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Future of Volvo's Design Language.
IRVINE, Calif., Dec. 14 -- Volvo Car Corporation today released the first official images of the XC60 Concept that will be unveiled at the upcoming North American International Auto Show. Scheduled to be shown to the world January 7, 2007, the XC60 Concept looks towards Volvo's future on two significant fronts: it offers the world a sneak preview of the next XC model to come from Volvo Cars and it reveals several design elements that will be part of future Volvos.
Volvo Cars Design Director Steve Mattin and his team have designed the XC60 Concept while keeping their eyes firmly focused on one clear goal. "In recent years we have successfully emphasized the Scandinavian characteristics that base prestige on timeless, functional elegance. Now we're elevating our design DNA to an entirely new level by literally pumping up our cars' visual volume," says Mattin. "With more expressive, emotive shapes, it will be a magnet for the viewer's eyes. If a Volvo is recognizable from 100 feet away today, I want to get to the point where you will instantly spot it from twice that distance in the future."
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 12:24 PM | View the original post
Top Name in Auto Industry Headlines D.C. Show.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 14 -- In a joint statement, The Washington Area New Automobile Dealers Association (WANADA) and the Washington Automotive Press Association (WAPA) today announced that Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of DaimlerChrysler AG and the Head of Mercedes Car Group, will deliver the keynote address to the Washington Auto Show during International Media Day on Jan. 23, 2007 at the Washington Convention Center.
Photo: Dr. Dieter Zetsche, chairman of the Board of Management of DaimlerChrysler AG and the head of Mercedes Car Group.
"We are proud to host Dr. Zetsche, not only an automotive icon, but a man listed among TIME Magazine's most influential people this year," said George Doetsch, show chairman. Marc Stertz, president of WAPA, added, "On behalf of the Washington automotive press corps, we look forward to welcoming an automotive leader of his stature."
DaimlerChrysler is one of the world's leading automotive companies. Its passenger car brands include Mercedes-Benz, Maybach, Chrysler, Jeep(R), Dodge and smart. Commercial vehicles are produced under Dodge, Mercedes-Benz, Freightliner, Sterling, Western Star, Setra, Thomas Built Buses and Orion.
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 12:20 PM | View the original post
PHOTO: The Chopard 18K white gold and diamond "Ice Cube Collection" Ladies Bracelet Watch is one of the rewards as part of the just-launched First Collection - a distinctively elegant collection of boutique-style, premium offers exclusively available to American Express Platinum Card(R) and Centurion(R) Card members through the Membership Rewards program from American Express.
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 12:15 PM | View the original post
IRVINE, Calif., Dec. 13 -- Mazda North American Operations will unveil an all-new concept car, Ryuga, and its all-new Tribute SUV Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) at the 2007 North American International Auto Show. All attending media are invited to the company's formal unveiling on the Mazda show stand at 10:15 A.M. on Monday, Jan. 8, 2007.
Ryuga builds on Mazda's concept of flow. Nagare -- Japanese for "flow" -- debuted at the recent Los Angeles Auto Show and introduced the company's new design future. Ryuga -- Japanese for "gracious flow," and the next generation of this exciting concept -- will reflect a higher level of sophistication achieved through the use of rich fabrics, engineered fits and hidden details. Ryuga is elegant and refined, but with spirit and edge, portraying unique Japanese beauty.
"Ryuga is Zoom-Zoom defined," said Laurens van den Acker, Mazda's global design director. "It combines vibrance, confidence, fun and youth all in one ingenious package."
Headquartered in Irvine, Calif., Mazda North American Operations oversees the sales, marketing, parts and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States, Canada and Mexico through nearly 900 dealers.
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 2:45 PM | View the original post
REDMOND, Wash., Dec. 13 -- Smilebox, Inc., the photo expressions service, today announced a distribution and content partnership with Hallmark Cards, Inc. With the holidays quickly approaching, this partnership will enable customers to access an online catalog of seasonal e- cards, animated scrapbooks, slide shows and interactive postcards that can be customized with their own photos, messages, music and backgrounds. The new photo expressions service marks the first time that consumers can integrate their personal photos with Hallmark online content.
PHOTO: A popular holiday slideshow designed by Hallmark for the Smilebox service. Hoops & Yoyo, Hallmark's popular characters, throw snow balls which turn into the user's photos.
"Greeting cards, whether traditional paper or electronic, help fulfill an enduring need for people to maintain connections with one another," said Steve Ruschill, marketing technology manager at Hallmark. "Smilebox's digital services, combined with Hallmark's creative excellence, provide a new holiday greeting solution for family and friends."
The new photo expressions service, delivered via the Smilebox(TM) platform, utilizes a complete new line of creative content developed by Hallmark's creative staff of writers and designers. Much of the content is developed around popular Hallmark intellectual properties such as the Hoops & Yoyo characters.
The Hallmark Smilebox service is now live and can be downloaded free of charge at http://www.hallmark.com/smilebox. Consumers can email the basic version of a design to family and friends for free with a short ad, purchase the premium version for a one-time fee of $0.99 or $1.99, or subscribe to Club Smilebox for $4.99/month or $39.99/ year and get unlimited premium designs.
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 2:37 PM | View the original post
GM Style Celebration.
Photo: General Motors Chairman and CEO Rick Wagoner poses with the award-winning Camaro concept after announcing GM will build an all-new production version of the Chevrolet Camaro in August 2006 in Traverse City, Mich. The sport coupe will be nearly identical to this Camaro concept that was introduced at the North American International Auto Show earlier this year. Production will begin at the end of 2008 and the Camaro will go on sale in the first quarter of 2009. (General Motors Photo/John F. Martin) (United States)
DETROIT – Each January, the automotive world turns its attention to Detroit and the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS). This year, the worlds of fashion and celebrity will also look to Detroit when General Motors hosts a celebration of automotive design in the shadow of the company’s world headquarters to kick off NAIAS media activities.
Photo: 2007 Saturn Sky Red Line will be showcased at the North American International Auto Show 2007.
Named “GM Style,” an exclusive event is planned for Saturday, Jan. 6, 2007 . In addition to a number of famous GM vehicles -- some never before seen in North America -- GM is also inviting some of the hottest names in entertainment to join the vehicles for a walk – or drive – down the runway.
GM is finalizing the celebrity line-up. Currently confirmed are:
Cheryl Hines – Emmy-nominated actress from HBO’s hit comedy “Curb Your Enthusiasm”
Vivica A. Fox – Star of numerous films and television series, including the most-recent edition of “Dancing With The Stars”
Petra Nemcova – One of the world’s top supermodels and a regular in the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issues
Danny Masterson – Best-known for his role on “That 70’s Show,” Masterson will be the evening’s guest DJ
Rachel Zoe – This “stylist to the stars” will prep all the celebrities at GM Style.
“This event is a tribute to style and a celebration of GM’s design renaissance,” said Ed Welburn, global vice president, GM Design. “GM Style will bring Detroit a unique intersection of the worlds of fashion, automotive design and entertainment. Like Paris to the fashion industry and Los Angeles to entertainment, Detroit is the epicenter of auto design. GM's vehicles will take their rightful place on the runway along side some of today's top names in fashions and entertainment."
GM will construct a pavilion just east of the Renaissance Center on the Detroit River to host this salute to style. The pavilion, the first of its kind, will be longer than a football field, climate controlled and able to accommodate a runway for cars and stars.
“The GM Style event will be like none other at the North American International Auto Show,” said Mike Jackson, GM North America vice president, marketing and advertising. “Not to be eclipsed by the star power in the room, Style’s pristine fleet of GM vehicles will captivate the audience with the world debut of a concept vehicle.”
The first-ever GM Style will showcase 17 GM vehicles. Additional details on the event as well as a full list of vehicles will be unveiled at a later date. Confirmed already are:
2006 Camaro Concept – Unveiled to rave reviews from around the world last January, the award-winning Chevrolet Camaro Concept combines dramatic design and exciting performance. A thoroughly modern interpretation of the classic sport coupe, the Chevrolet Camaro Concept recaptures the spirit of one of the most popular sport coupes of all time and redefines the Camaro for new generations of fans.
1951 Buick LeSabre Concept -- One of the most famous concept cars of all time, the Buick LeSabre concept was designed under supervision of GM Design Icon Harley J. Earl. The car took styling cues from jet fighter planes, and Earl personally drove the car for years. Among a myriad of technologies revolutionary at the time, the LeSabre concept could raise its own convertible top if it began raining when the owner was away from the car. Under the watchful eye of Welburn, GM recently restored this automotive icon at their Design Center in Warren , Mich. , the same facility where the vehicle was created.
2006 Pontiac Solstice Weekend Club Racer Concept – A Detroit debut, GM Performance Division built the Solstice Weekend Club Racer concept to showcase how a racing version of the car might be configured. With a custom bronze paint job, power for the car comes from a turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder engine rated at 325 horsepower.
2006 Saab Aero X Concept – Another Detroit debut, the Saab Aero X concept harnesses the power of Saab's aviation and Scandinavian roots to make a unique statement in performance car design. Saab Aero X adopts a cockpit canopy, just as you would see on a jet aircraft. It offers the Aero X pilot full 180 degree vision. The Aero X concept, powered by a 400 hp BioPower engine using 100 percent ethanol fuel, made its world premiere at the 2006 Geneva Motor Show and its North American debut at the 2006 New York Auto Show.
2007 Saturn Sky Red Line – After being unveiled at the 2006 New York Auto Show, the Saturn Sky Red Line went on to critical acclaim and is now reaching Saturn retailers. The Saturn Sky Red Line boasts one of the most powerful engines (260 hp/260 foot-pounds of torque) GM has ever produced based on its size (2L). Its 0 to 60 mph time is just over five seconds, and Edmunds.com called it “the most interesting blend of style and performance.”
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 11:05 AM | View the original post
PHOTO: These new, limited-edition LS Sunglasses for women, complete with python skin and set with 23 genuine diamonds, have been created by TAG Heuer Eyewear to herald the launch of their L-Type optical collection. Both the optical and sunglasses collections feature exotic leathers; brushed platinum and ceramic-coated finishes; and lightweight, hypoallergenic elastomer-coated arms developed with the same technology found in F1 racing tires. A limited-edition men's version of the LS Sunglasses, featuring alligator skin arms, is also available.
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 6:45 PM | View the original post
United Focuses on Providing Premium Customers With Luxury International, Overseas Travel Experience.
CHICAGO-- United Airlines has unveiled initial details about the previously announced $165 million upgrade to its international widebody fleet that includes a new luxurious United First Suite, which provides passengers with more privacy, personal space and comfort on overseas flights. The new suite was designed to be the optimal space to work, sleep or relax while enjoying the latest entertainment and exclusive amenities.
"Our premium customers have told us what would make them more relaxed and comfortable, and we're using their feedback to shape our new first class products and services," said Graham Atkinson, United's executive vice president and chief customer officer. "Our goal is to improve space, amenities and services, so we can enhance the entire international premium travel experience on United, from check-in to arrival."
The new First Suite is nearly three inches wider than the existing, popular United First Suite and reclines to multiple angles or serves as a fully flat 6-foot, 6-inch bed.
United Airlines (NASDAQ:UAUA) operates more than 3,700 flights a day on United, United Express and Ted to more than 210 U.S. domestic and international destinations from its hubs in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Denver, Chicago and Washington, D.C. With key global air rights in the Asia-Pacific region, Europe and Latin America, United is one of the largest international carriers based in the United States.
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 6:33 PM | View the original post
PHOTO: Santa receives letters from North Pole postman, Curt Haase in North Pole, Alaska in November 2006. The city of North Pole, the official mail stop for thousands of "Dear Santa" letters, Santa Claus and Duracell, the official battery of North Pole, have partnered on a unique analysis of these letters to determine what really tops kids' wish lists this year.
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 6:49 PM | View the original post
NEW YORK, Dec. 11 -- As part of the overall revitalization of Saks Fifth Avenue, one of America's most familiar and enduring icons of style and commerce, the Saks logo has been updated for the 21st century. The new look will be unveiled officially in January, 2007 and will appear in advertising, on shopping bags and in a wide array of other merchandise and marketing materials.
"Our customers can count on us as a consistent source of fashion, style and quality," said Steve Sadove, CEO, Saks Incorporated. "The updated logo gives us a modern look that is sure to resonate with our customers and contribute to the resurgence of Saks Fifth Avenue."
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 10:50 PM | View the original post
SANTA CLARA, Calif., Dec. 11 -- NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:NVDA) , the worldwide leader in programmable graphics processor technologies, today announced that the Fabless Semiconductor Association (FSA) presented the Company with the "Most Respected Public Fabless Company" award during the annual FSA Awards Dinner on Thursday, December 7, 2006 in Santa Clara, Calif.
Photo: NVIDIA Corporate Headquarters in Santa Clara, Calif.
The industry's "Most Respected Public Fabless Company" award is designed to identify the company garnering the most respect in the industry in terms of its products, vision, and future opportunities. On-line voting took place to allow members of the semiconductor industry, including semiconductor companies and partners, to cast a ballot for the public fabless companies they most respect.
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 10:45 PM | View the original post
PHOTO: Mitsubishi Motors North America (MMNA) will introduce, at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January, the all-new, 2008 Lancer compact sport sedan. The new-generation Lancer models arrive in Mitsubishi dealerships in early 2007.
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 5:12 PM | View the original post
DETROIT , Mich. – Today, the luxury automotive and lifestyle website AutoSpies.com named the Cadillac Escalade ESV as its choice for “2007 Luxury SUV of the Year.”
"Because of its high standards for excellence, Cadillac is especially grateful to receive this recognition from AutoSpies.com," said Jim Taylor, Cadillac general manager. "The 2007 Escalade ESV is the product of tremendous efforts by our team to enhance and extend its appeal in every way. We're very proud to have those efforts recognized by AutoSpies.com."
Photo: Actress Mischa Barton walks the runway alongside the 2007 Cadillac Escalade at the 5th Annual General Motors TEN fashion show held in February 2006 in Hollywood, CA. (General Motors Photo) (United States)
In the marketplace, the all-new 2007 Escalade is winning new owners as it collects awards. Through November, year-to-date sales of Escalade have already surpassed sales for the entire 2005 calendar year. Sales of the most-popular of its three models, the standard-wheelbase Escalade, are up 25.5% through November.
Escalade was cited by AutoSpies.com for its design presence and enhancements in quality, fuel economy and interior luxury. Based in San Diego, Calif., AutoSpies.com is an innovative online “insider’s guide” to luxury automobiles and lifestyle.
Cadillac is a division of General Motors (NYSE: GM). General Motors, the world's largest vehicle manufacturer, designs, builds and markets cars and trucks worldwide, and has been the global automotive sales leader since 1931. Cadillac products include the CTS sport sedan, SRX luxury crossover, STS performance luxury sedan, DTS large luxury sedan, XLR luxury roadster, Escalade full-size SUVs (Escalade, Escalade ESV and Escalade EXT) and the high-performance V-Series (CTS-V, STS-V, XLR-V) three cars that go 0-60 in under 5 seconds.
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 10:59 AM | View the original post
PHOTO: Bongo spokesperson and Hollywood "It" girl Kristin Cavallari takes time out of a holiday jaunt to The Big Apple to meet and greet fans at the brand new Kohl's department store in nearby Jersey City, N.J.
Cavallari, who is best known for her role on the MTV hit reality series "Laguna Beach," stars in ads for the Bongo line of apparel, footwear and accessories, which is available at Kohl's.
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 6:34 PM | View the original post
Satellite Will More Than Triple WildBlue's Customer Capacity for High Speed Internet Service via Satellite.
DENVER, Dec. 8 -- WildBlue Communications announced that its Ka-band spot beam satellite, WildBlue-1 was successfully launched this evening at 5:08 p.m. EST from the Guiana Space Center in Kourou, French Guiana. WildBlue provides high-speed Internet connectivity via satellite to homes and small businesses in communities where terrestrial broadband access is either limited or unavailable.
WildBlue-1 was successfully launched into orbit aboard Arianespace's Ariane 5 vehicle .
WildBlue Communications, Inc. was established to provide broadband access to consumers and small offices in rural areas and small cities in the United States.
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 10:48 PM | View the original post
FEDERAL WAY, Wash., -- Weyerhaeuser Company (NYSE:WY) has announced that challenging market conditions necessitate further actions, which could include closures, curtailments and restricted operating postures at softwood lumber, engineered lumber and structural panels operations across North America.
Downtime and restricted operating postures have already been undertaken at about 70 percent of Weyerhaeuser residential wood products facilities. These curtailments have led to significant fourth quarter production decreases across all product lines.
"Demand for wood products is very weak," said Steven R. Rogel, chairman, president and chief executive officer. "We continue to analyze our operating postures and portfolio and expect additional capacity adjustments in the near term.
Weyerhaeuser Company, one of the world's largest integrated forest products companies, was incorporated in 1900. In 2005, sales were $22.6 billion. It has offices or operations in 18 countries, with customers worldwide. Weyerhaeuser is principally engaged in the growing and harvesting of timber; the manufacture, distribution and sale of forest products; and real estate construction, development and related activities.
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 7:16 PM | View the original post
PHOTO: TRW's next-generation asymmetric airbag and steering wheel system features a non-rotating airbag that assists in providing enhanced crash protection while allowing automotive designers to add more convenience and aesthetic features to the steering wheel itself.
With 2005 sales of $12.6 billion, TRW Automotive ranks among the world's leading automotive suppliers. Headquartered in Livonia, Michigan, USA, the Company, through its subsidiaries, employs approximately 63,000 people in 26 countries. TRW Automotive products include integrated vehicle control and driver assist systems, braking systems, steering systems, suspension systems, occupant safety systems (seat belts and airbags), electronics, engine components, fastening systems and aftermarket replacement parts and services.
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 6:17 PM | View the original post
NEW YORK, Dec. 6 -- Coty Inc., the world's largest fragrance company, announced today the signing of a global licensing agreement with Gwen Stefani, the Grammy-winning recording artist, to develop and market a line of fragrances for her fashion and accessories brand, L.A.M.B.
PHOTO: GWEN STEFANI WITH COTY INC. EXECUTIVES: R to L: Bernd Beetz, CEO, Coty Inc., Gwen Stefani, Michele Scannavini, president, Coty Prestige, Catherine Walsh, senior vice president, American Fragrances, Coty Prestige.
The partnership is the first foray by the multi-talented singer and fashion designer into the fragrance market. The yet-to-be-named fragrance, which will debut Fall 2007, will reflect the unique blend of verve, style and vivacity of L.A.M.B. fashions and accessories.
Coty was created in Paris in 1904 by Francois Coty who is credited with founding the modern fragrance industry. Coty Inc. delivers innovative products to consumers in 91 markets worldwide.
Today, Coty Inc. is the world's largest fragrance company and a recognized leader in global beauty with annual net sales of $2.9 billion. Driven by an entrepreneurial spirit, passion, innovation and creativity, Coty Inc. has developed an unrivaled portfolio of 40 designer, celebrity and lifestyle brands.
The Coty Prestige brand portfolio is distributed in prestige and ultra-prestige stores and includes designer brands -- Calvin Klein, Cerruti, Chloe, Jette Joop, Jil Sander, JOOP!, Kenneth Cole, Marc Jacobs, Nikos, Vera Wang and Vivienne Westwood; celebrity brands -- Desperate Housewives, Jennifer Lopez and Sarah Jessica Parker; and lifestyle brands -- Chopard, Davidoff, Lancaster, Nautica and Phat Farm.
The Coty Beauty brand portfolio is more widely distributed and includes designer brand -- Pierre Cardin*; celebrity brands -- Celine Dion, David and Victoria Beckham, Isabella Rossellini, mary-kateandashley and Shania Twain; and lifestyle brands -- adidas, Aspen, Astor, Calgon, Chupa Chups, Esprit, Exclamation, Jovan, Miss Sixty, Miss Sporty, Rimmel, Stetson, the healing garden and Vanilla Fields.
L.A.M.B., an acronym for "Love Angel Music Baby," was created and launched by Gwen Stefani in 2003. Since its initial conception, the women's apparel and accessory brand has quickly become recognized as one of the leading, young designer labels in the marketplace.
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 11:18 PM | View the original post
PHOTO: Figure skater Marni Halasa performs a dance routine for media testing Panasonic's two new 3CCD High Definition AVCHD camcorders unveiled at an ice rink in New York, Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2006. Panasonic held a press conference and series of demonstrations to introduce its first consumer High Definition camcorders they say will keep pace with the continued evolution in video toward larger TV screens and higher definition video content. (Feature Photo Service)
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 6:18 PM | View the original post
First airline order for 747-8 passenger version.
New technologies to bring efficiency, environmental benefits to Lufthansa fleet.
SEATTLE, Dec. 06, 2006 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] and Deutsche Lufthansa AG today announced the carrier ordered 20 747-8 Intercontinental jetliners plus 20 purchase rights. Lufthansa is the first airline to place an order for the passenger version of the fuel-efficient airplane.
The Lufthansa order, with a total average list-price value of $5.5 billion, is scheduled for delivery beginning in 2010. This order is a primary component of the airline's plan to modernize its fleet and increase environmental stewardship.
"Lufthansa operates one of the youngest and most environmentally friendly fleets in the world," said Scott Carson, president and chief executive officer, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "The 747-8 will use state-of-the-art technology innovations from the 787 Dreamliner to significantly increase the capabilities of Lufthansa's fleet. This airplane improves upon the economics of the 747-400, while greatly enhancing fuel efficiency, reducing emissions and noise. We are thrilled that this world-class airline has chosen this world-class airplane."
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 9:10 PM | View the original post
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