Take Castrol for example. They led the field for years with GTX. This was surpassed a few years back by semi-synthetic and fully synthetic oils, including GTX2 and GTX3 Lightec. Now, that’s been surpassed by Formula SLX which can cost upwards of $75 for 5 litres. And most recently, Castrol GTX Magnatec which is muscling in on the hitherto separate world of friction reducers.

What does my oil actually do?

The point of engine oil is primarily to stop all the metal surfaces in your engine from grinding together and tearing themselves apart from friction whilst transferring heat away from the combustion cycle. Engine oil must also be able to hold all the nasty by-products of combustion, such as silica (silicon oxide) and acids in suspension. It cleans the engine of these chemicals and build-ups, and keeps the moving parts coated in oil. Finally, engine oil minimises the exposure to oxygen and thus oxidation at higher temperatures. It does all of these things under tremendous heat and pressure.

A quick guide to the different grades of oil

Mineral or synthetic?

Mineral oils are based on oil that comes from dear old Mother Earth which has been refined. Synthetic oils are entirely concocted by chemists wearing white lab coats in oil company laboratories. For more info, see the section on synthetics further down the page. The only other type is semi-synthetic, sometimes called premium, which is a blend of the two. It is safe to mix the different types, but it’s wiser to switch completely to a new type rather than mixing.

Synthetics

Despite their name, most synthetic derived motor oils (ie Mobil 1, Castrol Formula RS etc ) are actually derived from mineral oils – they are mostly Polyalphaolifins and these come from the purest part of the mineral oil refraction process, the gas. PAO oils will mix with normal mineral oils which means Joe public can add synthetic to his mineral, or mineral to his synthetic without his car engine seizing up (although I’ve heard Mobil 1 is actually made by reformulating ethanol).

The most stable bases are polyol-ester (not polyester, you fool). When I say ’stable’ I mean ‘less likely to react adversely with other compounds.’ Synthetic oil bases tend not to contain reactive carbon atoms for this reason. Reactive carbon has a tendency to combine with oxygen creating an acid. As you can imagine, in an oil, this would be A Bad Thing. So think of synthetic oils as custom-built oils. They’re designed to do the job efficiently but without any of the excess baggage that can accompany mineral based oils.

Pure synthetics

Pure synthetic oils (polyalkyleneglycol) are the types used almost exclusively within the industrial sector in polyglycol gearbox oils for heavily loaded gearboxes. These are typically concocted by intelligent blokes in white lab coats. These chaps break apart the molecules that make up a variety of substances, like vegetable and animal oils, and then recombine the individual atoms that make up those molecules to build new, synthetic molecules. This process allows the chemists to actually “fine tune” the molecules as they build them. Clever stuff. But Polyglycols don’t mix with normal mineral oils.

Mixing Mineral and Synthetic oils – new concept

The web is a great place to keep things up-to-date, so here’s the current thinking on the subject of mixing mineral and synthetic oils. This information is based on the answer to a technical question posed on the Shell Oil website.

There is no scientific data to support the idea that mixing mineral and synthetic oils will damage your engine. When switching from a mineral oil to a synthetic, or vice versa, you will potentially leave a small amount of residual oil in the engine. That’s perfectly okay because synthetic oil and mineral-based motor oil are, for the most part, compatible with each other. (The exception is pure synthetics. Polyglycols don’t mix with normal mineral oils.)

There is also no problem with switching back and forth between synthetic and mineral based oils. In fact, people who are “in the know” and who operate engines in areas where temperature fluctuations can be especially extreme, switch from mineral oil to synthetic oil for the colder months. They then switch back to mineral oil during the warmer months.

There was a time, years ago, when switching between synthetic oils and mineral oils was not recommended if you had used one product or the other for a long period of time. People experienced problems with seals leaking and high oil consumption but changes in additive chemistry and seal material have taken care of those issues. And that’s an important caveat. New seal technology is great, but if you’re still driving around in a car from the 80’s with its original seals, then this argument becomes a bit of a moot point – your seals are still going to be subject to the old leakage problems no matter what newfangled additives the oil companies are putting in their products.

The beginning of 2010 continues to be a good time for car buyers. Creative buying incentives from the “Big Three” U.S. automotive companies have enticing offers to any customer walking through their dealership doors. General Motors just ended their campaign to unload all of their Pontiac and Saturn inventories with savings of up to over $7,000 per vehicle. Currently, GM is offering 0% APR financing or up to $4,500 cash back on new vehicles. Chrysler is offering incentives similar to that of GM. However, their cash back options are about $2,000 less than that of GM. Toyota, seeing a significant decrease in profits last year, are also promising low APR financing options. Expect to continue to see these specials for at least the next two quarters.

So what else can we expect for 2010? Hybrid cars continue to rise in popularity in the U.S. More people are environmentally conscience than ever before. Additionally, hybrid cars are more fuel-efficient. To date, there are 23 hybrid vehicles on the market in the U.S. General Motors has introduced the Sierra, Yukon, Silverado, Tahoe, and the Escalade, available in hybrid form. Interestingly enough, Chrysler offers only one hybrid vehicle, the Aspen. If GM and Chrysler focused more of their energy on fuel economies instead of high profit margins related to SUV sales, they could have prepared for the forces of the economic crisis.

Recently, General Motors announced the creation of a plug-in hybrid available later this year. The Chevy Volt, touted as GM’s savior, is expected to take the auto industry by storm, with an EPA rating of 230 miles per gallon Additionally, a tax credit of $7,500 is available to customers willing to go electric. Hopefully this will be the beginning of a new era of fuel-efficient cars from American motor companies.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

1. Initial homework – Find out about the car you are considering. Check out any known mechanical problems with that model. The consumer magazine Which! offers good long term reviews on cars. Which! offers a 1-month trial for just £1.

2. Current prices – Check out the current second hand value for the car. A good place to start is www.whatcar.com. Also get your local paper and some of the specialist second hand car magazines and look up the prices of similar cars.

3. Running costs – Plenty of costs in relation to running a car, including -

• Insurance – do a quick check on the internet. Also do a search for the car’s ‘insurance band’ which will be quoted between 1-20, 20 being the most expensive
• Road tax – is the car currently taxed, if so when does it run out. Cars are now taxed depending on CO2 emissions – check here
• General running costs – fuel economy, servicing, tyres etc.

4. Proper documentation – When looking at the car insist on seeing the registration documentation, the MOT certificate (if more than 3 years old) and any other paperwork relating the car.

• Chassis number – sometimes called the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number). It will appear on both the Log book and on a metal plate under the bonnet. Make sure both match and the metal plate hasn’t been tampered with around the edges
• Registration address – Make sure you view the car at its registration address. If this is not possible you should be extremely suspicious
• Service records – the more paperwork the better as this shows if the car has been regularly maintained. If a service record is not available has the owner kept any of the service or repair bills?
• Any Finance on the car – Ask the owner if the car has outstanding finance. Take notes of what he or she says. When you get home check out the information with RAC Vehicle Status Check. Current cost is £9.99 and its well worth it. If the car has finance on it, forget buying it and look for another

5. Ask a knowledgeable friend – It’s not always possible but if you have a friend who knows about cars, especially mechanics, then take them along and see what they say.

6. Examine the car in daylight – Carefully examine the car in good daylight. Look for signs of repairs and accident damage. Use scratches and other accident related damage to bargain down the price.

7. Is the mileage legitimate – Make sure the car hasn’t been clocked. The average mileage is around 12,000 per year so be wary if the general wear and tear doesn’t add up to the mileage.

Look specifically at the wear on the pedals and the surrounding driving mat. Also look at the tyres, if they need to be replaced soon (within 5,000 miles) factor that into the price you bid the owner.

8. Test drive – Always test-drive the car for at least 10 miles but make sure you’re insured to drive it – check with your current policy.

9. Independent inspection – If you’re still interested in the car think hard about getting it independently inspected. Both the AA and RAC offer an inspection service for between £100 – £300 depending on whether you’re a member and what car it is.

For example, a Ford Fiesta will be far cheaper than a Range Rover. Another idea is to take it down to your local garage and see what they say. If it was me I’d take the AA’s quote and then offer the garage half.

10. Before handing over the money – Never hand over any money until you have seen the results of the RAC Vehicle Status Check. And even then don’t pay the present owner until you have all the Documents relating to the car. Plus, get a written receipt for the car which includes the sellers name and address.

11. Valid insurance – Finally, make sure you have insurance in place from the minute you drive the car away.

Rico Auto Industries Ltd. will resume full supplies to General Motors and Ford Motor after workers agreed to end their strike last night, Surendra Singh Chaudhary, senior vice president in charge of human resources, said by phone today. About 2,200 workers struck at the company’s factory (at Gurgaon near New Delhi), demanding that 16 of their colleagues who were suspended be reinstated.

General Motors and Ford temporarily shut factories because of the shortage of components, even as they strive to boost sales amid the worst global recession since the 1930s. Automakers sourced $3.6 billion worth of parts from India in the year ended March 2008, compared with $330 million a decade ago, according to the Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India.

“Outsourcing has more advantages than the risks involved as it offers the huge benefit of low cost,” said Deepesh Rathore, a New Delhi-based analyst at IHS Global Insight Inc. “Such incidents of labor problems will be quickly forgotten.”

The strike at Rico Auto started Sept. 21 and forced the closure of a General Motors sport-utility vehicle assembly plant in Delta Township, Michigan, and the suspension of one of two shifts at a Warren, Michigan, transmission factory, a person familiar with the situation said last month. Ford Motor shut a plant in Canada for a week.

Rico agreed to take back eight suspended workers immediately, and another eight will be kept under suspension pending an inquiry, Chaudhary said. Prem Kumar, president of the Rico Auto Employees Union, also said workers agreed to end the strike following the settlement.

Experts have designed the world’s first practical flying car aimed at frustrated commuters – and it looks like a Reliant Robin.

The bizarre three-wheeled vehicle promises relief to motorists stuck in traffic jams by turning into an aircraft capable of soaring up to 4,000ft above congested roads. With a top speed of 125mph on land, the Personal Air and Land Vehicle, or PAL-V, corners like a motorbike by automatically tilting as it negotiates each bend. But hidden in its roof and rear are a foldable rotor, propeller and tail section which allow it to take off and fly at speeds up to 120mph.

Its comical appearance betrays its rapid acceleration from 0 to 60 in just 5 seconds – a far cry from Del Boy Trotter’s yellow Robin Reliant in Only Fools and Horses. Its inventors believe that when the the one-seater cars go on sale to the public, they would cost little more than an executive saloon car. When airborne, the PAL-V is similar to the tiny autogyro aircraft Sean Connery flew in the 1967 James Bond movie ‘You Only Live Twice’.

The PAL-V Europe NV’s design includes a rotor on the roof to lift it through the air, and a propeller at the rear to provide forward thrust.

To fly the PAL-V you need a recreational pilot’s licence, which takes between 10 and 20 hours training to obtain, while a normal driver’s licence covers you for use on the road.

Your first questions will probably be: How does it work and why is this suddenly possible now? PAL-V Europe NV started in 1999 to study many technologies and evaluated various concepts. Experts have spent six years developing concept versions and are now building the first commercial prototype with a view to begin manufacturing the vehicles soon. It made numerous designs and patented all its findings, leading to the PAL-V One.

Their target audience are motorists who are fed up with traffic jams. John Bakker, who invented the PAL-V, said: “Since Henry Ford built the Model T Ford, people have been dreaming of a vehicle that could drive and fly.”

PAL-V Europe NV combines the safe and easy principle of flying, the gyrocopter with the recent “tilting car” technology of the Carver . PAL-V has the exclusive rights to all the basic patents covering this magnificent concept. In addition, PAL-V Europe NV has patents pending for, amongst others, a foldable rotor.

After 7 years of concept work, PAL-V Europe NV entered the next phase. It is building the first commercial prototypes to combine all technologies, to fine-tune the design, to start-up production and carry out the market launch of the PAL-V One.

European and American regulations allow people to fly the PAL-V with a sports aviation license. It takes between 20-40 hours getting a pilot’s license while driving can be done with a regular car driver’s license.cense.

In countries with underdeveloped infrastructure it means safe and faster transportation but also in developed countries it will save people lots of time.

Potential customers for professional applications like police surveillance, first aid or courier services as well as consumers for mobility and fun are registering at our company on a daily basis.

The PAL-V is a solution to the increasing levels of congestion in our cities, highways and skyways.

It took almost 90 years before this dream could be realized. Now it will.

It’s fun, it drives like the most sporty solution on the road and it also flies. This will be a revolution in door to door mobility in the near future.

The vehicle needs 165 ft to take off in and just 16ft to land, and it can fly for 340 miles under its fuel-efficient and environmentally certified car engine.

The same engine works for both road and air travel and runs on normal unleaded petrol, which means you can refuel at any roadside service station.

It can be driven and flown using the same controls by switching between two different modes.

On the ground, the slim-line vehicle is as comfortable as a luxury car but has the agility of a motorbike, thanks to its patented “tilting” system.

The single rotor and propeller are folded away until the PAL-V is ready to fly.

In the air, the PAL-V flies under the 4,000 feet floor of commercial air space and can therefore take to the sky without having to file a flight plan.

The autogyro technology means that it can be steered and landed safely even if the engine fails as it descends upright rather than nose-diving.

Unlike a helicopter, the rotor of an autogyro is driven by aerodynamic forces alone once it is in flight.

The PAL-V’s Dutch makers anticipate a time when such vehicles are so widely used that people will fly along sky highways, directed by GPS and using radar to prevent collisions.

They also claim there are already plans to build up to 60 heli-sites across their home country to cope with a new era of air traffic.

Besides, the skill level for good weather flying is very close to that for driving. The new Light Sport Airplane FAA specs call for just 20 hours total time in the aircraft before you are ready to make trips on your own, just about the same time a responsible parent would require of a new driver in the family.

The first Personal Air and Land Vehicle (PAL-V) available for anybody.

Terrafugia, a start-up created by Lemelson-MIT Student Prize winner Carl Dietrich and colleagues at MIT’s Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, is aiming to show off what it calls the Transition “personal air vehicle,” a vehicle resembling an SUV with retractable wings, to the EAA AirVenture Conference in Oshkosh, Wis., at the end of July 2009.

TMIT students, from Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, have successfully flight tested the prototype of a winged car for the first time. This car took off from a runway in Plattsburgh, New York. It flew for 37 seconds. The engine used in this whole exercise was 100 hp Rotax engine that gets 30 mpg on the highway using regular unleaded gasoline.

Carl Dietrich, who runs the Massachusetts-based Terrafugia, said: “This is the first really integrated design where the wings fold up automatically and all the parts are in one vehicle.”

The plane has a 20-gallon tank and 450-mile range. Its speed is 115 mph. The pilot can switch from one mode to another with perfect ease within 30 seconds. How this is achievable? From a pilot you can become a car driver by folding up the wings and shifting the engine power from the rear-mounted propeller to the front wheels.

The MIT students have floated a company named as Terrafugia. They will conduct further tests of the plane for longer duration of fights and hold trial for handling characteristics too. The timing of launch of this flying car is just right. The Federal Aviation Administration has created a new category of plane, Light Sport Aircraft. They have also made provision for a new license category just for pilots of such craft, including Terrafugia’s two-seater Transition. The “sport pilot” license requirement is quite lenient compared to regular pilot’s license. If you want to fly the Transition it will take only about 20 hours of training time.

Carl Dietrich is the Terrafugia CEO and co-founder. He is of the view that the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) rule change and the Transition could help alter the way public travels round the country particularly in country areas. He says, “One of the biggest problems pilots have right now is that most of the 5,000 general aviation airports in the U.S. don’t have any car rental facilities, or even a cab stand.” He made his stand clear by saying that the Transition could open many of these underutilized airports to easier, more convenient use by private pilots.

The vehicle may also lead to better safety. If you are a piloting such flying car, you can withstand the bad weather too. If you can detect the conditions of bad weather a little in advance, just fold up the wings and land at the nearest airport and start driving on the roads. Once the storm has passed, take off again from another airport!

If you want to be the owner of a flying car, the company is taking deposits now and hopes to start delivering its first Transitions (“roadable planes”) in late 2011.

Flying cars are technically feasible; Terrafugia points out that inventor Molt Taylor built prototypes in the 1950s and 1960s – but they haven’t been practical from an economic perspective.

Dietrich is optimistic. He said: “In the long term we have the potential to make air travel practical for individuals at a price that would meet or beat driving, with huge time savings.”

1. The car insurance industry relies on customers being enticed with generous initial offers which don’t last forever, so the key message when looking for cheaper car insurance is shop around. Figures from the Association of British Insurers (ABI) show you can save 35% on your premium by comparing as few as five car insurance providers – so don’t automatically settle for your renewal premium until you have made sure it is competitive.

2. Auto Car insurers use a combination of factors to work out how much to charge. Those living in areas with high crime rates can expect to pay more, as can those in certain professions. This is why it is crucial to keep your policy details accurate and up-to-date, including as much information as you can about factors such as where you park the car, your mileage, and whether you use the car for commuting.

3. Make savings by buying online, and by paying for your car insurance annually upfront, rather than in monthly instalments.

4. Opt to pay a higher voluntary excess on any claim. Some companies will give you an excess of up to 800 pounds which means your annual car insurance policy will be much cheaper – provided you can afford the excess.

5. If you are a young driver, you may be able to get cheaper car insurance by taking the Government-sponsored Pass-Plus training scheme for new motorists, or by signing up to a specialist “Pay-As-You-Drive” policy.

6. If the car is owned and predominantly used by your parent, you can make savings by adding yourself to the policy. But watch out for a practice known as “fronting” where one person insures a car in their name and adds someone else as the “named driver” when the named driver is actually the main driver, not the occasional driver. If you get caught “fronting”, your insurer may refuse to pay out.

7. Beware that adding drivers to your car insurance policy will increase your premium – and particularly if it is a young driver. If the extra drivers rarely use the car, it will probably work out cheaper to get a short-term policy instead.

8. Drive a car with a smaller engine as they are cheaper to insure. Also note that body modifications will add significantly to your costs, so avoid these if possible.

9. Consider a mileage limit – or opt to only drive at certain hours of the day.

10. Improve your car security by installing an alarm and an immobiliser. You can also keep car insurance premiums down by parking your car in a safe area – preferably in a garage or on a driveway.

11. Every car insurance company gives you a 14-day cooling-off period in which you can cancel your policy. While this is usually free, some providers charge a small fee, but this can be really useful if you find a better cheaper deal once your policy has started.

Car Accident insurance is something that is a must that all car owners should have in possession. Car accident is the leading cause for all personal injuries. Car accidents cause minor injuries to some, severe injuries to others and permanent disabilities and even lead to death.

Source: uswitch.com

Early synthetics got a bad reputation for leaking. This was because, despite the claims of the oil manufacturers, the seal-swell characteristics of the new synthetics were different from those of the mineral oils they replaced. If the seal-swell rate was lower, the seals shrank and oil leaked from crankshaft seals and rocker cover seals. If the rate was higher, the seals swelled a little extra and the engine was tight. Then if the owner changed back to mineral oil, or added a quart when no synthetic was to be had, things got really bad.

Fortunately, the situation has improved; you should have no problem switching back and forth. Adding a quart of mineral oil to a crankcase full of synthetic will be fine. Read the fine print — a lot of the “synthetics” on the market are blends containing a substantial proportion of mineral oil.Most automobile manufacturers recommend oil drain intervals of 3,000 to 6,000 miles for petroleum motor oils. Amsoil recommends up to 35,000 mile oil change which is 5 to 11 times fewer oil changes.Just think about the savings on the environment.

Oil is the lifeblood of your engine. The purpose of motor oil is to lubricate and protect your engine from heat and friction; the two major enemies of your engine. Without oil, your engine would overheat and cease working. Your engine might even crack. Motor oil may be the single most important fluid you will put in your engine.

What Is Petroleum Motor Oil?

Crude oil, better known as petroleum oil, is pumped from the earth, refined, and sold as a lubricant. In spite of the refining process, which is imperfect, contaminants that are not beneficial for your engine will be introduced using petroleum motor oil. Petroleum motor oils contain a different-sized molecular structure that contains properties both beneficial and non-beneficial. Petroleum motor oil has been the predominant automobile lubrication product for generations. If changed regularly, petroleum motor oil will provide a measure of protection for your engine, but not necessarily the best measure of protection.

What Are The Disadvantages Of  Petroleum Motor Oil? High oil temperature in excess of 240F will break down petroleum oils and cause oxidation, which in turn forms deposits, varnish, and increases wear.

Petroleum Motor Oil Vs. Synthetic Oil:

• Low oil temperatures will cause formation of sludge, which can block oil passages.
• Very low temperatures of -40F will make oil too thick to flow.

For dependable performance and long-term engine protection in all motor vehicles in all climatic conditions, petroleum oils must be supplemented with expensive additives that prolong the oil service life and reduce the wear to an acceptable level.

What Is Synthetic Oil?

Synthetic motor oil is a laboratory manufactured, custom-designed product that contains a uniform-sized molecular structure and is pure from any of the non-beneficial properties found in conventional petroleum motor oils. Before being introduced to automobiles, synthetic oils were first used in fighter jets. Synthetic oils were first introduced to the consumer market in 1972 and have grown in popularity because of the superiority in protecting today’s high performance engines.

What Are The Disadvantages Of Synthetic Oil?

Quite simply, the biggest disadvantage of synthetic oil is price. With a manufacturing process that is much more involved, synthetic motor oil costs nearly four times the price of petroleum-based motor oil. This means an oil change that would typically cost $20, could cost nearly $80. However, since synthetics are more durable, oil changes are not needed as often, and this fact partially negates the cost disadvantage of synthetics.

Which oil is better: Synthetic or Non Synthetic?

Every year motor oil companies spend millions promoting their product; the majority of them petroleum motor oils. Although petroleum motor oil will provide adequate protection, there are some reasons why synthetic motor oil may be the better choice when it comes to protection for your engine. Why settle for adequate protection? Synthetic motor oils have clear advantages. Let us look at some of these advantages.

Unlike petroleum motor oil, which must be changed every 3,000 to 5,000 miles, synthetic motor oil can go 6,000 to 10,000 miles between oil changes. Longer oil change intervals, means fewer trips to the lube shop or time spent underneath your truck.

Synthetic motor oil is better for the environment. Because synthetic motor oil lasts about three times longer than petroleum motor oil, change intervals are significantly longer. Fewer oil changes reduce the waste-disposal problem that comes with changing your oil, which leads to a healthier, greener planet for all of us.

Petroleum motor oils are prone to boil or vaporize within the normal operating temperature of the engine. This is commonly referred to as breakdown. Once the oil begins to breakdown, it usually results in oxidation, creating hardened oil deposits -more commonly know as sludge- in your engines components. Synthetics by contrast, are able to withstand greater heat temperatures, resulting in greater protection against breakdown.

A typical oil change using petroleum motor oil may cost anywhere from $25 to $30 at your local oil change shop. Using synthetic motor oil will cost you approximately $75 per oil change. While synthetic motor oil may cost you more per quart, it will save you money in the long run because of longer oil change intervals.

How to Mix Synthetic Oil With Non Synthetic Oil

With the introduction of synthetic oils, synthetic oil blends and various other oil additives heralded with confusing, and sometimes erroneous ad campaigns, it is hard for the average consumer to know what is what in the engine oil world. However, the facts are not nearly as confusing as the misinformation and hype floating about. Synthetic oil is a man-made improvement of standard oil, but the two can be mixed with no ill effects as long as a few common sense measures are taken first.

It is now confirmed that the much-anticipated Toyota small car for India would make an appearance – at least as a concept – at the upcoming 2010 Auto Expo in New Delhi in January 2010.

The company said that hatchback and sedan versions of the small car would be showcased at the Auto Expo. It is interesting that the company is working on both together – although it is no guarantee that by the time the small car is ready for production, the sedan would still remain. Much will depend on the reaction of car buyers when it is displayed.

At this point, the small car is variously referred to as the “Entry Family Car“, “Emerging Family Car” or EFC. We do not know if its a real code name, or an invention by the automobile trade press. Update: The EFC is now called the Toyota Etios.

What we have seen over the course of 2009 is a clear indication that all car companies have now fully accepted that the small car market in India is where the volumes and big money is. Maruti Suzuki still rules the Indian small car segment, but things are not going to be very easy for them, say, in 2011 or 2012.

Other companies which are planning small car launches in India sometime during 2010 are Fiat, Ford with its Figo, Hyundai with a small car… and a Honda small car. Remember that Honda and Toyota are two companies that never made a mis-step in India. The sales of the Honda Jazz are low, but it was expected anyway.

Apart from the small car concept, Toyota would also display its upcoming Prius hybrid for India at the Auto Expo 2010. Another product expected is a low-end MPV, positioned below the Toyota Innova, which will compete against the Xylo and the Chevrolet Tavera. It is said that this might be the Toyota Avanza – but we have also heard that it is an all-new MPV.

The so-called EFC small car will be manufactured in India, but is likely to be exported to Brazil and China, and possibly to even more cost-sentitive markets across the world. Vietnam and Indonesia are also likely candidates along with more Latin American countries. The EFC will be the cheapest car from Toyota anywhere in the world.

Meanwhile, Dentsu Communications has been given the advertising contract for the Toyota small car as well as the Toyota Prius.

Nissan Motor Company

“The exterior incorporates a soft, sleek-looking body that appears to be protected by a special armor,” explains Takashi Nakajima, Nissan’s Project Design Director. “And while it is very mechanical in its nature, the four-wheeler boasts a dynamic body design that almost seems alive. As part of Nissan’s expanding zero emission family, the Nissan Land Glider Concept exudes a clean, friendly attitude.”

Technical Specifications

• Length: 3,100 mm;
• Width: 1,100 mm;
• Height: 1,415 mm;
• Wheelbase: 2,180 mm;
• Seating Capacity: 2 seats.

The Nissan Land Glider Concept is targeted at inhabitants of the city of all generations. It is a serious auto statement of the future era of mobility that Nissan intends to lead.

To ensure the high level of safety whilst driving, engineers have fitted a car-robotics style accident avoidance system in which sensors mounted in the body detect other vehicles in the same way as fish swim in schools without colliding. This system directs the vehicle’s path away from any obstacles.

In creating the Nissan Land Glider concept, designers of Nissan Motor Company have conceived an absolutely new form of personal zero emission mobility that combines clever, new driving experiences, all-in-one compact, 4-wheeled package.