Canadians Again

My last blog showed how the Canadians were on the right track in the automotive industry. Now, they are helping those who buy green cars to earn money.

There are now 32 vehicles that qualify for these opportunities. The list is mainly japanese cars that are two doors or less. The newest to the list though, is the Honda Civic. They are now offering it in a two and four door green version.

To qualify as green they have to run on some ethanol, be a hybrid or have a fuel effeciency of over 8.3 liters per 100 kilometers. The car must also be purchased in Canada.

Canada, once again, is on the right track. This helps those who are looking for a car to actually consider the more fuel effecient. These rewards offer more confidence in buying.

Here is more info . . .
http://www.autonews24h.com/Hybrid-Cars/2352.html

Smoking Heading Out Window

Ontario is cracking down on smoking in the car. Someone finally got it right.

Pressure is coming from all sorts of important people to halt smoking with children in the car. Ontario is in the process of creating a law that fines parents for smoking while kids ride with them.

Many claim that this law would be just like the seatbelt law. Currently, Ontario requries paassengers to wear a seatbealt. They feel that they can make the car even safer by helping older drivers to butt out.

I think that this is a great idea. One of my biggest pet peeves is seeing a parent blowing smoke right down their children's lungs. This is a great law that Ontario has in the works. I can't wait to see what happens with it.

Someone finally got it right.

Here is more info . . .
http://www.autonews24h.com/Driving/2350.html

Out With Old In With Electricity

I have always loved old cars. Speed, luxury, style; they have it all, all except the gas mileage.

The monster V8's and V6's of years past were gas gulpers, but modern technology is coming to the resue.

There is now a man, Johnathan Goodwin, who takes old gas guzzlers and inserts electric motors into them. He completely removes the engine and replaces it, first with a biodiesel engine. This is what the new engine primarily runs on, but with this comes a little added bonus. Electricity.

An electric motor is paired with the diesel and takes over whenever the computer feels the need. This can take the gas mileage up to 100 miles a gallon.

This is such a great idea. I have helped to build some great old stuff, but we have always gotten rid of them because of gas money. This is most likely a problem with many classic owners.

The "Operation" is expensive, but I think that it is a step in the right direction.

Here is the whole story . . .http://www.cnn.com/2007/TECH/11/20/green.hummers/index.html

Another reason to love the south

More and more carmakers are heading southward. We seem to have more charm.

This is bringing more jobs down here and has helped the south to become the new economic leader in the U.S. We tend to have less unions, and work harder. We love our jobs, and we will continue to take as many as we can.

We are also helping car manufacturers to up their profits.

Here is the full story.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/11/01/auto.south/index.html?iref=newssearch

Onstar Stops Thiefs in Their Tracks

GM's Onstar program has already improved the automobile by leaps and bounds, but GM is stepping it up even more.

Onstar sensors in GM's vehicles that tell a database if they have been in a crash, and operators get emergency vehicles on the way. It also has a button where you can call these operators in case of any other type of emergency.

This great technology can now stop a car theft.

When a car is reported stolen, the Onstar system will slowly decrease the car's horsepower slowing the car down. The Onstar system tells the thief that the police are watching them. The brakes and steering will still work as the car sows, but the car will eventually stop. The GPS system shows the police where the vehicle is located.

This kind of technology is amazing. They plan to sell it to other car manufacturers, so who knows, we may all have the privilege to own a great piece of technology like this.


Here is the full story

http://www.autonews24h.com/Auto-Industry/GM-News/2209.html

My New Baby

Early last week my Dad called to tell me that he had just bought a 1953 Willys Army Jeep for $200. He said that he was going to try to find a new home for it.

That home is soon to be Rock Hill, SC. I am having it trailored here in a couple weeks.

My Dad has a body shop and over fall break I am going to work for him. Instead of pay, I get the Jeep. Usually I only have to paint a bumper or two here and there, but this time I think I will be doing some hardcore paint work, which is fine as long as I can call the Jeep mine.

She doesn't run but a little transmission fluid and hopefully she will come out of her slumber. She has been sitting still for a number of years and just needs to be broken loose again.

I am so excited. With a four cylinder she will still be ok to ride around town in and not worry about gas. Up top is a picture of what she will look like, I will get better ones when I see her.

Click on the top Jeep for some history.

Future cars and Favorites

OK, I always thought that we would have flying cars by the year 2000. We would be cruising around like the Jetsons, boy was I wrong.

The cars of the future are looking pretty cool, but tires are still a necessity.

What are some of your favorite cars? Why?

Take a look at this and see if you come up with any new ones.

Look extra hard at the new Subaru WRX Sti, It's my dream car. 300 all-wheel drive horsepower sounds awesome, and 300 lb-ft torque too. I get caught in daydreams about this thing all the time. Hey, maybe, just maybe, I can move up in the Journalism world and get one, guess I better start thinking about another career . . . I kid, I kid.

http://www.roadandtrack.com/article.asp?section_id=12&article_id=5714