Hybrid Cars Just Got More Affordable with the Toyota Prius C
Friday
Jan 27, 2012
Toyota Philippines has unveiled the Prius C in the market. And with prices starting at PhP 1.475 million, going green won’t necessarily meaning breaking the bank.
The larger, 3rd-generation Prius costs more than PhP 2 million, which has probably turned off green-minded individuals in the country to go for cheaper alternatives. As such, sub 1-million subcompacts have proliferated, and city streets are teeming with the Toyota Vios, Honda City and Hyundai Accent, along with a host of other ultra-compact cars.
But with the new Toyota Prius C boasting of a 40 Km/L mileage, it’s probably the best choice for green-enthusiasts, considering rising fuel prices and worsening metro traffic.
Powered by a 1.5 L 1NZ-FXE VVT-i engine (similar to the Vios), the Prius C is likewise powered by a Hybrid Synergy Drive electric motor, which accurately adjusts output from the gas-fed engine and electric motor, depending on driving conditions, while minimizing consumption. The car’s regenerative braking system and exhaust gas recirculation system adds to efficiency, charging the batteries while the car is running.
It’s not as cheap as other subcompacts would be. The Prius C starts at PhP 1.475 million for the Standard and PhP 1.540 for the Full variant. For this price, you could buy a pickup-based SUV like the Montero Sport or Fortuner. But if you want fuel savings, and if you want to contribute to saving the Earth, then the Prius C would be a smart choice.
Nissan 2nd Top Asian Car Brand in the Americas in 2011
Friday
Jan 27, 2012
Nissan has announced that the brand is now the second most popular brand in the Americas, which includes North, Central and South America. Nissan gained a 0.6% increase in market share over its 2010 figure, advancing the automaker as the #2 Asian automotive brand in the region.
Nissan America has totaled 1.56 million units sold in 2011, while the brand sold 1.33 million in 2010. Nissan trails behind Toyota, which sold 1.85 million units in 2011. Honda, Hyundai and Kia follows, with 1.29 million, 1.03 million and 659,000, respectively.
“2011 was a breakthrough year for Nissan in the Americas in a multitude of ways,” said Colin Dodge, chairman, Nissan Americas. ”We outperformed our key Japanese competitors in every market throughout the Americas while the Nissan brand became one of the fastest-growing Asian automotive brands in the region.”
Other highlights:
- In the U.S., Nissan gained market share for the sixth consecutive year, ending 2011 with 8.2 percent of the U.S. market, up from 6 percent just a few years ago;
- In Mexico, Nissan has been the market leader for three consecutive years and ended 2011 with a record market share of 24.8 percent, up 1.7 points from the prior year;
- In Brazil, Nissan’s business has been rapidly expanding with sales that nearly doubled in 2011. Nissan was Brazil’s fastest-growing automotive brand in 2011 and is now the 7th best-selling car brand in the country;
- In Latin America, Nissan finished 2011 with 10 percent market share for the first time, up 0.4 points from the prior year.
Three of the Most Famous Cars from Movies
Saturday
Jan 21, 2012
Millions of people around the world utilize cars for their daily lifestyle. Your car gets up to and from work, allows you to drop the kids off at soccer practice and take family vacations. Meanwhile, hundreds or even thousands of car manufacturing companies are releasing newer and better versions of these sedans nearly every week. With millions of vehicles on the market, one may think that the wide collection of cars have nothing more to offer when it comes to design as there are thousands of drivers who have the same exact vehicle on their garage. However, there are certain high-profile cars that can be considered invaluable due to their rising popularity, regardless of their ordinary make or model. These kinds of cars take driving from merely a chore to a luxury.
So how did these cars become famous?
Simply put, these high-profile cars have achieved their popularity due to their role or part in blockbuster films or movies. Whether they’ve been driven by the bad guys or the good guys, the following 3 cars have been well recognized by people all over the world because of simply performing and driving on screen.
1.The 1976 Chevy Camaro from the 2007 hit movie Transformers.
How to Preserve Your Tire Tread for a Longer Period of Service
Friday
Jan 13, 2012
While prices of goods are going up, job salaries are stagnant. Most businesses are tight and everyone is looking for ways to live economically. One way to save money is to keep your car’s proper maintenance. And where’s the best place to start than the tires that supports the motion of the car? This article will tackle the things that we can do to preserve our tire tread for a longer period of service.
1. Always check your tire pressure.
Friction from driving down the road increases the heat or air pressure in a tire. Make sure that you’re still driving with the suggested tire pressure provided by the car’s manufacturer. By having a regular upkeep, you help cut down on the friction between the car and the road you are driving on, consume less fuel and prevent you from hurting the tires.
2. Rigorously rotate your tires.
As each tire carries a different load depending on the passengers and things accommodated by the car, rotating your tires will help your tires wear evenly. This means changing where the individual tires are mounted on the vehicle. Since the front tires generally wear much more quickly than the rear ones, it’s a good idea to interchange them regularly before considering buying new ones eventually.
3. Always check your tires for foreign objects.
Foreign objects often penetrate our tires due to the roads we travel on. Examples are small rocks, gums, wires, broken pieces of glass, pins and other debris which are attached to the tires. These objects will damage the tires and they can be causes of tire explosion which can lead to accidents.
4. Avoid rough roads.
Most people find it harder to walk on rocky roads that sometimes spoil their footwear. The same is true with cars. Driving on rough and bumpy roads can damage your tires. As well, the dirt or gravel will reduce your gas mileage up to 30%.
Realize that you are not king of the road; moderation is. Don’t step on the gas further than what is needed. Step on the brakes with ease. Also, traveling fast in low gears puts heavier weights on tires and can consume up to 45% more fuel than is needed.
Tires are what hold the body of the car. Maintaining them well can be a matter of life and death, both for you and your vehicle. Take proper care of your tires and preserve them by conducting regular and consistent checks.
Maintaining your car will require tools and equipment. For these needs, you can check out Harbor Freight Tools, which carries power tools, automotive maintenance tools, gardening supplies, and such. Air compressors at Harbor Freight are one particular set of tools useful for any car owner, in cleaning out dust and particles from the engine bay, and for checking tire inflation.
Barbie Lee is an open-minded woman with boundless interests. She is a lover of animals, a fan of great music, and an enthusiast when it comes to fast, furious and feisty automobiles. When she isn’t cheering for her favorite basketball team (Go Mavs!), she’s busy writing for the blog site, Automotive Part Suppliers.
The Best Car Insurance for 2012
Wednesday
Jan 4, 2012
The best car insurance in the Philippines for 2012 is a comprehensive insurance policy. Third party liability insurance is mandatory by law, but that is not enough to eliminate all the risks involved in driving. A comprehensive policy will cover bodily injury, property damage and unnamed passenger personal accident. The car is protected and the people in it are protected.
![dangerous driving in the rain [I know I shouldn't be doing this, but ...]](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3174/2750711638_4148c3f860.jpg)
There is also total protector insurance that includes the compulsory third party liability and loss or damage of car and theft as well as protection from acts of nature such as an earthquake, typhoon or flood. Then there is also finance available for loans for people with bad credit. It can also give legal assistance and bail bond, road assistance, towing expenses, a waiver of deductible and depreciation as well as many other options.
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