The Classic Automotive Product The Ford Model A Motor Auto

June 15th, 2010

Creating a replacement for the phenomenally successful; Model T Ford will always be recognized as one of the toughest tasks in all the entire history of the automobile industry. Later successes in an established industry are always easier – the groundwork has been done. It is early on in the marketing cycle of a car , an industry or a sales territory is where the greatest efforts are usually required and the results success or failure are more dramatic. Mr. Henry Ford was confident and eccentric enough to want the Tin Lizzie to remain in production forever. Announced in 1908, the machine that put the world on wheels was destined to notch up just over 15 million sales before Mr. Ford accepted the fact a new model was vital and essential.

“Sixty-four today and the biggest job of my life is ahead” Ford exclaimed as work began on the Model A, which was given the designation as the first car ever produced by his company , back in 1903. Believe it or not Ford Model T production ended nearly six months before the first of the newcomers was delivered : the hiatus appearing all the more extraordinary when you appreciate was then a one model automotive car company. In terms of cars for sale; the immense River Rouge plant built nothing for the almost a half of 1928.

Although far more complex than its predecessor , the parts count was 40 % higher, and most of these automotive components were new – the Model A is a miracle of simplicity by today’s modern standards – mechanical and of course electronic. Today’s vintage classic car fans appreciate the fact the Model A was designed to be fixed by blacksmiths of what was then the outback wilds of North Dakota. Key features of the Model A vehicle included a traditional frame-type suspension, transverse leaf springs, front and rear hydraulic dampers, a conventional ignition system, a safety-glass windshield, and a brake for each wheel. Like the Tin Lizzie, the newcomer was offered with an assortment of two door and door bodies, from a roadster and phaeton to sedan and taxi. Prices started at $ 460 in 1928.

It has been said about driving a Ford Model T that the driver should forget almost everything that they know about and are familiar with driving. For a driver sitting at the wheel of a Model T it is as if he is a driving novice. The only thing rather conventional about the setup for driving a Model T is the steering wheel. Not so with a Ford Model A. Anyone who can handle a standard manual transmission with proficiency need have no qualms about driving the Model A. The 3.3 liter engine’s four cylinders provide strong torque at very low engine revs, so there is no need to work up on down the three speed transmission. When one does, the shift’s silent simplicity will make you wonder why a vintage Bentley’s “cogs” can be so difficult to master.

The Ford Model A can maintain a cruising speed of 50 miles and hour with top bursts to a maximum of 65 miles per hour. This is all the more amazing when one considers that the engine is a 40 horsepower 4 cylinder engine running at 2200 revolutions per minute (rpm).

The Model A was remarkable in that it set a new standard with high quality that provided a rugged , more than reliable and characterful motoring , in an economical fashion all in return for more than a sensible amount for purchase price of an automotive product of its time from the market leader of its day – The Ford Motor Company.

Comments ( 0 )

, , , , , ,

Auto Parts Warehouse and Parts Train for Automotive Products

June 13th, 2010

Both Auto Parts Warehouse and Parts Train are online stores that offer automotive parts for all types of cars. If you currently work on your car and want to save money, not to mention time, you should check out these online stores to see if they have the parts that you need for your car.

Generic v/s Specific Automotive Products at Auto Parts Warehouse and Parts Train

Many of the parts that are offered at Parts Train are generic parts for any automobile. You can shop for oil, fluids and other items that you would otherwise get at an automotive store. On the other hand, Auto Parts Warehouse is a discount online retailer that focuses more on specific auto parts for your car. Both of these online stores offer a discount when it comes to auto parts, especially when compared with off line stores.

Getting a Good Deal on Automotive Products at Auto Parts Warehouse and Parts Train

When you purchase auto parts for your car, you have a choice. You can purchase them right from the dealer, or from a retailer that sells auto parts. Often, the prices of the parts are marked up considerably. When you make your purchase from Auto Parts Warehouse, you can save yourself some money. The discount that you can expect to receive is about 40 percent off of the retail price that you would pay if you bought the parts in a parts store, depending on the model and make of the car. Newer car parts cost less than the older car parts.

When it comes to supplies for your car, you can get a good deal at Parts Train. Parts Train also carries auto parts for your car. If you need auto parts for a newer model car, chances are that you will find them at both of these online stores. If the car is older and the parts more rare, you will have a better chance at getting them at Auto Parts Warehouse. Both of these online stores offer products that you can use in the maintenance and cleaning of your car.

Cashing in on Online Coupon Codes

One of the best aspects about dealing with these online auto parts stores is that you can receive an online coupon code for these retailers if you do a coupon code search. You can get up to a 20 percent discount on a coupon for parts when you go to Auto Parts Warehouse and sign up to be part of their mailing list. When you are looking for coupon codes for Parts Train, you can get a 10 percent discount which is good on each purchase. Although Auto Parts Warehouse has more of a discount, Parts Train is cheaper when it comes to overall auto supplies and their discount coupon is good every time you make a purchase.

Charging it at Auto Parts Warehouse and Parts Train

Both Auto Parts Warehouse and Parts Train take charge cards as well as debit cards with charge card logos. If you are looking for auto parts or auto supplies and want to save money as well as the time it would take shopping around for the parts, you can get what you need simply by going online to Auto Parts Warehouse or Parts Train. Be sure to take advantage of the discount code when you make a purchase.

Comments ( 0 )

, , , , ,

Be Successful With Your Automotive Auto Body Franchise!

June 11th, 2010

If you have chosen to begin your own automotive auto body franchise, you have made a great choice! The market is definitely there since there were 220 million vehicles on U.S. roads in 2003, a figure that had been growing steadily at approximately 5% per year. We can use this figure to project that there will be more than 275 million vehicles on the road in 2008. More vehicles means a larger market, and an increased number of minor accidents as streets and parking lots become more crowded. Therefore there will be many more people coming to visit you at your new automotive auto body franchise!

Know your stuff! This is the first thing you should do. You need to know about what you are trying to sell. If you do not know about your services in detail why should I let you touch my car? It is important you know as much as you can about the business you are promoting. If you know a lot and can present that to your customers they will be more apt to give you business. It is also important to know what you offer so that you can actually offer it to people that you meet elsewhere. This will help promote your business.

You want to provide the best service possible to your clients with automotive auto body needs. Needing a repair to car is stressful enough, don’t add to their stress. Make your customers feel valuable! Make sure you make the process simple and painless for them. Also, keep them informed with the truth of their car repairs and the expense it will incur to them. Try to have their car fixed and ready to go as soon as possible. It is hard to be without a car or to pay for a rental, so the customer will really appreciate a very timely return of their car. Also, word of mouth will be a big form of promotion for your automotive auto body franchise. Make sure the words are good. People talk when things are good, but they talk a lot more when things are not in their favor. So it is important to keep your customers happy and talking about the good all the time!

Find qualified professionals to work at your automotive auto body shop. You will want to best of the best to be working for and with you. You want to make sure that you are providing your customers with best! If you have an employee who is not qualified they may cause more damage than they can repair!

Also follow the system that is place from your franchisor. They have been doing it longer than you and have had the chance to get it right, so if you want to be successful follow the examples you receive. Many franchisors offer training that can be valuable for you and your employees. Make sure you take advantage of the existing programs offered by your franchisor.

Keep your automotive auto body franchise going strong with these tips for success!

Comments ( 0 )

, , , ,

Six Tips for Thwarting Auto Thieves With an Automotive Security System

June 7th, 2010

According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics (www.ojp.usdoj.gov) over three quarters of all crimes in the U.S. are made up of property crimes and certainly automobile theft is among the most prevalent. Automobiles are easier targets than homes in many cases as they are high dollar items, in high demand, and can be driven away within seconds leaving behind virtually no clues as to the identity of the thief.

Although manufacturers have continued to provide basic automotive security features, additional measures are needed as thieves continue to adapt to devices on the market.

For first time buyers unfamiliar with the options, the decisions related to purchasing an automotive security system can be daunting. However, there are a core set of features that should be considered which will help consumers select an effective system with less frustration.

An automotive security system should provide a first line of defense that warns would be intruders that a particular vehicle is protected. Some type of visual reminder such as a flashing light on the dash or stickers that indicate security are simple deterrents.

A second line of defense is audible alerts; sirens and alarms that sound when a breach is attempted. This security feature brings unwanted attention to the break in and slows the thief down in attempts to eliminate the sound. These should be sufficiently sensitive and should detect any breach. They should trigger when windows are broken, doors are opened, the hood is raised, and so forth. Motion detectors and infrared sensing are common. A good siren will continue to operate even when power from the battery is cut off in attempt to eliminate the warning. Some of the best automotive security systems will also notify the owner when a breach occurs so that they can check on the vehicle or notify law enforcement.

Another feature of an effective automotive security system is an immobilizer or kill switch to shut off the ignition/starter or perhaps the fuel pump. Certainly, such features make driving off with the car extremely difficult. Some systems will even lock the hood when activated to prevent access to the engine and other mechanical components. At this point it is also important to consider that a device that is located so that it is difficult for thieves to find and disable can be critical as well as this can additionally delay the thief.

As thieves have continued to adapt to newer automotive security systems, higher tech methods are employed to gain access to vehicles. Code rolling is an excellent feature that prevents thieves from picking up the codes used to gain entry to the car by using a type of code grabbing device. Code rolling changes the codes used by a driver’s keyless entry device each time it is used.

Another option to consider is a tracking system. As far as automotive security systems are concerned these are not a deterrent but a retrieval system. This type of security system allows a vehicle to be tracked and recovered if it is stolen. Some systems are activated only once law enforcement is notified but ideally the system would activate immediately once the car is taken. Some of these systems will notify the owner by e-mail, pager, or phone when the car is moved.

A final consideration when purchasing an automotive security system is how effective it will be in avoiding annoying false alarms. Some systems can have the sensitivity adjusted to keep false alarms to a minimum while others are able to identify malfunctioning sensors and shut them down until repaired. Newer automotive security systems also offer dual zone sensing which produce only a small chirping alarm for minor occurrences, such as a bump on the side of the car versus a full blown alarm for more intrusive occurrences.

Certainly cars are a significant investment that is attractive to amateur as well as professional car thieves but consumers can tilt the odds significantly in their favor with the addition of an up-to-date automotive security system.

Comments ( 0 )

, , , , , ,

Driving Forces of India’s Automotive and Auto Parts Sector

June 7th, 2010

The automotive sector is one of Indias largest and fastest growing manufacturing sectors. With a turnover of US$13 B, the automobile sector employs about 0.45 million people directly and 10 million people indirectly, including after-sales and servicing networks. This ranked India as the 11th largest passenger car producer in the world. In the category of motorcycles and scooters, India is ranked 1st and 2nd respectively. With India increasingly liberalizing its market place, many new joint ventures evolved, resulting in close to 2 dozen global auto manufacturers setting up shop in India

The auto component segment is equally robust, supplying the entire range of parts required by the domestic automobile industry and currently employs about 250,000 people. Although small by global standards, this segment is growing rapidly as a result of its low costs and rising quality. Sales turnover of parts is estimated to have reached US$8.7 B in 2004/05, 29% higher than the previous year. Noticeably, auto component manufacturers supply to two kinds of buyers original equipment manufacturers (OEM) and the replacement market. Over 300 small and medium companies directly service the OEMs assembling vehicles in India. Downstream, close to 5,000 other micro firms are working for these Tier 1 suppliers, as well as for the replacement market

The sector can be segmented into 2. One is the automobile segment. The other is the auto parts segment. The key manufacturing areas for these 2 segments are well spread across the country.

The growth of Indias automotive sector is driven by the key forces below:

Import

Automotive related imports are largely in auto parts, accounting for a lions share of 85%. These imports will feed the manufacturing plants, producing vehicles for domestic market as well as export market.

As the demand from the domestic market increases with rising affluence, production will increase in tandem, hence requiring more imports of parts, especially those of higher precision which still cannot be done in India. Global players in India still need to import fairly large amount of auto parts for their automobile assembly as quality and technological standards of auto parts sourced from within India may not meet their high standards. The expected Increase in exports of India-made vehicles will also contribute to import growth of auto parts.

Export

Automotive related exports expanded rapidly in recent years. Automobile exports grew at a compound annual growth rate of 46% between 2001 and 2006. Export share of production increased from 3% in 2001 to 8% in 2006. The growth is boosted by these several factors such as Indias cost competitiveness in terms of labor and raw material; established manufacturing base; economies of scale due to domestic market; potential to harness global brand image of the parent company, as well as the global hub policy for small cars like Hyundai, Suzuki, etc

Most automotive exports go to developing countries in Asia, where inexpensive cars can find a market. Egypt, Kenya and Nigeria are important destinations for Indias automotive exports. More recently, as the quality and technology of India-made automobiles have improved and met stringent requirement of the international market, some cars have found buyers even in Western Europe.

Similarly for auto parts, exports have been growing at a compound annual growth rate of 25% over 2000-2005. Share of exports in total production increased to 18% in 2005 from 10% in 1997. Foreign carmakers in rich countries are increasingly turning to India for parts, as low costs, relatively good technology base and access to cheap raw material make India highly competitive in its auto parts exports.

The main export markets are the USA, Germany, Japan, Sweden, the UK and Italy. Asia, Africa and the Middle East together take up 44% of Indias auto part exports.

Regulatory/Government efforts

Government efforts and regulatory frameworks are also key driving forces to the automotive industry in India. Currently, 100% foreign direct investment in the automotive industry, with no mandatory minimum level of investment is allowed. No local tie up is necessary since the sector has already been fully de-licensed and deregulated. This provides a strong impetus for global auto players to set up shop in India. Further, excise duty and custom taxes have also been kept competitive in order to make participation in the automotive industry conducive

On top of these, an Automotive Mission Plan 2006-2016 is also being drafted to develop the domestic sector, as well as the export market. It aims to develop India into a premier automotive hub. Moving forward, India targets to become one of the top 5 automotive economies by 2025

International Agreements

Trade/economic co-operation agreements between India and the region or other international markets will boost Indias exports of both automobile and parts to the region/international markets. Going forward, the potential agreements are: TVS Groups plan to invest in Indonesia to manufacture 2-wheeler; FTA between India and ASEAN (negotiation in progress) would also offer opportunities for direct trade and investment between India and ASEAN countries; FTA with countries like China, Korea, Japan, Chile, etc

Comments ( 0 )

, , , , , ,

« Previous Entries