One Day Car Insurance- Why ?

We live in an uncertain world. This is all the more reason why one should be adequately insured. At times, there might be questions why one should need insurance, however, when you hear all those terrifying stories of people who suffered by avoiding the necessity of having coverage, you will be completely convinced that obtaining insurance is the most significant thing for protecting your financial freedom in addition to your dignity. The same is also quite true in the case of auto insurance. We drive in cluttered cities as well as towns where the fanatical traffic explains that any unexpected mishap or accident can occur at any given moment. This is one major reason why in some cases, even one day car insurance may be all that you need.

One day car insurance is a euphemism for temporary car insurance that availed but those insurance seekers who require coverage only for a limited period of time, which could possibly vary between 1 to 28 days. Theoretically it is possible to avail of car insurance even for a single day, which is quite useful for those who need such insurance for special situations and unique needs. For instance, a person could be traveling to a different city and needs to borrow a friend’s car for official work. This person would need the one day car insurance in order to ensure that he/she is protected against the vagaries of driving by availing such short term duration insurance. After all, the legal position is that even if you are driving the car for a single hour or for a trip around the block, you should not only have car insurance, but also documented proof of it. This is absolutely imperative and non-negotiable for people not only in the US but in most parts of the civilized world.

One day car insurance is quite necessary for those who want to be on the right side of the law even during short or truncated trips. It does not make someone wise to run a financial risk by venturing out without proper car insurance. There are various cases when people ignored the need of car insurance, but they only ended up with deep regrets afterwards. Out there many insurance companies are more than willing to give outvthis type of temporary insurance, so one can conveniently check out the options offered.

If you are planning a short trip and want to drive, make sure you have one day car insurance to be on the safe and right side of the law.

Get Very Cheap Automobile Insurance

When it comes to insurance, people are generally convinced of the fact that it is imperative to protect oneself from the vagaries of life. Life is totally unanticipated, and one really is unable to forecast what’s coming next. This is also quite true of automobile insurance, which is one of the most common as well as widely uses forms of insurance. It is quite true that availing automobile insurance is not an option, but an imperative as most states in the US and indeed most countries insist that one must have automobile insurance before venturing out to drive. Additionally, in these days of economic recession people are generally on the lookout for cheap automobile insurance.

It is possible to avail cheap automobile insurance from the internet. There are quite a few websites that provide information on how to get such insurance. In this ear of extreme competition, there are numerous competing agencies plus firms which supply these services. Information on these firms is available both online as well as offline too. With so many companies cluttered together availing various options, it is sensible to compare and contrast initially in order to get the best possible deal in terms of service, as well as price. However, it is not correct to get influenced by attractive layouts or sales pitch, which can prove to be deceptive in the long term.

Insurance is a function of the level of risk involved with person to whom the insurance is given out. So, those you wish to obtain cheap automobile insurance ought to realize that if they own a luxurious car or SUV, it is not possible to expect low premium costs. There is also the case that lavish cars tend to be more risky or prune to damage, which explains why it invites high premium costs.

Those people who desire to obtain cheap automobile insurance would also be highly recommended to get defensive driving courses. With the increasing number of accidents as well as mishaps taking place due unserious and reckless driving, it implies that car insuring companies are very much willing to enlarge lower premium costs for those driver who provide an extra effort for being responsible on the road.

If you want more information on how to get cheap automobile insurance, you can do some online research. The wealth of information online can serve your purpose quite amply.

Find Cheap Female Car Insurance

As you no doubt already know, women have to take care of themselves nowadays. This is because it's not always up to dad to feed the family while mom takes care of the kids and cleans the house. Instead, more and more women find themselves on their own nowadays, and unfortunately for them, there are still many people about who see them as being an easy target. From electricians to plumbers, and from mechanics to insurance salesman, women are often overcharged for services.

You take charge of your life. While things may not be as simple as they used to be, that doesn't mean they're worse. In fact, today's woman is far more dynamic and self-assured than women of the past. They have to be. Today's woman knows that if she wants what's best, she has to take control of the situation. That includes looking for cheap female car insurance.

Luckily, women today are quite computer savvy, which makes securing cheap female car insurance a lot easier. There's no more condescending talks with male agents who act as though you're an idiot. The smart woman simply goes online and gets an insurance rate.

If you're a woman who's looking for good, cheap female car insurance, and you've decided to go online for it, then there are a few things you need to remember. Providing you keep these facts in mind, you should be able to find a decent policy which allows you to save some money on your premium.

Essentially, the number one rule to follow is that you should compare apples to apples. In other words, you should always try to compare the same deductibles relating to comprehensive coverage and also collision. Of course, you need to bear in mind that a policy with a low deductible will cost more simply because if you have an accident, you don't pay very much out of your own pocket, but instead, it's the insurance company that will pay most of it.

You should also make sure that liability limits are the same. Remember, higher liability limits puts the insurance company at more risk in terms of money. Because of this, you will obviously be expected to pay more. Once you've managed to find cheap female car insurance then you could of course consider asking for the liability limits to be raised. In the vast majority of cases, a serious accident usually results in significant hospital bills, and certainly more than state minimum cover. Essentially, you really shouldn't be willing to put your financial future at risk, and that simply so that you can save a few dollars.

Don't be fooled by the name. A lot of reputable companies offer cheap female car insurance, but you may never have heard of them before you received the quote. Instead of dismissing the quote, look at their financial rating and check for customer complaints in your state. Normally the state's Department of Insurance has a place on their website where you'll find that information.

Sign up for a policy about a month before your insurance expires. If there's a difference when the final premium arrives, you'll still have time to cancel the policy with no cost and continue your present coverage.

So many women have managed to take charge of their lives, and not without reason. After all, taking control of a situation can be a great amount of fun, and the best thing of all, is that when you do find cheap female car insurance, you'll no doubt experience a feeling of satisfaction and empowerment.

Cheap Car Insurance

As the government in the UK has finished it obligatory for car owners to get an insurance for their car, there is a sudden rush of insurance companies wooing car owners. Presently, there are additional than 100 insurance companies in the UK offering insurance policies for cars. Despite the growing volume of insurance companies, there has been little or no translate in the price of their car insurancepolicies. The high price of car insurance discourages many car owners from buying a car insurance. They either prefer not to pay for an insurance or they appearance for a cheap car insurance.

Some better planning as pleasingly as consideration before you finally pay for an insurance car insurance helps you avail it at a low-cost rate. Several fine research of various insurance companies and their policies may assistance you in deciding on which policies you should pay for. Nearly all of the companies want afford you free quotes and suggestions.

By comparing the price of their insurance policies, you be intelligent of pick the best agreement of a reduced car insurance. Moreover, there are some other factors, which conclude the cost of the insurance. The physical state of your car, the scene where you park it, the driver, model and excellence of your car are some of these factors.

Besides, the types of insurance you are going to pay for is another factor, which controls the high cost of your insurance. Usually, a Cheap Car Insurance is of three types – third party only car insurance, third party fire and theft car insurance and comprehensive car insurance. All the three types of insurance have their own advantages and disadvantages. Judging the car insurance policy that is the best among these three is a unbreakable employment, as each has it's own features, which meet diverse requirements of car owners. Choosing the best individual need depend on the condition you get.

Angeles International Auto Show

Chevrolet at the Los Angeles International Auto Show

o U.S. premiere of the all-new Cruze, delivering up to 40 mpg highway
o Volt electric vehicle to be available in select markets in 2010
o Camaro, Equinox and other hot-selling Chevrolet vehicles also on display

DETROIT – Chevrolet affirms its commitment to fuel solutions and building refined, eco-friendly vehicles with the debut of the U.S. production version of the Cruze sedan at the Los Angeles Auto Show, on Dec. 2. The Cruze, along with the much-anticipated Volt electric vehicle, will give visitors to the L.A. show a close-up view of Chevrolet’s expanding lineup of gas-friendly to gas-free products.

“With expected highway fuel economy up to 40 miles per gallon, Cruze will be extremely gas friendly while the Volt electric vehicle can be operated gas-free,” said Brent Dewar, vice president, Chevrolet. “Chevrolet’s focus is on forward-looking technologies to the benefit of our customers, such as the highly efficient, small-displacement turbocharged engine in the Cruze or the Volt electric vehicle with extended range.”

The Cruze has already launched to high acclaim in Europe and Asia and has undergone refinement for America. It goes on sale in the U.S. in the third quarter of 2010 but has already logged more than 4 million miles in quality and durability testing worldwide, making it one of the most globally tested Chevrolet products prior to a U.S. launch.

Cruze is designed to achieve class-leading highway fuel economy using a new family of efficient engines that include a 1.4L turbo. It will lead the way for Chevrolet in small-displacement, turbocharged engines that are designed for excellent fuel efficiency and durability – while also being fun to drive.

Defying preconceptions of what a compact car can be, Cruze will offer a more spacious interior and cargo capacity than the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla, and upscale infotainment amenities such as a navigation system, Bluetooth connectivity and XM Satellite Radio. Ten standard air bags that provide a safety cocoon for occupants – along with OnStar– also make it one of the safest vehicles in the segment.

The Chevrolet Volt is an electric vehicle with extended-range capability. It is expected to drive up to 40 miles on electricity without using gasoline or producing tailpipe emissions. When the Volt’s lithium-ion battery is depleted of energy, an engine/generator seamlessly operates to extend the total driving range to more than 300 miles before refueling.

Chevrolet will announce plans for initial retail markets where the Volt will be sold. Chevrolet will also announce the winner of a nationwide consumer competition to name a Volt unique paint color. Consumers determine the winner by voting now for their favorite of three finalist names at www.chevroletvoltage.com, until 8 a.m. Eastern time on Dec. 1.

From Nov. 27-29, the Volt will be on display next to Bloomingdale’s at the Westfield Century City mall in West Los Angeles. During regular mall hours, visitors to the Chevrolet Volt display may get two free tickets each to the L.A. Auto Show, while supplies last. The L.A. Auto Show opens to the public Dec. 4.

Production for the Volt is expected to begin in late 2010. Pricing has not been announced.

The Chevrolet show exhibit also will feature the all-new, 2010 Chevrolet Camaro sports coupe and Chevrolet Equinox compact crossover SUV. The popularity of these vehicles helped Chevrolet boost sales by 9 percent in October, including a significant 31-percent increase in retail sales.

The Camaro continues to distance itself from its closest competitor as a fuel-efficient interpretation of a 21st century sports car, achieving 29 miles per gallon on the highway when equipped with the popular 304-horsepower direct injected V-6. Camaro has been a leader in the regular sports car segment for the last five months.

Demand for the Camaro continues to be strong, as Chevrolet now has more than 36,000 sold orders for the car.

The all-new 2010 Equinox is a compact crossover that combines distinctive design, extensive functionality and outstanding efficiency. At 32 mpg highway, the Equinox gets better fuel economy than the Honda CR-V and the Toyota RAV-4. It even beats the Ford Escape Hybrid while costing $7,000 less.

In just a few short months, Equinox has captured 10 percent of the critical compact crossover segment, its best share since August of 2007 and up 4.6 percent from a year ago. More than half of 2010 Equinox customers traded in a non-GM vehicle (based on internal PIN data). Demand is so strong for the Equinox that the plant where it is built recently added a third shift.
Source GM

2010 MOTOR TREND CAR OF THE YEAR

FORD FUSION NAMED 2010 MOTOR TREND CAR OF THE YEAR

* The 2010 Ford Fusion is MOTOR TREND magazine’s pick for its prestigious Car of the Year® award
* The Fusion bested a field of 23 contenders – including the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, BMW 7 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class – to win the prominent award
* Fusion is now among America’s top 10-selling vehicles and the No. 1-selling domestic car
* Ford Fusion is America’s most fuel-efficient midsize sedan for both hybrid and conventional gasoline models. The Fusion Hybrid with an EPA estimated 41 mpg rating in the city and 36 mpg on the highway tops the Toyota Camry hybrid by 8 mpg in the city and 2 mpg on the highway, while the four-cylinder Fusion with best-in-class highway fuel economy at 34 mpg tops the Toyota Camry four-cylinder by 2 mpg

DEARBORN, Mich., Nov. 17, 2009 – The Ford Fusion – America’s most fuel-efficient midsize sedan – today was named MOTOR TREND’s 2010 Car of the Year®. The award comes hot on the heels of Fusion setting record-breaking sales for 2009.

“Ford has proven its resilience in these tough times by delivering to market a car with broad appeal to a broad range of consumers,” said Angus MacKenzie, MOTOR TREND editor-in-chief. “The Fusion range has matured into a competitive roster of midsize sedans, able to compete with sales juggernauts such as the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord. It is no surprise the Fusion now ranks in the top 10 best-selling cars in America.”

The prestigious award from MOTOR TREND comes at a time when Fusion sales are already at an all-time high, further positioning the vehicle as a formidable contender in the competitive midsize sedan market.

Motor Trend Car of the Year award

2010 Ford Fusion Sport – Click above for high-res image gallery

For the first time ever, Motor Trend announced the winner of its annual Car of the Year award this afternoonlive via webcast. Though the field of 23 contenders was highly competitive this year (follow the jump for a complete list), we guessed immediately that the winner was a Ford as soon as the webcast came online. How'd we know? The fact they were broadcasting the announcement from Ford World Headquarters in Detroit was a not-so-subtle clue. The Fusion, Taurus and Mustang were all in the running, but it was Ford's redesigned mid-size sedan, the Fusion, that took home the coveted Golden Calipers.

In retrospect, the choice is a solid one and not all that surprising. The Fusion was extensively reworked for the 2010 model year and features a new exterior design, new models and new powertrains. Ford offers a four-cylinder model, two strong V6 options and a full-on parallel hybrid variant, which means buyers should have no trouble finding a Fusion that fits their needs. And indeed they have, as the Fusion has already broken its own yearly sales record – with two months left to go.

Like MT, we're big fans of the Fusion here at Autoblog, and even have high hopes that one day it could be the domestic car that knocks the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord from atop their perches as the best selling cars in the States. That said, this Ford still has a long way to go. Toyota has sold nearly twice as many Camry models as the Fusion so far this year, and the Accord and Nissan Altima are still flashing their taillights at Ford's CoTY winner. It's not just demand, as Ford doesn't even have the production capacity at the moment to match Camry sales, and it doesn't help that the Mercury Milan siphons off a few potential Fusion customers, as well.

Nevertheless, this is less about what the Fusion could be in the future than what it is today: the 2010 Motor Trend Car of the Year. Congrats to Ford and the Fusion team.

CONTENDERS FOR 2010 MOTOR TREND CAR OF THE YEAR:

BMW 7 SERIES

BMW Z4

BUICK LACROSSE

CHEVROLET CAMARO

FORD FUSION

FORD MUSTANG

FORD TAURUS

HONDA INSIGHT

HYUNDAI GENESIS COUPE

KIA FORTE

KIA SOUL

LEXUS HS 250H

MAZDA3

MERCEDES-BENZ E-CLASS COUPE

MERCEDES-BENZ E-CLASS

NISSAN 370Z

NISSAN CUBE

PORSCHE PANAMERA

SUBARU LEGACY

SUZUKI KIZASHI

TOYOTA PRIUS

VOLKSWAGEN GTI

VOLKSWAGEN ROUTAN

Autoblog builds an LS9 for someone's

Our completed LS9 V8 – Click above for high-res image gallery

When you think of brands like Aston Martin, Ferrari and AMG, the idea of their engines being built by the hands of skilled craftsmen is no great surprise. However, most people would be very surprised to learn thatGeneral Motors has its own special facility dedicated to building its highest performaning engine by hand.

The GM Performance Build Center is located in a nondescript industrial park in in Wixom, MI, not far from the company's Milford Proving Ground. The PBC is a 100,000-square foot factory that opened in 2005 and has since produced both the supercharged Northstar V8 that was used in the Cadillac STS-V and XLR-V, as well as the dry-sump small-block V8 used in the Corvette Z06 and ZR1. The most recent addition to the lineup is the dry-sump LS3 used in the new manual transmission Grand Sport. We were invited by GM to tour the facility and even build one a monster LS9 that would eventually wind up in someone's ZR1.

The Performance Build Center is a completely different animal when compared to GM's other engine plants. The typical high volume engine plant consists of a long transfer line where bare engine blocks are loaded on at one end and finished engines come off the other end. Along the way assemblers work at each station adding parts to the engine. The assemblers typically spend the whole shift working at just a few stations or even one station, putting the same part on engine after engine.



Things are done differently at PBC. Each engine is assembled by just one engine builder. The builder starts off by preparing a set of pistons and then mounting a block onto an engine stand (above). Instead of a transfer line where the engines move automatically from one station to the next, the stand is pushed around the loop by the builder. The engine builders at PBC have all been recruited from the ranks of skilled trademen at other GM plants.

Prior to the current downturn there were as many as 40 builders turning out up to 15,000 engines a year from this Wixom facility. With the loss of the Cadillac engines and the slow down in Corvette sales, the current production rate is about 5,000 engines per year, with 18 builders assembling the power-plants. The plant has two main areas, the assembly hall and the test and inspection area.



The assembly hall has three loops and what is known as a kitting area. In the kitting area, bins of parts needed for each station are compiled with exactly the right number of fasteners, gaskets, etc (above). If a builder has any left over parts in the box at the end of a station, that means he has to go back and check what he missed. One of the three assembly loops that was previously used for building Cadillac engines is currently idle. Another loop is used to build the LS9 (ZR1) and LS7 (Z06) V8s while the third is used for the LS7 and dry-sump LS3.

Mike Armstrong tutored and accompanied us as we began at the piston preparation area. The pistons, rings and rods come into the plant pre-assembled from suppliers. The first step is to mark each piston, rod and end cap with cylinder numbers and directions. We also check the rings to make sure the gaps are on opposite sides. When connecting rods are manufactured, the caps are bolted on before the big-end bores are machined. Those caps are removed before assembly and everything is arranged in the bin before heading to the loop.



The first stage of actual assembly is the insertion of the camshaft. Before we put in any moving parts, we take what looks like an over-sized Q-Tip, dip it in oil and swab the bores to ensure everything moves smoothly (above). Once the cam is ensconced in the aluminum block, the 6-bolt main bearing caps are removed so that the crankshaft can be installed. After popping in the main bearings and double checking to make sure everything is facing the right direction, Mike lowers in the crank.



Each engine stand has a clipboard with a build sheet and bar code on it (above). This same bar code is also applied to the engine. Prior to each assembly operation, the bar code is scanned and each torquing operation is logged in a central computer. Multi-spindle guns are used for operations like torqueing the main bearings, and all of the torque guns use electric drive and incorporate torque sensors.

To ensure accurate and reliable bolt torquing, the process has evolved in recent years. Way back when, you would use a torque wrench and tighten a bolt until you hit the required threshold. However, that was found to give inconsistent results when tested because of internal differences in the fasteners and fits between the threads. Because fasteners stretch, what they do now is actually over-torque the bolt slightly and then back it off to the required setting.

A work instruction sheet at each station lists the operations in sequence with a bar code associated with each. After scanning the engine code, the code for the operation is scanned. When the sensors have detected the operation has been completed and the bolts are properly tight, the gun automatically shuts down to prevent over-torquing. The system keeps track of all the data related to each build so that if any problem is detected during the final test or inspection, the whole process can be reviewed.



Anyone who has ever put together an engine (properly, of course) knows that you have to torque the bolts in a particular order to avoid damaging warpage. The multi-spindle gun for the main bearings on the LS9 does the four vertical bolts on one cap together. Starting from the center of the crank you work your way outward alternating front to back. After each cap is tightened, we turn the crank a couple of times to make sure that the resistance hasn't suddenly increased dramatically. If it suddenly becomes much harder to spin the crank, you know something is wrong and can go back and fix it before getting too far along in the build.

Once the crank is all tightened up, it's time to install the pistons. The block is rotated on the stand and everything is lubed up prior to insertion. Again the crank is turned to ensure that nothing is hanging up. This is followed by the oil pan, timing chain, oil pump and the rest of the bottom end. The oil passages of the pan and pump are checked before installation to make sure that no parts or chips got in there to block oil flow, something that's especially important for a high performance engine such as the LS9. In fact, throughout the build process, everything is checked and double checked to make sure the engine is right before it gets to the cold test at the end.

Once the bottom end is buttoned up, the LS9 turned right side up again to install the cylinder heads. Because of the high pressures generated inside the supercharged LS9, GM went with seven-layer head gaskets and larger 12 mm bolts to keep the cylinders sealed tight. After the lifters, push-rods and rockers are installed it's time for the supercharger.



General Motors classifies the surfaces of all parts of a car as 1, 2 or 3. Class 3 surfaces are those that are never actually visible to the customer, like the back side of the dashboard. Class 1 surfaces are visible like the body panels and care must be taken to make sure they don't have any scratches or other blemishes. Among all GM engines, the only class 1 surface is the LS9 intercooler cover because it's visible through the hood window.

The supercharger and intercooler come into the PBC already assembled as a unit. Once we bolt it into the valley, a cardboard cover is placed on top to make sure it doesn't get scratched. With the blower in place, it's time to check the LS9 for leaks. Hoses are hooked up to all of the external connections and both positive and negative pressure are applied to the engine for a couple of minutes. Thankfully our LS9 passed the leak test with flying colors.

Once an engine passes the leak test, it's time for the builder to apply his name tag. Since we were only a temp at PBC, you won't find any LS9 engines with an Autoblog logo on them. However, if you buy a 2010 ZR1 and find a plaque with Mike Armstrong's name on the side of the intercooler, it could well be the one we helped put together.



At the final station we hook up the engine lift and unbolt the power-plant from the build stand. Once the engine is free, we can complete the last step of the assembly process, which is the installation of the flywheel and dual plate clutch. The LS9 gets a 260 mm-diameter clutch with two plates that allows for a lower effort to disengage and less inertia than a larger single plate unit. That all helps to make the ZR1 much more drivable in the real world.

From the assembly loop, the engines head over to the cold test and balancer stands. On the cold test stand, the engine is spun up electrically to check items like the compression, water pump, oil pump, etc. On the balance stand, the fuel line is connected for the first time and exhaust pipes are clamped onto the headers. The engine is fired up and run briefly on natural gas to check for vibrations caused by weight imbalances. If necessary, weights are added to the front crank damper and the flywheel to smooth things out.



Once the vibrations have been negated, the engines go through a final visual inspection before being loaded on racks and getting trucked south to Bowling Green for installation into new Corvettes.

We want to thank Mike Armstrong for his patience in answering our questions and guiding us through the build process at PBC. After seeing how the LS3, LS7 and LS9 are built at the Wixom Performance Build Center, we have even more respect for these high-end Corvettes. Going into the 2010 American Le Mans Series, the GT2 Corvette C6.R will be switching from its current 6.0-liter V8 to a new 5.5-liter unit based on the next generation small block. Last summer Corvette Racing manager Doug Fehan revealed that these new GT2 engines would be built in Wixom right alongside the road going engines, a major coup for the staff there. Congratulations to them and keep up the great work.

Best Europa SE Review Spec

Some Reviews Of Lotus Europa SE, And Specifications of NEw Lotus Europa SE :

* Engine: 1998cc DOHC four-cylinder (16 valve)
* Power: 165kW @ 5700rpm
* Torque: 300Nm @ 4000rpm
* Induction: Multi-point & Turbocharged
* Transmission: Six-speed manual
* Driven Wheels: Rear
* Brakes: Discs with ABS
* Top Speed: 235km/h (Claimed)
* 0-100km/h: 5.3 seconds (Claimed)
* CO2 Emissions: 229 g/km
* Fuel Consumption: 9.8L/100km (ADR)
* Fuel Tank Capacity: 42.5L
* Fuel Type: 95-98RON Unleaded
* ANCAP Rating: N/A
* Airbags: Dual Front
* Safety: N/A
* Spare Wheel: Sealant Type
* Suspension: Wishbone (F) / Wishbone (R)
* Cargo Capacity: 154L
* Tow Capacity: N/A
* Turning Circle: TBC
* Warranty: Two Years / Unlimited Kilometre
* Weight: 995kg (Tare)
* Wheels: Alloy 17 x 7.0-inch (F) / 17 x 8.0-inch (R)

Lotus Europa SE

Lotus Europa SE

Lotus Europa SE

Auto Show Gallery- Tokyo -Honda U3-X Electric Unicycle

Toyota isn't the only Japanese automaker to amaze us with some funky forms of personal transportation. Honda unwrapped its U3-X transporter prior to the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show, which can best be described as a motorized unicycle.

A key component to the U3-X is Honda's Omni Traction (HOT) drive technology. The large wheel you see at the bottom of the cycle is actually made of multiple wheels of varying diameter. The larger wheels allow the U3-X to move fore and aft. Simultaneously rotating the smaller wheels allows the U3-X to steer. Like a Segway, the unicycle is self-balancing; Honda engineers developed the system based upon technologies developed for the company's ASIMO robot program.

Although the U3-X seems to be meant for indoor use only, it weighs only 20 pounds and folds into a portable shape for transit. Power comes from a lithium-ion battery pack which, when fully charged, offers approximately an hour's worth of use.

We're not exactly sure whom Honda is targeting with this contraption (the company says it's "pursuing the concept of harmony with people"), but it will showcase the U3-X at the 2009 Tokyo motor show.

most popular car brands

What make of car is most popular with Canadians? All you really have to do is look around the next time you jump in your auto and go for a drive. Chances are you’ll mostly see cars made by Honda, Chevrolet, Toyota, Ford or Pontiac, and chances are you’re driving one of these too.

Recently, Automobile Lanka .ca took a closer look at the vehicles quoted online for car insurance to see who had the most popular car brand; specifically for quotes obtained during 2006, 2007 and 2008. Add them all up, and the following are the Top 10 car brands quoted online:

1. Honda
2. Chevrolet
3. Toyota
4. Ford
5. Pontiac
6. Dodge
7. Mazda
8. Nissan
9. Volkswagen
10. Hyundai

Collectively, these 10 automotive brands were represented in over 70 per cent of the online car insurance quotes throughKanetix.ca’s online insurance quote comparison services. Pretty impressive when you consider the well known, prominent car makes not listed, and there are many like Acura, Chrysler, Jeep, BMW, GMC, Saturn, Kia, Mitsubishi, Subaru, Buick,Audi, Volvo, Lexus, Saab to name but just a few.

How much coverage do I need?-Insurance

Almost every state requires you to buy a minimum amount of liability coverage. Chances are that you will need more liability insurance than the state requires because accidents cost more than the minimum limits. If you’re found legally responsible for bills that are more than your insurance covers, you will have to pay the difference out of your own pocket. These costs could wipe you out!

You may want to talk to your agent or company representative about purchasing higher liability limits to reflect your personal needs. You may also consider purchasing an umbrella or excess liability policy. These policies pay when your underlying coverages are exhausted. Typically, these policies cost between $200 and $300 per year for a million dollars in coverage. If you have your homeowners and auto insurance with the same company, check out the cost of coverage with this company first. If you have coverage with different companies, it may be easier to buy it from your auto insurance company.

In addition to liability coverage, consider buying collision and comprehensive coverage. You don't decide how much to buy. Your coverage reflects the market value of your car and the cost of repairing it.

Decide on a deductible—the amount of money you pay on a claim before the insurance company reimburses you. Typically, deductibles are $500 or $1,000; the higher your deductible, the lower your premium.

2010 Chevrolet Camaro-Cheao Economy Vehicles

LT2 Coupe shown

MSRP

$22,680 - $33,450

Invoice

$21,773 - $32,112

The 2010 Camaro is a 2-door, 4-passenger sports car, available in 5 trims, ranging from the LS Coupe to the 2SS Coupe.

Upon introduction, the LS Coupe is equipped with a standard 3.6-liter, V6, 304-horsepower engine that achieves 17-mpg in the city and 29-mpg on the highway. A 6-speed manual transmission with overdrive is standard, and a 6-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is optional. The 2SS Coupe is equipped with a standard 6.2-liter, V8, 426-horsepower engine that achieves 16-mpg in the city and 24-mpg on the highway. A 6-speed manual transmission with overdrive is standard.

The 2010 Camaro is redesigned for 2010.

2010 Ford Mustang-Top Economy Vehicles

GT Premium Coupe shown

MSRP

$20,995 - $35,995

Invoice

$19,471 - $32,971

The 2010 Mustang is a 2-door, 4-passenger family coupe, sports coupe, convertible, or convertible sports car, available in 8 trims, ranging from the V6 Coupe to the GT Premium Convertible.

Upon introduction, the V6 Coupe is equipped with a standard 4.0-liter, V6, 210-horsepower engine that achieves 18-mpg in the city and 26-mpg on the highway. The GT Premium Convertible is equipped with a standard 4.6-liter, V8, 315-horsepower engine that achieves 16-mpg in the city and 24-mpg on the highway. A 5-speed manual transmission with overdrive is standard on both trims, and a 5-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is optional.

The 2010 Mustang is reskinned for 2010.

Popular Trucks-2010 Chevrolet Colorado Crew Cab 4WD

LT1 shown

MSRP

$27,395 - $28,915

Invoice

$26,025 - $27,469

The 2010 Colorado Crew Cab 4WD is a 4-door, up to 6-passenger compact pickup, available in two trims, the LT1 and the LT2.

Upon introduction, both trims are equipped with a standard 3.7-liter, I5, 242-horsepower engine that achieves 16-mpg in the city and 21-mpg on the highway. A 4-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is standard.

The 2010 Colorado Crew Cab 4WD is a carryover from 2009.

Popular Trucks-2010 Ford F-450 SD Crew Cab 4X4

172-in. WB XL Styleside DRW shown

MSRP

$45,805 - $55,660

Invoice

$42,014 - $50,884

The 2010 F-450 SD Crew Cab 4X4 is a 4-door, up to 6-passenger full size pickup, available in 3 trims, ranging from the 172-in. WB XL Styleside DRW to the 172-in. WB Lariat Styleside DRW.

Upon introduction, both trims are equipped with a standard 6.4-liter, V8, 350-horsepower, turbo, diesel engine. A 6-speed manual transmission with overdrive is standard on the 172-in. WB XL Styleside DRW, and a 5-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is optional. A 5-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is standard on the 172-in. WB Lariat Styleside DRW.

The 2010 F-450 SD Crew Cab 4X4 is a carryover from 2009.

Popular Trucks-2010 Ford F-150 SuperCab SVT 4X4

133-in. WB Raptor shown

MSRP

$38,020 - $38,020

Invoice

$34,282

The 2010 F-150 SuperCab SVT 4X4 is a 4-door, 5-passenger full size pickup, available in one trim only, the 133-in. WB Raptor.

Upon introduction, the F-150 SuperCab SVT 4X4 is equipped with a standard 5.4-liter, V8, 310-horsepower, flexible fuel engine. A 6-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is standard.

The 2010 F-150 SuperCab SVT 4X4 is all-new for 2010.

Popular Vans-2010 Chrysler Town & Country

LX shown

MSRP

$25,175 - $35,060

Invoice

$24,143 - $33,039

The 2010 Town & Country is a 4-door, 7-passenger mini van, available in 3 trims, ranging from the LX to the Limited.

Upon introduction, the LX is equipped with a standard 3.3-liter, V6, 175-horsepower, flexible fuel engine that achieves 17-mpg in the city and 24-mpg on the highway. A 4-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is standard. The Limited is equipped with a standard 4.0-liter, V6, 251-horsepower engine that achieves 17-mpg in the city and 25-mpg on the highway. A 6-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is standard.

The 2010 Town & Country is a carryover from 2009.

Popular Vans-2009 Kia Sedona

Base SWB shown

MSRP

$21,245 - $27,745

Invoice

$20,430 - $25,710

The 2009 Sedona is a 4-door, 7-passenger mini van, available in 3 trims, ranging from the Base SWB to the EX LWB.

Upon introduction, both trims are equipped with a standard 3.8-liter, V6, 250-horsepower engine that achieves 16-mpg in the city and 23-mpg on the highway. A 5-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is standard.

The 2009 Sedona is a carryover from 2008

Popular Vans-2010 Honda Odyssey

EX-L shown

MSRP

$26,805 - $40,755

Invoice

Not Available

The 2010 Odyssey is a 4-door, up to 8-passenger mini van, available in 7 trims, ranging from the LX to the Touring.

Upon introduction, the LX is equipped with a standard 3.5-liter, V6, 244-horsepower engine that achieves 16-mpg in the city and 23-mpg on the highway. The Touring is equipped with a standard 3.5-liter, V6, 244-horsepower engine that achieves 17-mpg in the city and 25-mpg on the highway. A 5-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is standard on both trims.

The 2010 Odyssey is a carryover from 2009.