Automotive and Insurance Industry News

Paul Newman to take the wheel of a Disney/Pixar  Sponsored Car at Daytona

BURBANK, Calif., Jan. 27- Film legend Paul Newman will  lend his voice to a car character in the upcoming animated feature, "Cars," the latest film from Pixar Animation Studios and Walt Disney Studios. In addition, Newman will take the wheel of a Disney/Pixar sponsored racecar on January 31st and February 1st at "The Rolex 24 At Daytona" race in an attempt to break his own record.  Newman holds a place in the Guinness Book of World Records as the oldest driver to win a professionally sanctioned race in 1995 at Daytona. 

Barrett-Jackson 2004 Auction a Record-Setter

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Jan. 27- The Barrett-Jackson Auction Company reaffirmed that it makes good economic sense to invest in classic cars with its most successful car auction to date. 2003 was another record-setting year, garnering an estimated $38.5 million in sales compared to the $28.5 million record set at the 2003 auction.      

A total of 762 cars crossed the auction block with 744 being sold, a 98% purchase record. Included was a 1938 Lincoln Zephyr V-12 Coupe Street Rod, which sold for $432,000, a 1937 Cord 812 supercharged Phaeton which sold for $324,000 and a 2001 Ferrari 550 Barchetta which went for $280,800.                                    

GMAC Insurance and OnStar Partner to Create Innovative Insurance Products  

DETROIT, Jan. 27- GMAC Insurance and OnStar are creating some new and innovative insurance products for their joint customers.

Under the collaboration, GMAC Insurance will utilize the capabilities of OnStar's in-vehicle safety and security system to offer OnStar subscribers unique insurance products and significant premium discounts, such as an OnStar Subscriber Discount. GMAC Insurance will begin offering a subscriber discount for OnStar customers in several states, with plans for national expansion, and a Mileage-Based Insurance program beginning in February.  The program will offer discounts to eligible subscribers in three states as part of a test program.  

DaimlerChrysler Offers Environmentally Ultra-Clean Passenger Cars

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Jan. 27- DaimlerChrysler begins production this month of Chrysler Sebring and Dodge Stratus sedans that California's stringent clean air standards, making them among the cleanest-running internal combustion vehicles in the world.

All 2004 Sebring and Stratus sedans equipped with the 2.4-Liter I-4 engine and sold in California will be certified to meet California's Partial Zero Emission Vehicle (PZEV) standard. Tailpipe emissions have been reduced to near zero levels, with emissions of hydrocarbons (HC) reduced 89 percent compared with the previous model.

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