The Auto Club

More than 3.2 million Southern Californians are expected to travel over this holiday weekend – a decrease of more than 2 percent from last Thanksgiving, according to the Automobile Club of Southern California.

About 82 percent of local Thanksgiving travelers – or 2.68 million people – will go by car to their holiday destinations, also a decrease of more than 2 percent over last year. Another 344,000 Southland residents are expected to fly to their destinations – a 5 percent decrease, while 222,000 will take a cruise, train or bus.

“There’s no doubt that recent economic uncertainty is impacting Thanksgiving travel,” said Auto Club spokesman Jeffrey Spring. “But the good news for travelers is that this is the cheapest 2008 holiday for car travel, with gas prices about half of what they were over the Memorial Day and Fourth of July holidays.”

Statewide, 5.2 million people are expected to take holiday trips this weekend, also a decrease of more than 2 percent over last year. Of those, 4.3 million are expected to drive and 551,000 are projected to take air trips.

Nationally, a decrease of more than 1 percent in travel is expected, with 41 million Americans expected to take Thanksgiving trips.

Southern Californians will mainly stay close to home over Thanksgiving, although some are taking longer-distance trips because of the four-day weekend. The top five destinations for Southern California travelers, according to a survey of the Auto Club’s AAA Travel agents, are:
San Diego
Mexico (cruises and resort stays)
Las Vegas
San Francisco
Grand Canyon

Around the state, travelers can expect to pay prices near $2 a gallon for gasoline – the lowest Thanksgiving gas prices since 2004.

The Auto Club advises motorists to plan their routes by calling the California Highway Information Number at 1-800-427-7623 for interstate and state route lane closures and highway closures. The information is updated hourly.

More Auto Club tips for holiday travelers include:
Consider driving during off-peak times to avoid congestion, but make sure you have at least six hours of sleep to avoid drowsy driving.
Check your vehicle's fluid levels, belts, hoses and tires before leaving.
Pack plenty of fluids and activities for youngsters for long trips.
Take care with children by properly using safety belts, car seats, and booster seats, and by accompanying them into the restroom during travel breaks.
Choose a well-lit, populated area for rest stops when driving at night.
Air travelers should make sure to arrive at least two hours early for domestic flights and three hours early for international flights during the holiday travel season, and to find out from a travel agent or the airport ahead of time about security procedures to avoid unnecessary delays.

The Auto Club

Gas prices took their biggest nosedive ever over the past month, plunging by about 25 percent or an average of three cents a day in most of Southern California, according to the Automobile Club of Southern California monthly Fuel Gauge Report.

The Southern California November average price for regular self-serve gasoline fell 88 cents to $2.569 from the October average of $3.449, and is now $2.02 below the all-time monthly record high of $4.585 set in July. In November 2007, the monthly Fuel Gauge Report average for Southern California was $3.355 – 79 cents higher than the current monthly average.

The statewide average price of $2.522 is nearly 94 cents lower than the October average of $3.457. The state’s lowest average price is in Stockton, where regular sells for $2.191. Bishop has the highest price average in the state at $3.119.

Nationally, the average price of $2.220 also has plunged by 94 cents from the October average of $3.163. Alaska has the highest state average price at $3.361, and Missouri has the lowest state average price, at $1.915. Four states now have price averages below $2 a gallon, and only Alaska and Hawaii have averages above $3.

“With gas prices that are nearly 25 percent cheaper than this time last year, Thanksgiving travel will be a more affordable option for many families,” said Auto Club spokesperson Jeffrey Spring.

DETROIT – General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM) today announced it is taking further actions to improve liquidity and reduce structural cost in response to deteriorating global economic conditions, tight credit market conditions and a rapid retraction of sales in the auto industry.

“Volatility in the world’s financial markets, tightening of consumer and business credit and historically-low consumer confidence has created a very challenging environment ,” said Rick Wagoner, GM chairman and chief executive officer. “Given the current lack of credit availability we must take further difficult ‘self-help’ actions .”

Over the past several years, GM has been taking major actions to restructure its business and position it for long-term growth, making dramatic reductions in structural cost, revitalizing its product portfolio with award-winning vehicles, growing aggressively in emerging markets around the world and making demonstrable strides in advanced technology leadership (link to release).

As part of its ongoing restructuring, on July 15, 2008 GM outlined a number of initiatives aimed at improving liquidity by an estimated $15 billion through 2009. Those initiatives included internal operating actions within the company’s control that are estimated at $10 billion, asset sales estimated at $2-4 billion and capital market activities targeted at $2-3 billion (link to release).

To date, the $10 billion in internal operating actions have either been completed or are on track for full execution by the end of 2009.

GM’s assets currently being assessed for potential sale include the Hummer vehicle business and brand and its ACDelco all-makes aftermarket parts business, which has distribution channels in more than 100 countries. GM is also evaluating strategic options for its technical and manufacturing center in Strasbourg, France. GM is also analyzing other potential asset sales.

Despite the seizing up of the credit markets, GM completed some capital market transactions (link to release) in September to improve the company’s liquidity by $500 million by year-end 2009. While GM has unencumbered assets of more than $20 billion that it could potentially use as collateral for a secured debt offering, the U.S. credit markets remain inaccessible, and the contagion effect on other financial markets around the world provides limited alternatives. Accordingly, t he timing of the $2-3 billion of capital market financing GM initially targeted remains uncertain. CONTINUED »

Scott Malone writing for Reuters reported that General Electric Co is stepping up its investment in developing new battery technologies for autos as it looks to increase its role in electrifying cars -- one of the key strategies to boost fuel efficiency and reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

The U.S. conglomerate is working with U.S. automaker Chrysler to secure government funding to develop a system to electrify larger passenger vehicles and has raised its investment in A123 Systems Inc, which makes batteries for cars and electric devices, to $55 million.

"The trend toward electrification is pressing and inevitable," said Mark Little, senior vice president and director of GE's global research center in Niskayuna, New York.

GE and Chrysler are teaming up to develop plug-in hybrid electric cars that use two batteries -- lithium-ion, which GE researchers said is better-suited for creating short bursts of power when starting a car -- and another using sodium-metal halide technology, which GE contends is preferable for producing long-term, steady power, like at cruising speed.

The conglomerate and the automaker are seeking $10 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Energy to develop the system, GE officials said. If the funding is approved, the two companies would match it.

Lithium-ion batteries, common in small consumer electronics like cell phones and laptop computers, are what automakers are focusing on for the next generation of electric vehicles, including General Motors Corp's upcoming all-electric Chevrolet Volt and Mercedes-Benz's planned S-Class hybrid. The current generation of hybrids on the road, including Toyota Motor Corp's Prius, rely on nickel-metal batteries that are larger and heavier than the lithium-ion variety. CONTINUED »

DETROIT - General Motors launched its next 100 years today by unveiling the much-anticipated production version of the Chevrolet Volt - a vehicle that delivers up to 40 miles of gasoline- and emissions-free electric driving, with the extended-range capability of hundreds of additional miles.

"Revealing the production version of the Chevy Volt is a great way to open our second century," said Rick Wagoner, GM Chairman and CEO. "The Volt is symbolic of GM's strong commitment to the future ... just the kind of technology innovation that our industry needs to respond to today's and tomorrow's energy and environmental challenges."

Form follows function
The design of the Chevrolet Volt production car has evolved from the original concept that was unveiled at the 2007 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

Because aerodynamics plays a key role in maximizing driving range, GM designers created an aerodynamically efficient design for the production vehicle. Many of the design cues from the concept vehicle endure in the production Volt, including the closed front grille, athletic stance, rear design graphics, outside rearview mirrors and more. The Volt's rounded and flush front fascia, tapered corners and grille are functional, enabling air to move easily around the car. In the rear, sharp edges and a carefully designed spoiler allow the air to flow off and away quickly. An aggressive rake on the windshield and back glass help reduce turbulence and drag.

Working closely with GM aerodynamicists to shape the Volt, design and engineering teams developed one of the most aerodynamic vehicles in GM's history. They spent hundreds of hours with the Volt in GM's wind tunnel, testing and re-testing parts such as the front and rear quarter panels, rear spoiler, rockers and side mirrors. Aerodynamic improvements enabled GM to reach the Volt's target of driving up to 40 miles (based on EPA city cycle) without using gasoline or producing emissions.

Inside, the Volt offers the space, comfort, convenience and safety features that customers expect in a four-passenger sedan, and it delivers them in a variety of interior color, lighting and trim options unlike any offered before on a Chevrolet sedan. Modern controls and attractive materials, two informational displays, and a touch-sensitive infotainment center with integrated shifter distinguish the Volt's interior from other vehicles in the market.

Some of Volt's interior technological features include:

Driver-configurable, liquid crystal instrument display
Standard seven-inch touch screen vehicle information display
Touch screen-style climate and infotainment controls
Optional navigation system with onboard hard drive for maps and music storage
Standard Bluetooth for cellular phone and USB/Bluetooth for music streaming
New era in automotive transportation
The Chevrolet Volt is leading a new era of electrification of the automobile by creating a new class of vehicle known as the Extended-Range Electric Vehicle, or E-REV.

The Volt uses electricity to move the wheels at all times and speeds. For trips up to 40 miles, the Volt is powered only by electricity stored in its 16-kWh, lithium-ion battery. When the battery's energy is depleted, a gasoline/E85-powered engine generator seamlessly provides electricity to power the Volt's electric drive unit while simultaneously sustaining the charge of the battery. This mode of operation extends the range of the Volt for several hundred additional miles, until the vehicle's battery can be charged. Unlike a conventional battery-electric vehicle, the Volt eliminates "range anxiety," giving the confidence and peace of mind that the driver will not be stranded by a depleted battery.

The Chevrolet Volt can be plugged either into a standard household 120v outlet or use 240v for charging. The vehicle's intelligent charging technology enables the Volt's battery to be charged in less than three hours on a 240v outlet or about eight hours on a 120v outlet. Charge times are reduced if the battery has not been fully depleted. At a cost of about 80 cents per day (10 cents per kWh) for a full charge that will deliver up to 40 miles of electric driving, GM estimates that the Volt will be less expensive to recharge than purchasing a cup of your favorite coffee. Charging the Volt about once daily will consume less electric energy annually than the average home's refrigerator and freezer units.

Charge out of driving
The Chevrolet Volt offers spirited driving performance in a remarkably quiet interior. More than 220 lithium-ion cells contained within the Volt's battery pack provide ample power. The Volt's electric drive unit delivers the equivalent of 150 horsepower, 273 lb-ft. (370 Nm) of instant torque, and a top speed of 100 miles per hour. The lack of engine noise, combined with special sound-deadening materials, make the Chevrolet Volt an extremely quiet vehicle to drive.

GM estimates that the Volt will cost about two cents per mile to drive while under battery power compared to 12 cents per mile using gasoline priced at $3.60 per gallon. For an average driver who drives 40 miles per day (or 15,000 miles per year), this amounts to a cost savings of $1,500 annually. Using peak electric rates, GM estimates that an electrically driven mile in a Chevy Volt will be about one-sixth of the cost of a conventional gasoline-powered vehicle. The cost savings are even greater when charging during off-peak hours, when electric rates are cheaper.

The Chevrolet Volt is expected to be built at GM's Detroit-Hamtramck manufacturing facility, subject to GM successfully negotiating satisfactory government incentives. Production is scheduled to begin late 2010 for models in the United States. Pricing has not been announced. Visit media.gm.com/volt for more information.

The winner of the 2009 Green Car of the Year(R) (GCOY) award will be announced Nov. 20, 2008 during the Los Angeles Auto Show's Press Days. Green Car Journal, the leading automotive environmental magazine, initiated this annual award in 2005 and it has continued to grow in significance as consumer demand for more fuel efficient and environmentally positive vehicles has increased exponentially.

"Each year we choose the LA Auto Show to make this important announcement because California -- and especially the greater Los Angeles region -- has historically been the epicenter for both automotive and environmental innovation, and that's what this award is all about," said Ron Cogan, editor and publisher of Green Car Journal and editor of GreenCar.com.

The Green Car of the Year(R) award is designed to recognize environmental achievement in the automotive industry. After considering scores of new vehicle models that raise the bar in environmental performance, five automobile nominees will be identified in advance of the press conference.

Last year, the Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid was named Green Car Journal's 2008 Green Car of the Year(R), with jurors noting that a Hybrid SUV achieving a city mpg rating on par with today's mid-size cars ends the argument that efficiency and vehicle choice are incompatible. The previous year's winner was the Toyota Camry Hybrid and the inaugural 2006 Green Car of the Year distinction was awarded to the Mercury Mariner Hybrid. CONTINUED »

The Volkswagen compact sport utility vehicle Tiguan received the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) TOP SAFETY PICK award for 2008, the highest rating possible from the non-profit research organization. The annual award recognizes vehicles that perform best in protecting passengers in the Institute's front, side and rear crash test evaluations, and includes only vehicles with electronic stability control (branded Electronic Stabilization Program on Volkswagen vehicles) and head protection airbags.

"In the latest test, the Tiguan's performance is a standout," said Adrian Lund, president IIHS. "It sailed through the front and side crash tests without a single downgrade for structure or measures of injury likelihood recorded on the dummy," Lund added.

"We are extremely proud when organizations like IIHS recognize the hard work of our engineers who are dedicated to the safety of our customers," said Stephfan Jacoby, president and CEO, Volkswagen Group of America. "This award is further validation of Volkswagen's Prevent and Preserve Safety System approach to vehicle safety."

The Prevent and Preserve Safety System portfolio for MY2009 consists of 45 safety features, all of which contribute to protecting the driver and passengers as well as possible, helping avoid crashes and keeping the severity and consequences of possible crashes to a minimum. The Tiguan comes standard with the Prevent and Preserve Safety System, including ESP and six airbags, with rear seat airbags as an option.

Tiguan is available in three trim levels, S, SE, and SEL. It is based priced at $23,200, reflecting the Volkswagen brand commitment of providing both tremendous value and affordable German engineering. Tiguan offers EPA fuel economy of 19 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway.

Tiguan, the GTI of Compact Sport Utility Vehicles, also features the "fun to drive" handling and performance expected from a Volkswagen. Tiguan features a standard 2.0L TSI(R) engine that delivers turbo-charged acceleration while still delivering responsible fuel efficiency. This award winning turbo-charged four-cylinder power plant delivers 200 horsepower and 207 lbs. -ft. of torque. The combination of four valves per cylinder, direct fuel injection and turbo- charging delivers the optimum balance of power and economy. European tuned suspension enables connected handling, while also providing a smooth and compliant ride. Both front wheel drive and 4Motion(R) all-wheel-drive is available to suit any weather or road condition.

Tiguan, like all current 2009 model year Volkswagen vehicles, is included in the no-charge Carefree Maintenance Program. Under this program all of Tiguan's scheduled maintenance, as described in its maintenance booklet, is covered for the length of the New Vehicle Warranty-three years or 36,000 miles, whichever occurs first.

Volkswagen of America, Inc.
Volkswagen of America, Inc. recently announced Electronic Stabilization Program (ESP) as standard equipment on all its 2009 vehicles. As a result, Volkswagen is one of the only original equipment manufacturers to offer an electronic stability control system on their entire product line - ahead of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) deadline requiring vehicles in the 2012 model year to include stability control systems. Volkswagen's ESP technology works in conjunction with anti-lock brakes and helps reduce loss of control and rollovers to avoid crashes. NHTSA predicts nearly 10,000 lives could be saved each year if automakers included stability systems as standard equipment.

Founded in 1955, Volkswagen of America, Inc. is headquartered in Herndon, Va. It is a subsidiary of Volkswagen AG, headquartered in Wolfsburg, Germany. Volkswagen is one of the world's largest producers of passenger cars and Europe's largest automaker. Volkswagen sells the Rabbit, New Beetle, New Beetle convertible, GTI, Jetta, GLI, Passat, Passat wagon, Eos, Tiguan and Touareg through approximately 600 independent U.S. dealers. Visit Volkswagen of America online at vw.com.

TRAVERSE CITY and AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Aug. 13 -- Chrysler LLC announced today that it will invest approximately $1.8 billion in new vehicle programs, including a significant expansion and upgrade at its Jefferson North (Detroit) Assembly Plant to ready it for future production, starting in 2010. The announcement was made by Tom LaSorda, Chrysler LLC Vice Chairman and President, during a speech at the 2008 Management Briefing Seminars in Traverse City, Michigan.

"This investment in our future products and at Jefferson North will enable the Company to produce a future generation of vehicles more efficiently, with world-class quality and an improved environmental footprint," said Tom LaSorda. "Furthermore, this commitment reinforces the long-standing partnership between Chrysler LLC, the City of Detroit and the State of Michigan."

"A strong Chrysler is important for Michigan and Michigan workers, and we are pleased to cooperate with them on this project," said Governor Jennifer Granholm. "This expansion will continue a valuable, long-term partnership that has helped keep Michigan the automotive capital of North America."

Plant and Product Advancements

The total program investment will go towards product development functions, as well as new, state-of-the-art manufacturing systems in the plant. This investment provides for the design, development, components and supplier support associated with the new vehicle programs.

"We believe the Jefferson North makeover will give the facility and our Company the upper hand on how responsive we can be to shifts in consumers' needs and changing market demands," said Frank Ewasyshyn, Chrysler LLC Executive Vice President of Manufacturing. "We also believe this will be achieved while continuously improving the quality of our vehicles that will be produced in Detroit."

Jefferson North will undergo a 285,000 square foot building expansion to replace the existing body shop, which will give the facility an all-new level of manufacturing flexibility for multiple product capability. In addition, changes throughout paint and assembly operations will accommodate vehicles of various sizes and dimensions. Material handling and other plant functions also will be improved.

Plant employees will benefit from new levels of involvement and training to help complete the plant transformation. Much of the critical work required for facility and equipment preparation and installation will be accomplished by employees from the plant, a result of collaborative work between Chrysler and the UAW.

"This is an important day for the future of the UAW and Chrysler LLC, and we are pleased to partner with Chrysler to help maintain jobs in Michigan," said General Holiefield, UAW Vice President and Director for the Chrysler Department. "Although we are in the midst of challenging times, the strong relationship between Chrysler and the Union will contribute toward our long-term success."

Green Initiatives

Multiple "green" initiatives will be employed at Jefferson North. Each of these additions will result in energy savings, as well as a brighter, cleaner and more ergonomically sound workplace for employees. Plus, these advancements will improve the environmental footprint of the facility by reducing carbon emissions, solid waste and raw material consumption while also helping to green the outside grounds of the plant. These include:

-- Energy-efficient fluorescent lighting fixtures and a state-of-the-art energy management system;

-- Air filtration systems to improve employee comfort and workplace cleanliness;

-- Decanting technology, which will utilize paint sludge as an energy source, reducing emissions and solid waste;

-- Electric-servo weld guns in the new body shop to improve welding quality for the vehicle bodies, while also producing quieter operations;

-- Replacing unused asphalt parking areas with grass to reduce heat generation and improve appearance;

-- Utilizing reusable paint clips that hold doors in place during the paint process and reusing parts racks, resulting in a reduced raw material consumption; and

-- Trailer cubing and rack density improvements to reduce fuel consumption and transportation costs.

The energy savings resulting from the sludge operations, filtration systems, lighting and servo welding alone are anticipated in total to save several dollars per vehicle built, while helping to have a cleaner, brighter workplace.

Commitment to Employees and Detroit

Chrysler LLC continues to be one of the leading employers in Detroit and Michigan. In addition to investing and expanding the plant itself, the new investment will help maintain jobs in Detroit. Chrysler currently has eight facilities in Detroit including Detroit Axle; Jefferson North Assembly; Mack Engine I; Mack Engine II; Mt. Elliott Tool & Die; Plymouth Rd. Office Complex; Conner Ave. Assembly; and Chrysler Transport.

About Jefferson North Assembly Plant

The 2.7 million square foot Jefferson North Assembly Plant was built in 1991. The Company's current Jeep(R) Grand Cherokee has been produced there since its introduction in 1992. The facility was expanded once in 1999, and the plant currently produces the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Jeep Commander. Jefferson North Assembly Plant is a member of U.A.W. (United Auto Workers) Locals #7, #889 and #412.

The Auto Club

Fifty-six million children across the country begin heading back to school this month, and AAA is urging motorists to slow down and stay alert in neighborhoods and school zones with its 75th annual School's Open - Drive Carefully campaign.

Unsafe driving in school zones

AAA's School's Open - Drive Carefully campaign hopes to curb a trend of unsafe driving behavior in school zones and neighborhoods that can result in children's injury and sometimes death.

Pedestrian injury is the second leading cause of injury-related death in the United States for children ages 5 to 15, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. More than 33,500 children were treated in emergency rooms for pedestrian-related injuries in 2005.

Nearly half (45 percent) of vehicles observed in school zones and residential neighborhoods during a 2003 national observational survey did not come to a complete stop at stop signs.

-- 37 percent rolled through a stop sign
-- Seven percent did not even slow down
Additionally, nearly a third of motorists violated stop signs when a child pedestrian was present, and two-thirds exceeded the posted speed limit during the 30-minutes before and after school.

AAA targets motorists with safe driving message

AAA's School's Open - Drive Carefully campaign encourages motorists to stay alert in areas where children are present by its local clubs utilizing posters, magnets, bumper stickers, handouts, media outreach and other community initiatives to reach motorists.

For a second year, AAA will also partner with International Speedway Corporation (ISC) to remind race fans at upcoming Sprint Cup Series events that School's Open - Drive Carefully. Starting at this weekend at Watkins Glen International, AAA's brightly colored school bus icon can be spotted around the track. The campaign will continue during Sprint Cup Series events this fall at Richmond International Raceway, Kansas Speedway, Talladega Superspeedway and Martinsville Speedway.

Safety tips for motorists, parents and students online

AAA offers comprehensive lists of tips for motorists, parents and students on school zone, school bus, pedestrian and bicycle safety online at AAA.com/PublicAffairs. Some key tips for motorists on the site include:

-- Slow down in or near school or residential areas, and be sure to come to a complete stop at all intersections.

-- Look for clues such as AAA School Safety Patrol members, crossing guards, bicycles and playgrounds which indicate children could be in the area.

-- Scan between parked cars and other objects for signs that children could dart into the road.

-- Always stop for school buses that are loading and unloading students. It's the law.

-- Leave a little early so you are not rushed as you travel to work or school.

-- Drive with your headlights on - even during the day - so children and other drivers can see you.

Enlarge Photo

Auburn Hills, Mich. - More than 250 volunteers from the Chrysler Jeep® Superstores, Motor City Dodge Dealers, The Chrysler Foundation, the Sterling Heights Community Foundation, residents of the Sterling Heights community and organizers from KaBOOM! came together on Saturday, July 19, to build a new playground at Delia Park. The park is located in the city of Sterling Heights, which was recently named among the top 100 cities by Best Life magazine in 2008 as the "Best Places to Raise a Family."

Designed by local children, the playground replaces existing equipment at the park that was outdated, in need of replacement and unsuitable for children to play on. The Chrysler Jeep Superstores and Motor City Dodge Dealers spearheaded the build effort that will provide 40,000 children annually with a new, safe place to play.

"Every child deserves the joy of play and friendship in their lives; and every family deserves the support that a strong community network provides," said Jim Schebil, president of the Chrysler Jeep Superstores Advertising Association. "This project provides these things and more to the City of Sterling Heights and is directly in line with the Chrysler Jeep Superstores' long history of strong hometown community involvement."

Planning for the playground began at a Design Day event held in May 2008. Local children and community leaders met with organizers from KaBOOM! and Chrysler to develop their "dream" playground. The children's drawings were used to create the final playground design.

"We are so excited to have this playground built at Delia Park with the help of KaBOOM!, Chrysler Jeep Superstores and Motor City Dodge Dealers," said Sterling Heights Mayor Richard Notte. "A playground represents what a park is all about. This playground says that Delia Park is a park that welcomes vibrant, energetic children ready to play on equipment created especially for them."

The project is the seventh of 25 playgrounds scheduled to be built across the country this year by KaBOOM!, The Chrysler Foundation, Chrysler Financial and Chrysler, Jeep or Dodge dealerships. The playground is also one of more than 225 builds KaBOOM! will lead across the country in 2008, in an effort to provide an enjoyable place to play within walking distance of every child in America.

"The Motor City Dodge Dealers are excited to support an effort that puts our children and community first," said Motor City Dodge Dealers President Mark Snethkamp. "Our stores have been vital members of the communities they serve for decades, so we understand that bringing people together in a positive and fun way is the basic building block needed to create strong communities."

The Chrysler Foundation
The Chrysler Foundation is the primary source of charitable grants made by Chrysler LLC. The Foundation annually supports hundreds of charitable organizations with an emphasis on community growth and enrichment, arts and culture, education, and youth development programs throughout the United States and, increasingly, the world. The Foundation's Good Neighbor, Good Citizen® programs make a positive, lasting investment in local communities where our employees, customers and neighbors live. Visit www.thechryslerfoundation.com.

KaBOOM!
KaBOOM! is a national non-profit organization that envisions a great place to play within walking distance of every child in America. Since 1995, KaBOOM! has used its innovative community-build model to bring together business and community interests to construct more than 1,400 new playgrounds, skate parks, sports fields and ice rinks across North America. KaBOOM! also offers a variety of resources, including an online community, regional and national trainings, grants, publications and the KaBOOM! National Campaign for Play, which includes Playful City USA and the Playmaker Network - a national network of individual advocates for play. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., KaBOOM! also has offices in Chicago and San Mateo, Calif. For more information, visit www.kaboom.org.

Volkswagen

WOLFSBURG – Volkswagen is setting out to build a plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee, where vehicle production will be due to commence in early 2011. The supervisory board of Volkswagen AG today approved the plans and an investment volume of up to 1 billion USD (around 620 million euro). The Group’s management board had previously pinpointed Chattanooga as the site for its new plant. “The USA market,” said Prof Martin Winterkorn, CEO of Volkswagen AG, “is an important part of our volume strategy and we are now very resolutely accessing that market. Volkswagen will be extremely active there.”

The first stage of construction is designed to provide annual capacity for the complete production of 150,000 automobiles, including body-production, paint-shop and assembly operations. A cutting-edge modular production system at the plant will enable maximum flexibility. The first vehicle to be manufactured there will be a new midsize sedan tailored specifically to the US market. Volkswagen itself will employ a staff of approximately 2000 at the site over the medium term, while additional jobs will be created in the supplier and logistics sectors.

"This plant represents a milestone in Volkswagen’s growth strategy," says Prof Winterkorn. "We will be selling 800,000 Volkswagen p.a. in the USA by 2018, and this new site will play a key role." Volkswagen says the plant will help to permanently alleviate exchange-rate fluctuations. "This, along with our growth strategy, is a prerequisite for the economic success of the company in the dollar region." That success apparently includes having customers in the US come to perceive the company as a domestic manufacturer.

Volkswagen originally short-listed 25 potential sites for its US plant. The management board chose Chattanooga because it outperforms (though only slightly) the next-best candidate sites in terms, most notably, of providing an existing infrastructure of components suppliers, of disposing over a qualified workforce and of the availability of around 550 hectares of developed property with direct transport connections. Prof Winterkorn added: "We look forward to establishing an important mainstay for ourselves when we become the biggest European carmaker there."

The smart intersection, established near Ford's Research & Innovation Center in Dearborn, communicates with specially equipped test vehicles to warn drivers of potentially dangerous traffic situations.

DEARBORN, Mich. - Ford Motor Company researchers today unveiled one of the first privately funded "smart intersections" in North America, a key step toward leveraging GPS technology and wireless infrastructure-to-vehicle communications to reduce traffic accidents and ease congestion.

The smart intersection, established near Ford's Research & Innovation Center in Dearborn, communicates with specially equipped test vehicles to warn drivers of potentially dangerous traffic situations, such as when a vehicle is about to run through a red light. The intersection is outfitted with technology that can monitor traffic signal status, GPS data and digital maps to assess potential hazards, and then transmit the information to vehicles.

Once the in-vehicle computer receives data indicating a potential hazard, it can instantly warn drivers through visual and audio alerts.

"Ford has the most five-star safety-rated vehicles than any other automaker and we want to build on that by offering smart active safety solutions for drivers," said Dr. Priya Prasad, Ford safety technical fellow.

The smart intersection project will accelerate Ford's research into proprietary "active safety" technologies as it continues development of a common architecture and standards for smart intersections together with General Motors Corp., Honda Motor Co., Daimler AG, Toyota Motor Corp., the federal government, and local and county road commissions. The joint public-private effort is known as Crash Avoidance Metrics Partnership (CAMP).

"New technologies such as wireless communications and GPS-enabled navigation systems may enable us to offer more safety features in the future," said Jeff Rupp, manager, Active Safety, Research and Advanced Engineering.

The active safety initiative comes as research shows that 40 percent of all traffic accidents and 20 percent of crash-related fatalities occur at intersections. The issue is expected to become more pressing as the global population migrates to large urban areas. The U.S. National Intelligence Council predicts about two-thirds of the world will be living in city regions by 2015, up from 50 percent today.

According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) data for 1997-2004, 84 percent of fatalities in signalized intersections and 37 percent of fatalities in stop sign junctions occurred in urban settings.

Ford's new smart intersection transmits several pieces of data to the test vehicle, including a digital map of the intersection, six additional maps of surrounding stop sign intersections and crosswalks, lane-specific GPS location, as well as traffic light status and timing information.

Once the information is received, the vehicle's collision avoidance system may be able to determine whether the car will safely cross the intersection or if it needs to stop before reaching it. If the system determines the need to stop and senses that the driver is not decelerating quickly enough, it issues visual and audio warnings to the driver.

"This technology has the potential to augment vehicle navigation systems to enhance safety by helping people who are distracted, drowsy or cannot see the traffic light due to a visual obstruction," said Joe Stinnett, lead technical engineer, Active Safety Research and Advanced Engineering. "Our research is helping to identify the kinds of warnings that drivers may find both more effective and easier to understand."

Infrastructure-to-vehicle communications could directly ease congestion by reducing crashes. According to the Texas Transportation Institute's 2007 Urban Mobility Report, traffic congestion continues to worsen in American cities of all sizes, annually wasting nearly 3 billion gallons of fuel as recently as 2005 - that's 58 fully-loaded supertankers. According to TTI analyst David Schrank, approximately half of traffic delays are caused by accidents, breakdowns and road debris.

A vehicle equipped with a collision avoidance system could act as a traffic probe, and communicate its presence and travel history when it encounters a smart intersection, said Mike Shulman, technical leader, Ford Active Safety Research and Advanced Engineering. Such capability could complement a feature already available on Ford Motor Company vehicles, SIRIUS Travel Link, which combines real-time traffic speed and flow data by satellite with accident and incident information to allow the user to navigate around congested areas.

"If smart intersections were widely available, such traffic information could be combined with information from other vehicles and would complement and enhance the information that Travel Link already provides," Shulman explained. "It could even include future vehicle travel, based on a destination entered into the navigation unit or past trips."

Ford's Active Safety Research team is quick to point out that while the smart intersection is an excellent tool for developing collision avoidance systems, broad deployment of dedicated short range communications capability will require significant public funding.

About Ford Motor Company
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 www.ford.com

Chelsea, Mich. - This morning, Dodge will showcase its new 2009 Dodge Ram powertrain lineup at the company's proving grounds. Powertrain choices in all-new 2009 Dodge Ram models will offer improved fuel economy plus more power, torque and refinement than ever before.

Engines available in all-new 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 models include the all-new, best-in-class, 390-horsepower 5.7-liter HEMI®, flex-fuel 4.7-liter and 3.7-liter gasoline engines. The 2009 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty models (with current 2008 design) are available with either the 5.7-liter HEMI or the 6.7-liter Cummins turbodiesel engine, which already achieves 2010 NOx emission standards, mak

"While the all-new HEMI engine maintains the key characteristics that makes HEMI a household name in powertrains, we added new technologies, including Variable Valve Timing, that substantially improve fuel economy and refinement and maximize performance," said Bob Lee, Vice President – Powertrain Product Engineering Team, Chrysler LLC.

"Our all-new Dodge Ram also offers best-in-class aerodynamics to go hand-in-hand with Chrysler's fuel-saving technologies," said Mike Accavitti, Director – Dodge Brand and SRT Global Marketing and Communications, Chrysler LLC. "And, with Dodge Ram's first-ever crew cab, first-in-segment coil-spring rear suspension, industry-first RamBox cargo management system and more than 35 new or improved features, we're changing the game in the truck market."

All-new 5.7-liter HEMI to Offer Best-in-class Horsepower and Torque
For 2009, Dodge offers a new generation of the famous 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 in its Ram trucks, with best-in-class horsepower and torque. The new HEMI powers the all-new 2009 Dodge Ram to best-in-class performance: the R/T regular-cab 4x2 model equipped with a short bed and 4:10 gears can accelerate from 0-60 mph in less than 6 seconds.

While the all-new engine maintains many of the basic features that make "HEMI" synonymous with "power," several technologies were added or improved:

Variable Valve Timing (VVT)
Expanded operating range of the fuel-saving Multiple Displacement System (MDS)
Increased compression ratio
Active intake manifold with long runners for low-end torque and short runners for high-rpm power
Improved cylinder head port flow efficiency
Reduced-restriction exhaust and induction systems
The result is improved idle quality and overall refinement, more horsepower (13 percent), more torque (8 percent) and better fuel economy (4 percent).
"The all-new 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 engine will offer our customers better fuel economy, improved idle quality and overall refinement, along with more horsepower and torque," said Lee. "HEMI has always been synonymous with power, and now – thanks to VVT, expanded four-cylinder mode in our MDS system, and a host of other technologies – Chrysler's new HEMI delivers more fuel efficiency and refinement, along with even more power."

The new 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 delivers best-in-class 390 hp (291 kW), a 13-percent improvement, and 407 lb.-ft. (552 N•m) of torque, an 8-percent improvement, while providing an estimated improvement of 4 percent in fuel economy.

The HEMI's new VVT improves fuel economy under some conditions in two ways. First, it reduces the engine's pumping work by closing the intake valve later. Second, it increases the expansion process of the combustion event. This allows more work to be transferred to the crankshaft instead of being rejected out of the exhaust port as heat. Essentially, VVT optimizes engine breathing, which improves engine efficiency and power.

Dodge's fuel-saving MDS system seamlessly alternates between smooth, high-fuel-economy four-cylinder mode when less power is needed, and V-8 mode when more power from the new 5.7-liter HEMI engine is in demand. An expanded MDS operating range in the new-for-2009 HEMI — aided in part by the Ram's best-in-class aerodynamics — will allow customers to realize an even-greater fuel economy benefit. When MDS is operating, it is indicated by the fuel-economy-mode readout in the 2009 Dodge Ram's Electronic Vehicle Information Center.

Chrysler estimates that since its inception of MDS in 2005, nearly 100 million gallons of gasoline have been saved, along with reduced carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions of close to a million metric tons.

4.7-liter V-8
An available 4.7-liter V-8 delivers 310 horsepower (231 kW) and 330 lb.-ft. (447 N•m) of torque.

The 4.7-liter V-8 shares some of the HEMI engine's combustion technology with its twin spark plugs per cylinder. It also makes use of increased compression ratio, improved cylinder head port flow and a new slant/squish combustion system designed to optimize fuel economy, power and torque.

This engine is also compatible with E85 fuel, earning the Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV) designation that provides customers the option of operating their vehicle on mixtures of gasoline and ethanol.

3.7-liter V-6
Unlike some others in the marketplace, Dodge will continue to offer customers a V-6 engine.

Standard on all-new 2009 Dodge Ram two-wheel-drive regular cab and Quad Cab® models is a 3.7-liter Magnum V-6 engine, generating 215 horsepower (160 kW) and 235 lb.-ft. (319 N•m) of torque.

Similar to the 4.7-liter and 5.7-liter V-8 engines, the 3.7-liter V-6 is equipped with Electronic Throttle Control, which provides engine torque control while compensating for changes in engine load caused by the air conditioning compressor, alternator and power steering pump.

The 3.7-liter V-6 also offers fuel economy and performance benefits from technologies including exhaust gas recirculation, compacted graphite-iron bedplate and internal balance shaft.

6.7-liter Cummins Turbodiesel: Cleanest on the Market
The Dodge Ram Heavy Duty's 6.7-liter Cummins turbodiesel engine already meets 2010 truck emissions standards in all 50 states, making the 2009 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty the cleanest diesel truck available on the market today.

The inline six-cylinder turbodiesel engine uses a diesel particulate filter (DPF) to virtually eliminate particulate matter emissions and an adsorber catalyst to reduce oxides of nitrogen (NOx) by as much as 90 percent.

In addition to the NOx adsorber and the DPF, the 6.7-liter turbodiesel engine includes other technologies to improve fuel efficiency and reduce unburned hydrocarbons:

A cooled exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system combines with a uniquely designed piston combustion bowl and a high-flow, electronically controlled Variable Geometry Turbocharger (VGT™), matching boost pressure with the engine's performance needs to reduce emissions and improve drivability
Within the exhaust system, a self-cleaning DPF and an oxidation catalyst reduces particulate matter by a factor of 10. The emissions system is designed for a government-certified 120,000 miles
A closed crankcase ventilation system eliminates crankcase fumes and oil carry-over, a common process with past diesels
As durable as it is powerful, the 6.7-liter Cummins turbodiesel has life-to-major overhaul intervals of 350,000 miles, providing more than a 100,000-mile advantage over the competition.

All-new Light-duty Cummins Turbodiesel
Dodge will introduce an all-new Cummins turbodiesel engine in its light-duty pickup trucks after 2009.

The new engine will provide a dramatic increase in low-end torque, up to a 25-percent improvement in fuel efficiency and a 20-percent reduction in carbon dioxide (C02) emissions when compared to an equivalent gasoline engine.

With new, clean, quiet diesel technology, the new diesel engine will meet 50-state emissions standards for 2010.

All-new Dodge Ram 1500 Hybrid
The Dodge Ram 1500 Hybrid, available after 2009, will be the latest addition to Chrysler LLC's fuel-efficient lineup, joining clean diesel, HEMI and flex-fuel vehicles.

Combining Chrysler's Multi-displacement System (MDS) and two-mode hybrid technology to greatly improve fuel economy, the 5.7-liter HEMI Hybrid V-8 offers performance and efficiency with up to 40 percent fuel economy improvement in the city and 25 percent overall. The two-mode hybrid system is currently being introduced in the company's 2009 Dodge Durango HEMI Hybrid and 2009 Chrysler Aspen HEMI Hybrid.

The two-mode hybrid system uses electric motors to allow the HEMI V-8 to remain in four-cylinder mode more often, improving fuel economy.

In the first mode – at low speeds and with light loads – the vehicle may operate on electric power only, on engine power only, or any combination of the two. The Dodge Ram 1500 Hybrid may operate in electric-only mode during slow starts (city driving) up to 25 mph, further conserving fuel and reducing emissions. In addition, the HEMI V-8 can shut down when the vehicle comes to a stop or during deceleration, to conserve fuel and then seamlessly restart when power is necessary.

The second mode, used primarily at highway speeds, augments electric assist with full power from the 5.7-liter HEMI when conditions demand it.

The Dodge Ram 1500 Hybrid also features regenerative braking, which recycles electric energy that would normally be lost during braking or deceleration. This energy is reused to power the vehicle.

The Dodge Ram 1500 Hybrid will also benefit from Dodge Ram's best-in-class aerodynamics, which allows a greater operating range of MDS.

Dodge Brand
With a U.S. market share of 6.2 percent, Dodge is Chrysler LLC's best-selling brand and the sixth largest nameplate in the U.S. automotive market. In 2007, Dodge sold more than 1.3 million vehicles in the global market.

The Dodge brand's first crossover vehicle — the all-new 2009 Dodge Journey — arrived in dealer showrooms in the first quarter of 2008, and is now available outside North America in petrol and diesel powertrains in both left- and right-hand drive. The limited-edition 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 with a 6.1-liter HEMI V-8 engine that boasts 425 horsepower and 420 lb.-ft. of torque started hitting the streets this past spring. Later in 2008, Dodge will add three more vehicles to its product lineup – the all-new 2009 Dodge Ram with game-changing exterior and interior design, innovations, best-in-class features and craftsmanship; the all-new 2009 Dodge Challenger, a modern interpretation of the American muscle car; and the 2009 Dodge Durango HEMI Hybrid, a hybrid electric vehicle that combines fuel-efficient advance hybrid technology with full-size SUV performance and capability.

Last fall, America's best-selling minivan, the all-new 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan, was introduced with 35 new or improved features including the newest innovation, the Swivel 'n Go™ seating system. In 2007, Dodge sold 33,500 commercial vehicles, a 285 percent increase over 2003 when the company returned to the commercial vehicle market and is now the sixth largest manufacturer of commercial vehicles sold in the U.S. Also in 2007, the Dodge Avenger and Nitro entered key volume segments outside North America, joining the Dodge Caliber, the highest sales volume vehicle for the company outside of North America.

Denver, Jun 12, 2008 - More than 200 volunteers from the Denver Front Range Chrysler, Jeep® and Dodge Dealers; The Chrysler Foundation; Chrysler Financial; Johnson Elementary; organizers from KaBOOM! and residents of the local community joined together today to build a new and secure playground at Johnson Elementary School in Denver.

Frank Fountain, President of The Chrysler Foundation, led the volunteers in building a state-of-the-art playground to serve the needs of the community. The new playground will provide more than 400 children who attend Johnson Elementary with a safe and enjoyable place to play.

Planning for the playground began in April when local children and community leaders met with organizers from KaBOOM! and Chrysler to develop their "dream" playgrounds. The children's drawings were used to create the final playground designs. The new playground's design is based on drawings provided by students, who attended a Design Day event in April 2008 with the organizers from KaBOOM!

"Every child should have access to a play area that is safe and encourages physical activity," said Jeff O'Leary, President - Denver Front Range Chrysler Jeep Dealer Advertising Association and Dealer Principal - Go Chrysler Jeep West. "This new playground, designed by local children and built by volunteers, is a small part of our long-term commitment to the Denver community."

"KaBOOM! is committed to bringing play back to the neighborhood one playground at a time," said KaBOOM! CEO and Co-founder Darell Hammond. "Every child deserves a place to run, jump, have fun and just be a kid. We are proud to work with Chrysler to give the children in this Denver neighborhood a great place to play."

The project is the second of 25 playgrounds scheduled to be built across the country by KaBOOM!, The Chrysler Foundation, Chrysler Financial and Chrysler, Jeep or Dodge dealerships. The playground is also one of more than 225 builds KaBOOM! will lead across the country in 2008, in an effort to provide an enjoyable place to play within walking distance of every child in America.

Johnson Elementary School
Johnson Elementary is a neighborhood school in southwest Denver serving approximately 420 students from ECE to 5th grade. We respect the linguistic and cultural diversity they bring to enrich our school. As a "Positive Behavior Support" school, we promote the "Caring Majority High Fives, to be focused on learning, kind, safe, respectful and responsible behavior. It is the mission of Johnson Elementary School to create a positive learning atmosphere that is child centered, committed to academic excellence and raising their overall achievement. Visit http://johnson.dpsk12.org/.

The Chrysler Foundation
The Chrysler Foundation is the primary source of charitable grants made by Chrysler LLC. The Foundation annually supports hundreds of charitable organizations with an emphasis on community growth and enrichment, arts and culture, education and youth development programs throughout the United States and, increasingly, the world. The Foundation's Good Neighbor, Good Citizen® programs make a positive, lasting investment in local communities where our employees, customers and neighbors live. Visit www.thechryslerfoundation.com.

About Chrysler Financial
Chrysler Financial offers automotive financial products and services to both dealers and consumers of Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge vehicles in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico and Venezuela. In addition to offering vehicle wholesale and retail financing to more than 3,500 Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge dealers, Chrysler Financial also provides fleet management and lines of credit to dealers. Currently, nearly three million drivers in the United States enjoy the benefits of leasing or financing with Chrysler Financial. Chrysler Financial has an employee base of 4,000 and supports a global portfolio of $70 billion. Visit corp.chryslerfinancial.com.

KaBOOM!
KaBOOM! is a national non-profit organization that envisions a great place to play within walking distance of every child in America. Since 1995, KaBOOM! has used its innovative community-build model to bring together business and community interests to construct more than 1,400 new playgrounds, skateparks, sports fields and ice rinks across North America. KaBOOM! also offers a variety of resources, including an online community, regional and national trainings, grants, publications and the KaBOOM! National Campaign for Play, which includes Playful City USA and the Playmaker Network – a national network of individual advocates for play. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., KaBOOM! also has offices in Chicago and San Mateo, Calif. Visit www.kaboom.org.

Big O Tires is helping motorists learn basic tire care during National Tire Safety Week, a tire industry initiative to teach drivers about proper tire safety and maintenance. The annual event is held this year from April 20 – 26.

Research sponsored by the Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA) shows that only 15 percent of drivers properly check their tires – leaving an astounding 85 percent who are making mistakes. To counter these alarming facts, Big O Tires is teaming up with RMA for National Tire Safety Week.

Drivers can take advantage of free tire pressure inflation services at all Big O Tires locations. Tire technicians will even show motorists how to check their own tire pressure and tread depth and other important tire care tips.

“Research shows that motorists do not know enough about proper tire care,” said Emily White-Keating, Marketing Vice President at Big O Tires, LLC. “We want consumers to consider Big O Tires a resource for all tire care questions."

Other findings from RMA’s research include:

45 percent of drivers wrongly believe that the correct inflation pressure is printed on the tire sidewall.
27 percent of drivers wrongly believe that the best time to check their tires is when they are warm after being driven for at least a few miles.
Nearly two out of three drivers do not know how to tell if their tires are bald.
61 percent of motorists see checking tire pressure as a top fuel saving tip.

RMA recommends that tire pressure be checked at least once every month with a tire gauge. The recommended tire pressure for every vehicle is set by vehicle manufacturers and can be found on a label usually placed on the driver’s door or by checking the owner’s manual. Also, tires should be checked when cold, or haven’t been driven for at least three hours.

“We welcome all drivers to come and learn firsthand about proper tire care,” Ms. White-Keating said. “Using RMA's simple tire care tips, consumers can maximize their vehicle safety, achieve better fuel economy and get the most wear from their tires.”

About RMA and Big O Tires
RMA launched National Tire Safety Week in April 2002 as an initiative of its Be Tire Smart -- Play Your PART program. The educational program aims to teach drivers about the importance of taking simple care and maintenance steps to keep tires safe and performing at optimal levels. More than 18,000 tire dealers, automobile and safety organizations across the country are expected to participate in National Tire Safety Week 2008. For additional tire safety tips or to learn more about National Tire Safety Week, visit www.betiresmart.org or www.bigotires.com .

Big O Tires, LLC serves over 535 franchised stores, primarily in the Western and Midwestern states, and also distributes tires and other automotive service products to Associated Dealers in Western Canada. Since 1996, Big O Tires has operated as a subsidiary of Florida-based TBC Corporation.

To obtain further information on becoming a Big O Tires Franchisee, please contact our Franchise Qualifications Specialist at 1-800-622-2446 or send an email to franchise@bigotires.com.