Currently, the GM is offering two types of hybrid systems the first was used in the Saturn vue and Saturn astra which is called the BAS hybrid system which is a type of hybrid canceled in 2009. Then the GM together with BMW and Daimler AG co-developed a Two- Mode Hybrid which is currently used on the Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC’s Yukon

Currently the introduced the concept cars which are electric with backup generators powered by gasoline, E85 or fuel cells. It is documented that the GM is the first American company to have released a full all electric automobile. It was the first car with a zero emission that was marketed in America for three decades. It has also announced that it is producing a two set electric vehicle with Segway.

Plans are underway for the GM to build battery packs with LG Chem in Michigan and also build automotive battery laboratories in Michigan. Then again GM has prided itself in the production of hydrogen powered vehicles. But still this is not the end because the GM has managed to produce flexible fuel vehicles that are able to operate and travel on E85 ethanol fuel or even gasoline or still a blend of both. The GM is the north Americas leading in E85 flex fuel vehicles. By 2009 the GM was or had produced over 18 ethanol enabled flexfuel cars and trucks in the US and more Than a million new flex fuel vehicles.

The other biggest and largest GN subsidiary is the GM do Brasil which started by producing the flexible fuel vehicles since its inception in the brazilin market in 2003. The light trucks are supposed to run on any mix of E20-E25 gasoline and up to 100% power just 6 months after another first flex was introduced in the Brazilian market. While still basing invention on the hybrid and with aims of avoiding emissions and environmental pollution the brazilin subsidiary of the GM introduced the Multipower engine in august of 2004. These engines are capable of using natural gas or (CNG) Ethanol and gasoline E20-E25 as fuel. This is the engine that was used in the multifuel Chevrolet Astra 2.0 model of 2005 which was aimed at local cab business and market

The GM Brazil also developed the EconoFlex technology which was used for the first time in the Chevrolet Prisma 1.4. These engines allow the flex fuel to maximize fuel economy and power. The vehicle had success hence the GM sold close to 200,000 flex vehicles and 140,000 gasoline powered automobiles in 2005. These figures jumped to about 520,000 for flex fuel vehicles, while 950 cars and 7000 light trucks powered by gasoline were also sold in 2007. By the end of 2008 about 97 per cent of all cars and light trucks were sold in that same year

Generally the GM can now produce vehicles that use both the E85 and gasoline as fuel that power them. It is also remembered that it is the GM that was the first to use turbocharger which was a proponent of V6 engines but dropped the interest because the muscle car took hold of the market

Check for more information at Saturn Vue Hybrid review or to purchase one contact NorCalCars Dealer Bailey Motors

Virtual speed traps are the sneakiest of the bunch; they ticket you in an instant without the need for a police officer. No longer is it as easy as looking for the black and white at a predictable corner or turn. Today’s speed traps utilize machines to do the work for them. Red light cameras and speed cameras have enabled better speed controls on both city and highway roads and have made a positive overall change in people’s driving habits. For the driving enthusiast, however, one of these speed traps can be a real show stopper. That’s why radar detectors, specifically those with GPS-enabled technology, are so useful. Take a look at the features and benefits of these newest GPS detectors and see how they can benefit your overall driving experience. Here are the top 3 rated speed camera detectors.

1. 1. The Escort Passport 9500ix is equipped with enough technology to get you to the moon. Ok, that’s an exaggeration, but it really does have the most bang for the buck in the way of real-time and useful technology. Its GPS system knows how fast a vehicle is traveling and informs the driver of their speed whenever a real alert is sounded, such as in the case of a speed camera intersection. This is a great feature to use because it adjusts for city or highway driving automatically. Its built-in database of pre-programmed speed camera and red light camera locations will help drivers from the very first time it is used. Users can sign up for monthly updates by ordering a yearly subscription to Escort’s online database updating system (first 3 months are free right now). Also, this GPS detector rocks the road with its AutoLearn feature that virtually eliminates false alarms on the road.
2. 2. The Beltronics Pro Series GX65 is another of the top-rated radar detecting devices available. Though it does not feature AutoLearn, it is good at preventing false alarms as well. It has what’s called a “Variable Speed Sensitivity” technology so that the unit automatically adjusts sensitivity for its “city mode” and “highway mode” settings. Especially in the city setting, signals from door openers and garage doors can set off some older units and give false alarms. This is prevented with the technology that comes with this unit.
3. 3. The last of the GPS detectors worth looking at is the Escort Passport 9500i. Though not as robust as the 9500ix, this unit has many of the same capabilities for about $100 less. Known speed trap locations can be input by the driver to avoid speed traps and red light cameras in the future. Software and firmware can be updated if needed, just in time for holiday traveling!

Choosing a speed camera detector can be quite a challenge if you don’t know what to look for. However, with the right guidance on the features and benefits available in the top 3 GPS detectors your choice is made so much easier!

Well, Ford has come up with an answer to the problem. Starting with the 2008 Ford Escape, Ford has started adding EPS or Electric Power Steering to some of its vehicles.

What is EPS?
Instead of the usual complicated mix of hydraulic pumps, hoses, power steering fluids and drive belts that can require regular service and repair. EPS uses an electronic motor to assist in steering. This allows Ford to integrate computer software and sensors to measure the wheel torque that needs to be applied to steer the vehicle. This Pull-drift software allows the EPS system to continually compensate for changes in road conditions like road crowning or steady winds.

A couple other Ford vehicles where you might find the new system are the Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner.

If you happen to be driving one of these vehicles equipped with EPS, tell us what you think about it in our comments. We’d love to hear about it!

While not as quick to 60 mph (4 seconds) the Tango Commuter Car still earns the right to be put in the sports car performance category. Although when looking at it, that would not be your first impression. Don’t let the looks deceive you though, it uses many of the same safety innovations as race cars, including a stainless steel chassis with a chromium molybdenum roll cage.

Another great advantage to these cars is that they are both Zero Emission cars putting them in the same category as hybrid cars or the very efficient “Smart cars” like the Smart Fortwo of environmentally-friendly or Green Cars

So, before you make your next new car purchase, give some though to some of the new breed of cars. If you’re looking for great performance, fuel economy, and cleaner air you might find you can “have your cake and eat it too”!

In a previous post I talked about the air car from Tata Motors. Since then other manufacturers are entering into the race to take the lead in this environmentally friendly from of transportation.

Zero Pollution Motors in cooperation with MDI group unveiled their new air car at the 2008 New York Auto show on March 20. They also entered a team to compete for the Automotive X Prize.

Zero Pollution Motors has plans of introducing a compressed air vehicle to the US market in the year 2010. This family sized vehicle will seat 6, have 4 doors, and will achieve over 100 MPGe (mpg equivalent) with the ability to go over 90 mph. One interesting point is the affordability of this vehicle, it is expected that it will cost around $18,000. An economy/utility model will be produced by MDI for sale in France and elsewhere 2009 at a price of beginning at around $5,000-$6,000 for the basic model.

History of the air car
If you are looking for more information on the history of the air car www.theaircar.com has an interesting page on their site Air Car History. Work on air cars started back as early as 1872.

There was even an experimental dragster made with an air power engine that covered the quarter mile in about 9 seconds.

So while it seems that the idea of an air car has been around for quite a while, some of the new technologies have given a new life to this form of transportation. I for one, look forward to giving one of these a road test to see how they do.

For more information on the US Air Car.

This article is about some of the most asked questions about these two laws.

The first law applies to all drivers; it prohibits all drivers from using hand held telephones while driving. The second law differentiates minors from adults. If over you are over 18 you may use a hands-free device, but if you are under 18 you cannot use a cellular phone of any sort including using hands-free devices.

Exceptions

There are some exceptions to these rules. If it is an emergency situation you are permitted to use a cell phone of any sort hands-free or not.

Also if you are the driver of an emergency vehicle you are permitted to use a cell phone.

Fines

The fines for being convicted are $20 for the first offense and $50 for subsequent convictions, but the fine can amount to much more than the base fine for additional penalties.

If you like talking on cell phone while driving you might want to remember these laws when July comes around.

For more information you can visit the official DMV site.

Tata Indica
(1.4 L gas/diesel engine)

Tata motors, which is currently the world’s 18th largest automobile company is best known for it’s Tata Indica and what is currently considered the worlds cheapest car the Tata Nano (USD $2,500). They also have a new car in testing, the “Swift Dzire”.

While Tata has at this time has not announced plans to start marketing in the US, this technology shows promise as an oil alternative. At least for short commuting applications. Tata claims that their air car would have a top end of 68 mph with a driving range of about 125 miles. Quite a feat from a vehicle that literally runs on compressed air driving a piston. Refueling means stopping in at the local “air station” (likely a gas station with a custom air compressor) and filling up. An alternative means of refueling would be to plug your car into a standard electrical outlet and let the car’s built in compressor refuel the tank in about 4 hours.

Here’s an interesting trailer developed by a local video surveillance company. It’s a mobile video security system that you can tow behind your car or truck and set up anywhere you would like to watch what’s going on.

In most cases contractors wanting to secure and monitor their jobsites use them, but I can see using these at any event where you might be leaving things out overnight that might be damaged. Some of the possible events might include Classic Car, boat or RV shows. Images taken from the security cameras are immediately uploaded onto the Internet where anyone with a pass code can login and make sure their baby is resting safely at the car show grounds.

With the 360deg motion detectors and PA warning system which warns “You have entered a secure area” when something gets too close, this might even help keep stray dogs from using your nice chrome wheels as a public bathroom. Might be worth asking the event coordinator about the next time you plan on leaving your car at a show.

It seems like hybrid cars (cars that run on both gasoline and electricity) are the latest rage and hydrogen fuel cells have fallen into the background. Hydrogen fueled vehicles seemed so promising, so why did they loose the spot light?

GM, Honda, Nissan and even Toyota all have hydrogen-powered cars in the making, but the price of the cars is a big issue. Honda leased a few of its FCX’s to a select few, these cars cost about a million dollars each.

Much of this cost comes from the splitting of hydrogen. This requires a catalyst and best catalyst so far is platinum.

The process of turning hydrogen into usable electricity is very inefficient and up to 75% of the produced energy is lost. Seeing that the fuel used most of the time to make the hydrogen usable is natural gas, many say that it is no better than using gasoline.

Because of these problems and many others it is more likely that hybrid cars will take the position of hydrogen powered cars.