Hyundae profits up

* Hyundai Motors has had a big year, and the results are showing in the form of healthy profits. The Korean automaker earned $1.75 billion in the first quarter, up 46 percent versus the first quarter of 2010, while overall sales were up 21 percent to $17 billion.

* Hyundai's fortunes are rising worldwide. It's sales volume -- the number of vehicles it sold -- was up 9% to 922,000. Much of that increase occurred in plants in the U.S. and China, where output climbed by 14 percent. Hyundai is also benefiting from selling higher-priced vehicles to its customers, a result of greater consumer confidence in the brand as it has posted consistently higher quality scores. Prices for Hyundai branded vehicles are 2.5% higher in Korea, but 14% higher in other markets.

* The story was very different for Honda Motor Co. in its earnings report. The Japanese automaker's profits were hammered by the effects of the Earthquake and tsunami in its own home country. Honda's earnings were down 38% in its fiscal fourth quarter in large part because its production of cars and SUVs is way down because of damaged plants and a shortage of parts.

* Honda and other Japanese car makers are trying to restore full production operations after last month's earthquake and tsunami damaged parts factories and power plants, causing shortages of parts and and electricity to run even plants that were spared the devastation.

* Honda said it expects its global output to return to normal levels by the end of the year. But in the meantime, availability of many models will be short at Honda dealerships.

Prtecting urself against insurance fraud

If you become a victim of car insurance fraud, you pay. Not only will you pay higher premiums because you may acquire a costly claim, but, as with any car accident, you and your family could pay with your lives.

First, it is important to know what types of insurance scams are used. There are many types of car insurance scams. Set-up car accidents can range from vehicles deliberately stopping in front of a driver to cause a rear-end car accident to drivers who pretend they are being helpful but intend to cause a car accident that will look like the innocent drivers fault. Scams can also involve people one would generally trust such as doctors and lawyers.

Educating yourself more about fraud protection against car insurance accident scams is the best way to avoid being someone's next victim.

Here is a list of common scams to be aware of:

*Staged Rear-End Car Accidents:
 A scam driver will quickly get in front of an innocent car and then slam on their brakes. This causes the innocent driver to rear-end the scam driver. Along with collecting money for vehicle damages, the scam driver will often fake medical injuries to collect even more.

*Adding Damage:
 After an accident, either staged or not, the scam driver will go to another location and cause extensive damage to their vehicle and claim that the damage happened during the original accident.

*Fake Helpers:
 Scam Helpers will wave an innocent driver into traffic, but then crash into the innocent driver. When it comes time to file the claim, the scam driver will deny waving anyone in. Other ways fake helpers try to scam people is by offering to help an innocent driver find a auto repair shop, doctor, or lawyer. In this case, everyone is in on the scam. The body shop charges you enormous rates, the doctor and lawyer also lie to collect more from your insurance.

Since these scams can happen at any time and place, it is important to be prepared. Awareness is the most important. Watch for drivers who may be following you or examining your driving habits. Also, make sure you leave plenty of room in front of you in order to stop. If an accident does happen, take notes on everything about the other car, the accident, and everybody that was in the other car. Keep a disposable camera in your car to record damage to both vehicles. Furthermore, use your judgment in driving, not others.

Car insurance for travellers

Q: Will my insurance policy cover me in a different state?
A: While insurance requirements vary from state to state, most policies will cover       drivers whether in Florida or Washington. Of course if you are moving, make sure to       get coverage in your new location.

Q: Do I have to report an accident where I hit an animal?
A: Yes, this is treated the same as any other accident. In fact, the typical costs of a    collision with a deer is about $2000 per incident.

Q: Should you buy the insurance coverage on a rental car?
A: It depends if your current coverage applies to the rental car. Often it will transfer    to a rental car under the same guidelines as your current coverage. However, beware    that some rental car companies can charge for lost rental income if a crash takes the    car out of operation. Also, the replacement cost of a car might be higher than the    market value of the car. To be safe, check with your insurance agent.

Q: I'm taking an extended vacation or going away for military service. Should I cancel my    policy?
A: Most insurance companies will allow military personnel to cancel their policies while    serving abroad. For other extended stays away from home, the decision to cancel the    policy is a bit more confusing. Canceling a policy may result in higher premiums upon    return. Another option is to put the car in storage and get less insurance while away.

Q: Will my insurance policy cover other transportation like jet skis, motorcycles, and       snowmobiles?
A: Normally you will have to get extra coverage for these types. Speak with your car    insurance agent.

Accidents due to texting

* A new State Farm Insurance survey shows that many teens don’t believe texting while driving has as severe an impact on safety as drunk driving. The study, conducted for the insurer by Harris Interactive, shows just how lightly teenagers take the fatal consequences of this dangerous act.

* Fewer Teens Believe Texting and Driving is Deadly:-
Several numbers in the study stood out regarding the ideas that teens have regarding the severity of texting and driving. While many seemed to believe that the act was dangerous, they still feel that drinking and driving is a much more dangerous act.

* Education is Key:-
The State Farm study found that a huge reason for the belief that drinking and driving is inherently more dangerous than texting and driving is that there is a lack of awareness for the latter. Programs have been in existence for decades dedicated to teaching the dangers of drinking and driving, but with texting being a relatively new concept, many think that the act can be better managed.

Insurance claim

An insurance claim form is an application for the applying benefits provided by the insurance company. The insurance claims are documents that must be submitted to an insurance company from the policy holder. Then, before any money is disbursed to any medical or repair shop expenses, the policy holders must first file a insurance claim form. These submitted documents provide policy holders with an active policy to receive monetary compensation.
Usually insurance claims are filed with the insurer?s local representatives. This person will become liable for checking out the particular details of the claim and then negotiating payments from the primary insurers. Usually, a recognized expert such as a building contractor, repair shop, or physician will file the needed insurance claim forms with the insurer directly. But at other times, the policy holder might not wish to file a true insurance claim if there are only minor damages or if the other party has chosen to pay for their mistake out-of-pocket.Every insurance policy maintains regular payments called premiums. Whether you take out a policy for home, life, health, or automobile, your insurance premiums are the means insurance companies use to create their assets. These accounts can settle any problem you or other insured victims have. When an accident or claim occurs, whether it is a small accident or a major natural disaster, you then have the right to file a claim for restitution from your insurance company.

Mercedes-Benz CL65 AMG

Chassis:-
Brakes F/R:   ABS, vented disc/vented disc
Tires F-R:   255/35 ZR20 - 275/35 ZR20
Driveline:   Rear Wheel Drive

Engine:-
Type:                      Biturbo V12
Displacement cu in (cc):      365 (5980)
Power bhp (kW) at RPM:      612(450) / 4800
Torque lb-ft (Nm) at RPM:     738(1000) / 2000-4000
Redline at RPM: n.a.

Performance:-
Acceleration 0-62 mph s: 4.4
Top Speed mph (km/h):        155 (250) - electronically limited
Fuel Economy EPA city/highway mpg (l/100 km):   n.a. (14.8)..

Should we Buy Car Insurance Online..?

Advantages:
1) Usually cheaper.
2) Quicker and more convenient. Takes only a few minutes to get a policy.
3) Can often report a claim 24 hours per day.

Disavantages:
1) No person directly responsible.
2) No face to face meetings.

3) Having to deal with a faceless company.

Insurance questions for cars

1)What are points?
ans: Points are given for traffic violations, DUI, accidents, etc and will usually cause your insurance rates to go up. It is a numerical way to determine your driving record.

2)What is no-fault insurance?
ans: Typically insurance companies would pay based on the particular fault of each driver. With no-fault insurance your insurance company pays for your damages regardless of the cause.

3)If somebody borrows my car is it still covered?
ans: Normally a car is covered as long as it was lent and the driver is licensed. Typically insurance is based on a car, not the person.

4)I have a really cheap car. Do I still need insurance?
ans: Yes, it's the law to have liability insurance. However, you may consider dropping your comprehensive and collision coverage.

5)What factors determine the cost of my insurance policy?
ans: Numerous factors are used including driving record, location, age of drivers, education, type of car, type of use, number of drivers, credit history, criminal record, past policy cancellations and sometimes occupation.

6)What is SR-22 Insurance?
ans: While it varies by state, SR-22 is normally used when a license has been suspended or revoked by DUI or other serious traffic violations.

Facts of car accidents

1)In 2004 there were 6.2 million accidents reported by the police.

2)In 2004 2.8 million people were injured in car accidents and 42,636 were killed.

3)39 percent of fatal crashes involved alcohol. Between midnight and 3 in the morning the percentage rose to 76%.

4)The time with the most fatal accidents is weekend nights between midnight and 3am.

5)Every year about 14 school kid pedestrians are killed by school buses.

6)The time in which most school kid pedestrian deaths occur is between 3pm and 4pm.

7)Fires occurred in .1 percent of all accidents but in 3 percent of fatal accidents.

8)People ages 16-20 had the highest fatality and injury rates in car accidents per 100,000 people.

9)Seat belt laws exist in all 50 states.

10)The national fatality rate for pedestrians is 1.58 per 100,000. New Mexico was highest at 2.94 and Nebraska lowest at .52.....

Article on payment for insurance

The price of purchasing and maintaining an auto insurance policy is unavoidable for many motorists. It's not uncommon for a state to require that all resident vehicle owners maintain an automobile protection plan of some form or another. Having a policy whether required by law or not, however, is almost always recommended. In order to make coverage more affordable, many motorists find that it's easier to distribute the cost of a policy by making monthly payments. This method is particularly effective for individuals that may only be able to find expensive coverage because of poor driving records.
Because nearly every insurer offers a different way of paying for service, it's important for motorists to contact a company to discover what options are available. There are some providers which only allow customers to pay for service in one large deposit, or in larger installments throughout the year. Some companies, on the other hand, will allow for monthly deposits or even the purchase of car insurance with no down payment for additional savings..

Article to buy a car insurance online

For people in need of automobile insurance, the Internet can be an excellent source of information. There are many companies that have begun offering their services online, making policies both easier to find and more convenient to manage. For example, in order to find a suitable policy a motorist would generally have to contact a variety of insurers individually to obtain quotes and other information; a method that could take a considerable amount of time. By using the Internet this process has the potential of being both faster and more efficient.Many motorists choose to buy car insurance online because of a variety of features and benefits that can sometimes coincide with utilizing such services. Often times an insurer that provides coverage over the Internet will allow a vehicle owner to create and purchase a policy in a short amount of time from the comfort of home. Companies can also make record keeping easier by allowing policyholders to save documents in the form of a portable document format (PDF) to be saved on a computer or printed at the customers’ convenience. Additionally, customers may be offered the chance to pay for coverage over the Internet as well, which can often times decrease the chances of having late payments, and consequently, lapses in coverage...

Article on cheap automobile insurance

Many motorists purchase automobile insurance in order to avoid many of the expenses that typically come with being involved in an accident, but paying a lot for coverage is hardly desirable. With the right amount of research, however, many drivers can find a cheap protection plan with relative ease. Shopping around for an adequately priced policy allows for vehicle owners to find out which insurers are offering the lowest prices. In order to maximize results, many people complete online quote comparisons which produce numerous estimates from dozens of insurers quickly and efficiently.Many motorists don't know that the type of vehicle that a person drives can play a large part in how expensive one's coverage may be. In order to get cheap auto insurance individuals are encouraged to compare the price of insuring numerous vehicles and consider purchase an automobile that leads to lower premium costs. Generally insurers offer lower rates to people who drive cars that are easier or less expensive to repair, are lower on the list of commonly stolen vehicles, and that have an array of safety features..

Article on free auto insurance quotes

Obtaining a driver's license and being able to operate a motor vehicle is important for many people. Having enough automobile insurance to remain properly protected, however, is also a critical part of being a motorist. Because accidents do occur on occasion, vehicle owners should search for a policy that is comprehensive enough to offer a wide range of coverage while still remaining affordable. One of the simplest ways of accomplishing this is by comparing quotes from numerous providers.

In only a short amount of time a motorist can get free online auto insurance quotes in one convenient location that include sample rates from dozens of insurers. People can then use this information to easily locate the more affordable policies and begin an even more in-depth search into various additional qualities that are important in an automobile protection plan. Although affordability is an influential characteristic, there are still numerous properties that should be examined before deciding upon a plan..

Commercial fleet auto insurance Tips..

Here are some commercial fleet auto insurance tips:
 Get the insurance tips for operating a safe fleet you need to ensure your buisness's vehicle fleet is insured properly and you are getting the cheapest insurance rates possible.
When business owners become fleet managers too, they need to review their commercial auto insurance policies to ensure they are properly covered and getting a good rate,” says Paul Lucarelli, fleet director at RSA Canada. “At the same time, take advantage of the risk management advice an experienced fleet broker and insurer can provide to help prevent accidents and contribute to the overall success of a business.

*:How large is your company? How often are your vehicles on the road? Determining these answers will allow you to choose the best coverage for your business.

*:There are a number of options and plans available for commercial fleet insurance. Know the playing field before committing on the dotted line.

*:Depending on the values and types of vehicles that require insurance coverage, you may want to consider varied coverages and limits to provide the right coverage for the best price.

*:Are they all going to be used for the same purposes? If not, you may be able to have a varied plan that allows you to save money

*:Make sure you're promoting a culture of safety in your organization. Well-trained drivers mean lower insurance rates and fewer accidents - that means fewer claims.

*:This will result in a better performing fleet, reduce your potential for down time, and decrease your insurance rates..

Car Insurance for Teenagers..

So, you’ve got a new driver in your household. That means you most likely need new car insurance for teenagers added onto your current policy. This can be a very stressful situation for many parents.The type of vehicle your teenager will be driving makes a big impact on the insurance premium. Insurance companies generally don’t like to see teenagers in expensive, fast sports cars and the average insurance rate increase for teenage drivers is much higher for these types of vehicles than the increase for an older, less expensive vehicle.
*:Many insurance companies give large discounts for those with clean driving records. Making sure your teen drives safely will help reduce his or her insurance premium. Not putting in claims for minor damages such as scratches and fender benders will also help keep premiums low.
*:Enrolling your teen in a teen driving school or driver’s ed course can help rates stay low as well. Graduating from one of these programs proves to the company that your teen has the knowledge and skill to be a good driver; therefore they are less of a potential threat.Teenage drivers who are students and get good grades can also qualify for car insurance discounts. Most companies offer discounts for students who maintain a “B” grade point average or better. Some companies will give a discount of up to 25%!

*:Initially, adding a teenage driver to a parent’s existing policy can be costly, but as time goes on and the teenager proves to be a responsible driver these premiums will go down. If the teenager is listed on the policy as an “occasional” driver lower premiums can result because they are not on the road very much. Adding a new teenage driver to a household is an exciting and stressful time. Keeping these tips in mind when you go to find auto insurance for your new driver will help you save money.

Save on insurance while buying a car

Save on insurance when buying a new car. Find out how to get cheap, safe auto car insurance. You can also find out about reducing car insurance rates with your current auto insurer.Insurance rates are partly determined by the type of car you own. “When you have a few cars in mind, you should call your insurance agent to see how much insurance would cost for each model you're considering,” said Eric Michalko of Allstate Insurance Company of Canada
Other factors that help determine car insurance rates:
1)Cars with higher safety ratings will save you money because they keep occupants safer if you are in an accident
2)Older cars cost less to insure because the cost to replace or repair them is lower
3)if you have a higher deductible on your policy (e.g. your share of the cost of a claim), then you will lower your monthly insurance rate, though you will have to pay more out of pocket if you are in an accident

4)Tell your insurance agent if you are only using the car on weekends and not for driving to work. This can help to reduce rates.

Pevs Go Buge A New Personal Electric car

PEVs go BugE, a new personal electric vehicle was introduced by Harvey Coachworks. Three wheels and completely electric, this PEV looks like a jet fighter's canopy and seats one person.The Cyclecar stance (two wheels in front, one in back) makes the vehicle fairly stable. The steering mechanism is more akin to a motorcycle’s handlebars. All vehicles controls, like the throttle, brake and ignition are located on the handlebars and operated by hand. For this reason, the BugE is registers as a motorcycle in most US states.
Living in a densely-populated urban area can be pretty tough if you’re a driver. Constant traffic, noise, and limited places to park create headaches any driver. However, a new generation of personal electric vehicles could make getting around the neighbourhood little easier.What should get urban drivers interested in the BugE is it’s affordability and low cost to run. The basic model from Harvey Coachworks is $9,295. However, it is a completely electric vehicle, running on rechargeable lead acid batteries (lithium-ion batteries are offered for higher end models). Charging is a simple task; just plug it into any house current available. It takes about four hours for the battery to reach a full charge. With a full battery, it costs about 1 cent per mile to drive the BugE. The base model has a range of about 40 miles and a maximum speed of 45 miles per hour. The vehicle weighs a feather light 385 pounds.

Westfield iRACER

After its debut, the Westfield iRACER was instantaneously converted into sensational magazine headlines, crisp photographs and whispered exclamations. This is not an ordinary car.In 1982, Westfield began as the dream of Chris Smith, who created a replica of his favorite automobile, the Lotus XI Le Mans. His astonishing success snowed him under a barrage of enthusiasm from admirers begging for his craftsmanship. After nearly 30 years, Westfield has sold over 10,000 cars to automotive aficionados across the globe.
Spandex is not normally associated with automotive racing, but Westfield disagrees. The iRACER is encased in a polyurethane copolymer membrane, of which Westfield is quite proud. “The use of materials such as fabrics … has major benefits for racing," says Paul Faithfull, iRACER project manager. The sheath is attached to an aluminum frame. Squatting beside the vehicle are four racing tires covered by “spats” – full wheel covers – to improve aerodynamics.Westfield plans to compete with the iRACER at the 2011 EV World Cup. Faithfull declares, “We are excited by the prospect of racing against other electric vehicles at circuits across Europe and beyond.

The Land Rover Range-e

The Land Rover Range-e Although first announced as part of the CABLED testing program back in May of 2010, this year's Geneva Auto Show gave us the first glimpse of Range Rover's experimental plug-in hybrid SUV, the first vehicle of its kind to offer plug-in electric power in off-road form.The four wheel drive system, high and low gearing, and locking differentials from the Sport remain the same, Although it was first shown to the public at the Geneva Auto Show, the Range-e was first announced in May of 2010 as part of CABLED, the Coventry and Birmingham Low Emissions Demonstrators consortium.

Land Rover says they'll have hybrids using a diesel/electric power combo similar to the Range-e on the market by 2013, although there's no word on if and when a plug-in version will come to market. Price for each prototype is estimated at £2 million ($3.2 million.)

Coda Sedan

CODA, an American automotive company based in Santa Monica, California, is determined to see the era of combustion engines to its end.
The four-door, five-passenger Sedan is a pure BEV, using a lithium-iron phosphate battery with 134-hp and an impressive 221 lb-feet of torque to achieve a 90-120 mile range. Speed is electronically limited to 80-mph. The battery system, governed by CODA’s signature battery management system, can be charged with a standard 110v charger or optional 220v charger; the 220v charger will fully charge a battery in under six hours. The battery pack is covered by an 8-year, 100,000 mile warranty. CODA estimates that driving 100 miles should cost approximately $3 with average electricity costs.
The four-door, five-passenger Sedan is a pure BEV, using a lithium-iron phosphate battery with 134-hp and an impressive 221 lb-feet of torque to achieve a 90-120 mile range. Speed is electronically limited to 80-mph. The battery system, governed by CODA’s signature battery management system, can be charged with a standard 110v charger or optional 220v charger; the 220v charger will fully charge a battery in under six hours. The battery pack is covered by an 8-year, 100,000 mile warranty. CODA estimates that driving 100 miles should cost approximately $3 with average electricity costs.

Amenities are sufficient. An infotainment touchscreen interface is the technophilic medium between driver and car, and a hands-free phone is the medium between driver and people.The CODA Sedan is a step forward, but not a giant leap of progress. But progress it still is, and CODA will likely sell its target 10,000 vehicles in 2011...

Twizy Renaults Car

The Twizy, Renault's Renowned Runt showed up at the 2011 Geneva Auto Show as a production vehicle. Let's find out more about this EV microcar.
The Twizy is odd. It is saddled with a strange moniker, a unique clientele, and it even looks weird. Four 13-inch wheels protrude from the squarish base, upon which bobbles a plastic and glass globe where a solitary passenger gets a cramped chair behind the driver. Bright blue luminescent lighting and glazed, curvy surfaces give the Twizy a cheery, spritely touch; this is what Cinderella’s pumpkin chariot would look like in 2220. But all the idiosyncratic smallness has purpose. The five-foot Twizy has a tiny turning circle at 11.15 feet, and can park right angle to a curb, three in one parking spot. It is the definitive urban commuter.
This petite, piddling microcar has a lot to prove in the way of safety. It sports a wide base with an extremely low center of gravity, two headlamps, two seatbelts, disc brakes, driver’s air bag and a deformable body with lateral reinforcements – commendable, but not quite conscientious.

The Twizy electric microcar is Renault's renowned runt. The Renault Twizy will likely become famous just for being itself – its cute, cramped, cool, commuting self.

toyota electric car-John Elfreth's EV

The Toyota EV is a diminutive electric microcar that looks like a sheet-metal rendition of Spielberg’s ET. It joins a family of petite, odd-looking peers such as the Nissan LEAF and the Mitsubishi i-MiEV. They may look like escape pods from outerspace, but these eco-friendly subcompacts are poised to change the future of urban transportation.Electric cars are often levied with accusations of wishy-washy impracticality. To improve its viability, the EV has two charging sockets located in the front fascia, one for 100/200v AC current and the other for quick-charge DC. The battery can be fully recharged via 100v AC power in merely four hours, while quick-charge DC power can recharge the battery 80% in approximately fifteen minutes, a sensible estimate for real-world driving.
Toyota plans to first introduce the EV in Europe via a leasing program, with trials in the U.S. and Japan soon to follow, and says it is “investing [the EV’s] viability in other regions.” Toyota has kept mum on the specific features offered in the EV, although pundits guess amenities will be similar to the iQ’s.
In the year 1900, John Elfreth, writing for the Ladies Home Journal, listed one-hundred predictions for the 21st century. Elfreth forecasted that “automobiles will be cheaper than horses are today. Farmers will own automobile hay-wagons … children will ride in automobile sleighs in the winter … the trip from suburban home to office will require a few minutes only. A penny will pare the fare.” Elfreth’s predictions were generally correct, with two notable exceptions: sleds are not motorized and gasoline costs nearly $4.00 per gallon.

Veritas RS III Roadster

The Veritas RS III could be considered a modern-day rendition of the original company's Meteor F1 car, It may have the 5.0l V10 out of a BMW M5, but the engine is wrapped in a carbon composite machine that is barely three feet long. The cabin is a monoposto layout: There's only a single seat with a small windscreen and a roll bar, Combined with its pointed front end, the RS III looks like something that would battle high Speed Racer. However, this brings the car's weight down to just 2,300 lbs, nearly a ton lighter than the M5.price of this bespoke car was 410,550 Euros, or a bit over $580,000 U.S. at current currency rates.
Now the company is ready to produce a new model, the Veritas RS III Roadster Hybrid. This adds an electric motor and batteries the RS III, allowing the supercar to drive on electricity alone up to 31 miles on a single charge. The system adds 500lbs, but when the 507 horsepower V10 is paired with the 105 kW (93 hp) electric motor it can go from 0 to 100 kph (0-62 mph) in just 3.1 seconds. That’s slightly faster than the original RS III. Top speed drops from 215 mph to 205.The electric motor drives the front wheels, making the car all wheel drive at speed.
Power is again generated from braking using a KERS. Remember that acronym: Kinetic Energy again generation Systems are now legal in Formula 1 again after a brief ban last season and will start popping up in supercars across the board, giving them a legitimate performance reason to go green.
The RS III Roadster Hybrid will start production soon with an RS III coupe beginning production this summer and an all-electric model arriving in 2013. Like the previous car, these vehicles will have very low production numbers.