Zipcar Rolls Out National Low-Car Diet, Helps Consumers Avoid Pain of High Gas Prices
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CAMBRIDGE, Mass., July 21 /PRNewswire/ — Zipcar, the world’s largest provider of cars on demand by the hour or day, launched the first-ever national Low-Car Diet. Beginning today, more than 300 participants will hand over the keys to their personal cars and commit to living one month without the use of their vehicle. Instead, they will utilize public transportation, increase walking and biking, and be given a Zipcar membership to access the vehicles when necessary.
With gas prices continuing to rise, the Low-Car Diet program encourages people across the country to test-drive a car free routine and see how it works for their daily lifestyle. It is the first step towards getting consumers to consider permanently giving up a first or second vehicle. To date, Zipcar estimates that it has taken more than 90,000 personally-owned vehicles off urban streets.
To kick off the Low-Car Diet, Zipcar will be hosting events in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, New York, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Portland, San Francisco, Seattle, and Washington DC for local participants. At the event, participants will hand over their keys and commit to living without their car for the next month. Throughout the program, participants will be monitored and asked how going car “light” is affecting various aspects of their lifestyle, including cost savings, fuel savings, reduced VMT (vehicle miles traveled), and even personal weight loss. These results will be released at the end of the program.
“Reducing car ownership and vehicle miles traveled eases traffic and environmental concerns in our cities, while helping individuals and families save money,” said Scott Griffith, chairman and CEO of Zipcar. “The Low car Diet will give 300 people a true taste of how their lives and communities can be positively affected by getting rid of a personal car, and show that with a Zipcar around the corner, living car ‘light’ can be a permanent way of life.”
To keep up with the Low-Car Diet and learn more about the participants and the results, please visit . Once the program is underway, it will feature testimonials and first-hand accounts about the program.
About Zipcar
Zipcar is the world’s leading car-sharing service with 225,000 members and 5,500 vehicles in urban areas and college campuses throughout 26 North American states and provinces as well as in London, England. As a leader in urban transportation, Zipcar offers more than 30 makes and models of self- service vehicles by the hour or day to savvy city residents and businesses looking for an alternative to the high costs and hassles of owning a car in the city. For more information, visit Zipcar.com.
Press Contact
Lesley Weiner, CooperKatz for Zipcar
(917)595-3034
Zipcar
Reader’s Digest Reports on the Best and Worst States for Teen Drivers in First-Ever Analysis
PLEASANTVILLE, N.Y., July 17 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — car crashes are the number one killer of teens in the United States with July being the deadliest month. Each year, more than 5,000 teenagers die on America’s roadways, but these deaths do not need to happen. Shocking statistics, revealed in a new report in the August issue of Reader’s Digest, on sale July 22, highlight the risks teen drivers pose to themselves and others and the desperate need for states to pass stricter laws regulating teen drivers. As the report shows, more stringent laws usually result in fewer fatalities.
Reader’s Digest ranked all 50 states based on their laws in three areas: graduated driver licensing, which imposes certain restrictions on teens before they are fully licensed; seat belt use; and DUI (driving under the influence). Complete rankings, as well as the methodology used in the report and other information, are available at . The report also includes a ranking of states based on teen driving fatalities.
States were categorized as Best, Good, Fair or Worst. According to the report, the three states considered best for teen driving safety are: Alaska, California and Delaware. Among the worst are Montana, Mississippi and Arkansas, which also rank among the top ten states for the highest number of teen-driving fatalities per 100,000 teens. Reader’s Digest gathered data for this report from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
As the report shows, a number of factors contribute to teen accidents, including:
— Speeding is a factor in 35% of crashes involving young drivers
— Cell phone use increases the crash risk by 300%
– Adding one passenger to a teen-driven car increases the fatal crash risk by 48%; adding a second increases it by 158%
– 87% of teen deaths involve distracted drivers; radios rank as a top distraction
– During nighttime, teens drivers are three times more likely to die in a crash than during the day
The younger the teen, the greater the risk. The crash rate for 16-year-olds is nearly double the rate for 19-year-olds. Yet, a recent study by Johns Hopkins University for the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that comprehensive driver licensing laws decrease deaths among 16-year-old drivers by 38 percent.
“Car crashes kill far too many teenagers each year,” said Andrea Barbalich, Reader’s Digest Deputy Editor. “If we can save lives by passing laws that limit teen driving at night or require more driving time before teens can be fully licensed, then we should all mobilize to make that happen.”
Only 20 percent of high schools offer driver’s education today as opposed to 90 percent in the 1980s, putting the onus for keeping teens safe squarely on parents and state governments. Accompanying the report’s data are tips for teaching a teen to drive and a graphic illustrating the anatomy of a teen car accident, which highlights the factors that dramatically increase a teen’s risk of an accident.
“For decades, Reader’s Digest has been a vocal proponent of safer roads,” said Peggy Northrop, Reader’s Digest Editor-in-Chief. “This report is further evidence of our commitment to this issue and our hope that readers will respond vigorously to our appeal to lobby their state governments to pass tougher teen driving laws.” A sample letter for readers to send to elected officials is available at , along with links to additional resources on teen driving and lobbying state representatives.
Reader’s Digest reaches nearly 40 million readers each month in the United States and twice as many worldwide. Its U.S. website is . The magazine is published in 51 editions and 22 languages, and reaches readers in more than 60 countries. It is the flagship of The Reader’s Digest Association, Inc., a global publisher and direct marketer of products that inform, entertain and inspire people of all ages and cultures around the world. Global headquarters are in Pleasantville, N.Y.
Reader’s Digest
VIDEO from Medialink and General Motors: Main Street Going Green
NEW YORK, July 16 /PRNewswire/ — Going green hasn’t always been economically friendly. In fact, the initial cost of developing a more energy efficient building can be 10 percent higher than using standard equipment. But with the recent rise in energy costs, that gap is starting to close.
(See video from General Motors at: )
The new “green” economics of sustainable building is proving that in the long run, using more energy efficient equipment benefits the bottom line. From an architectural firm in New York’s Battery Park, to a car dealership in Michigan, energy-saving technologies are being used to improve the nation’s landscape.
Traditionally a decidedly un-green environment, car dealerships come with specific challenges like large showroom windows, giant electric signs and emissions from repair shops. But with sustainable practices like skylights to cut electricity costs, geothermal energy to heat and cool the building and rainwater for the car wash, these companies are making a green commitment while decreasing their energy costs.
Registered journalists can access video, audio, text, graphics and photos for free and unrestricted use at .
07NY08-0014
Medialink and General Motors
Jim McDowell, Vice President Of MINI USA, to Address Reporters on Rising Gas Prices in the United States and the Burst in Consumer Interest in Small Cars
WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J., July 16 /PRNewswire/ — MINI USA today announced that Jim McDowell, Vice President of MINI USA, will address reporters in the Detroit, MI area on July 22, 2008 regarding rising gas prices in the United States and its impact on the small car marketplace. MINI has consistently established itself as a leader in the premium small car segment.
In the wake of skyrocketing gas prices, many Americans are looking to smaller cars to help ease the pain at the gas pump. McDowell will share his insights on the future of smaller cars in light of the massive structural changes currently taking place in the marketplace. He will also discuss why he believes the world is becoming more MINI every day.
McDowell will address reporters over breakfast at Forte Restaurant in Birmingham, MI, just outside of Detroit, on Tuesday, July 22, 2008 between 9:00 and 10:00 a.m. Media wishing to attend this briefing should contact Aimee Adler at or 212.843.9294.
MINI in the US
MINI is an independent brand of the BMW Group. In the United States, MINI USA operates as a business unit of BMW of North America, LLC which has been present in the United States since 1975. Rolls-Royce Motor Cars NA, LLC began distributing vehicles in 2003. The BMW Group in the United States has grown to include marketing, sales, and financial service organizations for the BMW brand of motor vehicles, including motorcycles, the MINI brand, and the Rolls- Royce brand of Motor Cars; DesignworksUSA, an industrial design firm in California; a technology office in Silicon Valley and various other operations throughout the country. BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC in South Carolina is part of BMW Group’s global manufacturing network and is the exclusive manufacturing plant for all Z4 models, X5 Sports Activity Vehicles and X6 Sport Activity Coupes. The BMW Group sales organization is represented in the U.S. through networks of 338 BMW passenger car centers, 335 BMW Sports Activity Vehicle centers, 142 BMW motorcycle retailers, 82 MINI passenger car dealers, and 30 Rolls-Royce Motor car dealers. BMW (US) Holding Corp., the BMW Group’s sales headquarters for North, Central and South America, is located in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey.
Information about BMW Group products is available to consumers via the Internet at:
Journalist note: Information about the BMW Group and its products is available to journalists on-line at the BMW Group PressClub at the following address: . Broadcast quality video footage is available via The NewsMarket at .
Rubenstein Communications, Inc.
Public Relations
Aimee Adler, 212-843-8008 or 561-302-6902
MINI USA
Thrifty Car Rental Offers Travel Agents 20 Percent Discount
TULSA, Okla., July 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Thrifty car Rental, a subsidiary of Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group, Inc. , is giving travel agents cause to rejoice … by rewarding them with a 20 percent discount on their next car rental.
(Logo: )
Open to travel agents in the U.S. and Canada at all Thrifty car Rental locations in the U.S. and Canada, the non-commissionable discount is for agents with an official IATAN or IATA card. To receive the discount, agents should print out the “20% discount” coupon available at . In order to receive the discount, simply make your reservation and bring the coupon along with a valid IATAN or IATA card to the car rental counter and the discount will be applied.
“We are very appreciative of the business that our travel agent partners deliver to the Thrifty car Rental brand,” said Greg Billingsley, Director, Consortia Development and Travel Industry Sales. “We hope agents will accept our heartfelt thanks and take advantage of this special savings on their next car rental from Thrifty.”
A 24-hour advance reservation is required to receive the discount. The travel agent discount applies to time and mileage only. The discount is available on all standard rates for any vehicle rental from any participating location in the U.S. and Canada. This discount is not valid in conjunction with any other discount or promotional offer. The renter must meet minimum age, driver and credit requirements. Other restrictions may apply. For more information, visit .
About Thrifty car Rental
Thrifty car Rental, a subsidiary of Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group, Inc., serves value-conscious travelers from more than 1,028 locations in 68 countries. For additional information about Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group, Inc., visit or .
Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group, Inc.
Garmin Strengthens its Position in the Automotive Industry With Latest Ford Announcement
SOUTHAMPTON, England, July 15 /PRNewswire/ —
- With Photos
Garmin, the global leader in portable satellite
navigation, today announced it has strengthened its relationship with Ford
Europe by developing a unique mounting solution that allows seamless
integration of the award winning Garmin nüvi 760 to the vehicles electronics.
Available on the Focus, C-Max, Kuga, new Fiesta, Transit and Transit Connect,
this is Ford’s first genuine portable navigation system available at select
dealerships across mainland Europe.
Roger Jollis, Garmin’s Director of OEM & Mobile Marketing said, “Ford has
not only recognized the continuing demand for portable navigation but has
also improved it by designing a convenient plug and play solution that does
not obstructed the driver’s field of vision. The nüvi 760 is an ideal
solution as it is packed full of features which in 2008 have been recognised
by leading automotive publications as the best Sat Nav in its class.”
Wolfgang Köhler, Project Manager, VP Product Strategy and C-Platform
FCSD-E Vehicle Personalization, ford of Europe said, “Ford wanted to offer
their customers a quality navigation experience and our partnership with
Garmin led us to choose the nüvi 760. The design of the mount and user
interface allows drivers to navigate safely while enjoying driving. Our
premium version of the mount includes a traffic receiver which will allow
Ford customers to avoid traffic and save on journey times.”
This partnership enables ford owners to mount a standard nüvi directly to
the interior trim, near the driver’s wing mirror rather than to the
windshield via a traditional suction cup mount. Ford’s mounting system was
designed specifically to be positioned for optimal use by the driver and
meets Ford’s strict safety requirements. The special mount, available for
left hand drive cars, is powered by the vehicle and eliminates the need for
exposed power cables. The mount charges the nüvi’s built-in battery so that
the device may also be used outside of the car when navigating a city as a
pedestrian. A traffic receiver can also be added to the mount, enabling the
nüvi to receive traffic updates. Based on Garmin’s nüvi 760, Ford’s portable
navigation device combines advanced technology with a user-friendly interface
to ensure an intuitive and easy navigation experience.
The nüvi 760 offers a large 4.3″ bright widescreen which is easily
readable in bright sunlight and has some of the most advanced navigational
functions available. Including, traffic avoidance, safety camera alerts and
hands free calling via a Bluetooth connection.
Touching the vehicle icon brings up information on ‘where am I?’ giving
the nearest address, longitude & latitude points and junction, police
station, hospitals and fuel stations. There is also full seven digit postcode
search, multipoint route planning and a tracklog function for viewing routes
in Google Earth. Also, features include ‘automatic position marking’, where
the device remembers where the car is parked and help drivers find their way
back to the vehicle in unfamiliar surroundings.
The nüvi 760 is super slim and lightweight making it easy to fit in a
jacket pocket or bag, The unit can also be removed and used in other cars,
with the optional power cable and suction cup or for pedestrian navigation.
MORE:
The ford partnership and recent other OEM announcements emphasizes
Garmin’s desire to build and strengthen its position within the automotive
sector. To date, European OEM partnerships have been made with Volvo Cars,
BMW, MINI, Mercedes Benz, Suzuki, Honda and Land Rover. In North America
Garmin have partnerships for dealer-installed options or accessories with six
automotive manufacturers: Ford, Mazda, Nissan, Honda, BMW and MINI.
About Garmin
The global leader in satellite navigation, Garmin Ltd. and its
subsidiaries have designed, manufactured, marketed and sold navigation,
communication and information devices and applications since 1989 - most of
which are enabled by GPS technology. Garmin’s products serve automotive,
mobile, wireless, outdoor recreation, marine, aviation, and OEM applications.
Garmin Ltd. is incorporated in the Cayman Islands, and its principal
subsidiaries are located in the United States, Taiwan and the United Kingdom.
For more information visit Garmin’s media centre at
http://www.garmin.co.uk/mediacentre. Garmin is a registered trademark of
Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries. All other brands, product names, company
names, trademarks and service marks are the properties of their respective
owners. All rights reserved.
Notice on forward-looking statements:
This release includes forward-looking statements regarding Garmin Ltd.
and its business. All statements regarding the company’s future product
introductions are forward-looking statements. Such statements are based on
management’s current expectations. The forward-looking events and
circumstances discussed in this release may not occur and actual results
could differ materially as a result of known and unknown risk factors and
uncertainties affecting Garmin, including, but not limited to, the risk
factors listed in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December
29, 2007 filed by Garmin with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(Commission file number 000-31983). A copy of Garmin’s Form 10-K can be
downloaded at http://www.garmin.com/aboutGarmin/invRelations/finReports.html.
No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Forward-looking statements
speak only as of the date on which they are made and Garmin undertakes no
obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement,
whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.
Note to Editors:
Pictures accompanying this release are available through the PA
Photowire. They can be downloaded from http://www.pa-mediapoint.press.net
or viewed at http://www.mediapoint.press.net or
http://www.prnewswire.co.uk.
Garmin Europe
Ford Scores High on Annual NAACP Report Card
DEARBORN, Mich., July 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) announced today that ford Motor Company once again received one of the highest grades awarded on the Economic Reciprocity Initiative (ERI) automotive industry report card. Results of the study were released at the NAACP’s 99th Annual Convention, themed Power, Justice, Freedom & The Vote, at the Duke Energy Center in Cincinnati, OH.
The NAACP ERI report card measures the exchange of economic costs and benefits between African-American consumers and various industries. The scoring is based on activities in employment, advertising/marketing, procurement/vendor relationships, dealerships, and charitable/philanthropic activity.
“This is an exciting time for ford to receive this recognition from the NAACP as we continue to show a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion, even during these challenging times for the automotive industry,” said Jim Vella, president, ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services.
While the industry scored a “B” for its philanthropic efforts, ford continued to display a strong performance in this category earning an “A-” in this area and a “B ” in the Supplier Diversity category, which represents one-third of the overall grade.
Ford also is participating as a platinum sponsor of this year’s convention and serves as title sponsor of the Youth Freedom Dinner on Wednesday, July 16 for the ninth consecutive year. Julien “Lil X” Lutz, critically acclaimed Hollywood director to the stars — Usher, Alicia Keys, Nelly Furtado, and P. Diddy, to name a few — serves as this year’s keynote speaker.
“Ford Motor Company is proud to continue its support of the NAACP and its efforts to advocate for civil rights, justice, and equal opportunity,” Vella said.
Ford highlights at the convention include the display of the ford Flex and its SYNC technology demo. SYNC is a voice-activated communications system that lets you operate most popular MP3 players and most Bluetooth(R) - enabled phones with voice commands.
In addition, ford provided complimentary passes for attendees to visit the Freedom’s Sisters exhibition at the Cincinnati Museum Center on July 13. Underwritten by Ford, Freedom’s Sisters, a traveling exhibition in collaboration with the Smithsonian Institute and the Cincinnati Museum Center, features the stories of 20 African American women who helped shape the Civil Rights Movement. The exhibition continues at the Cincinnati Museum Center until September 14, 2008. It will then go to the Sacramento Public Library in Sacramento, CA where it will be on display through the end of this year. The exhibit then opens in January 2009 in the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, TN.
ABOUT FORD
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles in 200 markets across six continents. With about 228,000 employees and about 90 plants worldwide, the company’s core and affiliated automotive brands include Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, Volvo and Mazda. The company provides financial services through ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford’s products, please visit .
ABOUT ford MOTOR COMPANY FUND AND COMMUNITY SERVICES
Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services is committed to creating opportunities that promote corporate citizenship, philanthropy, volunteerism and cultural diversity for those who live in the communities where ford operates. Established in 1949 and made possible by ford Motor Company profits, ford Motor Company Fund supports initiatives and institutions that foster innovative education, auto-related safety, and American heritage and legacy. National programs include ford Partnership for Advanced Studies, which provides high school students with academically rigorous 21st century learning experiences, and Driving Skills for Life, a teen-focused auto safety initiative. The ford Volunteer Corps, established in 2005, continues Ford’s legacy of caring worldwide. Through the Volunteer Corps, ford employees and retirees participate in a wide range of volunteer projects in their communities. For more information on programs made possible by ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services, visit .
Ford Motor Company
Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Adds Thrifty Car Rental as New Preferred Partner
DALLAS, July 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Southwest Airlines welcomes Thrifty car Rental as a new preferred partner to the airline’s award-winning frequent flyer program, Rapid Rewards. The partnership with Thrifty, effective July 11, 2008, will allow the Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards’ program to acquire new Members from Thrifty and build additional brand loyalty with co-branded promotions.
To celebrate the kickoff, now through Oct. 31, 2008, Members can receive triple credit on a weekly rental of five or more days. (That’s 1.5 credits per transaction versus the standard 0.5 credit per transaction). For more information, including terms and conditions, visit or .
“This new partnership with Thrifty will bring tremendous value to our Customers and to the Rapid Rewards program,” said Ryan Green, Southwest Airlines’ Director of Customer Loyalty. “We are very proud to welcome Thrifty onboard to assist us in getting Customers to their favorite destinations.”
“We are simply elated that Thrifty is joining one of the premier rewards programs in the airline industry,” said Brian Carpenter, Vice President, Sales & Marketing, Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group. “We always felt Southwest Airlines and Thrifty would be a natural union for customers looking for exceptional value in the air and on the ground.”
Since 2004, Thrifty car Rental has sponsored Southwest Airlines’ “Star of the Month” Employee recognition program, providing a free car rental to every featured Employee. Thrifty’s sister company, Dollar Rent A Car, has been a Preferred Partner with Southwest Airlines’ Rapid Rewards since July 1, 1999.
It is fast and easy to earn free travel through Rapid Rewards. Rapid Rewards Members earn credits by flying or using the program’s Preferred Partners, like Thrifty car Rental. It takes just eight roundtrips to qualify for an Award, but Members can accelerate their earnings by using the Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Visa Signature Card, doing business with any of the airline’s other Preferred Partners, or by purchasing Southwest’s Business Select fares when flying. Plus, once it’s earned, the Award may be transferred to anyone. The Award is free but subject to the U.S. government September 11th Security Fee of up to $10 roundtrip.
About Southwest Airlines
After 37 years of service, Southwest Airlines continues to differentiate itself from other low fare carriers-offering a reliable product with exemplary Customer Service. Southwest Airlines is the most productive airline in the sky and offers Customers a comfortable traveling experience. Southwest recently updated its gate areas and improved its boarding procedure to make flying Southwest convenient and simple. Southwest Airlines , the nation’s largest carrier in terms of domestic passengers enplaned, currently serves 64 cities in 32 states. Based in Dallas, Southwest currently operates more than 3,400 flights a day and has more than 34,000 Employees systemwide.
About Thrifty car Rental
Thrifty car Rental is a subsidiary of Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group, Inc. , a Fortune 1000 Company headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Together with its corporately-owned locations and those of its franchise owners, the Thrifty car Rental brand serves value-conscious travelers from more than 1,028 locations in 68 countries. For additional information, visit or .
Southwest Airlines
Mopar(R) Reveals Dodge Challenger Drag Race Package Cars at the 29th Annual Mopar Mile-High Nationals
CENTER LINE, Mich., July 13 /PRNewswire/ — Mopar(R) is bringing the iconic Dodge Challenger muscle car to National Hot Road Association (NHRA) drag-racing competition. Mopar revealed two Dodge Challenger Drag Race Package Cars at the 29th Annual Mopar Mile-High Nationals today before thrilled fans at Bandimere Speedway in Morrison, Colo. Mopar Mile-High Nationals is the longest-running NHRA sponsorship.
“Big Daddy” Don Garlits and Judy “Miss Mighty Mopar” Lilly were behind the wheels for their inaugural track run. Garlits drove the car featuring the Stone White paint scheme. Lilly was behind the wheel of the “Mopar Liquid Metal” prototype. NHRA named Garlits the #1 driver of the Top 50 drivers from its first 50 years. His victories and accomplishments are virtually unmatched in drag-racing history. “Miss Mighty Mopar” is one of the female pioneers in drag racing. Spending 12 years on the NHRA circuit, Lilly is the only female driver to win two NHRA national events in one year.
Mopar built the first two Challenger Drag Race Package Cars for development and testing for its new Challenger Package car program. Based on the Challenger SRT8(R), the prototypes were finished in Stock Eliminator configuration. They ran successfully in June 2008 as proof-of-concept and for NHRA certification. Mopar dropped approximately 1,000 lbs. off the production Challenger SRT8 by eliminating major production components and systems. To accentuate the weight savings, they also feature added composite, polycarbonate and lightweight components designed for drag racing that will be part of the new Package car program.
The engine was repositioned to improve driveline angle and weight distribution. The 116-inch wheelbase was shortened by 1/2 inch. They also feature a front cradle with bolt-in crossmember and solid engine mounts.
“Today is a great day for Mopar, Dodge, SRT, drag racers and motorsports enthusiasts everywhere. Not made for the streets, our drag-race-only Challengers will be running soon in NHRA competition - the best grassroots racing series in the world,” said Sunil Lahoti, Mopar Marketing and Brand Manager, Chrysler LLC. “And who better to drive our new Challenger Package Cars on their inaugural track run than ‘Big Daddy’ and ‘Miss Mighty Mopar’ — the greatest drag racer of all time and a female pioneer of the sport.”
New Dodge Challenger Drag Race Package car Program by Mopar
The first drag-race, factory-prepped package cars built in 40 years, the new Challenger Drag Race Package car by Mopar builds on the heritage of the limited-edition 1968 HEMI(R)-powered Package Cars. Those ‘68 Dodge Darts and Plymouth Barracudas solidified the Mopar brand as a quarter-mile force.
Mopar will build a minimum of 100 Challenger Drag Race Package Cars to meet NHRA requirements. Based on the production Dodge Challenger SRT8, Mopar’s modern factory-prepped Challenger Drag Race Package car will begin as a special Body-in-White (BIW) from Chrysler’s Brampton, Ontario, Canada assembly plant. The body sealer, sound deadener and undercoat will be eliminated. To reduce vehicle weight, major production component and systems will also be eliminated including: windshield wiper assembly, complete HVAC system, all airbag components, rear seats, power steering system, exhaust system and underbody heat shields, cross-car and side impact door beams, rear bumper beam and rear deck lid spoiler.
The drag racer has three engine options — 6.1-liter or 5.7-liter HEMI or 5.9-liter Magnum(R) Wedge — as well as manual or automatic transmission.
A build book/owner’s manual will be provided to document the modifications made to the Challenger SRT8 as well as provide recommendations to finish the Package car for Stock Eliminator competition. To accentuate weight savings, there are unique drag-race components in the Package car program including: composite lift-off hood with functional scoop, Viper-style front seats, polycarbonate door windows, lightweight cooling module with electric fan, manual rack and pinion steering, special cable-operated deck lid release, special lightweight front brake assembly and special cable-operated throttle linkage and pedal assembly.
The Challenger Drag Race Package car will be eligible to run in three Eliminator categories — Comp, Super Stock and Stock — and potentially 40 classes.
Depending upon the configuration selected, the U.S. Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for the Challenger Drag Race Package car program will range from the low to mid $30s. Each car will carry an identification plate with sequential serial number.
The Challenger Drag Race Package car will be available for order in late August to early September. A toll-free number will be designated for ordering. Details will be posted on .
Now in its fifth decade, NHRA is the world’s largest motorsports sanctioning body with 80,000 members, 140 member tracks, more than 35,000 licensed competitors and more than 5,000 member-track events. NHRA is second only to NASCAR in terms of fan attendance.
70 Years of Mopar
When Chrysler bought Dodge in 1928, the need for a dedicated parts manufacturer, supplier and distribution system to support the growing enterprise led to the formation of the Chrysler Motor Parts Corporation (CMPC) in 1929.
Originally used in the 1920s, Mopar (a simple contraction of the words MOtor and PARts) was trademarked for a line of antifreeze products in 1937. It was also widely used as a moniker for the CMPC. The Mopar brand made its mark in the 1960s-the muscle car era. The Chrysler Corporation built race-ready Dodge and Plymouth “package cars” equipped with special high-performance parts. Mopar carried a line of “Special Parts” for super stock drag racers and developed its racing parts division called Mopar Performance Parts to enhance speed and handling for both road and racing use.
Today, Chrysler LLC’s Global Service & Parts division is responsible for the manufacturing and distribution of nearly 250,000 authentic Mopar replacement parts, components, restoration parts, accessories and performance parts for Chrysler, Jeep(R) and Dodge vehicles sold around the world. To assure quality, reliability and durability, all Mopar parts and accessories are designed in strict adherence to Chrysler engineering standards.
Chrysler LLC
VinStickers, LLC Sells On-the-Lot Services to CDM Dealer Services, Inc., a Kelley Blue Book Company
OVERLAND PARK, Kan., May 19 /PRNewswire/ — VinStickers, LLC, dba VinSolutions.com, a leading provider of automotive CRM, ILM, and Inventory control services, sold its on-the-lot services to CDM Dealer Services, Inc., a Kelley Blue Book company, on April 18, 2008. VinStickers selected CDM, a well- established and reliable automotive data collection and online marketing service, because of their reputation for excellence.
(Logo: )
“It’s important to us that our dealers receive the same reliability and high quality service they experienced when we handled their on-the-lot service needs,” said Doug Kinney, CEO of VinStickers, LLC, “and we’re confident CDM will provide that.”
VinStickers and CDM jointly notified the dealer body affected by the sale in mid-April. Their primary focus was to provide dealers with a seamless transition. CDM began servicing accounts on April 21, 2008, and the two companies continued working in tandem throughout the remainder of the transition period. On May 9, 2008, CDM completed the transition of services.
“Our business continues to rapidly grow, and our recent agreement further demonstrates our commitment to be the leading provider of Internet-based marketing solutions for dealers nationwide,” said Mike Romano, chief operating officer for CDM and senior vice president of dealer sales and strategy for Kelley Blue Book. “We are committed to providing class-leading services that help dealers sell more cars online, faster.”
VinStickers entered the automotive market several years ago as an on-the- lot service company, but early in 2007 its primary focus shifted to Internet software development. Doing business as VinSolutions.com, the company’s focus is now centered on its Internet-based MotoSnap CRM, ILM and Inventory control solutions. With the sale of its on-the-lot service VinSolutions.com is now able to commit 100 percent of its time and resources to innovative software enhancements for its dealer clients.
For more information about VinSolutions.com, please contact Don Favero at (913) 825-6124 or e-mail him at .
About VinSolutions.com ()
An industry-leading developer of Internet-based customer relations management (CRM) and Internet lead management (ILM) software, VinSolutions.com provides 24/7 dealership sales and marketing information to their clients anywhere Internet access is available. In addition to CRM, ILM and Inventory control products, VinSolutions.com builds custom dealership websites, uploads inventory photos, offers their clients quality training and consulting services, as well as valuable customer support. VinSolutions.com is GM certified and has working relationships, alliances and integrations with several automotive software service providers such as Kelley Blue Book, VisibleCustomer, AutoSoft, Inc., CarFax, RouteOne and DealerTrack.
About CDMdata Inc. ()
CDMdata Inc. provides unparalleled technology and industry-leading service to the automotive industry. CDMdata Inc. solutions increase client’s revenues by increasing productivity and data accuracy. CDM provides proprietary hardware and software solutions that streamline inspection, valuation, distribution, marketing and Internet sales processes. CDM’s flagship product is the DigitalLot(TM) Solution, which provides automotive dealers with the hardware and software they need to manage the collection and distribution of automotive information over the Internet. CDMdata Inc. is a Kelley Blue Book company.
About Kelley Blue Book ()
Since 1926, Kelley Blue Book, The Trusted Resource(R), has provided vehicle buyers and sellers with the new and used vehicle information they need to accomplish their goals with confidence. The company’s top-rated Web site, kbb.com, provides the most up-to-date pricing and values, including the New Car Blue Book(R) Value. The company also reports vehicle pricing and values via products and services, including software products and the famous Blue Book(R) Official Guide. Kbb.com is rated the No. 1 automotive information site by Nielsen//NetRatings and the most visited auto site by J.D. Power and Associates nine years in a row. No other medium reaches more in-market vehicle shoppers than kbb.com; nearly one in every three American car buyers performs their research on kbb.com.
VinSolutions.com