India's Tata Motors unveils $2,500 "People's Car"

Tata Motors has unveiled its Nano, the "People's Car", at the ninth annual Auto Expo in New Delhi. The car will be launched in India later in 2008; the company says the low-priced vehicle will be a first for the global automobile industry. Base Nano models will be priced at the equivalent of U.S.$2,500. "I observed families riding on two-wheelers - the father driving the scooter, his young kid standing in front of him, his wife seated behind him holding a little baby," said Ratan Tata, Chairman of Tata Motors, at the unveiling. "It led me to wonder whether one could conceive of a safe, affordable, all-weather form of transport for such a family. Tata Motors' engineers and designers gave their all for about four years to realize this goal. Today, we indeed have a People's Car, which is affordable and yet built to meet safety requirements and emission norms, to be fuel efficient and low on emissions." The four-passenger vehicle features a rear-mounted two-cylinder, 623-cc gasoline engine, front-wheel drive, and all-aluminum construction. When launched, the car will be available in standard and deluxe versions, in a wide range of colours and accessories. The company said that in terms of overall pollutants, it has a lower pollution level than two-wheelers currently being manufactured in India.

Honda donates US$1 million to create music education fund

The Detroit Symphony Orchestra (DSO) has announced that Honda has provided it with a gift of more than US$1 million to create The Power of Dreams Music Education Fund. The fund will help support and expand the DSO's music programs for young people, particularly an effort to encourage and support involvement of children in Detroit. Honda will also support a campaign to promote public donations to the fund. Over the next five years, the partnership will include the launch of The Power of Dreams String Project, to provide introductory music and string training to children in metro-Detroit communities; the establishment of a scholarship program to provide private lessons to aspiring students; support of DSO Civic Youth Ensemble performances and concert series; support of the 2008 Classical Roots Gala; and sponsorship of cellist Yo-Yo Ma's performance with the DSO in May, along with a special daytime educational event for students. In conjunction with the launch of a public campaign, Honda has invited DSO musicians and students to perform in its exhibit at the Detroit Auto Show Charity Gala on Friday, January 18.

First Ontario-built Lincoln Town Car rolls off assembly line

The first Lincoln Town Car rolled off the assembly line in St. Thomas, Ontario yesterday. The model was moved to Ontario from the company's now-idled plant in Wixom, Michigan. "A new chapter in the history of the St. Thomas Assembly Plant has started as we've proudly begun producing the Lincoln Town Car," said plant manager Mark Boldin. "The Lincoln Town Car is an outstanding vehicle in regards to safety with many best-in-class attributes, and we're pleased to add it to our portfolio of vehicles." The St. Thomas plant opened in 1967, building the Ford Falcon. Currently, it is the only plant producing the Ford Crown Victoria and Mercury Grand Marquis, as well as the Town Car. The Canadian Auto Workers Union (CAW), which represents workers at the plant, said that it will continue to press the Ford Motor Company for new investment in the facility as the two sides go into bargaining in the fall of 2008. Following an announcement from Ford in January 2006, the plant's second shift was eliminated in early 2007; it currently operates on a single shift.

Mazda CX-9 wins 2008 North American Truck of the Year Award

The 2008 Mazda CX-9 SUV has been named the North American Truck of the Year. The award, determined by automotive journalists from Canada and the U.S., recognizes the most outstanding truck of the year, including conventional pickup trucks, body-on-frame SUVs and crossovers. Factors considered for the award include innovation, design, safety, handling, driver satisfaction and value for the dollar. "This truly is an honour," said Jim O'Sullivan, president and CEO of Mazda North American Operations. "Since we brought CX-9 to market, it's been a hit with media, customers and dealers alike. This vehicle represents everything a Mazda SUV should be: dynamically styled, powerful, with top-notch craftsmanship and a heck of a lot of fun to drive. Today's award is proof that says we just might be on to something special."

Ontario-based company offers online solution to lease takeover

A new company based in Belleville, Ontario, GetOutOnline.com, helps people transfer a lease to a new owner, with no money changing hands. GetOutOnline offers a lease takeover service, as well as a database of people looking to get into a lease. A new customer assumes the balance of an existing vehicle lease, at no cost, except if the original lease customer looking for an early exit includes a cash incentive. GetOutOnline provides a free evaluation of the lease, advertises the car and helps arrange shipping across Canada for a low yearly or weekly fee. The company confirms that the original lessee is not responsible for payment if the new lessee misses a payment. For more information, visit GetOutOnline.com.

For college football fans: Car dealer uses ad to spoof West Virginia coach’s decision to take job at Michigan

A new television commercial for Cole Chevrolet in Bluefield, West Virginia, features the dealership mascot, a "Price Police officer," interrogating a Rich Rodriguez look-alike, according to a report in the Charleston Daily Mail. Mr. Rodriguez is the former West Virginia University football coach who resigned suddenly to take the top job at the University of Michigan. The locals were none too happy about the way events unfolded. An actor playing Mr. Rodriguez is interrogated by the dealership's mascot, the "Price Police," for fleeing to Michigan in search of a better deal. It shows a Rodriguez look-alike, decked out in Wolverine gear, being grilled by a female officer. "OK, coach. Why'd you do it?" she says. "What, you thought the deals were better up there than in West Virginia?" The Rodriguez character explains he thought cars might be cheaper in Michigan because they're made there. The spot, posted on You Tube, already is getting attention. WVU football fans were talking about it on sports message boards. Kevin Leedy, marketing director for Cole Chevrolet, said the commercial came together quickly. Dealership executives met last week with the ad agency to talk about a new campaign. The dealership usually releases a new commercial every month, all with the "Price Police" law enforcement theme. In the past, ads have shown car owners being arrested and handcuffed because they got swindled by another dealer, or car salesman being locked up because they pulled one over on a buyer. Owner Tom Cole mentioned the Rodriguez situation, and wondered out loud if it might make for some timely fodder for a new television spot. "It's all in good fun," Mr. Leedy said. "It's a parody. We didn't jump on the wrong side of the fence with this. We tried to keep it light and funny. We wanted to keep it cute." The Rodriguez character wraps up the television spot by telling the Price Police, "Show me the bread, I'll run the spread."Here’s a link to the ad on You Tube: http://youtube.com/watch?v=SwM-JWLbh5M. Be patient the commercial might take a few minutes to download due the recent interest in viewing it.