition of nine International Durastar Hybrid Bucket Trucks. The hybrid trucks from Navistar provide dramatic potential fuel savings of nearly 60 percent in utility-type applications when the engine is shut off and electric power still operates the vehicle. Diesel emissions are completely eliminated when the hybrid truck operates equipment such as overhead utility booms solely on the truck’s battery power, instead of requiring the engine to run.

With the 13th largest fleet in the country, Cox is transitioning its fleet to lessen its impact on the environment by using flex-fuel vehicles and replacing existing vehicles with more fuel-efficient and/or hybrid models. Cox’s fleet is comprised of more than 15,000 vehicles - of which 257 are hybrids and 1,400 are capable of running on bio-diesel.

“At Cox, we’re exploring all options to lessen our reliance on traditional petroleum resources,” said Mike Mannheimer, vice president and chief procurement officer, Cox Enterprises. “Through our Cox Conserves program, we are actively reducing our company’s carbon footprint, and these trucks are part of the larger solution. Not only are they better for the environment, but they also reduce our overall fuel costs.”

The hybrid trucks will be used by Cox Enterprises’ multi-service broadband communications and entertainment subsidiary, Cox Communications. A “boom” or “bucket arm” extends on the trucks so wires on utility poles can be repaired or maintained. The hybrid trucks will be used in the following Cox Communications locations:

 Hampton Roads, Va. (2) New Orleans Oklahoma City Orange County, Calif. Phoenix Rhode Island San Diego Springfield, Va. 

“Cox is taking a leadership role in the telecommunications industry when it comes to operating clean, green vehicles,” said Jim Williams, director of new product sales & distribution, Navistar. “They’ll save money on fuel, run quieter trucks and significantly reduce emissions in their communities.”

Hybrid Trucks

The Hybrid Truck Users Forum (of which Cox is a member) estimates that 1,000-1,500 gallons of fuel can be saved per utility-type truck annually. At today’s high diesel prices, that equates to a savings of $4,000-$6,000 in fuel per truck annually. It also results in annual greenhouse gas reductions of 11 to 16.5 tons of Greenhouse Gases per unit.

International hybrid trucks employ a parallel-type, diesel-electric hybrid architecture that is supplied by Eaton Corporation. It incorporates an electric motor/generator between the output of an automated clutch and input of the automated transmission. The system recovers energy normally lost during braking and stores the energy in batteries. The hybrid-electric system recovers energy during braking, and can add power back into the driveline during start and acceleration.

This capability makes the truck more efficient in standard driving, particularly in city and stop-and-go driving. When the truck reaches a work site, the hybrid system can power the hydraulic pump that operates the aerial device and electric tools for up to two hours without the engine running. It is this ability to shut the engine down at work sites that helps the truck cut fuel use so significantly. The engine-off option during worksite operations further reduces noise, emissions and fuel costs.

Cox Conserves (www.coxconserves.com)

Cox Enterprises has already reduced its carbon footprint by 10% from 2000- 2007. Cox Conserves is the company’s national sustainability program designed to dramatically reduce its carbon footprint by an additional 20% by 2017. In addition to making operational changes across the company, the program also encourages the company’s 83,000 employees and their families to engage in eco- friendly practices.

Audi RS6 Avant comes already with 580 hp and 650 Nm of torque but for those folks who consider that this is not enough there’s always MTM. The tuner unveiled today an even more powerful version of the German station wagon.

mtm audi rs6 r

With the help of some ECU tweaking an astonishing 656 hp and 785 Nm of torque was obtained. With these numbers, the sprint from 0-100 km/h is made in 3.9 seconds while the top speed can be limited at 279, 290 or 310 km/h. All these are offered at a price of 3999 euro. According to the manufacturer, an even more powerful version of the vehicle is under development with a massive 702 hp.

Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance is the ultimate automotive show. For a true enthusiast having a car on the lawn at Pebble beach can rank higher than the birth of a child. To be one of the rare winners may the single greatest moment in an enthusiast’s life. The showcase has traditionally been reserved for automotive time capsules that are restored to a condition as if they were factory fresh. But now intruding on this automotive aristocracy are unrestored riffraff.

Pebble Beach is starting to understand that history is preserved in the unpolished automotive gems, and no car shows this better than the Porsche No. 1.

As the name would suggest, it was the first car built under the Porsche name, and it will be featured this August at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.

No. 1 has obvious ties to the entire Porsche bloodline. From the 356 to today’s 911, it shows that Porsche’s cars never changed; they just evolved.

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., July 31 — BorgWarner Inc. today reported record second quarter results driven by strong demand for its fuel efficient powertrain technologies in Europe and Asia which more than offset declines in North America. The company also announced proactive restructuring initiatives in North America to align its ongoing operations with market shifts and significant production cuts by its customers. As a result, the company adjusted its full-year guidance to a range of $2.80 to $2.95 per diluted share, excluding charges related to the third-quarter restructuring and final purchase accounting adjustments related to the acquisition of BERU.

 Second Quarter Highlights: -- Record sales of $1,516.6 million were up 11% from second quarter 2007. 

– Sales outside of the U.S. grew 13% over second quarter 2007, excluding the impact of currency.

– Earnings of $0.74 per diluted share on a U.S. GAAP basis were up 16% from second quarter 2007, adjusted for a two-for-one stock split in December 2007 and including a 2008 second quarter $(0.04) per diluted share purchase accounting adjustment related to the attainment of 100% control of BERU through a Domination and Profit Transfer Agreement (DPTA). Excluding the BERU adjustment, second quarter 2008 earnings were $0.78 per diluted share.

– Operating income margin was 8.3% excluding the BERU purchase accounting adjustment.

– The company maintained its 2008 full-year sales growth expectation of 8% to 10%, and adjusted its 2008 full-year earnings guidance to $2.80 to $2.95 per diluted share, which incorporates the lower end of its previous guidance range of $2.85 to $3.00 per diluted share. The revised guidance excludes charges related to the third-quarter North American restructuring and final purchase accounting adjustments related to BERU, and includes adjustments for currency, primarily a stronger Euro. The company estimates that the third quarter pretax restructuring charge will be in the range of $10 million to $12 million. Benefits from the restructuring are expected to be realized in the second half of 2008 and are included in the revised guidance.

Comment and Outlook: “Our record second quarter performance, which was achieved despite rapidly declining conditions in the North American auto industry, reaffirms the benefits of our diversified customer base, focus on fuel efficient technologies and our broad geographic footprint,” said Tim Manganello, BorgWarner Chairman and CEO. “BorgWarner sales outside of the U.S. were up 13%, excluding the impact of currency, comparing favorably with non- U.S. vehicle production which was 6% higher. Conversely, our sales in the U.S. were down 17%, consistent with U.S. vehicle production which was down 18% during the quarter.

“We are taking proactive steps to maintain and enhance our global competitive advantage,” Manganello continued. “These steps include further restructuring our North American operations in the third quarter. Our decision was not made lightly or without regard for the interests of our employees, but was necessary to address what we view as a continuing, fundamental, permanent shift in the North American auto industry. By taking action now, we expect to successfully manage our business through an extremely difficult period and provide a solid base from which to address our U.S. customers’ growing needs for fuel efficient cars and trucks. Higher oil prices, while currently disruptive, highlight the critical need for fuel efficient technologies like ours.”

Commenting on the remainder of the year, Manganello said: “We are managing our global business in two distinct operating environments. In Europe and Asia, our businesses are expected to experience sustained growth. Conversely, in North America, our operations will remain focused on fuel efficiency and cost management. While we anticipate that the European automotive market will experience a slow down in the second half of 2008, we expect that demand for down-sized turbocharged gas and diesel engines and more efficient dual-clutch transmissions will continue to drive our above-average market growth. Our guidance balances North American schedule declines and global commodity pricing pressures with continued strength in other key markets.”

Financial Results: Sales were $1,516.6 million in the second quarter, up 11% from $1,364.3 million in second quarter 2007. Net income in the quarter was $87.5 million or $0.74 per diluted share compared with $75.7 million, or $0.64 per diluted share in second quarter 2007. Second quarter 2008 net income included purchase accounting adjustments related to the acquisition of BERU of $(4.5) million net of tax, or $(0.04) per diluted share. The impact of foreign currencies, primarily the Euro, increased sales by $125 million or 9% in second quarter 2008 and net income by $8.4 million, or $0.07 per diluted share.

Sales were $3,015.5 million in the first six months of 2008, up 14%, compared with $2,642.1 million in the first six months of 2007. Net income was $176.2 million in the first six months of 2008, or $1.49 per diluted share, compared with $134.1 million in the first six months of 2007, or $1.14 per diluted share. Net income for the first six months included purchase accounting adjustments related to the acquisition of BERU of $(4.5) million net of tax, or $(0.04) per diluted share. The impact of foreign currencies, primarily the Euro, increased sales by $241 million, or 9%, in the first six months of 2008 compared with the same period in 2007, and net income by $18.4 million, or $0.16 per diluted share.

Operating income was $121.0 million, or 8.0% of sales, in second quarter 2008 including the BERU purchase accounting adjustment, versus $113.6 million, or 8.3% of sales, in second quarter 2007. Operating income margin in the second quarter of 2008 was 8.3% excluding the BERU purchase accounting adjustment. Research and development spending was $57.8 million in the quarter versus $56.7 million in the 2007 quarter.

Net cash provided by operating activities was $267.1 million in the first six months of 2008 versus $223.4 million in the first six months of 2007. Investments in capital expenditures, including tooling outlays, totaled $162.2 million for the first six months of 2008, compared with $122.5 million for the same period in 2007. Balance sheet debt decreased by $9.4 million, cash increased by $37.4 million and marketable securities decreased by $14.6 million at the end of second quarter 2008 compared with the end of 2007. The company repurchased 618,095 shares of its common stock for $27.7 million in the first six months of 2008.

Engine Group Results: Engine Group second quarter 2008 sales of $1,109.0 were up 16% versus second quarter 2007, while earnings before interest and income taxes were up 17% to $126.4 million. Sales outside of the U.S. were up 12% excluding the impact of foreign currencies, driven by the continued demand from European and Asian automakers for turbochargers, timing systems and emissions products, as well as European demand for diesel engine ignition systems.

Drivetrain Group Results: Drivetrain Group second quarter 2008 sales of $414.4 million were down slightly from second quarter 2007. Earnings before interest and income taxes were $21.8 million. Sales outside of the U.S. were up 16%, excluding the impact of foreign currencies, as the group continued to benefit from increased demand for dual-clutch transmission products. Sales in the U.S. were down 22% primarily due to the impact of lower domestic vehicle production, especially light trucks and SUVs.

Third Quarter Restructuring: In response to significant declines in North American auto industry production, the company expects to reduce its North American workforce in the third quarter by approximately 1,000 people, or 16% of its North American employee base, spread across its operations in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Although not all aspects of the restructuring actions have been finalized, BorgWarner expects to incur pretax costs estimated in the range of $10 million to $12 million in connection with the restructuring actions. These costs may include employee benefits and other incremental costs, if any, resulting from the restructuring actions. Savings from the restructuring are expected to be realized in the second half of 2008.

At 9:30 a.m. ET today, a conference call concerning second quarter results will be webcast at: http://www.borgwarner.com/invest/webcasts.shtml. Financial Talking Points are posted on the same site at the time of the call.

Auburn Hills, Michigan-based BorgWarner Inc. is a product leader in highly engineered components and systems for vehicle powertrain applications worldwide. The FORTUNE 500 company operates manufacturing and technical facilities in 64 locations in 17 countries. Customers include VW/Audi, Ford, Toyota, Renault/Nissan, General Motors, Hyundai/Kia, Daimler, Chrysler, Fiat, BMW, Honda, John Deere, PSA, and MAN. The Internet address for BorgWarner is: http://www.borgwarner.com/.

Additional Important Information

Statements contained in this news release may contain forward-looking statements as contemplated by the 1995 Private Securities Litigation Reform Act that are based on management’s current expectations, estimates and projections. Words such as “outlook,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and generally beyond the control of the Company, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed, projected or implied in or by the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include: fluctuations in domestic or foreign automotive production, the continued use of outside suppliers by original equipment manufacturers, fluctuations in demand for vehicles containing the Company’s products, general economic conditions, as well as other risks detailed in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Risk Factors identified in its most recently filed annual report on Form 10-K.

ROTTERDAM, Netherlands, July 31 — LyondellBasell Industries’ Softell polypropylene (PP) compound is being used to produce the door panels of Italian commercial utility vehicle producer IVECO’s new Eurocargo truck model.

LyondellBasell’s new Softell PP compound was selected for the new Eurocargo model to create a comfortable, “feel-good” atmosphere increasingly required in commercial utility vehicle interiors. “The door panels produced using our Softell compound not only have warm, soft-to-the-touch qualities, but they also match the surrounding surfaces from an aesthetics standpoint, and provide excellent finish and color consistency,” said Christoph Sondern, Vice President of LyondellBasell’s Automotive Business in Europe.

The finished part was styled by Iveco and designed by Italian supplier Plastal S.p.A., which developed the technological aspects of the application from inception to production.

Compared to competitive interior solutions such as painted ABS, Softell PP compounds offer additional advantages for automotive interiors, including excellent processability and high quality design potential. Softell compounds are used to produce injection molded finished parts in one step, using one material — with a sophisticated property profile and high serviceability, but without coating material waste. A door module measuring 1.20m high and 0.80m wide can be produced using a monomaterial concept that significantly reduces processing steps. “Up to 40 percent cost savings over conventional systems are possible,” said Sondern.

Expanding the envelope of PP compound performance

Softell compounds also offer safety benefits. Due to their morphological structure, finished parts produced using Softell compounds do not form sharp edges and splinters in crash tests, even at low temperatures. In addition to safety and design freedom, Softell compounds also surpass conventional PP compounds in terms of scratch resistance and low levels of gloss. With Softell compounds, light weight, cost effective door panels and many other interior components can be produced without compromising part performance. “Softell resins represent an entirely new class of plastics that enable the production of parts with high quality surfaces and outstanding finished part properties,” said Erik Licht, Global Marketing Manager for LyondellBasell’s Softell compounds. “All of this is achieved using an all-polyolefinic material in a simple injection molding process that provides a cost competitive alternative which offers resource efficiencies and minimizes environmental impact,” said Licht.

Eurocargo’s door panels produced using Softell compounds also provide very good acoustic characteristics. “Tests show that door panels produced with the resin showed better sound and vibration absorption properties compared to ABS and ABS/PC blends,” added Licht. “This contributes to reduced passenger cabin noise and a more pleasant riding experience.”

“Since we commercialized our Softell range for automotive applications earlier this year, we are seeing significant interest from manufacturers, as the resins meet stringent specifications of several European automotive interior applications,” said Sondern.

Ivecos’ Eurocargo trucks

The Eurocargo is one of the most successful mid-weight commercial utility trucks and is designed to guarantee complete operator satisfaction, particularly in terms of reliability and productivity. As a vehicle, it is adaptable to any type of application or operation, thanks to a modular design structure that ensures all-round versatility without compromising design integrity.

LyondellBasell Industries is one of the world’s largest polymers, petrochemicals and fuels companies. We are the global leader in polyolefins technology, production and marketing; a pioneer in propylene oxide and derivatives; and a significant producer of fuels and refined products, including bio-fuels. Through research and development, LyondellBasell develops innovative materials and technologies that deliver exceptional customer value and products that improve quality of life for people around the world.

Specter Werkes finally launched its customized C6 Corvette GTR which features the Specter Matrix II engine package for the LS3. With the new package the engine displacement is increased from 6.2 to 6.8 liters which allows it to produce 535 hp and 530 pound-feet of torque.

At the exterior the kit consists in a new front lip spoiler, new side sills, rear fascia, a new extractor good and carbon-fiber rear diffuser. In the rear the car is 4.5 inches wider than a standard Corvette C6 and features a center mounted stop lamp in order to increase the visibility of the vehicle.

Specter will also use 19 and 20 inch HRE 840R alloy wheels fitted with Michelin PS2 rubber, sized 275/35/19 in front and 335/30/20 in the rear. Price of the package: $34,995

Posted Jul 31st 2008 9:59AM by Dan Roth
Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Chrysler, LLC., FIAT, India, Tata

The key to Chrysler LLC remaining as one of the Detroit automakers could turn out to be the rest of the world. Reuters reports that Chrysler has been chatting up both Tata Motors and Fiat as a means of survival. A deal with Tata might see the evergreen Jeep Wrangler being proffered in India by Tata, as well as the possibility of an electric vehicle partnership. The EV deal might be centered around an electron-motivated version of Tata’s Ace, and those talks are running concurrently with whatever possible Jeep discussions are underway.

A little further west of Tata, in Italy, Fiat is reportedly considering leasing some of Chrysler’s manufacturing capacity. A deal that puts business in Chrysler plants would certainly help rustle up some cash, while it would be mutually beneficial for Fiat as it contemplates a return to the North American market. Nobody is commenting officially, but we’re likely to continue to see creative deals abound as everyone tries to keep their heads above water.

[Source: The Guardian]

Having a catalytic converter stolen is a theft on the rise in the U.S. and the U.K. Why you may ask? Well, the inside of the catalyst tends to contain the precious metal platinum. With the current market price at about $1700 an ounce the average thief will make $200, with very little effort. In fact SUVs make a particularly easy target because their high ground clearance gives thieves easier instant access to the catalytic converter.

Ford’s UK branch has teamed up with Retainagroup, a car security marking and registration systems specialist, to offer people a inexpensive option to deter catalytic converter theft. For the price of £11.87 ($23.00) owners can have a unique 7-digit code and a 24-hour telephone number added to the converter. Once the mark has been applied, the unique code is recorded with vehicle and owner details on the register and can be verified immediately at any time, day or night, 365 days per year. Ford will also offer ’fleet packs’ containing material for 30 automobiles, costing £136.85 ($271.00).

Posted Jul 31st 2008 11:59AM by Noah Joseph
Filed under: UK

We all know that Formula One pilots drive their cars to the very edge of their limits. What separates the godlike from the rest of the field of extremely talented drivers, however, is how close they can get to the edge without going over it. Go too far and you crash. Don’t go far enough and lose. Michael Schumacher certainly falls into that rare category – tops it, even – of the exceedingly talented and accomplished, but lately, we’ve begun to wonder if the unprecedented seven-time world champion hasn’t lost it.

Following the rumors from just a couple of days ago that Schumacher had totaled a Ferrari 430 Scuderia prototype on the Nurburgring (turns out it could have been another test driver) comes word that Shumi was involved in a traffic collision on public roads in England. A car dealer in Kent, England, reports to have been hit by a Fiat van, only to discover that it was the champion himself driving. Sound incredible? Both local police and Schumacher’s spokesperson confirmed it was him. Michael reportedly cooperated with police who turned up at the scene, handed over his insurance information and was then picked up and disappeared. Thanks for the tip, AV!

[Source: BBC News, Image: Bongarts/Getty]