Automobile Point

Magna International Inc. confirmed that, together with Sberbank Rossii (”Sberbank”), it has submitted a non-binding indicative offer for Opel. The offer contemplates a total investment by Magna and Sberbank of Euro 700 million, a portion of which would be guaranteed by the German government. Under the offer, the proposed equity interests in Opel would be: General Motors – 35%; Sberbank – 35%; Magna – 20%; and Opel employees – 10%.

General Motors and the German government are reviewing and considering offers submitted this week and will determine the next steps in the sale process.

There is no assurance that any transaction will result from Magna’s current involvement.

We are the most diversified global automotive supplier. We design, develop and manufacture technologically advanced systems, assemblies, modules and components, and engineer and assemble complete vehicles, primarily for sale to original equipment manufacturers (”OEMs”) of cars and light trucks. Our capabilities include the design, engineering, testing and manufacture of automotive interior systems; seating systems; closure systems; body and chassis systems; vision systems; electronic systems; exterior systems; powertrain systems; roof systems; as well as complete vehicle engineering and assembly.

We have approximately 70,000 employees in 240 manufacturing operations and 86 product development, engineering and sales centres in 25 countries.

Although miles driven have been declining in the past year, the nation’s most well-known automotive travel authority predicts a higher number of drivers during this Memorial Day holiday weekend. And the best-known American tire company predicts that many of those travelers will simply jump into their vehicles and drive, unaware of the condition of the only part of their cars that comes in contact with the road – the tires.

Officials from The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company urge motorists to take a few minutes to inspect their tires, or to visit a local tire and service outlet for a check-up. This advice comes at the outset of the holiday weekend in which AAA (American Automobile Association) estimates that larger numbers of Americans – 32.4 million, versus 31.9 million a year ago – will travel 50 miles or more from home. This represents a 1.5 percent increase from last year.

AAA says 83 percent of those holiday travelers are expected to go by car, truck or van. With Memorial Day considered the beginning of the summer travel season, this rise in expected driving is accompanied by gas prices that are averaging about 28 cents per gallon more this week, as compared to average pump prices just a month ago.

According to Goodyear, an increase in the price of gas is even more incentive to check tire condition and air pressure before heading off on any vacation journeys.

According to Gary Medalis, Goodyear general manager, passenger car tires, “Underinflated tires can increase fuel consumption, costing motorists extra miles per gallon. In addition, they should avoid severely under- or overinflated tires, or those with insufficient tread depth or structural damage.”

The U.S. Department of Energy has reported that every pound per square inch of tire underinflation wastes 4 million gallons of gas daily in the U.S.

At today’s prices and with millions of vehicles on the road, that is a huge expense, according to Medalis.

“An underinflated tire doesn’t roll as smoothly or as easily as it was intended, so it uses more energy, robbing the vehicle of fuel efficiency. If motorists understood this, they might realize why tire maintenance is so important,” he said.

A new tire from Goodyear – the Assurance Fuel Max – helps drivers save gas and spend less money getting to their destination. A breakthrough fuel-saving tread compound helps save 2,600 miles worth of gas over the life of a set of tires.*

In addition to offering the Assurance Fuel Max line of tires, many Goodyear retailers distribute tire care brochures, and offer free tire inflation and tread inspections. Easy-to-find maintenance advice is offered at www.goodyeartires.com.

Medalis reminds motorists that tires should be inflated to the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendation printed on a vehicle’s door placard or in the owner’s manual, not the maximum limit stamped on a tire sidewall. The inflation pressure of tires should be checked at least monthly and before any long trips.

Goodyear is one of the world’s largest tire companies. It employs approximately 71,000 people and manufactures its products in more than 60 facilities in 25 countries around the world. For more information about Goodyear tires, visit www.goodyeartires.com

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In a national survey conducted by the well-respected product-consulting firm AutoPacific, new car owners chose the Porsche 911 model line as the most satisfying Premium Sports Car, winning the Vehicle Satisfaction Award (VSA) in a competitive field that includes some the world’s most renowned nameplates.

Just as importantly, in the same survey, auto buyers overwhelming selected the entire Porsche brand as the one they would recommend most to their friends and family. This very coveted award demonstrates the passion and devotion owners have for their cars.

“The thing we really see is that if an owner is willing to recommend a vehicle, they are making a real commitment to it,” said George Peterson, president of California based AutoPacific.

Porsche had the highest most-recommended score, with 91 percent of owners saying they would “definitely” recommend a car from Porsche’s full-line of offerings.

In the same survey, which included more than 25,000 consumers from around the nation, owners handed the 911 top honors in the highly competitive Vehicle Satisfaction Award for Premium Sports Cars. The VSA is considered an industry benchmark for objectively measuring how satisfied an owner is with his or her car or light truck, and reflects the opinions of consumers nationwide.

“AutoPacific has conducted this industry research since 1997. Vehicles that score highest in AutoPacific’s Vehicle Satisfaction Awards have hit the mark delivering value and satisfaction with their buyers by performing well in 48 separate categories that measure the ownership experience.”

Porsche introduced a new generation 911 model series last year. All 2009 911s offer a higher level of performance with improved fuel efficiency thanks to higher displacement engines with direct fuel injection (DFI) and the new optional 7-speed double-clutch gearbox Porsche-Doppelkupplung (PDK), a racing-inspired technology and a Porsche first.

In addition to identifying category winners, AutoPacific’s Vehicle Satisfaction Awards establish numerical satisfaction ratings for virtually every passenger car and light truck in the North American market. Owner satisfaction is measured across specific areas related to a car’s operation, comfort, safety and overall purchase/lease experience. The 2009 ratings reflect input from buyers and lessees of new vehicles acquired September through December.

AutoPacific is a future-oriented automotive marketing and product-consulting firm. Every year it publishes a wide variety of syndicated studies on the automotive industry. The firm also conducts extensive proprietary research and consulting for auto manufacturers, distributors, marketers and suppliers worldwide. Its company headquarters and state-of-the-art automotive research facility are in Tustin, California, with an affiliate office in the Detroit area.

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Volkswagen of America, Inc. announced today that owners of their Tiguan have given it strong ratings that place it at the top of the Mid-Size Crossover Sport Utility Vehicle category in AutoPacific’s 2009 Vehicle Satisfaction Award research. AutoPacific’s Vehicle Satisfaction Award (VSA) is an industry benchmark for objectively measuring how satisfied an owner is with their new car or light truck, and reflects the opinions of consumers nationwide.

“Having our Tiguan recognized by AutoPacific and our customers for its vehicle satisfaction is a tremendous honor for us,” said Mark Barnes, Chief Operating Officer, Volkswagen of America, Inc. “Owner based awards such as AutoPacific’s VSA help consumers make educated decisions when purchasing a new vehicle. We believe in our products and we’re glad to see that our customers believe in them as well,” added Barnes.

The VSA Awards summarize the results of AutoPacific’s 2009 model year vehicle satisfaction research. More than 25,000 consumers around the country participated in the survey. The VSA is derived entirely from owner satisfaction which is measured across 48 specific areas related to a vehicle’s operation, comfort, safety, and overall purchase/lease experience. The 2009 ratings reflect input from buyers and lessees of new vehicles acquired September through December 2008.

“AutoPacific has conducted this industry research since 1997. Vehicles that score highest in AutoPacific’s Vehicle Satisfaction Awards have hit the mark delivering value and satisfaction with their buyers by performing well in 48 separate categories that measure the ownership experience,” says AutoPacific president George Peterson.

Tiguan, the GTI of Compact Sport Utility Vehicles, features the “fun to drive” handling and performance owners have come to expect from Volkswagen. The Tiguan comes standard with Volkswagen’s 2.0L TSI® engine that delivers turbo-charged acceleration while still delivering responsible fuel efficiency. This award winning turbo-charged four-cylinder power plant delivers 200 horsepower and 207 lbs. –ft. of torque. The combination of four valves per cylinder, direct fuel injection and turbo-charging delivers the optimum balance of power and economy. European tuned suspension enables connected handling, while also providing a smooth and compliant ride. Both front wheel drive and 4Motion® all-wheel-drive is available to suit any weather or road condition.

Recently the Tiguan was rated one of the top small SUVs in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) new Roof Strength safety-test. Tiguan also received the IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK award for 2008, and top ratings in the IIHS front and side crash testing making it one of the safest small SUVs available in the market today. The Tiguan also comes standard with electronic stability control, branded ESP on Volkswagen vehicles, and six airbags, with rear seat airbags as an option.

Tiguan is available in three trim levels, S, SE, and SEL. It is based priced at $23,200, reflecting the Volkswagen brand commitment of providing both tremendous value and affordable German engineering. Tiguan offers EPA fuel economy of 19 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway.

Tiguan, like all current 2009 model year Volkswagen vehicles, is included in the no-charge Carefree Maintenance Program. Under this program all of Tiguan’s scheduled maintenance, as described in its maintenance booklet, is covered for the length of the New Vehicle Warranty—three years or 36,000 miles, whichever occurs first.

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The 2010 Ford Mustang coupe has earned the U.S. government’s top 5-star crash-test rating, adding to widespread acclaim for the new car’s unmistakable design and upgraded performance that builds on the formula that’s made it America’s favorite pony car for 45 years. Ford has more U.S. government 5-star-rated vehicles than any other brand and more Top Safety Pick ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety than any other automaker.

The new Mustang uses high strength steel in its body structure and uses ultra high strength steel in the door intrusion beams for additional side impact protection.

The Mustang’s considerable body stiffness contributes to the coupe and convertible’s driving performance and has a parallel benefit in accident protection. While the coupe’s body structure is approximately 31 percent stiffer than the previous Mustang platform, the convertible’s is more than twice as stiff – creating a structure that helps protect the cabin from deformation and intrusion during an impact.

The front structure’s crush zones are computer-designed to absorb energy in a controlled manner and help dissipate it before it can reach the passenger compartment. Ford engineers have run thousands of design iterations of the Mustang’s front rails to arrive at an octagonal shape that helps spread crash forces evenly to help protect occupants.

State-of-the-art technology adds to the convenience and safety of the 2010 Mustang, from the availability of the latest version of Ford SYNC®, with new features 911 Assist™ and Vehicle Health Report, to standard AdvanceTrac® Electronic Stability Control, which complements the all-speed traction control and standard anti-lock braking system (ABS).

Additional standard safety equipment includes Beltminder® and the Personal Safety System™ – a system that includes dual-stage driver and front passenger air bags, safety belt pretensioners and Beltminder.

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