BMW Sauber F1.09 Rolled-Out in Valencia

Jan. 28 - The BMW Sauber F1 Team raised the curtain on its 2009 season in Formula One in Valencia, Spain with Robert Kubica and Nick Heidfeld unveiling the new BMW Sauber F1.09.

Development work on the new car began as long ago as February 2008 because of the major rule changes that were agreed with a completely new aerodynamic package, slick tires and the introduction of KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System).

BMW says it has worked hard to reduce weight in the car to allow the KERS system to be added without losing the ability to have ballast. despite fundamental changes to the rules of the Formula One game going into 2009, the BMW Sauber F1 Team is refusing to waver from its ambitious goal: to be up there fighting for the title in its fourth season on the F1 grid.

Since the BMW Sauber F1 Team came into being, it has claimed 15 podium places - two in its debut year of 2006, two in season 2007, and eleven in 2008. The best individual result was the one-two result at the 2008 Canadian Grand Prix (Robert Kubica ahead of Nick Heidfeld). In 2008, the BMW Sauber F1 Team also claimed a pole position (Kubica) and two fastest race laps (Heidfeld).

"The F1.09 contains the combined expertise of a highly motivated team, which will be pulling out all the stops to fulfil our ambitious aims once again in our fourth year on the F1 grid," summed up Managing Director, Walter Riedl.

Race Series to Use Eco-Friendly Tires

Jan. 27 - The 2009 Patron GT3 Challenge by Yokohama will be the first race series to use tires featuring environmentally friendly orange oil technology. The tires, which are produced using approximately 20 percent less synthetic rubber, will be used by all teams in the six-race series that features Porsche 911 GT3 Cup race cars.

Yokohama Tire, known for its ADVAN brand of ultra-high-performance street and racing tires, has developed a process that combines orange oil with natural rubber to form a new compound called "Super Nano-Power Rubber." This proprietary technology reduces the amount of petroleum used in tires.

"The use of orange oil is an incredible breakthrough for both race car and passenger car tire production” said Mark Chung, director corporate strategy and planning. “This innovative technology increases the use of natural rubber in lieu of petroleum-derived synthetic rubber, while achieving the same level of performance as conventional race tires."

Researched and tested on the race track, the orange oil technology will also be available to U.S. consumers in the all-new dB Super E-spec™ passenger car tire this summer. Yokohama’s Motorsports division began researching this technology in the late 1980s. Benefits from this technology are realized in the manufacturing process, continue throughout the useful life of the tire as a result of lower rolling resistance, and conclude with improved recyclability.

A1GP Season Continues in New Zealand

Jan. 19 - The A1GP World Cup of Motorsport series prepares to hit the track for the first race of 2009, as Round 4 of the A1GP World Cup of Motorsport takes place at Taupo, on the North Island of New Zealand this weekend.

If ever there was a patriotic set of fans, it's those from New Zealand. Thousands have come out in force to support Black Beauty and Jonny Reid in the last two seasons in one of the most beautiful settings for an A1GP race. A1GP Team New Zealand come to their home race in 3rd equal place in the championship, so expectations are high for another impressive performance.

They have selected 22-year-old Chris van der Drift to star for his nation on home ground. The team has faith that the 2008 International Formula Master champion can produce the goods in front of all the cheering fans this weekend.

For the third visit to the Taupo Motorsport Park, the series will break with tradition and the Sprint race will have a standing and not a rolling start. The decision was taken on safety grounds, as in the past there have been collisions due to the tight 's' bend close to the start.

The A1GP World Cup of Motorsport promotes countries and utilises their patriotism not only in attracting traditional motorsport fans, but exciting anyone who is passionate about their national heritage.

Toyota Starts Off 2009 F1 Season

Jan. 15 - Panasonic Toyota Racing officially began the 2009 Formula 1 season with the world premiere of the team's latest car, the TF109. The team's eighth season in Formula 1 sees major rule changes so the TF109 looks considerably different to its predecessor, featuring wider front
wings and narrower rear wings among other modifications.

Today's world premiere completed an exhaustive development process which began in October 2007, when the 2009 regulations were confirmed.

The new chassis regulations are motivated by three factors: to make overtaking easier; to limit the continual increase in average speeds and to make the cars' appearance cleaner. The visual differences are significant, particularly the front and rear wings. At 1800mm, front wings are wider and 75mm lower while rear wings are 75% narrower at 750mm. As well as reducing downforce and speeds, these changes aim to increase a driver's chance to overtake the car in front.

It was not only the chassis department that had to adapt to new regulations, with significant modifications in engine rules for 2009 as well. Engine life has been extended from two to at least three Grand Prix weekends, excluding Friday practice, incorporating a limit of eight engines per driver during the racing season.

VW's Concept BlueSport

Jan. 14 - One of the nicer concept cars at the Detroit Auto Show was the Concept BlueSport from Volkswagen - an affordable,uncommonly economical and highly agile mid-engine roadster.

The 2.0 liter turbo engine - a Clean Diesel (TDI) with common rail injection and downstream NOx storage catalytic converter - develops its maximum torque at a low 1,750 rpm, taking just 6.2 seconds to boost the sports car to a speed of 60 mph (0-100 km/h: 6,6 seconds) and yielding a top speed of 140 mph (226 km/h).

The company defined just two objectives in the car’s development: maximum driving fun and minimal fuel consumption. And so a midengine sports car was implemented that makes no compromises, that aims at low weight and maximum agility right from the start, accompanied by an estimated average fuel consumption of 55 mpg.

A 6-speed dual clutch transmission, the most economical and agile transmission system in the world, transfers this power tothe rear wheels. It is shifted either automatically or via shift paddles on the steering wheel. A McPherson strut front suspension and multi-arm independent rear suspension keep the 235/35 profile, 19-inch tires in contact with the road during spirited driving.

The Concept BlueSport is a concept car, with no production plans announced.

GMAC to Return to Leasing

Jan. 12 - Never mind the sleek, flashy models (nor the cars either) in Detroit, the big news out of the North American International Auto Show was announced on the sidelines this past weekend.

GM's sales chief for North America, Mark LaNeve, told Reuters, "We're looking to re-enter the leasing business on at least a limited basis at some point in 2009." GM's finance company General Motors Acceptance Company (GMAC) stopped accepting vehicles leases last year, as the North American economy ground to a halt. Chrysler's finance arm took similar measures as well.

Seperately from the White House-driven $13.4-billion automotive industry loan guarantees, GMAC received authorization to operate as a bank, in which the U.S. Treasury also took a $5-billion position. This will help GM sell more cars in 2009, according to GM's COO Fritz Henderson. "We were constrained on what we could do on APR, just in terms of regular retail financing."

Learning from its past, the company intends to be more careful as it re-enters the market. "You don't need to lease pick up trucks," LaNeve said. "You need it more in the Northeast than you do in Texas." Inexpensive leasing was a significant growth factor, bringing the market to the level of 17-million vehicles per year.

The approach cannot continue, however, when the company has forecast U.S. auto industry sales of between 10.5 million and 12 million vehicles in 2009.

CR: Consumers Out of Touch

Jan. 9 - The recently released Consumer Reports' 2008 Car Brand Perception Survey found that consumers perceived Toyota and Honda brands to be best by a wide margin, followed by Ford, Chevrolet, and GMC.

Toyota and Honda topped the rankings with scores of 189 and 146 points, respectively. Ford finished third with 112 points, followed by Chevrolet with 110 and GMC with 102. Chevrolet and Ford are the only U.S. brands that rank in the top five in more than one category; each makes the cut in three areas. Among brands that fared worst, Acura finished with eight points, followed by Audi (14 pts.). Mitsubishi (21 pts.), Mercury (22 pts.), and Buick (25 pts.).

Consumer Reports, however, points out "Dig deeper, though, and in many cases, consumers' views do not accurately reflect an automaker's recent track record. For example, Mercedes-Benz finished in the top five for quality. But the brand placed 33rd out of 36th in Consumer Reports' latest rankings for predicted reliability. Toyota earned a top spot in this category. And while its vehicles have typically rated well in areas associated with quality, the brand slipped from first place to fifth in the same predicted reliability ratings."

While some perceptions don't match reality, others do. BMW and Porsche led the Performance category with 28 and 25 percentage points, respectively. The vehicles from both brands have consistently earned high ratings in performance in testing at Consumer Reports' 327-acre Auto Test Center.

Domestic Preferences Increase

Jan. 8 - Announcing the latest Kelley Blue Book Marketing Research data, the company says that nearly three-quarters of car shoppers say they prefer to buy American-made products. More than half (51 percent) of the survey respondents say they try to buy American-made products if they are readily available and price-competitive, and 14 percent say they will go out of their way to buy American.

The penchant for buying American-made products also has made its mark in the automotive marketplace, even amidst the recent turmoil of the domestic manufacturers. One-third of new-vehicle shoppers say they would only consider cars from United States-based manufacturers, such as vehicles made by General Motors, Ford or Chrysler, and that they would not consider any vehicles from other countries.

At 33 percent, exclusive interest - shoppers saying they would only buy cars from a particular country - was far higher for vehicles from the United States than for any other country. Exclusive interest in Japanese vehicles, in comparison, was only 12 percent and five percent for vehicles manufactured in Germany. Furthermore, vehicles from the United States are on the vast majority of shoppers' consideration lists, with more than 90 percent saying they would consider buying a vehicle from a domestic manufacturer.

The latest Kelley Blue Book Marketing Research survey was conducted on Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com among 537 qualified respondents from December 8-14.

Carfax Expands Vehicle Database

Jan. 6 - Carfax has expanded the total loss information in its vehicle history database. Total loss information from CNA, a leading provider of property and casualty insurance, is available to Carfax-subscribing dealers and consumers through Carfax Vehicle History Reports. Using this information, people can better identify vehicles that were once severely damaged.

"Used car buyers and sellers have demanded access to this vital information for years," said Larry Gamache, communications director at Carfax. "We are working hard with the leaders of the insurance industry to make vehicle total loss records readily available to our customers through Carfax Vehicle History Reports. This is a major step toward improving consumer protection and we urge other insurers to join in these efforts."

CNA is the country's seventh largest commercial insurance writer and the 13th largest property and casualty company.

Liberty Mutual and Amica Mutual Insurance Co. recently made the decisive choice to report total loss data to Carfax.

Consumers demand this type of damage information to help them make more informed buying decisions. Carfax-subscribing dealers can provide one-click access to this and other important information through millions of free Carfax Vehicle History Reports available online.

Sign of the Times

Jan. 5 - Hyundai Motor America announced an agreement with WALKAWAY USA, LLC to offer consumers unique financial protection in this uncertain economic environment called the "Hyundai Assurance Program."

Beginning today, Hyundai will provide a private label version of WALKAWAY Protection for Automotive Financing as a complimentary 12-month vehicle return program provided on every new Hyundai that is financed or leased at participating dealers.

The WALKAWAY program allows you to return the car and cancel related debt when unforseen life circumstances emerge, such as loss of employment. The benefit is also available in cases of physical disability, medical-related loss of license, international employment transfer, self-employed personal bankruptcy and accidental death. The Hyundai Assurance Program is complimentary for one full year, covers all Hyundai models and is available to everyone.

"In this uncertain economy, we are looking for ways to reassure shoppers that Hyundai still represents the best value in the auto industry," said John Krafcik, acting president and CEO, Hyundai Motor America. "Our agreement with WALKAWAY allows us to offer a unique form of financial protection in all 50 states for the first time by an automaker."

The program covers up to a maximum of $7500 negative equity and a correctly handled vehicle return has no credit history impact.

370Z Pricing Announced

Dec. 30 - The 2009 Nissan 370Z went on sale today at Nissan dealers nationwide with an MSRP starting at $29,930 for the 2009 Nissan 370Z Coupe equipped with a 6-speed manual transmission and $31,230 with the new 7-speed automatic transmission.

The new Z is also offered in a 370Z Coupe Touring model, which is priced at $34,460 with the 6-speed manual and $35,760 with the 7-speed automatic transmission.

Two option packages are offered: the Sport Package, priced at $3,000, with 19-inch RAYS forged wheels and Bridgestone Potenza tires, aerodynamic front and rear spoiler, larger Nissan Sport Brakes, SynchroRev Match (6-speed manual transmission only) and Viscous Limited Slip Differential; and the Navigation Package, priced at $1,850, with Hard Drive-based Nissan Navigation System, 9.3GB Music Box Hard Drive and Interface System for iPod products.

As the most powerful Z ever produced, the new 370Z hits dead center in the sports car "sweet spot" of performance, design and value -- with less weight, more power and enhanced handling, quality and style. With a standard 332-horsepower 3.7-liter V6, choice of two advanced transmissions and a full array of driver-oriented interior features, the new 370Z is designed to be one of the top performance values in the world.