4 Reasons Why You Should Consider Using Fuel Cards?
Major fuel companies are opting for a far much advanced fuel management systems that offer a much more advanced and quality type of service. These companies are trying to minimize the use of cash in the fuel stations which can raise eyebrows of some malicious customers that might think otherwise. We are moving into an era where fuel cards are far much preferred other than walking around with hard cash which might put your security at stake. Also known as fleet cards, they can be used in almost any where you can access roads as you travel to any place you wish. These cards are accepted in many fuel stations and can be easily used even if you move across the border to another region. Fleet cards are very beneficial to its customers and some benefits are outlined below:
1. No need of receipts
Fuel cards allow you to be able to purchase fuel in any given known gas station that offers these services without the need of a receipt. If you are an employed driver then all you need is the card and go into any gas station and purchase the amount of fuel you want and it will all be recorded in the credit records of your card. This works well with employers as they can trace the amount of fuel their drivers use in a particular day, week or even month.
2. Easy to track fuel usage
It is easier to track one’s one fuel usage over a specified period of time as compared to the usage of cash which will make it difficult to track your records. This will allow you to make plans on how you can adjust your fuel expenditure and make a proper budget for you in a specified period. Thus is cheaper to some extent.
3. Offers discount in relation to your fuel volume usage
The usage of fuel cards will earn you discounts according to the volume of fuel you consume in a given time. This will greatly reduce your fuel cost allowing you to make other budgets instead. When you are still using cash you will only pay the amount that has been recorded in the gas meter but when you use a card you are entitles to receive discounts that will be offered in a particular time.
4. Is safe and secure
The usage of fleet cards offer guaranteed security which is safe when using. When registering, you will register your card under your name and your vehicle registration. This makes you card theft proof since no other person will be able to use it without your authorization.
Try out the use of Fuel cards and you will be obviously impressed with how beneficial this tiny card can be!
Ralph Gilles’ Talk at Automotive News World Congress 2011
Excerpts of speech by Ralph Gilles, President /CEO Dodge Brand & Senior VP Product Design Chrysler Group at the Automotive News World Congress, Jan. 12, 2011.
Video Rating: 5 / 5
Honda S2000
Honda SSM
X-bone frame (yellow) used in the construction of the S2000 chassis.
Introduced at the 1995 Tokyo Motor Show, the Honda Sport Study Model concept car was the design study for the production S2000. The SSM was a rear wheel drive roadster powered by a 2.0 L (122 cu in) inline 4 cylinder engine. It featured a rigid X-bone frame which Honda claimed improved the vehicle’s rigidity and collision safety. The hood was aluminium and the car had a 50:50 weight distribution.
The SSM would appear unchanged in many automotive shows for several years afterwards, hinting at the possibility of a production version. Honda later announced the production version of the SSM. Carrying on the tradition of the company’s 1960s S500, S600, and S800 roadsters, the new vehicle was named the S2000.
Models
AP1
Honda S2000 (AP1)
Production
1999-2003
Assembly
Takanezawa R&D Plant in Tochigi, Japan
The S2000 was introduced in 1999 for the 2000 model year and was given the chassis designation of AP1. It featured a front engine, rear-wheel drive layout with power being delivered by a 1,997 cc (122 cu in) F20C inline 4 cylinder DOHC-VTEC engine producing from 237 hp (177 kW) to 250 PS (184 kW), and from 153 ftlbf (207 Nm) to 22.2 kgm (218 Nm) of torque depending on the target market. The engine is mated to a six-speed manual transmission and Torsen limited slip differential. The S2000 achieved what Honda claimed as the “top level performance in the world” for a 2-liter naturally aspirated engine.
2004 AP2 and 2000 AP1 model S2000s from abovehe AP1 has OEM front lip, side strakes, and rear spoiler.
Features include independent double wishbone suspension, electrically-assisted steering and integrated roll hoops. 16 in (41 cm) wheels with Bridgestone Potenza S-02 tires were standard equipment. The compact and lightweight engine, mounted entirely behind the front axle, allows the S2000 to obtain a 50:50 front/rear weight distribution and lower rotational inertia. An electrically powered canvas top with internal cloth lining was standard. Honda made available an aluminum hardtop for additional cost.
The 2001 model was largely unchanged, but Honda upgraded the radio and added a digital clock to the dashboard display. For the 2002 model year, suspension settings were revised and the plastic rear window was replaced by a glass unit incorporating an electric defroster. Other updates included slightly revised tail lamps, an upgraded radio, and a revised engine control unit.
The AP1 was manufactured up to 2003 at Honda’s Takanezawa plant, alongside the Honda NSX and Honda Insight hybrid. In 2004 production moved to the Suzuka plant.
AP2
Honda S2000 (AP2)
Production
2004-2009
Assembly
Suzuka R&D Plant in Suzuka, Mie, Japan
The 2004 model year incorporated several revisions to the S2000 and was given the chassis designation of AP2. The 2004 model introduced newly designed 17 in (43 cm) wheels and Bridgestone RE-050 tires along with a retuned suspension to reduce oversteer. The spring rates and shock absorber damping were altered and the suspension geometry modified to improve stability by reducing toe-in changes under cornering loads. In the gearbox the brass synchronizers were replaced with carbon fiber. In addition, cosmetic changes were made to the exterior with new front and rear bumpers, revised headlight assemblies, new LED tail-lights, and oval-tipped exhausts.
2005 Honda S2000 AP2 showing revised rear end.
The AP2 also included the introduction of a larger version of the F20C to the North American market. Designated F22C1, the engine’s stroke was lengthened, increasing its displacement to 2,157 cc (132 cu in). At the same time, the redline was reduced from 9,000 rpm to 8,000 rpm with a cutout at 8,200 rpm, mandated by the longer travel of the pistons. Peak torque increased 6% to 162 ftlbf (220 Nm) at 6,500 rpm while power output was the same 237 hp (177 kW) at a lower 7,800 rpm. In conjunction with its introduction of the F22C1, Honda also changed the transmission gear ratios by shortening the first four gears and lengthening the last two. Another change was the inclusion of a clutch release delay valve. In 2006, the F22C1 engine replaced the F20C in the Japanese market as well; however, the F20C continued in all other world markets.
2005 Honda S2000 AP2 red/black interior.
Honda F22C1 engine found in the S2000 AP2.
The 2006 model introduced a drive by wire throttle, an electronic stability control system, new wheels, and one new exterior color, Laguna Blue Pearl. Interior changes included revised seats and additional stereo speakers integrated into the headrests.
JDM-spec Type-S
The 2008 model year marked the first time the S2000 was offered in more than one trim level in the United States. In addition to the base model, Honda offered a more track-oriented version of the S2000, distinguished by reduced weight, fewer amenities, and a claimed increase in performance. The S2000 Club Racer made its world debut at the New York International Auto Show on 4 April 2007. Changes for the CR included a lower ratio steering rack, stiffer suspension and all-new Bridgestone Potenza RE070 tires, widened at the rear from 245/40R-17 to 255/40R-17. A revised body kit, composed of a redesigned front lip, rear bumper, and a large spoiler, were wind-tunnel tested and claimed to reduce the overall coefficient of lift by 70-80 %. The power folding soft top was removed and replaced with additional chassis bracing topped off with a tonneau cover, while the hard top, optional on other models, became a standard feature on the CR. Finally, in an effort to reduce weight and lower the center of gravity, the spare tire was omitted and air conditioning and stereo were offered only as options. Net weight savings without the additional hardtop was 90 pounds (41 kg) relative to the standard model. The engine in the S2000 CR was unchanged from the standard trim.
Custom Honda S2000 from the movie 2 Fast 2 Furious at the Petersen Automotive Museum.
The 2008 Honda S2000 CR became available in the fall of 2007, with a base price of ,300. Production volume of less than 2,000 units was expected. Redesigned five-spoke wheels were standard on all S2000s, with bright silver on the base model wheels and a gunmetal color on the CR wheels. All CR models were only available with yellow and black cloth interior. Honda continued both trim levels of S2000 unchanged for the 2009 model year. The price was increased to US,695 for the base trim and US,695 for the CR trim.
A variant of the CR, called the Type-S, was released in Japan. The Type-S retained the convertible soft top instead of the CR’s aluminum hard-top, and used the standard S2000′s Bridgestone RE050 tires instead of the CR’s upgraded RE070′s. The head designer of the S2000, Shigeru Uehara, stated that the CR was somewhere between the existing Type-S and what a supposed S2000 Type-R would have been like.
Production of the S2000 ceased in June 2009. Plans for an S2000 successor were scrapped in the aftermath of the automotive industry crisis of 2008. To commemorate the production run of the S2000, Honda offered a special variant called the S2000 Ultimate Edition for the European market, and a similar GT Edition 100 variant in the UK. These editions feature a removable hard top, Grand Prix White paint scheme, red leather interior, and numbered plaques.
Specifications
20002003
AP1 (F20C)
20042009
AP2 (F20C)
20042009
AP2 (F22C1)
2008-2009
AP2 CR (F22C1)
Engineering
Engine Type
naturally aspirated inline-4
Displacement
1,997 cc (122 cu in)
2,157 cc (132 cu in)
Power
237 bhp (177 kW; 240 PS) @ 8,300 rpm (US & EU)
247 bhp (184 kW; 250 PS) @ 8,300 rpm (JP)
237 bhp (177 kW; 240 PS) @ 7,800 rpm (US)
239 bhp (178 kW; 242 PS) @ 7,800 rpm (JP)
Torque
153 lbft (207 Nm) @ 7,500 rpm (US & EU)
22.2 kgm (218 Nm) @ 7,500 rpm (JP)
162 lbft (220 Nm) @ 6,800 rpm (US)
163 lbft (221 Nm) @ 6,500-7,500 rpm (JP)
Redline / Fuel cut-out
8,800 rpm / 9,000 rpm
8,000 rpm / 8,200 rpm
Bore & Stroke
87.0 mm (3.425 in) x 84.4 mm (3.323 in)
87.0 mm (3.425 in) x 90.7 mm (3.571 in)
Compression Ratio
11.0:1 (US & EU)
11.7:1 (JP)
11.1:1
Valvetrain
16-valve DOHC VTEC
Transmission
6-speed manual
Gear Ratios
1st: 3.133
2nd: 2.045
3rd: 1.481
4th: 1.161
5th: 0.970
6th: 0.810
Secondary gear reduction: 1.160
Final drive: 4.100
Reverse: 2.800
1st: 3.133
2nd: 2.045
3rd: 1.481
4th: 1.161
5th: 0.943
6th: 0.763
Secondary gear reduction: 1.208
Final drive: 4.100
Reverse: 2.800
Fuel type and consumption
Octane Rating
91 AKI / 95 RON (98 RON recommended)
City
18 mpg-US (13 L/100 km; 22 mpg-imp) (US EPA)
20.6 mpg-imp (13.7 L/100 km; 17.2 mpg-US) (UK)
Highway
24 mpg-US (9.8 L/100 km; 29 mpg-imp) (US EPA)
35.3 mpg-imp (8.00 L/100 km; 29.4 mpg-US) (UK)
Combined
20 mpg-US (12 L/100 km; 24 mpg-imp) (US EPA)
28.2 mpg-imp (10.0 L/100 km; 23.5 mpg-US) (UK)
Dimensions
Length
162.7 in (4,133 mm)
162.1 in (4,117 mm)
Width
68.9 in (1,750 mm)
68.9 in (1,750 mm)
Height
50.0 in (1,270 mm)
50.7 in (1,288 mm)
Wheelbase
94.5 in (2,400 mm)
94.5 in (2,400 mm)
Track
f: 57.9 in (1,471 mm)
r: 59.4 in (1,509 mm)
Curb Weight
IBM / Automotive News Webinar Poll Results
For a PDF copy of the Truck2020 study, please visit bit.ly This video gives the results of participant poll of Truck 2020 Transcending Turbulence webinar with Automotive News. Presenters include IBM, Calstart and Freightliner Customer Chassis.
Toyota Exceeded Gm as 2006 Top Automaker
Toyota Motor Corp. exceeded General Motors (GM) in the 2006 overall sales, making the Japanese auto maker the biggest car maker all over the world. But according to a leading auto industry journal, Reuters reported that many had expected that the surpassing will take place in 2007.
The huge and top Japanese auto maker outstripped GM by nearly 128,000 units last year. The figure was based on a technicality which excludes sales of vehicles at minority-held subsidiaries and this data was written in Detroit-based weekly Automotive News, whose data centre publishes a ranking, which is widely quoted, of the world’s automakers around in the present generation every year.
The Automotive News holds the statement published by Crain Communications that in Toyota’s success, a little-known Chinese microvan played a vital role.
According to the journal, GM included the seven-seat microvan and other Wuling-brand vehicles engineered by a three-way venture with China’s Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp. (SAIC) and Liuzhou Wuling Automobile even though it owns just a small part (less than half) of the company. This was based on the Automotive News’ final tally for 2006.
The 420,140 units was credited with a 51 percent-owner SAIC by the Automotive News and this figure represents the venture sold in 2006. As a result, GM had set global sales at 8,679,860 units in 2006, versus 8,808,000 for Toyota.
The Automotive News Data Center includes in its ranking the sales of a subsidiary in the total for the parent company with the majority stake.
GM at present is in the sore of avoiding restructuring but, fortunately, is growing rapidly in China. For 76 years, the car company has claimed the top spot for, including 2006.
In April, Toyota and GM posted the first quarter of 2007 sales figures which revealed that the Japanese automaker was edging past by 90,000 units its U.S. competitor. And since it was the first time ever that GM was surpassed by Toyota as the top auto maker, the news triggered extensive media coverage.
Corresponding with Automotive News’ tally, Toyota’s sales figures include those at units Daihatsu Motor Co. and Hino Motors Ltd. On the other hand, GM is composed of a dozen of brands that include Chevrolet, Buick, Opel and Saab.
Even by GM’s count after it projected sales of 9.34 million units versus the U.S. giant’s forecast for 9.2 million, Toyota is almost certain to take the lead for the entire year of 2007.
About Toyota Motor Corporation
Toyota Motor Corporation, or simply known as Toyota, is a Japanese multinational corporation and the largest automaker (followed by General Motors) all over the world by sales revenue as of the first sales quarter of 2007. Last year, the company along with its half-owned subsidiary Daihatsu was the world’s second largest auto company by revenue, the most profitable auto maker in terms of net income, and the eighth largest company in the world according to revenues.
The company is portion of the Toyota Group and is its biggest company. The brands, divisions and companies of Toyota, Lexus, Scion, and parts of Daihatsu are owned and operated by Toyota. And as a whole, the company has 522 subsidiaries.
Founded in 1937, Toyota was established by Kiichiro Toyoda as a by product of his father’s company Toyota Industries to build automobiles.
For 2007, Toyota plans to produce 9.4 million vehicles.
About General Motors Corporation
Also known as GM or GMC, General Motors Corporation is the 2nd (after Toyota) largest car company based on sales revenue as of 2007. Maker of quality cars and their parts, GMC has around 284,000 employees all over the world.
It was founded in 1908, in Flint, Michigan and has global headquarters located at the Renaissance Center in Detroit, Michigan, USA. In Zurich, Switzerland is their European headquarters. This American car maker produces its trucks and cars in 33 countries.
GM cars and trucks are sold under Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Daewoo, GMC, Holden, Hummer, Opel, Pontiac, Saab, Saturn and Vauxhall brands.
GM Parts like GMC car cover and accessories are known in the market under GM Performance Parts, GM Goodwrench and ACDelco brands through GM Service and Parts Operations that supplies GM dealerships and distributors all over the world. The United States is GM’s largest national market. This is followed by China, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Germany.
GM is the number 1 automaker when it comes to Strategic Vision’s Total Quality Index (TQI).
Article Submitter on auto-pilot -Parts Train Unveils the Auto Blog
Auto Parts Train has unveiled its own blog, dubbed as The Auto Blog. This serves as a channel through which relevant information covering the world of automotives and automotive parts can be provided to visitors. Of course, this has also been especially crafted so as give further information to Auto Parts Train’s valued customers. The Auto Blog offers articles, commentaries, advice, reviews and news on everything about the automotive world. The corporate blog is also a response to the growing importance of blogs as another source of information in the internet and the whole World Wide Web. The Auto Blog is now on its second month of continuous serving and providing news, information, innovation, and other significant information for the automobile-inclined.
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The Auto Blog covers a wide range of automotive topics organized into several categories namely: automotive news, car reviews, aftermarket parts and accessories, auto parts, auto advice, Auto Parts Train news, automotive events, automotive technology, and automotive trends and innovations. By keeping the information, articles, and topics conveniently arranged and organized, visitors and readers will have a grand time looking for the information that they need. Readers will definitely find a wealth of information on different areas of the automotive industry. Auto aficionados will appreciate the relevant and up-to-date information posted including news gathered from reliable sources. Each of these articles have been carefully researched and thoroughly written.
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For visitors and readers who feel like they need to share further pieces of information or would like to make a comment, do a rant, or a rave about an article, blog entry, or topic, a Comments link gives them the chance to do so. The Auto Blog has been crafted not just for providing information but also to serve as a medium and channel for automotive fanatics and aficionados and just plain automobile owners to converge and share their knowledge on automobiles and cars.
Visitors at The AutoBlog can browse through the different entries and posts that offer the latest buzz in the automotive industry, as well as insightful articles on automotive technology and innovations. Now, Parts Train is not only a source of excellent quality automotive parts, but of relevant, up-to-date, and helpful automotive information as well.
Automotive Market Research Reports
Automotive Market Research Reports contain information on the latest trends in the automotive industry. It is a compilation of various reports, such as scale company profiles, demand forecast, reviews, etc. Automotive industry analysis reports are comprehensive in structure and contain every detail of the automotive sector. It is made by specialists who have experience and expertise in the field. Automotive industry research analysis reports are an updated copy of the latest happenings in the automotive market.
Automotive sector is growing at a rapid pace with the advancements in technology. The Automotive market research reports help to find the leading-edge opportunities for the automobile companies. According to the latest automotive news reports, automobile industry is said to be one of the most competitive and dynamic industries around the globe. There are lots of auto giants who are launching new sedans every year to fill in the demand and supply gap.
Automotive industry research analysis reports show that new innovations are being made by changing the design of the models, adding new equipments and accessories, introducing technologically advanced auto parts, etc. All this is being done to grab the market and make a foothold in this highly competitive industry. The Automotive industry research analysis reports are designed after a thorough study of the market by automotive business research companies.
To assure that information is accurate, authentic, and reliable, the specialist go through thousands of books, magazines, newspapers, trade journals, white papers, industry portals that publish info on auto industry. They also take help of the government and private agencies that are monitoring industry news and developments. The automotive business research companies that make these reports maintain in-house statistical and analytical model and an industry specific database to generate authentic and updated Automotive Market Research Reports.
A detailed automotive industry research analysis reports covers parameters, such as market size of the automotive industry, growth potential in the global market, factors that are influencing the scale of demand and supply, constraints faced by the automobile manufactures, etc. It gives complete information about the leading domestic and foreign players in the market.
Automotive market research reports are the best source of information on the automobile industry. It gives a complete detail of the latest happenings in the market. You can find information on market trends, segmentation, opportunities, and sales and marketing strategies of
the various auto companies. Automotive market research reports are a result of quantitative and qualitative analyses of the auto industry.
Reliable Automotive Reviews
If you are a car enthusiast and you can’t let one day go by without checking out the latest car news, the wonder of the twentieth century, the internet, will quench that thirst for you. Nowadays, magazines or shows on television just don’t seem so reliable any more not to mention that they impose a certain schedule. On the other hand, the very numerous websites about automobiles and car blogs are right there for you, with all the information you may need about automotive news or automotive reviews.
If you are interested in buying a car, you should definitely check out some car reviews. What car dealers tell you is one thing, what you get might be quite another. We are referring, of course, to customers who have insignificant experience in the field of automobiles and who may be easy to trick only by using some words which may sound to the like belonging to another language. After all, it is well known that, for most people, the purchase of an automobile is the second largest in an expenses top. Because of the vast market and the lack of experience or knowledge on some of the consumers’ part, purchasing a car is also considered a very challenging sales experience. And when buying a car is such an important expense to many people, most of whom do it for a long period of time and some of them even for a lifetime, whom can you trust? Automotive reviews offer a great deal of information such as comparative tests or consumer investigations.
When it comes to informing the consumer, bigger isn’t always better, especially when the readers are deprived of getting honest advice because of some interests that a particular business or company holds. When you read automotive reviews, what you should look for are the skeptical journalism and critical comments which will guarantee that your best interest as a consumer comes first. Car reviews should offer a whole lot more than just the photos and specifics of a car. Automotive reviews can be found in newspapers or auto magazines, but they will rarely jump at the chance of pointing out a particular flaw of a car. The internet – this is the place where you can find the most recent automotive news, but also the honest critics who are more than willing to inform you, in their automotive reviews, of possible flaws of a particular car, flaws that the manufacturers probably already know about but have chosen to conceal it because it’s in their best interest, and certainly not the consumer’s.
When discussing a car flaw, some consumers choose to see for themselves rather than take the reviewer’s word for it. This is where the internet car reviews may come in handy. With the aid of new technology in multimedia, the user can actually see for himself what the car reviewer is talking about. With so many options when purchasing a car, and especially with the financial effort that this step is for many people, the negatives aspects in car review are those that can make the difference, because such flaws will bring upon the consumer a even greater expense over the years. The internet is reliable as far as automotive reviews are concerned, since there’s no pressure from any manager or editor to cut down on the criticism because it’s bad publicity for that car brand.
The internet is also a reliable source for automotive news, from car insurance and maintenance, used vehicles, safer driving, buying and selling cars to new releases and celebrity cars.
For more resources about automotive news and especially about automotive reviews please review this website http://www.car-spin.com