plus 4, Schnuerer Toys for Tots drive bigger than ever with a gullwing ... - autoblog

Schnuerer Toys for Tots drive bigger than ever with a gullwing ... - autoblog
Alternative Fuel Technologies Receives Order From Shanghai Diesel ... - Yahoo Finance
VW, GM and Peugeot-Citroën - Economist.com
Alternative Fuel Technologies Receives Order From Shanghai Diesel ... - PR Inside
Officially Official: VW and Suzuki tie the knot - autoblog

Schnuerer Toys for Tots drive bigger than ever with a gullwing ... - autoblog

Posted: 09 Dec 2009 08:31 AM PST

Schnuerer Toys for Tots drive bigger than ever with a gullwing surprise

by Frank Filipponio (RSS feed) on Dec 9th 2009 at 11:29AM

This past weekend was a busy one for us, and it was for some of our local Marines as well. Our efforts were for a worthy cause, however, as we were busy collecting toys for needy children so they might have something to unwrap during the holidays. We also happened to be surrounded by some of the nicest people and coolest cars ever made at The 6th Annual Schnuerer Toys for Tots drive in Huntington Beach.

The event was highlighted by the surprise appearance of the 2010 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG. Even parked amidst two classic gullwing SLs and beside a new SL65 Black Series, the neo-gullwing drew the lion's share of the attention from the crowd. The car sounded fantastic and we had to admit we'd be hard pressed to choose between it, the Black Series, the nearby CLK DTM cabrio, the SLR or SLR Roadster as our favorite modern Mercedes. The Audi R8 V10 that was parked around back would probably be in the mix as well for most fun to drive. Follow the jump to read how the day played out – and don't forget to check out the huge gallery by clicking any image below.

Gerhard and Rosemarie Schnuerer once again hosted this annual toy drive and car show co-sponsored by Mercedes-Benz USA. The Schnuerer collection of classic and new Mercedes, sidecar motorcycles and WWII military craft is quite spectacular. The couple regularly participates in local concours events and they've won more than a few trophies with these rides. All of their vehicles are restored and in good running order. Some say the Mercedes Classic Center was built in Irvine so they would be close to Gerhard, their best customer.

As cool as the Schnuerer collection is to see in person, our favorite part of this event is the fact that they fire up several of the vehicles and take people for rides in them. Everything from the 1886 Benz Patent Motor-Wagen replica to the 1943 VW Kübelwagen. It's a terrific event with about 550 guests enjoying holiday cheer along with some great German food served up WWII-Style in a Gulaschkanone Military Field Kitchen. This year's event also featured live music, silent and live auctions and a series of raffles.

The live auction was emceed by TV automotive reporter, Dave Kunz, to raise money for Toys for Tots among other charities. Several prizes were auctioned ranging from pedal cars to a weekend rental of an AMG Mercedes-Benz SL63. Le Mans winner Justin Bell was even on hand to donate a special experience at the Jay Leno Show, where he serves as driving coach to the stars in the Green Car Challenge. Several thousand dollars were raised and approximately 1500 toys collected this year, easily surpassing last year's total. While we're glad there will be hundreds more kids getting gifts this year, we got ours just by being there.

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Etc., Mercedes-Benz, Misc. Auto Shows, Design/Style

Tags: 2010 mercedes-benz sls amg, 2010Mercedes-benzSlsAmg, Dave Kunz, DaveKunz, Gerhard Schnuerer, GerhardSchnuerer, gullwing, Justin Bell, JustinBell, Marines, mercedes, Mercedes Benz, mercedes-benz, mercedes-benz sls amg, Mercedes-benzSlsAmg, MercedesBenz, Rosemarie Schnuerer, RosemarieSchnuerer, Schnuerer, Schnuerer Toys for Tots, SchnuererToysForTots, sls, sls amg, SlsAmg, toys for tots, ToysForTots, world war II, WorldWarIi, wwII

This content has passed through fivefilters.org.

Alternative Fuel Technologies Receives Order From Shanghai Diesel ... - Yahoo Finance

Posted: 09 Dec 2009 07:05 AM PST

REDFORD, MI--(Marketwire - 12/09/09) - Alternative Fuel Technologies, Inc. (Pinksheets:AFTC - News), an innovator of clean energy fuel injection systems, announced today that it has received an order from Shanghai Diesel Engine Company ("Shanghai Diesel"), a leading manufacturer of diesel engines in the People's Republic of China ("China"), for twelve (12) dimethyl ether (DME) fuel feed pumps. Shanghai Diesel indicated the majority of the pumps will be used on DME-fueled buses operating in Shanghai, the nation's largest center of finance, commerce and transportation. The pumps are scheduled for deliveries over the next 90 to 120 days.

AFTC's first generation feed pump is in use throughout Europe and Korea. A second generation feed pump has been demonstrated and is undergoing final development. AFTC CEO James McCandless said that this second generation pump, now under development and testing, "Further improves performance and significantly lowers noise, making it ideal for public transportation systems, like buses, passenger cars and mid- to heavy trucks."

"Shanghai Diesel Engine represents the ideal customer to demonstrate the effectiveness of our pumps on public transpiration," said AFTC CEO James McCandless. "China represents an immense, emerging market for our low-cost, ultra-clean fuel injection parts and systems. As the nation invests billions of dollars into greener infrastructure projects, we foresee our relationship with Shanghai Diesel and other Chinese customers to expand in 2010," Mr. McCandless also stated.

A key component to China's 2008 stimulus plan calls for a $440 Billion investment in green energy in an effort to improve global energy security. Presently, China relies on coal-powered plants for about 75% of the nation's total energy needs. Industry analysts estimate that by 2050, coal reserves will decline to 30-50% of total energy consumption, as the country takes on a more diversified approach to energy consumption. By 2010, the nation expects to have 10% of all energy be from sustainable resources, like biomass, renewable energy and other combination sources.

About Shanghai Diesel Engine Company

Through its subsidiaries and associates, Shanghai Diesel Engine Company Limited primarily engages in the manufacture and sale of diesel engines, fuel injection pumps, and components of diesel engines. Shanghai Diesel Engine Company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Shanghai Automotive Industrial Corporation (SAIC).

SAIC operates approximately 50 manufacturing plants in the Shanghai area. SAIC makes passenger cars, tractors, motorcycles, trucks, and buses. Through a joint venture with General Motors (GM), Shanghai General Motors makes Buicks and other GM cars for the Chinese market. Through Shanghai Volkswagen Automotive Company, a JV with Volkswagen, SAIC also makes the Lavida. The Company's other operations include car leasing, auto parts wholesale and retail, and financing. It has production facilities across China, as well as in Germany, Japan, South Korea, the UK, and the US. Other automotive companies owned by SAIC include Shanghai-Sunwin Bus Corporation; Shanghai-Huizhong Automotive Manufacturing and Shanghai-Xingfu Motorcycle.

About DME

DME is a new ultra-clean diesel fuel replacement that can be produced from abundant resources. These include natural gas, landfill methane, coal and biomass. At current oil prices, DME can be produced and distributed at less than 1/2 the cost of conventional fuel. When burned in a diesel engine, all soot emissions are eliminated and NOx emissions are lowered dramatically without the use of expensive exhaust aftertreatment devices.

About AFTC

Alternative Fuel Technology Inc. is the engaged in the design, development and prototype manufacturing of advanced fuel systems for use with a new alternative fuel -- dimethyl either (DME). AFTC has developed practical, low-cost fuel injection equipment for DME fueled vehicles. The Company sells complete DME fuel systems for testing and research purposes, in addition to retrofit systems that can be used with most diesel engines. The Company plans to launch a series production of DME fuel systems to the global automotive market by 2011. For more information, please visit http://www.altfueltechnology.com/

Safe Harbor Statement: Statements contained in this release, which are not historical facts, including statements about plans and expectations regarding business areas and opportunities, acceptance of new or existing businesses, capital resources and future business or financial results are "forward-looking" statements. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, customer acceptance of our products, our ability to raise capital to fund our operations, our ability to develop and protect proprietary technology, government regulation, competition in our industry, general economic conditions and other risk factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or implied in the forward-looking statements. Although we believe the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, they relate only to events as of the date on which the statements are made, and our future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements may not meet these expectations. We do not intend to update any of the forward-looking statements after the date of this press release to conform these statements to actual results or to changes in our expectations, except as required by law.

This content has passed through fivefilters.org.

VW, GM and Peugeot-Citroën - Economist.com

Posted: 09 Dec 2009 08:52 AM PST

VW, GM and Peugeot-Citroën

Dec 9th 2009
From The Economist print edition

New ties for VW, GM and Peugeot-Citroën signal a way forward for the car industry

HAVING weathered the storm, the thoughts of global carmakers are now focused on the tie-ups they hope will give them an edge in the upturn. Two such deals, the first involving General Motors and its Chinese partner SAIC, the second between Volkswagen and Suzuki, have been concluded in the past few days. Another, linking PSA Peugeot-Citroën and Mitsubishi, is still under negotiation. All three are aimed at winning a bigger presence in Asia and tapping into low-cost manufacturing expertise, while sharing components and development budgets.

Of the three, the most significant is Volkswagen's announcement on Wednesday December 9th that it has agreed to pay $2.5 billion for 19.9% of Suzuki, a family-owned Japanese maker of small cars and motorcycles. Along with Fiat, Suzuki is the only international outfit that knows how to make money out of small, inexpensive cars. That is something VW forgot long ago. But it needs to relearn it, argues Max Warburton of Bernstein, as asset-management firm, if it is not to suffer from the worldwide trend towards downsizing, as new emissions laws bite and growth shifts to poorer consumers in emerging markets.

The other thing Suzuki offers is unique exposure to emerging markets. Through its 54% stake in Maruti Suzuki, it has managed to keep more than 40% of the increasingly competitive Indian market. It also has a strong position in Pakistan and Indonesia, two other teeming countries with nascent car markets. VW, which is the market leader in China and has around a quarter of the Brazilian market, was uncharacteristically late setting out its stall in India, where it only began manufacturing this year. If the alliance blossoms, and VW ends up turning Suzuki into its 11th brand, it will have taken a big step towards its long-term goal of overtaking Toyota as the world's biggest car firm.

The deal between GM and SAIC to set up a 50:50 joint venture to produce small cars in India, announced on December 4th, is another sign of the times. GM will contribute the factories and distribution network it already owns in India; SAIC will invest up to $350m in cash and other assets. The plan gives China's biggest carmaker a foothold in the second-fastest-growing car market in the world (after China), while helping cash-strapped GM to mount a more vigorous push into India, where it has struggled for several years to reach its target of a 10% market share. GM and SAIC are also intending to bring to India the ultra-cheap micro-cars, minivans and pickups they make with another Chinese partner, Wuling.

At the same time, GM said that it was ceding control of its successful joint venture with SAIC in China by selling a 1% stake to the Chinese firm for $85m. With a 51% shareholding , SAIC will have the right to approve budgets and all senior appointments. Nick Reilly, the architect of GM's Asian strategy who was recently appointed boss of Opel/Vauxhall, insisted that the sale was merely a technicality to allow SAIC to consolidate its earnings from the venture. Some observers interpret it as the price for getting SAIC's help in India. Others detect the beginning of a trend whereby Chinese car manufacturers will assert greater authority over their Western and Japanese partners. Mr Reilly merely said that GM had agreed in order to get SAIC's "full co-operation and the full co-operation of the Chinese government in other things."

PSA's negotiations to buy between 30% and 50% of Mitsubishi, which has several times been close to bankruptcy and is still carrying a heavy burden of debt, have some way to go. The two firms have had ties for several years: Peugeot and Citroën sell a rebranded version of Mitsubishi's Outlander crossover (somewhere between a car and an SUV) and PSA shares a factory with Mitsubishi in Russia. Mitsubishi, with its presence in Asia and its network of factories and dealers in America, could help the French group reduce its reliance on Europe. But cultural clashes have bedevilled such cross-border deals in the past. And PSA, whose automotive business has junk-rated debts of $3 billion, may have difficulty finding the $3.5-4 billion that a 50% stake in the Japanese firm is likely to cost.

Readers' comments

The Economist welcomes your views.

This content has passed through fivefilters.org.

Alternative Fuel Technologies Receives Order From Shanghai Diesel ... - PR Inside

Posted: 09 Dec 2009 06:43 AM PST

2009-12-09 15:42:42 -

REDFORD, MI -- (Marketwire) -- 12/09/09 -- Alternative Fuel Technologies, Inc.
(PINKSHEETS: AFTC), an innovator of clean energy fuel injection systems, announced today that it has received an order from Shanghai Diesel Engine Company ("Shanghai Diesel"), a leading manufacturer of diesel engines in the People's Republic of China ("China"), for twelve (12) dimethyl ether (DME) fuel feed pumps. Shanghai Diesel indicated the majority of the pumps will be used on DME-fueled buses operating in Shanghai, the nation's largest center of finance, commerce and transportation. The pumps are scheduled for deliveries over the next 90 to 120 days.

A key component to China's 2008 stimulus plan calls for a $440 Billion investment in green energy in an effort to improve global energy security.
Presently, China relies on coal-powered plants for about 75% of the nation's total energy needs. Industry analysts estimate that by 2050, coal reserves will decline to 30-50% of total energy consumption, as the country takes on a more diversified approach to energy consumption. By 2010, the nation expects to have 10% of all energy be from sustainable resources, like biomass, renewable energy and other combination sources.

About Shanghai Diesel Engine Company

SAIC operates approximately 50 manufacturing plants in the Shanghai area.
SAIC makes passenger cars, tractors, motorcycles, trucks, and buses.
Through a joint venture with General Motors (GM), Shanghai General Motors makes Buicks and other GM cars for the Chinese market. Through Shanghai Volkswagen Automotive Company, a JV with Volkswagen, SAIC also makes the Lavida. The Company's other operations include car leasing, auto parts wholesale and retail, and financing. It has production facilities across China, as well as in Germany, Japan, South Korea, the UK, and the US. Other automotive companies owned by SAIC include Shanghai-Sunwin Bus Corporation; Shanghai-Huizhong Automotive Manufacturing and Shanghai-Xingfu Motorcycle.

About DME

About AFTC

CONTACT:
InvestSource, Inc.
Investor Relations:
714-847-2460 Ext. 801
Email Contact :

This content has passed through fivefilters.org.

Officially Official: VW and Suzuki tie the knot - autoblog

Posted: 09 Dec 2009 04:34 AM PST

PRESS RELEASE:

Volkswagen and Suzuki agreed to establish a comprehensive partnership
Important step towards the future for both companies

Tokyo/Wolfsburg, December 9, 2009 - Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft and Suzuki Motor Corporation have reached a common understanding to establish a close longterm strategic partnership. A framework agreement has been signed by
representatives of both companies today.

In terms of global presence and product diversity, the partnership marks an important step towards the future for both Volkswagen and Suzuki. In terms of product portfolio, global distribution and manufacturing capacities, Volkswagen and Suzuki ideally complement each other. The companies plan a joint approach to the growing worldwide demand for more
environmentally friendly vehicles. The management of Volkswagen and Suzuki have concluded that the complementary strengths of each company make for a perfect fit in exploiting their respective advantages as well as rising to the challenge of the global market. In the automotive industry, where globalization and diversification proceed in parallel, both companies will establish a cooperative relationship while respecting each other's independence as a stand-alone entity. Both parties are focused on achieving synergies in the areas of rapidly growing emerging markets as well as in the development and manufacturing of innovative and environmentally friendly compact cars.

To support a smooth development of this relationship, Volkswagen will purchase 19.9% of Suzuki's issued shares. The Closing of the transaction is subject to approval of the relevant authorities and is expected in January 2010. Suzuki intends to invest up to one half of the amount received from Volkswagen into shares of Volkswagen. Both companies will form a
long-term strategic partnership based on this which will support their successful strategies in these challenging times.
As demand continues to rise for smaller cars and for powertrains with higher fuel efficiency and lower CO2 output, Volkswagen and Suzuki will offer a compelling solution for customers in emerging markets buying a car for the first time and also for customers in advanced economies seeking to lower their CO2 footprint while still enjoying the freedom of transport offered by an exciting range of cars.

A press conference will be held on 5 pm in Tokyo together with a webcast which will be available on http://www.primestage.net/hosting/VW-Tokyo/

Company information
Suzuki is the world leader in the mini-car segment: with a workforce of approximately 51,000, the company sold 2.3 million vehicles and 3.1 million motorcycles in the 2008/2009 financial year (to March 31), generating sales revenue of €20.9 billion and an operating profit of €534 million. Suzuki operates 35 production facilities in Japan and other countries such as
Indonesia, India, China, Thailand and Spain.

In fiscal year 2008 Volkswagen, which has a workforce of 370,000, sold 6.3 million vehicles, generating sales revenue of €113.8 billion and achieved an operating profit of €6.3 billion. Volkswagen operates 61 production plants worldwide.

This content has passed through fivefilters.org.