Automobile

Ford S-max Billed As The ?auto 1 Of Europe?

June 7, 2021

The Ford Motor Company may be suffering blows on their home turf but their subsidiary in Europe is receiving award after awards for the S-Max – the best selling crossover utility vehicle from Ford of Europe. The Ford S-Max has already received awards and praises from different groups in the auto industry.

Consumers have also spoken in favor of the S-Max as shown in the high sale of the vehicle. More recently, Germany?s largest car magazine, the AutoBild, with its 23 sister publications in Europe, gave the Ford S-Max the distinction of being the ?Auto 1 of Europe?. Aside from being dubbed as such, the S-Max is also gunning for the trophy in its class – the minivan category.

The award was presented during the Auto 1 Gala Event at Espace S?cheron in Geneva. The prestigious award was presented by Dr. Andreas Wiele, the Chairman of the magazine division at Axel Springer AG. John Fleming, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Ford of Europe, and Bernhard Mattes, the Chairman of the Management Board at Ford Werke GmbH were present at the said event to jointly receive the award.

?This is fantastic news and these awards fill us with pride,? says Fleming. ?Together with the other awards that have been won by the Ford S-MAX this latest accolade shows that this car has touched a nerve with the public and the specialist media,? he added. Riding on the momentum of the achievement of the S-Max, Ford of Europe will be launching the Ford Mondeo in the European auto market. “For us, this is further proof that our renewed emphasis on dynamic new products that connect emotionally with customers is making a positive contribution to Ford of Europe’s business success. We are confident that the all-new Ford Mondeo will continue this momentum and generate similar interest and enthusiasm when we launch this summer,? Fleming added further.

Aside from being dubbed as the ?Auto 1 of Europe?, the S-Max also won the ?Car of the Year 2007?. The number of victories for the crossover utility vehicle, which is now over fifteen national or individual magazine awards, serves as an Accel ignition system which sparks the interest of the European motorists not only on the S-Max but also for other Ford vehicles sold in the European car market.

The Ford of Europe is also planning to launch a smaller version of the Ford S-Max to further boost the sales of Ford vehicles in the continent. Aside from the Ford Mondeo, Ford of Europe will also be offering the smaller C-Max, the smaller sibling of the S-Max. Ford of Europe hopes that the addition of the Mondeo and the C-Max to their lineup will continue their good successes in the European market.…

No Rehire Policies – Auto Shop Management Tip

May 12, 2021

Most shop owners and dealerships are willing to rehire past employees that were good producers. When you listen, this is what they’ll typically say: “Now that Mike has worked at another shop for a while, he knows just how good he had it here with us! So I know that if I hire him back, he’ll be a great, life-long employee!” Well, before you agree with that statement, you should consider that when you first bring someone aboard you should look for a number of things, yet none are more important than a mutual commitment to a long-lasting relationship. This commitment is good for both you and your employee.
Unfortunately, no matter how green the grass is at your shop, as we all know, the grass is often greener on the other side of the fence. So what happens when that superstar employee of yours comes to you and tells you that they’ve taken a job with another shop or dealership? In the eyes of the employee, if they have been a good producer for you they may very well feel that if things don’t work out at their new job, you’ll welcome them back with open arms. And why not? That’s what most shop owners ultimately do. So they shake hands, they wish one another the best, and the employee walks out the door.
Then a few months later that very same employee is knocking on the shop owner’s door, telling the owner that they realize they made a mistake, and they would love to be able to join the team again. This is when most shop owners make a major auto shop management mistake. They immediately think of the tech or service advisor’s past productivity, and they foolishly tell themselves that if they bring the employee back into the fold, all the other employees will then realize just how good they have it. In reality, that’s the furthest thing from the truth. When you bring someone back into your company who left voluntarily, the message your employees are getting is that they can leave at anytime, with the peace of mind that you’ll always rehire them. That in itself is the wrong message to send to any employee. Consider this…
When an employee knows, upfront, that you have an auto shop management policy in place which states that they will be ineligible for rehire if they leave your company, it will motivate them to come forward and talk to you about the concerns they have. This in itself will give them pause when they think about leaving. You also need to consider that the price an employee pays for leaving is relatively low. If things don’t work out, they just roll their tool box back into your shop. Not the case with you as the business owner. You now have to burden the cost of finding and hiring the replacement employee, the cost of training that new hire, and the expense of business disruption, which is not cheap by any stretch of the imagination.
Lastly, if you do bring that employee back aboard, odds are they’ll leave again. The reason is pretty simple: over the years I have argued that the first thing that leaves is the heart, then the mind, and then the tool box. So if you didn’t resolve whatever it was that caused them to leave the first time, they’ll more than likely leave again. Now I need to be clear: there’s nothing wrong with anyone wanting to do better in life. That’s understandable. But as business owners, we need to think through our auto shop management policies. By allowing employees to leave and return, what we’re really doing is encouraging our employees to take our competitors for a “test-drive”, while at the same time we’re putting ourselves at risk.
So what will a no-rehire policy do for you? First of all, it will bring about a greater commitment, and team spirit, from all your employees. Secondly, it will force your people to really think through any decision they make about possibly leaving your company, as appropriate with any big decision. That in itself is priceless, because it will help prevent your people from making quick, emotional decisions that more often than not turn out to be the wrong decisions. And finally, it will cause your people to be open, and discuss their concerns with you, rather than trying to run from the very same issues that may confront them at their next place of employment.
Are their exceptions to a no-rehire rule? Of course. If someone has to move out of town due to a family issue, if they are forced into a career change due to medical issues, or if they leave you for any other reason that is legitimately out of their …

Used Car Websites – Discover the Best Way to Buy Cheap Used Cars Through Government Vehicle Auctions

May 3, 2021

If you are looking to buy cheap used cars in your locality or across the country then you have come to the right place. There are some well known used car websites available online which you can use to find these types of vehicles through government auctions. Read further to discover how you can grab your favorite car through different types of government vehicle auctions held all across the country.
We all love bargains about the cars we buy. We often hear some people buying cheap cars without investing thousands of dollars. And we usually wonder how these people are able to purchase the cars at such rock bottom prices. Your answer is the government vehicle auction websites.
There are basically two ways by which you can take part in these government auctions. The first one is to ask directly to the relevant government authorities in your locality. This option seems simple in the beginning. But when you actually try to ask these authorities about the actual auction places then you will realize that they are very reluctant to provide you the required answer. Most of the times, government do not spend any advertising money on these types of auctions which is why very few people know about these auctions.
This is why using second option is much simpler and easier for common people. The second choice is to use reliable and safe government auction websites. There are few websites available online which can find all types of cars available in our locality as well as all across the country. Plus we can also place our bid on any car we want at the comfort of our home. For a small one-time fee these websites provide you all the information regarding all types of auctions held across the country everyday.
The major advantage of using these websites is that common people do not know about these sites. This is the reason you stand a good chance to win your auction and get your dream car quickly and safely at your home.…

Audi A3 Deals – Used Audis at Dealer Wholesale Prices

April 12, 2021

With its heady design, engineering and technology concepts in glorious display, Audi pushed the envelope even further, by outfitting the 3.2 V6 with the much lauded DSG transmission available in the TT 3.2 and, as an option, in the 2.0T version. The Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG) automatic transmission, inspired by Audi racing technology going back to the 1980’s, features an electro-hydraulically controlled twin clutch that is designed to allow lightning-fast gear changing with no traction loss. Combined with quattro all wheel drive, the match makes for a genuinely high end sports car experience.
The new 2.0 T FSI engine, standard A3 auto fare, having made its debut in the 2005 A4, is no slouchy performer either. This widely acclaimed and generously awarded Audi power plant is turbocharged, delivering 200 horsepower with 207 lbs of maximum torque available across a wide speed range from 1,800 to 5,000 RPM. The 2.0 T FSI was the first production engine ever to turbocharge a direct injection hook up and is largely responsible for the myriad of International Engine of the Year awards it bagged from 2005 through 2009. This technology, which found its way from the Audi R8 of Le Mans fame is not exclusively notable for its extreme high performance prowess, but substantially noted, as well, for its excellent fuel economy.
From 2006 through 2009, A3 cars remained fairly unchanged in their North American packages, with both the 2.0 T’s and 3.2 V6’s versions respectively holding solid ground. This is a vivid indication that Audi delivered a hands down winner to the North American market which, incidentally, provides a much less obstructed line of sight when it comes to parsing secondhand Audi A3 candidates, having considerably less bothersome detail to sort through. That brings us to 2010, which was a memorable year for the A3 auto. Scratching the 3.2 V6 quattro from the lineup, Audi did something most ardent Audi enthusiasts have been clamoring for. They rolled out the A3 TDI diesel.
This groundbreaking power plant quickly propelled the Audi A3 TDI to stardom in claiming recognition for 2010 Green Car of the Year, awarded by . The Audi 2.0 TDI, available in North American market A3 cars, delivers 146 horsepower with 236 lb-ft or torque, yet achieves an amazing EPA estimated 42 mpg highway, the best of any luxury class vehicle available in America. Employing 50 state US legal clean diesel technology, it motors 50% greater mileage than any comparable gasoline driven vehicle.
Taking all into account, or at least some of it, it’s hard to resist firing up the car search engines to try and snag an attractive deal for a secondhand Audi A3. The A3 auto offers a full load of that exclusive European luxury car sex appeal with its over the top Audi design and technology derivatives, yet, delivers big time on the usability scale and, last but not least, it emerges provocatively on the fun side of genuine high end sports car legend.…

An Introduction To Biodiesel

April 7, 2021

With gas prices increasing and growing environmental awareness, the need to consider alternate energy and fuel sources are becoming a necessity. One alternative is the use of Biodiesel fuel, which is becoming more and more popular today.

Because Biodiesel is a cleaner-burning diesel fuel, made from 100% natural, 100% renewable vegetable sources, its uses in today’s society may surprise you. Below are nine ways Biodiesel is being used. Some of which you may never have realized.

1) Biodiesel Car Rental – Yes that’s right. A Maui and Los Angeles car rental rents cars that run on Biodiesel. These cars get between 400 and 800 miles per tank! Not bad when consider the price of gas these days.

2) Home heating fuel – More people are taking a look at Biodiesel as an alternative for heating their home. Most oil-fired or boiler furnaces can use Biodiesel (B20), which is a fuel made of 80 percent traditional heating oil and 20 percent Biodiesel. Some people are getting their furnaces adapted to be able to burn B100, a fuel made entirely of vegetable oils, which burns much cleaner than traditional heating oil.

3) Electricity Generation – Diesel generators that produce electricity are now running on Biodiesel fuel. A superior alternative to the typical coal burning electricity generating plants currently being used in the United States. Running on Biodiesel is an inexpensive, clean and renewable way of creating electricity.

4) Trucking Industry – More and more truckers are switching from diesel fuel to Biodiesel fuel. The benefits are numerous not to mention the advantage of helping the environment and reducing our dependency on foreign oil, while saving money.

5) Agriculture – Not only a producer of Biodiesel, but also a consumer. Tractors, reapers, tillers, pickers, conveyors, generators, pumps, and irrigation systems which normally uses diesel fuel, now use Biodiesel to fuel their work, bringing agriculture full circle from producer to consumer.

6) Marine Vehicles – Commercial fleets such as ferries, recreational yachts, sailboats, and motor boats are all candidates for Biodiesel. For example Pacific Whale Foundation, located in Hawaii, use Biodiesel bin their boats.

7) Tax Incentive – The IRS is offering tax incentives to anyone that produce and use Biodiesel fuel. The US Government is working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by giving producers of Biodiesel fuel government funds. The tax incentive works to help tax paying customers by lowering the cost of the fuel

bill.

8) Lubrication Additive – Because Biodiesel is a better lubricant than current low-sulfur petroleum, fuel injectors and other types of fuel pumps can rely on Biodiesel fuel for lubrication. With the right additives, engine performance can also be enhanced, making engines last longer. Other numerous applications can also make use of it’s lubricate properties, such as concrete forms and asphalt trucks. Its solvent properties also make it a safe parts cleaner, reducing skin and eye irritation associated with other cleaners.

9) Cleaner Environment – Biodiesel reduces carbon dioxide exhaust emissions by up to 80%. Because of this, Biodiesel has the potential to reduce air toxics and cancer causing compounds. Something we all can live with! If spilled, it will quickly degrade into natural organic residues, without polluting the environment.…

How to Buy Car Insurance

March 12, 2021

How to buy car insurance is just as important as buying life and health insurance, it protects the immediate beneficiary from harm or damage that would occur under normal circumstances. And even though people may be positive about their lives accidents do happen and the worst thing about them is they do so unexpectedly.
In the event of you becoming skeptical about how you drive or what risks other drivers pose to you the next step you must take is to make sure that you get an insurance company that works for you and your needs. And whilst most companies might appear perfect and affordable this is not a given. A careful and thorough selection process must be followed in order for you to get insured with a reliable insurance company.
Once you have decided to conduct thorough research you must then consult with an insurance consultant who will show you the ropes in the world of insurance. An insurance consultant will tell you of all the most important insurance companies out there as well as give you quotations for all of the selected companies.
The next step is to go back home and make your choice. Why it is insisted you do this is because you need to think long and hard about which company you choose. The company you choose will determine how much you will have to now put on the side for insurance. You might also be sharing the insurance cost with a husband or partner who will also want a say in the process of choosing.
But you must at least talk to a neutral third party who should give you an unbiased view pertaining the company of your choice. He or she might have been defrauded or failed to get compensation for harm perpetrated against them. So their opinion will be of great value to you.
It is only at this stage that you should make a choice and buy. Phone the insurance company and set up an appointment for signing paperwork and finalization procedures. And when you go to buy the policy you should remember carry with you your identity documents; license and vehicle registration number.
Buying insurance this way has so many benefits. But the most important advantage is that you will make an informed and patient choice as well as learn useful information on insurance that can help you in the future when making insurance claims.…

Ads On Wheels: Vehicle Wrapping As A Marketing Tool

March 9, 2021

In comes vehicle wrap. Because people are almost always mobile, advertisers have come up with a novel way of getting their messages across — that is, by literally keeping up with rush hour speeds. Vehicle wrap is a method that moulds self-adhesive vinyl into the bodywork of any vehicle to make it appear like it was simply painted on. The ‘wrap’ can contain all kinds of prints, from the owner’s favorite cartoon character, or, if he’s that vain, a blow-up photo of himself. Most importantly, it can carry advertisements.

The best thing about vehicle wrap advertisements is that they move with the consumer. Imagine getting stuck in traffic and not seeing anything else but the annoying bumper sticker on the car in front of you. A van wrapped with colorful graphics will be a welcome sight.

If your company information were part of the body that made up this interesting design, you can rest assured that your logo will be on people’s minds until they reach home. When a vehicle is transformed into a mobile billboard, traffic will become less of a headache for everyone.

Vehicle wrap advertisements benefit both the consumer and the vehicle owner. Potential buyers are afforded more information about a particular product while on the road, while car owners get to profit from agreeing to carry the ad. Right now, the largest vehicle wrap companies are 3M, Arlon, and Avery Dennison.

The average price of a full vehicle wrap is $3000. It sounds costly at first, but when you factor in the number of people who will get a glimpse of your product, as opposed to handing out flyers or installing posters, the expense is just pennies.…

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