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.March 31, 2004
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This Week:

• Lexus to Unveil Sports Coupe Concept Vehicle at New York Auto Show

• Chevrolet Unveils Impala Indy SS

• Fuel Cell Provides Energy For BMW Group's The Hague

• Top 10 Auto Trends at the New York Auto Show

• Jaguar Adds Safety, Luxury Options To Further Customize 2004 X-TYPE

• Fitness Bikes from Mercedes-Benz

• Mazda To Invest Nearly 14 Billion Yen In New Digital Technology For Future Product Development

• Touareg 360° experience: one of the last big adventures begins

• Toyota Raises First Steel Column On $15 Million Expansion At North American Manufacturing Headquarters

• Honda's Cumulative Motorcycle Production in Thailand Reaches 10 Million Units

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Top 10 Auto Trends at the New York Auto Show
 

NEW YORK - In New York, supercars are roaring ahead, sedans are anything but sedentary, SUVs are moving mountains, convertibles are fun-in-the-sun fabulous, and pick-ups are picking-up more fans as the 2004 New York International Automobile Show readies for the most exciting and diverse show in its 104-year history. "Show visitors will have the automotive treat of their lives at this year's show," said Show Director, Candida Romanelli.

"This year, we're proud to feature everything from environmentally friendly cars that will return almost 60 miles-per-gallon to an 800 horsepower supercar -- that will whisk you from 0 to 60 miles-per-hour in under 3.0 seconds -- and everything in between. Enjoy the ride!" she continued.

Here are the top ten trends that you will see at this year's show:

THEMES & TRENDS

1. SUPERCARS - With a focus on power and speed, 500 horsepower is a minimum requirement to enter the supercar club. This latest batch of supercars storming the streets and clocking 0-60 times in under 4 seconds cost $500,000+.

• New Production: Ford GT, Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren

• New Concept: Chrysler ME Four-Twelve

2. COOL COUPES - Two-door style makes a welcome return.

• New Production: BMW 6 Series, Scion tC, Maserati Gran Sport, Chevy Cobalt

• New Concept: Mitsubishi Eclipse, Chevy Nomad, Saturn Curve, Volvo YCC

3. SEDANS ARE BACK....IN ALL SIZES AND PRICES

• New Production: Pontiac G6, Lexus GS300, Ford Five Hundred, Audi A6, Infiniti M45, Lincoln Mid-Size, Lexus IS 300, Buick LaCrosse, Volvo S40, Chrysler 300C, Mercedes CLS, new Lincoln Midsize.

4. SPORTS CARS

• New Production: Chevrolet Corvette, Ford Mustang GT, Ferrari 612 Scaglietti, Pontiac GTO

• New Concept: Ford Shelby Cobra, Ford GT-R Concept, Eclipse Concept-E, Toyota Triathlon Concept

5. HOT CONVERTIBLES - Fun in the sun in every price range.

• New Production: Pontiac Solstice, Mercedes SLK, MINI Convertible, BMW 6 Series Convertible, Aston Martin DB9 Volante, Chrysler Crossfire Convertible, Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible, Chevy Corvette convertible, Saab 9-3 convertible, VW Beetle Convertible

• New Concept: Lincoln Mark X

6. PICK UP A PICK-UP - Selling more than any other vehicle, the practical pick-up of old has turned into the latest must-have automotive accessory.

• New Production: Lincoln Mark LT, Nissan Frontier, Nissan Titan Crew Cab, Chevy SSR

• New Concept: Mitsubishi Sport Truck, Honda SUT, Nissan Actic, Hummer H3T

7. MINIVAN MAKEOVER - Major improvements in performance, ride, handling and braking coupled with new designs and innovations make them more versatile, safer and more enjoyable to drive.

• New Production: Nissan Quest, Buick Terraza, Chevrolet Uplander, Chrysler Town & Country, Pontiac Montana, Saturn Relay

8. SUV - More all-new metal than ever before.

• New Production: Infiniti QX56, BMW X3, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Land Rover LR3, Saab 9-7X, Nissan Xterra

• New Concept: Range Stormer, Lincoln Aviator, Jeep Rescue, Ford Bronco

9. WAGONS - Wagons are back, and this time they're hot.

• New Production: Chrysler 300C Touring, Dodge Magnum, BMW 5-Series Sportswagon, Volvo S50 Wagon, Saab 9-2X, Ford Freestyle.

10. HI TECH GADGETS & GIZMOS - The pace of technological change has altered the face of driving more dramatically then ever before. Today's high-tech advances are making vehicles safer, quieter, faster, lighter, and more economical. In many cases, they are also making them smarter and more fun to drive.

• Examples include: Adaptive Headlight (BMW, Mercedes-Benz), Keyless Entry (VW Concept R), Remote Starter (Chevy Malibu), Vehicle Stability Control (Toyota), Neck Level Heating (Mercedes-Benz SLK), Head-Up Display (GM, BMW), Traction Systems (Volvo Four-C, GM, VW), Voice Recognition (Jaguar, Acura TL), Active Cruise Control (Mercedes Benz), Smart Navigation Systems, Displacement on Demand (GM).

For more information or to purchase tickets to the New York International Automobile Show online go to www.autoshowNY.com.

(March 25, 2004)