While parent company Honda continues to bestow all of its hybrid technology on its Honda division vehicles, Acura is doing without any alternate engine sources to power their cars and SUVs. Instead, the division is relying on newer gasoline engines to promote fuel efficiency as well as to lower greenhouse gas emissions. Is Acura doing enough or is Honda’s luxury division missing the boat? Big changes are headed Acura’s way, changes that could enormously overhaul the brand and bring to the market vehicles powered by a variety of alternate fuel sources. Let’s examine exactly what might be Acura’s alternate powerplant offerings at the beginning of the next decade.
Diesel, Biodiesel – Honda got into the diesel market late, but the company’s first offerings are considered to be exceptionally good. Four cylinder powered diesel engines are being developed that will initially appear in select Honda model cars within the next two years. These new engines meet current EPA guidelines and raise the typical fuel mileage of each car by about 30%. Importantly, each engine will be able to run on biodiesel a renewable resource made of ingredients such as soybeans. Acura may get its own diesel aspirated engine soon after the launch of the first diesel powered Honda hits the market.
Ford is planning on ramping up production on their mini-SUV escape models and GM has announced producing flex fuel models, which can also run on either gasoline or E85. If the major US Automakers can agree on E85 and make cars, trucks and SUVs to run on E85, then we can bring it from Midwest US Ethanol Refineries to East Coast via rail and CA to be used. These markets have many environmentally conscious folks who would partake in a change for the common good. Is it possible with the tremendous infrastructure requirements to get all this E85 to market? Will we have enough?
We must also allow for pre-established fuel dealers to offer it; that is to say those fuel cards locations, Sunoco, BP and Travel Centers with incentives as pre-described in Lance Winslow’s report:
If you have not yet heard about it, the Ford Motor Company has been roaming key cities in the United States and it has been presenting the Ford Escape Hybrid. It is all part of increasing awareness of city officials and of common citizens on the advantages and benefits that hybrid vehicles, like the Ford Escape Hybrid, have to offer owners, drivers, and the environment as a whole.
The company has already presented these pieces of information to various cities in the US which includes San Francisco in California, New York, and Chicago in the state of Illinois. And wherever they go, these cities are also able to successfully have hybrid-electric vehicles used for various purposes. This move is also part of these cities’ goals to have cleaner air and to assist their citizens save on the high priced fuel. The benefits of hybrids range from simple economic to hugely environmental. And maintenance is easy for sources of Ford Galaxie parts are also now offering replacement parts for this type of revolutionary vehicle. San Francisco, New York, and Chicago have now turned to hybrid electric vehicles for use in their areas as taxi cabs and even as municipal fleet vehicles.
Currently the price of fuel for automobiles is quite high, indeed it is not as high as it was before, but it is too high for the average US family who is squeaking by on a modest budget. Do you want a more fuel efficient Car, light truck or SUV, yet you notice that all the hybrids are completely sold out, cost about $15,000 more than a normal car and there are waiting lists at all the Dealerships of the brand and type of car you have considered?
Meanwhile Daimler Chrysler and other automakers are giving heavy discounting to those who buy cars now, some of which include free maintenance and fuel for 2 years? Well, that sure sounds good; a new car and a 2-year free fuel credit card. Of course there is a catch, these programs only exist with larger gas-guzzler SUVs. So once the two-years has done passed you buy you are going to be stuck with a non-fuel efficient vehicle aren’t you? Some deal that is, if you are trying to cut costs and save fuel now?
I mentioned in a related article that the first batch of Chinese built cars to be imported to the U.S. is only a few years away. In that article, I discussed Chery Automobiles and how the company has its designs on the American market, particularly in the entry level category. Well, now a second manufacturer – Geely Automotive Company – is also planning on bringing at least one model to the U.S. by 2008. Changes are in the wind, but lest you think that Detroit is the only one quivering don’t be fooled: Japan’s automakers and Korea’s automakers all must take notice of what is about to happen.
For certain, the U.S. automobile market is the most lucrative one in the world. It is also the largest with more than 17 million new vehicles sold annually. All automakers know that if you have a piece of the American market, you have a piece of big profits as long as what you are selling is what consumers want [Ford and GM, take notice].
Posted in Vehicles | Also tagged BMW, Chery, Chinese Cars, Chrysler, Geely, GM, honda, Hyundai, Kia, Nissan, Subaru, Toyota, VW |
Auto and car theft is a crime. In truth, the term “motor vehicle theft” could actually be used to refer to instances where automobiles, buses, motorcycles, snowmobiles, trucks, and other similar means of transportation are stolen. You see, this crime is actually punishable as a felony. This is primarily because this kind of situation causes extreme emotional and economic distress to its victim and to the society as well.
Many automobiles and cars are being stolen every minute. And it could be reflected in the various terms and phrases that has arisen and created to refer to it. Carjacking is one term and it means stealing a vehicle while it is still occupied by the owner or the driver. Another one is joyriding and it refers to stealing a motor vehicle and then later on abandoning it.
Hyundai is fast taking over the American automotive landscape. They originally targeted GM and Ford, but now have Honda, Toyota and even luxury automotive names like Lexus and Acura in their sites. Ford has tried to keep up by purchasing Jaguar and reinventing the classic GT40, but it cannot keep up as these are small profit areas and Fords bread and butter was its Taurus in the 80s and early 90s. It lost this market share to Honda and Toyota in the 90s. Ford is trying to reinvent itself and find a new profitable niche, but it appears that the time for its demise is soon approaching.
Ford Motor Co. announced just this last week that it was going to cut another 30,000 or so workers, shut down several plants and cut production by over 20 percent. That is not a good sign. They even announced that they will be giving some dealers the boot. That is an even worse indicator. A cardinal rule of business according to the Harvard Business Review is that you never cut your sales force except to replace them with a more effective sales force. Else all you will do is reduce your sales. While Ford is closing down and circling its wagons, Hyundai is opening more dealers and rewarding and paying its sales staff better than ever.
The best-selling car in America returns with an original engine design and a blue-collar transmission from the motor city. Ford’s F-150 pickup comes in regular, extended, and crew-cab styles. All cabs have four doors. The standard minicab mimics the SuperCab extended minicab with average rear-hinged “partly doors.” The SuperCrew crew minicab has four straight doors. Extended’s and crews have a bring up work surface seat for 6-passenger capacity. Crews have a 5.5-ft-long consignment single bed. Other F-150s use beds of 5.5, 6.5, and 8 ft, depending on options. All come in flat-side Styleside outward appearance; the 6.5-ft single bed in addition comes as a flare-fender Flareside.
The 4.2-liter V6 engine has 202 horse power. Two V8 engines are available: a 4.6-liter with 231 hp and a 5.4 with 300. A 5-speed transmission now comes as a standard option.
Posted in Trucks | Also tagged Ford trucks |
An important part of your whole vehicle is the steering wheel. Imagine your vehicle without it and it would seem like you could go nowhere. That is because the steering wheel is a steering control. It is manipulated by the driver and it becomes a channel that directs that control towards the rest of the vehicle.
Upon purchasing a vehicle, you could actually note that some vehicles contain a good looking steering wheel while for other vehicles the steering wheel simply looks dull. That is why many people often try to replace their vehicle’s original steering wheel with one that would not only suit their tastes and would suit their vehicle, but they would also try to find the right kind of steering wheel that could respond and perform excellently according to the directions given by the vehicle’s driver.
The proliferation of available pick up trucks on the market has yielded quite a few useful aftermarket accessories to enhance the ownership experience. Trucks from Ford, Chevrolet/GMC, Dodge, Toyota, Nissan, and Honda are all being marketed to businesses as well as to individuals who prize the versality of these types of vehicles. If you own a pick up truck, more than likely you extensively use the cargo bed as you transport wood, gravel, home supplies, or other heavy duty items. To protect your cargo bed from damage, quality custom made cargo liners offer ample protection for your vehicle that no off the shelf product can possibly equal. Let’s take a look at some key features that make custom made liners a smart buy.
Liners from Husky are among the select brands on the market offering premium protection for your SUV or truck as they made to exacting specifications to produce the following importaint characteristics:
Both the mass media and car enthusiasts anticipate seeing the recent vehicle lineup which composes the cream of the crop of the automotive industry. Different automakers will be putting their best foot forward as they compete with the best vehicles in the industry. Best makes, features and innovations will be unraveled at the motor show. One of the participating auto giant is Ford Motor Co. Paris Motor Show will start on September 30 and is expected to end on October 15. According to Ford, “The Paris Motor Show is always an important event in the automotive calendar. It is the world’s most popular auto show, attracting over one-and-a-half million visitors and 10,000 of the world’s media. We are making the most of that opportunity by showcasing our strongest ever range. So far this year, we have introduced no fewer than four new models: the all-new Transit, Galaxy, S-MAX and Focus Coupé-Cabriolet. Significantly, two of those models are completely new to our range. It is an unprecedented flow of new models, but Paris will show that the momentum is growing within Ford of Europe.” In preparation to this year’s Paris Motor Show, Ford has primed its new flagship model – Ford Mondeo. Said model is a vehicle that is designed to define road presence not just in functionality, quality but to style as well. It is an embodiment of innovative styling, inside and out. The design language used is based on the iosis concept to achieve outstanding driving dynamics. Mondeo uses some of Ford Galaxie parts to boost performance and feel. Ford S-MAX and Galaxy will also be displayed in said motor show. Ford spokesperson further noted “Our message to consumers is simple but powerful. It is: feel the difference. I know that they will. Alongside the new vehicles we are displaying in Paris there is another “product” that I want to spotlight - Ford of Europe itself.”
Jay Stevens works as a consultant for an established auto parts store in the country. He has expertise in automotive technology and has extensive knowledge on the auto parts industry.
Ford Motor Company in connection with its endeavor to promote safety and protection among its vehicle users has announced that it will enhance its 2005 speed control. Said safety recall will include certain speed control-equipped gas or natural gas 1994-2002 F-250 through F-550 F-Super Duty trucks, 2000-2002 Excursions, 1994-1996 Econoline vans and 1996-2002 E-450 vans, as well as speed control-equipped 1998 Mountaineers and Explorers. According to the automaker about 1.2 million of these vehicles are presently used in the United States.
“Today’s action includes those vehicles that were identified as having a interaction issue between the speed control deactivation switch and the brake system that could, in rare cases, cause the switch to overheat and ultimately catch fire,” said Ray Nevi, assistant director, Ford Automotive Safety Office.
Toyota’s latest model is the subcompact Yaris, a replacement for the Echo and the newest entry level car for the division. Retailing for just under $11,000 the Yaris may impact the sales of another, slightly larger Toyota model. Is it the Corolla? No. How about the Matrix? No. The model I am thinking about is the Prius, Toyota’s compact hybrid hauler.
The whole idea of buying a hybrid car is to conserve fuel and save money, right? In part, that is a true statement. However, the price of a vehicle must also be factored in and the Yaris will be retailing for $10,000 less than the Prius. In addition, the Yaris is a real gas sipping car. EPA figures are showing that the Yaris will deliver 34 mpg in the city and 40 mpg on the highway. This compares to the 60 mpg city and 51 mpg highway for the Prius…and we all know that hybrid fuel economy figures are being widely attacked from all quarters for being vastly overstated.
Posted in Vehicles | Also tagged Buick, Chrysler, Dodge, General Motors, GM, hybrid cars, Jeep, Pontiac, prius, Toyota, Yaris |
Ford was the first of the Big Three American car makers to introduce a car that would bring them back to a time when they were one of the leaders in the automotive world. Chrysler has announced that they plan to be the next and GM has unveiled plans for a retro vehicle as well. Ford had initially done this retro thing via the Ford Thunderbird but that was not considered a “muscle car” back in the muscle car era. Chrysler has brought back the Charger name but it looks nothing like the Dodge Charger of the late 60’s and early 70’s. GM brought back the GTO name but once again, it looked nothing like the previous GTO’s.
Ford was the first to bring a car back that actually looks like a past model in the Mustang. The new Mustangs resemble a pervious Mustang from the muscle car era. Chrysler followed suit with their announcement of bringing back the Challenger, which in my opinion looks more like the Challenger than the Mustang does. Not wanting to be left out, GM has announced they plan to bring back the Camaro. Their Camaro very much resembles the 69 Camaro which was and still is a very popular body style amongst Camaro enthusiasts. I still think the Challenger most resembles its intended target.
All over America there are drivers, pedestrians, bikers, and passengers. And all over the world these people are at risk on the road. Although car manufacturers have tried to make cars safer for when accidents happen and police officers have tried to make less accidents happen by implementing certain laws, there is still a lot of danger in driving—just watch the evening news! In addition to the more than million individuals killed by car accidents every year, another thirty-eight million people are injured in traffic accidents every year, and out of those thirty eight million injuries, five million of them are very serious and usually critical injuries.
My sister has been hit by a mini-van once as well as an SUV while riding her bike. Not only destroying her bicycle, but also breaking her foot the first time and the second time her leg was injured and her shoulder was badly scraped on the pavement. –Both times she paid for her own repairs, because she is too timid a person to demand that the driver at fault take the responsibility to help after having injured her and her only means of transportation. In the United states the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has a New Car Assessment Program, (the US-NCAP). However, this program uses very outdated methods for crash testing as well as the fact that it only features automobiles that were built after the year 1994. There is also testing done for the insurance industry, called the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). But, similarly these tests and evaluations only have data available for a few late-model vehicles.