China is soon to be one of the significant and giant components in the automotive industry. They appeared on the scene with an explosion, following the series of automotive developments in the country. They mean serious automotive business and they want Beijing to be clean, as far as they are concerned.
Beijing planned to raise a ban on diesel vehicles with alternators. But for the moment, the ban will be on hold according to a higher official from Beijing Environmental Protection Bureau last week.
"Currently pollutants produced by diesel vehicles pose more serious environmental problems in Beijing than those produced by gasoline engine vehicles," said Du Shaozhong, the deputy director of the bureau.
The Auto Channel reported that Mr. Shaozhong stated that diesel engine vehicles produce 3.13 times more nitrogen oxides compared to petrol vehicles and has 10 times more inhalant particulate substance than the others.
"We will consider removing the ban once light diesel vehicles can meet the same emission standards as light petrol vehicles," Du added.
Beijing will prohibit the market and sales of new cars failing to congregate the new China IV emission standards beginning from March 1, 2008 which is alike as the Euro IV. On the other hand, each and every heavy vehicle used for public transit, mail services and sanitation should also meet the standards starting July 1, 2008.
"About one third of the major pollutants in Beijing's air -- nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide and inhalant particulate matter -- come from vehicle exhaust emissions. Tougher standards will help relieve the situation," Du added.
Beijing’s Ban For Diesel Cars On Hold
Alfa Romeo To Unveil New Spider In Geneva
The Geneva International Auto Show is just around the corner and auto enthusiasts are no doubt excited with what the event will bring. Being a European-based event, one can easily infer that European automakers will be unveiling fast and stylish cars at the said event.
Alfa Romeo, one of the supercar brands I really love will be unveiling the Alfa 8C Spider in
Only 500 units of the 8C Spider will be built.
Alfa Romeo has been known for high-performance cars such as the Gran Turismo. To make the car really sleek and slice through the air, all its exterior components have been designed using a wind tunnel. By doing that, the automaker ensures that the vehicle will be aerodynamic.
What that means is the 8C Spider can travel at a really fast speed without those vibrations and noise one can experience in a low-end car customized to perform like a supercar. The body is made up of carbon fiber and its frame is rigid. This combination would inspire confidence on any driver taking this 8C for a ride.
The outside of the Alfa Rome 8C can be described as "pretty". This beauty is complemented with a brute of an engine. The 8C uses a V8 engine which provides plenty of power to the driver when needed. It is coupled to a five-speed tranny.
The combination of the V8 and the gearbox allows the smooth flow of power from the engine to the wheels in any gear. With this, it could easily outstrip any heater core-equipped Acura MDX.
Hertz Just Made Being Lost Very Hard
The advancement of technology has made life a lot easier for us. For example, back in the good old days, one can easily get lost. But today, it is getting harder and harder to do that.
Just look at what Hertz has come up with. According to The Auto Channel, the company is offering the Online Trip Planning service in their Hertz NeverLost navigation system.
Here's how it works: first, plan your trip online. For that you would have to go here and plan your trip. Then, save it in a personal USB storage device. Then, just load it up in your NeverLost navigation system and you are bound to never get lost. What's so cool about this is that no matter what you drive, whether it be a luxury car with a Acura EGR valve or just an ordinary car, you van have this navigational system as long as you can afford it anyway.
Here are other features of the new service offered by Hertz:
- Yellow Pages - Finds businesses near destinations. For example, travelers can find restaurants near their next destination.
- Corridor Search - Finds establishments between destinations, such as finding a gas station on the way back to the airport
- Trip Optimization - Changes the order of stops for efficient route planning
- Address/Intersection - Allows easy entry of addresses or intersection information
- Favorites - Downloads the most up-to-date information on favorite points of interest, such as museums, sporting events, shopping malls, meetings and conventions
- City Guides - Provides city guides for top markets that highlight the most noteworthy tourist attractions
So if you are one of those people who travel to different places, I think this navigation system is a good investment.
Excellence In Lean Manufacturing Brought By Chrysler LLC
The new face of Chrysler has brought a lot of difference in the group’s recent success in the business. Chrysler LCC has just won the Shingo Award for Excellence in Lean Manufacturing! The Auto Channel reported that the facility for Chrysler products which manufactures fuel-efficient engines and clean water pumps, the Global Engine Manufacturing Alliance (GEMA) facility in Dundee, Michigan has been given the 2007-2008 Shingo Silver Medallion for operational distinction.
"We congratulate this year's recipients in expanding their lean focus to all their business processes," says the Shingo committee in announcing the honors. "This year's recipients have demonstrated various best practices in world- class processes and have achieved outstanding results delivering high quality, competitive cost and high customer satisfaction."
Furthermore, for twenty years now, the Shingo Prize for Operational Excellence distinguishes industry excellence in the United States, Canada and Mexico. The idea of the Shingo Prize is that outstanding performance for quality, cost and delivery can be attained through lean philosophy and methods in center manufacturing and trade procedures.
"We are pleased to have been recognized by the Shingo Award organization for our GEMA plant," says Richard Chow-Wah, Vice President for Manufacturing for Chrysler LLC and a member of the GEMA Board of Directors.
"At GEMA, our mission is clear - to set the pace in engine manufacturing with cutting-edge people, processes, systems and technologies. This award is further confirmation that we are accomplishing that mission," Chow-Wah added.
"Our success starts with great people, and the Shingo Silver Medallion is a tribute to the commitment and hard work of our GEMA team members who make our Michigan facility one of the finest manufacturing operations in the world," says Bruce Coventry, President of Global Engine Manufacturing Alliance LLC. "At the same time, in the spirit of continuous improvement we recognize there are many opportunities in our processes. We understand that manufacturing excellence is a never-ending journey, not a final destination.”