This season would probably be the end of Ford Motor Company?s 76-year domination as the second-biggest seller of vehicles in the United States.

Toyota is one of the major reasons for such decline as the company may take the place of Ford, maker of quality Ford Thunderbird performance parts. According to analysts? survey as reported recently in Bloomberg, for a seventh straight month, Ford?s sales may have dropped in May. From January to April, Ford?s U.S. sales had declined to 50,242 from 2006?s first four months sales of 232,922 units ? a very worth regretting 182,680 decrease.

Dennis Virag, the President of Automotive Consulting Group in Ann Arbor, Michigan believes that there is no need for too much debate regarding Toyota?s taking over to Ford because it will really happen in just a short span of time.

Since 1931, Ford has been the second in the US sales after General Motors Corporation.

Based on the average estimate of eight analysts in the Bloomberg survey, Ford?s vehicle sales for May declined 9.3 percent from last year?s sales. While according to a Banc of America Securities auto analyst in New York by the name of Ronald Tadross, Japanese manufacturer Toyota has earned 6 percent.

The same survey revealed that the annual automotive industry sales rate in May was probably 16.1 million units. If that would happen, that would be the lowest for this year.

As increasing fuel prices have prevented car enthusiasts from buying cars, so far this year, industry sales have increased just once and that was in March. And according to the American Automobile Association, during that month, the average price per gallon of gasoline reached an all-time high of $3.23.

Meanwhile, from its first monthly sales decline in two years on demand for Prius gasoline-electric hybrid vehicles, Toyota rebounded in May. The Chief of Ford?s sales, George Pipas, said Dearborn, Michigan-based Ford sales declined as the company continued to cut low-profit sales to rental speeds up. He said that the sales of F-Series pick ups probably declined due to the hike in the prices of gasoline. According to him, the pick ups account for almost a quarter of the automaker’s total sales.

He added that the automaker?s drop for May will not be as sharp as last month’s decline of 13 percent. The two crossover sort-utility vehicles ? the Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX ? helped the company?s retail sales. These vehicles blend the features of passenger cars with the SUV?s truck-like qualities.

As regards Chrysler and GMC, based on the average adjusted estimates in the Bloomberg survey, DaimlerChrysler AG’s Chrysler sales earned 3.5 percent and GMC has rose 0.2 percent.

Richard Colliver, the Executive Vice President of Honda’s U.S. sales unit, said that their company probably had a 2 percent increase.

Fro this month, there were 26 selling days, making it 1day more than May 2006. So for the difference in days, the analysts’ estimates for individual automakers are adjusted. Unadjusted percentage comparisons will be reported by Bloomberg and some car manufacturers. And these would be about 4 percentage points higher.

Toyota of Toyota City, Japan overtook Ford in becoming the second largest car maker in terms of global sales in 2003. And this year, Toyota is poised to steel the number 1 slot from GMC after exceeding the American auto maker in the first three months. This happened for the first time.

According to New York-based Credit Suisse analyst Chris Ceraso, the new products like the Jeep Patriot and Dodge Nitro SUVs, probably contributed in Chrysler?s gaining of 5 percent. DaimlerChrysler has agreed to sell 80.1 percent of Chrysler to Cerberus Capital Management LP, a New York buyout firm. Last April, Chrysler was the only U.S. car maker to augment its sales and for the entire industry, it is one of just three.

According to Robert Barry, an analyst in Goldman Sachs in New York, General Motors may say that its sales increased 1 percent during May even as sales of large SUVs were hindered by high gasoline prices. He said that large pickups, such as the GMC Sierra and Chevrolet Silverado, will somewhat remain under pressure because these vehicles account for almost 20 percent of GMC’s sales in the U.S.

Other analysts that forecasted the sales of millions of vehicles were Peter Nesvold (Bear Stearns), Jesse Toprak (Edmunds.com), Jon Rogers (Citigroup), Richard Kwas (Wachovia), and Himanshu Patel (JPMorgan).

The trends for the seasonally adjusted annual rate or SAAR are based on forecasts from eight analysts and a survey of 23 economists. The estimates of the analysts are based on daily selling rates and are adjusted to suit for May 2007 with 26 selling days.

It took me a while to find just the right automotive shop and mechanic in Tampa. I first had to go through a lot of grief with other auto repair shops. Many of them are unprofessional and unreliable, not quite fulfilling agreements entered into. Repairs are usually not finished on time. Some auto repair shops use substandard car parts, resulting in return jobs that cost me valuable time away from work and other productive endeavors. Even worse, I often found my vehicle stalling in the most inconvenient places even after an expensive auto repair job. That was very frustrating, indeed.

I almost gave up on hoping to find an auto repair shop and mechanic that I could truly rely on in Tampa. I refused to get stuck with shops that offered poor service, though. There had to be a better way. I vented my frustration to a co-worker and, fortunately, he referred me to Guy?s Automotive.

He said he never brought his car anywhere else, whether for a simple auto oil change or for serious engine repair because the technicians there were highly skilled and experienced. They could handle everything from manual to automatic car transmissions, local to foreign cars, economy to luxury cars and even truck repair. He, therefore, made sure that he regularly brought his car for auto inspection and maintenance at Guy?s Automotive. He had so much trust in this automotive shop that I was convinced to give it a try. At that point, I had nothing to lose.

Guy?s Automotive in Tampa

Right off, I found the location of this auto repair shop to be very convenient, being near the downtown area. I decided to ask them for an auto inspection even if I still wasn?t experiencing any actual problems with my car. I thought it would be a good way to size up the shop and its staff.

The technicians were very efficient and friendly, indeed. Not only did they give fast service, they also clearly explained to me in layman?s terms what needed to be given close attention to in maintaining my vehicle. Not being very technically savvy, I greatly appreciated hearing about important details regarding my car in language that I could fully comprehend. I have never experienced such thoroughness from any other mechanic in Tampa. It gave me confidence in handling my vehicle and established my confidence in the auto repair shop, as well.

It turned out that some car parts previously put in my car were, indeed, of inferior quality and, although they were still functioning, were already showing signs that they would soon be needing replacement. The technicians at Guy?s Automotive

I have an 08 nissan 350z coupe and I am thinking of adding a supercharger that will give it at least 400 horse power.

Chrysler may be feeling some pain in the USA, but overseas they are realizing some excellent results. According to a Chrysler spokesperson, international sales are up 14 percent through August of 2006 with 15 straight months of month-to-month increases. The news is even better in Western Europe. Chrysler reported an increase of 35.6% in August 2006 compared with the performance from a year ago, and a sales increase of 15.5% for the year-to-date through August 2006. According to JATO Dynamics, a market information company, Jeep sales were up 25% in Europe through August compared to 2005, much of the increase due to the excellent performances of the new Grand Cherokee and Commander. These impressive sales results have made Chrysler the second fastest growing automotive group in Europe, second only to Fiat, and Chrysler predicts that international sales will account for 9% of total sales by 2007.

Looking at the sales numbers it’s easy to see why the folks at Chrysler were excited about the unveiling of their production version of the two-door Jeep Wrangler and four-door Jeep Wrangler Unlimited for the first time in Europe at the recently held Paris Motor Show. The Paris Motor Show is a major event that is held every two years. It is a trend-setting showcase for the automotive industry around the world and it attracts participants from all corners of the globe. The newly demo’ed Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited models are powered by a new 2.8 liter diesel engine and feature a broad array of new off-road features. They will hit European dealer showrooms around April of 2006, and Chrysler feels they’ll be a big hit. Why shouldn’t we believe them? They seem to have an excellent grasp on the European market at the moment.

It is good that Chrysler, an American car manufacturer, and Jeep are making themselves known around the world and realizing some excellent results. Now if only we could get our hands on those diesel powered Wranglers here in the good ole’ USA. Then we all might be happy!

Speaking of happy, we have everything you need for your Jeep Wrangler and Grand Cherokee at XtremeTerrain.com. Quality aftermarket parts like Interior and exterior accessories, suspension and performance parts, restoration and body parts, travel accessories, and much more can be found at our online store. Just go to http://www.xtremeterrain.com Find automotive equipment and accessories for any Jeep make or model and get our always low prices on anything you need.

The Ford Motor Co. announced new incentives last Wednesday for the 2007 lineup. The automaker is also offering auto purchasers cash back on the just-launched 2008 Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable sedans.

The 2008 Ford Taurus was previously called the Five Hundred. Ford CEO Alan Mulally determined that Ford’s strategy to redesignate new cars in the lineup with new names beginning with the letter F – as in Focus, Fusion, and Freestyle – was not a clever marketing move. The new F names were not as popular to be associated with Ford in the United States, and purchasers were confused by the name changes.

Mulally believed the Taurus had strong brand equity. Changes made to the new Taurus include enhanced Ford Hedman headers, newly styled front end, signature three-bar chrome grille, and the 263 hp 3.5 L Cyclone engine from the Edge.

The Mercury Sable, the Taurus sedan twin, was revived from the Mercury Montego. Changes to the new Sable include a new front end, 3.5 L Cyclone engine from the Edge, and the replacement of the continuously variable transmission (CVT).

The offers, available through the ninth of July, are part of Ford?s ?Summer Drive? sales event nationwide. According to the Dearborn-based company, the offers include zero-percent financing for 36 months on 2007 Ford, Mercury and Lincoln vehicles, or up to $2,500 cash back on select models; and an additional $2,007 cash on 2007 trucks and sport utility vehicles, excluding the Ford Edge, Freestyle and E-Series van, and the Lincoln MKX.

The automaker is also is putting money on the hood of 2008 models, including a $1,500 cash rebate on F-Series SuperDuty regular cab and super cab pickups or $1,000 on crew cab models. Additionally, Ford is offering $1,000 cash on 2008 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner compact SUVs. That is a bit of a surprise because the redesigned vehicles have been available only a few months and are selling well. Ford’s offer of $500 on the Taurus and Sable, launched in the previous week, is a semaphore that even the most recent vehicles often need discounts right out of the gate.

“They’re not even at the dealerships yet, (but) $500 is a pretty nominal amount,” said analyst Erich Merkle of IRN Inc. in Grand Rapids. “June is going to be a weak month for the industry as a whole, and Ford has really been much weaker than the industry on average.”

Ford spokeswoman Jim Cain said that the moves are not unusual. “We’ve launched lots of vehicles with a cash incentive,” he said. “Every year, you have model year end clearance, and the traditional time to begin is around the Fourth of July.”

Aside from its summer offers, Ford is also backing auto industry?s aim to boost environment friendly lineups. Ford and the Chrysler Group, trying to reinforce their green credentials as pressure intensifies for them to manufacture more fuel-efficient vehicles, said last Wednesday that they had joined a group calling for mandatory reductions of greenhouse gas emissions.

The two domestic automakers joined the General Motors Corp. in the United States Climate Action Partnership – a group of large U.S. businesses and environmental groups. The group has called on Congress to establish a target for reducing carbon emissions and a national program to accelerate technology research, among other ideas.

“Now is the time for advancing a national approach to climate change where all of us – individuals, industry and government – take action toward reducing emissions of greenhouse gases,” said Tom LaSorda, Chrysler Group’s president and CEO.

Ford said that its decision to join is part of its commitment to reduce the country’s reliance on foreign oil and reduce carbon emissions.

You can save hundreds of dollars on garage fees every year by carrying out minor servicing and maintenance jobs on your car yourself. Armed with a selection of widely available automotive tools, a garage manual for your car, and enough time and patience to get a job done properly, pretty much anyone can carry out the routine tasks needed to keep your car on the road and running smoothly.

One of the most satisfying aspects of carrying out maintenance tasks on your vehicle – aside from saving money on expensive garage bills – is that you are able to get an understanding of how the car works, and the more you understand about the vehicle, the easier it is to put things right in the event of a breakdown.

Any home garage requires a good selection of automotive tools to carry out work on a car. Some vehicles from certain manufacturers have non standard machining and sizes used throughout their construction, and you will need to get automotive specialty tools designed for the purpose of working on that particular car from a motor store. No home workshop is complete without a trolley jack and axle stands to allow you to get under the car and do things like oil changes and exhaust checks.

For most small jobs, such as changing the oil or replacing filters, changing the spark plugs and brake pads on your vehicle, general tools such as a wrench and a screwdriver are all that is required, and these are widely available in most hardware stores. It is a good idea to keep your automotive tools separate from other tools you may have, because if you begin a job and then discover that the tool you want to use is missing, it can cause major headaches.

Twenty years ago, cars were much simpler to maintain and understand than they are today. Computerised engine management systems and adjustable fuel injectors are now commonplace, and special automotive diagnostic tools are required in order to make adjustments to the engine timing and fuel air mix, whereas in the past, these jobs could be done quite simply.

Areas of the car that almost anyone can handle the regular maintenance of are the interior and exterior panels. Simple scratches and dents to the bodywork are easy to repair using a soft mallet for panel beating and abrasive paper, spray paint and filler for paintwork repairs.

If your car is well used, the interior is likely to start to look tired and dated and in need of a little tender loving care. Thankfully, there are many automotive upholstery tools available to help you to tidy up the interior of the car and bring it back to its sparkling best. You can repair small tears and burns on the seats by darning them or applying a repair patch over the affected area. The trim of the car can be brought back to life with a good buffing using a polisher, while using specialist tools it is possible to repair the carpets or even replace them.

Of course there is much more to owning and maintaining a car than just tightening nuts and sewing up split seams, and you may find that you want to add non-stock parts such as a more efficient air filter or new exhaust to improve performance, and once you understand the basics of automotive maintenance, upgrades and tuning will become more accessible, saving you even more money in the long term.

Doing small jobs yourself can save you plenty of money on garage bills, and having the right automotive tools to get the jobs done is an excellent idea that will save you time and effort in the long run. However, one of the most important things for any mechanic to know is when to pass over a job to an expert, and rather than potentially do more damage than good, to get a qualified mechanic to carry out work on a car.

For the summer season Kia has a lot to offer that would keep the whole family happy.

To keep the kids entertained during long trips, the Sedona models and Carens seven seat models will now include a fully integrated multimedia cinema system consisting of wireless headphones surround sound with games console compatibility. The large screen DVD player is a sure hit with all passengers.

And due to the success of the original launching of Carens model, Kia will offer discounts on the entire Carens range for all would-be mothers. And guess what? The series of discounts to be given will depend on the number of babies that a mother is expecting. Initial offer for one baby will start at

The Ford Motor Co. said last Monday that it is offering a premium to holders of its five-year-old debt securities to convert them to common stock. This move could thump the automaker’s third-quarter results.

The Dearborn-based automaker will incur a one-time debt conversion expense for the third quarter of this year in connection with the offer, the company said in a Securities and Exchange Commission filing. “Assuming 100 percent of the outstanding Trust Preferred Securities are validly tendered and accepted for conversion, the debt conversion pretax expense is estimated to be $1.47 billion,” Ford said.

The automaker said that the estimate is based on the June 29, 2007 market price of Ford common stock of $9.42. Ford said that each convertible security, having a liquidation value of $50, can be exchanged for 2.8249 shares of Ford common stock plus a premium in Ford shares valued at $14.25. The recuperating automaker, which lost $12.6 billion in 2006, is making the offer in order to raise its stockholders’ equity, cut debt level and limit interest expense, the company said in the filing. By doing so, the automaker could focus on production needs, quality of Ford parts, and target sales.

The number of premium shares received will be determined by the average market price of Ford common stock on July 25, 26 and 27, 2007. The conversion offer is being made pursuant to an offering circular and other related documents, each dated July 2, 2007. The completion of the offer is subject to conditions described in the conversion offer documents. Subject to applicable law, Ford may waive the conditions applicable to the offer or extend, terminate or otherwise modify the offer.

The conversion offer is being made only on the terms and subject to the conditions described in the offering circular and other related documents, which will be disseminated to holders of trust preferred securities, who are advised to read such documents because they contain crucial information. Copies of the offering circular and related documents have been filed with the SEC.

Holders of trust preferred securities may throw questions about the conversion offer or make requests for copies of the offering circular and related documents for free to Georgeson, Inc., Ford?s information agent for the conversion offer. Interested parties can call toll-free at 888-605-7541. Capital Trust II, a statutory business trust, was founded in 2001 under the laws of the state of Delaware and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ford.

“As we continue to make progress on restructuring our automotive operations to return to profitability, we also are focused on improving our balance sheet, which this conversion offer will do,” said Don Leclair, Ford’s executive vice president and chief financial officer.

The convertible preferred securities are issued by the automaker?s wholly owned subsidiary trust Ford Motor Company Capital Trust II. The trust’s sole assets are $5.2 billion principal amount of 6.5 percent junior subordinated convertible debentures due in 2032, which will be cancelled to the extent trust preferred securities are converted into Ford common stock. The company has effectively guaranteed the trust preferred securities through the debentures and other instruments.

Convertibles are preferred stock or bonds that can be exchanged for a specified number of common shares. They effectively let investors benefit from stock price increases, but with the yield and security of a fixed-income instrument. Ford?s offer will expire at 5:00 p.m. EDT on July 31, 2007.

Ford is an American multinational corporation and the world’s third largest automaker after the Toyota Motor Corp. and the General Motors Corp., based on worldwide sales. Last year, Ford garnered more quality awards from J.D Power than any other automaker.

An ?affiliation? is a relationship (an agreement) between two parties in which one party sells the products or services of the other in exchange for a commission.

Auto industry’s convertible segment is booming these days. To compete ardently, Chrysler sets free a powerful convertible in the 2008 version of Sebring.

The new Sebring Convertible from the automaker is built on D-segment platform of the automaker. Said platform is capable of producing a sleek, exhilarating, elegant, comfortable, and fuel efficient convertible that sits 4 adults. The trunk is also made spacious to hold extra loads even when the top of the convertible is dropped.

The new convertible offers 3 striking top options ? vinyl, cloth, and all-new steel retractable hard top. These options can be controlled with just a push of a button on the key fob. Chrysler Convertible parts Sebring are engineered to deliver positive changes in the segment. 2008 Sebring Convertible boasts its standard power hard top tonneau cover on all models. It also boasts the option of superb open-air riding freedom as well as privacy in driving.

“America’s favorite convertible is now better than ever,” said George Murphy, Senior Vice President-Global Marketing, Chrysler Group. “The all-new Chrysler Sebring Convertible offers the unprecedented combination of unmistakable road presence, athletic handling, innovative technologies, as well as plenty of room for people and gear. In fact, the all-new Sebring Convertible is the only convertible in the segment that can pass the two-golf- bag test. The sky’s the limit on what this vehicle can accomplish in the marketplace.”

Engine options for Chrysler Sebring Convertible parts include the standard 2.4-liter 4-cylinder World Engine, the Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV) 2.7-liter V-6 engine and the 3.5-liter V-6 engine with a new 6-speed automatic transaxle with Auto Stick. 2008 Sebring Convertible is made 3.5 inches taller and more than 2 inches wider than its predecessor. Compared to its sedan version, the convertible is 3 inches longer. Its wheelbase is also extended by 2.9 inches.

Outside North America, the automaker will be offering a diesel engine as well as right-hand-drive availability to give the vehicle stronger selling potentials. Chrysler intends to further enhance America’s favorite convertible which made it a best-seller in the United States for the past 11 years. The new Sebring Convertible is expected to exude supremacy this year.