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Friday, November 21, 2008

• Yugo Bites the Dust - Again Date posted: 11-21-2008
  After nearly three decades, Serbian automaker Zastava pulls the plug on the primitive hatchback.
• December 2 Is D-Day for U.S. Automakers Date posted: 11-21-2008
  The heads of the Detroit Big 3 went home empty-handed this week from Washington, but they will return to Capitol Hill on December 2 to present their restructuring plans to Congress in what may be the final bid for financial help.
• BMW Recalls 2008 and 2009 M3s With Dual-Clutch Gearbox Date posted: 11-21-2008
  BMW is recalling 2,500 2008 and 2009 BMW M3s with the optional M DCT dual-clutch gearbox to fix a transmission software problem.
• 2009 Dodge Challenger Earns Five Stars in Crash Tests Date posted: 11-21-2008
  The 2009 Dodge Challenger gets five-star ratings from the federal government in front-and side-impact crash tests.
• Chang'an Wants To Build Cars in Mexico Date posted: 11-21-2008
  Chang'an Auto, the Chinese partner of Ford and Suzuki, says it will build cars in Mexico and eventually sell them in the U.S.
• 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show: Futuristic Mazda Kaan Named Design Challenge Winner Date posted: 11-21-2008
  The Mazda Kaan, an electric racing car with a patented electronic tire system, was picked as the winner of the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show's Design Challenge.
• Fisker Automotive Says General Motors Will Supply Gas Engine in Its Karma Date posted: 11-21-2008
  The Fisker Karma will get the same 260-hp 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that powers the 2009 Pontiac Solstice GXP and the 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt SS.
• Honda Cuts Production in U.S. and U.K. Date posted: 11-21-2008
  Honda has announced that it's cutting North American production by 18,000 units. The company also says it will idle its Swindon, U.K., plant for two months in early 2009.
• Oregon, Nissan and Bay Area Cities Announce Major Electric-Vehicle Initiatives Date posted: 11-21-2008
  Renault/Nissan chief Carlos Ghosn says "pure electric" vehicles from Nissan will be on U.S. roads by 2010, while San Francisco Bay Area mayors announce an ambitious plan to make northern California the capital of EV transportation.
• 2008 Guangzhou Auto Show: Geely Panda Date posted: 11-21-2008
  New baby car officially launched in Chinese domestic market.
• 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show: Kia Targets Tech-Savvy Soul Buyers on Mobile Phones Date posted: 11-21-2008
  L.A. auto show visitors can access mobile Web site to explore the 2010 Kia Soul.
• 2008 Guangzhou Auto Show: Li Nian Roadster Date posted: 11-21-2008
  Guangzhou Auto and Honda team up on a second concept.

Thursday, November 20, 2008

• 2008 Guangzhou Auto Show: Volvo S80L Date posted: 11-20-2008
  The trend in China toward larger cars with more rear legroom continues.
• Porsche Says Cayenne Diesel Is on the Way Date posted: 11-20-2008
  The new Cayenne diesel is bound for Europe only at first, but the German automaker hints that "preparations for market introduction in other countries are underway."
• 2010 Nissan GT-R Loses Launch Control Date posted: 11-20-2008
  Expense warranty claims push Nissan to kill launch control for 2010.
• Think Summer: Pebble Beach 2009 Concours Applications Being Taken Now Date posted: 11-20-2008
  The deadline for entrants has been moved back to January 7 to let the selection committee come up with "the very best field."
• Are China Vultures Circling General Motors and Chrysler? Date posted: 11-20-2008
  Chinese press reports say Dongfeng or Shanghai Auto could buy some troubled assets from Detroit.
• GM Executive Likens Detroit's Crisis to Hip Replacement Surgery Date posted: 11-20-2008
  In one of the stranger analogies of the week, GM's vice president of North American vehicle sales, service and marketing blogs that the current Detroit meltdown may be likened to hip replacement surgery. But the bigger question is, why is GM Vice Chairman Bob Lutz silent?
• Michael Moore: "GM Still Kept Building the Wrong Cars" Date posted: 11-20-2008
  Call it Rick & Me. The filmmaker who targeted GM CEO Roger Smith in the 1989 movie Roger & Me weighs in on Detroit's auto crisis, saying it was "hilarious" watching the testimony of the Big Three chiefs, including GM Chairman and CEO Rick Wagoner, in Washington this week.
• Grand Theft Auto IV Tries to Hijack 2008 Spike Video Game Awards with Nine Nominations Date posted: 11-20-2008
  GTA IV is up for nine awards at the sixth annual VGAs.
• Detroit Chiefs Get Stiffed by Washington as Auto Stocks Tumble Date posted: 11-20-2008
  The heads of Detroit's Big Three left Washington empty-handed late Wednesday after two days of begging for financial help from the federal government. Auto stocks plummeted in response.

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

• Jaguar Tops List in J.D. Power Customer Satisfaction Study Date posted: 11-19-2008
  Jaguar, Hummer and Lexus occupy the top spots in the new customer satisfaction rankings by J.D. Power and Associates. Jeep, Nissan and Mitsubishi are at the bottom of the heap.
• Guangzhou Auto Show: 2009 Ford Fiesta Date posted: 11-19-2008
  Ford and GM roll out new models for the China domestic market.
• Celebrity Pony: 2010 Mustang Stars in Latest Episode of Knight Rider TV Show Date posted: 11-19-2008
  The 2010 Mustang gets a bit of air time in this week's episode of Knight Rider.
• Detroit Automakers Warn of "Catastrophic Collapse" if Federal Help Is Not Forthcoming Date posted: 11-19-2008
  The heads of Detroit's Big Three automakers beg for help from the federal government but meet with resistance.

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

• Ferrari, Land Rover, Rolls-Royce All Staying Away From Detroit's Auto Show Date posted: 11-18-2008
  More bad news for Detroit: Three luxury marques add to the list of automakers not displaying their wares at the auto show in January.
• Tuner Special: Edo Porsche Cayenne Date posted: 11-18-2008
  Edo Competition gives the Porsche Cayenne GTS 45 extra horses and a variety of performance goodies.
• Tesla Motors Set To Tackle "Range Anxiety" Date posted: 11-18-2008
  The electric-car startup has some intriguing high-tech ideas that may see the light of day on the Model S sedan.
• Angry General Motors Fires Back at New York Times Columnist Thomas Friedman Date posted: 11-18-2008
  Thomas Friedman, one of the most high-profile opponents of a bailout for Detroit, gets a scolding from GM and an invitation to come and see "the cool stuff."
• Pontiac Announces Pricing for 2009 G3 Date posted: 11-18-2008
  No bargain-basement pricing for Pontiac's new compact hatchback. The G3 starts at $14,995, which makes it more expensive than the base 2009 Kia Rio5 LX, the 2009 Toyota Yaris and even its corporate sibling, the 2009 Chevrolet Aveo.
• GM Announces Pricing on 2009 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra Hybrids Date posted: 11-18-2008
  As expected, consumers will pay a premium for GM's green pickups. The 2009 Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid starts at $38,995, while the 2009 GMC Sierra Hybrid starts at $39,365.
• Volkswagen Sets September 2009 U.S. Arrival Date for New GTI and Rabbit Date posted: 11-18-2008
  You can get a U.S.-market Rabbit or GTI around Labor Day 2009, VW says.
• IL Insider: Mini E Date posted: 11-18-2008
  The Mini E will be BMW's one-year litmus test to help with future development.
• Ford Sells Mazda Stake Date posted: 11-18-2008
  Detroit is winding down an era of equity ownership in Japanese automakers.

Monday, November 17, 2008

• Brazil: Every Vehicle To Get Tracking Devices as Theft and Kidnapping Rates Soar Date posted: 11-17-2008
  Starting next August, every new motorcycle and automobile in Brazil will get a tracking device in an anti-crime and anti-terrorist initiative.
• 2008 Guangzhou Auto Show: Audi A4L Date posted: 11-17-2008
  Long-wheelbase edition will be sold exclusively in the China domestic market.
• Glovely: Hermes Smart Date posted: 11-17-2008
  The luxury leathersmith unveiled a special edition of the Smart car at a festive ceremony in Paris.
• Aussie Bailout: Government Offers Cash Infusion to Ailing Auto Industry Date posted: 11-17-2008
  Things are tough all over, and the Australian government is stepping up to help its auto industry.
• Fisker Karma Takes Another Step Toward Reality Date posted: 11-17-2008
  Valmet Automotive and Fisker Automotive sign the final contract to make the Fisker Karma in Finland.
• Opel Insignia Narrowly Wins European Car of the Year Award Date posted: 11-17-2008
  GM's new midsize sedan edges redesigned Ford Fiesta by a single point.
• Aston Martin Racing Launches Vantage GT4 Date posted: 11-17-2008
  Successor to Vantage N24 features new 4.7-liter V8.
• Tuner Special: AC Schnitzer X6 Falcon Date posted: 11-17-2008
  BMW's X6 receives big wheels, shiny exhaust pipes and a horsepower bump from AC Schnitzer.
• IL Insider: Audi Going With V6 Instead of V8 in Next S5 Date posted: 11-17-2008
  Audi's next S5 will get a supercharged V6 in place of a V8 engine.
• Chevy Volt Visits Inside Line Date posted: 11-17-2008
  New details of GM's poster car emerge as the Volt stops by the IL office.
• NASCAR: Jimmie Johnson Wins Third Straight Cup, Tying Cale Yarborough Date posted: 11-17-2008
  Jimmie Johnson, with a 15th-place finish in the Ford 400 Sunday at Homestead-Miami Speedway, joined Cale Yarborough in the NASCAR record books as only the second driver to win three straight Cup Series championship titles.
• General Motors Sells Suzuki Stake To Raise Cash Date posted: 11-17-2008
  Frantic for cash, General Motors dumps its 3 percent stake in Suzuki for about $230 million but says it will continue collaborating on hybrid vehicles and fuel cells.
• Ticking Clock: In 60 Minutes Appearance, Obama Urges Help for Detroit To Avert a "Disaster" Date posted: 11-17-2008
  The President-elect told the CBS program 60 Minutes that the federal government must help the Big Three automakers, although the assistance can't be "a blank check."
• General Motors Names Crystal Windham Head of North American Passenger-Car Design Date posted: 11-17-2008
  Windham is the first African-American woman to be named to the design post.
• Virtual Desert: BFGoodrich and Volkswagen Launch Online SCORE Baja 1000 Site Date posted: 11-17-2008
  The tiremaker and automaker join forces for the ultimate fan site for the desert rally.
• NASCAR's Nod to the Recession: Track Testing Ban Date posted: 11-17-2008
  NASCAR announced Friday that teams in its top three racing series won't be allowed to test on track.
• Mini-Mobile: The Electric-Powered Mini-Hummer Buggy Date posted: 11-17-2008
  The small Hummers can travel up to 40 mph and are electrically powered.
• Save the Volt! Begs Chevrolet Electric Car's Fan Site Date posted: 11-17-2008
  A pleading letter to the U.S. government was sent out via e-mail last week to subscribers of the Chevrolet Volt's fan site.

Friday, November 14, 2008

• Say, What? Chrysler Executives Could Continue To Receive Bonuses Date posted: 11-14-2008
  Thirty million dollars in retention bonuses are owed to approximately 50 members of Chrysler's executive team.
• China May Be Next Site To Drop off Formula 1's Calendar Date posted: 11-14-2008
  Officials are telling media they are concerned about slow ticket sales at the event in Shanghai, which has only been holding races since 2004.

Thursday, November 13, 2008

• Australia: Bolwell Nagari Sports Car Now on Sale Date posted: 11-13-2008
  An Australian Aboriginal name graces Bolwell's new sports car.
• Sporty and Economical: Seat Leon Linea R Date posted: 11-13-2008
  Seat has unveiled its Linea R version of the Leon that features a sporty exterior and three engine choices.
• Teaser Video: Nissan Cube Date posted: 11-13-2008
  Lots of attitude, little information from the video issued out of Japan today.
• It Had To Happen: Brabus-Tuned Tesla Roadster Date posted: 11-13-2008
  From the company that knows absolute power is a basic necessity, now comes the first tuner version of the electric-powered Tesla Roadster.
• Nissan Demonstrating Advanced Accident-Prevention Technology at Conference Date posted: 11-13-2008
  The automaker will show its "collision free" technology at global Intelligent Transport Systems confab in New York.
• Japan: Subaru Dex Date posted: 11-13-2008
  Scionistic styling and profiling from Subaru.
• Most Powerful Roush Mustang Updated: 2009 Roush P-51B Takes Flight Date posted: 11-13-2008
  Roush Performance has unveiled its second Mustang that pays tribute to the P-51 fighter plane.

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

• Lotus Racing Heritage Continues With GT4 Supersport Variant of 2-Eleven Date posted: 11-12-2008
  New racing car is "one of the most cost-effective, competitive and easiest routes into this level of motorsport," says Lotus.
• Mouse That Roared: Tiny Toyota iQ Named Japan's Car of the Year Date posted: 11-12-2008
  Toyota minicar rewarded with Japan's highest automotive award.
• Tuner Special: MTM Scirocco R Date posted: 11-12-2008
  This VW sport coupe lays down 380 horsepower thanks to a chip tune and a few performance modifications.
• Honda Gets Ready To Test New Walking Device Date posted: 11-12-2008
  The Japanese automaker continues to tinker with mobility far beyond cars and trucks with its second experimental walking assist device.
• Oh, the Humanity! Eighteen Brand-New Porsches Damaged in German Train Collision Date posted: 11-12-2008
  Collision in the wee hours smushes Porsches to the tune of nearly $1.3 million in damage.
• Tuner Special: DKR RS6 Date posted: 11-12-2008
  More pop for Audi's twin-turbo V10, plus a dress-up kit.

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

• Crowning Touch: Ferrari Scuderia Spider 16M Gets iPod Touch Date posted: 11-11-2008
  Ferrari unveiled its new open-top Scuderia that includes a unique 16GB iPod Touch docked in the center console.
• Feds Offer Free Vehicle Recall Alerts Date posted: 11-11-2008
  If you're having trouble keeping track of the 600-odd vehicle recalls a year in the U.S., the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has a new free automated alert system that should help.
• Video: Speedfactory Dodge Charger Sets Record With Blazing Quarter-Mile Date posted: 11-11-2008
  Speedfactory's R&D Charger ran a quarter-mile in 10.354 seconds, stomping on the record for production LX/LC platform cars.
• Ferrari Boss Smashes TV in Rage at Title Loss Date posted: 11-11-2008
  Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo has admitted that he smashed in television in frustration after Lewis Hamilton snatched the Formula 1 driving championship in the final seconds of the Brazilian Grand Prix.
• Detroit's Auto Show Gets Two Chinese Automakers; Two More Won't Show Date posted: 11-11-2008
  Geely and Changfeng, which had both been participants in Detroit's show in the recent past, have pulled out, but two other Chinese companies will be there.
• Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG Special Editions Launched Date posted: 11-11-2008
  The ML 63 AMG 10th Anniversary and the ML 63 AMG Performance Studio hark back to key moments in AMG's history.
• Analyst Calls General Motors Stock "Worthless" While Government Talks About How to Aid Struggling Auto Industry Date posted: 11-11-2008
  Deutsche Bank issued a report Monday saying the giant automaker could be out of cash as early as the end of the year.

Monday, November 10, 2008

• China: Despite Financial Issues, Auto Industry Here Still Greening Date posted: 11-10-2008
  Auto forum concludes that development of alternative-energy vehicles needs to continue, financial crisis or no financial crisis.
• Dodge Recalls 2006-'09 Charger and Magnum Cop Cars Date posted: 11-10-2008
  Chrysler is recalling 20,283 of its 2006-'09 Dodge Charger and Magnum vehicles with the police package because the gearshift cable could become disengaged from the steering column mounting bracket.
• Tuner Special: Hamann Volcano Date posted: 11-10-2008
  The Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren, modestly redrawn.
• Volkswagen Recalls 2009 CC Date posted: 11-10-2008
  Volkswagen is recalling 130 2009 Passat, Passat wagon and CC vehicles to fix a steering problem.

Friday, November 7, 2008

• Russia: General Motors Opens New Plant; Will Build SUVs and New Chevy Cruze Date posted: 11-07-2008
  A bright spot amid global financial jitters is a brand-new plant GM opened outside St. Petersburg.
• John Heinricy, General Motors Performance Division Executive, Retiring Date posted: 11-07-2008
  Heinricy headed up development of the Cadillac CTS-V and was involved in development of the Corvette Z06; he also boasts a number of road-racing wins as a driver.
• GM Recalls 2009 Cadillac CTS Date posted: 11-07-2008
  GM is recalling 12,662 2009 Cadillac CTS vehicles for a software problem with the front passenger-side airbag.
• Obama Pushes More Support for Detroit Date posted: 11-07-2008
  President-elect says he will consider additional legislation and policy options.
• Tuner Special: TechArt 911 Date posted: 11-07-2008
  New Aerokit I designed for the classic rear-engine Porsche.
• GM Says Chrysler Merger Talks Dropped Date posted: 11-07-2008
  Struggling Detroit automakers found little support in Washington.
• Chevy Cruze, Volt Safe From Budget Cuts Date posted: 11-07-2008
  General Motors announced it lost $4.2 billion and it would be nearly out of cash by year-end, but despite its cost-cutting it has put the Chevrolet Cruze back on track while maintaining the Chevrolet Volt as its sacred cow.
• GM Says It's Running Out of Money Date posted: 11-07-2008
  Giant automaker posts third-quarter operating loss of $4.2 billion, as cash stockpile dwindles to dangerously low levels.
• Feds Listen to Litany of Detroit's Woes but Make No Promises Date posted: 11-07-2008
  Talks between the leaders of Detroit's Big Three, the head of the United Auto Workers and Congressional leaders are described as "constructive." But no details were offered on if and when help is coming.
• Ford Losses Mount in Third Quarter Date posted: 11-07-2008
  One-time gain offsets larger-than-expected operating loss of $2.9 billion as the automaker burns through another $7.7 billion in cash during the quarter.
• Tuner Special: 2008 Lorinser Mercedes C-Class Date posted: 11-07-2008
  The German tuner gives the C-Class a kick in the pants as well as a more aggressive look.

Thursday, November 6, 2008

• Subaru Dealers Giving Away an Impreza WRX in Rock Band 2 Battle of the Bands Date posted: 11-06-2008
  "Kick out the jams," says Subaru in its come-on to western U.S. contestants.
• Porsche Spiffs Up Rare Cars as New Museum Gets Ready To Open Date posted: 11-06-2008
  The first exhibits include a 356 Cabriolet and an original "11" as Porsche finishes a major restoration of some of its treasures.
• Hyundai Ticks Off Details on New R-Engine Diesel Date posted: 11-06-2008
  The Korean automaker's new diesel is expected to power the next-generation Santa Fe and Sonata but is not likely to be available in the U.S.
• Toyota Wields the Budget Axe Date posted: 11-06-2008
  Toyota's plunging profits could lead to delays in new model introductions, incentives on vehicles besides Tundras and an acceleration of hybrids.
• Japan: Honda's New Life Date posted: 11-06-2008
  Minicar gets a full redesign for the first time since 2003.
• Detroit Brass Meet Democrats in Washington as Domestic Auto Industry Nears Collapse Date posted: 11-06-2008
  The heads of the Detroit Big Three automakers and the United Auto Workers hustle to Washington on Thursday to make a personal plea for additional federal help.
• Bidding Starts at $100,000 for 1968 Shelby EXP500 CSS Black Hornet Date posted: 11-06-2008
  Carroll Shelby is auctioning his 1968 EXP500 CSS Black Hornet in an unusual setup with Restoration Hardware and eBay.
• Leaked: Nismo 370Z Previews a Tuned Model of Nissan's New Sports Car Date posted: 11-06-2008
  A leaked photo shows what enthusiasts can expect from a performance-tuned Nissan 370Z.

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

• Tesla Confirms Electric Roadster's Quarter-Mile Time Date posted: 11-05-2008
  The Tesla Roadster takes a 12.7-second sprint down the quarter-mile track at California's Infineon Raceway, putting it in the company of such towering vehicles as the 2009 Ford Shelby GT500.
• BMW Heiress in Steamy Extortion Scandal, With Ugly Allegations Reaching Back to Nazi Era Date posted: 11-05-2008
  Member of the Quandt family that own BMW accusing a man of blackmail, and BMW's ties to the Nazi regime around World War II come into the story.
• Tuner Special: Novitec Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano Date posted: 11-05-2008
  Novitec's twin compressor conversion ups output to 808 horsepower and brings the 599's top speed to more than 211 mph.
• Caterham Calling for Online Help To Craft Its Next Performance Car Date posted: 11-05-2008
  "You don't need to be an engineer to get involved," says Caterham as Project Splitwheel is launched to let those so inclined create a performance car online.
• Obama Win Seen as Lifeline for Embattled Motor City Date posted: 11-05-2008
  The struggling domestic auto industry has a friend in the White House, thanks to Barack Obama's victory in the presidential race on Tuesday. But whether the cavalry will ride into the Motor City in the nick of time is still uncertain.

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

• New Buick Regal Lands in China in December Date posted: 11-04-2008
  European Opel Insignia will morph into Chinese Buick, while Americans get a face-lifted LaCrosse.
• BMW Says No to Production Version of Concept CS Date posted: 11-04-2008
  The production version of the four-door coupe concept that was designed to propel BMW upmarket with a competitor to the Aston Martin Rapide, the Porsche Panamera and upper-end versions of the Mercedes-Benz CLS gets the ax, thanks to the bad economy.
• Tesla Roadster Production Gets Revved Up With a Financing Shot in the Arm Date posted: 11-04-2008
  Tesla Motors confirmed on Monday that its board has approved $40 million in convertible debt financing that will be "used primarily to accelerate manufacturing of the Tesla Roadster."
• $5,000 Rebate Available on 2008 Tesla Roadster Date posted: 11-04-2008
  The ousted co-founder of Tesla Motors gets approved for a big rebate check from California's Air Resources Board and warns it's a perk that "Tesla does not mention to its customers."
• Toyota Recalling 80,000 China-Made Cars Date posted: 11-04-2008
  Toyota Motor will recall Vios, Corolla and Yaris models to fix manual-transmission problems.
• Volvo Says New YouTube Channel Will Be Used To Break News Date posted: 11-04-2008
  Volvo will post commercials, documentaries and breaking news on YouTube.
• 2008 Johannesburg Auto Show Goes for World-Class Status Date posted: 11-04-2008
  Africa's biggest auto show looks to join the elite class of the world's salons with a wide range of cars, from Koenigsegg to Kia, on display.
• Inside Line and Nissan Celebrate 370Z With Private L.A. Premiere Date posted: 11-04-2008
  Enthusiasts will get the chance to see the new Z-car five days before its world debut at the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show.
• Dodge Viper, Chrysler's Most Expensive Vehicle, Is Its Hottest Date posted: 11-04-2008
  Viper sales remain steady, even as Chrysler searches for a buyer for its whole Viper operation.

Monday, November 3, 2008

• General Motors and Chrysler Merger Talks on Hold Until After Election Date posted: 11-03-2008
  The presidential election on Tuesday and the uncertainty about federal assistance appear to be delaying a deal to merge General Motors and Chrysler.
• Chrysler Introduces Plusher Interiors for Minivan's 25th Anniversary Date posted: 11-03-2008
  Upscale versions of Chrysler's popular minivans are in the works for 2009.
• October Auto Sales Were Awful Almost Beyond Description Date posted: 11-03-2008
  October sales were down 32 percent compared to the same month last year.
• Priced: Audi TTS Starts at $46,325 Date posted: 11-03-2008
  Roadster will cost an extra $2,000.
• Lewis Hamilton Is Youngest-Ever Formula 1 Champion at Age 23 Date posted: 11-03-2008
  In a dramatic finish on Sunday, the British phenom snatches victory — and the drivers' championship — in the last 500 feet of the Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos.

Sunday, November 2, 2008

• 2009 Toyota Venza Starts at $26,695 Date posted: 11-02-2008
  Toyota announces pricing on the 2009 Toyota Venza, a new five-passenger crossover that goes on sale in December 2008. The four-cylinder Venza start at $26,695, while the V6 model comes in at $28,520.