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NASCAR Driver Matt Kenseth Helps Gatorade Break Ground on New Manufacturing Facility in Mayes County, Oklahoma
Site Will Be Company's Ninth Plant, Built to Satisfy Increased Demand for Gatorade Thirst Quencher and Propel Fitness Water
NASCAR driver Matt Kenseth joined Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry and officials from The Gatorade Company to break ground today on a new manufacturing and distribution facility in Mayes County, Oklahoma.
The facility, which will be the company's ninth plant, will produce both Gatorade Thirst Quencher and Propel Fitness Water, and is scheduled to open in the fall of 2007. Parent company PepsiCo announced earlier this year that a new manufacturing facility was needed to help keep up with growing demand for the country's No. 1 sports drink and No. 1 enhanced water.
Today's ceremony was given a twist by Kenseth, the 2003 Nextel Cup Champion and spokesman for Gatorade, who drove a bulldozer onto the site to kick-off the official groundbreaking.
"This is an exciting day for us and we've been looking forward to celebrating this occasion with Pryor, Mayes County and the entire state of Oklahoma," said Gatorade president Chuck Maniscalco. "The Pryor area is a wonderful community with excellent resources and an important transportation hub in the South Central Region. We are happy to call this area home to our new plant."
The facility, which is expected to bring 280 jobs to the area, was welcomed by local and state elected officials.
"This is great news for Mayes County and the entire state of Oklahoma," said Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry. "We worked very hard to bring this new plant and its good-paying jobs to our state, and we're excited about the positive economic impact they will have here. This announcement demonstrates once again that Oklahoma is a great place to do business and can compete with anyone when it comes to economic development."
Construction on the facility is expected to continue through approximately September 2007. The new Gatorade plant will be located on 160 acres in the town of Pryor on Highway 69A at MidAmerica, west of the existing Covalence (formerly Tyco) plastics plant. The development will have a collective size of approximately 1.4 million square feet which will include a 300,000 square-foot production facility and a 1.1 million square-foot warehouse/distribution center.
Other Gatorade manufacturing facilities are located in Atlanta, Ga.; Indianapolis, Ind.; Dallas, Texas; Mountain Top, Pa.; Kissimmee, Fla.; Oakland, Calif.; Tolleson, Ariz. and Wytheville, Va.
Gatorade(R) Thirst Quencher, the nation's leading sports drink, is backed by 40 years of research and Propel(R) Fitness Water is the nation's number one enhanced water and the pioneer of the fitness water category. Gatorade is scientifically formulated and athletically proven to quench thirst, replace fluids and electrolytes and provide carbohydrate energy to enhance athletic performance. Gatorade is the official sports drink of the NFL, NBA, WNBA, AVP, NHL, Major League Baseball, Major League Soccer, and numerous professional, collegiate and amateur teams and events throughout the world, including University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University. Gatorade is manufactured by QTG (Quaker, Tropicana, Gatorade), a division of PepsiCo. For more information, please visit http://www.gatorade.com/ .
Source: Gatorade
MichiganToday.net and Michigan Today Network (MTN) Announce Live Broadcast Coverage of the 2006 PGA Buick Open On-Location at the Warwick Hills Golf & Country Club, Grand Blanc, Michigan
MichiganToday.net is proud to announce that Michigan Today Network (MTN) will offer live internet radio broadcast coverage of the 2006 Buick Open from the MTN Broadcast Central Media Center on location at the Warwick Hills Golf & Country Club, in Grand Blanc, Michigan, starting at noon July 31 to August 6, 2006. MTN Sports LIVE Hosts Rich Curbelo, Cathy Gniewek, Bob Laura and Susan Kramer will provide extended coverage including exclusive interviews with the PGA's top players on Michigan Today Network (MTN) only available at MichiganToday.net: http://www.michigantoday.net/ .
Tiger Woods just announced he will compete at the Buick Open next week coming off his recent win at the British Open. The world's top-ranked golfer will compete against U.S. Open champion Geoff Ogilvy, Chris DiMarco, Jim Furyk, John Daly and Mike Weir. Two-time defending champion Vijay Singh, who also won the Buick Open in 1997, is also expected to be in the field. The players will be competing for a tournament record $4.8 million purse, including a first prize of $864,000 and a new Buick.
"MichiganToday.net is very proud to participate in Michigan's premier PGA Championship by providing live real-time coverage of the action and exclusive interviews with the top players throughout the 2006 Buick Open," said Cathy Gniewek, President, MichiganToday.net. "There is so much excitement building into next week's 2006 Buick Open as Woods just became the first player to win back-to-back British Opens since Watson in 1982-83. Warwick Hills offers a comparatively short course with fairly open greens and without particularly tight fairways making the 2006 Buick Open an especially competitive and thrilling event," said Gniewek.
About MichiganToday.net and Michigan Today Network (MTN)
MichiganToday.net is Michigan's own multimedia online magazine offering a wide variety of topics all about Michigan! Discover exciting features by veteran award winning journalists and experts on automotive, careers, happenings, issues, today's living, money, people, sports, travel and more! MichiganToday.net produces original programming and documentaries specifically about Michigan and offers services including full video, audio and live real- time streaming of Michigan events. (For more information, please contact: marketing@michigantoday.net .)
Michigan Today Network (MTN) is Michigan's own radio broadcast network offering classic rock 24 hours a day seven days a week broadcast in up to HD quality sound only available on MichiganToday.net. Michigan Today Network (MTN) will be phasing in six new musical formats in the near future including Michigan's own music channel showcasing Michigan talent! Get all the music you want in one place exclusively on The Michigan Today Network only available at MichiganToday.net: http://www.michigantoday.net/ .
Michigan Today Network (MTN) Sports LIVE Radio Show with Rich Curbelo regular programming airs weekly on Saturdays at 11:00 a.m. MichiganToday.net Sports LIVE column with Rich Curbelo brings you daily sports updates and exclusive interviews from your favorite Michigan teams. For all the latest sports news, exclusive interviews and features all about Michigan, discover Michigan's leading online publication -- MichiganToday.net: http://www.michigantoday.net/ .
MTN offers talk show programming on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. including Career Corners with Linda Sweeney, Financial FYI with Bob Laura and Weekend Happenings with Cathy Gniewek and Susan Kramer.
MichiganToday.net and Michigan Today Network (MTN) are proud to bring the best of Michigan to our ever expanding statewide, national and international audience. MichiganToday.net and Michigan Today Network (MTN) are just a click away, anytime, any place and they are all about Michigan!
MichiganToday.net can be located at: http:/// www.michigantoday.net . About the 2006 Buick Open:
The 2006 Buick Open is scheduled for July 31 - Aug. 6 at Warwick Hills in Grand Blanc, Michigan offering a record purse of $4.8 million. The defending champion is Vijay Singh, who became only the second player in tournament history to successfully defend his Buick Open title. For Buick Open tickets or information call 1 (800) 878 OPEN or go to http://www.buickopen.pgatour.com/ .
Be Proud of Your Michigan!
Source: MichiganToday.net
England's 2006 World Cup Fans Are Worst Behaved, According to Survey of Adults in Five European Countries
Alcohol chiefly blamed, while peer pressure, racism and lack of accountability cited by many
-- A new poll of adults in five European countries, conducted during and after the 2006 World Cup in Germany, shows that England is widely considered as having the worst behaved and most troublesome fans. Almost one-third (31%) of European adults cite England as the country that had the most fans arrested or warned by police at the games this year, followed by Germany at a distant second place (7%).
These are some of the results of a Harris Poll conducted online by Harris Interactive(R) between July 6 and 16, 2006 among 10,172 adults, ages 16 years and over from France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy and Spain.
Overall, a vast majority (83%) of adults in these five countries say they watched the 2006 World Cup matches. Just over one quarter (26%) of the British themselves think of their fans as the worst behaved. Spain in particular agrees, with 45 percent of them suggesting that English fans are the worst behaved of all nations attending the World Cup. Germans (27%) take a neutral stance and say that no one nation in particular experienced a significant number of arrests.
Alcohol is thought to be the predominant reason behind "hooliganism" and bad behavior at the World Cup, with a large majority (81%) of adults feeling that this is a contributing factor. Not insignificant, peer pressure (50%), racism (48%), and lack of accountability for one's actions (46%) are also perceived as underlying factors.
TABLE 1 2006 WORLD CUP: DID YOU VIEW ANY MATCHES "Have you watched any of the 2006 World Cup Matches?" Base: All adults in five European countries Country Total Great France Italy Spain Germany Britain % % % % % % Yes 83 75 85 93 71 90 No 17 25 15 7 29 10 Note: Percentages may not add up to exactly 100% due to rounding. TABLE 2 2006 WORLD CUP FANS - PERCEIVED VOLUME OF ARRESTS & POLICE WARNINGS "During the 2006 World Cup, which nation's fans do you think had the most arrests and police warnings for bad behavior at the games themselves in Germany?" Base: All adults in five European countries Country Great Total Britain France Italy Spain Germany % % % % % % England 31 26 25 29 45 33 Germany 7 11 6 6 5 7 Poland 4 5 1 2 1 11 Holland 1 1 2 1 * 2 Other Countries 6 4 7 6 4 4 No one nation has had a significant number of arrests and police warnings 17 18 12 18 10 27 Not Sure 34 35 47 38 35 16 Note: Percentages may not add up to exactly 100% due to rounding. * = Less than 0.5%. TABLE 3 2006 WORLD CUP - MAIN FACTORS CAUSING HOOLIGANISM "What do you think are the main contributing factors towards football "hooliganism" and bad behavior?" Base: All adults in five European countries Great Total Britain France Italy Spain Germany % % % % % % Alcohol 81 87 74 76 86 80 Peer Pressure 50 35 83 33 29 68 Racism 48 47 73 42 33 47 Lack of accountability for one's actions 46 41 39 60 59 30 Ignorance 44 51 31 70 35 30 Drugs 37 27 41 45 43 27 Easy to be anonymous 35 23 30 38 50 34 Boredom 24 18 16 26 10 51 Note: Multiple-response question Methodology
Harris Interactive(R) conducted this online survey across Europe between July 6 and 16, 2006 among a national cross section of 10,172 adults (France (2,117), Germany (2,059), Great Britain (1,943), Italy (2,098) and Spain (1,955)), ages 16 years and over. Figures for age, gender, race/ethnicity, education, income and region were weighted where necessary to align with population proportions. Propensity score weighting was also used to adjust for respondents' propensity to be online.
All surveys are subject to several sources of error. These include: sampling error (because only a sample of a population is interviewed); measurement error due to question wording and/or question order, deliberately or unintentionally inaccurate responses, nonresponse (including refusals), interviewer effects (when live interviewers are used) and weighting.
With one exception (sampling error) the magnitude of the errors that result cannot be estimated. There is, therefore, no way to calculate a finite "margin of error" for any survey and the use of these words should be avoided.
With pure probability samples, with 100 percent response rates, it is possible to calculate the probability that the sampling error (but not other sources of error) is not greater than some number. With pure probability samples of 10,172 adults, one could say with a ninety-five percent probability that the overall results have a sampling error of +/-1 percentage point. Sampling error for individual countries would be +/-3 percentage points. However that does not take other sources of error into account. This online survey is not based on a probability sample and therefore no theoretical sampling error can be calculated.
These statements conform to the principles of disclosure of the National Council on Public Polls.
About Harris Interactive
Harris Interactive is the 13th largest and fastest-growing market research firm in the world. The company provides research-driven insights and strategic advice to help its clients make more confident decisions which lead to measurable and enduring improvements in performance. Harris Interactive is widely known for The Harris Poll, one of the longest running, independent opinion polls and for pioneering online market research methods. The company has built what could conceivably be the world's largest panel of survey respondents, the Harris Poll Online. Harris Interactive serves clients worldwide through its United States, Europe and Asia offices, its wholly-owned subsidiary Novatris in France and through a global network of independent market research firms. The service bureau, HISB, provides its market research industry clients with mixed-mode data collection, panel development services as well as syndicated and tracking research consultation.
Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge Sponsorship Program Debuts in the United States With Newport's 12-Metre Regatta
In 2005 PANERAI successfully launched in the Mediterranean the "Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge" in partnership with CIM, the Mediterranean International Committee, and AIVE, the Italian Classic Yachts Association. Regattas are held yearly at some of the most celebrated European yachting locations, which include Antibes, Argentario, Mahon, Imperia and Cannes, where thousands of passionate sailors take part with the sole purpose of appreciating the cultural heritage of these great masters of the sea.
In 2006 PANERAI chose to expand its program by adding the renowned Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta in the pristine Caribbean waters (April 20-25), the fascinating 12-Metre Regattas in Newport, RI (July 28-30) and Nantucket, MA (August 16-18), along with the traditional Opera House Cup Regatta in Nantucket, MA (August 18-20).
"Being PANERAI and deeply in love with the sea we couldn't confine our horizon to the Mediterranean. We had to consider an expansion in order to encounter the passion and tradition of the American sailing community," explains Angelo Bonati, Chief Executive Officer of OFFICINE PANERAI. "For this reason it came natural to help sponsor U.S. regattas, beginning with the Robert H. Tiedemann 12-Metre Regatta produced by The Museum of Yachting with support from the International Twelve-Metre Class Association."
PANERAI is a brand of values, which arise from its origins: Florence, city of art. It is a characteristic expression of Italian craftsmanship with historic tradition whose values are still current today, strengthened by the great attention PANERAI devotes to the quality of its creations and by the depth of technical experience that is expressed through its production. "The watchmaker's work is as precious and rare as the one of the axe master building a classic yacht," adds Bonati. "Whether we are dealing with yachts or watches, the men who create them and those who own them are both animated by the same emotions."
Today PANERAI is one of the most prestigious brands in haute horlogerie and its history represents a proud example of research, innovation and tradition, as well as being irrevocably linked with great nautical exploits and the sea.
Source: Panerai North America
Dr Pepper And Earvin 'Magic' Johnson Announce 23 Finalists In Nationwide 'Pepper Your Community' Volunteer Contest
Vote for Your Favorite Finalist Now Through August 11
Grand-Prize Winners Will Earn $23,000 for Their Charity of Choice
Hometown heroes hail from small towns and big cities, and come from all walks of life. They freely donate their most precious assets, time and energy, to make the world a better place. As of today, 23 hometown heroes have been selected as finalists in the Dr Pepper "Pepper Your Community" contest. Each finalist is guaranteed a donation in their honor to their local charity of choice, and America can now vote and select two grand-prize winners who will receive $23,000 for their local charity of choice.
The finalists were selected from thousands of entries by an independent panel of judges and, starting today and running through August 11, consumers can go to the Dr Pepper "Pepper Your Community" site to vote for their favorite finalist. To vote, simply go to DrPepper.com and click on the link for "Pepper Your Community." The two finalists who receive the most votes will be named the grand-prize winners and will have $23,000 donated to their charity of choice. They also will be given the opportunity to meet Earvin "Magic" Johnson. The remaining 21 finalists will each receive $2,300 for their favorite charity. The grand-prize winners will be announced on August 25, 2006.
"When we began this program, we knew there were many amazing people across the country who give of themselves day in and day out to help their communities; however, the quantity and quality of the entries received was overwhelming and made choosing only 23 finalists very challenging," said Andrew Springate, vice president, Dr Pepper brand marketing for Cadbury Schweppes Americas Beverages. "The 23 finalists selected truly represent the spirit of volunteerism with their dedication to bettering their communities. They demonstrate Dr Pepper's 'There's More to It' attitude on a daily basis."
Dr Pepper "Pepper Your Community" Contest Finalists: * Amazing Kids - John-Henry L. of Gardnerville, NV * Appalachia Mission of Hope - Ann W. of McKee, KY * Blackland Prairie Playground Foundation - Anne H. of Wylie, TX * Burleson Community Theater - Debbie P. of Burleson, TX * Children Need Both Parents, Inc. - Ronald S. of Grand Rapids, MI * Community Alliance for Progressive Positive Action - Loni G. of Williamsport, PA * Creative Planet School of the Arts - Bill R. of Duarte, CA * Friends of Choate Park - Kari M. of Medway, MA * Greene County Humane Society - Shawn G. of Bellville, WI * Healthy Communities of Lyon and Storey Counties - Cara C. of Silver Springs, NV * LifeShock - Carrie F. of Portland, OR * Louisiana Pepperplex Board - Don S. of New Iberia, LA * Manhattanville My Soldier - Juan S. of Purchase, NY * Pasadena Habitat for Humanity - Dawn A. of Houston, TX * Scott Lake Athletic Club, Inc - Martin M. of Miami, FL * Second Chance Animal Rescue - Lynn B. of Vandalia, IL * Special Olympics - Marianna V. of San Jose, CA * The Durham Eagle Athletic Association - Don J. of Durham, NC * Urban Neighborhood Educational Technology for You, Inc - Geneva J. of Bronx, NY * VIA Positive Thinking Foundation - Sandra I. of Warrensburg, MO * Women's Community Housing - David B. of Minneapolis, MN * Youth Uprising Center - Olis S. of Oakland, CA * YouthCare - Mike K. of Seattle, WA
"Each day, thousands of people dedicate themselves to improving the lives of others and making their communities a better place to live," said Johnson. "I'm proud to be associated with a program that rewards volunteers for their efforts and that will help give an extra boost to the charitable organizations that need it the most."
For more information on the "Pepper Your Community" program and the 23 selected finalists, visit: http://advision.webevents.yahoo.com/drpepper/getpeppered/index_p2.php
About Dr Pepper
Dr Pepper is a leading brand in the beverage portfolio of Plano, Texas- based Cadbury Schweppes Americas Beverages (CSAB), a subsidiary division of Cadbury Schweppes plc (NYSE:CSG) . CSAB is one of the largest producers of soft drinks and premium beverages in the Americas. CSAB's brand portfolio includes Dr Pepper, 7UP, Snapple, Mott's Apple Juice, RC Cola, A&W Root Beer, Sunkist Soda, Canada Dry, Hawaiian Punch, Schweppes, Diet Rite, Clamato, Mr & Mrs T Mixers, Holland House Mixers, Rose's, Mistic, Yoo-hoo, Orangina, IBC, Stewart's, Nantucket Nectars and other well-known consumer brands. For additional information on CSAB and its products, visit http://www.cadburyschweppes.com/csab .
About Magic Johnson Enterprises
Magic Johnson Enterprises is the parent company of the Magic Johnson business empire and steers the direction of the brand for business development and expansion. The company handles asset acquisitions, endorsements, licensing, personal appearances, multi-cultural marketing and business-to- business relationships. Magic Johnson Enterprises specializes in urban business development with a variety of business ventures.
Source: Dr Pepper
Competitors Showcase Gymnastics/Acrobatics and Dance on Cantering Horses at USEF/AVA National Championships July 27-30
Team and individual events an eye-popping treat for spectators; admission is free for the whole family
The nation's best equestrian vaulters will perform eye-popping gymnastics and dance freestyle routines atop cantering horses at this year's USEF/AVA National Championships. Nationally ranked vaulters and their equine partners from New Jersey to California will gather to compete for coveted U.S. titles at the 2006 Championships July 27-30, 2006 at the Industry Hills Expo Center's Grand Arena in the City of Industry, Calif. Admission is free!
"Those who have never witnessed this unique and entertaining equestrian sport will consider seeing it an experience of a lifetime," said Nancy Stevens-Brown, American Vaulting Association (AVA) president. "This weekend our sport will showcase some of the best human and equine talent in the world, and anyone who values athletic prowess and nerves of steel will thoroughly enjoy this one-of-a-kind spectator event."
For a complete day-by-day schedule of events, photos and videos of the sport, go to http://www.americanvaulting.org/ and look under "National Championships" for a link to the complete schedule and directions.
Competitors include world and national vaulting champions, as well as the vaulting team, four women and three men who have qualified to represent the United States at next month's FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG) in Aachen, Germany. Competing for the "A" level team championship will be three teams that vied for the single US team slot at WEG: the FAME vaulters (with team members from Southern California's Venice Beach and Sun Valley, as well as from Northern California and New Jersey), currently ranked #1, will compete against both the Woodside Vaulters (Woodside, Calif.) and the Diamond Bar Vaulters (Diamond Bar, Calif.).
In the men's division, 31-year-old six-time men's national champion and 1998 Men's Vaulting World Champion Devon Maitozo (Venice Beach, Calif.) will compete against teammate and former National Champion Blake Dahlgren (Sun Valley, Calif.) and Kenny Geisler (Diamond Bar, Calif.), Todd Griffiths (Simms, Montana) and Chris Littmann (Agoura Hills, Calif.), all of whom will be representing the United States at WEG.
In the women's division, WEG selection trials winner and USEF #1 ranked female vaulter Megan Benjamin, 18, from Saratoga, Calif., will defend her two-time national championship title against competitors including Elizabeth Osborn (Woodside, Calif.), Mary McCormick (a Tennessee native currently training in Northern California) and Ali Divita (Redwood City, Calif.), ranked second, third and fourth among women vaulters in the nation, respectively.
Equestrian vaulting, one of only seven equestrian disciplines recognized by the Federation Equestre International (FEI), is the only equestrian sport that combines gymnastics and dance on a moving horse.
Source: American Vaulting Association
Poker Players Thrown From Airplane as They Bust Out of InterPoker.Com's Airborne Poker Tournament 15,000 Feet Above the Las Vegas Desert
Amateur Player Nick Grudzien Outlasts Poker Pro Phil Laak to Win the InterPoker.com Loser's Leap Extreme Poker Challenge and a Seat at the 2006 Caribbean Poker Classic in St. Kitts
As if putting up $10,000 for a chance to sit down at the World Series of Poker (WSOP) wasn't big enough thrill for poker pro Phil Laak, today he and four InterPoker.com players embarked on the most adrenaline inducing poker tournament to ever be held in Sin City. Just days before the main event at the WSOP, and at 15,000 feet above Las Vegas, Laak, Nick Grudzien, Jamie Glasser, Fraser Linkletter and Patrick Neary went head to head in an electric game of Extreme Poker, in which four losers were literally thrown out of the plane -- with a parachute of course.
"Extreme Poker is all about keeping your cool under extreme duress -- and I can't think of a more stressful situation than knowing that you must fall 15,000 feet from a moving aircraft if your opponent calls your bluff," said Peter Marcus, spokesperson for InterPoker.com and creator of Extreme Poker. "Trying to concentrate in a bustling casino during the World Series of Poker is tough -- but after taking a bad beat and plunging to the desert below, the main event should be a walk in the park for our InterPoker players.
After fifteen minutes of flying, online qualifier Patrick Neary was the first to bust out and be pushed out the door. Minutes later, Nick Grudzien called an all-in move from Phil Laak, and sent the Unabomber packing his chute and freefalling above the desert.
"The pressure in this game was unbelievable, knowing that if someone called my bluff, I would have to jump out of a plane," said Laak. "Now that I'm done, I want to get right back up there and do it again."
Grudzien made quick work of his remaining two opponents, and emerged from the plane the latest Extreme Poker champion. After landing with the plane and thanking his competitors, Grudzien promptly re-boarded the plane for a personal skydiving adventure. As the newest Extreme Poker Champion, Grudzien not only has earned a place in the Extreme Poker Hall of Fame, alongside pros such as World Poker Tour event winner Juha Helppi and 2002 WSOP Main Event winner Robert Varkonyi, he will also receive a buy in and all expense paid trip to the 2006 Caribbean Poker Classic in St. Kitts, a package valued at $13,000.
"Everything about this tournament was extreme -- the height, the heat of the Vegas desert and the amazing skill of my competitors," said Grudzien. "I can honestly say this has been one of the toughest tournaments of my life, and I am grateful to InterPoker.com for giving me the opportunity to come to the World Series of Poker and participate in Loser's Leap, as well as the chance to unwind and play some poker in the Caribbean later this year."
Later this week, Grudzien will test his luck and put his skills to the test and he competes against over 6,000 poker pros and online qualifiers and the biggest World Series of Poker in history.
About InterPoker
Founded in 2002, InterPoker has quickly become one of the largest and most respected online poker rooms. Owned and operated by InterCasino, one of the oldest, most awarded and largest online casinos in the world, InterPoker partners with NETELLER.com, a publicly traded company on the London AIM exchange to transfer funds securely and conveniently, ECash Direct, one of the most reliable and trusted e-commerce applications in the world, which has processed more than $43 Billion in uncompromised electronic transactions for customers in more than 240 countries and industry software leader CryptoLogic, Inc., one of the few gaming software companies certified to strict standards similar to land-based gaming.
Built for Extreme Expectations -- Club Car Introduces All-New 4x4 Utility Vehicles
-- Club Car has combined safety and comfort with power and agility to create the XRT1550 series utility vehicles that will please outdoor enthusiasts as well as those with demanding outdoor chores. The XRT1550 series features rugged, automotive-inspired styling, which complements the vehicles' powerful engines, true all-wheel-drive capability and spacious seating.
Automotive Styling
With its stylized grill, rounded hood and heavy-duty side panels, this series of utility vehicles is in a class by itself. The XRT1550's body was designed by specialists in the automotive industry, and the result is an exciting departure from traditional design standards.
Exclusive Features for Safety, Strength, Versatility
Great looks are just the beginning. The XRT1550 series features the exclusive IntelliTrak technology with the industry's only fully automatic, All-Wheel-Drive system. By continually sensing driving conditions, IntelliTrak automatically engages and disengages All-Wheel-Drive without requiring the driver to stop, shift gears, push buttons or lock differentials.
In addition, the XRT1550 series offers more feature options than any other utility vehicle. With choices of bench or bucket seats, standard or heavy duty suspension, mud or all terrain tires, Honda gas or Kubota diesel engines, the XRT was designed with the individual in mind. For superior riding comfort, the XRT1550 series offers a 2-seater vehicle and a 4-seater vehicle. Each seat is equipped with a retractable seat belt, and the entire passenger area is protected by Club Car's standard certifies Roll Over Protective Structure.
The XRT1550 series offers two engine options - a 20 hp, 614 cc Honda V Twin gas engine or 20 hp, 719 cc Kubota diesel engine. Both offer superior strength and deliver maximum durability to handle any job, from transporting hunters with gear through mountainous terrain to hauling riders and equipment across the farm.
Designed for maximum strength and long life, XRT1550 features a rust- proof, aircraft-grade frame and a total payload capacity of more than 3/4 ton. What's more, the fully independent front suspension, swing arm rear suspension, and automotive-style four-wheel hydraulic disc brakes contribute to the vehicle's overall durability.
Additional features of the XRT1550 include: -- 800 - 1,050 lbs. bed load capacity, based upon standard or heavy-duty suspension -- Roomy cargo box (48" x 49.8" x 10.9") -- Adjustable tilt steering column -- 25" Mud tires (all terrain tires also available) -- 12" floor-to-ground clearance -- The industry's best warranty (limited two-year, 2,000 hour coverage)
The MSRP on the XRT1550 is $9,400 for the gas engine and $10,750 for the diesel engine. The XRT1550 SE (gas) is $11,850 and $13,000 (diesel). For more information on the XRT1550 series or to find a local dealer, visit http://www.clubcar.com/ .
About Club Car
Club Car ( http://www.clubcar.com/ ) manufactures a wide range of electric- and gasoline-powered vehicles for the golf, utility, transportation, private owner and rough terrain markets. Based in Augusta, Ga., Club Car is part of the Compact Vehicle Technologies Sector of Ingersoll Rand, a leading diversified industrial company providing products, services and integrated solutions to industries ranging from transportation and manufacturing to food retailing, construction, and agriculture. With a 100-year-old heritage of technological innovation, Ingersoll Rand helps companies worldwide to be more productive, efficient and innovative. For more information, please visit http://www.ingersollrand.com/ .
Acura TL Becomes First U.S. Model Exported to China by Japanese Luxury Nameplate
Number One Acura Seller Goes On-sale in September
Acura took a major step forward in its global plans with the export of the first U.S.-made Acura vehicle to China, the company announced today.
Scheduled to go on-sale beginning in September at newly constructed Acura dealerships in key metropolitan areas of China, the first shipment of TL performance luxury sedans was off-loaded at the port of Shanghai earlier this week. Designed, developed and assembled in the United States, the sporty TL is the number one selling Acura model in the U.S., and will be sold alongside the top-of-the-line RL luxury sedan.
"We are excited about Acura's expansion to China this year and look forward to launching the brand in Japan in 2008," said John Mendel, senior vice president automobile operations. "China is one of the fastest growing markets in the world and we are confident that Acura will be at the forefront of China's luxury automobile market."
Sales of three thousand Acura vehicles are projected during the first twelve months of operation.
The Acura TL is assembled exclusively in the United States in Marysville, Ohio and is also exported to Canada and Mexico.
About Acura in the United States:
Acura celebrated its 20th anniversary in the United States on March 27, 2006 and offers a full line of technologically advanced luxury performance vehicles through a nationwide network of more than 260 dealers throughout the United States. The 2007 Acura lineup features five distinctive models, the RL luxury sedan, the TL performance luxury sedan, the TSX sports sedan, the turbo-charged RDX luxury sport utility vehicle and the award-winning MDX luxury SUV. For more information about Acura vehicles, please visit www.acura.com.
Source: Acura
Ford Motor Company, Ford Global Technologies, LLC and UGS Establish Commercial Innovation and Software Marketing Alliance to Jointly Develop New Commercial Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) Technology
Ford Motor Company and Ford Global Technologies, LLC Select UGS to Be the First PLM Commercial Software Company to Work With Ford's Innovation Acceleration Center
UGS Corp., a leading global provider of product lifecycle management (PLM) software and services, Ford Motor Company and Ford Global Technologies, LLC (FGT), a wholly owned subsidiary of Ford that manages all intellectual property and technology commercialization matters for Ford Motor Company, today announced an alliance which will focus on accelerating the delivery of PLM commercial products that enable innovation within the vehicle development process. The new PLM solutions will help Ford and other UGS customers to be more innovative. UGS is the first PLM commercial software company to work with the Ford Innovation Acceleration Center.
Through the Ford Innovation Acceleration Center, based in Dearborn, Mich., Ford, and FGT work to reduce cycle time and bring better vehicles to market faster. The alliance between UGS, Ford, and FGT further demonstrates UGS' commitment to work with customers to bring innovative customer-focused automotive PLM solutions to market more quickly on a global basis.
This alliance in itself is innovative, allowing Ford and FGT to collaborate with UGS to provide early input to the development of new PLM solutions and to gain immediate access to the new technology, while UGS is able to more quickly bring new commercial PLM software to market. Each party will bring valuable technology know-how and demonstrate an ongoing commitment to working together to create and market new commercial technologies.
"The fact that Ford, one of the most innovative companies in the world, and FGT have selected UGS to be the first PLM software provider to work in the Ford Innovation Acceleration Center shows the trust and confidence Ford has in the hard work and excellent results of the Ford-UGS team," said Tony Hemmelgarn, executive vice president, Global Ford Account, UGS. "UGS shares Ford's deep-rooted commitment to innovation and therefore is the perfect choice to be the first PLM technology provider to work with Ford and FGT in the Ford Innovation Acceleration Center."
UGS has been a key PLM supplier to Ford since 1996, and currently provides PLM solutions to Ford's Product Development, Powertrain Systems, Powertrain Operations, Vehicle Manufacturing Operations and Customer Service Units for all Ford(R) vehicle brands. NX(TM) software, UGS' comprehensive digital product development solution; Teamcenter(R) software, UGS' digital lifecycle management solution; and Tecnomatix(TM) software, UGS' digital manufacturing solution, are all currently deployed within Ford's extended global enterprise.
Last month, Ford Motor Company honored UGS with the Ford Q1 Certification. Ford Q1 Certification designates UGS as a preferred supplier of engineering software products and support, and recognizes the company for achieving excellence in four critical areas: capable systems, continuous improvement, ongoing performance and customer satisfaction. The Q1 certification is the highest commendation Ford gives to its suppliers.
About Ford
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures and distributes automobiles in 200 markets across six continents. With about 300,000 employees and 108 plants worldwide, the company's core and affiliated automotive brands include Aston Martin, Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lincoln, Mazda, Mercury and Volvo. Its automotive-related services include Ford Motor Credit Company.
About Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Ford Global Technologies, LLC, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Ford Motor Company based in Dearborn, Mich., that manages all intellectual property and technology commercialization matters for Ford Motor Company. FGT has offices globally and supports all Ford brands and automotive services worldwide. For more information on FGT and technology available for licensing, visit http://www.fordbetterideas.com/ .
About UGS
UGS is a leading global provider of product lifecycle management (PLM) software and services with nearly 4 million licensed seats and 46,000 customers worldwide. Headquartered in Plano, Texas, UGS' vision is to enable a world where organizations and their partners collaborate through global innovation networks to deliver world-class products and services while leveraging UGS' open enterprise solutions, fulfilling the mission of enabling them to transform their process of innovation. For more information on UGS products and services, visit http://www.ugs.com/ .
Note: UGS, Transforming the process of innovation, Tecnomatix, Teamcenter and NX are trademarks or registered trademarks of UGS Corp. or its subsidiaries in the United States and in other countries. FORD is a trademark or registered trademark of Ford Motor Company Corporation or its subsidiaries in the United States and in other countries. All other trademarks, registered trademarks or service marks belong to their respective holders.
The statements in this news release that are not historical statements, including statements regarding the expected benefits of the announced alliance, the successfulness of the technology developed and other statements identified by forward looking terms such as "may," "will," "expect," "plan," "anticipate" or "project," are forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from such statements, including, among others, risks relating to loss or downsizing of customers, competition, international operations and exchange rate fluctuations, changes in pricing models, and intellectual property. UGS has included a discussion of these and other pertinent risk factors in its annual report on Form 10-K most recently filed with the SEC. UGS disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
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