Not quite forty years ago, Frank Borman, James Lovell and William Anders became the first humans to leave earth orbit. How many of us remember being on edge with the many "Apollo 8, this is Houston ... Apollo 8, this is Houston ... Apollo 8, this is Houston ..." calls before they answered, and we were aware that they had survived the trip around the moon.

LeaseTrader.com Says it's OK To be a 'ReGifter'

As American drivers begin to think about increased holiday travel in coming weeks, the cost of fueling the family car is higher than it has ever been in November. With this in mind, officials at the country's largest tire manufacturer, The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, are reminding motorists to seek an often overlooked cost advantage at the pump - the air pump.

For the second time in as many years, the National Insurance Crime
Bureau (NICB) is launching another free service to help protect the
nation's consumers.

Over one million vehicles have been stolen annually in the United States
since 1986. With an annual average recovery rate of just 63 percent,
several million vehicles remain unaccounted for and could possibly end
up being purchased by unsuspecting consumers.

To help prevent innocent people from buying a stolen vehicle and to help
recover stolen vehicles that may enter the commerce stream in the
future, NICB today is activating the nation's first Unrecovered Stolen
Vehicle Database as a free service to the public.

Anyone anywhere can now run a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
through this database and determine if it has been reported stolen by
one of NICB's over 1000 member insurance companies.

To check a vehicle simply visit the NICB web site, http://www.nicb.org,
and follow the on-screen directions for the VINCheck search feature
which is located on the home page.

In recent months, NICB Special Agents have identified numerous stolen
vehicles that were in the process of being sold by auto dealers or
restored by collectors. These examples demonstrate how even car-savvy
people can be duped into unknowingly buying a stolen vehicle. If it
happens to experts then the risks are even greater for ordinary
consumers.

Seeing a way to help mitigate that risk and to provide another free
service to help protect the nation's drivers, NICB sought and received
the cooperation of its member companies to make this feature possible.

It was in this same spirit of cooperation and assistance that NICB's
member companies provided their Hurricane Katrina-related auto claims
information to create the flood vehicle database. This unprecedented
effort was launched on October 17, 2005, and amassed over 300,000
vehicle and boat records which gave prospective buyers critical
information to prevent the fraudulent sale of potentially flood-damaged
vehicles.

The National Insurance Crime Bureau is the nation's leading non-profit
organization exclusively dedicated to preventing, detecting and
defeating insurance fraud and vehicle theft through information
analysis, investigations, training and public awareness.

Anyone with information concerning auto theft and insurance fraud can
report it anonymously by calling toll-free 1-800-TEL-NICB
(1-800-835-6422) or by visiting our web site.

It's hard to believe that fifty years ago today, when tailfins defined
the cutting edge of automotive styling and a handful of import auto
companies struggled to sell 83,000 units, Toyota Motor Sales (TMS),
U.S.A., Inc. began marketing quality cars and trucks in
the United States.

TMS opened for business in America on October 31, 1957, in Southern
California, and started selling cars the following summer. By the end of
1958, it had sold just 287 Toyopet Crown sedans and one Land Cruiser --
a far cry from 2006 sales of more than 2.5 million cars and trucks.

"Over the years, our philosophies of continuous improvement and customer
satisfaction have evolved but continue as the ultimate drivers of our
success," said Jim Lentz, TMS executive vice president. "We remain
focused on providing American consumers with innovative, quality
products for the next fifty years and beyond."

Fifty years ago, the company started with just two models and 45
dealers. Today, the Toyota, Scion and Lexus lineups feature 27 models
offered by more than 1,400 dealers across the nation.

After the Toyopet Crown's lackluster sales performance, Toyota spent
seven years carefully studying the needs of American drivers, returning
with a new car, the Corona, in 1965. Designed specifically for American
roads and tastes, the powerful, compact Corona was an overnight sales
sensation and helped establish Toyota's reputation for high-quality,
dependable vehicles.

The Toyota Corolla was introduced to Americans in 1968 and has gone on
to become the world's all-time best-selling passenger car. By late 1975,
Toyota became the best-selling import brand in the U.S., and later
became the first international automaker to surpass annual sales of one
million vehicles in 1986. Also in 1986, Toyota produced its first car
built on
American soil -- the Corolla FX15 -- at the New United Motor
Manufacturing, Inc. plant in Fremont, Calif., a joint venture with
General Motors. Today, Toyota operates ten plants in eight U.S. states
with an eleventh plant under construction in Mississippi.

In 1989, Toyota established Lexus, its luxury line of vehicles, with the
debut of the Lexus LS 400 and ES 250. The brand took off and is now the
best-selling luxury line in America.

Toyota reached another milestone in 1997, when the Toyota Camry became
the best-selling passenger car in the U.S., a title it has held for nine
of the past ten years. A year later, Toyota launched its first
full-sized American pickup, the Tundra.

Toyota marked the start of the new millennium with the launch of the
Prius sedan, the world's first mass-produced hybrid gas-electric
vehicle.

Three years later, Toyota's new, breakthrough hybrid technology, the
"Hybrid Synergy Drive," was introduced for use in the all-new 2004
Prius, now the best-selling hybrid in the nation.

In 2003, Toyota launched Scion, its third line of vehicles, featuring
three modestly-priced, feature-rich vehicles under an innovative,
youth-oriented marketing program. Bolstered by three strong brands,
Toyota's U.S. annual sales topped two million vehicles for the first
time
in 2004.

Toyota continued expanding its hybrid lineup in 2005 with the
introduction of the world's first luxury hybrid, the Lexus RX 400h, and
the Toyota Highlander Hybrid. Toyota added a hybrid option to its
popular Camry sedan in 2006, and began building it in the U.S. at its
Kentucky plant. That year, the company also opened its tenth U.S. plant
in San Antonio,
Texas, to build full-size pickups along with its first truck plant in
Princeton, Ind.

Also in 2006, Toyota launched the FJ Cruiser with a design that harkens
back to the early years of the rugged Land Cruiser, the only vehicle
Toyota has sold continuously throughout its entire 50-year history in
the U.S. In the same year, Toyota reported sales of more than 2.5
million vehicles for the first time. Lexus was the leading luxury brand
in the U.S. for the
seventh year in a row in 2006, and posted best-ever sales for the tenth
consecutive year.

During this year, its fiftieth anniversary in America, Toyota celebrated
by introducing its largest pick-up truck, the 2007 Toyota Tundra, the
second-generation of its iconic Scion xB urban utility vehicle, and the
world's first V8 hybrid, the Lexus 600h L.

Adding to the celebration, this year also marks the silver anniversary
for Toyota Financial Services (TFS), the finance and insurance brand for
Toyota in the U.S. Growing from modest roots in 1982, TFS is now the
third largest captive financial services organization in the U.S. with
more than 3.5 million active customer accounts and $76 billion in total
assets.

Since 1957, Toyota has invested more than $15.5 billion in its U.S.
operations, and has produced nearly 14 million vehicles in the U.S. In
addition, Toyota affiliates and dealers directly employ more than 34,600
people in the U.S.

• Opened 24 shelters providing displaced residents with a safe place to stay
• Mobilized tens of thousands of cots, blankets, comfort kits, and clean-up supplies
• Volunteers are staffing 75 Emergency Response Vehicles, providing hot meals and snacks to residents, firefighters and first responders
• Red Cross mental health counselors are available to help residents and emergency workers in the affected areas manage the stress and fear that accompanies all disasters

 
Caravan of Ford Escape Hybrids shuttle SAG members and VIPs to the Award of Excellence Star ceremony on Hollywood Boulevard

Ford Motor Company today sponsored and participated in a special event to salute the Screen Actors Guild's Award of Excellence Star on Hollywood Boulevard, which kicks off a year-long celebration of the SAG's 75th anniversary.

Ford Executive Chairman Bill Ford and Sue Cischke, senior vice president, Sustainability, Environment and Safety Engineering, joined Screen Actors Guild President Alan Rosenberg, Secretary Treasurer Connie Stevens, and past presidents Edward Asner, Melissa Gilbert, Barry Gordon, Kathleen Nolan and William Schallert at a celebratory breakfast at the Annex at Hollywood & Highland. Ford was the presenting sponsor of the event, which also was attended by John Sweeney, president of the AFL-CIO and Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.

To highlight Ford Motor Company's commitment to going green, Ford provided 15 Escape Hybrid SUVs to shuttle Screen Actors Guild members and other VIPs from the breakfast ceremony to Hollywood Boulevard where SAG received The Award of Excellence Star from the Hollywood Historic Trust.

"Ford Motor Company understands how vitally important environmental issues are to so many members of Screen Actors Guild and shares a commitment to creating a sustainable future," Bill Ford said. "Introducing our Ford Escape Hybrid to Hollywood today continues a long tradition of Ford's supporting role in movies and television that goes all the way back to our company's Model T."

In addition to Bill Ford, the speakers at the celebratory breakfast included Screen Actors Guild National Executive Director Doug Allen, Screen Actors Guild Foundation President Mitchell Ryan, AFL-CIO President Sweeney and Mayor Villaraigosa.

Many other high-profile Screen Actors Guild members were also in attendance at the event.

Congress has designated the week of October 15 as Teen Driver Safety Week. It's a welcome focus on a vulnerable group of drivers who are at high risk on our roads.

The Ford Mustang convertible, the best-selling convertible ever, is now
the first specialty sports car in history to earn the highest possible
safety ratings in all New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) test modes
performed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
The iconic 2008 Ford Mustang convertible stands alone as the only
convertible of any type that can be called a five-star safety vehicle,
having aced all NCAP crash testing and rollover resistance evaluations.

To achieve five stars in all categories, vehicles must earn the highest
possible safety ratings in:

·    Frontal crash evaluations for both driver and front-seat
passenger
·    Side impact evaluations for both driver and rear-seat passenger
directly behind the driver
·    NHTSA's rollover test, a two-tiered evaluation used to gauge a
vehicle's resistance to rollover

The new Mustang convertible also earned the highest side-impact
performance rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
(IIHS).

"The five-star ratings confirm our own analysis of the safety
performance of this excellent vehicle," said Jim Vondale, director,
Ford's Automotive Safety Office. "The Mustang convertible is another
example of working at all levels to offer a vehicle that is both sporty
and safe. It was developed with a dedicated focus on safety, making it
the highest rated Mustang ever built."

For 2008, Mustang adds standard side air bags to an already
comprehensive safety package. Along with the addition of seat-mounted
thorax side air bags, safety features include the Personal Safety System
– a suite of restraint technologies designed to tailor their
response to the severity of the crash and other factors. The system
includes dual-stage driver and front passenger air bags, safety belt
pretensioners, seat weight sensing system for the passenger seat and
crash severity sensing.

A vehicle occupant's best line of defense in crashes remains the safety
belt. Ford Motor Company's industry-leading technology, Beltminder,
reminds the driver and front-seat passenger to buckle up. The technology
has been installed in more than 20 million vehicles. Both NHTSA and IIHS
have noted the effectiveness of Beltminder as a significant life-saving
technology.

Mustang convertible features a crash-optimized structure designed to
help absorb and dissipate crash energy and maintain occupant compartment
integrity. Ford designs all of its vehicles with the objective of
reducing the risk and severity of injury in a crash. Ford safety
engineers and experts use the most advanced computer modeling technology
in the industry to ensure its vehicles meet or exceed our stringent
internal crashworthiness standards. Ford incorporates an array of other
stringent safety testing in the development of its vehicles, including
frontal offset, side impact and rear impact.

Mustang remains one of the greatest automotive sales success stories of
all time and is America's best-selling convertible. Nearly one out
of every two sports cars sold in this country is a Mustang. The 2008
Mustang intends to hold on to that sales leadership with new available
features that will add personal appeal, including High Intensity
Discharge (HID) headlamps, 18-inch wheels on the V-6 coupe, and an
interior ambient lighting system.

No other SUVs on the market today have achieved NHTSA ratings higher than CX-9 and CX-7

An SUV with Zoom-Zoom and protection. The Mazda CX-9 and CX-7 sport utility vehicles recently received the highest possible ratings in frontal and side impact crashes by the governments' National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). In addition to receiving a five-star frontal and side impact crash-test rating, both the CX-9 and CX-7 received four-star rollover resistance ratings. No other SUV on the market today has received ratings that are superior to the CX-9 or the CX-7.

"This is a true testament to Mazda's advanced safety engineering that both CX-9 and CX-7 received the highest safety honors," said Jim O'Sullivan, President and CEO of Mazda North American Operations. "While other companies can certainly build safe vehicles, we're the only company that delivers that safety with a healthy dose of Zoom-Zoom in every car and SUV."

For its frontal testing, the NHTSA places dummies in a vehicle and crashes it into a fixed barrier at 35 mph. Instruments measure the force of impact to each dummy's head, chest and legs. In the side impact test, a 3,015 pound barrier moving at 38.5 mph is crashed into the side of the passenger compartment of the stationary vehicle.

To help drivers avoid accidents, all Mazda vehicles, including MAZDA3, MAZDA5, MAZDA6, MX-5, RX-8, CX-7, CX-9 and Tribute, are loaded with standard or optional active safety features including Anti-Lock Braking Systems (ABS), Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), Traction Control Systems (TCS) and Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems (TMPS). These systems are standard on every CX-7, CX-9, MAZDASPEED3 and 2008 Tribute. In addition, CX-9 and Tribute are both also equipped with standard Roll Stability Control (RSC), the world's only system with gyroscopic sensors to actively measure and help control both yaw and roll movements.

 Should an accident occur, CX-7, CX-9, MAZDASPEED3 and Tribute also feature passive safety technologies including three-point seat belts for all seating positions, second row Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) child safety restraints, seat belt reminding systems, advanced dual front airbags, front side-impact airbags and air curtains (front and rear) - features that are also available as optional equipment on all Mazda vehicles. In addition, CX-7, CX-9 and Tribute's side air curtains feature standard rollover protection for all rows of seating.

With heavy rain pounding many parts of the country and hurricane season in full swing, there's a good chance that you'll drive through high water that could damage your vehicle. Even though your vehicle may not have been flooded or completely covered in water, the Car Care Council recommends that motorists follow these guidelines to check for damage due to water intrusion or contamination:

·         Check interior carpets, upholstery and door and trim panels for dampness. If they are wet, then the vehicle will need professional attention. If you simply let the carpet dry, it will quickly grow mildew and give off nasty odors. Seat brackets, motors and modules should also be checked for rust and proper operation.

·         Pull the engine oil and transmission fluid dipsticks and differential plug. If the fluid appears milky, diluted, is no longer its original color or is beige in color, then it is likely the pans contain water. The vehicle should be towed to your ASE-certified technician or repair shop. Driving the vehicle with water present may damage the internal parts and require extensive overhaul or repairs. The council reminds motorists that some new synthetic differential fluids may appear to be milky but are not water contaminated. When in doubt, a professional automotive technician should make the evaluation.

·         Check the air filter for water. If it is wet, replace the air filter and change the oil.

·         Check the undercarriage, bumpers, radiator area and frame for mud, grass, dirt, debris and rust. If any of these are present, the vehicle should be washed and cleaned as soon as possible.

·         Have the brake system checked by a professional automotive technician.

·         Check the exterior lights for moisture and water. Replace headlights and bulbs that contain water.

·         Listen for abnormal noises while the engine is running. Make a note of where the noise is coming from and take the vehicle to a professional automotive technician as soon as possible. Pay particular attention to  the alternator, serpentine belt, starter, power steering unit, air conditioner and wheel bearings.

·         Inspect the suspension joints and lubricate as necessary. Many newer vehicles are lubricated at the factory for life; however, these joints should be checked for rust.

"It all comes down to how much water the vehicle took in and where it

reached," said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. "By being

car care aware and following these simple guidelines, you can help minimize

the potential for damage to your vehicle."

The Car Care Council is the source of information for the "Be Car Care Aware" consumer education campaign promoting the benefits of regular

vehicle care, maintenance and repair to consumers. For a copy of the

council's Car Care Guide or for more information, visit http://www.carcare.org.

Breakthrough technology reads messages to you, puts brakes on danger

Years ago, no one would have ever thought to do something as dangerous as read or type a business letter while driving.  Nowadays, it's standard operating procedure for millions of Americans. So hooked on `staying connected,' many people can't ignore their Blackberry's while driving, even though they know it's dangerous-- an alarming trend.  A recent survey by Nationwide Insurance found that 1 in 5 people text while driving.  The numbers jump to 1 in 3 among 18-34 year olds.  Perhaps even more disturbing, insurers predict this trend will only increase as more and more people get access to mobile devices with messaging technologies.

The consequences of reading email while driving can be horrific.  That's what led USTelematics, Inc. to focus on creating technology to keep drivers connected to their messages and their steering wheel.  The result:  Vivee, short for Voice Interactive Voice Enhanced Email.  Vivee is an amazing new service that reads your email or text to you.  That's right, Vivee actually talks; a little animated character or `avatar' appears on the screen of your device and appears to speak incoming messages to you. Your hands stay on the wheel and your eyes stay on the road, where they belong.

"Safety should be our primary concern when driving—that's what makes Vivee such a remarkable and timely development," says Charlene Montalbano, Product Manager of USTelematics, Inc.  "Insurance studies show that distracted drivers cause 80% of all traffic crashes, so several states already have laws banning the use of handheld cell phones while driving.  Now, lawmakers are becoming more precise and targeted in the approach to eliminating driver distractions for drivers by considering laws that specifically ban text messaging and reading email while driving.  Vivee will not only keep your focus safely on the road, ultimately, `she' may help you avoid a ticket."

When you have incoming emails or texts, Vivee alerts you so that you can listen to your messages instead of trying to read them.  Vivee connects to the internet through the Verizon Wireless EVDO high speed network. When Vivee is fully installed in any compatible device, including laptops and USTelematics Multimedia Car Pc's, it also brings full wireless internet connectivity with it, at speeds on par with many DSL services. In its first release, Vivee is compatible with all current windows operating systems and the smart phone.  US Telematics plans to release adapting software for the Apple IPhone by late summer and a IPhone compatible version of Vivee by the end of the summer.

Another option for business and recreational travelers alike is Vivee2go, a portable multimedia device about the size of 2 decks of playing cards.  Vivee2go is particularly attractive to families on the go because it can be linked to Web-augmented GPS navigation and play music and movies-- all in one convenient, compact device. 

While Vivee has broad appeal to just about anyone who wants to drive safely yet still receive emails, Montalbano says another practical benefit is for individuals with vision problems.  "We are excited about the adaptive possibilities Vivee offers," says Montalbano.  "Vivee speaks and reads messages—this will level the playing field in business and education for those with vision disabilities.  The ability to receive emails and texts without human assistance may change the lives of many people."

Vivee was created after USTelematics' CEO Howard Leventhal had a close call with his 6-year-old daughter in the car.  "Howard was driving about 45 mph while texting and he looked up to see a car 100 feet ahead of him—fully stopped," says Montalbano.  "He slammed on the brakes and stopped just inches shy of impact.  Later that night after the adrenalin wore off, the idea for Vivee popped into his head."

The creation of Vivee is a pivotal technological event because it's the type of invention that will dramatically change the way we communicate when we're on-the-go. "We've all become so conditioned to being accessible at all times, we look back and wonder how we ever managed without cell phones," says Montalbano.  "Once PDA's hit the scene, they became indispensable.  Now that you won't be forced to cut the cord on your incoming information with Vivee-- we'll wonder what we did before Vivee!"

 First of its Kind Parent Survey Reveals Perceived Risks and Behaviors

Safety Tips Offered in Both English and Spanish

With the onset of summer, the Automotive Coalition for Traffic Safety (ACTS) is teaming with XM Satellite Radio, the National WIC Association, local health clinics, automobile dealers, state highway safety offices, as well as others to remind parents to actively supervise their children in and around cars.

Each year hundreds of children suffer injuries or death from vehicles backing out of driveways, being trapped in hot vehicles or in car trunks, being strangled by power windows, in vehicles inadvertently put in motion by children moving the shift lever and similar types of incidents. ACTS is aware of at least 100 of these incidents in the U.S. and Canada this year.

"Active parental and caregiver supervision is the key to saving children's lives and preventing injuries," said ACTS president, Phil Haseltine. "It's important for parents to realize that one out of 10 motor vehicle-related child fatalities occur off the public streets, in places like driveways and parking lots," continued Haseltine. "A common thread in these tragedies is that they almost always involve an unattended or unsupervised child."

ACTS today announced the results of a first of its kind parent survey involving 900 parents of children ages 12 and younger. The survey found that:

·         Most parents perceive the risks to unattended children in and around cars as low.

·         Two thirds of parents thought it unlikely or very unlikely that a child in their neighborhood might die from the heat after being left alone in a car.

·         Less than half (46%) thought it was likely that a child in their neighborhood might be hit by a car backing out of a driveway.

·         44% of parents surveyed have known someone whose child was hit by a car.

·         Nearly 9 out of 10 parents (87%) strongly agreed that parents should do a better job of supervising their children in and around cars.

The survey also showed that most parents are taking the correct actions to protect their children in and around cars:

§  On average, parents normally hold a child's hand in a parking lot until the child is at least 7 1/2 years old.

§  Most parents require their children to be in a safety seat or booster seat until age 6 1/2.

§  Nine out of 10 parents say they have never left a child under five alone in a car.

§  Three out of five parents say the same about a child under 12.

"Our research shows that most parents do a pretty good job of supervising their children," said Haseltine. "But with the onset of summer, kids spend more time outdoors and temperatures rise quickly in enclosed vehicles. Parents and caregivers need to be vigilant and actively supervise children, particularly when they are in or around a motor vehicle."

The following tips can help keep children safe in and around motor vehicles:

Ř  Observe - Walk completely around your car before getting in. Know where your children are and teach them to move away from a vehicle when it is started.

Ř  Hold Hands - Most parents hold their child's hand around streets, driveways and parking lots until the child is at least 7 1/2 years old.

Ř  Buckle Up - Set a good example and don't move the car until your children are properly restrained as well.

Ř  Supervise - Nine out of 10 parents say they have never left a child under five alone in a car.  But, they agree that children need more supervision.

Ř  Know your choices - New safety technologies can help keep kids safer around cars.  Pick the devices that are right for your family and try them before buying to make sure they meet your expectations.

This safety information will be shared with parents across the country through national partnerships with XM Satellite Radio, the National WIC Association, the National Automobile Dealers Association, Safe Kids Worldwide, the Governors Highway Safety Association and locally with Unity Health Care in Washington, DC.

These groups, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and others will assist in distributing millions of brochures in English and Spanish. XM Satellite Radio will be airing public service announcements on its 21 Instant Traffic & Weather channels (XM 210-230) and its 24-hour Emergency Alert Channel (XM 247).

Safety tips, a more detailed Parents Report and other information will be available in both English and Spanish on ACTS new dedicated website: http://www.SafetyFeature.org.

ACTS is a nonprofit organization that educates the public and policymakers about traffic safety issues, particularly those associated with occupant restraint systems and other vehicle technologies. ACTS develops educational materials, sponsors research and conducts symposia on a variety of highway safety topics. ACTS' members include DaimlerChrysler Corporation; Ford Motor Company; General Motors Corporation; Mazda North American Operations; Nissan North America, Inc.; Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.; Volkswagen of America, Inc. and the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, Inc.

A national survey from Lexus reveals golfers will do almost anything in

pursuit of the perfect game

Could golfers be America's most driven and obsessive athletes? A new survey from Lexus, in connection with the automaker's involvement with the upcoming U.S. Open Championship, reveals that golfers may be America's most fanatic and persistent athletes. Whether it means skipping out on family obligations or forgoing their next raise, there's almost nothing they won't do to achieve perfection.

§  Abstinence Makes The Heart Grow Fonder. Four out of ten golfers (43%) would readily give up sex for a month in order to have the perfect golf swing! (And more than one in five -- 22% -- would give up their hair!)

§  The Price of Perfection. Another 21% would be willing to sacrifice their next raise.

§  White Lies on The Green. In their never-ending quest for perfection, a majority of golfers have told a white lie about where they were when they were actually playing golf (60%).

§  The Ferris Bueller Syndrome. Two out of three golfers have skipped work in order to play golf (66%). More than four out of ten have skipped church or religious services (43%), and a similar percentage have bailed out on a family gathering (41%).

§  Heads Up, Ladies: If You Can't Beat 'Em, Join 'Em. In what may well lead to a record number of women signing up for golf lessons, 43% of women who golf say the sport has improved their relationship with their significant other.

§  What Would Dr. Phil Say? Three out of ten golfers say if they had to choose, they'd rather have a perfect golf swing than a perfect marriage (30%).

§  The Young and the Restless. More than seven out of ten young golfers ages 18-29 admit they've called in sick and gone to the course rather than to work (73%).

§  Forget Gas Mileage, How Many Clubs Can I Fit in Here? Nearly one out of every two golfers (49%) says when buying a car they check to see how many bags of clubs can fit into the trunk.

§  Swingers of a Different Kind. More than one in five golfers (22%) say their golf skills beat their skills in bed or behind the wheel: they're better at golf than at sex or driving.

In addition to the survey, Lexus has created a multi-faceted program to provide an unforgettable experience for U.S. Open attendees. A Full Swing Golf simulator, located within the Lexus vehicle display tent, will allow golf enthusiasts to take their best shots on a virtual Oakmont course. Players can compete for a chance to win a trip to the 2008 U.S. Open Championship.

Visitors can also have their photo taken with a full-size replica of the U.S. Open trophy in front of a backdrop of the Oakmont course in the Lexus vehicle display tent. Once snapped, participants can download their photo online. Additionally, the automaker will host daily autograph signings with golf legends like Johnny Miller, Chi Chi Rodriguez, and Raymond Floyd.

The 2007 HOT ROD Magazine Power Tour™ To Make Stops Throughout America's Heartland, June 2 through 8

The 2007 HOT ROD Magazine Power Tour™ is a 1,420-mile, seven-day parade of the world's most unique automobiles. Billed as the nation's largest motorized traveling extravaganza, the tour will travel from the banks of Lake Erie through the heartland of America and finish in Little Rock.

The 2007 HOT ROD Magazine Power Tour™, presented by GM Performance

Division and co-sponsored by Flowmaster Exhaust, includes over 100 one-of-a-kind specially designed vehicles as well as thousands of participants driving their own art on wheels. Highlights of the tour include: the GM Performance Division's "Eco Jet", designed and built by NBC Tonight Show star, Jay Leno, and the 2009 Chevrolet Camaro concept vehicle.

The HOT ROD Magazine Power Tour will stop at the following sites for an evening of fun:

    Saturday, June 2     IX Center, 6200 Riverside Drive, Cleveland, OH

    Sunday, June 3       Kalamazoo County Fairgrounds, 2900 Lake Street

                                  Kalamazoo, MI

    Monday, June 4       Downtown Lake Front, 14015 Washington Ave,

                                   Racine, WI

    Tuesday, June 5      Illinois State Fairgrounds, 801 E. Sangamon,

                                  Springfield, IL

    Wednesday, June 6    Roberts Stadium, 2600 Division Street,

                                     Evansville, IN

    Thursday, June 7     Memphis Motorsports Park, 5500 Victory Lane

                                   Memphis, TN

    Friday, June 8       Arkansas State Fairgrounds, 2600 Howard Street,

                                Little Rock, AR

Enthusiasts who want to show their car to HOT ROD editors can purchase a special one-day pass for $20, which includes a vehicle decal and credential for the driver and one passenger. In 2006, more than 200,000 participants and spectators enjoyed the tour.

For more information on the 2007 HOT ROD Magazine Power Tour, please

call 1-877-413-6515 or visit http://www.hotrod.com

MADD Calls Upon Congress to Hold Immediate Hearings to Address Proven Solutions and for Mandatory Alcohol Ignition Interlocks for All Convicted Drunk Drivers

Statement for attribution to Glynn R. Birch, National President, Mothers Against Drunk Driving:

Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) is deeply saddened to learn that alcohol-related traffic deaths are at an all time high since 1992 and is asking the country to commit to the elimination of drunk driving.

According to NHTSA's preliminary Fatality Analysis Reporting System

(FARS) data, alcohol-related traffic fatalities are up to 17,941 for 2006 versus 17,525 for 2005, representing a 2.4 percent increase. Fatalities involving a driver with a .08 BAC or higher rose from 13,613 in 2005 to 13,990 in 2006, representing a 2.8 percent increase. At the same time, overall traffic fatalities are down slightly by 0.3 percent.

MADD is calling upon Congress to schedule immediate hearings and develop a plan of action that is built upon proven solutions. MADD's National Board of Directors will meet with congressional safety leaders on June 7 to discuss its Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving and to lobby for an increased focus on drunk driving. As U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary Peters stated in a press conference this afternoon, MADD will work closely with the Department of Transportation and Governors across the country to reverse these numbers.

The Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving is exactly what it says it is: a road map for a nation without drunk driving. The Campaign calls for intensive, high visibility law enforcement, mandatory ignition interlocks for all convicted drunk drivers, exploration of advanced vehicle-based technology and community support.

MADD believes that the reason people continue to drive drunk, despite the devastating effect it has on families, is because they can. MADD is committed to changing that. Currently, there are several advanced technologies under development that may one day make it impossible for vehicles to be driven by drunks.

Until then, we must rely on proven techniques to reduce drunk driving such as alcohol ignition interlocks and increased high visibility enforcement, in addition to sobriety checkpoints in all 50 states.

There are 1.4 million drunk driving arrests in this country every year and we must make sure these individuals never drive drunk again. Take a stand America. Ask why ignition interlocks are not mandated the next time you read the headline, "family of four killed by repeat drunk driver."

Driving Deaths Peak in Summer Months and SADD/Liberty Mutual Study Shows Parents May Hold the Key to Curbing Teens' Bad Decisions Behind the Wheel.

Some Risky Driving Habits are Significantly Higher among Teens Who Think

       Their Parents are 'All Talk and No Action' About Consequences

As teens flow out of high schools across the country and into their cars, some will tragically contribute to this disturbing statistic: car crashes are the leading cause of death for 15 to 20 year-olds in the United States. Add that to the fact that there are more driving-related deaths in the summer months than in any other season of the year, and parents have reason for concern over their children's safety.

According to Liberty Mutual and SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) research, teens spend 44 percent more hours driving each week in the summer than during the school year. But the research gives parents a solution to keep their teens safe as young drivers exercise their summer freedoms behind the wheel: setting and enforcing consequences for breaking driving laws and family rules curbs speeding, piling in and cell phone use, and increases seat belt usage and adherence to traffic signals.

"It is refreshing to validate the influence parents have on their teen drivers and the fact that the tried and true measures we use to establish appropriate behavior in our children during their younger years -- following through on consequences when expectations are not met -- have the same powerful effect on teenagers," said SADD Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Stephen Wallace.

In a national study of more than 900 high school students with a driver's license, teens who believe their parents would follow through on threatened consequences for breaking a driving law are significantly less likely to say they speed (43 percent report driving 5 mph or more over the limit) than are the teens who say their parents are unlikely to follow through on any penalty (68 percent). Further, only 31 percent of teens who say their parents will enforce a consequence report they drive with more than three passengers in the car, compared to 60 percent of teens who consider their parents are "all talk and no action."

"These findings cannot be overstated. We all know that speeding contributes to crashes, and studies show the crash rate among teens drivers doubles or quadruples with two or three passengers, respectively, when compared to driving alone," said Greg Gordon, Liberty Mutual vice president, Consumer Marketing, citing research from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. "Parents can significantly reduce the likelihood of those behaviors by clearly establishing expectations of their teens and then following through on consequences should those expectations be breached."

Cell Phone Use and Text Messaging

As many states enact or consider legislation to curb cell phone use and text messaging while driving, the SADD/Liberty Mutual research further reveals how parents can influence the effects of these laws. More than half (52 percent) of teens who say their parents are unlikely to follow through on a consequence if they break a driving law report they talk on a cell phone while driving, compared to only 36 percent of teens who believe their parents would indeed penalize them.

And even in the absence of a cell phone law, the research confirms that parents can influence this behavior by establishing their own family rule  about talking on the cell phone and driving -- and enforcing it. Teens who say their parents are likely to enforce a punishment for breaking a family driving rule about cell phones are significantly less likely to talk on the cell phone while driving (37 percent) than are teens who say their parents are unlikely to follow through on any consequence (65 percent).

Applies to Safe Behaviors, Too

The SADD/Liberty Mutual driving research points out not only how parents can deter destructive driving behaviors by setting and following through on consequences, but also how parental enforcement bolsters safe driving habits. Teens whose parents enforce penalties for driving law infractions are more likely to wear their seat belts (89 percent vs. 74 percent), require their passengers to buckle up (82 percent vs. 64 percent), obey stop signs (91 percent vs. 60 percent), and use turn signals (89 percent vs. 76 percent).

Summer Driving Realities

Earlier SADD/Liberty Mutual research (2003) that reveals teens drive 44 percent more hours each week during the summer (23.6 hours) than during the school year (16.4 hours) also spotlights teens' admission to an increase in risky driving behaviors that contribute to crashes.

n       Twenty-three (23) percent of teen drivers are more likely to drive with three or more teens in the car in the summer, compared to 6 percent of teen drivers who are more likely to do so during the school year.

n       Seventy-two (72) percent of all teens report they stay out later during the summer than the school year.  Additionally, 47 percent of teen drivers are more likely to drive late at night during the summer, compared to 6 percent of teen drivers who are more likely to drive late at night during the school year.

n       Twenty-four (24) percent of teen drivers are more likely to drive when tired or sleepy during the summer, compared to 9 percent of teen drivers who are more likely to drive fatigued during the school year.

What Parents Can Do

Liberty Mutual and SADD use seven years of collective driving research to offer these tips to help parents talk to their teens:

1. Know your state's Graduated Driver License laws and restrictions, including unsupervised driving, time of day, and passengers in the car, and enforce them. The Governors Highway Safety Association provides description of each state's laws at http://www.statehighwaysafety.org

2. Set family rules about driving, outline clear consequences for breaking the rules, and follow through.  Liberty Mutual and SADD suggest some rules if they are not covered by your state laws:

n       No friends in the car without an adult

n       No driving after 10 p.m.

n       No use of alcohol or other drugs

n       No distractions while driving, including eating, changing CDs, handling iPods and putting on makeup

n       No cell phone use, including text messaging

3. Continue supervised driving once your child has received his or her license, and reinforce the rules and safe driving habits.

4. Don't relent.  Parents should continue the dialogue with their teens and frequently reinforce the acute dangers of distracted driving, drinking and driving, or using drugs and driving.

5. Order a free copy of "The Road Ahead: Stay Safe at the Wheel" by calling 1-800-4-LIBERTY or any local Liberty Mutual office.  "The Road  Ahead" kit includes a powerful video of teens discussing their driving attitudes and behaviors before and after viewing the HBO Family documentary Smashed: Toxic Tales of Teens and Alcohol, a family discussion guide and a family safe-driving pledge.

6. Download a copy of Liberty Mutual and SADD's Guidelines for Good family Communication from the auto safety section of        http://www.libertymutualinsurance.com

7. Download a copy of SADD's Opening Lifesaving Lines at http://www.sadd.org

Methodology

Liberty Mutual and SADD commissioned Guideline to conduct a quantitative survey with high school students on a wide range of attitudes and behaviors relevant to teens. An entire section of the survey was dedicated to teen driving. The driving report focuses exclusively on the responses of 903 teens with a driver's license from a national sample of 26 high schools in April and May, 2006. The relevant, driving-specific findings can be interpreted at a 95 percent confidence interval with a +/- 3.3% error margin. Analysis of survey subgroups are subject to wider error margins. Percentages in the report may add to more or less than 100 percent due to rounding error or occasions when multiple response answers were accepted.

Research Partners

Liberty Mutual Group (http://www.libertymutual.com) is diversified global insurer whose largest line of business is personal auto based on 2005 direct written premium. The nation's eighth-largest provider of auto and home insurance to individuals, Liberty Mutual is an industry leader in affinity partnerships, offering its personal lines products to employees and members of more than 9,800 companies, credit unions, and alumni and professional associations. Liberty Mutual Group ranks 95th on the Fortune 500 list of largest corporations in the United States. The company, headquartered in Boston, Mass., employs over 39,000 people in more than 900 offices throughout the world.

SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) is the nation's preeminent peer-to-peer youth education organization, with thousands of chapters in middle schools, high schools, and colleges. With a mission of promoting positive decision-making and addressing attitudes that are harmful to young people, SADD sponsors programs that address issues such as underage drinking, other drug use, impaired driving, and teen violence and suicide.

Yeah, breakfast in bed, a nice dinner, chocolates and flowers are nice
but I'd bet she'd REALLY appreciate having her car really cleaned and
spiffed up.

You know how to do it ... even if she keeps it in top shape, a great
detailing would be appreciated. And if it is the cluttered family
hauler, a top to bottom sort out could be in order. Hopefully, you could
enlist the whole family in the effort, so everyone could take part in
showing her some attention.

Happy Mother's Day

Bob

Hey Greg,

I am sorry I have not gotten back to you but the web site looks great!  I looked
at it last week and you guys have done a great job.  It's like night and day. 
The site looks clean, sleek, and very high tech.

Again, I am sorry I did not get back to you earlier but I had school and a
server with 58,000 documents that crapped out on me.  I had to work on the
server for about 20 hours straight.  After that, I have been dragging my butt
and I am sure you know what that is like especially after all the work you have
done on the site.  Your work paid off and the site looks like a million bucks!

Congratulations!!!!!!


Best Regards,

Art Kozel


-----Original Message-----
From: "greg1325" <greg1325@...>
Date: Mon, 30 Apr 2007 13:40:23
To:LetsTalkCars@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [LetsTalkCars] The NEW www.letstalkcars.com

Miami, FL – April 30, 2007 -- Miami based Let's Talk Cars  –  
<http://www.letstalkcars.com/> www.letstalkcars.com  -  the preeminent bilingual
English/Spanish online source for information and analysis of automobiles and
motorcycles for North, Central and South America has announced a redesign of its
popular website including all-new flash technology that will enhance the site
for its readers. 

The new site according to Publisher/Editor Greg Sanchez will have all the
favorite features that readers and enthusiasts have come to expect plus the
addition of video and some extraordinary new flash technology that brings new
pop to the pages of Lets Talk Cars.  

Consumers of the bilingual site both enthusiasts and the casual reader will
continue to enjoy coverage of many of the world's greatest auto shows, up to
date news on the auto and motorcycle industry, and the insight of product
reviews on the newest and latest offerings of manufacturers world wide written
by an international team of experts. 

Reporters from throughout the western hemisphere will also report on everything
from racing to coverage of great drive destinations all available to readers in
Spanish and English. Also look for new features on safety and technology
including in-depth looks at new communications and entertainment systems. 

The new  <http://www.letstalkcars.com/> www.letstalkcars.com is now live in
the World Wide Web. 

For further information, please contact Greg Sanchez or our PR Director John
Goderich at 888-401-4071 or editor@letstalkcars:
<mailto:editor@...> .com

 

Awesome article!  Love the idea!

--- In LetsTalkCars@yahoogroups.com, "greg1325" <greg1325@...> wrote:
>
>
>
>
> Between running errands and shuffling kids to and from practice and
> school, moms have very little time to clean out the crumbs, papers,
> water bottles, fast food wrappers and other stuff that accumulate
in the
> family car. This Mother's Day, May 13, surprise mom with the simple
gift
> of a clean car that will not only make her smile, but will also
lessen
> her driving distractions, according to the Car Care Council.
>
> "Just about every mom knows what it feels like to have a water
bottle
> rolling dangerously close to the brake or gas pedal. Getting this
stuff
> out of the car and giving it a good thorough cleaning will go a
long way
> toward eliminating hazards that can be a distraction to mom, making
for
> safer driving conditions," said Rich White, executive director, Car
Care
> Council.
>
> When cleaning the car, approach the inside first and follow with the
> outside. Remove all trash, including what has accumulated in the
trunk,
> vacuum the inside and clean the windows.
>
> When washing the outside, include the tires and wheels and the
underside
> and fenders to eliminate any road salt or grime. Wheels and tires
should
> be cleaned with a mitt other than the one used to wash the body.
This
> step will avoid contaminating the vehicle's paint with debris from
the
> wheels and tires.
>
> The vehicle should be washed in the shade and using a product sold
> specifically for cars. The council recommends washing one section
at a
> time, thoroughly rinsing away the soap as you go. Clean the fenders
and
> bumpers last since they will have the most dirt and grime that can
> contaminate the wash mitt.
>
> The car should get a final rinse by letting water cascade down the
> surfaces of the vehicle. To avoid water spots, use a chamois or
other
> product made for drying to dry the car. Time permitting, you may
also
> want to wax the car according to the manufacturer's instructions for
> application. Waxing should always be done out of direct sunlight and
> every six months.
>
> Any stone chips, rust or other problem spots identified while
washing
> your vehicle should be taken care of immediately to prevent further
> damage.
>
> For an added touch after the car is clean, consider adding a liter
bag
> or car freshener, or accessorizing mom's car with new floor mats.
>
> The Car Care Council is the source of information for the "Be Car
Care
> Aware" consumer education campaign promoting the benefits of regular
> vehicle care, maintenance and repair to consumers. For a copy of the
> council's Car Care Guide or for more information, visit
> http://www.carcare.org.
>

Rookie Driver Providing Safety-Aids to Raise Awareness

SPRING LAKE, MI -- May 1 -- Parents will do everything in their power to ensure the safety and well-being of their teen children, especially when they first begin driving a car. In an effort to reduce teen driving crashes in communities throughout the country this summer, Internet-based company RookieDriver.Net today announced its national Rally-for-Teen- Driver-Safety campaign. The goal of the rally is for parents nationwide to share the company's Rookie Driver safety-aids with their friends and families, helping increase visibility and raise awareness of new teen drivers. The firm is kicking off the cause by supporting a two-for-one sponsorship that runs now through September 30, 2007.

The campaign gets underway with summer vacation quickly approaching.

Parents have good reason for added concern for their children, as teen drivers hit the roads nationwide in huge numbers during the summer. Teen drivers average 44 percent more hours behind the wheel each week during the summer (23.6 hours) than during the school year (16.4 hours), according to a Liberty Mutual/SADD Teen Driving survey.

"Teen driving statistics are extremely alarming, and increasing awareness of our kids during their first year of driving is so important that it is our company's entire focus," says Corinne Fortenbacher, president of RookieDriver.Net. The Spring Lake, Michigan company manufactures new driver safety magnets and stickers, marketing them online. Their products are designed by teens and specifically identify novice drivers thru a line of trademarked "Rookie Driver" emblems that are placed on cars of teen drive cars.

The Statistics on Teen Driving Accidents Are Staggering

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration:

n       Over 1 million teens are involved in auto crashes every year in the United States.

n       New teen drivers have a 3 in 10 chance of being in a serious traffic accident within their first year of driving.

n       16-year-olds have higher crash rates than drivers of any other age.

n       New teen drivers have 5 times higher crash rates than even 18 year old drivers.

n       The two main factors leading to the high crash rates among 16 year old drivers are immaturity and lack of driving experience, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

"The Rally-for-Teen-Driver-Safety campaign came about after hearing from many of our customers who said they were recommending our products to their friends," said Fortenbacher. "We wanted to help out, and creating a national safety campaign seemed like a great way of increasing awareness towards our cause." For every Rookie Driver car magnet or sticker bought, the company will provide another one to share with a friend or family member.

RookieDriver.Net has grown from a single product launched online in 2006 into a leading provider of products to help identify new teen drivers, according to Fortenbacher. "We continue to create products that are more acceptable to teens, because we enlist their help in the design process.

The premiere of our new product line this year has helped us continue as a national trendsetter in the industry."

Branding their products has also been a key strategy. "Successful branding has been crucial for Rookie Driver in accomplishing our goal of creating an acceptable way to raise awareness of new drivers during their most critical time, their first year of driving," Fortenbacher explained.

"The brand- building of our logo and product line is no different than when you see Starbucks. You immediately recognize the Starbucks name, their symbol and the colors within their logo. We created a universally recognized term and symbol to increase attention toward a very important concern of parents and drivers. So, when other drivers see a Rookie Driver emblem on a car, they immediately recognize there is a novice driver behind the wheel, and they know to be more cautious and forgiving."

"The Rally-for-Teen-Driver-Safety campaign is a way for us to give back to our customers, along with expanding our cause," Fortenbacher concluded.

To learn more about the campaign, visit http://www.RookieDriver.Net

12-Point Evaluation by Occupational Therapists Stresses In-Car Factors Such as Positions for Seat, Steering Wheel, Brakes and Mirrors

BETHESDA, Md., May 1 -- The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) has joined with America's leading senior citizen health and safety organizations to create CarFit, the first program designed to ensure that older Americans have properly adjusted their vehicles to prevent death and reduce injury from air bag deployment and other hazards resulting from a car crash. CarFit was created by the American Society on Aging, in collaboration with AAA, AARP, and AOTA after more than two years of research and development.

"There is no magic birthday number to ascertain driver safety," said Dr. Penelope Moyers, AOTA president. "Each person responds to the aging process differently. The goal of CarFit is to show seniors adjustments that can be made to their individual cars to improve their individual comfort and safety."

Occupational therapists understand the critical demands of driving and how the ability to move about the community affects the quality of life. These health professionals have the skills to evaluate an individual's overall ability to operate a vehicle safely, and, where appropriate, to provide rehabilitation to strengthen skills used in driving. Occupational therapists also have the science-based knowledge to understand progressive conditions and life changes that can affect driving. This perspective helps people maintain their autonomy, independence, and sense of worth.

For more information on how occupational therapists can help older drivers, please point your web browser to -- http://www.aota.org/olderdriver/

CarFit includes a 12-point check list to ensure that senior drivers are sitting properly in their own vehicle and that the driver's seat, seat belt, mirrors, steering wheel, head rest, gas/brake pedals and other controls are positioned properly. Each CarFit evaluation is administered by specially trained volunteers and health professionals such as occupational therapists.

Each CarFit evaluation takes only 15 minutes, and measures for a proper "fit" based on some of the following criteria:

·         Safety belt use,

·         Steering wheel tilt

·         Head restraint setting

·         Positioning to air bag

·         Line of sight of over steering wheel

·         Positioning to gas/brake pedals

·         Mirror adjustment

·         Operation of parking brake ignition key

·         Operation of other vehicle controls

While many driver safety programs are directed toward improving senior safety by addressing the senior's cognitive abilities and skills, CarFit is the first program that determines a senior's proper fit in the vehicle.

A trial version of the program was administered last year with more than 300 senior citizens. The results found that 37 percent of participating seniors had at least one "red flag" issue with the way they were sitting in their car; 10 percent of seniors did not have the right spacing between their steering wheel and chest; and 25 percent did not have the right line of sight over their steering wheel.

"One of the fundamental tenets of occupational therapy is that participation in life is a vital part of maintaining health and wellness," added Dr. Moyers. "By increasing car safety for seniors, we can help them stay mobile and independent."

As part of Older Americans Month, several AAA clubs will unveil CarFit throughout the month of May by offering free car fittings for seniors across the United States. Many occupational therapists will be participating in the events and demonstrating how to adjust seat height, mirror position, proper distance from the steering wheel and other factors.

For a list of CarFit events across the country, please point your web browser to -- http://www.asaging.org/asav2/carfit/calendar_olderadults.cfm