Automotive Journal

Used Honda – Honda’s Plans for the Environment

PeteJ — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:00:00 +0000

Honda have always been quite conscious of the environment, and now they are embarking on a really big drive to raise awareness of the issues of global warming and high emissions levels. Obviously this is a pretty big thing in the car industry at this moment in time, as taxes are being levied dependent on [...]

Older Cars Will Have More Gearbox Problems

Otto Mowdiv — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 07:17:40 +0000

Everyone likes to treat themselves to a new or used car every once in a while, and they don’t expect some of the problems that might happen with the vehicle. However, when you buy used cars you have to question if this is going to increase your chance of having gearbox problems. [...]

Car Gearbox Repairs- Can You DIY?

Otto Mowdiv — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 07:17:29 +0000

So many people assume that they can repair a car gearbox problem in no time, but the truth is quite hard to swallow. I mean, surely a gearbox can’t be too hard to repair? Unfortunately, it is. The gearbox is an intricate piece of kit and shouldn’t be attended to by [...]

AvtoVAZ Togliatti – ‘monotown’

David Leggett's automotive industry blog - from just-auto.com — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 15:06:00 +0000

Is the Russian car market going to bounce back when it gets its own clunkers scheme? There must be a few people praying that it will – not just the OEMs looking at under utilised production capacity, but also a few people in Russia's government.

The position of AvtoVAZ is especially acute. The thing is, it is very far from being an ordinary company in dire financial straits – it is most definitely an extraordinary one. An accountant may say that, with its massive debts and 30% capacity utilisation it needs massive restructuring (layoffs). Maybe, but the local economy of Togliatti is totally dependent on AvtoVAZ. One way or another work has to be found for the bulk of the AvtoVAZ plant's workers or there is the risk of political unrest.

Togliatti is one of four hundred so-called ‘monotowns’ throughout Russia where a single industry employs most of the population. Their dangers became clear last April in Pikalevo, south of St Petersburg. When a slump in metals prices closed the town’s aluminium factory, desperate workers blocked a motorway. Vladimir Putin flew in and forced owners to reopen the plant.

I'd guess that the powers that be will want to manage the AvtoVAZ situation so that it doesn't get out of control. That might mean a combination of resettling people in other places as well as striving to find work for Togliatti. But you'd think that employment prospects at AvtoVAZ are going to be in decline whatever happens. The social/political dimension to what goes on with AvtoVAZ is probably at least as important – in Russia – as its business status. For Renault, being involved in the rescue of AvtoVAZ is something that comes with big risks, but it does seem that the Russian government is prepared to go the extra mile – and dip into its resources - to keep things on an even keel in Togliatti. In those circumstances it could yet turn out to be a very sound investment, provided the Russian economy and market does eventually come back.

RUSSIA: AvtoVAZ targets 1.2m cars a year

How just before Take home in accumulation to Bring Profit of Elevated Excellence Sports car Cover Leads At the moment

Otto Mowdiv — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 19:52:15 +0000

Except you are during the group of dealing auto insurance – which is to boot named vehicle indemnity – headed for citizens, followed by likelihood are that you spirit desperately significance an yet toward come near receive the auto indemnity leads that you may possibly after that talk into on the road to automobile cover [...]

Explaining Car Leasing Contracts

Otto Mowdiv — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 19:52:10 +0000

Car leasing is something that you might be considering but how will you know if the deal you are getting is good or not. Although you might find the contract slightly confusing it is really important that you are completely familiar with the contract. Here are some things you should think about. - There will more [...]

Used Saab – The Saab 9-3 Convertible

PeteJ — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:00:00 +0000

When I think about convertibles, I always imagine them as red. And, if I am honest, I quite often imagine them as completely unaffordable supercars, Ferraris and Maseratis and Lamborghinis. This is just the ridiculously over-the-top and aspirational nonsense that is pumped into our heads on a day to day basis, when all the car [...]

Used Car Dealers – Good, Bad and Very Ugly

AdriannaNoton — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:00:00 +0000

Not everyone can afford a brand new car. And for many who can, they simply choose to buy a used vehicle once it has gone through its initial steep depreciation of the first year. When it comes to making that used car purchased, it’s frequently done from used car dealers. These car dealers have garnered a [...]

April 21 is date for Fiat Auto spin-off verdict

David Leggett's automotive industry blog - from just-auto.com — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 13:58:00 +0000

Fiat's Sergio Marchionne is dropping lots of hints that there will be news of a possible Fiat Auto spin-off on April 21 when an investors' meeting is scheduled in Turin. There will also be a presentation of a five-year strategic plan then. Five years continuing as now? I doubt that, even if the spin-off isn't exactly imminent. Marchionne has been thinking about a spin-off for a while now and he'll be wanting to set out a future for a consolidated automotive company merged with Chrysler and looking out for still higher scale economies in alliance with others (PSA speculation will obviously continue).

ITALY: Fiat Auto spin-off rumours gain momentum

Sudden acceleration – the early years

David Leggett's automotive industry blog - from just-auto.com — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 13:34:00 +0000

The problem of 'unintended acceleration' is indeed a thorny one and the media is like a dog with a bone. It is becoming increasingly difficult to distinguish between a genuine issue and something that is contrived by an over-zealous journalist/publisher/broadcaster or simply an unfortunate incident blown up out of all proportion.

Anyway, we have come across a little ancient history that is interesting - below link. Poor old Audi. The small matter of being innocent of all charges (unless you count having the accelerator and brake pedals 'too close' - not an issue anywhere else) and being the victim of actively misleading media coverage couldn't rescue diving sales on the 5000.

Sudden Acceleration: The Early Years