auto parts manufacturers,auto parts suppliers

Stuttgart. Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart has been confirmed as the most attractive and likeable automobile brand in its largest export market, the USA. In the latest survey of opinion the “Automotive Performance, Execution, and Layout Study (APEAL2)” conducted by the market research company, J.D. Power, Porsche took first place for the fourth consecutive time. The satisfaction of buyers is surveyed in the APEAL study after the first 90 days of driving experience with their new vehicle. At total of 81,500 persons were surveyed from February to May of 2008 as to how they rate their vehicle according to 100 criteria in categories such as driving dynamics, performance, design, comfort, and suitability for daily use. Porsche returned top marks in the process.

The individual results for the model series equally emphasise the high quality of the products and the high degree of appreciation among customers: without reservation, buyers taking part in the study also confirmed the 911 Carrera, Cayman, and Cayenne as the best vehicles in their categories of “Premium Sporty”, “Compact Premium Sporty”, and “Midsize Premium Multi Activity Vehicle”. Already one month prior, Porsche was also distinguished by J.D. Power in the just as prestigious “Initial Quality Study” as the automobile manufacturer with the best quality.

With this two-fold victory, the crucial US customers yet again confirmed both the success of Porsche’s sustained quality offensive and fascination of its brand.

WOLFSBURG/LÜBECK —There are just a couple of weeks left before the big double birthday party: Volkswagen New Beetle fans from all over Europe are going to be celebrating the tenth anniversary of the cult car line; at the same time the New Beetle Sunshine Tour is starting its fifth run in July. Alongside the production models, special paint jobs or completely new body work will all be on display at our grand review drive along the Baltic Sea coastline. The birthday tour starts midday on Saturday, July 19, at the Volkswagen Center in Lübeck. Its goal? A beach party featuring New Beetles on the beach grasslands at Grömitz.

The private initiative of the “New Beetle Sunshine Tour” got started by Beetle Cabriolet driver Gabriele Kraft of Lübeck in 2004. She takes charge of the organization of the party, which comes along each year in July. “What had its origin on a small scale has grown meanwhile into a regular international meeting. This year three New Beetles from Ukraine will be joining us as a first,” she says. More than some 190 cars with participants from all over Europe have registered already, and Gabriele Kraft is pretty optimistic that there won’t be a single spot left on the beachy grasslands at Grömitz. Even Beetle freaks from as far away as Scotland have logged on with us.

The Grömitz community and Volkswagen, the sponsors of the New Beetle Sunshine Tour, have definitely dreamed up a fine birthday surprise again this year. A really spectacular art project has been initiated to follow up on the drive-on show-truck-stage that we had last year, complete with its open air concert. New Beetle drivers who would like to be there when it happens this year can register for free on the Internet at the homepage www.beetle-sunshinetour.de.

HERNDON, VA.—Volkswagen of America, Inc. announced today that its Jetta SportWagen, a sporty and functional wagon version of their top-selling Jetta model, is now available in dealer showrooms. The Jetta SportWagen combines practicality with European style and balances both style and sportiness—exceptional ride and handling and class-leading safety features, coupled with its functional design are perfect for those with an active lifestyle.

Staying true to Volkswagen’s long history of delivering performance and value, the Jetta SportWagen will be offered in three engine variations. Now available in dealer showrooms is the 2.5-liter, five cylinder engine that produces 170 horsepower and 177 lbs.-ft of torque. For those wanting more power, a 2.0-liter, turbo-charged, four cylinder engine that produces 200 hp and 207 lbs.-ft. of toque will be available in dealer showrooms later this year. The 2.5L Jetta SportWagen has a starting price of $18,999.

For customers desiring an efficient alternative fuel vehicle, the Jetta SportWagen TDI will also be available later this year with an all-new 2.0L clean diesel engine that produces 140 hp, and an impressive 236 lbs.-ft. of torque. The clean diesel engine version demonstrates that consumers do not have to compromise when it comes to performance and fuel efficiency. The Jetta SportWagen TDI will have a starting price of $23,590.

Aside from offering the sporty feel and fun to drive performance of a Jetta, the SportWagen also opens up a new world of possibilities in the way of usable cargo room— 32.8 cubic feet to be exact, or an even more impressive 66.9 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down. For those whose active lifestyle requires even more room, there is an optional fold-flat front passenger seat that provides additional cargo space. Fold-flat front passenger seat is available with “V-Tex” leatherette seating.

The Jetta SportWagen comes standard with Volkswagen’s Prevent and Preserve Safety System™, with over forty standard safety features – including no less than six standard airbags, with optional rear side airbags. Electronic Stabilization Program (ESP) is now standard on all 2009 Volkswagens.

Also standard for 2009 is Volkswagen’s carefree maintenance program, with this program there are no charges for the scheduled maintenance described in the vehicle’s maintenance booklet for the length of the New Vehicle Limited Warranty—three years or 36,000 miles, whichever occurs first.

Tata Salt has become the No 3 most trusted brand, its highest ever rank in the Brand Equity ET Survey 2008, conducted by AC Nielsen. The ‘Desh Ka Namak’ has also regained its No 1 spot as the most trusted food brand in India.

Tata Salt is also a resounding No 1 brand among the housewives segment, echoing the trust that millions of housewives across the country place on the brand every single day. It’s No 2 in North and East regions and No 3 most trusted brand in metros.

Tata Salt is the market leader in the national branded iodised salt segment with a 43 per cent market share. Consumer activations and BTL activities throughout the country have helped it establish a stronger brand connect with its consumers.

The brand has also engaged consumers through its socially relevant Desh Ko Arpan programme under which Tata Salt extended educational support to 1,500 underprivileged girl children in the last two years through the Nanhi Kali project.

The launch of Tata Salt Lite, a low-sodium salt, which is a brand extension of Tata Salt, has had a positive rub off on its brand equity as well.

ET defines the most trusted brand as one which bonds best with the consumer, a brand that is not only familiar to the consumer but also provides quality and reassurance to her / him. The brands are evaluated on relatedness, perceived popularity, quality connotation, distinctiveness / uniqueness of what they stand for, value for money offered — does it strike a chord with the consumer and repurchase intent.

The survey interviewed more than 8,000 respondents across 12 cities in the west, east, north and south zones of India. The sample is spread across socio-economic class, age and income groups, covering consumers aged 15 and older. The list consisted of 300 brands (219 consumer products and 81 service brands).