European Drift Championships to Wow Middle East Car FansABU DHABI, UAE - Middle East car fans are to be entertained with stunning demonstrations by world-class drift racers from the “Need for Speed” European Drift Championships - Europe’s premier drift championships when they headline at this year’s Barbican Turbo festival. Drifting is a high skill level motorsport in which drivers control a car while it slides from side to side at very high speed. Organised by United Business Media, Barbican Turbo is the region’s premier custom, tuning and motorsports festival to be held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) from the 8th - 10th of October 2009. New Bentley Mulsanne Makes World Debut at Pebble Beach Concours D’Elegance, CaliforniaCREWE, England - Today, Bentley Motors unveiled the Mulsanne, the company’s all-new flagship grand tourer, at the prestigious Pebble Beach Concours D’Elegance in Monterey, California. Qatar Holding LLC Acquires Major Investment in German Automotive CompaniesDOHA, Qatar - - Investment Commitment Exceeds EUR7 Billion, Qatar Holding to own 17% Stake in Volkswagen AG and 10% Stake In Porsche SE Johnson Controls Introduces New Tire Pressure Monitoring System at the IAABURSCHEID, Germany - - Greater Safety, Less Fuel Consumption With Auto-Train/Auto-Learn TPMS “Made in Germany” Formula 1 Helmet: Pure High-Tech!MAGDEBURG, Germany - Helmet manufacturer Schuberth, based in Magdeburg, proved once again the importance of using sophisticated, high-tech materials and fabrics: The T 1000 carbon fibre protected Brazilian Formula 1 driver Felipe Massa from serious injury during his accident at the Hungarian Grand Prix. Frost & Sullivan Accolade Underlines VMT Ecopack Group’s Growth Strategy LeadershipLONDON - The 2009 Frost & Sullivan Growth Strategy Leadership of the Year Award is presented to VMT Ecopack Group in the European automotive packaging market. DENSO to Exhibit New Technologies at IAA 2009 Frankfurt Motor ShowMUNICH, Germany - DENSO Corporation will present its advanced technologies at the IAA Frankfurt Motor Show September 17-27, 2009. DENSO’s new technologies and products, with a focus on the environment, safety, comfort and convenience, will be on display in Hall 4.0, booth B09. Rapidly Changing and Complex Threats Drive Initiatives to Bolster Survivability of Armoured Vehicle CapabilitiesABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates - - Regional and International Defence Experts Meet to Discuss Design Optimization Strategies to Ensure Armoured Vehicles are Equipped to Withstand any Potential Attack Auto Europe Experiences a Shift in Car Hire Demand From the UK to Hot Holiday DestinationsLONDON - - www.auto-europe.co.uk Leading international car hire brokerage Auto Europe, www.auto-europe.co.uk, reports a shift in consumer demand from UK reservations to bookings across hot holiday destinations such as the USA, Spain, France, and Portugal, following the Met Office’s summer 2009 forecast revision delivered at the end of July. Mobileye N.V. Announces the Expansion of its Aftermarket Product Line With the Introduction of the Mobileye C2-170(TM)AMSTERDAM - Mobileye N.V., a global pioneer and leader in vision-based driver assistance and collision avoidance systems, announced today the expansion of its aftermarket product line with the introduction of the new Mobileye C2-170. The new product is a driver-safety system developed specifically for aftermarket applications and can be easily fitted in any passenger and commercial vehicles. India’s Container Trade Thrives in Tandem With Booming Economy, Finds Frost & SullivanMUMBAI, India - India’s containerized transportation is poised for significant growth spearheaded by rising international trade, and increasing investments in ports infrastructure by the government and through public-private partnerships (PPPs). Sea traffic carries 95.0 percent of India’s exports by volume and 70.0 percent in value terms. Considering the present stage of economic development, the shifting of manufacturing activities to India, privatization of port operations, and demand from foreign nations to containerize commodities bode well for the market. ATX Launches New Toyota, Lexus Connected Vehicle ProgramDALLAS - ATX Group, a leading provider of connected vehicle (telematics) services to global automobile manufacturers, announced today the launch this week of the new Toyota/Lexus Safety Connect(TM) program on select Model Year 2010 Toyota and Lexus models in the U.S. The program marks the introduction of location-based safety and security services to Toyota’s vehicle line and an enhanced suite of services for its premium Lexus line. Mexican Company Goes GlobalMONTERREY, Mexico - The Mexican company Katcon Global closed as scheduled, on July 31st, the last stage of the acquisition of Delphi’s catalytic converter and exhaust system global business. This last phase consists in the acquisition of the manufacturing facilities located in Shanghai, China and Gurgaon, India. Great Last Minute Car Hire Deals Still Available in Many Holiday HotspotsLONDON - - (www.auto-europe.co.uk) The weather forecast may be gloomy, but Auto Europe has good news for holidaymakers planning to escape the rain with a last-minute break abroad: there are still sizzling seasonal car hire bargains available for last minute travelers all across the USA as well as in Cyprus, Greece, Switzerland, South Africa and Australia. Record Breaking Sales at Kwik Fit InsuranceGLASGOW, Scotland - Kwik Fit Insurance (KFI) reported record breaking sales this week which saw the leading insurance intermediary boast its strongest figures for a single day of trading since the company was established in 1995. Tom Cooper Scoops Scotland’s Unsung Hero AwardGLASGOW - - Call Centre Hero Awards Honours Bellshill Man As part of the UK Call Centre Week celebrations, Kwik Fit Insurance employee Tom Cooper, from Bellshill, has been named Scotland’s Unsung Hero at the inaugural 2009 Call Centre Hero Awards in London. Rolls-Royce - Resilient Results and Investing for the FutureLONDON - In an interim results interview Rolls-Royce Chief Executive Sir John Rose talks about the company’s record order book, diversified business model and the early actions it took on costs as underpinning another set of resilient results. Melexis Automotive Position Sensor With SENT Protocol Lowers Cost and Improves Performance Under HoodIEPER, Belgium - SENT protocol for Engine Management devices gains support with launch of first fully integrated SENT rotary position sensor IC, MLX90324 by Melexis Electric Vehicles Unplugged: An Event That Plugged the World Into a Green TomorrowLONDON - Frost & Sullivan’s landmark interactive electric vehicle (EV) workshop, one of the first events of its kind to combine parliamentary debates and industry presentation sessions, was a resounding success in terms of networking opportunities and helping businesses position themselves in the race toward the electric vehicle era. Most significantly, it confirmed that government, stakeholders and the industry are all very much on the same page with regard to the importance of a greener future. Strong Improvement of Valeo’s Results in the Second QuarterPARIS - - Positive operating margin of 15 million euros versus a loss of 66 million euros in the first quarter - Free cash flow[1] of 84 million euros and a reduction of the net debt of 92 million euros - Negative net income of 54 million euros versus a negative net income of 159 million euros in the first quarter 2009, which brings the net income for the first half to a loss of 213 million euros - Outlook: - Automotive production forecast revised upwards: drop of 7% for the second half and 17% for the full year - Based on these market conditions, objective of a positive operating margin in the second half and cash consumption for the year of around 200 million euros after payment of 230 million euros related to restructuring costs Frost & Sullivan: Will Continental’s AutolinQ Revolutionise the Automotive Telematics Environment?LONDON - Continental’s new in-vehicle connectivity and infotainment platform AutolinQ is set to revolutionise the automotive world, ushering in new business models that are simpler, more flexible, and better set to maximise payoffs for all players along the telematics value chain. However, questions of connectivity, the overall selling model, cross industry collaboration and application types must be ironed out first. Frost & Sullivan Finds Structural Adhesives Offer Significant Potential for the Automotive, Construction and Industrial Assembly SegmentsLONDON - While structural adhesives are still most often used in the building and construction, automotive, aerospace and wind energy, they are seeing increasing usage in other industries as well. With over 40 major players, the European structural adhesives market shows considerable potential in the transportation, industrial assembly, and alternative energy industries once suppliers overcome initial OEM reluctance. Q-Park NV Appoints L.C. van de Kieft (PGGM NV) as ad Interim CFOMAASTRICHT, The Netherlands - - Q-Park NV is Pleased to Announce That L.C. (RenĂ©) van de Kieft, CFO-COO of PGGM NV, has Accepted the Role of ad Interim CFO as per September 1st 2009 Hearing to Approve Hayes Lemmerz International, Inc. Disclosure Statement Adjourned to August 18, 2009; Restructuring Continues as PlannedNORTHVILLE, Michigan - Hayes Lemmerz International, Inc. (”Hayes” or the “Company”) announced today that the hearing to approve the disclosure statement with respect to its proposed plan of reorganization (the “Plan”) has been adjourned to August 18, 2009. The Plan and disclosure statement were filed with the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware on July 2, 2009 and the hearing to approve the disclosure statement was originally scheduled for July 30, 2009. The three-week adjournment will allow the Company additional time to continue negotiations with creditors and other constituents with respect to the final Plan. The Company already has the overwhelming support of its senior secured lenders regarding the reorganization contemplated by the Plan. Wireless Automotive Connectivity Technologies, Led by Bluetooth, Make Cars Intelligent and Safer, Fuelling Uptake of Connectivity Technologies in Europe, Says Frost & SullivanLONDON - Growing demand for personal device connectivity, mobile Internet access, remote monitoring and diagnostics, as well as enhanced safety and security is driving vehicle manufacturers and suppliers across Europe to seek out new wireless technologies. Wireless technology integration strategies would enhance the value proposition of vehicles by integrating advanced electronics systems such as infotainment systems, safety and stability systems, and comfort and convenience enhancement systems. Barbican Turbo, Middle East Modified Car Show to Captivate AudiencesABU DHABI, UAE - Modified car and motorsports enthusiasts from across the UAE and the Gulf are to be captivated by Barbican Turbo, the region’s premier tuning, custom car and motorsports festival organised by United Business Media. Magna International Inc. - Notice of Conference Call for Second Quarter 2009 ResultsAURORA, Canada - Magna International Inc. (TSX: MG.A; NYSE: MGA) will release its financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2009, on Friday, August 7, 2009. Frost & Sullivan: Russians Willing to Pay Most for Smartphone-based Navigation and TelematicsLONDON - The nascent Russian navigation and telematics market is witnessing a reversal of trends, with global positioning system (GPS)-enabled smartphone technology gaining ground over traditional portable navigation devices (PND). In 2009, the smartphone-based navigation market already exceeded 350,000 units sold in Russia, while the PND market failed to register even half that amount. Valeo Research Projects to Receive Financing of up to 300 Million Euros From the European Investment BankPARIS - The European Investment Bank (EIB) will grant financing of up to 300 million euros to Valeo for its current research projects aiming to reduce the fuel consumption and CO2 emissions of cars and improve active safety. The total research investment of Valeo for these projects is 645 million euros over four years and the EIB loan will come with competitive terms in two installments, the first one of 225 million euros to be drawn by the end of July. Magna and Sberbank Announce Revised Offer for OpelAURORA, Canada and MOSCOW - Magna International Inc. (”Magna”) (TSX: MG.A, NYSE: MGA) and Savings Bank of the Russian Federation (”Sberbank”) (RTS: SBER, MISEX: SBER03) today announced that Magna and Sberbank have jointly submitted a revised offer to acquire a 55% interest in Adam Opel GmbH (”Opel”) as part of a proposed solution that is intended to assure the long-term viability of Opel. Under the offer, the acquired 55% interest in Opel would be owned by a 50:50 Magna/Sberbank consortium (”Consortium”), with General Motors Company (”General Motors”) retaining a 35% interest and Opel employees acquiring 10% as part of a new labour framework. The offer was made in response to a request by General Motors for final offers regarding Opel. The offer contemplates a total equity investment by the Consortium of Euro 500 million over time. Club Assist Adds AAA Representative to BoardMELBOURNE, Australia - - Marshall L. Doney, AAA Vice President, to Join the Board Club Assist announced in June that Marshall L. Doney, Vice President of Automotive for AAA, was appointed to the Board of Club Assist Corporation Pty Ltd. Indian Commercial Vehicle Market Throws up Substantial Opportunities for Telematics, Finds Frost & SullivanMUMBAI, India - Although the Indian market for telematics in commercial vehicles, is highly lucrative, it is also a challenging one. Telematics companies must not only figure out a way to successfully bring the product to this highly fragmented market, but will also have to deal with the job of convincing customers to buy them. Bavaria City Racing: a Love Affair With the KremlinMOSCOW - For the second year running, Formula One Racing around the Kremlin proved a great success. The historical center of political power in Russia was encircled by the immense horsepower of the racing machines of the three top teams in today’s Formula One Racing, Red Bull, Vodafone McLaren Mercedes and AT&T Williams. Committee Says Government Must Deliver for Car Industry - Unite AgreesLONDON - Commenting on the report out today (Friday) from the influential Select Committee on Business and Enterprise, which calls for government to stop dragging its heels on support for the car industry, Tony Woodley, Unite joint general secretary, said: INRIX Announces Historical Traffic Speeds for EuropeKIRKLAND, Washington - - Crowd-sourced Data Improves Accuracy of Routing and Travel Times on over 420,000 Kilometers of Roadways across 6 Countries |
