automotive online information

AUTOMOTIVE: Manufacturer says sale still possible

2009-08-25T03:08:00.000-07:00

General Motors’ new board could still sell its money-losing European Opel unit to a group led by Canadian auto parts maker Magna, but it needs guarantees that Opel’s technology won’t be used in Russia to compete against GM’s Chevrolet, according to a person briefed on the sale talks.

The GM board, according to industry analysts, has legitimate concerns about GM’s global small and midsize car underpinnings being used by Russian automaker OAO GAZ to update its vehicles and compete with Chevrolet.

Olympian news services

http://www.theolympian.com/business/story/949608.html

Personalizing Your Pickup Truck

2009-07-30T04:55:00.001-07:00

Truck accessories became part of the aftermarket used to enhance the function or style of original OEM pickup trucks. These are often differentiated from other accessories or parts referred as "cores" or "hard parts" including water pumps, radiators and distributors. Examples of popular accessories built for light duty trucks are grille guards, toolboxes as well as nerf bars.

During the 1990s, truck accessories are not very popular since it changed the appearance or the style of the vehicle. Other major US manufacturers such as General Motors, Chrysler, American Motors and Ford Motors considered their duty trucks namely Chevrolet, Dodge, Jeep and Ford as working vehicles. They did nothing to accommodate the need for appearance accessories. Instead they focused their specialty on enhancing the work done via accessorizing. Examples are spreaders as well as lift gates and snowplows.

On the other hand, market segments stretched out as producers offered variations of pickup truck sizes and types. With the advent of extended cabs, trucks began taking more of the urban appeal and purchased it for their style along with their utility. The new spectators of truck owners demanded more complex toolboxes complementing the appearance of their trucks.

Consequently, manufacturers accommodated the desires of their consumers. Products such as chrome fender trims, nerf bars, billet grilles as well as hood deflectors became widely available. Manufacturers also began to work together in designing their different truck models so as to easily put up the accessories using the bolt-on simplicity.

Dodge Truck Accessories

Here is a list of large companies that sell accessories for Dodge trucks.

Dodge Truck World
This is a pioneer company that aims to deal with the consumer's navigational needs. The company released its newest navigational system called AVIC-N4. It changes the way commuters feel or think about their lives. Travels take longer than usual now but the time spent in cars due to traffic jams is more bearable with the AVIC-N4 of Pioneer's DVD.

It is the perfect gear for people who look forward to improving their driving experience. The product serves as a hub for data, entertainment and communication via the vehicle by releasing detailed route guides of drivers, video and audio playback as well as connectivity to portable devices.

The product's in dash system features over 12 million interest points, voice prompting, XM NavTraffic integration and CD, DVD, phone number search as well as iPod audio, audio playback and video integration. It also features extended Bluetooth potentials including a wireless streaming of audio controllable via their 7 inch high quality display touch panel.

Dodge
This is a major company that builds trucks ever since 1917. It introduced a wide variety of innovative vehicles including the popular and original aerodynamic, suburban and airflow model trucks as well as the super power capable Power Wagon. In 1994, this same company introduced a groundbreaking Ram in the market of light-duty trucks along with its iconic crosshair grille and big rig styling.

Its latest gadget, the 2009 Dodge Ram, made a whole new light for truck history. The new product referred as the "new generation Ram" has no boundaries when it comes to power and comfort ability.

Line X Spray
This is a company that deals with painting, styling and personalizing trucks. Santa Maria, California opened its newest branch just recently. The company gained reputation with individual customers and auto dealers for being honest, reliable and efficient enough to turn trucks into an expression of art.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Personalizing-Your-Pickup-Truck&id=2677535

A summer of automotive supply chain bankruptcies is possible

2009-06-06T21:48:00.000-07:00

The bankruptcies of Chrysler and, now, General Motors will trigger a major restructuring and reduction in force of an already fragile supply base, according to an auto parts industry procurement chief who is working to ensure his suppliers stay afloat during the transition.

“The bankruptcies have created an enormous distrust among the supply base as companies try to determine if they will remain suppliers to the two bankrupt automakers or have the financial wherewithal to stay in business in a smaller motor vehicle marketplace,” says the chief procurement officer, who declined to be identified.

Noting that while his firm doesn’t supply either of the bankrupt firms, he has initiated a major risk management study of his supply base to ensure a continue flow of parts and components. “There’s only room for so many ‘key suppliers’ to the auto industry and the decimation of the GM and Chrysler purchasing organizations means that a lot of suppliers will be gone by the end of this summer,” he says in a telephone interview .

An analysis of the supply base by IHS Global Insight economists notes that Visteon, Hayes-Lemmerz and Metaldyne already have filed for bankruptcy in the past two weeks and Delphi has teetered on the brink of liquidation. So, “production blackout by Chrysler during its bankruptcy and a nine-week shutdown at GM this summer means fractional revenues for the North American supply base until late July at the earliest.” So, with North American vehicle production being dramatically reduced, more U.S. suppliers--from die casters to metals service centers, from stamping plants to components manufacturers, from injection molders to systems fabricators--will shut their doors, says the CPO.

Noboby doubts that this summer will be traumatic for suppliers. The U.S. government's $5 billion bailout program for the supply base has done little to bring relief – in part because of the extreme complexity of the payout system. The situation is critical, even if Chrysler and GM Chapter 11 filings turn out to be quick and clean. “There'll be a series of supplier bankruptcies,” according to a series of comments by Kirk Ludtke, an investment adviser with CRT Capital Group in Stamford, Conn.

However, many suppliers aren’t declaring bankruptcy yet, according to the Global Insight report, precisely because carmakers aren’t producing. “When GM and Chrysler assembly plants resume output, and the parts makers require working capital, banks will resist, industry insiders predict, and that’s when the dominoes will begin to fall.”

The CPO agrees with the analysis that whenever demand increases, suppliers will need cash to accelerate and maintain their operations. Altogether, parts makers will need cash injections of up to $33.5 billion over the next four years to avoid a rush of bankruptcies, according to an A.T. Kearney Inc. study. The study projects that U.S. suppliers as a group will lose $23.7 billion in 2009 and won't be profitable as until 2011.

In the interview, the parts company CPO says this means that “there will have to be a lot of CFO to CFO, COPO to CPO and manufacturing executive to manufacturing executive communication to keep the auto industry’s supply base from collapsing.”
http://www.purchasing.com/TalkBack/Comments?talk_back_header_id=6604082&articleid=ca6663055&article_id=6663055

Contact Patch - The Critical Element in Car Control

2009-05-17T04:20:00.000-07:00

Let's image that you are cruising down the highway at 65 miles per hour and suddenly you see an animal jump out in front of your car. Could be a 2 lb rabbit or a 100 lb plus deer, either way you want to avoid hitting it.

So you yank the wheel to turn the car away from the critter. Did you make it? Was it just a close call, or is there something behind the car lying in the road?

One of the determining factors that helped decide what just happened is the "contact patch" of your tires. So just what is a "contact patch"?

Let's use our imagination again. This time we will image driving our car up a ramp onto a platform made out of very thick glass. Don't worry, its strong enough to hold your car, you and your mother-in-law up in the air.

Now walk under the platform and look up. Do you see where the tires are touching the glass? Well that's the contact patch. The contact patch is that portion of your tire that is in contact with the road surface.

Not too much touching is there? If we looked at a 3,000 car with 30 lbs per square inch of tire pressure it would have about 100 sq-in of contact patch. Since there are four tires, each one would have about the area of a 4 x 6 inch index card. Or another way, about the size of one your hand prints.

This is all that is touching the road, and every maneuver you make with the car is transferred to these small patches of rubber.

The more you have, the better you apply the thrust the car has against the road surface to accelerate, brake or corner the vehicle. When you hear about racing terms such as "oversteer" and "understeer" they are referring to how well the rubber of the tire grips the road and what happens when that grip starts to slip loose from the road surface. Typically either the rear or the front end of the car breaks loose before the opposite end.

So I hope your tires were in good shape and properly inflated when you encountered the situation we started out with.

By the way, what happened in your mind? Did you miss that poor helpless animal or are you attending a funeral?

Dennis Dater has been involved with cars for over 50 years. His first love was sports cars when he drove a 1952 MG to high school.

He has produced over 50 articles for EzineArticles on cars, and almost a hundred on his web sites.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Contact-Patch---The-Critical-Element-in-Car-Control&id=2347083

TRW Automotive will close Ettrick plant

2009-04-25T22:59:00.000-07:00

ETTRICK, Wis. - An auto parts plant in western Wisconsin will close and is expected to move some production to Minnesota.

About 75 people are employed at the TRW Automotive plant in the Trempealeau (TREM'-pel-oh) County community of Ettrick. They make ignition switches, dome lights and other parts.

TRW spokesman John Wilkerson says layoffs are expected to begin in June.

He says some of the production should shift to TRW's Winona, Minn., facilities.
A year ago, the Ettrick plant employed twice as many people, with about 150.

TRW executives says the continued deterioration in the automotive industry makes the closure necessary.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-wi-automotiveclosure,0,4676392.story

The Car Owner's Guide to Fuel-Efficiency

2009-04-08T21:52:00.000-07:00

We can decide whether or not to visit the mall. We can even put off going to the grocery store (for awhile, anyway). The one venue that is inescapable for most of us is the gas station. Without weekly trips, our cars - and our daily lives - would come to a grinding halt.

Despite their familiarity with the gas pump, most drivers have no idea how stations set their prices. With millions of motorists filling up the tanks in their SUVs or driving long commutes, the price per gallon is more important than ever. Below, I'll expose a common myth that many people have about gas prices at the pump. I'll also provide a short list of three fuel-efficient vehicles that are popular among drivers and auto critics.

Exposing A Common Myth

A lot of people believe that higher prices at the pump translate into higher profits for the station owner. In truth, that's not the case. Profits tend to stay at the same level no matter how high or low the price per gallon. The thing that hurts owners the most is investing in long-term contracts at higher prices. When those prices drop, profits evaporate.

3 Fuel-Efficient Cars Worth Considering

The SUV trend that gripped the nation for years seems to be dissipating. More drivers are not only open to buying a fuel-efficient vehicle, they're actively shopping for them. Here are 3 makes and models that are both reliable and easy on your pocketbook at the gas station:

#1 - Toyota Prius

Topping nearly every fuel-efficiency list is Toyota's fast-selling Prius. This is the car that arguably started the hybrid craze. It gets approximately 45 mpg and at today's gasoline prices, will sip just under $700 in gas per year (assuming you're driving a standard 15,000 miles each year).

#2 - Honda Civic

This model comes in two forms: as a hybrid or equipped with a conventional gas-powered engine. The hybrid can deliver 42 mpg (an average between city streets and the highway) which means it will cost about $700 per year in fuel.

#3 - MINI Cooper

The MINI Cooper has its share of fans and critics. But, it's hard to ignore how many miles per gallon it gets (37 on the highway). While not as efficient as the Prius or Civic, the MINI Cooper isn't a hybrid. That makes its performance even more impressive. At current gasoline prices, it will cost approximately $1,100 to drive each year.

Most automotive experts agree that gas prices will only go up in the future. And because our daily commutes are not shrinking, it may be time to consider buying a more fuel-efficient vehicle. The 3 makes and models above are consistent performers that will help you keep a few dollars in your wallet each week.

http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Car-Owners-Guide-to-Fuel-Efficiency&id=2193352

Safe Towing a Car

2009-03-26T00:54:00.000-07:00

Safe towing should be taken as a priority when planning on towing a car or a trailer behind the motorized RV.This should be done even by the drivers who have never been involved in accidents. Drivers require knowledge on car towing because they might be interested in towing their cars behind the RV that they have. Car towing usually takes some extra time and it has some extra precautions which will be worth noting. When the car is fully loaded, some issues for safety towing should be put into consideration.

Safety towing of the vehicle may not be put in to consideration especially by the people who have never experienced some difficulties in their life time. This is taken as being irresponsible because your safety and for those other people who are using the road should be balanced. This will be safe for someone who may lose focus and cause an accident that can change ones life forever.

There are various steps that one should take for safe towing for the benefit of his or her vehicle and to avoid accidents. These include taking a driving course as it makes people to be more than confident as well as for the drivers to feel that they are towing safely. In that course, a new tip that they did not know of may be learnt hence this adds some more security and also some confidence.

After undergoing training, one requires having enough experience and should also have the required appropriate equipment for the activity. One should also practice on the do-it-yourself basics of being an auto mechanic that has experience and can handle some contingencies like when there is a need for repairs when on the road and also for the jump- starts. Towing trainees get insurance for any unforeseen mishaps.

For safe towing of your car, weight should be limited. For instance if the car and the load weight exceeds the capacity of the maximum weight combined, it may be unsafe when driving and it also limits the advantages of the insurance policy for your vehicle. It is advisable to know the weight of the vehicle from the weigh station. It is also necessary to check all the locks and other things that are required to be checked every time one is using a vehicle when traveling for security purposes.

Towing of the vehicle requires a special system for Cooling, a gear ration which is calibrated, an engine for power, and also some extra suspension. More so it must have exceptionally brakes and also four-wheel drive. Vehicles which have all this require towing rating, the weight should be specific such that it can not exceed. They also need a specifically manufactured gear that is winged. This gear includes the safety chain, hitches as well as winches, tow bars and trailing wire harnesses.

When towing the car so as to be on safer side, it is better to experience some extra expenses from the company that offers the reputed towing. This kind of job requires a lot of willingness, positive attitude and also a sturdy car.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Safe-Towing-a-Car&id=2134311

Ahead of the Bell: O'Reilly Automotive downgraded

2009-02-27T07:33:00.000-08:00

A Deutsche Bank analyst downgraded auto parts retailer O'Reilly Automotive Inc. Friday, arguing that there is little upside to the stock at its current price.

Deutsche Bank (nyse: DB - news - people ) analyst Mike Baker lowered his rating on the Springfield, Mo.-based company to "Hold" from "Buy." However, he raised his share price target to $34 from $32.

"This is a valuation call and we see very few fundamental concerns," Baker wrote in a note to clients. "In fact, after the fourth-quarter results, we believe the fundamental outlook has improved and we are therefore increasing both our estimates and price target."

Baker said he would look to reinvest if the stock price deteriorates.

http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2009/02/27/ap6106020.html

OEConnection and Snap-On Business Solutions Unveil New Automotive Parts Sales Solution

2009-01-24T18:46:00.000-08:00

RepairLink with MORE(TM) bridges the parts sales gap between franchised dealerships and independent repair facilities

RICHFIELD, Ohio, Jan. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Snap-on Business Solutions Inc. and OEConnection LLC today revealed a collaborative solution designed to help franchised automotive dealerships sell mechanical replacement parts to independent repair facilities. The integrated solutions, RepairLink with MORE, will drastically simplify the process through which independent repair shops find, order, and receive replacement automotive parts from original equipment dealers in the U.S.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20030515/OECONNLOGO)

"To say that this solution comes at a critical time for the automotive industry would be an understatement," says Mary Beth Siddons, President of Snap-on Business Solutions. "We at Snap-on and OEConnection are committed to and beyond excited by this opportunity to provide our partners in the automotive dealership space with the innovative, unprecedented tools they need to be able to sell more parts."

RepairLink with MORE (Mechanical Original Replacement Equipment) is a single-source online sales channel through which independent repair facilities will be able to order genuine automotive parts from franchised dealerships for every vehicle they service. No such unified sales channel for original automotive parts exists today.

Charles Rotuno, President and Chief Executive Officer of OEConnection, says, "The automotive OE replacement parts industry faces increasingly tougher competition with aftermarket parts. The combination of RepairLink with MORE will help auto manufacturers and dealerships grow their parts businesses by dramatically enhancing the customer experience."

Snap-on and OEConnection are uniquely positioned to offer this enhanced ordering capability, with tremendously complementary products, customers, and technologies. In the U.S., OEConnection and Snap-on Business Solutions serve a combined footprint of over 15,000 franchised automotive dealerships. In addition, Snap-on enjoys exceptional brand recognition in the independent repair community, and provides nearly half of the independent repair shops in the U.S. with service estimate and business management solutions through its Mitchell 1 business unit.

RepairLink with MORE addresses some of the key factors that drive independent shops' decisions about where they source parts. The solution gives independent shops immediate access to current part pricing and availability through a robust, convenient e-commerce storefront. This service provides OEM quality parts data, including VIN filtering and technical illustrations, for every part they service. It also automates the ordering process and provides instant delivery updates.

By addressing the key factors of pricing, availability, ease of ordering, and delivery, RepairLink with MORE will immediately increase the capability of dealers to compete with aftermarket parts suppliers in the independent repair segment.

"RepairLink with MORE will make it much easier for independent shops to buy quality original parts," says Ken Satz, Product Manager for Snap-on Business Solutions. "Right now, those shops only get about 20 percent of their parts from original equipment dealers. By eliminating the hassle of ordering by phone and by putting part availability right at the fingertips of independent shops, both they and their customers are certain to benefit."

Mark Tomasetti, OEConnection's Vice President and General Manager for Collision and Mechanical Solutions added, "RepairLink with MORE is the kind of solution that can only come about when specific technological specializations are merged together. Integrating our own online electronic parts commerce technologies with the unique data reach and catalog creation expertise of our partners at Snap-on creates an unparalleled opportunity for automotive dealerships to sell more OE parts, streamline processes, increase profits, and improve customer service even in these challenging economic climates."

NADA 2009 marks the public revealing of RepairLink with MORE by Snap-on and OEConnection. Plans are in place to begin rolling the service out in select markets in May 2009.

About OEConnection LLC

OEConnection is the leading Online Parts and Service Exchange (OPSX) in the automotive industry, serving over 17,000 dealerships, collision repair shops, fleets, tire distributors and automakers. Customers use OEConnection products nearly 5 million times each month to market, manage and purchase original equipment parts, facilitating an estimated $12 billion in annual replacement parts trade. Headquartered in the greater Cleveland area, OEConnection is a joint venture created by Chrysler, Ford Motor Company, General Motors, and Snap-on Business Solutions.

About Snap-on Business Solutions

Snap-on Business Solutions, a division of Snap-on Incorporated based in Richfield, Ohio, is primarily engaged in the delivery of market-specific warranty solutions and comprehensive parts, accessories, and service information -- in electronic form -- to the automotive, power equipment, and powersports manufacturing markets. Its CD and Internet based products transform complex technical data, like parts and accessories catalogs and service manuals, warranty claims and registrations into easily accessed electronic information. Snap-on's innovative approach to integrated solutions helps to increase productivity and drive sales for original equipment manufacturers, their suppliers and their dealership networks.

About Snap-on

Snap-on Incorporated is a leading global innovator, manufacturer and marketer of tools, diagnostics, equipment, software and service solutions for professional users. Products and services include hand and power tools, tool storage, diagnostics software, information and management systems, shop equipment and other solutions for vehicle dealerships and repair centers, as well as customers in industry, government, agriculture, aviation and natural resources. Products and services are sold through the company's franchisee, company- direct, distributor and Internet channels. Founded in 1920, Snap-on is a $2.8 billion, S&P 500 company headquartered in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
http://news.prnewswire.com/DisplayReleaseContent.aspx?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/01-24-2009/0004959752&EDATE=

Volvo Goes 'Live' at Detroit Auto Show

2009-01-12T07:57:00.000-08:00

GOTHENBURG, Sweden, Jan 11, 2009 (PR Newswire Europe via COMTEX) ----Volvo will Broadcast and Webcast Live from the North American International Auto Show - January 11, 2009.

- "We will create an historic one-hour live TV show to be broadcast throughout North America and simultaneously presented on the World Wide Web. Media from around the world will be able to watch presentations from the Volvo display in Detroit while asking questions in real time to top management, designers and engineers," said Peter Ganjbar, manager Global Broadcast Media Relations, Volvo Car Corporation.

Concerned over the possible decrease in attendance by automotive and business media at major auto shows around the world, Volvo Car Corporation has developed an innovative media service. Its inaugural use will be at the North American International Auto Show, January 11 in Detroit. "Media attendance at the major auto shows is critically important to Volvo for the launch of new vehicles and the sharing of corporate news. It was vital to consider new ways of reaching our core media base and to help journalists do their job regardless of their ability to travel or attend auto show media previews," said Peter Ganjbar, Manager Broadcast Media Relations at Volvo Cars.

Volvo Cars will debut the new crossover XC60 in Detroit along with an innovative S60 concept model, and will announce the company's latest safety engineering application.

"Volvo must continue its outreach to the world's media and allow journalists access to product information and corporate perspectives regardless of economic conditions. It is our obligation to help the press do its job," he continued.

The solution in this case will be a televised High Definition (HD) broadcast and simultaneous interactive global webcast, produced live from the Volvo display in Detroit. The one-hour program will air throughout the United States via the DIRECTV satellite system, now rated the nation's #1 satellite broadcast provider and linked to over 41 million households in the United States. The HD TV broadcast will include live coverage of the Volvo press conference supplemented by specific executive interviews and product explanations.

"But, the real news is our interactive ability to accept text media questions and to respond to these in real-time both on-air and via the web. This unique concept was first developed by havoctv for music and sports programming and will be adapted for this purpose," Ganjbar continued.

HOW IT WILL WORK:

The Volvo/havoctv interactive webcast will enable viewing media -- around the world -- to watch the Volvo press conference and other program elements online and to text their question from a computer or appropriate mobile device during the one-hour program to an on-site host in Detroit.

The host will then ask Volvo program guests some of the submitted questions. Their responses will be seen and heard live on both the DIRECTV television broadcast throughout the United States and via the global webcast.

Participating media will be asked to register in advance to receive an online media password. Media Password registration will open January 5, 2009 and will continue through January 11, 2009. The registration site is: http://havoc.tv/volvos60concept

HOW TO VIEW AND PARTICIPATE:

The program's goal is to provide media who may be unable to attend Volvo's Detroit press conference with exactly the same information their colleagues will see and hear at the event.

The Volvo press conference will
air: January 11 at 5:30 - 6:30 PM ET / DIRECTV Channel 101. Standard Time Zone Adjustments Will Apply

For online viewing and submitting questions in real-time, Web access will be required.

Program content will stream at: http://havoc.tv/volvos60concept and also available at www.volvocars.com via a program link.

"The times call for vehicles that serve the needs of a global consumer concerned about sustainability, safety and economy. These Volvo core values must be communicated, regardless of the global economic slowdown and its residual affect on media covering our industry," Ganjbar concluded.

HAVOCTV: havoctv is now the leading US digital network for indie music and action sports. It is the number one sports VOD channel and the number two music channel in North America. Beyond VOD, havoctv hosts four hours of live interactive programming each night on Channel 101 -- DIRECTV's satellite network. Havoctv reaches millions of viewers and delivers over 40 million video views each month. (www.havoctv.com).
http://www.foxbusiness.com/story/markets/industries/industrials/volvo-goes-live-detroit-auto-46645664/

Automotive Start-Up Aims to Build 100 MPG Hybrid Truck

2008-12-21T00:01:00.000-08:00

Detroit's chaos and America's summer bout with $4-a-gallon gasoline have opened the way for a wave of automotive innovators like John Waters.

Primed to revive the state's ailing auto economy, the former General Motors engineer is the chief executive officer of Bright Automotive, an obscure Anderson startup whose 20 employees are busy on one job: creating a car company.

Led by Chrysler, GM and Delphi veterans, Bright is designing a 100-mile-per-gallon light truck assisted by electric power stored on the vehicle in a massive lithium-ion battery recharged from a wall socket. The goal: Get an assembly line going by 2012 for mass production of a high-tech truck known as a plug-in hybrid.

"We are primarily focused on America's entry into this technology," Waters said. "We want to leverage U.S. industry, U.S. workers, U.S. science."

No one has launched a mass-market car company in America and managed to stay in business for long since the men named Chevrolet, Chrysler and Ford strode Detroit before World War I.

But the automakers' recent meltdown has a new crowd of engineers dreaming about capitalizing on a new breed of electric cars. If Bright succeeds, Indiana's ailing auto sector could revive on high-tech cars and components. But analysts say a bewildering maze stands in front of Indiana.

With the incoming Obama administration expected to pour billions of dollars into a new generation of fuel-efficient cars, lone engineers and companies big and small -- including Ford, Chrysler and GM -- are angling for the federal auto money.

Interest among entrepreneurs soared after the subprime mess set off the credit crisis and dried up venture capital. Bright now is looking for cash in Washington. And just this week, 14 corporations including 3M Corp. and Johnson Controls disclosed they intend to form a coalition that would seek $1 billion in federal cash to develop what would be the heart of the electric car -- the lithium-ion battery.

Bright is not part of that coalition, although the venture's success could ensure the nation does not have to rely on imported batteries. However, the 3M-JCI venture's success carries a commercial risk for Indiana.

Now, the four sources for lithium-ion batteries are China, Japan, South Korea -- and Indiana. If the 3M-JCI coalition succeeds, it could set back EnerDel, an Indianapolis battery business created in 2004 by New York investor Ener1 and auto-parts giant Delphi. A former GM division, Delphi's prowess included engineering centers in Anderson, Indianapolis and Kokomo for batteries, electronic controls and electric-motor technology.

The only U.S. producer of lithium-ion car batteries, EnerDel is ramping up to make batteries for export to Europe, though the global credit crisis stranded its largest customer. On Monday, electric-car maker Think Global said it ran out of money and stopped its assembly line in Oslo, Norway.

"We have often discussed capacity as being the central issue to electric drive," said Ener1 Chief Executive Charles Gassenheimer. "We are happy to see others joining Ener1's commitment to its U.S. supply of the battery."

With federal auto tech money on the horizon, Indiana Sen. Evan Bayh has set a news conference at 1 p.m. today in Indianapolis to discuss how Indiana companies can proceed.

On Monday, the mayors of Kokomo and Marion are set to lead mayors and government officials from across the state in a discussion in Indianapolis on how their cities can survive if Chrysler, Ford and GM go bankrupt.

In other years, Bright might have been a footnote in history. These days it stands out. After all, it's Indiana's only company in position to make electric cars.

"I think what this group is capable of doing is looking at the automobile from a systems-engineering perspective. It is not driven from a traditional perspective," said Mike Hudson, a former General Motors Allison engineering director in Indianapolis who now heads iPower, an Anderson maker of power-generation units. "They're trying to synthesize the solution rather than start off from the perspective of a traditional auto platform."

If it takes off, Bright would buy all its auto parts and could spur the Indiana electrical-parts makers burdened now by Detroit's decline.

Bright has completed its research and development and is ready to make vehicles, Waters said. All it needs is the cash necessary to build a plant.

"We see ourselves as an execution play as opposed to an innovation play," said Waters, who credits his GM experience for Bright's quick gear-up.

It is not widely remembered in Indianapolis, but 15 years ago, GM engineers in the city led the race to beat Toyota to market in California with an electric vehicle. GM won. Although GM later sidelined the car, called the EV1, its legacy is a pool of Indiana engineers schooled in electric-car technology -- including Waters.

He was a GM Delco Remy designer working in what is now EnerDel's Hague Road battery plant. Later, Waters went to EnerDel, helped set up the battery venture, and then became a transportation researcher in the Colorado think tank Rocky Mountain Institute, where he came across hedge fund manager Reuben Munger, an electric-car proponent.

They formed Bright, and Waters moved back to Anderson to rejoin the pool of electric-car engineers.

"There's no question we had the leadership position in innovation," he said. "We don't want to give it up."
http://www.indystar.com/article/20081219/BUSINESS/812190366

Raceway Automotive Online

2008-11-29T03:48:00.001-08:00

OmniVision Launches First Megapixel Sensor for Automotive Market

2008-11-11T23:55:00.000-08:00

SANTA CLARA, Calif., Nov 11, 2008 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- OmniVision Technologies, Inc. (OVTI:
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OVTI 7.48, -0.02, -0.3%) , a leading independent supplier of CMOS image sensors, today introduced the first megapixel CMOS image sensor designed specifically for advanced automotive vision and sensing systems, the OV9710 in QFP package. Megapixel sensors are the next wave in automotive vision systems, enabling the adoption of advanced forward-looking and extreme-wide angle applications. Initial interest in the OV9710 is strong, and it is currently sampling with multiple automotive customers.
The 1-megapixel OV9710 is built with OmniVision's proprietary OmniPixel3-HS(TM) technology sporting best-in-class low light performance. This enables it to operate in virtually every lighting condition -- from bright daylight to nearly complete darkness.
The OV9710 is highly suitable for wide angle vision systems, such as bird's eye view applications and for advanced parking assistance systems. "Megapixel resolution is critical for extreme wide angle (greater than 160 degrees) applications, such as 360 degree view multi-camera systems, where distortion correction and image stitching is required," said Inayat Khajasha, Senior Automotive Product Marketing Manager at OmniVision. "VGA cameras simply cannot address electronic (on - or off-chip) distortion correction beyond 130 degree angles because they result in stretching and blurring the image, which can seriously compromise driver and passenger safety."
The OV9710 is also highly suitable for automotive camera systems where multiple forward-looking applications such as lane departure warning, sign recognition and object recognition are combined into a single camera solution.
The OV9710 is a 1/4-inch sensor providing full-frame, sub-sampled or windowed 8-bit/10-bit images in raw RGB format via the digital video port. The sensor delivers full-frame video at 30 frames per second (fps) and VGA resolution at 60 fps with complete user control over image quality, formatting and output data transfer. The OV9710 incorporates image processing functions, including: exposure control, gain control, white balance, lens correction and defective pixel correction. These functions are also programmable through the serial camera control bus (SCCB) interface.
The OV9710 comes in a lead-free QFP package and, with an operating temperature range of -40 degrees C to +105 degrees C, is built to meet the stringent specifications of the Automotive Electronics Council (AEC-Q100). The AEC-Q100 qualification is expected to be completed by end of the first quarter of 2009. The OV9710 is currently available for sampling. PPAP completion and mass production will be ready by the end of the second quarter of 2009.
For further information about OmniVision's automotive imaging solutions, please visit OmniVision's booth (A23-A24) at Electronica 2008, held at the New Munich Trade Fair Centre in Munich, Germany November 11-14, 2008. Additionally, OmniVision's Automotive Technical Marketing Manager Dr. Mario Heid will give a talk on Trends and Challenges in Automotive Camera Design at Electronica on November 12 at 4:00pm at the Automotive Forum.
About OmniVision(R)
OmniVision Technologies designs and markets high-performance semiconductor image sensors. Its CameraChip(TM) products using OmniPixel(R), OmniPixel2(TM), OmniPixel3(TM), OmniPixel3-HS(TM) and OmniBSI(TM) technologies are highly integrated, single-chip CMOS image sensors for mass-market consumer and commercial applications such as mobile phones, notebooks, security and surveillance systems, digital still cameras, automotive and medical imaging systems and interactive video games. Additional information is available at http://www.ovt.com.
Safe-Harbor Language
Certain statements in this press release, including statements regarding the performance and capabilities of, the anticipated demand for, the positioning in the automotive market space and the expected time frame for volume production of the OV9710 CMOS image sensors are forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties, which could cause the forward-looking statements and OmniVision's results to differ materially, include, without limitation: potential errors, design flaws or other problems with the OV9710; customer and market acceptance, demand, and other risks detailed from time to time in OmniVision's Securities and Exchange Commission filings and reports, including, but not limited to, OmniVision's most recent annual report filed on Form 10-K and its most recent quarterly report filed on Form 10-Q. OmniVision expressly disclaims any obligation to update information contained in any forward-looking statement.
OmniVision(R) and OmniPixel(R) are registered trademarks of OmniVision Technologies, Inc. The OmniVision logo, CameraChip(TM), OmniPixel2(TM), OmniPixel3(TM), OmniPixel3-HS(TM) and OmniBSI(TM) are trademarks of OmniVision Technologies, Inc.
SOURCE OmniVision Technologies, Inc.
http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/OmniVision-Launches-First-Megapixel-Sensor/story.aspx?guid=%7B49EFFCF4-9966-4FC7-ABEA-BC7A7FBFAFA6%7D

High Gas Mileage in Cars - Which Luxury Cars Are the Most Efficient on Gas?

2008-10-04T18:36:00.000-07:00

If you didn't find it surprising the high gas mileage in cars in the luxury class coming in with the highest ranked mileage is the Mercedes-Benz E-Class. This vehicle can give you from 12-23 mpg in the city and approximately 32 mpg on the highway. This is a diesel engine vehicle that comes in a 5 or 7 speed. There isn't much to not like about this luxury vehicle. It has a very nice diesel engine, includes rear wheel and all-wheel drive, and is very safe. This is a heavy vehicle and priced from $51k to $86k.

The Audi A4 falls right behind the Mercedes for having high mileage in cars in the luxury class. This vehicle can give you up to 21 miles per gallon in the city and 31 on the highway roads. The interior is rather snug and the acceleration is not very fast. The seats are comfortable and the engine is quiet as it runs. The Audi is priced around $29k to $47k.

There aren't many luxury vehicles that are listed for high gas mileage in cars. This is because the luxury vehicles are heavy weight and use the most expensive and durable steels and parts available. Because of the heavyweight requirements of total luxury it is hard to find anything that runs good on gas. You can find good gas mileage in the Mercedes and the Audi. Even though you have good gas mileage for your car, it does affect the performance of the pick up and go with acceleration.

The Author Is Part Of The Global Water Fuel Movement Which Teaches People How To Use Water As Fuel In Their Cars And Trucks.

Visit http://www.Water-4-Gas.org For More Information.

High Gas Mileage

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jonathon_Winburg

Concours highlights automotive excellence

2008-09-18T04:18:00.000-07:00

sharedstory

The Fairfield County Concours d'Elegance will celebrate excellence in motor vehicles at the fifth annual event this weekend at the Fairfield County Hunt Club in Westport.

Themed activities for the entire family will center around a display of more than 140 cars and motorcycles Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Rare and legendary Porsches will be on display and special exhibits will include award-winning automobiles from the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance as well as examples of race cars spanning 60 years of racing at Watkins Glen, N.Y. Three special classes also will be featured: outstanding Ferraris, cars from 1958, and distinctive motorcars recognized by the Classic Car Club of America.

Education is a key component of the Fairfield County Concours d'Elegance, with professionally guided field walks, informational placards about each car, access to car owners and children's programs. The art of the automobile will be presented in exhibitions of works by locally and nationally recognized artists.

"When you enter our event venue on Sunday, you will be greeted by the oldest car or motorcycle on display," says Bill Scheffler, Concours chairman. "The location layout then guides you through the timeline of automotive history and ends with significant examples of automobiles and motorcycles of today."

Judging categories will be each decade over the past 100 years and awards will be presented in the following categories: best pre- and post-war cars, open
and closed; people's choice; ladies' choice; Founder's Award for the most elegant; best contemporary; most exciting; Founder's Award for motorcycle; motorcycle we'd most like to ride home; and Best In Show.

A selection of Ferraris will be presented in a special judging class representing 60 years of limited production cars, Formula 1 and sports racing cars. The Cars of '58 exhibit will display American brands from that era of automotive design 50 years ago. The Preservation Vehicles class recognizes the growing interest in vehicles that reflect the passage of time and have been left unrestored by their owners. And the Classic Car Club of America class will show off some of the world's finest cars manufacturered from 1925-48.

Judging will end at 2 p.m. on Sunday, followed immediately by the awards ceremony.

In addition to the guided field walks where visitors can benefit from the knowledge of the event's judges, the Concours plans a "Noon Roar," when the engines of every vehicle in the show field will be turned on, providing a cacophony of sounds and vibrations.

Also part of the Concours, the Nutmeg Tour for Autism will be held on Saturday, taking 50 show cars on a 50-mile tour through Fairfield County to support the autism research, implementation and capital development programs of AIND/Giant Steps School and Hall-Brooke Behavioral Health Services. The public is invited to the Fairfield County Hunt Club prior to the 1 p.m. departure, and may see the cars at 4 p.m. on Saturday at at the end of the tour at Hall-Brooke, 74 Long Lots Road, Westport. A dinner Saturday night will feature Frank Deford, award-winning sports writer and NPR commentator, as guest speaker, and honor one of the deans of automotive art, Chuck Queener.

*

The Fairfield County Concours d'Elegance will run Sunday, 10 a.m.- 4 p.m., at the Fairfield County Hunt Club, 174 Long Lots Road, Westport. Admission is $20; children younger than 16 are admitted free with a paying adult. Call 227-7988 or visit www.fairfieldcountyconcours.com.
http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/livingandhealth/ci_10494578

Automotive program in Provo successful

2008-08-10T08:21:00.000-07:00

PROVO -- The Provo High School automotive program is making its mark. Earlier this year, it won the multi-state Weber State University Automotive Contest for students from Nevada, Idaho, Wyoming and Utah. Then this spring two Provo High School automotive students, Austin Springer and Benjamin Hernandez, won first place in the annual Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills Contest at Salt Lake Community College.

Springer and Hernandez were offered tuition waiver scholarships to Salt Lake Community College and several other colleges and universities. They received approximately $500 in tools and other awards.

Springer and Hernandez will represent Utah in the National Ford/ AAA Competition in June. Ford Motor Co. and AAA will pay for all expenses associated with a four-day and three-night stay for the contest in Detroit.

Kyle Carter, a senior at Provo High, coached them much of the way. Josh Bowers, service manager of Brent Brown Ford, contributed to the team's success by lending them a brand new Ford Escape to practice with for the contest.
http://findarticles.com

Penske Automotive cuts full-year earnings forecast

2008-08-01T19:37:00.000-07:00

NEW YORK (Associated Press) - Auto retailer Penske Automotive Group Inc. cut its full-year earnings forecast Wednesday after reporting its second-quarter earnings declined on weaker sales.

The company said it now expects earnings from continuing operations for 2008 of between $1.54 and $1.60 per share. Previously, the company guided for $1.63 to $1.71 per share.

Analysts polled by Thomson Financial expect full-year earnings of $1.58 per share, on average. Such estimates typically exclude one-time items.

Also on Wednesday, Penske said its second-quarter earnings declined 1 percent as a tough retail environment weakened its sales.

Shares of the company added 5 cents to $13.86 in morning trading.
http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/apwire/999b14529fa8e17e708e6ec0430b3ff9.htm

Automotive Groups & WebRing Member Drive

2008-07-27T03:42:00.000-07:00

I guess you can call this a member drive, we run a few automotive communities which require membership to become a part of. The only reason that we require membership approval is to avoid spam & spammers. It seems to work well, but it also limits how fast we can grow.

Automotive Related Communities...
(all are looking for new membership):

Autos & Automotive - A Google Group
An automotive and motorsports group for discussing all things automotive related. Topics may include autos, automotive mechanics, auto shows, automobile racing, automotive parts, salvage, classic cars, collector cars & more. Pickup trucks, tractor trailer trucks and motorcycling are also allowed.

AutomotiveParts - A Google Group
Hunt for or offer automotive parts. Offer parts (new/used). Salvage yard auto parts search pools and automotive industry opportunites for new aftermarket automotive and high performance auto parts sellers from drop shippers and wholesalers.

Automotive - A WebRing
We are looking for people interested in joining our Automotive WebRing community at WebRing.com. WebRings a re great way to promote your website and help create new leads and business associations. If you have an automotive or motorsports related webpage, website, directory or blog, please join as a member of the Automotive WebRing.

Join Up!
All of the above groups and rings are great ways to increase your visibility, establish a comradery with other automotive enthusiasts and professionals, establish your expertise, help someone out, give something back and perhaps even create a new friend or even drum up business in the long run. The best part about such communities is that they can be fun. We try to keep them that way by eliminating the spam.

Of course, if you have cool parts to help others restore or upgrade their vehicles, like the front grille of the 1948 to 1952 Chevy pickup in good condition, or the Deluxe instrument panel for 1980 Chevy/GMC pickup trucks, we do want to see these types of posts in the AutomotiveParts group. That's actually why we created it. I have a 1980 Chevrolet C109 I am working on. The boss has a restored 1950 Chevrolet pickup. A friend and coworker of mine is working on a 1973 GMC pickup he is restoring. The shop is thinking about making the Chevy Gravel Dump Truck shown on this page a shop restoration project vehicle.

We would love to hear about any old Autocars, Maxwell automobiles, Graham Brothers Trucks, or Henderson (Excelsior-Henderson) motorcycles out there that might be hidden in your barn looking to be restored. Heck, I am looking for an old car, pickup or motorcycle for my new restoration project, myself. Post any such finds in either the Autos & Automotive or AutomotiveParts Google Groups, or in the Automotive WebRing's forum.

If nothing else, it will be fun discussing our dream rides and hot rods. Heck, what do you have hidden away in your garage or barn? What are you working on? Join us just to brag about it a little. ;) Join in just to discuss automotive mechanics or tell us what your car/truck can do. We'd be glad to have anyone who won't spam us with unrelated advertising.

By the way, please be patient when you do apply for membership. I approve membership requests every business day I am here, Monday through Friday, but not on weekends or holidays, and I usually take at least one or two days off each week (but, not always) to devote to running my own businesses. But I will get to it! ;)http://autos-automotive.blogspot.com/

Kongsberg Automotive receives EUR 100m in New Business Wins

2008-07-27T03:37:00.000-07:00

KONGSBERG, NORWAY, Jul 18, 2008 (MARKET WIRE via COMTEX) -- Kongsberg Automotive Interior Systems has so far this year won multiple new contracts with a lifetime value at approximately 100 million EURO, of which 73 million has been booked in the 2nd quarter.
The contract terms vary from 3 to 6 years, and initial deliveries are expected to start in late 2008. The 2nd quarter business awards are to the current customer base and two new interiors customers, one in Europe and one in North America. Of the 20 newly awarded contracts captured in Q2, over half are supplying new product on Asian OEM vehicle platforms, which are representing the most stable production demands and increased growth in the global automotive market.
Production will be in Kongsberg Automotive facilities in USA, Mexico, Hungary, China and United Kingdom and will provide products for the Seat Heater, Cables & Actuation, Seat Support and Headrest market segments, giving well-balanced growth across the business.
"Customers continue to be impressed with the global full service and complete product portfolio offerings from Kongsberg Automotives Interior Systems division. For the customer to have the ability to select the exact product required, whether it's for a mainstream or niche market vehicle, creates less work for the customer to integrate and increases our value proposition. Customers who had previously moved to our competitors are now coming back to Kongsberg Automotive and we are seeing this clearly in the rate we are booking new programs. The ratio of incremental business wins is almost 2 to 1 over replacement business, showing that we are increasing market share whilst retaining our core business." commented Hans Peter Havdal, President - Interior Systems at Kongsberg Automotive.
Kongsberg Automotive is headquartered in Kongsberg, Norway and has more than 50 facilities in 20 countries on all continents. Kongsberg Automotive, with revenues of about EUR1 billion and over 11,000 employees, provides system solutions to vehicle makers around the world. The product portfolio includes gearshift systems, cables for a wide variety of applications, fuel lines, tubing and hoses, couplings, clutch actuation, stabilizing rods, seat heaters, seat ventilation, lumbar supports, head restrains, arm rests, steering columns, pedals, electronics and displays. Find more information at www.kongsbergautomotive.com. http://www.marketwatch.com

Automotive Industry First: CarsDiva.com Announces First Online Social Network Community by, for & about Women and the Car Business

2008-07-18T20:17:00.000-07:00

"CARS, Inc. & Car Industry Veteran Demetra Markopoulos Roll Out New Online Automotive Community with State-of-the-Art Features Offering Outreach Opportunities for Car Industry"

PHILADELPHIA — Demetra Markopoulos, Internet voice for women consumers, has further advanced the car industry in a new online social network communication "revolution." The author of the popular CarsDiva blog has announced the beta launch of her new online social networking community, www.CarsDiva.com. The site is specifically created for women automotive consumers, enthusiasts and those working within automotive-related industries.

"Online communities, such as FaceBook and MySpace, have ushered in a new era of interactive communication," says Markopoulos, the real life Cars Diva. "This woman-focused network is the first of its kind in the car industry, offering a dynamic interactive medium for automotive consumers, industry professionals, and retailers to exchange information and develop relationships." CarsDiva.com features the standard attributes of a dynamic social network, including user Web pages that can be customized by each member, text message boards, photo albums, audio/video uploading and blogging, RSS feeds, etc. However, it is specialized for the car business with the addition of many features, uniquely fashioned for automotive consumers and retailers.

CarsDiva.com will also encompass an easy-to-use automotive dealer ranking and review system, where consumers can go to rate their dealership sales and service experience, or discover what neighbors think of their local new or used car retailers. Another exciting integrated feature is the mass collaboration, or "focus group design center," where manufacturers or vendors can seek member insight in a public or private group, and members can voice their opinions on vehicle design and marketing issues, both individually and in a collective survey format. Additionally, the CarsDiva.com site will include a user generated ongoing Wiki, or "collective wisdom FAQ," on all car related topics, as well as a "CarsDiva Classifieds" section, where members can search for new or used vehicles from a local dealer.

"Online communities like MySpace and YouTube are shaking up the business world, helping millions of people come together to share information and interests," says David Silver, entrepreneur, angel investor and author of the new book, "Smart Start-Ups: How Entrepreneurs and Corporations Can Profit From Starting Online Communities. Silver further notes, "In the future, networking sites will connect members of niche groups to each other, as Demetra Markopoulos is doing with her CarsDiva network. CarsDiva represents the full capabilities of online communities, Web 2.0, spearheaded by a woman entrepreneur," adds Silver who has also authored the book, Enterprising Women: Lessons from 100 of the Greatest Entrepreneurs of our Day.

CarsDiva.com, founded and led by Markopoulos, is a product of the Corporation of Automotive Relationship Systems, Inc. (CARS, Inc.), the first company of its kind specialized in creating and managing state-of-the-art, automotive-related professional and social online communities.

About CARS, Inc.
Advertisement

CARS, Inc. is an independent technology and services company, founded and managed by automobile industry and technology veterans. The company is at the forefront of delivering benefits of the online network mass collaboration revolution to all sectors of the car realm as well as focused consumer segments that interact with automotive design, manufacturing, sales and service professionals.

CARS, Inc. is the first company to specialize in creating and maintaining specialized social and professional networks and online communities that speak to multiple major sectors of the automotive industry. CARS, Inc. social/professional networks go beyond research, media, or retail related Web sites, to give industry professionals and consumers a way to translate the concept of online mass collaboration into usable tools and techniques.

CARS, Inc. is dedicated to bringing the most advanced online relationship building platforms to automotive industry professionals, through specific market segment focus, ultimately dominating as the number one online automotive community networking company in the world.
CAR PR USA Cindy A. Meitle (480) 659-9413 cindy@carprusa.com
http://www.centredaily.com/business/technology/story/678319.html

Integrated chipsets for automotive CD systems

2008-07-12T06:20:00.000-07:00

Toshiba Electronics has introduced two surface-mount chipsets that greatly simplify the task of designing compact disc (CD) modules for vehicle audio applications.

Toshiba Electronics has introduced two surface-mount chipsets that greatly simplify the task of designing compact disc (CD) modules for vehicle audio applications The ICs enable the designer to easily create CD players offering a wide range of features, yet requiring no adjustment or maintenance

Developed to provide a high level of design flexibility, the new CD player chip sets are capable of supporting the most popular three-beam pick-up head (PUH) models from eight leading manufacturers.

In comparison, many other suppliers' chipsets are often dedicated to specific PUHs.

For a standard CD player requiring low component count, Toshiba offers the TC9457 chipset.

The TC9457F itself includes an adjustment-free digital servo DSP and a built-in CMOS 4bit microcontroller with I/Os available for LCD/LED driving and key scanning.

The TC9457 comes with the TA2153, a bipolar RF amplifier, and the TA2125 bipolar five-channel motor driver IC.

Incorporating all of the firmware and circuitry required for standard CD player functionality, the TC9457 minimises the need for additional software development.

The device operates from a supply voltage of 5V and is housed in a 100-pin QFP.

High-end systems with advanced features can be created using the new TC94A14 chipset, which comprises the TC94A14 CMOS digital servo single-chip processor, the TA2157 RF amplifier and the TA2125 bipolar five-channel motor driver IC.

Offering the designer the freedom to choose the external microcontroller unit best suited to the requirements of the system, the TC94A14 provides key functionality such as built-in RAM, a built-in anti-defect and anti shock circuit, an automatic adjustment function for focus and tracking, an EFM decoder, error correction and a microcontroller interface.

A new digital equaliser algorithm allows an improved playability compared to older systems.

This device offers 3.3V operation and is supplied in a 64-pin QFP.
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/tos/tos102.html

Buying Cars

2008-06-28T22:06:00.000-07:00

Buying a car can be a very long and difficult process for some. In this article I am going to give you the ins and outs of buying a car, whether its a used car or a brand new car. There are also other aspects I am going to talk about like car insurance and car loans. Since the internet revolution the car buying process has evolved immensely and we can getter even better deals than ever!

The first thing to do is RESEARCH! Find out what cars you are interested in. When you buy a car you are going to have it for a while so you better like it! The internet is a great place to start when researching cars. There are many sites that have loads of information on all car models. Look around and find some cars that are in your price range. Write down the make and model of the cars for later use. When buying a new car, you should also write down the blue book value of the car. This comes in handy when some car salesman tries to get that extra buck out of you.

The next step when buying a brand new car is LOOKING. Check out your local car dealerships and see if they have any of the car models you were interested in. Take them for a nice little test drive to make sure the car you like, drives well too. Sometimes the best looking cars don't fit your needs or drive well. Make sure you just go to look! Don't even think about buying anything at this point. Do not let a salesman cloud your judgment on what make and model car you want. They just want to sale you the most expensive one (usually). Once you have test driven a couple cars, head home! Do a little more research on the cars you were interested and really liked. Once you find the car that is in your price range and drives the way you like it, you can start looking to buy it.

The most important thing when dealing with car salesman is not giving in! You know how much the car is worth because you researched it on the internet. Let the salesman know you have researched and you know what your talking about. The biggest tip when buying a new car is patience. Its ok to go to the car dealership a few times before they give you the price you want. When you finally get that price you want, BUY IT!

When buying a used car its very important to ask a lot of questions. There are a lot of things people won't tell you about their used car. Ask for all the cars upgrades, repairs, accidents, and everything else. A good idea is to also check out the VIN number on the web and see all the information about the car. You can find almost everything using these VIN number lookups. I would usually try and stay away from car dealership when buying a used car. The internet is actually a really great place to find used cars. Ebay is a huge resource for finding used cars. There are also some other sites that are dedicated to selling used cars, like Autotrader.com. Its also important to be patient when buying a used car also. Third party sellers are more willing to lower their price because they just want to get the car off their hands. Give it some time and they will bring that price way down.

I hope this article has given you some great information about buying new cars and used cars. Just remember to do your research and be patient. Buying a car is a difficult process but when applying these steps, you will get the car you want at the price you can afford.
http://www.ezinearticles.com/

Buying and Sellng a Used Car Online

2008-06-14T03:56:00.000-07:00

Simple Ideas To Find Your Dream Car

2008-05-26T06:35:00.001-07:00

With rising gas costs around the US it is becoming clear that Americans will need to choose wisely when they aqree to use their cars. If you are actually looking for a new car it is now a huge task that you will be undertaking to seek out the best auto deal and also balance your checkbook in these turbulent financial times.

Although the issues are seemingly complicated at first, the solution to finding the right vehicle is actually rather simple when broken down into several aspects that enable a person to select a vehicle that presents the best possible value given today's economic climate and the challenges that it presents to a new owner.

For starters, if buying a new vehicle means owning a car that you haven't had before, a good idea would be to consider pursuing a used vehicle. Even thought a brand new vehicle is something that everybody desires from time to time, the undeniable fact of reality is that once you drive a new vehicle off the lot of a car dealership, it automatically loses at least a third of its after-market value. While that loss is something that makes less of an impact when you decide to keep the vehicle for at least six years, it nonetheless counts as something that you should consider when making the investment into a new automobile.

For example, a car that has relatively low mileage and is only a few years old presents to you the opportunity to obtain a modern car that still have plenty of life left and most likely retains several warranties, all of which can help you when you're concerned with reliability and maintenance.

Additionally, you will need to take into consideratin the cost of gas. Even though the general aesthetics of the car would be why you would choose to buy it, you are highly recommended to pay particular attention to the figures that are stuck on the windscreen too. Although it is nearly impossible to tell in what direction the cost of gasoline will go in the coming months, there is almost no chance whatsoever that the $2 a gallon gas will return to our gas stations.

Despite the importance of the aforementioned considerations, one prevailing issue that will affect anybody when looking for any kind of car is a credit score. When buying a vehicle, the best thing to do in any situation is get a copy of your credit history and peruse it, making certain to note any outstanding debts and other areas where you can improve your credit. Almost every lender will assess your credit and use it as a basis for determining the interest rates you receive and the amount that you could obtain, so making certain that you have a good credit score is very important.

Of course, even if you have a good credit, you should always shop around and try to find the best loan possible before buying a vehicle. Even though you may be capable of handling any type of loan, the best deals are usually found at credit unions, which typically offer the lowest interest rates.

Lastly, grow your large deposit. Even with everything else in order, one of the strongest assets you can possess is a large sum of cash that you present up front for the vehicle of your choice. Behaving in the way instills confidence in your character and also can influence the regular payments and the cost of interest associated with them.
http://www.ezinearticles.com

Car Powered by Water

2008-05-09T22:16:00.000-07:00

A car powered by water is a fact now. It has been a reality for several years. Over 70,000 Americans, 8,000 Australians and 5,000 Brits now have a car powered by water. Each of them has added an HHO kit to their vehicles themselves. It is incredibly easy to do and there is absolutely zero danger to the existing engine.

In fact an internal combustion engine with a hydrogen cell added has been shown to last twice as long as an engine powered solely by gas. There is actually a slight increase in the performance of the engine, so that is not an issue. Of course the big factor is that a car powered by water increases the efficiency of the engine and cuts gas costs in half.

Let me get straight what I mean by a car powered by water. Virtually all kits are an addition to the existing gas powered system. They are an add-on in the form of a cell containing an electrolyte which produces electricity and improves the efficiency of the gas engine. As things stand at the moment, a vehicle run entirely on water would be tortuous and is not yet really practical.

In an age where governments are becoming increasing worried (supposedly) about low carbon economies, resource conservation, carbon emissions and carbon capture, it seems incredible that so little attention is being paid to bio cars. Why is all the innovation being left to bright cookies who have come up with do it yourself guides? It beggars belief.

It doesn't really matter too much because get a good guide for converting your existing vehicle to a car powered by water and you can do it yourself for less than $300 without any technical expertise. I know, because I have already converted over 10 cars myself and I am certainly no mechanic. I have done each one at cost, but believe me, my friends would have been more than happy to pay 2 or 3 times that amount. They are all now happily saving from anything between $500 each year and up to $1800 a year on gas. Their cars perform better and their servicing bills are lower.

So what is the problem for the large manufacturers fitting hydrogen cells as an option on all cars? If it costs me less than 300 bucks to do it myself, surely they could fit HHO cells for a fraction of the price. It is not as if it is unproven technology. It is good for the environment, which everyone seems to spout as their main priority. It makes us less dependant on the supply of natural resources from foreign countries. It is great for the consumer because he or she spends less on running a vehicle.

Perhaps that is where the problem lies. Do you remember not so long ago the resistance to low-energy light bulbs? Manufacturers of standard light bulbs were horrified by the prospect. They were deliberately building in a low life expectancy so consumers would be forced to buy more of their product. Unfortunately, governments tend to support big business and ignore the concerns of consumers.
http://www.ezinearticles.com