Hyundai Named Leader in Fuel-Efficiency and CO2 Emissions in America

Hyundai Named Leader in Fuel-Efficiency and CO2 Emissions in America In a government-issued report today, Hyundai Motor America was named number one in fuel economy and CO2 emissions in America by topping the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) fuel economy rankings for the 2010 model year, beating out traditional leaders Honda and Toyota. No make scored higher than Hyundai. This is the second time Hyundai has led in both categories, having achieved this distinction previously for the 2008 model year. http://www.zongoo.com/article10075.html <center><script type="text/javascript"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script></center> The EPA 2011 Light-Duty Automotive Technology and Fuel Economy Trends Report identified Hyundai as the top 2010 brand with an adjusted(1) fuel economy rating of 27.0 miles per gallon. In addition to being named the most fuel efficient brand, Hyundai also had the lowest fleet-wide adjusted composite CO2 emissions performance (329 g/mi) for the 2010 model year. The EPA 2011 Trends Report also indicates that preliminary 2011 model year values suggest that Hyundai will maintain its fuel economy leadership. Forecasts show that Hyundai will achieve an adjusted fuel economy rating of 27.5 miles per gallon in the 2011 model year. With a strong offering of fuel efficient models, including Elantra, Sonata Hybrid, Accent and Veloster M/T all achieving estimated 40 mpg highway fuel economy ratings, Hyundai continues to set the industry bar in fuel efficiency. In 2011, Hyundai achieved a corporate average fuel economy level of 36.1 mpg and sold 214,132 40 mpg vehicles, representing one-third of total sales. "The 2011 EPA data demonstrates Hyundai's commitment to fuel economy leadership and validates the effectiveness of our Blue Drive strategy," said John Krafcik, Hyundai Motor America president and CEO. "We are committed to developing a suite of smart fuel-efficient strategies – from hybrids to new solutions in high-technology gasoline vehicles. Gas prices are expected to hit record highs this summer and consumers are looking for ways to cut back on fuel costs with cars that offer improved fuel economy. Through innovations such as light-weight steel, direct injection technology, turbocharging and advanced transmissions we are able to improve the efficiency and performance of all our vehicles, allowing us to achieve best-in-class fuel economy and emissions levels for the Hyundai brand." Environmental Protection Agency Fuel Economy Report MY 2009-2011 Manufacturer Fuel Economy and CO2 Emissions (Adjusted Composite Values) Manufacturer MY2009 MPG MY2009 CO2 (g/mi) MY2010 MPG MY2010 CO2 (g/mi) MY2011 MPG MY2011 CO2 (g/mi) Hyundai 25.1 355 27.0 329 27.5 323 Kia 24.2 367 27.0 330 27.2 327 Toyota 25.4 349 25.4 350 25.1 354 Honda 24.6 361 24.9 357 25.7 345 VW 23.8 379 25.0 363 25.2 360 Mazda 23.2 383 24.4 364 25.0 355 Subaru 22.6 393 23.4 379 23.9 371 Nissan 23.6 377 23.1 384 24.2 368 BMW 21.9 407 22.1 404 23.0 389 GM 20.6 432 21.3 418 20.6 431 Ford 20.3 437 20.4 435 21.3 417 Chrysler 19.2 464 19.5 455 19.7 451 Daimler 19.5 457 18.9 471 20.0 447 All 22.4 397 22.6 394 22.8 391 *From EPA Light-Duty Automotive Technology, Carbon Dioxide Emissions and Fuel Economy Trends Report (Highlight #4, page vii) http://www.epa.gov/otaq/cert/mpg/fetrends/2012/420r12001.pdf **Adjusted CO2 emissions and fuel economy values are shown for the 13 highest-selling manufacturers, which accounted for 99 percent of the market in MY 2010, in order from lowest to highest CO2 emissions for MY 2010. ***MY2010 data is final, while projections for the MY2011 are uncertain and EPA will not have final data for the 2011 model year until next year's report. Hyundai's Fuel Economy Commitment In 2010, Hyundai announced plans to maintain its fuel economy leadership and achieve a corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) rating of at least 50 miles per gallon (mpg) by 2025 for its lineup of passenger cars and light duty trucks. Current National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) regulations require automakers to achieve a CAFE rating of 35.5 mpg by 2016. Before those rules were enacted in 2009, Hyundai had already announced its own plan to reach 35 mpg by 2015. Hyundai's plan to achieve an average of at least 50 mpg or better encompasses a full line of products, from small cars to larger family haulers. It leverages Hyundai's global Blue Drive strategy, aligning R&D resources at its engineering centers in California, Michigan, Korea, India and Germany to develop more fuel-efficient vehicle technologies. Fuel-Efficient Solutions Hyundai is currently the only manufacturer with four models achieving 40 mpg ratings on the highway – Accent, M/T Veloster, Sonata Hybrid and the recently named North American Car of the Year, 2011 Elantra. Powered by an all-new 1.8-liter Nu four-cylinder engine weighing 74 pounds less than the previous generation and an all-new six-speed transmission, Elantra achieves a 29 mpg city and 40 mpg highway fuel economy rating - a highway-only driving range of up to 500 miles. Thanks to advanced clean engine technology, most Elantras sold in California, Oregon and several Northeast states are certified as Partial Zero Emission Vehicles (PZEV) by the EPA. The PZEV Elantra is as clean as many hybrid electric vehicles. The PZEV Elantra helps Hyundai meet its environmental commitments. Outside of these "green" states, the Elantra is available as an Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV). In 2010, Hyundai launched its first gas-electric full hybrid, the Sonata Hybrid. The Sonata Hybrid features Hyundai's proprietary parallel hybrid drive system which pairs the already fuel efficient 2.4-liter Theta II engine to a six-speed automatic transmission and a 30kW electric motor for maximum fuel economy. In addition, Sonata Hybrid uses the industry's first lithium polymer battery, leapfrogging in-market nickel-metal hydride and lithium-ion applications. HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Costa Mesa, Calif., is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Co. of Korea. Hyundai vehicles are distributed throughout the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced through more than 800 dealerships nationwide. All Hyundai vehicles sold in the U.S. are covered by the Hyundai Assurance program, which includes the 5-year/60,000-mile fully transferable new vehicle warranty, Hyundai's 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, and five years of complimentary Roadside Assistance. For more details on Hyundai Assurance, please visit www.HyundaiAssurance.com Journalists are invited to visit our news media website: www.hyundainews.com (1) Fuel economy label values based on EPA's 5-cycle test methodology (which represent city, highway, high speed/high acceleration, high temperature/air conditioning, and cold temperature driving) that was first implemented in MY 2008. SOURCE Hyundai Motor America Visteon Agrees to Sell its Automotive Lighting Business to Varroc Group Visteon Corporation (NYSE: VC) today announced that it has agreed to sell its automotive lighting business to Varroc Group, a global provider of automotive parts, for $92 million in cash. The transaction, which is subject to regulatory reviews and other conditions, is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2012. http://www.zongoo.com/article10074.html <center><script type="text/javascript"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script></center> The business to be sold encompasses a wide range of exterior lighting products supplied to global vehicle manufacturers, including front and rear lighting systems, auxiliary lamps and key subcomponents such as projectors and electronic modules. With 2011 revenue of $531 million, the business to be sold has operations in Europe, North America and Asia. "This transaction allows Visteon to focus on our core climate and electronics businesses and our joint venture relationships, which are positioned for profitable growth and market leadership," said Donald J. Stebbins, Visteon chairman, chief executive officer and president. "We are pleased to be selling our lighting business, with its many competitive strengths, to a successful and growing company with 26 manufacturing plants and three engineering centers, where we think it will be an excellent strategic fit. "Both Visteon and Varroc are committed to completing the transaction as quickly and efficiently as possible, and ensuring a smooth transition for our customers, our suppliers and the employees involved," Stebbins added. Visteon operations that would transfer to Varroc include manufacturing and engineering facilities in Novy Jicin and Rychvald, Czech Republic; Monterrey, Mexico; and Pune, India. The companies intend for the sale to include Visteon's equity interest in a China-based lighting joint venture, Visteon TYC Corporation. Certain other lighting employees and assets would transfer as well. In total, about 4,200 manufacturing, engineering and administrative employees are part of the lighting business that is involved in the transaction. Tarang Jain, managing director, Varroc Group, said, "Visteon's lighting business is a successful operation with strong products, technology and customer relationships. Upon completing this transaction, we look forward to working with the customers and talented associates of this business to focus on growing what will be a very important part of our global business in the future." About Visteon Visteon is a leading global automotive supplier that designs, engineers and manufactures innovative climate, electronic, interior and lighting products for vehicle manufacturers. With corporate offices in Van Buren Township, Mich. (U.S.); Shanghai, China; and Chelmsford, UK; the company has facilities in 27 countries and employs approximately 26,000 people. Learn more at www.visteon.com. About Varroc Varroc Group, based in Aurangabad, India, supplies components for two-, three- and four-wheel passenger and commercial vehicles, offering full capabilities in design, development and manufacturing. The company's capabilities include polymer, electrical and electronics, and metallic products. Varroc has approximately 5,000 employees at 20 manufacturing plants in India, five in Europe and one in Southeast Asia. For more information, go to www.varrocgroup.com. SOURCE Visteon Corporation The SCOOTER Store Employee Considered for 2012 Fleet Manager of the Year By Automotive Fleet Magazine The SCOOTER Store, the nation's leading provider of power mobility solutions, announced that Rachael Smith, Fleet Manager, Corporate Operations department has been selected by Automotive Fleet Magazine as one of 16 nominees being considered for the AF Professional Fleet Manager of the Year Award. http://www.zongoo.com/article10073.html <center><script type="text/javascript"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script></center>"Our local stores across the country depend on a fleet of vehicles to deliver home care products and services in the homes of our nation's senior and disabled population," said Mark Leita, Vice President of External Relations and Government Affairs for The SCOOTER Store. "We are pleased that the hard work of Rachael Smith is being recognized for the positive business impact that she has made through effective management of our fleet," added Leita. The SCOOTER Store fleet managed by Smith includes over 500 vehicles and traveled over 22 million miles last year. The SCOOTER Store has been recognized by Runzheimer International in their Total Employee Benchmarking forum for best practices in vehicle management during 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2010. Instituted in 1985, the AF Professional Fleet Manager of the Year Award is sponsored by Automotive Fleet magazine, Wheels Inc., and the Automotive Fleet and Leasing Association (AFLA). The award was created to recognize each year an experienced and proficient fleet manager who has demonstrated special business acumen in developing and executing key management policies in all areas. Qualified nominees who are full-time commercial fleet managers, control a company-owned or leased fleet in excess of 100 cars and light trucks combined, and are recognized nationally among their peers for their unique abilities and accomplishments are eligible. Nominations for the award are submitted online by the industry. The nominees are then narrowed down to three (possibly four) finalists, and the winner will be announced at the NAFA Fleet Management Association Institute & Expo in St. Louis in April, and profiled in AF's June issue. About The SCOOTER Store: Since 1991, The SCOOTER Store has helped provide freedom and independence to more people with limited mobility than any other company in the nation. The company offers power mobility solutions, including power wheelchairs, scooters, lifts, ramps, and accessories, in 48 states. The company also provides Home Care products and services in some locations. Using these solutions provides today's seniors an alternative to living in nursing homes or other care facilities. The company's goal is to create an opportunity for every senior or disabled American to live their entire life safely and confidently at home. The SCOOTER Store was recently recognized by FORTUNE magazine in its prestigious "100 Best Places to Work for in America" for the second time. The company is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Health Care. For more information, visit www.thescooterstore.com. SOURCE The SCOOTER Store Lexus, Infiniti and Acura Dealerships Top Ranked for Response to Customer Intern Lexus, Infiniti and Acura dealerships ranked highest in the 2012 Pied Piper Prospect Satisfaction IndexÂ® (PSIÂ®) Internet Lead Effectiveness(â„¢) (ILEâ„¢) Benchmarking Study, which measured auto dealership responsiveness to customer inquiries received over the internet. Study rankings by brand were determined by the patent-pending Pied Piper PSI process, which ties "mystery shopping" measurement and scoring to actual industry sales success. http://www.zongoo.com/article10072.html <center><script type="text/javascript"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script></center>Industry-wide performance improved substantially from 2011 to 2012, with two-thirds of the 34 auto brands recording higher scores, but despite the higher scores there remains plenty of room for improvement. In 2011, dealerships on average responded to customer inquiries within 24 hours 64% of the time, improving to 78% of the time on average in 2012. However, the 2012 results suggest that nearly one-in-four of today's customer internet inquiries remain unanswered after 24 hours. Ford Motor Company and Chrysler Group LLC brands showed the most improvement from the previous year, with Ford, Lincoln, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram dealerships improving the most, along with Kia dealerships. Performance varied considerably from brand to brand, and also from year to year. For example, Mercedes-Benz dealerships climbed to the top of the category of telephone follow-up, with salespeople attempting to follow-up by telephone 74% of the time, compared to the industry average 55% of the time. Another example shows that Infiniti, Volvo and Mini dealerships answered specific customer questions more than 50% of the time, compared to the industry average of 27% of the time. Today most auto dealerships rely on "Auto Responder" software to generate an automatic email reply to customer inquiries based upon information gleaned from the customer inquiry. The study showed that 72% of customer inquiries were initially answered using an auto responder, while the first response was a personal email 18% of the time, and there was no dealership reply of any kind 10% of the time. The study measured 37 different combinations of dealership replies relying on automated and/or personal responses. The most common dealership reply, occurring 16% of the time, was a simple auto response promising that a salesperson would be in touch soon, followed by a personal email from a salesperson. Dealerships that follow this "simple" process on average achieved a PSI-ILE score of 66; higher than any current brand average score. Other effective dealership processes included both a "rich" auto response promoting the dealership and specific vehicles, as well as a personal response to answer questions and encourage next steps. In contrast, dealerships that sent only a single auto response averaged a PSI-ILE score of only 26, while dealerships relying solely on one personal email averaged a PSI-ILE score of 59. "Simply responding to all customer internet inquiries is the first step," said Fran O'Hagan, President and CEO of Pied Piper Management Company LLC. "Include an auto response to promote the dealership and add a salesperson's personal touch, and today a dealership will outperform three out of four competitors." The 2012 Pied Piper PSIÂ® Internet Lead Effectivenessâ„¢(ILEâ„¢) Benchmarking Study (U.S.A.) was conducted between September 2011 and March 2012 by submitting internet inquiries to a sample of 4,331 dealerships nationwide representing all major brands. Examples of other recent Pied Piper PSI studies are the 2011 Pied Piper PSI U.S. Auto Industry Study and 2011 Pied Piper PSI U.S. Motorcycle Industry Study, both of which measured in-dealership, in-person sales effectiveness. Complete Pied Piper PSI industry study results are provided to vehicle manufacturers and national dealer groups. Manufacturers, national dealer groups and individual dealerships also order PSI evaluations as a tool to improve the sales effectiveness of their dealerships. For more information about the Pied Piper Prospect Satisfaction Index, and the patent-pending PSI process, go to www.piedpiperpsi.com. About Pied Piper Management Company, LLC Pied Piper Management Company, LLC is a nine year old Monterey, California, company that develops and runs sales and marketing programs to maximize the performance of dealer networks. Go to www.piedpipermc.com. This press release is provided for editorial use only, and information contained in this release may not be used for advertising or otherwise promoting brands mentioned in this release without specific, written permission from Pied Piper Management Co., LLC. SOURCE Pied Piper Management Company, LLC AMP Electric Vehicles Qualify for Federal Tax Credit The timing of AMP's qualifying for the Federal Plug-in Electric Drive Motor Vehicle Credit of $7,500, which applies to retail and fleet buyers, couldn't be better," said Jim Taylor, AMP CEO. "Given the recent increase in gas prices and the low operating cost of an EV, more buyers are turning their attention to EV alternatives." http://www.zongoo.com/article10071.html <center><script type="text/javascript"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script></center>Many states offer additional sales tax exemptions and zero emission tax credits of up to $5,000 that can also be applied to the purchase. AMP is taking reservations for their all-electric vehicles at http://ampelectricvehicles.com/reserve "After the tax credit, an AMP EV buyer can drive an all-electric SUV for as little as $49,900, a very competitive price for an EV," said Dana Hackney, owner of AMP of Cincinnati dealership. "When our buyers compare AMP's SUVs to other smaller EV offerings they will be very impressed." AMP recently received numerous great reviews following the Detroit Auto Show press events, including Consumer Reports, citing that electric power isn't just for "little city cars:". About AMP Holding Inc. AMP (OTCBB and OTCQB: AMPD) has introduced a unique electrification technology that has generated an extreme amount of interest from around the world. AMP is strategically targeting their electrification at the OEM SUV and Commercial Medium Duty Vehicle markets. AMP customer sales will be from both the consumer and fleet markets. The Company was founded in 2007 by entrepreneurs who have created several hi-tech companies and is currently comprised of top automotive industry veterans and business executives. For more information visit http://www.ampelectricvehicles.com. SOURCE AMP Electric Vehicles CGA Partners with 3M and NASCAR Driver Greg Biffle to Promote 811 'Call Before You Dig' Phone Number at Bristol on March 18 Common Ground Alliance (CGA) today announced it has partnered for a third consecutive year with 3M and Greg Biffle, driver of the 3M No. 16 car in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, to promote the national 811 "Call Before You Dig" phone number at the March 18 Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway. http://www.zongoo.com/article10070.html <center><script type="text/javascript"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script></center>CGA is the member-driven association dedicated to protecting underground utilities and the people who dig near them. 3M is one of the 1,400 members that comprise CGA. Biffle, well-known in the racing community for being a "hands on" type of guy who does projects around his house that involve digging, will promote 811 on the hood, deck lid and rear bumper of his No. 16 3M car during the March 18 race at Bristol. The Food City 500 will air live at 12:30 p.m. EDT/9:30 a.m. PDT on Fox. Unintentionally striking a line can result in inconvenient outages for entire neighborhoods, harm to yourself or your neighbors, and incur repair costs. Installing a mailbox, building a deck and planting a tree or garden are all examples of digging projects that should only begin a few days after making a free call to 811. Biffle's reinforcement of the safe digging message is especially timely as the first day of spring approaches - the time of year when most digging projects begin in earnest. An underground utility line is damaged by digging once every three minutes nationwide, and one-third of these incidents are caused because no phone call was made to 811, according to CGA data. When homeowners and professional excavators call 811 they are connected to a local one-call notification center that will take their information and communicate it to the appropriate local utility companies. A professional locator will then visit the dig site to mark the approximate location of all underground utility lines with flags or paint. Once a site has been accurately marked, it is safe to begin digging around the marked areas. According to data collected by CGA, damage occurs less than 1 percent of the time when a one-call center is notified before digging begins. "I always call 811 before my digging projects, and I strongly encourage everyone to make the call to 811 to know what's below," said Biffle. "Safety is key for me - and not just on race days. Calling 811 is one more way to keep yourself and those around you safe." 3M, an international leader in utility and utility locating products, as well as utility damage prevention, was instrumental in securing a third year of collaboration with Greg Biffle, which will benefit all CGA stakeholders by raising awareness of the 811 phone number. "3M is a proud advocate of 811, and we were extremely pleased to partner with Greg Biffle again this year to highlight the importance of calling before digging," said Paul Acito, Vice President, Infrastructure Protection Division at 3M. "With spring and National Safe Digging Month right around the corner in April, now couldn't be a better time to remind communities about the 811 campaign." "CGA is very thankful to have 3M as an ally in protecting underground utilities and the communities they serve," said Bob Kipp, Common Ground Alliance President. "Through 3M's support, the 811 campaign has reminded millions of Americans to call before they dig." Shortly after Biffle races the 3M No. 16 car featuring the 811 message, CGA members across the country will initiate campaigns highlighting 811 in celebration of National Safe Digging Month. About CGA CGA is a member-driven association of nearly 1,400 individuals, organizations and sponsors in every facet of the underground utility industry. Established in 2000, CGA is committed to saving lives and preventing damage to American underground infrastructure by promoting effective damage prevention practices. CGA has established itself as the leading organization in an effort to reduce damages to underground facilities in North America through shared responsibility among all stakeholders. For more information, visit CGA on the web at www.commongroundalliance.com. About 3M A recognized leader in research and development, 3M produces thousands of innovative products for dozens of diverse markets. 3M's core strength is applying its more than 40 distinct technology platforms - often in combination - to a wide array of customer needs. With $23 billion in sales, 3M employs 75,000 people worldwide and has operations in more than 65 countries. For more information, visit www.3M.com. 3M is a trademark of 3M Company. NASCAR is a registered trademark of the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, Inc. Roush Fenway Racing trademarks and Greg Biffle's name and/or likeness used by Authority of Roush Fenway Racing, LLC. Media Contact: Khrysanne Kerr 330-792-9942 kerr@commongroundalliance.com Sirius XM Radio and Asbury Automotive Group to Give Customers 3-Month SiriusXM Subscription on Pre-Owned Vehicles with Factory-Installed Satellite Radios Sirius XM Radio (NASDAQ: SIRI) and Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. (NYSE: ABG), one of the largest automotive retail and service companies in the U.S., will provide Asbury customers a 3-month SiriusXM subscription when they purchase a pre-owned vehicle with factory-installed satellite radio from participating Asbury dealerships. http://www.zongoo.com/article10069.html <center><script type="text/javascript"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script></center>"We are pleased to be teaming up with Asbury to give their customers the opportunity to experience the fantastic variety of entertainment offered by SiriusXM," said Joe Verbrugge, Senior Vice President, Automotive Remarketing Division, SiriusXM. "We continue to expand SiriusXM's pre-owned vehicle programs â€“ now with over 4,000 participating dealers across the country â€“ and look forward to working with Asbury's 79 dealerships to further enhance the pre-owned vehicle buying experience." "We are eager to have all our locations participating in the SiriusXM pre-owned vehicle program," said Ryun Pavlicek, Director of Retail Strategy, Asbury Automotive Group. "Enabling our customers to drive off our lots with 3 months of satellite radio is a value-added service we are excited to provide." Asbury customers purchasing pre-owned vehicles with factory-installed satellite radio will have access to commercial-free music, and premier sports, news, talk, entertainment plus traffic and weather information broadcast by SiriusXM. For more information on SiriusXM, please visit www.siriusxm.com. About Sirius XM Radio Sirius XM Radio is America's satellite radio company. SiriusXM broadcasts more than 135 satellite radio channels of commercial-free music, and premier sports, news, talk, entertainment, traffic, weather, and data services to over 21 million subscribers. SiriusXM offers an array of content from many of the biggest names in entertainment, as well as from professional sports leagues, major colleges, and national news and talk providers. SiriusXM programming is available on more than 800 devices, including pre-installed and after-market radios in cars, trucks, boats and aircraft, smartphones and mobile devices, and consumer electronics products for homes and offices. SiriusXM programming is also available at siriusxm.com, and on Apple, BlackBerry and Android-powered mobile devices. SiriusXM has arrangements with every major automaker and its radio products are available for sale at shop.siriusxm.com as well as retail locations nationwide. Follow SiriusXM on Twitter or like the SiriusXM page on Facebook. About Asbury Automotive Group Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. ("Asbury"), headquartered in Duluth, Georgia, a suburb of Atlanta, is one of the largest automobile retailers in the U.S. Built through a combination of organic growth and a series of strategic acquisitions, Asbury currently operates 79 retail auto stores, encompassing 99 franchises for the sale and servicing of 30 different brands of American, European and Asian automobiles. Asbury offers customers an extensive range of automotive products and services, including new and used vehicle sales and related financing and insurance, vehicle maintenance and repair services, replacement parts and service contracts. O-SIRI Media contact for SiriusXM: Sal Resendez 646 313 2405 sal.resendez@siriusxm.com SOURCE Sirius XM Radio Amerigon Climate Control SeatÂ® (CCSÂ®) System Selected as Option for 2013 Ford Flex Amerigon Incorporated (NASDAQ-GS: ARGN), a global developer and marketer of innovative thermal management technologies, announced today that its proprietary Climate Control SeatÂ® (CCSÂ®) system has been selected for the 2013 Ford Flex, a full-size crossover vehicle. The heated and cooled seat system is included in the luxury seating package for the front seats of the Limited model. http://www.zongoo.com/article10068.html <center><script type="text/javascript"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script></center>Amerigon President and Chief Executive Officer Daniel R. Coker said, "We are pleased to have our heated and cooled seat system included as part of the upgraded interior options in the 2013 Ford Flex, a popular crossover vehicle. Our longstanding relationship with Ford and its variety of superior vehicles has always been an important asset of Amerigon's." Other vehicles from Ford that offer CCS include the Ford Explorer, Ford Expedition, Ford Taurus, Ford F-150 Truck and Ford F-250 Truck. About CCS In the CCS system, which is built around Amerigon's highly-efficient, solid-state thermoelectric device, air is forced through the heat pump and thermally conditioned in response to electronic switch input from the seat occupant. The conditioned air circulates by a specially designed fan through ducts in the seat cushion and seat back, resulting in a surface that can be heated or cooled. Each seat has individual electronic controls to adjust the level of heating or cooling. CCS substantially improves comfort compared with conventional air conditioners by focusing the cooling directly on the passenger through the seat, rather than waiting until ambient air cools the seat surface behind the passenger. Amerigon is the largest supplier of TE systems for cars, with more than 6.5 million thermoelectric-based seat systems sold. About Amerigon Amerigon (NASDAQ-GS: ARGN) is a global developer and marketer of innovative thermal management technologies for a broad range of heating and cooling and temperature control applications. Automotive products based on Amerigon technologies include actively heated and cooled seat systems and cup holders, heated and ventilated seat systems, heated seat and steering wheel systems, cable systems and other electronic devices. Its advanced technology team is developing more efficient materials for thermoelectrics and systems for waste heat recovery and electrical power generation for the automotive market that also have far-reaching applications for consumer products as well as industrial and technology markets. Amerigon has $500 million in annual revenues and 5,000 employees in facilities in the U.S., Germany, Mexico, China, Canada, Japan, England, Korea and the Ukraine. For more information, go to www.amerigon.com. Â Contact: Allen & Caron Inc Jill Bertotti (investors) jill@allencaron.com Len Hall (media) len@allencaron.com (949) 474-4300 SOURCE Amerigon Incorporated </body> Acura TSX Wagon Campaign Gets Extra Mileage with Rhapsody's Field Trip! Campaign Rhapsody and Acura teamed up to put the number-one premium subscription music service's South by Southwest editorial coverage (http://www.rhapsody.com/blog/acura) into overdrive. The innovative video campaign, "From Silver Lake to Austin" centered around a rock 'n roll road trip and delivered millions of ad impressions, with viewers spending more than five minutes engaging with the Acura brand. http://www.zongoo.com/article10067.html <center><script type="text/javascript"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script></center> The "From Silver Lake to Austin Field Trip" campaign took Rhapsody editors in an Acura TSX from Silver Lake to the 2011 South by Southwest music festival, where they interviewed bands and visited legendary rock 'n roll locales. The series starts in LA, where Rhapsody visits with Smashing Pumpkins in Silver Lake, and ends with G. Love and others in Austin, with stops in-between, including the hotel room in Joshua Tree where Gram Parsons spent his final moments, Las Vegas with Panic! at the Disco and aboard a sky tram in New Mexico with BrokeNCYDE. All videos from the campaign can be viewed at: http://www.rhapsody.com/blog/acura. Original editorial content has been a cornerstone of the Rhapsody experience. For the past decade, Rhapsody has employed a diverse staff of renowned music journalists who guide Rhapsody members through its 14-million song catalog spanning nearly 600 genres with features, videos and playlists, including sponsored content. "We work closely with our editors and advertisers to create sponsored content that amplifies the advertiser's brand while upholding the editorial integrity Rhapsody has built," said Gina Perino, director, advertising sales and operations, Rhapsody. "As a result, brands benefit from being tightly integrated into the content, and Rhapsody members get a richer editorial experience that is surrounded in music to make an even deeper emotional connection between our members and advertisers." Acura Roadtrip Campaign Snapshot Average Time Spent on Page: 5:13 20 percent of visitors to the program viewed a Field Trip segment to completion "The campaign with Rhapsody was compelling because it associated the stylish and sporty Acura TSX Sport Wagon with entertaining, music-centric content," said Mark Ortiz, national interactive marketing manager at Acura. "The Rhapsody program thoughtfully integrated the fun videos into the media rather than interrupting the music or video." With more than one million members, Rhapsody is the largest premium on-demand music service in the United States. The Rhapsody service is available on more than 70 consumer electronic devices, including all smartphone platforms; more than any service of its kind. Rhapsody subscribers also enjoy original editorial content from its staff of the most renowned music writers anywhere, including reviews, features, playlists and more than 200 programmed radio stations. About Rhapsody The RhapsodyÂ® digital music service (www . rhapsody . com) gives subscribers unlimited on-demand access to more than 14 million songs, whether they're listening on a PC, laptop, Internet connected home stereo or TV, MP3 player or mobile phone. Rhapsody allows subscribers to access their music through more touch-points than any other digital music service, including mobile phones from Verizon Wireless and MetroPCS, through Rhapsody applications on the Apple iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad, RIM BlackBerry and Android mobile platforms as well as through devices from Vizio, SanDisk, HP, Sonos and Philips. Rhapsody is headquartered in Seattle, with offices in Frankfurt, London, Luxemburg, York and San Francisco. Rhapsody, and the Rhapsody logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Rhapsody International Inc. Follow @Rhapsody on Twitter and keep up with the latest on the Rhapsody Facebook page. About Acura Acura offers a full line of technologically advanced performance luxury vehicles through a network of 272 dealers within the United States. The 2012 Acura lineup features six distinctive models including the RL luxury performance sedan, the TL performance luxury sedan, the TSX sports sedan and Sport Wagon, the turbocharged RDX crossover SUV, the MDX luxury SUV and the ZDX four-door sports coupe. Connect with Acura on Facebook, Acura.com and via @Acura_Insider on Twitter. CONTACT: Jaimee Minney, Rhapsody 206.707.8175 jminney@rhapsody.com SOURCE Rhapsody Drive Smart and Save Gas Money With no end in sight to rising gas prices, consumers who modify their driving habits and properly maintain their vehicles will get more miles per gallon. The Car Care Council recommends the following ways to drive smart and save gas money: http://www.zongoo.com/article10066.html <center><script type="text/javascript"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script></center> Observe the speed limit. Gas mileage decreases rapidly above 60 mph. Avoid excessive idling. Idling gets zero miles per gallon. Warming up the vehicle for one or two minutes is sufficient. Avoid quick starts and stops. Aggressive driving can lower gas mileage by 33 percent on the highway and 5 percent in the city. Consolidate trips. Several short trips taken from a cold start can use twice as much gas as one longer multi-purpose trip. Don't haul unneeded items in the trunk. An extra 100 pounds in the trunk reduces fuel economy by 1 to 2 percent. Check the gas cap. Damaged, loose or missing gas caps allow gas to vaporize into the air. Replace dirty or clogged air filters on older vehicles to improve gas mileage by as much as 14 percent. Replace dirty spark plugs, which can reduce mileage by two miles per gallon. Change oil regularly and gain another mile per gallon. Keep your car properly tuned to improve gas mileage by an average of 4 percent. Keep tires properly inflated and improve gas mileage by 3 percent. "Some motorists think they are saving money when they put off needed vehicle maintenance. What they don't realize is that neglecting routine maintenance can end up costing a lot more," said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. "Keeping your car running efficiently and adjusting your driving behavior are the best ways to improve your vehicle's fuel economy and keep more money in your pocket." The Car Care Council is the source of information for the "Be Car Care Aware" consumer education campaign promoting the benefits of regular vehicle care, maintenance and repair to consumers. </body>