Sterling Trucks says production of the Bullet, its new Class 4-5 chassis-cab truck announced in March, has begun.

Standard features for the Bullet include a Cummins 6.7-litre ISB engine with exhaust brake, a power take-off prep package, air conditioning and cruise control.

The vehicle, which is based on the Dodge Ram series, is said to be ideal for applications including construction, utility, residential services, landscaping, municipal services, and pickup and delivery.

The first examples of the Bullet are currently arriving at US dealerships, the company notes.

Toyota announced the appointments of two executives to top leadership positions within its North American operations, effective immediately.

Jim Lentz, currently executive vice president of Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A, Inc., has been promoted to President. TMS is the sales, marketing, distribution and customer service arm for Toyota, Lexus and Scion vehicles in the United States.

“Jim Lentz is especially well qualified to lead TMS into the future as it marks 50 years in America,” said TMS Chairman Yuki Funo. “His experience spans all major operational areas and he has an outstanding sense of what our customers, dealers and associates expect from Toyota.”

A veteran of 29 years in the auto industry, Lentz joined Toyota in 1982, serving in a variety of positions including merchandising, distribution, field operations, and sales administration as well as vice president of marketing services for Central Atlantic Toyota, a Maryland-based private distributorship.

In 1995, Lentz was promoted to general manager for Toyota’s San Francisco Region, and later became general manager of the Los Angeles Region. As vice president of Scion, Lentz was responsible for the initial launch of a new line of vehicles for the next generation of new-car buyers.

Lentz also served as group vice president of marketing, Toyota Division, and subsequently was named general manager of TMS’ Toyota Division, where he oversaw all sales, logistics and marketing activities for Toyota, Scion and Central Atlantic Toyota Distributors. In June 2006 he was appointed to his most recent position as TMS executive vice president. Lentz also is a member of the TMS board of directors.

Dian Ogilvie, currently TMS senior vice president, general counsel and chief environmental officer, has been appointed senior vice president and secretary of Toyota Motor North America (TMA) in New York. She will report to TMA President Shigeru Hayakawa. TMA is the holding company for Toyota’s U.S. sales and manufacturing companies. Ogilvie’s new responsibilities will include administration, corporate communications, industry and government affairs, planning and research, environmental affairs and diversity.

Ogilvie joined Toyota in 1985 and has been responsible for all legal affairs for TMS, including internal audit, state government affairs, risk management and she has served as the company’s chief environmental officer.

Prior to joining Toyota in 1985, Ogilvie worked as an attorney handling corporate litigation at the law firm of O’Melveny & Myers in Los Angeles and as a law clerk for U.S. District Court Judge William Matthew Bryne Jr.

Currently a member of the American Bar Association, the Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles, the General Counsel Roundtable, and the Sierra Club, Ogilvie was recognized as one of the 100 Leading Women in the Automotive Industry by Automotive News in 2000 and 2005.

After a successful debut last year, the Auto Show of the Palm Beaches presented by Northwood University returns to the Palm Beach County Convention Center December 6 - 9, 2007.

The inaugural four-day exhibition last year attracted nearly 25,000 people with its impressive display of cars, Trucks, SUVs, concepts and vans. This year, the industry’s major manufacturers are already making arrangements to participate in the exhibition and bring to Palm Beach County residents a sneak peak at 2008 models.

The show is once again being produced by the South Florida Auto-Truck Dealers Association, the same group that produces the South Florida International Auto Show in Miami Beach each fall and the Fort Lauderdale International Auto Show every spring.

“We’re excited to present the Auto Show of the Palm Beaches once again after such a successful debut last year,” said Chuck Schumacher, show chairman. “Our dealer members are thrilled about the Palm Beach market and our partnership with Northwood University.”

The South Florida Auto-Truck Dealers Association comprises more than 220 car dealers in Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach and Monroe counties. This year’s 37th annual South Florida International Auto Show will be held November 9 -18, 2007 at the Miami Beach Convention Center.

Northwood University is a private institution specializing in business, management and entrepreneurship. Northwood emphasizes the importance of free enterprise, creativity and the arts, global business, and ethics. With residential campuses in Midland, Michigan; Cedar Hill, Texas; and West Palm Beach, Florida, the university offers associate and bachelor degree programs in advertising; accounting; automotive marketing; aftermarket management; Business management; computer information systems; entertainment, sport & promotion management; banking & finance and more.

The North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit announced today that Chinese manufacturers Changfeng Motor Group, BYD Auto Co., Geely International Corporation, China America Cooperative Automotive, Inc./ZXNA (Chamco) and Li Shi Guang Ming Auto Design Co. will appear at the show in 2008.

“We are very excited to welcome these Chinese companies to Detroit,” said Carl Galeana, senior co-chairman for the NAIAS 2008. “With so much interest surrounding their products, we expect the thousands of industry executives and international media who attend our show will be eager to learn more about these companies first hand.”

Changfeng Motor Group and Geely International Corporation are making return visits to Detroit while BYD Auto Co., Chamco and Li Shi Guang Ming will be appearing for the first time.

NAIAS 2008 Official Dates

Press Preview will be held Sunday, Jan. 13 through Tuesday, Jan. 15. Industry Preview will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 16 and Thursday, Jan. 17. The annual black-tie Charity Preview will be held Friday evening, Jan. 18. Public Days will be held Saturday, Jan. 19 through Sunday, Jan. 27.

The North American International Auto Show
Rod Alberts — Executive Director

Entering its 20th year as an international event, the North American International Auto Show is among the most prestigious auto shows in the world and is one of the largest media events in North America. The NAIAS is the only auto show in the United States to earn an annual distinguished sanction of the Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs d’Automobiles, the Paris- based alliance of automotive trade associations and manufacturers from around the world. The NAIAS Web site can be accessed at http://www.naias.com/.

Nissan’s exploration of the next generation of family transportation, the Nissan FORUM Concept, offers distinctive styling with innovations including trackless sliding doors and no B-pillars.

Created at Nissan Design America, the Nissan FORUM Concept makes its public debut at the 2008 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit in January.

When the annual South Florida International Auto Show comes to town November 9, some of the most exciting new models in years will again debut at one of America’s most important automotive displays.

Fuel economy and function are the buzzwords for the 2008 model year as buyers look at the fastest growing segment in the showrooms: car-based stylish, versatile but practical SUVs and crossovers. Close behind are new small cars that not only are tiny but tony, with a flare that attracts younger drivers. Many stalwart family sedans now sport high tech entertainment in the cabin and green-car technology under the hood.

From November 9-18, the Miami Beach Convention Center will shimmer with nearly 1,000 shiny new models from 40 manufacturers. Other displays and rooms will feature accessories, exotic cars, classics from years gone by and modern motorcycles for that wind-in-hair Florida weekend. Futuristic concepts and prototypes always draw a crowd, and this year’s group includes the Ford Flex, a modern mix of SUV, minivan and crossover.

“There’s no place like South Florida to kick-off the auto show season,” said Bill Sandidge, show chairman. “We’ve got so many new models under one roof, visitors can take their time checking out each one, and the allure of South Beach is just across the street.”

New models for 2008

New models include the Infiniti EX35 and Nissan Rogue SUVs, the Volkswagen Tiguan crossover, the Saturn Astra hatchback, Scion xD and Pontiac G8 performance sedan. Ford and Mercury have refreshed some popular models and rebranded them with familiar Taurus and Sable names. Chrysler Corporation’s enduring minivans are redesigned for 2008, as are the Chevrolet Malibu and Honda Accord.

Even the combustion chamber is more consumer-friendly. Drivers will find more choices that include hybrid, flex-fuel and clean-diesel. This year’s green machines include new hybrids from GM: the Cadillac Escalade and Chevrolet Tahoe. Three new diesels debut: the Mercedes-Benz (the GL320 CDI and ML320 CDI) and a Jeep Grand Cherokee CRD 4×4.

Camp Jeep Returns

Speaking of Jeep, the off-road playground called Camp Jeep returns this year. Just outside Hall D near the show’s entrance, visitors can sample the rugged “Trail Rated” experience with rides in new Jeeps up and down hills, over logs and boulders, and through a water trough.

Show Car for this year’s event is the 2008 Chevrolet Corvette Z06. The 505-horsepower American super car has won over enthusiasts, journalists and racers around the world for its balance of racetrack-bred performance, daily- driving civility and value. Zero to sixty? Four point three seconds.

NBC 6, the auto show’s flagship station, will air a live 30-minute television special during the auto show’s opening day on Friday, November 9 beginning at 7:30. It will feature many of the debuts and introductions from press day events, interviews and special features that capture the excitement of this major event. Host will be NBC 6 anchor and antique car collector Bob Mayer.

Tickets to this year’s show are $10 for adults and $3 for children 6-12. Discount tickets to the show are available at participating new car and truck dealerships and McDonald’s restaurants in Miami-Dade and Broward counties.

The hours for the 37th annual South Florida International Auto Show are as follows: Friday, November 9th 5 p.m. - midnight; Saturday, November 10th 11 a.m. - midnight; Sunday, November 11th 11 a.m. - 11 p.m.; Monday, November 12th 11 a.m. - 11 p.m.; Tuesday, November 13th, Wednesday, November 14th and Thursday, November 15th 2 p.m. - 11 p.m.; Friday, November 16th 2 p.m. - midnight; Saturday, November 17th 11 a.m. - midnight; Sunday, November 18th 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.

The South Florida Auto-Truck Dealers Association, which comprises more than 220 dealerships in Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach and Monroe counties, has been the official sponsor of the South Florida International Auto Show since 1971.

A self-loading Log Truck valued at $60,000 burned early Monday, said Mark Moran, Jackson County Fire District No. 3 deputy fire marshal.

The fire, which started in the engine compartment shortly after the owner started the truck at his home in the first block of Barton Road, was reported about 5:30 a.m. Monday. It destroyed the vehicle, but didn’t spread to an adjacent garage or fuel tank, Moran said.

“He’s really lucky,” Moran said.

Nine firefighters responded to the blaze with two fire engines and two Water tank Trucks.

When it comes to the best of the best in the truck class, there is no better option than the Ford F-150. For over ten years, the Ford F-150 has been at the top of this class. Not only is this truck popular among ordinary people, but construction workers love the power and toughness that it has to offer.From the outside, the Ford F-150 has a great look. In the front it has the same look as the Explorer, which does it justice. And of course when you get around to the back you will notice a large bed that can help you haul a number of different items. Also, don’t overlook having your Ford F-150 equipped with the tow package. This will give you the ability to haul a trailer, boat, or u-haul with ease.

When it comes to the interior of the Ford F-150, you will not be disappointed. The front seat is quite comfortable, and the layout is easy to live with. If you opt for the full cab, your back seat riders will be able to travel in comfort.

On the road the Ford F-150 has no problem keeping up. And if you opt for four wheel drive you will be able to take your truck into almost any situation imaginable.

The Ford F-150 has always been a very popular truck. And as long as Ford continues to do what they are doing with the F-150, this will always be popular among truck buyers all over the country.