After dispatching the ultra-luxury brand Aston Martin earlier this year and auctioning off Jaguar and Land Rover, Ford is now looking to sell the Swedish brand Volvo according to The Financial Times. According to reports, Ford?s Chief Executive Officer Lana Mulally may be looking to sell the luxury brand.

Although Mulally, and Ford for that matter, is yet to divulge information concerning the issue, there are a lot of opinions floating in the auto industry as to why Ford should sell the Swedish brand which it acquired in 1999.

Rod Lache of the Deutsche Bank in an interview with The Financial Times pointed out two reasons why Ford is better off without Volvo.

The first reason is that once Ford has sold Volvo, it can simplify its operating structure. It can be remembered that Ford announced earlier this year that they will be focusing on their core operations as part of their turnaround plan. With Volvo in Ford?s folds, the Dearborn-based automaker will be spending both money and effort in synching Volvo?s operation with other marques.

The second reason pointed out by Mr. Lache is that Ford?s coffers will be boosted by the sale of the Swedish auto brand. This money can go to their healthcare liabilities and in their contract talks with the United Auto Workers (UAW).

Although Volvo has been integrated into Ford?s core operations to some point, it would be a sacrifice that Ford needs to take in order to swiftly turn the company back to profitability. After all, the company has already closed down assembly facilities which assemble Ford engines and other components including Ford bumpers and the like.

Meanwhile, Ford is seriously pushing through with its plan to sell Jaguar and Land Rover, an action that has been anticipated by many since Ford sold Aston Martin earlier this year. Among the interested buyers of the two British luxury brands is Indian automaker Tata.

Tata Motors is the largest Indian automaker and it is currently getting a lot of attention after carmaker after carmaker expressed their entry in the growing Indian auto market. After announcing that they will be introducing a $3,000 compact car in India, Tata Motors may be looking to diversify its offering as it is reported that the company is willing to bid about $1.3 billion for the two British brands.

When asked about the issue, a Tata Motors spokesperson has this to say: ?We have absolutely no comments to make on mergers and acquisitions.? It is reported that Tata Motors has signed a confidentiality agreement and is already having talks with the Dearborn-based automaker.

This development has received wide interest from analysts. Abdul Majed, an auto industry analyst for Price Waterhouse, says that Tata Motors aiming to buy Jaguar and Land Rover makes perfect sense. ?For an Indian auto firm buying into an American or European auto company makes perfect sense as it can then leverage the brand, the product development capability and distribution platform and get access to international markets,? said the analyst.

Although buying luxury brands makes sense, Abdul Majed pointed out that Tata Motors should only go for Land Rover since Jaguar has been a money-loosing firm for years. This though might not be possible since Ford has almost joined Jaguar and Land Rover by integrating operations of the two brands together. In fact, Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles are manufactured in the same assembly facility and that is one strong reason why Ford is selling the two as a package.

Automotive mechanics are responsible for servicing and repairing motor vehicles. At various times, their work may involve inspection of problems, routine or preventive maintenance, replacement of parts, diagnostic troubleshooting, performance testing, and/or vehicle repair. Mechanics make use of a wide variety of tools, ranging from traditional hand tools to larger power tools to the computerized shop equipment needed for interfacing with the integrated electronic systems and complex computers which regulate most of today’s vehicles. During routine service inspections, mechanics will test and if necessary, repair or replace worn parts using a checklist to ensure that they examine every critical part. To handle more intensive repair jobs, mechanics may need to replace or overhaul major systems or components of the vehicle. Troubleshooting problems on many of today’s vehicles often requires a mechanic to compare readouts from a computerized diagnostic testing device with benchmarked standards provided by the manufacturer.

Education, Certification, Licensing

Strictly speaking, there are no mandated educational requirements for becoming an automotive mechanic. Some mechanics still learn the trade by assisting and learning from experienced workers. However, successful completion of a vocational training program in automotive service technology in high school or in a postsecondary vocational school or community college is highly recommended. Courses in math, physics, and to an increasingly important degree, electronics and computer science, will be extremely helpful. Even those who graduate from a formal automotive training program will still need a year or two of experience to become a fully qualified automotive mechanic. Complex specialties, such as air conditioning or transmission repair, normally require another year or two of training and/or experience.A standard credential for automotive mechanics is the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certification. While not mandatory for automotive service work, certification is becoming increasingly common to the point where today there are about 400,000 certified professionals. Certification can be earned in one or more of 8 different areas of automotive service (e.g., engine repair, brake systems, electrical systems, etc.) and is based on a combination of education/experience and the ability to pass a certification exam. Those who are skilled in multiple auto repair services and would like to increase their marketability as an all-around mechanic can pursue ASE certification in all eight areas, which will earn them the designation of Master Automobile Technician.

The last time that Bill Ford has made an optimistic announcement was in 2005 wherein he cited Ford and Volvo engineers working together to produce new exciting safety features that will enhanced night vision and improved collision avoidance ability of vehicles.

Unfortunately after such announcement Ford?s finances have started to dwindle and has overshadowed the earlier full of hope message of Mr. Ford. Instead of the closer cooperation between Ford and Volvo that Mr. Ford has announced, the automaker with its new CEO Alan Mulally is mulling over the sale of its Sweden-based subsidiary. Bill Ford remains to be the Chairman of Ford Motors and unlike in the past wherein he always gives out public updates on the happenings within the company now he chose to keep quite and to give as few comments as possible on the family business.

The issue on the sale of Volvo has divided Volvo and Ford. But Ford has stressed that it has not engaged in any talks with any prospective buyers. Ford with all of its assets already pledged to creditors need to raise a huge amount to continue the production of new products and to realize their turnaround plan. The sale of Volvo is one of the plausible options that the automaker has since its one of their profitable brand.

The proceeds from the Volvo sale will be used to repay all of Ford?s debts and also to renegotiate borrowing terms since right now the automaker is finding it hard to find financial institutions that would loan them additional capital.

Rod Lache an analyst at Deutsche Bank has told clients last Tuesday that Ford has two very good reasons to get rid of Volvo. The first one is that the Volvo sale would simplify the recovery strategy and operating structure of Ford. Second, it would provide a source of extra cash for the restructuring of healthcare liabilities as part of the upcoming talks with the United Auto Workers? union.

However the sale of Volvo the producer of Volvo 240 parts would signal the final dismemberment of Ford?s premier car business outside of North America which was formed in the year 1980s and 1990s.

Ford has disposed of Aston Martin earlier this year and last Thursday was the deadline set by the automaker?s financial advisers for interested buyers to give their bid for Land Rover and Jaguar. But for Volvo, Ford has not yet made any official announcement of it?s supposedly sale. This must be because of the fact that the Swedish automaker has been the most profitable part of the PAG plus it has made a significant contribution to the development of other Ford products.

If you think that US has everything that you want then you are in for a surprise because not everything especially when it comes to car can be found in the land of milk and honey.

Forbes.com has released its list of the top ten cars that you won?t find in the US. And here is the list:

? Alfa Romeo Spider V6 model with high-quality Alfa Romeo catalytic converter and costing $46,377 introduced in the 1967 movie The Graduate has stayed in the US market until 1995. It was taken out of the market by Fiat S.p.A due to poor quality and financial problems.

? Aston Martin Vanquish S which cost about $360,000 was last offered in the US market after its 2006 model year. The Vanquish S is Astion Martin?s faster-ever, street-legal car with a hand-build 6.0 liter V12 engine that produces 520 hp of power.

? Audi S3 cost about $39,700 is a high performance version of the A3 which is available in the US. The S3 has 265hp, turbocharged, four-cylinder engine. Its only drawback is its styling which consist of boxy two-door and a hatchback which is not a popular body style in the US.

? BMW 1 Series with price around $30,000 was introduced as a four-door hatchback 1 Series in the fall of 2004 unfortunately not for US market.

? Citroen C6 costing around $54,000 is a flagship sedan and has 3.0 liter, 215hp V6 gasoline engine or a choice of two diesels.

? Fiat 500 priced at $14,000?beautiful and small—launched as the latest generation of the 500 minicar last July 4. in Europe engine choices range from 69hp to 100 hp.

? Smart Fortwo is priced under $12,000. Mercedes launched smart in Europe in the year 1998 and will be made available in the US in early part of 2008.

? Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution with estimated US price of around $35,000. The high performance Evo was last offered in the US for the 2006 model year. And Mitsubishi will revive it in early part of 2008. Features include: all-wheel-drive and lightweight, turbocharged, four-cylinder engine, with an aluminum cylinder block.

? Nissan Skyline with price at around $25,000 is not available in the US but some drifters in Southern California have bought used Japanese-market Skylines and paid to have them converted to meet US regulations.

? Peugeot 4007 unfortunately pricing is not available. This model has bailed out of the US market in the year 1991 and according to the statement found on its official web site its has no plans of returning.

What would be the horsepower and the maximum top speed. It has 160 mph on the dash but it’s been tested to hit 135mph but no more because of the governor on the engine. It’s horsepower is 180. How much increase in horsepower and top speed am I looking at if I buy a supercharger for the 2000 Toyota Celica GT-S?

Chrysler the maker of Jeep fender flare has recently announced its plan of investing an additional $1.2 billion to move the assembly of its 300 sedan version to Ontario from Australia in an effort to regain financial health.

Around $500 million will be given to the Brampton plant which will build the 300 LX model while the rest of the money will be used in the improvement of the car?s design, supplier development, and engineering that is according to spokesman Ed Saenz. Presently, it?s the Magna International Inc. that produces the 300 in Graz, Austria.

The sudden move to Brampton was part of the automaker?s plan last February 14 that involves the cut in manufacturing and other costs after incurring $680 million loss in 2006.

Mr. Saenz said, “With all of models going through the plant we can now add in different versions of vehicles. The move will also help us save money by not having to retool Magna’s Graz facility. Manufacturing flexibility is critical.”

The production of the LX model versions of the 300 will commence in 2010 at Brampton where around 4,000 workers are working on three shifts now to produce the 300, Dodge Magnum, and the Dodge Charger. By the way, the Charger and the 300 are the top-selling vehicles of Chrysler in the US for the first half of this year. The Brampton plant will also be adding the two-door Dodge Challenger Coupe in its production schedule next year.

Mr. Saenz has also stressed that the move to Brampton plant would not affect the production of Chrysler 300 C at DaimlerChrysler?s plant in Beijing.

Meanwhile, Magna Chief Financial Officer Vince Galifi said, “We continue to have discussions with automakers about other potential vehicle assembly contracts.” The Aurora, Ontario-based company had been producing the 300 in Austria since the year 2005.

It can be remembered that Magna has also made an undisclosed bid for Chrysler this year. Chrysler?s sale to Cerberus is scheduled to be concluded this quarter.

Saenz has also said that the workers in Brampton were already informed of the additional investment that Chrysler will be pouring in. The news came after Chrysler has announced that it will not be pushing through with the production of the Imperial citing the increasing gasoline prices and changing mileage standards as reasons.

The Imperial was originally scheduled to be produced also in Brampton but due to the changes in Chrysler?s plans the Imperial production was scrapped and was replaced by the LX model versions of the 300.

Ford Motor Corporation has denied reports that it?s selling its Swedish-based unit and further stated that it?s not in any way negotiating with anyone to sell Volvo.

According to reports on Sunday Times and New York Times quoting unnamed source said that Ford has decided to consider possible offers for Volvo. But Ford spokesman Tom Hoyt denies the reports and said that the automaker is not involved in any such talks. He said, “To my knowledge, we are not in negotiations with anyone about the future of Volvo.”

It was last August that Ford has announced that it was exploring possible sale options for its Aston Martin luxury sports car brand which it was able to sell March of this year. The automaker has also left sales possibilities for the other Premier brands open of which include Volvo (also maker of quality Volvo 850 parts).

David Cole an auto analyst said that if the cash problem of Ford worsens it may end up selling Volvo as a desperate measure. It can be remembered that Ford purchased Volvo from Sweden?s Volvo AB in the year 1999 for $6.45 billion.

Mark Fields, Ford?s President of the Americas has told Free Press, “Volvo is pretty integrated into Ford right now.” Mr. Fields is now leading the North American turnaround plan of Ford. He is also previously led the premier Automotive Group overseeing Jaguar, Land Rover, and Volvo.

After the sale of the ultra-luxury Aston Martin brand for $848 Million last May, Ford is now considering selling options of its other PAG brands in order to raise additional fund to support its turnaround plan. Ford?s Way Forward plan aims to shutdown 16 plants, cutoff 44,000 jobs, and the revamp the company?s lineups of Ford, Mercury, and Lincoln in hope of helping the company regain financial health in 2009.

Ford CEO Mulally in an interview with Free Press said that a review of the role of Jaguar and Land Rover will have in Ford?s portfolio and future will be known very soon. CEO Mulally further said, “Any good business continually reviews its portfolio.” According to analysts particularly from Citigroup, those two brands can obtain for Ford as much as $8 billion.

Fields also pointed out the fact that Ford is currently working to merge Volvo?s operations with that of Ford?s for the past five years or so especially since the Detroit-based automaker would like to be known as a safety leader. But then according to Mr. Fields, “At the end of the day, you have to do what is right for the business.”

Whether you?re a consumer waiting on a vehicle repair, a service provider in the automotive industry, or a car enthusiast, finding quality automotive replacement parts can at times feel like a scavenger hunt gone bad. While some stores offer cheaper parts, others may present a better value. While you can count on your dealership for quality, they may not have your part in stock. With so many options to weigh, considering factors and scenarios to match, the following functions as a general guide to determining the best place to find automotive replacement parts, and under what conditions.

Auto Parts Retail Store

With the proliferation of franchised auto part retailers, chances are there is a location right around your corner. Stores like Parts Plus will most likely have the lowest prices and a wider selection of parts than small family owned auto parts stores. Auto parts retail stores are usually best for generic auto parts and accessories such as oil filters and windshield wipers.

Car Dealership

If a specific part is required, such as a passenger side door handle for a 1996 black Toyota Camry, a visit to your car dealership may be in order. However, it?s rare that a dealership will have your specific automotive replacement part in stock, which typically results in increased wait times and marked up prices. Since manufacturers often mark up rates to cover services costs, visiting a dealership should be a last resort.

Auto Salvage Yard

When inexpensiveness is paramount, auto salvage yards are the destination of choice. ?Junkyards? will sell automotive replacement parts for just a few dollars, and most carry a wide selection. Use caution. Buying critical automotive replacement parts like those for a transmission, poses the risk of walking away with parts of poor quality. To avoid part failure, these shops should be visited only when seeking out automotive replacement parts that are cosmetic in nature.

Internet

With the advent of the internet, wholesale Websites of both new and used automotive replacement parts have begun to find a home on the World Wide Web. Though many online storefronts offer secure ordering and prompt shipping of well made, inexpensive automotive replacement parts, caution is always warranted when shopping online. Look for a phone number so you can speak directly with a customer service representative to help you understand payment, shipping and return policies.

Another crucial factor is security. Look for the HTTPS: protocol in the Web address of the payment page to determine whether your ordering information will be secure, private and protected. (When the browser address bar reads https; it means the Webpage is encrypted with a secure socket layer, or SSL Certificate.) A Webpage with an SSL should also have the SSL logo displayed. Clicking on the logo will show whether the SSL is valid and if it is expired. When online auto stores pass the security test, they can be the absolute best places to find automotive replacement parts; price is often lower online, given the many wholesale providers buying directly from the manufacturer.

Post a Classified Ad

If you still cannot find the replacement part you?re looking for, try to reach out to the people in your community. Posting an ad in a local newspaper or on free classified Websites such as Craigslist (http:www.craigslist.org) can be rewarding. You may find that someone in your area has a car that doesn?t run but has the working part you are looking for.

Join a Car Club

Finally, if you are looking for automotive replacement parts for classic cars, joining a car club is a good idea, albeit an obvious one. Enthusiasts know that finding automotive replacement parts for cars that our 40 or 50 years old can be quite the challenge. Car clubs will provide tons of resources ? and can be a way for you to reach a community of people with similar cars.

Though there are several avenues to finding automotive replacement parts, do look first online to avoid spending unneeded time, money and effort. When credible, online storefronts deliver beyond expectation.

My cousin and I are planning on putting in a supercharger on his car. We are going to install it on a 2006 infiniti g35. We have some information but we just want to make sure we have enough info so we can be prepared. If there is anyone out there that can give us some tips or help we would appreciate it. The supercharger we will install is going to be a vortech.

We would say this about our dealership ?any quantity of any Dodge truck model you want, you will get from us! Considering that we are the No.1 volume dealer for trucks in South Texas, does this cause surprise?

We are Blue Bonnet Dodge, leading dealer for the popular models, Dodge and Chrysler.

Those of you living in South Texas, in areas such as San Antonio, Austin, New Braunfels, Geronimo, Seguin, Cibolo, Canyon Lake, San Marcos, Kingsbury, Fentress, Universal City, Saint Hedwig and South Texas could take the best advantage of our dealership.

We complement our service with features that go on to make your online shopping for Dodge and Chrysler vehicles a treat ?New Vehicle Specials, Pre Owned, Online Specials, Parts/Service, Finance and lots more.

Needless to say, we have in stock all and any of the models of Dodge and Chrysler you would want ?Aspen, Crossfire, PT Cruiser, PT Cruiser Convertible, Sebring Sedan, Sebring Convertible, 300, Pacifica, Town & Country, Avenger, Caliber, Viper, Charger, Magnum, Caravan, Nitro, Durango, Dakota and the Ram series from Dodge; and Crossfire, PT Cruiser, PT Cruiser Convertible, Sebring Sedan, Sebring Convertible, 300, Pacifica, Town & Country and Aspen from Chrysler!

So, just drop in and experience the whole range of models at our dealership, as well as the courteous and professional service we back all these with!