Automotive News - March 24, 2008 - (Page 32)

32 • MARCH 24, 2008 April 23-27 — Tallinn Motor Show, Rocca al Mare Exhibition Centre, Tallinn, Estonia, 372 682 8990, www.orangetime.ee/expo April 24-May 4 — Lisbon International Motor Show, Parque das Nacoes, Lisbon, Portugal, 351 21 303 53 00, www.acap.pt May 15-18 — Budapest International Motor Show, Budapest Fair Center, Budapest, Hungary, 36 1 263 6884, www.automobil.hungexpo.hu July 12-20 — Indonesia International Motor Show, Jakarta Convention Center, Jakarta, Indonesia, 62 21 315 7178, www.indonesianmotorshow.com AUTO SHOWS March 21-30 — New York International Auto Show, Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, New York, 800-282-3336, www.autoshowny.com March 26-30 — Denver Auto Show, Colorado Convention Center, Denver, 888-704-4199, www.denverautoshow.com March 27-30 — Dayton Auto Show, Dayton Convention Center, Dayton, Ohio, 877-704-8190, www.hartproductions.com March 28-April 6 — Bangkok International Auto Show, Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Centre, Bangkok, Thailand, 66 2 229 4310, www.bitec.net March 28-April 6 — Zagreb International Auto Show, Zagreb Fairground, Zagreb, Croatia, 385 1 6503 111, www.zv.hr/autoshow March 30-April 1 — Central Illinois Auto Show, Peoria Civic Center, Peoria, Ill., 309-693-9867, www.peoriaautoshow.com April 2-6 — Dallas Auto Show, Dallas Convention Center, Dallas, 214637-0531, www.dallasautoshow.com April 17-21 — Pittsburgh International Auto Show, David L. Lawrence Convention Center, Pittsburgh, 866-575-3040, www.pittautoshow.com April 19-27 — Atlanta JournalConstitution International Auto Show, Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta, 770-916-1741, www.ajcautoshow.com April 20-28 — Auto China 2008 (press days: April 20 and 21), New China International Exhibition Center, Beijing, www.autochina.auto-fairs.com GENERAL April 14 — Automotive News PACE Awards, Max M. Fisher Music Center, Detroit, 313-446-6039, www.autonews.com/pace April 14-17 — SAE World Congress, Society of Automotive Engineers, Cobo Center, Detroit, 724-776-4841, www.sae.org April 17-20 — Automotive News China Conference, China World Hotel, Beijing, 313-446-0420, www.autonews.com/anevents April 23 — REACH Symposium, Automotive Industry Action Group, Centerpoint Marriott, Pontiac, Mich., 248-358-3570, www.aiag.org April 30-May 2 — i2 Planet, Desert Ridge JW Marriott Resort and Spa, Phoenix, 1-877-475-2638, www.planet.i2.com May 6-8— CTI Symposium and Exhibition, “Automotive Transmissions North America,” Car Training Institute, Westin Southfield Detroit, Southfield, Mich., +49 (0)69 244 327-0, www.transmission-symposium.com May 14-16 — World Automotive Congress: Plastics-in-Motion, Corinthia Towers Hotel, Prague, Czech Republic, 734-737-0507, www.executive-conference.com May 19-20 — Automotive News Europe Congress, Lingotto Fiere, Turin, Italy, 313-446-0420, www.autonews.com/anevents May 28 — Automotive News Marketing Seminar, Westin Bonaventure Hotel and Suites, Los Angeles, 313-446-0420, www.autonews.com/anevents May 31-June 3 — SME Annual Meeting: A Passion for Manufacturing, Society of Manufacturing Engineers, Marriott Renaissance, Detroit, 313-271-1500, www.sme.org June 3-4 — Automotive CRM Summit, Ritz-Carlton, Marina del Ray, Calif., 415-553-4142, www.tlsummits.com June 24-28 — NIADA Convention and Expo, National Independent Automobile Dealers Association, Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center, Grapevine, Texas, 817-640-3838, www.niada.com June 25 — Auto Russia (conference), Astoria Hotel, St. Petersburg, Russia, +44 (0) 20 7368 9465, www.wbr.co.uk/autorussia Steep hills ahead Porsche executives say fuel economy and greenhouse gas rules threaten the character of their vehicles. Here are estimates of the challenges they face. An average Porsche — such as the 2008 Carrera coupe, pictured, with 3.6-liter engine and 5-speed automatic Has an EPA fuel economy rating for consumers of 20 mpg For government CAFE calculations, it gets credit for 25 mpg That’s short of the federal car standard of 27.5 mpg If regulators apply a 40 percent increase uniformly, its target could become 35 mpg If the European Union requires a 50 percent cut in Porsche’s CO2, the company’s target could become 50 mpg autonews.com For a complete listing of events, see our Web site. To see our online list of auto shows and other events or to add your event to the list, go to www.autonews.com/ calendar. E-mail calendar information, including Web site address, to: autonews@crain.com Or send it to: Deputy Managing Editor Automotive News 1155 Gratiot Ave. Detroit, MI 48207-2997 VW stake may help Porsche on fuel economy rules Harry Stoffer hstoffer@crain.com Reach In-Market Buyers NOTICE OF FAIR SOLICITATION Offered to Dealers/Advertising Associations for the FIRST TIME, the DriverSource™ program offers advertising in State DMV Registration Renewal Notices providing: Miami, FL Increased Showroom Trafﬁc and Sales High accuracy in targeting buyers Strong ROI Performance High Open Rate Segment/Category Exclusivity Currently the following DMAs are available: Boston, MA (State of Massachusetts Only) WASHINGTON — Porsche AG may get a fringe benefit from its move to acquire a majority stake in Volkswagen AG: a way to avoid far greater U.S. fuel economy fines without making big changes in its vehicle lineup. Last fall Porsche lost a bid in Congress to carve an exemption for itself from the tougher U.S. fuel economy standards that are scheduled to take effect between the 2011 and 2020 model years. But the maker of high-performance vehicles could achieve the same goal by merging its U.S. fuel economy data with VW’s in coming years, the experiences of other automakers show. Ford Motor Co. reports Mazda fuel economy data as its own, even though it has only a minority stake in the Japanese automaker. The former DaimlerChrysler AG included Mitsubishi data in its totals for a few years when it was part owner. than today. Some industry analysts have suggested that a merger of fuel economy data offered a compelling reason for Porsche to seek a controlling stake in VW. But Tony Fouladpour, a spokesman for Porsche Cars North America Inc., said that was not the company’s position. Porsche paid fines Fouladpour declined to speculate whether Porsche would merge fuel economy data with VW to help Porsche avoid fines. Like BMW and Mercedes-Benz, Porsche routinely has paid fines for not meeting standards under the corporate average fuel economy program, or CAFE. Its peak payout was about $5 million for the 2001 model year. David Geanacopoulos, vice president for public policy at Volkswagen Group of America Inc., said the merging of fuel economy data “is something to be studied and discussed.” No conclusions have been reached, he said. “We are focused on our own compliance strategy,” Geanacopoulos told Automotive News. But a NHTSA spokesman, while declining to talk specifically about Porsche and VW, said some tie-ups require automakers to report their fuel economy jointly. Meanwhile, Porsche executives in Europe told Automobilwoche, a sister publication of Automotive News, that pending European limits on carbon dioxide emissions will be impossible for Porsche to meet without “abandoning its market identity.” Herbert Ampferer, Porsche’s manager for energy and the environment, said Porsche cannot offset its obligations with help from Volkswagen because VW has “enough to do” to meet its own goals. c Modest benefits now At the moment, Porsche would benefit only modestly. VW’s light trucks, like Porsche’s, do not meet current standards, according to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. VW’s car fleet averaged 28.6 mpg in 2007, ahead of the 27.5-mpg U.S. standard. VW executives say they intend to expand their U.S. offerings with more small, fuel-efficient vehicles. It’s unclear whether sales of such cars will grow fast enough to beat the rising standards and provide a bigger cushion for thirstier Porsches. Under the new fuel economy standards, cars and trucks together must average 35 mpg by 2020, 40 percent more New York, NY (State of New York Only) Buffalo, NY Albany/Schenectady/Troy, NY Miami, FL ® New York, NY A Pitney Bowes Company For information on advertising Contact DriverSource by April ™ 4, 2008 Boston, MA 1-866-456-7860 DriverSourceSales@pb.com @ Note: Due to Category and Segment Exclusivity not all Segments and DMAs may be available. Imagitas may cancel any part of this solicitation at any time if Imagitas considers such action is in Imagitas’ and/or its partners’ best interest. http://www.executive-conference.com http://www.orangetime.ee/expo http://www.autonews.com/anevents http://www.acap.pt http://www.autoshowny.com http://www.autonews.com/anevents http://www.automobil.hungexpo.hu http://www.denverautoshow.com http://www.hartproductions.com http://www.indonesianmotorshow.com http://www.sme.org http://www.tlsummits.com http://www.bitec.net http://www.autonews.com/pace http://www.zv.hr/autoshow http://www.sae.org http://www.niada.com http://www.peoriaautoshow.com http://www.autonews.com/anevents http://www.wbr.co.uk/autorussia http://www.dallasautoshow.com http://autonews.com http://www.aiag.org http://www.pittautoshow.com http://www.planet.i2.com http://www.autonews.com/ http://www.ajcautoshow.com http://www.transmission-symposium.com http://www.autochina.auto-fairs.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Automotive News - March 24, 2008

Ford lists 6 to succeed Mulally GM pushes luxury superstores Industry straps in for rough ride Bob Irvin is a worthy addition to Hall of Fame Debate at Scion: How to grow Ford moves executives in Asia to new jobs CEO of lanelogic: We're still here Kia's N.Y. duo Chrysler's exec trio: Reports of friction mostly fiction Where others see gloom, Honda chief sees boom in U.S. Fukui: Nickel battery is best bet for hybrid Beijing conference explores key issues in China market Planworks keeps its role as buyer for GM ads Lincoln: MKS will make up for brand's slow start in '08 Deal's no big deal: Styling top reason to buy GM Penske's Smart start: He'd like 15,000 more Dodge's pitch for Challenger: A halo that you can afford Chrysler plans 'We listen' ads You go, Bob With zest, activist Ditlow remains on lemon patrol Autos did the job after 9/11; don't bet on that now Chinese cars? Dealer beware Solar power is the only answer Where will we get power for the Volt? Want higher CAFE? First, do this In N. California, hybrids are hot Detroit 3 can learn from the Marlboro Man The Prius is a phenomenon Wait 3 years, then judge Ford How many Jeeps will India buy? Lithia looks into improper sales reports at dealerships AutoNation's lead shrinks as largest U.S. dealer group Honda ad agency creates unit to build Acura brand Study: Consistent theme in auto ads builds viewer recall Big-truck sales continue slide in Feb. -- off 27.1% MazdaSpeed revs up racing accessory sales Calif. company eyes electric charging stations for Volt, Vue Indictment: Bribe scheme cost GM $83.3 million The greening of Toyota dealerships 6 more finalists in race for PACE recognition Tenneco expands Japanese work, seeks more Bosch buys diagnostic equipment firm in China JV will design vehicle platforms Citation moves headquarters NxtGen tests emissions system VW stake may help Porsche on fuel economy rules Chrysler's Project Genesis wins over Ore. dealer Germany, new EU members send up European sales Saturn will choose store system soon VW thinks modular for flexibility at auto plants Automakers eager as axles turn high-tech Talking drivetrains with American Axle Dollar halts U.S. retail sales of Audi Q7 hybrid Hyundai: Genesis Coupe offers more go for dough Maxima's target: Luxury Euro makes Pontiac adds 3 sporty variants Outsider Elmer Johnson shook up GM Importer Yanase was Hall of Fame member Obituaries Redesigned TSX has many Acura firsts Dealers Certified sales up 7.5% in Feb.; Audi leads the way eBay's new Web site has new look, more features Big pickups and SUVs lead plunge in used-vehicle prices Ex-Reynolds CEO O'Neill joins J.D. Power Auto Hall of Fame will induct 8 Liberatore looks beyond Daimler Molina gets the top job at GMAC F&I pioneer Pat Ryan to retire from Aon Study: Hydrogen research worth the cost Gulf States trial halted As yuan rises, so do prices of Chinese parts Personnel exec Laymon: Ford still seeking outside talent GE gives supplier credit Dana CEO wants Asian growth Tesla launches production Todt steps down as Ferrari CEO Union pursues Toyota effort Chrysler offers spiffs for military Land Rover ads focus on heritage Mark Rechtin Fresh heir: To turn green, must BMW create brand? GM ponders mini-muscle Camaro New Ford ads coming in April With a spiffier image, Lincoln would rock abroad Rival says Nardelli's OK Ford hails its cab, but mpg is an issue

Automotive News - March 24, 2008

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