Talking About Automobiles

I was looking for a new car for my college student and found this new list from Kelley Blue Book. Kelley Blue Book is a reputable automotive website where you can learn more about your cars. They are also supplying trivia and update about the latest cars today, about which car is the best seller and which is not.

I found this list on the autochannel.com.

Top 10 Back-to-School Vehicles: New

2007 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 REGULAR CAB
MSRP: $17,815 New Car Blue Book: $17,459

2007 HONDA FIT SPORT
MSRP: $16,565 New Car Blue Book: $16,731

2008 JEEP PATRIOT SPORT
MSRP: $16,035 New Car Blue Book: $16,035

2007 KIA RIO5 SX HATCHBACK
MSRP: $15,220 New Car Blue Book: $14,916

2008 MAZDA3 i SPORT SEDAN
MSRP: $15,390 New Car Blue Book: $15,313

2008 MITSUBISHI LANCER DE
MSRP: $16,515 New Car Blue Book: $16,350

2008 NISSAN VERSA S SEDAN
MSRP: $13,975 New Car Blue Book: $13,975

2008 SCION xB SPORT WAGON
MSRP: $17,220 New Car Blue Book: $17,306

2007 SUZUKI SX4 HATCHBACK
MSRP: $16,724 New Car Blue Book: $16,640

2008 VOLKSWAGEN RABBIT
MSRP: $17,205 New Car Blue Book: $17,205

The Kelley Blue Book also released the top ten hot used cars for students. Here is the list:

Top 10 Back-to-School Vehicles: Used

2005 CHEVROLET COBALT SEDAN
KELLEY BLUE BOOK USED RETAIL VALUE: $11,650

2004 FORD FOCUS ZX3 HATCHBACK
KELLEY BLUE BOOK USED RETAIL VALUE: $9,755

2003 FORD MUSTANG 2D COUPE
KELLEY BLUE BOOK USED RETAIL VALUE: $11,600

2003 HONDA CIVIC DX COUPE
KELLEY BLUE BOOK USED RETAIL VALUE: $11,865

2006 HYUNDAI ACCENT GLS SEDAN
KELLEY BLUE BOOK USED RETAIL VALUE: $11,600

2003 MAZDA TRIBUTE DX
KELLEY BLUE BOOK USED RETAIL VALUE: $11,615

2003 MAZDA PROTEGE5
KELLEY BLUE BOOK USED RETAIL VALUE: $11,915

2005 NISSAN SENTRA SEDAN
KELLEY BLUE BOOK USED RETAIL VALUE: $11,450

2004 PONTIAC VIBE SPORT WAGON
KELLEY BLUE BOOK USED RETAIL VALUE: $11,945

2003 TOYOTA TACOMA SHORTBED
KELLEY BLUE BOOK USED RETAIL VALUE: $11,030

The Asia-Pacific region is expected to be the largest automotive market in the world by the year 2009, with China and India as the two contributors of large car sales in the region. This news was according to a U.S. Research Company announced last Thursday.

J.D. Power and Associates said, "By 2009, the Asia Pacific region is expected to net 23 million sales, compared with 22.7 million sales in Europe." The North American sales only noted 19.6 million units sold.

Jeff Schuster, the executive director of forecasting also was quoted saying "Steadily rising incomes in the Asia Pacific region will make vehicle ownership possible for more consumers in those areas, and we expect China and India to remain the forces that drive future global growth.”

This year, the Asia-Pacific company estimates 19.3 million units of sales. In Europe they also expect 21.6 million of car sales while in the North America 19.2 million units.

The Asia-Pacific sales in 2014 is also expected to reach 31.9 million units which is 36% of the world's total cars sold, meaning its 28% up from its sales in 2007.

In the Chinese car market, the sales are also expected to reach an annual average of 12% from 2007 and 2014. The units of cars sales will also reach 16.3 million units on that period. In the Indian car market, the sales are expected to reach 3.0 million units and also in Japan with 5.9 million units expected sales.

The steering wheel is among the most important part of your car. Without it, your car will never propel. It controls the movement of your car. Imagine a car without it. You can't right?

So might as well give your steering wheel the right kind of love. You can give your car a sportier new look, all you need is to replace your old steering wheel with a new one. How? Here are simple steps from ehow.com to help you do it:

The first thing you need to do is to look for the right steering wheel for your car. You will have to measure the previous steering wheel for you to be able to choose the one that fits to your car.

Make sure that your new steering wheel is not that big to cover the windshield or not to small for you to easily reach out on it.

Always select the shop where to buy it. Some shop sells cheap yet quality auto parts like steering wheel but they are made up with excellence and durability.

Look for a reputable shop to buy your new steering wheel. Be able to know which shop is the best source by asking from professional mechanic or friends and acquaintances.

Make sure to choose the shop that installs steering wheels for free. However, not all shops offer this. There are some that does not. So it would be better if you choose the one that installs the steering wheel.

When you are at a store, be able to know the design and style you like. There several kinds of steering wheels. These are Formula One-style racing wheels; Formula GT-style racing wheels boomerang-style wheels, four-spoke wheels, multi-color wheels, three-spoke wheels and ultratech-style wheels.

Now if you choose from the bunch, finally decide on what kind of material do you want you steering wheel be. There are also several materials used in steering wheels, these are vinyl wheels, wood wheels, leather wheels and carbon fiber wheels.

Then finally choose the right size and cosmetically pleasing and comfortable to you.

Autoblog reports about the weekend at the Woodward Avenue which appears to be the hottest place this time in the auto industry. It was the first time the folks at Autoblog report, that they saw a Chevette sporting a larger V6 engine. The was the only Chevette in the car avenue. The maker of the Chevette thought that the car needs two extra cylinders so Phil of Berkley, Michigan gave it 2 more to complete the 6 cylinders in full pack.

The first Chevette was released in 1976 and it took 12 long years before the owner decided to bring along 2 more cylinders matched on a supercharged engine adding the nitrous. After adding along a few more features like the super-nonstandard rear tires as well as side exhaust, it still stand handling the 27 mpg and finally goes streetable this time.

It has been two years since the Infiniti M was revealed and had its highly successful debut.

We became so excited after finding out that the luxury car brand of Nissan is revealing a new version of its Infiniti M this year. Before the year ends, Infiniti will reveal its 2008 version of the Infiniti M. If you are interested in this new car, you have to wait for this coming Saturday for this car to take its wraps off.

A few months ago, Nissan revealed the specification of the forthcoming Infiniti M. Autoblog.com released some of the highlights of the specifications of the new car. These are the following:

· Revised front and rear fascias, grille, rear decklid, rear fenders, taillamps, and chrome accents
· New 18" and 19" wheel designs
· Better visual differentiation between Sport Package and standard models
· Sport Package gets unique bumpers, side sills, dark headlight housings and 19" wheels
· Rain sensing wipers
· New paint colors
· All-wheel-drive V8 power with addition of M45x
· Introduction of camera-assisted Lane Departure Prevention (LDP) system
· Updated wood and aluminum interior trim
· New center console
· Revised Hard Drive Nav System
· Updated Sport Package interior (seats, steering wheel & pedals)
· Updated gauges
· New and/or updated interior colors

The new car also features the new exclusive Infiniti's intelligent ATTESA™ E-TS all-wheel drive system matched on a 4.L V8 M45 engine powertrain parts. The new model called M45x also joins the M35x so that buyers will have a choice on which car will fit their needs for an all-climate AWD performance.

The interior as well as the exterior car parts were also given a few tweaks. From its exterior, you can see that the new car is slightly given a new luxurious look. The interior parts were also decorated with more brilliant style and trimmings. Aside from that, Infiniti also made the Lane Departure Prevention (LDP) system as a factory installed safety car part for the new car.

All these features come as a standard factory installed equipment in the new Infiniti M. If you wish to more about the new features added to the new car, you can log on to their official website.

Ford finally rolls out the 2008 Lincoln Navigator, now sporting more changes but fewer options. If the previous model had these options such as PowerFold 3rd row seats, Power Liftgate, THX audio, heated/cooled front seats and SIRIUS satellite radio, the latest model have them all as a standard factory installed equipments.

The new Navigator also has the Monochrome Limited Trim Package available with more precise designs and great body structure. Other standard factory installed equipment includes lower cladding, lower grille and rearview mirrors adding more power to a total performance driving.

The main grille was also revamped adding the chrome grid that emphasizes a better look with additional shine removed on its front. The chrome hood remained on the new vehicle as a trimming. The Navigator also made the rearview camera available as an option for the very first time.

Comparing the previous model to its newest version, you would definitely indulge yourself over this 2008 edition. The clear major changes and the over-the-top new trimmings added to its strong competitive look. The new car was made even more quiet and comfortable for that stress-free driving. The new vehicle also added flat-folding third row seats which can be a huge appeal compared to Escalade and Denali.

The Lincoln Navigator was first introduced in the US car market as a full size luxury SUV for the Ford Motor Company in 1998. It was one among the first SUV vehicles ever produced by Lincoln and in fact was the largest full size luxury vehicle under the Detroit based car maker. It was also the first four-wheel drive car under Ford.

Japanese car makers are the world renowned best producers of eco-friendly cars, and the US car market is dominated with hybrid cars and plug-in vehicles that boasts their real time fuel efficiency. Almost all car makers in the US are venturing into building hybrid cars, but the Japanese car makers continue to take the lead. And because the government has stricter standards in terms of emission rates, these car makers are scrambling to make more fuel efficient cars.

Mercedes-Benz is one among the European car makers that ventured to the US car market. The German car maker had an unsavory reputation topping the list of the most harmful cars in the streets months ago.

Now however, the German car maker is proud to announce that they have launched the E300 Bluetec which is the very first clean diesel engine installed into passenger cars in the Europe. MB has been selling the Buetec models in the US for the past years and because the European government is also opting for a greener environment, MB decided to bring back the BlueTec to European car market to meet the future Euro 5 emissions standards.

The new car is handling a 3L V6 on a common-rail turbo-diesel which produced 211 horsepower running on a 398lbs/ft of torque which also accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in less than 7.2 seconds. It can also propel on a top speed of 152 mph and return into a 32 mpg for both highway and city driving.

The new car is filled with high-tech and advanced features to cope with the increasing demands of the European drivers. It also has the multi-stage exhaust-gas treatment system as well as the diesel particulate filter to lower the emission rates effectively. The new feature also allows gas mileage.

MB is planning to make the new technology available on its cars for the future. The North American models like GL, M and R-Class models of 2008 have the BlueTec.

Of course, you might already be fed up with the news that Ford is going to sell its Premiere Automotive Member Land Rover along with Jaguar. Anyway, let’s not talk about that. I was looking for news about cars and here is what I got from autoblog.com.

Even though they are looking for the most potential buyer of the Ford’s Land Rover, it didn't stop the UK car brand from releasing a new car version of the US most popular Range Rover Sport. The new car will be adding the LE on its name.

The Range Rover Sport LE is a limited edition of the current truck perhaps to start selling on the first two weeks of this month. Only 250 units of this vehicle will be produced and will be on display in few chosen showrooms in the US.

The car received few new trimmings including the new flush-mounted bumpers as well as the new roof spoiler. Ford also gave the Limited Edition Range Rover a body-colored lower cladding matched on a new rear exhaust "treatment," and tougher 20-inch Stormer wheels.

The interior packaging also includes some parts like:

Cold climate option
Adaptive front lighting
Premium leather seats
Hand-polished oak wooden trim
A center console cooler box
Unique carpet mats
Rear seat A/V system
Adaptive cruise control

All this exterior and interior car parts are standard factory installed parts for the New LE.

Under its hood, Ford gave it more power by mounting the V8 4.2L engine as well as the Land Rover's Terrain Response system. With its availability, the car holds the reputation of its company being a vehicle that can run on and off the road. The MRSP of the new Range Rover Sport LE will start at $81,450.

If you wish to have the new car now, fill up the line now and be one of the 25 new owners of the Limited Edition Rover Sport LE.

Nissan Motor Corporation has been doing great on both the Japanese and US car markets and now, they are doing even better in Europe. The report on Nissan’s sale last month noted an 8.6% increase compared to July 2006. Nissan Europe was able to sell 48,100 units of Nissan vehicles last month.

Ford Motor Company experiences another fall back as they receive complaints about the faulty cruise control switch from its different car models. This is perhaps the biggest recall ever for Ford. The cars with noted faulty cruise control switch reportedly amounts to 3.6 million.

The Ford car models to undergo recall are the following:

1998-2002 Ford Ranger
1992-1997 Lincoln Town Car
1992-1997 Ford Crown Victoria
1992-1997 Mercury Grand Marquis
1993-1998 Lincoln Mark VIII
1993-1995 Taurus SHO
1999-2001 Ford Explorer and Mercury Mountaineer
2001-2002 Ford Explorer Sport
2001-2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
1992-1993 E150-350 vans
1997-2002 E150-350 vans
1993 Ford F-Series pickups
1993 Ford Bronco
1994 Mercury Capri
2003-2004 Ford F-150 Lightning
1995-2002 Ford F53 motor homes

Almost all owners of these car models are from Europe, Canada and Mexico. Ford will be sending letters to the 177,000 different owners of the car models mentioned above. Just in case you're one of the owners of these cars, you can visit the nearest Ford dealership in your area for more information.

Ford has been reported for this type of faulty car part since 1999. Speed control system is one among the concerns and has been reported 6 times because of malfunctions. If you put it all together, Ford has 10.4 million cars involved with this problem.

"Customers remain concerned about the long-term durability of the speed control system and about the safety of their vehicles," the spokesman Dan Jarvis said. They admitted that Ford has been receiving reports about fires on the cars but there are no deaths, accidents and injuries reported.

J.D. Power Asia Pacific 2007 China Customer Satisfaction Index (CSI) StudySM was topped by the German car maker Audi again for the second time. The news by theautochannel.com says Audi was the winner of the 2006 comparative study set by the J.D. Power Asia Pacific. Truly, Asian car buyers have this eye for cars with larger powertrain. Audi garnered a score of 828 points from the perfect score of 1000 and the four-ringed car maker was found on the top-three list for six straight years.

Audi was able to grab the title because of its excellence in making quality car for the China car market. J.D. Power Asia Pacific have been doing this study for the China market since 2001 and been analyzing the vehicles that is sold in the China market for its service quality as well as the satisfaction it gives to both dealers and customers. Audi was one among the best car makers to build quality car for the China car market and because of their efforts, it is just right to recognize them as the top carmaker that passed the Customer Satisfaction in China. Audi beat other 37 different competitors.

With 125 dealerships in 87 cities in China, one need not be surprised of the automaker's success in the fast-exploding China market. These dealerships were optimizing every car they made to pass the quality and standards of the car buyers. They are also known to provide great customer service operations.

The German automaker set a huge amount of car sales hitting the 50,000 vehicles in the country on the first half this year. This is almost 27% increase from its sales record last year.

German car makers are considered best makers of quality car like BMW and Mercedes.