The Diesel Car Myths
A couple of years back, Richard A. Wright, in his work "A Brief History The Auto Industry", said, "The first oil crisis in 1973 shook us. The second in 1978 scared us, scared us so bad that car buyers were willing to ignore the diesel's noise, fumes, smell and iffy cold-weather starting to get the benefit of its good fuel economy. (Most of these problems with the diesel have since been solved.)
"Sales of passenger cars powered by diesels grew rapidly, peaking in 1981 at 520,788. Some 60 percent of those diesel cars were built by General Motors.
That was 10 percent of GM sales that year. For other makers, diesels were a bigger factor. They accounted for almost 85 percent of Peugeot sales in the United States, 78 percent of Mercedes-Benz sales, 58 percent of Isuzu sales and almost half of Volkswagen sales. Diesel passenger cars were also sold by Audi, Volvo and Datsun in 1981.
"Then there were problems with GM's diesels. Blocks cracked and crankshafts wore prematurely.
Critics complained that it was just a converted gasoline engine and clubs of disgruntled owners sprang up and lawsuits were filed. Tougher emission standards caused problems for all diesel makers. Hammering the final nail in the diesel's coffin, the price of gasoline began to decline. So did diesel sales. GM, which had been so bullish on diesels, ended production in 1985.
Gasoline prices fell to the lowest levels ever, in terms of real dollars. The government's cheap gasoline policies have kept the price low, except for occasional spikes to remind us how vulnerable we are."
And perhaps due to this, many people have instead considered purchasing vehicles that were capable of running on the least expensive fuels, among which is diesel. However, statistics have really shown that despite diesel vehicles being one of the most cost efficient ones in the market, many have started choosing those units that were powered by really expensive fuels. This can be quite a sad situation given that people could have used their funds on other things like purchasing some Ford Courier parts to replace the worn out parts or rather purchasing some items for the household.
Aside from these, there are also some myths going on that diesel vehicles are quite few in the market.
But if you would go ahead and do some research yourself, you would discover that diesel vehicles are aplenty. In fact, for the years 1960 up until 2002, there is quite a huge range of those units that run on diesel fuel.
As per what kind of future would these diesel vehicles have, that would still be the question. The sales have gone slow for the last decade or so. However, current trends do say that the graph is spiking once again.
Who knows? The glory days of diesel vehicles might still come back.
.
Environmental Noise Pollution Group Makes Web Movie
A two-minute movie called 'A Better Way of Life' is a funny take on the industrial films of the fifties that starts with a seemingly pompous narrative about man's dream for a better life. In the movie, an American couple in the bedroom faces their biggest marital problem of the modern age: noise.According to a 2001 U.S. Census survey, 11.8 million households said street or traffic noise was bothersome. An additional 4.5 million residents said it was so bad they wanted to move. People exposed to noise pollution experience sleep deprivation, anxiety, hostility, depression and hypertension.
In children, it results in slowed learning. The movie was created by a group called NoiseOFF: The Citizens Coalition Against Noise Pollution. Founded in 2004 by Richard Tur, the group was started to deal with the tremendous noise pollution in his neighborhood in Queens, New York.
"We have citizens, elected representatives, law enforcement professionals, educators, researchers and activists...
Used cars > Environmental Noise Pollution Group Makes Web Movie
How to Start An Art Collection On a Shoestring Budget
Copyright 2006 Monique Hawkins
Collecting is a hobby enjoyed by many. Some collectors enjoy collecting all kinds of collectibles such as music boxes and other mechanical music, cars, jewelry, figurines, and many other types of items. Then there are those who enjoy collecting art. As a matter of fact, many individuals are inclined to forgo reprints and posters and start collecting their own unique art pieces for their homes and offices. If you are one of these people, here are some tips on starting your own unique art collection.
Before beginning an art collection, ask yourself if you interested in starting your own collection of original art.
Keep in mind that if you, like most people, do not have thousands of dollars to spend on famous original artwork, then it's time to consider alternative creative sources.
For those who are short on time and are not particularly interested in cultivating their own tastes, an option you have to rent from...
Used cars > How to Start An Art Collection On a Shoestring Budget
Over 800 High School Students to Compete in Drag Race for $20,000 in Scholarship Money
Norwalk, OH (ContentDesk) May 16, 2006 -- Over 800 high school students from across the Midwest will drag race for a portion of $20,000 in scholarship money to the University of Northwestern Ohio. The 18th Annual ACDelco High School Nationals presented by Amalie Motor Oil at Norwalk Raceway Park will feature high schools competing against each other for bragging rights, and students racing for their educational future.Complete event details are at http://www.NorwalkRaceway.com.This annual race is unusual in a few ways, including a rule against real race cars. Students compete in street-legal cars only.Last years winner, Drew Elliot, of Bellville, Ohio, won the event in 2005, taking home a $10,000 scholarship.
Runner-up Robert Reid of Pataskala, Ohio took home a $5,000 scholarship.Norwalk Raceway Park hosts the fastest cars on the planet each year, from 330 mph Nitro Funny Cars and Top Fuel Dragsters, to jet cars at...
Used cars > Over 800 High School Students to Compete in Drag Race for $20,000 in Scholarship Money
Used Cars Are the Last Remaining Untapped Market in the Auto Industry
(ContentDesk) November 1, 2005 -- Car Dealer Marketing announced the launch of The Used Car Sellution", an innovative, proprietary online marketing program for Internet-savvy auto dealers that drives pre-qualified used vehicle buyers directly to the inventory department on a dealer's own web site.
The Used Car Sellution" is being used by Asbury Automotive, the fifth largest mega-dealership group in the country, for its Crown Automotive subsidiary and two of its dealerships in North Carolina and one in Virginia.
The program delivered over 15,000 additional pre-qualified used vehicle buyers to Crown's web site in August and September, which averages around 40,000 visitors a month.
It resulted in the company selling 53 additional used vehicles, yielding profits in excess of $92,000, according to Alan Hack, president of Car Dealer Marketing.
That's right, $92,000 in profits, not sales.
We're pretty excited about this, as are the folks at Asbury...
Used Cars Are the Last Remaining Untapped Market in the Auto Industry
Used cars > Used Cars Are the Last Remaining Untapped Market in the Auto Industry
Insurance for those owning Kit Cars, Classic or Imported Cars
Car insurance policies can be perplexing as there are a number of insurance companies offering different types of insurance coverage with different policies. Nowadays the UK insurance companies have broadened themselves to guard against almost any conceivable risk to a customer. Among them, insurance cover for those who own Kit Cars, Classic or Imported Cars is one of the insurance types offered by the insurance companies in this country. If an individual decides to buy a car that has not been manufactured in the UK, he has to venture beyond the normally set boundaries of car insurance. This is because an imported car has been built without taking into account the laid down UK build specifications.
There are different types of imported car insurance depending on where you import it from. For example, if an individual wants to import a Japanese sports car, before investing several thousand pounds on the vehicle, it will be prudent to speak to some insurers first and ascertain how...
Insurance for those owning Kit Cars, Classic or Imported Cars
Used cars > Insurance for those owning Kit Cars, Classic or Imported Cars
Volvo XC90: 3 Years of Power and Strong Values
Three years ago, Volvo is busy promoting the new midsize crossover SUV in its lineup. Now that XC90 is celebrating its 3rd birthday in the automotive world, the automaker is already reaping what it has sown. Volvo XC90 is now showing apparent signs of power, stability and success. Moreover, dealers are reporting high demands and residual values.
Volvo XC90 is based on P2 platform, same platform as that of S80 and other huge vehicles from the automaker. According to auto statistics, XC90 is Volvo's top-selling vehicle in the United States.
Further, almost 25 percent of Volvo's US share is attributed to said vehicle.
The vehicle was given the V8 engine in 2005. Said engine generates 311 horsepower and 325 ft-lbf of torque. The latest version of this vehicle debuted at the New York Auto Show. Said version was subtly redesigned. It was given a more sophisticated interior and little trims in the front and rear portion.
Nonetheless, it is...
Volvo XC90: 3 Years of Power and Strong Values
Used cars > Volvo XC90: 3 Years of Power and Strong Values