Which auto maker is known because of its signature small cars?  

Mazda? Honda? No, these auto brands have made small utility cars, they are also famous but not when it comes to small cars.  

I am talking about the BMW subsidiary guys. Yes, the Smart cars. For someone like me who is into small cars with gorgeous exterior parts, Small cars will count much. And they really do count. A lot.  

They are really famous when it comes to building small but functional cars. You guys have seen the movie “The Da Vinci Code”? What about “Pink Panther”? These films feature Smart cars and these films also do continue to prove that small cars are really popular nowadays.  

In fact, for several days now, many people have spotted a Peugeot 107 running the streets of Livonia and Ann Arbor. There are only 6 Peugeot 107s in this place and from the fact that Peugeot cars are not sold here, I smell something fishy going on.  

There is a Toyota Technical Center here in Ann Arbor, just close to this distance. And for the past few days a Peugeot 107 was spotted running on this area on daily basis and heading to the Tech Center. Do you think the Japanese auto maker is using the small utility car to test whether the people care about it? Is it because Toyota will be revealing a new car model next to its Yaris?  

Too many questions at present and there seems to be no answers, only speculations. Let’s all just wait for the time when Toyota would answer these questions.  

The Japanese auto car also makes small car such as the Toyota Aygo. The small car is so small to have 1 liter gas engine as part of its powertrain parts and there would also be 3 cylinders that produces 50 horsepower. Also on its other version, the 1.4 liter diesel engine on four cylinders running on a 4.1L/100km, not bad huh?

Cars 101 question: what comes into your mind whenever you hear the word “hybrid”?  

I think we have the same thought in mind.  

The first thing that came into me is the Toyota Prius! No doubt about it, because one thing’s for sure - the Prius defines the term hybrid accurately. Well maybe it is the best representation for all hybrid concept cars. Do you agree with what I’m saying? Okay, end of discussion!  

Based on my own knowledge, six years ago, when Toyota brought the model to the United  States, the company has stretched out in green public-relations. History informed me that Honda was actually the first one to have a modern gas-electric car which came in the form of the Insight. Also, it was Ford to be the first to sell hybrid sport utility vehicles which is their Escape and it also is one of the company’s top-selling SUVs.  

Toyota was up to the challenge, bringing up the most creative engineering, witty promotion and perfect timing mixed in one. And the company has set its standards for the entire section of eco-friendly vehicles. Eventually, the software was licensed to Ford and Toyota sold hybrid components and some Toyota parts to Nissan Motor.  

Toyota has produced half a dozen hybrid models in various showrooms and the number is twice as any other automaker starting from the Prius up to the Lexus LS600hL.  

I’ve learned that Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive domination has held them under assault from the industry’s top engineers. According to some sources, for more than a year in undistinguished buildings located at Troy, Michigan, a German and American association of BMW, DaimlerChrysler and General Motors has been keeping a secret kind of work. They were developing a specifically different type of hybrid powertrain.  

It was told that the most important details of the project had previously been shielded by the group called Global Hybrid Cooperation. Most important details of the project had previously been shielded by the group. Hybrid models of other companies are trying to equalize with the standards of Toyota hybrids. Probably these competitors have a lot of edge than Toyota’s. But as hard and durable as a hybrid model, Toyota Motors is a big threat to all leading carmakers and it does look like it is set to be a constant thorn in the throat for their competition!

At the Melbourne International Motor Show, everyone can distinguish which ones are tough and which ones are going to have a hard time competing in the market. Greatness is criticized and the finest and the most terrible cars are candidly revealed. One of the greatest expositions during this show belongs to Toyota. It came in the form of the Debut of the Toyota Corolla 2000 rally car and it was indeed an astonishing revelation.  

The prominent new race car will be the world’s first new model Corolla qualified to the FIA’s Super 2000 (S2000) specifications. To build fairly low-cost rally cars using an ordinary and controlled formula, the FIA developed the S2000 category for manufacturers to pursue.  

It will put an end for Toyota’s Group N Prototype Corolla rally car as the S2000’s arrival took place. You see, the former is actually that very vehicle which delivered the manufacturer in the first and second place during the 2006 NEC Australian Rally Championship.  

Engines, gearboxes, advanced Toyota parts and weight restrictions are the common elements found in the S2000. A 2.0–liter four cylinder naturally aspirated 3SGE engine for the new car is being developed by the TRD team. It will provide an approximately 190kW of power and 240Nm of torque and this revs the vehicle to an impressive limit of 8500rpm. The car’s swiftness was developed by its sheer 1150 kilogram in weight. Yes, it is super light!  

Another controlled element of the S2000 is the SADEV six-speed sequential gearbox and it also includes MCA shock absorbers built by Murray Coote. The vehicle also comes using an AP Racing brake package with four spot calipers for the front and rear, with an awesome 300mm rotors.

Simon Evans, the 2006 Australian Rally Champion, can’t wait to get hold of the new S2000 and use it in the competition. "It is a great-looking car," he said. "The shape of the new Corolla and the new livery are really striking. There is still a lot of development to go to have it right for the Rally of Canberra, but our test times have been competitive. I think S2000 has all the ingredients to appeal to both manufacturers and motorsport fans - particularly when they hear the cars howling through the forest," Evans added.

The S2000 category will also allow for the development of controlled parts for all manufacturers which will ultimately provide lower costs. 

Known to have the most gorgeous Covercraft car covers among the hybrids cars available nowadays, the Toyota Prius is truly the best selling hybrid vehicle of all time. We all know how the Prius is popular in the US car market. It would never be remarked as the best selling hybrid if it wasn’t famous because of its real time eco-friendly features. Yep, even Eagle County chose Prius to be the cars that would serve them in their daily duties.  

That is right. The Colorado state will be ordering 20 Toyota Prius hybrids which would be used as part of its car fleet. Not like any other car hybrids, the Prius is 50% more fuel-efficient. The car is also significant as it produces fewer emissions and this is according to the county director of communications, Justin Finestone.  

Some hybrids run on an average 18 mpg while the Toyoat Prius is capable of running on an incredible 50 mpg. With regards to fuel economy, the Toyota Prius can save up to an estimated $21,000 a year (or even more). This can presumably be coming from its unbeatable initial acceleration as the low speed Prius is powered solely by the high torque electric motor. On this car, the engine is not the only one that works - bit goes hand in hand with the electric motor to propel the car to achieve a lesser fuel consumption.  

This car is truly eco-friendly as it automatically shuts off the gas engine during a slow drive and uses the electric motor functions converting momentum to electricity storing it into the battery. It also saves emissions and conserves fuel when the vehicle is on a stop mode. Aside from these special environment-friendly features, the car is packed with tough Toyota parts for more excellent driving.  

Who can question Eagle County for choosing the Prius? I mean with their purpose of preserving the natural environment, the Toyota Prius is just the best choice. What do you think?

The guys at IAG Research, a company that conducts researches and surveys about the primetime television programs watched by the public in major cable networks has released recently the finalist of their first ever IAG Automotive Advertising Awards. IAG Research  also determines the effectiveness of TV advertisement and product placements of domestic and international corporations.

The first ever IAG Automotive Advertising Awards aims to determine the most effective TV advertising campaign of automotive companies, showcasing their new vehicle models along with other auto body parts. The TV ads was aired in 20 cable networks across the US. Here are the finalists of the Automotive Advertising Award along with the 5 major categories.

Most Effective Overall Ad: Non-luxury
  - Ford Escape Hybrid: Kermit the Frog talks about being "green"
  - Volkswagen Jetta: African-American male asks white Jetta owner to teach
     him how to dance
  - Volkswagen Passat: Women in the sedan are run into by another vehicle

  Most Effective Overall Ad: Luxury
  - Lincoln Navigator: Basketball star Dwayne Wade helps build an inner
     city court
  - Lexus LS 460: Demonstration of the sedan's no-hands parallel parking
     option
  - Hummer H3: A man turns the SUV into a submarine

  Most Liked Ad: Luxury or Non-luxury
  - Honda Pilot: A troll stops a family in the SUV
  - Jeep Wrangler: A lizard stares down the SUV
  - GM Warranty: Cars fly above the street

  Most Effective TV Launch Campaign for an Established Nameplate
  - Nissan Sentra
  - Lexus LS
  - VW Passat wagon

  Most Effective TV Launch Campaign for a New Nameplate
  - Dodge Nitro
  - Nissan Versa
  - Toyota Yaris

The winner of the IAG Automotive Advertising Awards will be announced at the 2007 New York International Auto Show in April.

You are aware that using phone while driving can be a risky habit. Of course, who would not worry when you are running your wheels but you still have your phone glued to your ear? You may hit another car and die in an accident if you continue to do this and this I wish should not happen to you. (Well, take this warning before it’s too late.)  

However, you can never deny that fact that using your phone while driving is an inevitable habit, especially in an emergency case. ehow.com prepared something for you just in case you meet a circumstance wherein you would need to use your mobile phone while driving. Read the directions as well as the simple instructions:   

1. Know what constitutes an emergency: Call Cellular 911 when there's a life-threatening medical emergency, when a crime is in progress or when a reckless or suspected intoxicated driver is on the road (be sure to get the license plate number). Also call Cellular 911 when a serious traffic accident or incident is blocking lanes, when you see any type of fire, or when a traffic hazard, disabled vehicle or debris is blocking the roadway.

2. Prepare to tell the dispatcher who answers your call what happened and where and when the accident or life-threatening emergency occurred.

3. Know your cellular telephone number in case you're disconnected, or if the dispatcher needs to call back for additional information about the incident. Unlike with land line 911, dispatchers cannot identify the cellular phone number or the location of the cellular phone, which is why it's so important to give operators your number and provide them with your location and the exact location of the emergency.  

Tips & Warnings To Keep In Mind

Cellular 911 is an important safety tool, but if you don't know your location, emergency response personnel might be delayed. Every second counts during an emergency. Beware that emergency switchboards get overwhelmed when too many cellular phone users call about a single emergency. If it looks like others have called or the situation is under control, use your best judgment. Don't call Cellular 911 for phone numbers, directions, theater or movie times, or information on weather or road conditions. Keep in mind that emergency lines can get jammed up.  

Well, folks that’s it. Now you know when it’s the right time to use your phone while hitting that road. Just stay safe and have a joyful ride.

The National Security Council (NSC) (www.nsc.org) wants every American driver to be safe before heading on the road. That is why the US nonprofit organization provided some safety check list and guides for us drivers before starting the vehicle and make a joy ride.

Check out what NSC has to say:

* Buckle seatbelts and make sure they're properly fastened
In the last 20 years, an estimated 157,500 lives have been saved by safety belts.

* Adjust mirrors
Three out of 10 survey respondents do not adjust their mirrors before short driving trips (two hours or less), when it is more likely you will get in a crash.

* Position seat and head restraints
Correctly positioned head restraints reduce whiplash injuries resulting from crashes by 28.3 percent.

* Secure loose objects
Only 34 percent of survey respondents regularly secure loose objects in their cars, even though, on average, loose items—from luggage to soda pop cans—are responsible for 13,000 injuries in accidents nationwide in just one year.

* Turn off cell phones
In the last five years alone, nearly 300,000 drivers have been involved in crashes attributed to cell phone use.

* Look for engine warning lights
Three out of four respondents said they always check to see if their check engine light is on; however, many admitted to checking the light while already driving.

* Check your fuel level
In preparing for a trip—large or small—it's necessary to ensure you have enough gasoline in your tank to get there and back. Twenty-five percent of survey respondents said they do not check their gas level.

To further increase your vehicle safety, you should check your auto parts (e.g. Eibach Pro Kit) for damages. Replace them with new ones if necessary.