The latest auto trend is creating a greener lineup of vehicles. This is an industry effort to lessen foreign oil dependence, improve mileage, and at the same time respond to global warming concerns.

The most recent addition to the automakers green list is Daimler AG. The German automaker said last Monday that it has launched a global initiative focused on hybrid technology aimed at drastically reducing the emissions and fuel consumption of commercial vehicles, said Market Watch.

"Hybrid technology plays a key role in these vehicles, as it can reduce diesel consumption by up to 30%," Daimler said in a statement. “The initiative encompasses all of the globally networked research and development activities in the area of alternative drives and fuels for all of the brands at Daimler Trucks and Daimler Buses.”

Hybrids combine an electric motor and an internal combustion engine. Daimler is the world's biggest producer of commercial vehicles by sales.

“The global market for commercial vehicles is expected to rise by 50% over the next ten years, powered mainly by growing demand in Brazil, Russia, India and China,” said the Head of Daimler Trucks, Andreas Renschler, in a press conference in Stuttgart. He added that he remains optimistic for the overall truck market in 2008.

The company, meanwhile, said that customers will test the Mercedes-Benz Atego BlueTec Hybrid and Citaro G BlueTec Hybrid at the beginning of 2008. European customers will conduct fleet tests with 10 Canter Eco Hybrids from 2008 onward, it added.

In a statement, the company has this to say: "Daimler plans to employ alternative drive systems in additional vehicle models and regions, focusing primarily on hybrids. In North America, Freightliner will manufacture 1,500 M2 hybrid trucks over the next three years and also produce a hybrid version of a Thomas Built school bus.”

In Europe, the maker of Mercedes radiators will deliver the first Atego BlueTec Hybrids to shoppers in Germany, France and the Czech Republic in 2008.

Daimler said that it is investigating the possibility of using alternative fuels in order to preserve fossil sources of energy. According to Daimler, the most promising fuels from renewable resources are vegetable oil-derived hydrated fuels and BTL, or biomass to liquid, fuels.

The company said, because hybrid vehicles cost a third more than comparable diesel vehicles, economic aspects will play a crucial role in the acceptance of alternative drive systems. Although the overall cost of ownership of hybrid vehicles is improved by their fuel savings, incentives will be needed for at least a few years following the market launch, the automaker concluded.

The high-speed adrenaline-pumping online auto magazine, Edmunds.com, has proclaimed the winner of the Inside Line Sport Sedan Comparison Test. And the top notch performer is no other than the 2007 Infiniti G35 Sport! The competition was fierce, intense and hot as the Nissan Altima radiator.

Here are the five evaluated sports sedans tested by www.edmunds.com according to TheAutoChannel.com:

• 2007 BMW 335i (MSRP $46,650 and Edmunds.com True Market Value® (TMV®) of $44,290), equipped with a six-cylinder, 300-horsepower engine and six-speed automatic transmission;
  
• 2008 Cadillac CTS(MSRP $44,715 and TMV® of $44,159), equipped with a six-cylinder, 304-horsepower engine and six-speed automatic transmission;
  
• 2007 Infiniti G35 Sport (estimate $36,800 and TMV® of $34,928), equipped with a six-cylinder, 306-horsepower engine and five-speed automatic transmission;
  
• 2008 Lexus IS350 (MSRP $47,815 and TMV® of $47,651), equipped with a six-cylinder, 306-horsepower engine and six-speed automatic transmission; and
  
• 2008 Mercedes-Benz C350 Sport (MSRP $41,935 and TMV® of $41,841), equipped with a six-cylinder, 268-horsepower engine and seven-speed automatic transmission.

"All five of these sedans are excellent cars and it’s hard to find a reason not to buy any one of them," reports Edmunds’ Inside Line Senior Road Test Editor Josh Jacquot. "The Infiniti G35 Sport’s engaging driving character, high feature content and low cost were especially appealing."

Vehicle Rankings from 2007 – 2008 Sport Sedan Comparison Test
1. 2007 Infiniti G35 Sport
2. 2007 BMW 335i
3. 2008 Cadillac CTS
4. 2008 Lexus IS350
5. 2008 Mercedes-Benz C350

Chrysler recently announced that they will showcase a bunch of heavily customized vehicles from their various brands at this year's SEMA show. The much-awaited show opened this week. The SEMA show represents a nearly 40-billion dollar parts and accessories industry, and is a common ground for suppliers and manufacturers to meet under one roof. But the show is open only to select few.

Auto experts at Chrysler called Mopar Underground gave their time to create the SEMA machines. Two of the coolest products include the Jeep Wrangler JT and the Dodge the Avenger Tuner Stormtrooper.

The Jeep Wrangler JT caters to the Jeep owner interested in uniqueness and accessories. The model rides on the same wheelbase as the Wrangler Unlimited, though it sees the vehicle fitted with a rear cargo bed and capped by an easy-to-use removable hardtop, said Auto123.com. The manufacturer of Jeep shocks must be really proud of the new car.

For Dodge aficionados, the Avenger Tuner Stormtrooper is engineered to lure adult tuners with an admiration for technical supremacy and performance. This car was inspired by the technical yet organic look to Star Wars Stormtrooper costumes, while its driving experience epitomizes the fusion of technology, comfort and power.

Stormtrooper is equipped with a software re-tuned 4.0 liter engine driving all four wheels and exhaling through Borla plumbing for killer sound effects. Forged 20-inch wheels and xenon lighting add to the cars' visual flare.

"Our diverse team which changes frequently has been developing SEMA concepts for more than five years. It's the usual 'enthusiast' suspects from our union shops [plastic, paint, metal and wood], Product Design Office, SRT and Mopar Performance Parts and engineering," said Ralph Gilles, Chrysler's VP of design.

"Every year, we push the boundaries of conventional thinking -- customizing with no limits to creative expression and freedom, just the power to imagine. We want to build customized concept vehicles for SEMA that flex the potential in our platforms, show that Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge vehicles are indeed designed for customization and keep the Mopar spirit and passion alive," Gilles concluded.

2007 Jeep Wrangler JT Concept

Engine Location: Front
Drive Type: 4WD
Introduced At: 2007 SEMA

Engine
Engine Configuration V
Cylinders 6
Aspiration/Induction Normal
Displacement 3.80 L | 231.9 cu in. | 3800.8 cc.
Valvetrain OHV
Horsepower 205.00 HP (150.9 KW)
Torque 240.00 Ft-Lbs (325.4 NM)
HP / Liter 53.9 BHP / Liter
Fuel Type Gasoline - Petrol

Dimensions
Bed Length 60.001 in | 1524 mm.
Seating Capacity 2
Doors 2
Exterior
Wheelbase 116.001 in | 2946.4 mm.

Suspension
Suspension 3-inch suspension lift from Superlift

Tires / Wheels
Tires 35-inch BF Goodrich Mud Terrain


2007 Dodge Avenger Stormtrooper Concept

Engine
Type: V6
Displacement cu in (cc): 244 (4000)
Power bhp (kW) at RPM: n.a.
Torque lb-ft (Nm) at RPM: n.a.
Redline at RPM: n.a.

Brakes & Tires
Brakes F/R: ABS, vented disc/vented disc
Tires F-R: 245/35 R20
Driveline: Rear Wheel Drive

Exterior Dimensions & Weight
Length × Width × Height in: n.a.
Weight lb (kg): n.a.

Performance
Acceleration 0-60 mph s: n.a.
Top Speed mph (km/h): n.a.
Fuel Economy EPA city/highway mpg (l/100 km): n.a.

[credits: conceptcarz.com; rsportscars.com]

The DAX Index declined for a third day, spearheaded by Deutsche Bank AG as financial stocks tumbled across Europe. Porsche AG may delay raising its stake.

The DAX Index declined 41.94, or 0.5 %, to 7,807.55. DAX futures expiring in December lost 35, or 0.4 %, to 7,847 at 5:43 p.m. in Frankfurt. The HDAX Index of the country's 110 biggest companies decreased 0.6 %, Bloomberg reported.

Volkswagen dropped 4.08 euros, or 2.1 %, to 187.01 euros. Porsche, the biggest shareholder in Europe's biggest carmaker, may delay raising its stake to more than 50 %, Der Spiegel reported. While Porsche has options that would make a purchase cheaper, Chief Financial Officer Holger Haerter would rather wait for VW shares to decline and in addition make a profit from the options, Spiegel said.

The automaker got to use Volkswagen brake shoes. Something has to put a halt to the present doldrums.

Citigroup Inc. said it may have additional writedowns of as much as $11 billion on subprime-related investments. “Citigroup has made quite clear that the subprime problems are not solved yet and investors are still worried about the extent to which it may affect the financial sector,'' said Oliver Opgen-Rhein, a trader at HSBC Trinkaus & Burkhardt AG in Dusseldorf. “I believe that there is another bumpy week ahead of us.''

Arcandor is also a casualty to the decline. The company’s shares dropped as much as 3.9% before the statement on speculation that the company would lower forecasts, said Thomas Nagel, a trader at Equinet AG in Frankfurt.

“We strongly deny such speculation as our business is very healthy,'' said Arcandor spokesman Joerg Howe.

How bad is the decline? Bloomberg reports:

Arcandor AG (ARO GY) fell 49 cents, or 2.3%, to 21.06 euros. The owner of Germany's biggest department-store chain said third-quarter operating profit rose as sales growth accelerated at the Primondo mail-order unit.

Beate Uhse AG (USE GY) plummeted 19 cents, or 7.2%, to 2.46 euros. The operator of Europe's largest chain of sex shops forecast an annual loss, saying it expects to spend as much as 10 million euros on a ``radical rejuvenation'' of its business this year.

CeWe Color Holding AG (CWC GY) lost 1.52 euros, or 5%, to 28.95 euros. Europe's largest independent photograph developer cut its forecast for pretax profit, citing increased costs for the company's annual general meeting. CeWe reduced its pretax profit forecast to 11.8 million euros from 14.5 million euros.

The company also said third-quarter earnings before taxes rose 7.9% to 21.9 million euros, up from 20.3 million euros a year earlier. It didn't give a reason for the gain.

Dyckerhoff AG (DYK GY) gained 21 cents, or 0.5%, to 44.10 euros. The German cement maker bought by Buzzi Unicem SpA of Italy said nine-month profit soared 75% to 180 million euros ($261 million) on demand in Europe and higher prices for ready-mixed concrete.

European Aeronautic, Defence & Space Co. (EAD GY) tumbled 87 cents, or 3.8%, to 22.02 euros. The parent of Airbus SAS said it will book expenses of as much as 1.4 billion euros because of delays to the delivery schedule for its A400M military transport plane.

Solarworld AG (SWV GY) shed 2.04 euros, or 4.4%, to 44.37 euros. Germany's second-largest solar-energy company said profit more than halved to 30.6 million euros in the third quarter.

Thielert AG (T3C GY) lost 1.02 euros, or 6.4%, to 14.99 euros. Citigroup cut its price projection on shares of the maker of propeller engines for aircraft to 22 euros from 28 euros.

Soothe yourself with an array of cool sounds this coming holiday season with XM’s collection of great music channels to feed our souls with different types of harmony! The country’s number one satellite radio service with over 8.5 million subscribers has once again confirmed that it will provide a selection of committed holiday music channels this coming joy to the world season. Subscribers can now choose from the various channels and they can add it up into their exciting driving experience this holiday. It’s a great thing when you get to listen to the best songs while enjoying the humping and bouncing of your Infiniti shocks!

XM started off with their seasonal programming a few days ago with the launching of modern holiday hits channel "Holly" (XM 103).

XM Holiday 2007 Channel programs published at TheAutoChannel.com:

• Holly (XM 103) - Available beginning November 1 at 12 midnight ET through January 1. Features contemporary holiday hits mixed with selected traditional favorites from popular artists, including Bruce Springsteen, Amy Grant and more.
  
• Holiday Traditions (XM 104) - Available November 19 at 12 midnight ET through December 25. Features traditional holiday recordings from the 1940s through 1960s with classic artists such as Bing Crosby, Nat "King" Cole and more.
  
• Music City Holiday (XM 105) - Available November 19 at 12 midnight ET through December 25. Features contemporary and traditional holiday hits from popular country music artists, including Faith Hill, Kenny Rogers, and more.
  
• A Classical Christmas (XM 106) - Available November 19 at 12 midnight ET through December 25 Features traditional holiday carols performed by celebrated classical musicians Luciano Pavarotti, Mormon Tabernacle Choir, and many others.
  
• Special X-Mas (XM 107) - Available November 19 at 12 midnight ET through December 25 Features a unique mix of novelty songs, parodies, and retro oddities by a broad range of artists, including Cheech and Chong, Bob Rivers, Weird Al, Tiny Tim, Monty Python, and more.
  
• Radio Hanukkah (XM 108) - Available December 4 at 12 midnight ET through December 12

The Asian auto market is growing steadily and the number of automakers expanding their operations on Asian countries also increases steadily. Recently, Swedish automaker Volvo announced that they will add their flagship to their offering in the Chinese auto market.

The Volvo S80 which has been praised all around the world for its fusion of performance, style and safety. Said nameplate will become only the second Volvo model to be produced and sold in China. It will be manufactured at the Changan Ford plant in Chongqing. Production of the Volvo S80 in China will commence by the end of 2008.

The first Volvo nameplate to be produced in China is the S40. Production of the said nameplate started last year. Sales of the S40 from January to September is pretty much decent as the Swedish automaker sold 4,730 units of the S40 in China.

Other European automakers like BMW, Audi, and Mercedes-Benz had already started expanding their offering in China and the Volvo S80 will be in place to compete with other luxury vehicles. The S80 boasts of Volvo's Scandinavian Luxury which fuses functionality and simplicity to come up with an interior that fits the need of families.

Today, S80s are still being imported to China. There are five versions of the Volvo S80 and four of them are already being offered in the Chinese auto market. The only variant not being offered currently in China is the S80 equipped with a V-Type engine. But with local production slated next year, Chinese consumers can expect to have more powerful S80s made available to them. The S80 will be of great help not only in the success of Volvo but also of Ford which owns the Swedish auto brand.

Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach recently ordered an increase in royalties on oil and gas.

Stefan Schulhof, Calgary real estate adviser, said it's about time. Schulhof stands with a majority of Albertans who back a plan to increase taxes on energy companies by as much as 20% to help ease a shortage of roads, schools and hospitals. The industry is ''crying wolf'' while reporting record profits, said Schulhof, 53. ''I just don't like the way oil companies are playing games with people's heads.''

Stelmach's decision on royalties could dominate an election if he decided to call a vote seeking a tighter grip on power for the Conservatives, reported Bloomberg. ''This has the potential to be the defining moment for Stelmach, '' said Harold Jansen, an associate professor of politics at the University of Lethbridge. ''The companies ratcheted up their pressure and rhetoric, which increases the political payoff for him if he shows that he stands up to them.''

The province's auditor-general earlier this month estimated at least C$6 billion is needed to replace or repair hospitals, schools and roads. Albertans, meanwhile, said Calgary-based EnCana Corp. and other oil and gas producers need to contribute more. To stress, approximately 88% of respondents in a Leger Marketing poll support higher royalties.

''It's not being tough, it's being fair,'' said Tom Shanks, 42, a foreman at a fabricating shop near Edmonton. ''There's money to be made in Alberta and somebody's going to make it. If it's not these companies, let them go'' because others will replace them.

With 25 years of experience, Shanks said he isn't worried about running out of work even if higher royalties stifle growth adding other industries need skilled tradesmen. He estimated his annual income in recent years averaged about C$100,000.

In 2006, EnCana earned a record $5.65 billion. Stelmach, 56, a former farmer, has pledged to make a decision on royalties this month. He will address the issue “in a general way'' as part of a televised speech scheduled for tomorrow, spokesman Tom Olsen said.

Stelmach will respond to a report by a government-appointed panel that last month called for higher royalties to bring in C$2 billion more a year for the province, whose annual budget is about C$33 billion. The government's share of oil-sands revenue would increase to 64%, from 47%, and its take from conventional oil and gas wells would rise 5 percentage points to 49% and 63%, respectively.

According to an analysis by Wood Mackenzie, an Edinburgh-based consulting firm, the proposals would lower the global ranking for companies' return on investment in oil-sands projects to 73rd out of 104, down from 61st.

“The status quo is not an option,'' Stelmach said Friday in Calgary. Royalties must provide a fair economic rent'' for Alberta's natural resources, he said.

EnCana, North America's biggest publicly traded gas firm, and other Calgary-based producers such as Petro-Canada and Talisman Energy Inc. have taken out newspaper ads or issued public letters to lobby against the proposals, which they say will derail the province's economy.

If Albertans are “upset with regards to the number of Porsches driving around, this isn't the way to solve it,'' Tristone Capital Inc. Chief Executive Officer George Gosbee said. Tristone, a Calgary-based investment bank that works for the oil industry, spent more than C$100,000 on newspaper advertisements. The proposal will have ''catastrophic'' impacts on jobs and provincial revenue if implemented, Gosbee said. Porsche Canada may not anymore be that pleased.

''I'd be lying if I didn't say it was OK money,'' said Schulhof, a real estate adviser at 20/20 Group Inc. ''It's just not enough compared to the increased cost of living. Slowing the rush to develop Alberta's oil-sands may allow time for new technology to reduce the environmental impact of exploiting Alberta's tar sands. The pendulum has swung too far in a boom direction, so we need to calm down. You can't always be rape, pillage and plunder.''

While everybody is too busy developing alternative vehicles particularly plug-in hybrids, Honda Motor Co. has decided not to pursue in bringing up their version of plug-in hybrid vehicles.

According to TheAutoChannel.com, the AIADA newssheet reported that Takeo Fukui, Chief Executive of Honda Motor Co. said that plug-in hybrid gasoline-electric vehicles offered too little environmental advantages for his company to carry on. And the fact that the Chevrolet Volt that GM is planning to unleash in a few years made little sense, explained Fukui.

"My feeling is that the kind of plug-in hybrid currently proposed by different auto makers can be best described as a battery electric vehicle equipped with an unnecessary fuel engine and fuel tank," Mr. Fukui told the Wall Street Journal.

"Assuming that we can come up with a really high-performing battery that we are working on currently, I think a battery electric vehicle [that uses such battery technology] would actually be a plus from an environmental point of view."

Mr. Fukui's safe remarks about an untimely operation of lithium-ion batteries to understand a vehicle like the Chevy Volt went after an equally secured viewpoint outline prior to this week by Toyota. Mr. Fukui worried that Honda could effortlessly build up a plug-in hybrid within two years, said last Tuesday.

"But I don't think that would contribute to the global environment, to reduce [global warming gas] emissions," he said.

The Saab Academy finally opens for all at Road Atlanta in Braselton Ga. where the two-day performance driving school was held. The driving school was only reserved for exclusive Saab Aero model customers only and is only available in the US.

The two-day intensive driver education is filled with lectures that pertain to Saab Aero performance vehicles. The class is composed of 20% classroom lecture and a huge 80% advanced handling exercises to perfect the skill of the trainees. The trainers were from Aero Academy who are professionals in terms of car driving.

Steve Shannon, the Saab Automobile USA General Manager, said, "The Saab Aero Academy is an important element of the overall Saab customer experience. Improving driving skills and learning how to avoid an accident benefit American road-ways. Besides, pushing Saab 9-3s and 9-5s to the limits on a safe, closed course is just plain fun and we wanted to share that experience with as many people as possible. Bottom line, if you love to drive and want to sharpen your skills in a Saab, it's a must."

The Aero Academy enrollees will experience a skid pad so that they will learn how to control the car, The Auto Channel has the story:

• proper steering, throttle and brake responses
  
• "threshold" braking, which teaches how to apply brakes, improve reaction time and avoid brake lockup
  
• a lane change exercise which is designed to improve reflexes and car control skills
  
• a slalom course which tests timing, throttle and steering skills - all while avoiding the orange cones
  
• an autocross, a scaled down race track that tests cornering, braking, acceleration and skid control while using 100 percent of the cars' potential

Just like the Subaru Loyale parts which are very much available for you if you need them, if you wish to enroll on the Saab Aero Academy you can call their number at 800.456.4728 or visit their website at SaabAcademy.com.

The move to get greener is getting a lot of support from high profile individuals. The Auto Channel recently reported that a summit called Hollywood Goes Green will welcome 30 speakers to talk about what the community can do to help in the effort of the global community to protect the environment.

According to the report, this is the first time that something like this has been organized. This is dedicated to help Hollywood professionals take an active role in the promotion of environmental protection.

Zahava Stroud, iHollywood Forum President said: "This conference will address the question: Is Going Green Good for Hollywood’s Business? We believe the answer is yes and that implementing eco-friendly practices are good for the environment and good for Hollywood’s bottom line. We bring together entertainment business executives, creative talent, and environment organizations to share ideas on developing partnerships for a sustainable future."

Mr. Ed Begley, the host of Living With Ed on HGT V is one of the speakers at the said event. He had this to say in connection with event. "I am delighted to support this event, the first conference designed to educate and inspire the entertainment industry professional on how to use our creative talent and business expertise to influence environmental awareness of consumers. This exciting gathering will offer an in depth exchange of ideas among industry influencers who share a common passion to protect the environment."

Here are the topics that will be discussed during the event:

It's Not Just the Color of Money: Why is Being Green Good for Business?

Some Like it Hot: But Not Planet Earth Hollywood Takes On Global Warming and Reducing Carbon Footprints

On The GreenFront: Pitching and Financing Environmentally Themed Films

If You Build It: Creating Sustainable Green Building Design and Renovation

The Customer Knows Best: Green Marketing and Advertising for Film and TV

Easy Rider: Fuel Saving and Energy Efficient Vehicles

The Matrix: Reducing Energy Consumption and Renewable Resources

Developing Environment Strategies for Production and Post Production

Music and Record Industry

The Paperless Chase: Adopting Paperless Practices

Special Events, Party Planning and Travel