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State Of Ohio Honored

automagonthenet | 12 May, 2008 21:39

What’s there to praise in the state of Ohio aside from last year’s Ohio State college basketball team with Greg Oden? Of course, we have to give credit for the state’s exceptional fuel cell industry!

Clean energy innovations and Ohio's international leadership in the fuel cell industry will join international officials at the annual Ohio Fuel Cell Symposium at the University of Akron for the next two days starting today. The nonprofit organization that promotes the state for capital investment, the symposium underscores how Ohio's developing business environment and partnership among industry insiders’ provides companies and executives the break to understand their highest objectives and dreams according to the Ohio Business Development Coalition.

"Ohio's collaborative environment among industry, academic, and government leaders has created an unparalleled Fuel Cell Corridor that is leading to global fuel cell applications providing clean power for Ohioans and citizens of the world. At the Ohio Fuel Cell Symposium, there is a great deal of excitement about not just the existing uses of Ohio-produced fuel cells such as providing vehicular power, but also their future role in augmenting public energy resources," says Lieutenant Governor Lee Fisher, who also serves as Director of the Ohio Department of Development.

There are several notable business’ and government leaders including Governor Ted Strickland and Ohio House Speaker Jon Husted that have played significant role in sharing the enthusiasm of Ohio fuel cell industry powered products. The Symposium also offers a chance for fuel cell industry leaders to talk about the vital role of alternative energy resources for Ohio's future.

?Best Performance Engine Award? Goes To Porsche 911 Turbo-Engine

automagonthenet | 08 May, 2008 23:33

Porsche 3.6 Liter 480 PS Boxer engine

It is indeed a very successful year for Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart. Recently, according to the Auto Spectator, the group brought home the bacon from the recent 2008 International Engine of the Year Awards. They received the popular “Best Performance Engine Award” for the first time with its Porsche 911 Turbo-Drive. The makers of this splendid sports car have underpinned its place in a field of high performance competitors. This award has been presented by the British specialist journal “Engine Technology International” for outstanding engine distinctiveness for over a decade now.

Last year, the sports car manufacturer was already flourishing in the three to four liter category. Porsche has outplayed and placed strong competitors such as BMW, Ferrari, Nissan and Audi in the shade by bringing in Porsche's 3.6 Liter 480 PS Boxer engine which even got first place in the free capacity class this year.

The commanding Porsche 911 Turbo power unit features an exhaust gas turbocharger with uneven turbine geometry (VTG) for the first time. This feature is designed to have an efficient control of the exhaust gas flow throughout the whole range of engine speeds, directing the flow of air in accurately the right course and at the right position to the turbine blades. This leads to a apparent enhancement in flexibility and acceleration, mostly at low speeds.

There were 65 well-known motoring journalists from over 30 countries who judged and assessed power engines in various different categories in the Engine of the Year Awards.

Michigan's Auto Theft Activity Increased

automagonthenet | 06 February, 2008 19:34

Stolen cars, auto thieves… This can be the worst nightmare for everyone! We don’t want to lose our car just like that, right? Auto theft activities are increasing in numbers nowadays especially in Metro Detroit and Michigan.

The Auto Channel reported that H.E.A.T. (Help Eliminate Auto Thefts) took action a few days ago after the Auto Theft Prevention Authority (ATPA) handed out the 2006 stats that shows a small increase in the number of vehicles stolen in Michigan.

"Auto theft statistics are often related to economic conditions. As the economy worsens, actual thefts increase, as well as insurance frauds disguised as theft as a way to dispose of vehicles that people can no longer afford. However, looking at the long term view, we deem the ATPA's 20-year statistics as a solid benchmark that proves our H.E.A.T. program is working. The data from 2006 does show higher incidences of theft in Detroit and in several other communities across the state, so H.E.A.T.'s job is far from over. We will continue encouraging community members to utilize our 24/7 toll-free tip line as a safe, anonymous way to report criminal activity, recover stolen property and help keep insurance rates down ," said Terri Miller, the director of H.E.A.T.

3 Cars Pull Over $1M Each At Auction

automagonthenet | 20 January, 2008 22:02

A million each – that’s a handsome amount to catch at an auto auction. It also reflects the financial capability of the persons participating. So where do you think auto bidding could be as rewarding as that?

Where else but at the week-long Barrett-Jackson collector cars sale in Scottsdale, Arizona!

Three cars sold for more than a million dollars each at the premier US car auctions, with a one-of-a-kind 1963 Chevrolet Corvette from Italy's Pininfarina pulling in 1.6 million dollars, the auctioneer told AFP Sunday.

The AFP release continued:

Shoppers pull out $1 million for a brand new 2009 Corvette ZR-1 before the 10-12% commission charged by the auctioneer.
And another one million dollars was bid for one of the sale's oldest cars, a 1928 Duesenberg dual cowl Phaeton, a favorite of Hollywood stars of the time.
Legendary race car builder Carroll Shelby, 85, was on hand at the sale to see his own personal 1969 GT500 Ford Mustang bring in $675,000, 3 times the estimate. A second GT500 once owned by Shelby's son earned $330,000, a gain for the seller who paid 24,000 for it in 1991.
Highlights also included the 1966 Ford Thunderbird used in the iconic film "Thelma and Louise," which the two stars drive over a cliff into the Grand Canyon in the film's last frames.
That earned $65,000, 50% above the estimate, but far behind another well known Hollywood car, the 1969 Dodge Charger "General Lee" from "Dukes of Hazzard," which sold for $450,000.

Earlier, watchers in the industry were quoted as describing the market as soft in the face of a sharp US economic slowdown, especially for muscle cars popular with US collectors. They have expressed high hopes that shoppers from abroad would drive the action, nonetheless.

"The Russians are becoming real players. A lot of bling, they love Mercedes and Corvettes," said Mark Hyman of Hyman Ltd. Classic Cars.

"The market for the quality, the best cars, is strong," said Tom duPont, a car specialist. There's a limited number of supplies, a fairly significant number of bidders or buyers, and on top of that you have the impact of the imbalance of the US currency, which is making these cars very attractive to European and Middle Eastern buyers. Particularly when it comes to high performance European supercars, and classics."

The Bests Automotive Business Ideas of 2007

automagonthenet | 28 December, 2007 19:36

A new year is about to come. So, I thought of the automotive business ideas that triumphed within 2007, as they might as well be good for 2008. Here is the set of ideas I found from abcactionnews.com:

Person to person parking space rental: Peasy.com is an online marketplace for parking spaces, enabling drivers to search for and book spaces before they leave home, and letting British homeowners monetize unused parking spaces by adding them to the network.
Stress-free car shopping: American buyers who are in the market for a new car, but don't want the headaches of searching and haggling for the best price, now have an alternative that can help them sidestep the usual dealership woes.
Integrated auto insurance for teens: A combined package of insurance and a GPS tracking device (the 'Safety Beacon'), Teensurance offers parents the ability to monitor their teenager's behaviour on the road.
Mobile car rental, wherever it's needed: Aiming to become more nimble, car rental company Europcar is introducing mobile car rental facilities in the UK. Small rental booths are hooked up to the company's central booking system and are manned by an agent during peak hours. During off hours, customers can drop off keys and make their own reservations over a built-in reservation hotline.
Car dealership catches female fever: Although research finds that women are responsible for the bulk of purchasing decisions, one arena that continues to overlook this important target market is auto dealerships. Not so at Vancouver's Clutch.
Ridesharing with a social twist: One of the problems with traditional carpool matching sites has been the anxiety most people feel when faced with the prospect of sharing a car with someone they don’t know. The solution? Tap into the power of social networking.
Insurance discounts for GPS-guided drivers: Drivers who use GPS devices are less damage-prone than their old- school brethren. Which is why a Dutch insurance company is giving them 10% discount on their auto insurance.
Crowd clout & Japanese auto parts: An Australian start-up is focusing on a 'group buying' niche: parts for Japanese performance cars. Auto Group Buy aims to combine the purchasing power of car owners with a keen passion for modifying, tuning and styling their vehicles.
Zipcar uses mobile GPS to pinpoint nearest car: Zipcar members can use their GPS-enabled cell phones to find the nearest vehicle and make an instant reservation, making spontaneous car-sharing easier than ever.
Navigate with your own voice: While most personal navigation devices come with a variety of voices to select from, from soft-spoken to stern, they all get boring after a while and aren't, well, personal. Now they can be: it's possible to have your own voice, or that of a loved one, tell you when to turn right.

Good luck and may you all have a prosperous new year!

DailyNews? Top Five Cars of 2007

automagonthenet | 26 December, 2007 20:43

It is pretty hard to pick the best out of a really lot of options for cars these days. So, let me share with you a set of best cars of 2007 featured in DailyNews.com.

Best SUV – 2007 Toyota FJ
According to Josh Max of DailyNews, “Relatively cheap and versatile, this roomy safari-ready vehicle is a great example of how an SUV doesn’t have to be a big block of stupid. It’s retro but also utterly mod, with 4x4 capability and an optional six-speed manual transmission … There’s more plastic inside than necessary, but overall the FJ was the year’s best way of asserting your inner bohermian.”

Best family sedan – 2007 Dodge Charger
Max said, “Most new sedans in this price range suffer from a boring sameness. Not so the Charger, whose stylish body and unique interior boldly go where most sedans fear to tread - and it's wicked fast. Whether or not you watched ‘The Dukes of Hazzard’ and hankered for one of these rip-roarers, you'll get your money's worth out of this family speedster.”

Best truck – 2007 Toyota Tundra
“Tough yet pretty - in a pro wrestler way - this year the Tundra elbowed its way through the lock Ford's F150 has had on American truck enthusiasts. At 19 feet, it's the longest truck in Toyota's history, seats up to five, is available in regular cab, double Cab and CrewMax styles, and is a lot less bouncy than other trucks that cost more,” Max said.

Best sports car – 2007 Audi A4 Cabrio
“Its outstanding handling via an all-wheel drive system makes it safer to navigate, its hard floptop makes it a great year-round car, and it's loaded with the latest in technology, like Bluetooth capability and a navigation system. Its interior is all Audi-upscale, but on the road, it's fierce, and it features one of the better sound systems on the market.”

Best Hybrid – 2007 Ford Escape
“Mouse-quiet yet SUV-tough, the Escape got four new trim packages and three exterior colors this year, and an ‘appearance’ package includes silver metal fascias, body-side cladding and more. Mileage is a healthy 32 mpg in the city, 29 on the highway.”

He has great points, right? So, I hope that will help you choose a good car for a purchase. But, of course, you may also check the 2008 models. They are relatively better, most probably, due to innovations and new features.

Autocar presents ?Safety and Technology Award? to Mercedes Benz

automagonthenet | 18 December, 2007 00:26

Autocar, a well-known UK magazine, has recently presented its prestigious “Safety and Technology Award” to Mercedes Benz, a German brand of automobile owned by Daimler AG (the world’s thirteenth largest car manufacturer), at a ceremony in London. It is a form of recognition to the forward-looking drive system – the innovative DIESOTTO concept – Mercedes Benz has developed.

Chas Hallet, an editor of Autocar, has acknowledged the development success of the DIESOTTO concept being an impressive leading-edge technology that comes with a high degree of practicability and the potential to ensure a bright future for not just the automotive industry, but for the motorists as well.

Dr. Gunter Karl, who is responsible for advanced petrol engine design in the Group Research & Advanced Engineering Powertrain, does the honors of accepting the award. He said, “Our DIESOTTO concept shows how, in the medium term, a petrol engine can be made just as efficient as its diesel counterpart and how the internal combustion engine will remain a key drive concept when it comes to meeting private-transport requirements.” “We are very pleased to receive the Autocar award. For us, it represents confirmation from an independent source, highlighting the fact that this technology is set to play an important part in ensuring mobility in tomorrow’s world. It encourages us to continue working intensively in order to achieve this aim,” he added.

The DIESOTTO drive system is combined with a hybrid module, just like how it is features in the Mercedes Benz F 700. Doing so allows the system to show that a large and comfortable touring saloon has the capacity to return a fuel-consumption figure of just 5.3 liters per 100 kilometers; thus, enables a drastic reduction in CO2 emissions, without compromising the comfort and pleasure of driving.

Karl said, “Today we already aspects such as direct petrol injection in our latest models, for example in the Mercedes-Benz E 350 CGI and in the Mercedes Benz CLS 350 CGI. During subsequent stages of development, further DIESOTTO modules will be gradually phased into series-production development.”

DIESOTTO technology is an innovative development of the internal combustion engine. It has its first appearance in the Mercedes Benz F 700 research vehicle at the 2007 International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt.

The rise of the Hottest Sports Cars

automagonthenet | 14 December, 2007 03:32

Based from the sales of sports cars this year, the rich seems to get richer. Despite the fall, the sports-car market has been foreseen to hold strong in the coming year.

According to David Wurster, president of research firm Vincentric in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, “So-called ‘supercars’ costing $200,000 and up are in a different sort of marketplace … It’s a good example of the widening gap between the rich and poor in this country – we’re apparently going to see more wealthy people at the top who can afford to own the very best.”

Overall, the sales of sports car are in a decline. Sales of ‘ultra-luxury’ makes, such as Aston Martin, Ferrari, and Lamborghini, are down by the smallest margin so far this year by 6.9 percent. But, this fact won’t stop the manufacturers from producing hot new models for 2008.

From CNW data, the sales of ‘premium’ sports cars, including the Audi TT, BMW Z4 and Chevrolet Corvette, are down by 10.2 percent in the first 10 months of 2007, compared with the same period a year earlier. On the other hand, ‘upper premium’ models, including Dodge Viper SRT10, Mercedes Benz SL, and Porsche 911, are down by 13.9 percent. In these categories, significant models for 2008 include the redesigned versions of the Audi TT and the Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe and Roadster.

The Nissan GT-R, the most anticipated new sports car in recent years, will bring spur as it debuts next spring as an early 2009 model. It will be powered with a twin-turbo V6 engine that allows the vehicle to run zero to 60 miles in less than four seconds.

Francois Gravigny, an analyst with the market research company R.L. Polk and Company in Southfield, Michigan., “It will be a true ‘halo’ vehicle for Nissan … The Japanese had gotten away from selling high-performance vehicles in the U.S., like the Acura NSX and the Toyota Supra, and Nissan is timing the return to that segment of the market perfectly.”

In the exotic segment, the new models include the Maserati GranTurismo (an elegant and civilized near-exotic coupe) and the stunning Audi R8. Gravigny said, “The R8 is the perfect model that illustrates the Audi’s new performance-based philosophy … It’s the first time any German manufacturer is really going up against the Porsche 911.”

The low-slung Tesla Roadster, the first modern electric-powered sports car, will also be a new for 2008. Tesla is expecting that well-heeled environmentalists and sports-car aficionados will be drawn to the $98,000 Roadster. Darryl Siry, Tesla’s vice president of sales, marketing and service, said, “A strong motivation for many of our customers is the fact that the Roadster will be the only production car available that produces zero emissions … But the design and performance of the car are each a powerful draw on their own.”

Wurster said, “The sports car market will improve a bit in terms of volume as America ages and can afford them … There’s a lot of guys waiting out there for their kids to graduate college so they can indulge themselves.”

So, there would really be a lot of wonderful sports car in the coming year.

Playboy?s Hottest Cars of 2008

automagonthenet | 10 December, 2007 16:49

In the past few weeks, everybody has been talking about the best cars. We could find several lists of top cars in different sites. Playboy, in fact, also had its set of hottest cars of 2008.

Playboy’s “2008 Cars of the Year” revealed that a high-performance hybrid surpassed competitors, a European import surges to the top, and a luxury carmaker provides one of the most fuel efficient and affordable vehicles on the road.

Check out the complete list below:

2008 CAR OF THE YEAR: Audi R8 - This mid engine sexpot boasts a 420 bhp, 4.2-liter V8, and hits zero to 60 in a sexy 4.4 seconds
BEST LUXURY SPORTS COUPE: Maserati GranTurismo - Features a 405 bhp, 4.2-liter double overhead cam V8 packs 339 foot-pounds of torque
SMARTEST PURCHASE: Smart Fortwo - Sits eight feet by eight inches long and weighs a whopping 1,807 pounds
BEST SPORTS SEDAN: Cadillac CTS - With a base engine of a 3.6-liter V6 that develops 263bhp, it is just as quick as the CTS-V
BEST SUV: Land Rover LR2 - Equipped with a Terrain Response feature that adjusts the AWD and suspension for driving conditions
BEST CROSSOVER: Buick Enclave CXL - Proudly sits on 19-inch wheels and is available with a luxury package including articulated headlights
BEST CONVERTIBLE: BMW 335i - Not only does it whip from zero to 60 in 5.5 seconds, its light-weight steel top retracts in 22 seconds
BEST EARTH-DAY CAR: Mercedes-Benz E320 Bluetec - Outfitted with three catalysts and a filter in the exhaust that erases every trace of smoke and N2O
BEST PINT-SIZE PERFORMANCE: Volvo C30 - Dances on the sporty side with its full-width glass hatch and clipped Manx bobtail

An expert team of automotive writers who traveled the world selected those cars. They have test drove every new model available in showrooms this year. The vehicles will be featured in the January issue of Playboy.

Honda Racing F1 launched an Online Racing TV Channel

automagonthenet | 07 December, 2007 02:33

Honda Racing F1, a team being run by Japanese car manufacturer Honda, launched Formula One’s first dedicated racing TV channel online. Created by Empirix, the channel is intended to encourage and boost the interest of the fans to watch the sport.

The purpose of the site is to provide the fans the ultimate experience in watching. The site will be hosting sophisticated new applications, which includes a dedicated video channel, up-to-the-minute news, and the opportunity for fans to add their own images to an interactive gallery.

The news will be following the 2006 research being published by the Federation Internationale de I’Automobile (FIA), a non-profit association established in June 20, 1904.

According to FIA, 87 per cent of the racing fans are relying on the Internet to stay informed about the current events in Formula One. This fact is what led the organization and the team to create a channel that will support the racing aficionados.

Mobile Interactive Group (MIG) collaborates with Hicklin Slade & Partners to direct fans to the Honda WAP site. So… what are you waiting for? Go and check it out! Let us all see the progress of the team throughout the F1 Grand Prix season.

Ford Mondeo Dressed in a Special Loder1899 Designer Outfit

automagonthenet | 05 December, 2007 23:58

For this year’s motor show, Ford and Aston Martin will share the stage like the old days. Ford Mondeo together with the Aston Martin V8 Vantage Volante will be displayed on the same platform.

Ford Model with its frost white paintjob will showcase a body styling kit of real carbon fiber. Its discreet front lip and 35mm lowering kit highlights the sporty lines of the new Ford. Its elegant roof spoiler, rear skirt and two brand stainless steel exhaust system measuring 75x105mm provides it with that unique finish. To round up the look is the nicely hand-polished Loder1899 bonnet in a special edition Stainless steel look in a stunning silvery, glossy finish.

The elegant Ford was given a tire/wheel combination of 9x20 inch alloy wheel Sins in a shiny, black finish. The Loder1899 offers the 9x20 inch design wheel W1 in a special edition Polish glam or in black, glossy finish with polished spokes.

The Ford Mondeo also gains an additional 50 hp courtesy of the efficient motor management from Loder1899 that is further enhance by its sport exhaust system. Enthusiasts will definitely love the 4-way adjustable sport suspension of the Loder 1899 which allows drivers to adjust vehicle height, pressure level, gradient as well as strut compression to suit personal taste and needs.

Chrysler to Introduce 4-Door Jeep Wrangler in China

automagonthenet | 03 December, 2007 23:14

Gasgoo.com has recently reported that the Jeep Compass is to be introduced to the Chinese market next March that is according to a senior Chrysler official.

Simon Elliott, President and CEO of Chrysler Group China Sales Ltd said in an interview with Cheshi.com: "We will start to import the Jeep Wrangler next spring, priced at 400,000 yuan ($5,400) here, but customers can make orders starting today."

The Jeep Wrangler heading for the Chinese market will be equipped with a 3.8 L V6 engine. The model has also two extra doors attributed to its 20.6 inches wheelbase which gives more interior space. Elliott is proud in saying that the Wrangler is the only four-door convertible on the market that provides more options for Chinese buyers who prefer Chrysler’s Jeeps.

Chrysler has started selling Jeep Compass in China last September and ever since has been in competition with the locally-built Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. It is powered by a 2.4 liter 4 cylinder engine and priced between 249,000 yuan to 289,000 yuan (US$33,200 to $38,500).

Still in connection with Chrysler’s China offensive, it has rolled off the first Caravan off its assembly line in Fujian-based Southeast Motor which is the first vehicle produced by Dodge in partnership with Chrysler and Southeast Motor.

Volvo Cars to Recall a Total of 56,000 2006 and 2008 Models

automagonthenet | 29 November, 2007 01:36

Volvo Cars has recently announced the recall of some 56,000 vehicles due to separate problems.

According to Volvo Cars spokeswoman Maria Bohlin around 38,000 diesel cars of the S60, V70, XC70, and XC90 models that were made in 2006 were being recalled in Europe due to material fault that could cause the motor to catch fire. She further explains that the fuel injector plants or bolts that are located on top of the motor cylinder were defective and might cause for diesel to leak out into the motor.

All affected vehicles will be given injector plants or bolts for free in a procedure that will take about two hours.

The other reason for the recall is due to air bag defects which affect 18,000 of the latest V70 and XC70 models. Ms. Bohlin said that there is a high risk that these air bags will not launch fast enough.

The recall is being conducted even though it is not yet clear how many British fire accidents happened caused by the said defects. Ms. Bohlin has also not revealed how much the recalls and maintenance work would cost the company.

Auto Theft Prevention Authority Warns Shoppers About Auto Thieves this Holiday Season

automagonthenet | 26 November, 2007 21:10

Thanksgiving is over and soon it will be Christmas and you know what that means—shopping, shopping, and more shopping. Expect also for problems to arise such as limited parking space and auto thefts.

Michelle Staton, Executive Director of the Pa. Auto Theft Prevention Authority said, "We often see spikes in auto theft rates across the state during the cold winter months -- particularly December and January. It is not surprising that thieves are active while folks are out shopping and filling their vehicles with gifts. The good news is there are simple steps everyone can take to reduce their risk of becoming a victim of auto theft. It begins with common sense. Park in well-lit areas, don't leave holiday gifts in plain view, lock the doors and take the keys and never leave a vehicle running unattended! Believe it or not, many thefts occur when vehicles are left running or unlocked because they are easy targets. Whether you start early or wait till the last minute, always lock your car when holiday shopping."

The Auto Theft Prevention Authority will be giving away for free VINgraving kits through their website at www.watchyourcar.org/. VINgraving is a theft prevention kit that chemically etched your vehicle identification number (VIN) on all the auto glass. It may seem invisible to you but thieves notice it---this part is what I don’t get. Anyway of you are interested to have this kit simply visit the web site of Auto Theft Prevention Authority.

The Authority for the past 12 years has been coordinating state-wide law enforcement efforts to put an end to auto thieves. It also encourages residents to take an active role in protecting their vehicles. For details and information about auto theft in Pennsylvania and for the 50 tips on how to prevent your vehicle from theft simply visit www.watchyourcar.org/.

Peugeot Citroen and Volkswagen Calls for a Car Recall in China

automagonthenet | 20 November, 2007 02:40

Gasgoo.com has recently reported that China’s Dongfeng Peugeot Citroen Automobile Co Ltd which is a 50-50 joint venture between Dongfeng Motor Corp and Peugeot Citroen will recall around 5,609 206 model sedans starting November 16 due to problems found in the gearbox.

AQSIQ or the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine said that the affected vehicles are those produced between January 22 and July 5 of last year. Fortunately as of now there are still no reports of injuries caused by the said gearbox flaw.

Peugeot Citroen has already notified all owners of affected vehicles and asked them to go to any Peugeot dealership to have their heat exchanger and torque converter replaced.

Aside from Peugeot, Shanghai Volkswagen has also announced a recall for some 2,240 Passat GP due to faulty control key of the luggage compartment that may cause property losses. The models to be recalled are those produced between August 11 and August 24 of this year.