The Automobile Center

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.

(Read the full post about ‘BorgWarner Posts Record Second Quarter Results’…)

Share This

If you want to be notified the next time I write something, subscribe to the RSS feed. Thanks for reading.

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.

(Read the full post about ‘Cox Enterprises Reduces Fuel Usage and Carbon Emissions With New Fuel-Sipping Hybrid Trucks’…)

Share This

Could this be a new future model from Audi? An Audi fan took this photo during a recent visit to the company’s factory. Nice 20-inch rims, don’t you think? The RS6 badging and body style suggest possibly a new performance minded Allroad. If the badging on the car is correct, then this car is fitted with the A6’s standard 3.2-liter V6. So maybe there is a turbo added, or the badging is just designed to throw us off?

We’ll just have to wait for more details.

Tags: Mercedes, Ford, Toyota, toyota

Share This

Auto Express Car Reviews 31st July 2008 The inside of the Ka is out…almost! We’ve already seen how the all-new Ka city car will look, but Ford hasn’t released any interior shots of the newcomer. However, to coincide with the car’s upcoming appearance in the James Bond movie, Quantum of Solace, the firm has unveiled the first image of the all-new Ka’s interior.The picture is under strict embargo until 1 August – but www.autoexpress.co.uk will be first to publish it, giving you a tantalising look at the innovative new cockpit.Originally unveiled at 1996’s Paris Motor Show, the Ka MkI has lasted 12 years and is now seen as a modern classic, with over 1.4 million sold – 480,000 in the UK. (Read the full post about ‘Inside line on next Ka’…)

Share This

- Net Sales and Income Increase Year-over-Year

- Second-Quarter 2008 Net Income per Diluted Share Increases to $0.20, up 82% from 2007

- Company Reaffirms Full-Year 2008 Earnings Outlook of $0.75 to $0.85 Per Diluted Share

WARREN, Ohio, July 31 — Stoneridge, Inc. today announced net sales of $213.2 million and net income of $4.7 million, or $0.20 per diluted share, for the second quarter ended June 30, 2008.

Net sales increased $29.4 million, or 16.0 percent, to $213.2 million, compared with $183.8 million for the second quarter of 2007.

(Read the full post about ‘Stoneridge Reports Second-Quarter 2008 Results’…)

Share This

Third generation technology improves comfort, handling, packing, weight and refinement

Paris, France - A new Active Stabiliser Bar System (ASBS) - that delivers better steering feel, improved vehicle dynamics, superior comfort and greater tuning capability compared with today’s technologies - is being developed by Delphi Corp. (PINKSHEETS: DPHIQ). The system is the first to provide continuous across-centre control and is 60 percent lighter and around 65 percent more compact than the previous generation system, making it the world’s most advanced roll control technology.

Delphi was first to market with an Active Stabiliser Bar System in 1999 and has subsequently developed both linear and rotary systems for a range of applications.

(Read the full post about ‘DELPHI LAUNCHES WORLD’S MOST ADVANCED ROLL-CONTROL SYSTEM’…)

Share This

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.

(Read the full post about ‘Ford to help stop catalytic converter theft’…)

Share This

COLOGNE - July 30, 2008: Ford of Europe is planning to establish a dedicated National Sales Company (NSC) organisation in Romania, which will take full responsibility for the marketing, sales and service of Ford vehicles there from August 2010.

The establishment of an NSC in Romania is the next logical step for the company following a steady increase in sales of Ford vehicles in recent years and the purchase of the Craiova vehicle manufacturing plant in the south-west of the country.

For the past 16 years, Romcar SRL has been the authorised importer of Ford vehicles and parts in Romania.

(Read the full post about ‘Ford To Establish National Sales Company In Romania’…)

Share This

WOLFSBURG - July 30, 2008: The Volkswagen Showcase on the “Olympic Green” is now ready to welcome guests to the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. As the exclusive Automobile Partner of the Beijing Organizing Committee of the 2008 Olympic Games (BOCOG) and national sponsor, Volkswagen Group China has already handed over 5,000 vehicles, all complying with the Euro IV emissions standard, as logistic support for athletes, the media and Olympic guests. Furthermore, Volkswagen is providing a fleet of very low-emission, low-consumption vehicles christened the “Green Fleet” to the BOCOG’s Main Press Center. Complementing the vehicle fleet, the Volkswagen Showcase is the second main pillar of Volkswagen’s Olympic commitment.

(Read the full post about ‘Green Light for Olympics: Volkswagen Pavilion Now Ready’…)

Share This

BRENTWOOD - July 30, 2008: Energy company E.ON has renewed its Ford contract with the environmental performance of Ford vehicles a deciding factor. The agreement with E.ON will see some 2,000 Ford vans and cars added to their UK fleet this year as part of the three-year deal.

E.ON UK is part of German-based E.ON, the world’s largest investor-owned power and gas company. The selection of Ford vehicles for the contract follows a comprehensive international tender exercise.

“This is part of a pan-European contract with each country managing its own requirements,” said E.ON UK’s fleet manager David Graham.

The utility is one of the UK’s leading power and gas companies and has been running Ford vehicles for the past 10 years.

(Read the full post about ‘Energy Company Selects Ford As Green Option’…)

Share This