By: Kaye Leery
An automotive sales index online has identified the Toyota
Tundra as one of the best-selling vehicles built in America and
its partly attributed to the new Toyota Motor Manufacturing
Texas Inc. plant in San Antonio.
And for the first time, the Tundra which was built at the
facilities in Princeton, Ind., and San Antonio with parts made
like the Toyota control arm
bushing kits primarily in American factories has finally
made it into Cars.com's American Made Index.
Every year the American Made Index identifies the top 10 models
of vehicles that are in essence American and that pertains to
where parts are produced and also with regards to the vehicles
popularity among cars.com buyers.
So far the top produced "American" vehicle according to the
index is the Ford F-150 which is primarily assembled in
Claycomo, Mo., and Dearborn, Mich. The Toyota Camry on the other
hand which is assembled in Georgetown, Ky., and Lafayette, Ind.,
ranked second only.
The Fort Wayne Ind., and Pontiac, Mich.-built Chevrolet
Silverado 1500 ranked third while the Lordstown, Ohio-built
Chevrolet Cobalt ranked fourth and the Wayne, Mich.-built Ford
Focus ranked fifth.
Toyota's Tundra came in at 10th place on the list. The
Chicago-based cars.com works with more than 200 newspapers,
television stations and their Web sites to buy and sell new and
used vehicles.
Cars.com is a division of Classified Ventures LLC which is a
company owned by media conglomerates Belo Corp., Gannett Co.
Inc., The McClatchy Co., Tribune Co., and The Washington Post Co.
About Toyota
Toyota is a Japanese multinational corporation and the world's
largest automaker by sales revenue as of 2007 toppling General
Motors in the position. Together with its half-owned subsidiary
Daihatsu, the company was the second largest auto company by
revenue of $179 billion and total vehicle production, making it
as one of the most profitable automaker with net income of
around $11 billion. Toyota was also the world's eight largest
company by revenue last 2006.
Toyota owns and operates Toyota, Lexus, Scion, and parts of
Daihatsu brands, divisions, and companies. The company includes
522 subsidiaries.
About the author:
Kaye Leery is has a degree in Information Technology. She enjoys
her profession as an IT consultant. She is also passionate about
writing and plans to pursue a Creative Writing workshop in Iowa.
Saturday, June 30, 2007
Thursday, April 05, 2007
Greenest Automaker Title Goes To Honda
By: Lauren Woods
The 2007 Greenest Automaker title has been given by the Union of
Concerned Scientists (UCS) to the Honda Motor Company and such a
title has been bestowed to the car maker for the fourth time.
The latter is currently considered to the car company in the US
which is fuel efficient. And the title is actually given out by
the UCS every two years and the UCS decides which company
rightfully deserves to take home the title after considering
which car makers has vehicles in their US fleet which has the
least number of overall production of emissions that forms smogs
as well as emissions that affect global warming.
Don MacKenzie is a UCS vehicle engineer and he backs up the
group's decision by saying, "Honda remains the greenest U.S.
automaker. The company installs clean technology across its
entire fleet of cars and trucks and that consistency makes it a
top environmental performer. Honda is one of only two automakers
to have better-than-average global warming scores in every class
of vehicles it sold in MY2005. In addition, Honda continues to
have the best smog score in four out of the five classes."
Of course, we all do know that Honda is one of the leaders when
it comes to looking deeper into new technologies that could help
alleviate the further destruction of our environment. And with
all the new technologies that they are able to create, they are
also able to create practical applications that would help out
improve a vehicle's fuel efficiency. Honda's vehicles are also
created so that it can be used with a Weapon R cold air intake
system that could even further enhance the performance of
Honda's green vehicles.
Honda is also one of the leaders when it comes to creating
vehicles that lessen greenhouse gas emissions which are quite
harmful to the environment. They are also one of the car
manufacturers working on alternative fuels that could replace
current gasoline fuel.
John Mendel is the company's executive vice president for its US
arm and he affirms, "We are proud to be recognized as a leader,
and will continue to challenge ourselves to improve the
environmental performance of our company and our products." He
does even further add, "We have entered a period in history
where society is more critically aware of how the actions we
take today determine the course of our environmental future for
generations to come. We accept this as our challenge."
About the author:
Given her background on cars as an auto insurance director,
Lauren Woods finds the world of cars to be constantly changing.
The 2007 Greenest Automaker title has been given by the Union of
Concerned Scientists (UCS) to the Honda Motor Company and such a
title has been bestowed to the car maker for the fourth time.
The latter is currently considered to the car company in the US
which is fuel efficient. And the title is actually given out by
the UCS every two years and the UCS decides which company
rightfully deserves to take home the title after considering
which car makers has vehicles in their US fleet which has the
least number of overall production of emissions that forms smogs
as well as emissions that affect global warming.
Don MacKenzie is a UCS vehicle engineer and he backs up the
group's decision by saying, "Honda remains the greenest U.S.
automaker. The company installs clean technology across its
entire fleet of cars and trucks and that consistency makes it a
top environmental performer. Honda is one of only two automakers
to have better-than-average global warming scores in every class
of vehicles it sold in MY2005. In addition, Honda continues to
have the best smog score in four out of the five classes."
Of course, we all do know that Honda is one of the leaders when
it comes to looking deeper into new technologies that could help
alleviate the further destruction of our environment. And with
all the new technologies that they are able to create, they are
also able to create practical applications that would help out
improve a vehicle's fuel efficiency. Honda's vehicles are also
created so that it can be used with a Weapon R cold air intake
system that could even further enhance the performance of
Honda's green vehicles.
Honda is also one of the leaders when it comes to creating
vehicles that lessen greenhouse gas emissions which are quite
harmful to the environment. They are also one of the car
manufacturers working on alternative fuels that could replace
current gasoline fuel.
John Mendel is the company's executive vice president for its US
arm and he affirms, "We are proud to be recognized as a leader,
and will continue to challenge ourselves to improve the
environmental performance of our company and our products." He
does even further add, "We have entered a period in history
where society is more critically aware of how the actions we
take today determine the course of our environmental future for
generations to come. We accept this as our challenge."
About the author:
Given her background on cars as an auto insurance director,
Lauren Woods finds the world of cars to be constantly changing.
Top Ultimately Safe Cars Named
By: Dwyane Thomas
The Insurance Institute for the Highway Safety and the National
Highway Traffic Administration has these cars as the "Top Safety
Picks" and top raters in all crash tests.
The Acura RDX with its price around $33,000 to $37,000 and a
fuel economy of 21 mpg garnered the pick due to its electronic
stability. This factor helps control the vehicle and prevents it
from flipping over during emergency maneuvers. The Acura RDX has
a 4-cylinder turbocharged engine and an all-wheel handling
system which can continuously shift powers from side to side.
Also named was the Honda CR-V. This unit sells around $23,000 to
$28,000 and has 24 mpg fuel economy. Sharing much of its basic
engineering with the Acura RDX, the Honda CR-V is more
ordinary-feeling and has less expensive car suspension and
all-wheel-drive systems. This vehicle also has a more powerful
engine than the Acura RDX.
Another Honda made it to the list, the Honda Pilot. This is one
of the most popular crossover SUVs which has with it the
standard Honda electronic stability control. This car sells
around $27,000 to $35,500 and has a fuel economy of 19 mpg.
Next on the list is the Hyundai Entourage which the new minivan
from Hyundai. This vehicle with a selling price at around
$24,000 to $29,000 and an overall fuel economy at 20 mpg, is
very much like the Kia Sedona only that the Kia Sedona has a
smooth and quiet ride with comfortable interior and solid build
quality. This is quoted from the "Editors Top Recommended
Vehicle" by Edmunds.com.
Another car mentioned earlier, the Kia Sedona also managed to
snag a position on the list. Having a fuel economy of 20 mpg and
sold at $20,500 to $26,000, the Kia Sedona represents an
"excellent value", again, this is recommended by Edmunds. Com.
The Mercedes-Benz M-Class is also on the list. This crossover
vehicle handles very well considering its size. This $43,000 to
$85,000 class has a fuel economy of 19 for ML350 and 16 for the
ML500. This car has its featured top parts and the Mercedes repair manual.
Another on the list is the Subaru B9 Tribeca which sells at
around $30,000 to $37,000 with a fuel economy of 20 mpg. This
particular vehicle has some peculiar design and performs well in
crash tests. Another Subaru, the Forester, rank in the top. This
Subaru has 25mpg and price around $30,000 to $37,000. Still,
another Subaru, the Legacy which is an all-wheel-drive and can
perform strongly in the crash tests sells around $20,500 to
$34,000 and has a fuel economy of 25 mpg.
About the author:
Dwyane Thomas is a part time cook and full-time auto-enthusiast.
This 31-year old Civil and Environmental graduate is a
consultant at one of the engineering firms in Pennsylvania.
The Insurance Institute for the Highway Safety and the National
Highway Traffic Administration has these cars as the "Top Safety
Picks" and top raters in all crash tests.
The Acura RDX with its price around $33,000 to $37,000 and a
fuel economy of 21 mpg garnered the pick due to its electronic
stability. This factor helps control the vehicle and prevents it
from flipping over during emergency maneuvers. The Acura RDX has
a 4-cylinder turbocharged engine and an all-wheel handling
system which can continuously shift powers from side to side.
Also named was the Honda CR-V. This unit sells around $23,000 to
$28,000 and has 24 mpg fuel economy. Sharing much of its basic
engineering with the Acura RDX, the Honda CR-V is more
ordinary-feeling and has less expensive car suspension and
all-wheel-drive systems. This vehicle also has a more powerful
engine than the Acura RDX.
Another Honda made it to the list, the Honda Pilot. This is one
of the most popular crossover SUVs which has with it the
standard Honda electronic stability control. This car sells
around $27,000 to $35,500 and has a fuel economy of 19 mpg.
Next on the list is the Hyundai Entourage which the new minivan
from Hyundai. This vehicle with a selling price at around
$24,000 to $29,000 and an overall fuel economy at 20 mpg, is
very much like the Kia Sedona only that the Kia Sedona has a
smooth and quiet ride with comfortable interior and solid build
quality. This is quoted from the "Editors Top Recommended
Vehicle" by Edmunds.com.
Another car mentioned earlier, the Kia Sedona also managed to
snag a position on the list. Having a fuel economy of 20 mpg and
sold at $20,500 to $26,000, the Kia Sedona represents an
"excellent value", again, this is recommended by Edmunds. Com.
The Mercedes-Benz M-Class is also on the list. This crossover
vehicle handles very well considering its size. This $43,000 to
$85,000 class has a fuel economy of 19 for ML350 and 16 for the
ML500. This car has its featured top parts and the Mercedes repair manual.
Another on the list is the Subaru B9 Tribeca which sells at
around $30,000 to $37,000 with a fuel economy of 20 mpg. This
particular vehicle has some peculiar design and performs well in
crash tests. Another Subaru, the Forester, rank in the top. This
Subaru has 25mpg and price around $30,000 to $37,000. Still,
another Subaru, the Legacy which is an all-wheel-drive and can
perform strongly in the crash tests sells around $20,500 to
$34,000 and has a fuel economy of 25 mpg.
About the author:
Dwyane Thomas is a part time cook and full-time auto-enthusiast.
This 31-year old Civil and Environmental graduate is a
consultant at one of the engineering firms in Pennsylvania.
Sunday, March 25, 2007
Know the Car you Buy
By: Greg Chapman
With so many used car sellers on the market, buyers can be
convinced to purchase impulsively, enticed to take advantage of
a limited time offer or to prevent someone from beating them to
the vehicle they are eyeing. Buyers, seduced by the prospect of
driving home the glossy car of their dreams for a steal,
sometimes do not do the homework necessary to protect them from
future suffering. Some deceitful car dealers will sell faulty or
even totaled cars to unsuspecting buyers to make a profit,
regardless of the frustration and problems the buyer will face
in the long run. Cars that have fallen victim to flooding suffer
major mechanical problems, but too often flooded out cars are
still "fixed up" and sold as clean title used cars.
It is always a good idea to read product reviews and owners'
comments about the quality of the vehicle make and model you are
considering. Reviews can be tainted by personal opinion and
preconceived brand image, so try to rely on objective reports
based on facts. If owners across the board are saying that the
transmission in a particular vehicle fails around a certain
mileage, it is probably best to believe it.
Besides studying the reputation of a vehicle make and model,
knowing the history of the particular vehicle you are
considering is extremely important. If a car has been totaled,
it is supposed to have a salvage title, which would allow a
buyer to knowingly still purchase it. Regardless, there is no
standard among different states, and cars that have been totaled
are still being sold with clean titles.
Even the most reliable car's longevity is compromised if it is
victimized by a flood. Flood waters wreak havoc on a vehicle's
transmission, brakes, electrical system, and overall value. When
you are testing a car from a used car dealer, check inside and
out for signs of water damage. Cars that are flood victims may
have a lingering musty smell, regardless of the replaced
upholstery. Any abnormal discoloration or imperfectly fitted
carpeting is cause for concern. Inspect the car fully for signs
of damage, mold or sand, paying attention to the trunk, glove
compartment, engine, and beneath the seats. Also, test for
proper operation of all lights, signals, windshield wipers, heat
and air conditioner. Follow your instincts, if the deal seems
too good to be true, it probably is.
You can learn more about a car by submitting its Vehicle
Identification Number (VIN) to a trustworthy company such as
CARFAX, which reports information about vehicles from its
nationwide database. Reputable used car dealers will likely take
this step for you, providing the CARFAX report on the vehicles
in their inventory at no cost to you.
Being conscientious in your car search will help ensure that the
car you are buying has not been flooded or otherwise totaled,
saving you the hassle of costly repairs or a too soon
replacement.
About the author:
About the Author: Greg Chapman of Greg Chapman Motors is a
knowledgeable and leading provider of used cars, trucks, and
SUV's. Since 1959, Chapman motors has offered reliable used cars in Austin
TX and the surrounding area. For more information please
visit Greg Chapman
Motors.
With so many used car sellers on the market, buyers can be
convinced to purchase impulsively, enticed to take advantage of
a limited time offer or to prevent someone from beating them to
the vehicle they are eyeing. Buyers, seduced by the prospect of
driving home the glossy car of their dreams for a steal,
sometimes do not do the homework necessary to protect them from
future suffering. Some deceitful car dealers will sell faulty or
even totaled cars to unsuspecting buyers to make a profit,
regardless of the frustration and problems the buyer will face
in the long run. Cars that have fallen victim to flooding suffer
major mechanical problems, but too often flooded out cars are
still "fixed up" and sold as clean title used cars.
It is always a good idea to read product reviews and owners'
comments about the quality of the vehicle make and model you are
considering. Reviews can be tainted by personal opinion and
preconceived brand image, so try to rely on objective reports
based on facts. If owners across the board are saying that the
transmission in a particular vehicle fails around a certain
mileage, it is probably best to believe it.
Besides studying the reputation of a vehicle make and model,
knowing the history of the particular vehicle you are
considering is extremely important. If a car has been totaled,
it is supposed to have a salvage title, which would allow a
buyer to knowingly still purchase it. Regardless, there is no
standard among different states, and cars that have been totaled
are still being sold with clean titles.
Even the most reliable car's longevity is compromised if it is
victimized by a flood. Flood waters wreak havoc on a vehicle's
transmission, brakes, electrical system, and overall value. When
you are testing a car from a used car dealer, check inside and
out for signs of water damage. Cars that are flood victims may
have a lingering musty smell, regardless of the replaced
upholstery. Any abnormal discoloration or imperfectly fitted
carpeting is cause for concern. Inspect the car fully for signs
of damage, mold or sand, paying attention to the trunk, glove
compartment, engine, and beneath the seats. Also, test for
proper operation of all lights, signals, windshield wipers, heat
and air conditioner. Follow your instincts, if the deal seems
too good to be true, it probably is.
You can learn more about a car by submitting its Vehicle
Identification Number (VIN) to a trustworthy company such as
CARFAX, which reports information about vehicles from its
nationwide database. Reputable used car dealers will likely take
this step for you, providing the CARFAX report on the vehicles
in their inventory at no cost to you.
Being conscientious in your car search will help ensure that the
car you are buying has not been flooded or otherwise totaled,
saving you the hassle of costly repairs or a too soon
replacement.
About the author:
About the Author: Greg Chapman of Greg Chapman Motors is a
knowledgeable and leading provider of used cars, trucks, and
SUV's. Since 1959, Chapman motors has offered reliable used cars in Austin
TX and the surrounding area. For more information please
visit Greg Chapman
Motors.
Friday, March 23, 2007
Saving Money On Car Insurance With A Teenage Driver
By: Barry Brenner
Are you paying a fortune to insure your teenage driver? You
really don't have to.
Some car insurance companies will charge you for your teenage
driver when they turn sixteen. Some won't. Call your carrier
ahead of time to find out what their policy is.
The most costly coverage on your auto insurance policy is the
collision coverage. Collision coverage covers damage to your
vehicle when it is involved in an at-fault accident. I.e. you
hit someone or something. New drivers, no matter what age, are
rated higher and cost more due to their lack of driving
experience.
To save on the cost of the collision coverage on a new driver,
consider purchasing a used vehicle that cost between one
thousand five hundred and three thousand five hundred dollars.
Make sure that it is mechanically sound for your driving needs.
If you want to cover this vehicle for theft and vandalism, you
can purchase comprehensive coverage. Instead of purchasing
collision coverage on this vehicle, purchase uninsured motorist
property damage coverage.
Uninsured motorist property damage coverage protects your
vehicle for up to a limited amount if an uninsured motorist hits
it and you can identify the driver and the vehicle. That way if
anyone hits you, even if they have no insurance, your vehicle
will be repaired or you will receive payment from your insurance
company for the fair market value of the vehicle. Some insurance
companies include a deductible with this coverage. Your savings
could be anywhere from five hundred to two thousand dollars per
year for your first three years of driving. How much does that
add up to after three years?
When my daughter turned sixteen this year, I was faced with this
dilemma. I own a 2002 Honda Accord and a 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer.
My auto insurance carrier wanted to increase my premium by two
thousand dollars every six months to add her onto the policy.
I bought her a 1970 Plymouth, in good mechanical condition, and
found a different top insurance company that charged me $642.00
every six months for the Plymouth with her on the policy. This
policy came with permissive driving as a standard feature. This
means that any other car she drove, including my other cars,
were covered by this policy.
After I purchased the policy on the Plymouth, I was then able to
add her onto my current policy for my Honda and Mitsubishi as a
not rated driver without any additional cost. If she causes an
accident while driving my Honda or Mitsubishi, the policy on the
Plymouth would come first with its' coverage's. Then my current
policy would come second, if necessary.
My current carrier wanted $1,200.00 every six months if I added
the 1970 Plymouth and my daughter onto the policy. So I ended up
saving over $1,100.00 a year on my car insurance.
About the author:
Barry Brenner is a licensed auto insurance agent with extensive
experience selling car insurance. You can visit his popular
website at: http://www.cheapcarinsurancequotetips.com
Are you paying a fortune to insure your teenage driver? You
really don't have to.
Some car insurance companies will charge you for your teenage
driver when they turn sixteen. Some won't. Call your carrier
ahead of time to find out what their policy is.
The most costly coverage on your auto insurance policy is the
collision coverage. Collision coverage covers damage to your
vehicle when it is involved in an at-fault accident. I.e. you
hit someone or something. New drivers, no matter what age, are
rated higher and cost more due to their lack of driving
experience.
To save on the cost of the collision coverage on a new driver,
consider purchasing a used vehicle that cost between one
thousand five hundred and three thousand five hundred dollars.
Make sure that it is mechanically sound for your driving needs.
If you want to cover this vehicle for theft and vandalism, you
can purchase comprehensive coverage. Instead of purchasing
collision coverage on this vehicle, purchase uninsured motorist
property damage coverage.
Uninsured motorist property damage coverage protects your
vehicle for up to a limited amount if an uninsured motorist hits
it and you can identify the driver and the vehicle. That way if
anyone hits you, even if they have no insurance, your vehicle
will be repaired or you will receive payment from your insurance
company for the fair market value of the vehicle. Some insurance
companies include a deductible with this coverage. Your savings
could be anywhere from five hundred to two thousand dollars per
year for your first three years of driving. How much does that
add up to after three years?
When my daughter turned sixteen this year, I was faced with this
dilemma. I own a 2002 Honda Accord and a 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer.
My auto insurance carrier wanted to increase my premium by two
thousand dollars every six months to add her onto the policy.
I bought her a 1970 Plymouth, in good mechanical condition, and
found a different top insurance company that charged me $642.00
every six months for the Plymouth with her on the policy. This
policy came with permissive driving as a standard feature. This
means that any other car she drove, including my other cars,
were covered by this policy.
After I purchased the policy on the Plymouth, I was then able to
add her onto my current policy for my Honda and Mitsubishi as a
not rated driver without any additional cost. If she causes an
accident while driving my Honda or Mitsubishi, the policy on the
Plymouth would come first with its' coverage's. Then my current
policy would come second, if necessary.
My current carrier wanted $1,200.00 every six months if I added
the 1970 Plymouth and my daughter onto the policy. So I ended up
saving over $1,100.00 a year on my car insurance.
About the author:
Barry Brenner is a licensed auto insurance agent with extensive
experience selling car insurance. You can visit his popular
website at: http://www.cheapcarinsurancequotetips.com
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