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Mazda’s new global Zoom-Zoom communication style visually expresses the company’s evolution at a glance -
HIROSHIMA, Japan—Mazda Motor Corporation today announced the launch of its new global brand visual identity which will be rolled out progressively around the world. Following a successful pilot in Australia, the first major region to introduce this new visual identity direction will be Japan, commencing on June 20, 2008, when Mazda updates its Japan websites with distinctive new features. This will be followed by its full adoption in advertising, commencing on July 8 with the launch of the new mid-size Mazda Biante high-roof minivan in Japan.

The new global visual identity was created to evoke strong emotional connections between Mazda and its customers across all touchpoints, and convey the brand’s unique personality and distinctive profile. Mazda’s brand symbol and the brand essence will not change. The new visual identity is intended to express the new direction the Mazda brand is taking, its evolution and the innovation that lies at its core. This fresh new way of articulating the Mazda brand will be integrated into every facet of Mazda’s future brand communications.

The new global brand visual identity uses distinctive visual cues to express Mazda’s brand personality. These include the use of dynamic angles to convey a sense of movement; a new Mazda typeface to complement the other elements of the new visual identity; and a new ‘dynamic wing’ graphic which contains the Mazda brand symbol and captures Mazda’s confident, bold spirit. In addition, launching the new visual identity will ensure clarity and consistency in all Mazda communications across the globe.

“The launch of Mazda’s new global visual identity will enable us to communicate Mazda’s core brand values and attributes more clearly and with greater energy than ever before,” says Dan Morris, Mazda’s senior executive officer in charge of marketing and overseas sales. “We want to connect more powerfully with our customers around the world in a consistent manner with this newly refined element of the Zoom-Zoom brand.”

Mazda introduced its existing corporate identity (CI) in 1975 and developed its corporate mark as an easy-to-read standard for use in its global communications. The brand symbol was created in 1997 as one element of Mazda’s efforts to strengthen its brand image. Since the launch of the original Mazda6 in 2002, Mazda’s Zoom-Zoom brand message has gained currency all over the world.

Looking to the future, Mazda will continue to pursue harmony between driving pleasure and environmental and safety features, and delight its customers with exciting vehicles that ‘look inviting to drive, are fun to drive, and make you want to drive them again.’ With the introduction of its new global visual identity, the Hiroshima-based company will aim for continued improvements in its brand value.

Honda (http://www.honda.com) has fully deployed its fleet of Auto-Max® railcars, achieving a significant reduction in the fuel consumption and CO2 emissions associated with its automobile distribution activities in the United States. The 400-car fleet of more space-efficient Auto-Max railcars is the only such automaker-operated fleet in use in the United States. Including the Auto-Max fleet shipments, American Honda currently transports about 82 percent of its Honda and Acura automobiles across the country by rail, achieving the highest rail-shipping rate of any automaker.

Each multi-level Auto-Max railcar holds up to 22 vehicles and can hold both trucks and cars to reduce unused space. The result is less fuel usage per vehicle shipped and no compromise to quality. An average bi-level railcar can transport only 10 trucks, generally of a single vehicle type.

Honda’s Auto-Max railcars have a 50-year estimated lifespan versus standard railcars, which typically require a major overhaul after just 20 years of service. Honda participated with the Greenbrier Companies (NYSE:GBX) in designing Auto-Max, which is exclusively manufactured by Greenbrier.

“Honda is adopting a holistic approach to minimizing its greenhouse gas emissions, addressing not only the production and on road use of our products, but also new, more fuel-efficient strategies for how we transport our products to dealers,” said Dennis Manns, assistant vice president, Sales & Logistics Planning for American Honda Motor Co., Inc. “Rail is the most environmentally responsible method available to move our products, and our Auto-Max railcar fleet can make a good system even more fuel efficient.”

To further support Honda’s strategy to increase product distribution by rail, Honda this year invested approximately $7 million to redesign the rail infrastructure at its automobile plants in Marysville and East Liberty, Ohio. The redesign added rail capacity, enabling American Honda to ship more units via rail. Further, inbound and outbound trains at the plant can now operate at a faster pace; pull easier on upgraded tracks; and, require less railcar switching in the yard, reducing fuel consumption, CO2, and other air pollutants emissions that are produced while engines are left idling.

According to CSX, which serves Honda’s rail operations in Ohio, the infrastructure improvement contributes an annual savings of 2,436 gallons of fuel and 54,432 pounds of CO2 per year.

Honda is globally committed to minimizing air emissions from its products and factories. Honda is working to achieve its goals by reducing CO2 emissions by improving the energy efficiency of Honda manufacturing plants and by improving the fuel efficiency of its automobile, powersports and power equipment products. Honda’s legacy of environmental leadership includes a long list of industry firsts, including the world’s first low-emission vehicles, America’s first gasoline-electric hybrid car, and the world’s first EPA-certified hydrogen fuel cell vehicle. In 2007, Honda was named the “Greenest Automaker” by the Union of Concerned Scientists for the fourth consecutive time.

Valeo’s Annual General Shareholders’ Meeting (AGM) was held today under the chairmanship of Thierry Morin, the Group’s Chairman & CEO.

2007 results and outlook

The AGM approved Valeo’s 2007 accounts which were published on February 12, 2008. In 2007, Valeo recorded a strong rise in sales volumes (+6.2%) related to growth in emerging countries where the Group has reinforced its presence. Valeo’s innovation and operational excellence strategy enabled it to achieve a 17.7% increase in operating income. At the same time, innovative products account for 32% of the Group’s order intake.

Valeo pursued the rationalization of its product portfolio, divesting its wiring harness activity and acquiring the Irish company Connaught Electronics, a specialist in image processing. These operations are in line with the Group’s strategy of focusing on three Domains: Driving Assistance, Powertrain Efficiency and Comfort Enhancement.

Valeo’s results continued to improve in the first quarter 2008. Net earnings per share were up by 36% versus the same period in 2007, while the operating margin improved by 22% to 3.6% of sales.

The coming months will continue to be marked by very high raw material prices and a tough automotive market. Against this backdrop, Valeo confirms its objective for an improvement of its results in 2008.

Thierry Morin reminded the AGM that, in a context of stricter regulations on CO2 emissions and high oil prices, Valeo’s innovative solutions for significantly reducing fuel consumption are increasingly attractive to automakers and motorists.

The summer holidays are just around the corner. Millions of Europeans will soon be heading for the sun by road, many with caravans. Here is some good advice from Bridgestone to help those travelling on rubber have a safe journey.

Under inflated tyres put safety at risk

We’ve heard it before, but few of us do it correctly: “Check your tyre pressure regularly, and especially before long journeys.” It is a fact that driving on incorrect pressure can be both dangerous and costly. The most common fault is under inflation because tyres lose air pressure naturally over time, like a balloon. If your tyre pressure is too low, you lose handling control and your tyres become less durable due to stress and heat build up.

Low tyre pressure also costs you money: the wear life of a tyre is halved if pressure falls from 2.2 bars to 1.0 bar. Worse still, it adds an extra load on the environment. Low pressure increases your tyre’s rolling resistance on the road, leading to increased fuel consumption and higher emissions. It really does make sense to check your tyre pressure regularly.

Don’t forget your caravan tyres

If you’re towing a caravan this summer, pay special attention to the tyres. Caravan tyres are similar to car tyres, but are designed with higher load capacity and greater resistance to lateral forces to improve stability in the wind. These differences are key – don’t ever be tempted to fit car tyres on a caravan!

Another difference with caravan tyres is that they are used less often; maybe only once a year. Tyre condition should therefore be checked very carefully before the vacation. Firstly, check that there is nothing that could cause vibration, such as stones lodged in the tread. Then check the pressure while the tyres are cool. And check for tread wear. Most owners don’t go to their dealer for a new set until the tread surface has dry cracks. This is already much too late. Even without any visible signs of wear, caravan tyres should be changed after 10 years on average. See your tyre dealer for more information.

Load it carefully

It’s fun loading a caravan for vacation – but don’t get carried away! Try not to take more baggage than you need, don’t overload the rear, and spread the load evenly across the caravan to reduce the risk of zig-zag and instability. Remember: driving an overloaded caravan is not only an offence, it can be very dangerous too. And always carry a spare; you never know when you might need it.