People keeping cars longer because of shaky economy

DETROIT — People are keeping their cars and trucks longer as quality improves and the uncertain economy makes new purchases less appealing, according to a study released this week by automotive consulting firm R.L. Polk & Co.Polk said the median age of cars on U.S. roads was 9.2 years in 2007. That ties the previous year's record high. In 2007, 41.3 percent of all cars were 11 years or older, compared with 40.9 percent the year before.The median age for trucks and sport utility vehicles rose 4 percent to 7.1 years. Dave Goebel, a consultant for Polk's aftermarket team, said those numbers are starting to reflect a surge in truck and SUV purchases in the mid- to late 1990s.Goebel said he expects the average age of trucks and SUVs will rise and eventually be on par with cars once the segment stops its tremendous growth and settles into a more stable pattern.Purchases of new cars fell 3 percent in the U.S.


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2.5 percent WHT on local cars sale deferred for two months

ISLAMABAD (February 24 2008): The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has deferred payment of 2.5 percent withholding tax on the local purchase of cars for a period of two months. The board has amended Second Schedule of the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001 through SRO 153(I)/2008 issued on Saturday.

According to the notification, no tax will be collected under section 231B of the Ordinance 2001 during the period from February 21 to April 20, 2008 and will apply to booking of a motor car or delivered during the said period.

When contacted, Shafiq Ahmad Shaikh, head of public relations and official spokesperson of Pak Suzuki Motor Company Limited, Karachi, said that the FBR has provided relief to the general public by withdrawing the levy. During this two-month exemption, the board would analyse whether the withdrawal of withholding tax increases the sale of locally manufactured cars.


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Car-sharing cameras to be tested

A new generation of road camera which can deduce how many people are in a car is to be tested for the first time.

It will initially be used to monitor car-sharing lanes in Leeds, but councils across Britain are said to be interested in using the technology.

Four out of five cars driving into cities at rush hour have only one person in them.

The government believes encouraging people to share journeys will help combat congestion.

It wants councils to look at building more "high-occupancy vehicle" lanes.

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Instant Analysis: Homestead

It looks like the track will go green on Lap 257, which will leave 11 green-flag laps.

Lap 254: The race has been red flagged for Montoya's crash. Here's the order: Yeley, Biffle, Kahne, Hamlin, Kenseth, Johnson, Truex, Stremme, Edwards, Bowyer, Sorenson, Harvick, Burton, Riggs and Martin. Then it's Stewart, Mears, Nemechek, Earnhardt, Wimmer and Raines, the last car on the lead lap.

Lap 252: Green flag. 16 laps to go and Yeley is in front for now.

Caution 10 Lap 248: Caution No. 10. Montoya has a hard crash in Turn 1 and he becomes the second Ganassi driver in two nights to have a fiery, scary looking crash. But he emerges unhurt.

Lap 252: Green flag. 16 laps to go and Yeley is in front for now.

Lap 248: The 21 lead-lap cars all pit for the last time.


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Nineteen cars of CP freight derail in northern Ont.

Nineteen cars of a CP Rail freight derailed in northern Ontario, northwest of Sudbury, early Saturday morning.

CP Rail spokesman Breanne Feigel said the incident happened about 12:45 a.m. on a CP Rail line in a remote area, about 130 kilometres northwest of Sudbury.

There were no injuries to the crew and no public safety concerns, Feigel said.

The westbound train was carrying a mix of consumer goods, he added.

The cause of the derailment has not been identified.

CP Rail crews were heading to the scene early Saturday afternoon to assess the situation.

With files from The Canadian Press

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Wild owner selling majority share to ex-Predators owner Leipold

PAUL, Minn. -- Craig Leipold emerged as the new chairman of the Minnesota Wild, promising not to "mess with" one of the NHL's model franchises.

The Wild announced Thursday that Bob Naegele's majority stake in the team will be bought by Leipold, the Wisconsin entrepreneur and former Nashville Predators owner.

"I'm not here to fix anything," Leipold said at a news conference to discuss the sale.

Naegele and his group of investors formed Minnesota Sports and Entertainment in 1997 when they were awarded the rights to an expansion franchise that entered the league in 2000. The Wild have announced a sellout for every game they've ever played at their downtown St. Paul arena.

"This is a genuinely incredible moment for me," Leipold said.

Vice chairman Jac Sperling declined to reveal the purchase price, but said the deal is expected to close over the next few months pending approvals by the city and the league.


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Catalytic converters stolen from dealership cars

Thieves stole catalytic converters from six cars at the Mountaineer Hyundai dealership on Robert C. Byrd Drive in Beckley, State Police said. The thefts occurred sometime between 6 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m. Saturday, Senior Trooper R.A. Daniel said.Two of the converters were stolen from 2007 cars, while the other four were stolen from 2008 cars. The approximate value of the converters, with replacement costs and damage to the vehicles' exhaust systems, is $900 per vehicle, Daniel said. The owners of Mountaineer Hyundai are offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the theft. Anyone with information regarding the incident is encouraged to call Daniel at 256-6700 or Crime Stoppers at 255-7867. — Bill Billeter

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