Fiat Stilo New Dashbord Look With Radio Dash Kit

When you hear the name "Fiat Stilo", expect a small yet elegant car that gives an impression of class as soon as you set your eyes upon it. It family car manufactured and presented by Italian company known as Fiat. It was designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro. It was the first amongst cars to make use of TRW Common Drive Electric Power-Assisted Steering technology.

Fiat Stilo has models which have 3 to 5 doors. The Fiat Stilo is a small family car available as a 3-door and a 5-door hatchback, as well as an estate (Fiat Stilo MultiWagon), Fiat has passed the Euro NCAP safety tests with decent ratings. Fiat Stilo comes packed with stylish exterior, classy interiors and sums up as a compact yet useful family car. Its Italian designing and technology set it apart from its counterparts. The first feature that meets your eye is the imposing front bumper that gives the car an air of prestige while providing the much required safety. The latest fittings of chrome shadow radiator grille up keeps the tradition of Fiat cars that give luminosity to its creations. The rear is decent and the rear door has linear design. The latest rear lights come with built in fog lights. The interior weaves its magic with a mixture of designing and technology. Care is taken in creating a perfect ambience and comfort by using sophisticated colors, soothing lights and inviting materials and textures.

Upholstery fabrics are of Inox and Castiglio, which give a cozy and royal feel to the interiors. The instruments flaunt a white background and the handles, gear lever knobs and even air vents are given grey coloring.

The initial models of Fiat Stilo had petrol engines that had the capacity of 1242 cc DOHC 16 valve engine and yielded the output of 80 bhp. It also had 6 speed manual gearboxes. The fuel capacity of Fiat Stilo is 47 L, power is 80-170 HP, it gives a maximum speed of 170-215km/hr and has an acceleration of 0-100 km/hr. it has a capacity of 1242-2446 cc. It has also been launched in rallies. Fiat has returned to World Rally Championship with Fiat Stilo. 2004 season was represented by 187 bhp Fiat Stilo.

Fiat Stilo can be fitted with radio dash kit that constitutes of Fascia Panel along with aerial adapter and removal keys. This kit is designed for Fiat Stilo and is to be used for after market fittings into the car. This kit converts the aperture of the radio in order to fit in the stereo. Fiat Radio Dash kit maintains high quality and blends perfectly with the interior of Fiat Stilo.

The newly groomed version of Fiat Stilo was released in January 2008. This version flaunts Dualogic manual-robotized gearbox. Fiat Stilo met with an array of mixed reviews after its release. Though much media attention was created by advertising the product with stars of Formula 1 racing like Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello, the car failed to meet the expectations of the makers as well as its customers. It has been replaced by cars like Bravo in several parts of the world.

Pedestrian Safety By Brenda Williams

Pedestrians can be the bane of existence for many drivers- especially those pedestrians who don't pay attention and feel that they can do whatever they want to while they are outside. However, pedestrians need to remember that they must share the roads with drivers in order to maintain overall safety for everyone and avoid costly accidents.

There have been many times that I have been driving down the road early in the mornings and have seen children waiting for the bus by sitting on the curb of a busy road with their feet just begging to be run over by an unsuspecting driver. I remember being a child on the school bus when my bus driver saw this very same incident play out, and to this day I remember what she did. She stopped the bus, got off the bus and told the child who was sitting on the curb that it was not safe to be sitting down on the curb so close to the road. Her reason for this was that by having a child sit down like that, it made it more difficult for other drivers to see the child in the morning when it was still somewhat dark out. And you know what? She was right.

People who like to ride their bicycles during the day need to remember the importance of safety as well. Depending on where you live, there may be different rules from the ones that I am about to give. But normal, a cyclist needs to ride in the roadway (not on the sidewalk) and must have a helmet on. Additionally, the cyclist must ride with traffic (not against traffic) and obey any and all rules for the road as if they were a vehicle. This means no running red lights and indicating when you are about to make a turn onto a different roadway. If you are a pedestrian cyclist, you should still wear a helmet at all times despite the fact that you are riding your bicycle on the sidewalk. In the case of a pedestrian cyclist, pedestrian cyclists always need to yield the right of way to other pedestrians who are jogging or walking. If you are coming up on a jogger or someone walking, wait until you are a certain closeness away (typically within earshot) and alert the jogger or person walking as to which side you are coming up on, this way they can move to the opposite side. When you are preparing to cross the street, you are supposed to get off of your bike and walk your bike across the roadway.

For those of us who love to run outside, it can sometimes be a pain to do so if you are trying to fit a run in in the middle of the day or in the afternoon when traffic is heavier. If you can, try to do your runs earlier in the morning when there isn't as much traffic and when you can breathe a little easier. The same rules apply to runners as do pedestrian cyclists when it comes to slower pedestrians. Always make your presence known by telling others what side you are coming up on. For instance, when you are approaching another pedestrian from behind, it would be appropriate to say, “Coming up on your left”. This is especially true if the other pedestrian is walking a dog or is elderly.

Resource: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=406262&ca=Automotive

The Crash Testing By Brenda Williams

Have you seen those commercials on television today where they show new motor vehicles slamming into a solid wall with the crash dummies in the car? If so, you should be comforted to know that every single car sold in the United States must pass a variety of different safety tests and crash safety tests before it is added to the market. These tests are run by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. This agency is dedicated to reducing the number of injuries and deaths that occur on the nation’s roadways each year by testing the cars that are sold within the country.

The number of car crashes in this country is declining each year as well as the number of fatalities that occur as a result of these crashes and the reason for this is the use of crash test dummies during crash testing. The crash test dummies are equipped with three main pieces of equipment that include accelerometers, load sensors, and motion sensors that help the crash test staff determine whether or not a vehicle can be deemed safe. The dummies come in all shapes and sizes to represent different body sizes of males and females. They also represent children as well, in car seats or in regular seats.

The top safety picks for the calendar year 2009 as rated by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety are separated into the groups of large cars, midsize cars, midsize convertibles, small cars, minivans, minicars, large SUVs, midsize SUVs, small SUVs, large pickups and small pickups. The top safety picks for 2009 for large cars are the Acura RL, the Audi A6, the Cadillac CTS, the Ford Taurus, the Lincoln MKS, the Mercury Sable, the Toyota Avalon and the Volvo S80. The top safety picks for the calendar year 2009 for small midsize cars are the Acura TL, the Acura TSX, the Audi A3, the Audi A4, the BMW 3 Series, the Ford Fusion, the Honda Accord, the Mercedes S Class, the Mercury Milan, the Saab 9-3, the Subaru Legacy, the Volkswagen Jetta and the Volkswagen Passat.

The award winners for midsize convertibles are the Saab 9-3, the Volkswagen Eos and the Volvo C70. The small cars winners are the Honda Civic, the Mitsubishi Lancer, the Scion XB, the Subaru Impreza, the Toyota Corolla, and the Volkswagen Rabbit. The minicar winner is the Honda Fit. The minivan winners are the Honda Odyssey, the Hyundai Entourage, and the Kia Sedona. The Large SUV winners are the Audi Q7, the Buick Enclave, the Chevrolet Traverse, the GMC Acadia, and the Saturn Outlook. The midsize SUV winners are Acura MDX, the Acura RDX, the BMW X3, the BMW X5, the Ford Edge, the Ford Flex, the Ford Taurus X, the Honda Pilot, the Hyundai Santa Fe, the Hyundai Veracruz, the Infiniti EX35, the Lincoln MKX, the Mercedes M Class, the Nissan Murano, the Saturn Vue, the Subaru Tribeca, the Toyota FJ Cruiser, the Toyota Highlander and the Volvo XC90. These crash test rating are released each year for every type of vehicle.

Resource: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=360584&ca=Automotive

Motorcycle Motors By Brenda Williams

Perhaps one of the most annoying things about motorcycles is that the majority of them are extremely loud. A few years back, I actually lived in a town-home community in which motorcycles were not allowed! In another community that one of my friends lived in, motorcycles were allowed, but they were not allowed to be visible. If you owned a motorcycle or had someone visiting who owned one, you had to cover it up or park it in your garage so that it was out of sight.

So, why do motorcycles have such a bad reputation? I think part of the reason that motorcycles are frowned upon is due to how they have been portrayed over the years. It seems like every motorcycle rider that we've seen in every motorcycle movie has at least one tattoo, smokes and is in trouble with the law (usually for riding their motorcycles too fast!). While this is not entirely true nowadays, it still makes one wonder what would possess a motorcycle enthusiast to want to purchase and/or ride a motorcycle. For most motorcycle enthusiasts, the reasoning behind owning a motorcycle seems to revolve around an inherent “need for speed”.

I once asked my little brother (an avid motorcycle rider) what in the world possessed him to want to own a motorcycle and ride one. He told me that he felt “free” when he rode his motorcycle. Also, I think it had something to do with the fact that growing up, my parents were strict. This was simply his way to rebel and do something that he knew the both of them would knowingly disapprove of. But is this the case for other motorcycle riders? I am not sure. What I do know is that motorcycles are not typically supposed to be loud. However, many riders will alter their motorcycle motors so that they make a lot of racket. To the motorcycle rider, this noise is “cool,” but to other less enthusiastic participants, this is an annoyance that they wish would go away.

Interestingly enough, in the police department, I noticed that many of the police officers (usually of the male persuasion) loved motorcycles and usually owned one. I am sure that there is some sort of correlation between the high number of motorcycle owners who were on the police department and the law being intermingled in there. It's almost a catch-22 if you ask me. I never did figure it out. Usually the motorcycle riders are the ones that cops go after, right? So then why would so many cops own motorcycles?

Whatever the case, motorcycles hold an interest for many Americans. Each year, there are hundreds of motorcycle rallies across the country that draw thousands of riders, their families, friends and other supporters. There are also plenty of motorcycle clubs that do charity rides as well as raise money for various charities. See? Not all motorcycles are bad. One thing is for certain, however. People who own motorcycles don't just own a motorcycle so that they can drive the speed limit. They own motorcycles because they love the feel of the wind in their face and at their backs. They love the feeling of speeding down an open stretch of highway with nothing but the pavement beneath their feet.

Resource: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=406260&ca=Automotive

Thor Force Chest Protectors : Be Prepared and Protected By Stacy Carolin

Thor Force Chest Protectors: The Unsurpassable Protective Cover for Your Top Torso

Running in the motocross or going to an off-road trek on a bouldery terrain is an surpassing rationality to own protective gears. These, alike any motor sports, call for goggles, helmets, chest protectors, and these are exactly a few of the safety gears that are utilized when riding. They are sometimes addressed the roost deflectors and they commonly aid the riders debar major combat injuries when they unintentionally have a bad spill. They are unremarkably constructed from adjustable foam and plastic pads rendering Security to the chest. Thor Force chest protectors are especially designed to fit divergent types of body with a specific chest, shoulder, and back. They are expendable for 100-pound to 200-pound riders. The XL type is unflawed for riders weighing 200 pounds or more. It has a triple layer back Protective Covering scheme that is designed to perfectly fit your back. So Thor Force Chest Protectors are ideal and must for any rider.

Be Prepared and Protected

Injuries and chance events happen everyplace. It is consequently requisite to take cautions peculiarly when you are into physical touch sports like motocross or ATV Speeding. As with any sort of sport, warm ups make the muscles and joints less predisposed to wounds, with the proactive and inactive extends included. Particularized nutrition and an splendid body condition are also significant. The last and the most prodigious element is to have the fitting protective equipment and gears for motocross Speeding. This includes helmet, goggles, gloves, boots, jerseys, pants, elbow and knee pads, and chest protectors such as Thor Force chest protectors. It may all be discomforting, peculiarly if you are not practiced to wearing them, but they will absolutely preclude serious hurts. Holding yourself set and protected is not only for you, but for all the riders.

Thor’s Force

If you are into extraordinary sport similar the motocross, you should not try out it without any important coverage. You do not have to reckon far-off, because Thor Force chest protectors render an covering roost Protection with every item soignee to contribute the Soundest roost guard. Thor Force appropriates a more correct class for the rider and does not allow for the rider to be compromised with comfort for coverage. It holds an inimitable wishbone conception whose chassis is prepared up of polycarbonate for rigidity and effectiveness without any extra weight. It also establishes a exhaustive back coverage.

Thor Force chest shielder have a two-stage organization rendering a molded bio-foam indoor that integrates with the injected molded polypropylene back panel for superior enduringness. It has a cast shoulder suspension straps that has an amalgamated release scheme and the upper arm safeguards are removable. With terrific sports like motocross, you exact key coverage like the Thor Force.

Bob’s Cycle Supply is the spot to go to if you are searching for idealized motocross supplements and fit out. They have an voluminous supply of all these from several trademarks such as the Thor Force chest protectors. They also have dirt bike parts and ATV parts. It’s everything that you call for for your profound sport, motocross.

Resource: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=406520&ca=Automotive

Rules For Cyclists By Brenda Williams

Cyclists can be almost intolerable to motorists at times. It is no secret that there is a long standing relationship between cyclists and people who are behind the wheels of cars. However, over time, hopefully this will be a relationship that evolves into something healthy and amicable for both parties involved.

Whether or not motorists like it, most laws dictate that cyclists and motorists are to share the roadways together. Different rules apply of course depending on what state, city or county you live in. However, most semi-serious cyclists or those who are traveling too fast for a sidewalk, ride in the roadways WITH traffic. These cyclists are required by law to wear helmets and obey all of the rules of the road as if they were a motorist. This translates into not running red lights and yielding to other pedestrians the same way a motorist might.

Because even the fastest cyclists cannot compete with a motor vehicle, they are required to stay as far to the side of the road as is possible. A cyclist is not allowed to hog a single lane of traffic to themselves, thus delaying other motorists behind them. However, this is obviously not the case if the cyclists are a part of a race that is competing (in which case, the roads would be shut down to begin with). Cyclists must also know the rules of the roadways as well as what hand signals to use. That's right, there are hand signals that a cyclist must know for whenever they want to make a left or right hand turn off of a roadway. Similarly, it is the responsibility of both the motorists as well as the cyclists to know what these hand signals mean so that accidents can be avoided.

There have been a few instances of motorists growing impatient with cyclists and running them off the roads. This is not only dangerous, but it is entirely inappropriate, illegal and may result in the death of the cyclist. If you see any inappropriate behavior either from cyclists and/or from motorists, you should report it right away to your local police department. If you are riding your bicycle at night, you should always wear reflective gear and make sure that your bicycle is equipped with reflectors. These reflectors act as a safety precaution, alerting other drivers to your presence on the road with them. Additionally, you should strive to wear light colored clothing whenever possible. Most professional cyclists that you see on the roads during the day wear unusually bright colors, though this is not done by accident. The bright colors tend to attract attention to the cyclist, thus making their presence known and noticeable among the other drivers on the road.

In recent years, more and more people have begun to dig their bicycles out of the garage or shed and have begun to take to the streets. This is, in part, due to the popularity that celebrities such as Lance Armstrong have brought to the sport. But also, cycling is a fun and relatively easy, effective means of transportation. In this day and age where gas prices have been up and down, many are also finding cycling to be an effective means of transportation when it comes to getting to and from their jobs (provided that they work within easy distance to their apartments or houses). That being said, it is that much more important for motorists and cyclists to be aware of the other since the future looks like the two will be spending a lot of time together on the roads.

Resource: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=406263&ca=Automotive

Owning a Boat By Brenda Williams

The summer time is the perfect opportunity to go out on a boat, provided that you or someone you know owns a boat or has one. Recently, one of my friends from back home was studying up to get her boating license. Apparently, getting a license to go boating is much easier and shorter than getting a license to drive a car. Perhaps this will change if more people show an interest in boating and the waterways become crowded, but I can still remember all of those summers ago when my dad owned a boat and we would go out on it during the summer. I especially remember one story in particular in which I was there for it.

It was one of those hot summer days, and my dad had just gotten his boat. My younger brother and I were going to go out on the boat, and my aunt and uncle had decided to come along too. My dad put life vests on my brother and I and we were on our way. Even though we had both taken swimming lessons the summer before and had passed with flying colors, there was a rule that anyone under a certain age had to have life vests on. In any case, were cruising along in this boat, and when we got to a point where there was no one else really around, my dad decided to open the boat up and take it for a little joy ride.

We were having a ton of fun cruising along at a nice speed when suddenly the boat came to a complete stop. We all lurched forward, and my dad (who almost instantly knew what the problem was) began cursing. My uncle asked what was wrong, and I later found out that we had hit a sandbar. Today, we can laugh about it, but I can still remember how frustrated and annoyed my father was all those years ago. I mean, could you imagine going thirty to forty miles an hour (I'm not sure what that is in knots) on a boat and then suddenly coming to almost a complete stop? I am also sure that it was somewhat embarrassing for my father who then had to get a pole out from the boat and use it (with my Uncle's help) to push us out of this sandbar.

This just goes to show you that boating can be dangerous too- even when no one is around. Had my dad not already been familiar with boating (After all, he had done it for years), then we might have found ourselves in what was at the time, no more than a mere freckle, on our otherwise perfect day. Even if you decide to get your boating license, you still need to just as vigilant as you would be if you were in a car driving down the road. You should know what the possible situations for boating accidents typically are, and always pay attention to the markers that are in the water which indicate how far you are from the shore as well as how fast is acceptable to speed on the water.

You should always make sure that you pack plenty of life vests, have a working radio or cell phone and pay attention to weather forecasts.

Resource: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=406261&ca=Automotive

Automobiles Throughout History By Brenda Williams

Unlike most ­inventions, the automobile was not an instant creation by an ingenious inventor; however there are certain landmark moments in the history of the modern day automobile. An estimated 100,000 patents are said to have created the car as we know it. Leonardo Da Vinci and Isaac Newton are credited with drawing up the first theoretical plans for a motor vehicle. Nicolas Joseph Cugnot was a French engineer and mechanic, in 1769 he invented the very first self-propelled road vehicle using a steam engine. The French Army used the vehicle to move artillery. This was followed by Nicolas with the design of a tricycle with the ability to carry four passengers and powered by a steam engine. Interestingly enough Cugnot is also the first person to be involved in a motor vehicle accident as he drove one of the vehicles into a stone wall in 1771.

There is debate as to whether the steam powered road vehicles of Nicolas Joseph Cugnot can be categorized as automobiles. People who accept the notion call him the first inventor of the automobile. The design was further improved by Onesiphore Pecqeur in France. In the U.S. Oliver Evans received the patent for a steam-powered land vehicle. A road carriage powered by steam was built in Richard Trevithick in Great Britain in 1801. Steam powered vehicles became relatively popular and many improvements were made to the original designs.

However, the steam engine design proved to be very popular for locomotives but it added too much weight to the road vehicles, which proved to be a major hassle. Although the exact year is uncertain, somewhere between 1832 and 1839 Robert Anderson of Scotland is said to have created the first electric carriage. The Electrical engines had flaws as well; they proved to be heavy, slow and expensive. Additionally, their batteries needed to be recharged frequently. Due to these problems, both the steam powered engines and the electrical engines were abandoned for gas-powered vehicles.

During the early 1900s, the electrical cars had great sales in the United States but by the 1920s, a much better system of roads was built and people needed automobiles that could travel for a long range. After crude oil was discovered in Texas the price of gasoline was reduced father heralding the dawn of gas powered vehicles. Probably, the biggest factor in the popularity of gas powered cars was Henry Ford and his ability to mass produce internal combustion engines. Mass production of these vehicles also made them widely affordable and hence popular. Figures show that whereas a gasoline car could be bought at $650 in 1912, an electric roadster would cost around $1,750. Electric cars all but vanished by 1935 but during the 1960s and 1970s there was major concern regarding the exhaust emissions from internal combustion engines hence there was a need for alternative fueled vehicles. Electric cars were revived partially for utility based jobs for example the United States Postal Service in 1975 bought 350 electric delivery jeeps which were to be used in a test program. Currently, a lot of work and research is being put into manufacturing electric cars as a viable alternative.

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Audi S4 By Jessica Whittaker

Having a car is a symbol of status and luxury in the society. The outer appearance of the car is one of the biggest attractions while buying a car. More the stylish the car, better is its value in the market. Germany is well known for its car manufacturing segment. In the year 1932 the merger of four car manufacturing companies namely Horch, Audi, Wanderer and DKW took place. This was the beginning of one of the best car manufacturing companies in Germany which at present is called Audi AG.

The making of the Audi S4 began in the 1990s. The very first of these Audi S4 cars came into the market in the year 1991. It could be used both as a sports car and an executive car. It was compact in size. Its engine was powerful as well. It was also referred to as S4 Quattro. The production of the Audi C4 S4 was between the years 1992 to 1994. It had two versions, one with four doors used as a sedan and the other one having five doors which could be used as an executive car. It had a curb weight of about 1700 kg to 1800 kg. Its basic structure resembled the Audi 100. This model was sold globally and was in a great demand during those days.

The Audi S4 Quattro B5 came into existence in the year 1997. This model was introduced into the American market in the 2000. It boasted of a highest speed of about 150 mph. this was the fastest among the Audi cars. This car is still known to be one of the most compact sports cars in the world. Its performance level has been extremely good as compared to many others. It was sold in high numbers during its debut year. The famous car racer Michael Galati won the championship in the Speed Vision World challenge in the year 2001 in this car. This was the first ever win for the Audi range of cars in a championship.

During mid 2003 the next generation of Audi S4 came into the picture. It was named the Audi S4 B6. This model came with a fuel capacity of 66 liters compared to the 62 liters of the previous model. This car also had a new platform. Its engine was highly improved. Previously only two models were available, one being the sedan and the other the estate wagon. A third style was later introduced known as the cabriolet which had two doors which meant it could be used as a convertible. The B6 platform was replaced by B7 in the year 2006. This is the model which is being sold recently in the market. This has a DVD-ROM feature. Previously only a CR-ROM feature was available in the B6 model.

The latest range of Audi S4 cars is in the production stage which will have a B8 platform. It is said to have improvised features. It will be released with a V6 engine as compared to the V8 engine of the old model.

Impressed? Then go book your latest version of Audi S4 B8 today!!

Resource: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=407526&ca=Automotive

General Motors to Cut Jobs By Brenda Williams

One of the largest motor vehicle manufacturing companies in not only the country but also the world, General Motors, is planning to cut close to 47,000 jobs as they continue to struggle along with every other business in this tough economy. General Motors also announced that they will need an extra $18 billion from the United States Treasury to survive their current economic downturn. Of the 47,000 jobs they need to cut, 20,000 of those jobs will be based in the United States and the rest will be worldwide.

General Motors has already received $13.4 billion in loans from the United States Treasury and $4 billion of that was allocated on February 17, 2009. The company also submitted a restructuring plan to the Treasury on the 17th of February asking for an additional $12 billion in term loans and a $6 billion credit line. By the year 2012 General Motors is planning on shutting down 14 plants, five of them in North America. The plants have yet to be chosen or announced to the public as to which ones will be shut down. General Motors also announced that Saturn will either be phased out or spun off by 2012 and Hummer will also be phased out by March 31 of this year.

General Motors will continue to focus on Cadillac, Chevrolet, Buick and GMC Trucks while keeping Pontiac as their niche product. Another announcement that came from General Motors is that they are planning on closing down 2,000 dealerships over the next five years. At the end of 2008 General Motors had 6,246 dealerships across the country. They plan to reduce that number to 4,700 by 2012 and 4,100 by 2014. General Motors has the money in reserves for dealership buyouts but will also need private financing to help with the buyouts of the dealerships.

Along with General Motors, Chrysler also announced that they plan to cut 3,000 jobs and will need another $5 billion in relief aid to keep their company up and running in these tough economic times. The majority of the jobs being cut by the General Motors Corporation will be hourly employees. Close to 37,000 of the 47,000 jobs being cut by General Motors are jobs that work on hourly wages.

President Obama’s automotive task force met in Washington on the 20 of February to discuss whether or not the government will award over $21 billion more in aid to General Motors and Chrysler. The panel is led by Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner and National Economic Council Director Lawrence Summers. This panel has the power to force the automakers to declare bankruptcy or to merge into one large company. The market value for General Motors is $1 billion and it was over $27 billion just five years ago. The meeting that was held on the 20th of February was the first of only a handful of meetings for the task force that will determine how the automotive industry will rebound during these tough economic times. The future of GM and Chrysler is in the hands of this task force. We can only hope for the best.

Resource: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=360589&ca=Automotive

General Motors to Cut Jobs By Brenda Williams

One of the largest motor vehicle manufacturing companies in not only the country but also the world, General Motors, is planning to cut close to 47,000 jobs as they continue to struggle along with every other business in this tough economy. General Motors also announced that they will need an extra $18 billion from the United States Treasury to survive their current economic downturn. Of the 47,000 jobs they need to cut, 20,000 of those jobs will be based in the United States and the rest will be worldwide.

General Motors has already received $13.4 billion in loans from the United States Treasury and $4 billion of that was allocated on February 17, 2009. The company also submitted a restructuring plan to the Treasury on the 17th of February asking for an additional $12 billion in term loans and a $6 billion credit line. By the year 2012 General Motors is planning on shutting down 14 plants, five of them in North America. The plants have yet to be chosen or announced to the public as to which ones will be shut down. General Motors also announced that Saturn will either be phased out or spun off by 2012 and Hummer will also be phased out by March 31 of this year.

General Motors will continue to focus on Cadillac, Chevrolet, Buick and GMC Trucks while keeping Pontiac as their niche product. Another announcement that came from General Motors is that they are planning on closing down 2,000 dealerships over the next five years. At the end of 2008 General Motors had 6,246 dealerships across the country. They plan to reduce that number to 4,700 by 2012 and 4,100 by 2014. General Motors has the money in reserves for dealership buyouts but will also need private financing to help with the buyouts of the dealerships.

Along with General Motors, Chrysler also announced that they plan to cut 3,000 jobs and will need another $5 billion in relief aid to keep their company up and running in these tough economic times. The majority of the jobs being cut by the General Motors Corporation will be hourly employees. Close to 37,000 of the 47,000 jobs being cut by General Motors are jobs that work on hourly wages.

President Obama’s automotive task force met in Washington on the 20 of February to discuss whether or not the government will award over $21 billion more in aid to General Motors and Chrysler. The panel is led by Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner and National Economic Council Director Lawrence Summers. This panel has the power to force the automakers to declare bankruptcy or to merge into one large company. The market value for General Motors is $1 billion and it was over $27 billion just five years ago. The meeting that was held on the 20th of February was the first of only a handful of meetings for the task force that will determine how the automotive industry will rebound during these tough economic times. The future of GM and Chrysler is in the hands of this task force. We can only hope for the best.

Resource: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=360589&ca=Automotive

Why Choose a Limousine Over Taxi Service By Mohamad El Masbahi

The limousine has long been considered a symbol of luxury and wealth. The image this type of vehicle service conjures for most is that of a means to shuttle around high-powered executives, foreign dignitaries, and A-list celebrities. However, for the savvy shopper, the limo service has many applications which can suit customers from many walks of life. Here we will examine some reasons why one might choose the luxurious limousine over a typical taxi ride.

Taxis have long enjoyed a somewhat undeserved reputation of affordability. While a taxi ride, slightly over walking distance, might not break the bank, a trip a great distance across town in light traffic can be very pricey. The taxi driver will charge you by the minute or for each mile. When stuck in traffic or traversing a considerable distance, this can result in some pretty costly fees. Limo service typically negotiates price based on an hourly fee. This hourly fee is much more manageable for a trip across town or in traffic that might make a fee-per-minute unaffordable. It is important to consider that, in this way, many taxi rides will cost you more than the limousine would have.

In many cases, a taxi ride can involve some pretty intense waiting before you get to hit the road. The demand for a taxi in the most common places they are needed is often very high. You might be waiting in a line or struggling to hail a taxi for a long time. They are typically scrambling around town trying to move people as quickly as possible, doing huge volume. A limo service has an expectation of a more relaxed atmosphere. Scheduling a limo to take you to your destination would involve having this impressive vehicle waiting for you when it is needed. The limo option would mean reduced stress and faster service, overall. The speed of service for a limousine is simply one of the advantages when making this decision.

The friendly, customer-oriented environment of a limo ride is also one of the areas where it edges out the taxi service. Taxi drivers are rushing and overworked. Keeping customers turning around is their primary concern. The limousine service prides itself on delivering a relaxing and enjoyable experience. Many people ride in limos with no specific destination in mind. It sells itself on being an experience for it's own sake. In this way, you can expect the type of customer service and friendliness that will make your experience much more relaxing. When traveling, the last companion you need is an annoyed and distracted taxi driver. The friendly limo driver is specifically employed with comfort and customer service in mind.

Why squeeze into an uncomfortable and drab taxi when you can enjoy the conveniences of a limo. The spacious interior, filled with posh amenities designed to keep you entertained, will make the ride so enjoyable, you may wish you had further to go!

You can trust the safety of the limousine service. These companies employ careful background checks to keep their precious cargo safe.

Ultimately, the limousine service is a superior way to ride around town, in many cases. This is not just for the extremely wealthy. A savvy and well-researched shopper can take advantage of this and travel in style at an affordable rate. Imagine what your friends, family, and co-workers would think! Next time you need to hire a driver to get across town, consider the limousine instead of hailing a cab.

Resource: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=407708&ca=Automotive

Color Choice For Cars By Brenda Williams

Have you ever wondered how a person chooses the color of their car when purchasing a new or used vehicle? Aside from choosing a car for its safety, people also pick their new car based on their favorite color or the color that catches their eye the most. Other reasons why people choose certain colors for their car are colors that hide dirt, the color red, popular colors, white and classic colors that haven’t been seen or used in quite some time.

Let’s start with a person’s favorite color. More often than not a person shopping around for a new car will choose the make and model but then agonize over finding the perfect car that matches their favorite color. Their favorite color can be anything from white to bright red and anywhere in between. Why would people choose the color white? The reason that most people choose the color white for their car is that it is extremely safe, especially at night. White is easily noticeable at any time of the day. White is so easily noticeable especially when light shines on it.

Another safe color is lime yellow. Lime yellow is used for fire trucks and rescue vehicles across the country but is not widely available for cars nor is it esthetic for cars either. Another popular color these days for cars is black. Black is as classic as it gets when choosing a classic car color. It was the original color used when cars were first being produced and manufactured in the United States. Black is easily seen during the daytime but is difficult to point out at night and when it rains. This color isn’t as safe as the color white is on cars. The color black also begins to show dirt much easier than other colors.

For the previous handful of years studies have been released about the most popular color for cars. That color has been silver. Silver hides dirt and dust, reflects light at night, and is easily noticeable just like the color white. There is a downside to silver though. It tends to blend in with fog or at dusk and disappear with the pavement.

Others tend to choose a color that stands out amongst other cars. These colors are blue and green and all of their varieties. These colors are incredibly well likes by millions of drivers across the country and they are extremely calm colors. They do not call much attention to the car such as bright red. The downside of these colors is that they tend to show dirt and dust quite easier than other colors.

Aside from the color of silver, red is also an incredibly popular color for cars today, especially sports cars. The problem with the color red is that it tends to draw more attention from the police. Red is associated with speed and driving fast, even if that sounds like a stereotype. If you purchase a car with the color red some insurance companies will even raise the car owner’s premiums because of the possibility of receiving tickets.

Resource: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=360580&ca=Automotive

Power in a Box: Innovative Technology May Make it Easier to Get That Hybrid By Mike Trudel, Freelance Writer

The most popular selling brand of hybrid electric vehicle saw a drop in sales last May. But it wasn't due to lack of demand. The manufacturer simply didn't have any more cars to sell.

For automakers accustomed to a one-hundred-day supply of any given vehicle, this is a problem - particularly when sales of other products are falling. One manufacturer endured a thirteen percent decrease in truck sales from February to May, and another is actually closing four truck plants while adding shifts to others that make smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles.

It's no wonder hybrids are such an appealing alternative to so many these days. In ten years, the price of crude oil has risen as high as ninety dollars per barrel. HEVs, in the meantime, can get fifty, sometimes even sixty miles to the gallon in the city where gas mileage is usually the worst - a huge advantage.

Part of the shortage problem is a lack of batteries. Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs) require batteries to operate, but availability of certain cells, particularly lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries is low. The Li-ion is a more efficient battery with a higher power density than its nickel metal hydride (NiMH) counterpart and is therefore being integrated into newer HEV models. But with a lack of supply comes a shortage of cars. The public is clamoring for vehicles promising to ease their gas burden, but there have been supply and demand challenges. Many automakers are concerned about the capability of hybrid components suppliers to keep up. One manufacturer has faced delays in the launch of its new hybrid Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV), due to a labor dispute at one of its key Li-ion battery suppliers. Another manufacturer launching a new hybrid sedan in spring 2009 has already indicated concerns about how quickly suppliers can provide parts.

A solution can't be far behind considering the market's demand. March 2008 saw a twelve percent drop in overall automotive sales while hybrid sales increased by close to the same margin - ten percent. (This figure doesn't include one major automaker, which doesn't separate hybrid car sales from their overall statistics.)

More creative solutions may lie in technological innovations, such as power box hybrid vehicle systems. The best manufacturers produce self-contained hybrid drive system power boxes, including a traction inverter, DC/DC converter, battery pack, bus distribution center, battery management controller, safety circuit and thermal management subsystems. A drop-in solution for belt alternator starter (BAS), integrated starter generator (ISG) or full hybrid vehicle applications, the system operates over a wide range of voltages and power levels.

Power Box systems are complete systems within a single housing (easing installation), a simple package design that can fit behind the rear seat. Using building block technology, flexibility is increased while cost and complexity are reduced. Power box systems are likely to be applicable across multiple platforms and powertrain configurations, as well as compatible with any Li-ion or NiMH battery cell manufactured globally. Such technology may make it easier to produce more hybrid vehicles at an affordable rate.

So if you're one of the many interested in the purchase of a new hybrid, don't fret. New innovations for getting you into that car are already here, and every day new ones arrive.

Resource: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=357984&ca=Automotive