LONDRA (Reuters) – Le borse europee scambiano in positivo, dopo cinque sedute consecutive con il segno meno, grazie ai risultati del colosso dell’alluminio Usa Alcoa che ieri ha annunciato perdite per il terzo trimestre consecutivo ma un piano di razionalizzazione dei costi superiore alle attese.

Tra i titoli in evidenza: * I minerari e i titoli legati ai produttori di acciaio sono tra i migliori del paniere, sulla scia dei risultati di ALCOA, che a Francoforte guadagna il 7,36%.Anche XSTRATA è in progresso del 2,18% e ACCELORMITTAL guadagna il 2,8%.

* SACYR balza di oltre il 12% dopo la notizia di ieri che l’offerta per i lavori di ampliamento del Canale di Panama, presentata da un consorzio tra la società di costruzioni spagnola e Impregilo, è risultata la più bassa e inferiore alle previsioni di spesa dell’autorità del canale.

* Sul fronte dei ribassi, AVEVA cede oltre il 2% dopo che la società ha annunciato risultati in linea con le attese e il sostanziale completamento del piano di ristrutturazione annunciato ad aprile.

Fonte: www.wallstreetitalia.com

E’ cominciato il conto alla rovescia per la 22esima edizione del Rally di San Crispino – 1°Città di Gubbio, sesta prova del Campionato Italiano Rally, in programma sabato 11 luglio.La gara, organizzata dalla Scuderia Rubicone Corse di San Mauro Pascoli, è valida – oltre che per la massima serie Tricolore – anche per Trofeo Rally Terra, Cup, Evo Cup, Challenge 5° Zona.

Tra i tanti motivi d’interesse spicca il percorso completamente rinnovato, che utilizza le meravigliose prove speciali sterrate di Gubbio, teatro negli anni ‘90 di epiche sfide fra i protagonisti del Mondiale Rally, mentre nel segno della tradizione è l’arrivo a San Mauro Pascoli, nel cuore della romagna da rally, a partire dalle 19.40 di sabato.

Parole di benvenuto da parte del sindaco di Gubbio, Orfeo Goracci: «E’ per me motivo di orgoglio avere di nuovo il rally nella nostra città.

Il Programma -Verifiche amministrative venerdì 10 presso il Centro Servizi Santo Spirito situato in Piazza Frondizi a Gubbio -Verifiche tecniche venerdì 10 in Piazza 40 Caduti a Gubbio-Shake down venerdì 10, dalle 12.30 alle 17.30 a Nerbisci, Gubbio -Cerimonia di partenza venerdì 10 luglio in Piazza 40 Martiri a Gubbio a cominciare dalle ore 20.45 con le vetture storiche ed alle ore 21.00 con le vetture partecipanti al CIR-Partenza della gara dalle 9.01 di sabato 11 luglio in Piazza Martiri Umbri della Resistenza a Gubbio-Sei prove speciali in programma per il CIR/Challenge, tutte su sterrato, per 154,41 Km sui 420,49 complessivi di gara -Quattro prove speciali in programma per l’ Historic Rally, tutte su sterrato, per 102,94 Km sui 327,61 complessivi di gara-Arrivo e premiazione dalle ore 19.00 di sabato 11 luglio per gli equipaggi dell’Historic Rally, mentre dalle ore 19.40 è in programma la cerimonia per i protagonisti di CIR/Trofeo Terra e Challenge 5.Zona (Emilia Romagna), nella storica sede del rally, in Piazza Mazzini a San Mauro Pascoli (FC) -Le classifiche finali saranno esposte nella zona dell’ arrivo a partire dalle 21.15.-Il quartier generale della gara è presso lo storico palazzo eugubino Centro Servizi Santo Spirito, mentre parco assistenza e riordino sono nel Piazzale Martiri Umbri della Resistenza.

Fonte: www.duemotori.com

Donadelli, che ha corso come sempre in coppia con Roberto Rebottini sull’avveniristico Pajero WRC TD T1 delle scuderie R Team – RalliArt (in luogo del suo tradizionale Pajero Pinin, attualmente in fase di riparazione) ha chiuso la gara al secondo posto assoluto, vincendo anche la prova della Coppa Italia Veicoli Diesel e la classe T1-3.’Un risultato davvero da incorniciare’ ha commentato al termine ‘ottenuto grazie a una macchina eccezionale e a una squadra davvero impareggiabile!’

Al secondo posto nella classifica del monomarca (e al primo della classe T2) si sono piazzati Valentino Bombelli e Paolo Manfredini, che con il loro Pajero 3.2 TD T2 hanno chiuso la gara al quarto posto assoluto.

Quindi terzi e quinti assoluti di gara, Giovanni Segato e Roberto Briani, che hanno preceduto di una sola ma importantissima posizione Alessandro e Paolo Trivini Bellini; va infatti ricordato che a Scagnello (Cuneo), sede della gara, i due (entrambi al via con un Pajero DID 3.2 TD T2) erano arrivati al primo posto ex aequo nella classifica del Trofeo.

A seguire hanno chiuso Gioacchino Bono e Daniele Fiorini, quinti nel monomarca e settimi assoluti di gara sul loro L 200 Proto e quindi Ivano Capitani e Sandro Sanesi sesti e noni assoluti nella classifica del Raid.

Fonte: www.duemotori.com

Toyota green

Toyota este cel mai eco producator auto din lume, iar cel mai putin prietenos cu mediul este General Motors, potrivit unui studiu realizat recent de Universitatea Queen din Belfast, informeaza fleetnews.co.uk.

Autorii studiului au analizat costurile energetice, sociale si de mediu ale productiei de masini la nivel mondial raportat la fiecare constructor auto in parte. Potrivit datelor culese de cercetatori, General Motors a cheltuit 9,87 miliarde de euro in forma costurilor ecologice si sociale in perioada 1999-2007, in timp ce Toyota a economisit 5 miliarde de euro in raport cu media industriei.

Potrivit raportului industria producatoare de masini din Asia (Toyota, Hyundai, Nissan, Honda, Mitsubishi si Suzuki) depaseste cu mult performantele celei nord-americane. Dintre producatorii europeni, Daimler sta cel mai bine, fiind urmat indeaproape de Mercedes, Volkswagen, PSA Peugeor-Citroen si Renault.

“Producatorii auto consuma resursele si acest lucru ne costa. Risipa energiei scumpe nu este o idee buna”, a declarat Frank Figge, profesor la Universitatea Queen si coordonator al studiului care a adaugat ca producatorii auto si-ar putea reduce costurile prin investitii ecologice.

sursa : Ziare ro

Recmandari :

Despre  Sfantul Ierarh Nicolae

Focurile de artificii ale anului 2009

Alte articole :

• Datini si Traditii de Anul Nou
• Viata Sfantului Vasile
• Plugusorul versuri
• Sorcova versuri

Dijual Mitsubishi Galant 2000 automatic transmission black. Ex. wanita.  Kondisi body dan mesin bagus. Ac dingin, spion aktif, central lock, power window, tape/radio, cd changer 6 disks, power, subwoofer, tv, kaca film, asuransi all risk berjalan. Terawat. Bisa langsung digunakan. Harga 90jt nego. Hubungi 0818 60 8867 dengan Pak. Barta.

ShopNBC has launched an expanded Black Friday promotion with Holiday Shopping Weekend Must-Haves.

This special sales event extends the traditional Black Friday deals by beginning Wednesday and continuing through Cyber Monday, Nov. 30.

QVC also has a big Black Friday schedule planned starting Thanksgiving night.

The ShopNBC sales event will feature a “Holiday Gift Giving Made Easy” theme with gift ideas for him, her, and the entire family, including jewelry, watches, beauty, fashion, electronics and home decor.

All items featured during the event will be eligible for ValueShipping, 5 ValuePay offers, guaranteed Christmas delivery, and an extended return policy through Jan. 31. Plus, throughout the event, select items will be featured on 6 ValuePay.

Top 10 Expanded Black Friday Must-Haves from ShopNBC:

1. Mitsubishi 60″ DLP HDTV (V51644 & V51645).

2. Invicta Reserve Specialty Subaqua GMT/Alarm Watch (J177785).

3. BodyBlade Core Trainer (C74042).

4. Grand Suites 1000TC 6pc Egyptian Cotton Sateen Sheet Set (G13402).

5. “Fantastic Five” Tiffany-Style Stained Glass Accent Lamp Set (K40265).

6. Sterling Silver/ Palladium/ 18K Vermeil Kingman Turquoise Ring (J311534).

7. Sterling Silver/Platinum/ or 24K Vermeil Brilliante In-Out Hoop Earrings (J315960).

8. Geneology Fashion DNA Quilted Coat (A18333), which is Thursday’s Our Top Value.

9. Dream Oaks Micro Plush Oversized Reversible Throw Blanket (G13325).

10. Waltham Women’s Lady Diva 25 Piece Interchangeable Watch Wardrobe (J177795).

“We are thrilled to expand Black Friday for our viewers with this Holiday gift giving event,” Kris Kulesza, ShopNBC’s Chief Merchant, said in a prepared statement.

“By revealing our Thanksgiving Weekend offers on Wednesday, we are able to give our customers an expanded shopping opportunity from wherever they desire to shop: home, work, on the go,” he said. “Throughout the weekend, viewers will find a unique selection of great gift ideas from fashion, beauty, electronics, jewelry, watches, and home. With all of the exciting offers and expanded merchandise categories launching on ShopNBC, we are well-positioned as a true multichannel shopping destination for our customers this Holiday season.”

The grand finale of the weekend will be Cyber Monday. Special promotions include Web-exclusive top offers, special pricing on luxury watches, and 5 ValuePay on all online merchandise. ShopNBC.com will offer a huge selection of more than 10,000 items ideal for gift-giving, including a newly expanded assortment of web exclusive brands such as Singer Sewing, Samsonite, Wenger Watches and more.

Компания Mitsubishi / Митсубиси объявила об отзыве 29 353 автомобилей Lancer X / Лансер X.

Причиной для проведения незапланированной сервисной кампании стала некорректная работа датчика, отвечающего за срабатывание фронтальных подушек безопасности. Зимой, при частом контакте с противогололедными реагентами, возникает коррозия покрытия датчика и проводки, в результате чего подушки срабатывают с задержкой или не срабатывают вовсе.

Компания затронет автомобили выпущенные в 2008-2009 г.в. на территории США.

The Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder returns to the Mitsubishi lineup after a one-year hiatus as a 2009 model, with a full-power, convertible top that folds completely into a fully covered, self-closing bin. All with the driver doing nothing more than releasing a couple of latches and pushing a button.

The Spyder comes with a choice of four-cylinder or V6 engines, each available with manual or automatic.

The Spyder offers all the pleasures of open-air motoring with few of the displeasures. The top, especially, is a quality structure. It’s finished inside, with all the struts, pivots and bows hidden behind sound-deadening fabric. With it up, the interior feels and sounds much like the coupe, although perhaps a little claustrophobic. With it down, the steeply raked windshield pushes most of the air up and over the open cockpit, allowing almost-normal conversation; hats are just as essential for avoiding sunburn as for controlling wind-blown tresses.

Despite weighing about 200 pounds more than the coupe, due to bracing added in the conversion to a convertible, the Spyder gives up only one mile per gallon to the coupe in fuel economy in all but the top-level V6 with automatic, and that drops only two mpg and only in the highway estimate.

In pricing, the ‘07 Spyder actually costs less than its predecessor. The base GS model lists at $355 below the ‘05, the GT more than $2000 below the top ‘05 model, and both with more content.

Measured fun per dollar, the Eclipse Spyder is well worth a look for anyone shopping for a sporty convertible.

Model Lineup

The 2007 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder is a two-door, four-seat roadster based on the latest Eclipse coupe.

The GS ($25,389) comes with a 162-horsepower four-cylinder engine and a choice of five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission ($900). Standard features include cloth upholstery; air conditioning; cruise control; the usual power accessories and fitments; tilt steering column; a premium, Rockford Fosgate, 650-watt stereo with AM/FM/MP3 capability connected to nine speakers and subwoofer; and 17-inch, flat-flanged, five-spoke, alloy wheels wearing all-season tires. The Leather Package ($980) adds leather-surfaced, heated front seats; heated outside mirrors; and a center-top dash display with ambient temperature and compass.

The GT ($28,269) comes with a 260-hp V6 with either a six-speed manual or a five-speed automatic ($900). Standard upgrades on the GT are confined to the center-top dash display, an oversized exhaust tip and a red rocker cover on the engine. A Premium Package ($1730) adds leather-trimmed, heated front seats, automatic climate control, heated mirrors, six-way power driver’s seat, rubber-nibbed, aluminum pedals, and flat-flanged, 18-inch, seven-spoke, alloy wheels with all-season tires. A wind deflector is also available.

Also offered on both GS and GT are two premium paint colors, Satin Mesei (visualize metallic green) and Sunset Pearlescent ($130), over and above the more traditional red, white, silver and black (blue is slated for late availability). Mitsubishi has signed off on three dealer-installed equipment packages (i.e., installation not included), as well. These are an aero kit, with front corner airdams, sport side sills and rear wake modifier ($1820); an accessory package, with alloy fuel door, wheel locks and floor mats ($179); and an appearance package comprising the aero kit and appearance package ($1999).

Safety features standard on both models include dual-stage front airbags, front seat-mounted side-impact airbags, front seatbelt pre-tensioners and force limiters, child safety seat anchors (LATCH) and antilock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution.

Originally Reported By: Tom Lankard

(888) 498-0660 – 1133 Motor City Dr., Colorado Springs, CO 80905 Contact Us Click Here for Videos

Overview

Endeavour was the ship commanded by Captain James Cook, hero of the Seven Years War, when he set off from England in 1768 to scientifically survey New Zealand and Australia.

Mitsubishi’s Endeavor has easier objectives, but far greater competition from others. The Endeavor is a midsize sport utility that seats five, with generous space in the front and rear seats. The rear seatbacks flip down to reveal a big cargo area with a perfectly flat floor.

In spite of its rugged appearance, Endeavor is built more like a car than a truck. Underway, the Endeavor handles well and offers a nice, smooth ride. Its drive-by-wire throttle provides responsive control, and its 3.8-liter V6 delivers adequate power, though the Endeavor won’t win many drag races. It’s available with front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive, but we much prefer the AWD model.

Barely six years old, the Mitsubishi Endeavor has been moderately facelifted for 2009. ABS with traction control is now standard. The standard towing capacity has been increased to 3500 pounds. And all Endeavor sound systems now include MP3 capability.

Model Lineup

Mitsubishi has simplified the Endeavor lineup for 2009, leaving only two trim levels: LS and Limited. Each is available with front-wheel drive (2WD) or all-wheel drive (AWD). All are powered by a 3.8-liter V6 making 225 horsepower mounted transversely (sideways) and mated to a four-speed automatic transmission with Sportronic manual shifting capability.

The LS 2WD ($26,599) and AWD ($27,999) come with the usual power accessories, plus a 140-watt sound system with single-disc CD player and MP3 playback, new brush-finish 17-inch alloy wheels with mud-and-snow-rated tires, intermittent rear window washer, roof rails, steering wheel controls, remote entry, full-size spare tire, and a remote tailgate release.

A new Road Trip Package for the LS ($2,000) adds a rear-seat DVD entertainment system with wireless headphones and remote, six-disc CD changer, an enhanced color dot-matrix information display (including compass, outside temperature, fuel computer, and maintenance recorder), sport-touch steering wheel, cargo cover, cargo net, and an alarm.

Limited 2WD ($30,799) and AWD ($32,299) add automatic climate control, premium cloth seats with power for the driver’s seat, 315-watt MP3-capable sound system with six-disc CD changer, power sunroof, the color dot-matrix information display, fog lights, crossbars for the roof rails, the cargo cover and alarm.

Leather upholstery is available with the Leather Plus Package ($1,400) that includes seat heaters and heated outside mirrors. The Family Entertainment Package ($1,200) for the Limited includes the DVD system, wireless headphones and remote control. Mitsubishi Active Skid and Traction Control ($995), an electronic stability control system, is available only on Limited AWD.

Safety features on all 2009 Endeavors include dual-stage frontal airbags and front seat-mounted side-impact airbags, anti-lock brakes (ABS) with electronic brake-force distribution (EBD), traction control, and a tire-pressure monitor. Curtain airbags are not available. Wear your seat belts as they are your first line of defense in an accident.

(888) 498-0660 – 1133 Motor City Dr., Colorado Springs, CO 80905 Contact Us Click Here for Videos

We could name a number of midsize, import-badge sedans that ride comfortably and quietly, handle responsively, and offer an optional V6 that provides ample power for passing. All feature roomy, nicely appointed cabin space, and all represent good value in the family-car market. Mitsubishi Galant does all that, but offers sharp styling, the kind that turns heads in traffic. Not everyone will like what they see, but none of them will accuse the Galant of being a wallflower. The current-generation Galant was launched as an all-new model for 2004, and Mitsubishi has improved and refined it every year since then. New for 2009: The 2009 Mitsubishi Galant brings a freshened look outside, improved materials inside, and revised suspension settings designed to provide greater comfort and a more engaging driving experience. The 2009 Galant GTS gets a new five-speed automatic transmission. Also new for 2009 is a high-performance model called the Ralliart, with more horsepower, tighter handling, and sporty styling. Ralliart is Mitsubishi’s motorsports arm and has been a dominant force in the World Rally Championship, which includes the Monte Carlo and other famous events, and cross country endurance raids, such as the Paris-Dakar Rally. Mitsubishi hopes the Galant Ralliart will challenge the Acura TSX and TL, as well as the MazdaSpeed6. The Galant Ralliart seems a long way from the Galant VR4 rally cars so successful in the early 1990s, but so what? The more we drove the 2009 Mitsubishi Galant Ralliart, the more we liked it. It struck us as a comfortable, big midsize sedan with some sports appeal. It isn’t as agile as a MazdaSpeed6, but it’s roomier and more comfortable. It certainly isn’t as upscale or refined as an Acura, but it costs less. It’s an easy car to live with that does not give up comfort or convenience for its added performance. At times, it reminded us of a Chevy Monte Carlo (yes, we know it’s a two-door) and it seems nicer than a Pontiac G6. In any case, the Galant Ralliart was an enjoyable car that never annoyed us. And we’re easily annoyed. Galant has achieved across-the-board five-star ratings in the federal government’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) offset-frontal and side-impact crash tests. The insurance industry’s Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) awarded Galant its highest ranking (“Good overall”) in its frontal-offset and side-impact crash tests. Model Lineup The 2009 Mitsubishi Galant comes in four trim levels, but they are not the same four as last year. The upper-middle LS has been discontinued, the GTS slightly demoted, and the new Ralliart added at the top of the range. Galant DE ($19,899) and ES ($20,999) are powered by a 160-horsepower, 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine and come standard with a four-speed automatic transmission. Mitsubishi’s Sportronic system, which allows a semi-manual shifting when desired, is now standard on all Galants. The DE comes with air conditioning; height-adjustable driver’s seat; height-adjustable steering wheel; power windows, mirrors and door locks with remote keyless entry; 140-watt, four-speaker AM/FM/CD stereo; rear-seat heater ducts; carpeted floor mats; and an engine immobilizer. Standard tires are P215/60R16 all-season radials on steel wheels. ES adds ABS with EBD, six-speaker stereo with MP3 playback, cruise control, and a more deluxe cloth interior with a driver’s seatback pocket and sun visor extenders. Appearance upgrades include color-keyed exterior door handles, titanium interior accents, and ice-blue LED illumination for climate and stereo controls. ES options include the Sport Package ($1,000) with 16-inch alloy wheels, dark-bezel halogen headlamps, crystal ellipsoid rear lamps, a color-keyed rear spoiler, and the Ralliart’s Rockford Acoustic Design audio with Sirius satellite radio. The ES Premium Package ($2,000) adds leather seating surfaces, faux leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, power glass sunroof, auto-dimming rear view mirror with Homelink, and additional minor goodies. GTS ($24,999) features a 230-hp, 3.8-liter V6 and a five-speed automatic transmission with a Sportronic feature. GTS adds leather seating, faux leather and audio controls on the steering wheel, heated front seats with eight-way power for the driver, dark-bezel headlamps, fog lamps, and a tire-pressure monitor. The instrument panel features white-faced gauges and woodgrain accents. Front brakes are larger, while wheels and tires upgrade to 215/55R17s on 17-inch rims. GTS options include the Sun and Sound package ($1,000), which combines the power glass sunroof and Rockford Acoustic Design audio with an auto-dimming rearview mirror, Homelink transmitter, a security alarm, and more. Ralliart ($26,999) is powered by a 258-hp, 3.8-liter V6, with a sports suspension, upgraded brakes, and larger wheels and tires. It comes with the five-speed Sportronic automatic. Ralliart has a unique look inside and out. Upholstery is perforated leather, and the pedals are aluminum. All of the GTS luxuries are standard, plus automatic climate control, a power glass sunroof, auto-dimming rearview mirror with Homelink, and a unique Rockford Acoustic Design audio system that includes the hardware for Sirius satellite radio plus a six-month subscription. Optional on Ralliart is a DVD navigation system with a seven-inch touch screen ($1,850). Safety features include dual-stage front airbags, side curtain air bags, and front seat-mounted side-impact air bags, and four-wheel disc brakes. All-wheel drive is not available. Anti-lock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution start with the ES model. A tire-pressure monitor comes on GTS and Ralliart models.

Originally Reported By: New Car Test Drive

(888) 498-0660 – 1133 Motor City Dr., Colorado Springs, CO 80905

Contact Us

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OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE

- Dr. Joachim Schmidt: “We will continue this positive trend, and we expect sales in the fourth quarter to be above last year’s level.”
- Record sales in China – Schmidt: “We expect Mercedes-Benz Cars to increase its sales in China by more than 50 percent in full-year 2009.”
- Mercedes-Benz USA posts best monthly result since the beginning of the year, with sales up by 21 percent in October
- E- and S-Class sedans maintain market leadership

Stuttgart, Germany, Nov 06, 2009 – In October, global sales were up at Mercedes-Benz for the first time this year. Mercedes-Benz was able to increase sales significantly in October by seven percent to 88,400 units (October 2008: 82,500. The smart brand sold 9,300 (October 2008: 11,300) units (minus 18 percent). With the delivery of 97,700 passenger cars (October 2008: 93,800), total sales at Mercedes-Benz Cars increased by four percent. The October sales increase was due to the E-Class and the new generation of the S-Class as well as to high growth rates in many regions such as North America and Asia/Pacific. Sales of Mercedes-Benz vehicles were also above last year’s level in Western Europe.

“We will continue this positive trend in the coming months, and we expect sales in the fourth quarter to be above the level of the same period of last year,” said Dr. Joachim Schmidt, Head of Sales and Marketing, Mercedes-Benz Cars. Contributing to this development will be the new E-Class and the new generation S-Class, as well as the ongoing strong growth rates in the Asia/Pacific region, particularly in China. By the end of September, Mercedes-Benz had already sold more vehicles in China than in all of last year. Says Schmidt: “Mercedes-Benz Cars will continue to grow at a dynamic rate in China, and we expect the increase for 2009 as a whole to amount to more than 50 percent.”

In October Mercedes-Benz once again set a sales record in China, with sales rising by 78 percent to 6,600 units (October 2008: 3,700). As a result, since the start of the year, Mercedes-Benz has been the fastest-growing premium brand in China. In October, Mercedes-Benz Cars also delivered more vehicles than ever before to the Asia/Pacific region as a whole, handing over 14,100 passenger vehicles to customers (October 2008: 10,500) for an increase of 34 percent. High growth rates were also posted in October in Australia (up 22 percent) and South Korea (up 63 percent).

In the United States, October was the best month of the year so far for Mercedes-Benz. Sales bucked the general market trend, rising by 21 percentto 18,200 units (October 2008: 15,000). This was the first time this year that sales were substantially higher than in 2008, and ensured that Mercedes-Benz remains the strongest German premium brand in the U.S. Contributing factors here included the E-Class, deliveries of which tripled to 6,100 units, and the GLK, which was once again the best-selling vehicle in its class in October, with deliveries of 1,800 units. Meanwhile, Mercedes-Benz posted another sales record in Canada in October, increasing customer deliveries by 28 percent to 2,200 passenger vehicles (October 2008: 1,700).

In the Western Europe region (not including Germany), Mercedes-Benz increased its sales by seven percent in October, thanks in particular to the high increases for the new E-Class. The brand enjoyed strong growth amounting to 55 percent in the UK, with a total of 5,800 units sold.

Sales of new E-Class continued to develop positively in the past month, with worldwide deliveries doubling in October to 17,100 units. Double-digit sales increases were registered in almost all markets. That made it once again the clear market leader in its segment. The company expects the launch of the new station wagon, which can be seen at dealerships starting on November 21, to give an additional positive boost to the E-Class family.

The new generation of the S-Class also got off to a successful start. Worldwide sales of the S-Class sedan were slightly above the previous year's level. Since the beginning of this year, the sedan has been the best-selling sedan in its segment. In China, which is now the biggest market for the S-Class, 1,100 luxury sedans were delivered to customers in October alone, which represents an increase of 12 percent. The sedan also sold very well in Germany, with an increase of 42 percent, and in Japan, where October sales increased by 13 percent. Mercedes-Benz sold 15,100 units of its SUVs worldwide (2008: 14,800), with an increase of two percent. The GLK, which was especially popular, enjoyed mainly double-digit growth rates in the Western European markets.

Overview of Sales by Mercedes-Benz Cars

Copyright © 2009, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE

Stuttgart, Germany, Nov 06, 2009 – In October, global sales were up at Mercedes-Benz for the first time this year. Mercedes-Benz was able to increase sales significantly in October by seven percent to 88,400 units (October 2008: 82,500. The smart brand sold 9,300 (October 2008: 11,300) units (minus 18 percent). With the delivery of 97,700 passenger cars (October 2008: 93,800), total sales at Mercedes-Benz Cars increased by four percent. The October sales increase was due to the E-Class and the new generation of the S-Class as well as to high growth rates in many regions such as North America and Asia/Pacific. Sales of Mercedes-Benz vehicles were also above last year’s level in Western Europe.

“We will continue this positive trend in the coming months, and we expect sales in the fourth quarter to be above the level of the same period of last year,” said Dr. Joachim Schmidt, Head of Sales and Marketing, Mercedes-Benz Cars. Contributing to this development will be the new E-Class and the new generation S-Class, as well as the ongoing strong growth rates in the Asia/Pacific region, particularly in China. By the end of September, Mercedes-Benz had already sold more vehicles in China than in all of last year. Says Schmidt: “Mercedes-Benz Cars will continue to grow at a dynamic rate in China, and we expect the increase for 2009 as a whole to amount to more than 50 percent.”

In October Mercedes-Benz once again set a sales record in China, with sales rising by 78 percent to 6,600 units (October 2008: 3,700). As a result, since the start of the year, Mercedes-Benz has been the fastest-growing premium brand in China. In October, Mercedes-Benz Cars also delivered more vehicles than ever before to the Asia/Pacific region as a whole, handing over 14,100 passenger vehicles to customers (October 2008: 10,500) for an increase of 34 percent. High growth rates were also posted in October in Australia (up 22 percent) and South Korea (up 63 percent).

In the United States, October was the best month of the year so far for Mercedes-Benz. Sales bucked the general market trend, rising by 21 percentto 18,200 units (October 2008: 15,000). This was the first time this year that sales were substantially higher than in 2008, and ensured that Mercedes-Benz remains the strongest German premium brand in the U.S. Contributing factors here included the E-Class, deliveries of which tripled to 6,100 units, and the GLK, which was once again the best-selling vehicle in its class in October, with deliveries of 1,800 units. Meanwhile, Mercedes-Benz posted another sales record in Canada in October, increasing customer deliveries by 28 percent to 2,200 passenger vehicles (October 2008: 1,700).

In the Western Europe region (not including Germany), Mercedes-Benz increased its sales by seven percent in October, thanks in particular to the high increases for the new E-Class. The brand enjoyed strong growth amounting to 55 percent in the UK, with a total of 5,800 units sold.

Sales of new E-Class continued to develop positively in the past month, with worldwide deliveries doubling in October to 17,100 units. Double-digit sales increases were registered in almost all markets. That made it once again the clear market leader in its segment. The company expects the launch of the new station wagon, which can be seen at dealerships starting on November 21, to give an additional positive boost to the E-Class family.

The new generation of the S-Class also got off to a successful start. Worldwide sales of the S-Class sedan were slightly above the previous year's level. Since the beginning of this year, the sedan has been the best-selling sedan in its segment. In China, which is now the biggest market for the S-Class, 1,100 luxury sedans were delivered to customers in October alone, which represents an increase of 12 percent. The sedan also sold very well in Germany, with an increase of 42 percent, and in Japan, where October sales increased by 13 percent. Mercedes-Benz sold 15,100 units of its SUVs worldwide (2008: 14,800), with an increase of two percent. The GLK, which was especially popular, enjoyed mainly double-digit growth rates in the Western European markets.

Overview of Sales by Mercedes-Benz Cars

Source >> Mercedes-Benz-Blog — Unmistakable. Unique. Classy. Mercedes-Benz. – Mercedes-Benz Boosts Sales by Seven Percent
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For 2010 the Legacy looks more aggressive and sporty. The headlights are angled more, the character lines create a more muscular look, along with bigger wheel arches. The Legacy has a more modern, mainstream, Japanese appearance. It will be more competitive in the midsize sedan segment, but it's aggressive styling wouldn't look at home in a forest carrying mountain bikes like the old Legacy did.

While the exterior doesn't give thoughts of the usual Subaru activities of hiking and kayaking, the interior gives impressions of a more mainstream midsize sedan at home in mall parking lots. Comfortably designed for the driver and passenger with easy to use controls, soft cream leather seats, and class leading passenger space. Steering wheel controls are standard on the 2.5i Limited are well laid out and easy for the driver to use. Subaru's shortcomings in quality with their use of hard plastic, flimsy door panels, and cheap wood trim left me disappointed, while the previous generation Legacy excelled in quality.

Subaru has used it's new Lineartronic CVT transmission in the new Legacy. It provides a very smooth drive with gearshifts that are as smooth as a hot knife through butter. The paddle shifters are possibly the easiest I've ever used for manual shifting and coupled with the CVT provide a smooth ride. The base 2.5 liter engine feels very underpowered. Subaru's have been known to have a tighter suspension and this Legacy is completely different. The drive feels more like an everyday sedan focused more on driver comfort than a Subaru has ever been. Everyday driving is more polished and tranquilizing than the previous generation Legacy. I took the Legacy through some winding country roads where Subarus usually shine, and was very surprised. Clumsiness and body roll plagued the Legacy like an old woman without her walker. The 2.5 liter 170 hp engine made the Legacy feel underpowered and heavy. The other two optional 256 or 265 hp engines would make the Legacy feel more capable for everyday driving. Even with Subaru's all wheel drive system it felt as though it lacked Subaru's willingness to go off road, instead focusing on a smooth and comfortable drive for those city folk.

The redesigned Legacy is a Subaru aimed more towards a mainstream market. It's comfortable ride and cabin make for a pleasing highway and city drive. Aggressive styling coupled with it's soft ride may scare away some loyal Subaru owners and attract a different buyer. The Legacy lacks what makes Subaru a Subaru. It has evolved into a mainstream car, one that won't be found driving through dirt trails or going on camping trips, instead will be at home on highways and city streets.

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Diário do Grande ABC

Apesar das previsões apocalípticas do início do ano, nenhuma montadora de carro e comercial leve com atuação no Brasil deverá registrar balanço negativo em 2009 – um ano para ficar na história. Com um mercado que terá crescimento de, no mínimo 6,4% este ano, as indústrias instaladas no País devem garantir dividendos, inclusive, para reinvestir em suas operações, já de olho na recuperação do mercado dos países sul-americanos a partir do segundo semestre do ano que vem.

“Quando se apostava que as vendas poderiam cair até 25% neste ano no Brasil, encerrar 2009 com cerca de 3,2 milhões de unidades comercializadas é garantia de ganho para todas as montadoras e importadores”, afirmou o professor da FGV (Fundação Getulio Vargas), Paulo Roberto Garbossa.

O desempenho surpreendente vai ser confirmado já nesta semana, quando as vendas internas vão superar os 2,82 milhões de unidades vendidas no ano passado inteiro. Além de compensar a queda de 40% nas exportações, o mercado doméstico também será generoso com as importações, com absorção de mais de 500 mil unidades.

“Nosso balanço será fechado com azul bem forte neste ano”, comemora o vice-presidente da General Motors, José Carlos Pinheiro Neto. “Esta rentabilidade é importantíssima para garantir a continuidade de nossos investimentos nos próximos anos.”

Com a crise da GM dos Estados Unidos, a filial brasileira conseguiu um acordo em que deixa de remeter dividendos à matriz nos Estados Unidos pelos próximos três anos. “Será importante para fortalecer a operação aqui no Brasil”, diz Pinheiro Neto.

O crescimento da receita que as montadoras devem registrar em 2009 pode não acompanhar o registrado em 2008, em razão da crise que derrubou as vendas externas. “Além disso, a forte competitividade interna também pode ter obrigado as fabricantes a garantir na escala o ganho financeiro”, afirmou Garbossa.

Em 2008, a Volkswagen foi a empresa com a maior receita líquida entre as montadoras. O faturamento foi de R$ 25 bilhões contra R$ 20,1 bilhões no ano anterior. Um PLR em torno de R$ 9.000 é indicativo dos bons resultados deste ano, que ganhou dois pontos percentuais no Brasil e briga pela liderança do mercado brasileiro com a Fiat.

A montadora sediada em Minas Gerais também deverá fechar o sétimo ano com lucratividade. No ano passado, a Fiat teve receita líquida de R$ 18,8 bilhões contra R$ 15,9 bilhões de 2007. “A nossa liderança é robusta porque vem acompanhada de resultados financeiros sólidos”, costuma repetir o presidente da Fiat, o brasileiro Cledorvino Belini.

A Ford também é uma das empresas que mais vêm crescendo no Brasil. No ano passado, teve receita líquida de R$ 14,3 bilhões contra R$ 12,5 bilhões de 2007. “O Brasil hoje é o terceiro mercado para a Ford e um dos que mais cresce no mundo”, disse o presidente da Ford para as Américas, Marc Fields, anteontem, em Camaçari, ao anunciar investimento de R$ 4 bilhões no País.

“Em breve, o Brasil vai subir de posição. Este já não é mais o País do futuro, é do presente”, discursou Fields, acrescentando que o Brasil perde apenas para Estados Unidos e Reino Unido nas vendas da Ford.

Entre as montadoras do Grande ABC, o desempenho da Mercedes-Benz e da Scania pode ser prejudicado em razão da queda do mercado de caminhões e das exportações. Mas ainda assim a recuperação das vendas internas no segundo semestre pode garantir pelo menos um empate. Em 2008, a Mercedes-Benz teve receita líquida de R$ 11,2 bilhões contra R$ 9,3 bilhões em 2007.

Com faturamento líquido de R$ 8,9 bilhões em 2008, a Toyota quase dobrou sua receita sobre 2007, quando havia registrado R$ 4,7 bilhões. A empresa já iniciou obras em Sorocaba (SP), onde vai construir sua segunda fábrica no Brasil, provavelmente para produzir um veículo pequeno, que lhe dê volume de vendas no País. Atualmente, a montadora japonesa tem uma operação pequena, mas muito rentável em razão de alto valor de seus veículos, como a picape Hilux e a SUV SW4 .

Com produtos altamente desejados, a Honda também deve ter resultado positivo em 2009. No ano passado, a montadora obteve receita de R$ 8,2 bilhões contra R$ 4 bilhões em 2007.

O grupo PSA Peugeot-Citroën deve retomar o terceiro turno em Porto Real (RJ). A empresa perdeu vendas e mercado por falta de produto. Mesmo assim não deverá perder rentabilidade. Em 2008, faturou R$ 7,5 bilhões contra R$ 6 bilhões no ano passado.

A Renault e a Mitsubishi também devem seguir trajetória de alta. Em 2008, a francesa faturou R$ 4,7 bilhões contra R$ 3,6 bi de 2007. A Mitsubishi, que produz no País com sócios brasileiros, passou de R$ 1,8 bilhão, em 2007, para R$ 4,5 bilhões no passado.

Incentivo fiscal será reduzido em 2012

O secretário de Política Econômica do Ministério da Fazenda, Nelson Barbosa, informou que a prorrogação por mais cinco anos dos incentivos fiscais do regime automotivo das regiões Nordeste, Norte e Centro-Oeste, anunciada na última sexta-feira, em Camaçari (BA), pelo presidente Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, será parcial. Segundo Barbosa, os incentivos serão paulatinamente reduzidos a partir de 2012.

O secretário do Ministério da Fazenda informou também que a medida provisória já assinada pela presidente, e que deve ser publicada amanhã, estendendo os benefícios, traz uma novidade: a exigência de as empresas investirem 10% do valor do incentivo fiscal em pesquisa e desenvolvimento e em serviços de engenharia. O objetivo, de acordo com o secretário, é estimular a inovação e a qualificação profissional e, dessa maneira, ampliar a competitividade da indústria brasileira.

Barbosa disse que a decisão de se renovar o regime automotivo do Nordeste um ano antes de seu encerramento, programado para o ano que vem, tem por objetivo estimular os investimentos das empresas do setor. O secretário explicou que as companhias trabalham com um horizonte de longo prazo e, para evitar que as empresas adiassem suas decisões de investimento, o governo federal resolveu dar esse sinal favorável.

Para Barbosa, o total do investimento do setor automotivo até 2015 pode chegar a R$ 8 bilhões. “Essa medida marca uma postura mais agressiva do governo no estímulo ao investimento e à competitividade”, afirmou o secretário. Um dos incentivos principais do programa garante créditos tributários mais elevados às montadoras e fabricantes de autopeças que se investem naquelas regiões.

Os cerca de R$ 4 bilhões que a Ford vai investir na Bahia, anunciados na sexta-feira, já levam em conta esse horizonte.

Fonte: Diário do Grande ABC/Wagner Oliveira | www.dgabc.com.br

Sounds to me like Tesla is going public. Here is some coverage on the topic from The GreenBeat blog at WSJ Online.

“Rumors are swirling today that Tesla Motors is seriously considering an initial public offering sometime soon. The talk has been tracked to two anonymous sources, who say the six-year-old company could cash in big on the battery-powered car trend before electric and hybrid models from companies like General Motors, Mitsubishi and Nissan make it to market.

Tesla has officially denied the prediction, calling the IPO chatter “rumor and speculation.” That said, going public in 2010 would give the San Carlos, Calif. company several distinct advantages. First, it would solidify its position as the electric car player to watch. It’s already been casually anointed as the leader by industry observers and the Department of Energy, which granted it $465 million in stimulus funds in its first round of low-interest loans for advanced transportation projects. Second, it could use the sale to raise money to get its hotly anticipated Model S sedan out the door by its 2011 due date.

Tesla is one of several cleantech companies anticipated to go public as soon as next year. When A123Systems shocked the market with its blockbuster IPO in late Sepember (its share price jumped 50 percent on opening day), many analysts, including the Cleantech Group, said that the biggest public offerings in 2010 will probably come out of the green sector. In addition to Tesla, solar system maker Solyndra — which received $535 million in loan guarantees from the DOE in March — and smart grid communications provider Silver Spring Networks have also been named as likely candidates.”

Read the full article here.

GigaOm also covers this topic saying:

“Last Friday, buzz about an imminent IPO for electric car startup Tesla Motors hit the Interwebs, courtesy of two anonymous sources familiar with the plans who spoke with Reuters. As in several previous stories about its possible plans for a public offering, the company has declined to comment.

But if and when Tesla goes through with its long-discussed goal of going public, it could be the biggest and possibly the first public offering for a U.S. car company since Ford Motor’s IPO more than 50 years ago. The event will also offer a glimpse at the role IPOs will play in the nascent green car market — is the classic venture capital model (invest early and find a big exit in the form of an acquisition or an IPO) viable for this sector, or will a green-car IPO be more about feeding big capital needs and branding?

Hopes for a Google-like moneymaker in cleantech (Google took only $25 million in venture capital to make millionaires of 1,000 employees and billionaires of its two co-founders in a wildly successful IPO) have already started to fade for some in the sector. Stephan Dolezalek, managing director of VantagePoint Venture Partners, which has invested in Tesla, told Reuters in September that public offerings now serve more as “financing events” for alternative energy and other cleantech startups rather than a way for investors and founders to cash in on equity.”

Read their version here.

Since we’ve gotten so much interest on our Noah’s ARK – Design Sale, we figured we’d give you guys some more awesome parts to empty your wallets for!

From The Company:

Ark Design’s R8 Wheel is a lightweight one piece design, developed for style, performance and strength. The R8 features eight solid spokes plus a signature “Balance Ring” to provide rigidity for reduce wheel flex and strength from direct impact. The spoke and rim design are specifically developed for large high-performance brake caliper and rotor clearance. The R8 is available in 18 or 19 inch diameter and various widths and offsets to fit numerous cars. Ark Design’s R8 wheel has gone through rigorous quality testing and is JWL (Japan Light Alloy Wheel) and VIA (Vehicle Inspection Association) certified.

Alright now you know the jist of it. Now go to our Noah’s ARK -Design The Sequel sale on EvoXForums and get the details!

Paolo Andreucci e Anna Andreussi al Rally di San Crispino hanno completato la loro rincorsa al vertice della classifica piloti del Campionato Italiano Rally, raggiungendo Renato Travaglia a quota 36 punti pur avendo disputato due gare in meno del pilota trentino.

Due traguardi di grande importanza e soddisfazione a conclusione di una gara condotta dalla 207 Super 2000 di Italia (due scratch consecutivi nelle prime due prove) sino alla quinta e penultima prova speciale, quando la rottura di una tubazione dei freni ha fatto perdere il primato ad Andreucci mettendolo a rischio di ritiro.

con le indicazioni telefoniche dei tecnici – ad improvvisarsi meccanico ed a realizzare una riparazione dâ”emergenza che ha consentito di portare a termine la gara ed addirittura in seconda posizione assoluta, visto che la lotta per assicurarsi la vittoria contro Piero Longhi à costata una foratura a Luca Rossetti sul tratto conclusivo.

Codice di sicurezza (copia il codice di sicurezza che vedi nell’immagine qua sopra)

Fonte: www.duemotori.com

Due i piloti romagnoli attesi a una gara di vertice: Andrea Navarra, con l’Impreza STi di Italia, e la giovane speranza Simone Campedelli, su una Lancer che veste i colori della Rubicone Corse.Tutti i top driver hanno mostrato grande entusiasmo, dopo le ricognizioni ante-gara e lo shake-down di oggi, nei confronti del percorso, che segna il ritorno dei rally a Gubbio, su prove speciali fino a qualche anno fa utilizzate nel Mondiale.

L’arrivo e la cerimonia di premiazione sono previste invece in Romagna, a San Mauro Pascoli, a partire dalle 19.40, dopo le 6 speciali in programma (3 passaggi sulla ‘Makinen’, altrettanti sulla ‘McRae’) per un totale di 420,49 chilometri di gara.

IL PROGRAMMA DI DOMANI-Partenza della gara dalle 9.01 in Piazza Martiri Umbri della Resistenza a Gubbio-Sei prove speciali in programma per il CIR/Challenge, tutte su sterrato, per 154,41 Km sui 420,49 complessivi di gara

-Quattro prove speciali in programma per l’ Historic Rally, tutte su sterrato, per 102,94 Km sui 327,61 complessivi di gara-Arrivo e premiazione dalle ore 19.40 in Piazza Mazzini a San Mauro Pascoli (FC) -Le classifiche finali saranno esposte nella zona dell’ arrivo a partire dalle 21.15.-Il quartier generale della gara è presso lo storico palazzo eugubino Centro Servizi Santo Spirito, mentre parco assistenza e riordino sono nel Piazzale Martiri Umbri della Resistenza.

Fonte: www.duemotori.com

The recession is technically over and before long, companies might actually start frakkin’ hiring people for jobs again…that is, if this isn’t just a financial bubble prefacing a double-dip recession. Naked short-selling aside, the auto industry is reaching into the future with great abandon, apparently unconcerned enough with the shakiness of the recovery to pump out some new, interesting, and in some cases, downright spellbinding new cars, trucks, and what-have-you. There will be new marques to choose from, as well as new forms of power. Here are fifteen such vehicles I’ve selected that I’m looking forward to. Complications notwithstanding, all of these should be on the road in the next year or two, if they aren’t already.

1. Buick Regal - An old name gets slapped on a new, very German car that is gorgeous and may actually be fun to drive as well. Moreover, it apparently will be powered exclusively by four-bangers. Not only is a high-performance version possible, we may (fingers-crossed) even get a wagon version, which would be awesome and hilarious at the same time: Buick wants younger buyers, so is a relatively big FWD wagon the way to go? For me, maybe.

2. Cadillac CTS Coupe - The latest and perhaps best iteration yet of 21st Century Cadillac zaniness. Art + Science Fiction. And the first hard-roof coupe from Caddy in seventeen years. It looks like nothing else on the road and has that same concept car aura of the new Camaro. Because its a bit smaller than the sedan, it should be faster too…which brings me to the V-series version, which is also coming.

3. Chevy Cruze - Chevy wants a “flawless” unveiling for the replacement for the boring Cobalt and its clone, the Pontiac G5. Looks to get 40+mpg on the highway. GM going small and Direct Injection with engines. Forget the Volt, this thing is important. If Chevy can’t steal some sales away from the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla with this, all is for naught.

4. Ferrari 458 Italia – A new Ferrari is like a new American fighter jet – really expensive, unobtainable, and almost pointless even – the F450 hasn’t aged a day – but nevertheless more than welcome. It looks and sounds the business, and with tons of F1 tech in it, it will most certainly drive the business too.

5. Ford Fiesta - It’s coming. How much different it will look from the European one isn’t known, but Ford has been without a small car since the Kia-based Aspire, which was pathetic. The Fiesta hopefully begins a trend of “cheap but not rubbish” small cars by American carmakers (unlike the awful Chevy Aveo, the only subcompact any of the Detroit 3 currently sell.)

6. Fiat 500 - Fiat Group bought Chrysler, which is awesome because it means Italian cars that don’t cost six figures will again be sold here soon. In Europe, the 500 is extremely popular, and also re-skinned as a Ford Ka, but in America the Nuovo Topolino will be sold at Chrysler dealerships, giving that sinking ship a badly-needed small car. It should sell well to people who want a car that’s cheaper and cuter than a MINI and fresher and more fun than the aged VW New Beetle. Also, it’s Italian. ‘Nuff said.

7. Lexus LFA - The most interesting Lexus ever. Not saying much, but the amount of labor and attention to detail that went into this taut driving machine cannot be overlooked. Neither can the $375,000+ price tag. Lexus will still lose money on every one they sell. One of only two radial carbon fiber looms in the world weave the A-pillars together. A manically-anal-retentive gearhead’s wet dream, this.

8. Mahindra Pickup - This awkward, dowdy pickup will likely beat the Tata Nano as the first Indian vehicle sold in America. It runs on diesel engines, which I love, and is tough, durable, and no-nonsense (well, except the optional chrome grille.) It should also be cheap. Hopefully the government will permit their sale, because they can do the same farm and labor jobs as much larger American pickups but are far more fuel efficient and take up less space.

9. Mitsubishi Outlander - If there was a Comeback Crossover of the Year category, Outlander would win it hands down. While its European cousins the Peugeot 4008 and Citroen C-Crosser were brought to market with bold, in-your-face looks, The Mitsu was plainer than white bread, and more forgettable too. That ends immediately with a menacing new face with an Evo-inspired grille, more power, upscale-r interior, and very untrucklike road manners. In other words, it’s better in every way.

10. Nissan LEAF - Though being heralded with far less pomp and circumstance than Chevy’s $40,000, four-seat Volt, Nissan’s electric car for everyone will likely beat it to dealers. It also aims to be cheaper and more practical. But yes, it does somewhat resemble a parrotfish.

11. Saab 9-5 - The first all-new Saab seemingly ever, the new 9-5 flagship will go on sale when new sort-of owner Koenigsegg, figures out exactly how they’re going to make it. While there’s nothing groundbreaking here, the new 9-5 marks a return to more of that Saab quirkiness that was mostly lost during GM rule, when marketers thought comparing a TrailBlazer clone to a fighter jet would make people want to buy the 9-7x.

12. Scion iQ - While not a 100% sure thing, it is likely Toyota’s teeny-tiny iQ will come to America as a Scion, since they’d prefer young, hip people buy it than the average Toyota customer, who is about 75. While perhaps not as miniscule as a Smart, the iQ is better packaged, has at least one back seat, doesn’t look as stupid, carries Toyota’s vaunted reputation for quality along with it, and won’t be quite as overpriced. Hopefully its axles won’t rust away after three years!

13. Suzuki Kisashi – Suzuki’s had a bit of a raw deal in the U.S. as purveyors of stretched Equinox clones and dull-as-paste, chintzy Daewoos. The homebuilt SX4 shook things up, being the cheapest AWD car as well as the cheapest with satnav standard. They take it up a notchwith the very Japanesey Kisashi, a smart, Jetta-sized sedan that bucks the more-is-more trend and goes instead for driver involvement and all-around quality. Suzuki’s marketing sucks, but hopefully this will sell well, because it looks to be a fine car and a bargain to boot.

14. Toyota/Subaru Compact Sports Coupe - Pretty much nobody needs a sporty coupe more than Toyota, except for maybe Subaru, so the two decided to save some time and develop one jointly. I’m looking forward to their final results. So far we’ve only seen the Toyota version in concept form (and monkey-butt red metallic paint.) The Subaru will likely be larger and of course feature standard AWD. The last Subaru coupe was the epic-but-pricey SVX, while Toyota’s Celica died a slow death. Here’s hoping they have better luck with what will be far superior machines.

15. VW Golf TDI - What was the Rabbit became the Golf then the Rabbit again and now the Golf again. Golf Mark VI is more refined and mature Golf ever, and so is the TDI’s diesel engine. Not only that, the TDI is fun. Fun to dart around in. Which means even if you have to drive a little further to find a diesel pump, you’ll be grateful. And it gets 30 mpg in the city and 40 mpg on the highway.

Oh, yeah, I almost forgot. The Mercedes SLS AMG.
Gullwings = WIN.
Q.E.D.

Beefcake.

Now, there have been plenty of recalls lately, Jeep recalling their Wranglers, Mistubishi recalling some Lancers, and Toyota soon to recall several of their models. Now there’s another one, but this one is quite peculiar.

First of all, it’s not just any car, it’s the 1995-1996 Ferrari F355 and F355 F1. Secondly, this issue was supposed to be fixed back in 1997, when Ferrari did a recall for a fuel leak/fire problem, but the NHTSA says “Independent automobile repair facilities may have improperly installed certain screw clamps that are located in close proximity to the fuel lines and that fasten the water sleeve to the thermostat connection. The improper installation of these screw clamps may damage the fuel supply pipes.” This could result in fuel leaking into the engine compartment, and causing smoke, or in the worst case, fire.

The NHTSA says that 2,356 F355s are affected.

For the new fix, Ferrari install fuel divider blocks to prevent fuel leakage.

If you happen to own a F355 or F355 F1 (Though I doubt you do if you’re here reading this), then contact your local Ferrari dealership, or you can contact Ferrari directly at (201) 816-2600, and arrange to get the fix installed as soon as possible. Try not to use your car until the fix is installed.

For those F355 owners who aren’t reading this (Probably all of them), Ferrari will begin notifying owners in December.

Source: Inside Line

Just arrived from the Algarve for a very different weekend. We thought that it would be cool to spend the weekend off and check out the Rally Casinos do Algarve and we  weren’t  wrong, cause it was cool.

Besides the rain it was pretty good we had a good time and i had the chance to take a few pictures of the cars in one of the stages. couldn’t take any pics Saturday night because of the lousy weather, i was a bit afraid to take the camera (chicken) so i left it at the hotel.

Sunday morning, no rain, and there we were at one of the specials.

I’m just gonna post two or three pics, the first one is from the only girl in the competition Isabel Ramos. She is one hell of a driver.

Ricardo Teodósio below always showing off.

No luck for F.Gomes below, i think he managed to finish the stage in spite of the flat tire.

Very cool weekend, hope you guys enjoy the pics.

Bruno Melo

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.

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This week, I had the privilege to view three great, classic movies, two in HD. The display for this event was the new Mitsubishi HC6800 3LCD 1080p projector. The movies were all  exceptional; first up, Lee Marvin, Burt Lancaster and Robert Ryan in “The Professionals”.

I started here, because of an article on Lee Marvin in Cinema Retro www.cinemaretro.com A wonderful magazine, both in print and online. I had it recorded on my Dish Network DVR  from HDNet Movies. The movie, about a group of mercenaries hired by a wealthy cattle baron (Ralph Bellamy) to rescue his wife (Claudia Cardinale) from Mexican revolutionaries, is just plain fun. From 1966, it holds up very well, mostly to the strong cast.

Next up, and another Robert Ryan, Burt Lancaster starrer, Micheal Winner’s “Lawman”. With a little more age on both these characters (released in ‘71), I found it to be a more somber, and quite possibly a better movie. Now this is the first movie to show off too much of the Mitsubishi’s s crystal clear HD performance. Every time Lee J. Cobb’s character was on the screen, I couldn’t get past his very hairy ears!

Finally, from Comcast and Turner Classic Movies (TCM) Beau Bridges in “The Landlord”. I loved this movie. Released in 1970 and directed by Hal Ashby, “The Landlord” captures the ugly side of bigotry while showing there is hope if we can get past our differences. This was the non-HD offering (SD) and it truly demonstrated the Silicone Optics HQV video processor’s strength in the HC6800. Beautifully up-scaling the SD picture, it certainly wasn’t HD, but it was a noticeable improvement.

Now along with these great movies, I watched football, TV (the X-Files, Millennium and La Femme Nikita on DVD) and live broadcast, both from Comcast and Dish Network. For just south of $2500.00, the Mitsubishi HC6800 is a very good value. But it’s strength lies in watching video (non-film) and sports; film was, well, not very film like. After properly calibrated, it was still  bright and very sharp, but lacked the color purity I strive for. If you are a hardcore movie buff like myself, I strongly recommend spending an extra $500.00 for the Sony VPL-HW15. Maybe it’s from owning studios, but Sony gets film reproduction in all their displays; in spades. But, for the money I still can recommend the HC6800.  And I wholeheartedly recommend all three movies.

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