Saturday, November 26, 2011

What’s To Expect from Mitsubishi This Coming 2012?

Mitsubishi or Mitsubishi Motors Corporation, is a known multinational carmaker that is headquartered in Tokyo. Their vehicle origins date back as far as 1917 and up to now, they still produce high end and trusted automobiles. Now consumers can’t wait what Mitsubishi would be releasing by next year. So to give some heads up, here are some of the news about the vehicles we would be seeing next year.

For 2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse and Eclipse Spyder, not much has changed with it. The wheels get a bit darker and the side mirror housing replaced from color of the body to go with the blacked-out roof.

The same goes for 2012 Mitsubishi Galant, nothing much has bee changed. It is said that it is entirely unchanged.

Unfortunately for 2012 Mitsubishi Endeavor, I guess we won’t be seeing one next year since they will be discontinuing it.

Then let’s check out 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer. Rumor has it that Mitsubishi is introducing the 2012 Lancer SE sedan with a focus on the snowbelt states. The said Lancer SE will also come with an all-wheel drive, all-wheel control, 16-alloy wheels, heated seats, sideview mirrors and also together with the 2.4 liter four-cylinder engine.

Next will be the 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution. 2012 Evo revises are plain, 2 lights. The Evo GSR acquires a new upshift light on the center display and the MR obtains a new ECO light to tell you when you will be out of the speed zone and enter the green zone. Then lastly the 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback. It gets a bit cooler and nicer this time. Its sporty exterior is increased with a Ralliant-type front fascia and a sweet 18-inch wheels. Also, a fresh interior fabric and developed trim have been new to the instrument panel. The door trim receives updated soft-touch material.

It seems new Mitsubishi parts have been added to most of the models that they have for next year. Personally, I can’t wait to see the actual 2012 Lancer Sportback since it is the vehicle with most upgrades. Seems there is a lot of things to expect from Mitsubishi by next year.

Thursday, November 24, 2011

2012 Mini Cooper Reviews

Mini has been loved by a lot of car enthusiasts. It is a small car that was made by the British Motor Corporation (BMC). Mini has in some ways been considered as the British equivalent to its German contemporary which is the Volkswagen Beetle that is also makes it way in North America. So by next year, Mini has been taking some time in creating a much better vehicle which they would be releasing next year, the 2012 Mini Cooper. As far as the review says, the new 2012 Mini Cooper levels as 17 out of 39 inexpensive small cars. The said small car sets with a great driving dynamics and has a great fuel economy into a small frame however bumpy rear seats and of course, a small trunk are also part of the car’s package. Also 2012 Mini Cooper don’t have a perfect interior. It has a small frame that makes seat somehow uncomfortable with most adults and there is only a few space left at the back seat passenger.

Those ergonomic issues maybe void once you drive this small car and feel that it is one of the best performing car in its level. It has sufficient punch to please drivers and owners as they head to and fro from work. And what could we say, with the reasonable price for this small car, we really couldn’t ask for more. Looking for replacement Mini parts isn’t a problem for this cute car.

Thursday, November 17, 2011

What's New For Acura This Coming Year 2012...

What would we be looking out for from Acura this coming year 2012? Well personally I am a bit excited for the cars that they would be releasing by next year. There have been rumors about it so I checked the internet for the latest news that has been acquired from this Japanese automotive luxury brand. But it was also been said that the only update for the 2012 MDX would be the minor color changes. And that would be the same for the 2012 Acura RDX, 2012 Acura RL, 2012 Acura TSX, and 2012 Acura ZDX. But for 2012 Acura TL and 2012 Acura TSX Sport Wagon, more changes have been applied. For the 2012 Acura TL, it has been heard that there would be a new nose that effectively decreases the “beak” of the 2009-2011 TL. Also, the rear of the said model is restyled. There is also the new 6-speed automatic transmission in both front and all-wheel drive TLs. To fully enhance the acceleration and fuel economy, lower gears ratios on one through five. Then we go to the 2012 Acura TSX Sport Wagon. Little color changes are made in accumulation to the elimination of the spare tire, which would be replaced with a compact tire-repair kit. Changing this will dramatically amplifies the underfloor storage. It seems there are changing a lot of Acura parts for the next year cars. One good reason to be excited for the new cars next year.

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Car News: New Suzuki Cars to be presented at 2011 Tokyo Auto Show

For Suzuki enthusiasts out there, watch out as Suzuki will be presenting three new cars at the 2011 Tokyo Auto Show. This annual Japanese car show is said to be famed and known for as a place where car makes and designers, or car engineers alike, show off radical concepts and proposed new designs. As everyone is waiting for this annual car show, this year’s show assures not to let down as many concept cars. One of the main highlights would be the show off new three vehicles from Japanese car maker Suzuki namely the Suzuki Q concept, Suzuki Swift EV and the Suzuki Regina.

Suzuki Q-concept

This new two-seater can be illustrated as a cross between a car and a tandem bike and an electric car that Suzuki claims has a range of around 6miles. The length of the car is only 2.5m. Its cabin though can be reorganized in many ways.

Suzuki EV Hybrid

This hybrid maybe the least weird of the three new concept automobiles. It is an experimental electric car with an on-board generator. According to Suzuki, the EV Hybrid can run for 20miles on electric power alone.

Suzuki Regina

The Suzuki Regina is a extremely minimalist car. It weighs at only 730kg; the car is a real gas saver as it only consumes fuel at a rate of 90mpg and decreases emissions to 70g/km. It also features a design that contributes to the car’s aerodynamics. The rear wheels of the Regina are partially covered for much smoother air cleaving. Due to this, Suzuki declares that Regina is 10% more aero-efficient than the previous Suzuki cars.

I do hope that a lot of critics may find these three new concept cars interesting since I find it remarkable step to Suzuki since they have created two hybrids in a short span of time. I also do hope to see new cool Suzuki parts or custom made parts in the auto show.

Monday, November 14, 2011

Advice Needed: Mini Cooper? Dos and Don'ts

Good day. Does anyone here own a Mini Cooper? I am thinking of buying a third car for myself. A friend of mine knows someone that is selling his Mini Cooper with a reasonable price for a second hand car. But before buying a car, it is always my routine to check for reviews or feedback on the internet if having such car is a practical idea, well regards of maintenance. Unfortunately I run into some forum posts associating problems with some Mini parts. The first and common thing that I read is about transmission failure problems. Past owners are saying that their car was horrible. And when fixing it, it costs up from $5k -$7k as you need to buy an entirely new transmission since you can’t repair it by just fixing the broken gear/part. So for those Mini owners, is this also your first problem or concern with your car? Well the good thing is that they already innovated the latest models that the problem may be minimized.

Well that is just one of the problems that I read online. And I really want to know more a lot about this car before I buy it, especially that it is a used car. So please post here if you can advice to get this car or not. Really appreciate it guys.

Saturday, November 12, 2011

Issues with Isuzu Rodeo

After some tremendous tests and power planning of Isuzu with Rodeo, it is still said that it is experienced with some problem with the production, well as all vehicles do. They might need to do a lot more improvement to the Rodeo to fully satisfy the consumers.

Nevertheless, these are some of the setback experienced by some drivers and owners of Isuzu Rodeo recently. First one is the Air Conditioner: Some feedback says that the A/C gradually becomes warmer due to ice forming on the evaporator. I am guessing the main problem is a mispositioned thermostat. Then also the Cruise Control: Some are complaining that the cruise control may not let the transmission shift down out of overdrive on hills that may cause serious trouble. Then there are also Steering problems: The steering wheel sometime vibrates unless a steering-yoke spring kit is installed, which I think is really not supposed to be. Also there is Transmission noise: It may lack of lube on the clutch shift fork pivot ball causing annoying noises and squeaks. Doors: Unless the front-fender liners have been replaced, ice and snow may build up between the door and fender which caused door damage when it is opened. Fuel Gauge: It will indicate full after a fill-up, then not move until the tank is half empty.

We have to admit that having a car really requires a heavy sum of maintenance. Some of these problems could easily be repaired. Isuzu parts are available everywhere. The internet is a very good source and a lot of deals can be secured. But I still think that Isuzu should be more lenient to this matter and hence, they need to check on this defective engineering to provide more reliable cars.

Friday, November 11, 2011

Where can I find cheap Saab Parts?


Good day guys. So here I am again looking for some Saab parts. You may think I own a dealership but I am just doing this as a favor, again, for a friend of mine. She owns a fairly new Saab 9-3 SportHatch. She loves her car but since she doesn’t know quite a bit on the proper maintenance of one car, she is somehow having problems on how to fix it. So us guys who knows something about cars checked on it and there might be some problems with the oil filter and also with the shock absorber. Definitely, the car’s oil filter needs to be changed. There are some rusts outside of the part. There wouldn’t be a problem on how to remove and replace the old oil filter, yet again we want to look for a cheap one cause she is somehow saving the best she can on this replacement parts. The same goes for the shock absorber. She explains that she may have droved her car outside the city that may have caused her shock absorber to wear down as well. Well for that matter, we may have problems replacing the old absorber. We might need to go to a mechanic to replace it.

If we couldn’t look for cheap replacement parts for her car, no worries we have a backup plan. We have talked to some dealership who can offer discount for the parts and the services they would render. But it would still be helpful if look for cheap parts. So I hope you can help us. Thanks guys.

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Looking for Replacement Chrysler Auto Parts.

So here I am again looking for some good replacement auto parts. Well you might be asking if I own such cars that I have posted recently but the only cars I own is a Mitsubishi Lancer ES and a Mazda 3. The parts that I am looking are for my buddies and for people I know that is asking for my help. So now I am looking for a replacement Chrysler parts specifically a new timing chain tensioner. I have heard a lot of things about Chrysler and this part is commonly complained on. Chrysler owners are well aware of the problems and vulnerabilities of 2.7L engines. There are prone to have failures in 2000, having changes in trying to prevent internal coolant leakage over time into the crankcase. For 2005 cars, transformation included improvements to the PCV system and also for oil circulation to even later boosting oil capacity by an additional quart in an attempt to make the Chrysler engine more forceful. Sadly to say, even with these modifications there are still rumors that the premature Chrysler 2.7L Engine failure continues even until 2008 Dodge Chrysler cars. So needless to say, does anyone here knows how to fix or at least temporarily fix this kind of defect by just replacing the design of a timing chain tensioner? It would be nice to hear ideas from you guys. Thanks.

Monday, October 31, 2011

In need of Hyundai parts...

So I am looking for new Hyundai parts. I am trying to set up a fairly new a 05 Hyundai Elantra for my cousin. It’s lady own that is why there are certain things that is needed to be replaced like the A/C thermostat, a new cold air intake and some interior stuff. I kinda know people who could replace those parts for free or with discounted charge so all I need is a place where I could place an order for these stuffs. And since she is not big on the budget, I would say direct me to a nice place where they sell reasonable price for parts for this kind of car. I tried looking online like eBay or Amazon and saw fairly prices car parts but I would still love to hear what you will suggest since you know more about these things.

She is not in a hurry to completely fix the things that is needed to be done so I guess I’ll take this chance to really look on nice parts to set up her car and maybe add some modifications that a lady would love to see in or on her car. So hit me up guys with suggestions that you can think of. Thanks.

Friday, October 28, 2011

Mitsubishi Power Train: Auto Transmission

Good day guys. Well last week I was driving my 03 Lancer ES and I noticed that the automatic transmission looked like it was slipping. There are times when driving, I will let on the accelerator to slow then I would try to lower the accelerator again then the car would act like it was in neutral. The car did not move on. So I took the car to a friend of mine who knows the work around of cars. So he told me that there is something wrong at the right passenger ball joint. And he also mentioned that the transmission also needs repair. Anyone out there also experience such problem with the powertrain and transmission? Well even though I love Mitsubishi cars, I hear several negative feedbacks about its problem with its transmission or clutch problems. Well it’s a bit common for cars to have problems but redundant one somehow pisses me off. And I really don’t want to give up my ES.

I have talked too much so I’ll just ask you guys, where could I buy good replacement Mitsubishi parts for my Lancer ES? Well I’ll still check it with my mechanic but I do trust my friend who first diagnosed my ride. Hope to hear from you guys soon. Thanks.

Monday, October 24, 2011

Canon Toner Cartridges

Laser printers are known for printing quickly. The toner used in the printing process is a powder and not a liquid, like the ink used in ink jet printers. This toner powder is fused to the paper through heat and pressure. Because of this unique printing process, the problems associated with toner cartridge problems are unique as well. Some problems can be resolved without replacing the toner cartridge, while others require a new toner for the printer to function properly.

   1.
      No Printing
          *

            At times, when a new print cartridge is installed, the printer stops printing or the ink appears very light on the page. Usually the problem has to do with the toner cartridge and not any other part of the printer. Pull the toner cartridge out and inspect it. Toner cartridges come with at least one protective strip to keep the toner from spilling out during transport. Some toner cartridges come with multiple strips, some of which can be almost entirely clear and hard to spot. Removing all of the protective strips will prevent the cartridge will allow the ink to flow thru.
      Lines And Streaks
          *

            If there are random streaks or lines on the printed page, there could be a problem with the toner cartridge in your laser printer. Check the cartridge to see of a object is stuck in the casing. The cartridge has a small door that can be pushed back. If a small pebble, paperclip, or other object becomes stuck in this door, it can cause toner to be released when it is not supposed to be, creating the lines or streaks. If the printer consistently prints horizontal lines on pages, then it could be from the toner cartridge not being inserted into the printer properly. Take the toner cartridge out and reinstall it. Be sure the cartridge is set all the way in the dock, in the printer.
      Leaking
          *

            Often, the sign of a leaking toner cartridge comes when printed pages have random marks on the backside of the page. The leaking toner can fall anywhere in the printer, including the feed rollers, which can also create thick, dark streaks the length of the page. If the toner is leaking into the printer, you can see toner dust if you open the printer's toner access door. Be careful when removing a leaking toner cartridge, since the toner dust will stain clothing and skin. The entire inside of the printer needs to be cleaned before it can be used again. You can vacuume the inside of the printer to remove the excess debris.
      Print Drum
          *

            In many laser printers, the print drum is located in the toner cartridge. The print drum is a wearable part of the printer, meaning it will wear out over time. With each fresh toner cartridge you get a fresh print drum. The print drum is the roller that the toner is magnetically attracted to, forming the words and images that are then transferred to the paper. A worn out print drum can cause random specs of toner to be attracted to the paper, resulting in little dots spread randomly on the page. Many remanufactured toner cartridges still have the original print drum in the cartridge; the toner may be new but the print drum can be worn out.
      Aftermarket Canon Toner Cartridges
          *

            Independent quality assurance tester QualityLogic conducted tests on HP toner cartridges versus aftermarket toner cartridges. QualityLogic found from its pool of toner cartridges that many of the aftermarket cartridges had quality problems. Seven percent of the aftermarket cartridges failed prematurely, including some that would not print at all. Twenty-five percent of the tested aftermarket cartridges printed unusable pages more than half the time. QualityLogic found no problems with the HP toner cartridges that were not refilled, but came straight from Hewlett Packard.

Sunday, October 23, 2011

Brother Fax 575 Ribbon

I have a new Brother Fax 575. And honestly, I can't seem to make it fax or print or do anything. I guess there is something that I am doing wrong. The main problem that I have is can I reset the used ribbon to receive a fax ready to print? I do not have time to run out and purchase a new brother fax 575 ribbon, need to print out the fax. There is a notification that is saying that the ribbon needs to be replaced or reset. Can I reset it? Many thanks for any response.

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Where to buy cheap Epson ink cartridges

Hey guys. So I was having problems with my previous printer that I decided to change it and buy a new one. So I check online and saw a site that offers good prices of ink cartridges and stuff that concerns printers. Try to check them out here in this link: epson ink cartridges cheap. Hope it helps you as it helps me too. Good day :D

When Having Problems with your Brother Printer Drum

This is how to correctly reset after changing the drum from the brother printer drum:

Switch Printer on, after warmup open the front cover. Now press the Blue Go button and keep it pressed. Wait as follows befor releasing the button: Each light (starting with the Toner light) will in turn switch to orange and stay on. When all 4 lights are constantly orange, wait for a few seconds then let go of the button.

That should do it. Hope it helps somehow to those of you having such kind of printer drum. Have a great day.

Friday, October 14, 2011

New Subaru Rear-Drive Coupe 2011

Howdy guys. So I was checking online for some news about automobiles and there was one update that I was not able to notice last March. Subaru release a new coupe! The Subaru FT-86/216a. And surprisingly, I did not catch that up in any of my feeds about new released vehicles. It is a rear-drive coupe that was presented in the Geneva Motor Show. This Japanese owned automobile manufacturing cars verified that the longed-for coupe, that was joint with Toyota, will be present at the said Motor Show.

The Japanese corporation also authenticated that there has been newly built platform for this car. And this Coupe will not only feature Subaru’s trademark horizontally-opposed boxer engine but as an alternative, since they collaborated with Toyota, it will be rear-drive, giving the solid rival to Hyundai’s Genesis Coupe in the US market.

Well Subaru are one of those car companies who regularly progress through the years despite the economic downturn. It is due to the reason that they build their cars and Subaru parts with real quality. Also at times, they have joint ventures with their fellow country (Japan) companies to build cars to minimize costs across the board. Now, when they have a joint venture with Toyota, they build stylish cars with the chassis setup operated by both parties. Subaru's are so expensive, even when your trying to get a used model. This is because the performance of their cars is matched to superior build quality and reliability.

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Lexus OEM Parts

Hey peeps, what up? I was kinda busy updating the blog with the articles and discovering new features to be added on the site. But I am here to ask a favor or assistance from you guys. I am in need for auto part. I know all of you car fanatics could help me on this. Well the part/s that I’m looking for is not for me, it is for a good old friend of mine. We bumped to each other last weekend and talked about the thing that is very common to us, CARS. To make the story short, he is looking for Lexus OEM parts. His car is a 2004 Lexus ES 330. Well the last time we talked, seems he got budget so I guess he would definitely go for new OEM replacement parts. He needs new suspension kits and a new cold air intake. So I would like to ask if any of you guys know a place where we could find Lexus parts. And please, with a good reputation when it comes to shipping parts and stuff. Anyone, even you, would not appreciate rip offs such as delays in delivery or defective parts during shipping and whatnot. I guess that’s about it. Any responses is welcome and very much appreciated. 

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Places where to find nice deal of Auto Parts

So it's been a long time since I've been able to post about cars here. And right now I kinda need advice or tips on how to get cheap or nice deal of replacement parts for any make model cars. Well I've been experiencing some difficulty in my budget right now but one thing is for sure, I would never give up or sell my ride. Which is a  Mazda3. I really invested with so much effort, time and cash on this baby and I won't give it up.

So here I am, in need of some car parts for it, some suspension parts and a new cold air intake. Well a friend of mine introduced some sites to me and one site got my attention. Good deals with the prices and it almost has everything that is needed on one car. The site is thepartsbin.com. Have you guys heard of this online car store? I wanna make sure I am purchasing the replacement parts I need with a trusted store. And seriously, I don't want to waste my money if I would just be ripped off. Well my buddy purchases there so that's a go but I just wanna make sure, I hope you understand what I mean guys. So yeah, any response would be very appreciated. Good day.

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Violin Music

Good day. Lately I am intrigued in learning how to play violin. I just love to hear the sound of it. Such relaxing and fresh to the heard. Whenever I hear violin music, I feel so relaxed. Does any car enthusiast here knows how to play this instrument? Well I am still deciding if I should take proper lessons for this matter. Cause I am thinking that I am a bit old for such lessons. But I really wanted to learn how to play this instrument. If anyone doesn't know how to play one to at least teach me how, I guess all I need is to ask you for your opinion. Is it still cool or okay for a guy like me, 35 years old, to take violin lessons? With regards to budget, I have some money for that so no need to worry on that part. Or how about taking online lessons for such? Is it a good idea too? I really don't know what to do. So what do you say guys? What's your words of wisdom for me here? Sorry for such a long post here. I just need some tips or advice. I would appreciate any response. Thanks.

Thursday, August 18, 2011

Reason Why Printer Cartridges Aren't Interchangeable?

Printer ink cartridges are produced to be used in one particular model or series of devices. Due to the intricate internal electronics and varying designs of printers, these cartridges cannot be transferred between printers.
  1. Cartridge Systems

    • The majority of home printers employ one or two black ink tanks together with between three and six tanks of colored ink. Each cartridge must be inserted in the right slot in order to achieve accurate print-outs -- consult the printer documentation for full instructions.

    How Inkjet Printers Work

    • Most home printers use inkjet cartridges, which squirt tiny droplets of ink onto the page. Each cartridge has been designed with a specific printer in mind, as correct communication between the PC, printer and ink tank is essential.

    Exceptions

    • In some cases, printer cartridges can be used in several similar printers from the same manufacturer, if the design and functionality allows it. A full list of compatible ink tanks can be found in the documentation accompanying the printer, or from the manufacturer's website.

Source: eHow.com

Printer Ink OR Toner: Which Is More Economical?

Printers refer to peripheral devices that produce text or graphics on a print medium such as a document. Printers generate images or text on documents via toner or ink, which both offer certain economical advantages and disadvantages.

  1. Definitions

    • Used in inkjet printers, printer ink is a liquid comprised of solvents and particulate matters that is produced at a relatively low cost. It colors a surface in order to create text or an image. Toner, a more expensive powder mixture formed by combining carbon with a polymer which binds to a print document via a fusing process, are used in copiers and laser printers.

    Initial Cost

    • Prices for ink cartridges and toner vary depending on unit quality and printer brand. Ink cartridges typically cost between $10 and $40 per cartridge unit. Toner cartridge units typically cost between $30 and $200.

    Cartridge Yields

    • The cartridge yield refers to the number of printed pages produced by a unit. Toner and ink cartridge yields again vary depending on several factors. The average toner ink cartridge unit yields printed pages in the thousands, which helps offset the higher initial purchase cost. Ink cartridge units average hundreds of pages.

      Source: http://www.ehow.com/

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Typhoon Dodong

Hey guys. I'll be posting one site that one of my friends is hosting. Typhoon Dodong. This site is mainly about tropical storm after it's domain name. News and updates regarding bout it is always posted in this site. The blogs as well could give you info on what do to before, during an after a typhoon hits your place. Stay safe always everyone. Good day

Monday, May 16, 2011

Growling Sharp Ferrari

Take a peek at this lovely sharp sports car with the Ferrari name slapped on it, inspired by the form language of Credo E-Bone, another design by the same designer that’s no less that a city bus. That, and the bones of animals and humans are where this comes from. This designer takes the Italian dynamic and organic, soft shapes that are closest to nature. Inside and out, this vehicle is meant to radiate energy and power.
This is the Ferrari Enzo, a car that never ever stops, but appears to sit in time even as it flies down the highway. The one sentence the designer hopes to let loose as much as possible is “My car has always more power than yours.” Time for crushing of all road opposition! Road warrior!
Also I must mention that the following images come from a folder titled “renders.” Although from that I am lead to believe that they are rendered images from a 3D program, my brain just can’t fathom it. These are too good.
Designer: Peter Simon





Black and White Hypercar

The following is an introduction to a conceptual car brand via the brand’s first virtual auto. The name of the brand is Shayton, a word that comes from the Sioux word for falcon (Chayton pronounced Shay-ton.) The car that’s being presented is the Shayton Equilibrium. To describe Shayton as a brand, the Equilibrium is described as the world’s first hyper-car. Because this car aims to display “pure hedonism, perversion on four wheels,” Shayton the brand can be easily seen as a niche brand that wishes to become the top tier.
To create such a car as this, one whose goals are to push the boundaries of abstract concepts were born in childhood fantasies, a company must dedicate themselves not only to creating a solid foundation in a strong story, but also to competing with the leading brands who’ve been sparking the imaginations of designers and car enthusiasts for generations. Can the balance inherent in this car, the Shayton Equilibrium, bring the conceptual auto brand Shayton to the forefront of the auto world before it even becomes a reality?
Have a peek at the Equilibrium below, and you be the judge.
ALSO note that Andrej Å tanta is one of the designers involved in PROVOCO, the design team responsible for this lovely project – find more work by this designer here: [Andrej Å tanta]
Designer: PROVOCO for Shayton




Volvo Unveils Concept Universe Car

Today, at the Shanghai Auto Show, Volvo Cars visualises a masterpiece of Scandinavian design, inspired by Chinese philosophy. Concept Universe is Volvo’s most luxurious creation ever, and the brand’s answer to the question: “What is a beautiful car?” With this sculptural and luminary design study, Volvo wants to test a possible new design direction for the brand since it was acquired by Geely.



“When we set out to create this concept, one of the first things I told the designers was not to draw cars for a week. With a pencil, one automatically draws hard lines, and that’s not what we wanted here. Instead I asked them to design sculptures. That way, we brought fluidity and a sculptural gracefulness to the Concept Universe. We reduced the number of lines, and took away all visual noise, to make it as simple and elegant as possible,” says Jonathan Disley, Strategic Design Manager Advanced, at Volvo Cars.
“Without the edges, all lines are infinite, marking distinctive inspiration from Scandinavian furniture design as well as Chinese writing. The Concept Universe is entirely built by hand and took a strenuous 8000 hours to finish.”








With Volvo’s new tie to China in mind, the design director brought a more philosophical dimension to the design, as he wished for a car “with the depth of the universe and just as welcoming as the sun rising over a calm ocean.” This extraordinary brief brought about unexpected and inspiring discussions among the designers, and the director got what he wished for. The depth of the grill, with its layered design, luminary effects and planetary feel, resembles the universe, while an illumination bar between the tail lights reflect the colour spectra of the sun and the moon rising. Made of rubber compounds, the frosted tail lights accentuate a glowing, almost burning red light. The lights are with its silicone-like attributes also resistant to bumps and scratches.
At the same time as the Concept Universe opens the door into Volvo’s future, the design team found inspiration in Volvo’s iconic models of the past, such as the Volvo Amazon and Volvo PV 444. This is especially apparent in the concept’s smooth, rounded and soft lines.
There is a growing appreciation for the ingenious blend of design and technology among luxury car buyers, and Concept Universe offers a fascinating contrast between traditional craftsmanship and highly advanced features. The driver’s in-command environment has intuitive controls and a touch-screen that approaches the hand when the driver reaches towards it. There is also a full-colour 3D head-up display, originally developed for military aviation, presenting the speedometer, navigation system and other important information directly on the windshield, without requiring the driver to look away from his or her viewpoint.


Mercedes-Benz A-class patent renderings leaked


Mercedes-Benz unveiled a three-door concept version of its 2012 A-class at the New York and Shanghai auto shows in April, and images of a possible production model leaked this week via the European Patent Office.
The renderings show a five-door hatchback version of the A-class concept with less aggressive styling. Its world premiere is said to be scheduled for the Frankfurt motor show in September.
Mercedes-Benz representatives declined to comment on the leaked renderings.


Read more at: http://www.autoweek.com/article/20110513/CARNEWS/110519906#ixzz1MZuU107i

Saturday, April 30, 2011

How to Troubleshoot a Windshield-Washer Pump

Follow these steps to determine why your windshield-washer fluid is not flowing freely, and soon you'll be driving with clean windows again. The problem may be something simple like a disconnected hose, or dirt in the spray nozzle.
   
Things you'll need:
  • Windshield-washer Fluid
  • Replacement Hose
  • Compressed Air And Air Nozzle
  • Funnel
  • Needle Or Pin
Instructions:


  • Turn on the windshield washer with the engine off and the key in the On position.
  • Listen for a humming sound to determine whether the windshield washer motor is operative. Open the hood and ask a friend to listen while you turn on the windshield washer. If you don't hear any sound, check the fuses.
  • Replace the fuse if it is blown. If the fuse is not blown and the motor is silent, have your mechanic replace the windshield-washer motor. If you hear the motor humming, proceed to step 4.
  • Check the reservoir and add windshield-washer fluid if its level is low or empty. You can fill the reservoir right up to the top-- usually it doesn't have any full or empty indicators. Use a funnel to avoid spills.
  • Check that the water is not frozen in the reservoir. This will only happen in cold weather if you filled the reservoir with plain water instead of windshield-washer fluid.
  • Make sure the small rubber hose that plugs into the windshield washer reservoir is attached.
  • Follow the hose to the rear of the hood. Check for crimped, torn or broken lines. The line from the reservoir splits into two lines at the hood. If damaged, remove the line by pulling at the base where it attaches. Bring it to an auto-parts store and purchase a hose of identical width and length. Install it and check for leaks.
  • Clear any leaves or debris away from the area around the washerfluid nozzles on top of the hood.
  • Clear the washer-fluid nozzle's passage with a needle or a pin.
  • Unhook the washer lines at the reservoir and at the hood, then force compressed air through the lines to dislodge anything stuck in them.
Source: eHow

Transmission Mount Bracket

If you're a hard off-roader, chances are you enjoy all the ruggedness of the terrains that you traverse and the vibrations created by these terrains. However, your engine and transmission may not take the effects positively. That's why you need to secure them not only with a mount but as well as with a motor and transmission mount bracket. Vibrations are damaging to the parts in your vehicle, more so to the engine and the transmission. They can cause parts to get dislodged from their mounting location and to get damaged, and even to damage other neighboring components. To protect the engine and transmission, they're held by their mounts. And, the mounts need a reliable motor and transmission mount bracket in keeping the parts secure. The bracket guarantees that the motor and transmission will remain firm no matter how great the amount of vibrations your ride encounters while you drive. Just be sure that you inspect the said part every now and then to see whether it's already damaged. Also, pay attention to such things as unwanted noise that may indicate a damaged bracket and your auto parts banging on other components.

Motor mounts (engine mounts) are used to connect a car engine to the car frame. They are usually made of rubber and metal. The metal portion connects to the engine on one side and to the frame on the other. The rubber is in-between to provide some flexibility (so engine shake doesn't cause the car to shake). Newer cars may use slightly different mounts, however, there purpose is the same. Provide the connection from the engine to the car frame. The number of motor mounts varies from car to car.

Symptoms of a Bad Transmission mount bracket:


Shaking

  • A bad transmission mount can cause your vehicle to shake and rattle severely while accelerating. This is often caused by a broken transmission mount, but may result from worn or damaged rubber blocks. If the transmission mount breaks completely, the transmission may shift during acceleration, causing a knocking or clunking sound. If the transmission shifts and twists severely enough, it may damage other components, which cand result in additional noise and possibly damage.

Noise

  • When the rubber blocks between the vehicle's chassis and the transmission mounts break free or become damaged, the vibration and noise from the transmission will be conducted through the transmission mount and into the chassis of the car. This is most often recognized as a roaring or vibrating sound that echoes throughout the vehicle during acceleration. If the sound is caused by bad rubber blocks, the transmission mounts may break, damaging the transmission.

Loss

  • Though rare, if a transmission mount becomes damaged and breaks, the transmission may become dislodged and fall from the vehicle. This will result in thousands of dollars in damage and is not easy to repair.

Fuel Tank Selector Switch

Anyone know what this button or switch is?

That is a Fuel Tank Selector Switch.

What's the use of an extra fuel tank filled with fuel if you can't gain access to it because of a damaged fuel tank selector switch? A dual fuel tank can be a great benefit to your vehicle. It reduces the chance of getting stranded at the side of the road because of loss of fuel. It also lessens the interval by which you visit the gas station for a fuel refill. For you to enjoy all these benefits, however, you need to keep the switch operating in top condition. This switch is your access to the two fuel tanks in your vehicle, opening and closing the door of the tanks to control which tank will be used. However, there are instances when the fuel tank selector switch becomes damaged. Exposure to harsh elements can cause the switch to break over time. And when this happens, you have no way of gaining access to one of the tanks in your vehicle. This may not seem like a problem at first, until your vehicle dies on you because of fuel starvation.




Sends power to the selector causing the door inside the unit to open and close swapping tanks. On a 92-96 Ford F series it is located to the right of the headlight switch, too the left of the instrument cluster. The tanks are supposed to run independent of the other tank and only the tank you chose should be supplying fuel. With age I find these tanks mess up in all sorts of ways. It is possible that the switch is malfunctioning and pumping from both tanks but as far as the front tank going from 3/8 to 5/8 when you filled up, by design that can't happen. What probably happened was the gauge settled down enough to read the actual fuel amount. I suspect a problem with the front tank since you can not run the gauge down to E whether because the gauge is reading wrong or the tank won't suck up gas that low in the tank.

Friday, April 29, 2011

Making sure the ABS wheel sensor is working properly, CLEAN it!!

There are many things that can cause your ABS light to come on. Some are serious, so you should never just ignore the light. But there are times when the light comes on and can be met with a simple solution. For instance, a dirty ABS wheel sensor can cause the system to trigger the ABS light during self evaluation. You'll be shocked when you see how much road gunk can accumulate on this very important sensor.
Even if your ABS light hasn't made an appearance, it's a good idea to clean the sensor. A good time to do it would be during brake pad replacement when you have the wheels off anyway.

What You'll Need:

  • Ratchet wrench and sockets
  • Ratchet extension
  • Jack
  • Jack stands
  • A strong rag
Get your stuff together and you're ready to start. Remember, it's never safe to work on a car supported by a jack, use jack stands!

Begin by loosening your wheel lugs, then jack the front of the car up and rest it securely on jack stands. With the car safe, remove the wheel lugs and take the front wheels off. With the wheel off, turn the steering wheel all the way in, opposite the side your working on. For example if your working on the passenger side, turn the wheel all the way toward the drivers side.



Locate the ABS wheel sensor (Shown in the picture above). Remove the bolts that attach it to the rest of the suspension. You may also need to remove a few bolts to pull the sensor away from the vehicle for cleaning. Follow the line to see if there are more bolts. Remember not to force it or pull too hard. Then along the line theres another two 10mm bolts, that need to be removed, just follow the abs sensor line to get at them. The initial bolts on this application are pictured below.

With the sensor free, take your rag and wipe the sensor until its clean. I prefer not to use any chemicals on the sensor to avoid potential problems. If you need to, use mild soapy solution and rinse well. Reinstall the sensor in the same manner it was removed. 

Source: Autorepair

Felpro

Federal-Mogul's Fel-Pro® brand is our premium sealing system and the industry’s leading brand of replacement sealing products for light vehicles, light trucks, medium-duty trucks and heavy-duty applications. This Federal-Mogul brand also includes specialty lines for performance, sport and marine engines.



Federal-Mogul engineers are continually pushing ahead with new sealing science, developing problem-solving products like PermaDryPlus® rigid carrier gaskets.

The Fel-Pro brand by Federal-Mogul is a leader in multi-layer steel (MLS) head gasket design, the current leading-edge technology in sealing today’s lightweight engine castings with a long-term, leakproof seal called PermaTorqueMLS®.

Because we’re a global producer of engine and sealing products, our aftermarket customers benefit from Federal-Mogul’s proven expertise in engineering and manufacturing OE components and subsystems for the world’s major automotive manufacturers. Our extensive field experience gives us insights into the expected changes in engine components over time. We design our aftermarket sealing parts to meet your specific needs in the replacement environment. 

Thursday, April 7, 2011

2011 Saturn Ion

2011 Saturn Ion is a compact sedan or a coupe that emphasizes style and innovation. 2011 Saturn Ion features some significant updates, including higher-grade interior fabrics and richer-looking interior trim in more harmonious colors. Additional sound-deadening material brings a quieter cabin. The stereo systems have been improved and are available with an MP3 player, XM Satellite Radio, and a six-CD changer. 2011 Saturn Ion steering has been re-calibrated for improved road feel at speed. Both of the available automatic transmissions have been refined as well. 2011 Saturn Ion is available as a four-door sedan, or as an innovative coupe with two reverse-opening auxiliary rear doors.
 
The sedan is offered in three trim levels. The coupe is available in the upper two levels. Saturn does things a little differently from other car manufacturers, so instead of assigning arbitrary letter combinations to each trim level, Saturn calls them simply Ion 1, Ion 2, and Ion 3.

All 2011 Saturn Ion models are powered by the same 2.2-liter four-cylinder engine, rated 140 horsepower. A five-speed manual transmission is standard. Automatic transmissions are available, but Saturn installs different units in the sedan and the coupe. Sedans use a five-speed automatic, which is unusual in this price range. Coupes use a continuously variable transmission (VTi, Saturn calls it) that uses pulleys and belts instead of gears to maximize smoothness and efficiency. Anti-lock brakes (ABS) with traction control are available on all other 2011 Saturn Ion. Head curtain air bags that protect both front and rear-seat passengers in a side impact are an unusual option in this price class. CD and CD/MP3 systems are available on Ion 1 and Ion 2. XM Satellite Radio and On Star are offered at levels 2 and 3. A convenience package adds cruise control plus power locks, mirrors, and windows to Ion 2. A power sunroof is offered on all models except the Ion 1 sedan. Leather upholstery is available on Ion 3. It’s more than four inches taller than the previous-generation S-Series that it replaced. saturn ion1 2011 Saturn IonThe 2011 Saturn Ion roof curves heavily down to the high trunk line almost giving it the appearance of a hatchback rather than a traditional sedan. The look is contemporary and not that dissimilar from the Nissan Altima and Volkswagen Passat, both lauded for their design. 2011 Saturn Ion maintains the Saturn tradition of attaching composite polymer body panels to a substantial steel space-frame. The polymer panels can’t rust and, because they are slightly resilient, they resist the minor impacts that leave small dents and dings in sheet metal. The down side is that the Saturn’s panels look thicker than steel sheet and gaps between body parts have to be greater to allow for expansion in hot weather. Another benefit of the composite panels is that they are relatively easy to replace. Saturn has exploited this advantage on the Ion by offering alternatively colored roof rails that owners can easily install to customize their car’s appearance. All 2011 Saturn Ion come with body-color roof rails, but Nickel-Silver rails are available for the coupe and the sedan, and Charcoal rails are available for the sedan.

Source: Reviewcar.com

2011 Dodge Charger

Is there an angrier car on the road than the Dodge Charger?


The 2011 Dodge Charger receives a number of significant upgrades, including freshened styling, higher-quality interior materials, an all-new and more powerful 3.6-liter V6 engine, a retuned suspension, electric-assist power steering, more standard features and a new electronic interface. The high-performance SRT8 model has been dropped for now, but it's likely to return in the future.

One of the most significant of these changes is the introduction of an all-new 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 that takes the place of the outgoing model's 2.7-liter and 3.5-liter V6s. With 292 horsepower on tap -- an increase of 114 hp and 42 hp respectively over the previous V6 engines -- this new powertrain becomes a fine alternative to the Charger R/T's carryover 5.7-liter V8.

The Charger's interior has also received a makeover, with handsome styling and soft-touch materials replacing the bland look and hard plastics that gave the previous cabin a low-budget feel. The list of standard features and options has been substantially upgraded as well, and now includes the latest high-tech bells and whistles, including the Sirius Travel Link service that accesses info from local gas prices to live weather radar images. Equally nifty is the available Cross Traffic Alert system that makes backing out of a blind parking space much less stressful.

A careful mining of  Dodge’s past gives the new car enough retro touches to tie it to the Chargers of  yore. But Dodge didn’t throw out what so many people loved about the previous generation. Though they’ve been tweaked a bit, the forward-canted crosshair grille, the glaring headlights, and the fighting-bull stance remain. Yes, the Charger’s still a bad-ass, but it’s now a better car to live with. In other words, it is managing its anger quite well. 

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Exhaust system

An exhaust system is usually tubing used to guide reaction exhaust gases away from a controlled combustion inside an engine or stove. The entire system conveys burnt gases from the engine and includes one or more exhaust pipes. Depending on the overall system design, the exhaust gas may flow through one or more of:
  • Cylinder head and exhaust manifold
  • A turbocharger to increase engine power.
  • A catalytic converter to reduce air pollution.
  • A muffler (North America) / silencer (Europe), to reduce noise.

Design criteria

An exhaust pipe must be carefully designed to carry toxic and/or noxious gases away from the users of the machine. Indoor generators and furnaces can quickly fill an enclosed space with carbon monoxide or other poisonous exhaust gases if they are not properly vented to the outdoors. Also, the gases from most types of machine are very hot; the pipe must be heat-resistant, and it must not pass through or near anything which can burn or can be damaged by heat. A chimney serves as an exhaust pipe in a stationary structure. For the internal combustion engine it is important to have the Exhaust System "Tuned" (refer to tuned pipe) for optimal efficiency. Also this should meet the regulation norms maintained in each country.In Europeon countries, EURO 5, India BS-4 etc.,



Exhaust System Tuning

Many automotive companies offer aftermarket exhaust system upgrades as a subcategory of engine tuning. This is often fairly expensive as it usually includes replacing the entire exhaust manifold or other large components. These upgrades however can significantly improve engine performance and do this through means of two main principles:
  • By reducing the exhaust back pressure, engine power is increased in four-stroke engines
  • By reducing the amount of heat from the exhaust being lost into the underbonnet area. This reduces the underbonnet temperature and consequently lowers the intake manifold temperature, increasing power. This also has positive side effect of preventing heat-sensitive components from being damaged. Furthermore, keeping the heat in the exhaust gases speeds these up, therefore reducing back pressure as well.
Back pressure is most commonly reduced by replacing exhaust manifolds with headers, which have smoother bends and normally wider pipe diameters.
Exhaust Heat Management is the term that describes reducing the amount of exhaust heat loss. One dominant solution to aftermarket upgraders is the use of a ceramic coating applied via thermal spraying. This not only reduces heat loss and lessens back pressure, but provides an effective way to protect the exhaust system from wear and tear, thermal degradation and corrosion.

DC Sports

DC Sports Exhaust

  • Gain horsepower and get the sport compact sound you've been craving by installing a DC Sports exhaust system
  • A DC header gets gasses out of your engine more efficiently resulting in torque and horsepower across the rev range
  • By installing in the stock locations, DC Sports exhaust components save you hours on installation time
  • Choose a stainless DC Sports exhaust system for the ultimate in good looks and durability

DC Sports Exhaust

We don't know why more exhaust manufacturers don't take a page from the DC Sports exhaust system catalog and build their systems to fit in the stock locations. After all, it doesn't matter how good a system performs if it takes days of bending and welding to get it to fit. A DC Sports exhaust utilizes factory hangers and mounting points to ensure you get a great, out-of-the-way fit from your new components. From there, DC Sports exhaust products build in all the premium features you'd expect from a high end performance exhaust system. For example, you'll find stainless steel used throughout every DC Sports exhaust system, with CNC mandrel bends providing large, high-flow curves. Anywhere hardware is required for your installation, the DC Sports exhaust kit you receive will include it. The muffler used on DC Sports exhaust systems is a hand-welded high flow design with a wide open core for the best possible gas flow with legal sound output. At the end, your DC Sports exhaust will have a polished stainless tip with the instantly recognizable DC Sports exhaust logo. Whatever you drive and whatever look you're going for, there's a DC Sports exhaust for you: Single canister, dual canister, and even twin canister tandem applications are in stock and ready to go, so get your DC Sports exhaust today and get ready for some real performance.

DC Header

You know you have to have a DC header on your sport compact to really get the most out of your engine's abilities. All the air you can squeeze into the cylinders doesn't make a bit of difference if the burned gasses can't get out efficiently. And guess what: your factory manifold isn't efficient. A DC header, on the other hand, is made up of individual runners heading back to a common collector. Compare that to your stock manifold, which most likely looks like a log that all the cylinders have to dump into. Since each cylinder gets its own individual exhaust pipe on the DC header, you avoid competing exhaust pulses, backpressure, and unequal pressures, all of which can stop the exhaust in its tracks. DC header designs include four-into-one, four-into-two, and various racing configurations. Which DC header is right for you depends upon how you intend to use your car. For street and strip combo use, choose a DC header that gives good low-end torque at the expense of absolute peak horsepower. If you road race or drag race, high-end power may be what you want from your DC header, torque or not. No matter which you choose, you'll find stainless steel, CNC mandrel bends, and thick, welded flanges across the entire DC header lineup. That way, you can choose the performance characteristics you want and always be assured that your DC header will deliver quality workmanship.

DC Sports Header

Turbulence and backpressure are the big enemies of your exhaust system, since they rob horsepower by preventing smooth exhaust gas exit. Your ally is found in the DC Sports header. A DC Sports header bolted on in place of your stock exhaust manifold can improve gas flow by a factor of four, which means low restriction, low turbulence, and almost zero backpressure. How? Rather than dumping all the exhaust into a single plenum like a log-style manifold does, a DC Sports header gives each exhaust pulse unimpeded access to the collector several feet away. As it travels down its individual tube in the DC Sports header, the exhaust pulse loses energy and slows down, so that by the time it reaches the collector it no longer has the energy to cause backpressure all the way back up at the cylinder head. Thus the next exhaust pulse is free to race down the tube without restriction. A properly-designed unit like the DC Sports header can even use the pressure waves to suck subsequent exhaust pulses from the cylinder—sort of like a reverse turbocharger. The scavenging effect of a DC Sports header is particularly important if you're running forced induction or nitrous, due to the high volume of exhaust gas. A DC Sports header will ensure that you get the most out of your induction system. And with stainless steel used throughout, thick, laser cut flanges, and machine welds, your DC Sports header will help you get the most for a long time to come.

A 1 Cardone Alternator

The A1 Cardone product line has expanded to include products manufactured new by Cardone, so now it is possible to buy an A1 Cardone alternator, made with the quality and durability you've come to associate with the A1 Cardone name. In the same way that A1 Cardone remanufactures parts with an eye on strengthening the basic design, they make their line of new parts, such as the A1 Cardone Alternator, with an eye on creating efficient, long lasting automotive parts worthy of the decades of success and satisfaction symbolized by the Cardone name. An A1 Cardone alternator, like all other A1 Cardone parts, is made to the highest industry standards, using the best manufacturing materials available. Using cheap or less than high quality materials runs the risk of creating products that will hold up well under day-to-day driving conditions, and that is not a risk that A1 Cardone is prepared to take, not with an A1 Cardone alternator or any other part bearing the Cardone name. The rigorous testing that each part manufactured by A1 Cardone undergoes ensures that an A1 Cardone alternator will be performing its essential tasks dependably for many miles to come. You can trust an A1 Cardone alternator to see to it that your battery maintains its charge and that the electrical systems of your car will receive the power they need for optimum performance. Because a poorly performing alternator can strain the automotive systems that depend upon it, it only makes sense to take advantage of the proven A1 Cardone quality by using an A1 Cardone alternator in your vehicle.

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Now hiring: Volvo planning to add 1,200 employees

By Andrew Ganz
Tuesday, Mar 29th, 2011 @ 1:44 p.m.


Volvo Cars says it plans to recruit 1,200 workers to build enough cars to fit in its future product plan. The Swedish automaker, recently acquired by China’s Geely Holding Group, says that the hiring will be for both its engineering facilities, home office and assembly plants in Sweden and Belgium.

“We need to expand our operations to enable development of the highly competitive and fuel efficient products and technologies that are part of our growth plan,” CEO Stefan Jacoby said in a statement released to members of the media.

Volvo says that 900 engineers will be hired to work in research and development in Sweden to create a new vehicle architecture that will eventually underpin electric cars. In addition, Volvo is hiring purchasing, IT and marketing workers.

In addition, the automaker says that it will also increase its staff at its Ghent, Belgium, assembly plant, which is expected to hit a new production record this year.

Volvo currently employees just short of 20,000 worldwide, a figure down from 2008 when it was owned by Ford Motor Company. During the last couple of years of Ford’s ownership, Volvo sliced its staff by about 6,000 workers in response to slackening global demand.

Volkswagen's No. 1 ambition: How it plans to rule the world

By HARALD HAMPRECHT on 3/29/2011
 

When Ferdinand Piech celebrates his 74th birthday on April 17 in his villa in Salzburg, Austria, with his wife, Ursula, his youngest son, Gregor, and other close family members, he likely will look back at his career and break into a big, satisfied smile.
The chairman of Volkswagen AG's supervisory board wants to turn Volkswagen Group into the world's largest automaker.
And he loves it when a plan comes together.
Piech, the multimillionaire grandson of Ferdinand Porsche, still pulls all the strings at the Volkswagen Group.
The auto tycoon turned the tables on former Porsche AG CEO Wendelin Wiedeking, who tried to take over VW.
Now Wiedeking is gone, and Porsche will become the 10th vehicle brand in Volkswagen Group's lineup.

Brand bonanza
Over the years, Piech's collection of VW brands--ranging from European value brands such as Skoda and Seat to superluxury marques such as Bugatti and Lamborghini--has taken fierce criticism from shareholders, labor unions and journalists.
But Piech has ignored the critics, and now VW Group prepares to fulfill his dreams of growth.
Volkswagen Group CEO Martin Winterkorn has announced plans to spend 51.6 billion euros, or about $72.9 billion, over the next five years on VW's automotive division.
That excludes another $14.1 billion VW plans to spend in China with its joint venture partners.
In the United States, VW has ambitious plans--and significant challenges.
"Somewhere along the way, frankly, we lost our bearings in this market and we failed to build on that emotional equity and became more of a marginal brand," Jonathan Browning, CEO of Volkswagen Group of America, said this year.
Volkswagen expects its U.S. sales of VW brand vehicles to rise to 300,000 units this year, up from 256,830 in 2010.
By 2018, VW expects the U.S. market to grow to 15.1 million vehicles and VW brand sales to rise to 800,000.
To increase its U.S. market share, VW will focus on improving its core lineup rather than entering new segments.
"We've got a pretty broad lineup today, so we are very much focused on more deeply penetrating the segments we're in," Browning said.

Rekindling the spirit
He said VW must regain the spirit of when the Beetle and the Microbus were U.S. cultural icons.
To refine the brand and inspire loyalty, Browning said VW has identified six areas of focus: products, quality, customer experience, brand development, dealer networks and used-car performance.
Will all of these efforts be enough for VW to overtake No. 1 Toyota? Piech faces major hurdles. Among them:

-- Growth vs. profits: Toyota Motor Corp. had a fast-growth strategy--and paid a heavy price through sinking profits. Now Volkswagen runs a similar risk of sacrificing profits to growth. VW is the world's third-largest automaker but ranks seventh in terms of operating margin, CFO Hans Dieter Poetsch recently said.

-- Head count: Volkswagen Group employs 370,000 people worldwide. About 250,000 employees work for the core VW brand, which sold 4.5 million cars last year. To meet the VW brand's sales target, the company must expand the VW brand's payroll to 290,000 employees by 2018, personnel chief Horst Neumann said in an internal publication. Also, VW must replace 60,000 employees who will retire in the coming years. That's a difficult task, especially in emerging markets such as China or India, where employees routinely jump to rival companies.

-- Production capacity: VW plans to boost annual sales to 10 million to 11 million vehicles, up from 7.1 million units last year. The core VW brand is supposed to boost unit sales to 6.6 million units by 2018. To do so, the company must build at least five or six assembly plants worldwide, Porsche CEO Matthias Mueller told Automotive News.
New plants require new employees, more help from suppliers and more overseas production, enabling Volkswagen to avoid import tariffs and currency fluctuations. But much of VW's production is concentrated in Germany, a costly place to do business, says Juergen Pieper, an analyst for Bankhaus Metzler in Frankfurt.
"VW's footprint in Germany is still too strong," Pieper says. "The powerful unions could become a problem again, especially when VW wants to shift more production to cheaper sites abroad."

-- Shared components: To achieve economies of scale, VW will derive its product lineup from a handful of architectures. For example, in 2012 VW will launch its Modular Transverse Matrix architecture, which will be the basis for a variety of front-wheel-drive models. Five VW brands will use it to build at least 30 models, reaching total global production of 5 million to 6 million units by 2018.
But common architectures pose risks. VW could be forced to produce cookie-cutter models that are hard to differentiate. Will VW succeed at charging a higher price for the VW Sharan when the cheaper Seat Alhambra is more or less the same car?
With a handful of one-size-fits-all architectures, Volkswagen will be pushed to create distinct images for its brands. Company executives realize that this may be a big problem, especially in key markets such as the United States, Brazil, India, China and Russia. VW is trying to overcome this with one of the auto industry's biggest advertising budgets.
There is a second big problem with common architectures: If just one component is defective, it can force damaging recalls of millions of vehicles. Even Toyota, once renowned for its quality, has been shaken by such global recalls.

-- Complexity: With expansion comes more complexity, and Piech must find a way to deal with it. How will VW manage 10 brands and half a dozen new assembly plants, especially given Piech and Winterkorn's desire to expand further? VW is considering establishing a new entry-level brand in China, for instance.
And nobody would be surprised if VW increases its 20 percent stake in Suzuki Motor Corp. to more than 50 percent, which would require the integration of a Japanese automaker and its corporate culture.

-- Porsche's growth and integration: Over the next four years, Porsche CEO Mueller plans to more than double sales by doubling the number of models in its lineup. But what happens when there's a Porsche on every corner? Will that hurt the brand's image of exclusivity? Can Porsche maintain its operating profit margin of 16 percent?
Former Porsche CEO Wiedeking feared such a scenario. Porsche will test the resilience of its brand image when it introduces the Cajun, a crossover positioned beneath the Cayenne.
Porsche's corporate culture will be tested, too. By 2015, the company will add at least 1,000 workers to its 13,000-member payroll, according to internal plans.

-- Consistent growth: Audi's growth depends on big U.S. sales gains. Audi CEO Rupert Stadler must increase sales to 1.5 million units in 2015, from 1.1 million units in last year.
But unlike rivals BMW and Mercedes, Audi lacks a U.S. assembly plant. That keeps Audi at a cost disadvantage. A former Audi manager warns: "Today's success is the result of Martin Winterkorn's decisions seven or eight years ago. Audi has to guard against losing its competitive edge."

-- Management talent: Who will manage Volkswagen's growth? Where will these executives come from? Winterkorn has installed new executives at many key positions, and he has dozens more posts to fill. Browning runs VW's U.S business. He has to retain VW's European flair, but at an even better price.
Luca De Meo, once the CEO of Alfa Romeo, is the head of Volkswagen Group marketing. He must make sure each Volkswagen Group brand has a distinctive brand image.
Former Continental AG CEO Karl-Thomas Neumann is in charge of VW in China, which Winterkorn calls the company's second home market. Neumann must increase sales to 2 million units, from 1.5 million, but avoid creating overcapacity.
And former Opel boss Hans Demant is VW's senior vice president in charge of relations with international partners such as Suzuki. VW is counting on Demant to learn how Suzuki makes such a good margin on cheap, small cars. And VW wants Suzuki's help to increase its presence in India, where the Japanese automaker is a dominant No. 1 with its local partner Maruti.
Demant told Automotive News that he believes VW will succeed in its chase for No. 1 for three reasons: "The company has strong in-house component production; it puts a huge emphasis on education; and it would be hard to find an automaker that is more focused on the product. He added: "The decision-makers at VW are engineers, not finance people."
But even with talented engineers, top teams sometimes fail, which is why Winterkorn issued a warning to VW's top 2,200 managers in Dresden, Germany, late last year. "Despite our recent success story, we must not become too content," he said. VW CFO Poetsch added: "Hyundai is a strong new power in many markets." Meanwhile, Toyota and General Motors are recovering fast.

-- Skeptics: Piech's big goal has drawn a crowd of skeptics. "What's the value of being No. 1 anyway?" asked Klaus Fricke, CEO of German plastics supplier Dr. Schneider Kunstoffwerke GmbH. "What did it do for GM? How long was Toyota No. 1 before it cratered in quality and perception?" Fricke said he believes it makes more sense to be No. 2 or 3, and focus on profits, adding: "I am sure that Mr. Piech and Mr. Winterkorn are well aware of that fact."
Harald Hamprecht is editor-in-chief of Automotive News Europe.

Source: Autoweek