Auto Headline Car Related News

Down out street in the summer we start to see our neighbours, something we have not done since last year, but as well as this the garage doors stay open and within you start to see all the classic car projects and occasionally a car salvage project. many of use, like working on cars, but is often limited by the size of the garage and how warm it is. As we hot September the garage doors start closing at the weekend and we start to see those salvage projects on eBay as uncompleted and hopefully some are advertised as finished cars.

As far as the trade is concerned, buying salvage occurs right through the year, but coming up to Christmas is normally a quieter time to buy, prices start to become a bit cheaper as demand is lower than supply. Sites like salvagesparefinder start showing cars at cheaper prices, especially those that are available in high quantities anyway.  We are not taking Mercedes or BMW here, these cars nearly always attract a premium, in fact in many cases cost more to do up, then just but them from an auction. But those cars not so much in demand can go for a song as a salvage project. So if you have a bigger warm garage, not might be the time to start looking for that salvage project.

I was brought up looking a VW campervans and wondering, why would anyone want to own drive and use on of these? I wish I knew then what I know now and bought one and kept in in the garage. But anyway my perception of the campervan has changed big style an probably for many others as the motor home seems to be the new version of a van with some seats that convert to a bed in the back. In fact the level of furnishing and luxury is astonishing and many puts my hoe to shame.  Take a company like IHmotohomes based in Yorkshire. The quality and standard of motor homes they build means that no matter what weather the elements throws at you, no matter where you are in Europe, you will be comfortable, even if it means a quiet night in watch TV.

These motor homes are not made by the manufacturers, you have companies like IHmotorhomes who buy the vans new and then covert them into the mobile penthouse units complete with shower, units luxury bed, microwave, flat screen TV and reliability of Mercedes or Fiat, the initial vans  these motor homes have been built upon. But then when you see the cost, you may want to sit back and settle first as you consider, you can buy a Mercedes 5 series and a 3 series for the average of these motor homes new.  But when you see the price of caravans these days, the perception of price disappears.  In fact they are cheap comparing to the static vans I have seen and get mobility too.

Driving these motor homes are as easy as any modern car and certainly quicker and safer than towing a caravan. Depreciation is not bad either as there seems to be dedicated group of people who not like these going to scrap yards.  So I have been seduced, have you?

As part of the Lexus UK 20th birthday celebrations the company are offering buyers of the IS model the chance to upgrade to IS-F Sport, for free.

The offer could customers save up to £1,700 as the IS-F Sport comes with extra styling’s inside and out such as:

The company are also offering anyone that buys a new Lexus three years complimentary servicing adding that this the “icing on the cake”.

A brand new Lexus IS will set you back £24,970 (at basic spec) and if you decided to splash out and go for the IS-F Sport from the beginning then you are looking at a little under £30,000.

Recent figures have suggested that many business users can benefit from leasing, especially in the case of the Lexus as it will give you the luxury of the car without the sticker price and with some flexibility, if you like to change cars on a regular basis.

Experts and politicians have said that a rise in fuel cost prices would cripple the Scottish economy.

The Retail Motor Industry Independent Petrol Retailers Association (RMI Petrol) have blamed rises in VAT and fuel duty for the increase, which could be up to 8% by the end of 2011.

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Tavish Scott MSP has urged the coalition government to cut fuel taxes saying:

"Island and rural Scotland depends on the car, lorry and in a couple of weeks, the school bus. A surge in petrol prices forced by speculators and rich oil barons across the world is the worst economic news for Scotland."

According to website PetrolPrices.com, which records data from fuel prices has said the highest price in Scotland for petrol was £1.16 a litre with diesel at a high of £1.30.

Business owners should be aware that leasing a car for business use can qualify them for dispensation on certain fuel levy’s.

Chinese car manufacturer Geely yesterday completed a $1.5bn deal with Ford to purchase Volvo.

This is one of the first business deals the company has made outside of China but today they are also in talks with Manganese Bronze makers of London Taxis of which they already own 23%. Geely chairman Li Shufu said:

“ (This is) a historic day for Geely.”

The deal marks the first time a global car brand has been subject to a takeover by a Chinese company.

Many were initially concerned about the venture as Volvo have a strong reputation for their Scandinavian values, but Mr Li reassured peoples concerned saying:

“This famous Swedish brand will remain true to its core values of safety, quality, environmental care and modern Scandinavian design.”

Stefan Jacoby, the former boss of Volkswagen America has also been confirmed as the companies new Chief Executive and echoed Mr Li’s comments.

Geely is one of China’s biggest car companies but due to the fragmented market in China they only sold 330,000 vehicles, the same as Volvo.

Geely plan on using Volvo’s technology and development to boost sales in China but also plan to use Volvo’s reputation in the West to get the Geely name out,

Need spare parts for your Volvo engine? Use a find-a-part service who can search breakers nationwide for your replacement Volvo part at the best price.

A workshop owner from Derby has started a cleaning business for supercars promising to make the vehicle look even better than new for around £7,000.

Gurcharn Sahota has been working on some of the world’s fastest cars for around five years, from Bugatti Veyrons to McLaren F1’s. Customers can expect Gurcharn to work on their vehicles for up to four weeks for that price.

Part of the treatment includes a specially developed natural wax which is imported from Brazil and costs around £8,000 a tin.

Another feature is the use of a forensic microscope to detect imperfections in the paint work and work out how deep sanding can be taken.

Since starting the business Gurcharn has washed cars for celebs and even a footballer’s £3 million McLaren F1 GTR in his parents garage saying:

"When I was young, I loved washing cars so much I did it for free."

But it’s not just UK supercars that are receiving the specialist treatment, he added:

"Sometimes if one of my customers calls up from the Middle East they’ll fly me out there business class,

all my kit will come with me and I can spend anything from a couple of days out there to several weeks."

The video below shows the care and precision that is put into this service.

When asked what he says to people who argue that a £5 carwash will do the same job he said:

"If you’ve got a £500,000 car, then a few grand for cleaning is worth it. I just want perfection."

Want to make your car look and feel brand new? Then take a look at at CarSpareFinder for replacement parts.

Strike action at a Honda parts factory has entered its second week but the Japanese car manufacturer says that production has not yet been affected.

The action, taking place in Southern China is the latest in a line of walkouts in the area, many of them at multinational corporations is rumoured to be over pay and poor working conditions. This cannot be a good thing for Honda as this area of China is known by activists as ‘the workshop of the world’.

The factory which has been the focus of the incident supplies gear shifts for Honda factories based in China and Honda have insisted that it has not in any way hindered production saying:

“The company is relying on inventories.”

But recent figures have shown a drop in sales of nearly 3% on last year since the strikes started.

The Chinese State News had reported that workers were seeking a raise of around 500 Yuan (£50) per month, and also that they had formed a barrier to stop replacement workers getting into the factory, local official Zhong Weiwen added:

"We have police stationed near the plant to guard against any emergencies, but as to how to resolve the problem, it is still a tough question."

Replacement gear parts can be found at CarSpareFinder who will search local dealers for the best prices without you having to leave your computer screen.

(Source – Google News)

American car manufacturers Corvette are offering buyers the chance to hand assemble the engine that will go into their car.

The optional extra with a difference, which will add £3,860 to your bill is being pioneered by the firm at its Wixom, Michigan plant.

Once the engine is completed buyers get the chance to mount a customisable plaque on the engine so they can remember their day.

The company who were the first American sports car manufacturers to celebrate a 50 year anniversary believe that they are the first in the world to offer this to customers.

Tom Stephens, Vice Chairman of Global Product Operations said:

“In a way, this is a dream program for a Corvette customer. I would have jumped at the chance to build the 427 in my ’67 ’Vette, and that didn’t have half of what goes into one of these modern precision engines,”

The video below shows a speeded up version of what you get for your money

we don’t quite have John, Ringo, Paul and George but we do have another icon; The VW Beetle.  The Beetle,  which was also called the Volkswagen Type 1, began its life in Germany in 1933.   There is a modern day version of the car; however it is the original car that holds a special place in many hearts. 

Many people have done a plethora of different things with their beetles.  From those who keep their pride and joy as original as possible to those you have used them in flower shows (see Montreal Botanical Gardens).

Here we have one person explaining a problem he has with his distributor (or at least according to the title of the video.   One person, suggests;  “so i guess your vacuum canister isn’t working right. You can buy new vacuum canisters”.

As these vehicles get older it will become much more difficult to buy parts for them.   They will always remain an icon and there will always be enthusiasts.  Lets hope the parts industry can keep up.