Everyone knows that General Motors and Chrysler are in dire straits, seeking bail out money from the federal government. If their assertions are correct, neither automaker has enough cash on hand to make it through the next few weeks, perhaps finding themselves insolvent by early January.

Ford, on the other hand, isn’t in such a bad predicament having enough funds to see them through the end of 2009. Instead of obtaining loan money, the automaker has asked the federal government to extend the automaker a line of credit in the event that the company’s financial position worsens. There is a good chance that Ford will not only avoid having to borrow even a penny from the feds and, if things work out as planned in 2009, the automaker will actually begin to pick up business and market share during the coming years.

Why is Ford doing so much better than its crosstown rivals? For several reasons including the following:

Ford Family ? Unlike Chrysler and General Motors, the descendants of the founder of Ford are still firmly in control of the company. Now owned by the fourth generation of Ford family members (and independent shareholders), the family understands that shares are diluted if the federal government intervenes, with the good chance that dividends would stop being paid. True, Ford mortgaged the entire company two years ago, a move that raised billions in cash and kicked in a credit line before the market plunged.

Global Market ? Like General Motors, Ford has a strong presence beyond North America, selling many more cars overseas as it does in the US. But, unlike GM, the automaker has products that can be sold across many different markets and it is these smaller, European style products that are starting to find their way stateside, including the Fiesta and the all new Ford Focus. GM, on the other hand, doesn’t have quite the reach even with Opel in Europe and Daewoo in Korea ? few of these cars can be sold in America.

New Technologies ? Hybrid technology is spreading across autodom, but Chrysler is a bit player in this arena. GM has decided to go with its two-mode hybrid system, but it won’t compare to the hybrid system Ford is readying for the 2010 Ford Fusion when it debuts this Spring. That car will get 39 mpg in the city and 37 mpg on the highway, numbers which simply blow away the competition. Also, Ford is heavily invested in EcoBoost an engine technology that allows smaller engines to offer power equivalent to a larger powerplant. For example, the V-6 EcoBoost Ford has for the Lincoln MKS will still give excellent fuel economy while offering power equivalent to a V-8 engine.

Ford could still slip up and fail and they’ll still need to pay off their debt, but with new products on their way, new technologies in place, and no federal loan oversight to hamper their operations, the company could and should start seeing a sales increase in 2009 and build on its market share in the process.

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.”

Auto inspection is the term commonly used to mean vehicle inspection covering automobiles and trucks. There are several reasons why a vehicle undergoes auto inspection. One is when this is required by law. Another is when a vehicle is being sold as a used automobile or truck and the buyer requests the auto inspection. Finally, it is recommended that a vehicle owner bring his or her own automobile or truck for auto inspection by a highly skilled automotive mechanic every year or two as part of preventive maintenance. Tampa vehicle owners should take note of this.

Auto Safety Inspection Required By Law

The law requires auto safety inspection to make certain that vehicles are road worthy, preventing harm to the drivers, passengers, the other people on the road and even the environment. There are specific automotive shops that are licensed to perform such required auto inspections, with specially trained vehicle inspectors.

Auto safety inspection covers the vehicle?s brakes, tires, engine, transmission system, muffler, horn, lights, mirrors, windshield, windshield wipers and window glass. To pass clean air inspection, the vehicle?s emission control system is checked and the chemical content of its exhaust is tested.

Failure to pass any of the safety tests means the automobile or truck needs to undergo immediate repair and another round of tests.

To pass, vehicle owners should ensure the following before bringing the vehicle for auto safety inspection.

All tires, including the spare tire, should be in good condition with no bulges, bald areas, cuts or any fabric showing. Tread depth around the tire circumference and across 75% of tire breadth should be no less than one millimeter.

There should be no leaks at all, whether of gasoline or any other fluid.

The brakes should be working properly and should be able to stop the vehicle within 50 feet when running at 25 miles an hour.

There should be no leaks in the exhaust system and the sound of engine exhaust has to be effectively reduced by the muffler.

The horn should be in good working condition, as do the lights, including headlights, parking lights, turn signals and license plate lights.

The windshield should be made of clear glass and any tint should be only a strip of not more than four inches from the top of the windshield. The windshield wipers and their rubber blades should be working properly.

The mirrors should provide clear views of the rear and sides of the vehicle.

All glass used in windows should have no holes, breaks or cracks. Tinting is allowed by law only up to 35%.

Pre-Sale Auto Inspection of Used Vehicles

The type of auto inspection required by buyers of used vehicles is meant to ensure that the vehicle is a worthy purchase. The buyer needs to trust the mechanic who will check the vehicle?s engine, transmission system, brakes, cooling system, instrumentation, wheels, tires, body, interior, underbody and everything else for signs of damage or any impending problems. The mechanic then gives the buyer a report.

Auto Inspection for Vehicle Maintenance

Auto inspection for vehicle maintenance is a voluntary procedure by vehicle owners. This ensures that the vehicle is kept in prime condition and that any potential problems are discovered early on and are acted upon. This is not only ensures that you are able to protect your investment in the vehicle but, more importantly, prevents any future accidents caused by malfunction.

Take care of your engine and car transmission system. Follow all maintenance procedures such as truck and auto oil change. Make sure you use reliable car and truck parts such as those from AC Delco. Proper maintenance and timely auto and truck repair by a qualified automotive mechanic will ensure that your vehicle always passes any auto inspection in Tampa.

What’s a good reference book for automotive repair, maintenance, and tuning. I’m trying to learn all I can about cars and need a good place to start. I’m hoping to get to the point where I can do mods and performance tuning one day (not ****** rice cans, I mean American V8 classics and modern muscle cars).

What’s a good reference book for automotive repair, maintenance, and tuning. I’m trying to learn all I can about cars and need a good place to start. I’m hoping to get to the point where I can do mods and performance tuning one day (not ****** rice cans, I mean American V8 classics and modern muscle cars).

I am looking to get a BMW soon, and I have heard good things about the E30 and E36s. Both being from the 90s, they would be in my price range.
Which year and series BMW would make a good first car, when taking into account reliability, and cost.
Also, how many miles should I look for on it?

I would assume theyre already good quality bc they are speakers that came installed in a BMW, but I do not know anything about speakers or sound quality. Of course i can always get better quality speakers, but would it be worth it if I spent $150-$200 to replace them?

In a Saturn Exhaust assembly, as in many other systems that exist in the known automotive universe, the system components are predominantly attached to the vehicle by the talents of a great many and varied lot of mounting clamps, brackets and hangers?especially hangers. Of the three types of mounting hardware, the Saturn exhaust hanger must be in place and securely installed to the chassis as well as to the other exhaust components in order to ensure a smoother and safer ride.

A great deal of noise is often the most apparent sign of trouble in the exhaust system. This is commonly the result of gases escaping though holes and cracks in the tailpipes, mufflers and hangers of the exhaust system. In these instances, a closer scrutiny is called for.

A visual inspection of the assembly may turn up broken or damaged hangers or brackets as well as the severe growth of rust or unsightly corrosion along with areas that have ultimately rusted through. Patches, leaking seams and cracked pipes are also obvious defects that one must deal with at all costs.

Security is at a paramount in driving. Thus, one needs to be certain that all the systems in the car, including that of the exhaust system, has no problems?a conclusion that can be reached only when one is certain that all the parts of the said system are working in excellently well. Rattling sounds, too, are indications of broken down areas that may have been the result of the persistent work of rust, heat or corrosion so check for them, as well. Any that show signs of frayed, broken or rusty parts should be replaced. Otherwise, the improper support induced by these materials will damage the car in great measure.

In the end, a well built exhaust hanger means better safer driving and cleaner air to breathe. This, indeed, is something one must always do well to aspire to.

I have a friend who just bought an infinity g-37s for his 18th bday. For his 19th, i want to get him a nice muffler, but the thing is i don’t know much about them.
Im looking to spend around $200 or less for a muffler that makes a descent humm noise. The G37 already makes beautiful music but its not loud enough. What type of a muffler would make a good present?

I want a smaller pulley for the supercharger on my 1996 bonneville ssei and was wondering if any other upgrades will be needed before doing so in order to avoid destroying my car.