The Auto Lovers Daily Chit - Chats

Blind goes driving

2008-06-05T22:05:00.000-07:00

Since birth Sascha Schulze has been blind. Whatever he is doing Sascha Schulze cannot see. Only by touch he has to fell the gear lever and change gear, while he still grips the steering wheel resolutely with both hands. He experiences the force of gravity when he accelerates, goes round a corner and during breaking which pushes and pulls him. A guide of dog during everyday life shows him where to go, and now he is placing his trust in the BMW instructor who is sitting next to him in the vehicle and calmly telling him what he should do next. At the Munich Airport Training site, BMW Driver Training provides the opportunity for this unusual opportunity. There’s lots of space to move around and the vehicle is equipped with pedals on the passenger side. For an an unforgettable driving experience this scenario provides the perfect framework.

Sascha Schulze summarizes his impressions: “For me as a person who has been blind since birth, this is an incredible experience - just to sit behind the wheel myself. The freedom and mobility which the automobile gives people able to see is impossible for a blind person to achieve, even with public transport. There are lots of times when I’ve wanted to be able to drive at times and places when I want to. However, since that will never be possible for me, an event like driving for blind and a visually impaired person offers the opportunity to at enjoy the feeling of freedom at the wheel of a car at least for a little while.”

The participants get another surprise after driving themselves in a car. The instructors at Driver Training invite them for a ride in the X5. The car climbs into an obstacle circuit with steep ups and downs, and tight bends. On the mountain side these are so steep that you cannot open the doors. The X5 still has adequate reserves even if the passengers are thinking: “This can’t be possible”. You might assume the same if you reflected on whether people with visual impairment would be able to drive - But this is possible!

It was held in cooperation with the Bavarian Association for Blind and Visually Impaired People. BMW Driver Training offers a wide range of training courses. On the other hand, the driving experience for visually impaired people is not part of the standard programmed.

ROLLS-ROYCE RELEASES FIRST SKETCHES OF RR4

2008-05-30T20:54:00.000-07:00

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars revealed the first design sketches of its next new model. Known as RR4, the car is due to be launched in 2010 and will sit alongside the Phantom model line-up. RR4 will be smaller than Phantom and powered by a new engine, unique to Rolls-Royce.

The design was signed off in 2007 and engineering development is now fully underway. The Goodwood manufacturing facilities are being completely reconfigured to accommodate the RR4, with extended paint, wood and leather shops as well as a second assembly line. The company will move to a two shift system next year as it gears up for full production of the new model.

Ian Cameron, Chief designer, said, “Effortless performance and standard-setting levels of comfort and efficiency, executed with the utmost care and attention, remain fundamentals of Rolls-Royce design. The RR4 has a more informal presence than the Phantom models with a greater emphasis on driving. In design terms this is expressed through its slightly smaller dimensions and more organic form, yet with powerful, purposeful proportions. It is a true and uncompromising Rolls-Royce in every sense.”

“RR4 will mark a milestone in the history of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars”, Chairman, Ian Robertson added. “The business continues to go from strength to strength and the introduction of this new model will expand the appeal of the brand. We look forward to this next chapter with anticipation and confidence.”

BMW 3.0L twin-turbo honored 2008 engine of the year

2008-05-19T23:47:00.000-07:00

The “9th International Engine of the Year Awards” victors have just been declared, and it’s a large success for BMW comes again. The 3.0L straight-six double-turbo engine set coming from 335i got the title, by three additional engines in the list also winning in their relevant groups. One tip to note is that the 335i is underrated when it leaves the place. While executives’ record says it build ups ‘only’ 302hp, reproductions that have been frequently pump out can reach than 350hp.

BMW has been introduced the entire champ of the International Engine of the Year rewards for a record-breaking straight up to fourth year in progression. An international board of judges rewarded the top tribute to the automaker’s 3.0L twin-turbo straight six petrol engine.

This 300hp power plant is found in a lots of BMW designs ranging as of the compact 1-series to the X6 xDrive35i and was selected for the reason that it has flexibility and combined reliability, performance along with good fuel consumption.

These events, which are moderated by 65 motoring press from 32 countries coming from four continents, in addition, pleased a selection of further carmakers for engine superiority across a number of special category such as the VW, Porsche, Toyota with Subaru all receiving a honor.

India sales network, outsource by Nissan

2008-05-14T22:11:00.000-07:00

Nissan Motor Corporation from Japan alleged last May 2008 that it had selected Hover Automotive India Private to expand its sales set-up in India, consisting a plan of creating 55 traders by 2012 to produce more than 100,000 automobiles that year.

Japan's third-biggest auto manufacturer, have 44 percent by Renault SA, at this time has just five sales store and outlets in India, where it trades and put up to the market the X-Trail sport utility automobiles along with Teana sedans coming from Japan. In India, It sold an overall 533 cars last year.

Nissan proclaimed it would start on eight other models and production by this coming 2012, together with the crossover automobile “Murano” due for opening in year 2009. Four out of all the new vehicle reproductions will be locally launched.

Earlier this year, Renault and Nissan pronounced a $1 billion automobile factory and plant near southern India to begin manufacture in first month of 2010.

Nissan also has a contract to procure automobiles coming from Maruti Suzuki India Ltd, a part of Suzuki Motor Corp, and is learning a probable scheme to expand and build up $3,000 vehicles with Renault and Indian motorcycle producer Bajaj.

Hover, established last March, is associated with the Westmont, a worldwide consortium trading in hotels, real estate plus marketing.

According from Nissan. The process will be led by GM Singh, a businessman with knowledge in auto retail as well as rental authorizations, and Kevin Whalen, an entrepreneur with know-how in increasing trader networks in the United States.

Ford Shelby Brands a GT40 For 85th Birthday

2008-05-11T21:39:00.000-07:00

With respect of rejoicing Carol Shelby’s 85th anniversary of Ford Motor Company fable, which is famous as one of the most generous and important auto-maker around the globe, Carol Shelby has determined to reveal its new Ford GT40 for his 85th birthday.

According to Superformance, the Shelby vehicles are made to simulate the mark of GT40s that completed 1-2-3 at the “1966 24 Hours of Le Mans”. All cars are built as Mk. IIs (while Superformance does propose an Mk. I replica) as well as for the body color, it is highlighted or fashioned with your option by blue with white stripes, black with silver stripes, and red with white stripes.

With narrow making of this car, merely 85 copies of Ford GT40 will be created and all will be endowed with several signs and symbols with Carol Shelby, it also loaded with sporty suspension with Bilstein springs H & R, quality braking system and 15 inches disks with 225/50 and 275/60 tyres and added with a prevailing Shelby-badged V8 crate engine but the price of this GT40 is unknown.

Positively, there are a lot of methods to go about acquiring homage to the GT40. I believed, if you're wanting for a truthfully reliable recreation and you want to wish Shelby a happy birthday, this may be one for you.

I adore this GT40 but I think will never get a possibility to get this vehicle. It's the innovative dream car and that’s part of its looks, I am happy cars similar to this are made from this time and the development cycle one can mark out it's lineage back to the old classic in the 60's. Thanks to Ford’s great creations, I wonder what the next is.

Beijing’s Ban For Diesel Cars On Hold

2008-02-26T17:42:00.000-08:00

China is soon to be one of the significant and giant components in the automotive industry. They appeared on the scene with an explosion, following the series of automotive developments in the country. They mean serious automotive business and they want Beijing to be clean, as far as they are concerned.

Beijing planned to raise a ban on diesel vehicles with alternators. But for the moment, the ban will be on hold according to a higher official from Beijing Environmental Protection Bureau last week.

"Currently pollutants produced by diesel vehicles pose more serious environmental problems in Beijing than those produced by gasoline engine vehicles," said Du Shaozhong, the deputy director of the bureau.

The Auto Channel reported that Mr. Shaozhong stated that diesel engine vehicles produce 3.13 times more nitrogen oxides compared to petrol vehicles and has 10 times more inhalant particulate substance than the others.

"We will consider removing the ban once light diesel vehicles can meet the same emission standards as light petrol vehicles," Du added.

Beijing will prohibit the market and sales of new cars failing to congregate the new China IV emission standards beginning from March 1, 2008 which is alike as the Euro IV. On the other hand, each and every heavy vehicle used for public transit, mail services and sanitation should also meet the standards starting July 1, 2008.

"About one third of the major pollutants in Beijing's air -- nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide and inhalant particulate matter -- come from vehicle exhaust emissions. Tougher standards will help relieve the situation," Du added.

Alfa Romeo To Unveil New Spider In Geneva

2008-02-20T18:02:00.000-08:00

The Geneva International Auto Show is just around the corner and auto enthusiasts are no doubt excited with what the event will bring. Being a European-based event, one can easily infer that European automakers will be unveiling fast and stylish cars at the said event.

Alfa Romeo, one of the supercar brands I really love will be unveiling the Alfa 8C Spider in Geneva according to The Auto Channel. The said vehicle will really be valuable and only people with money to burn can afford them. But those who cannot afford it can simply just wonder at its beauty.

Only 500 units of the 8C Spider will be built.

Alfa Romeo has been known for high-performance cars such as the Gran Turismo. To make the car really sleek and slice through the air, all its exterior components have been designed using a wind tunnel. By doing that, the automaker ensures that the vehicle will be aerodynamic.

What that means is the 8C Spider can travel at a really fast speed without those vibrations and noise one can experience in a low-end car customized to perform like a supercar. The body is made up of carbon fiber and its frame is rigid. This combination would inspire confidence on any driver taking this 8C for a ride.

The outside of the Alfa Rome 8C can be described as "pretty". This beauty is complemented with a brute of an engine. The 8C uses a V8 engine which provides plenty of power to the driver when needed. It is coupled to a five-speed tranny.

The combination of the V8 and the gearbox allows the smooth flow of power from the engine to the wheels in any gear. With this, it could easily outstrip any heater core-equipped Acura MDX.

Hertz Just Made Being Lost Very Hard

2008-02-14T17:42:00.000-08:00

The advancement of technology has made life a lot easier for us. For example, back in the good old days, one can easily get lost. But today, it is getting harder and harder to do that.

Just look at what Hertz has come up with. According to The Auto Channel, the company is offering the Online Trip Planning service in their Hertz NeverLost navigation system.

Here's how it works: first, plan your trip online. For that you would have to go here and plan your trip. Then, save it in a personal USB storage device. Then, just load it up in your NeverLost navigation system and you are bound to never get lost. What's so cool about this is that no matter what you drive, whether it be a luxury car with a Acura EGR valve or just an ordinary car, you van have this navigational system as long as you can afford it anyway.

Here are other features of the new service offered by Hertz:

Yellow Pages - Finds businesses near destinations. For example, travelers can find restaurants near their next destination.
Corridor Search - Finds establishments between destinations, such as finding a gas station on the way back to the airport
Trip Optimization - Changes the order of stops for efficient route planning
Address/Intersection - Allows easy entry of addresses or intersection information
Favorites - Downloads the most up-to-date information on favorite points of interest, such as museums, sporting events, shopping malls, meetings and conventions
City Guides - Provides city guides for top markets that highlight the most noteworthy tourist attractions

So if you are one of those people who travel to different places, I think this navigation system is a good investment.

Excellence In Lean Manufacturing Brought By Chrysler LLC

2008-02-12T16:20:00.000-08:00

The new face of Chrysler has brought a lot of difference in the group’s recent success in the business. Chrysler LCC has just won the Shingo Award for Excellence in Lean Manufacturing! The Auto Channel reported that the facility for Chrysler products which manufactures fuel-efficient engines and clean water pumps, the Global Engine Manufacturing Alliance (GEMA) facility in Dundee, Michigan has been given the 2007-2008 Shingo Silver Medallion for operational distinction.

"We congratulate this year's recipients in expanding their lean focus to all their business processes," says the Shingo committee in announcing the honors. "This year's recipients have demonstrated various best practices in world- class processes and have achieved outstanding results delivering high quality, competitive cost and high customer satisfaction."

Furthermore, for twenty years now, the Shingo Prize for Operational Excellence distinguishes industry excellence in the United States, Canada and Mexico. The idea of the Shingo Prize is that outstanding performance for quality, cost and delivery can be attained through lean philosophy and methods in center manufacturing and trade procedures.

"We are pleased to have been recognized by the Shingo Award organization for our GEMA plant," says Richard Chow-Wah, Vice President for Manufacturing for Chrysler LLC and a member of the GEMA Board of Directors.

"At GEMA, our mission is clear - to set the pace in engine manufacturing with cutting-edge people, processes, systems and technologies. This award is further confirmation that we are accomplishing that mission," Chow-Wah added.

"Our success starts with great people, and the Shingo Silver Medallion is a tribute to the commitment and hard work of our GEMA team members who make our Michigan facility one of the finest manufacturing operations in the world," says Bruce Coventry, President of Global Engine Manufacturing Alliance LLC. "At the same time, in the spirit of continuous improvement we recognize there are many opportunities in our processes. We understand that manufacturing excellence is a never-ending journey, not a final destination.”

BMW In China

2008-01-31T18:19:00.000-08:00

The Asian auto market is growing steadily. India and China are the two countries to watch as more and more consumers at these countries are now looking for vehicles to purchase. This means that we can see major automakers expanding their presence in these Asian countries.

Nissan already announced its plan to turn India into an auto parts production hub. In China, automakers like General Motors are already making their presence felt. Recently, The Auto Channel reported that German automaker BMW is looking to increase their sales in Asia. The automaker announced that they will be aiming to increase sales by a quarter over the next five years.

Stefan Krause, sales and marketing chief of BMW, said that the company is expecting to improve just a little bit from last year's 12 percent sales growth. "This is a conservative target, because we like to exceed expectations," said Krause. According to him, the automaker's 1 Series will be marketed in the region in hope that it will be attractive to consumers in the region who can afford luxury vehicles.

The German automaker though is careful in dealing with the Chinese auto market as a dramatic shift in the trend would leave them losing money. "It's too early to say what will happen in the next three or five years," said Christopher Stark, the head of the German automaker's arm in the Asian country. "As and when market demand grows, we will look again into how to proceed with an expansion," he added. After all, BMW vehicles are not as inexpensive as an Acura car cover. That's why they should take every precaution to avoid overproduction.

Krause though concluded that: "In 2008 we expect further substantial increases in retail volume in China, despite increasing competition in the market."

Pothole Damage

2008-01-28T22:34:00.000-08:00

Watch out! That’s a pothole!

Too late. You just hit it and your vehicle may just have suffered some damage.

The Car Care Council has come to inform you of how you can detect if damage has been inflicted on your precious vehicle and its precious Ford truck parts. Those potholes may look harmless but they can really do that much damage.

You may notice that you have lost some control over your vehicle. There can be some swaying when you are doing those simple turns. Quite some bouncing while going through rough roads too. These are just some of the signs of symptoms that your car has been given a reminder by the pothole never to hit it again. When you notice such, you can be sure that the steering system has been damaged. The suspension may also have gotten quite a whack.

Rich white is the Car Care Council’s executive director. On their complete list of tips, he has disclosed, “Every driver knows what it feels like to hit a pothole. What they don't know is if their vehicle has been damaged in the process. If you've hit a pothole, it's worth having a professional technician check out the car and make the necessary repairs to ensure safety and reliability.”

There you go.

Used Car Buying Myths Revealed

2008-01-24T16:23:00.000-08:00

New car shoppers today are smart enough to know what they want before they begin searching for used or brand new car. According to the Auto Channel, studies done by Joe Lecosta of Northwood University Automotive Marketing Chair revealed that more than thirty percent of used car shoppers considered to get a new vehicle at first. However, they were convinced to buy a used car instead of getting a brand new one at some point in their search process. So what are the factors to consider in searching for the best vehicle? It’s easy! It’s as simple as repairing fuel pumps... check this out!

According to AutoTrader.com's statistics, 64% of AutoTrader.com clients merely search between "All" vehicles and selecting "New" or "Used". As a result, buyers are generally open to both new and used car. It depends if the car suits their standards.

"With better long-term reliability and certified pre-owned programs bringing a new-car confidence to used-car purchases, buyers who wouldn't consider used cars in the past are increasingly looking at and buying used cars. One of the things we'll talk about at this presentation is how to leverage this trend and merchandise your used cars effectively to reach this new market of used-car buyers. Our aim is to explode some of the myths and 'conventional wisdom' that might be getting in the way of dealers getting the most profit from their used-car inventory," says Lescota.

"There are so many opportunities to sell more cars more profitably if people will look at their business practices - many of which worked in the past but that now needs updating or outright change. With technology, marketing channels and customer preferences changing so quickly today, things that might have been true even five years ago may now be myths and should be revisited. With this up-to-the minute research and information we'll be presenting, dealers will have actions they can implement the day they return from the show that will help build their business and maximize profitability,” says Chip Perry, AutoTrader.com CEO and President.

Learning Balance

2008-01-23T17:27:00.000-08:00

An era of concept cars is expected to follow after the on-going 2008 Detroit Auto Show at Cobo Center in Detroit .

Eco-friendly - that best describes them. These cars are powered by alternative fuels like ethanol, a biofuel made out of indigenous materials such as sugarcane that serves as an alternative to gasoline. In other words, cars that economize fuel use and therefore, set less hazards to the environment.

From luxury cars like Ferrari to Mitsubishi's sports cars, auto makers had approved to the US government's vision of improved fuel economy through promotion of alternative fuel use.

General Motors' Cadillac Provoq is one of those concept cars that offer luxurious rides through an innovative fuel cell system and a lithium-ion-battery that doesn't use petroleum and emit nothing else but water.

"Cadillac is a natural fit for GM's next step in developing the E-Flex platform," said Jim Taylor, Cadillac general manager. He added, "At its very essence, it is about premium luxury, design and technology."

The E-Flex refers to a platform for electrically driven vehicles. According to GM Vice-President Beth Lowery, GM foresees energy independence with diversity playing one of the key roles.

Cadillac's latest car concept is said to drive up to 300 miles or 483 kilometers on a single fill of hydrogen, 280 miles from hydrogen and 20 miles with pure, battery electric energy.

Indeed, a product of excellent minds. And speaking of excellence, to ensure an excellent car travel, it would be best if GM would utilize even better wheel bearings in their concept car models. Why not? Isn't it that there must always be a balance between environment and consumers' protection?

NAIAS: LRX Steals The Show

2008-01-17T22:15:00.000-08:00

The cars of the future swarm this year’s North American International Auto Show. If happen to drop by the motor show, you probably have the idea how stunning cars would be…

At the NAIAS, there are so many cars to feed your imagination and auto appetite. There are plenty of choices; you might lose your count. Japanese automakers flaunt their masterpieces. European counterparts also sported their breath-taking obra maestra. But American auto manufacturers won’t let the show pass without staging a nice fight.

The 2009 versions of Ford F-150 and Dodge Ram turn heads. A slice of the future is also presented by Land Rover in its LRX concept. The latter is said to have stole the show. "LRX is a design born out of passion for the brand, but it is different, relevant, engaging and exciting - because Land Rover has never built ordinary cars...it's a Land Rover that would be comfortable on Bond Street or Fifth Avenue, but wouldn't flinch at getting its wheels dirty," said Gerry McGovern, Land Rover's design director.

The LRX 4x4 concept boasts of bolder new look for Land Rover styling. It comes in a much smaller and more flexible package without sacrificing the core values of the British automaker.

"The LRX concept delivers the powerful message that we are as serious about sustainability as we are confident about the continuing relevance and desirability of our vehicles," said Phil Popham, managing director of the company. "The LRX is in every respect a Land Rover, but it’s a very different Land Rover.

"LRX has unmistakable Land Rover design and the breadth of capability that you’d expect from our vehicles. But it carries those essentials into a segment where the brand has never been before, and with a proposed level of efficiency that would make it one of the cleanest vehicles in its class. It is Land Rover’s way of affirming the brand’s responsible approach to future product development. At this stage, LRX is purely a concept, designed to help us develop our thinking as well as gauge customer reaction – but this feels like a hugely exciting direction to take," Popham was quoted as saying.

The maker of Land Rover Range Rover 3.5 radiator equips the concept with an integrated Electric Drive Rear Axle Drive otherwise called as ERAD. The feature allows the vehicle to run efficiently both on-road and off-road.

"We are determined to make sustainability a key element in our future product design and the way we do business, while still creating vehicles that have a strong emotional appeal as well as fulfill people’s practical needs," concluded Popham. "No one technology delivers all the answers to whole life sustainability, but the LRX concept brings together some of the future ideas that interest us, into a car that we believe represents an exciting way forward for Land Rover."

Lincoln MKT Concept In Detroit

2008-01-15T17:54:00.000-08:00

Detroit… home of the world’s biggest auto manufacturers! Talk about Ford Motor Company, GM and more. Today, the breeding ground for premium vehicles opens the annual Detroit Auto Show for 2008. Once again, the event will showcase several brand new concept cars, vehicle technologies and great surprises. It is rest assured that the 2008 Detroit Auto Show will be as bright as all headlights with all the best vehicles that the world has to offer under one roof.

One of the hottest surprises uncovered in the show is the Lincoln MKT Concept. Like any other cool concept car, the MKT exemplifies the automotive industry in the future, which is radically awesome and successful. The MKT concept exemplifies supreme balance of roominess, convenience and fuel efficiency. It sure is a brand new kind of driving experience which is being offered to drivers.

According to the Auto Channel, the Lincoln MKT concept is equipped with a 3.5-liter V-6 EcoBoost engine with turbocharging and direct injection that generates the power and torque of a V-8 engine with the fuel efficiency of a V-6.

Lincoln is introducing EcoBoost engines that will carry out over 20 percent enhanced fuel economy on half a million Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles yearly in North America in the next years to come.

“EcoBoost engines can deliver better fuel economy and performance on a full range of vehicles, from small cars to large trucks,” said Mark Fields, the president of The Americas. “The Lincoln MKT concept offers the comfort of a luxury sedan, the spaciousness and flexibility of a full-size utility and the performance of a sporty roadster - executed with new technologies and materials that make it as environmentally friendly as it is elegant. The Lincoln MKT concept is understated but powerful - inside, outside and under the hood.”

“We envisioned this concept as a modern grand tourer, really a Learjet of the road. With the Lincoln MKT concept, you find a premium utility that could as easily accommodate a businessperson slipping into the back seat on the way to his or her next meeting in the chaos of Manhattan as a family packed up for a weekend getaway to the coast,” says Peter Horbury, executive director of Design, The Americas.

Hybrid Luxury Car At NAIAS

2008-01-09T17:37:00.000-08:00

The increasing price of gasoline and the awareness of the threat of global warming have increased the demand for green vehicles. Toyota is currently being touted as the leader in the design and production of green vehicles thanks to its Prius. But large automakers are not the only ones making great stride in the development of green vehicles. This is what Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide, Inc and Fisker Automotive Inc are proving with the unveiling of the Fisker Hybrid sedan at the North American International Auto Show.

At the said event, two Fisker Hybrid sedans will be showcased. The first one will be the main display and will be located in the Oakland Hall at Booth OAK9. The second will be showcased in the Michigan Hall at Booth MH24. The second Fisker Hybrid will be displayed along with a solar energy based recharging station. Said recharging technology is developed by Quantum along with its German partner, Asola Advanced and Automotive Solar Systems GmbH.

The first Fisker Hybrid employs the technology developed by Quantum, the Q-Drive. Said technology allows the luxury sedan to go for 50 miles on battery power alone. It means a dramatic decrease in the amount of greenhouse gas emission of the vehicle. For longer distances of travel, the Q-Drive allows the integration of battery power and the power produced by the internal combustion engine. The engine of the Fisker Hybrid uses advanced auto parts which means it might not be using distributor rotors.

Alan Niedzwiecki, president and CEO of Quantum had this to say about the hybrid car: "The new Fisker Hybrid sports sedan, which incorporates Quantum's proprietary Q-Drive system, will change the way we look at the automotive world. Featuring the design aesthetic of Henrik Fisker, world renowned automotive designer of the Aston Martin DB9 and V8 Vantage and BMW Z8, the Fisker Hybrid premium sports sedan provides discerning environmentally conscious consumers with no compromise of performance or luxury together with its energy efficient, low emission signature."

Car Care Tips From Car Care Council

2008-01-07T18:21:00.000-08:00

The Wall Street Journal and NBC News conducted a poll asking consumers what their major economic concern is. The result is not quite surprising as respondents of the poll pointed to the increasing price of gasoline.

In response to this, the Car Care Council's executive director, Rich White, had this to say: "The best way to fight higher costs at the gas pump is to keep your vehicle running properly. You can't control the price of gas, but you can control how much gas you burn by proper maintenance and how you drive. Performing simple and inexpensive maintenance can save as much as $1200 a year in gas cost."

To help motorists save on fuel, the Car Care Council had these tips posted in The Auto Channel:

Check your vehicle gas cap. About 17 percent of the vehicles on the roads have gas caps that are either damaged, loose or are missing altogether, causing 147 million gallons of gas to vaporize every year.
When tires aren't inflated properly, it's like driving with the parking brake on, and can cost a mile or two per gallon.
A dirty spark plug causes misfiring, which wastes fuel. Spark plugs need to be replaced regularly.
Replacing a clogged air filter can improve gas mileage by as much as 10 percent, saving about 15 cents on a gallon.
Aggressive driving can lower gas mileage by as much as 22 percent on the highway and five percent on city streets, which results in seven to 49 cents per gallon.
Sitting idle gets zero miles per gallon. Letting the vehicle warm up for one to two minutes is sufficient.
Gas mileage decreases rapidly at speeds above 60 mph. Each mph driven over 60 results in an additional 10 cents per gallon. To maintain a constant speed on the highway, cruise control is recommended.

These tips mean that you do not have to shelve your car and hide it under a car cover just to save on the pump.

Fender Vents Are Destined To Die

2008-01-03T22:19:00.000-08:00

“Fashion fades, only style remains the same,” said the famous fashion icon Coco Chanel. Along this line, another auto part is destined to die. What would it be?

The fender vents.

Auto experts say the famed ornamentation is likely to fade notwithstanding its enduring existence in the auto industry. To note, fender vents have been used cool off the engine in performance cars. This was the practice for years now. But today, the auto part is likely to be upstaged by the latest innovations in the industry.

“It has become a design cliché for this millennium,” said John Manoogian, director of design at General Motors for Cadillac exteriors. It’s a bitter conclusion for Manoogian, who included fender vents in the Cadillac CTS’s curriculum vitae, and also in its cousins, adding fender portholes on the Buick Lucerne full-size sedan, according to MSNBC.

“But those cars have a history of fender perforation, and the new models’ fenders are actually punctured so there is a real vent,” he stressed. “There are holes in [these cars’ fenders] and they are functional. But it has become so ubiquitous now, everyone is using them in all manner and it is getting out of hand. It has gotten so they are decorative pieces that are just tacked on the car.”

Manoogian said a vent’s legitimacy hinges on two things – historical use by the manufacturer and actual functionality.

According to the report, BMW is claiming that its history gives it license to glue fake plastic vents to its M3 sport sedan. The automaker used them on its classic 507 roadster and, more recently, on its Z3 sports car, so fake ones on the M3 are fine, said spokesman Oleg Satanovsky “I’ve seen [added-on] M3 vents on Honda Civics,” he added.

“A vent helps eat up a lot of space in what can be an empty area now that the front wheels are so far forward,” said Peter Horbury, Ford’s executive director for design for the Americas, although he admits the use of the vent is primarily for fashion purposes. “Part of car design is fashion. We have to expect to use [a device like vents] and do away with it as fashion dictates,” he explained.

Now the obvious trend is the use of plastic cladding; just take a look at Pontiac Aztec. Who will defy the flourishing trend?

“They will become the vinyl tops of the new millennium,” predicted Manoogian. “Twenty or thirty years from now, people will look back and say, ‘That car must have come from between 2004 and whenever’ because of the vents.”

Auto parts like engines, filter, wheel hub assembly and springs are vital to a vehicle. But who knows, innovations might upstage them in the near future.

Toyota President Highlights Sustainable Activities

2008-01-01T20:40:00.000-08:00

We all know that Toyota is leading all automakers when it comes to producing green vehicles. The Toyota Prius is one concrete example that the Japanese automaker is the leader. Last year, the automaker announced that they have sold more than a million hybrid vehicles with Toyota Prius sales boosting the figure.

But green vehicles are not green enough to some unless they are produced in such a way that nature is not put in jeopardy. Thus, Toyota is putting a lot of effort in meeting producing green cars the green way.

The automaker's president, Katsuaki Watanabe said: "In the area of sustainability in manufacturing, we are currently implementing our sustainable plant activities, which emphasize the role of nature in creating production sites that are in harmony with their natural surroundings. The Tsutsumi Plant in Japan where the Prius is manufactured has been positioned as a model plant and these activities are being conducted there."

"The main feature of the sustainable plant concept is plant development from the following three perspectives: achieving groundbreaking environmental performance by introducing innovative technology and kaizen (improvement) activities; using renewable energy, including biomass and natural energy sources, such as solar power and wind power; contributing to the local community and conserving the environment by planting trees in and around plants. We recently selected model plants in various regions to expand these activities globally. In the Americas, we have designated our Mississippi plant, currently under construction, as a model plant. In Europe, the Toyota plants in the United Kingdom and France, respectively, and in Asia, the Ban Pho Plant in Thailand, have also been designated as model plants."

Apart from manufacturing green vehicles, the automaker is also known for its reliable auto components which are as durable as Acura fenders.

Acura Recalls RLs For Faulty Power Steering Hose

2007-12-26T05:26:00.000-08:00

Yes, Acura recalls 2005-2008 RL sedans due to faulty power steering hose. The recall, which covers 43,200 Japan-built Acura RL sedans sold in the United States, is made to fix the power steering hose that may crack from engine heat and possibly cause a fire. Good thing, no injuries or fires have resulted from the faulty hose as of press time.

"On certain passenger vehicles, prolonged high underhood temperatures may cause the power steering hose to deteriorate prematurely, causing the hose to crack and leak power steering fluid," said the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration in its recall summary of the Acura RL. "Power steering fluid leaking onto a hot catalytic converter will generate smoke and possibly lead to an underhood fire."

The maker of Acura CSX engine mounts determined the potential safety-related defect on Nov. 20, according to documents on NHTSA's web site.

"On certain passenger vehicles, prolonged high under-hood temperatures may cause the power steering hose to deteriorate prematurely causing the hose to crack and leak power steering fluid," according to the NHTSA file. "Power steering fluid leaking onto a hot catalytic converter will generate smoke and possibly lead to an under-hood fire."

The recall started last Monday.

Honda dealers will install a new heat resistant power steering hose free of charge, according to the documents. "Owners may contact Honda at 800-382-2238," according to the document, and they may also contact the NHTSA's "vehicle safety hotline" at 1-888-327-4236 or go visit http://www.safecar.gov.

Owners will also be contacted by mail and asked to take their vehicles to an Acura dealer, according to American Honda Motor Co. Inc.'s documentation, Morning Star reported.

If you are of the owners of the mentioned models, better have your car checked at your dealer.

New High-Performance Car For Ford

2007-12-25T22:26:00.000-08:00

Detroit automaker Ford's European arm recently announced that a new high performance car is in the works. The Auto Channel reported that the Focus RS will be launched in 2009 and it will be a cool-looking and rubber-burning car.

According to the report, the RS version of the Focus will be created in the likes of the Focus ST and will be developed by Ford Team RS.

John Fleming, Ford of Europe's president and CEO, had this to say: "With two consecutive Manufacturers' World Rally Championship titles under our belt, the time is right to create a new Focus RS. With the Fiesta and Focus ST models, Jost and his team have proved already that they can deliver exciting and practical performance road cars. The success of these models, combined with Jost's experience in motorsport and Ford of Europe's positive business results, mean that we now have a credible business case for a no-compromise Focus RS roadcar for more enthusiastic drivers." Jost Capito will be leading the development team.

Capito meanwhile added: "We have reviewed our technical options and worked closely with the Design team on how the car might look, and I'm very excited by the results. Now with the programme going ahead, the hard work really starts as the small team working on the project takes the car from prototype to production."

"We will use the redesigned 2008 Focus ST as the base for a no-compromise RS model that will become the ultimate road-going Focus. Just as the Focus RS WRC owns the rally circuit, we want the new Focus RS to own the road, so we have the major competitors in our sights as we develop the car's performance, design, handling and braking." Those are some strong and fighting words but I think that Ford can back it up and actually create a vehicle which can outperform any Acura CSX with its reliable engine mount.

CarMax's Sales Report

2007-12-19T17:27:00.000-08:00

If you are looking for a new vehicle but do not have the dough to buy a shiny new car or large vehicle, you can still have a car if you know where to look. There are companies like CarMax which offers used vehicles for sale. The used vehicles that the company offers top consumers are still in good condition even down to their wiper blades so it is a good choice for cash strapped auto buyers.

Recently, CarMax reported its performance in the market for the third fiscal quarter. Here are the most noteworthy figures according to The Auto Channel.

Total sales increased 7% to $1.89 billion from $1.77 billion in the third quarter of last year.
Comparable store used unit sales were flat compared with a 13% increase during the prior year's third quarter.
Total used unit sales grew 9% versus an 18% increase in the third quarter of fiscal 2007
Net earnings declined 34% to $29.8 million, or $0.14 per share, compared with $45.4 million, or $0.21 per share, earned in the third quarter of last year.
As previously reported and included in the September revision to our fiscal 2008 expectations, CarMax Auto Finance (CAF) income was adversely affected by increased funding costs for our 2007-3 public securitization, which reduced CAF income by $8 million before taxes.
An increase in the cost of funding receivables through the asset- backed commercial paper market resulted in an additional $4.6 million pretax reduction in third quarter CAF gain income related to receivables in the warehouse facility that had been originated in previous quarters.
The increase in the cost of funding receivables through the asset- backed commercial paper market also had an adverse impact on CAF's gain percentage in the third quarter. CAF's gain on loans originated and sold in the quarter declined to 3.6% compared with 4.3% in last year's third quarter.
For the fiscal year ending February 29, 2008, we now expect comparable store used unit sales growth of approximately 2% and earnings per share in the range of $0.87 to $0.93. Compared with our prior expectations, the decline in the expected earnings range is largely the result of higher funding costs at CAF.

Looks like not only the Big Three are having problems with selling vehicles to auto buyers eh?

Moms, Keep Your Cars Clean Before The New Year

2007-12-17T18:06:00.000-08:00

It has been a tradition to some people who believe in lucky charms and stuff during the holidays and New Year. They put them into practice usually before the New Year arrives. However, there are some things that we should as well try to apply prior to the celebration of the New Year. This goes to all the sweet-loving moms out there.

Mother Proof™, the leading provider of online car reviews and information dedicated to women and mothers, asks every mom to clean-up their “landfill” vehicles as soon as possible… probably before 2008 comes in. Mother Proof challenges every hard-working mom to refresh their cars to symbolize a great new beginning! Talk about car bras and other stuffs!

"We've learned a lot through our own personal experiences at Mother Proof and from other clean-car mamas who've shared their wisdom about how they manage their car clutter. One friend uses her wait time in the carpool lane to pick up trash in the front seats. Another splurged on cool, mesh pencil bags to keep small items organized. She keeps her garage door opener, toll-pass transponder and change in one, while another houses Band-Aids, lip balm, sunscreen and lotion. It is just a car, after all - you shouldn't need a drugstore-sized cache of supplies," says Mother Proof's Chief Mother, Kristin Varela.

Mother Proof will aid all moms with useful tips they have come up along with some pieces of advice from more experienced and clean mothers. Check out some of Mother Proof’s Official Rules of Car Cleanliness published at The Auto Channel:

Rule No. 1: Don't put a lot of stuff in your car in the first place. This sounds simple, but that's only because it is.

Rule No. 2 (if you simply must bend Rule No. 1): Keep a small basket or organizer in your cargo area to house items like first-aid kits, sunscreen, wipes and diapers, plus anything else you like to keep in there.

Rule No. 3: Don't buy CD holders, sunglass clips or anything else that attaches to the sun visor.

Rule No. 4: Hit the car wash regularly. One of the best things to happen to your new found car-cleanliness habit is the neighborhood drive-through car wash. For around $3, you get a handy super-sized wet-wipe, a drive through the wash and unlimited use of the vacuum. Kids love the car wash, and they love to help vacuum up their areas in the back.

Houston Defensive Driving Online Course Offered To Teens

2007-12-16T17:41:00.000-08:00

Teen drivers can now enroll and learn defensive driving through the most powerful tool in the planet, the Internet! The program is called the Houston Defensive Driving Online Course for Teens. It is sure to be more informative than our usual car repair manual!

Houston Defensive Driving online offers a modern and interactive course configuration through suitable teachings by enrolling one of the several programs included in the defensive driving courses.

Here's the description about the course provided by The Auto Channel. Check this out:

The knowledge to handle a vehicle defensively gives you safe passage on the roads. Unless you gather some insight of safe driving you may face one of the unfortunate outcomes like being issued with a traffic ticket. It may accumulate some unwanted traffic points, make your insurance costlier or you may be implicated in the Houston traffic courts. Some of the advantages of *Houston Defensive Driving online* is, you can reduce points on your record and possibly even lower your insurance rates. The course provides you a TEA approved certificate that helps you to gain insurance discount.

The Court Approved defensive driving course from T*exas Houston Defensive Driving* claims to inculcate the safe driving habits through an interactive and comedy mode of learning, covering the varied disciplines like Speeding, Braking, Backing, Emergency maneuvering, Evasive steering, Defensive Parking, Alcohol consumption and its effect on driving.

The course administrators believe that course from *Houston Defensive Driving online* need not be confined to those looking for ticket dismissal or point reduction but can be pursued by everyone in order to cultivate the defensive driving habits.

In brief *Houston Defensive Driving online* provides the following benefits:

1. 24 hours and 365 days availability of course.
2. State approved curriculum.
3. Multiple sittings completions.
4. Higher end course with low price.
5. Live 24/7 customer support facility.
6. Unlimited Texas state specific test preparation materials.
7. Comedy and interactive online course.

Ford’s New Vice President

2007-12-13T18:09:00.000-08:00

Alan Mulally, Ford Motor Company President and Chief Executive Officer, announced the new Vice President of their company today. Joe Hinrichs was the new appointed Vice President for Global Manufacturing and his new job will be starting this January 2008.

Hinrichs was the vice president of North America Manufacturing and handled other operational appointments like engineering support for vehicle, powertrain and stamping. In his 40’s, Hinrichs has already made a huge contribution to the Ford company.

Mulally said, “Joe has been successful in leading the restructuring of our North American manufacturing operations and was a key participant in the recent contract talks with the UAW. In his new role, Joe will focus on delivering a global manufacturing plan that allows us to improve our efficiency while leveraging our scale worldwide. A global manufacturing footprint supporting a global product plan that delivers the vehicles people want and value are key to creating an exciting and viable company - that delivers profitable growth for all."

He will be doing the job of the previous executive vice president and president Mark Fields. He said, "Our plants in North America are more competitive and our launches are stronger, thanks in large part to Joe's leadership. Integrating manufacturing around the world and aligning it with product development on a global scale will make the entire business stronger."

Hinrichs also added, "I am excited by the opportunity to bring our plants and engineering functions around the world together into one, cohesive manufacturing. Integrating a global process plan and combining it with our global product plan allow us to accelerate our ability to produce the vehicles customers want around the world while continuing to improve quality."

It’s good to hear news like this online. Just like Acura CL heater core and other auto parts, auto news like this are also available online.

Auto Writers Honored

2007-12-11T17:00:00.001-08:00

All over the world, auto enthusiasts keep track of what is happening in the auto industry reading articles written by credible auto journalists. They have become an integral part of the industry. Numerous auto journalists are given the chance by automakers to test drive new cars so that they can give it a review which will inform consumers as to the good and bad of a certain car.

Recently, The Auto Channel reported that the Motor Press Guild honored some auto journalists for their contributions. Four MPG Best of the Year Awards were given for different discipline including article, book, audio/visual, and photography, as well as a Lifetime Achievement Award, and the prestigious Dean Batchelor Awards. So without further ado, here are this year's winners:

Article Category: Preston Lerner for "Fast & Spurious." This article brings to life the quirky spoof of a race, the "24 hours of Le Mons" held annually at the Altamont Motorsports Park in Northern California, for street cars costing less than $500. Lerner thinks of it as "the Doo Dah Parade meets the Daytona 500, with elements of a demolition derby and 'The Gong Show' thrown in for good measure."
Book Category: Bernard Cahier for F-Stops, Pit Stops, Laughter & Tears. This book is the story of Bernard Cahier's long and fascinating journey through the automotive world of the 50s, 60s, 70s, and 80s, focusing on the sport of motor racing. It also covers his life before motor racing, as a fighter in the French resistance in World War II, and chronicles the many friends he's made, and those he, and we, have unfortunately lost.
Photography Category: Louise Ann Noeth for "Salton Sea Roadster." Her photo features a modified racing machine along the abandoned marina shoreline at California's nearly dead Salton Sea.
Audio/Visual Category: Ed Justice, Jr. for his radio interview "Insights into Car Branding with Charlie Hughes," an engaging interview that takes one firmly inside the mindset of the American automobile manufacturer.
Lifetime Achievement Award: Tom and Ray Magliozzi, also known as Click & Clack and the Tappet Brothers from National Public Radio's "Car Talk." "Car Talk" is heard by more than 4.1 million listeners each week on 588 radio stations, and their column, "Click & Clack Talk Cars," appears in 335 newspapers.

Meanwhile, the Dean Batchelor Award was given to Mr. Cahier for his book. I really salute these guys for what they do. If you are ever having problem with your Porsche 968 parts, I'm sure these guys would know how to help you out.

Cars With Great Cash Back

2007-12-10T16:04:00.000-08:00

Cars.com and Kicking Tires posted the cars with great cash back on their official website as of December 7 this year. These are the following cars.

2007 Ford Edge
MSRP: $25,320
Cash back: $2,500
Percent off MSRP: 9.87%
Expires: 1/2/08
5-Year Ownership Costs

2007 Cadillac Escalade, ESV, EXT
MSRP: $54,670
Cash back: $4,500
Percent off MSRP: 8.23%
Expires: 1/2/08
5-Year Ownership Costs

2007 Ford Focus
MSRP: $13,715
Cash back: $3,500
Percent off MSRP: 25.52%
Expires: 1/2/08
5-Year Ownership Costs

2007 Hyundai Entourage
MSRP: $23,895
Cash back: $2,000
Percent off MSRP: 8.37%
Expires: 1/2/08
5-Year Ownership Costs
Cars.com Best Bet

The 2007 Hyundai Entourage comes as the Cars.com Best Bet. The car has a base price of $23,895 with total cash back of $2,000 and with 8.37% percent off its MSRP. It expires on January 2, 2008 with five years of ownership cost. It's good to know that the new vehicle is filled with quality parts like bumpers, wild shield and header pipe.

As a car shopper, you need to look for the following factors such as sales, incentives and various offers in order for you to find the best car. But you should also look for cars with great cash back values. This is when you resale your car after several years. The car you should choose must be one among the cars listed above so you can still save some of the money even after several years of ownership. The Top 10 Cash-Back Offers were all posted at Kicking Tires' official website.

Acura Problems

2007-12-05T16:55:00.000-08:00

It seems that we have found one of the reasons why Acura sale for the month of November has decline and even their sale for the first 11 months of the year. It seems that Acura TL owners are having problems with their vehicles' transmissions. Although Honda has proven itself in the reliability department, it seems that Acura owners are having problem shifting to the third gear.

This site has this guys asking around about this particular problem. Camaro 28z said: "I have bought 2008 Acura TL type S and i have experienced problems when trying to shift in to third gear. It's just sometimes it won't go in and you really have to force it. Some times it will pop back into neutral and some times it the car will grind gears." Now if you have bought a luxury car, you would surely expect that every auto part should function well even the Acura CL fuel injector that comes with your CL.

Camaro is not the only one who thinks there's something wrong with the Acura TL's transmission. A man calling himself David replied: "I have the TL also. And I have the same problem but I am used to it. I had a Nissan before which had the same problem. Actually, the problem only happens during the first 30 min or so that you have turned the car on. Basically it only happens when the engine is still cold even if you warm it up for a good amount of time."

Jeff from the United States also had problems with his Acura TL and he even said that the dealership where he bought his car from said that they might see if a General Motors transmission fluid will suit the tranny on his TL but it will void the warranty.

I have seen Acura slide down in the ranking when it comes to reliability issue. So with these comments about the tranny of the 2008 Acura TL, it is not surprising that Acura may be down at present.

Ford Will Produce Compact Verve in Nanjing Next Year

2007-12-04T15:38:00.000-08:00

We have already familiarized ourselves with its presence since the first time it showed itself during earlier auto shows this year. And now, Changan Ford’s Nanjing plant will be producing the concept car in 2009 according to a top Changan Ford executive.

The original Verve concept was designed in Europe and according to the news, it was set to compete in the 'B-Car' segment of the market, which is considered as one among the most popular compact cars sold in the US. Associated Press has the news.

The Ford Verve Concept four-door hatchback is one among the hottest cars ever seen at the fifth annual Guangzhou Auto Show. Ford presented the new four-door Verve Concept at Guangzhou Autoshow meaning that the China car market plays a very important role in Ford’s global plans.

Phil Spender, the Chief Operation Officer of Ford Motor (China) Limited, was quoted saying, "With this new four-door Verve Concept, the picture of Ford’s big plans for the small-car segment is becoming clearer. Our future small car is being developed as a global car. It will be designed in Europe, engineered in Germany and manufactured globally. These two Verve Concepts demonstrate how confident Ford is in its direction and its appeal to consumers here in China.”

Shen president of Changan Ford Mazda also said, "The company’s plant in Nanjing is expected to produce 50,000-80,000 vehicles next year. When Verve starts production in 2009, the Nanjing plant will reach its peak production capacity of 160,000 a year.” This does not handle the manufacture of Acura CL catalytic converters.

Changan Ford Mazda is looking forward to produce 225,000 units before the year ends and up a 35% increase for the following year. According to Shen, “But the Chongqing plant’s maximum capacity is only 250,000.”

If you wish to know more about the issue, check out Gasgoo and find out more about the plans of Ford.

Dodge Names Four "Are You Tuned Out?" Finalists

2007-12-03T17:56:00.000-08:00

General Motor’s Dodge has already announced the four finalists of the "Are You Tuned Out?" US search for the most outstanding car enthusiast and car tuner. Americans spend more than 18 billion hours tuning up and upgrading their cars every year. These four finalists represent the millions of car enthusiasts who have the knowledge on how to give their cars a few interesting tune ups.

The Auto Channel was able to identify these four finalists:

David Mayo of Philadelphia, Pa. - Mayo spends more time with his car than any member of his family. He's so tuned out his family told him that cars are the reason he's not married. He's addicted to tuning and admits that his current car is killing his social life. If there's a rehab clinic for tuning, Mayo is the first to confess that he needs help.

Zach Madrid of Colorado Springs, Colo. - Not only is Madrid "completely tuned out ... he's a Mopar freak," according to his fiancee Tricia Champagne. He has a passion for cars and customizing, and has a sketch book full of visions, concepts and customizedversions of his favorite cars.

Anthony Baroni of Brentwood, Calif. - According to his wife Tiffany, Baroni is a "huge car nut." He spends countless hours researching cars online, in magazines and on TV, and is obsessed with the Dodge Caliber SRT4. He is so tuned in to tuning that he has even tried to teach his 3-year-old son to say, "Mommy, daddy needs a new Dodge."

Paul Martins of Canton, Mass. - According to Brenda Posipanko, she's lucky. She has a wonderful boyfriend who is faithful and loyal; the only problem is she never sees him. In addition to filling her dining room with a "gazillion assorted car parts," Martins spends all of his
free time under the hood of his project car.

If you are looking for more information about this piece of news, you can visit the site and also learn more about the different car parts like Acura coil springs.

H.E.A.T.: Prevent Auto Theft

2007-11-28T17:15:00.000-08:00

This coming holiday season, people are not only flocking malls to pick gifts and Christmas decors but some are also going there to shop for cars. And by that I mean, shopping for cars without paying for them. Yes, car thieves will no doubt lurk around looking for an easy car to steal. That's why H.E.A.T. or Help Eliminate Auto Thefts has these tips to car owners according to The Auto Channel.

Park in well-lit areas, near sidewalks or walkways. Avoid parking near dumpsters or large vans or trucks. These obstacles decrease your ability to see the space surrounding your vehicle clearly, where thieves or carjackers could be hiding.
Consider using the valet service if you are out at a shopping center alone at night. The small fee is worth your safety. Remember to leave the valet only the ignition key with no I.D. Always keep your registration and proof of insurance in your wallet.
Place gifts in the trunk and out of view. If need be, use a trash bag, blanket or cardboard box to camouflage packages in the back of a car, van or SUV.
Try to keep one hand free with the other hand holding your car keys as you approach or leave your vehicle so you can maneuver if you encounter a thief or carjacker.
If threatened by a carjacker with a gun or other weapon, GIVE UP THE CAR. DON'T ARGUE. A life is more important than any vehicle.
If you witness an auto theft or carjacking, call the police immediately. If you have any information regarding auto theft, insurance fraud or carjacking, call the 24/7 H.E.A.T. tip reward line at 1-800-242-H.E.A.T.

Remember that your Acura CL car cover will not be enough to deter car thieves so even in your own home, make sure that you protect your investment properly.

FCX Clarity: Honda’s Zero-Emission Sedan

2007-11-27T04:53:00.000-08:00

Honda is moving towards one direction. And that is to produce environmentally friendly focus product lines. And the latest aftermath of such goal is the zero-emission sedan dubbed FCX Clarity, shown at the Los Angeles Auto Show.

As the auto show kicked off this week, the Japanese automaker launched its new FCX Clarity, powered by a hydrogen fuel cell. The head turner, sleek sedan, which the automaker intends to begin leasing to a limited number of Southern California drivers next summer, is inspired by another Honda concept vehicle introduced in 2005. According to reports, the sedan will be available on a 3-year lease for $600 a month, making it the first fuel-cell car to be offered to the general public.

According to Dan Bonawitz, head of logistics at American Honda, the Clarity will get an equivalent combined city and highway fuel economy of 68 miles per gallon, which doubles that of the Accord. Bonawitz added the fuel-cell car is for drivers “who want to be on the absolute cutting edge of gasoline-free technology.”

John Voelcker, automotive editor of IEEE Spectrum, the magazine for the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, said the introduction of the Clarity represents more than just a cool new alternative-fuel car.

“We’ve got Honda and Chevy starting to put out these advanced-technology vehicles in noticeable numbers now — that’s a big difference from just a few years ago,” Voelcker said. “[Fuel-cell technology] is expensive, and it takes a long time in terms of research and development, but it’s getting real.”

GM said Wednesday it will put 100 hydrogen fuel cell-powered Chevy Equinox compact SUVs on the road in California, New York and Washington, D.C., next year, giving them to hand-picked users. The largest American automaker said it aims to have vehicles running on hydrogen in showrooms by 2011 or 2012, and expects to ramp up production to about 1 million vehicles a year worldwide after 2012.

“Consider that just a few years ago every fuel-cell vehicle was a multimillion-dollar prospect and each one was hand-built,” said Voelcker. “Now, all of a sudden you’re seeing automakers talk about higher numbers. In its last round, GM had a dozen or so; now they’re putting out about 100. Honda will probably put out that number too, and within a few years you could see thousands, and then tens of thousands, and one day up to a million on the road.”

Ford, meanwhile, is still some way behind when it comes to fuel-cell vehicles. President and CEO Alan Mulally said the automaker is at least 10 years from offering a fuel-cell car, in part because Ford is concerned about the safety of the highly flammable lithium-ion batteries used in the vehicles.

“We’re not there yet,” Mulally said Wednesday at the Los Angeles show, adding that the prospect of a vehicle that emits nothing but water is “one compelling vision.” Mulally’s comments came as he unveiled the automaker’s “Blueprint for Sustainability,” a plan to boost the fuel-efficiency of its gas-powered vehicles and aggressively develop a range of alternative-fuel technologies like plug-in hybrids, which can be recharged from the power grid, and hydrogen fuel cells.

Honda said it is working to develop a “Home Energy Station” — a device that converts natural gas into hydrogen. As the hydrogen supply infrastructure expands, Honda plans to make a greater number of FCX Clarity vehicles available to the public. We can hope similar technology to be applied by the maker of Acura axle assembly, Honda’s luxury division.

Despite the obvious obstacles, Honda is committed to taking fuel-cell vehicles mainstream said Tetsuo Iwamura, president and CEO of American Honda. “The challenges are real, but we are determined to overcome them,” he said.

via: MSNBC

Racecar Driving: A Unique Holiday Gift To Your Loved One

2007-11-20T17:22:00.000-08:00

There are thirty plus days to go before Christmas arrives. But as early as now, people are preparing for the holidays - shopping for Christmas decors and gifts. Oh yeah, the holiday season is in the air, actually the cold breeze and snow flakes are apparently saying that it’s joy to the world once again!

Have you already come up with an idea as to what unique gift do you think you can give to your loved ones... A brand new Dodge muffler? An iPod? I’m sure these are great stuff, but do you want something very extraordinary? Something that your loved one will never ever forget? How about letting him drive a real race car and blast at over 100 miles per hour? Sounds cool right? This thing is possible… check this out!

According to the news I read from my source, TheAutoChannel.com, BIR Performance Driving School offers safe instructions and track time to rookie drivers and veteran drivers as well. There’s more! Anybody who purchases a holiday gift card by December 20 will receive a 10 percent "racing savings". Now you can drive your way around the world-renowned Brainerd International Raceway of Brainerd, Minn. Isn’t that exciting or what?

"This holiday season, I'm selling a pure adrenaline rush - and that's in a racecar at speed. We've been in business for 16 years, and every year, we've seen giving the gift of racecar driving becomes an exponentially bigger hit. The person who gives it is excited, and the person receiving it is extremely excited - there's just a ton of excitement on both sides. There's no other experience like it. It's the ultimate thrill," says Gary Curtis, the director of BIR Performance Driving School.

"In lieu of golfing, many people and companies are looking for an alternative activity, so they opt for a day on the track instead. Driving racecars fosters team-building, confidence and loyalty, in addition to improved regular-driving skills. Our program is very safe, considering that we've taught thousands of people and have never had an injury. That's pretty amazing, given that our students can drive over 100 miles per hour with up to nine other racecars on the track,” Curtis added.

Six Best Automobiles for 2008 Recognized By WealthTV

2007-11-19T18:27:00.000-08:00

WealthTV, the high definition premier luxury lifestyle and entertainment network, gave credits to six outstanding vehicles for 2008. Now, early Christmas shoppers need not to worry about what car they should get for their loved ones because WealthTV’s six recognized automobiles for 2008 are definitely the hottest packages with a ribbon on top! Better leave those truck decals behind and let’s get to know these cars, shall we?

WealthTV named the winners of its prominent crystal Viewer's Choice Award in six classes at the Los Angeles Auto Show recently. You can get five of these unbelievable cars for your special loved one for a sheer $860,000 plus $600 dollars a month. However, the last model will require a lease of $600 per month.

Viewers were requested to respond to WealthTV’s online polling to verify the supreme automobiles for 2008. Only six automobiles made it to the top list in the hearts and minds of WealthTV's viewers. Winners received the crystal WealthTV Viewer's Choice Award. This top honor award, which more accurately reflex's the passions of loyal automotive enthusiasts, is deemed the top honors in the luxury car market. The six recognized categories and the winners of WealthTV Viewer's Choice Award are:

Most Exciting New Release of 2008 - Audi R8
Most Luxurious SUV of 2008 - Lexus LX 570
Most Luxurious Sedan of 2008 - Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG
Hottest Sports Car under $50k of 2008 - Chevrolet Corvette
Hottest Sports Car no Price Limit of 2008 - Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren
Most Advanced use of Hybrid Technology of 2008 - Honda FCX

"These six amazing cars represent the best for 2008. At under $900,000 for five of these cars, the value is tremendous. Recognition by the hearts and minds of true luxury car enthusiasts is the best distinction a fine automobile can receive. The Honda FCX Clarity, unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show, is powered by a hydrogen fuel cell and only available on a three-year lease for $600.00," stated Charles Herring, the president of WealthTV.

What David Thomas and Patrick Olsen Say About The New Clubman

2007-11-15T17:27:00.000-08:00

Kicking Tires has always been a reliable source for me in terms of car information, news and updates. I even depend on the particular site every time I look for car parts. And just this morning, I was about to look for the best site where I can get the most durable Acura repair manuals and so I visited the site. But what I found out is that BMW will soon release the 2008 Mini Clubman.

Patrick Olsen from Cars.com describes the new car. He said, “The Clubman's extra space eases getting in and out of this little charmer. Access on the passenger side, with the suicide-door opening, was really easy, even for me (6-foot-1). The backseat in the model I was in were a very comfortable leather, and even with an adult in front of me my knees weren’t crunched. It wasn't like sitting in first class, of course, but it would be passable for short trips. My kids would definitely be more comfortable in this car than they were in the original Mini, where they found themselves cramped at the end of a two-hour trip.”

“The speedometer on the model I sat in was different from previous Minis I've driven; instead of a large dial, there's a red plastic piece that runs along the outside of the speedometer. In the center was a navigation screen with a joystick controller on the center console,” Olsen continues.

David Thomas, also from Kicking Tires, said, “I’m not the biggest Mini fan on staff, but I liked the Clubman. What I didn’t like were the rear doors, which are on extremely strong shocks. That means closing the rear hatch will take some effort. I’m hoping it was just a fault of the show floor models and not all Clubmans. The rear seats fold down easily from the back. The interior was better quality than the base Cooper, and an all-brown color scheme on one Clubman was especially snazzy. End result: Mini fans will rejoice. Me, I’d just take a regular hatchback.”

Mitsubishi Loses TV Ad Pull

2007-11-14T20:44:00.000-08:00

Ads can make or unmake a company. This is why every company should be careful in what they say or showcase in their ads. Do you wanna hail street racing? Think again. You might suffer Mitsubishi’s plight…

According to The Star release, Mitsubishi Motors Canada has lost an appeal of an advertising regulator's finding that one of the automaker's ads showed a disregard for safety. Consumers and safety advocates criticized the ad saying it promotes street racing.

Advertising Standards Canada, a self-regulating industry body, said in its third-quarter report that an appeal panel confirmed an original decision that sharply criticized the company's flashy spring television ad of a Lancer sports sedan roaring down streets and complained that it glorified street racing.

The advertising council originally called on Mitsubishi to cancel the commercial permanently during the summer. The automaker had already stopped running the ad, pending "a normal review." But the company justified the content saying that it did not promote street racing.

The regulator said the company’s ad did not look like a professional race, which Mitsubishi claimed, because it showed a woman dropping her hands to open an event and a driver wearing high-top sneakers. What’s more, the ad ended with the statement "Street Legal. We think." That point, plus readily identifiable music aimed at young people, contributed to the idea of street racing, the council added.

Mitsubishi’s ad appeared at a time when local attention was concentrated on the perils of street racing after a significant number of fatal accidents involving reckless driving and speeding cars.

The maker of Mitsubishi arrow radiator told the regulator it has no plans to run the ad again. That’s pleasant to the ears!

Mazda Supports HyNor

2007-11-12T18:14:00.000-08:00

Japan meets Norway! Mazda reaches out all the way to Norway to support the Hydrogen Road of Norway (HyNor). The Mazda Motor Corporation’s involvement with the project intends to help in the enhancement of hydrogen vehicles and hydrogen fuel. According to TheAutoChannel.com, the partnership was officially settled during the signing ceremony that took place at the Norwegian Embassy in Tokyo a few days ago. I bet you don’t have any idea about this, so just dig in and filter this update with your Volkswagen air filter!

The event was attended by known personalities such as Mr. Åge B. Grutle, Norwegian ambassador to Japan and Mr. Hisakazu Imaki, Mazda’s president and CEO. During the signing ceremonies, Mr. Seita Kanai, Mazda’s director and senior managing executive officer in charge of Research and Development and Mr. Ulf Hafseld, chairman of HyNor, signed a memo of agreement for partnership and support in the growth of a hydrogen economy. The memorandum includes the agreement that HyNor is set to to get 30 Mazda RX-8 Hydrogen RE vehicles beginning on summer of 2008. These will be the first hydrogen vehicles sold outside of Japan for the Mazda Motor Corporation.

“I very much welcome the agreement between Mazda Motor Corporation and HyNor. The agreement illustrates that HyNor’s efforts to contribute to the development of hydrogen-based technologies are recognized by Mazda as a major global actor in this field. The partnership between HyNor and Mazda is also very encouraging for Norway’s broader efforts to strengthen its cooperation with Japan in promoting research and technologies within the context of climate change mitigation, including a hydrogen society. For the Norwegian Embassy it is a top priority to support these efforts, working in close collaboration with Innovation Norway and the Research Council of Norway” says H.E. Mr. Åge Grutle, Norwegian ambassador to Japan.

“HyNor is very pleased to sign this agreement with Mazda and we think this cooperation will speed up the process of introducing hydrogen as a zero-emission fuel” said Ulf Hafseld, the chairman of HyNor. “By using the Internal Combustion Engine as a feasible technology to accelerate realization of the real hydrogen world, we can develop a hydrogen infrastructure much faster. HyNor is focusing on a carbon neutral infrastructure, and using hydrogen in the Mazda cars will ensure a complete carbon free line of fuel.”

“This will be the first time a Hydrogen RE vehicle will be sold outside Japan and this is a big step in Mazda’s hydrogen vehicle development history. Perhaps Norway is one of the countries closest to the realization of a hydrogen energy society. By cooperating with HyNor and jointly supporting the development of a hydrogen economy, we hope that Mazda will be able to contribute to the establishment of a hydrogen society”, says Mr. Seita Kanai, Mazda’s director and senior managing executive officer.

G-OIL Motor Oil Gets Editor's Choice Award

2007-11-08T18:04:00.000-08:00

Among all the oil brands available in the US car market, Green Earth Technologies’ G-OIL motor oil gets the Popular Mechanics Editor’s Choice Award at the ninth annual Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX) held in Las Vegas.

G-OIL topped Popular Mechanics’ editors’ best new products of 2007. G-Oil, a motor oil made with American-grown base oils, was recognized as the most outstanding achiever in the product design and innovation. Moreover, G-OIL is being tagged as the “carbon-neutral, and derived from a domestically-produced renewable resource” by the magazine.

G-OIL was the very first bio fuel on the US car market. It is a high endurance oil that provides superior performance during maximum oil change interval recommended by vehicle manufacturers. It is made up of tallow materials supplied by American farmers. Tallow is known to be culled from beef which is used to feed animals and it can also be found in soap.

“We’re thrilled Popular Mechanics recognized G-OIL as a breakthrough product. Today, automotive retailers can give consumers green motor oil that doesn’t sacrifice performance, for which they don’t have to pay a premium,” says Mathew Zuckerman, Ph.D., the Chief Executive Officer and President of Green Earth Technologies.

Green Earth Technologies (GET) is the known producers of “G” branded, products known because of its superior performing - totally green products made entirely from America-grown base oils, and utilizes the power of nanotechnology to deliver environmentally friendly products with no compromise as released by theautochannel.com. “GET’s families of products are offered in a range of categories, including automotive performance and appearance chemicals, marine performance and appearance chemicals, household cleaning solutions, and lawn & garden chemicals. Please visit www.getg.com for the latest news and in-depth information about GET and its brands,” theautochannel informs.

Limited Edition Chrysler

2007-11-05T20:25:00.000-08:00

If you want a unique car, you can spend on a custom paintjob or buy a limited edition car. And if you are looking for a limited edition car, look no further than your local Chrysler dealership. The automaker announced recently that they will make available the fifth and final installment of the Signature Series vehicles. Said vehicles will be available for the 2008 model year. The Chrysler Aspen Signature Series will be the newest and hottest addition to Chrysler's lineup.

The Auto Channel reported David Rooney, Director of Chrysler marketing and Global Communications saying: "The Chrysler Aspen Signature Series builds on the extensive list of premium features already found on the 2008 Chrysler Aspen, and reflects the original vision of Chrysler founder Walter P. Chrysler: engineering at exceptional value."

Said limited edition will come with auto parts as reliable as Volkswagen performance parts. Apart from those durable parts, the limited edition Aspen will come with these features according to The Auto Channel: "fog lamps, power mirrors, chrome molding, roof- mounted side rails, reclining second-row seats, third-row three-passenger seating, overhead console and premium audio system". And that is only for the E model.

Aside from the E Series, the Aspen can also come with a Signature Series Package which will include: "no-charge power sunroof and MyGIG Entertainment System with Parkview Rear Back-Up Camera (a $1,500 value), 18-inch chrome-clad wheels, two-tone leather seating (first row heated) with embossed Signature Series logo, two-tone leather-wrapped steering wheel, and SIRIUS Satellite Radio and Signature Series badges". Wow huh?

Although the Limited Edition Aspen may cost more than the average Aspen, it will have better amenities. Plus, it will very cool with those special badges. Truly, the Aspen Signature Series is one vehicle which I would not think twice to park in my garage.

Saab Celebrates Diamond Anniversary

2007-10-30T01:37:00.000-07:00

Yes, Saab is celebrating its diamond anniversary!

To celebrate Saab’s 60th anniversary in the industry, aficionados all over the world met in Trollhattan, a town in Sweden.

Let’s do a little retrospection…

Sixty years ago, Saab short for Svenska Aeroplan Aktiebolaget AB or Swedish Aircraft Company Limited, was known only as an airplane manufacturer. Four days of festivities culminated in a huge gathering of historic Saabs outside the Saab Car Museum.

The company’s first car, the Saab 92, looked like no other with its streamlined shape and innovative engineering. It’s no surprise; the car was conceived by a pool of aircraft engineers not bound by the traditional auto styling and know-how.

At present, after the manufacture of more than 4 million cars, the automaker has inked a reputation for premium cars sold in over 60 countries worldwide. Evident as it is, much has changed in the automotive realm. But since those post-war years, the innovative mind of Saab’s designers and engineers has the same spirit – but it continues to evolve.

Saab cars reflect its Scandinavian heritage mated to aviation roots. Additionally, it was the automaker that pioneered a bunch of technological advances, cutting-edge safety features, and superb auto ergonomics. And oh- don’t forget to mention the improved engine performance through turbocharging.

Turbocharging is typical of the 'less is more' Scandinavian mind-set and, in an era when the need to save energy and achieve improved efficiency has never been greater, it continues to be a cornerstone of Saab's future development, said Ancaster News.

All the innovative efforts are now flaunted by Saab Canada and other dealerships of the automaker around the globe. As you can see, while most manufacturers have followed Saab's lead in adopting turbocharging, the automaker has again upped the ante with its innovative BioPower technology.

Saab’s new technology unravels the potential of turbocharging to generate more performance, as well as greatly reduced fossil-based CO2 emissions, when using E85 fuel. It is technology that has propelled Saab to the vanguard of Europe's rising market for 'flex-fuel' vehicles.

Saab E85 “flex fuel”, or bioethanol, has been widely available in some areas of North America for several years now. Usually made from crops like corn, bioethanol is an alcohol-based fuel that is mixed with conventional petrol to form a fuel that is up to 85% ethanol and 15% petrol. The advantages of such a mixture is that the emissions from an engine burning this type of fuel are lower than that of a normal gasoline engine – up to 70% lower!

It remains to be seen whether car shoppers will respond positively to the new fuel and support Saab’s environmental initiative. It’s quite hard to change public opinion about what they feed their tank. But I think the price of the flex fuel would dramatically influence their point of view.

Earlier it was said that an all new 9-5 would be launched at the end of 2008, for the 2009 model year. Recent reports, however, said the present 9-5 will be replaced in 2009, for the 2010 model year. The new model is based on GM's Epsilon 2 platform, shared with its sibling - the next-gen 9-3.

Top 10 Features For A Convenient Holiday Road-Trip From Cars.com

2007-10-24T17:17:00.000-07:00

The cool breeze in the air signifies the upcoming cold and exciting holiday this year. Yes, I can feel it right here on my cheeks! How about you? I hope you won’t get frostbites or lip burns. Anyway, there will be millions of Americans, that includes me and probably you, that is sure to take a road trip this holiday season maybe for a grand vacation or just to escape the freezing cold and enjoy the sun down south.

Road trips mean only one thing - you’ll be spending a lot of time driving! Long travels are sure fun especially when you’re with your family. However, a long period of time behind the wheel can definitely stress you out. The good news is, having the best and the perfect features in your car can make a lot of difference in your road-trip. Minutes before you get to your point of destination, you’ll still look and feel fresh because of these car features. It doesn’t matter if your car came from Mercury Canada or any other model. The important thing is, they have the right features to accompany you and your family all through the long trip.

So here’s the top ten best features for a convenient holiday road-trip courtesy of www.cars.com featured at TheAutoChannel.com. Check it out now travelers!

1. Navigation system and trip computer
Navigation systems can produce a playful child out of the most complicated trips. Many of the modern systems provided instantaneous traffic reporting, and almost all have voice-guided instructions that can lead you back to the main highway if ever you get lost.

2. Music flexibility
Sun-visor CD jackets hold maybe a dozen albums which means you're out of tunes once you've passed three states. You need a back-up to maintain the fun inside the car with more music to stomp with the beat!

3. Cruise control
Consider cruise control your right foot's savior.

4. Multizone climate control
Separate climate settings for different passengers often go unused in daily driving, but they can really come in handy during long drives.

5. DVD entertainment systems
DVD players are the major grail of minivans and SUVs, meeting the expense of parents’ hours of peace while the kids watch The Powerpuff girls - in silence! Thanks to wireless headsets.

6. Smart cupholders
If your cupholder was intended to have room for a 44-ounce root beer, plugging in a 20-ounce Evian could create some spills and mess when you hit some humps on the road.

7. Heated and cooled storage units

8. Lane-departure warning systems
Lane-departure warnings precisely set off in the safety line.

9. Household power outlets
Anybody who's ever comprised portable electronics run out of power on the road will be grateful for the in-car two-pronged household power outlet.

10. Reclining rear seats
Here's betting no one really gets any sleep using a U-shaped neck pillow. With reclining rear seats, you can leave those at home.

Smoking Behind The Wheel: A Risky Driving Habit

2007-10-17T18:34:00.000-07:00

Are you one of those cigarette-puffing motorists on the road? Are you familiar with the law set by the highway authorities? Don’t you know it’s a big risk smoking cigarettes when driving? If you feel guilty, you’re maybe one of these UK citizens… Listen up!

UK has over 3 million UK motorists who have been involved in road accidents due to lapses or ‘near misses’ in attentiveness due to in-car smoking distractions. eSure car insurance brought in a study and revealed that an astounding 45 percent of motorists who are regular in-car smokers will disregard the new rules carried out in the revised Highway Code and they are eager to light up more cancer sticks while driving. When the results came in, it also revealed that 68 percent confessed that they’ve not even read the existing Highway Code ever since passing their driving tests. Remember, even if you have an awesome Saturn headlight, it doesn’t mean you’re cool enough when you smoke in a nice ride.

Smoking in the car is an action police may believe as ‘not allowing proper control of a car’ according to the new Highway Code. Research by eSure exposes a raft of prospected hazardous behaviors related to in-car smoking. Here are the dangerous habits presented by eSure car insurance at TheAutoChannel.com:

DANGEROUS HABITS

An enormous 80 per cent of motorists confess to taking their hands off the wheel in order to light a cigarette
75 per cent of motorists assume that smoking at the same time driving on a motorway is tolerable and causes no danger although they are traveling at high speeds.
46 percent of people have accidentally dropped their cigarette in the car. Even more disturbing, over a quarter (26 per cent) have taken their eyes off the road in order to retrieve it
45 percent admit to eliminating of their cigarette butt by throwing it out of the car, which is highly dangerous if the cigarette is not correctly put out
88 percent of smokers admit that they are more likely to light up in the car when they are feeling stressed out

ATTITUDES

47 percent of people are pro-smoking in cars whilst 53 percent are against it – showing how divided opinions are on this issue
66 percent of non-smokers would like to see an official in-car smoking ban introduced, compared to only 11 per cent of smokers
Almost a quarter (26 percent) of people who smoke in their car say they’ve been forced to because of the new laws banning smoking in public places offering them small choices.
Nearly a quarter (27 percent) of people light up with children in the car, even though having a child passenger can be a key distraction in itself and therefore the safety of passengers in the car is also being put in danger

A New Volvo C30 Green Racing Car For STCC To Be Developed by Volvo Cars

2007-10-15T17:37:00.000-07:00

It’s green racing time! The Volvo Car Corporation has taken vehicle technology to new heights by developing a totally new racing car and sustaining its efforts with bioethanol (E85) and the Green Racing in the Swedish Touring Car Championship (STCC) for the next three years!

"Our decision is based on the positive attention and the good results that the recently concluded STCC season has meant for Volvo's brand," says Derek Crabb, the head of Powertrain and Engine at Volvo Cars and the man recently appointed to lead Volvo's Racing department.

"It is now time to take the next step for the coming STCC seasons, and to meet the growing international interest in green racing," added Derek Crabb.

According to AutoSpectator.com, the car will be enhanced by developing a new and up to date green racing car based on the Volvo C30. The C30 is the basically the model that displays Volvo's environmental technology in the market such as the Flexifuel and the forthcoming 1.6D Efficiency. The Volvo 1.6D Efficiency has an average fuel consumption of 0.45 litres per 10 km (52 mpg-US/62 mpg-UK) and CO2 emissions under 120 grams per kilometer. Now that’s absolutely ground-breaking - so great that it can definitely shatter your Dodge bumper bracket!

"The decision to leave this year's racing car, a Volvo S60, was fairly simple. The Volvo C30 is a somewhat smaller and more agile car with excellent driving characteristics, even in the standard version," says Derek Crabb.

"Development of the new racing car will be done jointly by Volvo Cars and Polestar Racing, who has successfully handled our participation in STCC for several years. However, it is currently too soon to provide any detailed information about the construction of the new car. The objective, on the other hand, is crystal clear - we will develop a winning car," Crabb concludes.

Now check out a few of Volvo C30 E85 FIA Super 2000’s technical specifications:

Body: A standard C30 body reinforced by a safety cage and side impact protection on the driver's side, developed in collaboration with Caran.
Aerodynamics: Front splitter (the lower section of the bumper) and a rear spoiler wing developed by Polestar in Volvo's wind tunnel.
Engine: A fully aluminium, transversely mounted, 5-cylinder, inline, four-valve, 1999 cc engine. / Only minor modifications are permitted on the cylinder block and cylinder heads, while valves, cam shafts, pistons, connecting rods, and the crankshaft have been replaced by racing-specific components.
Oil: Castrol 5W-30
Output/torque: 280+ hp at 8,750 rpm/Approx. 230 Nm at 7,300 rpm.
Fuel: E85
Exhaust system: Stainless steel with catalytic emission controls, specially manufactured by Ferrita.
Driveline: 6-speed sequential gearbox with straight-cut gears, manufactured by Hewland. Front-wheel drive. / Mechanical differential with a torque controlled ramper and friction discs. / SACHS 184mm two-disc carbon fibre clutch.
Oil: Castrol TWS 10W-60.
Front wheel suspension: Öhlin's McPherson struts developed together with Polestar. Racing-specific support arms and adjustable anti-roll bar.

Insurers Let Parents Monitor Teen Driving

2007-10-10T22:40:00.000-07:00

Your kids are growing up. Sooner or later they will be entering the most chaotic phase of their life. As teens, they will be craving for action and adventure. They will be in search for new things – including road invasion. Driving is one thing they look forward to since they were kids.

You’re no stranger to this. You’ve been in that situation ages ago. So you understand. What worries you is the fact that reckless driving is one of the most dominant causes of teen fatalities.

By far, traffic accidents are the No. 1 killer of U.S. teenagers, with a fatality rate 4 times higher than drivers aged 25-69. A total of 5,288 teens died in traffic accidents in 2005, and more than 7,000 were driving cars involved in fatal accidents.

Stay right there. We’ll wipe the worries for a short while.

I want to re-tell a story. Don’t react just yet. This is a no non-sense story. MSNBC writes:

When 17-year-old Anna Kinderman takes a turn too fast in her parents’ sedan or jams the brakes too hard, she apologizes aloud even when no one else is in the car. “Sorry, Dad,” she says, looking up at the camera mounted on the rear-view mirror.

Mom and Dad will see the incident on video soon enough, after all.

Her mom, Bette Kinderman, views the system as a great tool for parents. “I’d rather be able to talk to her about an issue before there’s an accident,” she said.

She downplayed concerns about privacy: “To me, my kids haven’t earned their privacy in a car yet. Being in a car is so dangerous.”

Now you can relate.

As you observe, a number of automakers have started offering in-car cameras or GPS-supported equipment to help parents monitor their teenagers’ driving behavior, hoping to reduce the alarming number of crashes involving young new motorists.

Experts in the industry say it’s too soon to gauge the effectiveness of programs like American Family Insurance Co.’s Teen Safe Driver, used by the Kindermans in Madison, Wis. Undeniably, however, there is a need to improve highway safety for teens.

Insurance companies can benefit significantly if the initiatives catch on, according to Craig Weber, senior insurance analyst with research and consulting firm Celent. “It’s a unique opportunity for them to help change behavior, which will help them drive down rates, which will make customers happy,” said Weber. Even if rates don’t drop, he added, “it’s a huge win in building customer loyalty and generating positive PR.”

One of the most interesting programs is the Safeco Corp.’s Teensurance. Under the said program, a camera records audio and video images of both the road and the driver when motion sensors detect swerving, hard braking, sudden acceleration or a collision. The footage goes to an analysis center where it is graded for riskiness and sent on to parents with comments and coaching tips.

Teen drivers have mixed feelings about the technology; one in 20 even cover the camera after it is first installed, said the program officials.

Another new program is MobileTeen GPS, introduced in April by American International Group Inc.’s AIG Auto Insurance. The GPS program sends parents an e-mail or text message if the teen’s car exceeds pre-defined speed limits or strays too far from home or school.

The services are expected to go global. Infiniti Canada and other automakers have products that are friendly to such technology.

Sync Receives Praises

2007-10-08T17:53:00.000-07:00

The turnaround plan of Dearborn automaker Ford is definitely working. Although the last month has seen Ford's sale drop, it is not an indication how consumers will respond to Ford's product in the very near future.

One of the newest features given by Ford to its new vehicles is the Ford Sync. Recently, Thom Cannell, the senior editor for the Detroit Bureau, sung the Ford Sync praises.

According to the article published by theautochannel.com, Cannell said: "What would you pay to have the coolest car on your block? A car with the best hands-free Bluetooth speakerphone and the best text-to-speech system for reading all those hundreds of messages from your thumb-pounding friends. How about owning a car where you could have an intimate conversation with your iPod - or other music player - like 'Play me those hot new Fergie songs,' or 'What have I got by Kanye West?,' even 'I want to hear Rockstar' and like magic the music would explode from four coaxial speakers and 8-inch subwoofer?"

The Ford Sync is offered by the automaker with the new Ford Focus for $395 as an optional feature. This is clearly much more than what a Dodge brake pad costs but the Sync definitely costs more to produce. The Sync technology which allows different devices to be connected to the car audio system comes as a standard feature for the Focus SES variant. The technology is developed by the automaker in partnership with Microsoft and available only with Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury vehicles through 2008.

Cannell highlights the capabilities of the Sync technology saying: "With Sync… you can load your music player (iPod, Zune, any Plays For Sure device,) a USB memory stick, or even your mobile phone’s extended memory with the latest podcasts and listen on the way to work." As for communications, Cannell writes: "Sync can recognize up to 20 different mobile phones and remembers all of your stored contacts for voice dialing, even your recently called numbers. While Sync will dial out on the 'master' mobile, it can allow any 'paired/bonded' phone to receive calls hands-free."

Another cool thing about the Ford Sync technology is that it can translate text messages into spoken messages. That way, drivers will not be forced to look away from the road just to read the message. A split second that a driver loses sight of the road ahead is what it takes for an accident to happen thus the Ford Sync technology is one great way to integrate traffic safety and consumer convenience features. With Ford looking to attract more consumers into its showrooms, we can surely expect to see more cutting edge automotive features coming from the Dearborn automaker.

M&M's® Chocolate Candies to Sponsor Kyle Busch and the No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing NASCAR(R) Sprint Cup Series Team!

2007-10-05T19:19:00.000-07:00

M&M’s milk chocolate! Melts in your mouth, not in your hand! These sweet colorful goodies are definitely one of the most popular brands in the chocolate industry. Sweet! And guess what’s more sweeter than these chocolates and your Dodge brake booster? Check this sugar-coated news from TheAutoChannel.com!

Yesterday, M&M’s® Brand Chocolate Candies will be the official sponsor of the No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) team and driver Kyle Busch in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series as a three-year partnership with Mars North America! The sponsorship will be effective at the start of 2008.

Kyle Busch eagerly stated, "I can't wait to climb behind the wheel of the M&M'S(R) car next season. M&M'S Racing has been a fan favorite for years in the sport and it's an honor to drive for one of the most recognized brands in the world. My focus is to win, and I know that everyone at Mars shares that vision as well. I want to thank the associates at Mars U.S. for this opportunity and look forward to a winning relationship."

Mars North America brands will stand as the main sponsor of JGR's No. 18 Sprint Cup Series team for an overall point race of 30 all through the 2008 season. Mars will showcase the world-renowned M&M'S(R) Brand colors starting on Feb. 17 with the 50th running of the Daytona 500. SNICKERS® and PEDIGREE® will serve as major product sponsors for a number of races as well. Furthermore, SKITTLES®, COMBOS®, TWIX®, MILKY WAY® and STARBURST brands will give support as associate sponsors. On the other hand, Interstate Batteries will be the major sponsor of the No. 18 Sprint Cup team for six point races.

"We are excited to welcome Kyle Busch as the driver for M&M'S(R) Brand Chocolate Candies. The opportunity to partner with a championship-level organization in Joe Gibbs Racing, and a proven talent in Kyle Busch, sets the stage for an exciting year for M&M'S(R) consumers and fans. On behalf of our 40,000 associates worldwide, I welcome Kyle and Joe Gibbs Racing to the Mars, Incorporated family and look forward to seeing M&M'S(R) in victory lane with the No. 18 team," says William Clements, the director of sponsorships and sports marketing for Mars Snackfood U.S.

"Mars has had a longstanding commitment to the sport of NASCAR and we are extremely pleased to welcome them to our organization. Their interests mirror those of my family with their involvement in both motorsports and football. With their well-known brands, such as M&M'S(R) Chocolate Candies, I believe they are a natural fit for our team of corporate partners. We look forward to the new relationship between JGR, Kyle Busch and M&M'S(R) and believe it will be successful for all parties both on and off the track," says J.D. Gibbs, president of JGR.

The 2008 season will post its 15th year for Mars North America as a major sponsor in NASCAR's leading racing division. In 1990, the prominent candy manufacturer joined the series.

Car Features Your Family Will Love

2007-10-03T19:21:00.000-07:00

Safety and comfort are the primary considerations in choosing the right car for our family. Wherever they go, whatever they do; we want our loved ones to be safe and comfy. That’s what being filial is all about.

But choosing the tender loving car could make you feel a bit headachy. To spare you the heady sensation but still ensuring the safety of your loved ones, bear in mind some important auto safety features. The next time you go shop, let the auto safety features guide your choice.

A recent study conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety found that side airbags that provide torso protection reduced deaths by 26% in side-impact crashes. The same study also found that deaths were reduced by up to 37% when the vehicle was also equipped with side airbags that protect the head.

According to a report from J.D. Power and Associates, new-car buyers were most interested in two-stage “smart” airbags, which initially inflate with less pressure to better cushion passenger impact. After advanced airbags, consumers showed triggered considerable shoppers’ interest, rearview cameras that provide assistance while backing up, embraced the limelight.

MSNBC has compiled a list of ten features parents should consider when purchasing a new vehicle. It noted some cars are designed for comfort and convenience, like power doors and DVD systems, while others, such as advanced airbags and back-up cameras, enhance safety.

Back up cameras and sonar sensors that alert drivers of obstructions behind a vehicle add a measure of safety and convenience — especially with larger SUVs and minivans. Nearly half (49.5%) of children younger than 15 years old killed in the U.S. each year in non-traffic-related incidents with motor vehicles are backed over, often by a parent or family member, according to Kids and Cars, a non-profit that tracks incidents that occur on private property, as opposed to in traffic.

CNW Marketing Research of Bandon, Ore. added that besides safety features, spaciousness, load capacity, convenience features and comfort features are attributes that car buyers with three children per household consistently rank as most important for cars, minivans and SUVs.

Susan Morales, chief engineer of the GMC Acadia, Saturn Outlook and Buick Enclave, designed GM’s “Smart Slide” feature, which allows second-row seats to fold and move forward for access to the third row. Saturn side marker is also an added safety benefit.

Becky Blanchard, brand manger for the Chrysler Town & Country minivan, which was dramatically redesigned for 2008, said power doors, dual-zone climate control and rear-seat DVD entertainment systems with wireless headphones are among the features that first appeared on minivans that are now found on other types of vehicles.

Volvo’s integrated child booster seat is also a big safety milestone. The system is a $495 option on the Volvo V70 and XC70. “Volvo believes a comfortable child, able to see outside above the beltline, results in less driver distraction and better child protection,” said Volvo spokesman Dan Johnston.

Careful with your auto choices; they could mean death.

Toyota Panasonic Update on the Japanese GP

2007-10-01T17:20:00.000-07:00

The Panasonic Toyota Racing had a sort of a déjà vu when racers Jarno Trulli and Ralf Schumacher both raced the home race today. Trulli was able to hit 13th while Schumacher did not have the chance to finish. The same thing happened back in the first World Championship Japanese Grand Prix at the track in 1976 and both racers experienced difficulty on the Fuji Speedway when they were attacked by rain making it difficult for them to race.

Although the racing action was attacked by rain, Jarno Trulli who is wearing a specially designed helmet for the Panasonic Toyota Racing team managed to make it to the 13th leaving another racer Ralf Schumacher two places back than Trulli. Both drivers may not be wearing a Ford Mustang fuel pump as part of their racing car but both of them are using Bridgestone Potenza tires to take on the wet race track. Trulli was able to make the 19 laps when he made his stop for the fuel on the lap 18. Ralf stopped at the lap 28 but was able to continue the race on the wet race track. On lap 43, Ralf experienced an accident until the race resumed 5 laps later. Ralf finally made his decision to stop.

Ralf had to stop the race when the water on the cockpit called for repair on the 53rd lap. The auto experts that fixed Ralf's racing car did the quickest repair but as soon as he went back on the track, Ralf lost several laps and it ended his race to a slow puncture. He failed to make it to two more laps on the flag.

Both racers are heading to the Chinese Grand Prix at Shanghai International Circuit for another race of the season.

Jarno Trulli was quoted by Motorsport saying, "It was a very difficult race from the beginning. Even behind the safety car the conditions were really bad - there was a lot of spray and it was hard to see anything on the straight. Behind the first safety car unfortunately I made a mistake in the hairpin. While I was warming up the tires I shifted down and this caused a shift down of one gear too much and the car spun."

"Because of that I lost several positions, then when the safety car came in the race was very wet and visibility was really, really poor. They were difficult conditions and I was suffering with lots of aquaplaning and poor grip. I think it was a tough afternoon for everyone out there and obviously I am disappointed with this result."

He was able to attain this record score:

Jarno Trulli
Chassis: Chassis TF107/04
Race Classification: 13th (+1 lap)

Ralf Schumacher also commented and said, "We've had a tough time all weekend and today that continued. Unfortunately my radio stopped working midway through the race but then with all the rain, water got into our electrics and that forced me to pit again. My crew fixed the problem but we had a puncture so that was that."

"It wasn't a very enjoyable race because of the rain, which made the track really slippery and meant there was pretty much zero visibility when we were running under safety car at the start. It was a real challenge to drive with all the spray but the conditions improved a bit as the race went on. There's not much more to say about this weekend - I just hope we can get a better result next week in China."

He also attains this score at the end of the game:

Ralf Schumacher
Chassis: TF107/05
Race Classification: DNF

The Team Principal Tadashi Yamashina was also quoted by Motorsport saying, "Today it was very difficult for us. Towards the end of the race, on Ralf's car, the main electronics box failed because of water in the cockpit but the team did well to fix the problem so Ralf could continue and race in front of our Japanese fans. Then we found the new set of tires had a slow puncture, we think this was because of debris. For Jarno, we still have to analyze what happened because obviously the car wasn't competitive."

"We need to focus our energy on improving mechanical grip and aerodynamics. We must push very hard to make improvements. Our car was not competitive in these conditions but now we will do our best for the Chinese Grand Prix. I would like to say congratulations to Fuji Speedway for hosting this race for the first time in 30 years. The facilities here are excellent and the race was well organized. It is a shame we could not get the result we wanted in this race."

Volkswagen Plans to Overpower Toyota in 2015

2007-09-24T01:33:00.000-07:00

The Toyota Motor Corporation has been making waves in the international car market selling a huge amount of cars for the past years. And it even sent the Ford Motor Company to the third spot as the biggest automaker in the US for the past months. Toyota was also able to overpower the Chrysler Group in the latest sales report. And even General Motor Corporation is rumored to have been overpowered by the Japanese automaker.

The fact that the car maker is doing great in the car market, more auto builders find it a threat to their future car sales. Even in European countries, Toyota is doing excellent sales on almost all the markets in the world. Toyota is even tagged as the fastest growing auto maker of the world.

During these tough times, Toyota would always sell. The Japanese car maker boasts its quality and budget-friendly units against expensive brands. And on the latest news from theautochannel.com, the German car maker Volkswagen is planning to overtake the world’s famous Prius maker as the number one car maker in the year 2014 and 2015. Auto Motor und Sport, a German industry magazine, released the news on their official website earlier this day just like Tokico shocks which are now available online as well.

Michael Kern, the head of sales and marketing for the Volkswagen brand, was quoted by Auto Motor und Sport saying, "We want to overtake Toyota in volumes and by profitability.”

Kern said, "In the next three years we are going to bring 12 new models to the market and we are going to expand our presence in the United States, Russia, India and other markets.”

Toyota is planning to boost its volume production on 2014 or 2015 which made the Volkswagen make an internal planning to surpass Toyota as released by the Auto Motor und Sport’s company sources.

Toyota expects a huge amount of 9.34 million vehicles this year over General Motors which only hopes for 9.3 million according to the magazine, while the German car maker will only have an estimated more than 6 million vehicles sold at the end of this year.

Sales Rep Affects CPO Vehicle Sales

2007-09-19T17:58:00.000-07:00

If you are looking for a car and you don't have enough to buy a new one, an alternative that automakers offer is for you to buy certified pre-owned vehicles. As these vehicles have been used (probably leased previously), it is only obvious that it is priced much lower than a new vehicle. And if you are considering buying a CPO vehicle, I think that you would agree with J.D. Power and Associates that sales representatives play a major role in your decision.

In an article I stumbled upon on theautochannel.com while I was looking for a colleague's site who wants me to look up auto parts such as that fan blade Canada for his car, it said that J.D. Power conducted a study on customer satisfaction concerning sales of certified pre-owned vehicles. The study considered seven factors which affects the decision of CPO vehicle buyers. These are price, salesperson, vehicle condition, financing and insurance process, certified pre-owned vehicle program features, inventory, and delivery.

According to J.D., 57 percent of certified pre-owned vehicle buyers learned about CPO vehicles from sales representatives. That means that if their sales rep did not open up the possibility of acquiring a used vehicle in good condition, they might have bought a new car in the future or they may hear it from a competing dealership. More importantly, 38 percent of the respondents said that their impression with the salesperson has a lot to do with their decision to buy a used car.

Jane Crane, the director of automotive retail research at J.D., has this to say: "Shoppers in the market for a used vehicle have a complex array of factors to consider, particularly regarding price, warranty and vehicle condition. A salesperson who is effective at conveying the advantages of purchasing a CPO vehicle - including explaining the certification process and terms of the warranty - and who displays concern regarding the shopper’s budget, can be particularly effective in influencing buyers to consider and ultimately purchase a certified pre-owned vehicle."

Aside from treating consumers well during the pre-purchase period, Crane also pointed out that dealerships and salespersons should also interact with their customers well even after the purchase was made. "Not only is it important for the CPO salesperson to gain shoppers’ trust by treating them with honesty and fairness, but it is also critical for dealerships to build on that trust by following through on their commitments to customers once a sale is complete. Customer satisfaction drops considerably if dealers fail to respond to customer post-purchase phone calls, follow through on post-purchase promises or treat buyers well when they return for service," he concluded.

Mazda Drops The 5 To Make Something Supreme!

2007-09-17T23:38:00.000-07:00

Mazda is making something supreme by dropping the number 5 and entertaining tweaks and upgrades. So what’s the hottest member of the Zoom-Zoom family?

FoMoCo’s Japanese subsidiary Mazda Motor Corp. recently announced the modifications it has made on the sporty Premacy. Yes, the Mazda 5 is now the Mazda Premacy in Japan!

Major Features of the Enhanced Mazda Premacy

Exterior

Front design has been modified to produce a smooth, clean line that sorts of link the hood to the bumper
Newly designed headlights highlights the Premacy’s refined expression
LED indicator lights embedded in the door mirrors as well as the LED rear combination lights emphasize the Premacy’s quality premium model grades

Interior

The instrument panel design and layout have been changed
Black dials have visible white illumination for a more dynamic design
Interior colors and seat fabric have been changed to suit different model grades resulting to a more stylish and personalized expression.

Inside, the instrument panel was redesigned and the layout modified. There are also 7 additional body colors offered for the Premacy including the Golden Sand Metallic.

Dynamics

The implementation of the sequential valve timing (S-VT) has been broadened to enhance performance of the highly reputed 2.0 liter and 2.3 liter MZR engines
The front-wheel-drive models were equipped with an electronically controlled five-speed automatic transmission
The additional modifications have increase torque as well as linear acceleration that makes everyday driving more satisfying.

With the use of the S-VT together with the electronically controlled 5-speed automatic transmission, the fuel economy of the Premacy is improved. All of the FWD models with the 2.0 liter MZR engine meet Japan’s 2010 fuel economy standards plus 10% which makes them eligible for Japan’s Green Tax exemptions.

Also, the FWD and 4-wheel-drive (4WD) model grades also qualify as Super-Ultra-Low Emission Vehicles (SU-LEV) with exhaust emissions that are 75% lesser than the Japanese government’s 2005 exhaust emissions regulations.

Other features include:

Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
HDD navigation system that is compatible with Mazda G-Book Alpha telematics technology
An improved parking assist system with an additional CCD camera in the passenger side door mirror
Bluetooth® Hands-Free system
AUX terminal for external devices

Other enhancements made to the minivan include the improved “Communicative and Dynamic” product concept which is an electronically controlled five speed automatic transmission mounted in an all-front-wheel-drive (FWD) grades and the adoption of sequential valve timing (S-VT) has been made available to other model grades.

The models for the redesigned performance compact minivan are now available in Japan. They could be purchased at all Mazda, Mazda Anfini, and Mazda Autozam dealers. Globally, the sales target volume per month is 1,800 units. The manufacturers suggested retail price (MSRP) for the Premacy range between 1,768,000 to 2,355,000 yen including consumption tax.

According to the Japanese automaker, ask and you will receive. So the Premacy is out for grabs!

Are you still thinking of those Dodge parts? Tell me.

Consumers Can’t Get Enough Of The 2008 Models On Cars.com!

2007-09-14T23:55:00.000-07:00

I admit, I am one of these millions of visitors checking out the freshest 2008 models at Cars.com! The fact is, we can’t help it! The 2008 models are mysteries that we need to unfold… Aside from engine mount Canada and other parts that we would like to inquire, Cars.com is regularly visited by a number of car enthusiasts everyday, and their main intention? Find out more information about the 2008 year model cars! Absolutely!

According to the latest Cars.com Consumer Search Index that was published on TheAutoChannel.com, a number of vehicles that were redesigned for next year have caused awareness among consumers shopping at Cars.com. Cars such as the 2008 Saturn Vue, Toyota Highlander and the Subaru Impreza are on top of the list of new and redesigned cars earning the most increase in searches on Cars.com!

Here is the list of vehicles with the most searches on Cars.com and the vehicles experiencing the largest increases and decreases month over month.

Green Fabric From Mazda

2007-09-12T17:54:00.000-07:00

When it comes to automotive safety, we think about Volvo. If we talk about fast cars, Ferrari comes to mind. When green cars are concerned, we tend to think of Toyota first. But ToMoCo no longer appears to be on the frontline in the fight against global warming. Ford has the Escape Hybrid and General Motors is working on the Chevy Volt and its European counterpart, the Opel Flextreme. And we also have the Tesla Roadster and the ZAP Xebra. And then Mazda also appears in the picture with its newly-developed green fabric.

In the auto industry, green does not only mean the color of a product but its state of being eco friendly. Mazda's new fabric is green because it is made from 100 percent plant fiber. That means it does not have oil-based materials. Oil-based component when manufactured release a certain amount of potentially harmful gases into the atmosphere. With Mazda's biofabric, as the product is called, plant-derived fibers are the key.

The said biofabric has been developed by the automaker in partnership with other Japanese companies - Teijin Limited and Teijin Fibers Limited. According to the automaker, the said fabric is made up of 100 percent polylactic acid, a kind of plastic made from the combination of large numbers of lactic acid molecules made from fermented carbohydrates such as plant sugars.

The fabric is expected to be used on Mazda vehicles in the future along with precision engineered components such as clutch discs, ball bearings, shock absorbers and other auto parts. In the upcoming Tokyo Motor Show 2007 this October, the biofabric will be used on the all-new Premacy Hydrogen RE Hybrid. It will be used as seat covers and door trim for the said hydrogen hybrid car. The said concept vehicle will also use Mazda's bioplastic developed by the company last year.

Seita Kanai Mazda's director and senior executive officer for R&D said: "Mazda succeeded in developing this 100 percent plant-derived biofabric for use in vehicle interiors by leveraging the technical expertise we have amassed in the Hiroshima area. We are convinced that our new technology, which enables the manufacture of this material without any oil-based resources, will become a cornerstone for future biotechnologies aimed at reducing the burden on the environment. Mazda, working together with our locally-based partners, will continue its research and development programs aimed at achieving a future car society that is eco-friendly."

With this development, Mazda affirmed that they are going to continue the development of eco-friendly products for automotive application.

Time‘s Worst Cars of All Time includes Ford Model T

2007-09-10T23:12:00.000-07:00

Time Magazine just recently announced the Top 50 Worst Cars of All Time on their official website. I was able to get the list so here it is. Have a closer look at the cars that made it to the top 50 list.

1990-Present
1995 Ford Explorer
1997 GM EV1
1997 Plymouth Prowler
1998 Fiat Multipla
2000 Ford Excursion
2001 Jaguar X-Type
2001 Pontiac Aztek
2002 BMW 7-series
2003 Hummer H2
2004 Chevy SSR

1975-1989
1975 Bricklin SV1
1975 Morgan Plus 8 Propane
1975 Triumph TR7
1975 Trabant
1976 Aston Martin Lagonda
1976 Chevy Chevette
1978 AMC Pacer
1980 Corvette 305 "California"
1980 Ferrari Mondial 8
1981 Cadillac Fleetwood V-8-6-4
1981 De Lorean DMC-12
1982 Cadillac Cimarron
1982 Camaro Iron Duke
1984 Maserati Biturbo
1985 Mosler Consulier GTP
1985 Yugo GV
1986 Lamborghini LM002

1960-1974
1961 Amphicar
1961 Corvair
1966 Peel Trident
1970 AMC Gremlin
1970 Triumph Stag
1971 Chrysler Imperial LeBaron Two-Door Hardtop
1971 Ford Pinto
1974 Jaguar XK-E V12 Series III

1940-1959
1949 Crosley Hotshot
1956 Renault Dauphine
1957 King Midget Model III
1957 Waterman Aerobile
1958 Ford Edsel
1958 Lotus Elite
1958 MGA Twin Cam
1958 Zunndapp Janus

1899-1939
1899 Horsey Horseless
1909 Ford Model T
1911 Overland OctoAuto
1913 Scripps-Booth Bi-Autogo
1920 Briggs and Stratton Flyer
1933 Fuller Dymaxion
1934 Chrysler/Desoto Airflow

The Ford Model T was one among the very first cars ever made by Henry Ford back in 1909. It vanished in the US car market by the year 1927. The car was first made on September 27, 1908 at the Piquette Plant in Detroit, Michigan. Ford gave it the first ever Ford car parts excluding of course the Carburetor Canada which was not yet available during those times. Although it was considered as the pioneer of Ford cars, it is still considered to be one among the 50 top worst cars of all time.

But why do they consider it a worst car? According to the Time magazine, “Let's stipulate that the Model T did everything that the history books say: It put America on wheels, supercharged the nation's economy and transformed the landscape in ways unimagined when the first Tin Lizzy rolled out of the factory.”

The model T was made by the engineer William C. Klann. And the vehicle was designed to use the most harmful engine part according to the news. The panels are made up of blacksmith including the crude instruments. The magazine even regarded it as “a piece of junk, the Yugo of its day.”

Audi Best Buddies Challenge: Hearst Castle With Celebrities!

2007-09-10T00:52:00.000-07:00

Let’s all forget about our Volkswagen oil pumps for a while and prepare yourself with this semi-kinda celebrity news I have for you today! Listen up… According to the news I’ve read from TheAutoChannel.com, today, September 8, 2007, stars will shower down from the skies at Heart Castle! Oh yeah, the most anticipated star-studded event, the Audi Best Buddies Challenge: Heart Castle, will feature celebrity attendees in the joint venture program sponsored by Audi and Best Buddies International. This will be the first time Audi will host and be a title sponsor of the annual charity bicycle tour - the Audi of America's! 35 cars will be provided by Audi to transport guests to and from the Audi Best Buddies Challenge event.

Western Region director Michael Cagle, and other superior executives will welcome celebrity guests and riders to the historic Hearst Castle in northern California's San Simeon Hills. The celebrities are:

Maria Shriver and her husband
California's governor Arnold SchwarzeneggerLegendary actor and director Clint Eastwood
Lacey Chabert of Mean Girls and TV's Party of FiveThe Bachelor's Andy Baldwin and Tessa Horst
Celebrity trainer Kim LyonsGunter Schlierkamp from Beerfest and The Hulk
The Ex-Wives Clubs' Marla MaplesActor Greg German and Adrian Pasdar from TV's Heroes
Actor Rob Lowe (Brothers and Sisters, The West Wing)

Lowe will lead the peloton through the first 20 miles of a challenging 100 mile ride along the Pacific Coast Highway in an Audi RS4 Friendship speed car which has been hand painted by famous Brazilian artist Romero Britto.

The event is a bicycle tour taking riders from Chateau Julien in Carmel to the Hearst Ranch in San Simeon. Maria Shriver, California's First Lady, will serve as the Honorary Chairperson and will also ride in the event.

"Since our partnership with Best Buddies began in June, the Audi Best Buddies Challenge: Hearst Castle is the first major event we've had the opportunity to help lead. Just as Best Buddies is leading its field through innovation and a pioneering spirit, Audi's constant dedication to engineering the best cars in the world makes our organizations a perfect fit. Nowhere is Audi's commitment to social responsibility better showcased than in extraordinary events such as this, which join luminaries across many industries to a tremendous charitable cause. We are excited to welcome Audi and Best Buddies supporting guests, including California's Governor and First Lady Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver, legendary actor and director Clint Eastwood, Lacey Chabert of Mean Girls and TV's Party of Five, The Bachelor's Andy Baldwin and Tessa Horst, celebrity trainer Kim Lyons, Gunter Schlierkamp from Beerfest and The Hulk, The Ex-Wives Clubs' Marla Maples, actor Greg German and Adrian Pasdar from TV's Heroes and many others to help us raise money to further Best Buddies' great work," says Johan de Nysschen, the executive vice president of Audi of America.

Porsche's New Ad Agency

2007-09-05T19:52:00.000-07:00

German automaker Porsche recently announced that it has picked Cramer-Krasselt of Chicago as its new creative arm. The said firm will handle Porsche's media buying which is part of the automaker's United States account. The partnership may see a shift in Porsche's approach to marketing their vehicles. Although I think Porsche is one of only handful automakers that don't need any advertising, it is still a vital part of the automaker's operations.

David Pryor, the vice president of marketing of Porsche Cars North America, said: "Our decision to go with Cramer-Krasselt was based on seeking new and innovative approaches to marketing our unique products to a difficult-to-reach audience. Cramer-Krasselt took a fresh approach to targeting these affluent, advertising-averse consumers. Their team very quickly showed a tremendous passion and understanding of our business and developed a compelling, evolutionary expression of our brand."

Before Cramer-Krasselt was chosen by the automaker, it has the unenviable task of choosing among four finalists which I think are of very high caliber just like the CV boot Canada for our brothers across the border. The three other firms which Porsche reviewed are SS+K of New York, Martin Agency of Richmond, and Carmichael Lynch which was the company Porsche has been working with since 1999. Carmichael will still be working for Porsche until the first quarter of the next year.

Pryor said this about Carmichael Lynch and their working relationship in the past: "We have been pleased with the work that Carmichael Lynch has done to help us achieve record sales growth during the past several years; they clearly understood the core values of the brand and excelled at speaking to our passionate owner group. At the beginning of the review process Carmichael Lynch was awarded a significant project that will extend through the first quarter of next year, and this will continue under Carmichael’s responsibility."

Safety Systems in all Subaru Vehicles

2007-09-04T17:49:00.000-07:00

Recently, I have learned that Subaru is creating a big name in the safety line. They were able to gain high ranks in the crashworthiness test made by Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP). The new Impreza was in the spotlight. But, it is not just that single model that made it to the top. Included in the complete list were the all-wheel drive Forester, Liberty, Outback and the Tribeca. They are all the ones who lifted the Subaru name above all others.

Let’s take a look with what’s behind the five-star rank for occupant safety and four-star pedestrian rating. Of course, it has been brought about by the active safety systems available in all Subaru vehicles. If they were able to create efficient Subaru coil springs, safety equipment would be as effective as well. Based from autoweb.drive.com, these are all the active safety features:

Constant All-Wheel Drive – provides constant drive to all four wheels, promoting balance and control.
Anti lock brakes (ABS) – controls the braking force, which provides high stability in braking. Furthermore, it has the ability to steer around traffic hazards when braking, thus avoiding the risk for “locking up” and losing control. It is found to have cross-linked dual channel system. It works through retaining the brake on at least one front and one rear wheel (one left and one right) if a channel gets faulty. The brake piping of Subaru vehicles is inside the floor panels to reduce damage or corrosion.
Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) – improves rear wheel braking in response to load shifting caused by deceleration.
Vehicle Dynamics Control – activates to control each wheel individually. It happens when the electronic control unit (ECU) detected unstable or unusual wheel speed, steering position, front/back and lateral (sideways) G ford, and yaw rate, even swerving sideslipping or entering a spin. With its function, the car gains stability from its most stable wheels. Some models are found with Traction Control System (TCS), which helps in limiting traction loss during acceleration on slipper surfaces.

For the passive safety features, here is the list:

Ring-shaped reinforcements – surrounds the passenger cabin. It forms a high strength safety cell, which results in greater body rigidity and minimum distortion on impact.
Dual front and side SRS airbags – operate in conjunction with the front seatbelts to ensure maximum occupant protection.
Front seatbelt pretensioners – used to quickly tighten the belt on impact and remove any slack between the belt and body.
Automatic Emergency Locking Retractors (AUELR) – seatbelts are ratchet back into position for more positive security of child safety seats. It happens when the belts are fully extended. Ratchet is cancelled in fully retraction.
Engine impact limitation – the flat horizontally opposed boxer engines go under the passenger cabin in a heavy frontal collision.
Steering wheel impact minimization – support beam inhibits the rearward movement of the steering wheel in a collision.
Reinforced door beams and strengthened side frames – provide extra protection in a side collision. It also provides solid base frame for suspension, which ensures that the body flex does not affect vehicle stability.
Safety pedals – reduce injury to the driver’s lower legs in a heavy frontal collision.

These are actually just a few clips. Take some time reading autoweb.drive.com to know more.

From Trailer To New Facility

2007-08-26T22:31:00.000-07:00

Kia is a relatively new brand in Canada. As a fact, the manufacturer of Kia Spectra radiator has just started its venture in the territory in 2000. But since then, the brand has showed consistent growth.

Jessy Prihar, Millwoods Kia dealer principal, is preparing for the grand opening of the Capital Region's newest Kia store. The new 18,800-square-foot facility is one of the first dealerships in Canada to showcase the automaker’s new corporate look. The new structure will be able to display 8 new vehicles in the showroom and provide 10 service bays to suitably serve the dealership's growing number of clientele.

Millwoods Kia started operations out of a trailer in January last year. Despite the fact, the dealership still managed to sell 300 new units in the previous year. With a brand new facility coupled with a growing interest in Kia products, Prihar is confident that 2007 will see strong growth, saying, "By the end of the fiscal year, I expect we'll (sell) 400 units."

Earlier this year, J.D. Power and Associates, an automobile quality specialist, recognized the Kia Rio as "Highest Ranked Subcompact Car in Initial Quality in the U.S." for the second year in a row, beating out the Toyota Yaris, Honda Fit and the Nissan Versa.

"Kia is a very aggressive manufacturer. Hyundai and Kia will do in 10 years what Honda and Toyota took thirty years to do. By 2010, (Hyundai-Kia) want to increase market share to sixth largest in the world," he noted.

General sales manager Alex Vlasenko said that the dealership's best sellers are the subcompact Rio and the Sedona minivan, which together account for 30-percent of the store's new vehicle sales. But for value, Vlasenko said that nothing in its segment can touch the new Rondo, which Kia touts as an 'urban utility vehicle' and competes with the popular Mazda5.

"It's the best investment for your dollar," he said. "Pricing starts at under $20,000 for the five-passenger LX. It's fuel-efficient, yet sporty. I can't find anything this vehicle doesn't have: 16-inch alloy wheels, all disk brakes, ABS/TCS/VSC, 12 airbags.”

Here are some facts about Millwoods Kia.

MILLWOODS KIA
When founded: 2006
Location: 9710 35th Ave., Edmonton
Hours of operation: Sales and leasing: Mon.-Thurs. 9 a.m.-9 p.m.; Fri.-Sat. 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sun Closed
Service & Parts: Mon.-Fri. 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; Sat 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; Sun. Closed
What does dealership sell: Kia
Best sales year: 300 new units in 2006
Size of dealership: 18,800 sq.ft. facility housing an eight-vehicle new car showroom, 10 service bays, one quick-lube bay and a four-vehicle enclosed drive-through
What geographic area does dealership serve?: Edmonton (south of the North Saskatchewan River) to Red Deer
Dealer principal: Jessy Prihar
Dealership philosophy or corporate principles statement: "Caring for customers, understanding and serving their needs, and by working enthusiastically as a team that respects the unique contributions of every individual."
Number of employees: 30
Charitable activities: United Way of the Alberta Capital Region, Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, Millwoods Hockey Association
Website: http://www.millwoodskia.com/

[via: autos.canada.com]

Highlander Hybrid Prices

2007-08-21T16:21:00.000-07:00

The Highlander may not be as flashy as some SUVs out there but it is one of the most successful nameplates by the Japanese automaker Toyota. And with its hybrid version, it has become a trendsetter in its class. And for the 2008 model year, the Highlander Hybrid was given more ammo to make it the best in its class. And the prices for the most recent batch of Highlander Hybrids have also been announced recently by the automaker looking to be the king of the hill.

Although more features were added, the new Highlander Hybrid is priced lower than its predecessor. The 2008 Highlander Hybrid base model 4WD-i will have a starting price of $33,700 and that amount is $190 lower than the previous Highlander Hybrid. The upscale Limited trim level of the 4WD-i will carry an MSRP of $39,950. This is more than the previous version though by $3,400. The reason is that the Limited trim level has much more features than the previous model.

Aside from having a lot of technologically advanced features, the Highlander Hybrid is considered as a strong competitor in its class as it has the best fuel economy and the cleanest emission. Being a hybrid, this was expected of the Highlander Hybrid. For the 2008 model year, in addition to those features, the vehicle’s roominess, and power has been improved. Aside from that, the Highlander Hybrid also has a wide array of safety features that one can almost compare it to a Volvo in terms of the safety that it offers to consumers.

The Highlander Hybrid has seven airbags which includes one for the knees of the driver. That lineup also includes a roll-sensing side curtain airbag. That means an airbag which will be deployed once the sensors, erm, senses that the vehicle is about to roll over.

The powerplant of the Highlander Hybrid will be a 3.3-liter V6 which can produce as much as 270 horsepower. The new hybrid version of the Highlander is also equipped with features that will inform drivers how to take advantage of the hybrid powertrain. Just like Volkswagen tail lights which shows the direction that a car is going, the coming of the Highlander Hybrid also shows where Toyota is going with their hybrid powertrain.

VW Celebrates Record Sales

2007-08-17T18:30:00.000-07:00

Volkswagen AG is pleased to announce that its auto record sales for January to June has crept up to 2.11 million vehicles worldwide and that marks a 7.9% increase over 2006's figures.

The upwards trend is also reflected in July's figure, which has shown a 10.5% raise over July 2006 to 310,00 vehicles. The figures relate to VW brand vehicles only, and not other subsidiary brands which include Audi, Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini, Seat and Skoda.

"We have never sold so many Volkswagen vehicles in this period before. We look forward with confidence to the month ahead," said Dr. Michael Kern, brand sales and marketing director.

VW, the world’s fourth largest automaker, is celebrating the increase as one significant milestone. China, the company’s biggest market, VW has sold an even greater amount than last year.

The Volkswagen Group as a whole is the world's fourth largest car manufacturer after Toyota, General Motors and Ford. 443,000 vehicles over this period (an increase of 25.4%) were sold. Argentina also showed significant growth with an increase of 20.9 per cent (60,000 deliveries) over the same period.

Brazil, meanwhile, was VW’s best improving market with a 30.6% increase in sales which accounted for 261,000 product lines. The VW range starts with the compact Fox city car (designed and built by Volkswagen's Brazilian subsidiary) and rises to the Phaeton executive limousine (a poor seller in its Volkswagen guise but a platform that has spawned Audi and Bentley models), reported CNN.

CNN has also given a flashback of the VW time zone: Volkswagen started car manufacturing in 1937 at the behest of Adolf Hitler to produce the 'Beetle' people's car (literally 'volks wagen') designed by Ferdinand Porsche. After World War II, the British Army took control of the Wolfsburg, Germany factory and resumed production of the car. In 1948, control of the company was handed over to the German state. And in 1960 it eventually became a limited country.

Expansion in the American market in the 1960s helped boost the company's fortune, with the 'Beetle' becoming a cult car, particularly among the growing hippie sub-culture. But the company was in danger of relying too heavily on one model. The 'Beetle' spawned other rear-engined, air-cooled vehicles including the iconic Type 2 'campervan' and the pretty Karmann Ghia coupe. But with mechanical underpinnings dating from the 1930s, Volkswagen was desperate for new ideas by the early 1970s.

VW's lifeline came with the Golf hatchback, now in its fifth generation. The original Golf (known as the Rabbit in the United States) was designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro and was an instant success during its launch in 1974. It is still produced and marketed as the Volkswagen Citi.

At present, the German automaker is absorbed in enhancing auto parts such as the VW strut, engines, radiator, and the like to serve the global auto industry better.

The China-Sweden Connection

2007-08-13T19:26:00.000-07:00

Let’s talk about big vehicles. Not just SUVs and pickup trucks but really large vehicles like buses and semi-trailers. The latest news in the commercial vehicle industry is that Volvo is looking to work with the Chinese Dongfeng Motor Corporation. It is interesting that this working relationship will be between two number twos. Volvo is the second largest truck and bus producer in the world while Dongfeng is the second largest Chinese automaker.

The Auto Channel reports that a source from the Chinese automaker was quoted saying “If nothing goes wrong, the two companies will officially start cooperation by next May.” And if you are like me who’s curious what kind of trucks these two automakers can come up with, then you should also hope that nothing really goes wrong.

The way I see it, both companies will be benefiting greatly from this partnership. Volvo will be having a piece of the very big pie that is the Chinese commercial vehicle market. Dongfeng, on the other hand, can benefit from Volvo’s expertise not only on the manufacturing of reliable components but also for their safety features. For years, Chinese made vehicles are being looked down in terms of their safety. In contrast, safety is what Volvo has been specializing on. The Swedish company has been making safety belts more durable than say a Saturn center shoulder belt.

The partnership between the two companies have been budding since January. It was reported that the two companies have already came up with a draft concerning the terms that they have agreed upon. They are now just waiting for the approval of the Chinese government. If that’s all they’re waiting for, I’d say that the partnership is almost complete.

Another reason why Dongfeng needs Volvo is its shrinking sales in China. While the demand for commercial vehicles increased in the Asian country, Dongfeng’s sales has dropped considerably. Its competitors in contrast posted as much as 87 percent sales increase for the first six months of the year. With the infusion of Volvo’s prestige in the company, they may attract more customers.

Volvo is continually expanding its presence in the global market. Aside from the company’s working relationship with the Chinese automaker, Volvo is also in the middle of expanding their presence in Russia by putting up assembly facility in the country. At this rate, Volvo may soon be a strong contender to DaimlerChrysler (Mercedes-Benz) which is currently the largest commercial vehicle manufacturer in the world.

LR2: Land Rover Do-Over

2007-08-09T23:30:00.000-07:00

Sometimes it takes more than just creating a good image or clever styling to win over auto shoppers. It’s more than just creating an effective marketing material to tout the car and set the mood.

But repairing the besmirched image is one heck of an undertaking. Take Land Rover, for instance. When the automaker introduced the compact SUV Freelander, it flaunted ideal on- and off-road performance. But it lacks a captivating style that could entice more shoppers. As a fact, the materials used inside the car were economy class. Also, the sport utility was reported to be having some mechanical problems. As a result, sales dramatically dropped.

The most potent solution that time was to use Volvo S80’s architecture and technology. At first look, the LR2 is a real Land Rover, not a freeloader. Open the door and the aroma of Land Rover leather wafts out and pulls you behind the wheel says Mark Maynard of The Paramus Post.

Here's Maynard’s LR2 Specs Box:

2008 Land Rover LR2 SE

Body style: compact, five-passenger SUV with full-time all-wheel drive and four-wheel traction control

Engine: aluminum, 230-horsepower, 3.2-liter inline six-cylinder with 234 foot-pounds of torque

Transmission: six-speed CommandShift automatic with Sport and Manual modes

0-60 mph acceleration: 8.4 seconds

EPA fuel economy estimates: 16 mpg city, 23 highway

Fuel capacity: 18.5 gallons

DIMENSIONS

Front head/leg/shoulder room: 40.2/41.9/57.6 inches

Curb weight: 4,255 pounds

Wading depth: 19.7 inches

Ground clearance: 8.3 inches

Tow capacity: 3,500 pounds with brakes

FEATURES

Standard equipment includes: push-button start and keyless entry, dual-zone automatic climate control, leather-trimmed seats, leather-wrapped tilt and telescopic steering wheel, power front seats, power tilt and slide sunroof with second pane over the back seat, split folding rear seat, power windows and mirrors, trip computer, nine-speaker (320-watt) audio with six-disc, in-dash CD changer, twin-pocket halogen headlights, front and rear fog lights, rear park distance control, rain-sensing wipers, 18-inch Continental 235/60R V-rated tires on alloy wheels

Safety equipment includes: seven air bags, including a driver's knee bag, dual-threshold front bags, side-impact front bags and side-impact curtains; dynamic stability control; roll stability control; cornering brake control; emergency brake assist; all-terrain anti-lock braking

PRICING

Base: $34,700, including freight; price as tested, $39,950

Options on test car: Technology package, $3,500, includes navigation system, 440-watt Dolby Pro Logic II 7.1 surround sound audio, Sirius satellite radio, rear-seat audio controls, Bluetooth phone mode; Lighting package, $1,050, includes bi-xenon headlights, adaptive front lighting, approach and puddle lights, memory driver seat and mirrors; Cold Climate package, $700, includes heated windshield, heated front seats and heated washer jets

The competition: Acura RDX, BMW X3, Infiniti FX35, Hummer H3

Where assembled: Halewood, England

PLUSES: Full Land Rover experience.

MINUSES: Small back-seat space; awkward push-button ignition; hesitant slow-speed accelerator uptake.

A Rover is never a Rover without the Terrain Response, powerful engine mated to an-equally efficient radiator. The latter is likened to the famed Land Rover Range Rover 4.2 radiator. LR2 is now on sale in the United States for a base price of $34,700.

Newer Does Not Mean Bigger

2007-08-06T21:34:00.000-07:00

With newer models of cars being offered by automakers you can sense that they are getting bigger and bigger. Take for example, the new Saturn Vue, with its European styling, it was made bigger and bolder. But Mazda took the path less traveled and came out with a new Mazda2 that was smaller than the previous one.

And why would Mazda take the route less traveled. I guess that the market calls for it. Why? Because, it is fighting against cars which have become bigger and bigger, and by offering a smaller car, they are attracting the attention of auto buyers who are under presumption that smaller cars are actually more fuel efficient than larger cars which in general seems to be true.

What this means is that the mew Mazda2 will be a lot cooler than its predecessor. How did the engineers at Mazda make the new Mazda2 to be smaller and lighter but still have the features of its predecessors? They used ultra-high-tensile chrome vanadium and nickel alloyed steel on the body of the car. The result is the new Mazda2 which weighs about 50 lbs less than its predecessor.

If you want a closer look at the new Mazda2, you can visit dealerships or you can visit this site where they have a gallery of the new Mazda2.

The real reason behind the smaller Mazda2, according to its designer Ikuo “Speedy” Maeda, is for it to “look best in the streets of Europe”. And after having ogled at the pictures of the new Mazda2, I’d say that it perfectly embodies the grace and the looks of a car fit to run around the streets of Europe.

Choices of the engine for the new Mazda2 include two 1.3-liter engines. One of these can produce 74 bhp while the other produces 85 bhp. A bigger 1.5-liter engine is also available. This slightly bigger gas engine can produce 102 bhp. Transmission is manual but we all know that it is much better to drive cars like the Mazda2 with clutches than those with automatic shifters.

Overall, I think that Mazda’s new Mazda2 is a great looking car. And the fact that the automaker refused to make it bigger increased their rating in my books. Lol. But kidding aside, Mazda has proven that it is one of the best in making small cars and the Mazda2 is definitely one of those cars that Mazda has gotten right.

Get Ready For Eight Volkswagens

2007-08-03T17:09:00.000-07:00

Europe’s largest carmaker will be revealing something or should I say some things at the upcoming International Automobile Exhibition in Frankfurt, Germany. Volkswagen confirmed that they will be showing their widest product range at the said event. And how wide could that be? According to reports, Volkswagen is planning to exhibit more than fifty - that’s a five and a zero... five tens... Yes, that many vehicles. Now, that’s what you would call a wide selection.

Considering that the event will be held in Germany, it is not actually surprising that Volkswagen would show more than 50 cars. Logistics will not be a problem since they are based in Wolfsburg. Compare that to other automakers based in other countries such as Cadillac, Daihatsu, Daewoo, Honda, Hyundai, Mazda, and others.

Out of the more than fifty Volkswagen vehicles to be exhibited at the said event, eight are new models slated for their debut at the event. The most anticipated of the lot is the Volkswagen Tiguan. The said compact crossover SUV was first made known to the auto industry in November last year during the 2007 Los Angeles International Auto Show.

The said crossover will be marketed by Volkswagen in a supporting role to the Volkswagen Touareg. Expectations for the Tiguan heightened after reports said that it will have a very good fuel economy. With the increasing price of gasoline, a vehicle such as that would surely attract car buyers. Aside from that, coming from Volkswagen, consumers can expect for pure fun driving capabilities of the Tiguan. I’d bet that even its window switch will be as smooth operating as its engine.

Aside from the Tiguan, the European auto giant will be showing off six BlueMotion models. And for those who are not yet indoctrinated about this BlueMotion concept, it is Volkswagen’ answer to the increasing call for eco-friendly vehicles. BlueMotion vehicles uses new-generation diesel engines with emissions as clean as standard gas engines or even cleaner. Fuel efficiency is also a strong selling point for BlueMotion vehicles.

For those interested on other vehicles from other automakers that will be appearing at the event, you can check out theautochannel.com. The site offers updated information concerning one of the biggest motor shows in the world.

Saturn Rising

2007-08-01T18:00:00.000-07:00

That’s exactly what’s happening to General Motors’ long-neglected marque. Saturn, known for plastic body panels and what-you-see-is-what-you-pay-for marketing strategy is increasingly becoming more popular to customers. General Motors’ genius of pairing the brand with Opel apparently paid off. Just check out the new offerings of the brand at their official site and you’ll know why Saturn is one of the fastest growing brands in the country.

First, there’s the Aura - the reigning North American Car of the Year. I know you’ve heard of that title being credited to the Aura a lot these days. It is only appropriate; after all, the new Aura beat the Camry and the Accord to the title. The Aura is the replacement for the L-Series. Compare the L-Series to the Aura and you’ll see how far Saturn has come with the aid of Opel.

The Aura’s European styling makes one think of those flashy cars from BMW and Mercedes-Benz but with the price tag considerably lower. Add extra bucks for body kits and you’ll have the best looking midsize sedan on the road. The looks of a car depends on who’s looking at it, right? But for me, the Aura looks better than the Camry or the Accord.

And then, there’s the Sky. The convertible which is based on the Pontiac Solstice, legit head turner is ushering in a new era for the automaker. With previous models looking as bland as the Ion, it is certainly a breath of fresh air for Saturn to come up with a convertible this good looking.

Compare the Sky to European convertibles by looking at its exterior and you’d certainly feel that Saturn's Sky is not a pushover in its segment. Then, check the price tags. Imagine having a roadster with stunning good looks of a European model at a bargain and you have the Sky.

And what a Vue! The new Vue simply rocks. Its rounded off edges gives it a bold look. Comparison again. Looking at the old and the new Vue, I asked myself why General Motors did not pair up Saturn with Opel years ago. As car critics say, the new Vue is miles away from the old Vue. The refinement and the changes made may have even warrant a change in the name of the model. But since the Vue is their bestselling model, a change like that can seriously hurt their sales.

The question now is - why is Ford not doing the same thing as General Motors did with Saturn? With Jaguar, Volvo, and Aston Martin on their portfolio (they still have a share in Aston Martin), they can surely come up with American-priced cars looking way cooler than rebadged Opels.

Porsche will not handle VW Yet

2007-08-01T00:58:00.000-07:00

We have been informed about the possible relationship between Porsche and Volkswagen for several weeks already and soon before it was pursued, Porsche released a statement today that they are not planning to complete and expedite the take over.

Porsche recently enlarged its ownership with Volkswagen AG as the information from the net tells us. The increase was actually bound by law in Germany to be able to purchase the controlling interest. The car maker Porsche did not acquire much of the Volkswagen share hold because Porsche does not want to fully acquire the car company.

The door is so open for Porsche to increase its share hold on its fellow German automotive manufacturer Volkswagen but the company seems to be uninterested in acquiring the entire Volkswagen which was also founded by the Porsche developer Ferdinand Porsche. This is because if Porsche will completely take over the Volkswagen, the stake will be up to 50% without the existence of legal issues and bureaucracy. However, Porsche is still deciding on this matter.

Hmmm… I wonder what would be the fate of VW then?

Everybody Can Own The Legendary Prewar Auburn Speedster Sports-Car

2007-07-27T01:00:00.000-07:00

I guess everybody knows the Auburn Speedster, but let me give you a brief history about this vintage car to those unlucky people who have no idea about this world-class sports-car!

Ok, let’s start these refreshers by dropping your Subaru Baja parts or your Land Rover radiator and lend me your attention first! I know you’re too busy doing some auto parts stuff but this won’t take a lot of your time at all. Ok, let’s start from the Auburn Speedster’s birth. It was produced from 1929 to 1937. The production of the Speedster gained from E.L Cord wherein Duesenberg, Lycoming and Cord’s talented designers were responsible for the excellent design of the Auburn. Speedster models are powered by a V12 engine from Lycoming until 1935.

The Auburn Speedster is one of the few prewar American sports cars. It was a powerful, affordable and elegant vehicle. One of the best attributes of this vehicle is the boat tail body and a supercharged engine, the pioneering trendsetter of large proportions and straight line performance in America!

Original Details and Specs of the First Auburn Speedster:

Price $2,245 USD
Engine Water Cooled, Inline-8 position Front Longitudinal aspiration Schweitzer-Cummins Supercharger valvetrain 2 Valves per Cylinder. displacement 4589 cc / 280.0 cu in bore 77.78 mm / 3.06 in stroke 120.6 mm / 4.75 in compression 6.5:1 power 111.9 kw/150.1 bhp @ 4000 rpm hp per liter 32.71bhp per liter bhp/weight torque 311.8 nm/230.0 ft lbs @ 2750 rpm drive wheels
RWD body / frame Steel Body on Steel Cross-Braced Chassis
Front brakes Lockheed Drums w/Hydraulic Assist rear brakes Lockheed Drums w/Hydraulic Assist front tire size 6.5x15 rear tire size 6.5x15 steering Worm & Peg
Suspension Non-Independant w/ Semi-Elliptic Leaf Springs, Hydraulic Dampers r suspension Live Axle w/ Semi-Elliptic Leaf Springs, Hydraulic Dampers
Weight 1699 kg / 3746 lbs
Wheelbase 3226 mm / 127.0 in front track 1488 mm / 58.6 in rear track 1575 mm / 62.0 in length 4938 mm / 194.4 in width 1816 mm / 71.5 in height 1473 mm / 58.0 in
Transmission 3-Speed Manual gear ratios 2.86:1, 1.68:1, 1.00:1 final drive 3.1:1 or 4.5:1 selected ratio
Top speed 167.4 kph / 104.0 mph 0 - 60 mph 15.0 seconds 0 - 1/4 mile 19.5 seconds

To pay acknowledgment to this marvelous sports car, Speedster Motorcars of Florida with the guidance of Ron Clark, for over 25 years, they have been building its 1936 Auburn Boattail Speedster in Florida. Their deep desire and passion for the Speedster drove them to develop a "new" Auburn Speedster in the exact likeness of the pre-war models! And of course, advanced technology will be included as standard. The replica of the legendary Auburn Speedster sports car is now available in world markets for everyone to enjoy!

Ford Shed 600 Geelong Workers but Needs More Workers on its Campbellfield Facility in Melbourne

2007-07-24T22:44:00.000-07:00

The Ford Motor Company is planning to close their Geelong assembly plant but is looking for more workers for its Campbellfield facility in Melbourne, Australia. The Geelong assembly plant will be closing this coming 2010 but Ford is planning to manufacture 40,000 new four-cylinder vehicles which are all planned to be sold in the Australian car market as well as in New Zealand and South Africa.

These new cars are planned to go on production in 2011 which is why Ford is looking for more facility workers to work in their Campbellfield facility in Melbourne. In connection with the closure of its Geelong assembly plant, Ford is hoping to acquire all 600 workers for the plant to work on its new facility plant in Melbourne. Tom Gorman, the head person for the facility, is also hoping that these workers could be transported to its Aussie plant. He said, "Employees that are interested in that opportunity, we'll make that available to them."

The US auto manufacturer is still hoping to employ all the 600 workers of the Aussie plant but they still have to decide on this particular matter.

Ford was reported to have been acquiring the Daewoo facility plant in Romania. The failure to sell in the US car market may be one among the reasons why Ford is venturing into other car markets namely China and Europe. Well, at least Ford still has different options aside from its US market.

Last week, the Ford Focus was also reported to sell in Europe. So, this means that the Big Three member will still remain in the market even though they have been noted to have poor sales in the US car market.

Everybody Loves The Mariner!

2007-07-19T19:56:00.000-07:00

Tons of compliments flooded the net when I took the opportunity to visit autos.yahoo.com/, edmunds.com/ and autos.msn.com/ to inquire for some VW taillights. And the comments were all because of something that really made their heads spin and their hearts thump-thump like crazy. It was a frenzy of crazed online shoppers shouting their hearts out! I was like, “What’s going on here? Did I miss something?!” They were talking about only one thing - and this stuff is hot, definitely! Yep, they were crazy in love with the 2008 Mercury Mariner!

The 2008 Mercury Mariner is creating a surprising review among consumers as it enjoys a rapid sales tempo! Oh yes, the 2008 Mariner is the biggest hit so far with a record of a colossal 97 percent sales last month! With these overwhelming feedbacks from customers, it also helped its relative crossovers from Ford, Lincoln and Mercury which experienced a sales record of 83 percent on the month of June. It was the segment’s largest sales so far! With the help of the 2008 Mariner, a lot of new customers are easily paying attention to Ford and Lincoln Mercury models as well. A job well-done once again for the Mariner!

From the three automotive research sites which I mentioned above, I gathered some of the customer’s feedbacks about the 2008 Mercury Mariner. Let’s all find out how crazy they are for this all-new designed ride:

My Mariner - “I love the stylish look of this SUV. For 2 months we shopped for small to mid-size SUVs and we narrowed it down to three choices: this vehicle, Honda CRV and Jeep Liberty. The ride of this vehicle had it all over the other two options. I actually see peoples’ heads turn when I drive by to look at my ride. I originally opted to get this vehicle in black – but once I saw the vivid red it was all over. It is also spacious and roomy and I like the placement of all the controls, too.” [posted by Judi in Ohio on autos.msn.com/]

Great Small SUV - “The handling is quick and responsive. The interior noise is very low, even at highway speeds. The leather/suede seats are very comfortable and cooler/warmer than all leather. The dashboard is very easy to read with the ice blue lighting and the controls are easy to reach. The center console has as much room as larger SUVs. The Mercury Mariner Premier is very comfortable and easy to drive. I would recommend buying it to anyone.” [posted by David from Mesa, Ariz., on autos.msn.com/]

Wow - “This hybrid is awesome. I bought it for my wife. I find that I am trying to find ways to get the keys from her hands. This Mariner is just fun to drive and well appointed. Everything about it is just wow; definitely pleased! Plus the tax incentive will definitely help offset the cost. Must go drive and try out. If you can afford to spend a little more, it’s worth it!” [posted by Darwin on edmunds.com/]

Honda gives China More of its Original Cars

2007-07-19T19:37:00.000-07:00

The Honda Motor Corporation made an announcement that it would be the world’s first foreign automaker to make and to market vehicles under its original brand in China. The name of the new Honda brand in China was never revealed yet.

According to its President Takeo Fukui, they did not identify the new brand at present but it will be under Honda and would be holding a new name. This new brand of Honda will start to operate in 2010, as Honda president told the Tokyo News.

Honda has a joint venture with another car brand in China. The venture is the Guangzhou Honda Automobile Corporation. The company has established with more than $246 million in research and development subsidiary in Guangzhou City in China which is also known as the Canton. The news came out from the Kyodo News service.

Fukui revealed that its R&D subsidiary which is to be located at the same compound will be covering more than two square miles and will also have a scale test course. He also added that as soon as China approved the joint venture, the new brand will start producing engines for the company.

Other Honda production plants in China still has car parts made for the Japanese auto maker. Car parts includes various vehicle odds and ends like the brake pad.

The World Awaits For The Coming Of The New Rossion Q1

2007-07-16T21:15:00.000-07:00

What on earth is going on? What’s this fuss all about anyway? It seems like everybody’s getting ready for the second coming… Oh I see, it’s the return of the Noble M400 as the all-new Rossion Q1 that’s why. Now that really makes a lot of sense! The production of the outgoing M400 was allowed to continue. The Q1 does 0-60 mph in 3.2 seconds and can finish a distance of a quarter mile in just 11.4 seconds with an ultimate top speed of 185mph. Now that is super - to the max! The manually manufactured car will be on sale in restricted numbers with a starting price of $90,700. Later this year, the first distribution of the Q1 will begin.

Dean Rosen, the VP of Rossion, said, “The Q1 is about achieving the very highest possible levels of performance and blending them with luxurious touches". It basically comes down to the following: 450hp with 400ft lbs torque weighing in at 2500lbs combined with satellite navigation, hand stitched interior and high grade sound system amongst others.

The worldwide debut of the new supercar Rossion Q1 was proudly announced by Rossion Automotive. The move into production for this exceptional ride commenced after 1G Racing obtained both the intellectual and design rights earlier this February for the Noble M400 and M12 stands. On the other hand, extra stressing the performance areas that made Noble platforms an electrifying success, the new Rossion Q1 comes along with dramatic design and a comfortably sophisticated interior. This was packed to the Q1 to create a all-around supercar that could easily captivate people on the road as effortlessly as it can work its way on the race tracks.

“We are extremely proud to launch the Rossion brand with the introduction of the new Q1,” says Rossion Automotive Vice President Dean Rosen. “The Q1 is about achieving the very highest possible levels of performance and blending them with luxurious touches traditionally absent from cars of this caliber. The Rossion Q1 is for the enthusiast looking for a refined road car that pushes the limits of performance in every way.”

Mercedes Benz Internet TV

2007-07-11T17:37:00.000-07:00

What’s the latest and hottest stuff today? Can you give me one? Is it those Ford Ranger parts, the Subaru WRX parts or what? I know these auto parts are cool but there’s more interesting stuff that we should all be discussing right now. It’s the Mercedes Benz internet TV!

The Mercedes-Benz owned internet television broadcasting service will formally launch this coming July 12, 2007 and it will be integrated with the most colorful happening in Berlin - a live report from the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week! Broadcast of the “Mercedes-Benz TV” will be aired in German and English and the people behind this plans to set brand new standards for online brand communication. There are a lot of services rendered by the Internet TV. One the services feature is a weekly news magazine that will be hosted by a society reporter from RTL television network - Tanja Butler. The launching will include a program which will last for only twenty minutes and will feature news, facts, background information from the magnificent world of Mercedes-Benz. The site will cater on internet viewers with a selection of five Web channels which includes sports, lifestyle, engines, cars, history and legends and innovation.

“Mercedes-Benz TV opens up a new and very emotional communication channel for our customers and anyone interested in the brand,” says Dr. Olaf Goettgens, the Vice President for Brand Communications of Mercedes-Benz Passenger Cars. “Our Internet television service sets new standards in terms of content and design, while using video images to convey the fascination and legends that surround the brand with the star.”

Mercedes-Benz Internet TV will go along with the launching of the weekly magazine at eight in the evening on July 12 as well. It will be presented with a special primetime live presentation from Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Berlin entitled “Power Meets Passion”. The major highlight of the evening is the appearance and participation of celebrities and race car drivers Lewis Hamilton and Klaus Ludwig. The two racing superstars will take a spin on both vintage and brand-new Mercedes-Benz vehicles in a course set up between Brandenburg Gate and the Victory Column.

Cars.com released their 2007 Top Ten Car Movies

2007-07-09T22:02:00.000-07:00

We are all used to receiving yearly information about the top ten car movies as it is released annually by cars.com. Now, the top ten car movies of 2007 are released on the theautochannel.com once again.

All the favorites cars whether old or new which appeared on the big screen are included on the top ten car movies list of 2007. As usual, the previous year’s number one still remains to be on top. Yes, I am referring to the Back to the Future’s DeLorean DMC-12. There are three new car entries this year but the six car movies from lists past are still on the list.

"When we came up with our list of Top 10 Movie Cars last summer, we had no idea our readers would be so passionate about their favorite car films. With 'Transformers' arriving on the big screen, we revisited our list - listening to last year's reader feedback - and determined once again which cars deserved to make the top 10. Some cars were able to hold on to their spots, while others were shuffled to make room for more-worthy contenders. With 'Speed Racer' hitting the big screen next year, expect another round of evaluation,” the managing editor of the Cars.com, Patrick Olsen, informs.

Here are the Car Movies with the Car models included on the Top Ten list of Car Movies in 2007.

No. 1: 1981 DeLorean DMC-12, (Back to the Future)
No. 2: 1977 Pontiac Trans Am, (Smokey and the Bandit)

No. 3: 1961 Ferrari 250 GT, (Ferris Bueller's Day Off)

No. 4: 1964 Aston Martin DB5, (Goldfinger)

No. 5: 1968 Ford Mustang GT 390, (Bullitt)

No. 6: 1976 AMC Pacer, (Wayne's World)

No. 7: 1932 Ford coupe, (American Graffiti)

No. 8: 1974 Dodge Monaco, (The Blues Brothers)

No. 9: 1959 Cadillac Ambulance, (Ghostbusters)

No. 10: 2003 Mini Cooper S, (The Italian Job)

The 1981 DeLorean DMC-12 of “Back to the Future” remained to be on top this year. It was followed by the 1977 Pontiac Trans Am, "Smokey and the Bandit" which is new on the Car Movies list. On the third rank was the last years number two, the 1961 Ferrari 250 GT, "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" while the fourth spot was snitched by the non-mover 1964 Aston Martin DB5, "Goldfinger" also last years number four. While the last year's sixth 1968 Ford Mustang GT 390, "Bullitt" owns the fifth position this year.

Ferrari 430 Challenge Stradale Back to Black

2007-07-05T00:44:00.001-07:00

Okay fine. You have seen the black Ferrari 430 Challenge Stradale already and so what? I am only excited about its revelation. Hmmm… I can smell the black paint on its exterior from here. No just kidding. I am only excited on the new features that the new black car will have, well of course, as promised by the auto maker. We all knew about the upgrades done to the previous F430 which was enhanced by the availability of the 360 Modena. However, the new model has a stripped weight and added with a few more horses before it is finally revealed to get that real time hotter ride.

If you can recall, the new Ferrari 430 Challenge Stradale will be stripping off an additional 100 kg. This means that the auto makers will carve off some non-essential car parts and replace it with a sheet-metal with carbon-fiber body panels. Aside from these retunes, the car will also receive more horses this time. A huge 20 units of horsepower will be given to the new car as well as a new exhaust system placed on the tips which is higher than the rear panel - something that looks like the current 360 CS.

The pictures that are now circulating the net feature the latest tune up that the new 430 CS test mule has. The test mule was spotted on the Nurburgring showing a new skin with a revised front end that basically looks like flared nostrils with a track that has obviously been given a more wide body over the F430’s broad-shoulders. The new Ferrari will be seen on the upcoming Frankfurt auto show this September. Although only a few parts of its exterior have been altered, the Italian car maker promises a better fine tuning car to come.

Meanwhile, if you are looking for the best quality Subaru auto parts, Subaru aftermarket parts and Subaru Baja parts, online stores are just on the net so you could easily purchase these car parts you need.

Chrysler and Ford Teamed Up for the Enact National Climate Change Legislation

2007-06-30T01:04:00.001-07:00

This news is more dazzling than your Mercedes Benz taillights so you better listen to this because this is significant. The Chrysler Group and the Ford Motor Company have teamed up as the newest addition to the second expansion of the United States Climate Action Partnership (USCAP). In les than six months, the group enlisted 23 of the world’s largest companies and six of the most respected and prominent non-government organizations to their line-up of members. The broad cross-section division embodied by USCAP is being praised by the newest members. It is also a strengthened call for the federal government to promptly act out legislations that comprises of the mandatory decrease of greenhouse gas emissions.

"We are pleased to join USCAP at a critical stage in the conversation on climate change, energy consumption and environmental protection. We all recognize it is time for action. Ford has long supported the six major principles of USCAP, including recognizing the importance of technology and the need to be environmentally effective. We have been actively developing a range of advanced technology vehicles to address the climate change issue," said Alan Mulally, the President and CEO of the Ford Motor Company.

"Now is the time for advancing a national approach to climate change where all of us - individuals, industry and government - take action toward reducing emissions of greenhouse gases," added Tom LaSorda, the President and CEO for the Chrysler Group. "We are proud to be an active member with USCAP in the development of climate policy that addresses energy use and emissions from all sectors of the U.S. economy, and ultimately drives increased energy efficiency. And we look forward to working with the USCAP members in formulating a system to control greenhouse gas emissions in a way that not just addresses the supply of energy-efficient products and commodities, but also spurs demand for them."

Last January, the USCAP issued its solutions-based report. A blueprint for an economy-wide has been laid-out titled “A Call for Action” and this is a market driven cap-and- trade program. The recommendations represented in the report are based on the following six key principles:

Account for the global dimensions of climate change;
Recognize the importance of technology;
Be environmentally effective;
Create economic opportunity and advantage;
Be fair to sectors disproportionately impacted; and,
Recognize and encourage early action.

Ford/AAA National Auto Repair Crown Won by California Students

2007-06-28T00:07:00.000-07:00

It was a battle to the very end as 50 two-person teams fought it out to be the winner of the 2007 Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills National Finals at the Ford World Headquarters yesterday. The California students rose to the occasion led by two fresh graduates of San Luis Obispo High School of San Luis Obispo, California - Austin Castro and Daniel Lehmkuhl. The two managed to accurately diagnose and repair their Ford Fusion in a span of forty-nine minutes and six seconds.

Before executing a job well-done, Castro and Lehmkuhl underwent months of preparation before mastering the task. They were assisted by Daniel Lehmkuhl’s father, Jeff Lehmkuhl. The hard work was all worth it as the two young men took home thousands of dollars in prizes and a privilege to study at the nation’s top auto technology schools for free. Ford and AAA gave out more than $6 million in prizes to all the participants who attended the said event.

"Daniel and Austin today proved to be the best of the best high school automotive technicians in the United States," said Allan Stanley, the manager of Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills. "These auto-savvy teens typify the determination and work ethic of all 100 finalists. It's essential to the motoring public that the automotive industry attract such driven and dedicated young men and women to keep America's vehicles operating safely and trouble free."

The top ten teams in the 2007 Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills Competition:

1st Place - California, Austin Castro and Daniel Lehmkuhl. Instructor: Jeff Lehmkuhl. San Luis Obispo High School, San Luis Obispo.
2nd Place - Michigan, Alex Dobroy and Zachary Hastings. Instructor: Tim Timoszyk. Saline High School, Saline.
3rd Place - Colorado, Eric Hess and Christopher Wu. Instructor: Brad Wheaton. Doherty High School, Colorado Springs.
4th Place - North Carolina. Evan Martin and Kyle Wishlinski. Instructor: Martin Page. Lake Norman High School, Mooresville.
5th Place - Virginia. Douglas Dunn and Gaetano Guiffre. Instructor: Scott Freeman. Fauquier High School, Warrenton.
6th Place - Ohio. Michael George and William Hrabowy. Instructor: Dave Gillies. Trumbull Career & Technical Center, Warren.
7th Place - Oklahoma. Jesse Cobb and Christopher Johnson. Instructor: Randy Henderson. Mid America Technology Center, Wayne.
8th Place - Massachusetts. Daniel Svizzero and Nicholas Wood. Instructor David Haskins. South Shore Vocational Technical High School, Hanover.
9th Place - Oregon. Levi Tolman and Chase Williams. Instructor Merle Saunders. Vale High School, Vale.
10th Place - Hawaii. Brandon Sato and Dustin Texeira. Instructor: Neill Nakamura. Maui High School, Kahului.

2007 Top Summer Vehicles: Fuel Efficient and Affordable

2007-06-24T23:37:00.001-07:00

With the ever increasing gas prices, don’t ask if you’ve noticed most car buyers searching online. What they are doing is they are trying to look for vehicles that are fuel-efficient and at the same affordable and within their means.

It is their philosophy that an individual shouldn't take safety, pleasure, and, of course, comfort for granted to be able to save fuel. Since I was able to research information on this issue from NADAguides.com (which I did along with my research about Volvo OEM parts), I’m going to share it with you. Present on that article are a list of vehicle that attributes two important qualities - fuel efficient and affordable. The following cars were named:

Latest Hybrid - 2007 Toyota Prius
MSRP: $22,175
The 2007 Toyota Prius is a four-door five-passenger gas/electric hybrid car power-driven by a 1.5-liter 4-cylinder 110 horsepower gasoline engine attached with a battery-powered electric motor. The Prius attains 60 MPG for city and 51 MPG for highway as based from EPA estimation. The Prius offers bigger passenger and cargo room and boosts safety features.

Latest Convertible - 2007 Mazda MX-5 Miata
MSRP: $20,585
Aside from the stylish design, the fast-revving engine and its unbelievable handling, the Mazda MX-5 has what it takes to be included on the list. It also has a reasonably priced price tag and has great fuel economy. It is accessible with a retractable hardtop and features 166 horsepower with the automatic transmission, side airbags and ABS brakes.

Latest Truck - 2007 Ford Ranger
MSRP: $13,970
Brand, excellent style, reasonable price, and fuel efficient. What more can you ask for?

Latest SUV - 2007 Jeep Compass
MSRP: $20,175
The 2007 Jeep Compass completes its status for its outstanding fuel economy rating (24 city/27 highway). Plus, it also comes with a long list of standard equipment and safety features, a 172 horsepower 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine, ABS brakes and traction/antiskid control. No wonder it is considered as one of the best in the SUV segment.

Latest Minivan - 2007 Honda Odyssey
MSRP: $25,645
The 2007 Honda Odyssey features a 244 horsepower 3.5-liter V6 engine and ample comfort and convenience features like cruise control, keyless entry and a variety of power controls. It also has front, side-body and side-head airbags, ABS brakes and traction control.

Hmmm… seems that with my extra money I’ll be able to buy a new Volvo car cover and maybe even one of these special ones sometime soon! To know more about those aforementioned fuel-efficient and affordable cars, just log onto http://www.nadaguides.com.

Top 10 Driving Mistakes Teenagers Make

2007-06-22T00:35:00.001-07:00

After I placed my order for some of the Saturn accessories for my sister’s newly purchased car, I decided to work on with my newest articles that I will be submitting tomorrow morning to my boss to one of the publications I used to contribute on.

Since people are used to surf on the net rather than reading publications, I decided to post it here also on this blog. This article has something to do with the top ten driving mistakes committed by teenagers and the best new cars for teenage drivers as according to Cars.com in collaboration with DriversEd.com.

Cars.com is considered to be the most wide-ranging source for those who are looking to buy or sell a new or used car. It offers consumers the finest varieties of the latest and used cars online, as well as the content, tools and recommendations. DriversEd.com, on the other hand, is America's leading online driver education resource and solution site. They offer abundant interactive, comprehensive courses -all online.

Back to the main topic of the article, according to Gary Tsifrin, the DriversEd.com founder, "There are a number of factors that lead to an increase in accidents for teen drivers, including inexperience, dealing with emergency situations, distracted driving and the inclination to show off for friends. By recognizing these common mistakes, we hope that teenagers will be able to avoid the risks associated with being a teenager behind the wheel."

Here are the most common mistakes stated by Cars.com and DriversEd.com which are committed by teenagers:
1. Being distracted behind the wheel
2. Taking too many risks
3. Speeding
4. Overcrowding the car
5. Driving under the influence
6. Following too closely
7. Driving unbuckled
8. Not being able to handle emergencies
9. Driving drowsy
10. Choosing the wrong car and not maintaining it

Oh my God, it seems that I have to check all my car parts including the Saturn engine mount then. That way, I could perhaps do away with unexpected circumstances, although I don’t consider myself a teenager anymore.

Anyway, to you teenagers out there, don’t worry because Cars.com has something for you. They’ve given a number of new car recommendations for teen drivers which have been categorized using safety, price, size, and reliability as points.

Top new-car picks for teens:
Cars:
Chevrolet Impala
Honda Civic
Honda Fit
Mazda3
Mazda MX-5 (Miata) convertible
Mini Cooper
Scion tC
Subaru Impreza
Toyota Corolla
Volvo S40

SUVs:
Hyundai Tucson
Toyota RAV4
Subaru Forester

Pickups:
Nissan Frontier Crew Cab
Toyota Tacoma Double Cab

Two Awards for Service Parts Distribution Excellence Given to Volvo Cars North America

2007-06-16T00:43:00.001-07:00

Volvo Cars North America or the VCNA has been recognized as the number one automotive parts distribution network in the United States recently. Over 14,000 parts managers were surveyed by Carlisle and Company that embodies nineteen automotive brands across America to verify the companies that displayed great performance.

"Being selected as top performer has been one of our long term objectives, actually since 1992. We started with a rather good system and have systematically improved it over the years. Today our total service parts network is focused on delivering the right part, at the right time, every time... we strive for perfection," according to Robert Deutsch, the North American Parts Manager for VCNA.

The award title is Service Parts Supply Chain Fulfillment which is a part of VCNA’s representation of a long standing objective to satisfy customers in all aspects of vehicle ownership knowledge.

"Today, the new car sales experience is just the first touch for customers visiting Volvo retailers. Ownership expectations, and of course meeting those demands, are key to having repeated new car sales," states Deutsch. "Our whole parts organization should take credit for this achievement. Without a collective effort and holding to our long standing objective of end service to the customer, this award would not have been possible."

"Volvo was the only automotive manufacturer to be recognized for superior total Parts distribution processes," Deutsch furthermore expresses. "Our global approach is based on Volvo Cars, Sweden's unique approach of handling functions that best done centrally and of allowing in-country markets to be a local extension of the total logistics system. We have an extremely good supply structure that is both global and local at the same time.”

The Volvo Car Corporation of Gothenburg, Sweden has been recognized as one of the top three Best Practice Leaders for Global Supply Chain Fulfillment. Carlisle and Company has evaluated each business’s global approach to supply chain management.

For 80 long years, Volvo has built cars with the most efficient and reliable safety system. The latest 2007 model lineup of Volvo cars includes: the award-winning new S40 and its wagon counterpart the V50; the award-winning XC90; the sporty S60 sedan - including the award-winning performance sedan - S60 R and the performance wagon version - V70 R; the versatile V70 wagon and rugged XC70 (Cross Country); the new Volvo C70 - the convertible with the innovative retractable hardtop, and the all-new Volvo S80.

Lewis Hamilton Won Canadian GP for McLaren

2007-06-12T23:14:00.001-07:00

The Canadian Grand Prix! What can I say - it was the best earth-trembling event after the Monaco GP. Everyone was surprised when the race ended in a dramatic fashion. Well, I nearly forgot to purchase a Mercedes alternator because of too much concentration on the race. Man! It was really exciting!

It wasn’t exactly a surprise when Vodafone McLaren Mercedes F1 Racing team won at the Canadian GP - it was Lewis Hamilton who shocked the world by leading team McLaren to victory! Hamilton was the first black F1 race driver to notch the top spot in a major event such as the Canadian Grand Prix. Lewis Hamilton was victorious with 4.3 seconds ahead of Nick Heidfield and Alexander Wuz.

Here are the thoughts shared by Lewis Hamilton after he won his first ever F1 Racing victory in the Canadian Grand Prix at Montreal, Canada: "I'm on another planet after this - I simply can't find the words to describe what it feels like to win my first Formula 1 race. The team has done a fantastic job and I'm so happy to be part of the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes family. I made an OK start off the line - nothing spectacular but managed to get a good exit out of the first corner and whilst mayhem was happening around me I was able to keep my cool and focus. Obviously I'm pleased that my good friend Robert is OK after his accident. It seemed like every time I opened up a bit of a gap the Safety Car came out and I had to start all over again. It was only a few laps from the end I realized that victory was within my grasp and I started noticing things like the fans cheering and when I crossed the finishing line it was amazing. I now have to stay focused and keep up the good work. It's been an incredible start to my Formula 1 career so far but I know there is a tough season ahead of us. Finally thanks to the entire team at McLaren and Mercedes-Benz for all the hard work they have put into the car - it's an absolute pleasure to drive and be part of such a winning combination."

What Makes Up the Porsche Cayenne Turbo

2007-06-08T22:47:00.000-07:00

I have been looking the parts like an OEM Porsche oil filter for my old Porsche car. It’s been with me for like 11 years now. The old car has been malfunctioning since it was old so I guess it does not need a car part replacement. I guess I need a new car for myself. Of course, I will buy a Porsche car.

I was a little curious about the Porsche Cayenne Turbo. I’ve seen it several times on the net. And I guess the car is the exact auto that I need. According to the car maker, they have filled the new vehicle with amazing features that will definitely give its users that 100% comfort and driving performance. Well, of course, for Porsche, comfort and entertainment is a must. It has the BOSE sound system, PCM and rear seats entertainment that will not bore your passengers. The seats are all covered with leather so you’ll feel the comfort while driving (or riding). It is also equipped with safety standard features like airbags, seat belts and the Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) for the kid’s safety.

I had the chance to visit Porsche.com this morning and I found this standard features list from the official site of Porsche. Here, take a closer look at the standard features of that beautiful automobile.

Standard features of the Porsche Cayenne Turbo:

Exterior

Underbody paneling
Enlarged rear spoiler integrated into the tailgate.
Black, high gloss tailgate trim.
Rear window of tailgate may be opened separately and via remote control.
Exterior trim covers in brushed aluminum.
Brushed aluminum roof rails.
Exhaust system with 4 matte silver finished tailpipes integrated in lower tail section.
Nose section with enlarged air inlets and black louvered grill.
Tail section with diffuser appearance and integrated dual tailpipes.
Dark tinted glass on rear window and rear side windows.

Body

Length 188.8 inches (4,795 mm)
Width 76 inches (1,928 mm)
Height 66.7 inches (1,694 mm) at Normal level
Wheelbase 112.4 inches (2,855 mm)
Drag Coefficient (Cd) 0.35
Curb Weight 5,192 lbs. (2,355 kg)

Capacities

Luggage Compartment Volume 19 cubic feet (540 liters); 63 cubic feet (1,770 liters) with the rear seats folded
Fuel Tank 26.4 gallons (100 l)

I guess in need to start saving up more bucks starting today so next months I’ll have the car in my garage. And ask me about my old Porsche car? I will not junk it – I’ll keep it as a collector’s item. I still have a huge space in my garage for it.

2007 Kia Sportage: Comfort and Versatility in One Compact SUV

2007-06-05T23:57:00.000-07:00

Surprise, surprise! Kia presents their new compact SUV! Built with style, comfort, and an awesome performance. But the best of all is that it is one versatile vehicle! The Sportage will absolutely fit the lifestyle you really love.

The Sportage comes with a 4-cylinder engine with a 28 mpg fuel efficiency and a more powerful V6 unit is available. The 2007 Kia Sportage provides the comfort and fun-drive experience without sacrificing the capability of an off-road vehicle. Now that’s versatility!

The 2007 Sportage has earned a 5-star crash safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Administration (NHTSA). Thanks to the safety features of this vehicle, this ride is considered as one of the safest vehicles today.

Here are some of the best features from the 2007 Kia Sportage which I got from their site www.kia.com while trying to search for Volvo S70 parts and Volvo park lights.

Exterior & interior features

16” tires w/alloy wheels
4-speed automatic transmission
Power tilt/sliding sunroof
Dual power mirrors (black)
Dual power heated mirrors (body color)
Multi-reflector headlights
Integrated roof rails
Body-color side cladding/fender flares
Rear privacy glass
Rear split-hatch liftgate w/flip-open glass
Front-end/fuel-tank skid plates
AM/FM/CD Stereo w/6 speakers
AM/FM/Cassette/MP3/CD stereo w/6 speakers
Power windows w/one-touch driver’s express down
Power door locks w/two-turn entry system
Remote keyless entry w/panic alarm

Dual front advanced airbags
Dual front seat-mounted side airbags
Full-length side curtain airbags
Front & rear 3-point seat belts
Front seat-belt pretensioners w/force limiters
Height-adjustable front seat-belt anchors
4-wheel disc brakes
4-wheel ABS brakes
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
Traction Control System (TCS)
Side-impact door beams
Tire-Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
Lower Anchors & Tethers for Children (LATCH)
Rear child-safety door locks

The Fiat Multipla MY

2007-06-01T00:55:00.000-07:00

Cars, cars and cars! We’ll never run out of topics because everyday, we are getting a lot of feed from the auto industry - and it’s raining cars! We are so astonished by all the cars built this year and we can’t help ourselves but to crave for these cars. From one of my newly discovered cool cars, I want to share something about a vehicle from Fiat. It’s the Fiat Multipla! I spent some time last night studying this car before I went on with my usual routine which is cleaning my Nissan grille and Nissan car covers.

Actually, I don’t have any idea what Multipla means. All I know is that the root word is multi which I think means “many”. Anyway, one name or another, Fiat cars are cuter than ever! The Multipla was built with creativity, originality and with self confidence. I know you’re wondering why - just take a look at this vehicle and you’ll know what they’re trying to say. If you’re going to ask me, the Fiat Multipla is a total head turner! It seems to be a small car but when you get inside, you’ll feel the enormous space provided with six identical seats assembled in two rows. The Multipla is the first ever 3+3 car on its array of models.

A fresh and a brand new look was conferred to the new Multipla MY, expressing an amiable and friendly personality! Built with its very own extraordinary style and a 3+3 seat solution, this vehicle is probably the most unique in its section.

The chrome-shadow radiator grille makes the Multipla distinctive from any other car. The transparent bottom part of the front headlights is the main highlight of its details with an impressive technological aspect of all the genuine design objects. The Multipla promises to give new car buyers a unique driving experience with the comfort provided by its awesome features. “Go and Multipla!”

The All-New 2007 Civic Si Sedan: Drive and Love It

2007-05-29T00:14:00.000-07:00

Wildness and practicality is a weird and rare combination! But in the all-new Honda Civic Si sedan, both of these attributes coexist! Oh yeah, it’s kinda bizarre but it’s the coolest characteristic of a car as far as I can see. Believe when I say that the Civic Si has it all because it does have the quality every practical feature that even the most conservative to the wildest wild buyers are looking for. This is the car worth falling for - drive it and love it!

Let me show you some of the reasons why this car is loveable, practical and pretty wild, too! And by the way, I have compared this car’s parts to Volvo C70 parts and Nissan accessories yesterday, but it seems like the Honda Civic Si sedan’s materials are quite unique from any other car. What can I say? It’s incomparable and I love it! Check this out!

These are just a few of the several features of the Civic Si. Just the appetizer - wait until you get a served with the main course!

12-volt power outlet for the front and center console
Air conditioning with air-filtration system
Aluminum shift knob with leather
Beverage holders for the front and rear
Cargo area light
Center console with sliding armrest and storage compartment
Coin tray
Cruise control
Driver's and front passenger's vanity mirrors
Driver's gootrest
Floor mats
Front door-pocket storage bins
Headlights-on reminder
Honda satellite-linked navigation system with voice recognition
Map lights
Passenger-side seatback pocket
Perforated leather-wrapped steering wheel
Power door locks with auto-lock feature
Power windows with auto-up/down driver's window
Rear window defroster with timer
Rear-seat armrest
Rear-seat heater ducts
Red ambient console lighting
Remote fuel filler door release
Remote trunk release with lock
Satin-finish door-handle pulls
Steering wheel-mounted controls - Cruise/Audio/Navi
Textured aluminum pedals
Tilt and telescopic steering column

Toyota FJ Cruiser: Definitely the Best SUV of 2007

2007-05-23T23:48:00.001-07:00

I never had second thoughts that the Toyota FJ Cruiser will be crowned as the best SUV for this year! According to the votes and survey conducted by ReviewCars.com, the FJ Cruiser is the apple of the eye to almost all car enthusiasts and buyers. And there’s no doubt about that! How I wish my vehicle had the same car parts as the FJ Cruiser. But I still love my Nissan car with its cool Nissan bumper and Nissan steering racks. So here’s the stuff you can get from ReviewCars.com’s SUV of the year 2007!

Exterior features

17-in. 6-spoke aluminum alloy wheels with P265/70R17 tires and full size spare (exterior rear door mount)
17-in. black steel wheels with P265/70R17 tires and full size spare (exterior rear door mount)
Black bumpers with metallic silver trim
Black overfenders with integrated mudguards
Multi-reflector halogen headlamps
Rear hatch glass window with release lever
Rear window defogger with intelligent timer
Silver painted mirrors
Two full doors and two access doors with silver trim door handles
Two-tone exterior color (color-keyed body with white roof top)
Washer-linked variable intermittent windshield wipers

Interior features

AM/FM 6-disc in-dash CD changer, MP3/WMA playback capability and eight speakers
AM/FM 6-disc in-dash CD changer, MP3/WMA playback capability and nine speakers (includes subwoofer with off switch)
AM/FM CD player, MP3/WMA playback capability and six speakers
Analog instrument meters with backlit white surface area on tachometer, speedometer, fuel, temp and volt meters
Defroster-linked air conditioning
Digital clock
Dual sun visors
Exterior color-keyed center instrument panel trim
Fabric-trimmed 4-way manual adjustable passenger seat with seatback pocket
Fabric-trimmed 60/40 split rear seats with tumble/removable bottom cushion and fold-down seatback
Fabric-trimmed 8-way manual adjustable driver’s seat with armrest
Flat dash panels with pipe-like structure with silver instrument panel trim
Four assist grips (two A-pillars, two above front doors)
Four cup holders (center console) and 2 bottle holders (access doors)
Four map pockets (one per door)
Power windows and door locks
Rubber-type floor and deck mat
Tilt 3-spoke steering wheel with silver trim
Water-resistant seats with adjustable headrest in each position

Safety features

3-point Automatic/Emergency Locking Retractor (ALR/ELR) seatbelts in all outboard and second-row center seating positions (driver’s belt is ELR only)
Center high-mount stop lamp (CHMSL)
Child Restraint System (CRS) top tether anchors and ISO-FIX lower anchor points
Daytime Running Lights (DRL)
Driver and front passenger dual stage airbags
Driver and front passenger front seat-mounted side airbags and front- and second-row side curtain airbags
Driver and front passenger seatbelt pretensioners with force limiters
Driver and front passenger seatbelt warning with buzzer
Rear Intuitive Parking Assist
Side-impact door beams
Star Safety SystemTM - includes Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) + Traction Control (TRAC), 4-wheel Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), and Brake Assist

Engine

239 hp @ 5200 rpm
278 lb.-ft. @ 3700 rpm
Drivetrain Rear-wheel 2WD or part-time 4WD for automatic transmission models; full-time 4WD for manual transmission models; automatic limited-slip differential (2WD model)
Engine: 4.0-liter DOHC 24-valve SFI VVT-i V6
Ignition Electronic, with Toyota Direct Ignition System(TDIS)
Transmission 5-speed electronically controlled automatic overdrive (ECT); 6-speed manual (full-time 4WD model)

2007 Toyota Sienna: Sanctuary of Interior and Exterior Elegance

2007-05-22T00:58:00.001-07:00

I’ve got nothing to work on today. I just finished fixing my Nissan spark plug wire. And it’s too easy studying Nissan engines and all other stuff that’s why I had some spare time studying some of Toyota’s latest models.

From their selection of latest vehicles, I tried to evaluate the 2007 Sienna. And you know what, that vehicle surprised me a lot! I mean, I never knew such car would have anything so special on its features. Try to check out its awesome exterior and interior features, and I’m sure you’ll be amazed too. The Sienna is one of Toyota’s variants that embody the real meaning of sophistication, practicality and space - all in just one family minivan. A perfect fit for all families in today’s modern world.

Here are the complete exterior and interior features of the 2007 Toyota Sienna:

Exterior

16-in. 6-spoke aluminum alloy wheels with P215/65R16 tires
16-in. steel wheels with full wheel covers with P215/65R16 tires
17-in. 7-spoke aluminum alloy wheels with P225/60R17 tires
Aerodynamic multi-reflector headlamps with auto-off feature
Auto on/off headlamps
Chrome accents on front grille, rear license plate garnish and body side moldings
Color-keyed bumpers, door handles and body side moldings
Color-keyed power folding, memory, heated outside mirrors with puddle lamps and turn-signal indicators
Color-keyed power heated outside mirrors
Color-keyed rear license plate garnish
Dual power sliding doors with power windows and power rear door
Dual power sliding doors with rear door electronic locking system
Dual sliding doors with power windows
Fog lamps
Foot pedal parking brake
Heavy-duty rear window defogger with timer
High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlamps with manual level control
High Solar Energy-Absorbing (HSEA) glass on windshield and driver and front passenger windows
Passenger-side power sliding door with driver-side sliding door and rear door electronic locking system
Power black outside mirrors
Power front disc/rear drum brakes
Power heated black outside mirrors
Power tilt/slide moonroof with sunshade
Privacy glass
Rear bumper protector
Rear disc brakes
Remote keyless entry system with confirmation tone
Roof rack
Tow Prep Package [4] -3500-lb. towing capacity with heavy-duty radiator, heavy-duty fan, 150-amp alternator and power steering oil cooler
Washer-linked variable intermittent front and intermittent rear windshield wipers

Interior

60/40 Split & Stow 3rd RowTM seat
6-way adjustable driver's and 4-way front passenger captain’s chairs with armrests and height-adjustable headrests in all seating positions
8-way power-adjustable driver’s and 4-way front passenger captain's chairs with height-adjustable headrests
8-way power-adjustable driver’s and 4-way front passenger power seats with height-adjustable headrests
8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with 2-person memory function and way front passenger power seat with height-adjustable headrests
Airbag, seatbelt, low-fuel level, door ajar, battery, maintenance, check engine, oil pressure, brake and ABS warning lights
AM/FM with 6-disc in-dash CD changer, satellite radio capability, MP3/WMA capability, six speakers and mast antenna
AM/FM with single-disc in-dash CD player, MP3/WMA capability, six speakers and mast antenna
Auto-dimming electrochromic power outside mirrors and inside rearview mirror
Automatic door locks
Auxiliary input jack
CD compartment
Chrome-accented transmission shift plate
Chrome-trimmed door handles and driver and front passenger air vents
Coin pocket and sunglasses holder
Cruise control
Day/night rearview mirror
Defroster-linked CFC-free front/rear air conditioning with separate rear control panel and air filter
Digital quartz clock
Door-mounted armrest storage compartment
Driver and front passenger sun visors with vanity mirror
Driver’s seat with manual adjustable lumbar support
Dual illuminated visor vanity mirrors
Dynamic Laser Cruise Control
Electric soft-touch rear door release
Five assist grips and four coat hooks
Folding tray table between front seats
Four bottle holders
Four map pockets
Front passenger seat under-seat storage bin
Front passenger seatback with fold-flat function
Garage door opener storage bin
Heated driver and front passenger seats with adjustable temperature control
Illuminated entry -includes front and rear personal lights located on all outboard seating positions, cargo area light and courtesy lights for front and sliding doors
JBL Synthesis® AM/FM with 4-disc in-dash CD changer, satellite radio capability, MP3/WMA capability, DVD navigation system [12] with backup camera, Bluetooth®, wireless technology, two in-glass antennas with FM diversity reception and ten speakers
JBL Synthesis® AM/FM with 6-disc in-dash CD changer, satellite radio capability, MP3/WMA capability, ten speakers and two in-glass antennas with FM diversity reception
Leather-trimmed interior
Leather-wrapped tilt/telescopic steering wheel with integrated audio controls
Leather-wrapped tilt/telescopic steering wheel with wood-grain-style trim and integrated audio controls
Manual second- and third-row window sunshades
Optitron meters with speedometer, tachometer, coolant temperature and fuel level gauges with light blue illumination; LCD odometer and twin tripmeter
Overhead console multi-information display with outside temperature, compass, current and average fuel consumption, fuel range and HomeLink®, universal transceiver
Overhead console with conversation mirror
Power folding/adjustable 60/40 Split & Stow 3rd RowTM seat
Power front and sliding door windows with retained-power feature
Rear privacy glass with power-operated rear quarter windows
Removable center console with storage
Removable second-row indexing seats with armrests (7-passenger models only)
Removable second-row modular seating with Front and CenterTM middle-seat feature (8-passenger models only)
Speedometer, tachometer, coolant temperature and fuel gauges with light blue illumination; LCD odometer and twin tripmeter
Steering wheel-integrated audio controls
Ten cup holders
Three 12V power outlets
Three-zone automatic climate control with push-button controls, individual temperature settings with air and odor filter for driver, front passenger and rear-seat passengers
Tilt/telescopic steering wheel
Two 115V outlets
Unique CE fabric-trimmed interior with silver-tone trim
Unique LE fabric-trimmed interior with silver-tone trim
Unique XLE fabric
Upper glove box and lockable lower glove box
Wood-grain-style interior trim

Miami Tops Rude Driver List... Again

2007-05-17T01:02:00.001-07:00

On its second year, Miami once again tops the chart of the Top Rude Drivers List. on this list, you would find Los Angeles and Boston also ranking high. Too bad - the rude Miami driver has the taken the state again to a worse reputation. The report was completed as part of a survey done with motorists as respondents. The completed report was released last Tuesday.

Motorists clearly informed that in Miami, some drivers are violently slamming their Chevy EBC brakes. Some even disclosed observing Miami drivers running the redlight and using their mobile phones while driving. This was according to an automobile membership club located at the Connecticut, the AutoVantage, that offers travel services and curb assistance.

Cities like Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, Boston and New York also joins the list where rude drivers are located. According to Erik Pinto, a resident of Miami, he had seen several motorists doing their bad habits on Miami’s road. "You don't want to know what I've seen. I've seen everything. I'm from L.A., and we don't see the crazy drivers that you see here,” according to the resident.

Both St. Louis and Portland, Ore., drivers are not noted to be abusive on the road according to the survey. But Minneapolis-St. Paul was the only noted city in the US to be the most courteous city in 2006.

The usual cause of rage in the survey is impatient motorists. But mostly are drivers who have poor skills in driving in a fast lane. However, there are also those whose rudeness come from driving while stressed, angry and frustrated.

"The best piece of advice is to take a deep breath. Slow down, be aware and be careful," Todd Smith from the AutoVantage said. This is maybe the best advice the spokesman will tell.

Here is the complete list of the cities where you can find the most rude drivers. Check it out:
1. Miami
2. New York
3. Boston
4. Los Angeles
5. Washington, D.C.
6. Phoenix
7. Chicago
8. Sacramento, Calif.
9. Philadelphia
10. San Francisco
11. Houston

Cigarette Smell - A Turn Off For Car Buyers

2007-05-15T00:57:00.001-07:00

Cigarette smoking is banned in most places of the US, we all know about it, right? And now, English smokers will also join Scotland and Wales on the No Smoking in Public advocacy. But before thinking about the environmental and health risks of smoking in public, cigarette smoking in a vehicle also affects the value of the car when it is sent out on sale.

The British Car Auctions (BCA), a leading auction company known to be the best seller of used cars and cars in auction, had warned most of the motorists that buyers are turned off by cigarette smell on cars. It literally devalues the car when it finally is put on sale.

The BCA’s PR Manager, Tim Naylor, said, “We have conducted research amongst a representative sample of top professional motor trade buyers on the main factors that influenced the price of used cars. While specification remains the strongest price indicator, presentation is the next most important factor.”

“Presentation is not just about how it looks, but how it smells! It’s another good reason for smokers to avoid lighting up in their car. This will avoid the lingering smell of cigarettes hanging in the interior as well as eliminate the risk of discolouring and leaving scorch marks in the ashtray or on upholstery. All of these things will put buyers off, even if they smoke themselves,” he also discloses.

Car buyers will always look for car with a clean and nicotine free interior. I mean if your head linings are stained with nicotine, car buyers might not choose the car you are trying to sell. Car buyers favor cars with an interior that looks like new and interiors that are in good condition. Of course, who would choose a car with Husky liners but yet is filled with nicotine stain? Or maybe a vehicle with Husky BMW floor mats as well as Weathertech mats that smells like an ash tray?

He also added, “With the smoking ban already in place in Wales and Scotland and soon to come into force in England, there are now thousands of ex-fleet vehicles in the marketplace that have never been smoked in. It means any car that has been heavily smoked is potentially at a disadvantage when it comes to be sold.”

Millions of cars are handled by the BCA every year, and from the large number, some cars are from fleets as well as leasing companies. Most of the owners are banning smoking inside the car. The rule was performed over the recent months.

Naylor continues, “Professional business sellers realised that they were losing money on vehicles they were selling that had been smoked in. At the end of the day, motorists buying a used car don’t want to be reminded of the previous owner every time they get behind the steering wheel. With smoking banned in enclosed spaces across Scotland and Wales, smokers would do well to maintain the ban in their car too. Keeping the car clean and fresh can help sellers boost the final sale price of their vehicle dramatically.”

Honda CR-V is top-selling SUV in the U.S.

2007-05-14T07:30:00.000-07:00

Looks like Honda is milking what it can from its very profitable small sport utility vehicle (SUV) segment.

Because many customers are now realizing that they can get by with something a little smaller and lot more fuel efficient than big SUVs like the Tahoe and Expedition, small SUV and crossover sales in the U.S. grew 15.2 percent through April to 893,441, while mid-size and large SUV sales fell 8.8 percent to 564,417 (according to Autodata Corp.)

In fact, according to a report by Bloomberg Honda Motor Co. is now seeking to boost supplies of its CR-V following a sales spurt that propelled the small sport-utility vehicle past Ford's Explorer to become the top-selling SUV in the U.S.

During the 1990s and into the first part of this decade the Ford Explorer dominated SUV sales charts with sales of 445,157 in 2000. In the last couple of years, however, Explorer sales have dropped from first to fourth on the sales charts. Last year, sales dived to 179,229 and it doesn’t look like there’s anything to stop the bleeding. This year, the numbers are down another twenty-three percent.

Compared to the seemingly dismal future of the Ford Explorer, things are definitely looking up for Honda as sales of the redesigned Honda CR-V are up forty-two percent so far this year. Not only that, the Honda CR-V has also jumped to the number one spot on the chart, followed by the Toyota RAV-4 and Ford Escape, with the new Ford Edge coming on strong as well. All are built on car chassis.

Now for the first time, Japan’s second-largest automaker has started importing extra units from Japan to supplement the main production facility in East Liberty Ohio.

Honda ``hit the market with pinpoint accuracy with the new CR-V in terms of design, styling, powertrain and fuel economy,'' said Michael Robinet, an industry analyst at CSM Worldwide Inc. in Farmington Hills, Michigan.

The CR-V is 15 inches shorter than the Explorer, 2 inches narrower and about 1,000 pounds lighter. The Honda averages 26.3 miles per gallon in combined city and highway driving; the Explorer gets 17.5. Add to that -- the CR-V is also priced less, with a base model ranging from $20,600 to $26,000, depending on options such as two-wheel- or four-wheel-drive. The Explorer's base price ranges from $25,995 to $32,400.

If the current pace holds, CR-V sales may exceed 180,000 this year, Honda spokesman Sage Marie said. That would be 13 percent more than Honda had planned and a record for an SUV made by an import brand.

Since March, Honda's East Liberty plant has built an average of 180 CR-Vs a day. It also assembles Element wagons and Civic cars, as well as other Honda Civic performance parts.

Honda also announced plans in March to assemble 50,000 CR-Vs a year in El Salto, Mexico, from kits made at East Liberty. Mexican production starts in September, Honda's Marie said. Half of the plant's output is to be sold in Mexico, with the rest destined for other Latin American markets and the U.S.

CR-Vs stay on a dealer's lot an average of just 12 days, compared with 28 days for a RAV4 and 68 days for Ford's Escape, according to J.D. Power and Associates.

Online Consumers Love the 2007 Lincoln MKX

2007-05-10T23:38:00.000-07:00

It is considered that online marketing and advertising is one of the most powerful and influential media. Pre-selling and marketing of products is easier and it helps consumers pick the right product suited for them or it helps them to further evaluate a certain product and see its advantages and disadvantages.

Seventy seven percent of new car buyers depend on online resources in search for their aspired vehicle. Just like what I did last year when I planned to buy a new car. I looked for help from the net and it gave me the chance to pick the best car suited for me!

In the 2007 Lincoln MKX’s case, online consumers has discovered beauty and elegance in this vehicle making it a hit on new car buyers online. Who could resist the charm of this car? All of them gave their compliments and praises for the MKX and I myself is convinced that it’s a superb vehicle! I discovered this when I was purchasing Volvo plugs and Volvo shocks online yesterday.

Here are six out of hundred comments posted by online consumers about the gorgeous 2007 Lincoln MKZ. You can view all posted comments and forums on Yahoo! Autos or log in to http://media.ford.com for more information.

Great Style, Ride and Price - “I have had Infiniti sedans for over 10 years and was extremely satisfied with all of them but wanted a SUV. I have been looking since last December at crossovers. I looked at the (Infiniti) FX35, Lexus, Acura and Cadillac, in addition to the MKX. Lincoln has the best by far. Price is outstanding and it is very comfortable to ride in and drive. There is a lot of room in the back seat and it is easy to access. We finally bought a MKX today but have to wait for it to come in from another dealer. My local dealer can't keep them on the premises more than a day or two.” Shared by Tallielassie from FL.

Watch Out, Lexus - “I compared the ( Lincoln) MKX to Lexus, Mazda CX-9, GMC’s Acadia, and Toyota’s Highlander and found this vehicle clearly superior. Its style, features, drivability, and appearance are top notch. Craftsmanship is on a par with any high end vehicle. Never thought I (would) own a Lincoln but this is more than an excellent switch from our Tahoe. Love the tailgate, heated and cooled seats, panoramic sun roof and the awesome sound system.” Shared by Bill from SC.

Overall Best Value Compared to (Infiniti) FX35, Lexus RX - “I have no problem running errands or the hour commute to the office now, kick back select a SIRIUS jazz station and relax! I have 450 miles on the car now and no issues! My wife drives a Honda and is now asking for my keys all the time!” Shared by Randy from Alpharetta, GA.

American Luxury That’s Affordable and Looks HOT - “If this is the direction of the new Lincolns then I’m impressed. The MKX is very smooth and powerful compared to the other crossovers. The option that caught me was the reclining rear seats that are heated. I thought I was in an (Infiniti) Q45 (minus the leg room). Wow! I hope this trend of ‘HOT’ vehicles continues from Lincoln.” Shared by George from Philadelphia, PA.

Never Thought We Would Buy a Crossover or SUV - “We are not a fan of SUVs but the value and drivability caught our attention when we test drove one. Both my wife and I had the same thoughts: The MKX drives like a car, gives us a feeling of safety and is extremely comfortable. Of all the comparator vehicles in the same price range, none offered a ten-way power adjustable passenger seat. Passenger seat comfort is a big complaint of my wife when we take road trips. Good visibility and handling add to the feeling of security. No complaints.” Shared by Rob from Abingdon, VA.

Lincoln is BACK! - “I have put just over a 1,000 miles on my new Lincoln MKX and love everything about it. The first time that I saw the vehicle I knew that I had to own it. I purchased the premium package option with the Vista Sun Roof. I live in a cold climate but still love leaving the shade open and having all the additional light throughout the cabin. I have also been impressed with the engine performance. The 260+ horsepower is more than enough to move the vehicle down the road and very quick off the line. The engine is accompanied by a strong 6-speed automatic which has very good shift points and makes the vehicle fun to drive. It has been well received by others in my town where they have even flagged me down to take a look at the vehicle. Often many think that it is a Lexus or BMW. The interior fit and finish is top notch for Lincoln. The seats have to be the most comfortable I have ever owned in a vehicle. The heated seats are quick to heat and the cooled seats are a must for warmer climates. In my comparison shopping, the Nissan Murano and the Toyota Highlander/RAV4 couldn’t provide the look and ride that I fell in love with in the MKX. I also liked the Ford Edge but opted for the higher line MKX. Ford Motor Company has hit a homerun with this vehicle. If you haven’t considered a domestic in a while I would put this on your list!” Shared by Matt of WY.

It’s a Green Light for Toyota’s FT-HS Hybrid Sports Concept

2007-05-10T18:09:00.000-07:00

At this year’s Detroit Auto Show Toyota debuted what easily became the stuff of teenage (and of the young at hearts too) boys’ dreams: the FT-HS Hybrid Sports Concept — a two-door sports coupe claimed to be the Supra’s next-generation successor.

The stunning concept sports car boasts of a powerful V6 3.5L engine which is coupled with Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive® to deliver a target power output of approximately 400 horsepower and a projected zero-to-60 acceleration in the four-second range; while an electric motor reportedly used in the GS 450h will provide fuel-efficiency.

Sporting a strikingly aggressive styling, the concept had a sculpted front and rear remove mass around key functional auto body parts, while the roof has a distinctive scooped-out section designed to reduce aerodynamic drag and provide head room at the key areas.

Inside the concept is a driver’s dream: there’s a cross-car instrument panel structure and delta-wing driver pod while an integrated instrument panel surrounds the driver, creating an enclosed pod effect. Armrests flow seamlessly into the door and surrounding interior. Seating is optimized for a lightweight appearance and function: the seating accommodates four and then turns into a two-seater when the roof retracts. The Toyota FT-HS has a perfect weight distribution and is similar in size to the Lexus SC430 convertible.

Of course talks were rampant whether something so dreamy would and could really make it to production. But it appears that the gods were listening to our fervent prayers – as the latest word of the FT-HS Hybrid Sports Concept is pointing to the direction of the green light.

The June '07 print edition of Automobile is reporting the palpitatingly good news that Toyota has given the FT-HS hybrid sports car the green light for production. The Calty-designed production version will reportedly make its debut in 2009. Pricing for the production version is still a mystery but has been previously estimated at somewhere between $30,000 and $40,000 when it was first unveiled.

I say bring it on Toyota!

Prices Of New 2008 BMW 5 Series Revealed

2007-05-08T22:23:00.001-07:00

Showrooms are now displaying the new 2008 BMW 5 Series. We have waited for this moment, right? I mean, when it was first announced, we wondered what kind of car parts and BMW exclusive parts will be used on the vehicle. And now, the car we all have been waiting for is finally revealed and is now set out on display in different dealerships.

However, the new cars were nothing much different than then outgoing 2007. The two new car models were the new 535 and the 528 models. These two new car models received upgrades and some tune ups to get that perfect look and real time great car performance.

The BMW 528 is a four door sedan and its 528i version is a rear-wheel drive as compared to its all wheel drive version - the 528xi. There are also two sedan trims which are the 535xi and the 535i under a sporty image, plus an all wheel drive 535xi sports wagon.

A powerful new 150 horsepower is the new strength of the outgoing 525 while a larger 230 horsepower is given to the 525. 300 lbs-ft of torque plus 300 units of horsepower is produced from the twin-turbo six-cylinder which is going to be part of the 535’s new power plants.

The top of the line 550i will still have the V-8 engine which is capable of producing 360 horsepower which has improved its automatic transmission but still thrives on the same price.

Sales Increase for Chrysler Group Outside North America

2007-05-04T17:29:00.000-07:00

Chrysler Group's Jeep brand was the best gainer for the month of April 2007. The brand recorded a sales growth of 40% at 41,200 compared to April 2006 with only 31,885 units sold.

This time, Chrysler Group continued their sales growth with the announcement of a 17% increase of their total April 2007 sales outside North America.

According to Thomas Hausch, Vice President - Chrysler Group International Sales:
"The expansion of the Dodge brand has been a catalyst for the growth we've seen in both mature and emerging markets outside North America. In both Western and Eastern Europe, as well as the Middle East, Dodge vehicles have been the top-selling Chrysler Group products, telling us that there is increasing demand around the world for this distinctly American-styled brand. But Dodge is only one part of the sales success story. We have also seen strong sales for new Chrysler and Jeep vehicles that have been developed from the ground up for global customers, and they are helping to boost sales and profitability."

Hausch added: "The growth potential and importance of markets outside North America have been identified as key factors in Chrysler Group's Recovery and Transformation Plan. We will continue to put energy behind strategic growth in these markets and find ways to reach customers whose needs identify with the vehicles that we have available. We have also worked to ensure that once a customer purchases a Chrysler Group vehicle, that their experience with both the vehicle and the dealership service is a positive one. This will remain a priority as we develop new vehicles, expand our operations and evaluate new opportunities and potential business partners."

For the month of April 2007, Chrysler Group recorded 70,859 units sold. The leading market is in Russia where the Auburn Hills automaker obtained a 93% sales increase compared to last year's sales results. Other key markets outside North America for Chrysler Group include the Middle East, Northern Africa, and Western and Easter Europe. Top selling models include the Dodge Caliber equipped with quality Dodge parts. The Jeep Grand Cherokee and the Chrysler 300C also performed well in terms of sales for Chrysler Group outside North America.

The Ferrari 612 by Hamann

2007-05-04T02:32:00.000-07:00

Somebody has sure been busy these past days.

German tuner has been tinkering with the most popular and fiercest cars for as long as we can remember, turning BMWs to Ferraris into more mouth-watering works of art than they already are. Recently the German tuner has showed off packages for the Murcielago LP640 and the BMW X5.

Well here’s a third: Hamann did some tinkering with the Ferrari 612, too.

The Ferrari 612 Scaglietti (don’t we just love saying those Italian monikers) by Hamann features new exhaust parts -- sport mufflers made from V2A stainless steel for left and right, each with double exhaust pipes (Ø 90mm). Now the sound of the Ferrari’s 12-cylinder pipes has become even more special.

The sports car designed by Pininfarina also receives a front spoiler while a pair of side sills provides an impression of lowered suspension. At the back, the rear spoiler ensures optimal downforce on the rear axle, bringing a more sporting look to the rear view without disturbing the basic design.

Also featured are specially-developed “Edition Race” wheels designed in three-part, ultra-light, forged rim with cross-spoke design and black rim-star and characterized by the nine main spokes, which each branch out to form two more.

Inside, Hamann makes sure the driver travels in both style and comfort with features like an exclusive foot mat set in black in the Ferrari's cockpit. The 612 Scaglietti can of course be modified according to the whims of the customer, e.g. with lavish leather fittings in different colors or extensive multimedia configurations involving a DVD player, TV or PlayStation.

Parking Your Car In A Big, Crowded City

2007-05-02T23:32:00.000-07:00

Looking for a car park in a big city is maybe a little hard to some, especially if the driver is new to that certain urban jungle. It takes patience and a strong spirit to really get a parking place for your car. Anyway, everything is simple when you know how to do it and if you have the knowledge on the proper steps of walking (or driving) towards your goal.

First thing you need to do before you go out for an adventure out in the big and crowded city is to read these tips first. This will help you park your car in a nice and safe place. Read on and learn more.

Tips and tricks:

Think about how far you may need to walk to get to the place you want to go.
If you are value your car that much, paying a car garage to park your car can be a nice suggestion but if you are saving enough money and you think it are safe to park it anywhere, you can park it in a safe place.
Park the car near the place you are going to. Avoid corners, places without people and dark places. Park the car in a well lighted area.
During nighttime, look for a loading zones.
If you are looking for a quick parking lot, you can go to a restaurant, auto body parts shop or a video shop. People there leave quickly.
If you are caught up in traffic and there is a potential parking area, park your car there. You will get to the place much better and quicker than driving your car.

Now, keep you car closed and locked to avoid losing some of your car parts. Parking your car near a police station is also a good venue. Now, you are secure that your car is in safe place before you go to the place where you are supposed to be.

New Holden Epica: Price and Features

2007-05-01T17:25:00.000-07:00

General Motor's Holden division has recently announced the availability and the manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSPR) of the all-new Holden Epica mid size car. Unveiled at the 2007 Brisbane International Motor Show last February, the Epica is now on sale in GM Holden dealerships carrying a base MSRP of $25,990.

Available in two model trims, CDX and CDXi, customers can choose between the two power plant options for the Holden Epica models: 2.0-liter or 2.5-liter in-line six cylinder engine. Both engines are coupled with either a 5-speed manual or automatic gearbox.

During its launch last February, Denny Mooney, GM Holden Chairman and Managing Director Denny Mooney said: "Epica’s in-line six cylinder engine delivers a very refined and smooth ride and returns better fuel economy than some of the four-cylinder rivals in the mid-size sedan segment. It has generous interior space, excellent standard specifications and stylish fit and finish. We believe Epica will suit the value end of the mid-size sedan segment but will also be a great alternative to vehicles right throughout that segment."

Check out the MSRP and features for Holden Epica models below.

2.0-litre Holden Epica CDX sedan (M/T) - $25,990
2.5-litre Holden Epica CDX sedan (A/T) - $27,990
2.5-litre Holden Epica CDXi sedan (A/T) - $30,990

The Holden Epica CDX comes with standard features including front and side airbags for driver and front passenger, front and rear power windows, cruise control, air-conditioning, six-speaker CD audio system with MP3 compatibility, antilock brakes (ABS), traction control, and 16-inch alloy wheels.

Meanwhile, highlights of the Holden Epica CDXi model include 17-inch alloy wheels, exclusive sports body kit, curtain airbags, electronic driver information display, 8-speaker six-disc audio system, front fog lamps, and leather-wrap steering wheel and gearshift.

"This offer is a unique and differentiated marketing tool to launch the new nameplate in this highly competitive mid-size sedan segment. We believe Epica stacks up incredibly well against the opposition for specification, value and fuel economy. Adding the money back offer into the mix will be a further attractive incentive for private customers considering this car." said Alan Batey, GM Holden Executive Director Sales, Marketing and After sales.

Satisfy you need for speed: the 997 Turbo-based Le Mans 600

2007-04-30T21:32:00.000-07:00

Ah, when you talk about the fast and the furious, you can’t go without mentioning the Porsche supercars. And now enter the 997 Turbo-based Le Mans 600 by Swiss Porsche Specialist Rinspeed – which ups the numbers to 600 hp and 590 lb-ft into the already fiercely fast Porsche sports car.

The Rinspeed "Le Mans 600" is equipped with new and exclusive auto body parts such as the front skirt with integrated Carbon splitters that produces a higher aerodynamic down force at the front axle. The bigger and re-shaped air intakes for the radiators and the brakes are a big help in keeping things cool, while the additional headlights with day light driving lights and the inboard moved fog lights guarantee a sporty yet elegant appearance.

And what about the numbers? For the first time the Swiss tuners have also addressed the engine output. According to the company press releases the car’s 3.6 liter power pack produces in the "Le Mans" breathtaking 600 hp (441 kW) at 6'700 rpm, the torque is increased to a whopping 800 Nm at 4'000 Nm. The engine conversion includes two special VTG turbo chargers, a new Carbon air intake ram-air system with sport air filters, improved intercoolers as well as a high performance exhaust system with metal catalytic converters.

These upgrades make the Rinspeed "Le Mans" as one of the fastest street legal sports cars around, with its sprint from 0-100 km/h achieved by the super sportsman in just 3.3 seconds, and the 200 km/h mark reached in 10.9 seconds with the top speed clocking in at 343 km/h.

To bring this beast to a halt, Rinspeed gives the Le Mans 600 8 pistons aluminum calipers and 380 mm x 34 mm at the front axle and 6 pistons calipers with 360 mm x 32 mm at the rear axle.

Meanwhile, close contact to the road is ensured by the typical and well sold Rinspeed 20 inch aluminum wheels in the C5/1 design. The rear wheels have been widened to the size of 12 x 20" especially for the Turbo. The tires sizes of 245/30-20 at the front axle and 325/25-20 at the rear axle hug the road for sufficient grip for the Swiss super sportsman.

Ward’s Interior of the Year Nominees

2007-04-27T17:35:00.000-07:00

We already heard of automotive awards from various institutions concerning vehicle performance, value, functionality, and other factors. But this time, this automotive award selects the vehicle models in different vehicle classes with the best interior design and features. What is this award that I am talking about? Well, it is the "Ward’s Interior of the Year" awards program sponsored by Ward's AutoWorld magazine from Penton Media.

Winners in each vehicle class will receive the award during the Ward's Auto Interiors Show on June 6 to 7 at the Cobo Center in Detroit. Meanwhile, here are the 34 nominees for the Ward’s Interior of the Year, which has been selected by Ward’s editorial staff.

ECONOMY-PRICED CARS (Under $17,000)
Dodge Caliber
Honda Fit
Hyundai Elantra
Suzuki SX4
VW Rabbit

POPULAR-PRICED CARS ($17,000-$30,000)
Chrysler Sebring
Mini Cooper
Nissan Maxima
Saturn Aura
Toyota Camry

PREMIUM-PRICED CARS (More than $30,000)
Infiniti G35
Jaguar XK
Lexus LS 460
Lincoln MKZ
Volvo S80

POPULAR-PRICED CUVS (Under $30,000)
Ford Edge
Saturn Outlook (in place of GMC Acadia)
Honda CR-V
Hyundai Veracruz (in place of Santa Fe)
Mazda CX-7

PREMIUM-PRICED CUVS (More than $30,000)
Acura MDX (with quality interior Acura parts)
BMW X5
Cadillac SRX
Lincoln MKX
Mercedes GL-Class

POPULAR-PRICED TRUCKS (Under $30,000)
Chevy Silverado
Dodge Nitro (in place of Veracruz)
Jeep Wrangler
Toyota Tundra

PREMIUM-PRICED TRUCKS (More than $30,000)
Cadillac Escalade
Chrysler Aspen ($30,745)
Lincoln Navigator
Land Rover LR3
Nissan Quest (in place of Mercedes G-Class)

F1 Series Bahrain GP: BMW Sauber Catching Up

2007-04-26T00:04:00.000-07:00

The rubber burning race is on! Nick Heidfeld, Robert Kubica and the BMW Sauber team are on it to race it all in the top spot of the series! This season was a great start for the team for they have achieved a portion of victory and they are looking forward to get it all in the upcoming racing races.

The BMW Sauber F1 Team equaled its best race results so far by finishing fourth and sixth in the world championships during the third round of the season. Nick Heidfeld improved from the fifth spot and went to conclude the race in fourth, and scored five points for the team for the third consecutive race. Robert Kubica completed the track and got the sixth spot to earn his first points of the year. In the Australian Grand Prix last 2006 was the last time they earned eight points in a race.

Here are the proud racers with their insights about the previous race. I’m sure they are very excited on the next race and we wish them all the luck! Hold on to your brakes first and listen to the words they have to share with you:

Nick Heidfeld:
"I feel fantastic. Currently I have a good car, a good team, I can drive good races and I really enjoy this. Before the race I didn't think I could overtake Fernando, but in the second stint I was a bit quicker than him because I had one more set of fresh tires than him. On the other hand, Fernando had the better top speed. I had to wait until he made a mistake, which he did in corner 13.
"For the team it is extremely important that both cars finished the race and scored points. I think here we were even stronger than in Malaysia, which is surprising as our car has not changed in the past week. Obviously the track suited us and I had a very good set-up."

Robert Kubica:
"All in all this has been a very positive weekend for me and the team. This is my first time in the points this season, so I am happy to finish, happy to score these points and I know we will get there. Unfortunately the flap over the fuel filler wouldn't close and you lose quite a lot of down force with this.
"I was losing time in the high speed corners and under braking. It opened at the beginning of the race and there was no way we could fix it. The good thing is the pace is there, the reliability is almost there and so now we will look forward to see what we can do in Barcelona."

Mario Theissen (BMW Motorsport Director):
"This was the strongest performance of the BMW Sauber F1 Team so far. Not only did we score eight points, but Nick's fourth place is really a special one. We were able to match the pace of the top cars and Nick was even able to overtake World Champion Fernando Alonso on the track.
"Unfortunately an open fuel filler cover disturbed the aerodynamics of Robert's car, but also for him I am very pleased he scored his first points of the season. At the end of the day the third race of the season was another step forward for the team."

Willy Rampf (Technical Director):
"This was the best race for our young team. Right from the start we were able to match the pace of the top teams. Nick's overtaking maneuver was, of course, a true highlight. A big compliment to the entire crew here in Bahrain, especially for the pit stops which were excellent. Also a big compliment to the teams in Hinwil and Munich who gave us the equipment to achieve such a strong performance."

Camp Jeep raises $16,470 for “Tigers Forever” project

2007-04-24T10:56:00.000-07:00

In the news: The Jeep brand has successfully raised $16,470 for the "Tigers Forever" initiative, a Panthera project in collaboration with the New York based Wildlife Conservation Society during the third annual Camp Jeep(R) in New York.

The goal of the project is to increase the number of tigers in key areas of the world by 50 percent in the next ten years. The Jeep brand has pledged to donate $5 to the "Tigers Forever" project for every person who took a ride on the Jeep Trail Rated(R) Test Track at Camp Jeep New York on April 14. 3,294 passengers rode the track, which included water fording, ground clearance, articulation, and traction and maneuverability demonstrations, to raise $16,470.

Camp Jeep New York also awarded Matthew McCarthy of Forrest Hills, New York, an all-expense paid trip with his family to Camp Jeep Virginia, the annual three-day mix of off-road driving and other family-oriented outdoor activities. McCarthy was the 500,000th person to take a ride on a Chrysler Group auto show test drive course since the auto show test drive program began in 2004.

The money raised at Camp Jeep New York will go directly to WCS's "Tigers Forever" initiative, which involves activities such as monitoring tiger and prey population as well as community education and outreach.

Meanwhile you can still find the best Jeep parts in your favorite online auto parts stores.