Hindustan Motors launches automatic variant of Montero

Mitsubishi Motors and Hindustan Motors have launched the automatic transmission variant of the premium SUV ‘Montero’. The discerning customers of this ‘Dakar Rally’ Winner can now choose between a manual or automatic variant as per their requirement. Mitsubishi Montero was crowned the winner of the Dakar Rally, the world’s toughest, most demanding cross-country race for the unprecedented 12th time in 2007. Tested to the extreme, the Montero not only beat the competition, it emerged victorious for the seventh year in a row.

“The All New Mitsubishi Montero has received a phenomenal response since it was launched in India in August07 and to consolidate it’s position further we are launching the automatic transmission (A/T) variant. Montero’s incisive customers have shown a positive demand for an A/T variant due to which we have brought this variant now to India.” Mr. Y.V.S Vijay Kumar, Vice-President, Hindustan Motors said.


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Tata Motors sets aside funds for its new launches

Tata Motors is planning to rise up its budget to Rs 4,000 crore for growth of both the domestic and international markets.

Previously, the company invested Rs 13,000 crore over FY07-10 for capex plan. The company was primarily setting up a new plant at Uttarakhand for the mini-truck Ace, developing new platforms for the Indica and the Indigo and for building a new UV (utility vehicle) and a global truck platform.

Tata recently unveiled new vehicles such as the Indica Dicor, Indigo CS, Sumo Grande and Xenon, a pick-up truck at the Auto Expo. Besides this the company also unveiled its Rs 1-lakh car, “Nano”.

Under this joint venture with Fiat, the company is also setting up a new facility to cater the Fiat Punto and Linea. Tata is also manufacturing transmissions and engines at the cost of Rs 400 crore.

The company will also need Rs 8,000-10,000 crore to fund its acquisition of Jaguar and Land Rover from Ford.

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Car Loan With Low Interest Rate - Some Tips For Your Guidance

Low rate car loan is not that hard to find provided that you know how and where to look for it. Many people in their zeal to buy that new car rush through the car finance process and end up paying more for the car. Furthermore, they get stuck with a high rate auto loan, which obviously means high monthly payments. God forbid if due to some emergency you miss your monthly payments, you will end up losing your car.

Say No To Dealers

So the best thing to do is to take your time when you shop for an automobile loan. You might be tempted to just walk into the dealership and sign the car finance papers and drive away with a new car. But remember that you will definitely not be getting a low rate car loan. The dealer is in there to make a profit and he/she does it by getting more money out of you. So at best you should avoid the dealer route.

Instead you should check out several lenders. You can go online and narrow down on several lenders. Get quotes from them and compare their offers. Then the next step is obvious. Pick the loan offering the lowest rates.

Improve Your Credit

For those who have problems with their credit scores finding a low rate car loan can be a little tough but not impossible. First thing you must do is start working on improving your credit scores. Make sure that you make all the payments on time. Try to reduce your debts, as this will greatly help in improving your credit scores. Limit credit enquiries, as they have a negative effect on your credit scores. With some discipline from your side you will be able to see improvements in your credit scores within six months.

The key to finding a low interest rate is to shop around and compare. Do not limit your search to major banks and credit unions in your area. Check out some of the small banks in your area also. You will be surprised to know that very often these small banks can offer you lower interest rates and better payment plans.

However, before you go shopping for finance, get a pre-approved loan from a bank. This will strengthen your negotiating tactics. Furthermore, you will not fall victim to lenders' tricks. Some lenders will try to sell you a loan at a higher rate than at which you qualify it for.

Keeping the above tips in mind you can easily find a low rate car loan. But you have to give it some time.

Source: Low rate car loan is a possibility if you know how to shop for online car loans. New auto loan rates depend on your credit scores, so if you have bad credit you must first improve your credit to get an auto loan with low rates.

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Cars in Indiac

India is presently ranked 17th amongst auto car manufacturing countries in the world. Keeping in pace with the ever growing demand for cars, the production of cars has also been on a high off late. Thanks to a huge export potential and favorable Government policy, multinational companies have been eyeing at India to set up their manufacturing facilities. According to auto experts and analysts, India is poised to become third largest auto car manufacturing hub in the world by 2020.

Amongst the newly launched cars in small & mini car segment, General Motors’ Chevrolet Spark & Aveo U-Va have received tremendous response from the market. With the launch of these Chevy brands, General Motors India has thrown a tough competition to the predominant Indian auto giants like Tata and Maruti. The stupendous growth the GM car sales bears testimony to the growing popularity of Chevy brands in India. Hyundai and Fiat are the other major players that are present in this segment.

In the sedan and luxury sedan segment, General Motors’ Chevrolet Optra and recently launched Optra Magnum have been receiving rave reviews from auto enthusiasts and auto experts. With the launch of Chevrolet Aveo and Optra Magnum which have a class defined performance, GM India eyes at grabbing 10% of the share in Indian car market by 2010.

In the multi utility vehicle segment General Motors’ Tavera is directly competing with Toyota Innova and Mahindra Scorpio. Tavera has been doing consistently well and has been delivering best in class mileage to its customers.

GM India is now foraying into the premium A-segment cars in India with the Chevrolet Captiva which is all set to hit the road later this year.

Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sonali_Sharma

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Review On Hybrid Car Technology

The biggest question popping these days is that, what sort of vehicles are we actually going to be driving in the future? This question has stirred many minds and brains as world oil reserves are dwindling to such a worrying degree that the tip is we could actually run out of that black gooey stuff in about 50 years time. So what is the alternative left with us considering that there will be no black gold after few years? The answer is Hybrid Cars which will run on alternative fuel i.e. solar battery without emission of toxic substances in nature. But are reliable, will they perform well in future? These kinds of questions are just common these days.

Car is now part of daily life and culture, so it's difficult to imagine getting from one place to another without it, irrespective of distance. The future of the car, as we know, is doomed because of emission of large chunk of our greenhouse emissions, and fossil fuels set to become more costly before eventually running out. Thus this has resulted car manufactures to give a deep thought and are serious about alternative ways to produce engine power.

In other words we can say that it is all about developing the car of the future, a vehicle that will be both greener and more efficient. This is when hybrid car makes its entry. Hybrid car these days is gaining popularity as it is not only cheap but also easily affordable. This means owing this car won’t create any environment hazards and also won’t burn hole in your pocket. But is hybrid car reliable and bankable option? The answer is somehow yes, considering current trend of auto industry

A car with Hybrid technology has two engines, side by side, under the bonnet. This means an electric engine here and a petrol engine there. Seeing today’s cars we come to know that majority cars driven by one or the other engine. This means not that cost effective. Thus, for better mileage and maximum performance, you get them both chiming in together, so you get more power. This can only be found in hybrid cars. That’s why people prefer them over others.

In hybrid car the electric engine also charges the batteries, and that neatly gets you around the old problem of electric cars of having to plug it into the mains overnight. This means no need to worry about recharging too. But one of the biggest disadvantages attached with hybrid cars is that they needed big, heavy battery packs which took up all of the back seat. But this is also now rectified as now you get a full four-seater capacity and enough room in the luggage space for two or three small dogs or maybe even one really big one.

Thus, we can now say that hybrid car is the best and safe option to go for. Visit Author's site to learn more on hybrid car technology.

Author is business analyst of Automobile industry. Visit hybrid car information to learn more on hybrid vehicle. Gas and Electric car is an excellent report on the latest hybrid car technology trends.

Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Arindam_Chattopadhyaya

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Auto Industry Favorites, Taken for a Ride

Recently we saw Ford and GM both offer super discounts on their cars and SUVs as sales were down and the Japanese imports had gained ground on them. Ford announced massive layoffs and GM also hinted at closing some plants. In the past five years we have seen much discounting in the form of incentives, zero-zero financing, rebates and now these companies are both offering the same discounts that they give to their employees to the general public. It is almost as if no one heeded the warnings of the increased fuel prices and Deming Era all over again. To fully understand this cycle and competition between Domestic and Foreign Automakers I would like to recommend a book to you.

“TAKEN FOR A RIDE,” By Bill Vlasic.

This book is about Chryslers merger with Daimler Benz. It starts when Kerkorian and Iacocca tried to strike a deal and takes you through the Daimler Benz merger. Very interesting and it takes a hard look at the differences between American and German Corporate styles, attitudes and disciplines. I recommend the book to those who talk about the Daimler Chysler merger and its affect on the trucking industry, automobile industry and European/US Corporate mergers.

The book also highlights the problems leading up to the proposed solution. I would also recommend the book; “Ford” and “What is Good for GM is Good for America” because you will begin to see how much emphasis is put on sales and profits and how this effects so many lives of American workers who hang in the balance. Read and Think, always and forever.

Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lance_Winslow

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Car Brands Competition In The Automobile Industry

Asian car brands take record US market share as GM and Ford plunge. Based on the new strategy tool "brandmark", a cooperation of the RB Profiler and the "Typologie der Wünsche", several aspects were investigated:The study identifies and describes six car customer types, each one with a specific values and needs set It analyses and visualizes Germanys most important car brands and shows their specific positioning within the market White spots in the market were found in the premium as well as in the volume segments – thus, established car manufacturers are likely to suffer great sales losses if new competitors find a way to close these gaps Finally, innovative brand strategies were outlined to show how OEMs could close these market gaps Interested.

Car

If a car has a musty, old-fashioned aura surrounding it, it could turn off a would-be car buyer. As a general rule, the more appealing the car is, the stronger its sales. “Names like Ford, General Motors, Chrysler, Toyota and Porsche dominate our cars and the auto industry today. David Buick, who invented the overhead valve engine, founded the Buick Motor Car Co. He died in 1929 reportedly, unable to afford one of his cars. Durant kept the name for one of his company divisions and for the car, even though he worried that people might pronounce it "Boo-ick," according to one author. Strangely enough, the man who practically created General Motors single-handedly never really liked the idea of a "Durant" car.

• The steam-powered cars produced at the turn of the 20th Century were called the Locomobile.

• David Buick, founder of the car company bearing his name, was an all-around mechanical genius who also received a patent for a lawn sprinkler. But he sold his stock in his Hupp Motor Car Company in 1911. Durant brought him into a new car-building venture in 1911, hoping to trade on his fame as an absolutely fearless race driver. Sales data shown is of top 20 selling cars and trucks as compiled by Autodata Corporation. The Henry Ford Company, which traded freely on Ford's early fame as an inventor, fired him in 1902 "because he was spending all his time developing a race car, not a passenger car," according to the Encyclopedia of American Business and Biography. Then he used the former aircraft company to launch his own line of luxury cars bearing the Lincoln name.

Brand

Brands have a high impact on people's economic decisions. Brands can be defined as cultural-based symbols, which promise certain advantages of a product. brand, with its own models, badge and division. Brand-wide focus on performance alone does not ensure the vehicles are considered among the sportiest.

One of the most competitive markets in the world today is probably the auto industry with its many car brands competing fiercely against each other. Toyota, Ford top car brands in consumer perception. Dealer list is divided into categories based on car brands or the state names.

John Gorman is a successful Webmaster and publisher of http://www.WeKnowCars.com. He provides more information on all types of cars and car issues, and car brands that you can research in your pajamas on his website.

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What Is A Guaranteed Auto Loan

A guaranteed auto loan means pretty much just that, you are guaranteed an auto loan. Usually regardless of your credit rating, you are still guaranteed a loan. Guaranteed auto loans work off of preset numbers. Now the interest rate on this type of loan usually run a lot higher, if there is no other way for you to obtain an auto loan then this may be a way for you. But, before jumping off into this method, educate yourself on other possible methods of obtaining a loan.

You can get pre-approved for an auto loan through guaranteed auto loans. Approvals usually last for three days, or as long as the car you want is available. If you choose to go through this method of getting a loan there are few things you will be asked before giving your personal information, such as the vehicle information, a few bank questions and stipulations, terms of the loan, and you will need income to qualify.

Do the homework necessary to be well informed when obtaining a guaranteed auto loan, it will keep informed of your rights, you'll be glad you did in the long run. Do not go out and take advantage of any guaranteed loan without first looking into all possibilities. Just because a company is guaranteeing you an auto loan, does not mean they are the best auto loan for you. Protect yourself, and your peace of mind; look before you leap is a good rule to go by when getting an auto loan.

Matthew Henderson is editor at "Auto-Fleet.com." Stop by for a huge selection of information regarding auto warranties, Online Auto Loans, improving your credit, driving education and much more at Auto-Fleet.com

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Will Gen Y Opt For A Fast Bike Or A Small Car?

The unveiling of the Tata Nano, the world's cheapest car, has created quite a buzz in automobile markets across the globe. As industry experts wait with bated breath the arrival of the $2500 car, speculations are rife regarding its impact in the global auto industry. With competitors already joining the fray with their new low cost models, chances are that the automobile market is headed for a complete makeover.

The availability of four-wheeled comfort at the price of a high-end two-wheeler has surely left buyers spoiled for choice. It is interesting, therefore, to note what our Gen Y feels in this regard. Will they stick to their old passion for fast bikes or go in for a small car?

Talking to a number of respondents aged 18-28 in the various metro cities of India has yielded a number of possibilities. While guys were divided in their opinion, girls were mostly unanimous in support of the small car. This was predictable, considering that females rated the safety and comfort factors above style and glamor. With more and more women in the metro cities joining the job brigade, a means of personal transport has become more of a necessity than an indulgence. For many, using public transport during peak hours is a vexation. Women with late working hours have opted for the small car as a means of ensuring their personal safety. For some other women, the small car is also a symbol of status, a statement of power and emancipation in a male-dominated world.

With men, however, the scenario is a bit different. While a sizable number of the Gen Y population is impressed with the idea of a small and affordable car, there are many who are skeptic about its capabilities. Style, safety and power are the three most important prerequisites when it comes to choosing a car for men. For the wild and the adventurous, it is the feel of power that counts the most. With high-end bikes providing them with the desired adrenalin rush, many are willing to forgo the comforts of a small car. However, the situation is just the opposite with others. Young executives, typically, are ready to accept the small car as a means of elevating social status in the corporate world. In fact, more than fifty percent of the respondents voted in favor of the small car, although many among them adopted a cautious note regarding its performance.

Overall, it can be said that the concept of the small car has caught the imagination of today's youth. While some prize the thrills of riding a fast bike the most, the majority seems to be willing to settle down to the comforts of a small car. With the small car concept steadily winning over Gen Y, the automobile market seems to be set for a radical change. With the indications manifest enough, it is time for us to wait for the final verdict.

Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Avik_Roy

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Auto Repair Guides

Auto repair guides explain the maintenance, repair, and cleaning of automotive supplies. These are guides meant for home users as well as professionals. Nowadays, these are available in electronic versions, and there are many software packages available to diagnose and fix automotive problems.

Major companies in this industry such as Ford, Mercedes, Chevrolet, and Volkswagen provide electronic auto repair guides so that even amateur users can learn a lot about auto repair. Auto repair guides usually tell you how repairs are done on all major parts of an automobile including the brake system, cooling system, electrical system, engine system, A/C-heat system, body and exterior, exhaust system, fuel system, steering and suspension system, and drive train.

A number of good online auto repair guides are provided free on selected websites. These sites provide useful articles and FAQs that enable you to learn the techniques of auto repair step by step.

Lots of auto repair guides tell you how to do simple auto repair jobs at home.

They also help you find quality used auto parts. Lots of auto repair guides also give you advice on auto repair shops in major cities. Auto repair guides also provide information on auto insurance, car rentals, driving schools and car washes. They help you learn more about automotive maintenance, car accessories and car audio systems.

At the most basic level, general auto repair guides walk you through some of the most basic maintenance and repair processes that are common to all vehicles. If you are new to auto repair, these may help you a lot. Auto repair guides also tell you how to choose a repair shop and how to choose a technician. They provide you with an idea about repair charges and preventive maintenance too. You can learn a lot about protecting your auto repair investment from these guides.

Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ken_Marlborough

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Chevrolet Car Safety Features

Chevrolet Cars have always been well known for their respective safety features. Some of the best in class car features are summarized below:

Chevrolet Captiva - Safety has been given a priority in General Motors' latest premium SUV Chevrolet Captiva. The Captiva's four-channel ABS with brake assist-equipped discs intelligently assists with pedal pressure when it detects an emergency braking situation. The rigid high-strength body shell of the Captiva has been optimised to distribute crash forces over defined load paths to help protect the integrity of the passenger safety cell.

Chevrolet Aveo U-VA- The Aveo U-VA comes with exceptionally high torsional rigidity and crash stability to its unibody design through the use of extra-high-strength steel. The chassis was designed to deliver a more dynamic and precise feel, along with straight line and cornering stability on all road types and conditions with balanced grip. The car also features 2.5-mph impact-proof front and rear bumpers, which are a boon in urban traffic in which minor collisions, are unavoidable. In combination with its torsion-resistant body, this ensures excellent handling and a high level of active safety.

Chevrolet Spark: In Chevrolet Spark, fifty-one percent of the total weight of the body cell consists of high-strength steel, providing great rigidity and stability. Its precisely defined load paths with an energy-absorbing hexagonal profile protect passengers in the event of a head-on or rear-end collision.

Chevrolet Optra Magnum: The Optra Magnum's X-PRO safety system with enhanced ABS ensures that the car stays surefooted even under hard breaking. Its impact proof bumper on the outside and add on dual airbags inside make sure that the passenger is safe in heavy traffic.

Sonali Sharma is an expert Car review writer, writing about Chevrolet cars and other latest cars in India

Aveo U-VA

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What Are the World's Top Bike Races?

Bicycle racing has been around for a long time - since the mid nineteenth century. However, it didn't take the form it has today until around the beginning of the twentieth. Now, some of the first races that were established for cyclists are still among the most prestigious. In general, the world's most famous bicycle races include the Grand Tours, races at the Olympics, and professional races under the Union Cycliste Internationale, or UCI. These are road bicycle races. Other types of bike racing that aren't as well known include mountain bike racing (first recognized in 1990) and cyclo-cross racing (originally developed for road racers in the off season).

Grand Tours

There are three Grand Tours of cycling, of which the most famous is the Tour de France. This multi-stage race takes three weeks, and passes through France, ending up in Paris traditionally. Founded in 1903, this bike race covers almost two thousand miles, and consists of twenty different stages between specific towns. The winner is the person with the shortest times in each stage. The other Grand Tours are the Giro d'Italia (sometimes just Giro), which was founded in 1909, and inspired by the Tour de France. In Spain, a similar race is the Vuelta a Espana.

The Olympics

Cycling has been a part of the Olympics since the 1896 games, in which a 12 hour race was attempted. Many Olympic cycling events of the past have now been forgotten, including 1908's 660 yard bicycle sprint. Today, bike competitors in the Olympic games compete in track cycling, road cycling, mountain bike races, and BMX or off-road competitions. The races are divided by gender, and in some cases are done in teams.

UCI Races

The UCI ProTour was created in 2005, to replace the older UCI World Cup. The World Cup was made up of only races lasting a single day. The ProTour, however, contains the famous Grand Tours, as well as the Tour de Suisse, Criterium de Dauphine Libere, Paris-Nice, and other well-known multi-day races. It also still contains all the one day races that made up the World Cup: Belgium's Ronde van Vlaanderen and Liege-Bastogne-Liege races, Italy's Milan-Sanremo and Giro di Lombardia, France's Paris-Tours and Paris-Roubaix, the Zuri-Metzgete in Switzerland, Spain's Clasica de San Sebastian, the HEW Cyclassics in Germany, and the Amstel Gold Race in the Netherlands. Some races are spring only. Others are held in the fall. In general, cycling is a sport for summer, this definition is often stretched so that the season really begins in early spring, and ends in autumn.

Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robert_Knechtel

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Selecting The Correct Stand For Your Mountain Bike Ride

The tough parts of the mountain biking is just not always the track on which you ride your bike or the style in which the biker chooses to ride. Having the mountain bike in excellent condition and repaired is also very essential for achieving the best of any type of mountain biking. Kick-stands are no more a fashion now for the repair work and getting the correct mountain bike stand with the help of which you can have the bike held for work, is something that should be done by every cyclist.

Selecting the correct stand for your mountain bike might take a little time, however; few things need to be considered for a purchase. Price would always be a major issue, but after spending hundreds or perhaps a fortune getting a mountain bike of good quality, any amount left in the budget must be utilized in purchasing a quality stand. The stand of a mountain bike should be standing freely meaning it should stand on its own under the bike's weight after attaching it, it would fall over without any fear irrespective of the track on which the bike is rode.

A foldable stand for your mountain bike is carried along with them by most of the riders for the race so that it can be immediately and easily structured near a car and be utilized for repairing it effectively. Tripod stands are very useful on a tough ground to make the bike stand upright.

Select the stand for your mountain bike that comes with a one-lever release mechanism that very quick in order to make the bike stand upright. We no more turn the bike upside down to do any repairs. The grip functioning just like the pliers, these must be adjustable easily to the crossbar's size and should be able to hold the bike's weight. The grip must also contain a quick, single release mechanism that would make bike removing very easy, irrespective of the weight of the bike.

A mountain bike stand should ideally would be adjustable down and up in order to make functioning more comfortable and convenient on the mountain bike. The rider needn't struggle or seek for help to make sure the bike comes to a level at which one can perform work.

Usually most of the mountain bike stand rates are under $120 (with a bike transport bag) however, a good quality stand would cost more than $300 and depends on the amount of labor done by a person on their bike, the more its priced, getting an excellent quality mountain bike would be a better bargain in the due course.

Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Adam_Peters

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2008 Toyota RAV4 Review - A Review Of The 2008 Toyota RAV4 SUV

The 2008 Toyota RAV4 is both innovative and reliable, with several new features that offer safety as well as practicality. Impressive new features include the RAV4's tire pressure monitoring, which alerts the driver when tire levels are critically low. There's also a DVD rear entertainment system with headphones for passengers.

The 2008 RAV4 offers several standard safety features, including front and side curtain airbags, and a 3-point seatbelt system in all seating positions. Its novel cruise control with brake deceleration lets the drive slow down while without turning off the control feature. The RAV4, though sporty, is designed with the family in mind. It has child-protector rear door locks, and a restraint system with tether anchors.

Halogen headlamps, chrome or black grilles and black roof rails and cross bars add to the striking appearance of the RAV4, while high solar energy-absorbing glass make it an advanced model.

Interior comfort is provided by the RAV4's air conditioning with filtration and driver and front passenger heated seats, along with 50/50 third row seats with fold-flat-into-floor capability for additional storage. The RAV4 comes standard with an AM/FM CD player, MP3/WMA playback capability, and six speakers. Other options include a 6-disc in-dash changer, WMA-MP3 playback capability and up to nine speakers. Bluetooth and satellite radio capabilities also are available.

Toyota includes in each RAV4 an amber-illuminated tri-dial Optitron display including speedometer, tachometer and fuel gauge meters. There's also an LCD odometer with twin tripmeters and seatbelt disconnect, airbag, door-ajar, battery, oil pressure, brake, and Vehicle Stability Control, which is designed to aid the driver in controlling the vehicle in adverse road conditions. The RAV4 comes with a 166-horse power, 4-cylinder or 269-horse power, V6 engine.

Toyota's 2008 RAV4 combines technology, safety and affordability, making it one of this year's most appealing SUVs on the market.

Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Bourne

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2008 New Car Release Strategy

Why do automobile manufactures release new models at all times of the year?

People shopping for cars today, face the same decisions they did in years past, 2-door or 4-door, car, truck, van, or SUV. The idea of buying versus leasing is now on the table once again. The idea of buying a car in the middle of 2007 and having to decide between a 2007 and a 2008 muddies the water. Some of these vehicles will be all-new models, others radically different, while still others with only slight alterations.

Manufacturers are using the release of the new 2008 products as more of a strategy than in years previous years. They realize they they have the power to create targeted traffic at given points of the selling season with these new releases. They no longer have to share the same pie with every other automaker. The traditional introduction of the models in early October created to much competition between the manufacturers. All the automakers were introducing their new lineup at the same time and sharing the spotlight with all the other automakers. A model can be deemed a 2008 so long as it goes on sale after January 1st of the current year.

Consumers are split relatively evenly between the bargain of the left over model and the idea of having the latest and greatest. There is certainly a price to be paid for stepping up into a new 2008 model. Many consumers opt to pay more for the 2008 because the 2007 does not seem quite so new anymore. While the bargain hunters can save even more during the buzz of the newly released models.

This is a win-win for the dealerships. The manufacturers need to assist the dealers in moving out the 2007 products (heavier incentives) and the profits for the dealers can be significantly higher on the fresh 2008 products.

Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dan_Mercurio

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Car Maintenance

We all avoid maintenance on one pretext or the other but forget its core advantages, like low recurring expenses and optimum product utilization, especially in the case of Car Maintenance. By doing regular maintenance on our car, not only we can save money on car repair, but also enjoy more pleasant drives.

Car Maintenance is not a big technical job, and a novice with minimal car-related knowledge can also do it easily. You can initially start with tires. Tires are among the most expensive, regularly replaceable and neglected items on the car.

One must follow some basic rules for tire maintenance. The first and the foremost are checking tire tread for abnormal wear patterns. On finding any symptoms of abnormal wear in specific areas, tire alignment needs to be done to prevent further deterioration. Along with it, you must check tire pressures once a week, for longer tire life. Tire experts also suggest rotating tires and wheel balancing on every car’s regular service.

The other important aspect is oil, filter change and chassis lubrication. Car experts always advice car owners to change them after every 4,000-5,000 miles or every 3-4 months, to ensure longer engine life and optimum performance.

It is also important that lights are in working condition. One must check and replace all fuse bulbs every month, to ensure your journeys at nights are smooth and trouble-free. Besides this, we also advise you to check for any fuel leaks by looking for fuel drops below the car every morning, before you start your car. Washing the car and checking the battery once a week will also help you keep your car in perfect condition. By following these small instructions, you can easily say, “Let’s go for a long drive, honey!”

Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Elizabeth_Morgan

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Automotive Review - 2008 Honda Civic Sedan

The Good: The legendary nameplate continues to balance price & performance in one nice package with tons of variations (over 20 different models between the coupe and sedan)

The Bad: Interesting gauge cluster design, road noise is pronounced

Overall: The civic is a leader in its class and a staple, for over 30 years in the US. The engine is refined and with many trim levels/models to choose from it's easy to find a Civic that will suit your budget.

For a very long time now, over a quarter century, Honda's been a force in the industry, with Civic's and Accords buzzing around the United States, often times crushing what had been the long term expectations for a vehicle (longevity curve). I remember the 300 thousand club advertisements Honda aired. I owned a Honda and like so many other Honda drivers, found it extremely reliable and exceptionally easy to keep on the road. It's difficult not to love Honda. A friend drives an Accord coupe, and has since 1998 when they were re-sytled. Every two years, he'll go get another one, going on 10 years now.

The 2008 Honda Civic is a small car available as a sedan or coupe. For both, there are five main trim levels: DX, LX, EX, EX-L and Si. On the Civic sedan you can also find the Hybrid, the GX and the Mugen Si. The DX is for those on a tight budget and offers power windows, a tilt/telescoping steering wheel & a height-adjustable driver seat. Then there's the popular mid-grade LX, which comes with 16-inch steel wheels, air-conditioning, full power accessories, keyless entry, cruise control and a four-speaker CD/MP3 audio system with an auxiliary audio jack.

Go on the road with the Civic EX and you get 16-inch alloys, sunroof, six-speaker audio with steering-wheel-mounted audio controls and a 60/40-split rear seatback with a rear armrest. This year's new Civic EX-L comes with leather upholstery and heated front seats. The Civic Si has most of the EX's features plus a high-output engine, a premium audio system, 17-inch alloy wheels, sport-tuned suspension, and special interior trim.

A navigation system is offered for the Si and EX/EX-L models. Hybrid models are equipped similarly to the EX and have automatic climate control and optional navigation. The GX has a feature list similar to the LX's.

The limited-production Civic Mugen Si sedan has a track-tuned suspension, 18-inch wheels with more aggressive tires, performance exhaust and a specialized exterior body kit

We're on the Road, in the 2008 Honda Civic Sedan, Consumer Reports top rated Sedan, scoring great marks for reliability and depreciation, and good marks for satisfaction. Under the hood find the 1.8 liter inline 4 cylinder outputting 140 hp, (except for the Si and Hybrid models outputting 197 and 110 hp respectively) and 128 lb ft of torque.

Four engine and four transmission choices range from the 140-horsepower, 1.8-liter i-VTEC engine (Civic DX, LX, EX and EX-L), with either a 5-speed manual or an available 5-speed automatic transmission, to a 197-horsepower, 2.0-liter i-VTEC engine (Civic Si) with a 6-speed manual transmission. Several years ago the civic was the smallest car from Honda, but now the Fit takes that title. While acceleration is respectable, it's not built for blazing quick acceleration, it clocks a 0-60 time of 10.1 seconds (EX sedan).

The Civic exterior looks better than ever. Coming up on a re-designed Civic several years ago, shortly after they were redesigned, I remember asking myself, if that was a new luxury brand model. Well as I drew closer, I was surprised (in a good way) to find it bear the legendary nameplate. Especially the Si model, looks like it's a luxury sports car masquerading! Nice back side! The Civic sedan looks like it is anxious to hit the road with a seriously sloped front windshield which allows for a more forward dash inside, and the two tiered gauge cluster. Fit and finish is good. From the front fascia and the grill, to the intergrated head lamps the Civic looks ready to roll. We especially like the bumper split front grille, and the way the Honda emblem is incorporated to the silver accent span streaking across the grill, looks like it could be symbolic of aircraft with such a sweeping wing upfront.

Handling is steady and compliant, and provides good direct feedback.

Safety: Seated in the driver's position you'll find great visibility that you'd expect in this class vehicle. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gives the Civic its best rating for front and side impact crashes for driver and passenger. All Civics' come standard with drivers and front passenger's seat belt reminder, Dual-Stage, Dual-Threshold front airbags (SRS); Front side airbags with passenger-side occupant position detection; side curtain airbags; VSA; ABS; EBD; TPMS; Side-impact door beams; Child proof rear door locks; LATCH; and a comprehensive list of other standard safety features that will help keep you safe.

Driving Impressions: For the casual or long distance commuter the Civic is an ideal combination of good gas mileage, comfort and safety. You'll enjoy driving the Civic with stable, responsive handling and a steady compliant ride, and though there is a bit of road noise, the Civic really does well overall. From everyday errands to the weekend road trip, you'll enjoy exploring in the Civic. We like the mix of digital and analogue gauges (the speedometer is digital, while the RPM gauge is analogue) and the speedometer, temp and fuel gauge are also included in the top tier (forward most tier) of the dash and the rpm, odometer, drive indicator are on the lower level, closest to the driver position. The seating is comfortable for most, especially for this class vehicle. Controls are where you'd expect them and you won't need to crack the manual to operate the vehicle, turn on the stereo or play a CD. The Civic also helps you every week at the pump, with good MPG!

The way you feel inside: The Civic offers solid build quality you can rely on, seat comfort is good. You will notice somewhat pronounced road noise. Inside find nice creature comforts like power outlets (front and center on upper trim levels, front only on lower trims); Cruise Control (not on DX); Leather wrapped steering wheel on all models; A/C with Air Filtration System (not on DX); Power Windows; good storage compartments; steering mounted controls (Cruise and Audio on upper trims) and available Nav system, which as a technology person remains one of my favorite options, along with the heated front seats available on the EX-L trim. Also find an aux input to plug in your mp3 player on most models. Find thoughtful design elements like tilt and telescoping steering, there's a lot to love from Honda's Civic!

By the numbers: The EPA rating for the 2008, 5 speed automatic, Civic Sedan is 25 MPG city / 36 highway and we averaged 28 MPG on regular fuel, when driving between combined (city and highway) miles.

The 5 speed manual transmission, sedan is rated at 26 city, 34 highway. While the Si Sedan gets 21 city / 29 highway, and the GX sedan, 24 city/36 highway. The 2008 Honda Civic Hybrid is rated at 40 city / 45 highway.

The sticker price on the 2008 Honda Civic Sedan starts at 15,010 for the 5 speed manual transmission DX model. The tested model (Civic EX-L 5 speed automatic - with Nav & XM which includes leather accent seating up) MSRP is $22,460. The ever popular Civic Hybrid Sedan starts at $22,600 add Nav and XM satellite for an MSRP of 24,350. With so many variations on the Civic (including Coupe and numerous trim levels) it's easy to find one that suits you!

For more automotive content go to www.GoontheRoad.com - Go On The Road.com is produced by LeBow Media for Radio and Television and now on the internet.

Brian LeBow is the original author of this new car review.

More infomation about LeBow Media, LLC is online at http://www.LeBowMedia.com and our automotive review site is online at http://www.GoontheRoad.com

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Ford And Mazda: A Strong International Relationship

During the 1990s, Ford Motor Company went on an international buying spree snapping up small automakers around the globe. Volvo, Jaguar, Land Rover, and Aston Martin all were brought within the Ford fold, and Mazda, by default has become part of Ford’s line up even though the Japanese automaker is “only” partly owned by Ford. Ford parts and Mazda parts are sometimes interchangeable as well as are some of their vehicles. Let’s examine closely the relationship between the two automakers and how their synergies benefit both companies.

The relationship between Ford and Mazda has been growing over the years, but is well known by auto historians as having started in the early 1970s when the Mazda pick up truck was imported to the North American market by Ford and called the Courier. From 1972 to 1983, the Courier was part of the Ford line up, but in reality it was a Mazda.

From 1984 on, Ford decided to build its own small pickup truck and the Ranger was born. Mazda, meanwhile, redesigned their truck and sold it separately until 2002. When time came for a new Mazda truck, Mazda tapped Ford and the current Ranger was rebadged as the Mazda “B” series.

From 1991 to 2001 Ford's Explorer was rebadged and sold as the Mazda Navajo. Only a two door version was available and the line was eventually dropped as Mazda concentrated on their own SUV, namely the Tribute.

Are you confused yet? Don’t be as the two automakers have exchanged parts and vehicles for decades.

In the early part of this decade, Ford, which has a very strong truck division, needed a vehicle that was smaller and less costly than the pricey midsize Explorer to complement the fleet. Enter Mazda. Mazda designed and released the car-like Tribute for their own division, and a Ford version of the SUV, the Escape, was built by Ford in the US. Together, the vehicles have competed successfully against Toyota’s RAV4 and Honda CR-V.

For 2006, the Ford/Mazda relationship really heats up with the release of three cars based on the highly touted Mazda 6 platform: the Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, and the "near luxury" Lincoln Zephyr. All three sedans share similar components and borrow heavily from Ford’s relationship with Mazda.

If you purchase a Ford or Mazda product that has in fact been rebadged will the Ford parts and the Mazda parts be the same? Good question! Major sections like the frame are likely to be the same, but many key components including suspension parts, brakes, and electrical parts, may be different. A better thing to do when purchasing replacement Ford or Mazda parts is to check your vehicle’s owners manual or visit a reputable online store, such as Car Parts Stuff, for the right parts for your make and model. You may think you are getting the same parts, but you can only be certain if you verify that information.

Ford and Mazda have a relationship that appears to be mutually beneficial to the two automakers. Judging by the new products being offered, the relationship is certain to grow stronger in the coming years.

Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Matthew_Keegan

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Honda CBR Motorcycle's

Honda CBR models are a series of motorcycles that have a sports-oriented feel. Some of these motorcycles are marketed as "Race Replicas". Race Replicas are those motorcycles that mimic the look and feel of race motorcycles with a lesser degree of performance. The motorcycles on the CBR series have inline engines with the exception of the CBR 125 and CBR 150 that have single cylinders. A less sports-oriented group of motorcycles that have inline engines make up Honda's CB Series. Below is a list of a few models found on Honda's CBR series:

Honda CBR 125 - this model is for an entry level sportsman and is a 125cc, 4 stroke motorbike. It debuted on the market in 2004 and since then, it has not been modified till 2007. Since its release, it has been an extremely popular motorcycle for Honda and by 2005 it has become UK's best selling motorcycle. In 2007, the CBR 125 received radical changes that made it look like the CBR1000RR Fireblade. The color scheme was also modified in 2007.

Honda CBR 250 - this bike belongs to a series that was produced between 1986 and 1996. They are lightweight 4 cylinders, 4 stroke, and 6 gear bike. This model was also capable of revving up to 18,500 rpm.

Honda CBR 600 F - this bike was originally known as the "Hurricane". It debuted in 1987 and was produced until the 1990s. This was the first of Honda's inline, 4 cylinder and fully faired sport bike.

Honda CBR 600 RR - this is a 599 cc Honda Super sport motorcycle that debuted in 2003. It is the race replica of Honda's CBRFx series. This Honda CBR was revolutionary in the fact that it was one of the very first street sport bikes that utilized MotoGP technology. The "RR" designation stands "Race Replica" because of the fact that there is great emphasis on the racing characteristics of the bike. In 2005 the Honda CBR 600 RR received major revisions to its body, while in 2007 it was totally redesigned - with the new look revealed on September 06, 2006.

Honda CBR 900 RR - this is another Honda CBR that is classified as a "Race Replica". It was introduced by Honda in 1992 as one of the first motorcycles in its Fireblade series. The designer for the 900 RR was Tadeo Baba and the bike's introduction was supposedly to reignite the biker's enthusiasm for large capacity sports machines; which at that time were loosing popularity against other models.

Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Fadi_Ayat

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Auto Insurance Policies

Most auto insurance policies in the United Kingdom has standard format and structure. They are divided roughly in six sections: first section - heading, which shows the full address, name of the UK auto insurance company,which underwrites your auto insurance policy.

Second section is preamble covering what an auto insurance premiums have paid and the following form is the base of the auto insurance contract. The next section is operative clause.It is a detailing list with the types of the events that auto insurance policies cover against (comprehensive, third party fire and theft or third party only). Exceptions clause are cover exceptions or cover exclusions.

For instance, cover will not be provided if the car is driven by anybody other except the drivers, which are mentioned in the auto insurance certificate. The fifth section is condition - the list with conditions, applying for the cover in order to be operative. So, for instance, covered by insurance has to notify auto insurance company in United Kingdom or its agent about any incident, that could affect on a claim, made under the auto insurance policy.

The last section of auto insurance policy is schedule.It is connected with the auto insurance policy and the auto insurance certificate and gives some details, that are specific to the insured person such as period of auto insurance and name.

Cover or car changes are written down in the schedule and also new certificate, which is published in order to comply with lawful requirements. It also contains a note about the premiums payable.The auto insurance certificate is an full part of the auto insurance policy. It gives details, which are specific to the covered by insurance. It also gives proof to minimum legal requirement in the United Kingdom. In the case of the auto insurance policy cancellation, the certificate must be returned to the auto insurance company or its agent during 7 days. Read more about auto insurance in UK here...

Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jennifer_Bailey

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Bike Racks

A bike rack is a device to which you can securely attach a bike to prevent it from getting stolen. The securing part is normally done by means of a bike lock. The bike rack, in turn, is fastened to the ground or to a solid, immovable structure like a wall.

Earlier bike rack models often allowed the user to secure one wheel. This one wheel could be secured to any device, such as a grooved piece of concrete in the ground or a piece of metal into which the wheel of the bike is placed.

These early means, however, were not very effective, since all a would-be thief needed to do was to detach the wheel that was secured. He could then free the rest of the bike and that was normally the last that one saw of the "secured" bike.

A further disadvantage of these racks was that they did not offer the bike much support. All it took was for one bumbling passerby to push one of the cycles over and pretty soon, one was seeing the domino effect in action. These types of racks were commonly called "wheel benders."

Bike racks have come a long way from those humble beginnings. A more modern version of these bike racks was pioneered in Sheffield, England, and are hence called Sheffield racks. These devices consist of a thick metal bar shaped somewhat like a square arch. The top part of this rack is on the same level as the top bar of the bike frame. This top part allows the frame to be secured by supporting the bike.

There is another type of bike rack that is popular with bikers. There is the kind that can be attached to any automobile, like a bus for example, to transport bikes. There are bike racks to suit virtually every need. Bike racks are not only used in private homes but also at schools, universities, apartment buildings, retail stores, and government agencies.

Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Edward_Welch

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Auto Insurance Quotes - 5 Important Thoughts

Auto insurance quotes are only one side of the story. Before you commit to any one auto insurance company based solely on auto insurance quotes – consider the five following thoughts.

1) Auto insurance quotes are only quotes. Quotes are not necessarily the real auto insurance prices you will pay in the end. Don’t switch your auto insurance on a whim – after you’ve seen some handsome auto insurance quotes.

2) When seeking accurate auto insurance quotes – make sure you give information as accurate as possible. After all, the quote will only be as good as the information you’re able to offer the insurance company. Many times, the auto insurance quotes will not be valid – depending on the accuracy of the information you’ve submitted.

3) Watch out for fine print that comes with those lovely auto insurance quotes. Fine print is a fact of life – don’t miss an important detail – only to later discover the details after you’ve changed auto insurance companies. I know it’s hard to resist the auto insurance quotes – but don’t be caught off guard.

4) Don’t let auto insurance quotes be the determining factor in choosing an auto insurance company. You might save a few dollars if you’re able to hold the auto insurance company to that wonderful looking insurance quote – but you might spend the difference in aspirin for the additional headaches caused by the cheaper auto insurance company.

5) Last, if it sounds too good to be true – it probably is. This applies to auto insurance quotes as well as many other aspects of life. Do your homework – use the auto insurance quotes as a tool in conjunction with your other research and be sure to ask the company a lot of questions about those lovely auto

Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Edward_Welch

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Car Prototypes

A car prototype can be considered to be the test model of a new car design that is intended to be produced in mass quantity. There is no company that goes out and starts mass production of a new car, without first creating a prototype of it.

Before a car is actually built, it is designed, researched and developed into a car prototype. It is the researchers who conduct consumer surveys and analyze market trends to get an idea of the type of car people want, and then, based on these findings, car designers design drawings of car prototypes. These drawings help engineers adapt parts in existing cars to be implemented in the new model. This is when they proceed to produce the car prototype. The car prototype will have all these new implementations displayed in it. Most of the manufacturers usually start by building a few car prototypes before actually setting up a factory to build the new car.

A car prototype can also be referred as a test car. These car prototypes are developed to demonstrate the new qualities of their product to clients. By subjecting these car prototypes to numerous tests, the car designer gets to see the strengths, weaknesses, mistakes and limitations in a new car project. Then, by gathering this information, the car designer proceeds to rework the design through the car prototype until the car reaches the objectives of the designer. Sometimes, the participating cars in a race are also called prototypes. The reason for this is that these cars are not mass-produced. These car prototypes are specialized machines that are supposed to showcase new innovations and designs that the car manufacturer carries. These car prototypes are the models for future mass-produced cars the manufacturer will be creating, based on the results of the tests on the car prototype.

Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Damian_Sofsian

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Importance Of A Car Cover

Some people think that they do not need a car cover as they always keep their car garaged.You may need to buy a car cover even if your car is in the garage most of the time.In this article i will try to explain you benefits of a car cover.

Car cover prevents your car from bird poop which can damage the paint of your car.Car cover can protect your car from damaging rays of sun.Some people park their cars under the tree to protect it from sun rays but you can not protect your car from buds,sticks and leaves which fall from trees.A cover can also protects your car from people who wants to peep in side your car.A high quality car cover protects your car from rain,dirt,mud,snow,ice and pollution.

There are some things which should be taken in account while buying a high quality car cover.The material also plays an important role in durability of the cover.The material of your car cover should be water repellent,washable and tough.A good car cover should have four layered material.Good covers come with side mirror pockets.

While choosing a car cover you should go through the guarantee as most of the companies offer a life time warranty.The price of a car cover depends on the quality of the material and the model of your automobile.If you have spent a lot on your car then it will be a good idea spend some more on the cover of your car.

Source : http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jitesh_Arora

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A Beginners Guide to 110cc Bikes

A 110cc bike is a powerful mini sport bike for more experienced riders who want a faster mini bike for competition or personal satisfaction. Mini sport bikes are all the rage and there are many varieties from very small to medium size and most can reach speeds in excess of 30mph. A 110cc bike is a great bike for racing and all types of competition for riders with a higher level of experience. You can find great deals on mini sport bikes of all sizes and styles. You could save potentially hundreds of dollars on a 110cc bike and sport mini bikes of all sizes from many wholesalers and retailers who are offering great deals and fast shipping.

110cc bikes are equipped with powerful engines, automatic transmissions, and disc brakes that provide safety and precision handling. Younger riders are not encouraged to ride a 110cc bikes, but a seasoned mini bike rider will love the power and speed that a 110cc mini bike provides. Sport mini bikes have become incredibly popular and it is often difficult to find a large selection and low prices. Mini bike dealers are currently offering great deals on 110cc bikes that could save you hundreds of dollars.

Sport mini bikes are a great way to have fun, compete, and live life to the fullest. Adventure seekers everywhere love the thrill that comes along with riding a 110cc bike with a powerful engine that is built for speed. Check into the great deals and prices that are being offered now on all types of sport mini bikes, including the ultimate 110cc bikes.

Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Charles_Truett

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Auto Insurance Quotes - 3 Do's and 3 Don'ts

Auto insurance quotes are not unlike many other products for which you shop online. You truly need to shop around for them. Take a look at this list of 3 things you should do and 3 things you shouldn't do when shopping for the best auto insurance quotes.

First we’ll take a look at 3 Do’s:

1) Make sure you get auto insurance quotes from at lease five auto insurance companies. Don’t jump at the first good rates you see. After all, you wouldn’t purchase the first auto you look at on the lot – shop around.

2) When submitting information required to receive your auto insurance quotes – make sure you submit information that is as accurate and complete as possible. The auto insurance quote is only as good as the information you submit.

3) Make sure the auto insurance quotes you get are for similar auto insurance policies. If the auto insurance policies are different – you won’t be able to trust the quality of the auto insurance quotes.

Now, we’ll take a look at 3 Don’ts:

1) Don’t let the sales person who contacts you with your auto insurance quotes talk you into switching to their company until you’ve had a chance to analyze the auto insurance quotes from each insurance company.

2) Don’t let flashy auto insurance gimmicks motivate your decision to change auto insurance quotes. Often these flashy gimmicks sound good – but you probably won’t even use them.

3) Don’t forget to obtain auto insurance quotes with a wide range of deductible amounts. I’ve found that by raising my auto insurance deductible amount by only a few hundred dollars – I’ve saved thousands over the long haul.

E Lawrence Welch

Source: Mr. Welch is a student of insurance, business politics and more. You can visit his car insurance blog - Car Insurance Snoop Additionally, he owns and operates an online retail holster store - Pyle Mountain Holsters

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Understanding Auto Insurance

Auto (car) insurance is a type of insurance coverage for damage to and resulting from an auto. Insurance of this type can cover a variety of things depending on the kind of auto insurance that has been purchased.

All auto insurance policies involve a premium, which is the payment a customer makes to have auto insurance. Premiums for auto insurance can be extremely divergent and are determined by a number of factors. Gender is the major determinant for auto insurance premiums. Statistically, men are 80% more likely to be involved in an accident, and therefore have a greater need for insurance. Auto insurance premiums for men are higher than auto insurance premiums for women. Similarly, teenagers are considered high risk and will have to pay higher auto insurance premiums. The auto insurance premium can be reduced if the teenager takes a defensive driving course. Many states require teenagers to take defensive driving courses in order to obtain a driving permit and auto insurance.

It is customary for auto insurance plans to have a deductible that the customer is responsible for before the auto insurance provider offers coverage of expenses. Deductibles can have an effect on the coverage available under an auto insurance plan.

Auto insurance is slightly different than other types of insurance because you can purchase auto insurance that covers specific needs. For this reason there are different kinds of auto insurance. Auto insurance basics are covered by liability auto insurance plans. Liability auto insurance is usually the minimum required by state laws. Liability auto insurance is characterized by a set dollar amount of coverage for damages resulting from accidents or negligence. The coverage amount of liability auto insurance can be applied to property damaged in the accident that is not an auto.

Car insurance also comes as collision auto insurance. Collision auto insurance is meant to cover the cost of repairs to a vehicle involved in an accident, or the cash value of the vehicle if it cannot be repaired.

Comprehensive auto insurance is also available. With comprehensive auto insurance, coverage of fees for repairs is provided for accidents that are not collisions. Comprehensive auto insurance will, for example, cover hail or fire damage.

Whatever type of auto/ car insurance you need, Business Health Insurance can help! We have all of the information on auto insurance in your state.

Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paul_Stewart

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Find the Free Auto Repair Manual You Need Online

You can easily get a free auto repair manual for whichever repair need you might have. You need an internet access and have to follow a certain procedure searching for auto repair manuals, but when you have done this procedure a few times it will be very easy to find the right instructions for do it yourself auto repair and it won't cost you a dime.

There are four types of automotive description documents that you will need to choose from when you want to do a repair;

• General manuals
• Diagnosis descriptions
• Repair manuals
• Maintenance manuals

General Manuals

In addition to some general manuals, most of these are related to the make. Here you can get step by step guidance on how to repair most of the makes in the vehicle market. Let's say you have a Honda Acura 2002 model and you want to find a manual for that make and model. What you do is perform the following search in a search engine: "free car manuals+Honda Acura+2002". Then you will have a long list of sites that provide you with all kinds of descriptions for your Honda Acure 2002 model, and you can choose what you want.

Diagnosis descriptions

Automotive diagnosis manuals can also be sub-divided by make and model. But it can also be divided by the area of the vehicle that is affected, for example engine intake problems, brake problems, cooling problems, exhaust problems, start or stall problems, transmission problems etc. Let's say you have a start problem. Your search would be "car diagnosis manual+ start problem", then you should get more than enough repair information to choose from. You can even get diagnostic trees where all options are covered for nothing.

You have probably more than one time heard some annoying noise from somewhere in your vehicle, without finding the source of it. This is one of the most kinky situations to run into because you don't know if it is a serious signal or just a small thing. Some websites gives you the opportunity to diagnose vehicle problems by the noise, sound and vibrating signals - and that is great. The sooner you find it the sooner you can fix it and then you can relax. When you search, you can describe the sound, for example "whine noise" or "shifter knocks" or "driveline vibration" plus car diagnosis manual plus eventually the make.

Repair Manuals

In addition to regular manuals you can also get very instructive and detailed descriptions in other internet document or websites like articles, etc. The natural way to sub-divide such repairs before searching, is by the area of the vehicle that is going to be repaired, for instance body repair, exhaust repair, suspension fix, interior repair and even general car repair.

You do the search the same way as above; "car repair manual (or description) + the area of repair and go through the list of resources you get.

Maintenance manuals

Though vehicle maintenance is closely related to your vehicle make and model, there are some maintenance issues that are pretty much common whether you have a Cadillac, VW or a Mercedes, for example changing oil, changing air filters, engine wash, fluid maintenance, tier maintenance etc. You can get access to maintenance descriptions by searching for the kind of maintenance plus "car maintenance manual (or description)" plus eventually your make and model.

I think you'll be amazed of the amount of automotive repair free stuff online.

Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Terje_Ellingsen

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EPRI Joins Ford-SCE Analysis of Plug-In Hybrids on Grid

PALO ALTO, Calif. - The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) and Ford Motor Company today announced a three year agreement to develop and evaluate technical approaches for integrating plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) into the nation’s electric grid system, a key requirement to facilitate widespread adoption of the vehicles.

EPRI will form a collaborative of utilities in the New York-New Jersey area that will test Ford Escape PHEVs. Subsequent trials will be conducted with customers of the participating utilities.

Ford, which is also working with Southern California Edison (SCE), is the first automotive manufacturer to partner with the utility industry to facilitate advancing PHEVs. The new EPRI-Ford program will build on the ongoing Ford-SCE partnership and help determine regional differences in how the operation of PHEVs will impact the electric grid system.

“This partnership represents a concerted effort by the transportation and electric sectors to work together in advancing PHEV technology,” said Mark Duvall, EPRI’s program manager for Electric Transportation. “This effort should accelerate the pace of PHEV development while enabling the utility industry to prepare for the introduction of these vehicles.”

Ford has designed and is building 20 Escape PHEVs for testing in the Los Angeles area under the Ford-SCE partnership. With this new EPRI-Ford agreement, Ford is able to expand the evaluation and demonstration program to include other utilities.

Read more...

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Infibeam.com Auto Ecommerce Portal – out of Beta!

Since its debut in September last year in beta version for consuming India, infibeam.com has been making waves on the internet.

Infibeam.com today has become full fledged website or rather a web portal and marketplace with a spanking new layout and user friendly features.

Infibeam.com offers a host of products and services like New Cars, Bikes and Scooters. In addition, the company has made it easy for anyone to list their Used Cars and Bikes for Sale on Infibeam.com in less than 5 minutes to make it available for its millions of visitors. It has now added services like Customer Reviews, Industry News, Finance Options, EMI Calculator and Featured Car Section with advanced search facility. Facility for review and rating of a particular vehicle can also be seen before arriving at a buying decision for a particular model.

Spelling more details, Infibeam.com Founder and CEO Mr Vishal Mehta says, “Besides offering special deals to purchase products, we offer Cars on rental hire to Individuals and Corporate for the benefit of our valuable members and visitors. Our introductory car rental scheme for all vehicle segments including SUVs like Tavera or Innova at Rs 999+ per day with unlimited mileage is proving to be a boon to all executives, business persons and individuals with families, wishing to travel in brand new air conditioned comforts and safety.”

The website is now visited by millions of visitors who discover useful product information and benefit from attractive prices and convenience from shopping at their leisure.

Although Infibeam.com has not disclosed any forward looking plans to date, they are already looking to hire buyers to source consumer electronics products on several employment portals. Thus, Infibeam.com has become a full blown website or web portal which thrives on superb customer experience, choice selection and very attractive pricing for all products offered on the portal.

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