BMW In China

The Asian auto market is growing steadily. India and China are the two countries to watch as more and more consumers at these countries are now looking for vehicles to purchase. This means that we can see major automakers expanding their presence in these Asian countries.

Nissan already announced its plan to turn India into an auto parts production hub. In China, automakers like General Motors are already making their presence felt. Recently, The Auto Channel reported that German automaker BMW is looking to increase their sales in Asia. The automaker announced that they will be aiming to increase sales by a quarter over the next five years.

Stefan Krause, sales and marketing chief of BMW, said that the company is expecting to improve just a little bit from last year's 12 percent sales growth. "This is a conservative target, because we like to exceed expectations," said Krause. According to him, the automaker's 1 Series will be marketed in the region in hope that it will be attractive to consumers in the region who can afford luxury vehicles.

The German automaker though is careful in dealing with the Chinese auto market as a dramatic shift in the trend would leave them losing money. "It's too early to say what will happen in the next three or five years," said Christopher Stark, the head of the German automaker's arm in the Asian country. "As and when market demand grows, we will look again into how to proceed with an expansion," he added. After all, BMW vehicles are not as inexpensive as an Acura car cover. That's why they should take every precaution to avoid overproduction.

Krause though concluded that: "In 2008 we expect further substantial increases in retail volume in China, despite increasing competition in the market."

Pothole Damage

Watch out! That’s a pothole!

Too late. You just hit it and your vehicle may just have suffered some damage.

The Car Care Council has come to inform you of how you can detect if damage has been inflicted on your precious vehicle and its precious Ford truck parts. Those potholes may look harmless but they can really do that much damage.

You may notice that you have lost some control over your vehicle. There can be some swaying when you are doing those simple turns. Quite some bouncing while going through rough roads too. These are just some of the signs of symptoms that your car has been given a reminder by the pothole never to hit it again. When you notice such, you can be sure that the steering system has been damaged. The suspension may also have gotten quite a whack.

Rich white is the Car Care Council’s executive director. On their complete list of tips, he has disclosed, “Every driver knows what it feels like to hit a pothole. What they don't know is if their vehicle has been damaged in the process. If you've hit a pothole, it's worth having a professional technician check out the car and make the necessary repairs to ensure safety and reliability.”

There you go.

Used Car Buying Myths Revealed

New car shoppers today are smart enough to know what they want before they begin searching for used or brand new car. According to the Auto Channel, studies done by Joe Lecosta of Northwood University Automotive Marketing Chair revealed that more than thirty percent of used car shoppers considered to get a new vehicle at first. However, they were convinced to buy a used car instead of getting a brand new one at some point in their search process. So what are the factors to consider in searching for the best vehicle? It’s easy! It’s as simple as repairing fuel pumps... check this out!

According to AutoTrader.com's statistics, 64% of AutoTrader.com clients merely search between "All" vehicles and selecting "New" or "Used". As a result, buyers are generally open to both new and used car. It depends if the car suits their standards.

"With better long-term reliability and certified pre-owned programs bringing a new-car confidence to used-car purchases, buyers who wouldn't consider used cars in the past are increasingly looking at and buying used cars. One of the things we'll talk about at this presentation is how to leverage this trend and merchandise your used cars effectively to reach this new market of used-car buyers. Our aim is to explode some of the myths and 'conventional wisdom' that might be getting in the way of dealers getting the most profit from their used-car inventory," says Lescota.

"There are so many opportunities to sell more cars more profitably if people will look at their business practices - many of which worked in the past but that now needs updating or outright change. With technology, marketing channels and customer preferences changing so quickly today, things that might have been true even five years ago may now be myths and should be revisited. With this up-to-the minute research and information we'll be presenting, dealers will have actions they can implement the day they return from the show that will help build their business and maximize profitability,” says Chip Perry, AutoTrader.com CEO and President.

Learning Balance

An era of concept cars is expected to follow after the on-going 2008 Detroit Auto Show at Cobo Center in Detroit .

Eco-friendly - that best describes them. These cars are powered by alternative fuels like ethanol, a biofuel made out of indigenous materials such as sugarcane that serves as an alternative to gasoline. In other words, cars that economize fuel use and therefore, set less hazards to the environment.

From luxury cars like Ferrari to Mitsubishi's sports cars, auto makers had approved to the US government's vision of improved fuel economy through promotion of alternative fuel use.

General Motors' Cadillac Provoq is one of those concept cars that offer luxurious rides through an innovative fuel cell system and a lithium-ion-battery that doesn't use petroleum and emit nothing else but water.

"Cadillac is a natural fit for GM's next step in developing the E-Flex platform," said Jim Taylor, Cadillac general manager. He added, "At its very essence, it is about premium luxury, design and technology."

The E-Flex refers to a platform for electrically driven vehicles. According to GM Vice-President Beth Lowery, GM foresees energy independence with diversity playing one of the key roles.

Cadillac's latest car concept is said to drive up to 300 miles or 483 kilometers on a single fill of hydrogen, 280 miles from hydrogen and 20 miles with pure, battery electric energy.

Indeed, a product of excellent minds. And speaking of excellence, to ensure an excellent car travel, it would be best if GM would utilize even better wheel bearings in their concept car models. Why not? Isn't it that there must always be a balance between environment and consumers' protection?

NAIAS: LRX Steals The Show

The cars of the future swarm this year’s North American International Auto Show. If happen to drop by the motor show, you probably have the idea how stunning cars would be…

At the NAIAS, there are so many cars to feed your imagination and auto appetite. There are plenty of choices; you might lose your count. Japanese automakers flaunt their masterpieces. European counterparts also sported their breath-taking obra maestra. But American auto manufacturers won’t let the show pass without staging a nice fight.

The 2009 versions of Ford F-150 and Dodge Ram turn heads. A slice of the future is also presented by Land Rover in its LRX concept. The latter is said to have stole the show. "LRX is a design born out of passion for the brand, but it is different, relevant, engaging and exciting - because Land Rover has never built ordinary cars...it's a Land Rover that would be comfortable on Bond Street or Fifth Avenue, but wouldn't flinch at getting its wheels dirty," said Gerry McGovern, Land Rover's design director.

The LRX 4x4 concept boasts of bolder new look for Land Rover styling. It comes in a much smaller and more flexible package without sacrificing the core values of the British automaker.

"The LRX concept delivers the powerful message that we are as serious about sustainability as we are confident about the continuing relevance and desirability of our vehicles," said Phil Popham, managing director of the company. "The LRX is in every respect a Land Rover, but it’s a very different Land Rover.

"LRX has unmistakable Land Rover design and the breadth of capability that you’d expect from our vehicles. But it carries those essentials into a segment where the brand has never been before, and with a proposed level of efficiency that would make it one of the cleanest vehicles in its class. It is Land Rover’s way of affirming the brand’s responsible approach to future product development. At this stage, LRX is purely a concept, designed to help us develop our thinking as well as gauge customer reaction – but this feels like a hugely exciting direction to take," Popham was quoted as saying.

The maker of Land Rover Range Rover 3.5 radiator equips the concept with an integrated Electric Drive Rear Axle Drive otherwise called as ERAD. The feature allows the vehicle to run efficiently both on-road and off-road.

"We are determined to make sustainability a key element in our future product design and the way we do business, while still creating vehicles that have a strong emotional appeal as well as fulfill people’s practical needs," concluded Popham. "No one technology delivers all the answers to whole life sustainability, but the LRX concept brings together some of the future ideas that interest us, into a car that we believe represents an exciting way forward for Land Rover."

Lincoln MKT Concept In Detroit

Detroit… home of the world’s biggest auto manufacturers! Talk about Ford Motor Company, GM and more. Today, the breeding ground for premium vehicles opens the annual Detroit Auto Show for 2008. Once again, the event will showcase several brand new concept cars, vehicle technologies and great surprises. It is rest assured that the 2008 Detroit Auto Show will be as bright as all headlights with all the best vehicles that the world has to offer under one roof.

One of the hottest surprises uncovered in the show is the Lincoln MKT Concept. Like any other cool concept car, the MKT exemplifies the automotive industry in the future, which is radically awesome and successful. The MKT concept exemplifies supreme balance of roominess, convenience and fuel efficiency. It sure is a brand new kind of driving experience which is being offered to drivers.

According to the Auto Channel, the Lincoln MKT concept is equipped with a 3.5-liter V-6 EcoBoost engine with turbocharging and direct injection that generates the power and torque of a V-8 engine with the fuel efficiency of a V-6.

Lincoln is introducing EcoBoost engines that will carry out over 20 percent enhanced fuel economy on half a million Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles yearly in North America in the next years to come.

“EcoBoost engines can deliver better fuel economy and performance on a full range of vehicles, from small cars to large trucks,” said Mark Fields, the president of The Americas. “The Lincoln MKT concept offers the comfort of a luxury sedan, the spaciousness and flexibility of a full-size utility and the performance of a sporty roadster - executed with new technologies and materials that make it as environmentally friendly as it is elegant. The Lincoln MKT concept is understated but powerful - inside, outside and under the hood.”

“We envisioned this concept as a modern grand tourer, really a Learjet of the road. With the Lincoln MKT concept, you find a premium utility that could as easily accommodate a businessperson slipping into the back seat on the way to his or her next meeting in the chaos of Manhattan as a family packed up for a weekend getaway to the coast,” says Peter Horbury, executive director of Design, The Americas.

Hybrid Luxury Car At NAIAS

The increasing price of gasoline and the awareness of the threat of global warming have increased the demand for green vehicles. Toyota is currently being touted as the leader in the design and production of green vehicles thanks to its Prius. But large automakers are not the only ones making great stride in the development of green vehicles. This is what Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide, Inc and Fisker Automotive Inc are proving with the unveiling of the Fisker Hybrid sedan at the North American International Auto Show.

At the said event, two Fisker Hybrid sedans will be showcased. The first one will be the main display and will be located in the Oakland Hall at Booth OAK9. The second will be showcased in the Michigan Hall at Booth MH24. The second Fisker Hybrid will be displayed along with a solar energy based recharging station. Said recharging technology is developed by Quantum along with its German partner, Asola Advanced and Automotive Solar Systems GmbH.

The first Fisker Hybrid employs the technology developed by Quantum, the Q-Drive. Said technology allows the luxury sedan to go for 50 miles on battery power alone. It means a dramatic decrease in the amount of greenhouse gas emission of the vehicle. For longer distances of travel, the Q-Drive allows the integration of battery power and the power produced by the internal combustion engine. The engine of the Fisker Hybrid uses advanced auto parts which means it might not be using distributor rotors.

Alan Niedzwiecki, president and CEO of Quantum had this to say about the hybrid car: "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."

Car Care Tips From Car Care Council

The Wall Street Journal and NBC News conducted a poll asking consumers what their major economic concern is. The result is not quite surprising as respondents of the poll pointed to the increasing price of gasoline.

In response to this, the Car Care Council's executive director, Rich White, had this to say: "The best way to fight higher costs at the gas pump is to keep your vehicle running properly. You can't control the price of gas, but you can control how much gas you burn by proper maintenance and how you drive. Performing simple and inexpensive maintenance can save as much as $1200 a year in gas cost."

To help motorists save on fuel, the Car Care Council had these tips posted in The Auto Channel:

• Check your vehicle gas cap. About 17 percent of the vehicles on the roads have gas caps that are either damaged, loose or are missing altogether, causing 147 million gallons of gas to vaporize every year.
• When tires aren't inflated properly, it's like driving with the parking brake on, and can cost a mile or two per gallon.
• A dirty spark plug causes misfiring, which wastes fuel. Spark plugs need to be replaced regularly.
• Replacing a clogged air filter can improve gas mileage by as much as 10 percent, saving about 15 cents on a gallon.
• Aggressive driving can lower gas mileage by as much as 22 percent on the highway and five percent on city streets, which results in seven to 49 cents per gallon.
• Sitting idle gets zero miles per gallon. Letting the vehicle warm up for one to two minutes is sufficient.
• Gas mileage decreases rapidly at speeds above 60 mph. Each mph driven over 60 results in an additional 10 cents per gallon. To maintain a constant speed on the highway, cruise control is recommended.

These tips mean that you do not have to shelve your car and hide it under a car cover just to save on the pump.

Fender Vents Are Destined To Die

“Fashion fades, only style remains the same,” said the famous fashion icon Coco Chanel. Along this line, another auto part is destined to die. What would it be?

The fender vents.

Auto experts say the famed ornamentation is likely to fade notwithstanding its enduring existence in the auto industry. To note, fender vents have been used cool off the engine in performance cars. This was the practice for years now. But today, the auto part is likely to be upstaged by the latest innovations in the industry.

“It has become a design cliché for this millennium,” said John Manoogian, director of design at General Motors for Cadillac exteriors. It’s a bitter conclusion for Manoogian, who included fender vents in the Cadillac CTS’s curriculum vitae, and also in its cousins, adding fender portholes on the Buick Lucerne full-size sedan, according to MSNBC.

“But those cars have a history of fender perforation, and the new models’ fenders are actually punctured so there is a real vent,” he stressed. “There are holes in [these cars’ fenders] and they are functional. But it has become so ubiquitous now, everyone is using them in all manner and it is getting out of hand. It has gotten so they are decorative pieces that are just tacked on the car.”

Manoogian said a vent’s legitimacy hinges on two things – historical use by the manufacturer and actual functionality.

According to the report, BMW is claiming that its history gives it license to glue fake plastic vents to its M3 sport sedan. The automaker used them on its classic 507 roadster and, more recently, on its Z3 sports car, so fake ones on the M3 are fine, said spokesman Oleg Satanovsky “I’ve seen [added-on] M3 vents on Honda Civics,” he added.

“A vent helps eat up a lot of space in what can be an empty area now that the front wheels are so far forward,” said Peter Horbury, Ford’s executive director for design for the Americas, although he admits the use of the vent is primarily for fashion purposes. “Part of car design is fashion. We have to expect to use [a device like vents] and do away with it as fashion dictates,” he explained.

Now the obvious trend is the use of plastic cladding; just take a look at Pontiac Aztec. Who will defy the flourishing trend?

“They will become the vinyl tops of the new millennium,” predicted Manoogian. “Twenty or thirty years from now, people will look back and say, ‘That car must have come from between 2004 and whenever’ because of the vents.”

Auto parts like engines, filter, wheel hub assembly and springs are vital to a vehicle. But who knows, innovations might upstage them in the near future.

Toyota President Highlights Sustainable Activities

We all know that Toyota is leading all automakers when it comes to producing green vehicles. The Toyota Prius is one concrete example that the Japanese automaker is the leader. Last year, the automaker announced that they have sold more than a million hybrid vehicles with Toyota Prius sales boosting the figure.

But green vehicles are not green enough to some unless they are produced in such a way that nature is not put in jeopardy. Thus, Toyota is putting a lot of effort in meeting producing green cars the green way.

The automaker's president, Katsuaki Watanabe said: "In the area of sustainability in manufacturing, we are currently implementing our sustainable plant activities, which emphasize the role of nature in creating production sites that are in harmony with their natural surroundings. The Tsutsumi Plant in Japan where the Prius is manufactured has been positioned as a model plant and these activities are being conducted there."

"The main feature of the sustainable plant concept is plant development from the following three perspectives: achieving groundbreaking environmental performance by introducing innovative technology and kaizen (improvement) activities; using renewable energy, including biomass and natural energy sources, such as solar power and wind power; contributing to the local community and conserving the environment by planting trees in and around plants. We recently selected model plants in various regions to expand these activities globally. In the Americas, we have designated our Mississippi plant, currently under construction, as a model plant. In Europe, the Toyota plants in the United Kingdom and France, respectively, and in Asia, the Ban Pho Plant in Thailand, have also been designated as model plants."

Apart from manufacturing green vehicles, the automaker is also known for its reliable auto components which are as durable as Acura fenders.