NASA Spec Z will offer a comprehensive contingency prize program that will reward both Regional and National Championship competitors. Nissan Motorsports will provide significant support for the series, and their contingency prize program provides cash rewards up to $850 for the top three finishers at each regional competition weekend. Additionally, Nissan Motorsports will provide $6,500 in cash support to the top Spec Z finishers at the 2012 NASA Championships.

We are very excited about Spec Z,” said Jeremy Croiset, NASA Sponsorship Manager. “We have been working closely with Nissan Motorsports on the creation of Spec Z, and it will be an excellent series for anyone looking to step into a spec vehicle that’s fast and relatively inexpensive to build, maintain and race. With the fantastic contingency prize programs that are being provided for Spec Z, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a more rewarding spec series to race in.

Ron Stukenberg, Senior Manager, Motorsports Marketing Communications, Nissan North America agrees, and adds, “NASA has a proven track record of growing classes from the ground up, so we are excited to be working with NASA on the new Spec Z series. We have a number of competitors already expressing interest in the series, so the potential for this series is very strong indeed.

Source: http://www.nissannews.com/pressrelease/3235//nissan-partners-national-auto-sport-association-create-new

The Veloster achieves the maximum 5-star ANCAP safety rating. Complete with a comprehensive suite of active safety technologies, Veloster comes standard with Vehicle Stability Management (VSM), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Traction Control System (TCS), Anti-skid Braking Systemn (ABS) with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) & Brake Assist System (BAS). Hill-start Assist Control (HAC) is standard on DCT models.

The Veloster’s commanding exterior is echoed with a powerful and poised interior environment. Inside, the centre stack fascia and controls resemble a sport bike fuel tank with air vents inspired by motorcycle tailpipes and a floor console mirroring the seat of a bike. The interior is finished with modern metallic-look accents around the centre console, door handles, air vents and gear stick.

The Hyundai Veloster will be available in two trim levels (Veloster and Veloster +) and powered by an efficient 1.6-litre four-cylinder GDI petrol engine, generating 103kW. The Veloster is available with the option of a six-speed manual gearbox or Hyundai’s first double clutch transmission both achieving an estimated combined fuel economy of just 6.4 litres per 100km.

Source: http://www.hyundai.com.au/About-Hyundai/news/Articles/Introducing-the-All-new-Hyundai-Veloster-Cool-Coupe-or-Smart-Hatch

As per the previously announced forecast, the quarterly dividend for the fiscal third quarter will be 15 yen per share of common stock with the record date of December 31, 2011. Despite the negative impact of the Great East Japan Earthquake, the flooding in Thailand, and the appreciation of the Japanese yen, the total annual dividend per share of common stock to be paid for this fiscal year (ending March 31, 2012) is also expected to remain 60 yen as per the previously announced forecast.

With companywide efforts to minimize the negative impacts of the decline in worldwide automobile production because of the Great East Japan Earthquake and the flooding in Thailand, and the historic appreciation of the Japanese yen, Honda made a revision to the forecasts for the consolidated financial results for this fiscal year as follows with:

Net sales and other operating revenue: 7,850 billion yen
Operating income: 200 billion yen
Income before income taxes: 250 billion yen
Net income*1: 215 billion yen

These forecasts are based on the assumption of worldwide automobile sales of 3.15 million units and the average currency exchange rates of 77 yen = USD 1 and 97 yen = Euro 1 for the fiscal fourth quarter and 78 yen = USD 1 and 106 yen = Euro1 for the fiscal year.

Source: http://world.honda.com/news/2012/c120131Financial-Summary/index.html

IRVINE, Calif

The MX-5 Miata is the world’s best-selling two-seat roadster with more than 900,000 produced, and made its global debut at the Chicago Auto Show in 1989. The MX-5 Special Edition continues the sports car’s history of being a dynamically-engineered, enthusiast-approved roadster whose price doesn’t discriminate and whose luxuries are not stripped.

Available with either the six-speed manual transmission with short-throw shifter or six-speed Sport automatic transmission with steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters, the Special Edition model is based off the Grand Touring model. Both Premium and Suspension packages will be standard on the MX-5 Special Edition.

Turbo2 – Unveiled at the SEMA Show held in Las Vegas this past November, this concept is the brainchild of The Autobarn, which owns two Mazda dealerships in the Greater Chicago area. Here, a “Zoom-Zoom Concentrated” Mazda2 is outfitted with an extra-strength component in the form of a MAZDASPEED3 MZR 2.3-liter Direct Injection Spark Ignition (DISI) turbo engine. Consider the Turbo2 a subcompact cat that doesn’t purr – it growls.

Star Mazda Championship Open-Wheel Race Car – The Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear is a major part of the Mazda Road to Indy. Rising motorsports stars from around the world compete for prizes valued at $1.5 million, including a scholarship to move up and compete in the 2013 Firestone Indy Lights series.

Source: http://www.mazdausamedia.com/content/2012-mazda-mx-5-miata-special-edition-makes-north-american-debut-chicago

The introduction of the second generation in 2006 ushered in a new era for this economical coach. Since then, exactly 5,000 of these best-selling vehicles have been delivered. The milestone vehicle, a Tourismo M, formally left the Mannheim plant on 2 February 2012. At a press conference held to mark the event, Roman Biondi, brand spokesman for Mercedes-Benz buses and coaches at EvoBus GmbH, presented the symbolic key to the Keller family.

This vehicle makes it clear why the Tourismo design is so successful”, said Roman Biondi at the presentation. “It gains top marks with its attractive price-performance ratio without looking like an anonymous mass-produced vehicle. Thanks to the wide range of equipment options available, it remains genuinely individual and full of character.

The Tourismo owes its success to a consistent focus on producing a particularly economical and safe coach. Its contemporary styling, typical of the brand, and especially the Mercedes-Benz quality is appreciated by customers such as Hauser-Reisen. For Hauser, the Tourismo fully reflects the typical Mercedes-Benz brand values.

We can fit out the Tourismo to suit our individual requirements and operating needs. Whether it’s as an all-round coach for excursions and short trips or as a luxuriously equipped 5-star coach for demanding long-distance travel, our Tourismo is always professionally and smartly turned out. Drivers, tour guides and passengers are all of the same opinion”, said Hans Keller, touching on Hauser’s own concept for the interior equipment of its Tourismo fleet.

Source: http://media.daimler.com/dcmedia/0-921-657300-1-1458918-1-0-0-0-0-0-11700-0-0-1-0-0-0-0-0.html

Stuttgart / Istanbul, Turkey

IETT is dedicated to providing reliable and environ-mentally friendly passenger transport in the metropolis, Istanbul. IETT, which was established in 1871, operates light rail systems, subways, regular-service buses, and utilizes the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) mobility concept.

Hartmut Schick, Head of Daimler Buses, underscores the importance of the three-figured order for the Daimler subsidiary in Turkey, “This latest major order is further testimony to Daimler Buses’ dynamic growth in Turkey and thereby contributes to the strengthening of our global presence.” Schick also reiterates Daimler Buses’ claim to leadership, “Every day, we are working diligently to expand our leadership position in the bus sector, and we are delighted by what we have achieved to date.

At the ceremony for the signing of the contract by Wolf-Dieter Kurz, President and CEO of Mercedes-Benz Türk, and Hayri Baracli, Managing Director of IETT, the long-standing Daimler customer commented about the follow-up order, “With a tradition of more than 140 years, IETT is generating new momentum for the creation of a modern Istanbul. We are investing in an updated fleet consisting primarily of Mercedes-Benz city buses for public passenger transport in Istanbul.

This way, we are making a significant contribution to comfortable transportation in Istanbul.” IETT operates Mercedes-Benz Conecto city buses for regular service operations. For the urban mobility concept Bus Rapid Transit, IETT uses the high-capacity articulated bus Mercedes-Benz CapaCity. By utilizing lanes separate from private transport, BRT is noticeably assisting the relief of city traffic.

Source: http://media.daimler.com/dcmedia/0-921-657290-1-1459116-1-0-0-0-0-0-11700-0-0-1-0-0-0-0-0.html

Stuttgart/Sindelfingen

With the introduction of the new urban delivery vehicle, Mercedes-Benz is adding another production series to its family of vans. The Citan is supplementing the Vario (6.0 to 8.2 tons), Sprinter (3.0 to 5.0 tons), and Vito (2.77 to 3.2 tons) to broaden the range of products in the lower weight classes of the van market, where it will significantly boost sales.

Whereas the small vans segment was still a niche market in the mid-1990s, it has now grown to around 700,000 units in Europe. Mercedes-Benz Vans plans to gain a market share of four to five percent in this segment. Volker Mornhinweg, Head of Mercedes-Benz Vans, is convinced that the Citan will be a big success.

We will take advantage of the trend toward city vans, which our brand will be able to exploit thanks to its attractively priced vehicles and the high quality of our products and services,” says Mornhinweg. “Our typical Mercedes-Benz reliability, 24/7 service, and, last but not least, our great brand image are key selling points as far as our commercial customers are concerned.

Due to its large number of variants, the new urban delivery van with the star is suited for a broad range of commercial applications. Not only will the Citan be offered as a panel van, a crewbus, and a mixed-use vehicle; it will also be available in a variety of lengths and weights.

Source: http://media.daimler.com/dcmedia/0-921-1459149-1-1459160-1-0-0-0-0-0-11700-0-0-1-0-0-0-0-0.html

DETROIT, Mich

The 2013 LX 570 gets a new look at both the front and rear. New LED daytime running lights complement new headlamp design and new larger fog lamp bezels. Taillamps are also updated, while the rear license plate surround gets a revised look and the tow hitch cover is more integrated. Both front and rear bumpers are refreshed, and the rear bumper protector is enhanced by a chrome accent.

The spacious, eight-passenger cabin of the LX 570 receives a number of upgrades and changes. The driver’s seat gets a new Easy Access system, which makes entering and exiting the vehicle easier. The steering wheel and driver’s seat automatically retract when the ignition is turned off. Front seats also feature improved cooling, and a 120-volt power outlet has been added to the middle row.

The LX 570’s 5.7-litre V8 delivers the punch and towing power demanded in this segment. The powerplant produces 383 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and peak torque of 403 lb.-ft at 3,600 rpm. Crucial to LX customers who tow with their vehicles, 90 percent of peak torque is available at just 2,200 rpm.

The LX 570 is equipped with an electronically-controlled six-speed automatic transmission that estimates road conditions and predicts the driver’s intention in order to select the appropriate gear ratio for the vehicle’s speed and the driving conditions. A sequential shift mode allows the driver to select gears manually. Even at very low speeds, such as trail driving, the transmission operates smoothly and imperceptibly.

Source: http://www.lexus.ca/lexus/experience/en/home/whatsnew/whatsnew_news.jsp#2013-LX-Unveiled

Stuttgart/Lienz

Its journeys have taken BS Transport’s Atego over mountain passes at an altitude of 1800 metres above sea level and along narrow and very steep country roads into the valleys. The company uses the Atego 917 on two daily shifts, five days a week, to deliver goods and parcels for the Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB). Two shifts means 16 hours of driving on high mountain and pass roads and rough gravel tracks to reach sometimes remote communities, covering distances of up to 600 kilometres a day.

The never less than perfectly functioning OM 904 LA engine, with charge air cooling, 4.2-litre displacement and an output of 125 kW (170 hp), has proved its worth over the years. “To this day, it has never suffered an engine failure or needed any major repairs at all”, company proprietor Hannes Bundschuh tells us, while his wife Christa, who as managing director looks after the company’s finances, confirms this. She is extremely satisfied with the low lifecycle costs of the Atego.

Over the course of his not inconsiderable experience with many different makes of vehicle, Hannes Bundschuh, who himself trained as a motor vehicle technician at the authorised Mercedes-Benz workshop of Dipl.-Ing. Hans Teissl & Sohn in Lienz, has developed a firm preference for the Atego. He and his brother have been running their freight forwarding company for 25 years now. In his expert opinion: “I can’t imagine using any other truck than the Atego for this sort of work. For a comparatively small forwarding agent like us, with just 11 vehicles in total, a vehicle breakdown involving major engine damage could decide over the company’s continuing existence.

Source: http://media.daimler.com/dcmedia/0-921-614343-1-1459097-1-0-0-0-0-0-11700-0-0-1-0-0-0-0-0.html

The Company along with its vendors has invested over Rs. 230 Crores towards this full model change for the new Swift DZire, This is over and above the Rs 550 Crores invested towards new Swift launched earlier in this fiscal.

At the launch, Shinzo Nakanishi, Managing Director and CEO, Maruti Suzuki India said, “This second new model in our portfolio within six months, demonstrates our faith and confidence in the Indian market. It is also an indicator of our ability to offer new models regularly in shorter time spans. Our engineers have brought in interesting modifications including an Automatic Transmission in the new Swift DZire to meet the aspirations of a young city family”.

Swift DZire is a category leader with over 39 per cent market share in the entry sedan segment. Clocking monthly sales of around 10,000 units, the company expects the new Swift DZire with the full model change to strengthen the entry sedan portfolio and sell much larger numbers. 32 young Maruti Suzuki engineers have smartly integrated over 150 changes on the new Swift DZire.

The front fascia now sports a uniquely designed bumper and grill, carries Suzuki’s characteristic U-Line theme, powerful fog lamps, and character lines on bonnet. Other modifications on the exteriors include ORVM mounted turn signal indicators, characteristic vertical lamps, motion theme alloy wheels and a wrap around cabin wind screen. The rear looks sportier with rear positioned antenna, integrated spoiler and trapezoidal tail lamps. The strong shoulder line and U-line theme is carried from the front for visual continuity.

Source: http://www.marutisuzuki.com/Maruti-Suzuki-unveils-the-new-Swift-DZire.aspx

Mazda3 sales of 9,200 vehicles accounted for a 83.4 percent increase over last year and its best-ever January. The new 2012 Mazda3 features Mazda’s innovative SKYACTIV-G engine and SKYACTIV-Drive automatic transmission that achieves up to 40 MPG on the highway, and is a “2012 Top Safety Pick” by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Mazda CX-7 and CX-9 crossover SUV sales were up 32.6 percent and 1.6 percent respectively with 3,125 CX-7 and 2,087 CX-9 vehicles sold. This marks the best-ever January for both vehciles.

Rounding out January sales for the North American market, Mazda Motor de Mexico (MMdM) reported its best-ever January, with sales of 2,579 vehicles, accounting for a 14.0 percent increase versus last year. Mazda Canada, Inc. (MCI) sold 3,727 vehicles in January, up 1.0 percent compared to last January.

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: http://www.mazdausamedia.com/content/mazda-opens-2012-record-sales

The Toyota Division was up 9 percent, thanks in part to a 56 percent jump in the all-new Camry.Frankly, the Camry results could have been even better.Not only is Camry retaining owners at record levels, the Camry SE is bringing in new and younger buyers at levels we have not previously experienced, with a median age of 45. As a result, demand for the SE model continues to top the Camry lineup and we could have sold more in January if we had them.

So we’re adjusting our SE production mix in order to better meet customer demand in the months ahead, going from about 8 percent for the previous generation Carmy, to more than 40 percent for the current production mix.And even though the new Camry hybrid didn’t start arriving at dealerships until late last year, January sales of more than 2,100 were up 146 percent.Those of you who have driven the Camry Hybrid know it’s a special car.And I’m sure being named best family sedan by Consumer Reports has provided an added boost.

We expect Camry Hybrid volume will continue to grow as availability improves, with a target this year of about 50,000 units. Prius also had a good month, with sales up 8.7 percent. Prius will add a new family member in March, when the new Prius c goes on sale. I’ve been attending the Prius c launch meetings the past couple of days and the response has been very positive.Value will be a big story, with prices starting under $19,000.

That’s about $4,000 less than the current Prius Liftback, and less than the original Prius when it went on sales 12 years ago.On the truck side, the Tacoma has been on a roll since it was updated last fall, and helped push total Toyota pickup truck sales up 9 percent in January.

Source: http://pressroom.toyota.com/releases/january+2012+sales+conference+call.htm