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IRVINE, Calif., June 25 /PRNewswire/ — Is there any better cup of lemonade to buy than one that works to find a cure for pediatric cancer? The world’s first virtual lemonade stand goes live tomorrow, selling very special cups of lemonade on behalf of Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF).
For only $1 each, anyone can purchase virtual cups of lemonade at the online lemonade stand, . To help spread the word about the important work that ALSF is doing, purchasers can share cups of lemonade from the stand — via email — with family and friends.
“Pediatric cancer affects the lives of far too many families in our country,” said Doug Speck, president and chief executive officer for volvo Cars of North America. “Our mission, as a founding sponsor of ALSF, has been bringing awareness to the cause and raising money to help these kids. Purchasing virtual cups of lemonade — and sharing them online — is simple, fun and it helps ALSF in a big way.”
Volvo is kicking off the grand opening of the stand by purchasing the first 200,000 cups. One hundred percent of the virtual lemonade stand proceeds go to ALSF.
Cups of lemonade purchased at between June 25 and July 31, 2008, will help find a cure for pediatric cancer and even save volvo owners money on their next service appointment at volvo dealerships.
For every cup purchased on the site during this time period, volvo drivers will receive a discount for the same amount, up to $100, on their next service visit at any U.S. volvo retailer. Service discounts are redeemable Sept. 1, 2008 through Aug. 31, 2009.
About volvo and ALSF
Alex and her lemonade stands first caught the attention of volvo in 2002 when she received an inaugural volvo for life Award nomination. The awards program honors hometown heroes doing extraordinary things in their communities. Alex’s determination and unwavering support for pediatric cancer research earned her a volvo for life Award at the 2003 ceremony in New York City. Despite her deteriorating health, Alex continued to raise money through her stands.
In 2004, Alex set a remarkable goal: call upon the nation to raise $1 million to fight pediatric cancer before the year’s end. Sadly, Alex died Aug. 1 at the age of 8, having raised an amazing $700,000. volvo promised to help Alex reach her $1 million goal, and the company’s employees and retailers did so in October of that year — by selling lemonade.
By the end of 2004, one little girl had made a world of difference, raising $1.5 million. Since then, volvo has shown unwavering support of ALSF, helping to keep the inspiration and legacy of Alex alive. To date, ALSF has raised more than $19 million.
More About Volvo
Volvo Cars of North America, LLC (VCNA) is a subsidiary of volvo Car Corp. of Goteborg, Sweden. VCNA provides marketing, sales, parts, service, technology and training support to volvo automobile retailers in the United States, and oversees volvo operations in Canada and Mexico.
More About ALSF
Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF) emerged from the front yard lemonade stand of cancer patient Alexandra “Alex” Scott (1996-2004). At the age of 4, Alex announced that she wanted to hold a lemonade stand to raise money to help find a cure for all children with cancer. Since Alex held that first stand, the Foundation bearing her name has evolved into a national fundraising movement, complete with thousands of volunteers across the country carrying on her legacy of hope. To date, Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, a registered 501(c)3 charity, has raised more than $19 million towards fulfilling Alex’s dream of finding a cure, funding over 80 research projects nationally including those examining leukemia, brain tumors, neuroblastoma, Wilm’s tumor, lymphoma, and osteosarcoma among others.
Volvo Cars of North America

MIAMI, June 24 /PRNewswire/ — LeaseTrader.com, the company that helps consumers with car lease transfers, announces its monthly Top 10 Index for May, with the Mini Cooper reaching the top of the list of America’s most preferred leased vehicle.
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“The Mini Cooper is a very popular vehicle right now because it’s fuel efficient and fun to drive around in during the summer months,” said Sergio Stiberman, CEO and founder of LeaseTrader.com. “Our customers definitely enjoy the option to transfer in and out of a lease at their leisure, without the feeling of being trapped in the duration of the contract.”
LeaseTrader.com publishes a monthly Index of America’s most preferred vehicles for lease transfer. The Index is based on user activity on the Web site, which includes thousands of today’s vehicles in almost every brand, make and model. LeaseTrader.com users enjoy taking over someone else’s leased vehicle because they avoid paying a dealer down payment and have shorter lease terms.
Following are the top-ten most popular transferred lease vehicles in America during May, according to user activity on LeaseTrader.com:
1. Mini Cooper

2. BMW 3 Series

3. mercedes C Class

4. Cadillac CTS

5. Land Rover LR3

6. mercedes SL Class

7. Toyota Camry

8. Lexus IS 250

9. BMW X Series

10. mercedes GL Class

About LeaseTrader.com

LeaseTrader.com is an innovative provider of auto lease transfers that easily and affordably matches people looking to transfer car leases. Available to users nationwide, the service helps to match individuals looking to get out of their car lease early, with people looking for short-term leases. Privately held and founded in 1998, LeaseTrader.com is headquartered in Miami. For more information visit , or call 800-770-0207.

LeaseTrader.com

TAIAN CITY, Shandong, China, June 19 /Xinhua-PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — ShengdaTech Inc. (”ShengdaTech” or “The Company”) a leading manufacturer of nano precipitated calcium carbonate (”NPCC”) and a major manufacturer of coal-based chemical products in Tai’an City, Shandong Province, PRC, today announced it has made a significant breakthrough in the development of a new NPCC product, “NPCCA301,” for use in automobile undercoating paints.
NPCCA301 was developed by ShengdaTech’s Research and Development (R&D) team in the Company’s R&D Center in Shanghai. The use of NPCCA301 improves the quality of automobile undercoating paint, reduces damage caused by stone chips, rough weather conditions, and also prevents rusting. In addition, NPCCA301 cost advantage of approximately $75-$100 per metric ton has the potential to replace imported NPCC currently used by domestic producers of automobile undercoating paint. The Company estimates that the current domestic demand for NPCCA301 is around 60,000-80,000 tons annually.
“We are excited with the breakthrough of our new NPCC product and the application area for which it has been developed. This is a significant step in our efforts to expand the range of applications for NPCC,” commented Mr. Chen, President and CEO of ShengdaTech. “Our R&D center remains dedicated to the high-potential application area of paint manufacturing, and in that effort we successfully have collaborated with two large domestic car producers who are now using NPCCA301 in production of automobile undercoating paint for certain models. We are also in the process of sample testing the new NPCC product with four potential customers. We expect to establish quickly a dominant position in the domestic market and penetrate the international market due to our proven value proposition of providing solutions to customers to help them produce higher-quality products at lower costs than material used in their current manufacturing processes.”
About ShengdaTech, Inc.
ShengdaTech is engaged in the business of manufacturing, marketing and selling nano precipitated calcium carbonate (”NPCC”) products and coal-based chemicals for use in various applications. The Company converts limestone into NPCC using its proprietary technology co-developed with Tsinghua University. ShengdaTech is the only company possessing proprietary NPCC technology in China. Its NPCC products are mainly exported to countries like South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, etc. The Company is also engaged in the manufacture and sale of coal-based chemical products namely ammonium bicarbonate, liquid ammonia, melamine and methanol. The Company markets and sells its coal-based products mainly for chemical fertilizers and raw materials in the production of organic and inorganic chemical products, including formaldehyde and pesticides.
Safe Harbor Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Any statements set forth above that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements, which may include, but are not limited to, such factors as unanticipated changes in product demand especially in the PVC, polyethylene, and paper industry, changes in composition of these industries, ability to attract new customers, ability to increase our product’s applications, ability of our customers to sell products, cost of raw material, downturns in the Chinese economy, and other information detailed from time to time in the Company’s filings and future filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
For more information, please contact:

Crocker Coulson, President
CCG Elite
Tel: 1-646-213-1915
Email:
Web:
ShengdaTech Inc.

CHERRY HILL, N.J., June 16 /PRNewswire/ — subaru of America, Inc., SOA, announced it will sponsor the Geological Society of America, GSA, for the eighth consecutive year.
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With more than 21,000 members, GSA provides access to elements essential to the professional growth of earth scientists at all levels of expertise.
“We are proud to support the Geological Society of America,” said Tim Mahoney, senior vice president and chief marketing officer, subaru of America, Inc. “At Subaru, we value programs such as this that contribute to continuing education.”
GSA President John M. (Jack) Sharp, Jr. stated that, “GSA is pleased that subaru has joined us as a corporate partner in pursuit of the Society’s core missions.”
The sponsorship includes awards and grants made by subaru to those involved with the study of earth sciences. The sponsorship also helps fund the Women in Geology Mentor program, subaru Minority Earth Science award, subaru Outstanding Woman in Science Award and Earthcache.
In its second year, the Women in Geology Mentor program addresses issues faced by women in geology in a relaxed forum. The program is held at the GSA Annual Meeting, and features women geologists who have excelled in their fields giving motivational and informational speeches.
The subaru Minority Earth Science award is $1,000 that is given to six minority students nominated in different GSA regional sections. GSA began the program to encourage minority students to continue Earth science studies.
Another award GSA grants is the subaru Outstanding Woman in Science Award in memory of Doris M. Curtis, GSA’s first female president. The prestigious award is given to women who have made a significant impact on the geosciences with their Ph.D. research.
GSA’s EarthCache program teaches about EarthCaches; which are special places people can visit to learn the unique geoscience features or aspects of our Earth. subaru is the proud EarthCache Web site sponsor. While visiting the Web site people can navigate to 3,023 EarthCache listings in over 70 countries. Teachers can also visit and download EarthCache lesson plans.
Subaru is also the 2008 GSA Annual Conference diamond sponsor. The convention attracts more than 6,000 attendees across all disciplines to participate in a high-energy science exchange. Technical sessions, hot topics, field trips, special events, and more offer something for everyone. This year the conference will be held Oct. 5 — 7, in Houston, Texas.
The Geological Society of America
The Geological Society of America, founded in 1888, is a scientific society with more than 21,000 members representing academia, government, and industry in more than 90 countries. Through its meetings, publications, and programs, GSA enhances the professional growth of its members and promotes the geosciences in the service of humankind. Headquartered in Boulder, Colo., GSA also fosters public dialogue on geoscience issues and supports all levels of earth science education. Visit for more information.
About subaru of America, Inc.
Subaru of America, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. of Japan. Headquartered in Cherry Hill, N.J., the company markets and distributes subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive vehicles, parts and accessories through a network of 600 dealers across the United States. subaru makes the best-selling All-Wheel Drive car sold in America based on R.L. Polk & Co. new vehicle retail registration statistics. For additional information visit .
Heather Ward
subaru of America, Inc.
856-488-5093

Subaru of America, Inc.

GERMANTOWN, Md., June 16 /PRNewswire/ — Hughes Network Systems, LLC (HUGHES), the global leader in broadband satellite network solutions and services, announced today that the Automotive Broadcasting Network(TM) (ABN), a private auto retailing television network, has selected the HughesNet(R) Managed Digital Media Service to distribute video content to automotive dealerships across the US.
The Automotive Broadcasting Network is a subscription-based service providing high-quality, family-friendly entertainment programming from CBS not normally available during business hours, as well as clips and segments from CBS news and talk programs, to each dealer site. Dealers who subscribe to the service also can develop and control their own local advertising content to be shown throughout their facilities. This translates into new opportunities to enhance customer loyalty, improve customer satisfaction scores, and boost sales by reaching customers while they wait for their cars to be serviced.
“When looking for a service provider, we chose Hughes because of its rich heritage as a turnkey provider of cost-effective broadband satellite services to geographically dispersed locations. Satellite is an ideal transport technology to distribute digital media to the point of impact-enabling ABN to provide a service that will increase sales, strengthen brand recognition, and improve the customer experience at the dealer level,” said ABN founder and CEO Jerry Daniels.
HughesNet Managed Digital Media Services includes project design and consulting, broadband transport for content distribution, best-of-breed hardware and software network components, installation, maintenance and customer support, leaving enterprises free to focus on marketing and sales.
According to Mike Cook, Hughes senior vice president, “Through HughesNet Managed Digital Media Services, ABN is able to give automobile dealers a cost-effective way to spend their advertising dollars, improve customer loyalty, and more importantly, reach their customers at the point of impact.”
According to ABN, research has shown that 30 percent of consumers make unplanned purchases as a result of in-store television. At a dealership, customers who choose to wait for their vehicles while they are being serviced spend an average of one hour, 32 minutes at the dealership. With ABN network programming, dealers can relay up to 30 targeted messages an hour to those captive customers.
Also central to ABN’s offering is a series of automotive-specific “shorts” such as tech tips and walk-arounds, which are produced by ABN and designed to inform and educate customers about dealer-specific products and services, and ultimately increase sales. These spots, together with promotional spots provided by the dealer, replace typical commercials seen on broadcast or cable TV.
There are more than 22,000 automobile dealerships in the United States and more than 200,000 worldwide. ABN launched the service in Q1 to dealerships in 29 states and plans to roll out additional sites as dealers sign up for the service.
About Automotive Broadcasting Network
Founded by automotive retail professionals, the Automotive Broadcasting Network was formed to leverage existing dealership assets to assist automobile dealerships with selling more products and services in a totally unique and professional manner. For additional information, visit .
About Hughes Network Systems
Hughes Network Systems, LLC (HUGHES) is the global leader in providing broadband satellite networks and services for large enterprises, governments, small businesses, and consumers. HughesNet encompasses all broadband solutions and managed services from Hughes, bridging the best of satellite and terrestrial technologies. Its broadband satellite products are based on global standards approved by the TIA, ETSI, and ITU standards organizations, including IPoS, RSM-A, and GMR-1. To date, Hughes has shipped more than 1.5 million systems to customers in over 100 countries.
Headquartered outside Washington, D.C., in Germantown, Maryland, USA, Hughes maintains sales and support offices worldwide. Hughes is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hughes Communications, Inc. . For additional information, please visit .
(C)2008 Hughes Network Systems, LLC. Hughes and HughesNet are registered trademarks of Hughes Network Systems, LLC.
Hughes Network Systems, LLC

PLANO, Texas and BEIJING, June 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Siemens PLM Software, a business unit of the Siemens Industry Automation Division and a leading global provider of product lifecycle management (PLM) software and services, today announced Tianjin Motor Dies Co., Ltd., the largest independent private company of automobile dies in China, has selected NX(TM) software to reduce development costs, enhance product quality and trim time to market.
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Tianjin Motor Dies will utilize NX to integrate all aspects of the design-through-manufacturing process in a high-performance digital product development solution. NX will also enable knowledge-based engineering methods to enhance the ability to effectively leverage knowledge across all departments and easily bring on additional users. NX will help condense the product development cycle to bring more innovative products to market faster to support the goal of gaining a strong competitive advantage in China.
“As one of the top automobile die manufacturers in China, we are dedicated to advancing the development of China’s automotive industry,” said Shi Ping Chang, Deputy General Manager of Tianjin Motor Dies Co., Ltd. “We needed a strong partner that would allow us integrate design and manufacturing and enhance knowledge sharing across our company. Siemens PLM Software’s technology and strong industry experience combined with its strong presence in China made it the perfect choice.”
“Siemens PLM Software is pleased that Tianjin Motor Dies, a leader in automobile dies, has selected NX technology for its design and manufacturing integration project,” said Chuck Yuan, senior vice president and general manager of Greater China Operations for Siemens PLM Software. “We understand Chinese manufacturers’ needs and are committed to enhancing design capability and knowledge re-use to improve efficiency and reduce time to market.”
About Tianjin Motor Dies
Tianjin Motor Dies Co., Ltd designs and manufactures large and mid-size inner or outer cover dies for motor body, assemblies, welding fixtures and checking equipment. From 1965, the company has worked for TJ210E Jeep, TJ740, TJ133 Light duty trucks, Xiali, Huali, Sanfeng mini-bus, etc., for more information visit .
About Siemens PLM Software
Siemens PLM Software, a business unit of the Siemens Industry Automation Division, is a leading global provider of product lifecycle management (PLM) software and services with 5.5 million licensed seats and 51,000 customers worldwide. Headquartered in Plano, Texas, Siemens PLM Software’s open enterprise solutions enable a world where organizations and their partners collaborate through Global Innovation Networks to deliver world-class products and services. For more information on Siemens PLM Software products and services, visit .
About the Siemens Industry Automation Division
The Siemens Industry Automation Division (Nuremberg), a division of the Siemens Industry Sector, is a worldwide leader in the fields of automation systems, low-voltage switchgear and industrial software. Its portfolio ranges from standard products for the manufacturing and process industry to solutions for whole industries and systems that encompass the automation of entire automobile production facilities and chemical plants. As a leading software supplier, Industry Automation optimizes the entire value added chain of manufacturers — from product design and development to production, sales and a wide range of maintenance services.
Note: Siemens and the Siemens logo are registered trademarks of Siemens AG. NX is a trademark of Siemens Product Lifecycle Management Software Inc. or its subsidiaries in the United States and in other countries. All other trademarks, registered trademarks or service marks belong to their respective holders.

Siemens PLM Software

IRVINE, Calif., June 10 /PRNewswire/ — In today’s fast-paced world some of our most important conversations with dad take place in the car. This Father’s Day, Volvo Cars of North America encourages dads to live life to the fullest together with their kids in the car.
“I know I find that anytime spent with my daughters is well spent, even if it is while we’re driving to or from school, soccer games or family outings,” said Doug Speck, president and chief executive officer for volvo Cars of North America. “Our philosophy at volvo is that life is better lived together and so we look for any opportunity to help bring people closer.”

With Father’s Day coming, Volvo wanted to bring these potential treasured moments to the forefront and offer some possible conversation starters for dad and kids:
– Talk sports strategy. In this busy day and age, dads spend lots of time taking their kids to and from sporting events. While en route, provide a little perspective on the lessons of the game. “Winning is
exhilarating, but it’s not the most important thing in the world. As long as you tried your best, don’t let losing ruin your day (or season).”
– “What got you in trouble growing up, Dad?” Kids can ask their fathers what mischievous activities their dad was a part of when younger. Young children might realize that dad was a kid growing up at one point too.
– Early driving lessons. Consider car rides opportunities to teach kids a few safe driving basics. Let the younger kids read road signs and learn about speed limits. Share the rules of the road with the older
ones. For example, teach your son or daughter to be aware of the cars around you. Keep your eyes on not only the car directly in front of you, but also the one two cars ahead.
– Rock out to your favorite tunes. They’re oldies, but goodies, right? Instead of playing the kids’ choice of music, spin your favorite hits of decades past and teach your children about the music you grew up with years ago.
– Share your goals and dreams. Encourage your kids to fantasize about being the next Albert Einstein or Eleanor Roosevelt. Challenge them to set goals they might not have considered before.
– Come of age. Tackle some serious conversation topics to make a lasting and meaningful connection with your kids. Talk about love and loss or pride and disappointment. Kids will feel as though they’re connecting
with dad as an adult, not as a child. The discussion just might be a significant milestone for kids on the road to adulthood.
– “What were you doing when you were my age?” Young adults might be surprised to hear what their dad was doing when he was their age.

Volvo Cars of North America

SAN FRANCISCO, June 5 /PRNewswire/ — DriverSide has teamed with Kelton Research in surveying consumers on automobile maintenance. Rising gas prices, a faltering economy and a poor job market mean more and more people are pressed for time and money. And in the new survey, Americans say the upkeep of a car can take up too much of both. Whether it’s an unplanned repair or just regular maintenance, Americans across the country are finding car care a challenging chore.

Survey Details:

Expensive Repairs

– Taken For A Ride? Americans are afraid they’re being worked over as their cars are worked on: nearly one in two (46%) lack confidence that their mechanic is charging them a fair price.

– Older, But Not Wiser? Is it a case of “older and wiser,” or are the young more the wise when it comes to car mechanics? More than three in five (63%) Americans age 55 and over say they are confident that their mechanic is charging them a fair rate. Less than half (49%) of those between ages 18 and 54 can say the same.

– No Confidence on the Coasts. Just over one in 10 (13%) Americans in the South and the Midwest are certain they’re getting a bum deal from their mechanics: the number rises to nearly one in five (18%) among residents of the West and the Northeast.

An Inconvenient Truth

– Repair Dread. Americans aren’t thrilled by having to keep up with their cars’ regularly scheduled maintenance

– close to half (46%) claim doing so is a hassle and an inconvenience.

– No Quick Fix for Females. Performing regularly scheduled car maintenance can be a pain, but for who? While nearly three in five men (59%) don’t mind the task, half (50%) of all women say bringing the car in to the shop just isn’t up their alley.

– It’s An Age Thing. Keeping a regular maintenance schedule is an even bigger problem for the young. Six out of ten Americans ages 18 to 34 complain of the inconvenience of car maintenance (60%), compared to
less than four out of ten (39%) of their less bothered counterparts aged 35 and older.

The survey demonstrates problems faced by all auto owners in the maintenance, servicing and ownership of their vehicles. Newly launched, DriverSide, solves these problems by giving consumers a place to save money, get advice, read reviews of mechanics from others drivers, and get reports on how much to pay for repairs before they walk into the auto shop. Especially with rising gas prices, car ownership is a #1 issue for consumers. Losing at the pump AND paying too much for repairs is more than most consumers can bear.

About DriverSide
Founded in fall 2007 by Internet Entrepreneurs Trevor Traina, Adam Jackson, and Jad Dunning, DriverSide is the first Web site specifically designed for automobile owners. Funded by Catamount Ventures, DriverSide allows consumers to save money on servicing and maintenance costs as well as buy and sell automobiles. With an in-house editorial staff, DriverSide offers useful advice on how to own and operate a vehicle as well as reviews on new and used automobiles. DriverSide’s social networking capabilities allow consumers to participate in forums, meet other owners of a particular vehicle, share knowledge, and post reviews on mechanics and dealers. Whether for buying, selling, servicing, maintaining or accessorizing, DriverSide has brought together all the information and resources needed to make automobile ownership an easy and personalized experience.

ARLINGTON, Va., June 4 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — In a statement delivered this morning at a U.S. Senate oversight hearing, Michael J. Stanton, President and CEO of the Association of International automobile Manufacturers (AIAM), conveyed AIAM’s support for enhanced passenger vehicle roof strength standards as part of a larger comprehensive effort to help prevent rollover crashes and the fatalities and serious injuries caused by vehicle rollovers. The hearing was held by Senator Mark Pryor (D-Arkansas), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Consumer Affairs, Insurance, and Automotive Safety.
Stanton pointed out that rollover crashes are relatively rare events, accounting for only about 3 percent of vehicle crashes, yet they represent about one-third of all light vehicle crash fatalities. One of the unfortunate factors contributing to the high fatality rate in rollover crashes, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), is that nearly three-fourths of the people killed in rollover crashes are unbelted, with about two-thirds of the fatalities in all rollovers involving occupants being ejected from the vehicle.
“AIAM supports Congress’ direction to NHTSA to issue upgraded roof strength requirements as part of a comprehensive strategy to address vehicle rollover crashes,” said Stanton. “Consistent with Congressional direction, NHTSA proposed (such) a comprehensive approach to vehicle rollovers. This response begins with the preferred approach of seeking to prevent the occurrence of rollovers in the first place through such measures as mandating the installation of electronic stability control systems (ESC), the development of other electronic crash avoidance systems such as road departure warning systems, and the 2004 enhancement of the agency’s new car assessment program (NCAP) which provides consumers information on the rollover propensity of specific models. NHTSA also noted that enhanced enforcement of impaired driving laws and speed limits would reduce the frequency of rollovers. In addition, increased safety belt use and other owner occupant retention technologies can be used to significantly lessen fatalities and other serious injuries that occur during rollover crashes.”
For Mr. Stanton’s full testimony go to and click through the “Media Room” tab to “press releases” or email .
About AIAM - The Association of International automobile Manufacturers, Inc. (AIAM) is a trade association representing 14 international motor vehicle manufacturers who account for 40 percent of all passenger cars and light trucks sold annually in the United States. AIAM provides members with information, analysis and advocacy on a wide variety of legislative and regulatory issues impacting the auto sector. AIAM is dedicated to the promotion of free trade and to policies that enhance motor vehicle safety and the protection of the environment. Member companies include Aston Martin, Ferrari/Maserati, Honda, Hyundai, Isuzu, Kia, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Peugeot, Renault, Subaru, Suzuki and Toyota. For more information, visit our website at .
Association of International automobile Manufacturers

SAN FRANCISCO, June 3 /PRNewswire/ — DriverSide launches today the first full service Web site with the mission of saving consumers time and money through resources that make owning or leasing an automobile hassle-free. Unlike other automotive Web sites, DriverSide has brought together every available car and truck-related resource in one place and made it accessible and free. Focusing on saving consumers money, DriverSide eliminates fees, including used car listings, helps consumers maintain the value of their vehicles, and ensures users know what to pay for typical repair jobs, parts and accessories. Built on a Web 2.0 platform, DriverSide is building a community of mainstream consumers who can participate in forums, meet other car owners, and post reviews on mechanics and dealers. The more consumers leverage the site for all their automobile needs the more money they will save in owning or leasing their vehicle.
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Protecting Automotive Investments

Americans are afraid they’re being taken for a ride — almost half (46%) are not very or not at all confident that their mechanic is charging them a fair price, according to a survey by Kelton Research last week.
DriverSide solves that problem by giving consumers a place to get advice, store service records, find out the real value of their car, receive recall notices, get service reminders, communicate with car experts, seek guidance on how much to pay for servicing, buy parts and accessories, read reviews of mechanics from other drivers, and so much more.
First-time visitors simply identify their specific car or truck. Once their vehicle is claimed, information is tailored to the automobile’s make, model and year, forming a personalized vehicle profile in their publicly available “My Garage.” DriverSide automatically notifies them of all important information on their vehicle, such as recalls and detailed lists of parts and accessories specific to their automobile. Consumers not knowing which price to pay for services and/or which mechanic to go to can leverage DriverSide’s Pre-Service Report, a printable resource with details on service costs and mechanic ratings specific to a consumer’s local area.
“Whether you lease or own, servicing and maintaining your automobile is not as easy as it could be,” said Trevor Traina, chairman and founder of DriverSide. “Most drivers don’t know how much to pay for common repairs, what accessories fit their vehicle, or what important recalls have been issued. They also have problems finding a good mechanic who they can trust.”
“We’ve brought together every possible resource to solve these problems and make vehicle ownership easy,” added Jad Dunning, chief executive officer of DriverSide. “The automobile is a depreciating financial asset. We make people aware of important issues so that they maintain their automobiles appropriately and not lose money.”
Many consumers turn in their automobile and are shocked to learn it is undervalue or in some cases that they still owe money. As the premier online resource for protecting automotive investments, DriverSide helps consumers stay vigilant with predictive depreciation graphs and email alerts when vehicles drop below a pre-set value. In addition, DriverSide’s in-house editorial staff, led by Jon Alain Guzik (former editor at Yahoo! Autos), offers useful advice on how to own, maintain and operate an automobile as well as reviews on new and used cars.
DriverSide will be leveraging customer satisfaction content from marketing information firm J.D. Power and Associates. “The J.D. Power quality and reliability ratings, which are based on feedback from verified vehicle owners, will align well with the useful and meaningful content currently presented on DriverSide,” said Peter Marlow, vice president of corporate communications and consumer development at J.D. Power and Associates.
Founders
DriverSide is founded by Internet Entrepreneurs Trevor Traina, Jad Dunning and Adam Jackson. Previously, the founders worked together on StepUp Commerce, an online shopping service for brick and mortar retailers, which they sold to Intuit in September of 2006. Prior to StepUp, Trevor and Jad founded CompareNet which was acquired by Microsoft in 1999.
About DriverSide
Founded in fall 2007 by Internet Entrepreneurs Trevor Traina, Adam Jackson, and Jad Dunning, DriverSide is the first Web site specifically designed for automobile owners. Funded by Catamount Ventures, DriverSide allows consumers to save money on servicing and maintenance costs as well as buy and sell automobiles. With an in-house editorial staff, DriverSide offers useful advice on how to own and operate a vehicle as well as reviews on new and used automobiles. DriverSide’s social networking capabilities allow consumers to participate in forums, meet other owners of a particular vehicle, share knowledge, and post reviews on mechanics and dealers.
Whether for buying, selling, servicing, maintaining or accessorizing, DriverSide has brought together all the information and resources needed to make automobile ownership an easy and personalized experience. ()

DriverSide