Oldsmobile a Legend on its Own

Oldsmobile was a brand of automobile founded by Ransom E. Olds in 1897 and produced by General Motors until 2004. Oldsmobile has existed for 107 years and during that time it has produced high quality Oldsmobile parts, 35.2 million cars including the 14 million that was built at its Lansing, Michigan factory. Oldsmobile was the oldest surviving American automobile marque and the oldest in the world after Daimler and Peugeot.
It was in the year 2004 when General Motors announced its plan of ending the production of Oldsmobile vehicles. It was GM of Canada President and General Manager Maureen Kempston Drakes that made the announcement. She said, We are continuing to work with our Chevrolet-Oldsmobile dealers in Canada to ensure a smooth transition including making sure the most popular Oldsmobile models will continue to be available in the market over the next several years. Previously, GM announced that 2002 would be the last model year of production for the V6 Aurora and the Intrigue. Production of these vehicles will conclude in June 2002. V8 Aurora production will conclude at the end of the 2003 model year and the Bravada, Silhouette and Alero will conclude production as 2004 models. The specific production end dates for these models will be announced at a later date.
Here are some of the vehicles manufactured by Oldsmobile before its demise in 2004: Oldsmobile Curved Dash Oldsmobile Limited Touring Oldsmobile 40 Oldsmobile 53 Oldsmobile 66 Oldsmobile 88 Oldsmobile 98 Oldsmobile Series 60 Oldsmobile Series 70 Oldsmobile Series 90 Oldsmobile 442 (1968-1971) Oldsmobile Cutlass (1964-1999) Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme (1970-1997) Oldsmobile Cutlass Salon Oldsmobile Cutlass Calais (1985-1991) Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera (1982-1996) Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser (1971-1992) Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser (1964-1977) Oldsmobile F-85 (1961-1963) Oldsmobile Toronado (1966-1992) Oldsmobile Starfire (1975-1980) Oldsmobile Firenza (1982-1988) Oldsmobile Achieva (1992-1998) Oldsmobile Alero (1999-2004) Oldsmobile Aurora (1995-2003) Oldsmobile Bravada (1991-2004) Oldsmobile Intrigue (1998-2002) Oldsmobile Silhouette (1990-2004) Oldsmobile has enjoyed a healthy and popular public image from 1905 as result hit song In My Merry Oldsmobile. This same song was later updated in the fifties to sing about The Rocket 88. The Motorama Auto Show, a traveling auto show which epitomized the strong public relations that the GM has worked hard for in the 1950s. Millions of Americans attended the one-company auto show extravaganza.
Every GM division has a Dream Car and for the Oldsmobile s brands the dream car was called The Golden Rocket. Oldsmobile s best-selling model in America in the later part of the 70s and early 80s was the mid-size Oldsmobile Cutlass. Unfortunately sales of the Cutlass and other Oldsmobile models declined in the early 90s and were believed to be caused by the this is not your father s Oldsmobile campaign.



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Swansong of the slick Porsche

For those in the know who are aware that the first Porsche, the 1938 Porsche 64, sports not a few car parts similar in specs to those of the Volkswagen Beetle, the popularity and style of succeeding Porsche models is extraordinary. The Porsche 64 was introduced dressed with the same gear box, powered by the same engine, and supported by the same suspension system, as that of the Volkswagen Beetle. But, from James Deans silver Porsche 550 Spyder to Janis Joplin s Porsche 356-C Cabriolet, Porsche cars have gone a long way from being the German automaker s rip-off.
One reason for Porsche s ascent to take the king of the hill crown may be credited to the specialization that the automaker has embraced. Never in the history of the automotive industry has a carmaker ticked in close to 28,000 victories in the world of motor sports. Porsche was able to accomplish that. Its baptism of fire in auto racing comes with the introduction of the Porsche 550 Spyder. It is the third Porsche model to roll off its manufacturing plant, but the first car really that can be considered as truly Porsche s.
The launch of the Porsche Spyder marked the swansong of Beetle-powered Porsches. Cashing on the sharing of technology with the German automaker, Porsche pushed the envelope of auto racing technology by clinching the 1964 Road America 500 title, considered a remarkable feat then for a start-up automaker. Not long after this success, Porsche introduced the air-cooled, rear engine sports car called the Porsche 911. It sports the revolutionary six-cylinder "boxer" engine that further earned renowned for Porsche both on the race tracks and, this time, in terms of sales.
Many industry observers consider the 911 to be the marquee model of Porsche. As testament to its popularity and lucrative potential, the 911 this year goes into its 40 years of production. Safeguarding its competitive edge, however, the present version of the 911 is now marketed as the Porsche 912. But, under the modern-day look of the 911 series, can be glimpsed the same stuff that won for Porsche the Carrera Panamericana, Targa Florio, Mille Miglia, and the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Over the years in an attempt to take a hold of its lead in auto racing, Porsche s racing program spans a wide array of dedicated racing cars. From the iconic five-liter Porsche 917 to the 550, 718, RS and RSK models, Porsche technology has arrived. Porsche s success on the race tracks gives this young company its early identity. What many expect from modern-day Porsches like the Cayenne, Boxster and Cayman is the Porsche quality that the company is known for.
If the company s current campaign on the race tracks is going to be any indication, this present crop of Porsches does justice to its pedigree. Chances are, Porsche owners hold a five-fold innovation on the legendary Porsche 911 series. It is exceptional on the tracks, decent on the streets, and its flat-out performance is rivaled by none. The only thing you will have to worry about is replacements for Porsche parts including its wearable components like the brake rotors and the tires.



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Canadians Buying More Cars Across The Border

Earlier this year, it was reported that Canadian auto buyers prefer purchasing new vehicles from the United States instead of buying them in Canada. To combat this trend, automakers like Ford and Chrysler have offered large discounts. But the number of vehicles being bought by Canadians across the borders still continues to rise.
Last month, 24,873 vehicles were bought by Canadians in the United States and were brought over across the border. With the Canadian dollar reaching its highest level, the trend is expected to continue. The number of vehicles bought by Canadians in the United States increased by 68 percent last month compared to September.
Last year, the number of vehicles going across the border to Canada bought in the United States numbered more than 100,000 - the first time that it happened in history. This year, from January until October, there have already been more than 136,000 units of vehicles bought by Canadians in the United States. It is expected that by the end of the year, that number will rise to more than 164,000 units.
Brian Osler, the president of North American Automobile Trade Association, has this to say: "I suspect there is an added psychological boost in having a dollar that trades at par. After rounding or approximating numbers, consumers probably feel a little more confident in comparing prices."
But while the number of Canadians buying vehicles in the United States is increasing, the majority of Canadian auto buyers are still buying vehicles and auto parts like the control arm Canada in the local market. Buying from United States dealership entails a lot of hassle compared to buying vehicles locally.
But luxury car buyers are the ones benefiting from buying vehicles in the United States. By buying sports cars in the United States, Canadian consumers can save as much as $14,000. That is a really huge discount. As a result, Porsche is one of the most enraged automakers at the ongoing trend. As a countermeasure, they have decreased prices of their models in Canada by an average of eight percent.
Porsche is not the only automaker offering discounts to Canadian consumers. Chrysler, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz also offer discounts on their vehicles. Chris Travell, vice-president of Maritz Automotive Research had this to say: "This is really getting on the radar screen for all the manufacturers. It s not just a flash in the pan. The product planners and so on are looking at their cost structure to see how they re going to respond."



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Saab Car Gets Makeover; Prince Charles Drives

It was so long ago, Saab made a fresh news in the car. Recently, Saab fans, it was not much to get excited about. And one of the possible reasons for such a long time idleness is that General Motors (GM) in 2000, took full control of the Swedish brand. In fact, Saab is now known as nothing more than another GM division. Nevertheless, that does not produce adverse effects if the Detroit auto on the Internet can find a way to take Saab to return to his individual roots.
And with the GM knows how to handle his car brands, the public should know to expect the beginning of this reform, as on compact Saab 9-3 runs makeover.
The compact Saab 9-3 is the most well-known models. In 2008, this car comes from Aero X concept car, which was first exhibited in 2006 at the Geneva auto show, and most recently at the exhibition in Detroit 2007.
With Saab quality oxygen sensor, a compact 9-3 comes with a new fascia exudes that, when mixed with elements of the Aero X extinct Subaru Impreza-based 9-2X and 9-5 more: hood, which is in the form of horseshoes raised section of the Aero X is based engine cover; its clamshell design mark, as it was used at 9-5, as well as fog lights and lower air intake similar to those in the 9-2X. New on the CD are 9-3 headlamps and trademark three sections grille.
According GM, a new front, along with a revised rear of the dashboard and make new 9-3 more focused and a more aggressive approach. The company also said that the clamshell hood recalls the legendary 1967 Saab 9-3 in 99.
The turbocharged engine (with sufficient amounts of torque) remains a choice: 2.0-litre four-cylinder that is suitable for 210-horsepower, and 2 8 - litre V6, which receives additional 5 horsepower this year, a total of 255 horsepower.
The 2008 Saab 9-3 is expected to be in the salons at the end September.
Here is another good news for Saab lovers! To assist in Brighton to London Eco Car Rally, Prince Charles of Great Britain was able to manage Bio-Saab 9-3 convertible power along with Honda " & quot; Civic Hybrid, a 7 series BMW 7 hydrogen and silver Ford Focus cells when he took a rush of clean vehicles for the Monday prior to the spin eco car rally.
The beautiful Prince test drove the four of the newest vehicles that are environmentally friendly (in the case of gas), in the car park at London& 39;s Hampton Court Palace.
All these cars are powered by alternative fuels for petrol: Saab has been in force on bio-ethanol E85, which was made from fermented plant substances used Honda auto gasoline and electric motored vehicle, and two other vehicles of the force was hydrogen.
The Duke said he could not give an electric scooter to try, because it can break loose from it.
Charles arrived riding in his bio-fuel " blue Jaguar & quot; that have been converted three months ago. He has two and a bio-fuel Jaguars converted Audi in its fleet. He flew to Richmond Palace from his home in Scotland - Birkhall - two turbo-pusher private charter plane.
According to Clarence House source, the Prince wanted to use dual turbo chartered aircraft because it is relatively clean and devotes relatively less carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) than jet plane.
The Brighton-to-London Eco car rally ended in Trafalgar Square, where 20 cars were exhibited party to mark World Environment Day.
About Saab Saab is a line of cars that are currently being manufactured at Saab Automobile AB. He is currently fully owned subsidiary of General Motors Corporation. Saab vehicles is the exclusive owner of the Royal Order, appointed as HM the King of Sweden. Products from Volvo, Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz compete directly with Saab.



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