Aerosmith is sued by fans in Hawaii over Toyota dealer meeting appearance

Just a few days after canceling the final two shows of their worldwide tour in Maui, Aerosmith appears at a Toyota dealer meeting. Fans cry foul. Shortly after canceling the final shows of their worldwide tour in Maui on September 26th because the band could not get their equipment from Chicago to Hawaii in time, Aerosmith quietly arrived in Hawaii to perform at a Toyota dealer meeting. A group of fans were outraged and have filed a class-action lawsuit, according to a story filed by WSJV, the Fox affiliate in South Bend, Indiana. Aerosmith fans were at first disappointed in the canceling of the event. Many had not only looked forward to the concert, but had purchased expensive travel plans to see the rock group in Hawaii. The concert was apparently a sell-out, but the group said that getting their equipment from Chicago to Hawaii in time was just not possible. One would think that the travel manager for Aerosmith was well aware of what it takes to move their equipment from city to city, but none-the-less, the concert was canceled. Disappointment turned into anger when it was learned that the group came to Hawaii just days later to appear at the Toyota meeting.

Motorsport complex to open near Montreal-Mirabel Airport in 2008

The International Center of Advanced Racing (ICAR) has unveiled plans for its ongoing development and construction of a motorsport complex near the Montreal-Mirabel International Airport terminal. The complex is planned for opening in spring 2008 and will include a permanent 3.8-km road course. ICAR expects that the multi-configuration track, with advanced safety features, will serve as a platform for automotive manufacturers and dealers to present their products, as well as the corporate sector as an event venue. It will also serve as a key motorsport facility for professionals and amateurs. Organizers say that virtually the entire track will be visible from a single viewing point. The complex will host the new ICAR Club, which will allow members exclusive track time and VIP access to on-site events; the ICAR Academy, with trainee and sport-study program for young drivers, and advanced driving courses; and the ICAR Star Mazda racing team and ICAR Karting team, which will make full use of a new kart track located onsite. "I'm thrilled to have officially introduced ICAR's plans for the Mirabel complex and I'm delighted with the progress we've already made here," says Frédéric Senay, ICAR CEO. "We're on schedule to open in spring next year and put simply, we'll be offering ICAR's users a unique facility in the region. From day one, we've wanted to redefine what we could offer the automotive and motorsport industries, and I believe we're on track to meet that objective."

Canadian couple challenges denials of new car purchase in U.S.

A complaint with the Maine Human Rights Commission could blossom into a class action lawsuit. Since the Canadian dollar reached parity with its U.S. counterpart a few weeks ago, numerous stories have appeared describing the huge savings available to Canadians who buy cars in the United States. But is it that easy? A Canadian couple who say they were turned down dozens of times when they tried to buy a new car in the United States is now challenging what they regard as illegal discrimination, according to the Bangor Daily News. The couple from Newfoundland claims that more than 80 New England dealerships, including 61 in Maine, refused their business. The couple filed a discrimination complaint with the Maine Human Rights Commission and plan to sue car companies. Similar complaints are planned in New Hampshire and Massachusetts, according to the couple's lawyer. A class action lawsuit is reportedly in the works. The complaint alleges that General Motors, Ford and Chrysler were seeking to maximize profits by not allowing Canadians to take advantage of their strong dollar and buy new cars in the U.S. "Individual dealerships claim they are not allowed or that it is illegal to sell to Canadians. But this would appear to be a patent violation of state and federal anti-discrimination laws, as well as federal anti-competition statutes," the couple’s lawyer said. The Canadian couple claim to have visited most of the dealerships and e-mailed some of them in the last two months. In many cases, sales staff only became aware of the manufacturer's rule against selling to Canadians when they tried to go forward with a transaction. The compliant indicates that dealers were permitted to sell the couple only used vehicles. Savings can be significant. A $40,000 Cadillac Escalade in the U.S. now fetches about $80,000 in Canada. The couple finally did buy a car, a 2008 Pontiac Torrent. A relative purchased it for them at a local dealership and then re-sold it to the couple.

Nissan unveils new 473-hp GT-R

Tokyo, Japan - Nissan Motor Company unveiled the new Nissan GT-R at the Tokyo Motor Show, with a twin-turbocharged V6 and four-wheel drive. The GT-R will be sold mainly through Nissan High Performance Centers. The GT-R uses a "Premium Midship" package, a more advanced version of the "Front Midship" design used on other Nissan vehicles, and a system Nissan calls the world's first application of an independent transaxle 4WD system, with the dual-clutch transmission, transfer case and final drive at the rear of the vehicle for better weight distribution. The GT-R also features an all-new 3.8-litre twin turbo V6 which produces 473 hp and 434 lb-ft of torque, and an all-new GR6-type dual-clutch transmission with paddle shifts. The body is a combination of steel, carbon fibre and aluminum and seats four passengers. At its display at the Tokyo Auto Show, Nissan also unveiled four new concept vehicles, including the electric PIVO 2 city car, Round Box compact convertible, Intima luxury sedan and NV200 commercial vehicle.

Honda profit rises 63 percent on sales of fuel-efficient cars

Honda Motor Co. said Thursday its profit shot up 63 percent in the July-September quarter, mainly riding on solid sales of smaller, fuel-efficient vehicles and cost-cutting efforts. Net income at Japan's No. 2 carmaker climbed to 208.5 billion yen ($1.83 billion) for its fiscal second quarter, up from 127.9 billion yen in the same period a year ago. Group operating profit rose 48 percent to 286.34 billion yen ($2.51 billion) from 193.02 billion yen. Group sales grew 13 percent to 2.971 trillion yen ($26.06 billion) from 2.631 trillion yen, achieving its seventh consecutive sales record, the company said. The results show Honda's models such as Civic and Accord, as well as CR-V sport-utility vehicle attracted consumers despite rising gasoline prices, keeping the company's business on track. The company said Honda's global automobile sales rose 6 percent to 937,000 units in the latest four-month period, compared with a year earlier, with brisk sales in North America, Europe and Asian markets. By value, auto sales rose 9.6 percent in North America, 25.8 percent in Europe and 32.6 percent in Asia. North America accounts for more than half of Honda's total sales, but Europe and Asia also expanded from last year. Honda's car sales at home, however, dipped 16.4 percent to 143,000 units. The company also said cost reduction effects contributed to its profit growth despite heavier depreciation costs on investments in plants and equipment to ramp up production capacity. Honda is the first Japanese car maker to report earnings for the latest quarter.