Made in China ??????? . . . . . .

With its cheap labour force and relaxed environmental regulations, it was only a matter of time until a Chinese manufacturer set its sights on North America.
Like the Japanese in the 1970's, and the Koreans in the 1980's, Chinese manufacturers are hoping to introduce new people to their vehicles through a blend of low price and high content. This strategy worked extremely well for Hyundai and Kia. In fact, it's the success of Kia and Hyundai which has made it possible for Geely and Chery to even think about exporting their vehicles to North America. As Hyundai and Kia march up market chasing bigger profits, the bottom of the market is left lagging allowing hungry competitors to enter and build a customer base.
What will this do for GM, Ford and Chrysler? Not too much initially as they don't rely heavily on small cars for profits. However, long term (assuming Geely and Chery can build a reliable dealer network, meet our demands for high quality, and break through the initial customer hesitation) these manufacturers may build a strong base of customers who, in the future, may demand more vehicles such as SUV's, minivans and large cars.
If this can be accomplished then Detroit is in some serious trouble. Don't think it can happen? Check out this anecdote from the December 1999 issue of Car and Driver magazine.
"It seems Carroll Shelby in 1971 told Lee Iacocca that he might buy a Toyota dealership. Mr. Iacocca told him that would be a big mistake. Mr. Shelby asked why. Mr. Iacocca replied, "Because we're going to kick their asses back into the Pacific Ocean."
How times have changed.
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10 tips for better fuel economy.

The best advice for getting better fuel economy is to buy a fuel efficient car.

1. Make sure your tires are set to the proper inflation. Properly inflated tires can reduce fuel consumption by up to 3%.
2. Tune up your engine. A properly tuned engine maximizes power and can greatly enhance fuel efficiency.
3. Don't accelerate too quickly. Accelerating smoothly keeps the engine at lower rpm's thus using less fuel.
4. Don't speed. The faster you move the harder your engine has to work to push through the wind. Speeding can reduce fuel efficiency by up to 33%.
5. Check the condition of your engine air filter. A dirty filter will reduce fuel economy.
6. Replace your fuel filter according to your manufacturers recommended schedule. This will go a long way to enhancing fuel efficiency.
7. Avoid excessive idling. Idling a vehicle wastes a significant amount of fuel. The best way to warm up a vehicle is to drive it slowly until it reaches proper operating temperature.
8. Remove excess weight from the truck and/or back seat. An extra 100 pounds reduces fuel consumption by 1-2%.
9. Use cruise control. In most situations using your cruise control reduces fuel consumption by maintaining a constant speed.
10. Although necessary at times, avoid using the air conditioner all the time as it causes the engine to work hard and consume more fuel.

Tell a friend about this article so that they can also save money at the pump.

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Diesel Engines: The Forbidden Fruit.

A diesel engine provides more power and is more fuel efficient than a comparable gasoline engine.
There are few engine configurations that promise increased fuel economy and power. Fewer yet that offer these in addition to bulletproof reliability. Today, our friends across the ocean are enjoying the fruits of the diesel technology revolution. Is there room for diesel engine passenger cars in North America?

Fool me once, shame on you.Diesels have a colorful history here in North America. In the 1980's General Motors "modified" their 350ci gasoline V8 to run on diesel fuel. The result? Not good. These engines offered better fuel efficiency but little else. They were terribly slow, and as reliable as your best friend after a hard night of drinking. That is to say, not very.

Fool me twice, shame on me.
Mercedes-Benz had better luck in the 1980's offering a slew of vehicles available with a diesel engine. These workhorses offered unsurpassed durability (capable of running in excess of 500,000 miles) but they were rough, noisy, and had a smoking habit. Volkswagen also offered diesels but they too had a penchant for spewing blue smoke from their tail pipe.

The Next Generation.
Throughout the 1990's, Benz and Volkswagen continued to offer diesel cars here in North America. Each generation became cleaner, smoother, and more powerful than the last. But overall, they were a tough sell as they still lacked the horsepower (although they made up for it in torque) that many were looking for.

Better, Faster, Stronger.
Today Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Jaguar, Volkswagen and many more manufacturers are offering diesels to many markets around the world. Forget everything you remember about diesel here in North America.
These new engines benefit from hundreds of technological innovations. Many diesels in Europe offer better acceleration than their gasoline counter parts. BMW's 120d has a diesel engine that produces 163bhp, goes 0-60mph in 7.6 seconds, and achieves 49.6mpg in city and highway driving combined.
Mercedes-Benz offers the C320 CDI SE that has 224hp, and over 360 lb-ft of torque. We get this engine in the larger E-class but it really shines in the C-class as it is available with a 6-speed manual transmission.
The C320 CDI SE gets just under 48mpg on the highway and accelerates to 60mph in well under 7 seconds. Do you know of a gasoline engine in North America that can offer this blend of fuel economy and performance? I sure don't.



Why have they not caught on here?One word. Sulfur. We have too much sulfur in our diesel here in North America. This cheap grade of diesel will run havoc on a precise, sophisticated diesel engine such as those offered overseas. The high sulfer content also causes increased emissions. But all is not lost. As of June 2006, refiners will start producing what is known as ultra low sulfur diesel fuel.
This will reduce the sulfur content from 500ppm to 15ppm. This should reach the pumps by September. So the question is, will we ever get to enjoy this renaissance in diesel technology?
Could we be driving a car that has tire melting torque and the fuel efficiency that even a member of Green Peace could love? For that answer we'll have to wait and see.

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Illegal street racing is not something to be taken lightly

Illegal street racing is not a new trend. Ever since transportation has been available to the masses, people (often young) have taken to the streets to challenge one another. Throughout the 1960's and early 1970's, this activity was fueled by muscle cars and big block engines. Today, the technology has changed but not the act itself. Here's what one reader had to say:

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I would just like to comment on illegal street racing as an incident in my home city of Toronto, Canada has just recently occurred. A cab driver was killed in an accident (and I use that term loosely as it could have been avoided) caused by two young people racing. I firmly believe two things regarding this matter. Firstly, harsher punishments should be implemented for youngsters who are charged with crimes of this nature. The consequences are simply not enough to deter the youth from their reckless nature. I know this because I was once a heedless adolescent myself.
What I really wanted to express my opinion on was how I feel that auto racing on a private track is such a great alternative for kids with the need for speed. Young people have tendencies to drive dangerously fast because it is exciting and risky, and what better way to let out those emotions than in a controlled environment.
Nobody is saying the kids shouldn't want to drive fast and show off their muscle, but at least do it on a track where they are away from pedestrians, other motorists, etc. I think this is something police should consider promoting to youngsters, in hope of reducing illegal street racing and creating a safer atmosphere for everyone.
Anthony Calligaro

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Some great points above. This is how most of the driving public feels. With movies like The Fast and the Furious, a new generation has learned to incorporate technology (cell phones, GPS) into the fray to elude the heat and further the expansion of this kind of activity. There is no problem with racing, however there is a time and a place to do it. For as little as $150-$200 people can register to take their own car on to a race track for an entire day to have some fun.

A race track is the ideal place to test the limits of your car. On the streets you have to deal with uneven road surfaces, distractions, pedestrians, and other motorists. And you can kill someone, or place them in a wheel chair for the rest of their lives.

People who've taken part in illegal street racing are not bad people, but they've made a bad decision which can hurt themself and others. You can also lose your car, your freedom (you can go to jail you know) and you'll have to live with the consequences for the rest of your life. Is illegal street racing worth it?

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Summer Road Trip Tips

With summer right around the corner it'll soon be a great time to take a road trip. Here are some tips to make sure you and your vehicle are prepared for the journey.

• Before you hit the road, have your vehicle inspected. A basic inspection is not very expensive and will cover the brakes, tires, suspension, lights, cooling system, and other basic drive train components. Also, if you have an older vehicle, an air conditioner inspection is also a great idea. You don't want to be driving for hours in the summer with a full load of passengers without air conditioning.
• Check your tire pressure before you leave on a road trip. Most tires require between 30-32psi. Don't forget to check the spare tire as well.
• If you packed anything on the roof of the vehicle, make sure the majority of the weight is concentrated in the middle of the roof.
• Don't pack anything heavy inside the passenger compartment of the vehicle. Heavy and sharp objects can become projectiles during an accident.
• Pack an emergency kit with you. A good emergency kit should include a flashlight, a first aid kit, jumper cables, gloves, rope, and tire inflator.
• Always bring extra water. Although you may be traveling on major roads, a flat tire or breakdown can occur miles from the nearest exit. Standing on the side of the highway in the hot afternoon sun can lead to dehydration. Having extra water will help.
• If you've never changed a flat tire, perhaps you should try it in the comfort of your own driveway a few days before you head out on your trip. The instructions are in your owner's manual and it only takes a few minutes. Don't wait for an emergency to learn.
• While on the road, try to take a 15 minute break every 2 hours. This will keep you alert and fresh.
• Pack plenty of entertainment for children. Travel toys and games can help pass the time and reduce the chances of hearing "are we there yet?" every 10 minutes.
• Whenever you travel make sure that everyone has proper identification and required documentation. This is especially important when traveling across state and national boarders.

A road trip can be a fun experience. Follow these tips to make sure it's a safe and enjoyable journey.

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Manufacturers are looking for new opportunities to increase global auto sales.

In the global automotive industry things are really heating up as the traditional players fight for a top spot in the race for global dominance. General Motors Corp., which has been number one in terms of global auto sales for over 75 years, is fighting to keep that title in the face of growing competition from Toyota. Last year Toyota was trailing General Motors by only 261,805 units.
Though it looks inevitable that Toyota will claim top spot, increased sales in China (GM is now #1 in China beating former top dog Volkswagen) and surging sales in India have buoyed global sales for the General despite declining sales in North America. General Motors boss Rick Wagoner recently stated "If we can keep growing where the opportunities are to grow, someone's going to have to hustle pretty hard to catch up with us like that." That said, according to the Wall Street Journal being #1 is no longer a top priority for Rick Wagoner and General Motors.
Ford Motor Company, once #2 globally, is in third place with sales at just over 6.2 million units. Strong sales in Europe have offset a seemingly endless sales decline of blue oval vehicles in North America. Once best sellers like the Ford Focus and Ford Explorer now sit on dealer lots as more innovative and fresh competition lure away new buyers. Ford would be wise to devise a more coherent product planning strategy instead of letting great cars waste away without any clear vision.
This is quite evident when you look at the recently discontinued Ford Taurus and Lincoln LS, vehicles that carried substantial brand equity at one point but failed as they became stale and irrelevant amongst their respective competition. If Honda and Toyota can keep the Accord and Camry nameplates going after more than 2 decades, why has Ford had such a difficult time doing the same?
The big news isn't just at the top of the list. Riding high on a global auto sales increase of over 11% in 2005, Hyundai Automotive Group is in high gear. The Korean automotive giant has moved into sixth spot behind DaimlerChrysler. Since 1999, Hyundai has passed established players such as Honda, Fiat, Nissan, and Renault. Hyundai doesn't plan on getting too comfy in sixth spot as they've set their sights on being in the top five by the end of the decade.
They've got their work cut out for them as fifth place DaimlerChrysler is currently selling about 1 million more vehicles annually. But I wouldn't bet against Hyundai. In the last 10 years they've beaten just about everyone's expectations. Volkswagen is holding steady in fourth place with over 5.2 million vehicles sold in 2005. 2006 and 2007 should see modest increase in auto sales with the introduction of the next generation Golf (now known as the Rabbit) in North America and new models such as the Volkswagen Eos.
Although nothing is for certain in the auto industry, one theme holds true. No car company has an inherent right to the top spot. It has to be earned through great cars and trucks. In this list the big winner is the consumer.
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