Everett, WA  (Profitable.com)  Boeing (NYSE: BA) soon will begin a six-month Dream Tour with its all-new 787 Dreamliner. Customers and partners around the world will experience the revolutionary technology and passenger innovation offered on the first new airplane of the 21st century.

“The 787 Dreamliner is a game-changing airplane and we’re delighted to be able to bring this innovative product to our customers who will soon be receiving their own 787s,” said Ray Conner, vice president of Sales for Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “This airplane is now changing the way the world flies, and we want to share that excitement with as many people as we can.”

The December schedule for the 787 Dream Tour includes six stops in Asia, Africa and the Middle East:

Dec. 4-11: China with stops in Beijing, Guangzhou and Haikou to visit customers, partners, and government officials including representatives from Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), Air China, China Southern, Hainan Airlines, Aviation Industries of China (AVIC) and Chengdu Aircraft Industrial Co. (CAC).

Dec. 11-16: Africa with stops in Addis Ababba, Ethiopia and Nairobi, Kenya to visit Ethiopian Airlines and Kenya Airways.

Dec. 16-19: Middle East stop in Doha to visit Qatar Airways.

Specific dates for the subsequent segments of the tour will be announced about one month prior to the events. Additional tour stops are being planned for January through April 2012 and will be detailed in future announcements.

Many of the stops will include opportunities for local media to tour the airplane and talk with Boeing executives and pilots.

Aviation enthusiasts can follow the progress of the 787 tour at www.newairplane.com. Videos, photos and reports from the tour stops as well as an inside look at the airplane, will be featured beginning with the first stop next week.

Dream Tour Airplane

The Dream Tour airplane, ZA003, has been retrofitted with special interior features designed to highlight the unique cabin features and performance capabilities of the Dreamliner. The flight test equipment on board ZA003, the third 787 to be built, has been removed and a stunning new interior has been installed. The airplane also has received a refreshed Boeing livery.

“Our flight test airplane has turned into a show piece,” said Scott Fancher, vice president and general manager of the 787 program. “Anyone who has seen the inside of a flight test airplane will be amazed at the transformation. All of the 787 passenger features are here.”

Visitors will be greeted by the spacious signature 787 entryway sky light and gathering area. The LED lighting, standard on all 787s, will be demonstrated throughout the tour airplane. Visitors will experience the dynamic affect of this new technology to make meal time more enjoyable, sooth passengers during restful periods and gently wake them following a long flight.

Visitors also will find a luxurious business-class cabin with a dozen lay-flat seats, an overhead crew rest compartment and an economy class section. A large open space between the two economy class sections allows Boeing to spotlight the features of the 787 with displays and demonstrations. The exterior of the airplane has been repainted in the standard Boeing livery.

Contact:
Lori Gunter
787 Communications
+1 206-931-5919

Paris  (Profitable.com)  Gameloft, a leading publisher of digital and social games, has announced a lineup of 12 pre-loaded games for iPads available to the Australian air carrier Jetstar passengers as part of their new in-flight entertainment program. 5 titles will be available from December onwards : Real Football, Shrek Kart, Avatar, UNO™ and N.O.V.A.: Near Orbit Vanguard Alliance.

The remaining 7 titles, GT Racing: MotorAcademy, Brain Challenge, Blokus, Ironman 2, Let’s Golf 2, The Settlers and Asphalt 5will follow in the first quarter of 2012.

“Gameloft’s philosophy is to make video games accessible to the widest audience possible byconstantly seeking new avenues to reach and interact with consumers,” said Michel Guillemot, President and Founder of Gameloft. ”As Jetstar uses some of the most innovative technology available to enhance its customers in-flight experience, we look forward to partnering with them to offer one of the mostimmersive gaming experience to ever appear onboardan aircraft.”

“Jetstar is proud to be the first airline in the world to entertain its customers with cutting-edge iPad technology revolutionizing the in-flight entertainment experience for its customers.” added Bruce Buchanan, Jetstar Group Chief Executive Officer.

As the new in-flight entertainment program is rolled out over the coming weeks on selected Jetstar flights, including Australian domestic, trans Tasman and short-haul international flights between Australia and New Zealand, passengers will have the option to rent iPads when flying longer than 2 hours for A$10 to A$15 per flight.

For more information, please visit our company website at http://www.gameloft.com.

About Gameloft

A leading global publisher of digital and social games, Gameloft® has established itself as one of the top innovators in its field since 2000. Gameloft creates games for all digital platforms, including mobile phones, smartphones and tablets (including Apple® iOS and Android® devices), set top box, connected TVs and consoles. Gameloft partners with leading international brands such as UNO®, Spider-Man®, James Cameron’s Avatar™, Ferrari® and Sonic Unleashed®. Gameloft also operates its own established franchises, such as Real Football, Asphalt™, Modern Combat 2: Black Pegasus and N.O.V.A Near Orbit Vanguard Alliance®. Gameloft is present in all continents, distributes its games in 100 countries and employs over 4,500 developers.

Gameloft is listed on the Paris Stock Exchange (ISIN: FR0000079600, Bloomberg: GFT FP, Reuters: GLFT.PA).

Press Contact:

Jessica W. Lewinstein
+1-415-265-5725
Jessica.Lewinstein@gameloft.com

Houston, TX  (Profitable.com)  Shell Lubricants announced the recent arrival of its first shipment of gas-to-liquid (GTL) base oil at the Port of Houston. The high-quality product, the first from the Qatar-based Pearl GTL plant to reach the Americas, will be stored at a hub in Houston and routed to Shell Lubricants’ GTL-enabled blending facilities throughout the United States.

Shell Lubricants will use Pearl GTL base oil, a high-quality Group III base oil, in the manufacture of its premium motor oils.  Group III base oils are the foundation for formulating next-generation oils that address needs for improved energy efficiency, longer equipment life and reduced maintenance costs.

“The arrival of the first shipment of GTL base oil to the Americas is an extremely exciting event for Shell Lubricants and our customers,” said Lisa Davis, president, Shell Commercial Fuels and Lubricants, Americas.  ”This new base oil is another clear example of Shell Lubricants’ commitment to using technology and innovation to meet the growing demand for premium motor oils and to sustain our position as the world’s leading marketer of finished lubricants.”

Pearl GTL, a partnership between Royal Dutch Shell (“Shell”) and Qatar Petroleum, has built the world’s largest gas-to-liquids plant in Ras Laffan Industrial City, Qatar. The plant uses natural gas from Qatar’s North Field to manufacture high-quality base oils and other GTL products. Once the Pearl GTL plant is operating at full capacity, it will be one of the world’s largest sources of lubricant base oils with the capacity to produce about 30,000 barrels per day, enough to fill 225 million cars per year. Shell will be the only oil major capable of meeting all of its Group III base oil needs from internal sources.

Compared to typical base oils, which are refined from crude oil, GTL base oils represent an alternative starting point for the manufacture of finished lubricants. Within the range of commercially available base oils, Group III oils have high viscosity index, low volatility and good low-temperature fluidity and are often used to make synthetic motor oils. Shell GTL base oil usage will be an essentially invisible change to Shell Lubricants’ existing premium formulations, although in some cases lubricants using GTL base oil may appear lighter in color.

About Pearl GTL

Pearl GTL is a partnership between Qatar Petroleum and Royal Dutch Shell launched in July 2006.  Pearl comprises two offshore platforms, 60 km off the Qatar coast connected by pipeline to the largest gas-to-liquids (GTL) plant ever built.  Shell operates the Pearl GTL plant, which was developed under a Development and Production Sharing Agreement with the Government of the State of Qatar.  The plant was brought into production in May 2011 and converts the gas and oxygen to GTL wax. In the last step of the process, the waxes are cracked and distilled into finished GTL products.

To read more about Pearl GTL, please click here.

About Shell Lubricants

The term ‘Shell Lubricants’ collectively refers to the companies of Royal Dutch Shell plc that are engaged in the lubricants business. Shell Lubricants companies lead the lubricants industry, supplying more than 13% of global lubricants volume.(a) The companies manufacture and blend products for use in consumer, heavy industrial and commercial transport applications. The Shell Lubricants portfolio of top-quality brands includes Pennzoil®, Quaker State®, FormulaShell®, Shell TELLUS®, Shell RIMULA®, Shell ROTELLA® T, Shell SPIRAX® and Jiffy Lube®.

(a) Kline & Company, “Global Lubricants Industry 2010: Market Analysis and Assessment.”

Cautionary Note:

The companies in which Royal Dutch Shell plc directly and indirectly owns investments are separate entities. In this press release “Shell”, “Shell group” and “Royal Dutch Shell” are sometimes used for convenience where references are made toRoyal Dutch Shell plc and its subsidiaries in general. Likewise, the words “we”, “us” and “our” are also used to refer to subsidiaries in general or to those who work for them. These expressions are also used where no useful purpose is served by identifying the particular company or companies. ”Subsidiaries”, “Shell subsidiaries” and “Shell companies” as used in this press release refer to companies in which Royal Dutch Shell either directly or indirectly has control, by having either a majority of the voting rights or the right to exercise a controlling influence. The companies in which Shell has significant influence but not control are referred to as “associated companies” or “associates” and companies in which Shell has joint control are referred to as “jointly controlled entities”. In this press release, associates and jointly controlled entities are also referred to as “equity-accounted investments”. The term “Shell interest” is used for convenience to indicate the direct and/or indirect (for example, through our 34% shareholding in Woodside Petroleum Ltd.) ownership interest held by Shell in a venture, partnership or company, after exclusion of all third-party interest.

This press release contains forward-looking statements concerning the financial condition, results of operations and businesses of Royal Dutch Shell. All statements other than statements of historical fact are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements of future expectations that are based on management’s current expectations and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in these statements. Forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements concerning the potential exposure of Royal Dutch Shell to market risks and statements expressing management’s expectations, beliefs, estimates, forecasts, projections and assumptions. These forward-looking statements are identified by their use of terms and phrases such as ”anticipate”, ”believe”, ”could”, ”estimate”, ”expect”, ”intend”, ”may”, ”plan”, ”objectives”, ”outlook”, ”probably”, ”project”, ”will”, ”seek”, ”target”, ”risks”, ”goals”, ”should” and similar terms and phrases. There are a number of factors that could affect the future operations of Royal Dutch Shell and could cause those results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements included in this press release, including (without limitation): (a) price fluctuations in crude oil and natural gas; (b) changes in demand for the Group’s products; (c) currency fluctuations; (d) drilling and production results; (e) reserve estimates; (f) loss of market share and industry competition; (g) environmental and physical risks; (h) risks associated with the identification of suitable potential acquisition properties and targets, and successful negotiation and completion of such transactions; (i) the risk of doing business in developing countries and countries subject to international sanctions; (j) legislative, fiscal and regulatory developments including potential litigation and regulatory effects arising from recategorisation of reserves; (k) economic and financial market conditions in various countries and regions; (l) political risks, including the risks of expropriation and renegotiation of the terms of contracts with governmental entities, delays or advancements in the approval of projects and delays in the reimbursement for shared costs; and (m) changes in trading conditions. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained or referred to in this section. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Additional factors that may affect future results are contained in Royal Dutch Shell’s 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2008 (available at www.shell.com/investor and www.sec.gov).  These factors also should be considered by the reader.  Each forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of this press release, November 23, 2011. Neither Royal Dutch Shell nor any of its subsidiaries undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or other information. In light of these risks, results could differ materially from those stated, implied or inferred from the forward-looking statements contained in this press release.

The United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) permits oil and gas companies, in their filings with the SEC, to disclose only proved reserves that a company has demonstrated by actual production or conclusive formation tests to be economically and legally producible under existing economic and operating conditions.  We use certain terms in this press release that SEC’s guidelines strictly prohibit us from including in filings with the SEC.  U.S. Investors are urged to consider closely the disclosure in our Form 20-F, File No 1-32575, available on the SEC website www.sec.gov. You can also obtain these forms from the SEC by calling 1-800-SEC-0330.

Clinton, MO   (Profitable.com)  The Champion rebate offer, available at http://www.championsusechampion.com, will begin on November 25th thru March 15th and will be an immediate value to those who are planning “Black Friday”, Small Business Saturday or “Cyber Monday” promotions.

Rules state that the offer is only good in U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico, except where prohibited, licensed, restricted, or taxed. Offer is limited to two rebates per household. Original receipt to an end-user (non-wholesale) with verifiable merchant contact information displayed will only be accepted.

Champion Racing Motor Oils products contain Champion’s proprietary TVS® (Thermal Viscosity Stabilizer), special lubricity modifiers, and a premium level of anti-wear additives which includes a high quantity of ZDDP. These additives are proven to meet the lubrication demands of competition engines, create a tough film strength, which controls wear and provides more horsepower and torque in Dynamometer testing.

Champion Racing Motor Oils are suitable for use in all competition and race engines especially those using flat tappet and/or roller cams operating at high RPM’s and requiring high-pressure (stiff) valve springs. These new racing oils are offered in a popular range of multi-viscosity SAE grades and formulated to meet the demands of most of today’s high performance race engines.

Champion Brands Blue Flame® Performance Diesel Motor Oils are formulated with workhorse performance additives, superior protection, advanced polymer technology, and high TBN, supported by a carrier blend of synthetic and conventional base fluids. In addition, Champion Brands Blue Flame® Diesel Motor Oil delivers unmatched high temperature film strength and lubricity protection, has the muscle to combat oil shear, maximizes and sustains cylinder compression, and is proven to increase engine horse power and torque.

Champion Brands, LLC

Champion Brands, LLC, is a globally recognized industry leader in specialty lubricants for over 55 years. Champion Brands, LLC also produces and blends over 300 products including fuel, oil, engine additives, and lubricants for the automotive, heavy truck, agricultural, industrial, and specialty markets. For more information about the Champion Rebate Offer contact your nearest Champion distributor, or call Champion at 800-821-5693 or 660-885-8151. Champion Brands, LLC; 1001 Golden Drive, Clinton, MO, or go to http://ChampionsUseChampion.com.

Dubai, UAE  (Profitable.com)  NAVTEQ, the leading global provider of maps, traffic and location data enabling navigation, location-based services and mobile advertising around the world, has been selected by Ford Motor Company to be their exclusive map supplier for the Sync MyFord Touch.  The agreement positions NAVTEQ as the map data provider for the SYNC with MyFord Touch SD-card based navigation system in North America, South America, Middle East, Russia and Europe.  NAVTEQ® maps powers more than 24 million in-vehicle navigation systems worldwide.

MyFord Touch featuring NAVTEQ map data is scheduled to launch on multiple 2013 Ford and Lincoln vehicles in North Americaearly next year with expanded features such as NAVTEQ Voice, Speed Limit information, Enhanced Junction View Content, 3D Landmarks, and NAVTEQ Traffic Patterns™.  The North American launch will be followed by the systems launch in South America, Europe, Russia and the Middle East. The available navigation system will also be equipped with some of NAVTEQ’s state of the art content specific to each respective region.

The NAVTEQ map is collected and built using a comprehensive step-by-step process. At every stage, there is a central focus on creating accurate and precise data.  NAVTEQ’s primary goal throughout the collection process is to capture data as it exists in the real world.  Equipped with specialized tools, NAVTEQ’s Digital Mapping Operations team collects and verifies street geometry and up to 260 attributes such as one-way streets, turning lanes, speed limits and information pertaining to points-of-interest.

“NAVTEQ’s comprehensive automotive grade quality and the consistency of our global specification enables consumers to get the best route through their MyFord Touch navigation system” said Jeff Mize, Senior Vice President, Sales & Business Development, NAVTEQ.  “Providing superior location data combined with exceptional support is an invaluable competitive advantage we provide to our customers.”

In order to maintain map data of the highest automotive quality grade, NAVTEQ’s mission is to keep up with changes in the real world.  NAVTEQ has proven that driving the roads is a key differentiator that provides the highest quality database.  NAVTEQ’s geographic analysts drive millions of miles annually in order to capture and validate the road network and location-based content as it exists in the real world.  Operating from 200 offices in 54 countries throughout the world, NAVTEQ’s team of geographic analysts has the local knowledge needed to provide superior accuracy of our maps. Because the road network and content are constantly changing, local presence is critical to change detection and verification-two essential factors in maintaining NAVTEQ’s stringent automotive grade quality standards.

About NAVTEQ

NAVTEQ is the leading global provider of location content in the form of maps, traffic and places data that enables navigation, location-based services and mobile advertising around the world.  NAVTEQ supplies precise, comprehensive location content to power automotive navigation systems, portable and wireless devices, Internet-based mapping applications and government and business solutions.  The Chicago-based company was founded in 1985 and has approximately 5,800 employees located in 200 offices in 54 countries.

For more information on NAVTEQ, please visit http://corporate.navteq.com. This NAVTEQ press release and other news is available at http://press.navteq.com. Join NAVTEQ on Facebook at facebook.com/NAVTEQCompany and Twitter at @NAVTEQ.

NAVTEQ and NAVTEQ Traffic Patterns are trademarks in the U.S. and other countries. All rights reserved.

Dearborn, MI  (Profitable.com)  NAVTEQ, the leading global provider of maps, traffic and location data enabling navigation, location-based services and mobile advertising around the world, has been selected by Ford Motor Company to be their exclusive map supplier for the SYNC MyFord Touch.  The agreement positions NAVTEQ as the map data provider for the SYNC with MyFord Touch SD-card based navigation system in North America, South America, Middle East, Russia and Europe.  NAVTEQ® maps powers more than 24 million in-vehicle navigation systems worldwide.

MyFord Touch featuring NAVTEQ map data is scheduled to launch on multiple 2013 Ford and Lincoln vehicles in North Americaearly next year with expanded features such as NAVTEQ Voice, Speed Limit information, Enhanced Junction View Content, 3D Landmarks, and NAVTEQ Traffic Patterns™.  The North American launch will be followed by the systems launch in South America, Europe, Russia and the Middle East. The available navigation system will also be equipped with some of NAVTEQ’s state of the art content specific to each respective region.

The NAVTEQ map is collected and built using a comprehensive step-by-step process. At every stage, there is a central focus on creating accurate and precise data.  NAVTEQ’s primary goal throughout the collection process is to capture data as it exists in the real world.  Equipped with specialized tools, NAVTEQ’s Digital Mapping Operations team collects and verifies street geometry and up to 260 attributes such as one-way streets, turning lanes, speed limits and information pertaining to points-of-interest.

“NAVTEQ’s comprehensive automotive grade quality and the consistency of our global specification enables consumers to get the best route through their MyFord Touch navigation system,” said Jeff Mize, Senior Vice President, Sales & Business Development, NAVTEQ.  “Providing superior location data combined with exceptional support is an invaluable competitive advantage we provide to our customers.”

In order to maintain map data of the highest automotive quality grade, NAVTEQ’s mission is to keep up with changes in the real world.  NAVTEQ has proven that driving the roads is a key differentiator that provides the highest quality database.  NAVTEQ’s geographic analysts drive millions of miles annually in order to capture and validate the road network and location-based content as it exists in the real world.  Operating from 200 offices in 54 countries throughout the world, NAVTEQ’s team of geographic analysts has the local knowledge needed to provide superior accuracy of our maps. Because the road network and content are constantly changing, local presence is critical to change detection and verification—two essential factors in maintaining NAVTEQ’s stringent automotive grade quality standards.

About NAVTEQ

NAVTEQ is the leading global provider of location content in the form of maps, traffic and places data that enables navigation, location-based services and mobile advertising around the world.  NAVTEQ supplies precise, comprehensive location content to power automotive navigation systems, portable and wireless devices, Internet-based mapping applications and government and business solutions.  The Chicago-based company was founded in 1985 and has approximately 5,800 employees located in 200 offices in 54 countries.

For more information on NAVTEQ, please visit http://corporate.navteq.com . This NAVTEQ press release and other news is available at http://press.navteq.com. Join NAVTEQ on Facebook at facebook.com/NAVTEQCompany and Twitter at @NAVTEQ.

NAVTEQ and NAVTEQ Traffic Patterns are trademarks in the U.S. and other countries. All rights reserved.

Detroit  (Profitable.com)  Ally Financial Inc., the No. 1 overall retail automotive finance company in the U.S.(1), has expanded its financial literacy program, Ally Wallet Wise, to include a course on Auto Finance. This new curriculum is in addition to the courses on Budget, Credit and Banking & Investing and is designed to provide consumers with easy-to-understand information on car buying, leasing and options with auto insurance.

“Consumers are wise to equip themselves with personal finance knowledge that can help them make educated decisions when buying or leasing a vehicle,” said Mike Kane, vice president of Consumer Credit Operations at Ally Financial.

According to a recent survey on auto purchasing that Ally Financial conducted, at least 60 percent of buyers spend time researching their options before walking into a dealership. The Wallet Wise website, www.allywalletwise.com, offers information that can help potential buyers do their homework.

The automotive finance curriculum provides consumers with information on:

• The pros and cons of buying versus leasing a vehicle
• How to shop for a vehicle
• Key terms when buying or leasing a vehicle
• Optional products that consumers may consider on their finance contract or lease agreement (such as a vehicle service contract, GAP protection and lease wear protection)
• The ins and outs of vehicle insurance

Ally Wallet Wise launched in July and is a free financial literacy program that helps educate consumers on personal finance topics. It offers community-based, in-person sessions, as well as online courses through www.allywalletwise.com. Ally plans to continue updating the curriculum with new features and content over time.

Ally has teamed with community organizations across the country to teach the in-person Wallet Wise sessions. These organizations are equipped with workbook and presentation materials that have been structured to teach consumers in an atmosphere that is fun, interactive and conducive to learning. Consumers can learn about upcoming sessions in their community by visiting www.allywalletwise.com.

“The Ally Wallet Wise program—including the new auto finance curriculum—can empower consumers to make confident decisions, whether it is buying a car or simply creating a budget for the first time,” said Gina Proia, chief communications officer of Ally Financial, who oversees the Community Relations efforts at the company. “With both the in-person and online options available, Wallet Wise can provide consumers with valuable information that can be applied to many personal finance challenges, helping them achieve their longer-term goals.”

About Ally Wallet Wise

Ally Wallet Wise is a free financial education program created by Ally Financial that teaches consumers the basics of budgeting and credit, banking and investing, and financing a vehicle. Ally Wallet Wise is available through www.allywalletwise.com and live sessions hosted by Ally and its affiliates. Previously known as SmartEdge by GMAC, the program launched in 2002 and was rebranded and updated in 2011.

About Ally Financial

Ally Financial Inc. (formerly GMAC Inc.) is one of the world’s largest automotive financial services companies.  The company offers a full suite of automotive financing products and services in key markets around the world.  Ally’s other business units include mortgage operations and commercial finance, and the company’s subsidiary, Ally Bank, offers retail banking products.  With approximately $182 billion in assets as of Sept. 30, 2011, Ally operates as a bank holding company.  For more information, visit the Ally media site at http://media.ally.com.

(1) Ally Financial Inc. is ranked No. 1 overall auto lender in the U.S. (Source: Experian Automotive – U.S. market share as of third quarter 2011.)

Contact:
Beth Coggins
313-656-6964
beth.coggins@ally.com

Washington  (Profitable.com)  Nearly all drivers (96 percent) feel drowsy driving is an unacceptable behavior, yet almost a third (32 percent) admitted driving when they were so tired that they had difficulty keeping their eyes open in the past month, according to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety‘s 2011 safety culture survey. A study released last year by the AAA Foundation found that one of every six deadly crashes and one in eight crashes causing serious injury involved a drowsy driver. This is substantially higher than previous estimates, confirming the suspicions of researchers that the impact of drowsy driving on motor vehicle crashes, injuries, and deaths has been greatly underestimated.

“Although the vast majority of drivers recognize the serious threat of drowsy driving, a ‘Do as I Say, Not as I Do’ attitude exists when getting behind the wheel. Drowsy driving kills, just as sure as drunk, drugged and distracted driving does,” said AAA Foundation President and CEO Peter Kissinger. “Drivers have a tendency to underestimate the impact being tired has on their driving ability, which puts themselves and others at risk.”

In recognition of this year’s Drowsy Driving Prevention Week®, hosted by the National Sleep Foundation, the AAA Foundation and AAA want to raise awareness among all drivers of the seriousness of this deadly, yet far too common driving practice.

Recent AAA Foundation research on drowsy driving found that two out of every five drivers (41 percent) admit to having fallen asleep at the wheel at some point, with one in 10 saying they had done so in the past year. “What’s so alarming is that over half of these drivers reported having fallen asleep while driving on high?speed roads,” said AAA’s Director of Traffic Safety Advocacy and Research Jake Nelson. “These data underscore the importance of educating drivers about the dangers of drowsy driving.”

For more than two decades, the National Sleep Foundation has worked to raise drowsy driving awareness and related education.

“It is shocking to consider that nearly a third of drivers admit to operating a vehicle in the last month while drowsy,” said David Cloud, CEO of the National Sleep Foundation. “We applaud AAA’s work to call attention toward this important public safety issue.”

Warning Signs and Safety Tips

Warning signs of sleepiness include, but are not limited to:

• Having difficulty keeping your eyes open and focused, and/or having heavy eyelids
• Difficulty keeping your head up
• Drifting from your lane, swerving, tailgating, and/or hitting rumble strips
• Inability to clearly remember the last few miles driven
• Missing traffic signs or driving past your intended exit
• Yawning repeatedly and rubbing your eyes
• Feeling irritable or restless

To remain alert and prevent a fall?asleep crash, AAA offers these tips:

• Get plenty of sleep (at least seven hours) the night before a long trip
• Stop driving if you become sleepy; someone who is tired could fall asleep at any time – fatigue impacts reaction time, judgment and vision, causing people who are very sleepy to behave in similar ways to those who are drunk
• Travel at times when you are normally awake, and stay overnight rather than driving straight through
• Schedule a break every two hours or every 100 miles
• Drink a caffeinated beverage. Since it takes about 30 minutes for caffeine to enter the bloodstream, find a safe place to take a 20?30 minute nap while you’re waiting for the caffeine to take effect
• Travel with an awake passenger

For more information on drowsy driving, including the Foundation’s brochure, How To Avoid Drowsy Driving, visit www.AAAFoundation.org.

The AAA Foundation’s fourth annual Traffic Safety Culture Index was conducted June 6 – 28, 2011, by Knowledge Networks for the AAA Foundation, with a nationally representative sample of 3,147 U.S. residents ages 16 and older using the web-enabled KnowledgePanel®, a probability-based panel designed to be representative of the U.S. population.

Established by AAA in 1947, the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit, publicly-supported charitable educational and research organization. The Foundation’s mission is to prevent crashes, reduce injuries, and save lives on our roads through research and education about traffic safety. The Foundation has funded over 200 research projects designed to discover the causes of traffic crashes, prevent them, and minimize injuries when they do occur. This research is used to develop dozens of focused, high?impact educational materials for drivers, pedestrians, bicyclists and other road users. Visit www.aaafoundation.org or www.facebook.com/AAAFTS for more information on how you can support our cause.

As North America’s largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides more than 51 million members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services. Since its founding in 1902, the not-for-profit, fully tax-paying AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. AAA clubs can be visited on the Internet at AAA.com.

Scottsdale, AZ  (Profitable.com)  Copa Airlines and Copa Airlines Columbia (Copa Holdings) has expanded its sales network through Discover the World Marketing as its general sales agent in Austria, Belgium, Finland, India andRussia effective immediately.

“We helped Copa Airlines expand their services in many countries such as Australia, Denmark, France, Germany, Japan, Korea, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland,” said Jenny Adams, CEO of Discover the World Marketing. “It’s our results and excellent customer service that helped secured this new representation in five additional countries for us.  We know Copa Holdings is expecting the same outcome in these new markets.”

“Copa Airlines has experienced continuous growth and a leadership position in Latin America during the last several years,” said Joe Mohan, Commercial and Planning Vice President for Copa Airlines.  ”By the end of 2012, Copa will provide service to 59 destinations in 28 countries. With the Discover the World Marketing representation, we know we will expand even more assuring us a world class service.”

For more information about Discover the World Marketing, visit discovertheworld.com, or call (480) 707-5566 or +44 207 107 2303.

About Discover the World Marketing

Discover the World Marketing has earned a reputation as a leader in global travel distribution and its success in developing a worldwide network of 85 offices in more than 60 countries capable of exceptional representation performance is unmatched. With a portfolio of 70 clients utilizing its sales, marketing and business process outsourcing services, Discover the World Marketing remains a dominant innovator for the travel industry.

About Copa Holdings

Copa Airlines and Copa Airlines Colombia, subsidiaries of Copa Holdings, are leading Latin American providers of passengers and cargo services. By the end of 2011, the airlines will offer service to 59 destinations in 28 countries in North, Central and South America and the Caribbean.  The airline operates one of the youngest and most modern fleets in the industry, consisting of 71 aircraft: 45 Boeing Next-Generation 737 aircraft and 26 Embraer-190s. From the U.S., Copa Airlines currently offers nonstop service to Panama from Miami, New York City (JFK), Los Angeles, Washington, D.C. (Dulles), andOrlando.  Copa Airlines will join Star Alliance in April 2012. For more information, visit www.copaair.com.

Portland, OR  (Profitable.com)  Chrome Systems, Inc., a subsidiary of DealerTrack Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: TRAK), and a leader in managing automotive data, today announced the availability of its newly expanded Image Gallery solution, a comprehensive and cost-effective library of vehicle photographs for enhancing vehicle descriptions and creating eye-catching online presentations.

The expanded Image Gallery includes up to 21 of the most requested exterior and interior vehicle views, and three exterior angles (front-3/4, rear-3/4 and side profile) of color-matched images in every paint color available for specific vehicles and models. The solution’s images can be cost-effectively and efficiently delivered through a common media server and can be linked to a Chrome StyleID for integration optimization.

“Our new Chrome Image Gallery is the next best thing to a test drive,” said Amit Maheshwari, general manager, DealerTrack Data Services. “Chrome’s studio-quality multi-view and color-matched images deliver the broad coverage and exact angles automotive retailers need to economically enhance their online vehicle data and take their listings to the next level of presentation.”

About Chrome

Chrome Systems, Inc., provides vehicle content, software, technology and services to deliver complete enterprise solutions to all segments of the automotive retail industry. Chrome pioneered the technology behind electronic vehicle configuration with the introduction of PC Carbook, and since 1986 has collected, analyzed and enhanced “raw” automotive data from all manufacturers.

Safe Harbor for Forward-Looking and Cautionary Statements

Statements in this press release regarding the benefits of Chrome’s Image Gallery and all other statements in this release other than the recitation of historical facts are forward-looking statements (as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995).  These statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results, performance or achievements of DealerTrack to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements.

Factors that might cause such a difference include the adoption of Chrome Image Gallery by Chrome’s customers, Chrome’s ability to continue to provide updated images, and other risks listed in our reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ending December 31, 2010. These filings can be found on DealerTrack’s website at www.dealertrack.com and the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Forward-looking statements included herein speak only as of the date hereof and DealerTrack disclaims any obligation to revise or update such statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events or circumstances.

Santa Barbara, CA  (Profitable.com)  Lexus captured the highest Perceived Quality rating for alternative fuel vehicles with an overall PQS of 89.8 (out of 100), according to the Fall 2011 Perceived Quality Study (PQS) from ALG, a subsidiary of TrueCar, Inc. and the industry benchmark for residual values and depreciation data. Mercedes (88.8), Porsche (86.7), BMW (86.7) and Honda (85.6) rounded out the top five, respectively. Tesla (PQS 69.5) was the top brand for purely alternative manufacturers, but when stacked up against brands that sell both alternative fuel and gas-powered vehicles, the brand landed in the middle of the pack.

“That Lexus made a strong entrance into the survey and took the crown after not being a part of the 2010 survey for alternative fuel vehicles, is a testament to the brand’s overall reputation.  Given that perceptions often hold across the full spectrum of models a manufacturer produces, it’s not surprising that Lexus, which holds the top spot in the overall market survey, would also nab the top spot here,” states Eric Lyman, director, Residual Value Solutions, ALG. “Tesla’s relatively low ranking against brands that also produce gasoline-powered vehicles, along with low rankings for primarily alternative fuel brands overall, is likely due to the fact that these manufacturers are less well known and have not yet established a solid reputation with the public.”

For its PQS, ALG surveys approximately 3,000-4,000 U.S. consumers twice a year to gauge perceptions of a number of luxury and mainstream brands.  This is the second year the company has surveyed the public about alternative fuel vehicles.  Lyman continues, “Buyer perception of a brand can dramatically affect a brand’s entire lineup, either positively or negatively.  Our PQS is powerful intelligence for the retail automotive industry, especially in the new hyper competitive landscape of alternative fuel vehicles.”

Additional highlights from the survey include: in the alternative-only brands Fisker took the second spot with a PQS of 49.5, followed by Phoenix (44.8), Aptera (40.0) and Zenn (39.6).  Among brands that sell both alternative fuel and gasoline-powered vehicles, Jeep saw the largest upward movement (PQS 55.9) after ranking last in the 2010 survey.

The complete list with scores and details is available at: https://www.alg.com/pdf/pqs_2011_fall_alt_report_final.pdf.

About ALG

Based in Santa Barbara, California, ALG is a leading provider of data and consulting services to the automotive industry.  ALG publishes the “Automotive Lease Guide” – the standard for residual value projections in North America, and has been forecasting automotive residual values for over 45 years in both the U.S. and Canadian markets.

About TrueCar, Inc.

TrueCar, Inc. is an innovative automotive marketplace that benefits both buyers and sellers by providing a significantly better customer experience while helping qualified dealer partners to gain incremental market share and reduce costs. As a transparent, visual publisher of new car transaction data, TrueCar.com price reports help both dealers and consumers to agree on the parameters of a fair deal by providing an accurate, comprehensive and simple understanding of what others actually paid for the identically equipped new car over the last 30 days both locally and nationally.

TrueCar, Inc. works with a national network of over 5,000 Certified Dealers that provide up-front, no-haggle, competitive pricing to assist some of the nation’s largest and most well respected membership and service organizations to meet the auto buying needs of their members and customers. These partnerships include American Express, AAA, USAA and more than 60 others. Collectively these audiences represent over 1M in-market customers each month.

TrueCar, Inc. is headquartered in Santa Monica, CA and has offices in San Francisco and Austin, Texas.

Dearborn, MI  (Profitable.com)

• The original Mustang – America’s favorite classic convertible – can now be assembled complete with all-new Ford-approved restoration parts
• New first-generation Mustang body shells can be made into ’64-1/2, ’65 or ’66 models, depending on the trim and powertrain that is installed during the rebuild
• New ’65 Mustang body shells are made with stronger steel and use modern welding techniques, making them better than the original

It’s a classic car lover’s dream come true: Now it is possible to build a ’64-1/2, ’65 or ’66 Mustang convertible from the wheels up using the all-new Ford-approved and officially licensed body shell.

The body shell for the original Mustang convertible, now in production and available for restorers as a Ford-licensed restoration part, gives classic car enthusiasts a new option in putting their classic dream Mustang ragtop back on the road.

“The 1964-66 Mustang is the most restored vintage vehicle. But the number of original 1964-66 vintage bodies is shrinking every year,” said Dennis Mondrach, Ford Restoration Parts licensing manager. “Most of the original Mustangs left in scrapyards are rusted or wrecked beyond repair. The new body shell is made of virgin metal and uses modern welding techniques. It comes rustproofed, and after final adjustment and finish preparation of the body panels, it is ready for painting and final assembly.”

To build a restored Mustang using the new shell, the powertrain, suspension and brakes, the electrical systems, the interior and trim can either be bought new or transferred from an existing car to the new body. Original parts that can’t be reused from an old Mustang can be replaced with Ford-approved restoration parts. Mondrach says that nearly all the parts needed to build a complete new 1964-66 Mustang convertible, except for some minor body hardware, are now available from Ford-approved classic parts suppliers.

Ford-approved Mustang restoration parts can be found at www.fordrestorationparts.com.

For a restoration part to be approved by Ford, suppliers must meet or exceed the fit, finish and quality of the original, said Mondrach. In order to keep classic Ford-built vehicles on the road, Ford allows parts suppliers access to original technical drawings, blueprints and specifications for parts.

The new body shell not only can save restorers time and money, but enable them to build a strong, well-engineered classic.

“Instead of spending money fixing rust and welding in new panels, restorers can now simply transfer their powertrain, interior and trim parts onto the new body shell,” said Mondrach.

The ’65 Mustang body shell is constructed of higher-grade steel than the original, said Jim Christina, vice president of Dynacorn International, the Ford-approved company that is manufacturing the ’65 Mustang. “We use a modern universal automotive-grade steel that is actually stronger than the original, and modern welding techniques along with more welds to strengthen the body,” Christina said.

The ’65 body is in production now and can be delivered by freight truck to any address. The ’65 Mustang body includes the doors and trunk lid and all the sheet metal from the radiator support to the taillight panel except the hood and front fenders. Those items are available separately. The ’65 Mustang body shell starts at $15,000.

America’s love affair with the original Mustang is still going strong after nearly 50 years. Debuting in April 1964, the original Mustang sold more than 1.2 million units – including more than 174,000 convertibles – before its first redesign in 1967. The 1964-66 Mustang has long been America’s most popular classic car of the postwar era. It is frequently the No. 1 most insured car at Hagerty Insurance, the world’s No. 1 insurer of classic and collectible cars.

The new body shell can be made into a 1964-1/2, 1965 or 1966 Mustang, based on the powertrains and trim parts added to it. It is the third classic Mustang body shell now available to restorers. The other two are the 1967-68 and the 1969-70 fastback bodies.

Ford will display a new 1965 Mustang body shell Tuesday through Thursday at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show in Las Vegas. It will be parked next to a restored 1965 convertible to demonstrate the high quality of the assembly.

About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F), a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 166,000 employees and about 70 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford’s products, please visit www.ford.com.

Auburn Hills, MI  (Profitable.com)

• Automotive journalists and elite athletes judge a field of entrants in choosing annual Active Lifestyle Vehicle (ALV) winners
• Awards come just days after Wrangler and Grand Cherokee win Texas Auto Writers Association awards
• 2012 Jeep Wrangler’s new 3.6-liter V-6 engine improves fuel efficiency up to 21 miles per gallon, while delivering 285 horsepower (40 percent improvement) and 260 lb.-ft. of torque (10 percent improvement)
• Jeep Grand Cherokee – the most-awarded SUV in history – offers unmatched blend of on-road refinement and class-leading capability

A group of automotive journalists and elite athletes from a variety of sports gathered in Phoenix last week to choose the Active Lifestyle Vehicle (ALV) winners for 2012. The new 2012 Jeep Wrangler captured the “Best Value Off-Road” award, while the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee earned top honors in the “Luxury Off-Road” category.

“Both the Wrangler and the Grand Cherokee beat out vehicles which had dominated their competitive segments for multiple seasons,” said Nina Russin, automotive journalist and ALV program founder. “The new, more powerful engine and the reconfigured cargo area make the Wrangler a very easy vehicle to live with on a daily basis, as well as a great choice for outdoor enthusiasts who like to get off the grid on the weekends.

“The tremendous improvements to the interior of the Grand Cherokee in terms of design, fit and finish, as well as the new engine were in my opinion both game changers. And of course, the Grand Cherokee remains capable of navigating the most extreme off-road trails,” Russin added.

The ALV evaluations took into consideration overall vehicle design, engine power, fuel efficiency, and cargo capability. In the final tally, the athletes’ votes and those of the journalist jury panel each accounted for 50 percent.

“Jeep vehicles offer the perfect blend of fun, performance and capability – and are built for any adventure – so Grand Cherokee and Wrangler were right at home in this unique competition,” said Mike Manley, President and CEO – Jeep Brand, Chrysler Group LLC. “We are delighted to have earned awards in both the Value and Luxury categories with the two pillars of the Jeep brand.”

2012 Jeep Wrangler

Jeep Wrangler – the most capable and recognized vehicle in the world – becomes even more capable both on- and off-road for 2012, courtesy of an all-new, more fuel efficient and more powerful 3.6-liter V-6 engine, and a new five-speed automatic transmission – both of which it shares with the award-winning Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Chrysler Group’s 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine – winner of the prestigious Ward’s 10 Best Engines award – delivers 285 horsepower (209 kW) and 260 (353 Nm) lb.-ft. of torque, while delivering up to 21 miles per gallon highway in the 2012 Jeep Wrangler. The improvement, when compared to the previous 3.8-liter V-6 engine, is 40 percent in horsepower and 10 percent in torque.

Additionally, for refined shifting and greater performance, the Jeep Wrangler migrates from a four-speed to a new five-speed automatic transmission. The 2012 Jeep Wrangler also features the company’s first application of a manual transmission to the Pentastar V-6.

Jeep continues to refine the successful Wrangler formula by combining legendary, benchmark capability with an interior that delivers rich styling with significantly upgraded touch surfaces, occupant comfort and versatility, and a premium appearance courtesy of a body color hard top for the popular Sahara and Rubicon models.

2012 Jeep Wrangler interior highlights include a recently redesigned instrument panel and storage areas with improved ergonomics and upgraded materials. A lockable console and upgraded door armrest areas boast comfortable touch points, while a redesigned center stack is easier to reach and operate. Heated, power mirrors are available, and drivers and passengers enjoy enhanced visibility courtesy of large rear windows.

2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee

The all-new-for-2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee captured more than 30 awards, making it the most-awarded SUV ever. Grand Cherokee delivers premium on-road performance while maintaining the Jeep brand’s legendary four-wheel-drive, torque-on-demand two-speed transfer case and towing capability. It offers improved fuel economy (up to 23 miles per gallon), a driving range of more than 550 miles, superb on-road ride and handling, a world-class interior cabin, more than 45 safety and security features, and a variety of advanced technology features.

Contributing to Grand Cherokee’s class-leading capability is the combination of Jeep’s Quadra-Lift™ air suspension system and the Jeep Selec-Terrain™ traction control system that lets customers choose the 4×4 setting for the optimum driving experience on all terrains.

The 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee is available with three 4×4 systems, and with either V-6 or V-8 powertrains.

Jeep Brand

Built on 70 years of legendary heritage, Jeep is the authentic SUV brand with class-leading capability, craftsmanship and versatility for people who seek extraordinary journeys. The Jeep brand delivers an open invitation to live life to the fullest by offering a full line of vehicles that continue to provide owners with a sense of security to handle any journey with confidence.

The Jeep vehicle lineup includes Compass, Grand Cherokee, Liberty, Patriot, Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited. To meet consumer demand around the world, all six Jeep models are sold outside North America – and all are available in right-hand drive versions and with gasoline and diesel powertrain options. Chrysler Group LLC sells and services vehicles in approximately 120 countries around the world.

Cambridge, MA  (Profitable.com)  Zipcar, Inc. (Nasdaq: ZIP), the world’s leading car sharing network, has been awarded a blanket purchase agreement (BPA) by the U.S. General Services Administration’s Office of Motor Vehicle Management (GSA Fleet) as a vendor for the Federal government’s Short Term Rental (STR) program.

This marks the first time that car sharing has officially been part of the GSA Fleet’s list of approved vendors for use through the STR program by Federal government entities, which now have access to Zipcar’s entire fleet of car sharing vehicles throughout the company’s 12 major U.S. markets. The term of the BPA is from October 6, 2011, through September 30, 2012, with four one-year options to renew.

The GSA Fleet selection comes in the wake of several other city and state government contracts that Zipcar has recently secured.  The company also announced today a contract with the State of Illinois’s Department of Central Management Services to provide car sharing to state employees.  In March 2011, Zipcar announced a partnership with the City of Chicago to provide an integrated fleet and car sharing solution for city agencies, and in October 2010 launched a partnership with the City of New York to provide car sharing memberships to Department of Transportation (DOT) employees as a part of a pilot program.  In Washington D.C., Zipcar launched a program called Fleet Share in April 2009, which provides FastFleet technology to 50 departments and agencies throughout the District.  Zipcar also provides a range of car sharing and FastFleet technology services to a variety of additional City, County and State government entities including the cities of Philadelphia,Pittsburgh, Seattle, Sacramento, Portland, OR; Cambridge, MA; and Wilmington, DE; as well as to the county of Santa Cruz.

“We are proud to offer our car sharing services and FastFleet technology to a broad spectrum of government entities on the Federal, State, City and County levels.  Zipcar fits into a new era when governments are trying to do more with less by utilizing new technologies, methods and practices,” said Zipcar Chairman and CEO, Scott Griffith.  “Our partnerships across a range of government agencies have already helped to create efficiencies and streamline costs for many levels and facets of government.  We are thrilled by the Federal government’s addition of Zipcar to the GSA Fleet program.”

About Zipcar

Zipcar is the world’s leading car sharing network with more than 605,000 members and over 9,000 vehicles in urban areas and college campuses throughout the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. Zipcar offers more than 30 makes and models of self-service vehicles by the hour or day to residents and businesses looking for an alternative to the high costs and hassles of owning a car. More information is available at www.zipcar.com.

Photos and b-roll footage are available for media purposes at www.zipcar.mediaroom.com.

Chicago, IL  (Profitable.com)  Cars.com, the premier online resource for buying and selling new and used vehicles, and PickupTrucks.com, an authoritative site for pickup truck news and reviews, announced today that the Ford F-150 has been named the 2011 “Truck of the Fair” at the State Fair of Texas. During the three week fair, attendees were given the power to be the critics and vote for their favorite truck on display by using their cell phones and mobile devices to vote by text message.

“Texans are truck people—one out of every six pickups in the nation is being driven in Texas,” said Mark Williams, PickupTrucks.com editor. “So when the Ford F-150 is declared Truck of the Fair, you know it is coming from a trusted group of passionate pickup truck owners.”

There were dozens of pickups on display eligible for voting, but three trucks remained on top for the entirety of the Fair. The Chevy Silverado 1500, Ford F-150 and Nissan Titan remained neck-and-neck, but in the end the F-150 was clearly the favorite. This is Ford’s third “Truck of the Fair” win and second for the F-150. Last year, the F-350 Lariat was the fan favorite.

About Cars.com and PickupTrucks.com

Cars.com was recently named the “Best Overall Customer Experience” by Keynote Systems, the leader in Internet and mobile cloud marketing. Cars.com is an online destination for car shoppers that offers information from consumers and experts to help buyers formulate opinions on what to buy, where to buy and how much to pay for a car. PickupTrucks.com, part of the Cars.com brand, is dedicated to the distinct needs of pickup truck buyers and owners. Both sites offer thousands of new and used vehicle listings, consumer reviews, side-by-side comparison tools, photo galleries, videos, unbiased editorial content and many other tools. Cars.com and PickupTrucks.com put millions of car buyers in control of their shopping process with the information they needs to make confident buying decisions.

Launched in June 1998, Cars.com is a division of Classified Ventures, LLC, which is owned by leading media companies, including Belo (NYSE: BLC), Gannett Co., Inc. (NYSE: GCI), The McClatchy Company (NYSE: MNI), Tribune Company and The Washington Post Company (NYSE: WPO).

San Antonio, TX  (Profitable.com)

• Ram broadens Power Wagon lineup with new ST and Laramie models
• Ultimate truck capability now available in three trim levels

Ram Truck has announced that the most capable off-road truck on the market and the reigning Heavy Duty Pickup Truck of Texas, the Ram Power Wagon, will now be available in two additional models—ST and Laramie.

The new Ram Power Wagon ST will offer off-road enthusiasts all of the Power Wagon’s legendary capability in a value-oriented package. The Power Wagon Laramie will offer more comfort and luxury features. Each of the three Ram Power Wagon models will have its own distinctive look.

“When it comes to off-road capability, no other pickup truck compares to the Ram Power Wagon,” said Fred Diaz, President and CEO – Ram Truck Brand and Chrysler de Mexico — Chrysler Group LLC. “Expanding the Power Wagon’s availability to ST andLaramie models is not only what our customers have asked for, but also a true measure of the truck’s success and popularity with truck buyers.”

Ram Power Wagon ST

The Ram Power Wagon lends itself to duties requiring reliability, durability and capability. The ST package will appeal to customers such as fire and emergency services, mining companies, oil exploration and forestry services for daily off-road duty. The Ram Power Wagon ST features single-tone paint, a black grille, black front/rear bumpers, black fender flares and black mirrors with optional clearance lamps. The interior is unchanged from the ST trim level with the exception of additional controls for Power Wagon’s unique features.

Ram Power Wagon Laramie

The Ram Power Wagon Laramie broadens Ram’s hard-core off-road lineup, adding comfort and convenience features, such as leather seats, premium audio, dual-zone A/C and woodgrain dash and door panels. The Power Wagon package also includes a floor mounted, manual transfer case shifter. On the outside, the bold exterior features body-colored fender flares, chrome mirrors, bumpers and grille, and unique badging. The addition of Power Wagon to the Laramie model gives the off-road linebacker a tuxedo and builds on the success and heritage of the Power Wagon nameplate.

Pricing

The starting U.S. Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for the 2012 Ram Power Wagon ST is $42,620 and $51,995for the 2012 Ram Power Wagon Laramie (including a $995 destination charge). The 2012 Ram Power Wagon SLT starts at$46,560. Laramie and ST models go on sale December 2011.

2012 Ram Power Wagon

The 2012 Ram Power Wagon features award-winning interior appointments and distinctive graphics, but it’s engineering that makes Power Wagon the ultimate off-road pickup. New for 2012, the most capable off-road pickup truck on the market is now available with a new RamBox storage system for trucks with 6-foot-4-inch beds and a new heavy-duty six-speed automatic transmission. Ram Power Wagon continues to offer class-exclusive electric-locking front and rear differentials, class-exclusive electronic disconnecting sway bar, the legendary 383 horsepower 5.7-liter HEMI® V-8 engine, 33-inch off-road tires, a custom-built Warn® 12,000-lb. winch, Bilstein shocks, underbody skid plate protection and a 4.56 axle ratio. Additionally, the Power Wagon is rated to tow up to 10,250 lbs. with a Class 4 trailer hitch, all standard.

Built for all terrain

The 2012 Ram Power Wagon lives up to the heritage of Power Wagons built in the 1970s. There is simply no other pickup on the market that matches the capability. Ram Power Wagon takes the road less traveled while comfortably taking passengers and gear along for the ride.

Built to master the most rigorous off-road trails, the Ram Power Wagon is based on the Ram 2500 Heavy Duty 4×4 Crew Cab. The Power Wagon has a 14.5-inch ground clearance, compared to 12 inches on the Ram 2500 Heavy Duty. The vehicle’s approach angle is boosted to 35 degrees, the departure angle is increased to 26.5 degrees and the breakover angle is enhanced to 25.5 degrees. This gives the Ram Power Wagon significant clearance for navigating a variety of off-road trails, especially when tackling severe inclines and declines.

Providing optimal balance between on-road civility and off-road capability are 33-inch BF Goodrich All-Terrain T/A tires, which feature a beefy tread pattern to help grab ledges along the trail and deliver optimum traction through sand, mud and snow.

Underneath the 2012 Ram Power Wagon are generous underbody protection components. A steering damper skid plate and fore-aft bars bring together the transfer case and fuel tank skid plates, resulting in armor that minimizes underside damage and rock wedging.

Best-in-class wheel articulation

A disconnecting stabilizer bar, a solid front axle with coil springs and a single-stage leaf spring rear suspension with unique softer spring settings give the Ram Power Wagon the best wheel articulation in its class.

The 2012 Ram Power Wagon’s electronic disconnecting stabilizer bar, called a “Smart Bar,” delivers additional wheel travel for traversing the toughest trails. The driver-actuated stabilizer bar disengagement is possible in both four-wheel drive “High” or four-wheel drive “Low” at speeds below 18 miles per hour. As a safety feature, the Smart Bar automatically re-engages at speeds above 18 miles per hour.

Front and rear electronic axle lockers provide low-speed maneuvering when climbing boulders and ascending steep inclines by evenly splitting torque between both wheels, forcing them to turn in unison for extra traction. Bilstein monotube high-pressure gas shock absorbers keep all four wheels firmly planted and provide an appropriate ride for on- and off-road.

The 2012 Ram Power Wagon’s combined axle and suspension package adds to greater vehicle flexibility, a determining factor when negotiating extreme obstacles. The Ram Power Wagon boasts a 460 (23-inch vertical height) Ramp Travel Index (RTI – a measurement of a vehicle’s suspension articulation) with the stabilizer bar engaged and 655 (32-inch vertical height) RTI with the stabilizer bar disengaged.

HEMI power

The 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 features 383 horsepower at 5,400 rpm and 400 lb. ft. of torque at 4,200 rpm. The HEMI V-8 has been modified for use in the Ram Power Wagon in order to enhance its off-road maneuverability and finesse. When driving in four-wheel drive “Low”, the throttle response softens and the idle speed increases by 100 rpm (from 650 to 750 rpm) — providing added control when ascending and descending off-road obstacles at slow speeds.

The original Power Wagon; first mass-produced civilian 4×4 truck

After World War II, GIs returning home wrote to Dodge and asked, “Where can we get a truck like the ones we used in the war?” Dodge responded by building the Power Wagon. Virtually unchanged from its introduction in 1945 to when its domestic sales ended in 1968, the Dodge Power Wagon is the classic four-wheel drive truck.

Power Wagons first appeared on the civilian market in 1946 as the model WDX. The model designations changed over the years, but the Power Wagon was offered only as a 1-ton truck through its final year of production in 1968.

The Power Wagon was similar in design to the 3/4 ton weapons carrier, with a 126-inch wheelbase, closed cab similar to the Dodge VC series trucks, and the front shell and grille similar to the T234 3/4 ton built by Dodge for the Chinese Army, also known as the Burma Road truck.

The original Power Wagon featured a 230 cubic-inch flathead six engine, a two-speed transfer case, a four-speed transmission with a power take-off opening, which would send power to the front and back of the truck for operating auxiliary equipment and big 9.00/16-8 ply tires on 16×6-inch five-stud wheels. The 1-ton rated Power Wagon’s maximum GVW rating was 8,700 lbs. Its maximum payload was 3,000 lbs.

A pickup box was designed that measured 8 x 4.5 feet. Dodge factory-built this four-wheel drive truck over a year-and-a-half before the Willy’s 4T and 10 years before other manufacturers began producing 4×4 trucks, making it the first mass-produced civilian 4×4 truck.

Over the years, changes were made to the original Power Wagon including a 251 cubic-inch engine to replace the original 230 cubic-inch powerplant, as well as synchromesh transmission, alternator and 12-volt electrical system, to name a few. Many custom-bodied Power Wagons were put into service as fire trucks and school buses. One of the finest examples is the custom Cantrell-bodied four-door woody station wagon – the original sport utility vehicle.

The 1947 WDX featured amenities including electric wipers, a single driver’s sun visor and armrest, dome light, a heater and the Braden 10,000 lb. winch.

In 1957, Dodge introduced another line of four-wheel drive trucks, also known as Power Wagons, with the model designations W100, W200, W300 and W500. More conventional in styling, these Power Wagons were available with different engines, including V-8s.

A total of 95,145 WDX-WM300 Power Wagons were sold from 1945-1968. Exports continued through 1971 and limited sales continued through 1978, with versions that included slant 6 engines and hanging pedal assemblies.

After the 1968 model year, the Power Wagon went out of production because the nearly 30-year-old cab did not comply with new federal light-duty truck regulations.

About the Ram Truck Brand

The Ram Truck brand continues to establish its own identity and clearly define its customer since its launch as a standalone vehicle brand. Creating a distinct brand for Ram trucks has allowed the brand to concentrate on how core customers use their trucks and what new features they’d like to see. Whether focusing on a family that uses its half-ton truck day in and day out, a hard-working Ram Heavy Duty owner or a business that depends on its commercial vehicles every day, Ram has the truck market covered.

The 2011 Ram 1500 was named a Consumers Digest Best Buy and AUTOMOBILE Magazine All-Star. Ram 1500′s smooth-riding suspension and 20 mpg, 390 horsepower HEMI® V-8 are just two of the reasons it beat the competition. Ram 1500 also was named the Truck of Texas by the Texas Auto Writers Association in 2011.

The Ram Truck brand has the most innovative lineup of full-size trucks on the market. Ram Truck has emerged as a full-size truck leader by investing substantially in new products, infusing them with great looks, refined interiors, durable engines and features that further enhance their capabilities. Ram trucks now boast these segment exclusives:

• Coil-spring rear suspension on Ram 1500 for best-in-class ride and handling
• Available RamBox lockable and lighted bedside storage
• In-floor storage on all Ram Crew Cabs
• The largest cab in the market – Ram HD Mega Cab
• Standard six-speed manual transmission on all diesel models
• Truck customers, from half-ton to commercial, have a demanding range of needs and require their vehicles to provide high levels of capability. Ram trucks are designed to deliver a total package

Follow Ram and Chrysler Group LLC news and video on:

Ram Trucks: http://www.ramtrucks.com
Chrysler Connect blog: http://blog.chryslergroupllc.com Ram Zone blog: http://www.ramzone.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/chrysler and http://twitter.com/RamTrucks
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/pentastarvideo and http://www.youtube.com/ramtrucks
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/RamTrucks
Flicker: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ramtrucks

Lawrence, KA  (Profitable.com)  When you take your four-wheel drive out for a spin this fall, you might be bringing home more than memories. According to the Weed Science Society of America, Researchers at Montana State University have found that vehicles are routinely transporting invasive weed seeds.

Seeds can stow away on tires, bumpers, wheel wells or the underside of a vehicle and sometimes travel great distances before falling off in a new locale. As weed seeds sprout and grow, they can crowd out native plants, disrupt native ecosystems and wildlife habitats and reduce crop yields when they spread to nearby fields.

“Take a look at the many types of weeds growing along most any roadside and you’ll get a big clue about the role vehicles play,” says Lisa Rew, Ph.D., a member of the Weed Science Society of America and an assistant professor at Montana State University. “With an estimated 4 million miles of roads crisscrossing the U.S. and an estimated 256 million registered vehicles, even a few weed seeds per car can make a significant impact on the spread of weeds.”

Montana State researchers measured the number of seeds picked up by a variety of vehicles and the distance traveled before the seeds fell off. Among their key findings:

• Seed volume is seasonal. The study showed thousands more seeds per mile were transported by vehicles during the fall than in the spring.

•  Moisture matters. Wet conditions make it easier for seeds to be picked up by a vehicle – and easier for them to drop off miles down the road. Tests conducted at military installations showed Humvees picked up 14 times more seeds when conditions were wet, while tanks picked up 26 times more.

•  Distance is no barrier. The distances seeds can travel may be surprising. When researchers examined vehicles over several distance intervals, they found even at the 160-mile mark many seeds stayed attached. “If seeds are lodged in mud that dries on the vehicle, they can travel almost indefinitely, or at least until it rains again and the road surface is wet,” Rew says. Scientists consider that bad news. When vehicles transport seeds long distances, it increases the likelihood weeds will be spread into areas where they don’t yet occur.

• Off-road travel increases the risk. Outdoor sports enthusiasts trucking to remote trailheads or riding ATVs off the beaten path are at special risk for spreading weeds. Researchers found vehicles picked up almost 20 times more seeds off-trail than on-trail.

Recommended Prevention Techniques

To prevent the spread of weeds, researchers recommend that you wash your vehicle frequently, especially after driving off-road or off-trail or along roads bordered by high densities of weeds. Both the U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S. Forest Service routinely use that technique to reduce the risk of transporting invasive species.

Montana State researchers evaluated the ideal duration and number of washes needed to remove weed seeds. Vehicles washed once for six minutes or two to three times for three minutes each were judged to be the most seed-free. Five portable commercial wash units were tested, and each performed similarly, regardless of the water pressure or the amount of water used. Four of the units had undercarriage washers as well as pressure hoses, which made removal of dirt from the underside much easier.

As an added measure of protection, land managers in areas where high-risk invasive species are growing are advised to close the area to traffic when the ground is wet. Doing so will dramatically reduce the risk of transporting weed seeds to new sites and also reduce future weed management costs.

“Understanding how vehicles spread weeds and the steps we can take to intervene can help us reduce weed seed dispersal and reduce the likelihood of devastating new invasions that can be costly to eradicate,” Rew said.

For more information on the Montana State University studies, visit http://weedeco.msu.montana.edu.

About the Weed Science Society of America

The Weed Science Society of America, a nonprofit scientific society, was founded in 1956 to encourage and promote the development of knowledge concerning weeds and their impact on the environment. The Weed Science Society of America promotes research, education and extension outreach activities related to weeds, provides science-based information to the public and policy makers, fosters awareness of weeds and their impact on managed and natural ecosystems, and promotes cooperation among weed science organizations across the nation and around the world. For more information, visit http://www.wssa.net.

Irvine, CA  (Profitable.com)  Kelley Blue Book’s www.kbb.com, the leading provider of new car and used car information, today reports that Hyundai upheld its No. 1 spot for brand loyalty on kbb.com for Q3 2011, marking its second consecutive quarter on top.

For Q3 2011, Hyundai’s brand loyalty was at 48 percent, with Toyota nearly closing in at 47.9 percent and Subaru at 45.9 percent.  Rounding out the top-five brands for Q3 2011 are Kia in the fourth spot at 45.3 percent and Ford in fifth at 45.2 percent.

While Hyundai continues its lead in brand loyalty, it dropped 4.4 percentage points from the previous quarter.  Hyundai’s decline can be attributed to cooled interest in the Sonata and Elantra models.

For the first time since Kelley Blue Book began tracking loyalty, Honda is outside the top-five brands, sitting in the sixth spot at 44.2 percent.  Honda’s dip in loyalty is the result of lukewarm reception of the 2012 Civic.  In addition, Honda’s perceived supply issues also have influenced shopper activity in Q3 2011.  As year-end approaches, brand loyalty slowly begins to rise.  While the majority of automakers still show declines in year-over-year loyalty, a quarter-over-quarter shift into the black reveals that consumers may be taking notice of seasonal blowout deals and loyalty incentive offers.  Manufacturers also have released the majority of their 2012 models; therefore consumers’ shopping choices may narrow as they become familiar with the options available in the marketplace.

“The latter half of the year tends to draw interest toward sport utility, crossover and other large vehicles due to weather conditions and seasonality,” said Arthur Henry, market intelligence manager for Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com.  ”Since Hyundai’s flagship vehicles are its compact and mid-size sedans, it is natural that it suffers in this regard.”

Kelley Blue Book Market Intelligence examines brand loyalty while consumers are still in the shopping phase.  For this analysis, loyalty is defined as owners of the brand who are currently shopping the same brand for their next vehicle.  This includes data from consumers who view a trade-in page or private party page in addition to a new-car page on Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com.

For more information and news from Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com, visit www.kbb.com/media/, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/kelleybluebook (or @kelleybluebook), or like our page on Facebook at www.facebook.com/kbb.

About Kelley Blue Book (www.kbb.com)

Founded in 1926, Kelley Blue Book, The Trusted Resource®, is the only vehicle valuation and information source trusted and relied upon by both consumers and the industry.  Each week the company provides the most market-reflective values in the industry on its top-rated website www.kbb.com, including its famous Blue Book® Trade-In and Retail Values and Fair Purchase Price, which reports what others are paying for new cars this week.  The company also provides vehicle pricing and values through various products and services available to car dealers, auto manufacturers, finance and insurance companies as well as governmental agencies.  Kbb.com provides consumer pricing and information on minivans, pickup-trucks, cars, hybrids and SUVs. Kelley Blue Book Co. Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of AutoTrader.com.

Cars.com, a leading online resource for buying and selling new and used cars, announced today a new Cars.com app for iPad designed to make new car shopping entertaining and engaging.  The app features high resolution video and photo catalogues, giving users access to information on hundreds of new vehicle models.  The app is available for free download from the App Store(SM).

“We set out to create an experience that customizes new car information for the unique ways iPad users interact with Cars.com – and not simply adapting our popular Cars.com app for iPhone®,” said Sharon Knitter, Cars.com senior director of mobile technology.  ”On a dealer lot or even at work, most of our mobile users shop with our app for iPhone or Android™  to gather information on price, availability and inventory – elements which are more commonly suited for ‘on-the-go’ shopping.  iPad users, on the other hand, tend to concentrate more on photos, videos and new car content like reviews and specs, which is why our new Cars.com app for iPad specifically focuses on those features.”

The new Cars.com app for iPad includes:

• Unbiased car reviews from the Cars.com team of expert editors
• “My Showroom” feature, enabling users to save vehicles for later review and comparisons
• Facebook and Twitter integration, allowing users to post vehicles to social networks
• Side by side comparison of up to three vehicles
• Users who wish to browse the site’s vast inventory of new and used vehicles can do so through a link within the Cars.com app for iPad or via their Web browser.

More than one million users have downloaded the site’s popular Cars.com app for iPhone since its launch in 2010.  The site expects similar downloads of the new Cars.com app for iPad.

Lexus has signed on as the inaugural sponsor of the Cars.com app for iPad.  ”Lexus has been a long-time supporter of our mobile platforms, having also sponsored our Cars.com apps for iPhone and Android,” said Knitter.

ABOUT CARS.COM

Cars.com was recently named the “Best Overall Customer Experience” by Keynote Systems, the leader in Internet and mobile cloud monitoring.  Cars.com is an online destination for car shoppers that offers information from consumers and experts to help buyers formulate opinions on what to buy, where to buy and how much to pay for a car.  With price listings, side-by-side comparison tools, photo galleries, videos, unbiased editorial content and a large selection of new- and used-car inventory, Cars.com puts millions of car buyers in control of their shopping process with the information they need to make confident buying decisions.

Launched in June 1998, Cars.com is a division of Classified Ventures, LLC., which is owned by leading media companies, including Belo (NYSE: BLC), Gannett Co., Inc. (NYSE: GCI), The McClatchy Company (NYSE: MNI), Tribune Company and the Washington Post Company (NYSE: WPO).

Apple, iPad and iPhone are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.

Android is a trademark of Google Inc.

Imagine every time you go to start a vehicle it could potentially provide your Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) in an instant, just from touching the ignition button. This scenario could be a reality within the decade, and the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) through Driver Alcohol Detection System for Safety (DADSS) and The Automotive Coalition for Traffic Safety (ACTS) recognizes this system’s capacity to save lives as an additional tool to help address one of the most significant road safety problems around the world. .

To aid with the continued advancement of the life-saving technology, a $2.25M award has been made to Takata in partnership with TruTouch Technologies to develop an in-vehicle solution that could help keep drunk drivers off the road, potentially saving hundreds-of-thousands of lives lost in alcohol-impaired crashes globally every year. As this technology advances and is incorporated into automobiles, it has the capacity to potentially help eliminate drunk driving.

“We are already enjoying tremendous success with this technology in the law enforcement, oil and drilling, military, and transportation markets,” said Dr. Richard D. Gill, President and CEO of TruTouch.  ”Together with Takata, our mission is to help eliminate alcohol-impaired dangers on the road and save lives.  This NHTSA award will help expedite the work to adapt the technology for use in automotive applications where customers demand quick, accurate, and cost-effective in-vehicle solutions to ensure safe vehicle operation.”

“As a company solely dedicated to automotive safety, we are excited with the contract from DADSS/ACTS to develop the TruTouch sensors for use in automotive, commercial vehicle and  heavy equipment applications,” added Kirk Morris, Vice President of Business Development of TK Holdings Inc., the NA subsidiary of Takata Corporation. “The objective is to develop tools to help intoxicated drivers from operating the vehicle if they are impaired, and to do so in a personal, non-intrusive manner.”

The TruTouch technology utilizes an advanced intoxication detection technology that measures a person’s alcohol level through the use of infrared light. With TruTouch, a person’s BAC is determined when placing their finger on a near infrared sensor that analyzes the alcohol concentration in his or her body. The device can produce accurate results in seconds and has a built-in biometric system to prevent tampering. The ultimate objective is to embrace this advanced technology and develop an automotive solution equipped to combat the global problem of alcohol related accidents.  The Takata/TruTouch products require no user training, and no operator assistance.

About TruTouch Technologies

TruTouch Technologies, Inc. develops, manufactures and sells patented noninvasive biometric alcohol testing systems into both existing and emerging alcohol testing markets. Inspired by the potential to place its passive, durable systems virtually anywhere, TruTouch’s vision is to create a world where intoxication is routinely intercepted before it does harm.

Current and future TruTouch applications include:

• Work Force Safety Systems for testing of on duty impairment by alcohol
• Medical Diagnostic Systems
• Alcohol Point-Of-Sale Liability Reduction Systems
• Law Enforcement Systems
• Industrial Safety Systems
• Vehicle Safety Systems

www.trutouchtechnologies.com

About Takata

Takata Corporation is a global leader in passive and active safety systems. Its customers include nearly every automotive manufacturer and several Tier One suppliers. Its technology features a strong emphasis on safety restraint systems, air bags, safety electronics, interior trim, and special fabrics and textile materials. Takata’s worldwide sales approach $5 billion annually, with the company operating 46 manufacturing locations in 17 countries, and 11 research and development locations on three continents. Takata employs about 35,000 people globally, with more than 18,500 in North America.

www.takata.com

To view a brief video of the TruTouch Technology, visit: http://youtu.be/RTuMsOx1dZ4

From making small changes to their daily driving routine to ensuring proper vehicle maintenance before setting out on that next road trip, motorists from around the county jumped at the opportunity to share how they will drive smarter as part of the Shell smarter driving program.

A well thought out route can make running errands more time efficient and can also help make the most of fuel purchases. Jennifer M. of Cuyahoga Falls, Tenn., drives smarter by “planning, preparing and grouping my errands to the grocery store, dry cleaners, library, bank and post office, in order to save on gas. This way, I can plan ahead and run all my errands in the same area all at once.”

Proper vehicle maintenance is also key to stretching your fuel and Anthony V. from Murrieta, Calif., is planning to perform smart maintenance to help save at the pump. Before venturing out on his next trip, he plans to, “keep my engine well-tuned and repair any problems immediately and make sure my tires are not over or under inflated.”

These were among the more than 30,000 entries in the Shell Smarter Driving Sweepstakes that ran from August 16 –September 15 vying for a chance to win a new 2012 Chevrolet Cruze Eco and a year’s supply of free Shell Nitrogen Enriched Gasolines. An entry from Mary Jordan in San Antonio, Texas paid off.  She was chosen at random and will be driving off with her prize. The first thing Mary and her husband plan to do with their new vehicle is to take a road trip to see their children in Virginia.

“We are so grateful to have been selected as the Grand Prize winner in the Smarter Driving Sweepstakes,” said Mary Jordan. “My husband and I always practice safe, smarter driving by planning our route out in advance and doing all of our errands at once to limit multiple trips and ensuring our vehicle is properly maintained. We can’t wait for our next weekend getaway!”

In addition to the sweepstakes, Shell teamed-up with John and Helen Taylor, known as the world’s most fuel efficient couple, during their latest record-setting attempt to help kick-off the Smarter Driving Program.  The Taylors completed their 23-day, 48 contiguous U.S. state tour in August achieving an astounding average of 64.42 miles per gallon in an unmodified, non-hybrid gasoline vehicle by using tips from the Smarter Driving program and using Shell Nitrogen Enriched Gasolines exclusively. Their final mileage achieved was more than 50 percent greater than the Environmental Protection Agency’s estimated highway fuel economy for the vehicle they drove and surpassed the minimum requirement of 54.5 mpg announced by the government for passenger vehicles to achieve by 2025.

The Taylors’ record setting drive was aimed at demonstrating to all drivers that they, too, can use simple tips to stretch their fuel and budget. All they have to do is “MAP” their way to Smarter Driving, which includes:

• Maintenance: Performing smart vehicle maintenance before you drive. For example, keeping your engine well tuned and repairing any problems immediately. If your vehicle has failed an emissions test or is noticeably out of tune, repairing the problem could improve your gasoline mileage by 4 percent on average.*
• Actions: Practicing smart behaviors or actions while you’re behind the wheel. Speeding, rapid acceleration and braking can lower your gasoline mileage by 5 percent at lower speeds around town and by 33 percent at highway speeds.*
• Products: Purchasing smart products and services at the right price without sacrificing quality. Lower-quality gasolines can leave harmful carbon deposits or “gunk,” which can build up on intake valves and fuel injectors negatively impacting engine performance, vehicle responsiveness and reduction of fuel flow – all potentially leading to reduced fuel economy. Shell Nitrogen Enriched Gasolines help clean-up the performance-robbing gunk left by lower quality gasolines.

“As global energy demand rises, Shell continues to improve energy use for transportation through Smarter Mobility, which includes smarter driving, advanced fuels, and alternatives energies. The Shell Smarter Driving Program is part of this approach,” said Dan Little, North America fuels marketing manager for Shell Oil Products U.S. “It proves that everyone can make a difference.  That’s the reason we launched the Shell Smarter Driving program, which is designed to help motorists make the most of their fuel purchases and our natural energy resources.”

To learn more about the Shell Smarter Driving Program visit www.shell.us/smarterdriving or go to www.Facebook.com/ShellOnTheRoad.

To learn more about Smarter Mobility, go to www.shell.com/smartermobility.

* Source:  www.fueleconomy.gov

** For the purposes of this Prize, “Shell Nitrogen Enriched Gasoline for one year” is calculated as the average consumer’s yearly gasoline consumption of 566 gallons (4.1 Fuel Purchases per Month x 11.5 Gallons of Gasoline per Purchase x 12 Months) at an average present-day cost of $3.711 / gallon (consistent with the U.S. Department of Energy statistics for regular grade gasoline as of 08/01/11 (566 x $3.711 = $2,099.68). Fluctuations in gasoline prices after this date will not affect calculation of the prize amount.

Shell Oil Products US, a subsidiary of Shell Oil Company, is a leader in the refining, transportation and marketing of fuels, and has a network of approximately 6,100 branded gasoline stations in the Western United States. Shell Oil Company is an affiliate of the Shell Group [(NYSE: RDS.A) and (NYSE: RDS.B)]. Shell Oil Company is a 50 percent owner of Motiva Enterprises LLC, along with Saudi Refining, Inc. Motiva Enterprises LLC refines and markets branded products through approximately 8,200 Shell-branded stations in the Eastern and Southern United States.

Royal Dutch Shell plc is incorporated in England and Wales, has its headquarters in The Hague and is listed on the London,Amsterdam, and New York stock exchanges. Shell companies have operations in more than 90 countries and  territories with businesses including oil and gas exploration and production; production and marketing of Liquefied Natural Gas and Gas to Liquids; manufacturing, marketing and shipping of oil products and chemicals and renewable energy projects including wind and solar power. For further information, visit www.shell.com

Cautionary Note

The companies in which Royal Dutch Shell plc directly and indirectly owns investments are separate entities. In this press release “Shell”, “Shell group” and “Royal Dutch Shell” are sometimes used for convenience where references are made toRoyal Dutch Shell plc and its subsidiaries in general. Likewise, the words “we”, “us” and “our” are also used to refer to subsidiaries in general or to those who work for them. These expressions are also used where no useful purpose is served by identifying the particular company or companies. ”Subsidiaries”, “Shell subsidiaries” and “Shell companies” as used in this press release refer to companies in which Royal Dutch Shell either directly or indirectly has control, by having either a majority of the voting rights or the right to exercise a controlling influence. The companies in which Shell has significant influence but not control are referred to as “associated companies” or “associates” and companies in which Shell has joint control are referred to as “jointly controlled entities”. In this press release, associates and jointly controlled entities are also referred to as “equity-accounted investments”. The term “Shell interest” is used for convenience to indicate the direct and/or indirect (for example, through our 24% shareholding in Woodside Petroleum Ltd.) ownership interest held by Shell in a venture, partnership or company, after exclusion of all third-party interest.

This press release contains forward-looking statements concerning the financial condition, results of operations and businesses of Royal Dutch Shell. All statements other than statements of historical fact are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements of future expectations that are based on management’s current expectations and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in these statements. Forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements concerning the potential exposure of Royal Dutch Shell to market risks and statements expressing management’s expectations, beliefs, estimates, forecasts, projections and assumptions. These forward-looking statements are identified by their use of terms and phrases such as ”anticipate”, ”believe”, ”could”, ”estimate”, ”expect”, ”intend”, ”may”, ”plan”, ”objectives”, ”outlook”, ”probably”, ”project”, ”will”, ”seek”, ”target”, ”risks”, ”goals”, ”should” and similar terms and phrases. There are a number of factors that could affect the future operations of Royal Dutch Shell and could cause those results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements included in this press release, including (without limitation): (a) price fluctuations in crude oil and natural gas; (b) changes in demand for Shell’s products; (c) currency fluctuations; (d) drilling and production results; (e) reserves estimates; (f) loss of market share and industry competition; (g) environmental and physical risks; (h) risks associated with the identification of suitable potential acquisition properties and targets, and successful negotiation and completion of such transactions; (i) the risk of doing business in developing countries and countries subject to international sanctions; (j) legislative, fiscal and regulatory developments including regulatory measures addressing climate change; (k) economic and financial market conditions in various countries and regions; (l) political risks, including the risks of expropriation and renegotiation of the terms of contracts with governmental entities, delays or advancements in the approval of projects and delays in the reimbursement for shared costs; and (m) changes in trading conditions. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained or referred to in this section. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Additional factors that may affect future results are contained in Royal Dutch Shell’s 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2010 (available at www.shell.com/investor and www.sec.gov – opens in new window). These factors also should be considered by the reader. Each forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of this press release, 23 September. Neither Royal Dutch Shell nor any of its subsidiaries undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or other information. In light of these risks, results could differ materially from those stated, implied or inferred from the forward-looking statements contained in this press release.

We may have used certain terms in this press release, such as resources, that the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) guidelines strictly prohibit us from including in filings with the SEC. U.S. Investors are urged to consider closely the disclosure in our Form 20-F, File No 1-32575, available on the SEC website www.sec.gov (opens in new window). You can also obtain these forms from the SEC by calling 1-800-SEC-0330.

Fifty four percent of American drivers report they have decided to keep an existing vehicle rather than invest in a newer one, according to a recent AAA survey. In addition, many drivers are foregoing routine vehicle maintenance to save money now, knowing they risk higher repair costs in the future. These findings make it more important than ever for drivers to develop a trusted relationship with a professional auto repair facility.

AAA Automotive experts believe the best way to save money over the life of a vehicle is to choose a high-quality, full-service repair shop and allow them do all of the necessary maintenance and repair work.

“Drivers can take comfort in the knowledge that their vehicle will be serviced by trained professionals who can identify any potential problems,” said John Nielsen, AAA Director of Automotive Repair. “This helps prevent breakdowns, and often saves money by allowing drivers to make a small repair now rather than a much bigger one later.”

“As a repair shop’s technicians get to know a vehicle and its owner, they can also give valuable advice on any upcoming work that will be needed,” continued Nielsen.

The best time to look for a repair facility is before one is needed. Drivers can ask family and friends for recommendations, or visit AAA.com/repair to find nearby AAA Approved Auto Repair (AAR) shops. AAA Automotive experts recommend that drivers consider these ten areas when selecting a repair shop:

1. Facility Type
When evaluating full-service auto repair shops, drivers have three basic choices:

• Dealerships – Dealer service departments are very familiar with common problems on the makes of cars they sell. Dealers also have factory-trained technicians, and are keenly aware of technical service bulletins or other special service advisories.
• Independents – Quality independent repair shops may be slightly less expensive than dealers, and tend to have higher overall customer satisfaction. In addition, customers at independent repair shop are more likely to deal directly with the owner or technician, making it easier to develop relationships with the people who service their cars.
• Specialists – Some independent repair shops specialize in certain vehicle makes or specific vehicle systems. By focusing on a limited part of the market, these shops can provide very efficient and effective service.

2. Appearance
A clean, well-organized repair facility reflects attention to detail and an effort to maintain a professional image.

3. Amenities
The facility should have a comfortable waiting area and clean restrooms. Many shops now have pick-up and drop-off service for the convenience of customers.

4. Technicians
The facility should employ qualified technicians who receive ongoing training in the latest technology. Certifications from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) are often posted, and dealerships may display vehicle manufacturer service training credentials. Collision repair shops often have certificates from training offered by the Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair (I-CAR).

5. Equipment
A good repair shop will have up-to-date service equipment and repair data. The amount of information necessary to repair modern cars can no longer be effectively contained in paper manuals. Quality shops today have Internet access to repair information or an on-site service information library of CD/DVD ROMs.

6. Reputation
Time in business can be a good indicator of repair shop quality. Checks with the Better Business Bureau and state department of consumer affairs or Attorney General’s office will provide information on the shop’s handling of any consumer complaints.

7. Discounts
Selecting a quality repair facility that offers discounts on needed services is an excellent way to stretch repair dollars in this uncertain economy. Drivers who pay for repairs with a credit card may want to consider using the AAA Member Rewards Visa® card, whose reward points can be redeemed for $55 vouchers good towards auto repairs at any AAR facility. For more information, visit AAA.com/creditcard.

8. Warranty
Quality shops offer at least a 12-month/12,000-mile parts and labor warranty on their work. Drivers who travel regularly should make sure the warranty is honored nationally.

9. Look for the AAA Approved Auto Repair (AAR) sign
AAA created the AAR program more than 35 years ago to help motorists find high-quality automotive service. Today, there are nearly 8,000 AAR facilities across North America. The AAR program includes dealers, independent and specialty repair shops.  Every AAA-approved facility undergoes a thorough investigation, and less than half of all applicants are approved. AAA looks into all the areas discussed above, and much more. After approval, AAR shops are visited quarterly, re-inspected annually and monitored for customer satisfaction to ensure ongoing compliance with AAA standards. To locate nearby AAA Approved Auto Repair facilities, visit AAA.com/repair.

In addition to the added peace of mind that comes with AAA approval, AAA members receive the following benefits at AAR shops:

• Free Maintenance Inspection – On request, when having paid repair work done by an AAR facility, your vehicle will be inspected at no charge for those items that most frequently contribute to roadside breakdowns.
• Written Estimate – You will be provided a written estimate of the cost of all work to be performed on your vehicle. The final cost may not exceed the estimate by more than 10 percent unless authorized by you in advance.
• Warranty – Unless otherwise specified in writing prior to the start of work, all repairs (both parts and labor) are guaranteed for a minimum of 12 months or 12,000 miles, whichever comes first, under normal operating conditions.
• Dispute Resolution – AAA will investigate any dispute between a AAA member and an AAR facility. AAA’s resolution decision is binding on the facility, but you are not bound by AAA’s decision and may seek recourse through other avenues.

Many AAR facilities also participate in the AAA Show Your Card & Save program and offer discounts to AAA members. VisitAAA.com/discounts for more information.

10. Test-Drive the Repair Shop
Once a potential repair facility has been identified, visit the shop for a minor service like an oil change or tire rotation. While you wait, talk with the repair facility employees and do a final evaluation of the shop using the criteria discussed above.

As North America’s largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides more than 52 million members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services. Since it’s founding in 1902, the not-for-profit, fully tax-paying AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. Visit AAA clubs on the Internet at AAA.com.

Toyota’s Collaborative Safety Research Center (CSRC) has announced 10 new research initiatives and new research agreements with six leading North American universities and research institutions to enhance the development, testing and implementation of new automotive safety innovations across North America.

Revealed at the 2011 Toyota Safety Technology Seminar at the Toyota Technical Center (TTC) in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the new projects will research subjects ranging from driver education and collision mitigation to accident reconstruction and enhanced crash data analysis. A significant expansion in the Center’s work, these initiatives build upon the CSRC’s initial focus of working to reduce the risk of driver distraction and better protect the most vulnerable traffic populations, including children, teens, seniors and pedestrians.

“In keeping with its collaborative, open research model, the CSRC intends to publish as much of the research from its partnerships as possible to make it available to federal agencies, the industry and academia,” said Chuck Gulash, Senior Executive Engineer at the Toyota Technical Center and Director of the CSRC.  ”This model of sharing the CSRC’s Toyota talent, technology, and data with a broad range of institutions, represents a fundamental change for Toyota, moving away from a traditional focus on proprietary research towards more openly sharing innovations that benefit the automotive industry and society as a whole.”

Along with previously announced partnerships with University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute (UMTRI), Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI), the projects announced today bring the total number of ongoing research programs to thirteen.  The CSRC initiative will operate on an initial funding budget of$50 million over 5 years, and hopes to announce additional partners and programs over the next year.

The CSRC today also announced the launch of its new website, located at (www.toyota.com/csrc) as part of Toyota’s Environmental, Safety and Quality (ESQ) Communications website (www.toyota.com/esq).  Featuring a cross section of information and research developments from ongoing work of the Center and its partners, the new site will serve as an ever expanding, publically available hub for the CSRC’s collaborative research on automotive safety throughout North America.

The new CSRC collaborative safety technology research partners include:

1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) AgeLab, Cambridge, MA
2. The Transportation Active Safety Institute (TASI), Indiana University/Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI)
3. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (VT), Blacksburg, VA
4. Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC
5. Washtenaw Area Transportation Study (WATS), Ann Arbor, MI
6. Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI

About the new CSRC Research Programs

Massachusetts Institute of Technology AgeLab

• Demands of In-Vehicle Interfaces

A two-year study to explore how the use of in-vehicle voice command systems affect driver distraction.  The findings will be provided to NHTSA to help inform future research and voluntary guidelines.

The Transportation Active Safety Institute at Indiana University/Purdue University Indianapolis

• Pedestrian Pre-Collision Systems (PCS) Test Scenarios

A five-year study to develop testing protocols for automotive PCS designed to prevent pedestrian-related car accidents. The study will draw on available crash data in NHTSA databases and original vehicle testing to develop more sophisticated and realistic test scenarios for PCS with the goal of improving pedestrian safety.

University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute

• Posture, body shape, and seatbelt fit in senior drivers

An 18-month project to study the relationship between age and seated occupant posture, body shape, and seatbelt fit. The project seeks to determine if senior drivers and passengers sit differently in the vehicle, to characterize exterior body shape, changes that occur with age, and to understand how these factors influence seatbelt fit. The statistical models resulting from the study can be used to better understand senior occupant kinetics and injury patterns in a crash event.

Virginia Tech Transportation Institute

• Senior  Driver Support – Brain Training

A three-year project to test and compare the benefits of a brain fitness training program for senior drivers.  Researchers believe that with brain appropriate training, older drivers can increase their useful field of view, which typically shrinks as we age.

• Lane Departure Warning System Safety Benefit Estimation

A three-year study to evaluate the safety benefits of Lane Departure Warning (LDW) Systems and develop collision scenarios that can be used to effectively compare the technology across different makes and models.

Wake Forest School of Medicine

• Advanced Automated Crash Notification

A one-year partnership to develop vehicle computer systems that not only notify first responders in the event of a collision, but also predict the likelihood and severity of occupant and driver injuries.

• THUMS Simulation of Real-World Collision Events

A five-year project to combine collision reconstruction data with Finite Element Modeling to better understand how to reduce injuries caused by vehicle collisions. The study will compare information about actual collisions with data from Toyota’s THUMS technology, allowing researchers to pinpoint which changes to vehicle design could have prevented the actual injuries suffered by vehicle occupants.

Washtenaw Area Transportation Study

• Washtenaw County Crash Data Archive

A two-year study to explore new models for post-crash accident data collection. The study aims to help prevent future collisions through an improved understanding of information that could be used to make vehicles and U.S. roads and highways safer.

Wayne State University School of Medicine

• Driver Distraction: Cognitive Model & Validation

A three-year collaborative study to better understand the cognitive aspect of driver distraction. Combining research in the fields of driver behavior, cognitive psychology, and cognitive neuroscience, the project will advance the auto industry’s understanding of a phenomenon that has been widely blamed for many accidents and injuries on U.S. roads and highways.

• Finite Element Model Development for Vulnerable Populations

A four-and-a-half-year study to develop human body finite element (FE) models for children and seniors so that engineers can account for differences in their body characteristics when designing vehicle safety systems. The study aims to close the gap between current safety testing and the actual injuries sustained by these two vulnerable populations, ultimately reducing injuries to all occupants regardless of age.

About the Toyota Technical Center

Toyota Technical Center (TTC), a division of Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing, N.A., is the Research and Development arm of Toyota in North America.  TTC is responsible for engineering design, vehicle development, safety and performance evaluation, regulatory affairs and advanced technical research for Toyota and Lexus vehicles manufactured or sold in North America.  TTC has developed the Avalon, Camry, Sienna, Solara, Tundra and Venza vehicles for the North American market.  For more information about Toyota, visit www.toyota.com.

Now that football season is in full swing, don’t drop the ball at your next tailgate, let N2N Global help you play it safe. “You have to use the same food safety practices you would use at home. Washing hands, and keeping foods out of the danger zones will make for a great party, always,” says Angela Paymard Chairwoman of the Orlando based, N2N Global.

Paymard’s Florida based company provides operations compliance, and food safety solutions for food companies, which helps ensure the world’s food supply operates in an efficient and effective manner, resulting in a higher quality of food in the supply chain. Paymard works with restaurants, retailers, distributers, packers and processors around the world.

In order to prevent foodborne illnesses, keep food at safe temperatures. Be sure to pack raw hamburgers, sausages, and chicken in insulated coolers with plenty of ice or ice packs. Always take along a food thermometer. Don’t worry that your friends might think you’re a geek—it will keep them and the food they eat safe. Food in the cooler should be at 40F or lower. Be sure to pack raw meat securely so that its juices don’t mix with other foods in your container. Better yet, have separate coolers for meat and fruit and vegetables and dip to prevent cross- contamination.

If you are serving hot food, don’t forget the rules. Hot take-out foods should be eaten within 2 hours of buying them. That’s 1 hour if the temperature outside is above 90F. Keep soups, chili, and stew in insulated containers made for hot foods. They should be kept at 140F or above.

“Keep everything clean. Bring extra water and wipes for keeping hands and utensils clean. It’s a good idea to bring extra cooking utensils and to use plastic ware,” Paymard suggests.

If you plan to marinate meats, the USDA recommends that you do so in the refrigerator. Don’t mix raw meat and poultry. Don’t reuse the marinade. Be sure to transport the marinated meat in a cooler until you are ready to fire up the grill.

Cook hotdogs until they are steaming hot and hamburgers until they reach 160F. If you are serving shrimp cocktail or dips, it’s a good idea to serve those items on a bed of ice. Happy tailgating! You may want to appoint a food referee to help keep track of what you bring and how it’s handled. Give them a whistle, and a thermometer.

About N2N Global

N2N Global’s product suite brings powerful solutions for all members of the food supply chain. For Supply Side companies, N2N offers agri-ERP solutions , farm management, food safety, business analytics and traceability software.

For direct to consumer and buy side companies, N2N offers food safety, compliance, and asset tracking tools to help ensure the food supply is properly managed for minimized risk. N2N Global provides comprehensive solutions for companies looking for ways to improve efficiencies, enhance profitability, and ensure food safety.

To contact Angela Paymard directly, visit her on N2N’s twitter page. For more information, please visit http://www.n2nglobal.com.

Rankmymechanic.com has been launched with the goal of assisting consumers in any city in the U.S in finding the local mechanic that is the most optimal for their needs. By using the five ranking criteria: Affordability, Customer Service, Time Efficiency, Quality of Work, and the Overall Score, the site provides consumers with a plethora of information to allow one to make an intelligent decision on who to choose to repair their car, truck, motorcycle or boat.

Rankmymechanic.com was created to provide consumers with information on mechanics in their neighborhoods. A simple enter of one’s zip code will issue consumers a list of mechanics in one’s area. The site also gives mechanics the opportunity to create a profile and create an advanced listing on the site. The site has networks of mechanics across the U.S, and includes an assortment of service types from Auto Radio and Stereo services to Auto Wheels and Tires and everything in between. Once again, the site doesn’t just cater to regular car drivers, but even has rankings and reviews on Big Rigs from Detailing to Repair, Boats from Cleaning to Covers and, Motorcycles from Customizing to Classics.

The several categories provided on the site, allows consumers to find specifically the service they are looking for, without having to sift through mechanics who may not provide the needed service. Anyone can register; therefore, the rankings and reviews are written by individuals whose rankings and reviews benefit their neighbors, and guide them in the right direction. Register at http://www.rankmymechanic.com

Rankmymechanic.com is a database that can help both consumers and mechanics by increasing awareness on the services provided at each shop, as well as by distinguishing the quality mechanics from those who are not. Categories are provided to aid in finding the specific service that is being sought. The five category rank criteria allows for decision making to encompass Affordability as well as Quality of Work, while still keeping in mind Time efficiency and Customer Service. The quality of an overall experience at a mechanic includes many facets, and this site provides the tools necessary to find the best mechanic for each specific consumer.

Rankmymechanic.com helps consumers find specialized mechanics in their area. Ratings and reviews are the opinion of users and not Rankmymechanic.com

Globally recognized today, the Chevrolet bowtie logo was introduced by company co-founder William C. Durant in late 1913. But how it came to be synonymous with the brand is open to wide interpretation.

Durant’s version of how the logo came into existence is well known. The long-accepted story, confirmed by Durant himself, was that it was inspired by the wallpaper design in a Parisian hotel.

According to The Chevrolet Story of 1961, an official company publication issued in celebration of Chevrolet’s 50th anniversary:

“It originated in Durant’s imagination when, as a world traveler in 1908, he saw the pattern marching off into infinity as a design on wallpaper in a French hotel. He tore off a piece of the wallpaper and kept it to show friends, with the thought that it would make a good nameplate for a car.”

However, conflicting accounts have emerged, each of which is plausible enough to deepen the mystery and suggest it may never be solved. Two of the alternate origins come from within the Durant family itself.

In 1929, Durant’s daughter, Margery, published a book entitled, My Father. In it, she told how Durant sometimes doodled nameplate designs on pieces of paper at the dinner table. “I think it was between the soup and the fried chicken one night that he sketched out the design that is used on the Chevrolet car to this day,” she wrote.

More than half a century later, another Bowtie origin was recounted in a 1986 issue of Chevrolet Pro Management Magazine based on a 13-year-old interview with Durant’s widow, Catherine. She recalled how she and her husband were on holiday in Hot Springs, Va., in 1912. While reading a newspaper in their hotel room, Durant spotted a design and exclaimed,  ”I think this would be a very good emblem for the Chevrolet.” Unfortunately, at the time, Mrs. Durant didn’t clarify what the motif was or how it was used.

That nugget of information inspired Ken Kaufmann, historian and editor of The Chevrolet Review, to search out its validity. In aNov. 12, 1911 edition of The Constitution newspaper, published in Atlanta, an advertisement appeared from by the Southern Compressed Coal Company for “Coalettes,” a refined fuel product for fires. The Coalettes logo, as published in the ad, had a slanted bowtie form, very similar to the shape that would soon become the Chevrolet icon. Did Durant and his wife see the same ad – or one similar – the following year a few states to the north? The date of the paper was just nine days after the incorporation of the Chevrolet Motor Co.

One other explanation attributes the design to a stylized version of the cross of the Swiss flag. Louis Chevrolet was born in Switzerland at La Chaux-de-Fonds, Canton of Neuchatel, to French parents, on Christmas Day 1878.

Whichever origin is true, within a few years, the bowtie would emerge as the definitive Chevrolet logo. An October 2, 1913edition of The Washington Post seems, so far, to be the earliest known example of the symbol being used to advertise the brand. “Look for this nameplate” the ad proclaims above the emblem. Customers the world over have been doing so ever since.

Many variations in coloring and detail of the Chevrolet bowtie have come and gone over the decades since its introduction in late 1913, but the essential shape has never changed. In 2004, Chevrolet began to phase in the gold bowtie that today serves as the brand identity for all of its cars and trucks marketed globally. The move reinforced the strength of what was already one of the most-recognized automotive emblems in the world. More than 4.25 million Chevrolets were sold in more than 120 countries and regions during 2010.

About Chevrolet

Founded in Detroit in 1911, Chevrolet celebrates its centennial as a global automotive brand with annual sales of about 4.25 million vehicles in more than 120 countries. Chevrolet provides consumers with fuel-efficient, safe and reliable vehicles that deliver high quality, expressive design, spirited performance and value. The Chevrolet portfolio includes iconic performance cars such as Corvette and Camaro; dependable, long-lasting pickups and SUVs such as Silverado and Suburban; and award-winning passenger cars and crossovers such as Spark, Cruze, Malibu, Equinox and Traverse. Chevrolet also offers “gas-friendly to gas-free” solutions including Cruze Eco and Volt. Cruze Eco offers 42 mpg highway while Volt offers 35 miles of electric, gasoline-free driving and an additional 344 miles of extended range. Most new Chevrolet models offer OnStar safety, security and convenience technologies including OnStar Hands-Free Calling, Automatic Crash Response and Stolen Vehicle Slowdown. More information regarding Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com

The UTI Foundation and AutoZone are joining forces to change the world one life at a time by launching the first scholarship program to support UTI students seeking a career in the automotive retail industry.  One $2,000 scholarship will be awarded each quarter ($8,000 annually) to deserving students who demonstrate impressive leadership, community involvement and work experience through a competitive application process that includes a personal essay and letter of recommendation.

“We are always so pleased when an industry partner makes the extra effort to help make our students’ dreams become a reality,” said Veronica Meury, vice president and executive director of the UTI Foundation. “AutoZone’s participation in this scholarship program shows how invested they are in the next generation of automotive technicians.”

The application deadlines for each award cycle are, Oct. 15, Jan. 15, April 15 and July 15, with the inaugural scholarship being awarded soon after the October 15, 2011 deadline. In addition to the required personal essay and recommendation letter, an applicant must be a current UTI student in good standing and maintain a 2.5 GPA and 95 percent attendance record.

“The UTI Foundation works tirelessly to change the lives of UTI students,” said Ann Morgan, Vice President of Human Resources for AutoZone, “It is our pleasure to contribute to the success of UTI students who could one day, if we’re lucky, become great AutoZoners.”

To learn more about the newest scholarship offering from the UTI Foundation, as well as other scholarship opportunities, visit www.utifoundation.net.

About UTI Foundation:

The UTI Foundation, a 501(c)(3) Arizona nonprofit, is the umbrella organization for all Universal Technical Institute, Inc. (NYSE:UTI) not-for-profit initiatives and is dedicated to raising funds to support and encourage technical education for the automotive, diesel, collision repair, motorcycle, marine, NASCAR  and other transportation industries through scholarships, grants, career development and other special programs.  For more information, visit www.utifoundation.net.

About AutoZone:

As of May 7, 2011, AutoZone sells auto and light truck parts, chemicals and accessories through 4,467 AutoZone stores in 48 U.S. states plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico and 261 stores in Mexico.

AutoZone is the leading retailer and a leading distributor of automotive replacement parts and accessories in the United States. Each store carries an extensive product line for cars, sport utility vehicles, vans and light trucks, including new and remanufactured automotive hard parts, maintenance items, accessories, and non-automotive products.  Many stores also have a commercial sales program that provides commercial credit and prompt delivery of parts and other products to local, regional and national repair garages, dealers, service stations, and public sector accounts.  AutoZone also sells the ALLDATA brand diagnostic and repair software through www.alldata.com. Additionally, we sell automotive hard parts, maintenance items, accessories, non-automotive products and subscriptions to the ALLDATAdiy product through www.autozone.com, and our commercial customers can make purchases through www.autozonepro.com. AutoZone does not derive revenue from automotive repair or installation.

A yellow flag at two upcoming NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races will generate some green to fight breast cancer.

Chevrolet will make a $200 donation to the American Cancer Society for each caution lap that a specially themed pink Camaro SS pace car runs in upcoming NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Atlanta Motor Speedway and Richmond International Raceway. The Atlanta race begins 7:30 p.m. Sunday (televised on ESPN). The Richmond race is 7:30 p.m. Sept. 10 (televised on ABC).

Chevrolet’s commitment to battling breast cancer won’t stop on the track. In its centennial year, the brand is partnering with the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer initiative leading up to October, which is national Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and Chevy’s Nov. 3 birthday. Other Making Strides Against Breast Cancer events will be announced later.

“For 100 years, Chevy has been helping people along the journey of life in countless ways,” said Alan Batey, Chevrolet vice president, Sales and Service. “But as we all know, sometimes life’s journeys take detours or end too early. Together with our race fans, Chevrolet wants to help the American Cancer Society create a world with less cancer, more birthdays and longer journeys.”

Currently, Chevy driver Jimmie Johnson (No. 48) is tied for the lead in NASCAR Sprint Cup Series points. Johnson is the defending NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion and winner of five consecutive championships.

About Chevrolet

Founded in Detroit in 1911, Chevrolet celebrates its centennial as a global automotive brand with annual sales of about 4.25 million vehicles in more than 120 countries. Chevrolet provides consumers with fuel-efficient, safe and reliable vehicles that deliver high quality, expressive design, spirited performance and value. The Chevrolet portfolio includes iconic performance cars such as Corvette and Camaro; dependable, long-lasting pickups and SUVs such as Silverado and Suburban; and award-winning passenger cars and crossovers such as Sonic, Cruze, Malibu, Equinox and Traverse. Chevrolet also offers “gas-friendly” solutions including Cruze Eco and Volt. Cruze Eco offers 42 mpg highway while Volt offers 35 miles of electric, gasoline-free driving and an additional 344 miles of extended gasoline range, according to EPA estimates. Most new Chevrolet models offer OnStar safety, security and convenience technologies including OnStar Hands-Free Calling, Automatic Crash Response and Stolen Vehicle Slowdown. More information regarding Chevrolet models, fuel solutions and OnStar availability can be found at www.chevrolet.com.

LogicBay’s Performance Center unifies all facets of distribution channel development into a single, easy-to-use portal. The Performance Center’s unified suite of core technologies includes Marketing Communications Management, Learning Management, Performance Management, Content Management and Social Management. The portal capabilities of the system allow easy, single sign-on to other dealer and customer-facing systems both inside and outside the firewall. Additionally, the Performance Center can be customized and expanded through the use of a growing stable of unique widgets and apps.

DTNA deployed LogicBay’s original Performance Center in 2000 and has been upgrading to newer versions as they become available. The latest version, 7.2, adds enhanced functionality including application/API support, a collaboration dashboard, a manage organizations dashboard, MyLinks updates and support for Qualified Instructors. Performance Center 7.2 also adds enhanced administrative capabilities such as a new HTML editor, HTML versioning, improved licensed management and an improved, tabbed user interface.

The Daimler deployment currently provides five partner portals to its dealers, including Freightliner and Western Star New Truck Sales, Used Truck Sales, Detroit Diesel Engines, and Daimler Truck Financial. The system includes over 200 active courses and over a half-million records. The deployment is hosted and supported by LogicBay through their SaaS (Software as a Service) channel management software.

“We rely on LogicBay’s Performance Center to bring our dealers the training and certification, marketing communications, and collaboration they need to perform effectively. LogicBay’s oversight, monitoring and functionality enhancements have allowed us to continually offer a top-of-the-line solution. This latest upgrade is just one more example of their commitment to us and our dealers. That’s why we’ve used their Performance Center for over ten years now, and why we’ll be adding three more centers soon.” – Tom Zielke, Sales Training Manager, Freightliner Trucks

About LogicBay

LogicBay provides technology-enabled Partner Relationship Management (PRM) solutions enabling organizations to engage, manage and develop their dealer networks, leveraging shared knowledge and best practices. With a focus on the key elements of engagement including collaboration, marketing/communications effectiveness, training and certification and performance management LogicBay deploys powerful on-line communities that empower and connect the extended networks of a dispersed sales function to be able to sell and service products more effectively.

About Daimler Trucks North America

Daimler Trucks North America LLC is the largest heavy-duty truck manufacturer in North America and a leading manufacturer of Class 4-8 vehicles. Daimler Trucks North America produces and markets commercial vehicles under the Freightliner, Western Star and Thomas Built Buses nameplates. Daimler Trucks North America is a Daimler company.

The 2011 Chevrolet Fireball Run Adventurally announces a first-of-its-kind program to increase awareness, fan participation & consumer engagement.

The production will be filmed and aired “live” on Fireball Run Live via LiveStream to a potential 7 Million viewers; to get an idea of how many viewers that represents, it is roughly the same number who watch Oprah Winfrey or caught the NBA playoffs.

All rally team vehicles will be equipped with GPS-tracking devices provided by RealTrack GPS; allowing fans to follow the rally and their favorite teams online as the numbered icons travel across real-time satellite photos. Fans can also engage in discussions with teams and each other via “livechat” on the Fireball Run website.

QR codes, short for Quick Response, are square matrix codes that can be scanned by smart phones to launch digital content; text and photos to websites and videos- in this case access to sponsor and destination websites with incentives.

Fans who participate in “Follow the Fireball” Scan, Track and Win! and Register, Track and Win! will be eligible for prizes, including a spot in next year’s rally. Product incentives and discounts provided by sponsors will be distributed to fans who participate in the program by signing up to track the rally on FireballRun.com/LIVE -Additional prizes will be awarded to those who scan vehicle QR’s or participate in social media discussions. A complimentary entry in 2012 Rally, a $7500 value, will be awarded to one correct prediction on this year’s winning team.
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The 2011 Chevrolet Fireball Run Adventurally starts September 23rd on Florida’s Space Coast and concludes October 1st on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

The 2011 rally themed “Southern Excursion” is positioned to be the most interesting and successful so far. Nearly 40 teams will compete in the 2,500 miles, 8 day adventure, including NASCAR legend Geoff Bodine, former NASA Shuttle Astronaut Winston Scott, and Actor/Activist, Kevyn Major Howard and his non-profit Fueled by the Fallen.

The Fireball Run’s signature cause; the Race to Recover America’s Missing Children is the largest active recovery effort for missing and exploited children in the country. To date, the effort has assisted in the recovery of 36 missing children.

Contact:    David Hickman
Tel:            407.224.5403
E-Mail:     media(at)fireballrun(dot)com
Website: http://www.FireballRun.com

It makes for great and frightening TV, and now it’s a real-world lesson in physics. Scientists and engineers regularly hurtle new vehicles head-on into barriers and thrust heavy battering rams into driver’s side doors. We’ve all seen the scary results on news programs and TV commercials.

But today, students everywhere are getting a “crash course” in the science of physics, with controlled car collisions a dramatic and inescapably instructional part of the new curriculum. It was developed by The JASON Project in partnership with the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

IIHS crash tests are the jumping-off point for 4th-10th grade students to learn concepts such as velocity, acceleration, and momentum. To help create the curriculum, a team of internationally selected students and teachers from The JASON Project traveled to the IIHS test facility in Ruckersville, Va. to witness crash tests and work with research engineers who are applying the laws of physics to better understand – and mitigate – what happens in collisions.

IIHS provided senior research engineer Matt Brumbelow and others to help develop the science unit. Brumbelow and the JASON students and teachers who participated in the research are featured in the curriculum, Terminal Velocity, which was released worldwide in August.

The JASON Project, named for the mythological Greek explorer, is the only program that links students – inside the classroom and out – directly to leading scientists engaged in cutting-edge research. Its rigorous, standards-based classroom curricula are developed in collaboration with IIHS as well as National Geographic Society, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, (NOAA), NASA, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, U.S. Department of Energy national laboratories, Smithsonian Institution and others.

“The most exciting part for me was the roof crush test, where a huge pressure source pushed on the corner of a gleaming new sedan until the car crumpled,” said Aubrey Gonzalez, a high school junior from Harvest, Ala.

“You could hear a crackling sound like little explosions, and then the back window blew out and the side windows ruptured, spraying glass everywhere. It was awe-inspiring and frightening to see something so strong crumple like that.”

“The JASON Project brings science alive for young people,” said IIHS President Adrian Lund. “We wanted to be a part of the program because of its fundamental goal of demonstrating how scientific principles can be applied to real-world problems like motor vehicle crashes to make a difference and save lives.”

“JASON’s success is achieved through partnerships, and we are grateful to IIHS for helping us make physics engaging, meaningful, and accessible for millions of students,” said Dr. Stephen M. Coan, CEO of The JASON Project. “The focus on driver safety only heightens the importance of this curriculum, and we look forward to continuing our work with IIHS in the months and years ahead.”

JASON’s nationally acclaimed curricula feature year-round interactions with scientists; online simulations, games, videos and social media; and hands-on labs and field assignments. Its Immersion Learning program creates complementary academic enrichment programs for youth in after school, mentoring, and summer science camps in partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs, U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Air Force, Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation, as well as museums and aquariums throughout the world.

Together, JASON and Immersion reach over 1.5 million students and teachers annually, and general audiences of six million. Independent evaluations show that the programs have a significant impact on student academic achievement and teacher effectiveness.

About The JASON Project

The JASON Project is an independent 501(c)(3) managed by National Geographic Society in association with Sea Research Foundation, Inc. More than 11 million students and teachers have participated in the program since its founding in 1989 by Dr. Robert D. Ballard, the renowned oceanographer, explorer and scientist. JASON is based at The George Washington University Science and Technology Campus in Ashburn, Va.

About the Insurance for Institute for Highway Safety

IIHS is a nonprofit organization funded wholly by automobile insurance companies dedicated to reducing deaths, injuries, and property damage that result from crashes on the nation’s roads. Its research focuses on three main areas: human factors, or preventing crashes by changing driver behavior; vehicle factors, or reducing deaths and injuries by improving vehicle safety engineering; and environmental factors, or changing roadway design to reduce crashes.

DinoDirect.com has announced a new promotion that car lovers can’t refuse. This time, the promotion is all about upgrading and updating the looks and resources of the cars. The product range is very wide here and includes Car DVD, Car Audio Video, Car GPS, Car navigation, Car Diagnostic, OBD2 Scanner and Car Radar. Speaking on the occasion, Marketing Manager, DinoDirect.com, said, “This is yet another endeavor from us to provide our valued customers the best value for their money. We are sure that our clients will benefit highly from this offer.”

All the car accessories offered are quite different from each other in terms of their purpose. Some are meant to provide quality audio and video and some will help to know about the various problems of automobiles. All these accessories are of excellent quality and very durable to be an integral part of a car’s support system for a very long time.

Now going through the accessories, different types of Car DVD players with multiple features are a part of this promotion. The SL-6766-GT-2 is one of the most appropriate and easy to use DVD player for cars. It has a 7-inch touch screen with which one can perform all the functions that it has. Other players like SL-6735-2-002 and 6731-GD-2-002 also have similar features. The range in this category of products is very wide.

The Car GPS systems available at this promotional event are one of the most perfect accessories for the cars. They make driving safe and help users not to lose direction while moving in unknown places by offering excellent Car Navigation. The map card equipped GPS navigator and the HD touch screen navigator are some of the very useful and durable ones that can be bought to ease driving.

They have superior quality screen that offers a very clear display. Other features like bluetooth, USB and multimedia support make them a very potent accessory for all types of cars. One can also go for other GPS Navigators that are on show in this offer.

No one can see the below-eye-level objects while reversing in their car. For this reason a Car Radar is a must-have product for driver’s and passengers’ safety. It easily avoids the hidden accidents that can happen unnecessarily. The 4 sensor fitted radar system is an excellent option that one can have. With 4 parking sensors drivers are sure to park the car at the right place without having much trouble. Similarly there are many more radars to explore in this promotion. Knowing about the technical wellness of the car is another important aspect to make sure that the vehicle is in good health.

Car Diagnostic devices are very helpful in giving a full report about the current state of a car. Some of the devices in this category include MaxiScan MS509, T300 and Spanish SC05, etc.

All are OBD2 Scanner products that are fully made from advanced technology and have superior features so that they are able to offer the most accurate information about the automobiles.

Having strong multimedia resources in the car is always good. Therefore a Car Audio Video player with multiple features is just what one wants. There are number of durable and attractive mp3, mp4 and DVD players on display in this promotional offer. All are having clear display screen, offer quality audio and FM assistance and support for different types of data transfer is also there.

About DinoDirect.com

DinoDirect China Limited (http://www.dinodirect.com) is one of the biggest global online retailers. It offers a great quantity of products at competitive prices by cutting the middleman and offering products directly to the terminal consumers.

DinoDirect.com possesses a great many software products with proprietary intellectual property rights, owns technological superiority and is an efficient marketing team among similar industries.