AUTO-LANE

One Car tuned to drive like Many: From Audi to Benz, Elise, or Getz

2007-07-02T20:24:00.000-07:00

That is sweet! All you need is the computer controlled Audi and you change settings to drive it like a Benz (dynamic response), or as sweet as a Lotus (fast), or even like the Hyundai. Read the link for more details, but that is a good first step for drive enthusiasts. Long way to go with many roadblocks on the way, but I am glad designers are starting to think in this direction!

The best interior trim: G35

2007-06-07T16:46:00.000-07:00

Looks like Infiniti is taking the fight to the 3's from BMW. It was voted the best interior trim of the year. We already know it is a sporty car with enough horses to have a thrill, but this is another solid showing for the french-japanese automaker. Click the topic to read more.

Never negotiate on monthly payments!

2007-04-02T18:28:00.000-07:00

People looking for new cars normally get swindled when they go to the dealer without any preparation. I have seen many people haggle on the monthly payment and that is the worst possible way to start. If you use a calculator, you will know that the dealer can reduce the monthly payment while increasing the pay period and still get what he wants. And never tell him what you expect in terms of price of a model you are looking for! Let him talk and go from there!

GM says: One of the Big american Three will die

2007-03-09T15:47:00.000-08:00

I couldnt help but reflect on the above quote from the head honcho of General Motors. Supposedly, he claims that because of the dire sales of american cars, american manufacturers are pushed to a corner and this will eventually force one of the big three (GM, Ford or Chrysler) will ultimately collapse. Obviously, he believes GM are in the best shape right now.

Amazingly, when chrysler was gung-ho about the success of the 300 series, early last year, people thought that the car manufacturer had turned the corner and was the best placed of the big 3. Everyone knows it is a competitive market and the big 3 are still selling some "at best amateurish" models like the american focus ( couldnt find many badly executed designs from chrysler actually). Given, I am a fan of both muscle cars (mustang, charger, etc) and sleek cars (Civic, etc), the big 3 should think about making good looking exteriors and interiors. At the least, you can make fuel efficient bland looking cars and there are many that I dont have to give an example.

Understanding american vs japanese manufacturing costs

2007-02-26T11:26:00.000-08:00

For a long time, I have been wondering if the low value of the yen and the subsequent low costs of manufacturing helped Japanese car manufacturers put in more quality and features into their costs. In a simplistic manner, because of the value of the currency and the cost of labour, you can have more people working on a product and at the same time, purchase raw material at lower costs in a country with lower federal taxes. Comparing 0.5% rates in Japan to 5.25% in the USA, it is easy to see that the Japanese can get more work done for the same cost of manufacturing. Along the same lines, the Koreans can get more work done compared to the Japanese. While this gives us an idea of why Japanese products look more attractive than the American counterparts, this thought also takes us to thinking along the lines of "what should American car manufacturers do to sell large volumes to offset the high manufacturing costs?" From a neutral standpoint, Americans should make cars that vibrate with the average man. The manufacturing comparison is well portrayed in the following link.

Going back to 53': A Holden Efijy

2007-02-02T23:20:00.000-08:00

A show-stopper at the recent Detroit auto show, the Holden Efijy attempts to feel the effects of current technology, but with a yesteryear look. Finally, I am starting to see GM being enthusiastic about what they want to make and showcase. The sleek curves on a car from 53' are especially attractive and bold. I would have liked to more statistics regarding the car's performance, but that not to be.

Ford's new plan: Less is better

2007-01-26T12:05:00.000-08:00

After losing $12 Billion in a year, you would expect the company to make sweeping changes across the floor to stem the fall, and Ford has replaced its "bigger is better" idealogy to "less is better". It perhaps indicates that it doesn't mind losing market share to turn profitable. But, what seems to be missing is the acuity in making fantastic and attractive cars that can capture the imagination of car buyers. After all, you are not Toyota to make dull exteriors and still dominate the market! What Ford needs is a revamp of models that appeal to the emotions of people. Wake up, ford or you will be made to hold your silence forever.

Having the Civicy sense

2006-09-02T18:46:00.000-07:00

The Honda motor company is known worldwide for its engineering and a sense of pragmatism. A product of innovative pragmatism is the new Honda Civic 2007 that has enthralled drivers around the world. Barring the details, I believe this car deserves a gallery by itself. This model closely resembles the TYPE R 2007 concept car seen in some auto shows and this gives us an idea of the evolution of the high performance compact cars from honda. Given that I am not a big fan of ordinary traction systems on the honda, I am excited about this release.