2008 Chevrolet Malibu Review

Early reviews of the Malibu have been mostly positive, and the general consensus is that it deserves a place on consumers’ shopping lists. Doug Schuster, J.D. Power and Associates’ executive director of global forecasting, predicts success for the Malibu but also believes the midsize leaders will retain their positions.

This car has a small place in my heart as an old friend used to obsess over this car when he was in high school. A 1975 Malibu sat in his garage and he took it out about 3 times a year. Just a kid at the time and he thought it was the coolest thing on Earth. We took it out with its top down to the beach to pick up hotties and had a blast. HE sold it and put a down payment on some condos for sale several years back and runs a great rental business now.

AutoNews.com writes a story called: 2008 Chevy Malibu: Should Honda, Toyota and Nissan Be Afraid? to give you an idea of how much people love the car so far.

No More Borat

Ali G is done. So is Borat. Sacha Baron Cohen , who rose to fame playing comic -- and sometimes ridiculous -- characters, has decided to retire two of the personalities that made him a star.

In an interview with the Telegraph as himself, the English actor says he will no longer play either Ali G or Borat who was about as interesting as a pocket watch in his movie in my opinion.

"When I was being Ali G and Borat I was in character sometimes 14 hours a day and I came to love them, so admitting I am never going to play them again is quite a sad thing," he admits.

2008 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara Raffle at Michigan International Auto Show

One of the hottest sports utility vehicles on the market, the 2008 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara 4x4, is going to be raffled off at the Michigan International Auto Show, Sunday, February 3rd. For just $50 anyone can be entered into the drawing to win this hot vehicle. So kids. Save some of your Christmas money and you may be able to win one of the coolest new vehicles on the market. While your parents are shopping for new air purifiers you can be gawking at the hottest cars and maybe win a great new one.

"We have already had huge interest from people wanting to win this vehicle," says Diana Yope, who manages human resources, special events and quality
control for Van Andel Flikkema Chrysler Jeep. "This specific Jeep is drawing
major attention for its sporty look, expanded interior room and all of its
added technology features. We don't anticipate having any of the 1000
tickets left by the time we draw our winner on February 3."

The "Rescue Green Metallic" Sahara features a 3.8L v6 engine, with automatic
transmission and remote start system. It also features a Freedom Top 3-piece
black hard top as well as a soft top, trailer tow and MyGIG Multimedia
Infotainment with Navigation. The Jeep's MSRP is $32,240.

"It's the most refined and practical Wrangler ever." - Edmunds.com

".the new Jeep Wrangler can be rightly regarded as bone-fide off-roaders."
Motortrend.com

"Jeep has improved its iconic Wrangler in every way, with no loss of
character." - TheAutoChannel.com

Holiday Hotel Reservations

It is time to jump into your car and get on the road for the holidays. Unfortunately i didn't have the opportunity to get this up early enough for you to take advantage of the great offers this Hotel Reservations site has before the holidays, but it is something you are going to want to bookmark for future use. You can still take a look to see if they can find you something last minute for sure though if you are in desperate need.

It has a few easy ways to get the info you need right away. Either online, or by phone you can get the best prices available currently for worldwide destinations. You can save up to 70% right now, and they have a $100 rebate offer right on the site as well. Vacation rentals, cars, flights, and most importantly Hotel Reservations for your convenience.

2008 Subaru Legacy Review

Not one of the fancier models, but a winner in the mid-sized sedan ring. If you don't need toe most expensive thing on the market this is a pretty darn good car. Nice trunk for my computer rental business as well.

For 2008, Subaru has given its Legacy a subtle face-lift, evident from changes to the Legacy's grille and lighting systems fore and aft. The company also added a new trim level this year, the 3.0 R Limited, that features a 245-horsepower flat-6 coupled to a rev-matching, paddle-shifted automatic gearbox. There are also revisions on the inside with new seat fabrics and an updated instrument panel. Full review

Audi R8 is "SportsCar 2007"

Only pure-bred sports cars are crowned “SportsCar” of the year by a panel of experts in the Autobild SportsCars monthly magazine. Following its victory in the March 2007 issue, the Audi R8 has now been awarded top place overall, and has thus secured the title of “SportsCar 2007”, one of the German car industry’s most sought-after awards.

If you go to this Audi R8 link you can see the video about the car. This car is amazing. Saw a couple at my Las Vegas hotel when I was there earlier this year and wanted one bad. There are 2 more videos for the car as well after the one auto-plays once you get there.

Ethanol Craze Cools as Doubts Multiply

The AIADA newsletter reported that a little over a year ago, ethanol backers were promising greater U.S. energy independence and fewer greenhouse gases.

Today, critics of ethanol blame it for pushing up food prices, question its environmental bona fides, and dispute how much it really helps reduce the need for oil.

So which of them can look into their bathroom vanities and feel like they are telling everyone the truth?

A study coauthored by Nobel-prize-winning chemist Paul Crutzen said corn ethanol might exacerbate climate change as the added fertilizer used to grow corn raised emissions of nitrous oxide. In additions, the Agriculture Department projects that by 2010, less than 8% of the U.S. gasoline supply will come from corn-based ethanol - and 30% of the corn crop will be used to make it. more

2007 Dodge Sprinter Review

While you think about getting some christmas decorating tips, why not look for some things that will help decorate your driveway, or tips on how NOT to decorate it?

I'm not sure if anyone finds this vehicle nice to look at, but the Dodge Sprinter may be a very useful vehicle for the holiday travel season. A vehicle that is used as a delivery van, work truck, airport shuttle, hauler of anything, and in this case, a nice bus for holiday travel. Take a look at this Sprinter Review to show the use for such a vehicle as a travel caravan instead of just something to haul things. It is a story about some Michigan State University students taking a trip and using the van.

2007 LA Auto Show

Got quite a bit of coverage on this with some 2007 LA Auto Show video from some of our friends at the AutoChannel. Being the travelpro that I am I wasn't able to get to this particular show, but I did catch a really crappy "auto" show in town here and got to see a bunch of the worst cars ever made. It was rather funny actually in that all the cars there were basically donations to junk yards for that customary $50 payoff you get when you just hand them over your title to a car that is dead.

Anyways, the LA Auto Show features the Mercedes-Benz Celebrates AMG 40th Anniversary, and they also unveil Unveils C63 which you can see in the video above.

2007 LA Auto Show: Lincoln Unveils its New Flagship Vehicle MKS

Continuing coverage of the LA Auto Show. There are tons of great videos out there including this Lincoln MKS Unveiling Video.

This bad boy is quite the luxury vehicle that you will want to keep your exterior lighting on at all times and just stare at it in your driveway. Probably don't even want to put it in your garage so you can stare at it :).

"Lincoln has reestablished itself as a quality and design leader with award-winning products like the Lincoln MKZ, MKX and Navigator," said Mark Fields, Ford Motor Company's president of The Americas. “With the Lincoln MKS, we are raising the bar even higher with unparalleled amenities and performance, and a price that should be irresistible to luxury customers.”

Chrysler Town Country and Dodge Grand Caravan Earn Popular Science Magazine's 'Best of What's New' Award for 2008

Although they don't have a fancy car spoiler on them they have been named the best of "What's New" for 2008.

"For 20 years, Popular Science's Best of What's New awards have honored the innovations that make a positive impact on life today and change our views of the future," said Mark Jannot, Editor and Chief -Popular Science Magazine. "PopSci's editors evaluate thousands of products each year to develop this thoughtful list. There's no higher accolade Popular Science can give," said Jannot.

Chrysler continues to impress the masses, including the editors at Popular Science Magazine, who have chosen the Chrysler Town Country and the Dodge Grand Caravan as the "Best of What's New" for 2008 award recipients. more

Get Competing Car Quotes for Better deals

I was screwing around looking for aHonda Car Quote and came a crossed that site there in which you can throw out what you are looking for and they will give you quotes from those competing to get your business. You register for the site for free and then start looking for what you need. It helps you compare quotes at wholesale prices and on top of that allows you to get competing offers. So you don't just have to drive around to a few dealers and let them know what kind of offers you are getting. This place allows you to tell them what you are looking for and then have dealers compete for your business by giving you direct offers.

2008 Volvo XC70 Road Test

Interesting way to promote a vehicle I must say. Can't seem to think of seeing a story written this way as a sort of quasi-review for a car before. I've seen stories liek this for things like wedding shirts, or bride dresses, but nothing for a car. Maybe we should all write reviews like this from now on.

I'm on a forest service road in the mountains of northern Montana, just outside of Glacier National Park and only a few miles from Canada. I really don't need the ice-alert light in the instrument cluster to tell me that it might be cold enough for slippery, icy conditions. I can feel the cold through the window glass if I touch my hand to the side window, and I can see the white stuff coming down. It's sticking, too - just a light covering, but still a little unusual for mid-September. full story

Better Garage Flooring

One of the worst things about most garages is that they are made of untreated cement, and have ugly stains all over them from leaks of any fluid that leaks out of your car. They become difficult to clean, and the floor just looks terrible. Finding better garage flooring options is something I decided to look for today and see some very nice ones in the link I have provided. Take a look a the professional grade epoxy images at the bottom of this page to see how much better a garage can look. It also is easy to see that it is much easier to clean such floors.

2008 Volkswagen GLI Review

VWs are always a great car. This one is is joked as being called "Arrest Me Yellow", like the Porsche used to be called for being red.

A hilarious sitcom comes to mind as I think about this week’s ride, the hot-shot sports sedan from VW called Jetta GLI Fahrenheit. It’s been about a dozen years since the show was on the air but one classic line jumps out at me. The star, a cute, bubbly, vivacious little blonde, in bed with her young man (marital status eludes me), is telling him about something important that happened at her job that day. He appears distracted by whatever is on TV, probably sports if the stereotype holds. In frustration she throws one leg over his, turns right into his face and demands, “Pay attention to me!” full review

2008 Cadillac Escalade on Sale in China for $149K

Whoa Nellie. Get out your headache treatment program and figure out how you would be able to pay for this. Better yet, figure out how you would be able to stomach it when your wife told you she just bought it...lol

Shanghai General Motors (Shanghai GM) announced today that it will start to sell 2008 Cadillac Escalade at dealerships in China starting today. The vehicle will be priced at about 1.12 million yuan ($149,843).

Since the second generation Cadillac Escalade went on sale in the Chinese market last July, some 350 vehicles have been sold and new orders have been increasing continuously, Shanghai GM said. more

2008 Lexus ES 350 Review

I love me a Lexus. Don't know why, but I always have. Just love the cars. Even carry around these silly
promotional pens the guy at the dealership gave me in my glove box last time I was there. Well i don't carry them because I like the cars so much as I need a pen in my car and I happen to have that one in there ;).

In spite of all the ads you see showing premium-badged sedans blazing down a deserted twisty road, not everyone in the upper-income brackets is a race driver wannabe looking to double his heart rate every time he gets behind the wheel. To the contrary, there are plenty of people who prefer something different when they're in the car -- a more soothing experience when dealing with traffic-clogged commutes, nerve-frazzling construction zones and fussy kids on the way to school. For this silent majority, there's the 2008 Lexus ES 350. full review

2008 Volvo C30 Review

Sitting back in my
recliner and looking at some of the latest reviews for automobiles out there I saw this silly little car and decided to see what people thought about it. Not sure what I make of it. I don't especially like the look of cars like this, but I guess it must have a market. Volvo's are after all built like trucks. Just not sure THIS is the Volvo I'd be interested in.

Think "Volvo" and what comes to mind? "Safety"? Check. "Swedish luxury"? Check. "Expensive"? Likely, at least if you consider around $30,000 for the entry-level models and more like high 30s and up for most models to be expensive. "High-performance, low-cost premium hatchback"? Um, Swedish humor, right?full review

2008 Jaguar X-Type Review

I suppose as Jaguars go this one is on the lower end of the price scale, but still a sexy car either way. One that will surely play well with your nutritional supplements and healthy lifestyle.

The Jaguar X-Type has always seemed like a television spin-off of a popular film. And not in a good, "M*A*S*H" sort of way. Rather, more along the lines of "My Big Fat Greek Life" or "RoboCop: The Series." All the things that made the big-budget versions a success leave something to be desired in a smaller, less expensive medium, especially when it comes to production values. Although the 2008 X-Type tries its best to act the part of a baby Jaguar XJ, it ultimately feels like a lesser car half-heartedly tarted up with wood, chrome and leaping-cat hood ornament. full review

Reviewing Vehicles Online Before the Test-Drive

It always makes a lot of sense to do a bit of market research when you are looking to purchase a new vehicle. I try to give quite a few reviews here with links to places that provide several for the same vehicle. Why waste your time test driving everything under the sun, when you can read a few reviews first and narrow down your search quite a bit? I know driving around new cars is fun, but seeing what an array of experts say first can save you a lot of time that you may not have. So hopefully, I can get as many reviews here as possible on all sorts of vehicle so that you can get a better idea of where to start.

2007 Ford 500 Review

After giving you a review of the gigantic Yukon XL, I decided it was time to give you something that is more of the luxury sedan image. Like buying
discount furniture you have to check out some of the more economical cars if you don't have the scratch to put into Gigantor, the Yukon. This car isn't exactly cheap, but compared to the Yukon it is a bargain price.

A full-size car for the modern era, the 2007 Ford Five Hundred is designed both for traditional large-sedan buyers and for families seeking a less expensive alternative to SUV ownership. Introduced for the 2005 model year, the Five Hundred succeeds on many fronts. It offers an expansive cabin, and with more than 40 inches of legroom in both the front and rear, there's ample room for four or five adults. There's plenty of room for their luggage as well, as trunk space measures 21 cubic feet, which is equal to what Ford's Crown Victoria offers. full review

2008 GMC Yukon XL Review

Been doing a bit of the review thing the last few days since so many are coming out lately I guess. This is the time of year when you get to see all the new models being showcased so I figured I would try and get some of the better reviews up and let people see what is happening in the world of automobiles in the upcoming year. This is one of those vehicles that are great for tailgating when you have your
Giants tickets for the NFL season. Pack this bad boy full of stuff and just get ready to party.

The real Yukon is a pretty XL place. It's bigger than California, has a much larger population of moose than people and was founded...(to read the complete review click Here.)

Go Silver

The concept of investing in precious metals is not a new one. It has long been thought that precious metals are the only true investment and that the tangible good itself is one of the least risky of all. For over 30 years, the Monex companies have been America’s silver and precious metals investment leader. Monex Deposit Company can purchase silver or other precious metals for immediate personal delivery or arrange for convenient and safe storage at an independent bank or depository.

Investments in silver are at a point where there is more demand that there is supply. This means that the value of it is going to increase in almost every case. Demand for silver has exceeded production every year since 1990, and continues to follow this trend. If there were ever a time to invest in this precious metal it would be now.

2008 Ford Fusion

Felt like putting up a review of this car because I have a friend who wants to take a look at one this year. They are either going to splurge on a new car, or some home theater chairs, but they may as well get a bit of info on both for now from people that have had a chance to take a look at one already.

Ford's midsize family cars have typically been comfortable and safe, although not up to the class leaders in terms of performance and refinement. A few years ago, the company brought the Fusion to market, intent on improving its competitiveness in the segment. Based on a larger version of the Mazda 6 platform, the Fusion combined the 6's athleticism with more passenger room than its Japanese cousin. full review

2008 Chevy Corvette Review

Alright...let's get back to the fancy cars. When you roll into a concert with your Hannah Montana tickets you want to look good. This is one of those cars that will make you look like a celebrity when you go to watch one.

With performance that rivals $200,000 exotics, the current-generation Chevrolet Corvette is -- at one-fourth to one-third the cost -- the buy of a lifetime for many sports car enthusiasts. In keeping with tradition, there are a variety of Corvettes offered, including the base removable-top coupe, a convertible and the ferocious Z06, a fixed-roof coupe that boasts a track-ready suspension and 7.0-liter V8 that thumps out a tire-melting 505 horsepower. And the 2008 Chevrolet Corvette only gets better thanks to more power, additional refinement and more standard features. full review

2008 Mazda CX-7 Video Review

Unless you have a rugged notebook you won't be able to read this on in your hot tubs because it is a video review!

This week’s road test involves a good long road trip with a 2008 Mazda CX-7 crossover sport-utility (CUV) on a Colonial American history tour of the Williamsburg, Virginia area including Jamestown (celebrating its 400-year history) and Yorktown. These three locations make an historic triangle where a scholar could literally make a career, or where parents have a chance to pique the curiosity of their youngsters - or bore them to tears, depending on the kid.

We’re anticipating about 12 hours for the freeway drive but we’ll stop in Washington DC (at about 10 hours) for the night so we can spend the day doing a few things in the nation’s capitol. The first leg of the drive was an easy jaunt through Cleveland and Breezewood. The CX-7 is a good freeway cruiser, with enough power to keep up easily with brisk traffic in spite of having just four cylinders. Cops everywhere convinced us to set the cruise control with the handy steering wheel-mounted buttons. The Mazda held its speed precisely even up and down the steep hills. See video review

2007 BMW M6

Seeing all these reviews for these high priced cars makes me want to get into some sort of
addiction treatment program. Feels like I am addicted to these things. The 2007 BMW M6 is no different. This car is awesome and I think I may buy a couple just for fun. Yeah...I need addiction treatment.

Most BMWs have a businesslike demeanor. Like a high-powered corporate executive, they're excruciatingly quick-witted, measured in their movements and speech, and somehow always at the top of their game when competitors come knocking. However, the 2007 BMW M6 takes that archetypal Bimmer personality and twists it into a demented hooliganism. It's not just that it's the quickest car in the BMW lineup or that this coupe and convertible duo will keep pace with all sorts of Italian exotica. It's the suffocating clouds of tire smoke the V10-powered M6 leaves in its midst as driver and passenger bask in its top-grade leather interior. At the $100K mark, few cars approach this level of decadence. full review

Garage Storage Solutions

The garage is where the man goes when he wants to be around his own stuff. At least that's where I go when I want to be alone with my tools. Problem is that I have so many tools that I don't have enough space out there to play with them all. Not to mention the random household items that have no business being out there in the first place. I like to have some good storage solutions out there to keep the stuff I don't want getting in my way in. Get the can goods out of my workspace please. Yeah...I have cans of nails and screws around too, but I may as well just sort that stuff into a nice storage device I suppose. The CarGutGarage.com is exactly the place that has those storage solutions we need.

Manheim and AutoTrader Publishing Host First-ever "Green" Vehicle Sale

After putting on those maternity clothes and thinking about the life your child will have when they come into the world, know that the "Green Vehicle" coalition is working to make that a better world.

Manheim and AutoTrader Publishing will co-host the first-of-its-kind "green" vehicle sale on October 10 at Manheim Seattle (previously called South Seattle Auto Auction). The sale is designed to give dealers direct access to fuel-efficient vehicles to help meet the rising demand by their customers for more eco-friendly vehicles.

Fuel-efficient vehicles that get better than 30 mpg, including hybrids, will be offered for sale at the 10-lane facility located in Kent, Washington. "We're seeing a greater demand for fuel-efficient vehicles from our dealers than ever before. This sale gives our customers convenient access to the inventory they need to address changing remarketing trends," said Julie Picard, general manager at Manheim Seattle. more

2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe Review

Check this bad boy out. This is one of those you can start to think about once you are no longer buying baby clothes and spending all your money on your kids.

Check out the review and an excellent slideshow here:

Sink your right foot to the wood in a new Dodge Viper and — Hello, hyperdrive. Pulling hard in 1st is all about maintaining restraint. Too much gusto and the rear tires lose bite, but get it right and this Snake-Skin Green Viper will distort long-to-short like a carnival mirror. Straight sections of pavement are devoured in voracious gulps and belching exhaust rips. At full lunge, this 600-horsepower monster pummels the senses with thrust and a cacophony of exhaust blat that deafens passengers and onlookers alike. The Viper is all-consuming, compelling and corrupting — look out, Z06. Full review

Buh-Bye DaimlerChrysler; Extraordinary Shareholders' Meeting to Decide on Renaming as Daimler AG

Taking time out from their real estate hunting, Daimler Chyrsler shareholders held a meeting that will change the name of the company. The Board of Management and the Supervisory Board of DaimlerChrysler AG will today recommend to the Extraordinary Shareholders' Meeting that the name of the Group be changed to Daimler AG following the disposal of 80.1% of its stake in Chrysler Holding LLC.

According to the text of his speech, Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of DaimlerChrysler AG and Head of Mercedes Car Group, will explain to the approximately 6,000 shareholders the rationale behind the decision to rename the company. According to Zetsche, a clear distinction should be made between the corporate brand Daimler and the Group's various product brands. Wherever the focus is on the Group as a whole, the company wants to present itself consistently as Daimler, for example in its dealings with political decision-makers and the general public, in the financial markets, in its relations with the business media, and as an employer. The company also aims to present itself as Daimler in all areas where several brands are involved, thus providing an umbrella designation for all of the individual product brands. full story

Frankfurt 2007: Nissan Intros its Cute Sporty MIXIM Concept - VIDEO FEATURE

Get out your Canon Powershot and take some pics of some interesting automobiles.

Nissan is featuring a new concept car, along with a number of redesigns for 2008, at the 62nd International Motor Show in Frankfurt, Germany. Central seating and running on electricity are two features of Nissan’s Mixim. Drivers of the vehicle sit centrally, with passenger seats on either side, and use a steering wheel and controls similar to those found on computer games. Using regenerative braking, the vehicle remains charged while driving and when stationary, the Li-ion battery can completely recharge in 20 to 40 minutes.

Video

Harley-Davidson Museum Reveals Plans for Unique Special Event Spaces

Kind of hard not to be a Harley fan. Looking at the history of the bikes is one of the more interesting things that has to do with automobiles. Certainly as much fun as looking into Arizona luxury real estate.

The Harley-Davidson Museum(TM), scheduled to open in summer 2008, has rolled out the details of its unique special event capabilities. With a combination of customizable indoor and outdoor spaces located near downtown Milwaukee, the Harley-Davidson Museum can accommodate an intimate gathering of 20 to freewheeling festivities for 15,000.

The backdrop of the industrial steel, glass and brick Harley-Davidson Museum buildings, combined with motorcycles and exhibits, create a one-of-a-kind venue for events that guests will remember for years to come. Indoor event spaces are equipped for as few as 20 people and as many as 1,050. With its clean and simple room interiors, the Harley-Davidson Museum is geared up to host a corporate meeting, wedding or other social gathering. All of the indoor meeting spaces are equipped with state-of-the-art audio/visual capabilities and feature floor-to-ceiling views of the Milwaukee skyline and Menomonee River. full story

Birdies to Help Alabama Students Fly Right

Don't know if the people that came up with this just got out of drug rehabs or not, but it is an odd story.

Now there’s even more motivation for players to hit great shots during the inaugural Navistar LPGA Classic. Each birdie made won’t just have an impact on the score, it will also have an impact on local students. The Navistar Foundation announced today that it will donate $15 for every birdie made during the four-day tournament (up to $25,000) to the Huntsville Center for Technology, part of the Huntsville City Schools. more.

Car Maintenance Tips as the Temperature Dips

Leike the microwave ovens style heat many automobiles face during the summer months there is a big change in how you need to keep your car in top shape during the winter months.

As the weather cools off and the leaves begin to fall, take some steps to prepare your vehicle for the cold months ahead,” says Mark Salem, talk show host of Under the Hood, a car-care show on KTAR 92.3 FM in Phoenix. Mark is also an ASE Certified Master Technician and the owner of Salem Boys Auto, an auto-repair facility in Tempe, Arizona. “A little preventative maintenance can go a long way.” source

Brits Refuse to Live Without Their Wheels on International Car Free Day on 22nd September

88% of the UK Unaware of Global Initiative

ibuyeco, the eco-friendly UK car insurance company, can reveal that the huge green movement is not affecting our love of the car. In fact, 35% of UK residents believe their car usage will actually increase in the future along with the use of the handy safety utility knife. Only 12% of people questioned were aware of International Car Free Day on 22nd September and when made aware of this global initiative, 72% of respondents stated that they would not consider taking part.

The survey from ibuyeco also reveals that 22% of the population believe that Britain is doing more than its fair share to combat carbon emissions, compared to other countries. It's not all bad news for the environment though as 79% of us feel we've personally become more 'green' in the past year.

'Work' topped the bill as the main reason most felt it impossible to give up their vehicles, however 'shopping' came in a close second, followed by 'visiting family'. Three quarters of those who took part in the survey stated that public transport was not a viable alternative to using the car, predominantly blaming time implications, delays, cost and lack of convenience. more...

2008 Rolls-Royce Drophead Coupe Convertible Review - VIDEO ENHANCED

After packing up their golf clubs for a trip to San Diego some reviewers actually got a chance to drive this new piece of luxury machinery.

It’s not too often – if ever -- one gets to enjoy the lifestyle of a celebrity, trust fund baby or hedge fund manager … ah, but when you do it is so exhilarating! Along with a select group of automotive writers, journalists, editors and photographers I had the unique experience of being one of the first to drive the new Rolls-Royce Drophead Coupé recently in San Diego. See video

2007 Frankfurt Motor Show: Chrysler and Dodge Put More Muscle into European Expansion

Under the giant light fixtures of the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show Chrysler and Dodge show off some muscle.

As last week's press conference at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show illustrated, the New Chrysler is putting more muscle behind its expansion in volume markets outside North America with the world and European premieres Dodge, Chrysler and Jeep products.

The all-new Dodge Journey made its global introduction, while the all-new Chrysler Grand Voyager, with an all-new interior and exterior design and more than 30 new or improved features, complemented the European premiere of the restyled Chrysler 300C.

View Video

Car-buying in U.S. Helps Retail Sales Numbers

Though retail sales have been weak due to many factors such as the collapsing housing markets, and people just plain not having any dough to spend, the car sales have added to the overall retail sales numbers in the last months. This doesn't mean people are out buying more gund stuffed animals, but it does make a play on the Fed to makes some cahnges in rates to help the economy.

"Consumers have turned more cautious under the weight of the weakening housing market, high gasoline prices and now a fragile job market," said Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody's Economy.com. "The retail sales number is just one more reason for the Fed to lower rates." more

Microsoft and Siemens VDO to Cooperate on the Development of Automotive Infotainment Solutions

Germany, and REDMOND, Wash., Sept. 7 -- Siemens VDO Automotive AG and Microsoft Corp. will join forces to develop in-vehicle communication, information, entertainment and navigation products. This new generation of automotive products will be designed to meet the industry's growing demand for innovative, flexible and affordable solutions. Working together, Siemens VDO and Microsoft will be able to deliver these advanced solutions to market much faster than the typical automotive industry's product development cycle. According to current planning, the first Siemens VDO product based on Microsoft(R) software technology is expected to go into production as early as 2009. This could be the diamond rings of the industry. more...

Floridians Support Red Light Cameras

Imagine a day after work at the old Delta faucets factory and you just sort of creep through a red light to make a right turn in Florida. No More! You are on camera and are going to get a ticket!

Several cities throughout the state of Florida have begun installing red light running photo enforcement safety programs in an effort to increase traffic and pedestrian safety within their community.

And that's just fine with Florida citizens, according to a poll commissioned this summer by Florida's STOP! Red Light Running Coalition, an organization dedicated to making citizens aware of the red light running problem and provide ways to act upon this crisis through legislation, enforcement and education. full story

GM to Use New Engines That Reduce Emissions, Foreign Oil Dependency

More alternative fuel sort of stuff. Also some information about quoizel lighting which is pretty interesting as well.

This article accompanies a video feature for those that aren't that interested in just reading about it.

General Motors (GM) reports it is working to install a type of engine that will improve fuel efficiency by more than 15 percent and contribute to reducing U.S. foreign oil dependency. The homogenous charge compression ignition (HCCI) engine also creates less toxic emissions by burning fuel with a flameless combustion rather than using a spark plug. Today’s vehicles currently use an internal combustion engine, a model that many engineers have been trying to improve for decades without significantly increasing costs. GM officials report they are working on a production model that uses an HCCI engine, however, an exact date of availability has not been specified. for video

Analysis of Alternative Fuel Vehicles in Europe

A nice analysis of more alternative fuel vehicles here. After being at some races the last couple of weeks I need to look into some sort natural skin care products to get my dust plastered skin fixed. Also, it is something nice to read about after watching these cars blowing through fuel like no other. The article is more than just an article, but an in depth analysis on what is going on in Europe. Interesting read none the less.

Garmin Launches New Simple Yet Sophisticated Sat-Nav

Need to find your way to Flamingo Las Vegas? This new satellite navigation system looks like one of the easiest ones to use I have ever seen.

Garmin has today announced the new nüvi 700 series satellite navigation system. With the 700 series Garmin has elegantly combined advanced technology with enhancements to its user interface to ensure an intuitive and easy navigation experience. This is combined with elegant design and an integrated antenna to make it exceptionally compact and stylish. It also comes with traffic warnings to tell you of any congestion ahead and safety camera alerts for mobile as well as fixed cameras read more

Advanced Technology Enables Diesel-Powered Vehicles to 'Clean Up Their Act'

Always an good topic when you see technologies that are working to clean up their environmental impact in some way. Looking over some Century furniture I ran acrossed an article on Diesel technology that will allow diesel vehicles to try and help "clean up their act".

Today's diesel-powered vehicles bear little resemblance to their older siblings. 'Modern' diesels are clean, quiet, low on emissions, high on power and very fuel efficient. No wonder many European and Asian car companies plan to bring more diesel-powered passenger vehicles into the U.S. market.

"Harmful exhaust emissions in modern diesel passenger cars have been reduced by 95 percent and fuel economy increased by 30 percent, with much of this improvement due to the diesel common rail system developed by Bosch," said Al Krenz, director of service for Robert Bosch LLC. full story

Harley-Davidson and York Union Reach Agreement

Harley-Davidson Motor Company reported that motorcycle production will resume with the third shift this evening at the Company's final assembly operations in York, following today's ratification of a new labor agreement by its unionized employees. The new three-year agreement between the Company and International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) Local 175 becomes effective today.

Harley-Davidson employees in York had been on strike since Feb. 2, after rejecting an initial proposed labor agreement Jan. 31. Some may have been checking out some Broward county real estate during the time not working.

IAM Local 175 represents about 2,800 production employees at Harley- Davidson's facility in York, which produces the Company's Touring and Softail motorcycles and is the Company's largest production operation. read more...Broward county real estate

Ford Hybrid Electric Flexible Fuel Vehicles On The Road

Ford has delivered 4 of its demonstration fleet of ethanol-fueled hybrids to the State of Missouri (1) and the Kansas City Power & Light (3) at Ford's Kansas City ( Mo.) Plant, home of the Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner hybrid vehicles. The use of the vehicles will help expand the state's use of alternative energy. Sounds more like a diet patch than a car actually.

"As a leader in both hybrid vehicles and in vehicles capable of operating on ethanol-based fuels, Ford is the ideal company to bring both technologies together for the first time,” said Nancy Gioia, director, Sustainable Mobility Technology, Ford Motor Company. “This innovative research represents one of many projects we have at Ford to address our customers desire for a fuel efficient product that meet all of their functional needs, while working on reducing our nation's dependence on oil imports and helping to address global climate change.” read more

Biodiesel Leader Green Earth Fuels Passes Two Million Gallon Mark

Green Earth Fuels, the nation's newest leader in helping progressive energy companies integrate renewable and environmentally sound biodiesel into existing distillate product offerings, achieved outstanding fuel quality results from its initial production batches at the new Galena Park facility on Houston's Ship Channel.

Get your pulse oximeter ready because you may be short of breath after reading this article about their biodiesel production. read more

Compare 2007 Sedans That Get 30+ MPG Combined City/Highway

Autonews.com has some interesting announcements in this new feature they have breaking down the Sedans with 30+ MPG. Considering the dramatic increase in gas prices over the pas couple of years there are plenty of people I'm sure that would be interested in a reports such as this. Definitely a must read for anyone who wants to conserve more fuel and save a bit of money. I know driving a lot for work really is a pain with gas prices this high. Fix it with goin gto the thing you can control. the vehicle.

Some Car Babes

Been quite a while since I gave you some car babes to look at. So with out further a do let me pull off the tablecloth and get some pics of some hotties on this blog for you to see. Under each pic is a the website where you can find more like the ones I have here, so go a head and visit them for all your car babe needs. I'm just giving you some examples and some good sites to find car hotties for your pleasure. Enjoy...



http://www.modifiedcars.com/babes/



http://www.carshowgirls.net/html/Girls/Cars_and_Babes/







http://www.maxtuning.co.uk/cars/Babes/

Monterey Car Week Charity Auctions

Online auctioneer www.bid123sold.com will sell seven classic automobiles, rare mascots and collectibles from the Marvin Tamarroff and Don Sommer Collections on eBay Motors during Monterey Car Week’s Pebble Beach RetroAuto Auction.

A portion of the proceeds will be donated to benefit the Pebble Beach Company Foundation, the American Concours Foundation and the Packard Motor Car Foundation.

Additionally, four classic vehicles will be sold on eBay Motors to benefit the American Concours Foundation and Children’s Hospital of Seattle. Maybe they will get those new faux wood blinds they need.

Cars on display at Pebble Beach RetroAuto Wed. through Sun. Aug. 15-19 for live bidding:

* 1931 Packard 840 S 8 Dual Cowl Phaeton Offered at NO RESERVE
* 1934 Packard Twelve 7 Passenger Phaeton Offered at NO RESERVE
* 1937 Lincoln K Convertible Sedan by LeBaron
* 1953 Allard K3 Offered at NO RESERVE
* 1953 Buick Skylark Convertible Offered at NO RESERVE
* 1953 Mercedes 300 4 Door Cabriolet
* 1956 Mercedes 300C 4 Door Cabriolet

Cars on display at Concorso Italiano Friday Aug. 17 for live bidding:

* 1963 Jaguar E-Type Coupe
* 1966 Sunbeam Tiger
* 1967 Chevrolet Corvette 427/435 Convertible
* 1989 Lamborghini Countach Anniversary Edition

more info

Local Soldier Heroes to be Honored for Service in Iraq and Afghanistan at Customized Car Show

Not often are our soldiers given the respect they deserve. This time they are getting honored at the "Hot Import Nights" shows feature performances by hip-hop artists alongside tricked-out cars. Soldiers will be honored during all shows and there is even a dedicated car from a soldier to his fallen brothers.

The event takes place today, Saturday, August 11, at 4 p.m. CDT. Recognition activities will take place during the show at 7 p.m. on the Mazda Main Stage. Contact Brandi Schiff at (312) 907-0189 to coordinate specific times and locations for Soldier interviews. Get your tranquility diapers because you better be standing in line to talk to these guys with what they have done for us.

14th Alternative Fuels & Vehicles National Conference and Expo 2008

Like I always say, this stuff interests me a whole lot. Not only because of the impact on the world, but the fascination with technology and science. Anyone that says this kind of stuff isn't important should probably start looking for a Raleigh personal injury lawyer because there are plenty of people that do :).

he Alternative Fuels & Vehicles National Conference + Expo 2008 (AF&V 2008) will be held in Las Vegas, Nevada, from May 11-14, 2008. Details about the national conference, presented by the Alternative Fuel Vehicle Institute (AFVI), are now available on the AFVi website. This is the only event held in North America that attracts 2,000 key experts and end users to accelerate the commercial adoption of alternative fuels, vehicles, and advanced transportation technologies. It will be held at the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino. more

VW China Cuts Prices

Reuters reported that Volkswagen AG cut prices on a flagship model at its Shanghai venture by up to 7 percent, effective on Monday, to help push sales in China's fiercely contested market. This will allow purchasers to save enough to pay for their vacation home rental this year at the very least.

Shanghai Volkswagen, the auto maker's car manufacturing venture with Shanghai Automotive Co., has reduced prices for its Passat Lingyu -- rolled out in November 2005 -- by as much as 16,200 yuan ($2,143), the venture said over the weekend.

Although China's auto market is growing strongly, car makers have been cutting prices, especially on older models, to attract buyers.

In March, the top European auto maker lowered the price of several locally made cars by up to 11 percent, including Santana and Polo models. more

AUTOMOBILE Magazine Names ``25 Greatest Cars of All Time''

“This feature is certain to get people talking at water coolers, kitchens, garages and bars,” said Gavin Conway, editor in chief of AUTOMOBILE.

After assembling “the best brains the magazine has,” Conway said that the final list is “as intriguing as it is eclectic.” He added that rather than looking at numbers and statistics, the editorial team evaluated cars from the perspective of drivability, aesthetics and historical significance. Conway said, “The results are predictable in part, but intriguing in their breadth.” While the Jaguar E-type makes an appearance, so does the 1886 Benz Patent Motorwagen, a car with considerably less renown.

These cars are ones you would love to see racing by on your home theater. The cars break down into 5 segments: Driving Enthusiast Cars, Technologically Innovative Cars, Supercars, racing Cars, and Icons. To see the entire list please visit here for an awesome phot gallery.

Gain an Insight Into the Evolution of the UK Automotive Industry

This is an interesting article on the the evolution of the United Kingdom's auto industry. Ireland Research has added a section to their offering that will show a UK Automotive Sector: Industry Profile. The profile is designed to be a great help to management consultants, analysts, market research organizations and corporate advisors. Pull up your home theater seating chairs and get ready for a bit of a read.

Industry Snapshot

This section gives a holistic overview of the industry. It starts with defining the market and goes on to give historical and current market size figures. It also clearly illustrates the major segments of the market which would be discussed later on in the report.

Industry Analysis

It involves a comprehensive analysis of the industry and its market segments. This section discusses the key developments that have taken place in the industry. It also identifies and analyzes the driving factors and challenges of the industry. A description of the regulatory structure tells us about the major regulatory bodies, laws and government policies. read more

Limo Rentals

When a big event happens many people like to travel in style with the best chaueffer services they can find. That is why they look at getting limo rentals for the big day. Proms, weddings, and even just a party night out so they look like a big shot it is a big deal to roll up in a limo and have the driver open the door for you.

Finding limo rentals isn't always easy. Using a limo services directory is probably the best way to go with the availability of the internet now. Searching through the various companies that offer rentals in your area is much easier to do in this way than trying to look through an outdated phone book. Even then many ares don't seem to even have the correct listings in their yellow pages. Take a look at this directory and find hummer limo rentals that will make you look like a celebrity.

Damn mechanics

So....I'm not one to do my own auto work by any means. I don't have the time so typically I'll take my car in for any sort of work it needs. Today I get to the reception desks to drop my car off after I had charged it all night in hopes I could drive it the 2 whole miles it needed to go to have someone replace my alternator. Most people realize that an alternator takes maybe an hour to to do if you are taking your time. They tell me that my car will be done by noon. Since I got an appointment for when they opened you would just assume that call would come around 10-11 that it was done. So i call at 3 and they say that they won't even get it done TODAY. Last time I ever take my car to this place.

eLearning

eLearning is the concept of taking college courses online rather than having to make that long drive to the university. No matter what program you may be looking to get into there is no question that you can take the class e-learning style.

Capella University, an accredited, online university based in Minneapolis, Minn., has recently introduced a bevy of new programs available to eLearning students. A new Bachelor of Science in Public Safety program, as well as eight new graduate and undergraduate specializations in psychology, education, information technology, business, and criminal justice. Enrollment is now open, with classes beginning summer quarter 2007, but you can still get fall classes at this point since the Summer session is already underway.

Vacation Traveler Tips

Other than making sure you have your muscle milk with you to keep you in sahpe, the Pennsylvania Insurance Department today reminded consumers who are planning vacations to consider if purchasing travel insurance will help to protect their investment and peace of mind.

"Buying travel insurance can protect you from the loss of non-refundable travel costs, including airfare, hotel and tour expenses," said Cindy Fillman, director of Insurance's Office of Consumer Liaison. "With a host of companies offering various types of protections, consumers can avoid costly trip cancellations due to everything from severe weather and illness or personal emergency, to bankruptcy of the travel agency or cruise line." read more

Ford Reports a Net Profit of $750 Million for Second Quarter 2007

Guess it is time for them to take a break at a Virginia bed and breakfast. Ford Motor Company today reported a net profit of 31 cents per share, or $750 million, for the second quarter of 2007. This compares with a net loss of 17 cents per share, or $317 million, in the second quarter of 2006.

It has been quite a while since Ford showed up in positive numbers so this is a bit surprising.

Ford's second-quarter revenue was $44.2 billion, up from $41.9 billion a year ago. The increase primarily reflected currency exchange, mix and net pricing improvements, partially offset by lower volume.

Ford's second-quarter profit from continuing operations, excluding special items, was 13 cents per share, or $258 million, compared with a loss of 6 cents per share, or $118 million, in the same period a year ago.**

Special items - which primarily reflected the sale of Aston Martin and the recognition of previously deferred gains on certain hedges at Jaguar and Land Rover - increased pre-tax results by $443 million in the second quarter. read more

Be Among the First to Drive the Subaru Impreza WRX

Doing a bit of research on my laptop earlier I ran a crossed this article about how you can be one of the first to drive the Suburu Impreza WRX.

Subaru Impreza WRX enthusiasts are expected to turn out in force to be the first to drive the new performance model at a special Consumer Ride and Drive event on Saturday, August 11, 2007 at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, CA from 12 p.m. until 8 p.m.

Full story

BP Correcting Misinterpretation of Facts

A recent article in the Chicago Tribune about a BP Factory in Whiting, Indiana was released that claims that the massive BP oil refinery in Whiting, Ind., is planning to dump significantly more ammonia and industrial sludge into Lake Michigan, running counter to years of efforts to clean up the Great Lakes.

To debunk the reports, BP has went on a campaign to clear their name and make sure that everyone has the real facts of this case. Quite a difficult project I would guess based on the average auto owner's opinion of gas companies.

To be fair and accurate though it is important to make sure that the correct information is out there so that as many people as possible get the right idea.

A few of the main points of fact from the BP website are listed below with the explanations. To find more in depth coverage of this visit the BP Whiting Refinery Fact Sheet.

Only treated water into Lake Michigan:

What is released from our refinery is treated water that is more than 99.9% water - not sludge. All sludge is treated separately, according to state and federal requirements, and never discharged into Lake Michigan.

Well within legal limits

A new water discharge permit allows the refinery's average ammonia discharge to increase, but at levels that will still be less than half of those that federal environmental guidelines could allow.

No harm to people or the environment

We follow state and federal laws, regulations, and guidelines that protect aquatic and human life.

Audi to Launch the Cleanest Diesel In The World

From mid-2008 Audi will be putting the cleanest diesel technology in the world into series production. Now that is something you wouldn't mind having on your personalized pens for the company. The new TDI engines with their ultra-low emission system combine the spontaneous performance and superior pulling power of today’s TDI power units with outstanding fuel consumption figures and incomparably low emissions.

“Audi is a trailblazer when it comes to diesel power. Since 1989, over 4.5 millions cars have rolled off the production line with the highly efficient TDI technology under the bonnet. By equipping the R10 TDI sports prototype with this technology, we have just won the 24 Hours of Le Mans with a diesel-powered car for the second time. The Audi R8 racing cars with TFSI petrol direct injection took victory on five occasions at Le Mans. We have been incorporating the key findings from the world of motorsport directly into series-production development,” emphasises Michael Dick, Board Member for Technical Development at AUDI AG. “By so doing, we are demonstrating how TDI and TFSI represent the ultimate in efficiency, driving pleasure and economy both on the road and on the racetrack.” read more

Quantum to Supply Hydrogen Vehicles to Iceland's SMART-H2 Project

Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide, Inc., today announced that it has been awarded a contract to supply ten hydrogen hybrid Priuses to VistOrka for use in Iceland's SMART-H2 project.

The SMART-H2 (Sustainable Marine and Road Transport -- Hydrogen in Iceland) project is a supported market introduction where participants impose various demands on hydrogen technology in a variety of market applications. VistOrka's role in SMART-H2 includes leading the steering committee for the project, financing its management, subsidizing hydrogen vehicles, and providing support to follow up all parts of the project. The SMART-H2 will be one of the largest hydrogen demonstrations in the world.

The first phase of the SMART-H2 is to introduce hydrogen powered vehicles to potential customers. Wonder if I could get a truck rack put on it. Customers will buy or lease these hydrogen vehicles from VistOrka, who will also provide technical support. The first customers will be energy companies, investment funds, and Hertz car rental service. SMART-H2 will be expanded in the next phase of the project with additional hydrogen vehicles introduced in 2008-2009. read more...

Date a Hardbody

IF you have a hot car you need a hot babe. About the only way you can guarantee that in an online dating forum is to look into fitness dates. These are people that are in good shape and look good at the same time.

Those that are into fitness dating couldn't find a better place to look for a mate who is healthy, and in great shape. The site is free to join and has many features to work with. Search by any type of woman, or man, and find the perfect hard body for your desires. What are you waiting for? Have a look at some hard bodies.

New Amphibian Vehicles Make Debut

So you want a land/sea vehicle? The sports car called Aquada has already been homologated in Europe and is being federalized here. It looks a bit like an older Mazda Miata roadster but wider with three seats across. The transverse engine, transmission and power-take-off are mounted inside the composite body behind the triple seat. The engine and transmission work conventionally when Aquada is on land and the PTO powers the jet pump for propulsion in the water. The transition is fully automatic. Aquada can do 110-mph on land and 32-mph in the water, a record for amphibious vehicles.

So do you want one? Better get your kid some child life insurance now because you never know what kind of crazy things they will be doing in the future and they may as well be insurable to provide for their families when they start to do all this crazy crap.

read more..

Top 10 Movie Cars

There are some spectacular cars in movies. From the Batmobile to the DeLorean in Back to the Future the most amazing cars int he world are on the big screen. Condo Hotels overlooking a scenic Autobon will always show you a spectacular view of machines blazing a crossed the landscape. Below you will find the 10 cars voted as the best movie cars of all time.

No. 10: 2003 Mini Cooper S, "The Italian Job"
2006 rank: 10

Drivetrain: 163-horsepower, supercharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with six-speed manual transmission; front-wheel drive

Notable Features: 200 pounds lighter than stock Cooper S; painted red, white or blue

The Mini Cooper holds the No. 10 spot on the list for the second year in a row likely due to its slender physique, which allows the vehicle to escape captors on congested streets, parks and subway tunnels. Computer-rigged signals aid the getaway, stopping cross traffic at red lights. Larger cars could not have achieved the maneuverability demonstrated by the Mini as it weaves through traffic, drives down stairs and speeds along sidewalks.

No. 9: 1959 Cadillac Ambulance, "Ghostbusters"
2006 rank: 7

Drivetrain: 325-hp, 6.4-liter V-8 with two-speed automatic transmission; rear-wheel drive

Notable Features: Tailfins, flashing lights, sirens, attached ladder

The Ghostbusters wouldn't go far without a sizable vehicle to transport the team and their ghost-capturing gear around New York City. Though it plays a relatively small part in its film, the Ectomobile is the finest medical movie car to date. From its distinctive siren wail to its red tailfins, strobe lights and roof gear, this car is truly unique.

No. 8: 1974 Dodge Monaco, "The Blues Brothers"
2006 rank: 3

Drivetrain: 275-hp, 7.1-liter V-8 with three-speed automatic transmission; rear-wheel drive

Notable Features: Cop motor, cop tires, cop suspension, cop shocks

You usually don't come out ahead when swapping a Caddy for a Dodge -- unless the Dodge has a 440-cubic-inch V-8. The Bluesmobile would be our pick if we had to outrun the better half of Illinois police, not to mention a neo-Nazi outfit and a country-and-western band. The car may fall apart in the end, but it performed well on this "mission from God."

Rest of the list

BMW Launches New 1-series Coupe

The recent release of the BMW 1-series Coupe has been announced and the reviews are out. My realtor buddy has been waiting for it to come out for some time apparenlty and is excited for it to be in his driveway.

BMW will introduce a modern and authentic performance coupe that draws inspiration from its iconic 2002 models of some 40 years ago. The next BMW legend, the 1 Series Coupe, represents the core BMW philosophies of pure performance and premium design. By combining sporty rear-wheel-drive dynamics, agile handling, powerful engines and seating for four, the 1 Series Coupe will reinvent the niche that the legendary BMW 2002 created. read more...

Improve Vehicle PErformance, with out Raising the Pump Costs

New market research has shown that new high performance spark plugs (duh) may be the key to increasing vehicle performance with out compromising fuel efficiency.

"From copper to platinum and iridium - modern spark plugs help motorists get a lot closer to experiencing the highest level of performance and fuel economy their vehicle is capable of producing," said Reid Smith, product manager for spark plugs for Robert Bosch LLC. Bosch is a leading supplier of premium spark plugs to vehicle manufacturers and the aftermarket and a pioneer in the development of spark plug technology.

"Fresh premium spark plugs help extract more energy from the same amount of gas," said Smith.

Two Ethanol Facilities Win Energy Star Awards

Two ethanol facilities in the Midwest are being recognized for reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions equaling the amount of pollution from almost 6,000 cars annually. Still trying to find ways to reduce costs and utilize their budgeting software efficientlly these companies have at least figured out how to decrease their energy use and hope that eventuallly it will be cost-effective enough to work for you and I.

Energy Star awards will be given to these facilities at the 23rd Annual International Fuel Ethanol Workshop and Expo in St. Louis, Mo.

Macon Municipal Utilities reduced their energy use by 25 percent. Macon Municipal Utilities installed a 10 megawatt (MW) natural gas-fired combustion turbine CHP system at its 45 million gallon-per-year ethanol plant in Northeast Missouri. The CHP system will likely reduce greenhouse gas emissions by an estimated 28,000 tons per year, which is equivalent to the annual emissions of more than 4,500 cars.

At its 40 million gallon-per-year ethanol plant in Illinois, Adkins Energy LLC, decreased their energy use by 15 percent with a 5 MW natural gas-fired combustion turbine CHP system. The CHP system reduces greenhouse gas emissions by an estimated 8,700 tons per year, which is equivalent to the annual emissions of 1,400 cars.

Top Dropping Women Triple in a Decade

No, this isn't about fashers, or even the open tip bras available now a days. This is talking about convertibles obviously. Over the last 10 years, studies show that the amount of convertibles driven by women in the UK have tripled.

Looking back over the years, the Mazda MX-5 led the way as the most popular choice from 1999 but had its convertible crown taken away in 2005 by the Peugeot 206cc which has ruled the roost ever since.

Diamond managing director, Sian Lewis, commented, "The 206cc was the car that started the craze for affordable folding hard top roofs, and its popularity has no doubt had an effect on the increase we've seen. Many manufacturers have followed with their versions which has also buoyed the market."

She continued, "Now the battle seems to be which car has the fastest automatic folding roof and on that measure, the new MX-5 Roadster's 12 seconds wipes the floor with the 206cc's 20 seconds. In fact, the 206's replacement, the 207cc manages only a leisurely 25 seconds."

ExxonMobil Introduces Next Generation Natural Gas Engine Oil

Mobil Pegasus 1005 was introduced today as their new next generation high performance lubricants. The writing pens are out to push this press release into the fold. The new fuel is formulated with the highest quality basestocks and advanced additive technology, Mobil Pegasus 1005 is designed to provide today’s high output, low-emissions four cycle gas engines with exceptional levels of protection while also delivering superior performance for older model engines.

“To stay ahead of the competition in today’s global industrial marketplace, companies need to invest in products that are designed specifically to help enhance the productivity and durability of their most critical equipment,” said Jeff Biamonte, ExxonMobil's global industrial advisor. “Mobil Pegasus 1005 was developed through extensive laboratory and engine bench testing, as well as comprehensive field tests with major OEMs around the world, to ensure its exceptional performance capabilities over the long haul.”

“This testing showed that Mobil Pegasus 1005 can provide double the oil life, compared with previous mineral oil based Mobil Pegasus formulations, thus helping companies reduce their oil consumption, oil disposal and maintenance costs.”

July 4th Weekend says 1.2 Million Michiganians will travel

It's Michiganders actually, but I am willing to work both angles with it. Michigan is one of the major golf course states in the northern U.S. so i'm sure that many are heading to those with their Big Bertha Callaway golf clubs.

An estimated 1.2 million Michiganians will travel during the 2007 Fourth of July holiday, according to a recent AAA survey of 1,950 U.S. residents. Of this number, 92 percent will travel by car and 8 percent will travel by air.

"This Fourth of July holiday is somewhat unique, in that it falls in the middle of the week," said Claire Lockley, vice president Travel for The Auto Club Group. "Interestingly, we're finding that Americans aren't willing to give up their traditional Fourth of July celebrations with friends and family, and many are choosing to take a few more days off of work to do so." Read full story

Cheap Cars Seen As Way to Stimulate Slumping Indian Car Market

India's Tata Motors, a Chinese owned Global Automobiles, and Nissan-Renault are working on plans to be able to offer new car models at $3,000 or less in order to attract a whole new strata of car buyers. $3,0001? That's pretty damned amazing really. Wonder if the cars will be made out of styrofoam. I've been using Hoodia to cut down on my food costs just so i could get a new car. $3000 means I can get 10.

According to Ashutosh Goel, an auto analyst with brokerage Edelweiss Capital, "Tata's small car is likely to be the first one to roll out. They have a firmed up model design and on-going plant construction." This model could be priced between 100,000 to 125,000 rupees ($2,457 to $3,017; USD equivalent). It would be manufactured in the communist-run state of West Bengal and be available for sale in 2008. Read more

Ford and GM To Offer Month End Discounts

Reuters reported that General Motors Corp. and Ford Motor Co. plan to introduce discount programs intended to boost sales during the last weekend of June, people familiar with the sales plans said on Friday. Another way would be to look into school loan consolidation.

Jess Toprak, analyst at industry tracking service Edmunds, said he expected the discount programs from GM and Ford to target sport utility vehicles and pickup trucks.

He said that would represent a kind of "retaliation" to Toyota Motor Corp.'s announcement last week that it had begun offering rebates of up to $3,500 on its Tundra pickup truck.

"NOT AWFUL"

"Historically, you do tend to see a ramp-up (of discounts) at the end of June through the end of summer," Toprak said. full story

New Company in China to Produce Diesel Common Rail Systems

DENSO Corporation today announced that on June 1 it established a wholly owned company, DENSO (Changzhou) Fuel Injection System Co., Ltd., to produce common rail systems for diesel vehicles in Changzhou, Jiangsu, China. The investment will total approximately four billion yen. Guess you'd need on hell of a coin sorter to work with that kind of scratch.

Full story

Top 10 Driving Mistakes Teenagers Make

Cars.com and DriversEd.com Announce Top 10 Driving Mistakes Teenagers Make. Apparently they don't like list form so I broke into a Top 10. You can read their write ups on each one at the link under the list. This list is just some Premium dog food for the soul I suppose. Kind of common sense and you wonder why the study was made. Something to read for those that are bored out of their mind.

1. Being distracted behind the wheel
2. Taking too many risks
3. Speeding...duh
4. Overcrowding the car
5. Driving under the influence
6. Following too closely
7. Driving unbuckled
8. Not being able to handle emergencies...ummm not really a "mistake"
9. Driving drowsy
10. Choosing the wrong car and not maintaining it

Read results

GM Prepares Fuel Cell Technology for Future Production

Not sure what to think about this. You hear that this is possible and worth a look, but at the same time you hear that it is too costly and will never work. At this point I don't think it is anything we are going to see in the next 5 years so it is nothing more than news really. News to me is that my battery is holding up, but I had to get a new alternator this week.

"Eight years ago we said that hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle technology could make a major contribution to solving the energy and environmental challenges facing the automobile industry," said Larry Burns, GM Vice President, Research and Development. "Today's announcement signals another important milestone as we move fuel cell vehicles closer to future production."

Read more...

Consumers Plan to Employ Gas-Saving Tips to Achieve Greater Fuel Economy

Even though gas prices have gone down considerably in the last couple weeks there is still a lot of news about how people are trying to save money on their fuel. Some of the ideas are so out there that many think they can save enough money to buy Las Vegas Luxury Condos, or even a great vacation cottage. HEre's an article about some of those ideas.

With gas prices on the rise this summer, there is no shortage of fuel economy advice available to consumers who want to save a few dollars at the pump. Drivers are often encouraged to improve their vehicle's fuel economy by reducing air conditioning use, changing filters regularly, checking tire pressure, having fuel injectors cleaned and using a fuel additive to increase engine performance. But how likely are consumers to actually use any of these gas-saving tips to help save money?

According to a recent Kelley Blue Book Marketing Research study on fuel economy, nearly six out of 10 consumers say they would be likely to change their filters at scheduled intervals and/or check their tire pressure regularly to achieve greater fuel economy or save money. In addition, nearly seven out of 10 consumers (68 percent) believe that by performing some or all of the recommended gas-saving maintenance to their car, they would save up to $200 annually. read more...

2007 Eyes on Design Auto Show Fathers Day Weekend

Detroit is the King of auto shows and no other holiday is better to get father and son together than Father's Day. The Eyes On Design car show is a Father's Day event and has been for the last 20 years. Various folding tables and booths set in front of some sick looking vehicles and this year should be no different. Perfect Father's Day present to bond the father and son this year if you have a chance to go.

“Aerodynamics and Streamlining – By Design” is the theme for the 20th Eyes On Design car show, a Father’s Day tradition for this reporter. The family functions always have to go on without me until I get back home in early afternoon after I spend the day with one of the best, most eclectic car shows of the summer season here in Southeast Michigan. I always get there in the early light as they bring the great cars onto the huge front lawn of the Edsel and Eleanor Ford mansion on Jefferson Avenue just south of 9-Mile Road on the shore of Lake St. Clair. full article

Flexcar Top ''Eco-marketer''

Business who are environmentally conscious sometimes get awards. This time it is one of the marketing companies that was awarded by Advertising Age Magazine recently for their integration of Eco-friendly marketing and awareness. Automakers, home furniture, and many others try to be environmentally aware in their marketing, but Flexcar was awarded as one of the best.

Flexcar today was honored by Advertising Age magazine as a top “Eco-marketer” at its first ever Green Conference in New York City. Flexcar was one of only six companies across the U.S. to receive the honor; the other honorees were Ben & Jerry’s, Toyota, HP, Timberland and Aspen Skiing Company.

The Green Conference was created to celebrate marketers who are doing the best job of integrating environmental sustainability into their brand DNA. The awards were given to the people and companies making those measurable changes in an effort to better the environment. These "Eco-marketing Honorees" and other top marketers participated in discussions and case studies. full story

Toyota Surpassed GM as Top Carmaker in 2006

This news is based on 2006, but released today and isn't really unexpected. Well...I guess how it was achieved was according to the article below. While looking at articles on California mortgage refinance I saw this and decided to post it as it is sort of an interesting development in the automaker industry.

Reuters reported that the milestone that the global auto industry has been holding its collective breath for -- Toyota Motor Corp.'s unseating General Motors Corp. as the world's biggest carmaker -- came last year instead of in 2007 as many had expected, according to a leading industry journal.

Detroit-based weekly Automotive News, whose data centre publishes a widely quoted ranking of the world's automakers around this time every year, said Japan's top carmaker outsold GM by about 128,000 units last year based on a technicality that excludes sales of vehicles at minority-held subsidiaries.

"A little-known Chinese microvan played a role in Toyota's victory," the magazine, published by Crain Communications, said on its website. link

Automotive Online Coupons

Online coupons are the best way to save a buck on whatever you want to buy online. Be it auto supplies, electronics, or video games, Coupon Chief has the coupons you will need in their coupon directory for over 1,000 stores. One that would make sense to post here would be the CarDomain.com Coupon Deals page. They offer many discounts of 10%, free shipping, etc. to save you some serious cash on various auto supplies and automotive equipment. Check out those deals, but you will likely want to bookmark the home page so that you can take advantage of all their offers when you want to make a purchase at one of the many stores they have deals for.

Former NASCAR Chairman Bill France Jr. Dies

This is a very long article and I really couldn't do it much justice if I were to rehash it. The AP reported that Bill France Jr., who transformed NASCAR from a small Southern sport into a billion-dollar conglomerate during his 31 years as chairman, died Monday at the age of 74. Heard about this ont he radio when I was looking at some Las Vegas Real Estate so i wanted to get it up here.

He died at his Daytona Beach, Fla., home, NASCAR spokesman Ramsey Poston said.

France had been in poor health for much of the last decade -- he was diagnosed with cancer in 1999. Although he was in remission, the extensive treatments took a toll. He never regained his full strength, often had difficulty breathing and had taken to using a motorized scooter to get around. read more...

Applying for Credit Cards

When you go to apply for a credit card you are always drawn in by low interest rates. The Mint card is no different. It has a low introductory rate, but also has just lowered their APR as well.

-0% on purchases until 1 January 2008
-0% on balance transfers until 1 August 2008 (2.5% balance transfer fee)
-0% bonus offer until 1 April 2009 on balances transferred during October 2008 (2.5% fee)

The Mint+ card also gives you one of the best opportunities to get huge discounts on various products and services throughout the year. All year long the company will provide you with various opportunities to get the best deals around for your favorite retailers. Past deals have included huge savings on Easter Eggs from Chocolate Express, London breaks and West End shows as well as high street retailer discounts.

Subscribe to More Blogs and Get More Readers

I guess we are doing a bit of a test to see if we can get more RSS Feed Subscribers so this list is going to help us do that. More subscribers=more reders=more traffic. This blog was added courtesy of Jimi Morrisons Head. I'm adding a few to it myself so we shall see how well it does.

***Start Copying Here***

1. Create a post and link back to the person that put you on the list in the first paragraph with a brief thank you and description of why people want to use the campaign. DO NOT copy their paragraph. Write your own unique one and link to their site.

2. Copy the ENTIRE list of Feeds and create an OPML File to import into your feed readers so that you can subscribe to all of the blogs on the list. You will want to read my post entitled Mass RSS Feed Subscribing with an OPML so you understand how to do it. (You will want to copy this link over to your post so those you add know how to do this too.)

3. Copy the ENTIRE list of Feeds AND blogs and put them into your post like they are here. Move the "My Adds" from the blog that added you into the "Originals" lists for each. This list is unique because I want you to be able to copy the feeds with out having to delete the blogs before making the OPML file so I separated the two links into 2 lists.

4. Add any blogs you want to the list with whatever keywords you want. Then get their RSS Feed and add those to the list of Feeds in your "My Adds" section.

5. Publish your post.

6. Comment on the post that originated the list here so that new additions can be subscribed to as well by the lists before yours.

My Blog Adds:

My Opinion Counts

The Pond


Original Blogs:

Automobile News

Shadowscope

Pray for Mojo

Detroit Sports

Steven Lorenz

Sir Post A Lot

Celeb News
John Chow
Whatever I Feel Like

Tricia's Musings

Ugh!!’s Greymatter Honeypot

A bit of this and a bit of that

Wordpress Plugins

Internet Serious Business

Julie's Journal

Utterly Geek

jon lee

Pencil Thin

No Average Mom

Marisa's Dandelion Patch

Scribble on the Wall

The Sovereign Journey

Digital Nomads

msdanielle

Mr. Gary Lee

Windows Tips, Tricks, and Hacks

Get a First Class Degree

SiteLogic Web Development

Geeky Speaky

Little America


My RSS Feed Adds:

http://feeds.feedburner.com/feedburner/hCVF

http://feeds.feedburner.com/chatbugkaren/fCye


Original RSS Feeds:

http://feeds.feedburner.com/AutomobileHaven

http://feeds.feedburner.com/PrayForMojo

http://feeds.feedburner.com/Shadowscope

http://feeds.feedburner.com/JimiMorrisonsHead

http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/ZguH

http://feeds.feedburner.com/SirPost

http://feeds.feedburner.com/SirPostsEntertainmentBlog

http://feeds.feedburner.com/JohnChowDotCom

http://feeds.feedburner.com/WhateverIFeelLike

http://feeds.feedburner.com/TriciasMusings

http://feeds.feedburner.com/u-g-h

http://feeds.feedburner.com/botbot

http://feeds.feedburner.com/JmhTechtronics

http://feeds.feedburner.com/InternetSeriousBusiness

http://www.juliesjournal.com/feed

http://www.utterlygeek.com/feed

http://feeds.feedburner.com/jonlee/

http://www.noaveragemom.com/?feed=rss2

http://www.pencilthin.com/?feed=rss2

http://www.mydandelionpatch.com/feed/

http://www.scribbleonthewall.com/feed/

http://feeds.feedburner.com/TheSovereignJourney

http://feeds.feedburner.com/DigitalNomads

http://feeds.feedburner.com/Msdanielle-JustAnotherEgoBlogSite

http://feeds.feedburner.com/MrGaryLee

http://feeds.feedburner.com/Samanathon

http://www.geekyspeaky.com/feed

http://feeds.feedburner.com/Littleamericaus

http://www.sitelogic.co.uk/feed/

http://www.howtogetafirst.co.uk/feed/



***Stop Copying Here***