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What the car industry thinks about a carbon tax…

… might surprise you. Our editorial board just had a very interesting and informative meeting with Kevin Williams, president of GM Canada, Neil Macdonald, vice-president of same, and Faye Roberts, communications director. We talked about a lot of things (and I got to test drive a Volt!) but the thing I found most surprising was that GM is not four-square against carbon taxes. In fact, Macdonald (who’s clearly studied this thoroughly) explained that putting a price on carbon could be better for the industry than just imposing emissions standards (which is what Canada and the U.S. are doing now.) Here’s a paraphrase of what Macdonald explained to us: If governments simply tell car makers they have to improve their technology, the manufacturers will pass those costs along to consumers. That makes cars more expensive. That means people will be less likely to buy them as often. The bad news there, for the environment, is that the roads will have fewer of the fancy new cars

Vintage Cars, La Habana, Cuba 2011/11 (2)

Which Cars Cost Least to Repair?

CBSMoney Watch just released a list of the least expensive cars to maintain and repair. Toyota came out on top, with Honda, Nissan and Volkswagen following close behind. Data was received from various mechanics, repair shops, and a car-owners survey, and ranks manufacturer and individual car models, combining frequency of repairs and repair cost to achieve an overall rating. The 2009 Toyota Corolla came out on top as the top-ranked model.  The Corolla has infrequent trips to the shop and when it DOES go into the shop, repairs totally an average of $45.84. Hyundai has been it a priority to decrease repair frequency, and it is evident with their rating. Hyundai was the first to release a 10-year, 100,000 mile warranty to consumers. They have seen a strong performance from the Elantra. The 2011 Hyundai Sonata ranked sixth on the list of models over all. In order to prevent major repairs, it is important to have your car on a regular maintenance schedule. Visit: http://www.liacars.com/loca

My first car.

Work up this morning and my wife tole me that they were talking about fist cars. So we got to talking about it. My first car that I was given to drive was a 1975 chrysler Newport. It was a large four door sedan thats could be considered an urban assault vehicle. It was nineteen and a half feet long and 6 and a half feet wide. My friends and I referred to it lovingly and the pickle, due to its wonderful exterior color of green and interior of white. It had a hugh engine (400 big block.) and guzzled gas like a thirsty camel. The gas problem wasn’t such a big deal back then. it was the early 90′s and gas was 88 cents a gallon.  No matter the size or troubles I had with the pickle it was my first car and the time that my friends and I had with it will never be forgotten. So now that you know about my first car, let me hear about you first car. go to http://americangears.wordpress.com and let me know what was your first car.

Classic Vehicle Restoration Show a success

THE nation’s love of car restoration is going from strength to strength, according to the organisers of the foremost restoration show in the UK. More than 5,500 people visited the 11th Footman James Classic Vehicle Restoration Show, held at the Bath & West Show Ground, Shepton Mallet on November 5 and 6. They were treated to a wealth of restorers and classic car clubs, who were running live displays and offering advice to restorers or those contemplating a restoration project. There was also a successful auction of vehicles and automobilia, with top price going to a Jaguar MkII at £17,500. For car clubs and exhibitors, the highlight of the weekend was the show awards. Best club stand Somerset Triumph Sports Six Club with their saucy interpretation of a drag strip. Runners-up were the team from the Norton Radstock Classic Vehicle Club. The Somerset Classic and Track Club took the prize for Best Demonstration, with Latifa Estates winning Best Trade Stand. Nigel Stevens, of show organ

[Testimonial] Another Happy Bar’s Leaks Carbon Fiber Block Seal (p/n HG1) Customer

Here’s another testimonial, this time for our Bar’s Leaks Carbon Fiber Block Seal (p/n HG1), one of the strongest head gasket and cooling system products we’ve ever developed. We’ve told you before it’s $60 at retail, but worth every penny — especially when it can save you over $3,000 in hard-repair costs. It’s pro-grade in every respect. A couple days ago, Sachin from Phoenix, AZ submitted a testimonial on our website to tell us about how he took a $60 gamble on our Carbon Fiber Block Seal product. Sachin writes: Bar’s Leaks Head Gasket & Cooling Sealant Part Number: HG1 — This product is really good. My car was having the head gasket leak because I saw it was reducing the considerable amount of coolant within a week and also having the proble while starting due to leaks (Generally the coolant will move in the combustion chamber and will create problem while startup). We we used this product it really worked without any issues.

Cars I’ve owned – 2001 Renault Laguna Expression 1.6L

I have has a fair few different cars in my possession over time. Cars of all different shapes, sizes, manufacturers and colours. It was March 2010 when I proudly owned this wide silver buoyant piece of French efficiency. To drive this car was like flying a magic carpet (I imagine so anyway). The steering felt as light as a feather as a I guided myself comfortably through the streets of west Kent and East Sussex. I used to love the feel of being behind the wheel of that gentle Behemoth, the smoothness in travelling through the topsy turvy roads of East Sussex. This car was relatively cheap to buy, £800, and pretty cheap to insure too. The model I had was a nice silver, the sort of car to turn up to a business meeting in and look professional. Whilst a lot of people in my age group are still driving in Fisher Price hatchbacks, I felt I was a different calibre of driver with the Laguna (wait for later reviews for me to be knocked the pedestal) This was my first car and it was an absolute

Ford Gives Its Mustang A Face Lift

LOS ANGELES — (WWJ) With the “pony car” competition heating up, Ford is updating its Mustang for 2013, in advance of a total overhaul in another year or so. This comes as the Mustang has been losing ground to Chevy’s new Camaro in the sales race, and the top of the line Shelby GT 500 Mustang is about to face new competition in a ZL-1 Camaro. The 2013 Mustang will have a fresher look and more technology. “The new Mustang is the perfect example of continuing to build on excellence. It takes the greatness of the 5.0-liter and V6 and pushes the refinement to the next level,” said Dave Pericak, Mustang chief engineer, in a statement released by the company. . “The car has been spot-on functionally and now we’re adding more features and technology to further improve the driver’s experience.” The updated model goes on sael in the spring. A press release from Ford describes it this way says it “offers a more aggressive design with a significantly more prominent grille. A more powerful sp

About Magic Auto – Maruti Dealer

Magic Auto Pvt.Ltd.-One of the fast growing dealer of Maruti Suzuki in Delhi We made a modest beginning in 1972 in Automobile business in the name of “Guru Nanak Motors” and started an organized business of financing and leasing of cars in the name of “Magic Leasing and Finance Pvt Ltd” in 1989 from an office in Connaught Place, New Delhi.In 1993 we became financial partners of Bank of America for financing of cars. Judging by our market reputation in the field which we were able to build up by putting in years of hard work , we were appointed as a Dealer of Maruti Suzuki in 2004 for West Delhi and our first showroom was activated in July, 2004. Since then,we have been on a consistent growth path. Today in 2011, we have Four Showrooms, Three workshops, One True Value Showroom and One Maruti Driving School. With combined sales of around 10000 cars and service of around 50000 cars in a year and Group Turnover of around 450 Crores , Magic Auto in a brief span of 6