Author : Robin Piggott
Europe is taking the Lead again in the search for suitable alternatives to the ever increasing price of Oil and the ever present threat of the greenhouse gas effect on the Environment. As prosperity grows so does our greed as we put more and more gas guzzling vehicles on the road in an attempt to impress our neighbours!Is it really necessary to be changing that Car (we don't mentionSUVs, Jeeps, People Carriers, Range Rovers and the like in this column) every year or so? I don't think so! The Manufacturers and the Car Dealerswho have profits and shareholders to think about are bombarding us with news of the latest Models, the latest Deals and the latest tricks that our vehicles can perform and we have become used to this and fall for it every time!Here in Ireland the exponential growth of new Drivers on the road due to Prosperity, Demographics and Immigration is putting a strain on just about every aspect of our Infrastructure that you can think of…Traffic Flow; Noise Pollution; Air Pollution; Driving Test Waiting Lists; Road Improvement Programmes; Inner City Trade and so on. What's the answer you might suggest?Announced just last week the highly acceptable and Eco friendly B.E.S.T project(Bio Ethanol for SustainableTransport) was given its opening Fanfare in Stockholm Sweden, a country long known for its excellent Technological achievements and concern for its Citizens and the Environment.
B.E.S.T is collaboration between three vehicle Manufacturers, Five Bioethanol Producers and Four Universities throughout Europe in a dynamic Plan to speed up the introduction of this alternative automotive propellant before we run out of time!
Naturally enough the home base for this project is Stockholm and vehicle manufacturer Saab.Saab has long been known for its excellent Cars partly due to the fantastic success on the Motor Rally front in the sixties with Eric Carlsson and partly due to their Aeronautical activities which are the backbone of a very enterprising advertising campaign currently for the latest models in their stable.
Saab is going to provide the base infrastructure for the project with some Test Cars and their obvious technical expertise.It is an amazing concept and deserves the support of all the motoring organisations, every Government and every Motorist. The initial stage of the project consists of an expected 140 Bioethanal Pumps at ten specially selected locations which will include 8 Cities, 6 of which are European…Stockholm, Dublin(yippee!), Madrid, Rotterdam, La Spezia, Baskia, and Nanyang in China and Sao Paulo in Brazil.In addition there has been included the Bio Fuel innovating Country Sweden and believe it or not the County of Somerset in England known for its strange accent and massive Cider production. Maybe one day in the distant future loading up with a bootful of apples might get you through a couple of days of motoring? Who is producing this fuel? Well, Sweden naturally, Brazil, Holland (they have always been very innovative) Great Britain and wait for it …Ireland! With major contributions coming from Universities in China (Tsinghua); Sweden (Umea); Italy (Genoa) and U.K (Imperial College)What the heck does Bioethanol do when it's at home? Well the beneficial effect is that during driving, the amounts of CO2 emissions are counterbalanced by the removal of Co2 from the atmosphere by the crops that are grown to produce it. A fascinating concept and one that will gain momentum I am sure in the months and years ahead.Going back to SAAB it is a great credit to them that already nearly 5000 vehicles have been sold that are powered by this new technology and it shows that something as Eco friendly as BioEthanol can take on a life of its own given the right infrastructure.The Green movement has long been regarded as a fringe group and viewed with suspicion by the masses much like the Anti Nuclear, Ban –the Bomb campaigners throughout the Sixties. At that time Chernobyl was twenty years in the future. Any concerned citizen should view this ground breaking BEST project as certainly the best thing since the Internal Combustion Engine (I nearly said sliced Bread!)Robin Piggott is the owner of Astral Driving School in Limerick Ireland and has always been intrigued with I.C.E. innovations. He is providing Learner Drivers with advanced skills for life on the road through his Web site and Blogs.Recently sharing his marketing experiences through new channels including a marketing driven blog.http://www.astralmotoring.iehttp://astraldrivingschool.blogs.ie
Keyword : Bioethanol,BestProject,Saab,driving,drivingschool,concernedmotorists,Eco friendly,Ireland,crops,
วันศุกร์ที่ 29 กุมภาพันธ์ พ.ศ. 2551
SEMA 2005 Coverage
Author : Zachary Engel
Leave it to the city of Las Vegas to draw some of the flashiest vehicles, aftermarket parts, and accessories together for the 2005 Specialty Equipment Marketing Association (SEMA) show. SEMA is an organization that specializes in aftermarket parts, vehicles, and accessories in the automotive industry and has morphed, over time, into a behemoth of an international trade organization with over 6,466 member companies contributing to a $31 billion a year industry. The crown jewel of SEMA is, of course, the annual convention that showcases some of the newest, best, and most innovative cars, parts, and accessories in the world. 2005 offered an array of automotive goodness that was so massive in size that not even the gargantuan halls of the Las Vegas Convention Center could contain it. The show boasted over 2 million square feet of exhibit space, two temporary exhibit halls, and numerous outdoor setups. Every available space was packed full of some of the most beautiful and innovative examples of aftermarket brilliance around. However, the show was so large it almost bordered on chaos. There are random cars scattered throughout the entire show that aren't always in any particular order or marked with any information about what you're actually viewing. But having said that, the SEMA show truly is a unique experience that offers so much stuff to look at it is nearly impossible to see everything. Unfortunately for most of you, the SEMA show is an industry only event, meaning it's not open to the general public. So we'll do our best to convey some of the amazing things that went on to you. Where to begin… There were so many different things to look at that the SEMA show had to be divided into numerous categories including, Vehicle Manufacturers, Performance Tires & Wheels, Racing & Performance, Restoration Marketplace, Restyling & Accessories, Hot Rod Alley, Tools & Equipment, Trucks, SUV's & Off-Road, and Mobile Electronics & Technology, in an attempt to keep things organized. We could spend days covering the different types of products, cars, and interesting things that had to be seen to be believed, but for your sake, and because I'd rather not get carpal tunnel syndrome writing this article, we'll just stick to the highlights: Some of the major car manufacturers had a huge presence at SEMA. DaimlerChrysler made a its presence known with the not so subtle inclusion of Mopar Alley, a covered walkway connecting two exhibit halls where dozens of modified Vipers, Mustangs, and classic Detroit steel were prominently on display. Ford also made its mark with a huge display that spanned the width of one of the convention center's massive buildings. After covering the backdrop of their exhibit with an eye-catching blue façade, the folks at Ford populated the area with plenty of custom versions of some of the company's most popular models, including the GTX1 and Ford '40 GT. The GTX1, in case you were wondering, is the brainchild of Ford's Special Vehicle Team (SVT) engineering supervisor Kip Ewing. Basically a roadster version of Fords already stellar Ford GT, the GTX1 relies on a unique four panel system that allows it to morph from a coupe, into a targa configuration, to an actual convertible. Top down, the GTX1 is a beautiful car. But it'll cost you. In addition to the $150,000 Ford GT, the GTX1 conversion will require an additional $38,000. But, given what we've seen, it's worth it. Ford's other eye catcher is a beautifully manufactured copper bodied automobile that has been dubbed the Ford '40 GT. The pristine copper panels, etched with a cool flame pattern, were created in a former Soviet aircraft factory in Poland and then shipped to the United States where they were assembled on a Ford GT frame. Not surprisingly, the '40 GT shares the same engine as the "real" GT. Also on display at the Ford exhibit was the new Shelby GT 500, a Ford GT that was sliced down the middle to allow prying eyes inside, and a yellow Mustang used for dynamometer drag runs within the convention center itself. But wait, there's more to the SEMA convention than just the cars… Absurd Items: If we happened to win the jackpot during our time in Las Vegas we'd buy these decadent examples of blatant consumerism. The ultimate in bling, these Asanti wheels aren't just huge, they're encrusted with jewels. That's right, each wheel has 1,100 karats of diamonds and sapphires set in the five spokes and center crest. Price - $1,000,000 for a set of four. Automotive Icons: All the influential people of the aftermarket world made the journey to Las Vegas to attend SEMA 2005, including Boyd Coddington, Chip Foose, Phillip McGuire, Carol Shelby and many more. Swag: Webster's defines "swag" as slang for stolen property or loot. Well it's not stolen if everyone in sight is giving it away for free. And if it wasn't free… we'd steal it anyway, because there's some cool stuff to be had. In a marketing ploy that is widely adopted by almost everyone at SEMA, companies give away tons of free stuff in an effort to attract people to their exhibit booths. After a few days at the SEMA show, we left Las Vegas with bags full of free posters, stickers, key chains, hats and much more. Models: Aside from swag, it seems that the best way to attract attention to an otherwise boring or useless product seems to be: A) Hire attractive women. B) Dress them in skimpy attire with your company's name on it. C) Let them stand around your booth and smile at potential customers. This technique, by the way, is also widely adopted. In-Car TVs: A wise man once said, "You can never have too many TVs." Okay, so we probably just made that up. But that seems to be the sentiment at SEMA. These guys can cram multiple LCD screens into any vehicle, sometimes with awe-inspiring efficiency and attention to detail that borders on art, and sometimes with ham-fisted brutality to create a sight even Antoni Gaudi would say is, "a bit over the top." For an example of the former see the Scion xA below. Honda and Acura were present with the usual slew of tricked out and heavily modified versions of their base models. Acura decided to throw in a new twist however, by creating the first ever RSX Challenge, in which Acura volunteered new RSXs to six different magazines to see who could come up with the best modifications. Final results were tallied after every Acura had completed a series of trials. Kudos goes to Car and Driver for taking top honors. The Mazdaspeed division of the Japanese manufacturer of the same name also made an appearance featuring some impressively styled versions of the MX-5, Mazda 6, and assorted performance oriented parts. Volkswagen, Hummer, and others also reared their heads for the SEMA show, though with somewhat less of a presence. Each, as you might expect, sported some sort of aftermarket inspired accessories and special modifications. With all the speed oriented vehicles littering the Las Vegas Convention Center we probably could have made a killing with an armful of copies of the Nuts for Cars best selling e-book, "How to Fight a Speeding Ticket – And Win Every Time." Aside from the major manufacturers were a number of stellar customizations from the minds of well known customizers and other aspiring mechanics looking to make a name for themselves, such as this 1939 Lincoln Zephyr, or "Lead Zephyr," created and signed by Boyd Coddington that will be featured at the 35th annual Barrett-Jackson Auction in Scottsdale, AZ. There were other highlights too, such as the all-new Volvo roadster concept, a Pagini Zonda, a Saleen S7, dozens of custom bikes and trucks, superchargers, electronics packages, more scissor doors than you can shake a stick at, a simulated off-road proving ground in the convention center parking lot, speedboats, and countless other things to occupy our dreams for nights to come. But we digress. As stated earlier we could spend days writing about the SEMA show (hell, it took us that long just to see it all), but there's just too much stuff to cover in one article. Or in two, or three, or four, or… well you get the idea. Well, that's about all we have to share with you, the general public, about SEMA 2005. At this point you've pretty much read about all the highlights. Okay, that was a lie… there's still so much more for you to see. But we can't possibly convey it all to you, not even the best writer in the world could do that. If you want to see SEMA first hand, just do what we did. Drum up a little ambition and start your own automotive business (for details see the Nuts for Cars best selling e-book 1001 Ways to Make Money with Your Car Hobby). Then you'll be considered "in the industry" and a ticket to next years SEMA event is only $50 away, plus airfare. We'll see you there.Zack Engel is the Lead Automotive Event Correspondent for The Driver's Seat, the bi-weekly e-zine produced by Nuts for Cars.Nuts for Cars is a membership organization dedicated to enhancing the automotive hobby by providing information to members about a variety of automotive topics. Nuts for Cars also features the world's largest online automotive event directory. Find a car event near you in just seconds!For more information visit http://www.nutsforcars.com or e-mail your questions to info@nutsforcars.com.
Keyword : cars, car events, events, trucks, motorcylces, car s shows, SEMA, automotive, automobiles
Leave it to the city of Las Vegas to draw some of the flashiest vehicles, aftermarket parts, and accessories together for the 2005 Specialty Equipment Marketing Association (SEMA) show. SEMA is an organization that specializes in aftermarket parts, vehicles, and accessories in the automotive industry and has morphed, over time, into a behemoth of an international trade organization with over 6,466 member companies contributing to a $31 billion a year industry. The crown jewel of SEMA is, of course, the annual convention that showcases some of the newest, best, and most innovative cars, parts, and accessories in the world. 2005 offered an array of automotive goodness that was so massive in size that not even the gargantuan halls of the Las Vegas Convention Center could contain it. The show boasted over 2 million square feet of exhibit space, two temporary exhibit halls, and numerous outdoor setups. Every available space was packed full of some of the most beautiful and innovative examples of aftermarket brilliance around. However, the show was so large it almost bordered on chaos. There are random cars scattered throughout the entire show that aren't always in any particular order or marked with any information about what you're actually viewing. But having said that, the SEMA show truly is a unique experience that offers so much stuff to look at it is nearly impossible to see everything. Unfortunately for most of you, the SEMA show is an industry only event, meaning it's not open to the general public. So we'll do our best to convey some of the amazing things that went on to you. Where to begin… There were so many different things to look at that the SEMA show had to be divided into numerous categories including, Vehicle Manufacturers, Performance Tires & Wheels, Racing & Performance, Restoration Marketplace, Restyling & Accessories, Hot Rod Alley, Tools & Equipment, Trucks, SUV's & Off-Road, and Mobile Electronics & Technology, in an attempt to keep things organized. We could spend days covering the different types of products, cars, and interesting things that had to be seen to be believed, but for your sake, and because I'd rather not get carpal tunnel syndrome writing this article, we'll just stick to the highlights: Some of the major car manufacturers had a huge presence at SEMA. DaimlerChrysler made a its presence known with the not so subtle inclusion of Mopar Alley, a covered walkway connecting two exhibit halls where dozens of modified Vipers, Mustangs, and classic Detroit steel were prominently on display. Ford also made its mark with a huge display that spanned the width of one of the convention center's massive buildings. After covering the backdrop of their exhibit with an eye-catching blue façade, the folks at Ford populated the area with plenty of custom versions of some of the company's most popular models, including the GTX1 and Ford '40 GT. The GTX1, in case you were wondering, is the brainchild of Ford's Special Vehicle Team (SVT) engineering supervisor Kip Ewing. Basically a roadster version of Fords already stellar Ford GT, the GTX1 relies on a unique four panel system that allows it to morph from a coupe, into a targa configuration, to an actual convertible. Top down, the GTX1 is a beautiful car. But it'll cost you. In addition to the $150,000 Ford GT, the GTX1 conversion will require an additional $38,000. But, given what we've seen, it's worth it. Ford's other eye catcher is a beautifully manufactured copper bodied automobile that has been dubbed the Ford '40 GT. The pristine copper panels, etched with a cool flame pattern, were created in a former Soviet aircraft factory in Poland and then shipped to the United States where they were assembled on a Ford GT frame. Not surprisingly, the '40 GT shares the same engine as the "real" GT. Also on display at the Ford exhibit was the new Shelby GT 500, a Ford GT that was sliced down the middle to allow prying eyes inside, and a yellow Mustang used for dynamometer drag runs within the convention center itself. But wait, there's more to the SEMA convention than just the cars… Absurd Items: If we happened to win the jackpot during our time in Las Vegas we'd buy these decadent examples of blatant consumerism. The ultimate in bling, these Asanti wheels aren't just huge, they're encrusted with jewels. That's right, each wheel has 1,100 karats of diamonds and sapphires set in the five spokes and center crest. Price - $1,000,000 for a set of four. Automotive Icons: All the influential people of the aftermarket world made the journey to Las Vegas to attend SEMA 2005, including Boyd Coddington, Chip Foose, Phillip McGuire, Carol Shelby and many more. Swag: Webster's defines "swag" as slang for stolen property or loot. Well it's not stolen if everyone in sight is giving it away for free. And if it wasn't free… we'd steal it anyway, because there's some cool stuff to be had. In a marketing ploy that is widely adopted by almost everyone at SEMA, companies give away tons of free stuff in an effort to attract people to their exhibit booths. After a few days at the SEMA show, we left Las Vegas with bags full of free posters, stickers, key chains, hats and much more. Models: Aside from swag, it seems that the best way to attract attention to an otherwise boring or useless product seems to be: A) Hire attractive women. B) Dress them in skimpy attire with your company's name on it. C) Let them stand around your booth and smile at potential customers. This technique, by the way, is also widely adopted. In-Car TVs: A wise man once said, "You can never have too many TVs." Okay, so we probably just made that up. But that seems to be the sentiment at SEMA. These guys can cram multiple LCD screens into any vehicle, sometimes with awe-inspiring efficiency and attention to detail that borders on art, and sometimes with ham-fisted brutality to create a sight even Antoni Gaudi would say is, "a bit over the top." For an example of the former see the Scion xA below. Honda and Acura were present with the usual slew of tricked out and heavily modified versions of their base models. Acura decided to throw in a new twist however, by creating the first ever RSX Challenge, in which Acura volunteered new RSXs to six different magazines to see who could come up with the best modifications. Final results were tallied after every Acura had completed a series of trials. Kudos goes to Car and Driver for taking top honors. The Mazdaspeed division of the Japanese manufacturer of the same name also made an appearance featuring some impressively styled versions of the MX-5, Mazda 6, and assorted performance oriented parts. Volkswagen, Hummer, and others also reared their heads for the SEMA show, though with somewhat less of a presence. Each, as you might expect, sported some sort of aftermarket inspired accessories and special modifications. With all the speed oriented vehicles littering the Las Vegas Convention Center we probably could have made a killing with an armful of copies of the Nuts for Cars best selling e-book, "How to Fight a Speeding Ticket – And Win Every Time." Aside from the major manufacturers were a number of stellar customizations from the minds of well known customizers and other aspiring mechanics looking to make a name for themselves, such as this 1939 Lincoln Zephyr, or "Lead Zephyr," created and signed by Boyd Coddington that will be featured at the 35th annual Barrett-Jackson Auction in Scottsdale, AZ. There were other highlights too, such as the all-new Volvo roadster concept, a Pagini Zonda, a Saleen S7, dozens of custom bikes and trucks, superchargers, electronics packages, more scissor doors than you can shake a stick at, a simulated off-road proving ground in the convention center parking lot, speedboats, and countless other things to occupy our dreams for nights to come. But we digress. As stated earlier we could spend days writing about the SEMA show (hell, it took us that long just to see it all), but there's just too much stuff to cover in one article. Or in two, or three, or four, or… well you get the idea. Well, that's about all we have to share with you, the general public, about SEMA 2005. At this point you've pretty much read about all the highlights. Okay, that was a lie… there's still so much more for you to see. But we can't possibly convey it all to you, not even the best writer in the world could do that. If you want to see SEMA first hand, just do what we did. Drum up a little ambition and start your own automotive business (for details see the Nuts for Cars best selling e-book 1001 Ways to Make Money with Your Car Hobby). Then you'll be considered "in the industry" and a ticket to next years SEMA event is only $50 away, plus airfare. We'll see you there.Zack Engel is the Lead Automotive Event Correspondent for The Driver's Seat, the bi-weekly e-zine produced by Nuts for Cars.Nuts for Cars is a membership organization dedicated to enhancing the automotive hobby by providing information to members about a variety of automotive topics. Nuts for Cars also features the world's largest online automotive event directory. Find a car event near you in just seconds!For more information visit http://www.nutsforcars.com or e-mail your questions to info@nutsforcars.com.
Keyword : cars, car events, events, trucks, motorcylces, car s shows, SEMA, automotive, automobiles
Lemon Law - Car Warranty, the Background, Substance and Practical Implementation
Author : Amit Laufer
Lemon Law BackgroundThe term "Lemon-Law" is a nick name derived from other common terms such as "Lemon-Car", "Monday-cars" and "Friday-Cars".A lemon car is a defective car that, when purchased new or used, is found by the purchaser to have numerous or severe defects not readily apparent before the purchase. Any vehicle with these issues can be termed a "lemon car" and by extension, any product which has major flaws that render it unfit for its
purpose can be described as a "lemon product".New vehicles directly from the factory may contain hidden mechanical flaws or defects in workmanship, usually caused by an error during the build process of the car. These errors can range from parts being installed incorrectly, a tool that was used to build the car not being removed, a batch of materials with structural or chemical flaws or simply bad design.Usually, a car is labeled a lemon if the same problem occurs 3 times in a row over a short period, and previous attempts at repair have not repaired the problem. In most cases, if you get a lemon, lemon laws will make the company buy back the car or exchange it.Many of you might remember that during the late eighties the average American consumer almost lost faith completely with the American made cars.The amount of lemon cars along with the high rate of over the average visits to the car garages as well as the high repairs and spare parts cost, caused many Americans to switch to Japanese and even European cars.This was a period of time when Americans were reluctant to go to the dealers garages and preferred to go to oil & lube services only.At that time Lee Iacocca the CEO of Chrysler Corp identified immediately the problem of mistrust of American consumers in American made cars, Chrysler launched a campaign on national TV promising to provide a bumper-to-bumper warranty coverage for 50,000 miles or five years, which ever comes first! Then GM came with the answer of 60,000 miles or 6 years,
which ever comes first! Chrysler returned with the final stroke of 70,000 miles or 7 years which ever comes first.Few months later I went to the Buick main dealer garage in long Island, I was seating in the waiting room, next to me was a very nervous guy, I asked him why was he so upset with the garage, he explained to me that even though he had this bumper-to-bumper warranty It doesn't cover labor and the damn car is more than a week in the garage and they don't seems to be able to find what is the problem with the car...The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act is Known as the "Lemon Law"The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act is a United States federal law codified at 15 USC 50. Enacted in 1975, it is the federal statute that governs warranties on consumer products.The Act was sponsored by Senators Warren G. Magnuson of Washington and Frank Moss of Utah, both Democrats.
State Lemon Laws have some differences like coverage of motorcycles and used vehicles, but there are some basic guidelines that they do share. (See 50 state by state Lemon Law Summaries at: http://autopedia.com/html/HotLinks_Lemon2.html).In passing the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, Congress specified a number of requirements that warrantors must meet. Congress also directed the FTC to adopt rules to cover other requirements.The FTC adopted three Rules under the Act, the Rule on Disclosure of Written Consumer Product Warranty Terms and Conditions (the Disclosure Rule), the Rule on Pre-Sale Availability of Written Warranty Terms (the Pre-Sale Availability Rule), and the Rule on Informal Dispute Settlement Procedures (the Dispute Resolution Rule).In addition, the FTC has issued an interpretive rule that clarifies certain terms and explains some of the provisions of the Act. This section summarizes all the requirements under the Act and the Rules.The Act and the Rules establish three basic requirements that may apply to a warrantor or a seller.A. As a warrantor, you must designate, or title, your written warranty as either "full" or "limited."B. As warrantor, you must state certain specified information about the coverage of your warranty in a single, clear and easy to read document.C. As a warrantor or a seller, you must ensure that warranties are available where your warranted consumer products are sold so that consumers can read them before buying.The laws define what a lemon car is and require that the manufacturer, not the dealer, takes care of the defects. If a number of attempts have been made to repair a defect that significantly impairs the use, value or safety of a car and the car continues to have this defect, the car is than considered to be a "lemon".Most statutes set up a warranty rights period of either 12 to 24 months or 12,000 to 24,000 miles. The defect(s) must occur sometime during this period.Many of the state laws contain specific guidelines as to what constitutes a sufficient number of attempts to repair, and whether these attempts entitle the consumer to a refund or replacement. These are:a. If the defect is a serious safety defect involving brakes and or steering, the manufacturer is granted one attempt to repair.b. If there is a safety defect that is not considered a serious safety defect, the manufacturer has two attempts to repair.c. For any other defect, the manufacturer is usually given three or four chances to repair the same defect.d. If at any time the vehicle is in the shop for a cumulative total of 30 days in a one year period, with at least one of those days occurring the first 12,000 miles.If any one of these of these guidelines can be satisfied, the consumer is usually given the right to require repurchase or replacement of his/her vehicle.Most lemon laws do allow an offset for use of the vehicle by the consumer. Oftentimes, a reduction in the consumer's purchase price return is used in relation to the number of miles he/she had put on the car. One law spells out the reduction in refund for use as follows:(miles at time of refund X purchase price)/100,000Only about one half of the lemon laws allow the consumer to recover attorney's fees in his/her action. Those states that do allow attorney's fees provide for a greater likelihood of success and representation in warranty disputes.What the Magnuson-Moss Act – Lemon Law, Does Not RequireFirst, the Act does not require any business to provide a written warranty. The Act allows businesses to determine whether to warrant their products in writing. However, once a business decides to offer a written warranty on a consumer product, it must comply with the Act.Second, the Act does not apply to oral warranties. Only written warranties are covered.Third, the Act does not apply to warranties on services. Only warranties on goods are covered. However, if your warranty covers both the parts provided for a repair and the workmanship in making that repair, the Act does apply to you. (Source: http://www.ftc.gov/index.html).Finally, the Act does not apply to warranties on products sold for resale or for commercial purposes. The Act covers only warranties on consumer products. This means that only warranties on tangible property normally used for personal, family, or household purposes are covered. (This includes property attached to or installed on real property.) Note that applicability of the Act to a particular product does not, however, depend upon how an individual buyer will use it.The Author Resource box must be included with the article copy!Amit Laufer is a writer & Internet Marketer.
MBA - International Trade & Finance.
Bsc. Computers and Information Systems.Owner Editor of: Lemon Law
Keyword : Lemon Law, Lemon Laws, Lemon Cars, Defective car, Magnuson Moss Warranty Act, Car Warranty,
Lemon Law BackgroundThe term "Lemon-Law" is a nick name derived from other common terms such as "Lemon-Car", "Monday-cars" and "Friday-Cars".A lemon car is a defective car that, when purchased new or used, is found by the purchaser to have numerous or severe defects not readily apparent before the purchase. Any vehicle with these issues can be termed a "lemon car" and by extension, any product which has major flaws that render it unfit for its
purpose can be described as a "lemon product".New vehicles directly from the factory may contain hidden mechanical flaws or defects in workmanship, usually caused by an error during the build process of the car. These errors can range from parts being installed incorrectly, a tool that was used to build the car not being removed, a batch of materials with structural or chemical flaws or simply bad design.Usually, a car is labeled a lemon if the same problem occurs 3 times in a row over a short period, and previous attempts at repair have not repaired the problem. In most cases, if you get a lemon, lemon laws will make the company buy back the car or exchange it.Many of you might remember that during the late eighties the average American consumer almost lost faith completely with the American made cars.The amount of lemon cars along with the high rate of over the average visits to the car garages as well as the high repairs and spare parts cost, caused many Americans to switch to Japanese and even European cars.This was a period of time when Americans were reluctant to go to the dealers garages and preferred to go to oil & lube services only.At that time Lee Iacocca the CEO of Chrysler Corp identified immediately the problem of mistrust of American consumers in American made cars, Chrysler launched a campaign on national TV promising to provide a bumper-to-bumper warranty coverage for 50,000 miles or five years, which ever comes first! Then GM came with the answer of 60,000 miles or 6 years,
which ever comes first! Chrysler returned with the final stroke of 70,000 miles or 7 years which ever comes first.Few months later I went to the Buick main dealer garage in long Island, I was seating in the waiting room, next to me was a very nervous guy, I asked him why was he so upset with the garage, he explained to me that even though he had this bumper-to-bumper warranty It doesn't cover labor and the damn car is more than a week in the garage and they don't seems to be able to find what is the problem with the car...The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act is Known as the "Lemon Law"The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act is a United States federal law codified at 15 USC 50. Enacted in 1975, it is the federal statute that governs warranties on consumer products.The Act was sponsored by Senators Warren G. Magnuson of Washington and Frank Moss of Utah, both Democrats.
State Lemon Laws have some differences like coverage of motorcycles and used vehicles, but there are some basic guidelines that they do share. (See 50 state by state Lemon Law Summaries at: http://autopedia.com/html/HotLinks_Lemon2.html).In passing the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, Congress specified a number of requirements that warrantors must meet. Congress also directed the FTC to adopt rules to cover other requirements.The FTC adopted three Rules under the Act, the Rule on Disclosure of Written Consumer Product Warranty Terms and Conditions (the Disclosure Rule), the Rule on Pre-Sale Availability of Written Warranty Terms (the Pre-Sale Availability Rule), and the Rule on Informal Dispute Settlement Procedures (the Dispute Resolution Rule).In addition, the FTC has issued an interpretive rule that clarifies certain terms and explains some of the provisions of the Act. This section summarizes all the requirements under the Act and the Rules.The Act and the Rules establish three basic requirements that may apply to a warrantor or a seller.A. As a warrantor, you must designate, or title, your written warranty as either "full" or "limited."B. As warrantor, you must state certain specified information about the coverage of your warranty in a single, clear and easy to read document.C. As a warrantor or a seller, you must ensure that warranties are available where your warranted consumer products are sold so that consumers can read them before buying.The laws define what a lemon car is and require that the manufacturer, not the dealer, takes care of the defects. If a number of attempts have been made to repair a defect that significantly impairs the use, value or safety of a car and the car continues to have this defect, the car is than considered to be a "lemon".Most statutes set up a warranty rights period of either 12 to 24 months or 12,000 to 24,000 miles. The defect(s) must occur sometime during this period.Many of the state laws contain specific guidelines as to what constitutes a sufficient number of attempts to repair, and whether these attempts entitle the consumer to a refund or replacement. These are:a. If the defect is a serious safety defect involving brakes and or steering, the manufacturer is granted one attempt to repair.b. If there is a safety defect that is not considered a serious safety defect, the manufacturer has two attempts to repair.c. For any other defect, the manufacturer is usually given three or four chances to repair the same defect.d. If at any time the vehicle is in the shop for a cumulative total of 30 days in a one year period, with at least one of those days occurring the first 12,000 miles.If any one of these of these guidelines can be satisfied, the consumer is usually given the right to require repurchase or replacement of his/her vehicle.Most lemon laws do allow an offset for use of the vehicle by the consumer. Oftentimes, a reduction in the consumer's purchase price return is used in relation to the number of miles he/she had put on the car. One law spells out the reduction in refund for use as follows:(miles at time of refund X purchase price)/100,000Only about one half of the lemon laws allow the consumer to recover attorney's fees in his/her action. Those states that do allow attorney's fees provide for a greater likelihood of success and representation in warranty disputes.What the Magnuson-Moss Act – Lemon Law, Does Not RequireFirst, the Act does not require any business to provide a written warranty. The Act allows businesses to determine whether to warrant their products in writing. However, once a business decides to offer a written warranty on a consumer product, it must comply with the Act.Second, the Act does not apply to oral warranties. Only written warranties are covered.Third, the Act does not apply to warranties on services. Only warranties on goods are covered. However, if your warranty covers both the parts provided for a repair and the workmanship in making that repair, the Act does apply to you. (Source: http://www.ftc.gov/index.html).Finally, the Act does not apply to warranties on products sold for resale or for commercial purposes. The Act covers only warranties on consumer products. This means that only warranties on tangible property normally used for personal, family, or household purposes are covered. (This includes property attached to or installed on real property.) Note that applicability of the Act to a particular product does not, however, depend upon how an individual buyer will use it.The Author Resource box must be included with the article copy!Amit Laufer is a writer & Internet Marketer.
MBA - International Trade & Finance.
Bsc. Computers and Information Systems.Owner Editor of: Lemon Law
Keyword : Lemon Law, Lemon Laws, Lemon Cars, Defective car, Magnuson Moss Warranty Act, Car Warranty,
Cleaner Fuel for Robin Subaru Engines
Author : Justin Kitson
Lead has been used in fuel since the 1920's. During normal operation of petrol engines, "pinging" or "knocking" takes place. Engine knock takes place when the last part of the air-fuel mixture in the combustion chamber detonates uncontrollably - this may damage the engine. In order to prevent "knocking", petrol requires a certain octane level. The octane rating of fuel is a measure of its resistance to cause knocking. The higher the octane rating, the tendency of knocking will occur. So lead has been added to fuel since 1920, as it was a cost-effective way to boost fuel´s octane rating.
With technological advancement, emerged a greater awareness of environmentally friendly vehicles. Nowadays the design of vehicles using catalytic converters is standard practice. Leaded petrol cannot be used in vehicles using catalytic converters so unleaded petrol has been introduced in South Africa in 1996. The added bonus of using unleaded fuel, is that it does not emit harmful lead into the atmosphere which could adversely affect human health and the environment. Another advantage to vehicle or engine owners is that unleaded petrol does not result in formation of corrosive elements, which cause damage to spark plugs and exhaust systems. This will reduce maintenance costs.
Government determined that 3 type of unleaded fuel (ULP) will be manufactured:
91 Research octane number
92 Research octane number
93 Research octane number
The use of different octane levels will differ based on location - for example:
If you live below 1,200m above sea level 91, 93 and 95 graded ULP will be available. At this altitude 95 LRP will also be available for use.
Living at an altitude higher than 1,200m above sea level will allow for 91,93 and 95 graded ULP with 93 LRP.
Therefore the altitude determines the type of ULP or LRP that will be available.
Unleaded petrol is generally suitable for lawnmower, motorbike and outboard engines. It is however advisable to contact your manufacturer to confirm the best type of petrol to use in your particular engine.
Goscor Engines divisions announced that the phasing out of leaded petrol would not be a problem for Robin Subaru engines.
They recommend that engine owners decide on the most appropriate unleaded petrol (ULP) or lead replacement (LRP) petrol using only that petrol grade for their engines. It would not be a good idea to keep on switching between the different grades available.
If for some reason the grade of fuel used needs to be changed, users will have to take their engines in to the nearest service center for the engine to be de-coked. It is a simple procedure where the mechanic removes the cylinder head in order to remove all the carbon from the cylinder head to back lap the valves.
It is not advisable that engine owners do it themselves especially when service warranties are still valid. Existing Robin Subaru engine warranties will stay in tact during the phasing out of leaded fuel on the condition that engine owners submit engines at service centers for the de-coking of engines.Justin Kitson is Manager at Goscor Engines division Goscor engines distribute Robin Subaru engines, generators and pumps in Southern Africa. The company manufactures an innovative new lawnmower engine specifically designed to cope with dry and dusty conditions often experienced in Africa.
Keyword : robin subaru engines,unleaded,lead replacement fuel conversion,ULP,LRP,pinging,knocking
Lead has been used in fuel since the 1920's. During normal operation of petrol engines, "pinging" or "knocking" takes place. Engine knock takes place when the last part of the air-fuel mixture in the combustion chamber detonates uncontrollably - this may damage the engine. In order to prevent "knocking", petrol requires a certain octane level. The octane rating of fuel is a measure of its resistance to cause knocking. The higher the octane rating, the tendency of knocking will occur. So lead has been added to fuel since 1920, as it was a cost-effective way to boost fuel´s octane rating.
With technological advancement, emerged a greater awareness of environmentally friendly vehicles. Nowadays the design of vehicles using catalytic converters is standard practice. Leaded petrol cannot be used in vehicles using catalytic converters so unleaded petrol has been introduced in South Africa in 1996. The added bonus of using unleaded fuel, is that it does not emit harmful lead into the atmosphere which could adversely affect human health and the environment. Another advantage to vehicle or engine owners is that unleaded petrol does not result in formation of corrosive elements, which cause damage to spark plugs and exhaust systems. This will reduce maintenance costs.
Government determined that 3 type of unleaded fuel (ULP) will be manufactured:
91 Research octane number
92 Research octane number
93 Research octane number
The use of different octane levels will differ based on location - for example:
If you live below 1,200m above sea level 91, 93 and 95 graded ULP will be available. At this altitude 95 LRP will also be available for use.
Living at an altitude higher than 1,200m above sea level will allow for 91,93 and 95 graded ULP with 93 LRP.
Therefore the altitude determines the type of ULP or LRP that will be available.
Unleaded petrol is generally suitable for lawnmower, motorbike and outboard engines. It is however advisable to contact your manufacturer to confirm the best type of petrol to use in your particular engine.
Goscor Engines divisions announced that the phasing out of leaded petrol would not be a problem for Robin Subaru engines.
They recommend that engine owners decide on the most appropriate unleaded petrol (ULP) or lead replacement (LRP) petrol using only that petrol grade for their engines. It would not be a good idea to keep on switching between the different grades available.
If for some reason the grade of fuel used needs to be changed, users will have to take their engines in to the nearest service center for the engine to be de-coked. It is a simple procedure where the mechanic removes the cylinder head in order to remove all the carbon from the cylinder head to back lap the valves.
It is not advisable that engine owners do it themselves especially when service warranties are still valid. Existing Robin Subaru engine warranties will stay in tact during the phasing out of leaded fuel on the condition that engine owners submit engines at service centers for the de-coking of engines.Justin Kitson is Manager at Goscor Engines division Goscor engines distribute Robin Subaru engines, generators and pumps in Southern Africa. The company manufactures an innovative new lawnmower engine specifically designed to cope with dry and dusty conditions often experienced in Africa.
Keyword : robin subaru engines,unleaded,lead replacement fuel conversion,ULP,LRP,pinging,knocking
Car Cost Considerations for Young Drivers
Author : Katy Lassetters
So you are a young driver and you have just got your first car but there are many extra costs which you may not have thought about. There are of course the essentials such as car tax, fuel and car insurance which can all mount up. But there are many companies that will offer discounts on young driver car insurance. There are also safety and security features that your car does not have that you may want to consider installing. Here are a few details on extra costs involved with car ownership.Essential car costs:Car insuranceMake sure that you purchase a good car insurance policy before you even consider driving out in your new car so that you are covered for any eventuality. There are many young driver car insurance policies out there designed especially for you. Shop around to make sure that you get an affordable policy, online car insurance is a good place to start.Car TaxThe law in the UK states that it is essential for all vehicles kept or used on public roads to display a valid tax disc. This shows the police that vehicle tax has been paid, the vehicle has passed its MOT and is covered by at least third party motor insurance. Car tax for private vehicles costs between £60 and £170 per year depending on fuel type and CO2 emissions.Car FuelObviously you need fuel to run your car but there are various different types on the market, petrol, diesel, liquid petroleum gas and compressed natural gas to name a few. Often your engine will be designed for either petrol or diesel and filling the tank with the wrong fuel can cause serious damage to your car, so take care. You can save money on fuel by purchasing a car with good fuel-economy which is measured by miles per gallon. Ask your car dealer about fuel economy before purchasing.
Car safety featuresAnti-lock brakesThis relatively new safety device is designed to bring a car to a halt more quickly than conventional brakes. ABS prevent the breaks from locking so that the car does not skid and in turn increase the driver's control over the car. This is a great safety feature that could potentially prevent road accidents from happening or at least stop your car from being involved. It is well worth the extra cost of investing in a car with ABS.Air bagsFrontal airbags are now installed in most cars in the steering wheel hub or dashboard. They can also be fitted in the sides of a car for extra protection in case of side impact crashes. Airbags inflate in an instant after a sudden impact to protect those involved in a car crash from serious personal injuries. Seatbelts should also be worn by law, even when an air bag is fitted. If an air bag does not come as standard with your car then having them installed by a retailer is advisable.Child seatIf you have your own young child or will be ferrying around a younger sibling a child car seat is a must. Car seats for children under three years are required by law in the front seat and are recommended for the back seat as well. This is purely for the safety of the child who would be thrown about inside the car with the impact of a car accident, causing serious injuries or worse to themselves and other passengers.
Car security featuresThere are many security devices that have been recommended by the police and security experts across the UK to help you to keep your car from being stolen. Although the initial cost of some of these features may be fairly high they could save you a fortune in the long run. Having your car stolen will inevitably cost you a lot more money, time and inconvenience than a few security measures. Also, some car insurance companies will reduce your premium rates if you have extra security for your car since it will be at less risk of being a crime target. Here a few examples of security devices on the market:Car alarm - to let every one know your car is at risk form thievesCentral locking - so you don't forget to lock upDeadlocks - double locks for extra securityImmobiliser - stops your car from going anywhere, mostly fitted as standard nowLocking wheel nuts - you don't want those alloy wheels rolling offLockable fuel caps - so you don't lose a full tank to thievesSecurity etching - have your registration etched in so any parts stolen can be matched to your carRemovable panel/security coded car stereo equipment - some manufacturers fit stereos with components that will not fit into another model, you don't want someone else playing your tunes
Remember that there are some costs that you must fork out for when you start driving but young drivers could save themselves a fortune with a few initial costs of installing safety systems which could help save lives and security systems that could reduce your car insurance rates.Author: Katy Lassetters, Hoot Car Insurance ServicesHoot Car Insurance Services are specialists in providing fantastically cheap young driver car insurance. For a free quote in matter seconds just call 0808 144 9954 or go to http://www.hootcarinsurance.co.uk
Keyword : Young driver car insurance, cheap, low cost, rate, hoot car insurance services, free instant online
So you are a young driver and you have just got your first car but there are many extra costs which you may not have thought about. There are of course the essentials such as car tax, fuel and car insurance which can all mount up. But there are many companies that will offer discounts on young driver car insurance. There are also safety and security features that your car does not have that you may want to consider installing. Here are a few details on extra costs involved with car ownership.Essential car costs:Car insuranceMake sure that you purchase a good car insurance policy before you even consider driving out in your new car so that you are covered for any eventuality. There are many young driver car insurance policies out there designed especially for you. Shop around to make sure that you get an affordable policy, online car insurance is a good place to start.Car TaxThe law in the UK states that it is essential for all vehicles kept or used on public roads to display a valid tax disc. This shows the police that vehicle tax has been paid, the vehicle has passed its MOT and is covered by at least third party motor insurance. Car tax for private vehicles costs between £60 and £170 per year depending on fuel type and CO2 emissions.Car FuelObviously you need fuel to run your car but there are various different types on the market, petrol, diesel, liquid petroleum gas and compressed natural gas to name a few. Often your engine will be designed for either petrol or diesel and filling the tank with the wrong fuel can cause serious damage to your car, so take care. You can save money on fuel by purchasing a car with good fuel-economy which is measured by miles per gallon. Ask your car dealer about fuel economy before purchasing.
Car safety featuresAnti-lock brakesThis relatively new safety device is designed to bring a car to a halt more quickly than conventional brakes. ABS prevent the breaks from locking so that the car does not skid and in turn increase the driver's control over the car. This is a great safety feature that could potentially prevent road accidents from happening or at least stop your car from being involved. It is well worth the extra cost of investing in a car with ABS.Air bagsFrontal airbags are now installed in most cars in the steering wheel hub or dashboard. They can also be fitted in the sides of a car for extra protection in case of side impact crashes. Airbags inflate in an instant after a sudden impact to protect those involved in a car crash from serious personal injuries. Seatbelts should also be worn by law, even when an air bag is fitted. If an air bag does not come as standard with your car then having them installed by a retailer is advisable.Child seatIf you have your own young child or will be ferrying around a younger sibling a child car seat is a must. Car seats for children under three years are required by law in the front seat and are recommended for the back seat as well. This is purely for the safety of the child who would be thrown about inside the car with the impact of a car accident, causing serious injuries or worse to themselves and other passengers.
Car security featuresThere are many security devices that have been recommended by the police and security experts across the UK to help you to keep your car from being stolen. Although the initial cost of some of these features may be fairly high they could save you a fortune in the long run. Having your car stolen will inevitably cost you a lot more money, time and inconvenience than a few security measures. Also, some car insurance companies will reduce your premium rates if you have extra security for your car since it will be at less risk of being a crime target. Here a few examples of security devices on the market:Car alarm - to let every one know your car is at risk form thievesCentral locking - so you don't forget to lock upDeadlocks - double locks for extra securityImmobiliser - stops your car from going anywhere, mostly fitted as standard nowLocking wheel nuts - you don't want those alloy wheels rolling offLockable fuel caps - so you don't lose a full tank to thievesSecurity etching - have your registration etched in so any parts stolen can be matched to your carRemovable panel/security coded car stereo equipment - some manufacturers fit stereos with components that will not fit into another model, you don't want someone else playing your tunes
Remember that there are some costs that you must fork out for when you start driving but young drivers could save themselves a fortune with a few initial costs of installing safety systems which could help save lives and security systems that could reduce your car insurance rates.Author: Katy Lassetters, Hoot Car Insurance ServicesHoot Car Insurance Services are specialists in providing fantastically cheap young driver car insurance. For a free quote in matter seconds just call 0808 144 9954 or go to http://www.hootcarinsurance.co.uk
Keyword : Young driver car insurance, cheap, low cost, rate, hoot car insurance services, free instant online
2006 Honda Accord: Still Topping Lists
Author : Tom Bailey
One of the best vehicles in the midsize category in the American automobile market, the 2006 Honda Accord has been redesigned and re-engineered. It is not only one of the best vehicles, it also is one of highest selling as well. It sports a good combination of high technology and quality. It is very much usable for everyday operations and functions. Its main competitor is the Toyota Camry. It is offered in both sedan and coupe styles. It has also been made available in three trim levels that comprise of the DX, the LX, and the EX. The vehicle has a maximum passenger capacity of five people.Taking a look around the Honda Accord, the vehicle has a design that has angular headlamps as well as sharpened noses which is very much like that of the Acura RSX's. It is very much muscular and very agile. The vehicle also has carefully sculpted combination of concave and convex surfaces in its corners and sides. If you try to go inside its cabin, the interior is very smooth, firm, and quiet. It holds wide seats that are very comfortable. This is due to the springs and urethane padding beneath is. This also reduces vibration much. These seats have the option of a manual height adjustment or power adjustments.The entire trunk of the 2006 Honda Accord measures some 14 cubic feet. The power of the 2006 Honda Accord is due to its 2.4 liter i-VTEC engine with four cylinders that can produce some 166 horsepower, as well as another 3.0 liter VTEC V6 engine that could generate a maximum of 244 horsepower. Both these engines are great on fuel efficiency.The 2006 Honda Accord has a huge range of color choices to choose from. The list comprise of carbon bronze pearl (black), carbon bronze pearl (ivory), desert mist metallic (ivory), graphite pearl (gray), nighthawk black pearl (ivory), Redondo red pearl (gray), royal blue pearl (gray), sapphire blue pearl (black), taffeta white (ivory), and alabaster silver metallic (black).Featured accessories for the 2006 Honda Accord include in its list a deck lid spoiler, a rear wing spoiler, wheel locks, 15 inch alloy wheels, a removable roof rack, a ski attachment, a snowboard attachment, a bike attachment, a car cover, a half nose mask, a full nose mask, door edge guards, a gold emblem kit, a gold exhaust finisher, a Fenderwell trim, door visors, fog lights, a moonroof visor, front and rear all-season floor mats, a cargo net, a trunk tray, a metal trim kit, a leather steering wheel cover, an outside temperature gauge, a leather shift knob, the XM® satellite radio, a six disc in-dash changer, a DVD-based i-VES, a cassette player, and an MP3 player among many others.Same Day Car Parts is where owners can have genuine Honda parts and Honda accessories at utmost value and quality.Tom Bailey is a consultant for one of the country's leading auto parts stores. He is also an editor of a reputable publishing company in his area. He is currently based in Atlantic City, New Jersey with his wife and 3 children.
Keyword : auto parts,Honda,Honda Accord,Honda parts,Honda accessories
One of the best vehicles in the midsize category in the American automobile market, the 2006 Honda Accord has been redesigned and re-engineered. It is not only one of the best vehicles, it also is one of highest selling as well. It sports a good combination of high technology and quality. It is very much usable for everyday operations and functions. Its main competitor is the Toyota Camry. It is offered in both sedan and coupe styles. It has also been made available in three trim levels that comprise of the DX, the LX, and the EX. The vehicle has a maximum passenger capacity of five people.Taking a look around the Honda Accord, the vehicle has a design that has angular headlamps as well as sharpened noses which is very much like that of the Acura RSX's. It is very much muscular and very agile. The vehicle also has carefully sculpted combination of concave and convex surfaces in its corners and sides. If you try to go inside its cabin, the interior is very smooth, firm, and quiet. It holds wide seats that are very comfortable. This is due to the springs and urethane padding beneath is. This also reduces vibration much. These seats have the option of a manual height adjustment or power adjustments.The entire trunk of the 2006 Honda Accord measures some 14 cubic feet. The power of the 2006 Honda Accord is due to its 2.4 liter i-VTEC engine with four cylinders that can produce some 166 horsepower, as well as another 3.0 liter VTEC V6 engine that could generate a maximum of 244 horsepower. Both these engines are great on fuel efficiency.The 2006 Honda Accord has a huge range of color choices to choose from. The list comprise of carbon bronze pearl (black), carbon bronze pearl (ivory), desert mist metallic (ivory), graphite pearl (gray), nighthawk black pearl (ivory), Redondo red pearl (gray), royal blue pearl (gray), sapphire blue pearl (black), taffeta white (ivory), and alabaster silver metallic (black).Featured accessories for the 2006 Honda Accord include in its list a deck lid spoiler, a rear wing spoiler, wheel locks, 15 inch alloy wheels, a removable roof rack, a ski attachment, a snowboard attachment, a bike attachment, a car cover, a half nose mask, a full nose mask, door edge guards, a gold emblem kit, a gold exhaust finisher, a Fenderwell trim, door visors, fog lights, a moonroof visor, front and rear all-season floor mats, a cargo net, a trunk tray, a metal trim kit, a leather steering wheel cover, an outside temperature gauge, a leather shift knob, the XM® satellite radio, a six disc in-dash changer, a DVD-based i-VES, a cassette player, and an MP3 player among many others.Same Day Car Parts is where owners can have genuine Honda parts and Honda accessories at utmost value and quality.Tom Bailey is a consultant for one of the country's leading auto parts stores. He is also an editor of a reputable publishing company in his area. He is currently based in Atlantic City, New Jersey with his wife and 3 children.
Keyword : auto parts,Honda,Honda Accord,Honda parts,Honda accessories
The Auto Writer, Part I
Author : Matthew Keegan
DaimlerChrysler Nets $3.3 Billion ProfitDaimlerChrysler has reported a profit of $3.3 billion for 2005 based on the strength of its Chrysler Group and commercial truck divisions. The company's Mercedes division actually lost money in 2005 as it undergoes an extensive overhaul of its operations.Competing automakers GM lost $8.6 billion while the Ford Motor Company turned a $2 billion profit on the strength of strong profits outside of the North American market.Ford vs. Chevy: The WinnerFord and Chevrolet are locked in an annual battle for sales leadership in the U.S. Despite the insurgency of foreign brands, Ford and Chevrolet continue to rule the roost.Winning the battle of yearly sales is something neither automaker takes lightly. For years, Chevrolet was the clear winner before Ford rallied and started to beat out Chevy in the 1980s. According to Automotive News, the winner for 2005 is Chevrolet by just over 17,000 units. The totals include cars and light duty trucks, however if medium and heavy duty trucks are included, then the winner is Ford by approximately 5,000 units.Kia's European SurgeCredit Kia with setting records. In sales, that is. According to Motoring Life, Kia's sales in the Western European market rose nearly 40% in 2005. For the third consecutive year, Kia registered the biggest gains in year to year sales in the market which covers 18 nations.Kia's growth has stemmed from intense marketing efforts and the popularity of its Rio compact car and Sportage compact SUV. Although overall market share is very small at 1.6%, the trend for further growth is in place as the Korean automaker introduces European versions of its Optima sedan, Sedona minivan, and other models. Kia will be opening a new plant in Slovakia later this year to handle the increased demand for its vehicles.Jeep Supplier Jobs Opening UpAlthough GM and Ford are shedding jobs, one American automaker is holding steady. Jeep, a division of DaimlerChrysler, is experiencing robust demand for its Liberty and Wrangler vehicles as well as for the Dodge Nitro, a rebadged Liberty. Thus, as many as 1,000 supplier jobs paying in the neighborhood of $11-$13 per hour are springing up to supply the Toledo plant.The Ohio News Network is reporting that as many as 200 laid off Jeep workers will be called back too as they provide third shift work to help build the Nitro.G5 For PontiacAutoweek is reporting that Pontiac will soon get its own version of the Chevrolet Cobalt. Dubbed the G5, the car will fill a void that has been in the Pontiac line up ever since the Sunbird exited the scene a few years back. The G5 is expected to debut this fall as a 2007 model.In addition to bringing in the G5, Pontiac is planning on getting rid of the Montana SV6 minivan, citing that the vehicle doesn't fit the division's branding.Copyright 2006 – Matt Keegan is The Auto Writer, who writes on a variety of automotive topics including new models, classics, auto parts and accessories, insurance, and news.
Keyword : Chrysler, Ford, Chevrolet, GM, Auto Writer, Auto Blog, Pontiac, Cadillac, Honda, Toyota, Suzuki, Saa
DaimlerChrysler Nets $3.3 Billion ProfitDaimlerChrysler has reported a profit of $3.3 billion for 2005 based on the strength of its Chrysler Group and commercial truck divisions. The company's Mercedes division actually lost money in 2005 as it undergoes an extensive overhaul of its operations.Competing automakers GM lost $8.6 billion while the Ford Motor Company turned a $2 billion profit on the strength of strong profits outside of the North American market.Ford vs. Chevy: The WinnerFord and Chevrolet are locked in an annual battle for sales leadership in the U.S. Despite the insurgency of foreign brands, Ford and Chevrolet continue to rule the roost.Winning the battle of yearly sales is something neither automaker takes lightly. For years, Chevrolet was the clear winner before Ford rallied and started to beat out Chevy in the 1980s. According to Automotive News, the winner for 2005 is Chevrolet by just over 17,000 units. The totals include cars and light duty trucks, however if medium and heavy duty trucks are included, then the winner is Ford by approximately 5,000 units.Kia's European SurgeCredit Kia with setting records. In sales, that is. According to Motoring Life, Kia's sales in the Western European market rose nearly 40% in 2005. For the third consecutive year, Kia registered the biggest gains in year to year sales in the market which covers 18 nations.Kia's growth has stemmed from intense marketing efforts and the popularity of its Rio compact car and Sportage compact SUV. Although overall market share is very small at 1.6%, the trend for further growth is in place as the Korean automaker introduces European versions of its Optima sedan, Sedona minivan, and other models. Kia will be opening a new plant in Slovakia later this year to handle the increased demand for its vehicles.Jeep Supplier Jobs Opening UpAlthough GM and Ford are shedding jobs, one American automaker is holding steady. Jeep, a division of DaimlerChrysler, is experiencing robust demand for its Liberty and Wrangler vehicles as well as for the Dodge Nitro, a rebadged Liberty. Thus, as many as 1,000 supplier jobs paying in the neighborhood of $11-$13 per hour are springing up to supply the Toledo plant.The Ohio News Network is reporting that as many as 200 laid off Jeep workers will be called back too as they provide third shift work to help build the Nitro.G5 For PontiacAutoweek is reporting that Pontiac will soon get its own version of the Chevrolet Cobalt. Dubbed the G5, the car will fill a void that has been in the Pontiac line up ever since the Sunbird exited the scene a few years back. The G5 is expected to debut this fall as a 2007 model.In addition to bringing in the G5, Pontiac is planning on getting rid of the Montana SV6 minivan, citing that the vehicle doesn't fit the division's branding.Copyright 2006 – Matt Keegan is The Auto Writer, who writes on a variety of automotive topics including new models, classics, auto parts and accessories, insurance, and news.
Keyword : Chrysler, Ford, Chevrolet, GM, Auto Writer, Auto Blog, Pontiac, Cadillac, Honda, Toyota, Suzuki, Saa
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