The American arm of Japanese automaker Honda recently disclosed to the public their sales record for the month of November. According to the automaker, they have sold 111,431 units of Honda and Acura vehicles. That marked an increase of 4.7 percent compared to the company's sales record for November of last year when they sold 106,446 vehicles.

With the American dollar falling against the Euro and the Canadian dollar, consumers are slowly reducing in number. But Honda's performance in marketing their vehicles shows that they are in a position to deliver vehicles that consumers are looking for. Dick Colliver, the executive vice president of American Honda, had this to say according to The Auto Channel: "Even In these uncertain times, our bread-and-butter products are showing real growth. The all-new Accord continues to set a blistering pace with sales up by more than 25 percent."

For years, the Honda Accord has been well received by consumers because of its reliability. The Japanese automaker also manufactures luxury vehicles under the Acura brand. Although Acura is yet to match Lexus in terms of popularity among luxury car buyers, the brand is slowly becoming a favorite among consumers. But last month saw another dismal period for Acura as they posted a decrease of 24.9 percent compared to November 2006. Last month, the Japanese luxury brand sold 12,910 units of cars and light trucks while last year, for the same month, the company has sold 17,200 units.

The Acura division may have experienced reduced sales for November but some of their models showed increased in sales. The luxury division reported that they have already sold 52,700 units of the award-winning Acura ball joint -equipped Acura MDX from January to November this year. That figure is 9.6 percent better than their January to November sales last year of 47,894 units.

Meanwhile, for the Honda division, several models apart from the Accord have helped the automaker set an increased sales record for November. The Honda CR-V is one of them with sales up by 1.6 percent compared to November 2006 sales. The Honda Fit is the biggest gainer with an increase of 106.0 percent. 5,361 units of the award-winning Fit were sold last month. According to the automaker, the Civic and the Civic Hybrid both posted an increase in sales. The Japanese automaker reported that they have sold 24.8 percent more Civic units last month compared to the same period last year. The Civic Hybrid on the other hand increased by 46.6 percent.
About the Author

Anthony Fontanelle is a 35-year-old automotive buff who grew up in the Windy City. He does freelance work for an automotive magazine when he is not busy customizing cars in his shop.

As the crucial voting for energy legislation draws nearer, the American Wind Energy Association or AWEA will be taking a majors step towards advocating the use of wind power for energy consumption. The said group will launch a massive ad campaign today. The said ads are aimed towards supporting the move to have a renewable electricity standard or RES. The advocacy campaign will invade different mediums from TV commercials to print ads.

"The ad campaign is part of a broader effort to focus attention on this crucial referendum on American energy policy," said Gregory Wetstone, director of Government and Public Affairs of AWEA. "We believe that greater public awareness will translate into more Congressional support for renewable energy sources like wind and solar power, which are overwhelmingly popular, but face well-financed opposition," he added.

The RES being debated on widely is a mechanism which is based on the market. The RES calls for a fixed portion of the country's source of electricity to be produced using renewable resources. Today, 25 states have already enacted renewable energy standards. But experts agree that a national RES will be much more beneficial.

This week, the House of Representative will decide on the matter. This issue is being targeted early on because of the increasing awareness to the threat of global warming.

There have been studies conducted to find out the benefits of an RES. According to results of these studies, an RES in place will slow down global warming. With renewable energy sources being tapped, less petroleum fuel will be burned. That translates to less greenhouse gases. This move will be beneficial in the future as automakers are now experimenting with vehicles which run on electricity alone. Automobiles like the Acura CL compressor -equipped luxury car are considered as one of the biggest producers of harmful greenhouse gases.

Another benefit of an RES is that it creates jobs. According to a study conducted by the Union of Concerned Scientists, an RES will help create about 185,000 American jobs. Wind and solar energy are expected to be the biggest source of alternative energy. With a national RES, these industries will experience a boom thus creating jobs for Americans.

Studies also reported that an RES would "revitalize rural America". According to the studies, rural land owners will be able to take about $3,000 to $8,000 per turbine annually while still being able to work their land. These benefits will be deliberated for sure before the House of Representatives decide on the issue.
About the Author

Anthony Fontanelle is a 35-year-old automotive buff who grew up in the Windy City. He does freelance work for an automotive magazine when he is not busy customizing cars in his shop.

November sales in the American auto industry give hints that car sales will not be good next year and even the coming ten years. Last Monday, as balance sheets have been done reflecting November car production, distribution and sales, automakers announced that there was a two percent industry wide decrease. Major factors to be blamed are troubles in the housing market and the continuously increasing fuel prices.

The Big three automakers of Detroit shall be responsive to the phenomenon. According to General Motors Corp. and Ford Motor Co. they will be cutting the scheduled production in the first quarter of 2008.

Meanwhile, Chrysler LLC with its new owner plans to make a weekly review of their production plans every week to combat 2008’s bad sales premonitions. “We are feeling it in our automotive business,” Chrysler’s vice president of sales Darryl Jackson said in a teleconference with media and analysts.

Although the year has not reached its end yet, analysts predict that if vehicle sales continue as it is, 2007 will have a total of 16.2 million vehicle sales. Compared to analyst’s forecast for 2008, this number is quite healthy. According to George Pipas, top analyst at Ford Motor Co., 2008 car sales could dramatically fall to 15.5 million vehicles only from January until June of next year. Pipas’ prediction however did not convince Aaron Bragman, an analyst at Global Insight, Bragman says it may be lower than that. “We’ll see what happens, but thus far it’s not looking like a very positive sales year next year,” Bragman said.

Some highlights for November include huge increases at the subcompact segment led by the Honda Fit, Nissan Versa and the Chevrolet Aveo. Crossovers also gained sales increase. The sales of Japanese automakers Nissan Motor Co. and Honda Motor Co. were boosted by their small cars and their remodeled sedans.

“Rising fuel prices and sliding home values delivered a one-two punch this month,” Jim Lentz, president of Toyota’s U.S. sales arm, said in a statement. “But the industry’s not down for the count. Demand for fresh, more fuel-efficient products continues to show strength.”

In general, falling demands for trucks greatly damaged the auto industry. The truck sales fall was due to decrease in home constructions in America. According to data from Autodata Corp., there was a total of seven percent decrease in sport utility vehicle and truck sales for November.

For November, even thou GM still has the biggest auto sales in America, the automaker posted an 11 percent sales decrease for the month while Chrysler LLC dropped by two percent. Toyota Motor Corp. and Ford Motor Co. announced that they have flat sales. Good fate was for Honda Motor Co. along with its Acura division (maker of genuine Acura accessories like Acura car cover) with five percent sales increase and Nissan Motor Co. with six percent sales boost.
About the Author

Anthony Fontanelle is a 35-year-old automotive buff who grew up in the Windy City. He does freelance work for an automotive magazine when he is not busy customizing cars in his shop.

Masking paper is a tightly bonded, poly-coated paper designed specifically for consumer use in repainting and refinishing automobiles. The use of this product ensures the highest quality results by protecting the automobile from paint penetration, seep-through and overspray.

Newspaper, which was once widely used when painting cars proved too porous for this purpose and often resulted in paint bleed-through. The poly coating in masking paper offers complete protection for the surfaces it is applied to if it is applied correctly. Masking products provide the maximum penetration resistance from the harsh solvents used in automobile sealers, lacquers, enamel paints and clear coat products. It eliminates dust contamination from fibers and performs well, even during wet sanding. Masking products easily withstand assaults from the powerful exhaust fans used to dry the automobiles after painting.

Masking paper must be carefully applied to all non-painted surfaces and secured in place by masking tape designed for this purpose. These products are available in a variety of widths to fit any job. Narrow tape is best suited for applying around curves. Wide versions are more suitable for quickly covering large areas of the automobile. A variety of tools such as a masking paper dispenser, speed up the job and simplify the application process. Masking dispensers are available as hand-held implements or sophisticated multi-roll dispensers.

Protected surfaces must be completely dry and free of silicones, lubricants, dust, rust and other surface contaminants before masking paper and masking tape are applied. Unless curved surfaces are being masked the tape should not be stretched. Simply lay it on the surface to be protected and apply tape over the edge of the paper. It should overlap both the area to be painted and the area to be taped. Then, using a sharp, single-side razor blade, cut the tape along the line where the two areas should be divided and remove the tape over the area to be painted.

When covering trim, masking paper is not required. Select a masking tape that is wide enough to completely cover the trim components. When taping a door handle, for instance, apply a wide piece of masking tape to the upper area of the handle first, smoothing the tape by hand to prevent any ripples or ridges. Then apply a second piece of tape to cover the lower side of the handle, slightly overlapping the first piece. Apply masking tape to chrome strips, grills, weatherstripping, decorative emblems and antennas in the same manner.

When masking bumpers, 12-inches wide is efficient for the job. Protecting grills is easy when masking paper is extended well inside the engine area to prevent overspraying the radiator and engine. Letters and emblems can present a problem that is easily resolved by using narrow widths (1/4 inch) of tape, though when possible, it is best to remove emblems. Headlights and taillights can also be easily masked using three-to-six-inch sections.

Two layers are recommended for covering windshields. Begin masking a windshield by first applying a running length of masking tape around the windshield trim or the glass itself. Attach masking paper to the lower portion of the windshield and then apply a top piece to the windshield that overlaps the bottom piece. Masking in this way prevents water and debris from running down over the paper onto an uncovered area. Do not remove it until the newly applied paint is dry.

When covering a panel for a two-toned paint job, select paper that is slightly wider than the area to be covered. Apply masking tape to one edge of the paper and apply the taped edge to the car body. Then fold it to the required width and tape it into place.
About the Author

Jason has been in the construction equipment and industrial sales business for over 10 years. He owns and operates Red Hill Supply to better serve the automotive and industrial industries. - Automotive Tools.

Nothing signifies surfing on the west coast of North America as much as "Woodies" - Wooden station wagons. They were inexpensive, could carry a surf board or boards easily. As well they could serve as a crash pad at night, parked along the beach or in a parking lot whether it be on the coast at a California, British Columbia or Oregon beach.

Initially woodies had a place since many potential car and automobile buyers who could not afford new station wagons would have bought such cars second hand. A wood body that was well card for seemed to last for years and years- even in humid climates such as Vancouver. It was true however that a portion of these woodies were not cared for by their owners and as such there were many lemons among this crowd.

When moisture gets into the cracks and open joints of a "Woodie" or as well into rips in the roof fabric, all sorts of decay can result. It's a situation like the Titanic. What lies below the surface of the body of the vehicle can often be much more serious than an owner or potential buyer can think or even imagine.

A wagon that had been driven regularly every day is likely to be in better shape than one that stood around for weeks, or even months, in a damp garage - because the moisture would have been shaken out of it and dried up by the sun. It pays to look twice at a station wagon that has not gone as far as it its age would lead you to expect. It may be in worse shape than a similar vehicle with a much higher odometer reading or a newer vintage.

Neglect will be costly to you as a buyer of a vintage Woody automobile. Wood bodies were not self maintaining. A wooden body should have been maintained and revarnished every six months. The best finish is the most dangerous, however, if the joints are not filled properly. Wood filler should be worked into all cracks and coverered with a thin line of varnish. Otherwise water will have entered these cracks and be trapped under the heavy finish - eventually eating away the wood.

Similarly tears and small openings between the roof and the molding should be sealed promptly with weather strip cement. Paint, wax and varnish should not be used on fabric roofs. They will cause the fabric to crack. A light application of thin oil will keep these fabrics more than pliable.

Watch out that the drainage holes in the bottoms of doors and below the vintage sliding glass panes must also be kept open to preserve a Woodie Wagon's body. This can be done very easily and simply by poking a stiff wire up through the holes occasionally.

Be careful of danger signs when evaluating vintage Woodie station wagons. Among the signs are - a musty smell, ugly fungus growths on the inside wood as well as discolored wood either inside or outside of the auto. Any of these signs of trouble can mean a fair amount of work will have to be done on the wagon within a year. Black or green discoloration is usually very serious, but gray areas along the top edges of horizontal frame members. The direct rays of the sun affect these edges most, and the grey spots usually can be bleached out and revarnished.

Lastly watch out decayed wood and patchwork repairs that have been concealed by paint. Look carefully for any depression in the surface of such a car body, and for cracks where there are no joints. Press these areas with your fingernail. If the wood is soft, and there are a number of such places move on. A very presentable Woodie station wagon auto is the very emblem of the California surfing image. Help maintain the tradition.
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Edmonton Low Auto Payments Gateway California Redwoods Vancouver Need Car Transportation.

Obviously, the global travel industry has progressed in leaps and bounds over the years. How else can you explain the unbridled livewire energy present in this industry? More and more travel enthusiasts are today going for various kinds of holiday ideas prevalent as an effective means of breaking free from the mundane regularities of life. But, it's not the energy within that makes the travel industry such a hit among travellers around the globe. It is the emergence of newer and more exciting holiday ideas like self catering cottages, motorhome hire and campervan that determines its popularity.

The evident method in which these holiday ideas are promoted also supports the popularity issue to a substantial degree. Anywhere you go, you cannot miss out on ads and commercials of all sorts highlighting the travel packages to various destinations offered by various agencies. Stepping ahead towards more unique kinds of holiday ideas, we can now revel in exciting activities like a motor home hire to give us a whole new experience of travelling.

Giving due justice to its name, the concept of motorhome hire is about the application of a motor van that provides users with the dual advantage of transportation and shelter under one roof. Not only that, these motorhomes come in various sizes and make to offer variety to travellers to meet their needs. The size factor apart, motorhomes are usually big enough to accommodate many of your home essentials in the likes of gas, cooker, microwave, shower zone, toilet, television and refrigerator. In other words, your hired motorhome is nothing but a travelling rendition of your home that provides incomparable comfort.

As the popularity of motorhomes hire spread steadily, renowned automobile manufacturing companies took the plunge into the ballgame, only to make the activity more interesting. It is easily one of the most sought after holiday ideas in the recent times, and we can only expect it to progress higher.
About the Author

About The Author: Allan Elvin is a travel guide and has a rich experience of globe trotting. He is currently associated with Freeline motorhome hire and campervan hire and working as consultant with them.

Humans have always been known to indulge in holiday activities every now and then so as not to crumble under the weight of the occasional drudgeries of life. Let's face the truth now. Life is pretty hard these days with more and more responsibilities coming along with the rising progress in every industry prevalent today. In other words, there is more for you to do as a professional and dedicate optimised time to work, thus leaving behind very few time for other things. The recreation that comes in the midst of this routine proves to be quite a breather, which is why holiday activities like self catering cottages and motorhome hire are so very popular.

The kind of holiday idea you go for also matters a lot. If you are someone who has left yourself dry of energy after a long stint in your professional sphere, you will want to enjoy some relaxation coupled with the freshness of a vacation. In such a situation, there can't be anything better than a motor home hire to relieve you from your condition. With a van that provides you an infallible comfort zone and an effective transportation, you don't need to look for anything else.

Motorhomes are recreational vehicles, which have existed since the middle of the 20th century, although they are enjoying a phenomenal popularity today like never before. Several of the established names in the automobile sector have come out with their versions of this vehicle. Available in various sizes, these vans can easily carry along most of the essential commodities of your home, such as a shower zone, toilet, gas, microwave, utensils, television and refrigerator.

Now, through a motorhomes hire, you can drive away with your family or friends to a quiet place to escape the chaos of the urban life and yet retire in the cosiness of your home.
About the Author

About The Author: Allan Elvin is a travel guide and has a rich experience of globe trotting. He is currently associated with Freeline motorhome hire and campervan hire and working as consultant with them.