“Indonesian car industry proving resilient - Financial Times” plus 4 more

Indonesian car industry proving resilient - Financial Times
Dentsu Loses Remainder of Suzuki America Business to Questus - Advertising Age
Thursday (9/03) - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Text size - Chicago Tribune
Honda to celebrate 30 years of production - Bellefontaine Examiner

Indonesian car industry proving resilient - Financial Times

Posted: 09 Sep 2009 05:38 PM PDT

When the directors of Astra International, which produces most vehicles sold in Indonesia, met late last year to set sales projections for 2009, the mood was very gloomy.

"We thought [sales of] cars would fall by a third to a half and [of] motorbikes by around 20 per cent," said Johnny Darmawan, the head of Toyota Astra Motor. "Admittedly last year was a record year on the back of soaring palm oil and coal prices but the outlook was very bleak."

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Dentsu Loses Remainder of Suzuki America Business to Questus - Advertising Age

Posted: 09 Sep 2009 04:05 PM PDT

Motor Company Hands Entire Account to Digital Agency of Record With Focus on Online-Advertising Synergies

Posted by Kunur Patel on 09.09.09 @ 05:57 PM

NEW YORK (AdAge.com) -- A San Francisco-based digital shop just grabbed what was left of Dentsu's Suzuki America business. Dentsu lost the majority of the account, the brand's automotive advertising duties, to Siltanen & Partners last year.

Digital agency Questus has gone from being Suzuki power-sports' digital agency of record to handling all advertising, including TV and print, for North America. The 50-person shop was handed the business, estimated at $10 million to $15 million for the remainder of 2009, without review.

Dentsu Next was shuttered in January, after losing American Suzuki in 2008. At that time, the power-sports business, which includes motorcycles and ATVs, was moved to Dentsu, Los Angeles.

"Questus brings us the combination of heavier digital and the synergy of doing our digital and then being able to bridge that gap between print, TV and social media," said Steve Bortolamedi, senior advertising manager, American Suzuki Motor Corp.'s power-sports division. "Our digital and social media is leading the way, and TV and print is supporting, while in the past, TV and print led advertising efforts. We feel most confident with having Questus leading to that end."

Questus has been Suzuki America power-sports' digital agency of record since 2003, when the agency said the brand dedicated less than 5% of its budget to online.

"This is the first client we've ever taken from digital lead to full lead," said Questus partner Joey Dumont. The agency, which reports $30 million in revenue including creative fees and media, has created non-digital work for an undisclosed banking client, Verizon and Salesforce.com. For Suzuki, Questus created the Hayabusa sports bike social-media campaign targeting hip-hop enthusiasts, along with numerous websites in the U.S. and Canada.

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Thursday (9/03) - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Posted: 09 Sep 2009 12:52 PM PDT

Updated:
10:09 p.m. Reeling from 1-2 punch

Updated:
9:43 p.m. Fond du Lac County Board approves sales tax, loan for Mercury

9:02 p.m. Bill yanks records from public eye

7:56 p.m. Social worker despicable, judge says

6:42 p.m. Kenosha jewelry store owner shoots armed robber

5:50 p.m. Accident closes two lanes on I-43

Updated:
5:06 p.m. Records describe brutal past for suspect

Updated:
4:24 p.m. Two charged in killing of UWM student

Updated:
3:48 p.m. Cudahy: no funding for UWM engineering campus

3:22 p.m. PCBs detected in sewer beneath Mitchell Park

2:22 p.m. Milwaukee teen among finalists for club award

2:15 p.m. Outlook: We'll pay more at the pump, less to heat

2:12 p.m. Barrett to discuss education-related issues in D.C. tomorrow

2:10 p.m. Condoleezza Rice to appear at Medical College dinner

2:04 p.m. 54% of state doctors support national health insurance, survey finds

1:55 p.m. State's alt-fuels grant is biggest in U.S.

1:46 p.m. Task force recommends steps to reduce foreclosures

1:28 p.m. Whitefish Bay schools to hold $22.6 million referendum

12:46 p.m. City offers free prescription drug discount cards

12:42 p.m. State Rep. Roth to be deployed to Iraq

12:06 p.m. Group to convert Grafton Hotel building into apartments

11:59 a.m. Firm picked for UW project faces investigation on irregularities

11:56 a.m. Payday lenders more than double donations to legislators

11:51 a.m. Ex-Packers quarterback arrested

11:44 a.m. License deal will aid research into E. coli poisoning

11:32 a.m. Neumann questions viability of commuter rail line

11:18 a.m. Officials investigating what killed man found in Mitchell Park

10:42 a.m. Rockwell's Nosbusch takes manufacturing pitch to Washington

10:28 a.m. Machine ignites small fire at Falls Harley plant

10:20 a.m. Auditors detail excessive state credit card charges

9:30 a.m. State revokes Hurtgen's law license

8:08 a.m. Thompson gives Obama advice on health care

7:11 a.m. Wauwatosa church embraces solar power

6:36 a.m. Brookfield teens suspected in up to 50 car break-ins

6:02 a.m. Fond du Lac hosts fireworks convention

5:54 a.m. UW may suspend doctor's note rule

5:50 a.m. Trooper to be honored in Capitol ceremony

5:46 a.m. Late blight threat to potatoes decreasing

Yesterday
9:56 p.m. Motorcyclist who died was from Madison

6:56 p.m. Serial killings suspect was violent as youth, affable as adult, neighbors say

5:06 p.m. Facebook video leads to deer shining charges

4:52 p.m. Milwaukee Democrats speak out against mayoral takeover of MPS

4:20 p.m. Deal may boost hours at Raabe Co. in Menomonee Falls

4:10 p.m. Washington County looks for options on troubled Fair Park

3:50 p.m. Marquette University confirms first swine flu case

2:56 p.m. Doyle renews push for transit plan

2:32 p.m. Police identify victim in Waukesha homicide

2:24 p.m. Explosive device destroyed Germantown light pole

1:48 p.m. 2 brothers sue archdiocese, saying priest assaulted them

12:52 p.m. Tax on those earning $1 million or more would fund job training

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Text size - Chicago Tribune

Posted: 09 Sep 2009 11:04 AM PDT

ELKHART LAKE VINTAGE FESTIVAL Road America will host the 24th annual Vintage Sports Car Drivers Association's Elkhart Lake Vintage Festival Sept. 11-13. Some 300 vintage and historic racecars from around the country will be on hand. The main gate opens at 7 a.m. daily. Admission is $75 for a three-day ticket or $15 for Sept. 11 and $30 each for Sept. 12 and 13. Kids 12 and under are free when accompanied by a paid adult. Visit www.roadamerica.com or call 800-365-7223.

CHILD-SEAT INSPECTIONS To kick off Child Passenger Safety Week, the Illinois State Police District 15 and the Illinois Tollway are hosting a free child-seat inspection Sept. 12 in Downers Grove. Certified technicians will be on hand from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the tollway maintenance center on Finley Road off I-355 to check for proper seat fit and installation. Visit www.buckleupillinois.org.

SCORE RALLYE The SCORE Rallye Team presents a gimmick car rallye Sept. 12. The event begins with registration at 6 p.m. at the Firestone Auto Center at Woodfield Mall, off Golf Road between Ill. 53 and Meacham Road. Fee is $15, with the first cars out at 7:15. Call 773-493-2517 or e-mail road-rallye@sbcglobal.net.

FALL CAR CORRAL Volo Auto Museum hosts its Fall Expo and Car Corral, open to 225 cars, Sept. 12. Registration is required for the free event, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call 815-385-3644 or visit www.volocars.com.

DEERFIELD CAR SHOW The Deerfield Area Historical Society holds its annual Fallfest and Car Show Sept. 13. All show-quality cars from the 1970s and earlier are welcome from noon to 4 p.m. at the Historical Village. No registration is required, and admission is free. Contact scramer724@yahoo.com or 847-948-0680.

BRITISH CAR FEST The British Car Union hosts its 23nd annual Chicagoland British Car Festival Sept. 13 at Oakton Community College in Des Plaines. The festival, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., is open to all British marques, from Austin to Zephyr. Registration is $20 through Aug. 21 and $25 at the gate. Spectator admission is free. British motorcycles also will be on display. Visit www.britishcarunion.com or e-mail qualitas.jack@gmail.com.

BOULEVARD LAKEFRONT TOUR Registration is open for the annual Boulevard Lakefront Tour Sept. 13. Bicyclists can experience Daniel Burnham's dream on four routes: the 62-mile Ultimate Neighborhood, 35-mile Boulevard Tour Ride, 27-mile Beverly Cruise and 15-mile South Side Ramble. All routes s begin and end at the Midway Plaisance. Registration is $30, $25 for Active Transportation Alliance members and $12 for kids 17 and younger. Visit www.boulevardtour.org or call 312-427-3325, ext. 251.

BOAT PILOTING CLASS The Waukegan Sail & Power Squadron is offering the U.S. Power Squadron Piloting class beginning Sept. 14 at Bass Pro Shop Outdoor World in Gurnee. The class meets from 6:45 to 8:45 p.m. every Monday for 10 weeks. Fee is $60 for members and $140 for non-members (includes one-year membership). Contact the instructor Keith Baldwin at Baldwinkeith@sbcglobal.net.

MARINE ELECTRICAL CLASS The Waukegan Sail & Power Squadron is offering the U.S. Power Squadron Marine Electrical Systems class beginning Sept. 16 at Bass Pro Shop Outdoor World in Gurnee. The class meets from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. every Wednesday for six weeks. Fee is $55 members and $135 for non-members (includes one-year membership). Contact instructor Rex Miller at rexwmiller@gmail.com.

CRUISE THE BACKLOT Downtown Skokie's Cruise the Backlot events are set for Sept. 16. The free cruise runs from 6 to 9 p.m. on the Village Green (parking lot between Village Hall and library. Visit www.cruisethebacklot.com.

CAPTAIN'S LICENSE CLASSES Columbia Yacht Club is offering USCG captain's licensing classes beginning with a free orientation session at 7 p.m. Sept. 17 at the club, at 111 N. Lake Shore Drive. The classes will be held from 6 to 9:30 p.m. beginning Sept. 22 and running through Nov. 19. Tuition of $1,205 includes materials. Visit www.chicago captainsclasses.com or www.usmaritime.us or contact Capt. Fred Swastek at 773-296-6852 or capt.fred@usmaritime.us or Capt. Al Grigalunas at 312-259-5125 or capt.al@usmaritime.us.

AVANTI MEET The ChicagolandChapter of the Avanti Owners Association International is hosting the 2009 Meet Sept. 17-19 at the Hilton Lisle/Naperville. The three-day event will include a swap meet, seminars and a concours for Avantis, Studebakers, Packards and Pierce-Arrows. Contact Tom Corr at 630-267-5896 or tom@3penguinsltd.com.

CHICAGOLAND NATIONALS The third annual PEAK Chicagoland Nationals Car Show, a car show featuring hot rods, custom cars, classics, muscle cars and trucks through 1972 vintage, hits the Chicagoland Speedway Sept. 18 through 20. More than 2,000 cars are expected along with a Street Challenge Autocross, swap meet and drag racing. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 18 and 19 and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 20. Admission is $17 for adults and $ for kids age 7-12. Call Goodguys 925-838-9876 or visit www.chicagolandnats.com.

FAMOUS PUZZLER RALLYE The 11th annual Famous Puzzler Rallye kicks off with registration at 6 p.m. Sept. 19 at Woodfield Mall parking lot in Schaumburg near light pole B-2. A beginner's school starts at 6:45 and drivers meeting at 7 with the first car out at 7:15. Cost is $25 in advance and $30 at the gate with proceeds to benefit UPS for DownS, a non-profit that assists families dealing with Down Syndrome. Visit www.upsfordowns.org.

RAILROAD DAYS The Monticello Railway Museum hosts Railroad Days Sept. 19 and 20 in Monticello, off I-72 between Champaign and Springfield. Abraham Lincoln and the Leviathan, an operating 1869 steam locomotive replica, will be on hand for the festivities. Hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. All day tickets, with unlimited train rides, are $12 for adults and $8 for children age 2-12. Visit www.mrym.org.

KJP CAR SHOWS In conjunction with the HeritageFest West Dundee, KJP Car, Truck and Motorcycle Shows will hold a show Sept. 19-20 at Main and 2nd Streets in the suburb. Registration opens at 10:30 with a fee of $15 per vehicle. Spectators are free, with awards by 4 p.m. Call John Pullaro at 847-608-0565 or Mike Konwinski 847-895-0032 or visit www.wdundee.org.

VW-FEST 2009 The Northeast Illinois Volkswagen Association presents VW-Fest 2009 Sept. 20. Northern Illinois' largest all VW Car Show & Swap Meet runs from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Anderson Volkswagen in Crystal Lake. Fee is $10 per show car and $20 per swap space. Spectator admission is free. Visit www.nivaclub.org.

URBAN ASSAULT RIDE The Urban Assault Ride returns to Chicago Sept. 20. At 9 a.m. at Murphy's Bleachers, two-member bicycle teams will begin the scavanger hunt that includes obstacle courses at five checkpoints. Registration, which ranges up to $65, closes at 3 p.m. Sept. 19. Visit www.urbanassaultride.com or call 303-408-0747.

CORVETTE FUNFEST Mid America Motorworks holds its 16th annual Corvette Funfest Sept. 25-27 at its headquarters on U.S. 45, 2 miles north of Interstates 57 and 70, in Effingham, Ill. Some 15,000 of the sports cars are expected for show. Admission starts at $40. Call 800-500-1500 or visit www.corvettefunfest.com.

AMAZING RACE RALLYE Brand-X Rallye Team presents The Amazing Race gimmick ralley based on the TV show Sept. 26. The rallye begins at 6 p.m. with registration at Woodfield Mall, parking area B2, near the Firestone Tire Center. A free beginners' school starts at 6:30 p.m. with the first car off at 7:30. Call Kathy Thomas at 815-338-6319 or visit www.brandxrallyeteam.com.

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Honda to celebrate 30 years of production - Bellefontaine Examiner

Posted: 09 Sep 2009 08:12 AM PDT

Honda of America Manufacturing Inc. will celebrate 30 years of manufacturing in Ohio with a ceremonial tree planting Thursday symbolizing the company's deep roots in Ohio and commitment to our neighboring communities.

Soon after 64 original associates produced the first dirt bike on Sept. 10, 1979, Honda moved ahead with plans to build an automotive plant. Automotive production began November 1982.

Over the past 30 years, Honda plants in Ohio have produced more than 13 million automobiles, 17 million engines, 1 million motorcycles, 2 million all-terrain vehicles and nearly 13 million automatic transmissions.