· Bosch know-how as basis for comprehensive foundry service

· Rapid ramp-up from prototype to mass-production

With its MEMS, Bosch continues to hold the uncontested position of world market leader for micromechanical sensors. What is less well known is that, since 2001, 'fabless companies' have also been making use of the Stuttgart-based company's MEMS manufacturing technology, which has been perfected over two decades. These many years of experience provide a solid foundation for high quality, and are a guarantee of reliable operation – whether in the automobile or in consumer electronics. MEMS start-ups can also turn to the foundry. They might do so once sampling has been successful and their processes need adjusting to industrial-scale mass-production. Fears that trade secrets might be given away are unfounded: dealing responsibly with sensitive project data is everyday routine for Bosch. If it were not, Bosch would never have become the world's largest supplier to nearly every automaker.

For Bosch, the core of its MEMS foundry service is its competent continuation of a process development started by the customer, its short ramp-up times, and its just-in-time production. Anyone taking advantage of this competence will usually receive their MEMS components on six-or eight-inch wafers for further processing. On request, however, Bosch can do more, providing support in the process development phase. Bosch know-how can also help once the wafers have been produced. It offers services such as testing the finished wafers, integrating CMOS evaluation electronics on the MEMS chip, or subsequently separating the wafers into chips and packaging them.

Since production began in 1995, Bosch has manufactured well over one billion MEMS components at its Reutlingen plant. Its position as world market leader was also confirmed by an analysis conducted by the market observer iSuppli in March 2009: with its MEMS sensors for the automotive industry, Bosch currently generates more sales than its two closest rivals together. For its innovative further development of MEMS production technology Bosch has won prestigious awards, most recently the German Future Prize, Federal President's Award for Technology and Innovation 2008.

Readers' contact:
Thomas Koch
Phone +49 7121 35-39632

The Bosch Group is a leading global supplier of technology and services. In the areas of automotive and industrial technology, consumer goods, and building technology, some 280,000 associates generated sales of 45.1 billion euros in fiscal 2008. The Bosch Group comprises Robert Bosch GmbH and its more than 300 subsidiaries and regional companies in over 60 countries. If its sales and service partners are included, then Bosch is represented in roughly 150 countries. This worldwide development, manufacturing, and sales network is the foundation for further growth. Each year, Bosch spends more than 3.5 billion euros, or eight percent of its sales revenue, for research and development, and applies for over 3,000 patents worldwide. With all its products and services, Bosch enhances the quality of life by providing solutions which are both innovative and beneficial.

The company was set up in Stuttgart in 1886 by Robert Bosch (1861-1942) as "Workshop for Precision Mechanics and Electrical Engineering." The special ownership structure of Robert Bosch GmbH guarantees the entrepreneurial freedom of the Bosch Group, making it possible for the company to plan over the long term and to undertake significant up-front investments in the safeguarding of its future. Ninety-two percent of the share capital of Robert Bosch GmbH is held by Robert Bosch Stiftung GmbH, a charitable foundation. The majority of voting rights are held by Robert Bosch Industrietreuhand KG, an industrial trust. The entrepreneurial ownership functions are carried out by the trust. The remaining shares are held by the Bosch family and by Robert Bosch GmbH.

Additional information can be accessed at www.bosch.com.

— WebWireID107233 —

The 2nd annual 2009 ASMA study included a review of 34 automotive website providers. The report reviews each company's ability to enhance a dealer's online presence and search marketing experience. The results of this year's study were first announced at the Digital Dealer Conference in Nashville, where ASMA awards were handed out to a select group of industry leaders identified by the report.

The ASMA report identifies 9 outstanding companies that Pasch says, 'Should be on the short list of any car dealer looking for an Internet marketing platform.' These companies, according to Pasch, are providing car dealers with the best tools for search marketing and search engine optimization.

Members of the automotive community can use the data provided in the 2009 ASMA study as a guide for discussions with automotive platform providers and as a foundation for an educated evaluation of automotive marketing platforms.

Brian Pasch, CEO of the Pasch Consulting Group, is the underwriter of the study. According to Pasch, 'With a growing number of automotive website platforms for dealers to choose from, it was decided that the industry needed an independent and unbiased review of website technology providers.'

Dealers can obtain copies of the report for $75 by calling the Pasch Consulting Group at 732-450-8200 or sending an email to carrie@paschconsulting.com .

About Pasch Consulting Group

The Pasch Consulting Group is an automotive Internet marketing company and works with all major dealer platforms when providing Internet marketing services to car dealers across the nation. PCG focuses on off-site SEO strategies, geo-targeted lead generation, search engine marketing and Internet reputation management.

Brian Pasch is the CEO of the Pasch Consulting Group. Brian is an 20-year veteran of the direct marketing industry. His career has spanned both management and technology roles.

PCG works for and with an ever-growing number of businesses large and small from all over the country to maximize results of their digital marketing efforts.

Visit their automotive marketing website at: http://www.dealer-seo.com

— WebWireID107193 —

* Dr. Joachim Schmidt: 'We will continue this positive trend, and we expect sales in the fourth quarter to be above last year's level.'
* Record sales in China – Schmidt: 'We expect Mercedes-Benz Cars to increase its sales in China by more than 50 percent in full-year 2009.'
* Mercedes-Benz USA posts best monthly result since the beginning of the year, with sales up by 21 percent in October
* E- and S-Class sedans maintain market leadership

In October, global sales were up at Mercedes-Benz for the first time this year. Mercedes-Benz was able to increase sales significantly in October by seven percent to 88,400 units (October 2008: 82,500. The smart brand sold 9,300 (October 2008: 11,300) units (minus 18 percent). With the delivery of 97,700 passenger cars (October 2008: 93,800), total sales at Mercedes-Benz Cars increased by four percent. The October sales increase was due to the E-Class and the new generation of the S-Class as well as to high growth rates in many regions such as North America and Asia/Pacific. Sales of Mercedes-Benz vehicles were also above last year's level in Western Europe.

'We will continue this positive trend in the coming months, and we expect sales in the fourth quarter to be above the level of the same period of last year,' said Dr. Joachim Schmidt, Head of Sales and Marketing, Mercedes-Benz Cars. Contributing to this development will be the new E-Class and the new generation S-Class, as well as the ongoing strong growth rates in the Asia/Pacific region, particularly in China. By the end of September, Mercedes-Benz had already sold more vehicles in China than in all of last year. Says Schmidt: 'Mercedes-Benz Cars will continue to grow at a dynamic rate in China, and we expect the increase for 2009 as a whole to amount to more than 50 percent.'

In October Mercedes-Benz once again set a sales record in China, with sales rising by 78 percent to 6,600 units (October 2008: 3,700). As a result, since the start of the year, Mercedes-Benz has been the fastest-growing premium brand in China. In October, Mercedes-Benz Cars also delivered more vehicles than ever before to the Asia/Pacific region as a whole, handing over 14,100 passenger vehicles to customers (October 2008: 10,500) for an increase of 34 percent. High growth rates were also posted in October in Australia (up 22 percent) and South Korea (up 63 percent).

In the United States, October was the best month of the year so far for Mercedes-Benz. Sales bucked the general market trend, rising by 21 percent to 18,200 units (October 2008: 15,000). This was the first time this year that sales were substantially higher than in 2008, and ensured that Mercedes-Benz remains the strongest German premium brand in the U.S. Contributing factors here included the E-Class, deliveries of which tripled to 6,100 units, and the GLK, which was once again the best-selling vehicle in its class in October, with deliveries of 1,800 units. Meanwhile, Mercedes-Benz posted another sales record in Canada in October, increasing customer deliveries by 28 percent to 2,200 passenger vehicles (October 2008: 1,700).

In the Western Europe region (not including Germany), Mercedes-Benz increased its sales by seven percent in October, thanks in particular to the high increases for the new E-Class. The brand enjoyed strong growth amounting to 55 percent in the UK, with a total of 5,800 units sold.

Sales of new E-Class continued to develop positively in the past month, with worldwide deliveries doubling in October to 17,100 units. Double-digit sales increases were registered in almost all markets. That made it once again the clear market leader in its segment. The company expects the launch of the new station wagon, which can be seen at dealerships starting on November 21, to give an additional positive boost to the E-Class family.

The new generation of the S-Class also got off to a successful start. Worldwide sales of the S-Class sedan were slightly above the previous year's level. Since the beginning of this year, the sedan has been the best-selling sedan in its segment. In China, which is now the biggest market for the S-Class, 1,100 luxury sedans were delivered to customers in October alone, which represents an increase of 12 percent. The sedan also sold very well in Germany, with an increase of 42 percent, and in Japan, where October sales increased by 13 percent. Mercedes-Benz sold 15,100 units of its SUVs worldwide (2008: 14,800), with an increase of two percent. The GLK, which was especially popular, enjoyed mainly double-digit growth rates in the Western European markets.

— WebWireID107194 —

NASCAR driver David Ragan and the UPS (NYSE:UPS) team will have an extra 4.5 million fans cheering them this weekend at Texas Motor Speedway when Ragan gets behind the wheel of his No. 6 Ford Fusion, which will sport a new paint scheme that reflects UPS and Boys & Girls Clubs of America's (BGCA) UPS Road Code safe driving program.

The UPS Foundation, the charitable arm of UPS, introduced a national program this year in collaboration with BGCA to teach the company's industry-leading safe driving techniques to teens. Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death for U.S. teens, but UPS and its world-renowned drivers are making an effort to change that with the help of BGCA and Ragan.

"UPS drivers are among the safest on the road. The Road Code program gives us the opportunity to use our nationally recognized safe driving training to directly impact a need in our communities and prevent teenage deaths," said Ken Sternad, president of The UPS Foundation. "This special paint scheme captures our commitment to driving safety, starting with teens at local Boys & Girls Clubs, and sharing it with UPS NASCAR fans."

The new car design for the Texas race incorporates BGCA's logo, along with handprints from members of Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Dallas who are participating in the UPS Road Code program. The paint scheme was unveiled in a special trackside event featuring Ragan and these Club teens.

"Our entire race team is excited about the special Boys & Girls Clubs of America design we're running this weekend," said Ragan. "This is definitely a change from the normal look of our UPS car, and it's always fun to give the fans something new to get excited about. This car is certainly going to stand out on track and hopefully help bring some awareness to Boys & Girls Clubs of America and the UPS Road Code program."

Ragan became a spokesperson for the UPS Road Code program this season, supporting the program through a series of video and audio public service announcements that are available online and have been broadcast on radio stations nationwide. He's also been visiting some Boys & Girls Clubs near racing cities, speaking to the UPS Road Code teens about the importance of safe driving.

"Safety is a priority for me on and off the track, and being on the road is something that needs to be taken seriously," continued David. "It's easy to get distracted when you're in the car, but you need to be really focused when you're behind the wheel of a vehicle."

"We are extremely grateful to The UPS Foundation for bringing UPS Road Code to our teens, providing access to important safety training utilizing state-of-the-art simulators," said Roxanne Spillett, president and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of America. "The paint scheme for David's car is outstanding. It truly captures the essence of our Clubs, our kids, and our dedication to their safety."

Teens, parents, and others interested in learning more about safe driving and UPS Road Code should visit www.ups.com/roadcode. And for regular updates on UPS Road Code, safe driving tips and other UPS news, sign up for the UPS Twitter channel at twitter.com/ups_news.

— WebWireID107181 —

TomTom and Amscreen, the digital signage company today announce a sponsorship deal to provide millions of motorists with the most up-to-date traffic information thanks to TomTom's HD Traffic.

The deal will see TomTom become the exclusive provider of live traffic feeds across Amscreen's digital signage network. The first convenience store network to feature TomTom's HD Traffic on its close proximity signage units will be BP.

The BP network utilises Amscreen's bespoke 'plug and play' technology, which allows screen content to be remotely updated without the need for any extra cabling or IT input, on site. Available at BP's network of over 300 company owned sites, TomTom's HD Traffic technology uses data from travelling Vodafone users, making it possible to monitor, in real time, the actual speed of millions of cars across the road network. This data is merged with anonymous real-time GPS data from connected TomTom customers and information from traffic authorities, road operators and commercial third parties to provide customers with the most accurate and precise traffic information.

Damian Woodward, VP Sales & Marketing, TomTom commented: 'The Amscreen network provides us with the perfect way to assist over 7 million motorists per week. Our HD Traffic technology enables us to provide these customers with traffic information featuring unprecedented accuracy and quality.'

The deal with TomTom comes at a time when the Digital Out of Home market is buoyant, with the size of market ever-growing and expected to quadruple to a worth of £248 million by 2012.

Simon Sugar added: 'We're delighted to announce this deal with TomTom. As the market leaders in portable navigation systems they offer first class traffic information and we see a great synergy with the Amscreen digital signage network. We look forward to working with them further as we expand our network over the coming months.'

For more information on Amscreen, go to www.amscreen.co.uk

— WebWireID107172 —

The technical center is located in Goregaon, a suburb of Mumbai, and is shared by Wacker Chemie India Pvt. Ltd., a 100 percent subsidiary, and the joint venture Wacker Metroark Chemicals Pvt. Ltd, where WACKER holds 51 percent of the shares. A few weeks ago, the sales subsidiaries moved into a newly constructed building with offices covering about 11,000 square feet (1,000 m2). The new center will offer WACKER POLYMERS' and WACKER SILICONES' customers support in developing new products and product applications for the Indian market, and in conducting comparative lab testing of construction products with regards to locally available raw materials, climatic conditions and regional construction methods.

The focus is on VINNAPAS® dispersible polymer powder formulations for manufacturing polymer-modified dry-mix mortars for the regional construction industry. Additional products to be emphasized are polymer dispersions, silicone emulsions, silicone resins, silanes and sealants. Bundling a sales and technical center under one roof enables closer teamwork between the sales and development teams, resulting in optimal customer support.

Vigorous growth in India's economy, particularly in the construction and coatings sector, prompted setting up this new technical center. With it, WACKER wants to bolster its technological leadership in top-quality chemical raw materials. 'The Mumbai technical center is another important milestone in our growth strategy for Asia and particularly India,' explained Dr. Willhelm Sittenthaler, WACKER Executive Board member responsible for Asia, at the opening ceremony. The objective is to meet the individual needs of Indian customers locally and to support and test new applications, added Sittenthaler. In this way, the Munich-based WACKER Group intends to further consolidate and expand its market position in collaboration with customers. Like its counterparts in Germany, the USA, Russia, China, Korea, Singapore, Brazil, Australia and the United Arab Emirates, the new center in Mumbai will serve to establish a strong technical support network for developing individual, tailor-made solutions locally. The technical center Mumbai is furnished with state-of-the-art laboratory and test equipment. But, that's not all: the 'WACKER House' itself also serves as a reference and demonstration object – as most of the products used in constructing the building contained WACKER technologies. These range from polymer-modified tile adhesives and grout mortars, self-leveling compounds, polymer-based wood and carpet glues, silicone sealants to seal windows and doors, silicone resin emulsion paints for the exterior façade to dispersion paints for indoor use and cyclodextrin-fragrance-complexes in the wall paints.

Another highlight is the integral training center for the field of construction chemicals: the WACKER ACADEMY. Its purpose is to promote the transfer of knowledge to local customers, applicators and business partners. Catering to the specific needs of the Indian construction chemicals sector, its curriculum provides an opportunity to learn about all relevant aspects of modern polymer and silicone chemistry and their applications. Close proximity to the applications labs fosters a lively exchange of expertise and lays the optimal groundwork for customer service. Thus, the WACKER ACADEMY offers an ideal platform for sector-specific networking between customers, distribution partners and WACKER specialists.

The WACKER Group has already been supplying chemicals to India since the 1970s. In 1998, the joint venture Wacker Metroark Chemicals Pvt. Ltd. has been established in Kolkata, as early as 1999, the site started up production of different silicone products. The local subsidiary, Wacker Chemie India Pvt. Ltd., was founded in 2007 in response to increasing market demands and potentials.

WACKER POLYMERS
WACKER POLYMERS is a leading producer of state-of-the-art binders and polymer additives in the form of dispersible polymer powders and dispersions, polyvinyl acetates, surface coating resins and polyvinyl alcohol solutions. These products are used by companies in the construction, automotive, paper and adhesives sectors, as well as by manufacturers of printing inks and surface coatings. WACKER POLYMERS has production sites in Germany, China and the USA, as well as a global sales network and technical centers in all major regions.

WACKER SILICONES
WACKER SILICONES is one of the world's largest silicone manufacturers, with over 3,000 highly specialized and innovative products. The division's portfolio ranges from silicone fluids, emulsions, resins, elastomers and sealants to silanes and pyrogenic silicas. These products stand out due to their significant value-adding potential – enhancing both the benefits and performance of customers' end products. Silicone products from WACKER SILICONES find application in such sectors as construction, chemicals, cosmetics, textiles, automotive, paper and electronics.

— WebWireID107169 —

Visit our Rear Inflatable Seat Belt minisite for fact sheets, profiles and multimedia content.

DEARBORN, Mich. - Ford Motor Company is bringing to market the world's first automotive inflatable seat belts, combining attributes of traditional seat belts and air bags to provide an added level of crash safety protection for rear seat occupants.

The advanced restraint system is designed to help reduce head, neck and chest injuries for rear seat passengers, often children and older passengers who can be more vulnerable to such injuries.

Ford will introduce inflatable rear seat belts on the next-generation Ford Explorer, which goes into production next year for the North American market. Over time, Ford plans to offer the technology in vehicles globally.

'Ford's rear inflatable seat belt technology will enhance safety for rear-seat passengers of all ages, especially for young children who are more vulnerable in crashes,' said Sue Cischke, Ford group vice president of Sustainability, Environmental and Safety Engineering. 'This is another unique family technology that builds on our safety leadership, including the most top safety ratings of any automaker.'

Safer and more comfortable
Advances in air bag inflation and seat belt construction methods have enabled Ford and its suppliers to develop inflatable seat belts that are designed to deploy over a vehicle occupant's torso and shoulder in 40 milliseconds in the event of a crash.

In everyday use, the inflatable belts operate like conventional seat belts and are safe and compatible with infant and children safety car and booster seats. In Ford's research, more than 90 percent of those who tested the inflatable seat belts found them to be similar to or more comfortable than a conventional belt because they feel padded and softer. That comfort factor could help improve the 61 percent rear belt usage rate in the U.S., which compares to 82 percent usage by front seat passengers, according to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data.

'Ford is pioneering inflatable seat belt technology to help enhance crash safety protection, while encouraging more people to buckle up with a more comfortable belt,' said Paul Mascarenas, Ford vice president, Engineering, Global Product Development.

In the event of a frontal or side crash, the inflatable belt's increased diameter more effectively holds the occupant in the appropriate seating position, helping to reduce the risk of injury.

Vehicle safety sensors determine the severity of the collision in the blink of an eye and deploy the inflatable belts' air bags. Each belt's tubular air bag inflates with cold compressed gas, which flows through a specially designed buckle from a cylinder housed below the seat.

The inflatable belt's accordion-folded bag breaks through the belt fabric as it fills with air, expanding sideways across the occupant's body in about the same amount of time it takes a car traveling at highway speed to cover a yard of distance.

The use of cold compressed gas instead of a heat-generating chemical reaction – which is typical of traditional air bag systems – means the inflated belts feel no warmer on the wearer's body than the ambient temperature. The inflatable belts also fill at a lower pressure and a slower rate than traditional air bags, because the device does not need to close a gap between the belt and the occupant.

'It's a very simple and logical system, but it required extensive trial and error and testing over several years to prove out the technology and ensure precise reliable performance in a crash situation,' said Srini Sundararajan, safety technical leader for Ford research and advance engineering.

The inflated belt helps distribute crash force energy across five times more of the occupant's torso than a traditional belt, which expands its range of protection and reduces risk of injury by diffusing crash pressure over a larger area, while providing additional support to the head and neck. After deployment, the belt remains inflated for several seconds before dispersing its air through the pores of the air bag.

Ford's safety leadership record continues to grow
The inflatable seat belt debuting on the next-generation Ford Explorer continues Ford's record of safety innovation. Ford today has more 5-star U.S. government ratings and 'Top Safety Picks' from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety than any other automaker.

Ford was the first automaker to introduce seat belts in 1955 and led the way in making driver and front-passenger air bags standard in most vehicles by 1993.

This year, Ford introduced radar-enabled Adaptive Cruise Control with Collision Warning with Brake Support and Blind Spot Information System (BLIS®) with Cross Traffic Alert (CTA). These technologies – introduced on the new 2010 Ford Taurus and Fusion – help drivers avoid potential dangerous crash situations using radar to detect the relative position of other vehicles and warn the driver with a combination of visual and audio alerts.

Ford's other recent seat belt and air bag innovations include the industry-first BeltMinder system in 2000, which the U.S. government credited with increasing front belt usage by 5 percent in Ford vehicles. On the 2002 Explorer, Ford launched the industry's first rollover-activated side curtain air bags – called Safety Canopy – as well as Roll Stability Control technology that goes a step beyond traditional stability control systems by helping measure and prevent side-to-side skidding and dangerous situations that could lead to rollovers.

Ford also introduced on the 2009 F-150 and 2010 Taurus some of the industry's first pressure-based air bag technologies that help deploy side air bags up to 30 percent faster.

About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 200,000 employees and about 90 plants worldwide, the company's automotive brands include Ford, Lincoln, Mercury and Volvo. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford's products, please visit www.ford.com.

— WebWireID107165 —

Many adults who once visited the train as children now bring their children and grandchildren to experience the wonder of the display. The Duke Energy/CSX Holiday Model Train Display has truly become an annual Cincinnati tradition for many families.

The theme of this year's display is Dreaming of Sugar Plums, Lollipops and Gingerbread. The centerpiece is a curved bridge, decorated with cookies, candy canes and many other sweet treats. On one end there is a cookie bakery with an extra large chimney. Surrounding the bridge are snow-laden trees and dozens of elves and gnomes decorate the area.

Kickoff of the exhibit historically begins on the day after Thanksgiving. To meet that date this year, the assembly and testing of the display has already begun. A small group of Duke Energy employees and retirees spend hundreds of hours throughout the year handcrafting replacement parts and adding to the collection of miniature buildings and structures. These volunteers keep the display running through the holidays until the end of December.

Those Marvelous Miniature Trains
As you watch the miniature trains travel by, you'll discover almost every variety of railroad car that ever traveled our country's railways. You'll see many kinds of powerful locomotives, ranging from the vintage steam-driven models to the more modern diesel-powered streamliners. There are pint-sized passenger trains featuring coach cars, dining cars with tiny tables and chairs, Pullman cars complete with bunks, dome-topped observation cars, baggage cars and postal cars for carrying the U.S. Mail.

The display also features model freight trains with cars capable of carrying almost any cargo imaginable. There are box cars, flat cars, tank cars, low-sided open gondola cars, cattle cars, coal cars, piggy-back cars for hauling trucks, and of course, the ever-popular "little red caboose."

As you compare the older cars to their more modern versions, you'll notice important changes in technology. The refrigerator cars, for example, range from the more primitive models that kept perishables cold with giant blocks of ice, to newer models with built-in refrigeration systems.

To spot one of the work trains, look for the "big hook" car with its large crane. Responsible for railroad maintenance and emergency runs, the work trains even include camp cars with sleeping and cooking facilities for the hard-working crew.

Little Buildings by the Train Tracks
Most of the visitors will quickly recognize miniature homes, shops, factories and farm buildings in the model railroad countryside. But, unless you're familiar with railroad operations, you may not recognize some of the important buildings and structures that are typically found along the railroad right-of-way. Section houses, which are living quarters with tool sheds, function as work locations for railroad crews known as section gangs, responsible for maintenance on specific sections of track.

To keep steam-powered locomotives rolling, it takes a lot of coal to fire the boiler and plenty of water to produce the steam. So, all along the railroad, you'll see miniature coal tipples – the coal storage stations with chutes for filling the locomotive's coal tender – as well as numerous water tanks.

The sand bins serve an important purpose, too, providing trains with sand to be dumped along the track for traction when the rails get wet or icy.

At the railroad terminal, centrally located to serve both the passenger terminal and the freight yards, you'll see additional coal, water and sand facilities as well as the large roundhouse and turntable. The roundhouse functions as a service garage for locomotives. Within the roundhouse, flues are cleaned, equipment is checked and the train is prepared for its next run. The turntable swings the iron horses around, sending them out on the proper track for their next journey.

Railroad stations, or depots, are also found all along the route – varying in size and scope depending on the size of the town. These are, of course, where passengers boarded the trains and where they met their family and friends when they reached their destination.

What This Miniature World Offers
This tradition began in partnership with the Baltimore & Ohio (B&O) Railroad. Having been chartered in 1827, the B&O Railroad is often called the 'father of American railroads' as the first U.S. railroad for the transportation of passengers and freight. During the early years, the B&O model trains represented exactly what was traveling the real tracks. Every time the B&O took an older locomotive out of service or added a new car to its system, a miniature reproduction was removed or added to the model. Then, in the 1950s, B&O made the decision to bring back some of the retired models for their historical value. So, today, you see early steam locomotives operating on the same tracks with the more modern diesel engines.

Like the real thing, B&O models were built to last. Always handmade, sometimes from the same materials as their life-size prototypes, the models were hand-painted and hand-lettered with authentic railroad paints. The miniature B&O trains are faithful reproductions of the real trains down to the smallest details.

This train display simulates the Cumberland (Maryland) Division of the old B&O, still part of the route traveled by today's CSX Transportation. That's where the main Northwest and Southwest lines, from Chicago and from St. Louis, come together. While the display doesn't represent any particular point on the line or any specific part of the Maryland countryside, it is designed to demonstrate a variety of actual train operations in a landscape typical of the Cumberland region. The elevated area simulates the "Magnolia Cutoff" which is known as the "High Line" and is used exclusively for freight service.

Location, Dates and Hours of Operation, and Website
The Duke Energy building is located on the southwest corner of Fourth and Main streets in Downtown Cincinnati. Access to downtown is available via either Interstate 71 or Interstate 75.

The train display runs from Friday, Nov. 27, through Thursday, Dec. 31. Normal hours of operation are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays. (Closed Christmas day.)

More information about the holiday model train display is available on the Duke Energy website at www.duke-energy.com/train/.
Digital (JPEG format, 200 ppi) publication quality photographs of last year's model train display are also available on the website at: http://www.duke-energy.com/community/programs/news-quality-photos.asp
Duke Energy's Ohio operations deliver safe, reliable and competitively priced electricity to approximately 680,000 electric customers and natural gas service to approximately 420,000 customers.

Duke Energy, one of the largest electric power companies in the United States, supplies and delivers electricity to approximately 4 million U.S. customers in its regulated jurisdictions. The company has approximately 35,000 megawatts of electric generating capacity in the Midwest and the Carolinas, and natural gas distribution services in Ohio and Kentucky. In addition, Duke Energy has more than 4,000 megawatts of electric generation in Latin America, and is a joint-venture partner in a U.S. real estate company.

Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., Duke Energy is a Fortune 500 company traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol DUK. More information about the company is available on the Internet at: www.duke-energy.com.

Duke Energy Holiday Model Train Display Fact Sheet

* The first year of the display was in 1946.
* The display is one of the largest portable models in the world, measures 36½ feet by 47½ feet.
* The Duke Energy building is located on the southwest corner of Fourth and Main streets (139 East Fourth Street) in Downtown Cincinnati. Access to downtown is available via either Interstate 71 or Interstate 75.
* Hours of Operation - The train display operates Friday, Nov. 27, through Thursday, Dec. 31. Normal hours of operation are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays. (Closed Christmas day.)
* Last year, the model train display had more than 300,000 visitors and 39 countries from around the world.
* The trains are authentic 'O' gauge in which a quarter inch on the model is equivalent to one foot on a real train; rail cars, tracks and buildings are 1/48th actual size.
* The Duke Energy display includes approximately 300 train cars and 50 locomotives on 1,000 feet of track.
* During the holiday season, the trains will travel more than 100,000 scale miles.
* While these trains may seem to travel slowly, they are traveling at actual scale speed. The basic three-track loop is 1/48th of a mile around, representing a full mile of real track. If a model train travels that loop in one minute, it is traveling at 60 miles per hour – not at all slow for a real train.
* This holiday tradition began in 1946 in partnership with the Baltimore & Ohio (B&O) Railroad. (Having been chartered in 1827 as the first U.S. railroad for the public transportation of passengers and freight, the B&O Railroad is often called the "father of American railroads.")
* In 1936, the B&O Railroad introduced its first model railroad. That original model, with its three main loops, its locomotives and cars, is just part of Duke Energy lobby display.
* The portable model grew, as the railroad grew, through the 40s, the 50s and into the 60s.
* More information about the holiday model train display is available on the Duke Energy website at www.duke-energy.com/train/.

— WebWireID107068 —

Anyone who drives a car undoubtedly places items on the front passenger seat. If a driver stops short or takes a last minute turn, these items can go flying to the floor or between the seat and door.

Drivers can be distracted by attempting to secure or to pickup these items from wherever they landed. Seat Strap is the perfect automotive accessory to prevent this from happening. Seat Strap keeps items securely in place as drivers turn, stop short or accelerate.

Seat Strap can be placed around any car seat, front or back. It provides a secure, non-slip grip to virtually any object placed on the seat. The Seat Strap keeps drivers and their belongings safe by reducing these distractions.

Holiday gift shoppers can take advantage of the Seat Strap introductory offer which includes 2 Seat Straps and a bonus visor strap for $14.95. More information and a product demonstration is available at http://www.seatstrap.com.

— WebWireID107023 —

A member of the Kenworth dealer network of more than 300 locations in Canada and the United States, the new Kenworth of Newfoundland facility is in the southwest part of Mount Pearl off Harbour Arterial Road (Highway 2). The dealership features three drive-through service bays and a 1,000 square-foot parts department.

'Our new dealership has received a very positive response so far,' said Larry Murphy, president of Kenworth of Newfoundland. 'We're serving existing and new customers involved in construction, less than truckload (LTL), fishing and mining in the area.'

Kenworth of Newfoundland is located at 27 Glencoe Drive in Mount Pearl. The dealership is open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday. The phone number is 709-364-8251. In addition to Murphy, key dealer personnel include Tony Lambert, general manager; Keith Brophy, service manager; and Murphy Mitchell, parts manager.

The new location is part of Kenworth's constant commitment for superior service coverage as exemplified by Kenworth receiving the 2009 J.D. Power and Associates award for 'Highest in Customer Satisfaction for Heavy Duty Dealer Service'.*

Kenworth Truck Company is the manufacturer of The World's Best® heavy and medium duty trucks. Kenworth is an industry leader in providing fuel-saving technology solutions that help increase fuel efficiency and reduce emissions. The company's dedication to the green fleet includes aerodynamic trucks, medium duty diesel-electric hybrids, liquefied natural gas trucks, and the Kenworth Clean Power® no-idle system. This year, Kenworth became the first truck manufacturer to receive the Environmental Protection Agency's Clean Air Excellence award in recognition of its environmentally friendly products. In addition, Kenworth is the recipient of the 2009 J.D. Power and Associates awards for Highest in Customer Satisfaction for both Over the Road Segment and Pickup and Delivery Segment Class 8 Trucks, and for Heavy Duty Dealer Service. Kenworth's Internet home page is at www.kenworth.com. Kenworth. A PACCAR Company.

* Kenworth received the highest numerical score among pickup & delivery and over-the-road Class 8 trucks and heavy-duty manufacturers in the proprietary J.D. Power and Associates 2009 Heavy-Duty Customer Satisfaction Study(SM). Study based on 2,492 total U.S. responses measuring 4 (over-the-road), 5 (pickup & delivery), 8 (dealer service) manufacturers and measures opinions of principal maintainers. Proprietary study results are based on experiences and perceptions of those surveyed in February – March 2009. Your experiences may vary. jd power.com.

— WebWireID107040 —

The Board of Directors of the Sports Car Club of America has ratified a Honda Performance Development, Inc. proposal to begin supplying Honda Formula F engines for competition in the SCCA's Formula F (FF) class in 2010.

Through its introduction to the category, HPD hopes to strengthen FF's position as the first step in American open-wheel racing.

"We look forward to launching our FF program at the outset of the 2010 club racing season," said Erik Berkman, president of Honda Performance Development. "We hope that this initial step in HPD's new grassroots motorsports initiative will help make the FF class more affordable and more competitive."

The Honda Formula F engine is based on the Fit L15A7, a 1.5-liter engine that can be installed into several existing FF chassis. Testing has shown that the Honda engine provides performance equal to the long-out-of-production "Kent" engine, while featuring a modern fuel-injected design with superior service life, improved availability and lower operating costs.

A prototype, utilizing a Swift DB-1 chassis and HPD-developed bolt-on conversion kit, made its public debut during the FF 40th Anniversary Celebration at Road America in late July. The Swift-Honda, along with a Honda FF engine mated to a Citation chassis, was also on display during last month's SCCA National Championship Runoffs at Road America.

The Honda FF engine has been developed by Honda Performance Development in cooperation with Sandy Shamlian of Quicksilver RacEngines. The engine was developed to equal the performance of the Kent powerplant through utilization of an HPD-developed intake restrictor plate and appropriately mapped Engine Control Unit (ECU). If additional performance adjustments are required, changes can be made to the restrictor plate and/or the ECU maps to achieve this goal.

"Many of us, myself included, have been involved in FF racing," said Marc Sours, HPD Production Division Manager and Large Project Leader for HPD's grassroots projects. "We believe that introduction of the modern, less-expensive Honda FF engine can restore interest in and raise the profile of FF to a point where it once again becomes the place for young drivers to begin their careers, and where current SCCA club racers will find economical, close competition."

Original equipment in the 2009 Honda Fit, the L15A7 is a fuel-injected, 1.5-liter, overhead cam engine, at the beginning of its current production generation. Per Honda corporate policy, a minimum of 10 years' parts support is mandated at the conclusion of production.

HPD will supply all parts from intake through exhaust, including multiple chassis conversion kits. The result will be a modern and reliable engine requiring minimal maintenance and tuning.

Specifically, HPD expects to offer FF competitors the opportunity to reduce their engine operating costs. Engine rebuilds will be reduced, while competitors should also experience a reduction in the need for top-end refreshing. In addition, crankshaft and valve-spring life should be extended dramatically; and most ignition and all carburetor maintenance will be eliminated.

The first conversion kit offered will be for the venerable Swift DB-1. This complete, race-ready package will sell for $11,750. It will include a base L15A7 engine, FF engine conversion kit (including intake, exhaust, dry sump, restrictor plate and ECU), and a bolt-in DB-1 chassis conversion kit, to permit installation of the engine without welding or other major modifications. Individual component parts will also be available for purchase separately.

Delivery of kits will begin in early February of 2010 and will follow in the order that requests are received. Deposits of $500, which will ensure a place on the delivery list, are being accepted. For more information, please contact:

Honda Performance Development, Inc.
661-702-7777
grmsadmin@hra.com

HPD is working on two additional conversion kits for the Swift DB-6 and Van Diemen (1999-current) chassis. Market release of these kits is also expected prior to the 2010 club racing season.

Beginning with its initial entry into Formula One in 1964, Honda has a lengthy record of involvement in open-wheel racing around the world. In addition to its well-known accomplishments in IndyCar, CART and Formula One competition, Honda Motor also has an extensive history as an engine supplier in lower open-wheel formulae, including Formula 3, Formula Master, Formula Nippon and Formula Dream.

Honda Performance Development (HPD) is Honda's racing company within North America. Founded in 1993, and located in Santa Clarita, Calif., HPD is the technical operations center for Honda and Acura's high-performance racing cars and engines. In addition to its new grassroots motorsports business, HPD is the single engine supplier to the IndyCar Series and spearheaded Acura's championship-winning efforts in the 2009 American Le Mans Series.

Quicksilver RacEngines (QSRE) is a private company in Frederick, MD owned and operated by Sandy Shamlian since 1973. QSRE engines have been a staple in open-wheel and sports-car racing, logging countless professional and amateur race wins and championships in the USA, England, Venezuela, Australia & Canada in classes such as Zetec F2000, Formula Continental, Sports 2000, Formula Atlantic, and FF1600.

— WebWireID107032 —

Celebrating its 50th year in America, Honda kicked off its week at the 2009 Specialty Equipment Market Association's (SEMA) show in Las Vegas with a variety of historic and accessorized Honda vehicles, a robust Honda Performance Development (HPD) racing display and the reveal of a 2010 Accord Sedan equipped with MUGEN accessories.

"Customized Honda cars factor strongly into SEMA history and are a big part of Honda's 50 years in America," said Bruce Smith, vice president of Parts Operations for American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "With a growing accessory lineup, now including MUGEN kits for the Accord sedan and Fit, Honda is committed to supporting personalization of our vehicles into the future."

A 2010 Accord Sedan equipped with MUGEN accessories was revealed today, along with the announcement that, on November 11th, Honda will make a complete line of MUGEN accessories available for the Accord Sedan on an a la carte basis through authorized Honda dealers. Available MUGEN accessories for the Accord will include: 18-inch alloy wheels, front sports grille, front under-spoiler, side spoiler, rear under-spoiler, sports floor mats, machined aluminum oil filler cap and a distinctive front emblem. All of the painted parts will come color-matched to one of five popular Accord sedan colors: Polished Metal Metallic, Crystal Black Pearl, Alabaster Silver Metallic, White Diamond Pearl and Taffeta White. MUGEN, under license by M-TEC Co., Ltd., of Japan, has been closely associated with Honda for decades in the design and manufacture of racing and premium performance components.

Additionally, Honda displayed several accessorized vehicles including the all-new 2010 Accord Crosstour, the Dog Friendly Element, the Fit with MUGEN accessories, a Honda Factory Performance (HFP™) Civic Si Sedan and a HFP Accord Coupe.

Honda marked its 50th Anniversary in America on June 11, 2009. At the SEMA show, it acknowledged the support of Honda fans and performance enthusiasts with a display of several historic Honda vehicles including a N600, the first automobile model that Honda sold in America; a pair of winning SCCA race cars - a 1974 Civic and a 2008 S2000 CR; a 1984 CRX MUGEN "prototype" and a 2000 Civic Si Challenge project car modified by Super Street magazine.

On the racing front, Honda Performance Development (HPD) displayed a variety of historic engines, current racing chassis and future racing concepts. An IndyCar® race car and a prototype Formula F chassis were prominently displayed.

Vehicles On Display at the Honda Booth

2010 Accord with MUGEN accessories
2010 Fit Sport with MUGEN accessories
2010 Accord Coupe HFP™
2010 Civic Si Sedan HFP™
2010 Accord Crosstour with accessories
2010 Dog Friendly Element EX
1971 N600
1974 Civic with race modifications
1984 CRX MUGEN Prototype
2000 Civic Si Challenge winner
2008 S2000 CR race car
IndyCar® race car
HPD Formula F prototype

— WebWireID107025 —

ST. PAUL, MN (October 1, 2009) -- There is a safety issue on America's roads that rarely comes to light -- reduced visibility, which is a factor in 2.8 million accidents, 23,000 fatal crashes and 2,300 pedestrian deaths. As Daylight Savings Time ends, and kids hit the streets trick-or-treating, the importance of clear nighttime visibility increases.

The AAIA Car Care Council found that 26 percent of the cars it inspected had issues with their lighting system. The culprits -- headlight bulbs that dim over time and hazed headlight lens. When one bulb burns out, both bulbs should be replaced, a commonly ignored automotive maintenance step.

Millions of cars on the road today have plastic headlight lenses. As cars age and are exposed to weather, they may become hazed and yellowed, reducing the light output from the headlamp. With the average age of cars on the road about 10 years old, the problem is growing. This is a common issue on many domestic and foreign automobiles, from economy to luxury vehicles.

Automotive experts Sam Memmolo and Courtney Hansen are recommending that car owners conduct their vehicle visibility safety check this fall to determine their risks and take steps to correct their visibility problems. They are offering safety tips, project ideas and how-to videos to help consumers address this issue on www.3MCarCare.com, YouTube 3M Car Care Channel and the Facebook 3M-US Car Care group.

'When you walk through a parking lot or drive in traffic today, you see a number of cars with hazed headlights, non-working lights, streaky windshield wipers and broken sideview mirrors,' said Sam Memmolo, host of 'Sam's Garage' radio show and longtime expert on car repair and restoration. 'Every one of these cars may create a danger to the driver and other people on the road. But with some basic education about car care and maintenance, all car owners can take care of these problems before they cause accidents.'

— WebWireID106960 —

'Pure Power Technologies allows Navistar to seamlessly integrate development and production of our power system component technology as we continue to grow globally,' said Daniel C. Ustian, Navistar chairman, president and chief executive officer. 'This supports our industry leadership strategy to produce great products and will serve as a components technology incubator for Navistar's MaxxForce® brand engines.'

Based in Columbia, South Carolina, Pure Power Technologies will operate a research and development center there as well as a manufacturing plant in nearby Blythewood, South Carolina. The Columbia and Blythewood facilities are former Continental assets. Further, the acquisition of these Continental facilities by Navistar prevents their closing as previously announced by Continental. Navistar and Continental will be working on a product transition plan between now and January to assure the needs of both companies are met.

'Housing our advanced manufacturing technology team near the R&D campus will be a key differentiator for Pure Power Technologies. This will enhance our ability to quickly bring new technologies to market,' said Eric Tech, president, Navistar Engine Group.

'The combined strengths that make up Pure Power Technologies will enable breakthrough performance, lean and rapid development cycles and lower overall system costs,' said Ustian. 'These are critical to our business, as customers around the world continue to demand greater engine performance, more efficient power sources and cleaner running vehicles and equipment.'

'The acquisition of Continental's diesel systems business by Navistar is a win-win situation for all parties,' said Kregg Wiggins, senior vice president NAFTA Powertrain Division for Continental. 'Navistar will acquire key fuel injection technologies used in their diesel engine manufacturing business and many of the employees in the Blythewood and Columbia locations will have an opportunity to gain positions in this new entity."

'Navistar is a true innovator in the design of truck engines, and the company's newest venture will augment South Carolina's ever-growing automotive sector. It is especially gratifying to see Continental and Navistar come to an agreement that will keep existing facilities open and bring new opportunities for the future. Indeed, the company's decision to invest in South Carolina is another strong sign that our business-friendly climate, skilled workforce and exceptional market access continue to attract new investors to our state. We welcome Navistar and Pure Power Technologies to the South Carolina business community and look forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship with them in the years ahead,' said Joe Taylor, Secretary of Commerce.

Central SC Alliance President and CEO Mike Briggs stated, "Our team is very pleased with today's important announcement by Navistar. This is quite a testimonial to the company's faith in the highly-skilled workforce that exists at the plant. The Alliance worked very closely with Richland County Council and the South Carolina Department of Commerce in an effort to retain these advanced manufacturing jobs."

Richland County Council Chairman Paul Livingston said, "Today, we are in a global competition to find and save jobs. We are excited to have retained the manufacturing and research and development functions that have been located in Richland County for the past several years. We certainly recognize the possibility for future growth and development and look forward to working with Navistar again. Further, we greatly appreciate Navistar's corporate citizenship and continued involvement in the community."

Pure Power Technologies supports a number of Navistar's strategic business goals: Ensure the continued delivery of innovative MaxxForce® brand engines to the North American on-highway marketplace, including MaxxForce Advanced EGR emissions technology for 2010 and beyond; grow in other automotive and industrial segments in NAFTA countries; partner with new OEM customers in established and emerging markets under Euro emissions regulations; create a global platform for continuous improvement in product quality, performance and fuel-efficiency; develop common quality and manufacturing processes across our engine operations and joint ventures; and support Navistar Global Truck Group and Navistar Global Bus division in non-NAFTA growth areas.

About Navistar
Navistar International Corporation (NYSE: NAV) is a holding company whose subsidiaries and affiliates produce International® brand commercial and military trucks, MaxxForce® brand diesel engines, IC Bus™ brand school and commercial buses, Monaco RV brands of recreational vehicles, and Workhorse® brand chassis for motor homes and step vans. It also is a private-label designer and manufacturer of diesel engines for the pickup truck, van and SUV markets. The company also provides truck and diesel engine service parts. Another affiliate offers financing services. Additional information is available at www.Navistar.com/newsroom.

— WebWireID106928 —

Singapore – Tele Atlas, a leading global provider of digital maps and dynamic content for navigation and location based solutions, today announced the availability of Tele Atlas® Speed Profiles in Taiwan, the first complete historic speed product in Asia built with insight from local drivers that enables navigation system users find the fastest routes and far more accurately estimate travel times. Speed Profiles for Taiwan provides drivers with unique insight into real world traffic patterns across the country's complete navigable road network. With Speed Profiles, drivers can make the best route choices that normally only well-informed locals would select and in turn, also save valuable time and money.

With congested roadways and ever-increasing travel times, users of mapping applications are seeking better ways to travel efficiently, minimize transportation costs and find the optimal routes to their destinations. Speed Profiles aggregates and enhances real speed data from GPS-enabled devices, using consumer driving patterns to provide true average speeds on individual road segments. In contrast, traditional systems use standardized estimates to calculate routes, ignoring hurdles such as traffic lights, school hours and rotaries that can severely impact travel times. Speed Profiles for Taiwan is Tele Atlas' first community-based offering outside of North America and Europe, highlighting the expanding and ever more global role of community in advancing navigation and location-based solutions.

'With Speed Profiles, our regional customers can now deliver solutions that help consumers save time and money, consume less fuel and help preserve the environment, as well as help businesses cut transportation and logistics costs,' said Rik Temmink, Vice President of Product Management, Tele Atlas. 'This is especially important in densely populated countries like Taiwan, whose traffic jams are some of the most complex and chaotic in the world. We are excited to extend availability of this unique and powerful product to Asia and to be the first to deliver a complete solution in the region based on historical driving information.'

Speed Profiles enables route calculations based on highly comprehensive historical travel time and measured speed information. Tele Atlas Speed Profiles is available in 27 countries and territories, covering 35 million kilometers of both directions of roads. The version for Taiwan includes 211,000 kilometers and complete coverage of the navigable road network.

About Tele Atlas
Tele Atlas delivers the digital maps and dynamic content that power many of the world's most essential navigation and location-based services (LBS). Through a combination of its own products and partnerships, Tele Atlas offers map coverage of more than 200 countries and territories worldwide. The company was founded in 1984 and has offices in 27 countries around the world. Today, Tele Atlas products are developed with the insight of a community of millions of digital map users worldwide, who are adding to the company's unmatched network of sources to track and validate changes in real time, and deliver the best digital maps and dynamic content. For more information, visit www.teleatlas.com or http://investors.tomtom.com/index.cfm. Tele Atlas is a subsidiary of TomTom N.V. (AEX: TOM2).

Tele Atlas and the Tele Atlas logo are registered trademarks of Tele Atlas. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.

— WebWireID106922 —

HR compliance can be time consuming and difficult. HR advice can be expensive and there are few legal firms that specialize in the unique needs of auto, truck, and equipment dealers. Yet non-compliance with state and federal HR regulations all but guarantees costly fines and employment litigation. The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) reports that there has been an exponential increase in employment related lawsuits in the last ten years. According to SHRM companies are spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on legal fees. HotlinkHR™ simplifies the HR compliance process and reduces the risk of litigation through a combination of forced compliance through automation and on demand HR advice.
HotlinkHR ™ includes HR advice by phone, or by an email. The request is routed to one of two of the nation's leading law firms with experience in the auto, truck and equipment dealer market, Fine, Boggs and Perkins LLP, and now Ford & Harrison LLP. Ford & Harrison is a labor and employment law firm with a national practice in all aspects of labor and employment law. More than 200 labor and employment lawyers in 18 offices across the country strive to provide clients with sound legal advice, practical counseling and excellent client service. Chambers USA 2009 ranked Ford & Harrison LLP, as one of the top labor and employment firms nationally.
'We are elated to partner with Ford & Harrison to offer our clients access to one of the foremost labor and employment firms in the country through HotlinkHR™' said Vane Clayton, President and CEO, KPA. 'Having not one but two law firms for on-demand HR advice increases the level of expertise available to clients. Ford & Harrison has more than 25 years of experience working with dealerships and many of the attorneys are members of the National Association of Dealer Counsel.'
Jim Hendricks, a partner with Ford & Harrison LLP in Chicago, and recently named one of the Top 100 Labor Attorneys in the United States for 2009 by the Labor Relations Institute, Inc. adds, 'The HotlinkHR™ system's ability to force HR compliance through automation can significantly reduce the risk of employment related litigation for clients'.
A free recorded webinar on the Essential of Wage and Hour Law for Dealerships presented by Jim Hendricks is available on the KPA website. The webinar is part of KPA's EHS and HR monthly compliance webinar series. To register for any of KPA's webinars go to http://www.kpaonline.com/webinars.

For more information please contact: Kathryn Carlson, Director Product Marketing HotlinkHR, at kcarlson@KPAonline.com or 303-228-8765
About KPA
KPA is the nation's compliance expert on safety, environmental, and human resources management, serving more than 3000 client nationwide since 1986.
For more information please visit the company's website at www.kpaonline.com
About Ford & Harrison
Ford & Harrison is a labor and employment law firm with a national practice in all aspects of labor and employment law. More than 200 labor and employment lawyers in 18 offices across the country strive to provide clients with sound legal advice, practical counseling and excellent client service.
For more information please visit the company's website at www.fordharrison.com
###

— WebWireID106887 —

According to Steven Haase of One Stop Motors, consumers who want to sell their car online need to ensure they provide as much information as possible about the vehicle and themselves. Haase says: 'The first element that needs to be established between the buyer and the seller is trust, if information is sparse or missing, you can be sure that the consumer will be weary.'

To sell a car online and establish a trust factor, Haase recommends following these quick pointers:

1. Upload a current, quality photo of the car to be sold; Ads with photos have 3 times the success of those without

2. Use 'lifestyle comments' about the car to attract targeted audiences' example: 'Spacious SUV is safe for large families with plenty of room for people and pets!'

3. Use 'Or Best Offer' in pricing strategy; include a competitive price as well as an acknowledgement to accept the buyer's best offer

4. Offer a complimentary Car Fax report; Car Fax is one of the most reputable and trusted names in the used car business

5. List at least 2 forms of communication; some consumers prefer phone, some prefer email, list both if possible

Haas recommends these tips for those attempting to sell on a Craig's List type of site. Consumers who sign up for a service like the one offered by One Stop Motors to sell their car online can take advantage of their broad spectrum of online sales tools. One Stop Motors not only builds a complete vehicle profile for the consumer, but they will also maximize its visibility by using key search engine optimization (SEO) tactics online and blast the vehicle's information out through their affiliate websites. One Stop Motors also handles all interested buyers quickly and effectively to help complete the sale, taking the hassle out of the consumers' hands.

Consumers who would like to learn more about One Stop Motors can visit http://www.onestopmotors.com/plat.aspx

About One Stop Motors
One Stop Motors specializes in the sale of used cars online. The company offers value added tools such as shipping, financing, extended warranties, insurance, marketing and advertising support for sellers and fraud protection for buyers.

ww.onestopmotors.biz/

— WebWireID106893 —

'The finalists are a select group of companies and individuals who have achieved notable success and demonstrated strong leadership in and commitment to both their industries and their communities,' said Tom Curtin, publisher, NJBIZ. 'We congratulate Circle BMW – the only automotive dealer selected as a finalist – for their contributions to the economy of the state of New Jersey,' added Curtin.

Finalists are grouped into the following six categories: Business of the Year (51-100 Employees), Business of the Year (1-50 Employees), Business of the Year (101 plus Employees), Emerging Business of the Year, Executive of the Year and Corporate Citizen of the Year. Circle BMW is a finalist in the Business of the Year (51-100 Employees).

President of Circle BMW, Tom DeFelice, said, 'For the last 28 years, we've put forth a tremendous effort to grow Circle BMW into the company it is today. We are delighted to be recognized as a finalist for the Business of the Year Award and honored to be among these exceptional companies and individuals.'

Businesses and business leader's were selected by an independent panel of judges comprised of Jim Barrood of Fairleigh Dickinson University, Mark Kuehn of Gibbons, P.C., Tom Bracken of TriState Capital and Diane Schwartz of the American Conference on Diversity, based on their commitment to professional excellence, business growth and the community.

The Business of the Year Awards is a program of NJBIZ and is presented by Amper, Politziner & Mattia. It is sponsored by Wolf Block LLP, Oracle and Rutgers School of Business – Camden.

About Circle BMW
Circle BMW, a family owned and operated business for more than 28 years, is dedicated to excellence in all phases of the BMW ownership experience: sales, service, parts, accessories, lifestyle products and long-term customer support. Monmouth County has long known of Circle BMW's commitment to its customers, but Circle BMW also has many satisfied customers in Ocean County, Middlesex County and the tri-state area. In addition to new vehicles, Circle BMW offers Certified Pre-Owned vehicles that meet demanding standards for resale. Circle BMW is one of the largest BMW authorized stocking dealers of original equipment parts and accessories in the region.

To obtain more information about Circle BMW, visit www.circlebmw.com.

— WebWireID106874 —

The rebrand of 19 showrooms as The Co-operative Motor Group is part of The Co-operative's £1.5 billion re-branding exercise – the largest in UK corporate history.

The dealerships, which until now, have traded under the Sunwin Motors brand, will be renamed in a move that marks their formal induction into the family of businesses, which includes food, funerals, travel, pharmacy, motors, financial services and legal services. More than two-thirds of the Group's 5,000 outlets have been rebranded over the last two years.

Mike Austin, Managing Director of The Co-operative Motor Group said: 'Sunwin has worked hard to establish a trusted reputation in the Midlands and North of England, and we intend to build on that by adopting The Co-operative's strong brand.

'This is a name change only but it is the right time to make that change. The relaunch of The Co-operative brand has been a major success, and the financial performance of The Co-operative Group is stronger than ever, as is trust in our brand.'

The first of the Group's dealerships to be rebranded will be the Renault dealership in Preston on October 27. The rebrand programme will be rolled out to the rest of the dealerships over the next (x) months.

The Co-operative Motor Group, formerly Sunwin, which represents nine major motor manufacturers (Renault, Nissan, Mazda, Peugeot, Fiat, Suzuki, Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep), has reported sales of more than £250 million for the last financial year, and in the space of just over two years it has refitted more than two-thirds of its 4,300 outlets with the new look.

— WebWireID106839 —

Lebanon, NH and Chicago, IL - Tele Atlas, a leading global provider of digital maps and dynamic content for navigation and location-based solutions, and Cobra Electronics, (NASDAQ:COBR) announced an agreement under which Tele Atlas supplies digital maps and location content on the 7700 Pro, Cobra's GPS navigation and routing tool tailored to the needs of the professional truck driver. The agreement builds on the companies' longstanding collaboration to deliver content-rich, user-friendly navigation solutions.

The 7700 PRO uses Tele Atlas digital maps to further enhance the user's navigation experience, including 12 million points of interest (POIs) and Tele Atlas® Brand Icons, which visually represent participating businesses as instantly recognizable logos so users can accurately identify specific brands of interest. Combined with additional content from ProMiles® and TruckDownTM, such as more than 33,000 truck-specific POIs, drivers are armed with a range of relevant content to better plan their routes.

'Professional truck drivers, like all vehicle drivers, benefit from GPS solutions that leverage the freshest maps and location content. But their unique needs also demand solutions that offer routing based on truck-specific data, including complex sets of restrictions and specifications,' said Tele Atlas Vice President of Automotive, Transportation and Telematics Jonathon Husby. 'Working with Cobra, we continue to evolve the navigation experience for professional drivers, powered by valuable, accurate location content.'

The Cobra 7700 Pro features Tele Atlas Logistics, a specialized digital map database designed to meet commercial vehicle specifications. With this content, the device is able to deliver complete coverage and truck-specific data for advanced routing information based on the vehicle's height, width and weight, including STAA National Highway Network and Access Roads; National Bridge Inventory List; National HazMat Route Registry; and detailed truck data for the lower 48 States and Canada. With truck-specific data, the Cobra 7700 PRO provides the information professional truck drivers need to optimize routes and arrive at destinations in the most efficient and economical way possible.

Using Tele Atlas Voice Maps, the 7700 PRO offers text-to-speech guidance with loud, clear verbal instructions and turn-by-turn spoken street names for safe navigating. Additionally, the 7700 PRO features a seven-inch screen and a 'car mode' that enables professional drivers to use the device in their personal vehicles as well.

'For more than 40 years, we have delivered on our commitment to provide high quality tools that help simplify the demanding job of professional drivers. The 7700 PRO is designed specifically for this market segment,' said Tony Mirabelli, senior vice president of marketing and sales, Cobra Electronics. 'With Tele Atlas' advanced approach to updating maps with community input and its innovative new products, drivers can rely on features and content that ensure efficient, vehicle-appropriate routes.'

About Tele Atlas
Tele Atlas delivers the digital maps and dynamic content that power many of the world's most essential navigation and location-based services (LBS). Through a combination of its own products and partnerships, Tele Atlas offers map coverage of more than 200 countries and territories worldwide. The company was founded in 1984 and has offices in 27 countries around the world. Today, Tele Atlas maps are developed with the insight of a community of millions of GPS system users worldwide, who are adding to the company's unmatched network of sources to track and validate changes in real time, and deliver the best digital maps and dynamic content. For more information, visit www.teleatlas.com or http://investors.tomtom.com/index.cfm. Tele Atlas is a subsidiary of TomTom N.V. (AEX: TOM2).

About Cobra Electronics
Cobra Electronics is a leading global designer and marketer of communication and navigation products, with a track record of delivering innovative and award-winning products. Building upon its leadership position in the GMRS/FRS two-way radio, radar detector and Citizens Band radio industries, Cobra identified new growth opportunities and has aggressively expanded into the marine market and has expanded its European operations. The Consumer Electronics Association, Forbes and Deloitte & Touche have all recently recognized Cobra for the company's innovation and industry leadership. To learn more about Cobra Electronics, please visit the Cobra site at www.cobra.com.

Tele Atlas and the Tele Atlas logo are registered trademarks of Tele Atlas.

— WebWireID106854 —