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Alfa MiTo Cabriolet to be revealed at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show
2008-06-06 01:34:00
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More About: Motor , Geneva , In the News , Show , Cabriolet

Is Cheap Car Insurance a Reality?
2008-06-06 01:34:00
As the years go by everyone can't help but notices the increase in prices in our economy for different goods and services. With the prices rising, everyone's biggest quest is to find the cheapest prices of the different goods and services that they can afford to find. In our economy, the people that feel the burn of these rising prices are our automobile drivers. As the prices rise on gasoline, road taxes, and car insurance owning a vehicle isn't completely favorable. One of the main goals of our automobile drivers is to find the best and cheapest car insurance available. The best way to cut costs on your vehicle is to find good auto insurance and a low rate. To find these low quotes you have to go about it a specific way.To begin with, do your research. Research is the most efficient and best way to find the right insurance coverage for you. One way to research is to take advantage of the internet. Look online at the different insurance company's websites where they will inform...
More About: Reality , Insurance , Car Insurance , Cheap

Progressive Car Insurance - The Best Provider?
2008-06-06 01:26:00
The provider, Progressive , is well know for its ability to offer low cost car coverage. They do advertise that they give the customer with the rates of many other car coverage providers to give the consumer with the quickest way to find the cheapest prices out there.Progressive car coverage is one of the many firms out there. When choosing one car coverage plan to the next, you may discover a lot to select from.What makes one company better suited to offer your car coverage than another? It might be several reasons but when it comes to payment, the coverage firm needs to have top notch insurance coverage, low monthly or quarterly payments, and the coverage that you can't do without. Progressive is one of the leaders in the insurance industry as it tends to exceed these targets and others.It does happen to be that Progressive has better plans. But, to find out if they are giving the cheapest plans for your car coverage requirements, simply visit their web site. There, you should see...
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Are Our Premiums Written in the Stars?
2008-06-06 01:20:00
Car insurance providers take into account a number of risk factors when determining the size of our premiums. However, perhaps there is one statistic that has been overlooked - our star sign.Though there is natural scepticism about star signs, new research from a car insurance comparison website shows an uncanny correlation between the number of at-fault accidents and traditional zodiac traits.For example, Arians, who are said to be fiery and impulsive, and who often act first and think later, lead the way in the table for the percentage of at-fault accidents by star sign with nine per cent. This contrasts greatly with clear-headed and wise Sagittarians who are at the bottom of the table with just 7.5 per cent.Unfortunately for Sagittarians however, car insurance companies do not recognise star signs as a reason to reduce premiums. Instead they focus on factors such as where you live, your occupation and the times of day you traditionally drive to assess your level of risk.Still the...
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Yukon; the Safest Car on the Road By Anthony Fontanelle
2008-06-05 04:08:00
Yukon made its hybrid electric debut in fall, 2007. The 2008 Yukon Hybrid 2WD is a 4 door, 9 passenger sport utility, available in one trim only, the 4HY."The Yukon Hybrid 2WD is equipped with a standard 6.0-liter, V8, 332-horsepower, hybrid engine that achieves 21-mpg in the city and 22-mpg on the highway. A 4-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is standard."It has the world’s first two-mode hybrid propulsion system in an SUV that delivers a noticeable improvement in the cars fuel economy. The Active Fuel Management system switches between eight and four cylinders in order to conserve fuel. GMC has always stood for engineering excellenceThe Yukon Hybrid 2WD got its design from the 2007 model year, so changes for 2008 are minor. It has an unquestionable great style and refinement exhibited by a distinctive exterior design. It still has the quality of its predecessor, only added with two new exterior colors; ‘red jewel tint coat’ and the ‘dark slate metallic’.The Yukon hybrid...
More About: Interesting , Road , On The Road , Anthony , Yukon

J.D Power releases 2008 Initial Quality Study
2008-06-05 03:10:00
Any rationale to explain how Jeep came in dead last?
More About: Power , Study , Chrysler , Quality , 2008

Ford Flex begins production
2008-06-05 02:15:00
Ford Flex begins production Right on cue with America's abandonment of large trucks and SUVs, Ford's all-new Flex crossover vehicle began rolling off the company's production floor in Oakville, Ontario on Wednesday. Unlike General Motors' move to offer a full-size hybrid SUVs, Ford is banking that former Expedition and Explorer buyers will flock to the Flex — to the tune of 100,000 units per year — because of the Flex's relative low cost of entry and better-than-average fuel economy for a large vehicle. A small ceremony was held at Ford's Oakville Assembly Complex to commemorate the achieve, featuring Canada's own Wayne Gretzky. The addition of the Flex to the Oakville assembly plant and strong demand for the Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX — which are also built in Oakville — has lead to 500 new jobs at the plant. ?The products are selling as fast as we can build them. We?re adding another show-stopper vehicle, and we?re creati...
More About: Ford , In the News , Production

Mexico?s auto workers agree to further cuts to remain competitive
2008-06-05 01:04:00
Mexico's auto workers agree to further cuts to remain competitive When the North American Free Trade Agreement was inked in 1993, it was thought that it would help bring Mexican wages up to par with those paid to workers in America. However, at least in the auto industry, the exact opposite has been the result. With the auto industry more global than ever, inexpensive labor from developing countries is driving down labor costs at an ever increasing rate. We've seen that here in the U.S. with the newly passed two-tier wage system, and now similar reform is being passed in Mexico. Although Ford's pledge to build the Fiesta in Mexico will create about 4,500 new jobs, it doesn't come without sacrifice to the Mexican workforce. Union workers at Ford's Cuautitlan plant outside of Mexico City currently make about $4.50 an hour, but agreed to a new two-tier wage systems — that will see new hires make about half that — in order to secure Fiesta produc...
More About: Workers , Mexico , In the News , Auto , Competitive

Subaru sports coupe caught on camera
2008-06-04 23:16:00
Subaru sports coupe caught on camera The latest update of the upcoming Subaru sports coupe that is being jointly developed with Toyota points to the coupe not being a coupe at all, but a three-door hatchback instead. The newest reports, originating from U.K.-based AutoExpress, have the car's base engine displacing 2.0 liters and making around 180hp, staying true to Subaru's flat-four engine layout, and lacking a turbocharger. This version will be rear-wheel drive, as previously reported, but an up-level version will feature an all-wheel drive system. It will get power — all 300 ponies — from the same 2.5-liter turbo flat-four that is found in the STI. The photo reveals a very aggressive looking front end, with a big hood scoop and a headlight / grille treatment very similar to the Impreza STI's. It's likely the model pictured is the more powerful version of the car, as Subaru has recently stopped using hood scoops as ornaments in its range. The s...
More About: Sports , Camera , In the News , Subaru , Caught

Leno takes delivery of first Challenger; Celebrities test drive for photo o
2008-06-04 23:02:00
Leno takes delivery of first Challenger; Celebrities test drive for photo op After more than two years of development from concept to road car, Dodge has officially delivered the first of its 2008 Challenger SRT8s. The lucky owner? None other than the Tonight Show's Jay Leno. Leno picked up the car on Tuesday from a Dodge dealer in Van Nuys, California. In true muscle car and Leno style, the comedian arrived at the dealership in his own vintage Challenger, complete with a 426 Hemi underhood. After a quick walk around and some publicity shots, Leno drove the black Challenger right off the dealer showroom floor and on into the sunset. As with all 2008 Challengers, Leno's is powered by a 425 horsepower 6.1L Hemi V8. Despite being the first to take delivery, Leno's car was not Challenger #1. That vehicle was sold at auction for more than $400,000. In keeping with the celebrity theme, Dodge also hosted a celebrity test drive of the new Challenger in Southern Cali...
More About: Photo , In the News , Drive , Leno

Chrysler cuts non-production contractor payments by 5 percent
2008-06-04 20:15:00
Chrysler cuts non-production contractor payments by 5 percent It was revealed today that Chrysler cut its contractor fees by 5 percent for services not related to car production, effective June 1st. The reduction will last for at least one year. About 80 contracts will be affected, for services involving office workers, custodial and information technology services. In a statement, the automaker said the move is "part of Chrysler's ongoing efforts to reduce its cost footprint in a highly competitive marketplace." Chrysler will allow each supplier to decide how they will achieve the savings, according to company spokesperson Kevin Frazier in an Automotive News report. The numbers of affected workers was not revealed. The move allows Chrysler to reduce costs without incurring the type of public outcry a pay cut to unionized assembly workers would generate. Put simply, reducing pay to contractors is a heck of a lot easier than slashing hourly pay to UAW workers.
More About: Chrysler , In the News , Production , Cuts , Contractor

How Does My Driving Record Affect My Car Insurance Premiums?
2008-06-04 20:02:00
In order to legally drive a vehicle on the roads of the United States of America, the vehicle being operated needs to have the appropriate auto insurance applied to it. Drivers are required to insure their vehicles in order to comply with the rules and regulations established by the federal government. Persons who have auto insurance will be required to pay car insurance premiums.This is the amount necessitated by the insurance company which needs to be paid by insurance policy holders in order to cover the cost of the individual's coverage. Different policy holders will often pay different amounts, or premiums, either monthly, semi-annually or annually. Since there can be such a difference between one person's premiums and the next, many people are interested in learning why there are such variations in price. Primarily, what insurance companies look for in determining a person's car insurance premium is their driving record.A person's insurance premium is a direct reflection o...
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CAW workers blockade GM?s Canadian HQ in protest of plant closure
2008-06-04 19:58:00
CAW workers blockade GM's Canadian HQ in protest of plant closure General Motors union workers affected by the automaker's decision to close four truck and SUV plants continue to voice their displeasure as CAW members blocked the entrance to GM of Canada's headquarters in Oshawa, Ontario. General Motors announced Tuesday at its annual meeting that it would be shuttering the doors of four of its truck and SUV plants due to sagging demand — including its Oshawa truck plant. In addition to the loss of about 2,600 jobs, the CAW is upset because it feels GM broke a recently inked agreement to keep the Oshawa plant open. "We are going to stay here until General Motors reverses the decision they made yesterday, or at the very least commits to a product for the Oshawa truck plant, or sits down face-to-face with this union to try to explain why they have broken our brand new agreement," Chris Buckley, of the Canadian Auto Workers union, told Automotive News...
More About: In the News , Protest , Closure

Auto Insurance Rates For Teenagers - Where to Get the Cheapest
2008-06-04 19:51:00
Are you ready for the sticker shock of insuring a teenager? Auto insurance rates for teenagers can increase your premium by anywhere from 50 to 300 percent. This is because teenagers are more likely to have accidents than older, more experienced drivers. However, there are ways you can keep your premium as low as possible.Choose a Car WiselyYour rates will go up less dramatically if your teenager drives an older, less expensive, and heavier car. However, you'll want to balance this against the safety features more likely to be found in a newer car.Encourage Good GradesMany insurance companies offer a good student discount of as much as 25% for students who maintain a B average or higher.Enroll Your Teen in a Driving ClassWhether your teen takes driver's education at school or enrolls in a private driving school, many insurance companies will give you a discount for driving instruction, lowering your insurance costs.If you choose a private driving school, be sure to verify that the...
More About: Insurance , Auto Insurance , Rates , Teenagers

Every Used Car Has a Secret Past By C. L. Hendricks
2008-06-04 02:52:00
Every used car has a secret past life that may make buying that car an unwise choice. I have learned in the past few times buying a used car, about the importance of having a vehicle history report run. Not only has this revealed aspects of the vehicle’s history that had nothing to do with being in an accident, but it actually provided the information I needed to negotiate for a lower purchase price.Last summer I decided that I had enough equity in on my 2000 Ford Focus that it would be a good idea to see if I could trade it in on a newer vehicle. This was especially attractive, since I had owned the car for four years and it had never had air conditioning! If you know anything about Texas, you will understand why I was eager to get a car with air conditioning.At the car dealership I was shown a purple PT Cruiser that was only two years old. Seeing as how I am quite fond of purple, I was interested in the car for that reason alone. Previously, I consider the PT Cruiser to be a reall...
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Court upholds Hyundai?s Mong-koo?s three-year suspended jail sentence
2008-06-04 01:14:00
Court upholds Hyundai 's Mong-koo's three-year suspended jail sentence Hyundai head Chung Mong-koo will remain a free man as South Korea's High Court ruled on Tuesday to uphold his three-year suspended jail sentence. Mong-koo was facing jail time on a fraud charge. Despite the conviction, Hyundai's shareholders recently voted to reinstate Mong-koo to the company's board. The ruling alleviated concerns about a power vacuum at the world's sixth largest automaker, but many feel Mong-koo is receiving special treatment. "Once again, chaebols' (a term for family-run conglomerates) wrongdoings are being overlooked,"Rhie Sang-min, coordinator at People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy, a group that is advocating chaebol reform, told Automotive News. "The reason chaebol chiefs keep embezzling company money is that courts are wielding a cotton bat." The ruling judge acknowledged Mong-koo's crime, but said the punishment wasn&...
More About: In the News , Jail , Court , Year

Car Insurance For Learner Drivers - 3 Easy Ways to Lower Your Premiums
2008-06-04 01:03:00
Whether you're just starting out or have recently passed your test, follow these simple yet highly effective steps to slashing your car insurance costs.With motoring costs rising by the month, saving as much money as possible is the number one goal when it comes to car insurance for learners and newly qualified drivers.Recent surveys have shown that the vast majority of motorists searching for car insurance online want the cheapest rate. Other areas of insurance, like the standards of service and superior levels of cover, almost fall into insignificance according to the statistics.Over recent years car insurance comparison sites have made the process of searching out lower premiums much easier. There's no doubt that being able to compare hundreds of policies by submitting your details to a handful of sites will save time and money.However, young drivers and learners still face eye-watering rates when it comes to covering themselves to drive legally on the roads. So before submitti...
More About: Drivers , Insurance , Car Insurance , Lower , Easy

Bentley recalls 13,420 vehicles
2008-06-04 00:50:00
Bentley recalls 13,420 vehicles Bentley is widely regarded as one of the finest automakers on the planet, but today's news reminds us once again that nobody's perfect. The now Volkswagen-owned automaker from Crewe has announced the recall of 13,420 vehicles. The recall is due to a faulty fuel filter. Bentley discovered that road salt can corrode the filter's surface, which could ultimately lead to a fuel leak and the possibility of a fire. The recall affects all Bentley Continental GT, Continental GT Speed, Continental Flying Spur, and Continental GTC vehicles built between 2004 and 2008. Bentley's last recall was about a year ago for faulty wheel bolts used on the Arnage sedan.
More About: In the News , Vehicles , Bentley

Speeding Impacts Car Insurance Premiums
2008-06-04 00:48:00
A lack of knowledge about basic road rules - including the national speed limit - is driving car insurance premiums through the roof.A comparison website put 2,500 drivers to the test on basic road rules and found that an incredible one in three (33 per cent) do not know the national speed limit despite the fact that exceeding the speed limit causes more than 7,000 accidents - 14 per cent of which are fatal.A further 14 per cent rely on signs to know how fast they should be driving - with 16,000 accidents caused by drivers going too fast for the road conditions.As if the accident statistics aren't bad enough, car insurance premiums are soaring as a result. It is estimated that customers collectively pay an extra 854million a year for car insurance just by making one claim as insurers are forced to pay out 23million a day in claims - the equivalent of nearly 1million an hour.Being involved in an accident will have a knock-on effect on your individual car insurance too - typically on...
More About: Insurance , Car Insurance , Speeding

Jay Leno says: ?Build better cars, not smaller?
2008-06-04 00:16:00
    news     Good news is that in the past few years the auto makers understood this problem and they started to build better cars, meaning better quality on the interior. For example, Cadillac has a line of small four-door sedans that are, if not quite the rival of Audi or Mercedes, pretty darn close for quite a bit less money.But, no matter what happens, do not expect all American cars to go Eurosize. American buttocks are not getting any smaller.
More About: Cars , In the News , Leno , Jay Leno , Build

Audi working on new supercar?
2008-06-04 00:03:00
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More About: Audi , In the News , Supercar , Working

Chrysler May sales down 25%
2008-06-03 23:57:00
Highlights from the press release: - $2.99 Gas Guarantee increases showroom traffic, runs until July 7 - Fleet sales reduced more than 40%; Retail sales move closer to industry trend - Fuel-efficient Jeep(R) Patriot sales accelerate to new monthly record - New Dodge brand lineup embraced by consumers - Chrysler Aspen sales continue to grow - ‘New Day’ Value Package models continue to resonate well with consumers Chrysler LLC Reports May 2008 Sales ; Let’s Refuel America $2.99 Gas Guarantee Continues to Gain Retail Momentum - yahoo.com

GM?s SUV in danger? HUMMER could be sold!
2008-06-03 23:45:00
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Total Loss Settlement Tips
2008-06-03 23:40:00
1. Release your vehicle to the insurance company immediately their request. This simple step will save you a lot of money in storage charges. If the insurance company is storing the vehicle, there are normally no charges, but if you leave the vehicle at a shop or tow yard, you will be responsible for the storage charges and they will be subtracted from your settlement. Many people have concerns over this, but don't worry, you are the owner of the vehicle, and the company can't do anything to it except hold it until your property claim is resolved.2. Request documentation on the calculated value of your vehicle. This will be one of a few different things, depending on the company. Most companies use either "CCC" or "ADP" to evaluate the market value of your vehicle. If the company doesn't use one of these programs, then they will most likely utilize N.A.D.A. split value as a starting point for your vehicle's value. Remember, no matter what the initial offer is, you can negotiate ...
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Steel prices see sharp increases in U.S., raise car prices by at least $500
2008-06-03 07:26:00
Steel prices see sharp increases in U.S., raise car prices by at least $500 Just as the price of oil has skyrocketed due to increased global demand, the price of steel is sharply increasing on the back of rising demand. That's bad news for the automakers — and ultimately the car buying public — as today's cars contain between 2,400 and 3,000 pounds of steel. Most car makers have contracts with steel makers, but rising raw material prices have forced the steel makers to impose a surcharge of about $250 per ton. In some cases the price per ton has doubled, which has raised the cost to produce a vehicle by about $500 — an increase that will ultimately be passed onto the car buyer. Another reason for the price spike is the lack of foreign competition in the U.S. steel market. Because of the weak state of the dollar, the world's steel makers are disinclined to enter the market because the risks far exceed the possible rewards. In addition to steel, ...
More About: In the News , Sharp , Steel , Prices

UPDATE: Cerberus denies selling Chrysler, GMAC majority stake
2008-06-03 07:11:00
UPDATE: Cerberus denies selling Chrysler , GMAC majority stake Update : Cerberus has denied selling any of its stake in either Chrysler or GMAC. A spokesperson told Automotive News the report by the Financial Times newspaper is not accurate. "Cerberus hasn't sold a nickel," the spokesman said. Original Story [Inaccurate]: Cerberus, the investment firm that famously bought Chrysler from Daimler last year, has sold "significantly" more than half of its stake in the automaker today. Cerberus might remain the largest shareholder, but it will no longer be the majority owner. Cerberus also shed most of its stake in the former GM financial arm, GMAC. Cerberus invested some $7.9 billion to buy 51 percent of GMAC in 2006. The company paid nearly the same amount, $7.4 billion, for an 80.1 stake in Chrysler. The deals have turned into flops due to the credit crunch and high oil prices, according to the Financial Times. According to the Times report, nearly 90 invest...
More About: Selling , In the News

Infiniti G sedan to see improvements for model year 2009, including bigger
2008-06-03 07:01:00
Infiniti G sedan to see improvements for model year 2009, including bigger engine and new gearbox Infiniti confirmed late last month that it would improve its vehicle lineup for launch in the European market, and it looks as though some of those changes to the G sedan will appear in the Japanese automaker's 2009 U.S. lineup. The biggest change will be the G sedan's switch from a 3.5L V6 to a 3.7L unit. Infiniti has yet to release the new engine's output, but a forum member on Motive says the powerplant will kick out 320+ horsepower. Buyers will also have the option to route that power through a new seven-speed automatic gearbox. The U.S.-spec G37 sedan will also adopted its European cousin's larger brake rotors, which will now measure in at 14 inches (calipers will be four-piston units). Other improvements will include new 18 inch wheels, new exterior mirrors, two new paint colors and the Scratch Shield paint first introduced on the EX crossover. Infiniti ma...
More About: In the News , Infiniti , Sedan , Model , Infiniti G

Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid, GMC Yukon Hybrid seeing lackluster sales despite hy
2008-06-03 06:45:00
Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid , GMC Yukon Hybrid seeing lackluster sales despite hybrid vehicle popularity With gasoline prices soaring to record levels, hybrid vehicles are quickly becoming some of America's favorite vehicles. The Toyota Prius hybrid is now the ninth best-selling vehicle in the U.S. and hybrid sales continue to climb month after month. But despite the recent popularity of hybrid vehicle and the former success of large SUVs, U.S. consumers have yet to warm up to General Motors' full-size hybrid offerings — the Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid and the GMC Yukon Hybrid. Since the two hybrids hit the market in January, GM has only managed to sell a combined 1,100 units — well off the predicted pace of 12,000 annual sales and just a fraction of the 100,000 hybrids sold in the U.S. since the beginning of the year, according to the New York Times. The Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid and the GMC Yukon Hybrid don't fit the mold of a typical hybrid vehicle, but the add...
More About: Chevrolet , In the News , Sales

Porsche vehicles to stay the course despite stricter CAFE regulations
2008-06-03 06:38:00
Porsche vehicles to stay the course despite stricter CAFE regulations Despite newly passed CAFE regulations, Porsche says the standards will not force it to change its brand image or vehicle lineup. The German automaker is widely regarded as one of the world's best sports car makers, a reputation it plans to keep even with impending fuel-economy regulations. "We will make our cars more fuel efficient, but we will not change our nature," Detlev von Platen, CEO of Porsche Cars North America, told Automotive News. "Our customers expect a certain characteristic to our cars." Instead of relying on smaller, less powerful engines, Porsche will focus on reducing the weight of its vehicles and will also begin to utilize hybrid technologies. Von Platen confirmed that a hybrid version of the Cayenne is head to the U.S. in late 2010 and the German automaker will also offer a hybrid version of the upcoming Panamera four-door coupe. However, despite the recent trend f...
More About: Porsche , In the News , Vehicles , Regulations , Cafe

Lincoln takes 8,600 orders for not yet launched MKS
2008-06-03 05:38:00
Lincoln takes 8,600 orders for not yet launched MKS Despite the fact that Lincoln's first unique-looking car since the LS bowed for the 2000 model year isn?t due to arrive at dealerships until the end of the month, Lincoln dealers from across the country already pre-sold 8,600 MKS sedans. The new car is expected to be a make-it or break-it vehicle for the luxury brand, which recently only had what many see as dressed-up, more costly Ford products to sell. "When you look at the Lincolns they have today and what this car represents, there's no question it's a game-changer," said analyst Erich Merkle of IRN Inc in a Detroit News report. Part of the reason the car is selling already has to do with Ford's marketing of the vehicle. At last November's Los Angeles auto show, the automaker laid out its cards on the table, announcing the cost of the base car, at about $38,000, and the pricing of its options. More recently, the MKS made stops at over 300 of...
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