The Beauty behind Subaru Parts and Engines

You don’t have to be an auto mechanic to appreciate the simplicity and engineering beauty of Subaru’s engines. But if you are a mechanic, whether professionally or a do-it-yourselfer, you quickly recognize the advantages when it comes to replacing Subaru parts.

Subaru is the only major auto manufacturer to utilize the boxer engine in all their models. The boxer engine, also known as a flat or horizontally-opposed engine, lays out the engine’s pistons at a 180 degree opposing angle making the engine “flat” instead of the common “V” configuration.

Advantages of Subaru’s boxer engine

Subaru’s boxer engine holds many advantages over conventional engines:
•Uses less vertical space, allowing for more aerodynamic designs.
•A lower center of gravity improves handling.
•Longitudinal mounting gives the drivetrain a symmetrical layout, improving overall weight distribution.
•Vibrations of one piston are countered by the opposing piston, reducing overall vibration for a smoother ride.
•All Subaru engines mount the same way, allowing any Subaru engine to be easily mounted with any Subaru car model.

Advantages of Subaru car parts

In addition to the advantages of the flat engine layout, Subaru engineers have taken great pains to develop Subaru parts to build what is considered to be one of the most efficient engines available to the general public:

•Barrel-shaped pistons reduce friction.
•Dual coated pistons and cylinder walls reduce friction and improve the combustion process, reducing emissions.
•High efficiency turbochargers produce the power of larger engines, but with less weight, giving Subaru vehicles a higher power-to-weight ratio.
Furthermore, Subaru engines are engineered for easy maintenance. When it comes time to replace your Subaru parts, whether you own a Forester, Impreza, Legacy, or any other Subaru model, compared to increasingly tight engine compartments and complex layouts of other cars, you’ll find regular maintenance and parts replacement on a Subaru a breeze.

To satisfy all your Subaru car parts needs, visit the site of the #1 Subaru parts dealer in the New England area:


SubaruPartsForYou is a leading automobile accessories suppliers based in Connecticut and also has a huge inventory of genuine Subaru parts priced far below Subaru's factory list prices.

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How to purchase best electric bikes online?

“Time is money”. This phrase has proved true in today’s advance and fast moving world. Life has become so fast that people really find it hard to fulfill all the commitments of the life. A person has so much involved in his/her daily assignments that s/he is unable to spare the time to do some extra work other than the daily routine.

Some people even hire others to do the work on behalf of them. The hired person would clean the house, cook the food, look after the hirer’s children, serve them food and milk, play with them, buy the groceries, wash the car, drop and pick the hirer, find a concerned trade-person to fix up the domestic problems etc. But still, there are some works which a person him/herself has to do. If a person is getting married, then a man cannot send the hired person to buy a wedding ring or other gifts forhis to be wife. Similarly, a woman would never prefer sending the hired person to buy a wedding gown for her or other gifts for her to be husband. In case of married couples with children also, there are some tasks that have to be fulfilled by the parents for their children or for themselves also. Unfortunately, some parents are unable to devote time to get something for their children. If a grown-up son or a daughter demands a car from a wealthy father or mother, both would love to buy one for their beloved son/daughter, but could not devote the time to accompany them and select one. They would just give them the money and as a result the son or the daughter would buy a car of his/her own choice, which the parents may not like but have to accept unwillingly.

However, it has now become easy to buy things remaining at home, thanks to the intelligent internet online marketing and selling system, which has helped save people’s time going out in the market and spending hours selecting just one thing. Now you can buy things online sitting at your home, through internet, browsing through the wide sites of respective items. The new electric bikes have also mingled with the online business and acquired good position in the world of internet marketing. Numerous electric bikes’ websites have been launched on the internet. If you are thinking to gift an electric bike to your young son/daughter, but do not have time to go to the showroom, then you can call the showroom at your place. On the website of the electric bikes, you can find a wide range of electric bikes, with different prices, colours, makes, brands, designs, features and with lot more information. You can visit the site of www.bernsonev.com and know more about electric vehicles. Here you can find a wide range of electric bikes from reputed manufacturers. You can select the one suitable to your budget, pay online and get it delivered to your door-step.

Shop at online www.bernsonev.com and save your time and money on an electric bike.

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Car Accessories: Small But Handy

Small things matter; and they matter everywhere. Your big car may seem to be imperfect without a few small things! Sans the addition of some small accessories, it will fail to live up to your expectation. So, after buying the car with a huge amount of money, if you do not spend a small amount on car accessories then the whole benefits of having your own set of wheels may remain unrealised. Such is the importance carried by small accessories.

You can accessorise your car in a number of ways. The automobile market has endless options so far car accessories are concerned. Some are very important and used by almost every car owner. Some others are there that only the fashion-freak owners choose to use. The purpose of the former is either to protect the car parts safe from getting damaged or to ensure safety to the passengers. The later is just to glamorize the car.
One of the car accessories that have ubiquitous use is car mats. It is a must-have feature of a car. Its main purpose is to protect the floor of the car from any kind of damage. There are chances of liquids like water, cold drinks, wine etc. falling onto the floor and cause damage to it. If there is a mat then this threat is avoided. Putting car mats in the trunk has a special benefit.

Besides saving the floor in the above fashion, it keeps a strong hold on the goods. So, the shaking and jerking of the car cannot cause any damage to the goods. There are several other car accessories; some of them for the exterior and some of them for the interior. By using them, one can increase the capacity of the car and at the same time make nice addition to the attraction of the car.


About The Author:

Alexus Devon is a automobile writer specializing in automobile and car accessories products and has written authoritative articles on the car accessories industry. He has done his Master in Business Administration and is currently assisting directcaraccessories as a car accessories specialist.

For more information please visit: http://www.directcaraccessories.co.uk

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Making A First Class Entrance

One of the most exciting things about hiring a limo is not the pick-up or the journey but the actual point of exiting the car, especially if you are going to a private function or even just turning up for a party in style.

The moment that the chauffeur opens the door all around will be focused on you as you make an entrance normally set aside for a Hollywood celebrity.
The WOW factor that a luxurious and elegant limousine can offer is exceptional.

Nowadays, Limos are not just contained to the black, stretch variety. They come in an assortment of colours and models so there is more than enough to appeal to any taste. The interiors have changed dramatically as well with most companies accessorising their limos with bars, stereos, TV and DVD players, video-gaming systems, intercoms or for themore exuberant tastes; Pole Dancing, a Jacuzzi or even a flashing disco floor with spinning mirror ball.

If you really need to feel like a King or a Queen (even if it is just for a few hours) then why don’t you get a hire of a vintage Rolls Royce or perhaps you want something with a bit more urban street Bling then the ever-impressive Hummer Limo Hire is for you.

Whatever your pleasure or fantasy hiring a limo for a few hours can be a huge motivator and a million-miles from “Hum-Drum”. No longer is limo hire just for wedding days but can be an exciting addition to any birthday treat, prom night, graduation, hen and stag night, big night-outs, impressive first dates or just pure self indulgence.

One factor that overrides any other with limo hire is to make sure that the company in question is insured and that all drivers undergo a disclosure agreement or check. It is important to emphasise that the one person who can make-or-break an enjoyable experience is the limo driver. If you plan carefully and ask the right questions while you are still in the selection process, you’ll be more likely to choose the service that best suits your needs

Remember, this is the ultimate statement of luxury and by selecting the correct company at the beginning then your five-star entrance will be of rock-star proportions.

Paul Steven is an SEO Consultant with 360innovate - a New Media and SEO Company offering Web Design in Glasgow.

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Mower Repair: Preparing Greens Equipment for the Summer Season

Summer is almost here. You can already smell fresh mowed grass of neighborhood laws and here the kids running through sprinklers. It is time for all of us to get geared up for the long mowing season ahead. With the price of fuel continuing to climb higher, an aging lawn mower engine that is declining in power or fuel efficiency may not be worth the time and energy to use this summer. Yet the cost of a new lawn mower or lawn tractor may not be in your budget this year. Plus, we hear every day about the importance of being green these days and tossing your old lawn mower into the trash heap is not in line with reducing waste and protecting the environment.

Repowering your lawn mower or lawn tractor using repower kits for equipment made by Toro, Cushman, or Jacobsen can be the best preparation you need for the upcominglong lawn or golf course mowing season. The kits made for Toro lawn mowers and Toro lawn tractors are perfect examples of how small engine repower kits work and benefit lawn equipment owners.

Repower kits designed for Toro lawn mowers and lawn tractors have several features and added bonuses. The features and bonuses of these repower kits make them a great deal when so much else seems to be rising in price. What can you expect with the purchase of a Toro lawn mower or lawn tractor engine repower kit? The same great benefits you do with all repower kits available.

• To spend much less money on dependable, Toro replacement parts and engines than you would spend purchasing them new
• A spanking new emissions-certified engine for a high green-rating for your Toro lawn mower or Toro Lawn tractor that is more important than today
• All the parts needed for installing the Toro repower kit
• Complete and understandable installation instructions for easy installing
• Advanced technology like, full pressure lubrication, hydraulic valve lifters, overhead valves, and fuel efficient powering
• Simple, routine maintenance of Toro repowered lawn mowers and lawn tractors. Who doesn’t like the sound of that? Less time maintaining, more time mowing
• 2 year manufacturers warranty on every repower kit
• The support of a worldwide network of authorized dealers and distributors, for support where and when you need it.

The costs of lawn mower small engine repair and lawn tractor engine repairs can add up quickly if you are not careful about where you get your parts for making those repairs. Make sure you purchase parts from a reputable dealer and that those parts are high quality and dependable. Ask if your dealer has some sort of technical support as well so that if you have a question about the kit install or how your engine is working, you can get the answers easily and quickly.

The time to prep your lawn mower or lawn tractor, whether it is a Toro, Cushman or Jacobsen model, for the long summer mowing season is now. Small engine and engine repairs to lawn mowers and lawn tractors can extend the life and use of the mowers for many more years to come. Whether you are keeping your personal landscaping immaculate or caring for the quality of your community golf course, it is important to ensure that an aging mower does not become an unreliable fuel waster.

Ben Anton, 2007
Ben Anton lives in Portland, OR and writes for Repower Specialists, Ltd.
More information is available on repower motors on the Repower Specialist web site, the site dedicating to repowering Jacobsen Greens King small engines and other.

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IIHS Gives Marginal, Poor Ratings on Seat/Head Restraints to Some of Today 's Vehicles

The results of the latest Insurance Institute for Highway Safety study on rear crash protection in SUVs, pickup trucks, & minivans has revealed that most of today’s vehicles have marginal or poor seat/head restraints.

According to the Institute’s study, while the designs of seats and head restraints in 21 current SUV, pickup, and minivan models are rated good in terms of protecting people in rear impacts, those in 54 other models however, received marginal or poor ratings in the tests. Another 12 were rated as acceptable.

Good seat/head restraint designs are important in keeping passengers safe as it offers support by keeping people's heads and torsos moving together. In the instance that a vehicle is struck in the rear and drivenforward, a well-designed seat/head restrained vehicle’s seats will accelerate occupants' torsos forward, keeping the occupant's head from lagging behind this forward torso movement, and disallowing the differential motion to cause the neck to bend and stretch. The higher the torso acceleration, the more sudden the motion, the higher the forces on the neck, explains IIHS, the more likely a neck injury will occur.

Rear-end collisions are frequent, and neck injuries are the most common injuries reported in auto crashes. These injuries make up for 2 million insurance claims each year, costing at least $8.5 billion.

"In stop and go commuter traffic, you're more likely to get in a rear-end collision than any other crash type," David Zuby, senior vice president of the Institute's Vehicle Research Center said. "It's not a major feat of engineering to design seats and head restraints that afford good protection in these common crashes."

The IHHS’ test results showed good, acceptable, marginal, or poor ratings for 87 current models. Results were based on geometric measurements of head restraints and simulated crashes that when combined, determine how well people of different sizes would be protected in a typical rear crash.

Among the best performers are the seat/head restraint combinations in SUVs produced by Subaru and Volvo. New designs from Acura, Ford, Honda, and Hyundai likewise received high points for their vehicles.

Seat/head restraints in 3 minivan models from Hyundai and Ford earn good ratings as well.

Meanwhile, the redesigned Toyota Tundra is the only pickup model evaluated with seat/head restraints rated good for rear crash protection.

Although there hasn't been significant overall improvement among pickups and minivans since the last time IIHS conducted tests for protection in rear crashes, the performance of the seat/head restraints in SUVs is much better as compared to its rating in 2006 which was only 6 of 44 SUV models earning a good rating.

Particularly earning improved ratings in the latest tests was the Mitsubishi Outlander which improved to good from the previous design that was rated acceptable. Others that received good ratings included the Hyundai Santa Fe, Kia Sorento, Acura MDX, and two vehicles from Honda (also maker of quality Honda Prelude parts) -- the Honda CR-V and the Honda Element – which all improved from their previous ratings of poor to good. Meanwhile, the Honda Pilot and Mercedes M class both improved from marginal to good. The seat/head restraints in the Toyota Tundra pickup likewise improved to good from acceptable.

In contrast some auto makers have introduced new models with subpar seat designs: the BMW X5, Dodge Nitro, and Suzuki XL7 all rated poor, while the new Mazda CX-7 and CX-9 are rated marginal. Among these lowest rated seats are those in the Cadillac SRX SUV, Nissan Quest minivan, and Ford Ranger pickup.

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Honda Upgrades its In-car Telematics System

Tokyo Japan’s Yuri Kageyama writing for the AP reported that Honda's car navigation system already takes the fastest route to a destination through avoiding traffic jams. Now, drivers will get information with regard earthquakes and warnings of heavy rainfall ahead on roads.

Shown to reporters in Wednesday, Honda Motor Co.'s service will be offered beginning with the redesigned Fit subcompact which is set to go on sale in Japan later this year. Executive Manabu Nishimae said that there are no plans so far to offer it overseas. He told the reporters that their company believes that information services are an essential part of a quality of a car.

Drivers pay mobile phone bills for relaying data, though the service is for free. Forfrequent users, data transmission cards for a set monthly fee of about $8 are available. Over 530,000 drivers use the current navigation service in Japan, and that figure is nearly 40 percent of Honda owners.

E-mail warnings with the latest upgrade will be sent to a pre-assigned address when car with the system is in an area of a strong earthquake. It is handy in a quake-prone nation like Japan. Icons of exclamation marks pop up on the monitor if heavy rain is forecast on a planned route.

Japan's No. 2 auto manufacturer and Honda Civic parts maker also upgraded its map system so that updates take just a few minutes to be downloaded. Disks with map data had to be changed up to now.

Based in Tokyo, Honda said that it found a way to compress data so that portions of a map, such as new roads, get relayed piecemeal. Furthermore, it said that driving time is cut on the average by 20 percent.

All the major automakers in the world offer car navigation services that include some that give guides to nearby restaurants. Not only that, some automatically calls ambulances in cases of accidents and connect to human operators.

One of the featured capabilities of Honda's system is that it collects information from individual Honda cars on the road. In the new earthquake notification service, for example, the system will be able to show which roads have been shut down.

General Manager Takeshi Imai said that this kind of detailed information could even tell drivers exactly which lane of a freeway is congested. He further said that Honda's telematics is already moving toward its next level.

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Nick Fry: Honda Will be on Top Before the End of Season

Nick Fry, the Chief Executive Officer and Team Principal of the Formula One constructor of Honda, has promised Honda's RA107 will be on a par with the Ferraris and McLarens before the end of this season.

Honda entered this year's Championship with a great deal of promise following on from Jenson Button's breakthrough victory in Hungarian GP of the last season. The Brackley squad, however, has failed to live up to the build up.

Eight races were struggled by the team to even score their first point of the Championship - came courtesy of Button's eighth placed finish in the French GP in Sunday.

Nonetheless, the 50-year old British CEO believes that point is just the beginning of large things to come for Honda. The boss even went as far as toguarantee that Honda's RA107 will be competing with the Ferraris and McLarens before this season is over.

Fry said when they realized at the start of the year the car was not what they wanted at all, so they have had to make a lot of revisions in a very short span of time. He explains they have had to take a few risks by doing things which they thought were right, but without that much knowledge behind it.

Now, the team is back on more of a level-playing field and they hope to move forward from here because they believe, as the saying goes “one swallow doesn't make a summer”, one point does not make for them either. Fry continued that they are obviously still a long, long way off beating a Ferrari or a McLaren, which is clearly where they want to be by the end of the season, and certainly going into next year.

But he begs people should not always expect them to go from one point to the front of the grid immediately because that is totally not possible.

The team principal was also full of praise for Button following his first point-scoring result of the season. He acknowledges the fact that he admires Jenson’s performance as different races passes by. Fry said it is relatively easy to be optimistic when you have a good car and you are doing well, but Jenson really has matured with his professionalism and fighting spirit. Fry added Jenson tries every bit as hard in fighting for 12th place on the grid as he does for second or third. He further said that he have known Jason for years and knows that the racer has been better than the year before every year.

The Honda boss added also said that he does not see any reason why Jenson cannot be competing with Lewis if they give Jenson the equipment.

Honda Racing

Aside from building quality car parts such as Honda Accord parts, Japan’s second largest automaker is also into racing.

Honda entered Formula One as a constructor for the first time in the 1964 season at the German Grand Prix with Ronnie Bucknum at the wheel.

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Maruti Heads on with Honda Products

Maruti is trying to tighten its loose ends in SUV and in premium sedan segment. This New Delhi’s one of the leading automobile manufacturers is also taking heads on with the products of Honda, this after sx4 that was launched against the city in premium sedan- now in SUV.

Maruti is ready to drive into another Honda defense structure after the sx4. Soon, it will launch its SUV which is the new grand Vitara to take on the Honda CRV. This happens to be Maruti's second experiment with the Vitara. It first launched the Vitara in 2003 but sold a menial 380, as compared to the Honda CRV, which has sold more than 7400 units since its launch in the same year. Even Hyundai Tuscon has sold 1626 units since its launch in 2005. Maruti hopes that the new 2 litre Vitara, which is priced between Rs 14-16 lakh, will bring home the numbers.

Maruti Udyog MD Jagdish Khattar said that it is small and compact and they are offering it with a price which will be very attractive.

The new grand Vitara, known as the Escudo in Japan, will be available in both the automatic and manual versions.

The new Honda CRV is a more powerful vehicle but it also comes with a heavy price tag of almost Rs 18 lakh.

Car enthusiasts along with analysts are interested to see if Maruti can win over customers with an aggressive pricing strategy.

About Maruti Udyog Limited

New Delhis’ Maruti Udyog Limited is one of the leading automobile manufacturers in India as well as the market leader in the car segment, both in terms of volume of vehicles sold and revenue earned. It is a leading four-wheeler automobile manufacturer in South Asia and was the first company in India to massively produce and sell more than one million cars. And it is largely credited for having brought in an automobile revolution to India.

Though the actual production commenced in 1983, Maruti Udyog Limited (MUL) was actually established in February 1981. It has produced more than 5 Million vehicles through 2004. Marutis are sold in India and various other countries, depending upon export orders. Suzuki in Pakistan and other South Asian countries sell cars similar to Marutis (but not manufactured by Maruti Udyog).

Yearly, the company exports more than 30,000 cars and has an extremely large domestic market in India selling over five hundred thousand cars annually. More than a million units of this car have been sold all over the world so far. Maruti Alto currently tops the sales charts.

As of May 10, 2007, Indian government sold its complete share to other financial institutions, making the government longer a stake holder in Maruti Udyog.
About Honda

Honda is well known for its diverse line up of quality automobiles and car parts under Honda such as Honda CRX parts and Acura name plates, and for its motorcycles, ATVs, power products, marine engines, and personal watercraft.

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Infiniti part is the chief requirement for your luxury car

It is not just enough to own a luxury car, for most automobile enthusiasts it is the features, accessories and the services that accompany the car which take precedence over all other matters. A great looking car that has not been properly serviced and breaks down at middle of nowhere will not be appreciated even by the most ardent vehicle lover. It is therefore imperative to not only buy a great car with latest design, features and accessories but a car owner must also ensure that his car is the best of shape at all times. An Infiniti car owner can rest assured in such circumstances as any Infiniti car will easily have the Infiniti part available to ensure that the car keeps functioning smoothly without any problems.

Infiniti parts are the essential requirements for any Infiniti car that feature more powerful engines, suspensions that aretuned, steering systems and accessories such as luxurious interiors with temperature controlled seats, superior audio systems and voice recognition controls. The easy availability of an Infiniti part reassures the car owner that his dream machine will not run into unforeseen trouble at any point of time. Also the superior maintenance of the car is strongly dependent on the Infiniti part. A simple click on your mouse could enable you to place your orders for Infiniti part and other accessories eve online from the superior website of Infiniti. The easy convenience of ordering Infiniti part online goes a long way in pampering the esteemed customers and enhances the loyalty to this particular segment of cars.

Even for the car owners who have always dreamt of purchasing a luxury car but were apprehensive about the cost and also the easy availability of replacements parts and accessories for the car can now rest assured. Easy finance schemes let you possess your dream luxury car with the help of easy monthly installment. As far as the availability of Infiniti part and accessory is concerned, the previous track record of the dealer and satisfied customers can vouch for the credibility and convenience. Besides assuring the proper maintenance of the car, the Infiniti part and accessory availability online and with dealers also reassure the customer about the future relationship that he can share with the company. A long lasting and profitable relationship with the luxury car owners can be sealed with theses thoughtful gestures of making maintenance of the car much easier for the customer.

So once a decision has been made to purchase a luxury car the prospective client needs to select the style, design and model most suitable to him. He can take a pick from the wide range of Infiniti Q45, FX35, and G35 and so on. And finally before sealing the deal the customer needs to enquire about the ready availability of the Infiniti part and accessory if the need arises to replace any part or service the car. Once everything is in place, the consumer can then happily go out and paint the town red in his luxurious automobile that is a dream vehicle for many.

Tim Johrer has a special interest towards luxury cars and knows that the level of class defines luxury cars.He provides information to customers about different range of Infiniti cars.For more information related to Millennium Infiniti and Infiniti Part visit www.millenniuminfiniti.com

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Honda: Pedrosa Will Stay

Chief Satoru Horike of Honda Racing Corporation, 21-year old Dani Pedrosa will still be racing in Repsol colours next year.

A last-minute decision was made by Horike to fly to Assen for the Dutch TT in a bid to convince the Spaniard racer, who is out of contract at the end of the year, to make a contract on a new deal.

The factory team's failure to win a race since Nicky Hayden succeeded in the USA 12 months ago had led Pedrosa last week to say to the public that he was open to offers from rival squads for 2008.

Horike told MCN that he can understand what Dani wants to say but the chief believes that they we can make a contract soon and that he will stay.
Pedrosa is in the third spot in the world championship. He achieved such triumph after finishing on the podium four times so far this year but is 66 points (the equivalent of two wins and a third place) adrift of leader Casey Stoner, his main competitor when the pair raced 250s in 2005.

The two-time race winner has been rumored with a move to Suzuki next year but has denied that any talks have taken place with the team.

Grand Prix motorcycle racer Daniel "Dani" Pedrosa was born September 29, 1985 in Sabadell, Spain, and is the youngest world champion in 125cc and 250cc Grands Prix. He grew up in a village near Sabadell called Castellar del Vallès. Pedrosa stands 5 feet and 2 inches tall and weighs 51kg (112.4lbs).

Honda Racing

Aside from building quality car parts such as Honda Del Sol parts, Japan’s second largest automaker is also into racing.

Honda entered Formula One as a constructor for the first time in the 1964 season at the German Grand Prix with Ronnie Bucknum at the wheel. The year 1965 was the addition of Richie Ginther to the team who scored Honda's first point at the Belgian Grand Prix. It was also the year when Honda had its first win at the Mexican Grand Prix. Their next win at the Italian Grand Prix with John Surtees as their driver was in 1967.

Unfortunately, in 1968, Jo Schlesser was killed in a Honda RA302 at the French Grand Prix. This racing tragedy plus the company’s commercial difficulties of selling automobiles in the United States prompted Honda to withdraw from all international motorsport that year.

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Honda Faces Problems

It is inevitable for the businesses to experience fluctuations in terms of profits, shares, revenues or sales. It is because of the fact that not all the factors in the industry are controlled by the corporations. External factors such as the forces of the market greatly affect such fluctuations. Consequently, overriding problems occur. And these things are experienced even by huge companies in the most highly developed countries.

Take the second biggest car maker in Japan as an example. Even though Honda's foreign sales rose 11 percent, those in Japan dropped 3.4 percent. In effect, the company expects this year's profit to be down by 3 percent. Things are not as good as they seem for the Japanese automaker even though Honda won the title of the most reliable car in Great Britain in Which? Magazine.
The production in Great Britain is made difficult by certain factors such as the domestic currency, high production costs and the impossibility of expanding the plant.

Takeo Fukui, the president of Honda Motor, said to BBC that they made a mistake and that resisting the euro is a big problem in Britain.

But Honda is not the only manufacturer that criticized Britain’s decision of not introducing the euro. Nissan also objected.

It is impossible to expand the production in Honda’s plant in Swindon because there is no room for expansion for the time being. But there is room in Turkey, where Honda is at present expanding a plant. The plant is growing even though the euro is not the official currency there either. This is for the reason that production costs in Turkey are lower.

Other than the problems in Britain, Honda has also been blown by the tough competition from the domestic manufacturers in Japan. BBC reports that sources at the plant reveal that the plant’s annual profit declined five percent after the sales in Japan had dropped and also after the production costs had risen.

Having such circumstance, Honda expects this year’s final profit to drop three percent.

Japan’s second biggest automobile manufacturer said that aside form the dropping sales in Japan and the costs of research the factor that caused the decline in profit is also the poor exchange rate of the yen.

About Honda

Honda is well known for its diverse line up of quality automobiles and car parts under Honda such as Honda CRV parts and Acura name plates, and for its motorcycles, ATVs, power products, marine engines, and personal watercraft.

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Honda Jazz to Debut at the Tokyo Motor Show in October

Honda’s first small car for India, the Jazz, will make its first public appearance at the Tokyo Motor show in October this year. Expected to be launched in a finely tuned form in India to take advantage of the taxation structure, the product is most likely to come strapped with a diesel engine.

The new Honda Jazz is built to take on Swift and Getz. Masahiro Takedagawa, chairman and CEO of Honda Siel Cars India, has already implied that the company’s small cars would be positioned to fit into the lower excise duty bracket. Small cars with a certain specification of engine capacity and length attract lower tax of 16 percent as against 24 percent for bigger cars, as per the excise duty structure. The Jazz might come with a 1.5-litre diesel engine in order to draw excise benefits. Honda is traditionally knownfor pricing its product on the higher side. But auto analysts say that the Japanese manufacturer will have to change its stand as it treads into the compact segment.

PriceWaterhouse partner Abdul Majeed said that the B and the B+ segment cars do not give high margin. But according to him, to be able to make money in these segments, any auto maker would have to price its products aggressively to catch big volumes.

The Jazz is likely to sport a price tag of Rs 4.6-5.6 lakh to draw big volumes in the segment, given the competition from Getz and Swift. While Jazz will hit the Indian roads in 2009, another small car from the Honda stable, which is designed for the Indian market, will be launched in the country from that time on. This model would be launched one level lower in the B-segment and would rival with the likes of Hyundai Santro, Tata Indica and Maruti Wagon R.

The company’s second Indian car plant, which is coming up at Takapura in Rajasthan, would manufacture the next generation Jazz. The initial capacity of plant would reach 60,000 vehicles which will be more than tripled to 2 lakh units over time. Moreover, Honda’s second small car for India is also expected to be manufactured in the Takapura plant after its capacity is reinvented.

About Honda

Honda is well known for its diverse line up of quality automobiles and car parts under Honda such as Honda S2000 parts and Acura name plates, and for its motorcycles, ATVs, power products, marine engines, and personal watercraft.

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Joint Venture of Suzuki and Bellsonica

Bellsonica Auto Component Pvt Ltd., the Maruti-Suzuki joint-venture with Bellsonica Corp., is expected to reduce the contribution per vehicle of Maruti's existing sheet metal suppliers.


The joint-venture was set up in July last year and is setting up a plant in Manesar, near Maruti's new production plant. Maruti-Suzuki holds 30% in the joint-venture with the rest held by Bellsonica – one of Suzuki's traditional suppliers in Japan.


The biggest loser is expected to be Jay Bharat Maruti, Maruti's traditional medium-sized sheet metal components supplier. Along with Caparo Maruti, Mark Auto (now SKH Metals) and Rasandik Industries, JBML accounts for most of Maruti's sheet metal requirements. JBML is one of Maruti's top five suppliers in terms of value.
Bellsonica's Indian venture is likely to overlap the most with JBML's share in Maruti's sheet metal component requirements, supplying the same type of components. Sources pointed out that JBML, which supplies around 90 sheet metal components for the just launched SX4 saloon, was offered less than 20 components by Maruti for the Model P, a small car under development by Suzuki, slated for launch in October 2008, to be manufactured in Manesar and slated for export to the European market. Maruti is targeting exports of 150,000 units per year of exports of the Model P, apart from huge domestic consumption, once it is introduced. The Model P will also be badged as a Nissan and that will account for 50,000 units as well.


Ironically, Bellsonica has been one of JBML's technology providers in the past.


JBML is not the only probable loser because of Bellsonica's Indian venture; Caparo Maruti, Mark Auto and Rasandik Industries are all likely to see their average content per vehicle with Maruti go down in the near future.


In another development, the four sheet metal suppliers were amongst the top ten worst rated suppliers at a recent Maruti supplier convention.


Not surprisingly, the sheet metal suppliers have been working at increasing the share of non-Maruti business in their total revenue. JBML has established a number of companies under the "Neel" umbrella which are responsible for non-Maruti businesses. These include a joint-venture with Thai Summit. JBML is already supplying to Tata Motors, Toyota, Ford, Ashok Leyland, Honda and several two wheeler companies as well as Tier 1 suppliers like Delphi.


Caparo Maruti is also aggressively expanding beyond Maruti. It is already supplying to General Motors and Eicher Motors and is looking at expanding to other OEMs as well.


For more details on Suzuki and Bellsonica Venture visit www.theautodiary.com

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Rotten Apples Could Be Good For Your Car

An apple a day keeps the doctor away. Or so the saying goes, for us humans at least.

But how about cars?

If you think that fruits are good for humans (and living things in general) only, think again. Turns out that our adage for the benefits of the good apple – the rotting apple that is, can now also apply to cars – to keep it running and in shape.

For a time it was only gasoline and diesel when it came to powering cars. Then came hybrids, which powered cars via a combination of a small fuel-efficient gas engine and an electric motor for a more fuel-efficient and earth-friendly ride. There’s also ethanol fuel, another popular alternative against the “environmentally evil” gasoline and petroleum fuels. And then there are the weirder alternatives: burgergrease, orange juice, hemp – even something called Jatropha Curcas seeds. We’ve all seen or heard about these things.

So what about rotting apples?

Let’s take a look at Somerset farmer Henry Hobson’s story: The man converted his Jaguar XJ6 to run off methane produced from the decomposing fruit in his orchard.

Methane you see, is a good thing. A combustible gas, it can be obtained in two ways -- extracted from the earth’s crust in the form of natural gas, or from waste sludge and biological waste as biogas. The great thing about it is that compared to carbon dioxide emissions, which contribute to the greenhouse effect, methane is about 25% lower than when running on petrol. Biogas forms part of the natural ecocycle and therefore makes a zero net contribution to the greenhouse effect.

So you see exactly what a bright idea this one really is.

According to a report from Topgear, the science is simple enough: Hobson fills two underground tanks with apples from his 10,000-tree orchard, and adds a soupcon of bacteria from cows' intestines (yes, you did not read that wrong) to help the rotting along.

The gas emitted from the decomposition is then filtered through water to remove the sulphur and carbon dioxide, leaving Hobson with lots of pure methane, which also means lots of cheap fuel.

Hobson, discounting the £3,000 it cost to convert his Jag and its Jaguar XJ6 parts– says that the shift saves him more than two grand every year on fuel costs. As an added bonus, his XJ6 is putting out about 10 per cent more power at very similar fuel economy compared to before.

So are we going to see good ol’ apples powering our future cars anytime soon?

According to Hobson, methane is 10 times more efficient to produce than bio-diesel. And, as well as presumably filling the air with the sweet smell of home-brew, his fuel has the advantage of keeping the doctor well away.

Sounds good, doesn’t it? If only all of us had orchards in our backyards like Mr. Hobson.

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Third Annual Nissan Student Government Leadership Program All Set

On July 29 – August 2 this year, sixty Student Government Presidents from the country's historically black colleges and universities will gather in Jackson, Mississippi for the third annual Nissan Student Government Leadership Program (NSGLP). The program will be held on the campus of Tougaloo College, with nationally-recognized speakers coming to participate and share their wisdom regarding leadership.

The Nissan program exposes SGA Presidents to a curriculum designed for young executives entering corporate America and continues to highlight Nissan's commitment to HBCUs and the world's future leaders. Its overwhelming success has prompted the company to once again offer this leadership experience which helps participants firmly position themselves as leaders on theircampuses and in their personal and professional communities.

"The Nissan Student Government Leadership Program is an outstanding hands-on opportunity for college leaders to prepare for corporate leadership. We have gathered some of the brightest minds in the country to design a program that is meaningful and has high impact for the student participants," Stephanie Valdez Streaty, Nissan North America Sr. Manager, Philanthropy & Diversity Communications and the team leader for the NSGLP said.

Speakers who have confirmed attendance to the 2007 program include: Valerie Montgomery Rice, M.D., nationally renowned educator, clinician and researcher in women's reproductive health at Meharry Medical College School of Medicine, Reverend Dr. Nelson Rivers - corporate Chief Operating Officer of the NAACP, Gregory Anderson, writer of the No. 1 Box Office Hit "Stomp the Yard" and former NSGLP corporate participant and American Idol Winner Ruben Studdard.

Invitations for the program have been extended to all HBCUs across the country. But only the first 60 schools to return completed forms will be accepted into each all-expense-paid NSGLP session.

To get more information about the Nissan Student Government Leadership Program visit their website at http://www.nissansglp.com/ or contact Jocelyn R. Coleman at 336-558-8063 or Phanalphie Rhue or at 336-884-0744.

About the Nissan Student Government Leadership Program
In August 2005, Nissan North America, Inc. launched the pilot session of the NSGLP. The innovative leadership development program includes leadership sessions, experiential exercises, nationally-recognized speakers as well as activities which will enhance the student's self-awareness, self-management, social-political awareness and interpersonal relationships. These aspects coupled with networking opportunities with Nissan executives, facilitators and government leaders; create a solid foundation for a successful career in Corporate America and beyond.

About Nissan North America
In North America, Nissan's operations include automotive styling, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing. More information on Nissan in North America – maker of top of the line Nissan and Infiniti vehicles and auto parts like Nissan truck parts can be found online at http://www.nissannews.com/ and http://www.infiniti.com/.

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GM Sales Plunge for June

General Motors Corp. has reported Tuesday a 24 percent drop in June sales, becoming the automaker with the biggest monthly decline as U.S. automakers continue to lose share and overall vehicle sales because of the surging gas prices and a weak housing market.

GM’s Detroit neighbors also had sales going down. Ford’s sales were down 11 percent, while Chrysler's fell 5 percent. Both declines by the loss-making Detroit-based automakers proving true the expectations of some analysts as the industry closed out a weak second quarter.

While sales for Detroit-based automakers slipped for June, rival import automakers reported a positive turnout with Toyota Motor Corp., Honda Motor Co. and Nissan Motor Co. all gaining groundafter taking the unusual step of increasing spending on showroom discounts.

Sales for Nissan- also maker of top of the line Nissan Altima parts, were also up several notches, in fact, to an industry-leading 18 percent. Fellow Japanese automakers Toyota and Honda reported gains of 6 percent and 7 percent, respectively.

Overall, the first-half sales were down 1.5 percent for the industry. Toyota however, bucked the downtrend with a 9 percent gain over the six-month period, putting it ahead of Ford for the U.S. market's No. 2 spot after outselling GM in the passenger cars segment.

Toyota’s aggressive discounting of its new Toyota Tundra -- offering zero-percent financing and cash rebates on its all-new full-size pickup truck in June and causing sales to double, has successfully rattled its rival automakers in Detroit.

According to industry data, GM paid the price for being the only major automaker to throttle back on incentive spending compared with May. GM sales analyst Paul Ballew attributed GM's shortfall to lost sales as its own all-new Silverado truck went head-to-head against the heavily subsidized Tundra.

Toyota for its part said that playing hardball with Tundra pricing was not a move to signal a shift for a company better known for controlling supply and allowing hot-selling models like the hybrid Prius to command a premium, but rather, was just a response to a tough market.

Surging gasoline prices at $3 per gallon in the United States, sales gains for passenger cars, and the shift by American consumers to more-fuel-efficient car-based crossover vehicles over light trucks, also did not help make things better for the troubled Detroit automakers. These factors however, greatly favored the Japanese car makers.

Nissan, for instance, recorded a 76 percent jump in sales of its Altima sedan. Honda saw a 34 percent jump in sales of its competing Civic.

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A Vehicle History Report Could Save You Thousands When Buying Used

If you are in the market for a new car make sure you go through the right steps before making a purchase. Finding a car that is right for you is the first step, and of course you need to find financing. The next step is checking out the used car to make sure it is in good shape before buying. The most reliable way to check a car's history is to obtain a CARFAX report and then have a trusted mechanic check it out.

So what is a CARFAX report you ask? Using each vehicle's title and VIN number, CARFAX compiles a detailed car history report on every vehicle manufactured after 1981. A car history report will tell you all kinds of information such as: previous accident reports, lemon history, emissions inspection history, the previous use of the vehicle (rental, taxi, etc) whether the title was salvaged and so much more.
Many used car buyers quickly dismiss the thought of buying a CARFAX report because of the money, but let's get real, the $25 spent on a quality vehicle history report is the best investment you will ever make. There are thousands, no probably millions, of drivers who wished they had spent the measly $25 to look into a car's history instead of spending thousands of dollars on a car that has a damaged history, salvaged title, or is even a lemon!

It truly is unbelievable the amount of history CARFAX is able to report to you on each vehicle. The vehicle history will report if the car has been stolen, salvaged, or auctioned. It will also alert you if the car has been flooded (or even registered in a flood disaster area), been in an accident (the report will even show if the airbags have been deployed), totaled, deemed a lemon, and how the car has been used (taxi, lease, rental car, government, or certified pre-owned.) In addition to accident reports the vehicle history will give odometer readings throughout its history, alert you to vehicle recalls, the number of previous owners, where the car was purchased and sold, service records, and show the car's standard equipment and associated reliability ratings.

Knowing the history of a car you are buying is fantastic information to protect the buyer from paying too much for a damaged vehicle, but another great advantage of a CARFAX report is that it gives you solid evidence for negotiation. One very intelligent way I have heard of people using their CARFAX report to get a lower price is noting the date the car's lease ended and how long the car has been sitting on a dealer's lot since the expiration date. No dealer is trying to sit on a car, rather it is sitting because no one else would buy it for that price either. Now you have the control and can offer any price you deem fair.

Despite the countless advantages a car history report from CARFAX offers, it is not completely foolproof. Thieves will be thieves and so they are always searching for a way around the law and how not to get caught. Odometer fraud still happens and closely looking at a CARFAX report will only tip you in the right direction. Also, accidents with damage totaling less than $1000 often go unreported, and thus will not appear on the vehicle report. Something else to keep in mind is that VIN numbers were not available on vehicles made before 1981, and thus a CARFAX report would not be useful.

In addition to obtaining a detailed vehicle history on a used car, it is also a great idea to have a trusted mechanic give a car a thorough inspection. Most auto shops have a list of items to look for in a used car to ensure they are in good condition and as advertised. A quality mechanic will certainly notice any damage to the car that may have gone unnoted in the vehicle history, and will allow you to make an informed decision before buying a used car (another investment that is well worth it in my opinion.)

It seems safe to say that spending $25 for a thorough report on a used car would be well worth the money in the long run. CARFAX reports offer an array of information that will prove helpful in making a decision on whether or not to buy a used car. In fact, the vehicle history report could even help you negotiate a fairer price on the car of your choice. Don't try and cut corners because the consequences could be costly.

Jake Newberry is a salesman for NuStar Motors, a used cars Sacramento dealer. Jake knows firsthand that taking a few precautionary steps before buying a used car can save you money in the long run, and he recommends a CARFAX report to all used car buyers.

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A Vehicle History Report Could Save You Thousands When Buying Used

If you are in the market for a new car make sure you go through the right steps before making a purchase. Finding a car that is right for you is the first step, and of course you need to find financing. The next step is checking out the used car to make sure it is in good shape before buying. The most reliable way to check a car's history is to obtain a CARFAX report and then have a trusted mechanic check it out.

So what is a CARFAX report you ask? Using each vehicle's title and VIN number, CARFAX compiles a detailed car history report on every vehicle manufactured after 1981. A car history report will tell you all kinds of information such as: previous accident reports, lemon history, emissions inspection history, the previous use of the vehicle (rental, taxi, etc) whether the title was salvaged and so much more.
Many used car buyers quickly dismiss the thought of buying a CARFAX report because of the money, but let's get real, the $25 spent on a quality vehicle history report is the best investment you will ever make. There are thousands, no probably millions, of drivers who wished they had spent the measly $25 to look into a car's history instead of spending thousands of dollars on a car that has a damaged history, salvaged title, or is even a lemon!

It truly is unbelievable the amount of history CARFAX is able to report to you on each vehicle. The vehicle history will report if the car has been stolen, salvaged, or auctioned. It will also alert you if the car has been flooded (or even registered in a flood disaster area), been in an accident (the report will even show if the airbags have been deployed), totaled, deemed a lemon, and how the car has been used (taxi, lease, rental car, government, or certified pre-owned.) In addition to accident reports the vehicle history will give odometer readings throughout its history, alert you to vehicle recalls, the number of previous owners, where the car was purchased and sold, service records, and show the car's standard equipment and associated reliability ratings.

Knowing the history of a car you are buying is fantastic information to protect the buyer from paying too much for a damaged vehicle, but another great advantage of a CARFAX report is that it gives you solid evidence for negotiation. One very intelligent way I have heard of people using their CARFAX report to get a lower price is noting the date the car's lease ended and how long the car has been sitting on a dealer's lot since the expiration date. No dealer is trying to sit on a car, rather it is sitting because no one else would buy it for that price either. Now you have the control and can offer any price you deem fair.

Despite the countless advantages a car history report from CARFAX offers, it is not completely foolproof. Thieves will be thieves and so they are always searching for a way around the law and how not to get caught. Odometer fraud still happens and closely looking at a CARFAX report will only tip you in the right direction. Also, accidents with damage totaling less than $1000 often go unreported, and thus will not appear on the vehicle report. Something else to keep in mind is that VIN numbers were not available on vehicles made before 1981, and thus a CARFAX report would not be useful.

In addition to obtaining a detailed vehicle history on a used car, it is also a great idea to have a trusted mechanic give a car a thorough inspection. Most auto shops have a list of items to look for in a used car to ensure they are in good condition and as advertised. A quality mechanic will certainly notice any damage to the car that may have gone unnoted in the vehicle history, and will allow you to make an informed decision before buying a used car (another investment that is well worth it in my opinion.)

It seems safe to say that spending $25 for a thorough report on a used car would be well worth the money in the long run. CARFAX reports offer an array of information that will prove helpful in making a decision on whether or not to buy a used car. In fact, the vehicle history report could even help you negotiate a fairer price on the car of your choice. Don't try and cut corners because the consequences could be costly.

Jake Newberry is a salesman for NuStar Motors, a used cars Sacramento dealer. Jake knows firsthand that taking a few precautionary steps before buying a used car can save you money in the long run, and he recommends a CARFAX report to all used car buyers.

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McDonalds UK Shows Mother-Nature Love with Biodiesel for its Delivery Vans

In the old days it used to be that you just drove your Nissan Sentra and perhaps its brand new Nissan Sentra parts over to McDonalds to get some of those yummy French fries and Mcburgers.

Now can you imagine getting your car fueled in McDonalds? How about a fuel pump sticking out the drive thru window to gas up your car?

No? Maybe literally these scenarios are far-fetched, but, to get fuel to power your car from the world-famous food chain’s kitchen isn’t as remote a possibility as you think.

In the UK just recently, McDonalds has announced that it will be converting all of its UK delivery vans to run on cooking oil-based biodiesel. This means that aside from getting to enjoy that delicious smell of double cheeseburger‘n’ fries as a delivery truck drives by our British friends can do so rest assured that the truck may be carrying sinful food but it isn’t at least, making the dreadful environmental transgression we call pollution.

So how does it work?

According to a report by Topgear, once the oil has been used to make your Freedom Fries turn into a tasty state of crispiness, it'll be combined with rapeseed oil to power McDonald's 155 Lorries, saving some 1,650 tonnes of carbon each year. Which is something, if you think about all the folks calling for delivery everyday, right?

Here in our shores, we are also not lacking in environmentally-sound burger-delivering companies. In 2006 it was reported that Burgerville, a Vancouver, WA-based "fast casual" restaurant chain, has begun converting its used cooking oil into biodiesel. Through an agreement with Portland company MRP Services, the used oil is picked up and transported to a processing plant where it is converted to biodiesel.

Before the two companies arranged to do good for Mother Nature, the oil was shipped to Asia and typically used in the creation of cosmetics and soap.

This isn’t the first foray into sustainable business practices for Burgerville though. Last August, the company announced it would pay for its electricity by purchasing wind power, a move that saved a staggering 17.4 million pounds of carbon dioxide from being released to the region annually.

About Biodiesel
Biodiesel is the name of a clean burning alternative fuel, produced from domestic, renewable resources. Biodiesel contains no petroleum, but it can be blended at any level with petroleum diesel to create a biodiesel blend. It can be used in compression-ignition (diesel) engines with little or no modifications. Biodiesel is simple to use, biodegradable, nontoxic, and essentially free of sulfur and aromatics.

Biodiesel is better for the environment because it is made from renewable resources and has lower emissions compared to petroleum diesel. It is less toxic than table salt and biodegrades as fast as sugar. Since it is made in the USA from renewable resources such as soybeans, its use decreases our dependence on foreign oil and contributes to our own economy. (source: http://www.biodiesel.org/)

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There are thousands of used tractors to choose from at Mascus online

You can buy anything online these days - and that includes used tractors. More and more companies in construction and agriculture are turning to the Internet to source anything from tractors and lawnmowers to excavators and harvesters. "The Net is the world's largest depot forecourt," says Robert Tate, UK and Ireland Regional Manager of Mascus, an online marketplace for used equipment.

Resistance to change always takes time to overcome. Customers still to want to kick the tires and cast a critical eye over the engine before making a significant investment in something like a tractor. According to Robert, their fears are unfounded. "The Internet is built on trust and transparency, the more honest information the seller provides, the more likely a buyer is to make an enquiry. The next time they will buy without viewing!"
Robert believes that buying a tractor on the Internet is little different to handing over cash in person, but with the added advantage of vast choice. "The common misconception people have before they go online is that they will have to make a blind purchase. This is simply not true," Robert argues. "Sellers can post up to six images on our site, as well as specs and their own comments. If potential buyers don't like what they see, there are plenty of other tractors to choose from." This is the key to the success of online marketplaces.

Mascus currently list over 2000 used tractors from all over Europe on its website, from those under 40 horsepower to heavyweights exceeding 200hp. All the major brands are there, including John Deere, New Holland, Case IH, Massey Ferguson and Ford. "It only takes a couple of clicks to find exactly what you are looking for," Rob says.

An online marketplace like Mascus.com is also perfect for anyone selling a used tractor. "Setting up a want ad to reach thousands of buyers across Europe is quick and easy," he says. "The market for used tractors and agricultural machinery is growing fast - particularly in Eastern Europe, where EU farming grants specify that old equipment is updated. Back load transport is cheap, so taking advantage of great deals in other countries makes sense."

Mascus, founded in Finland, is expanding quickly, too. The site is currently available in 17 languages and currencies. Rob and his colleagues at Mascus know that bringing buyers and sellers together on line makes sense for everyone involved: "The market for used machinery is huge. Thanks to the Internet, everyone's a winner."
--
Contact: Robert Tate
Email: robert.tate@mascus.com
Website: http://www.mascus.com
Company: Mascus
Telephone: +44 (0) 1954 230046
Address: Mascus UK
The Grange
20, Market Street, Swavesey
Cambridge, Cambridgeshire
UNITED KINGDOM.
Postcode - CB4 5QG

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BMW Unveils Next BMW Legend

BMW will introduce a modern and authentic performance coupe with enhanced BMW parts and combined sporty rear-wheel-drive dynamics, agile handling, powerful engines and seating for four – all reinventing its iconic 2002 models of some 4 decades ago. The new 1 Series Coupe will be available in 128i, 135i, 123d and 120d.

The 128i will feature Valvetronic valvetrain management and aluminum/magnesium contruction — core elements of BMW’s EfficientDynamics. It will be powered by a 3.0-liter, 230 horsepower inline 6-cyinder engine with 200 lb-ft of torque.

The powerful 135i features BMW’s twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine with 300 horsepower (225 kW) and an amazing 300lb-ft (400 Nm) of torque from as low as 1,400 rpm. Optimum performance and economy is achieved with no loss in engine response with its direct piezo gasoline injectors, twin low-mass turbochargers and air-to-air intercooling. Acceleration is from 0-100 km/h (62 mph) and accomplished in 5.3 seconds with top speed which is electronically limited to 255 km/h (155 mph).

The new 123d has a new 2.0-liter four-cylinder diesel engine with Variable Twin Turbo and Common-Rail technology. A power of 200 hp (150 kW) is provided by the all-alloy engine.

The new coupe encompassed with very masculine looks intended for sporting. The greenhouse with its “Hofmeister kink” is moved rearward and offers a particularly purposeful look because of the long hood. The coupe also features short overhangs, long wheelbase and large frameless doors on a body with a striking shoulder. An M Aerodynamic Kit is standard on the 135i.

Aggressive rear end styling includes a trunklid with an integrated spoiler chiseled into the rear end of the car. An additional lip spoiler is featured on the 135i.

L-shaped rear taillights give the vehicle a lower, sportier look. Homogeneous lighting effect with light-emitting diodes (LEDs) is provided by horizontal lights in the rear light clusters. Such light design makes the BMW 1 Series Coupe stand out at night.

Optional on the 128i while standard on the rest of the versions is the Adaptive Xenon headlights.

Luxurious interior equipments include a standard 60/40 split rear seat, control console for the entertainment and air conditioning functions. In the center console is the controller featured in the iDrive system with the optional Navigation system.

Two upholstery options are the sporty and comfortable Leatherette and the rich Boston Leather. Map pockets are integrated in the lower part of the doors. Sports buckets seats are part of the optional Sport Package.

Sophisticated suspension system includes an aluminum double-pivot front suspension and a five-link fully independent rear suspension in lightweight steel. The new coupe also has BMW’s Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) with a Dynamic Traction Control (DTC) function.

Also available as an option is an Active Steering.

Safety equipments include six airbags as standard and crash-optimized seats with specially padded headrests and backrests.

Other features are the three-point inertia-reel seat belts all within the seats of the 1 Series Coupe and the rear seats come with standard LATCH attachments for child seats.

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Auto Auction Tips

No question about it: A government seized auto auction is a great place to find a used car, one that you can buy that same day without any hassle or red tape. However, to avoid being ripped off, make damn sure you know what you're doing before you get into it. Owning a vehicle is not only a long-term investment but also involves a lot of maintenance.

What is not a scam is that the federal government really is actively making second hand luxury vehicles available for sale. Some cars the feds owns but want to dispose of. These vehicles are usually vehicles that are no longer needed in service for the federal government.

However, most of these vehicles offered by the government are not actually owned by the feds, but have been seized because ofcriminal activities. Vehicles that are used in the commission of certain crimes, particularly drug offenses, often become the property of the arresting agency, depending on local laws. While these seized vehicles are occasionally used by the agency, in the vast majority of cases, the vehicles are sold at auction.

Before you start placing your bids on that sweet 'Vet that you fell in love with on first sight while browsing your favorite online auto auction site, remember that a picture is only worth so many words, which makes it difficult to get a complete assessment of a vehicle.

Do your homework and due diligence first. Some things to keep in mind:

You need to make sure that you have enough money in your bank account before you attend a car auction. All cars purchased at a car auction must be paid in full. It won't work to say, "I'll give you a portion now and the rest later"I'll give you half now and the rest when I get paid." That's not going to work. You must have the total cost of the vehicle.

Cars at auctions are sold "as is" and the auction house is not responsible for any damages"as is" and not only is the auction house not responsible for any damages, but they are also likely not aware of them.

It is not their business to do inspections or validate the condition of the cars they are selling. You might want to purchase an extended warranty on the vehicle you win from auction so that you are covered for any unexpected problems or expenses.

� There are some cases where the automobiles will come with a warranty and if this is the case, they will let you know before bidding but typically there is not one, especially with repo cars.

� Car auctions are competitive, and it's possible to end up paying more than the vehicle is worth. Have your Kelly Blue Book handy and do not pay over the blue book price. Some people will run up the bid price because they have no idea what the auto is worth.

� If possible, bring along a specialist in bidding for a car. Vital information is important to know whether a car is of decent quality.

� Remember: state and government seized cars are those that are done by people who committed crimes, so the seized cars may be more damaged and more fragile than a car that the government may have seized in a different manner (a repossession, for instance).

� Be careful. Before you ever place a bid, pull a Carfax or Autocheck by Experian. In order to reveal any odometer or title problems. Important issues like if the car has been wrecked or flooded is also revealed.


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Do you know what some of the common pitfalls are when attending a car auction? Protect yourself now with this free report - Car Auction Tips - Know Before You Go

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BMW Chooses Michelin Pilot Sport for New M3

For OE fitment to its new M3 Coupe, BMW has chosen Michelin’s Pilot Sport tire. The new M3 has a 414bhp V-8 engine and is promoted by BMW M GmbH as a racecar tire for daily use. It can be deduced that Michelin selects its ultimate sports tire, developed in consonance with engineers from BMW M, as a rational option.

Michelin stated BMW M GmbH has selected a racing tire made for the street to ensure that its new coupe tightly grips the road and feels like a Formula 1 race car. The tire manufacturer equipped the cars which won both the Driver and the Constructors championships two years in a row. Since the release of the first generation model, Michelin tires have equipped the BMW M3. The manufacturer also fitted other cars produced by BMW M, including the M5 and M6.

What’s the fourth generation M3?
The E92 model is a car that first arrived in 1986. It had a four-cylinder engine with around 200bhp back then. But now, the new car doubles that with a V8 and 414bhp, but the basic ingredients are retained: rear-wheel drive, a limited slip differential and a motorsport-inspired engine that revs to a gigantic 8400rpm.

The M3 will cost £50,625 when it starts its sales early September in the UK. A BMW reset tool may come with it.

At first, it will be available only as a two-door coupe. Expected to follow next year is a convertible and four-door saloon. The broaden range is hoped to help break the 100,000-unit barrier for the first time. However, the last M3 – 2000’s six-cylinder E46 – is a tough act to follow.

The M3 gets two more cylinders. And some auto journalists view the move as a brave one and something that transformed the M3 from a motorsport product to the international icon it is today.

The last car’s 3.2-litre six-cylinder wouldn’t meet forthcoming emissions regulations and rivals upped the game with V8s, leaving Munich with no other option but to match them. The American market has been a big consideration too. Fifty percent of all cars expected to go on the Stateside.

Therefore, this is the first time the M3 has largely changed since 1992.

And just like in 1992, the E92 will leave the hardcore craving more. Now, a nice woo fly warble under lighter throttle loads precedes a hard-edged charge for the red line. The spine-tingling zinginess of the E46 car is also gone. It is now replaced by a more mature but still exhilarating, progression.

The quest for a high-revving engine has not surprisingly left a hole in the torque low down, so you need to be able to stir that six-speed manual, which is the only option for now though SMG will follow, to really get moving. The box is carried over from the E46 and obviously shares its characteristics: direct but a bit stiff.

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BMW, Mercedes Soon to Join Forces?

We’ve always known Mercedes-Benz and BMW to be the arch-rivals in the uber-car market department; in fact most of us prefer these two great European automakers locked in a perpetual battle as to who comes up with the most luxurious car, the smoothest performance, the neatest in-car gadgets, or the best auto parts from the engine down to the Mercedes or BMW camshafts.

But it looks like in the ever-changing car industry no rivalries are really sacred.

BMW has recently expressed hope to join forces with DaimlerChrysler and the PSA Peugeot Citroen Group in the development of a hybrid technology, as well as for a new transmission and engine technology.
BMW Exec Klaus Draeger, in an interview with Auto Motor und Sport, revealed that component sharing between the three carmakers would not be impossible within the next four years. He however, discounted plans for common platforms.

With PSA, Draeger hopes to see further cooperation in engine development, referring to the deal it shared for the new Mini engine as an example of the success that could be achieved. According to Draeger, technology sharing can be done without compromising brand-specific characteristics of the engines.

BMW’s Marketing Chief, Michael Ganal has also confirmed BMW’s interest in working with Mercedes-Benz. “Cooperation is the right approach because it allows both carmakers entrepreneurial freedom,” Ganal reportedly told German newspaper Wirtschaftswoche.

Ganal did not say in which areas the cooperation between the two companies will increase, but said there are several possibilities.

Unfortunately for Draeger and Ganal though, Mercedes-Benz has earlier rejected a prior proposal from BMW that the two luxury carmakers should work more closely in the future, as revealed by Mercedes marketing Chieft Klaus Maier.

Maier, in an interview with Handelsblatt, acknowledged that the two had worked together in the past, commenting “we cooperate naturally with BMW in a few technical areas, like development of hybrid engines.” The consensus in the Mercedes boardroom however, is that there are no plans to work together beyond the current co-development of hybrid drivetrains.

There are rumors though suggesting that Mercedes may work with BMW for the production of the next-generation A-Class on the Mini platform from Beemer's Oxford factory.

Reuters, citing German motor magazine Auto Bild, is reporting that BMW, the world's largest premium carmaker, and its closest rival, Mercedes-Benz, are currently in negotiations over a partnership to build subcompact cars.

According to the report, the two companies are expected to make a decision in July on whether to build the next generation Mercedes A-Class on BMW's Mini platform.

A partnership with another automaker will benefit BMW since the heavy cost pressure could result in the loss of money for Mini should its Oxford, England, plant not run at full capacity.

Meanwhile, Mercedes has plans of building the next A-Class in 2012 on a platform to be developed jointly with Chrysler. These plans however have been sacked after parent DaimlerChrysler's disposal of its majority stake in the money-losing U.S. carmaker.

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New York to Launch Share Bike-Sharing Project

Having a BMW Z3 definitely has its benefits, getting to and from another place is easier, and with style. Sure there’s maintenance of the cars and its BMW Z3 parts to take care of, but it comes with owning any car and you’re more than willing to do it if it means getting to travel in comfort and ease.

But, with the surging gas prices, have you ever thought of using an alternative mode of transportation?

How about using a bicycle? A public bicycle that is – one that with a cellphone call or swipe of a card, you can unlock from its bike rack and ride it across town. And once you reach your destination, all you have to do it steer it to the closest bike rack and, with one more call or card swipe, return the bike to the public network. All this for a fee of less than $.50 for the trip.
“Bike-sharing” systems like this are already in active use in cities across Europe, with Paris alone currently installing over 10,000 bikes at 750 stations. Not only do bike-sharing help make a greener city, more so it is revolutionizing transportation networks.

And now New York wants to give this system a try with the New York Bike-Share Project.

According to the project’s website, The New York Bike-Share Project consists of three parts: One, The Experiment: Twenty bicycles will be available for free 30-minute rentals between Storefront for Art and Architecture (97 Kenmare Street) and a roving, remote location.

Two, The Exhibition: A review of eight successful bike-share programs in European cities will be on view at Storefront.

And three, The Charette: The Forum For Urban Design will facilitate a public imagining of a future bike-share program in New York. Design and transportation experts will make public presentations on July 9 and 10 at 6pm. Final charette results will be published on nybikeshare.org and presented to the public on July 11 at 6pm.

The NY Bike Share Project is produced by The Forum for Urban Design and Storefront for Art and Architecture.

About The Forum for Urban Design

The Forum For Urban Design is a New York-based membership organization of leading practitioners in the fields of architecture, planning, development, city government and design journalism. The New York Bike-Share Project is The Forum’s first annual Summer Charette.

About the Storefront For Art and Architecture

Founded in 1982, Storefront for Art and Architecture is a not for profit organization committed to advancing innovative positions in art, architecture and design. Standing at the forefront of local, national and international design communities, Storefront explores vital issues in art and architecture to increase public awareness and interest in the built environment and urban issues. Over the past 25 years Storefront has exhibited the work of more than a thousand architects and artists, including Vito Acconci, Peter Cook, Coop Himmelblau, Diller + Scofidio, Steven Holl, Yves Klein, Kiki Smith, Lebbeus Woods, Dan Graham, Lewis Tsuramaki Lewis, and Petra Blaisse.

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BMW Gets iPhone

What’s the next best thing to owning a BMW X5 equipped with the latest and greatest BMW X5 parts?

How about getting Apple’s new iPhone to work with it?

Apparently the newest and currently the hippest gadget around is compatible with BMWs that are compatible with other Apple iPods. The iPhone, in addition should work on Bluetooth-equipped BMWs. This isn’t much of a surprise since BMW is known to be among the leaders in automakers in making Bluetooth devices work in cars.

On June 29 BMW became the first automaker to announce a fully integrated system for Apple's brand-new iPhone.

Initially, the German automaker will only offer integration for U.S. models, but witinternational sales of the iPhone a given, BMW is likely to extend the technology across to other markets.

In statement made in its website, bmwusa.com, BMW said, “BMW welcomes the Apple iPhone -- It's the kind of innovative approach you would expect from BMW. In 2004, BMW was the first to integrate the iPod into BMW vehicles and have customers take full control of their music on the road. So it seemed only logical that BMW be among the first to ensure iPhone owners have the same ability to enjoy their music, plus the added benefits of Bluetooth® hands-free calling across our model line. We are pleased to announce that BMW owners can use their iPhone in this way from day one. … Access to the iPod (or the iPod application of the iPhone) via the vehicle controls and central information or radio display is only possible on cars equipped with iPod/USB interface. The iPod/USB interface is available on 3 and 5 Series with 03/07 production, the X5 with 04/07 production and the 6 Series with 09/07 production date. Further details will be available shortly. In the meantime please contact BMW of North America’s Customer Relations Department at 1-800-831-1117 for further details.

“… The iPhone functions with BMW vehicles equipped with BMW Assist with Bluetooth® handsfree-calling as of the date of testing and meets or exceeds minimum standards established by BMW of North America ("BMW"). This is not a warranty for phone performance or functionality. BMW makes no guarantees or warranties as to the performance of any phone while connected to your BMW via Bluetooth® Wireless Technology. Furthermore, software releases by BMW, the phone supplier or the wireless carrier dated after testing might alter compatibility results.”

About the iPhone

Hailed as a revolutionary phone, the iPhone is a multimedia and Internet-enabled 2.75G quad-band GSM mobile phone produced by Apple. The iPhone's functions include those of a camera phone and a multimedia player. It also offers Internet services including e-mail, text messaging, web browsing, Visual Voicemail, and local Wi-Fi connectivity. All these are accomplished via a multi-touch screen with virtual keyboard and buttons. Apple has filed more than 200 patents related to the technology behind the iPhone.

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view on the new credit act that it is good for both the business and the consumers. He explained that because of the time that the act now takes to ge

Roof boxes are among the most important accessories that one needs to add to his car. They provide him with extra space and make room for the luggage that the boot of the car cannot accommodate. So, they come in good stead during the time when carrying extra suitcases or other accessory is exigent. They are largely used when one goes out on a journey to far off place.

Another accessory that one can affix on the top of the car is roof racks. People fond of adventure sports like biking or mountaineering need to carry some kits that they cannot squeeze inside the trunk of a car. Simple pastime like fishing also necessitates carrying some such apparatus that the boot falls short to house. The very physical structure of these things also does not allow them to be accommodated inside a roof box. So, there occurs the necessity of one new accessory, roof racks. Unlike roof boxes, this item has no limitation of space. It can take the load of bikes, fishing rods and other such kits that are not collapsible. Physically challenged people use the roof racks for the purpose of carrying their wheel chair. Specially crafted racks are there that help such people put their chairs on the racks by themselves, without the help of anyone else.

Like all other car accessories, roof boxes are also made by a number of manufacturers. Some of them are less known while others are of high reputation. MOMO Corse is one of the famous brands in the field of car accessories. Boxes of this brand are flashy, chic and durable. They are available on the internet. The virtual shops on the internet have almost all the car accessories in their store. One can buy roof boxes or roof racks from these shops minus the hassles of physical movement.


About The Author:

Alexus Devon is a automobile writer specializing in automobile and roof boxes products and has written authoritative articles on the car accessories industry. He has done his Master in Business Administration and is currently assisting directcaraccessories as a car accessories specialist.

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Bay Auto Dealer Receives top BMW Honors, Reacts on New Act

There may still be a blazing debate on he effects of the new National Credit Act on a broad range of businesses. But the top metropolitan dealer of a luxury carmaker that manufactures BMW fuel pump gives the law his full backing.



Des Soutar, the managing director of Port Elizabeth‘s Continental Cars, spoke after the operation received the BMW metropolitan dealership of the year award for 2006-2007. This was the fifth time in six years that it has won the distinction. The honors received is a first in the German carmaker‘s dealership network in South Africa.



Twenty-six-year-old Soutar, who is a veteran of the motor industry, said in his speech hisview on the new credit act that it is good for both the business and the consumers. He explained that because of the time that the act now takes to get financial clearance and increased administration, there will be negatives from a business point of view but that will improve, while, the new law as a whole adds a lot of protection for all who are involved. And coming from a consumer’s point of view, Soutar said the Act means that they have to be provided with all the transaction details that include the vehicle price, additional charges, installment payments, residual values and so on in writing up front.



He continued that any dealership that does not provide that information correctly is subject to a fine at a maximum of 10 percent of turnover that could run into millions. He deduced that it is not worth taking any risks.



He has also been deeply concerned regarding how dealerships add on costs from getting the vehicle on the road with a tank of petrol to special deals on add-on items such as paint protection and life insurance. He further said that these questionable practices will be stopped as another effect of the Act. The industry veteran continued that a more positive effect is that private leasing is now allowed, and again subject to the precise details being provided up front.



Moreover, Soutar said that the dealer of the year title had been judged on a range of factors that include sales volumes for new and used cars, parts as well as service sales, customer satisfaction index research, facilities, and general standards.

Backed by BMW SA and empowerment partners Stephen Dondolo and Matthew Klaas in taking over the operation in 1998, Soutar also said that volumes had grown in that time from almost 22 combined new and used cars to nearly 35 new and 25 used cars a month, and the addition of 10 motorcycles.



Staff had increased from 60 to 80 and the company‘s move from Govan Mbeki Avenue to the new R25- million premises in Greenacres had paid off in a big way.



From 60 to 80, staff had increased and the company‘s transferring from Govan Mbeki Avenue to the new R25- million premises in Greenacres had given something in a big way.

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Electric bike, a new revolution

Transportation has always been an important part of the life of human being. Every human being has to travel to different places for different purposes. During the stone-age, man used to travel by foot. Later on he started traveling on the back of camel, horse, donkey, elephant etc. As man gained some knowledge by applying his brain, he attached a cart to be pulled by tamed animals and used to travel with their whole family. Then in 1790, a Frenchmen made the first bicycle from wood which did not have pedals, so had to be pushed with feet. It also did not have handle, so it could only go straight. Still man was not satisfied and he wanted to make traveling more easily, so in 1839, the first bicycle made of metal and with handle and pedals was invented. During 1800 century, the bicycles with movable handle and high wheel in front and a small wheel at the back became popular. Thepedals were attached to the front high wheel.

Man is never satisfied with what he possesses. He always wants to have more and more. He keeps on applying brain to invent something new to get more facility and make life smooth, so he went on making changes in the bicycle up to an extend that to-day the bicycle is made to run with electric as a fuel, which has been given the name of ELECTRIC BIKE. This new mode of transport has now become popular whole over the world. This is basically a bicycle which is a bit heavier than a common bicycle which moves forward by acceleration. The best part is this bike does not require petrol or any other fuel to run just as the other motorbikes do. It runs on a chargeable battery, so if the battery runs down, you can paddle the bike to reach your destination. The other advantage is no RTA registration or licence is required to own and ride this bike, so even your 10-12 year child can also ride this bike if provided proper training. In fact this is the vehicle made for teenagers. The only drawback is you can’t speed-ride this bike. The maximum speed you can ride per hour is 30 kms. But the manufacturers and the dealers advise to ride at the maximum speed of 20 kmph for better result.

You would hardly find a country were the electric bike is not produced. However, you may find a country where the electric bike is not manufactured but you may still find the bikes being sold by the dealers of that country who import such bikes from the manufacturers of other countries. The manufacturers of US are much advance in making electric bikes. You can find numerous dealers for electric bikes across US. If you are interested in buying an electric bicycle, bike or a scooter, then you can visit www.bernsonev.com and know more about electric vehicles. Here you can find a wide range of electric bicycles and scooters manufactured by reputed companies like Currie Technology (IZIP Electric Bikes and Scooters, Mongoose Electric Scooters.), Giant Suede E Electric Bikes HCF Electric Scooters.

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