BOCA RATON, Fla., Dec. 8 /PRNewswire/ — Which EB5, http://www.whicheb5.com, an organization which researches regional center programs and provides education and information to potential immigrants, says regional centers have grown in the past year from 30 to 70 nationwide. The company says immigrant investors seeking the right regional center in which to invest their $500,000 will discover there are a few fundamental differences.

“There are essentially only a few types of regional centers,” said Andrew Bartlett, joint managing partner of Which EB5. “In most cases, regional centers invest in real estate-based projects or infrastructure development. There are a few that offer fixed-term loan vehicles and some with business and agriculture investments.”

While regional centers appear similar on the surface, Bartlett said potential investors should look below the surface.

“To increase the chances of a successful EB5 process that results in the return of their investment and a permanent green card, investors need more information than program type,” he said. “They also need to find out about the success rates centers have in obtaining initial green cards, seeing restrictions removed and more.”

The EB5 visa immigrant investor program provides applicants with green cards in exchange for a minimum $500,000 investment in a USCIS-approved regional center. Investments must meet specific requirements and provide for the creation of at least 10 jobs for conditions to be removed from the initial green card.

“Potential immigrants should explore the options in regional centers to increase the chances of a return of the investment and the eventual removal of green card conditions,” Bartlett said. “There are independent, unbiased consultants available to help you do this.”

About Which EB5

The principals of Which EB5 are advocates of immigrant investors and have chosen to be independent by not representing any one regional center. Which EB5 has worked with more than 900 potential immigrants and their families, of which, more than 150 have opted for an EB5 regional center program.

Contact:
Stephen Parnell
561.771.1330 ext.103
stephen.parnell@whicheb5.com

SOURCE Which EB5

But if 2009 has seen its fair share of stressful waiting to see if the deposit
meets its deadline, with the threat of Russian retribution forever hanging
over its former Soviet satellite, the stakes have altered.

A quarter of the gas consumed by Europeans originates in Russia, and 80 per
cent of that supply is furnished via pipelines that cross Ukrainian
territory.

When the flow stopped for two weeks in January, Europe was officially held
hostage – but payments are up to date, and the next one, due on Monday,
ought to land without too much difficulty, even if January and February of
2010 feels a long way away.

Ukraine is one of the countries worst hit by the economic crisis and was
granted a $16.4 billion (£9.9 billion) IMF loan last year, but the money has
been frozen after Ukraine's parliament voted to increase social spending.

Neither are there too many green economic shoots visible to ease the problems,
with the country facing a 15 per cent contraction of its economy this year.

The Europeans are “weary” of unkept promises, such as those to reform the
management of Ukraine's national gas company, Naftogaz, says Susanne Nies,
an energy expert with the French Institute of International Relations.

“The long-term outlook of the EU jars with Ukraine's very short-term view,
marked by the absence of a state of law, by the lack of governmental
responsibility inherited from 70 years of Soviet rule and by a clan-like way
of running its businesses,” she said.

In such conditions, “no investor, not even Russia, is ready to put one euro
into the system,” she added.

Ukraine's presidential election, due on 17 January, adds to the uncertainty.

“We can hope for a gentleman's agreement on the part of the Russians so as not
to disrupt the vote, but a gas crisis is absolutely not out of the
question,” said a European diplomat.

“I wouldn't rule out an interruption to supply after the election,” added
another diplomat.

Yet Russia “gains no advantage” currently from turning off the taps, because
rival gas companies within the EU will seize on such a turn of events to
renegotiate their contracts, a European official said.

Russian gas contracts are agreed for the long term, but the economic crisis
has seen a spectacular drop in industrial consumption.

Earlier this year, Russia agreed to reduce the volume of gas that Kiev must
acquire this year without imposing potentially crippling
multi-billion-dollar fines, going from 52 billion cubic metres (bcm) of
Russian gas next year to only 33.7 bcm.

The European gas companies would love such a negotiating opportunity,
especially with gas prices having fallen in line with demand and Russian gas
suddenly looking expensive.

“The market reality has changed in the last year,” said Nies. “Consumers can
for instance buy liquefied natural gas elsewhere for less money.”

At Friday's talks, Ukraine is also expected to agree to a “rapid alert
mechanism” allowing for the urgent dispatch of EU observers to check
Ukrainian delivery channels… and establish just who, between Kiev and
Moscow, is pulling their chain.

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The Glass Steagall Act (not Glass Stiegel Act, as some misspell) was setup over 70 years ago by the United States Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. The Glass Steagall/Glass Stiegal Act was repealed 9 years ago in 1999 by President Bill Clinton. Some of the current financial problems in the United States in the mortgage industry could potentially be in part due to the repeal of the Glass Steagall Act. This has caused numerous financial advisors to look into the repeal Glass Stiegel Act.

Stiegel History of the Glass-Steagall Act repeal:

According to Forbes magazine, the formation of the Glass-Steagall Act arose in 1933. It was formed by Congress shortly after the stock market plumetted in 1929 while there was bank collapse across the United States (source). Essentially, the Glass Stiegel Act “separated investment and commercial banking” and may have potentially “hindered the establishment of financial services firms that can equally compete against each other” (source), which led to the repeal of the Glass Steagall Act.

Glass Stiegel Repeal Information: Did the Glass Steagal Repeal Destroy the American Economy?

The Glass Steagall Act helped compartmentize the U.S. financial industry in an effort to prevent future collapses and failures of U.S. banks such as what happened in the '30s. With the repeal of the Glass Stiegel/Glass Steagall act, the door was opened for a repeat of the pre-Glass Steagall Act era.

Stiegel History: Repeal of the Glass-Steagall Act

According to PBS Frontline, it took decades to repeal the Glass Stiegel Act. The Glass Steagall Act was finally repealed in 1999 after what Frontline calls “12 attempts in 25 years,” with “Congress finally repeal Glass-Steagall, rewarding financial companies for more than 20 years and $300 million worth of lobbying efforts. Supporters hail the change as the long-overdue demise of a Depression-era relic” (source).

Steagall Repeal History: Why the Glass Steagall Act Was Necessary:

One of the reasons the Glass-Steagall Act was important for the financial security of the United States was because of bank speculation, much like what is happening in the current subprime mortgage crisis in the U.S. Back in the 1930s, many American banks were said to be dangerously speculative. Many banks, in the hopes of reaping financial rewards, took large risks, thus endangering the entire financial market. The Glass-Steagall Act was created to prevent such speculation on behalf of the banks.

Do we need to undo the Glass Stiegel repeal? Only time will tell as the current Bush administration battles the financial crisis in the United States. A new form of the Glass-Steagall Act may be necessary to revive the U.S. markets.

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The credit rating agency Standard & Poor's cut its outlook for the Kingdom of Spain  to “negative” on Wednesday,
marking the third time this week the credit agencies have raised concerns about the financial health of governments worldwide.

S&P affirmed its long-term “AA+” credit rating for Spain but cut the outlook from “stable” saying the country “will
experience a more pronounced and persistent deterioration in its public finances and a more prolonged period of economic weakness
versus its peers.”

The cut in the outlook indicates that Spain's credit rating might be at risk for a downgrade over the next two years, S&P
said, unless the government takes “more aggressive actions” to tackle the country's indebtedness. The agency projects Spain
to have a debt burden at approximately 67% of its GDP in 2010. 

“Spain's sizable fiscal
and economic imbalances requires strong policy actions, which have not yet materialized,” said S&P analyst Trevor Cullinan
in a statement.

The news about Spain, which is a member of the Eurozone, had an immediate impact on the markets. The euro lost its earlier
gains against the dollar and commodity markets sold off. The iShares MSCI Spain Index (EWP), which tracks 85% of Spanish-traded stocks, was down 1.2% in Tuesday trading. Banco Santander
(STD), the country's largest bank, was
down 3.5%.

Spain is the latest country to face market concerns that the multiyear recession and trillions of dollars in stimulus might
impair government balance sheets over the long term. Fitch cut its credit rating on Greece one step on Tuesday while Moody's
issued a report saying that the U.S. and U.K's “Aaa” ratings might be at risk over the long term.

“In general the Brits do overdo it,” said Al Griffiths, an English doctor who has been based in Val d'Isère for 12 years. “It's in the culture of the place: you go skiing, you have a vin chaud, you have an après- ski beer, you have wine with dinner in the hotel and before you know it you've gone over your weekly limit.”

The bawdy reputation of “les Anglais” is well-established. Taxi drivers despair of British students trying to walk home on their own; barmen chuckle at miniskirts worn at -15C. Even the tourists themselves recount vomiting in the snow and falling over. One former doorman said: “Stand outside Dicks [Tea Bar, a popular venue] when the season has taken off and you'll see a dozen or so guys dressed as Tarzan in leather pants.”

It is this culture of drinking with little regard for the Alpine conditions which the Foreign Office warns can lead tourists into risky territory, from minor mishaps such as lost passports to more serious, potentially fatal accidents.

Consuming alcohol when 1,850m above sea-level can make people feel drunk more quickly and when inebriated they are much less equipped to deal with the slippery ground and sub-zero temperatures, it points out.

While Griffiths says it is hard to tell which of the many ski-slope accidents during the season are directly caused by alcohol, he believes there is at least one alcohol-related death – and many more near misses – in Val d'Isère alone each year. Already this month, he said, a British girl working in a local chalet had been found walking home on her own in the early hours, with no coat on and no idea where she was going.

As ski resorts come under greater scrutiny, an atmosphere of blame and suspicion has set in. Bar owners are defensive and keen to stress they refuse to serve anyone who is obviously drunk.

Tour operators such as Wasteland and Off the Piste – the company formerly known as On the Piste with which Ward was travelling – insist they do all they can to ensure their on-site representatives are educated in the risks. Bryn Robinson, Off the Piste's managing director, said his company was “doing as much proactive work as possible'' to educate its reps.

But many locals feel personal responsibility must be the baseline for any tourist. “The information is all out there,” said one Englishman who has lived in Val d'Isère for years.

Dos and don'ts

• Do make sure you have adequate travel insurance. The EHIC card is not sufficient for skiing holidays as it does not cover rescue or repatriation missions.

• Don't assume your limits will be the same as they are at home. Altitude can alter how your body reacts to alcohol.

• Do keep drinking water. The more dehydrated you are, the quicker alcohol will go to your head.

• Do find out the phone number of the local medical services upon arrival.

• Don't let drunk friends go home alone. Always make sure they are accompanied in a taxi or shuttle bus.

• Don't go out without clothing that will protect you against the cold, and definitely don't try to wear anything on your feet other than sensible winter footwear when walking on icy roads.

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Every year, it just seems to creep up on you. Just like that. Valentine's Day. Most guys probably dread it. But you have to remember that your girlfriends and wives really hope that you'll take the time out and do something special for them. Don't disappoint her this year. The following is a list of romantic Valentine's Day ideas that will surely sweep her off her feet.

Chick Flick Marathon

I hate that phrase “chick flick.” But, there are those movies out there that lean towards the more feminine variety. Make a list of all the chick flicks that she loves and have them ready to watch. A movie night with all her favorite tear-jerkers, sob stories, and cheesy movies will surely tickle her heart. Cuddle up with her and a big bowl of popcorn and enjoy a beautiful night. Don't forget the box of tissues for all those chick flick moments in the movie.

Be the Chef Tonight

Cook for her-she'll appreciate the effort even if all you can cook is toast and scrambled eggs. If your woman is typically the cook in the house, let her relax on Valentine's Day. A romantic nice thought that will melt her heart is seeing you in a stained apron, sleeves rolled up, and sweat beading on your forehead. Remember, it's her night, so if you can muster it, try to make her favorite dish. Throw in some appetizers, dessert, and a bouquet of roses and she'll have a memorable Valentine's Day.

Have a Spa Day

It may take you out of your comfort zone, but you can spend a relaxing day at the spa together. What's a more romantic Valentine's Day gift then spoiling your girl with massages, aroma-therapy, and a facial wit her man right by her side enjoying it with her. Even if you're not comfortable, try to enjoy the day, because remember its about making her happy and you might be surprised at how much you'll enjoy the experience, too.

Roomful of Balloons

This romantic Valentine's Day idea might take a little time and thought, but you can survive one day of effort. Surprise your girl with a roomful of pink, red, and white balloons. Hide a secret gift in one of them and let her pop the balloons until she finds the “secret” balloon. You can hide a stuffed animal, concert tickets, or (dare I say!) a piece of jewelry like a ring inside the special balloon. She'll love the creativity and thought you put into the special event.

Rose Petals and Candlelight

It's a classic Valentine's Day idea that will always be one of the most popular romantic gestures. Lead a trail of fresh red rose petals to the bedroom. Greet her with a roomful of rose petals sprinkled everywhere accented by candlelight. It will set her heart on fire. As cheesy and overdone this whole concept is, if you haven't done it already, your woman deserves to have that classic moment she thinks only happens in the movies happen to her.

12 Days of Valentine's Day Gifts

If you really want to do something special for your lady on Valentine's Day, what's more romantic than giving her a gift everyday for the 12 Days Before Valentine's Day? Send her a singing telegram. Send her a cookie bouquet. Leave a long-stemmed rose and a box of chocolates in her car one day. Tie a bunch of red, white, and pink balloons on her doorknob. Buy her a giant teddy bear and leave it on her doorstep. And every girl loves a bouquet of beautiful roses to be delivered to her office. The possibilities are endless.

Remember that Valentine's Day is a time for both of you to express your love for eachother. With a little time, effort, and care, you can make this Valentine's Day one of the most romantic you two will ever share together.

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It has since held
on to the spot on the album charts.

Boyle
is said to have already made £5million in two weeks from 3.3m global sales
of her debut album of the same name.

It was the best US opening for a female artist's debut album, and the second
best overall, since Nielsen SoundScan began tracking sales in 1991,
according to Billboard.com.

The original rendition of the song on the talent show has had millions of
views on YouTube and attracted celebrity followers including Demi Moore.

Now 50 Cent, the 34-year-old rapper who was shot nine times in 2000 before
finding fame, is the latest celebrity to praise Boyle.

“Susan Boyle is hot right now. I got to get her on a track, for real. We’d
make a hit,” he told the Daily Mirror.

“Everyone is talking about her, the lady from Britain’s Got Talent.

“She’s got an amazing voice, and together we’d get everyone dancing. I’m
always looking to do something new and she’s cool, so I’ll ask somebody to
let her know.”

He added: “I’d love to take her clubbing, show her around my world. She’d have
a great time.”

Boyle has also claimed topped the charts in Australia and Ireland.

Although she ultimately failed to win Britain's Got Talent, her April audition
for the show became an international YouTube phenomenon.

It has now been viewed more than 300 million times on the Internet.

It has since held
on to the spot on the album charts.

Boyle
is said to have already made £5million in two weeks from 3.3m global sales
of her debut album of the same name.

It was the best US opening for a female artist's debut album, and the second
best overall, since Nielsen SoundScan began tracking sales in 1991,
according to Billboard.com.

The original rendition of the song on the talent show has had millions of
views on YouTube and attracted celebrity followers including Demi Moore.

Now 50 Cent, the 34-year-old rapper who was shot nine times in 2000 before
finding fame, is the latest celebrity to praise Boyle.

“Susan Boyle is hot right now. I got to get her on a track, for real. We’d
make a hit,” he told the Daily Mirror.

“Everyone is talking about her, the lady from Britain’s Got Talent.

“She’s got an amazing voice, and together we’d get everyone dancing. I’m
always looking to do something new and she’s cool, so I’ll ask somebody to
let her know.”

He added: “I’d love to take her clubbing, show her around my world. She’d have
a great time.”

Boyle has also claimed topped the charts in Australia and Ireland.

Although she ultimately failed to win Britain's Got Talent, her April audition
for the show became an international YouTube phenomenon.

It has now been viewed more than 300 million times on the Internet.

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It was a sunny afternoon. The wind was warm and fresh as it flew and touches my bare skin. Students were all at the ball ground busy chatting, playing, jumping, and running as they gathered like busy ants on the field. The wind whispers their little tiny voices into my ears, echoing as they shout and laugh in my ear canal and hitting my three tiny bones as the message was sent into my brain. 'The busy students on the field.'

Students started to experience different kinds of things in their life as they start studying and as they mingled with their fellow ages. Growing up gives them adventures and new wonderful stories to tell. And here is a story about a girl on her going up stage.

While everybody was busy, I, Chloe Quenes was alone sitting on the grass. I was pulling the weeds while reading a book which describe my social boldness;

''Your Social Boldness: Introverted VS Extroverted. You are quite introverted. Socially, you prefer a more relaxed, low-key environment, rather than the hustle and bustle of a wild night in the city. You tend not to talk a lot, but when you do people listen, because when you say something it has meaning. You are not seeking the limelight, usually you prefer to let the attention-mongers do their thing while you observe. In an unfamiliar setting, you tend to be cautious and shy while you evaluate the circumstances. You prefer to avoid conflict, so you do not put yourself into a threatening situation. Your shyness may be perceived as unfriendly, but that could not be further from the truth. People need to be patient with you and take the time to get to know the complex, private you.''

While reading this first part of my personal evaluation, my friend came to tell me a “not- nice-word-to-hear”.

“Chloe, I have to tell you something!” my friend said.

“What is it?” I asked.

“Somebody has a crush on you!” she said again.

“Who is he?!!” I asked angrily.

“Look, there he is! He's a friend of your friend Daniel Dacer!”

I frowned and walked away. I didn't like anybody except my crushes on the 6th grade. They're Harry and Shaggy, the intelligent boys in their class.

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Spending so you don't have to

Greenwich Time’s Neil Vigdor has posted this picture of a $120,000 Maserati  toting a town employee parking sticker and wonders whose salary we’re paying that affords such luxury. Word is that it actually belongs to BET member Larry Simon, but it’s nice to know we provide free parking for the man. The little things add up, you know.

The U.S.-spec Chevrolet Cruze has been unveiled prior to its world debut at the 2009 LA Auto Show on Dec. 2. The 2010 Chevrolet Cruze compact sedan, which will replace the Chevy Cobalt, will go on sale in the third quarter of 2010 and will be built at GM’s Lordstown Ohio assembly plant.

The five-door, front-wheel-drive Cruze will be available in three different trim levels (LS, LT and LTZ) and two engine choices. The base LS model will be powered by a 1.8L 4-cylinder engine, while the LT and LTZ model will get a 1.4L turbo Ecotec engine with 138-hp and a maximum torque of 148 lb-ft. All 2011 Cruze models will be available with a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic transmission. GM says that the 1.4L turbo models will have a cruising range of more than 500 miles and are expected to get a segment-best EPA fuel-economy rating of 40 mpg on the highway.

The 2011 Cruze will also offer a more spacious interior and greater cargo room than its two main competitors, the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla. Standard interior options will include a stereo system with MP3 playback capability, 6-speakers and an AUX jack for personal MP3 players. A premium Pioneer sound system is available as an option with a USB port for iPod connectivity. Other available options include Bluetooth and a navigation system. On the outside, 16-inch wheels are standard on LS and LT models and 17-inch alloy wheels are standard on the LTZ model. 18-inch alloy wheels are available as an option on 2LT and LTZ models.

Pricing details on the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze will be announced closer to launch date. Make sure you join us to see the first live images of the U.S.-spec Cruze next week from the 2009 LA Auto Show.

Follow the jump for the high-res image gallery and the press release.

2011 Chevrolet Cruze:

Press Release:

The 2011 Cruze: Chevrolet Unveils U.S. Version Of The Popular, Fuel-Efficient Global Compact Sedan

2011 Chevrolet Cruze at a Glance:

- Popular global car refined for America
- Expected segment-best fuel economy – up to 40 mpg highway – with new family of small-displacement engines, including Ecotec 1.4L I-4 turbo
- Progressive design with exceptional levels of refinement, quietness and build quality
- More spacious interior and greater cargo room than Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla
- Ten standard air bags help make it one of the safest cars in its class
- Built at Lordstown, Ohio assembly plant
- On sale in third quarter of 2010
- Five-year/100,000-mile powertain warranty – the best coverage in America

LOS ANGELES – Chevrolet unveils the U.S. production version of the 2011 Cruze compact sedan at the L.A. Auto Show on Dec. 2. It is a global car refined for America, delivering many segment-leading features and details that challenge preconceived notions about what a compact car can be in North America.

The Cruze also affirms Chevrolet’s commitment to building refined, fuel-efficient vehicles, with new, small-displacement four-cylinder engines. It is expected to deliver segment-leading fuel economy with a new Ecotec 1.4L I-4 turbo with variable valve timing – including up to 40 mpg on the highway with a high-efficiency model.

“Cruze is already a hit across Europe and Asia; and now, it’s coming to America to challenge the status quo,” said Brent Dewar, GM Vice President, Chevrolet Global brand. “Along with the Volt electric vehicle, Cruze is the latest tangible example of how Chevrolet is working on exciting products that range from gas-friendly to gas-free.”

Leveraging Chevrolet’s design and engineering talent in Asia, Europe and North America, the Cruze brings to market a progressive, globally influenced design complemented by exceptional levels of quietness, quality and attention to detail – from precise tolerances between body panels to the use of premium materials throughout the interior.

“The amenities, quietness and roominess you expect in larger cars are what the Cruze delivers,” said Margaret Brooks, Chevrolet product marketing manager. “This is a car that will shake up the compact segment, with a more spacious interior and more cargo room than the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla.”

Cruze goes on sale in the U.S. in the third quarter of 2010 but has already logged more than 4 million miles in quality and durability testing worldwide, making it one of the most real world-tested GM products prior to a U.S. launch. The U.S. and Canadian versions of the Cruze will be built in Lordstown, Ohio, where $350 million was invested for their production.

More than expected

The 2011 Chevrolet Cruze will be offered in LS, LT and LTZ trims. Standard and available equipment includes:

* New family of efficient four-cylinder engines, including a 1.4L turbo and 1.8L
* Six-speed automatic and manual transmissions
* Ten standard air bags, including frontal, side-impact, roof rail head curtain, rear seat side air bags and new knee air bags
* Electronic stability control with rollover sensing
* Bluetooth, USB connectivity and navigation system
* XM Satellite Radio and OnStar
* MacPherson strut front suspension and Watts Z-link rear suspension, with a family of 16-, 17- and 18-inch wheels
* Standard StabiliTrak electronic stability control, traction control and anti-lock brakes
* Fuel-saving, rack-mounted electric power steering
* Unexpected levels of quietness, smoothness and refinement for the segment

All models share an interior characterized by premium materials and a lengthy roster of unexpected equipment, including leading infotainment. A stereo system that includes MP3 playback capability, six speakers and an auxiliary jack for personal playback devices is standard. A premium Pioneer sound system is available, as is a USB port for iPod operation. Other available technologies include Bluetooth and a navigation system.

“There’s a lot of content in all Cruze models; it was designed to give customers the features they want regardless of the car’s size or segment,” said Brooks. “At a very competitive price, you’ll be able to get a Cruze with leather and heated front seats, 16-inch aluminum wheels, XM Satellite Radio, OnStar, Bluetooth, a USB port for your iPod, cruise control, power locks and power outside mirrors.”

Arching roofline

Chevy Cruze’s design is distinguished with a bold face – including a two-tier grille with the iconic Bowtie logo – that is Chevrolet’s signature look around the globe. An arching roofline connects a steeply raked windshield and fast-sloping rear pillars to give the car a sporty, coupe-like proportion.

The sporty aesthetic is also seen in prominent headlamp housings that wrap around the corners and sweep upward in the fenders and sculpted hood, as well as a short rear deck typically found on sports coupes. The wheels are at the corners, too, with minimal front and rear overhangs. All the elements work cohesively to give Cruze an aggressive look that is complemented by a wide, confident stance.

Indeed, the Cruze is wider and longer than most of its competitors. Taut, tightly drawn bodywork conveys solidity, while restrained use of exterior trim enhances the car’s high-quality feel. The overall appearance is one of purposeful precision.

Precision is also seen in the Cruze’s build quality. The Lordstown assembly plant’s body shop was retooled with the latest in body-framing and welding equipment to optimize the manufacture of a very solid body structure. That strong structure fosters minimal production variance and repeatable gap tolerances of 3 mm or less between most exterior panels. To the customer, this means a better looking car when new and one that feels solid for years to come.

Interior refinement

Cruze’s bold design cues and attention to detail carry over to the interior, where a Corvette-inspired twin-cockpit motif is matched with high-quality materials and exceptional assembly tolerances. Grained, soft-touch components and low-gloss trim panels exude a quality that is uncommon in the segment.

The instrument panel is an excellent example of how Cruze eschews expectations of compact cars. It features richly detailed instruments that are backlit with light-emitting diode (LED) technology. The LED lights provide a crisp, ice-blue illumination of the analog instruments, as well as lighting for other interior controls. A segment-rare standard driver information center offers a wealth of data for the vehicle owner.

Blending harmoniously with the instrument panels is an integrated center stack that houses the infotainment display, climate controls and radio controls. Flush-mounted components within the center stack have a gap tolerance of less than 1 mm, while the instrument panel-to-door panel gaps are less than 5 mm. Those tolerances are among the best in the class and contribute significantly to the Cruze’s aura of refinement and precision.

Cruze’s headliner and pillar trim exude craftsmanship, too. The headliner cover is made of a knit material that also serves as one of five layers of an acoustically designed headliner to help make the passenger compartment quieter. The interior pillar and other moldings are color- and grain-matched to the headliner, while seat inserts are color-matched to the color of the instrument panel accent trim, giving the cabin the detailed appearance of larger, upscale sedans.

New, efficient powertrains

Enhanced with its exhaust-driven turbocharger, the Cruze’s Ecotec 1.4L turbo performs like a larger engine when needed, but retains the efficiency of a small-displacement four-cylinder in most driving conditions. It is standard on LT and LTZ models, with power ratings estimated at 138 horsepower (103 kW) and 148 lb.-ft. of torque (200 Nm).

Standard on LS models is an Ecotec 1.8L four-cylinder that has the same basic architecture as the 1.4L turbo. Both engines are part of GM’s family of global small-displacement engines designed with fuel efficiency in mind, including technology such as full variable valve timing that optimizes performance and fuel economy across the rpm band.

Backing the Cruze’s new four-cylinder engines are six-speed manual and automatic transmissions. Each contributes to Cruze’s excellent fuel economy and, with their carefully matched gears, enhances its fun-to-drive quotient.

With the Ecotec 1.4L turbo, Cruze’s fuel efficiency enables a cruising range of more than 500 miles (800 km), meaning it can go longer between fill-ups.

Cruze is backed by GM’s five-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty – the best coverage in America.

Responsive, quiet driving experience

Complementing Cruze’s new powertrains is a strong body structure and chassis system designed to deliver a responsive and fun driving experience. The body structure is tight and stiff; and its solidity enabled engineers to more precisely tune the chassis for comfort and driving control.

A MacPherson strut suspension is used up front, while a technically advanced Watts Z-link design is used with the rear suspension. It helps center the rear axle during cornering, helping to keep the Cruze’s handling responses symmetrical on both left-hand and right-hand turns. The linkage’s capability to center the axle during cornering delivers a more balanced driving experience, as the rear suspension better follows the lead of the front suspension.

StabiliTrak electronic stability control with rollover mitigation, as well as traction control and anti-lock brakes are standard. Electric power steering is also standard on all models. It helps save fuel because it removes the conventional power steering pump from the engine’s driven accessories. Sixteen-inch wheels are standard on LS and LT models, with 17-inch alloy wheels standard on LTZ. Eighteen-inch alloy wheels are available on 2LT and LTZ models.

Along with a responsive driving experience, the Cruze delivers quietness and refinement on the road. Hydraulic ride bushings and an isolated engine cradle reduce or eliminate vibration pathways that could be transmitted to the passenger compartment. Similarly, a number of noise-reducing and noise-cancelling technologies are employed throughout the body structure, including 18 distinctive acoustical treatments. Examples include:

* The steel front-of-dash panel is sandwiched between two damping mats
* Nylon baffles are used in various hollow portions of the body structure and filled with sound-absorbing foam that expands when the body enters the paint oven
* The headliner comprises five layers of thermal fiber acoustic material, including a premium woven fabric on the visible outer layer
* Patches of sound-damping material are applied strategically throughout the body structure and melt into place when the body passes through the paint oven, allowing the patches to follow the contours of the sheet metal below
* Sound insulation material between rear-body structural components that is made from recycled blue jean material
* The doors have triple seals and feature fiberglass “blankets” that serve as water, airflow and noise barriers. The doors are also beta-braced, meaning they close with a solid, precise sound and no resonance.

2011 CHEVROLET CRUZE SPECIFICATIONS

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With the desimation of General Motors, there have been some concerns over the fate of GM's Sweedish counter-part, Saab. It appears Saab's future is looking brighter. Some of the consessions GM made, along side the extentions for restructuring, made possible by the Sweedish, have assuaged the fears of most.

The conssesions made by GM, and considered an investment in the company's potential for the past several years, have made it possible for Saab gain such a high-tech and quality reputation. Mats Fagerhag of Saab, explained that GM made it possibe for Saab to be as modern and develloped today. Giving them “new achitectures and lifetime lecenses to use them.” Fagerhag revealed the they will also be granted to use of the facilities to contiue production and design for Saab's next generation.

The new platforms to which Fagerhag is referring include Global Epsilon II, GM's mid-size architecture. This is the same design featured on the soon to be, 2010 Saab 9-5. In addition to having the architectures for the next generation in place, they also have specific engineering capability they are able to utilize to develop and expand on the edentity of the brand. One of the newer elements of Saab, sure to increase the demand of the car is all-wheel-drive. This will allow Saab to compete with Subaru. Saab has always had expemplary safety reviews, and now they can add offroad permformance to it's line of unique selling points.

There are however, still some hills to traverse over in the transition for the company. One of the concerns is that because the brand will not be as demanded as far as quantiy to the U.S., the budget is expected to be a little tight at first. The crunch will take a toll on cost for the materials and parts. Saab will also have out source it's engines form another auto company.

Nonetheless, it appears that the separation from GM will create a far greater opportunity for it in the years to come. Saab will have the luxury of making quicker decisions on product changes and upgrades. This will allow them to work the bugs out of off the line cars much sooner.

Despite the obvious rough spots the Sweedish company has seen, along with the rest of the auto industry, it apears that Saab has secured it's futer for now. Only time will tell if the separation from GM can sustain one of the world's more historic and unique Auto names.

Source:

The Epoch Times-

Sweden's Saab Faces Uncertain Future

By Ivailo Anguelov
Epoch Times Staff

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Maserati has created a limited edition of their GranTurismo S just for the Middle East market. It’s called the Maserati GranTurismo S MC Sport Line.

It’s been decked out with bits from Maserati’s MC Sport Line, hence the name. The car also gets a matte white paint job.

Little details have been given, but only 12 will be made, all sold in the Middle East. 12 is to honour the 12 trophies (Contructor’s and driver’s) that the Maserati MC12 has won in the FIA GT Championship since 2005. There are also exactly 12 cities with Maserati dealers in the Middle East. Each car will feature an internal plaque with the name of the city it is dedicated to.

Italy will also be getting a version of this car. It will be painted in matte white pearl, and only 11 will be made, all for the Italian market.

It looks brilliant, but with so little details, it’s hard to understand whether or not there’s any difference between this and just a GranTurismo S with bits from the MC Sport Line.

Here’s the press release, but don’t expect much more details than what I’ve just said.

Limited-edition GranTurismo S MC Sport Line
30/11/2009 – Modena

The limited-edition Maserati GranTurismo S MC Sport Line with Matt White “ice” finishing is here portrayed in front of the futuristic structure of the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, where it was unveiled in a dedicated event for a selected number of Maserati customers of the Middle East.

Designed to enhance the sporty DNA of the Trident, the “MC Sport Line” sums up the experience acquired on the track by the Maserati Corse racing department, whose contribution to the design of the functional components has been invaluable. The world of motor racing also inspired Maserati’s designers when it came to styling, hence the extensive use of carbon fiber.

Only twelve GranTurismos in this configuration will be produced in Modena, all for the Middle East markets. Twelve is also the number of world titles which make up the prestigious palmares of the MC12 in the FIA GT International Championship since 2005: 2 Constructors’ Cups (2005 and 2007), 4 Drivers’ Titles 4 (Bartels-Bertolini in 2006, Thomas Biagi in 2007, Bartels-Bertolini in 2008 and 2009); 5 Teams’ Titles (from 2005 onwards uninterruptedly with the Vitaphone Racing Team); 1 Citation Cup in 2007 with the gentleman driver Ben Aucott.

Furthermore, twelve are the Middle East cities where Maserati is present with a dedicated showroom: each car will feature an internal plaque with the name of the city to which it is committed.

A limited and numbered edition of the GranTurismo S MC Sport Line, finished in a Matt Bianco Fuji with eye-catching pearlescent nuances, will be dedicated to the Italian market. Only eleven customers in Italy will be able to sit behind the wheel of this exclusive car.

Source: Autoblog

Maserati has created the rare GranTurismo S MC Sport Line specially for the Middle East… 12 of them to be exact. Why 12? To commemorate the marque’s 12 victories in the FIA GT International Championship since 2005 with its MC12 supercar. Maserati has also come clean that another 11 will be created only for the Italian market. But let’s get back to what concerns us, shall we?

Each car will come with a plaque stating the Maser’s destination country & city. So in a nutshell, 12 cars will go to each of the 12 Middle Eastern Maserati dealers.

The color you see in these pictures is the special Matt Bianco Fuji white, with a pearl shine. The car will also come with a lot of carbon fiber aerodynamic bits. Enjoy looking at it because the chance of you seeing one on the road is highly unlikely.

[Source: Maserati]

Maserati GranTurismo 1

This Maserati GranTurismo was spotted on Bayswater in London.

Another photo after the break.

Maserati GranTurismo

It’s been quite some time since I last paid a visit to my local record store, mainly because I spent a lot of money on my trip to the far east. But also because I had no idea as to what new records were out there. So during my last two shopping sprees there I found those…

Broadway Calls “Good Views, Bad News” LP
I have to admit that the only reason for pulling this out of the News section was the word “Broadway”. I was familiar with a band called The Broadways which moved on to become The Lawrence Arms, but that’s where the similarities end. Maybe I was also intrigued by the label, Side One Dummy, which put out this one, but apart from that I guess I’d never had given this a try. Lucky me I did. Reading the thankslist on the inlay it’s only natural that this is something I like. Go back two or three years and I would have told you to put away all those melancholic-melodic punkrockbands who all sound alike. But Broadway Calls had me on the hook right from the start. The opener has such a great guitar line in the second verse which simply makes me melt away. It’s nothing special really, in fact it’s all been here before. But once in a while it’s always nice to listen to a “new” record, a “new” band. Think of a mixture of The Ataris and Alkaline Trio with a slight touch of streetpunk flavour.

Fall Of Efrafa “Inlé” 2xLP
I first heard the name of this band when someone was comparing Arktika to them. Well, it’s always nice when the music you write and play is compared (or even comparable) to another band, but I never had heard of Fall Of Efrafa before. The name sounded strange and it was quite a surprise when I listened to a record of theirs for the first time. True, it resembles the sound we play a little bit, especially the vocals sound quite alike. But that’s where the similarities end. Fall Of Efrafa is far more ‘crusty’ than what we do with Arktika. I’d rather put them in a category with D-beat Portland bands Tragedy, but without the upbeat tempo.

Heirs “Alchera” LP
We had been asked to play a show with Heirs on their recent tour just a few weeks ago, but because of our work schedules things didn’t work out. Still I wanted to check out what kind of band we were supposed to play with. Roughly it would have made sense to set us up with those guys, but their music is a lot more brutal than ours. Painfully slow doom stuff which slightly reminds me of early Neurosis records, especially because of the piercing guitar leads. The whole atmosphere on the record is very gloomy and dark, just as if you are standing on the edge of a volcano crater and looking down into the vault. I’ve never seen them play live but I believe the experience of seeing them on stage would be even better with some visual effects. This is hard to swallow stuff, but very good nonetheless.

Hextalls “Call It A Comeback” LP
Alright, I admit, I fell for the cover right away. I’m a sucker for hockey covers. And while I didn’t have any idea what to expect from the music I think so far I haven’t found a band from Canada who disappointed me. The Hextalls are a poppunk outfit from British Columbia who play Ramones-ish punkrock with lots of sweet and catchy melodies while speeding up the tempo every now and then. It’s really nothing one needs to have, but it’s a nice addition to the poppunk section of your record collection.

Jesu “Opiate Sun” LP
This one got me completely fooled (and I think it still does). I had it running on 33 rpm at first which sounded normal considering that your average Jesu song is slow and dragging. After a few moments I felt that although it sounded right I wanted to pitch it to 45 rpm and there we go, a whole new experience. It’s still slow, but with a little more drive to it. Apart from that it sounds to me that the band is shifting into more melodic areas with their sound. It’s still typical Jesu, but a bit more melodies. I really like it that way.

John K. Samson “City Route 85″ 7″
Although I absolutely love The Weakerthans it’s nice to see that Mr Samson finally found some time to put out a recording all by himself again. I really liked the stuff he released in the 1990s and when I had the chance to attend a small and private show in Düsseldorf a few years back, it was one of the finest performances and one of the most pleasant evenings I ever had the time to spend. The way he knows how to grab the audience’s attention is simply fascinating. You won’t come across that many performers who come across so naturally and friendly. He’s one of the nicest people to talk to and that totally reflects in the songs he writes. Those small stories of little encounters, then he paints a picture with words and you get the impression you’ve been to that place before, just because he explains and describes it so well. This is three songs of wonderful folk/country music with slight touches of rock and a complete must have.

Maserati “The Language Of Cities” 2xLP
When listening to this record today one can’t help but feel sad because a few weeks ago the wonderful and brilliant drummer of Maserati was killed in an accident in NYC. I had the chance to watch a live set of Maserati in Bonn a few years ago and I was completely stunned by what the band and their drummer in particular did on stage. Unfortunately I never found the intensity of their live show on one of the records I bought. It always seemed they were a bit more timid while recording. Compared to what the band put up on stage the records always sounded a bit lifeless. But maybe that was because they had the drumset set up right at the front of the stage so everybody was able to watch that magnificent drummer. Their live sound reminded me a bit of Red Sparowes, but on record they sound completely unique. A bit more tricky, a bit more defined, a bit more to discover, when you listen to the record. There’s those small parts you only recognize when you go through it for the 5th or 6th time. Great stuff. It’s sad the band won’t be the same anymore.

Mogwai “Mr Beast” 2xLP
Mogwai “The Hawk Is Howling” 2xLP
I don’t think there is any need to go into detail with this band, so I’ll keep this short. It seems as if the records were rereleased on very heavy vinyl and that’s why I took the chance a bought those two records. No other reason there. It’s Mogwai, damnit, need I say more?

No FX “The Seven Inch Club 2005″ LP
Funnily enough the reason I gave for buying the Mogwai records is exactly the same reason I bought this one. I admit (and I believe I said that on numerous other occasions) that I am a huge fan of No FX and buy their records regardless what’s on them. I failed to subsribe to the 7 Inch club a few years ago and was desperately scraping through 2nd hand vinyl boxes searching for a few left over singles (some of which I even found), but this one compiles them all on one handy LP and that’s what I was looking for anyway. It’s a bootleg of course and I don’t even know if all the songs from the series are compiled on this, but it’s nice to have them on one record. So, this is No FX and that’s all you need to know. Now go and get it.

Omega Massif/Mount Logan “Split” LP
When Omega Massif burst onto the scene a couple of years ago everybody was stunned that such a monster could come out of Germany. There weren’t that many heavy postrock/sludge/doom bands coming out of Germany at the time. The only one’s I can think of back then were Men In Search Of The Perfect Weapon and Black Shape Of Nexus (B.SON). What set Omega Massif apart was their very hypnotious approach, very long instrumental songs, which seemed to drag on for hours but never lacked the excitement. Although they might sound monotonous when listening to them for the first time, there are some many things to discover when you listen to them over and over again. With this release they offer two new songs, one in the vein of their older stuff, the other one being rather uncharacteristically only a little more than 2 minutes. Still they haven’t lost anything of their power and I really look forward to their next release.
The flipside belongs to Mount Logan who I had the pleasure to experience live a few years back. Their first record was quite impressive when you keep in mind that they are only a three-piece without a bass player. Still they were producing a strong and heavy sound which fell right in line with Omega Massif, although they were lacking a bit of the power. This record now offers a slightly different approach with Mount Logan playing kinds of snippets. Their side featureseight rather short and somewhat experimental songs which are completely different to what they used to do. Yet they are interesting and worth a try.
So if you’re looking for hard and heavy stuff you should get this one because of Omega Massif anyway, but be sure to check out the Mount Logan side as well.

Patsy O’Hara “Deathinteresse” LP
Powerful stuff from Germany, somewhere in the nomansland between slow D-Beat, doom-ish sounds and metallic guitar bits and pieces. I don’t know what made me think those guys play some sort of chaoscore, but believe me, they don’t. They came round to play shows in this area of Germany a few times, but everytime that happened something came in my way and I didn’t have a chance to go. I will by the next time, I hope. I’d really like to watch a band like that. There’s no new inventions, no innovations, it’s just plain good music. What adds to their resumee is that Patsy O’Hara have their record put out by one of Germany’s legendary hardcore labels Per Koro Records, who gave the world a lot of brilliant bands like Lebensreform, Aclys, Mörser or Systral. So they have good company there.

Rise & Fall “Our Circle Is Vicous” LP
This is something anyone should get. Although I have to admit I heard better produced records before. Rise & Fall really need a forceful top notch production for their brutal sound, but this one sounds a little thin. It’s still pretty good nonetheless. On what is their 3rd full length album, I believe, the band yet refines their style once again. What sets them apart from other music is that they really know how to combine the sheer power of 90s hardcore with the beauty of doom and post-rock. Their dragging and moshing riffs are some of the best you’ll ever find when it comes to hard and brutal music.

Renan, que guiará sozinho, larga na pole amanhã.

Confira o grid de largada para a 9ª etapa do Itaipava Trofeo Maserati:

1º) 37 – Renan Guerra , 1min45s567, média de 146,94 Km/h
2º) 13 – Pedro Queirolo, 1min45s668
3º) 82 – Marçal Melo/William Freire, 1min45s711
4º) 9 – Eduardo Guedes/Marcelo Skaf, 1min45s899
5º) 2 – André Posses, 1min46s176
6º) 7 – Sergio Laganá, 1min46s709
7º) 30 – Cleber Faria, 1min47s090
8º) 21 – Valter Rossete, 1min47s267

I’m a car nut, so when I lived in Chicago, going to the Chicago Auto Show was pretty much an annual pilgrimage for me.  Now that I’m in Arizona, the idea of going back to Chicago in the dead of winter just to see the new models and concept cars; well, I think I’ll hold off- at least this year.

But I’d still like to be able to drool over the new models and concept cars, so I was happy to learn about the Arizona International Auto Show, going on today through Sunday at the Phoenix Convention Center.

According to The Arizona Republic, the manufacturers scheduled to show off their new must-have new rides include Chevy and their new Camaro, the 2010 Ford Taurus and 2011 Super Duty, Lexus’ hybrid HS250h, and Hyundai’s Genesis Coupe. And Lexus won’t be the only manufacturer there with new ‘green’ offerings- Toyota, Honda, Mazda, Ford, and GM nameplates Chevrolet, GMC, and Cadillac will be among those showcasing new fuel-sipping hardware.

In addition, there will be some drool-worthy dream (for all but the most well-heeled attendees) cars on display- Rolls-Royce, Bentley’s new Azure, Aston Martin (for those of you who, like me, dream of one day rolling like James Bond), Maserati, and Ferrari.  Lamborghini will have a Gallardo Spyder on display… and Porsche will have its all-new (and first-ever) four-door Porsche Panamera there for potential owners to check out.  These ne plus ultra iterations of the automobile (and in all likelihood, most destined to be garage queens) are all on display courtesy of their respective local dealerships: Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Scottsdale, Bentley Scottsdale, Aston Martin Scottsdale, Scottsdale Ferrari-Maserati, and Lamborghini North Scottsdale.

The show will be open Friday and Saturday from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM, and on Sunday from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM.

Admission is $9.00 for adults (well, anybody 13 and over); seniors, military, students, and children (7-12) are $5.00, and anybody under 6 gets in free. Sunday is even ‘Family Day’, so kids under 12 get in free with a paying adult!

I don’t know what day I’ll be going, but I will be there, camera in hand, so be sure to check back for my photos from the event.  If you go, please share your 2009 Arizona International Auto Show photos by posting them (or links to them) in the comments!

Thanks!

Dan, a.k.a. @PHXPhoto

I’ve read with utmost disgust on the article by the the most fabricated lies ever by a netizen using the guise of I Love Malaysia at Malaysiatoday website. Apparently this particular writer, I Love Malaysia , is being paid solely to write without knowing the truth. How can one promote truth and justice when there are self-interest at hand. Hereby demand that this writer checked his facts right before harming any people especially when it is done at the expenses at hitting out MyLivingWall, Ms AL and Bangsar Group. We strongly opposed the article as we know the real truth behind. The writer also spelt the former President Ka Ting name wrongly. It is stupidity at work.

Also to expose these invisible cyber crooks sprouting lies, demand that the writer. I Love Malaysia in his column at MalaysiaToday reveal his funder and motives truthfully to the world.

http://malaysia-today.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=28725:the-bald-truth-about-how-one-bn-partys-venture-into-cyberspace-hit-a-wall&catid=22:the-corridors-of-power&Itemid=100085

Excerpts are the article at malaysia-today.net

If you all were feeling the cypher from the AHHS event in Charlotte then you’re gonna love this one. Down in the ATL, the Asian Hip-Hop Summit crew shows their hunger on the mic as they grab the opportunity to spit a few bars.

In order of appearance: Maserati, Dumbfoundead, Lyraflip, L. Scatterbrain, Manifest & Al.P after the Asian Hip-Hop Summit ATL.

Footage provided courtesy of Kato & KatoDaily.com.

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE

- Dr. Joachim Schmidt: “We will continue this positive trend, and we expect sales in the fourth quarter to be above last year’s level.”
- Record sales in China – Schmidt: “We expect Mercedes-Benz Cars to increase its sales in China by more than 50 percent in full-year 2009.”
- Mercedes-Benz USA posts best monthly result since the beginning of the year, with sales up by 21 percent in October
- E- and S-Class sedans maintain market leadership

Stuttgart, Germany, Nov 06, 2009 – In October, global sales were up at Mercedes-Benz for the first time this year. Mercedes-Benz was able to increase sales significantly in October by seven percent to 88,400 units (October 2008: 82,500. The smart brand sold 9,300 (October 2008: 11,300) units (minus 18 percent). With the delivery of 97,700 passenger cars (October 2008: 93,800), total sales at Mercedes-Benz Cars increased by four percent. The October sales increase was due to the E-Class and the new generation of the S-Class as well as to high growth rates in many regions such as North America and Asia/Pacific. Sales of Mercedes-Benz vehicles were also above last year’s level in Western Europe.

“We will continue this positive trend in the coming months, and we expect sales in the fourth quarter to be above the level of the same period of last year,” said Dr. Joachim Schmidt, Head of Sales and Marketing, Mercedes-Benz Cars. Contributing to this development will be the new E-Class and the new generation S-Class, as well as the ongoing strong growth rates in the Asia/Pacific region, particularly in China. By the end of September, Mercedes-Benz had already sold more vehicles in China than in all of last year. Says Schmidt: “Mercedes-Benz Cars will continue to grow at a dynamic rate in China, and we expect the increase for 2009 as a whole to amount to more than 50 percent.”

In October Mercedes-Benz once again set a sales record in China, with sales rising by 78 percent to 6,600 units (October 2008: 3,700). As a result, since the start of the year, Mercedes-Benz has been the fastest-growing premium brand in China. In October, Mercedes-Benz Cars also delivered more vehicles than ever before to the Asia/Pacific region as a whole, handing over 14,100 passenger vehicles to customers (October 2008: 10,500) for an increase of 34 percent. High growth rates were also posted in October in Australia (up 22 percent) and South Korea (up 63 percent).

In the United States, October was the best month of the year so far for Mercedes-Benz. Sales bucked the general market trend, rising by 21 percentto 18,200 units (October 2008: 15,000). This was the first time this year that sales were substantially higher than in 2008, and ensured that Mercedes-Benz remains the strongest German premium brand in the U.S. Contributing factors here included the E-Class, deliveries of which tripled to 6,100 units, and the GLK, which was once again the best-selling vehicle in its class in October, with deliveries of 1,800 units. Meanwhile, Mercedes-Benz posted another sales record in Canada in October, increasing customer deliveries by 28 percent to 2,200 passenger vehicles (October 2008: 1,700).

In the Western Europe region (not including Germany), Mercedes-Benz increased its sales by seven percent in October, thanks in particular to the high increases for the new E-Class. The brand enjoyed strong growth amounting to 55 percent in the UK, with a total of 5,800 units sold.

Sales of new E-Class continued to develop positively in the past month, with worldwide deliveries doubling in October to 17,100 units. Double-digit sales increases were registered in almost all markets. That made it once again the clear market leader in its segment. The company expects the launch of the new station wagon, which can be seen at dealerships starting on November 21, to give an additional positive boost to the E-Class family.

The new generation of the S-Class also got off to a successful start. Worldwide sales of the S-Class sedan were slightly above the previous year's level. Since the beginning of this year, the sedan has been the best-selling sedan in its segment. In China, which is now the biggest market for the S-Class, 1,100 luxury sedans were delivered to customers in October alone, which represents an increase of 12 percent. The sedan also sold very well in Germany, with an increase of 42 percent, and in Japan, where October sales increased by 13 percent. Mercedes-Benz sold 15,100 units of its SUVs worldwide (2008: 14,800), with an increase of two percent. The GLK, which was especially popular, enjoyed mainly double-digit growth rates in the Western European markets.

Overview of Sales by Mercedes-Benz Cars

Copyright © 2009, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE

Stuttgart, Germany, Nov 06, 2009 – In October, global sales were up at Mercedes-Benz for the first time this year. Mercedes-Benz was able to increase sales significantly in October by seven percent to 88,400 units (October 2008: 82,500. The smart brand sold 9,300 (October 2008: 11,300) units (minus 18 percent). With the delivery of 97,700 passenger cars (October 2008: 93,800), total sales at Mercedes-Benz Cars increased by four percent. The October sales increase was due to the E-Class and the new generation of the S-Class as well as to high growth rates in many regions such as North America and Asia/Pacific. Sales of Mercedes-Benz vehicles were also above last year’s level in Western Europe.

“We will continue this positive trend in the coming months, and we expect sales in the fourth quarter to be above the level of the same period of last year,” said Dr. Joachim Schmidt, Head of Sales and Marketing, Mercedes-Benz Cars. Contributing to this development will be the new E-Class and the new generation S-Class, as well as the ongoing strong growth rates in the Asia/Pacific region, particularly in China. By the end of September, Mercedes-Benz had already sold more vehicles in China than in all of last year. Says Schmidt: “Mercedes-Benz Cars will continue to grow at a dynamic rate in China, and we expect the increase for 2009 as a whole to amount to more than 50 percent.”

In October Mercedes-Benz once again set a sales record in China, with sales rising by 78 percent to 6,600 units (October 2008: 3,700). As a result, since the start of the year, Mercedes-Benz has been the fastest-growing premium brand in China. In October, Mercedes-Benz Cars also delivered more vehicles than ever before to the Asia/Pacific region as a whole, handing over 14,100 passenger vehicles to customers (October 2008: 10,500) for an increase of 34 percent. High growth rates were also posted in October in Australia (up 22 percent) and South Korea (up 63 percent).

In the United States, October was the best month of the year so far for Mercedes-Benz. Sales bucked the general market trend, rising by 21 percentto 18,200 units (October 2008: 15,000). This was the first time this year that sales were substantially higher than in 2008, and ensured that Mercedes-Benz remains the strongest German premium brand in the U.S. Contributing factors here included the E-Class, deliveries of which tripled to 6,100 units, and the GLK, which was once again the best-selling vehicle in its class in October, with deliveries of 1,800 units. Meanwhile, Mercedes-Benz posted another sales record in Canada in October, increasing customer deliveries by 28 percent to 2,200 passenger vehicles (October 2008: 1,700).

In the Western Europe region (not including Germany), Mercedes-Benz increased its sales by seven percent in October, thanks in particular to the high increases for the new E-Class. The brand enjoyed strong growth amounting to 55 percent in the UK, with a total of 5,800 units sold.

Sales of new E-Class continued to develop positively in the past month, with worldwide deliveries doubling in October to 17,100 units. Double-digit sales increases were registered in almost all markets. That made it once again the clear market leader in its segment. The company expects the launch of the new station wagon, which can be seen at dealerships starting on November 21, to give an additional positive boost to the E-Class family.

The new generation of the S-Class also got off to a successful start. Worldwide sales of the S-Class sedan were slightly above the previous year's level. Since the beginning of this year, the sedan has been the best-selling sedan in its segment. In China, which is now the biggest market for the S-Class, 1,100 luxury sedans were delivered to customers in October alone, which represents an increase of 12 percent. The sedan also sold very well in Germany, with an increase of 42 percent, and in Japan, where October sales increased by 13 percent. Mercedes-Benz sold 15,100 units of its SUVs worldwide (2008: 14,800), with an increase of two percent. The GLK, which was especially popular, enjoyed mainly double-digit growth rates in the Western European markets.

Overview of Sales by Mercedes-Benz Cars

Source >> Mercedes-Benz-Blog — Unmistakable. Unique. Classy. Mercedes-Benz. – Mercedes-Benz Boosts Sales by Seven Percent
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For 2010 the Legacy looks more aggressive and sporty. The headlights are angled more, the character lines create a more muscular look, along with bigger wheel arches. The Legacy has a more modern, mainstream, Japanese appearance. It will be more competitive in the midsize sedan segment, but it's aggressive styling wouldn't look at home in a forest carrying mountain bikes like the old Legacy did.

While the exterior doesn't give thoughts of the usual Subaru activities of hiking and kayaking, the interior gives impressions of a more mainstream midsize sedan at home in mall parking lots. Comfortably designed for the driver and passenger with easy to use controls, soft cream leather seats, and class leading passenger space. Steering wheel controls are standard on the 2.5i Limited are well laid out and easy for the driver to use. Subaru's shortcomings in quality with their use of hard plastic, flimsy door panels, and cheap wood trim left me disappointed, while the previous generation Legacy excelled in quality.

Subaru has used it's new Lineartronic CVT transmission in the new Legacy. It provides a very smooth drive with gearshifts that are as smooth as a hot knife through butter. The paddle shifters are possibly the easiest I've ever used for manual shifting and coupled with the CVT provide a smooth ride. The base 2.5 liter engine feels very underpowered. Subaru's have been known to have a tighter suspension and this Legacy is completely different. The drive feels more like an everyday sedan focused more on driver comfort than a Subaru has ever been. Everyday driving is more polished and tranquilizing than the previous generation Legacy. I took the Legacy through some winding country roads where Subarus usually shine, and was very surprised. Clumsiness and body roll plagued the Legacy like an old woman without her walker. The 2.5 liter 170 hp engine made the Legacy feel underpowered and heavy. The other two optional 256 or 265 hp engines would make the Legacy feel more capable for everyday driving. Even with Subaru's all wheel drive system it felt as though it lacked Subaru's willingness to go off road, instead focusing on a smooth and comfortable drive for those city folk.

The redesigned Legacy is a Subaru aimed more towards a mainstream market. It's comfortable ride and cabin make for a pleasing highway and city drive. Aggressive styling coupled with it's soft ride may scare away some loyal Subaru owners and attract a different buyer. The Legacy lacks what makes Subaru a Subaru. It has evolved into a mainstream car, one that won't be found driving through dirt trails or going on camping trips, instead will be at home on highways and city streets.

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Céline, mais que se passe-t-il? La blogosphère est en émoi, je viens d’avoir Garance Doré au téléphone qui s’inquiète de ton absence…… Bon je l’ai rassurée en lui disant que tu étais, à Amiens, sur la movie production des “Fraises des Bois” dont tu nous parleras très bientôt j’espère….(le tout vêtue d’une robe laquée bleu électrique)….
Quand à moi je suis à fond sur la home page de Noël de mon site et dans ma lancée je profite de ton moment de faiblesse pour te glisser ma Xmas wish-list…
Reviens-nous vite, dear!

une caisse de Pimm's parceque l'autre jour il n'y en avait plus chez Monop....le drame on a du boire des Campari Soda!

une Maserati pour aller à Biarritz cet été...

le Prada's book... parce que je suis vert qu'on ne me l'ait pas encore offert!

une 911 Carrera 4s ... parce que je trouve qu'elle me va plutôt bien, non?

j'suis pas très Church mais là j'avoue c'est carrément momb&perena!

un tour l'été prochain sur le Yacht de Cavalli à Ponza...

si t'as pas les moyens pour la Porsche la 500 cc fera son petit effet...

si t'es carrément fauchée... un tour en taxi piaggio cet été à Anzio me conviendra!

Carsale

O mercado norte-americano já deu sinais de recuperação da crise econômica nos últimos meses. Mas ainda não será esse ano que as grandes festas da indústria automobilística local terão seu prestígio resgatado. De acordo com o The Detroit Bureau, website gerenciado por jornalistas do meio automotivo, o tradicional Salão do Automóvel de Los Angeles, nos Estados Unidos, aberto entre os dias 4 e 13 de dezembro, terá ausências importantes entre as fabricantes de modelos de alto luxo.

Segundo a publicação, a britânica Bentley e as italianas Ferrari, Maserati e Lamborghini não participarão da feira em 2009. A justificativa é a mesma que tirou diversas marcas do Salão de Detroit, em janeiro: redução de custos. Uma das únicas confirmadas na mostra é a Aston Martin, que deve ter um estande discreto feito em parceria com os concessionários da marca inglesa localizados na região da costa oeste ianque. O êxodo das fabricantes de alto luxo também pegou os organizadores de surpresa. Los Angeles é uma das cidades que mais consomem veículos do gênero naquele país.

Fonte: Carsale | www.carsale.uol.com.br

Maserati Ghibli GT MkII (top), Lancia Delta HF Turbo MkI (bottom)

Photo credit: aureliab24

- Gyro

If you have the money to go racing on a large scale, you STILL can’t afford to be campaigning this…

Maserati gehört zu meinen lieblings Post-Rock Bands. Vor allem das Schlagzeugspiel und der Drive der Musik beeindruckt mich zu tiefst. Gerade musste ich lesen, dass der Drummer von Maserati Gerhardt Fuchs gestorben ist. In Willamsburg, Brooklyn NY. Unweit, wo ich noch neulich verweilte.

http://gothamist.com/2009/11/08/wburg_party.php

Maserati ist einer der Bands, die ich unbedingt mal Live sehen wollte. Sehr sehr energetische Musik.

RIP Jerry.

Jerrys Myspace Seite: http://www.myspace.com/7549671

Foi difícil inventar um nome para a mais nova seção de fotos do blog. Portanto, espero que alguém me ajude a criar um novo nome. Mas, por enquanto, ficaremos com esse mesmo.

Nessa nova seção colocarei belas fotos dos carros que iluminam o caminho através da escuridão. Claro que aqui não cabem fotos da F1, da MotoGp e nem da Indy, porque a pista destas categorias são totalmente iluminadas artificialmente.

Portanto, curtam o visual das 24 Horas de Spa neste ano.

Nissan GT-R

Duas Maserati MC12

Corvette C6R

Ford GT, Porsche 911 e o Vette

Um forte abraço e até segunda

Fonte:  TOP List Aziende 2.0 – Social Media Marketing

lord.

Ostatnia Alfa w klasie premium została wyprodukowana w 2007 roku, to wspaniała Sto sześćdziesiątka szóstka.

Sikorki donoszą, że w 2011 pojawi się jej następczyni: piękna, tylnionapędowa Alfa 169. Nadwozie będzie oparte o platformę Chryslera 300, a ożywiać go będzie widlasta szóstka nowej generacji oraz ósemka od Maserati. Do gamy silników dołączy diesel o minimalnej mocy 250 KM.

Czekamy na testy i czar…

Alfa 169 - nowa limuzyna z Mediolanu | źródło:AutoŚwiat.pl

Alfa 169 - limuzyna coupe | źródło: AutoŚwiat.pl

Kuper Alfy 169 | źródło: Autokrata.pl

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