500 Mobil Mewah

Makassar, Tribun - At least, Uncategorized 500s luxury car now filled the streets in Makassar. Luxury car at a price above USD 500 million were owned by businessmen, politicians, and bureaucrats.

Five years ago, Hammer H3 class cars that cost about USD 1.5 billion, only owned by a businessman and Golkar politician Nurdin Halid. However, this year there have been several Hammer car units passing through the streets in Makassar.
In fact, Porsche car worth Rp 4 billion, also already exists in Makassar. However, the owner, is "shy" is introduced to the public through mass media.
Business Banking Manager for Bank Panin Makassar, Hudli Huduri, in Makassar, on Friday (11 / 5), said this year, Bank Panin finance the purchase of a two-door sports sedan New Porsche Panamera.
German cars are worth Rp 4 billion, which purchased one of the entrepreneur in Makassar. "I think this is the most expensive cars in Makassar. If a Ferrari, no one has passed Panin Bank financing. And it seems there are no Ferraris in Makassar," she said.
Problem purchasing power of people of South Sulawesi, many parties were amazed. High purchasing power of this reason, invite investors into this region.
Top residential developer in Indonesia, which entered the South Sulawesi, Ciputra Group, amazed even when home prices in Citraland marketed billions of Celebes, also "sold well". They claimed not to suspect that the house price to sell billions in this area.
Property Entrepreneurs
Entrepreneur Muh Level property including one luxurious collector cars in Makassar. The figure is familiarly called Opa has a number of luxury cars parked in kedamannya.
Among the luxury of his private vehicle, Opa Level mentions three of his most expensive cars, among them the New Lexus cars, Hammer, and All New Pajero.
New Lexus hers worth USD 2.3 billion, Hammer USD 1.5 billion, and the All New Pajero USD 1.3 billion.
Three car, according to Opa, can still counted on the fingers owner in Makassar. The third new car is owned by each of the three people.
"If Hammer with plate B (Jakarta) if no one had been many outstanding and owned by the elite of Makassar," he explained in Makkah when contacted by phone on Friday (11 / 6) evening.
On the main road some time last Makassar bersiweleran more and more expensive cars. Most prominently, such as automobiles and Alphard.
The rise of luxury cars mainly diramaikan by luxury cars with Jakarta plate. According to Opa, was in fair condition as of this regional economic growth and the ever increasing amount of money circulating in the South.
This was shown by the number of mega projects dilksanakan in this area in two-three years. Only, he adds a very good development this should no longer tainted by the student demonstrations that disrupt economic movement South.

Data SAMSAT
Based on data reported by Administrative Unit Manunggal One Roof (Samsat) Makassar in the last five years (2006 to 2010), sales of luxury cars is quite high in Makassar.
The number of luxury cars sold in five years is 54 units in 2006, rose to 70 units in 2007, rose again to 115 units in 2008, then to 241 units in the year 2009. And in the last five months (Jan-May 2010) which sold 33 luxury car unit. That means total luxury car in Makassar at least 513 units.
Increasing the luxury car sales seen in the year 2009, which has doubled compared to the year 2008. It was recorded in Makassar SAMSAT because quite a lot of consumers who buy directly in Jakarta, thus SAMSAT recorded in Jakarta, not in SAMSAT Makassar.
Unfortunately, the Units are reluctant to give more details about this luxury car. Likewise Dispenda South. "If for the type of car we had no data in more detail how many units," said Administrator SAMSAT Services, Paradise Fr.
Recorded in the luxury car for 2010 SAMSAT Hammer H3 include three units, one unit of Chrysler Wrangler, Mazda RX8 as much as one unit, two units of the Hyundai Coupe, Toyota Alphard three units, two units of Toyota Land Cruiser, Toyota Harrier one unit, and Honda Odyssey three units.
While in the year 2009, among others, a unit of Volvo S80, Toyota Crown is a unit, Mercedes Benz S 500 a unit, a unit of CL 325 BMW, Mercedes Benz CLK 240 as a unit, a unit of Mercedes Benz E300, Mercedes Benz SL500 one unit, Mazda RX8 three units, 14 units of Mitsubishi Pajero, Hummer H3 two units, and Toyota Land Cruiser seven units.
While the total cars sold in Makassar from 2006 to 2010 each 5862 units, 7599 units, 10 545 units, 9305 units and 4938 units.
It is estimated that tens or even hundreds of other luxury cars already in Makassar. However, the car was listed on Samasat yet. A number of the luxury car owner who contacted the Tribune requested his name not mentioned. "Not good. Do not even make a fuss," said one owner of Hammer 3

Tata’s expansion in Europe – with plans to launch the Nano

Carl-Peter Forster, CEO of Tata Motors, has told CAR of his hopes for Tata’s expansion in Europe – with plans to launch the Nano here with a diesel and possibly an electric version.

Tata is already the world’s fourth largest commercial vehicle producer and it is a strong force in the Indian car market. But with Forster at the helm, and now that Jaguar and Land Rover are fully integrated into Tata Motors’s global structure, the company plans to look outside its domestic stronghold.

Car-Peter Forster on the Tata Nano

‘The Nano was a particularly gutsy initiative,’ he told us. ‘It’s an asset both in India and abroad, and one which our competitors have discovered is not so easy to copy! The Nano is clearly a vehicle for developing markets which needs some fine-tuning for developed markets. There are possibilities in Europe and the US. We’re looking into that now.

‘We are thinking about how to position it, where to sell it, what role could an electric version play. For less than 40% of the cost of a similarly sized car, you get an amazingly spacious vehicle.’

However, Forster warned that the European or American Nano would not arrive overnight. ‘We have to roll it out in India first,’ he said. ‘We are looking at opportunities in developed markets, but don’t expect it for at least 18 months; changes to meet passive safety and emissions regulations will take a bit of time.’

He said that Tata was looking into a diesel engine programme for the Nano, but pledged that a Nano for developed markets would still be cheap. How will it be priced? ‘Below everybody else,’ he smiled.

2010 Hyundai Genesis

Usually test-driving a car gives us the answers to the questions we have. How does it handle? Are the brakes adequate? What about pull-away potential? Which cars would we rather buy than this one?

But driving the Genesis coupe just seems to add to the conundrum. Why is this car so easy to drive at nine-tenths? How does a seemingly simple sportscar come off being so capable? Why does its straight-forward bodyshell and overall underwhelming design leave such a lasting impression? Is this car really this good or is it an illusion?

Maybe it's because the car hails from South Korea and there is an aura of mystique. Unlikely. Might be the fact that this newcomer laughs in the face of the established makes and we have a 'rebel-factor'. Maybe. Or, quite possibly, it could simply be that this car really is this good.

And while clearly such musings are purely academic, some things that are closer to facts arise. This is a car that makes you press hard. It makes you think. It makes you feel. It makes you draw comparisons and it makes you happy. But probably most important of all (for Hyundai), it makes you really, really want to buy one.

At the heart of our test car is Hyundai's own 24-valve V-6. The all-aluminum, twin-cam engine pulls smoothly and quickly throughout the rev-range. There are no awkward vibrations or other objections if taken all the way to redline. Just silky-smooth, willing power always ready for your next command. It's said to make 308 horsepower at 6000 rpm and 263 pound-feet of torque at 4700, and after spending a full week with the car we certainly would have no reason to think otherwise. The overall MPG is rated at 21.

Honda CR-Z-

The Honda CR-Z has been a long time coming. Although the concept debuted in 2007, as a project it's been kicking around Honda for over 10 years. Since the first Insight was launched in 1999, there have been numerous stop-start projects to produce a hybrid successor to the much-loved CR-X coupe. So when Honda invited us to drive their latest hybrid offering, it was too good an opportunity to pass up

I should admit to having two vested interests here: firstly as a former CR-X owner back in the 1980's and secondly as a Honda designer for a decade in the 1990's. We were forever proposing CR-X updates then and I must have worked on at least three replacement projects, so I'm not totally impartial on this one.

The CR-X reborn
When the first generation CR-X was launched in 1983, it was a unique proposition: a hi-tech baby coupe with twin roles as an entry car for college kids in the US and a sportier hot hatch for other markets. The second-generation CR-X offered much more powerful and advanced VTEC engines and full 2+2 seating, while the third-generation ‘Del Sol' model took a different turn with its odd two-seat targa styling and complicated stow-in-the-trunk roof.

In many ways the CR-Z is a straightforward update of the original concept: a very advanced low-slung coupe with modest power, in this case supplemented by an electric motor.

Viewing the car in bright sunlight, there's much more volume in the fenders than photos suggest. Together with the flowing roof, short hood, heavy tinted glass and big, curved screen, they give the car an impressive stance. Less impressive is the cheap-looking front grille that doesn't have the attention to detail you'd find on a VW or Citroën these days. It's not so much the hexagon texture of the grille that let it down, but the three unrefined bars in the top section with blanked-off areas behind and the crude mounting of the license plate.

Available in S, Sport and GT trim levels, the top-spec GT adds a glass moonroof, leather front seats, blue-look lenses on the HID lamps and LED running lamps over the Sport we drove.

From the inside
Getting into the car feels very familiar to a former CR-X owner. The wide doors, low set driving position, the over-the-shoulder view and the tiny sunroof brings the memories flooding back.

The cockpit's design is very ergonomic and the golf ball-sized shifter has a high tactile quality to it. There are numerous bins in which to store loose items and generally, there's decent visibility out of the driver's seat. The only real hindrance is the bar that travels across the backlight, which significantly impedes rearward visibility.

There's also a busy use of materials in this interior, which is typical of current Hondas. Smoked chrome is used on outer edges of the console, across the top under the center display screen and on door grabhandles. There's an open weave texture used in the lower spoke of the steering wheel and sides of the console, with matte aluminum used on the steering wheel spokes, around the gearshift gaiter and gearknob.

The inner door releases have the same finish yet appear low rent, and lacking the attention that VW designers would lavish here these days. And, while the main impression is of good quality, some switchgear also seems a bit dated – the electric window buttons and the door lock paddles for instance.

Buying a foreign car manufactured in China

Although the traffic might be a bit scary in China and public transport is readily available, many foreigners that are living in China consider buying a car, sometimes for the freedom you can have through it, sometimes to avoid overcrowded public transport.

Buying a foreign car manufactured in China

A lot of the famous international brands also produce cars for the local market in China. Here you will get good quality for a price considerably lower as in the country of origin. Be aware that the models are usually a bit adapted to the local market and are not always the newest.

Examples:
· Beijing Jeep
· Shanghai Volkswagen

Buying a Chinese car

Chinese cars are very cheap compared to international models but are definitively not state of the art in security, quality and other aspects. But Chinese manufacturers are improving fast. You can already find acceptable quality for a very low price.

Examples:
· QQ
· BYD

Used car market

In almost every Chinese city there is at least one used car market. It is usually located in the suburbs. This is the place to shop for used cars. Individual car sales as popular in western countries are less common.

Bring a car to China

Bringing your own car to China is not impossible but can be a big hassle. To import a car you need to have an import license. An import license however can only be obtained through a car purchase office which is usually more interested in selling you a car rather than helping you to import your own car.

Financing

If you buy a new car in China you usually pay in cash. Financing was never heard of a few years ago, nowadays you can get financing in a few places. As a foreigner you have to show your residence permit and work visa for that. The down payment is usually at least 40%.

China has begun to emerge as the economic force

China has begun to emerge as the economic force to reckon with in the global market. Its billion strong population has made it possible to break through almost all the markets, and these include the car bumper market. It seems that there is no dearth to car bumper manufacturers in China. Below is a list of some of the more visible Chinese manufacturers who have made their presence felt online, plus an overview of their companies.

Xiamen Kingtom Rubber-Plastic Co., Ltd. Is established and located in the province of Xiamen. This ISO 9001 certified company is 400-strong with 60 production lines. They are specialized in rubber and plastic parts for sanitation, automobiles (which includes car bumpers) and electrical appliances. Their monthly capacity is around 400 tons finished items, so items can be delivered in less than a week. Their vision is to turn their company into a large scale company operating for the international market.

Changshu Jianan FRP Products Co., Ltd. specializes in FRP (or fiber reinforced plastic) technology. They have a comprehensive range of products: from the automobile bumper to the motorcycle casing to the cable jacket, they all have it. Although they have a much lesser number of employees - 120 - they do have a vast factory area of over 12,000 square meters, and their annual production capacity is 10,000 MT. Also, the proximity of their location makes it convenient for them to transport their deliveries on time. They mostly cater to the international market, with their products reaching as far as UK, Australia and America. Their annual sales are US $2,200,000 and their main buyers are the Hitachi Medical Corporation and the Import Trenz, among others.

The Haiyan Zhenda Automobile Fittings Factory, established in 1976, has been a leading manufacturer of auto parts, including brake lining, rubber parts such as the car bumper, and engine bolts. They are an OEM supplier to major vehicle assemblers, and they are vouched for by their ISO 9001 and TS-16949 certifications. It is no wonder then that their sales top US $10,000,000 annually and that half of the products they make find their way throughout the world.

The L&C Auto Parts is relatively young compared to the abovementioned. It was established only in 19990, although they have been in fact steadily growing over the years. Their annual sales tip $ 8,000,000. Their main products include the car bumper, the guard rail, the solenoid, the armature, the exhaust manifold, et al. Their two main factories specialize in producing hardware car parts for assembly and creating starters and armatures, respectively. They place great stock in the quality of their products as evidenced by the investment they put in their R&D and QC departments.

The Anhui Technology is a large trading company that supplies mostly the US and European markets. They have a variety of product offerings, from appliances to chemicals to machinery. This contributed to their export volume of $524, 000,000 last year. Their branch, the Anhui Technology Auto Parts & Accessories, offers automotive break parts, automotive suspension parts and accessories (the car bumper being one of these) and automotive battery terminal/fittings.

The Shanghai Tengkun Consulting Co., Ltd. offer a broad range of products, from auto spare parts (like the car bumper, car mirror, or car tire) to furnishing parts and telecommunication equipment. Their products have proven to be a hit in the Japanese, European and North American markets. They are engaged in the export and import service, and also have a Commission agent for their documentation works agency and inspection agency.

And to think that this is only a drop in the sea that is the car bumper business, and the ocean that is the automobile industry. The plethora of car bumper choices is a boon for consumers who wan the best value their money can buy.

Honda EVO6 Concept: 2-Wheels

Car concepts are a dime a dozen these days. If there's a motor show on, you can guarantee there'll be a concept car. But the concept bike is an entirely different commodity. It's a far more rare beast, and sometimes far more interesting.

Headed for the Tokyo Motor Show in October 2007, the EVO6 Concept is Honda's latest attempt to test the naked performance bike waters again. When we say performance, we mean it.

This EVO6 Concept is powered by a 1.8-litre 6-cylinder engine. And it's no ordinary V6 or straight six either, it's a horizontally opposed, or boxer six. Using the same principles as the engine that sits in Subaru's WRX STI and Porsche's 911 Carrera, the EVO6 Concept would make a mockery of the quarter mile drag, while dispatching the zero to 100km/h dash quicker than a Bugatti Veyron.

The huge 6-cylinder engine comes from the Honda Gold Wing, one of the Honda's largest bikes. It's also one of the heaviest bikes on the road too, while the EVO6 is a naked bike, stripped of all its fairing and other parts to leave it not only lighter, but far sexier too.

The huge 1800cc engine is clearly visible as a stressed member of the bike, surrounded by a barely any frame. Huge front brake discs and sports tyres indicate that this concept bike has been developed to be a serious-ish ride, and the front end with its stylised headlight, ram air intakes, and upside-down forks look good.

There's also a single-sided swingarm, 8-spoke chrome wheel rims, and the tail end is impressively minimal. With a good amount of chrome and not too much plastic-fantastic, the EVO6 would make for a very pretty naked bike.

As it's only a concept at this stage there's no plans on building a production model but it does show intent. Honda's rivals have recently taken the lead in the naked bike class, one of the most popular in the world, and it's now clear that Honda wants to drop a bomb on the genre.

Suzuki is planning on shoving its legendary 1340cc Hayabusa engine in a new unfaired motorbike, and there's even been talk of Kawasaki using the engine from the ZX-14 for a naked bike.

We would expect the EVO6 Concept to deliver about 240hp or about 179kW. But more importantly it will deliver huge amounts of torque.

Stay tuned to the Motoring Channel for all the new motorbike and car releases fresh from the Tokyo Auto Show.

world's best known and respected automotive brands

You've seen them in magazine ads, on television commercials and on the road. Honda is one of the world's best known and respected automotive brands. The company behind the cars is Honda Motor Company, Ltd., a multinational corporation based in Minami-Aoyama Nichome, Minato, Tokyo, Japan. Honda designs, develops, manufactures and sells popular vehicles such as the Accord, the Civic, the CRV and many others. Honda cars are driven in many different parts of the world.

Not Everything is Done in Japan

Many people incorrectly assume that Japanese cars are manufactured in Japan. The truth is, the world is a much different place today than it was in the late '40's when Honda first started. Globalization has made it possible for multinational corporations to distribute their production facilities around the world for maximum efficiency. For example, even though the companies' world headquarters are in Japan, American Honda Motor Co. is based in Torrance, California. Honda has also created joint ventures around the world to facilitate operations in places such as China and India.

In terms of where the cars are actually made, the answer is - it depends. Honda has several assembly plants distributed around the world, each producing anywhere from only one to five different styles of automobiles. Depending on where in the world you live, and what type of vehicle you are wondering about, the actual geographical origin will vary. Below is a list of their manufacturing and assembly plants with details about what type of vehicles are made there. It is safe to assume that if you live closer to China than the U.S., the assembly plant closest to (or in) China that manufactures any given model is the one where that car came from.

Honda Manufacturing and Production Facilities

Japan

As of 2009, there were only two main manufacturing plants located in Japan.

The Honda Hamamatsu Factory in Hamamatsu, Japan manufactures cars, motorcycles and engines from the car manufacturers complete lineup.

There is another Japanese production facility located in Suzuka, Mie, Japan. Currently, this facility only produces one model - the Honda Fit.

China

The Dongfeng Honda Automobile Company, based in Wuhan, China opened in 2003. This assembly plant currently manufactures only the Honda CRV, but has plans to produce Honda Civics in the near future.

Indonesia

Honda Indonesia is the name of the factory located in Karawang, Indonesia. Currently, this manufacturing facility only produces the Honda Fit.

Thailand

In Thailand, Honda manufactures the Honda Fit in their factory located in Ayutthaya, Thailand.

Turkey

Honda has a factory in Turkey where it has manufactured cars of different styles since 1992.

New Zealand

Honda New Zealand manufactured cars from 1965 through 1998. The models that were produced in this facility include the Honda City, the Civic and the Accord.

Belgium

The production facility in Belgium makes only motorcycles.

England

In the UK, Honda has manufactured the Civic and the CRV in Swindon, England since 1992.

Brazil

Honda Amazonas Motorcycle is a Brazilian production facility that only manufactures motorcycles. The plant is located in Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil and has made motorcycles since 1976.

Honda Brazil Automobile, a facility located in Indaiatuba, Sao Paolo, Brazil manufactures the Civic and the Fit.

United States

The Marysville Auto Plant in Marysville, Ohio makes Accords, Acuras and motorcycles.

The East Liberty Auto Plant, in East Liberty Ohio, manufactures the Civic, the CRV and the Honda Element.

Honda Manufacturing of Alabama is located in Lincoln, Alabama. The plant, which opened in 2001, manufactures vehicles such as the Honda Odyssey, the Honda Pilot and the Honda J Engine.

China's Next Economic-Domestic Demand!

Here at Clariti Research we can't miss a day that a bullish or bearish argument for the Chinese economy doesn't come up in the media. Some say it's the "bubble of all bubble's" while others argue it's the next "super power" and both have their own merits. Still, it's as if everyone is wearing blinders and can only focus on Chinese GDP or export numbers. This leaves both the media and masses blind to one huge factor for the Chinese economy and that is increasing domestic consumption levels!

What China lacks in buying power per citizen it makes up with overwhelming population numbers. According to the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs China currently holds 19.64% of the world population, or 1,335,460,000. The US on the other hand holds 4.54% of the world population, or 308,549,000. There is no question that on average a Chinese citizen has far less buying power than that of a US citizen but with numbers like this China is playing a game of quantity over quality.

Today China's real estate market has become hot and debatable. Everyone seems to be pointing the finger at loose Chinese monetary policy and we won't argue that this isn't a factor. Still, we think there is a far greater factor, and that is internal population migrations. Currently, the majority of Chinese people still live in the countryside but today there is a substantial population movement from the Chinese countryside to the growing metropolitan cities. For the first time ever in the history of the People's Republic of China relative personal earnings are growing fast enough to allow it s citizen the opportunity to move to a different part of the country and or move into cities for greater economic opportunities. We see this as the greatest driver of property prices in China.

2010 forecasts for Chinese GDP growth are currently at 9.5%, according to a Reuters survey. Combine this GDP number with a domestic population size of over 1.3 billion people it's not hard to understand why internal consumption are increasing and will likely make up for any decrease in foreign demand. As well, China today is the largest car market in the world. The quality of the car may be lower but that doesn't change the fact that this is point which supports growing domestic demand.

Further, if part of America's long-term economic success has been attributed to strong levels of internal consumption then why should China be any different in the future based off the same reasoning?

Popular names such as Aluminum Corp of China, CNOOC, Petro China, and China Mobile may be wild rides but with exposure to the Chinese economy there are bound to go somewhere over the long term...the likely direction being up.

We can't miss a day that a bullish or bearish argument for the Chinese economy doesn't come up in the media. Some say it's the "bubble of all bubble's" while others argue it's the next "super power" and both have their own merits. Still, it's as if everyone is wearing blinders and can only focus on Chinese GDP or export numbers. This leaves both the media and masses blind to one huge factor for the Chinese economy and that is increasing domestic consumption levels!

What China lacks in buying power per citizen it makes up with overwhelming population numbers. According to the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs China currently holds 19.64% of the world population, or 1,335,460,000. The US on the other hand holds 4.54% of the world population, or 308,549,000. There is no question that on average a Chinese citizen has far less buying power than that of a US citizen but with numbers like this China is playing a game of quantity over quality.

Today China's real estate market has become hot and debatable. Everyone seems to be pointing the finger at loose Chinese monetary policy and we won't argue that this isn't a factor. Still, we think there is a far greater factor, and that is internal population migrations. Currently, the majority of Chinese people still live in the countryside but today there is a substantial population movement from the Chinese countryside to the growing metropolitan cities. For the first time ever in the history of the People's Republic of China relative personal earnings are growing fast enough to allow it s citizen the opportunity to move to a different part of the country and or move into cities for greater economic opportunities. We see this as the greatest driver of property prices in China.

2010 forecasts for Chinese GDP growth are currently at 9.5%, according to a Reuters survey. Combine this GDP number with a domestic population size of over 1.3 billion people it's not hard to understand why internal consumption are increasing and will likely make up for any decrease in foreign demand. As well, China today is the largest car market in the world. The quality of the car may be lower but that doesn't change the fact that this is point which supports growing domestic demand

Nissan has announced modest price increases for the 2011 Versa

Nissan has announced modest price increases for the 2011 Versa. The two body styles remain: Sedans are available with a 1.6- or 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine, while hatchbacks offer only the larger unit.

The cheapest Versa sedan is the 1.6 Base, which climbs $10 to $10,740. It comes with almost no standard equipment and is one of the least expensive cars to own. The Versa 1.6 adds more content and starts at $11,990, an increase of $260 over 2010 prices due in part to the addition of ABS. Trading the standard five-speed manual for a four-speed automatic adds $1000.

Stepping up to the 1.8-liter engine in a sedan requires the 1.8 S trim, which is $14,320 with a six-speed manual transmission or $15,320 with a four-speed automatic. Those prices are $480 higher than in 2010, thanks in part to the addition of a six-disc CD changer. The costliest Versa sedan is the 1.8 SL, available only with an automatic transmission for $17,220, an increase of $380 versus last year. The SL trim is the only level to which a navigation system can be added.

Hatchback variants are offered only in 1.8 S and 1.8 SL trims. The former is $14,270 with a manual or $15,270 with an automatic transmission, increases of $380 over last year’s prices. Pricing for the 1.8 SL, equipped only with a continuously variable transmission, climbs $380 to $17,650.

The 2011 Versa is available now at Nissan dealerships

2010 Honda Insight Hybrid-hybrid concept

Honda has released some information and pictures of the concept car that will become the 2010 Honda Insight hybrid. The Honda Insight hybrid concept car will debut at the 2008 Paris auto show in October. Going on sale next spring in the U.S., the production Insight hybrid will be a 5-door, 5-passenger hatchback whose design will probably not stray much from the images you see here.

Honda says that the new Insight hybrid will be smaller than a Honda Civic, which means that it should be a half-size smaller than the Toyota Prius hybrid as well. Word on the street is putting the 2010 Honda Insight hybrid fuel economy as high as 60 miles per gallon.

A Hybrid Bargain

A second piece of big news comes from the good news that the Honda Insight hybrid will be priced well below any of the other hybrids on the market, including the Honda Civic Hybrid and Toyota Prius. That means less than $20,000, and we wouldn't be at all surprised to see the Insight start between $16,000 and $17,000.

The savings in the 2010 Honda Insight hybrid are attributed to a more cost-efficient evolution of Honda's Integrated Motor Assist gasoline/electric hybrid technology.

Looking for all the world like a scaled-down version of the Honda FCX Clarity fuel cell car, the Honda Insight concept car is a prime example of Honda's mastery of small-car design. We haven't seen the interior yet, but if the 2009 Honda Fit is any indication, the Honda Insight hybrid should also provide a clean environment, as it were -- something that could not be said of the original Honda Insight from 1999.

We'll be able to tell you more about the Honda Insight hybrid concept -- as well as the Honda Insight production car -- in our 2008 Paris auto show coverage later this month. For now, all you really need to know is that next spring, the 2010 Honda Insight hybrid -- a compact 5-door hatchback -- will be appearing in Honda dealer showrooms at a price that makes Insight very appealing as a first car, a student car or a commuter car, with fuel economy that earns it high cred in the green-car world

2010 smart fortwo electric drive

Easy electric transition
For more details on the North American test fleet see the article, Testing, testing, one fortwo electric drive.

Because right now, we can’t wait to tell you how cool it was to drive an electric smart car around the streets of Brooklyn.

The cars were waiting for us, after we traveled from New Jersey to Brooklyn by water taxi. Many people commute this way, and I highly recommend it — fantastic views of the New York skyline and the Statue of Liberty. Predictably, we camera-packing journalists took pictures. Too many, probably.

If the cars didn’t have special green and white paint, and “electric drive” broadcast in big letters on the side panels, you wouldn’t even know that these particular smarts are veering off to an electric future — they look identical to the second-generation smart cars on which they are based. In fact, they have identical interior and luggage space.

This is because integration of electric components was planned at an early stage. The Tesla-developed lithium-ion battery is mounted under the floor, between the axles. The 30 kW electric motor sits in the back, exactly where the gas engine and transaxle usually reside.

Inside there are two “electric” gauges sitting high on the dash; one to tell you what percentage charge is your battery; the other to signal consumption rate.

Bound Smart Fortwo Electric Drive

Since its debut more than a decade ago, the Smart Fortwo (I refuse to go lowercase, sorry, Smart marketers) has made its reputation the world over as a nimble, hyper-efficient, short range and relatively low-cost city commuter -- in other words, a vehicle readymade for an electric powertrain.

CLICK TO VIEW GALLERY

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The Smart Fortwo Electric Drive, which I recently took for a spin through the wilds of New York's Brooklyn borough, is that car. And it's coming to the U.S. in October of this year.

By the time the gas-powered version of Daimler's microcar finally made it to U.S. shores in late 2008 (Smart has sold some 42,000 units to date) the Smart ED program was already well underway. The project is now in phase two of a three-phase rollout, which will see some 1500 vehicles built in all, with 250 of those eventually coming stateside.

At this point, it's the type of project we've seen a lot of with EVs lately -- extremely limited volume, leases only ($599 a month, 48-month warranty) and only a handful of regular folks will get one. But according to Smart USA's VP of business development Derek Kaufman, who's also heading up the Smart ED project here, that's going to change rapidly.

Kaufman is confident that during phase three, which will culminate in series production of the Smart ED in calendar year 2012 as a 2013 model, production will quickly reach "the five-figure range." He also said interested customers will be able to both buy and lease Smart EDs at that point and he hopes every one of the 77 Smart USA dealers will have at least one on the lot for sale.

From the moment I pegged Smart ED's power pedal and it whirred to life, it became all too apparent that this car was born to be an EV. Powered by a 30kW peak power electric motor (providing 40 hp in short bursts, but 27 hp in most situations) mated to its single fixed gear ration transmission, the ED is fed its juice via a Tesla-sourced lithium-ion battery pack. The battery accounts for most of the 300-pound weight gain over the base Smart's roughly 1650-pound curb weight, but it doesn't compromise interior packaging. Most of the complaints about the gasoline Smart's balky automated manual transmission and much-debated MPG numbers simply melt away.

Overall range is pegged at roughly 82 miles, according to Smart. When plugged into a 220-volt outlet, Smart says the Smart ED can charge from 20 to 80 percent capacity in about three-and-a-half hours, and a full charge will take about eight. You can also hook it up to a 110-volt outlet in a pinch, but it'll take quite a bit longer to get it juiced up.

Like its gas-powered sibling, the Smart ED is hardly a burner, but under hard acceleration you get a small jolt from its 89 pound-feet of torque. Smart claims a 0-to-60 kmh (37 mph) sprint of 6.5 seconds onto a limited top speed of 62 mph. It exhibited more than enough zip to keep up with the daily hustle and bustle in a loop around Brooklyn's Prospect Park. As is the case with the gas car, the Smart's tightly suspended ride doesn't like rough pavement and it has a tendency to hit the bumpy stuff pretty hard. The brake pedal also still has an awkward-feel to it, but you'll probably be braking less as the transmission does a good job of gradually hauling down the car. The interior also standard Smart fare short of the battery and energy regeneration gauges set in the middle of the dash.

As with any EV, the 800-watt gorilla in the room is infrastructure, but Smart officials, like other EV hopefuls, believe early adopting areas of the country, utilities and government agencies will all play a part in helping to develop a plan toward a nationwide charging grid.

While charging points will no doubt be an issue for years to come, that's not going to stop Smart from pressing ahead with the ED -- a vehicle that has the potential to dramatically change the fortunes and perception of the brand in the U.S. After our brief drive, it's apparent Smart has an EV that can compete -- now it's all down to the execution.

Motorcycle Jacket When Shopping Online

If you've ever shopped online before then you're aware of the many benefits that it has like lower prices, perhaps even free shipping, and the convenience of never having to leave your home. The same is true when you buy a motorcycle jacket online. There are many ways to go about doing so, but there are some universal tips that you should keep in mind.

So how to you go about finding a motorcycle jacket online that you'll absolutely love? It's quite simple really. All you need to do is find an online retailer that carries leather apparel, and then browse through their selection. Take a look at the different styles that they offer to see if anything catches your eye. If nothing does catch your eye, then move on to the next online retailer. The point is to find the motorcycle jacket that you find most appealing and most closely meets your expectations with regard to appearance and functionality. Does it have a lot of pockets? Is it vented? Is there a liner? These are all important features that may or may not sway your decision one way or the other.

Once you've located the jacket of your choice, then it's time to decide which size you're going to need. In order to get the best fit, you'll need to get accurate body measurements so that you can match your size up with the corresponding jacket size on the online retailers sizing charts. Oh yeah, if they don't have sizing charts available, don't even bother giving them the business because this is something that they should have for their customers. How you choose to get your measurements is up to you, but your best bet is to have them taken by a professional since they know what they're doing. Otherwise, you can have a family member or friend do it for you.

When you've determined the proper size motorcycle jacket that you need, all that is left to do is make the purchase. Before doing so, remember to review the online retailer's return policy to see if the item can be returned if you end up not liking it, or if you can exchange it if it doesn't quite fit right. Often times, many retailers will offer free shipping on the exchange so keep an eye out for that. When you're done you'll have a great looking motorcycle jacket that will keep you comfortable and looking good on all of your motorcycle trips.

Tips to Buying a Scooter

Scooters are becoming an increasingly popular method of transport with commuters. Scooters are not as affected by congestion in cities as cars and benefit with being easy to park.

As an alternative to a car they are perfect for many, using much less fuel and generally having cheaper running costs. They are also the perfect choice for those who don't like using public transport or find it unreliable. Additionally, for those in London, they are excluded from the congestion charge.

Cheaper running costs are a big plus with the cost of petrol currently exceeding £1.20 in some parts of the UK. Scooters can offer as much as two to three times the mileage of a standard car. In tough economic climates these savings can seem very noticeable.

Choice is also not a problem when it comes to scooters. Many brand names are available from well known names such as Honda and Peugeot as well as some less well known but popular scooter manufacturers.

Much like choosing a car, the particular model you choose will depend on your needs and budget. There are many temptingly cheap Chinese made scooters on the market however the reliability of these can be questionable and parts can be scarce.

Safety is of paramount importance when riding a scooter, therefore not only should the bike be suitable for you and safe to ride but appropriate safety equipment should also be worn. A safety helmet is required by law to be worn when riding on public roads.

Below are some tips on buying a used scooter:

Tax and MOT

Check with the owner if the scooter is taxed and has an MOT. Failure to ride without valid tax and an MOT certificate is illegal. Also, a recently certified MOT may be a good indicator of the road worthiness of the bike.

Service history and warranty

Ask if the scooter has any service history. Again a good service history will indicate if the bike has been properly looked after and had any major problems. Additionally, this will help to validate the mileage shown on the clock. A warranty will be a bonus.

Log book (v5)

A log book provides information on the scooter's history, and is very important. Make sure the seller has this.

Outstanding finance

Lastly, check if the scooter has any finance left to pay on it. There are services available that will allow you to check this information for a small fee. If there is outstanding finance, the finance company will be able to repossess the scooter from you if the payments are not made.

Dangerous Motorcycle Accidents-being practical modes of transportation

Motorcycles have transitioned from being novelty vehicles to being practical modes of transportation. Many Americans use motorcycles as their primary vehicles, as they tend to have better gas mileage than traditional automobiles and may allow individuals to get through traffic faster.

As with any automobile, it is important that anyone operating a motorcycle do so with safety in mind. The most important safety measures a biker should take is to wear a helmet. Helmets provide head and brain safety, protecting drivers from serious neurological injuries.

After hitting the road, there are many other things bikers can do to keep themselves safe. Some of the most important safety measures that a biker should observe include:

• Refraining from tailgating automobile drivers
• Avoiding other drivers' blind spots
• Avoiding sudden lane changes

While these tips may help reduce the likeliness of an accident, they will not guarantee complete safety. Ultimately, the other drivers on the road must follow proper road safety also. Many drivers, however, fail to do so for a number of reasons.

Some drivers may disregard motorcycles on the road, failing to pay attention until an accident is about to occur. Other drivers may be distracted, putting all of their fellow motorists in danger. Some drivers may simply fail to properly observe other drivers on the road.

Whatever the reason, when a motorcycle is involved in an accident with a larger automobile, the biker usually suffers most of the injuries. When the other driver causes the accident, he or she may be liable for the biker's injuries.

Injured bikers may be entitled to financial compensation. Before filing a personal injury lawsuit, injured individuals should consult with an experienced lawyer, as there may be other legal procedures the individual must follow before filing the lawsuit.

Motorcycle Accidents-Badly Injured

For numerous motorcyslists, it would not be difficult to envision pictures of emerald seas with rolling waves, sandy white beaches, and winding roads. There may not be anything more exhilarating than motorcycle riding up the coast or down a country road on a motorcycle. Riders appreciate the independence experienced with the wind on their faces while motorcycling on the highways and byways of this great country. Motorcyclists also realize that they do not move on the roads exclusively.

Every main highway has semitrailers, automobiles, and recreational vehicles traveling back and forth. High-powered motorcycles can zoom in and out of traffic with a fair amount of ease. On that point, when motorcycles conflict with other automotive vehicles it can be a disasterous opening event. The main elements that cause motorcycle accidents results from driving under the influence, poor weather conditions, and speeding.

Regrettably, thousands of riders die annually, as a result of fatal motorcycle accidents. Head trauma represents one of the most common unintentional injuries sustained by motorcyclists and they constitute the single, most life-threatening personal injury related to a rider. Motorcyclists also are at risk from falling from the motorcycle during a collision. Some states have eliminated laws that require helmets, however, the best way to avoid life-threatening injury would be to practice wearing a helmet and other protective riding gear.

As cities grow, the elevated population produces increased road hazards. Road over-crowding means more frequent automotive collisions and injuries. Motorcyclists have remarkably little safeguards to fend off the hard force of an auto collision. A motorcyclist ejected from a bike can be thrown over a levee or even worse, he or she can be thrown into moving traffic.

Common motorcycle accidents can thankfully consist of only minor cuts and scrapes. However the more severe range of accidents can be agonizing. They can include broken bones and internal injuries that may lead to long-term impairment, degenerative illness, and death. Then there is the physical and emotional trauma as well.

A motorcycle accident attorney provides expertise in order to represent individuals who have lost their quality of life due to a serious motorcycle accident. An accident lawyer renders sound advice needed to help any person who has encountered immense pain and distress. Attributable from a bike collision, an accident victim encounters the inability to work and surmounting medical bills. Even after healing, there is the ongoing physiotherapy challenges that accompany physical injury.

Motorcyclists have rights, and personal injury lawyers are motorcyclist advocates and will ensure that their rights. A bike rider should not have to endure the brunt of this disaster because of the negligence of another driver, particularly when they are not to blame. Responsible motorcyclists complete training course work to learn how to handle bike safety. They get outfitted in protective clothing to ensure their safety while enjoying a ride.

Additionally, the conscientious rider knows the importance of honoring traffic laws while riding a motorcycle. They also know that a personal injury lawyer is the right person to contact after a motorcycle accident. A victim can rest assured that the lawyer they contact commits to not getting paid until the case is settled. An accident can be devastating, but with the proper representation, there can be a satisfactory outcome.