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Hatchbacks Making A Comeback Among Auto Shoppers

June 22nd, 2011 | No Comments | Posted in News

Hatchback cars haven’t always been popular with auto shoppers, but analysts are starting to rethink their sales forecasts. Ford, Nissan, Kia and Chevrolet have been selling an astounding number of hatchbacks. While many car shoppers still have negative associations with hatchbacks, practical buyers are seeing that smaller cars can come with large storage area.

The changes that car makers have made to the standard hatchback makes them nearly unrecognizable from the newer lines that have been unveiled. Hatchbacks are relatively inexpensive when compared to SUVs and minivans, but they also come with added room. In fact, hatchbacks that are fuel efficient have become some of the fastest selling vehicles on the market as of now.

Because of the state of the economy, car makers believe that they will continue to sell more hatchbacks than other larger vehicles for years to come. Nearly 70% of all of Ford’s auto sales can be attributed to hatchback sales, with Kia and Nissan following closely behind. Several auto makers have introduced hatchback hybrids and electric variations in order to give their customers the most savings.

So what set hatchbacks apart from other vehicles? For one, they are smaller and closer to the ground than pickup trucks, minivans and SUVs. This means that they are more aerodynamic and get better gas mileage. Unlike compact cars, hatchbacks don’t have standard sized trunks. Delicate objects and over sized items can be placed in the back of hatchbacks without need to strap them down or pad them with stuffing.

Get Custom Wheels To Make Your Car Unique

June 13th, 2011 | No Comments | Posted in Guides

If you have been working hard to make your car stand out there is only one accessory left to buy. A custom paint job will make your vehicle gleam in the sun, and a spoiler kit will help you to achieve that streamlined look and give you a low profile. Even though you are most concerned about the way that your car looks, it is also important that you think about modding your car to improve its performance.

Custom made staggered wheels will give you more rear traction, better maneuverability and improved steering control. With the rear end of your car elevated, your car will be more aerodynamic. Even if you aren’t a speed freak, you will be able to achieve top speeds faster and smoother. Staggered wheels will help you to give your car the perfect look, but they will also change the way that you drive your vehicle.

While you can buy aftermarket wheels, you really need to invest in high quality parts. Find a company that will take your order and build you a new set of wheels to spec. When you purchase new tires you will find that they will stay balanced with less maintenance, and the trend will wear down more evenly.

You’ve probably seen staggered wheels on hundreds of new cars. Car collectors and professional drivers appreciate the look and understand just how much staggered wheels can affect how a car handles. Speak to a professional wheel manufacturer to see what options you have available. You can become the proud owner of a new set of custom wheels at a price that you can afford.

Other car lovers will recognize your custom wheels and give you kudos for your wise selection. Take a crash course on car wheels and learn everything that you possibly can about the various features that are available.

Ford Would Have Sold More Vehicles If Not For Shortages

June 11th, 2011 | No Comments | Posted in News

Ford has been doing phenomenally well in spite of all of its past financial challenges, but industry analysts were alarmed when they found that the company could have actually done better. In several states, the Ford Explorer wasn’t available in showrooms all year long. When buyers came to take the vehicle out for a test drive, there weren’t any models available. According to new outlets, the Ford Explorer could have been the bestselling car of the year if Ford had been able to keep up with demands.

The good news is that Ford has upped production of its most popular vehicles. However, now that consumers are gaining confidence, history could repeat itself. There were a few other cars that were also in high demand and not available in stock, but Ford has been trouble moving some of its less popular models. Perhaps if Ford is willing to reconsider its stance on the Electric Focus and up production of the Explorer, the company would become more profitable than it imagined.

When it comes to SUVs, mid-sized, mid-priced models always rule. The Lincoln Navigator was also a car that was in high demand, but the car is also test driven three times on average before a single sale is made. By comparison, the Ford Explorer is sold once for every two test drivers that take it out on the road. Densely populated areas such as Connecticut were amongst the first to report that the 2011 Ford Explorer was not in stock anywhere in the state.

Ford Built – The Smallest Engine Of Them All

June 4th, 2011 | No Comments | Posted in News

For years the four cylinder engine has ruled the fuel efficient car market, but now Ford has plans to turn the industry on it’s head. The Ford econoboost is a teeny, tiny three cylinder engine that packs enough punch to make other car manufacturers blush. It rivals the 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, but it requires just 75% of the gas that it would take to fuel a larger engine.

The econoboost has been seen in the Ford Start concept car, but it is still going to take Ford some time to get these vehicles out into production. Consumers are starving for more fuel efficient low priced cars, so the econoboost may be debuting at the right place and at exactly the right time. Even though there are a number of electric and hybrid cars on the market, for some strange reason US consumers are largely opposed to buying environmentally friendly green cars. Studies have been conducted to measure the way that the market responds to new cars, and most Americans just don’t seem to understand the electric and hybrid vehicles are better for the environment, even if they are a strain on their wallets.

There have been smaller engines manufactured by other auto companies. Italian car maker Fiat produced a fuel efficient two cylinder engine, but it was never introduced to the US market. Ford has spent nearly $150 million on the development of the econoboost, and if consumers respond positively the company will make back its investment and then some.

How To Get A Deal On A Used Car Online

May 28th, 2011 | No Comments | Posted in Guides

There are several ways to get low priced used cars, but you will first need to develop a strategy. When someone is selling their car they are usually in need of fast cash. You can make an offer, then wait for a response, or you can take a different approach. If you are looking for used cars in Auckland you will want to look on the web. Everyday, hundreds of new listings are posted online, and most of them are time sensitive. If you are the first person that responds to a listing there is a good chance that the seller will accept your offer. Few sellers are in a position to haggle on price, so as long as your offer is fair you will get a positive response.

You can also get a great price on a used car by acting like you are not that interested. Do as much research as you can before making an offer so that you don’t need to ask the seller many questions. Simply inquire about the car that is listed for sale, then make your offer as soon as possible. Generally, you can expect a response within a few hours, or else you will be able to surmise that the deal fell through.

Even though you can find used cars for sale online, you should always arrange to see the vehicles in person before making a purchase. Although you may think that traveling to meet with a seller is inconvenient, it actually puts you at an advantage. You may find a few physical flaws on the vehicle in question and then use that information to drive the asking price down. You might be surprised when you find out just how accommodating a seller can be when he or she is in need of money.