NISSAN TO INTRODUCE "i-PORT" ONLINE RESERVATION SYSTEM IN JAPAN
Starting in January 2006, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., will introduce a system that will allow "car life advisors," or sales staff, in Japan to make repair shop reservations for customers online, including on a mobile phone. The new system will allow sales people, who frequently make door-to-door calls, to respond quicker to customers' requests for such reservations. In the past, sales people would have to check with their dealer for available time slots. The "i-PORT" system was introduced on a trial basis starting in May...


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FORD TO BUILD FLEXIBLE FUEL ENGINE PLANT IN THE PHILIPPINES
In his visit to the country, Ford Motor Company Corporate Vice President and President of Ford Asia Pacific and Africa, Peter Daniel, announced company plans to invest P1.1 billion (US$20 million) to build a Flexible Fuel engine plant in the Philippines. A Ford first in the region, the investment further establishes Ford's innovation leadership in Flexible Fuel technology and the use of bio-ethanol fuel. Ford's Flexible Fuel engines are designed to operate on either conventional gasoline or a combination of gasoline and bio-ethanol fu...


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NISSAN DEVELOPS WORLD'S FIRST CLEAR PAINT THAT REPAIRS SCRATCHES ON CAR SURFACES
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., has developed the world's first clear paint that repairs scratches on painted car surfaces, including scratches from car-washing machines, off-road driving and fingernails. "Scratch Guard Coat" contains a newly developed high elastic resin that helps prevent scratches from affecting the inner layers of a car's painted surface. With "Scratch Guard Coat" a car's scratched surface will return to its original state anywhere from one day to a week, depending on temperature and the depth of...


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GM overhead cam engines named among industry's best
Two of General Motors newest, high-performance overhead cam engines - the 2.0-liter Ecotec Supercharged and 2.8-liter V6 Turbo - have been named among the industry's 10 best engines of 2006 by the editors at Ward's Communications. Both engines are variants from two of GM's most popular global, modular engine families, designed, engineered, and produced around the world. They also share a similar attribute, which Ward's noted as an important development occurring in the industry today: forced induction. "Turbochargin...


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Comfortable long-distance specialist: Audi A6 2.7 TDI with multitronic
Audi is adding another attractive version to its A6 line. The combination of a front-wheel-drive diesel model with automatic transmission is new to the range. The A6 saloon and Avant are now available with a 2.7-litre TDI engine and multitronic transmission. This six-cylinder power unit delivers 132 kW (180 bhp). The A6 2.7 TDI with multitronic reaches a top speed of 225 km/h. The saloon accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 8.3 seconds and consumes an average of between 7.2 and 7.6 litres of diesel per 100 km. This model's peak torque of 38...


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Kia releases sketch of all-new concept car
Kia Motors Corporation today released a preview sketch of the all-new Soul concept car, which will make its world premiere at the upcoming North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit. The Kia Soul concept is a crossover utility vehicle with a sporty, bold look that builds on design cues from the Kia Mesa concept vehicle introduced at the 2005 NAIAS. A wrap-around windshield, muscular wheel flares, stylish front headlamps and a sloped roofline convey an athletic attitude for the Soul, which is geared toward an active lifestyle. Th...


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Next stage in redevelopment of Bristol aerospace facilities to go ahead in the new year
Rolls-Royce plc, the world leading power systems company, confirmed today that it will go ahead in the New Year with Phase Two of the redevelopment of its Defence Aerospace facilities in Bristol. Work will begin in January on new buildings for the assembly of engines for the Typhoon, Hawk and Joint Strike Fighter aircraft and for the Group's helicopter programmes. Phase Two will also see the construction of a new services building that will include training and occupational health facilities as well as a new restaurant. Once completed,...


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Honda to Serve as Single IndyCar Engine Supplier in 2006
Honda Performance Development (HPD), a subsidiary of American Honda Motor Co., will become the single provider of engines in 2006 for the Indy Racing League IndyCar Series, HPD President Robert Clarke announced today. Honda joined the IRL at the start of the 2003 season, and earlier this year announced a new plan to continue as an engine supplier in IndyCar racing through the 2009 season. With the recent announcement of Toyota's withdrawal from IRL competition, HPD will prepare and maintain the Honda Indy V-8 engines used by all teams fo...


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A top-class sports car: new TT from 2006
The second generation of the cult coupe, the Audi TT, to be launched in September 2006, is a force to be reckoned with and is already being eagerly awaited by the motoring press. And the current TT still looks as fresh as it did when it was launched, according to "Auto Bild". The new TT, which is to be available at dealers in spring 2007, will therefore inherit many details from the original, for instance the striking radiator grille and the line of the silhouette. These details provide the finishing touches to designer Freeman Thomas...


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MORE THAN 27,000 FANS GATHER AT "NISMO FESTIVAL" DESPITE SNOW
Despite snow in the afternoon, more than 27,100 fans gathered for the "NISMO Festival" held at the Fuji Speedway in Shizuoka Prefecture on Dec. 4. Some had even queued overnight waiting for the gates to open at 5 am. Nissan Motor Co.'s annual motorsports event returned to the Fuji Speedway this year from TI Circuit Aida in Okayama Prefecture after the Fuji circuit was closed for renovation for two years. This year's highlight was the parade lap of three recently restored historical racecars - the R380-II (1967), R381 (1968...


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