HOUSTON, TX — June 13, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — The makers of Quaker State, the motor oil well known for providing durable protection, are now giving motorists cash for using Quaker State and making their cars last. The Quaker State Cash Back Bonus Program launches today and is designed to reward consumers who use Quaker State® Ultimate Durability full synthetic motor oil, Quaker State® Enhanced Durability synthetic blend motor oil or Quaker State® Higher Mileage Engine™ motor oil with the cash value of their vehicle when they reach 300,000 miles, subject to certain terms and conditions.

The Quaker State Cash Back Bonus program is being released in conjunction with the updated Quaker State Lubrication Limited Warranty program, one of the easiest to use, longest running and most comprehensive motor oil warranties available to motorists. The new Quaker State Lubrication Limited Warranty is one of the first lubricant manufacturer programs that follows the vehicle makers’ recommended oil drain intervals.

“For over 20 years now, the Quaker State Lubrication Limited Warranty has been one of the best motor oil warranty programs on the market. The tradition of being among the industry’s most innovative motor oil brands continues with the recent changes to the warranty program,” said Chris Hayek, Quaker State Global Brand Manager. “People are keeping their vehicles longer to maximize the value of what may be their second largest investment, and the Cash Back Bonus is being introduced to provide a bonus to them for reaching 300,000 miles with the help of Quaker State specialty motor oil.”

As the average age of a vehicle on America’s roadways rises to over 10 years old¹, more and more Americans are paying close attention to the costs for upkeep and mandatory maintenance of their vehicle. When Quaker State Lubrication Limited Warranty participants reach the impressive milestone of 300,000 miles, the Quaker State Cash Back Bonus rewards them with the Kelley Blue Book® Trade-In Value for their vehicle as listed in “Good” condition a value of up to $3,000.

“The new Quaker State Cash Back Bonus is designed to reward those motorists who view their vehicle’s mileage as a badge of honor,” said Hayek. “With the yearly cost of owning and operating a vehicle in the U.S. increasing more than 3 percent from last year, many consumers are looking for ways to help keep their vehicles running smoothly longer, as a way of saving instead of springing for a new vehicle. We hope those consumers will use the bonus as an incentive to keep their high-mileage vehicles and maintain them using Quaker State specialty motor oils.”

The Quaker State Lubrication Limited Warranty protects 15 engine parts from lubricant-related failure and provides motorists’ vehicles with coverage for up to 10 years or 300,000 miles, whichever is first. The Quaker State Lubrication Limited Warranty is free to qualifying consumers who use Quaker State products. To qualify, consumers’ vehicles must have been manufactured within the last 72 months and have driven 75,000 miles or less at the time of enrollment. Qualifying consumers can enroll in the Quaker State Lubrication Limited Warranty program at www.quakerstate.com.²

To be eligible for the Cash Back Bonus, consumers must be eligible for and participate in the Quaker State Lubrication Limited Warranty program and use one of the Quaker State specialty motor oil products in the vehicle starting no later than the 100,000-mile mark. Consumers will not be eligible for the Cash Back Bonus if they use Quaker State® conventional motor oil at or beyond the 100,000 mile mark, unless they meet the requirements of the Grandfather Clause.³

Quaker State motor oils provide consistent protection over the life of the oil change cycle and are so durable that even after a full drain cycle, they still pass certain critical industry tests for wear protection, rust protection and viscosity retention.⁴ Quaker State is one of the first motor oil manufacturers to offer a warranty program that recommends following the manufacturers’ recommended oil drain intervals, a shift that is intended to provide consumers with more control in their maintenance schedules.

For more information about the Quaker State Lubrication Limited Warranty program, Cash Back Bonus Program and the full line of Quaker State products, visit www.quakerstate.com.

About Quaker State®

Quaker State® motor oil has a 70-year history as a leader in consumer automotive products and vehicle care. Quaker State is among the industry’s most innovative motor oil brands and offers a full line of products to meet every type of vehicle engine need. Quaker State is one of the first brands to develop high mileage engine motor oil and the only brand to market its motor oil product in a clear bottle. For more information about Quaker State products, please visit www.quakerstate.com.

Quaker State is produced and marketed by Shell Lubricants.

About Shell Lubricants

The term ‘Shell Lubricants’ collectively refers to the companies of Royal Dutch Shell plc that are engaged in the lubricants business. Shell Lubricants companies lead the lubricants industry, supplying 13.4% of global lubricants volume.a The companies manufacture and blend products for use in consumer, heavy industrial and commercial transport applications. The Shell Lubricants portfolio of top-quality brands includes Pennzoil®, Quaker State®, FormulaShell®, Shell TELLUS®, Shell RIMULA®, Shell ROTELLA® T, Shell SPIRAX® and Jiffy Lube®.

^aKline & Company, “Global Lubricants Industry 2009: Market Analysis and Assessment, 2009-2019.”

¹ 2010 R.L. Polk & Co. Study

² By state law, California residents are not required to register online. California residents not registering online must comply with all other terms and conditions of the Quaker State Lubrication Limited Warranty. See www.quakerstate.com for detailed terms and conditions.

³ GRANDFATHER CLAUSE: If you are an existing Quaker State motor oil customer registered for the Quaker State Lubrication Limited Warranty program as of June 1, 2011, you have the opportunity to be eligible for the Cash Back Bonus Program regardless of which type of Quaker State® motor oil you use.

⁴ Wear test Sequence IVA ASTM D6891; rust test ASTM D6557; viscosity test ASTM D445. Always follow the manufacturer’s recommendation for oil change intervals.

In the roll sensing curtain shield airbag system of the subject vehicles, there are two sensors in the airbag sensor assembly which are designed to detect vehicle roll angle. If one of these sensors malfunctions, the airbag warning light (malfunction indicator light) will illuminate and the roll detection system will be suspended; however, the airbag remains available in the event of a side collision. If both sensors fail nearly simultaneously after initial airbag system check, the seat belt pretensioner and the curtain shield airbag could be inadvertently activated.

No other Lexus or Toyota vehicles are involved in this recall and this condition involves only vehicles sold in the North American market; vehicles sold in other markets are not equipped with this roll sensing curtain shield airbag system.

Owners of the involved vehicles will receive an interim notification letter advising them of this recall by first class mail in May 2011. Toyota will also post this information on its website. Toyota dealers will replace the roll sensing sensor assembly with a new one at no cost to the customer.

Detailed information and answers to questions are available to customers at
www.toyota.com/recall and the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331.

• Lincoln Complimentary Maintenance Program builds on brand’s luxury image
• Program offers free maintenance service to all 2011 customers and beyond on a permanent basis
• Lincoln is fully committed to providing consumers with a true luxury experience

Dearborn, Mich., Nov. 11, 2010 – The Lincoln Complimentary Maintenance Program has become a permanent staple for all new Lincoln customers with the beginning of the 2011 model year. First announced last summer as a promotion for select model year 2010 Lincoln lease and retail customers, the program became permanent for all model year 2011 vehicles in fall 2010.

The program is designed to enhance the four-year, 50,000-mile bumper-to-bumper manufacturer’s warranty and is fully transferable to a second owner. Furthermore, the program includes coverage for oil and filter changes, tire rotations and multipoint inspections for up to eight service visits.

“We are redefining the Lincoln customer ownership experience,” said C.J. O’Donnell, Lincoln group marketing manager. “Lincoln Complimentary Maintenance is just one example of Ford Motor Company’s commitment to elevating the Lincoln brand and experience.”

The company also will expand and enhance its Lincoln brand lineup with seven all-new or significantly refreshed vehicles in the next four years as part of an aggressive growth plan focused on standout product design, class-leading technology and new powertrains – all aimed at competing with Cadillac and Lexus in North America.

Lincoln hallmarks will be refined, modern design, the most fuel-efficient premium powertrains and industry-leading technology that create a unique driver experience both in the cabin and on the road.

New products form solid base
The future of Lincoln is building from a strong base that includes the flagship MKS large sedan; MKT seven-passenger crossover; significantly refreshed MKZ midsize sedan; new MKZ Hybrid, the most fuel-efficient luxury sedan at 41 mpg city; and Lincoln MKX crossover, the first vehicle to feature MyLincoln Touch™ driver connect technology.

Plans for Lincoln include:

• First-ever Lincoln C-segment vehicle
• New Lincoln-exclusive powertrains, including an all-new V6 engine and advanced fuel-efficient transmissions
• EcoBoost™ engines available in all Lincoln models – from the Navigator full-size SUV to the new C-segment Lincoln
• Fuel economy leadership with each new vehicle – leading to Lincoln emerging as the most fuel-efficient luxury lineup on the market
• More useful technology and features than any other competitor – with a special focus on comfort and convenience. New advanced features include fully retractable glass roofs; adaptive computer-controlled suspensions; electronic, push-button gear selectors; active noise control and exclusive MyLincoln Touch driver connect technology

Lincoln already is gaining traction. The J.D. Power and Associates 2010 Initial Quality Study showed Lincoln had moved into the top 10 among all automotive brands in the U.S. Lincoln was in the eighth spot, up from the 26th position a year ago – the largest jump of any brand.

The J.D. Power and Associates 2010 Initial Quality Study is based on responses from more than 82,000 new 2010 model year vehicle owners after they have driven their new vehicles for three months. It measures problems per 100 vehicles and was based on November through February registrations.

Also, Lincoln placed second behind Porsche in the 2010 J.D. Power and Associates Vehicle Dependability Study, ahead of several luxury brands including Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Acura and Cadillac. This study examines long-term durability of vehicles sold in the U.S.

# # #

About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 163,000 employees and about 70 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford, Lincoln and Mercury, production of which has been announced by the company to be ending in the fourth quarter of 2010. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford’s products, please visit www.ford.com.

For more information, please review the Water Ingress website at: http://www.wateringresssettlement.com/

2010-07-14

Brownstown Township, Mich. – The Chevrolet Volt electric vehicle with extended range will provide customers with an unprecedented, standard, eight-year/100,000-mile warranty on its advanced, lithium-ion battery. It is the automotive industry’s longest, most comprehensive battery warranty for an electric vehicle, and is transferable at no cost to other vehicle owners.

“The Chevrolet Volt’s batteries have exceeded our performance targets and are ready to hit the road,” said Micky Bly, GM executive director, global electrical systems. “Our customers are making a commitment to technology that will help reduce our dependence on petroleum. In turn, we are making a commitment to our customers to deliver the highest standards for value, safety, quality, performance and reliability for an unprecedented eight years/100,000 miles.”

The Volt’s comprehensive battery warranty covers all 161 battery components, 95 percent of which are designed and engineered by GM, in addition to the thermal management system, charging system and electric drive components.

The Volt is the only electric vehicle that can operate under a full range of climates and driving conditions without limitations or concern about being stranded by a depleted battery. It has a range of about 340 miles and is powered with electricity at all times. For up to the first 40 miles, the Volt is powered solely by electricity stored in its 16-kWh lithium-ion battery, using no fuel and producing no emissions. When the Volt’s lithium-ion battery runs low, an engine/generator seamlessly operates to extend the driving range another 300 miles on a full tank of fuel.

The Volt’s advanced, lithium-ion battery is designed to deliver the value, safety, quality, performance, durability and reliability Chevrolet customers expect. Key battery features include:

• Thermal management for durability and reliability: The Volt is the only mass-market electric vehicle with a battery that can be warmed or cooled. The battery is designed to provide reliable operation, when plugged in, at temperatures as low as -13 degrees Fahrenheit (-25 C) and as high as 122 degrees Fahrenheit (+50 C). In cold weather, the battery will be preheated during charging to provide full power capability. In hot weather – the most challenging environment for a battery – the Volt’s battery can be chilled during charging. The Volt’s liquid thermal management system can also be powered during driving by the battery or engine/generator.
• Diagnostics for safety and performance: The Volt’s battery management system continuously monitors the battery real-time for optimum operations.  More than 500 diagnostics run at 10 times per second, keeping track of the Volt’s battery pack; 85 percent of the diagnostics ensure the battery pack is operating safely, while the remaining 15 percent keep track of battery performance and life.
• Cell design and chemistry for performance and efficiency: GM’s selection of a prismatic cell design and LG Chem’s manganese spinel lithium-ion chemistry is designed to provide long life and high power output, with a properly maintained temperature. This enables better vehicle acceleration and increased regenerative braking capability for improved vehicle efficiency.
• Energy management for durability: Fully charging or fully depleting a battery shortens its life. The Volt’s energy management system never fully charges or depletes the battery. The Volt’s battery has top and bottom “buffer zones” to help ensure long life.

Testing for durability, reliability, safety and performance

GM engineers have completed more than 1 million miles and 4 million hours of validation testing of Volt battery packs since 2007, as well as each pack’s nine modules and 288 cells. The development, validation and test teams have met thousands of specifications and validated each of the Volt battery’s components.

Tests include short circuit, corrosion, dust, impact, water submersion, crush and penetration, and extreme temperature swings combined with aggressive drive cycles, also known as  “Shake, Bake and Roll.”

Ready for production

GM’s Brownstown Township plant, which began building prototype batteries in January, soon will begin regular battery production.

“We’re moving fast to deliver for the customer and ensure the Volt launch stays on track,” said Nancy Laubenthal, plant manager of the Brownstown Battery Plant. “Last August we announced the investment in the Brownstown facility and in January built our first completed battery pack. Now we are finishing pre-production batteries and soon we will begin building production batteries for Chevrolet Volts that will be delivered to dealers before the end of the year.”

Last year, the U.S. Department of Energy selected 45 companies, universities and organizations in 28 states – including GM’s Brownstown plant – to share more than $2 billion in awards for electric drive and battery manufacturing, and transportation electrification. Nearly half of the awards are designated for cell, battery and materials manufacturing facilities in Michigan.

About Chevrolet: Chevrolet is a global automotive brand, with annual sales of about 3.5 million vehicles in more than 130 countries. Chevrolet provides consumers with fuel-efficient, safe and reliable vehicles that deliver high quality, expressive design, spirited performance and value. In the U.S., the Chevrolet portfolio includes: iconic performance cars, such as Corvette and Camaro; dependable, long lasting pickups and SUVs, such as Silverado and Suburban; and award-winning passenger cars and crossovers, such as Malibu, Equinox and Traverse. Chevrolet also offers “gas-friendly to gas-free” solutions including the Cruze Eco and Volt, both arriving in late 2010. Cruze Eco will offer up to 40 mpg highway while the Chevrolet Volt will offer up to 40 miles of electric, gas-free driving and an additional 300 miles of extended range (based on GM testing; official EPA estimates not yet available).  Most new Chevrolet models offer OnStar safety, security, and convenience technologies including OnStar Hands-Free Calling, Automatic Crash Response, and Stolen Vehicle Slowdown. More information regarding Chevrolet models, fuel solutions, and OnStar availability can be found at www.chevrolet.com or join the conversation at www.chevroletvoltage.com.

About General Motors: General Motors, one of the world’s largest automakers, traces its roots back to 1908.  With its global headquarters in Detroit, GM employs 205,000 people in every major region of the world and does business in some 157 countries. GM and its strategic partners produce cars and trucks in 31 countries, and sell and service these vehicles through the following brands: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, Daewoo, Holden, Jiefang, Opel, Vauxhall and Wuling. GM’s largest national market is the United States, followed by China, Brazil, Germany, the United Kingdom, Canada and Italy. GM’s OnStar subsidiary is the industry leader in vehicle safety, security and information services. General Motors acquired operations from General Motors Corporation on July 10, 2009, and references to prior periods in this and other press materials refer to operations of the old General Motors Corporation. More information on the new General Motors can be found at www.gm.com.

The Tiburons included in this class action lawsuit are 2003 Tiburons produced on or before April 1, 2003.

On June 28th, a judge approved a settlement that will provide cash reimbursements to owners of the vehicles who have had out of pocket expenses for flywheel and clutch repairs.

Reimbursement is based on how much was spent on repairs and the vehicle mileage when the repair was performed.

* For vehicles with up to 50,000 miles at the time of repair, the reimbursement will be 100% of the amount paid for the repair.
* For vehicles with between 50,001 and 75,000 miles at the time of repair, the reimbursement will be 75% of the amount paid for the repair.
* For vehicles with between 75,001 and 100,000 miles at the time of repair, the reimbursement will be 50% of the amount paid for the repair.

Owners or lessees will be eligible to receive up to $150 in rental expenses for each flywheel / clutch repair.

More information on this can be found at: http://www.girardgibbs.com/hyundai.asp

All 2006-2010 Mazda cars, SUVs and trucks with less than 60,000 miles are eligible for the program, as long as they meet the rigorous standards for quality.

“Mazda’s new Certified Pre-Owned program is designed expressly to make the process easy and affordable for customers shopping for a high-quality pre-owned vehicle,” said Ron Stettner, VP, Sales, for MNAO.  “As Mazda was recently recognized by ALG for holding one of the highest residual values in the industry, our new CPO program allows us to provide a never-before-offered level of warranty security that goes with the value for money already packaged into every new Mazda.”

CPO vehicles will be identified on dealers’ lots by point-of-sale materials which will outline the warranty details and program benefits.  Every Mazda CPO vehicle will offer either the remaining balance of the factory warranty or an additional 12-month/12,000-mile comprehensive warranty, as well as a seven-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.  As with all new-car Mazda warranties, there is no deductible or co-pay for warrantable repairs.

Additionally, all CPO vehicles receive roadside assistance at no extra cost, for the balance of the powertrain warranty period, which covers flat-tire changing, battery-jump, lock-out and fuel delivery.  The Mazda CPO program is offered at participating Mazda dealerships in the United States.

Celebrating its 40th Anniversary in North America in 2010, Mazda North American Operations is headquartered in Irvine, Calif. and oversees the sales, marketing, parts and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States, Canada and Mexico through nearly 900 dealers.  Operations in Canada are managed by Mazda Canada, Inc., located in Ontario; and in Mexico by Mazda Motor de Mexico in Mexico City.

# # #

HERNDON, Va., June 29, 2010—Volkswagen of America, Inc. today announced a VW-Certified Collision Repair Facility program for U.S. dealer-affiliated and independent body shops. This program provides VW-certification for collision repair facilities performing repairs in accordance with Volkswagen’s high safety standards and specifications.

“Volkswagen is excited to partner with both dealer-affiliated and independent collision repair facilities to increase repair quality and customer satisfaction with the Volkswagen brand,” said Matthew McCauley, Collision Program Manager for Volkswagen of America. “This program benefits Volkswagen owners by providing the peace of mind that comes from knowing that when a vehicle is involved in a collision, VW-Certified Collision Repair Facilities will maintain the brand’s safety standards and specifications.”

Volkswagen conducted a pilot with a group of fifteen repair facilities to maximize program benefits for body shops before launching the program nationally.

Technicians at Volkswagen Certified Collision Repair Facilities must undergo training in the proper use of the factory-approved repair equipment, tools, and technologies to meet Volkswagen’s exact safety standards and specifications. Repair facilities must also use Volkswagen-approved tools. Volkswagen will visit repair facilities to provide annual program certification and will list VW-Certified Collision Repair Facilities as they become certified on www.vw.com.

Dealer-affiliated and independent collision repair facilities will benefit from the prestige, marketing, and increased customer retention benefits of being a VW-Certified Collision Repair Facility. Volkswagen will provide collision repair facilities access to marketing materials to promote their certified status, in addition to exclusive access to vehicle specific-, structural material-, and collision industry-training on a dedicated program website, http://www.vwparts.com/collision-parts/certified-collision-repair-facility-program/. Volkswagen will also provide customers with free 24-hour towing of vehicles under warranty exclusively to VW-Certified Collision Repair Facilities as part of the Roadside Assistance program, when they simply call (800) 411-6688.

This program benefits Volkswagen dealers by providing them with full service capabilities for customers. Volkswagen will allow dealers to either nominate their own collision repair facility to be certified by Volkswagen or to nominate an independent collision repair facility that meets Volkswagen standards. Additionally, dealers will benefit from additional genuine Volkswagen Collision Parts sales to their sponsored collision repair facility.

Repair facilities interested in participating in this program should contact Volkswagen of America at vwcollisionparts@vw.com. Volkswagen dealerships should nominate collision repair facilities by contacting vwcollisionparts@vw.com.

Volkswagen of America, Inc.

Founded in 1955, Volkswagen of America, Inc. is headquartered in Herndon, Virginia.  It is a subsidiary of Volkswagen AG, headquartered in Wolfsburg, Germany.  Volkswagen is one of the world’s largest producers of passenger cars and Europe’s largest automaker.  Volkswagen sells the New Beetle, New Beetle convertible, Golf, GTI, Jetta, Jetta SportWagen, Passat, Passat wagon, Eos, CC, Tiguan, Touareg and Routan through approximately 600 independent U.S. dealers.  All 2010 Volkswagen models come standard-equipped with Electronic Stabilization Program.  This is important because the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has called ESC the most effective new vehicle safety technology since the safety belt. Visit Volkswagen of America online at vw.com or www.media.vw.com to learn more.