For all the owners of Toyota Tundra trucks, it would be advisable to make a periodic check of your chassis. Reports have it that some owners have been complaining about severe frame rust which may eventually lead to broken brake lines and loosening spare tires. The year models affected are 2000 and 2001 and covers about 218,000 vehicles. There have already been reports of underbody-mounted spare tire separations from the rear crossmember and broken brake lines. Fortunately, no accidents have been reported yet so take the initiative and check or observe these parts from time to time.

If investigations reveal that these are indeed Toyota’s fault once again, it may become the second recall after the celebrated floormat design unintended acceleration defect. Worse, it can really dampen the brand image of Toyota, something it doesn’t need right now with their floundering sales due to the recession.

(Source) Press

Tags: acceleration, Accidents, brand image, chassis, floormat, initiative, investigations, models, rear crossmember, recession, rust proofing, separations, spare tire, spare tires, Toyota, toyota tundra, trucks

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Chrysler got a new lease on life some months back with regards to its current financial standing. Now it seems that they have totally forgotten how to redeem itself from their poor showing as the company is still mum on what it plans to do with their current product line. There has been no word on new vehicles that would be coming out and yet we are nearing the close of 2009. Has Chrysler totally lost it?

Unlike Ford which has put much of its weight on their electric car, the Volt, Chrysler has not leaked or shown any new car models to look forward to. Rather they are providing customers with perks like car leasing and specialized features. How long can they do that? Unless they start getting their act together they are better off closing the company or perhaps selling it to someone else. They do have plans of a brand makeover but time is essential. Apparently Chrysler forgot all about that.

Tags: auto chrysler, available resources, car industry, car leasing, car models, Cars, Dodge, doors, economic turmoil, electric car, Ford, makeover, market position, models, new blood, new car, new direction, new lease on life, new vehicles, quick time, rebates, signs of life, special offers, trucks, Volt, waste of time

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Motorists who own SUVs or trucks may want to check out this device. It is a Land Meter from UxSight which tells you exactly how your vehicle is tilting. Power is generated from a cigarette lighter and can be placed accordingly on the usual car dashboard with the aid of a self-adhesive bottom.

It measures 124mm x 57mm x 80mm and retails for about £12. This Land Meter is great for people who travel off-road and often want to know the state of position of their car.

(Source) Slippery Brick

Tags: brick, car dashboard, car source, cigarette, motorists, suvs, trucks

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The celebrated Cash for Clunkers program is more complex than one would think. At least concerning the dealers, there is a fine print which states that “All trade-ins must be disabled and scrapped by a disposal facility that is a part of the End of Life Vehicle Solutions program and has been approved by the NHTSA.”

This means that in order to avail of the Cash for Clunkers program, dealers need to properly dispose of traded-in cars, meaning that they still have to add another area of business when it comes to operations. But thanks to disposal facilities such as JunkMyCar.com, the process has been sub-contracted, making sure that the requirements of the CARS rebate program are properly addressed.

The benefits Junk my Car offers to dealers include ensuring they receive the Disposal Facility Certification Form, determining the scrap value that will be passed on to the customer, and receiving payment for each vehicle removed.

Hence, for the consumers thinking of availing of the Cash for Clunkers Program, make sure that the dealer you are negotiating with has the proper means of properly processing your intent to avail of the special rebate program. Better yet, inquire if they have an affiliation with Junk my Car, a free junk vehicle removal service that facilitates the removal of cars, trucks, and motorcycles in the United States and Canada.

(Source) Press

Tags: affiliation, Canada, Cars, consumers, free junk, ins, junk vehicle, management services, motorcycles, nhtsa, rebate program, salvage, salvage management, scrap value, trucks, united states, vehicle solutions

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We have seen a lot of wild ideas when it comes to car enhancements and peripherals and here is one that should be a big help for people who cannot live without their laptops. We see most cars equipped with the portable DVD players with screens placed at the back of the headrests. But now, here is one that can cater to mobile computing on the go and also some entertainment via notebooks.

It is evident that today, people can use their laptop and browse the web even when traveling. But the matter of sturdiness is put into question. Having them on your lap is not necessarily the best position to really use a laptop but perhaps this CradleVue Laptop holder can resolve all that.

The CradleVue can be adjusted to hold onto any size laptop. It also can adjust to accommodate more than just mini vans, it’ll also work for cars, SUVs and trucks as well. It has a specific type of cord that is used to absorb all of the usual shock from riding around in the car.

You can get the CradleVue Laptop Holder for $24.99

(Source) Crunch Gear

Tags: car enhancements, Cars, crunch, headrests, laptop holder, laptops, mini vans, mobile computing, notebooks, peripherals, portable dvd players, screens, shock, suvs, trucks

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For truckers, fenders are often overlooked. While many consider them as additional costs, there are modern day truckers who make use of them for added protection especially when they are in the road. This includes added protection from dents and of course the fashion statement that makes trucks stand out of the simple ones.

Now that we are talking about fenders, the next thing in mind is the make. They are usually made from metal or hard plastic. Depending on your needs and how you can design them to complement your vehicle, the make of fenders these days require much more than just “required” means for proper motoring.

Fender choices today fall into two categories: traditional metal or polymer plastic. Proponents of each have their reasons as we discovered when we hosted round-table discussions with both manufacturers and end-users to discuss the topic of plastic versus metal fenders.

(Source) Press

Tags: choices, dents, end users, fashion statement, fender, fenders, polymer plastic, proponents, table discussions, truckers, trucks

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The type of lubricants used by trucks and machinery may play a vital role in determining their fuel efficiency and carbon footprints. While we have our share of old hand lubricants in the market, here is a new one that aims to add some eco-friendly finesse and savings for people who really want to be economical and green.

The new lubricant is the Boron CLS Bond. This new technology was developed at Argonne National Laboratory on behalf of the U.S. Dept. of Energy. This non-toxic, biodegradeable product reduces energy consumption, reduces GHG emissions, saves fuels, increase the life of equipment. The product is more advanced than any other type of similar lubricant. This product has been subjected to rigorous user field tests and extensive laboratory testing for several years.

The benefits of Boron CLS Bond include:

• Up to 80% reduction of friction and metal wear
• Up to 16%(most vehicles)to30%+ (other applications) increase in fuel economy
• 50%-100% reduced maintenance intervals: increased equipment uptime
• Reduction of GHG emissions and capture of carbon credits
• Reduced wear and longer useful life (one treatment lasts 100,000 + miles)

(Source) Press

Tags: biodegradeable, boron, carbon credits, cls, energy consumption, finesse, footprints, friction, fuel economy, fuel efficiency, ghg emissions, lubricant, lubricants, lubrication technology, maintenance intervals, new technology, trucks

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Volvo has been constantly on the news, mostly catering to the trucks needed in the various sectors of business the past days. Now it announces new proprietary medium-heavy engines slated to come out this 2010. With the weakened demand for trucks, the need to cut cost in getting engines from suppliers is evident. Hence, with an in-house production, the issue of inventory storage cost can be addressed as well as deteriorating quality for trucks distribution.

In his presentation, Mikael Bratt, CFO of the Volvo Group, described the measures being implemented throughout the Group to reduce cost levels and improve cash flow. He also said that the Volvo Group has high liquidity reserves despite the sharp economic downturn, and that the company has an advantageous loan structure with few loans maturing in the next two years. Furthermore, with its global presence, the Group has excellent opportunities for raising loans on the capital market.

This measure is seen as something similar to the cost-cutting measures that most auto companies are undertaking these days. And with Volvo being a reliable brand and yet getting the cheap end of demands, wiser management strategies need to be implemented as well.

(Source) Press

Tags: auto companies, cash flow, economic downturn, global presence, inventory storage, liquidity, loan structure, Loans, management strategies, measures, sectors of business, trucks, Volvo, volvo group

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The April car sales numbers continue to show a bright future ahead as they rose to an annual 4.2 percent. Sales of trucks and buses, which track the pace of economic activity, fell 11.3 percent to 29,842 units. This update sheds a bit of bright light in the wake of bankruptcy rumors buzzing around regarding Chrysler and Ford.

Car sales in India rose an annual 4.2 percent in April, an industry body said on Monday, helped by improving financing and demand from rural markets. Companies sold 102,899 cars during the month, compared with 98,752 cars a year ago, data from the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) showed.

(Source) Reuters

Tags: Bankruptcy, bright future, buses, Cars, Chrysler, economic activity, Ford, ford car sales, India, indian automobile manufacturers, pace, sales numbers, siam, trucks

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Rumors of an impending GM bankruptcy has put the car world in a state of frenzy, circulating fears that purchased cars from GM may no longer provide warranties should such an unfortunate event happen. But thanks to the assurance of the US government, motorists who have or are planning to get a GM car need not worry. General Motors Corp. says the U.S. government is guaranteeing the warranties of its cars and trucks sold in Mexico.

The government announced it would guarantee warranties of vehicles sold in the U.S. starting March 30. The move was designed to stimulate sales by easing fears GM might go into bankruptcy and wouldn’t be able to back its warranties.

GM says it will pay part of the warranty guarantee costs and will borrow the rest from the U.S. government. The guarantees cover GM vehicles sold in the U.S. and Mexico during the company’s restructuring period.

(Source) KESQ

Tags: Bankruptcy, car world, Cars, General Motors, general motors corp, GM, gm car, gm vehicles, Mexico, motorists, restructuring, trucks, us government, warranties, warranty

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Many American auto manufacturers and suppliers are in financial upset currently, but there are exceptions. Kaiser Willys Auto Supply, an online retailer of Willys parts for Willys Jeeps, has enjoyed growing profits over the past two years and continues to see that trend carrying on. With over 7,000 parts, Kaiser Willys Auto Supply offers one of the most extensive collections of Willys Jeep parts as well as parts for Willys Jeepsters, Willys Trucks and other Willys models built between 1941 and 1971.

From wiper blades to axles and everything in between, parts are either NOS (new old stock) or replacement parts. Also currently in stock are Willys decals, manuals, vintage advertisements and more. Go to: www.kaiserwillys.com.

Tags: Auto, Jeepsters, Kaiser, Parts, retailer, supply Jeep, trucks, Willys

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It looks like some employees based in Spain working for Fiat’s Iveco may soon find themselves unemployed as Fiat’s Iveco unit plans to cut about 1,000 jobs at a plant in Spain to reduce costs in the face of a severe sales slump.

Plant chief Piero Bordesan was quoted in Italian business daily Il Sole 24 Ore on Sunday as saying that the number of jobs to be cut was less than half of the roughly 2,800 workers at the plant, which makes trucks for transport and construction.

Bordesan said the other workers would be off work for extended periods of time throughout the rest of the year to keep operating costs down.

The global economic crisis has hurt sales so much that the plant is making 28 units a day rather than the usual 110, he said. Like other industrial groups, Fiat has been cutting costs in all of its divisions.

To cope with falling output, Fiat Auto, which produces Fiat, Lancia and Alfa Romeo cars, closes its plants in Italy for weeks at a time and sends workers home with reduced pay.

(Source) Reuters

Tags: Alfa Romeo, alfa romeo cars, Fiat, fiat auto, fiat lancia, italian business, iveco, trucks

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People who have signed up with Sam’s Club are sure to have been promised some incentives like bargains and deals. But this time around, they get something more lucrative like special pricing on vehicles in the market under the Mitsubishi brand.

From March 3 through April 30, Mitsubishi Motors is offering its entire lineup of 2008 and 2009 new vehicles to Sam’s Club Members at special Member pricing, plus a $500 Sam’s Club Gift Card.

This unique offer is made available through the Sam’s Club Auto Buying Program, which provides its members with a valuable alternative to the traditional method of buying a car or truck. Sam’s Club, a division of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., is one of the nation’s largest warehouse club retailers.

“Mitsubishi Motors’ exclusive offer enables Sam’s Club Members to get into any one of Mitsubishi’s all-new cars or trucks at phenomenal prices. And as an added incentive, purchasers receive a $500 Sam’s Club Gift Card to use for everyday purchases. Sam’s Club Members responded well to the first Mitsubishi promotion and this second promotion is bigger than the first,” said Jesse Hopkins, president of Member Services, Inc. (MSI). MSI provides and administers the service for Sam’s Club.

(Source) Press

Tags: auto buying, bargains, club auto, club members, everyday purchases, exclusive offer, gift card, Mitsubishi, mitsubishi motors, msi, new cars, new vehicles, phenomenal prices, sam s club, trucks, wal mart, wal mart stores, warehouse club

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Do not think that just because oil and fuel prices today are manageable that electric cars or vehicles running on alternative fuel are going to be shelved. The current trends may be appealing but they should not let us put down our guards when it comes to fuel requirements we have today.

Fuel prices may be dropping now, but experts predict that the energy and environmental challenges for the transportation and goods movement industry are far from over. In March 2009, join world-renowned industry and policy experts outlining clean solutions at the Clean Heavy Duty Vehicle Conference & Expo. 2009: the most exciting, timely national conference on the latest, real-world technologies and fuels for heavy duty vehicles and buses.

Major fleet, government and company executives will take part in Long Beach, March 16-18 at the Hyatt Regency Long Beach and the Long Beach Convention Center.

(Source) Business Wire

Tags: alternative fuel, buses, duty vehicles, electric cars, environmental challenges, fuel prices, heavy duty, renowned industry, trucks

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After the long wait, the 2009 Hummer H3T is available in Qatar through Al Mannai Trading Co. automotive showrooms. It has been a long wait for most people there, the only nation right now that seems to be feasible for trucks to cater as far as local consumer rants are concerned.

The H3T is based on the architecture of the popular H3, but features a five-passenger crew cab and a separate 1.5 metres long bed.

“The new and exclusive H3T has already made global headlines with its unique exterior, luxurious interior and distinctive specification. We are equally excited about the response that this vehicle will receive in the Qatari market,” said Adib Takieddine, Marketing Manager of Cadillac, Hummer & Saab in the Middle East.

The H3T is bigger than a midsize pick-up and smaller than a full-size pick-up, creating its own niche in the market. It also is infused with the attributes expected of a Hummer, including exceptional off-road capability and a premium interior that is as functional as it is comfortable.

The H3T is also equally capable and more practical as it can tow up to 2,676 kg with ease.

(Source) The Peninsula

Tags: Cadillac, global headlines, H3, HUMMER, hummer h3t, mannai, road capability, Saab, trucks

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