Auto Car Tips

Although hybrid cars are the rage, and there are all kinds of alternative energy sources on the horizon, hybrids are cost prohibitive, usually ranging $3000 to $7000 more than the gas only version of that model. However, instead of changing fuel sources, some automotive companies have been using a new type of transmission to improve fuel economy, lower emissions, and actually make vehicles faster without adding to the sticker price.

These companies are using a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and instead of having set gear ratios (or gears), it constantly varies the gear ratios, as well as engine performance, so that they both operate at their most efficient level in any driving scenario.

Because these key components of the power train are at their peak performance at all times, fuel economy is improved by 6-8% and carbon dioxide emissions are reduced by 10%.

Although these figures may not sound impressive, the gas savings increase the highway mileage of most vehicles by 4 to 6 mpg, which adds up pretty quickly at $3/gallon.

The CVT’s potential for reducing emissions is also significant. As Carlos Ghosn, CEO of Nissan Motor Company, said, achieving his goal of selling one million CVT equipped vehicles by the end of 2007 will have “the same effect in terms of reducing CO2 emissions as selling 200,000 hybrid electric vehicles.”

Since there is no shifting between fixed gears, there is no ‘shift shock’ or jerking sensation, which makes them exceptionally smooth to drive. CVTs also do well in hilly terrain since there is no ‘gear hunting’ or bogging down on a hill, followed by a loud, violent downshift, which also contributes to its superior acceleration.

You may be wondering why this isn’t in every car if it is so great. Well, every year, more vehicles in the American market add CVTs as an option, though it has happened quietly, as many people are leery of new technology, especially in cars.

The CVT is actually quite old although it is new to American automobiles. The concept was developed by Leonardo DaVinci and was first patented in the late 1800’s for industrial applications. The CVT has been used in Asian and European vehicles since the 1950’s, but until recently CVTs could not handle the power that American drivers demand from their cars. However, CVTs have seen widespread use in snowmobiles and Formula 500 racing where they have a reputation for extending engine life and being much easier to rebuild than either a manual or automatic step transmission.

So where can you test drive a CVT-equipped vehicle? Well you can go to dealerships selling Ford, Dodge, Audi, or Mini-Cooper, to name a few, although a Nissan dealership may be the best place to go. In order to hit their goal of one million CVT sales in 2007, they have installed CVTs in nearly every sedan in their lineup, including the best selling Altima, Maxima, and economical Versa (as a side note, Nissan has also made side curtain airbags standard in these models, improving safety and reducing insurance costs).

Although you may not have the budget for a hybrid vehicle or cannot wait for that miracle fuel to hit the market, you can take it easy on the environment, as well as your checkbook, by checking out a few cars with a CVT.

It has been said that Canadians are “among the stupidest people in the world”. Recent car pricing, in view of a rising Canadian “Loonie Dollar” is somewhat out of whack. For the most part a Canadian dollar in February 2008 trades at par – that is an American dollar roughly equals a Canadian dollar all things being equal.

A Canadian shopping in the U.S.A. for a car and then bringing it in, (importing the car), through relatively standardized channels can save a wallop of cash. For example – an Acura MDX models starts at $ 40,000 in the US but $ 54,000 in Canada.

The humorous part so to speak is that this car is made and manufactured in Canada, even with all kinds of federal and provincial government support and informal subsidies. In effect all the poor, luckless Canadian is doing is repatriating the Canadian citizen back home.

Importing a car from the U.S. into Canada is a relatively simple matter and process. First the prospective buyer researches his car in a standard and normal sense. Next he or she should check with the Canadian Government agency to check and verify if the car, truck or S.U.V. vehicle that they wish to import is admissible. The website is easily found, in a standard manner, from the Canadian Government Department “The Registrar of Foreign Motor Vehicles “or Riv for short. The website can be found at www.riv.ca . Prominent on the front page of the Riv.ca website is “Importing a U.S. Vehicle into Canada Find out how.”

The Riv’s process states to check and verify: that your vehicle is admissible and can be modified to meet Canadian requirements by checking Transport Canada’s List of Vehicles Admissible from the United States. The Registrar of Imported Vehicles program regulates only vehicles originally manufactured for the U.S. market. Vehicles originally manufactured to standards other than the U.S. or Canada, are inadmissible into Canada under the current laws. The program regulates passenger cars, trucks, vans, jeeps, chassis cabs, trailers, motorcycles, off-road vehicles and snowmobiles less than 15 years old and buses manufactured after January 1, 1971.

For information on the importation of vehicles into Canada from countries other than the United States, go to Transport Canada’s web site as well as Canada Border Services Agency’s web site.

Next in line with Riv’s procedure is to check for vehicle modification requirements. Even if your vehicle was manufactured in Canada for North American requirement your vehicle must meet Canadian standards. As examples Canadian vehicles are required by laws and standards that both have car infant tether mounts and daylight running lights.

One more recent addition to the lists is for a simple recall clearance letter. The recall clearance letter sates that the vehicle has no outstanding recalls by the manufacturer on it.

The recall clearance letter must be on official letterhead from either the dealer or manufacture.

Either can simply issue the letter. However the letter is mandatory at the time of entry, in order to pass the Canadian border clearance process.

Even though the car is your property you must receive export clearance from the U.S. border authorities too “export’” the car, if it is to leave the U.S. Simply fax the appropriate U.S. border post’s vehicle export fax phone number at least 72 hours before arrival.

Next, after receiving clearance follow the process outlined on the Riv site at the Canadian Border Port of entry. Not all Canadian border posts are set up for this process. Generally the larger entry ports are. You will be asked to provide documentation as indicated on the Riv site.

Title, documentation and sales receipts are required. You will need a valid Canadian address to be eligible for this process. You will be billed by Canada customs a Riv fee of approximately $ 300, General Sales Tax (G.S.T.) on the price of the vehicle. In addition, depending on the origin of manufacture of the car you will be required to pay 6.1 % duty if the car is not made within the NAFTA Free Trade Zone (U.S.A., Canada and Mexico). G.S.T. in 2008 now runs at 5 %. Provincial Sales Tax payment will vary depending on the province of the owner and importer of the vehicle.

Interestingly enough if the car is a “Classic Car”, older than 15 years of age; the car will fall in a different and much simpler procedure with few requirements and inspection. It all depends on the rules and modifications for that vehicle as stated on the Riv website. If in doubt phone. Remember that you will have to comply again with certain regulations – such as daytime running lights and other requirements in your specific locale and province.

All in all importing a car into Canada from the United States can be a fairly easy and straightforward affair, even if you do it yourself, without the need for a broker. Two factors come into play – always verify what the current rules are with the Government of Canada authorities – Transport Canada and the Registrar of Foreign Motor Vehicles (Riv). Lastly always pay close attention to fluctuations in the currency rates – Canadian dollars vs. U.S. American greenbacks.

The all new Mazda2 had its roll out ceremony yesterday at its Ujina Plant No.1 (U1) that is near Mazda’s headquarters in Hiroshima. The ceremony was spearheaded by the Mazda Motor Corporation officials.

About 550 guests were present to witness the start of the production of the new Mazda2, including Mazda’s Executive Vice President, Robert J. Graziano, other Mazda executive officers, and union representatives and employees.

A speech stating Mazda’s pride in producing the vehicle was delivered by Graziano to the attendees. He stated that the all-new Mazda2 is the first of the new generation Mazda products that has excogitated to the next level. This car will be bound to the entire auto mobile industry around the world. The current model was really intended for the domestic market.

Graciano congratulated all who helped in the realization of the production of the new Mazda2 which is now prosperously undergoing a full mass production process. He said that he was convinced that this new car model will get the hearts of their customers and will establish an image to all the drivers over the world that all Mazda vehicles are exciting to drive.

He further said that the new Mazda2 comes with an energizing driving experience which is the soul of the Zoom-Zoom. He added that they will continue to build cars with a firm belief that safety and environmental friendliness are essential part of making cars exciting to drive.

The company focused much on reducing the weight of the current vehicle that the new one is about 100 kilograms lighter than its predecessor. In effect, the new one belongs to the most fuel efficient auto mobiles in its class. It also has refined safety features.

The European model of the new Mazda2 was first greatly acclaimed last March 2007 at the Geneva Motor Show during its world debut. Same warmth was received by the vehicle during its Asian debut at the Shanghai Motor Show last April.

In June, an added Mazda2 production will start at the Ujina Plant No.2 (U2). The Japanese market will be the first to sell the car. The European, Australian and other markets will follow. For the Chinese market, production of Mazda2s is set to commence by the end of 2007 at the Changan Ford Mazda Nanjing plant.

About Mazda2

The Mazda2 is a small minivan or tall station wagon which was first introduced in 1996. It is also known as Demio, Mazda 121, Mazda Metro and Ford Festiva Mini Wagon. Eight hundred ninety two thousand (892,000) Mazda2 vehicles have been sold all over the world as of 2005 since it was first introduced.

Ford asked Mazda to create a B-segment small car for it during the 1980s. As a result, the 1987 Ford Festiva was produced. The same platform was used by the Autozam Revue in 1990. The latter vehicle was sold by Mazda under the name Mazda 121 in many markets. Using the same platform, the Festiva was innovated in January 1993. Kia Motors also made versions of the first and second Festiva for its company and Ford’s sale in the US.

The automotive industry anticipates to the improvements of Mazda2 in 2008 as the Micro Sport coupe which is to be on sale in Europe and Japan. The vehicle will come with either an MZR 1.35 liter engine or a MZR 1.5 liter engine- a lager one. Moreover, according to Mazda, the MPS model will have a direct-injection Turbo engine and all-wheel-drive.

The next generation of the 2008 Mazda2 will be built in Hiroshima, Japan and not in Valencia, Spain.

About Mazda Motor Corporation

A Japanese auto mobile manufacturer, Mazda Motor Corporation is based in Hiroshima, Japan. With sales divided among Japan, Europe and North America, the company is expected to manufacture 1.25 million vehicles per annum. Thirty three point four (33.4) percent of the company is owned according to controlling interest by Ford Motor Company.

Mazda Motor Corporation is the maker of durable Mazda Air Filter.