By Mark Clarkson

The Toyota Motor Corporation primarily focuses on the manufacturing and production of their products in the automotive market. That is why Toyota remains undisputed in terms of market profitability compared to its competitors. Toyota also opened numerous regional divisions such as Toyota's luxury car manufacturer, Lexus and Scion. And when talking about Toyota and the automotive industry, Toyota will be presenting 27 vehicles the 4th China (Guangzhou) International Auto Exhibition. The auto exhibition is currently on going at the province of Guangzhou in China, and had just started last July 24, 2006.

Toyota will be displaying a total of 27 concept vehicles along with their latest production vehicles. This number is a huge amount and actually is the largest that Toyota has ever presented for such a car exhibition. Toyota would also be joining the Guangzhou Auto Exhibition, well, since Guangzhou Toyota Motor Co. Ltd. (GMTC) had been established and started their operation last 2004. During the mentioned auto show, Toyota will present the new safety technology features of their models such as the Toyota Prius and Toyota Reiz. Safety is one of the main priorities of Toyota Motors' production vehicles.

In addition to these, Toyota will also present a diverse selection of their all-new hybrid concept and production vehicles that include the new Toyota Tundra concept, which will come in availability early this 2007. Also included is the Fine-T concept, the modified version of rugged Toyota RAV4 and Previa, Lexus ES350, Lexus IS300, and GTMC's new production vehicle, the new Toyota Camry. These are only a few of the 27 vehicles that will be displayed during the exhibition. Various products from Toyota and new Toyota parts like Toyota Camry parts will be also featured in the show.

Hoshibi Inaba, the Vice President of Toyota said that: "This year, we began production of the Camry with the world's highest quality levels at a cutting-edge plant in Guangzhou, and it has thus far been extremely well received by customers. Toyota hopes to make contributions, modest though they may be, to the balanced development of an automobile society in China through the provision of various products as well as through environmental and safety initiatives."

By Richard Crittendon

How many times have you thought about giving that old mustang in your garage a new look by going in for an auto detailing? But maybe you were restrained from doing it because of the high costs involved.

Today with all the auto detailing materials available at the neighbourhood auto shop, many people are exploring the option of self auto detailing. Even if you are amateur in auto detailing, with a bit careful planning and knowledge you can look forward to obtain excellent results.

At a basic level auto detailing essentially involves comprehensive cleaning polishing and waxing of vehicle. Although the procedure mainly deals with maintaining the look and of the car, at times even internal parts of the cars are cleaned. Generally done for auto shows and related events, auto detailing proves to be an excellent way to increase self satisfaction and self pride.

There is nothing like the feeling of showing off a shiny car to your pals and watching their eyes gleam with astonishment. Let us look at popular auto detailing steps that people normally undertake.

o Cleaning: This is the first thing done to a car when it is taken for auto detailing. Most of the dirt and dust of on a car, both, inside and outside the car is taken care of by basic cleaning methods which may include cleaning with special cleaning agents or simply wiping with soapy water. Care should be taken not to use harsh detergent based cleaners on a paint job of a car; detergents have chemicals that are harmful to the lustre of the paint and could leave your car look dull.

o Polishing: This is a very time consuming process and takes a lot of patience along with concentration to find the minute imperfections on the paint surface. It is usually done to remove any visual flaws like scratches, water deposits and oxidation marks on the paint surface of a car. Polishes are classified into two types, namely, chemical and abrasive polish. Chemical polish is used to remove oxidation as well as clean the surface while abrasive polish is used to get rid of the clearcoat of the paint. A rubbing compound is usually utilized to clear deep scratches as well as oxidation marks.

o Claying: To remove paint contamination, a clay bar is used. A clay bar requires a lubricant for usage. Water or spray wax can act as a lubricant in claying. Although claying causes no harm to the clearcoat of paint, incorrect use of clay bar can cause dulling of the paintjob. Claying is ideal for removing road grime, tar, tree sap and other external material which stick to the surface of the car.

o Waxing: Done as the last step in enhancing the look and shine of the car, it also enhances the intensity of the paint along with protecting its lecture for a longer time. Wax usually comes in liquid, cream or thick paste like textures. Almost all waxes have a high amount of fatty acids as ingredients in them. At the time of application of the wax, the fatty acids act as a layer between the paint surface and the outside world and prevent the surface from dust, dirt and water. Many Waxes also contain UV protection for longer paint life.

The next time you think of auto detailing, just start by using these basic techniques to make your car shine to its fullest glory.

By Noah Scott

GM's VP of Global Product Development, Jim Queen has told Motor Trend recently regarding their upcoming international car lines. He said that the automaker's Australian RWD platform is going to be used as basis for both the Pontiac G8 and Chevy Camaro. General Motors is also reportedly contemplating on using the same platform for its next generation Cadillacs and of course since GM has already expressed its interest in creating environmentally friendly vehicles you can bet that a GM catalytic converter will be a part of the whole Caddy equation.

The only large RWD car that is not built on this platform is going to be used as the basis for the next Corvette and possibly for the XLR. Queen also said that the C7 Corvette will be equipped with a naturally aspirated V8 and RWD. In terms of power it is expected that C7 will have around 700 horsepower for the top end model. Queen has not commented on the possible selling price of the C7. But he did say, "We're working hard to get the power onto the pavement," further saying that weight and weight distribution are the keys.

Likewise, the twinning of Opel and Saturn will also continue. The freshly built Korean-Opel Antara has been recently launched in the European market and will later be introduced as the 2008 Saturn Vue as announced before at the Chicago Show.

The Saturn will also have body enhancements basing on the Europe-built compact, the Astra.--The three-door and five-door hatchbacks were previously unveiled at the Chicago Auto Show. The sedan and a coupe-cabrio called the TwinTop will make its transition to Saturns as part of the upcoming international car lines of GM.

GM's Vauxhall VXR8 Revealed
It was a really sad day for motoring enthusiasts in Britain when production of the Monaro was stopped. The Monaro is the only Australian-built car to reach the UK market. The Monaro became a hit in the UK for the very reason that it offered raw and exciting performance made possible by its 6.0 litre V8 and RWD set up.

The Monaro was taken off the market by Vauxhall in order to change it with a more powerful model, the Aussie muscle car VXR8. The new powerful saloon is powered by the same 6.0 litre V8 found on the Monaro however the VXR8 will have engine revisions to boost its efficiency. And with its new engine it is expected that the VXR8 will be able to deliver a potent 420PS and 550Nm of torque giving it the ability to sprint from 0 to 60 mph in a matter of 4.9 seconds.

The VXR8 also features practical and spacious boot, climate control, and leather trim. It also contains driving aid features such as stability system and traction control which are very easy to operate with its push button features. The VXR8 is also equipped with 365mm front disc brakes which slow down the car from 60 mph to a complete stop faster than the Lamborghini Murcielago or the BMW M5.

The VXR8 will also be the first VXR model that will have an automatic gearbox. And for an optional £1400 self-shifter the VXR8 will have a manual override and a sport setting which boost its performance. Satellite navigation and 20 inch wheels are also offered as options for those who prefer to set their VXR8 apart from the rest. And the best about the VXR8 is its price which will soon be announced by GM is around half the price of other cars with the same comparable performance.

By Michelle Crimson

It all started back in the United States. Auto dealers as well as finance companies were having a hard time keeping their profits up because of some customers who were what they called financially challenged. The On Time® car device became their rescuer. And now, this car device is out to save more auto dealers and finance companies in the United Kingdom.

The On Time® car device and car system is actually a creation of Payment Protection Systems which is based in the state of California. And now, the company has announced that it will now be expanding its market by offering such a creation to financial institutions in the United Kingdom.

At the Booth No. 455 at the British International Motor Show 2006 which will be held in London, the company would be exhibiting such a creative innovation. Indeed, this would be a good move for anybody and everybody in the automotive community would sure be there to attend such a coveted car show. Of course, these auto shows may not be just the right time to look for the usual Jaguar XJR performance parts, but it sure would be the right time to introduce to the motoring public helpful and creative accessories and innovations like the On Time®.

So what does On Time® do? Well, this creation actually is a patented starter interrupt system. In simple terms, when you pay your dues on time for your vehicle, you can start your car up. However, if you are late in paying what you owe, the On Time® would interrupt the ignition system thus making your car not run. It sure is one very good way of reminding customers of auto dealers and finance companies to pay what they owe.

As per Payment Protection Systems, this company sure is on the verge of reaching out various markets. Mike Simon, the president and founder as well of PPS, states, "We are in the process of expanding our international distribution network as more and more financial institutions around the globe realize the bottom line benefits of the On Time® system as a credit enhancement tool. This latest move represents an exciting new opportunity for us, and we look forward to providing the system to organizations throughout the United Kingdom."

By Ryan Thomas

Purchasers lead the auto industry to an exciting trend consisting of small, chic and fuel-efficient cars. Sales reports lay the fact on the table - small cars create a really big buzz!

Automakers in the industry are now aware of the obvious: the market is swiftly shifting to small fuel-efficient cars. This is why they strive hard to produce cars that tease the fantasies of aficionados.

Earlier, the General Motors Corp. stimulated some publicity with a website asking netizens to vote on which of three super-small vehicle concepts the automaker should build. The auto giant was 'blown away' over positive global response to the concepts. To note, approximately 870,000 votes cast for one of the plucky rides.

The poll conducted is remote from scientific, as the automaker has no way to stop people from weighing in multiple times. Nonetheless, the upsurge of interest has the automaker thinking more seriously about bringing minicars to the United States. "We were pretty blown away," GM spokesman Michael Albano said. "It has certainly opened our eyes to that segment here."

The three minicar concepts include the Chevrolet Groove, Trax and the Beat. The upbeat concepts are part of the automaker's global approach to design and manufacturing. They were designed in Inchon, South Korea, and assembled in the United States and India. GM also builds minicars in other markets. But the automaker has not settled on whether there is compelling enough demand to deliver the minicars to the United States.

Analysts said the potential is growing as fuel price increase and consumers are shifting toward small, fuel-efficient cars. According to statistics, minicars account for about five percent of worldwide market, with some estimates suggesting that they could account for 15 percent within a decade.

GM's mini concepts were unveiled at the New York International Auto Show in April. The Beat is a three-door hatchback that would offer front-wheel-drive high performance. The Trax is a flat-faced micro-SUV, featuring a single molded plastic front end to help reduce weight, tighten its design and advance the vehicle's gas mileage. The Groove, dubbed as the "Funkastalgia," is a five-door model with a lengthened profile and flared fenders created to offer longer, tougher look.

As of Friday, the Chevrolet Groove was leading the vote with 54 percent to the Beat's 37 percent and Trax's nine percent. The online voting, which includes input from around the globe, won't single-handedly drive GM's decision to build here. The automaker still plans to conduct more traditional market research and would have to consider the logistics and costs of producing such a car and selling it in the U.S.

So far, GM has said that it is not likely to bring one of the three vehicles to the United States anytime soon, and none of the three is built to meet U.S. safety standards. After the New York debut, Bob Lutz, GM's product czar, said only a dramatic prolonged increase in fuel prices or an "unforeseen" change in demand for American small cars would justify selling them in the U.S.

But the cyberballots will be greatly considered into decision making at the automaker, GM said. "We're going to get continuous feedback and see what the right portfolio is moving forward," said Courtney Moody, a marketing executive with Chevrolet. "Even if the Groove doesn't come to market, some of what we learn when we put a concept out there, we can use on other vehicles."

The automaker would be wise to get a foothold in the segment in the United States, since consumer demand is trending toward smaller vehicles, said Erich Merkle, a senior auto analyst with consultant IRN Inc. in Grand Rapids. "The generation known as the echo boom, whose parents belong to the baby boom generation, are hitting the age where they're driving their first vehicles and are going to want attractive, affordable options," Merkle noted. "They will, just like their parents, be looking for affordable, economical transportation," he noted. "They're going to want these types of cars."

Customer feedback is essential to the success of the vehicle. This is why automakers are ensuring quality of their product lines. The Nissan control arm, Ford engines, Toyota technology and other auto parts accessories have undergone meticulous testing to deliver superb quality.

By Lance Winslow

Often Automotive Think Tanks will stay within their boundaries - The Auto Industry when doing there thinking. The Online Think Tank takes auto issues very seriously and yet we do not only talk about automobiles, however we are hard core when it comes to that industry and we read all their Online Newsletters, Industry Trade Journals and stay up on all the DOT issues and government regulations as well.

So, today we talked about the Auto Industry in our Online Think Tank for a good 10 hours. What were the topics? Well, we talked about many things, but below is a sample of some of the issues we discussed and are definitely of interest for those who follow the industry, because what is good for our cars, is important to our quality of life and mobility - Freedom:

1. The Bashed the US Auto Makers on Ecology and Now EU Auto Makers Speak Up.

The US Auto Industry lobbied hard against the newest fuel standards, while Toyota and Honda are already there, the US auto industry fought hard to limit the excessive fuel standards. Meanwhile the EU is trying to help their own manufacturers while getting regulations put in place against the US manufacturers, which is hard to do without hurting their own.

"The EU wants to limit CO2 to 120 grams per kilometer by 2015."

The head of several companies said that the deadline was not possible, which is interesting as the EU is using the Global Warming issues to promote its businesses over other industrialized nations, like the US and China. Of course the Germans make many models of large cars, still the Italians and French who make smaller cars still seem to believe they cannot do it, that is to say limit the CO2 that much, but Volkswagon thinks it can, yet still joined the others in lobbying against the tightened emissions.

2. "The 100 MPG Car and the Volkswagon - Can Do Attitude!" Industry Week Reports:

Germany's big automaker Volkswagen said it is planning to make a curiously designed car that will use just one liter (a quarter of a gallon) of fuel per 100 kilometer (62 miles)."We want to put 'one-liter car' on the market by 2010," the group's supervisory board chairman, Ferdinand Piech, told the German daily Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung at Frankfurt's' International Auto Show.

The vehicle is not the most pretty in the world, and its engine only has one-cylinder and is a diesel, but 100 mpg, is attainable they say. Volkswagon says it wants to sell the car for under $5,000 and I bet people in the US right about now would love to have one too. Meanwhile the Chinese are getting ready to flood the US market with new Chinese made automobiles, the first dealership opens in 2008 in New Jersey. The Chinese will have fuel efficient cars, will they sell, probably so.

3. Meanwhile the Chinese Counterfeit Tires then Try to Promote Luxury Bentley Level Car?

Here is an excerpt of an article in a popular Online AutoSpies newsletter:

It appears Chinese companies are just as happy to clone tire designs as they are cars, with Continental the latest manufacturer to suffer lost sales due to fake Chinese imports. However, unlike BMW and Mercedes-Smart, which have yet to take serious action against China's Shuanghuan Auto and its clone-cars, Continental has shown that it's possible to defeat counterfeiters by winning a case against several tire resellers in Germany selling the counterfeit stock. Though only affecting a couple of commercial truck brands, the counterfeiting is still of major concern because customers were buying inferior products that weren't as safe as the originals.

4. President Bush has asked a committee panel to study the US fuel efficiency laws to make sure that the regulations for future fuel economy is actually an attainable number.

This from the White House Website:

The Bush administration will launch a new study next week to estimate what kind of technology automakers will need to raise fuel efficiency over the next 15 years, updating and expanding a 2002 report that's been a benchmark in this summer's energy debate. The National Academy of Sciences panel, which includes environmentalists, independent experts and automotive engineers, will spend the next year working on the report. The panel will hear testimony from federal officials and auto industry executives during its first public meeting in Washington on Monday. With Congress moving toward passing some kind of increase in fuel-economy standards and President George W. Bush ordering his administration to set its own increases by the end of next year, the updated report will act as a road map for many future decisions by federal regulators. The 2002 edition concluded ... that the industry could raise the efficiency of its cars by up to 27 percent and its trucks by 42 percent over a decade -- to roughly 30 miles per gallon -- with no changes in weight, size or performance. U.S. cars and trucks are expected to average 26.4 m.p.g. in the 2007 model year, the highest level ever, according to federal estimates. But automakers have long objected to the 2002 report, saying it overstated the benefits of new technologies and understated the costs and engineering work needed to put them into vehicles.

5. Chrysler Ramps up Fuel Efficient Competition Car and Industry Week states;

That they have an advanced propulsion electric drive vehicle ready to launch, an advancement from their new ENVI Concept Cars from their CTC - Chrysler Technology Center. Mercedes is angry that the Smart Car is being copied by China, BMW and the Toyota Rav 4 copies are also a concern. Germany's Chancellor, is making a complaint to the WTO on China, there are significant problems with these infringements. But spying is not only in the passenger car sector. Auto Racing Spies Get Dusted by Competition - We found this interesting piece in the UK Register:

Formula One team McLaren must pay a $100m fine and has been kicked out of the constructors' championship for spying on rival team Ferrari. The decision by the governing body of the Federation Internationale de L'Automobile (FIA) means McLaren is out of the constructors' championship this year but drivers Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso can continue to compete in the drivers' competition. McLaren did not accept the verdict. In a statement Ron Dennis said: "Having been at the hearing today I do not accept that we deserved to be penalised in this way."

6. The DOT has stated that Bike Lanes take monies away that could be used to make bridge infrastructure stronger.

Bicycles VS Cars, well we know who will win on the street in an accident, and most likely in the courtroom of public opinion, as we do not wish anymore bridges to be collapsed and yet, we need more bike lanes. Bicycle and car accidents kill way too many people each year and Americans are way too fat, they need to exercise too. The Department of Transportation - DOT stated this because they do not consider bicycles a real form of transportation, as very few people use them in that way, most of the bike riding is for recreation and staying in shape. True, but if you never put in bike lanes then no one will ever use them, so it is a self-fulfilling prophesy either way. Well those were all the automotive thoughts from today. Sincerely, Lance.

By Freddic Clay

Motor vehicle theft plagues all parts of the world and despite many efforts to curtail it, it still remains quite a pain for both the victims sometimes as well as law enforcement agencies. However many countries show a declining trend in motor vehicle thefts. Further, the thieves seem to have a greater affinity for some automobiles.

Often referred to as grand theft auto by police departments, the act of stealing motor vehicles has many motivations. And range from chopping and selling automotive parts to resale of vehicles and even for joyriding. In the year 2003 there were 1,261,226 cases of auto thefts in the U.S. which further decreased to 1,237,114 in 2004 showing a decline of 1.91%. The following are the thieves' favorite cars in the USA based on 2004 data.

#1: Honda Civic: Introduced in July 1972 as a two-door coupe, the Honda Civic is the second-longest continuously running nameplate from a Japanese manufacturer. Now five generations old, it has won quite a few accolades throughout its history. Some of them include Road Test magazine's 1974 Car of the Year; Motor Trend's Import Car of the Year; Car and Driver magazine's annual Ten Best; North American Car of the Year and the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) Car of the Year.

#2: Toyota Camry: Now over 6 generations old the Toyota Camry is a mid-size car assembled by Toyota. Launched in the year 1980 it's manufactured at several places around the world, viz. Tsutsumi, Japan; Georgetown, Kentucky; Altona, Victoria, Australia and Guangzhou, China. In the year 2007 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) conferred a five-star safety rating for frontal crashes for both driver and passenger to the car (whether a thief or not!).

#3: Honda Accord: The car made its debut in the year 1976 as a compact hatchback and later grew up in to an intermediate vehicle. Now 8 generations old, the vehicle has received several awards such as the Consumer Search's Best Family Car, Motor Trend's Import Car of the Year, Car of the Year Japan, etc. The car has also been featuring at the European Touring Car scene since 1995. Perhaps, it high value plus the "race-ability" is what makes it attractive for a steal and run operation! Off course, they can split apart its various automotive accessories and the engine and sell it to make money.

#4: The Dodge Caravan: The Dodge Caravan and Dodge Grand Caravan are minivans manufactured by Chrysler. The sister models of the product were the Chrysler Town and Country, and the Plymouth Voyager that later became the Chrysler Voyager. Being produced since the year 1984, the automobile is now in its fifth generation.

#5: Chevrolet Full Size C/K 1500 Pickup: This full-size pickup truck line from Chevrolet continued production from 1960 until 1998. The light-duty pickup truck was replaced with the GMC Sierra in 1988 and the Chevrolet Silverado in 1999.

For more insight into thieves' favorite cars, and automobile theft, kindly follow me through the URL below.

By Mike Bartley

The auto industry has always been known to be a dynamic industry. Year in and year out, car makers look for ways to improve their production vehicles. They focus not only on the performance of their car but also in the looks of these automobiles.

That is why car designers have always played a key role in the auto industry. In connection with this, car makers are always on the lookout for promising students. Lately, the industry has found a new spot where talented car design students thrive: South Korea.

While the country has only a short time of car making history compared to Japanese and Western countries, students from the country are touted to be one of the best in the world. Koreans have been employed by car manufacturers like Nissan and Mercedes-Benz. Some attributes that these South Korean designers have that impressed chief designers from the aforementioned car makers are their technical skills, work ethic, and creativity.

Shiro Nakamura, the chief Creative Officer and Head of Design for Nissan, said that: "When I first saw the sketches that Korean students were drawing, I was utterly shocked. Their design is very emotional and powerful. I hate to say it, but they are miles ahead of Japanese students, both in terms of design sense and technique. There's no comparison". He further said that Nissan will probably hire more Korean designers this year than Japanese ones.

The most known school where South Korean designers come from is the Hongik University which is located in the country's capital. The university is the country's top fine arts school. The Seoul-based school only offered the transportation design course in 1990, last year the number of students accommodated is doubled to 120.

Aside from homegrown talents, South Korea also produced some of the best young designers in the world. On of them is Jae Chung. He did not study in South Korea but out in the West. He graduated from the Art Center in California. Today he is now working for Dodge and the interesting fact is that he penned the Dodge Demon sports coupe currently on display at the 77th Geneva International Auto Show.

Ralph Gilles, the Vice President of Design for Chrysler, has this to say about Chung: "He was born in Korea and went to school in Pasadena. And it's just like anything -you get exposed to the school, you get exposed to Chrysler and Dodge and out comes this new aesthetic."

Another Korean, and also an alumnus of the Art Center, Han Seung Lee landed a job at Honda. Lee, in turn, penned the Sports 4 Concept shown to the public at the Tokyo Motor Show in 2005. This shows that Koreans have what it takes to take on the world of car designing as sure as a Mercedes H&K air filters are efficient when it comes to doing their job.

Another chief designer which expressed admiration toward Korean design students is Koichi Hayashi, Deputy General Manager of Design for Mazda. He said that: "There's a real passion among Korean designers to advance and succeed that exceeds what you see in Japanese students." Currently, he has four Korean designers working for him at their Hiroshima headquarters.

The emergence of South Korea as a source of talented car designers is a good news for Japanese car makers. Due to the similarities in language structure and working culture of Japan and South Korea, Korean designers have an edge over their Western counterparts when applying for a job in any Japanese car company. Furthermore, Koreans are more willing than Westerners to work for relatively low starting salaries offered by Japanese car companies.

According to Nakamura, "all the pieces are in place, right now, young Korean designers are most sought after by Japanese carmakers but they can make it in the West anytime." But Korean students should not rest on their laurels since in the near future - other countries in the world will also be producing design students at par with them. Countries like China, Russia, and India have all invested in training their car design students to be competitive in the auto industry.

By Matthew Keegan

Over the past several years, rumors of a pending "invasion" of the US consumer market by cheaply priced (and cheaply made) Chinese cars have surfaced from time to time.

First, it was Chery Automotive, a company sued by General Motors for having a name too close to Chevy, the nickname for GM's iconic Chevrolet brand. A company set up by Malcolm Bricklin who brought the ill-famed Yugo to our shores in the 1980s was planning to bring these same Chery cars stateside as recently as 2006, but that venture has failed and Mr. Bricklin is in a legal wrangle with his Chinese partners.

Next, it was Brilliance Auto who talked about shipping their cars to the US only to be publicly embarrassed when their flagship Brilliance BS6 (I kid you not, that is the name of this model) failed an important European crash test. Results of that test were posted to YouTube and and can still be found there today. Yes, that is the car's windshield that worked its way loose and went flying...get out of the way!

Lastly, just about every other manufacturer of Chinese cars has also promised to import their cars to the US including several with unpronounceable and clearly unforgettable names. Great Wall Motor (GWM) is one of the easier names to remember, but their cars were kicked out of Italy recently after a judge ruled that one of its models was a replica of the Fiat Panda, a charge that GWM denies.

Brilliance Auto At The 2009 NAIAS

This year's auto show in Detroit (North American International Auto Show or NAIAS) featured a handful of models from select Chinese companies, but none have promised what Brilliance Auto plans to do in 2009: put their cars on display and start selling them the same year in the US.

Brilliance has announced that they will ship their BS6 midsize sedan, BS4 compact car, BC3 sport coupe, and FRV hatchback to Detroit for the 2009 NAIAS and begin selling their cars in America later in 2009. Moreover, company officials promise that by this December each featured model will pass stringent US safety and emissions testing.

Advice For Brilliance

Though I certainly commend Brilliance for their persistence, I can offer some advice to the company before they show up in Detroit this January:

Change the name of your models - In the US, BS doesn't mean Brilliance Sedan - it wouldn't be proper etiquette to explain exactly what these two letters stand for, but it has something to do with cattle excrement.

Build better quality - The federal government will require your cars to pass US tests otherwise no Brilliance model will be allowed to enter US ports. Once you get that down, you need to make sure that your cars can stand the test of time. American drivers are picky and expect their vehicles to last without bumpers falling off, side panels rotting, or windshield panes breaking.

Hire a US PR firm - Work with a US public relations firm who understands the domestic automotive market and be ready to listen to their advice. Some of what they have to say will frustrate you, but be ready to make changes as needed. Hire a crack writing team who can properly translate documents from Mandarin to English flawlessly. American consumers will only laugh at your poorly translated documentation.

Will Brilliance succeed stateside? That depends - their cars have to be of decent quality, priced to sell, and be backed by a generous warranty. You can bet that the first time a Brilliance model is in an accident, news crews will descend to see how it withstood the crash and what damage was realized. If things get ugly, YouTube could become the worst PR nightmare for the fledging Chinese auto industry.

By Joe Thompson

The 2007 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) has already come to an end but it should not a cause for concern for most car lovers and aficionados. You see, the year is just starting and the list of upcoming auto shows are slowly unveiling and it means a lot more chances for people to be with the newest vehicles in the market.

In line with this, there is going yet to be another auto show. However, this one is going to be held in the Chiba Prefecture in the Asian country of Japan. The name of the show? The 2007 Tokyo Auto Salon. The show opens on the 12th this January and ends on the 14th.

During the mentioned show, Asian auto manufacturer Honda would be also showing off some of its best vehicles. In fact, the company has announced that they would be putting on display four of its newest concept vehicles - the Forza Smart 2-seater scooter, the Fit Daily Active, the Stream Exclusive, and the Stream Hyper Sport. These four were created and developed by the Honda Access Corporation, one of Honda's subsidiary manufacturers known much for creating the best Honda aftermarket products and ignition parts.

Honda's theme for this year's Tokyo Auto Salon exhibit is "Be Cool, Be Chic." According to the company, this new theme of theirs would be mainly directed at showing people just how to get around town with a touch of class. After all, the vehicles that the company would be showing off are some of the newest ideas created and developed underneath the company's roofs.

The Honda Fit Daily Active concept vehicle is a small vehicle and it has been developed with the thought of mobile and portable gadgets that has been making its rounds in society. This vehicle comes with cameras and sensors and is mainly targeted towards the young ones who are more inclined to online games and easy means of communication.

The sole and only scooter in the line up is the Honda Forza Smart 2-seater concept. This one bears 250cc and promises to give its user high quality comfort. As per the driving experience, Honda says that the driver of this scooter would find it pleasant to use and would be quite best for easy driving in the city.

As per the Honda Stream Hyper Sport concept, this one has been created to be a medium-sized minivan. When you do take a look at its interior, you would most certainly find tons of features to give you entertainment.

Last on Honda's concept vehicle list is the Honda Stream Exclusive concept which is also another minivan. As compared to the previous minivan, this one gives its users more features on luxury and comfort. Honda claims that this one may be one of those vehicles to join the ranks of uptown cruisers when it comes to luxury.

By Jack Rella

At a news conference from the 2010 North American International Auto Show, Ford was given an extraordinary honor; their 2010 Transit Connect was named Truck of the Year. An innovative design from Ford, it is ideal for small business owners who need to move products from place to place every so often. It is spacious and fuel efficient, yet it is small enough to fit in a driveway. All those things make it a great bargain for people who need plenty of space in a home or business vehicle.

The Transit Connect has a lot of space, and is equipped to carry cargo weighing up to 1,600 pounds. In addition, it has 135 cubic feet of cargo space. But consider the fueling perks as well. At 22 mpg in the city, and 25 mpg in highway driving, it is is perfect for those with a tighter gas budget. No other American vehicle offers such storage capacity and fuel efficiency. Ford has done some terrific things with the Transit Connect to set it above its competitors in both the domestic market as well as the international market.

Consider the physical features of the truck as well. With two side sliding doors and symmetric back doors, taking things in and out of this Ford is a breeze. The loading heights are low, so heavier items will not have to be lifted up terribly high to find placement in the truck. Ford purposely created the Transit Connect to cater to the needs of small business owners. It is affordable, great on the road, and easy to store products in. Perhaps it is for those reasons that the North American International Auto Show found it appropriate to title the Transit Connect "Truck of the Year."

Since 2003, Ford has sold over 600,000 Transit Connects to people all over the globe. In fact, it has been driven in 58 countries on a total of 4 continents. People are still anxious to get their hands on this truck. It has proven itself to be one of the best options for new businesses looking to get their name out and onto the road.

By Joe Ratzkin

Opening this April 22nd up until the 28th next year, 2007, an exhibition of automobile and manufacturing technology would be held. This is according to an announcement given out by the Shanghai International Exhibition Co., Ltd. The grand event is the 12th International Automobile and Manufacturing Technology Exhibition and is better known as the Auto Shanghai 2007.

Where will this be held? If you are interested, you can rush to the Shanghai New International Exhibition Center at the mentioned dates. For this year, the whole event revolves around the theme "Technology and Nature in Harmony" which can be quite in the trend. The announcement also did say that for the 2007 Auto Shanghai, the event would be focusing also on the leading automobile companies in the world although it has not been mentioned if people would be able to purchase auto products like Dodge auto parts, Ford car parts, and the like here.

For this year, the Auto Shanghai 2007 would be using the venue's nine indoor exhibition halls. Seven of those would be for the auto crafters while the remaining two halls would be for auto components. Aside from those indoor halls, there would also be two temporary outdoor halls to be used plus the exterior part of the venue. The announcement from Shanghai International Exhibition Co., Ltd. also did mention that the total area where the exhibition would be taking place would cover more than 140,000 square meters.

Media people can visit the 12th International Automobile and Manufacturing Technology Exhibition on the 20th and the 21st. However, those days given to the media would only be available for domestic and overseas media people. The organizers did mention that such would be so as to better facilitate any reports and questions coming from the journalists. The media people could also ask better and even more comprehensive questions.

On the other hand, for trades people, the days 22nd and 23rd would be kept especially for them while the remaining ones would be for the public.

The Auto Shanghai started out back in the year 1985 and has since evolved into an international auto show.

By Levi Quinn

Each year the new car show circuit captures the attention and imaginations of enthusiasts from all over the world. It is at these events that automotive manufacturers unfurl their new creations and accessory makers show off the latest and greatest gadgets for making cruising more comfortable, classy or just plain fun. If discovering what might make its way to showroom floors in the coming months sounds like fun, the show circuit is worth visiting.

The overall car show circuit covers the world with many major events taking place in the United States and Europe. Events tend to cover the calendar year with some shows bigger than others. Enthusiasts will discover the new car show circuit is extensive. In fact, there are dozens of events the world over. Some events in particular receive major press and are considered the premiere destinations for manufacturers to show off what will be new in a particular year and what prototypes are presently under consideration. These shows are also the ideal place to go to see aftermarket accessories in action.

Some of the bigger events include:

The Chicago Auto Show - This event is more than 100 years old and is considered the biggest show in all of North America based on square footage alone. It takes place each year in February. The show is part of the annual auto show world tour and features more than 1,000 different vehicles. Automobiles include cars, trucks, SUVs, concept cars and even experimental vehicles. Visitors will also find there are a variety of automotive exhibits, competition vehicles, collectors' cars and more on display. The event takes place at McCormick Place in Chicago and does require paid entry.

The Detroit Auto Show - Officially known as the North American International Auto Show, this event rolls into Detroit in January of each year. With a history that dates back more than two decades, this show is a major event in the auto circuit. The 2009 show features more than 55 vehicle debuts, including cars from not only North America, but also all over Europe. Exhibitors include major auto manufactures from North America and such international car makers as Rolls-Royce, Maserati and Lamborghini. The show also features a number of accessory makers.

The Geneva Auto Show - This massive event is the talk of Europe during March. It features manufacturers from all over the world, including an extensive lineup of accessory makers. Enthusiasts will find everything here from tires and GPS systems to car radios, fuels and other electronics.

The Los Angeles Car Show - Set for November each year, this annual event includes hundreds of cars and a variety of displays. Exhibitors include all major American auto makers, most major European and Asian manufacturers and a variety of accessory makers and retailers. Some exhibitors outside automobile manufacturers include Smart Wax, Insurance, the Automobile Club of So. Cal and Euroeffects.

The annual auto show circuit includes events in Paris, New York, Florida and elsewhere. These annual undertakings are the place to go to see what is hot, what is coming and what might be a must buy for a new or used ride.

By Thomas Morva

A car show is a platform for automobile manufacturers to demonstrate their latest cars to consumers. Often it is also the place for them to show their antique cars and at the same time to show concept cars or models of cars under design that will grow to become concept cars of the future.

Car shows began simply as car markets where manufacturers gathered to sell their vehicles to prospective buyers. These unorganized sales of yesterday became the car shows of today and have resulted in a variety of car shows of various types held year-round.

The main types of car shows are the international and national car shows, and the specialty car shows, e.g., the vintage car shows or the British car shows, held in different parts of the country. The purpose of each of these car shows is different.

International and national car shows are big events where every car manufacturer attempts to give a power-packed performance to dazzle the audience. It is not just the cars that are on display but also prestige of carmakers as they try their best to impress the public by showcasing their cars of the past, the present, and the future. The idea is to create an image in the minds of the people so that brand recall is maintained.

There is a lot of buzz generated in both national and international car shows like the Los Angeles Auto show, the New York International Auto Show, the North American International Auto Show, the Seattle International Auto Show, the South Florida Auto Show, the Washington Auto Show, and others. International media are usually present to report the most dazzling news from the world of cars. A lot of negotiations happen, and deals are finalized at these car shows. In this way, the original purpose of car shows, which is to buy and sell cars, remains intact.

Other car shows, like the vintage car shows or the British car shows, are held by car enthusiasts across the United States to recreate the glory of vintage cars. These shows have events like rallies where the owners proudly compete for the best prize. Such car shows have become the pride of the places where they are held and have become one prime tourist pullers wherever they are held.

The SEMA Show is a leading automotive specialty products trade show in the world. Held annually in the Las Vegas Convention Center, the show attracts more than 120,000 industry experts from over 100 nationalities, thus creating huge business opportunities in the automotive, truck and SUV and RV markets.

The Specialty Equipment Market Association or SEMA exhibition throughout its history has been held during the first week of November and on a Tuesday. However, last year's show (SEMA Show 2007) was held from October 30-November 2, 2007. However, the exhibition is NOT open to general public!

Just like the previous years, the 2007 exhibition was a grand success. The SEMA Show 2007 attracted about 60,000 domestic and international buyers for exhibits organized in ten categories. The intriguing part of the show was New Products Showcase where more than 2,000 newly introduced parts, tools and components were displayed. The exhibits alone occupied two million square feet of exhibits.

The show features state of the art products falling under 10 categories, 3 of which are given below:

1. Business Services:This category entails services with a focus on automotive industry and showcases hardware, software, computers, financial services, store fixtures, warehouse equipment, fleet services, personnel & human resources services and systems, CAD systems and consultants.

2. Hot Rod Alley:The products featured in this category include street rod/hot rod custom and specialty parts, tires and accessories, bodies, alternators, catalytic converters, brake systems including disc brakes, electrical systems and components, chassis parts, gauges, aluminum radiators, exhaust systems,valve covers, sheet metal, shocks, and wiring kits.

3. Mobile Electronics & Technology:This category includes sound systems, LCD video devices & systems, MP3, DVD, CD, satellite radio, telematics, security systems, CB, GPS, on-board technology, antennas, cellular telephones and accessories, computer chips and PROMs and radar detectors.

By Francisco Segura

Washington is no exception to other U.S states in that all drivers are expected to have a certain minimum level of insurance. This of course is a prudent way to drive, as one cannot factor in the myriad random accidents that could possibly take place. The Washington Department of Licensing has outlined this mandatory coverage. Actually, this makes the drivers a more responsible set, as they are aware that they are the ones who will be held responsible in the event of an accident caused by them. Auto insurance is necessary and Washington auto insurance quotes are a good way to set about it.

All drivers in Washington carry an insurance identification card and show it if requested to by a traffic enforcement officer. The non-production of this card can result in a fine that can go as high as $450.It is a misdemeanor to falsify information for insurance purposes. Once you have decided that you need insurance for your vehicle, it is important to fill up the forms with true details so that there is no falsification, which could lead to indictment. Washington auto insurance quotes, simplifies the procedure for you. Once you log onto the Internet, insurance professionals who can guide you to filling up the forms correctly will immediately approach you.

Washington auto insurance quotes will connect you to the relevant insurance professionals in your area and you can either get the quotes from them and make up your mind in the comfort of your home, or alternatively you can access the list of insurance offices in your area and approach them with your profile and insurance needs as regards your vehicle. This of course would be more time consuming than the insurance professionals coming to you and giving you their respective quotes. Washington auto insurance quotes work rapidly by processing the information that you give and factoring in your needs like the budget and the degree of coverage, If you own more than one car, there are insurance policies that give you a discount on several counts.

Washington auto insurance quotes are comprehensive in outlining your needs versus how much coverage can be maximized on a smaller premium. It may be possible that until now you have been paying a higher premium for fewer benefits. By going through the different merits offered on your quotes, you can choose an optimum return for the premium that you pay and you will be monetarily safeguarded in any eventuality.

Ultimately, you will benefit tremendously from choosing to go with the Washington auto insurance quotes because firstly, you get to choose an insurance policy that covers your vehicle comprehensively for lower premiums and secondly you are saved the worry of having to scour through hundreds of insurance companies to rustle up insurance. Worries are dispensed with when you sensibly opt for Washington auto insurance quotes as the first step to a secure driving future.

By Brenda Williams

Auto shows are becoming popular in today's times. They are so popular that many people who have the means and inclination to do so travel all over the country just to attend an event. But these auto shows are not just about flashing some good-looking models or showing off the high motor combustion. The real value is the ability to bring the knowledge of business to a number of potential consumers. In other words, the success of an auto show lies not in the presentation of the vehicles, but upon the business that it attracts throughout the show.

Car shows take place all over the world. The Frankfurt auto show that focuses on German engineering is considered to be the biggest show in Europe. Here you will find almost every European car manufacturer and the show has also attracted a number of Chinese car makers. The Chinese brands are trying to enter the Europe and US car market, which is why they are making their presence known at the Frankfurt auto show.

The International Geneva Motor Show is an annual auto show that takes place in the Swiss city of Geneva. This year, the Geneva -Motor show took place March 4th-16th in 2008. The Geneva motor show is a niche event and here, niche players get an opportunity to showcase their own motors and marvel at the many different displays available.

If you consider Paris, it is all about design. The auto show in Paris is dominated by French car makers like Renault, Peugeot, Citroen and others. Here you will get to see some of the quirkiest designs that exist around the world and there are also a number of launches that take place at the Paris show as well.

The Detroit auto show showcases all American brands with big-ticket launches. There are also shows to be seen in the cities of Los Angeles and New York. Auto makers from the above three mentioned cities; enjoy the limelight while they are displaying their most interesting debutants and their exhibits.

The Shanghai motor show has its own importance because of the growth and development of the Chinese market. This is one of the main reasons why the Auto Expo has expanded in recent years. The expo has become an important event, with the help of India and its remarkable growth story about its component and small car expertise.

The Tokyo show, which is also known as the tech show, gives people an opportunity to become familiar with Japanese technology. The local car makers come up with their own surprise launches and although Tokyo is not known for their big brand launches, the show is still full of an exciting and magnificent spectacle of cars.

The Auto Expo of 2008, which was held on January 10th, is quickly becoming one of the largest automotive expositions in Asia. Big name automakers got an opportunity to display their cars. The impressive list included international auto majors like Volkswagen, General MOTORS, Toyota, Ford, BMW, Fiat, Honda, Audi, Porsche, and Suzuki. Also, Indian vehicle manufacturers such as Tata Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra and Ashok Leyland among others, displayed impressive range of concept cars and new car products.

By Matthew Keegan

Few cities in the world are as dependent on one industry as Detroit is when it comes to automobiles. Decades ago, the southeastern Michigan city hitched its fortunes to the auto industry which has resulted in spectacular times as well as many years of financial want. These days, Detroit and some of its surrounding communities are virtual zombie towns, occupied by the living dead who don't quite know that they are indeed dead.

To be fair, Detroit has produced some amazing products down through the year - whether designed locally or built elsewhere - the Ford Mustang, Chrysler's minivans, Jeep, and the Chevrolet Corvette are among the many models which represent the best of America's automotive fleet. Unfortunately, arcane management practices, outdated union rules, and stiff competition has taken the sheen off of the Detroit glitter, putting the city in the precarious place that it finds itself today.

One of the crown jewels of the beleaguered city is its annual auto show which has earned the title of North American International Auto Show due to its proximity to Windsor, Ontario and for the reason it is considered to be the premier event in two countries for the introduction of new automobiles. Annually, as many as seven thousand members of the international press show up at Detroit to get a glimpse of new models, to network, and to report on the industry. Hundreds of millions of dollars is poured into the gritty city, funds which help bolster the financial position of Detroit.

This coming show will be a bit more subdued as the world passes through one of the most difficult financial crises seen in decades. The NAIAS is not immune to pain as several automakers have announced that they will stay away from the upcoming show. Perhaps most surprising was the recent announcement that Nissan - one of Japan's Big Three automakers - would not appear at the Detroit show (or Chicago in February) choosing to conserve its marketing funds.

Nissan now joins Suzuki and Mitsubishi as three Japanese automakers who are forgoing the Detroit show along with Rolls-Royce, Ferrari, Land Rover, and Porsche who previously announced that they would not be in attendance either.

For the city of Detroit, the absence of any automaker is a bit of a sting, but for others it becomes an opportunity to find some space at the crowded Cobo Center. Brilliance Automotive is one of the Chinese brands who will likely petition to occupy Nissan's space, a move that could give the automaker prime marketing real estate in advance of selling several models stateside later in the year. Inadvertently, Detroit may be making it easier for one more competitor to gain entrance to the competitive American market, low cost cars from China which will certainly provide more pressure on General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler during a tough economic decline.

By Irwan H Nuswanto

All over the world several motor shows are organized. The Geneva motor show is one of the best shows in this category. There are many cars which are really exotic, unavailable and superlative which are so gorgeous that they come under the super cars category. And in fact this show is one of the greatest auto shows of the world. Geneva participates actively in the motor shows.

The 2010 organization of annual Geneva auto show had in fact taken place in the month of March from 4th March to 14th March. This show is actually considered as one of the leading motor shows of the world. This auto show was held in the Switzerland's city of Geneva. The show was organized at the Geneva Palexpo which in fact is a principle centre located next to the Geneva Cointrin International Airport.

Geneva has came back again on the right track for displaying new auto models in order to fulfill customer's basic needs of the cars. In fact, Geneva show is being opened to the news media on Tuesday and Wednesday. This motor show is open to the public on Thursday. Geneva auto show is proud to announce the exhibition of thirty two world premiere production cars and dozen number of concept cars.

The opening time of Geneva motor show 2010 during the week days was organized from 10 am to 8 pm at their local time and on weekends from 9 am to 7 pm. The tickets of the show were available online.

This International Show which is a yearly auto show held in the month of March in the Swiss city of Geneva. The show is organized at the Geneva Palexpo which is organized by the Organization Internationale des Constructeurs d'Automobiles. This auto show has been considered as a chief international auto show.

Really, the show was first and foremost held in the year 1905. The show had organized nearly all the main internal combustion engined models ever produced in the history of the automobile, in conjunction with benzene and steam-powered cars from the commencement of the century.

There are many exotic super cars which are really so gorgeous so as to take the spotlight all through their debuts at the auto show. Apart from all these facts prototypes high quality equipped with the new equipment, technical breakthroughs, international partnerships, as well as political and social debates, were the chief points which were placed on the topmost position in the priority list for announcement at the exhibition. The show has been regarded, for the world's automakers, as a level playing field.

By Gregg Hall

If you are going to be attending an international car show then there are so things that you will need to think about before you go. You will need to check with your family and make sure that is what they want to do. Also you will need to plan out for flight and hotel plans before you leave because there is nothing worse then getting to an event and not having any plans and not being able to find a hotel then you would be out of luck and would probably be stuck in some little room.

The first thing that you will need to do when planning out your trip is always know the dates of a car show that is international. The only worst thing that I can think of is for you to lose track of the months and for you to spend all that money on just a plane ride. That would be a disaster and therefore would cost you thousands of dollars that you just threw away because you got careless and didn't check the dates.

After you have checked the dates and made sure all is well then you need to start trying to find a hotel in the area of the event. Nothing will be worse then having to sleep in your rental car the night or day before the show. You will always want to get a room lined up so as soon as you get there you can just go dump all your luggage off and go exploring the area in which you are in. after you have a room reserved you should start looking for a rental car you will want to get a rental car that is cheap and you might even be able to ship your car over there to showcase in the exhibition.

Who knows you might enter your vehicle and win every category, that will be worth the trip alone to win a contest international and then come back to the states and be able to say yeah man I won a car show in Portugal and won every spot not just the tuner division. I had a friend that did just that with his 1997 Honda civic. All he wanted to do was go over there and get a paintjob and his interior done in leather and he ended up winning thing. That is the whole meaning of upgrading and building a car. Being able to ship it over seas and go to an international car show and shut it down American style with a tuner. Not many people can go over seas and win but it is always a good chance if you have a nice looking ride. Even though it may cost a lot to ship your car over it will still be worth it to come back and say you won a car show when you were just going to an international event to gander.

By Kimberly Meyer

During the upcoming 2006 British International Motor Show this 18th of July up until the 30th of the same month, the Mazda Motor Corporation would be out to show off to the world its new Mazda MX-5. This would be the very first time for the company to show the world this vehicle. In fact, this vehicle comes with a power retractable hard top which is one feature that Mazda is very proud of. Aside from this vehicle, Mazda would also be revealing to the public the Mazda BT-50 which is a one-ton pickup truck.

The Mazda MX-5 that would be shown off during this auto show would be having the power retractable hard top roof which is quite unique. This would be quite an addition to this third generation of Mazda MX-5s. Mazda claims that this new vehicle would be offering a unified sense of driving exhilaration. In fact, it is a lightweight sports car that offers diversity and distinctiveness in all features that it offers.

Mazda says that this vehicle's essence is known as the "Jinba Ittai" which actually means "rider and horse as one". It simply means that with this new Mazda MX-5, there would be an emotional connection between the driver and his horse which is the vehicle itself. Do not be confused though if you hear the names Mazda MX-5 Roadster Coupe, Mazda Roaster Power Retractable Hard Top, and Mazda MX-5 (Miata) Power Retractable Hard Top. These names all refer to the Mazda MX-5 and these are used in Europe, Japan, and North America, in that order.

As per the new one-ton Mazda BT-50 truck, this heavy truck comes with a powerful 2.5 liter Direct Injection Turbo Diesel engine which is quite new to the company. In fact, it is during this year's British International Motor Show that such a diesel engine would be featured and shown off the European public. However, this engine that the Mazda BT-50 truck has already been part of the Bangkok Motor Show just last March where it made its world debut.

By Joe Thompson

The Geneva Motor Show is also known as the Salon International de l'Auto. Each year in March, auto aficionados, car makers, auto journalists, and just about everybody in the auto industry all trudge up to the city of Geneva in Switzerland. You see, this auto show is one of the largest gatherings of everybody in the industry.

For years, this auto show has showcased almost all kinds of vehicles and automobiles. It has also been the place wherein great vehicles have been unveiled. It has also become the venue for the boasting of automakers of tons of concept vehicles and production vehicles.

This year, it does look like the Geneva Auto Show has gone with what the auto industry is clamoring for and they are going to be dwelling on green vehicles, green techniques, and everything environment friendly that could be used in the industry. And journalists are saying that such can be because the auto makers themselves are making the move towards creating greener vehicles that would battle out the pollution issue that has been quite hot in the past few months.

It sure does look like the Geneva Auto Show is going green. In fact, at the days meant for the media, the organizers of the show did state that they would be looking into new vehicle models that are greener as well as looking into new green technologies. "This time we will have an environmental show in Geneva," shares Willi Dietz. Dietz is an expert from the Nuertingen University of Germany and he looks into the trends going in the car industry. So most possibly, if a vehicle can be equipped with tail lights or catalytic converters that would not add to the pollution or the additional heat to the environment, most auto makers would be going for such.

What vehicles would possibly be joining in the show? It does look like the Toyota Motor Corporation would be joining in with its new concept car named the Hybrid X and this one is said to come using an electric motor and would be getting its power from a battery. Honda would also be showing off a new concept vehicle that comes as a hybrid sports car. Daihatsu would also be showing of its environment friendly small car named the Cuore.

By Benjamin Hudson

Skoda Auto, the Czech automaker subsidiary of Volkswagen and recipient of quality VW parts such as VW alternators, --- will be presenting the Octavia designed for the local market in China at the International Motor Show in Shanghai. The engine portfolio for the Octavia that would be presented in Shanghai includes the supercharged 1.8 TSI/118 kW, the 1.6 MPI/75 kW, and the 2.0 FSI/110 kW.

The company will be presenting one of its oldest products that have appeared in 1906 at the Prague Motor Show and for this year it will once again exhibit the Laurin & Klement Voiturette A at the Shanghai Motor Show.

Aside from the Octavia, the Czech automaker will also present some of its other vehicles namely the Octavia RS, the Octavia Scout and the Superb L&K. And to show its long years of support to the Tour de France, the company will introduce a Skoda Superb vehicle that is custom-fitted to meet the needs of the organizers of the famous cycling competition.

The agreement on the joint venture between Skoda Auto and Shanghai Volkswagen was signed on April 11, 2005. Then last march 2006, SVW Skoda has officially started building its sales as well as its maintenance organization. And for this year, specifically last March 28, 2007 the company has officially launched the first of the new exclusive SVW Skoda dealership that meets up with the brand's worldwide standards. The production of the Skoda Octavia in Shanghai would start in the middle of this year. The production of the Fabia together with the Superb model lines are to follow later on.

The production in China is just one of the cornerstones of Skoda's expansion program that includes other assembly project sin Ukraine, Bosnia, Kazakhstan, and Herzegovina and later on in Russia. The execution of the growth strategy in China is a vital part of the plan to establish Skoda as an international brand or as a large-volume manufacturer.

For its medium-term plans, the Czech automaker is expecting to sell over 100,000 vehicles a year to customers in China after obtaining the full capacity of its Shanghai plant and after launching the production of all three model lines that were scheduled for production in China.

Skoda Auto was able to sell 549,667 vehicles last 2006 and significantly surpassed the previous estimated half million vehicles that are to be produced last year. Comparing this figure to 2005 the sales went up by 11.7 percent making the 2006 as the most profitable year in the entire history of the Skoda brand.

500,000th Skoda Octavia built...
The Skoda Auto plant based in Mlada Boleslay has been able to produce the 500,000th Skoda Octavia which is the Czech automaker's best-selling model line at present. The 500,000th Octavia is a silver RS with potent 2.0 TFSI petrol engine.

It can be remembered that the new-generation Skoda Octavia was launched in the spring of 2004. This was followed by the production of the Octavia Combi and Octavia Combi 4x4 that were produced in the autumn of the following year, 2005. The model portfolio was extended with the Skoda Octavia RS and Skoda Octavia Combi RS---both family sports cars. For this year, Skoda has extended the Octavia line with the leisure time Octavia Scout.

The popularity of the Octavia is translated in the sales results that the company obtains. Likewise, the new-generation Skoda Octavia was also awarded as the Car of the Year for 2005 in the Czech Republic. The Octavia was also awarded car of the year in other countries like Finland, Lithuania, Great Britain, Bosnia, and Bulgaria.

By Margaret Adams

Auto makers are surely prepping up their collection of vehicles that would go on display on whatever automobile or car show there is. And one international brand, Mazda, is making the Auto China 2006 no exception.

The Mazda Motor Corporation just most recently announced that during the Auto China 2006 which will be held in the Asian city of Beijing, the company would be exhibiting not only some of its top production vehicles but the company would also be showing off a couple of its concept vehicles. There would be two Mazda concept vehicles that would be gracing the show. One is the Mazda SASSOU which the Mazda B20 pickup parts creator claims to be an innovative concept vehicle that comes as a hatchback with three doors. Another concept vehicle from the auto manufacturer would be the sports car concept Mazda SENKU. The Mazda SENKU is claimed to hold a rotary engine and holds four seats. Plus, the company also does say that this one is going to be the kind of vehicle the future will have.

Both these concept vehicles are fairly new. The Mazda SASSOU was actually built and designed in the company's Europe design center. In fact, this concept vehicle is going to make its Asian debut at the Auto China 2006 event. As per the Mazda SENKU, this one was created in the Japan center and it has already been introduced to the motoring public during last year's Tokyo Motor Show.

Aside from the mentioned vehicles, this motor show will also be the very event where the company would also be using its new international motor show stand design for a motor show in China. According to Mazda, they would be doing such so as to let everybody else see that the company is focused on showing off their global brand message which is the Zoom-Zoom.

So what other vehicles are going to be part of the Mazda troop?

Aside from the two previously mentioned concept vehicles, another concept vehicle to grace the show would be the Mazda5 Hydrogen RE Hybrid which would be making its China premiere. Reference vehicles that would be joining the show are the Mazda5, and the Mazda MX-5 Power Retractable Hard Top. Technical vehicles that show off the kind of technology the company has are the Hydrogen RE Hybrid Engine cut model, the RENESIS engine cut model, and the Smart Idling Stop System Engine cut model. Vehicles already in the market would be the Mazda3, the Mazda6, and the Mazda RX-8.

By Brenda Williams

Auto shows are becoming popular in today's times. They are so popular that many people who have the means and inclination to do so travel all over the country just to attend an event. But these auto shows are not just about flashing some good-looking models or showing off the high motor combustion. The real value is the ability to bring the knowledge of business to a number of potential consumers. In other words, the success of an auto show lies not in the presentation of the vehicles, but upon the business that it attracts throughout the show.

Car shows take place all over the world. The Frankfurt auto show that focuses on German engineering is considered to be the biggest show in Europe. Here you will find almost every European car manufacturer and the show has also attracted a number of Chinese car makers. The Chinese brands are trying to enter the Europe and US car market, which is why they are making their presence known at the Frankfurt auto show.

The International Geneva Motor Show is an annual auto show that takes place in the Swiss city of Geneva. This year, the Geneva -Motor show took place March 4th-16th in 2008. The Geneva motor show is a niche event and here, niche players get an opportunity to showcase their own motors and marvel at the many different displays available.

If you consider Paris, it is all about design. The auto show in Paris is dominated by French car makers like Renault, Peugeot, Citroen and others. Here you will get to see some of the quirkiest designs that exist around the world and there are also a number of launches that take place at the Paris show as well.

The Detroit auto show showcases all American brands with big-ticket launches. There are also shows to be seen in the cities of Los Angeles and New York. Auto makers from the above three mentioned cities; enjoy the limelight while they are displaying their most interesting debutants and their exhibits.

The Shanghai motor show has its own importance because of the growth and development of the Chinese market. This is one of the main reasons why the Auto Expo has expanded in recent years. The expo has become an important event, with the help of India and its remarkable growth story about its component and small car expertise.

The Tokyo show, which is also known as the tech show, gives people an opportunity to become familiar with Japanese technology. The local car makers come up with their own surprise launches and although Tokyo is not known for their big brand launches, the show is still full of an exciting and magnificent spectacle of cars.

The Auto Expo of 2008, which was held on January 10th, is quickly becoming one of the largest automotive expositions in Asia. Big name automakers got an opportunity to display their cars. The impressive list included international auto majors like Volkswagen, General MOTORS, Toyota, Ford, BMW, Fiat, Honda, Audi, Porsche, and Suzuki. Also, Indian vehicle manufacturers such as Tata Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra and Ashok Leyland among others, displayed impressive range of concept cars and new car products.

By Matthew Keegan

Few cities in the world are as dependent on one industry as Detroit is when it comes to automobiles. Decades ago, the southeastern Michigan city hitched its fortunes to the auto industry which has resulted in spectacular times as well as many years of financial want. These days, Detroit and some of its surrounding communities are virtual zombie towns, occupied by the living dead who don't quite know that they are indeed dead.

To be fair, Detroit has produced some amazing products down through the year - whether designed locally or built elsewhere - the Ford Mustang, Chrysler's minivans, Jeep, and the Chevrolet Corvette are among the many models which represent the best of America's automotive fleet. Unfortunately, arcane management practices, outdated union rules, and stiff competition has taken the sheen off of the Detroit glitter, putting the city in the precarious place that it finds itself today.

One of the crown jewels of the beleaguered city is its annual auto show which has earned the title of North American International Auto Show due to its proximity to Windsor, Ontario and for the reason it is considered to be the premier event in two countries for the introduction of new automobiles. Annually, as many as seven thousand members of the international press show up at Detroit to get a glimpse of new models, to network, and to report on the industry. Hundreds of millions of dollars is poured into the gritty city, funds which help bolster the financial position of Detroit.

This coming show will be a bit more subdued as the world passes through one of the most difficult financial crises seen in decades. The NAIAS is not immune to pain as several automakers have announced that they will stay away from the upcoming show. Perhaps most surprising was the recent announcement that Nissan - one of Japan's Big Three automakers - would not appear at the Detroit show (or Chicago in February) choosing to conserve its marketing funds.

Nissan now joins Suzuki and Mitsubishi as three Japanese automakers who are forgoing the Detroit show along with Rolls-Royce, Ferrari, Land Rover, and Porsche who previously announced that they would not be in attendance either.

For the city of Detroit, the absence of any automaker is a bit of a sting, but for others it becomes an opportunity to find some space at the crowded Cobo Center. Brilliance Automotive is one of the Chinese brands who will likely petition to occupy Nissan's space, a move that could give the automaker prime marketing real estate in advance of selling several models stateside later in the year. Inadvertently, Detroit may be making it easier for one more competitor to gain entrance to the competitive American market, low cost cars from China which will certainly provide more pressure on General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler during a tough economic decline.