Whether for routine maintenance, troubleshooting or a major overhaul, Clymer manuals provide step-by-step, reliable information to perform the job. All outlined procedures are based upon the complete disassembly of the motorcycle. This hands-on experience, combined with extensive research, results in a manual that is both detailed and user-friendly. Accurate, clear and concise text, combined with hundreds of detailed illustrations and photography, make it possible for the novice enthusiast to safely and enjoyably service their motorcycle. At the same time, those with more experience can rely on the in-depth coverage of the manuals to tackle complicated procedures.

The Honda XR650R 2000-2007 Manual (M225) will be available in April for $32.95 through dealers and bookstores or directly from Clymer. Web users can find this title, as well as more than 400 other Clymer brand repair manuals at www.clymer.com. The Web site provides enhanced search capabilities, including filtering by manufacturer and model, enabling enthusiasts to quickly and easily locate appropriate manuals. The site also offers wiring diagrams and special content that can be purchased and viewed online, and allows users to register to receive new product announcements and special offers.

The UQM systems were purchased as part of the partnership’s advanced hybrid electric technology program which has the objective of incorporating an advanced set of control systems and more efficient components into the hybrid electric bus to provide additional fuel efficiency improvements of 15 percent to 20 percent, or an overall improvement of up to 40 percent over standard diesel-powered vehicles. The partnership’s goal is to field the first production vehicles utilizing advanced hybrid electric technology in fiscal 2009.

“We are pleased that the MTA partnership has selected our 150 kW propulsion system for their advanced hybrid electric technology program. Our 150 kW propulsion system, with its exceptional torque and light weight, will improve the acceleration of the bus, while maximizing the range between recharges due to its highly energy efficient operation,” said William G. Rankin, President and Chief Executive Officer of UQM Technologies, Inc. “We look forward to additional orders for this bus as this technology is placed in service in 2009.”

“We were looking for a feedback device to embed into our motor’s circuit, and as an engineering company, we wanted to work with a company that not only had the competency, but also was dedicated to the program,” said IMS President David Coutu. “Timken was able to deliver on both aspects, bringing their technical expertise, production capabilities and support together to develop a low-profile sensor solution. In fact, we’re now working on the next-generation technology for the application.”

For more than six years, Timken has produced high-resolution magnetic sensors for use in a multitude of applications, including mobile, construction, factory automation, machine tool, semiconductor and medical. The sensor system embedded on the chip integrates speed, direction and position feedback functionality into a compact package. This design provides the user with an efficient means to obtain critical control feedback from a location close to the motion in an electromechanical package.

“As a leader in providing innovative power transmission solutions, we continue to investigate and develop sensor alternatives that solve challenging customer applications,” said Greg K. VanBuskirk, Timken’s business development manager for motion control sensors. “Working with IMS, this tractor-guidance system can improve productivity and lower operating costs by reducing operator fatigue, fuel consumption and row overlap while planting or spraying.”

The Cove.
No longer just a place on the lake where you hang out in your boat, the Corvette “Cove” is the at-a-glance characteristic that makes the Corvette Limited Edition Sport-V unmistakable. Taken from the C6 design, the cove is uniquely Corvette whether showcased on land or water.

Windows that roll.
Malibu engineers paid homage to the thrill of the open road by incorporating windows that roll down into the power wing windshield.

What’s under the hood?
The Corvette-styled closed bow becomes impressively functional as the bow hood opens to reveal LED lighting, a dual subwoofer high powered stereo system and specific storage centers.

Corvette, even on the inside.
The moment you take your place in the authentic Corvette driver’s seat, you will be at command central of the Corvette Limited Edition Sport-V. Everything is at your fingertips, from the keyless start with security code activation to the Malibu in-dash LCD and two banks of multiplexed switches with built-in LCD screens. The servo-driven Medallion gauges peek out from the low-brow dash and can be dimmed to three different brightness settings. The feeling of fingertip control is as immediate as you put your hands on the sure-grip performance steering wheel.

Whether you are in the authentic Corvette driver’s seat, the passenger’s seat or the console-split rear lounge, you will feel the comfort of the plush, 38-ounce Duraguard vinyl seamed with French stitching. Anodized aluminum cup holders, carbon fiber accents, theater-style LED interior lighting are standards that enhance the luxury of this extraordinary boat. The 8-speaker Malibu-Rockford Fosgate Stereo System enables you to create the ultimate, heart pounding, Corvette experience.

Same heart, same soul.
To maintain the legendary Corvette performance and renowned speed the Corvette Limited Edition Sport-V is available in both Z06 and Coupe packages. The Z06 delivers the same power as the car with 505 horse power and 470 lb.-ft. of torque from the exclusive LS7 Corvette engine. The powerful 400 horsepower Hammerhead 383 engine makes its home in the Coupe.

Malibu engineers understand that the heart and soul of any Corvette, land or water, is the engine. With a nod to its importance, they have incorporated a clear, Lexan door designed to showcase the LS7 engine, visible when you open the Corvette Z06 boat’s rear storage hatches. Twenty-four bright red LEDs showcase this powerful performer.

What does GM say?
When asked about the new Corvette boat from Malibu Gene Reamer, Director of Trademark and licensing for General Motors, had this to say. “Once again Malibu Boats did an excellent job capturing Corvette styling cues and introducing innovative features, which is consistent with Corvette the sports car.” A big smile came over his face and he added, “…they made this boat go really fast, too!”

Complete with custom trailer.
No Corvette boat would be complete without a perfectly matched trailer. Malibu engineers have designed this exclusive tandem axel trailer to incorporate all the special details that say Corvette including official Corvette or Z06 wheels, depending on the model. The trailer is just another flawless rendition of Corvette design elements that shows off this very special boat as only Malibu could.

The Corvette Limited Edition Sport-V Boat’s unmatched style, unbridled power, precise technology, global awareness and aggressive modern muscle will certainly make its owners proud and continue its legendary status on the water. The Corvette Limited Edition Sport-V will be sold in limited production through authorized, participating Malibu Boats dealerships throughout North America.

“Pick ups used to be pretty much exclusively for business or trade, so the only insurance available was for business use,” explains Julie Carter of Flux’s commercial vehicle division. “But with the upmarket, fun models that have come over in recent years, lots of people have used them just for pleasure. Business insurance often costs more than social, domestic and pleasure, so owners have had to pay extra for cover they didn’t need.

“Our new scheme sorts out this anomaly, so pick up owners can get cheaper, ‘pleasure-only’ insurance without any problems, both for comprehensive and for third party, fire & theft (TPF&T) policies.”

The savings can be significant, even for the cheaper TPF&T policies. For example, a pick up costing around £236 to insure for business use would cost around £206 for social, domestic and pleasure use under the Flux scheme - a saving of well over 10%. (Both are examples are for TPF&T).

Flux has made its pick up insurance scheme as flexible as possible: as well as the ‘pleasure-only’ option, the company offers cover for big six- or seven-seater models and will insure American or grey imports. Flux is also one of the few companies that will insure modified pick ups and vans.

Andrew Eisner, director of content at Retrevo says, “We’re not sure if there are more people feeling lost and looking for direction or they just want to own one of the hottest digital lifestyle gadgets, but Retrevo is seeing lots of interest in everything GPS from cheap GPS devices to high-end GPS devices. There are some great GPS values this holiday season.”

Hot GPS Features This Season

Avoiding traffic jams is top on every commuters list this year. Real time traffic information often requires an extra device to receive the data sent on FM, cellular, or satellite signals. You’ll also often have to pay a monthly, annual, or lifetime fee. MSN Direct, bundled with some units like the Garmin nuvi 680 is available for 120 cities and not only gives you traffic info but adds gas prices, weather, and movie times. Some GPS devices like the Navigon 7100 include free lifetime traffic.

Text-to-speech (TTS) lets the GPS device give you audible street names, directions, and points of interest (POI) information. This feature is sometimes called spoken street names and is pretty standard in most high-end devices. The Navigon 2100 is a new low price GPS device that offers TTS.

Great GPS Gift Ideas

The Garmin Forerunner 205 is a GPS device that you wear like a wristwatch. It tells you how far you ran and how long it took. Serious runners rave about this GPS device. You can buy the Garmin Forerunner 205 for around $180. The older Garmin Forerunner 201 which reviewers don’t like as much as the 205 can be purchased for around $120 or you can buy the higher end Garmin Forerunner 305 that adds a heart rate monitor for around $220.

The Garmin eTrex family that includes very small, portable, and waterproof handheld GPS devices make great companions for outdoor activities. They come with WAAS accuracy enhancement technology and run for many hours on AA batteries. The basic Garmin eTrex sells for around $100. The GARMIN ETREX LEGEND sells for under $200 and offers 36 hour battery life and a color display.

Black Friday Hot Sellers You Can Still Buy

Retrevo looked at what happened in the world of GPS devices on Black Friday and found there are still plenty of good values out there. Here are a few:

The TomTom One LE was a doorbuster at Best Buy for $119. It has a 3.5 inch display, Bluetooth, an SD card expansion slot, and comes with a windshield mount which are illegal in California and Minnesota. You can currently buy the TomTom One LE at Best Buy for $149.

The Navigon 2100 has an MSRP of $249 but they were gobbled up on Black Friday at Staples for $99. Staples had the Navigon 2100T the T is for traffic and was included in the price. You can currently purchase the 2100 now for a little over $200. The Navigon 2100 is part of a Navigon GPS family that just started selling in the U.S that includes The Navigon 2100, Navigon 5100, and Navigon 7100. The 2100 and 5100 have a 3.5 inch screen while the 7100 is a widescreen device. Traffic is included free in the 5100 and 7100. The 2100 gets good marks for industrial design and flash-like graphics but there are concerns about icon and font readability and data entry.

The Mio c230, featuring text to voice was on sale at Radio Shack for $149. You can get this basic 3.5 inch screen GPS that offers Text-to-Speech functionality and gets high marks for performance and ease of use for well under $200.

MOST multimedia technology enables the networking of feature-rich infotainment systems in automobiles by providing the means to distribute multimedia entertainment functions among the various control devices around the car. For example, a CD changer, radio, global positioning system, mobile telephone and DVD player can be established in an efficient ring network and can send crisp, static-free audio signals digitally to the amplifier by utilizing the MOST network. Since introducing its first MOST solution in 2001, SMSC’s networking technology has evolved to address increasing bandwidth needs for consumer applications in the car, starting at 25 Mbps, and now provides up to 150 Mbps of speed for applications such as high definition video and multi-channel surround sound.

MOST is a de facto industry standard for high bandwidth automotive multimedia networking deployed by virtually every major European automobile manufacturer and, more recently, by Asia manufacturers. SMSC is a member of the steering committee of the MOST Cooperation, an association of several carmakers and their premier suppliers working to establish and refine a common standard for the evolving requirements of automotive multimedia networking.

Incorporating a rugged, compact design, the OptiSonde is a true 1%RH hygrometer equipped, which facilitates recordings of test environments, with an internal data logger.

The OptiSonde directly measures dew point temperature by using an infrared light emitter and detector to regulate heat being removed from a precious metal mirror, regulating a condensed dew or frost layer to a constant mass. The temperature of the mirror is measured by a precision resistance temperature detector. When the mass of the condensed water is at equilibrium, the temperature of the mirror is, by definition, equal to the dew point temperature. By simultaneously measuring the ambient temperature humidity parameters, relative humidity, absolute humidity, volume and mass ratios are calculated by the OptiSonde with high precision.

The analyzer is available in bench-top and wall mounted configurations. For room monitoring, the chilled mirror and temperature sensor is plugged directly onto the chassis, or the sensors can be installed up to 300 ft (100 m) away and connected via cable. The OptiSonde indicates two user selected parameters simultaneously as well as system status and diagnostics. In addition to the LCD readout, data is transmitted via two fully scaleable analog signals (4-20mA) and digitally via an RS-232 port. The unit is equipped with a data logger that enables long-term data to be saved. The OptiSonde is supplied with PanaView software to enable data uploading to a PC for graphing and data reduction. The data may also be exported as an ASCII text file format for use in spreadsheets. The OptiSonde incorporates GE Sensing’s patented PACER cycle which is an automatic means of self-cleaning and balancing the sensor optics.

The exclusive Radisson Resort, Bolshaya Yalta (Ukraine) will feature 450 rooms – the first 250 rooms will be completed in April 2009, 200 more will follow in April 2010. Extensive facilities will comprise 11 outlets and activity areas, indoor- and outdoor pools, a private beach, and a spa. Yalta is the administrative centre of the Crimean Southern Coast – a 70 km resort area where major investments have taken place during the last few years. The region is well known for its leisure activities by the sea, and the wines of Massandra.

An existing boutique hotel in the elegant 16th district of Paris will be re-branded as Radisson Hotel, Paris in autumn 2008. The charming property including 45 rooms and suites, a Grand Salon lobby with open fireplace, restaurant and bar is close to exclusive boutiques and major attractions such as the Arc of Triumph, the Eiffel Tower and Trocadéro. With the property Rezidor strengthens its position in the French capital – the group is already managing four Radisson and one Park Inn hotel in and around the city, and has one further Radisson hotel under development.

In Portugal Rezidor opens a Radisson hotel and a Radisson residence – both are scheduled to welcome the first guests in Q3 2009: The Radisson Hotel Portimao will feature 192 guestrooms, two restaurants, a bar, extensive meeting & conference facilities, a leisure area with indoor and outdoor swimming pools, spa & wellness facilities, and tennis courts. The property is part of a business development project called Algarve Motor Park which will be located close to the city of Portimao – it will comprise a race track park which will host national & international sporting events, a karting circuit, a leisure & technological park, and a residence also managed by Rezidor: The Radisson Residence Portimao will offer 160 serviced apartments of four varying types (ranging from 55 to 180 square meters), a leisure area, a reception area and a restaurant/breakfast room.

The Radisson Hotel Brno is Rezidor’s fourth project in Czech Republic and an existing building which will be transformed into a hotel with 117 rooms and suites, a restaurant, a bar, and a spa & health club. The property which is scheduled to open in Q3 2009 is positioned in the city centre of Brno, opposite of the main train station and at the beginning of the high street. Brno is located in the South East of Czech Republic and the second largest city of the country. Brno provides a modern airport which serves as a reserve airport for Prague, and one of the cities major attractions is Mies van der Rohe’s “Villa Tugendhat”.

The Park Inn St Helens (United Kingdom) is currently trading as the Hilton St Helens and will be re-branded as a Park Inn on December 1, 2007. It provides 84 rooms, a restaurant, a lounge bar, 8 meeting rooms, and a health and fitness club including a swimming pool. St Helens is located approximately 15 kilometers east of Liverpool and 35 kilometers west of Manchester and very well connected via various modes of transport. The hotel is a 10 minutes drive from the M6 motorway.

Clymer motorcycle repair manuals provide step-by-step procedures based upon complete disassembly of the motorcycle. This hands-on experience, combined with extensive research, results in a manual that is both detailed and user-friendly. Hundreds of original photos and illustrations guide the reader through every job, simplifying repairs and reducing repair costs.

Whether for routine maintenance, troubleshooting or a major overhaul, Clymer manuals provide reliable information to perform the job. Accurate, clear and concise text, combined with detailed illustrations and photography, make it possible for the novice enthusiast to safely and enjoyably service their motorcycle. At the same time, those with more experience can rely on the in-depth coverage of the manuals to tackle complicated procedures.

The Harley-Davidson VRSC Series 2002-2007 Manual (M426) will be available in November for $45.95 through dealers, bookstores or directly from Clymer.

The best-selling Clymer brand family, published by Penton Media, includes do-it-yourself repair manuals for popular models of motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles, snowmobiles, watercraft and marine and small engines.

Web users can explore and purchase more than 400 of the Clymer family of motorcycle, all-terrain vehicle, snowmobile, watercraft, marine, tractor, and small engine repair manuals at www.clymer.com. Clymer.com’s enhanced search capability, including filtering by manufacturer and model, provides enthusiasts with a quick and easy way to locate appropriate manuals. The site also features repair tips and sample pages, and allows users to register to receive new product announcements and special offers.

The race vehicle is a Toyota Tundra Trophy Truck able to exert 765 horsepower and reach speeds nearing 140 mph on dirt. “The truck is reliable and fast, with engineering advances in multiple areas including steering and suspension” stated Crew Chief Christian Reicher. When the race truck crosses the starting line, it will be the second Tundra in off-road history to compete in the premier Trophy Truck class, following Ivan Stewart’s in the year 2000. Driving duties will be shared between Friedkin, Sullivan, Rex Whiteside and promising up-and-coming driver Chad Ragland.

The race is celebrating its fortieth anniversary this year. Starting in Ensenada, Baja California and finishing in Cabo San Lucas, the 1,296-mile course is a grueling mix of desert terrain. Veteran drivers who have seen many of the past forty events are commenting on this year’s course difficulty, and many are calling it the toughest in the event’s history. Although competing in a vehicle class capable of winning the overall title, Sullivan noted, “In our first year, merely completing the Baja 1000 will be a tremendous accomplishment.”

“Speck continues to innovate and create new products and today, we have done that again,” said Joe Muzyka, VP of Sales for Speck. “We are thrilled to unveil another first, the first skin for GPS portable navigation devices, the ToughSkin for the Garmin nuvi 300 and 200. With the continuously growing GPS market, consumers are not only using their devices in the car, but also on-the-go, and need the highest level of protection, our industry leading ToughSkin!”

The ToughSkin strikes the perfect balance between style and ruggedness. Designed with shock-absorbing, rubberized bumpers and tear-resistant plastic, it provides active users and the person on-the-go with a unique cover that can withstand dust, knocks and scratches associated with active lifestyles. The durable case is the perfect add-on when transporting your Garmin nuvi alone, in a travel case, briefcase, luggage or in your car. Now shipping for the Garmin nuvi 300 and soon for the nuvi 200, the ToughSkin includes a screen protector film and cleaning cloth. Available in black and clear. MSRP: $29.95.

Mediterranean cruise highlights of the tour:

Istanbul, Egypt & the Greek Islands: This 16-day cruise ‘through the ages’ is a voyage through the sparkling waters of the Mediterranean; offering an exploration of myth and legend. During this memorable journey, every port of call serves as an entryway into the ancient past – the pristine islands of Greece, the Egyptian city of Alexandria and finally Turkey, where East meets West.

Sightseeing highlights

• Guided sightseeing of Athens
• 12-day cruise on Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Jade
• Ports of call in Katakolon, Corfu, Alexandria, Heraklion, Santorini, Mykonos, Ephesus and Istanbul

• Guided sightseeing of Istanbul

Optional excursions

• Ancient Greek Evening
• Half-day excursion to Cape Sounion

From $3,199, including roundtrip airfare and fuel surcharges.

Russel McMeekin, President and CEO of Progressive Gaming, commented, ” Enterprise Edition 3.0 provides operators with an unparalleled, integrated casino management system that employs leading-edge technology to manage all aspects of a gaming floor on an individualized and highly scaleable platform. As customer management becomes an increasingly central component of maintaining a high quality game experience for players, Progressive has evolved our Casinolink system in order to provide innovative technology solutions that seamlessly serve as the essential connections between casino operators and their customers. We expect that the new functionality and benefits derived by our casino customers from Casinolink Enterprise Edition 3.0 will stimulate an upgrade cycle for our current installed base while also helping to grow what is the industry’s largest systems presence outside of the U.S.”

“In the casino industry, differentiation is critical to stand out and compete, making advanced business intelligence tools a must,” said Sandra Andrews, U.S. industry solutions director for lodging, gaming & entertainment, Microsoft Corp. “Utilizing Microsoft’s business intelligence technologies, Progressive Gaming’s Casinolink provides the industry with an integrated gaming and player management solution with access to the right information that employees need to turn insight into action – and ultimately drive business success and guest satisfaction.”

In addition to the benefits operators derive from the system’s robust information analysis capabilities, Casinolink Enterprise Edition 3.0 also enhances the player’s experience by delivering a full suite of custom branded and prepackaged Jackpot and Mystery progressives. Operators enjoy the simplicity of basic, intermediate, advanced and enterprise mystery jackpot tiers while players enjoy a wide variety of new progressive mystery jackpot innovations including Countdown Mystery, Scheduled Mystery, Happy Hour Bonus and the Acres-Fiore premium game enhancements featuring the Win Proximity Meter that adds a new level of anticipation for players when jackpot awards are close to being hit.

McMeekin added, “Our CJS mystery and progressive system has already established a strong track record for providing a high return for our casino customers that have deployed it to date. This new innovative mystery progressive feature that we developed with the team from Acres-Fiore will lead to an even higher level of entertainment experience for players and help to further grow the market penetration of CJS.”

John Acres, Chief Executive Officer of Acres-Fiore, commented, “I’m excited to work with the power of Casinolink Enterprise Edition 3.0 and look forward to creating some great products that run on the system.”

Armin Karu, Chairman of the Management Board of Olympic Entertainment Group, added, “Casinolink provides us with a fully integrated system that has quickly become an integral aspect of our ability to manage each of our 116 casinos throughout Central Europe and the Baltic Region. Olympic Entertainment utilizes the full features of this robust system and we look forward to adding the additional functionality of Casinolink 3.0, which we expect will help us to continue to improve the overall experience of our customers.”

Players can enjoy this jackpot and bonus excitement more seamlessly through the convenience of the Cashless Wallet function that allows for account wagering by which customers transfer credits to/from a machine with a standard magnetic-strip player card.

Franco Malvestio, Gaming Director of Casino di Venezia, said, “Casino di Venezia is proudly one of Europe’s first cashless casinos thanks to Progressive’s Cashless Wallet technology. Our customers value the convenience and security of wagering though an account based system and the enhanced customer management capabilities and resulting personnel efficiencies create a seamless and efficient gaming experience for both us and our customers.”

Progressive will no longer individually sell or promote its various applications as stand-alone Casinolink systems. Instead, Casinolink 3.0 Enterprise Edition includes an all-inclusive suite of functions from which casino operators will license features on a per use basis.

The International DuraStar Hybrid diesel hybrid electric truck has the proven capability to provide dramatic fuel savings from 30-40 percent on a standard in-city pickup and delivery applications. The fuel efficiency can increase to more than 60 percent in utility-type applications when the engine can be shut off, but electric power still operates the vehicle. Diesel emissions are completely eliminated when the hybrid truck operates equipment (like overhead utility booms) solely on the truck’s battery power, instead of allowing the engine to idle.

“In our continued quest to be the first to market with new truck technologies, we are taking the next major step in bringing a medium-duty diesel hybrid electric vehicle into the marketplace,” said Dee Kapur, Truck Group President, International Truck and Engine. “The hybrid combination of the diesel engine and electric battery provides and number of advantages for many truck customers.”

In 2006, International built and delivered 24 developmental hybrid units to 14 major utility companies across North America with overwhelmingly positive results.

“These units are now successfully operating giving us confidence in the quality and reliability of our new hybrid electric product,” said Jim Williams, Director of Sales & Distribution, New Products, International Truck and Engine. “As part of this development process, we have teamed with the Hybrid Truck Users Forum (HTUF), which is a consortium of utility industry customers, Eaton Corporation, the Federal Government and the Weststart/Calstart organization. This was necessary to assist us with the cost of bringing this new technology to market. It also has given us the direct customer feedback and support that is required to make the program a success. The prototype phase is done — International is now building hybrid trucks.”

One customer has tested the International hybrid truck for the past several months and has experienced the advantages first-hand.

“We tested International the hybrid truck for almost a year and it has provided substantial savings in diesel fuel,” said George Survant at Florida Power & Light. “Plus, the truck’s boom can operate on battery power instead of the engine, which results in less fuel consumed, less emissions released into the air and reduced noise in the neighborhoods where we work.”

The Hybrid Truck Users Forum estimates that nearly 1,000 gallons of fuel can be saved annually on utility trucks. With almost 100,000 new medium-duty commercial trucks expected to be sold in 2007, even if a portion of those trucks sold are International’s hybrid trucks, the overall fuel savings could be substantial.

The key challenge facing the trucking industry is the high initial cost to bring the hybrid technology to market. As International builds scale, hybrid truck prices are expected to decrease dramatically, similar to price reduction in computer technology and home electronics equipment over the years. Many customers have also been working to secure government funding to help offset the cost of the new technology. The Energy Policy Act of 2005 can provide tax credits of up to $12,000 per unit.

This production announcement comes on the heels of Navistar receiving the 2007 Blue Sky Award from WestStart-CALSTART for its contributions to the commercial development of diesel-hybrid technology. This preeminent award is presented each year by WestStart-CALSTART, the nation’s leading advanced transportation technology industry organization working to support and accelerate the growth of companies developing clean and energy-efficient transportation technologies.

In addition to production of the International DuraStar diesel hybrid, Navistar’s contributions to advanced diesel-hybrid technology include:

• IC Corporation, the nation’s largest school bus and commercial bus manufacturer and a whole-owned affiliate of Navistar, recently announced it is the first and only bus manufacturer to begin production hybrid school buses in partnership with Enova Systems. The buses improve fuel efficiency by 70-100 percent while reducing emissions by up to 90 percent.
• Scheduled delivery of the nation’s first 19 plug-in hybrid school buses from IC Corporation to 11 states under the efforts of Advanced Energy, a non-profit consortium of school districts, state energy agencies and student transportation providers.
• IC Corporation’s announcement in October 2006 that it is launching a new line of diesel-electric hybrid commercial buses that use the Enova system.
• Navistar’s partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the U.S. Army, UPS and Eaton Corporation to develop the first-ever series diesel hydraulic hybrid urban delivery vehicle.

CSK’s annual contribution from the sale of these calendars helps BGCA operate more than 4,000 Clubs in the U.S. and on military bases around the world. We also focus contributions in the markets served by Checker, Schuck’s, Kragen and Murray’s stores. Over the years CSK has donated dozens of vans and buses to Boys & Girls Clubs in CSK communities. The vehicles allow the Clubs to expand their reach to young people living beyond their immediate community, many of whom never venture out of their neighborhood, to enjoy enriching opportunities such as college tours, sport tournaments and field trips.

Visit your local Checker, Schuck’s, Kragen, or Murray’s store, and learn why this car calendar has become a collectible by car enthusiasts everywhere. Your purchase will benefit young people who depend on the Boys & Girls Clubs in their towns.

The King Ludwig Winter Journey package includes two nights of accommodations in Hohenschwangau, which is near Fussen, daily buffet breakfast, a bottle of wine and two magnificent dinners — a Musiculinaria five course and Bavarian four course-served at the Schlosshotel Lisl and Jagerhaus Hotels. The rates are available from Nov. 1, 2007 through March 31, 2008.
Hohenschwangau Castle, also called Castle of the High Swan County, was the childhood home of King Ludwig II of Bavaria, built by his father King Maximilian II. The eccentric Ludwig commissioned many of the fairy-tale style castles that are the hallmark of Bavaria including the famous Neuschwanstein Castle which is near his parental home. This package showcases both these masterpieces of architecture in great romantic style.

Nordique Tours can also help provide the best international airfare available at the time of booking to Germany in conjunction with this package.

In June 2006 Ricardo, QinetiQ, and PSA Peugeot-Citroen unveiled their 100g/km CO2 Efficient-C full hybrid diesel demonstrator vehicle based on a Citroen Berlingo Multispace. While this vehicle provided an uncompromised package and superior performance compared with the equivalent current production turbo-diesel model, the project partners estimated that its incremental manufacturing cost needed to be reduced by around 50 percent (to approximately $2,900) for the technology to become fully commercially viable based on prevailing fuel prices and consumer fiscal incentives.

The battery system represents around one-third of the incremental manufacturing cost of a typical hybrid vehicle as well as considerable addition to the vehicle mass. If successful, the RED-LION project will demonstrate commercially viable technologies that are capable of delivering sub-100g/km CO2 emissions with superior performance compared to the equivalent current production vehicle.

Mel Brooks, managing director of QinetiQ’s Energy and Materials business, said:
“QinetiQ has a strong track record in delivering high-energy Lithium-Ion battery technology to military customers. This leading edge battery technology emanating from defense is now poised to make a significant difference to the viability of hybrid vehicles with the RED-LION project helping to ensure that cost does not stand in the way of more widespread commercial adoption.”

Neville Jackson, Ricardo technology director, said: “By incorporating the very latest high performance Li-Ion battery technology, which offers the potential for significant reductions in both manufacturing cost and weight, we aim to demonstrate that we have made progress in developing the commercial case for hybrid diesels. We have already demonstrated that acceptable package and superior performance is possible from a hybrid diesel powertrain and with this project, we aim to show that it can be made commercially viable too. This promising battery technology could deliver significant benefits to many vehicle types including electric and plug-in hybrid, as well as full diesel and gasoline hybrids.”

The Cambria Suites hotel will bring the latest in hotel innovation to the Fort Myers area. Like all Cambria Suites hotels, the all-suite hotel boasts a stylish design and guestrooms that are 25 percent larger than standard hotel rooms. The hotel will offer the latest in technology, from a large-screen television in the open, airy two-story lobby to two flat-screen LCD televisions, CD/DVD player, and MP3 jacks in the guest suites and complimentary wired and wireless high-speed Internet access throughout the property.

“We look forward to working with Buffalo Lodging Associates and can’t wait for the day we open the doors to this property,” said William Edmundson, brand president of Cambria Suites for Choice Hotels. “Modern travelers expect their hotel to reflect their lifestyle within its amenities, surroundings and even food and beverage options — the Cambria Suites hotel in Fort Myers has been designed to do just that.”

The 129-suite hotel will be located at the intersection of Ben C. Pratt Parkway and Colonial Boulevard, just miles from Fort Myers Beach. The hotel’s location will also be convenient to the Southwest Florida International Airport, downtown Fort Myers, the Lee County Sports Complex, Germain Arena and the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall. The hotel is also within 10 miles of several country clubs & golf facilities, making it the ideal location for both leisure and business travelers.
“As development behind the Cambria Suites brand continues to remain strong, Buffalo Lodging Associates is exactly the type of owner that we’re looking for in building this stylish, new, upscale brand,” added Brad LeBlanc, vice president of franchise sales for Cambria Suites, Choice Hotels.

All Cambria Suites hotels include Reflect, a casual dining area that features a full barista bar and serves breakfast and dinner; Refresh, a state- of-the-art fitness center with a resort-style indoor pool and spa; and Refill, a 24-7 convenience store that stocks freshly prepared “grab ‘n’ go” salads and sandwiches as well as typical convenience store fare and healthy and organic foods. In addition, all hotels offer more than 1,000 square feet of meeting space.

Hotel Nikko Shanghai will have 388 guest rooms in a 25-story building. Facilities will include three restaurants, a lobby lounge, a bar, an executive lounge, banquet rooms, meeting rooms, a business center, pool, fitness center, spa and parking garage.
Shanghai, the biggest commercial, financial and industrial city in China, continues to grow on both business and tourism fronts. Hotel Nikko Shanghai expects a large demand from business and leisure travelers, due to its premier location in Manpo International Plaza, a real estate complex now being built that will have two luxury condominium buildings and a luxury office building. The complex is only a 25-minute-drive from Shanghai Hongqiao Airport, and is located at the corner of Shanghai Puxi area’s main road, Yan An West Road and Zhen Ning Road.

Shanghai Yuchang Real Estate Development Co., Ltd., the owner of the hotel, is a leading real estate developer in Shanghai and is also handling the development of Manpo International Plaza.