Best Selling Cars – Matt's blog

M-Org

With skyrocketing fuel costs and a weak economy, many individuals around the world are searching for ways to save money. For the solo rider, purchasing a motorcycle has become a popular choice for saving on gas. Boasting of up to 90 miles per gallon, scooters and motorcycles are able to save on fuel costs. In recent years, a new motorcycle goes above and beyond typical eco-friendly bikes. Dubbed the Organic Bike, this motorcycle combines the thrill of riding with an environmentally stable design. Get yourself some cheap bike insurance to cover your motorbike at www.ExpressInsurance.co.uk.

Organic Bike: Designed by the Russian, Michael Smolyanov, the Organic Bike’s official name is M-Org. It was designed to combine the concepts of organic gardening with teeth-rattling horsepower. This exceptional bike looks like something out of a superhero movie, but drives like a dream. Smolyanov produced a bike that was both green in color and green in design. It is comprised of completely organic materials and boasts of a larger-than-life style. Since the steering components and suspension are made of entirely organic materials, the bike is far lighter than it appears. This helps to make it efficient on gas mileage and easier for smaller riders to handle.

Frog eBike

The Frog eBike: Another technologically innovative bike is the Frog eBike by Kin Soek Hwang. It combines the latest electric concepts with efficiency. This bike contains an electric engine and mono-shock suspension on its rear wheel. Designed to be environmentally friendly, the bike has an electric motor placed near its back tire while the battery it uses is under the chassis. Based off of the Yamaha FZ750, the bike is not going to be ridden any time soon. This fully recyclable design is currently display at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art as a symbol of innovation and technology.

Yamaha EC-Miu

A Bike to watch out for: In upcoming years, the eco-friendly bike to look out for is the EC-Miu Electric Concept. Designed by Yamaha, this bike is intended to be the first fully electric bike ever manufactured. Yamaha has been working on this project as an effort to show the efficiency of an e-bike. To enhance stability, the bike is outfitted with two wheels in bike instead of just one. The concept originated as a way to make motorcycles friendlier to women. Each component of the bike was created to emphasize safety and ergonomics. Once the bike is in production, it can be charged at G-Stations. For the techies out there, the EC-Miu Electric Concept will be outfitted with Wi-Fi capability. Riders will be able to look up directions and navigate from any location using their smartphone.

From eco-friendly designs to organic structures, motorcycles are quickly becoming one of the best ways to support the environment. These new design concepts are easy on the eye and boast of significant cost savings on gas. For new riders, the technological features on the motorcycles can help lower car insurance and make the bikes easier to handle. With designs spanning the globe, the new pinnacle of the motorcycle world is sure to be an international one.

April 2013′s car sales figures reveal an increase in the number of midsize sedans purchased during that month. The seasonally-adjusted annualised rate of new car sales topped 13.5 million which, despite that figure being lower than the 17 million of a few years ago, is nevertheless an encouraging figure. A few trends to note are the strength of the Honda Accord on the back of the new model being recently introduced. This means that despite being relatively new to the market and thus attracting significantly lower discounts than comparable vehicles, it still is doing really well in market.

Hyundai has also benefited from new designs for 2013, with the Elantra coupe and Elantra GT hatchback now making up 25% of Elantra sales. The top-selling European-branded vehicle is once again the Volkswagen Jetta but in a relatively lowly 24th place. Within the world’s largest hybrid market, Ford will be delighted to see the rise of its Fusion and C-Max hybrid models. However, Toyota’s Prius family continues to dominate the US market.

Continued recovery in 2014?
With sales so far in 2013 following the forecasted increases, optimism grows that next year could bring the US auto market closer to the pre-credit crunch levels of 2007…

For more info visit www.carfinance247.co.uk.

Kia Carens

Kia is aiming to achieve a 50% increase in UK sales by the end of the decade, in doing so moving into the top five most popular manufacturers in the country. 

Kia hopes to see UK sales increase 50% by the end of the decade, a target which would see it become on the top five car manufacturers in the country. It currently sits 12th, and seeks to break into a main group that includes Ford, Vauxhall, Volkswagen, Audi and BMW. The Korean company enjoyed a record first quarter on British shores, selling over 19,000 vehicles to achieve a 12% year-on-year increase. Its goal is to secure a greater portion of what is expected to remain an unchanged UK market for the Kia brand.

To do this, Kia is investing a great deal of money and energy in upgrading and adding to its range, and will soon come to the end of a six-year project to overhaul every one of its models with the release of new Carens later this year. The manufacturer has already upgraded its best sellers, the Picanto, Ceed and Sportage, while these have been joined by further revamped models such as the new Kia Rio, Optima and Venga.

Kia Provo concept 

Future plans

Since its arrival in the UK, Kia has cultivated a reputation as an affordable, reliable manufacturer, and if its forecast is correct then buyer opinion is set to be enhanced still further. Some models can be purchased for under £10,000, which goes a long way towards explaining its popularity. Kia has also added innovative new ideas like the new Provo unveiled at the recent Geneva Motor Show. Based on a scaled down Kia Rio, it has been described by chief designer Gregory Guillaume as “an emotional and muscular car aimed at delivering pure fun and performance for today’s city-based enthusiast driver”.

Part of its ongoing strategy is to change the image of the brand, from a plucky little guy taking on the big boys to a serious contender for new, loyal customers. Statistics show that only about a quarter of Kia customers return to the brand when purchasing their next vehicle, and this is something it is very keen to improve. To start with, last month a decree was issued to all 172 of its UK dealerships stating that they should either improve their existing showroom or relocate to a new one. Kia’s flagship centre is the striking ‘Red Cube’, but currently only three of these are set up in the UK.

The manufacturer believes improving the customer experience with grander surroundings is a key component in its battle to attract more buyers. So far, 100 of its UK centres have upgraded or moved, so there is still plenty left to do if they wish to achieve this aim.

Different car insurance providers work in different ways, each with different rules and requirements, however, in most cases it’s unlikely your premiums will increase if you are not at fault in an accident. You can learn more about specific policies at the HBF website.

If you are in a single accident and you are not at fault, then your premiums really shouldn’t increase. As long as you follow the steps as required by your car insurance provider, and hand over the details of the person who was at fault, your premiums should stay the same. On the other hand, if you’re involved in multiple accidents or collisions, then you may indeed see an increase in your premiums – even if you were not at fault. Insurance is all about risk, and premiums are calculated on how much of a risk your insurer thinks you are.

Even if you’re not at fault, if you have a lot of accidents, you may be thought of as accident prone – which may make you seem higher risk, and may increase your premiums.

Higher Premiums

There are other instances that may cause your premiums to rise even when you are not at fault. This can include getting hit by an uninsured driver. Because your car insurance provider is not able to recoup its losses from the uninsured driver, you will usually have to make a claim on your policy.

Your premiums may also rise if you can’t provide the details of the person who was at fault – again, your insurer won’t be able to recover damages from the other party, and so you will need to make a claim.

Depending on your car insurance provider and your policy, you may also find your premiums increase if your car was stolen, if your car was damaged maliciously, or if it was damaged by fire, weather or an animal.

However, many insurers allow you to purchase higher levels of insurance to protect against these types of events. Weigh up the extra costs of this protection with the likelihood it will actually happen.

What do you need to do if you’re in an accident?

Make sure you get the details of the other person involved. You will usually need their name and address, their car insurance details, and sometimes their vehicle registration number. You may also need to file a police report.

Then you will need to contact your insurer. Even if the incident was not your fault, it’s advisable to contact your insurer to advise them of what happened, and to give them the details of the other party.

Your insurer should let you know what will happen next. This may involve telling you where to take your car to get it repaired. Your insurer will usually arrange to collect the damages from the other party’s insurance provider.

If you want to find out more about how your car insurance provider deals with this, you may want to contact them, or visit their website. It’s always a good idea to read the terms and conditions of the policy before you sign up, to make sure you have the level of cover you need.

Lamborghini Aventador

With short-term luxury car rentals you can impress that crucial potential client, dazzle that upcoming social event, or even give that significant other of yours a memorable night out on the town for your anniversary, or honeymoon. Regardless of what need you have, a luxury car provides you with a powerful, fun, mesmerising, and potentially beneficial experience unlike any other. Sitting in the driver seat of a Lamborghini, BMW, Mercedes Benz, Rolls-Royce, or Bentley puts all of the power into your hands.

Now, all you need to do is find the right luxury car agency, browse what they have to offer, and drive off into the sunset. Listed below are some of the top luxury car rental agencies with details about what they offer, with the rates they offer. You can visit the DriveNow website today to learn more.

Carefree Lifestyle

• Cars Available: Full-range selection of Porsche, Ferrari, Rolls-Royce, and Cadillac DeVille
• Services Offered: In addition to luxury car rentals, CL offers jets, limousines, yachts, condos, and even mansions.
• Renting From: Florida, Miami, and New York City
• Price Range: $1,500 to $3,400 per day; varies by location and car type
• Contact Information: (866) 589-8796

Dream Cars West

• Cars Available: Ferrari (Models 360 & 355), Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG, Bentley Continental GT, and Lamborghini
• Services Offered: Both long & short-term luxury car rentals
• Renting From: Los Angeles & San Francisco
• Price Range: $349 per day for the Mercedes models; $1,499 for Lamborghini models. Most rentals include up to 100 miles.
• Contact Information: (800) 671-1899

Gotham Dream Cars

• Cars Available: Varies by location; Maserati, Mercedes-Benz, Aston Martin, Lamborghini, Ferrari, Betley, Saleen, and more.
• Services Offered: Dream Car Tour, DreamShare Membership Club, Charity Event demonstration, corporate event rentals, personal rentals, and gift rentals.
• Renting From: Manhattan, NYC and Fort Lauderdale, FL
• Price Range: Low-end prices offer Maserati models for $895 per day and high-end prices offer Saleen S7 models for $13,000 week-long rentals. Advanced booking available for “early bird” discounts.
• Contact Information: (877)2-GOTHAM

Xotic Dream Cars

• Cars Available: Lamborghini Gallardo & Murcielago, Spyder C8, Lotus Elise, Rolls-Royce Phantom, and Ferrari 360 Modena
• Services Offered: Rentals by the hour, day, or week; special occasion services
• Renting From: Florida Locations; Miami, Tampa, & Orlando
• Price Range: $375 to $2,750 per day depending on the model
• Contact Information: (888) XOTIC-4U

VW Beetle GSR

Volkswagen presents a special edition of Beetle, the sportiest version of this model. More than that, it’s a tribute to the model that had its debut 40 years ago. The new VW Beetle GSR will be offered only in black and yellow, because so was the sportiest version of the Beetle in 1973, based on the model GSR 1303 S. The design of the new Beetle is based on the legendary model and follows its aesthetic aspects as closely as possible. The Germans announced that the new VW Beetle GSR will be produced in 3,500 copies, just like its predecessor, which guarantees that it will become a car in high demand among collectors over time, as it is now, 40 years after the original model and original car parts were presented. VW promises to announce the price of Beetle GSR in 2013. In 1973 a capacity of 50 hp and 15 inch wheels were more than enough to declare the model the sportiest Beetle of the series, now things are quite different. The new Beetle GSR has a 210 hp engine and can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.3 seconds, top speed – 229 km/h, average fuel consumption – 7.3 liters/100 km. Customers can opt for a DSG transmission as an alternative to the 6-speed manual one, from the standard equipment. The vehicle will have its debut at the Chicago Auto Show, and then will be available in all VW markets. It will be a limited edition, with each vehicle having  a serial number written at the base of the steering wheel. The price in Germany will be 30,300 Euros.

Source: www.buycarparts.co.uk

Volvo V40 pedestrian airbag

Whether you’re travelling on two wheels or four, staying safe on the road should always be a priority. To supplement the basic procedures which drivers should follow when on the roads, improvements in vehicle safety have also been made – but what are some of the most recent? 

Pedestrian airbags

A concept that may bring a smile to your face to begin with, pedestrian airbags aren’t quite as foolish as you may think. Pioneered in the Volvo V40 model, this airbag is released on the exterior of the car when an impact is deemed unavoidable. This occurs automatically with sensors on the vehicle monitoring threats and hazards from crossing pedestrians during the journey. Control of the car will be automatically taken in the event of a low speed impact, applying the brakes to reduce the risk of a collision. The airbag is deployed when this action is not enough to stop the impact altogether; aiming to literally cushion the blow.

Nissan Note Safety Shield

Enhanced vision

Showcasing in one of Nissan’s latest offerings, enhanced vision is the main concept behind their Safety Shield technology. Designed to boost safety on our roads, this system is made up of three separate advanced safety programmes: blind spot warning system, lane departure warning system and moving object detection system. According to the manufacturer, the implementation of this tech is hoped to reduce road casualties by more than 3,000 over coming years – something which will certainly be an advantage to all drivers.

Safety apps

Of course, it’s not just vehicles themselves which can benefit from tech based improvements and the world of apps is proving its ability to cater to every need once more with its selection of road safety apps. One of the latest apps, RealRider, is aimed purely at motorcyclists and is designed to monitor their progress on journeys and establish when and where they are should they be involved in a crash or accident. Using the GPS services of the smartphone it is installed on as well as motion and tilt detection software, the app has already been welcomed by the North East Ambulance Service as an effective way of dealing with accidents and had gained some 3,500 registered users before its official launch.

Staying safe

Alongside the above improvements, staying safe on British roads requires a combination of driver and manufacturer dedication. Following the rules of the road and reacting to changing situations is a prerequisite for everyone who puts foot or wheel on the road and it is important that you know how to do this. Advanced training can help but you also need to be comfortable and familiar with your own vehicle; getting used to the controls and learning about the different security systems you have at your disposal. Additionally, you need to know what to do in the worst case scenario when you’re involved in a car accident or sustain a motorcycle injury.

In these instances, medical attention is the first thing you should seek. After this, investigations should be launched into the cause of the accident and any viable claims lodged to recompense you for the damages both you and your vehicle have sustained.

If your car engine needs rebuilding, you can be looking at a very high bill for the work to be carried out. With parts and labour, the price is going to be extremely high before the job is even started and you may also be faced with the prospect of being without your car for a lengthy period of time. This may force you to pay for alternative transport methods or it could put a strain on your everyday life.

Unfortunately, if your vehicle does need an engine rebuild, there are very few options available to you but a growing number of people are carrying out this work for themselves. An engine rebuild is not something that should be considered by everyone, there are obviously a number of things that people need in order to be able to carry out this work successfully.

There is a need for the person to be properly skilled and experienced in this line of work. There are many car repair jobs that can be carried out by inexperienced people but an engine rebuild is not one of them. It can also be helpful to have someone else around to provide support, although this is not always necessary.

You need the right tools for the job. In order to be able to carry out an engine rebuild properly, there is a need to have enough space and a good working condition. This means a well-ventilated room that should be lit sufficiently to ensure that you can see what you are doing. There is also a strong need to have the correct tools to be able to carry out the job and make it easier on yourself.

One of the most important tools or pieces of equipment you can have when it comes to rebuilding an engine would be an engine crane. There is a range of specialist engine cranes to choose from, so no matter what budget you have available, there will be something to make life easier for you.

These cranes lift the engine from the car but then support the engine in the air, which allows you to properly remove or disconnect wires and hoses between the engine and the frame of the car. This can be a very difficult and sometimes impossible task when the engine is situated in the car, so having it held in mid-air is a great benefit.

A number of these cranes will be on casters which means that the engine can rolled away from the car, providing more space for you to work on it.

2014 Cadillac CTS: the right size?

This article is brought to you by Carhoots.com

One thing you notice when you visit the U.S is the size of the cars on the roads. America is known for its big and bold vehicles and if you live there you would want to buy a car that doesn’t get overlooked on the highway. From the large cars that are associated with executives such as the BMW 5 and 7 series, Audi A6 and A8 models and the Cadillac XTS, to of course the SUV, CUVs and pick up trucks, bigger has always certainly been better. But recent figures from the U.S suggest that this may be a changing trend, with small car sales on the rise at the start of 2013.

The February unit sales for the U.S provided by Motor Intelligence show that the number of ‘small’ car purchases is up by 5% on February 2012 statistics. Additionally, the figures show a significant drop in the purchases of large autos, with an 80% decrease on cars such as the high end BMW, Audi, and Cadillacs. So is the U.S really downsizing when it comes to purchasing new and used cars?

Well, not exactly. For sure the decrease in large car sales since last February is a real eye opener, but despite small car sales increasing, this is really a sign that that people are downsizing in class rather than size. It appears that the decreases in large car sales may have spilled over to the light duty truck segment with sales increases in pickup, cross-over, and SUVs segments right across the board. This could simply be the affect of downgrading in difficult economic times in order to save money, but you can bet your bottom dollar that it will take more than a depression for America to compromise size!

This article was brought to you by Carhoots.com, the simple, trusted and social destination for car users.  From user and expert reviews, images, videos and marketplace, Carhoots has everything you need in one place. Follow Carhoots on Pinterest and @carhootsuk.

MyLink in 2014 Chevrolet Impala

This article is brought to you by Best Part Store UK.

Car design involves so many different aspects of industrial design. Firstly it does so for external or internal designs, which is the visible part of the iceberg. But it does also involve non automotive design, since nowadays no one would consider buying a car by only comparing or inspecting its external shape, surfaces, lines, colours and the like or its internal setting out, used materials or maybe luxury.

We are now so used to use new gadgetry, MP3 players, smart phones, GPS navigation and all kinds of mobile devices and their intuitive interfaces, that we do appreciate to find some of these being present in our cars. Really, such mobile gadgetry is a very good candidate for being embedded within vehicles (remember, vehicles are mobile objects!) We could even add to such mobile devices: HD or satellite radio and mobile TV (please avoid watching TV while driving).

Here we are: this is a new challenge for car designers. Of course, vibrations, heat and cold temperatures are very aggressive enemies for electronic devices, but embedded digital mobile devices are also required to perfectly work while international digital standards are quickly evolving. Not only the proper choices have to be made about electronic devices at design time but also a very specific knowledge is required and has to be constantly kept updated. New standards may have to be later introduced in these dash-top devices while their compliance with further evolutions of standards has to be ensured.