At the time of this writing, there is a game being played. And in my opinion, the game is called, "confronting the US oil crisis". The major players are the car manufacturers, the government, maybe the EPA and have course the people being the unwitting spectators that are readily lured to the show.
And the game pieces are the fuel economy cars also known as hybrid cars.
I will begin by emphasizing the point that I don't know everything there is to know about this so called "impending oil crisis". And I'm not sure if there is anyone who knows everything there is to know about this impending oil crisis too. However, I am fairly certain that the hybrid cars wouldn't be a prospective solution to the problem; not at least for a few more years.
One would notice a massive influx of hybrid cars on the roads today and yet, did nothing to help put a dent in the oil problems; but instead made a quandary with regards to car-pooling. As early as January 2005, hybrids car owners were allowed to use car pool lanes, even when driving alone. Given the fact that thousands of hybrid cars have been sold since 1999, some of the car pool lanes are becoming more congested than the regular traffic lanes they're supposed to lighten.
According to a compiled report for the past eight years made by the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory, the pervasive presence of the supposedly fuel economy cars have saved only a measly total of 5.5 million oil barrels. It's a rather distressing contrast against the approximate 8.5 million barrels a day to power the present usage of the light, private vehicles. But even then, researchers are very optimistic with regards to fuel economy cars. They have concluded that for fuel economy cars to have an impact, they have to at least cover more than 50% of the car population in the United States. And given the growing sales of these fuel economy cars, it's just a matter of time.
On a more personal note, can fuel economy cars help you cut back on gasoline consumption? Yes they could, depending on your driving habits. However, if you consider the initial cost of the hybrids, you may want to reconsider buying one. One of the biggest challenges of the fuel economy cars is that it takes so long to repay that extra expense of purchasing them. Even in the best-case scenario (as with one of the most popular hybrids, the Toyota Prius), five years time is already considered lucky. One could purchase a standard 4-cylinder Toyota for a much lower price and the fuel economy on these models are just outstanding. Again, this will all depend on you're driving habits. Personally, being a city driver, I get excellent mileage with my four cylinder.
So what is your reasoning to purchase a fuel economy car? Is it for the environmental aspects? Whatever it may be, personally I wouldn't purchase a hybrid car for purely economic reasons.
By: Kerry Ng
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Electric Vehicles
I don’t know about everyone else but if you just ask the kids they’ll tell you they’re all for electric vehicles. It doesn’t matter what kind either. Make all the vehicles electric! After all, electric vehicles are fascinating and easy to use not mention easy on the wallet when it comes to buying gas. Maybe it’s the fact that electric vehicles run in an amazing and mysterious silent way. That’s got the roaring, gut throbbing internal combustion noises beaten hands down. Silence, it seems, is associated with thinking – at least conscious thinking occurs in the silence. Issues of reality and form and style and daydreaming are all part of this silent phenomenon.
If every kid wants electric vehicles, maybe that’s the place to start marketing them. The other day my wife and I helped move a Barbie® Jeep. It’s an electric powered kid sized vehicle and is too heavy for one person to lift, let alone a child. Nevertheless, the toy is very popular and we both thought to climb in and take it for a spin. It’s fun, adventurous, and even parents love it. Back in the adult world, one of the major unresolved electric vehicle issues that remain is that of weight vs. safety. Numerous models of Italian, Swiss and Chinese electric vehicles already exist on the market but few models satisfy U.S. requirements for highway safety. The dilemma is that electric vehicles are kept light for efficiency sake. The required battery storage adds a lot of weight but not where it counts.
Chrysler introduced an electric vehicle in California back in 2000 that was in reality a glorified, weather resistant golf cart. There was more marketing hype than real interest but the giant automaker did meet its EPA mileage goals that year. Slower speeds associated with around town driving are more suited for electric vehicles. Perhaps with new, lighter batteries we’ll see heavier electric vehicles that can meet stringent safety requirements, but it hasn’t happened yet.
Still, the attraction for electric vehicles remains. Considering the state of the world we will probably see some sort of renewable energy vehicle successfully enter the marketplace in the near future. Whether it will be an electric car or one powered by a fuel cell, the final vote is still out.
By: Kerry Ng
If every kid wants electric vehicles, maybe that’s the place to start marketing them. The other day my wife and I helped move a Barbie® Jeep. It’s an electric powered kid sized vehicle and is too heavy for one person to lift, let alone a child. Nevertheless, the toy is very popular and we both thought to climb in and take it for a spin. It’s fun, adventurous, and even parents love it. Back in the adult world, one of the major unresolved electric vehicle issues that remain is that of weight vs. safety. Numerous models of Italian, Swiss and Chinese electric vehicles already exist on the market but few models satisfy U.S. requirements for highway safety. The dilemma is that electric vehicles are kept light for efficiency sake. The required battery storage adds a lot of weight but not where it counts.
Chrysler introduced an electric vehicle in California back in 2000 that was in reality a glorified, weather resistant golf cart. There was more marketing hype than real interest but the giant automaker did meet its EPA mileage goals that year. Slower speeds associated with around town driving are more suited for electric vehicles. Perhaps with new, lighter batteries we’ll see heavier electric vehicles that can meet stringent safety requirements, but it hasn’t happened yet.
Still, the attraction for electric vehicles remains. Considering the state of the world we will probably see some sort of renewable energy vehicle successfully enter the marketplace in the near future. Whether it will be an electric car or one powered by a fuel cell, the final vote is still out.
By: Kerry Ng
Auto Auctions – Luxury Vehicles For Economy Budgets
Auto auctions are making it easier than ever for consumers to get into the car of their dreams. Like most Americans, you probably have luxury taste, but live on an economy budget. With a little research and patience, however, that luxury vehicle you’ve been eyeing could be in your driveway sooner than you ever thought possible.
Contrary to popular belief, auto auctions are not solely restricted to car dealers. This little known fact is what continuously drives Americans to purchase from car dealerships time and time again. Just imagine how much money you could save if you bypassed the dealer’s huge markups and purchased directly from their sources. Consumers regularly report savings of 60% to over 90% off book value! That’s an incredible savings that no dealer could ever offer you.
The majority of these vehicles are late models with very low miles. Some are still even under their manufacturer’s original warranty. So how did these great vehicles end up at auction, you ask? Well, it’s really quite simple. A majority were repossessed by banks and other financial institutions for defaults on loans. And others were seized by local and federal government agencies. Because of the huge costs associated with storing these vehicles, it is necessary that they be auctioned off as quickly as possible.
Auto auctions put you, the consumer, in control. When you go to a dealership the sticker price of the vehicle is either what you pay, or the dealer has a certain price in mind that they’re willing to settle for. At an auto auction, however, there’s usually a low starting bid of $100 to $500, and the bidders determine the final price. If you research and plan accordingly, you can probably attend an auction on a slow business day with very few competing bidders, and walk away with a great car at an incredible price.
By: Cat Tobin
Contrary to popular belief, auto auctions are not solely restricted to car dealers. This little known fact is what continuously drives Americans to purchase from car dealerships time and time again. Just imagine how much money you could save if you bypassed the dealer’s huge markups and purchased directly from their sources. Consumers regularly report savings of 60% to over 90% off book value! That’s an incredible savings that no dealer could ever offer you.
The majority of these vehicles are late models with very low miles. Some are still even under their manufacturer’s original warranty. So how did these great vehicles end up at auction, you ask? Well, it’s really quite simple. A majority were repossessed by banks and other financial institutions for defaults on loans. And others were seized by local and federal government agencies. Because of the huge costs associated with storing these vehicles, it is necessary that they be auctioned off as quickly as possible.
Auto auctions put you, the consumer, in control. When you go to a dealership the sticker price of the vehicle is either what you pay, or the dealer has a certain price in mind that they’re willing to settle for. At an auto auction, however, there’s usually a low starting bid of $100 to $500, and the bidders determine the final price. If you research and plan accordingly, you can probably attend an auction on a slow business day with very few competing bidders, and walk away with a great car at an incredible price.
By: Cat Tobin
Friday, November 28, 2008
BMW Builds a Shape-Shifting Car Out of Cloth
By Chuck Squatriglia, June 10, 2008 | 12:38:21 PM
Concept cars give automotive designers a chance to let their imaginations run wild, often with outlandish results. But even by that measure, BMW has come up with something as strange as it is innovative -- a shape-shifting car covered with fabric.
Instead of steel, aluminum or even carbon fiber, the GINA Light Visionary Model has a body of seamless fabric stretched over a movable metal frame that allows the driver to change its shape at will. The car -- which actually runs and drives -- is a styling design headed straight for the BMW Museum in Munich and so it will never see production, but building a practical car wasn't the point.
Chris Bangle, head of design for BMW, says GINA allowed his team to "challenge existing principles and conventional processes."
"It is in the nature of such visions that they do not necessarily claim to be suitable for series production," company officials said in unveiling the car Tuesday. "Rather, they are intended to steer creativity and research into new directions."
Giving Bangle and his team that latitude to design so radical a car "helps to tap into formerly inconceivable, innovative potential" to push the boundaries of appearance and materials as well as functions and the manufacturing process, BMW says.
Bangle and is team actually built GINA -- which stands for "Geometry and functions In 'N' Adaptions" -- six years ago, but BMW kept it under, er, wraps until Tuesday. It's built on the Z8 chassis and has a 4.4-liter V8 and six-speed automatic transmission. BMW says the fabric skin - polyurethane-coated Lycra - is resilient, durable and water resistant. It's stretched over an aluminum frame controlled by electric and hydraulic actuators that allow the owner to change the body shape. Want a big spoiler on the back? Wider fenders? No problem. "The drastic reinterpretation of familiar functionality and structure means that drivers have a completely new experience when they handle their car," BMW says.
GINA has just four panels - the front hood, two sides and the rear deck. The doors open in jack-knife fashion and are completely smooth when closed; access to the engine is through a slit in the hood. BMW says the shape of the body can be changed without slackening or damaging the fabric. The fabric is opaque translucent so the taillights shine through, and small motors pull the fabric back to reveal the headlights.
The interior is equally innovative. The steering wheel and gauges swing into place and the headrest rises from the seat once the driver is seated, making it easier to get in and out of the car.
BMW says GINA is built on a space frame that provides all the safety of a conventional car, but we suspect people - not to mention BMW's lawyers and government regulators - wouldn't embrace fabric bodies. Still, the company says GINA could influence the design of future Beemers.
Photos And Video by BMW.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Toyota Body Kits—drive The Coolest Car In Town
Sick of the bland look of your car? Sick of seeing everyone having the same style of car as yours? Well then, you need a Toyota body kit.
Toyota body kits can make your vehicle look like it is owned by a big boss or a Hollywood celebrity. Toyota body kits are exterior modifications to your car capable of customizing your car according to your personality.
Finding Toyota body kits is easy. You just have to drive to your nearest automotive shop and see which kit fits the modifications of your car. Body kits are designed to fit only one make and model so make sure you are getting the right Toyota kit specifically made for your car. You cannot force or alter a kit just because it doesn’t fit your car. Either you will destroy it or your car won’t look good. There are, however, flexible or general body kits that are available but it is more advisable to buy the one specifically made for your car to avoid further hassle.
If you want to save time and effort, not to mention some money on gas, you can always opt to purchase or order body kits online. There are several online stores that cater to different type and brand of body kits. Make sure that you find the right the store for you. Scammers are on the loose in the cyber world. Protect yourself by doing a background research regarding the reputation of the store first before doing any business with them.—This way, you will be protecting yourself from these scam artists who just want to get your money. There are many honest and reliable online sellers out there, you just have to really look around.
When, finally, you found a reputable online seller, it is now time for you to order. There are basically two types of body kits. One is urethane and the other one is fiberglass. If you live in a place where the road is smooth and the weather is good, then fiberglass is best for you. If, on the other hand, you reside in an area where the climate is cold and road is rough, then Urethane is the one suited for you.
The next thing you have to consider after ordering is how you are going to install the kits. Will you install it by yourself or are you going to a local body shop and have them installed it for you? If I were you, I will seek the help of experts in a local body shop, that way I can just relax and watch while they beautify my vehicle.
Find the newest Toyota body kits ,Toyota projector headlights at Ilovebodykits.
By: ilovebodykits
Toyota body kits can make your vehicle look like it is owned by a big boss or a Hollywood celebrity. Toyota body kits are exterior modifications to your car capable of customizing your car according to your personality.
Finding Toyota body kits is easy. You just have to drive to your nearest automotive shop and see which kit fits the modifications of your car. Body kits are designed to fit only one make and model so make sure you are getting the right Toyota kit specifically made for your car. You cannot force or alter a kit just because it doesn’t fit your car. Either you will destroy it or your car won’t look good. There are, however, flexible or general body kits that are available but it is more advisable to buy the one specifically made for your car to avoid further hassle.
If you want to save time and effort, not to mention some money on gas, you can always opt to purchase or order body kits online. There are several online stores that cater to different type and brand of body kits. Make sure that you find the right the store for you. Scammers are on the loose in the cyber world. Protect yourself by doing a background research regarding the reputation of the store first before doing any business with them.—This way, you will be protecting yourself from these scam artists who just want to get your money. There are many honest and reliable online sellers out there, you just have to really look around.
When, finally, you found a reputable online seller, it is now time for you to order. There are basically two types of body kits. One is urethane and the other one is fiberglass. If you live in a place where the road is smooth and the weather is good, then fiberglass is best for you. If, on the other hand, you reside in an area where the climate is cold and road is rough, then Urethane is the one suited for you.
The next thing you have to consider after ordering is how you are going to install the kits. Will you install it by yourself or are you going to a local body shop and have them installed it for you? If I were you, I will seek the help of experts in a local body shop, that way I can just relax and watch while they beautify my vehicle.
Find the newest Toyota body kits ,Toyota projector headlights at Ilovebodykits.
By: ilovebodykits
Reason For Buying American Cars In A Recession
With the down turn in a global recession and the American economy going down the tank, prices for used cars in the United States have never been cheaper. Importing American Cars to Canada can be a little daunting with all the importation Customs paper work and shipping logistics involved. But this can be all worth your while when you see how much money you save.
Even with the Canadian dollar at 85 cents U.S. you can save about 20% of what you would’ve paid for a used automobile in Canada even after you calculate the dollar exchange and shipping cost into the total cost of vehicle. The biggest savings are on mid range to high end cars; it’s really unbelievable the difference in prices. American Used Cars are thousands of dollars cheaper, it just show you how Canadians have been getting ripped off by Canadian car dealerships.
Americans are losing their jobs at a record pace. With the credit crisis and the mortgage melt down disaster still evolving, the last thing Americans are thinking of doing is buying a car. American car dealerships are dropping their prices drastically each and every month to try and entice Americans to start buying cars. U.S. car dealerships are throwing everything but the Kitchen sink to make something work.
Also you have to take into the equation the car industry in America, it’s in a very bleak situation, and American car Dealerships are closing up and going out of business at a record pace. This makes it even better for a Canadian to get a better deal done with an American used car dealership than you would in Canada. If you’re thinking of buying a vehicle in the United States just remember when browsing different auto websites the price that is listed with the vehicle on the internet can be in most cases negotiated down as much as $3500u.s..
If you’re really contemplating buying a used car from the States you’re going to have go to the “Register of imported vehicles” you use this to find out what modifications the vehicle will need when its landed in Canada. Also you’re going to want to find out the history of the vehicle, this can be done by using carchex.com and they will tell you the complete history of the vehicle. You will also need a customs broker to handle your shipping needs. But if you’re like me there are some reputable companies in Canada that you can find online and I suggest you shop around first to see what there fee’s are and if it fits your budget, let them handle the shipping, title clearance (ownership), U.S. custom paper work, Canadian customs paper, Car history check, emissions test and the negotiating with the U.S car dealership on your behalf to get you the best deal done.
By: natishanel
Even with the Canadian dollar at 85 cents U.S. you can save about 20% of what you would’ve paid for a used automobile in Canada even after you calculate the dollar exchange and shipping cost into the total cost of vehicle. The biggest savings are on mid range to high end cars; it’s really unbelievable the difference in prices. American Used Cars are thousands of dollars cheaper, it just show you how Canadians have been getting ripped off by Canadian car dealerships.
Americans are losing their jobs at a record pace. With the credit crisis and the mortgage melt down disaster still evolving, the last thing Americans are thinking of doing is buying a car. American car dealerships are dropping their prices drastically each and every month to try and entice Americans to start buying cars. U.S. car dealerships are throwing everything but the Kitchen sink to make something work.
Also you have to take into the equation the car industry in America, it’s in a very bleak situation, and American car Dealerships are closing up and going out of business at a record pace. This makes it even better for a Canadian to get a better deal done with an American used car dealership than you would in Canada. If you’re thinking of buying a vehicle in the United States just remember when browsing different auto websites the price that is listed with the vehicle on the internet can be in most cases negotiated down as much as $3500u.s..
If you’re really contemplating buying a used car from the States you’re going to have go to the “Register of imported vehicles” you use this to find out what modifications the vehicle will need when its landed in Canada. Also you’re going to want to find out the history of the vehicle, this can be done by using carchex.com and they will tell you the complete history of the vehicle. You will also need a customs broker to handle your shipping needs. But if you’re like me there are some reputable companies in Canada that you can find online and I suggest you shop around first to see what there fee’s are and if it fits your budget, let them handle the shipping, title clearance (ownership), U.S. custom paper work, Canadian customs paper, Car history check, emissions test and the negotiating with the U.S car dealership on your behalf to get you the best deal done.
By: natishanel
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