44 per cent of Canadian new vehicle transactions are leases, says J.D. Power
Toronto, Ontario – More than 44 per cent of all retail new-vehicle transactions in the first five months of 2007 in Canada were leases, and the average length was 46 months, according to a report by J.D. Power and Associates.
Men more likely to take risks, seek thrills, new study shows
I’m tip-toeing on delicate ground here, but am about to wade into the whole male/female driver comparison.
I won’t get into typical misconceptions, biases and the ever-popular chauvinistic areas. I won’t even use my involvement with driving schools and thousands of new drivers. Instead, let’s look at some scientific evidence and detailed research into the topic.
BMW twin-turbo takes top honours at the engine Oscars…
As anticipated by the press, BMW’s 3-litre Twin-Turbo that premiered in the 335i Coupe, was crowned “International Engine of the Year 2007†at the ninth annual International Engine of the Year Awards. Read more
Hydrogen’s Second Coming
ANY discussion of a future generation of hydrogen cars inevitably leads to the same question: Where will I fill the tank?
While automakers have demonstrated that they can build vehicles that produce no tailpipe pollutants, the commercial availability of hydrogen to power them remains a showstopper. There are other issues, of course — the cost of fuel cells and the methods of storing hydrogen among them — but matters like driveability and safety are no longer impediments to retail introduction.
CAW says ‘insanity’ of green movement is unfairly punishing auto sector
PORT ELGIN, Ont. (CP) – The Canadian Auto Workers union targeted Prime Minister Stephen Harper and the “insanity” of the environmental movement Friday as delegates talked strategy with an election ever looming and an Ontario provincial vote less than six months away.
Although historically linked with the New Democrats, union president Buzz Hargrove used a national meeting of delegates to recommend strategic voting to bolster the Liberals, both federally and provincially, and cautioned against the growing momentum of Harper’s Conservatives in the polls.Â
THE 1,001 HORSEPOWER FAIRY TALE
Do Consumers Really Want Fuel-Efficient Cars?
By Dietmar Hawranek
In Germany, sales of SUVs have risen by more than 45 percent in the past three years. People proselytize for hybrids and fuel efficiency, but they buy fat, gas-guzzling autos. Why do drivers, businessmen and politicians have such a hard time saving gas to protect the environment?
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Gay by Design, or a Lifestyle Choice?
By ALEX WILLIAMSRON
GEREN, an actor in Los Angeles, commutes to auditions and jobs throughout Southern California in a sleek black Mazda MX-5 Miata convertible. But for a recent date with a woman, he rented a Cadillac Escalade because he was so used to friends saying his Miata is “gay.â€
Body Language: How to Talk the Designers’ Talk
By PHIL PATTON
NEVER say dashboard, not if you want people at the auto show to think you know what you are talking about. Say I.P., for instrument panel, as designers do.
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Rumor: BMW Diesel Hybrid in the Works
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Bavarian Motor Works, better known to most people as just BMW, is apparently working on diesel hybrid versions of its 5-Series sedan and X5 sport utility vehicle, both in time for 2010. This is according to Autocar of the UK, which in turn got their information from an unnamed “BMW engineering source”. Read more
Rising fuel prices…
It’s a topic that I can’t help but associate with that humourous CITI Bank commercial “Hand’s in My Pocket” illustrating the likes of money hungry banks and their never-ending list of charges. Luckily our BMW and MINI owners need not be concerned; you ladies and gentleman, drive a vehicle that is not only a a blast to drive, but is also extremely efficient.  In keeping up with my daily news I found an interesting article that may mean that gas prices like the one to the right, may not be that far off….again! 
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Budds’ BMW is Connected
