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SHANGHAI, April 20, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Qoros Automotive Co., Ltd. (Qoros Auto) is showcasing the progress of its two-pronged strategy highlighted by an array of world-class products at Auto Shanghai 2017 (Shanghai Auto Show). The Qoros booth sees the Qoros Model K-EV, a high-performance electric vehicle (EV), taking center stage. Alongside this all-new concept model, the engineering test car with QamFree engine, the Qoros 5 SUV, the Qoros 3 Sedan, the Qoros 3 Hatch, the Qoros 3 City SUV, and the Qoros 3 GT make an exciting display for Qoros at the world's largest auto show.

"Qoros is committed to deliver world-class quality products that offer innovative and premium customer experience," said Dr. Leon Liu, Chief Executive Officer of Qoros Auto. "The stronger than ever product display at the Shanghai Auto Show demonstrates our commitment to the auto market and our strong capability to provide the customers with future oriented new products shaped by the essence of the Qoros' New Premium brand positioning."

Qoros high-performance electric vehicle Model K-EV

Qoros Model K-EV making its global debut

Making its global debut in Shanghai, the Qoros Model K-EV shines as one of the brightest stars in the auto show. This high-performance premium EV, powered by cutting-edge technologies, will lead the charge for Qoros to make a strong entry to the new energy vehicle market.

Equipped with the most advanced electric drive-line technology, the Model K-EV takes the driver's breath away with its staggering performance. It only takes 2.6 seconds for the vehicle to accelerate from still to 100km/h, providing exhilarating driving experiences to the driver. The Model K-EV is also fitted with a high-performance battery system, promising a range of over 500km. The application of such proven technologies puts the Model K-EV ahead of 'concept car' category and makes it possible for Qoros to bring it to the market in near future. The engineering test car of the Model K-EV will come to the upcoming Guangzhou Auto Show in November, with its market launch planned in 2019.

Defined as a high-performance premium EV, the Model K-EV is created by an international design and engineering team to offer customers premium driving and riding experiences and a taste of future mobility. The unique experiences start with the asymmetric door design. The revolutionary asymmetric door system allows greater possibility for designers to create a distinctive experience for the driver and passengers. The large-sized gull-wing door on the driver's side automatically opens when activated. The front passenger's door with a two-hinged system opens outward as a conventional door or slides horizontally alongside if needed. The door on the rear passenger side features a sliding system to ensure maximize convenience and ease of use for passengers entering and exiting the car.

Additionally, the car's interior has been purposefully designed to create two distinct cabin spaces in the front and rear, providing back-seat passengers with a more comfortable and enjoyable riding experience.

Qoros Model K-EV features "Clever Carbon Cabin" (CCC) technology, a seamlessly-integrated cabin made primarily from carbon fiber. The seamless construction of CCC lends Model K-EV its refined appearance, while aerodynamic design features and sleek body lines help to enhance its performance and increase energy efficiency. The use of this durable material contributes greatly to the lightweight body of the car to achieve better energy efficiency and help reduce "range anxiety". The CCC technology also maintains vehicle body strength and durability while allowing significant design freedom for designers and engineers.

Two-pronged strategy taking shape to accelerate growth

Qoros is committed to the two-pronged strategy to accelerate its growth. Qoros will continue to sharpen the competitiveness of its conventional engine vehicles by introducing the revolutionary QamFree engine technology while investing in new energy vehicle products and exploring new frontiers including autonomous driving.

At the Qoros booth, the engineering test car with QamFree engine showcases the latest progress in bringing the innovative QamFree technology to life. Jointly developed by Qoros and FreeValve, an affiliated company of Koenigsegg, the QamFree technology plays a critical role in rejuvenating Qoros gas engine models. The technology breakthrough significantly boosts the performance of a traditional engine while reducing its fuel consumption. With a plan for mass production, the QamFree technology was tested in an engineering test car in November 2016. This revolutionary new technology was awarded by the renowned American Publication, Popular Science, as the Top 10 Automotive Innovative in 2016.

With the vision to become a transformational and innovation driven company, Qoros is dedicated to bringing world-class new energy products with innovative experiences to customers. A solid plan has been laid out as the blueprint for tomorrow. The first phase will see the electrification of its existing product models. In the second phase, Qoros will introduce its next generation global energy vehicle (GEV) platform for a whole-new generation of NEV from 2020. The highly flexible GEV platform will enable Qoros to integrate an array of leading technologies to its future NEV products, bringing unrivalled experiences to the customers.

As a young and aspirational auto brand, Qoros continues to strengthen its presence in the world's most dynamic auto market with an expanding product lineup covering Sedan, SUV and Sports Crossover segments. In late 2017, Qoros will launch an all-new compact SUV targeting younger consumers, fulfilling its promise to introduce more world-class products with premium experiences to the customers.

SOURCE Qoros Auto

TACOMA, Wash., April 20, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- A jury this week was unanimous in its finding that NAPA Auto Parts and Genuine Parts Corp. (NYSE: GPC) were liable in the asbestos-related death of a heavy equipment operator and awarded his survivors $81.5 million.

In its verdict, the jury found that GPC and NAPA were negligent and strictly liable for their defective asbestos-containing products, used by Jerry "Doy" Coogan of Kettle Falls, Washington. Mr. Coogan died in 2015 at the age of 67 of complications from mesothelioma, a deadly cancer primarily caused by asbestos exposure.

"Many sellers of friction parts such as brakes, clutches and gaskets have known for nearly a century that their products contain asbestos and can kill. But they refuse to acknowledge their responsibility," said Dallas attorney Jessica Dean of Dean Omar & Branham, LLP, who along with attorney Ben Adams, represented the Coogan family. "Even worse, some continued to sell these products until 2001, which means that other families will surely suffer the same fate."

Mr. Coogan, who learned to be an excavator from his grandfather, operated and repaired backhoes, cranes and other construction equipment for many years, exposing him to asbestos products made or sold by the defendants. Mr. Coogan also loved restoring hot rod and classic cars. His hobby led him to often purchase asbestos-containing parts from NAPA stores near his home in northeast Washington.

"Doy Coogan had no idea that he was being exposed to deadly asbestos from just doing what he enjoyed," Ms. Dean said.

The $81.5 million verdict is believed to be among the largest ever awarded in Washington. The trial, heard in Pierce County Superior Court in Tacoma, lasted more than 12 weeks. The jury returned its verdict after five hours of deliberations. 

The case is Gerri Coogan, et al. v. Genuine Parts Co. et al., No. 15-2-09504-3 in Pierce County Superior Court in Tacoma, Washington.

Dean Omar & Branham, LLP, is a nationally recognized trial firm that handles cases across the country for individuals who have suffered catastrophic injuries or have died as a result of irresponsible conduct of others. For more information, please visit http://www.dobllp.com.

ATLANTA, April 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Genuine Parts Company (NYSE: GPC) announced today an acquisition for its U.S. Automotive Parts Group.

The Company has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Merle's Automotive Supply (Merle's), with an effective close date of May 1, 2017.  Merle's, founded in 1969 and based in Tucson, Arizona, is a 14 location automotive parts distributor serving both the commercial and retail markets in the greater Tucson and southern Arizona area.  The addition of Merle's will consolidate into our U.S. automotive operations and is expected to generate approximate annual revenues of $45 million.   

Paul Donahue, President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, "Merle's is a leading automotive distributor in the greater Tucson area, and this strategic acquisition significantly enhances our automotive store footprint and competitiveness in the Arizona marketplace.  We are excited to welcome the Merle's team to the U.S. Automotive Parts and GPC family and look forward to working with them and continuing our shared tradition of providing quality parts and excellent service to our customers."

Forward Looking Statements

Some statements in this report, as well as in other materials we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or otherwise release to the public and in materials that we make available on our website, constitute forward-looking statements that are subject to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Senior officers may also make verbal statements to analysts, investors, the media and others that are forward-looking. Forward-looking statements may relate, for example, to future operations, prospects, strategies, financial condition, economic performance (including growth and earnings), industry conditions and demand for our products and services. The Company cautions that its forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, and while we believe that our expectations for the future are reasonable in view of currently available information, you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements. Actual results or events may differ materially from those indicated as a result of various important factors. Such factors may include, among other things, the Company's ability to successfully implement its business initiatives in each of its four business segments; slowing demand for the Company's products; changes in legislation or government regulations or policies; changes in general economic conditions, including unemployment, inflation or deflation; changes in tax policies; volatile exchange rates; high energy costs; uncertain credit markets and other macro-economic conditions; competitive product, service and pricing pressures; the ability to maintain favorable vendor arrangements and relationships; disruptions in our vendors' operations; the Company's ability to successfully integrate its acquired businesses; the uncertainties and costs of litigation; disruptions caused by a failure or breach of the Company's information systems, as well as other risks and uncertainties discussed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2016 and from time to time in the Company's subsequent filings with the SEC.

Forward-looking statements are only as of the date they are made, and the Company undertakes no duty to update its forward-looking statements except as required by law.  You are advised, however, to review any further disclosures we make on related subjects in our subsequent Forms 10-K, 10-Q, 8-K and other reports to the SEC.

About Genuine Parts Company

Genuine Parts Company is a distributor of automotive replacement parts in the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Australasia.  The Company also distributes industrial replacement parts in the U.S., Canada and Mexico through its Motion Industries subsidiary.  S. P. Richards Company, the Office Products Group, distributes business products in the U.S. and Canada. The Electrical/Electronic Group, EIS, Inc., distributes electrical and electronic components throughout the U.S., Canada and Mexico.  Genuine Parts Company had 2016 revenues of $15.3 billion.

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We hear it time and time again, that digital marketing and social media are two of the most important ways to catch the eyes of your customer and interact. But the car industry is still notoriously behind in these aspe cts, for the most part. So where are we missing the mark? Here's 5 important things about business social media that you may not know, but that will help boost your company and take you to the big leagues.

1. Interaction is everything. Social media is about just that, being social! Just posting a few times a day or week isn't enough. You need to interact with commenters, be willing to answer questions, and be a real presence on social media. It's the perfect way to let your customers know that you aren't some faceless company, but that you are real people doing real work.

2. Consistency, consistency, consistency. Being regular and consistent with the number of posts, the tone of your voice, and the daily posting schedule is so important! Making sure that you aren't overwhelming your audience, but also ensuring that they get to see posts from you regularly, is a fine balance, but one that you can achieve. Test what time of day your posts get the best interactions, find out which tone of voice gets the best responses, and then be consistent with your findings! 

3. Schedule posts. Make sure that overnight and weekends aren't a dead spot for your social media. Schedule out posts to go out after you leave the office in the evening, over the weekends, and over holidays! You don't have to have people working at their computer on Saturday, but you can ensure that your social media is working for you even when nobody is in the office!

4. Promote your posts. Don't just post on social media, make sure you are utilizing your social media by promoting your posts. For just a few dollars, you can get a lot more eyes on your ads and posts. These small promotions can expand your audience and help you gain new followers. You can target local people, certain age categories and other demographic information! 

5. Create great content. All of your social media efforts will be in vain if you aren't creating valuable content. Make sure you have creative, interesting, visual and easy-to-read content. Filling your content with lots of numbers, too much jargon, or not using images won't help you on social media. Find creative ways to make people laugh or think, and don't be afraid to be different than your competition! Most people don't know the price of a specific vehicle, so if you're using numbers talk about discounts or rebates, rather than the exact price. 

Following these social media tips will help you utilize this valuable tool, and reach a whole new audience that you didn't know you could have!