by Dan Sherman

It is no secret that Ford considers Echo Boomers an integral part of fueling its turnaround. In a recent presentation in New York, Chief Sales Analyst George Pipas revealed that Ford has shifted much of its product mix from trucks/vans/SUVs to cars/CUVs in the past five years. They expect Echo Boomers buying new cars (49% of whom go for small cars) will continue to propel demand for the premium small car segment.

Mr. Pipas, however, glances over the allure of the used car market. When I was in the market for a car about 6 months ago, I highly considered a new car—perhaps a VW GTI or Subaru WRX—but I ended up with a pre-loved 2006 Mazdaspeed6.

Will automakers be able to grow with a focus on Generation Y?  Can premium new small cars such as the Ford Fiesta draw Echo Boomers away from certified pre-owned cars Audi A4s and the like? My network of Gen Yers, of course, provided insight.

First and foremost is the question as to whether my peers prefer new or lightly used. I gave interviewees a hypothetical $22,000 and the choice between a lightly used, entry-luxury car (e.g. 2007 Audi A4) and a new small car (e.g. 2010 Ford Fiesta). About two-thirds would prefer to purchase the former—used.

Interestingly, their primary motivation is brand; in particular, the status and perceived quality of a “better” brand is available at the same price point as a new car from “lesser” brand. Said one Emory student, “If I have the choice between a Honda and a Benz that’s almost indistinguishable from a new one, why the hell would I get a Honda?!” These Echo Boomers expect more premium gadgets, features, comfort and sport in the used car, but none stand out in particular—it’s really all about brand. The one-third who prefer new cars indicated that they like the lower risk and the intangible “new car smell.”

Perhaps older Echo Boomers a few years out of college can actually afford this hypothetical $22,000 car. My college-aged peers cannot. Parents provide the bankroll, and they therefore hold sway in the decision-making process.

Among my interviewees, about three-quarters said their parents would prefer the lightly used car out of the same two options. These parents link “brand status” with “quality” much like Generation Y, and the used option forgoes the initial depreciation hit of a new car. The remaining quarter said their parents would prefer a new small premium car due to small car fuel economy, fresh warranties, and to actually avoid ostentation (particularly in current economic conditions). An Emory pre-med imitated his father: “Kids shouldn’t be driving around in godd*mn Lexuses!”

The $1,000,000 question for automakers: who’s buying? Are parents or kids making the decisions? How reliable is manufacturer data about Echo Boomers and their preferences? The Scion xB is explicitly targeted at Generation Y, but the average age of buyers is 46. Is this a marketing failure, or are the car simply in parents’ names? I polled 94 college-aged people, and the results are overwhelming:

75.5% of those surveyed have their parent’s name on the title. Automakers aiming product at Echo Boomers must keep in mind that their data is skewed!

The data does not fully explain who wears the pants in purchasing decision; unfortunately, the results more accurately reflect how parents make auto insurance decisions. However, in talking to my poll respondents, I found out a vital nugget of information. Echo Boomers and their parents almost always come to a compromise, each having more or less equal say in choosing which car to buy. If automakers want to steal sales away from lightly used cars, they ought to appeal to both Echo Boomers and their parents. To optimally target Gen Y, a brand should have the above-par image Echo Boomers crave, but also appeal to parents’ notions of responsible consumption. The optimal car will have a hip design and creature comforts typically reserved for luxury cars, but will retain the fuel economy of a small car.

George Pipas, I hope you’re listening. Ford needs to bolster its brand image in the eyes of Echo Boomers and parents alike. If so: Fiesta, meet Success. Success, meet Fiesta.

Afinal, ele existe mesmo. Contrariando aos que diziam que o A7 era apenas uma especulação, novas imagens sobre os futuros modelos da Audi foram feitas nas últimas semanas. Em algumas, publicadas só agora pelos fotógrafos da KGP, nota-se que o sedã-cupê de luxo da fabricante das quatro argolas existe mesmo. Ele foi flagrado dentro de uma unidade da marca na Alemanha.

O visual do modelo remete pouco ao que já foi mostrado e projetado nos últimos tempos. Ele também passa um pouco distante do mais conservador A8. Seu estilo remete ao conceito Sportback, ainda que traga linhas mais suaves em partes como o para-choque. No entanto, há detalhes únicos como a queda do teto, as janelas laterais sem moldura e os retrovisores, redesenhados em relação ao conceito.

Considerando-se o avançado estágio de desenvolvimento do modelo, não estranharemos se ele for lançado em janeiro (Salão de Detroit) ou março (Salão de Genebra). O evento americano tem vantagem por ser onde o conceito apareceu pela primeira vez. No entanto, o segundo pode ser o palco de apresentação caso algum atraso nos retoques finais aconteça.

GALERIA (Imagens: KGP)

Joe Calzaghe, now officially retired but mulling a potential comeback, is the former undisputed middleweight champion of the world.

A 414bhp Audi previously owned by one of the UK’s best ever boxers is for sale on Auto Trader.

Joe’s used Audi comes with 19-inch wheels, sat nav, a CD multi-changer, Bluetooth phone preparation and a multi-functioning steering wheel. You also get sports seats complete with the ‘RS4’ logo embossed on the top.

The Audi RS4 features Audi’s famous Quattro four-wheel drive system, sending 60 per cent of the car’s prodigious power to the rear wheels for some proper high-speed lunacy.

There are loads of Joe’s old cars for sale on the site. Get your hands on the following of his collection -

• used BMW M3
• used Mercedes SL 350
• used Land Rover Discovery
• used BMW M5

If you are insterested in purchasing his used Audi RS4 car,  it comes complete with a full service history and has covered just 27,345 miles, and can be yours for £33,000. Read more..

Search for more used Audi RS4 cars for sale on Auto Trader.

Saturday, it was announced that Rolls Royce would be joining Volvo in making HD radio a standard component across all its lines for 2010!  This comes quick on the heels of an announcement from Mercedes-Benz that HD will be in all its 2010 models that have “premium feature packages.” Looks like HD has locked on with the luxury car aficionados!

That is one heck of a brand association. Rolls Royce has been known for refinement and luxury since before World War II. It is a name that has stood the test of time and retained its noble bearing throughout. The Phantom, for example,  is to cars as a tuxedo-clad James Bond is to espionage (the Sean Connery Bond). To have HD radio become a standard firmly affixes the growing medium in the luxury market and the luxury mindset.

Here is the statement from iBiquity via Radio Ink:

“We are proud to confirm the availability of HD Radio technology for yet another prestigious brand — Rolls-Royce,” iBiquity COO Jeff Jury said. “The Rolls-Royce brand is revered. This commitment to HD Radio technology as standard illustrates how digital radio’s dynamic function enhances the in-car ambiance. The addition of Rolls-Royce to the HD Radio roster truly solidifies the technology’s stature in the luxury automotive class.”

Rolls Royce  joins an array of other car makers in offering HD either as a standard or an option: BMW, Hyundai, Jaguar, Mercedes, Mini, Scion, Land Rover and Volvo. In addition, Audi, Ford, Kia, Lincoln and Mercury are soon to join their ranks and have committed to offering HD as well. Now that approximately 85% of the US is covered by HD signals, it looks like it could be a great time for a road trip!

It’s really fun watching a medium grow up. There are always growing pains, but the process always seems to yield fascinating results.  As each quarter slips by, we see more maturity in the HD radio platform. Not only are the high-end auto makers adding it in as a standard, but there is now a HD listening option for the iPhone. (See my earlier post.) The times are certainly changing, and as far as HD is concerned, changing for the better!

Гарна реклама БМВ! Без палєва поіздєвались з ауді)

El pack de LEDs para Audi Q7 incluye todos los LEDs necesarios para sustituir las principales bombillas halógenas del vehículo.

Todas y cada una de las bombillas han sido testadas en dicho modelo para garantizar que sean 100% compatibles y evitar cualquier error de bombilla fundida.

Con este pack se garantiza el correcto funcionamiento de las bombillas de posición, matricula, bajo puerta…

Totalmente PLUG & PLAY.

No hace falta añadir ninguna resistencia o cableado a los LEDs del pack, estos funcionarán desde el primer momento.


Luz de posición:

(Halógena VS LED)

(Halógena)

(LED)

Luces bajo puerta:

(LED)

(Halógena VS LED)

Luces maletero:

(LED)

(Halógena)

(Halógena VS LED)

La halógena original de 5w ofrece unos 120 Lux mientras que el LED de aproximadamente 1w consigue pasar de los 200 Lux. Otra de las grandes ventajas es la baja temperatura de trabajo del LED, mientras que el plafon se calienta considerablemente con el uso de la lámpara halógena con el LED tan solo supera ligeramente la temperatura ambiente.

Luces matrícula:

Contenido del PACK para Audi Q7:
- Luces de posición (2x w5w CANBUS)
- Luz bajo puerta (4x w5w)
- Luz maletero (3x w5w)
- Luces de matrícula (2x c5w CANBUS)

Precio: 120€ – 12% DTO

Total: 105€

Enlace al producto:
Pack de LEDs GOLF V

Otras Lámparas: (NO INCLUIDAS EN EL PACK)

- Luz de plafón interior (2x h6w simetricas, 2x c5w 41mm)

Luz de plafón interior:

instalación

With an increasing number of holiday festivities being held in the home this year, we’re all looking for creative and cost effective ways to spruce up our table settings and create a look that will impress our guests. When it comes to setting your Thanksgiving table, options for the adventurous host are limitless. What are the hottest trends for you to bring to your table this year? Here are a few ideas that will take your Thanksgiving table from ordinary to extraordinary:

Color, Texture and Mix – Match:

In table linens and accessories, this year we are seeing rich, saturated colours. We are also seeing a lot of texture and the mixing and matching of patterns with solids. There are a lot of options out there to do something warm and inviting.

Color Trends

Warm tones have always been popular for Fall and that continues with some of the biggest trends in colour combinations this year. Some of those include:
- Deep Spice and Aubergine with muted Gold accents – Dark Chocolate with Blues and Gray accents – Olive Green, Aubergine and softer greens as accents – Dark Chocolate, Taupe and Natural

Tabletop Decor

- Use things that you already have in your home – pull out your 3 or 4 of your favourite vases of different heights. Use complementary colors of fresh flowers for a simple and stunning arrangement. Fill three or four vases and/or glass bowls with different colors and sizes of ornaments, fruits, leaves – anything with color and texture that will create visual excitement.

- Your guests are all unique – why not celebrate their individuality? Use different patterns and/or colors of napkin rings that match their unique personalities. Are they simple or sophisticated? Fun or formal? Unpredictable or conservative? Show them you care with a little customization to complement your table linens.

- Candles are always a dramatic and cost effective way to make a statement – use votives at each place setting with a name card and emphasize beautiful table linens for a classy and simple look. Or go more dramatic and cluster your favourite candle sticks of varying heights and looks as a centerpiece. Use colors that complement or match your dishes, glasses and table linens.

- Nothing brings subtle sophistication to your table like a well-selected runner. Use one the length of the table plus 12 inches to hang over the edge (usually a 90″ or longer) as the perfect centerpiece. If you are using a solid tablecloth or placemats, make sure to jazz it up with a festive pattern. If you have a patterned look already, use a vibrant solid runner that picks up on one of the colors in your runner.

- Use 2 napkins instead of one with a napkin ring. With a solid napkin inside, and a more decorative napkin on the outside.

When setting your table, just remember: do what feels right for the mood. A casual gathering calls for a relaxed setting. A formal meal should feel that way at the table. Either way, it doesn’t take much to elevate your in-home dining experience. Replacing an old tablecloth with something fresh an exciting, and adding a few simple table accessories can go a long way to impressing your guests. It’s that time of year when family gatherings abound and everyone spends countless hours congregating around the dinner table. With the hours spent preparing the perfect meal, make sure you don’t forget to finish it off with the perfect setting.

This is captured at the Audi Showroom located at the corner of Victoria and Swanston Streets. I like the shiny metal and sleek rings for its logo. Audilicious baby!

HDR (-1, 0, +1), f/4.5, 0.6 secs tripod mounted

Bei uns kaufen gelernte Kaufleute Ihr Fahrzeug und melden es für Sie ab.
Das Problem ist leider das viele Autohändler keinen Gewerbeschein haben und somit die Fahrzeuge auch nicht abgemeldet werden.
Wir beraten sie gerne Tel. 030 89734890 oder http://autoankauf.sebjo.de

Bei uns kaufen gelernte Kaufleute Ihr Fahrzeug und melden es für Sie ab.
Das Problem ist leider das viele Autohändler keinen Gewerbeschein haben und somit die Fahrzeuge auch nicht abgemeldet werden.
Wir beraten sie gerne Tel. 030 89734890 oder http://autoankauf.sebjo.de

Este comercial fez enorme sucesso em todo o mundo em 2005. Também não é para menos. Para mostrar as qualidades de suas tração integral Quattro, a Audi colocou um A6 para escalar uma pista de esqui na Filândia. A cena é impressionante. Apesar de toda a neve, a inclinação de 37,5 graus o carro sobe como se estivesse em um pista seca de asfalto.

Com a propaganda, a Audi consolidou o seu sistema de tração nas quatro rodas. Virou referência e um diferencial da marca em relação a Mercedes-Benz e BMW.

Tudo estaria bem se a propaganda não fosse totalmente falsa. Depois de um tempo, caiu na internet um making off do comercial. Nele, são mostradas todas as artimanhas para conseguir fazer o carro subir a rampa.

Primeiro, ele estava preso com um grosso cabo de aço, um guincho ajudava na força para puxar o carro, a rampa foi totalmente preparada, o A6 tinha pneus especiais cravejados com pregos e por ai vai. Mesmo assim foram precisos dias para conseguir que o carro subisse a rampa.

Apesar de toda a pilantragem, a Audi conseguiu o que queria e os compradores dos Audi com tração nas quatro rodas acham que seus carros sobem paredes… Confira abaixo o making off:

RS4 front bumper and big RS’s.

O Audi A7 deve chegar ao mercado em 2011 (Fotos: Autoblog.com)

Toda a imprensa mundial especializada está a procura da nova geração do Audi A8, mostrado aqui ontem, e que chegará ao público no próximo dia 30. Pois é, de tanto procurar um achou o outro. A agência alemã KGP descobriu o A7, um modelo inédito que deve chegar somente em 2010 ao mercado.

O carro será um sportback, ou um quatro portas com traseira curta. No melhor estilo do recém  lançado BMW Série 5 GT. O carro é baseado no Audi Sportback Concept, mostrado em janeiro deste ano no Salão de Detroit. Além de brigar com a BMW a Audi pretende que o A7 seja a sua resposta para o Mercedes-Benz CLS, que fez tanto sucesso ao iniciar a categoria cupê esportivo de quatro portas.

As fotografias deste flagrante mostram muito do que será o A7. A dianteira, por exemplo, terá um conjunto óptico semelhante ao que será estreado no novo A8, com a borda da lente levemente rebaixada. A grade dianteira continuará grande, como já é característica na marca, e levará os quatro anéis.

A lateral do carro é o que mais chama a atenção, pela diferença. Preste atenção na caída do teto em direção da traseira. É bem acentuada e forma um bico no final. Tudo isso, por causa da traseira que é curta.

Por causa da configuração do carro, repare o tamanho da abertura do porta malas. Gigantesco. O final da lateral me chamou a atenção por lembrar um pouco a lateral do Honda City. O que acham? Devaneio da minha parte?

Nestas imagens só não dá para saber como ficará a traseira do carro. De toda forma gostei da proposta, diferente e até certo ponto ousada. Ainda mais para um marca que costuma fazer carros totalmente parecidos.

O carro ainda não foi confirmado, mas deverá estar presente no Salão de Genebra, que acontecerá em março de 2010.

Audi A8 2010

Enfim o pano em cima do carro da foto será retirado. A Audi anunciou que mostrará a nova geração do A8, seu sedã mais luxuoso, no dia 30 de novembro no museu itnerante Audi Pavilion, em Miami.

O local surpreende porque esperava-se o A8 como estrela do Salão de Frankfurt, em setembro passado. Como não deu as caras na sua própria casa, pensou-se que o Salão de Los Angeles seria o lugar mais indicado e mais uma vez frustração.

O novo A8 chegará poucos dias depois do novo BMW Série 5, mas tem como missão encarar o Série 7 e o Classe S, da Mercedes, que hojem dominam o segmento mais exclusivo dos sedãs.

Last Wednesday, the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety awarded 27 vehicles for receiving the highest ratings for “safest vehicles for 2010”. All 27 vehicles received an award recognizing them for doing the best job against protecting motorists in front, rear, side and rollover crash. All vehicles feature, Electronic stability control (EST), which is a new state of the art anti-rollover technology.

With a new criterion, the numbers were cut in more than half. 94 were tested and approved in 2009, in comparison to the 24 this year.

Ford Motor Co. and its Volvo unit received the most awards with six, followed by five awards apiece for Japanese automaker Subaru and German automaker Volkswagen AG and its Audi unit. However, Subaru was the only manufacturer with an IIHS in all four vehicles classifications in which it completes.

“With the addition of our new roof strength evaluation, our crash test results now cover all four of the most common kinds of crashes,” said IIHS president Adrian Lund in a statement. “Consumers can use this list to zero in on the vehicles that are on the top rung for safety.”

Below is the IIHS list of vehicles given a top safety pick.

LARGE CARS: Buick LaCrosse, Ford Taurus, Lincoln MKS, Volvo S80

MIDSIZE CARS: Audi A3, Chevrolet Malibu (built after October. 2009), Chrysler Sebring (4-door with optional ESC), Dodge Avenger, Mercedes C Class, Subaru Legacy, Subaru Outback, Volkswagen Jetta (4-door), Volkswagen Passat (4-door), Volvo C30.

SMALL CARS: Honda Civic (4-door with optional ESC, except Si), Kia Soul, Nissan Cube, Subaru Impreza (except WRX), Volkswagen Golf (4-door)

MIDSIZE SUVs: Dodge Journey, Subaru Tribeca, Volvo XC60, Volvo XC90

COMPACT SUVs: Honda Element, Jeep Patriot (with optional side thorax airbags), Subaru Forester, Volkswagen Tiguan

L.A. Car Connection, Inc. has the ability to get almost any make or model vehicle you choose. From Fords to Ferraris, to Hummer and Hybrids, L.A. Car Connection has the connection to get them all!

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The next generation Audi A8 (Pictured in the spy shot above) will be unveiled November 30th at the Design Miami exhibition.

The Design Miami exhibition is an art showcase which highlights cultural and technological progress.

Audi will be sponsoring this event as part of their 100th anniversary celebrations, and has built a pavilion at the venue to house the new A8. There will also be a selection of art from the Rubell Family Collection and by British designer Tom Dixon.

Source: Autocar