Auto Dealers, Congress Meet for Sound Fuel Economy Hike

In July 17, new car and truck dealers from across the country discussed with Members of the House of Representatives their efforts to perform sound hike in the national Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standard. Dealers were urging their Representatives to support a bill, H.R. 2927 -- the Hill-Terry CAFE alternative, which would increase fuel economy 30 to 40 percent over the next 15 years.

The talk highlighted that consumers will ultimately determine the success or failure of any efforts of the government to modify fuel economy standards.

NADA Chairman Dale Willey said that there is a very thin line between directing more fuel economy and meeting consumer needs. According to him, it does not mean that consumers will buy these vehicles just because Congress sets a ridiculous CAFE standard. He added that if the consumers cannot get the vehicle that meets their needs, they will keep the ones they have, and that would defeat the intention of increasing fuel economy.

As regards House action on fuel economy expected as soon as next week, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and other lawmakers have stated publicly that they are supporting the more severe CAFE jump approved by the Senate in June, wherein a 35 mpg is minimum standard for combined car/truck. Automakers would be forced to dramatically trim down the sizes of their vehicles to those that carry less cargo, fewer people, and compromise safety. This would be the coarse just to meet the harsh Senate standard and other more radical proposals. These idealistic standards would greatly increase vehicle prices as new fuel saving technologies, such as hybrids or diesels, would add from $2,000-$5,000 to the cost of a vehicle; or simply totally eliminate certain models.

Willey said that a harder push on an arbitrary CAFE standard and an arbitrary starting date would result to a bigger risk of manufacturing vehicles that conflict with consumer demand rather than complementing or attaching consumer demand.

The Hill-Terry CAFE alternative increases current standards by Model Year 2022 form 32 to 35 mpg. Not like the Senate package, the Hill-Terry bill allows separate attribute standards for different classes of vehicles, such as cars, trucks and SUVs. These separate attribute standards protect the heterogeneity in vehicles that American consumers demand. The measure provides automakers ample lead-time to develop the technology needed in order to meet the new standards, and also balances fuel-economy hikes with vehicle diversity, safety concerns and affordability.

We will see how Honda oil pan maker, will react to the results of the talk, since Honda is one of the makers of fuel efficient cars in the market.

original by Ally Wahlberg
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Ally Wahlberg is a Computer Information Systems specialist. Ally leads an active lifestyle and he is a fan of extreme sports. He is also a car enthusiast and writing about his interests is one of his passions.

General Motors Rivals Asian Hybrids

In the competitive world of the auto industry, staying ahead of the competition is a key to a larger market share and profits, of course. The demand in the market should also be satisfied in order to attain success. The current demand in the United States auto market is for small and fuel efficient vehicles which Asian automakers have proven to be very good at. But more recently, American automakers are also claiming stake to supremacy in that particular segment.

Toyota, Honda and Nissan have already introduced this and that hybrids in the US auto market and the United States' Big Three are just starting to introduce their own. For the 2008 model year, Japanese automaker Honda announced that they will not be producing Accord Hybrids due to lack of consumer interest. This means that a competitor has been eliminated. General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler are now just coming out with a wide selection of hybrid vehicles. The only issue that is troubling for these automakers is: would their hybrids meet the same fate as the Accord Hybrid?

Two new hybrid vehicles will be offered by General Motors to the auto market for the 2008 model year. The first one, already making appearances in showrooms across the country is the Saturn Aura Green Line. The said auto model is actually a hybrid version of the reigning North American Car of the Year - the Saturn Aura sedan.

The second hybrid is the Chevrolet Malibu which is expected to hit dealerships late this fall. Both the Aura Green Line and the Malibu are hybrids, but do they have what it takes to take on Asian hybrids. Challenging the Prius is almost impossible. The most successful hybrid to date has already received many accolades for its fuel efficiency if not for its looks.

One disadvantage for the Saturn Aura Green Line, for example, is that it uses a 'mild' hybrid powertrain. What this means is that its powertrain is similar to that of a Prius but its electric motor and battery pack cannot power the Aura Green Line alone. This is also the same case for the Chevy Malibu.

According to General Motors, the two hybrid sedans will be powered by a 2.4-liter Ecotec four-cylinder engine. In comparison to conventional sedans, the Ecotec engine of the Aura Green Line and the Malibu is ten percent more fuel efficient than similar four-cylinder engines. Compared to V6 engines, the powerplant of the Aura Green Line and the Malibu are 25 percent more fuel efficient.

Although there is a distinct advantage in terms of fuel efficiency compared to similarly sized engines, the Aura Green Line and the Malibu pales in comparison to the Prius in terms of fuel efficiency.

With the powertrain of the Prius designed to allow the electric motor and the battery pack to power the sedan alone, fuel economy is increased. On city driving where frequent acceleration and deceleration is common, the Prius' powertrain shows its true potential. During deceleration, the engine is shut down thus eliminating waste of fuel on idling.

Although Asian hybrids are significantly more fuel efficient than the General Motors hybrids, their presence in the market is a sign that the Detroit automaker is heeding the call for fuel efficient vehicles. Aside from the Aura Green Line and the Malibu, General Motors also offers other hybrid vehicles. One of these is the Chevrolet Tahoe which has been refined for hybrid use. Components such as the Chevrolet Tahoe add-a-leaf kit is being offered with the hybrid for better suspension system.

original by Anthony Fontanelle
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Anthony Fontanelle is a 35-year-old automotive buff who grew up in the Windy City. He does freelance work for an automotive magazine when he is not busy customizing cars in his shop.

Will Ford Emulate General Motors?

Both General Motors and Ford are steadily losing ground in the United States auto market for the same reason. Both automakers have not expected that price of gasoline will sky rocket today that consumers will be opting for smaller and more fuel efficient vehicles. Both automakers are caught up in outdoing each other by producing larger and larger vehicles.

In the past, SUVs and pickup trucks are well and good. But in today's world where the price of petroleum fuel is continually rising along with the blood pressure of cost-conscious Americans, these large vehicles have become liabilities for General Motors and Ford.

Both are now pushing through with their turnaround plan to arrest their decreasing share market and sales. Detroit-based General Motors took a step which is currently paying off - a move that Ford has not made or has not made yet. General Motors' Saturn Division is not as popular as it is today, but under General Motors' turnaround plan, the brand has become one of the fastest growing auto brands in the United States auto market.

General Motors has revitalized the Saturn lineup by partnering it with German automaker Opel. The latter is also a subsidiary of the Detroit automaker. By infusing European styling to the new lineup of the Saturn brand, General Motors successfully attracted the attention of many consumers and auto journalists and critics as well. In fact, the Saturn Aura which was designed in Europe is the reigning North American Car of the Year.

The working relationship between Opel and Saturn did not only give birth to the revitalized Aura but also to other new Saturn auto models. The new Saturn Outlook has European styling cues all over it. The redesigned Saturn Vue is based on the Opel Antara. The new Vue has been receiving lots of praises for its new look and better performance - the result of Opel's collaboration. Another Saturn auto model with undeniable European lineage is the upcoming Saturn Astra which is a rebadged version of the Opel Astra.

The working relationship between the two automakers has been beneficial for Saturn, not only for the European designs of their autos but also of their performance. The two General Motors marques may also be sharing other components. A Saturn spark plug wire may be used by an Opel auto or vice versa.

Now, General Motors' European connection includes Saab and Vauxhall aside from Opel. Although these European automakers cannot be regarded as mediocre, they would pale in comparison to Ford's European connection. FoMoCo still has Jaguar, Land Rover and Volvo in its folds plus it still has shares in the ultra luxury brand Aston Martin.

If Ford emulates General Motors' initiative in bringing European styling to American cars, surely, the automaker can attract more consumers to their showrooms. With Volvo styling alone, Ford's American offerings can be at par with the revitalized Saturn lineup. In terms of performance, Jaguar and Aston Martin can provide good support for the automaker's American offerings.

But with Jaguar and Land Rover almost out of Ford's door, would an Opel/Saturn-like partnership be possible for FoMoCo? That is a question that many in the auto industry are still pondering on and only Ford can answer. Should Ford emulate General Motors or take its own route towards profitability? Emulating General Motors might gain Ford more attention, after all, the Ford Fusion Challenge has been adopted by General Motors for the Saturn Aura.

original by Anthony Fontanelle
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Anthony Fontanelle is a 35-year-old automotive buff who grew up in the Windy City. He does freelance work for an automotive magazine when he is not busy customizing cars in his shop.

Mclaren in More Serious Position

After a brilliant showing at the start of the season and the sensational performance of rookie Lewis Hamilton, McLaren Mercedes is now facing what could be a season-ruining scandal. The Formula One team has already been summoned by the FIA, the governing body of the sport. This is in connection with the Ferrari dossier found in possession of McLaren's chief designer Mike Coughlan.

The scandal turns for the worse for McLaren recently after it was reported that McLaren has already discovered technical details concerning the Ferrari cars even before the start of the season. This made things worse for the Woking-based Formula One team after it said in a statement that no one in the team has seen the dossier aside from Coughlan.

According to the Autosport magazine, the 'Ferrari spy' Nigel Stepney allegedly sent an e-mail to Coughlan before the start of the season. According to reports, the e-mail contained details about Ferrari's moveable 'floor' design. After denying that Coughlan is passing the information to other team members, McLaren questioned the FIA as to the legality of the movable 'floor' design of the Ferrari cars. The team approached the governing body of the sport at the Australian Grand Prix.

After McLaren approached the FIA concerning the 'floor' design of the Ferrari cars, the ruling body mandated Ferrari to change the design. According to reports, this caused the slump the Italian team met after the Australian Grand Prix. This shows that McLaren has information concerning the technical details of Ferrari cars.

McLaren will be meeting with a World Motor Sport Council four days after the upcoming European Grand Prix. McLaren has much to loose in the scandal. For one, the reputation of the team will be undermined. Partners Vodafone and Mercedes-Benz may also be dragged into the scandal. After years in the sport, the team has created a reputation of playing fair.

Analysts though are saying that it is almost impossible for McLaren to steal technical data from Ferrari to use on their cars. This is because the teams take different strategies in building their own cars. Using a particular Ferrari design for a McLaren car could even result to a poor performing car. For example, a Ferrari part designed for a Ferrari car can not be used to replace a particular part in the McLaren cars like the Mercedes-Benz control arm and the like which their engine partner Mercedes-Benz provides the team with.

McLaren currently leads the constructors' championship standings ahead of Ferrari. Rookie sensation Lewis Hamilton is also leading the drivers' championship standings ahead of teammate Fernando Alonso. The British Formula One driver though is not worried even if the FIA has the power to expel him and Alonso from the championship race.

"I don't think it's going to happen, so I'm not worried," said Hamilton. "I'm confident with what the team has done over the years and I have all faith in the team. I don't believe anything like that (passing secrets) would happen in the team."

"I've only been with the grand-prix team a year, but I have known Ron nine years and this is something he would never do. That's why I have such great belief in the team. I do feel they are one of the most honest teams out there. There are always teams trying to bend the rules in some way, but I believe we are the most honest. For me, I believe we will be all right," Hamilton concluded.

original by Anthony Fontanelle
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Anthony Fontanelle is a 35-year-old automotive buff who grew up in the Windy City. He does freelance work for an automotive magazine when he is not busy customizing cars in his shop.

Subaru to Equip Autos With Cvt

In the face of the increasing price of petroleum products in the world market, the demand for fuel efficient cars continually increases. This demand is directed towards automakers. Automobile manufacturers are now scrambling to come with technologies that would reduce the fuel consumption of their vehicles.

One of these automakers making steps forward in developing fuel efficient vehicles is the Japanese firm Subaru. The Japanese automaker has been known in the past as the maker of vehicles with all-wheel drive configuration and boxer engines.

In Subaru's plight to come up with fuel saving technologies for their vehicles, one solution is being reported as the next step that the Japanese automaker will be taking. According to Japanese daily Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun, Subaru is planning to use continuously variable transmissions on their auto models for the 2010 model year.

The use of CVT is steadily gaining ground. American automaker Chrysler is already using CVTs on some of their vehicles. The new Lancer from Mitsubishi is also equipped with a CVT. Another Japanese automaker which has been using CVTs is Nissan. In fact, in the automaker's environment-conscious plan, they are aiming to sell a million vehicles equipped with the CVT this year.

A continuously variable transmission is a gearbox with an infinite number of gear ratios between two set gear ratios. This so-called modern automatic transmission though is actually conceived hundreds of years ago by Leonardo da Vinci. Although it was conceptualized in 1490, the engineering challenge has pushed the CVT into obscurity. It is only now that it is being widely promoted by auto manufacturers. The reason for this is that with the use of a CVT, fuel consumption is reduced.

With an almost infinite number of gear ratios, a CVT efficiently transmits the power from the engine to other drivetrain components such as the Subaru axle and finally down to the wheels. What this means is that with less power being wasted, the vehicle's engine will not be tasked to produce more power. Thus, fuel consumption is reduced. With the current trend in the market, a fuel efficient vehicle with a CVT is a good choice for budget conscious consumers.

According to reports, although Subaru is yet to formally announce their plans, the first Subaru that will be equipped with a CVT is the next-generation Legacy. Technically, the Legacy will not be the first Subaru with a CVT since the Japanese automaker has already equipped past auto models with CVT. The small car Subaru Justy was offered with CVT when it was launched in the United States auto market until its discontinuation in 1994.

One issue that was raised concerning the plan of the Japanese automaker is financial. Although the company has mass-produced CVTs in the past for the Justy, their plan means that they would be mass producing CVTs not only for a single nameplate but several. Subaru's lineup includes the Impreza, the Forester, Legacy, and the Tribeca. This means that Subaru will be investing a huge sum for the mass production of CVTs for these auto models.

Although CVTs have been avoided by some consumers since they do not offer the exciting ride that manual transmissions can, Subaru's venture means that the carmaker is serious in its effort to help protect the environment.

original by Anthony Fontanelle
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Anthony Fontanelle is a 35-year-old automotive buff who grew up in the Windy City. He does freelance work for an automotive magazine when he is not busy customizing cars in his shop.

Ferrari Ready to Do Battle

The upcoming European Grand Prix will be a focal point in the battle for supremacy in the ongoing 2007 Formula One season. Although McLaren is leading Ferrari in the constructors' championship standings, Ferrari is staging a comeback of sorts. After bowing down to McLaren in the North American leg of the Formula One season, Ferrari has come back with two consecutive wins - both by former McLaren driver Kimi Raikkonen.

The Italian Formula One team Scuderia Ferrari recently arrived in Germany to prepare for the battle this weekend. Raikkonen's back-to-back victory at the French and British Grands Prix, Ferrari is now being seen as a strong contender to McLaren's leadership.

Kimi Raikkonen is currently third in the drivers' championship standings behind McLaren's Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso. Raikkonen is just six points behind the double world champion Alonso and 18 points behind rookie sensation Lewis Hamilton.

Although going into the European Grand Prix after two consecutive wins, Raikkonen has to contend with history as his last three races at the Nürburgring resulted to retirement. The Finn though is looking to stop that string of bad races at 'the Ring' with Ferrari. This is the first year of the Finn in the Italian team and he said that: "never had a perfect race at the Nürburgring with my former team – now it's time to succeed."

Raikkonen is also looking for a hat trick or three wins in a row. "It was great to win two consecutive races but we must continue to work hard to stay ahead of our main rivals. Let's hope we can make a hat trick as we did at Magny-Cours and Silverstone," he said. The Finn will be participating in the Friday test runs, the qualifying sessions on Saturday and on Sunday's race onboard his F2007 which has been performing at a high level. During the last two races, the car performed at its highest level, better than a Ferrari with the Airaid cold air intake.

Meanwhile, Felipe Massa who was overtaken by Raikkonen in the standings is confident going into the weekend event. "I am confident we have a very good package as we have seen from the last two races," the Brazilian Formula One driver said in an interview. "If I have to compare the F2007 with the McLaren, maybe our strong point is that we are better in the race, while maybe they have a slight edge in qualifying."

Thus, the Brazilian maintained that he is looking for a good qualifying session on Saturday. "Qualifying is important here at this track," Massa said. "The whole first sector of the track has a lot of slow corners where you can lose a lot of time if you make a mistake. Also in the final sector, with its chicane, it can be tricky."

The race though is taking a backseat to the spying scandal which involves Ferrari and McLaren. According to preliminary information, a Ferrari employee is secretly divulging secret information to a McLaren employee. Nigel Stepney of Ferrari has already been sacked while McLaren's Mike Coughlan has been suspended. The matter is already being investigated by the sport's ruling body. The FIA has already summoned McLaren to an inquiry which will be held four days after the race.

Massa, Raikkonen, Hamilton, and Alonso said that they are not concerned about the issue for one thing or another. "I don't want to discuss it, because for sure it is not a nice thing and I prefer to concentrate on my racing," said Massa. Alonso also said that he is focusing on driving.

original by Lauren Woods
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Given her background on cars as an auto insurance director, Lauren Woods finds the world of cars to be constantly changing.

Volkswagen Back in Formula Three

German automaker Volkswagen recently announced that they will be making their presence felt once again in Formula Three. The biggest European automaker announced that they will make their return to the sport later this season as they will be supplying engines to participating teams in the current season of the F3 Euroseries.

This will not be the first time that the German automaker will take an active participation in the sport. From 1979 until 1991, the automobile manufacturer recorded 92 wins at the German F3 series.

Along the way, the automaker has worked with drivers who had gone on to the big leagues, Formula One. Michael Schumacher, the seven-time Formula One world champion once raced in Formula Three with a Volkswagen engine. Tom Kristensen is also another successful race driver who also raced in Formula Three with a car equipped with a Volkswagen engine. Similar to Schumacher, Kristensen is also a seven-time champion but in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

The German automaker will be supplying 210-bhp two-liter engines to teams that the automaker is yet to name. Currently, all but one team in the Euroseries are using Mercedes-Benz engines. The exception is AM Holzer Rennsport which uses engines from Opel.

"With its aluminum cylinder block, the power unit possesses excellent basic architecture for the high demands in Formula 3," Wolfgang Hatz said, the Head of Powertrain Development for Volkswagen. "The very first development steps have confirmed this potential. The engine is now ripe for its first direct comparison on the race track."

The first race after a long tome that a Volkswagen engine will be used in Formula Three will be held at the Nürburgring in Nurburg, Germany. The engine has been tested for racing applications and all its racing components have been checked including its Volkswagen water pump but the true test will come on race day.

"Following the good test results obtained over the past few months, the race debut represents the first opportunity to see exactly where we stand in comparison with the competition," said Kris Nissen, Volkswagen's motorsport director.

Meanwhile, Audi has positive reaction about Volkswagen's re-entry to the Formula Three series. According to reports, Audi is looking to spot talented drivers from the F3 project of Volkswagen for their own racing program at the DTM or Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters.

Audi is owned by the Volkswagen Group and the link between the two automakers would mean that both will have the chance to groom drivers for their respective motorsports programs. "We always try to share a little bit the driver build-up within the group, and the F3 program suits this well," says Wolfgang Ullrich in an interview with autosport.com

Audi is competing with Mercedes-Benz in DTM while Volkswagen will be competing with Mercedes-Benz too in the Formula Three. In the past, Mercedes-Benz has the advantage over Audi since it can take drivers from the Euroseries to DTM which Audi was not successful in emulating. But with Volkswagen back in F3, Audi will have an almost level playing field with Mercedes-Benz.

This is supported by Nissen saying: "Volkswagen has been committed to promoting young talent for many decades. Returning to Formula Three is therefore the logical continuation of this commitment." One question that arises from this development though is whether Volkswagen or Audi will be moving up to challenge Mercedes-Benz in Formula One.

original by Anthony Fontanelle
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Anthony Fontanelle is a 35-year-old automotive buff who grew up in the Windy City. He does freelance work for an automotive magazine when he is not busy customizing cars in his shop.

Jaguar Tops J.d. Power Customer Service Index

Jaguar, the luxury brand being auctioned off by Dearborn-based automaker Ford, recently received the distinction of having the highest Customer Service Index according to a study conducted by J.D. Power and Associates.

The study is undertaken to learn the level of satisfaction of customers in dealing with their respective dealerships. According to the study, 75 percent of auto owners make it a point to make an appointment before dropping by a dealership. Interestingly, the level of satisfaction of these customers is lower than the satisfaction level of those who did not bother to make reservation.

For the British luxury brand Jaguar though, both kinds of customers show a high level of satisfaction. This distinction gives the brand something to cheer about after months of declining sale. According to the study, on a scale where 1,000 is the highest possible rating, Jaguar customers rated the dealerships of the Ford-owned luxury brand at 925 points. That level of satisfaction eclipsed last year's leader by 13 points.

Surely, Jaguar is doing something right when it comes to treating their customers whether they have reserved and appointment or not. According to Tom Gauer, the senior director of automotive retail research for J.D. Power and Associates, the reason behind the low level of satisfaction for customers who have made appointments is that they more often than not find service centers catering to drop-in customers before them.

And that also explains why drop-in customers show high level of satisfaction. Usually, these customers expect that they would be turned away since they do not have reservations. But more often than not, service centers welcome them.

"Dealerships can seize this opportunity for improvement by continuing to delight drop-in customers, but also by paying special attention to customers with appointments, and greeting them promptly so that those customers know that their appointment time has been reserved especially for their vehicles," said Gauer.

Although no efficient brake components can stop the Ford Motor Company from auctioning off Jaguar, not even those found at EBC Active Brakes Direct, the customer satisfaction rating for Jaguar may attract more buyers to its dealerships. Number two on the ranking is General Motors' Buick with a Customer Service Index or CSI of 918 points. Cadillac and Lexus are tied for third place with 913 points each. Interestingly, two marques named after planets completed the top five; Mercury in fourth and Saturn coming fifth.

Gauer said that repairing or doing maintenance jobs on the vehicles of customers is not the only important aspect in keeping them satisfied. "While fixing a vehicle right the first time is important, personal interaction and communication from service staff can also be critical in keeping customers satisfied with their service experience," he said.

"Simple steps such as greeting service customers quickly upon arrival, fully explaining charges and repairs and performing visual inspections of the vehicle with the customer can go a long way toward promoting satisfaction and loyalty."

What this means is that while Jaguar may not be selling vehicles in numbers that Ford would want it to but it takes care of its consumers. But with less vehicles sold year after year, does this simply mean that Jaguar has more time on their hands in fixing the problem of their customer's cars? That does not seem to be the case since Jaguars sold in the past are numerous and these are what keeps Jaguar dealerships busy.

original by Anthony Fontanelle
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Anthony Fontanelle is a 35-year-old automotive buff who grew up in the Windy City. He does freelance work for an automotive magazine when he is not busy customizing cars in his shop.

Dana Deal’s ‘absurd and One-sided’ Says Shareholder

Dana Corporation's largest shareholder has sent a letter to the board of the auto-parts maker criticizing a recent deal, reported the Associated Press. The Hedge Fund Appaloosa Management, a shareholder, said that the investment deal reached two weeks ago "absurd and one-sided."

Toledo-based Dana won a commitment from private-equity firm Centerbridge Capital Partners to invest as much as $750 million. Meanwhile, Appaloosa said that the deal is a loser for Dana shareholders.

New Jersey hedge fund Appaloosa Management LP said in a letter to Dana's board that the agreement, under which private-equity firm Centerbridge Capital Partners LP made an investment commitment for as much as $750 million, "will yield far less than the maximum recoveries available to stakeholders," reported the Detroit News.

As round and dynamic as a Subaru wheel bearing, the concerns are rolling. In June, Appaloosa signaled that the fund run by billionaire David Tepper, owner of a 15 percent stake in Dana and a "substantial" owner of its debt, may guide a group of investors in offering an alternative to the bankruptcy reorganization plan Dana was developing.

A week later, Dana announced the Centerbridge deal, which also covered a pact with two unions regarding the creation of union-managed voluntary employees' beneficiary associations, or VEBAs, to manage retiree health and long-term disability benefits for workers. The auto supplier would cease providing those benefits and fund the VEBAs, which are separate trusts, with a payment of about $700 million in cash and $80 million in stock of the reorganized company, the News said.

The VEBAs would allow the auto supplier to remove a liability of about $1 billion from its balance sheet, according to court papers. Both the Centerbridge and labor deals need bankruptcy court approval.

Appaloosa said in its correspondence that "management and its advisers continue to resist our efforts to obtain" information needed to develop an alternative plan. The utilization of such fund is expected to result in creditors being fully paid and stockholders receiving some sort of return. A copy of the letter was attached in a filing Thursday with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

"To date, management has conditioned our access to information upon us agreeing to give up inherent rights of a stakeholder, including our right to make a proposal without management's prior approval, and has ceded to Centerbridge material decision making authority regarding the terms of access to information," said Appaloosa. "The efforts of management and its advisers in concert with Centerbridge to exclude interested investors from the process will inevitably ensure that no alternative competitive proposals ever materialize."

Dana has been in Chapter 11 proceedings since March 2006. The auto supplier is expected to file its reorganization plan by Sept. 3. Then, the company's exclusive right to file a plan would expire and investors would be free to submit contender plans. In time, the auto supplier expects to emerge from bankruptcy and aim to return in the black.

Regardless of the alleged hindrances in getting information, Appaloosa outlined in its letter what a potential investment package from it could entail. It too proposes up to $750 million in equity investment, but it also is proposing to obtain a $1.5 billion credit facility and issue unsecured notes, the amount of which to be determined, in exit financing, added The News.

Appaloosa, which runs about $3 billion in assets, has been a key player in a number of large Chapter 11 cases. It currently leads a group of investors that have decided to thrust $2.55 billion into Delphi Corp. to finance its emergence from bankruptcy. The said deal with is itself being defied by Highland Capital Partners.

original by Anthony Fontanelle
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Anthony Fontanelle is a 35-year-old automotive buff who grew up in the Windy City. He does freelance work for an automotive magazine when he is not busy customizing cars in his shop.

Honda is Moving Into Aviation

Honda Motor Corporation the producer of top-of-the line Honda wipe blade is moving into aviation and would be investing a total of $27 million in a North Carolina plant that would build engines for small business jets.

The construction of the factory and headquarters of Honda Aero Inc. will soon start in Burlington, North Carolina according to Fumitaka Hasegawa, Chief Executive Officer of the unit at a press briefing yesterday. The new factory will create 70 new jobs said Mike Easley, the state's governor.

Honda will be setting aside $127 million for its aviation facilities including the $40 million needed for the construction of the North Carolina plant that would build the eight-person Honda Jet. The world's biggest engine manufacturer said that there are already more than 100 orders for their $3.65 million aircraft which will use the company's engines and at the same time compete with models from the likes of Textron Inc.'s Cessna, the largest maker of business jets.

According to Richard Aboulafia, an analyst at Teal Group in Alexandria, Virginia, who has consulted with Honda on the aircraft market, "It's going to be a slow uphill battle. They are going to get a receptive market, but will have to pay to enter it. They'll probably have to spend as much in marketing costs as they are for facilities."

Tokyo-based Honda has announced that the Burlington factory will start building the HF120 turbofan engines in 2010 with initial production of about 200 units. The engines are to be sold via a venture formed with General Electric Co. the world's largest maker of aircraft engines.

Fuel Efficiency
In terms of fuel efficiency the new engines will be 50 percent more fuel-efficient than other competing turbofan models, Honda said.

Mark Wagner, program manager for the GE Honda Aero Engine venture said that the engine will also be "the lowest cost to own and operate." He also added that there is also the possibility that the price will be less than $500,000 each.

Honda will perform the final assembly in Burlington, while General Electric will take care of the repair and service under their joint venture. The partnership has already sold more than 200 engines according to GE spokesman Rick Kennedy.

The Honda Aero has been previously based in Reston, Virginia and would be moving 15 people from that location.

Honda Motor is currently Japan's second biggest automaker next to Toyota Motor Corp. But in terms of motorcycle, Honda is world's largest motorcycle manufacturer. Its US automotive headquarters is located in Torrance, California.

original by Ally Wahlberg
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Ally Wahlberg is a Computer Information Systems specialist. Ally leads an active lifestyle and he is a fan of extreme sports. He is also a car enthusiast and writing about his interests is one of his passions.

Delphi, Uaw Labor Deal Approved

A federal bankruptcy judge approved yesterday a new labor deal between the Delphi Corp. and the United Auto Workers (UAW) that offers senior workers cash payments in lieu of reduced wages and benefits.

The much-awaited court approval pushes the auto supplier one step closer from bankruptcy protection. "I will approve the settlement. It's clear to me that the settlement meets the all of the tests," said U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Robert Drain of the UAW deal.

Drain said that the labor pact was fair, reasonable and thoughtfully negotiated. Additionally, the only objection was a single letter from an employee. The judge noted that 68 percent of UAW workers approved the deal in June.

The court approval is a major milestone, averting Delphi's other option, which was to petition the court to invalidate its union contracts and allow the company to impose lower wages, said the Detroit News. The union said that the move would provoke a strike, an occurrence that could have crippled the auto supplier. Currently, the company is in talks with and must still reach pacts with its five other smaller unions.

Delphi's lead bankruptcy attorney, Jack Butler, said that the labor pact was "carefully negotiated" adding the company was pleased a deal had been reached after long talks. "This is an appropriate settlement," he said.

One of the key reasons that triggered the auto supplier to declare bankruptcy in October 2005 was because it said that it had unsustainably high costs and could not convince its unions to give up its wages and benefits it had won at the bargaining table.

Troy-based Delphi announced last Friday that it had rejected a $3.3 billion financing proposal from Highland. The disclosure shows Delphi actively considered both deals until nearly the very last minute and shed more light on the details of the new financing deal announced on Wednesday.

But Highland said in a filing Friday that it planned to push its bid. The company was asking for more meetings with Delphi and planned to "seek support from interested parties." The Detroit News reported June 15 that people involved in the transaction said a "bidding war" for Delphi could emerge in bankruptcy court.

In June, UAW members approved the new labor pact, which includes payments for longer-term workers who will concur to take a reduced hourly wage in connection with newer workers. The auto supplier, meanwhile, will close 11 of 21 UAW represented plants. It will run four while seven will be sold. As such, UAW members at Delphi will drop from 17,000 to about 10,000 or 11,000 in the next few years, UAW President Ron Gettlefinger said.

The pace of the progress is as fast as Borla performance. To stress, almost all of the terms of the pact will go into effect immediately. One exception is Delphi's plan to freeze its pension plan. In the previous year, Delphi said it planned to freeze pensions for hourly and salaried workers in the first half of 2007.

Butler said that the auto supplier currently had 165,000 employees, down from 185,000 worldwide when it filed for Chapter 11. The fate of Delphi's eight other plants in the United States will be determined at the bargaining table. Talks led by John Sheehan, Delphi's chief financial officer, were continuing in Troy late Thursday with the two unions.

The company filing also reveals that the Appaloosa-led team will get up to $64 million in fees paid by Delphi, as well as unspecified "out of pocket" expenses, The News said. In addition to Appaloosa, the other investors are Harbinger Capital Partners; UBS Securities; Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Inc.; Goldman Sachs and Pardus Capital Management.

original by Mike Bartley
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Mike Bartley, 49, is a professional automotive journalist domiciled in Irvine, CA. He travels from one state to another to cover the hottest auto shows, racing events and automotive revelations. His penned compositions cover press releases, reviews, and suggestions. Where the auto action is, that's exactly where you can find Mike.

Honda to Increase Its North American Production

The growing demands for Honda's fuel-efficient cars have encouraged the Japanese automaker to increase production capacity in North America and on its other plants elsewhere to maintain the momentum for global growth.

The annual production of Honda's plant in North America will reach 1.62 million vehicles by fall next year from the current 1.4 million that is according to Honda Motor Co. President Takeo Fukui in an interview with reporters last Wednesday.

Honda's President also said that the production capacity for Japan's No. 2 automaker was being increased in other parts of the world as well. Honda, which produces the Accord and Acura cars with highly durable Honda wheel bearing, plans to build its first auto plant in Argentina and second auto plant in Thailand. The Japanese automaker also plans of setting up a research and development center in China that would build models designed for the growing Chinese market.

For North America, Honda is planning a new auto plant in Indiana that would become Honda's seventh North America plant. The new plant is scheduled to begin production by fall of 2008 according to Honda President Fukui.

Later this year, Honda's plant in Mexico will start making the CR-V sport utility vehicle with annual production capacity increased from 30,000 vehicles to 50,000 vehicles said President Fukui.

The demand for Honda vehicles is continuously increasing attributed to the automaker's reputation in providing good mileage like for instance its Fit subcompact and CR-V especially during the times when gas prices are at their highest. But of course competition has also been intensifying especially now that automakers have started developing better car technologies that increase vehicles' fuel efficiency and at the same time minimizing harmful environmental impacts.

Honda President Fukui said that Honda was contributing to local production with 80 percent of Honda cars sold and produced in North America. He said, "Honda will further accelerate its efforts to strengthen the core characteristics that make Honda unique in each business area."

He also added that Honda will boost production capacity at its plant in Mexico and Turkey. For Turkey, Honda is working to increase its annual production capacity to 50,000 vehicles from 30,000 by early 2008 to answer the growing demand in Europe.

Honda will also be investing an additional 23 billion yen or US$188 million for its plant in Thailand where demand is expected to increase. The new plant will be constructed next to Honda's existing Thai plant and will have an annual output capacity of 120,000 vehicles thus doubling Honda's production there. Operation of the new Thai plant is expected to start in the later part of 2008.

For Honda's new plant in Argentina the Japanese automaker will invest around US$100 million. The new plant will also create 800 new jobs and will produce 30,000 compact passenger vehicles a year. Production will start on Honda's Argentina plant on the later half of 2009 that is according to President Fukui.

original by Ally Wahlberg
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Ally Wahlberg is a Computer Information Systems specialist. Ally leads an active lifestyle and he is a fan of extreme sports. He is also a car enthusiast and writing about his interests is one of his passions.

Hamilton Stays Positive as Hearing Nears

Lewis Hamilton believes McLaren will be exonerated at next week's hearing into the Formula One "spy" scandal, reports BBC Sport. The team goes in front of the World Motor Sports Council in Paris next Thursday to answer a charge pertaining to "fraudulent conduct."

The 22-year-old McLaren rookie, leading the drivers' championship, is positive about the whole thing. "I'm very confident it's going to go well, so it is not really playing on my mind at all," says the Briton.

Hamilton, teammate Fernando Alonso and the entire McLaren team face the prospect of having points docked or even ejected off the championship competition if they are found guilty of breaking the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile rules. The Mercedes-Benz fuel tank cap and other McLaren car parts are expected to maintain safety, efficiency and precautions. But could the team maintain its presence this season?

Amid the espionage hype, the suspension of chief designer Mike Coughlan who allegedly received illegal information belonging to Ferrari, and the threat of a possible expulsion, enthusiasts believe McLaren can get through the situation unharmed.

McLaren boss Ron Dennis has unwaveringly maintained his and his team's innocence in the whole affair since news broke of Coughlan's suspension on 3 July. He has insisted the 780-page Ferrari technical documents was "only in the possession of one currently suspended employee" - namely Coughlan, BBC Sport continues.

It was alleged by the Scuderia team that some of the members of McLaren, including Martin Whitmarsh, were aware of the Ferrari documents. Although Coughlan was apparently urged to destroy the files, it is a matter of when the other team personnel knew he had them in his possession.

Notwithstanding fears Hamilton's 12-point lead over Alonso could potentially be eliminated if the FIA sees fit, the Briton insists he still supports his boss Dennis. "I know the team is working hard on it," says Hamilton, who is struggling to overcome a 'flu bug in time for Sunday's European Grand Prix in Germany.

"I've only been with the team a year, but I have known Ron nine years and this is something he would never do. That's why I have such great belief in the team. I do feel they are one of the most honest teams out there," says Hamilton. "There are always teams trying to bend the rules in some way, but I honestly believe we are the most honest. For me, I believe we will be all right."

Double world champion Alonso has this to say: "What will happen will happen. They (the WMSC) will decide whatever they think is the good thing, so as drivers we don't care."

Meanwhile, Hamilton's goal will be to get well for Sunday's Nurburgring race. "I don't think it's going to be a problem. I've just caught a bit of 'flu, but it's OK. I'm really up for it. The worst of it was earlier on in the week. Trust me, I'm a lot better now than I was on Monday."

Hamilton drove a few laps of a small karting track just outside the Nurburgring in a promotional event on Wednesday. "We did the Vodafone karting event and it's really nerve-wracking going back in a go-kart because I'm a bit rusty. I know Nico's been in a kart since me," says Hamilton. But he was still clearly struggling. "I've got some good medicine, I'm with a good team, so I'm sure there will be no problems."

McLaren and Ferrari ended the first day of practice at the Nurburgring pretty evenly matched, as a mere 0.139s separated fastest man Kimi Raikkonen and Hamilton, reports Formula One website.

original by Anthony Fontanelle
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Anthony Fontanelle is a 35-year-old automotive.buff who grew up in the Windy City. He does freelance work for an automotive magazine when he is not busy customizing cars in his shop.

Porsche Success to Boost Vw Profitability

Porsche AG's 911, a $72,400 sports car, helped make the carmaker the world's most profitable in 2006, says a Bloomberg report. Meanwhile, CEO Wendelin Wiedeking says earnings will grow even more thanks to models such as Volkswagen AG's Golf, a $15,000 hatchback.

A significant number of critics mocked the decision of the German sports car manufacturer to acquire a stake in Volkswagen a couple of years ago. Now, they are silenced by the clear showing of VW's quintessence in the manufacturer's auto industry existence. Their analysis could have been clouded by a Volkswagen vent visor. But, at present, it is high time for them to realize the salient point behind the acquisition.

Wiedeking, 54, said in an interview that the company may extend the luxury car's share-price gains by raising the stake and using Porsche's influence to transform Europe's biggest carmaker. Analysts and investors added Porsche's experience in lean production will boost Volkswagen's profitability, while the companies will save by sharing development costs.

At present, profit of the German Volkswagen, now 31 percent owned by Porsche, is creeping up since its tie-up with the Stuttgart-based automaker. Additionally, the partnership has helped Porsche's shares more than double.

"Porsche knows how to take care of itself and stands to gain significantly from its ownership in Volkswagen," said Peter Braendle, who helps manage about 63 billion Swiss francs or $52 billion in assets at Swisscanto Asset Management in Zurich, including shares in both car companies.

According to Adam Jonas, an analyst at Morgan Stanley in London, Porsche's profit may grow to more than 3 billion euros or $4.1 billion in five years from 1.39 billion euros in the 12 months ended July 2006. Jonas expects the company's shares to reach 1,650 euros within a year, compared with Thursday's closing price of 1,330 euros.

Juergen Meyer, who helps manage about 1.3 billion euros of assets at SEB Asset Management in Frankfurt, including Volkswagen and Porsche shares, noted that the collaboration between Porsche and Volkswagen is extremely vital to Porsche.

Bloomberg recently surveyed 36 analysts to know if they are in favor or against the holding of Volkswagen's shares. Of 36 analysts surveyed, 17 including Kohlhoff recommend selling the shares. Furthermore, 13 rate the shares "hold'' and six rate them "buy.''

"The influence of Porsche management at VW could prove significant," said Avaneesh Acquilla, an analyst at UBS Ltd. in London. "Volkswagen is increasingly the dominant share-price driver'' for Porsche.

The tie-up has brought out the best of both companies. "Volkswagen has become leaner," said Andreas Dittmer, who helps manage about 3.5 billion euros in assets at Apo Asset Management in Cologne, Germany, including Volkswagen shares.

On the other hand, Porsche is entitled to almost a third of Volkswagen's dividend, which was 497 million euros in 2006. Porsche's profit will rise "significantly - and I mean significantly" this year because of Volkswagen, Wiedeking said on June 26.

This is the obvious reason why Porsche is tightening its grip on Volkswagen. The huge slice of savings could be attributed to the sharing of technology as well as production costs. According to Bloomberg, since 2002, Volkswagen has built the body of Porsche's Cayenne sport-utility vehicle, which shares a platform with the VW Touareg and the Audi Q7.

"Research and development is the biggest cash drain for car companies," said Thomas Aney, an analyst at Dresdner Kleinwort in Frankfurt. "Porsche is going to save a ton of money piggy-backing on Volkswagen." The companies are working on gasoline-electric versions of their SUVs, and Porsche may begin offering diesel engines in its vehicles, a technology Volkswagen specializes in, Aney noted.

original by Anthony Fontanelle
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Anthony Fontanelle is a 35-year-old automotive.buff who grew up in the Windy City. He does freelance work for an automotive magazine when he is not busy customizing cars in his shop.

Ford Won’t Make it Easy…

Yesterday was the deadline for bids on the Ford Motor Co.'s Jaguar and Land Rover brands. And according to the sources close to the deal, as reported by the Detroit News, the automaker is not making it easy.

The Dearborn-based automaker has given potential bidders limited information about the financial condition of the two European brands that belong to the company's Premium Automotive Group (PAG). They have not been allowed to visit any of the factories, nor have they been allowed to talk with senior management at either brand, reported the Detroit News.

Ford has told interested parties that they can only bid on Jaguar and Land Rover if they are not contemplating a major restructuring that would involve closing plants or moving production overseas, the report added.

The restrictions imposed by the automaker show how anxious it is about the potential fallout from any sale of the legendary European brands. Ford, which has been in the British auto industry for almost as long as it has in the United States, is deemed virtually as a domestic brand by most Britons. It is the hot-selling brand in Britain, making that one of the few markets where it outsells competitor General Motors Corp. And Ford is cautious enough to prevent any move that could compromise its standing in the territory.

In 2000, identical issues surfaced when BMW sold MG Rover to private investors. But those proved largely unfounded, said Garel Rhys, the director of the Centre for Automotive Industry at Cardiff University in Wales.

He added, "Ford wants to be seen as going with dignity where these brands are concerned. The private equity market has to learn this is not an area where they are simply going to be set free." As reported, there is at least one bid from the British private equity community, but foreign investors have also intimated their interest in Jaguar and Land Rover.

One name that has come up repeatedly is that of Ripplewood Holdings LLC, a New York-based private equity firm with a history of automotive investments. Spokesman Jeff Taufield would not say whether the company had submitted a bid and declined to comment on speculation that it is among those interested in acquiring the two brands.

"We've had contacts from third parties," said Ford spokesman Tom Hoyt. "We're assessing strategic operations for all of our operations." Hoyt would not confirm today's deadline.

"This is just round one," said one person close to the situation. The automaker has retained three banks consist of Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley and HSBC to handle the sale dubbed "Project Swift." A company source told The News the automaker would like to see a sale completed by the end of the year.

Ford could get $8 billion for Jaguar and Land Rover, and another $7 billion for its Swedish Volvo brand, which is also in play, said Jon Rogers of Citigroup. That sum could play a significant role in helping the automaker circumvent its struggling North American operations.

But Rhys questions how much cash Ford is walking away from. By his count, the global luxury market accounts for about 11 percent of automobile sales worldwide. Ford sold off Aston Martin earlier this year. Without Jaguar, Land Rover or Volvo, he says Ford will have no way to play in that lucrative arena. "It speaks volumes about their fears for the core business in the United States," he said.

Meanwhile, even the Ford Mustang tail light cover could not hide the uncertainty affecting consumers. "Anytime there is uncertainty, there is unrest," said Beau Boeckmann, the vice president of Galpin Motors, the largest Jaguar dealership in the world.

original by Anthony Fontanelle
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Anthony Fontanelle is a 35-year-old automotive.buff who grew up in the Windy City. He does freelance work for an automotive magazine when he is not busy customizing cars in his shop.

Guangzhou Honda to Establish a Wholly-owned R&d Subsidiary in China

Honda's automobile production and sales joint in China, Guangzhou Honda Automobile Co., Ltd has announced the establishment of a wholly-owned R&D subsidiary in China.

With an additional investment of around 2 billion R.M.B. or approximately 30 billion yen the new Honda subsidiary, Guangzhou Honda Automobile Research & Development Co. Ltd. will build an automobile R&D facility with a full-scale high-speed test score. The main objective of the R&D facility is to develop a new automobile product, which will be marketed as an original brand of Guangzhou Honda with expected sales to start in 2010.

This new vehicle will of course still make use of standard high quality Honda auto components such Honda valve cover gasket but overall will be a unique product that would cater to the specific needs of the Chinese market.

To market the new vehicle, Guangzhou Honda plans to use an original Guangzhou Honda brand which will be distinct from the Honda brand. This will be the first time that a joint venture company of a foreign automaker will create and market a product under an original brand of the joint venture company in China.

Starting the production in 1999, Guangzhou Honda has been steadily establishing a business foundation in China through various efforts such as expanding production capacity that is consistent with increasing sales, increasing local content, and strengthening its network of dealers.

The establishment of an R&D center in China displays the company's commitment to gain greater freedom in the area of R&D that is aside from production and sales which would position the company for a further opportunity for growth in the future as a successful and growing joint venture company in the local market.

Honda has always been ahead of other companies when it comes to the introduction of new concepts to the automobile industry in China starting in the late 90s. Honda has been able to record achievement in terms of local production of the latest model Accord in China with Guangzhou Honda; establishment of China's first dedicated automobile dealer network which integrates sales, service, service parts supply, and customer service; and the fist full-scale export to Europe of passenger vehicles manufactured at the Honda Automobile (China) Co. Ltd. plant which is committed to solely to exports. And now, Honda will once again takes on a new challenge as it developed a new product that would be sold under an original brand of its joint venture company in China.

original by Ally Wahlberg
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Ally Wahlberg is a Computer Information Systems specialist. Ally leads an active lifestyle and he is a fan of extreme sports. He is also a car enthusiast and writing about his interests is one of his passions.

De Ferran Leaves Honda, Ex-honda Designer Willis Joins Red Bull

Gil de Ferran has filed for an immediate resignation relinquishing his role as Honda's sporting director. The former Brazilian Indycar racer has won twice the CART title and the Indianapolis 500 in 2003 before joining Honda's team in April of 2005.

Unfortunately after years of staying with the manufacturer of Honda air filter recharge kit, Honda, de Ferran has find out that the job has failed to match up with what he initially hopes for. The 39-year-old Brazilian Indycar racer has left the team to pursue other opportunities.

De Ferran said in a team statement, "I am obviously very disappointed to be leaving the Honda F1 team. I have a huge amount of respect and admiration for Honda, with whom I have been successfully associated for more than 10 years. Consequently, my decision to leave has not been an easy one. I simply feel that I came to this team to fulfil a particular role and it has not materialized as I had hoped. I would like to thank everyone at the team for the support I have been given and I wish them luck in the future."

De Ferran's departure came less than a year after Jenson Button obtained the contemporary Honda Team's maiden victory in Hungarian Grand Prix. The English racer ended the season with a strong string of points-paying finishes.

Unfortunately for Honda's team it has suffered a dramatic misfortune this season with Button taking their only Championship point far in the recent French Grand Prix.

Honda team Principal Nick Fry said, "I am disappointed that Gil is leaving our team. Since he joined us in 2005 we have enjoyed a very positive relationship. However, a Formula One team is rather like a jigsaw puzzle in that every piece has to fit precisely in its place. Gil has become increasingly uncomfortable in his role and feels the time has now come to seek fresh opportunities. We are very much hoping that Gil will choose to maintain close links with the Honda family."

Willis joins Red Bull
In other news another ex-Honda this time the former designer Geoff Willis has joined Red Bull as part of the team continuous recruitment drive with the hope of taking them to the top of Formula One.

Willis will work for start designer Adrian Newey, Red Bull's design boss. These two great designers have previously gained success with Williams in the 1990s.

Willis joins Red Bull as technical director but will be reporting to Newey on design. The 47-yea-old have left Honda last summer after Japanese Shuhei Nakamoto was promoted above him.

At Williams, Newey and Willis has formed one of F1's highly-successful partnerships wherein their cars won 4 drivers' titles and 5 constructors' championships from 1992 to 1997.

The addition of Willis is part of a series of high-profile technical appointments by Red Bull which identified 2008 as the year they hope to make a serious impression at the front in F1.

original by Ally Wahlberg
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Ally Wahlberg is a Computer Information Systems specialist. Ally leads an active lifestyle and he is a fan of extreme sports. He is also a car enthusiast and writing about his interests is one of his passions.

Honda to Build New Plants in Thailand and Argentina

Honda Automobile Thailand Co. Ltd., Honda's automobile production and sales subsidiary in Thailand has announced recently that it has started the construction of its second auto plant as it sees further growth in demand for automobiles in Thailand and in other market in Asia/Oceania region.

The second plant was constructed adjacent to the existing plant and is scheduled to start mass production in the later part of 2008. The annual production capacity of the new plant will reach up to 120,000 units in the future and will create an additional 2,200 jobs. Combining the production capacity of the new plant with that of the production of 120,000 units of existing plant will produce a total of 240,000 units annually. Honda the producer of Honda muffler has invested around 6.2 billion baht or 23 billion yen on the new plant.

The new Honda plant in Thailand will be an eco-friendly facility equipped with a "complete water recycling system" with zero emissions of industrial water, and water-based paint with minimal VOC or volatile organic compounds emissions. It will also be equipped with solar cell panels that will help in reducing CO2 emissions by 10 percent.

Honda will also continue in amplifying the quality of its operations in Thailand and in the process further strengthening the business foundation in other markets in the Asia/Oceania region.

Honda to Invest in New Car Plant in Argentina

Aside from Thailand, Honda will also have a new plant constructed in Argentina. The Japanese automaker has invested $100 million on the new plant which was constructed primarily for the production of compact passenger cars, according to the announcement made by newly appointed Economy Minister Miguel Peirano.

The new Honda Argentina plant will create an additional 800 jobs and will have an annual output of 30,000 cars that are destined for both local and Latin American market.

In a press conference, Honda Motor Director General Leandro Risso said that the construction of the new plant will begin in September but actual production will start in 2009.

original by Ally Wahlberg
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Ally Wahlberg is a Computer Information Systems specialist. Ally leads an active lifestyle and he is a fan of extreme sports. He is also a car enthusiast and writing about his interests is one of his passions.

Avanti: the American Alternative to European Sports Cars

Avanti Motors the maker of Avanti catalytic converter can trace its roots back to the year 1962 when the first Avanti, which was at that time a product of the legendary Studebaker auto manufacturer, was launched.

The present Avanti is more of a modern tribute to the original revolutionary vehicle styled by Raymond Loewy. The 2007 Avanti still possess most of the original car's unique lines such as the circular headlamps, the asymmetrical bonnet bulge, the absence of a front grill, and the coke bottle profile.

The 2007 Avanti is still built on a Mustang chassis. And its standard and only powertrain is the regular Mustang 300-horsepower, 3-valve, V8, with 5-speed automatic transmission. The car is available in a convertible model, in a standard Mustang top, or a coup with a unique side and back roof.

The technical specifications are identical except for the 245/40-18 and 275/40-18 tires fr/rr. The interior is also in standard Mustang GT with the Avanti logo sewn into the door and seat panels. The dashboard is made up of wood eliminating the large chrome rings around the speedo and tach.

Each Avanti is assembled by a team of highly dedicated craftsmen at the production facility located in Cancun, Mexico. They produce just 150 Avantis each year thus ensuring the exclusivity of the vehicle.

The originally produced Avanti was conceived as the American alternative to the luxury sports cars of the UK and continental Europe. The current Avanti continues that role.

Details on the 2007 Avanti Convertible and Coupe

Avanti Convertible

Engine Specifications:

Engine type: 4.6 OHV 24V VB

Engine Electronics: EEV-V

Displacement: 4.6L (281 cu. in.)

Horsepower (SAE net@rpm): 300@5750

Torque (lb-ft@rpm): 320@4500

Compression Ratio: 9.8:1

Bore and Stroke (in.): 3.6x3.6

Main Bearings: 5

Valve Lifters: Hydraulic with Roller Finger Followers

Fuel Delivery: Sequential Multi-part Electronic Fuel Injection

Recommended Fuel: Unleaded Regular

Exhaust: Dual Stainless Steel

Fuel Economy: 17/25 manual; 18/23 auto

Transmission Type: 5-speed automatic

Engine Block Material: Aluminum

Cylinder head material: Cast Aluminum

Avanti Coupe

Engine Specifications:

Engine Type: 4.6 OHV 24V VB

Engine Electronics: EEV-V

Displacement: 4.6L (281 cu. in.)

Horsepower (SAE net@rpm): 300@5750

Torque (lb-ft@rpm): 320@4500

Compression Ratio: 9.8:1

Bore and Stroke (in.): 3.6x3.6

Main Bearings: 5

Valve Lifters: Hydraulic with Roller Finger Followers

Fuel Delivery: Sequential Multi-part Electronic Fuel Injection

Recommended Fuel: Unleaded Regular

Exhaust: Dual Stainless Steel

Fuel Economy: 17/25 manual; 18/23 auto

Transmission Type: 5-speed automatic

Engine Block Material: Aluminum

Cylinder head material: Cast Aluminum

original by Jason Moore
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Jason Moore, a 35 year old freelance writer from Austin, Texas. He also works as a marketing analyst for an established auto parts store in the country.

Subaru Testing on Formula One Ground

It seems like not only Formula One cars are busy making laps around 'the Ring'. The Nürburgring, found in Nurburg, Germany will not only play host to the upcoming European Grand Prix but it also served as the prowling ground for the upcoming 2009 Subaru Impreza WRX STI, which according to Wikipedia is the "highest standard-edition trim in the Subaru Impreza compact car line".

According to Edmunds.com, one of the leading online sources of auto information, spy photographers have taken shots of the latest WRX STI being tested at the Nürburgring test track. Although the car has been camouflaged, it is easy to distinguish it as the next WRX STI. The hood scoop which is prominent in almost any Subaru auto model gave the pre-production car away.

Changes made to the redesigned WRX STI include the revision of the grille. The 2008 WRX STI sports a larger grille which, in auto speak, is called the egg-crate design because of its resemblance. The 2009 model year version of the WRX STI though sports a mesh grille which is much smaller than its former nose design.

The hood scoop which gave the car away as the new WRX STI is larger than the hood scoop on its predecessor. What this means is that the engine under the hood of the car is bigger than its forerunner. After all, more air intake means that the hood scoop is feeding a bigger mouth. With a bigger engine comes the issue of fuel efficiency and gas mileage and whatnot. Surely, with the exterior of the WRX STI revised for the 2009 model year, it should be expected that it will sport refined Subaru WRX parts.

Another change made to the WRX STI is a bigger spoiler on top of its rear hatch. This might be revised to give the WRX STI better aerodynamics. Although larger than the previous version used on the previous WRX STI, the spoiler does not ruin the clean lines of the vehicle nor its proportion.

Four tailpipes can be found on the rear of the tested vehicle. The quad-tailpipe configuration is further confirmation that its engine will be a bigger one thus the need for a better exhaust system. After all, Subaru is not an automaker which would use four tailpipes on a car just to make it look 'cooler'.

The Japanese automaker though is yet to announce specifications of any kind for the 2009 WRX STI. After all, the testing is just one of the steps that a car should go through before it reaches production. The company may have to tweak the car a bit and put some finishing touches here and there before mass producing it.

Although no word has come out yet from the camp of Subaru regarding the specs of the WRX STI, it is speculated that it will be equipped with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine. The said engine is expected to have a power output of about 325 hp. According to Edmunds, although spy photographers have provided pictures of the 2009 WRX STI, the official launching of the WRX STI will be at the 2007 Tokyo Auto Show which is slated to be held at Makuhari Messe in Chiba City from the 26th of October to the 11th of November.

original by Anthony Fontanelle
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Anthony Fontanelle is a 35-year-old automotive.buff who grew up in the Windy City. He does freelance work for an automotive magazine when he is not busy customizing cars in his shop.

Getting to Know your Timing Belt

You are probably confused with the job of your Saab belts. How about reading this article, with notes from an online source, to get the know-how on one of those belts? – The timing belts.

Timing Belts are tightened rubber bands or sometimes chains used to proportion the turnings of the crankshafts and camshafts in internal combustion engines. In the inner part of some timing belts are teeth that will correspond to the gears of a specific engine design. Older vehicles have timing belts used only to synchronize camshafts and crankshafts. But with today's modern engines, they are also often used to drive the water pumps.

The timing belts must keep the valves and the pistons working in an accurate order. At just the right time, each valve and piston combination must push down on the individual cams on a camshaft. It is like pedaling a bicycle, where the pedal must reach the top before you can push it down again. Your foot will either fall through or just break the pedal right off if you tried to push the pedal too soon. Timing belts work to prevent the pushing of the pistons and the valves on the camshaft before it has reached a full cycle.

Timing belts have a life-span of at least 60,000 miles, but some of the modern designs will last the whole life of the engine. They should be replaced in accordance to the manufacturer's recommendations.

If the timing belt fails completely, the engine will just grind to a halt and the vehicle will totally not work. The valves and pistons can drive themselves into the camshaft, thereby causing them to just bend and brake. A very little warning is executed by a failing timing belt so it is wise that a timely timing belt replacement be made.

The professionals are responsible for replacing them because a lot of peripheral parts like the distributor and may be the water pump has to be removed for it to become accessible. New timing belts have to exactly match the old ones. The vehicle with broken timing belts has to be towed into the shop. And when the timing belt has been replaced, the mechanic has to synchronize the camshaft and the crankshaft with a special kind of strobe light. Repairing the broken timing belt could take several hours, but it's all worth it.

The mechanic may also suggest that the water pump be changed at the same time with the timing belt. No need to worry because it will probably be worth your while in the long run. This is because just about all the work is done to replace the water pump when the timing belt is being changed; which means it will not require any additional labor as compared to repeating all that work and the mechanic would then charge again for the labor if the water pump has to fail at a later stage.

original by Michelle Crimson
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Michelle Crimson holds a degree in business administration. She is currently working as an editor in New Orleans, Louisiana. This 32 year old mother of two is also a car racing fanatic.

Great Summer Offerings From Crowfoot Saturn Saab

Crowfoot Saturn Saab has become Calgary's number one Saturn dealer for two consecutive years in the four years of its operation.

Aside from being a number one Saturn dealer, Crowfoot Saturn Saab is also offering the best customer service and is the only dealer in Calgary to win the Saturn Summit Award for outstanding progress two year in a row.

According to General Manager Mike Hofer of Crowfoot Saturn Saab their edge over other dealers is that their staff members treat each of their customers in the same way that they would want to be treated.

He also added that the no-hassle, no-haggle policy that they are employing on both their new and pre-owned vehicles ensures high quality products less the stress that goes with fighting over with customers on the right price.

And speaking of right price, Crowfoot Saturn will offer a clear-out sale which will involves many bargains like the 2007 ION winner of the Polk Automotive Loyalty Award for three consecutive years in a row. The ION is to be offered with an industry-leading zero percent purchase financing that could reach up to 72 months.

ION is not the only Saturn vehicle that is going to be included in the clear out sale. The infamous 2007 Vue Crossover SUV together with the Relay minivan, and the Saturn Aura winner of the 2007 North American Car of the Year are also available with a zero percent purchase financing that would cover 60 months. For those who are interested to lease any of the Saturn's award-winning vehicles the lease rates will start at 0.5 percent on selected 2007 models.

This great summer offerings will not end with new vehicles alone, Crowfoot Saturn Saab will be showcasing around 100 high quality pre-owned cars, SUVs, and trucks at very low prices. The good news is that this special summer deal will run through the whole month of July.

At Crowfoot Saturn Saab every pre-owned vehicle undergoes thorough 160-point inspection and Hofer assures that the dealership spent more per vehicle on reconditioning than any dealers out there. This is also the very reason why Crowfoot is not afraid to backup its vehicles with a three-month/5,000-kilometer warranty which is considered to be one of the best in the industry just like the five-year/160,000-km warranty that it provides for new vehicles.

In the past the Saab the maker of Saab brake booster is just satisfied to go about its business producing great cars but for this year the automaker has chosen to make some noise for its upcoming clear-out sales. Saab is currently one of the most affordable luxury brands in the market and renowned for its comfort and safety features.

For more details on the Crowfoot Saturn Saab simply visit its location at 710 Crowfoot Cres. N.W. or log on at crowfootsaturn.saturnsaab.com. You may use the online dealerships inventory search engine that features information and multi-directional photos of each vehicle offered.

original by Michelle Crimson
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Michelle Crimson holds a degree in business administration. She is currently working as an editor in New Orleans, Louisiana. This 32 year old mother of two is also a car racing fanatic.

Saab’s Biopower Range Successful in Europe

Saab the Swedish automaker subsidiary of General Motors and the producer of top-of-the-line Saab brake caliper is enjoying a continuing success of its BioPower model range, being the number one provider of flex-fuel cars in Europe. These flex-fuel cars have the ability of running on renewable and sustainable fuel source known as bioethanol E85.

Saab's success in Europe is fueled by the popularity of the BioPower especially in Sweden. Last 2006, Saab has sold around 11,000 BioPower cars in Sweden while 6,800 9-3 and 9-5 BioPower models were relinquished to Swedish customers for the first five months of this year.

Saab was able to maintain this sales turnover through June boost by the launching of the Saab 9-3 BioPower range which topped the Swedish eco-friendly sales charts letting Saab gain a 38 percent market share in that particular segment.

Jan Ake Jonsson, Managing Director of Saab Automobile said, "There is huge international interest in what is happening in Sweden regarding the technology and infrastructure for use of bioethanol. Countries such as Norway, Ireland and France are following Sweden's example by investing in a bioethanol infrastructure. Everyday we receive requests for more information regarding our environmental efforts."

In addition, Saab is also working together with other companies and various associations to encourage the UK government to prove its commitment to eco-friendly motor undertakings by means of creating additional measures that would encourage the production and increase supply of not only bioethanol E85 but also the sales of more flex-fuel vehicles.

Saab has an already established reputation as a technology leader in terms of discovering and developing the full potentials of bioethanol E85 as a source of fuel. This expertise in such unique technology has given Saab an opportunity to leverage their unmatched experience in the field of turbocharging enabling them to provide enhanced performance and at the same time reduced the harmful CO2 emissions.

What Saab has achieved with their BioPower range is something that no other eco-friendly vehicle at present in the world has been able to rival. The Swedish automaker will further continue with its R&D efforts in order to create more new products and better solutions to the increasing demand of market for high performance and fuel efficient vehicles. And to show just how serious General Motor's Swedish subsidiary is, it has started with the launching of its Saab BioPower Hybrid Concept at last year's Stockholm Motor Show.

original by Michelle Crimson
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Michelle Crimson holds a degree in business administration. She is currently working as an editor in New Orleans, Louisiana. This 32 year old mother of two is also a car racing fanatic.

Ford Considers Volvo Sale, Tata Motors Interested in Jag/lr Sale

After dispatching the ultra-luxury brand Aston Martin earlier this year and auctioning off Jaguar and Land Rover, Ford is now looking to sell the Swedish brand Volvo according to The Financial Times. According to reports, Ford's Chief Executive Officer Lana Mulally may be looking to sell the luxury brand.

Although Mulally, and Ford for that matter, is yet to divulge information concerning the issue, there are a lot of opinions floating in the auto industry as to why Ford should sell the Swedish brand which it acquired in 1999.

Rod Lache of the Deutsche Bank in an interview with The Financial Times pointed out two reasons why Ford is better off without Volvo.

The first reason is that once Ford has sold Volvo, it can simplify its operating structure. It can be remembered that Ford announced earlier this year that they will be focusing on their core operations as part of their turnaround plan. With Volvo in Ford's folds, the Dearborn-based automaker will be spending both money and effort in synching Volvo's operation with other marques.

The second reason pointed out by Mr. Lache is that Ford's coffers will be boosted by the sale of the Swedish auto brand. This money can go to their healthcare liabilities and in their contract talks with the United Auto Workers (UAW).

Although Volvo has been integrated into Ford's core operations to some point, it would be a sacrifice that Ford needs to take in order to swiftly turn the company back to profitability. After all, the company has already closed down assembly facilities which assemble Ford engines and other components including Ford bumpers and the like.

Meanwhile, Ford is seriously pushing through with its plan to sell Jaguar and Land Rover, an action that has been anticipated by many since Ford sold Aston Martin earlier this year. Among the interested buyers of the two British luxury brands is Indian automaker Tata.

Tata Motors is the largest Indian automaker and it is currently getting a lot of attention after carmaker after carmaker expressed their entry in the growing Indian auto market. After announcing that they will be introducing a $3,000 compact car in India, Tata Motors may be looking to diversify its offering as it is reported that the company is willing to bid about $1.3 billion for the two British brands.

When asked about the issue, a Tata Motors spokesperson has this to say: "We have absolutely no comments to make on mergers and acquisitions." It is reported that Tata Motors has signed a confidentiality agreement and is already having talks with the Dearborn-based automaker.

This development has received wide interest from analysts. Abdul Majed, an auto industry analyst for Price Waterhouse, says that Tata Motors aiming to buy Jaguar and Land Rover makes perfect sense. "For an Indian auto firm buying into an American or European auto company makes perfect sense as it can then leverage the brand, the product development capability and distribution platform and get access to international markets," said the analyst.

Although buying luxury brands makes sense, Abdul Majed pointed out that Tata Motors should only go for Land Rover since Jaguar has been a money-loosing firm for years. This though might not be possible since Ford has almost joined Jaguar and Land Rover by integrating operations of the two brands together. In fact, Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles are manufactured in the same assembly facility and that is one strong reason why Ford is selling the two as a package.

original by KatieJones
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Katie Jones writes for a local newspaper and her beat involves the latest updates in the automotive industry. She is also working on her book on cars during her spare time.

Is Proton a Perfect Match for Volkswagen?

Malaysia's venture in the auto industry gained prominence in 1983 when former Prime Minister Tun Mahathir Mohamad directed the establishment of Proton Holdings Berhad simply known as Proton. The company produced Malaysia's national car. But the company has fallen into tough times as competition shrinks its market share in the Asian country.

Today, the company is on the verge of near-bankruptcy but the Malaysian government will not allow that judging by their eagerness to sell their share in the car company to a foreign company.

"The government will not let Proton die because it is our national car and we need to preserve the country's reputation," said Hilmi Yahaya, the finance ministry parliamentary secretary to the parliament according to the national Bernana news agency as reported by Forbes.

To save the national car manufacturer of Malaysia, the government of the company is currently having talks with German automaker Volkswagen. Two rounds of talks between the Malaysian government and representatives of Volkswagen are in the books and the Malaysian government is expecting that the German automaker will consider their offer.

In saving Proton, the Malaysian government is looking for a company which will buy the 42.74 percent stake that the government has on the Malaysian automaker. Volkswagen definitely has that capability as it is the biggest European automobile manufacturer. Apart from that, although General Motors is offering to buy the Malaysian's government share in Proton, the latter seemingly favors Volkswagen as the partner of Proton.

But will the partnership with Proton be beneficial to Volkswagen? Some analysts say that Volkswagen has to think about the potential boost that they will have in the Malaysian auto market. Although the said Asian market is declining for the past year, Volkswagen can have the upper hand in the market if it partners with an automaker with the backing of the local government.

On the other hand, Volkswagen is expected to spend some serious money in purchasing the share of the Malaysian government in Proton. Another thing is that, Volkswagen will have to find a way to fit Proton into their operations. Would they make Proton their arm in Southeast Asia or will they start rebadging Proton automobiles and start selling tem outside of Malaysia? The possibility is endless for both automakers.

Both parties though are not in a hurry to seal the deal. "It is just like a marriage," said International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Rafidah Aziz in an interview with Malaysia's national news agency, Bernana. "You just don't get married. Check first and discuss. Similarly, you cannot sell off just like that, it must be a right partner who knows the industry. Not just somebody that has money," she added.

Surely this is what Volkswagen is also doing. Although it is expected that a decision concerning this issue will be reached by the end of the year, the German automaker is surely already checking out the possibility of the venture. Only time will tell where the Volkswagen turn signal switch will point the way Volkswagen will be taking.

Although the talks between Volkswagen and the Malaysian government is going smoothly, Aziz pointed out that there are still things that needs to be ironed out in the negotiation. "I don't know the details on what they are negotiating. What I know is that there are some requests from the Proton side and some requests from the Volkswagen side that are not resolved," she tells Bernana.

original by Anthony Fontanelle
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Anthony Fontanelle is a 35-year-old automotive buff who grew up in the Windy City. He does freelance work for an automotive magazine when he is not busy customizing cars in his shop.

Five Germans to Race on Weekend But No Schumi

The tenth race of the Formula One season will be held at the Nürburgring in Nurburg, Germany. This will be the only race that will be held in Germany this year, something which has not happened since 1994 when the European Grand Prix was held in Spain.

Since the race will be the only one that will be held in Germany this year, German Formula One drivers would have one shot of winning a race in front of his countrymen. Five German drivers are slated to participate at the event but those five do not include the German Formula One superstar Michael Schumacher who retired at the end of last year's season. Before he retired though, Schumi took seven world championships with him.

There is no doubt that Schumi's presence in the tracks will be missed by German Formula One fans. But the five German drivers and the rest of the drivers is expected to put on a show for the German fans.

One of the Germans who will participate in this year's European Grand Prix will be Michael's brother, Ralf Schumacher. The younger Schumacher is driving for Toyota and is in the middle of resurgence after a dismal start to the season. No doubt, the younger Schumacher will make up for his retirement at the British Grand Prix.

Meanwhile, BMW Sauber's Nick Heidfeld is also looking for a good performance at 'the Ring'. The German is currently fifth in the drivers' championship standings and his team is sitting comfortably in third position in the constructors' championship standings. Heidfeld will be looking to extend their lead over fourth place Renault on board his F1.07 with BMW engine and racing parts as reliable as BMW auto parts.

Nico Rosberg will be the third German that will be participating at the upcoming European Grand Prix. The young Formula One driver is the son of Finnish Formula One legend Keke Rosberg. The younger Rosberg is actually a German-Finnish driver but races with a German racing license because of his mother's nationality. Rosberg will be making his driving duties for Williams.

The fourth German is Markus Winkelhock which was recently announced to be the replacement for Christjan Albers. The latter was recently sent packing by Spyker after the British Grand Prix. The reason is sponsorship problems according to Spyker. Winkelhock will be driving alongside Adrian Sutil.

Adrian Sutil is the fifth German that will participate on the weekend Formula One event. The rookie will be participating in his tenth race in Formula One and is looking for his first point/s of his career.

As for Schumi's absence, Renault's Giancarlo Fisichella has this to say: "Racing in Germany without Michael will be very different, but there are a lot of racing fans there - and the Nürburgring is an historic venue."

The five German drivers though would have to battle the four drivers in front of the standings in order to give German fans a German winning driver. McLaren's Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso sit on top of the standings while Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa are third and fourth respectively. So far this season, no driver other than these four has won a Grand Prix.

Meanwhile, McLaren will be looking to fend off the challenge being posed by Ferrari while BMW is looking to do the same to Renault. The race will be held on Sunday while qualifying sessions are on Saturday.

original by Anthony Fontanelle
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Anthony Fontanelle is a 35-year-old automotive buff who grew up in the Windy City. He does freelance work for an automotive magazine when he is not busy customizing cars in his shop.

Mercedes-benz TV Ad: the Passion for Racing Unleashed

McLaren Mercedes phenomenal Formula One drivers - consisting of Fernando Alonso, Lewis Hamilton and Mika Häkkinen - star in a new TV commercial that stresses the German company's passion for action-thirsty adventures.

The Mercedes Benz thermostat reflects a rising temperature but racing aficionados can pretty much handle the heat. Every second of the 60-second television ad is full of passion at Mercedes. It will be aired next weekend to coincide with Formula One races.

As reported by the Auto Spectator, the new Mercedes-Benz TV commercial reveal that Alonso and Hamilton have got racing in their blood. In a series of thrilling scenes, it becomes clear that they see themselves as friendly rivals not only on the race track but also at a hotel reception desk, at a gym, and in a sauna.

In the commercial, which will be aired starting next Saturday on the most famous public and private TV channels in Germany, Spain, and the UK, Mercedes-Benz demonstrates that the fascination of auto racing is based not only on fighting spirit but also a large dose of playful fun.

A sneak preview of the McLaren television commercial will be made on Friday, July 20, at www.mercedes-benz.tv, the company's Internet TV. There, the visitor can take a look at the full length McLaren commercial, and visitors can be replayed at any time via video on demand.

"The idea for this commercial originated in our brand philosophy," said Dr. Olaf Göttgens, the Vice President for Brand Communications at Mercedes-Benz Passenger Cars. "After all, motor sports are deeply rooted in the history of Mercedes-Benz, and today they're still an essential element of our brand's fascination. Motor sports embody the passion that characterizes Mercedes-Benz."

The television commercial shows the two McLaren Formula One drivers engaging in a 'fierce daily competition,' the Auto Spectator continued. "In the spot, the current Formula One front-runner, Hamilton, wins a race just seconds ahead of the current second-place driver, Alonso. He celebrates his triumph while he's still sitting in the cockpit, with a broad grin and a wave of his hand."

But only a short time later, as the McLaren racers are driving back to their hotel on board a Mercedes-Benz C 63 AMG and a CLK 63 AMG Black Series, Hamilton is temporarily distracted by a gorgeous passerby. Alonso quickly takes advantage of the plight and leaves his flabbergasted teammate behind at a traffic light. Despite the blistering heat and their exhaustion in the sauna, each of them want to be the winner, the report continued.

"Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton have a passion for auto racing," said Norbert Haug, the head of Mercedes-Benz motorsports. "Both of them are ambitious, focused, and competitive. They cultivate a healthy sense of rivalry and appreciate and respect each other very much. Of course this is obvious on the race track, and it was evident while we were shooting the new TV commercial, too. In spite of the time pressure and their lack of familiarity with the TV medium, they really enjoyed the shoot. Mika Häkkinen, who has won the Formula One championship twice, has been in commercials before, and he's as cool and appealing as ever this time around."

In the end, the driver who grabs the spotlight is the legendary Mika Häkkinen. The Finn flaunts his know-how about everything there is to know about saunas and Finnish delight. The phenomenal Formula One drivers end the commercial by flaunting their pearly whites… even if they are just at a sauna.

More of Mercedes action is expected on the track. McLaren is leading the constructors' and drivers' championship and it will be radiating much of the passion in the upcoming races.

original by Anthony Fontanelle
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Anthony Fontanelle is a 35-year-old automotive buff who grew up in the Windy City. He does freelance work for an automotive magazine when he is not busy customizing cars in his shop.

Ford Eyes $8b Volvo Sale

The struggling Ford Motor Co. is preparing to sell Volvo, the profitable Swedish car group, in a move that could raise US$8 billion, said The Australian news. A decision in principle to sell Volvo was taken Saturday, but that the timing of the sale had yet to be decided, said city sources. No bank had been appointed to handle the transaction.

Volvo Cars is the flagship of Ford's Premier Automotive Group (PAG) - a luxury European marque which also includes the Jaguar and Land Rover brands. The PAG was created during the automaker's expansionist phase in the 1980s and 1990s.

The Dearborn automaker began dismantling PAG in 2006 when it faced a difficult financial crisis. Earlier this year, it sold Aston Martin in a deal worth £479 million, and this week it will receive indicative bids for Jaguar and Land Rover. The duo, which is being sold as a single business, is expected to account for £1 billion.

Meanwhile, Volvo is bigger than Aston Martin, Jaguar and Land Rover. The Swedish company employs 27,500 people and produces about 500,000 cars annually in Sweden and Belgium. It has been by far the most gainful part of PAG and has made a considerable contribution to development of other Ford models. The sale of the company would signal the final dismemberment of the Ford's luxury car business outside North America. Is the Volvo antenna sensing a potential sale of the company soon?

Auto industry sources said that the timing and speed of the sale would depend on the level of interest that came from rival carmakers and private-equity groups. "If they have a good offer from a Western carmaker, they would be able to move fast, because the integration issues can be sorted out quite quickly. But if it's private equity, it will all need to be worked out in advance so they can do their normal due diligence," said one source familiar with the talks.

As reported by reported the MSNBC, Rod Lache, an analyst at Deutsche Bank, told clients Tuesday that Ford has at least two good reasons to dispose of Volvo. First, a sale would simplify the parent's operating structure and recovery ¬strategy. Second, it would provide extra cash to restructure healthcare liabilities as part of forthcoming contract talks with the United Auto Workers' union.

Jonathan Steinmetz, an analyst at Morgan Stanley, noted that "Ford does not have the resources, from a financial or a managerial perspective, to keep ploughing time and money into all its brands." Meanwhile, Joe Phillippi, a New Jersey-based consultant, notes that Volvo was supposed to help Ford gain a foothold in the European premium car market. Instead, he says: "Ford has never been able to move its brand out of the everyman category."

The Scandinavian luxury brand remains a niche brand in North America, which makes up more than a quarter of its sales, lacking the striking lure of the Toyota Motor Corp.'s upmarket Lexus and the Honda Motor Co.'s Acura brands.

Volvo sold about 430,000 vehicles in the previous year, well below the 650,000 target set by the Dearborn automaker. While auto analysts expect that Ford could raise more for Volvo than the $6.5 billion it paid in 1999, the profits would still be minimal.

"They are getting a lot of people coming to them with ideas because Volvo is an attractive asset. If they get the right one they could act quickly," the source said. Those individuals familiar with the discussions, as reported by MSNBC, said Ford has imposed strict conditions of secrecy on would-be bidders, even to the point of vetting potential advisers. "They are completely paranoid about leaks," concluded the source.

original by Glady Reign
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Glady Reign is a 32 year old is a consultant for an automotive firm based in Detroit, Mi. she is a native of the motor city and grew up around cars hence her expertise in the automotive field.

Shanghai Volkswagen Sees New Light in Skoda

The Shanghai Volkswagen Automobile Co. is enjoying the warmth of the new light brought by its newly launched Czech brand Skoda. The venture is an effort to bolster the sales of the automaker amid tight auto competition in the world's second biggest auto market.

The 50-50 joint venture of SAIC Motor Corp and Volkswagen AG, as reported by China Daily, expects Skoda, wholly owned by the German carmaker, to grab 2.5 to 3 percent of China's passenger car market by 2010.

Analysts in the industry said that the venture was a bold decision for the automaker - a new entrant in China. Shanghai Volkswagen said that it aims to sell over 30,000 Skoda Octavia compact sedans, the company's first China-made model, this year as part of its effort to push a total of more than 400,000 cars, up from 352,000 units in 2006.

Analysts say that the VW turn signal reflects a profitable year. The venture's first-half sales increased by 23.1 percent to 213,735 units, including 3,000 Octavias, ranking it as the top three passenger car manufacturer in China after VW's other tie-up with FAW Corp and General Motors' venture with SAIC.

Passenger car sales in China, which include sedans, sport utility vehicles and multi-purpose vehicles, will increase to 7.2 million units in 2010 from five million expected to be sold this year, predicted Yale Zhang, the director of Greater China Vehicle Forecasts for US consultancy CSM Worldwide Corp.

Shanghai Volkswagen said "the introduction of Skoda is the start of our multi-brand strategy and will expand our lineup to satisfy growing customer demand". The venture, which makes VW's Santana, Polo, Gol, Passat, and Touran, intends to launch a new Skoda model annually in coming years, including the subcompact Fabia and mid-range Superb, reported the Daily.

In an attempt to dismiss worries that Skoda will cannibalize VW brand sales in China, the company noted that Skoda product lines would not go head-to-head with Volkswagen models as the Czech marque has its own market position.

Skoda targets buyers who are "intelligent, steady-going and have a taste for life and inner-strength", such as the lawyers, doctors, teachers and senior civil servants, the company said. It will have 110 Skoda dealerships at the end of this year, up from 80 now, the company added.

Winfried Vahland, the CEO of the Volkswagen Group China, said last September that he expected Skoda to be a new "pillar" along with the Volkswagen and Audi brands to cement the German group's leadership in China's car market.

Industry data reflects that the company's sales in China increased by 24.6 percent to 431,369 cars from January to June this year. Overall sales of China-made passenger cars account for 2.55 million units in the same period, up 26 percent.

"Volkswagen is trying to boost sales in China's market, with more models tailor-made for Chinese customers," said Huang Zherui, an analyst at CSM Asia, which advises car makers in China. "The China market still has much more potential."

The company plans to maintain about 17-18 per cent share in the long term, said VW China Group executive vice-president Soh Weiming. "The market is still growing at a very aggressive pace," he added. "Ten years ago only a fortune teller could tell you how good the car market would be in the following year, but now the market is pretty stable."

Separately, VW and its car venture in Shanghai will jointly develop a new car targeting the North America and China market, the venture said on Wednesday. Reuters reported a tie-up with SACI Motor will develop a new sedan which would become a follow-up model of the locally produced Passat Lingyu.

original by Anthony Fontanelle
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Anthony Fontanelle is a 35-year-old automotive.buff who grew up in the Windy City. He does freelance work for an automotive magazine when he is not busy customizing cars in his shop.

Investors to Thrust $2.6b Into Delphi

A group of investors spearheaded by Appaloosa Management LP will invest up to $2.55 billion into the Delphi Corp., clearing the way for the bankrupt parts maker to begin rebuilding after one of the American auto industry's biggest financial meltdowns, reported the Detroit News.

The pact, announced last Wednesday, keeps auto supplier Delphi on track to emerge from bankruptcy by the end of the year. The agreement replaces a previous $3.4 billion-worth deal that was discarded when the Chrysler Group owner-to-be Cerberus Capital Management LP abandoned the plan in April. The new investment plan is backed by the Detroit automaker and Delphi's statutory committees, which represent shareholders and creditors.

Compared to the original bid, the new one is reduced largely because creditors decided to take more equity in Troy-based Delphi, rather than take cash. "We're happy we got a consensual deal," said David Tepper, the president and founder of New Jersey-based Appaloosa. "We look forward to working with management and all the employees of Delphi."

The deal with Appaloosa arrives a month after Delphi, its former parent General Motors Corp. and the United Auto Workers union entered a pact that gives Delphi workers cash payouts in lieu of wage and benefit reductions. The agreement is deemed to be one of the key decisions needed to bring the company out of bankruptcy. Appaloosa, Delphi's biggest shareholder with a 9.3 percent stake, has been negotiating for about a year to reach a deal to finance the company's gruesome bankruptcy struggle.

"Today's equity purchase and commitment agreement represents additional progress in our transformation," said John Sheehan, the Delphi chief restructuring officer. "Delphi is now focusing on reaching labor agreements with its remaining U.S. unions and finalizing a settlement agreement with GM. We're pleased with our recent momentum."

The auto parts supplier is asking the bankruptcy court to quickly approve the plan. A hearing is expected within two to four weeks. Bankruptcy, meanwhile, is anticipated to end by fall.

The News said that officials close to the transaction said that the earliest Delphi could emerge from bankruptcy would be by the end of November. The only serious obstacle would be a protracted strike if Detroit automakers fail to reach a pact on labor. Talks regarding the matter are set to begin this week.

The new deal is less than the initial offer because Delphi will pay out more to its unsecured creditors and reduce the number of shares that will be available to current shareholders than in the initial plan, Delphi spokeswoman Claudia Piccinin said.

The investment group's stake in Delphi will range from 19 percent to 47 percent, depending on other investors number of acquired common stocks. Under the new agreement, Appaloosa and other investors will acquire $800 million in convertible preferred shares and $175 million in Delphi common stock. It will acquire any common shares left unsubscribed after a $1.6 billion rights offering to existing common stockholders.

The investors also include Harbinger Capital Partners, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Inc., UBS Securities LLC, Pardus Capital Management LP, and Goldman Sachs & Co. They will have a major say in the reorganized company. A Saturn side marker blinks differently because GM, Delphi's largest customer, opted to be an exception.

If a post-bankruptcy Delphi is triumphant, it could serve as a model for recuperating parts suppliers. "We're starting to see things begin to happen - it's not been easy, it's not been pretty and it's not done yet," said David Cole, the chairman of the Center for Automotive Research in Ann Arbor. "But we're beginning to see the skeleton of a structure of an industry that is in better balance with the economy."

original by Anthony Fontanelle
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Anthony Fontanelle is a 35-year-old automotive.buff who grew up in the Windy City. He does freelance work for an automotive magazine when he is not busy customizing cars in his shop.

Saab Provides Communication Network to Helicopter Detachment

Saab Communication made a contract with the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration. The two parties agreed on the delivery of a communications network with command and control functions for the Nordic Battle Group's helicopter detachment. In a series of deliveries by Saab, this is the latest contract on qualified transportable and mobile communications solutions for Nordic Battle Group.

Saab Communication Divisional Manager Ulf Campner said that the contract is additional evidence that their products meet the customer's standards and that they are looking for more co-workers within systems design and project management to strengthen with rewards their ongoing and future customer projects.

Systems designers, systems engineers, technology consultants, mechanical designers and project managers are the relevant and needed recruitments at their sites in Arboga, Kista, Växjö and Linköping.

The system that will be supplied is a modular design that is capable of mobility and configuration to fit in with the Armed Forces' reaction organization.

In a very short time, Saab delivers a turn key solution that includes communications networks, command and control functions, user equipment and power supply systems, the last of which being supplied by Saab Aerotech.

The platform will be the communications network to cover the connection standards that the helicopter detachment possesses with regrard radio, telephony and data for communication, command and collaboration with military and civil systems.

Previously, Saab has had many agreements with, and deliveries to, the Nordic Battle Group, such as installation and integration of 23 containers for Communications and Command and Control systems Airbase, Command and control installation in tracked vehicles and installation of Command and control/connection containers.

Saab provides mobile communications equipments for crisis management and international operations. Among their customers are the Swedish and Norwegian Armed Forces and the Swedish National Civil Aviation Authority. And to meet the standards on mobility in international crises and deployments, Saab provides mobile communications equipments that are scaleable, configurable and transportable to airbases, camps, garrisons and rescue organizations.

A portion of the Saab Group, Saab Communication offers qualified communication services and robust tele-, data- and radio communications solutions for the defense and civil security areas, inside and outside the country.

Saab AB is an aviation and defense company based in Sweden. It started to manufacture automobiles in the late 1940s.Therefore, sometime in that period had it started to build Saab wiper blade, which are still used and available in the market up to this time – but with some innovations, for its vehicles.

original by Michelle Crimson
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Michelle Crimson holds a degree in business administration. She is currently working as an editor in New Orleans, Louisiana. This 32 year old mother of two is also a car racing fanatic.

Sales at Crowfoot Saturn Saab Jives Hot Weather

Crowfoot Saturn Saab is already Calgary's number one Saturn dealer for customer service, in no less than four years of operation. This has been a distinction it has held for two straight years.

The dealership is also Calgary's only Saturn Summit award winner for outstanding progress for two consecutive years now.

According to General Manager Mike Hofer, staff members at Crowfoot Saturn Saab treat every customer the same way they would want to be treated.

He says the dealership assures every customer is getting the best deal possible up front, without the stress of fighting for the right price because of its no-hassle, no-bargain policy on new and pre-owned vehicles.

And as Crowfoot Saturn commences its 2007 clear-out sale, finding the right price is the easiest as of now.

The 2007 ION, winner of the Polk Automotive Loyalty Award for the past three year, and more are to be bargained.

The ION is available with a zero-per-cent purchase financing – an industry leader, for up to 72 months.

The famous 2007 Vue crossover SUV, the Relay mini-van and the 2007 North American Car of the Year -- the Saturn Aura -- are available with zero-per-cent purchase financing for up to 60 months. Lease rates of the Saturn vehicle start as low as 0.5 per cent on selected 2007 models.

Moreover, nearly 100 quality pre-owned cars, trucks and SUVs of Crowfoot Saturn Saab's selection will be available at special low summer prices until last week of July.

A strict 160-point inspection is undergone by every Crowfoot Saturn Saab pre-owned vehicle. Crowfoot Saturn Saab is backing its vehicles with a three-month/5,000-kilometre warranty, and like its five-year/160,000-km new vehicle warranty, it is also one of the best in the business. Hofer says the dealership spends more for each vehicle on reconditioning than most.

Saab vehicles, one of the most affordable luxury brands on the market and internationally renowned for safety and comfort, are now available with financing rates from as low as 0.5 per cent and lease rates starting from only 0.75 per cent.

Hofer claims a customer gets hooked into a Saab that is why it is not anymore a surprise that the company that got its start designing aircraft makes quiet and smooth-running cars. He also adds that once customers buy a Saab, "they will buy Saab for the rest of their lives".

The Crowfoot Saturn Saab features the 2007 Saturn Aura, which has 224-horsepower given by its 3.5-litre V6 engine, and with safety features such as six airbags, four-wheel disc brakes with ABS and OnStar, Starting at only $26,340, you can own this award winning car.

It could be possible that the dealership also sells Saab aftermarket parts.

original by Michelle Crimson
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Michelle Crimson holds a degree in business administration. She is currently working as an editor in New Orleans, Louisiana. This 32 year old mother of two is also a car racing fanatic.

Getting to Know your Alternator

During the "not so modern days," it was called a generator. As its name suggests, the alternator turns mechanical energy into an alternating current (AC) electrical energy.

The battery keeps the engine working in an internal combustion engine. And then, the alternator keeps replacing the power that is utilized by the battery.

Electricity is generated by an alternator when there is a change in the magnetic field around a conductor. Most automotive alternators use a rotor or the rotary piston in a rotary combustion engine where a rotating magnet inside the conductor induces the electricity.

And because of a voltage regulator, the conductors which are coils wound around an iron core also allow the voltage of the current generated to be controlled. The rotor is usually mechanically set in motion.

The size of an alternator is the usual determinant of its efficiency, which is very often affected due to problems in the bearings, inadequate cooling by the fan or even copper and iron loss.

Majority of the present day alternators operate at about 55 percent efficiency. But if you augment its range, this conversion of mechanical energy in your car into electrical energy can be increased.

During the time in memoriam, the alternator only had to power the lights and a horn. But today, we have heating, stereos and fancy headlights that need much more power. This is the reason why we have high-output and high-amp alternators, and most of them are made with high-quality magnets, bearings and windings.

Technology has greatly evolved many of today's equipments. But despite such fact, the alternator still remains a fairly simple piece of equipment and is relatively easy to replace as compared to other sophisticated car parts.

The question is: How do you know when it needs replacement?

An alternator needs to be replaced if the battery does not retain its charge, even when it is charged from an external source. Another sign is that when you hear a loud grinding noise that seems to be coming from the region of the alternator.

A voltmeter needs to be invested to accurately detect if your alternator needs replacing. It is actually used to measure the voltage and can get for a few dollars, but it is definitely worth your money. And if were to take it to your automobile mechanic, he could test it and tell you whether you should replace it or not – just make sure you got the right mechanic.

So now you know how your Saab alternator works. The next thing to know is how to protect and maintain it.

original by Michelle Crimson
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Michelle Crimson holds a degree in business administration. She is currently working as an editor in New Orleans, Louisiana. This 32 year old mother of two is also a car racing fanatic.

Lowe Promotes Hybrid Tax Breaks

Actor Rob Lowe appeared before lawmakers last Thursday and promoted tax credits for people who add a plug-in feature to hybrid cars and trucks.

Lowe went to Capitol Hill last week to tout plug-in hybrids and a bill sponsored by Rep. Ed Markey, D-Mass. The said bill would give car owners tax breaks for converting their hybrids into plug-in models that can be recharged using a regular wall outlet.

It can be recalled that automakers were disappointed by the decision to include Lowe, while none of them was invited. In his statement, Lowe twice quoted his Sam Seaborn character from TV's "The West Wing" and said that the car has improved his driving skills since he tries to get a better mileage. Additionally, Lowe portrays a junior senator from California on ABC's "Brothers & Sisters."

"I have been driving this car around and I have to tell you, it did what my mother couldn't do. It did what my driving instructor couldn't do, it's made me a better driver," Lowe stressed.

Lowe testified Thursday before a special House panel created to respond to energy and global warming concerns. Later, the actor appeared at a demonstration about three blocks from the Capitol featuring a Toyota Prius that had been converted to a plug-in hybrid.

In an interview by the Associated Press, Lowe said that his interest in clean energy was not new. Recent events, he said, led him to become more active on the issue. "The first money I ever made and was able to invest, I invested in an alternative energy company going back 25 years," he said. "Like a lot of Americans, I've been watching as the climate changes and as we are in a war on terror where our oil addiction helps fund people that want to kill us. It's gotten my attention."

Lowe promoted plug-in hybrids, which have both electric and gasoline motors, plus a battery pack that can be recharged at home. "I have been driving this car around and I have to tell you, it did what my mother couldn't do. It did what my driving instructor couldn't do - it's made me a better driver," Lowe added.

As the issues for global warming and increasing gas prices continue to bother the Congress, automaker and the general public, auto parts and product lines are subject to closer scrutiny. Toyota engines, Subaru spark plugs and other auto parts may be required to be enhanced soon to cope with the fuel regulations.

original by Anthony Fontanelle
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Anthony Fontanelle is a 35-year-old automotive buff who grew up in the Windy City. He does freelance work for an automotive magazine when he is not busy customizing cars in his shop.

Ford Attacks the Future by Retrospection

They say life is not a rehearsal and the past is over and gone. But the Ford Motor Co. would like to defy the maxim by trying to guarantee the future by retrospection.

It can be recalled that Bill Ford Jr. beat out Volkswagen and Fiat less than a decade ago to purchase Volvo Cars. Ford Jr. said that the $6.5 billion acquisition a "meaningful step" to fulfilling the Ford's "21st-century vision" of becoming the world's leading automaker. At the time, it was a great victory for the automaker.

Eventually, the aftermath of a series of acquisitions resulted to the new Premier Automotive Group (PAG), with Volvo as its centerpiece. The PAG is expected to collectively sell a million cars annually by the middle of this decade, and yield at least a billion dollars a year in profits.

But as reported by The New York Times, those plans have not worked out. With its recent decision to entertain bids for the Scandinavian automaker, Ford appears to be shifting into reverse on its strategy, dismantling the collection of luxury auto companies, including the Land Rover division which it bought in 2000 that it once assembled with such confidence, said The Times.

Ford CEO Alan R. Mulally is pushing the company to get out of $12.6 billion in losses in 2006 by returning to its roots as a mass-market manufacturer, and the fabled foreign brands are no longer considered pivotal to its turnaround strategy, The Times continued.

Ford tail lights may be illuminating a vital part of the past that the company needs to reconsider. Amid auto industry's hardships, automakers understand the need to refocus on their core brands. This strategy is aimed at regaining market share they are losing to foreign automakers such as the Toyota Motor Corp., Honda Motor Co. and the Nissan Motor Co.

"What has really evolved here is that the scenario has changed so dramatically," said David Cole, the chairman of the Center for Automotive Research. "Because of that change, you're looking at things in a far more pragmatic way, with the thought that if you screw up in labor negotiations, or you screw up in product development, the company may go down."

In retrospect, Ford's experience with the Premier group, known as PAG, is proof that a car company cannot buy its way to a dominant position in the market, said David E. Davis, the founder of Winding Road, an online car magazine, and a longtime observer of the auto industry. Ford saw its purchases of Volvo and the other brands "as a costly, but not overwhelmingly costly, way to project themselves into parts of the market where they had never been able to move in with their own resources," Davis noted. "It turned out that all they bought was a huge amount of trouble."

Analysts in the industry say that if Ford were in better financial shape, it might be able to make a case for keeping Volvo. Cole has this to say: "They're faced with no choice but to do that. You could have phenomenal operating performance at a Volvo, but it's not going to offset a catastrophe at the home Ford Motor Company."

Jonathan Steinmetz, an auto industry analyst with Morgan Stanley, said in a research report: "Ford does not have the resources, from both a financial and a managerial perspective, to keep plowing time and money into all its brands."

"Every bit will help," Steinmetz concluded. "Jaguar has been 'a large cash drain.' Land Rover, while better off than Jaguar, is too small to help the company solve its problems."

original by Anthony Fontanelle
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Anthony Fontanelle is a 35-year-old automotive buff who grew up in the Windy City. He does freelance work for an automotive magazine when he is not busy customizing cars in his shop.

Bmw to Sell 100,000 M3s

BMW expects to sell more than 100,000 new M3s, reported Automobilwoche, a German industry paper.

The snooty sales target for the latest generation E90-based M3 was revealed by the German automaker's M division representative. The M3 is a performance version of the popular compact 3-Series vehicles, which use some of the BMW 325IS parts. In essence, M3 models are based from the E30, E36, E46 and the E92 models. The Bavarian automaker sold 90,000 units of its previous M3, the E46 model, before the production of such was discontinued.

Compared to the 18,000 sales of the original E30, the M3 brand has evolved into a mass-market product in its own right.

Separately, BMW announced Tuesday its firm commitment to the Vietnamese market by officially appointing the Euro Auto Joint Stock Company as its authorized importer and distributor in the country.

The Bavarian automaker is entering Vietnam for the second time after a halt of close to two years in a new agreement that will also see Euro Auto being charged with post-sale services for all BMW product lines in the territory.

Director General of BMW Asia Roland Krueger said that the company believed that the Vietnamese market is quickly expanding and the group was eager to cement a foothold in the country by striking a strategic partner agreement.

As part of the agreement, the distributor built a $3 million-worth custom-built showroom and service centre in Ho Chi Minh City. Euro Auto Director General Huynh Du An said that his company would initially place orders to import between 200-300 of BMW's latest models including the 320i, 325i, 530 and the 730Li from now until the yearend.

The automaker had previously entered Vietnam in 1994 with a joint venture with Hoa Binh Automobile but pulled out of the market due to meager sales a year after the venture's inception.

Earlier, the BMW Group Asia announced the appointment of its new distributor in HCMC. The HCMC-based Euro Auto Corp. will import, sell and supply services for the Bavarian automaker's product lines.

Huynh Du An, the general director of Euro Auto Corp, said that he had opened a boutique showroom at 165 Pasteur Street, District 3 to serve customers. These showrooms will be complemented by an interim service facility at 392 Kinh Duong Vuong Street, Binh Tan District.

As reported, Euro Auto will offer retail and services experience in a newly constructed facility at Phu My Hung new urban area next year. The company expects to sell 200 to 300 car units this year and 500 to 600 cars in 2008.

original by Anthony Fontanelle
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Anthony Fontanelle is a 35-year-old automotive buff who grew up in the Windy City. He does freelance work for an automotive magazine when he is not busy customizing cars in his shop.

Mercedes Launches Internet TV

Mercedes-Benz has launched its own Internet television broadcasting service with a live report from the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Berlin.

'Mercedes-Benz TV,' broadcasted in German and English, uses a set of new standards for online brand communication. This is the automaker's way of setting a new trend by fostering opening new doors and sticking not to the conventional business it is running.

As reported, the automaker's Internet TV service will feature a weekly news magazine hosted by Tanja Bülter, a society reporter from the RTL television network. The program will be about 20 minutes long and will offer news, facts, and background information from the world of Mercedes.

Internet viewers will also be able to watch programs 24 hours a day on the service's five Web channels for lifestyle, engines and sports, cars, history and legends, as well as innovation. Mercedes-Benz events at auto shows and the brand's world premieres will be broadcasted live on Mercedes-Benz TV in the future as well.

'Mercedes-Benz TV opens up a new and very emotional communication channel for our customers and anyone interested in the brand,' said Johannes Fritz, the Director of Sales and Marketing, Mercedes Car Group, Middle East. 'The Internet television service sets new standards in terms of content and design, while using video images to convey the fascination and legends that surround the brand with the star.'

Speaking of opening new doors, the German automaker also is embarking on a new venture involving cool shades and eyewear. At its Fashion Week event that started in Berlin, Mercedes-Benz introduced a new range of sunglasses and eyeglass frames in cooperation with Allison SpA, an Italian eyewear company.

Mercedes-Benz is jumping head-first into the proverbial water of its new market. The joint venture intends to sell in Europe through selected retailers, the trendy eyewear collection ranges from $233-$330 for the eyeglass frames and $220-$357 for the sunglasses.

What is more, Mercedes-Benz also has released details of the new C 63 AMG sports car, a sibling to the race car in the German Touring Car Championships. Outside, the car features the Mercedes-Benz brake dust shield, a bonnet with pronounced power domes, and a new front. At the rear, the AMG rear apron comes with a black diffuser insert and three diffuser fins.

The new car is powered by a normally aspirated 6,208cc V8. The engine produces a maximum power output of 336 horsepower and 600Nm torque. Additionally, transmission is a seven-speed automatic gearbox with steering wheel shift paddles.

The new MB C 63, which is expected to debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September, also features an automatic throttle- blipping function during downshifts and the three-level Electronic Stability Programme. The automaker declined to reveal the details of the price.

original by Anthony Fontanelle
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Anthony Fontanelle is a 35-year-old automotive buff who grew up in the Windy City. He does freelance work for an automotive magazine when he is not busy customizing cars in his shop.

Speculations Increase on the Possible Selling of Volvo

Ford part of the once renowned Detroit's Big Three and producer of top-of-the-line Lincoln catalytic converter has released a statement refuting reports circulating in both UK and US that the automaker will dispose of its profitable Swedish unit, Volvo.

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

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

Ford spokesman John Gardiner has declined to comment on reports in UK newspapers and refrain from saying whether there was a deadline for expressions of interest in Jaguar and Land Rover.

It can be remembered that Ford bought Volvo Cars from Volvo AV in 1999 for US$6.45 billion to become a part of the Premier Automotive Group of luxury-brand cars together with Jaguar, Land River, and Aston Martin. Ford sold its Aston Martin last March to a group of investors led by the UK auto-racing champion David Richards for US$848 million. However the sale was concluded only last May.

With the sale of the Aston Martin, rumors have started circulating of the possible sale of Volvo, Jaguar, and Land Rover brands.

Volvo's sales for this year is expected to surpass its 2004 record of 456,000 cars and sport-utility vehicles with the helped of new models and the increased in demand in Russia that is according to Fredrik Arp, the division's chief executive officer in an interview last June 26.

At present Volvo is focusing its efforts to expand other markets such as in Russia, China, and India in order to match the growth of its competitors such as Volkswagen's Audi luxury division and BMW's luxury cars.

Speaking of BMW, the Sunday Times has reported that the world's largest maker of luxury cars is interested in bidding for Volvo. Other automakers were also reported of showing interest on Volvo and these are Renault SA, Hyundai Motor Co and an unnamed Chinese manufacturer.

The Sunday Times has also stated that private-equity companies may also be attracted to buy Volvo. But of course all these would remain as mere speculations unless Ford will formally announced that it will sell Volvo.

original by Jason Moore
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Jason Moore, a 35 year old freelance writer from Austin, Texas. He also works as a marketing analyst for an established auto parts store in the country.

Kia's Summer Offerings

For the summer season Kia has a lot to offer that would keep the whole family happy.

To keep the kids entertained during long trips, the Sedona models and Carens seven seat models will now include a fully integrated multimedia cinema system consisting of wireless headphones surround sound with games console compatibility. The large screen DVD player is a sure hit with all passengers.

And due to the success of the original launching of Carens model, Kia will offer discounts on the entire Carens range for all would-be mothers. And guess what? The series of discounts to be given will depend on the number of babies that a mother is expecting. Initial offer for one baby will start at £100 up to the point of giving free Carens for those expecting moms plus an array of offers for all those in between.

Aside from the unique discount offerings Kia will also introduced two special edition Carens models: the G5 and the GS5 both with high quality Kia catalytic converter. And for as little as £1000 less than the standard G and GS models upon which these two new models are based, buyers will get the chance to avail of the impressive specification that includes front and rear electric windows, alloy wheels, and a redesigned chrome tailgate badge.

And due to the increased demand for cee'd S, GS, and LS diesel derivatives they will be offered at the same price as their petrol counterparts. The savings that buyers will get will reach up to £1000.

The cee'd SR models will also feature ABS, remote central locking, CD with MP3 player and 16" alloy wheels. The prices of the cee'd SR models will start from £10,495.

Kia will also expand its Rio Line, a special edition 'Red' model, which has been introduced with a choice of 1.4 LS manual and 1.5 CRDi versions with a significant savings of £680 off the normal price list. The focus of the 'Red' model is on safety and luxury that is why it features twin side and curtain airbags, leather covered steering wheel and gear knob coupled with premium upholstery, metal pedals, and interior trim. The limited availability and extra features provide the Red Rio with an exclusive luxurious look and feel that is not only good on the outside but is also conveyed on the driving performance.

To top off the passenger car segment, Kia will launch its Picanto LS with one year's free insurance at an even more affordable price. And as the 4x4 market is growing so will Kia's range of Sportage 2.0 Xi special edition petrol model and the Sorento Xi automatic and manual diesel, special edition. The Sportage Xi will have a price that is lower than the XE model by about £1,350 and lower than the Sorento Xi by £1000. The Sportage range will have a price starting at £13,995 while the Sorento range will be priced at £18,995. Kia will also be offering its special edition TITAN Sportage with 17" Rimfire alloy wheels and metallic paint.

original by Jason Moore
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Jason Moore, a 35 year old freelance writer from Austin, Texas. He also works as a marketing analyst for an established auto parts store in the country.

Greg Norman to Endorse Land Rover

Land Rover North America has recently launched a bold marketing campaign that features professional golfer and Land Rover brand endorser, Greg Norman. The new marketing campaign is a continuation of the "Designed for the Extraordinary" marketing campaign. Land Rover's ad will highlights Norman's two and a half-year relationship with Land Rover North America.

According to Finbar McFall, Vice President of Marketing, Land Rover North America, "This segment showcases the image that binds Greg Norman and Land Rover. With a play on words, the campaign reiterates that performance, luxury, technology, comfort, and drive are top priorities for both brands."

Norman being one of the world's top athletes and entrepreneurs greatly relies on performance not only in his game and work but more so for his everyday life. His success depends greatly on go-anywhere transportation whether it's by air or by land. His Gulfstream G550 jet, Bell 407 Helicopter, and Range Rover Supercharged provides the golfer with the luxury, performance, and capability that he needs to conquer unfamiliar territories.

The 2007 Range Rover Supercharged 4.2 liter V8 engine revs up 400 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque. It can sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 7.1 seconds. Land Rover's flagship vehicle instigates confidence even in difficult situations and at the same time provides effortless performance needed for daily driving.

The new 2007 Range Rover Supercharged is also equipped with high quality car components such as Land Rover catalytic converter that boost its performance.

The latest Greg Norman campaign is actually its second run starting the time that the famous golfer has contracted a deal with Land Rover in the year 2005. The new campaign will be seen in a number of limited luxury lifestyle, golf, business and technology, epicurean and travel publications. The new ad was shot at the Palm Beach International Airport in West Palm Beach, Fla. The campaign has debuted mid-June and will run through the end of the year.

The new marketing campaign will also include Land Rover and Greg Norman Collection of clothing line, which has established cross-promotion with co-branded items and are now available in the latest Land Rover Gear catalog. For more information on Land Rover Gear simply log on to www.landroverusa.com.

Land Rover North America is part of Ford Motor Company's Premier Automotive Group with headquarters in Irvine, California. Land Rover has established operation sin the US in 1986 and presently imports and distributed Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, LR3 and LR2 vehicles that are manufactured by Land Rover in Solihull and Halewood, England.

The worldwide operations of Land Rover are wholly-owned by the Dearborn, Michigan-based automaker, Ford Motor Company. For details on Land Rover retailer nearest you just call 800-FIND-4WD or log on to LandRoverusa.com

original by Jason Moore
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Jason Moore, a 35 year old freelance writer from Austin, Texas. He also works as a marketing analyst for an established auto parts store in the country.

Ford Eyes Small Car for Indian Market

The Ford Motor Company's Indian arm recently announced that they are indeed planning to introduce a small car in the growing Indian auto market. The automaker though also announced that they will not be manufacturing small cars with a price tag of $3,000 which is the goal of domestic and foreign automakers for the Indian auto market.

Today, about 80 percent of new vehicles sold in India are small cars. Most of them are sold by Maruti Udyog Ltd. and Tata Motors Ltd. Both of these domestic automakers have already started developing cheap small cars which will be introduced in the Indian auto market before the turn of the decade. The said vehicle which is already in the works will be priced at about half of the price of the currently cheapest car sold in India.

The announcement was made by Ford India Pvt. Ltd.'s Managing Director and President Mathews. "At the moment, I'm not looking at that ($3,000) kind of price. I'm looking at a small car but not at that price point," said the director during the launch of the diesel Ford Fusion in India recently.

"I look forward to seeing what the (Tata) vehicle looks like," he said. "I'm not being so categorical, I'm just curious as to what this car will look like." Aside from Tata Motors and Maruti Udyog, Ford's competitor in the steadily growing Indian auto market includes Honda and Volkswagen. Both of these automakers have recently expressed their interest in expanding their presence in the Indian auto market.

General Motors has already started marketing small cars in the country earlier this year. The alliance of Renault and Nissan are also growing in terms of production in India. The French and Japanese automakers not only aim to increase their production of vehicles in the country but also make India one of their major production bases.

Aside from developing small cars for the Indian auto market, Ford is also concentrating on the development of Ford window regulator-equipped diesel cars - an example of which is the recently launched Fusion diesel. Indian car buyers are looking for fuel efficient cars and diesel vehicles is one of the solutions.

Since diesel is cheaper than gasoline, and with the price of petroleum fuel increasing steadily, it is, of course, a practical choice for auto buyers. This trend is not only manifested in the Indian auto market but also in Europe.

According to studies conducted on the Indian auto market, 30 percent of auto buyers in India prefer diesel powered cars than gasoline ones. New generation of diesel engines are now attracting more attention due to their cleaner emissions compared to previous generations of diesel engines. It is expected that by the year 2010, 35 percent of Indian auto buyers would prefer diesel cars over gasoline-powered ones.

More than 70 percent of Ford Fiestas sold by the automaker in India are powered by diesel engines. According to Mathew, that number comprises about 22 percent of the midsize car segment market in India. The introduction of the diesel Fusion is expected to boost the sale of diesel powered cars in the Indian auto market.

original by Anthony Fontanelle
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Anthony Fontanelle is a 35-year-old automotive.buff who grew up in the Windy City. He does freelance work for an automotive magazine when he is not busy customizing cars in his shop.

Vw Troubled by Nbc Uni Deal

Volkswagen AG's new Touareg 2 might snatch the limelight near the end of "The Bourne Ultimatum," the Universal Pictures' upcoming film. In the movie, the Touareg is involved in a nerve-racking major chase scene where it flaunted its enviable performance.

As for "Bourne," VW is basing the introduction of its updated Touareg 2 model on the film, with a multimillion-dollar campaign including TV, print and online ads. This is to bolster enhanced Volkswagen Touareg parts incorporated in the redesigned sport utility.

But the automaker's executives are dismayed with the overall marketing partnership that the company entered with NBC Universal in May 2005. The "Bourne," which will be shown August 3, is the eleventh movie placement for VW. But according to company sources, the film is only the second that has met the German automaker's expectations. The other film, "Knocked Up," a comedy set to arrive in theaters June 1, also is commended by VW.

Sources said that all the other placements VW has had in Universal films have not been sufficiently memorable or significant. "The placements we've had so far are not up to the standard we had expected when getting into this deal," said Martin Biswurm, the international entertainment marketing manager at Volkswagen.

Meanwhile, Universal said that it is "proud" to have "successfully placed" 21 VW-brand vehicles in 17 Universal, Focus and Rogue films totaling $990 million in global box-office in the first two years of the companies' alliance.

"VW has been integrated into 56 Universal premieres and events and has had a brand presence on nearly 40 million Universal, Focus and Rogue DVDs globally," the film outfit said in a statement. "Universal has facilitated many successful collaborations between VW and filmmakers, resulting most recently in significant integration into 'The Bourne Ultimatum.'"

"In the first two years of the relationship, VW has leveraged 'King Kong' and 'The Bourne Ultimatum' to create significant global marketing campaigns. An average of one global campaign a year, especially at the beginning of such a large alliance, is, in our opinion, a fantastic track record," was added to the statement.

VW expects to spend roughly $40 million over the three-year deal. But sources said that the automaker has the option to extend the term for two years. Biswurm said that VW has not decided whether it will exercise its option to extend the contract for a full five years. "That decision hasn't been made yet," he said. "I think the problem is a systemic studio weakness, and Universal has done a number of things recently to address those weaknesses."

"Some of the films discussed in the second year of the contract are still being produced, and Year 3 is still ahead of us, so we really only have the first contract year to make our judgments on at the moment," Biswurm added.

Despite the fact that the automaker is dismayed with the results of the deal, VW at least believes it did not overpay for what it has received so far from the pact. Universal declined to give terms of the alliance. "What we've spent so far is commensurate with what we've received and what we expect to receive based on films in the pipeline," Biswurm said. "Until recently, the placements have been marginal. That weakness is a cause for our disappointment."

Other Universal films in which VW autos have starred so far are "Curious George," "The Fast and Furious: Tokyo Drift," "Inside Man," "Hot Fuzz," "Accepted," "Something New," and "Mr. Bean's Holiday." At present, VW expects to have placements in five additional films in production, but it is not committed to spend promotional dollars against any of them, sources noted.

original by Anthony Fontanelle
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Anthony Fontanelle is a 35-year-old automotive buff who grew up in the Windy City. He does freelance work for an automotive magazine when he is not busy customizing cars in his shop.

Shoppers Rate Auto Stores

Based on the poll conducted in the spring by Pied Piper Management Co. of Pacific Grove, Calif., dealers selling the Honda Motor Co.'s premium Acura vehicles won the highest marks from car shoppers, followed by Land Rover, Saturn, Jaguar and Volkswagen stores.

Acura, the luxury division of the Honda Motor Co., has etched a good name in the American auto industry. Before, Japanese cars were primarily economical in design and largely targeted at low-cost consumers. With Acura's arrival, the standing of exported vehicles from Japan was elevated to new heights.

As reported by The Auto Channel, the poll shows luxury brand dealers give customers best treatment. At the other end, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Ford, Jeep, Lincoln, Kia and Scion scored poorly, according to the poll conducted in the spring by Pied Piper Management Co. of Pacific Grove, Calif.

The brands with the highest ratings also tended to have higher sales and profits, noted Fran O'Hagan, the president of Pied Piper. "We found that eight of the top ten brands averaged more than 250 units per year, and only three of the ten lowest rated brands averaged more than 250 units. There are exceptions, but still, it makes me think those numbers are a proxy for dealer profitability," he declared.

The survey's findings dispelled a deeply rooted myth about the business, O'Hagan said. While most people associate car shopping with overbearing sales staffers, "the reality is, it's four times more likely for a customer leaving the dealership to feel that they were undersold than oversold," he added.

Other surveys measure car owners' satisfaction with their dealers and dealer service, but O'Hagan said that his study is the first that gauges prospective car buyers' fresh impressions.

Pied Piper surveyed shoppers at 1,592 dealerships. O'Hagan said that Acura, the top-rated brand, showed a high level of consistency, with survey respondents giving dealers high marks across the board. Of the 55 attributes measured, "they were always up in the top five or six," he said. In addition, there were not any sharp variations in the scores of individual Acura dealers.

Chip Elliott, a sales manager at Suburban Acura in Farmington Hills, said the store strives to achieve the right balance. Staffers do not go out to the parking lot to greet visitors as they pull in. "Once they come into the dealership, there's a meet-and-greet," Elliott said. "If they choose to be left alone, that's OK. We stay close by for questions or concerns, until we can take it to the next level."

If are heading to Pennsylvania auto parts store or any dealership, try to compare and rate them. This is your opportunity to have the best slice of the auto industry.

original by Anthony Fontanelle
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Anthony Fontanelle is a 35-year-old automotive buff who grew up in the Windy City. He does freelance work for an automotive magazine when he is not busy customizing cars in his shop.

Atkinson Confident of Subaru’s Resurgence

Chris Atkinson, one of the promising stars in the World Rally Championship, is struggling in the current WRC season but is confident that Subaru is progressing that it is on the way to claiming its former glory. Atkinson said that Subaru is catching up with leaders Citroen and Ford.

This season, Subaru is yet to take a win after eight rallies completed. In fact, the last win posted by a Subaru driver was two years ago at the Wales Rally GB. Last season, Atkinson performed below par which has put him under pressure from the Japanese automaker.

This year though, Atkinson is showing signs of a good performance by finishing in the top eight in five events. He has already racked up 15 points so far and his accomplishment this year includes a fourth place finish in Monte Carlo. Atkinson has said that his performance and the reliability of his car show that Subaru is a better challenger to Ford and Citroen.

"It's not been too bad," said Atkinson. "I'm fairly happy with how I've performed. I've set fastest times on tarmac, gravel and snow this year and we were leading the last rally in Greece, so things are there and it's not too far away from all coming together."

"The highs I think have been leading in Greece and the Monte Carlo super-special; that was pretty cool and the atmosphere was great. To go and win the stage and take a place off Mikko (Hirvonen) – ok it wasn't for a podium but it was a good battle rally-long – was fun. As to lows, obviously the crash in Portugal wasn't that much fun and things hadn't been going as planned up until then, but the three rallies since that have all been quite good for me," he stated further.

The revised Impreza with its Subaru vent visor and a host of racing parts has played a key role in Atkinson's better performance this season. Nine of his points came after the introduction of the said car. Atkinson pointed out further that the improvement is still not complete since the next even will be one of his favorite events in the WRC calendar. The Neste Oil Rally Finland will be held from the third to the fifth of August.

"I love the stages in Finland. Unfortunately we had some technical problems last year, but this time I think things are in much better shape and we should have good speed there. We would probably have finished fourth last year if we hadn't had the problems, so you never know where we could be," Atkinson talked on the issue.

Subaru currently has 43 points while second place Ford already has 86 and leader Citroen has 114. Atkinson pointed out that they have to catch up with these two teams immediately. "We obviously want to put our foot down a bit now and start fighting with the main Ford team and Citroën. We showed that a little bit in Greece, and hopefully we can do that some more in the second half of the year."

"Judging by Monte Carlo and the test we've just had, the car seems quite good on tarmac and I think we've made some steps forward there as well. We've got four tarmac rallies to come and there are a lot of points up for grabs there. It's definitely going to be interesting and we're going to have to be on top of our game," the Australian rally driver enthused.

original by Anthony Fontanelle
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Anthony Fontanelle is a 35-year-old automotive.buff who grew up in the Windy City. He does freelance work for an automotive magazine when he is not busy customizing cars in his shop.

Volkswagen Expects Sales Increase Due to Skoda

The partnership between Chinese and European automakers which resulted in the formation of the Shanghai Volkswagen Automobile Company is currently looking to boost their sales and share in the market in the near future. The automaker is looking at a car brand which has been on the receiving end of many a joke in the past - the Czech automaker Skoda. The Shanghai Volkswagen Co. sees Skoda as a way to boost their sales in the second largest auto market in the world.

The Shanghai Volkswagen Company is a 50-50 venture between the SAIC Motor Corp and Volkswagen AG. The partnership announced that they are expecting the recent launch of Skoda auto models in the country will boost overall sales. Skoda is wholly owned by Volkswagen AG. According to the company, they are expecting Skoda to corner 2.5 to 3 percent of the passenger car market in China before the turn of the decade.

The venture between the Chinese and German automobile manufacturers though did not divulge how many units of Skoda vehicles they are expecting to sell by 2010. Analysts and experts in the filed touted the move by the venture as a bold one considering the popularity or lack of it of the Skoda brand in the Chinese auto market.

Shanghai Volkswagen though announced that they are aiming to sell over 30,000 units of the Skoda Octavia in China this year. The Skoda Octavia is a compact sedan which is aimed to attract the attention of Chinese auto buyers looking for an everyday car with a good fuel efficiency and practicality.

The 30,000 goal for the Sino-German is part of its aim to increase total Skoda sales from about 352,000 units last year to 400,000 this year. The first batch of Skoda Octavia manufactured completely in China was released on the sixth of June this year and it has already received good reviews from Chinese auto publications.

From January to June this year, the venture posted an increase of 23.1 percent in sale - an indication that the Chinese auto market is still growing. The venture sold 213,735 units for the first half of the year. Of that number, 3,000 units were Skoda Octavias. The sales for the first half of the year put the Shanghai Volkswagen as the third largest passenger car manufacturer in China. The second largest also involves Volkswagen and its tie-up with FAW Corp. The largest car manufacturer for the first half of the year in China is the venture between General Motors and SAIC.

The Chinese auto market is still expected to grow beyond 2010. Yale Zhang, the director of Greater China Vehicle Forecasts, predicts that passenger car sales in China will reach 5 million this year. After that, it is expected to grow to about 7.2 million units by 2010.

A statement from the Shanghai Volkswagen venture reads: "The introduction of Skoda is the start of our multi-brand strategy and will expand our lineup to satisfy growing customer demand."

The venture between the Chinese and German automaker manufactures different auto components such as the Volkswagen transmission mount and such and entire vehicles even. The venture produces Volkswagen nameplates such as the Santana, Passat, Polo, Golf, and the Touran. Aside from the Octavia, the venture will also introduce other Skoda auto models in the country in the near future including the subcompact Fabia and the midsize Superb.

original by Anthony Fontanelle
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Anthony Fontanelle is a 35-year-old automotive.buff who grew up in the Windy City. He does freelance work for an automotive magazine when he is not busy customizing cars in his shop.

Super Fuel Efficient Autos for the Carolinas

The demand for fuel efficient vehicle is very strong that civic organizations are doing their best to promote the use of eco-friendly and fuel efficient vehicles. An example of this is the Plug-In Hybrid Coalition of the Carolinas which is slated to receive its first delivery of a plug-in hybrid car on the 23rd of this month.

The said plug-in hybrid vehicle is a prototype which, according to sources, has an astounding gas mileage rating of 100 miles per gallon. That figure is for city driving. The fuel efficiency of the said prototype is complemented by its environment friendliness. The car reduces emission by as much as 60 percent.

"We are thrilled to show technology exists that will significantly improve air quality, reduce greenhouse gases, and lessen our dependence on foreign oil," said Jim Poch, the Executive Director of the Plug-IN Hybrid Coalition of the Carolinas. Poch also pointed out that the use of alternative fuels will further enhance the eco-friendliness of the vehicle and its fuel efficiency as well.

Plug-in hybrid vehicles are essentially hybrid vehicles which can be recharged by plugging it into an electrical socket. This capability of plug-in hybrid vehicles is made possible by an efficient battery pack which is powerful enough to store a large amount of power. This stored power should also be complemented by advanced electric motors which will be tasked to drive the vehicle.

By simply plugging in a PHEV into a household socket, its battery pack can be recharged. For car owners who do most of their driving around a city, the capability of the advanced battery pack and the electric motor would mean that consumption of petroleum fuel will be virtually eliminated.

The Coalition is a grassroots organization composed of civic, business, and environmental leaders. The coalition's aim is to urge automakers to push forward with the development of practical plug-in hybrid vehicles for mass production. Over 50 prototypes of PHEVs have already been built since 2004. Two of these are hybrid school buses used in Raleigh and Charlotte, North Carolina. In response to the coalition's urging, both Toyota and General Motors, the largest automakers in the world predicts that PHEVs may be mass produced by 2010.

Area utilities supporting the coalition include SCE&G, Progress Energy and Duke Energy. Bob Long, the general manger of corporate planning for SCE&G, has this to say about their involvement in the initiative: "Government studies have shown our nation has enough off-peak electricity to power 84 percent of the nation's passenger and light duty truck fleet. Since the vehicles reduce emissions and lower fuel costs, we think plug-ins present a winning combination for consumers, the environment, and the utility industry."

Meanwhile, Lloyd Yates, the president and Chief Executive Officer of Progress Energy Carolinas, has this to say: "Meeting the energy needs of the future requires a balanced solution, one that includes alternative projects like these plug-in hybrids. We are excited about the coalition's work and we look forward to learning more about the promise of these vehicles."

The delivery of the coalition's first PHEV signals a new era for vehicles such as this. With this, it seems that the advent of PHEVs could not be stopped even with highly efficient brake components from Active Brakes Direct.

The sentiment of the coalition is summed up by Dana Beach, the Coastal Conservation League Director, saying: "We are excited to help showcase this technology. Anything that improves air quality and reduces greenhouse gases is urgently needed."

original by Anthony Fontanelle
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Anthony Fontanelle is a 35-year-old automotive.buff who grew up in the Windy City. He does freelance work for an automotive magazine when he is not busy customizing cars in his shop.

Bmw Serious About Getting Green

Linde's CEO Wolfgang Reitzle has stressed that he will be driving hydrogen-powered BMW Hydrogen 7 from now on.

The objective is very clear for Professor Dr. Reitzle. He said, "Hydrogen-powered cars should become an everyday sight on our streets."

The Chairman of the Executive Board of Linde AG has started practicing what he preaches by collecting a BMW Hydrogen 7 at the Linde Hydrogen Center. Professor Dr. Reitzle is to get a brand new model of what is considered to be the first top-end saloon in the world with a bivalent hydrogen-powered combustion engine. The new car will be handed over by Professor Dr. Joachim Millberg, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of BMW Group.

Professor Dr. Reitzle also added, "BMW and Linde are working closely together to achieve sustainable mobility using hydrogen as a fuel. With the BMW Hydrogen 7, BMW has taken a very important step towards mass production. For me, this vehicle is much more than just a new company car. The BMW Hydrogen 7 proves that hydrogen technology is suitable for everyday use."

The new car will be re-fuelled with climate-neutral hydrogen at the Linde Hydrogen Center in Unterschleißheim which presently supplies BMW's own test vehicles.

Professor Dr. Millberg said, "We need network partners from the fields of politics, the sciences and economics, so that we can continue to develop and expand appropriate infrastructures and technologies to support the use of hydrogen as a fuel. Linde and BMW are united by a common vision of achieving sustainable production and supply of hydrogen."

For so long, Linde has been at the cutting edge when it comes to the development of environmentally-friendly hydrogen technology. The company also provides a complete range of technologies necessary for the functioning of a hydrogen value chain and that involves production to re-fuelling.

Linde is also involved in other initiatives which aim to demonstrate the suitability of hydrogen as an everyday fuel. It is also BMW's exclusive gas partner for its CleanEnergy Project. The company has also taken a leading role as a supplier of mobile re-fuelling systems.

BMW the producer of top-of-the-line BMW 323is parts and Linde are ensuring Germany's position as the center of innovation reinforcing it with the creation of an infrastructure of hydrogen filling stations. Earlier this year, the Linde Hydrogen Center in Unterschleißheim was voted as one of the "365 Landmarks" by the federal initiative "Germany-Land of Ideas".

The German automaker has already produced a series of 100 models of its Hydrogen 7 which is the first top-end saloon in the world to be equipped with a hydrogen-powered combustion engine with bivalent drive. The Hydrogen 7 is a combination of hydrogen technology, good handling, high-performance, and of course luxurious comfort which BMW is known for. The range of Hydrogen 7 vehicles is to be presented in the course of 2007 to selected individuals in political and economic spheres and also to distinguish members of the society for use as an everyday mode of transport.

original by Hailey Kerr
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Hailey Kerr is a Business Administration graduate. She is currently part of a business consulting firm in Massachusetts. Hailey loves to write and enjoys doing her favorite hobby during her free time - cooking French cuisines.

Bmw's 5-series Has New Names, Much Better Performance

BMW has changed the name of its six-cylinder powered midsize, luxury 5-Series cars for 2008 to emphasize its larger and more powerful engines. The old 525i would be change to 528i with 230hp while the 530i becomes the 535i with 300 hp included on the twin-turbocharged, six-cylinder 535xi Sports Wagon.

The German automaker and producer of high quality BMW 325 parts has also updated the interiors of its 2008 5-Series sedans and wagons with the addition of an optional Lane Departure Warning system that softly vibrates the steering wheel whenever it detects that the driver is wandering out of his or her lane. The manufacturer's suggested retail price for the 5-Series including destination charge will start at $45,075 for the base 528i.

BMW has also assured that buyers of the 5-Series sedan will love the image that the four-door car conveys. The 2008 5-Series styling and design reflects its performance heritage, a good bit of technology but not lightweight. It is also worth mentioning that would-be BMW 5-Series owners will receive four years/50,000 miles of free maintenance that would include scheduled oil changes and even replacement if worn out windshield wiper blades. This is in addition to the four-year/50,000-mile limited, bumper-to-bumper warranty.

It is also hard to miss out the new found power in the 2008 BMWs. The test 535xi weighs in at nearly 4,000 pounds which means that this particular BMW will not feel lightweight or flighty. Its peak torque is at 300 pounds-feet and can come as low as 1,400 rpm and can reach up to 5,000 rpm which is quite satisfying for any kind of driving.

The 3-liter, twin-turbocharged, inline six-cylinder with variable valve timing for both intake and exhaust functions are similar to the one equipped on the BMW 335i. It was mated in the test 535xi to an updated Steptronic automatic transmission that could be shifter manually. For the 536xi, BMW has removed the confusing and difficult-to-operate Sequential Manual Gearbox.

The power is also increased to its highest ever in the base 528i which has a 3-liter, inline six-cylinder with variable valve timing without the turbocharging. The top range 550i sedan retains its 360-hp, 4.8 liter V8.

Fuel economy is not a highly flaunted characteristic of BMW's vehicles but for the test 535xi, it was able to perform within the government's ratings of 17 mpg for city driving and 25 mpg for highway driving. The handling as expected of a BMW was remarkable. The car body was steady and well-controlled in all maneuvers even over some busy road surfaces.

original by Hailey Kerr
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Hailey Kerr is a Business Administration graduate. She is currently part of a business consulting firm in Massachusetts. Hailey loves to write and enjoys doing her favorite hobby during her free time - cooking French cuisines.

Big Three: Finding the Right Balance

The future of the American automotive industry lies in the hands of today's auto executives. Amid the series of hardships, auto execs are expected to be tough and clever to find the right balance in making decisions and affirming deals for the betterment of the industry that they are in.

Detroit's Big Three seems to be enduring a limp as they walk towards the bargaining table. The once-influential clout appears blurry. As such, workers are worried about the forthcoming United Auto Workers (UAW) talks. Would the result be detrimental to them?

A sense of urgency is making Big Three's nerves rattle. This time around, the General Motors Corp., the Ford Motor Co. and the Chrysler Group have to grab the best deal for everyone. Since 2003, when the last national contracts were signed, tens of thousands of auto jobs in the United States have vanished. This is the aftermath of the automakers turnaround plan amid escalating losses. Moreover, increasing health care expenses have widened the significant difference in labor costs between the Big Three and their fast-rising foreign rivals led by the Toyota Motor Corp.

A hot debate likened to a Saturn spark plug wire delivering tens of thousand volts of electricity is anticipated to occur. "There's no question these talks are critical to the competitiveness of American manufacturing," said John Snow, the chairman of Cerberus Capital Management, the New York private-equity firm that is buying Chrysler from its German parent DaimlerChrysler AG.

Experts in the industry believe this round of contract talks will determine whether GM, Ford and Chrysler get back in the black, or tilt further toward financial catastrophe. Overall, the Big Three lost more than $16 billion in the previous year, with Ford alone accounting for $12.6 billion in losses.

For the UAW, the stakes are nothing less than the survival of a union and the preservation of jobs, wages and benefits dependent on the shaky health of the Big Three. While UAW President Ron Gettelfinger has said the union was not entering the talks in a "concessionary mode," there is little uncertainty that the Big Three will push hard for relief from growing health costs.

With their combined obligations estimated at over $100 billion, the Big Three hopes for a pact that could create a union-controlled fund to administer the health care of two million current and retired employees as well as their families.

By eliminating future health care costs off their responsibilities, the Big Three would have an aggressive opportunity to become profitable again. But without a dramatic slash on labor costs, Detroit automakers will continue losing cash in the race to compete with flourishing foreign auto manufacturers.

"Going back in history, these companies have financially been the rock of Gibraltar," said David Cole, the director of the Center for Automotive Research in Ann Arbor. "That's not true anymore. The rock of Gibraltar has turned into a sandbar."

Some workers say the rivers of red ink are as much the fault of management blunders as the cost of union labor. "The corporations are crying poor," said Gary Walkowicz, a worker at Ford's Dearborn truck plant. "The big majority of workers in my plant feel we've given too many concessions and don't want to give any more."

On the other hand, the Big Three execs privately said that the critical decisions are in the hands of Gettelfinger, the pragmatic UAW president. "We have nothing but accolades for Ron and the way he runs the union," intimated one executive. "But it's incumbent on all of us - the companies and the union - to fix our broken business model."

original by Anthony Fontanelle
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Anthony Fontanelle is a 35-year-old automotive buff who grew up in the Windy City. He does freelance work for an automotive magazine when he is not busy customizing cars in his shop.

Saturn Helps Build Homes

Earlier this year, representatives from about 600 Saturn dealerships converged in Colorado Springs for the annual National Retailer Business Meeting. The said conference is aimed to give Saturn dealers learn more about the company's expectations and goals. The knowledge of this, of course, will give dealerships the chance to improve their performance in dealing with consumers.

This year though, the company's goal is different. This is because this year, Saturn decided to strengthen their commitment to their consumers and the environment by partnering with the Habitat for Humanity. Under the partnership, Saturn dealerships will be building four environmentally-conscious homes for the Colorado Springs community.

"(Our brand message is) giving back and being able to look at what have you done to make the world better not just (with) products," said Tony Parrottino, the national sales promotion manager for Saturn.

"By building homes and doing this event as more a community type of giving back as a cause… that's the whole key to it," added Parrottino. "If a brand does not have a cause marketing relationship or a cause identified as part of its brand, it's missing the spirit of the brand. In all cases, a brand has to function as a reflection of humans."

According to Parrottino, when the dealers arrived for the event, they were not informed of what would be asked of them. Instead, "We told them to come dressed in jeans and work clothes. We felt that that's the way we operate: Our guys are always intrigued. What will happen next? (We told them to) dress and be able to work," said Parrottino.

After arriving for the meeting, the dealers were then taken to the Habitat for Humanity site. The dealers helped in framing four houses. The exercise not only bolsters the good relationship between dealers and the community of Colorado Springs but it also the relationship between the dealers and Saturn.

"It was the emotional connection of us and our dealers working together in a team effort," said Parrottino. "You can do just about anything you set out to do if you work as a team. We were able to frame those four homes in one day. They laid the house out on the floor like a template and we built those walls."

The event gave the dealers the perception that Saturn is relating to its consumers. According to Parrottino, Saturn is the greenest brand in General Motors. The brand is known for its Green Line or hybrid versions of established nameplates which not only offers good performance, reliable parts such as the Saturn radiator hose, but also has good fuel economy.

"(The event gave) us a chance to explore the green side of our brand. Saturn is the greenest brand in General Motors," Parrottino said. "Our retailers were emotionally connected with the team build, but more so with the fact that four families were going to be able to have affordable homes and be green. Those homes were going to have high-efficiency furnaces, glass, etc. It's a little bit more money up front, but in the long run it's a more affordable home."

The event is considered a success by the General Motors marque. "It's a perfect example that a picture is worth a thousand words. How could I express that over the phone the way we did when we went and built these homes? The event worked out beautifully. It was all about teamwork. How do I get teamwork on an e-mail?" said Parrottino.

original by Anthony Fontanelle
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Anthony Fontanelle is a 35-year-old automotive buff who grew up in the Windy City. He does freelance work for an automotive magazine when he is not busy customizing cars in his shop.

New 380 Sells Low Price Strategy

Mitsubishi Group of Companies has reinvented its Adelaide-built 380 sedan by introducing a Series III with high value but low price strategy.

As the Japanese car maker tries to keep the Tonsley Park plant continuously building cars, Mitsubishi has decided to go for the throat in pricing the large sedan against its six-cylinder rivals particularly Holden Commodore, Ford Falcon and Toyota Aurion.

Mitsubishi Motors Australia president Robert McEniry recently said they believe that with the metamorphosis of the product line-up, the 380 Series III, is now, more than ever, the best vehicle for Australian families.

Despite for this year's high demand for Mitsubishi's imported product, sales of the 380 have dropped 18 per cent as it targets to sell 1000 unites per month. This just goes to snow that the new Series III is very important to the Tonsley Park plant's immediate future.

Though not really stated, we must expect that to reduce the toxicity of emissions from an internal combustion engine, Mitsubishi has equipped the 380 with an improved Mitsubishi catalytic converter.

The 380 features a refreshing interior, external design enhancements, specification upgrade and realignment of model variants.

Throughout the range, a 3.8-litre V6 engine giving 175kW power is still standard. Majority of the versions have a five-speed automatic with sports mode sequential shift and some are also available with a five-speed manual gearbox.

Standard equipments on all 380 models are dual front and side airbags, ABS anti-skid brakes, automatic climate control air conditioning and heating, power windows, cruise control and power-adjustable driver's seat.

A new sports front bumper, fog lamps, alloy wheels and traction control are the features of the entry-level ES, which costs $28,990 for manual and $30,990 for automatic.

And to spur the launch of the Series III, Mitsubishi is offering an extra package. It includes the "ES Sports" which adds rear wing, larger (17in diameter) alloy wheels, upgraded sports suspension, sunroof and Bluetooth phone connectivity, with no addition to its $28,990 price.

Glass's Guide exhibits the entry-level Commodore at $34,490 for four-speed auto, the Falcon manual at $34,990 and the Aurion also at $34,990 for six-speed auto.

A 380 GTL is added to the Mitsubishi range. It is a luxury version of the GT model with leather interior and sunroof and priced at $44,990.

Mr. McEniry said that over the past 18 months, the customer satisfaction level of 380 buyers had increased and it is helped by its fuel economy. According to him, production rates of the 380 at the Tonsley Park plant made it "a more than sustainable business model" and it was planned that the plant would maintain making the 380 until 2011 wherein time future models would have been considered.
Watch out for the Mitsubishi 380 Series III cars as they go on sale from July 29.

original by Jason Moore
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Jason Moore, a 35 year old freelance writer from Austin, Texas. He also works as a marketing analyst for an established auto parts store in the country.

Theissen Awaits Further Bmw Progress

BMW motorsport director Mario Theissen positively anticipates that his team's rate of progress in Formula One will continue after already emerging as Ferrari and McLaren's closest contenders this year.

Although he has already admitted that contending for wins on pure pace will be impossible in 2007, Theissen has seen his team become the third best in F1 this season and that development work at their Hinwil factory could change that scenario for next year.

Theissen said that they have every reason to be satisfied with what they have so far achieved. He added that their target for this year was to make it onto the podium on their own caliber.

According to him, Nick Heidfeld already managed that merit in Montreal with his second place, at the same time claiming their best individual result so far. Theissen is also confident that this will not be their last podium finish this year.

With intense firmness, he said that they have vividly established themselves as the third strongest team and that they have no intention of discontinuing that position in the remaining races of the season.

Theissen reviews that they have already notched up 56 points for 2007 and last year they finished the season with 36. Thus, he said that they have come away from every Grand Prix with points.

Furthermore, he continued that he is particularly pleased with all of those since they have not yet completed their two-year development phase. He adds that the Hinwil factory extension won't be ready until the end of the year and that's when they will be operating at full power.

About BMW
Along with its automotive concerns, the BMW Group is composed of the development, production and marketing of automobiles, and motorcycles. It is also into financial services.

The BMW Group is the sole car maker in the world to pursue a purely premium strategy for all market sectors covered by its brands, from exclusive smaller cars to top-of-the-range luxury limousines. Its car brands include BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. The Group also manufactures quality BMW 318ti parts.

As to motorcycles, BMW also uses "premium" as the key word. The Group's strategy is to develop and build the best motorcycles, set standards in connection with technology, environmental protection and safety, and provide outstanding customer service in the pre- and after-sales phases.

The Group also perceives financial services as a key factor for success in today's mobile world. It provides financing and leasing, asset management, dealer financing and company car pools services.

Other business interests include insurance (Bavaria Wirtschaftsagentur GmbH), IT consulting and systems integration (Softlab GmbH).

BMW is also into motorsport. The BMW Sauber F1 Team looks back on a successful British Grand Prix with Robert Kubica and Nick Heidfeld finishing fourth and sixth respectively. With this result, the BMW Sauber F1 Team garnered another eight World Championship points to the team's tally and maintained its position as third power on the Formula One grid.

original by Hailey Kerr
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Hailey Kerr is a Business Administration graduate. She is currently part of a business consulting firm in Massachusetts. Hailey loves to write and enjoys doing her favorite hobby during her free time - cooking French cuisines.

Bmw Launches 1 Series in South Africa

BMW has already released its 1 Series in South Africa with the three-door model. Minor changes were made to car's exterior styling with a design update done for the front lights, air intake, fog lights, front and rear air damps and the kidney grille. Aside from that the bumpers and tail lights were also new.

BMW has also enhanced the interior form and finish of the 1 Series. But the big news is not on the enhancements although it simply cannot be denied the effect that they would have on the 1 Series. The remarkable news is the introduction of the three-door model which is offered as 130i, 120i, and 118i derivatives.

The 130i model is given the BMW's straight-six 3-liter petrol engine with double VANOS and Valvetronic. Its maximum output is 195 kW with torque at 35 Nm while its average fuel consumption is 9.2 liters/100km. It can also sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in a matter of 6 seconds and reach a top speed of 250 km/h but electronically limited. The average fuel consumption to the EU standard is 9.2 liter/100 km.

On the other hand, the 120i produces 115 kW with maximum torque of 200Nm and a fuel consumption figure of 7.9 liters/100km. The power for the 118i is 100kW with torque of 180Nm and according to BMW this particular model has a fuel consumption of 7.4 liters/100km.

The German luxury car maker and producer of high quality BMW 323ic parts, BMW has its lineup for the five-door remains unchanged however the automaker has improved the 120d engine giving it more power and a much better fuel consumption. All these are courtesy of the modifications done on the combustion chambers, in the air guidance system, the turbocharger with variable turbine geometry, and of course the common-rail fuel injection.

The aluminum crankcase was also a big help since it significantly reduces the overall weight of the engine. This four-cylinder diesel revs up a maximum output of 25 kW and a peak torque of 340 Nm--- recording an increase in power of torque by 10 kW and 10 Nm respectively. The increase in power guarantees acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in just matter of 7.6 seconds.

The average fuel consumption under the EU standard is down to 5.5 liters for 100 kilometers.

All of BMW's Series models are offered with a six-speed manual gearbox with six-speed automatic transmission offered as standard feature. The Steptronic function is offered as an option or as a standard feature depending on the model. Active steering is offered on the 130i and 120d derivatives.

original by Hailey Kerr
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Hailey Kerr is a Business Administration graduate. She is currently part of a business consulting firm in Massachusetts. Hailey loves to write and enjoys doing her favorite hobby during her free time - cooking French cuisines.

Subaru’s Simpler Name Game

Subaru plans to make things a bit easier by simplifying its auto naming structure. The Japanese automaker will use the Outback nameplate only for wagons and the Legacy name only for sedans.

Before, the Outback name was used on both sedans and wagons. The name, in essence, signifies a rugged outdoor trim level of the Legacy sedan and wagon. Now, there are no fuss, no frills. The new and simpler naming structure will start with the 2008 models. According to Subaru of America, the company is going to be a bit more discriminating in how it uses the Outback name.

Subaru Outback parts as well as those of the Legacy entertained extensive enhancements for the 2008 lineup. These modifications include revised front and rear styling, new front and rear bumper fascias, a bigger grille opening, and new headlamps and taillamps.

Additionally, the Legacy will be introducing a new variant – the 3.0 R Limited, which is equipped with a 245-horsepower flat-6 engine, Bilstein sport suspension, a five-speed automatic with paddle shift, and Subaru's Intelligent Drive performance control system.

What is more, all 2008 models will receive a redesigned instrument panel, revised interior fabrics, a telescoping steering column and integrated ignition key or remote entry. All six-cylinder models showcase electroluminescent gauges.

"Times change, and the radical becomes mainstream. The Subaru Outback seemed so different when it debuted as one of the first crossover vehicles in 1995. Its raised ride height, permanent all-wheel drive, and by its second year, body cladding and other styling cues cashed in on the then-hot SUV style, but with superior fuel economy and vehicle dynamics. 'The World's First Sport-Utility Wagon' brought Subaru from near-obscurity to fame and fortune, and provided inspiration for products from other manufacturers," said Carey Russ, a car expert.

"In common with all current Subarus, the Outback uses a liquid-cooled, horizontally-opposed engine mounted inline in a strong, rigid unibody chassis structure, driving all four wheels at all times through a sophisticated all-wheel drive system," Russ added. "The suspension is fully-independent, by means of MacPherson struts in front and a multilink system in the rear. The engine's low height ensures a low center of gravity despite 8.4 inches of ground clearance (at the exhaust pipe), and the suspension geometry was designed and rates calibrated to take advantage of this. All parts of the system work together, for a moderately firm ride and very good cornering ability and reactions to driver inputs."

"Unlike some crossover AWD systems, all wheels are driven all the time, so there are no sudden differences in traction and response when the rear wheels are suddenly activated. That AWD provides excellent traction on dry pavement as well as in rain or snow or on dirt or gravel, and so is just as useful in the Sun Belt as in the Snow Belt," Russ noted.

original by Anthony Fontanelle
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Anthony Fontanelle is a 35-year-old automotive buff who grew up in the Windy City. He does freelance work for an automotive magazine when he is not busy customizing cars in his shop.

Volkswagen Finds Its Way in America

Volkswagen AG's existence in the United States has always been one of highs and lows but not as near to the ground as now.

How grave is the situation? For the past three years, VW's U.S. operations have lost close to $1 billion annually. Now the German automaker is trying again to save the brand in the U.S. Stefan Jacoby, a German with close ties to VW Chairman Martin Winterkorn and Supervisory Board Chairman Ferdinand K. Piëch, was tapped to head U.S. operations.

Jacoby, 49, made his mark as head of VW's global sales and marketing. Since Jacoby took charge, VW boosted its European market share to 20.3 percent from 18.1 percent. With its U.S. fortunes slipping, Jacoby is facing his biggest challenge yet. His mission is to meet Winterkorn's target of breaking even in the U.S. by 2009.

Only a year ago, the German automaker was gearing up a huge marketing campaign to relaunch a revamped Rabbit and Jetta with enhanced VW parts in an effort to recapture its niche as the affordable, stylish European car of choice for young generation shoppers. The plan, as previously reported, was to create a VW renaissance.

"I've never seen a brand struggle so hard to understand the U.S. market and fail so miserably," said Rebecca Lindland, a director at consulting firm Global Insight Inc. VW's sales dived to 235,000 last year, from 338,000 in 2002. Martin left last December, part of a shakeup when Porsche took over.

Making matters shoddier is the notion in America that VW's quality lags versus its Japanese rivals. Americans believe that VW's interiors do not stand up to their lifestyle. Americans, as a fact, do a lot more eating and drinking coffee in their cars than Europeans do.

That is one factor in J.D. Power & Associates Inc. ranking VW in the bottom 20 percent for reliability, quality, and service. "That really hurts VW when its young customer base does so much online comparative shopping," said Power Information Network analyst Tom Libby.

To push turnaround, Jacoby has to battle the excruciatingly high euro and VW's narrow manufacturing presence in North America. The company needs to introduce new models that build on its long tradition of quirkiness and connect with the Americans. Instead, the automaker's more recent offerings look bland. Dealers think VW blew a golden opportunity when it chose not to introduce an updated version of the wildly popular Microbus from the '60s and '70s.

Casey Gunther, VW's top-selling dealer, in Coconut Creek, Fla., is troubled. "We're missing the funkiness" that U.S. buyers expect from VW, he said. "The Germans don't understand." And unlike in Europe, affluent buyers don't see VW as an inspirational brand.

Winterkorn vows the turnaround of the U.S. business is his "No. 1 priority." But there is only so long any management can put up with nearly $1 billion annual losses. "For the first time in some time, the phrase 'If we are to stay in the U.S.' precedes a lot of conversations at VW," said one executive close to VW.

In China, VW business is booming. The automaker expects 12 percent sales gain this year. This target will be helped by the Magotan sedan and other product lines. Sales in China could top 800,000 cars this year, Volkswagen China Group executive vice-president Soh Weiming said at a car show in Changchun.

"The market is still growing at a very aggressive pace," added Soh. "Ten years ago only a fortune teller could tell you how good the car market would be in the following year, but now the market is pretty stable."

original by Anthony Fontanelle
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Anthony Fontanelle is a 35-year-old automotive buff who grew up in the Windy City. He does freelance work for an automotive magazine when he is not busy customizing cars in his shop.

Saturn Aura Marketing Gambit Pulls More Sales

The Saturn division of the General Motors Corp's is wowing auto shoppers away from rival brands this year and expects to attract even more as it rolls out a marketing program that offers direct comparisons with top-selling sedans from Japanese competitors, said the Saturn chief.

Over the past weeks, Saturn dealers have placed a Toyota Camry and a Honda Accord in their showrooms, challenging purchasers to take comparison test drives with the Aura. GM calls the first-of-its-kind marketing campaign the "Side-by-Side-by-Side" challenge.

"It really demonstrates just how confident we are in the product," said Jill Lajdziak, the general manager of Saturn. The well-reviewed Aura represents a key advance for the automaker, which has been launching a revamped lineup featuring bolder European styling to reverse declining sales and revitalize the Saturn brand.

The Aura, which brought Saturn back into the highly competitive midsize sedan segment, has helped bolstered sales. With sales up to 21 percent through June, Saturn represents GM's best-performing brand at a time when the automaker has seen its overall American sales drop eight percent.

Lajdziak said that Saturn would get momentum from the Aura marketing campaign and other efforts. "It has bounced back in the marketplace. And consideration numbers are going up," Lajdziak said. "I expect the consideration and the conquest levels to continue to rise."

Executives at GM said that the Detroit automaker has improved quality, but not yet changed negative perceptions that go back decades. As such it has designed a campaign to close the gap. "One of the things we are trying to do... is to get people who would not have considered a domestic car to actually think about it," said Chuck Thomson, the director of Saturn sales.

Such campaign, according to analysts, is pretty risky. Instead of drawing more customers, it could push some consumers to their rivals, especially if they found out that the competitors' product lines are far better. But so far, the side-by-side-by-side campaign of the domestic automaker is serving its purpose well enough.

Data from industry tracking firm Edmunds.com show the Aura has gained traction. In May, the number of visitors to the Web site considering an Aura increased to over 48,000, almost double. From January through June, sales of the Aura in the United States totaled 27,229. That compared with 240,530 sales for the Camry and 182,346 for the Accord over the same period. "We picked the Camry and Honda because they are the two heavy-volume players in the segment," Thomson said.

The Aura was also voted the North American Car of the Year by automotive journalists. This has added to the salability of the car. GM, which lost the top spot in global sales to the Toyota Motor Corp. earlier this year, has seen its American market slice shrink to roughly 23 percent from a peak of about 45 percent in 1980. As part of its turnaround, executives have said that GM needs to see Saturn turn the corner with its new product lineup.

Encouraged by the success of the Aura marketing program, the largest American automaker is considering launching a similar campaign for the new Saturn Vue, which is going out to dealers this month. GM is also considering rolling out a head-to-head marketing blitz for the new Chevrolet Malibu, which will be rolled off later this year. The Vue would rival the Honda CR-V and the Toyota RAV4 while the Malibu against the Toyota Camry, GM officials said.

Lajdziak said that the Saturn challenge showed the brand was regaining its edge. "I don't think there is a bolder, more confident statement," she added. Apparently, the Saturn splash shield is not preventing the entry of more gains.

original by Anthony Fontanelle
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Anthony Fontanelle is a 35-year-old automotive buff who grew up in the Windy City. He does freelance work for an automotive magazine when he is not busy customizing cars in his shop.

Beware of Gas Aid Gadgets

As gasoline prices rise above $3 per gallon, the sound of gas aid gadgets that promise improved fuel economy by 20 percent, as auto parts stores are claiming on their web sites, is so enticing. But federal regulators caution shoppers not to act too quickly.

A consumer warning from the Federal Trade Commission showed that gas gadgets such as mixture enhancers, air bleed devices, and fuel additives rarely pay off. In fact, the federal regulator said that they are zero for 93.

The Environmental Protection Agency's Ann Arbor laboratory tested 93 additives, modifications and other products that claim to enhance fuel economy however none received its seal of approval. The lab's analysis, spanning three decades, found ten devices that showed a small improvement in fuel economy, and four of those increased emissions.

"Generally as gas prices go up, consumers are more concerned about saving on fuel cost, and companies or marketers take advantage by selling questionable gas saving devices," FTC spokesman Hampton Newsome said. "These products often are found to have little or no savings in terms of fuel economy and can damage your engine or increase emissions."

Products flagged as scams include: ADAKS Vacuum Breaker Air Bleed, Electro-Dyne Superchoke mixture enhancer and Fuelon Power additive. Regulators said that finding those brands is unlikely. This is because faulty products tend to change swiftly but identical devices abound.

Punitive action is often resorted to by regulators. That is what the FTC did last year when it claimed a $4 million settlement from the makers of FuelMax, a product that claimed to increase gas mileage 27 percent but did not come anywhere close to that.

Statistics says over 41 million Americans travel at least 50 miles from their homes, a record for Independence Day. According to AAA Michigan, on Monday, the average price of a gallon of gasoline in Metro Detroit stood at $3.06, down three cents over the past week, but up 12 cents from last year over the same period.

Instead of trying questionable devices, auto experts say that maintaining a vehicle is a smarter choice. Nothing compares to properly inflated tires, maintained filters and tuned auto parts. Ensuring the good condition of the Mercedes Benz expansion tank or the Toyota engine, for that matter, can make a big difference. It will more likely increase gas mileage than using a specialty item.

But not all fuel-improving products should be painted as worthless, said Bill Ponkowski, a manager at Glendale Auto Supply in Farmington. He said, he does recommend fuel injector cleaners, but says drivers should be cautious with other products.

"Don't expect a miracle, but some additives can be very good at cleaning a dirty fuel system out," Ponkowski said. "A lot of people do ask how to get better gas mileage. First we ask when they last had a tune-up, and then we'll look at fuel additives to make sure they're getting the best mileage they can."

Most additives come via the FTC, when it is investigating false advertising claims, EPA spokesman John Millet said. "Most of these additives don't have more energy in them than gasoline, there's no way they can improve fuel economy," he said. He added that one product had the same active ingredients as moth balls. "That might work in the closet, but not the tank."

One reason these gas gadgets do not often work, Millet said, is automotive engineers tend to be smarter than over-promising marketers. "If there was a device that drastically improved gas mileage or a different formulation of fuel, we'd already be using it," Millet said. "The best fuel-saving equipment is controlling your right foot."

original by Anthony Fontanelle
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Anthony Fontanelle is a 35-year-old automotive buff who grew up in the Windy City. He does freelance work for an automotive magazine when he is not busy customizing cars in his shop.

Lear Investors Reject Icahn Takeover Bid

Lear Corp. shareholders rejected a $37.25 per share bid to sell the company to investor Carl Icahn in a vote held yesterday at Lear's annual meeting in Wilmington, Del. But it did not provide a breakdown of how many investors voted for and against the takeover.

The company will continue to operate as a publicly traded business, Lear said in a statement. "At the time we entered into the merger agreement with AREP, we had a clear strategy and business plan for the future. We will continue to execute that plan," said Lear CEO Bob Rossiter. "In the end, while there were many different view points on the transaction, the decision came to down to each individual owner's investment perspective, outlook for the future and assessment of the risks."

"What we all can take away from this proposed transaction and ultimate vote is that both Mr. Ichan and our present stockholders sharer a common positive view of Lear's long-term prospects," Rossiter expressed.

Last week, Icahn's American Real Estate Partners LP increased its initial bid of $36 a share for Lear by $1.25 to $37.25. The new offer was met with resistance by key investors, who said that it was still too low. The Southfield auto supplier had twice postponed its shareholders meeting to have extra time lobbying in favor of the buyout, which was backed by its board of directors.

Larry W. McCurdy, Lear's lead independent director, said that Icahn's original offer was fair and in the best interest of shareholders. The higher price made the transaction even more attractive, he said.

But some shareholders do not agree. Richard Pzena, the CEO of Pzena Investment Management in New York and a Lear investor since 2001, said that the latest offer was still too low. Pzena holds an 8.5 percent stake in Lear and values the supplier's worth at $55 to $60 a share.

It is not the right time to sell Lear, Pzena said last week, because the company is beginning to turn its struggling business around. The latest bid provides a breakup fee of $12.5 million plus 335,570 for Icahn.

Lear manufactures automotive seating systems, electronic products and electrical distribution systems for automakers. Currently, the company employs 90,000 workers at 236 facilities in 33 countries. Lear products could be paired with Chrysler upholstery, Mercedes shock, Saturn ergonomics but the potential purchaser should favor its improvement.

Private equity firms, including Cerberus Capital Management LP and Icahn's AREP, have shown increase interest in recent years in investing in the auto industry.

original by Anthony Fontanelle
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Anthony Fontanelle is a 35-year-old automotive buff who grew up in the Windy City. He does freelance work for an automotive magazine when he is not busy customizing cars in his shop.

Renault Confident of Catching Bmw Sauber

Giancarlo Fisichella is confident that French Renault can take third place off BMW in this season's constructors' championship.

Although the French team entered the 2007 season with the intent of retaining both World titles, a difficult first half has seen the Renault's goal revised to catching BMW for third place. "It is fair to say that the last two races were a bit disappointing, all the more so because they were our home races," said Fisi. "We knew that it would be a tough battle with BMW: all of the teams are making progress, and our challenge is to do so faster than them in order to get ahead and try to close the gap in the Championship."

Fisi is confident that Renault is heading the right way and that it is just a matter of time before they take third place off their German rivals. "We are going in the right direction, and everybody is doing their maximum," he added. "I am convinced that if we carry on like this, our hard work will pay off."

Bob Bell, team's technical director, agrees that Fisi that clawing back to the deficit to BMW is Renault's revised target for the second half of the 2007 Championship. "The target is clear: to continue closing the gap to BMW on track, and to begin doing so in the Championship," he said. "If you look back to the opening races of the year, it was as if we were in a different race to them. Now, we are regularly qualifying in the top ten, and according to the type of circuit, racing with our direct rivals.

"Giancarlo and Heikki (Kovalainen) are both pushing very hard and getting the maximum from the car. They now need more performance to fight on equal terms with BMW," he added. "That is what we are focused on providing them throughout the second half of the year, beginning this weekend at the Nurburgring."

BMW Sauber, on the other hand, is gaining momentum. Nick Heidfeld admitted he never expected his BMW Sauber team to be Formula One's third strongest outfit this year. The team finished a distant fifth in last year's constructors' championship and aimed to be in the top four this season. However, the German team has exceeded its expectations thus becoming the third best team behind Ferrari and McLaren. Additionally, the team has already scored 20 points more than in all of 2006.

"We have exceeded expectations," said Heidfeld. "I was sure that we would step up a level in our second season on the grid. Having said that, we finished fifth in the constructors' standings last year - 50 points off fourth place - and there was no way I could have expected us to be the third-best team already."

The German driver believes BMW will continue making progress, and reckons it is just a matter of time before the team reaches the top. "I hope it's just a matter of time," he said. "The F1.07 is, in effect, the first genuine BMW Sauber." The Sauber is not equipped with BMW 740 parts - instead, it is given the best race parts to produce a remarkable performance.

"Even more experience and resources will go into next year's car. We are heading in a positive direction. I think we're pretty well prepared for the 'Ring," Heidfeld said.

The Nurburgring is Heidfeld's home race. "I am very much looking forward to the race on the Nurburgring," he said. "That's where the greatest number of my fans have always turned up, and thanks to this year's good results there will probably be a few more."

original by Anthony Fontanelle
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Anthony Fontanelle is a 35-year-old automotive buff who grew up in the Windy City. He does freelance work for an automotive magazine when he is not busy customizing cars in his shop.

Hybrid Shoppers Drop as Fuel Efficiency Becomes More Realistic

As car shoppers become more realistic about the fuel efficiency capabilities of hybrid vehicles, the percentage of hybrid purchasers has declined, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2007 Alternative Powertrain Study which was just released yesterday.

J.D. Power's study, now in its second year, examines the reasons why consumers consider or avoid alternative powertrain vehicles. The Alternative Powertrain Study includes the Automotive Environmental Index, which combines the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) publicly available data related to fuel economy, air pollution and greenhouse gases for 2007 model-year vehicles. It also includes J.D. Power's voice of the customer data, which is used to help determine the relative importance of these environmental factors in relation to stated fuel economy.

J.D. Power's study finds that 50 percent of new-vehicle shoppers are considering a hybrid, down from 57 percent in the 2006 study. While a general decline can be observed across all age groups, in particular younger vehicle shoppers, those 16 to 25 years old, appear less interested in the powertrain technology, with 60 percent considering a hybrid in 2007, down from 73 percent in the previous year. The average additional price hybrid shoppers are willing to pay for this powertrain is $2,396, with the anticipation of getting an enhancement of 18.5 mpg over a traditional vehicle of same size.

"In the 2006 study, we found consumers often overestimated the fuel efficiency of hybrid-electric vehicles, and the decrease in consideration of hybrids in 2007 may be a result of their more realistic understanding of the actual fuel economy capabilities," said Mike Marshall, the director of automotive emerging technologies at J.D. Power and Associates. "While hybrid sales are steadily increasing, they continue to face competition for market share against an increasing offering of other alternative powertrains and fuels options."

"As the automotive industry steadily offers more alternative powertrain/fuel options to consumers, buyer preferences will continue to shift the market in the coming years," added Marshall. "With high fuel prices, perceived dependency on foreign oil and an increased focus on environmental issues all being top of mind among consumers, manufacturers will not only have to continuously make efforts to produce more fuel efficient vehicles, but also to diversify the range of options."

J.D. Power's study also finds that consumer consideration for purchasing clean diesel vehicles, which were newly introduced to the market in 2007, is at 23 percent. Last year, only 12 percent of shoppers considered purchasing diesel vehicles. On the average, potential buyers of the said powertrain are willing to pay an additional $1,491 for the clean diesel option and expect an average extra fuel economy of 15 mpg.

In the Automotive Environmental Index, the Toyota Motor Corp. is the highest-ranking nameplate, followed by Volkswagen AG and the Honda Motor Co., respectively. Toyota has improved by six rank positions since last year's study. It also has a strong showing with both hybrid and traditional models. Honda also ranks well, with four models in the top 30. The Ford Motor Co. and the Nissan Motor Co. follow, each with three vehicles. Ford pickup parts are still dominating the realm.

Same with the 2006 results, there are only two luxury models in the top 30 - the Lexus GS 450h and RX 400h.

original by Anthony Fontanelle
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Anthony Fontanelle is a 35-year-old automotive buff who grew up in the Windy City. He does freelance work for an automotive magazine when he is not busy customizing cars in his shop.

Car Loan Deals

When it comes to getting the best car loan deals then a lot of it will depend on your credit history. If you have a good credit past then this will go in your favour when it comes to getting the best rate of interest. However, all is not lost if you have had problems with credit in the past, although you still can get credit when it comes to getting a loan for a car you wont get the best interest rates, but by shopping around you can get a good car loan deal.

If you have an excellent credit rating then it might be in your best interest to go for a personal loan, by going for a personal loan you are able to shop around online and secure the cheapest loan and rate of interest. It also works another way in your best interests because as you already have the cash in your pocket by going for a personal loan you can go along to the dealer and offer cash.

The majority of time if you pay cash for your car then you can get extras; the d ealer could knock something off the price you pay if you pay cash there and then or offer you bonuses such as money off your insurance. Another benefit is that you will drive away from the showroom knowing that the dealer isn't in a position to repossess the car should you miss a repayment.

One possibility when it comes to financing your car is to take the finance through the dealer where you choose to buy your car from. However the majority of times the rate of interest will be a lot higher than if you had shopped around for a personal loan, one of the biggest benefits of taking this type of finance is that it is easier to get but you of course will pay for this privilege.

If you do have bad credit history and have been turned down time and time again for credit, then it still might be possible for you to get a loan to buy a car. If you look online then there many places which now offer loans to those with bad credit ratings, however by doing so y ou can expect of course to have to pay a high rate of interest on the loan.

Whichever way you decide to go for your car loan deal the best place to start is to go online, the internet holds a vast amount of information about the different types of car loan deals that are available and also the best rates of interest or best offers at car dealerships.

original by Louis Rix
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Louis Rix is a Director of NetCars, one of the UK's leading motoring websites. First established in January 2000, its mission is to become the number one site for used car searches and motoring information. NetCars also provide Used Cars, loans and insurance.

The Car Loan Process

When it comes to buying a new car whether it is a brand new one off the forecourt or a second hand car then unless you are extremely lucky you are going to have to make arrangements for financing. When it comes to the car loan process it can seem a daunting task, however if you have access to the internet then you can make it so much easier.

By shopping online you are able to find the type of loan that will work out the best for you and then once you have decided on which type you are able to get quotes and make comparisons to find the best deal. By choosing to take your loan online when it comes to buying your car you can be sure that you are getting the cheapest rates of interest available.

There are a majority of lenders who offer online loans and by taking your loan this way you can make the car loan process quicker and easier. One of the first steps you should take is to do a search using one of the popular search engines a nd then simply click on the listings this reveals, when you have compared the rates of interest for the loan you require then applying for the loan is as easy as following a few simple steps.

The first step will be submitting the loan application itself and to do this you just need the relevant information to hand such as your details. This is the very first step and it is in this step you will get pre-approved for the loan.

Once you have made the application, how long you will have to wait depends on the site that you have chosen to go with, in the majority of cases your application will be dealt with as quickly as possible. Usually the company will get back in touch with you the same day, although in some cases it could be a day or so before you get the final decision. Following this you will then move on to the next stage in the car loan process.

If your application for the loan is successful then the company will get back in touch w ith you to complete any further documentation that might be needed in order to take the loan further.

This is the easiest way to secure a loan when it comes to buying a car; however different companies have slightly different methods. There are web sites which will not only give you a loan for a car but which will also have many listings of cars in virtual showrooms from which you can choose from and when choosing one of these it is the same as going with a high street dealer only you are doing the majority of the work online from the comfort of your own home.

original by Louis Rix
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Louis Rix is a Director of NetCars, one of the UK's leading motoring websites. First established in January 2000, its mission is to become the number one site for used car searches and motoring information. NetCars also provide Used Cars, loans and insurance.

Bmw Launched New Generation Bmw M3

BMW has recently unveiled its fourth generation BMW M3. The new BMW sports car features an eight-cylinder power unit and can reach a maximum speed of 8,400 rpm. The BMW M3 can sprint from 0 to 100 kilometers-per-hour in 4.8 seconds and obtain a top speed which is limited electronically to 250 km/h or 155 miles per hour. The two seat vehicle has an average consumption that is equivalent to 22.8 mile-per gallon.

The BMW M3 is a part of the BMW M Gmbh model range and has always livened up to its motorsport heritage which is reflected in the amount of power that it has. The first BMW M3 was launched in the year 1986 and continued its heritage with two subsequent model generations. And today this supremacy will once again be displayed in the 2007 version of the BMW M3.

Despite the fact that the latest generation BMW M3 was based on the new BMW M3 Coupe, still the new high-performance model vary from the regular coupe in terms of looks and technical features. And aside from the car's unique design and its drivetrain and suspension technology which was created from the start for supreme performance, it was the lightweight technology that was made the top most priority for engineers at BMW M.

The extent on the development that transpired is translated into reality in terms of intelligent lightweight engineering which is attributed to the car's power-to-weight ration that measures only 3.8 kg (8.4 lb) per horsepower.

One of the reasons for the new M3's low weight is its roof made out of carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic or CFP. Overall the new BMW M3 with the exception of some few components is entirely new in terms of its engineering and design concept thus reflecting the successful tradition of BMW M Gmbh.

Apart from the load-bearing structure of the car, there have been certain components that were carried over from the 3 Series Coupe such as its tow doors, the bootlid, the windows, the headlights and rear lights. All the rest of the pother body components were specifically designed and developed for the new BMW M3 just like what BMW has done for its BMW 320i parts.

The one-of-a-kind character of the new BMW M3 is evident at first glance. Its engine compartment lid with its striking powerdome and two air intake openings, the function-oriented design of the front and rear air dams, the so-called gills in the front side panels, the side-sills with its distinctive design, the roof made of clearly visble carbon fiber together with the exterior mirrors and light-alloy wheels in BMW M design clearly differentiates the new model. Its exterior with its athletic and aesthetic appeal strongly highlights the sporting qualities of the car.

The exterior paintwork also adds an individual touch, offering car aficionados with numerous colors plus an addition of four special paintwork options that are to be offered exclusive only for BMW M.

original by Hailey Kerr
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Hailey Kerr is a Business Administration graduate. She is currently part of a business consulting firm in Massachusetts. Hailey loves to write and enjoys doing her favorite hobby during her free time - cooking French cuisines.

More Progress Ongoing for Bmw

Mario Theissen, BMW motorsport director is positive that his team's rate of progress in Formula One will continue after emerging as one of the closest challengers for this year of both Ferrari and McLaren.

Theissen has witnessed how his team has become the third best in the F1 this season and that is despite the fact that he has previously admitted that going for wins on pure pace will be impossible in 2007 but development work at their Hinwil factory could change that scenario for the team next year.

Theissen said, "We have every reason to be satisfied with what we have achieved so far. Our goal for 2007 was to make it onto the podium on our own merit. Nick (Heidfeld) already managed that in Montreal with his second place, at the same time claiming our best individual result so far. I am confident this will not be our last podium finish this year. We have clearly established ourselves as the third strongest team and we have no intention of relinquishing that position during the remainder of the season. For 2007 we have already notched up 56 points. Last year we finished the season with 36. We have come away from every Grand Prix with points."

He also added, "I'm particularly pleased with all of this since we haven't yet completed our two-year development phase. The Hinwil factory extension won't be ready until the end of the year: that's when we will be operating at full power. I am convinced that the route we have chosen is the right one."

LPG-Powered BMW
And speaking of development and ongoing progress at BMW the maker of BMW 323 parts, a German research and development team is planning to develop a record-breaking car that is going to be based on the BMW 1 Series car utilizing an engine that runs on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

The tuning firm Hartge in Saarbruecken says that the car at the center of the project "V300 " will be able to top 300km an hour making it the fastest LPG-driven car to date.

The liquefied gas-engine according to the tuning firm is set to produce 550 brake horsepower. They also claimed that the engines fueled on LPG burns much cleaner and in most cases produce more power and torque as compared to petrol-driven engine of a similar capacity.

Aside from the team of engineers from the tuning company, the team will also include experts from the University of Technology and Economics in Saarbruecken, the German environment ministry, state economics department officials and automotive and energy specialists.

original by Hailey Kerr
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Hailey Kerr is a Business Administration graduate. She is currently part of a business consulting firm in Massachusetts. Hailey loves to write and enjoys doing her favorite hobby during her free time - cooking French cuisines.

Bmw X-raid Team to Join African Fia Cross Country Rally

The BMW's X-Raid team will be the first international entry for the African Heritage Cross Country event in the Eastern Cape from July 26 to 30. The event is actually the round two of the FIA Cross Country World Cup and round five of the Absa Off Road Championship. More than 70 international and South African entries are to race on some of the awesome terrains in the Amatola Mountains.

The X-Raid BMW team will be driving a BMW X3 CC with components as quality as that of BMW 323i parts and powered by a three liter diesel motor to be driven by the Brazilian lawyer and businessman Paulo Nobre. The Portuguese driver Filipe Palmeiro will join Nobre in South Africa with the pair finishing 37th in this year's overall Dakar Rally.

The 39-year-old Nobre has been competing in South American and other international events since 2001. He won the Mitsubishi Cup in 2003 and won the N2 category in the South American Rally Championship in 2005. He was also a regular competitor in the FIA Cross Country World Cup. Last year he won the diesel category on the Pharaons Rally in Egypt and brought a treasure trove of experience to South Africa.

Meanwhile, Palmeiro has been racing since 2000 and included in the line of top Portuguese drivers like Francisco Especrto, Paulo marques, Pedro Gameiro, and Heldfer Oliviera. He is also a former Portuguese T2 champion and a winner of the Challenge Nissan Spain.

The opening match of the World Cup was run in Portugal earlier this year. The South African round will be followed by events in Argentina, Morocco, and the United Arab Emirates. The three best results will count towards the championship.

Documentation and analysis for the African Heritage Cross Country/Amathole 500 will take place at the Garden Court in East London on July 26 and also on the morning of July 27. The introduction for the Amathole 500 and Stage 1 of the African Heritage Cross Country will begin at 12h00 in Bisho and will end at the Fish River Sun.

The Amathole 500 which is the fifth round of the Absa Off Road Championship and Stage 2 of the African Heritage Cross Country will transpire over a 500 kilometer circular route in the Amatola Mountains on Saturday, July 28. Both races will begin and end at the Fish River Sun. The Stage 3 of the World Cup race will start and end at the Fish River Sun on Sunday, July 29 with the Stage 2 route to run in reverse. The Stage 4 of the African Heritage Cross Country will begin at the Fish River Sun and will end in Bisho.

The South African participants will be eligible to compete on in invitation basis in the African Heritage Cross Country race but will run at the back of the field. There are no championship points at stake for the SA entries but there would be trophies to be won.

original by Hailey Kerr
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Hailey Kerr is a Business Administration graduate. She is currently part of a business consulting firm in Massachusetts. Hailey loves to write and enjoys doing her favorite hobby during her free time - cooking French cuisines.

Tenth is the Best Ford Can Get

Although showing signs of resurgence after the early season dominance shown by Chevrolet teams, Ford can only manage to qualify tenth for the upcoming USG Sheetrock 400. The nineteenth race of the season is salted to be held at the Chicagoland Speedway this Sunday. During the qualifying session on Friday, Matt Kenseth, driving his Number 17 USG Sheetrock/DeWalt Ford Fusion, is the highest qualified Ford driver at tenth spot.

Although he only qualified tenth, Kenseth is still elated with the improvements that their team has made to the cars. "I was pleasantly surprised that the changes we made made the car faster," said Kenseth whose first win at the Auto Club 500 is the first of the only three wins of Ford teams has this season so far. "It was not that good in practice, but that was pretty good right there."

During the last four races, Ford teams have shown resurgence. Winning two of the last four races, Ford is showing promise of a good performance against the surging Chevrolets.

Second highest qualified Ford driver is Bill Elliott on his Number 21 Little Debbie Snack Cakes Ford Fusion. Elliott qualified seventeenth for the upcoming race. The veteran NASCAR driver and former champion of the sport said that his team is still in the process of improvement.

"The main thing we've got to do is continue to get better and grow as a team," said Elliott. "For ever how long I end up staying here, I have no plans one way or the other this point in time, but the point of this deal is just got to keep working together, and whatever we do we've got to do it as a team and work as a team, and begin to think as a team and those guys have got to get to know me and what I do – the way I like a race car. And that just takes time to learn. The main part ingredients are there, it's just putting a little fine touches to it is the key to this whole business."

The third fastest Ford during the qualifying session was Carl Edwards who qualified 25th on his Ford auto parts-equipped Number 99 Office Depot Ford Fusion. The driver gave Ford its second win of the season at the Citizens Bank 400 held at the Michigan International Speedway.

Edwards has this to say about his qualifying session: "The car is good, but it was so loose in practice, I wanted to be conservative there and not make a mistake because our car is so good in race trim."

Chevy driver Casey Mears qualified for the pole position at this Sunday's race. Driving his Number 25 National Guard/GMAC Monte Carlo SS, the driver who won this year's Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe's Motor Speedway will be starting in the front row on Sunday. "I'm happy to get my first pole here with Hendrick Motorsports in the National Guard/GMAC Chevrolet," said Mears.

"It's just awesome. Obviously when we start something new you always want to do things right and to get a win this year and a pole – now we're in the All-Star race for sure next year and also in the Bud Shootout. (I'm) looking forward to next season for those and hopefully we can get some more before the year's out. I was real proud of the guys because we unloaded off the truck today and the thing just felt awesome," Mears stated still.

original by Anthony Fontanelle
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Anthony Fontanelle is a 35-year-old automotive.buff who grew up in the Windy City. He does freelance work for an automotive magazine when he is not busy customizing cars in his shop.

Legacy for the 2008 Model Year

Japanese automaker Subaru is now introducing its class of 2008. One of the better known models from the automaker is the Subaru Legacy. Three years have passed since Subaru came up with the latest generation of the Legacy which is available in sedan and wagon versions. For the 2008 model year, Subaru comes up with a slightly restyled Legacy.

One of the most notable differences that the 2008 Legacy has compared to other Subaru auto models in terms of exterior design cues is the grille. While the Impreza and the Tribeca features a three-piece winged grille, the Legacy is equipped with a single piece grille. This is accented by a winged crossbar where the Subaru logo is prominently displayed.

The powerplant choice for the Legacy was also broadened by the Japanese car manufacturer. For the Legacy 3.0 R Limited trim level, Subaru offers a 3.0-liter horizontally opposed six-cylinder engine. The trim level where the new engine is offered is the replacement for the Legacy 2.5 GT Spec B.

For other trim levels of the Legacy, the engine under the hood will be a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. This engine is available either as a naturally aspirated or a turbocharged engine. For the naturally aspirated engine, power output is at 175 hp. For the turbocharged version of the 2.5-liter engine, power increases to 243 horsepower.

The naturally aspirated engine can be paired with either a four-speed automatic or a five-speed manual transmission. The 243-hp turbocharged unit, on the other hand, can be coupled to either a five-speed automatic or a five–speed manual gearbox.

The new engine offered for the R Limited trim level can produce as much as 245 horsepower. This engine is mated to a five-speed automatic transmission. The trim level also comes with an all-wheel drive configuration as well as having Subaru's IS-Drive system. The said system is a radical feature since it allows drivers to program the responsiveness of the accelerator.

These changes are not only made to the Legacy but also on the Subaru Outback for the 2008 model year.

Other changes made to the Legacy aside from revised Subaru Legacy parts include the integration of bigger fog lights in front of the vehicle. The front air bam was also reshaped making the Legacy look sleeker than its fore runner. At the back of the Legacy, changes include smaller taillights which are now accented by chrome trims around the edges. Reflectors are placed prominently on the rear bumper of the Subaru Legacy.

For the R Limited trim level, the design is different. The replacement for the Spec B has no air scoop on the hood which one can commonly find in a Subaru. The R Limited's 18-inch alloy wheels have thicker spokes as compared to other variants of the Legacy. Suspension for the Legacy R Limited has many parts which includes Bilstein shocks which have been used on the previous versions of the Legacy.

All in all, the 2008 Legacy looks like its predecessor apart from some minor revisions. It competes directly with the Mazda6, the Volkswagen Passat, and the Volvo S40.

original by Anthony Fontanelle
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Anthony Fontanelle is a 35-year-old automotive.buff who grew up in the Windy City. He does freelance work for an automotive magazine when he is not busy customizing cars in his shop.

Redesigned S80 Provides Safe Driving

Swedish automaker Volvo has always been known for the safety of their vehicles. Thus it is not a surprise that every auto model in its lineup is equipped with advanced safety features designed to protect consumers. One of Volvo's cars though stands out among the rest. The Volvo S80 is the carmaker's flagship sedan which means that it is just logical that it should have a complete lineup of safety features.

The latest redesign of the flagship sedan not only made it one of the safest cars today but the performance has also been improved. The S80 sedan offers a more comfortable ride compared to its predecessor.

While the S80 does not have the capability to navigate corners at breakneck speeds like sports cars, it can stand its own ground in terms of steering responsiveness. The suspension setting of the redesigned S80 has been designed so that the car's stability will enable it to navigate corners without twisting which could thus ruin the ride comfort.

One of the most notable features of the Volvo S80 is the navigation system display. When not in use, the floating console remains hidden and out of sight. But when needed, at a touch of a button, the navigation system's display pops up from the dashboard. The placing of the screen is important since drivers can still keep an eye on the road while they consult the navi system.

On the outside, the S80 might be redesigned with slight touches everywhere but its profile is still the same as that of its predecessor. In fact, the biggest change made to the S80 is not in its sheet metal but under the hood. In the past, the S80 is equipped with a five-cylinder inline engine. For the redesigned S80, two engines are offered to consumers. An inline six-cylinder engine and a V6 are the choices for the new S80.

Other parts such as Volvo alternators, starting motor and the like have also been improved by the Swedish car manufacturer to complement the bigger engines for the redesigned S80. Although the previous five-cylinder engine used by the S80 provided a good amount of power, the new engines are better and they come with more power output.

One of the safety features of the S80 is its adaptive cruise control. The system uses sensors to measure the distance between the front end of the S80 and the rear bumper of the vehicle in front of it. When the system sense that the S80 is closer than it should be to be safe, it will prime the brake for immediate deployment as well as warning the driver. It can also reduce the power supplied to the drive wheels by activating the brake if a collision is eminent and no driver input on the brakes is detected.

Another feature that comes with the S80 is its key fob. With this, one can lock or unlock the car doors remotely. Remote starting is also one of the features of the fob. Aside from that, the S80 has a built in heartbeat sensor inside the vehicle. With the fob, one can determine if someone has gained entrance to the car without going near the vehicle. The LCD lights up on the fob to warn owners that a person is inside his or her vehicle.

With its safety and performance upgrades, the S80 is a fitting vehicle to become the brand's flagship model.

original by Glady Reign
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Glady Reign is a 32 year old is a consultant for an automotive firm based in Detroit, Mi. she is a native of the motor city and grew up around cars hence her expertise in the automotive field.

Schumacher Confident of Toyota’s Resurgence

With nine races already in the book in the current Formula One season, Toyota is showing signs of resurgence. Early in the season, the Japanese Formula One team made a statement saying that they will be aiming to overtake third place BMW Sauber in the constructors' championship standing before the end of the season.

The first half of the season though for the Japanese team was disappointing. Ralf Schumacher, one of the drivers for the team, has performed poorly as his car does not match his driving style.

During the last two races though, the German Formula One driver showed signs of a good performance. At the French Grand Prix, Schumacher qualified for the eleventh spot. After the race, the German finished in tenth place.

Then at the British Grand Prix, Schumacher had his best qualifying session this season as he posted the sixth fastest lap time which means he would be starting from the third row. Unfortunately, the German was not able to finish the race as his car with its Toyota engine designed to provide much more power than a conventional engine with a Toyota cold air intake suffered a malfunction.

"I retired just after one-third distance," said Schumacher. "I felt the wheel fixation problem as I came into the complex and it was a pity because we were strong all weekend and I was confident of a good result. Our performance level was good all weekend and we really expected to finish strongly. Unfortunately, after qualifying sixth I lost positions at the start but after that I was able to set lap times which competitive with the cars in front. That showed we had the potential to fight for a top-six finish."

Although he and his teammate Jarno Trulli were not able to finish at the British Grand Prix, Schumacher is still elated with the progress that they are making. "It's simply that under certain circumstances our car is very competitive," he said. "We have seen it in Barcelona and we looked good in terms of pace in Magny-Cours too, but we had problems so we didn't get the results we wanted. We just need to extend that window a bit. I was happy for the team because they are really working hard and deserved to see an improvement. I have to say that the car has suited me well for the last two Grands Prix."

The German will be making an appearance in front of his countrymen at the next race of the season which will be held at the Nürburgring in Nurburg, Germany. The European Grand Prix will be the only event on German soil this season.

The aim now for Schumacher is to make the best out of the second half of the season. The German Formula One driver who is rumored to be on the way out after a dismal start to the season is now looking more confident in his car. "Over the last few races I've become increasingly comfortable with my set-up and the whole team is working hard as we chase a successful second half of the year," Schumacher said.

original by Lauren Woods
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Given her background on cars as an auto insurance director, Lauren Woods finds the world of cars to be constantly changing.

Lowe Joins Hybrid Plug-ins Hype

Actor Rob Lowe went to Capitol Hill last week to tout plug-in hybrids and a bill sponsored by Rep. Ed Markey, D-Mass. The said bill would vest drivers tax breaks for converting their hybrids into plug-in models that can be recharged using a regular wall outlet.

Automakers were annoyed by the decision to include Lowe, while none of them was invited. In his testimony, Lowe twice quoted his Sam Seaborn character from TV's "The West Wing" and said that the car has improved his driving skills since he tries to get better mileage. "I have been driving this car around and I have to tell you, it did what my mother couldn't do. It did what my driving instructor couldn't do, it's made me a better driver," Lowe added.

Markey's occasion got lots of hype and pulled plenty of environmentalists who back the event with noteworthy speed and reliability likened to ACT performance. One man, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that his group had recently raised money to send copies of the movie "Who Killed the Electric Car?" to all 535 members of Congress and all 50 governors. The initiative would cost around $9,000 at current prices. The film suggests a host of scoundrels were behind General Motors Corp.'s decision to end its EV1 electric car program after investing more than $1 billion.

How did the Congress react? Did lawmakers enjoy the show? And the media thought United Auto Workers President Ron Gettelfinger was not a devotee. A throng of quote-thirsty reporters, grabbing the out of the usual run of things chance, swooped on the notoriously reticent labor chief after his speech to the NAACP at its national convention last week in Detroit.

While auto company chief executives regularly make themselves available to the press, a Gettelfinger interview is a rarity. That fact is especially irritating to reporters in the weeks leading up to this summer's national contract talks.

One journalist asked the labor chief to explain why he does not like talking to reporters. A look of surprise crossed Gettelfinger's face and his jaw dropped. "What do you mean? I have no problem with the media," he said. Apparently the question stuck with him, because after answering questions, he returned to the topic. "I love the media," he said. "What makes you think I don't?"

Afterward, to drive the point home, Gettelfinger reminded the group that, while he might not talk to them, at least one journalist in town is on his A list. "Call Paul W. Smith if you think I have a problem with the media," he noted, referring to WJR's NewsTalk-760 host to whom he habitually grants interviews.

You can go home again. The Cerberus Capital Management LP sees value in Detroit automakers, or at least in the Chrysler Group, the American luxury unit of DaimlerChrysler AG. So perhaps it should come as no surprise that the New York-based private equity firm's chairman, John Snow, has an appreciation for the barrel-aged, exquisite tang of Vernors ginger ale.

The former U.S. treasury secretary was in town last week for an appearance before the Detroit Economic Club. He could not stop gushing when he spotted the green can so familiar to Midwesterners on a table outside a conference room at the Royal Park Hotel in Rochester. "Vernors!" exclaimed the Toledo native Snow to his private equity associates, who gazed on with bewilderment. "This stuff is so good. I used to drink this all the time," Snow chattered. "This is what I was telling you about. You have to try this."

Cerberus is expected to close its deal to acquire Chrysler this quarter.

original by Mike Bartley
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Mike Bartley, 49, is a professional automotive journalist domiciled in Irvine, CA. He travels from one state to another to cover the hottest auto shows, racing events and automotive revelations. His penned compositions cover press releases, reviews, and suggestions. Where the auto action is, that's exactly where you can find Mike.

The Heart of Toyota Formula One Racing

Formula One racing is not just about drivers' skills to maneuver cars and employing accurate strategies - it is blended with a considerable amount of team preparation to attain its goals. It is at heart, a diverse kind of race which is anchored on the workings of all teams.

So how does each team exude the fundamentals? For the Toyota team's logistics department, there is a steady race against time to get the cars, spare parts and equipment, to the track on time.

And the challenge does not stop there. Once on location, the team considers around 90 members who will need food, hotels, transport and suitable working conditions. Simply, formula One is no simple task. At Toyota's headquarters in Cologne, Germany, team manager Richard Cregan and his staff work ceaselessly to make sure everything runs efficiently.

A Grand Prix starts when the red lights go out and the thrill of the race will be unstoppable even by the most-efficient EBC pads. One thing that is also non-stop is the work of the logistics department.

"I believe the groundwork that people have to have to achieve good logistics is experience of the business of motorsport, not necessarily in Formula One," Cregan said. "You have to set very clear targets for yourselves. We have our plans for the year because we make plans at the start of every season. Once the calendar is finalized from the FIA we sit down with the different departments, look at the dates of the trucks leaving, when we want the equipment there and basically we go away and arrange that."

To ensure everything is in working order and loaded on to the trucks, two days are spent to prepare and check. "We take about 38-39 tonnes of equipment to each Grand Prix, even a bit more for European races because then of course you have all the equipment loaded in the trucks themselves, like work benches and all sorts of extras for offices that are completely kitted out," explained Markus Burger, the team leader in charge of pit equipment and trucks.

This is essential work as any troubles in the infrastructure of the pits could have serious aftermaths when the action begins on track. As such, all the spare parts are prepared to be called upon at a moment's notice. Basically, in a Formula One garage there is plainly a car waiting to be built.

"You normally have enough parts in the truck to build another car. So effectively you have four complete cars, one in spare parts and three complete. That's more difficult at the beginning of the season because you have a new car and new specification but that's the target we have," Cregan revealed.

But not every eventuality can be prepared for. For Cregan, the challenge of Formula One logistics is not in making the car itself perform to its best, but ensuring the Toyota team behind the car is given everything they need to work to the maximum of their ability.

"We can't influence so much the performance of the car from the logistics department itself but certainly in terms of creating the atmosphere for people to do there job and perform, that is something we can do," Cregan said. "Quite often you have very, very long days, people working late into the evening. It is a very important to make sure those people have the right environment to work in and that's our challenge."

Experts behind a team's success attest to the fact that there is always an overwhelming challenge in every race. Challenge is the accurate word, for nothing in Formula One racing is simple!

original by Anthony Fontanelle
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Anthony Fontanelle is a 35-year-old automotive buff who grew up in the Windy City. He does freelance work for an automotive magazine when he is not busy customizing cars in his shop.

A Timely Makeover for Subaru Tribeca

If you have an impression that Subarus are too costly, too ugly and too powerless, well, the automaker's latest update might change your notion.

The new Tribeca gets a radical makeover. It loses more than just half its name and gains more than just a lovely face. An enhanced engine and improved interior sophistication make it seem like an all-new product line. When the Japanese automaker introduced its B9 Tribeca crossover a couple of years ago, it seemed somewhat of a stretch for the maker of all-wheel-drive machines.

The Subaru Tribeca was named for a trendy New York City neighborhood, far from the semi-rugged metaphors of vehicles with names like the Outback or the Forester. The Tribeca features radiate similar elegance as those of Subaru Impreza parts. Available as a five- or seven-seater that could cost nearly $40,000, the B9 Tribeca moved Subaru to an upscale neighborhood.

Sales targets for the B9 Tribeca were modest: 17,000 in the second half of 2005, and perhaps 30,000 to 36,000 in 2006. The 2005 target was right on, but the 2006 figure was badly off. Auto dealerships sold only 18,614 B9 Tribecas in the previous year.

Most analysts blamed the Tribeca's strangely styled front end, its exorbitant price for a Subaru and the tight auto competition in the crossover segment for last year's below par sales. As such, Subaru envisioned a timely makeover to put a halt to the declining sales. The Japanese automaker has opted for plastic surgery.

Stripped away first, for the 2008 Tribeca model, is the B9 part of the name. The Tribeca now stands alone. Gone, too, is the 245-horsepower, 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine to pave the way for a 3.6-liter six that makes 256 horsepower and 247 pound-feet of torque, up from 215. The five-speed automatic is retained, but improved, Subaru said. As in all vehicles from this brand, all-wheel-drive is standard.

On the other hand, gas mileage suffers a bit. Blame both the larger engine and the new EPA requirement. It is listed as 16 mpg in the city and 21 mpg on the highway. Also left behind is the B9's unlikable face.

Now there is something more pleasing, if certainly less idiosyncratic. The automaker's designers also tweaked the Tribeca's grille, front fenders, hood, headlamps, rear windows and the entire rear end. On the safety front, the previous version of this vehicle earned five stars for both front and side impacts in the government's crash tests. Also made standard are enhanced antilock brakes, dual front, side and side-impact air bags, stability control, headrests for all seven seats, and traction control.

On the road, the new Tribeca flaunts a solid feel with just the precise combination of acceleration and road dynamics. This is not a sports car, nor is it a Jeep off-roader. But it embraces the road as securely as it hugs the middle ground in its segment. Inside the cabin, there is an air of upscale that was absent before.

Dimensionally, the Tribeca has not changed much. The vehicle's wheelbase is untouched, and the overall length increased less than two inches because of the body-panel modifications. Notwithstanding the changes, Tribeca prices have not increased much. The original 2006 model priced at $30,695 to $37,695. Two years later, the 2008 Tribeca starts at $30,640.

The stable prices are results of competitive pressures. The new Tribeca will be competing against the Ford Edge; Mazda CX-7 and CX-9, Buick Enclave, Saturn Outlook, GMC Acadia; Toyota Highlander; Honda Pilot and the renewed Ford Taurus X (formerly the Freestyle).

Whether enough shoppers will discern that the B9 Tribeca has been replaced by a better, indeed a benign Tribeca, remains to be seen…

original by Anthony Fontanelle
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Anthony Fontanelle is a 35-year-old automotive buff who grew up in the Windy City. He does freelance work for an automotive magazine when he is not busy customizing cars in his shop.

Renault’s Going in the Right Direction Says Fisi

After a good performance at the British Grand Prix, watchers are amenable to the fact that Renault is really back on form. And Renault's Giancarlo Fisichella reassures a tight fight by saying that the team is going in the right direction.

Fisi, the Italian Formula One driver, may have scored a point at the last round, but finishing a lap down on the leaders was not where he wanted to be - especially as the team's nearest rivals, BMW Sauber, finished a convincing fourth. Now the focus switches to the Nurburgring, one of the Italian driver's favorite circuits. It is also where he is hoping for better things.

Asked whether the last two races were quite tough and the chance that he can turn things around this weekend, the Italian Formula One driver has this to say: "It is fair to say that the last two races were a bit disappointing, all the more so because they were our home races. We knew that it would be a tough battle with BMW: all of the teams are making progress, and our challenge is to do so faster than them in order to get ahead and try to close the gap in the championship. We are going in the right direction, and everybody is doing their maximum. I am convinced that if we carry on like this, our hard work will pay off."

Does Fisichella enjoy European Grand Prix Nurburgring circuit? "Yes, I have some good memories here. It is a famous circuit, and the new, slow section at the start of the lap is demanding for the drivers and the cars. From my point of view, the old Nurburgring was definitely the best circuit in the world, so I am pleased to be racing here again," he quipped.

"The most important thing is good traction on corner exit. We use quite high downforce, and the main worry is the understeer, which can be quite high. So we try and soften the front end to get good grip, by playing with the springs and anti-rollbars, while keeping the rear stiffer. That will be a major focus for us during the practice sessions," Fisi noted.

"Maybe there will be fewer spectators, maybe not. Racing in Germany without Michael (Schumacher) will be very different, but there are a lot of racing fans there and the Nurburgring is an historic venue. We need to make sure we put on a good show for everybody," the Italian driver concluded.

Aside from Fisichella, Renault has Heikki Kovalainen as race driver for 2007. Test drivers include Nelson Piquet Jr. and Ricardo Zonta. The R27 car for 2007, unveiled in January, bears new blue, yellow, orange and white livery which reflects the company's corporate colors. Renault engines are also being used by Red Bull Racing team, while the Ferrari engine contract is being passed.

Questions have been raised regarding Renault's commitment to its Formula One team, particularly with the appointment of Carlos Ghosn as CEO in 2005. After Renault won both championships in 2006 for a second year, Ghosn said, "It is an important victory because it justifies the investment Renault has made in Formula One, and will make in the future. More and more, Formula One is working as an investment for us, not a loss."

Renault F1 has a research relationship with Boeing, the aim of which is "to investigate technology collaboration projects of mutual interest." Similar relationships include that of McLaren and BAE Systems. In said projects, the Mercedes Benz steering damper and other race parts are tested and improved to bolster a nice performance.

original by Anthony Fontanelle
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Anthony Fontanelle is a 35-year-old automotive buff who grew up in the Windy City. He does freelance work for an automotive magazine when he is not busy customizing cars in his shop.

Toyota Official Partner for the Osaka 2007

Toyota Motor Corporation has announced recently that it would be providing a total of 220 vehicles of which will include 134 Prius Hybrid passenger vehicles. These Toyota vehicles are to be used as official cars for the 11th International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) World Championships in Athletics Osaka 2007 (Osaka 2007) which will run from August 25 through September 2, 2007 in Osaka, Japan.

Toyota the producer of durable and high quality Toyota car cover is the official automotive partner for the Osaka 2007. Toyota has also previously become the official partners for the 2003 Championships in Paris and the 2005 Championships in Helsinki. For this year's Osaka Championship, Toyota will be helping to promote the IAAF's environmentally considerate Green Project by means of providing vehicles that have less damaging impact on the environment.

Aside from the Prius, other vehicles such as the FCHV-BUS (a fuel-cell hybrid vehicle bus), the Alphard Hybrid minivan, and the Dyna light-duty hybrid truck are to be provided by Toyota. Aside from the Osaka 2007 Championship, Toyota is also scheduled to supply the vehicles such as Welcab vehicles (especially those equipped vehicles) for use by those competitors in wheelchairs. These vehicles are to be employed for a variety of uses like for instance serving as the lead vehicle or the media vehicle for men and women's marathons plus transport athletes and officials.

For this year's championships, as a way of showing support to the children who will take on the responsibilities of the next generation, Toyota will give 900 people with free tickets to come and witness the performances of some of the world's top athletes. For those interested the ticket applications will be accepted starting July 20 through August 6, 2007.

The applications may either be submitted online or by postcard and in the event that the number of applicants exceeds the number of tickets, a draw will be held to select ticket recipients.

The Green Project was launched by the IAAF starting with the 11th IAAF World Championships in Athletics with the aim of contributing to environmental conservation. The objectives of the project include implementing measures that would help in reducing environmental impact and at the same time collect donations which are to be used for afforestation initiatives. The IAAF also plans to announce more details of the said project soon.

Details of the Osaka 2007

Event: 11th IAAF World Championships in Athletics Osaka 2007 (Osaka 2007)
Time: August 25 - September 2 (nine days)
Venue: Nagai Stadium, Osaka, Japan
Sponsor: International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF)
Scale of event: Countries/regions: 212
Athletes/officials: 3,200 (expected)
Number of events: 24 for men, 23 for women
Event website: http://www.osaka2007.jp/index_e.html
Other: The first World Championships in Athletics was held in Helsinki, Finland in 1983. The event is held every two years. This is the second time the event has been held in Japan; the first was the 1991 Tokyo Championships held 16 years ago.

original by Kaye Leery
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Kaye Leery is has a degree in Information Technology. She enjoys her profession as an IT consultant. She is also passionate about writing and plans to pursue a Creative Writing workshop in Iowa.

Vw's Magotan to Compete With Toyota's Camry

Volkswagen AG, Europe's largest automaker and the biggest overseas carmaker in China has started selling Magotan sedans in the country and in the process challenging Toyota Motor Corp.'s Camry which is equipped with high quality Toyota thermostat.

The Magotan sedans are equipped with 1.8-liter or 2-liter engine and have a base price starting 192,800 yuan or $25,000 basing in an email coming from Volkswagen. On the other hand Toyota's China-made Camry has a price that starts at 197,800 yuan more expensive than the Magotan by 5,000 yuan.

The Wolfsburg-based automaker plans to add as many as 14 new models in China by the end of 2009 in an effort to maintain its market lead. Likewise, the automaker's Santana and Jetta sedans has claimed the top two spots in the first-half sales rankings in the country and comparing that with Camry which went on sale last year and was only able to obtain the fourth rank.

According to Tiecheng, President of FAW-Volkswagen Automotive Co. one of Volkswagen's China ventures, "The Magotan helps to diversify FAW-Volkswagen's product structure, allowing us to be more competitive in the market."

Europe's largest automaker, Volkswagen has about 19 percent of China's car market accomplished in the first half of the year after boosting sales by a quarter to 431,369. The FAW-Volkswagen which is a venture with China FAW Group Corp. will make the Magotan which is offered as the Passat in Europe. Volkswagen also has a venture with Shanghai Automotive Co. the listed unit of SAIC Motor Corp.

In other news, Jim Press, the President of Toyota North America has made a rather bold statement saying that "eventually, everything will be a hybrid." And aside from that he has shown his confidence in Toyota's ability and so proud of their product line that he goes as far as saying that the ground-breaking Toyota Prius hybrid is just like Ford's Model T.

It should be noted that the Ford Model T has often been considered as the first of its kind and a car which was made accessible to the masses. It was somewhat advance for its time and has helped in shaping the automotive industry into what it is today. Mr. Press is also saying that the Prius just like the Model T is equally revolutionary.

The everything-will-become-hybrid speech of Mr. Jim Press has aroused various reactions and of course there are those that contradict Mr. Press' statement saying that not everything will be hybrid. But with the present trend in the auto industry maybe who knows we might all end up driving hybrids.

original by Kaye Leery
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Kaye Leery is has a degree in Information Technology. She enjoys her profession as an IT consultant. She is also passionate about writing and plans to pursue a Creative Writing workshop in Iowa.

What You Need To Know About Car Exhausts

Your car's exhaust is vital to its health, yours and your passenger's. An exhaust not working properly is disaster waiting to happen. Not only will your car and travel be noisy, you and your passengers may end up sick, too. Here are some information on exhausts.

What is an Exhaust?

An exhaust is the system comprising of engine parts through which steam or burned gases are discharged. It is a group of pipes that connects a catalytic converter and a silencer to the engine. The tailpipe of the exhaust is that part you can see that stretches from the car's back part. Joining it is the silencer that consists of metal tubes or plates with holes in them. The holes help reduce the pressure produced by the exhaust gases. With several pipes, the silencer is then connected to a catalytic converter then to the engine.

How does the exhaust system work?

As mentioned earlier, the exhaust's silencer works to reduce noise levels. Containing a tube set made to reflect sound waves made by the engine, sound waves are canceled out. Meanwhile, the exhaust pipes are intended to guide exhaust fumes directly behind the car than anywhere else. Then acting as a funnel is the exhaust manifold. It gathers exhaust gases from the engine cylinders, freeing them at a single opening known as the front pipe.

What are the functions of an exhaust?

The exhaust has four main uses. One, it improves the consumption of fuel. Second, it enhances the engine's performance. Third, it leads exhaust fumes off from the passengers inside the vehicle. And lastly, it helps control the noise of the engine.

How long does an exhaust last?

An exhaust will last depending on how far you travel or how often you use your car. Cars that are driven for short trips are more inclined to corrode its exhaust than those cars used for long trips. Therefore, the extent of time you use your car won't matter in the exhaust's duration.

What happens if the exhaust fails?

A failing exhaust will let your car fail in the required MOT test. If your exhaust system has holes, your car would be emitting toxic fumes. Remember, exhaust emissions consists of pollutants including carbon monoxide. Carbon Monoxide can suppress the blood's capability in absorbing oxygen thus causing minor or major health setbacks such as headaches and chest pains. In other words, if you have a faulty exhaust, you, your passenger's and your car's health is in danger.

original by Jim Brown
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James Brown writes about PartsAmerica.com coupon, Motorcycle Superstore coupon and CarDomain.com deals

Why The Electric Scooter Is So Popular Among People Of All Ages

While there are a lot of people who love riding motorcycles and the great fuel economy they offer there is also a large number of people that are afraid of them and who just will not ride them regardless of the fact that gas prices are sky rocketing right now.

For those who are apprehensive about riding a motorcycle a great alternative is the electric scooter and with the popularity of these right now it is a good business to get into if you can find a reputable wholesale scooter vendor to buy them from. They are a great option for teenagers instead of a car.

Even though electric scooters are slower than motorcycles you still need to keep safety in mind and always wear a helmet and long sleeve shirts and pants so that in the event that you have an accident or fall off it will help to prevent injury. People tend to think of scooters as a motorized bicycle than as a motor vehicle but the fact is that they are considered a motorized vehicle and in many states you must hold a motorcycle license to be able to legally operate one on the street. You also need to check the laws of your state to see what age one must be to operate one. If you are selling them this is good to know as well.

Another name that the electric scooter may be called is a moped; this is a term that many are familiar with. Unlike gas powered scooters the electric variety is very friendly to the environment and do not pollute the air. The basic features of a scooter are much the same as motorcycles such as the turn signals, brakes, and even the seat. These fun vehicles are a lot easier to learn to ride than motorcycles but do not expect anywhere near the speed. They are designed to be ridden on streets where the speed limits are relatively low. You do not want to ride them on an interstate or highway because you will be going too slow compared to the rest of the traffic.

By now you should be starting to see that selling scooters can be a very profitable business and you can get them wholesale from under two hundred dollars to as high as one thousand depending on what type you go with. There are numerous styles and colors to choose from as well as many different engine sizes. You can also choose stand up or sit down types. The stand up are very popular with young children and teens but for most people they will prefer the sit down variety as they offer much more comfort.

When looking for a wholesale scooter dealer be sure to research them thoroughly by checking out their longevity in business, their standing in the business and try to get testimonials from satisfied clients. Be sure you know up front what their price breaks are for quantities and what their shipping costs are so that you don't have any surprises. You also want to know what kind of warranty and guarantee they offer as well as their return policy.

original by Gregg Hall
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Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Beach, Florida. Find more about wholesale sources as well as wholesale electric scooters at http://www.buywholesaleclub.com