Tokyo (dpa) – Toyota has revealed a production-ready version of the Toyota RAV4 EV electric-powered sports utility vehicle (SUV) that is scheduled for launch on the US market later this year.

Initially the electric SUV will be available only in California with the 1.8-ton vehicle powered by a 115 kilowatts/156 horsepower power package from Tesla.

The top speed is listed at 160 kilometres per hour (km/h) with acceleration from zero to 96 km/h at seven seconds. The range is around 160 kilometres. The lithium-ion batteries have a capacity of 41.8 kilowatts per hour and can be charged over six hours from a 240 volt electric socket.

Toyota lists the price at 49,800 dollars with plans to sell some 2,600 units of the RAV4 EV in the next three years.

Ingolstadt, Germany (dpa) – Audi is giving the R8 a facelift with a new front and an e-tron version to be unveiled at this year’s Paris Motor Show.

The front features new LED headlights and more dynamic lines and redesigned air intakes for the front skirt. The tail-lights come in narrow LED lighting, replacing the larger lights of the current model.

It is expected to be the last design makeover prior to the launch of the new generation of the sports car in 2015.

Technically the new model retains the 4.2 litre V8 and the 5.2-litre V10 but with more performance. The V8 has an output of 450 hp while the ten cylinder engine has been boosted to 560 hp, comparable to the limited edition GT version.

The Audi R8 E-Tron version comes with four electric motors with an output of 230 kW powered by 500-kilogram lithium ion batteries positioned behind the rear seats. The R8 E-Tron accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 4.8 seconds with the top speed electronically regulated at 200 km/h.

CYPRESS, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Hitachi Automotive Systems Americas, Inc., Los Angeles will launch the “Change and Innovate” marketing campaign at the Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX), held in Las Vegas, Nevada from Nov. 1 to 3 at BOOTH 238.

Hitachi’s booth will also showcase an expanded line of Electronic Throttle Bodies (ETB) in a branded product box. These lightweight ETB’s feature precise throttle opening and closing to optimally control airflow and engine mapping. They will help meet the growing demand for products that create more energy efficient vehicles.

The new campaign, with the tagline “Hello Change, Let’s Innovate,” highlights Hitachi’s expertise in the automotive aftermarket industry and ability to serve the customer’s evolving needs. Campaign elements include the launch of a branded Facebook page, Hitachi Automotive System’s first social media outreach to customers and retailers. Fans of the “Hitachi Auto Parts” page will have access to the latest company news, event photos, and product and application information.

“We are excited to launch the ‘Change and Innovate’ campaign at AAPEX to highlight our commitment to the aftermarket industry. For years Hitachi Automotive has been recognized universally as an Original Equipment Manufacturer. Today, our quality products are also available directly to the Aftermarket so we can service all customers with confidence,” said Fred Pakshir, General Manager of Hitachi Automotive Systems Americas, Inc. Los Angeles office.

The campaign look and feel is reflected in the trade show booth design and updated marketing materials, including the company website, brochure, product catalog and fliers. These campaign elements increase brand awareness amongst warehouse distributors and installers who are important stakeholders and partners for communicating the depth and breadth of Hitachi’s product range.

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Time to end Caravan age Discrimination

PR Newswire — August 23, 2011

CHESTER, England, August 23, 2011 /PRNewswire/ –

For caravan owners, there is often little cause for celebration when their trusty trailer reaches the landmark age of 21. Because while it may well be in perfect working order, and more than up to that road trip to Devon, insuring an older caravan can be a frustrating process.

Internet forums are littered with pleas for help from owners whose caravans have passed the typical cut-off age of 20 years. Julie Carter, of specialist broker Adrian Flux [http://www.adrianflux.co.uk ], says it is time to end this caravan age discrimination with the launch of a new policy.

“As long as the caravan has an identification number – and you can register no matter how old your van is – then age is not an issue for us,” she added.

“You’ll find that many online quote systems won’t even let you get past the first couple of questions if your caravan is more than 20 years old.

“But we’ve always prided ourselves on being able to obtain insurance for virtually any road-legal car or motorcycle, so why not provide cover for those caravan owners who are having a hard time elsewhere?”

She said identification could be an issue for insurers on caravans manufactured before 1992, when the Caravan Registration and Identification Scheme (CRiS) began but older caravans can be registered under the scheme.

“Identification is the main issue for insurers in terms of proof of ownership and recovery of the caravan if it is stolen,” added Julie.

“But there is no other reason not to insure the older vans.”

One of the biggest risks for caravan insurers is theft from driveways, with about 2,000 touring caravans stolen in the UK each year. Julie suggested six ways of protecting your investment and, in some cases, reducing premiums:

- Fit a tracking device – Install lockable posts at the end of your driveway – Fit a mule safety lock or a wheel clamp – Fit a good quality alarm – Buy a data tag kit – Install security lighting on your driveway

The new Adrian Flux policy, underwritten by Novae, provides contents cover on a new for old basis, includes weather damage to awnings, and provides up to five years’ no claims bonus.

Visit http://www.adrianflux.co.uk/caravans for classic car insurance [http://www.adrianflux.co.uk ] policies.

Subject Codes: PC/t.110823042627999, PR/dest.Public, PT/lang.en, RE/United_Kingdom, IN/AUT, IN/FIN, IN/INS, IN/TRN, IN/TRT, SU/SVY

At midday on Wednesday 16th September 2009 Reva Electric Car Company (REVA) will be unveiling two new M1 classified electric cars at the 63rd Frankfurt International Motor Show.

The REVA NXR is a four-seat, three-door hatchback family car suitable for urban driving that can be ordered at the show, with production scheduled to commence at the beginning of 2010.

The showcar, REVA’s model for 2011, is the REVA NXG; a sporty two-seater with a targa roof that was designed by Dilip Chhabria of the internationally renowned automotive design company DC Design.

Another world-first for REVA at The IAA is the launch of REVive, a technology unique to REVA that addresses ‘range anxiety’ and acts like an invisible reserve fuel tank. The customer just has to telephone or SMS REVA for an instant remote recharge should they run out of charge. Both the REVA NXR and the REVA NXG will feature the REVive telematics technology. Further technology and pricing announcements will be made at the IAA.

Press

The 2010 Ford Mustang – America’s favorite muscle car for 45 years straight – is ready to be customized. In fact, as one of the most customized cars ever, Ford is making it easier for pony car lovers to create the virtual Mustang of their dreams. With never-before-used digital technologies, Ford has created a customizer site within the car’s microsite at www.fordvehicles.com/the2010mustang. The site’s design is meant to reflect what the Ford Mustang is all about: a classic design and a hard attitude, coming together to create a revolutionary automobile.

One week after launch, almost 52,000 cars have been built with more than 16,000 of those saved into the site gallery. And more than 30 forums and blogs are sharing their own creations – all without a single dime put toward advertising.

The Mustang customizer site is not only fun, but it’s also simple to use. Choosing parts, changing colors, determining the intensity of your burnout cloud – all of these interactions are designed to be fluid and easy. There are 239 assets in the customizer, and visitors can even choose the decals and the environments for their Mustang. Accessories available include wheels, decklids, spoilers and grilles. Within minutes, 10 vastly different looks can be created and saved as desktop wallpaper.

There are countless customizer sites out there, but the 2010 Ford Mustang customizer sets itself apart, largely because it’s not designed to be a linear build and price experience, like most such sites are. Working with Wunderman/Team Detroit and Firstborn, Ford focused on bringing some fun back into dreaming up the ultimate Mustang.

Firstborn created a car customizer that would resonate with the target audience. A community customizer section is instrumental in doing just that. This multiuser mode lets four people work on the same Mustang in real time. Chat features create an even more social experience, and the gallery allows submitted Mustangs to be voted on by other users, with the winners displayed each week. Firstborn built the customizer section to facilitate multiple users in the same place, all customizing at the same time – thereby allowing users to watch others building their custom Mustang.

For those serious about making their custom car a reality, a downloadable PDF offers a detailed list of all the parts used to create that particular Mustang. The PDF is separated into three categories – Ford, aftermarket and concept accessories – and includes links to the applicable sites. The list of parts makes it easy to start a conversation with your local Ford dealer.

Via Press

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ATX Group, a leading provider of connected vehicle (telematics) services to global automobile manufacturers, announced today the launch this week of the new Toyota/Lexus Safety Connect program on select Model Year 2010 Toyota and Lexus models in the U.S. The program marks the introduction of location-based safety and security services to Toyota’s vehicle line and an enhanced suite of services for its premium Lexus line.

ATX will provide both Lexus and Toyota with GPS satellite, location-based Automatic Collision Notification (ACN), designated in-vehicle Emergency Assistance (SOS) button, Roadside Assistance and Stolen Vehicle Location service, each entailing a connection from Toyota and Lexus vehicles to ATX‘s specialized Response Center and between the ATX center and local 9-1-1 or emergency dispatch centers.

Toyota Safety Connect and Lexus Enform with Safety Connect will be delivered as embedded, factory-installed hardware with a complimentary one-year trial subscription included for new vehicle purchasers.

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Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. today unveiled Nissan LEAF, the world’s first affordable, zero-emission car. Designed specifically for a lithium-ion battery-powered chassis, Nissan LEAF is a medium-size hatchback that comfortably seats five adults and has a range of more than 160km (100 miles) to satisfy real-world consumer requirements.

Slated for launch in late 2010 in Japan, the United States, and Europe, Nissan LEAF ushers in a new era of mobility – the zero-emission era. The car is the embodiment of Nissan’s radical, transformative vision for the future and the culmination of decades of investment and research.

Key characteristics of the LEAF include:

1. Zero-emission power train and platform
2. Affordable pricing
3. Distinctive design
4. Real-world range autonomy – 160km (100 miles)
5. Connected Mobility: Advanced intelligent transportation (IT) system

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Images from Hybrid Cars

AskPatty.com, Inc. announced the launch of their all new version 3.0 Certified Female Friendly Interactive Training Center for automotive retailers to effectively deliver interactive online training on how to attract, sell, retain and increase loyalty with women.

Visit a demo of the AskPatty.com Certified Female Friendly virtual interactive training here: http://www.certifiedfemalefriendly.com

The new online training was developed to provide new and used car dealerships, tire dealers, collision centers, franchised and independent repair shops and service centers with the more cost effective solution to train the entire staff. The new platform provides an opportunity for automotive retailers to train a larger percentage of their staff which has proven to be an advantage for both sales and service.

“Our goal is to provide training for automotive retail locations that is beneficial to the entire staff to help women have a great experience with all aspects of the car buying and automotive ownership experience. By utilizing this web based platform we can deliver timely video training along with testing to provide the participants with the necessary tools to increase sales and customer satisfaction with women,” according to Jody DeVere, Founder and CEO of AskPatty.com.

Certified Female Friendly helps automotive organizations build, develop and maintain a high-performance workforce aimed at improving communication with women by offering online interactive training that transforms workforce performance management into an ongoing, dynamic process.

The new Certified Female Friendly online interactive training design and functionality are another industry first from AskPatty.com; the company, which initially developed the most comprehensive solution available to automotive retailers for engaging, selling and retaining women customers.

Automotive retailers can sign up to get Certified Female Friendly here

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