Latest Articles by tracydawson

Toyota Formulates Anti-drunk Driving System

Tue, 09 Jan 2007 00:00:00 -0600

Toyota is formulating an anti-drunk system that detects drunken drivers via steering wheel-based sensors. The sensors detect the alcohol content of drivers through their sweat. If the sensors detect unusual steering or if the installed camera shows that the pupils of the driver are not focused on the road, the vehicle will be slowed to a halt.

Vehicles equipped with said detection system will not start if sweat sensors detect high alcohol consumption in the driver's bloodstream. Also incorporated in the system is the special camera that shows the driver's eyes. Said system is expected to come to the market by the end of 2009. Now, occupants of the automaker's vehicles will not only be protected by the Toyota transmission speed sensor, side and front airbags, and other safety features; they can also rely on the efficiency of the anti-drunk system.

Nissan, another Japanese automaker, has previously ventured in a system almost similar to this one. Nissan's device is called the breathalyzer. The latter is likened to the immobilizers used in the United States as part of several drunk-driving sentences. The system can also be mated to a camera in order to monitor if the driver is sleepy while driving. Saab and Volvo auto parts are also designed to complement this system. This is because Sweden has stringent laws against drunk-driving. Similar technologies like alcohol ignition interlocks are also rampant in the United States and other territories.

What triggered Toyota to formulate the anti-drunk system is the fact that drunk-driving and alcohol related accidents have surged in Japan in 2006. In August, a drunken driver collided with another vehicle carrying a family of five. The three children were killed when the vehicle fell off the bridge. The accident prompted safety roadside spot checks to be done by the police. It also was the beginning of the clamor for higher penalties relating to drunk-driving and other safety issues. With the present statistics relating to drunk-driving accidents, it is just but essential to equip vehicles with features and systems to ensure safety of the occupants.

Toyota, a Japanese multination corporation, is the second largest automaker worldwide. It is popular in the field of manufacturing automobiles, buses, trucks and robots. To measure the magnitude of its financial presence in the world, the company is the 8th largest company by revenue. Also, Toyota is expected to become the world's largest automaker this year or no later than 2008. The automaker is investing a great amount of money in cleaner-burning vehicles like the Prius and the much-awaited RAV4 that runs on hydrogen fuel cells.

Toyota is in almost every part of the globe. It has established factories and assembly plants in the United States, Japan, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Indonesia, Poland, South Africa, Brazil, Turkey, France, and more recently Pakistan, India, Argentina, Czech Republic, Mexico, Malaysia, Thailand, China, Venezuela, and the Philippines.

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Tracy is a 29 year old researcher and writer from Dallas, Texas with extensive experience in writing auto-related articles and covering automotive related events. She is currently a contributing writer for a leading automotive e-zine.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com

Chrysler Groups Recalls 62,400 Vehicles For Brake Failure

Wed, 03 Jan 2007 00:00:00 -0600

Chrysler Group is recalling about 62,400 vehicles because their braking system may fail to work. Among the vehicles to be recalled are the 2007 Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep vehicles.

The recall is specifically includes 62,369 model year 2007 Chrysler Sebring, Chrysler 300, Jeep Commander, Jeep Compass, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Liberty, Jeep Wrangler, Dodge Nitro, Dodge Magnum, Dodge Charger and Dodge Caliber vehicles to fix the brake system Electronic Control Unit computer.

The instrument panel warning lamps of the aforementioned vehicles may illuminate and be followed by failure of Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD), anti-lock brake system, traction control and speedometer functions. The failure could lead to loss of control.

No injuries and fatalities have been reported due to the brake system failure. The owners of the affected vehicles will be notified in February next year. For the meantime, customers experiencing warning lamp illumination should take their vehicles to a certified Chrysler dealer for the necessary inspection.

The brake system plays a significant role in the performance of the vehicle as well as in the safety of the occupants. The brake pedal, which is attached to the brake cylinder, can be an indicator of serious vehicle problems like leaks and uneven pads. The combination valve must also work together properly. The valve helps regulate pressure. The wheel cylinder is also deemed a critical element in the drum brake assembly. It contains pistons that thrust the shoes against the drums when slowing down. The drum brake assembly is used to take the rear wheels of most wheels to a stop. Disc Brake assembly, on one hand, absorbs more heat than the drum brake. These parts contribute to the efficiency of the vehicles.

Chrysler Group is an American automaker that has existed independently from 1925 to 1998. The automaker has already established remarkable and popular vehicles. It is also famed for its Dodge genuine auto body parts. Jeep vehicles are also phenomenal. In addition, Jeep Cherokee auto body parts are well-regarded in the auto industry.

On the other side of the automotive realm, General Motors will be expanding a recall of its SUVs and pickups. In all there are 1,357,000 vehicles form part of the GM recall. Said recall is due to the malfunction of the anti-lock brake system integrated to GMC and Chevrolet body parts. Affected vehicles include GMC Sierra, Yukon, Yukon XL, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado, Suburban and Tahoe.

Trailhawk From Jeep Enters NAIAS Scene

Tue, 02 Jan 2007 00:00:00 -0600

Many people are interested and many are quite on the lookout as per the kind of new vehicles the Jeep brand would be sending out to the industry. After all, despite having quite a few number of vehicles under its name, the Jeep name still has become popular because of the kind and quality of vehicles that the brand covers. Plus, this also does not include the other exceptional products like Jeep auto parts, Jeep miniature models, and other Jeep items.

Sure enough, many people would be rushing to the upcoming 2007 North American International Auto Show this coming January. The brand has already sent out a press release that they would be showing off one of the newest concept vehicles in the Jeep Range. This time, they call the new concept the Jeep Trailhawk and just like every other Jeep vehicle, this one has also been designed with the off road as its racetrack.

Those who were able to take a glimpse at the Jeep Trailhawk has said that this concept vehicle is a very good combination of the kind of frame and design that the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited has along with the kind of power that all Jeep vehicles have on the off road. It has also been created to be a sophisticated off road vehicle, with the exception that it comes as an open-air vehicle. Something really fresh and new for the brand.

Nick Vardis is the main designer of the Jeep Trailhawk’s outer style and he shares, “The key to the look of the Trailhawk is the vehicle’s distinctive proportions, due in part to its 116-inch wheelbase. The dash-to-front axle dimension is dramatically long, giving the vehicle a sense of forward motion, while the front and rear overhangs are tight and abbreviated.” He even does add, “The flares are stretched and pulled taut at one end. Each presents a long side angled toward the center of the body.”

Vardis also did continue to describe the Jeep Trailhawk with, “The main headlamp units are cropped diagonally across the top. They peer out from an angled brow, giving the vehicle its bold, sinister look. In front view, the left and right lamps evoke the hooded eyes of a bird of prey. Like other concepts, we first viewed the math surface of the grille and headlamps together in the computer. We immediately noticed the hawkish expression, hence the name Trailhawk.”

IIHS Crash Tests Downgrade Subcompacts

Fri, 22 Dec 2006 00:00:00 -0600

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) released its most recent crash-test ratings but did not endorse any models evaluated. Instead, said institute urged auto consumers to stick with bigger, heavier vehicles because they typically are safer for motorists. IIHS real-life crash results also revealed that subcompacts are not the best safety choice. This information was divulged by Adrian Lund, president of IIHS

Subcompacts are the smallest vehicles on the road these days. The recorded crash rates involving subcompacts are higher than in other auto category. As a fact, the rates are more than twice the death rates for midsize and large vehicles.

IIHS evaluated a total of 9 cars weighing 2,500 pounds or less. Said cars are smaller than Honda Civic compact. This is because body parts for Honda Civic are made heavier and tougher. Crash ratings of the cars ranges from good, followed by acceptable, marginal and poor.

Among the nine subcompacts Nissan Versa rates the highest in 3 crash-test categories named front, side and rear. Nissan OEM body parts are engineered to stand the complexities of driving. Next to Versa is Toyota Yaris. The latter gets good in both front and side crash tests and marginal in the rear crash test. Toyota auto body parts are also meticulously assembled to ensure safety of the car occupants.

The worst performers in the IIHS crash-tests are Hyundai Accent and Kia Rio. Said cars earned acceptable rating in the front crash test but poor in the side and rear tests. "Hyundai is targeting July production to add the Accent to its list of vehicles equipped with active head restraints," said Miles Johnson Hyundai spokesman. The rear crash-test rating is based on headrest criteria.

It was found out that the vehicles that were given high ratings were equipped with side air bags and head-protection systems. "Larger cars provide more protection, even slightly larger, and they get almost as good gas mileage," Lund noted. "Some of the midsize cars like the Accord and the Camry, if you get them in the four-cylinder versions, have as good a gas mileage as the mini cars. If you really want to save fuel, buy a larger car that's less powerful than a smaller lightweight vehicle that also sacrifices your safety."

Windshield Film Now Made Invisible

Tue, 19 Dec 2006 00:00:00 -0600

Many car owners have tried looking for that kind of windshield protection film that would make the windshield seem like the film was not there at all. However, it looked like most were not lucky enough to find just that kind of windshield protection film. Yet. However, at present, there is already such a kind of invisible windshield film protection and it comes from Madico, Inc.

Madico has already created the very first invisible windshield protection film. This one has been introduced to be the newest member of the company’s ClearPlex Invisible Windshield Protection Films. This new product may not be as ordinary as your favorite Volkswagen auto parts but this one has gone through thorough testing and processing. In fact, the company does claim that this one has been a product of science and has had the touch of engineering. Materials were carefully chosen so much so that when the film has been used on your windshield, even those small stones and other flying debris would certainly not damage your vehicle’s windshield. Plus, the company has made sure that the product would be able to protect the windshield and at the same time give the drive a great amount of visibility.

“This film is truly a breakthrough for Madico and the automotive safety industry,” claims Paul Panarisi. Panarisi is the marketing manager for the company that created the invisible windshield protection film.

“Businesses and consumers alike depend on rental cars, delivery trucks, and transit fleets to be on the road, not in the shop. ClearPlex promises to cut down on one of the most common and time consuming causes of vehicle disablement: cracked windshields,” explains Bob Smar, the sales manager for ClearPlex’s North American arm.

This ClearPlex windshield film has been prided to be a great protection for windshields. However, this is not where the fun ends. According to the company, drivers also do get protection from the mentioned protect. After all, the company has given the product much tests and experiments so as to have such a valid claim over that. Using the product can actually reduce human injury in any cases that the vehicle has met accidents or crashes.

Drive And Speed Up, Triple Your Odds

Wed, 13 Dec 2006 00:00:00 -0600

Try to look back at your driving history. How many times did you go over the speed limit just because you wanted to do so? How many times did you go over the limit all because you were hurrying to make it to your meeting on time? How many times did you go over the speed limit because you were so excited to see your family?

Speeding does pay off. But in different ways, though. There is that part which allows you to bask in the positive effects of driving – you are able to get to your destination in record time. But there is also that part which we totally forget about – the negative side?

Did you know that when you do speed up you are actually tripling your chances of meeting accidents? This is not just any kind of hearsay of any sort. You see, this is actually a fact given out by the American Automobile Association's (AAA) Foundation For Traffic Safety Arm. This group actually did conduct a study and their data showed that, indeed, you are very much increasing your chances of getting yourself hurt. That would be very bad especially if you were just so glad to show off the new Ford truck parts your grandpa bought you for Christmas. You just did not remember that speeding could also equate to accidents.

Peter Kissinger is the president and chief head honcho of the AAA Foundation and he does share, “Unfortunately, many drivers choose to drive and behave in ways that increase their risk of crashing. It is our desire to reduce the number of crashes this holiday season by educating all drivers about specific behaviors that increase their crash risk. Although you may have driven too fast or while fatigued in the past and haven't crashed yet, these risks are real and thus will eventually catch up with you if you continue to drive in this manner.”

All of the data that the AAA analyzed were actually those statistics that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (or the NHTSA) has compiled during its 100-Car Naturalistic Driving Study.

GM Ready For LA Auto Show

Tue, 28 Nov 2006 00:00:00 -0600

The Los Angeles Auto Show is already raring and preparing to start. Everything seems to be all set. After all, the organizers behind this international auto show sure have made everything quite just right before they open their doors. Who would want to have an international event with mishaps here and there?

Anyhow, it is not only the organizers of the Los Angeles Auto Show who have made all things prepared before heading out towards the opening of the event. All auto makers who would be showing their wares are also ready and prepared to face the public and show off what they have got. For example, if you were Jaguar the brand, you would have made sure that the vehicles that you would be showing off would be in top notch condition – the engine is ready to go, the Jaguar car parts are all shining and gleaming, and only the person behind the wheel would have to be ready.

General Motors has also prepared much for this event. In fact, some experts have said that GM is very much ready to take on this year’s Los Angeles Auto Show. The company even did state that for this year, they would be showcasing cars and sport utility vehicles that would very much be a model when it comes to sophistication and global design. Their vehicles would also be models of technologies that are not only advanced but would also give show goers the chance to learn more about saving on fuel.

Rick Wagoner, the chairman and CEO of GM, even mentioned, “We always look forward to the LA Auto Show because Los Angeles is such an important market for trend setting cars and trucks. Besides launching a number of exciting new production cars, trucks and crossovers, we’ll also demonstrate our commitment to addressing fuel economy and environmental concerns with several very important advanced technology vehicles.” Wagoner would also be at the LA Auto Show to serve as a keynote speaker.

So what GM vehicles would be available for you to view? According to GM, their list of vehicles at the LA Auto Show would include the 2008 Buick Enclave, the 2008 GMC Yukon hybrid, the 2008 Saturn Vue, the Saturn Aura Green Line hybrid, the 0th anniversary editions of the Saab 9-3 and the Saab 9-5, the Hummer HO 2 concept design, Cadillac vehicles Platinum series and DTS-L, and the Equinox Fuel Cell and Sequel from Chevrolet.

Sports Car For Under $50,000?

Mon, 27 Nov 2006 00:00:00 -0600

Most people are looking for a vehicle that they really like when it comes to design. Of course, they are also looking for a vehicle that could give them the kind of zoom and speed. However, a person may find a combination of all the things they like in one vehicle and yet the price just does not match their financial capabilities. Or perhaps the only thing that they can do at the moment is purchase some Isuzu auto parts to make their vehicle look cool and totally powerful.

Now if you are in the market for a sports car that is yet to hold a not too high price, then you may want trying to find a 2007 MazdaSpeed3. After all, this sports car is one of the most sought after vehicle models and it is one of the vehicles that hold the best value for your money. You think this is just a joke? Do not worry. The Automobile Journalists Association of Canada thinks that indeed, the 2007 MazdaSpeed3 is the best new sports or performance car for under $50,000. In fact, the organization and association has given the mentioned vehicle the title Best New Sports/Performance Car for the under $50,000 category.

Who would not want to own a sports car and a Mazda sports car at that? Sure, this one has got almost everything you would need for a price that is just right. Some even consider the vehicle to be a bargain. You got a 2.3 liter engine that has the capacity to produce 263 units of horsepower. The engine has been built to have a direct injection system and is turbo charged. It also works using four cylinders.

On this new award, Don Romano, the president of Mazda Canada Inc. accepted it in behalf of the whole company. He did say, “At Mazda we like to say that we put the soul of a sports car in every car we design and the MazdaSpeed3 is the epitome of that philosophy. Winning this prestigious award from the most discerning automobile critics, based upon back to back testing against competitive vehicles, certainly attests to Mazda’s engineering expertise.”

Rearview Mirrors Feature Bluetooth Technology

Fri, 24 Nov 2006 00:00:00 -0600

Bluetooth is a product of modern technology. To take advantage of it, the same has been integrated to different gadgets. The most recent is its integration to - rearview mirror. Said mirror was introduced by LG at this year's 3GSM show in Cannes, France.

LG Bluetooth enabled rearview mirror for cars displays caller ID information at the center of the mirror's face. Aside from the caller ID information, the LG Bluetooth enabled rearview mirror is also equipped with a speakerphone for hands free use of the phone while driving. Said rearview mirror is powered off the car. However, it also has a built-in battery to allow about 150 hours of standby or 7 hours of talk time between recharges.

The mirror also features echo cancellation and pairing for up to 3 Bluetooth-enabled devices. It also supports both headset and hands free profiles. Other versions of said rearview mirror have greater capabilities. The one launched at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas has allows 200 hours of standby or 10 hours of talk time between recharges. It has a heads up display on the mirror itself for caller-id. Further, it has the capacity to broadcast modulate to the FM radio inside the car.

Bluetooth enabled rearview mirrors are bigger than most of car mirrors. They offer drivers information like caller ID without the worrying much about taking the eyes off the road for too long.

There has been no word on when these Bluetooth enabled rearview mirrors will be made available to car owners. With regards to automakers, plans of integrating Bluetooth to rearview mirrors are observable. Auto analysts say that in less than no time automakers will make this technology a striking feature. They are expecting that the 1987 Toyota Corolla rearview mirror as well as the Dodge mirror tow truck will be two of the vehicles that will be featuring the new car technology.

According to aficionados, when versatility and reliability become an issue on rearview mirrors, Ford, Toyota, Dodge, and Chevrolet are the reputable auto companies to bank on. Their rearview mirrors are engineered to deliver state-of-the-art quality and performance.

"Why Do Ford, GM and DCX Alone Still Speak for the Industry?" – Wall Street Journal

Tue, 21 Nov 2006 00:00:00 -0600

"Why do Ford, GM and DCX alone speak for the industry?" That was the query posed by Wall Street Journal as reported by the AIADA newsletter. Said statement was extracted as the paper explores on lack of connectivity regarding Detroit's dilemmas to that of the entire United States auto industry.

Wall Street Journal said, "GM, Ford, Chrysler and their enablers in the new Congress [Michigan Democrats] would have you believe otherwise, but outside of Michigan the U.S. remains a great place to produce vehicles." It added, "Consumers have more choices in what to drive and better quality than ever. And prices are competitive. Government intervention in a market this healthy can only increase the chances that it won't stay that way."

The obvious fact is that Detroit automakers are still dominating the automotive arena even though the international car manufacturers are increasing its market shares and continuously extends their operations in the US.

According to automotive statistics, about 43 percent of all passenger cars and light trucks sold in the US account for international vehicle manufacturers. Furthermore, approximately 60 percent of the entire sales of cars and light trucks in the US by said manufacturers are built in the US.

Wall Street Journal also reported that a recent study conducted by Cato Institute's Daniel Griswold and Daniel Ikenson found out that each of the top 10 selling cars and trucks in the first 6 months of this year is produced at US facilities.

"Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Chevy Impala (GM), Ford Taurus, Nissan Altima, Ford Explorer, Chrysler Town & Country, and other models that round off the most popular 20, regardless of the location of company headquarters, are produced in U.S. plants by American workers who contribute to the local, state, and national economies through their employment, expenditures, and taxes," the authors of the newsletter further noted.

Toyota is famous for its consistency approach and quality Toyota body parts. Ford and GM are also known for their determination and steadfast strength of character. Toyota, which is said to be struggling to dethrone GM will find it difficult to pass through its shield. Moreover, Ford is still holding on to its reign in the truck segment of the auto industry. The auto battle is still sizzling as ever.