REVA NXR Reveals Pricing

Sep

Smoker? Don’t Go Avis. Or Budget, Either.

Posted by Steve Anderson Published in Business, Cars, Enviroment, Industry

As part of a recent nearly worldwide push to make smokers into second-class citizens, both Avis Rent-A-Car and Budget have announced that, if you smoke in their cars, you’ll be on the hook for a two hundred dollar cleaning fee.

Me, I’m not so concerned about that personally–I don’t rent cars, and even if I did, I’d be glad that it didn’t reek of smoke the second I got in. And my personal preference IS shared by the masses who want, first and foremost according to Avis officials, a “smoke free car”.

But let’s be honest here–a two hundred dollar cleaning fee for lighting up in the car? That’s craziness, nothing but! Surely a little Febreze, a shot or two of steam and a couple hours of airing out doesn’t run two hundred bucks! This sure looks like a punitive move to me, and frankly, I don’t LIKE punitive moves.

I hope that there isn’t anything else going on here, and frankly, I’m a little incensed at the size of the fines, but the thought is worthwhile enough and might hopefully help people’s health in the long run.

Tags: Avis, Avis Rent A Car, Budget, cleaning fee, Febreze, non-smoking

Jul

Tata Nanos to be used as taxis in India?

Posted by Jeff Baker Published in 2010 Vehicles, Business, Cars, Industry

It seems that some start up business owners in India are looking towards the Tata Nano as a godsend. Sure, they may not appeal to every business, but to up and coming taxi businesses, they are.

It seems that Autocar recently learned from an Indian man that a large portion of Tata Nano orders were from those who are looking to use the extremely cheap car to start their own taxi businesses. They point to the fact that due to the car’s 4-person capacity and sure-to-be low repair costs, it is the perfect alternative to a fullsized sedan.

In India they may be the perfect taxi alternative but just imagine someone with a truckload of bags after a day of shopping in New York City trying to squeeze into one of these things.

Tags: Budget, India, low cost, repair, tata nano, Taxi

Jul

Mazda Prepping for Cash for Clunkers Customers

Posted by Brian Published in Business, Enviroment, Industry, Mazda

Mazda dealers are optimistic that their sales will grow once the Cash for Clunkers program officially gets underway. To date, they are already preparing the possible vehicles that will most likely be chosen by incoming customers within the set boundaries and budget.

And to entice people to look more towards Mazda vehicles, dealers have added a little perk, a $500 cash incentive that should get some curious motorists looking. This is separate from the $3,500 or $4,500 CARS incentive.

The amount of the incentive is either $3,500 or $4,500, depending on the mpg improvement of the new vehicle over the one it replaces.

(Source) Press

Tags: boundaries, Budget, cash incentive, Mazda, mazda dealers, mazda vehicles, motorists

Jul

Car Buying Service Website Goes Online

Posted by Brian Published in Business, Cars, Industry

If you are too lazy to head on over to the nearest car dealer shop to buy a vehicle, perhaps you don’t need to anymore. Thanks to this new site,Wheelator.com, will do all that for you. We have been seeing this trend lately, businesses making use of the web to provide service. Not that most people are becoming too lazy to get up, why bother if there is a group that can do all the legwork for you?

And the best part of it all is that they make the necessary negotiations and handle all the paper work for you. Ranging from trade-in to rebates, you can get the best price to fit your budget on the car you want and the staff over at Wheelator.com will simply have you sign the paperwork and inform you when to pick up your car. Now that is easy as it gets!

Wheelator.com offers its services for $299, which includes a money-back guarantee. Not all car buying services operate using the same payment structure.

(Source) Press

Tags: Budget, car buying service, car buying services, car dealer, money, negotiations, paperwork, payment structure, press car, rebates

Jul

Tata Nano crashed on video

Posted by Jeff Baker Published in 2009 Vehicles, 2010 Vehicles, 2011 Vehicles, Cars

Yesterday we reported to you that Tata’s sub-$2000 Nano passed through European crash testing with generally good marks. Today, we have a video of the car actually undergoing said crash test which you can view here.

Now I know that Europe has deemed the Tata Nano safe enough to be driven on the road and I don’t know about you guys, but I wouldn’t want to be in that car (above others) during a crash.

It’s still not definite but Tata hopes to bring the Nano to the American market sometime before 2011.

Read (Automotive Engineer)

Tags: America, Budget, crash test, European, safety, tata nano, video

Jul

Tata Nano undergoes European crash testing, passes with flying colors

Posted by Jeff Baker Published in 2010 Vehicles, 2011 Vehicles, Cars

The first thing I think of when I see cars such as the Tata Nano are the safety hazards associated with driving such a small vehicle. Just imagine getting crashed into by a truck while driving one of those. Get my point?

Well, contrary to my belief, the Tata Nano has successfully made its way through crash testing in Europe which means that the car itself is in fact safe to drive. According to Autocar, Tata execs were “delighted but not surprised” at the successful testing of the budget car.

Of course, in the US our crash testings are a bit more strict than those elsewhere so the Nano will have to undergo some upgrades before it makes its way onto American soil.

Tags: Budget, crash testing, economy, Europe, success, tata nano

Jul

AutoPartsGOGO.com Announces Search Tool for Aftermarket Auto Parts

Posted by Brian Published in Accessories, Business, Cars, Industry

Related to the growing interest for restoring and maintaining current cars today, here is another potential site that can help you in your spare part/s search to make sure that your vehicle is functioning properly and accordingly. AutoPartGOGO.com launches an innovative search tool for the aftermarket auto parts seekers, allowing people to see the availability and cost of that part they need.

The innovative search system allows for car enthusiast to search exclusively for “Premium” parts, the budget conscious to search for “Economy” parts, and any one to search for “Popular” parts. This allows even the most novice automotive user to easily search and find exactly what they are looking for.

AutoPartsGOGO.com has become known throughout the aftermarket automotive industry as one of few auto parts websites that can offer free shipping over $50 purchase to 48 continental U.S. states with unlimited weight and volume. Either one pound or 100 pounds, buyers can enjoy free ground shipping if the total purchase is more than $50.

(Source) Press

Tags: aftermarket auto parts, automotive industry, Budget, car enthusiast, current cars, economy, novice, search system, search tool, seekers, spare part

Jul

Shell Card Promotion Gives Back Cents Per Gallon Scheme

Posted by Brian Published in Cars, Enviroment, Industry

For the first 100 gallons using the Shell Card, Shell has announced a limited offer where 30 cents per gallon will be returned for the first 100 gallons purchased using the said cards. The promo is valid onl for a 90 day period and available at all Shell-branded stations. The promo is valid for those who sign up and are approved for a new Shell Card from June 29, 2009 to September 30, 2009.

“Whether it means taking vacations closer to home or replacing flights with road trips, being budget-conscious is top of mind for many consumers this year,” said Mark Theobald, US Consumer Cards, Shell Oil Products US. “The Shell Card promotion will help drivers get the most out of every drop by offering a timely and effective solution that lowers the cost of driving without sacrificing the quality of fuel.”

For easy budgeting, Shell Card holders can track and manage gasoline purchases separately from other day-to-day expenses. The Shell Card is a proprietary credit card that offers free 24/7 online account access, no annual fee, flexible payment options and pay-at-the-pump convenience.

Consumers can use the Shell Card at any Shell-branded station coast-to-coast, participating Jiffy Lube locations nationwide, and more than 250,000 ATMs across the US. With the promotion, new Shell Card holders will receive a $30 statement credit after purchasing 100 gallons of gasoline within 90 days of the account open date.

(Source) Press

Tags: Budget, closer to home, conscious, consumer cards, consumers, effective solution, flexible payment options, flights, gasoline purchases, jiffy lube locations, mark theobald, onl, proprietary credit card, road trips, shell oil products, vacations

May

Volkswagen Golf GTI MK6 Queuing Customers

Posted by Brian Published in Industry, VW

The management team of Volkswagen have a reason to smile these days. With all the turmoil covering the auto industry, they are experiencing an increase in market share and are apparently being led by an unlikely car line. The sportier-looking Volkswagen Golf GT MK6 seems to be capturing the attention of the car market and has been queuing up customers.

The Mk6 is the quickest ever car in the company’s range, and coupled with its stunning looks, quality build and great handling, it’s no wonder drivers can’t wait to get their hands on it. The Mk6 has a top speed of 149 miles per hour and can accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in just 6.9 seconds, but despite this awesome power, the car is, rather miraculously, more eco-friendly.

With a sportier design, it looks like Volkswagen has greener days ahead of it and we don’t mean just being eco-friendly. People love the new looks so the next thing you may have to worry about would be consumer complaints on when they can get their order.

New models start at around £21,000 but for those on a tighter budget, a used VW may provide the answer.

(Source) PR Web

Tags: answer source, auto industry, Budget, car line, car market, consumer complaints, golf gt, greener days, management team, market share, miles per hour, mk6, models, top speed, turmoil, volkswagen, volkswagen golf, volkswagen golf gti, VW

Feb

Kia Rio – Budget Perfect

Posted by Simon Published in 2009 Vehicles

Kia Rio

With an entry level MSRP of only $12,000, the Kia Rio is still the least expensive little car Kia makes, and it continues to fill up a niche once occupied by the Chevy Chevette and the Ford Escort. If such a thing as a generic car existed, a plain-container car that you could buy off the shelf at a discount price and still expect it to take you from one place to the next, that car today would be the Kia Rio.

Offered in both sedan and five door hatchback models, the Rio’s four cylinder engine was chosen to its budget-friendly attributes not its performance. It will get you from here to there in the city, but don’t expect to feel too excited about it. Earlier versions of the Rio were so cheaply made that some finance companies would not write loans for them; so dismal was the resale value. Kia has improved on that, and while the trim levels are all still pretty basic, the 2009 model is a vast improvement over what was coming out of their factories five years ago. As all the major auto manufacturers gear up to offer the best, cheapest little car for 2010, it will be interesting to see if Kia will be able to hold onto its niche.

Tags: Budget, KIA, Rio

Feb

Insight to be under $20,000

Posted by Simon Published in Honda

Honda Insight

Honda Motor Co. announced that it is aiming at pricing its new Honda Insight at under $20,000 for the American market, and that if sales exceed the stated goal of 100,000 in the first year, it will consider building the car in the United States. Sales of hybrid vehicles in the U.S. actually fell 9.9% in the U.S. from 2007 to 2008, mostly due to the severe credit crunch and mass layoffs of American workers in the fourth quarter.

Hybrids accounted for 315,761 of the total cars sold in America in 2008, which comes to right around 2.4% of the total. The Toyota Prius starts at $22,000 in the U.S. Honda hopes to gain an edge by undercutting that price, but it won’t be easy. In Japan, a new Honda Insight currently starts at about $23,365.00. The Japanese have been hurt by recent trends in currency exchange rates, which make their products less competitive price-wise in the U.S. than they once were. Building the Insight on American soil would help offset some of that, and would also bring welcome jobs to a flailing economy.

Tags: Budget, Honda, Insight