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Jan 12, 2008

Cal To Road-Test Toyota Plug-In Hybrid : New Toyota Hybrid car hybrid auto review 2008

Cal To Road-Test Toyota Plug-In Hybrid : New Toyota Hybrid car hybrid auto review 2008
by Anthony Fontanelle
The Toyota Motor Corp. took a big leap last Wednesday towards marketing plug-in hybrid cars when it announced it would provide two specially-made Priuses to the University of California for testing on American roads.The largest Japanese automaker will be the first to put the experimental electric-gas hybrid cars on American streets for daily driving when the Priuses take to the road in Berkeley and Irvine this fall, said Michael Taylor, a Chronicle staff writer. Plug-in hybrids run mostly on rechargeable batteries can run 100 miles on a gallon of gas.Toyota's announcement came less than a week after a study by the Natural Resources Defense Council and the Electric Power Research Institute, a power-industry trade group, revealed that the widespread use of the gas-sipping cars would dramatically limit greenhouse gases and curb domestic oil consumption.Bill Kwong, a Toyota spokesman, said that the plug-in test program will be conducted at UC Berkeley and UC Irvine. The customized cars appear like the conventional Priuses, but unlike the showroom model, the experimental version runs mostly on its electric motor and plugs into a 110-volt house current for overnight charging. Kwong said that the car will travel up to seven miles on electricity alone and can go up to 60 mph in pure electric mode."This is absolutely the first step of a major manufacturer in putting plug-ins on the road," said Felix Kramer, the founder of the California Cars Initiative, a Bay Area plug-in hybrid advocacy group. "It forces every single carmaker to figure out what it's going to do. It means the race is really on."Hybrids are powered by a combination of a gasoline engine and an electric motor. Advocates of alternative energy have reiterated for years that because most daily trips are often no more than a few dozen miles, those trips could be made on electric power, saving the gas side of the car for prolonged journeys.Many advocates see plug-in hybrids as a means to save the gasoline side of the car for longer journeys. "Toyota's experimental hybrids will simply add a second nickel metal battery. Susan Shaheen, a research director at UC Berkeley's Institute of Transportation Studies, will supervise the testing of one of the plug-in Priuses. Institute staffers, faculty members and students, along with employees of some local businesses, will take the altered Prius through its paces to see how it performs in the everyday world, the trip to the grocery store, the run down to San Jose for a business meeting," wrote Taylor."I'll look at the response of users to plug-in technology, see how they (deal with) refueling and charging, to get a sense of how different this is from (using) a traditional internal combustion engine car or a gas-hybrid vehicle," Shaheen said. "And I will definitely get to drive this car, I hope."Shaheen said that nonetheless, she thinks hybrid energy "is an alternative pathway and we're looking for different energy pathways, so the choice is not only a gasoline-powered car. When I do research, I think people are looking for choice. They are seeking energy pathways."Other automakers are working on plug-in vehicles to catch up. General Motors says that it is building a plug-in version of its conventional Saturn Vue SUV hybrid. The Saturn AC compressor, engine, exhaust, filter and more will be enhanced to serve that purpose.DaimlerChrysler, meanwhile, has had about six Dodge Sprinter plug-in hybrid vans in fleet use on American streets in 2006. The Ford Motor Co. is developing a fleet of about 20 plug-in hybrids to "test the technology and see how this works with the (electrical power) grid," said Jennifer Moore, a Ford spokeswoman.

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Quantum Fuel System To Unveil Hybrid At NAIAS : New Honda civic new car 2008 review

Quantum Fuel System To Unveil Hybrid At NAIAS : New Honda civic new car 2008 review
by Anthony Fontanelle
The North American International Auto Show is just around the corner. The said event is one of the biggest of its kind and it can be expected that this year's staging of the event will draw a lot of major automakers. But large automakers like General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler will not be the only ones who are going to unveil their newest vehicles. Niche automakers like Quantum Fuel Systems will also be showcasing their newest vehicle at the forthcoming event.Quantum is a fully integrated alternative energy company and specializes in the development and manufacture of advanced propulsions systems. With the increasing demand for green but high performance vehicles, companies such as Quantum have been enjoying much success and popularity.At the NAIAS, the company will be unveiling the Fisker Hybrid which it has developed with Fisker Automotive Inc. There would be locations at the event where the Fisker Hybrid sedan will be shown. The main display of the said hybrid vehicle will be at the Oakland Hall at Booth OAK9. The second hybrid sedan will be displayed with a solar energy-based recharging station. The said station was developed by Quantum in cooperation with German solar energy company Asola Advanced and Automotive Solar Systems GmbH. It can be seen in the Michigan Hall at Booth MH24.The Fisker Hybrid is expected to roll out as a 2010 year model. Deliveries of the said premium hybrid sedan are expected to commence by the fourth quarter of 2009. The manufacturers of the Fisker Hybrid announced that they are planning to manufacture about 15,000 units every year.Quantum's contribution to the Fisker Hybrid is its Q-Drive vehicle architecture. It is this technology that makes the Fisker Hybrid a hybrid vehicle. On battery power alone, the Fisker Hybrid sedan can cover about 50 miles. That means it is a great green car for those who travel only short distances. For long distance travels, the Q-Drive allows the use of the internal combustion engine and the battery pack. As it is made for the luxury car class, one can expect it to be engineered for optimum performance. It means that the Fisker Hybrid will be equipped with auto parts as reliable as the Mitsubishi 300GT radiator.Alan Niedzwiecki, the president and Chief Executive Officer of Quantum, had this to say according to The Auto Channel: "The new Fisker Hybrid sports sedan, which incorporates Quantum's proprietary Q-Drive system, will change the way we look at the automotive world. Featuring the design aesthetic of Henrik Fisker, world renowned automotive designer of the Aston Martin DB9 and V8 Vantage and BMW Z8, the Fisker Hybrid premium sports sedan provides discerning environmentally conscious consumers with no compromise of performance or luxury together with its energy efficient, low emission signature."

Boom in Indian Automobile Industry : New auto New car review 2008

Boom in Indian Automobile Industry
by WebMaster
Today, vehicles are in great demand between all segments of society. With to huge demand of vehicles, automobile industry is the fastest growing industry all over the world. Automobile industries play a vital role in economic development of any country.Every week a new model of car or bike has been launching to accomplish the requirement of buyers. Various automobile manufacturing companies are in the market, which provide a lot of vehicle according to the requirements of different segment of peoples. Automobile companies are offering various products according to users budget. Gone are the days, when one had to wait for their dream vehicles. Today, it is not difficult to buy a dream vehicle because of various financial institutions. Many banks are providing loan and converting your dream into reality. Buyer needs to pay some extra money as interest rate for that finance amount. This amount depends on various factors such as buyer’s credit past, finance amount, loan period and the term and conditions of financial institution.If we consider the Indian automobile industry, there are various companies, which are offering all type of vehicles in the market. Automobile manufacturing companies are offering different cars, two wheelers, three wheelers, commercial vehicles, sport vehicles and other utility vehicles according to the user’s requirement. As we all know, cars have become a need for today’s world. Automobile companies are offering various premium cars to entry-level cars for the customers. Tata Motors has been working hardly for producing low budget car for Indian market. The Boom of Indian Automobile Industry can be tracked by the stat, which proves the increment in car production from 7,23,330 cars to 13,08,913 in last three years.This huge development and consumption of vehicles encourage the various companies to produce automotive parts and accessories for these vehicles. There is a potential growth in Indian auto part market.There are various car-manufacturing companies in Indian market. Some giants in manufacturing of cars are Audi, Ford, Fiat, Honda, Hyundai, Skoda, Maruti, BMW, Mercedes, Mahindra & Mahindra, Hindustan Motors and General Motors. Some awaited car models, which are about to launch in the year 2008 are Fiesta 1.4 SXi Duratorq, Opel GT, Aveo U-VA, Getz Next Generation, Logan, Rhino Rover, Audi Q7, Montero, Outlander, Grandis, Santa Fe and Roomster. Tata motors also working to produce their low budget car till the July 2008. All the companies are offering various attractive models in different color and designs. In two wheeler industries, Hero Honda, Bajaj Auto, TVS Motors, Yamaha, Honda, Suzuki and kinetic motors are offering various motorcycles, scooters and scooterettes to the market. One can choose among the various models according to his need and budget.Before buying any vehicle, one needs to ensure about the maintenance of the vehicle. All the companies are providing servicing facility by their own service centers. The user can visit the service center and consult about the problem of vehicle with the experts. Remember that proper maintenance can enhance the performance and life of your vehicle.Explore the webpages of www.Automobileindia.com for more detail & data about Indian Automobile Industry and booming market area around the globe.

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Honda Donates $1M To DSO : New honda new car autos review 2008

Honda Donates $1M To DSO
by Anthony Fontanelle
Musical and generous. That is what Honda Motor Co. radiated when it donated $1 million to the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. The donation will allow more children to participate in the youth training program of DSO.The second largest Japanese car maker’s first major gift to DSO is by far the most sizeable thing it has given to an American arts organization. The donation will be used to fund the Power of Dreams String Project, which will provide introductory music education and string training in Metro Detroit communities where opportunities for children are nonexistent or families could not afford the instruments or lessons, according to the Detroit News.The Honda grant is expected to add 200 beginning string players to DSO classical training programs, which now include about 450 young musicians in five ensembles, the report continued. The grant, which will be divided in equal installments over the next five years, is also aimed to pay for private string lessons for 20 children in grades three through six.What’s more, the grant sets seed money for a Power of Dreams Music Education Fund. DSO solicits public contributions for such fund."This is exactly the kind of partnership we've been looking for to assure the stability of these vital programs long-term," said DSO president and executive director Anne Parsons. "While we are very proud of our educational programs, it's a struggle every year to raise the considerable amount of money needed to keep them going."They "have long been among our major corporate donors" to the DSO's annual fund drive, which in fiscal 2007 generated $3.5 million for all corporate sponsors combined, said DSO press director Jill Woodward. That is nearly a quarter of the orchestra's record total of $14.6 million for the year. "Certainly in the corporate category, the Big Three have a long history of giving. The Max wouldn't be here without them," she added.Honda giving considerable donations in America signals its desire to increase its presence in the territory. This could be the result of the intensifying pressure among the Big 3.The designation of Honda's large DSO gift for training children reflects the company's philanthropic emphasis on both youth and education, said Gary Kessler, the senior vice president for human resources at American Honda Corp. "We're mindful of the benefits to a child from music education," he said."Research shows the relationship between musical studies and personal discipline and effectiveness in all areas of learning. We want to make a difference in lives, and we're excited about a synergy between Honda and the DSO's excellent educational programs."Leonard Slatkin, the DSO's music director designate, said that he expects Honda's collaboration with the DSO to provide "musical opportunities that will make an impact on our young people. The innovative quality of Detroit's initiatives, and my ability to lead in this area, is one of the things that attracted me to the DSO. Together we will be leaders in the field."Like the flexibility of Monroe shocks, the automakers are finding ways to reach out to different organizations to increase industry presence and to help accordingly.

The top 4 cars of this year : New auto new car new Autos 2008 review

The top 4 cars of this year : New auto new car new Autos 2008 review
by Thomas Calkins
So you have been planning on buying yourself a brand new car! Well, with the hordes of models out there in the industry, how do you find yourself a car that will be the envy of the neighbourhood? Well, with our guide on the 4 most top rated cars of this year, you won't go wrong!i. The Honda FitThis is one car that has been touted as the 'biggest thing' to hit the market! In fact this has been one of the most top rated cars till date. The average price of this car ranges between 14 to 16 thousand dollars but that's a small price considering the many advantages this car brings! It is a fun car that promises a lot of fuel efficiency while also being extremely compact. However, just because it is compact doesn't mean it compromises on the interior space! Not at all - this car has ample room and leg space inside which is another reason why this is one of the top rated cars this year! It has received some of the best scores in terms of crash protection, reliability as well as satisfaction.ii. The Honda CivicHonda seems to rule the roost this year as the Civic gets second place after the Fit. This is another of those top rated cars that truly deserves its place! It comes with a nice comfortable and spacious interior, plenty of comfort in the riding experience as well as great handling. The price of the car is between 17 to 23 thousand dollars. This car is also great because it has good fuel economy, great results in terms of crash tests and is also very reliable. While this car may not be as economical as the Fit, it certainly makes up for it with its stylish exterior and good mileage.iii. The Honda AccordThe Accord comes with a hybrid version and prices start at 20000 and peak till around 30000 dollars. The fuel economy of this car is quite good and is actually one shade better than the Honda Civic. The car has been voted one of the top rated cars this year and provides nice handling, roomy interior space as well as loads of comfortable riding experience. The Accord comes with a 25 mpg in the V6 variety. This car is definitely a choice if you don't mind spending a little more especially since you get a great riding experience.iv. Infiniti G35The cost of this car is fairly expensive ranging between 35 to 39 thousand dollars. However this car has been voted one of the top rated cars for good reason. It comes in two varieties - rear wheel or all wheel. You can expect great speeds with a power of 306 HP, a speed of 0-60 in just 5.4 seconds, which is really fast compared to most other cars! It has a nice agile handling, roomy interiors as well as good control over steering functionality. No wonder that this car is one of the top rated cars this year!