Showing posts with label Always. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Always. Show all posts

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Diesel stinky image always fragrant upgrade

Brendan Hoffman / Getty Images file

The diesel Volkswagen Jetta TDI is one which form a variety of vehicles that American motorists more conveniently look for diesel-powered cars.

Paul be A. Eisenstein, NBCNews-ContributorMention diesel engine on the most American drivers and they probably with terms such as noisy, smelly, slow and uncomfortable as soon as if she had been a Rorschach test. However, a small but growing number of fans, diesel provoke a very different answer. For them, the technology is fast, smooth, quiet and, perhaps best of all, very economical.

It was the massive numbers after the two oil crises of the 1970s three decades since the heyday of American diesel, year sold. But while the technology of U.S. banks largely disappeared, it quickly became momentum in Europe building - where prices run fuel twice as high as our manufacturers have led a number of driver pleasing improvements.
The message makes slowly its way across the Atlantic, largely by European imports such as the Mercedes-Benz GL 350 blue TEC and the diesel version of the latest Volkswagen Passat powered. "Oil burner" nowhere near the place on the American charts record, to do it – or has here in the 1980s – while in Europe they are some significant gains make.

And most industry analysts expect that would do even better in the next few years thanks to new products, rising fuel costs and tough new federal fuel economy standards.
"We are diesel, forecast a pretty significant increase in sales," said David Sullivan, a Detroit-based automotive analyst for AutoPacific, Inc.

2008, Automakers sold barely 250,000 diesel-powered vehicles in the United States this year that number is expected to 400,000 above - including passenger cars and light commercial vehicles.
In fact, for the first half of the year, sales of so-called "clean diesel" increased by 27.5 percent, surpassing the revival of the entire American market. A forecast of AutoPacific assumes that the numbers reaching 900,000 to 2017.

The consultant is not the only optimistic on the technology. "This significantly less than the 50 percent diesel sales rate in Europe, it is specified, that Americans take a renewed interest because more diesel in the US market are introduced", said Allen Schaeffer, executive Director of the diesel technology forum. "Marked with more than 15 new clean diesel models for the United States in the next two years, I expect sell diesel to increase even more in the near future."
Their diesel offerings continue to expand European decision-makers. Porsche has just published the first version of his large Cayenne sport utility vehicle. Volkswagen reportedly is considering a diesel version of its popular GTI model.

VW has seen demand, because the technology quickly surpass expectations, said Jonathan Browning, CEO of Volkswagen Group of America - that includes Audi, another brand continued to make profits with the technology. Demand for the diesel version of the new VW Passat already has the limits of capacity, partially extended, because the automakers fight engine components is enough diesel shipped from Europe the new VW plant in Tennessee. In a recent interview said Browning is possible the diesel model of 15 percent of total US trade winds mix 30 percent could go.
Meanwhile, several new players are enter the game. Chevrolet - which already offers a diesel in its original size pick up mix - starts soon a diesel version of the compact Cruze. And Mazda confirmed plans to deliver a diesel version of its new, high-mileage SkyActiv system. The next generation Mazda6 sedan is expected to be first, but analyst Sullivan expects that it could be versions of the CX-5 and CX-9 crossovers in the works as well.

Other manufacturers such as Chrysler, are expected to follow. Ford, long resistant against diesel outside the large truck range is located, is hinting that it reconsider its options can.
What is driving this nascent diesel Renaissance? Micro-computers, for one thing, and advanced turbocharger, as well as State-of-the art emissions systems. These components have to decision-makers traditional diesel paved allowed problems such as smoke, smell and stumbling blocks. Lead the mixture into the low sulfur fuel, order the U.S. regulators began a few years ago throw.

All of this comes at a price. There is a premium for diesel engines of anywhere from about $1,000 to $5,000 per vehicle. But the proponents claim that as the US versions, the emissions require systems in Europe, not shared will be in larger quantities cost made come.
The cost of fuel is a serious obstacle. Diesel leads occasionally less than a dollar more than regular in some markets usually from 25 cents to 50 cents more per litre than regular gasoline.

But there are a Substantiald payment. When compared to similarly sized hybrids that modern diesel offer in general much better than hybrids. BMW launches a new model in Europe, the 550 d, which is all but a game that the acceleration of the manufacturer M5 boasted.
Mileage hybrids enter the diesel run for their money, depending on their application. Gas-electric powertrain technology is generally more economical in the urban, stop- and -go where settings are hybrids able to recover and reuse of energy normally lost in braking and coasting. But on the highway diesel, better numbers, according to Sullivan and other observers expect let.

Now tend to diesel is still their legendary durability, to deliver something which has always been an advantage over other Powertrain technology.
So, sell are not why they even better?

For one thing, U.S. regulators have fixed at State and national level on battery technology, diesel in favour of action. In California such as hybrids were not granted long special access to s-Bahn during the diesel provides similar performance. Now was this special privilege on plug-in the and battery vehicles, granted, of which some can not reach even the upper end of speed limits.
Meanwhile, most Americans are not up to date on the enormous improvements has achieved diesel technology.

"Diesel need an image makeover," beat Rebecca Lindland, senior analyst at IHS automotive. "(People) how much just don't know a difference and how far they have come in the last few years."

Monday, June 11, 2012

You are always a break at the pump this summer


Joe Radle / Getty Images

Over the Memorial Day holiday, fuel prices lower about 27 cents as their national Summit appeared on approximately $3.65 per gallon, early April.

By Paul A. Eisenstein, the Detroit Bureau
It was not too long ago that American drivers have been with shrill headlines forecast $4, even $5 per gallon gas summer is welcomed.

It seemed quite plausible after quick runup in late winter and spring, prices at the pump comes back within a few cents of the record in July 2008. But a funny thing happened as well as the traditional driving season come on: fuel prices began to fall, and the downward trend may well through the summer.

About the Memorial Day holiday, which, the different tracking services showed that fuel prices to approximately $3.65 is popped, lower a gallon about 27 cents as their national summit in early April.

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"Had me in January when the national average would have been that low on Memorial Day, I probably laughed would have," said Patrick DeHaan, a senior analyst at GasBuddy.com. We look forward, he told TheDetroitBureau.com, "prices could go either way," according to a number of factors, but now the trend seems to be to down to.

The tracking service shows that only since the holiday pump slip prices further: today to a national average of $3.646, down from $3.807 early May. In fact, rather than see a record high, figures driver now less than even a year ago, when the price of a gallon unleaded regular on average $3.779 at self-service pumps.

"I'm not sure who to thank, but I'll take it," laughed driver Jerry Benjamin after filling up his large Chevrolet Suburban at sunny's Sunoco in pleasant Ridge, MI "if I can save a quarter per gallon on a tank such as these, the $5, $10 per week extra for me and the family."

Who - thanks before - such as the blame for spring is a complex issue.

Dodge think caravan / Chrysler Town & country, killing

You might be tempted, the finger at Washington, and certainly, President Barack Obama came under fire, as fuel prices began just before the $4 per gallon. His challenger for the White House, Mitt Romney, has in the past month, that the President "gets full credit or blame for what this economy has happened and what has happened to gasoline prices under his watch."

GasBuddy DeHaan proposed in reality, was responsible the White House for the this year's run-up in fuel prices, nor its decline. To name a few, he and other analysts of the factors:

A fire in a refinery in Washington State last mix led to short supplies of gas, especially on the West Coast, a situation that deteriorated scheduled maintenance as other refineries or loss of production during the annual switch to summer fuels to reduce emissions during hot weather; Demand in China, India and other emerging economies stretching thin global oil supply lines, and refinery capacity has been way ahead; the nascent economic recovery in the United States led oil dealer beat up fuel prices even further.
But the recovery slower than expected, downward pressure on prices, is already. And so has the fact that Americans are not only less, but migrate to fuel efficient vehicles. A study by the Brookings Institution shows that the average vehicle about drove the same as in 1997 only 9,500 km by 2011.

Then, there is the economic crisis in Europe. With Spain's economy in free fall, and with a view to the view that the common currency of the value of the euro to leave Greece has against the dollar was tumbling. "And that is driving oil prices down," according to analyst DeHaan.

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As of Wednesday morning, benchmark crude oil below $90 a barrel had on the New York Mercantile Exchange, largely because of concerns over Europe, a decrease of 15% in just four weeks mark appeared.

"The fear of infection on Spanish and Greek debt and economic issues continue to force downward revision in the growth of the world economy and thus oil demand," wrote energy trader and consultant Knight Bush and associates in a new report.

"Volatility increases constantly," which warns report, but offers a long list of factors that could see again hammered driver: the unresolved problems of Iran's nuclear programme; the possibility of a positive solution in Greece; Further increase in demand from China and other emerging markets; and a significant upturn in the US economy.

First data indicate that American drivers long their good fortunes from climbing behind the wheel over the weekend of memorial day celebrated. The AAA estimated that 30.7 million people travel need took more than 50 kilometers, an increase of 400,000, this year. Meanwhile reported the American Petroleum Institute, that the demand for gasoline 0.9 percent in April 0.3 per cent for the year as a whole compared to proposed use could increase rapidly.

But now, at least motorists are always for a much-needed break, according to Tom Kloza, the Chief oil analyst at the oil price information service, and each talk about record gas prices is likely well into the future.

Sunday, May 6, 2012

It doesn't always pay to buy fuel-efficient cars

By Paul A. Eisenstein, The Detroit BureauThe recent run-up in fuel prices has put the spotlight on hybrids, battery cars and other high-mileage vehicles.  But while it may sound great to get 40, even 50 miles a gallon, are you spending an arm and a leg to save far less than you might expect on your annual gasoline bill?

Some hybrids carry a premium that can push up to $5,000 or more.  The penalty is even higher with plug-ins and pure battery-electric vehicles, or BEVs.  Even on many “eco” models using relatively conventional gasoline power you could be in for a stiff price penalty.  But is it worth it?


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Not necessarily, if you’re simply trying to save money and not really worried about going “green.”  But there are some models that minimize your up-front investment and deliver you savings fast.

“The price of gas has consumers thinking about fuel economy but there’s a financial investment involved with most of these fuel-saving packages,” says Jesse Toprak, Vice President of Market Intelligence at TrueCar.com. “It’s important to compare the improvements in fuel economy and the extra costs of the package before purchasing a new vehicle.”


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Smart shoppers look at the so-called “payback period,” the time it takes to recover your up-front investment.  On some models, the extra cost for that “eco” package can take you a decade – or more – to get your money back in the form of lower fuel bills.

Toprak stresses that shoppers should be looking at the EPA’s Combined fuel economy number, not the Highway mileage manufacturers like to advertise.  For most motorists, the lower Combined figure is likely to be closer to what you’ll actually get, day-to-day.

Take the 2012 Honda Civic HF, it’s rated at 33.4 mpg, compared to 32.1 for the conventional Honda Civic LX.  It also carries a typical price premium of about $766 on an average transaction price – or ATP – of $19,398.  TrueCar estimates the average owner will need to keep the HF for 10.6 years to recover that premium.


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The new $20,982 Chevrolet Cruze Eco, which gets 30.6 mpg. You would need 48 years to recover the nearly $900 premium over the conventional Cruze, at 30.3 mpg.

The good news is that there are a number of vehicles that can pay you back in less than five years.

The best deal of the bunch? The Mazda3 Touring with the SkyActiv powertrain, which not only delivers 32.4 mpg, 7.7 mpg better than the conventionally powered Mazda3, but costs about $900 less, at $22,366.  You start saving cash the moment you drive off the lot.

The other big winners:

The Chevrolet Sonic with Ecotec Turbo carries a $635 premium, at $16,951, but it delivers 33.1 mpg compared to 29.4 for the base Sonic, so you’ll earn your premium back within 2.9 years; The $27,566 Ford Edge with Ecoboost is $864 more than the same “people-mover with a standard 3.5-liter V-6, but is rated at 24.3 mpg v 21.9. You’ll be in the black within 3.3 years; The Kia Forte Sedan EX Eco is, at $17,786, just $273 more than the sedan with a 2.0-liter engine. It gets an extra 1 mpg Combined, at 30.7 mpg, and will pay you back in 4.2 years; For those who need a big truck, the $28,732 Ford F-150 SuperCab 145” with Ecoboost carries an $853 premium over the same F-150 model with a 5.0-liter V-8. You’ll get an extra mpg at 18.2, and see payback in 4.5 years, says TrueCar. The service’s estimates are based on gas at $3.90 a gallon and a motorist driving 15,000 miles a year.  Of course, the higher the price the quicker the savings.  On the other hand, if you only clock 12,000 miles annually, the payback period will stretch out even longer.

Friday, June 3, 2011

Always safer, insurance group says small cars

DETROIT - small cars are safer than more models than ever that deserve top always crash tests from the insurance industry.

The Insurance Institute for highway safety Thursday, that 6 of the 13 small cars it last tested top safety picks are. Focus and Honda Civic and the 2011 include the 2012 Ford Hyundai Elantra, Nissan Juke Lexus CT 200 h and Toyota Prius.

If these cars are combined with other previously tested - including the electric Nissan leaf and Chevrolet deserves Volt - a total 22 the Institute top score.

This is a big change from model year 2006, when top safety rating, earned only three small cars even though this review was less strict than it is today. In 1997, when the Institute first small cars over a 40-mile per hour frontal test laid, none of the 11 earns a top rating.

"Every time we have introduced a new test automakers have intensified and improved designs,", David Zuby, the Institute said chief research officer. Zuby said that companies stronger materials and better design to use the power of crashes from manage.

A top safety pick, cars have the highest rating in frontal - earn - and back side-impact of crash tests and check roof. You need to prevent electronic stability control as an available option to rollover accidents.

The strength test of roof that simulates what would happen to the roof when the car rolled over, stumbled to several cars in this round of testing. The 2011 Honda CR-Z, Honda insight, Nissan versa, Nissan Sentra, Suzuki SX4 and Dodge Caliber has lower ratings for roof strength. Scion xD got a lower rating in the frontal crash test.

Zuby said that the Hyundai Elantra performance shows how much vehicle design has improved. In 2001, the Elantra received the lowest scores for frontal impact protection. Among his problems was the air bag deployed late. Until 2006 it was still bad, the lowest score in the side crash test, earn working although it side airbags. But the Elantra 2011, which went on sale a few months ago, aced every test and now has standard stability control.

Zuby warned that larger and heavier vehicles are inmates protect always better than small. He said, that is, why it is particularly important for manufacturers to make small cars such as crash-proof as possible.

Copyright 2011, the associated press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.