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Guys/gals....please take note...should your ride needs to ....better make arrangement. Don't flame me because recall is in USA. Singapore, I am not sure. Volkswagen of America has issued a voluntary recall for about 13,500 vehicles equipped with DSG transmissions. Apparently a faulty temperature sensor in the said DSG transmission is reportedly the problem. Failure of the temperature sensor could result in illuminated warning lamps in the dashboard, and in rare instances the transmission may shift into neutral. The recall affects models like the Jetta, Jetta SportWagen, GTI, and Eos built between September 2008 and August 2009. Affected owners are encouraged to call local Volkswagen retailers to schedule an appointment to have their vehicle inspected and repaired.

Coca-Cola announces its first-ever alcoholic drink 3:50 PM ET Wed, 7 March 2018 | 01:22 Coca-Cola is launching the first alcoholic drink in its history with a canned liquor product in Japan. The drinks giant will experiment with a canned beverage called Chu-Hi, made up of distilled Japanese drink shochu, sparkling water and flavoring. "This is unique in our history. Coca-Cola has always focused entirely on non-alcoholic beverages, and this is a modest experiment for a specific slice of our market," said Jorge Garduno, president of Coca-Cola's Japan business unit, in a post on the company's website. Japan is a fiercely competitive market, Garduno added, with Coca-Cola launching 100 products a year in the country. "Experimentation is almost like a day-to-day ritual here. You can't fall behind the rapid product cycle in Japan," he said. The company's sodas only made up about 25 percent of product sales by volume in Japan in 2016, while tea made up 27 percent of Japan's overall beverage consumption in the same year. Coca-Cola also owns Georgia Coffee in Japan, which it claims is the world's highest-grossing canned coffee drink, making more than $1 billion in annual sales. The country has a Food for Specified Health Uses (FOSHU) government certification, in light of its ageing population and fiber-fortified drink Coca-Cola Plus was FOSHU-approved in 2017. Having certain drinks at particular times of day is more of an entrenched ritual in Japan than in other part of the world, said Khalil Younes, EVP of marketing and new businesses for Coca-Cola Japan, in a blog post. People might drink green tea with sushi, but opt for oolong tea with fattier Chinese food, for example. Because of the nature of the Japanese drinks market, it's unlikely Chu-Hi drinks will launch in other countries, Garduno said. "While many markets are becoming more like Japan, I think the culture here is still very unique and special, so many products that are born here will stay here." <iframe src="https://player.cnbc.com/p/gZWlPC/cnbc_global?playertype=synd&byGuid=7000003881&size=530_298" width="530" height="298" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowFullScreen="true" bgcolor="#131313"></iframe><p><a href="https://www.cnbc.com/video/2018/03/07/coca-cola-announces-its-first-ever-alcoholic-drink.html?__source=cnbcembedplayer">Coca-Cola announces its first-ever alcoholic drink</a> from <a href="//www.cnbc.com/?__source=cnbcembedplayer">CNBC</a>.</p> https://www.cnbc.com/2018/03/07/coca-cola-announces-its-first-ever-alcoholic-drink.html

I have posted this on one of the other threads but I think this deserve a wider audience. New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced a 12-month pay freeze for the country's politicians, saying they are already paid well enough. Key points: NZ's independent Remuneration Authority had recommended a 3 per cent pay rise for MPs Pay increases had been linked to average wage increases across the country Over the next 12 months, a new formula will be developed for working out pay increases MPs were due to receive a 3 per cent pay rise during September, backdated to July 1, in line with recommendations from the independent Remuneration Authority, but Ms Ardern said she would be introducing legislation to block this going through. It would have seen Ms Ardern pocket an extra $NZ14,131.47 ($AU12,810) per year on top of her current salary of $427,072. The pay increase would also have seen Ms Ardern's cabinet colleagues earn $8,046 more, as well as a $4,456 bump for the average backbencher. "We do not believe, given that we are on the upper end of the salary scale, that we should be receiving that kind of salary increase," she said. "Because we, of course, already are on a high income … one of the things we've been trying to bridge as a government is the fact that we see these increases at the top end of the scale, without the same increase at the end of the scale where most New Zealanders sit." Ms Ardern said the formula currently used by the Remuneration Authority — which the independent body had no control over — was "not acceptable". "Now, this move doesn't save a lot of money in the scheme of things, but it does send, we believe, a strong signal about what our government values, what we stand for, and our determination of course to make sure that the economy is working for everyone," she said. Ms Ardern the OECD's fifth highest paid leader Data released by international consultancy group IG in May showed Ms Ardern was the fifth highest paid leader in a comparison of 32 members of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). In a study of the pay gap between world leaders and average citizens, Ms Ardern was ranked third, earning 8.63 times the average New Zealand wage — which was ranked 18th out of 32 in the study. Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull tops the earning list by world leaders, earning $538,000 which is 10.14 times the average Australian worker. According to New Zealand media, Ms Ardern is not the first prime minister to introduce legislation to reduce politicians pay. In 2015, former prime minister Sir John Key passed a law to cut a pay rise from 3.5 per cent to 1.5 per cent after linking pay rises to average wage increases, according to Fairfax Media. Ms Ardern said she had contacted NZ's opposition leader Simon Bridges about the freeze, and he had been "supportive". The NZ leader said they would introduce a different way to determine pay rises for the country's politicians. "We'll then use that 12-month period to develop a fairer formula for the Remuneration Authority to use when determining future pay rises," she said. Australia's federal politicians were given 2 per cent pay rises in July, with backbenchers earning about $207,000 a year, compared to $148,712 across the ditch. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-08-20/new-zealand-pm-jacinda-ardern-costs-herself-13000-pay-rise/10143712 https://www.transparency.org/news/feature/corruption_perceptions_index_2017 And to top it up......... CORRUPTION PERCEPTIONS INDEX 2017 New Zealand #1 Singapore #6

Porsche has just announced that it is filling out the remainder of its Panamera lineup with the addition of a V6-powered model that will be available with either rear- or all-wheel-drive. Starting price for the RWD V6 Panamera will be $74,400 while the AWD Panamera 4 will begin at $78,900 (plus destination). Wondering how that compares with the V8-powered Panamera S? Let's look at some numbers. The 3.6-liter V6 puts out 300 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, which is a decrease of an even hundred horses and 74 lb-ft from the 4.8-liter V8. Each buyer will have to decide for themselves whether those hundred extra ponies are worth a $15,400 surcharge. Porsche's seven-speed Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK) dual-clutch transmission will be standard equipment in the V6 Panamera, along with such necessities as an electric moonroof, power liftgate and the Porsche Communication Management (PCM) system with navigation. According to Porsche, the V6 puts 66 fewer pounds over the front axle, resulting in an overall weight of 3,880 pounds. Auto Stop/Start technology ought to help the V6 Panamera eke a few more miles from each gallon of gasoline, and though official EPA numbers are not yet available Porsche says the car will not be subject to a gas guzzler tax.

http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2012/10/13863.html

we will have dedicated people to handle new citizen ...culture difference issue now. ? ==================================== In a Cabinet reshuffle on Tuesday, the Government announced the restructuring of two ministries -- the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS) and the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts (MICA). Three new ministries will be formed -- the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSFD), the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY), and the Ministry of Communications and Information (MCI). They will take effect from 1 November. Changes to Ministerial Appointments Tharman Shanmugaratnam will relinquish his appointment as Minister for Manpower (MOM). He will remain as DPM and Minister for Finance and Chairman, Monetary Authority of Singapore. Lui Tuck Yew will relinquish his appointment as 2nd Minister for Foreign Affairs. S Iswaran will remain in his current appointments. In MTI, he will have specific responsibility for industry related research and development, energy and tourism, while continuing to assist Lim Hng Kiang in other areas of MTI

If 300 horsepower is good, 320 horsepower is better. And when that 20-horsepower boost comes at a cost of just $599, it's really a no-brainer as far as we're concerned. BMW hopes you agree, as it's officially announced two new Power Kits for the 135i, 335i and certain X6 models that boost the power of the 3.0-liter turbocharged inline six by the aforementioned twenty ponies. Just as welcome is a boost in torque from 300 to 332 pound-feet (when equipped with an automatic transmission) and 317 lb-ft (when equipped with a manual or DCT transmission). The increase comes courtesy of what BMW is calling Version 1 Power Kit, which basically amounts to a reflash of the car's computer system, and it can be applied to any 135i or 335i and all X6 models produced before April of 2010. These power figures bring the turbocharged machines up to the specification of the 2011 335is. A second option is the Version 2 Power Kit, which adds an auxiliary water cooler and "enhanced" radiator fan to the reflash on 1 Series and 3 Series models. The V2PK costs US$1,199, a modest increase over the US$599 of Version 1 considering the added hardware. Both kits also include an "exhaust burble sound during engine overrun conditions." BMW is quick to point out other modifications may be necessary and that installation isn't included in that price. In case you're thinking this all sounds rather familiar, BMW did indeed make a similar announcement a little while back. While that press release heralded the option for new buyers of the 2011 335i, this one indicates the availability of current owners to get the upgrade retrofitted to their cars while their warranties remain intact. Source: BMW

as expected after the wayang show....the gravy train rolls on ----- Obama announces agreement to avoid debt default Posted: 01 August 2011 0859 hrs WASHINGTON: US President Barack Obama announced late Sunday that he and top lawmakers had reached an 11th-hour deal to avert a disastrous debt default that would have sown chaos in the world economy. "I want to announce that the leaders of both parties in both chambers have reached an agreement that will reduce the deficit and avoid default, a default that would have had a devastating effect on our economy," Obama said in hastily announced remarks at the White House. In the US Congress, leaders of the Democratic-held Senate and the Republican-led House of Representatives said they would present the framework to their rank-and-file on Monday ahead of final votes to approve the deal. "We're not done yet: I want to urge members of both parties to do the right thing and support this deal with your votes over the next few days," Obama said, with time running short before a midnight Tuesday (0400 GMT Wednesday) deadline. The US government hit its debt limit on May 16 and has used spending and accounting adjustments, as well as higher-than-expected tax receipts, to continue operating normally -- but can only do so through August 2. Business and finance leaders have warned default would send crippling aftershocks through the fragile US economy, still wrestling with stubbornly high unemployment of 9.2 per cent in the wake of the 2008 global meltdown. Without a deal, the US government would have to cut an estimated 40 cents out of every dollar it spends, forcing grim choices between defaulting or cutting back programs like those that help the poor, disabled and elderly.

http://sg.news.yahoo.com/press-statement-by-george-yeo.html Media press statement by George Yeo on Tuesday, 10 May, 2011 Thank you for waiting a couple of days for me to rest before meeting you. Aljunied voters have decided and I respect their decision. Having committed 23 years of service to the residents, it is only natural for me to feel disappointed but this is politics. It has been my privilege to have served them all these years and they have enriched my life. They have also enabled me to serve in various capacities as a Cabinet Minister in MITA, Health, MTI and MFA for which I am grateful. Why did we lose Aljunied? Mr Low Thia Kiang himself said that they won Aljunied not because the Aljunied team did not do a good job, but because the voters wanted WP to be their voice in Parliament. Mr Low's analysis is fair and I agree with him. This desire for a strong WP voice in parliament was a political tide which came in through Aljunied which we were unable to withstand despite our very best efforts. Right from the start, the Workers party made Aljunied a national battleground. The fight became one between a Workers Party voice in Parliament and an Aljunied team with two ministers, a potential Speaker of Parliament, a potential minister and a most effective Town Council chairman. Though I wish the outcome had been different, Aljunied voters have made their choice. Many of my supporters asked me to stay on to win back Aljunied in five years time. I wanted to level with them and told them last night that it is better for a younger person to take on this important task. I'm already 57 years old and would be 62 by then. Naturally I would help to ensure a smooth handover. As we ended our campaign on 5 May, I talked about the importance of transforming PAP. This is a belief I've held for some time. It was not something I felt I could say when the campaign started. But, as the campaign went on, as we heard the growing cry from the heart, I decided to make it plain. Like it or not, we are entering a new phase in Singapore politics development. How we respond to it will decide Singapore's destiny in the 21st century. I would help in whatever way I can to bring about this transformation of the PAP. I wish I had a mandate from the people of Aljunied to be a strong advocate of such transformation. But I don't. As for remaining in public life, I will contribute in whatever modest way possible. Many young people have stepped forward to help me in this campaign. Even more have cheered me on. It is not good that so many of them feel alienated from the Singapore they love. I look forward to continue working with them so that the Singapore we struggle for is the Singapore they feel is their own. As to the actual role I can play, I'll be happy to respond to them. In the last few years, I have learnt much from my young friends. Often they led me rather than I led them. Since the GE results came out, there has been a flood of support for me expressed personally, through friends and relatives, on email and, in an astonishing way, on internet and FB. The words expressed are heartfelt. Many wrote me long passages, some in tears. I'm grateful for the kind words and the good wishes, and will be an advocate of their cause. As for what I'll do professionally after stepping down as Minister when the new Cabinet is sworn in, I'm not rushing to make a decision. My wife and I thought we should take our time to think this over. We also need a break to spend more time with the family. From the bottom of my heart, I would like to thank the people of Singapore for the opportunity of serving them in the last 23 years.

SINGAPORE: The People's Action Party has given its slate of candidates for the 12 single member constituencies and 15 group representation constituencies on the party website. This is an unprecedented move before Nomination Day for the party, though the central executive committee members have emphasised that changes before Nomination Day cannot be ruled out. The PAP website said the Ang Mo Kio GRC will be helmed by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and will include Mr Yeo Guat Kwang, Mr Inderjit Singh, Mr Seng Han Thong and new faces Dr Intan Azura and Mr Ang Hin Kee. The other six member GRC is Pasir Ris Punggol, which will be led by Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Teo Chee Hean. The team will include Senior Parliamentary Secretary Teo Ser Luck, Ms Penny Low, and three new faces, Dr Janil Puthucheary, Mr Gan Thiam Poh and Mr Zainal Sapari. Next are the five-member GRCs. Marine Parade GRC is to be led by Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong with the team comprising Dr Fatimah Lateef, Mr Seah Kian Peng and new candidates Brigadier General Tan Chuan Jin and Ms Tin Pei Ling, the youngest PAP candidate at 27 years old. Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew has confirmed that he will lead Tanjong Pagar GRC. His team is to be made up of Ms Indranee Rajah, Mr Baey Yam Keng, Dr Lily Neo and new face Major General Chan Chun Sing. At Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC, Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng is joined by Education Minister Ng Eng Hen and incumbents Josephine Teo, Zainudin Nordin and Hri Kumar. West Coast GRC is to be helmed by Trade and Industry Minister, Lim Hng Kiang. His team will be made up of Senior Minister of State S Iswaran, Mr Arthur Fong and new candidates Foo Mee Har and Lawrence Wong. Jurong GRC is helmed by Finance Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam with veteran labour unionist Halimah Yacob and three new faces - Desmond Lee, Ang Wei Neng and David Ong. At Aljunied GRC, the team is made up of two Ministers - Foreign Affairs Minister George Yeo and Minister in the Prime Minister's Office Mrs Lim Hwee Hua - together with Senior Minister of State, Zainul Abidin Rasheed, incumbent Cynthia Phua and new labour unionist Ong Ye Kung. Tampines GRC is helmed by National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan. He is joined by Minister of State Masagos Zulkifli, incumbent Irene Ng and new candidates Heng Swee Keat and Steve Tan. East Coast GRC is led by Labour Chief Lim Swee Say and has Transport Minister Raymond Lim and incumbents Lee Yi Shyan, Dr Maliki Osman and Jessica Tan on the team. At Sembawang GRC, the team comprises Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan and team mates Hawazi Daipi, Ellen Lee and two new faces, Vikram Nair and Ong Teng Koon. Nee Soon GRC is helmed by Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam and is made up of Mrs Lee Bee Wah, Dr Lim Wee Kiak, Dr Muhammad Faishal and new candidate, unionist Patrick Tay. Chua Chu Kang GRC is led by Manpower Minister Gan Kim Yong together with Zaqy Mohamed, Alvin Yeo, and new faces Low Yen Ling and Alex Yam. There are two four-member GRCs for the coming election. The Moulmein-Kallang GRC team is made up of Environment and Water Resources Minister Yaacob Ibrahim, Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts, Lui Tuck Yew, incumbents Denise Phua and new face, lawyer Edwin Tong. Another four member GRC is Holland-Bukit Timah, which is made up of Community Development, Youth and Sports Minister, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, incumbents Christopher De Souza, Liang Eng Hwa and new candidate, Sim Ann. There are 12 single member divisions. At Sengkang West, it is Dr Lam Pin Min while Hougang is likely to be contested by new candidate, Desmond Choo. At Bukit Panjang, veteran Dr Teo Ho Pin is likely to be fielded. Pioneer is likely to be contested by another PAP veteran, Mr Cedric Foo, while Senior Minister of State Grace Fu will stand in Yuhua. Radin Mas will see Mr Sam Tan contest for the PAP while Minister of State and trade unionist Heng Chee How is standing in Whampoa. Feedback Unit Chief Dr Amy Khor will contest in Hong Kah North while Joo Chiat is being defended by veteran Charles Chong. Mountbatten which has been carved out of Marine Parade GRC has Lim Biow Chuan as its PAP candidate while Sitoh Yi Pin will contest in Potong Pasir for the third time. -CNA/ac Well well well. Tin Pei Lin looks set to become your MP in Marine Parade GRC. Say hi to your new MP soon. I dun see how she will fail to make it into Parliament.

by Eric Loveday (RSS feed) It seem like just a few days ago BMW came forth stating that its use of carbon fiber on upcoming vehicles would become a high-volume deal. Now Green Car Advisor reports that Daimler, never willing to be a step behind, has also announced plans to increase its investment in the material. Daimler has enlisted the help of Toray Industries, a Japanese textile company, to help make carbon fiber body parts for Mercedes-Benz vehicles beginning in 2012. The parts will reduce vehicle weight and help the company meet upcoming CAFE regulations. The first Mercedes product to be adorned with carbon fiber will be the SL-Class. Daimler choose Toray Industries due to its expertise in carbon fiber. Though not a common name to many, Toray is actually the dominant force in the industry, controlling 34 percent of the global market. This will be Toray's first venture into making car parts out of carbon fiber. The company's current automotive-related experiences with the material has been limited to supplying carbon fiber yarns to Ferrari and various aftermarket companies. Daimler and Toray will work together on development of the carbon fiber reinforced plastic body parts and production will be carried out at a Toray facility in France.

Fiat and Ferrari aren't the only ones undergoing a comprehensive restructuring as longtime rival (both on and off the track) McLaren has announced a major reorganization of its operations and several management changes. The biggest shift for McLaren is the split between McLaren Automotive (which will produce the new MP4-12C supercar) and the McLaren Group (which operates the racing team). The roadcar unit is being split off into its own operation, based out of the McLaren Production Centre, which shares its grounds with the McLaren Technology Centre next door. The two companies will now report to two separate boards, which will in turn be accountable to separate shareholders. But to keep things sufficiently confusing for the rest of us, most of the key players

Saab will launch its new 9-5 lineup with the 2010 model year Aero sedan carrying a price of $49,990. The all-wheel drive 300-horsepower, 2.8-liter V6 turbo four-door will actually sit atop the range, with an entry-level 2011 model with Saab's 2.0-liter turbo powerplant coming on stream shortly thereafter with a promised MSRP of "under $40,000." That's ambitious pricing in what already amounts to a very crowded and competent sandbox. For reference's sake, the 2010 Infiniti M37x starts at $48,400 and brings 330 horses to the table, while Cadillac's CTS rings up at $43,465 in comparable all-wheel drive trim with a 304-hp 3.6-liter. The European establishment rings up at $48,925 for Mercedes-Benz's 268-hp E350, and BMW's new 2011 528i will start at $44,500, though both of those segment stalwarts are rear-drive and tend to run comparatively thin on standard equipment. According to Saab's hand-out press release (sorry, no digital version available yet!), the Aero will feature a six-speed automatic gearbox with paddleshifters, so apparently no manual transmission will be available with the V6

In a letter issued to its customers, Ralliart, a Japanese high-performance subsidiary of Mitsubishi, has announced that it is closing its doors. The company's business case has apparently faded, a victim of the wilting domestic aftermarket scene as well as its lack of continued motorsports involvement. Naturally, we wondered if and how the closure of the company responsible for its high-performance parts and related merchandise would impact the development, production and marketing of Mitsubishi vehicles sold here in the States

Although it has been evident for some time that General Motors' sale of its Hummer brand to Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machines Co., Ltd., we didn't expect for word to come down today that the negotiations are dead and the brand will be wound down. Unfortunately, judging by a press release just issued by GM, that's exactly what will be happening. According to John Smith, GM's vice president of corporate planning and alliances, "One year ago, General Motors announced that we were going to divest Hummer, as part of focusing our efforts on Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac going forward. We have since considered a number of possibilities for Hummer along the way, and we are disappointed that the deal with Tengzhong could not be completed." As we learned from the Saab sale saga, GM announcing that the brand will be wound down does not completely extinguish hope for another buyer to slip in in the 11th hour, but it does seem highly improbable that a new party will pick up where the negotiations with China's Tengzhong left off. In the statement available after the jump, GM does not specify what killed the planned sale of the brand, but rumors in recent months suggested that the Chinese government was not keen to sign off on the deal. At the moment, it is unclear what will happen to Hummer's H2 and H3/H3T models, but it is likely that the tooling and manufacturing rights will be sold off to other companies. As with the wind-down of its Saturn and Pontiac brands, GM has pledged to honor Hummer warranties and continue to supply service and parts.

BMW announces new Competition Package for the M3

Volvo has unveiled the new 2.0-liter GTDi (Gasoline Turbocharged Direct Injection) four-cylinder engine for the S80, V70, and XC60. Featuring a turbocharger, direct injection, and twin variable camshafts, the engine offers "a unique combination of low fuel consumption, low emissions and high performance across a wide rev range." More importantly, the engine is outfitted with the world's first exhaust manifold and integrated turbine system made of sheet steel. While this sound pretty boring, Volvo says "The sheet (steel) is lighter and more compact and, above all, this system generates less heat owing to its extra insulating layer. This allows high gas flow temperature and thus more efficient combustion. " Jointly developed with Borg-Warner and Benteler Automotive (a steel component manufacturer), the engine produces 203 hp and 300 Nm (320 Nm with overboost). While Volvo declined to release full performance data, they stated a GTDi-equipped S80 would consume 8.3 liters of petrol per 100 kilometers (28 mpg). According to Magnus Jonsson, head of Product Development at Volvo Cars, "We've succeeded in making a four-cylinder engine that is as powerful as a 2.5-litre five-cylinder unit, and it's also much more energy-efficient. This is a very welcome both for those customers who want high performance as well as supreme driveability and for the environment that benefits from the improved fuel efficiency. One of the most important reasons behind the results is our new, patented turbo system that has been tailor-made for smaller energy-efficient engines." The GTDi engine will be initially launched in South-East Asia, the Netherlands, China and Japan. It will be available with a six-speed manual or a six-speed double-clutch automatic transmission.

Wonder how many are left for Sporeans.. http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?artic...bCategoryId=205 GMA announces 5,000 new jobs for Pinoys in Singapore Updated April 04, 2009 12:00 AM MANILA, Philippines - President Arroyo announced yesterday that around 5,000 new jobs would be made available to Filipinos in the island resort of Sentosa in Singapore. Speaking before the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City, Mrs. Arroyo said Labor Secretary Marianito Roque was able to get openings in Sentosa for 5,000 jobs.

June 22, 2008 Saudi king announces oil production boost JEDDAH (Saudi Arabia) - SAUDI ARABIA'S King Abdullah announced on Sunday that his country has increased output to 9.7 million barrels a day as he opened a summit on the soaring international price of crude. The king also said Saudi Arabia would give one billion dollars to an Opec fund for developing countries and give 500 million dollars in soft loans for poor countries to finance energy and development projects. Earlier on, consumer nations stepped up pressure on the oil powers on Sunday to increase production at an international summit on spiralling crude prices in the Saudi city of Jeddah. Divisions within Opec were exposed as Saudi Arabia was to increase production by 200,000 barrels a day and Kuwait said it was ready to follow, but the cartel's president insisted that opening the taps further is not the answer to the price crisis. The summit started with roundtable talks among the 36 countries and top international institutions and 30 major oil companies on the causes of the surge to nearly 140 dollars (S$191) a barrel. The United States, Germany, India, Australia and other major consumers came to the meeting, called by Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah, appealing for greater supplies to slake the world economy's thirst for oil. But the summit hosts and other top providers are also demanding action against 'speculators' that they blame for the astonishing rise over the past year. US Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman insisted that 'there is no evidence that we can find that speculators are driving futures prices' to current record heights. 'Market fundamentals show us that production has not kept pace with growing demand for oil, resulting in increasing prices and increasingly volatile prices,' he told a press briefing late on Saturday. 'Even despite higher global production for oil so far this year, inventories have been drawn down and production capacity is below historic levels.' Warning that prices would almost certainly rise further, Mr Bodman said: 'In the absence of any additional crude supply, for every one percent increase in demand we would expect a 20 per cent increase in price in order to balance the market.' German Economy Minister Michael Glos said: 'We need more oil in the world market quickly in order to stop the spiralling prices at the gas pumps'. He wrote in an article for the Sunday newspaper Bild am Sonntag that prices have passed the 'limit' acceptable to consumers. India's Finance Minister P. Chidambaram and Australia's Resources and Energy Minister Martin Ferguson also called for oil producing nations to increase their output, diplomats said. Saudi Arabia has said it will step up production by 200,000 barrels to 9.65 million barrels a day from July. And Kuwaiti Oil Minister Mohammed al-Olaim said on Sunday that Opec members 'will not hesitate' to increase production if the market needs it. But Opec president Chakib Khelil insisted there is enough oil to supply the market. 'We believe that the market is in equilibrium. The price is disconnected from fundamentals. It is not a problem of supply,' the Algerian oil minister told a briefing. 'Why would you have a supply problem when demand is going down,' he said. Mr Khelil said the 13-nation Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries had decided no special meeting on production was needed now and that a decision would be made at a regular Opec meeting in September. 'We believe speculation, in its noble and not noble terms, has its impact,' the Opec chief said. Mr Khelil refused to answer questions about why Saudi Arabia has decided to increase its output. He said much of the price explosion can be explained by turmoil around the dollar. 'A lot of people are talking about the uncertainties about the reserves. But what about the uncertainties on the dollar?' he said. Before the summit, Saudi Deputy Petroleum Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman said: 'What is bringing us together is a sincere wish to be responsible. 'We will meet demand,' the prince vowed. 'If demand requires more crude, we shall sell it.' A Saudi source said there is scope for other countries to follow his country's example as there is up to three million barrels of spare capacity within Opec nations. British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, the senior western leader at the summit, has called for a 'new deal' between consumers and producers. He wants producer nations to 'invest in countries like ours, and oil consumers like us with good companies, with good technology and skills can invest in the oil-producing countries.' Mr Brown said in an interview with The Guardian newspaper that the world was going through 'the biggest of all three oil shocks' and called it 'the downside of globalisation.' -- AFP http://www.straitstimes.com/Latest%2BNews/...ory_250544.html 10,000 blessing for his Highness for his magnimous help, may he live to 1000 year old He can bring the price of oil down and dun just use his mouth...

Transport minister announces major changes in land transport. SINGAPORE: Major changes are expected in land transport after a more than year-long review to improve the situation. In the first of what will be a series of major announcements, Transport Minister Raymond Lim zoomed in on changes to the bus system, which serves two-thirds of all commuter trips today. Speaking at the opening of the Land Transport Authority (LTA) gallery, he outlined the urgency of the problem, stressing that with trips poised to increase 60 per cent between now and 2020, the only option is to steer people towards using public transport more often. For that to happen, Mr Lim said, not just the quantity, but also the quality of public transport would have to improve tremendously. Currently, the system is fragmented between two operators - SBS and SMRT - which plan the routes primarily based on commercial considerations. So firstly, the LTA will take over the central planning of the bus network, with the commuters' ease of journey as the main focus. Buses will also get more priority on the roads with more full-day bus lanes, and making it mandatory for cars to give way to buses at bus bays. More integrated public transport hubs, like the ones at Toa Payoh and Ang Mo Kio, will be upgraded to make transfers easier. And more travel information will be made available via panels, text messages and websites. The second big change will be to introduce competition among operators, including opening the market to new players. The island will be carved up into different regions and potential operators will bid for these in a competitive tender. The third major change is for the LTA to keep its pulse on the community's transport issues through regular dialogue with grassroots members. More changes, including those to the ERP system, are expected in the following weeks. - CNA After talking so much, no annoucement on ERP or car related policy?

Some info on the upcoming Tokyo Motor Show from Honda. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Honda Announces Automobiles and Motorcycles to Be Shown at Tokyo Motor Show October 14, 2003-- Honda Motor Co., Ltd. today announced the lineup of vehicles to be displayed at the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association, Inc.-sponsored 37th Tokyo Motor Show which runs from Saturday October 25th to Wednesday, November 5, 2003 at Makuhari Messe in Chiba, Japan. The essence of Honda's global brand and the spirit of challenge it is founded upon is expressed in the slogan 'The Power of Dreams'. The theme chosen for the passenger car display at this Tokyo Motor Show, 'Free Thinking; Liberating Technology', introduces the bright and exciting world of people and cars that Honda aims to create. The theme of the motorcycle display, 'Dream Wings' expresses Honda's desire to take the relationship between people and motorcycles to another level. In this corner some ideas, which were born of this continuous challenge, are on display. In addition to production concept vehicles, the Honda display will showcase the company's environmental and safety technologies. Passenger Car Display: 19 Vehicles, 16 Models At the passenger car display, Honda will present some of the latest results of the company's free and innovative thinking and its determination to empower the individual. An all-new Odyssey will be introduced, as well as a broad range of imaginative concept vehicles. In addition, a variety of innovative powerplants that combine superior driving pleasure with advanced environmental technology, and a selection of new Honda safety technologies will be presented. New Odyssey/ASM Stage The spacious and comfortable new Odyssey redefines the minivan. An innovative low-floor platform provides a low center of gravity for improved handling and a low roofline. Sharing the stage with the new Odyssey will be the concept vehicle ASM, an 8-seat minivan offering both advanced technology and luxury. Concept Vehicle Stage Honda will present its ideas for the future in a lineup of intriguing concept vehicles: the HSC which offers the driving pleasure of a sports car in a package that anyone can handle; the IMAS, a lightweight aerodynamic hybrid sports car; and KIWAMI, which matches Honda's clean-running fuel cell technology with the Japanese aesthetic of beauty in a premium next-generation sedan. Advanced Technology Stage The display will feature the FCX, the world's first fuel cell vehicle to be brought to market, along with a wide range of cutaway models of engines that combine driving performance and advanced environmental technology. In addition, some of the latest developments in Honda's pre-crash safety and other safety technologies will be featured. Motor Sports Stage Honda's Formula One and IndyCar racers will be displayed, along with a racing version of the Fit (a concept vehicle). Further, Honda's ongoing work in the area of Welfare Vehicles will be represented by displays of the passenger lift seat-equipped Odyssey Almas and Life Almas as well as the Monpal 4-wheel electric wheelchair, which can be driven with an easy-to-operate lever. Motorcycle Display: 51 Vehicles, 40 Models At the motorcycle display, Honda will present on four stages the idea of 'Dream Wings', Honda's desire to share the pleasure of motorcycle riding with more and more individuals. Honda is pursuing dreams and overcoming challenges to provide advanced technology for all. Main Stage Conveying a strong and compelling presence on the main stage will be the concept model Griffon, which combines the sportiness of a motorcycle with the convenience of a scooter; the soon-to-be-released CBR1000RR and CB750; and the overseas exhibition model Valkyrie Rune. The Center Stage will feature the PS250, a concept model which represents the 5th model to be developed by the N Project and its team of young engineers at the Asaka R&D Center. The Honda Racing Stage will feature the MotoGP championship machine RC211V, Honda's new downhill racing RN01 mountain bike, and a range of other vehicles representative of Honda's spirit of challenge and advanced technology. The Ecology/Safety/Security Stage will focus on Honda's safety, environmental and security technologies. Honda's participation in the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport-led Advanced Safety Vehicle (ASV) program will be presented, including the Honda Riding Simulator, developed on the basis of the ASV, which enables one to experience motorcycle riding in a variety of simulated conditions. As an example of Honda's environmental technology, the Dio Z4 FI, which is to be released in the near future, highlights Honda's newly developed PGM-FI (programmed fuel injection) system for 4-stroke 50cc engines. The security display will feature Honda's Smart Key and other systems, which combine convenience with advanced anti-theft protection.

Hyundai Brand Image Skyrockets, Chrysler Group Plummets TUSTIN, Calif., April 18 -- A study released today by noted automotive consulting firm AutoPacific, Inc. summarizes the results of AutoPacific's Image and Consideration Tracking Study that will help manufacturers measure and manage their image. 1,254 VehicleVoice panelists responded to an Internet survey concerning their opinion of automakers in the USA. The key question in the VehicleVoice survey was whether the respondent's opinion of a manufacturer had changed since this time last year. AutoPacific received over 5,000 comments concerning these manufacturers. The most improved manufacturer is Hyundai Motor Corporation. Comments surrounding the performance of Hyundai give Hyundai credit for substantially improved styling, high durabilty/quality/reliability, a strong value message and a great warranty program. The opinion of the Japanese Big Three was higher than a year ago. The opinion of Toyota revolves around durability/quality/reliability, value and its hybrid technology. On the negative side, Toyota takes some flack for building a new "gas guzzling" big pickup truck at a new plant in Texas and having bland styling. The opinion of Honda is about durability/quality/reliability, value and concern for the environment. Nissan's scores for leading-edge styling, innovative technologies and good DQR somewhat offset by quality concerns for its large trucks. The opinion of Volkswagen improved getting credit for its exterior and interior styling, interior materials and technology. These positive perceptions are offset by a reputation for poor reliability and deteriorating value story. Throughout the comments on Volkswagen were positive comments about Audi, "the new BMW." BMW is rated the most pretentious of the manufacturers but gets good credit for its styling and technology. BMW's head stylist Chris Bangle was mentioned frequently. Negative comments about Bangle contend he has ruined BMW styling. Others credit him for the best styling in the industry. But one thing's certain, the panelists universally hate BMW's iDrive system. The opinion of General Motors deteriorated over the past year, but not to the extent of Ford and Chrysler. This may be because the media feeding frenzy directed at GM was retargeted at Ford and most recently at Chrysler. VehicleVoice panelists give GM credit for improving products, better styling, better interior designs and using better materials. GM's new 100,000-mile warranty also received positive reviews. The opinion of Ford Motor Company has deteriorated due to concerns about Ford's management and leadership, its financial situation, hourly and salaried staff cuts, and questions whether Ford has the resources necessary to develop high quality products. It appears that Ford's new Fusion/Milan/MKZ/Edge/MKX vehicles have struck a positive chord with panelists. The most deterioration in opinion was for Chrysler Group. While Chrysler gets credit for great styling on the 300/Magnum/Charger, panelists criticize the styling of its other products as lackluster. The HEMI is praised for its image and performance and castigated for being a gas-guzzler. Chrysler is perceived as being behind in alternative fuel vehicles -- especially hybrids. But the biggest negative is that DaimlerChrysler put Chrysler Group up for sale and that a buyer has not yet been announced. There are negative comments about the "take-over" of Chrysler by Daimler-Benz. There are several comments to the effect "Why would anyone want a Chrysler product if even Daimler doesn't want it?"

DETROIT, Mich. -- The all-new Saab 9-7X goes on sale in the United States this spring with very attractive pricing. Saab's first-ever SUV will come in two models: the Linear, priced at $38,990.00 and the Arc, priced at $40,990.00. Both MSRP's include a $720.00 destination charge. The 9-7X SUV is just one part of the most aggressive product development offensive in Saab's 57-year history. It joins the 9-3 Sport Sedan and Convertible, the 9-5 Sedan and SportWagon and the all-wheel drive 9-2X, as well as the upcoming all-new Saab 9-3 SportCombi and the 250-hp 2.8V6 Turbo, which will become available in all 9-3 Aero models later this year. The 9-7X Linear features standard all-wheel drive, leather-appointed heated front seats, 18-inch alloy wheels, side-curtain airbags, integrated roof rails, OnStar, XM Satellite Radio, 6-CD Bose audio system and a choice between a moonroof or a rear-DVD entertainment system. It is powered by an in-line 6-cylinder engine that makes 275 hp and 275 lb.-ft. of torque. The 9-7X Arc adds xenon headlamps, adjustable pedals, headlamp washers and a 300-hp/330 lb.-ft. V8. Saab owners will feel right at home in the 9-7X, which has the familiar ****pit-inspired instrument panel, signature sliding-plate vents, in-dash cupholder and center console-mounted ignition. The Saab 9-7X can be ordered in Obsidian Black, Titanium Silver and Ocean Blue. Saab is making the 9-7X SUV even more attractive with a limited special offer. By registering before March 31, 2005, customers who purchase or lease a 2005 9-7X will get three years of free OnStar "Safe & Sound" and XM Satellite Radio service, a $700.00 value. In addition, current Saab drivers whose leases expire in February, March or April will qualify for a lease extension of up to six months to enable them to take delivery of a new 2005 9-7X. Saab will target potential customers with a direct mail campaign by the end of February 2005. This mailing will direct prospects to the Saab 9-7X website, www.saab97Xsuv.com. Once customers have registered at this website, they will automatically receive the additional free services once they take delivery of their 2005 9-7X. Interested customers can go directly to the website even if they did not receive the mailing from Saab. "The 9-7X joins the Saab lineup at the right time because the demand for premium midsize SUV's is strong," said Debra Kelly-Ennis, President and COO of Saab USA. "About forty percent of current Saab owners already have an SUV of another make in their garage, while nearly 30 percent of Saab owners have left the brand for an SUV in the past. With the 9-7X, Saab will be able to take advantage of the continued growth in this segment." On top of that, the Saab 9-7X SUV represents outstanding value for money, especially when compared with the Volvo XC90. Not only has the 9-7X more headroom, legroom, towing capability and engine torque, it is also priced at over $8,000.00 less than a comparably equipped XC90 V8. Saab Automobile AB and Saab Cars USA, Inc. are subsidiary companies of General Motors Corp. Saab Cars USA is the importer of Saab 9-2X, 9-3 and 9-5 automobiles for Saab Automobile AB, Sweden. For more information, please visit www.saabusa.com.

Saab Announces Its First SUV: the Saab 9-7X Continuing the biggest product offensive in its history, Saab Automobile AB announces its latest new model and first sport utility vehicle, the 2005 Saab 9-7X. Featuring standard all-wheel-drive and two engine choices, the mid-size SUV will fill Saab's need for an entry is this rapidly growing market segment. The Saab 9-7X will make its world debut at the 2004 New York Auto Show in April, 2004, and will go on sale about one year later. Initially, the 9-7X will be produced specifically for the United States and Canadian markets. "We are pleased to continue to expand our product line in the very important North American market," commented Peter Augustsson, President and CEO of Saab Automobile AB. "With the Saab 9-X and 9-3X concept vehicles, followed by the award-winning Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan and Convertible, the 9-3 Sport-Hatch concept and the dynamic new 9-2X, we are exceeding our commitment to introduce one new vehicle or concept each year for five years." The new 9-7X will be built at GM's Moraine Assembly plant in Ohio, beginning in the first quarter of 2005.

Latest press release from Honda Japan, regarding the new Honda Inspire (a.k.a US Honda Accord). ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- AutomobileJune 18 , 2003 Honda Announces a Full Model Change for the Inspire Tokyo, June 18, 2003 --- Honda Motor Co., Ltd. has announced a full-model change for the Inspire, integrating its Saber and Inspire sedans to create a luxury passenger car that combines refined styling with a sporty ride. Loaded with intelligent technology and other equipment sure to boost its appeal, the fully remodeled Inspire will make its debut on June 19, 2003 at Honda car dealerships across Japan, priced on par with its predecessor at 2.7 to 3.5 million yen. Offering enhancements in the three key areas of sedan performance-driving, turning, and stopping-the fourth-generation Inspire was developed around the concept of a "New Intelligent Tourer", employing Honda's unique, cutting-edge technologies to provide optimum driving pleasure and ensure a ride of unparalleled comfort and quality. The all-new Inspire features the world's first Collision Mitigation Brake System*1 (CMS) and Honda's E-Pretensioner*1, two technologies on the forefront of pre-crash safety that help prevent collisions through risk assessment and driver warning functions, and mitigate the impact on occupants and vehicle damage in the event a collision occurs. The Inspire's new 3.0-liter V6 i-VTEC engine features Honda's newly developed Variable Cylinder Management System, which idles three cylinders during cruising to achieve a combination of ample power and fuel economy of 11.6 km/L*2, on par with that of a 2.4-liter in-line 4-cylinder engine*3. The environment-friendly Inspire meets both Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transportation requirements for Ultra-Low Emissions and 2010 fuel economy standards, making it the only 3.0-liter class sedan to offer a level of environmental performance to qualify for the Japanese government's Green Tax incentives. The Inspire employs a specialized suspension system and a highly rigid, lightweight body to provide superior passenger comfort and ride quality. An interior design that blends fine quality with the latest advancements, coupled with a variety of amenities to support comfortable long-distance travel, create a space in which occupants can enjoy their ride in any setting, from highway to city driving. *1 Standard on the Avanzare *2 Fuel consumption when driven in 10-15 mode (Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transportation test value) *3 Compared to an Accord sedan 2.4-liter engine, which achieves fuel consumption of 12.0 km/liter when driven in 10-15 mode Main Features of the Inspire Innovative power train V6 3.0-liter i-VTEC Engine The new V6 3.0-liter i-VTEC Engine features Honda's Variable Cylinder Management System, which switches between six-cylinder operation and three-cylinder operation depending on driving conditions. When the system determines, through analysis of factors such as vehicle speed, engine speed, and throttle opening, that the vehicle is at cruising speed, it idles the intake and exhaust valves for the rear bank of three cylinders and halts fuel injection to those cylinders. The idled cylinders remain sealed, reducing pumping losses due to engine respiration by approximately 65%. This enables the V6 3.0-liter engine to supply ample power with a fuel efficiency of 11.6 km/L*1, on par with the fuel economy of a 2.4-liter in-line 4-cylinder engine*2. The new engine delivers high power and torque performance at the top of its class, with an output of 184 kW (250 PS), and torque of 296 Nm (30.2 kg.m) on regular unleaded gasoline. The Inspire is certified as an Ultra-Low Emissions Vehicle by the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transportation. It also conforms to 2010 fuel economy standards, making it the only 3.0-liter class sedan to offer a level of environmental performance to qualify for the Japanese government's Green Tax incentives. The Inspire is also equipped with a Drive-By-Wire (DBW) electronic throttle control system that works in concert with the Variable Cylinder Management system to significantly enhance the smoothness of the ride and boost fuel economy. *1 Fuel consumption when driven in 10-15 mode (Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transportation test value) *2 Compared to an Accord sedan 2.4-liter engine, which achieves fuel consumption of 12.0 km/L when driven in 10-15 mode. 5-speed automatic transmission (S-matic) The Inspire's 5-speed S-matic automatic transmission delivers improved acceleration when passing, while inhibiting torque reduction during changes in the number of active cylinders. Shift Hold Control reduces unnecessary gear changes during performance driving. Advanced danger prediction and lane identification features Honda Intelligent Driver Support System (HiDS) assists in highway driving (standard on the Avanzare) The LKAS (Lane-Keeping Assist System) identifies the vehicle lane based on images captured by a C-MOS camera mounted inside the front window. The system applies the appropriate amount of torque to the vehicle's electric power steering to assist the driver in maintaining the vehicle in its lane. The IHCC (Intelligent Highway Cruise Control) vehicle speed and distance control system assesses driving conditions using data from a millimeter-wave radar unit built into the front grill of the vehicle that measures the distance to the vehicle ahead, along with data from speed and yaw rate sensors. In addition to maintaining the vehicle at a set speed, this cruise control system automatically regulates vehicle speed and distance depending on whether or not there is a vehicle in the same lane ahead. The two systems work together to reduce the burden of highway driving, providing increased comfort and safety. World's first Collision Mitigation Brake System (CMS) and E-Pretensioner (standard on the Avanzare) Honda's pre-crash safety technology assesses collision risk and mitigates occupant impact and vehicle damage by combining the first-ever Collision Mitigation Brake System, which warns the driver to help avoid collisions and regulates the brakes to reduce vehicle speed, with the E-Pretensioner, which automatically retracts the seatbelt before a collision occurs. The system uses millimeter-wave radar to detect vehicles within a range of about 100 meters ahead, assessing collision risk based on inter-vehicle distance, relative vehicle speed, and estimated vehicle trajectories. As assessed collision risk rises, audio and tactile warnings alert the driver and prompt preventative action. The system also works to reduce occupant impact and vehicle damage in the event a collision is unavoidable, by providing braking assist if the driver's foot pressure on the brake pedal is deemed insufficient, along with seatbelt control that increases passenger restraint and pre-impact brake control designed to reduce vehicle speed before a collision occurs. The E-Pretensioner is designed to operate whenever the driver brakes suddenly and the brake assist functions, tightening the seatbelt to secure the driver even if the CMS has not been activated. Quiet operation Active control engine mounts significantly reduce transmission of engine vibration Front and rear active control engine mounts are designed to cancel out engine vibration, which increases when cylinders are idling. The mechanism estimates the vibration caused by fluctuations in the engine crank rotation and absorbs vibration by compressing and extending an actuator at the bottom of the fluid-sealed mount in same-phase, same-period motion, resulting in a quieter interior that keeps passengers from noticing when cylinders are idling. Active noise control cancels cylinder idling drone Active noise control is used to generate sound opposite in phase to the engine drone produced when cylinders are idling. The frequency to be attenuated is determined based on engine revolution pulses, and a signal to cancel the frequency is generated via an audio speaker, thus reducing the drone. Sound picked up by a microphone in the vehicle is continually analyzed, and the canceling signal is instantaneously updated to provide a virtually quiet environment. Chassis and body A high-performance chassis provides superior comfort and handling stability. Double-wishbone suspension in the front delivers superb straight-line stability and comfort. A 5-link, double-wishbone suspension in the rear delivers superior ride comfort. VSA (Vehicle Stability Assist) supplements ABS and TCS with sideslip control.* Torsional rigidity has been improved by 27% over the previous model. Superior static and dynamic rigidity ensure responsiveness in the front, stability in the rear, and a more comfortable ride. Approximately 50% of the body frame is made of high tensile steel, which boosts rigidity while significantly reducing vehicle weight. Standard on the Avanzare and 30TL Styling An exterior design with a classy, aggressive feel A high deck and flowing form impart a sense of spaciousness and a sporty image. Large-diameter left and right exhaust pipe finishers that appear integrated with the bumper and an integrated high-mount brake light built into the trunk lid create a rear view of refined intensity. Thin, oblong high-intensity discharge (HID) low-beam headlights provide a unique front view with different looks for day and night. In addition, a wide field of illumination enhances visibility at night to reduce the burden on the driver. A clean interior design with emotional appeal The interior is designed to appeal to the senses, demanding to be seen, to be touched, and to be used. The instrument panel features a wrap-around design that extends to the left and right door lines and a center module with audio and climate controls conveniently located for enhanced functionality. Blue interior illumination lights up when the small lamps are turned on to create a sense of luxury.* The four round dashboard gauges feature luminescent white and blue dials that float atop a black face. In the center is a multi-information display that provides information on driving conditions and the operating status of the HiDS, CMS, Variable Cylinder Management, and other vehicle systems. * Lower center panel lights standard on all models. Lighting at the foot of the front seats and front seat pockets standard on the Avanzare. Packaging and interior The Inspire features a cockpit area designed to make the driver feel relaxed and at ease. The front seats are shaped to naturally draw occupants in, providing a hold that envelops the entire lower back and hips. Central portions that contact the legs and back are soft, while the outside portions are stiff, providing both seating comfort and a secure hold. An electric driver's seat height adjustor*1, eight-way power driver's seat*2, electric- powered lumbar support*2 and a tilting and telescoping steering wheel mechanism combine to allow the driver optimal control over his or her driving position, for reduced fatigue. The rear center seat is equipped with a headrest. The trunk room is a capacious 495 liters (491 liters on the Avanzare). *3 In addition to a rear seat armrest through-hole to the trunk, the rear seats are also equipped with a fold- down mechanism for transporting long, oversized luggage. Front windows outfitted with UV-blocking glass that absorbs high-intensity heat rays and blocks infrared rays are standard on the Avanzare. An electric sunshade*4 blocks strong sunlight, increasing rear seat comfort. The sunshade automatically retracts when the shift lever is placed in reverse to ensure an unobstructed view through the rear window. The fully automatic air conditioner features independent right- and left-side temperature controls. *1 Standard on the 30TE. *2 Standard on the Avanzare and 30TL. *3 Based on Honda in-house testing according to VDA formula. *4 Standard on the Avanzare, available as a factory-installed option on the 30TL. Equipment for advanced functionality Equipped with the Honda Smart-Card Key System*1. An ultra-slim card key enables users to lock and unlock the doors, open the trunk, and operate the ignition. Outfitted with Honda's DVD Navigation System with voice recognition, which features a large-screen, 8-inch-wide monitor and a DVD-ROM, and supports Honda's InterNavi Premium Club*2. Touch panel and voice recognition functions further improve operability and ease of use. *1 Standard on the Avanzare and 30TL. Available in a package with rain-sensing wipers as a factory-installed option on the 30TE. *2 Available as a manufacturer's option on all models. Safety Performance The world's first electronically controlled brake assist*1 automatically sets the assist set- point and intelligently adjusts to the driver's brake operation. Control is integrated with the CMS and E-Pretensioner safety technologies. The driver's seat is equipped with a Seatbelt Reminder that prompts the driver with a warning light and buzzer if the seat belt is not buckled when the car is in motion. Honda's original G-CON (G-force Control) technology is incorporated to create a new body with enhanced crash safety. It is capable of withstanding a 55km/h full-frontal collision, a 64km/h front offset collision, 55km/h side collision, and a 50km/h rear collision. To further improve safety in real-world collisions, Honda has implemented its own vehicle-to-vehicle collision testing program with its own independently-established research standards*2. This collision testing is much more demanding than conventional tests in which the car is crashed into a fixed barrier. The Inspire's safety design meets even these stringent testing requirements. The vehicle body employs an impact-absorbing design to reduce head and leg injuries to pedestrians in the event of a vehicle-pedestrian accident. The interior is designed to protect occupants' heads in a collision, and front seats are designed to alleviate shocks to the neck. The side-curtain airbag system*3 deploys over a wide area extending across nearly the entire side window. The system, with a rapid deployment of 0.015 seconds, significantly reduces occupant head injuries in the event of a side collision. An SRS dual front airbag system is standard equipment. ISO FIX compatible child seat anchoring bars and tether anchors (left and right rear seats) are also standard. *1 Standard equipment on the Avanzare and 30TL. *2 Testing involves a 50% front-offset collision with a 2-ton class passenger vehicle, both vehicles traveling at 50 km/h. *3 Standard equipment on the Avanzare. Available as a factory-installed option on the 30TL and 30TE in a package with the front seat i-side airbag system (with passenger-side occupant position detection function). Environmental Performance Atmospheric pollutants (HC, NOx) in the exhaust gas have been greatly reduced. The Inspire achieves high environmental performance, clearing government emissions regulations for 2000 by a substantial margin. As a result, the Inspire has earned Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport certification as an Ultra Low-Emissions Vehicle. Honda's Variable Cylinder Management System and high-efficiency fuel combustion technology contribute to a fuel economy of 11.6 km/L, which complies with government regulations for fuel economy for 2010*1. In addition to being certified as an Ultra-Low Emissions Vehicle, the Inspire is the only 3.0-liter class sedan to qualify for Japan's Green Tax incentive. Almost all interior injection-molded parts are made of olefin resin for superior recyclability. This and other measures result in an overall vehicle recyclability of over 90%*2. Lead usage has been reduced to less than 10% of 1996 levels. The use of high-temperature heating and quenching of the molds during the manufacture of the instrument panel and other molded surface parts has been eliminated, reducing the amount of energy required. *1 Fuel consumption when driven in 10-15 mode (Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transportation test value) *2 According to independent Honda measurement standards An Inspire ALMAS (30TL and 30TE) equipped with a passenger-side swivel seat will debut on July 25, 2003 at Honda automobile dealers throughout Japan. The Inspire ALMAS features a passenger seat that can be rotated with a simple operation to enable a caregiver to help a passenger in and out of the seat. The seat is the same high- comfort model featured on a standard Inspire, with the addition of a front/rear slide function. Installation performed by Honda Tokuso Co., Ltd. ALMAS The ALMAS derives its name from the Spanish word "alma", which means "spirit", and represents the wholehearted spirit Honda incorporated in the development of its ALMAS vehicles.