Dealer.com buys Dealerrefresh.com

We knew it was just a matter of time before it would become official, Vermont based Dealer.com has taken over full control of Dealerrefresh.com. Their recent cobranding efforts drive home the point that dealerrefresh.com is being used as a lead generation tool for dealer.com.

Insider Alex Snyder is denying the acquisition as well as the cobranding witnessed above.

While the financial details have not been made public at this point it is apparent the monetary value of this relationship will pay dividends to the founders of dealerrefresh.com. This goes beyond a simple media buy for dealer.com as they are getting the benefit of cobranding and their employees being leading contributors to the blog.

What is interesting is the report that dealer.com released in this cobranding effort does not contain an original idea from either dealer.com or the authors of the report. Industry insiders have said that the content in the report was taken from a long standing relationship inside of the industry that one of the employees of dealer.com had with a competing CRM provider who brings innovation to the marketplace.

***All content is satirical we have no idea if dealer.com really bought dealerrefresh.com***

Is it Really a Negative?

When you have had trouble in the past with trying to start a business that ultimately failed is that really such a bad thing? The truth is businesses that fail usually carry with them some bad experiences from the customers which in turn speak as loud as they can. This usually causes attention from other sources whose only job is to look for negatives to exploit and to hold people accountable.

Someone in Automotive technology has such a problem. Many people accuse Richard Keith Latman of being a criminal. His competitors use his failed business attempt against him to get people to search out his criminal past. The truth is his past is not that awful and he embraces it in his book "The Good Fail", where he discusses in intimate detail the failure and his transformation into CEO of his new company.

The real question to be answered is do you try to hide the past or meet it head on? For some that is a fine line they do not like to walk. For those that have had problems in the past it is usually best to meet them head on and drive forward. Let the naysayers be damned. People with no past usually have never taken a risk or ever had to overcome real adversity.

How Much is Enough?

To much technology gets bought up by other companies just to be shut down. We see it all the time Twitter buy Posterous and shuts it down, Google bought and shut down Wavii. It is not uncommon at all in technology for this to happen.  That is why it is surprising when you see a lot of buy outs in the premise of consolidating services in automotive.

There are two schools of though one is that Technology Consolidation is the way of the future and the other thought process is that if services are consolidated then no one does anything exceptionally well. The truth is both points of view carry valid weight but the question is why all the consolidation?

Automotive Technology vendors shutter services too.  We have seen CRM's and Data Management companies bought by bigger companies only to be shut down after acquiring the client base. In both of those instances the acquired companies only real value was the client base due to the fact the technology was not up to day.

What is funny is to see one of the companies opened after the buy out was as poorly conceived as the company that was sold. Just goes to prove that the technology for car dealers will always be a few steps behind the rest of the world..

Does Technology Improve Relationships?

As time passes we find more and more ways to stay connected with others.  I have friends all over the country that I have never met face to face and that is the product of technology. Technology has definitely made finding like minded individuals easier.  Whether it is via social networks like Twitter or forums like Dealer 20 connecting with others has never been easier.

Using technology for income producing activities has also been made easier the problem is many over use the opportunities presented to them ineffectively. To many times aggressive sales people will use tools and mediums to "over communicate" with potential customers and drive them further away from making a purchase from an organization.  When the communications should be to improve upon the relationship.

Just make sure your outreaches bring value to your relationships and that you don't let the frequency afforded via cheap technology drive wedges between you and your friends and customers.

New Software for Car Dealers

Customer management in the automotive space has always been a muddled mess.  The software has always been clunky and user adoption has always been slow.  As soon as everything is firing on all cylinders someone comes along and changes how automotive data is managed which starts a viscous cycle of bugs, disgruntled users, fixes and finally new buy in.

I love the analogy that Keith Latman did comparing current CRM solutions to a green box with index cards announcing his new CRM creation.  What iMagicLab is developing will be a game changer in Automotive CRM solutions, the real question is how long will it take for other companies to try to imitate the product and jump on the band wagon of innovation.  What we have seen is that the original ideas come from the least likely places and others try to absorb them as their own.  Then again imitation is the best form of flattery!!

Is Technology a Passion or a Means to an End

For many technology of any kind is something that is forced upon due to the fact that some things will no longer be supported.  Some of us have made it our passion to embrace and profit from technology, while like my parents some resist it with much futility.

Keith Latman is one of those unique individuals that has embraced technology and seen it as a mean to an end versus an interruption into our daily life.  He has experienced failure as well success and has written about the process of coming back from a failed enterprise and personal trials to build a successful enterprise.

His book "The Good Fail: Entrepreneurial Lessons from the Rise and Fall of Microworkz" is part business story and part guilty pleasure exploring Keith's very public missteps and painful lessons.  If you are wondering if there is light at the end of the tunnel its a must read.

Failure is just a step in the direction of accomplishing the impossible...  Paul Rushing

A New Automotive CRM

iMagicLab in Baltimore, MD has given auto industry leaders a look under the hood of their new CRMSuite.  Both customers of iMagiclab and well known respected consultants met at iMagicLab  headquarters on June 14, 2013 to review the new software and also to give strong feedback on iMagicLab's current offering DealerCRM.

It was met with great anticipation by many of the industry insiders present and current customers of iMagicLab were excited about what they saw.  In attendance was Ralph Paglia of Automotive Media Partners, Ralph has extensive background in CRM app development and dealership deployment of lead management tools.  He stated "I almost HATE to admit it, but Keith Latman and Chris Vitale got me more excited and eager to test drive the soon to be in limited release iMagicLab "CRMsuite" than I have been about any other CRM application in over ten years."  With this type of positive response from a well known antagonist in the automotive marketing niche it will seem that iMagicLab is on to something with CRMSuite.

The key standouts in this workshop were the redefinition of how data is processed to meet consumer expectations and to communicate with those consumers in the most logical medium.  Push will become pull and create a win for the consumer by elevating their dealership experience and dealers will be able to manage big data in a way that makes that makes the end users enjoy the process.

You can read Ralph Paglia's complete write up on CRMSuite at Keith Latman Creates CRM Think Tank Sessions at iMagicLab

Hyundai strike ends;

Hyundai's production for models sold at Washington DC Hyundai dealerships has picked back up again after a series of worker strikes in Seoul, Korea. Thousands of riot police broke up a strike at a parts supplier that supplies car parts for Hyundai. 2,700 police used water cannons and other crowd control measures to break up strikers who occupied a plant of Yoosung Enterprise. The company produces camshafts, cylinder liners, and piston rings for Hyundai models sold at Lancaster Hyundai Dealer and other Hyundai dealerships. Hyundai will return to regular production as quickly as possible, and production of Hyundai models slowed down slightly after the strikes.

Hyundai models are considered to be among the highest quality on the market and rarely need a trip to a Virginia Service Dealer. But, the strike at the parts supplier has affected availability of key parts for Hyundai models. The piston rings prodcued by Yoosung Enterprise are used on 70 percent of Hyundai vehicles. The plant that the strike occurred at is located in Asan, a city about 48 miles south of Seoul. Two diesel engine lines had halted production after the strike, however the strike was not long enough to affect inventories at dealerships.

Police responded to the strikes quickly and in very large numbers, with far more police than strikers. Police declared that the strikes were illegal and moved in on the Yoosung plant. Strikers also barred non-strikers from entering the premises, which is one reason why the police declared the strike illegal. 500 out of the 540 strikers were detained by the police. It was not clear when production would resume at the plant with non unionized workers. 400 of the workers have been released with another 100 still in detention for questioning. There was very limited loss from the strike and Hyundai shares were also up recently.

Climate Controls Keep The Temperature Just Right.

Driving around in a Mazda 5 that feels too cold or too warm for comfort is something that would make most people cringe and rather stay home or even try to rather walk or take public transportation. That is why it was a good thing that vehicle manufacturers and experts have come up with the climate control system so as to assist passengers and drivers as well during their journey in there vehicles from Honda Dealers Salt Lake City.

The Land Rover of Port Charlotte used car lot, brand has certainly been up to date with the changes and innovations in the automobile market. That is why this brand has made it possible for all the models in their vehicle line up are given Land Rover climate control systems. How does the Rover climate control system works? The Land Rover climate control system actually has been divided into two sides which are comprised of the high side and the low side. The compressor which actually begins at the high side functions and serves like a pump that moves the refrigerant through the system. As per the lower side, the expansion valve which actually begins on this side, restricts the refrigerant flow, and in the process, it lowers the pressure and the temperature of the refrigerant. By doing such functions, the Land Rover climate control system is able to keep the vehicle’s temperature just right on stormy and cold evenings or on hot and humid summer days.

It is important to note also that one should be able to understand how the controls of the Land Rover climate control system works. Basically, you could find three dials. Each of these dials stand for a specific purpose. There is one dial for temperature control. Another dial is for the fan speed. And the last one is there for ventilation controls, and ventilation controls includes the dash vents, the floor vents, the defrost vents or even a combination of any of those. These dials twist around so that you can actually set the right temperature and climate for your Land Rover vehicle. If you look closer, you could also find at the center of each of these dials are buttons that function for the air conditioning compressor, the cabin air recirculation, as well as the rear defrost. All these are part of the Land Rover climate control system.

If you are looking for the right kind of climate control for your Land Rover vehicle, shopping for them is quite easy. Discount Land Rover climate control parts and other Land Rover parts and accessories are available at Land Rover Parts and Range Rover Parts. This online store also holds performance or OEM replacement auto parts in its catalog. In stock are thousands of Land Rover climate control system parts and auto parts for all enthusiasts. The Land Rover climate control system parts offered at Land Rover Parts and Range Rover Parts are guaranteed to be durable, made from high quality material, and are very efficient.

U.S. railway production slows;

While auto production has increased in Japan after the tsunami affected production of models sold at a Scion Dealership Maryland, in the United States there have also been logistical problems with railroads and other issues. Models sold at Cadillac Dealership Morristown that are produced in the United States have seen delays due to sidelined auto carriers and repairs that are needed on railways. Many dealerships throughout the country have had problems with inventory due to shortages or fewer supplies from Japanese automakers and factories or from logistical problems in the United States.Providence Used Cars dealerships and other used cars dealers were not as affected since these dealerships only stock used cars mostly.

The Federal Reserve and the Association of American Railroads did a study and found that American railroads have been slow to keep up with the production of vehicles in the United States and have also been slow to return sidelined auto carriers. There have been delays at dealerships as a result of these slowdowns and other vehicles have been queued outside of assembly plants waiting to be transported. The Ford Explorer has had delays mostly due to high demand of the vehicle and some of the delays have been due to railways. A sales manager said that most people expect there to be delays for the Explorer and are okay with that.

During the recession in 2008, many railways ended up laying off thousands of employees and sidelined rail cars and locomotives due to budget cars and other financial concerns. In July 2009, 500,000 cars hadn't carried a paid load in over 60s while U.S. auto sales were the worst that they had been in decades. Sales bottomed out at 9 million (adjusted for the year) in February of 2009 and 2009 was not a great year for auto sales. Since then auto sales have increased partially due to incentive programs like Cash for Clunkers as well as a slightly better economy, but railways have not responded.

What Everyone's Talkin' About!

Exterior and interior features of the 2011 Nissan Juke of Nissan Dealership El Centro, include body color front and rear bumpers, driver and passenger power body color door mirrors, halogen head lights with complex surface lenses and pearl paint. Also there is rear side windows on driver and passenger sides, rear window defroster and intermittent windshield wipers. As for the interior features of the Nissan Juke, these include front 12 volt power outlets, roof antenna, audio system with AM/FM radio, cruise control, front cup holders, outside air temperature indicator, front reading lights, steering wheel mounted audio control and cloth upholstery. Also it comes with a driver and passenger vanity mirror, power windows, express driver and passenger power windows, bucket driver seat and bucket front passenger seat. Some of these features can be found in the vehicles at Phoenix Certified Volkswagen CC or even at the Mazda Service Center.

Safety features for the Nissan Juke now include a voice activating system for your phone, ventilation system with micro filter, tachometer, front side airbag, front and rear curtain airbag and a rear view mirror. Also there is rear seat belts for driver, rear seat belts for passenger, 3 point rear seat belts for center, vehicle speed proportional power steering, remote power locks, a low tire pressure indicator and remote power locks. Also in the Juke, you will find, two active height adjustable front head restraints, two height adjustable rear seats head restraints, height adjustable front seat belts with pre tensioners for driver and passenger and intelligent driver front airbag and intelligent front airbag with occupant sensors. Last but not least you will find an anti theft protection.

Toyota plants shut down after earthquake;

Toyota and other Japanese plants have been shut down after the earthquake in Japan. Toyota models can be purchased from Bremerton Used Cars dealerships. The earthquake will affect shipments of Japanese models such as Toyota and Honda to dealerships such as Honda Dealership MS. Subaru plants were also shut down due to the earthquake. It is not known how long the delayed shipments will affect Honda Dealers Louisiana and other dealerships, but it is known that the dealerships will be affected for some time.

An 8.9 magnitude earthquake has affected several businesses in Japan including the automotive business. There are certain models which are more likely to be affected including the Toyota Yaris, Scion XB, and Honda Fit models. Acura and Infiniti model production will also be affected by the earthquakes. Toyota is one of the largest employers in Japan, and the company evacuated several thousand workers in the quake zone. The company has two plants in Northern Japan, the region which was the hardest hit by the earthquake, and the company is currently evaluating the state of these plants.

Toyota is one of the few automakers with a presence in Northern Japan, which is why the earthquakes have affected Toyota more than other automakers. Toyota intended on making northern Japan a center for automobile production. Honda also shut down two plants after the earthquakes. Aftershocks continued for several hours after the earthquakes and have made it dangerous to travel and to evaluate the extent of the damage at these factories. Honda had at least one death and there were fires reported at Nissan. Nissan suspended operations at some of its Eastern Japanese production plants as well. It is unclear when automobile production will resume for Toyota, Honda, and Nissan at the affected factories, however these companies own factories in many other parts of the world.

Mazda to launch electric vehicle;

Mazda Motor Corp. will be launching an electric Mazda2 in the Spring of 2012, following the trend of many other automakers in release hybrid or electric models. Other automakers that have traditionally used gasoline engines in their vehicles like Daimler A.G. whose models can be purchased from Wheeling Mercedes Dealers have also made plans to release electric models over the next few years. The model will be released in Japan initially and it will first be released to government and commercial fleets. The vehicle can drive up to 125 miles on a single charge and it will be a fully electric model. Check out Chrysler Dealership Manassas for models which are also fuel efficient and economical.

Jackson Chrysler Dealers also sell several high quality and fuel efficient models. It is currently unclear whether or not Mazda will release the electric vehicle to overseas markets. Mazda is not one of the first companies to release an electric model. Competitors Nissan, Toyota, and Honda all have released electric models previously, and Mazda will be joining this group late in the game. However, electric vehicle production as a whole is still very new, and Mazda can still utilize the latest technology to produce a high quality model that will be competitive in the market.

Nissan released its Leaf electric vehicle in 2010 and it will continue to ramp up production and marketing of this model. Toyota has the Prius among other electric vehicles in the work, and Honda is working on a fully electric model but has previously released hybrid models. Mazda will have released its electric model around the same time that Honda is looking to release its own fully electric model. The electric Honda model will go on sale in the United States and in Japan sometime in 2012. The model will use lithium ion batteries.

Top 10 Most Popular Car Technology Features.

If you're looking to buy a new or used car, whether from Chevrolet Auto Body, or Phoenix Certified Volkswagen, there are several features to choose form. Below is a list of the top 10 most popular features people choose:

1. Remote Key Less Entry:

• A system designed to remotely permit or deny access to your automobile.

2. On Star System:

• Provides subscription based communications in vehicle security, hands free calling, turn by turn navigation and remote diagnostics system through out the U.S.

3. Anti-lock Brakes:

• A safety system that allows the wheels on a motor vehicle to continue interacting tr actively with the road surface as directed by driver steering inputs while braking, preventing the wheels from locking up.

4. Electronic Stability Features:

• A computerized technology that improves the safety of a vehicles stability by detecting and minimizing skids.

5. Telescoping Steering Wheel:

• An adjustable steering column that can be lengthened or shortened by pulling or pushing on the steering wheel. It provides a more comfortable driving position.

6. Rear Seat DVD Player:

• A DVD player, usually is built in to the back of the front seats, or mounted on the inside of roof. Great for kids and long trips.

7. GPS Navigation System:

• A space based global navigation satellite system that provides reliable location and time information in all weather and at all times and anywhere on or near the earth when and where there is an unobstructed line of sight to four or more GPS satellites.

8. Side Airbags:

• It is an occupant restraint consisting of a flexible envelope designed to inflate rapidly during an automobile collision, to prevent occupant from striking interior objects.

9. Center Console With Power Outlet:

• A 12 volt outlet used for converting power sources and charging multiple different electronics.

10. Roadside Assistance:

• A service provided to motorist whose vehicle has a breakdown or mechanical failure on the roadway.

Though all these sound like it would be expensive to get, but for those of you with bad credit, it can be easier than ever. Check out Bad Credit Car Loans CT for an easier way to get what you want.

Nissan Maxima Comes Loaded!

For those of you in the market for a new sedan, you could always swing by Ford Dealers Cincinnati but they are not going to have the brand new 2011 Nissan Maxima in their inventory!  The Nissan Maxima offers the perfect blend of luxury, affordability, and family friendliness that many shoppers these days absolutely must have. Not much has changed for the 2011 model year for the Maxima and people wanting something that is completely different from their current sedan can always head on over to FL Dealers Brandenton.  This family sedan offers almost 300 horsepower, a price well below $40,000, and more; we'd love to see GMC Dealership Jackson try to beat that!

There are two trim levels for the 2011 Nissan Maxima.  The base is S and the higher is SV.  The one thing that discourages a lot of buyers from getting the base model is the fact that you are not able to upgrade to any of the option packages with the S trim level.  The base price is $30,810 and if you go for the SV with the highest Premium Package it will cost $36,760; this is encouraging because you can be sure you will not hit the $40,000 price point in this great sedan.

The base model is going to give drivers the convenience of a sunroof, cruise control, dual zone climate control, power accessories, a 60/40 split folding backseat, auto-dimming rearview mirror, keyless ignition, Bluetooth, a steering wheel that tilts and telescopes, 18-inch alloy wheels, and a six-CD changer with auxiliary jack.  With all those features standard, it makes sense why there aren't any optional upgrades for the base model.  Of course, things like better floor mats are available accessories from Nissan.  The SV trim level is going to give you leather upholstery throughout the interior, turn signals on the side mirrors, an upgraded Bose stereo system, and a far more comfortable driver's seat.

2011 nissan maxima, nissan maxima features, 2011 maxima features

Electric Vehicle Mechanics 101

There is so much press surrounding the entire electric vehicle scene that many consumers might seem overwhelmed by the entire concept and process.  Here it is we thought that the hybrid cars from CA Toyota were going to be the best technology ever released, but now there is something better on the market.  One question that many consumers wonder is who will fix their electric car when it does not start one morning?  If your little compact from Ford Dealer MN has some issues, you can easily seek repairs at the dealership or even take your vehicle to a number of mechanics.  That is because a traditional combustion engine in one car works the same as it does in another car.  Owners of electric vehicles will have to go to Boulder Toyota Dealership or wherever it is that they purchased their electric vehicle from for repairs.

Many auto engineers and experts have already made the great point that electric vehicles should not require near as much maintenance or repair as traditional gasoline engines.  That could be because there is no oil or transmission or belts or filters or anything that we are used to seeing under our automobile’s hoods.  An electric car pretty much just has a giant battery under its hood, and those should be completely maintenance free for the first five years.  It is estimated that the electric car batteries should run for 100,000 before starting to not hold an adequate charge.

Just like the battery in your cell phone or your laptop, eventually your electric car battery will not stay charged for as long as it did back when it was new.  When you look at a car like the Nissan Leaf you should recognize its simplicity and the fact that it truly is an entry level car.  However, the price hovers around $40,000 before all the tax credits.  You could look at it then that your car costs around $15,000 while the battery makes up the remaining $25,000.  The EPA has a goal of lowering the cost of electric car batteries by 2014, but who knows for certain if that will actually come true!

electric vehicle engines, electric car maintenance, electric car engines

Smart and Safe From Mercedes-Benz BlueTec!

You might find get deals at Sprinter Pricing Miami, but how smart and safe are those vehicles?  Next to the new and improved Mercedes-Benz E-350 BlueTec, most cars will seem prehistoric.  The cars from New Jersey Hyundai are getting amazing safety crash test ratings, but the technology that some of the luxury brands have incorporated into their vehicles is truly mind boggling.  It is true that the E350 BlueTec will learn about its driver and even realize if the driver is driving under the influence or is drowsy.  Until the cars at Hyundai North Carolina can do that, they might have some pretty steep competition from the luxury line.  Other car makers like Ford and Cadillac have installed self-parking sensors in their vehicles so that drivers just push a button and the car parallel parks itself!

According to the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration), there are more than 30% of American drivers who actually admit to dozing off while driving.  It is likely that those numbers are much higher, and driving drowsy is a terrifying thing that can cause severe accidents.  The BlueTec from Mercedes-Benz will create a driving profile based on how the driver brakes, accelerates, and even takes the road conditions into consideration.  If the driver deviates from that profile, the car will signal warnings to alert the driver. 

Other high tech features of the Mercedes-Benz E350 include headlights that will adjust their brightness based on the curve of the road.  The tire pressure is monitored and the driver will be alerted if the tire pressure is not at safe or ideal levels.  Plus, you get an ultra smooth ride from the suspension so you really have a hard time judging the condition of the road from inside the car.  For a starting price of $50,900, we would hope that the Mercedes-Benz E350 BlueTec would come with more than a few tricks up its sleeve!

mercedes-benz bluetec, mercedes-benz drowsy driving, mercedes-benz safety

The 2011 Dodge Caliber.

The 2011 Dodge Caliber is now more edgy and stylish than the previous model. Not only is the exterior new, but the interior is now also up to date with a very luxurious feel and design. Also for the Caliber, there are some great safety features. These features include driver and front passenger multi stage airbags that include front passenger occupant sensor, supplemental front and rear side curtain airbags, active head restraints, a tire pressure monitoring warning light, child protection rear door locks and a single low note horn. You can find some of these features in the Suzuki Forenza at Suzuki PA.

As for the interior features of the Caliber, it includes features like, air conditioning with chill zone storage, premium cloth front bucket seats, driver seat height adjuster, front passenger fold flat seats and rear 60/40 split recline seat with rear fold flat seats. Also for the interior Dodge incorporated sliding arm rest, full length floor consoles, floor carpeting, luxury front and rear floor mats, tilt steering column and tip start. Some other great features include, outside temperature display, power accessory delay, power windows with driver one touch control, speed sensitive power door locks, key less entry and speed control. For more features you might want installed into your Caliber, you can check out Service Dealer Richmond.

As for the exterior of the Dodge Caliber, it comes with multiple features to keep this Caliber looking edgy. Some of these features include 17 inch by 6.5 inch aluminum wheels, all season touring BSW tires, compact spare tire and bright grille. Also on the Caliber, there is a rear spoiler, halogen head lights, fog lights, power heated mirrors, solar control glass, variable intermittent windshield wipers and rear window wiper with washer. Along with all of that, the Caliber has a lift gate door with fixed glass, body color lift gate applique and body color door handles.

When it comes to the engine, the Caliber has a 2.0 liter DOHC dual VVT 16 valve 14 engine, a continuously variable trans axle 2, 525 CCA maintenance free battery, 120 amp alternator and power rack and pinion steering. The base model of the Caliber is estimated at 18,085. You can check out West Brook Financing if this price isn't in your budget.

Favorite Tech Features for Safety and Comfort!

Something that we absolutely love about the cars from Santa Ana Volvo Dealers is that most of them come standard with leather seats. It truly is the little things in life that make it worth living, and there are tons of features that you can put on your vehicles these days to make them the best thing since sliced bread. When you visit Palm Bay Lincoln Mercury to check out the great deals on the remaining Mercury merchandise, pay special attention to the options that your car comes with. Chances are that over time, you have figured out what you really can’t live without when it comes to owning a vehicle. Keep that list in mind when you find yourself choosing a vehicle at Pohanka Honda Of Salisbury, because a vehicle is probably the second most expensive item most of us will buy in our lifetime.

While it is not the most fun topic to talk about in the world, safety is a huge concern when purchasing a vehicle. Technology has come a long ways, and by 2012 all vehicles will come standard with electronic stability control. Until that happens, be choosy and make sure your vehicle has ESC. Also, if you are going to be driving in inclement weather, really think about getting all-wheel drive. Two heads are better than one, and four wheels spinning are better than two wheels spinning out of control. The last safety technology that will really make your life easier is having a back-up camera or even rearview camera in-dash. A lot of cameras are only active while you are in reverse, but sometimes you want to know what is behind you and the newer technologies also scan around your vehicle to make sure you won’t hit anything to your side.

For the better things in life, consider getting in-dash GPS navigation. This usually also includes a built-in hard-drive so that you can load and store all of your music right in your car. Now you don’t have to worry about suction cups falling off your windshield and breaking your portable navigation device, and you also don’t have to worry about forgetting your MP3 player when you are stuck in traffic. Another feature you might want to consider splurging for is back-seat entertainment. Yes, you can always get them installed later, but the dealerships do a great job and the whole system is seamless and streamlined.

car safety technology, car gps, car in-dash navigation, car comfort features, car optional features

Electric Vehicles: The Future of Volkswagen

If you had a goal of becoming the best of the best by 2018, then you would probably be pulling out all of your technological tricks as well.  Nope, we aren't talking about Acura Burke, but we are talking about German made Volkswagen.  The newest vehicle class to take the world by storm are the electric vehicles.  While hybrids are still a great alternative to traditional gasoline vehicles, even American made Bethesda Chevrolet knew there was money to be made in the electric vehicle business.  There is no sense ignoring our future!  Volkswagen hopes to have their new concept car, Golf blue-e-motion, in production by 2013; this gives Arlington Hyundai some time to upgrade their current vehicle line up. 

Volkswagen has announced their global plan to start producing their own electric powertrains, and the Golf will be the first guinea pig model.  The Golf is already one of Volkswagen's most popular models so it makes perfect sense to be the introductory platform for electric vehicle technology.  Consumers are still a little unsure about the entire concept of electric vehicles, but by 2013 when we actually see the Golf blue-e-motion sitting at dealerships, perhaps Americans will be more accepting of the eco-friendly idea. 

Drivers of the Golf blue-e-motion will enjoy all the perks of having a completely electric vehicle free of polluting emissions.  They will get 115 horsepower and 200 pound feet of torque, which is plenty for a compact car.  Volkswagen is estimating that you can get up to 94 miles range per charge, and like all vehicles and mileage estimates, those numbers will vary with your specific driving habits.  The Golf blue-e-motion uses a 26.5 kilowatt-hour lithium ion battery.  It is always exciting when a concept car makes it into the world of production reality, and VW hopes to have about 500 produced by next year for testing purposes. 

VW golf electric vehicle, Volkswagen electric vehicle, Volkswagen EV, golf blue-e-motion