Breaking news: Carroll Shelby passes away at 89

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of racing and sports car legend Carroll Shelby who passed away today in Dallas Texas at the age of 89. Shelby, a racing legend in his own time. A winner of the 24 hours of LeMans. He was father of the legendary Cobra and the line of Mustangs that carried his name. Details of his death have not been released at this time, but Shelby has been hospitalized recently.

The Auto Industry Pitfalls

Within most major cities and countries, the automotive industry plays a huge role within their economic, and industrial sectors. Each year there are over 60 million trucks, and cars manufactured. These millions of automobiles are responsible for the consumption of almost half of the world’s oil resources. Also, within the automotive industry, over 4 million people are given employment both directly, and indirectly.

Although the automotive industry has a rather large impact on the economy, and employment rate, many large companies are still operating under strain. Many of these large companies are experiencing low profitability, and overcapacity. On the upside, the automotive industry does provide a wide range of jobs with high payouts, and benefits. It also has a very strong influence on politics, and has major linkages with top suppliers of goods and services.

The downside

The automotive industry is over a century old, and began in France and Germany.

Over time the U.S joined the industry with mass production of automobiles. However, there are several major pitfalls within it. The average worldwide margins have decreased from over 20% in the 1920s, and is now at a dismal 5%. Many car companies are losing money instead of making money, due to the industry’s low profit margin, and performance.

The market’s poor profits is mirrored in the market capitalization of the industry. This, despite high rates of employment and revenue, has resulted in a low stock market share within Europe at 1.6%, and 0.6% in the United States.

Over the past few years the need and marketability of buses and trucks have decreased. Both the operational costs and capital for commercial vehicles have increased, at an alarming rate. At the same time, revenue did not follow suit. In addition, the manufacturing of heavy and medium equipment for transport has become a very unprofitable endeavour.

The main pitfalls of the auto industry lie in its overall performance. Issues such as overcapacity, and low growth are just the tip of the iceberg. Within the U.S, as well as within Europe, and Japan, the growth of the automotive industry has stalled. Many suggest that reducing capacity may solve the problem. However, due to existing plants, it is almost painful to scrap them entirely.

There are several top automotive assembly companies in the World. For one, Toyota is the most successful auto assembly company worldwide. This company has a market value which is 15 times larger than its nearest competitor, General Motors although both are still experiencing the crunch of overcapacity.


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Nutrition and Good Digestion

We turn on our televisions, get on the internet or pick up a paper and we hear or read about all these products to help better digestion or to repair your body's digestion system. We all do not like having an upset stomach or not being able to eat the foods we enjoy, or having a bad digestive system that may slow us down. It is important that we not only eat a balanced diet, but that we know what nutrition and foods can be better for our digestion, so that we can keep enjoying all the foods we like and not worry about digestion problems now or in the future.

It is best to try and eat when we are relaxed or in a good mood. If we are in a hurry, eating simple foods such as: fresh juice, fruit, yogurt, sunflower seeds or a protein bar may help with digestion. It is also important to keep exercising because this can help digestion as well. Drinking plenty of water helps as well, but drinking too many liquids with meals may actually dilute digestive juices and make digestion more difficult.

Drinking warm drinks such as herbal tea may help digestion better than ice cold drinks, so limiting these cold drinks may be helpful.

Also, making sure to eat enough fiber from vegetables, fruits, whole grains or taking some bran or psyllium may help with digestion. Listening to your body and knowing what may help your upset stomach is also a good idea. Such foods such as peppermint or chamomile may help with upset stomachs.

Buying fresh or organic foods whenever possible may help with good digestion. If you have chronic digestion problems, supplements with enzymes may help and healthy bacteria known as probiotics may help as well as remembering to consult a doctor if you have any serious problems or concerns. It is also important to chew food carefully and slowly to help with better digestion.

Remembering to not only eat a well balanced diet and eat regularly but knowing what foods are best to eat and in what environment to eat meals in may not only help you to feel better, but it will be good for your digestion and your whole body as well.

If we know how better to take care of our bodies, then we will feel better, be healthy, and keep being able to enjoy food and life for a long time into the future.



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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.

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