ATLANTA, May 12 /PRNewswire/ — Prices for new, used and certified pre-owned (CPO) vehicles listed for sale on AutoTrader.com continue to rise as the economy rebounds and car shoppers increasingly turn into car buyers, according to AutoTrader.com’s Trend Engine Report for May, covering the month of April.

In April, used and CPO prices on AutoTrader.com rose most dramatically, with many models showing double digit average price increases compared to April 2009.  For instance, the average listing price for CPO Ford F-150 pick-up trucks jumped 35% in April 2010 compared to April 2009 and the average price for a CPO Ford Fusion was up 31% in April 2010 compared to April a year ago.

In used cars, the big average price-gainers were the used Ford F-150 and the used Jeep Wrangler, both up 18% in April 2010 compared to April of last year.

Other used and CPO models from Chevrolet, Toyota, Volkswagen, Honda, GMC, Dodge and Jeep also saw double digit average price increases year over year.

New car prices were on the rise, as well, but more moderately, reflecting the slower pace of improvement in the new car market.

“While the used car market has been improving for several months, recovery in the new car arena is newer and that is reflected in the moderate increase in average prices for new vehicles listed for sale on AutoTrader.com that we’re seeing on the site,” said company President and CEO Chip Perry.

The big new-car price winners in April on AutoTrader.com were the new Ford Fusion, with the average price for the four-door sedan up 10% compared to April 2009 and the new Chevrolet Corvette, with the average price up just under 10% compared to April 2009.  Other models from Jeep, Honda, Toyota, Dodge, Nissan and Volkswagen also saw modest average prices increases year over year in April.

Inventories of CPO Ford Fusions may get exceptionally tight in the near future as views of Ford’s popular sedan among AutoTrader.com’s CPO inventory skyrocketed 109% in April 2010 compared to April 2009.  The Fusion was the No. 66 most-viewed CPO vehicle on AutoTrader.com in April of last year and the No. 45-most viewed CPO vehicle on the site in March of this year.  In April of this year, the car jumped into the top 20 most-viewed CPO list at No. 18.

“The Fusion is riding a great wave of publicity and good reviews and shoppers are giving this car a good looking over,” said Perry.  ”If inventory of CPO Fusions does tighten as more consumers look at and purchase the vehicles, this gives Ford an opportunity to reach out and influence those CPO shoppers to consider a new Fusion with marketing, specials and pricing.  Other brands and dealerships have an opportunity to work to influence consumers who may not find a CPO Fusion and get those shoppers to consider other new or used mid-sized, four-door sedans.”

Traffic Continues to Trend Up

Traffic to AutoTrader.com continued the upward march it has been experiencing for some time as more and more new, used and CPO vehicle shoppers turn to the internet to research and compare vehicles, check prices and see inventory.  In April, AutoTrader.com attracted 15.4 million unique monthly visitors, up two percent from the 15.08 million unique visitors AutoTrader.com attracted in April 2009.

“Car shoppers today, coming off two years of a tough economy, want to know that they’ve made the right purchase when they finally do decide to buy a new or used car,” said Chip Perry.  ”AutoTrader.com offers them the tools, information and inventory that allows shoppers to do their research, compare new and used cars, view pricing and specials and then know they made the right choice.”

AutoTrader.com’s recently launched “Heart & Mind” advertising campaign communicates that message via high-impact broadcast, digital and social media outreach.  Additionally, AutoTrader.com continues to add functionality, like additional research content and the just-launched mobile shopping experience to give car shoppers the information they want where and when they want it.

“This is an exciting time for the auto industry and for AutoTrader.com,” said Perry.  ”We expect to continue to grow our traffic numbers and drive more car buyers to dealer and private seller listings on our site as more people jump back into the car market and utilize AutoTrader.com to find their perfect car.”

About AutoTrader.com

AutoTrader.com, created in 1997 and headquartered in Atlanta, Ga., is the Internet’s leading automotive marketplace and consumer information website.  AutoTrader.com aggregates in a single location millions of new cars, used cars and certified pre-owned cars from thousands of auto dealers and private sellers.  AutoTrader.com attracts more than 15 million unique monthly visitors who utilize the site to view vehicles for sale, research and compare vehicles, review pricing and specials, and read auto-related content like buying and selling tips, auto maintenance tips and coverage of major auto shows and automotive trends.  Through innovative merchandising functionality such as multiple photos, videos, detailed descriptions and comprehensive research and compare tools, AutoTrader.com unites new and used car buyers and sellers online to improve the way people research, locate and advertise vehicles. AutoTrader.com is a majority-owned subsidiary of Cox Enterprises.  The venture capital firm Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers is also an investor.  For more information, please visit www.autotrader.com.

SOURCE AutoTrader.com

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• Many Ford Motor Company vehicles are the most affordable vehicles repair after collisions in their respective segments,  according to a report by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration based on insurance claims costs; Insurers use this model-specific data to help establish auto insurance premiums

• Ford has 10 segments leaders, including Taurus, Focus and F-Series trucks, from the 2007-2009 model years, more than three times as many as Toyota and Honda combined.  The NHTSA ratings based on claim costs data from the Highway Loss Data Institute

• Ford in 2009 established a special engineering and technical center in Allen Park, Mich., to help lower the cost of collision repair for Ford vehicles

Many Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) vehicles cost less to repair after a collision on average than all other vehicles in their segments, according to a new U.S. government report based in insurance claims database.

This is good news for the pocketbooks of current and future Ford, Lincoln and Mercury owners because auto insurance companies often factor in model-specific claims data in setting premium costs.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) 2010 Relative Collision Insurance Cost Information Booklet shows more Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles lead their segments for the lowest collision insurance cost than any other automaker.  The report will be available in all dealerships this spring to help consumers anticipate repair costs that insurers rely on for setting insurance rates.

Ford has 10 segments leaders, including Taurus, Focus and F-Series trucks, from the 2007-2009 model years, more than three times as many as Toyota and Honda combined.  The NHTSA ratings based on claim costs data from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

“Vehicle affordability continues to be the most important purchase consideration for car and truck buyers, rivaled only by fuel economy,” said Frederiek Toney, vice president, Ford Customer Service Division.  ”We design our vehicles to be easier and more affordable to repair because we know this saves our customers money in insurance premiums and repair costs over the long term.”

According to NHTSA, Ford’s 10 segment-leading 2009 model year vehicles include:

• Ford Focus – Small Cars (four-door)
• Ford Taurus – Large Cars (four-door)
• Ford F-150 – Large Pickups (two-door)
• Ford F-150 Super Cab 4WD – Large Pickups (two-door-plus)
• Ford F-250 4WD – Very Large Pickups (two-door)
• Ford F-250 Super Cab – Very Large Pickups (two-door-plus)
• Ford E-350 Econoline wagon – Cargo/Passenger Vans (tied with Chevrolet Express 3500)
• Mercury Grand Marquis – Very Large Cars (four-door)
• Mercury Mariner 4WD – Small SUV
• Lincoln Town Car – Very Large Luxury Cars

Approximately 78 percent of Ford, Lincoln and Mercury models rated at or better than the industry average — nearly double Toyota’s 40 percent (including Scion and Lexus).

Designing to reduce damage

In 2009, Ford opened a Paint and Body Technology Center to leverage the combined expertise of Ford’s repair and safety experts, auto repair technicians and insurance companies to identify design solutions and repair procedures that will lower repair costs.

“If your vehicle costs less to repair, it generally costs less to insure,” said Gerry Bonanni, Ford damageability collision repair senior engineer.  ”We’re working harder to help reduce insurers’ repair costs by developing more affordable repairs earlier in a vehicle’s development.”

“It’s great that Ford gets insurance industry insight about how to improve repairability of its vehicle designs,” said Mark Woirol, project manager with Allstate Insurance Company’s Tech-Cor Applied Research Center, which works with automakers, insurers and repairers to make cars more damage-resistant and repair methods more cost-efficient.  ”We’ve never been as involved in an automaker’s product development process as we have since Ford invited us to participate.”

For example, Ford Focus maintained its hold on the top spot in the four-door small car segment thanks in part to a bumper design improvements.

“Ford’s repair-ability experts and safety engineers made the Focus’s bumper bigger and stronger to better protect adjacent components,” said Larry Coan, Ford damageability engineer. “The new technology center will help us build on these leading efforts.”

Higher resale values, fewer warranty repairs

In another key area of vehicle affordability, Ford’s resale values outpaced the industry by rising 23 percent according to the latest National Automobile Dealers Association auction data.  The gains resulted from stronger demand for Ford’s new vehicles and improved quality and durability ratings.

“Rising resale values means more money in customers’ pockets when it is time to sell or trade in for a new vehicle,” Toney said. “Combine these savings with lower repair and maintenance costs and better fuel economy, and the cost to own a Ford product drops dramatically over the life of the vehicle.”

About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 198,000 employees and about 90 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford, Lincoln, Mercury and, until its sale, Volvo. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford’s products, please visit www.ford.com.

SOURCE Ford Motor Company

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• Top honor awarded at the 2010 Texas Auto Writers Association Spring Challenge event in Fort Worth
• Award reinforces Dodge Viper’s position as America’s Ultimate Sports Car and the Dodge brand’s performance leadership

Members of the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) named the Dodge Viper ACR (American Club Racer) as “Performance Car of Texas” at the 2010 Spring Challenge, the organization’s annual passenger-car competition.

The Spring Challenge event was held May 3 at Texas Motor Speedway and featured more than 50 vehicles from various manufacturers, all vying for a top award from 40 of the TAWA journalists in attendance.

The Viper ACR was one of only eight vehicles honored in this year’s list of various categories. Automotive media evaluated vehicles in side-by-side comparisons, and the top awards were given based on individual impressions and by secret ballot. The Viper ACR was chosen as top performer on the 1-mile infield road course against several performance vehicles.

“The Dodge Viper ACR is the worthy recipient of our first Performance Car of Texas award,” said Michael Herzing, President – Texas Auto Writers Association and publisher of LetsTalkWheels.com. “By topping some of the toughest competitors in today’s performance car marketplace, we feel this award is a real testament to the Dodge Viper’s superior level of overall performance.”

Introduced in 2008, the Dodge Viper ACR is powered by the venerable 8.4-liter, V-10 engine with 600 horsepower and 560 lb.-ft. of torque, resulting in benchmark performance including 0-60 mph acceleration in less than 4 seconds, quarter-mile time in the mid 11-second range and 0-100-0 mph in 11 seconds flat.

“It is a great honor to see the Texas Auto Writers Association recognize the Dodge Viper ACR for this significant award,” said Ralph Gilles – President and CEO, Dodge Brand, Chrysler Group LLC. “At Dodge, we’re extremely proud of what the Viper represents within the performance car market, and this award helps us continue to tell the story of America’s ultimate, street-legal sports car.”

About Dodge

Dodge is a full line of cars, SUVs and MPVs that are agile, daring, sensible and inventive. The product line includes the Dodge Caliber, Dodge Avenger, Dodge Challenger, Dodge Charger, Dodge Grand Caravan, Dodge Journey, Dodge Nitro and Dodge Viper SRT10.

Dodge introduced two new vehicles for the 2009 model year: the all-new 2009 Dodge Journey, the brand’s first crossover vehicle and the 2009 Dodge Challenger, a modern-day American muscle car. Dodge also celebrated the 25th anniversary of the minivan during the 2009 model year. With more than 65 minivan-firsts introduced since 1983 and more than 12 million Dodge and Chrysler minivans sold, Chrysler Group LLC has solidified its leadership in the segment. J.D. Power and Associates further acknowledged this leadership by naming the Dodge Grand Caravan the Most Dependable Van for 2009. The 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan continues to set the mark in the minivan segment with unsurpassed fuel economy of 17 city / 25 highway mpg and minivan-first innovations including the segment’s only Stow ‘n Go® and Swivel ‘n Go® seating and storage systems. The 2010 Dodge Journey and 2010 Dodge Avenger (with ESC) also earned the 2009 Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS.

Follow Dodge and Chrysler Group LLC news and video on:

Chrysler Connect blog: http://blog.chryslergroupllc.com

Twitter: www.twitter.com/chrysler

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/pentastarvideo

Streetfire: http://members.streetfire.net/profile/ChryslerVideo.htm

SOURCE Chrysler Group LLC

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The top five states that generated the most staged accident QCs were: (1) Florida, 3,006; (2) New York, 1,680; (3) California, 1,619; (4) Texas, 792; and (5) Illinois, 433.

The five cities that generated the most staged accident QCs were: (1) New York City, 1,304; (2) Tampa, 562; (3) Miami, 511; (4) Orlando, 422; and (5) Houston, 376.

Staged accidents are dangerous criminal events that target innocent drivers with increasingly bold schemes aimed at defrauding insurance companies out of millions of dollars. Unless someone becomes suspicious, many of these staged accidents go undetected. NICB has created a series of videos demonstrating some of the most common types of staged accidents. They can be viewed here: https://www.nicb.org/multimedia/staged-videos/staged-accident-videos.

Consumers should visit https://www.nicb.org/theft_and_fraud_awareness/brochures to review our library of valuable theft and fraud awareness information where they can find a specific brochure describing staged accident fraud. It’s free and it just might help prevent you from falling victim to fraud scams.

The complete staged accident questionable claims report is also available at www.nicb.org.

About the National Insurance Crime Bureau: headquartered in Des Plaines, Ill., the NICB is the nation’s leading not-for-profit organization exclusively dedicated to preventing, detecting and defeating insurance fraud and vehicle theft through information analysis, investigations, training, legislative advocacy and public awareness. The NICB is supported by nearly 1,100 property and casualty insurance companies and self-insured organizations. NICB member companies wrote over $319 billion in insurance premiums in 2009, or more than 78 percent of the nation’s property/casualty insurance. That includes more than 93 percent ($151 billion) of the nation’s personal auto insurance. To learn more visit www.nicb.org.

SOURCE National Insurance Crime Bureau
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• Walter Borst is named GM vice president and Promark Global Advisors chief executive officer
• Nancy Everett, Promark Global Advisors chief executive officer, announces intention to leave the company June 1, 2010; will assist with the transition
• Joining GM from Morgan Stanley, Daniel Ammann is appointed GM vice president finance and treasurer

General Motors Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer Chris Liddell today announced a number of key finance leadership changes aimed at further advancing the company’s financial progress and preparing for its return to public ownership in the future.

Walter Borst is named GM vice president and Promark Global Advisors, Inc. chief executive officer, reporting to Liddell, effective May 1, 2010.  Promark is a wholly-owned asset management subsidiary of GM focused primarily on the management of retirement plan assets, including GM’s pension plans assets.  Borst, 48, will also continue as chairman of the Adam Opel GmbH Supervisory Board.  Opel is GM’s principal European automotive subsidiary, located in Germany.  Borst was most recently GM vice president and treasurer, a post he has held since 2003.

“Walter has done an outstanding job as treasurer,” said Liddell.  ”He is a great fit to lead the team managing a crucial part of GM, the $115 billion in assets at Promark.”

During his 29 year GM career, Borst spent six years in Europe, and served as chief financial officer of Opel.  Additionally, he held a number of assignments in the Treasurer’s Office in New York and the Controller’s Staff in Detroit.  Over the years, Borst has been instrumental in a number of significant strategic and capital market transactions for GM, including the recent GM restructuring and sale of assets pursuant to Section 363 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, and the global capital markets debt offering to fund the GM pension deficit in 2003.  He has also served on the GMAC Board of Directors.

Borst succeeds Nancy Everett, who has announced her intention to leave the company June 1, 2010, and who will assist with the transition.  Everett, 55, joined Promark Global Advisors as chief investment officer in 2005.  She assumed the additional responsibility of chief executive officer in January 2006.  In 2007, Everett restructured the portfolio to hedge against volatility that ultimately helped GM’s pension fund withstand the negative market impact of 2008.

“Nancy was a valuable contributor during one of the most difficult times in the financial market’s history,” said Liddell. “Under her leadership, Promark delivered consistent performance for its clients, often outperforming the market. We thank her for her contribution.”

Daniel Ammann has been appointed GM vice president finance and treasurer, reporting to Liddell, effective May 1, 2010.  Ammann, 37, was most recently managing director and head of Industrials Investment Banking for Morgan Stanley, a position he held since 2004.

“Dan brings a broad base of financial experience to this position,” said Liddell.  ”It is a critical time in this company’s history and Dan’s depth of knowledge of the financial community and our business will be invaluable.”

Ammann will lead the GM Treasurer’s Office, based in New York, with additional operations in Detroit, Shanghai, and Zurich.  The global treasury operations include capital markets activities, capital planning, business development, risk management, worldwide pension funding, worldwide banking, and overseas and domestic finance.

During his 11 years at Morgan Stanley, Ammann was instrumental in many high profile assignments spanning a variety of technology, service, and manufacturing clients.  His diverse experience in mergers, acquisitions, raising capital, and restructuring includes leading Morgan Stanley’s banking team in advising GM on its restructuring and sale pursuant to Section 363 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code.

About General Motors: General Motors, one of the world’s largest automakers, traces its roots back to 1908.  With its global headquarters in Detroit, GM employs 204,000 people in every major region of the world and does business in some 140 countries.  GM and its strategic partners produce cars and trucks in 34 countries, and sell and service these vehicles through the following brands:  Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, FAW, GMC, GM Daewoo, Holden, Opel, Vauxhall and Wuling.  GM’s largest national market is the United States, followed by China, Brazil, Germany, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Italy.  GM’s OnStar subsidiary is the industry leader in vehicle safety, security and information services.  General Motors acquired operations from General Motors Corporation on July 10, 2009, and references to prior periods in this and other press materials refer to operations of the old General Motors Corporation.  More information on the new General Motors can be found at www.gm.com.

SOURCE General Motors

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About the weekend and the difference in racecars, Dempsey said, “I’m thrilled to be able to race near my Los Angeles home. With the Grand-Am series, I’ve been able to race at many of the great tracks in North America, but now I have a chance to race locally. The Tri-Point MAZDA3 really impressed me during testing. I’ve never driven a front-wheel drive racecar that handled that well before. I shouldn’t have been surprised though as my daily driver is a MAZDASPEED3. The weekend will also be personally rewarding to me as we’ll be carrying the colors of our Dempsey Challenge.”

The Dempsey Challenge presented by Amgen is a non-competitive fundraising event for The Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope & Healing at Central Maine Medical Center. The 2010 event will take place October 2nd and 3rd in Lewiston, Maine. More information, including registration materials, can be found at www.dempseychallenge.org

The World Challenge series is for production-based racecars and features three classes, GT, GTS, and TC2. Dempsey will be racing against over two dozen other professional drivers in cars ranging from Porsches, Corvettes, Vipers, Acuras, to Scions. The Tri-Point MAZDA3 will compete in the GTS class.

The World Challenge race is a part of the multi-race Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach weekend, April 16-18. The World Challenge race will take place on Sunday, April 18th. Ticket information can be found at www.gplb.com

Also at Long Beach the same weekend:

* Mazda will compete in the American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patron race on Saturday afternoon with the Dyson Lola-Mazda MZR-R LMP car. The ALMS car will be carrying ARCO colors for the two California races (Long Beach, and Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in May). ARCO is a part of BP, the primary technical partner with Mazda on the powertrain development. The Mazda car will be the only entry fueled by isobutanol, a BP developed bio fuel. Team information can be found at www.dysonracing.com

* Robert Davis, Senior Vice President, Product Development & Quality, Mazda North American Operations will be the keynote speaker at the “The Race Has Gone Green” sustainable motorsports conference to be held Friday, April 16th at the Long Beach Grand Prix. The conference is sponsored by SEMA and the MIA. Conference information can be found at www.sema.org/RaceGoneGreen

* MAZDASPEED will also be a supporter of the Road Racing Drivers Club (RRDC) Salute to Parnelli Jones on the evening of Thursday, April 15th. The annual RRDC gala is a fundraiser for the Team USA Scholarship program. Over the past several years, many of the Team USA scholarship winners have come from the ranks of the MAZDASPEED Motorsports Development series. Information can be found at www.rrdc.org

ABOUT MAZDA

On any given weekend, there are more Mazdas on the road-race tracks of America than any other brand of vehicle. At the track, you’ll see MX-5 Miata, RX-8, MAZDA3, MAZDA6, RX-7 and other vintage Mazda models competing, because every Mazda has the Soul of a Sports Car. In fact, the largest road-racing class in the world is Spec Miata, with more than 2,500 first- and second-generation Miatas tearing up America’s racetracks, making it the most-raced production car in the world. Mazda’s involvement in motorsports extends to its relationship with Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, one of the world’s premier road-racing circuits, and the Skip Barber Schools for driving and racing.

Celebrating its 40th Anniversary in the United States in 2010, Mazda North American Operations is headquartered in Irvine, Calif. and oversees the sales, marketing, parts and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States, Canada and Mexico through nearly 900 dealers. Operations in Canada are managed by Mazda Canada, Inc., located in Ontario; and in Mexico by Mazda Motor de Mexico in Mexico City.

SOURCE MAZDASPEED Motorsports Development

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“We are delighted to have Alan Mulally as our Auto Show keynote speaker this year, having been at the center of the upheaval in our industry while at the same time being a beacon of progress,” said George Doetsch, Chairman of the Washington Area New Automobile Dealers Association (WANADA), which produces the show.

Mulally’s keynote address on Jan. 26 will kick off Public Policy/Media Preview Day at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. The day will feature a lineup of press announcements and special preview opportunities and culminate in a “Sneak Peek” reception for government and media officials to witness the latest advances in the automotive industry.

Known as the automotive industry’s “public policy” show for its convergence of public policy makers with industry innovators, The Washington Auto Show has become a premiere stage for showcasing green technologies.

The 2010 show, which opens to the public from Jan. 27-31 at the Walter E. Washington Convention

Center, will launch a redoubled effort to highlight sustainability.

The 65,000 square-foot “Advanced Technology Superhighway” will create a central location where key legislators and regulatory officials can tour the industry’s latest innovations in fuel efficiency and safety. Among the high-level show guests are hundreds of legislative officials and last year, The Washington Auto Show drew four members of President Obama’s cabinet – the largest number of cabinet members to ever attend a U.S. auto show.

The keynote address is opened by leadership of major automobile manufacturers and has included such luminaries as DaimlerChrysler Chairman Dieter Zetsche and Volkswagen CEO Stefan Jacoby.

The choice of Alan Mulally in 2010 was a deliberate one, say show producers.

“Alan Mulally has set a standard of leadership in innovation and execution and embodies the hopes of the automotive industry that are on display at the 2010 Washington Auto Show, aptly entitled ‘Change Happens Here,’” said Charles Stringfellow, CEO of Brown’s Automotive and Washington Auto Show chairman.

“Ford chose a private solution for regaining its corporate health, and today the patient is walking without a government crutch,” The Wall Street Journal recently reported, citing Ford’s reports of its second consecutive quarterly profit – “and more impressively, a swing from a $7.7 billion cash burn a year earlier to positive cash flow of $1.3 billion in the just-ended third quarter helped by but not due to Washington’s cash for clunkers program.” The Journal went on to say that Ford “gained a percentage of market share in the first 10 months of this year, no easy feat in an ultra-competitive market.”

Mulally joined Ford as president and chief executive officer in 2006 after serving as executive vice president of The Boeing Company, and president and chief executive officer of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. In that role, he was responsible for all of the company’s commercial airplane programs and related services.

At Ford, Mulally has helmed the dramatic turnaround at the company that has revitalized its product line-up and boosted market share to its highest level in decades, even as the auto industry has been stricken with recession stress.

Now in its 92nd year of existence, WANADA represents dealerships throughout the Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia area.

This 68th edition of The Washington Auto Show offers a showcase of more than 700 vehicles from over 42 domestic and import manufacturers and a special 65,000-square foot exhibit, “The Advanced Technology SuperHighway” of the latest technologies in safety and sustainability.

For a full schedule of entertainment and special events, operating hours and ticket information, visit The Washington Auto Show online at www.washingtonautoshow.com.

    For more info:
    Barbara Pomerance
    800-697-7574
    bp@pomeranceassociates.com

SOURCE 2010 Washington Auto Show

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“The 2010 Ford Taurus delivers an ideal balance of engaging performance and passenger comfort, as well as a feeling of quality that positively pervades the vehicle,” said Jack Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com. “With its impressive set of standard and available technologies, the Taurus adds convenience, connectivity, safety and value to the consumer.”

The 2010 Ford Taurus offers features such as Blind Spot Information System (BLIS®) with Cross Traffic Alert, MyKey(TM) parental programmability, Ford SYNC® and Voice-Activated Navigation with SIRIUS Travel Link(TM).

Few products reflect the accelerating pace of change more than the automobile. Whereas many of yesterday’s new models were not much more than styling updates, today’s redesigns are more often leaps and bounds ahead of their predecessors in every way. Accordingly, it takes an exceptional product to be named Kelley Blue Book’s Best Redesigned Vehicle.

“With its superior styling and overall performance, the 2010 Ford Taurus became a contender for this year’s award during the very first drive, after which one of our editors wrote ‘We haven’t seen such a bold reversal of character since Ben Kingsley traded in his Ghandi robe to play a murderous gangster in Sexy Beast,’” said Nerad. “The Taurus isn’t just the new best bet in the segment; it’s one of the most impressive vehicles on the road.”

The Best Redesigned Vehicle accolade honors the vehicle that best demonstrates improvement and superiority relative to its predecessor and competitors. In judging, the kbb.com editors consider exterior and interior styling, technology, comfort and convenience features, performance/capability, driving dynamics, safety, fuel economy, overall refinement and, of course, value.

Dozens of vehicles were redesigned for the 2010 model-year. In addition to the award-winning 2010 Ford Taurus, rounding out the top 10 finalists for kbb.com’s 2010 Best Redesigned Vehicle were (in alphabetical order) the Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac SRX, Chevy Equinox, Ford Fusion, Lexus RX, Mazda MAZDA3, Mercedes-Benz E-Class, Subaru Legacy and Toyota Prius.

        Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com
        --------------------------
    "Best Redesigned Vehicle" History
    ---------------------------------

   2004     Ford F-150
   ----     ----------
   2005     Ford Mustang
   ----     ------------
   2006     Honda Civic
   ----     -----------
   2007     Chevrolet Silverado
   ----     -------------------
   2008     Chevrolet Malibu
   ----     ----------------
   2009     Ford F-150
   ----     ----------
   2010     Ford Taurus
   ----     -----------

The year 2010 marks the fourth time in seven years that a Ford model has taken the Best Redesigned Vehicle title and is the second consecutive year Ford earned top honors. Honda broke Ford’s initial streak in 2006 with the redesigned Civic coupe and sedan, and Chevrolet won back-to-back in 2007 and 2008 with the Silverado full-size pickup and Malibu sedan, respectively.

“Each model year, manufacturers continually raise the bar in providing consumers with the top notch vehicle technologies, performance and design,” said Nerad. “With the Best Redesigned Vehicle award, we honor those models that exceed all expectations.”

Vehicles usually are redesigned every four to five years, although some brands wait longer to redesign their models. For more information about the 2010 Best Redesigned Vehicle and the top 10 finalists, visit www.kbb.com/best2010redesign.

About Kelley Blue Book (www.kbb.com)

Since 1926, Kelley Blue Book, The Trusted Resource®, 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, www.kbb.com, provides the most up-to-date pricing and values, including the New Car Blue Book® Value, which reveals what people actually are paying for new cars. The company also reports vehicle pricing and values via products and services, including software products and the famous Blue Book® Official Guide. According to the C.A. Walker Research Solutions, Inc. – 2009 Spring Automotive Web Site Usefulness Study, kbb.com is the most useful automotive information Web site among new and used vehicle shoppers, and half of online vehicle shoppers visit kbb.com. Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com also is a W3 Gold Award winner, sanctioned by the International Academy of Visual Arts. Kbb.com is a leading provider of new car prices, car reviews and news, used car Blue Book Values, auto classifieds and car dealer locations. No other medium reaches more in-market vehicle shoppers than kbb.com.

SOURCE Kelley Blue Book

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The Ram Heavy Duty features a road-tested, proven commercial-grade frame and suspension system with best-in-class frame steel strength. Advanced high-strength steel is also used on the truck’s one-piece C-channel rear frame rail for added strength and durability.

“Lightweight advanced and ultra high-strength steels offer automakers a cost-effective solution to meet market demands for safety, fuel economy and emissions standards,” said Ron Krupitzer, vice president of automotive applications for AISI’s Steel Market Development Institute. “Dodge’s use of high-strength steels in the new Ram Heavy Duty truck also demonstrates steel’s structural benefits and capacity for strength and stability. From the steel frame and suspension, right down to the steel wheels, the Dodge Ram is as tough as nails.”

Motor Trend’s Truck of the Year award began in 1979. Candidates for the Motor Trend Truck of the Year are evaluated based on design advancement, engineering excellence, intended function, efficiency, safety and value. In addition, eligible vehicles must have been substantially changed from the previous model.

To learn more about AISI’s Steel Market Development Institute (SMDI) and advanced and ultra high-strength steel, visit www.autosteel.org.

AISI serves as the voice of the North American steel industry in the public policy arena and through its business unit, SMDI, conducts research with its member companies in partnership with its customers to advance the use of steel in the marketplace.

The Automotive Applications Council is a part of AISI’s Steel Market Development Institute. The council focuses on advancing the use of steel in the highly competitive automotive market. For more news or information, visit www.autosteel.org.

Automotive Applications Council investors are:

• ArcelorMittal Dofasco
• ArcelorMittal USA
• Nucor Corporation
• Severstal North America
• United States Steel Corporation

SOURCE American Iron and Steel Institute

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• Ford Fiesta Reservations has more than 1,000 reservations placed since launching just six days ago, showing demand for Ford’s newest small car

• Consumers who reserve a new Ford Fiesta will receive SYNC® and Premium Sound package, a $595 value, at no charge once their vehicle is delivered

• Consumers can visit www.fordvehicles.com/2011fiesta or text “reserve” to 4Ford on a smartphone to build, price and reserve their Fiesta

• The new 2011 Ford Fiesta is projected to deliver best-in-class highway fuel economy of 40 mpg and will offer 15 class-exclusive technologies

The new Ford Fiesta is off to a very fast start – with more than 1,000 reservations in less than a week on a new Web site that allows consumers to build, price and reserve the new car.

“The Fiesta Movement created an unparalleled awareness and interest for the Fiesta months ahead of it going on sale next summer,” said Lew Echlin, car marketing communications manager. “Fiesta Reservations provides these prospective customers a customized experience for researching, reserving and following their Fiesta.”

The Fiesta Movement helped generate momentum for Fiesta and resulted in more than 80,000 hand-raisers leading up to the car’s reveal at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The Fiesta Reservations program will hold the interest of potential customers, and give them a VIP experience in conjunction with Ford dealers.

Through the program, consumers who reserve a new Fiesta will receive prioritized order handling with automatic build updates, their personal Fiesta Reservations consultant, and SYNC® and Premium Sound package, worth $595, at no charge once their vehicle is delivered. With a vehicle purchase, participants will be able to share their vehicle information through social media sites like Facebook.

Fiesta reservations have come from 47 states, with customers from California, Florida, Texas, New York and Illinois leading the way in reservations. The program also will provide Ford with a better understanding of mix rates as well as accessory interest, as this is the first time prospective customers can build and price their Ford accessories.

Customized service at your fingertips

Fiesta Reservations consultants will be available 12 hours a day to interact with participants and provide a personalized experience. Adding to the level of customer convenience, dedicated Fiesta Reservations consultants with multilingual capabilities are available.

Other personalized activities by the consultant include updating a customer’s reservation per his or her desire, introducing the customer to a “Fiesta specialist” at a local dealership and answering any customer questions.

Interested consumers can access Fiesta Reservations by visiting www.fordvehicles.com/2011fiesta or by texting “reserve” to 4Ford on a smartphone.

About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company ( F), a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 200,000 employees and about 90 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford, Lincoln, Mercury and Volvo. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford’s products, please visit www.ford.com.

SOURCE Ford Motor Company

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