<?xml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'?><?xml-stylesheet href="http://www.blogger.com/styles/atom.css" type="text/css"?><feed xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom' xmlns:openSearch='http://a9.com/-/spec/opensearchrss/1.0/' xmlns:georss='http://www.georss.org/georss'><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7629246804180306550</id><updated>2009-11-12T00:27:52.821-08:00</updated><title type='text'>Automotive</title><subtitle type='html'></subtitle><link rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#feed' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://automotiveonnet.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7629246804180306550/posts/default'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://automotiveonnet.blogspot.com/'/><link rel='hub' href='http://pubsubhubbub.appspot.com/'/><link rel='next' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7629246804180306550/posts/default?start-index=26&amp;max-results=25'/><author><name>zonkette</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email></author><generator version='7.00' uri='http://www.blogger.com'>Blogger</generator><openSearch:totalResults>204</openSearch:totalResults><openSearch:startIndex>1</openSearch:startIndex><openSearch:itemsPerPage>25</openSearch:itemsPerPage><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7629246804180306550.post-6845436439889928023</id><published>2009-07-30T05:18:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2009-07-30T05:19:53.591-07:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Mobile Audio Video'/><title type='text'>Learn How Great Alpine Car Speakers Are</title><content type='html'>&lt;div id="body"&gt;&lt;p&gt;Car stereo speakers are something that some of us would love to get our hands on. Riding in the car while heading to work or in the middle of bumper to bumper traffic can be boring and rather disagreeable without the proper music. Music has the ability to raise our spirits and help us to feel good if only for a second.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;But if your car has lousy speakers how do you have the ability enjoy your favorite song? There are dozens of unique models and manufacturers to choose from and trying to pin down the search might seem nearly impossible. We have helped to do it for you.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;After a great deal debate and long research we have discovered Alpine - a company that started in 1978. Although they are not as common as Pioneer or Infinity they are some of the world's superior makers in car stereo speakers. This is because they extend a bit of of the latest and best technology at a price that we are able to afford.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;If you are looking for the greatest in sound quality and bass breaking music then this is the producer to work through. They utilize the latest in digital media technology that will supply you with all of the required speaker and components that will set into your vehicle and give you music that individuals are able to hear a mile down the road.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Alpine car stereo speakers are simple to install and have a guarantee to extend to you the best performance then any other model on the market. They provide stereos, sub woofers, speakers, amps, and other audio and video accessories.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;http://ezinearticles.com/?Learn-How-Great-Alpine-Car-Speakers-Are&amp;amp;id=2662629&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7629246804180306550-6845436439889928023?l=automotiveonnet.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://automotiveonnet.blogspot.com/feeds/6845436439889928023/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=7629246804180306550&amp;postID=6845436439889928023' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7629246804180306550/posts/default/6845436439889928023'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7629246804180306550/posts/default/6845436439889928023'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://automotiveonnet.blogspot.com/2009/07/learn-how-great-alpine-car-speakers-are.html' title='Learn How Great Alpine Car Speakers Are'/><author><name>zonkette</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:extendedProperty xmlns:gd='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005' name='OpenSocialUserId' value='08035967680054619552'/></author><thr:total xmlns:thr='http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0'>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7629246804180306550.post-6056472321762650338</id><published>2009-07-16T18:55:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2009-07-16T18:57:05.150-07:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Mobile Audio Video'/><title type='text'>Car Audio and Video - Travel Entertainment at Its Finest</title><content type='html'>&lt;p&gt;Since the first few years that people started to incorporate these equipments in making cars, a lot of individuals have bought more music records to play while driving. Nowadays, having a car without an audio system almost seems impossible or downright ridiculous. No one would buy a car without this feature installed. With the digital music system slowly evolving for the better, cars have also been tuned up to different external devices such as MP3 players and iPod's. These allow consumers to make use of various musical gadgets by linking them to their car stereo.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Although it has been an early concession that car audio systems provide maximum entertainment for a lot of car owners and riders, it is also understood that these installations help a lot of people go through a safer and healthier mode of driving. For instance, a person who may feel a bit sleepy while driving can simply turn on the radio and use it as a means to distract himself while driving on the road. When riders and drivers also experience being in congested traffic areas, music can help increase a person's patience or at least make you feel more at ease while you are waiting for the traffic jam to subside.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;With the help of different radio channels, you can also listen to the news that is broadcasted live while you are on the road. This prevents you from having to make the wrong turn or at least avoid getting into a traffic jam. When you buy your own car audio system, there are also specific things that you need to look for to assure that you are only getting the best of what a brand can offer. First and foremost is the quality of sound provided by the entire stereo system.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;If you are particular in the type of music you play in your car stereo, you might want to take that preference into account when getting your car audio system installed. For instance, if you prefer loud and heavy music in your car, you might want to get an equipment that has strong bass requirements. If you like mellow or light music, you can get one that can provide pleasant music to the ear. You might want to also check unit compatibility when getting your car audio system set up.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;This means that you must check whether or not the system can actually play compact disks or if it requires you to link it to another gadget, say an iPod, for it to play music. Those that make use of compact disks or music CD's often have CD changers allowing you to install a number of disks while you travel. There are high quality devices that can help you store more than a hundred CD's. You must also be particular about the system's ability to channel different scopes in the radio. Of course, you would want to listen to live music once in a while, so make sure your car stereo has that capability. If you are also particular about problems relating to theft, you can also have a device installed that will set the car on alarm in case someone steals parts of your stereo.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;http://ezinearticles.com/?Car-Audio-and-Video---Travel-Entertainment-at-Its-Finest&amp;amp;id=2473234&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"&gt;&lt;!--Session data--&gt;&lt;input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"&gt;&lt;div id="refHTML"&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7629246804180306550-6056472321762650338?l=automotiveonnet.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://automotiveonnet.blogspot.com/feeds/6056472321762650338/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=7629246804180306550&amp;postID=6056472321762650338' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7629246804180306550/posts/default/6056472321762650338'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7629246804180306550/posts/default/6056472321762650338'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://automotiveonnet.blogspot.com/2009/07/car-audio-and-video-travel.html' title='Car Audio and Video - Travel Entertainment at Its Finest'/><author><name>zonkette</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:extendedProperty xmlns:gd='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005' name='OpenSocialUserId' value='08035967680054619552'/></author><thr:total xmlns:thr='http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0'>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7629246804180306550.post-7246454016360923928</id><published>2009-06-06T22:47:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2009-06-06T22:49:07.634-07:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Motorcycles'/><title type='text'>How to Choose Motorcycle Leather Jackets</title><content type='html'>For motorcycle fashion leather jackets are very popular and commonly used. It is very difficult to find a good and stylish motorcycle jacket. It is hard to select because there are a nearly endless number of choices. There are some essential things to look out for when you are going to choose a leather jacket. Check the quality first. A good quality motorcycle jacket is costly, but it will be long lasting and provides you comfort.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Don't go on the price; always focus on the material used to manufacture it. It is very essential to get the best quality motorcycle leather jacket. Take it as an investment in your motorcycle riding. According to some bikers a good leather jacket is an ultimate motorcycle fashion for them. After checking the quality of it then considers the storage factor.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Storage really is an important factor to consider. You can not keep every thing in your motorcycle bags. There are some special types of things that you can only keep in your jacket such as your cell phone or any important papers.&lt;br /&gt;Every motorcyclist wants to get a good quality motorcycle leather jacket, which provides them comfort. It protects your whole upper body from dirt and water.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;You can also select vests (half jackets). Vests are very comfortable jackets but they can not provide you the&lt;br /&gt;protection as full leather jackets. Vests are commonly used in summer season.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Your leather motorcycle clothing provides comfort and safety while you are riding, so make sure that you choose a good quality jacket. First search the leather jackets select the color. After selecting the color, discuss all the necessary things that you want to discuss with the shop owner. They will surely help you in selecting a good leather jacket. Select that color which will match to your motorcycle color scheme.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The above tips will surely help you to select a perfect motorcycle leather wear.&lt;br /&gt;http://ezinearticles.com/?How-to-Choose-Motorcycle-Leather-Jackets&amp;id=2293890&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7629246804180306550-7246454016360923928?l=automotiveonnet.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://automotiveonnet.blogspot.com/feeds/7246454016360923928/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=7629246804180306550&amp;postID=7246454016360923928' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7629246804180306550/posts/default/7246454016360923928'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7629246804180306550/posts/default/7246454016360923928'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://automotiveonnet.blogspot.com/2009/06/how-to-choose-motorcycle-leather.html' title='How to Choose Motorcycle Leather Jackets'/><author><name>zonkette</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:extendedProperty xmlns:gd='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005' name='OpenSocialUserId' value='08035967680054619552'/></author><thr:total xmlns:thr='http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0'>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7629246804180306550.post-5616988340342058431</id><published>2009-05-03T06:55:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2009-05-03T06:57:31.446-07:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Motorcycles'/><title type='text'>The Benefits of Electric Mopeds</title><content type='html'>Last year hundreds of individuals were trading in their SUV's and trucks desiring to acquire a much smaller machine. The reason for this was to spare them money in this economic crisis. I am one of those kinds of people who was lucky enough to be able to do this even if many were stuck with their gas guzzlers.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;College students were some of the worst to hurt from this. They are at school full time working to jump start their careers and this leaves little time for them to get more then just a part time position someplace. They are incessantly trying to determine various ways in which they can preserve money and transportation is one of these ways that might help.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Rather then purchasing a vehicle numerous are pondering using an electric moped. There are lots of advantages to utilizing these cars. One of the more important of these reasons is money. The price necessary to buy one of these mopeds is much lower than what is required for a car and it does not need any measure of fuel. The whole thing runs on a battery that can be easily recharged.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Another great reason is the amount of safety that drivers are offered. Mopeds are a type of motorcycle - but at the exact same time they are quite a bit distinct. They are much smaller and cannot implement high speeds. Because of this they are easier to manage though we do not think it is smart to take them out on the highway.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Numerous who are thinking about buying a moped are also on the brink of obtaining a motorcycle also. Nevertheless, it is considerably tougher to obtain a motorcycle because they are costly and they demand a special license to function. This license is able to cost you as much as $200 and demands a series of tests that you need to pass. Still, in many states there is no demand for a license of any kind or tests that must to be passed.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;If you are somebody who thinks about what happens to the environment and are upset by the measure of toxins pressed into the air then you will be pleased with electric mopeds. Because they do not require any type of fuel they do not discharge any detrimental emissions into the air that can induce pollution.&lt;br /&gt;http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Benefits-of-Electric-Mopeds&amp;id=2290071&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7629246804180306550-5616988340342058431?l=automotiveonnet.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://automotiveonnet.blogspot.com/feeds/5616988340342058431/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=7629246804180306550&amp;postID=5616988340342058431' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7629246804180306550/posts/default/5616988340342058431'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7629246804180306550/posts/default/5616988340342058431'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://automotiveonnet.blogspot.com/2009/05/benefits-of-electric-mopeds.html' title='The Benefits of Electric Mopeds'/><author><name>zonkette</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:extendedProperty xmlns:gd='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005' name='OpenSocialUserId' value='08035967680054619552'/></author><thr:total xmlns:thr='http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0'>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7629246804180306550.post-1563338293587523114</id><published>2009-05-03T06:26:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2009-05-03T06:27:50.070-07:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Trucks'/><title type='text'>Truck Train Horns</title><content type='html'>Most people prefer to fit their trucks with horns for the same reason that trains are fitted with horns: safety purposes. Because trucks are usually heavy than other vehicles, it is not a bad idea to fit your train with one instead of the of the normal horn in order to make sure that other road users are aware of any danger. You can also install truck train horns for fun. This is because they usually come in a variety of models which produce different sounds. For instance the mow of a cow, or a cartoon or certain TV programme. Because most trucks have large bonnets, the train horns can easily fit under their bonnets.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;There are many places where you can buy truck train horns. You can purchase them from the internet. This is by browsing through various websites which sell train horns. There are also auction sites where you can bid for the horns. You can get a good horn at a bargain price. Again, the horns can be accessed at stores in whichever town you are in. look in shops that deal with automotives.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;After the purchase, if you are not familiar with your way around trucks, it would be a good idea to let an expert fit it for you. Most shops that sell truck train horns will usually also provide someone to do the fitting for you at no cost. Fitting the horn yourself could cause you to mess up thus preventing the horn from functioning properly, therefore, exposing people to accidents.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Truck train horns usually function by allowing compressed air which facilitates the loud sound that they give out. The more air which is compressed, the more sound they will produce. The source of air in truck horns is unlimited unlike those of hand held horns.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;It is important to ensure that they air horn is working. This is because it is used as a safety device and if it malfunctions, many people's lives is in jeopardy. The advantage of air horns over electric horns is that they are usually cheaper to maintain and produce louder sounds. Therefore, it is advisable that truck train horns be made of air.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Horns for trucks usually come with 3 features: a compressor, an air tank and a 3 way horn. Truck train horns usually produce different sounds which depend on pitch and tone. Most of them go for up to 150 decibels. When you purchase a full kit, there are 2 parts that need to be installed: the gas tank and the compressor. The compressor size is usually influenced by how big the gas tank is. The bigger the gas tank, the bigger the compressor. The compressor usually looks like a tank. Its average size is about 5 gallons for a personal horn.&lt;br /&gt;http://ezinearticles.com/?Truck-Train-Horns&amp;id=2278877&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7629246804180306550-1563338293587523114?l=automotiveonnet.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://automotiveonnet.blogspot.com/feeds/1563338293587523114/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=7629246804180306550&amp;postID=1563338293587523114' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7629246804180306550/posts/default/1563338293587523114'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7629246804180306550/posts/default/1563338293587523114'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://automotiveonnet.blogspot.com/2009/05/truck-train-horns.html' title='Truck Train Horns'/><author><name>zonkette</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:extendedProperty xmlns:gd='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005' name='OpenSocialUserId' value='08035967680054619552'/></author><thr:total xmlns:thr='http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0'>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7629246804180306550.post-4899017194159931653</id><published>2009-04-08T22:06:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2009-04-08T22:07:32.389-07:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Trucks'/><title type='text'>RFID Tags For Truck Washing Sector Considered</title><content type='html'>The future of RFID tags is looking good, even if the industry is off to a slow start and having a bit of difficulty during the global recession, as companies that manufacture and export lots of products are not doing the level of business they once were. Things have been a little challenging in the logistics industry to say the least.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Global Freight year over year is down to a trickle, and a few of the ports in California are down over 49% in the last year; same for the rail industry and trucking industry - before the slow down the trucking industry had a shortage of drivers in the US of nearly 200,000 people. Of course, things will return and when they do, the RFID sector ought to really pick up.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Indeed, as the prices of RFID Tags come down and these systems become more reliable, you can bet that entrepreneurs will find more uses for this technology. In fact, I have one you most likely have not considered: RFID Tags Truck Washes. Let me explain how these might work and why it makes so much sense. Rather than write a white paper on this topic, let me explain it in a paragraph or two:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;First, the truck washing company, such as Blue Beacon, gives a discount of $2 off each wash for companies that install RFID active tags in the front windshield of the truck, this will be read by an RFID tag scanner reader mounted at the entrance with a gain antenna. Since, this alleviates the need to fill out paper work, the truck wash company saves money in labor, and the trucking company gets a complete and accurate read out of each truck washed.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Because most over the road trucks are at around or about the same height the RFID reader can be mounted in a fixed position so that it picks up all the tags without any being missed. Please think on this.&lt;br /&gt;http://ezinearticles.com/?RFID-Tags-For-Truck-Washing-Sector-Considered&amp;id=2179620&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7629246804180306550-4899017194159931653?l=automotiveonnet.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://automotiveonnet.blogspot.com/feeds/4899017194159931653/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=7629246804180306550&amp;postID=4899017194159931653' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7629246804180306550/posts/default/4899017194159931653'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7629246804180306550/posts/default/4899017194159931653'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://automotiveonnet.blogspot.com/2009/04/rfid-tags-for-truck-washing-sector.html' title='RFID Tags For Truck Washing Sector Considered'/><author><name>zonkette</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:extendedProperty xmlns:gd='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005' name='OpenSocialUserId' value='08035967680054619552'/></author><thr:total xmlns:thr='http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0'>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7629246804180306550.post-1075397523650374149</id><published>2009-03-25T07:43:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2009-03-25T07:45:06.850-07:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Trucks'/><title type='text'>5 Tips For a Fast and Easy Paint on Bed Liner</title><content type='html'>We installed a paint on bed liner on our old truck. It's hard to believe how a cheap roll on bed liner improves the looks of an old truck. It's not just about looks either. You get some protection for the bed and it's not very hard to get it done. Here's what we learned...&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Tip 1: Clean to start.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Paint won't stick to wax or grease. Get you some automotive cleaner and use it to start. Do that before you start sanding.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Tip 2: Sand like crazy.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;No fine sanding is needed. What you need is some really rough sanding. After you sand some, use a really coarse sanding pad. That's the ticket to a really rough surface that makes that paint hold just right. So really scratch up the bed for the best results.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Tip 3: Get 1 more quart.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;A full size truck bed takes at least five quarts. One gallon isn't enough. Get more. See professional spray on liners use about 4 gallons of paint, so don't cut corners. Get more.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Tip 4: Roll or spray.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;You can spray if you want, but rolling looks just as good. The paint is thick and as it dries all the roller marks or brush marks just smooth right out. Rolling works perfectly. Even brushing the paint on leaves a great looking finish.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Tip 5: Plasti-Kote it...&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;On our truck we used Plasti-Kote bed liner paint. It's held up well now for over two years. It's good stuff. Also popular are Herculiner paint and the Dupli-Color products.&lt;br /&gt;http://ezinearticles.com/?5-Tips-For-a-Fast-and-Easy-Paint-on-Bed-Liner&amp;id=2117078&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7629246804180306550-1075397523650374149?l=automotiveonnet.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://automotiveonnet.blogspot.com/feeds/1075397523650374149/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=7629246804180306550&amp;postID=1075397523650374149' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7629246804180306550/posts/default/1075397523650374149'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7629246804180306550/posts/default/1075397523650374149'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://automotiveonnet.blogspot.com/2009/03/5-tips-for-fast-and-easy-paint-on-bed.html' title='5 Tips For a Fast and Easy Paint on Bed Liner'/><author><name>zonkette</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:extendedProperty xmlns:gd='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005' name='OpenSocialUserId' value='08035967680054619552'/></author><thr:total xmlns:thr='http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0'>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7629246804180306550.post-8696926339559596721</id><published>2009-02-27T23:13:00.001-08:00</published><updated>2009-02-27T23:13:55.821-08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Trucks'/><title type='text'>Daimler opens Mexico truck plant despite crisis</title><content type='html'>MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Daimler AG (DAIGn.DE), the world's biggest truckmaker, opened a new truck plant in Mexico on Friday, switching some output from Canada and the United States and positioning itself for a recovery in sales.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Chris Patterson, president and CEO of Daimler Trucks North America, said the plant in the northern city of Saltillo had cost $274 million to set up and would produce up to 30,000 trucks a year for sale in the North American market.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;"Saltillo offers both the manufacturing flexibility and the space for future expansion that will enable Daimler Trucks North America to respond to a rebound in the truck market," Patterson said in a statement.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Daimler, which began building the Saltillo plant in early 2007, warned in October that orders for its commercial trucks were falling in the United States and said it saw no quick recovery.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Daimler Trucks North America said last year that it was cutting capacity by 20 percent by closing a factory in St. Thomas, Ontario, in March and a plant in Portland, Oregon, in June 2010 to improve annual earnings by $900 million by 2011.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;(Reporting by Robert Campbell and Robin Emmott; Editing by Lisa Von Ahn)&lt;br /&gt;http://uk.reuters.com/article/motoringAutoNews/idUKTRE51Q4C720090227&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7629246804180306550-8696926339559596721?l=automotiveonnet.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://automotiveonnet.blogspot.com/feeds/8696926339559596721/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=7629246804180306550&amp;postID=8696926339559596721' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7629246804180306550/posts/default/8696926339559596721'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7629246804180306550/posts/default/8696926339559596721'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://automotiveonnet.blogspot.com/2009/02/daimler-opens-mexico-truck-plant.html' title='Daimler opens Mexico truck plant despite crisis'/><author><name>zonkette</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:extendedProperty xmlns:gd='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005' name='OpenSocialUserId' value='08035967680054619552'/></author><thr:total xmlns:thr='http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0'>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7629246804180306550.post-712024591645674827</id><published>2009-02-02T08:00:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2009-02-02T08:02:20.206-08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Trucks'/><title type='text'>Volvo, Scania to See Profit Drop as Truck Glut Widens</title><content type='html'>Eugene Shakalida aimed in 2007 to triple the fleet of heavy trucks at a logistics company he co- owns near Moscow. Now, he won’t buy a single one this year.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Shakalida, 40, is trying to avoid job cuts as prices for cargo shipments plummet as much as 40 percent. His company, Trasko, spent a decade growing from a handful of workers and trucks to 320 employees and 90 vehicles, he said in a telephone interview.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Trasko’s reversal of fortunes reflects the demise of the heavy-truck industry as demand runs dry for goods from car parts to household appliances in regions including eastern Europe, which was a main engine of the previous boom. European heavy- truck sales may plunge as much as 40 percent this year, hurting Volvo AB, Scania AB and MAN AG, who together account for 54 percent of that market.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;“The current slowdown in industrial activity across the world has few precedents,” said Carl Holmquist, an analyst with Danske Bank in Copenhagen. “Very few companies can do anything to protect short-term margins.”&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;European truckmakers’ earnings will fall 60 percent to 80 percent this year, Credit Suisse analyst Arndt Ellinghorst estimates. Volvo and Scania report fourth-quarter earnings this week, while MAN will release results Feb. 19.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Profit Decline&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Scania, based south of Stockholm, will likely say fourth- quarter net income fell 24 percent to 1.92 billion kronor ($230 million), according to the median estimate of seven analysts surveyed by Bloomberg. That would mark the first quarterly profit decline in three years. Larger Swedish rival Volvo may say profit fell 75 percent to 1.01 billion kronor, the biggest drop in more than eight years, when it reports three days later on Feb. 6.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The companies declined to comment on the earnings ahead of their release. MAN fell as much as 1.78 euros, or 5.2 percent, to 32.34 euros, and was trading 4 percent lower as of 11:35 a.m. in Frankfurt. Volvo was down 1.30 kronor, or 3.9 percent, while Scania was 0.4 percent lower.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;From 2005 to 2007, the growing economies of eastern Europe and Russia fuelled the European heavy-truck boom, with sales in eastern Europe in that three-year period nearly tripling. For years, truckmakers were able to boost prices as demand exceeded supply, with customers waiting a year or more to get new trucks.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;New Factories&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Scania and Volvo announced plans in 2007 to build plants in Russia, while MAN opened a 100 million-euro ($131 million) factory in Poland that year to tap the booming economies. Scania has since said it has made no final decision on the plant, while Volvo opened its factory, which can make 15,000 trucks, two weeks ago. Production will be low initially, Volvo said at the time.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;MAN has postponed plans to add a second shift at the new Polish plant and is reducing the current workforce, Nina Gutzeit, an MAN spokeswoman, said in an e-mail. The truckmaker is also reappraising its plans for additional dealerships, she said.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Today, the former boom region is leading the downward spiral. Eastern European deliveries plummeted 35 percent in the fourth quarter, contributing to a 20 percent plunge across the continent, according to the European Automobile Manufacturers Association. Volvo, the world’s second-largest truckmaker, won just 115 European orders in the third quarter, down from 41,970 a year. In November, Volvo’s truck sales plunged 21 percent.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Eastern Europe and Russia will slide into a recession this year, with the economies shrinking 0.4 percent, as demand for the region’s exports and commodities collapses, the International Monetary Fund forecast last week.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Dividend Cuts?&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The industry slump has also hit investors. Volvo shares are down 61 percent in a year, while Scania has dropped 48 percent in value. MAN, Scania’s second-largest investor, has lost 60 percent in the period. Volvo’s stock performance last year was the worst annual return since at least 1990. That followed years when the stock benefited from higher dividends and bonus payouts.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;“It’s clear that dividends will probably be cut,” Jens Tischendorf, vice president of Cevian Capital AB, Volvo’s third- largest shareholder, said in a telephone interview from his Zurich office. “You can’t cut people, and still pay out the same dividend to investors.”&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Gothenburg-based Volvo has within the last year announced plans to eliminate 15,900 permanent and short-term positions, Anders Vilhelmsson, a Volvo spokesman, said in an e-mail today. Negotiations with unions on the cuts are still ongoing, he said. MAN AG, Europe’s third-largest truckmaker, will idle plants for 70 days in the first half. Scania said in January it won’t renew the contracts of 2,000 temporary workers.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;‘Reducing Inventory’&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;“Reducing inventory is a top priority” currently for Scania, as is preserving cash flow, Scania spokesman Erik Ljungberg said Jan. 29 in an e-mailed response to questions.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;European heavy-truck sales in 2009 will plummet 25 percent to 40 percent as credit remains tight and transporters stop purchases, according to estimates from six analysts and investors surveyed by Bloomberg News, including Credit Suisse, Danske Bank and Citigroup. The euro-area economy will shrink 2 percent in 2009, the IMF forecasts.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Volvo and Daimler AG, the world’s largest truckmaker, can’t look to the North American market to offset losses in Europe. Daimler is eliminating jobs at its Freightliner subsidiary, and Volvo’s Mack unit delivered 17 percent fewer trucks in November. Scania and MAN are not present in North America.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;“Truck buyers remain cautious due to a worsening U.S. economy and the spread of the credit and liquidity crisis around the globe,” Volvo said on Dec. 16.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Shakalida, the Russian co-owner of the logistics company, longs for the days when he had trouble getting his hands on new trucks because business was booming and truck makers were producing at full capacity.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;“Everything was OK until November, when the situation changed because of the crisis,” Shakalida said. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&amp;sid=a5HVuiM0Br_g&amp;refer=home&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7629246804180306550-712024591645674827?l=automotiveonnet.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://automotiveonnet.blogspot.com/feeds/712024591645674827/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=7629246804180306550&amp;postID=712024591645674827' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7629246804180306550/posts/default/712024591645674827'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7629246804180306550/posts/default/712024591645674827'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://automotiveonnet.blogspot.com/2009/02/volvo-scania-to-see-profit-drop-as.html' title='Volvo, Scania to See Profit Drop as Truck Glut Widens'/><author><name>zonkette</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:extendedProperty xmlns:gd='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005' name='OpenSocialUserId' value='08035967680054619552'/></author><thr:total xmlns:thr='http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0'>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7629246804180306550.post-3422478843935606483</id><published>2009-01-24T19:18:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2009-01-24T19:19:15.236-08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Automotive'/><title type='text'>Freedom Automotive will buy Philips Volvo in Virginia Beach</title><content type='html'>Freedom Automotive, owner of Ford and Lincoln Mercury dealerships in Hampton Roads, has agreed to purchase Phillips Volvo in Virginia Beach.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Freedom will take over the Volvo dealership from Phillips Automotive Inc. on Feb. 1, said Scott Rigell, president of Freedom Automotive, which owns Freedom Ford in Norfolk and Freedom Lincoln Mercury in Chesapeake. He declined to disclose terms of the deal.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Phillips was looking to sell the Volvo brand to concentrate on its Mercedes-Benz and Land Rover franchises, Rigell said. He said he has known the Phillips family for 22 years and once worked at one of their dealerships.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;"It's a great store, a profitable store," Rigell said of Phillips Volvo. He declined to provide sales figures.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Officials from Phillips did not return phone calls or e-mails Friday evening.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The local sale comes as Ford Motor Co. indicates it will begin to seek buyers for its Volvo brand and that it expects bids from Chinese auto manufacturers, according to a Bloomberg News report Friday, which cited unnamed sources familiar with Ford's plan. Ford is looking into selling Volvo as part of a "strategic evaluation" of the division, Ford spokesman Mark Truby told Bloomberg.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Rigell said he is unconcerned about Volvo changing hands. The name carries strong value and potential for growth that won't change with different ownership, he said.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;"We're excited about the brand and where it's going," he said.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Freedom intends to keep the Volvo showroom at its current location at 4980 Virginia Beach Blvd., between Witchduck Road and Independence Boulevard. Freedom also will retain the staff of about 35 employees, Rigell said. It plans to spruce up the customer lounge and make other improvements.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;"We're certainly going to do a major freshening, we call it, of the facility," Rigell said.&lt;br /&gt;http://hamptonroads.com/2009/01/freedom-automotive-will-buy-philips-volvo-virginia-beach&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7629246804180306550-3422478843935606483?l=automotiveonnet.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://automotiveonnet.blogspot.com/feeds/3422478843935606483/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=7629246804180306550&amp;postID=3422478843935606483' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7629246804180306550/posts/default/3422478843935606483'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7629246804180306550/posts/default/3422478843935606483'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://automotiveonnet.blogspot.com/2009/01/freedom-automotive-will-buy-philips.html' title='Freedom Automotive will buy Philips Volvo in Virginia Beach'/><author><name>zonkette</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:extendedProperty xmlns:gd='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005' name='OpenSocialUserId' value='08035967680054619552'/></author><thr:total xmlns:thr='http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0'>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7629246804180306550.post-2498903996928717166</id><published>2009-01-18T06:11:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2009-01-18T06:12:24.990-08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Automotive'/><title type='text'>Is It Time to Reconsider Your Automotive Insurance Policy?</title><content type='html'>Americans are a busy group of people, and once we take care of something, such as purchasing automotive insurance, we tend to forget about it and move on to the next task. However, purchasing an automotive insurance policy only to neglect it could end up costing you more money in the long run, or even leaving you unprotected. There are times in our lives when we need to stop and evaluate our current automotive insurance policies.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Reconsider your automotive insurance policy when you get married. When two people get married, they can get an automotive insurance policy together, thus spending less money and possibly even getting additional discounts.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Reconsider your automotive insurance policy if you purchase a new car. If you’ve borrowed money from a lender to purchase your new car, chances are your lender will require you to purchase full coverage insurance. Even if your lender doesn’t, your state most likely will. If your automotive insurance policy only covers liability because you own one of your cars, or the car you traded in, you need to increase the coverage of your automotive insurance policy.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Reconsider your automotive insurance policy if you relocate. If you currently live in a quaint little country town that sees very little wrongdoing aside from the occasional cow-tipping, you probably don’t have a very high amount of automotive insurance. However, if you’re moving to a larger city with a higher crime rate, your car will be more at risk and you should make sure you add the extra coverage.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Reconsider your automotive insurance policy if you’re getting on in years. Most insurance companies offer discounts to policyholders who are a certain age – usually 55 years old. If this is you, give your agent a call and find out about discounts you may qualify for.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Remember, certain tasks are worth completing and forgetting. Taking out the trash is one of them; purchasing automotive insurance is not.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Home Owners Insurance Quote California&lt;br /&gt;Car Insurance Quotes Colorado&lt;br /&gt;Health Insurance Quote Virginia&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Elizabeth_Newberry&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7629246804180306550-2498903996928717166?l=automotiveonnet.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://automotiveonnet.blogspot.com/feeds/2498903996928717166/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=7629246804180306550&amp;postID=2498903996928717166' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7629246804180306550/posts/default/2498903996928717166'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7629246804180306550/posts/default/2498903996928717166'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://automotiveonnet.blogspot.com/2009/01/is-it-time-to-reconsider-your.html' title='Is It Time to Reconsider Your Automotive Insurance Policy?'/><author><name>zonkette</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:extendedProperty xmlns:gd='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005' name='OpenSocialUserId' value='08035967680054619552'/></author><thr:total xmlns:thr='http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0'>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7629246804180306550.post-6545752089862262549</id><published>2009-01-13T02:23:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2009-01-13T02:25:29.313-08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Trucks'/><title type='text'>Boston Fire pulls 2nd truck with brake problems</title><content type='html'>BOSTON (AP) — The first Boston Fire ladder truck to undergo mandatory inspections in the wake of a crash that killed a firefighter last week had a problem with its brakes and was taken out of service Monday.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Mechanics discovered a linkage problem in Ladder 14's brakes, and the problem should be repaired by Tuesday night, said Fire Department spokesman Steve MacDonald. The problem was with the system that ensures brakes on all four wheels are activated at the same time, not with the brakes themselves, he said.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;MacDonald said the only other truck examined on Monday passed inspection.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;"We'll start again tomorrow morning. This is probably going to take a couple of weeks to go through the entire fleet," he said. Officials were trying to find a second shop to assist in the inspections to speed up the process of checking out the fire department's fleet of 22 ladder trucks, 33 engines and two rescue units, MacDonald said.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Fire Commissioner Roderick Fraser ordered a brake system inspection on the city's fire trucks after a ladder truck careened down a steep hill Friday and crashed into an apartment building. Lt. Kevin Kelley, who was in the passenger seat, died instantly and three other firefighters were injured.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Investigators believe brake failure may have caused the crash.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The truck pulled out of service Monday is the same type and make as the truck involved in Friday's crash, MacDonald said.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The Boston Firefighters Union has blamed the crash on department failure to replace aging trucks. The truck that crashed was a 1995 model. The truck that failed the inspection Monday is a 1993 model.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;A ladder truck also crashed into a parked car outside fire department headquarters Sunday morning. No one was injured in that accident or in a Jan. 1 incident, when the driver of another ladder truck lost control and crashed into a fence.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Edward Kelly, president of Local 718, said he did not know what caused the crashes but is concerned about their frequency.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The union has asked Gov. Deval Patrick to order a state inspection. Patrick said Monday he is prepared to work with city leaders to make sure the firefighters have the resources they need.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;"We are here to help in any way that we can," he said. "Obviously we share an interest as everyone does in the safety of the firefighters and the adequacy of the equipment." &lt;br /&gt;http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hYfTaUSjI7AH6Xp1Aew1GIbMQRRQD95M10T00&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7629246804180306550-6545752089862262549?l=automotiveonnet.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://automotiveonnet.blogspot.com/feeds/6545752089862262549/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=7629246804180306550&amp;postID=6545752089862262549' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7629246804180306550/posts/default/6545752089862262549'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7629246804180306550/posts/default/6545752089862262549'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://automotiveonnet.blogspot.com/2009/01/boston-fire-pulls-2nd-truck-with-brake.html' title='Boston Fire pulls 2nd truck with brake problems'/><author><name>zonkette</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:extendedProperty xmlns:gd='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005' name='OpenSocialUserId' value='08035967680054619552'/></author><thr:total xmlns:thr='http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0'>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7629246804180306550.post-779601207595937605</id><published>2008-12-21T05:52:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2008-12-21T05:53:56.607-08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Mobile Audio Video'/><title type='text'>The top mobile phones of 2008</title><content type='html'>It’s been another fast and furious year in the mobile phone scene. But while music players and cameras have always been mainstays in the feature set of our favorite gadgets, a new capability seems to have taken over this year: the touch-screen interface.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;We’ve had stylus-based touch interfaces for several years now, but Apple’s groundbreaking finger-touch interface in the oh-so-cool iPhone has paved the way for an onslaught of touch interfaces from just about every mobile phone manufacturer. Nokia even puts a musical spin to it by offering a guitar pick-like stylus for, appropriately enough, its new 5800 XpressMusic phone.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Without further ado, here are some of the dream phones of 2008 in alphabetical order:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Apple iPhone 3G&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The iPhone 3G combines all the revolutionary features of the iconic first-gen iPhone with 3G networking, built-in GPS for expanded location-based mobile services, and iPhone 2.0 software, which includes support for Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync and runs hundreds of third-party applications.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;iPhone 3G gives users faster access to the Internet and e-mail over their cellular network with quad-band GSM and tri-band HSDPA for voice and data connectivity around the world. iPhone 3G supports Wi-Fi, 3G and EDGE networks and automatically switches between them to ensure the fastest possible download speeds.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The iPhone 3G includes the new App Store, providing iPhone users with native apps for games, business, news, sports, health, reference and travel. The App Store on iPhone works over cellular networks and Wi-Fi.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Additional features available include the ability to do real-time mapping via GPS, mass moving and deleting of multiple e-mail messages, contacts search, access a new scientific calculator, turning on parental control restrictions for specified content, and saving images directly from a webpage or e-mailing them to your iPhone and easily transferring them back to your photo library on your Mac or PC.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;iPhone 3G takes advantage of MobileMe, a new Internet service that pushes e-mail, contacts, and calendars from an online “cloud” to native applications on iPhone, iPod touch, Macs and PCs. You can even snap a photo and post it directly to a MobileMe Gallery to share with friends and family.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;BlackBerry Bold&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;BlackBerry made a Bold move with this new smartphone, which features a lustrous black exterior, satin chrome-finished frame and stylish, faux leather back with a stunning half-VGA (480 x 320 at 217 ppi) color display for eye-popping visuals and a new QWERTY keyboard for fast and easy typing.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The BlackBerry Bold features built-in GPS and Wi-Fi, a powerful new 624MHz mobile processor that provides impressive performance and more storage memory (1GB on board and up to 16GB via a microSD/SDHC expansion slot), an advanced media player for music, videos and photos, and a two-megapixel camera with built-in flash, zoom and video recording, as well as an optimized Web-browsing experience with desktop-style depiction.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;It works with BlackBerry Enterprise Server, which enables advanced security and IT administration within IBM Lotus Domino, Microsoft Exchange and Novel GroupWise environments, as well as BlackBerry Professional Software for small businesses.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;It also works with BlackBerry Internet Service, which gives users push-based access to as many as 10 supported work or personal e-mail accounts. Users can also download and edit Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint files using the preloaded DataViz Documents to Go software suite.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The BlackBerry Bold includes Bluetooth 2.0, a Desktop Manager software with Roxio Media Manager, and a Media Sync application that lets users sync their iTunes digital musical collections with the handset.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The BlackBerry Bold also boasts a new acoustic design for enhanced phone listening quality and clarity plus Speaker Independent Voice Recognition for Voice Activated Dialing.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;This Bold move may just be the quiet before the Storm, but BlackBerry’s much-awaited touch-screen Storm might hit land next year yet, which is why it’s not including in this list.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;HTC Touch HD, Touch 3G, Touch Viva&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Recently, HTC expanded its market portfolio in the Philippines with the simultaneous launch of three new mobile phones — all powered by the Windows Mobile 6.1 OS.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Continuing HTC’s touch-phone tradition, the three handsets feature TouchFLO, HTC’s 3D interface designed to respond to finger gestures and help you navigate seamlessly through contact, media, and webpages with speed and precision.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Combining high-performance capabilities with a sleek, stylish design, the Touch HD’s large 3.8-inch WVGA touch-screen offers users stunning clarity and vibrant colors. This provides an unrivalled experience when watching movies, browsing the Internet, or viewing photos taken using its five-megapixel autofocus camera.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The high-resolution widescreen display, combined with HSDPA download speeds up to 18 times faster than standard 3G, enables the HTC Touch HD to render websites quickly and in full-page width.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Browsing favorite sites, streaming videos, and catching up on daily podcasts, and the latest news (via the integrated RSS reader) becomes more intuitive.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;A standard 3.5-mm headphone jack has also been integrated to allow consumers to use their headphones of choice for the best possible sound quality.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Available in a range of hot, stylish colors, the Touch 3G offers a touch-phone experience with powerful Internet capabilities and a 2.8-inch high-resolution screen.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The Touch 3G includes a 3.2-megapixel camera for quality stills and video, multimedia player, and built-in microphone and speakers. It boasts Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and GPS capabilities.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The Touch Viva blends an affordable touch-phone with outstanding features. The compact design houses an ultra-sensitive touch-screen for navigation through contacts, media, and webpages with HTC’s TouchFLO interface.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Browse your favorite sites and flip through your photos, videos, and album artwork on the Touch Viva’s sharp 2.8-inch QVGA-resolution screen. Take photos using the two-megapixel camera or listen to your playlist using the built-in speakers. Make the most of Google Maps and built-in RSS feeder.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;LG Secret KF750 and Cookie KP500&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;LG’s KF750 Secret is the third phone from LG’s Black Label Series, after the Chocolate and Shine models that sold more than 25 million units worldwide.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;LG is not making a secret out of the KF750’s strong and lightweight carbon fiber casing and durable tempered glass screen. Like the superb LG Viewty, the Secret is equipped with an advanced five-megapixel camera built into the camera handset. The LG Secret boasts DivX playback and 120 frames-per-second QVGA video recording.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Entertainment features include Touch Media that takes advantage of the 2.4-inch touch-screen to directly access five multimedia functions (music, photos, games, documents, and FM radio) in a single button.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Auto Luminance Control automatically adjusts screen brightness according to ambient brightness. The Secret’s Auto Rotating display technology offers easy screen size adjustment and horizontal or vertical rotation of the screen depending on hand movement.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The Secret also has a built-in accelerometer, HSDPA 3.6Mbps, Bluetooth, 100MB built-in memory with the microSD memory card slot, and FM radio with RDS.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The affordably priced new LG KP500 Cookie, meanwhile, features the latest touch technology and features found in existing high-end full touch-screen phones currently available in the market.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Slim, stylish, and lightweight, the LG KP500 is a quad-band GSM phone that can be operated in 39 languages. But no matter what language one speaks, the vivid and intuitive user interface of the LG KP500 is simple for anyone to understand with vivid icons on the wide three-inch screen. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The LG KP500 has the latest user interface that allows the user to attach a friend’s photo for the speed dial feature and then page through the portraits and touch the friend to be called.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The LG KP500 has an embedded stylus pen concealed in the base that can be easily removed for the advanced handwriting recognition program that allows the user to write memos and text messages, and also edit photo images by touching the screen with the pen tip.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The QWERTY onscreen keyboard slides into view when the LG KP500 is held horizontally, and the auto-rotating display always shifts images or documents for proper viewing no matter which way the handset is turned.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Also packed into the LG KP500 are a three-megapixel camera, MP3 player, FM radio, calendar, clock and motion-sensor games that are played by turning, flipping, and shifting the handset for a more active and fun gaming experience.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Motorola ROKR E8&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Motorola designed the ROKR E8 to deliver an uncompromised consumer experience for music or talk. Using the breakthrough ModeShift technology from Motorola, the quad-band GPRS/EDGE phone presents users with only the controls they need, at the time they need them, instantly transforming from music player to phone with the touch of a button.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;When powered off, the surface of the ROKR E8 is smooth, with no visible keys. Turn on the device and it presents a virtual numbered keypad on the front surface. With one “press” of the virtual music key, the phone keypad disappears and control keys for the music player — play, pause, fast forward and rewind — appear in its place.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Yet, the ROKR E8 is more than just a “touch”-operated device. Using innovative vibrating haptics technology, the device provides the tactile feedback consumers expect from a traditional keypad, providing confirmation they have pressed a virtual key.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The ROKR E8 also marks the debut of the new FastScroll navigation wheel from Motorola, a variable-speed touch control that lets consumers easily scroll through all of the content stored on the device.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;With a slide of the thumb, the wheel quickly scrolls through your music (music mode), contacts (phone mode), calendar (phone mode), or multimedia (imaging mode) content. Information is easily viewed on the landscape two-inch QVGA display.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In music mode, the ROKR E8 delivers great sound through a 3D stereo feature that enhances two-channel audio and an on-board equalizer. Music can be enjoyed on the built-in speaker, with a compatible Bluetooth-enabled stereo headset, or through a wired headset plugged into the 3.5-mm jack. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The ROKR E8 also helps consumers discover new music with a built-in FM radio and support for Song ID. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The 2GB internal memory can store up to 1,500 songs, and the external memory is expandable up to 4GB with an optional microSD card. Music transfers quickly with USB 2.0. The device is compatible with Windows Media Player 11 on the PC, which also provides access to more than 200 online music stores. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In phone mode, the ROKR E8 provides outstanding voice quality using the Motorola CrystalTalk technology. The handset can receive calls while downloading or playing music, text messaging, surfing the Web or taking pictures. A high-gloss front, aluminum soft-touch back, spun-metal side keys and engraved banding offer the high style expected from Motorola. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Nokia E71, N96 and 5800 XpressMusic&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The sleek Nokia E71 with full QWERTY keyboard easily mobilizes a broad range of personal or professional messaging needs, including Microsoft Exchange, the world’s most widely adopted corporate e-mail solution.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;With this device, people can get reliable real-time access to their e-mail, calendar, contacts and tasks, as well as download attachments like Word, Excel, PowerPoint or PDF files directly to the E71.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The E71 supports e-mail accounts from more than a thousand Internet service providers around the world, as well as Gmail, Yahoo! mail and Hotmail. It also supports Nokia’s Intellisync Wireless Email as well as third-party e-mail solutions and lets people switch between personal and work home screens.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The E71’s stainless steel case and etched graphics complement the bright color display, which showcases the device’s brilliantly simple user interface. Designed for both one-handed and two-handed use, the Nokia E71 pays special attention to ergonomics, as evidenced by its narrow shape and specially designed keypad.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The E71 supports the latest Ovi services, including maps, music, and media sharing and boasts fast browsing with HSDPA, WLAN and 3G connectivity, Assisted GPS (A-GPS) and Nokia Maps for navigation, a music player with support for up to 8GB expandable memory and a 3.2-megapixel autofocus camera.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The dual-slide Nokia N96, on the other hand, is a multimedia computer truly optimized for video and TV, thanks to its large 2.8-inch screen, 16GB of internal memory (expandable by another 8GB via microSDHC card) and support for high-quality videos in a wide range of formats.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The N96 supports video formats, including MPEG-4, Windows Media Video and Flash Video, making favorite videos easy to view. Transferring and accessing videos is even faster with the high-speed USB 2.0 connection and WLAN and HSDPA support.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Its integrated DVB-H receiver offers live broadcast TV with an automatically updating program guide. The N96 also features a “kickstand” on the back cover that allows for hands-free viewing. It features media keys, a 3.5-mm headphone connector and built-in 3D stereo speakers.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The Nokia Maps application offers richer maps with urban details and satellite views and has upgrade options such as City Guides, turn-by-turn pedestrian mode and voice-guided car navigation.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The N96 boasts a 5-megapixel camera with Carl Zeiss optics, flash and video light. It allows DVD-like quality video capture at 30 frames per second.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The Nokia 5800 XpressMusic is among the first devices to support Comes With Music, Nokia’s groundbreaking service that offers one year of unlimited access to the entire Nokia Music Store catalog.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The music phone, which supports all mainstream digital music formats, comes bundled with an 8GB microSD card, standard 3.5-mm jack for headphones, and built-in surround stereo speakers. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;With its touch-screen technology, the 5800 XpressMusic introduces the Media Bar, a drop-down menu that provides direct access to music and entertainment, including favorite tracks, videos, and photos.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;A new Contacts Bar lets consumers highlight four favorite contacts on their home-screen and, through a single touch, track a digital history of recent text messages, e-mail, phone logs, photos and blog updates. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The handset has a 3.2-inch widescreen display, 3.2-megapixel camera with Carl Zeiss lens, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Nokia Maps, and a software QWERTY thumbboard. A pen and a guitar pick-like stylus can also be used along with handwriting recognition.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Samsung innov8, Omnia and Pixon&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;There are smartphones and then there are superphones. Smartphones — devices that provide a more substantial, general purpose computing platform — have defined the strata of mobile phone offerings for the past several years.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Superphones, on the other hand, are a new category of handheld devices with vastly better performance, desktop-grade Web browsing, and high-resolution displays. Samsung launched not one, but three superphones in the Philippines in the second half of 2008.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The Samsung Omnia (SGH-i900) is a Windows Mobile phone that features a gorgeous touch screen, a 5-megapixel camera, and a boatload of other multimedia features.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Its TouchWiz interface makes Windows Mobile easier to use, thanks to drag-and-drop widgets on the Today screen that provides an extra level of customization.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;If you want a camera phone that will blow almost every other handset out of the water, then Samsung has it, too. Its eight-megapixel innov8 (SGH-i8510) is powered by Symbian’s S60 operating system and is loaded with productivity and multimedia features that will satisfy both consumers and mobile professionals. And it’s no slouch when it comes to performance either.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Now if you’ve fallen in love with the Omnia’s touch-screen interface but want the innov8’s stunning 8-megapixel cam, then Samsung would happily set you up with its new Pixon.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Combining the powers of a true digital camera with the ease of use of a full touch-screen display, the Samsung Pixon enables users to take photos in a snap. Its Intelligent Imaging features, such as fast advanced shake reduction, face recognition, and auto contrast balance, can help even the most novice shutterbugs take clear, sharp images with stunning colors.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The Pixon’s Photo Browser function categorizes snapshots by time, color tone, and composition, making photo browsing easier and faster. Users simply have to tilt the phone to control their picture browsing experience. It also has Automatic Panorama Shot, Smile Shot and Blink Shot features.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The Pixon also keeps photos organized and in sync with your phonebook contacts through the Face Tagging service, and even sorts your pictures any way you want — through face recognition, location, time, and file name.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;This superphone lets users share their memorable moments with the rest of the world with its photo sharing and video uploading features. Mobile blogging can be done in an instant in 30 of the most popular user-generated websites: Flickr, Facebook, Blogger, Wordpress, Twitter, and so much more.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The Samsung Pixon also boasts tremendous potential as a music player. Thanks to its music recognition feature, users simply record a 10-second sample of that great new song, and Pixon will access its extensive database to help you identify the song, the artist, and even the album!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The Pixon can play videos in MPEG4, WMV, DivX, XviD formats, as well as record 30fps clips in 720 x 480 and 120fps in QVGA resolution. Music playing from the built-in music player and FM radio is enhanced by Samsung’s Digital Natural Sound engine.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Other features include Bluetooth, TV-out connection, microSD card slot, and a unique Samsung Mobile Widget technology that enables users to personalize their phones.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The Samsung Pixon matches its highly functional and advanced camera phone technology with a stylish yet user-friendly design. It sports a large 3.2-inch touch-screen with 16M-color TFT display. Users can do whatever they want by simply pressing any of the desktop-like widgets on the screen.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Sony Ericsson W902, C905 and Xperia X1&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Downsize your bag, free your pockets and leave your music player and camera at home — use Sony Ericsson’s W902 Walkman phone to play your favorite tunes, snap those precious moments or watch crystal clear video on the bright, scratch-resistant 2.2-inch QVGA display.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The W902 delivers music as it was meant to be heard through Sony Ericsson’s revolutionary clear audio experience. With crystal-clear sound quality and a dramatically richer bass, together with Sony Ericsson premium headphones included in-box, your favorite tracks will sound better than ever.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Notable features include Retro music navigation keys (skip forward, back, play and pause with the push of a button), 5-MP camera, and an 8GB Memory Stick Micro (M2) memory card that packs in more than 8,000 songs.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The C905, meanwhile, is Sony Ericsson’s first Cyber-shot slider and its most advanced camera phone yet. With a whopping 8.1-megapixel digital camera, a powerful xenon flash, image stabilization, face detection, and smart contrast among its cutting-edge photographic capabilities, it offers easy photo-taking in a phone that looks like a digital camera and offers the picture quality to match.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Lest you forget it’s a phone, the 3G-ready C905 also features Wi-Fi, GPS, a built-in accelerometer, stereo Bluetooth, media player, FM radio with RDS, a scratch-resistant 2.4-inch QVGA TFT display, and a built-in 160MB memory expandable via Memory Stick Micro.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Last but not least, the radical Xperia X1 combines a three-inch clear wide VGA touch-screen display and a full QWERTY keyboard within a quality metal-finish body and runs on Windows Mobile 6.1.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Xperia X1 lets you interact with your phone in different ways (touch, full QWERTY keyboard, four-way key and optical joystick navigation) and switch seamlessly between operation modes.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The arc design gives a distinct and unique feel. Slide the screen upwards to reveal the wide pitch QWERTY keyboard. The X1 boasts high data transfer rate (HSDPA/HSUPA), Wi-Fi support, and aGPS capability.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;It has a 3.2-megapixel camera which records video at 30 frames per second in VGA (640 x 480) quality. There is also a secondary front-facing camera for videoconferencing, an FM radio, music player, and Sony Ericsson’s TrackID music recognition.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Connectivity options for the quadband phone include mini-USB, wireless LAN802.11b/g, and Bluetooth 2.1 with A2DP.&lt;br /&gt;http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?ArticleId=425311&amp;publicationSubCategoryId=73&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7629246804180306550-779601207595937605?l=automotiveonnet.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://automotiveonnet.blogspot.com/feeds/779601207595937605/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=7629246804180306550&amp;postID=779601207595937605' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7629246804180306550/posts/default/779601207595937605'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7629246804180306550/posts/default/779601207595937605'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://automotiveonnet.blogspot.com/2008/12/top-mobile-phones-of-2008.html' title='The top mobile phones of 2008'/><author><name>zonkette</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:extendedProperty xmlns:gd='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005' name='OpenSocialUserId' value='08035967680054619552'/></author><thr:total xmlns:thr='http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0'>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7629246804180306550.post-1290096217130321332</id><published>2008-11-29T01:31:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2008-11-29T01:32:18.404-08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Trucks'/><title type='text'>Big Trucks</title><content type='html'>&lt;object width="425" height="344"&gt;&lt;param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ZgUns-vIIag&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1"&gt;&lt;/param&gt;&lt;param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"&gt;&lt;/param&gt;&lt;param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"&gt;&lt;/param&gt;&lt;embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ZgUns-vIIag&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"&gt;&lt;/embed&gt;&lt;/object&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7629246804180306550-1290096217130321332?l=automotiveonnet.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://automotiveonnet.blogspot.com/feeds/1290096217130321332/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=7629246804180306550&amp;postID=1290096217130321332' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7629246804180306550/posts/default/1290096217130321332'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7629246804180306550/posts/default/1290096217130321332'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://automotiveonnet.blogspot.com/2008/11/big-trucks.html' title='Big Trucks'/><author><name>zonkette</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:extendedProperty xmlns:gd='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005' name='OpenSocialUserId' value='08035967680054619552'/></author><thr:total xmlns:thr='http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0'>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7629246804180306550.post-865458613588150139</id><published>2008-11-14T02:56:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2008-11-14T02:58:25.593-08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Trucks'/><title type='text'>Chevy Truck Gas Mileage - Getting More Miles Per Gallon</title><content type='html'>Americans have fuel and the prices of fuel on their minds lately. Most Americans are afraid of what the pumps are going to be priced at when they wake up in the morning. Are they going to be able to afford to go to work, especially if there is a long commute? Many people are required to have a truck for their vehicles for the purpose of their jobs. If you fall into this category you are in luck. Chevy truck gas mileage is working on improvements.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The best way to improve your Chevy truck gas mileage is to keep your truck up to date on its maintenance. Every truck comes equipped with an owner's manual. In this manual you will discover the proper way to care for your truck and the engine. There should be a schedule as to when you need to change the oil, change other engine fluids, and other maintenance checking. It is easy to do these tasks on your own, but if you are too busy to take the time out of your schedule to do these simple things you can always bring your truck to an auto body shop. Keeping your vehicle up-to-date not only improves the gas mileage, but it will keep your engine running smoothly which will prolong the life of the vehicle.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Accessories can be purchased to help increase the gas mileage of your truck. Bigger tires, louder exhaust, extra lights, and things that block the wind or use energy will not improve your gas mileage. The types of accessories that will help include tonneau covers, toppers, airflow tailgates, bug deflectors, and visors are all products that help deflect the wind and make it flow smoothly over the truck. When you purchased your truck it probably came with an open bed and a solid tailgate. This is perfect for catching the wind and creating your truck to drag. A tonneau cover will allow the wind to pass over the bed without causing any friction. A topper needs to be either level with the truck cab or it needs to have a slope at the front of it to allow the wind to pass over freely. Using an airflow tailgate is just that. The air can flow through it without creating any drag. The engine then doesn't have to work as hard to keep the speed you desire. Since the engine isn't working as hard you are able to in return experience better gas mileage.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;If you have to pull a trailer behind your truck you will notice that your gas mileage decreases. Usually a trailer is taller than the truck, and this blocks the wind, obviously. There are spoilers that you can install on the cab of your truck to help the wind go over the trailer and therefore it won't put as much of a pull on the truck's engine.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;If you are actually in the market for purchasing a new truck and you want good Chevy truck gas mileage you need to take a few things into consideration. The transmission will make a difference in the gas mileage. Also having 2WD or 4WD will make a difference. Whatever is more powerful usually requires more fuel to run. Shop wisely and you'll be sure to be satisfied with your Chevy truck.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Read more about the Best Gas Mileage Trucks and ways of improving the gas mileage performance of your truck at =&gt; http://www.increasetruckgasmileage.com&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Article Source: &lt;a href="http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dean_Forster"&gt;http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dean_Forster&lt;/a&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7629246804180306550-865458613588150139?l=automotiveonnet.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://automotiveonnet.blogspot.com/feeds/865458613588150139/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=7629246804180306550&amp;postID=865458613588150139' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7629246804180306550/posts/default/865458613588150139'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7629246804180306550/posts/default/865458613588150139'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://automotiveonnet.blogspot.com/2008/11/chevy-truck-gas-mileage-getting-more.html' title='Chevy Truck Gas Mileage - Getting More Miles Per Gallon'/><author><name>zonkette</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:extendedProperty xmlns:gd='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005' name='OpenSocialUserId' value='08035967680054619552'/></author><thr:total xmlns:thr='http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0'>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7629246804180306550.post-7550736762342832762</id><published>2008-09-18T04:39:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2008-09-18T04:40:55.838-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Overloaded trucks banned on roads</title><content type='html'>TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan -- Authorities in Cagayan Valley region have formed a task force that will go after overloaded trucks in an effort to make paved roads last longer.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Eugenio Pipo Jr., Region II director of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), said the crackdown was in compliance with a directive of Public Works and Highways Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. for the strict enforcement of Republic Act No. 8794 or the Anti-Overloading Law.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The newly formed anti-overloading task force, which will operate even on weekends and holidays, is composed of personnel of the DPWH, Land Transportation Office and the Philippine National Police.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;"The rapid deterioration of our national roads is costing the government billions of pesos annually, and that’s why there is a need for the concerned agencies to apprehend vehicles violating the law on load limit," Ebdane said.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Pipo said that DPWH and its partner agencies are now apprehending overloaded trucks on Maharlika Highway in Cagayan, Isabela. and Nueva Vizcaya.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The Region 2 DPWH office signed recently a memorandum of agreement with the Land Transportation Office (LTO), Philippine National Police (PNP), and concerned local government units on the strict enforcement of the law prohibiting overloaded trucks from passing through major roads.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;"Because our region is one of the food baskets of the country, most of the truckers are maximizing the loads of their trucks to save on transport cost, but this is causing the fast deterioration of roads," Pipo said. "Their cargoes should not exceed the per-axle load limit."&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;As one of the country’s major source of food supplies such as vegetables, rice, and corn, the upkeep of the highway traversing Cagayan Valley is important in the efforts to stabilize prices of goods coming from the region, he said.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In Nueva Vizcaya, police director Senior Supt. Pedro Danguilan said, the Highway Patrol Group is in close coordination with municipal police units and the highways and transportation offices in the enforcement of the law on load limit.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;"We are active in the implementation of this directive, but we are asking the help of the citizens, particularly businessmen, who will be affected by unstable prices of their produce due to damaged roads," Danguilan said.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;He said that communications lines of the police provincial office are always open to those who are willing to share information on the matter.&lt;br /&gt;http://www.mb.com.ph/PROV20080918135533.html&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7629246804180306550-7550736762342832762?l=automotiveonnet.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://automotiveonnet.blogspot.com/feeds/7550736762342832762/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=7629246804180306550&amp;postID=7550736762342832762' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7629246804180306550/posts/default/7550736762342832762'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7629246804180306550/posts/default/7550736762342832762'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://automotiveonnet.blogspot.com/2008/09/overloaded-trucks-banned-on-roads.html' title='Overloaded trucks banned on roads'/><author><name>zonkette</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:extendedProperty xmlns:gd='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005' name='OpenSocialUserId' value='08035967680054619552'/></author><thr:total xmlns:thr='http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0'>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7629246804180306550.post-6261567533455666669</id><published>2008-08-31T01:21:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2008-08-31T01:25:56.348-07:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Trucks'/><title type='text'>All about trucks</title><content type='html'>I just returned from the MidAmerica Trucking Show (MATS) and, after 20 years of attending, I still get excited looking at all the new trucks. There have been a lot of innovations in engines, components and truck styling in the last two decades, some of which have not been without their challenges and controversy, but the shiny chrome and high-gloss paint finishes of all the different trucks still draw big crowds and enthusiastic comments from those who come to see them.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a href="http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa5356/is_200804/ai_n25500210?tag=content;col1"&gt;Read More&lt;/a&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7629246804180306550-6261567533455666669?l=automotiveonnet.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://automotiveonnet.blogspot.com/feeds/6261567533455666669/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=7629246804180306550&amp;postID=6261567533455666669' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7629246804180306550/posts/default/6261567533455666669'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7629246804180306550/posts/default/6261567533455666669'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://automotiveonnet.blogspot.com/2008/08/all-about-trucks.html' title='All about trucks'/><author><name>zonkette</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:extendedProperty xmlns:gd='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005' name='OpenSocialUserId' value='08035967680054619552'/></author><thr:total xmlns:thr='http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0'>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7629246804180306550.post-1319213659689513467</id><published>2008-08-10T06:52:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2008-08-10T06:52:40.690-07:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Motorcycles'/><title type='text'>One in Four Traffic Deaths Involve A Motorcycle</title><content type='html'>One if four fatal traffic accidents involves a motorcycle, that according to figures released by the Ministerio de Obras Públicas y Transportes (MOPT) which has recorded that of the 204 traffi accident deaths this year, 62 were motocyclists.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Each month this year an average of 8.8 motorcyclists lost their lives while riding on the roads.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The number is alarming mainly due to the fact that the monthly average last year was 6.1, as a total of 74 deaths were recorded for the entire year.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The director de la Policía de Tránsito, Germán Marín, theorizes that the higher mortality rate is due to inexperienced motorcyclists, many who trading in their four wheels for two in the face of high gasoline prices.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Figures of the Instituto Nacional de Seguros (INS) - state insurer - shows that in 2007 there were 800.000 vehicles registered, of which 100.000 were motorcycles or 1 in 7 vehicles on the road.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;That number is higher today as gasolines prices continue to soar and many opt for a cheaper form of transportation. In addition, the vehicular restrictions of San José have caused a tendency of more two wheeled vehicles - motorcycles and scooters - on the roads as those vehicles are not included in the restriction.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;During the first four months of this year 16.000 motorcycles were imported or 40% more than the whole of 2007. Importers are responding to the increase in the demand.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Director Marín blames the lack of driver education for the increase in accidents and deaths involving motorcycles.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;"People with bad driving habits or bad pedestrians take those habits to their motorcycles, a vehicle which is much more susceptible", said Marín.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The Tránsito director added that many take to the streets without the knowledge of the dangers and the proper handling of a motorcycle.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The director said that since the beginning of 2007 to date his officials have issued 10.000 fines to motorcyclists operating their two wheeled vehicle without a license, each getting a ¢20.000 colones fine and in many of the cases had their vehicle confiscated. Marín added that many still continue to ride without wearing a helmet, which is required.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Motorcycles or scooters that are registered with an engine of less than 100cc, under the current traffic laws, do not require the need for a driver's license and the purchase of a motorcycle does not require the show of proof of having a license.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Anyone can go purchase a motorcycle and ride it home. Sales of motorcycles have become so common now that they can be purchased in stores where appliances and home furnishings are being sold.&lt;br /&gt;http://insidecostarica.com/dailynews/2008/august/09/nac01.htm&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7629246804180306550-1319213659689513467?l=automotiveonnet.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://automotiveonnet.blogspot.com/feeds/1319213659689513467/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=7629246804180306550&amp;postID=1319213659689513467' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7629246804180306550/posts/default/1319213659689513467'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7629246804180306550/posts/default/1319213659689513467'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://automotiveonnet.blogspot.com/2008/08/one-in-four-traffic-deaths-involve.html' title='One in Four Traffic Deaths Involve A Motorcycle'/><author><name>zonkette</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:extendedProperty xmlns:gd='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005' name='OpenSocialUserId' value='08035967680054619552'/></author><thr:total xmlns:thr='http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0'>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7629246804180306550.post-8081374247015584430</id><published>2008-08-01T18:53:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2008-08-01T18:54:30.379-07:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Mobile Audio Video'/><title type='text'>Purchasing Car Audio Accessories Online</title><content type='html'>Your next purchase of car audio accessories can be a much simpler process if you consider the wide array of available equipment online. It does not matter if you are looking for a CD player, an amplifier, or speaker systems, you will find many different brands, such as Kenwood, Pioneer, and Scion. They are top name systems, not some little known product that you would be afraid to install in your car.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;From subwoofers to MP3 players, the car audio accessories that you are looking to install in your vehicle can be found online. Are you on a budget but still want your audio system to be top notch? Consider purchasing used audio accessories.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Everybody wants to put the best car audio system they can find. However, sometimes it is just not practical to get a high-end system. You may be short on cash when it comes to finding the right system for your car. You can still get optimal sound at a low-end price. Look at the bright side. When you are in a better financial situation, this system can always be upgraded.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Some of the basic things you want to look for in a car audio system are the equalizer, sub-woofer, and amplifiers. The speakers are also important because you want the best sound you can get. Sony makes a good speaker. Pioneer and Kicker are also good brands. When it comes to having the performance you need and the value, this can be a major decision.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;An online store is the best place to buy the whole set up of audio equipment that you want. Try sticking to all the same brand because the delivery of the sound will be better. If you are looking for an amp as well, you may be lucky enough to find the same brand as the rest of your equipment.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;An amplifier is a very important part of your car audio system. Since it is what will be used for increasing the power of the signal you are receiving, if the amplifier is not a good one, your music may not sound very good. The amplifier you choose is going to decide the quality of the sound of your stereo. This is what determines if you have clear sound as well as loud.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The availability of the audio system that you have decided to purchase is one consideration. The online option offers more available equipment without having to wait for it to be ordered. You have options as to when your merchandise will arrive. Most online stores offer standard and priority shipping. So if you are in a hurry for your audio system, you may want to choose priority shipping.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Before you take off to the neighborhood audio store, check into online car audio systems and accessories. You may find that it a whole lot more convenient and the prices may fool you as well.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;To find great prices on all your auto accessory needs visit http://www.autoaccessoriessite.com They have a large selection of Audio Accessories and car parts for most car and truck models. You'll also find the latest auto accessory news and a huge selection of How To Videos to help you complete the job. Or if you are ready to find your dream car, check out http://www.findhotcars.com&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Warren_Scott&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7629246804180306550-8081374247015584430?l=automotiveonnet.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://automotiveonnet.blogspot.com/feeds/8081374247015584430/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=7629246804180306550&amp;postID=8081374247015584430' title='1 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7629246804180306550/posts/default/8081374247015584430'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7629246804180306550/posts/default/8081374247015584430'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://automotiveonnet.blogspot.com/2008/08/purchasing-car-audio-accessories-online.html' title='Purchasing Car Audio Accessories Online'/><author><name>zonkette</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:extendedProperty xmlns:gd='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005' name='OpenSocialUserId' value='08035967680054619552'/></author><thr:total xmlns:thr='http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0'>1</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7629246804180306550.post-457002814243326611</id><published>2008-07-27T04:45:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2008-07-27T04:48:01.296-07:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Automotive'/><title type='text'>State Minister Says Turkish Automotive Sector's Exports Rose To 14.6 Billion Usd</title><content type='html'>ANKARA - Turkey`s state minister has indicated that exports by Turkish automotive sector rose 46 percent to 14.6 billion USD from January 1st to July 22nd, 2008.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Kursad Tuzmen received Ferit Sunneli, president of the Executive Board of Uludag Automotive and By-Industry Exporters` Association, and representatives of the automotive sector in Ankara.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Speaking at the meeting, State Minister Tuzmen said, "exports by Turkish automotive sector rose 46 percent to 14.6 billion USD from January 1st to July 22nd, 2008. Total exports are expected to be at least 27 billion USD by the end of the year."&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;"Turkey has become one of the countries in the EU having the highest rates of manufacturing in the automotive sector. In the next decade, Turkey will be one of the three biggest automotive manufacturers in the EU," Tuzmen added. &lt;br /&gt;http://www.turkishpress.com&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7629246804180306550-457002814243326611?l=automotiveonnet.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://automotiveonnet.blogspot.com/feeds/457002814243326611/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=7629246804180306550&amp;postID=457002814243326611' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7629246804180306550/posts/default/457002814243326611'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7629246804180306550/posts/default/457002814243326611'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://automotiveonnet.blogspot.com/2008/07/state-minister-says-turkish-automotive.html' title='State Minister Says Turkish Automotive Sector&apos;s Exports Rose To 14.6 Billion Usd'/><author><name>zonkette</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:extendedProperty xmlns:gd='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005' name='OpenSocialUserId' value='08035967680054619552'/></author><thr:total xmlns:thr='http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0'>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7629246804180306550.post-6114292280047281229</id><published>2008-07-19T03:44:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2008-07-19T03:44:48.048-07:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Trucks'/><title type='text'>Big Trucks</title><content type='html'>&lt;object width="425" height="344"&gt;&lt;param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ZgUns-vIIag&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1"&gt;&lt;/param&gt;&lt;param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"&gt;&lt;/param&gt;&lt;embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ZgUns-vIIag&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"&gt;&lt;/embed&gt;&lt;/object&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7629246804180306550-6114292280047281229?l=automotiveonnet.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://automotiveonnet.blogspot.com/feeds/6114292280047281229/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=7629246804180306550&amp;postID=6114292280047281229' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7629246804180306550/posts/default/6114292280047281229'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7629246804180306550/posts/default/6114292280047281229'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://automotiveonnet.blogspot.com/2008/07/big-trucks.html' title='Big Trucks'/><author><name>zonkette</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:extendedProperty xmlns:gd='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005' name='OpenSocialUserId' value='08035967680054619552'/></author><thr:total xmlns:thr='http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0'>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7629246804180306550.post-1209644437847356801</id><published>2008-07-13T00:59:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2008-07-13T01:01:09.340-07:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Automotive'/><title type='text'>PREMO Presents Its Planar Transformer for the Automotive Market</title><content type='html'>The new PREMO planar transformer for automotive is an innovative solution for the automotive market that accomplish specific sector standard, AEC Q-200. It has been formerly conceived for ISG systems. However, it is a versatile product that can be used in DC/DC converters and traction inverters in hybrid vehicles. It has been developed under a unique vacuum potting technique that allows a high isolation level (10kV).&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Among its main features stands out its high power management (1.7kW to 5kW) in a 3.3cm height profile and less of 100cm² room area. Product is presented within a shell shaped aluminum heat sink. This shape allows an isotropic heat transfer that increases component's performance. Laminated inner design allows a high efficiency: Rated losses are below 1% of total output power and effects such as skin and proximity have been considerably reduced. PREMO has developed a mechanical fastening system on it in order to improve final assembly structure in front of mechanical stress tests according the most stringent standards. Selected raw materials constitute a high temperature resistant system up to 180ºC.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;PREMO is present in automotive customers since 1996, with transponders coils for immobilizers, TPMS and passive entry applications. The new development for power transmission platforms for hybrid vehicles increases the quantity of power electronics inside the cars, expanding the use of PREMO inductive components.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;PREMO has been developing planar transformers for 20 years and covers the widest range in the market from the low power units up to high power ones (10kW). PREMO has one of the best planar tech expert team in the world, based in PREMO Headquarters in Barcelona. Standard PREMO planar transformer group includes more than 50 different types. Special mention to NS-Series for low power applications in the telecommunication market harmonized with National Semiconductor's controllers.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;They manufacture and design inductive components, EMC filters, RFID components, power transfo and systems; and PLC accessories and components.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Patricia Mancera&lt;br /&gt;Premo Corporation S. L.&lt;br /&gt;Severo Ochoa, 33 Parque Tecnoligico De Andalucia&lt;br /&gt;29590 Campanillas, Malaga (Spain)&lt;br /&gt;Tel.: +34 951 231 320&lt;br /&gt;Fax.: +34 951 231 321&lt;br /&gt;http://news.thomasnet.com/fullstory/818641&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7629246804180306550-1209644437847356801?l=automotiveonnet.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://automotiveonnet.blogspot.com/feeds/1209644437847356801/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=7629246804180306550&amp;postID=1209644437847356801' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7629246804180306550/posts/default/1209644437847356801'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7629246804180306550/posts/default/1209644437847356801'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://automotiveonnet.blogspot.com/2008/07/premo-presents-its-planar-transformer.html' title='PREMO Presents Its Planar Transformer for the Automotive Market'/><author><name>zonkette</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:extendedProperty xmlns:gd='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005' name='OpenSocialUserId' value='08035967680054619552'/></author><thr:total xmlns:thr='http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0'>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7629246804180306550.post-12430562587639936</id><published>2008-06-29T06:20:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2008-06-29T06:21:37.692-07:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='RV'/><title type='text'>Plane, Train, Bus Or Car?</title><content type='html'>Shall we take the plane?&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;So you need to get somewhere in the 48 states. Do you choose a plane, a train, a bus (there are still a few left) or your personal automobile? Fuel is now a major expense, not only for you and your car but for everybody. The airlines have been losing money for years mostly due to artificially low fares. Now they have the jet fuel crunch. It is that old story, "So we lose money this year; we'll make it up next year." But that never happens. So now the costs have had to go up, ten bucks here, twenty there, all in an effort to look like they haven't really raised the fares. And they'll still lose money. While fuel is now the major culprit, it is just one of many loss factors the airlines face. But the real rub is the lousy service, unreliable schedules and broken promises.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;And that isn't the end of it. Not long ago almost every mid-sized town had commercial air service. The airlines are folding their wings and abandoning many of these cities with disastrous consequences for those cities, their commerce and their residents. Where a few years ago, the government told the airlines where to fly and how much to charge, they now can do pretty much as they please.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Amtrak: coming of age, finally&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;So air travel is no longer a desirable choice. How about trains? Just ten years ago it was cheaper and more convenient to fly than to take the train. Amtrak was losing money big time except on a few East Coast routes. Now Amtrak can be less expensive and considerably more convenient than an airline. Amtrak hasn't changed its fare structure -- yet. The airlines have had to. But Amtrak services a very limited number of communities. (This will be true of the airlines, soon.) If you are traveling with children, the choice is a no brainer; Amtrak is a good choice. If you are traveling with baggage, Amtrak will probably be the better choice (depends upon weight and size). If it is a long trip, Amtrak is slower (usually). If it is a short trip, Amtrak is frequently faster. But if you can accept the extended duration of your trip, Amtrak is certainly much more comfortable.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;So let's take the bus&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Greyhound used to go almost everywhere. They had express busses for long distance runs and 'milk runs' for the shorter runs. Then the government said Greyhound was too big and making too much money (transportation in the USA didn't get any less expensive than Greyhound!) so they broke it up. Buses still were the least expensive way to go. Reserved seats on a bus were almost unheard of, you felt like you were packed in a sardine tin, and almost nothing could be as boring as a bus ride. But they got you there, cheap.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I could buy dinner for two if I got a dime for every time I've heard someone say, "Boarding a plane, now, is like boarding a bus used to be." Busses are now MORE convenient that the airlines and the airlines are steadily getting worse. So, perhaps, the solution is to take the train to the nearest city and then take the bus to your final destination.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Then we could take our family car&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Then there's always the family car (or van or SUV). It will take you where you want to go, when you want to go. You can stop, get out, smell the roses, eat something, -- you have the options and most are under your control. Cost-wise, for trip of 600 miles, for a family of four (two adults and two children) your car will cost you about the same as Amtrak. But does Amtrak go where you want to go? For longer, overnight trips, the car is less expensive (you can get a motel room for much less than the cost of an Amtrak sleeper and, believe me, you don't want to try to sleep in their coach seats. In most situations, the car, again for a family of four, is much less expensive than the airlines. What about the bus? The bus wins economically but a long trip with two children in a commercial bus is not going to be very pleasurable.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;We'll take our RV&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;There is one other option. If you already own an RV and it's not a super gas hog (less than 8 miles per gallon), and you are going on an overnight trip, the RV wins hands down. You don't have to pay for a sleeper or motel room and the fare (even at $4 or $5 per gallon) won't be as hurtful. Like with your family auto, you can stop, get out, smell the roses, eat something, -- you have the options and most are under your control.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;So what will it be: Plane, Train, Bus or Car? No thanks, we'll take our RV and enjoy life a lot more. RVing is certainly not dead!&lt;br /&gt;http://www.ezinearticles.com/?Plane,-Train,-Bus-Or-Car?&amp;id=1267279&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7629246804180306550-12430562587639936?l=automotiveonnet.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://automotiveonnet.blogspot.com/feeds/12430562587639936/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=7629246804180306550&amp;postID=12430562587639936' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7629246804180306550/posts/default/12430562587639936'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7629246804180306550/posts/default/12430562587639936'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://automotiveonnet.blogspot.com/2008/06/plane-train-bus-or-car.html' title='Plane, Train, Bus Or Car?'/><author><name>zonkette</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:extendedProperty xmlns:gd='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005' name='OpenSocialUserId' value='08035967680054619552'/></author><thr:total xmlns:thr='http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0'>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7629246804180306550.post-9037026907015501787</id><published>2008-06-14T04:50:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2008-06-14T04:51:37.081-07:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Mobile Audio Video'/><title type='text'>mobile audio solutions</title><content type='html'>&lt;object width="425" height="344"&gt;&lt;param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/yBVK8rwbeXE&amp;hl=en"&gt;&lt;/param&gt;&lt;embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/yBVK8rwbeXE&amp;hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="344"&gt;&lt;/embed&gt;&lt;/object&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7629246804180306550-9037026907015501787?l=automotiveonnet.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://automotiveonnet.blogspot.com/feeds/9037026907015501787/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=7629246804180306550&amp;postID=9037026907015501787' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7629246804180306550/posts/default/9037026907015501787'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7629246804180306550/posts/default/9037026907015501787'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://automotiveonnet.blogspot.com/2008/06/mobile-audio-solutions.html' title='mobile audio solutions'/><author><name>zonkette</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:extendedProperty xmlns:gd='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005' name='OpenSocialUserId' value='08035967680054619552'/></author><thr:total xmlns:thr='http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0'>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7629246804180306550.post-8773473001173723806</id><published>2008-05-30T23:59:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2008-05-31T00:00:07.601-07:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Trucks'/><title type='text'>Buying A Used Truck</title><content type='html'>Buying a used truck is something that is very easy to do. With the price of gas being extremely high you can get a great deal on just about any truck you want. However, you should not let yourself be taken advantage of by someone. Make smart decisions by following the recommendations below.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;One of the best things you can do when you buy a truck is to examine it. You should always examine the vehicle in clear, daytime weather. Check the mileage on the car and always verify it is correct by using previous service invoices and mileage information recorded under the hood or on the door jam. Also, make sure you look very closely at the dashboards around the gauges and question any scratches, screws, or otherwise spotty workmanship around that area. If you do spot this, you might be looking at a car that has an odometer that has been tampered with.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Check the engine and make sure that all fluids are the correct colors and do not look/smell suspicious. Also, do not be afraid to ask the salesperson any questions you might have. You are making them money and they should be ready and willing to assist in any way they can make the sale. If they seem nervous or otherwise distracted really put the pressure on them, or you might be getting sold a car that is less than it appears.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Make sure you always run a check on the title and get an auto history report before buying any vehicle. Trucks especially can be made to appear more than they are. Experian, the credit report company, is one of the best resources for finding out what accidents a car has been in. Also, when you check the title of the vehicle, look at how many owners the vehicle has had in the past few years. If your truck has had three owners in three years. You might be getting scammed out of something!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;You should always insist on an independent inspection if you are buying the car from a private party. If it is a dealership and it is a certified used car, then you should not have much to worry about. However, be sure to take a close look at the car as even dealerships can use methods to scam you. Once you are ready to buy the car, bring a check for a few hundred dollars under the price that the salesperson quoted you as the "best" price. If they want the sale, they will sell you the car. Also, do not be afraid to ask about getting a warranty. On many dealership "certified used" cars warranties will be included, however, that does not mean that they will be. If you are in doubt on any thing during the sale, question it and you should get an exact response. If you are given a flip-flop answer, you probably do not want to do your business at this location. Make your used truck buying experience a positive one.&lt;br /&gt;http://www.ezinearticles.com&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7629246804180306550-8773473001173723806?l=automotiveonnet.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://automotiveonnet.blogspot.com/feeds/8773473001173723806/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=7629246804180306550&amp;postID=8773473001173723806' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7629246804180306550/posts/default/8773473001173723806'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7629246804180306550/posts/default/8773473001173723806'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://automotiveonnet.blogspot.com/2008/05/buying-used-truck.html' title='Buying A Used Truck'/><author><name>zonkette</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:extendedProperty xmlns:gd='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005' name='OpenSocialUserId' value='08035967680054619552'/></author><thr:total xmlns:thr='http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0'>0</thr:total></entry></feed>