Tanto Exe Tanto Exe CUSTOM

DAIHATSU MOTOR CO., LTD. (Daihatsu) announced on December 24 the launch in Japan of a new mini passenger car, the Tanto Exe1.

In contrast to the Tanto, intended for families with young children, the Tanto Exe is designed for adults, particularly men and women who value communication with each other and individuality. The Tanto Exe aims to combine upscale quality and comfort by retaining the acclaimed roomy interior of the Tanto, while introducing the added features of reduced weight, higher fuel efficiency, and advanced styling.
The Tanto Exe CUSTOM, with more refined styling, is also available.

New Tanto Exe offers the following features:

1. Emotional x Elegant design: Creates refined styling particularly suited to adults
   Dynamic and stylish exterior surrounds the roomy interior cabin
   Refined, upscale interior satisfies adult sensibilities
2. Executive space: Upscale interior where adults can relax
   Spacious interior of the original Tanto has been further refined for a comfortable space where adults can feel completely at ease
   Four ultra-comfortable seats offer a sofa-like experience
   Equipped with stylish and functional storage areas (including illuminated twin consoles2)
3. Exceed x Excellent ecology: Fuel efficiency at the highest level of its class3 (21.5 km/L4)
   The new Tanto Exe is about 60 kg lighter5 than the original Tanto. Its engine and transmission have also been optimized to achieve fuel efficiency at the highest level of its class (21.5 km/L), making the new vehicle eligible for both the tax break in Japan to promote environmentally-considerate vehicles and the subsidy to promote environmentally-considerate vehicles

   The lighter weight and new power train provide exceptional cruising performance

   A balance is achieved between the lighter weight and outstanding safety performance
   1. Exe standards for: Exceed x Excellent ecology, Emotional x Elegant design and Executive space; the name expresses the outstanding environmental performance and styling, sense of quality, and comfort that satisfy adult sensibilities

   2. Standard equipment on the S, G, CUSTOM S, CUSTOM G, and CUSTOM RS

   3. For the class of mini vehicles with a height of 1,700 mm or more (as of December 2009; according to Daihatsu’s research)

   4. Fuel efficiency under the 10-15 Japanese test cycle of the X “Special”, X, G, CUSTOM X, and CUSTOM G

   5. Compared to the original Tanto (according to Daihatsu’s research)

Monthly sales target for Japan is 4,000 units. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (excluding consumption tax) ranges from 1.076 million yen to 1.268 million yen for Tanto Exe and from 1.286 million yen to 1.610 million yen for Tanto Exe CUSTOM.

Source: http://www.daihatsu.com/news/n2009/09122401/index.html

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DEARBORN, Mich., Dec. 23, 2009 – Ford Motor Company [NYSE: F] confirmed today that all substantive commercial terms relating to the potential sale of Volvo Car Corporation have been settled between Ford and Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Company Limited.

While some work still remains to be completed before signing – including final documentation, financing and government approvals – Ford and Geely anticipate that a definitive sale agreement will be signed in the first quarter of 2010, with closing of the sale likely to occur in the second quarter 2010, subject to appropriate regulatory approvals.

The prospective sale would ensure Volvo has the resources, including the capital investment, necessary to further strengthen the business and build its global franchise, while enabling Ford to continue to focus on and implement its core ONE Ford strategy.

While Ford would continue to cooperate with Volvo Cars in several areas after a possible sale, the company does not intend to retain a shareholding in the business post-sale.

More details will be made available once the expected definitive sale agreement is signed in the first quarter of 2010.

Source: http://www.ford.com/about-ford/news-announcements/press-releases/press-releases-detail/pr-ford-confirms-settlement-of-all-31664

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DEARBORN, Mich., Dec. 23, 2009 – Ford Motor Company [NYSE: F] confirmed today that all substantive commercial terms relating to the potential sale of Volvo Car Corporation have been settled between Ford and Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Company Limited.

While some work still remains to be completed before signing – including final documentation, financing and government approvals – Ford and Geely anticipate that a definitive sale agreement will be signed in the first quarter of 2010, with closing of the sale likely to occur in the second quarter 2010, subject to appropriate regulatory approvals.

The prospective sale would ensure Volvo has the resources, including the capital investment, necessary to further strengthen the business and build its global franchise, while enabling Ford to continue to focus on and implement its core ONE Ford strategy.

While Ford would continue to cooperate with Volvo Cars in several areas after a possible sale, the company does not intend to retain a shareholding in the business post-sale.

More details will be made available once the expected definitive sale agreement is signed in the first quarter of 2010.

Source: http://www.ford.com/about-ford/news-announcements/press-releases/press-releases-detail/pr-ford-confirms-settlement-of-all-31664

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Detroit – OnStar’s global expansion became a reality this week following Shanghai OnStar Telematics Co. Ltd’s activation for its first subscriber in China. Mr. Lu Jianping from Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province received his new Cadillac Seville SLS on December 20, 2009 and became the country’s first OnStar subscriber.

“We are so pleased to have Mr. Lu Jianping as our first subscriber in China, and we welcome him to the OnStar family,” said OnStar President Walt Dorfstatter. “After years of industry-leading innovation and phenomenal growth, we are proud to provide safety, security and peace of mind across the globe.”

Shanghai OnStar Telematics Co. Ltd., a joint venture between OnStar, LLC, (a wholly owned subsidiary of General Motors Company), Shanghai Automotive Industry Sales Co., Ltd (part of the SAIC Group) and Shanghai General Motors (SGM), became operational earlier this month. SGM began rolling out the OnStar service on Cadillac vehicles, and will eventually make this service available on its full portfolio of products.

OnStar provides the following 14 services in China.

OnStar:

• Automatic Crash Response
• Emergency Services
• Automatic Airbag Response
• Vehicle Diagnostics
• On Demand Diagnostics
• Good Samaritan
• Stolen Vehicle Location
• Remote Door Unlock
• Remote Horn and Lights
• Roadside Assistance
• Hands Free Calling
• Point of Interest
• Turn-by-Turn Navigation
• Destination Download

SGM provides one year of OnStar as standard to customers with OnStar equipped new vehicles. The service is available throughout mainland China and was launched in Mandarin Chinese.

OnStar was formed in 1995 to help make vehicle transportation safer. OnStar is the global leader in telematics with more than 5.6 million customers and 253 million customer interactions to date. Next year, OnStar will play an important role at the SAIC-GM Pavilion at the World Expo 2010 Shanghai where visitors will see a vision for personal urban transportation in the year 2030.

Source: http://publish.media.gm.com/content/media/us/en/news/news_detail.brand_gm.html/content/Pages/news/us/en/2009/Dec/1223_onstar

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Honda Motor Co., Ltd. announced a summary of automobile production, Japan domestic sales, and export results for the month of November 2009.

• Production
  Production in Japan for the month of November 2009 experienced a year-on-year decrease for the 13th consecutive month (since November 2008).

  Production in regions outside of Japan experienced a year-on-year increase for the first time in 14 months (since September 2008), including record production in Asia and China for the month of November.

  Worldwide production experienced a year-on-year decrease for the 13th consecutive month (since November 2008).

• Japan Domestic Market Sales
  Total Japan domestic market auto sales for the month of November 2009, experienced a year-on-year increase for the fifth consecutive month (since July 2009).

  New vehicle registrations experienced a year-on-year increase for the eighth consecutive month (since April 2009).

  Sales of mini-vehicles experienced a year-on-year decrease for the 12th consecutive month (since December 2008).

• Vehicle registrations - excluding mini-vehicles
  Fit was the industry’s second best-selling car among new vehicle registrations for the month of November 2009, with sales of 17,178 units. Insight was the industry’s fifth best-selling car with sales of 9,413 units.
• Mini-vehicles - under 660cc
  Life was the industry’s seventh best-selling car in the mini-vehicle category for the month of November 2009, with sales of 5,943 units.

Source: http://world.honda.com/news/2009/c091222Automobile-Sales/

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Honda Performance Development, Inc. announces an amicable and successful conclusion to the agreement under which de Ferran Motorsports served as the primary testing and development team for the Acura sports-car program.

The de Ferran team spent the past two motorsports seasons testing and developing Acura’s ARX-01b and ARX-02a prototypes for American Le Mans Series competition. In 2009, de Ferran Motorsports played an integral role in helping Acura become the first manufacturer to win ALMS LMP1 and LMP2 prototype championships in the same season.

Beyond its testing and developmental work, the de Ferran team contributed to Acura’s success by winning five of 10 ALMS LMP1 events during the 2009 season, and finishing second in the LMP1 team championship.

“Economic pressures have required us to change our plans, so we must regretfully conclude our testing and development agreement with the de Ferran Motorsports team,” explained Erik Berkman, president of Honda Performance Development, Inc., the racing arm of American Honda. “Since beginning competition in the fifth round of the 2008 ALMS championship, de Ferran Motorsports has contended regularly for race victories, and waged a spirited battle in pursuit of the 2009 LMP1 championship.

“We would like to express our deep gratitude to the members of the de Ferran team for the countless contributions they made to our success in sports-car racing during the past two seasons,” Berkman added. “We could never have accomplished our historic dual championships without the dedication and focus that every member of the de Ferran team brought to the program. We thank de Ferran Motorsports for its professionalism and commitment, and wish [team owner] Gil [de Ferran] and his team every success imaginable in its motorsports future.”

Said Gil de Ferran, “I have a long standing and successful relationship with Honda, spanning over a decade in different guises. I was delighted that we were able to serve Honda’s needs during the 2008 and 2009 Acura sports-car campaigns and it is unfortunate that our relationship could not continue under the current economic restrictions. Nevertheless, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Honda for its support and its part in making de Ferran Motorsports a reality and a successful team.”

Source: http://www.honda.com/newsandviews/article.aspx?id=5348

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HERNDON, Va., December 22, 2009 – The Audi S5 provides the best residual values to its owners, more than other luxury sports cars, according to ALG. The Audi brand also ranks among the top 3 luxury brands for predicted residual value for the second consecutive year, the highest amongst German luxury competitors.

ALG’s 11th annual Residual Value Awards, for the 2010 model year, honored the vehicles in each industry segment that ALG predicts will retain the highest percentage of their original price after a three-year period.

ALG determines the award winners after carefully studying the competition in each segment, historical vehicle residual value performance and industry trends. Vehicle quality, production levels relative to demand, and pricing strategies are among the key factors that affect ALG’s residual value forecasts.

“Audi residual values rank amongst the highest in the luxury segment,” said Johan de Nysschen, President, Audi of America. “The recognition from ALG further confirms that owning an Audi is worthwhile for our customers in many ways.”

“We believe Residual Value remains the best metric for evaluating the overall strength of an automotive brand, and we congratulate Audi for the proven success of their brand and S5 model,” said James Clark, General Manager of ALG. “The ALG Residual Value Awards are recognized throughout the industry and by consumers as the mark of a healthy brand; winning this award is a testament to an exceptionally strong product and all of us at ALG are pleased to recognize that accomplishment.”

Source: http://www.audiusanews.com/newsrelease.do?id=1624

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Human Occupant Package Simulator Lab

DEARBORN, Mich., Dec. 22, 2009 – Leaping into the world of virtual engineering, Ford Motor Company now employs the same type of motion-capture technology used to create films like “Avatar,” “Lord of the Rings” and “Shrek” to design vehicles that are more comfortable and enjoyable to drive.

Motion-capture, a technology that digitally captures movement, is used by Hollywood computer animators and video game designers to make nonhuman characters appear more lifelike. Ford uses the technology to create realistic digital humans that engineers use to test vehicles in the virtual world. Ford is the only automaker to use motion-capture software in this way for vehicle design.

“Just like in the movies, we hook people up with sensors to understand exactly how they move when they are interacting with their vehicles,” said Gary Strumolo, manager, Ford research and engineering. “Once we have all that motion captured, we create virtual humans that we can use to run thousands of tests that help us understand how people of all sizes and shapes interact with all kinds of vehicle designs. It’s an incredibly efficient way of engineering tomorrow’s vehicles.”

Capturing motion in movies and cars

One of the newest ways Ford is using motion-capture technology is through a system called Human Occupant Package Simulator (HOPS), which combines motion-capture software with a special test vehicle to measure and evaluate body motion.

A human test subject is outfitted with up to 50 motion-capture sensors. The test subject performs a series of movements, such as swinging a leg outside of the vehicle or reaching for the seat belt. The markers record trajectories of the test subject’s movements. The recordings are then loaded into a database to create digital human models.

Ford engineers use the digital human models to evaluate movement using different virtual vehicle design proposals from a small car to a full-size pickup truck. The system also can be reconfigured to represent the driver and the front, second or even third-row passenger compartments.

The HOPS motion-capture technology allows engineers to apply a more scientific approach to understanding how people interact with vehicles.

“Comfort or discomfort is inherently a subjective measure,” said Nanxin Wang, Ford technical leader. “For a given vehicle, some people will say it’s comfortable to get in, while others may say just the opposite. The challenge is to find out why people feel that way and how we can change the design to improve the perception.

“Before HOPS, the only way to evaluate a given design was to have people get into a vehicle and tell us how they liked it,” Wang continued. “This took lots of time and guesswork. Now we can couple this subjective appraisal with objective measurements of their arms, legs and head movements, along with muscular efforts to quantify movement mathematically. Our design teams use the data as a guide for developing a variety of vehicle platforms that provide optimal comfort, regardless of a person’s size or shape.”

Creating a holistic experience

Ford also is applying motion-capture animation software to improve real-life driving situations before the first prototype is even built. In Ford’s Immersive Virtual Evaluation (iVE) lab, engineers create virtual vehicles complete with exterior views with buildings, intersections and pedestrians.

“This technology enables us to evaluate many vehicle exterior and interior alternatives in a virtual environment from any location – in the driver’s seat or hundreds of feet away from the vehicle – with animated characters and vehicles,” said Elizabeth Baron, a technical specialist in Virtual Reality and Advanced Visualization at Ford.

Two specialized tools used in the iVE lab are the Cave Automated Virtual Environment (CAVE) and the Programmable Vehicle Model (PVM).

“The CAVE is a room where images are projected in stereo onto three walls and the ceiling to generate real-time, virtual vehicle interiors and exteriors at actual scale,” explained Baron. “When you look around, you can see virtually everything inside and outside of a vehicle that is still only a design in a computer.”

The PVM, an adjustable physical device that can be scaled to the actual dimensions of a car or truck, provides an even greater realistic experience by adding the element of touch.

“We set up key dimensions – steering wheel, gas, brake, center stack, etc. – and then we put the virtual world around that physical model,” said Baron. “Instead of being in a room, you’re actually sitting in a representation of the vehicle. You can touch and feel most everything, but what you’re looking at is digital.”

Both virtual design tools help Ford improve the design aesthetics, engineering and ergonomics of its cars and trucks. They also enable the company to bring products to market faster and more cost effectively.

Source: http://www.ford.com/about-ford/news-announcements/press-releases/press-releases-detail/pr-ford-uses-hollywood-motioncapture-31659

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Honda Motor Co., Ltd. announced plans to exhibit the world premiere of the Honda New Small Concept, a concept model of a new small-sized vehicle which Honda is currently developing especially for India and other emerging nations, at the Auto Expo 2010 to be held in New Delhi, India from January 5 to 11, 2010.

In addition to the Honda New Small Concept, Honda also will exhibit the CR-Z Concept 2009, a concept model for a new hybrid vehicle, which was unveiled for the first time at the Tokyo Motor Show in October 2009. Moreover, a demonstration of Honda’s bipedal humanoid robot, ASIMO, has also been scheduled.

With the booth concept of “Inspired by Dynamism - Truly Honda by Nature” Honda will express its tireless challenge for the development of advanced technologies and environmental technologies for the next generation.

• World Premiere Concept Model: “Honda New Small Concept”
• Exhibition Model CR-Z Concept 2009
• Production Model
  City 1.5V
  Jazz (introduced in June 2009)
  Civic (underwent minor model change in September 2009)
  Accord V6
  CR-V (underwent minor model change in November 2009)

In addition, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (Private) Ltd. will exhibit its new 110cc motorcycle model, CB Twister, for the first time and Hero Honda Motors Ltd. will exhibit a variety of motorcycle products as well.

Source: http://world.honda.com/news/2009/c091221Auto-Expo-2010-New-Delhi/

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New Delhi, Toyota Kirloskar Motor Pvt. Ltd. (TKM) today announced the launch of an ‘Eco Campaign’ - promoting Fuel Efficient Diesel Engine Oil and Iridium Tough Spark Plug in all related Toyota models - from December 21, 2009 to January 10, 2010.

Diesel Engine Oil

• Fuel Efficient: The special detergent additives not only clean the engine parts but leave no ash in case of burning. Hence, negligible deposits – reduced friction – improved fuel efficiency
• SOX Emission: Engine Oil 5W30 is manufactured using Group III base oil which has less than Sulphur content, hence cuts down acid formation and SO2
• COX Emission: Since 5W30 has low viscosity which causes less drag, less power is required to overcome lubricant-to-surface friction, saving energy and resulting in less consumption of fuel. Reduced fuel consumption or less fuel burning brings down the CO2 emission

Iridium Tough Spark Plug

• Iridium Ultra Fine Electrode: Ensures higher ignitability than normal plugs
• Ground Electrode with Platinum Tip: (i) Protects from wear and (ii) Gives longer life to plugs when compared to normal plugs

Commenting on the initiative, Mr. Sandeep Singh, Deputy Managing Director, Marketing, TKM, said, “We at Toyota always believe that the best way to serve our customers and society is by providing products that will not only satisfy its users, but will also be environmentally friendly. The introduction of these products further cut down fuel consumption and emission, thereby strengthening our company’s initiatives towards building a cleaner and greener environment.”

Source: http://www.toyotabharat.com/inen/news/eco_campaign.asp

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