Awesome Automotive Accessories!
June 30, 2007
Awesome Automotive Accessories!
by: Matthew C. Keegan
When you purchase a vehicle chances are you want to outfit it the way you want it to look, no matter how many options or accessories may have come with it. There is just something about a car that begs for a personal touch beyond what a factory, dealership, or previous owner can give to you. Companies specializing in automotive accessories know this and have you in mind when it comes to designing and developing products they think that you will like. Let’s take a look at some proven products that have been popularized by the accessories crowd.
Car Covers — More and more car owners are opting to purchase a car cover to protect their investment. Even owners who regularly garage their vehicles know that investing in a car cover can go along way toward protecting a vehicle’s finish beyond what a top notch wax can do. Dust, dirt, debris, and falling objects can harm a garaged vehicle while bird poop, rain, snow, ice, pollution, tree sap, and the sun can mar the finish of a car left outside. One company, Covercraft, has designed over 600 car covers ranging from one layer basic covers to four layered covers offering top protection and fitted with side mirror pockets.
Sirius S50: Combine Your Favorite Satellite Radio Programs with Your Favorite MP3s
June 29, 2007
Sirius S50: Combine Your Favorite Satellite Radio Programs with Your Favorite MP3s
by: Dwayne Wright
Have you ever wanted to combine the benefits of commercial free satellite radio along with listening to your favorite MP3s, all while driving in your car? If so, Sirius Satellite Radio may offer the product that you’ve been looking for. While car receivers that allow you to listen to satellite radio and your favorite MP3 music have existed for some time now, a recent product released by Sirius Satellite Radio takes the satellite radio/MP3 combination to the next level. The Sirius S50 is a satellite radio/MP3 player that you can listen to while you’re either riding in your car or sitting in the comfort of your home or office. The Sirius S50 comes with a car dock that connects the main unit to your vehicle. While the unit is connected to the car dock, you are able to listen to live Sirius Satellite Radio programming as well as any MP3s that you have stored on the 1GB flash memory unit. You can also pause and rewind the live satellite broadcasts as well as record up to 50 hours of your favorite Sirius Satellite Radio programming.
Asian Cars: Auto Manufacturers to Watch
June 29, 2007
Asian Cars: Auto Manufacturers to Watch
by: Matthew C. Keegan
The Asian automobile manufacturing market is much broader than many American consumers understand it to be. Beyond Honda, Hyundai, Toyota, and other household names there are quite a few automakers that are growing in size and respectability in their own markets. Two of these companies have already committed to selling their models in the U.S., but there are three others worth knowing about and watching.
Starting in 2007, two Chinese automobile manufacturers will be exporting cars to the U.S. and Canada. Geely Automobile Company and the Chery Automobile Company are part of the first wave of new Asian automakers preparing to serve the U.S. market. I won’t go into more detail about these two manufacturers, so please read a related article I wrote titled, “Chinese Cars: Redefining the Market,” to learn more about them.
Proton — Proton Holdings, the parent corporation of Proton Motors, is the largest manufacturer of vehicles in Malaysia. Volkswagen and Proton signed a strategic partnership agreement in October 2004 whereby Volkswagen cars would be built on Proton assembly lines beginning in 2006. Apart from the VW venture, Proton has a line of models of its own consisting primarily of subcompact and compact sized vehicles. Proton cars are currently exported to Australia and the company is eyeing the U.S. market perhaps as early as 2010. In addition to its VW relationship, Japanese automaker Mitsubishi owns nearly a 16% share in Proton.
Flood Damage Cars Are Still Around
June 28, 2007
Flood Damage Cars Are Still Around
by: Jerry Christopher
While the news reports concerning hurricanes, flood damages and the travesty that was put upon the unfortunate victims have slowed down, the dangers and hazards are still present.
With reports varying upwards of 600,000 vehicles damaged by floodwaters, these cars and trucks will most certainly, and already have, surfaced across the country, waiting on their next victim.
It’s easy to let your guard down with out much media publicity, but used car buyers should be aware that these vehicles are still out in the market, perhaps cross country in states that are not affected by the floods.
A couple of common issues that have surfaced, that you should be aware of, is sellers attempting to hide the origin of where these cars came from. By registering the vehicle in different states, it creates a paper trail that can be difficult to trace unless you spend the time for researching.
Another common issue is sellers changing license plate frames or adding an emblem from another state. This of course is designed to hide or deceive the potential buyer of what state the car came from.
Energy Department Kicks in $119 Million for Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle Research
June 27, 2007
Energy Department Kicks in $119 Million for Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle Research
by: Rick Chapo
President Bush has indicated it is imperative to kick America’s oil habit. In conjunction with this goal, the Department of Energy has just announced a $119 million dollar research initiative.
Money for Research and Development
Obviously, automobiles are the basis of America’s oil addiction. Everyone seems to have at least one car if not more. To attack this problem, the current administration is putting a lot of emphasis on hydrogen fuel cell research for vehicles.
Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are extremely environmentally friendly. They work by converting hydrogen and oxygen into electricity through a chemical process. This process is particularly attractive because it produces no pollutants, is nearly twice as efficient as combustible gas engines and relies on extremely plentiful resources that are not located in foreign lands. There are, however, a few drawbacks to hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.
Hydrogen powered cars are much more expensive than traditional gas powered vehicles. The technology is simply not advanced enough to make production cost effective. The vehicles themselves are also not particularly efficient at this point in time from both a performance and range perspective. The answer to these problems, of course, is research and development.
Ford: Restoring Prestige and Honor
June 26, 2007
Ford: Restoring Prestige and Honor
by: Matthew C. Keegan
The Ford Motor Company, along with rival General Motors, has been going through a time of severe testing due to concerns about product quality and relevancy, profits, and long term viability. The net result is that Ford is planning on closing numerous plants and will lay off as many as 30,000 employees, a historic cutback that may only be the tip of the iceberg. Is Ford finished or will the company be able to regain strength and compete successfully in the years ahead?
Ford has certainly taken its lumps and for good reason. Profits in the North American market are nonexistent with losses actually in the multibillion dollar range. Despite the red ink, all is not lost for the “blue oval” as the company remains very profitable overseas. In addition, its three U.S. divisions have much to offer if some serious changes are incorporated. Here are my suggestions for change:
Glamour Cars
June 25, 2007
Glamour Cars
by: Graeme Notega
Long and sleek! With Elvis as the hero of the day during the 1950s, whatever he drove become the car of the day. And Elvis loved the glamour that shiny new tail-fins exhibited. His fans loved them, too, which led to over thirty heart-stopping models being designed during the 1950s. No one cared back then whether cars were gas-guzzlers or whether the paint job would last, or whether the shiny chrome that protruded out the back begged to have dents inserted within the first few weeks.
The appeal of cars during the 1950s was more than just Elvis. It was prestige and glamour for even the average working person. The feeling of luxury seeped into one’s feelings and emotions, and romance bloomed with respect while riding in these elegant vehicles.
The Chrysler Town & Country Newport coupe which came out in 1950 didn’t have fins (they started creeping into the design around 1952). Yet it wasn’t the typical car of the 1940s. Almost a dinosaur compared to today’s styles, the Newport featured distinctive, external wood framing (referred to as being a ‘Woodie’) and strongly appealed to the hunter and sportsmen.
All Around Freestyling
June 24, 2007
All Around Freestyling
by: Chuck Smith
It is versatile. It is safe. It is powerful. It is confident. It is smooth. It is thoughtful. It is the new Ford Freestyle.
The new Ford Freestyle has set out new standards. It becomes the epitome of what a car should be. It has achieved dramatic levels in showing and providing comfort, versatility, and safety, and yet the Ford Freestyle is totally functional. It not only could transport passengers but it could also take in cargo as well. This vehicle has been made available to take in a maximum seven adults in its interior. For safety, it has the exclusive three-row Safety Canopy™ side curtain air bag system.
This car is actually one of the five new vehicles and crossover products that will pave the way for the Ford Motor Company’s vision on providing the automobile world with new vehicles. Included in the five new vehicles is the Ford Five Hundred. The Ford Freestyle also gives the Ford Motor Company another feather in its cap because of its capacity to work well with new parts and power systems. This vehicle actually has advanced transmission because of the continuously variable transmission, or also known as the CVT. This CVT is very much responsible for the Ford Freestyle’s smooth shifting, unmatched performance, and fuel economy.
Online Car Auctions Can Take You for a Ride
June 24, 2007
Online Car Auctions Can Take You for a Ride
by: Charles Essmeier
The Internet has provided the public with a useful and convenient tool that makes it easier to do all manner of things than it used to be. One of these things, oddly enough, is the sale of motor vehicles. It seems strange that cars would sell well on the Web, as one would think that buyers would want to “kick the tires” before making a purchase. The success of eBay Motors, AutoTrader and other online sites devoted to the sale of motor vehicles would suggest otherwise, as business at those sites is thriving.
Consumers who wish to purchase a vehicle online should be aware of a popular scam perpetrated by crooks who wish to steal your money - the wire transfer scam. The seller offers a vehicle for sale that he or she doesn’t really have; they often just post a stock photo or one they found somewhere. The sellers often indicate that they are located in Europe, and they insist on a wire transfer, such as Western Union, for payment. Once the buyer sends the money, the seller vanishes, never to be heard from again.
Motorcycle Road Trips In North Florida: Jax Beach To Fernandina
June 23, 2007
Motorcycle Road Trips In North Florida: Jax Beach To Fernandina
by: Michael Talbert
With bike week just around the corner, bikers from all over the country are pulling their motorcycles out of winter storage and cleaning up their leathers in anticipation of a motorcycle rally like no other. While Daytona is definitely the place to be the week of March 5th, Florida offers some great stretches of road through pristine landscapes to some great biker destinations.
About an hour and a half north of Daytona on A1A lies the bustling beach community of Jacksonville Beach, which is where we will meet for the start of our road trip- because, well, that’s where I’m from! On any given day you’ll find bikes and bikers parked and hanging out at the Jax Beach Pier parking lot. Just across the street is the famed biker bar Mango’s, a great place for bikers to meet, have some good home cooking and shoot some pool. Summer weekends will generally find some heavy metal band performing outside on the covered deck. So put on your best leather motorcycle jacket and come on out to Mango’s to start our first north Florida road trip.
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