A 1934 Phantom II 40/50 HP Continental “All-Weather Convertible” is up for grabs. Hans Gunther Zach is cleaning up his garage and among the items up for grabs include this classic Rolls Royce which was custom made by Maharaja of Rajikot.

The price for this classic car is pegged to be worth around $14,138,000. Should there be any wealthy car collector there who would end up vying for the right to have this classic car, the winning bidder may very well end up with the most expensive car in the world!

(Source) JamesList via Bornrich

Tags: auction, car collector, classic car, classic rolls royce, expensive car, grabs, gunther, hp, india rolls, maharaja, star of india, weather, world source

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With the impending era of electric car vehicles practically a done deal, Better Place today achieved a milestone in accelerating the mass-market adoption of electric vehicles by demonstrating the world’s first battery switch technology along with electric car charging spots. This simple range extension technology delivers a cleaner, more convenient experience for drivers.

Better Place was the only foreign company invited by the Japanese Ministry of Environment to demonstrate its switch technology, which provides a viable solution to make electric vehicles a reality by offering drivers virtually unlimited range.

Better Place showcased its battery switch platform today using a modified NISSAN electric crossover SUV to demonstrate how to switch a depleted battery for a fully charged one. The company also demonstrated its commitment to open network standards by charging a fixed battery electric car, via one of four Better Place charge spots installed at the demonstration site. Recharging of the vehicle batteries is made possible by Sharp Corp. photovoltaic solar panels, creating a truly zero emission solution.

The switch technology featured in the Yokohama exhibit will be further developed into production for the commercial switch stations, which will be deployed in Better Place markets around the world.

(Source) Press

Tags: battery switch, car vehicles, Crossover, electric car, electric vehicles, extension technology, market adoption, mass market, milestone, photovoltaic solar panels, sharp corp, switch stations, switch technology, vehicle batteries, viable solution, world source, yokohama, zero emission

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Initially known to be a familiar figure in the world of scooters and motorcycles, GfK Asia is expanding its niche towards the automotive industry, particularly tires. GfK Asia is expanding its industry sector coverage into automotive; and in South East Asia developments, Malaysia will pioneer its launch. GfK Malaysia will launch its first passenger car tire retail tracking report in June 09 and hope to expand further to engine oil and other replacement parts in future.

GfK Asia Commercial Director, Stanley Kee said, “In Europe, we have been tracking automotive since the 1980s and within automotive sector, Tire is one key focus. About 50% of the world rubber supply is traded via Singapore and recently the International Rubber Study Group (IRSG) has moved its office from London to Singapore. South East Asia key countries such as Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia contributes as high as 70% of the world rubber supply for tires, confirms the importance of this region to the world of rubber supply. Malaysia is crucial and domineering country in tire trade, and after its launch we plan to roll out Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand and Korea on top of China, as our initial phase of the automotive business. The second phase would include countries Philippines, Singapore and Taiwan.”

GfK Malaysia sees the region split of spare parts shop, garages and tire specialists excluding car brands service centers concentrating 37% in the Central Region, 26% in the North, 23% in the South, 8% on the East Coast and 7% in East Malaysia. The ratio of 674 automotive vehicle to one spare parts shop, garages or tire specialists, in Malaysia presently indicates good business opportunity but not without steep competition in today’s competitive world.

(Source) Press

Tags: automotive industry, automotive vehicle, car brands, commercial director, competitive world, director stanley, east malaysia, engine oil, gfk asia, industry sector, international rubber study group, irsg, launch, passenger car tire, south east asia, steep competition, tire industry, tire specialists, world source

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