GM Exec Criticizes CAFE Rules

The Congress is heating fresh environmental rules imbibed in Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAF ) program. Along with the warming of the rules is the criticism by Detroit automakers especially General Motors Corp. Bob Lutz, GMs vice chairman said that the proposal would effectively hand the truck and SUV market over to the imports, particularly the Japanese.
Lutz s criticism was posted on a GM blog late Friday. Part of the comment suggests that GM will fight hard against any proposal to raise fuel-economy targets by a specific amount. Early this December, chief executives and retired military generals clamored for a 4 percent annual increase in standards. They further added that their aim is significant for energy security.
GM, more than any other automaker, has expressed its ardent opinion regarding the matter. The former said CAF rules controlled what automakers could build without regard for what customers were willing to buy. Lutz said the proposed increases would limit GM s ability to build as many larger vehicles as its customers may demand. Lutz "Season s Rantings" message reflects GMs intention to focus on pickups and bigger SUVs to improve profits in North America.
CAFE rules state that automakers earn credits for exceeding the fuel-economy standards in a model year. Said credits can be utilized to cover a shortfall in the following three years. Japanese automakers like Toyota and Honda surpass the standards. These automakers are famed for manufacturing sophisticated interior OEM replacement auto parts for Toyota and Honda auto body parts.
Unfortunately, Detroit automakers like GM, Ford and DaimlerChrysler have already used credits in recent years. Auto parts GM are now focused on boosting SUV and trucks of the automaker. This is also true with Ford and DaimlerChrysler. The latter is busy promoting Edge and Mustang.
Lutz noted, The Japanese automakers "have earned years of accumulated credits from their fleets of formerly very small cars. They can afford to go bigger, which they re doing now by the way, and they d be able to move up and fill the segments we d be forced to vacate." He further added, "We don t have any magic 100-m.p.g. carburetor that we re holding back because we re in bed with the oil companies. The Japanese government is spending huge amounts on advanced battery research. It would be nice if our government would do the same."



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Initial Details on BMW s M3 Saloon

It s almost thirteen years after the launching of the first M3 Saloon and just recently BMW (the producer of quality BMW 524 parts) has announced the details of the new version of its high performance range only this time in a four-door body shell.
In the four generations of building M3 this is only the second time that a Saloon will be offered. And of course since it s rare for BMW to create an M3 Saloon, the automaker makes sure that it turns out as powerful as its other siblings in the range. The new M3 Saloon is equipped with an engine that produces 420hp at 8,300 rpm and 400 Nm of torque at 3,900 rpm---such power matches that of the latest M3 Coupe.
The Saloon s 3,999cc V8-engine red-lines at 8,400 rpm with 85 percent of its torque available over an engine range of 6,500 rpm. BMW M s six-speed manual gearbox and variable M differential transmits up to 100 percent of available power to the wheel with most grip and economy at an impressive 22.8 mpg on the combined cycle.
Its top speed is limited to 155 mph and can accelerate from 0 to 62mph in 4.9 seconds and slower by 0.1 seconds than the Coupe. And just like the all new BMW models launched in 2007, the new M3 Saloon is also equipped with features such as the Brake Energy Regeneration which is a technology that make use of an Intelligent Alternator Control and Absorbent Glass Mat battery that determines whether the engine is on over-run and the activates the alternator to recharge the battery to regain wasted energy.
The other aspect of BMW s Efficient Dynamics programme is its lightweight technology. Less the carbon-fiber roof panel found at the Coupe the new M3 Saloon makes use of lightweight but highly durable materials. And by utilizing a light-alloy engine block manufactured alongside the F1 engines at BMW s foundry at Landshut, Germany, the new V8 powerplant weighs just about 202kgs which is 15kgs less than the six-cylinder engine used in the earlier generation of M3.
The M3 Saloon has the same front end design as the Coupe with its lowered, sportier headlamp design and power dome in the bonnet with lowered front fog lamps and three large air ducts in the front lower valance to allow a high volume of air flow.
In addition the crankshaft in the new engine weighs only 20kgs. The front axle components are built entirely from aluminum even the five-link rear axle which is usually constructed from high-strength steel also possess aluminum components to reduce weight.
The Saloon is equipped with an M Drive Manager that brings together a number of personalized functions of the car. Meanwhile the optional Electronic Damper Control together with the three DSC+ traction control settings and three specific engine control maps, and the Servotronic power steering are easily controlled with just a button on the steering wheel. And that s not all, once the desired buttons are created in the iDrive menu which is a part of the standard Professional navigation system transforms the M3 Saloon into a car that is suitable to fetch kids from school or be transformed into a throbbing supercar.



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MTV s My Super Sweet 16 Car Choices

My super sweet 16 is an MTV program aired to give opulent teenagers the chance to celebrate their 16th birthday in a very luxurious way of their choice with matching super expensive car as part of their parents surprise on their very special day. Edmund.com lists the names of the ten cars which they think is satisfying to make the celebrant s friends green with envy. In increasing order, according to price, Edmunds.com lists BMW Z4 number one. With the price of $45,676, this bright red roadster is loaded with the $2,750 Premium package. It has an automatic folding soft top for some instant top-down action. Lotus Elise is next in the list. It costs $46,270, with either classy arctic silver or eyeball-searing chrome orange colors. This is considered to be the coolest British sports car. At $47,400 the opulent parents can afford a Mercedes-Benz SLK350. With sleek looks, it has stylish cabin and an outstanding performance is assured by this car. During extravagant occasions, everyone always wants the Hummer H2 limo on the scene. So why can t you have it on your day? At $54,110, when anyone gets jealous of your popularity and tries to lash out at you, the Hummer will keep you protected as this was aimed at military usage. Aside from its humungous size, the Hummer H2 features luxury equipment like satellite radio, heated seats and a rear-seat DVD player. For a birthday celebrant more inclined to making trips to the mall, the Audi RS 4 is right for him/her. At $66,000, the car has 420 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque. This also features silk nape leather on the seats and carbon-fiber trim accents in every part of the cabin. Next in the list, is the Land Rover Range Rover Sport, which costs $70,535. This is the appropriate vehicle for people who are fond of nature tripping. Rover features like hill descent control and a four-wheel-drive system with customizable settings. It is the smallest and fastest in the LR lineup. The Jaguar XK-Series is next. It has stylish leather- and wood-laden interior. Some amenities include lambs wool foot well rugs and fold-down picnic trays. At $83,570, a birthday celebrant will surely be the happiest man on earth with this car. The Porsche Cayenne Turbo is the eighth in the list with a price of $93,700. With 483 hp, the Ferrari F430 costs $168,005, and is still thousands of dollars away from the most expensive car listed here. This Italian car is available as both a coupe and convertible. Do you want ultra luxurious ride? The Bentley Continental GTC will give it to you at $189,990. Heiress Paris Hilton only had the GT model. You are surely one spot above her if you got this car. It has got a heated steering wheel. The best thing here is you can choose the out range colors for your exterior. But if you re not as demanding as the birthday celebrants on the show, you can always opt for less expensive but reliable and also exciting cars like those from Acura, maker of quality Acura performance parts. After all, it s not really always about what car you drive, but about what kind of person the one at the driver s seat is right?



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Things To Avoid When Buying Used Cars

Nowadays, life can be pretty hard. Everything is increasing with prices escalating out of site! This makes us all targets of potential scams and frauds.
With all these swindlers and scammers lurking just about anywhere, it is best to always be on guard and to know the things to be avoided in order to prevent the probability of being a victim of frauds and swindles.
Consequently, people who are buying used cars should also be aware of the different fraudulent activities being employed by unscrupulous people in order to have the best buy of used cars.
Moreover, people who are aware that the cars they have bought are stolen, chances are, they will be held liable.
Here are some things to avoid when buying used cars:
1. Used car buyers should avoid any transactions that are too good to be true. This will only make the matter worst if the buyer will believe that the deal is the best-used car deal ever.
2. Buyers should avoid buying used cars from sellers that do not provide a permanent address or the actual place of work of the phone number given.
3. It is important for a buyer to check on the VIN or the vehicle identification number plate. It must be securely fastened onto the used car s dashboard, with no rivets that are loosened.
Loosened rivets would mean that the VIN plate does not fit or it has been previously removed.
4. Also, the buyer should also avoid buying used cars that have VIN plates that are touched up, its paint is newly retouched, and the numbers look as if they are not the original factory numbers.
VIN plates can be easily swapped by a thief and use those that are taken from a destroyed vehicle.
5. As much as possible, it would be better to avoid buying a used car that is freshly painted. There are instances wherein the stolen car s identity is being changed through changing its paint color.
6. Used car buyers should avoid buying cars from a seller that cannot present the car s insurance policy. This could mean that the car is stolen or the seller is not the true owner of the car.
It is extremely important for the buyers to take note of these things before buying a used car. An ounce of prevention really is worth a pound of cure!



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