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ALEXANDRIA, Va., July 3 /PRNewswire/ — Once again, high fuel prices are dampening travel plans this holiday. More Americans will stay home this Fourth of July than last year, just as they did during the Memorial Day weekend.
With fewer people on the road, retailers have seen demand for fuel drop, according to data released today by NATSO, a trade group representing the travel plaza industry.
Ask any economist what happens when a product’s supply is ample but demand is lower, and you’ll hear that the price of that product is likely to fall.
Not so with gasoline and diesel fuel this year, based on demand data released today by NATSO, the national association representing America’s travel plazas and truckstops. Demand for both gasoline and diesel dropped significantly in May, even while wholesale fuel prices (the cost of fuel that retailers pay) continued to climb.
The number of gallons of gasoline sold fell nearly three percent in May as compared with last May 2007, and diesel gallons sold dropped twice as much that month, by about six percent. Declines of demand for fuel greater than 2.5 percent are rare, even more so in a time that is considered to be peak driving season.
Despite these declines, during that same month gasoline and diesel wholesale prices surged. According to the Oil Price Information Service (OPIS), the average wholesale cost of fuel sold to retailers climbed throughout May and June. Retailers were paying an average 37 cents over the prior month for gasoline and an average of over 60 cents more for diesel, topping the $4 mark for the first time ever.
Softer demand and higher prices lends further support to experts who have pointed to unregulated market speculation as a significant culprit in higher fuel prices.
“In the past, when we’ve seen skyrocketing fuel prices like this, it is because of some crisis that squeezes supply,” said president and CEO of NATSO Lisa Mullings. “We’ve seen no long lines at the pump; in fact, demand has fallen and supply is adequate, so it is clear that there is another factor driving up prices.”
The price of crude oil on the commodities markets has surged this year, up 40 percent over the past six months. Where once these markets served as a management tool for oil producers and oil consumers such as refiners and airlines, the markets have attracted a new breed of speculator-non-commercial traders, such as Wall Street investment firms, pension funds, and others who have no involvement with the commodities they are buying and selling and who never intend to take delivery of a barrel of oil. These non-commercial speculators, called “paper traders,” now account for two-thirds of all crude oil trading, double the number active in the markets since the year 2000.
A number of congressional hearings have focused on the role of speculators in soaring fuel prices, and a number of legislative proposals are under consideration to limit the role of speculators in the market and increase the regulatory authority of the Commodities Futures Trading Commission.
While consumers feel the squeeze of the higher prices, for fuel retailers the surging price of fuel strains their credit lines and makes cash flow difficult to manage. A tanker truckload of diesel fuel, which a couple of years ago cost a little more than $10,000, now costs more than $32,000. Wholesale prices can increase as much as 10 to 15 cents in a single day, making it more challenging than ever to manage fuel inventories at travel plazas and gas stations.
NATSO is the professional association of America’s $42 billion travel plaza and truckstop industry. Founded in 1960, NATSO represents the industry on legislative and regulatory matters; serves as the official source of information on the diverse travel plaza and truckstop industry; provides education to its members; conducts an annual convention and trade show; and supports efforts to generally improve the business climate in which its members operate.
NATSO

SAN DIEGO, May 30 /PRNewswire/ — Bark Buckle UP, a leader in the pet safety industry, today announced that it has partnered with Volvo Cars, the benchmark company for auto safety, in launching a campaign that will educate pet owners nationwide about pet travel safety. Kicking off today at Volvo Cars’ North American headquarters in Rockleigh, N.J., the Pet Safety Day campaign will teach pet parents how to properly secure their pets and travel responsibly this summer.
From June through September, select Volvo Retailers across the United States and Canada will host Pet Safety Days. Open to the general public and their pets, the safety events will teach pet owners about pet safety products and give tips for traveling safely with pets. Christina Selter, Bark Buckle UP founder and pet travel safety expert, will visit select Pet Safety Days to answer questions, offer her expertise, and demonstrate how easy it is to keep your pet safe.
“Seat belts protect millions of people every day,” said Selter, who buckles up her dog Betty, even if she’s just driving to the supermarket. “In the event of an accident, an unrestrained pet can escape and be hit by another vehicle, cause another collision, or attack emergency crews trying to reach an injured party. It only takes a few minutes to safeguard your pet and by properly securing your pet, you are protecting yourself, your passengers, and your pet from injury, not to mention protecting other drivers and strangers trying to help.”
When driving 35 mph, a 60-pound unrestrained dog can cause an impact of 2,700 pounds, slamming into a car seat, windshield, or passenger. Even if the animal survives, it can impede the progress of rescue workers who need every moment possible to safely care for accident victims. Pet restraints in moving vehicles are now required in many states and provinces since they offer several advantages — they help protect pets in the event of a collision; keep pets from running loose and distracting the driver; and prevent pets from escaping the car through an open window or door.
“We chose to partner with Volvo because we share a similar mission — to provide safety for all passengers — people and pets,” said Selter. “Currently less than 2% of American pet parents restrain their pets while traveling. Our goal, together with Volvo, is to educate people to ensure that pet safety, before and after an accident occurs becomes a top priority.”
Starting June 1, participating Volvo Retailers will display the Bark Buckle UP Pet travel Safety program, information and offer visitors the first responder approved Bark Buckle UP Pet Safety Kit FREE of charge. Each Bark Buckle UP Pet Safety Kit includes an emergency pet card and safety decal. Both list important information — if you have a pet at home in need of care if you are unable to care for it, who to call to care for your pet if they’ve been in an accident with you, and the name and phone number of the pet’s veterinarian. In the event of an accident, the information provided in the Bark Buckle UP Pet Safety Kit will help rescue workers properly seek care for your pet. Bark Buckle UP continues to work closely with fire, police and rescue officials nationwide to gain their support and teach them where to locate the emergency pet card and static sticker.
“Now is the time to educate consumers about the importance of pet safety restraints,” said Daniel Johnston, Product Communications, Volvo Cars of North America. “Summer is almost here and with many travelers wary of flight delays, families will bring their children — and their pets — to destinations accessible by car. Few people understand how dangerous traveling with an unrestrained pet can be. That’s why Volvo has partnered with Bark Buckle UP to support Pet Safety Days and provide the tools travelers need to keep all family members safe.”
Bark Buckle UP recently awarded the Volvo XC90 the Pet SAFE vehicle of choice in America. To bring pet safety to the forefront and educate pet owners about traveling safely with pets, the Pet Safety Days campaign coincides with Bring Your Pet to Work Day on June 20 and Auto Safety Month in June.
For more information and an updated list of participating Volvo dealerships, visit .
About Bark Buckle UP
Bark Buckle UP pet safety program is traveling nationally to teach and promote pet safety in automobiles and while traveling with pets. By teaching pet safety in and around automobiles the lives of pets are being saved.
Bark Buckle UP founder Christina Selter, a Pet travel Safety Expert, has been featured nationwide in television, radio, and news articles. She has also been featured at international auto shows, pet expos, and guest speaking engagements. Christina works closely with fire and police personnel who support the safety program. “Just like Click it or Ticket, the Bark Buckle UP campaign helps save lives,” said Christina Selter.
Visit for more information.
Volvo Cars of North America

HERNDON, Va., May 27 /PRNewswire/ — Volkswagen of America, Inc. announced today that the Eos has been named to kbb.com’s 2008 Top 10 Best New Road trip Vehicles. Kelley Blue Book ( ), the leading provider of new- and used-vehicle information, recognized that even with gas prices reaching $4 per gallon, many Americans will still hit the road for summer road trips.
“The coupe-sunroof-convertible makes the Eos a great vehicle for road trips no matter what the weather brings,” said Mark Barnes, Chief Operating Officer, Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. “And with the highly acclaimed 2.0T engine, drivers can have fun with 200 horsepower, while still saving money at the pump with 30 mpg in highway driving.”
“The sporty and sleek Volkswagen Eos convertible landed on the list of best road trip vehicles due to its sophisticated retractable hardtop and exceptionally wide sunroof that allow drivers to experience the open-air without getting that wind-swept look,” said Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst, Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com.
In choosing this year’s Best New Road trip Vehicles, the kbb.com editors evaluated tangible and intangible attributes that would enhance any long drive, such as driving enjoyment, passenger comfort, cargo space and of course, fuel economy. In addition to the 2008 Best New Road trip Vehicles award, Volkswagen has garnered previous awards from Kelley Blue Book including; the Best Resale Value: Top 10 for the 2008 Jetta, Eos and Rabbit; the 2008 Top 10 Coolest New Cars Under $18,000 for the second consecutive year with the Rabbit; and, the 2008 Best Resale Value: Brand.
The Eos sets the standard for fun with a retractable hard-top with a built-in sunroof. With the push of a button the CSC(TM) (coupe-sunroof- convertible) transforms the coupe’s five-panel hard-top, with integrated sunroof and heated-glass rear window, into an open-air convertible, perfect for enjoying a road trip year round.
The 2008 Eos comes with a choice of engines: the Volkswagen 2.0T four-cylinder and the innovative 3.2 L narrow-angle V6. Either way you get plenty of power and the innovative hard-top-coupe-convertible for as little as $28,990 for an Eos 2.0T and $38,100 for the Eos 3.2 L. The 2008 Eos 2.0T offers 200 horsepower and 207 lbs.-ft. of torque from a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. For people who need even more performance, the 2008 Eos 3.2 L V6 cranks out 250 hp and 235 lbs.-ft. of torque.
Kelley Blue Book
Since 1926, Kelley Blue Book, The Trusted Resource(R), has provided vehicle buyers and sellers with the new and used vehicle information they need to accomplish their goals with confidence. The company’s top-rated Web site, kbb.com, provides the most up-to-date pricing and values, including the New Car Blue Book(R) Value, which reveals what people actually are paying for new cars. The company also reports vehicle pricing and values via products and services, including software products and the famous Blue Book(R) Official Guide. Kbb.com is rated the No. 1 automotive information site by Nielsen//NetRatings and the most visited auto site by J.D. Power and Associates nine years in a row. No other medium reaches more in-market vehicle shoppers than kbb.com; nearly one in every three American car buyers performs their research on kbb.com.
Volkswagen of America, Inc.
Volkswagen of America, Inc. recently announced Electronic Stability Program (ESP) as standard equipment on all its 2009 vehicles. As a result, Volkswagen is one of the only original equipment manufacturers to offer an electronic stability control system on their entire product line - ahead of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) deadline requiring vehicles in the 2012 model year to include stability control systems. Volkswagen’s ESP technology works in conjunction with anti-lock brakes and helps reduce loss of control and rollovers to avoid crashes. NHTSA predicts nearly 10,000 lives could be saved each year if automakers included stability systems as standard equipment.
Founded in 1955, Volkswagen of America, Inc. is headquartered in Herndon, Virginia. It is a subsidiary of Volkswagen AG, headquartered in Wolfsburg, Germany. Volkswagen is one of the world’s largest producers of passenger cars and Europe’s largest automaker. Volkswagen sells the Rabbit, New Beetle, New Beetle convertible, GTI, Jetta, GLI, Passat, Passat wagon, Eos, and Touareg through approximately 600 independent U.S. dealers. Visit Volkswagen of America online at .
Volkswagen of America, Inc.

SEATTLE and LONDON, May 2 /PRNewswire/ — AFS Trinity Power Corporation and Ricardo plc today announced creation of Extreme Fleet(TM), a joint program to offer Extreme Hybrid fleet vehicles that use no gasoline at all on most days without sacrificing vehicle size or power.
(Photo: )
Many fleet operators are expected not only to save up to 75% of what they are now paying for gasoline and diesel, but also to dramatically reduce fleet maintenance costs.
On Sunday, May 4, fleet managers from around the country will be introduced in person to the Extreme Hybrid at the 2008 NAFA Institute and Expo in Salt Lake City, Utah. On Monday, May 5, they will be able to drive the first Extreme Hybrid prototypes-two XH-150s — as part of a NAFA Green Ride and Drive event. The XH-150 SUV is a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) capable of 40 miles on a single charge, 87 miles per hour in all-electric mode, unlimited range in mild hybrid mode, and faster acceleration than gasoline only versions of the same vehicle.
The new Extreme Fleet program will be headquartered in Bellevue, Washington, USA, with special purpose vehicle development to be conducted at AFS Trinity’s engineering center in Livermore, California as well as at Ricardo facilities in the U.S., Europe and Asia.
“Our Extreme Hybrid SUV’s travel more than 40 miles in all electric mode on an overnight charge. There are hundreds of thousands of fleet vehicles in the U.S. that travel less than 40 miles a day,” Furia said. “On these days, Extreme Hybrid versions of these fleet vehicles will use no gasoline or diesel at all. In situations or days when longer trips are required, they can automatically switch to conventional hybrid mode and travel any distance.”
Dave Shemmans, Chairman and CEO of Ricardo plc added, “Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles can offer the potential for fuel efficiency improvements and reduced operator running costs. If you multiply the fuel economy saving percentage by the annual fuel cost these savings can be significant,” he said.
The Extreme Fleet program will focus on building and licensing special purpose vehicles using specially designed or existing car, truck and SUV platforms. The vehicles are expected to bear AFS Trinity trademarks — Extreme Hybrid(TM), XH(TM) and/or “Powered by Fast Energy(TM).”
In January, AFS Trinity unveiled the first 150 mpg SUV prototypes, called the XH-150, and, last month, people across the country, including U.S. Congressmen and their staffs, were given their first opportunity to drive an Extreme Hybrid. XH-150s travel up to 87 miles per hour and have a range of 40 miles in all-electric mode on an overnight charge of household current. Extreme Hybrids also accelerate faster than gasoline-only versions of the same model cars.
“Our principal focus remains the elimination of dependence on oil and the reduction of greenhouse gases by providing consumers cars, SUVs and trucks that can go unlimited distances but, which, on many days, will use no gasoline at all because most people drive less than 40 miles a day,” Furia explained. “However, since unveiling the XH-150 in January, a number of police departments, local government bodies, private fleet operators and federal agencies have approached us about applying our technology to solve their mounting gasoline cost problems.”
ABOUT AFS TRINITY
AFS Trinity develops Fast Energy Storage(TM) and power systems for vehicular, spacecraft and stationary power systems utilizing batteries, ultracapacitors, and flywheels. The Company has conducted programs with private and government organizations including DARPA, NASA, the U.S. Navy, U.S. Army, U.S. DOT, California Energy Commission, Oak Ridge National Laboratories, Lawrence Livermore National Labs, Lockheed, Honeywell, Mercedes and Ricardo. AFS Trinity’s patent-pending Extreme Hybrid(TM) drive train utilizes ultra-capacitors, batteries and proprietary power and control electronics for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). The company is also actively engaged in developing flywheel power systems for Formula One Racing (F1). For more information visit .
ABOUT RICARDO
With technical centers and offices throughout Europe, the US and Asia, Ricardo is a leading independent technology provider and deep-content strategic management consultant to the world’s transportation sector industries. The company’s engineering expertise ranges from vehicle systems integration, controls, electronics and software development, to the latest driveline and transmission systems and gasoline, diesel, hybrid and fuel cell power train technologies. Its customers include the world’s major automakers, tier 1 suppliers and leading motorsport teams. The company’s skill base represents the state-of-the-art in low emissions and fuel-efficient power train technology, and can be best summarized: “Ricardo is Fuel Economy.” For more information visit .
Some statements in this news release are forward-looking. These statements may be identified by the use of words such as “will,”"expects,”"believes,”"targets,”"intends,” and words of similar import. Actual results may vary depending on circumstances both within and outside the control of the Company including market acceptance of products, technology development cycles and other risk factors. AFS Trinity Power Corporation takes no responsibility for updating any forward-looking statements made in this release.
Extreme Hybrid(TM), ExtremeFleet(TM), XH(TM), XH-150(TM), XH-250(TM), Fast Energy(TM), Fast Energy Storage(TM), Just Plug It In(TM), Powered by Fast Energy(TM) are trademarks pending of AFS Trinity Power Corporation. Patents Pending. All Rights Reserved. (C) 2008 AFS Trinity Power Corporation.

AFS Trinity Power Corporation