No new Top Gear until 2013!

This is absolute rubbish news coming from the U.K. Some say that it just can't be true, but Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson (shown here in a file photo) has confirmed via Twitter that outside of an annual Christmas special, there will be no new Top Gear episodes until sometime in early 2013. Why no new episodes? Well, Jezza is blaming that on Simon Cowell and one of his TV shows. I guess this is what happens when two BBC TV powerhouses go head to head. Or could it be that the Stig has been asked to be a judge on one of Cowell's shows? And on that bombshell, we'll keep vigil and enjoy our hard drive of prior seasons shows.

Jerry Seinfeld working on a car show?

Steve McQueen, Paul Newman, Adam Carolla, Jay Leno, Jerry Seinfeld. These are just a few of the names of big time Hollywood car guys. Rumors are swirling that Jerry Seinfeld is working on a new show revolving around cars and some of his comedic friends. Details are scarce, but this photo of Seinfeld and Larry David with one of Jerry's cars, a vintage split window Volkswagen Beetle have started flying around the net. 

Volkswagen setting records again.

Volkswagen is no stranger to setting records. Be it sales volume records or having a car swim across the English channel or the Panama Canal. Here's a new world record notch for the belt. An American built 2012 Passat TDI has set the world record for longest distance on one tank of gas. The trip started by mileage guru's John and Helen Taylor left Houston, TX on May 3rd and arrived in Sterling, VA on May 5th. A typical three day trip, simulating a typical trip. The Passat was bone stock, and carried over 120 pounds of luggage and drove only during daylight hours. What was the world record distance? 1,626 miles beating the previous record of 1,526.6 set by a BlueMotion Passat in Europe. Over the course of the trip, the Taylor's averaged just over 84 miles per gallon. Who says you need a hybrid?

Source: Volkswagen of America

Press release:

05.08.2012

VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT SETS WORLD RECORD FOR LONGEST DISTANCE ON ONE TANK OF CLEAN DIESEL FUEL

Mileage experts John and Helen Taylor complete 1626-mile drive in Chattanooga-built Volkswagen Passat TDI®—without stopping for fuel!

• Record set using a stock 2012 Passat TDI SE with six-speed manual transmission
• Average of 84.1 miles per gallon during three-day trip
• Shows mileage benefits of VW Clean Diesel technology

Herndon, VA -  The world’s most fuel-efficient couple has done it again. John and Helen Taylor were determined to break the record for the farthest distance traveled on a single tank of fuel. They decided to attempt the record in the U.S. with a stock 2012 Volkswagen Passat SE TDI Clean Diesel vehicle equipped with a six-speed manual transmission. The previous record for the most miles covered on a single tank of diesel was 1526.6 miles, achieved with a VW Passat 1.6 BlueMotion® diesel in Europe.

The result? A new record of 1626.1 miles, achieved on one tank of ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel under real world driving conditions. That’s an incredible 99.5 miles better than the old mark. Over the course of three days and driving through nine states, the couple averaged 84.1 miles per gallon, spending only 4.65 cents per mile. The three-day drive commenced on May 3, 2012 in Houston, TX and ended on May 5, 2012 in Sterling, Virginia. To make the drive as realistic as possible, the couple included 120 pounds of luggage and drove during daylight hours to experience normal traffic situations. Additionally, the couple took turns driving and didn’t travel more than 14 hours per day.

“We’re excited to have broken the record for the longest distance driven on one-tank of fuel,” said John Taylor. “The Passat TDI was the perfect car for the trip. It offers plenty of interior and cargo space, yet is frugal enough to help us achieve this record.”

The Passat’s 2.0-liter TDI Clean Diesel inline four-cylinder engine produces 140 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque and with a manual transmission delivers an EPA estimated fuel economy rating of 43 mpg on the highway. The TDI engine is equipped with a Selective Catalytic Reduction System (SCR) that fulfills emissions requirements in all 50 states. The Passat—built at the world’s only LEED Platinum certified automotive factory in Chattanooga, TN—was named Motor Trend’s 2012 Car of the Year.

“The Passat was engineered and designed to be a comfortable yet fun to drive alternative in the midsize segment. The TDI Clean Diesel version unites driving dynamics and fuel efficiency that isn’t found in the competitive set,” said Rainer Michel, Vice President of Product Strategy, Volkswagen of America, Inc. “We’re honored that the Taylors chose the 2012 Passat TDI as the vehicle to set this outstanding distance record. Their record shows just how economical the Passat TDI can be in the right hands.”

Prior to the drive, the speedometer and odometer were calibrated by a state certified testing station in Houston, Texas. Law enforcement officers from the city of Houston, Texas oversaw validation of mileage, fuel fill-up, and gas tank sealing at the beginning of the drive. A Loudoun County, Virginia Sheriff’s Deputy verified completion of the drive and mileage prior to removing the fuel tank seal.

The Taylors have made a career out of driving efficiently and conducting workshops globally on fuel-efficient driving techniques. They have collected more than 90 world fuel economy and vehicle-related records from drives around the globe.

Back from hiatus.

Ok, I'm finally getting back in to the swing of things after having my computer crash on me. Even though it's been quiet here on the main page, our facebook page has been jumping. So if you log on here and you don't see any new posts, check out the facebook page. Something is always posted there.

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Automotive Attorney To Repair Your Problems

Automotive industry has a great effect on the world economy. There are many production and service industries which support this industry. There has been a major increase in the number of automobiles in the past decade. Therefore, the repair shops have also increased. Many issues can arise during repair and thus there is a need for an automotive attorney.

Issues

Some of the major issues can include protection of intellectual property and safety concerns. The clients for an automotive defense attorney can include suppliers of component parts, domestic and foreign companies, original equipment manufacturers, automotive trade associations, and consulting firms. Whether the clients are facing regulation, litigation, prevention and counseling, or legislation there is a lawyer to help them.

These lawyers are well-versed with different case scenarios and have vast experience in representing clients who are dealers, suppliers, or trade groups. A defense lawyer will be able to serve the interests of all the repair facilities and technicians. Clients prefer attorneys who have a familiarity and understanding of the common issues that repair shops and technicians usually have to deal with.

What Does the Law Say?

According to the Automotive Repair Act, there are certain rights for the consumers. It is advisable that the repair shops and technicians should know and understand these laws first before they approach a Bureau of Automotive Repair attorney. The Required Disclosures law says that the repair shops must furnish the client with a written estimate. The estimate should include price charged for parts, diagnostic test, and labor. It should also include details like date, duration, and odometer reading. The price should be charged according to used or new parts used. A statement should be there to show if the repair is actually needed or whether it is only recommended.

The repair shops and technicians should know that the consumers have a right to a written estimate. It can either be an itemized or a non-itemized estimate. However, an automotive attorney can tell the client that sometimes the consumers may not want an estimate. They can just ask the shop to do the repairs but the total cost should not exceed the amount set by them. In that case, the technician can get this written and signed from the consumer in case of any issues that may arise later. A customer also has a right to a copy of invoice. The invoice is an itemized list of the price of parts and labor, total price, warranties, and the odometer reading.

The technicians should know that they are prohibited from asserting lien charges for any unauthorized repairs. Consumers have the right to pick up a vehicle from the facility if they pay according to the charges disclosed to them before repairs. Auto repair shops have to, by law, post consumer rights at a place where they are easily visible. The post should tell the consumers that they are liable to a face-to-face contact, a written estimate for repairs costing over 0.

There are many other laws which prohibit the repair shops to perform unlawful practices. An automotive attorney can guide the technicians and repair shops about other laws. These include guiding them about laws relating to non-business hours and unforeseen repairs.


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Automobile companies all over the group continually maintain good purchase shows this period regardless of increasing oil costs. Not even the dreadful world world earth quake in Japan which took place taken could decrease the rate of your car market. People interest on this subject is very high. On the other hand, the market is ever modifying. Many car entrepreneurs and fans feel the need to keep up with the newest vehicle styles such as new car generates, actions, car modification recommendations, particular applications and competitors opinions. There is where vehicle details comes in.

Besides car fans, aspects and course entrepreneurs can also benefit from the newest vehicle details. Vehicles and devices are continually enhancing. More newest styles may have modern technological innovation and more modern features or locations. As aspects always deal with devices, they need to update their understanding sometimes, to keep up with the modifying styles.

They can get the newest up-dates from vehicle details or from getting started with car actions or website shows.


Besides going to actions, individuals can also get the newest details from vehicle magazines. There are still many clients who buy physical duplicates of magazines to add to their choice. With the progression of technological innovation, the worldwide web has customized the way we live. The online gives us unlimited advantage any kind of details. Now it is possible to get the newest details about your car market online. People can advantage them anywhere, at any time, and completely no cost.

Car opinions and car launch times are two subjects that are often investigated by car fans online. We can also find many online vehicle magazines that offer the newest details, styles and recommendations on the web as well. People can easily advantage details on new car generates, car editions, as well as car car locations and elements.

There are a lot of blogs online that also offer no cost, complete vehicle details. Each of them contains different types of details. Well-established blogs usually provides in-depth details and opinions. These days, potential car clients can check opinions available on these online magazines before identifying on a car to buy.

Automotive group forums have become a connections media between fans. There, individuals can submit content, open relationships and interact socially with other affiliates. Car aspects are motivated to use online group forums, so that they can get the newest details and expose their particular know-how as well as activities to others.

Automotive industry in Iowa

What is the automotive industry?

The automotive industry is one of the world’s most cost-effective sectors, since people have become very dependent on driving. The automotive industry deals with the design, development, manufacture, marketing and selling of motor vehicles.

Most Iowa companies that produce automotive parts are classified as Tier 2 or Tier 3 manufacturers. They sell their products to other businesses that use them to produce equipment that they, or yet another company, supply to automobile manufacturers. Many jobs in Iowa are an offshoot of the auto industry in Iowa these include: Automotive salespeople and anyone supporting sales, accountants, legal, repair technicians and dealer management are some of the persons who benefit from this industry.

Effects of the recession

Like every other industry the auto industry in Iowa took a terrible blow because of the recession. According to the Economic Policy Institute in a report published in 2008 the collapse of General Motors alone could cut 9400 jobs or 0.6% of employment in Iowa. It further stated that if the “Big Three” (General Motors, Ford and Chrysler) were to collapse Iowa could lose 33,900 jobs or 2.3 percent of the state's employment in a worst case scenario.

The Lemon Law

Due to these challenges, the service quality of a lot of these auto businesses have drop, with the customers having to feel the effects. The United States have implemented various laws to help keep the balance in the auto industry. One in particular is Lemon law in Iowa. This law provides protection to customers against faulty car purchase. It is a means to ensure that manufactures, dealerships etc. respond to consumer complaints in an ideal period of time. It is not limited however to the rights of the consumers. To qualify for the law, the problem or defect has to cause the vehicle to be unreliable, unfit, or unsafe for ordinary use. Certain conditions must be in place for the law to be effective. These include; multiple visits to the auto shop with the same problem, or a single time if the problem is likely to cause death, or if the vehicle out of service for 20 days or more and the problem still exists. The law also requires the manufacture to inform the consumers of their rights and provide other necessary information such as address and phone number so the consumer can file a complaint if necessary. The defense of the manufacture is also included in the Iowa lemon law, where a claim can be made that the defect is not a result of actions by the dealer. The consumer also has the right to take the manufacturer to court if the dispute is not resolved.

With the recession slowly but surely coming to an end only time will tell the fate of the auto industry in Iowa.