The Grayline » automotive

iPad Built For The Automotive Enthusiast

Christopher — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 01:51:55 +0000

Many iPhone users will tell you that the iPhone was a huge development for automotive enthusiasts. Applications from remote starting, unlocking, and apps that allowed users to find the best hot spots made for an enthralling tool. It delivered confidence in traveling, knowing where you were going, and most importantly what to do when you get there. Now, that same technology is being applied to the iPad and is being focused on automotive applications.

Hyundai was maybe the first to adopt the iPad as a tool for drivers and auto enthusiasts. Earlier this year Hyundai announced that every new Equus would come with a free iPad, preloaded with the cars manual. Now that the iPad has had some time to grow within the market and reach increased adoption, companies like BMW are leading the way with automotive apps for the iPad.

'Das', is the first BMW iPad App, that allows users to view some of their product line in 3D. With touch technology provided by the Apple iPad users are then able to twist the images of BMW's cars, peak into their technological advancements and learn all about their vehicles. But BMW isn't looking at just the typical consumer use for the iPad, they also plan to outfit some of their salesman with the new cool tech tool.

The iPad for the BMW sales people would come loaded with software that would allow them to access BMW's personal software. This tool would allow a salesperson to pull up information on a specific model, provide images, and even run credit applications while out on the car lot.

Although Hyundai and BMW are the largest car manufacturers to adopt the iPad as a tool, Coda Automotive isn't far behind. Supposedly Coda will be releasing an all electric car later this year, that will come equipped with an iPod, again preloaded with the cars manual. Relatively inexpensive compared to the overall price of the car, the iPad will potentially create a new incentive for buyers and techno automotive geeks.

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Original automotive content: Automotive News

iPad Built For The Automotive Enthusiast

What Car Enthusiasts Notice

Christopher — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 20:23:40 +0000

I'll Notice The Dirt

As a car enthusiast I notice a lot of things, that most drivers simply over look. Furthermore, my keen eye for the automobile allows me to help my friends, family,and even neighbors. It's not something I can control, it's something I was born with, developed, and now is ingrained into my subconscious. These are the things I cannot ignore and always look for, even before getting in the vehicle.

Low Tire Pressure

Yes, the first thing I look at when walking up to any vehicle, whether I'm driving or not, is the tire pressure level. I'm not talking about having a flat, I mean I can look at most vehicles and tell if you are 10-15 lbs of pressure low. Yes, it's important, having the proper tire pressure means more than just better gas mileage, it also translates into safety. Furthermore, ride quality suffers if the tires are not properly inflated, which leads me to my next inspection point.

Consistency Of Drive Quality

Obviously I'm familiar with how my vehicle drives and am in tune to any out of place noise, vibration, or quirk. But my super human abilities reach even further, I can sense issues with other peoples cars simply by riding along. I may not be able to point out the exact problem, but I am capable of knowing if something is out of place. This uncanny ability is both a gift and a punishment.

Body Imperfections

Another curse that I am forced to live with, the inability to ignore blemishes in automotive body work. It tears at my brain and eyes, that smudge in the paint, that dent in the fender, I can pull my eyes off of it. The good news is that I'll gladly suggest to you the best way to repair and buff out these problems, but rest assured, that just because you think it's not noticable, potential car buyers and enthusiasts know that it's there.

Throttle Hesitation

My wife can't tell, some of my friends can't tell, but no matter what vehicle it is, I can feel a throttle hesitation. This is typically caused by dirty injectors, bad gas, or just a floppy pedal. All of these are easy to remedy and can be taken care of by proper maintenace and the addition of a throttle body cleaner to your fuel system. Being the buff that I am, I prefer running some Sea Foam through my vacum hoses and added to my fuel on occasions.

Conclusion

Just because you don't notice these imperfections, hicups, or annoyances doesn't mean others around you don't. This point becomes increasingly important if you are looking to sell your vehicle anytime soon. Ask a friend with super human abilities like myself, to make sure it passes the automotive enthusiast test.

Original automotive content: Automotive News

What Car Enthusiasts Notice

Setting Up Their Own Failure, The Automotive Industry

Christopher — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 20:07:25 +0000

The automtive industry is in peril and the only options according to our appointed leaders are either bail out or let fail. However, myself and others feel there is a gray area to the economic problem facing domestic auto makers. Specifically in the way we handle imports, current goals by the Big 3, and the impact unions have on the cost of a new car. I intend to detail some other ideas that could benefit us in the long run and dont' involve a black or white approach to the US economy.

Low Domestic Sales

Tariffs could be the automotive industries new best friend and it can be implemented almost immediately. The immediate effect would be higher priced imports, thus giving domestics an advantage in the market place. Those opposed to Tariff increases stand behind unfair trade and potential to damage world trading, but I feel now is the time to act. Furthermore there would be more incentive for manufacturers to bring their plants to the US, providing more jobs for Americans.

Domestic cars and trucks are quality vehicles and often times can compete equally with their import counter parts. Somewhere within recent years there has been a stima placed on domestic vehicles and the idea that buying imports was the 'green' thing to do. In reality domestics compete on a level playing field in fuel economy, quality, and dependability. Therefore I believe the real deal breaker amongst new car buyers is price and we have a tool to tilt the scales in the domestic's direction.

Automotive Industry Goals

I'm beside myself at the expectations automotive manufacturers have on the American consumer. For example, for their sales models to succeed they expect people to buy new cars every 3 years. How is this possible in a thriving economy, let alone in one that's tanking? The cost of a new car is far too high to expect buyers to be looking at a new vehicle every 3 years. Also, consider the quality of cars nowadays, they last much longer than 3 years so replacement is not necessary, but a want.

Scaling back on production should be a new goal for domestic automotive makers. Americans cannot afford the replacement cost of a new vehicle every 3 years, nor should they have to. Banks have helped in furthering this belief of 'need' to replace a vehicle every 3 years and that's how people become upside down on their car loans. Up until recent months most banks were happy to take zero down on a new vehicle AND roll over their previous vehicle purchase balance.

Unions Are Costing Too Much

Despite what this article may lead you to believe, I am not anti-union. I just believe Unions have a time and a place, the domestic automotive industry does not fit that bill. It wasn't too long ago that GM started buying out UAW workers to replace them with comparable lower cost workers. The structural costs of keeping union workers on the line was driving the cost of vehicles through the roof and eating into GM's profits.

As of September 2007 the hourly wage, including benefits, or a UAW worker was over $70 per hour. Toyota employees on the other hand were only being paid around $50 per hour for the same work. Considering how many employees are involved in the UAW, union dues being paid, and quality of labor these higher wages are just not justified. It's costing the Big 3 too much money to produce a similar vehicle to imports, to start saving American jobs in the long run wages and benefits need to start being cut now.

I feel now is the time to start eliminating union involvement in the auto industry. For domestic auto makers to be competitive in a world market it's going to take getting lean and the union currently holds the fat. Membership of the UAW has been taking a steady dive since 1979 and perhaps 2008 or early 2009 should finally be the nail in the coffin.

I'm against a bailout and look forward to the return of a free market.

Original automotive content: Automotive News

Setting Up Their Own Failure, The Automotive Industry

Small Car Sales Up

Christopher — Tue, 06 May 2008 14:30:05 +0000

Honda has announced that they are enjoying the increase in small car sales and the demand forced Honda over 135,000 vehicle sales in April. That's a whopping 6.9% increase from the same time last year and in a time when other manufacturers are struggling with the economy.

Sales of the Honda Accord were up 19.7% and the little Civic up 17.2%. The increase almost blanketed the different vehicles offered by Honda, including their small pick up trucks. However, sales with their SUV lineup has suffered slightly, with the Honda Element and Honda Pilot. I'm sure they are hoping that their 2009 Honda Pilot will help turn those sales figures around.

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Original automotive content: Automotive News

Small Car Sales Up

Almost An Audi Super Car

Christopher — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 16:59:57 +0000

The new Audi A6 is quite possibly the most potent Audi you can buy, less the R8 super car. The Audi A6 is part of the manufacturers 'S' line of vehicles and comes with all the go fast goodies you can think of, including a V-8!

The Audi A6 lays down 350 hp thanks to a 4.2-litre v8, compared to 420 hp produced by the R8. In addition to big HP numbers the 4.2-litre also produces a whopping 325-ft/lb of torque. It makes for a smooth ride with plenty of get up and go to embarrass the local muscle car nut. How about 0-60 in just under 5.8 seconds? Are you feeling damp yet?

As far as looks go it doesn't get too much more refined. Most would never guess there was a bulging-growth-hormone-using motor under the hood. Furthermore, for a little more than $56,000 sticker you could have one of your own.

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Original automotive content: Automotive News

Almost An Audi Super Car

Record Loss for GM in 07

Christopher — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 20:09:23 +0000

Domestics make the world go round and hearing of such a staggering loss makes me weep. For North American car manufacturer General Motors this was an expected announcement, based on 07 quarter reports, but it doesn't make it hurt any less. $38.7 to the red side of the spectrum is no way to end a year, but there is only one way out, up. Starting anew has made national news with GM offering to buy out more than 74,000 U.S. workers, to replace them with lower paid ones.

"We're pleased with the positive improvement trend in our automotive results, especially given the challenging conditions in important markets like the U.S. and Germany, but we have more work to do to achieve acceptable profitability and positive cash flow," Wagoner said in a statement.

It looks like years of bad decisions have finally caught up with the manufacturer. Furthermore the elders at GM have accepted that no significant profits will be met until sometime in 2010, by staying focused on reducing work force and reworking health benefits.

"We need to get all the structural costs down," Chief Financial Officer Fritz Henderson said. "We need to step on the gas in terms of how we're performing in the market as well."

More on General Motors loss in 07 can be found over at mLive.com.

Original automotive content: Automotive News

Record Loss for GM in 07