Tata Motors likely to roll out Nano on March 3

Tata Motors likely to roll out Nano on March 3
It is learnt that Tata Motors` Nano, is likely to be launched on March 3, reports Business Standard.

Tagged as the world`s cheapest, the small car`s first recipients may be celebrities, including political leaders, social workers, sports stars and film stars.

It is believed that the company had chosen March 3 as the launch date because it is the birth anniversary of Tata Group founder, Jamsetji Tata.

Shares of the company closed down Rs 3.75, or 2.77%, at Rs 131.50. The total volume of shares traded at the BSE was 610,647 (Thursday).

Source : myiris.com (2/6/2009)


Highway Deaths Plunge in 2008
With Americans driven fewer miles last year, there were fewer fatal accidents. A survey from the Governors Highway Safety Association reveals that deaths on U.S. roadways declined significantly in 2008.

In preliminary data provided by 44 states and the District of Columbia, 40 states and D.C. indicated a decline in fatalities, while four indicated an increase. Overall, the average decline was 10.7 percent.

Most surprising about the survey was that many states saw a percentage decline in fatalities higher than their percentage decline in Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT). Most states are not yet able to release an indication of VMT from 2008.

Notably, however, of the 19 states that indicated a decline in fatalities and provided an estimate of VMT, 17 reported their fatality percentage decline was more than the percentage decline in VMT — in most cases double, triple or even quadruple the decline in VMT.

What does this all mean? GHSA Executive Director Barbara Harsha interprets the numbers to suggest that a variety of factors may have contributed to the declines in 2008.

"Clearly, the high gas prices in the first part of the year and the difficult economy in the second half caused people to drive less, thus reducing fatalities. However, there's more occurring here than just economic factors," said Harsha.

According to Harsha, state highway safety agencies report other factors may have contributed to the fatality reduction, including gains in seat belt use, stronger state laws and increased enforcement of these laws.

Harsha notes that many states have reported experiencing a reduction in driver speeds mainly because drivers want to improve their fuel efficiency. For example, the speed of the average Oregon driver was down more than 1 MPH in 2008.

This may not sound like a lot, but reducing driver speeds means that more people are surviving crashes," Harsha says.

"Drivers may not slow down to save a life, but clearly they will slow down to save a buck," Harsha said. She expects more states will use the economic argument to urge drivers to slow down.

GHSA's survey results mirror a December report from the U.S. Department of Transportation in which the federal government projected the number of people killed in traffic crashes would reach a new record low for 2008. Early DOT projections revealed a 10 percent drop in deaths for the first 10 months of 2008.

Source : http://www.consumeraffairs.com (2/6/2009)


Gas Prices Creep Toward $2 A Gallon
Though world oil prices remain low and demand continues to fall, the price of gasoline continues to rise, and is now less than a dime away from $2 a gallon.

The latest AAA Fuel Gauge Report shows the nationwide average price of unleaded, self-serve regular is $1.91 a gallon. That's up from $1.846 last Friday and is nearly 20 cents a gallon higher than one month ago. However, it's still significantly below the $2.972 average of a year ago.

Six states – Alaska, California, Hawaii, Nevada, New York and Washington – remain the only states with average gasoline prices exceeding $2 a gallon.

Prices are also steadily rising in states where prices have fallen the most. Wyoming continues to have the cheapest gasoline, at $1.603 a gallon. That's up, however, from its average of around $1.49 a gallon at the end of December.

The average price in Utah is $1.691, and $1.767 a gallon in Oklahoma.

Oil futures dropped below $40 a barrel in early trading Friday. Anticipating a big jump in the U.S. unemployment rate, traders sent March crude prices down $1.38 to $39.80 a barrel.

So, why are gasoline prices rising when oil prices are falling? Don't the principles of supply and demand apply here?

Analysts say they do. They point to seasonal reduction of refinery activity, as well as minor disruptions at specific facilities. In other words, not all of that cheap oil is being turned into gasoline.

Eventually, however, market principles should swing around to favor the consumer again. Oil producers have been keeping large quantities of crude oil at sea, aboard super tankers, rather than bringing it to market for the current low prices. Eventually, however, those ships will arrive in port.

Analysts say even with a possible uptick in the economy by mid-year – among the most optimistic forecasts – there should be plenty of oil, keeping gasoline prices stable, if not cheap.

Source : http://www.consumeraffairs.com (2/6/2009)


Revised Toyota Yaris
Toyota is touting lower emissions and fuel consumption with better performance from new powertrains as the highlights of its revised Yaris range.

A new 1.33-litre Dual VVT-i engine with automatic Stop & Start system produces a combined fuel economy figure of 55.4mpg, while CO2 emissions are sub-120g/km for the entire Yaris range.

Styling changes for the 2009 Yaris are subtle. The bonnet and bumper are more closely integrated, and protection mouldings have been incorporated. These contribute to an increase in the car's overall length by 35mm.

The front headlamps have been re-sculpted for a more hi-tech appearance, while at the rear the bumper and integrated LED combination lamps have been refreshed.

Changes to the interior include a new black finish for the centre console, with titanium silver finish around the centre console, gearshift and steering wheel trim.

The Yaris grade structure has been revised with two new focus grades, TR and SR, plus the established T2 and T Spirit trim levels.

The new Toyota Yaris is sale now, with prices starting from £8,585 on the road.

Source : http://www.newcarnet.co.uk (2/6/2009)


Citroen's rebirth
On its 90th birthday (February 5th 2009) and on the birthday of its founder, French car manufacturer Citroen is reinventing itself.

A new visual identity signals a global brand project that encompasses a new relationship with its customers and a new line of automotive products.

In a difficult economic climate, and in a period of changing relationships between customers and brands, Citroen aims to enhance the brand to strengthen and support the range.

Developed jointly by Citroen's Marketing and Styling teams, headed by Jean-Pierre Ploué, and the Landor agency, an international branding and design network, the logo is the first visible sign of change. The chevrons have broken free from their frame and become three-dimensional, gaining in strength and body. Bridging Citroen's past and future; a deeper tone of red is used for the new brand name typography.

In a further branding change, coinciding with the Cyprus Rally, Citroen Sport is changing its name to Citroen Racing.

A new worldwide advertising strap line is also to be adpopted: Creative Technologie. Written in French, will form the basis of a new campaign strategy.

Further changes will involve Citroen's sales channels including its dealer network and websites. The aim will be for the customer's experience of Citroen to be 'outstanding in all circumstances'. A new European web strategy will commence in the second half of 2009.

Source : http://www.newcarnet.co.uk (2/6/2009)

Road funding falls short
Road maintenance campaign website, Potholes.co.uk, has expressed its disappointment in the Government's announcement of an extra £66 million towards the upkeep of roads in England.

The money, which is in addition to the £2.1 billion already put aside for highway maintenance, was announced by Transport Minister, Paul Clarke, but Potholes.co.uk says the additional cash is merely a drop in the ocean.

"Obviously, any extra funding for road maintenance is welcome, but a boost at this level is not going to come anywhere close to making the difference that's needed," said Duncan McClure Fisher, managing director of Warranty Direct, which created Potholes.co.uk in 2007 to highlight the poor state of the UK's roads.

"The Government's road maintenance coffers are already underfunded by £1 billion so, in reality, the extra funds announced today amount to just six percent of what's required to adequately maintain our roads. When you consider that the 'boost' will also be spread over the next two years, any improvements will be almost negligible."

Warranty Direct estimates that, on average, the British motorist coughs up £320 million a year on repairing damage done to cars by potholed roads.

Source : http://www.newcarnet.co.uk (2/6/2009)

How much cash is on the hood? New report details average incentives
As you'd expect from a sales market that's fallen as far as the U.S. automotive industry itself, there are plenty of good deals to be had for the savvy new car shopper. Last month, for example, Edmunds estimates that the average new car last month was available with $2,714 in rebates. That represents a 12.5% average increase over exactly one year ago. The biggest rebates are on leftover 2008 models which themselves accounted for an unusually high 27% of new car sales in January.

Not surprisingly, American manufacturers lead the rebate pack with an average of $3,438 per vehicle sold last month, followed, oddly enough, by European automakers with $3,297. Korean brands averaged $2,963 per vehicle and Japanese brought up the rear with $1,775 in rebates per vehicle. Interestingly, Toyota is at near record levels in monthly rebates as a brand, but it was Chrysler that led all automakers with a whopping $4,196 per vehicle. See the press release after the jump for a further breakdown.

Source : http://www.autoblog.com/ (2/6/2009)