Car News Articles

‘Going green’


3rd July 2008 15:31

I have just been reading Dealer Update (a UK automotive retail sector publication produced by Trader Media/Auto Trader group). Through Auto Trader’s UK website they carried out a survey on attitudes of retail buyers to green cars and issues. The survey results reinforce what the cynics say.

Most people, it seems, don’t want to pay extra to be good to the environment. In choosing a car, price is by far the most important consideration. It was the most important single feature for a car for 86% of respondents and that’s followed by performance and safety. Ranked low are things like low environmental impact in materials used or a ‘clean’ factory where the car came from.

But here’s the thing. Small cars are booming in Britain; interest in electric cars and hybrids has never been higher. And it’s got very little to do with people wanting to be green. It’s got everything to do with rising taxes on motoring, a general squeeze on household incomes and skyrocketing pump prices. ‘Being green’ and good to the environment gets a little easier when it also saves you money. Conscience and wallet pulling harmoniously in the same direction. Grrreat. 

And that’s where the government here could face a slight problem with renewable energy for national power generation. To be effective, wind farms require heavy investment and are simply much more expensive as generators of energy - on current plans - than some of the dirtier alternatives we employ now. If we want to go down that renewables road it will cost more. That could be a very tough sell to a hard-pressed British public in a few years time (before the next general election energy policy is certain to be a major issue).

And if power generation stays unclean that will also mean your G-Wiz 2.0 is actually not all that good for the environment at all. The jokes may long since have stopped though if it has become a lot cheaper to run than a VW Polo on fossil fuels.

GERMANY: Consumers ready to buy hybrid and electric cars

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Via
Merco Press

Brazil has promised farmers 78 billion Reais, approximately 48 billion US dollars, in soft loans to promote agriculture production and help curb inflation announced on Wednesday the country’s development bank, BNDES.

The amount includes 65 billion Reais for commercial farmers in the crop year that began in July and is 12% higher than the previous crop said Agriculture Minister Reinhold Stephanes during a meeting with farm organizations in the southern city of Curitiba. The rest is earmarked to family and subsistence farmers.

With prices of agriculture commodities soaring to record prices Brazil is seeking to increase output, productivity and inventories, said Stephanes.

“This farm plan is part of a strategic vision” added Stephanes who pointed out that “the future of agriculture depends on productivity and efficiency”.

Brazil has the potential to increase crops but faces serious infrastructure problems with an inefficient transport system, lack of storage capacity and insufficient port facilities.

(2 votes, average: 5 out of 5)

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Subaru has recalled the following models due to a possible defect in the rear gate.

If you own one of the affected models you should set up an appointment with your local Subaru dealer service department to make sure everything is ok.

At All-Wheel Drive Auto we believe that customer service is much more than just servicing your Subaru it’s also keeping you informed.

NHTSA RECALL BULLETIN
Reference Number(s): 08V135000
Related Ref Number(s): 08V 135000
ARTICLE BEGINNING

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION
Model(s): 2002 SUBARU IMPREZA
2003 SUBARU IMPREZA
Campaign No: 08V135000
Number of Affected Vehicles: 36791
Beginning Date of Manufacture: 2000 SEP
Ending Date of Manufacture: 2002 SEP

SYSTEM
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES: TAILGATE: LATCH

DESCRIPTION OF DEFECT
SUBARU IS RECALLING 36,791 MY 2002-2003 IMPREZA WAGONS. THE STUD BOLT(S)
OF REAR GATE STAY MAY HAVE BEEN TIGHTENED WITH INSUFFICIENT TIGHTENING
TORQUE AND A GAP MAY HAVE RESULTED BETWEEN THE REAR GATE PANEL AND
STUD BOLT BASE. AFTER REPEATED REAR GATE OPERATIONS (OPENING AND
CLOSING), THE REAR GATE INNER PANEL AT THE WELDING NUT MAY BREAK,
WHICH WILL LEAD TO DETACHMENT OF THE REAR GATE STAY, AND THE REAR
GATE DROPPING DOWN.
CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT
IN CASE SOMEONE IS UNDERNEATH OR NEAR THE REAR GATE, THERE IS A
POSSIBILITY THAT A DROPPING REAR GATE PANEL MAY HIT THEM INCREASING THE
RISK OF INJURIES.

CORRECTIVE ACTION
DEALERS WILL INSPECT TO SEE IF THERE IS ANY GAP AT THE STUD BOLT OF THE
REAR GATE STAY INSTALLATION. IF A GAP IS FOUND, THE STUD BOLT WILL BE
REMOVED TO CHECK FOR DAMAGE TO THE WELDING NUT. IF THE WELD NUT IS

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES: TAILGATE: LATCH -2002 Subaru Impreza Outback Page 2 of 2
CRACKED, THE REAR GATE STAY WILL BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. THE
RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE .TUNE 2, 2008. OWNERS MAY
CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783.

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The first images of upcoming new Mazda3 were leaked on the net. The forthcoming Mazda3 is one of the most highly anticipated future models.

The designer of 2010 Mazda3 prototype took a different approach, applying elements from the Nagare, Ryuga, Hakaze, Taiki and Furai concept cars to a an enlarged version of the Mazda2. Not bad but we would have definetely preferred a different styling for the front-end.

More pics after jump

The new road rules that came into effect on July 1 include a raft of changes. Most notably, there’s the introduction of bicycle storage areas at the beginning of intersections.

These storage areas, which aren’t, as the name suggests, little sheds on the road, are designed to give cyclists a fighting chance when they’re in traffic. The idea is that they move to the front of the traffic line, sit in a storage area and wait for the lights to change.

Other changes include the mandate that you must turn left from a slip lane if there’s one available, and you can’t enter a crossing that is blocked on the other side by another vehicle or obstacle.

Then there’s the change that allows long vehicles in roundabouts to turn from the middle lane or using both lanes if need be, as well as the change that allows you to drive on a painted island for up to 50 metres if there’s a turning bay ahead of it.

The most interesting are the rules concerning wheeled recreational devices, which includes scooters, skateboards and rollerblades. They’re lumped together with wheeled toys such as pedal cars and tricycles, and if you’re using one you’re not allowed to hitch a ride with a moving car, nor are you allowed to use the wheeled toy or recreational device on a divided road or a road that has a speed limit greater than 50 km/h.

Finally, you’re not allowed to carry animals on your lap when you’re driving, nor are you allowed to have an animal on the fuel tank of a motorbike unless you’re a farmer, and you’re not riding for more than 500 metres. Then it’s OK to have the kelpie on the fuel tank as you head off to round up some sheep.

Of course all these new laws are coupled with the RTA’s usual heavy fines and demerit points.

Do you think the road rule changes are a good idea? Or is it just Roads and Traffic Authority pedantry? Have your say.