Toyota Lights

Toyota Lights

by Logan Taft

One of the things that you have to consider when it comes to the safety of driving your Toyota is visibility. Having a clear vision of the road must always be a top priority whenever you drive. However, having a clear vision of the road every time you drive is not easy, especially at night. Motor vehicles are vulnerable to accidents at night, since the darkness impairs the sight of the driver, which can be quite dangerous and even fatal. Other factors that can reduce visibility while driving include fog, sleet, or heavy rain or snowfall. And in order to supplement the vision of the driver and to reduce accidents on the road due to poor visibility, the manufacturers of Toyota have various Toyota Lights equipped in their system.

The Toyota Lights are essential parts in your vehicle because they illuminate your car and its surroundings and providing an improved vision in low visibility situations such as nightfall. Lights can also help you see other car approaching you on the road, as well as pedestrians and road signs that you might have find difficulty looking at when it goes dark. There are many types of lights that you might find in your car, but probably the most common and most widely used is the headlight. Every commercial motor vehicle that you can find in the road today has headlights, and what makes them so important is that they have the primary purpose of illuminating the way in front of your car. Usually found in pairs, the headlights fitted on or above the front bumper and works by emitting a spectrum of light that closely resembles daylight. And in order to achieve this type of brightness, most sealed beam headlights contain bulbs with tungsten tips and are filled with halogen gas, which gives of a bright light. But aside from halogen, xenon has been also used in headlights. But aside from headlights, there are also other Toyota Lights that are also crucial in your car's safety. Although they resemble headlights, fog lights emit a less bright beam but have a reduced reflective sheen that is used in low-visibility conditions such as dense fog and sleet. Turn signal lights are also found in the front and back of your car and help other drivers know whether your car is headed left or right. And if you look inside the cabin, you can see lights from the car lamp and the instrument panel, which help you in a variety of functions.

Besides from providing visibility, the Toyota Lights also provide a touch of style to your vehicle. Many cars owners customize their vehicles with additional lights for aesthetic purposes. One such light is a strobe light, which is usually fitted in the underbelly of the car. Strobe lights emit light at very fast intervals, giving out a cool resemblance of a disco theme. Light emitting diodes, or LEDs, also became quite popular soon after, and today neon lights in bright color are often installed in cars to enhance their appearance. But whatever their purpose maybe, it is always important to always check your Toyota Lights for signs of damage, for a broken light can spell disaster for your car.

The World's Ten Fastest Cars

The World's Ten Fastest Cars

by Anthony Fontanelle

The world where auto enthusiasts thrive is filled with variables that to outsiders would mean nothing at all. Terms like rpm, 0-60, 0-100, 100-0, horsepower, torque, and the likes may seem unfathomable for those who live outside this realm. But what everyone knows about is speed. When it comes to cars, the faster your car, the better it is.

While manufacturers tagged their vehicles with top speeds of so and so, it is really hard to find the fastest cars just by looking at the numbers supplied by their makers. That is where the acceleration from a standstill to 60 miles per hour or 100 kilometers per hour is checked. By testing different cars for their acceleration, it is possible to rank the fastest cars in the world today.

That is what automotoportal.com has done to come up with the list of the ten fastest cars in the world. The cars considered for the test, of course, excludes the concept on one-off cars due to their unfair advantage.

Coming in at the tenth place is the Lamborghini Gallardo. The Gallardo is Lamborghini's "entry-level" car, if you can consider a pricey car such as this to be an entry-level car. The Gallardo is the first car to be equipped with the massive Lamborghini V10 engine which produces as much as 520 horsepower. The engine gives the Gallardo a time of 13.65 seconds going from 0 to 100 kilometers per hour.

Translated to 0-60 mph, the Gallardo's time is 4 seconds. This makes the Gallardo even faster than the Murcielago.

Taking the ninth spot is the Porsche 911 Turbo. The 911 has been making waves in the supercar arena since its introduction in 1964. For its length of tenure as a mass produced car, the 911 has undergone a lot of changes which have made it faster and faster year after year.

While the Porsche 911 produces only 480 horsepower, it uses its integral drive system which reduces wheel slipping which means that limited power is wasted. The 911 achieved a time of 12.5 seconds in the 0-100-0 test.

The Caterham CSR260 sits at the eighth position. The CSR is the latest installment from supercar manufacturer Caterham Cars and it is the most modified vehicle from the sports car manufacturer. While its 2.3-liter engine produces only 250 horsepower, it has a relatively low weight which gives the CSR a time of 11.95 seconds to speed to a hundred kilometers per hour from a standstill.

The CSR's weight is only 555 kilograms which gives the car an astonishing mass to power ratio of 0.5 horsepower per kilogram.

The seventh fastest car in the world is the Pagani Zonda. This mid-engine sports car is made by the Argentinean car manufacturer Pagani which is currently based in Italy. The company produces about 25 Zondas every year. Its powerplant is of German origin which makes the Zonda truly an international car.

The Mercedes AMG 7.3-liter V12 engine that it carries provides horsepower that is equal to the weight of the CSR in kilograms. With 555 hp, the Zonda can cruise to 100 kilometers per hour from a stationary position in just 11.8 seconds.

Another Porsche made it to the list of the ten fastest cars in the world. This time, the Porsche Carrera GT takes on the sixth place. The Carrera's engine is a huge 5.7-liter V10 engine capable of rocketing up to speeds of a hundred kilometers per hour from a standstill in just 11.6 seconds.

One factor for this vehicle is the fact that the Carrera is made out of lightweight carbon fiber material which allows the Carrera to accelerate at such a short time span.

The fifth spot went to the McLaren F1 LM. This car is one of the most unique in the world of sports car. McLaren built only five of these fast cars in honor of the five McLaren F1 GTR's that won the famous Le Mans in 1995. The car created to become the fastest although it only landed in the fifth spot but its time of 11.5 seconds from a standstill to a full 100 kilometers per hour is truly amazing.

Its engine, a BMW gold-plated V12 engine, can provide a whooping 627 horsepower with a maximum speed of 240 miles per hour.

The fourth place is occupied by the Ferrari Enzo. The Enzo is the fastest Ferrari of all time and it is only fitting that it should be named after the founder of the world-famous Italian car manufacturer. The Enzo timed in at 10.9 seconds after the acceleration test. The uniqueness of the Enzo is made possible by the fact that there are only 399 Enzos produced in its entire history.

The third fastest car in the world is probably the most unusual in the list. The Ariel Atom, which is made by the Ariel Motor Company based in Somerset, England, combines the chassis and the body of the car. In fact, the chassis of the Atom is its body. The Atom weighs less than the CSR at 456 kilograms and its Honda Civic Type-R engine is aided by a turbocharger to produce 300 horsepower propels it to 100 kilometer per hour from a standstill in just 10.88 seconds.

Coming in at a close second is the Bugatti Veyron 16.4. This is sports car differs than most of its contemporary due to the fact that its interior speaks of luxury, not only of performance. Sports cars usually have limited features but the Veyron provides good comfort for two occupants. Weighing in at almost two tons, the Veyron is the heaviest of the cars in the list.

With its W16 engine or 2 V8s mated in a "W" position capable of producing 1001 horsepower, the Veyron completed the 0-100-0 test in just 9.9 seconds. That amount of power will surely test brake pads such as EBC brake pads to their limit.

Rocketing to the first place and claiming the title as the fastest car in the world is the Ultima GTR. The GTR is the handiwork of Ultima Sports Ltd based in Hinckley, Leicestershire, England. It completed the 0-100-0 acceleration test in just 9.4 seconds beating the Veyron by just five tenths of a second making it faster than the Veyron.

Is BMW Going To Buy Volvo?

Is BMW Going To Buy Volvo?

by Glady Reign

Earlier this year, the auto industry saw the luxury brand Aston Martin being sold by its owner, the Ford Motor Company. The sale took place as Ford is seeking funding for its turn around plan. The past years have been tough for the Dearborn, Michigan-based car manufacturer as they incurred their biggest loss in their storied history.

After the sale of Aston Martin to a consortium of buyers led by David Richards of Team Prodrive, there were talks about whether Ford will sell another brand that it owns under the Premiere Automotive Group. While there were talks then that the Jaguar may be the next brand to be put on the auction block, Ford declined to comment. Recently though, a part of Ford's Premier Automotive Group (PAG) is being reported to be taken over by German car company BMW.

Word has it in the auto industry that BMW is interested in buying the biggest brand under the PAG - Volvo. The Swedish brand may be suffering from reduced sales in the United States but it is still one of the most valuable brands that Ford owns. Talks about the possible takeover of BMW at Volvo came after BMW is reported to have requested for a complete breakdown of Volvo's financial status from a European bank. The said inquiry has raised the issue that BMW may be interested in purchasing Volvo from the struggling company. Experts in the industry agreed that BMW may be looking to expand their offering to consumers.

Another reason for BMW's interest in Volvo is the reported plan to further expand the MINI brand by sharing Volvo's platform with the small cars of the MINI brand.

Some industry insiders are reported to have said that Volvo will be a welcome addition to BMW's portfolio. The reputation of Volvo being a producer of safe cars as well as for producing vehicles with reliable parts such as Volvo motor mounts, suspension assembly, steering systems, and the likes will surely complement BMW's image of being a producer of cars built for driving pleasure. Both brands are also known for their concern for the environment and the two brands making developments together is seen as one of the reasons for BMW's rumored interest on Volvo. Although the auto industry is filled with these talks, Ford, Volvo and BMW have yet to make a comment on the issue.

This silence from the camps concerned has led to speculations among industry trend followers. It is predicted that if indeed BMW will acquire Volvo from Ford, the Swedish brand's larger vehicles will be delegated to BMW to share platforms with. On the other hand, smaller Volvo vehicles will be sharing platforms with the MINI brand which BMW has so far successfully revived. As Volvo's larger vehicles are merged with BMW's, these vehicles will be introduced to the market with either a rear-wheel or a four-wheel drive configuration. For smaller vehicles, they are believed to continue using the front-wheel drive configuration.

While these are merely speculations, they have a ring of practicality in them. If indeed Volvo is sold to BMW, Ford will have an additional short-term financial boost while BMW will have a strong brand under its portfolio.

To this issue, online consumers affirmed that they could not see for selling Volvo to BMW. One point raised is the fact that Volvo has been helping Ford and Ford has been helping Volvo since the car maker from Dearborn has acquired the Swedish company. Some consumers pointed out that selling Volvo will not make sense for Ford since even if Volvo is posting reduced sale in the United States, the brand is turning a profit globally. It was also pointed out that Jaguar may be the one that Ford needs to sell although at the brand's state right now, it is hard to find a company willing to purchase a dying brand. No matter what BMW has in mind for requesting Volvo's financial status, the rest of the world needs only to wait since a sale such as this (if ever) will be hard to conceal from the rest of the industry.

Car Donation To Charity Rules Have Changed!

Car Donation To Charity Rules Have Changed!

by Sam Ness

A change in the last years made car donation charity less attractive for taxpayers, and delivered mixed results for charities that take cars. Some are reporting little or no change in the number or value of charitable auto donations for a tax deduction. Others say the changes have hurt their fundraising efforts. In one case the car donation charity that usually gets more than $12 million per year from the sales, saw the figure dropped to less than $7 million. As it stands now, the deduction a taxpayer can claim for car donation charity is limited to the amount for which the car sells at auction.

When donating to charity, taxpayers can deduct what they are able to document as the car's fair market value. Because cars often sell for much less at auction than owners think they're worth, deductions will be much less and the charity must notify the taxpayer of the amount the car sold for before a deduction can be realized, unless the car is worth less than $500. An exception is if your giving is to a car donation charity that is going to use the car and not sell it. Then you can deduct the fair market value for the charitable auto donations. Car donation charity feared lower deductions would scare people away. Some charities and firms that auction cars for charity think that the lower tax deduction won't hurt donations and charity fundraising. That's because most of the people who donate to charity don't itemize, so they can't take a deduction anyway.

Most people are participating in car donations to charity because of convenience. They don't want to have to spend money to get the car in shape, to sell it. It is simple to participate at charitable auto donations! People like you and I, donate their cars to charity, and increase its funds, thus making a profound change in the overall standard of living of the neighborhood, and the nation. Your vehicle donation helps support a charity of your choice in their vital work. Theoretically, every charity may choose from a number of fundraising activities, including car donations, for financial support. Because of the substantial unit values, receiving car donations, and selling them for profit, is one of the favorite funds gathering models. How a charity operates a car donation program may have tax consequences. The program can affect the charity's exempt status; and impact the tax-deductibility of the donor's contribution. If any charity operates a car donation program in a manner that confers improper benefits on private parties, the charity's exemption may be adversely affected. If the charity loses its exemption, its income is subject to tax, and it must file the appropriate federal income tax return. However, if the tax laws are adhered to, the program should not negatively impact on the charity's tax-exempt status. Donors may deduct their contributions (if all legal requirements are met).

The car donation charity may hire a private, for-profit entity as an agent to operate its car donation program. Both of them must establish an agency relationship that is valid under the applicable state law. Generally, an agency relationship will be established where the parties agree that the for-profit entity will act on the charity's behalf and that the for-profit entity's activities covered by the agreement are subject to the charity's audit. Accordingly, the charity should actively monitor program operations and have the right to review all contracts, establish rules of conduct, choose program operators, pre-approve all advertising materials, and examine the program's financial records. Although it seems quite strict, the idea is to prevent any wasteful actions on part of the operator, that have the potential to reduce the net profits available for the charitable causes, and thus limit your impact, as a donor, on the beneficial work of your chosen nonprofit organization.

Mercedes-Benz to offer SLR McLaren in 2008

Mercedes-Benz to offer SLR McLaren in 2008

by Thomas Dwyane

German auto maker Mercedes-Benz announced its offer for 2008 the SLR McLaren super sports car.

With trademark quality Mercedes parts like Mercedes car headlights, the vehicle exudes the latest Formula 1 technology from the Vodafone-McLaren-Mercedes racing team. SLR McLarens handling characteristics is provided by the carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) materials that comprises the vehicle. Of course, safety is not a question here, since Mercedes is known for excellent safety features.

Because of its fully retractable top, the SLR McLaren gives excellent open-air driving experience that is suitable for daily use. To achieve a top speed of 207 mph, the car is powered by a supercharged compressor 617-hp AMG V8 engine that measures 5.5-liter.

Since this vehicle has the Formula 1 technology, it can be concluded that it links with the racing cars. The Formula 1 silver arrow visually depicts this link. The style of the 50s lives on with this vehicle due to the lateral louvers, side pipes behind the front wheels and the wide-opening gull wing doors.

The SLR is fully designed to yield top performance. It has refined roof material, which is available in three different hues. It does not only assure daily comfortable use. It also promises a high-performance sports car with attributes which were only associated before to closed cars. In fact, you can sill talk to your fellow passenger over 120mph on open-air journeys. And that is because of the aero acoustics.

In less than ten seconds, you will experience opening or closing of the semi-automatic roof. You need to simply unlock the roof from the windshield frame and briefly raise it to open the roof. Then it folds electrically. An aluminum cover is installed into its front area so the roof closes very classy.

The wind tunnel gives excellent levels of handling, aero acoustics and aerodynamic efficiency. The 2008 SLR McLaren also has the aerodynamic concept found on the SLR coupe. This concept includes an airbrake installed into the access lid and a diffuser in the rear bumper. This provides increased down force on the rear axle.

Still part of the Formula 1 technology that are found in the 2008 SLR are high-performance carbon-ceramic brake discs for excellent braking performance, and the unique front-mid-engine design yields optimum weight distribution. The supercharged compressor that is 5.5-liter AMG V8 engine has a 617-hp and a maximum torque of 575 lb.ft. This is matched with an AMG Speed shift R five-speed automatic transmission that propels the vehicle starting from zero to 60 mph in 3.8 seconds.

Mercedes would never destroy its image when it comes to car safety features. Safety is assured in this vehicle by the unique carbon-fiber crash elements, steel-reinforced A-pillars and two fixed roll-over bars. Further included are adaptive airbags, knee and side airbags as well as seat belt tension detectors and a tire-pressure monitoring system.

Semi-aniline-leather-upholstered carbon-fiber bucket seats (which can be individually adapted to the driver and front passenger through various seat pads sizes), dual-zone automatic air-conditioning (which is suitable for hot season), a high-quality BOSE premium sound system (for a cool and relaxing ride), and a multifunction sport steering wheel with shift paddles (that adds to the sporty image of the SLR) are the exclusive standard equipment found in the 2008 SLR McLaren.

To be delivered in the US in the fall season this year, the new Mercedes-Benz SLR is manufactured at McLaren's Formula 1 factory in Woking, England.

VW Investors Turn Down Porsche's Low-Ball Offer

VW Investors Turn Down Porsche's Low-Ball Offer

by Anthony Fontanelle

The Volkswagen AG investors refused Porsche AG's 35.9 billion euros takeover offer - the lowest allowable under the German law. The offer is 16 percent lower than the company's 42.7 billion-euro market value on March 23 which is a day prior to Porsche's announcement.

The offer, designed to leave Porsche with a controlling stake rather than full ownership, helps block any rival bids for VW as a European court considers invalidating a German law preventing a takeover. VW Chairman Ferdinand Piech, whose family controls Porsche, has increased his dominance since the sports car manufacturer first bought a stake in 2005.

Shares of VW dipped 1.19 euros, or 1.1 percent, to 109.56 euros. This year, the stock has gained 28 percent - the fifth biggest gainer on Germany's benchmark DAX Index. Porsche, which has called an extraordinary shareholders meeting for June 26 to tackle the VW offer, has obtained a 35 billion-euro line of credit to finance the purchase of VW shares.

Porsche, the Stuttgart, Germany-based maker of the 911 sports car, purchased 188 common shares and 13 preferred shares from VW stakeholders as of the end of last week. The information was divulged by the German automaker in Elektronischer Bundesanzeiger, the government's website for financial filings.

At present, the Wolfsburg, Germany-based automaker, famed for the manufacture of durable auto parts like the VW Beetle tail light cover, is aiming at the right bid. Porsche has bid 100.92 euros an ordinary share and 65.54 euros a preferred share. Bid offers started to pour in on April 30 and are set to end May 29. The sports car manufacturer's stake remained at approximately 30.92 percent of the voting rights as of the end of last week. Porsche also said it is not seeking a majority stake at this time.

A bid now for all of VW will enable the sports car manufacturer to make future stake purchases as it sees fit. Once having made the minimum legal bid to all shareholders, Porsche is no longer mandated by law to present additional purchase offers to all investors.

The sports car manufacturer is anticipating for the EU's possible repeal of a 47-year-old German law preventing a Volkswagen takeover. An advocate general at the EU's highest court Feb. 13 proposed the scrapping of the so-called Volkswagen Law, saying it "restricts the free movement of capital." Porsche, which supports the abolition of the law, has said that it has bought VW shares to protect its interest in the carmaker. VW is Porsche's biggest supplier. The two auto giants have a number of joint projects.

The Volkswagen AG intends to nearly double the number of its Hungarian suppliers after opening a new purchase centre in Budapest, VW and Audi AG Chairman Martin Winterkorn announced. According to a report in local business daily Világgadaság, Winterkorn met Hungarian Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsány Friday in Budapest.

Porsche has no intention of acquiring the majority in VW via its compulsory bid, which offers investors just under 101 euros per VW ordinary share, a hefty discount to the current market price of over 110 euros.

VW AG currently has about 60 suppliers in Hungary from which it acquires goods to the value of HUF 200 billion a year and that number is about 1.3 percent of the group's purchasing costs. Winterkorn said tha tthe company's new Eastern European centre could enlarge VW's supplier network in Hungary by a further 40 companies. The group is working on a new compact range for which it will also be seeking suppliers in the region, he added.

"We do not only want to buy here, but also establish a joint manufacturing of parts with our local partners," Winterkorn said, adding they chose Budapest for the location of the centre, as it is not far from the Gyõr and Poznan plants and potential new suppliers in the region.

The VW Group delivered 1.5 million vehicles around the globe in Q1 - an increase of 7.9 percent. Sales revenue increased 5.1 percent to EUR 26.6 billion. "The significant progress we have made in improving our competitiveness is positively reflected in our earnings", Hans Dieter Pötsch, Volkswagen AG's CFO said.

BMW Sales: Creeping Once Again

BMW Sales: Creeping Once Again

by Anthony Fontanelle

The BMW Malaysia Sdn Bhd is confident of having another good year, selling more cars than it did in 2006. "We have started well in 2007 with sales growing 37 percent quarter on quarter to hit 535 units in the first quarter," said the managing director Wolfgang Schlimme. "We have been growing for the last four years. Overall sales growth since 2003, when we sold 2,176 vehicles, was about 60 percent," added Schlimme.

Year 2006 was the group's best year ever. The company sold a total of 3,472 vehicles. "We are going in the right direction and setting our priorities in terms of model line-up, availability and pricing. These are the reasons we are different from others. This has led us to continue growing in the past few years against the trend in the auto industry," noted Schlimme.

This year, BMW has launched a bunch of new models - the 325i Sports, 3 Series Coupe, Z4 M Coupe, X3 and the new MINI. Schlimme said that the pace would continue as the group strongly believed customers should have access to the very latest and best of BMW models as soon as right-hand drive versions became available. He also noted that the new X5 will be launched soon.

The BMW 3 Series is an entry-level luxury car which has started production since May 1975. It was the successor to the 2002 coupe, retaining much of that car's styling while adding a more powerful 2.0 L 110 horsepower engine and other performance enhancements. The model, equipped with cream-of-the-crop BMW auto parts, is the automaker's best selling automobile and it is the one accounting for about 40 percent of all automobiles sold in 2005.

Schlimme pointed out that BMW was also a pioneer in new technology, having launched an in-built global positioning system and night vision system for its cars. "A key decisive factor for our success here is our dealer network. At the end of the day, it is not our team in Cyberjaya but our service advisers, sales representatives and management of BMW dealers that provide first impressions and create long-lasting customer relationships for us. The biggest sales success for BMW is contributed by our dealers," he said.

At present, the automaker has 13 dealerships in the country, with another outlet to be opened by year-end in Damansara in the Klang Valley. "Our dealer network is one of our priorities in the day-to-day business. Our dealers are consistently upgrading their existing facilities, capacities and competence for customer convenience," Schlimme said.

To support its dealers, the German automaker is providing architectural consulting, workshop equipment consulting, communications and marketing as well as the availability of demo cars. "We are in the background, supporting and making the dealers' sales and after sales capabilities as strong, competent and credible as possible. This is how it should be," Schlimme stressed.

Over the years, the German automaker along with its partners had invested over RM250mil in the country. The aftermath of the said partnership is the three most essential regional facilities in the country. These facilities play an essential role in realizing the company's goals for the region.

"We are enlarging our training offerings at the centre, which services 14 markets. Our group data centre provides information technology structure support to BMW organizations globally. It also serves the group's worldwide network for specific competences, for example, in the global plant logistics system," Schlimme said.

The BMW group will also start providing its customers a one-stop sales and financing resource, with the completion of its purchase of SimeLease (M) Sdn Bhd and its subsidiary, SimeCredit (M) Sdn Bhd. The two companies, which will be called BMW Lease (M) Sdn Bhd and BMW Credit (M) Sdn Bhd, will allow the company to promote innovative finance solutions to customers via the BMW global network.

Audi's "Truth in Engineering" extends to its user-friendly gizmos

Audi's "Truth in Engineering" extends to its user-friendly gizmos

by Benjamin Hudson

Audi the luxury brand of Europe's largest automaker Volkswagen and manufacturer of VW tie rods has reiterated in its new commercials that it wants to be known as the carmaker that offers top-of-the-line car technology. And as part of the developing the brand identity, Audi would like to extend that concept to every littlest details in each of its vehicles.

The "Truth in Engineering" tagline is also applied in the various Audi gizmos which unlike those of its competitors are not made as complicated. This is because Audi wants for its luxury car buyers to know that its technology is made to make driving easy, fun, and pleasurable.

In order to further enhance the brands popularity and to strengthen its identity, the first ad campaign released by Venables, Bell & Partners from San Francisco is designed to hit rivals, although Scott Keogh, Audi's Chief Marketing Officer has stressed that the said effort is not intended for a specific competitor. He said, "We have a point of view about technology -- that it complements the driving as opposed to having some electronica doing the driving for you. The new campaign is much more about Audi's philosophy about how technology should be used in a car."

The complex BMW system

Despite the many praises that BMW has received it still was broadly criticized due mainly for its iDrive system that was first introduced in 2001 as part of BMW's top-of-the-line 7 series, which is an eight-way controller knob capable of 700 different functions. The feature was simplified three years ago. The current S-class from DaimlerChrysler's Mercedes-Benz is equipped with an adaptive cruise control system that automatically keeps a specific distance from the vehicle ahead of it. Mr. Keogh is pretty much aware of this since he was a former Mercedes marketing manager.

Mr. Keogh also said Audi's new marketing team for the campaign, the Venables, Bell & Partners have conducted research with owners of competitors' models, including with some of the auto bloggers, as well as Audi owners before they have developed the new brand ad approach with the new tagline "Truth in Technology". Venables, Bell & Partners was awarded the $70 million account last year.

The 15-second spots would be telecast tonight on national TV and launch online. The said 15 second spots commercials would feature the TT roadster and hard-top coupe. The 15-second spots are teasers and are part of a broader, umbrella brand campaign that will go on in about a month for the Q7 SUV.

Improving, expanding, developing online promotion...

Since most of the Audi buyers visit the audiusa.com before they purchase, the automaker would be spending more for its online ad this year. Mr. Keogh has said that although he doesn't want to reveal any details of the said plan but one thing is for sure that Audi will be shooting for a viral pass-around of the online portion of the campaign which was handled by Factory design Labs, Denver. The agency has created a small site for the TT launch, the TT-truth.com, and the overall ad messages are directed to drive traffic to the site.

Jeep Compass: Tracking Positive New Direction

Jeep Compass: Tracking Positive New Direction

by Lauren Woods

The Chrysler Group's Jeep brand has one good reason to be thankful about the Compass - its new compact crossover. The Compass, which made its public debut at the 2006 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in January, is now tracking a positive new direction by stealing purchasers from rivals.

The Jeep Compass, according to the automaker, defies expectations and pulls more customers to the brand. The crossover is especially engineered to attract young drivers as well as enthusiasts of other automakers. It may not be featuring the BBK cold air intake and other traditional parts but the crossover boasts its sophisticated equipment and car accessories - more than enough to hold interest and make that interest linger.

Jim Swint, 56, a college professor and a technology consultant from Fremont, Ohio, had a few complaints about the 2004 Volkswagen Jetta which he owned. His wife did not feel safe in the sedan when the couple zipped along I-75 amid a multitude of big rig trucks. Also, there was not enough trunk space to house his golf clubs. And when the sedan needed repairs, Swint had to travel 45 miles to the nearest VW dealership. So he swapped the Jetta for a 2007 Jeep Compass.

Yes, somebody traded an import for an American-made model. And not just any American-made model, one that was widely panned when it debuted last year for not hewing close enough to its Jeep roots. But the Compass - a newbie in the brand lineup known for its rock-crawling capabilities - is defying expectations. The car-based model snubbed by hard-core Jeep fans for being too soft is drawing consumers from other brands at a faster pace than the Jeep brand overall, one of the best known marquees in the world.

According to data from the J.D. Power and Associates' Power Information Network, during the first three months of the year, more than 84 percent of Compass buyers traded in a vehicle from another brand as compared to 69.9 percent of those who bought non-Compass Jeeps. Jeep's new Crossover is drawing in Honda enthusiasts at nearly twice the rate of the Jeep brand. Additionally, the crossover is attracting a younger, more feminine crowd that might otherwise give Jeep a pass.

"This is the first crossover that Jeep has offered," said Tom Libby, the senior director of the Power Information Network. "This is what they hoped for and this is what they got - they got new customers."

By far, among Jeep models, the Compass has the youngest buyers on average, said Mark Heber, the senior manager of marketing for Jeep, a unit of DaimlerChrysler AG's Chrysler Group. Jeep's data reflected that the average Compass buyer is as young as 39 and skews more female than buyers of its brawnier cousin, the new Jeep Patriot.

J.D. Power sets the average age of Compass purchasers at 42, compared to Jeep's 43, with women accounting for faintly over half of Compass sales, up from 38.6 percent for Jeep overall. "Our information is proving that our decision to build both of the vehicles - the Compass and the Patriot, with the great fuel efficiency, the fun-to-drive capability and making them affordable - was the right decision," Heber said.

In October, Catherine Zamieski of Roseville, 39, exchanged a 2005 Chrysler Pacifica for a Compass. The Compass, which shares the same platform as the Dodge Caliber and the Patriot, looks small from the outside but is spacious enough to seat Zamieski's three children and her boyfriend. "And it's under $20,000," she said.

That is the reaction that Jeep hopes more consumers will have, analysts said. Sales of the Compass and the Dodge Caliber, which are built in Belvidere, Ill., are "better than I expected," because they both "look cool," said Karl Brauer, the editor-in-chief of Edmunds.com, a vehicle shopping Web site. "It's all image and looks."

"One of the reasons why it's doing well and is attracting new buyers is probably because it drives better and has better handling than the Wrangler or Liberty because it's a crossover," said Rebecca Lindland, an auto analyst with Global Insight Inc. "It has a friendly but aggressive stance to it."

Lindland said it is hard to pinpoint what is drawing buyers from other brands to the Compass. "But the brand itself has a certain appeal to it," she said. "When you say Jeep, you don't think of an older person. You think youthful and active lifestyle. Something like the Compass allows people to get into the brand without sacrificing ride and comfort."

Ron Kutz, the general manager at Dallas Dodge-Chrysler-Jeep dealership, said tha tthe vehicle does skew toward more women buyers, as Jeep intended. "It's an added value," he said, "but I don't see a lot of Hondas out here parked for trade-ins. I'll be the first to tell you that in the Sunbelt, it's hard to get anybody out of any import into a Compass."

Frank Ban, a civil litigation attorney in Houston, earlier purchased a Compass for his 24-year-old daughter. "We looked at the Corolla and the Civic," said Ban. "She heard through a friend that this came out and we looked at it and she fell in love. She liked the idea that it was a small SUV." During the test drive, Ban and his daughter agreed the Compass had a better ride. "We don't regret our purchase," he noted.

George Horta III, 32, a self-confessed meticulous auto purchaser, said that he was captivated by the new Compass. For six months, Horta perused Edmunds.com, visited a slew of dealerships and test-drove possible cars like the Honda CR-V and Subaru Forrester. "I even got the spreadsheets out," said the Mason, N.H., resident.

Horta, a defense contractor in Tewksbury, Mass. who commutes about 40 miles to his computer security job, was on the search for something with "gusto and more gas mileage." Horta said he wanted good handling and enough room to fit his six-foot, four-inch frame. Although he preferred the CR-V's interior, the Compass won him over because of its four-wheel drive capability, which easily handles the dirt path that leads to his home. "The only complaint I have is there are some blind spots," said Horta, who purchased his leather-seated Compass for $23,000. But for me, it met every single need."

Asian Cars Struggling In Japan

Asian Cars Struggling In Japan by Jenny McLane

Same with the struggle in the American auto market, the Japanese automotive industry is also plagued by sales doldrums. In Japan, sales of cars and trucks fell during the month of April and this is going to be the 22nd month in a row. The decline is pointed to the maturing population and culture changes.

Asian cars, like Detroit automakers, lost another hefty slice of the auto market. Oddly, so did the Asian car manufacturers. The rising fuel prices and the worries about auto economy sapped purchasers' vehicle demand. But the weakness in the sales in the United States is nothing compared with the hardships Asian automakers face in Japan.

In the Japanese fiscal year ending on March 31, sales of cars and trucks, excluding mini cars, decreased to 3.59 million units. In 29 years, the figure is the lowest annual total. The main reasons for the collapse of the Japanese auto market are demographic. Experts said that Japan's population is grayer than most, and it has started to shrink.

The Nissan Motor Co., previously marketing vehicles under the Datsun name, is also affected by the doldrums. "We're pessimistic about the market," said Nissan spokesman Simon Sproule. "People just aren't buying cars."

The Honda Motor Co., a Japanese engine manufacturing and engineering corporation, also is not an exception. Changes in the culture have also lessened auto demand. Japanese now keep their cars longer, and young Japanese are less inclined than their parents were to buy an expensive car to demonstrate that they've "made it," said David Iida, a spokesman for the Honda Motor Co. "There's been a change in the mentality."

In the Japanese territory, Detroit's automakers barely compete. As a fact, General Motors Corp. earlier sold its stakes in Japanese automakers. However, the current plight affects the auto giant directly. Analysts in the industry have this to say: "If the Japanese had better growth prospects at home, they might not be pursuing American customers as doggedly as they are."

The Toyota Motor Corp., the fast rising Japanese multinational corporation, has yet no power to repel sales doldrums. The Japanese automaker has probably invested more in the new Tundra pickup than in any other single vehicle, although the vehicle will be sold only in the North American market.

An analyst added, "Japanese auto giants are also expanding in Latin America and southeast Asia, but they will continue to rely on the U.S. market for the bulk of their profits." In the previous years, North America's auto earnings have accounted for 50 to 60 percent of their total profits. To remedy the deluge in auto sales, Japanese automakers are also competing more aggressively in Europe and this is a trend likely to pile more pressure on GM's and Ford Motor Co.'s European operations.

There is little in the sales numbers to suggest any improvement in the near future in Japan. Car and truck sales decreased 10.2 percent in April to 217,911 units - the second consecutive double-digit monthly dip. Even sales of minivehicles, one of the few profitable segments in the market, plummeted in April for the first time in over a year. Sales of minis, those with engines no larger than 660 cc, dipped at 6.4 percent at 139,779 units.

As the Japanese look to make up sales abroad, the currency is lending a temporary boost. Yen's weakness against the dollar and the euro, by far, is temporarily helping the economy. Deutsche Bank analyst Gaetan Toulemonde estimates that of Japan's four million vehicle exports, 1.7 million are headed to North America and one million to Europe.

The automotive industry is plagued by so many fluctuations. Gas price fluctuations seem to become constant. Auto parts like Monroe shocks do not fall on the exceptions. So are vehicle prices. This is why automakers are doing every clever thing to circumvent the ill-fated occurrences in the industry.

Car Buying Time! - How to Take Advantage of Used Car Auction

Car Buying Time! - How to Take Advantage of Used Car Auction

by Gerry Restrivera

Auctions for used cars can provide you with mounds of opportunities to buy a good car without spending too much money. It is very important, however, to prepare yourself before getting into an auction so that you would be able to really get a good deal and not end up wasting your money on a badly conditioned car. It is important for you to know how to take advantage of used car auction to make the most out of your car buying. Here are some important tips for wiser spending on used car auction.

Before going to a used car auction, you have to be sure about the type of auction you are going into. Usually, car auctions are organized by the police, the government or auction lots. The cars sold here may come from the surplus of government vehicles, repossession, or impounding. You have to understand that you are buying cars as is, and there are no warranties. Returning the car after buying it would be very difficult and thus when you buy one, you really have to sure of its quality.

Check out the schedule of the used car auction. A good auction should have a period for preliminary inspection and you should definitely go there to be sure that the auction is worth going to. While you may not be able to test drive cars during the inspection you can definitely take a look at every nook and cranny of the cars and it is best to take advantage of this opportunity. Mark on your mind 3 or so cars that you would consider so you would have just the right number of options for bidding during the actual used car auction.

List down the Vehicle ID numbers of the cars that you seem to be interested in. Once you get home, you can search for the Vehicle ID on Carfax to check out its history report. A minimal fee would be charged, but this is definitely worth the search because it will let you see how much the car has been use, if it has a clean record, or if it has been taken cared of by its past owners.

When you go to a used car auction, bring a long an auto guide such as the Kelley Blue Book so that you can go about searching for cars with a guide at hand. Such publications are useful in giving you the values of many car models during trade-in, which could help you in finding out whether you are giving a good bid or not. Have in mind all the costs of bidding - you have to pay buyer's premium (from 5 to 10 percent of the bid), or a registration fee for the auction.

Have a working budget when buying a car at used car auction. By setting a ceiling for your budget, you will prevent yourself from bidding more than you can afford. Some people tend to overbid out of their pride to win a bid even if the car does not really cost as much.

Car auctions are great venues to find cars if you are on a budget. But before getting into one, it is important to know how to take advantage of used car auction to be sure that you would not end up losing both your money and the opportunity to drive a decent vehicle.

Why Are More Plug-in Hybrids Available?

Why Are More Plug-in Hybrids Available?

by Gary Ruplinger

Considering all of the aftermarket companies that are popping up that will convert your Prius to a Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV), have you wondered why auto manufactures aren't rolling PHEVs off the assembly line yet?

I know I have. I'd really like to own a PHEV - the idea of a car that can drive around in town for 40 or 50 miles without firing its gasoline engine just seems really cool to me.

So where are these PHEVs?

Some people are accusing the auto manufacturers of dragging their heels, but the real problem lies in the same thing that powers your laptop - the lithium ion battery.

You see, while a lithium ion battery usually does a good job of powering a laptop, cell phone, or power tool, have you noticed how these batteries lose performance after a few years. Heck, my cell phone is only 18 months old and its battery has gone from lasting almost 7 days to just over 2 days.

In the world of automobiles, long term battery performance like that of a cell phone is completely unacceptable. Automobile manufacturers need the batteries to last at least 10 years or 150,000 miles before you start seeing them.

Fortunately, several companies, such as A123Systems, are getting close to reaching those figures, so that hurdle is about to be cleared - likely sometime in 2007.

The next major hurdle to jump is the safety of the batteries. I think just about everyone heard about the Dell battery recall last year. A battery that starts on fire in a laptop is major inconvenience; however, a battery that starts on fire while you're driving 70mph down the Interstate can be a disaster. Lithium ion battery safety is the next big issue that's keeping PHEVs from becoming production vehicles.

The last one is one of simple economics - price.

Currently, converting a Hybrid Electric Vehicle, like a Prius to a Plug-in Hybrid Electric vehicle will run you about $6,000 in parts, and that's in addition to the premium you pay for the Prius. For production cars, you can initially expect the PHEVs to cost about $10,000 more than its conventional counterpart. Once production increases, that number will increase, but initially, there's a much higher price to pay for a PHEV.

So while the technology is nearly ready (a lot closer than hydrogen), there are legitimate reasons why you're not seeing Ford, GM, and Toyota introduce PHEVs to the market just yet. They're coming, and soon, but for you if you want a PHEV, you'll either have to do it yourself or have an aftermarket conversion company, like Hybrids Plus, to do it for you.

5 Tips To Save Big On Your Next Car Loan

5 Tips To Save Big On Your Next Car Loan

by Scott Conklin

If you think about it, the most grueling part of the car-buying process, after agreeing on a price, is acquiring the right kind of loan for your new or used car. Most consumers enter the car dealership completely unprepared for the loan application process, and that lack of knowledge and planning is costing them millions of dollars every year.

If you want to create a win-win situation for you and the car dealership you purchase your car from, there are five steps to take before you sit down at the negotiation table: get your credit report, surf before buying, go local, speak the language and be prepared to negotiate.

1.) Get Your Credit Report

You can't pick up a personal finance article, magazine or book that does not refer to the importance of knowing what is on your credit report. Despite the fact that modern media has been beating us over the head with this advice for the past couple of decades, most people do not know their credit score or check their credit report on a regular basis. You can get a copy of your report by directly contacting the three credit bureaus: Equifax, TransUnion and Experian (formerly TRW). Not knowing your credit score and the details of your credit report before applying for a car loan is a monumental mistake. You want to have any blemishes on your report resolved before you apply for a car loan, because the results of your lender's credit inquiry directly impact your interest rate.

Your credit report includes: basic information about you - name, address, social security number, etc.; your late payments, any outstanding debts you have, the amount of credit available to you; any public records on you such as judgments and bankruptcies; and inquiries into your credit from potential employers or lenders. And just because you have caught up late payments, cleared outstanding debts or cleared up any judgments does not mean these blemishes are automatically removed from your credit report. Sometimes, you need to follow up with the creditors to make sure they report your reconciliation of debt to all three credit bureaus. In addition, identity theft and/or fraud can result in false, unfavorable records on your credit report. In January 2006, the Federal Trade Commission reported that more than 686,000 people reported identity theft and fraud complaints in 2005. Stolen identity and fraud can result in major credit report issues.

2.) Surf Before Buying

You'll be far less tempted to impulse buy, driving away from the car dealership with a car you can't afford if you have established boundaries in your mind before you begin. You can save big money on your car loan if you have a budget and type of car in mind before you go shopping. One easy way to accomplish this is to go online and check out different car dealership websites. You can compare and contrast vehicle makes, models, styles, features and pricing.

3.) Go Local

There are many national auto websites, but did you know that many local car dealerships are now online as well? The advantage of working with a local car dealership can outweigh working with the manufacturer or a national website when you want the best in quality customer service, a relationship for the lifetime of your car and the best deal on your auto loan.

The advantages of getting a loan through a local dealership is similar to the reason every town in America has a locally-owned restaurant that has regulars: local businesses have a sincere investment in the community. That interest often leads to better customer service, a more customized approach to selling, and the ability to get you a better loan than you will receive from a lender who doesn't know - or care - who you are.

Lastly, the local dealership may have more than one location, increasing your options for finding the car you need but offering the same uniform auto financing options. For example, Conklin Cars Salina, a car dealer in Kansas, is also a Hutchinson car dealer and a Newton car dealer. So, if a customer goes to one dealership and does not find what they need, they can visit another location and expect the same quality customer service.

4.) Speak the Language

There's nothing more frustrating than going through the entire car-buying process, thinking you have a good deal, and learning down the road that you were taken advantage of - simply because you had no idea what your sales rep was talking about.

From dealer holdback to Rule of 78s , make sure you have an understanding of some of the basic industry terms that could be thrown at you during your transaction. With this knowledge, you won't misunderstand the details or find yourself being signing a contract or paperwork that you don't understand.

5.) Be Prepared to Negotiate

If you've followed the four previous steps in this article, you will be armed with the necessary tools to negotiate the best rate possible for your car loan. There's nothing wrong with shopping around and checking with other lenders to see what kind of rate they can offer you, but you must remember that numerous inquiries into your credit report may go against you.

And, when you go through the dealer for your auto loan, the sales rep wants a long-term relationship with you. This motivates them to work harder to get the best rate possible for you. In contrast, an online or off-site lender's interests begin and end with the loan - but the car dealer wants you to: come back and have your car serviced, return when you want to purchase your next car, and tell your friends about them, further strengthening the dealership's reputation in the community and increasing business. Before you sit down to get your next auto loan, take the time to do a little homework so that you can feel confident about securing the best deal for your auto loan. Investing a little time and effort before making the deal can go a long way in creating a win-win situation for you and the car dealership.

NASCAR Tickets - The Rise Of The Stock Car Evolution

NASCAR Tickets - The Rise Of The Stock Car Evolution

by Al Terry

The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) will be completing 60 years this December, when the first meeting was organized all those years ago by Bill France Sr., to discuss problems faced by stock car racing. From that first humble meeting, NASCAR has become one of the most popular spectator sports in the world. No one present in that meeting could ever have dreamed that NASCAR would turn out to become what it is today!

The Stock Car Evolution

The first race under the aegis of NASCAR was held on February 15, 1948 at Daytona Beach. This was the post WWII era. Obviously, there was a shortage of new cars. Most people were driving pre-war models, which were in a rattletrap condition, to say the least. The cars were 'modified,' which consisted of merely tweaking and tuning the engine.

Ropes sufficed as seat belts, and the more colorful drivers used aircraft harnesses. Roll bars, which have been mandated since 1952, were not in use during those early years.

The 'stock car' designation was strictly enforced and brought cars from diverse manufacturers, such as Buick, Cadillac, Chrysler, Ford, Hudson, Kaiser, Lincoln, Mercury and Oldsmobile. One of the greatest problems was the failure of the wheels and the suspensions, as the racing surfaces were rough, dirt tracks.

As stock car racing gained popularity, there was fierce competition, and this made modifications necessary. Many modifications were brought in, in the interest of safety, and many special 'high performance' parts found there way into the mainstream models. This enabled these 'special' parts to be used in NASCAR racing. The first special production was that of 'racing tires,' which in 1952, were manufactured and distributed by Pure Oil Company.

This made quite a change from the normal 'street' tires. Development in tires continued, with both Firestone, and Goodyear - to some degree - took keen interest. Such developments were necessitated by increase in car speeds.

In 1952, two-way radios were used for the first time in a NASCAR race, and today it is a vital piece of equipment. Faced with a spate of hubs, axles, and suspension failures, the Oldsmobile, Lincoln and Hudson car companies introduced usage kits, in 1953.

In those early times, racing drivers did not stick to one particular model, or even make. They fairly jumped from one model, or make, to another, depending on what car or model they thought was suitable for their needs.

Today, the cars and the tracks used in NASCAR racing are a far cry from what they were all those five and six decades ago, when there were 'true' stock cars, racing on rough and dirt tracks.

The Tickets

The NASCAR race calendar is always full, and its fans all over the country eagerly look to purchase NASCAR tickets for the races of their choice.

Your best option to lay your hands on your choice of NASCAR tickets is through legitimate and professional ticket brokers. Competent ticket brokers have the resources to arrange to procure your NASCAR tickets for you, and have them delivered to your doorstep.

Get Your Car: Used car auto Loans

Get Your Car: Used car auto Loans

by Gary Grobowski

Purchasing a car has never been a tough task for the residents of UK. Several manufacturing companies are here to assist customers with up to date cars and with efficient after sales services. And now the process of purchasing a car has become easier with the introduction of used car auto loans.

Used Car Auto Loans help borrowers to go for a good amount of money with which they can get their dream car easily and satisfactorily. These are surely the greatest way to meet the needs of those car aspirants who are seeking adequate finance for a used car of their own.

Used car auto loans can be accessed by placing any of the property of the borrower. This property could be borrower's home, jewellery, valuable paper etc. By placing his property as security against the loaned amount, borrower enjoys several facilities. And at the same time, this security ascertains the safe return of the loaned amount to the lender. Now if the borrower fails to repay the loaned amount in time, the lender can repossess the borrower's property to bring back his money. This is why it is always suggested to repay within the specified time frame set by the lender himself.

Used Car Auto Loans can be best accessed if you go for World Wide Web. Here you can get a chance to meet several lenders who are reputed for offering sound financial solutions to borrowers. Moreover here you can get the facility to access free loan quotes which can be easily compared with the help of online loan calculators, comparison tools etc. And by comparing the loan quotes with one another, you can easily select the best loan offer regarding used car auto loans prevailing in the loan market of UK.

Choose your Chevy mini car, vote

Choose your Chevy mini car, vote

by Jerick Brook

Consumer participation is now a characteristic of Chevrolet. Chevy wants its customers to participate in its manufacturing process.

The car maker decided to build three mini car concepts, the Beat, Groove and Trax. But Chevey is leaving it up to the people, meaning its customers and supporters to decide which one they like best. The public can vote for which concept is most appealing by logging on to www.vote4chevrolet.com. There is, however, no guarantee that the highest vote getter will be built. Nonetheless, General Motors says it will help guide the development of a future global mini car their company. These mini cars are expected to be similar as the next generation of cars like the Opel Corsa, Daewoo Matiz and other models around the world.

Chevrolet mufflers, however, were not detailed in the auto show. But as the car always has, each Chevrolet muffler is designed to make every single vote worthy.

To get to know the candidates and to rightly choose the best, here are brief descriptions of the three mini cars:

The Beat comes in green. It is by far the sportiest among the three, with its slicked back styling and comparatively large 1.2L turbo engine matched to an automatic transmission. Technically described as a "tuner" car, the Beat is meant to be customized much like a Scion to an owner's own individual tastes. It can therefore be personalized.

The Beat is a front-wheel drive, three-door hatch with an automatic transformer to divvy up the tiny motor's available power. It is the only mini car among the three with an interior.

The Groove concept comes in black. It is much like a mini HHR, which is a five-door wagon with a spacious height in the interior and flat sides. Its extremely short hood, big wheel arches and nonexistent overhangs mean that every square inch of the platform is utilized. This is considered the most practical concept of the three. Also a front-driver, the Groove is powered by a 1L diesel engine.

Of the Chevrolet triplets the Groove is the only one powered by a diesel engine as its principal. It has no interior other than a steering wheel.

A 1.0L engine will power the Groove's driving in the front wheels of this "Funkistalgia" design.

Finally, there is the Trax. It comes in orange. The Trax concept is the best to feign even the slightest ability to venture off the beaten path. It's the only one of the three that features round headlights, though its four-door, upright box-like packaging resembles that of the Groove concept.

The Chevy Trax concept has the most utilitarian look with a matte-finished lower body like the Honda Element), faux skid plates and pronounced fender flares. The 1.0L gas engine provides motivation to the front wheels; while a battery pack and electric motor will drive the rears on an as-needed basis providing a low-cost, efficient all-wheel drive system to this urban cross-over. Unfortunately, like the Groove, this concept also has no interior. But it has a well finished exterior with a lot of attractive design details for an entry-level vehicle.

The platform of all three concepts is being developed at GM Daewoo in Korea.

Now, have you decided which to vote?

Vote wisely!

Team Chevy Introduces New Racing Engine

Team Chevy Introduces New Racing Engine

by Katie Jones

The motorsport scene in the United States can be said as arguably one of the most competitive in the world. Season after season, racing teams always come up with more and more improvements for their vehicles.

The NASCAR sanctioned races are the most competitive races in the United States and teams are always pursuing victories by improving their vehicles' performance. Team Chevy is one of the teams going for the win on every race they participate in.

Recently, the team introduced the Impala SS race car at the NASCAR Nextel Cup. That development is now being followed by the announcement of a new engine that will be used on the Impala SS which comes in the form of the Chevrolet RO7 engine. The engine will make its debut at the Samsung 500 which will be held at the Texas Motor Speedway.

The RO7 is based on General Motors' small-block V8 engines. It will be replacing the Small-Block/2nd Generation engine which the team has been using since 1998. The SB2 will be replaced completely by the RO7 eventually. For now, the RO7 is expected to provide better performance for the team's cars.

Mark Kent, the director of GM Racing, outlined their objectives in the development of the new engine and the subsequent reaction after tests conducted on the engine in this statement: "The GM Racing engine development team had four key objectives in mind throughout the design and development of the Chevrolet R07 engine. Our goal was to create an engine that produces competitive power, delivers excellent reliability, enhances safety, and reduces costs for Chevrolet teams. Based on the feedback we have received from Chevy teams after extensive dynamometer and track testing, I believe we have achieved our objectives."

The RO7 is the first engine that GM built solely for the purpose of NASCAR racing. According to Pat Suhy, the GM Racing Group Manager for the Oval Track, "The Chevrolet R07 is GM Racing's first purpose-built NASCAR racing engine. NASCAR's parameters for the new generation of engines provide a range of choices on key dimensions and design features. Our job was to make the critical decisions and carefully balance the tradeoffs that would enable the Chevrolet R07 to continue Chevy's success in NASCAR. In the long run, the results will show whether we made the right choices."

The major parts for the RO7 engine like the cylinder block, the cylinder head, and the intake manifold came from GM Racing. Other components supplied by GM Racing are the water pump assembly, rocker covers, and front cover. Other components like the Chevy fenders were provided by different manufacturers. Engine components are also supplied by different independent parts manufacturers.

Meanwhile, Jim Covey, the NASCAR engine development manager for GM Racing, has this to say how GM was able to create the newest engine for the Impala SS: "New manufacturers coming into NASCAR pushed the envelope with engines that had no links to production powerplants, while GM engines were based on the architecture of the first small-block V. NASCAR Nextel Cup Series director John Darby addressed this issue by developing a list of parameters that define the envelope for all manufacturers, thus giving Chevrolet an opportunity to develop the R07 engine. Now with the introduction of the Chevrolet R07, Chevy teams have an optimized engine design that reflects the advances in racing technology that have been made over the last 50 years."

Major differences between the SB2 and the RO7 include the increased cylinder bore centers in the RO7 which improves coolant flow keeping the engine at its normal operating temperature. Another improvement of the RO7 over the SB2 is the time needed to assemble the engines. The RO7's cast camshaft tunnel, integral piston squirter galleries and overhead oil feed galleries makes it faster to assemble than its predecessor. As far as safety is concerned, the designers of the new engine moved the fuel pump which eliminates external oil and coolant lines.

Team Chevy is no doubt counting on the combination of the Impala SS and the new RO7 engine achieve more wins. According to Mark Kent: "The introduction of the Chevrolet R07 this weekend marks the beginning of a new era for the GM small-block V-8 engine. The Chevrolet R07 is the heir to the winning tradition of GM production-based engines that have powered Chevy to more than 600 victories in NASCAR Cup competition. As we look to the future, we are confident that the Chevrolet R07 engine and the Impala SS race car will continue Team Chevy's winning ways in NASCAR."

How "Enough" Is Your Auto insurance?

How "Enough" Is Your Auto insurance?

by Tywford Lamai

Guess what? I know that this is more difficult to say than do nevertheless, having a small number of or, if possible, no driving convictions, you can stay away from being punished by increases in your automobile insurance premium.

Most people that reserve rental vehicles appear at the counter with slight thought given to the "possibilities" that can occur from them driving an automobile that isn't theirs. Meanwhile, driving their own car without Insurance coverage would be totally unthinkable! So allow us to take out some time to reflect on how to ensure that your rented car is covered.

Find below 3 steps you must take if you are to ensure you have sufficient coverage:

1. While calling the rental car firm for a quote, determine what the coverage costs would be and exactly what it includes/covers. They may have higher insurance rates but may also offer the least harassment and stress, because you may not have to file a claim on your own insurance. Most auto rental firms have a few more options, including buying down the deductible to $100 or so, which is mostly determined by where you reside, or even to $0.

Guess what? A big sway on the cost of your auto insurance is where you reside. The probability of your automobile being vandalized or stolen is a major issue for the insurer.

2. Get in touch with your auto insurance firm. They may previously have cover for your rented cars in certain circumstances. E.g., if your vehicle is in the store, they may automatically shift your coverage and deductible to a rental automobile. This is a replacement-only sort of coverage since they are covering you on a different vehicle. If you pay more, you may well be able to obtain either a momentary or continuous rider (this of course depends on the insurance firm) to cover your rental vehicle even if your vehicle is not in the shop. This is known as a non-replacement-type of coverage as you will need coverage on both autos since both of them could be potentially driven.

3. Make contact with your credit card firm or inspect the cardholder's contract. Your credit card may cover you for rental auto insurance. Verify that they cover you in your particular situation. For instance, there are some cars they cover (some won't cover trucks or SUVs) or they may not cover you in relation to where you will be driving or the duration the automobile will be staying with you.

Now that you know all of these, you can make a well-informed approximation of your expected cost so that you are completely covered on your rental automobile. Remember that after all's been said and done, you want to be "stress free" while on your next journey.

Auto Experts: Beware of Flood-Damaged Autos

Auto Experts: Beware of Flood-Damaged Autos

by Glady Reign

Looking for a new car involves considering different areas, factors, and features of an automobile. Safety, fuel efficiency, and performance are just some of the things car buyers need to consider to ensure that they will be driving a vehicle that suits them perfectly.

Auto experts though has reported that prospective car buyers should also check for water damage on the car they are planning to buy and they do mean flood water to be exact. After the damaging effects of Hurricane Katrina, car experts fear that the auto market in the United States is proliferated by flood-damaged vehicles. With regards to this, they warn car buyers to avoid buying a car which has suffered the wrath of Hurricane Katrina and other smaller floods across the country.

Bryan Gregory, the Director of Consumer Education for Advanced Auto Parts, has this to say about the influx of flood-damaged vehicles in the United States auto market: "Auto industry experts estimate that as many as 400,000 vehicles may have been damaged by Hurricane Katrina alone. Add to that total the number of vehicles caught in countless smaller floods that occur across the country each year and you have a significant flood-damaged vehicle population that consumers need to be on the lookout for."

Staying way from flood-damaged vehicles needs a thorough inspection of the vehicle on the part of the buyer. Although the tell tale signs of flood damaged is relatively hard to spot, auto experts want to arm car buyers with the proper information to spot these damages. "Flood damage can be hard to spot, unless you know what you're looking for. The time to spot a car that's been in a flood is before you purchase it, because once it's in your driveway and the flood-related mechanical problems start to show up, it's too late for most consumers," says Gregory.

These damages may not show themselves yet right after you buy a car but in the long run, these damages will play a major role in the shortening of a vehicle's lifespan. Since all new vehicles released in the U.S. market are equipped with electronic components, these features should be checked properly before buying a car. The vehicle's onboard computer can be permanently damaged by flood water as well as airbag sensors. That alone poses a very high potential risk to consumers.

If an airbag sensor is damaged, when needed, the airbag can no longer protect the occupants of a vehicle, endangering them of severe injuries or even death. Some other electrical components like Volvo window motors can also be damaged by flood water, but these damages can readily be checked unlike the status of an airbag sensor.

One of the most telling signs that a car is flood-damaged is molds in the vehicle or a musty smell. This, of course, is the effect of the prolonged exposure to dirty flood water. New upholstery and carpets can also mean that these are replaced due to the damage of flood water on the original upholstery or carpets. Rust on the interior of a vehicle is also a sign that the vehicle is flood-damaged.

Auto experts also advise car buyers to inspect the air box for mud or water residue. Consumers can do this by simply removing the air filter of a vehicle. Waterlines on the bulb or lenses of headlamps and taillights are also telltale sign that the car was submerged at one time or another under a flood.

Aside from keeping away from flood-damaged vehicles, Gregory also advises car owners to prevent their cars from being victims of a flood. According to Gregory, "In addition to knowing how to avoid buying a flood-damaged vehicle, drivers should also take steps to prevent their own vehicle from becoming a flood victim. The number one action drivers can take to avoid water damage to their vehicle, and possible personal injury or death, is to never, ever attempt to drive through water that is covering a road, no matter how shallow or slow-moving it appears. Also avoid parking in areas prone to flash flooding and close your vehicle's windows when rain threatens."

Camp Jeep in New York and soon in Virginia

Camp Jeep in New York and soon in Virginia

by Lisa Ziegler

Jeep® brand maker of high quality Jeep oxygen sensor is celebrating a Camp Jeep event as its way of allowing its customers to enjoy and experience what the brand has to offer and for this year the event will be taken to New York. The Camp Jeep® New York which is made bigger and more remarkable than ever is going to be held for the first time outdoors during the New York International Auto Show (NYAIS) from April 6 to 15 at the Jacob Javits Convention Center.

The 45,000 sq. ft. Inner Roadway of the Javits Center will be transformed by Camp Jeep New York into an off-road driving adventure allowing customers to experience the world's most capable 4x4 vehicles as well as the lifestyle that comes with them. The vehicles will be driven by professional drivers to allow customers to simply enjoy the ride.

And that's not all! One very lucky individual who takes a drive test will win an all-expense paid trip with their family to Camp Jeep Virginia, which is an annual three-day mix of off-road driving and other outdoor activities that families will surely enjoy. The winner that will be chosen at the NYIAS will the 500,000th person that will take a ride on a Chrysler Group auto show test drive course since the beginning of the Corporation's auto show test drive program in 2004.

Camp Jeep Virginia is an exclusive event for Jeep vehicle owners only and will be held on July 26 to 28 at the Oak Ridge Estate in Nelson Country, VA, near Charlottesville, where the Country music star Tim McGraw will perform on the same date, July 26.

For this coming April 14, 2007 the Jeep brand will donate $5 to the Wildlife Conservation Society's "Tigers Forever" project for each individual who takes a ride on the Jeep Trail Rated® Test Track at the Camp Jeep. The main objective of the project is to help increase the number of tigers by at least 50 percent in key areas of the world over the next decade.

The main emphasis of the exhibit at the NYIAS is the Jeep Trail rated Test Track which includes water fording, articulation, ground clearance, traction, and maneuverability demonstrations. The track was made into an off-road playground where consumers can experience the capability and comfort that goes with Jeep vehicles such as the 2007 Commander, Grand Cherokee, Liberty, Wrangler, and Wrangler Unlimited.

The test track will be comprised of seven different surfaces namely dirt, mulch, gravel, rocks, water, wood, and asphalt plus include an 18-foot vertical climb on a Jeep Mountain. More than 220 yards of dirt and mulch are used to construct the Trail Rated course. All the dirt used for the tracks are going to be recycled and returned to its original source.

Participants to the Camp Jeep will also have the opportunity to scale a 16-foot climbing wall, play video games that feature Tony Hawk and have their pictures taken with a Jeep in the Jeep Photo Zone. The Camp Jeep is for the whole family so kids will also enjoy and get to test drive mini Jeep vehicles on the Mini Jeep Kidz Course.

The organizers of the Camp Jeep New York experience is expecting for at least 35,000 participants. The Camp Jeep that will be held in New York marks its third consecutive year.