4x4Wire

IRVINE, Calif., Jan. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- Kelley Blue Book, www.kbb.com, the leading provider of new- and used-vehicle information, today reports an increase in new-car shopper activity on its top-rated Web site. After a period of consumer cautiousness, which led to lower shopping activity and lower sales in recent months, the average daily new-car traffic on www.kbb.com has increased 20 percent in January 2009 compared to the previous month. This reveals higher traffic levels than any time during the fourth quarter of 2008.

Support for the domestic manufacturers is up during this time as well, with traffic to General Motors reports up 19 percent from December 2008. Ford has 9 percent, and Chrysler has 20 percent more activity on kbb.com compared to the previous month.

"Based on the climb in new-car traffic and dealer leads generated on kbb.com in December and early January, we expect to see a lift in auto sales versus the last quarter of 2008," said Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book and kbb.com. "Consumers are recognizing great deals are available now, many based on generous manufacturer incentives, making this a great time to buy or lease a new vehicle."

As a further indication that the recent sales freeze may be thawing, dealer leads generated on kbb.com were up 19 percent in the week ending December 28, 2008, compared to the previous week. In the following week ending January 4, 2009, the number of leads jumped an additional 18 percent, creating an overall leads increase of 40 percent compared to two weeks prior.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Mother Nature played a big role in the outcome of Sunday’s Daytona 500 by halting the event with rain after 152 of 200 laps were completed. Had she intervened just one lap earlier, Dodge would have successfully defended its Daytona 500 title, with Elliott Sadler nearly taking the checkered flag.

Despite this turn of events, four members of the Dodge Motorsports team finished in the top-10. Here’s how the whole team did:

• 3rd – A.J. Allmendinger, #44 Valvoline Dodge Charger
• 5th – Elliott Sadler, #19 Stanley Dodge Charger
• 9th – Reed Sorenson, #43 McDonald’s Dodge Charger
• 10th – Kurt Busch, #2 Miller Lite Dodge Charger
• 29th – Kasey Kahne, #9 Budweiser Dodge Charger
• 32nd – Sam Hornish, Jr., #77 Mobil 1 Dodge Charger
• 33rd – David Stremme, #12 Penske Racing Dodge Charger

Elliott Sadler took the lead on lap 122 in the No. 19 Stanley Dodge Charger. He had a strong push from teammate Reed Sorenson from the second spot as reports of rain converging on the 2.5-mile track intensified. Sadler held the point for 24 circuits, but when Sorenson was tapped from behind on lap 146, the rear end of the No. 43 McDonald’s Dodge Charger lost traction briefly which allowed eventual winner Matt Kenseth and runner-up Kevin Harvick to make the pass and take aim at Sadler. The two drafted past Sadler’s No. 19 Stanley’s Dodge Charger just as the rain began to intensify. The caution appeared just after lap 146 was completed. After six laps under yellow, the red flag was displayed and the cars were stopped on pit road. After a 20-minute wait, NASCAR® officials announced the race had been called.

Click here to read about 2009 Daytona Recap: Dodge Boys Nab Four Top 10 Spots

Red Letter Dodge announces an Open Forum: Calling All Questions…Ask Them Here!

Feb 25, 2009 at 4:06PM

OK. So let’s begin by thanking everyone for their past questions to this blog. We’ve done (you may not believe it, but it’s true) our best to get answers for you. There are a lot of things we just can’t talk about, unfortunately.

But that shouldn’t matter. We here at RLD feel like we owe you something better. So we’re going to start a running list of questions. Ask away! ***EVEN IF YOU ASKED ONE BEFORE, PLEASE RESUBMIT IT!*** We might not be able to answer you right now…but we will keep your question in the list until we can…with updates on the progress.

While we haven’t always done a great job of responding, we sometimes can come up with rock stars like Bob Frederick or Mike Accavitti who turn out to be the best in the business at getting you folks information where they can. So, again…ask away…we are definitely listening.

Submit any questions about Dodge or Chrysler LLC. in the Red Letter Dodge Forum. And we’ll keep repeating your questions in future “Open Forum” posts until we can get you an answer.

Zero Motorcycles Sets World Record This Weekend at 24 Hours of Electricross

- Santa Cruz Company Makes History With All-Electric Vehicle Endurance Race -

SANTA CRUZ, Calif., April 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Zero Motorcycles made history today, after hosting their 24 Hours of Electricross this past weekend. The event was the first international endurance competition for off-road all-electric vehicles and included teams from around the world. Setting several world records including a Guinness World Record, over 50 competitors raced for 24 hours straight, only stopping to change out batteries and riders. In total, more than 4000 miles were completed by the field of 10 teams. The winning team was HotChalks MDV and completed more than a 1000 laps and 500 miles.

"This event proved that electric technology can endure the same level of competition as their gas-powered counterparts, however, the power resources to compete are drastically different. The total cost to power all 10 motorcycles for 24 hours was approximately $100," said Neal Saiki, inventor and founder, Zero Motorcycles. "From New Mexico to Canada to the UK, teams traveled from across the globe to participate in this record-setting race and to be a part of history."

"The 24 Hours of Electricross, hosted by Zero Motorcycles, was the perfect event to showcase what electric motorcycle technology can accomplish. Our team worked very hard to win this race and we couldn't be more thrilled with the outcome," said Edward Fields and Bryan Stolle, co-captains, Team HotChalks MDV.

The Xtreme Green Products electric motorcycle, the X Rider, has become the first electric highway motorcycle to receive a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Certificate of Conformity. This certification, which is mandated by the Clean Air Act of 1990, allows the X Rider to legally travel on U.S. highways.

Las Vegas, NV, July 09, 2009 --(PR.com)-- Xtreme Green Products, Inc. (XGP), an eco-vehicle company specializing in the development of electric land vehicles and personal watercraft, has announced today that the X Rider has become the first electric highway motorcycle to receive a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Certificate of Conformity.

The EPA Certificate of Conformity is a required certification for vehicles to operate on U.S. roads and highways. The certification was mandated by the Clean Air Act of 1990 to certify that vehicles conform to all EPA regulations and emission standards.
“Receiving the EPA Certificate of Conformity for the X Rider electric motorcycle represents an important milestone for Xtreme Green Products,” commented Claire Roth, Vice President of Government Affairs at Xtreme Green Products. “For the past six months, we have worked diligently with the EPA to develop procedures for certifying electric motorcycles such as the X Rider. Now that the X Rider is certified, it is now designated as operational on U.S. highways and officially qualifies for electric vehicle tax credits offered through the federal government’s stimulus package,” she added.

The X Rider is the ultimate electric, two-passenger, Green Urban Commuter. This powerful, yet efficient, electric vehicle can travel up to 65 miles per hour with a range over 100 miles per charge. Features of the X Rider include a proprietary power management system, allowing added safety and battery life, a built in battery charger that allows the X Rider to fully charged in less than 3 hours, and a 4500 watt, 72 volt proprietary hub motor developed to maximize top speed and range. With an operational cost as low as $0.003 per mile, the X Rider is the perfect eco-friendly alternative to traditional fuel-powered transportation.

About Xtreme Green Products, Inc.
Xtreme Green Products, Inc., is an eco-vehicle company designing and building revolutionary, electric powered, land and personal watercraft. Our products in development include extreme sports vehicles such as jetboards, jet skis, ATVs, and snowmobiles as well as everyday products such as motorcycles, light trucks, police mobility vehicles, motor scooters, go carts, people movers, and golf cars.