Archive for January, 2009
Wednesday, January 28th, 2009
When it comes to China’s explosively fast-growing passenger-car market, foreign brands rule. General Motors (GM), Ford (F), Volkswagen (VLK-Y), and Japanese auto makers such as Toyota (TM) and Nissan (NSANY) are all enjoying blistering growth and big market share gains on the mainland. Yet for China’s massive motorcycle market, the biggest in the world, it is an entirely different story.
The Chinese buy some 16 million-plus bikes a year. And China’s legion of bike manufacturers rule the market. That’s largely because ferocious price-cutting has made life miserable for globally dominant players such as Honda Motor (HMC), Yamaha (YAMHF), and Suzuki.
You’d think this trio would clean up in China. After all, Honda, Yamaha, and Suzuki boast a strong lineup of street motorcycles, cruiser bikes, and scooters, and controlled a little more than 50% of the total world production of 38.9 million units. And China’s demand for all types of motorcycles is voracious. In major urban centers and rural areas on the mainland, motorcycles are a key way people get to work, and just get around.
LOYALTY COUNTS. Japanese manufacturers have sizable local production networks, and high-end luxury bike producers such as BMW’s motorcycle division and Harley-Davidson (HDI) continue to see big potential for their brands in China (see BusinessWeek.com, 3/29/06, “Hog Heaven in Beijing”).
However, unlike the auto sector, where China brands are still developing, mainland motorcycles enjoy a huge and loyal following. Chinese players such as Guangzhou Motors, Zongshen Motorcycle, Shanghai Feiling Motorcycle, and scores of smaller bike makers control more than two-thirds of the domestic market. In the mass market segment for midsize street bikes Chinese rivals can undercut Japanese rivals, in some cases, by about 30% on price.
“The number one problem for Japanese motorcycle makers in China is that there are too many local makers who churn out cheap bikes, setting quality aside, and they sell well,” says Noriyuki Matsushima, an analyst at Nikko Citi Securities in Tokyo.
PIRATE BIKES. Another problem: blatant rip-offs of Japanese motorcycle designs by local manufacturers. At the start of the decade, about five out every six bikes with the Yamaha brand in China were actually fakes pumped out by unscrupulous Chinese manufacturers, according to Masayuki Hosokawa, the company’s chief representative in Beijing.
The situation has improved, but some pirated Yamaha bikes are showing up in foreign markets outside of China, he said (see BusinessWeek.com, 2/7/05, “Yamaha Attempts to Brake Fakes”). Meanwhile, just competing on price with Chinese manufacturers in midrange motorcycles in the $600 to $1,000 price range remains a huge challenge, despite investments and manufacturing and marketing agreements on the mainland by both Honda and Yamaha.
PRICING PROBLEMS. Honda, the world’s biggest motorcycle maker globally, has been producing 100 cc to 125 cc motorcycles and scooters via a joint venture called Wuyang-Honda with Guangzhou Motors. The partners started producing at a new $50 million plant in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou in February. Yet last year Honda, which enjoys a worldwide market share of about 30% in terms of units produced, only had a 6% piece of the Chinese market.
Yamaha has managed slightly less than 2% of the Chinese market, despite a global market share that is about 10%. The company has produced bikes locally with Jianshe Industries, and set up a jointly managed marketing company two years ago in Shanghai. Even so, it is still getting undercut heavily by rivals. Its YBR125 street bike—Yamaha’s best-selling Chinese model, that costs between $830 and $1,000 and is sourced 90% locally—still costs about 30% more than comparable Chinese brands, laments Yamaha spokesman Takashi Mibu.
While both companies say they are in China for the long haul, they have started to divert some of their mainland production into other markets and are looking elsewhere for emerging market growth, namely India. And Yamaha exported 8,000 units of its 4-stroke motorcycle YBR125 to Europe from China in 2004. That number increased to a whopping 25,000 units. The model has been exported to Russia and Africa as well.
MOVING TO INDIA. Yamaha bikes opened up a motorcycle subsidiary in Surajpur outside New Delhi for sales and after-sales service, specializing in Yamaha brand motorcycles. And on Honda and India partner Hero group announced the sales launch of the Glamour F1, a 125cc bike with a Honda-designed fuel injection system. Honda and Hero produce about 3.4 million units at two plants in India, and plans are underway to build a third factory and expand production to 4.4 million units .
With the India motorcycle market expected to grow 17% to 8.5 million units , Japan’s globally dominant bike manufacturers have reason to feel bullish. They have far greater pricing power there, and India has a far better track record when it comes to protecting intellectual property rights.
Prospects are also far better in other fast-growing locales such as Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam. Even though China dwarfs these rival markets in terms of scale, when it comes to a business environment for profitable growth, they’re the future.
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Monday, January 19th, 2009
The Town Car is a full-sized luxury sedan considered to be the flagship of Ford’s Lincoln automobile brandname. It is widely noted for its generously wide interior where one could stretch in the same way as sitting in a business class airline seat.
It is the largest American-made car at nearly 18 feet long. The Signature L edition is slightly longer at 18 and 1/2 feet. This model is competing against other top luxury automobiles like the Lexus LX 470 limo, the BMW 7 series, and DTS by Cadillac. It remains America’s most used limousine or chauffeured car. It is more affordable than its European counterpart in the luxury sedan category. Priced at $42,175 (basic Signature Series), the Town Car is the most expensive among its American equivalent. The Signature L is considered as its top-of-the-line at $56,745. A bullet-proof edition is priced at $144,995.
The Town Car is produced at the Wixom Plant in Michigan. After the 2007 model, Ford decided to move the production of this model to its Assembly Plant in Ontario, Canada where other luxury cars like the Ford Crown Victoria and Mercury Grand Marquis are currently built.
The first Town Car was custom-built for Henry Ford in 1922, and the same name surfaced in 1959 as one among Lincoln’s Continental models. In 1981, the name Town Car stood as a model itself. The latest models are named the Signature series, the Signature L and the Designer.
Inside, the plush cabin is blessed with glove-soft premium light camel leather. The dashboard and other interior platforms are made up of trimmed American walnut burl wood. Although in looks the Town Car is more of a retroactive design, a modern hi-tech touch-screen map and destination navigator console is installed, using DVD mapping and GPS satellite technology combined. The auto-dimming rear view mirror is equipped with a microphone capable of receiving 170 recorded voice commands.
It is like having a concierge on-board while navigating the way to your office or to the ATM terminal of your bank. The navigator could also be programmed to help you find the nearest hospital or police station in times of emergency.
This model from Lincoln is the first to pass a 5-star crash test rating in all five categories - driver frontal impact, passenger frontal impact, front seat side impact, rear seat side impact and roll over. It garnered the top ratings granted by the US government’s road safety regulation body, beating other leading luxury sedans Limo. The Town Car is also equipped with Anti-Lock Brake System and All-Speed Traction Control.
Entertainment is also VIP class. The cabin is always filled with clear sound, thanks to a THX certified 300-watt stereo. The system is equipped with a subscribed SIRIUS satellite radio with 125 channels to provide you and your passenger with the latest news, sports update, and bulletins on weather and traffic from coast to coast.
Show everyone the legacy of America’s top luxury car by dressing your key with Lincoln Town Car Limo. It is available in round Chrome, oval metal and leather-based designs featuring a black dome inscribed with the rectangle and thin cross logo and the text “Lincoln Town Car”.
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Friday, January 9th, 2009
How does one define a car in terms of popularity? Almost everyone has different standards on the matter. Some like their cars to remain with their stock color and accessories such as steering wheels, dash board covers, and floor mats and still be popular. On the other hand, cars that have been modified and have been fitted with custom seat covers, mufflers, and bright headlights also rake in a lot of popularity points.
For this year, here are the 10 most popular cars for sale in terms of web visits and not the actual number of registered owners:
1. Chevrolet Corvette - a high-performance sports car, boasting of a 430-horsepower V8 and impressive fuel efficient mechanism. The Chevrolet Corvette consumes 16 miles per gallon in the city and 26 miles per gallon while on the highway. The interior details of the 2008 Chevy Corvette need no customization of its car seat covers, dashboard, and the likes. A total break from its predecessors’ interiors, the insides of this car is just magnificent.
2. Ford Mustang - the Mustang remains to be one of the most popular cars from the long line of Ford models, offering a diversity of performance options: 2 body-styles, 4 trims, 2 engines, 2 transmissions and a wide list of additional features. Though the stock accessories are already pristine as they are, using customized interior details such as floor mats won’t hurt.
3. Dodge Challenger - returning from 35-year absence from the road, the classic muscle car that is the 2008 Dodge Challenger is boosted by a 6.1-liter V8 engine pumping 425 horses. The Dodge Challenger also prides itself with Bluetooth connectivity, satellite navigation, and Keyless starting capability.
4. BMW M3 - running for the first time on a 414 HP/ V8 engine, this car comes in sedan cars, coupe cars, and convertible cars types. The car also comes in different stock colors. Speaking of colors, one can mix and match with its posh interiors, starting with the dashboard and car seat covers. The transmission is also a thing of beauty, one can choose between a 6-speed manual transmission, or a new 7-speed M Double-Clutch transmission with Drivelogic.
5. Porsche 911 - with a horse power numbering to 480 and a sleek exterior design and metallic finish, who would not want to be behind this car’s steering wheel? A true stunner, the Porsche 911 can burst to 60 mph in a matter of 3.7 seconds. Speaking of metallic finish, one can tweak the seats and sport a set of metallic custom seat covers.
6. Mitsubishi Eclipse - the sporty coupe from Mitsubishi, the Eclipse has evolved from its predecessors in terms of style and shape. This car blitzes on a 3.8-liter V6 that creates 265 horsepower to drive the front wheels.
7. Lamborghini Gallardo - a two-seater on a V10 engine, this model is Lamborghini’s best-selling model. What makes this car so desirable? It possesses an impressive 560 horsepower.
8. Nissan 350Z - launched in 2003 but was not remodeled since then, the Z car from Nissan is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 that produces 306-horsepower. The Nissan 350Z cars comes in coupe or convertible.
9. Mazda MX-5 Miata - a further advancement from its 1989 forefather, the 2008 Mazda MX-5 Miata boasts of quick steering, easy handling, and a sporty physique. Now available in the convertible type, no doubt this model will sell like pancakes.
10. Nissan GT-R - running on 480 horsepower, the Nissan GT-R is an all-wheel drive coupe that can perform exceptionally well on almost all types of surface. With a top speed of 200 mph, yet meeting ultra-low emission vehicle (ULEV) standards, this car is truly one for the environment. Another thing, the Nissan GT-R can achieve 60 mph in 3.5 seconds.
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Thursday, January 8th, 2009
If you want to avoid the hassle attached to looking for the right trucks and trailers for you, you should get rid of your classified ads. Why bother with these ads when you have more options online. You will have no hard time looking for the right truck or trailer online.
If you are one of the many people whose income is dependent on the turn of the wheels of their trucks and trailers, you simply do not have the time to thoroughly look for great bargains online. Unfortunately, if you want to find a good purchase, you would have to devote considerable time to look for the right trucks for sale and trailers for sale. However, your local classified ads are sorely lacking of information or offers. You could try spending a significant amount of time reading through the classified ads, but you will certainly end up disappointed.
Perhaps, you have once tried to look for great buys locally. You have even tried looking for “trucks and trailers” ads in your local newspapers. You have probably found out that the options are fairly limited, if they are even available. Many people are looking for the same thing, so by the time you called up about the ad, the truck or the trailer has been sold. This is the reason why many people have turned to trucks and trailers online shopping.
Without a doubt, the Internet is the perfect source if you are looking for a used truck or a new trailer. The Internet has everything! Are you looking for some parts for your old truck? Are you looking for a special kind of led lights for your trailer? You should check out the trucks and trailers parts that you will find online. You will certainly find more options online than you would find from a local classified ads.
Millions of potential buyers log online to look for used or new trucks and trailers or even brand new ones. With a huge market online, it is not surprising that you will find numerous sellers online. There are, in fact, hundreds of websites that are solely dedicated to buying and selling these vehicles online. Many sellers choose to place their ads online because the advertising rates are smaller and the market is bigger. They have more chances of getting higher bids if they opt to sell their vehicles online.
Accordingly, buyers have also more options when they choose to buy their trucks and trailers online. The price range is also bigger so you can certainly pick out the vehicle that is reasonably priced. You will certainly find whatever it is you’re looking for. Are you looking for freightliner trucks, or are you looking for Mack trucks or Volvo trucks? You will certainly find them online. You will also find Sterling trucks, GMC trucks, Chevrolet trucks and more. Now, if you are looking for trailers, you will also never lack of choices. You will find Wilson trailers, Great Dane trailers, Lufkin trailers, Trailmobile trailers and so on.
Get rid of those classified ads. Why bother when you have more options online? Don’t waste your time and efforts looking for the best trucks and trailers in local classified ads. All you need to do is to log online and you will certainly find what you are looking for.
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Tuesday, January 6th, 2009
You’ve heard about them, seen them and even had the opportunity to try riding one and now you are seriously considering buying your very own ATV. Before you pull out your wallet from your pocket and hand over your hard earned money to the very first ATV dealer you find, let me share with you a few thins that you should look out for when you are buying an ATV – especially if this is going to be your very first one.
How much to pay?
First of all, you must work out your budget. Ask yourself this question – how much you are willing to pay for first ATV? For some people, money is not a question (isn’t it great if everyone falls into this category?) but not everyone has that privilege of being able to splurge, so you have to decide beforehand just how much you are willing to pay for your ATV. Would you be willing to pay more just for the sake of a brand name? Or are you comfortable with an off brand ATV that is just as good as the “branded” ones? A top of the line like Yamaha ATV or Polaris ATV sure does cost a lot more than off brand ATVs that you can find, at the end of the day, it really depends on how “fat” your bank account is.
The ATV features
Next, you have to do a little bit of homework on this one – the features that you would like to have for your ATV. Do you want an automatic, manual or semi automatic transmission ATV? The standard transmission would be the manual one which is much like driving a stick shift in a car – if you are a new ATV rider, I suggest that you do not attempt to purchase a manual transmission ATV as you may cause more damage to the machine by improper usage. Automatic transmission ATVs are the easiest for a beginner because you only need to give the machine gas and brake while the rest is done without your assistance. Whether it is an automatic, manual or semi automatic transmission ATV – the choice is really yours. Get one that you would feel most comfortable operating.
There are typically 3 types of methods starting ATVs – electric, kick and pull start. Electric start ATVs uses battery and a push button ignition and is the easiest way to start any ATV. Just like the name, kick start ATVs comes with a lever located on the crank case where you will need to kick one of three directions – depending on the brand front, back or sideways to start the machine. The pull start option is just like how would operate any lawn mower machine. In my personal opinion, if you decide to go for the electric start ATV, you might as well look for one with an alternate pull start option – just in case the battery dies out on you in the middle of nowhere, you are still able to start your machine – and get home.
Also, you will need to decide if you want a Three Wheeler or a Four Wheeler ATV. Much of this decision really relies on your personal preference, and obviously, the Three Wheeler model would be a lot cheaper compared to the Four Wheeler model. However, let it be known to you that Four Wheeler models are much larger and work oriented machines. Unless you are buying it for work, a Three Wheeler ATV is good enough for recreational activities.
If you are thinking about buying an ATV as a gift for someone, you must consider the age of the rider. Should that person be below 16 years of age, you should be getting him or her a youth ATV instead of an adult ATV because adult ATVs are bigger and heavier, while youth ATVs are smaller in size and easier to be maneuvered by kids younger than 16 years of age.
There may be one or two particular brands of ATVs that you favor due to some reason – be it influence from your friends or family members, or maybe you were given to opportunity to ride on them before and you like what you have “tried”. But this only limits your choices and there are still many other ATVs out there in the market that you may not have tried out before. What I am trying to say is that you shouldn’t make up your decision based on the one or two ATVs that you have had experience with. It is best to widen your choices first before you shortlist your choice of ATV. Look around, read reviews about them and no matter what, you must make it a point to visit the ATV dealer and see the physical machine yourself before you make your final decision. Everyone have their own preference and just because I like a certain ATV model does not mean that you have to like it too.An ATV for sale is not just buying a toy, you have to think and ponder about it just like you would if you are buying a house or a new car because this too, is an investment.
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Monday, January 5th, 2009
Were you aware of the fact that a boat doesn’t have to cost tends of thousands of dollars? Then came some quality alternatives to high priced boats for sale. Of course these quality boats don’t compare to a high priced power cruiser boat for sale or bass boat that goes 75 miles per hour, but these alternatives are great for those of us who just want to enjoy our favorite river of lake, and don’t want to take out a loan in the process. No matter what type of water activity you enjoy there are quality alternatives to high priced boats.
Many of these quality alternatives are inflatable, and before you start thinking of children play toys, let me explain. Always refer to quality inflatable boats. Quality meaning that they can stand up to being pounded on with a hammer! And quality meaning that they can stand up to class IV rapids. Also emphasize the word quality because if you choose a reputable company they will offer you a free trail period to see what you think. This way you can decide for yourself. Only companies that make quality boats like Sun Tracker boat, Kenner, Robalo, Sun Runner, Triton Summi, Tahoe etc will offer these types of trials.
There are many different types of quality inflatable boats available, from sail boats to pontoon boats. There are even small sailboats available that inflate for easy use. No matter what type of water activity you enjoy, there is probably an inflatable option for you to choose from. What about convenience? Inflatable boats are amazingly convenient. Imagine being able to carry your boat in the trunk of your car, and then being able to inflate it wherever you would like? The convenience of quality inflatable boats is difficult to beat, there’s little doubt about that.
Whatever you do, keep in mind that there are alternatives to high priced boats, and if you do a little investigation you might be able to find just what you need for a fraction of what you thought.
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