Auto363

When it comes to getting insurance, it is often worth looking into motor insurance deals. There are so many different deals that you could benefit from; you just have to know what it is that you have to look for.

What Motor Insurance Deals Might be Available?

Each individual will need different insurance policies to suit their needs. So before you can look out for motor insurance deals you will first need to have a good understanding of what it is that you are looking for. What are your circumstances? Are you a female or a young driver? Do you know how that could affect your quote?

In order to find the best deals you do need to know what generally affects auto insurance quotes.

Some deals that you might be interested in include:

• Female only deals

• Classic car deals

• No claims discount deals

• Courtesy car deals

• Free breakdown cover

Each policy will obviously be different and so it is up to you to know what it is that you want. Would you like to benefit from breakdown cover? Many companies charge for breakdown cover but there are some deals which throw in the cover free of charge. So if breakdown cover is important to you then make sure that you specify that when using a specialist insurance broker.

A good insurance broker will help you to find the most relevant quotes anyway when you fill in your details with them. They will know where to look and what deals will better suit you. Classic car deals for example will obviously be important if you own a classic car. They tend to attract higher insurance quotes because the parts are harder to get hold of and they are also more expensive. So if you had to make a claim, the cost would be higher for the insurance company. That is why they charge you extra, though there are some deals out there aimed specifically at the classic car owner.

Another deal which you will ideally want to take advantage of in your insurance policy is a courtesy car. That way if anything happens to your car, you get a free courtesy car to replace it whilst it is being fixed. Most people assume that all insurance policies come with this cover but that is unfortunately not always the case. So try to look for deals which include free courtesy cars in the event of an accident or theft.

If you have been driving for a number of years and you have never had an accident then it may be possible to benefit from no claims deals. This is where you get a discount on your insurance because you have never made a claim.

Overall finding the right insurance to suit your needs doesn’t have to be a chore. By using a specialist broker they can help you to find some of the most relevant deals to suit your needs. No matter what your circumstances, there will always be motor insurance deals to suit you.

Obviously, not all car dealers are dishonest and unethical. However, all car dealers are in business to make money.The way they do that is simple.They use every pyschological trick, to take as much out of your wallet as possible.

Let us count the ways :

The Credit Score Scam:

You come in to buy a car, without a recent credit report.(bad dog!/stupid dog!) Because now your friendly

helpful dealer gets to run your credit rating. And guess what he finds? Aw…too bad…..your credit score is

too low. But,because he/she/it(hey, this could be San Francisco!)is friendly and helpful….there is a solution!…….it’s…..

The Interest Rate Bump Scam:

Enter the dealership’s friendly financing counselor, who,even with your terrible credit score,somehow manages to get you the cash you need for your dream-mobile,for only 8%. What the friendly counselor doesn’t tell you – is the real rate. 6%. Guess into which pocket the other 2% goes?

The Subject to Financing Scam:

Imagining that somehow you’ve got the deal of a lifetime,you glide home in your shiny,new dream-mobile. A week or so passes. Then you get a call from

your friendly,helpful dealer with some bad news.

Your loan didn’t go through. But – not to worry, because ever helpful and friendly(not to mention

resourceful) dealer,has managed(even with your terrible credit) to get you new loan with a lower monthly payment! What you don’t learn,until you arrive to sign on the dotted line,is that the rate of the loan,like politicians promises, has increased.

The Trade In Scam: (one of mmmmmmmany)

Some weeks after trading in your old pile o’ junk, for your brand new dream-mobile,you get a call from the bank. They want to know why you did’nt make your last

payment on pile o’ junk. You explain that you traded in,and that your friendly,helpful car dealer is responsible for those payments. When the bank asks if you’ve got that in writing, then you realize that your

pals at friendly and helpful must have just forgotten to make the payments. And guess what direction your credit rating heads now?

The Dealer Prep Scam:

After scoring the deal of a lifetime,with everything signed and sealed – you suddenly get hit for an extra

$600 or so. For what? You rightly ask. Why,for the

folks at friendly n’ helpful to prepare your dream-mobile for delivery of course! Such as the state of their “art”,they are able to say this with a straight face,their tone implying that you are a few bricks short of a full load. Even though the manufacturer’s

sticker on the windshield states that “suggested retail price includes pre-delivery service!”

These are just a few of the “tools” of the car jockeys

trade. For you to get the dream-mobile you want, at the price you want, you need to understand and accept that

You will never, I repeat,NEVER out bargain friendly,

helpful car sales shark. These people are professionals.They do it day in, day out, on (you’ll pardon the pun) auto-pilot. You may think you’re smarter than the average bear. And you may well be. But

attempting to outdance a sales professional is financial suicide.

Knowledge is, indeed, power. So know your credit score.

Have your credit report in your pocket. Have your financing arranged BEFORE you pass the portals of friendly n’ helpful motors. Negotiate from strength.

Call them on their b.s. And don’t hesitate to walk if

The “deal” isn’t right. Take your cue from that old country song – “The Gambler “ – “You’ve got to know when to fold.”

Good luck!

COPYRIGHT 2009 LAWRENCE COLLINS. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

If you’d like an ex car salesman to give you more inside tips on how to get the deal you want on YOUR TERMS go to:

http://www.yourbestcardeal.info/

Used Car Values

Determine the cars history.

When searching for a new or a second hand vehicle at car auctions or at car classifieds you find on the news paper or in the Internet, it is always wise to gather the vehicles information to get enough information in determining the used car value. You may ask the used car dealer, or the old vehicle owner about the cars service and damage/accident history. This will give you an idea on what are the cars components that you need to pay attention to most often. For example, if the car has some issues with the engine always overheating, by knowing this in the cars history, you will know that the radiator needs attention. Thus, you will know that other used cars (without engine temperature trouble history) value will be higher than this car.

Cars Pricing

Get a car that fits your budget.

Don’t be in a rush to purchase a car that you like. It is always advisable to do a little browsing first with all of the available resources, specially for those with a limited budget. As much as possible, get a list of the top 5 cars that you think you like and compare their cars pricing and values. Of course, everyone will want to choose the car that fits the lifestyle and the budget alloted for it.

Car Sites

Sites on line that offers new or used automobile for sale.

It is alright to shop for cars on line, though, you will only see the cars in pictures which can make the decision harder.

Before buying a car on line, make sure that the site you are using is not a fraud. The second thing you need to do is to search for all the list of the cars, that are with in reach and with in the budget limitations, and make sure to contact the seller or the dealer of the car and ask for all the cars info. This information includes the vehicle’s history (service and damage history), cars pricing and the last price he/she is willing to offer, description of the car (feature, make, model, year, transmission etc) and more extra pictures.

Try to negotiate the price as much as you could and also negotiate the shipping cost, on who will pay the shipping. It is always best to visit the car, if possible, to make the decision easier. If you will visit the car, you will be able to see more details in to it and you might be able to test drive the vehicle.

One site I have seen giving quality car services is OzFreeOnline. They provide free services for either a seller or a buyer. One can browse a free car listing or avail of the free car advertising service to get that automobile sold fast.

Lastly, be patient in searching and buying for your next car. Browse all free car listings as much as possible to expand your choice.

rance company will shoulder most of the bills for car repairs and you save a fair amount on your other coverage. Life usually comes to a standstill when you are running short of cash in between paydays as urgent payments can not be made. Some people use their home equity to borrow. Loans are taken to meet a sudden and unexpected expense. However, you can save on your repair bills and still keep your vehicle well maintained. Auto repairs are a necessary, but often high priced expense. Almost all automotive repair questions can now be answered online, right at your fingertips.

Money is available for the emergent needs that occur in life and personal financing can be obtained for new appliances, automobile repairs and home improvements. Personal loans are a great option if you need money to consolidate debt, pay for automotive repair, repair the home, go on a vacation, or even go to school. The automotive insurance company usually sends a check for the funds directly to you to help you get the automotive repaired or to replace the vehicle. Of course, you then need to pay recovery charges to get your automobile home or to a garage and then get the automotive repaired. Auto expenses includes everything from car washes, insurance, automobile repairs, tires, interior detailing, and even air fresheners and oil jobs. With the help of this mortgage, borrower can easily meet various personal needs like paying, automotive repair bills, credit card dues, home repair and so on. On the job training not only improves your skills, it also gets you working in the automobile repair industry sooner.

When handled correctly, receiving an online payday loan is an advantageous economical alternative to costly overdraft fees, bounced check charges, taxes or possibly losing your job if you do not have money on hand for a needed automobile repair. There may be a time where you are hit with an unexpected cash emergency, such as a bank overdraft, an unforeseen auto repair or unexpectedly high utility payment. You may get paid to take survey about automobile repair or insurance, baby products if you are a new parent, travel plans for business and pleasure, or any number of topics that someone is willing to pay for information. If managed correctly, a loan of this type would be a smart alternative to paying costly dishonor bank fees, late rent fees or possibly losing your job if you are unable to afford a much needed car repair. Actually there are many people who are afraid of that day when they will have to get their auto repaired.

The hassles of insurance, car repairs, and treating possible injuries can alter your daily or weekly routine for quite a while. These days, there is nothing daunting for car repair shops as a weathered convertible top. Although SMART repair services are quite comprehensive, if you lurch forward in slow moving traffic and smash into cars in front causing considerable damage, SMART vehicle repair technicians may not be able to fix it. Make use of SMART vehicle repair services, which also include a auto diagnostics service to ensure the problem does not escalate. Techniques that SMART vehicle repair undertake include painless dent removal, seat and trim repair, plastic welding and bumper repair, air conditioning repair, and alloy wheel repair. In addition, many SMART vehicle repair jobs can be done on your premises, saving you the petrol used to travel there, as well as time and inconvenience.

Auto Repair and Motoring Nowadays, when taking care of the environment has become a priority, it has been realized that enough small changes made by many people can make a difference. Visit your favorite repair shop mechanic and auto dealer The vehicle enhancement options available are vast. As long as you have quick payday loans, then you will be able to get what you need, pay those unexpected bills and have some money left for repairs or family emergencies. The reason repair is set up for negotiation is because your mechanic or service manager knows that he can give you a discount but he certainly is not going to offer it. When people are looking for products and services such as restaurants, repair shops and florists, they tend to spend their money in an area near where they live, work or play. If a repair shop does not offer any type of guarantee on their work, consider shopping around for another tire shop. Even though you may have worked on your own cars as a teenager or still consider yourself to be an amateur repair specialist I recommend that you leave the work to a qualified mechanic who has been trained to do the job properly.

Into every life some car payments must fall. No matter what you do, you will have to purchase at least three or four cars over the course of your life, and it will be expensive no matter how you look at it. The question that often crosses people’s minds as they enter this process is, “Should I buy a new car?”

When you buy a new car, you aren’t purchasing someone else’s problems. You know that you aren’t getting a car that was in a terrible, axle-bending wreck that has been disguised with good bodywork. Of course, some prestige does come along with having a shiny new Hotrod or a sleek businesslike automobile. There is the pleasure that comes from climbing into all that new-car smell, knowing that no soft drink was ever spilled on the seats and that everything works perfectly.

Other pros of buying a new car include a full warranty and the decreased likelihood that something major will go wrong with the car in the near future – and even the more distant future. You may also have an easier time negotiating a price you like with the dealer or profit from a manufacturer’s special.

If the money in your bank account is important to you, most of these “pros” are simply a smoke screen.

Even though a new car has never had an owner, that doesn’t mean it is free of problems. Lemons come off the factory line every day, and it is impossible to tell if you are about to purchase one. In addition, you have no way of knowing how honest the new car salesperson is being with you, any more than you can know how honest the used car salesperson or the used car’s owner is being with you. Purchasing a car is a gamble, whether you are buying old or new.

You cannot escape the fact that the car for which you will be forking over payments will be new only until you drive it off the lot. Any financial expert in the world will tell you that a new car is a liability because it depreciates in value the minute you drive away from the dealer. You will not be able to make money on it at resale. You will only lose money on a new car because of depreciation, astronomical interest-bearing monthly payments that severely bloat the final cost of the automobile, and of course, your insurance rates.

Look at it like this. In 2007, you purchase a 2008 Prism. Your friend admires your car, but continues to drive his old Ford. In 2010, that friend decides it’s time for him to ditch the Ford for a “new” car and purchases his very own 2008 Prism – used. The vehicle is two years old. Your car certainly isn’t the new car you bought and are paying for – it too is two years old. However, your friend is now driving essentially the same car for a much lower monthly payment and a lower insurance bill.

The only people who really benefit from the sale of a new car are the new car salespersons.

However, since car insurance policies can be very complicated, you may not even be covered by your policy if something happens to your car. If your car’s wheels get destroyed and the wheels are not covered by your cheap auto insurance policy, then the car insurance company will have nothing to do with your repair or replacement expenses. This can be a waste, especially since you pay a hefty monthly fee to the insurance company to keep your insurance policy going.

To minimize the chances of you getting a bad deal for your money the next time you run into an automobil accident, be sure that you get the best car insurance rates and ins policy that you can possibly get. The best insurance may not mean the most expensive or most loaded policies, because not everybody can afford to pay such hefty fees. What you do need on the other hand is the best automobile insurance company and quote that your own money can buy and pay for every month.

More than getting the most affordable deal, you should also sign up with an auto insurance company or agent that is ready to help you whenever you find yourself in a tight spot. In this case, cheap doesn’t always mean good because just because insurance is offered to you at an extremely low price means that the company is sure to help and pay what is due their client when the time comes.

When people get into accidents, their insurance agents (if they’re that sort) make it very hard on them and try to wiggle out of paying by arguing that they are not covered by the car insurance policy or that the insurance company should only pay part of the expenses. Ask around with family, friends and people you trust on who they believe the best and most trustworthy companies are before signing.

Shopping for a new car is hectic affair as it involves a lot of research and travelling. It also involves several hundred hours spent with salespeople, trying to get the correct price and spec details f the intended vehicle. Many successful salesman, in their respective jurisdiction, who can sell cars you never wanted. All this can be prevented from a little help from internet.

There are several internet sites dedicated to Indian car industry in particular and the global auto industry in general. Here are some tips that can help improve the experience of shopping for a car.

The first stop is internet

If a person walks directly to a dealership and ask for the best selling price of a car, they will never get straight answers. Instead the person will be made to spend hours in sales persons cabin and negotiate prices and freebies. The end result of which is that the buyer will be confused and not sure to get the same price again. Imagine the same with several other dealers, it is a scary proposition. Thank god that older generations had fewer options of cars and which helped them arrive at a decision sooner.

But nowadays there is the option to get good car deals through the internet. It is considered the back door of salesmanship, but it is sure shot way to car deals at prices lower than those prevailing in markets. Even internet site has a contact address or you can fill up the contact form that asks you to give in details so that their sales person could get in touch with you. You can also go the dealer websites and go to build section, fill in required colours, accessories and ask for a quote. For this exercise you can request quotes form various dealers, who are close to your residence.

Cheaper option

The internet approach is cheaper, requires fewer hours and is easy to shop. As every dealership is in competition with the other car dealers (either selling the same brand or rivals), they will help you get the best quotes. They may also shed their margins to finalize a car deal. An internet salesperson will help you get the best price for a new car without any hassles of negotiations.

When internet salesmen contact you over phone, they may request you to come to dealership, because this gives them a perfect opportunity to convince you to buy. Try to avoid going to the dealership and keep researching about dealerships around the area. After you have collected a bunch of quotes compare them. You will notices a difference of several thousands of rupees. When the salesman contact you don’t forget to tell them that there is a better deal available to you. Some may agree and some may not, but it is worth the shot. Using this technique you can get the target price of you preferred car within a day.

Use one against the other

Many dealerships have targets and policies to beat other dealership prices. Usually they will cut down their prices if the quote by rival dealership differs by a small margin. Also they are in a hurry to close the deal and hence will ask you repeatedly to come to their facility and close the deal. Do not do so until you are sure that you have got the best price in the area. However, Indian car buyers are impulsive buyers and are easily taken in by smooth talk. Inputs from friends and relatives play an important role in deciding to buy a car at a dealership. But, first time buyers should exercise caution and should collect as much information as possible over the internet. Initial negotiations should include exact figures and best prices, usually conducted over the phone. It should include on road price of a car, involving all the taxes, insurance and other payments before you settle on a dealership. Otherwise unscrupulous dealer would include additional charges at the last minute.

Take home a car

Sometimes, after you have settled to buy a car from a particular dealer, rival car dealers may offer extended warranties and other freebies. Ensure that you buy a car and not fall attractive propositions. Making a bad decision will cost you a lot of bad sleep.

Some dealers may coax you to shed a few more thousand rupees by offering you attractive additions to the car. Remember they are trying to make money. A few extra thousands may not seem big in comparison with the total value of the car, but it is a significant amount. Avoid falling into such traps.

Getting the best price on a new car is not very stressful, when you use the internet to make most of your research, like compare cars, compare value and difference between the services offered by dealerships. In the end a car gets only as much as its market value and hence focus to getting a good car deal.

Looking for a used car can be very stressful. Many people are nervous about dealing with a used car dealer. Used car deals have a bad reputation for being snake oil sales men. So before you go out to a used car dealership, you want to be sure you can handle the used car dealer. They can be a bit pushy at times. This over bearing behavior is a way to push you into a decision soon than you would like. If you’re no prepare to deal with this type of behavior, they may talk you into a bad deal. Since you want the best deal possible, you’ll need to prepare for this.

To help yourself prepare, you need to know a few things about cars. Be certain about what type of car you are looking for and what you’re willing to buy. They may try to push other makes and models, so know what you’re looking for. Also keep a price in your head. You don’t have to share this up front, but keep this approximate price in mind when they show you cars. Lastly, be sure to look up prices for the cars you’d like to have. This way you’ll already know if you’re being told a good price for the car you’re being shown.

Many times car dealers will try to talk you into something you do not want. Do not allow this to happen. If you don’t feel comfortable, walk away. Take you time to make a decision and to check the fats. If you don’t you may end up with car that disappoints you.

Always ask to give the car a test drive. A test drive allows you to check the condition of the car. Test how it runs and feels. This is a good time to find any problems with the car. In addition, it is important to see how comfortable you are in the car. Does the driver’s sear feel comfortable? Is it too big or too small? These are all details that will be important later. If you do not know much about cars, bring a friend to give you a second opinion. This is also a chance to drive by a mechanic and allow them to quickly look over the car.

Always take the time you need to look over the car before your purchase. If the car dealer is push and tries to force the deal before you are ready, don’t be afraid to walk away. Do not spend money on anything until you are certain. Cars are an expensive purchase and you do not want to get ripped off by a bad used car dealer.

Check out the entire car before you buy. If the used car dealer is trying to push you into just buying the car, you should move on. You need to make sure that everything is just as you want it so that you are getting a good car that will be worth the money that you are spending on it. You do not want to be ripped off by a bad used car dealer. Your spending big money, so you deserve the right to take your time.

rs are serious. A repair order is a contract for work. Car repairs are very important for maintaining a car in a well-functional condition, and they are critical for preventing auto accidents. So, maybe it’s worth to shut our eyes to those unpleasant aspects of tune-ups, and think what are the best options for car repairs? Car repairs are expensive, but by keeping your car well-maintained, being informed as a consumer and choosing your mechanic wisely, you can reduce those car repair bills significantly.

The engine parts kits we offer include complete tune-up kits, valve cover replacement kits, oil pump repair kits, timing cover replacement kits, timing kits, rocker arm kits and engine mount kits. After all, if a customer takes his bicycle in for a tune-up, he knows the bicycle mechanic won’t install new spark plugs, but he does expect the bike to perform better when the work is completed. The brakes will be adjusted, the tires aired up, the chain oiled, and so on, all under the guise of a “tune-up.”. Your vehicle may only require a standard tune-up. However, if you are experiencing any performance problems, advanced diagnostics may be needed.

Today’s 100,000 mile tune-up interval also skirts around the issue of fuel and air filter replacement, too. A number of new cars and trucks now have “lifetime” fuel filters, most of which are located inside the fuel tank with the electric fuel pump. The tune-up is not a cure-all for an engine that has spun its last revolution or has problems beyond that which can be cured by replacing a few worn out parts. Engine brake removal is a part of the process in the maintenance of your engine’s fuel injectors and valve settings, therefore it’s an ideal time to perform engine brake maintenance. Make safety a priority.

A good place to begin the tune-up is with the distributor cap. Note position of cap. When you take you car for a tune-up, you rightfully expect to get better mileage and performance after the tune-up is completed. You may not expect to get extended engine life thrown in, but anything done to make the engine more efficient will make it last longer.

The spark plugs are especially important because a worn spark plug will cause poor starting, rough idling, and poor gas mileage. Keep the gas tank as full as possible. More condensation will form in a half-full tank than in a three-fourths full tank.

The cooling system protects against damage, keeping the engine operating within the correct temperature range. Surveys among auto mechanics indicate the cooling system is among the most neglected aspects of car care. These simple steps save you money by improving your vehicle’s gas mileage and extending the life of your tires, while also reducing air pollution and preventing tires from being added to you city’s waste stream.

Additives displace protective chemicals in gasoline and engine oil; some may corrode fuel pumps or gas tanks, or make flexible fuel hoses and fittings brittle. Instead of enhancing engine life and economy, users might shorten their car’s life.

Whether you are shopping for a new car or just trying to maintain the one you have, you can take some steps to increase fuel efficiency and get the best mileage out of your gas purchases. Plus, you can help protect the environment by using less fuel. Black smoke means there is too much gas in the air/fuel mixture and the fuel injection system should be checked. Blue smoke means the engine is burning oil and excess hydrocarbons are being released.

Using 5W-30 in an engine designed for 5W-20 can lower your gas mileage by 1-1.5 percent. Also, look for motor oil that says “Energy Conserving” on the API performance symbol to be sure it contains friction-reducing additives.

Most CO is produced when air-to-fuel ratios are too low in the engine during vehicle starting, when cars are not tuned properly, and at higher altitudes, where thin air reduces the amount of oxygen available for combustion. Two-thirds of the carbon monoxide emissions come from transportation sources, with the largest contribution coming from highway motor vehicles. When it comes to important inventions, the internal combustion engine has to be near the top of the list. Unlike most steam engines that preceded them, internal combustion engines are small enough to fit in personal vehicles, such as cars. Also if the rings wear down they can allow oil from the crankcase to enter the combustion chambers. This will result in oil being burned and exiting your tailpipe as grayish/white smoke.

They use a fuel, like gasoline or diesel, that combusts to perform work. Motors are used in electric cars, power drills, R/C cars, etc., and use electrical energy (supplied by a battery) to perform work. Adding direct injection and turbos to internal-combustion engines typically costs automakers about $1,000 per vehicle, compared with $3,000 for diesel engines and $4,000 for a gas-electric hybrid. There is such a thing as an external combustion engine. A steam engine in old-fashioned trains and steam boats is the best example of an external combustion engine.

Finally, concerning long trips: Before you travel in bad weather, check several resources to gather as much information as possible about the weather and road conditions. You and you alone are responsible for making the final decision to travel during periods of bad weather. If the temperature gauge or warning light does not indicate overheating, drive carefully to the nearest service station, keeping an eye on your gauge. If the odor is accompanied by a hot, metallic scent and steam from under the hood, your engine has overheated.

http://www.NoMoreFuelCosts.info

With all the hype and then subsequent let down of the electric car movement many people are beginning to wonder if these cars will ever become mainstream or if they will remain the occasional oddity on the road. Many gas-electric hybrids by companies like Toyota, Ford, Lexus and Mercury are already enjoying some success, but true electric cars are still not capable of attaining the speed or traveling distance required to make them a viable alternative to the gas guzzling vehicles that many Americans are still driving. And the cost is still prohibitive for the average person as well. Saving money on fuel expenses isn’t likely to help the average household afford a vehicle in the $80,000 to $500,000 price range any time soon.

Keeping Kurrent in the Neighborhood

Still, electric vehicles are getting better and there are some inexpensive models on the road from independent companies like American Electric with their Kurrent selling for around $10,000. However, this is not a family vehicle as it only seats two people. It isn’t meant for cruising down the highway either, the manufacturers suggest that people need to “slow down” a bit anyway and tout this vehicle as a “neighborhood vehicle”. This would be perfect for college students or people who live a short distance from work, but it won’t replace your regular vehicle just yet. Meanwhile, countries like Norway have been driving electric cars like the Think which can go 112 miles on a charge at top speeds of 62 mph for years now and these vehicles are expected to hit US markets within the next couple of years for less than $20,000.

Innovations on the Rise

Most Americans aren’t ready to settle for driving 30-100 miles on a charge and then waiting many hours to get back on the go and so the car manufacturers are still working hard to overcome the obstacles and build better batteries and vehicle designs that will extend the driving distance and increase speed. Ideas being developed include hydrogen fuel cells and plug-in hybrid. Either manufacturers are going to have to find a way to create electric vehicles that are comparable in performance and price to conventional vehicles or Americans are going to have to alter their lifestyles by limiting the number of hours driven per day and their driving speed. Since the latter is unlikely in the near future, automakers will have to keep working on new designs.

Weighing the Options

There are several good, inexpensive electric vehicles on the market right now for people who travel short distances to work or to the grocery store like the Kurrent, the Fly bo (made in China), and the GEM. There are also more expensive electric cars like the Venturi Fetish that top out at speeds of 100mph and have an equally impressive price tag at over $400,000 in the US. Meanwhile, it will likely still be few years into the future before the electric car becomes a viable option for the majority of people in the United States.

The American Electric Car

GM is not the first and certainly will not be the last American auto manufacturers to create a mass marketed electric car. GM did it in the 90’s with the “EV” which was a success to the consumers, but not for GM as it was more of a test car. They are working on a car, the “Volt” which will be designed to travel 40 miles solely on battery power. Something like 75% of Americans travel less than 40 miles in their commute to work. So it can provide a clean means to travel and will have a small engine for those with greater distances. The Volt is highly anticipated to charge into American’s lives.