Ford opens 200th dealership in China

Chongqing, China – Changan Ford Sales Company, Ford’s joint venture in China, has announced the opening of its 200th full-service dealership, completing a sales and service network that now covers the whole country. “We’re continuing with the rapid expansion of our authorized Ford dealer network in China to support our exceptional sales growth in the market, which has outpaced the overall industry for the past several years,” said Nigel Harris, vice-president of Ford Motor China and general manager of Changan Ford. “In addition to providing an excellent product range, a professional dealer network plays a vital role in expanding Ford’s presence in China. We will continue building a professional and industry-leading sales and service network to generate more local demand and enhance the sales satisfaction of our customers.” Ford has doubled the number of its full-service dealerships since the end of 2005, when it had 100 across China. Ford Motor China recorded a 47 per cent year-over-year growth for passenger cars and commercial vehicles in the first quarter of 2008, while Changan Ford posted a 54 per cent increase in Ford brand passenger car sales in the same period, making it one of the fastest-growing auto manufacturers in China.

Travelers, CARSTAR offer collision repair financing

Vancouver, British Columbia – Travelers Acceptance Corporation, a national consumer finance company, and CARSTAR Automotive Canada, the country’s largest collision repair franchise network, have announced a strategic partnership to offer financing for collision repairs. Under the Travelers Automotive Aftermarket Finance Program, CARSTAR locations will be able to offer point-of-sale financing for customers. “The exciting growth of CARSTAR Automotive in Canada is a testament to the excellence of the products and services provided by CARSTAR,” said Pierre Genest, Director of Business Development for Travelers. “Travelers is proud to work with CARSTAR and its franchise locations to enhance their offering with affordable monthly payment options from Travelers. We will be rolling out the program by province beginning with Ontario, followed by B.C., Alberta, the Atlantic Provinces, the Prairies and Quebec.” Founded in Hamilton, Ontario in 1995, CARSTAR currently has 125 locations in ten provinces and repairs approximately 6,000 vehicles per month.

GM pledges aid to disaster victims

Detroit, Michigan – General Motors has announced that the General Motors Foundation and GM China have donated in excess of US$1 million to support disaster victims in China and Myanmar. GM China has made donations of over US$850,000 for local efforts, while the GM Foundation has donated US$200,000 in aid to China and US$50,000 to the United Nations World Food Programme to aid victims of the cyclone in Myanmar. GM China will also match its employee contributions for local disaster response efforts, and the GM Foundation will match other employee contributions, up to a total of US$100,000, made by May 27. “We are saddened by the magnitude of these disasters, and mourn the loss of life and the devastation that the disasters have brought to so many people,” said Rod Gillum, GM Vice President and Chairman, GM Foundation. “Our employees have a long tradition of responding to such emergencies quickly and compassionately. GM is always ready to assist in global relief efforts to provide food, water, medicine and other resources to those who are in need.”

Canada ranks 33rd in global clean diesel standards

Houston, Texas – Canada has ranked 33rd out of the top 100 countries based on sulphur limits in diesel in a report issued by the International Fuel Quality Center (IFQC), one ahead of the United States, which placed 34th. Sweden was at the top of the ranking, with the earliest implementation of the lowest sulphur limits. It was followed, in order, by Germany and Japan. “There is a tremendous need to address the overall increase in transportation emissions, especially as populations and their need for transportation continue to grow,” said Liisa Kiuru, executive director of IFQC. “Additionally, desulphurization is expanding beyond on-road fuels; efforts are now being focused on reducing sulphur limits in marine fuels, non- and off-road fuels, and home heating oil.” Sulphur is a compound found naturally in crude oil, and passes into refined products when crude is processed at the refinery. Diesel desulphurization dramatically improves tailpipe emissions; sulphur acts like a poison to after-treatment systems, so lower sulphur content means improved system performance, which reduces emissions even further. However, taking sulphur out of diesel decreases the fuel’s lubricity, requiring additives to compensate. As little as one per cent of biodiesel added to diesel can address certain lubricity problems caused by desulphurization. All European Union countries placed within the top 50; nearly 100 per cent market penetration of 10 ppm diesel, or “sulphur-free” diesel, is expected in the EU in 2009. Many Asian countries placed toward the top of the ranking, including South Korea at 35th and Hong Kong at 36th; China placed 65th. The complete list of all countries can be found at IFQC.org.