Inside The Mind Of A Car Addict

Ford Uses New Slogan for North American Consumers

2008-06-25T19:21:00.000-07:00

Fords 1980’s corporate slogan "Bold Moves" is not anymore effective these days as shown by the uninspiring designs like the current Taurus, so out with the old and in with the new. Ford is said to be preparing a new ad campaign for its struggling North American industry under the theme: “Ford. Drive One.” The “Drive one” campaign will highlight Ford’s accomplishments and commitment in four key areas that shape the reputation of the company and the Ford brand – Quality, Green, Safe and Smart.

This new tagline is an idea made by Jim Farley, chosen by Alan Mulally as the man to lead Ford back from the verge. The campaign began last June 2008, it now appears on television commercials in North America. Ford is expecting all dealers worldwide to use the same slogan in their advertising activities.

Before this new slogan, Ford uses “Have You Drive a Ford Lately?”, an old line of Ford Company that Mulally especially likes and has repeated several times in recent months as his favorite.

For years, Ford tried to win back customers through big-budget advertising campaigns. Implementing this new marketing strategy reverses the effect the old marketing style.

With this new slogan, this week alone, Ford hopes to reach 70 million North Americans. During the campaign’s creation, employees and dealers were consulted and provided input that helped illustrate the messages and built confidence in the strategy. Their collective effort has closed the gap with other Asian automakers and competitors in terms of product’s quality.

Ford Mustang Reaches its 9-Millionth Unit

2008-06-06T22:18:00.000-07:00

The Ford Mustang is an automobile manufactured by the Ford Motor Company. It was first introduced to the public in 1964 at the New York World Fair in 1964. The Mustang is a pillar of American cars which offers sporty styling at an inexpensive price. It has the record of having the most successful sales for an automobile. It sold more than one million units in its first eighteen months.

After four decades of style and technological revisions, the Mustang remains in production until these days. Lately it has reached the 9 million production mark since it has produced its first unit back in 1964.

Thomas Krumm, an Iowan farmer was the lucky person to have purchased the 9-millionth Ford Mustang unit. He unintentionally bought a piece of history after going to his local Ford dealer to order a Mustang GT convertible. He was inspired with Mustangs because of his daughter, Rachel, a Mustang enthusiast who bought her first Mustang at the age of 17 just by saving her school allowances. According to her "Having been a Mustang fanatic my entire life, I couldn't be more excited that my dad is receiving the 9 millionth Mustang,"

Frits Wilke, the mustangs brand manager states that reaching the 9 million mark in 44 years had been a great success and it was due to the support of Mustang owners and enthusiasts. Quoting his words, "So many people have contributed to Mustang's proud 44-year heritage possible – from incredible Mustangs owners and enthusiasts to our partners at AAI where Mustangs are built to Ford's Product Development and Ford Division teams."

A New Technology for the New 'Liberty'

2008-05-21T00:45:00.000-07:00

The 2008 Liberty debuted at the 2007 New York International Auto Show. It went into production on July 24, 2007. It got across a complete redesign which resulted in a more boxy and off-road look. The 2008 Liberty is a 4-door, 5-passenger sport-utility, available in 4 trims, ranging from the Sport 4X2 to the Limited 4X4. This more masculine Jeep Liberty has some similarity in terms of architecture and exterior package with the Dodge Nitro. It is because; the new Jeep was produced at the Toledo North Assembly Plant (TNAP) in Toledo, Ohio, alongside the Dodge Nitro.

“The Sport 4X2 is equipped with a standard 3.7-liter, V6, 210-horsepower engine that achieves 16-mpg in the city and 22-mpg on the highway. A 6-speed manual transmission with overdrive is standard, and a 4-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is optional. The Limited 4X4 is equipped with a standard 3.7-liter, V6, 210-horsepower engine that achieves 15-mpg in the city and 21-mpg on the highway. A 4-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is standard.”

It features an Industry-exclusive Sky Slider full-open canvas roof which brings open-air experience to this mid-size SUV. It’s also well noticed that it has an improved seat comfort and an added interior space. “The 2008 Jeep Liberty offers the MyGIG Multimedia Infotainment System™ a completely integrated audio, navigation, entertainment and hands-free communication system.”

It looks like the old Cherokee’s so I find nothing wrong with its styling. Although I must say that it looks more decent than any current Jeep. For the money this will be a good SUV. Everybody will surely enjoy the new entertainment features.

Kia Motors, Brings Some Soul to the US in 2009

2008-05-15T21:19:00.001-07:00

Is Kia making a comeback? A number of new models are getting interest, and there’s a lot of rumor around its certain forthcoming models.

Kia Motors is planning to launch its latest Soul small automobile to the US in coming year 2009 to compete with Scion.

The Soul is power-driven and loaded with a 2.0L 4-cyl that controls the front wheels. In addition to taking the automobile to the United States, Kia, however, is also preparing on bringing up or launching the car to the Chinese society in coming December 2009.

Moreover, Kia is going to attempt to get a page out of Scion's name by letting buyers and costumers the skill to modify their latest ride. Its bold model should positively stand out as the production automobile is projected to look really close to the theory. Let's just hope that Kia Motors is also preparing on bringing a production edition of the KOUP concept that was exposed in New York.

Kia is going to release three unique versions of its forthcoming SOUL concept to the “Geneva Auto Show”. The three concept models of the SOUL are probable to showcase the the world of possibilities for eye glancing trimmings, modifying and personalization of Kia automobiles (the same to Scion). Kia has reveal one teaser icon of the SOUL Burner concept car, which is made-up to be the "bad boy" name of the trio by means of its matte finish, tattoos plus big wheels.

Acura Moves It Up To the Highest Level

2008-05-10T00:43:00.000-07:00

The 2009 Acura TSX pushing its name to reach its mark as a top-notch sports sedan

In Montreal - If sales outline are any suggestion, The Acura has a victor on its name with the TL models.

Last February 2008, the auto manufacturer put up for sale for almost 437 TL’s. While that might not sound like more are released, the total calculation is an 86-per-cent increase over the same month past 2007 production. For the month of March it was moreover a better month for the TL, with total sales up 25 percent from similar period a year ago. After handling one of the vehicles, it's very simple to appreciate its recognition. While the latest 2008 TL is a good car, the improved Type- my friend tested acquires the car to a complete new level.

Very true, I can say that the Acura TSX is well-mannered and isn't troubled with torque steer, but it doesn't quite dig your motor rolling on a winding two-lane highway for the reason that it lacks very similar accurate sense as a BMW 3 Series. The engine is more fascinating when you drove at the six-speed manual, very delightful, however, This TSX reproduction is just as good in the ride plus handling responsibility as its front-wheel-drive design allows.

Although, if you are not thinking and dedicated to each corner and financial is a main issue, then, maybe, a comfy and well-outfitted TSX can be the answer to compete a new BMW 323i.

Even though Acura has not made public pricing details, the clue was this production will comes up between $30,000 to $40,000 ranges.

Land Rover and Jaguar Deal Set To Close Next Week

2008-02-26T02:21:00.000-08:00

Next week, Ford will officially be saying ba-bye to its Land Rover and Jaguar. That is according to reports published in Reuters. As reported earlier this year, Indian automaker Tata Motors won the bidding called by Ford Motors to solve its fiscal crisis, although until now, Ford authorities have not confirmed the news yet.

It is expected that between March 5 and 6, the two automakers will finally announce the results of their agreement regarding the fate of these two luxury car brands in order not to spoil the publicities about the all-new Ford Fiesta at the Geneva Auto Show. Another perceived reason for the delay was the issue about Tata’s engine sources once it gets the Jaguar and Land Rover’s ownership. Questions arise whether the Indian company will still be sourcing the engines and other systems from Ford’s British plants.

In January, it was rumored that the Land Rover and Jaguar dealership cost Tata some $2 billion but because it considers the deal as another giant step towards captivating the international auto market, it came out as the frontrunner in the crucial bidding process joined in by rival Mahindra Motors.

If we shall recall, Ford purchased Jaguar in 1989 for £1.6 billion and owned it for 17 years.

BMW 3 Series Tops Lease List

2008-02-11T20:34:00.000-08:00

When you hear of BMW, what comes to mind? More often than not, you would associate it with luxurious interior, really cool exterior, and a pedal-to-the-metal performance. That has been the image that the German automaker has painted into the back of our minds.

It is thus not surprising that it is ranked as the best leasing vehicle in the United States. According to The Auto Channel, LeaseTrader.com announced its data for December last year and for three months straight, the BMW 3 Series is on top.

According to Sergio Stiberman, founder and CEO of LeaseTrader, the economic slump does not seem to faze consumers from leasing a luxury vehicle. "The BMW 3 Series continues to be the most popular car on our site because it's a marriage of both luxury and affordability," said Stiberman.

"Despite the slowing economy, people still want to enjoy a trendy car with great performance. And the BMW 3 Series delivers at a price point that is very budget-friendly," he added.

The top-ten list of leased vehicle is dominated by the BMW 3 Series but Mercedes-Benz has four vehicles in the list while BMW has three. Cadillac has two and Land Rover, one. Second on the list is the Mercedes-Benz C Class while the BMW X Series is at third. The Land Rover Sport ranked fourth followed by the Cadillac Escalade.

The Cadillac CTS is ranked sixth followed by the BMW 5 Series. Three Mercedes-Benz models bring up the rear with the Mercedes-Benz SL Class in eight place, the Mercedes-Benz E350 ninth and the Mercedes-Benz S550 rounding up the top ten. These vehicles according to The Auto Channel are the "most popular transferred lease vehicles in America during January".

Consumers Not So Keen With Diesel Autos

2008-01-31T18:32:00.000-08:00

The call for greener vehicles has resulted to automakers developing cleaner vehicles. Gas electric hybrids like the Toyota Prius are very popular among consumers even if it does not look very cool to many. While Japanese and American automakers are dawdling with these hybrid vehicles, European automakers are tinkering with diesel engines which they claim are much cleaner than diesel engines of the past. In fact, a Volkswagen Polo with a diesel engine is said to be the cleanest car in the United Kingdom - beating the Prius.

In the United States though, Kelley Blue Book's study reported that consumers are still wary about purchasing diesel engined vehicles. Jack Nerad, the executive editorial director for KBB, had this to say according to The Auto Channel: "Many automakers are looking toward diesels as a very workable solution for the future, especially in light of the recently passed energy bill, but the results of this study should give them pause and make them realize they need to do a better, more thorough job of winning over the American consumer."

"Clearly many Americans still think of the dirty diesels of the past and are not aware of the benefits of new clean-diesel technology. Some manufacturers, such as Volkswagen with its 'Diesolution Tour,' are doing their part to ensure consumers are educated about today's diesels. However, not enough is being done by the auto industry as a whole to help American consumers understand the benefits of modern-day diesel technology," Nerad continued.

Rick Wainschel, vice president of marketing research and brand communications at KBB, added: "As auto manufacturers look toward development of future products and technologies, it's important for them to track, trend and understand current perceptions among in-market new-vehicle shoppers. Knowing where shoppers stand on these issues also can help manufacturers devise successful marketing campaigns to ensure proper education about new technologies and ultimately, success in the sales of their future products."

Cummins Expands In Indiana

2008-01-24T17:58:00.000-08:00

Auto industry heavyweight Cummins recently announced that they will be adding about 500 professional employees in their Indiana plant. The Auto Channel reported that most of them will be engineers. The workforce increase is expected to take place in the next two years.

Joe Loughrey, president and chief operating officer of Cummins said: "We are pleased to be able to further strengthen our commitment to Columbus and the state of Indiana by bringing new, well-paying jobs to the region. As a large and growing employer in the city, we have a significant stake in helping Columbus remain a vibrant community. This project, along with the other initiatives outlined as part of the city’s Vision 2020 plan, is a big step in that direction."

Governor Mitch Daniels who was present when the announcement was made had this to say: "Last year 600 new production jobs, this year 500 new professional jobs. We’re proud of Cummins and the growth the company is bringing to south central Indiana."

Columbus Mayor Fred Armstrong added: "Today's exciting announcement is another example of the revitalization of downtown Columbus and the success of our Vision 2020 plan. Cummins continues to be a major driver of our success as a community, and we are thrilled with the Company’s latest commitment to the city."

Lawrenceburg Mayor William Cunningham also said: "The City of Lawrenceburg and our Regional Economic Development Grant Committee is pleased to be able to assist our regional neighbors in expanding the commercial and industrial environment here in Columbus. It is our hope that with investments such as ours, Indiana will maintain, and improve, its reputation as a Midwestern economic powerhouse."

With that much support from the local government, one can expect that Cummins will continue its operation on the area for a long time.

Cattle Ride Or Ram Drive?

2008-01-17T06:45:00.000-08:00

Which do you want a breathtaking cattle ride or a rugged ram drive? Choose.

Of course, both rides are nerve-racking. And every adventure-thirsty buff would definitely grab the opportunity to have both.

If you are present on the first day of media previews at the North American International Auto Show, your dream was already satisfied.

Chrysler LLC flaunted its revamped Dodge Ram. The automaker’s latest masterpiece is heralded by a herd of 120 cattle through the city’s street. The workhorse appeal is really fantastic!

“If you think that our truck is ... (all) hat and no cattle, keep an eye on yonder horizon,” Chrysler Vice Chairman and President Jim Press said at the preview.

Chicago Sun-Times reports:

The trucks drove the herd down barricaded city streets with a group of riders on horseback keeping them in check. But as Press detailed changes to the Ram, such as coil springs designed for a better ride, the cattle kept stealing the show.

“The bulls want to see the trucks, they don’t want to leave,” Press said as some of the longhorns appeared to mount the other cattle. “Oh, look at that. Well, let’s not watch that.”

Before the cattle drive, which came men in cowboy hats and ranch work clothes loaded bales of hay into a mud-spattered Ram and hammered together fences.

The Auburn Hills-based automaker is famed for building catchy stunts at the NAIAS. It can be recalled that Chrysler crashed a Jeep through the glass front of the Cobo convention center. What’s more, the automaker has introduced a simulated indoor snowstorm to launch the Aspen SUV. “This is a product-driven company,” Chrysler Chairman and CEO Bob Nardelli noted.

In the pickup truck segment, the closest rivals of Dodge Ram include the best-selling Ford F-Series and the equally competitive Toyota Tundra.

Ford: The Pet Friendliest Automaker

2008-01-14T16:47:00.000-08:00

No creature is as cute as our pets. We treat them like our very own family... a dependable aid... our best friend! If we are meticulous in choosing the best vehicle, pets do have their own preferences. Sounds odd but cool! Thanks to DogCatRadio.com, pets were given the chance to voice out what they need. And guess what automaker they chose? It’s the Ford Motor Company!

According to the Auto Channel, Ford has been named "Pet Friendliest Automaker" for 2008 by the renowned pet company DogCatRadio.com for its large variety of models that offer safety, comfort and easy entry access for pets. DogCat Radio is a nationwide radio station that accommodates exclusively to pet lovers across America.

"The vehicle that stood out hands down was Ford's Taurus X," says Adrian Martinez, CEO at DogCatRadio.com.

"We feel the Taurus X is the perfect family size vehicle - not too big, not too small. It handles well, has plenty of power, great visibility all around and offers four-legged passengers as well as their humans a comfortable ride. Of course, the foremost issues are always safety and value," added Martinez.

U.S.' Top-Selling Vehicles

2008-01-08T16:34:00.000-08:00

What’s the usual vehicle you often see in an average American garage? U.S. has been known to embrace the greatest automobiles in the planet and they have their own preference of vehicles. Let’s get to know them as we unveil the country’s top 20 best-selling vehicles of December 2007.

The results were compiled by Reuters as reported by auto manufacturers. Overall sales of the top 20 vehicles increased 2.8 percent or 160,955 units to 5,866,133.

Check out the complete list and rankings courtesy of the Auto Channel:

RANK VEHICLE - 2008/2007/'07 RANK/%Chng
1. F-Series - 690,589/796,039/1st/-13.2
2. Silverado-C/K Pickup - 618,257/636,069/2nd/-2.8
3. CAMRY- 473,108/448,445/3rd/+5.5
4. Accord * - 392,231/354,441/5th/+10.7
5. COROLLA - 371,390/387,388/4th/-4.1
6. Ram P/U - 358,295/364,177/6th/-1.6
7. Civic * - 331,095/316,638/7th/+4.6
8. Impala - 311,128/289,868/8th/+7.3
9. Altima - 284,762/232,457/10th/+22.5
10. CR-V * - 219,160/170,028/20th/+28.9
11. Sierra - 208,243/210,736/12th/-1.2
12. Cobalt - 200,620/211,449/9th/-5.1
13. TUNDRA - 196,555/124,508/33th/+57.9
14. PRIUS - 181,221/106,971/NA/+69.4
15. Caravan - 176,150/211,140/19th/-16.6
16. Focus - 173,213/177,006/16th/-2.1
17. Odyssey - 173,046/177,919/16th/-2.7
18. RAV4 - 172,752/152,047/15th/+13.6
19. Econoline/Club Wagon - 168,722/180,457/11th/-6.5
20. Escape - 165,596/157,395/22nd/+5.2

Ford Stars In "I Am Legend"

2008-01-04T18:22:00.000-08:00

Cars in movies are common these days. The Transformers film has marketed General Motors vehicles while Volkswagen used the Bourne Ultimatum. Recently, it was Ford's turn to have their vehicles starring in a Hollywood film.

Autoblog has the lowdown on Ford's placement of its car in the movie. And here are the scenes where you can find Ford vehicles driven by Will Smith playing the role of Dr. Neville.

Ford gets major play in the opening minutes of the film, which have Neville racing through deserted city streets chasing a herd of deer in a red Shelby GT500 that Manhattan Ford no longer needed, seeing its clientele is either A) dead or B) hairless, bloodthirsty monsters. Dr. Neville seems like a pretty good driver, too, as he powerslides the Mustang through corners (with Sam the dog riding shotgun, unfettered), steering with one hand while lining up a fleeing deer in the sights of his M4 at what must be 70 mph. It's so much fun to watch (and listen to... especially when the blower whine cuts through the deafening cacophony of the engine) that you're more than happy to ignore the fact that the car looks like it was just detailed. Granted, Dr. Neville does have plenty of free time on his hands.
Mustang fans will be disappointed to learn that after the film's opening scenes, the GT500 doesn't make another appearance. The "hero car" for the remainder of the film is an accessorized black Expedition, which appears to be one of a pair that Neville rides in during flashback sequences showing the evacuation/quarantining of Manhattan after virus hell has broken loose. It also gets used in a memorable scene that takes place following a highly traumatic encounter between Neville, his dog, and some monster baddies. We learn that off-road lights aren't popular with night-stalking creatures, and jumbo SUVs make for excellent bowling balls when they're driven into swarms of monsters. At least until the monsters get organized and flip said SUV onto its roof, putting our hero in peril.
The final scene of the film involves Anna and Ethan, two other survivors who (very conveniently) find Dr. Neville and rescue him as he is about to become monster chow in the scene described above. In the final minutes of the movie, they pull up to a gigantic walled and gated survivors' colony in Vermont. They're carrying Dr. Neville's cure to the virus in an inexplicably immaculate Ford Escape that's lovingly photographed head-on as it arrives. My first thought after noting the product placement was, "Who knew that keeping your cars sparkling was such a critical part of humanity's fight for survival?" Then comes the closing voiceover and we fade to black.
The most interesting bit of Ford placement is something only car geeks are likely to notice, and only if they pay very close attention to the background. It happens early in the picture. At the end of the GT500 deer hunting sequence, we're presented with a wide shot of Times Square, which is, as you know, covered in advertising. All the fanboys in the audience immediately noticed a billboard for a mythical Batman/Superman crossover movie. I was drawn to another billboard - a make-believe Ford advertisement for some future model. That future model, in this case, happened to be the Ford Interceptor Concept. Damn you, Ford, for waiting until the apocalypse happens to give it to us!

Toyota Tomorrow Project

2008-01-01T21:06:00.000-08:00

Last year we are talking about Toyota becoming the world's largest automaker "next year". Well, that's today right, its 2008 and Toyota is closer to become the world's largest. And the automaker from the Orient has a plan which they call the Toyota Tomorrow Project.

According to Toyota president Katsuaki Watanabe: "The various activities designed to achieve sustainability as we envision it have been entitled the Toyota Tomorrow Project. The Toyota Tomorrow Project incorporates the sentiment of making every possible effort as a company to achieve the prosperous global society of tomorrow. In the name of this vision, we hope to further enhance our activities."

The company is also looking to capitalize on the growing auto markets around the world. "We are currently very much aware that the automobile industry has reached a turning point in many senses. For example, we must respond to the expansion of markets in countries with energy resources and exhibiting significant economic growth, such as Brazil, Russia, India and China, as well as to environmental and energy issues on a global scale, including moves to strengthen regulations, such as the recently passed Corporate Average Fuel Economy bill in the United States and planned new CO2 regulations in Europe."

Watanabe also pointed out the importance of quality improvement saying: "When responding to these changes in circumstances, we recognize that it will be extremely important to make individual decisions concerning those things that must be changed and those that must be kept the same. I am always saying that "without improving quality, Toyota cannot expect to grow", and I believe that quantitative growth is the result of improved quality. For this, we understand well that corporate management must achieve growth that maintains a balance between corporate activities and environmental preservation, as well as between volume and quality."

Are Muscle Cars Facing Extinction?

2007-12-28T05:03:00.000-08:00

Are muscle cars facing extinction? The answer should be on the negative. I do love muscle cars.

And if the production of these cars will be stopped, I will be one of the many buffs that will be disheartened. Sigh.

When General Motors Corp. pulls the wraps off its new supercharged Corvette at the Detroit auto showin January, it could also mean the beginning of the end for the great American muscle car.

The car's chief engineer Tadge Juechter has said the Corvette ZR1 may be the last performance car from Detroit. "High-performance vehicles such as this may actually be legislated out of existence," Juechter said at a recent showing of the ZR1.

President George W. Bush recently effected a law that calls for more fuel efficient cars and a wider used of ethanol, describing it as a ‘major step’ to free the country from foreign energy dependence. The legislation requires automakers to raise fuel efficiency by 40% to an industry average 35 miles per gallon by 2020.

But Aaron Bragman, an auto analyst with the consulting firm Global Insight said predicting the death of the muscle car might be premature. Although fuel economy figures were not released for the ZR1, he said the Corvette is fuel efficient when compared with its competitors and, according to him, gets around the same mileage as a Chevrolet pickup truck.

"I think it's a little over-dramatization," Bragman said. "GM wants to sell big, high-performance, fun cars. And typically that's what Americans want to buy." He added that performance cars of the future may be powered by smaller engines or electric motors, but they will not die.

2009 Corvette ZR Specs:

* All-new LS9 supercharged 6.2L V-8 targeted at producing at least 100 horsepower per liter, or 620 horsepower (462 kW), and approximately 595 lb.-ft. of torque (823 Nm)
* Six-speed, close-ratio, race-hardened manual transmission
* New, high-capacity dual-disc clutch
* Higher-capacity and specific-diameter axle half-shafts; enhanced torque tube
* Specific suspension tuning provides more than 1g cornering grip
* Twenty-spoke 19-inch front and 20-inch rear wheels
* Michelin Pilot Sport 2 tires--P285/30ZR19 in front and P335/25ZR20 in the rear--developed specifically for the ZR1
* Standard carbon-ceramic, drilled disc brake rotors--15.5-inch-diameter (394-mm) in the front and 15-inch-diameter (380-mm) in the rear
* Larger brake calipers with substantially increased pad area
* Standard Magnetic Selective Ride Control with track-level suspension
* Wider, carbon-fiber front fenders with ZR1-specific dual vents
* Carbon-fiber hood with a raised, polycarbonate window--offering a view of the intercooler below it
* Carbon-fiber roof panel, roof bow, front fascia splitter and rocker moldings with clear-coated, exposed carbon-fiber weave
* ZR1-specific full-width rear spoiler with raised outboard sections
* Specific gauge cluster with boost gauge (also displayed on the head-up display) and 220-mph (370 km/h) speedometer readout
* Only two options: chrome wheels and a "luxury" package
* Curb weight of approximately 3,350 pounds (1,519 kg)

More Americans To Travel This Season

2007-12-18T17:43:00.000-08:00

We all know that the price of petroleum fuel is on the rise. So if you want to save for gifts and such things for the holiday season, it would be better to just stay home. But AAA Chicago reported that more Americans will be traveling this year during the holiday season than last year.

Millions of Americans will be making trips more than 50 miles from home. Beth Mosher, AAA Chicago's director of public affairs, had this to say according to The Auto Channel: "Whether driving or flying, Americans face steep increases in their travel budgets during this holiday season. Fuel prices remain at unprecedented levels for this time of year with prices around three dollars a gallon and the airfare has increased 16 percent since last year."

The group also pointed out that the price of gasoline in average in Illinois and Indiana as well as for the rest of the country as a whole are quite high. "Holiday auto travelers will find gas prices nationwide currently averaging $2.99 for a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline-up 69 cents from last year. Illinois motorists will pay an average of $3.04 per gallon - up 73 cents from last year, and Indiana drivers will pay $2.97 per gallon, a 72-cent increase from last season," reads the report.

It is expected that 62.5 million Americans will be traveling this season. Of that number, about 53 million will be traveling by automobiles. And that would translate to a large number of vehicles on the road. And that, in turn, will lead to a bigger risk of getting into a vehicular accident. AAA Chicago advises motorists to drive responsibly. "Slowing down or moving over near accident scenes, or where roadside assistance vehicles are stopped along the shoulder, can help keep emergency responders and motorists safe during the holiday travel season," said Mosher.

Toyota's Lentz Congratulates Senate

2007-12-14T18:03:00.001-08:00

The issue about CAFÉ standards has been in the air for so long that I think it is affecting the auto industry too much. The U.S. Senate is hard at work to create the legislation that will be fair to automakers and at the same time, be strict enough so that new vehicles will be more eco-friendly. With the increasing threat of global warming, the time to take action is at hand.

Japanese automaker Toyota is one of the automakers considered to be in the forefront of the battle against greenhouse gas emission thanks to its Prius. Recently, The Auto Channel reported that Toyota Motor Sales' president Jim Lentz congratulated the U.S. Senate on the passage of CAFÉ legislation. The statement reads:

"The U.S. Senate's action today is a clear signal to our entire industry that it's now time to move into overdrive to meet these ambitious new national standards. Toyota is wasting no time in our pursuit of 35 miles per gallon in 2020."

"Toyota congratulates the Senate for persevering to pass this CAFE legislation. This is a critically important vote for the auto industry and the nation."

"We at Toyota have long said that we want a CAFE bill passed this year that will provide the certainty of one national fuel economy program. The U.S. Senate has delivered, as their colleagues in the House of Representatives did last week. We thank all the Senators who provided leadership for today's historic vote on CAFE."

"The Senate action represents a major step in the right direction that will result in significant oil savings and reductions in CO2. It provides important new goals and targets for our entire industry to achieve. Toyota will strive to meet them. We look forward to the concurrence of the House of Representatives next week and to the President's signing it into law."

Driving Tips For Teen Drivers

2007-12-10T17:57:00.000-08:00

This is not to discriminate teen drivers, but this post is about protecting them or you if you are on. Although grown ups tend to get into car crashes too, there is more concern about teen drivers behind the wheel. Why? Because car crashes are the leading cause of teen fatalities. So if you don't want to be just another statistic, I think you should drive carefully. And to help you become a better driver, Allstate Foundation has these tips for you as reported by The Auto Channel:

Keep your eyes on the road. According to a national survey of teens conducted by The Allstate Foundation, 56 percent of teens talk on their cell phones while driving, and 13 percent read or write text messages. Driving with distractions is a major cause of crashes. Make it a goal to celebrate 2008 with your friends instead of the mortician.
Slow down. The survey also found nearly 90 percent of teens admit to speeding. Speeding is one of the main causes for teen car crashes. Be a rebel and drive the speed limit this holiday season.
Half of teens from the survey said they wouldn't speak up if a friend was driving recklessly. Would you speak up if your life was in danger? If not, make a New Year's resolution to grow a backbone.
Use your buckle. Roughly two-thirds of teens who die in car wrecks are not buckled up, reports the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. This season, give your friends the gift of life and tell them to buckle up.

These are just some easy tips which you can have no trouble following. You can follow these tips not only during the holiday season but throughout the year for all your times behind the wheel.

Land Rover Celebrates Victory For The First Time

2007-12-10T15:51:00.000-08:00

We are fed with lots of negative information about Land Rover failing to have the same amount of profit than what they had before. And then the Ford Motor Company decided to sell some of its shares for this brand together with another Premiere Automotive Group member Jaguar. Now, for more than several decades, the car brand has finally gone through producing many cars.

Land Rover celebrates victory for the first time in 59 years of being in the business when they finally produced the 200,000 sales barrier.

In November 2007, the noted global sales of the legendary 4x4 manufacturer reached 205,717 compared to last year's November adding up lots of numbers to its sales last month. After several months of being a non-profitable car maker, Land Rover is now celebrating the glory of their hard work. Several markets including Russia, China, France and Spain recorded their best ever November.

Phil Popham, Land Rover's Managing Director, said, "This is a significant milestone in Land Rover's history and puts us on a firm footing as we approach our 60th anniversary. This sales achievement has been driven by exciting new product with improved environmental performance. Confidence is high - we're firmly in the black with innovative new products that will continue Land Rover's sustainable development."

Land Rover handles a diesel V8 that delivers a 32% fuel improvement on the petrol version it replaced. This is maybe the reason why more buyers became so interested on buying the new revised car model. The Freelander 2 had become very interesting after they changed what’s under its hood.

Last year, Land Rover was noted to be committed on reducing the impact of environmental hazards and thus the company decided to give the new Land Rover the bold evolution featuring the latest and the most updated technology and lightweight materials.

Winter Driving Tips From AAA Chicago

2007-12-06T21:42:00.000-08:00

Winter has arrived in some states in the country. And with the year’s first incoming major winter storm in Illinois and Indiana this week, everybody should take some safety precautions when driving through cold and foggy roads. Thank God AAA Chicago has several important reminders and survival tips for all motorists to keep in mind when driving this winter season. Check this out as published in TheAutoChannel.com:

Winter Driving Tips

Get rid of snow and ice from your car to improve visibility. Remove snow and ice from hood, roof, trunk, turn signals, tail lights and headlights.
Slow down when visibility and road conditions are worse, and amplify the following distance among vehicles.
Expect hazards including ice on bridges, unseen lane marks, caught up cars and poor visibility.
Make use of the right winter braking techniques. For vehicles exclusive of anti-lock brakes, use "squeeze" or "threshold" braking by stepping on the brakes just little of lock-up, then easing off the brake pedal a little. For vehicles with anti-lock brakes, constant, rigid braking is needed.
Keep away from skids by easing off the accelerator and not locking up the brakes. In a skid, carefully steer in the direction you want your vehicle to go and straighten the wheel as soon as the car begins to go in the desired direction.
It's important for every person to observe the weather forecasts that may affect their driving plans during the winter days. AAA reminds everyone that it is best to remain inside the vehicle rather than taking the risk and move away and end up lost while looking for help. This is the basic thing to do when you become trapped in the winter. In this situation, a winter survival kit could save you from any kind of situation. AAA advises all motorists to carry the following items in their vehicles during the winter months:

Survival Gear

Cell phone
Ice scraper & brush
Boots, gloves, hat, blanket
Tools & flashlight
Tire traction material such as sand or cat litter
Shovel
Jumper cables
Flares or reflective triangle
Food
Coffee can furnace
First aid kit

Family Cars: More Dangerous Than 4WDs When Reversing

2007-12-04T23:34:00.000-08:00

You read it right. Compared to 4WDs, your car could put your family in much danger…

According to the recent NRMA test, family sedans are more dangerous than four-wheel drives when reversing. One child is run over in their driveway every week, accounting for about 10% of all child pedestrian deaths and injuries, said the leading insurance, motoring and travel firm. The insurer today released the findings of its "visibility index'' to highlight child pedestrian deaths.

The NRMA conducted tests on sedans and 4WDs, including those fitted with reversing cameras on their rear vision, according to a News.com.au report.

Pam Leicester, NRMA spokeswoman, said 7 luxury 4WDs fitted with the cameras scored 5 stars. But 3 out of 4 of the most popular family sedans, without the cameras, received a 0 star rating on the index.

"This is a real concern because many of these vehicles have hazardous reversing blind areas, usually caused by high rear window lines and boots,'' Leicester said.

She urged automakers to install reversing cameras on all cars. "Manufacturers installing display screens for audio, GPS and air-conditioning systems can add a reversing camera for minimal cost,'' she said. "That's why we urge manufacturers to offer reversing cameras as standard equipment to help keep small children safe.''

Leicester told ABC Online the automakers have been quick to place life-saving rear cameras in their top-end cars but not in their family sedans. She added it only costs a few dollars for a camera to be installed during a car's manufacture.

"People wouldn't be aware that it affects sedans as much as it does large vehicles, such as four-wheel drives," she concluded. "It's really about design, so it's got to do with the seating position of the driver. In sedans, that's sometimes quite low combined with a high rear-boot line, so that makes it extremely difficult to see something of a toddler's height behind the vehicle."

Caveat: Your family car should safeguard the dearest people of your life so don’t put their lives at risk by purchasing a mediocre vehicle as a means of transport. Remember, they are priceless.

Sydney: An Architectural Wasteland?

2007-11-30T18:31:00.000-08:00

Former Australian Prime Minister Paul Keating has described Sydney as an "architectural wasteland" saved only by its harbor. Do you agree?

Sydney is being choked to death by cars and cut off from its best asset, the harbor, by a freeway and rail link, said architect Jan Gehl, a renowned Danish urban designer who tries to revive the city.

Sydney was an ideal size for pedestrians, taking 12 minutes to walk across from east to west and 30 minutes south to north, noted the architect's plan. But pedestrian priority was low and there was a lack of cycling facilities, in spite of the city’s superb natural conditions for a strong cycle culture.

The city is regarded as one of the most naturally beautiful around the globe and has regularly been voted as one of the top destinations in international tourist polls. But a plan to make Sydney more people-friendly by found city streets were often in shadow due to high-rises, which formed concrete and glass canyons of high wind velocity, and that its open spaces were also bland, said a Reuters report.

"Sydney CBD (central business district) was filled up to the brim with car traffic 30-40 years ago. But this situation has remained unchallenged and unchanged ever since," said Gehl’s email. "Climate challenge, oil shortages and lifestyle changes will see most Western cities change from the car orientation of the 1950s to a much more sustainable and healthy agenda."

Sydney enjoys a "distinctive topography" with its grand harbor and undulating landscape providing "significant character", said a draft of Gehl's plan.

According to the report, Gehl will present the plan to the city council, which had commissioned it, on Monday. He has prepared similar studies for London, Copenhagen, Wellington, Stockholm, Rotterdam and Zurich. He said several cities such as Lyon, Copenhagen and Melbourne had improved their city centers to make them more attractive.

"We have found great things in Sydney CBD, but mainly at the edges and other aspects are not so remarkable," Gehl told Reuters.

Current harborside development will witness a 12-km walk along the foreshore from Woolloomooloo in the east, past the main ferry terminal of Circular Quay, to Pyrmont in the west. Sydney’s infrastructure sees 150,000 vehicles passing through the center and another 80,000 through its parklands, cutting the city off from the harbor.

"Circular Quay where the city does access the water is downgraded by a bulky ferry terminal and a likewise railway embankment as well as low quality retail," the draft said. "Darling Harbor is isolated, not only by closed frontages but also by an intersecting freeway."

Gehl said there were several ways for Sydney to reach a "new balance", citing a congestion charge on cars in London and Stockhol and Copenhagen's reduction of car parking spaces. His plan calls for Sydney to develop car free streets, shift transport hubs from the city center to its periphery and develop a low cost or free lightrail the length of the city.

Additionally, Gehl’s plan also necessitates the demolition of 2 major commuter routes: the western distributor freeway and the freeway and rail link above the ferry terminal.

"San Francisco had central freeways crumbling after the (1989) earthquake. They were removed and have not been replaced. The city is happily living with less traffic in the centre," Gehl concluded.

Sydney is a pretty nice tourist destination. But I do hope the territory’s government should take into consideration dramatic improvements that could boost general welfare and economy.

Mercedes-Benz Reaches Milestone

2007-11-27T20:29:00.000-08:00

German automaker Mercedes-Benz has been making cars which have been making heads turn for as long as we can remember. The European automaker's Alabama assembly facility recently reached a landmark when the 1 millionth Mercedes-Benz vehicle was produced at the said facility.

It took 10 years and nine months for the automaker to build the 1 millionth vehicle off of the Alabama plant. In 1997, the first Mercedes-Benz M-Class was built at the said facility. Today, there are three models being assembled at the plant and they are the new-generation M-Class, the R-Class Sports Tourer and the GL-Class SUV. The milestone vehicle was a white M-Class 350 which will be donated to an Alabama-based charity.

"Our entire organization is extremely proud of this accomplishment and the global teamwork that has made it happen," said Bill Taylor, plant manager of the Tuscaloosa assembly facility since 1998. "Alabama has provided us with an excellent workforce and this state has been committed to the success of our business. Because of that commitment to our plant, we plan to donate this vehicle to a non-profit within the state." At present, the company is still deciding on which charity will they donate the vehicle.

The first-generation M-Class which was manufactured at the assembly plant has been made available to United States auto buyers since 1998. According to the automaker, more than 570,000 units of the Mercedes-Benz M-Class have been manufactured in the Tuscaloosa plant. Half of them were sold in the United States.

This year, the German automaker has already sold 146,900 units of the M-Class all over the world. That is ten percent more than what they have sold last year for the same period showing that the M-Class is still one of the fiercest competitors in its segment.

Maserati: Now A Chick Brand

2007-11-24T05:41:00.000-08:00

You won’t exactly call Maserati's Quattroporte a "chick car," will you?

Maserati has etched a machismo stigma. But wait, look around time has brought Maserati some Y chromosome shoppers.

Maserati Quattroporte, the $115,000-worth sedan, with 400 horses under the hood, boasts of a mix of power and prestige in chic Italian doses. But the automaker said it has seen a growing number of women coming into dealerships ready to drop more than a hundred grand for the plush ride.

Since the debut of the automatic transmission in the Quattroporte, Maserati sales have increased 49% thanks to the six-speed automatic ZF transmission and the car's idiosyncratic style.

"There are a lot of reasons a woman would like the Quattroporte automatic," said Jeff Ehoodin, a Maserati spokesman. "They are much more pragmatic and that leads them to the sedan, and the automatic transmission certainly makes it more appealing because it is easier to drive. And look at it, it's beautiful."

Ehoodin did not have numbers showing how many women have purchased the 1,718 Quattroporte sedans sold through October but said the company expects this year to sell between 2,500 and 2,600 vehicles in the United States, which represents about 40% of the automaker’s global sales.

According to Autodata Inc. the upper luxury market, cars costing at least $65,000, has grown this year 4.2%, with 125,000 vehicles sold, despite overall luxury sales dropping 5.5% through October.

The Detroit News reports:

Designed by Pininfarina, the Italian design firm that has worked with the likes of Ferrari, the Quattroporte maintains long curvy lines along its body and a hand-crafted interior. Maserati also ties other names to its vehicles that might appeal more to women. The Maserati GranTurismo has luggage designed by fashion icon Salvatore Ferragamo, who is to shoes what Brembo is to brakes.

Designer labels, however, won't make any car easier to drive, an automatic transmission will. "About 90% of the U.S. market is automatics," Brinley said."Before, if you didn't drive a manual, you didn't drive these kinds of cars."

John Henke Jr., a marketing professor at Oakland University said the automatic shifter could seal the deal, but the vehicle's exclusivity plays a more important role in catering to a growing number of women who can afford it.

"From a demographic standpoint, these people are more frequent," Henke said. "They're way up there in the economics (making more than $200,000 a year). And more women are moving into those type of positions where they have that kind of money."

In the high-end luxury segment, Maserati could be an alternative to vehicles such as the BMW 7 Series or the Mercedes-Benz S Class, said Stephanie Brinley, an analyst at AutoPacific, an automotive research and consulting frim. "But it's much more exclusive than BMW or Mercedes," she said, noting that the 7 Series and S Class have sold nearly 34,000 vehicles through October.

"Really, these kinds of vehicles are a lifestyle choice; they are sexy and exclusive." Brinley added that if Maserati is drawing in more female customers, it's because that group of buyers has so few places to turn. "It's definitely an untapped market," she said.

The increase in sales is not that surprising to some. "I would think this is a very good practical, but expensive, vehicle," he said. "It's limited edition has the cachet as being very expressive and allows the women who can afford it the luxury showing the world they have arrived." More importantly, he added, is women in this group want to pamper themselves more than brag about how much money they make.

"They've accomplished something," he said. "It's not about showing off. They can afford it, they can buy it, and it makes them feel good and self assured."

Cross Cabriolet Concept Unveiled At Los Angeles Auto Show

2007-11-20T20:08:00.000-08:00

I've always liked Audi vehicles. The Audi R10 is currently my most favorite car from the German automaker. But this post is not about the R10 but instead about the Audi Cross Cabriolet Concept unveiled by Audi at the Los Angeles Auto Show. According to WorldCarFans, the concept vehicle looks a little like "an elongated A1 convertible".

We know what crossovers are right? Crossover SUVs are said to be the fusion of SUVs and cars. The Cross Cabriolet according to Audi is a vehicle which is a cross between an SUV and a convertible. This might sound like a wild dream but they have shown that there is a way of making a "convertible SUV". This only shows that Audi is one of the major automakers which breaks the boundaries and goes to great lengths to come up with high quality vehicles like the Cross Cabriolet.

The guys at World Car Fans though pointed out that we should not expect Audi to produce Audi A1 convertibles as the Cross Cabriolet is based on the chassis of the A4 and the A5. Said concept car measures 64.2 inches in height, five inches taller than the A4 convertible.

The Cross Cabriolet is powered by a 3.0-liter TDI engine which produces about 240 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque according to Audi. This is powered by diesel which costs less than gasoline. This is not surprising as Audi has created a name for itself in the diesel revolution. The Audi R10 race car which won the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans and the American Le Mans Series runs on diesel too. As for this Cross Cabriolet, consumers will only have to wait a short time before it hits tee market.

Best Cadillac In 50 Years

2007-11-19T21:16:00.000-08:00

American automakers are being criticized lately because their vehicles are deemed to be inferior to Japanese and European vehicles. But recently, the Cadillac CTS was named as the 2008 Car of the Year by Motor Trend. This accomplishment for General Motors' luxury brand signals the new era for Detroit automakers in terms of competing with European and Japanese rivals.

"The Cadillac CTS marks the first time in decades an American automobile has been designed and engineered with an eye on the global marketplace,” said Angus MacKenzie, the editor-in-chief of Motor Trend according to The Auto Channel. "Among its many excellent qualities, perhaps the most valuable one is that it shows Detroit can build a world class car to compete with the best Munich, Stuttgart and Toyota City have to offer. With the CTS, Detroit is officially back in the car business, not just the truck or SUV business," he added.

"The CTS’ winning attributes go far beyond a well-designed façade. It’s the star of a new GM revival, and with a base car price of just $32,990, the car is truly accessible to a wide spectrum of car buyers."

We all know that Cadillac has a long history of producing vehicles with high aesthetic value. The CTS is no exception to that with its clean lines and short overhangs. It is also not about how it looks from the outside but also what is inside and under the hood. The base model of the CTS is a VVT V6 engine which produces 263 horsepower. A 304-hp engine is optional.

To get the award, the CTS had to do battle with other truly competitive cars like the Audi TT, the Volvo XC70, and the Mercedes-Benz C–Class. "This year’s 18-car field was laden with truly significant vehicles," said Mackenzie. "We had all-new interpretations of high-volume benchmark cars that virtually define their respective categories, such as the Honda Accord and Chrysler-Dodge minivan. We had reworked icons such as the Mini Cooper, Subaru Impreza WRX and Scion xB. We had new cars with old nameplates that carried the collective hopes of an entire company, along with all-new vehicles from Mercedes-Benz and Audi."

The 2009 Toyota Matrix Is Here!

2007-11-12T18:24:00.000-08:00

Oh yeah, it has arrived… finally! So what’s new with the Matrix? I guess the answer is… a lot! New car shoppers will definitely go crazy when they get to see this awesome ride. So before we all lose our sanity, let’s check it out!

Check out some of the standard features of the 2009 Toyota Matrix:

POWERTRAIN

1.8-liter four-cylinder engine•132 hp @6,000 rpm
128 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4,400 rpm
Five-speed manual and Four-speed automatic transmissions
2.4-liter four-cylinder engine158 hp @ 6,000 rpm•162 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4,000 rpm
Five-speed manual and four and five-speed automatic transmissions

DIMENSIONS (inches)

Overall Length: 173.0 (S and XRS grades)
171.9 (Standard grade and S all-wheel-drive grade)
Overall Width: 69.5
Overall Height: 61.4 (XRS and S all-wheel-drive grades)
61.0 (Standard grade and S)Wheelbase: 102.4
Ground clearance: 5.3 (S and XRS grades)5.8 (Standard grade)

"The Matrix concept was based on blending the functionality of an SUV, the style, image and performance of a sports car with the affordability of a subcompact sedan. For 2009, it’s all that, and more. It may have the body of a five-door hatch, but it comes with the soul of a two-door sports car," says Tim Morrison, Toyota Division corporate marketing manager.

Audi Grabs Gran Turismo Best In Show Award

2007-11-12T06:35:00.000-08:00

Not all the time you grab the most prestigious awards. But when you do, it won't hurt to celebrate.

One of the remarkable wins to celebrate us the Gran Turismo Best in Show award at SEMA 2007. The prestigious award goes to the 2007 Audi TT. To note, the PlayStation's Gran Turismo is the best racing game around the globe.

Sony reports:

For the top honor, Marcel Horn's exceptional 2007 Audi TT will be immortalized as a featured vehicle in a future iteration of the Gran Turismo franchise, allowing millions of fans worldwide to race his vehicle. Last year's Best in Show award winning 1960 Chevrolet Corvette will be unveiled in Gran Turismo 5 Prologue, available on PLAYSTATION3 (PS3™) in North America in 2008.

PS3 Center writes:

Also for 2008, a TT-S(S for Sport) and TT-RS(RS for Renn Sport in German, or Race Sport) are in the works, similar to the S4 and RS4 versions of the Audi A4. The TT-S will use the turbocharged 2.0 liter I4 known from the Audi S3 producing 270 horsepower, and the TT-RS will use a 2.5 liter 5-cylinder engine making 350 horsepower, both intended to compete with the BMW Z4, Nissan 350Z, and Porsche
Cayman S. An upgraded 4-cylinder TDI is also planned with output more than the current top-of-the-line 125 kW (170 hp) model.

The new TT is equipped with an enhanced rear spoiler that will automatically extend at speeds greater than 75mph and retracts again at 50mph. It can also be manually controlled by the driver using a switch on the dash. It will again be offered as a 2+2 coupe with a roadster arriving in late 2007 as a 2008 model.

Also for 2008, a TT-S (S for Sport) and TT-RS (RS for Renn Sport in German, or Race Sport) are in the works. The TT-S will use the turbocharged 2.0 liter I4 known from the Audi S3 generating 270hp, and the TT-RS will use a 2.5 liter 5-cylinder engine making 350hp.

"The 2007 Gran Turismo Awards showcases the collaboration between the automotive culture and the gaming industry," said Kazunori Yamauchi, famed creator of the racing franchise and President of developer Polyphony Digital, Inc. "We are proud to honor auto enthusiasts for their passion of cars, and to celebrate the automotive lifestyle that Gran Turismo embodies."

The individual awards for the 2007 GT Award include:

"Best European Import" - Marcel Horn; 2007 Audi TT

"Best Domestic Automobile" - Gary Cheney; 2007 Factory Five GTM

"Best Hot Rod" - Jim and Mike Ring; 1967 Ford Mustang Fastback

"Best Japanese Import" - Michael Chung; 2007 Nissan 350Z

"Best Truck / SUV" - Mike DeFord; 2007 Dodge Ram

Mitsubishi Moments

2007-10-15T21:53:00.000-07:00

Mitsubishi is celebrating its 25th year in the United States auto market. Although sales for the company have plunged and its popularity has gone down, there are still a lot of Americans loyal to the brand. And I think that it is safe to say that Mitsubishi is still dedicated to its loyal buyer base in the US. Recently theautochannel.com reported that Mitsubishi Motors North America recognizes ten dealerships which have been with the company since its arrival on American soil. As part of the company's celebration of its 25th anniversary in North America, they asked dealerships what to share their special moments with the world.

The Auto Channel reports: "William Lehman remembered delivering his first Mitsubishi vehicle to a college student. There was only one problem; the student did not know how to drive a stick shift. The dealer taught the young woman how to drive a manual transmission and 25 years later she is still a loyal customer." William Lehman is the owner of William Lehman Mitsubishi in North Miami, Florida. His Mitsubishi dealership started doing business on August 26, 1982.

Cathy Stohlman of Stohlman Mitsubishi, according to the article, "remembered one unusual sales experience when a member of the military called over the phone to order a Lancer Evolution. Stohlman's dealership made plans to meet his wife at the Port of Baltimore to have the vehicle shipped to Germany but they found out the vehicle had too much gas in the tank, so they drove around with the wife for an hour to burn off the extra gas. The dealership got a nice call from the serviceman who said his new Lancer Evolution was faster than his commanding officer."

Crown Mitsubishi owner Dwayne Hawkins based in Saint Petersburg, Florida "reminisced about his dealerships most unusual sales experience, when they sold a 2004 Endeavor to a customer and the delivery day was timed with Hurricane Charlie hit the Florida coast. His Sales Manager and Finance Manager drove to the dealership during the storm and opened up the store so the customer could take delivery that day."

Apart from these stories, the article also cites other experiences of dealership owners. Meanwhile, Mitsubishi's President and CEO Hiroshi Harunari said: "We honor the commitment and loyalty to the Mitsubishi brand over the past 25 years of these pioneers in the Mitsubishi Motors family. Starting with the sale of the first Mighty Max, Cordia and Tredia models to today's Eclipse, Galant, Lancer, Endeavor, Outlander and Raider sales, the dedication of our dealers is what drives our continued success."

Top Ten Most Stolen Vehicles

2007-10-09T17:42:00.000-07:00

Hot Wheels of the National Insurance Crime Bureau released this particular list and thank God theautochannel.com was able to have the list of the 2006 the most stolen vehicles which they posted on their website.

The list was based on the data from reports received by the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) and here you can find the most stolen vehicles as taken from the NCIC's official website at http://www.nicb.org/ this week. The NCIC was able to compile data which includes the date when the model was made and the date when it was stolen. The complete stories were detailed at their official website.

For 2006, the most stolen vehicles in the nation were:

1. 1995 Honda Civic
2. 1991 Honda Accord
3. 1989 Toyota Camry
4. 1997 Ford F-150 Series Pickup
5. 2005 Dodge Ram Pickup
6. 1994 Chevrolet C/K 1500 Pickup
7. 1994 Nissan Sentra
8. 1994 Dodge Caravan
9. 1994 Saturn SL
10. 1990 Acura Integra

NICB's President and Chief Executive Officer Robert M. Bryant was quoted saying, "The decrease in vehicle thefts is certainly welcome news to law enforcement, the insurance industry and vehicle owners nationwide. At NICB, we have been providing the latest technology in auto theft detection and recovery equipment to law enforcement agencies from California to Florida. Through the support of our member insurance companies, NICB acquires and deploys License Plate Recognition systems and bait vehicles in an effort to reduce vehicle theft."

In 2006, there was a noted 1,192,809 stolen motor vehicles which is 42,417 less than the record set in 2005. The FBI's average valuation revealed an average valuation of $6,649 per stolen vehicle so as it amounted to a huge $7.9 billion on all the noted stolen cars.

Only 59% of these stolen cars were recovered but the whereabouts of the remaining 41% is still unknown.

The Most Remarkable Auto Innovations

2007-10-02T06:34:00.000-07:00

You are into cars and auto stuffs. But do you know the most remarkable auto innovations which have invaded the auto industry like a beneficial deluge in the past few decades?

Clueless? Well, The Star has made a timely recap…

1. Airbag

The airbag was invented in 1951 in the US by John W Hetrick, a former naval engineer. The key component - a ball-in-tube sensor for crash detection - was then invented by Allen K Breed, and the innovation was marketed to Chrysler in 1967.
2. Safety Belt

Safety belts were invented in the 1800s by George Cayley, a prolific engineer and pioneer of aeronautical engineering. The belts were introduced first to aircraft by Adolphe Pegoud in 1913 - the first pilot to fly upside down. After the Saab GT 750 was introduced at the New York motor show in 1958 with safety belts fitted as standard, the practice became commonplace.

3. Immobiliser

Early models worked by preventing ignition unless a static code in the ignition key was recognised by a radio-frequency identification checked to match the vehicle's engine control unit. Later models attempted to block the ability to copy this code by using rolling codes or advanced cryptography.

4. Navigation Systems/GPS

Typically using a GPS (Global Positioning Service), the automotive navigation system acquires data to locate the user on the unit's map database. There are a number of claimants as to who first created the system; Alpine claims to have invented the first automotive navigation system in 1981, while Honda claims the first navigation system in 1983, available in the 1990 Acura Legend. The first GPS-based auto navigation system has been claimed by Pioneer in 1990.

5. Anti-lock brakes

First developed in 1929 for aircraft, anti-lock braking systems had been in development by the German firms Bosch and Mercedes-Benz since the 1930s. The first completely electronic 4-wheel ABS system was installed in the Mercedes-Benz S-Class in 1978, and was first made standard equipment by BMW in 1986.

6. Cruise Control

A centrifugal governing speed control has been used in automobiles as early as the 1910s, with James Watt and Matthew Boulton's Peerless technology, originally designed for use in locomotives in 1788. The modern concept of speed control was designed by the blind inventor Ralph Teetor in 1945, who was frustrated with his car driver's tendency to speed up and slow down as he talked. The first car to use Teetor's system was the 1958 Chrysler Imperial.

7. The Hybrid

With an internal combustion engine and batteries for power, the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) can be recharged by connecting to an electrical source. Although no PHEVs are yet in production, Toyota, General Motors and Ford have all announced their intention to introduce the PHEV automobile.

8. Turbo charger

In 1905, the Swiss engineer Alfred Buchi applied for a patent for his internal combustion turbocharger. The system was initially applied to aircraft engines, and was first used in an automobile in 1952 by Fred Agabashian in the Indianapolis 500, giving him pole position and the race lead for 100 miles. Until the '70s the turbocharger was used mainly for sports cars. In 1976, Saab developed a turbo engine with the reliability and durability required for everyday use.

9. The Convertible

The convertible was in fact the original model for automobiles by default, until in 1910, Cadillac invented the first closed-body car. The popularity of the convertible soared in the 1950s and 60s, then all but disappeared in the US due to the threat of new regulations concerning rollover safety requirements.

10. Windscreen Wipers

The method of moving two vertical brushes up and down on a glass windshield was invented by J H Apjohn in 1903, while the patent for the windshield wiper swinging arm was applied for in 1905.

Like myself, I hope you find the article interesting as well.

Girl’s Hottest Cars by AskMen.com

2007-09-24T02:24:00.001-07:00

Askmen.com is not only giving updates about men but also giving out news about women as well. Just like when they revealed the top ten chick cars on their official website. These cars are said to be the hottest cars in the market that most women find interesting. Years ago, there basically were no cars considered to be chick-y enough but it was since the Cadillac started to eliminate the features of the car that were not suitable for women. And then the other car makers followed to make women-friendly cars. And these modern cars are the top ten cars of women. These cars received lots of votes from the women who visit Askmen.com.

Here are the top ten cars for women as released on AskMen.com’s Official Website. Here they are:

10. Mini Cooper Cabriolet
9. Pontiac G6
8. Mercedes-Benz C230 Kompressor
7. Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible
6. Chevrolet Suburban
5. BMW X3
4. Acura RSX
3. VW Eos
2. Toyota RAV4
1. Dodge Neon

The Mini Cooper Cabriolet captures the top ten notch on the list. It was followed by the Pontiac G6 on the ninth spot making the Mercedes-Benz C230 Kompressor cover the eighth spot. On the seven notch lands the Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible following the sixth placer Chevrolet Suburban.

On the fifth rank was BMW X3 following the Acura RSX on the fourth rank. The third place went to VW Eos making the Toyota RAV4 reach the second spot on the list.

And the Girl’s Hottest Car goes to the Dodge Neon which was found on the top of the list. It first appeared in the market in 1994. Only chicks will be amazed by a car with a rear view mirror and has the capability to handle 70 pounds or even a little greater. Without the hyper SRT edition, the car was labeled as a chick car. The design should be accounted to the engineers behind it which includes a Mr. Flintsone and a Mr. Rubble.

Smaller Cars, Bigger Features

2007-09-18T01:13:00.000-07:00

Gas price inflation was a blessing in disguise for automakers that manufacture small and fuel-efficient cars. And the auto trend is likely to continue. This is because inflation is likely to linger.

Another part of the small car trend is environment concerns. But the crucial part is the small cars’ big features. Uh-huh. Big things may come in small packages.

Boston.com has this list of exceptional small cars:

Toyota Yaris ($11,150 to $14,250):
Look no further, if you want good fuel economy (34 city, 40 highway), reliability and style on a budget. The Yaris comes in two basic model styles: a 2-door with a hatchback, and a 4-door sedan.

Toyota Corolla ($14,305 to $16,315):
The bulletproof Corolla comes with a higher level of standard equipment than the Yaris and feels like a more substantial vehicle. It is.

Honda Civic ($14,810 to $24,350):
Honda boasts that it offers the most fuel-efficient lineup of cars on the planet. If that's so, the Civic can take a lot of the credit. Even with an automatic transmission, the gasoline-powered Civic gets 40 mpg on the highway. A hybrid version hits 51 mpg.

Honda Fit ($13,850 to $15,970):
A half-step below Civic in size, price and utility is the new Fit. One of Fit's strengths is how well it does divvying up space between front seats, back seats and cargo bay. It delivers excellent fuel economy in the mid-to-upper 30 mpg range.

Nissan Versa ($12,550 to $15,550):
Advertisements for the Versa stress that it is one small car that doesn't make its occupants feel squeezed. Engineers have done a good job of squeezing the fat out of the design, not its occupants.

Mazda 3 ($13,795 to $23,955):
Mazda enjoys a sportier image than some of its competitors. But the 3 compact also offers good driving dynamics, an engaging interior design and build quality that will keep an owner admiring the purchase long after the loan is paid off. Fuel economy could be a bit better for a vehicle this size, but there is an inevitable trade-off for all that "zoom-zoom."

Ford Focus ($13,480 to $17,550):
Not as much fun as its cousin, the Mazda 3, the Focus still has a loyal following. The 2007 model is the last in a line of vehicles that have been around, with few changes, since 2000.

Toyota Prius ($22,175 to $23,070):
Though the Prius is classified as a compact car, this environmentally friendly hybrid feels like it is in a class by itself. It's not fast, doesn't handle all that well, could be roomier and more comfortable, and its looks are an acquired taste. But there is no arguing with Prius' fuel-saving benefits for the planet, as well as your wallet.

Mini Cooper ($18,050 to $25,400):
The Mini Cooper is a compact car with 40 mpg fuel economy, more style per square inch than any car in the industry, and a fun-to-drive quotient that will leave you with a permanent grin plastered to your face.

Take your pick. Indulge.

MotorTrend’s Top Ten Non-American Cars

2007-09-17T19:01:00.000-07:00

MotorTrend recently released its list of the the top ten cars at the 2007 Frankfurt Auto Show which cannot be available in the US car market. I took the list from their official website to bring them to you. Here is MotorTrend’s Top Ten Non-American Cars. Check it out.

10. Suzuki Swift
9. Mazda2
8. Fiat 500
7. Mercedes-Benz GL420 CDI
6. Peugeot 207 RC and Clio Renaultsport 197
5. Honda Civic Type R
4. Ford Kuga
3. BMW M5 Wagon
2. Artega GT
1. Audi RS 6 Avant

The tenth spot belongs to the Suzuki Swift which came all the way to Japan to show off its skin and design to the viewers of the recently opened 2007 Frankfurt Auto Show. It was followed by another Japanese car model, the Mazda2, which takes the ninth spot on the list. The Fiat 500 is a full pledge European car that was found on the eighth spot on the list.

The Mercedes-Benz GL420 CDI landed on seventh rank and the Peugeot 207 RC and Clio Renaultsport 197 placed sixth. The Honda Civic Type R, also a Japanese car brand, owned the fifth spot thus making way for the Ford Kuga, the most famous car production model on the show, to take the fourth notch.

The BMW M5 Wagon got into the third spot making the Artega GT land on the second spot. And the one that tops the list is the Audi RS 6 Avant.

These cars are only made for the European car market but the makers are still looking forward to making all of them available in other car markets as well including the US. These cars are on the list since the makers do not have plans on selling it in the US car market.

Comfort from 2009 Dodge Journey

2007-09-03T17:40:00.000-07:00

I have seen the 2009 Dodge Journey recently and it quite caught my attention - most especially by its interior features. Some may think it is cheap and very usual. But personally, I could see that behind its simplicity is the comfort and ease that I could scarcely find in most vehicles nowasays. It has been designed for those who love carrying sorts of stuff for travel. As I could see, the storage is impressive and the seats are spacious.

Seating and Storage

Standard Five-passenger Seating with Available 5+2 Seating provides flexible seating and cargo capability
Available Occasional Use, 5+2, 50/50-split Third-row Seat with Recline feature folds flat for added cargo space when not in use
90-degree Rear Door Openings make it easier to load and install child safety seats and provides access the available 5+2 seating
Fold-flat Front Seat with Flip 'N Stow provides storage under the seat cushion and a table-like surface when folded flat for added cargo flexibility. The seat cushion flips forward to reveal a 10.75 x 8.75-inch (273 x 222 mm) bin. The cushion can remain in the forward position to prevent items from sliding onto the floor
Two Second-row In-floor Storage Bins located in the floor behind the front row seats are designed to hold 12, 12-oz. (330 ml) cans plus ice or other items conveniently out of sight. The bins feature latching lids and removable, washable liners for added convenience
Stadium Tip 'N Slide Seat provides easy entry to the third row with one-hand, one-motion operation
Tri-fold Load Floor located behind the second-row seats provides a hidden storage compartment for added utility. The load floor is reversible and configures into a "grocery bag" position. The primary side of the folding panel is carpeted for durability
Rear In-floor Storage Bin for 5+2 Passenger Vehicles includes a hidden storage bin behind the third-row seat. For added utility, a door in the bottom of the bin provides access to the tool and jack storage compartment
Child Presentation Feature allows the driver to attend to a small child in the second-row seat when the vehicle is stationary
Available Child Booster Seats for children 4 foot 9 inches (1.45 m) tall and between 48 lbs. (22 kg) and 85 lbs. (39 kg), raises the child into the adult belted zone
Activity Center in second row seatback folds forward to provide two cup holders and a bin for storage of small electronics, snacks, crayons or other small items
Sunglass Bin with Child Observation Mirror features convex glass for a wide field of view that allows the driver and front passenger to conveniently view the rear occupants
Sliding Center Arm Rest moves forward 3 inches (76 mm) for driver comfort
Available Heated Front Seats with Leather or Premium Cloth enhance the comfort of the driver and front passenger (segment exclusive in North America)
Molded Map Pockets with Bottle Holders in all four doors enhance storage and convenience

That is just for the interior. You could find other more features of the 2009 Dodge Journey from jalopnik.com. And to see it closely, be at the Frankfurt Auto Show for it shall be on display.

The Cheapest

2007-08-24T20:00:00.000-07:00

Have you chosen which car out of the three most expensive cars you will buy? If not, I'm going to suggest one car that I think you would really like if you are not really a billionaire and is cash strapped but wanting to own a car. This car though would have to be imported as I don't think it will be released in the country any time soon. This is because the car is designed and will be mass produced by an Indian automaker. This automaker is rumored to be interested in the acquisition of Jaguar and Land Rover and it is interesting to see its lineup pairing a Jaguar with the world's cheapest car.

The automaker I'm talking about is Tata Motors. The company is India's fourth largest automaker and it can be the largest if its new car in development becomes a success. The company is looking to take advantage of the growing middle class families by offering a car that is cheap. Cheap in the sense that it is the lowest priced automobile in the world and not a trashy car. The Rs One Lakh which is actually the price of the car. That price is 100,000 rupees or about $2,500. So if you are planning to buy a Veyron, you can just buy many units of this car instead.

The conditions in the Indian auto market are very good for the arrival of the Rs One Lakh. According to MSNBC, for every one thousand people in India, only eight owns a car. And with the economy of the country picking up, it is expected that the number of Indians owning cars will increase in the very near future. Especially if the Rs One Lakh is a good car. Compared to the United States where 750 person out of a thousand owns a car, India is considered by many as an automaker's paradise. No surprise automakers like Nissan, Toyota, Honda, General Motors, Ford, Renault, and Volkswagen just to name a few has already started expanding their operation in the said Asian country.

Manishi Raychaudhuri, a UBS analyst has this to say about the world's cheapest car. "The potential for that car to sell in large numbers is huge. In India, the penetration of four-wheelers is very low. So naturally there's some status attached to having a real car — it's kind of a showpiece."

Reports have it that Tata Motors is planning not only to market the Rs One Lakh in India but in other Asian countries as well.

The Most Expensive Cars

2007-08-22T23:58:00.000-07:00

If you are a billionaire and you are thinking about buying a car, let me give a rundown of some of the cars that you might be interested in. These are the most expensive cars in the world. These cars will not only cost you a fortune when buying it. You will also have to pay taxes for these cars. And then there's that constant pampering that it needs to maintain its showroom aura.

So here we go, first up is the fastest production car today, the Bugatti Veyron. It has a lot of superlatives connected to its name. Aside from being the fastest production car, it is also the most expensive, and the most powerful production car. It is one of the best looking cars ever. It's got a W16 engine with an output of 1001 hp. If you're wondering what a W16 is, let's just say that it is actually two V8s strapped together. It could be yours for about $1,200,000.

A bit too pricey for you? How about the Pagani Zonda Roadster F C12S7.3 Clubsport version. Its engine produces 650 hp. Although far from the thousand horses that the Veyron packs, that amount of power is enough to make you think twice before driving without wearing a seatbelt. In terms of its looks, it is superb. No other car in the world has that bold yet sleek styling of this Pagani. This baby can be yours for just $667,320.

Still not a fit for you? Then let's try an American car. Next on our list is the Shelby Super Car Ultimate Aero TT. This is the fastest and the most expensive American car. According to its manufacturer, it has the power to take the record away from the Veyron. Watch out late this month and SSC will be testing the car once again on open roads in an effort to take the record away from a European car. Its engine can produce as much as 1,046 hp. That power can push the Aero TT to speeds exceeding 260 miles per hour. That power is developed in its engine. This car is yours for $654,500.

So that's the three most expensive cars that I know of. I think the Pagani and the Veyron are not available to North American car buyers so if you really want to buy one, you would have to spend more than the price tag on the cars. Or maybe, you can just buy a Kia or a Hyundai and pretend that you are driving a Bugatti when your driving around on it.

Maserati Celebrates Fangio

2007-08-17T18:34:00.000-07:00

Anyone who is a fan of Formula One certainly knows who Juan Manuel Fangio is. Called the Maestro, the Argentine Formula One driver has the most championship of five until Michael Schumacher eclipsed it with his seven championships. During the first decade of the sport, Fangio was the one who dominated it. And this month marks the 50th year of his famous win in his entire career.

On August 4, 1957, Juan Manuel Fangio, driving the Maserati 250F, has done what nobody thought was possible. At the 1957 German Grand Prix’s closing laps, Fangio was 45 seconds behind the Ferrari drivers Mike Hawthorn and Peter Collins. It took Fangio only ten laps to close the gap between him and the Ferraris and went on to win the race. Fangio was driving for Maserati then and in celebration of his epic win at the Nürburgring, Maserati is presented a special trophy to the highest placed 250F at the OldTimer Grand Prix classic race.

The Maestro spoke highly of Maserati. He said: “I've raced and won in cars of all marques but I've always had a special relationship with Maserati: not only were the cars safe, reliable and always absolutely technically avant-garde, but there was a very special friendship and atmosphere between myself and the marque. I felt completely at home.”

Thus, it is not surprising that Maserati feels the same way about Fangio. The automaker recently launched a website in celebration of the Maestro’s win at the Nürburgring 50 years ago. The site describes Fangio’s win at the German Grand Prix saying: “The Argentine’s fifth and last World Driver’s Title was arguably his greatest, if anything because of the sheer superiority he demonstrated on tracks such as Buenos Aires, Rouen, or the infamous Nordschleife at the Nürburgring. Formula One historians generally agree that this was not only his finest race, but also the greatest Grand Prix ever run.”

And that counts the recent wins by Hamilton or Alonso or Massa or Raikkonen. Even the seven-time world champion Schumacher was not able to leave a mark such as what the Maestro did at that fateful race.

The car that Fangio drove in that historic race will be displayed at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show which will start on September 11. The legendary car will be displayed along with modern Maserati cars such as the new GranTurismo and the Quattroporte. Even among these modern supercars I know that the 250F that the Maestro piloted will stand out. Just like old times eh?

The Greatest Reigns

2007-08-12T22:33:00.000-07:00

When it comes to sports cars, we each have our own preferences. You might love the Enzo while others may prefer a Miata. But for the people at Discovery Channel’s Greatest Ever segment, a European sports car was judged as the greatest ever sports car. Let us not get too hasty though, let us count down the ten greatest sports car according to Discovery Channel.

Number ten on the list is the Lamborghini Countach of 1984. This is the last year that the Italian government has overseen the production of the sports car. It has a top speed of 306 km/h and is powered by a V12 engine.

Ranked ninth was the Nissan Skyline from 1968 onwards. It is the forerunner of the Infiniti G today. Back then, the Skylines produced by Nissan were equipped with V8 engines. They can reach speeds of 260 km/h or more.

Number eight on the list is the Corvette Sting Ray from the year 1967. This was the last year that General Motors manufactured the Sting Ray. This particular sports car is powered by a V8 which can propel the car to speeds of 240 km/h.

Next on the list is the Aston Martin DB5 from 1963. This car was made famous by Agent 007 James Bond. This car equipped with a V12 and can produce as much as 286 horsepower is the car used by the British agent in the movie Goldfinger among many others.

Sixth on the greatest ever list is the Mercedes Gullwing SL from the year 1954. Dubbed as the Widowmaker, this notorious sports car is equipped with a six-cylinder engine which provides 215 horsepower enabling the car to reach speeds of 260 km/h.

Fifth on the list is the Ferrari Enzo year 2002. This iconic car is the one I expect to come out on top but the guys behind this how think otherwise. The car named after the founder of the Prancing Horse is powered by a V12 and can reach speeds of 360 km/h.

Fourth is the Jaguar E-Type from 1961 with a tops speed of 270 km/h. Similar to the Mercedes, it is equipped with a six-cylinder engine.

Third on the list is the McLaren F1 year 1994. Built to be the fastest, the McLaren can reach speeds of 386 km/h.

Second on the list is the Mazda Miata of 1989. This car brought back the roadster variants to sports cars’ lineups.

And topping the list is the Porsche 911 from the year 1964. This immortal sports car has undergone many changes and symbolizes everything that a sports car should be.

Initial D Uses Real Drift Cars

2007-08-03T21:43:00.000-07:00

Initial D. Oh c’mon! Don’t tell me you have no idea. That’s the ridiculously popular anime series in Japan. What would shun the anime from recognition if it warrants the use of full size cars? Yeah. Real drift cars!

The drift cars are mounted on motion simulators in place of a conventional gaming cabinet. The game/simulator can be found at the SEGA Joypolis in Odaiba (Tokyo), Japan and comes in three versions using the actual bodies of a Subaru Impreza WRX, a Toyota GT-APEX and a Mazda RX-7. The game itself plays out on a 90-inch monitor mounted in front of the vehicle and for only $5, you can cruise around one of three different courses, writes Oh Gizmo.

The anime series following the exploits of a young tofu-delivery-guy-turned-illegal-drift-racer, has been hugely popular in its home country since the mid-'90s, says Tim Stevens of Switched. “Its fast-paced scenes of sideways, wheel-to-wheel racing never really captured the eye of many American viewers, but in Japan, the show helped inspire the popularity of professional (and legal) drift racing.”

Naturally, the craze gave rise to a whole slew of video games aimed that at those wanting to experience the same thing without the whole risk of actually crashing their cars and such, adds Stevens. “Unfortunately, those games could never replicate the feel of actually sitting in a tuned drift car - until now. At Sega's Joypolis mega-arcade near Tokyo, an installation 'Initial D Arcade Stage 4 Limited' game includes three full-sized cars selected from the anime series. The first is the tofu-wagon itself, the iconic white Toyota Sprinter Trueno GT-APEX ‘Hachi-Roku’ featured in the series.”

“The other two are common drift cars, a Mazda RX-7 and a Subaru WRX. Of course, players don't actually drive these cars - the vehicles are just set on top of motion simulators - but the seats, dashboard, and steering wheel are the real deal,” says Stevens.

Initial D, also called "Kashiramoji Dī," is a manga (Japanese word for comics and print cartoons) by Shuichi Shigeno. The anime series has been serialized in Kodansha's Young Magazine since 1995 and has been adapted into a long-running anime series by Pastel, Studio Gallop, and OP Planning. The said series was launched in Japan on Fuji TV and Animax.

The Initial D concentrates on the illegal street racing realm. The ‘drifting’ is focused in the mountain passes and never in cities. Also, the drift racing style is predominantly stressed. The story revolves around the Japanese prefecture of Gunma as well as surrounding cities and towns. The locations used are inspired by the Gunma Prefecture.

At about $5 a try, the game is certainly not that affordable. But it’s a lot more practical than trying it for real. You may not find a BMW 3.0cs radiator inside the arcade but the game is really worth it.

And if you have no plans of visiting Japan this early, might as well wait for the upcoming launch of a home version… I’ll be waiting too.

2008 Honda Ridgeline Review

2007-08-01T18:24:00.000-07:00

This innovated Honda Ridgeline, a four-door pickup, has been made bigger and more space-efficient as a vehicle. I find it even tougher with its front bumper (which have structural members that extend down to prevent the truck from overriding a lover or smaller vehicle in a collision - for safety) with a honeycomb grille and 22 inch rims. Such may be the design though we know that not all people are attracted with its exterior looks. From the side, it looks very much a solid piece - no are gaps between the cab and the box, which is a concept applied in several pickup trucks.

Being spacey, we could probably hide some stuff and goodies without feeling brimmed for the vehicle comes with pretty good storage provisions. It has a four-wheel independent suspension, enabling the vehicle to run smoother. It is equipped with 255 bhp v6 engine joined with a five speed automatic transmission. Its standard mode is the all-wheel-drive. These features make it very much ideal for road trips and long travels.

Interiorly, it is engineered to specifically emphasize spacing, with large center armrest or storage console provide in multiple levels, and including a deep bottom one. Giving it a neat look makes it unsupplied with bottle holders in the door pockets, which is a bit surprising. But, what is generally important is that they’ve used superior quality parts for the interior.

It has an 8.2 inches ground clearance with low cal floor for ease of entry and exit. It just doesn’t sound well for having non-adjustable pedals and steering wheels that doesn’t telescope.

Having a four-wheel independent suspension, where usually the truck-based variety has a solid rear axle, the vehicle capitulate both the ride and handling, enabling the vehicle to raise its center of gravity and its rollover capacity.

It is said to have better lateral grips in turns than the Honda Accord coupe, for having an efficient rack-and-pinion steering that provides confidence-inspiring precision.

According to the company’s research, owners of pickup trucks make up about 65% to 75% of 5 million customers. This just proves that it really moves up the sales of Honda so they are very much dedicated in upgrading the kinds.

In 2010, the Honda Ridgeline is proposed to have a V6 Diesel, for Honda continues its quest to captivate the market with fuel efficient vehicles.

Here Comes the Next Generation Beetle Bee

2007-08-01T00:56:00.001-07:00

AutoBild announced that the ever famous Beetle Bee maker Volkswagen will soon release the next generation Beetle Bee. The German auto maker will be making it available this coming 2009. Volkswagen did not share the images of their upcoming retuned model of the ever-famous Beetle Bee but they can just stop all the artists and other car enthusiasts to have snap shots of their legendary piece. Volkswagen gave the new car a new style. We are not sure about what these retunes were but I guess this will definitely set a friendly completion between other car brands.

The Beetle Bee will be wearing some of the VW Golf VI platform however the Microbus will also use the older parts of the Golf and the Touran. But, the looks given to the new Beetle adds a little sporty look to the VW car. The picture shows that the new car has a spitting image of the 997. The German car maker also gave the Beetle Bee a powertrain coming from the Golf VI and it is pretty obvious that the new car also had a few parts coming from its sister, the Golf VI.

2007 Honda CR-V: Something To Crave About!

2007-07-27T01:02:00.000-07:00

Just this morning when I woke up, I suddenly felt the cravings for pancakes, hot chocolate and sausages! Good thing is, I have my mom to cook it for me! I had the breakfast ever! It’s like fulfilling something after you’ve worked for it for a very long time. It’s like pouring down coolants and fluids in to your Isuzu Amigo radiator!

So, aside for my cravings for sausages, pancakes and hot chocolate, there still this one thing that I crave about… do you want to know what that is? But I guess I’m not the only one who craves for this hot stuff. Everybody’s craving for it! It’s the 2007 Honda CR-V! The popular SUV returns with a total transformation on the outside and, of course, more added standard interior features. The 2007 Honda CR-V resurfaced with a lot of surprises to new car buyers.

The new CR-V goes along with the best convenient feature so far in an SUV. Starting off with the entertainment system, the 2007 CR-V is equipped with a 270 AM/FM/6-Disc Center-Console-CD Changer Audio System with 7 Speakers including Subwoofer, MP3/Windows Media®, Audio (WMA) Playback Capability, MP3/Auxiliary Input Jack, XM® Satellite Radio, digital Audio-Card reader, CD Text Display Capability and a Speed-Sensitive Volume Control (SVC)! Wow! Talk about class and convenience, the 2007 CR-V is bountiful of the coolest features there is!

Interior features also include Air Conditioning with Air-Filtration System, Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™ with Voice Recognition and rearview camera, power windows with auto-up/down driver's window, Power Door and Tailgate Locks, cruise control, tilt and telescopic steering column, leather-wrapped steering wheel, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, retractable center tray table, center console, driver's and front passenger's vanity mirrors, conversation mirror with sunglasses holder, instrument panel-mounted shifter, beverage holders, front and rear (8 total), 12-volt power outlets front / rear front / center tray / rear front / center console / rear upper and lower glove compartments under seat storage bin standard without navigation, door-pocket storage bins and a lot more! Whew!

Believe me when I say there’s more because standard features are pouring down into this awesome SUV, which I haven’t mentioned yet! Just wait ‘til you see one of these rides in the flesh!

Here are the safety features available in the 2007 Honda CR-V, courtesy of honda.com:

3-Point Seat Belts at all Seating Positions
Front 3-Point Seat Belts with Automatic Tensioning System
Adjustable Front Seat Belt Anchors
Dual-Stage, Dual-Threshold Front Airbags (SRS)
Front Side Airbags with Passenger-Side Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS)
Side Curtain Airbags with Rollover Sensor
Driver's and Front Passenger's Active Head Restraints
Advanced Compatibility Engineering™(ACE™) Body Structure
Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS)
Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD)
Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®) with Traction Control
Brake Assist
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
Daytime Running Lights (DRL)
Side-Impact Door Beams
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH)
Child-Proof Rear Door Locks
Immobilizer Theft-Deterrent System

Toyota Hybrid Car Certified in Japan

2007-07-26T01:13:00.000-07:00

The Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) revealed two new hybrid cars in Japan on a road test. The Japanese car maker said that this will be the first ever hybrid car developed by TMC for public roads in Japan.

The new car is named the TOYOTA Plug-in HV. This new car is citified by Japan for public road use. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport approved the new car. The Plug-in HV is also powered by a gasoline engine and electric motor. The new batteries installed on the new car can be charged using home electricity. The battery is also used only for short distance travels even if it is fully charged.

The new car will more likely run on electricity rather than gasoline because of its capacity to travel only short distances. This will result to a real time fuel efficiency with reduced Co2 emissions. This does not only save you from spending much on gasoline but it will also produce gases which are harmless to our environment. The battery charging only lasts for 1 hour. This is less time consuming - plus, it also helps you save your buck which you might have spent on gasoline.

The Japanese auto maker is also planning to bring the new hybrid car for a road test in both US and Europe. Meanwhile, check the specifications of the new hybrid car from Toyota.

Main Specifications of Toyota Plug-in HV

Vehicle Name: TOYOTA Plug-in HV
Length: 4,445mm
Width: 1,725mm
Height: 1,490mm
Weight 1,360kg
Seating capacity: 5 persons
Performance in electric vehicle mode Cruising range: 13km in the 10-15 Japanese test cycle
Maximum vehicle speed: 100km/h
Engine Displacement: 1,496cc
Maximum output: 56kW (76PS) / 5,000rpm
Maximum torque: 110N-m (11.2kg-m) / 4,000rpm
Motor Type: AC synchronous motor
Maximum output: 50kW (68PS) / 1,200 - 1,540rpm
Maximum torque: 400N-m(40.8kg-m) / 0 - 1,200rpm
Secondary battery Type: Nickel-metal hydride
Capacity: 13Ah (6.5Ah x 2)
Rated voltage: 202V
Overall system Maximum output: 100kW (136PS)
Voltage: 202 - 500V
Battery charging Power source: Household electrical power
Charging time: 1 - 1.5hrs (200V), 3 - 4hrs (100V)

*Based on TMC calculations; output that the system can achieve using engine power and electric motor power (electric motor power is dependent on battery power)

I found this news on theautochannel.com, the daily car online news that supplies the net with comprehensive daily data on the US car market. Check their site if you wish to read more news about this new hybrid.

Transformers Number One!

2007-07-24T22:46:00.001-07:00

On its fourth week of screening, the Transformers movie still reigns at the Hollywood box office! Oh yeah! Sam, the Autobots and Decepticons have placed themselves in to the number one spot in behalf of DreamWorks Production, Paramount Pictures and Hasbro and they have been outperforming other blockbuster hits during this season! So why am I talking about this awesome movie instead of our usual engine parts and auto update conversations? Let me tell you this: cars and other cool vehicles have something to do with the Transformers’ success since it was first shown on cinemas last July 4, 2007.

Aside from the radical effects, great story and cool characters, the featured vehicles on the big hit film stood up and emerged as the major factors of that made people go crazy about the Transformers. To those who haven’t seen this movie or to those people who are not quite familiar with the vehicle alternates of the robots, let me give you refreshing bits about these characters.

Autobots

Optimus Prime (Peterbilt 379 truck): The intelligent and powerful Autobot leader who comes to protect humanity from the evil Decepticons.
Bumblebee (1969/2009 Chevrolet Camaro): A friendly explorer who develops a friendship with Sam and Mikaela during his efforts to find the Allspark.
Jazz (Modified Pontiac Solstice): Optimus' second-in-command, he is a small but acrobatic fighter. He is geared with magnetic hands.
Ironhide (Custom GMC Topkick C4500 pick-up truck): The hard-hitting weapons specialist of the group.
Ratchet (Search & Rescue Hummer H2): The team's medic and scientist. He has enhanced senses, distinguished from Sam's pheromones that he has the hots for Mikaela, He uses a gun and a saw.

Decepticons

Megatron (Cybertronian "jet"): The brutal Decepticon leader who desires power over the Allspark.
Starscream (F-22 Raptor): Megatron's second-in-command who leads the Decepticons in his absence. He was criticized for failing him repeatedly once Megatron returned that led to an uneasy relationship between the two.
Barricade (Saleen S281 Mustang police car): A Decepticon in cover of a police car that attacked Sam. On the back quarter pane of his vehicle form is written to “punish and enslave”, instead of “to protect and serve”.
Frenzy (GPX 2-speaker CD player, mobile phone): The smallest Decepticon who worked as a spy and a computer hacker who tracked Sam down. He is an agile fighter. Frenzy is armed with blades hidden as CDs from his chest.
Bonecrusher (Buffalo H Mine-Protected vehicle): He attacked Optimus Prime on the highway to Mission City to interrupt Optimus' arrival.
Blackout (MH-53 Pave Low helicopter).

Ford’s Quality Keeps Getting Better And Better…

2007-07-20T20:17:00.000-07:00

When I came across Ford’s web site to check on some latest news and updates, I was so happy to read an article about Ford earning another achievement! For the third straight year, Ford has improved its quality which outpaced the 2007 U.S. Global Quality Research System (GQRS) survey for the second quarter. 19 Ford Motor Company vehicles ranked as the top three for both customer satisfaction and the “Things Gone Wrong” (TGW) performance category. The Ford Edge, Mustang Shelby GT500, Explorer, E-Series vans, Lincoln Mark LT pickup and the Mazda MX-5 Miata ranked number one in their segments in the industry study while high-quality opened and landed the Ford Edge and the Lincoln MKX crossovers - once again number one!

Second-place winners for TGW performance and customer satisfaction include:
*Ford Freestyle: TGW performance, Crossover utility.
*Ford Expedition: TGW performance, Large traditional utility.
*Ford Expedition EL: Customer satisfaction performance, Large traditional utility.
*Ford E-Series: TGW performance, Full-size van passenger/cargo.
*Mercury Milan: TGW performance, CD car segment.
*Mercury Mountaineer: TGW performance, Medium traditional utility.
*Lincoln Navigator L: TGW performance and customer satisfaction performance, Large premium utility.
*Mazda MX-5 Miata: customer satisfaction, Sports car segment.
*Volvo S60: TGW performance, CD Premium car segment.
*Volvo S80: TGW performance, D Premium car segment.

Third-place winners include:
*Ford Fusion: TGW performance, CD car segment.
*Ford F-150: TGW performance, Full-size light truck segment.
*Lincoln MKZ: TGW performance, CD Premium car segment.
*Lincoln Navigator: TGW performance and customer satisfaction performance, large premium utility segment.
*Mazda MX-5 Miata: TGW performance, Sports car segment.

“We’re launching new products with quality, and our team is working hard to consistently build quality into the vehicles we’re delivering for customers. We’ve redoubled our commitment to deliver more products customers really want – with quality that rivals the best in the industry,” said Mark Fields, the president of The Americas, Ford Motor Company.

2008 Mercury Mariner Hits A Homerun Online!

2007-07-18T19:42:00.000-07:00

Guess what hot stuff amazes online shoppers right now aside from the awesome rims and other auto parts and accessories?

Online shoppers, consumers and new-vehicle buyers love the 2008 Mercury Mariner! The 2008 Mariner is creating enthusiastic reviews among consumers as it pleasures itself with a invigorating sales rate. The sales rate for the 2008 Mariner went up to an enormous 97 percent last month! That’s not all - the 2008 Mariner also helped Ford, Lincoln and Mercury crossovers to reach 83 percent which marks the biggest sales garnered in the industry’s best ever rising segment!

The 2008 Mariner is absolutely a big hit! As a percentage of trade-ins coming from other contenders' range of models, the 2008 Mariner magnetizes more new clients to Ford and Lincoln Mercury (except for the Ford Mustang) more than any brand.

The 2008 Mariner impressed customers with its totally redesigned interior and exterior. This ride showcased an updated safety package with a quieter ride and more sophisticated driving dynamics!

Let’s check out some of the consumer reviews of the 2008 Mercury Mariner as posted in three of the greatest automotive research sites - autos.yahoo.com, edmunds.com and autos.msn.com:

I Made the Right Decision - “Best car/SUV I purchased in the last 20 years. Great gas mileage, more than enough room in the back seat and cargo space is good. A lot of head room, so if you are tall, no problem. I switched from a Jeep Grand Cherokee and I like the Mariner much better. Smoother ride, less road noise, and better handling! Just a great SUV and you don’t have to worry about gas. It’s listed at 20-26; however, I am averaging 27.5 miles per gallon.” [posted by Midas on autos.msn.com]

Traded Up to an American SUV! - “I love the luxurious ride in my 2008 Mariner. The ride is smooth! Lots of nice features for the price, leather seats, dual temperature controls. I am enjoying the navigation system, Sirius radio, dual temperature controls. I can set the internal temperature. Many extras.” [posted by Maureen on edmunds.com]

Best Little SUV on the Market!!!!!! - “Recently I purchased a 2008 Mercury Mariner and I have to say I could not be happier with it. This is my second Mariner. The first one was a 2005 and I loved it so much, I just had to have the redesigned model. First of all, the ride is 100 percent improved over the old model. It is quiet and smooth and it handles much better. The navigation system is very easy to use and gives precise directions and the Sirius radio is great. You can put just about anything in that DEEP center console. I am 6’3” and I have plenty of head and legroom but the rear legroom can be tight and the quality of the interior is improved over the old model as well. I really recommend the Mercury Mariner to all.” [posted by Nick on edmunds.com]

Ford Denies Volvo Cars Potential Sale

2007-07-17T01:25:00.000-07:00

If you are reading auto headlines these past few weeks, you might have been confused by now. Why? Because different companies are reporting different versions of the news. So is Ford really planning to sell all of its European brands including Volvo Cars? Let the Ford mirror enlighten us…

Reuters reported Sunday that Ford is considering selling its Volvo Cars business as it assesses the future of its European operations, a source familiar with the matter said on Sunday. The review of Volvo was still at a very early stage and may not result in a sale, the source told Reuters, adding that Ford had so far not hired financial advisers for the operation.

"Ford is not in discussions with any company to sell Volvo, however we are continuing to assess options for all our operations," a London-based spokesman for Ford said, while declining to comment further.

Last week, speculation about a Volvo takeover was fuelled by an interview with BMW Chief Financial Officer Stefan Krause in a German newspaper, who had not ruled out takeovers of other carmakers or brands, although he was also quoted as saying any talk of a bid for Volvo Cars was "pure speculation."

The speculation, however, lifted shares in Swedish truck maker Volvo around 5 percent on Thursday and analysts said that there was market confusion for a period as investors mixed up the Swedish truck maker with the Ford-owned auto maker.

Ford, the second-biggest US automaker, said it isn't in talks to sell its profitable Volvo Car Corp business, after reports in the UK and the US said the company may dispose of the Swedish unit.

Ford is not in "any discussions with anyone in relation to selling Volvo," Ford spokesman John Gardiner said in a telephone interview from London yesterday.

The London-based Sunday Times reported yesterday that Ford had decided two weeks ago to sell Volvo for as much as US$8 billion. The Sunday Telegraph, for its part, said that Ford was willing to listen to offers from potential buyers of the automaker and would make a final decision on whether to proceed after completing the sale of its Land Rover and Jaguar businesses.

Ford said last month that it was conferring with investment bankers about options for Jaguar and Land Rover. The Dearborn automaker is trying to restore profit after a record US$12.6 billion loss last year. The Sunday Times reported on July 8 that Ford set a deadline for Thursday for bids to buy Jaguar and Land Rover.

"We've had contact from third parties" about Jaguar and Land Rover, Gardiner said yesterday. "We continue to aggressively evaluate that level of interest." He declined to comment further on yesterday's reports in UK newspapers or to say whether there was a deadline for expressions of interest in Jaguar and Land Rover.

2007 Mazda CX-7: Make Yourself A King Behind The Wheel

2007-07-11T17:58:00.000-07:00

My car, my rules! You’re the captain behind the wheel or perhaps the king of your own vehicle! Isn’t it nice to feel this way while cruising down the city streets? Especially when you get to drive one of the industry’s premium vehicles like the Mazda CX-7!

It is very hard for us to find a car that offers the best features and quality that would make us feel like a royalty. I know everybody wants to be the king of their beloved vehicle, that’s why the CX-7 is built for people who dreams to experience the life of a royalty right at the very driver’s seat of this magnificent ride!

Talk about luxury, the CX-7 provides the best amenities and the convenience of a high-quality car without sacrificing all your fortune. The CX-7 is best suited for the average family and no other car has ever offered this kind of package to any car buyer except for the splendid CX-7. With all the perfect auto parts such as the Mazda cold air intake, the CX-7 promises a luxury ride and a fun-driving experience for you and for the whole family! Here. Experience what other auto experts have to say about the vehicle:

"Sports car or sport-ute? Spend a few hours behind the wheel of Mazda's new CX-7 and you might start to wonder. And with good reason, for while the Japanese maker's Miata and RX-8 are the classic examples of "zoom-zoom" engineering, the CX-7 is likely to make you forget you're driving a crossover." - www.carconnection.com.

"If Mazda keeps this up, it may just become my favorite car company. The Mazda 5 nano-van was already proof of intelligent life on the planet. The CX-7 now threatens every other pseudo-ute wagon. It has arrestingly original lines with Lambo-like windshield rake and tapered roofline. It turns rings around a Toyota Highlander with slop-free steering and stout body control. It cruises freeways without choppy ride of a Nissan Murano. The inside is spacious in the two-row class and the turbo four makes speed smoothly and with surprisingly low-end wallop." - Car and Driver

Here are some of the interior features that would surely make you feel like a royalty!
• 5-passenger seating capacity
• Cloth-trimmed seats
• Grand Touring leather-trimmed seats with sport stripes
• 6-way manual adjustable driver's seat
• 8-way power adjustable driver's seat
• Adjustable driver's seat lumbar support
• Heated front seats
• Reclining front bucket seats with adjustable headrests
• 60/40 split fold-down rear seatbacks with one touch remote operation
• Adjustable rear headrests for outboard seating positions
• 3-spoke steering wheel with cruise and audio controls
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Steering wheel with piano black spokes
• Bright finish interior trim
• Carpeted front & rear floor mats
• 4-speaker AM/FM/CD audio system with Automatic Level Control
• 6-disc CD changer
• SIRIUS Satellite radio-ready audio head-unit
• 9-speaker, Bose® Centerpoint® surround system 240 watt with AudioPilot®
• DVD navigation system with voice command & touch screen
• Roof-mounted antenna
• Gauges: tachometer, speedometer, fuel level, and coolent temp.

Future Cars: What’s Next?

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

We always look forward to some things we are much interested in and when we do, we do it with great anticipation as well! Like when we talk about future cars, everybody’s paying attention!

Can someone tell me he or she doesn’t love cars? I guess everybody’s interested. Anyway, we can’t stop the world from bringing the best and the coolest cars in the industry today. We always think of what will soon pop out of the market. Our favorite models undergo changes, some of them emerge with a total make over and some has been though only a few. But the most important question is, what will be the face of the car of future? And that’s the thing we want to know. What should we expect from these cars? Will they rise as a totally changed vehicle or what? So many questions, and the answers will depend on the future.

Fortunately, we are allowed to have a sneak peek at the future vehicles. Thanks to motortrend.com because we are provided with the unofficial forecast of future vehicles. With this info, we will be all aware of what to expect from our favorite models.

Check out some of your favorite vehicles from the list and see if there’s a surprise that we should all look forward to:

2008 Models

BMW 1 Series - Debut
BMW M3 - Return
Buick Terraza - Discontinued
Chevrolet Malibu - Redesign
Chrysler T&C - Redesign
Dodge Caravan - Redesign
Ford Focus - Redesign
Ford Ranger - Redesigned or Discontinued
Honda Accord - Redesign
Hyundai rear-drive sedan - Debut
Jaguar S-Type - Discontinued
Jaguar XF Debut - Replaces S-Type
Kia rear-drive sedan - Possible Debut
Lexus IS-F - Debut
Lexus LF-A - Debut
Mazda B-Series - Discontinued
Mercedes-Benz SL-Class - Possible Redesign
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution - Redesign
Nissan Frontier - Freshening
Nissan GT-R - Debut
Nissan Murano - Redesign
Nissan Rogue - Debut
Nissan Xterra - Freshening
Pontiac G8 Debut - Replaces Grand Prix
Saab 9-3 - Freshening
Saturn Astra - Debut
Suzuki Forenza - Freshening
Toyota Sequoia - Redesign
Volkswagen Tiguan - Debut
Volvo C30 - Debut
Volvo V70 - Redesign
Volvo XC70 - Redesign

2009 Models:

Alfa Romeo Brera - Freshening, US debut
Alfa Romeo Spider - Freshening, US debut
Aston Martin Rapide - Debut
Audi A4 - Redesign
Audi A7 - Possible Debut
Audi Q5 - Debut
BMW 7 Series - Redesign
BMW X6 - Debut
Cadillac BRX - Debut
Chevrolet Camaro - Debut
Chevrolet Impala - Redesign
Chevrolet TrailBlazer - Redesigned or Discontinued
Chevrolet Uplander - Discontinued
Chrysler 300 - Redesign
Chrysler Pacifica - Discontinued
Dodge Challenger - Debut
Dodge Charger - Redesign
Dodge Hornet - Possible Debut
Dodge Magnum - Redesign
Dodge Ram - Redesign
Ford Explorer - Freshening
Ford Fiesta - Debut
Ford Flex - Debut
Ford F-Series - Redesign
Ford Fusion - Freshening
Kia Sorento - Redesign
Lincoln Mark LT - Redesign
Lincoln MKS - Debut
Lincoln MKZ - Freshening
Mazda CX-5 - Debut
Mazda Kabura - Possible Debut
Mazda3 - Redesign
Mercedes-Benz GLK - Debut

Auto Skills Contest Won By California Students

2007-06-28T00:12:00.000-07:00

Austin Castro and Daniel Lehmkuhl, both students of San Luis Obispo High School of California, topped the 2007/AAA Student Auto Skills National Finals competition which took place at the Ford World Headquarters last Tuesday. The two grabbed the top prize by finishing the task in a span of 49 minutes. They had a great start by figuring out the problem and fixing it in no time.

“We felt fairly relaxed during the competition,” Lehmkuhl said. “It was just us against the car.”

They have outwitted the 49 teams from different schools across the US. The California boys were given $2,500 general education scholarships apiece from Ford and AAA. They were allowed to choose from any technical colleges with their full scholarship. The boys have gone through hard work and practice before they achieved the ultimate prize. They were assisted by Daniel Lehmkuhl’s father, Jeff Lehmkuhl. The trophy will be handed over to the San Luis Obispo High School.

"Daniel and Austin proved they are America's most auto-savvy teens," said Allan Stanley, the manager of Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills. "Their hard work and drive to be the top high school auto technicians is typical of all of the participants in the competition. The auto industry must attract such dedicated young people to keep America's vehicles operating safely and trouble-free."

"The additional training these young contestants will receive in technical colleges can open many doors for them at Ford and in our dealer network, paving the way to lucrative automotive careers," said Frank Ligon, the director, Service Engineering Operations, Ford Customer Service Division.

"This is a great time to embark on an automotive service career," Ligon added, explaining that the already high demand for skilled workers will grow as the number of vehicles continues to rise, more alternative fuel and hybrid vehicles requiring new skills enter the marketplace, and older auto tech workers retire.

The Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills competition covered the requirement for diagnostic and problem-solving skills, electronics awareness, mathematics and mechanical ability to understand how to repair progressively more technology-driven vehicles.

"These competitors represent America's best and brightest automotive students," said John Nielsen, the director of the AAA Approved Auto Repair program. "All will showcase their talents in Dearborn, then, we hope, go onto further training to prepare for the important job of keeping America's cars on the road and in good repair."

Here are the runner-ups of the Student Auto Skills Challenge:

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.

2009 Vectra as the Newest Opel Flagship

2007-06-22T01:19:00.001-07:00

Got the newest spy shots from the soon to be flagship of Opel? If not, take a break because those folks over at World Car Fans have captured the latest picture of what they're claiming to be the next Opel flagship – the 2009 Vectra.

Based on the May 2007 article from World Car Fans, General Motors’ European arm will be reducing the production of the Signum hatchback and the Opel Tigra Twin Top by the middle of next year due to unsuccessful and boring sales which is was quite far from their projected profit.

Those are the factors that lead the way for the production of the next generation Vectra sedan. Actually before, there were just hearsays but now, given the latest photos, no one can question that soon the vehicle will be released. The German plant already announced that customers will be expecting the said vehicle soon in dealerships. It would be entering production by the second half of next year.

According to the folks at the site that's for the fan of cars from across the world, the new Vectra shares wider and taller body to provide more space inside for the passengers and with a complete styling all along, plus the power that will be coming from a wider selection of new engines including a 200 HP 2.7 liter V 6 Turbodiesel and a newly developed 2.8 liter V 8 fuel engines. The said larger body is just a way for the model to cling to sales on the market and to have a better status on its competitor brands like Volkswagen’s Passat and the Alfa Romeo 159.

Other high-flying features that have been carried over from the concept car are the large grille, angular headlights and a pronounced boot line. Before the cars formally establish its sales towards the end of the year as a 2009 model, it should come off at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show. It was considered that the car will also substitute the present Saturn Aura sedan in the US towards the end of the decade. But prior to that, another concept car is thought to have been exposed at this year’s Frankfurt Show this autumn which is closer to the production version.

Seems to be a busy year for General Motors. Anyway, let’s all wish these guys good luck. After all, we hope to see more endearing car models coupled with promising features and attractive profit sales in dealerships.

2009 Vectra as the Newest Opel Flagship

2007-06-22T01:19:00.000-07:00

Land Rover and Jaguar for Possible Sale

2007-06-16T00:46:00.001-07:00

What else is new? I guess the Ford Motor Company is expecting this to happen. Few months ago, before the British brand Aston Martin was sold, they have admitted that they are expecting more falls this year. Like more job cuts, declines on sales, the closure of production plants, and more car brands to be sold. Maybe this was the thing they are talking about. Too bad, they failed to gain back the second spot on the Big Three as they are now found on the third rank.

And as a part of its Way Forward plan, Land Rover and Jaguar have been possibly set up for sale. But they still have yet to reveal plans about Volvo. Volvo has been noted to be the top seller among the Premier Automotive Group (PAG).

The news has been spreading all over Europe these days. Ford is possibly selling Land Rover and Jaguar when some of the officials were quoted saying they are still "exploring all options." That was the statement delivered by Dieter Zetsche, the Chief Executive Officer of DaimlerChrysler, when he observed that the Chrysler group has been swaying like a limbo on sales.

There are speculations that these luxury British car brands are selling between $1.5 billion to $8 billion. However, the company does not break out the particular financial figures of these brands that belong to its Premier Automotive Group. Ford realizes that its Land Rover has been continuously gaining profits while the Jaguar brand is slowly becoming non-profitable. On the first quarter sales, most of the pretax profits were coming from its fellow PAG member Volvo that amounts to a total of over $400 million.

And just before these news get into almost everybody’s knowledge, Fiat was rumored to have been talking to Ford about its interest in buying the Jaguar brand on the previous month. But it seems like Fiat lost its interest in buying Jaguar because of its money-losing reputation. According to the Italian brand they wouldn’t risk buying a brand that could put an unlikable reputation on its credit rating.

However, private firms like Cinven, Blackstone and Cerberus expressed interest in bidding for these two members of PAG as released by a newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine. But the British press focused much on the reports that the Alchemy, a buyout firm in UK, is also interested in both Jaguar and Land Rover.

The James Bond favorite car Aston Martin was sold to a private-equity consortium headed by David Richards earlier this year. Will these two brands be next?

Drifting Is Here

2007-06-11T23:38:00.000-07:00

For those who watched the movie “The Fast and The Furious: Tokyo Drift”, they have seen the newest motorsport to capture the imagination of car fans. It’s called drifting and in this contest, it’s not how fast you can go but how well can you control your car.

According to Wikipedia, “Drifting refers to a driving technique and to a sport based on the technique… A car is said to be drifting when the rear slip angle is greater than the front slip angle, and the front wheels are pointing in the opposite direction to the turn (e.g. car is turning left, wheels are pointed right), and the driver is controlling these factors.”

While this might give you an idea of what the sport is all about, you will never know the thrill of the sport unless you try it. For a more detailed explanation of the new sport, one site has this to say: “Basically, drifting is getting your car sideways down a road. It doesn't sound very hard does it? Sounds a lot like power sliding huh? Well it isn't. It's much more complex. Instead of a drifter causing a drift and then countering to straighten out, he will instead over-counter so his car goes into another drift. That is the reason many drifters do it in the mountains, because there are many sharp turns strung together. So in essence a good drifter has the ability to take five or six opposing turns without having traction at any point in time.”

The site tells you what you want to know about this new sport including which cars are commonly used in drifting. With regards to that the site tells us that: “There are seven cars most commonly used for drifting. The first is the AE86 Levin/Trueno (referred to as a Hachi-Roku), because of its rear wheel drive lay-out and the fact that it's relatively inexpensive it is probably the most common drifting car. The second and third are the Silvia S13 and S14, which come in two different models: the turbocharged K's and the non-turbo Q's. Because of their high horse power and free-revving engines they are excellent drifting cars. The third is the 180SX, related mechanically to the Silvia, the only difference is in the body style and the fact that is lighter and has a better front/rear balance ratio. The fifth is the FC3S RX-7. I believe that this would be a more popular pick among drifters if it was not as problematic as it is. The Cefiro is another excellent drifting car. It has a powerful RB20DET engine and good handling characteristics. The last is the Laurel which is also powered by the RB20DET.”

For those really interested about this sport, check out this site. I’m already a fan of this sport yet I still learned a lot from the guys behind that site.

The Fastest Cat, And Its Not A Jaguar

2007-06-06T00:02:00.001-07:00

For most of us, a car is only as good as its 0-60 time. If you are like me who thinks that an engine produces the loveliest sound in the world, you are in for a treat as we look at the fastest cat in the world. No, it is not a Jaguar but a cat with American and British flags painted on the side. It’s a cat from hell known as the Melling Hellcat.

The supercar is designed by British engine expert Al Melling. The resume of Mr. Melling includes designing the Jaguar engine which helped the team win four races at the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans. He said that he is aiming to enter a team at the famous endurance race. Then came along the Melling Hellcat, Mr. Melling claimed that the sale of the car will enable him to enter the endurance race.

The Hellcat is the first car ever designed by the British engineer. Its powerplant is a V10 with billet aluminum milled engine block and cylinder heads. The said car’s engine is stowed in its front under the sleek hood. A rear-wheel drive car, the Hellcat is expected to produce 1,175 horsepower, topping the Veyron’s 1,001 horsepower claim. That much power is made possible by the four turbochargers mated to the massive engine of the car.

According to this site, here are the specs of the Hellcat. I will just give you a few to whet your appetite:

Engine: 75° V10, 5900cc, petrol
Installation: Longitudinal, front/mid, rwd
Made of: Aluminum alloy billets
Bore and stroke: 93 mm and 88.15 mm
Induction: 4 turbos, 2 intercoolers
(normally aspirated restrictor)*
Valvetrain: DOHC per bank, 40v
Camshaft drive: Gear and duplex chain
Lubrication system: Dry sump

The car is reported to have a 0-60 mph time of less than three seconds. With that capability under the Hellcat’s paw, it is a strong contender to the land speed record set by the Bugatti Veyron.

The Hellcat though is for those who are looking for a pure supercar. That means it does not have the amenities of say an Audi or a Mercedes-Benz or a BMW. It has no CD player, no air conditioner, no heater nor even a no radio. This car is truly not for those looking for luxury features on a supercar. This car is made to be driven at high speed and that’s what exactly it does. And it does it well. Really well.

Porsche 911 Turbo in My Dreams

2007-06-01T00:07:00.001-07:00

We all have our dream cars and no matter how ambitious we get, there are no limits to our dreams and hopes! Because dreaming costs nothing - it’s all free! Anyway, I just like to share my thoughts about my dream car which is the Porsche 911 Turbo. I know you’re all familiar with it and there are no arguments when we say that the 911 Turbo is one of the top cars of all time!

Here are the reasons why the 911 Turbo is one of the greatest and why is it my dream ride:

Cylinders: Manual- 6/Triptonic S- 6
Displacement 3.6 liters/ 3.6 liters
Engine-layout Rear engine /Rear engine
Horsepower 480 hp /480 hp
Torque 460 lb.-ft. 460 lb.-ft. at rpm 1,950 /5,000 rpm 1,950 - 5,000 rpm
Torque (Overboost) 505 lb.-ft. (With optional Sport Chrono Turbo Package) 505 lb.-ft. (With optional Sport Chrono Turbo Package) at rpm (Overboost) 2,100 - 4,000 rpm (With optional Sport Chrono Turbo Package) 2,100 - 4,000 rpm (With optional Sport Chrono Turbo Package)
Compression ratio 9.0:1/ 9.0:1
Technology Variable Turbine Geometry (VTG)
Actively controlled all-wheel drive, Porsche Traction Management (PTM)
3.6 liter flat 6 cylinder engine with VarioCam Plus
Transmission 6-Speed manual transmission

Everyday of my life I dreamt of having this amazing ride where I can drive it wherever I want to. I know this dream can be possible, and one day it’ll just come! All we need is money to get our dream cars and make it a reality, right? So there’s no reason for us dreamers to lose hope. I mean we are just thousands of dollars away from our fantasies.

What am I saying?

Anyway, it’s nice to have a goal in life - something to look forward to each and everyday and a reason to keep believing and dreaming. A reason to strive harder to achieve what we always wanted and I’m going to have a Porsche 911 Turbo one day! Let’s hope for the best…

I Fell In Love with the 2007 Honda S2000

2007-05-29T00:16:00.001-07:00

Too much obsession with the S2000 made me think that it’s more than a car or an object, but I can imagine it as a beautiful and sexy woman. You know, kinda a Sharon Stone type of a chick or Heidi Klum maybe… Wow! Everyday of my life I wish that sooner or later, I’ll have my arms wrapped around her sexy auto body. “She will be mine… someday!” That’s what I say for every day that passes by. The only thing that comes between me and the S2000 is my pocket - you know what I mean. I have to stick with my old pal Civic until I finally have the S2000 and I’m hoping that this will happen as soon as possible.

Why do I like or should I say “love” the 2007 S2000? One reason maybe is that roadsters really turn me on. Roadsters are small but… sexy! Just like Shakira! Whooh! Isn’t she hot? Anyway, the S2000’s sleek and curvy body with the gorgeous features inside and out makes me fall down on my knees and thank the one responsible for creating such masterpieces… the beauty that I can’t forget!

Anyway, this fascination I have for the S2000 is still tolerable. I’m not that possessive, so right now, I want to share something about the S2000, see what’s inside of her. Check the S2000’s engine specifications.

Engine Type: In-Line 4-Cylinder
Engine Block/Cylinder Head: Aluminum-Alloy
Fiber-Reinforced Metal (FRM) Cylinder Walls: Standard
Displacement(cc): 2157
Horsepower at rpm (SAE net, Rev 8/04): 237 at 7800
Torque (lb.-ft. at rpm): 162 at 6800
Redline (rpm): 8000
Bore and Stroke (mm): 87.0 x 90.7
Compression Ratio: 11.1:1
Valve Train: 16-Valve DOHC VTEC®
Multi-Point Fuel Injection: Standard
Drive-by-Wire Throttle System™: Standard
Rear-Wheel Drive: Standard
CARB Emissions Rating: LEV-2
Direct Ignition System with Immobilizer: Standard
100,000-Miles-or-More Tune-Up Interval: Standard