Automobile Point

The Volvo S40 1.6D DRIVe featuring the new Start/Stop technology has scooped the top honour and been named Green Car of the Year at the prestigious 2009 What Car? Green Car Awards. The ceremony took place at London City Hall on Monday night and the award was handed over by Boris Johnson, the mayor of London.

This is the yearly award from What Car?, Britain’s biggest consumer automotive magazine and car buyer’s guide. The Volvo S40 DRIVe beat the BMW 118d and the Renault Megane to the top spot in the Small Family category and then stormed ahead to achieve victory over all the other category winners, including the Audi A8 and MINI Cooper S, to be awarded the overall What Car? Green Car of the Year title.

Offering exceptionally low CO2 emissions of just 104g/km and fuel consumption of just 3.9 litres per 100 kilometres , What Car?’s judges praised the S40 DRIVe’s unique combination of low emissions, practicality, safety and driver enjoyment as key reasons for the win. Click here to read more.. »

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Vehicle owners should not stress out about where they will get service and repair if their local new car dealership closes, advises the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA). More than 130,000 independent repair shops, conveniently located in most every community nationwide, have access to the parts for all vehicles, as well as the required professional technicians, tools and equipment.

Independent repair businesses account for more than 70 percent of vehicle service and repair, compared to 28 percent of non-warranty repairs by new car dealerships. Even before the rash of dealership closings, the number of dealerships and their share of the service and repair market have gradually declined each year since 2000, according to AAIA.

“There is a lot of confusion and anxiety among consumers these days about seeking quality service and repair for their vehicle,” said Kathleen Schmatz, AAIA president and CEO. “Vehicle owners need to look no further than their own community to find a reputable repair shop to care for their vehicle and protect the warranty.”

The Car Care Council reported recently that, “It’s a myth that only new car dealers can service vehicles under warranty.” Consumers are protected by a law — the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act — that prohibits a vehicle manufacturer from voiding the vehicle warranty because service was done by a non-dealer.

In April, Consumer Reports stated, “Legally, you can have maintenance performed by any mechanic without affecting your warranty. Just keep thorough records in case of a warranty claim. The only services that need to be performed at a dealership are warranty repairs, recalls or post-warranty work that you want the manufacturer to pay for.”

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In the mid-1960s the classic Mini’s profile on the world stage was boosted by a trio of giant-killing Monte Carlo Rally wins. It was the sports car tuning expertise of the legendary John Cooper that set Mini on its course in motorsport. 50 years on, MINI will launch the most exquisitely finished, highly specified and desirable model to ever bear the Cooper name; the MINI John Cooper Works World Championship 50.

Finished in John Cooper’s signature color – Connaught Green – the flagship model is based on the Hatch version of the current MINI John Cooper Works.

The 1.6-litre, 211 hp turbocharged John Cooper Works-tuned engine sits beneath a body featuring numerous specification upgrades, both inside and out.

Signatures appear on the right bonnet stripe as well as on a plaque on the dash facia. The signature in fact belongs to John Michael Cooper, the son of John Cooper. Mike had the idea for the edition to celebrate his father’s Formula 1 World Championship victory in 1959. In that year his father’s racing team won both the F1 constructors championship and driver’s championship with Jack Brabham at the wheel. These victories were repeated again in 1960.

The car’s 17” CHALLENGE cross-spoke alloy wheels are finished in Jet Black, giving the car a menacing and dynamic appearance. The standard Xenon headlamps are encased in black internal reflectors, enhancing the car’s presence.

Lightweight and eye-catching Carbon parts are found in the shape of the bonnet scoop, tailgate trim, rear apron, mirror caps and interior dash.

The car will be produced in a limited run of 250 models, solely for distribution in Europe. Every car will display its unique production number, ranging from 001-250. This can be found next to the indicator lens on every MINI John Cooper Works World Championship 50 model.

Black Leather Lounge seats are edged in red piping, which is a combination unique to this edition. Nearly every option available to buyers of the existing MINI John Cooper Works Hatch is fitted as standard on the MINI John Cooper Works World Championship 50. The on-the-road price is expected to reflect the car’s highly impressive specification and its array of unique features. Desirable standard equipment includes a Harmon Kardon Hi-Fi system, DAB radio, Full Bluetooth with USB audio, MINI Navigation system, Park Distance Control, Heated Front Seats and a Multi-function Steering Wheel.

The exciting MINI 50 Camden and MINI 50 Mayfair editions unveiled at MINI United 2009 will be on sale in Great Britain from September 2009. UK MINI dealers are ready to take orders now. Pricing and an on-sale date for the MINI John Cooper Works World Championship 50 edition will be announced in the near future.

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The popularity of Ford SYNC reached a new milestone today, as Ford Motor Company President and CEO Alan Mulally delivered Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer his new 2010 Fusion Hybrid equipped with the 1 millionth SYNC system, which is powered by Microsoft Auto software.

“We have made a commitment to deliver the vehicles that people really want and value,” Mulally said. “The success of SYNC is another proof point that we are doing just that. We will continue to innovate and expand the capability of SYNC by integrating even more new technologies that fit our customers’ lifestyles.”

SYNC is Ford’s fully integrated, voice-activated, in-car communications and entertainment system for mobile phones and digital music players. Since its debut in 2007 on the Ford Focus, SYNC has continued to gain in popularity. More than 80 percent of the vehicles Ford sells in North America are equipped with the system.

Like other advanced hardware and software solutions, SYNC continues to expand its applications. In 2008, SYNC was upgraded with two new applications, Vehicle Health Report and 911 Assist(TM), and more are on the way.

Ford’s latest SYNC application, Traffic, Directions and Information, will be available for download this summer. It will provide simple hands-free access to personalized traffic reports, precise driving directions and up-to-date information including business listings, news, sports scores and weather.

“Working with Microsoft and other key technology partners, we’ve made Ford the connectivity leader in the auto industry,” said Jim Buczkowski, director of electrical and electronic systems. “We do not plan to stand still; we have several additional developments in the pipeline, including launching SYNC in Europe and around the world.”

The 1 millionth SYNC equipped vehicle, a 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid, is only fitting, because the all-new sedan is the new benchmark in midsized sedans. The 2010 Fusion Hybrid is the most fuel-efficient midsize car in America, with a certified 41 mpg rating in the city and 36 mpg on the highway, topping the Toyota Camry hybrid by 8 mpg in the city and 2 mpg on the highway.

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Daimler’s A-Class F-CELL hydrogen powered vehicle caps a successful five-year journey of road trials in the U.S. with its participation in the Hydrogen Road Tour 09 starting today at Chula Vista, California. The recently converted A-Class F-CELL “plus” with 700 bar technology will participate in the tour along with hydrogen-powered vehicles from other automakers. This new 700 bar technology extends the range in the current vehicle generation by about 70 percent.

The nine day road trip will cover over 1,800 miles and stop in 28 communities before arriving in Vancouver, British Columbia on June 3. The tour is showcasing the progress of hydrogen programs in the U.S. and is organized by the California Air Resources Board (CARB), the California Fuel Cell Partnership (CaFCP), Powertech Labs, the National Hydrogen Association and the U.S. Fuel Cell Council.

A fleet of 30 A-Class F-CELL vehicles has been in daily use on public roads in the U.S. since 2004. The program includes fleet and infrastructure trials supported by the states of California and Michigan. After the tour, the A-Class F-CELL will be passing on the baton to the next generation of fuel cell vehicles: The B-Class F-CELL, the first fuel cell vehicle produced in a small volume series, but under full series development processes. The A-Class F-CELL vehicles which were deployed with customers from governmental agencies, universities and utility companies, received high marks from their users for their drivability, great acceleration, and zero tailpipe emissions.

“We are excited about the positive reception of fuel cell technology in California and across the U.S.,” said Dr. Christian Mohrdieck, Director of Fuel Cell & Battery Drive Development at Daimler. “It is an extraordinary pleasure to me that our trial partners in government and in the private sector consider the A-Class F-CELL a living proof of the viability of hydrogen fuel cell propulsion. They are enthusiastically supporting the plea for funding and creating the much needed infrastructure.”

Fuel cell technology is key to emission-free driving in the future, as it is the only emission-free technology equally suited for both short and long distance mobility. Bringing fuel cell technology to market requires efficient cooperation between political decision-makers, the oil industry, the energy sector, and other potential investors. The production of hydrogen from renewable sources and the establishment of a suitable hydrogen supply infrastructure are crucial to continue the advancement of this technology. Therefore, Daimler is actively engaging in dialogue and technical cooperation with industrial, governmental and policy stakeholders to foster the partnering and solicit support. The company is an active and founding member of the California Fuel Cell Partnership and is working with the Department of Energy on a technology validation project.

Only with further cooperation, standardization and the implementation of a comprehensive infrastructure it will be possible to pave the road to emission-free driving. Daimler underlines its commitment to environmental responsibility and will release the first near-serially produced fuel cell vehicles to customers as early as 2010. The company expects the marketability as early as 2015.

Mercedes-Benz B-Class F-CELL

The B-Class F-CELL is a Compact Sports Tourer which will be introduced to customers by the end of 2009 and is far more powerful and efficient than the A-Class F-CELL. Based on the optimized more compact fuel cell system presented by Mercedes-Benz in its F 600 HYGENIUS research vehicle in 2005, the newly designed stack module is around 40 percent smaller, but develops 30 percent more power output and cuts fuel consumption by 16 percent. The system also has favorable cold-starting ability. The B-Class F-CELL will boast an operating range of about 250 miles per tank filling.

Fuel Cell Pioneer

A pioneer in fuel cell technology, Daimler’s first drive concept went public in 1994 with the introduction of Necar 1, which was followed by 20 additional prototypes. With the introduction of the A-Class F-CELL in 2003, Daimler presented the world’s first pre-production series vehicle. Today, Daimler operates the largest fuel cell fleet with over 100 vehicles in service worldwide: Concept vehicles, passenger cars, vans, and Citaro city buses are undergoing trials with customers in everyday operation. In 2007 an F-CELL A-Class reached 100,000 miles and 2,500 operating hours without stack repair or replacement. With some 300,000 emission-free miles covered by this fuel cell fleet, Daimler has more data, expertise and experience at its disposal than any other manufacturer. Insights gained through these trials will flow directly to the ongoing research and development work and help to continue the optimization of this drive system, a strong proof of Daimler’s commitment to innovative leadership on the road to a new era of mobility: sustainable, high-performing, efficient and emissions-free.

Please feel free to join our California Team during the Hydrogen Road Tour to test drive the future.

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