World Car Of The Year Awards To Be Announced A Day Before The NYIAS

March 21 to 30.  Mark those dates on your calendar.  That’s most probably be a Sunday, a week after Easter.  Well, I’m not here to lecture you about repentance before those dates.  I just have to tell you some great news regarding the aforementioned dates.  Hello?!  It’s gonna be just few weeks before the 2008 New York International Auto Show (NYIAS). 

Set to be unveiled during the prestigious event are gorgeous cars including the pod-like 2009 Honda Fit, the well-acclaimed 2009 Acura TSX and the V8-powered Kizashi by Japanese automaker Suzuki.

But an equally significant event will be held before the auto show. And that is none other than the World Car of the Year Awards given annually to production vehicles sold in foreign auto markets, specifically, in at least two continents. A panel of judges composed of 47 automotive journalists from 24 countries will determine the best cars worthy to receive the award for each category.  According to motorauthority.com, the panel had already released the top three finalists divided into four categories: the World Car, the World Performance Car, the World Green Car and the World Car Design.  I wonder if their final criteria would include the quality of these cars’ air filters. 

Just to give you a hint, these are the finalists that made it to the top three. For the World Car category, the finalists include the Ford Mondeo, the Mazda 2 or the Mazda Demio and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class.  So what’s your bet?  Wait.  Meanwhile, the Audi R8, the Audi S5 Coupe and the BMW M3 will be competing for the World Performance Car Award.  To vie for the World Green Car Award are the BMW 118d, the SmartForTwo cdi and the Volkswagen Passat 1.9 TDI.  For the final category which is the World Car Design, the Audi R8 is again nominated together with the Mazda2 or the Mazda Demio and the Volvo C30.

The winners for the World Car of the Year Awards will be announced on March 20 in New York. 

Keeping Your Car Cool

Keeping cool is really hard these days, especially now that climate change has been greatly affecting the world’s temperature.  One day, it’s extremely hot, and you’ll just be surprised that the next day, you cannot live without your cloak due to extreme cold.  Enough reason to panic, isn’t it? 

Though it’s already a common knowledge that the weather is unpredictable, we don’t expect it to be as extremely unpredictable as now.  According to Wikipedia, these weather disturbances are just some of the effects of global warming.  To add, Earth Policy Institute projected the earth’s temperature to rise from 1.4 to 5.8° Celsius by 2100.   But regardless whether the temperature is extremely high or low, expect your head to flare up when you find your car inconvenient to use due to a poor air conditioning system. 

In situations like these, it would be best if you apply some cooling techniques like what your car radiator employs.  In AutoChannel yesterday, the Mobile Air Conditioning Society (MACS) shared some guidelines to follow in order to achieve an immediate interior cool-down.

First, MACS advised car owners to leave their car windows down slightly on hot sunny days since temperature in a closed car can go beyond 140 degrees.  By keeping the interior cool, the easier it gets for the air conditioning system to function well.  Another technique is by rolling all your car windows completely down or by keeping its door open for a short time.  MACS said that this allows fast release of hot interior air.

In addition, it is also suggested that you set your air conditioning unit’s control to either “MAX” or REC, the moment you turn it on.  According to MACS, through this, large volume of air is moved.  Aside from achieving faster cool-down, it also puts off warm air that might enter your car.  Switching the system to “NORM” or “OUTSIDE” then choosing a lower fan speed later on also draw colder air from your air conditioning unit.

Finally, MACS asserted that interior temperature can also be reduced by applying window tint.

According to Wikipedia, the airconditioning concept was first used in Ancient Rome.  In those times, aqueduct water circulated through the walls of certain houses was utilized to provide the desired cooling effect.  Meanwhile, cisterns and wind towers served as air conditioning units in medieval Persia.  It was during the 19th century that the first large-scale electrical air conditioning was discovered and used by American engineer and inventor Willis Haviland Carrier.

Consumers’ Favorites At the Chicago Auto Show

Vehicles are not all about what’s the most high-tech or the most eco-friendly.   Whether automakers would admit it or not, from the crucial process of conceptualizing up to producing, they simply rely on one thing in their minds:  the consumers’ choice.

That makes business healthy (at some points) for car buyers.  Having a marketplace of cars to choose from - from small cars, to hybrid cars, to crossovers, to sedans and other types of cars that make the world go round for some car enthusiasts, car consumers could identify the best - the ones that stand out from the rest of cars available in the market - the cars that best fit the label “Consumers’ Favorite.”

In Auto Channel yesterday, five vehicles got the privilege to receive such a label from participants of the  100^th Chicago Auto Show,  the largest auto show in United States. 

A panel composed of elite auto journalists picked nine finalists for four categories including the Best All-new Production Vehicle, the Best Concept Vehicle, the Best Chicago Auto Show World Introduction and the Best Exhibit.  Meanwhile, the category “Vehicle I’d Like To have in My Driveway” depended upon the voters’ personal car choices among all the vehicles displayed in the show floor.

With 30 percent of votes, the Dodge Challenger, a five-seater, two-door coupe capable of zero to 100 mile per hour, bagged the Best All-New Production Vehicle.  Meanwhile, the two-door sport-luxury concept car Cadillac CTS Coupe, obtained the Best Concept vehicle with 19 percent of votes.  It seems like the Dodge Challenger really captured the hearts of car enthusiasts at the Chicago Auto Show because it got another award - none other than the Best Chicago Auto Show World Introduction with 56 percent of votes.  The Chevrolet, with a recorded 25 percent votes, won the Best Exhibit Award.  Finally, the retro-futuristic Chevrolet Camaro, featured as “Bumblebee” in last year’s Transformers, took the most sought-after “Vehicle I’d Most Like To Have in my Driveway” award.  The Chevy Camaro competed against the Dodge Challenger, Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 and Nissan GT-R for the said award.  Probably, the consumers greatly highlighted the Camaro’s saddle-size  fuel tank.

On the sidelight, the award-winning Chevrolet exhibit was noted as General Motor’s largest display ever assembled in auto show history.

The Chicago Auto Show, held at the McCormick Place convention, was first staged in 1901.  In fact, this year marks its 100^th anniversary.  It has been produced since 1935 by the Chicago Automobile Trade Association (CATA), the oldest and largest metropolitan dealer organization in United States. 

Ford Reveals Car In Aussie With Much Drama

It took the Ford Motor Company four years. And that meant for years of planning, development, and manufacture. And in the end, they were able to create a vehicle that was certainly designed so as to compete in the Australian car market. This vehicle is not a specialized model of the Ford Taurus or maybe even the Ford Verve. This is the Ford FG Falcon.

According to a report, the Ford FG Falcon was unveiled with Ford creating a lot of effects and drama so as to draw in more attention. The list of special effects included hyperboles, media, and smoke. Those who were in attendance at the unveiling were brought to a “secret” location and that was when Bill Osborne, Ford Australia’s head, took off the covers of the vehicle and said that the vehicle was “one of the greatest sedans in the world”. He even continued to share, “In my career I have driven more than 5000 cars and this is one of the best. We are not going to talk about sales expectations in terms of numbers but this is all about moving forward… of meeting the market’s demand with new and fresh cars.”

Driving And Finance 101 For Teens

Handing down the key to a brand new or used car to teenagers must come along with the right basic teachings and understanding on finance and driving. The sharing of knowledge and awareness should basically come from parents in the first place. Responsible driving and basic personal money management are the basic concerns to be discussed with the teenagers. Parents need to educate their teens on how to deal with their daily expenses.

“Learning to drive is a major milestone in a young person’s life and with it comes major responsibilities. Safety will always be the first priority, but driving a car also has financial implications, so it’s the perfect time for parents to introduce the concept of responsible money management and help teens establish a strong foundation for their future financial success,” says June Walbert, USAA Certified Financial Planner®.

The latest survey conducted by USAA, a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization that offers consumer information to the military community and the public specifically revealed that learning how to drive is the appropriate point in time for parents to begin educating their children about basic money management.

“Through honest dialogue, parents and teens can work together to avoid common financial issues that often come with driving while, at the same time, help prepare the teens to make smart financial decisions in the years ahead,” said Walbert.

“While the costs of driving can be significant, parents can avoid theses headaches if they develop a long-term savings plan and stick to it. It can be as simple as watching a movie at home instead of going to the theater or bringing a brown bag lunch to work - it all adds up and will ensure that you can help your child with their driving expenses,” says Neale Godfrey, founder of Children’s Financial Network.

Take A Mug Car Ride

Valentine’s is not all about hearts and red (or pink) and lovers. There are also some unique (yet weird) things that pop up.

This is about a car in India that has been made to be shaped like a coffee mug. You know, that kind of glass you use when you make some coffee or some hot choco. That kind.

Sudhakar Yadav of Hyderabad, India owns this weird vehicle, the Sify News reported. He was also the person behind its creation. He has named the vehicle “Valentine’s Car” and he had made it just in time for the Day of Love.

Although the vehicle has been designed to be like a coffee mug, the whole car has been decorated with roses and flowers and hearts so as to be more in tune with Valentine’s. But the vehicle does not come with heart-shaped headlights though.

Sudhakar did share, “I have designed a Valentine’s mark with lots of flowers and hearts. It took me four months to design this car. It was mainly the flowers, which took a lot of time. Everything is custom made. It is a two-seater car with complete suspension, and headlight, parking indicator lights, complete functioning of any other regular car.”

A couple did take the vehicle for a ride and one said, “It’s so nice to have something so special and something so unique on Valentine’s Day to enjoy with your valentine. This is a very comfortable car. I really liked driving it.”

CarMax: Refocusing Car Buyer’s Choice

CarMax Incorporated, the largest retailer of used cars and light trucks in United States, live by the Little Prince’s tiny secret:  ‘…what is essential is invisible to the eye.’

1.  Minivans aren’t just for soccer moms.  According to CarMax, modern minivans feature navigation systems, leather seats, TV/DVD players and rear heating and cooling.  Some models have quad seating and are more spacious than SUVs.  Examples of highly-recommended minivan models are the Honda Odyssey, Chrysler Town and Country and the Nissan Quest.  

2. Compact cars prove that big is not always better.  CarMax note compact cars as a top-saver if you’re the type of driver who wants to cut your parking space and gas price expenses.  If you’re worried about quality and style, some compact cars also have features common to luxury vehicles such as leather seats, sunroof, navigation system and convertible tops.  Popular choices include the Honda Civic, Toyota prius, Chevrolet Cobalt, Mini Cooper and the Hyundai Elantra. 

3.  Finally, CarMax wants to point out that boxy vehicles offer unique features  that make them anything but square.   For example, a Honda Element is available in two-wheel or all-wheel drive models with adjustable backseats that fold into the SUV’s side thus allowing more space as well as a vinyl floor that makes vehicle cleaning easier.  On the other hand, the Scion xB can be customized to suit your style while the Jeep Commander features  leather seats, seat heaters, rear heating and cooling as well as third row seating.  Four-wheel drive models are also available.  

So, if you’re haunting for the best car in town, take CarMax’s advice.  Research. Probe deeper. Explore. For as the company puts it, “Some vehicles offer much more than meets the eye.”

Women Car Shoppers Get Help

I don’t exactly know what is with women being the car consumers who have no idea just what kind of vehicle they would want to have. Well, I guess it’s because women are not much into power, revs, and the whole machine drama and so they are not much into the specs and could not necessarily define just what vehicle would be best for them. I mean, sure they do would rather go for a wagon or a sedan than drive a Ford F150 which is really huge. But they are not sure just what features they would want to have in a vehicle and which vehicles have the features that they want.

Well, it seems like a web site is coming to rescue these women car shoppers from their dilemma. This site is CarTango, Inc. and they are ready to help out females. This web site has been designed so as to help women find the vehicle which would match their needs and their wants.

Daniel Osborne is the guy behind CarTango and he explained, “CarTango.com is designed to provide a better experience for the primary purchasers of automobiles in the United States - women. Women directly purchase over 50% and influence the purchase of over 80% of all vehicles sold. Unlike any other site on the internet, the functionality and exclusive features of CarTango.com were specifically designed to address the wants and needs of this powerful female demographic. CarTango ultimately makes it easier for women to locate and purchase their ideal new or used car, at the best price because it eliminates the frustrating aspects of the car-buying process that typically inhibit female consumers.”

Chrysler To Connect With Dealers

Chrysler is not really in a good shape.  After it was saved in the past by Lee Iacocca, it has plummeted once again in the face of the impressive growth of Japanese automakers.  But the company is still focused on going forward. In fact, they are so serious that they have managed to take Jim Press away from Toyota last year.

Today, the company is focused on having a good communication with its dealers around the country. That is according to The Auto Channel.  According to reports, Chrysler Vice-Chairman and President Jim Press has toured the country to speak to about 3,000 dealer partners.

Although I think that it is a step in the right direction, I believe that the company should take it one step further.  That step will bring them face to face with consumers.  My reason for that is that the company should have a really good idea of what consumers want and need.  Sure, the automaker has a team of designers which comes up with these ideas on how a vehicle should look like, but in the end, it will be consumers who will be choosing their vehicle.

Anyway, during the road trip, Chrysler and Press looked at the National Automotive Dealers Association to help in their endeavor.  "We started a dialogue with our National Dealer Council and continued the process by listening carefully to what our dealer partners had to say," said Press.

"Here at the National Automotive Dealer Association Conference (NADA) we have the opportunity to hear from more of our dealers. The results of all of this exchange will be factored in to our long range plan. At this point, we have not made any final decisions regarding our dealer optimization or future product plans, nor has the company set any firm timelines. Our dealers are and will continue to be an integral part of this process moving forward," he continued.

Denali XT Hybrid Debuts In Chicago

To go green is the current trend in the industry. And pickups, not just cars, are jumping into the bandwagon. At this year’s Chicago Auto Show, the Detroit automaker will be introducing the Denali XT Hybrid Concept along with the 2009 GMC Sierra.

Warrack Leach, the Denali XT’s lead designer, described it as a pickup for guys that pine for “a truck with badness but don’t necessarily need a truck everyday.” In other words, there are more things that the truck intends to offer. Fuel efficiency, improved power, better handling, superb ergonomics, and enhanced truck capabilities are just few of the features of the pickup truck concept.

Trend AZ has this to say: “The GMC Denali is bigger than the A-BAT (5.21 m long and with a wheelbase of 3.13 m), but keeps the central idea: the unibody , instead of a body-on-frame structure, what enhances driving behavior (since the body is more rigid) and lightness (in order to save fuel), and the hybrid system. In fact, it uses the two-mode hybrid system GM has developed in association with Daimler and BMW, considered to be one of the best in market, nowadays.”

According to the automaker, the equation of lower weight and hybrid technology allows the Denali XT to be 50% better than other midsize pickup trucks when it comes to fuel economy. Nice.

The pickup boasts of powerful and enhanced parts. You can compare them with the traditional Magnaflow 50000 Series catalytic converter and other exceptional parts accessories.

GMC DENALI XT CONCEPT SPECIFICATIONS
Body style / driveline: four-door, four-seat; rear-wheel drive sport-utility truck

Construction: body-frame integral

Engine type: 4.9L SIDI V-8 with Active Fuel Management

Horsepower (hp / kW): 326 / 243 ( est )

Fuel type: unleaded regular or E85 ethanol

Transmission: two-mode hybrid

Suspension: front: independent SLA; rear: independent SLA

Brakes four-wheel disc

Wheel size & type: 23-inch aluminum; split 5-spoke

Tires: front: Kuhmo 255/35/R23

rear: Kuhmo 285/35/R23

Wheelbase (in / mm): 125.4 / 3134

Overall length: 205 / 5207

Overall width (in / mm): 76.3 / 1938

Overall height (in / mm): 62.5 / 1587

Track (in / mm): 65 / 1651

Cargo floor length (in / mm): 55 / 1397

Cargo floor width (in / mm): 47.5 / 1206

Payload (lb / kg): 1100 / 499 ( est )

Towing capacity (lb / kg): 3500 / 1587 ( est )

2009 Acura RL To Offer XM NavWeather™

The 2008 Chicago Auto Show has become the center of attraction for every car spectators and fanatics around the globe. This is indeed an ultimate venue where new ground-breaking vehicle technologies, awesome concept cars with a complex ignition wire set and production vehicles meet and carry out the best from the auto industry.

Speaking of the phrase “the best”, Acura came up with their own definition of the statement by bringing in the 2009 Acura RL outfitted with the sophisticated XM NavWeather! According to the Auto Channel, Acura and XM recently announced that the all-new Acura RL will be available with XM’s NavWeather™ featuring Threat Matrix(TM) technology as a part of its AcuraLink(R) service.

Furthermore, Auto Channel reported that the 2009 Acura RL will allow new car shoppers to experience instantaneous modified weather tracking service openly through the in-dash navigation system. XM NavWeather makes use of an elite “Threat Matrix” technology to guide and give drivers instant alerts on surfacing climate threats including floods, hail, storm and tornado warnings. The simply understood icons are included into the luxury sedan’s large map display to assist and inform RL drivers of weather conditions at a quick look.

“Acura was the first automotive partner to debut our award-winning real- time XM NavTraffic service, which makes it fitting that they are first to offer XM NavWeather. Drivers will soon find the convenience of both services impossible to live without,” says Steve Cook, executive vice president, Automotive, XM Satellite Radio.

“Acura is a leader in developing the latest in customer relevant technologies that advance the driving experience. The real-time weather system featured on the new 2009 Acura RL further connects the driver to the world around them, allowing them to get where they need to go more quickly, safely and efficiently,” says Dick Colliver, executive VP for Acura sales.

“Drivers don’t have time to scrutinize every bit of weather data, so we’ve done all the analysis before it reaches their vehicles,” says Robert O. Baron, President and CEO of Baron Services. “This streamlined, driver-centric philosophy helps drivers stay informed about perilous road and weather conditions, while being able to focus on safely reaching their destinations.”

Co-Starring Johnny Depp

Sometime next year, Johnny Depp would be promoting yet another movie. This time, it would be about robbers as the movie is set in the 1930s. And sometime next year, a man would be able to boast to his friends and to everybody else how his classic car co-starred with Johnny Depp in the movie, reports a blog.

Jeff Geisert is a man who owns a 1937 Buick Special and it is highly possibly that his vehicle would be able to make it as Johnny’s vehicle. This Buick was actually Geisert’s uncle’s which was then passed on to his father. The vehicle was in poor condition when it reached his hands. He really did some work on it so as to restore it. He may even have purchased a couple of wheels and maybe some interior to make it look fine.

The movie would be directed by Michael Mann and it would have the title Public Enemies. I do wish Geisert luck and I’ll be looking for his car once the movie hits the screens.

The Ascent Of Toyota

Toyota is now the world’s most profitable automaker.

In Reuters yesterday, Japanese automaker Toyota, announced its 7.5 percent increase in quarterly profit which it attributes to its share in Chinese and Russian markets.  However, it continues to take precautionary measures in its US markets, where sales dropped 8,000 vehicles because of the country’s weak economy.

“The company is taking a cautious view for two main reasons: The possibility of the US economy falling into recession, which will hurt consumption, and the sronger yen,” Mitsushige Akino, chief fund manager at Ichiyoshi Investment Management, told Reuters.

See the relevance between how an Acura Legend engine mount works and Toyota’s vibrant rise in the auto market?  It’s simply in the art of mastering CONNECTION. Toyota’s Lexus luxury sedans and its Prius hybrid, popular for their fuel-efficiency, continue to earn profits for Toyota, particularly in oil-rich regions and other emergent markets.  The company’s earnings were boosted by the current oil price summed at $100 per barrel. 

Toyota reported that it sold about 2.281 million vehicles in October to December of last year.  Toyota Senior Managing Director Takeshi Suzuki was quoted saying, “We posted our highest ever quarterly results for the third quarter in both revenues and profits, despite the severe business environment.”  

Meanwhile, the company forecasts a 1.7 trillion yen-worth of net profit and a 2.3 trillion yen-worth of operating profit all throughout the year until March of next year.

The Future Car Collectibles

You’re in great luck if you happen to own and drive a future collector item! How would you know if your car is one of these future hall-of -famers? Simple, just let Hagerty Insurance do the talking for all us! So you better keep and take good care of those distributor caps because we’ll never know if your car is among these car legends.

According to the Auto Channel, Hagerty Insurance has announced its selection for the Hagerty Hot List: Top 10 Future Collector Cars. The hot list was formulated to inform customers what latest hot cars will stay attractive in the next 20 years. With Hagerty’s Hot List, you just might already have that future collectible sitting in your garage. All you have to do is wait…

“Could you have the future’s hottest collectible?”  

To know the exact answer to this question, McKeel Hagerty, CEO of Hagerty Insurance Agency and a certified expert automotive analyst, will provide a compilation of his preferences for Hagerty’s Hot List.

“Many consumers could be driving a future collector car right now,” says Hagerty. “Our goal was to find cars that are currently on the road but may be considered nostalgic in 15 to 20 years. Each car on Hagerty’s Hot List possesses a ‘buzz,’ a Wow Factor that resonates with consumers of all ages, many cars being daily drivers that turn heads already.”

“In a time when all the major manufacturers are fiercely competing for market share, we wanted to pick some modern day driving machines that grab drivers’ attention now and will continue to do so down the road,” says Hagerty. “The cars on this list have all the right ingredients to be looked upon by the next generation of enthusiasts as cool cars to collect.”

Hagerty’s Hot List includes:

• Cadillac XLR-V Roadster
• Lotus Exige S
• Audi S5
• Mustang Shelby GT 500 KR
• Chevrolet Corvette Z06
• Smart
• Subaru Impreza WRX STi
• Honda S2000 CR
• Pontiac Solstice/Saturn Sky
• Dodge Charger Super Bee