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Archive for July, 2009

Maruti Hyundai Eye European Markets

The big car players in India Maruti Suzuki and Hyundai Motors are expecting huge profits from the stimulus package offered by the European government. The new scrappage scheme has created an intense debate in the European countries. While local people verify the pros and cons of the scrappage scheme Maruti Suzuki and Hyundai Motors see a window for big opportunities.

Several European countries have introduced scrapping scheme as part if the economic revival package. The scheme results in three main benefits.

Revives several financial sectors including the auto industry and steel manufacturing.

Will phase out old cars to make way for new fuel efficient cars. This will result in lower emission and cleaner environment.

Will bring in an economic turnaround and create more job opportunities

The Scrpappage system means that the government will offer cash incentives to people who surrender their cars older than 10 years. Car fleet companies have been instructed to renew their old cars. Car owners can surrender the car to local dealers and will be immediately entitled to cash compensation. They can also exchange their old cars for new one. The European governments are laying special thrust on purchase of small cars as they are more fuel efficient and costless. As per an estimate by the UK government the new cars sales are likely to cross 300000 units in the current fiscal year.

The European Automobile Manufacturer Association ACEA too has recommended fleet renewal programme. Some of these companies include big economies like the Austria France Germany Italy Portugal and Spain. More eastern European countries are likely to introduce similar schemes in near future. Every car surrended under the scheme will attract a cash reward of 1000 to 1500.

In a scrappage scheme introduced in some European countries in February it was noted that new cars sales increased significantly. In Germany new car registrations went up by 30 percent under the scheme and as many as 20 percent of all old cars were replaced with new cars in France. In Portugal as many as 16 percent of new cars sold during 2008 under the scheme replaced old cars.

As the scheme was in vogue in February over several companies Hyundai Motors received order for 11000 units from a single dealer in Germany. The scheme has helped Hyundai receive consistent order for i20. Maruti Suzuki has exported 19000 units of only Astar badged as Alto to European markets. Indias largest car manufacturer Maruti Suzuki has a export target of 150000 units of which 90000 units are meant for Europe only.

Hyundai Motors and Maruti Suzuki view these developments as an opportunity to push their products into European markets. Currently Hyundai Motors exports the small cars i10 and i20 in Europe. Maruti Suzuki exports its leading cars like Swift hatchback Alto and Zen Estilo.

Based on the UK model many more European countries are likely to introduce the scrappage scheme again. The aim is to create a cleaner environment without sacrificing on convenient mobility.

About the writer:  Carazoo.com

Lexus Gs 450h Review – The Pros And Cons

In today’s fuel economy driven car market manufacturers are increasingly offering hybrid designs and pushing the boundaries of the technology to deliver better gas mileage. Lexus is well on their way to leading the pack with the Lexus GS 450h which ranked 3 out of 12 in the Large Luxury Car class in a recent U.S. News ranking. It has won numerous awards for fuel cost retained value. The Washington Post even called it “a happy mixture of better and best.

What can you expect out of the GS 450h? It has a smooth and powerful acceleration both from a stop and when moving up to highway speeds. The Hybrid Energy drive puts out an eyepopping 340 horsepower and yet remains smooth and as quiet as a pin drop in almost any highway conditions. The handling is smooth and excellent with crisp balance in the turns. Overall between this blend of performance and a roomy and luxurious interior the Lexus GS 450h is an amazing pleasure to drive.

You do pay for that pleasure though the MSRP on the Lexus GS 450 is 55000 dollars in the United States. And because of its size and power the fuel economy is only soso for the typical hybrid car. The large luxury nature of the Lexus means that even with the Hybrid synergy drive it gets only 25 mpg on the highway and 23 on the city. Overall it is an excellent luxury car for those who want the touch of class and elegance in their vehicle at a slight compromise on fuel economy over other hybrids.

You can find out more information about Hybrid Cars at www.prohybrid.com along with video news reviews and tools such as price quotes and an automotive loan calculator.

About the writer:  Article provided by ProHybrid.com

Key To Volvos Stability

For companies like Gothenburg Swedenfounded Volvo a car isn’t just a mere means of transportation. The advancements of technology and civilization as a whole has proven that utility is not enough to sell a product. Aside from substance a product needs some flash and style to appeal to the intended audience. In the case of Volvo that would be the consumers categorized as likely buyers of luxury and executive lines of vehicles. Since 1927 Volvo has done well enough to merit continuous support and a reputation of stability and durability.

Cars aren’t just about power nowadays the luxuries of yesterday are suddenly becoming the necessities of today. Comfort utility and electronic “thingamajigs” are just some examples of such changes. Modern automotive pursuits have worked to improve the driving experience by enhancing comfort ease of use and other nifty features with the help of advanced electronics however sometimes the solution can be as simple set of metal bars and the like.

Volvo transmission mounts as simple as they are are quite effective in what they do. Namely housing the the transmission of the car a critical part in making the car run. It also serves to control the torque and vibration of the car combined with the engine mount making the ride a lot more comfortable. Finally the Volvo trans mounts as it is more commonly called secure the linkages and keep them properly aligned forming rear support for the transmission assembly.

Normally made of rubber and steel with the latter being more practical due to its resistance to heat certain chemicals and gases a malfunctioning trans mount can be either be a minor nuisance loss in the vehicle’s power or a major disaster quickened decline in quality of of interconnected parts almost always an expensive endeavor. Just like any product or object the mount is expected to inevitably succumbed to wear and tear as such regular maintenance and routine checking should be kept in mind as the alternative is not only a trait of irresponsibility as car owner but also financially burdening.

About the writer:  Miranda Restelle is a freelance writer and car enthusiast. She believes that women should see the beauty and style in cars as they see the beauty and style in fashion.