all about new car

Ford Plans Small Concept Car

2007-08-24T00:02:00.000-07:00

DETROIT – Ford Motor Co., which used to make most of its money on trucks and sports-utility vehicles, is making a big bet on small cars.

The embattled company next month will launch a redesigned version of its Focus compact, and then offer a glimpse of new pint-sized model to follow about two years later.
At the Frankfurt auto show in mid-September, Ford will unveil a concept car called the Verve, a sporty subcompact that's smaller than the Focus. A model based on the Verve should arrive in U.S. showrooms in 2008 or 2009.

Ford, which posted a $2.8 billion operating loss in 2006, is hoping that spiffing up its small car line up with help the company back market share down the road. Like General Motors Corp. and Chrysler LLC, Ford has steadily ceded market share over the last 20 years as customers defected to foreign makes like Toyota and Honda. All three companies have had little or no success enticing those import buyers to come back to domestic vehicles.

But small cars often attract people who are buying new cars for the first time, and whose allegiance is still up for grabs.

On top of that, sales of small cars are on the rise, helped by high gasoline prices and increasing interest in high-mileage vehicles.

Small cars represent "a tremendous opportunity for Ford," spokesman Said Deep said. "It is a segment that is going to become very important to us."
This is a new way of thinking for Detroit. Until a few years ago, Ford, GM and Chrysler make big money selling large trucks and SUVs, and lost money on most passenger cars. So they put little effort into developing small cars and left the segment to the Asian auto makers.

Now, all three are enduring painful restructurings, in a bid to, among other things, be able to profit on all types of vehicles they make. They also have recognized the strategic value in small cars that can pull in first-time new car buyers.
The Verve concept is a sleek three-door hatchback with sculpted creases. Ford will show a second concept similar to the Verve at an auto show in China in November, and a third at the Detroit auto show in January. It plans to produce the vehicles for sale in Asia, Europe and North American between by 2008 or 2009.

Earlier this year, GM showed three concepts for subcompact cars and Chrysler one of its own. Their concepts as well as the Verve would greatly enhance Detroit's presence in the subcompact class. Right now only GM competes in that segment with the Chevrolet Aveo. Toyota has the top seller in the Yaris. The company has sold 54,000 so far this year, up 66% over 2006.

online.wsj.com

Auto insurers don't need the green light

2007-08-24T00:00:00.000-07:00

Nobody likes paying their car insurance bill. But if you want to drive legally in Georgia, insurance is required. And across much of the state, you must have a car in order to get around.

It's a pretty good deal for car insurers. From year to year, they know that millions of Georgia drivers will have to buy their product. It's like shooting fish in a barrel.
So why are state lawmakers trying to make it easier for these companies to raise your rates?

House Bill 867 by Rep. Bill Hembree (R-Winston), would allow car insurers to raise your rates without getting "prior approval" from the state insurance commissioner's office.

Currently, because of prior approval, Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine has the authority to examine the company's finances, and the power to reduce or stop a rate hike altogether.

This safeguard is especially important in Georgia and in 46 other states where car insurance is required because it keeps companies honest when they put a price tag on a product they know you have to buy.

It also helps prevent race-to-the-bottom price wars that can lead to unpaid claims, and even bankruptcy for insurers who don't maintain appropriate reserves.

The Georgia Legislature set up the "prior approval" system 20 years ago when auto insurance rates almost doubled during the 1980s. As a result of the oversight and accountability, insurance rates fell and remained flat through the 1990s.

According to online independent insurance broker Insurance.com, Georgia now has the fourth cheapest auto insurance rates in the Southeast.

The average rates in Georgia dropped in 2005 and 2006, and have decreased by almost 5 percent so far in 2007.

However, if House Bill 867 passes, insurance companies will be able to hike rates whenever they want, without getting approval and without anyone looking over their shoulders to check their math.

When some state legislators tried to pass a similar bill in 2005, insurance lobbyists claimed that it would make it faster and easier for them to lower your insurance rates. But I've never known the insurance commissioner to delay or stop a rate reduction.

The fact is that Georgia has a thriving insurance market, one that boasts hundreds of carriers and very affordable rates when compared with other states.

The system is working; consumers are getting fair rates and insurers are competing with one another to sell you coverage.

Our leaders would be wise to not tinker with an approach that has proved so successful.

www.ajc.com

Chronic Car Audio Inc. Acquires Auto Sound in Las Vegas

2007-08-23T23:54:00.000-07:00

MESA, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Chronic Car Audio, Inc. (Pink Sheets: CCAU) of Mesa, Arizona, purchased the West Sahara Las Vegas location of Auto Sound. This acquisition gives Chronic Car Audio Inc. 2 stores in Las Vegas, Nevada and six in Arizona for a total of 8 stores. Revenues which were 6.4 million in 2006 are on target to reach 9 million in 2007.

Chronic Car Audio, Inc. (Pink Sheets: CCAU) is a Nevada Corp. incorporated in July 2003 and founded by its CEO Bren Blanchette. The Company is in the retail and install business of car stereos, car alarms, and mobile video entertainment. Chronic Car Audio, Inc. opened its first location August of 2003 in Mesa, Arizona and now owns and operates 6 locations in Arizona and 2 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

home.businesswire.com

Kara McGuire: Commencing lower premiums

2007-08-23T23:47:00.000-07:00

Sending Junior away for college can bring some savings -- and not just because he can't skip home to do laundry and raid the fridge. Many auto insurers will lower if not eliminate the cost of coverage for a son or daughter who attends school far enough from home.

This and other ways to reduce your auto insurance premium should come as welcome news for parents of college kids. After all, it's back-to-school time, which means that buying books and decorating the dorm room may have you feeling like a walking ATM.

Dick McKenny, an independent insurance agent with Advance Insurance in Edina, suggests that clients review their insurance plans whenever there's a major life change. That's because some policies are better than others for your family's circumstances.

College students whose permanent address is still at Mom and Dad's generally will be covered by their parent's car insurance.

If a child is attending school more than 100 miles away, many insurance companies will lower the family's auto insurance premium by as much as 30 percent. The insurer figures that because the student is unlikely to be routinely driving the family car, the odds of an accident are less likely.

McKenny said some companies won't charge a penny to continue auto insurance for the family bookworm studying far away, whether in California or in Europe for the semester.

Have a student living at home while attending school or at the dorms in the next town away? Don't expect a rate cut, unless you can prove that your child's mileage is going to plummet.

What about situations in between? Take the case of Jim Stein's daughter, who is attending school 80 miles from the family home in Lindstrom. Stein, president of the Minnesota Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers Association, guesses that his insurance rate won't change because his daughter's not quite far enough away, but he plans to ask for the discount anyway.

Taking a car to school might not affect the family insurance costs. But it may raise rates depending on the cost of insuring the car in that particular college town, or perhaps in a state that requires more insurance. Children who establish residence in other states while at school would have to get their own policies.

But coverage from some insurer is a must. Insurance will help with any accident involving your child and a motor vehicle, whether it happens while in a friend's car or while crossing the street. Not only that, but having no insurance can cause trouble when applying for an auto policy down the road. Without proof of previous coverage "you'd pay more," Stein said.

There's another discount that parents shouldn't overlook: the good-student discount, given to high school and college students with a B average or better. McKenny said the break could be as much as 25 percent. He should know. His son recently dipped below a 3.0 grade-point average, and the family car insurance spiked by $200 every six months.

Some parents will pay the insurance only up to the good-student discount. If poor grades cause the premium to rise, the student's on the hook.

"I think it's a great idea to charge some of the insurance cost back to the children," Stein said.

www.startribune.com

A cheap car that will drive you crazy!

2007-08-23T23:44:00.000-07:00

NEW DELHI: It’s the most talked about project in the auto industry right now. But there’s more to the Tata Motors Rs 1 lakh people’s car than just it’s eye-popping and jaw-dropping price tag. Despite the hush of secrecy surrounding the project, ET AutoMania spoke to vendors, suppliers, consultants and industry insiders to come up with details of what the car will pack in.

The Tata Rs 1 lakh car is undoubtedly the most talked about product that will hit the market in 2008. This despite the fact that the year will be choc-a-bloc with launches (see Local Launch) across the product spectrum . The company, understandably enough, has been tightlipped about the project but ET AutoMania spoke to vendors, consultants, analysts and auto industry insiders to cull information about this muchawaited people’s car. So here goes the details...

First things first... the Rs 1 lakh car will probably sport a 660 cc engine and crank out between 30-33 horses . And yes, it will offer both diesel and petrol drivelines. German Tier One component major Bosch is developing “a brand new” common rail direct injection (CRDi) solution that will be compatible with the Tata Rs 1 lakh car. “For the first time, Bosch is developing CRDi systems at that cost to suit the configuration of an extremely low cost vehicle,” said a component industry source. In June, Wolf Henning Scheider, president-gasoline systems division, Robert Bosch had announced the company’s intent to become “market and technology leaders” in the low price vehicle segment.

The company, he said, is supplying “alternators, brakes and gasoline and diesel en-gine management systems for the one-lakh car from Tata” and in four months, Bosch’s local engineers have “developed viable technical concepts and solutions” for the project.

That’s just the beginning. According to vendor sources, the Tata Rs 1 lakh car will be rear-engined (unlike most cars on Indian roads today which are front-engined ), four-door and four-seat . The strip down base variant will not offer air-conditioning or power steering, say sources. The prototype is ready and may world premiere at the Auto Expo next January.

Like the Indica, the new car is being designed by Italy's Institute of Development in Automotive Engineering (IDEA). And like the Indica, it will come in a cute egg shape with the same kind of rear light arrangement as the group’s first passenger car. And yes, it will sport a tall boy frame and may offer some “totally different” design cues like an aircraft-style storage space under the hood or a single wiper.

economictimes.indiatimes.com

AUTO RACING PACKAGE: Team owner Jack Roush doesn't foresee reduced costs with COT

2007-08-23T23:42:00.000-07:00

Longtime team owner Jack Roush likes the idea that NASCAR's new Car of Tomorrow will cut down on the number of cars a team will need. But Roush doesn't go along with the idea that the COT will eventually be a big money-saver for Nextel Cup teams.

"The Car of Tomorrow, I think, will have a result in the reduction of the number of cars that are required to run a program,'' Roush said. "But, do I think that the cars will be enough less expensive to be a net save to the teams? No.

"I absolutely feel that there will not be a net save to the teams based on the amount of money that goes into the cars to get the chassis the way that NASCAR wants it for its inspection; then, past the initial inspection, the amount of sheet metal that has to be replaced to fix a relatively small problem.''

He said that even the most minor damage to the cars would require a complete body "because when you get the kind of shot into the body that causes a snout to bend, you almost always have some amount of distress that is put into the rest of the car.

"And, when we had reasonably wide-open, or relatively wide-open tolerances, you were able to let the tolerance be taken out by the effects of the crash. You can't do that now.''

Roush said he would be all for somebody stamping out a complete steel body that could just be welded onto a chassis.

"The amount of precision that's required to get the sheet metal in order to pass the tech line is unprecedented in terms of what we've had (in the past),'' he added. "For the time being, we anticipate at least a 70 percent to an 80 percent increase in labor that's required to keep these cars ready to go from one race to the next.''

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DUTCH DEMO: Champ Car rookie Robert Doornbos was the big attraction this week during the Bavaria City Racing demonstration on the streets of Rotterdam in his native Holland.

The Minardi Team USA star drove a 2006 Lola Champ Car in front of an estimated 500,000 people, turning increasingly faster laps on the specially prepared street circuit.

"There was an unbelievable reaction from the fans,'' Doornbos said. "Initially, I went round the course waving to the fans but, when I got in the Champ Car, I really smoked it up right the to the end. They gave me brand new tires, but you could see the wire poking through the rubber by the time I got to the finish.''

Although it featured more than just Doornbos' Champ Car demonstration, the Rotterdam event served as an introduction to the series before it visits the Zolder, in neighboring Belgium, and then returns to Holland for a race in Assen over the next two weeks.

"After I jumped out, I had the chance to meet a lot of the fans, and it really was incredible,'' said Doornbos, who is second in the season points behind Frenchman Sebastien Bourdais. "The whole day was fantastic for Champ Car. It is a really popular series on television and the fans are looking forward to seeing the series live in Europe.

Doornbos, who has two wins in 10 starts this season, trails three-time series champion Bourdais by 37 points.

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PASSES TEST: Just days after winning an Indy Pro Series race at Kentucky Speedway, Super Aguri Panther driver Hideki Mutoh passed his IndyCar Series rookie test at Chicagoland Speedway.

The Japanese driver will make his IndyCar debut in the final race of the season, Sept. 9, at the Joliet, Ill., track. He will join current Panther drivers Vitor Meira and Kosuke Matsuura in a three-car effort for the season finale.

"It was a very productive two days and I was able to pass the rookie test,'' Mutoh said. "I was able to learn how the changes affect the car and tried different car balances too. I am very happy that we were able to practice pit stops and I now know what it's like.''

Team owner John Barnes, who has developed young IndyCar talent before, including former series and Indy 500 champions Sam Hornish Jr. and Dan Wheldon, was especially impressed.

"Hideki did unbelievably well in the test,'' Barnes said. "He continues to impress everybody at Panther with his ability to adapt to these race cars and our style of open-wheel racing.

"We tested a lot with him over the two days at Chicagoland. He didn't get to run in traffic, because there wasn't any, but we worked on pit stops, starts, restarts and in- and out-laps. We're training him to be a champion, and that takes a lot more than just going fast.''

Mutoh, who now has two wins this season, is ranked second in the Pro Series championship, trailing series leader Alex Lloyd by 98 points.

sportsillustrated.cnn.com

Auto Racing Local: Young racer tops at PPMS

2007-08-23T23:38:00.000-07:00

Kyle Lukon, 17, has dominated the Pittsburgh's Pennsylvania Motor Speedway Crate Late Model division since he won his career first feature June 16.

The Burgettstown area youngster's biggest win to date -- is fifth -- came Saturday when the second year driver won the Jook George Memorial for the Crate Late Models at PPMS.

"I've been waiting for this," said the youngest winner of the Jook George Memorial. "Last year, I came close to this. I almost had the same thing happen, I almost caught [eventual winner] Tommy Shirnhofer in lap traffic. [Saturday], I had to chase down Leo Stadelman."

Lukon leads Stadelman by 40 points with five weeks remaining.

Hitting his stride

Tommy Beck likes Motordrome Speedway ... a lot. Beck of Jeannette won his second late model feature in a row at the Smithton, Pa., paved oval including the 100-lap Mid-Atlantic Asphalt Racing Alliance event.

"The pavement car has been really good, really fast," Beck said after competing on the dirt at PPMS recently.

Beck who races his own car at PPMS on Saturdays says the Bobby Betts owned pavement team is really performing well.

"We've got everything together at Motordrome," Beck said. "With the car being so fast at the end of the season, I am really looking forward to next year."

USAC returns

For the first time in 20 years, USAC Non-wing Sprint Cars will compete at Sharon Speedway beginning at 6 p.m. Saturday. The last time USAC (1987) visited the Hartford, Ohio, oval it was a half-mile configuration and Kenny Jacobs was the winner.

The track now is a 3/8-mile layout that will be new to all of the USAC driver's expect Ricky Stenhouse Jr., who competed in the 50-lap winged sprint car race Aug. 14.

Stenhouse and Levi Jones, the sprints points leader, drivers for Tony Stewart Racing, will be competing at two tracks over the weekend. Jones will fly in from Wisconsin tomorrow morning after competing in the USAC National Midget Car Series. After the Sharon race, both drivers will head to Wisconsin for a Midget race Sunday.

Lugnuts

Chris Gleason and his co-driver, Bill Auberlen, won the KONI Challenge GS race at the Grand Prix of Trois-Rivieries in Quebec, Canada. It was the second victory of the year for Gleason of Johnstown in a BMW M3. ... Adam Kostelnik again made two trips to Motordrome's victory lane by winning in the modifieds and the street stocks. ... Jayme Beck, the wife of Motordrome late model racer Tommy Beck, returns to the class after a hand injury put her on the sideline. Beck will drive the number 40 for Preston Miller of Breezewood, Pa., at Holland and Lake Erie Speedways later this season in MAARA events.

Mercer Raceway Park will run the Bill Emig Memorial tomorrow night with a $2,000-to-win, 30-lap feature. Also at MRP will be a 25-lap feature for the sprints paying $1,500 to win. Mercer will be closed Labor Day weekend and return to action Sept. 8 with the 19th Annual Western PA Sprint Championship.

With the Labor Day Holiday weekend right around the corner, several local tracks are featuring special events. The MACS Late Models and O'Reilly Sprint Cars will take center stage Aug. 31 at Lernerville. The Sonia Bullis Memorial sprint car race rained out in 2006, and Scott Bonnell of Fairview, Pa., the inaugural event in 2005. ... Tri-City Speedway in Franklin, Pa., will have the World of Outlaws Dirt Late Models in the Oil Region Labor Day Classic Sept. 1-2 with 50-lap features paying $10,000 to win each night.

www.post-gazette.com

Now, Nissan joins small car race

2007-08-23T23:35:00.000-07:00

NEW DELHI/BANGALORE: Nissan is the latest car maker to join the small car bandwagon in India. While Renault gears up to launch its small car, possibly in collaboration with Bajaj, its sister company Nissan will hit the markets with the offering in the A2 segment by 2009-2010. Renault has a 44% stake in Nissan and both are considered part of the same group with a common management.

Nissan is likely to launch one small car and a mid-size sedan in the domestic market in the next few years. While General Motors has already launched its small car Chevy Spark, Ford, Honda and Skoda are expected to soon launch their offerings in the segment.

According to auto components industry sources, Nissan India’s small car model would compete in the A2 segment as defined by automobile body SIAM, basically the Zen, Alto, WagonR, Swift. The model will sport a 1.2-litre, three-cylinder petrol engine and would be able to enjoy excise duty benefits. Nissan’s small car is code named W02A and is expected to cater to the Indian market initially.

Likely to hit markets by 2009-1010, the car would be manufactured at the Chennai plant, which is a facility being set up in collaboration with sibling company Renault and home-grown M&M. This car is expected to be priced in the Swift and Getz price band. When ET contacted, Nissan India marketing & sales director Neeraj Garg confirmed the development.

“When we start production at our Chennai plant in 2009-2010 we will come out with a car in the A2 segment. We have not decided how many cars we plan to launch, but we will decide that after evaluating the market response,” he said. Mr Garg added that Nissan India might launch a model to take advantage of the excise duty benefits wherever the auto maker can.

However, sources add that the company may plan to bring in more than one offering in the small car segment. “It is likely that the product range in the Swift/Getz segment will have more that just one model,” a source said.

Sources also indicate that Nissan will launch a sedan for the Indian market. “With a 1.5-litre engine, Nissan’s sedan will also hit markets in the next three years,” source added. While the car is being designed in Japan, it would be based on feedback from India.

The small car offering is likely to be produced both for the domestic and the international markets. “Initially we will produce for the domestic market from the Chennai plant. But we will evaluate the situation as we go ahead, post the launch. Just like our Maruti tie-up, we could explore other ventures in the Indian market, but we have not decided anything so far,” said Mr Garg.

In February, Mahindra, Renault and Nissan had announced that they would set up a plant in Chennai with an investment of Rs 4,000 crore. The plant will produce models for all three partners and has a capacity of 4 lakh units. Besides producing models for all three, the plant also has a power train facility for Renault and Nissan. Both Renault and Nissan are known for their technically superior and successful small cars globally, some of the popular ones among them being Clio and Twingo.

economictimes.indiatimes.com

Chery celebrates millionth car

2007-08-23T23:31:00.000-07:00

After seven years and nine months, China's Chery Automobile has become the first Chinese automaker to produce its millionth car in this short time span.

The announcement of this milestone was made Wednesday, Xinhua reported. The millionth car is an A3 four-door hatchback, which was first unveiled at the Beijing auto show in 2006 and is expected to go on the market later this year. The car uses Chery's own-brand engine that was made to meet environmental and safety standards in both the U.S. and European markets, the report said, refuting claims that Chinese manufacturers do not have the necessary technology to meet the standards on their own.

The firm was founded in 1997, and started production in 1999. Chery manufactured its first 500,000 vehicles in about six years and took only the next 17 months to complete the other 500,000, the report said.

The auto maker appears to be operating at a breakneck pace, especially when compared so with Sino-German automaker FAW Volkswagen, which made its first millionth car after 13 years of production. Shanghai GM and Guangzhou Honda took over eight years to make their first million cars, Xinhua reported.

Chinese Vice Premier Zeng Peiyan wrote to Chery in a congratulatory letter, saying the car maker has distinguished itself as China's self-developed auto brand at home and abroad. "Taking the millionth car as a new starting point, Chery should further innovation on technologies and management and upgrade its products and service."

This is just what the ambitious car exporter intends to do.

At present, Chery has the capacity to produce 400,000 cars, 400,000 engines and 300,000 transmission cases a year. The new plant set to being operating in October this year will increase this capacity by another 250,000 to 300,000 cars a year. Chery intend to increase its annual output to hit a target of one million cars by 2010, media reported.

While Chery's market share for the domestic market increased to 7.2% in 2006, from 6.7% in 2005, the company intends to expand further on global markets.

To date, data shows that China's top exporter has exported 153,694 cars to 56 foreign countries, and it plans to raise its exports by 800% to 400,000 annually by 2010.

The car maker has also formed partnerships with foreign auto markers such as Fiat and Chrysler. Chery's president Yin Tongyao said this move will "help Chery build indigenous cars with international competitiveness."

www.chinaknowledge.com

Ignoring CAR is driving out consumers - Skandia

2007-08-23T23:24:00.000-07:00

However, a small chunk of respondents to the study admitted models such as CAR would make them less likely to see a financial adviser.

The firm says the results of the study prove Customer Agreed Remuneration (CAR), as suggested in the Retail Distribution Review (RDR), is possibly the healhtiest way forward for the industry.

The remuneration model calls for advisers to make clear how much their advice costs at the outset.

Skandia says the results suggest CAR “could widen the appeal of independent financial advice to a larger section of society”.

Of the 1,000 people questioned, 22% say CAR would in fact make them less inclined to see an IFA, while 38% believe it wouldn’t make a difference.

The research also shows customers would not like to pay a straight fee, with 58% saying they would prefer the adviser payment to be made from their investment.

Skandia says the CAR proposal should be embraced by the industry.

Billy Mackay, Skandia UK marketing head, says it is important remuneration between advisers and clients is clearly established.

“This gives advisers an excellent opportunity to demonstrate the value of the advice and service they provide to their clients,” he says.

“In our experience, this evolution towards CAR options is already happening and the FSA should be wary of unnecessarily increasing regulation to force the pace of change.”

A number of provider firms appear to have foreseen the study's findings.

Zurich's investment brand Sterling yesterday announced it was offering a factory gate priced - similar in principle to CAR - version of its investment bond, while Prudential launched a comparable vehicle a fortnight ago.

Zurich already offers factory gate models across its entire pre and post retirement pensions offerings, while Winterthur – formerly Provident Life – has used a factory gate system on its pension products since 1992. Clerical Medical is also in the factory gate arena.

Mackay says giving customers understanding on the cost of advice and a range of payment options will encourage them further.

“There is a real benefit in having a choice of remuneration structures in the market and allowing advisers and their clients to decide which one suits individual circumstances,” he says.

“Ultimately it is about ensuring that advisers and consumers have informed choice.”

www.ifaonline.co.uk

Auto racing technology accelerates

2007-08-21T18:48:00.000-07:00

Cars roar, mouses click.

Iowa race tracks and drivers — from the deepest grassroots to the most high-profile levels — are increasingly finding ways to use technology to get the word out about their sport.

A growing number of racers, such as Joe Zadina of Corning, adorn their dirt cars with cameras in an effort to convey to sponsors, friends and the world - via Web sites such as YouTube - the experience of powering a stock car through Iowa's rich dirt.

"When you're sitting up in the grandstands, the view's a little different than when you're in a race car," said Zadina, who drives in the pro streets class at Adams County Speedway.

"I mounted a camera on my helmet to kind of show (car owner Ross Griffith) what it was like to be in the car."

Race tracks such as Knoxville Raceway have so embraced Internet technology that this year 40 percent of the 90,000-plus tickets sold for the Knoxville Nationals sprint-car gala were sold online.

Three years ago, that number sat at zero.

On the national stage, meanwhile, racing continues to climb the high-tech ladder.

NASCAR and the Indy Racing League offer live Webcasts of select events.

ESPN's coverage of NASCAR includes a "Draft Cam," a view that graphically illustrates how "clean" or "dirty" the air is for a car in a race.

The message for racetrack promoters and racers alike is clear: "Ignore these developments at your own peril," said Iowa Speedway vice president and general manager Craig Armstrong.

The Joe Show

When Adams County Speedway began offering drivers the option of renting an in-car camera last season, Zadina thought he'd search for a more permanent fixture.

After some Internet shopping, he found his best deal: an inexpensive digital video camera and memory card.

Total cost? About $175.

Zadina started rolling - sometimes with less than perfect results.

"The first time I had it in the car I pointed it forward, went down into turn one of the first lap and caught a big clump of mud on it," he said.

"You couldn't see anything. But it's been interesting. I only do it when I have time to mess around with it."

Zadina said he's posted five or six clips on YouTube over the past year for the world to see.

Dozens of videos from Iowa racetracks - from Corning to Donnellson to Newton - can be found on the popular video-sharing site.

Beyond the exposure, Zadina said, there are practical benefits to chronicling races.

"I haven't ever done it, but if I wanted to see what my suspension is doing when I'm racing, I could mount (the camera) underneath the car and point it toward my right front tire or the rear end," Zadina said.

"Everything happens so fast sometimes you can't remember it when you get out of the car. But come Sunday morning, when you've got nothing to do, you can watch your race and say, 'Oh, that's how come that did that.' "

Knoxville live

Want to know who's leading, who's crashed, who's blown a motor during events at Knoxville Raceway?

Just log on to the Internet, type in knoxvilleraceway.com and click on results.

There, in real time, are the finishes for everything from time trials to heat races to main events.

Fans clearly appreciate the effort - at the track and away from it.

Knoxville director of business development Bruce Neimeth said the record for users concurrently perusing the results page during a race is 115,000.

That's more than the total attendance of the Knoxville Nationals, which draws between 90,000 and 100,000 fans each August.

"A key thing is how long they stay online," Neimeth said. "Wednesday (of Nationals) last year was the longest we ever recorded, 29 minutes. And we know why."

Reason one, they say: Knoxville, as one of the premier dirt tracks in the world, enjoys global cachet.

Reason two: It's the Nationals, but regular weekend races reap impressive numbers as well, with anywhere from hundreds to several thousands of people on the site at a given time.

Those eye-popping numbers also raise the eyebrows of Knoxville race director Ralph Capitani.

"I'm not convinced it doesn't keep people away from the race track," said Capitani, who has seen crowds dwindle in recent years but rise somewhat this season. "But at least they're interested and they're going to come some day."

Sorting through text results is one thing. Being there is another.

Neimeth said the online ticketing system allows fans to select specific seats, not just a section.

This Nationals, he added, four out of every 10 tickets to the four-day show were sold online with the click of a mouse - and a seamless, secure credit-card transaction.

"It's instant action and reaction," Neimeth said.

In order to stay viable as an entertainment venue, Knoxville understood the value of immediacy - and invested $235,000 to upgrade its Web site over the course of about three years.

Future plans include exploring Web-casting and possible advertising, given the number of visitors Knoxville's Web site attracts.

The Internet push at Knoxville is rooted in marketing strategy: Skew younger, but maintain and augment the value of the product.

"Kids don't read the newspaper," Capitani said. "They do read the Internet. The ultimate goal is to get on (a site) that is frequented by teens, which we haven't done yet, but I think that will help."

And Knoxville fans, hold on to your Nationals hats.

Capitani foresees a time when TV for an event like the Nationals may change as well.

"I think the Knoxville Nationals, down the line somewhere, is going to be pay-per-view," he said. "It's not going to sit out there free for everybody."

Boone's on board

For years, the prospect of Boone Speedway producing a Web site has been a question of "if."

Now, finally, it's "when."

Robert Lawton, promoter of the track that hosts the IMCA Super Nationals on Sept. 3-8, said he hopes to have a site launched within a month.

"We're five years behind the curve," Lawton said. "There's no question we should have a Web site, at least of a minimal type. We're working on it."

Lawton added novelty races and car-giveaways to several of his Saturday shows to attract more fans this season.

The Web is next - and the plans aren't piecemeal.

"I'm not so certain a blog isn't the next answer," Lawton said, adding his goal for the Web site, once operational, is interactivity. "I'm not so certain we're not going to have to hire somebody to run a blog for us."

Hiring new people, of course, requires surplus money - one of the stumbling blocks of racetracks with spartan Web sites, or none at all.

Lawton is blessed with a son well-versed in computers.

He's admittedly not so tech-savvy, but never shied from the computer-enhanced bandwagon.

Nearly 20 years ago, he invested in an Apple IIE and hired someone to manage software so he could run his promotion business, which then included the state fairgrounds in Des Moines.

"We were running 125-130 races a year at that point in time," Lawton said. "We couldn't manage the business without it."

Spreadsheets and floppy discs were daunting enough.

But live-streaming, Web cams, interactive blogs ...

"At my age, it's overwhelming," Lawton said.

Yet not impossible, so Lawton figures why not aim high?

"We'll get there," he said.

High-tech from startup

Iowa Speedway in Newton spared no expense - or technological advancement - when building its facility more than two years ago.

Two key elements were integrated into the plan: Becoming the first track to include next generation SAFER Barriers into its original construction, and adding cameras embedded in the track to offer fans a unique view of racing from below.

"Everything about that track is state-of-the-art," said the facility's vice president and general manager, Craig Armstrong. "That's one of the ways we wanted to differentiate Iowa Speedway from other racetracks."

The SAFER Barrier, as its name implies, makes racers safer. Instead of a concrete wall, the Barrier's high-tech energy-absorbing foam envelops the track.

The TV cameras enhance the fan experience at the track and at home.

Iowa Speedway also is continually looking for ways to augment its presentation, online and on-site.

Racing's a business, and fans stand at the center.

"It's up to us now to make this successful, make it work," Armstrong said. "To bring in greater and greater numbers of people to watch our events and procure better quality of events for the future. It's all up to us at this point, but the raw material, the grist, is there."

desmoinesregister.com

New Mercedes C-Class review

2007-08-21T18:37:00.001-07:00

For the new Mercedes C-Class Saloon range there is the choice for four and six cylinder engines, petrol and diesel options, with prices starting at £22,937 and rising up to £35,577.

On top of the engine options the new C-Class offers customers the option of a different style of front grille as a distinguishing feature.

In the SE and Elegance body styles the new grille shape, which I do not like, has a bonnet mounted Mercedes star and for the Sport line there is a huge centrally mounted Mercedes star in the grille bars.

I think the previous generation C-Class, circa 2000 to 2007, with its elegant low-line bonnet and four eyed- face, referring to the headlights either side of an elegant grille, was much prettier. Thanks to front end crash safety and pedestrian impact safety requirements, a higher bonnet line is needed to accommodate energy absorbing air-space in the engine compartment above the power unit.
We now have a politically correct bland front end which is not unique to Mercedes; it could be applied to any other car from Korea to the USA.

Styling apart I think the new C-Class is a huge improvement in all other areas. The driveability is the biggest improvement. No longer is it outshone by the BMW 3-Series or Audi A4. It is rewarding for even the most sporting of drivers. New technology handling, suspension, braking, safety and stability packages have done wonders for the car.

There are too many to mention in detail but their titles will paint the picture for you on how advanced the new C-Class is.
Adaptive Braking, Intelligent Lighting, seven airbags, active head restraints, anticipatory occupant protection with Pre-Safe and Agility Control are included as standard or as an option. These are in addition to new suspension and steering systems with cleaner and more powerful engines.

My test car was one of the projected best selling models, the C 220 CDI Sport Saloon costing £28,002 on the road and featuring items such as automatic climate control, rain sensing wipers, automatic lights, stability control and electrically operated windows ands door mirrors are included.

Add in some must-have options as company and business car owners and user do, such as the uprated sound system, satellite navigation, the stunning panoramic sunroof, plus a few more bits and bobs and the total climbed to a hefty £34,982.

The Sport specification has AMG wheels and body kit together with a firmer and lowered suspension. Surprisingly the sports suspension didn’t compromise the ride comfort although the road noise intrusion was higher than expected from the wide low profile tyres.
Sports models also feature metallic facia inserts and silver dial surrounds and these brighten up a somewhat conservatively styled interior. The cabin says ‘executive’ car but it really doesn’t feel that special. It is beautifully put together but the overall quality is missing.

On the plus side there is really good headroom front and rear, lots of rear legroom and the largest boot in its class. A neat touch is the electrically operated cover in the facia which slides back to reveal the information display. All the controls are logical but the foot-operated parking brake is not to my taste.

The C 220 has a 2.1-litre turbocharged high-pressure common rail, four-cylinder diesel engine mated with a six-speed manual transmission. Power output is a healthy 170hp but maximum torque is a high 400Nm delivered from 2,000rpm. Whilst the top speed is an impressive 142mph and 0-62mph is covered in just 8.5 seconds it is the low CO2 figure of 160g/km and combined fuel economy of 47.9mpg that will impress hard taxed company and business car users the most.

For the record during a week of heavy motorway driving the C 220 CDI hovered between 50 and 55mpg and this only lowered to an overall average of 49.7mpg after prolonged periods of stop-start in town traffic. Very impressive.

The engine was also really responsive, willing to work, it revved freely and quietly and the torque made it really easy to drive at lower speeds without the need for constant gearchanging.

So in most areas, other than exterior front end styling, the new C-Class is a real ‘A lister’.
MILESTONES

Mercedes-Benz C 220 CDI Sport Saloon

Price: £28,003 (£34,982 as tested)

Engine: 2.1-litre, four-cylinder direct injection, common rail turbodiesel, 170hp, 400Nm of torque at 2,000rpm

Performance: 142mph, 0-62mph 8.5 seconds, 47.9mpg (49.7mpg actual), CO2 160g/m, VED Group D £140 Insurance group 14E, 22% tax

For: Roomy interior, excellent ride quality, agile and well balanced handling, strong engine performance, economical for fuel

Against: Brash non-descript front end styling, cabin quality does not feel premium class, expensive when must-have options are fitted, foot operated parking brake.
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Top Cars for College Students; CarMax and Driver's Edge Recommend Best Vehicles for Safety and Reliability

2007-08-21T18:34:00.000-07:00

If your college student's back to school list includes a car, you will want to know which vehicles are recommended for young drivers. To help students and parents find the best car, CarMax, Inc. , the nation's largest retailer of used cars, and Driver's Edge, a national nonprofit organization providing youth driver education, have teamed up to recommend the top cars for college students.

"It's pretty tough to come up with a list of cars that will satisfy both parents and students," said Steve Tepper, chief operating officer of Driver's Edge. "Issues of looks, cost, safety, and performance don't always line up, but there are some great cars out there that fit the bill safety-wise while still being a cool car to drive."

"Typically, parents' top priorities when looking for a vehicle for their student are price, reliability, and safety, while young people may be more interested in style, features, and performance," said Ron Costa, regional vice president of purchasing for CarMax. "We recommend conducting online vehicle research first and then finding a car retailer that provides a transparent, customer-friendly, and easy car buying process."

This year's top cars recommended for college students that fulfill both the parents' safety and reliability demands and the young drivers' requirements for looks and performance include (In alphabetical order by manufacturer. Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) is standard unless otherwise noted):

-- Audi A4
-- Dodge Caliber (models with optional ABS)
-- Honda Civic
-- Hyundai Sonata
-- Kia Optima (models with optional ABS)
-- Pontiac G6 (coupe or sedan with optional ABS)
-- Toyota Corolla (models with optional ABS)
-- Volkswagen Jetta
-- Volkswagen Passat
-- Volvo S40 (four door sedan)

"When deciding on a vehicle for a young driver, safety has to be a top consideration," said Jeff Payne, president and founder of Driver's Edge. "Motor vehicle collisions are the leading cause of death for people under 24, outnumbering the combined deaths resulting from drug use, guns, and other violence." Driver's Edge recommends that parents review crash-test ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) when considering any vehicle, along with the advice and ratings of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

The cars on the list are recommended only for drivers who have at least two years of practical driving experience. (Smaller cars would not be on a list of cars recommended for true novice drivers.) Driver's Edge and CarMax used the following criteria to select the recommended cars:

1) Each of the selected models scored at least a four star rating from
NHTSA for both frontal and side impact protection in each of the last
four years. Exceptions are the Dodge Caliber and the Pontiac G6, each
of which have only been available since 2007 and 2006, respectively.

2) Each car offers an array of active safety features as either standard
or optional equipment (e.g., anti-lock braking systems, electronic
stability control, traction control, etc.).

3) Cost, reliability, and vehicle styling have been considered, but safety
considerations weighed more heavily in determining the cars to
recommend.

"It's not just about choosing the 'right' car," Payne said. "There is no five-star rating or safety device that can take the place of a well educated driver. A lousy driver can make even the safest of vehicles a bad place to be. That's why we also recommend that all drivers seek out the proper training and learn the skills needed to help them stay safer on the highways, whether it's attending a Driver's Edge event or investing in a quality performance driving school."

money.cnn.com

Counties review vehicle policies

2007-08-21T18:20:00.000-07:00

As Macomb, Oakland and Wayne county governments struggle with severe budget woes and threats to services, they continue to provide hundreds of take-home vehicles and car allowances to higher-level employees.

But with the budget concerns -- and agitation among rank-and-file employees being asked for wages and benefit concessions -- members of each county's board of commissioners are examining whether it's time for some workers to turn in their keys.
Most of the vehicles are to be used only for commuting to work and government business.

But critics say the counties could save taxpayers thousands of dollars by having employees request reimbursement for the miles they drive for business rather than have the county pay for vehicles, gasoline, insurance and maintenance of take-home cars.

"The average worker in nongovernment industry doesn't have a car to drive back and forth to work," said Rose Bogaert, chairwoman of the Wayne County Taxpayers Association. "I've got to feel they're pretty upset paying for someone else to get that benefit when they themselves can't."

Aspects of the counties' vehicle policies include:

• Every countywide elected official receives either a take-home vehicle or a car allowance, which is a flat monthly payment to cover transportation costs.

• In Oakland County, the six countywide elected officials, their top 11 deputies and the chairman of the Board of Commissioners all receive take-home cars that have few restrictions on personal use.

• Wayne County hands out taxable annual car allowances nearly all ranging from $4,800 to $6,000, to 143 employees -- mostly the appointees of elected officials -- at a cost of $735,000 per year. Fourteen of the 15 county commissioners each get $6,000.

• In Macomb, the road commission provides take-home vehicles to each of its part-time road commissioners that can be used for personal travel. They also receive taxpayer-funded car washes. A take-home vehicle is considered a noncash benefit and taxed as if it were personal income at about $3 for each day it is used.

Oakland County

County Executive L. Brooks Patterson and some commissioners agree that their policy could be tightened.

In Oakland County, 228 employees receive take-home cars, the majority from the Sheriff's Office. Another 71 workers with the road commission get take-home cars.

The county's fleet, which includes about 45 pool cars that can be signed out for short trips, cost $3.1 million in the 2005-06 budget year. The county spent $617,614 that budget year in mileage expenses for employees who used their own vehicles for county business, reimbursing at a rate of 48.5 cents per mile.

Employees must report any personal use of the vehicles, which is then reported as taxable income. No one has turned in any personal mileage use so far this budget year, which ends Sept. 30.

Patterson said there is room for improvement in the county's take-home car policy, which hasn't changed since 1993.

"I wouldn't be surprised if some people lose their cars, not just in my office, but across the board," said Patterson, who drives a 2007 Chrysler 300 provided by the county.

The Oakland Board of Commissioners is holding budget hearings through the end of August and has questioned whether so many people should have vehicles. Commissioner Mike Rogers, R-Farmington Hills, said he hasn't heard any compelling evidence yet to begin ending car privileges for the employees.

But Commissioner Tim Greimel, D-Rochester Hills, isn't so sure that so many people need county cars.

"Especially during these difficult economic times, we have to make sure that the county is spending taxpayer dollars as prudently as possible," he said.

Wayne County

Besides providing car allowances, Wayne County also has 105 employees who receive take-home vehicles, mostly for those in the Sheriff's Office and roads division. In the Sheriff's Office, all 47 of those with take-home vehicles are sworn officers who respond to emergencies. Six of them, however, spend the majority of their time on administrative duties.

But Robert Dickerson, chief of administrative operations, said they also respond to situations on a 24/7 basis and attend work-related functions after business hours.

In the current budget year, Wayne County spent $130,789 to buy four take-home vehicles and cover lease payments on five others. Taxpayers also cover the cost of gasoline and maintenance for take-home vehicles -- $207,795 in the 2005-06 fiscal year for the 58 non-Sheriff's Office vehicles. Insurance is handled through the county's self-insurance policy.

Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano said it's cheaper to provide either vehicles or a fixed car allowance to certain employees than to have them claim mileage.

Ficano said his administration has cut the number of take-home vehicles in half since 2002.

"We're trying to get to running this like a business," said Ficano, who drives a county-issued 2007 Cadillac DTS. "It's been very frugal."

But Wayne County Commissioner Bernard Parker, chairman of the commission's budget committee, said the county could cut its vehicle costs in half if it eliminated all take-home vehicles and abolished car allowances, in favor of mileage reimbursement.

Parker, D-Detroit, has proposed the change, but Ficano opposed it because he says the current system is cheaper, Parker said.

Only Commissioner Kay Beard declines the $500-a-month car allowance available to the 15 commissioners, saying she instead claims $100 to $200 a month in mileage reimbursement.

"$500 a month? That's not anything I want to be a part of," she said.

Beard, D-Westland, said county employees who must respond to emergencies should receive take-home vehicles, but she would like to see those not in that category drive their own cars and get reimbursed for mileage.

Macomb County

Macomb County provides 33 take-home vehicles to officials and 15 to the road commission. The county reimburses employees using personal cars for business 44 cents a mile.

Macomb's road commission spent $300,000 for take-home vehicles for its 15 employees since 2002, including spouses Michelle and Bob Mykytiak, who are the finance director and maintenance superintendent, respectively.

While some of the road commission's employees have cars to respond to road emergencies, others are office workers, like administrator Paula Mack-Crouchman, who drives a 2003 Pontiac Bonneville.

Mack-Crouchman said she often drives during the day for county business and must be available in emergencies.

"It's not just used to drive back and forth to work," she said of the car. Her husband, William Crouchman, receives a $3,348-a-year allowance for driving his own car as chairman of the Macomb County Board of Commissioners.

Macomb Road Commissioner Tom Raymus said the cars are bonuses to attract good employees.

"People in the corporate world get cars as perks all the time," Raymus said. "That's how they get good people."

Macomb County began reviewing its car policy last month, but commissioners said they don't expect to reduce the fleet.

In Wayne County, County Commission budget chairman Parker said it's unlikely the policies will change before the commission finishes the 2007-08 budget this month.

www.freep.com

New BMW M3 review

2007-08-21T18:13:00.000-07:00

The first M3 was an out and out racing car but demand from customers for a road and race version has evolved the M3 through four generations of models to the latest Coupe which goes on sale in September.

The new M3 Coupe may not be such an ‘edgy’ difficult-to-drive-on-public-roads car as the original, but it is now far more refined, it’s faster for acceleration, more responsive, totally more civilised anf the car you can drive day in, day out, on public roads and then take to the race circuits for use at track day events.

Some motoring pundits will say the M3 has gone soft, it hasn’t it is now more in keeping with what the real world of high performance, useable sporting cars is all about.
The power and acceleration is awesome, the rear wheel drive and 50-50 weight distribution gives it superb handling, the steering is sharp, the suspension is absorbing and compliant, everything a modern day car needs to be for daily use.

Then you push the ‘M’ button and everything gets even sharper and you have a track-day car ready for use. All you have to do is install your individual various motorsport settings in the MDrive Manager, a bit like personal preferences for a computer, push the ‘M’ button and the M3 is a track car. The M3 is two cars in one, both extremely good.

Inside the two-door car things are much the same as any other 3-Series Coupe but with the wizardry of the ‘M’ departments attention to sporting detail.

More substantially bolstered sports seats hold the occupants firmly in place through high speed cornering, the instruments look race-bred and the hallmark ‘M’ series of warning lights that go out as the engine warms up indicates this is no normal road car.

The all-aluminium V8, 4-litre, high compression, normally aspirated petrol engine produces 420hp at 8,300rpm, it loves to be revved. The driver just needs to learn to use the extra 2,000rpm to get the optimum performance out of this unit.

Push the accelerator and then push it some more for the ultimate M3 experience. For the record it sound fantastic as well. The 400Nm of torque is available from 3,900rpm up to over 6,000rpm before it tails off so not only does the M3 have speed it has real ‘grunt’ as well.
Although the media first drive included driving sessions on a racing circuit in France, where the M3 was impressive and durable, it was the fast, traffic free winding roads around Pau that the M3 excelled.

Even in towns and heavier stop-start traffic, the M3 coped really well; it is not a bit temperamental in such an unfriendly environment. The steering is not too heavy at low speed, the clutch is not heavy to use and the six- speed gearchange is slick and precise to operate.

The capability for the M3 Coupe to provide fast, safe, responsive and above all comfortable driving was proved. In all areas, other than fuel consumption, a little over 14mpg at worst, 21mpg at best with an average of 18.5mpg overall, the M3 Coupe is a new performance car classic.
MILESTONES

BMW M3 Coupe

Price: £50,625 (as tested £55,500)

Engine: 4.0-litre, V8, normally aspirated petrol 420hp, 400Nm of torque

Performance: 155mph (electronically limited), 0-62mph 4.8 seconds, 22.8mpg (18.5mpg actual), CO2 295g/km, VED Band G £300

Insurance group: 20

For: Looks, awesome performance, refinement, quality, easy to live with, good space for four people with boot size to match.

Against: Fuel thirst
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Chevrolet Sports Car

2007-08-03T12:06:00.001-07:00

Chevrolet Sports Car
Originally uploaded by Cars Photos

Chevrolet Sports Car it is sport car it's very strong to off road.

Bentley Sports Car

2007-08-03T12:05:00.003-07:00

Bentley Sports Car
Originally uploaded by Cars Photos

Bentley is also one of special car producer makes hotrod so that even better

Acura Sports Car

2007-08-03T12:05:00.001-07:00

Acura Sports Car
Originally uploaded by Cars Photos

it is sport car and Acura is produsen from this car.

Bugatti Sports Car

2007-08-03T12:02:00.001-07:00

Bugatti Sports Car
Originally uploaded by Cars Photos

Buggati is one of special car manufacturer producer makes hotrod, so that would hardly suited for having it.

BMW Sports Car

2007-08-03T12:00:00.001-07:00

BMW Sports Car
Originally uploaded by Cars Photos

This is one of result of gold masterpiece from BMW a real exotic and fanciful sport to be enjoyed race.

Citroen Sports Car

2007-08-03T11:59:00.001-07:00

Citroen Sports Car
Originally uploaded by Cars Photos

hotrod result of produce of manufacturer citroen hardly agrseif to be invited race in walking asphalt either ascending or declines and surging road(street.

Honda HSC Concept

2007-08-03T11:54:00.001-07:00

Honda HSC Concept
Originally uploaded by presentedindoublevision

This is one of result of masterpiece Honda for the future and ready for exeeded with all its(the excellences owned by it.

Mercedes Concept Car

2007-08-03T11:46:00.001-07:00

Mercedes Concept Car
Originally uploaded by WrldVoyagr

this car is one of result of best masterpiece from Mercedes-Benz for the future.

Mercedes-Benz Museum

2007-08-03T11:42:00.001-07:00

Mercedes-Benz Museum
Originally uploaded by WrldVoyagr

this is car from mercedes benz which futuristik and hardly keren.

Police Announce Breakup of Extensive Car-Theft Ring

2007-08-03T11:39:00.000-07:00

It was a far-flung, multimillion-dollar luxury auto theft and fencing ring, the police said, the largest New Jersey had ever seen. A gleaming new Mercedes-Benz or BMW, sitting in the Port of Newark and destined for a driveway in the suburbs, would be stolen, stuck in a container, shipped across the ocean and sold — at up to double the retail price — on the streets of faraway cities like Cairo.
The cars included new models, stolen rentals or vehicles carjacked from towns throughout northern New Jersey. The car thieves shipped them — often with what appeared to be the proper paperwork — to Togo, Ghana, Jordan, Egypt and Greece.

“The scheme was elaborate, extensive,” the state attorney general, Anne Milgram, said at a news conference where the authorities announced eight arrests and the dismantling of the operation.

During the three-month investigation called Operation Auto Export, Ms. Milgram said, more than 72 cars were recovered by the authorities — including Mercedes-Benzes, BMWs, Audis, Hummers and Land Rovers — valued at more than $2.5 million. Over the years, the officials said, an untold number of cars were stolen and sold.

Col. Joseph R. Fuentes, the superintendent of the New Jersey State Police, which led the multistate investigation, said the police had arrested several men they described as leaders of the theft ring, including Troy Turner, of Newark, who they said headed the local street network responsible for the theft of more than half of the cars.

Another suspect, Solomon Owusu Asare, of Maryland, was said to have extensive contacts abroad. Both men were charged with leading an auto-theft trafficking network.

Colonel Fuentes said that Ashraf G. Seleman, of Avenel, N.J., who worked as a “freight forwarder,” arranged the shipment of the cars overseas. Charges against him included receiving stolen property.

The police said there were still 10 outstanding arrest warrants, including four for people abroad involved in the scheme.

In a parking lot at state police headquarters here, officers displayed the cars they had recovered, including a few BMWs, two Hummers and several cars with New Jersey dealer stickers on the windshields. In one car, a Volkswagen sport utility vehicle, there was a $22 ticket to something called the “World Cup Bull Riders” sitting in a coffee cup holder.

“One of the most notable things about this criminal organization is that they operated in a way that they would have the car keys,” Ms. Milgram said, adding that many of the cars were not damaged during the theft, increasing their resale value.

Most of the new cars were stolen from the Port of Newark, although the authorities would not discuss exactly how because the investigation is continuing. However, they noted that extra valet keys in new luxury cars are often put in the glove compartment, the owner’s manual or the first-aid kit.

Lt. Rick Nuel, an investigator with the state police’s auto unit, said that six cars were stolen from a dealership in Edison on Sunday, and seven more on Monday.

Some vehicles were taken from the long-term parking garages at Newark Liberty Airport, and others were stolen the old-fashioned way; they were hot-wired. Three cars were stolen in carjackings, the police said, but no one has yet been charged in those crimes.

And in a few instances, Lieutenant Nuel said, the thieves rented luxury cars in Texas using false identification from Florida, and simply kept them.

Operation Auto Export began in earnest in April.

The police said Mr. Turner led an operation in Newark and East Orange, presiding over a network of street thieves. They brought him stolen cars, for which he paid $500 to $2,000 and resold them for at least double the price, Colonel Fuentes said.

In some cases, Lieutenant Nuel said, the thieves would go to parties, steal guests’ keys and then take the cars.

He offered a bit of advice to owners of luxury cars: “You want to take your valet key out of your car.”

source : www.nytimes.com

Car industry pleads with RBA not to raise rates

2007-08-03T11:38:00.000-07:00

THE car industry has cautioned the Reserve Bank against raising interest rates despite the national new-vehicle market posting monthly records this year.

July registration figures show sales of new vehicles surged 11 per cent to a record 86,291 units compared with the previous July.

The overall market has grown 8.9 per cent in the first seven months of the year.

"We shouldn't take the strength of the market for granted," said Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries chief executive Andrew McKellar.

He described the July sales as a "tremendous result" that had kept the market on track to exceed 1 million sales for the first time in a calendar year.

But he said there was nothing inflationary in the figures to support a rate rise in coming months.

He said the Australian Bureau of Statistics had measured a 1.4 per cent rise in vehicle prices in the past 12 month, well below the 2.1 per cent overall inflation rate.

"Despite strong demand, motor vehicle pricing is not contributing in any way to inflation," Mr McKellar said.

He said he believed that, in the absence of a rate rise, the market would continue to grow to the end of the year, even with a federal election due in a few months.

Mr McKellar said the July registrations were good news for some local manufacturers as sales of large cars and medium cars rose 18.6 per cent and 21.7 per cent respectively.

But the good news was not spread evenly across local car makers.

Holden Commodore sales rose to 5134 last month, a 28 per cent rise over the previous July, and Mitsubishi 380 sales gained 15 per cent to 949 units.

Ford's Falcon, due to be replaced early next year, was down 19 per cent to 3186 units.

Toyota was again the big winner, thanks to the two models it makes at Altona.

The six-cylinder Aurion took third place in the large-car segment with 1925 sales, more than six times the sales of the previous six-cylinder model from Altona, the Camry V6 (the Avalon had been retired by July last year).

In addition, sales of the four-cylinder Camry, classified as a medium car, trebled to 1990 units, accounting for one in three of all medium cars sold during the month.

Mr McKellar said it was "intriguing" that sales of medium and large cars rose last month even though July was not renowned for fleet sales.

"Private sales have also been strong, both in passenger vehicles and SUVs," he said.

source : www.theage.com.au

April-juni 2007, Ascending Toyota Net Profit of 32%

2007-08-03T11:32:00.000-07:00

April-juni 2007, Ascending Toyota Net Profit of 32%

TOKYO – Automotive manufacturer of Japan Toyota Motor Corp at period April-Juni 2007 printing increase of operation profit until 32 %. That thing pushed by sale gambol in Europe and North America capable to close its(the breakout sale inside the country.

Based on financial statement cited by Reuters, Jumat ( 3/8/2007), operational profit Toyota reachs 675,43 yen billions or USD5,67 billion. This number far from ekspektasi submitted by analyst circle 612,4 yen billions.

The company net profit also increases 32 % to become 491,54 yen billions.

Finance performance performance of this Toyota clearly gladdens. The reason is last week rival they are Honda Motor Co also reports increase of net profit to propose the recovery of sale.

By three months ending 30 Junes, Share Toyota experiences increase of 3,3 % to become 7800 yens. While in Tokyo's Transport Sektor Subindeks grows 5,8 %.

source : okezone.com

Top 10 Most Memorable Movie Cars

2007-07-27T01:14:00.000-07:00

When we came up with our list of Top 10 Movie Cars last summer, we had no idea our readers would be so passionate about their favorite films and the automotive characters in them. With "Transformers" coming soon, we revisited our list, listening to last year's reader feedback and arguing — once again — over which cars deserved to make the top 10. Some cars were able to hold on to their spots, while others were shuffled around to make room for more worthy contenders. With "Speed Racer" coming next year, expect another round of arguing.
No. 10: 2003 Mini Cooper S, "The Italian Job"

Drivetrain: 163-hp, supercharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with six-speed manual transmission; front-wheel drive
Notable Features: 200 pounds lighter than stock Cooper S; painted red, white or blue

Larger cars would have rubbed fenders with light poles and tunnel walls, but thanks to a nimble fleet of Mini Coopers, a band of conspirators manages to escape captors down congested streets, parks and subway tunnels. (Parks? Mass transit? In Los Angeles?) Computer-rigged signals aid the getaway, stopping cross traffic at red lights. Sounds like California dreaming for drivers.
No. 9: 1959 Cadillac Ambulance, "Ghostbusters"

Drivetrain: 325-hp, 6.4-liter V-8; rear-wheel drive
Notable Features: Tailfins, flashing lights, sirens, attached ladder

Though it plays a relatively small part in its film, the Ectomobile is the finest medical movie car to date. What it lacks in brute force it makes up in style, with red tailfins, strobe lights and more roof gear than a fire truck. Should there ever be a remake, our pick for the new Ectomobile would be the Dodge Magnum. Right, Egon?
No. 8: 1974 Dodge Monaco, "The Blues Brothers"

Drivetrain: 275-hp, 7.1-liter V-8 with three-speed automatic transmission; rear-wheel drive
Notable Features: Cop motor, cop tires, cop suspension, cop shocks

You usually don't come out ahead when swapping a Caddy for a Dodge — unless the Dodge has a 440-cubic-inch V-8. The Bluesmobile would be our pick if we had to outrun the better half of Illinois police, not to mention a neo-Nazi outfit and a country-and-western band. The car totally falls apart in the end, but you'd be hard-pressed to find a vehicle that could do better on "a mission from God."
No. 7: 1932 Ford coupe, "American Graffiti"

Drivetrain: 60-hp, 3.6-liter V-8 with three-speed manual transmission
Notable Features: Bright yellow paint job bound to be noticed by bored teens in Modesto, Calif.

Nicknamed the "Deuce," this five-window '32 Ford coupe is the quintessential American hot rod. As built, it came with the engine mentioned above, but in the movie, it's clear the coupe has been souped up. It was the car's awesome growl and the cool drag race at the end of the movie that lodged this hot rod into the hearts of American teens for a decade.
No. 6: 1976 AMC Pacer, "Wayne's World"

Drivetrain: 100-hp inline-six with three-speed automatic transmission; rear-wheel drive
Notable Features: Flame decal, licorice dispenser, "Bohemian Rhapsody" on continuous playback

Although this movie may not have driven thousands of people to track down a baby blue Mirth Mobile of their own, it did inspire a number of in-car, head-banging singalongs by fans of the film.
No. 5: 1968 Ford Mustang GT 390, "Bullitt"

Drivetrain: 325-hp, 6.4-liter V-8 with four-speed manual transmission; rear-wheel drive
Notable Features: Fastback roof, higher engine note than the Charger

Never mind the continuity mishaps; just tell yourself there were a lot of green Volkswagen Beetles in San Francisco that day. The seven-minute chase scene between Frank Bullitt's Mustang GT 390 and a hit man's 1968 Dodge Charger is among the best of its kind. Voters gave Bullitt's car the edge because, in the end, you have to root for the good guy.
No. 4: 1964 Aston Martin DB5, "Goldfinger"

Drivetrain: 282-hp, 4.0-liter six-cylinder with four-speed manual transmission; rear-wheel drive
Notable Features: Bulletproof glass, machine guns, incessantly beeping radar screen

Save for the anemic BMW Z3 1.9 in "GoldenEye," Bond cars are top-notch — the list includes Aston Martins, Bentleys and Lotuses — but voters agreed the champ is the Aston Martin DB5 in "Goldfinger." Not only is it gorgeous, it outruns and out-gadgets all of its competitors. Plus it gets plenty of screen time with the best Bond, Sean Connery. Any dissenters, of course, are welcome to ride in the "power" passenger seat.
No. 3: 1961 Ferrari 250 GT, "Ferris Bueller's Day Off"

Drivetrain: 280-hp, 3.0-liter V-12 with four-speed manual transmission; rear-wheel drive
Notable Features: Cherry-red exterior, wire grille, Cameron-sized tonneau compartment

This movie is probably responsible for thousands of teens cutting class to joyride in their father's car. Of course, none hold a candle to Mr. Frye's convertible Ferrari. It won votes for all the obvious reasons: It's red, Italian and bloody fast. If our fathers owned something like this, we'd ditch Econ 101 in a heartbeat to take a spin — especially if Dad didn't lock the garage. (And yes, we know this was a kit car.)
No. 2: 1977 Pontiac Trans Am, "Smokey and the Bandit"

Drivetrain: 200-hp, 6.6-liter V-8 with three-speed automatic
Notable Features: T-top, CB radio, runaway bride in the passenger seat

The mission seemed simple enough: Get a truckload of bootleg beer from Texarkana, Texas, to Atlanta while Bo "Bandit" Darville runs interference in his Trans Am. The combination of the comical car chases and Burt Reynolds' mustache sold more than a few black and gold versions of Bandit's car.
No. 1: 1981 DeLorean DMC-12, "Back to the Future"

Drivetrain: 1.21-gigawatt nuclear/electric hybrid with five-speed manual transmission; rear-wheel drive
Notable Features: Gull-wing doors, 16-port twin exhaust boxes, flux capacitor

This was an overwhelming choice for voters, and why not? Doc Brown's smoke-spewing DeLorean achieves time travel at 88 mph thanks to a plutonium-powered nuclear reactor and onboard flux capacitor. By the end of the first movie, it runs solely on trash — and it can fly. That's still futuristic two decades after the movie debuted. Sure, the ignition seems to have some reliability issues, but this car easily won our hearts.

source : www.cars.com

‘57 Plymouth Waking from Time Capsule

2007-07-23T23:34:00.001-07:00

A 1957 Plymouth Belvedere buried in a time capsule 50 years ago in Tulsa, Oklahoma, is about to return to the land of the living.

On June 15,Tulsa's town leaders will unveil the Belvedere as a part of "Tulsarama!" The celebration marks Oklahoma's 100th anniversary of statehood. Chrysler officials will be on hand for the public reveal, which can be seen in a Webcast hosted at the official site for the time capsule car, http://www.buriedcar.com.

The Belvedere - hawked by Chrysler back then with the tagline, "the only car to break the time barrier" - comes out of its civic-induced coma with its Torsion-Aire front suspension, tail fins, and push-button Torqueflite automatic transmission intact. It had been buried in front of the county courthouse in Tulsa .

Styled by the Chrysler team that was led by Virgil Exner, the Belvedere and its close kin, the Plymouth Fury, were introduced at the height of the Fifties fin craze.

The Belvedere's condition will be an interesting point to collectors. It was originally Cosmolined like an old Army rifle, wrapped up in plastic and coffined in a concrete-and-steel box. The automotive morticians even thoughtfully included ten gallons of gasoline and five quarts of motor oil in appropriate containers in the car's trunk - just in case such commodities were no longer available in the then-distant future.

The Belvedere isn't the only Chrysler product to be placed more than six feet under by the otherwise peaceful citizens of Oklahoma. In 1997, they buried a Plymouth Prowler in the city's Centennial Park.

It's due to be unearthed in 2037.

www.thecarconnection.com

2008 Porsche 911 GT2 Preview

2007-07-23T23:30:00.000-07:00

New sport model gets twin turbos, 530 bhp.
Porsche has unveiled yet another variant of the 911, and this time it's the GT2, a car that Porsche says is its fastest 911 ever.

Only available with rear-wheel drive and a manual six-speed gearbox, the 2+2 hits 62 mph in 3.6 seconds and goes on to a top speed of 204 mph. Fuel economy is 22.6 mpg in the Euro cycle.

The 3.6-liter engine is based on the six-cylinder boxer unit from the 911 Turbo, with twin turbochargers featuring variable turbine geometry. Peak power of 530 hp is achieved at 6500 rpm, with maximum torque of 501 lb-ft maintained consistently between 2200 and 4500 rpm. Power is up by 50 hp over the standard 911 Turbo, an increase brought about by fitting the turbos with a larger compressor wheel and a flow-optimized turbine housing, raising turbocharger pressure.

The German company is also boasting of the car's achievements in terms of emissions management. The GT2 is the first Porsche homologated for the road to feature a rear silencer and tailpipes made of titanium as standard equipment. This reduces weight by approximately 50 percent when compared to a standard stainless steel component.

The new 911 GT2 comes as standard with Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes (PCCB), featuring brake discs made of a composite carbon fiber/ceramic compound.

The car will make its world debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September, and go on sale across Europe soon after. It goes on sale in the U.S. early in 2008 for a price of $191,700.

2008 Mercedes-Benz SL

2007-07-23T23:26:00.001-07:00

Mercedes' luxury convertible returns for 2008 with the same lineup it offered in 2007: There's the 382-horsepower SL550, the 510-horse SL55 AMG, the V-12-powered 510-horsepower SL600 and the AMG-tuned V-12 SL65, with 604 horsepower.

As before, all SLs sport four-wheel disc brakes with anti-lock and Brake Assist, stability control, side airbags, a pop-up roll bar, and TeleAid emergency system. Also standard are the Keyless Go entry/starter system, a heated steering wheel, and corner-illuminating fog lamps.

For 2008, new 18-inch five-spoke wheels are added to the SL500 as standard equipment. Customers who order the Trim Package on the SL550 can also order premium Nappa leather. Run-flat tires may be ordered, too.

2008 Mercedes-Benz SL

2007-07-23T23:26:00.000-07:00

Tata, Hyundai Bid for Jaguar?

2007-07-23T23:23:00.000-07:00

Ford, which is struggling financially after losing $12.7 billion last year, moved closer to selling its Jaguar and Land Rover brands last week as it confirmed a number of "third parties" had submitted bids to purchase or take stakes in the British brands.

Ford did not identify any of the bidders. And adding a note of ambiguity to the proceedings, company officials talked about a "soft deadline" that could allow even more bidders.

Ford declined to say how many bids have been received or who submitted them. However, several private equity firms, among the Cerberus, Ripplewood Holdings and One Equity Partners, are thought to be in the hunt for Land Rover and Jaguar, according to reports originating inLondon.

However, higher interest rates and the relatively small amount of cash generated by both Land Rover and Jaguar could make the deals problematic for Ford. Until recently, automotive assets have been considered cheap in the private equity world. That could be changing as banks put higher demands on loans required to complete certain deals.

More intriguing were reports that India 's Tata Motors Ltd. and Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd., as well as Korea 's Hyundai, submitted bids. Given the Hyundai's insular corporate culture, it's unlikely it will press hard - and ultimately, the company's financial personnel may have been more curious about Jaguar and Land Rovers finances.

The two Indian companies are a different story. Both rich and eagerly looking for ways to expand their presence in the automotive space, they may hold a small edge in the competition for Jaguar and Land Rover.

Tata recently completed a deal with Fiat, and Mahindra is already planning to build utility vehicles in the U.S. While outsourcing of technical support functions from North America and Western Europe has helped drive the Indian economy in recent years, Indian companies and conglomerates such as Tata and Mahindra also have been quick to utilize assets and to draw on expertise in other parts of the world to expand.

A deal with an Indian partner also could help Ford expand in the south Asian market, which Ford officials have said is one of the areas they have targeted for future growth. However, Ford's problems in North America have hurt its ability to raise the capital necessary to move into the Indian market.

In March, Ford sold a majority stake in its Aston Martin luxury sports car unit for $848 million.

Meanwhile, Ford's Volvo unit also was put up for strategic review, which is aimed at maximizing the value of the company's assets. The review could lead to a potential sale of Volvo, though some analysts think it unlikely because the Swedish carmaker is now critical to the company's product development. Ford hasn't received any bids for Volvo either.

Only last year, Ford mortgaged its factories to get a $23.4 billion loan package to cover the cost of its ongoing restructuring and to keep it afloat until it makes a profit again, which is now projected to be in 2009.

2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid

2007-07-23T23:22:00.001-07:00

Toyota 's gas-electric Camry Hybrid gets a price cut of $1000 and a couple of new option packages as it returns for the 2008 model year.

The hybrid model, rated at 43 mpg in city driving and 37 mpg on the highway, comes with standard power windows and door locks, as well as curtain and side airbags. Traction control is standard but stability control is optional.

Also standard on the Camry Hybrid are the Smart Key system, dual-zone automatic climate control, a Plasmacluster ionizer, 16-inch steel wheels, and AM/FM/single CD audio system with six speakers.

Two packages can be ordered to spiff up the Hybrid edition. Both include 16-inch alloy wheels, a JBL audio system, a leather-trimmed steering wheel and shift knob, an electrochromic rearview mirror, and a Homelink garage door opener. The difference in the packages? A navigation system.

Stand-alone options for this year's Camry Hybrid include a power moonroof, a leather interior, driver and front passenger heated seats and heated outside

mirrors.

www.thecarconnection.com

2008 Toyota Camry

2007-07-23T23:17:00.000-07:00

Toyota's top-selling front-drive mid-size sedan was thoroughly revised and updated for 2007, with exterior styling and interior changes as well as an available 268-horsepower, 3.5 liter V-6 tied to an all-new six-speed automatic transmission.

For 2008 the Camry returns with only a very slight price increase of $100 on each model. The V-6 edition returns, as does the standard 2.4-liter four-cylinder, which is good for 158 horsepower; it can be ordered with either a five-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmission.

All trim levels come with A/C, power windows and door locks, and a CD stereo standard. All Camrys come with a knee airbag for the driver as well as full-length curtain and front seat side-impact airbags, for seven airbags in total. Traction control is standard but stability control remains optional. A 440-watt JBL audio system (with Bluetooth technology) is available, as is a DVD-based navigation system, putting the Camry right on the entry-luxury line when so equipped.

2008 Mazda6 Spied!

2007-07-23T22:42:00.000-07:00

A year ago we brought you pictures of Mazda6 test mules. Now our spies have captured more prototypes during testing, and from our pictures it's apparent that the new Mazda6 is quickly approaching production.

Based on a modified CD3 platform known as CD3-2, the new Mazda6 will share its platform with the European Ford Mondeo, as well as the American Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln MKZ.

We're expecting the new Mazda 6 to arrive in time for the 2008 model year, although it will likely reach dealership late in 2007. It's expected to check in about 2 inches longer (with a 2-inch stretch in wheelbase) and a tad bit wider than today's car.

Sources tell us to expect the new 6 to be powered by Ford's 3.5-liter V-6, as well a 180-horsepower four-cylinder powerplant. All-wheel drive will be offered as an option. A hybrid, as well as a Mazdaspeed version, will eventually follow.

www.thecarconnection.com

Car wars

2007-07-23T22:40:00.000-07:00

Car wars

Car wars: Continental is battling with US firm TRW
Car wars: Continental is battling with US firm TRW

Continental, the German auto parts group, is appealing to protectionist sentiment in Germany in its battle with US firm TRW for Siemens' auto parts subsidiary VDO.

Chief executive Karl-Thomas Neumann said in an interview that certain key industries and technologies "must not be lost" to foreign investors.

A combination of Continental and VDO would create "a company active in one of those key sectors that would be among the top five in the world", he told the Financial Times Deutschland.

Politicians are also wading into the VDO bidding war, with the regional state premier of Lower Saxony saying he favoured a sale to a German company rather than a potential foreign investor.

Sources say Continental is prepared to pay up to €11bn (£7.4bn) for the unit.

www.telegraph.co.uk

Streaking Dixon wins third in row

2007-07-23T22:38:00.000-07:00

Streaking Dixon wins third in row

The way things are going for Scott Dixon, it surely wasn't a surprise that he avoided a first-lap accident Sunday and went on to win the Honda Indy 200 in Lexington, Ohio.

After all, Dixon is on a roll and it was his 27th birthday.

Dixon escaped the mishap in front of him that put a crimp in Danica Patrick's hopes and hung near the leaders before moving in front late to pick up his third consecutive IndyCar Series victory.

But not everything was perfect, mind you.

''It's a pity it's Sunday and everything closes at midnight,'' a grinning Dixon said, thinking ahead to his party.

Dixon's victory tightened the race in the driver standings. He trails series leader Dario Franchitti by 24 points with five races left.

Dixon took the lead for good on the 77th of 85 laps when Franchitti took a delayed pit stop. He wasn't threatened the rest of the way, beating Franchitti to the finish line by 2.7 seconds to tie the series mark for consecutive victories shared by Kenny Brack (1998) and Dan Wheldon (2005).

''The team is definitely on a roll,'' Dixon said. ''Everybody is full of confidence. Things just seem to click a little easier. Your decisions come a bit quicker.''

Patrick never recovered after a bit of bad luck on the first lap almost wiped her and two of her Andretti Green teammates out of the race.

''I have to stop myself and think for a little bit, 'All right, everything happens for a reason,''' said Patrick, who finished fifth. ''I don't know what it is yet.''

Teammate Tony Kanaan made contact with Patrick's car in the fourth turn, forcing her to pull into the grass to avoid any further damage from behind. Kanaan then slid into teammate Marco Andretti's car, causing it to go into a half-roll before flipping onto its top and sliding upside down along the pavement. He wasn't hurt, but his car was.

''There was nothing I could do,'' Kanaan said. ''Danica appeared to be sliding. I hit the brakes to avoid her and spun. Unfortunately, I took Marco out in the process. I felt so bad for Marco because he had nothing to do with it.''

Bourdais earns Champ Car victory
Three-time defending Champ Car World Series champion Sebastien Bourdais dominated the Grand Prix of Edmonton (Alberta), beating Justin Wilson -- who won the race last year -- to the finish line by nearly four seconds.

The result vaulted Bourdais, who is expected to leave Champ Car for Formula One next year, into first place in the driver standings. He entered the race two points behind Robert Doornbos and one behind Will Power and finished it 20 ahead of Doornbos and 25 ahead of Power.

www.suntimes.com

World’s cheapest car may be pricier than promised

2007-07-23T22:35:00.000-07:00

World’s cheapest car may be pricier than promised

MUMBAI: High raw material costs and production delays could force top Indian vehicle maker Tata Motors to raise the price of the world’s cheapest car, with suppliers resisting pressure to lower prices any further.

Tata Motors is turning the screws on parts makers as it pushes to launch the car next spring or summer, despite delays in construction of the plant in the state of West Bengal after farmers opposed the acquisition of their land.

The company, India’s third-biggest automaker, had earlier announced the launch would be in early 2008.

Suppliers, already grappling with volatile raw material costs and softer domestic demand, are baulking at Tata’s price and delivery targets. Some have reportedly turned down its orders and others are seeking guarantees on volumes and prices.

“The Tatas’ demands are pretty aggressive, be it on product, cost or delivery,” said one supplier who asked not to be identified. “We’re being stretched.”

Tata Motors has promised to sell the car for Rs 100,000 ($2,500), but some analysts say it will now have to price it 25 percent higher in order to maintain a profit margin of 8 percent.

A sticker price of 125,000 rupees would put the vehicle in line with other low-cost cars being considered by competitors such as Renault and Nissan.

Chairman Ratan Tata said at a recent shareholders’ meeting that the firm was committed to launching the car in the first half of the fiscal year ending March 2009. A company spokesman on Monday reiterated that timeline and said it had no fresh comment on the price.

A car priced so cheap in a country where small cars make up two-thirds of sales could have a potential market of one million units, Chairman Tata has said. Suppliers say they have been told to gear up for an initial run of 250,000-300,000 units.

Tata Motors also has been encouraging suppliers to set up factories near the new plant to reduce transport and packaging costs, which can make up 8-10 percent of total manufacturing costs, while also enabling ‘just-in-time’ deliveries that reduce the need to hold costly inventories.

The company, which is estimated to have invested about $450 million in the project so far, also has said it may use satellite assembly units owned by franchisees, alternate materials like General Electric’s re-engineered plastics, and some modern adhesives instead of welding to cut costs.

Its plan has prompted Carlos Ghosn, the head of Renault and Nissan Motor Co, to study the feasibility of making a $3,000 car with an Indian vehicle maker.

Toyota Motor Corp, Honda Motor Co, Fiat, Volkswagen and India’s Bajaj Auto are also looking to build small, low-cost cars, but others say a car so cheap cannot meet strict emission and safety standards.

Launch price: Tata’s suppliers include Sona Koyo Steering Systems, Gabriel Ltd., Kinetic Engineering, Lumax Industries, Rico Auto, Bosch Chassis Systems and Tenneco. Also among its suppliers are a large number of Tata group companies, including Tata Bearings, Tata Toyo Radiator, Tata Johnson Controls, Tata Yazaki and Tata Ryerson, which should help ensure better cost control and timeliness. reuters

www.dailytimes.com.pk

Auto Talks Begin Between GM and UAW

2007-07-23T22:32:00.000-07:00

DETROIT -

The president of the United Auto Workers said Monday his union is not in the mood to make concessions during contract talks with U.S.-based automakers who say they need cost cuts to stay in business.

The comments came after the traditional handshake between officials from the UAW and General Motors Corp. (nyse: GM - news - people ), the nation's No. 1 automaker. The ceremony officially kicked off negotiations between the sides.

At least on the surface, it appears that the union and GM are far apart as they try to ink a new national contract before a Sept. 14 deadline. Ford Motor Co. (nyse: F - news - people ) also will seek concessions after its talks open Monday afternoon. Bargaining with Chrysler Group started last week.

GM, which lost about $2 billion last year and still isn't making money in North America, clearly will put concessions on the bargaining table.

"We know that these are going to be difficult contract negotiations," Diana Tremblay, GM's chief negotiator, said after the handshake at a GM-UAW human resources building along the Detroit River. "We know that we need to make some changes to make the business sustainable over the long term."

But UAW President Ron Gettelfinger said the union is not in a concessionary mode, and he also said a strike still is possible despite the precarious financial positions of the Detroit Three. He has said that the union will try for a pattern contract with one that extends to the others, but he said a target company has not been selected.

"That just depends on the tone of the negotiations," Gettelfinger said.

Earlier, Gettelfinger smiled and shook hands with GM Chairman and CEO Rick Wagoner, while Tremblay shook hands with UAW Vice President Cal Rapson. All four had to lean across a table to complete the handshake for photographers.

This year's auto talks have taken on a more urgent tone because the Detroit Three lost a combined $15 billion in 2006 and are in the midst of shrinking themselves and rolling out new vehicles in an effort to better compete with the Japanese. Industry analysts have said reducing labor costs is critical to the companies' survival.

Ford is in the worst shape of the three, having mortgaged its factories to set up a $23.4 billion line of credit to cover losses and pay operating expenses while it restructures. Ford lost $12.6 billion last year and $282 million in the first quarter of this year, and it doesn't expect to make money again until 2009.

Analysts say Ford likely will seek deeper concessions than the other two automakers, perhaps temporary wage cuts.

All three say the talks need to bring them labor cost parity with Japanese automakers, who make about $2,000 per car more in profits.

The Detroit automakers say their hourly labor costs are about $25 more than Toyota Motor Corp. (nyse: TM - news - people ), Honda Motor Co. (nyse: HMC - news - people ) and Nissan Motor Co. (nasdaq: NSANY - news - people ) when health care, pension, retiree and other costs are factored in.

Ford, though, really isn't much different because the Detroit automakers all have the same problems, said Laurie Harbour-Felax, managing director at Stout Risius Ross Inc., who has done detailed studies of auto manufacturing costs.

"Ford is probably not as well-positioned as GM today ... but they still have the same issues around health care that are crippling them," Harbour-Felax said.

All three must deal with rising health care costs and the "jobs bank," in which companies pay workers most of their salaries when their assembly lines aren't running. She said her studies have shown that the Detroit Three pay $1,200 to $1,500 per car in health care costs, far more than the Japanese automakers.

The UAW, however, has said that labor costs represent only 10 percent of the price of a new vehicle.

Health care is a major issue for GM, which paid $4.8 billion for it last year and has said it is the company's largest competitive disadvantage.

"I think it's impossible to ignore the issue," Tremblay said Monday. "Well see how possible it is to address it."

Before the GM ceremony Monday, about 100 people, mostly retirees, marched outside the building carrying signs in protest of further concessions.

One marcher, Claire McClinton of Flint, said she opposed more givebacks because GM has money to build plants overseas and because it has paid millions in executive bonuses.

"You can't tell us you're broke, and you do these things," said McClinton, 57, who works at the Flint Metal Center.

www.forbes.com

Under The Hood: GM Continues To Cut Car Rental Fleet Sales

2007-07-23T22:26:00.000-07:00

Under The Hood: GM Continues To Cut Car Rental Fleet Sales

JULY 23, 2007 -- Auto manufacturer General Motors this month reported that it has taken more than 92,000 daily rental vehicles out of its 2007 sales totals in the first half of the year. This included a reduction of 13,487 daily rental sale vehicles in June alone, a decrease of 22 percent from June 2006. Even though GM blamed the cutbacks for an overall 24 percent drop in sales in June, the company asserted that reducing car rental fleet sales remained its strategy. "We continue to believe that maintaining a disciplined approach to both incentives and daily rental car sales is key to making our marketing strategy work in the long run," Mark LaNeve, GM vice president of North American sales, service and marketing, said in a prepared statement. This strategy is common among auto manufacturers, and car rental companies have pushed for steeper rate increases amid the increased costs of maintaining their fleets (BTN, Sept. 11, 2006).

Rental Cos. Enhance Navigation Tools
Two car rental suppliers have added global positioning system devices to their fleet, and a third has expanded its current GPS offering overseas. Tulsa, Okla.-based Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group announced this month that it is offering the Garmin Nuvi 660 tool at about 90 locations throughout the United States. The tool, available for $11.99 per day, features a touchscreen interface, voice-prompted driving directions, Bluetooth capability and an FM transmitter, and gives customers access to such traffic information as accident and construction delays. Similarly, Advantage Rent a Car announced in June that it was adding the portable Magellan vehicle navigation system to its fleet. The Magellan tool will be at all Advantage U.S. airport markets this summer. Hertz Corp., meanwhile, already is using its NeverLost units, which also are based on Magellan technology. The car rental supplier announced this month that is making those tools available at more cities and airports across Europe. Hertz initially launched the NeverLost tool in Europe in November 2005, and the additional 1,500 units now bring the total number of tools available to 4,000, available at more than 240 Hertz locations in 16 European countries.

Carey Houston Branch Adds Internet
The Houston branch of chauffeured transportation supplier Carey International in June announced that it is installing technology in its vehicles to allow passengers to access the Internet through wireless or Ethernet connections. The service is provided through mobile cellular routers designed by Cambridge, Mass.-based WAAV Inc., allowing users to create their own mobile Wi-Fi hotspots at broadband speeds. Carey added the service to complement its other mobile office offerings, which include a writing desk, a cellular phone, a 110-volt outlet, satellite radio and extra power points. "The response from the business executives and VIPs that make up the majority of our customers has been extremely positive," Carey Houston general manager Thomas Nielsen said in a prepared statement. "More than almost any other tool available to business travelers, this service makes their time in the vehicle more productive." The service carries no additional charge to customers, according to Carey.

Advantage Details Growth Plans
San Antonio, Texas-based Advantage Rent A Car is embarking on what it calls an "aggressive growth trend," increasing its footprint through new locations domestically and alliances abroad. Most recently, the car rental supplier in May opened a location at Kahului Airport on the island of Maui in Hawaii. This follows expansion into other top markets in Florida, Nevada, California, Colorado and Utah, according to the company. In addition, the company has been adding to its international network over the last year, extending its brand into 36 countries in North and South America, Australia, Europe and the Middle East.

www.btnmag.com

Is Your College Student 'Jonesin' for a Car or Truck? It's Time to Have 'The Talk,' Says AWARE

2007-07-23T22:23:00.000-07:00

With approximately 7.5 million students exchanging the comforts of home for the freedom and responsibility of living on their own at college campuses, AWARE, a consumer education non-profit specializing in auto finance education, reminds parents to have "the talk" with their kids. College students should be reminded to be safe and responsible with their credit -- particularly if they're thinking about buying a car or truck in the future.

"The decisions young college students make today will affect the rate at which they can finance a car or truck tomorrow," said Eric Hoffman, spokesman for AWARE. "Today's financial decisions will also affect the amount of credit a finance company will extend to a borrower. Because credit history plays such an important role in determining the annual percentage rate of any form of credit, demonstrating responsibility with credit as a freshman or sophomore says an awful lot to a financing company when the time comes to buy a vehicle."

AWARE says those who've not yet established a credit profile should focus on paying their bills on time and not spending more than they have. For those who have had past credit problems, it means now is the time to take necessary action to repair their credit history.

"Buying a car or truck along with leading the collegiate life represents the ultimate freedom for many college students," Hoffman said. "We're working to educate both first-time and experienced buyers on the benefits of establishing good credit now. It's a lot easier to establish good credit initially than repair bad credit later."

AWARE says that overall American consumers do understand the value of establishing good credit history. AWARE's public opinion data shows that nearly 80 percent of Americans know that their credit history affects the annual percentage rate (APR) for financing a new car or truck.

Besides a borrower's credit history, a number of variables determine a borrower's APR including prevailing rates, the amount financed, the terms of the financing contract, the down payment amount, the vehicle make and model, competition, market conditions and special offers.

Here are some tips for parents to share with college students considering financing their first car or truck:

Build a budget with your kids: Help your student determine a price range and make them stick to it. Remind them to factor in vehicle related costs outside of the monthly payment, such as insurance, maintenance and gas costs. Check out the "Affordability Gauge" at http://www.autofinancing101.org/LearningSuite. Have your kids check out their free credit report: Because credit history affects the APR, it's always a good idea to see what finance companies will see when judging credit worthiness. Have your student get a free copy of his or her credit report through http://www.annualcreditreport.com/. This way, any errors can be corrected and other steps can be taken to improve their credit score before getting their heart set on a vehicle. Shop around for financing: There are thousands of sources of financing for automobile purchases, such as dealerships, banks, credit unions, and other financing companies. In this highly competitive marketplace it's smart to check annual percentage rates and other financing terms from multiple sources. Be "In The Know": Help your student learn the lingo so they can "talk the talk and walk the walk" when making what is likely the largest financing decision of his or her life. Many of these terms can be found in the glossary at http://www.autofinancing101.org/LearningSuite. Understand How to Build Credit: First-time car buyers will likely hit obstacles that those with more established credit histories won't face. Talk with your student about the pro's and con's of you or another credit-responsible adult being a co-applicant, which may help secure a more competitive rate. Also, through dealerships, many finance companies offer first-time car buyer programs that take into account other good credit behaviors, such as rent and utilities payments, that might not be showing up in an early credit user's credit score. Ensure your kids make their payments on time: Late or missed payments incur late fees and can even cause the vehicle to be repossessed, permanently. A bad payment record will also appear on his or her credit report, damaging an ability to get credit in the future.

A host of tools, calculators, articles and other resources to help consumers sufficiently prepare for their auto financing decisions can be found in the "Auto Financing Learning Suite" section of AWARE's Web site ( http://www.autofinancing101.org/) --available in both English and Spanish. AWARE is a national nonprofit organization, formed by leaders in the auto financing industry, with a singular mission of enhancing understanding of the vehicle financing process. The group offers free educational materials and other resources in an environment free of advertising or lead generating sales tactics.

AWARE's membership includes the following:

American Financial Services Land Rover Capital Group
Association
National Automobile Dealers Lithia Motors
Association
National Association of
Minority Automobile
Dealers Mazda American Credit
American International
Automobile Dealers
Association National Auto Finance Company
American Honda Finance
Corporation Nuvell Financial Services
American Suzuki Financial
Services Saab Financial Services Corp.
AutoNation Sonic Automotive, Inc.
DaimlerChrysler Financial
Services Americas Toyota Financial Services
Ford Motor Credit Company United Auto Group, Inc.
GMAC Volvo Car Finance North America
Group 1 Automotive, Inc. Wells Fargo Auto Finance
Jaguar Credit

sev.prnewswire.com

Michigan to host 3M Auto Fair during race weekend

2007-07-23T22:20:00.000-07:00

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- The 3M Performance 400 Nextel Cup Series race in August won't be the only attraction that 3M brings to Michigan International Speedway in 2007.

During the weekend of the 3M Performance 400, Aug.17-19, 3M will provide race fans and auto enthusiasts new excitement off the track with the 3M Car Care Auto Fair on the speedway grounds.
NASCAR.COM Community

With more than 100 collector cars on display, race fans can mingle with auto care professionals and enthusiasts to learn and share car care tips. The 3M Car Care Auto Fair will feature a variety of automobiles from private collections, exhibitors and automobile clubs from across the United States and Canada. Several classic cars from NASCAR team owners Jack Roush and Ray Evernham also will be on display. Other notable cars include a 1957 Hudson Hornet, the "Herbie" Shaker car and a 1968 Sullivan Camaro.

"We're hosting the 3M Car Care Auto Fair to celebrate all of the car enthusiasts who rebuild, restore and repair beautiful classic cars," said Greg Klausen, business manager, 3M Automotive Retail Products. "These folks truly are artists. We're proud that they choose 3M Car Care products to restore and protect their prized automobiles. We think it will be exciting for race fans to see these amazing collector cars up close and learn from the experts how they can improve their own vehicles."

Live entertainment, including music by renowned blues artist Jimmie Vaughn and notable celebrities like Courtney Hansen and many NASCAR drivers, will be featured throughout the weekend on the 3M Car Care Auto Fair main stage.

The 3M Car Care Auto Fair is free to race fans and will be open Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event will be held in the AAA Motorsports Fan Plaza behind the track's main grandstand.

Toyota Will Restart Car Production in Japan Tomorrow (Update6)

2007-07-23T22:15:00.000-07:00

Toyota Will Restart Car Production in Japan Tomorrow

(Bloomberg) -- Toyota Motor Corp., Japan's biggest carmaker, said it will restart production at domestic auto plants tomorrow after they were shut down due to a lack of parts following earthquake damage to a supplier's factories.

Toyota will restart production at 20 of its 31 domestic lines for one day, said Kayo Doi, a Toyota spokeswoman. Manufacturing beyond tomorrow has yet to be determined, Doi said. Toyota will lose output of 55,000 vehicles through tomorrow because of the shutdown.

The carmaker stopped production in Japan on July 19 after an earthquake damaged facilities at piston-ring supplier Riken Corp. three days earlier. Japanese automakers limit inventory to cut costs, preferring to take delivery of components only when needed.

``The recent event highlighted the risk of a too-lean supply structure,'' Tatsuya Mizuno, director at Fitch Ratings in Tokyo, said in a report today. Fitch Ratings also said production cuts won't affect its ratings and outlook on the Japanese automakers because they can catch up with production as Riken resumes output.

Toyota reiterated its 2007 global target of selling 9.34 million vehicles, a number that includes sales by its affiliates Daihatsu Motor Co. and Hino Motors Ltd. Excluding the two subsidiaries, Toyota expects to sell 8.4 million vehicles.

``In Japan, sales were quite difficult in the first half, but in the second half we hope to increase demand by introducing new models,'' President Katsuaki Watanabe said at a Tokyo press conference.

Honda, Mazda

Honda Motor Co., Japan's second-largest carmaker, will restart production at three factories tomorrow, the company said in a statement today. Mazda Motor Corp., a third owned by Ford Motor Co., will restart output at its factory in Yamaguchi prefecture tonight and at its plant in Hiroshima prefecture tomorrow, said spokeswoman Yukari Hara.

Daihatsu, Japan's largest minicar maker, restarted production at two plants today and will resume operations at another tomorrow, said spokesman Shozo Shimizu. Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. may resume making minicars on July 25, spokesman Kenta Matsumoto said.

Mitsubishi Motors Corp. will extend its output suspension to tomorrow, the Tokyo-based company said in a faxed statement. The automaker plans on July 25 and July 26 to resume production, while it may have to stop manufacturing the following day, the statement said.

Mitsubishi Motors halted production at its Mizushima plant, where it makes models including the Lancer sports sedan, for four days from July 20. It stopped lines at its Nagoya and Pajero plants for three days from July 21.

Lost Output

Mitsubishi Motors estimated lost output during the unplanned suspension to total 10,000 cars, the statement said.

Riken restarted partial production this morning. The Tokyo- based company is Japan's largest maker of piston rings and seal rings, key parts used in engines and transmissions.

Riken closed 11 factories after an earthquake that measured 6.8 on the Richter scale. Toyota has dispatched more than 200 engineers to help Riken resume production.

Toyota shares fell 1.2 percent to close at 7,470 yen in Tokyo.

The following table summarizes the impact on each automaker's production schedules:

Automaker Date Impact
Toyota July 19-20 full halt for 1.5 days at 12 factories
including plants operated by body
makers
July 23 full halt at 12 factories including
engine plants operated by body makers
July 24 Resume partial production

Nissan July 20-21 partial halt at Tochigi and Oppama
factories and Nissan Shatai Co.'s
plant
July 23 full halt at six factories including
Oppama and Tochigi plants
July 24 full halt at Oppama and Kyushu auto
plants and resume production at two
parts plants

Mitsubishi July 20-24 full halt at Mizushima factory for 5
Motors days until July 24; full halt at
Pajero and Nagoya factories and engine
plant for 4 days until July 24

Honda July 20 full halt at Suzuka factory
July 21 full halt at Suzuka and Sayama
factories
July 23 full halt at three auto plants
including its Yachiyo Industry Co.
unit
and engine plant for minicars; partial
halt at motorcycle plant
July 24 full halt at Yachiyo's Yokkaichi
factory, engine factory for minicars;
resume output at Sayama and Hamamatsu
factories; partial resumption at
Suzuka plant

Mazda July 21 full halt at Ujina and Hofu factories
July 23 partial halt at Ujina and Hofu plants;
resume night shift at Hofu
July 24 resume production at Ujina factory

Suzuki July 19-21 partial halt at 5 factories including
engine plants
July 23 full halt at two auto factories and
engine plant; resume output at three
plants for motorcycles and forged
products
July 24 full halt at two auto factories and
engine plants

Daihatsu July 19-20 full halt at factories including
engine plants for 1.5 days

July 23 full halt at Ikeda and Kyoto plants;
resume output at Shiga and Oita plants
July 24 resume output at Ikeda plant; halt
output at Kyoto plant

Fuji July 19-21 full halt of minicars at 1 factory for
Heavy 2.5 days
July 23-24 prescheduled to close plants
July 25 may restart minicar production

Hino July 19-20 full halt at Hamura factory for 1.5
days
July 23 full halt at Hamura factory
July 24 resume commercial vehicle production
at Hamura factory; passenger car
production remains suspended

Isuzu July 21 full halt
July 23 resume production

Nissan July 21 full halt
Diesel July 23-25 resume production

Fuso July 20-21 partial halt
July 23-24 resume production

www.bloomberg.com

Honda to recall 2,310 Accords for fuel pump snag

2007-07-23T22:11:00.000-07:00

NEW DELHI: The breed of next generation high-tech vehicles are having their share of problems. After Bajaj Auto, Tata Motors and Maruti’s minor hiccups with their new products, Honda Siel Car India (HSCI) is recalling 2,310 units of Accord sedans to replace a relay in the fuel-pump of the car.

HSCI, as part of the global campaign of parent Honda Motor Company, has informed customers that it will replace the defective parts. This is the second technical glitch for HSCI which had earlier recalled 4,459 units of its premium SUV model CR-V for a free fuel tank replacement last month.

The CR-Vs manufactured in the same years —between 2003 to 2005— have run into trouble with customers in countries such as Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, the Middle East and Central America. Most of those complaints were about a fuel smell in the passenger cabin. The company had gone in for a replacement of the fuel tank of all the 4,459 CR-Vs in the domestic market.

Now the company is recalling a certain number of its second premium model as well. “We have not received any complaint in India yet, but these changes are being made as part of the global campaign for complete safety of our vehicle. In all, we have sold 13,319 Accords, but these changes make up for only a small part of the total sales,” HSCI senior GM Jnaneshwar Sen said.

Earlier this year, Honda Motor in the US had recalled 81,000 of its 2004 and 2005 Accord sedans because of problems that could cause an airbag-related sensor to fail. Similar problems had dogged other manufacturers also. Few months back, Bajaj Auto faced problems with its performance bike Pulsar 200 after customers complained of problems in the front forks. Those complaints forced the company to recall a few units.

Maruti Udyog, the passenger car market leader, has also had its share of problems. While its utility vehicle Versa had a technical glitch and around 2,000 units were called for check-up in 2005, some units of its premium hatchback Swift (petrol) also had problems in the boot door lock and the glass assembly of the front right-side door.

The company had asked its customers to go in for free check-up and offered free replacement of the defective parts after complaints of door rattling and malfunction in the power window were made by the customers last year. Home-grown major Tata Motors also faced problems during the launch of its flagship model Indica, a few years ago.

The perennial problems in the suspension and brakes assembly forced the company to change spares in a large number of vehicles after consumer complaints. The problem in the Indica platform prompted Tata Motors to refurbish and launch a new car under the V2 marquee.

economictimes.indiatimes.com

Labor pledges to review car import tariffs

2007-07-23T22:09:00.000-07:00

A Labor government will review plans to cut car import tariffs as part of a plan to save Australia's ailing auto industry amid reports that hundreds of Ford jobs are under threat.

Up to 600 jobs are under threat as the car maker considers closing its V6 engine plant at Geelong because of decreasing demand for larger cars.

Labor's treasury spokesman Wayne Swan today called on the government to step in to help save the Ford jobs, and indicated a Labor government would be prepared to review the scheduled tariff reduction.

A 10 per cent tariff currently applies to car imports, but the federal government is reducing this to five per cent by 2010.

"We're not making a commitment to stop that reduction in tariffs, but we are happy to sit down and talk with the industry about all of the issues that are challenging them at the moment," Mr Swan told the Nine Network.

"We are certainly prepared to discuss that with the industry, but in the context of a wider plan and a longer term plan for the industry."

Federal Industry Minister Ian Macfarlane has ruled out reviewing tariff cuts on vehicle imports.

"The reality is that by lowering tariffs and providing the industry with $7.3 billion worth of assistance, we have allowed that industry to become internationally competitive," he told ABC Radio yesterday.

Ford yesterday said no decision had yet been made on whether to close the engine plant but the company was looking at changes across its business as the popularity of large cars dipped.

"I think the government needs to sit down with a matter of urgency with Ford and work their way through that problem," Mr Swan said today.

"There's no doubt that the motor industry faces very considerable challenges; globalisation is impacting in a way on the motor industry that's got particular challenges for domestic companies.

"There is no instant solution here but in the past we have worked successfully with the car companies to meet that threat and I think we are going to have to do it again."

Jaguar XK Review

2007-07-23T21:57:00.000-07:00

In early 2006 the new Jaguar XK superseded the XK8 which we first saw 1996 and like the XK8, the XK is available in two body variants, a coupe and a convertible. Similarly there are two engine choices, either a naturally aspirated V8 or a supercharged variant.
At Jaguar, XK has always stood for sports car and for Jaguar, sports cars have always been used to push technology forwards. The badge first appeared on the XK120, unveiled at the London Motor Show in 1948. Like the new XK, the very first XK120s had aluminium bodywork and although the production models reverted to steel bodies, they still had abundant performance - mainly thanks to the first appearance in production of the classic Jaguar six-cylinder, twin-cam XK engine and retention of lightweight aluminium closure panels. In 1949 the XK120 justified its name, by topping 120mph in an official record run on the Jabbeke motorway in Belgium. Not only was it the fastest sports car of its day, it also started a golden era for Jaguar in sports car racing.

When the next XK, the XK8, appeared, in 1996, it reflected the times. It was a very different kind of car more a grand tourer than a classic sports car in the 1950s and 1960s mould, but every inch a Jaguar, and destined to be the fastest selling sports car in Jaguar history.

Now, the all-new XK takes the Jaguar sports car line to another level. It is lighter, faster and better equipped than the model it replaces, with substantial improvements in performance, handling dynamics, braking distances, safety and economy. In looks it pays homage to the legendary Jaguars of the past - the front grille, for example, is a clear evolution of the classic front ends seen on the D and E-type.
There are two engine variants in the Jaguar XK line up, a naturally aspirated or a supercharged 4.2 litre (4196cc) V8 engine. We drove the naturally aspirated Jaguar XK which produces 300bhp at 6000 rpm and develops maximum torque of 303 lb ft at 4,100rpm. The engine is built at the Bridgend engine plant in Wales; we have seen variants of the AJ-V8 engine since 1996 in previous Jaguar’s, including the outgoing XK8. It is a well tested engine but at 11 years of age we feel that it is out paced and under powered by BMW and Audi latest offerings.
Jaguar quotes a 0-62 mph time of 6.1 seconds and an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph. On the road we felt that sometimes the XK felt a little lacking, it certainly can deliver across the rev band but we felt as though some hot hatches could snap at its heals, not something you want from your Jaguar. Of course if it is out and out performance you are after there is the supercharged XK.

All XK’s are fitted with Jaguar’s sequential shift 6-speed automatic transmission system which incorporates steering wheel-mounted paddles for manual gear changes. The box is a break from Jaguar’s ‘J-Gate’ and now is an ‘L-Gate’ - you simply knock the lever to the left for sports mode, back to the right for normal or you can use the paddles on steering wheel. On Mercedes’ fitted with paddles I never really bothered to use them preferring to let the gearbox to do all the work but I did find myself using them on the XK as they worked well. We loved the way the XK blips the throttle either when you manually shift down or leave the car in sports mode - it sent a little chill up the spine.

The engine note is very addictive from the moment you fire up the engine via the red starter button, all the way up the rev band and back down again. I doubt you would ever tire of the burbling V8 pouring out of the twin exhausts.

We achieved 28 mpg on a relaxed tour of ‘A’ and ‘B’ roads but realistically you are looking at nearer to 22 mpg - which isn’t too bad considering what is under the bonnet.

Overall the engine is very good and so is the gearbox, just not the best in its class.
Our car rode on optional 20” wheels (£2500), the tyres at the front were 255/35 and at the rear 285/30, which is pretty wide. In our opinion the handling is more grand tourer than out and out sports car, but it is very near. Grip is phenomenal, even in the wet you would have to do be doing something insane on the public highway to lose grip and even then the traction /stability control brings everything under control. Even pulling off fast out of a junction in the rain did little to upset the XK, only the flicker of the traction control light indicating that something thing was adrift.

On our favourite test roads we found the steering possibly a little too light and on occasions the gearbox was caught out. It is best to be in sports mode as it makes the XK really stand up - also watch out for stability as on a very demanding uphill switch back bend it brought the car to a complete halt. Which I guess isn’t really a criticism more of an observation of the Jaguar’s safety systems in action.

We have to commend the XK’s ventilated brakes which are simply superb; too often ABS is too intrusive. Jaguar has got it just about right and even if you are an enthusiastic driver I am sure you will agree. The new XK has four-channel ABS with analogue control which is more refined than simpler ‘on-off’ digital controls, and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution which ensures the correct balance of braking forces between all four wheels irrespective of road or vehicle-load conditions.

You can have some great fun with the XK, it is safe, it has predictable neutral handing and can take you through the most demanding of bends with some pace - it is not a Porsche 911 but more a grand tourer with pedigree.

source : www.carpages.co.uk

Buick: Auto Editor Helps Parents Buy A Car

2007-07-16T23:32:00.000-07:00

My parents just bought a new car. It’s a 2007 Buick Lucerne. (Note to Buick: Sorry, you’ll never be a young person’s brand, and you’ll probably have trouble being a middle-aged person’s lucernegrillecar. Note to Mom and Dad: You’re still young in my eyes.)

I helped them, mainly because they don’t have a computer. They looked at a dealership in Charlotte, N.C., where they live, and then gave me a call. I was able to tell them the car’s invoice price and what other real people were paying for it, thanks to the Kelley Blue Book and Edmunds Web sites.

We talked over some features, and option packages. I also shared with them the ratings of the Lucerne from Consumer Reports and J.D. Power.

They hadn’t written down the precise numbers from the car’s window sticker, but I was able to go directly to their dealership’s Web site via Buick’s Web site and I found the actual sticker for their actual car. I thought that was pretty neat.

BTW, my folks love the car. My Mom loves the XM radio, and already has told Dad that they’ll need to renew their subscription. They have OnStar, too, but I guess they’ll keep AAA as they’ll need it for their other car.

State moves to introduce competition to auto insurance market

2007-07-16T23:27:00.000-07:00

BOSTON - Car owners could gradually see more competition in the auto insurance market, under a plan unveiled Monday by the state insurance commissioner.
The transition to "managed competition" will continue to give the state strong regulatory control to protect consumers from excessive rates, but will also introduce more competition and create more choice and lower premiums, Insurance Commissioner Nonnie S. Burnes said.
Massachusetts in the only state where state regulators, not the market, set car insurance rates.
Consumers should be able to take advantage of the new competitive rates for policies renewing on or after April 1, 2008, Burnes said.
"Taking gradual steps to introduce competition to the auto insurance market will have a positive impact on consumers across Massachusetts," Burnes said.
In March, a panel appointed by Gov. Deval Patrick to study ways of reforming Massachusetts’ auto insurance system recommended curbing state regulation and moving toward competitive, market-based rates.
The state’s insurance rates have been going down in recent years because of decreasing claims, and a crack-down on auto insurance fraud.

BMW 6 Series Coupe and Convertible

2007-07-16T23:25:00.000-07:00

The German automaker has revisited the interior by carefully updating the controls and instruments. The new cars benefit from new materials and colours, an iDrive Controller, rotary knobs for the air conditioning and audio system, door openers and a glove compartment push button in new high-quality material. The interior trim and upholstery are offered in new colour schemes, and leather upholstery boasts SunReflective Technology (in the BMW 6 Series Convertible) to reduce the heat effect of the sun.

Under the bonnet, a 4.8-litre eight-cylinder developing 270 kW/367 hp and offering enhanced efficiency is the top engine in the new BMW 650i Coupé and the new BMW 650i Convertible. There's a newly developed 3.0-litre straight-six with High Precision Injection in the lean-burn mode on the new BMW 630i Coupé and the new BMW 630i Convertible. Finally the first and only diesel-powered models in the segment, the BMW 635d Coupé and BMW 635d Convertible featuring a 3.0-litre straight-six diesel engine, make up the rest of the range.

As you might expect from BMW in this segment, the new 6 Series comes loaded with technology. The non-exhaustive list includes Adaptive Headlights and variable light distribution, Active Cruise Control incorporating an automatic brake application function, Active Cruise Control with stop & go function to maintain distances in flowing traffic and when driving dead slow, Lane Departure Warning with vibration signal on the steering wheel, Head-Up Display, BMW Night Vision and high-beam assistant, navigation system with full-word voice entry, and finally the BMW Individual High-End Audio System.

BMW 1 Series Coupé

2007-07-16T23:20:00.000-07:00

The new BMW 1 Series Coupé goes on sale in the UK in November and will be available in 120d, 123d and 135i guises. The 135i marks the first time a twin-turbo petrol engine has powered a 1 Series, while the launch of the 123d heralds the introduction of the world's most powerful production four-cylinder diesel engine.

The flagship of the range is the BMW 135i with its 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged petrol powerplant. Offering 306hp from its light alloy and magnesium straight-six engine, the 135i is capable of accelerating from zero to 62mph in 5.3 seconds before going on to an electronically-limited top speed of 155mph. Peak torque of 400Nm from just 1,300rpm through to 5,000rpm ensures smooth yet rapid progress and in-gear flexibility.

The BMW 135i is joined in the range by another twin-turbocharged model to offer a unique blend of performance and economical motoring. The 204hp four-cylinder engine in the BMW 123d Coupé sets a benchmark for small diesels. Its 1,995cc powerplant is the world's first all aluminium diesel to have an output per litre figure in excess of 100hp - something only BMW M cars usually attain. It is also the first four-cylinder production diesel to come with twin-turbo technology.

The BMW 120d Coupé will be available in ES, SE and M Sport guises, while the 123d Coupé will be offered in SE and M Sport and the 135i Coupé just as an M Sport. M Sport raises the specification bar by including 17-inch light alloy wheels on the 120d and 123d Coupé but unique 18-inch light alloy wheels on the 135i Coupé, M Aerodynamic package, M Sports suspension, Sports seats, High-gloss Shadowline exterior trim, M leather steering wheel, M designation door sills and Anthracite headlining.

Prices for all three models will be announced closer to the on sale date.

Peugeot 308

2007-07-16T23:17:00.000-07:00

With this aim in mind, particular attention has been paid to aerodynamics in order to improve the overall performance. As a result, the 308 has a low drag resistance (SCx 0.67 and Cx 0.29), resulting in a reduction in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.

The 308 will be available with a choice of six lean burn engines, including three petrol engines, developed as part of the partnership with the BMW Group, and three HDi diesel engines, one of which will have an emission level of 120g CO2 per kilometre on the combined cycle.

In addition to the engine range available, the designers of the 308 have also used different solutions to improve environmental efficiency. Consequently, the 308 will have a manual gearbox with an electronic control system, electro-hydraulic power assisted steering and new Michelin Energy Saver tyres, to achieve a significant reduction in fuel consumption and therefore in exhaust emissions. Finally, the European End-of-Life Vehicles Directive has been taken into account in the choice of materials allowing the recycling or re-use of 99% of the 308.

The interior light levels have been improved even more thanks to the fitment of a glass panoramic roof which provides a total glazed area of 4.86 square metres. With this configuration the five door hatchback offers overhead natural light to all the passengers on board.

The 308 is equipped with technology aimed at providing the highest levels of safety. This includes, the Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS) for the benefit of primary safety, the airbags, which can number up to nine, for secondary safety, and finally, the Peugeot Emergency Service (emergency call) linked to the RT4 telematics system, for tertiary safety.

The 308 will be launched within a particularly short time frame, the day after the Frankfurt Motor Show, where it will have its world premiere. The new hatchback will be made at Sochaux, the historic home of Peugeot, and Mulhouse.

Light & Luxurious

2007-07-16T23:08:00.000-07:00

Light & Luxurious
If Land Rover survives beyond Ford selling it, this might be its flagship
Land Rover is putting the finishing touches on the design and engineering of an all-new Range Rover, a milestone that marks the company’s next phase of new-model launches.

Scheduled for sale in 2012, the next Range Rover takes on the role of replacement for the vehicle that launched Ford’s Land Rover ownership in 2001. By the time a new Range Rover arrives, assuming one does, either as this all-new model or merely a refresh, Land Rover probably will be far removed from Ford ownership once again.

Regardless of who or what company is at the helm, any new Range Rover would be crucial, starting the replacement cycle for the next-generation Range Rover Sport, LR3, LR2 and Defender, plus possible additional models.

With this in mind, the future Range Rover will feature a development aimed at maintaining the flagship model as the world’s most luxurious 4x4 sport/utility vehicle: an aluminum unibody.

Although Ford has yet to give final approval, insiders expect the green light in the next few months to begin development of the aluminum body shell, using the same rivet-bonding technology proven on Jaguar’s XJ sedan. “We’re just waiting to hear go,” says one official.
Together with sharper styling, a superluxury interior, new engines, modified running gear and a possible hybrid powertrain, insiders are speculating that top-end models of the new Range Rover might even nudge into Bentley territory with a price the equivalent of $200,000 today. Of course, Ford’s “final approval” might be worthless if the Brit marque is sold and the buyer thinks a $200,000 Range Rover is not a good idea.

The underlying alloy structure, called Premium Lightweight Architecture, is expected to cut 40 percent of the weight of the Range Rover’s unpainted unibody, which should translate into a curb-weight savings of between 700 and 900 pounds. “We’re targeting the upper figure and are pretty hopeful of getting there,” says one source.

In effect, Land Rover is aiming for a curb weight of about 4800 to 5100 pounds, while keeping the Range Rover’s stately presence and roomy, luxurious cabin.

Besides having better fuel economy and less emissions, the lighter Range Rover should ride and handle better and steer with more agility.

Taking the sort of fuel savings that Jaguar has achieved with the XJ, it’s not unreasonable to imagine an aluminum Range Rover powered by a V8 gasoline engine averaging 22 mpg.

Clever details from the Jaguar’s rivet-bonded body, such as the bolt-on front end, which keeps repair costs down in the event of a front-end collision, are expected to be carried over to the Range Rover.

Land Rover engineers also know enough about the effects of off-road driving on aluminum to calm fears about durability. “When we’ve had problems before, it’s been where steel and alloy are joined together,” says a Land Rover source. “With an all-alloy structure, those problems go away.”

Fresh styling is another prominent feature of the new Range Rover project, codenamed L405. Land Rover design boss Gerry McGovern and his Gaydon-based team are working on distinct styling directions for Land Rover and Range Rover, tagged “premium adventure” for Land Rover and “premium sophistication” for Range Rover.

Two themes are being developed for the Range Rover, one more radical than the other. According to sources, the more conservative design is favored at the moment.

Land Rover has some time to work out the details. Even if final approval comes in early 2008, engineers will have more than three years to finalize the vehicle.

The main feature of the new design is a slightly more compact look with a lower roofline, a less top-heavy greenhouse and tighter front and rear overhangs. Attention to detail will shrink the car visually, while ensuring that it oozes luxury and retains road presence.

Running gear such as the front strut and multilink rear axle suspension will be improved rather than redesigned from the ground up.

Engines will be a mix of new and revamped units, co-developed with Jaguar. An all-new direct-injection 5.0-liter V8 is in the pipeline in two versions, with and without a supercharger. Expect power outputs of about 350 hp and 460 hp.

New diesels are coming, too. Land Rover’s 3.6-liter turbodiesel V8 will be stretched to 4.0 liters with a rise in power and torque. Expect a peak of about 300 hp and 520 lb-ft. The Jaguar/Land Rover 2.7-liter V6 turbodiesel also will increase in capacity to 3.0 liters. Land Rover is considering whether the 3.0-liter combined with the lighter-weight alloy might make an entry-level V6 diesel Range Rover a possibility.

Another tantalizing prospect is a hybrid powertrain that promises much lower emissions without giving up any of the Range Rover’s legendary utility and capability.

Mercedes-Benz C 63 AMG

2007-07-16T22:46:00.000-07:00

Let's not muck about: the AMG badge is all about performance, and with a 6.3-litre V8 engine developing a peak output of 457 hp and a maximum torque of 600 Nm, this car will rocket from zero to 62 mph in 4.5 seconds. Top speed is electronically limited to 155 mph.

The new V8 flagship model is now the fifth generation of the AMG C-Class, whose family tree goes back to the C 36 AMG of 1993 - the very first vehicle developed as a cooperative venture between Daimler-Benz and AMG. Introduced in 2005, the V8 engine is installed in numerous AMG high-performance cars and excels with its thoroughbred motor sports technology.

Among the particular strengths of the AMG V8 engine are outstanding responsiveness and enormous pulling power - by virtue of its large displacement, it develops over 30 per cent more torque than comparable engines in this performance class. Electronically controlled fuel delivery is another reason for the outstanding agility and responsiveness to movements of the accelerator. With its sporty AMG sound, which was designed-in during a series of sophisticated trials, this eight-cylinder powerpack from Affalterbach offers the unique excitement of a fast-revving, naturally aspirated engine - an audible and immediate experience whether at low, medium or high engine speeds.

Like all AMG high-performance engines, the AMG 6.3-litre V8 is built in the AMG engine shop on the traditional "one man, one engine" principle. This means that one technician is responsible for hand-assembling a complete V8 engine to the highest quality standards - which is attested to by his signature on the AMG engine plate.

The performance theme is continued in the interior of the C 63 AMG, which now has special AMG sports seats with integral head restraints for the first time. The seats not only feature a new design with cross-piping and AMG lettering, but also an adaptive backrest with adjustments for the side bolsters and lumbar support.

source : www.new-car-net.co.uk

Creating a car for the future

2007-07-16T11:22:00.000-07:00

Creating a car for the future
The story behind Nissan's new 2008 Rogue highlights the challenges - and pitfalls - of the auto business, says Fortune's Alex Taylor.
NEW YORK (Fortune) -- Way back in 2002 - before the war in Iraq, the collapse of the dollar, or $3-a-gallon gasoline - Nissan started thinking about what kind of cars it would sell in the 2008 model year. One of the results is the Rogue, which will arrive in showrooms this fall. The way Nissan went about conceiving the Rogue reveals the complexities of predicting what customers will want to buy five years into the future - and the risk of betting hundreds of millions of dollars on the outcome.

Getting the answer right is especially important to Nissan right now. Its much-lauded turnaround under CEO Carlos Ghosn has run out of steam and it is in danger of sinking into the second tier of Japanese auto companies, behind Toyota (Charts) and Honda (Charts).
Even scarier, Nissan has guessed wrong in the past. A couple of years ago, it tried to figure out away to attract new buyers to the homely minivan and came up with the concept of the Sexy Mom. Trouble is, the 2004 Quest minivan designed for Sexy Mom substituted fashion for functionality, and flopped in the marketplace. Nissan was forced to de-glamorize the Quest so it could begin to attract more traditional Soccer Moms.

The Quest experience didn't stop Nissan's California-based Global Exploratory Group from trying again five years ago to predict the future. Starting in 2002, the group started with the obligatory clean sheet of paper to figure out how to fill a gap in Nissan's product lineup.

What it came up with was the concept of an entry-level car for members of Generation X, those people born between 1965 and 1978, who were about to get married and start a family.

The first step was figuring out who these buyers were and what they were like. After some research, the group decided that members of Generation X were "the latch key generation." They grew up feeling "unprotected and insecure," and, Nissan concluded, this experience would shape their expectations for their new families and define how they approach parenting.

What did these latch-key kids want in a vehicle? Nissan figured they desired "safety and practicality" but didn't want to advertise their family status. Translation: no minivans allowed.

No traditional SUVs either. These buyers were turned off by heavy body-on-frame designs like the Ford (Charts, Fortune 500) Explorer . They didn't see the need of buying a two-ton vehicle with four-wheel drive for a trip to Whole Foods or Starbucks.

When the generational analysis was completed, the Global Exploratory Group turned its findings over to Nissan's product planning group to develop a concept - sedan, tall wagon or box on wheels - to fit the perceived needs, and to Nissan's designers to create a look.

The group wanted something that would combine style as well as utility. It figured male Gen X'ers would already be driving compact pickups or motorcycles and their wives would be sedan owners. With children on the way or already arrived, these buyers needed something with a tailgate and storage capacity that still exuded individuality.

Nissan's biggest competition was Toyota's RAV-4 and Honda's CRV. But Nissan thought both vehicles were too clunky-looking. So it came up with a design to set its vehicle apart, with an aggressive front end, bulging rear fenders, and prominent 17" wheels. The marketing department picked the name "Rogue" to reflect the rebelliousness of the target buyers.

The automotive media got to see the Rogue for the first time in January at the Detroit auto show. Surrounded by glitzier vehicles, it was overshadowed. Still, Nissan believes that it has targeted the right market - and done it correctly.

When it arrives this fall, the Rogue will be crammed with features designed around the theme of "planned spontaneity." They're aimed at an imaginary guy who drops his kids off at school, and then runs to the shore or the mountains for a joy ride before heading to the office. There's a convenient storage container with a pop-up lid, remote door-unlocking and engine start, and a Bluetooth hands-free phone system.

Prices for the Rogue will start under $20,000. Whether Nissan has another CRV on its hands - or another Quest - will probably be known by Christmas. The members of the Global Exploratory Group aren't holding their breath. They are already looking at what Nissan should be doing in 2012.

source : money.cnn.com

Auto companies in a rush| Murad Ali Baig

2007-07-16T11:19:00.000-07:00

New Delhi: It is not just the monsoons. Auto companies are flooding the Indian market at such a dizzy speed that buyers are thoroughly confused. Unlike the bad old days of ‘Licence Raj’ where the scenario was confined to being a two-car race, buyers today can choose between 40 different models that offer nearly 200 options in petrol and diesel engines and trim levels.
India has clearly become the flavour of the year among auto companies. Although China is a bigger and faster growing market, the 22% growth profile of the Indian car market in 2006-07 is impressive enough for foreign companies to prefer doing their business in India where language, food and living is relatively easier.
While Maruti, or rather Suzuki, still rules the roost with half the passenger car market, their command has been in the small car segment and their stable of seven cars and four utility vehicles has not given them a real bite in the growing market of bigger cars. Till the peppy new SX4 was launched recently to offer a car that was a little bigger than it’s `C’ Segment (4 to 4.5 metre long) competitors and almost as big as the smallest car in the `D’ Segment (4.5 to 4.75m).
India’s second largest company, Hyundai also has a successful small Santro. They have similarly added their spacious and powerful new Verna with a similar objective, hoping to gradually replace their ageing Accent.
Close behind them is Tata Motors who are firmly lodged in the Indian space with their well priced models based on a 1405 cc, which is predominantly diesel engine. They have now allied with the ailing Fiat Company in India to set up a new plant near them in Pune to first make the petrol Palio and later larger models from Fiat’s stable.
Mahindra and Mahindra, who dominate India’s utility vehicles segment, have been making vigorous efforts to get into passenger cars. Their Scorpio may be a spacious and comfortable vehicle but it is not a car. Which is where their recently launched Logan, a product of their new alliance with France’s biggest carmaker Renault, hopes to plug the gap.
Japan’s Honda has done well too with their Honda City and Accord as also their new Civic that is positioned in between these two models. But they have no footprint in the smaller hatchback segment that still commands over 75% of the Indian market. They will soon dip into their arsenal and offer either a smaller `hatch’ version of the City or a completely new small car… or perhaps both,to be represented in all segments.
Their main global rival, and Japan’s largest automaker, Toyota commands the personal utility vehicles with their successful Innova though it has a tiny presence with the Corolla and imported Camry. They too are planning to set up a new plant to make a small car perhaps adapted from the stables of their subsidiary company Daihatsu which specializes in small cars.
Japan’s second largest car company Nissan has been a late starter and has only had a few imports like the XTrail SUV and the luxurious Tienna that competes with the Accord or Camry. As they have an alliance with Renault, the further link with Mahindras means that all three will be making small cars in a new plant in Tamil Nadu, to be sold under their various names.
Europe is the main technology base of smaller cars from GM and Ford although GM now sources most of its products from their newly acquired Daewoo plants in Korea from where we have their spacious Optra, the smaller Aveo and their new small Spark that evolved from the Daewoo Matiz.
The U-VA is a shortened hatchback version of the Aveo, positioned just above the Spark. Ford made India its base for a brand new Ikon platform and is doing the same for the slightly bigger Fiesta models that includes a semi sports Fusion. But we can expect a smaller and cheaper variant of a hatchback Fiesta to widen its footprint.
The Skoda Octavia has also been a success story among bigger cars despite the fact that few buyers associated it with its parent company Volkswagen. Now VW that owns Audi, is in the process of setting up a new plant in Maharashtra. Car sale estimates for the months of March-April in India give a more micro picture.
The Luxury car segment, dominated by German brands, is attracting attention since this segment is growing too. If India has a fast growing number of ‘dollar millionaires’, who were recently estimated at 100,000, there is ample scope for these models to thrive.
Mercedes Benz had been the first having sold over 2,000 cars last year. Now BMW has set up a plant and Audi is set to follow suit. Local assembly brings down costs of base models, in addition to selling fully imported top models. Among imports are exotic cars from Porsche, Lamborghini, Ferrari and others.
Despite the growth and opportunity, competition has been so fierce that car prices have not really risen much over the past five years. But with estimates pointing that India will have a domestic demand of roughly 1.5 million personal cars and utility vehicles in 2007-08, it is not surprising to find all auto majors wanting a chunk of that pie.

source : www.livemint.com

Driver's license law hits auto dealers

2007-07-16T11:08:00.000-07:00

Jose Genao sells used cars for a living, but lately he's had to turn away customers from his Smyrna dealership.

Genao used to sell about 15 vehicles a week, mostly Ford F-150 or Silverado pickups to a Mexican clientele. Now he sells only two or three.
Half a dozen customers have returned cars because they can't register them.

"They bring the key and tell me, 'Jose, I'm leaving,' " Genao said.

Genao is feeling the fallout from a new state law, effective July 1, that requires a valid Georgia driver's license or ID card to register a car in Georgia.

The law is cutting deep into traffic for many auto dealers and tag and title services catering to the state's growing immigrant community. Illegal immigrants can't get driver's licenses because to do so, they must prove they're in the country legally.

The law also has the potential to cut into sales taxes and county ad valorem tax revenues, though metro area counties say it's too early to measure that effect.

The bill's sponsor, Sen. Chip Rogers (R-Woodstock) said he did not target immigrants.

"Yes, this will impact people who are here illegally, but my biggest focus is public safety," he said.

"If [car dealers and tag services] have built their business on people who are here illegally, I'm sorry, but at some point they had to realize that was not going to continue," Rogers said.

The license plate law closes a window that gave motorists 30 days to get Georgia driver's licenses after moving to the state. In the interim, a driver could register a car with an out-of-state or international license.

Also effective July 1 was a separate, 2006 law requiring increased verification of legal status in Georgia for a variety of other purposes, including to work in some jobs or qualify for welfare.

While no one knows how many illegal immigrants are in Georgia, a government estimate put the number around 470,000. Nationally, most illegal immigrants are from Mexico, followed by El Salvador, Guatemala, India and China, according to a 2005 Department of Homeland Security report.

Genao, 34, has a green card and has lived in the United States eight years. If business doesn't pick up, he might return to his native Dominican Republic to tend to a car dealership there.

"If they don't do something, a lot of businesses are going to close," he said.

Tony Brooks, an insurance agent who caters to the Hispanic community in Marietta, said business for his tag and title service has dropped off about 80 percent since the law went into effect.

"It's definitely slowing things down, that's for sure," Brooks said.

He's had to turn away 30 to 40 people wanting tags in the last two weeks because they don't have Georgia driver's licenses.

His main business is auto insurance, which hasn't suffered, but he's worried immigrant customers won't buy insurance either if they can't register their cars.

Cobb County's tag offices have seen a "significant decrease" in the volume of applications submitted by tag and title services in the last two weeks, said Stewart Manley, manager of Cobb County's tag offices.

The county has also turned away about 40 people per day, Manley said, out of an average 1,900 customers served daily. Some are people who have moved from other states and don't have Georgia driver's licenses yet, Manley said. "They're complaining mildly," he said.

Tax collectors in Cobb, Gwinnett and DeKalb said it is too early to tell how the new license plate law would affect tax collection.

"You really won't see the effect economically for six months," said Brent Bennett, director of vehicle registrations for DeKalb County.

Loopholes exist even with the new law.

An illegal immigrant can still mail in a tag renewal or go online and avoid the need to show a driver's license.

That's what Raul Hernandez plans to do. He is an illegal immigrant from Mexico who came here legally but overstayed his visa and so has a Georgia driver's license. He doesn't have to worry about the tag problem, but his friends do.

"People have asked me to get tags for them in my name. Right now I said 'No, it's not worth the risk. If they get tickets, they'll be sent to me,' " he said in Spanish.

"Right now people are scared, but it will settle down and go back to normal," Hernandez predicted.

Isaias Zavala, 33, an illegal immigrant from Mexico who works construction, said he has no license but his wife does, so he registers their car through her. Still, he worries because he has to drive to work.

"This all seems very bad to me," he said in Spanish of the new law.

Perimeter Insurance Agency used to process 25 tags per week in one Cobb County location. Since July 1, they've done only three renewals, said Jose Mendez, part owner of the business.

His co-owner, Rick Craddock, said he appreciates his immigrant customers.

"We love these people," Craddock said.

But he acknowledges there is a problem with illegal immigration. "We have to secure the border and slow the influx," he said. "The solution is not to kick out all the people who are already here."

source : www.ajc.com

Labor pledges to review car import tariffs

2007-07-16T11:02:00.000-07:00

Labor calls for Aust car industry review

2007-07-16T11:01:00.000-07:00

Speculation that Ford might shed 600 jobs from its engine factory in Geelong has again focused attention on the sorry state of Australia's car industry. Labor is calling for the Government to rethink its plans to drop some of its support for the industry but an observer says the industry needs less mollycoddling, not more.

Australian car makers are struggling to stay afloat, even though they survive behind a tariff wall that adds 10 per cent to the cost of foreign cars and enjoy billions of dollars in tax breaks and government subsidies.

Profits and local market share are falling, a higher dollar is making exports more expensive and big cars are hard to sell in a market hungry for smaller, greener models.

At stake are the 81,000 jobs directly tied up in the car and component industry, as well as perhaps 400,000 more that feed off the industry.

Car making is vital to the economies of Victoria and South Australia. The stakes are so high that governments, particularly the Federal Government, provide massive support through the 10 per cent tariff wall and as Industry Minister Ian Macfarlane points out, billions of dollars in tax relief and handouts.

"By lowering tariffs and providing the industry with $7.3 billion worth of assistance, we've allowed that industry to become internationally competitive, which in the long term will be the difference between the industry surviving and not surviving," he said.

Mr Macfarlane says the Federal Government's assistance has developed a Camry or a rear-wheel drive GMH that can be sold anywhere in the world.

"The money that we provided last year to Ford as extra assistance is specifically targeted at developing a left-hand drive vehicle along with the fact that, of course, right-hand drive vehicles can be exported as well," he said.

Inquiry pledged

But Labor industry spokesman Senator Kim Carr says it is time to recast the Government's plan to lower the tariff barrier from 10 to 5 per cent by 2010.

"What we're saying is upon that election, we will immediately establish an inquiry into all aspects affecting competitiveness of the industry," he said.

"This is something that the Government should do right now but the Government has refused to do.

"We had a parliamentary inquiry last year that on a bipartisan basis said it was time to have a look at restructuring the assistance packages.

"This Government has sat on its hands and has assumed that things that worked in the past are going to work in the future. The world is a very different place.

"The Government has already legislated for tariff reductions and the Government has said that there's no need for change. We're saying that there is a need for change and to look at the full package."

'Mollycoddling'

Institute of Public Affairs work reform unit director Ken Phillips believes that the Australian car industry has a future but what it needs is less support, not more.

"If an industry is going to survive, it survives because it's got its act together and it's not relying on government to get its act together," he said.

Mr Phillips says the future of the car industry lies within niche markets.

"China and India are just throwing all concepts of manufacturing, of business, throwing everything of the last 100 years out the door and putting it into a different scale. All we need to do in the manufacturing area is to discover niche markets," he said.

"With the scale of the markets overseas, the niche market, any niche market that you can pick is larger than the entire Australian market.

"So the future for the car sector is discovering, like everyone else, those niche markets.

"I'm not underestimating the scale of the problems they've got at the moment but if you look out into the future, there's no reason why the industry shouldn't have a long-term viable future."

source : abc.net.au

No review of car tariff cuts - Macfarlane

2007-07-16T10:55:00.000-07:00

INDUSTRY Minister Ian Macfarlane has ruled out reviewing tariff cuts on vehicle imports, despite reports Ford plans to stop building the Falcon six-cylinder engine at its Victorian plant.
Up to 600 jobs could be lost under Ford's plan to import V6 engines which will comply with new Euro IV exhaust emissions laws to be phased in during the next three years, Fairfax reported today.

There is a 10 per cent tariff on car imports, but the federal government is reducing this to five per cent by 2010.

Mr Macfarlane today said now was not the time to resort to protectionist policies.

"No, we certainly shouldn't be doing anything that would make the industry think that we're moving away from ensuring that Australia produces a world-competitive car,'' he said.

"If we left our tariffs at 40 to 50 per cent there's no way we'd be exporting over 100,000 vehicles a year.

"The reality is that by lowering tariffs and providing the industry with $7.3 billion worth of assistance, we've allowed that industry to become internationally competitive which, in the long term, will be the difference between the industry surviving and not surviving.''

He insisted there was a future for Australian car manufacturing and rejected suggestions that hefty government assistance demonstrated the industry was not viable.

"It's not doomed,'' Mr Macfarlane said.

"What we're seeing in Australia is a growing reliance on export markets.

"That's always going to be the future for Australia's industry.

"If it's going to grow, if it's going to compete with imports it not only has to produce a world-class car at a world-class price but it also needs to export that vehicle into other markets.''

He distanced the government from Ford's plans, saying any decision on job cuts at the manufacturer's Geelong plant would be a decision for the company to make in consultation with its workforce.

"There are emission changes that come into effect for Ford in 2010 and on that basis they're obviously considering various options,'' he said.

"But other than that it's a decision for Ford and they'll make those decisions in consultation with their workers at the appropriate time.''

Ford has been making six-cylinder engines such as the Falcon's in Geelong since 1926.

source : www.theaustralian.news.com.au

Twin car bombings kill at least 80

2007-07-16T10:52:00.000-07:00

KIRKUK, Iraq -- Twin suicide car bombings exploded within 20 minutes of each other in Iraq's north today, killing at least 80 people and wounding around 150 in attacks targeting a Kurdish political office and an outdoor market, police said.

The attacks in Kirkuk began around noon when a suicide bomber detonated his explosives-packed truck near the concrete blast walls of the headquarters of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, the party of Iraqi President Jalal Talabani.

The explosion blasts a 30-foot-deep crater in the pavement and collapsed part of the roof of the one-story PUK office.

Soon after, the second bomber attacked the Haseer market, 700 yards away, destroying stalls and cars, said Kirkuk police Brig. Sarhat Qadir.

The market is frequented by Kurds in Kirkuk, a city where tensions are high between the Kurdish and Arab populations. At least 80 people were killed and about 140 wounded, said police Brig. Burhan Tayeb Taha.

The attack is believed to be the deadliest suicide bombing in Kirkuk -- 180 miles north of Baghdad -- where violence tends to be on a smaller scale of shootings, roadside bombs and kidnap-slayings, often linked to the struggle between the city's Kurds and Arabs. Today's blast came just over a week after one of the Iraq conflict's deadliest suicide attacks hit a village about 50 miles south of Kirkuk, killing more than 160 people.

Iraqi officials have said Sunni insurgents are moving further north to carry out attacks, fleeing U.S. offensives in and around Baghdad, including in the city of Baqouba, a stronghold of extremists on the capital's northwestern doorstep.

Meanwhile, U.S. troops launched a new offensive south of Baghdad aimed at stopping weapons and fighters from moving into the capital, the military said today.

The statement did not say where the new sweep, codenamed Marne Avalanche, is tak-ing place.

The military also announced today that an American soldier died from wounds received yesterday in a bombing in Ninevah province, northwest of Kirkuk.

Violence appears to have eased in Baghdad in recent weeks -- but attacks, including deadly car bombs, happen daily.

A string of attacks this morning in the capital killed at least 14 people.

In the deadliest, a roadside bomb exploded as an Iraqi army patrol passed in the city's northeast outskirts, killing five soldiers and wounding nine, an army officer said.

Two car bombs struck, one driven by a suicide bomber who struck a police checkpoint on a major road leading to a major Interior Ministry building inside the Green Zone. Two policemen were killed and seven people wounded, a police official said.

A parked car bomb went off in the central district of Karradah, exploding near Masbah Square, killing one person, wounding three others and leaving nearby shops burned, a police official said. Yesterday, a car bomb went off about a half-mile away, killing 10 people.

Other deaths in Baghdad were caused by mortars, shootings and roadside bombs, according to police officials. Also, 22 bullet-riddled bodies were found dumped in various locations of Baghdad, apparently the latest victims of sectarian violence, police said. All the officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to release the reports.

A group of 24 Iranians escaped from detention in an Iraqi police station in the southern town of Badra this week, police in the town said. They broke out Saturday evening, and while four were quickly recaptured, the remainder may have fled across the nearby border, a police officer in the nearby city of Kut said.

The Iranians had been detained on suspicion of illegally entering the country, said the official, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to the press. Thousands of Iranians enter Iraq -- particularly the Shiite heartland in the south -- for pilgrimage and business, but the U.S. also accuses Iran's Revolutionary Guards of organizing Shiite militants into cells and arming them to attack U.S. and Iraqi forces.

Meanwhile, parliament convened today as Iraqi politicians tried to end a pair of boycotts of the legislature -- by Sunni legislators and by Shiite lawmakers loyal to anti-American cleric Muqtada al-Sadr -- that are holding up work on crucial reforms sought by Washington.

In Washington, today, former Rep. Lee Hamilton, co-chairman of the Iraq Study Group, said he's "extremely doubtful" that Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki will be able to secure the country and allow American forces to leave any time soon.

"There is no chance that the Iraqi forces could take over at any time, or certainly by the first of the year," Hamilton said in a nationally broadcast interview. "All of the support efforts, logistical and medical and so forth, they are not close to being able to meet," Hamilton said.

"The most important is inclusivity," he added. "That is making sure that you include all elements of Iraqi society in the government," he said. "They're not close at all. The president gave them a satisfactory rating. But all they've done is create a committee" to work on a host of legislative issues aimed at completing the transition from the Saddam Hussein era.

"I am extremely doubtful about it. He's had quite a bit of time now. He's known exactly what he's had to do. He hasn't done it. His rhetoric is pretty good. His performance is pretty bad," Hamilton said in an interview with on NBC's "Today" show.

The former Democratic congressman from Indiana, long a major player in foreign affairs issues, was interviewed on the same day that al-Maliki told NBC News in an interview that he now believes Iraqi forces will be ready to secure the country on their own by the end of the year.

Hamilton's comments also came at a time when, at home in the United States unity within the Republican Party on Iraq is frayed, although holding up so far. But more pressure is being applied in this area as lawmakers from both the Republican and Democratic parties float proposals in the Senate to get U.S. troops out of Iraq soon.

Democrats will try again this week to set a deadline for the reduction of U.S. forces in Iraq.

On the GOP side, two moderate Republicans with respected foreign policy credentials have proposed their own hurry-up initiative, winning a polite but clear rejection from the White House.

President Bush's national security adviser, Stephen Hadley, said "No" when asked yesterday whether Bush could live with the proposal by Sens. John Warner of Virginia and Richard Lugar of Indiana.

He said the administration's "very orderly process" for reviewing its Iraq plans, keyed on a mid-September appraisal of progress, should be allowed to play out without preconditions.

"They've done a useful service in indicating the kinds of things that we should be thinking about," Hadley said of the senators. "But the time to begin that process is September."

The Senate's Democratic leadership also is cool to the Warner-Lugar proposal, but for different reasons. Democrats favor tougher steps to restrict Bush's options, but need more Republicans to peel away from Bush before they can prevail.

The two GOP senators said nothing in their proposal would bind Bush to a withdrawal timetable or throw the September review off track. But it does suggest patience is running thin with Bush's course of action even among some Republicans who have been behind him.

"The president will have to make some changes and I'm confident the president will do so," Warner said.

Democratic Sen. Joseph Biden of Delaware, a presidential contender, predicted enough Republicans would defect from the White House line on Iraq in the months ahead to enable the Democratic majority to overcome delaying tactics in the Senate and ultimately override any Bush veto.

Democrats are coordinating a week of maneuvering that will call to account the small but growing number of wavering Republicans.

One Democratic measure last week, which sought to influence troop deployments, fell four votes short of the 60 needed to advance.

Lugar and Warner said their proposal asks that Bush start thinking now about different options and seek to boost diplomacy. They cited an over-stretched military and growing terrorist threats around the world.

But that does not mean an abandonment of a U.S. presence in Iraq, they said.

"This nation of ours has got to remain in that area," Warner said, pointing to the United States' "vital security interests" involving Middle East oil and relations with Israel.

Hadley appeared on ABC's "This Week," "Fox News Sunday," CBS' "Face the Nation" and CNN's "Late Edition." Warner spoke on ABC; Biden on CNN.

source : www.yorkdispatch.com

Low Car Loans – You Reap As You Sow

2007-07-16T10:42:00.000-07:00

Look no further. Low interest car loans or low car loans are here to puff away all your blues in the wind. All human beings have the same aspirations. Each one of us has nearly the same desires. Everybody wants a good home, a good car and a good job, which fulfills all the needs. Once we have that, we aspire to possess better things than all that we already have and envy the ones who are above us, in one way or the other. The car market is no different. The car zooming past us always looks better than the one we are driving. The gleaming angles of shiny, suave cars in the showroom bewitch us even more. It is hard to resist, and we more often than not pull away that hand from the purse, as we know that these mean machines are beyond our reach. Now, you do not have to sulk in despair any more. You can always take a low car loan to fulfill your desires.

Do Some Hard Work In The Market

If you are new to the market, you should understand that the car loan market is very competitive. It rewards the ones with good credit and thrives on the blood that it sucks from the ones with poor credit. One thing is sure, whether you have good credit or bad credit, the difference for you will only be in the terms of the low car loan. Let us review both the credit situations.
Good Credit Is A Prerequisite

Individuals with good credit, have the world at their feet. You can get low rate of interest, as low as 6%. The duration will be at your convenience. You can secure an unsecured loan i.e. you do not have to pledge any collateral to cover the cost of your low interest car loan. You can also get an online car loan, which is very convenient and quick to obtain. To receive all these facilities and more, your credit should be above 680. Therefore, go to the credit company today, to find out your credit rating, if you have not done so already.

Poor Credit Could Increase The Rates

Poor credit invites higher auto loan rates. The rates for bad credit auto loans are sometimes, as high as 18%. In most cases, you will only get a secured loan. This means that you will have to pledge your car to the lender company and run the risk of losing it, if you default in repayment. Try to bargain a lot and get a longer duration of repayment if you foresee any hardships for yourself, in future. It is advisable for individuals with poor credit to seek car loans on the Internet. There are several car-lending companies vying with each other to get hold of new customers. You can capitalize on the prevailing situation, use the online car loan calculator to find the rate and deal that suits you the best, and get a low car loan.

Low car loans or low interest car loans are available for individuals with good credit rating of above 680. You too can try to improve your ranking to secure a car loan at low interest rates. However, you need not worry even if you do not have a good credit because bad credit auto loans are available for people with not so good credit. No credit auto loans are also available. Before taking an auto loan, it would be a good idea to compare the interest rates and other costs using an online car loan calculator.

source : www.americanchronicle.com

Ford Motor Argues News will Sell Volvo

2007-07-15T22:50:00.000-07:00

Ford Motor Argues News will Sell Volvo

DETROIT – Ford Motor Co argues news mentioning the company will sell its(the business unit Volvo. Ford ascertains up to now there is no at all negotiation with other party to sell automotive company in Swedia.

Before All The Sunday Times, by citing source in London, reports on that Ford Motor Co will sell Volvo. But, has not been obtained certainty when the sale will be realized. The same thing also written by The New York Times.

However, mouthpiece Ford Tom Hoyt to Associated Press ( AP), Monday ( 16/7/2007), argues all speculations about sale of Volvo. “ Which I know, we do not make negotiation with whoever to talk about future Volvo,” says Hoyt.

Rumors about sale of this Volvo arises after company being based on in Detroit releases ownership of share in sport car factory Aston Martin Luxury at March with the price of USD848 million. Ford at December have also finalized its(the restructuring program for the price of USD23,4 billion. The that is one other causing the company notes loss.

Ford acquisition Volvo from company Swedia Volvo AB by 1999 with value USD6,45 billion. Last month, Ford express will do review to position of automotive company becoming its(the group releasing brand Jaguar and Land Rover, where speculation circulating Ford will stop sale with brand.

Again in opportunity interviewed that is the side of Ford ascertains will not sell Volvo. “ Volvo is part of which is not locked out of Ford,” assertive of Hyot.

source : okezone.com

Produce Of Mercedes SUV Rising 4-5 %

2007-07-15T22:48:00.000-07:00

Produce Of Mercedes SUV Rising 4-5 %

FRANKFURT - Global sale of Mercedes sport type utility vehicle ( SUV) experiences growth equal to 5 gratuity.

Rainer Schmueckle, Chief Operating Officer Mercedes as borrowed ideas from situs Indiatimes, Minggu ( 15/7/2007) tells that growth of average of SUV reachs 4 until 5 gratuity per year. Mercedes Car Group, premium division DaimlerChrysler sells 86500 units SUV at first semester of this year. Where its(the 35 % rendered from United States market ( ACE).

Mercedes produces type SUV in Alabama AS 200000 units every year. The year 2006, the factory only produces 173000 units. Mercedes produces approximant of all its(the SUV type in AS.

Produce of model CLK convertible will be transferred its(the contract from Karmann to Mercedes. CLK is produced in Bremen, Jerman. Its(the model will be renewed in the year 2010 coming. Bremen also will produce new GLK small offroader at September 2008. GLK will be produced 80000 units per month.

Mercedes also active does research in introducing new machines of high tech for application to every its(the car. Thomas Weber, researcher team leader Daimler Chrysler tells that [his] side will cooperate with other company to develop newest automotive technologys. Daimler Chrysler has cooperated with BMW to develop car is having machine hybrid and cooperates with Volkswagen Audi to develop diesel technology. Company also active does research and expansion to various states. Thinks 1000 stafves Reserch and Development Daimler Chrysler beyond Germany to realize the plan.

source : okezone.com

India, Heaven Produce Of Small Car World

2007-07-15T22:46:00.001-07:00

India, Heaven Produce Of Small Car World

SRIPERUMBUDUR - Cheap, efficient of fuel, and multi purpose is character from car small car hatchback that is recently is liked India public even world.

This opportunity seen by automotive company of world to produce and markets type small car. Not only domestic marketing, the companys also makes India as bases produce of vehicle to be exported to various states. No wonder if the existing of India becomes one of the biggest automotive industrial state in world.

Hyundai Motor Co has produced all model Atoz in Sriperumbudur , South India. Even its(the plan Hyundai model Getz also will be produced over there. From the factory, Hyundai has exported Atoz to 67 states. Starts from finite Sri Lanka of Mexico.

October this year, Hyundai ends factory both. The factory is targeted melipatgandakan production able to until 600000 units per year. Most of compact car produced the is sold with the price of USD7000.

“ We have target of produce and marketing that is clear and India is bases state produce of we are for type small car. All type car small car Hyundai will be diperoduksi here,” says Heung Soo Lheem, Chief Executive Hyundai India as borrowed ideas from situs Associated Press ( AP), Sunday ( 15/7/2007).

Suzuki Motor Corp mastering share Maruti Udyog Ltd also will export 200000 units in the year 2010 coming. Head Of Suzuki India tells that its(the company and the biggest company partner in its(the India has invested USD2 billion to realize target of the export.

Meanwhile, local automotive company of Tata Motor Ltd has developed small car at the price of USD2500. Although cheap car, but the side of Tata guarantees that its(the product has fulfilled international security and safety standard. Cooperates with Fiat, the cars will come on the market South America.

Renault nor maun under developed. Although its(the action is spelled out members has just in India, Renault do not want to fail with strong competitor predominated by Maruti, Hyundai, and Tata. Renault produces sedan Logan and its(the hatchback model in India. Recently, Renault announces its(the cooperation with Nissan Motor and Mahindra & Mahinra to produce other model in India. Car at the price of special USD3000 to be exported to Europe market.

General Motor also starts produces small car in India, including compact model Chevy Spark. This car sold with the price of USD7200.

Honda Motor has built new factory in westside India. The factory will produce hatchback premium sedan. Meanwhile, Toyota Motor and Volkswagen will announce its(the cooperation proximo to produce car in India.

Now, many planning other automotive companies steps on its(the foot/feet in India. Automotive analyst of JD Power and Associates predicts sale of car will come near 2 million units in the year 2012 coming. Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers diction of Indian car export meingkat would be finite fivefold becomes 1 million units in the year 2010. In this fiscal year, India has exported 193000 mobile units.

source : okezone.com

Labor pledges to review car import tariffs

2007-07-15T22:44:00.000-07:00

Export Proton 30000 Cars to China

2007-07-15T22:40:00.000-07:00

Export Proton 30000 Cars to China

MUD CONFLUENCE - Proton Holdings Bhd will export thinking 30000 mobile units to China this week. This export Proton first time to the bamboo curtain country.

Proton holds mutually Jinhua Youngman Automobile Manufacturing Co Ltd to open branch and marketing. The Minister of Trade Malaysia as cited [by] situs Associated Press ( AP) tells that this export is breakthrough for Proton. During through years Proton copes does penetration to market China.

“ This is a prefix for us. Not as of car selling the book eye Proton to, but also to braid business relationship with automotive companys of China,” adds Rufaidah.

Proton is vehicle type of passenger car sold by Youngman Automobile. Till now. The company sells truck type.

Proton copes firm for market expansion by keying up export to some states. Among others by introducing new models. Finite of maret this year, Proton experiences loss 591,4 million two-and-a-half rupiahs or thinks USD169 million.

source : okezone.com

2007 VW GTI

2007-07-15T22:38:00.000-07:00

DARNESTOWN, MD. (MarketWatch) -- Sitting outdoors enjoying a cold drink among the cactus in Paradise Valley, Arizona recently brought back great memories of one of our early drives.
It was central New England through the Southwest to California and back, our first cross-country drive. It was sometime in the 70's and our car was a Volkswagen Rabbit -- a model that now has a second life at the German automaker. We rolled down I-17 from Flagstaff and suddenly, in the clearing, was the city of Phoenix shimmering in the dry desert heat just before sunset. We quickly fell in love with the place.
We should point out that this was a base model Rabbit with no A/C. That was no small matter when the temperatures topped out at 110 and 112 during our two days in the city. However, through the blistering heat, and then a substantial snowstorm in Aspen a week later, and a near miss with a tornado in the Midwest, the little Rabbit never skipped a beat.
However, that long journey would have been much more enjoyable in the GTI model that we recently had on loan. The Rabbit/Golf/Rabbit model has come a long way, from a bare bones econobox to a hot performance car when VW added those magic GTI letters to the rear deck. ( See slide show.)
Our test car came with a turbocharged 121-cubic inch four that belted out a nice 200-horsepower at 5,100 rpm. Torque was 207 lb-ft at 1,800 rpm and the redline was drawn at 6,500. Zero to sixty came up in the low six-second range, so this was a quick little hatch. What impressed us most was that all this took place in a very refined little car. There were no raw edges here.
Matched with a slick six-speed manual, the GTI rose quite high on our fun-to-drive scale. It was EPA-rated at 23 to 32 miles a gallon. We got 21.
Inside, the GTI was light years beyond our earlier Rabbit. The sport seats held on to you like a cat that is afraid of a thunderstorm. The instruments were an easy read and all the controls were intuitive and well laid out. It was very easy to attain that "just right" driving position. Compared to our earlier Rabbit, this was a luxury car in terms of interior appointments.
When we had a back road to ourselves, the GTI really rocked. It carved up the road like a newly discovered butcher would handle the meat for your Sunday dinner. (Does anyone say supper any more?) Like a good cut of meat, there was no excess fat in the handling department, and feedback was as satisfying as an expensive steak hitting your taste buds for the first time. Some might consider the ride a bit on the hard side, but such is the trade off for excellent handling.
We enjoyed the GTI very much. When you add in an inviting price -- under $30K even with options -- you have good value here as well. Our test car checked out at $24,950.
Over the past few weeks, we have had a chance to drive some of the GTI's competitors, such as the Subaru Impreza WRX, the new Mini Cooper S, the Mazdaspeed 3 GT, and the Mitsubishi Lancer EVO. We loved the all-wheel drive of the Subaru, the fun-to-drive factor of the little Mini, the raw power of the EVO, and just about everything about the Mazda. For car buffs on a budget, truly these are the best of times.
Vehicles tested in this column are on loan from the auto companies through local distributors

source : www.marketwatch.com

Transformers Review

2007-07-15T22:36:00.000-07:00

Shia LeBeouf- Sam Witwicky
Megan Fox- Mikaela Banes
Josh Duhamel- Captain Lennox
Tyrese Gibson- USAF Tech Sergeant Epps
Jon Voight- Defense Secretary John Keller
Rachael Taylor- Maggie Madsen
Kevin Dunn- Ron Witwicky
Julie White- Judy Witwicky
Anthony Anderson- Glen Whitman
Zack Ward- First Sergeant Donnelly
John Turturro- Agent Simmons
Michael O'Neill- Tom Banachek
Peter Cullen- (voice) Optimus Prime
Directed by Michael Bay
Screenplay by Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman, based on a story by John Rogers, Roberto Orci, and Alex Kurtzman, based on the Hasbro toy line
Distributed by Dreamworks SKG and Paramount Pictures
Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi action violence, brief sexual humor, and language
Runtime- 144 minutes
Website: http://www.transformersmovie.com/

When I first heard that someone was going to make a live action movie based on the "Transformers" toy line and cartoon show, I didn't think it would work. I figured that we'd end up with one of two things: a poorly made action movie with complicated yet boring special effects and a cast of lame butt teen and tween stars talking on cell phones, or a cheap looking science fiction movie with three robot fights that look, well, cheap. Although I actually like his movies, I figured at some point Paul W.S. Anderson's name would have come up as a possible director since he can apparently deliver decent looking movies on the relative cheap ("Alien vs Predator" cost, what, $60 million? Sure, it ended up looking like "Resident Evil," but still, it didn't look terrible). But then big, fat Steven Spielberg was announced as one of the principal producers, and then big, fat Michael Bay was named as director. All of a sudden, "Transformers" the live action movie sounded like it could both look good and be good. Yes, both Spielberg and Bay have been involved with bad movies, but we could still trust them to at least make something interesting.

And that's exactly what happened. "Transformers" the movie is a freaking blast from start to finish.

As soon as the movie starts and we hear Peter Cullen's booming voice as the great Optimus Prime explain a bit of the back story of what the Autobots and Decpticons and what all of this big butt robot hooha is about, you can just tell that the movie is going to work. It can't fail. The flick proper starts out in the Middle East, in Qatar, with a US military special forces group landing after just completing a mission and looking forward to a period of rest. Things seem to be going swimmingly for everyone there (everyone is either taking a shower, sitting in a kiddie pool, or hanging out with some of the locals) when a rogue helicopter shows up. Some stuff happens, and suddenly the military base is under attack. Some kind of big hooha robot thing is laying waste to everything in its path. The scene then shifts to a high school where we meet Sam Witwicky (Shia LeBeouf), a hip and edgy esque nerd in the middle of explaining his long family history and trying to get his classmates to buy some of his family's prized heirlooms. Sam needs to earn "enough" money to get the car that he wants. Some stuff happens, and Sam's father Ron (Kevin Dunn, sort of playing the same father role he played in "Small Soldiers") takes him to the local car dealership to get a car. Ron is going to pay for it (well, at least most of it). Sam, of course, wants a big engined "cool" car but his father isn't going to pay for something like that. While looking at a beat up yellow Camaro, Sam decides that he wants that car. There's something "odd" about it that is just so dang appealing. So some more stuff happens and that's the car that Sam ends up with.

The scene shifts then again to Washington, D.C., where US military leaders at the Pentagon are trying to figure what exactly happened in Qatar. What the heck attacked the base? And why is the military computer network compromised? This is where we meet the Secretary of Defense John Keller, played by John Voight, and hip and edgy uber blonde computer hacker analyst nerd Maggie Madsen as played by Rachael Taylor. Madsen and her group have to analyze the bizarre transmissions that various satellites and whatnot picked up during the attack and try to figure out where they came from and what they are. There's suspicions that the Chinese, the Russians, or the North Koreans are behind this and the US military is readying to do something about it.

We then go back to Witwicky's life and his new car. He and a dorky pal go to a nearby hip and edgy party populated by all of the popular kids at school, including the uber hot Mikaela Banes, as played by Megan Fox. Sam tries to get her to notice him and uses his new car as a conversation piece. Banes already has a hip and edgy cool jock boyfriend, but he's a jerk and she decides to dump him right then and there. Sam sees an opening, takes it and runs with it. He manages to get Banes in his car and quickly the "sparks" fly. Back in Qatar, the surviving giant robot attack soldiers are walking the desert carrying a piece of the robot and looking for a way to contact the Pentagon. Another battle ensues.

And so the story keeps shifting between these three groups. The soldiers out in the desert, the Pentagon analysts, and Sam Witwicky and his girl and family problems and his eventual realization that his new car isn't just a new car. When the good Transformers finally reveal themselves, the question is will they be able to beat back the bad Transformers, who, as we find out, are looking for the same thing?

To me, one of the biggest surprises of the movie is its three story structure and how it actually works. When you sit back and list all of the stuff that happens you realize that Bay could have made three full length movies with the various characters getting their own movie. The Sam story is obviously the focus as it gets the most screen time (a boy and his car that really isn't a car), but the military analyst/computer hacker story and the soldiers out in the desert fighting something they've never seen before story all could have easily been expanded and made into satisfying movies. What we actually get from those three stories and how they all connect is amazingly clear and unmuddled. There's just so much more that we could have seen from any of the stories, but we never really feel cheated by what we do get. Shia LeBouf is perfect as the hip and edgy esque nerd Sam. His love of cars, cute girls, and his dog are all easy to understand. LeBouf gets to show off his humorous side with his father and mother (the mother is played by "Grace Under Fire" veteran Julie White), and when he gets to eventually interact with the Transformers it never once feels contrived. Kevin Dunn, as usual, does a fine job, as does White. Megan Fox is good as the bad girl that LeBouf wants to get with. On the analyst side, Voight does his usual decent job as the Defense Secretary. He's got to be good at these kinds of roles as these are the only ones he's probably going to be offered as his career moves forward (he looks old). Rachael Taylor is just hot. Anthony Anderson shows up as a hacker and he's funny, which is what we expect from him. And then there are the soldiers out in the desert. Josh Duhamel's Captain Lennox is obviously the hero of this section (and he does a good job as the square jawed hero), but Tyrese Gibson is just basically forgotten. Isn't his name on the poster? Gibson does get one of the best lines in the movie, though "Left cheek! Left cheek! Left cheek!" And how about Zack Ward, who shows up for a few minutes, much in the same way he appeared in "Resident Evil: Apocalypse"? It's always fun to see Ward for really no reason at all.

Bernie Mac shows up for a nice cameo as a car dealer. John Turturro, who shows up as a secret government agent, is a hilarious douchebag that should get his own TV show or movie spin off. It'd be a hoot. And then there's Michael O'Neill, who shows up as another secret government agent. You've seen him on "The West Wing" and more recently on "The Unit," and while his part is small, this is the guy that should get more movie work because he is that good. He's a great character actor, he has an authority about him, and I'd love to see him in a meatier villain role. Maybe he could join Turturro in the spin off.

Of course, the big stars of the movie, the reason we're all going to go in the first place, the Transformers, actually come off looking pretty good. At least some of the time. They obviously don't look the same as they did in the cartoon. They're more (and I hate this word) "organic" in the movie. It would have been better, though, if the Transformers, both Autobots and Decepticons, had a little more "incorporation" from the old cartoon designs just so we can identify the robot characters a little better. With the exception of Optimus Prime and Bumblebee I couldn't tell the other robots apart. Megatron, the main Decepticon, wasn't as bad as he could have been simply because he was hard to identify. The various fights, which apparently include both imaculate CGI and some form of live action, I guess you'd call it, wire work, are freaking amazing. Even if you can't tell who is winning, the fact that these big butt robots are fighting is just... yeah. It just looks good. And Peter Cullen sounds great. Optimus Prime wouldn't have worked without him.

So what do we have here? Gratuitous Peter Cullen, soldiers talking about eating gator, Zack Ward, gratuitous Osprey helicopter (wasn't that thing exposed on "60 Minutes" as unsafe?), men in kiddie pools, holograms, an internet phone call, transforming robots, gratuitous high school stuff, a teacher with a "Quiet" sign, a yellow Volkswagen, computer nerds recruited by the government, dog with a cast, gardening, dog with bling, dog with pain pills, a hip and edgy lake party, tree climbing, gratuitous Marvin Gaye and James Brown, a woman who knows engines, gratuitous George W. Bush parody, a Robocop parody, an "I Come In Peace" parody, gratuitous Indian call center, air strikes, videogame playing, Shia LeBeouf riding a girl's bike, being pantsed by a robot, a urinating robot, gratuitous "Kill Bill" parody, asteroid insurance, donut eating, eyeglasses, gratuitous FBI sieges, giant robots evading parents, gratuitous Mars rover secrets, a Hoover Dam secret, a buttload of big robot fights, an exploding bus, Starscream, acrobatic space robot kung fu, a killer Mountain Dew soda machine, and special deep sea diving.

Best lines: "Are you sure you didn't just fart?," "People! Responsibility!," "Are you going to sell me his liver?," "There might be a pop quiz tomorrow, there might not, Live in fear tonight," "Sir, ask yourself a question, what would Jesus do?," "What? Did you think I was going to get you a Porsche for your first car?," "No sacrifice, no victory," "If I had a rock I'd bust your head, bitch," "Don't go Ricky Ricardo on me," "Come on, Mojo, you want your pain pills?," "Sam, I don't like footprints on my grass," "Please, for the love of God, drive safely," "My God, you are so cheap," "Bro's before ho's," "That's weird. I wouldn't peg you as a mechanic," "I think there's a lot more thasn meets the eye with you," "Can you wrangle me up some ding dongs, darling?," "We must find Ladiesman217!," "My name is Sam Witwicky. To anyone that finds this my car is alive," "You eyeballing my piece fitty cent?," "Left cheek! Left cheek! Left cheek!," "Shut up Grandma!," "To punish and enslave," "Not so tough without a head, are you?," "You are the strangest boy I've ever met," "Maybe you should sit in my lap," "If he's like a super robot why does he transform into this piece of crap car?," "This is easily a hundred times cooler than Armageddon," "Excuse me, are you the Tooth Fairy?," "My name is Optimus Prime," "We learned the Earth's languages through the world wide web," "The boy's pheromones suggest he wants to mate with the female," "This thing is wicked," "Hey, man, I'm still a virgin!," "He leaked lubricant all over my foot!," "Autobots recon," "You know the rules. No locked doors in my house," "You know he's going to start counting," "You're so defensive. Were you masturbating?," "They've got to get their hands off my bush!," "Criminals are hot," "Gentlemen, I want you to meet my friend. Optimus Prime," "Bumblebee, stop lubricating the man," "I bought a car. Turned out to be an aline robot. Who knew?," "Nokias are nasty. You've got to respect the Japanese. They know the way of the samurai," and "Humans don't deserve to live."

"Transformers" is a great action science fiction popcorn summer movie that should absolutely be seen. You'll have a great time.

Go see it.

source : www.411mania.com

Global Sale of VW Rising 7,8 %

2007-07-15T22:33:00.000-07:00

Global Sale of VW Rising 7,8 %

FRANKFURT - Global sale of Volkswagen AG at first semester of the year 2007 experiencing increase 7,8 %. Included in brand Volkswagen is Skoda, Audi, Bentley, and Lamborghini.

Automotive company with the biggest sale in this Europe has sold 3,09 million mobile units from finite January of July 2007. Special of sale of brand VW rising 7,4 % or thinks 1,8 million units compared to the same period last year. That way is published situs Associated Press ( AP), Friday ( 13/7/2007).

Sale is many happened in Europe with increase of 3,7 %. Sale in Asia also experiences increase 20,9 % or 502000 units. But in amount, sale in Europe still predominating.

Sale in rising North America 3,1 % with 263000 units. While sale in rising United States 2,8 % or 163000 units. The price of share VW in commerce of Frankfurt rising 1,3 % or USD168,14.

source : okezone.com

Rolls Royce, Delectation Of The Spectres

2007-07-15T22:29:00.000-07:00

Rolls Royce, Delectation Of The Spectres

Silver spectre lived again in recent figure: Rolls Royce Phantom Silver. This car will look out on direct with Bentley Brooklands.

Possibly this is number of produce of smallest cars in history. Rolls Royce--pabrikan beken of Inggris--membuat 25 mobile units to celebrate anniversary ke-100 one of its(the legendaris model, Silver Ghost. Car launched in the early of June the past is Rolls Roye Phantom Silver.

Ian Robertson, Chairman and CEO Rolls-Royce, says, Silver Ghost which firstly is made the year 1907 of course it is good to is remembered. Enunciated, si “ silver spectre” this has many achievement, including gold medal in competition of speed climbs hill at place “ Scottish Reliability Trial the year 1907”. The year also, Silver Ghost breaks a record world rally nonstop London-Glasgow 27 times repeatedly, with distance total 14371 miles or 22994 kilometre.

Name Of Silver Ghost x'self given by Managing Director Rolls-Royce the scorpion, Claude Johnson. Car with power of 40 to 50 horsepowers is glorious road during approximant two decades. More than six thousand Silver Ghost sold in the epoch. Now, the cars a lot still stay in condition of laik road(street.

Even, May 2007 then, tens of Silver Ghost follows in event tour to pass through over 2000 miles during 17 days in Goodwod, West Sussex, English. Tour itself carried out by Club 20-Ghost--sebuah organization pencinta Rolls Royce output before the year 1945. The member of his(its bringing cars from America, Australian, Singapore, South African, and India to follow the delectation.

So, the silver spectre now remembered in unvisible figure of silver: Phantom Silver. This car wraped colour metallic ghost silver aluminium rim plus chrome and logo Spirit of Ecstasy colour silver at part of grill. There is also wood nuance Straight Grained Santos Palissander varnished at part of facia and door panel. Its(the interior is decorated [by] skin Rose Leaf or Creme Light decorated by emblem RR. Phantom Silver has rim 21 inchs blanketed by fairish tire 255/45 ( front) and 285/45 ( back).

This conspecific car machine with other Phantom. With cylindrical capacities 6,75 liter--berkonfigurasi V12--dan is sustained [by] direct injection system, this vehicle can overcome degradation effect of performa torsion at once. His(its maximum torsion 531 lb-ft by 3500 rpm.

Strength of the equivalent machine with 435 horsepowers by 5350 rpm. Iuridness of the energy made balance to calm movement so that this car can accelerate cumulus in all fields. Though, his(its maximum speed 149 miles ( 240 kilometre) per hour. From silent position, finite of speed of 100 kilometre per hour, time required only 5,9 seconds.

Goods has of course, Rolls Royce Phantom Silver will be hunted the collectors in the world. Even, only 25 just of which will Iucky. Don't know, how much the price of this car later. In Indonesia, the price of ordinary Phantom has reached Rp7,5 billion.

Amount of 25 units made by that of course rather pass. Though, Bentley, rival Rolls Royce, also makes special edition car: Bentley Brooklands. The numbers also do not many. Even, not seketerlaluan Phantom Silver. Bentley Brooklands is made [by] 550 units with 42 colour choices. Delivery firstly is started in the early of 2008.

Franz-Josef Paefgen, Chairman and CEO Bentley, tells since introduced in place “ Geneva Motor Show”, March then, Brooklands has [used up/finished] is sold. If Phantom Silver is made in memory of Silver Ghost, hence Brooklands inspiration by feather in one's cap of John Duff and kith, the racers Bentley decade 20-an, in circuit Brooklands, Inggris--yang beken with the title Bentley Boys.

Bentley Brooklands it is good to is conceived of monument of swan song. Its(the figure is assembled [by] tangan--dengan level of precision which sempurna--serta relies on expertise of the smiths in designing every forming of iron, wood, and skin.

Brooklands comes up with style long bonnet, low roof line, muscular dint, and without pillar B. Its(the wheels is wide uses rim 20 inchs. Front chair and dorsal is equiped [by] small pillow with operation of electric sliding which sophisticated. Aluminium accent at pedal and pallet kaki--ini is thing its(the baru--membuat seen sporty.

fairish Brooklands Machine 6,75 litres, configuraton V8, twin turbocharger plus. His(its maximum torsion 774 lb-ft and with power of 530 horsepowers. Brooklands of course a masterpiece. The price just has more than US$ 300 thousand ( or thinks Rp2,7 triliun).

Since 2004 pasts, Bentley owned by Volkswagen. Bentley build by WO Bentley in the year 1912. In the year 1931, this company acquisition Rolls Royce. Darling, fate of Bentley ( and even his own Rolls Royce) have time to non very bright. In the year 1998, Rolls Royce and Bentley piloted by statue company formed by BMW and Volkswagen. Six years then, done division. BMW controls Rolls Royce, while VW pilots Bentley.

source : okezone.com

No review of car tariff cuts - Macfarlane

2007-07-15T22:27:00.001-07:00

The King Review of low-carbon cars

2007-07-15T22:25:00.000-07:00

The Review will examine the vehicle and fuel technologies which over the next 25 years could help to decarbonise road transport, particularly cars. It will be led by Professor Julia King, Vice-Chancellor of Aston University and former Director of Advanced Engineering at Rolls-Royce plc, working with Sir Nicholas Stern.

The Review will build on the work of the Energy White Paper and the Government's Low Carbon Transport Innovation Strategy and the TSB's Innovation Platform for Low Carbon Vehicles.

It will consider the existing evidence on technologies to reduce the carbon emissions from vehicles and examine whether, over a 25 year time frame, decarbonisation may be most cost effectively delivered through incremental evolution of existing technologies, through growing competing niches or via more radical transformational approaches.

The Review will take account of UK capabilities in R&D, design and development and pay particular attention to the competitiveness of UK manufacturing sector. It will assess the scope for the UK automotive and fuels/energy sector to benefit from the transition to a decarbonised road transport system, how a shift in favour of lower carbon vehicle options can be achieved and how best to influence the global adoption of lower carbon technologies, including in the most rapidly expanding vehicle markets around the world.

The initial element of the Review will report at PBR 2007 and the Government anticipates using its recommendations to refresh and refine its strategy.

It will involve discussion with a range of stakeholders, including with the automotive sector, fuel suppliers and those involved in the development of next generation fuel systems, the investment and venture capital community, vehicle fleet operators (public and private) and academic experts.

source : www.hm-treasury.gov.uk

Low carbon car review -call for evidence

2007-07-15T22:18:00.000-07:00

The King Review of low-carbon cars, announced by Chancellor Gordon Brown in the Budget, today issued a call for evidence, inviting views from all interested parties on how best to achieve substantial reductions in road transport emissions over the next 25 years, as part of the Government's strategy to tackle climate change.

Announcing the call for evidence, Professor Julia King said: "Road transport emissions account for approximately 20% of the UK's CO2 emissions. Reduction of these emissions, in the UK and internationally, is likely to be one of the most significant challenges in meeting our environmental ambitions and tackling climate change. We are therefore keen to obtain a wide range of inputs from relevant parties to support our review of this critical area."

source : www.abeceder.co.uk

WEEK IN REVIEW

2007-07-15T22:14:00.000-07:00

Prince William County supervisors unanimously approved a resolution targeting illegal immigrants by attempting to curb their access to public services and increasing immigration enforcement by police.

The resolution weakens a previous proposal, removing or altering several of its toughest measures but asking county employees to look for ways to lawfully deny services to illegal immigrants.
The resolution places Prince William at the forefront of Virginia jurisdictions that are trying to check illegal immigration.

Board Approves Spending IncreaseBoost in Regional Taxes Will Fund Transportation

The Northern Virginia Transportation Authority approved $300 million a year for road and mass transit projects financed by regional tax increases.

The increases apply to the grantor's tax on the sale of a home, the value of new vehicles, local registration fees, safety inspection fees and a tax on auto repairs. Area hotel taxes and car-rental fees also will go up.

'Abusive Driver' Fees to Be ReassessedGOP Considers Scrapping Them for Minor Offenses

Virginia GOP leaders, faced with growing opposition to "abusive driver" fees that went into effect July 1, said they will consider scrapping some of them when the General Assembly convenes in January.

The fees, some of which exceed $1,000 for each infraction, were part of a transportation plan that lawmakers approved this year. They were designed to raise millions of dollars each year for road and transit projects by imposing surcharges onto the fines for Virginia motorists convicted of serious traffic offenses, such as driving under the influence.

Lawmakers said they made a mistake because the fees also can be assessed on motorists who are convicted of less serious offenses.

source : www.washingtonpost.com

1 Dead, 3 Hospitalized After Butler County Crash

2007-07-15T22:11:00.000-07:00

BUTLER COUNTY, Pa. -- One man died and three people were flown to hospitals after a car crash in Butler County, according to WTAE Channel 4's news exchange partners at the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

James Widenhofer, 48, of Parker Township, was killed Friday night in the collision on Route 38 in Concord Township.

State police said Widenhofer's car crossed the center line and struck an oncoming car.

source : www.thepittsburghchannel.com

Kiwi strengthens on strong retail data

2007-07-15T22:07:00.000-07:00

The NZD/USD rose over half a cent, nearly reaching the post-float high of 78.80 US cents following stronger than expected retail sales data.

It later retreated following a RBNZ warning it would continue to intervene in the market if necessary before returning near post-float highs in the overnight session.

Retail sales climbed in May by 1.2%, much higher than expectations of 0.4%. The increase was mainly due to higher car and supermarket sales. Core sales, which exclude car and fuel sales, rose 0.8% in May. The strong data raised speculation the RBNZ may need to raise interest rates at this month's official cash rate Review.

The market awaits the June quarter CPI data which is due on Monday as this will key in the RBNZ decision on whether to raise the OCR this month.

NZ weaker

New Zealand government bonds weakened significantly at the end of last week after a stronger than expected retail sales result and US Treasuries that weakened with a stronger US sharemarket.

The New Zealand two-year government bond ended up 10 basis points at 7.61% and the 10 year bond was up six basis points at 6.82%.

source : tvnz.co.nz

Ford to use soy-based car seats

2007-07-13T01:27:00.000-07:00

In an attempt to make the interior of its cars more environmentally friendly, Ford Motor Company plans to start using seats made with soy-based foam.

The first soy seats will appear in 2008 models of Ford's popular US muscle car, the Mustang.

"Soy is a very green, renewable resource," Debbie Mielewsk, technical leader for Ford's materials research and advanced engineering department, said in a statement.

"Using soy-based foam gives us the opportunity to conserve natural resources and reduce our environmental footprint."

Most vehicle seats are made with an average of 13 kilograms of petroleum-based polyol foam.

Soy-based form has up to 24 per cent renewable content, takes less energy to produce and cuts carbon dioxide emissions, the automaker said.

The seats will be produced by auto supplier Lear Corp, which was the first company to make seats with fully recyclable materials.

"Using renewable resources is an important means to supplying automotive products that improve environmental impact," said Ray Scott, senior vice president and president of Lear's Seating Systems Division.

"This also helps in reducing the amount of pollution in the production of materials for automotive use."

source : abc.net.au

End of the road for auto bazaar?

2007-07-13T01:24:00.000-07:00

A beat-up white Chevy van (yours for $1,100) is parked next to an E500 Mercedes station wagon (priced to move at $35,800), which is a few cars away from a cherry 1960 T-Bird ($9,850).

Not your typical lineup at the car lot. But then, this is not a typical car lot.

It's the do-it-yourself used-car bazaar along a busy section of El Camino Real in Palo Alto, a string of 50 or more vehicles parked by the side of the road with for-sale signs in their windows.

It's popular and convenient, unofficial and unregulated.

It's also likely doomed.

Lawmakers passed a bill now awaiting the governor's signature that would allow cities to cite and tow the cars. The bill's sponsor, state Sen. Leland Yee, D-San Francisco, says the practice causes congestion and is unsafe.

The measure would allow local police to enforce the state law that prohibits used-car sales on state highways. For now, only California Highway Patrol officers and Caltrans have that authority. El Camino Real is a state highway. Although the CHP technically could enforce the law within city limits, it typically leaves such traffic enforcement to local authorities.

Buyers, sellers upset

Buyers and sellers are upset by the prospect of losing their personal used-car lot. They like the convenience and no-fuss nature of the practice - just park your ride and stick a sign in the window. Plus, it's free, and no salespeople!
"It seems bizarre to me," said John Fitzgerald, a private fiduciary from Mountain View who was looking for an older Mercedes among the cars parked along El Camino this week. "There is a whole set of laws to govern traffic safety, why regulate this? Don't they have better things to do than come down here and tell some guy he can't sell his car?"

Too bad, says the Palo Alto Police Department. If the bill becomes law, officers will tag and tow, a department spokeswoman said.

"If it's part of the vehicle code, we'll definitely enforce it," said Sgt. Sandra Brown.

The bill passed Monday; the governor has 10 days to act on the measure.

There are pockets of these unofficial car lots scattered all over the Bay Area - and presumably the state - including 19th Avenue in San Francisco and Monterey Highway - a stretch of Highway 82 in San Jose. But the impromptu auto mart along El Camino across the street from Palo Alto High School, and a similar portion of the road that runs through Millbrae, are among the biggest. In Palo Alto, it stretches for about a half-mile, taking up much of the un-metered parking space in front of Stanford University athletic fields.
Walking along the gravel path next to a rose-entwined fence, one can peruse a wide range of vehicles, from late model $20,000 BMWs to a weathered 1992 VW Jetta with 158,900 miles on it, priced at a somewhat optimistic $3,325.

First-time fan

Juve Lopez, 24, looking over the cars with his mother, said he was in the market for an affordable commuter. He happened to be driving by and saw the for-sale signs. It was his first encounter with the El Camino car bazaar, and he opposes regulating it.

"No, I don't think this law is a very good idea. The safety thing is sort of understandable," he said, gesturing to the cars whizzing by a few feet away. "But this seems like such an easy thing for people, especially if they don't have Internet access and don't want to go to a lot."

Several shoppers questioned whether the auto-dealer industry may have been behind the bill. But Yee, who accepted $2,000 in campaign contributions over the past two years from the California Motor Car Dealers Association, according to state records, denied that.

"Auto dealers did not bring this to my attention," Yee said. "It was brought to my attention by the city of Millbrae. They felt this was a traffic hazard along El Camino. That's the reason this bill came about."

Millbrae Mayor Marc Hershman is pleased about the bill. He said the dozens of cars parked along the portion of El Camino that runs through his city take away parking spaces from businesses, and take away sales from local car dealers.

"The cars are clogging the public right of way," he said. "These used-car dealers are hurting our local businesses."

The bill does not apply to city streets. San Jose City Attorney Rick Doyle said the city has not enforced the ordinance that outlaws car sales on local roads because a federal court in 2000 ruled that such laws violate free speech. It was after that ruling that the unofficial used-car sites began to proliferate. Many cities either repealed similar ordinances or instructed their police departments not to enforce them.

Constitutional issues?

Lawmakers believe the legislation is constitutional because it addresses a public-safety issue, and Doyle said San Jose would enforce the new law on state roads within the city limits.

"It may raise some constitutional issues," he said, "but we would enforce it. There just needs to be some public-safety rationale for the law, and not just because there's a sign in a car window."

Robert LaMont soon may be taking the sign out of the window of his 1991 Chevy van, which he's had parked on El Camino across the street from Palo Alto High School for a month or so. He was asking $1,100 for it, but said he is thinking about accepting an offer of about half that.

LaMont, 19, said he has received more calls from would-be buyers who saw the van parked on El Camino than he has from a posting on craigslist. He also likes the free-enterprise feel of the impromptu marketplace.

"It seems like the government is always trying to crack down on people doing their own thing," he said.

The El Camino car emporium indeed has worked well for LaMont. He's had the van he's about to sell for a couple of years. Where did he buy it?

source : www.mercurynews.com

Thai car sales fall 4.2 percent year-on-year in June - Toyota

2007-07-13T01:19:00.001-07:00

BANGKOK Thai auto sales in June fell 4.2 percent year-on-year, hit by a prolonged slump in consumer sentiment and rising oil prices, Toyota Motor's Thai unit said Thursday.

Sales fell to 53,222 units in the month, and those in the first six months of the year dropped 12.6 percent from a year earlier to 292,514 units, Toyota (nyse: TM - news - people ) said.

Along with a slowing economy and a spike in energy costs, political uncertainty following last year's coup and an insurgency in the country's Muslim-majority south continued to pressure auto sales, Toyota said.

'All these factors affected car sales despite government efforts such as lower interest rates to stimulate the economy,' it said in a statement.

The central bank in May slashed its key interest rate by a half-point to 3.5 percent, the fourth rate cut this year, in a bid to spur sluggish consumer spending.

But the latest consumer confidence index showed sentiment slid to a new five-year low in June.

Sales of Japanese auto giants Toyota, Isuzu, and Honda (nyse: HMC - news - people ) accounted for some 80 percent of the Thai market in June, Toyota said, adding that the company still expects sales this year to reach 700,000 units, up 3.0 percent from 2006.

source : www.forbes.com

Thai car sales fall 4.2 percent year-on-year in June - Toyota

2007-07-13T01:19:00.000-07:00

BANGKOK (Thomson Financial) - Thai auto sales in June fell 4.2 percent year-on-year, hit by a prolonged slump in consumer sentiment and rising oil prices, Toyota Motor's Thai unit said Thursday.

Sales fell to 53,222 units in the month, and those in the first six months of the year dropped 12.6 percent from a year earlier to 292,514 units, Toyota (nyse: TM - news - people ) said.

Along with a slowing economy and a spike in energy costs, political uncertainty following last year's coup and an insurgency in the country's Muslim-majority south continued to pressure auto sales, Toyota said.

'All these factors affected car sales despite government efforts such as lower interest rates to stimulate the economy,' it said in a statement.

The central bank in May slashed its key interest rate by a half-point to 3.5 percent, the fourth rate cut this year, in a bid to spur sluggish consumer spending.

But the latest consumer confidence index showed sentiment slid to a new five-year low in June.

Sales of Japanese auto giants Toyota, Isuzu, and Honda (nyse: HMC - news - people ) accounted for some 80 percent of the Thai market in June, Toyota said, adding that the company still expects sales this year to reach 700,000 units, up 3.0 percent from 2006.

source : www.forbes.com

Auto body shop makes hot rod and classic car building an art

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

Auto body shop makes hot rod and classic car building an art
Tallant's Hot Rod and Auto Body Shop build cars from scratch

“If you dream it, we can build it,” is the slogan on its Web site and on its business cards, and a look at some of its finished products backs it up.

“If you bring us a fender, we'll build the car you want around it,” said Dan Tallant, who followed his father, Dave, in the business he started in 1974.

“I had a motor bike I wanted to customize and paint for shows,” Dave Tallant said. “When I found out how much it was going to cost, I decided the only way to get it done was to do it myself. Even the paint job was more than I could afford, so I did that myself. I've been doing it ever since.”

In other words, he taught himself everything. And that's not just auto bodywork. It includes everything like aluminum and chassis fabrication, glasswork, electrical work, plasma cutting, pattern torch, fiberglass repair, urethane paint and primer and color matching.

Tallant and his son, Dan, take all that knowledge and build a car, be it classic or hot rod, and build it from the ground up according to what the customer wants.

“I was brought up around the business,” Dan said. “It's always been in my blood. There is nothing I'd rather do.”

The company helps sponsor the Cruise Night, a gathering of hot rods and classic cars in North Kansas City on the second Saturday of the month. The cars are a popular attraction, sometimes drawing as many as 400 from a 50-mile radius.

“The shows are scheduled to start at 5 p.m.,” Dan said. “But people start showing up much earlier to show their cars. Some Cruise Nights draw up to 700 participants.”

The Tallants also display their work on the street.

Dave drives a 1951 Chevrolet pickup to work; Dan drives a 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air; and his wife, Susan, drives a 1967 Firebird. All three display the workmanship of the body shop.

The shop has also been written up in a number of trade journals. And those who pass by the shop can readily see the end product of the Tallants' work just looking in the parking lot.

“We keep about seven or eight cars here,” Dan said. “And we have another six or so in storage at another location.”

Kansas City Councilman Bill Skaggs had a car built by Tallant.

“Tallant built a 1947 Ford convertible for me more than 20 years ago,” Skaggs said. “He did the best work I've ever seen. They have taken this kind of work and made it an art.”

Requests for cars come from a variety of clientele.

“We have some who want to build a car like they drove in high school,” Dave Tallant said. “But they didn't have the money. Now they do.”

Dan said others have their cars built over a long period of time, or as they can afford it. Cars are built in a couple of months, or over a period of a year.

Right now, they are building a 2003 Cadillac Deville, with a 572-cubic-inch, 620 horsepower engine, and switching it from a front-wheel to a rear-wheel drive. That means modifying the computer to accommodate the changes.

“We had to sit down and really pick his brain to give him what he wants,” said Dave Tallant. “It's just part of what we do.”

The company also does regular auto bodywork, which makes up about half of the business. For more information, visit the Web site at www.tallantsauto.com.

June Auto Sales Down for Detroit, Up for Japan - Daily Auto Insider

2007-07-13T01:14:00.000-07:00

June Auto Sales Down for Detroit, Up for Japan

Detroit automakers reported down sales in June, compared to the same month in 2006.

General Motors's June sales were off 21% from a year ago, while Ford and Chrysler posted more modest declines for the month. Conversely, Toyota, Honda and Nissan all posted double-digit increases.

GM's sales of cars and light trucks stood at 320,668 in June, down from 407,513 a year earlier. Sales of light trucks fell 23% to 182,317, while car sales fell 19% to 138,351.

Ford, reclaiming the No. 2 spot in terms of U.S. sales, saw June sales slide 8.1% for the month. Ford sold 247,599 cars and trucks in June, compared with 269,404 a year earlier. Ford's car sales were down 25%, while sales of trucks were up 2.9%.

Chrysler posted a 1.4% decline even though its passenger-car sales zoomed to a 55% gain. Chrysler posted total sales of 183,347 vehicles for the month.

Toyota said June sales of cars and light trucks in the U.S. jumped 10%, to 245,739 vehicles. However, it slipped back behind Ford in monthly sales.

Among other Japanese automakers, Nissan said June sales increased 23%. Nissan, and its luxury Infiniti brand, sold 92,213 vehicles in June.

Honda's June sales grew 11% to 140,935.
JUNE U.S. AUTO SALES
Company Vehicles % Change YTD Change
General Motors 320,668 (21%) (6.8%)
Ford 247,599 (8.1%) (11%)
Toyota 245,739 10% 8.9%
Chrysler 183,347 (1.4%) (1.5%)
Honda 140,935 12% 3.5%

source : www.caranddriver.com

In Your Grille: New 2008 Cadillac STS Gets Braces

2007-07-13T00:52:00.000-07:00

The lead-up to the New York Auto Show is heating up. After all the action yesterday and last night, Cadillac just released the first images of and information on the 2008 Cadillac STS. In most ways, it’s not that different from the outgoing model. The major change revolves around the huge new grille and side vent. The STS’ look is now more in line with the new Cadillac Escalade and the upcoming CTS, which debuted at the Detroit auto show.

There are some changes with the engine options, as well. There’s a new direct-injection V-6 engine. This is the standard engine, and it gets an impressive 298 hp mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive remains an option on the 2008 STS. A lane departure warning system will also be available for the first time.

V-8 equipped models and AWD V-6s will get an electronic stability system, although we think it should be standard throughout the lineup. We’re also disappointed with the mostly unaltered interior.

Prices aren’t available at this time, but will be released closer to the midsummer on-sale date.

source : blogs.cars.com

Land Rover Mulls Developing Smaller SUV - Daily Auto Insider

2007-07-13T00:50:00.000-07:00

Land Rover Mulls Developing Smaller SUV

Land Rover is considering developing a smaller vehicle, The Financial Times reported, citing the company's chief executive Geoff Polites.

Land Rover is smarting over criticism that it makes polluting suburban "tractors" and is working on polishing its green image. It is working on lowering carbon dioxide emissions on its existing line-up through better engine management, reduced weight and other measures, the story said.

In that vein, a smaller vehicle is a possibility. When asked about making such a vehicle, Polites said: "We may have to do something, especially if our customers want us to."

Land Rover sold about 194,000 vehicles in 2006 and is on track for record sales again this year after a 9 percent first-half rise.

source : www.caranddriver.com

Auto Buyer Incentives Rose Slightly in June - Daily Auto Insider

2007-07-13T00:48:00.000-07:00

Auto Buyer Incentives Rose Slightly in June

The average automotive manufacturer incentive in the U.S. was $2,483 per vehicle sold in June 2007, up $92, or 3.85 percent, from May 2007, and down $132, or 5.05 percent, from June 2006, according to a news release by Edmunds.com, an online resource for automotive information.

Edmunds.com's monthly True Cost of Incentives (TCI) report takes into account all automakers' various U.S. incentives programs, including subvented interest rates and lease programs, as well as cash rebates to consumers and dealers, the release said. To ensure the greatest possible accuracy, Edmunds.com bases its calculations on sales volume, including the mix of vehicle makes and models for each month, as well as on the proportion of vehicles for which each type of incentive was used.

According to Edmunds.com, combined incentives spending for domestic manufacturers averaged $3,200 per vehicle sold in June 2007, up from $3,139 in May 2007. From May to June, European automakers decreased incentives spending by $230 to $3,108 per vehicle sold; Japanese automakers increased incentives spending by $163 to $1,484 per vehicle sold; and Korean automakers increased incentives spending by $39 to $1,554 per vehicle sold.

In June, the industry's aggregate incentive spending is estimated to have totaled approximately $3.8 billion, up from $3.7 billion in May. Chrysler, Ford and General Motors spent an aggregate of $2.6 billion, or 67.2 percent of the total; Japanese manufacturers spent $823 million, or 21.4 percent; European manufacturers spent $322 million, or 8.34 percent; and Korean manufacturers spent $119 million, or 3.1 percent.

"Of the 'Big Six' automakers, only Honda and Toyota have higher incentives than they did this time last year," stated Jesse Toprak, Executive Director of Industry Analysis for Edmunds.com. "The competitiveness of the marketplace seems to be catching up with the Japanese heavyweights."

Among vehicle segments, minivans had the highest average incentives, $3,900 per vehicle sold, followed by large trucks at $3,864. Sport cars had the lowest average incentives per vehicle sold, $1,038, followed by compact cars at $1,047. Analysis of incentives expenditures as a percentage of average sticker price for each segment shows minivans averaged the highest, 13.8 percent, followed by large cars at 13.2 percent of sticker price. Sport cars averaged the lowest, 3.6 percent, followed by luxury sports cars at 3.8 percent of sticker price.

"The flood of popular crossovers is taking its toll on the minivan segment—minivan incentives are at near record levels," commented Edmunds' AutoObserver.com Senior Editor Michelle Krebs. "It will be interesting to see how the minivan story plays out, with Ford and GM getting out of the market and Chrysler on the eve of introducing its new models."

Comparing all brands, in June Mini spent the least, virtually nothing, followed by Scion at $68 per vehicle sold. At the other end of the spectrum, Cadillac spent the most, $7,682, followed by Lincoln at $5,430 per vehicle sold. Relative to their vehicle prices, Cadillac and Saab spent the most, 16.7 percent and 16.1 percent of sticker price, respectively, while Mini spent essentially nothing and Scion spent just 0.4 percent.

True Cost of Incentives for the "Big Six" Automakers
Automaker June 2007 May 2007 June 2006
Chrysler Group $3,962 $3,831 $4,045
Ford $3,187 $2,942 $3,648
General Motors $2,830 $2,920 $3,135
Honda $1,397 $1,300 $770
Nissan $2,218 $1,943 $2,677
Toyota $1,308 $1,128 $961

source : www.caranddriver.com

The Champion: Nissan 350Z

2007-07-13T00:47:00.000-07:00

Well, at least you can't say the fix was in. In a contest where our seeding was roundly questioned, the title match came down to a No. 6 seed versus a No. 7 seed. Oh, well. There's always next year.
As for the 350Z, the fans came out of the woodwork early and often. And what passionate fans they are: They were happy to tackle each and every foe, but they took particular joy in voting down the popular — and controversial — Mini Cooper, which some voters claimed had been "fixed" as the winner of the contest. Among the comments: "The Z totally dominates the Mini in every way — for speed and performance, on the road, on the track, from a stoplight, careening around the corner on two wheels while trying to lose the police trailer … well, you get the picture."

As we said, they’re a passionate crowd. And what's not to love? In its matchup against the X5, the 350Z had the lower MSRP, better gas mileage, a comparably sized engine and a definite edge in sportiness. Can it carry groceries home from the supermarket, or your three kids? No and no. But then, where would the fun be in that?

Here are all the cars the 350Z had to vanquish on its way to the title:

* Scion tC
* Chevy Corvette
* Porsche Cayman
* BMW 335
* Mini Cooper
* BMW X5

And so, after more than 102,000 votes were cast in the 2007 Great Car Faceoff, congrats to the 350Z. We'll see how it fares in next year's voting.

source : www.cars.com

Chrysler Boasts of Global Sales Growth - Daily Auto Insider

2007-07-13T00:45:00.000-07:00

Chrysler Boasts of Global Sales Growth

The Chrysler Group announced in a news release that it has achieved growing sales numbers in markets outside the United States in the second quarter of 2007. From April to June, the Chrysler Group sold 159,993 vehicles outside of the U.S., an increase of 10.2 percent compared to the same period of 2006.

These second quarter figures include a sales increase of 10.7 percent in Canada (70,148 units) and a 20.4 percent sales increase outside of North America (61,743 units). In line with the decline of the automotive industry in Mexico during the second quarter, DaimlerChrysler Mexico sales fell 8 percent to 28,102 units. The increases in sales were driven by strong customer interest in the Chrysler Group's new fuel-efficient models including the Chrysler Sebring, Jeep Compass, Jeep Patriot, Dodge Avenger and the Dodge Caliber, the company said.

"The growth in the second quarter of 2007 demonstrates that the Chrysler Group's plan for sustainable, international growth is working," said Tom LaSorda, President and CEO, Chrysler Group. "Building on the solid sales momentum established during the first quarter of 2007, the second quarter sales increase is in line with the company's plan to double international growth in five years."

source : www.caranddriver.com

IRS Grants Tax Credit for Mazda Hybrid - Daily Auto Insider

2007-07-13T00:43:00.000-07:00

IRS Grants Tax Credit for Mazda Hybrid

The two-wheel-drive version of Mazda's Tribute hybrid for the 2008 model year will be eligible for a $3,000 credit, while the four-wheel-drive version will be eligible for a credit of $2,200, The Associated Press reported, citing a ruling by the Internal Revenue Service.

The tax credit is intended to encourage sales of the fuel-efficient cars, the government said.

The federal tax credit for new hybrid vehicles, passed in the 2005 energy bill, begins to phase out after a carmaker has sold 60,000 hybrid or other fuel-efficient vehicles.

source : blogs.cars.com

Great Car Faceoff: Final 16 Day 1 Winners

2007-07-13T00:40:00.000-07:00

Despite a valiant effort by Porsche Cayman fans, the 350Z and its contingent of diehards kept it alive another round. Will it be able to take on the BMW 335? Bimmer-philes watch out.

Today, the Final 8 gets rounded out as the top SUVs, trucks and minivans battle it out. All we know for sure is one Chevy will definitely win. The toughest contest has to be the Cadillac Escalade versus the BMW X5.

source : blogs.cars.com

VW May Build U.S. Factory - Daily Auto Insider

2007-07-13T00:38:00.000-07:00

VW May Build U.S. Factory

Volkswagen may consider building a factory in North America if the U.S. dollar remains weak against the euro, according to a report by the German weekly Focus, which cited VW's chief executive Martin Winterkorn.

"If the dollar exchange rate stays at its present level, we will have to begin thinking about a factory in North America," Winterkorn said. Volkswagen, which is based in Wolfsburg, Germany, already has a subsidiary, Volkswagen of America Inc., headquartered in Auburn Hills, Mich. It is also planning to set up a second administrative hub near Detroit, "to get closer to our customers" there, Winterkorn said.

source : www.caranddriver.com

2008 Dodge Dakota Pricing Posted - Daily Auto Insider

2007-07-13T00:36:00.000-07:00

2008 Dodge Dakota Pricing Posted

Dodge announced pricing for the 2008 Dodge Dakota, which comes in six trim levels and has new exterior and interior styling.

The 2008 Dodge Dakota is available for $20,080 for Extended Cab models, and $22,780 for Crew Cab models. Prices include $645 destination. The truck goes on sale in August.

For 2008, the Dodge Dakota will again be offered in two body styles—Extended Cab and Crew Cab—and six trim levels: ST, SXT, SLT, TRX/TRX4, Sport and Laramie.

The new Dakota offers the only V-8 option in the mid-size pickup segment, a 4.7-liter V-8 that produces 302 horsepower and 329 lb-ft of torque.

Following are prices for the new 2008 Dodge Dakota. All prices include $645 destination.
Dodge Dakota ST Extended Cab 4x2 $20,080
Dodge Dakota ST Extended Cab 4x4 $24,330
Dodge Dakota ST Crew Cab 4x2 $22,780
Dodge Dakota ST Crew Cab 4x4 $25,730

Dodge Dakota SXT Extended Cab 4x2 $21,640
Dodge Dakota SXT Extended Cab 4x4 $25,890
Dodge Dakota SXT Crew Cab 4x2 $24,285
Dodge Dakota SXT Crew Cab 4x4 $27,235

Dodge Dakota SLT Extended Cab 4x2 $24,595
Dodge Dakota SLT Extended Cab 4x4 $27,545
Dodge Dakota SLT Crew Cab 4x2 $26,815
Dodge Dakota SLT Crew Cab 4x4 $29,765

Dodge Dakota TRX Extended Cab 4x2 $25,005
Dodge Dakota TRX4 Extended Cab 4x4 $28,190
Dodge Dakota TRX Crew Cab 4x2 $27,195
Dodge Dakota TRX4 Crew Cab 4x4 $30,390

Dodge Dakota Sport Extended Cab 4x2 $25,780
Dodge Dakota Sport Extended Cab 4x4 $28,705
Dodge Dakota Sport Crew Cab 4x2 $27,210
Dodge Dakota Sport Crew Cab 4x4 $30,120

Dodge Dakota Laramie Extended Cab 4x2 $27,390
Dodge Dakota Laramie Extended Cab 4x4 $30,370
Dodge Dakota Laramie Crew Cab 4x2 $28,795
Dodge Dakota Laramie Crew Cab 4x4 $31,745

source : www.caranddriver.com

Ford Links With California Electric Company to Further Hybrid Development - Daily Auto Insider

2007-07-13T00:34:00.000-07:00

Ford Links With California Electric Company to Further Hybrid Development

Ford and Southern California Edison plan to jointly test rechargeable hybrid vehicles, the Associated Press reported.

The purpose of the linkup is to speed up mass production of so-called "plug-in" hybrids, which will be able to run on conventional power and electrical power while having the ability to recharge their batteries by plugging them into a standard wall outlet.

The utility, which serves 13 million people in 11 central, coastal and southern California counties outside Los Angeles, will get a Ford plug-in hybrid vehicle by the end of this year and as many as 20 by some time in 2009 to test their durability, range and impact on the power grid, the AP reported, citing Susan M. Cischke, Ford senior vice president for sustainability, environment and safety engineering.

Southern California Edison will help Ford by placing the cars with consumers and collecting data, Cischke said in an interview with the Associated Press.

Ford is currently testing two plug-in hybrids in its Dearborn labs but Cischke said it's still too early to predict when automaker can mass-produce such cars.

source : www.caranddriver.com

2007 New York Auto Show: Infiniti EX Concept excellent

2007-07-13T00:30:00.000-07:00

Infiniti is calling this new compact crossover a concept, but the EX will reach production this year and the final product will look remarkably like this when it arrives at dealerships before the end of 2007.

Infiniti isn’t revealing much about the engine, but we’re guessing it will be a version of the 3.5-liter V-6 found in the G35 sedan, though producing much less power. There could also be a highly tuned four-cylinder like the one in the Nissan SE-R, but we don’t want to speculate too much.

What we do know is there will be two technological gadgets in the EX. One is a lane-departure warning system so you don’t wander into another lane of traffic. The other is much more interesting: Called the Around View Monitor, it uses cameras on the front, side and rear of the car to allow the driver to see more of the blind spots in parking situations.

We’ll learn more about the EX next week at the New York Auto Show, but from the initial image and the fact that this will be out soon, we’re pretty excited as of now.

source : blogs.cars.com

GM Boosts Pickup Discounts - Daily Auto Insider

2007-07-13T00:29:00.000-07:00

GM Boosts Pickup Discounts

General Motors announced increased rebates and more low-interest financing options on its pickup trucks, The Associated Press reported.

GM said it would offer up to $2,000 in cash discounts or financing from zero percent to 4.9 percent on regular-cab models of its Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickup trucks.

On extended and crew cab versions of the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra, GM is offering either up to $2,000 in cash or reduced financing, including 0% for 36 months, in all regions. California customers can get 0% financing for 60 months.

The offers run from Tuesday through July 31, GM said in a statement.

Previously the company offered low-rate financing or $1,000 in cash discounts on the pickups.

source : www.caranddriver.com

Ford Extends July Incentives - Daily Auto Insider

2007-07-13T00:27:00.000-07:00

Ford Extends July Incentives

Ford said it is extending its July Fourth incentives through the summer, The Detroit News reported.

Ford's new deal, which originally was scheduled to end on July 10, offers 0% financing for 36 months on all 2007 Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles. Buyers of 2007 Ford, Lincoln and Mercury trucks and SUVs also will receive an additional $2,007 in cash. The bonus offer doesn't apply to the Ford Edge, Freestyle, E-series vans or the Lincoln MKX. Customers can opt for up to $2,500 cash instead of the free financing.

Ford is also offering dealers that meet July F-Series pickup sales goals a chance to sell one of 50 Shelby GT500 KR editions when they go on sale next spring. Ford plans to produce 1,000 of these 540-horsepower sports cars.

source : www.caranddriver.com

2007 Nissan Nismo 350Z Photo Gallery

2007-07-13T00:21:00.001-07:00

On Wednesday, Nissan dropped the veil on its upcoming performance variation of the 350Z. Already a popular sports car in its regular trim, the 350Z Nismo has quite a few exterior alterations and a few upgrades to the Z’s suspension, exhaust and more.

source : blogs.cars.com

Ford Speeds Hydrogen Car Development - Daily Auto Insider

2007-07-13T00:20:00.000-07:00

Ford Speeds Hydrogen Car Development

Ford has the ability to bring internal combustion hydrogen technology to market in cars within five years, The Associated Press reported, citing a company executive.

"We really believe this technology is ready to be evaluated at the consumer level," said John Lapetz, the company's program manager for a fleet of hydrogen powered buses being tested around the country.

But there's a catch. Hydrogen vehicles will happen only if fuel storage limitations can be solved, public fear of hydrogen can be allayed, filling stations set up, and gas prices stay high.

Meanwhile, about 30 Ford E-450 Hydrogen shuttle buses are in use across the U.S. and Canada. Ford engineers are monitoring them electronically in real time, Lapetz said. The vehicles, powered by a modified gasoline engine, have near zero emissions and get up to 13 percent better fuel economy than their gasoline counterparts, he said.

Internal combustion hydrogen could be a bridge toward the ultimate hydrogen vehicles powered by fuel cells, which are as far off as 2015 or beyond, said Scott Staley, chief engineer of Ford's hydrogen and fuel cell technology department.

source : www.caranddriver.com

Nissan Prices 2007 Nismo 350Z

2007-07-13T00:18:00.000-07:00

The Ford Mustang isn’t the only sports car with gussied-up, high-performance trims. The 2007 Nissan Nismo 350Z was introduced at this year’s New York auto show with its over-the-top body kit, beefed-up suspension and bigger brakes. Now the price for all that is known: $38,070.

The top-of-the-line Grand Touring 350Z starts at $36,100, so the price bump to $38,070 doesn’t seem that bad. Dealers are taking orders as of today. Let us know if you’re one of the people heading in to put your name to paper for one of these, and why.

source : blogs.cars.com

Nissan Altimas Recalled - Daily Auto Insider

2007-07-13T00:13:00.000-07:00

Nissan Altimas Recalled - Daily Auto Insider

Nissan North America Inc. is recalling about 140,000 of its Altima sedans to replace air filters that could ignite if they come in contact with hot objects, the Associated Press reported.

The voluntary recall affects 2007 Altimas with four-cylinder, 2.5-liter engines produced between September 2006 and May 2007 at Nissan's Smyrna, Tennessee plant and between October 2006 and May 2007 at its Canton, Mississippi plant.

Nissan spokeswoman Frederique Le Greves told the AP that flammable objects, such as cigarettes, could enter the filter and catch fire. "There is little chance this can happen, but we had a couple of cases of this happening, so we don't want to take any risk," Le Greves said.

The company will offer a replacement filter made of different material at no charge to customers and will also install an air deflector to keep debris from entering the air filter.

"It's a very quick change, like 12 minutes," Le Greves said. "We have all the filters already at the dealers. It's in-and-out for the customer."

source : www.caranddriver.com