It has been customary for most families to travel and spend the 4th of July in certain places. But this year, it seems that many would be making some changes to their celebration plans. With fuel prices rising beyond reasonable levels, some people may be foregoing that tradition (at least while everything is in chaos in the fuel industry).

Compare to previous years, forecasts on the decline in numbers is expected. This is something expected ever since the fuel prices jacked up and became unreasonable. Add to that the fact that some have chosen to limit the use of their cars, if ever some would travel, it would be through a car pool or perhaps public means of transport.

If some people are willing to go through the uncomfortable situations of spending the occasion, at least they can get some consolation with special discounts to their destination. But first, they should ask themselves if the whole thing is worth the effort.

“Many Americans remain cautious about the outlook for their personal finances and these attitudes are reflected in the slight decline in travel we are forecasting for the upcoming holiday weekend,” said Robert L. Darbelnet, AAA President & CEO. “Those who do vacation this summer will find a plethora of attractive discounts and special offers resulting in some outstanding vacation values. If you can afford to go, this summer is a smart time to travel.”

(Source) Press

Tags: aaa, attitudes, attractive discounts, car pool, celebration plans, chaos, consolation, decline, fuel industry, fuel prices, holiday weekend, personal finances, plethora, president ceo, previous years, smart time, special offers, uncomfortable situations, vacation values

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Controversial or not, Volkswagen of America has vowed its support for the “Cash for Clunkers” program of the government where each of their vehicles for their 2009 lineup qualifies for the said program. Under the “Cash for Clunkers” programs, potential new car buyers can get up to $4,500 off from the purchase price of new vehicles who trade-in their old cars.

In order to qualify, eligible new vehicles must achieve at least 22 miles-per-gallon for automobiles, and at least 18 mpg for small light-duty trucks and SUV’s, and trade-in vehicles must achieve 18 mpg or less.

“Volkswagen of America supports this historic decision of the United States Government to enact the Cash for Clunkers program.” said Stefan Jacoby, President/CEO, Volkswagen of America. “The fact that Volkswagen has long been known for producing fun-to-drive, fuel efficient vehicles, combined with our eight Top Safety Pick rated vehicles by the IIHS, should put Volkswagen on any new car buyers shopping list.” added Jacoby.

Among the new cars that Volkswagen has lined up include:

• 2009 Rabbit
• GTI
• Jetta
• Jetta SportWagen
• New Beetle
• New Beetle convertible
• Passat
• Passat Wagon
• Eos
• CC

(Source) Press

Tags: car buyers, fuel efficient vehicles, IIHS, Jetta, jetta sportwagen, light duty trucks, miles per gallon, new beetle, new car, new cars, new vehicles, old cars, president ceo, rabbit gti, shopping list, Stefan Jacoby, united states government, volkswagen, volkswagen of america

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It has been a while but Honda is now 50 years in existence in America. The company which started out in 1959 via the manufacturing and distribution of fuel-efficient Honda motorcycles, Honda pays tribute to the array of technologies it has brought into the business. The latest technology offering is of course the much hyped Honda Insight, the gas-electric hybrid that has been pretty much talked about these past months.

“On behalf of the tens of thousands of Honda associates in America, past and present, we offer our deepest thanks to our customers for placing their trust in Honda over the past 50 years,” said American Honda President & CEO Tetsuo Iwamura. “Today, in the face of new challenges, including the preservation of our environment, we renew our commitment to exceed the expectations of our customers and society.”

Highlights of Honda’s run:

• First automaker to meet U.S. Clean Air Act without a catalytic converter – Civic CVCC (1974)
• First vehicle to top U.S. EPA list of most fuel efficient cars – Civic (1977)
• First Japanese automaker to build motorcycles (1979) and automobiles (1982) in America – Marysville, Ohio
• First Japanese automaker to establish a luxury automobile brand – Acura (1986)
• First mass produced gas-electric hybrid car introduced in America – Insight (1999)
• First government-certified hydrogen fuel cell vehicle – FCX (2002)

Honda operates 10 U.S. manufacturing plants with two new plants under construction, along with 14 R&D facilities and more than 12 regional sales, parts and service, and finance offices around the country. The company’s network of U.S. parts suppliers comprises 545 companies in 34 states with annual purchases exceeding $17.5 billion in 2008.

(Source) Press

Tags: american honda, catalytic converter, clean air act, electric hybrid car, fuel cell vehicle, fuel efficient cars, honda insight, honda motorcycles, hydrogen fuel cell, hyped, japanese automaker, luxury automobile, manufacturing plants, most fuel efficient cars, motorcycles honda, president ceo, regional sales

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