Toyota's Japan production will near normal in June

toyota's car used old new modern future

TOKYO – Toyota production in Japan will recover to 90 percent of pre-disaster levels in June, faster than the world's biggest automaker had projected and highlighting its power to bounce back from the supply disruptions caused by the March earthquake and tsunami.

The disasters in northeastern Japan had damaged the plants of key parts suppliers, disrupting production at all Japanese automakers. Even with production increasing, some vehicle models could be in short supply for months.
Toyota Motor Corp. gave its good news to suppliers in a meeting Tuesday, company spokesman Keisuke Kirimoto said. It previously said global production would be at about 70 percent in coming months and was not expected to return to normal until late this year.
By the end of May, the crisis had cost the company production of 550,000 vehicles in Japan, and another 350,000 overseas. Production had been back recently at about 50 percent.
Toyota was initially missing 150 kinds of parts because of the supplier problems, and that was reduced to 30 parts earlier this month.
Other automakers are also suffering. Nissan Motor Co. expects worldwide production to be back at pre-disaster levels by October, and Honda has said normal production levels weren't expected until late this year.
Auto production in Japan plunged 60.1 percent in April from the previous year, according to Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association data released Tuesday. The 292,001 vehicles was a dramatic drop from 731,829 vehicles the same month a year earlier and marked the seventh straight month of on-year declines.
Toyota already said it will return to a faster-than-expected 70 percent of normal production in June in North America. It had cut North American production to about 30 percent of normal in May by idling factories for days or reducing workers' hours.
Some buyers of the new spacious "Prius a," or "Prius alpha," a revamp of the hit gasoline-electric hybrid, will have to wait until next year for deliveries.
That's because a key part, the lithium-ion battery, whose production was expected to be limited even before the disaster, will be even harder to keep making because of shortages, according to Toyota.
Japanese automakers are also facing another possible production problem in Japan — power shortages.
The Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear plant was heavily damaged by the disasters and is being decommissioned. A second nuclear power plant, Hamaoka in central Japan, is being shut down while its tsunami defenses are strengthened. Many of Toyota's plants are in the region Hamaoka powers.
It is still unclear how serious the power shortage might be for Toyota because electricity will be transferred from other areas.
Japanese automakers are planning to make Thursday and Friday off-days and have employees work over the weekend, when power demands are lower, to avoid a power crunch and blackout rollouts during the peak use months of July, August and September.

source:  Yahoo

BMW car "old- new- modern- future"

BMW 328 car

What a wonderful time which we live where we all want modern and advanced technology in all areas and I am thinking specifically here car market where car all want entertainment and wonderful accessories and here list with you part of the history of BMW cars with out of date and even the newest models from BMW and that is the subject of our conversation today

BMW used Villa d'Este as the backdrop to unveil the 328 Homage, a tribute to the historic 1930s Touring Coupe and highly successful road car that celebrates its 75th anniversary this year.

Based on the Vision Connected Drive, the 328 Homage sports many ‘details derived from motor racing’ and is built using CFRP construction to keep overall weight down. Juxtaposing this are sumptuous leather and polished aluminum details. The Connected Drive’s DRG has been reworked to embrace an appearance that harks back to the original 328, adopting a dominant matte silver, double kidney grille and large single pod headlights. The leather bonnet straps, exposed to hook and ‘crossed’ headlight glass are all further explicit references to the original's racing pedigree.

“With the BMW 328 Homage, we wish to pay homage to the passion and inventiveness of the fathers of the BMW 328”, explains Karl Bäumer, CEO of BMW Group Classic. “They created an icon, which is considered a milestone in the history of the automobile.”

car history "old-new-modern car"

It is important for all interested in cars that know about this date if simple industry or at least companies operating in this area to be aware of any problem that can bypass the face while driving, I am thinking here, for example failure in his cars, it is important for you to read this article to the end and get started now

oldest car



modern car



To know who invented the first car you must first define what car is. Some said steam-powered coaches are cars and people like Daimler-Benz (who started Mercedes Benz) say that cars are light carriages for personal transport with three or four wheels, powered by a liquid-fueled internal combustion engine. As you see the definition of a car can be different, and therefore the automobile could have been invented by any number of people at different times in history.

The first written record of a self-propelled vehicle was Leonardo da Vincis. He toyed with the idea in the 15th century. He even designed and drew several different so called car models in his notes.. The steam engine was considered to be invented by James Watt in 1765 and was perfected by both English and French scientists over the next century.

Nicolas-Joseph Cugnot, William Murdoch and Richard Trevithick all came up with steam-powered beasts that were so huge and heavy that they need a fully flat surface to move on. In fact, iron rails were installed on roads in Paris and London for the next 120 years so these cars could move on them. They were basically smaller versions of trains.

During the Steam Era you could find all sorts of funny car inventions. In the United States, Oliver Evans invented an amphibious vehicle that can travel on wheels and on water with the help of a paddle wheel. Ivan Kulibin of Russia designed a car with modern day features such as flywheels, brakes and a gear box. Oddly enough, it was it was human-pedaled. Etienne Lenoir invented something he called a hippo mobile that proved to the masses that automobiles can handle long trips. He drove all the way from Paris to Joinville Le-Pont.

One of the first to mass-produce cars was Karl Benz. His cars appealed to many due to being able to move at 45 km/h (28.2 mph). In France, Panhard et Levassan was the first ever company to be formed exclusively for the sole purpose of making cars. The Duryea brothers (Frank and Charles) were the first automobile manufacturers in the United States, and they were swiftly followed by Ford and Winton.

A special mention goes of course to Henry Ford. Contrary to popular belief, he didn't actually built cars. Well, his company did, but what he personally invented and perfected was the manufacturing line in car building. He used one worker for one task and had an ingenious system of dropping the car's body on its wheels. He also added modern features such as the car radio after getting the idea from private jets.

There were different eras to the automobile's history. And each brought different improvements to the car. In the Vintage Era, internal combustion engines and the overhead cam engines were modified.
A prime example of this is the Austin 7. During the Pre-War Era, fully-closed models were produced for the first time and trunks were added. The Post War Era gave birth to cars which have more resemblance to modern automobiles. Arty and sleek cars, like the Mini Cooper, have left a memorable imprint on automobile history.
Whether you're driving a luxury car, a sedan or a piece of junk that can hardly be called a car, it's a nice feeling to know how far the car has evolved from being steam-powered coaches to modern practical vehicles.

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster in the market

New pictures of the 2012 SLS AMG roadster.

Off come the SLS gull wing doors, away goes the roof structure and on goes a set of conventionally hinged doors to match the convertible soft-top. It's a power-operated three-layer cloth roof with heated glass rear window, capable of transitioning from 'English summer... ‘Closed to 'it's stopped raining!' open in 11 seconds. The roof folds in a z-shape to rest behind the seats and above the boot space, which at 173 liters only loses 3 liters to the SLS coupe, and performs its quick-change act at speeds up to 31mph. You can have your SLS AMG Roadster soft-top in either black, red or beige depending on which of the nine standards exterior and eight interior colors you choose.

Inside it's largely the same interior from the SLS, with lower sills and new armrest and door card design to match the conventional doors. Air scarf headrest climate control is optional, but fixed roll hoops, eight airbags and a slot-in Plexiglas air deflector are standard with the SLS AMG Roadster. Also on the interior options list are Bang and Olufsen BeoSound AMG hi-fi, and AMG Performance Media: a timing and telemetry system which includes mobile internet access.

Mercedes SLS AMG Roadster

Chassis and dynamics

Removing the roof from the SLS coupe has required additional strengthening of the aluminum space frame structure. Extra bracing has been installed behind the dashboard, in the side sills and behind the cabin, along with strengthened A-pillars. The end result is that the Roadster tips the scales at 1660kg, 40kgs more than the coupe. Comparing the SLS Roadster with other front-engine V8 two-seaters, an aluminum-bodied Aston Martin V8 Vantage S Roadster has a 1690kg kerbed weight, whilst the composite-bodied Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport convertible is a relatively svelte 1492kg.

The SLS AMG Roadster comes standard with fixed-rate damping, but AMG Ride Control three-stage adaptive damping is on the options list. New with the roadster, it offers Comfort, Sport and Sport + suspension settings, and will be offered on the SLS coupe after the Roadster is launched.

Mercedes SLS AMG Roadster

 Power and performance

The SLS AMG Roadster retains the 6.3-litre AMG engine of the coupe, matched with the seven-speed AMG Speed shift transmission, which retains the transaxle location and carbon fiber torque tube for 47:53 front: rear weight distribution. The V8 puts out 563bhp at 6800rpm, and 479 lb/ft of torque at 4750rpm. Mercedes quotes a 3.8sec 0-62mph time, and a 197mph top speed for the SLS AMG Roadster. 

With those kinds of stats you can guess the fuel economy isn't going to silence the Hollywood Pries contingent - 21.4mpg combined, and 308g/km of CO2, with a dynamic energy recovery system to reduce alternator load on the engine but no automatic stop-start or cylinder-deactivation function. Best practice the whole-life energy consumption and questionable cleanliness of hybrid tech mantras, or buy some carbon offset credits to salve your conscience.

When can I buy the Mercedes SLS AMG Roadster?

If you've been tempted by AMG's brawny two-seater but didn't like the gull wing doors, then salvation arrives on Mercedes dealer forecourts in November 2011. Pricing for the UK market has yet to be announced, but an SLS coupe currently starts at £168,395 and the European list price for the Roadster will be €195,160 (£169,208) including VAT. Expect a premium for the soft-top SLS when it arrives in the UK, just in time for winter. 

US safety regulators probe Nissan, Jeep problems

Jeep Wrangler
DETROIT – Auto safety regulators are investigating brake problems with the Nissan Altima and complaints of air bag troubles with the Jeep Wrangler.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said on its website Friday that brake fluid can leak on the Altima midsize car, causing a loss of stopping power.

The investigation, which began on Monday, covers about 440,000 Altimas from the 2007 and 2008 model years. The agency said the brake master cylinder can leak internally, causing a warning light to illuminate. If the light is ignored, the cars could eventually lose braking power.

NHTSA said it has received 20 complaints, none of which resulted in crashes or injuries.
The agency noted that in 2008 and 2009, Nissan recalled about 180,000 Sentra small cars from the 2007 and 2008 model years to fix a defect that caused leaks in the brake master cylinders.

Nissan said in a statement that it is committed to safety and will work with NHTSA in the investigation.

On the Jeep Wrangler, made by Chrysler Group LLC, NHTSA said that the front driver's air bag can fail to deploy because of a broken electrical circuit. The investigation, also opened Monday, covers about 222,000 vehicles from the 2007 and 2008 model years. The agency has received 29 complaints, but no injuries have been reported.

NHTSA said it contacted 14 of the 29 owners, and six of them had right-hand-drive models typically used by postal carriers.
Chrysler also said it is working with NHTSA on the investigation.
Investigations can end with recalls or findings that there are no defects.
Last week, NHTSA announced that a probe into steering problems with Toyota Corollas found they were not caused by parts failures and no recall was ordered.
source: yahoo news

Volvo P1800 celebrates 50 years

Volvo P1800 celebrates 50 years

There is a big and international company will celebrates 50 years in this year

So far, 2011 has been a significant year with the Jaguar E-Type, Aston Martin DB4-GT Zagato and BMW 'Neue Klasse' all celebrating their 50 year anniversaries. The Volvo P1800, which celebrates its half century anniversary this year, is yet another car entering this exclusive club.

The svelte Swedish coupe is ‘perhaps Volvo’s most internationally renowned model,’ according to the brand, and it's easy to see why. Planned in Sweden and designed in Italy, the P1800 was unveiled in Brussels, built in Britain and became a huge success in the USA. 

Conceived with the simple aim of attracting customers into Volvo showrooms, the P1800 was a self-indulgent departure from Volvos of the past. The P1800 was a significant model for Volvo. It was a huge sensation from a sales perspective and, from an image viewpoint, it was infinitely more successful.

While the P1800's eclectic history and arresting design proved popular the world over, the car's infamy was cemented following an appearance in the British television program, The Saint, in the 1960s. Though producers initially wanted an E-Type Jaguar to star alongside Roger Moore’s character, the British firm declined. Volvo stepped to the plate and provided a P1800, which allowed the car to become a cult hit. It is still often referred to as ‘The Saint’s car’.

The distinctive coupe's lines didn’t change over the car's entire 12-year life span. Volvo only altered minor details and added the 1800ES shooting brake to the line-up in the early 1970s. 

Volvo says the P1800 was intended to be ‘a car that looked like a Ferrari, but cost and functioned like a Volvo.' The infamous Irv Gordon car that has covered over 4,500,000km over its lifetime on the same engine is testament to this durability, whilst rising prices on the classic market mark out the P1800 as a truly useable classic that is an integral part of Volvo history.

buying used car

Did you decide buy used car?

Tips for buying used car

When you decide to buy a used car, you have already taken a smart and wise decision. Everyday new models are being introduced into the market and you can easily get a car that is as good as a brand new car at a lower price. Often car buying gets overwhelming for the buyer as each new brand is vying for customer's attention.  The new cars always come with additional features and amenities with a higher price. To buy used cars in Canada, people have numerous choices and there is always a great possibility to find the best deal.

It is more economical to buy a pre-owned car than a new one as you can save a lot of money. Due to the current economic problems, it is always better to get a used car at half the price of a new car. Within couple of years, a brand new vehicle depreciates very quickly. The value of the new cars goes down very quickly and when you buy a new car, you are only paying for the fresh aroma and warranty. When a new car is bought, there is no guarantee that you will get a completely flawless car. New cars also may come with manufacturing imperfections and bad design issues.

you can easily purchase a fully loaded model used car that you may not be able to afford with a new car. There are varieties of used cars and you can choose easily from among your favorite brands. Online research will help you to find the car of your interest at competitive rates. But you have to physically examine the car before you buy. There are several advantages when you buy a used car and you get the opportunity to drive the car of your dreams.

Purchase and Maintain a Second hand Engine

 How to Purchase and Maintain a Second hand Engine

If you have found yourself in a position where either you have determined yourself, or have been told by a qualified mechanic your current engine needs replacing with a second hand unit there are a few things to consider.
First and foremost you need to verify that the engine itself is at fault. It is quite easy to think the worst and assume the engine needs replacing but there is always the possibility there is something else wrong with the vehicle. If you do not find the original fault and replace the engine with a second hand engine then you risk having the same issues after the engine is replaced.

Find a trusted mechanic in your area; do not go for the cheapest as in this line of work you often times get what you pay for. In the cheaper places the mechanics are more willing to have a quick look and automatically diagnose the problem as the engine being at fault rather than actually taking the time to look the vehicle over thoroughly to determine why the engine has failed in the first place.

Word of mouth is probably the best way to find a good mechanic, ask your family or friends who they go to for work and use their experience to help you find the right garage.
Word of warning: do not go to a main dealer to have your engine changed. Unfortunately the way main dealers are set up they make more money on servicing (brakes, oil services and suspension) than they do by taking up ramp space for a few days by booking in engine jobs. This fact in itself leads many dealerships to price themselves higher than local garages quite often just so they themselves try to talk you out of having them do it. And if you do decide to have the dealer handle it for their exorbitant price they feel they didn’t lose out so much on the service work since they are charging you top dollar for the engine change.
Once you settle on a garage book the vehicle in with them and allow them time to do their work. It doesn’t benefit anyone if you are on the phone with them every 30 minutes asking them for an update. Give them the space they need to go through it thoroughly and give you an informed decision.
After they are given the time to diagnose the problem, if they then tell you that you need to install a second hand engine then ask them why, what happened to the original? All of this information will help you make an informed decision when it comes time to purchase your second hand engine.
Most garages do not have a problem with installing a second hand engine that is purchased by you the customer. Confirm this before you start looking for a engine. You can more than likely help your garage find a replacement engine for you. The internet is a wonderful marketplace but if you do not have the information or the knowledge about your vehicle then it may be easier for you to have the garage source an engine for you.
Once you have found and purchased a second hand engine, have it delivered to your garage so they can confirm it will fit your vehicle. Many different manufacturers offer the same engine code that covers multiple ranges of vehicles, all these means is that the engine and head may be identical but the ancillaries can possibly be different. This should not pose a problem for a decent garage as they would then just swap your ancillaries onto the new unit and install it as normal.
After the engine is installed in the vehicle you need to make sure to take care of it.
Check your oil and coolant regularly
Do a basic oil service on it every 3000-5000 miles
Try to park in the same spot as often as you can to help identify if your engine develops any leaks
Have regular servicing done by a trusted garage on normal intervals, the more the garage gets to know your vehicle, the easier it is for them to alert you if something looks out of place.
If there is ever an instance where you notice any overheating or abnormal noise pull the vehicle over as soon as possible and have it towed to your garage to try to prevent any major damage from occurring.
Now you can Purchase and Maintain a Second hand Engine

Volvo 960 the Volvo 760's Replacement

Volvo 960 the Volvo 760's Replacement

Going back to the autumn of the year 1990, people would be able to recognize that it was during this time and season that the world came to know the Volvo 960. During that introduction for the vehicle, the Volvo 960 was introduced as a 1991 year model. It was also launched alongside the Volvo 940. It was marketed as the replacement for the then defunct Volvo 760. It lived for quite some time. This vehicle was known as the Volvo S90 and the Volvo V90 for the last two years of its existence. And in the year 1998, production for this vehicle was entirely halted.

These vehicles were actually built in Kalmar in Sweden. The very first Volvo 960 was actually completed and came out to the streets on the 12th of August in 1991. It was then packaged as a 1992 year model. Starting from 1995 up until a year before its last production, the Volvo 960s were built in another location. This time, it was in Goteborg, Sweden. It was in June 27th of 1994 that the very first one from this location came out to do some rolling on the streets.

In the United States, the Volvo 960 parts were equipped with an electronically controlled Asian Warner automatic gearbox. As per those that were marketed in Europe, these came with 2.5 liter engines combined with a manual gearbox that was called as the M90. These vehicles were actually a range of rear wheel drive cars. They were crafted and specifically built so as to cater to the tastes, preferences, and appeal of the buyers from the United States. By doing such, the Volvo 960 was one of the cars that paved the way for Volvo to enter and expand its market in North America. This vehicle has been made available in two versions which comprised of the sedan which held four doors and the estate car which boasted of five doors.

Mazda mx5 Car reviews

Do you know Mazda mx5 Car?

Do you want to try it?

Mazda mx5 Car reviews

The Mazda MX-5 is a fantastic little basic car with a front engine, rear-wheel-drive roadster without unnecessary frills to detract from the thrills you get from the sweet handling and decent chassis. Performance wise it has a lower-powered 124bhp 1.8- liter that might be just a touch too limp for such a capable chassis. The two-litter model sneaks to 62mph in just a smidgen under 8.0-seconds and on to a top speed of 131mph, which is exactly where the Mazda MX-5 feels most comfortable. It is not a fire-breather, but that is not really the point in this context – it is all about the way the little Mazda drives. Where the driving is concerned the new MX-5 - much like the old model - is extremely sensitive to wheel and tire choice. The big rims and tires look good but spoil the roadster's delicacy. They tend to catch ruts and cambers more, which means that the car is less progressive on the limit.

Surprising amounts of space are readily available in the new car, thanks to some very clever attention to detail on the part of the design team. There are buckets of storage cubby action available in the cabin, with a decent boot even when the hood is stowed. And the front seats cope with even the biggest of occupants without popping you up over the windscreen top and into the breeze.

You can tell the MX-5 has been built down to a price, but they have done the best that they can. Interior quality is a decent step up from the old model, with some nice new shapes and everything - the hood especially - just reeks of quality engineering. The plastics however are not so impressive. There is a depth of feeling about the whole car that inspires confidence in the way it has been put together. If in doubt, check under the bonnet for evidence.
Safety Six airbags are available as well as traction and stability control for the first time on an MX-5. To be brutal, the car just does not need it, but it will probably prevent someone having a wheel twirling moments on an icy roundabout. The two rollover hoops shadow the headrests of the front seats, so they are not visually intrusive but it is nice to know that they are there.
We should all own an MX-5 at least once in our lives, if only to demonstrate to ourselves why getting back to basics is a very good thing. It will also probably save your driving license from taking a battering because you get the thrills without the speed. It should also hold a decent residual value thanks to solid demand for MX-5s of absolutely any kind. No reason to believe this model will be any different.
It will put a smile on your face wider than the Grand Canyon, so it is hard to put an empirical value on the new MX-5. It is better than the older models in terms of quality and refinement, but has resisted the temptation to wander off down the silicon-tweak school of chassis management. The prices have been increased, but if you can afford to go for the newer model then do so. And do not forget to go for the smaller wheels

Performance ,Technology and Design all of them in Nissan 350Z Blends

Nissan 350 Z Blends
Performance       Technology             Design.

 These are what the Nissan 350 Z is all about. And yes, all those are found in just one vehicle. For power, the Nissan 350 Z has a 3.5 liter VQ engine that could produce some 300 units of horsepower. It also gets help from a six speed close ratio short throw manual transmission, along with an advanced multi-link suspension with is an engineering used for race cars. If you like relaxing during drives, then the Nissan 350 Z has a Boss® audio system and a Nissan Navigation System to help you throughout your journey.

The Nissan 350 Z sports car has been unchanged only until this year. It was introduced in August of the year 2002 and it continuously carried the features up until today. As per the changes done, the list includes a revised front end appearance, an enhanced interior, new LED tail lights, a new vehicle speed sensitive power steering system, a refined optional navigation system, as well as RAYS super lightweight 18 inch front and 19 inch rear forged alloy wheels, each with five spokes. A version of the Nissan 350 Z which is the Grand Touring Coupe model comes with 18 and 19 inch wheels, Brembo brakes, front spoilers, rear spoilers, and the Vehicle Dynamic Control, or VDC, system. This vehicle is powered by a 3.5 liter DOHC V6 engine that could produce 300 horsepower units. This is assisted by a 6 speed manual transmission system. The color choices for the Nissan 350 Z’s exterior include Silver Alloy, Magnetic Black, and I Interlagos Fire.

Made available in five trims models, the Nissan 350 Z is yet another vehicle with a wide range of choices. The trim levels and models are the 350Z, the Enthusiast, the Touring, the Track, and the Grand Touring. For all these, the standard features include the 3.5 liter DOHC V6 engine, an independent multi-link suspension with front and rear stabilizer bars, a strut tower bar, power windows, a 3-bay gauge cluster, bi-xenon headlights, and dual front air bags among many others. Options given for the Nissan 350 Z include a DVD based navigation system, a satellite radio, side and curtain side impact supplemental air bags, the Home Link Universal Transceiver, a cruise control system, the Traction Control System (TCS), aluminum pedals, an illuminated steering wheel with audio controls, an auto dimming rearview mirror, and side supplemental air bags.