Corporate

IRVINE, Calif., Jan. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Kia Motors America (KMA) today announced its 14th consecutive year of record sales with 305,473 units sold, a 3.8-percent year-over-year increase. Kia saw nine months of record sales in 2007. Leading the way for the brand in 2007 were Kia Rio, Kia Optima and Kia Sportage, which ended the year with its best month of the year.

"In a year that was not particularly good for the industry, Kia continued to thrive with another record year and the passing of the 300,000-units-sold mark," said Len Hunt, president and CEO of Kia Motors America. "As we begin 2008, we are optimistic that with our current line-up and the introduction of the seven-passenger Borrego SUV, Kia will continue its trend of year-over-year record sales."

DEARBORN, Mich., Sept. 5, 2007 – On Wednesday, Sept. 12, Lewis Booth, Ford Motor Company [NYSE:F] executive vice president overseeing Ford of Europe and Premier Automotive Group (PAG), will participate in the MainFirst Bank Frankfurt Auto Show IAA Investor & Analyst Conference 2007.

PLYMOUTH, Mich., Aug. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Hella KGaA Hueck & Co., a global tier-one supplier of automotive lighting and electronic equipment, reported sales of $5.1 billion in the fiscal year 2006-2007, a gain of eight percent. Hella is one of the 100 largest German industrial companies.

Earnings before interest and tax improved to $64 million compared to year-ago results of $26 million.

Hella's investment grade status was upgraded to "stable" by Moody's Investors Service. Moody's change in rating status is due to results that were well above target and can be attributed to Hella's Lighting division.

CHARLOTTE, Mich., Aug. 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Spartan Chassis, Inc., a subsidiary of Spartan Motors, Inc. (NASDAQ:SPAR) , today announced it has been awarded new subcontract orders worth approximately $53 million from defense contractor BAE Systems to support the production of advanced tactical vehicles under the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected, or MRAP, program.

Under the subcontracts, the Mich.-based custom chassis manufacturer will supply and integrate key chassis components for BAE Systems' RG-33 MRAP military vehicles. The vehicles are scheduled to be completed in 2007 and are slated for use by the U.S. military. This award marks the third major MRAP- related subcontract in less than a month for Spartan Chassis, spanning three different defense contractor OEMs.

- Net Sales Reached Historical High US$36.3 Million
- Gross Margin 33%; Operating Income Grew 100% YoY

WUHAN, China, Aug. 13 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- China Automotive Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CAAS) , a leading power steering components and systems supplier in China, today announced financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2007.

2007 Second Quarter Highlights:
-- Net sales increased to US$36.3 million, reflecting 47% year-over-year growth;
-- Net sales from steering components for passenger and light-duty vehicles increased to US$ 22.8 million, reflecting a 45% year-over-year growth;
-- Net sales from steering components for commercial vehicles increased to US$ 9.9 million, reflecting a 64% increase year-over-year;
-- Operating income increased to US$6.3 million, reflecting a 100% year-over-year growth;
-- Net income was US$2.5 million, reflecting 227% year-over-year growth; and
-- Diluted earnings per share was US$0.10.

NEW YORK, Aug. 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. (NYSE:ABG) , one of the largest automotive retail and services companies in the U.S., today announced that its board of directors has authorized the repurchase of up to two million shares of the Company's common stock, to be completed by the end of 2008. In March 2007, the Company repurchased 1.3 million shares of its common stock pursuant to a repurchase program authorized in February 2007.

Asbury expects that any share repurchases will be funded through available cash. As of June 30, 2007, the Company had approximately 32.6 million shares outstanding.

NEWTON, N.C., Aug. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Dale Jarrett Racing Adventure, Inc. (BULLETIN BOARD: DJRT) a "Full Throttle" lifetime experience company, filed its 2nd Quarter 10Q today showing a net profit of $157,649. Sales for the quarter were $811,698 with gross profit of $565,880, both company records, resulting in a gross profit margin of 70%.

"This is our fourth profitable quarter out of the last five and we are very excited about the trend our company is setting. This accomplishment is even more impressive if you consider it took us almost 5 years to file our first profitable 10Q," said Tim Shannon, President and CEO.

- Net Sales of $42.1 million for Q2, up 56% over prior year
- Earnings of $0.03 per share
- Adjusted EBITDA of $3.8 million

CARSON, Calif., Aug. 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- U.S. Auto Parts Network, Inc. (NASDAQ:PRTS) , a leading online provider of aftermarket auto parts and accessories, today reported its financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2007.

Net sales for the second quarter ended June 30, 2007 were $42.1 million, an increase of 56% from $27.0 million in the prior year period. Net income on a GAAP basis for the second quarter of 2007 was $0.8 million, or $0.03 per diluted share, compared to net income of $0.6 million, or $0.03 per diluted share for the prior year period. Net income for the first quarter of 2007 was $0.2 million, or $0.01 per diluted share. Diluted EPS for the quarters ended June 30, 2007, March 31, 2007 and June 30, 2006, includes amortization expense related to intangibles of $2.1 million or $0.07 per diluted share, $2.1 million or $0.08 per diluted share and $0.9 million or $0.05 per diluted share, respectively.

TROY, Mich., Aug. 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- ArvinMeritor, Inc., (NYSE:ARM) today announced that Jay Craig, senior vice president and controller; and Chris Snodgrass, recently appointed vice president of manufacturing and supply chain management for the company's Commercial Vehicle Systems (CVS) business group, will present at the 10th Annual JPMorgan Harbour Auto Conference.

SOUTHFIELD, Mich., Aug. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- DENSO International America, Inc., North American headquarters for Japan-based DENSO Corporation, recently announced organizational changes.