Showing posts with label CarGallery. Show all posts

Flick the Switch to a Greener Haulage Vehicle !!

Nobody ever said it was easy being green (in fact Kermit the Frog made an entire career out of telling us how hard it was), but more and more, global and economic factors are pointing towards a more ethical, sustainable and, yes, greener future. With high profile haulage and logistics companies taking steps towards establishing green initiatives and management practices as the norm, the transport industry has never been more self-aware.

While this not-so-subtle shift is, of course, very good news for the planet, it's also very good news for haulage companies and owner-drivers who are already practising what the sustainability experts are preaching. Winning the jobs to transport available loads is no longer just about offering the cheapest price. Hauliers with a proven track record of green operational systems, vehicles and supply-chains are being rewarded for their environmentally aware practices. It's never to late to start making small steps to 'going green', and, as a full time driver, your choice of what vehicle you use to transport those available loads once you get them is the most important one.

Hybrid Vehicles
Some of the biggest companies in the world are now running hybrid vehicles in their global fleets, including the UK. Using up to 30% less fuel with far-reduced carbon emissions, the vehicles also feature advanced aerodynamic design and reduced body weight (due to carbon fibre construction), meaning their capacity is vastly increased.

The Renault Premium Hybrys Tech truck, for example, is a 26-tonne diesel-electric vehicle currently being used in the UK, with energy provided by the diesel engine and kinetic generation. The kinetic generation is stored in traction batteries powered by the action of the vehicle braking and accelerating and then used at speeds of up to 20kmph. Once the speed increases, the diesel engine kicks in. Volvo also has a hybrid haulage vehicle in production - the Volvo FE Hybrid - which has been hailed as the fastest hybrid truck in the world.

Electric Vehicles
The biggest news to hit the UK delivery vehicle industry is the arrival of the Iveco 100% electric, zero-emissions New Daily Electric van. Iveco has been working towards production of 100% electric vehicles since 1986, and the New Daily Electric is not only dripping with green credentials, it's also been designed specifically for green purposes. It has a fully integrated electronic dashboard (complete with detachable tablet) for data management and top-of-the-range navigational capabilities; two different driving modes, allowing the operator to choose between Eco and Power modes; extended battery life; near silent running, and a huge cargo volume.

Other popular commercial electric vans include the Peugeot Partner (whose features include rapid battery charging), and the Nissan E-NV200 Accenta Rapid Plus, which is 100% electric and includes advanced telematics (so you'll never miss the opportunity to bid for available loads on the go), low running costs, no noise and emissions pollution.

With green technologies advancing in leaps and bounds, the future is already here in terms of more sustainable road transport. For responsible hauliers looking to become part of the solution rather than remain part of the problem, switching to a greener vehicle is one of the most valuable steps they can take.

Norman Dulwich is a correspondent for Haulage Exchange, the world's largest neutral trading hub for same day available loads in the express freight exchange industry. Over 4,000 transport exchange businesses are networked together through their website, trading jobs and capacity in a safe 'wholesale' environment.

Article Source: EzineArticles.com

What Is The Best Way To Buy A Used Car : How to Buy a Used Car !!

No offense to new car buyers, but when it comes to saving money, used car shoppers are smarter. A new car can lose up to 20 percent of its value the minute it’s driven off a dealer’s lot. For a new car buyer, that’s money right down the drain. When you buy a used car, however, that loss has already happened – to someone else.

While buying used means saving some money upfront, you do give up some peace of mind. Used cars don’t come with the same guarantees and warranties that new cars do. If you’re not careful, buying a used car can go from something that saves you money to a giant money pit.

However, buying a used car doesn’t necessarily mean giving up getting a reliable car with that new car smell (especially since you can get new car smell in an air freshener). By taking your time, doing your research and sticking to your budget, you can get a used car that will make you happy and save you money.
Finding the Right Used Car

New car buyers can only buy from new car dealers. Used car buyers have more options. They can buy from a dealer, or from the guy down the street. With so many options, it pays to cast a wide net. Most used car listings are available online (we’ve got more than a million used car listings), so it’s easy to find the right car from the comfort of your couch.

Having so many options can be overwhelming, so it’s important to have an idea of what you want and need from your used car. Think about how much you can afford to spend, how much space you need, the performance you want, the kind of fuel economy you’d like to get and features that are must-haves for you. You can use our used car rankings to find the best used cars for your needs.
Used Car Budgets

Part of deciding on the car you want is making sure it fits in your budget. Newer cars and cars with low mileage will cost more than older cars with more than a few clicks on the odometer. Playing the mileage game can help you get into the car you want, but there can be downsides to a less-expensive, higher-mileage car. The more mileage on a car, the more likely it is to need repairs.
Certified Pre-Owned Cars vs. Used Cars

You also need to decide if you want to go with a certified pre-owned car or a plain old used car. CPO cars are used cars that the manufacturer has bought back and inspected. The manufacturer usually offers additional warranty coverage on CPO cars, and sometimes offers financing and special offers. A CPO is as close to buying a new car as you can get when shopping used. All of those CPO extras come at a cost, however. CPO cars tend to be more expensive than used cars. Still, the extra peace of mind a CPO car offers might be worth the extra money.
Finding the Right Used Car Seller

New car buyers have to buy from new car dealers, but used car buyers can buy from anyone with a car to sell. Private sellers tend to offer their cars at lower prices since they don’t have overhead costs. While going with a private seller means you can save money, you do have to do some extra legwork, like taking care of registration and taxes. Dealers will usually do those things for you.

You also need to be careful when dealing with private sellers. They’re selling their car, so they’re more likely to be emotionally invested in it than a dealer. They also may not have done their research on what the car is actually worth. That could make a private seller harder to negotiate with. Private sellers aren’t regulated like car dealers are, so if the deal goes sour, you won’t have as many avenues to rectify it. You can’t check customer or Better Business Bureau ratings on a private seller. And, while the vast majority of private sellers are honest people who just want to sell their cars, there are scammers out there. Learn how to protect yourself from used car scams.

While dealers offer some protections that private sellers don’t, you still need to look out for yourself. Used car dealers are in business to make a profit, and that profit comes from selling cars for as much money as they can get. Don’t expect a dealer to look out for you; be your own advocate. Use online resources to make sure you’re getting a fair price on the car you want. Get all terms of the deal in writing, and if you have any questions or uneasy feelings, don’t buy the car until the dealer addresses them.
Inspecting a Used Car

Used cars don’t have the same guarantees that new cars do, so you have to protect yourself. Check the car’s specs (we’ve got them covered in our used car reviews), and ask to see documentation for things like regular maintenance and repairs. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration keeps a database of vehicle recalls. Check it to see if the car you’re thinking about buying has any recalls. If it does, don’t buy it until the seller can prove that the recall has been addressed.

Just like you need documentation to prove that a car has been maintained, you need to get documentation that it hasn’t had any damage that could haunt you down the road. Services like Carfax or CarCheck use a car’s vehicle identification number (VIN) to check for things like issues with a car’s title and any major accident or insurance claims the car’s been involved in. Getting one of those reports will run you about $40, but it’s money well spent.

All the documentation in the world won’t show if a car is a ticking time bomb of repair bills. Things like rust, wear and tear or simple parts failure can show up on cars that otherwise have a clean bill of health. Before committing to a car, take it on a thorough test drive and get it to a mechanic for a checkup. Spending $100 upfront with a mechanic will be worth it when it saves you from buying a car that may require thousands in repairs. There are a lot of other things you can do to avoid buying a lemon.
Get Used Car Financing

Most people finance their used cars. If you’re buying from a used car dealer, you may be able to get financing there, but the loan the dealer offers may not be the best deal. Before you buy, see what kind of loan terms you qualify for from different banks and credit unions. If you’re buying a used car from an individual, you can use those loans to make the purchase. If you’re buying from a dealer, you can compare their loan terms to the ones you already have and pick the best deal.

Used car financing rates, especially for loans less than $10,000, tend to be higher than new car financing rates. While that difference tends to be offset by the used car’s lower price, make sure you factor interest into your monthly payments.
Used Car Warranties

Many used car dealers offer extended warranties. Even if you buy from an individual, you can get a warranty from a warranty company. The question is, should you?

Most consumer advocates recommend against getting an extended warranty. For one, your used car may have some of the manufacturer’s original warranty left on it. Extended warranties can also be expensive, and many are restrictive. When you need them, they may not cover you. Even dealer warranties may not cover needed repairs. If you decide you want an extended warranty, make sure you comb through the fine print and understand exactly what is and isn’t covered.
Laugh all the Way to the Bank

The final step in buying a used car is enjoying your savings and consoling your friends as they watch the value of their new cars drop. Just remember to be nice to them – they aren’t as smart as you are.

Things To Do Travel !!

If you find yourself traveling in Japan this summer, the must see event of the year is the 2008 Fuji Rock Festival running Friday July 25th until Sunday July 27th. Originally inspired by Britain's Glastonbury Festival, the Fuji Rock Festival acquired its name due to the first event in 1997 being held on the foot of famous Mt Fuji. Since 1999, the annual festival has been held in Naeba in Niigata prefecture, 200 km north-west of Tokyo.

The atmosphere is amazing and unique, high up in the mountains. It is a ski resort during the winter, and even for those who don't necessarily like rock music, it offers plenty to do and see for those who travel to Japan. Dragondola, the world's longest Gondola lift will take you to the top of the mountain overlooking the festival site, enabling you to fully appreciate the area's natural beauty.

It is probably the world's cleanest, most friendly, and beautifully scenic outdoor musical festival in the world. Fans travel from all over Asia and the world to watch the many bands on several stages. There's even a hot spa loaded with soaps and shampoos.

It is suggested to arrive to the festival by way of Tokyo. Asia travel is an experience all its own, unlike any other. For international travelers, who travel to Tokyo, it is suggested to see all the sights and sounds here, before traveling on the JR Shinkansen, reaching speeds up to 300 km/h . From Tokyo Central Station you will arrive at Echigo-Yuzawa Station after the 80 minute rocket ride, where a free shuttle bus will transfer you to the festival. Sometimes it is cheaper to find discount tickets to Japan if you land in Tokyo first and then travel by train everywhere else.

For first time musical festival participants, the Fuji Rock Festival is a perfect place to get your feet wet. Walking from stage to stage, witnessing all the greatest talents, the beautiful scenery, experiencing all the good clean fun, and riding the Japan Rail makes for an incredibly unique experience you'll never forget.

GHada Near to death experience, A Beautiful Storie

The main purpose of sharing my near death experience and personal story is so that others do not have to go through what I went through.

It's not my style to overtly teach people or tell them how to live their lives, nor do I like advising anyone on what changes they need to make, even if they ask. I prefer to lead by example, and create a safe environment for others to get in touch with their own truth.

I've thought about this often since the events of the winter and spring of 2006, when I had a NDE and was also healed of the cancer I'd had for the previous four years. During my NDE, I was able to see and perceive certain aspects of my future life, and I understood that one of the reasons I chose to come back to earthly life was because my experience and message would touch others.

In that state, I somehow knew that in some way, I was meant to inspire thousands, maybe tens of thousands. But it wasn't clear how I was meant to do so-I just knew that in some way, I was going to be helping a lot of people. I specifically got the feeling that I didn't need to do anything for this to happen; I just had to be myself and enjoy life, and to allow myself to be an instrument for something much greater to take place.

That has been the case, as I've come to speak and write about my experiences in response to queries from the fields of medicine and science, as well as individuals seeking answers about the nature of the world and their experiences. I would like to share what I've learned as a result of the cancer and my experience.

I grew up at the intersection of multiple cultures that held distinct and often contradictory beliefs. This shaped me and fostered the fears that turned out to manifest in disease, taking you with me on my journey into adulthood and my descent into the prison of cancer.

I want explore the near death experience itself - what I experienced and understood at the time - and what happened next. Being healed of cancer and working to find my new place in the world has been a surprising, challenging, and exhilarating journey.

Also, I want to say what I now understand about healing, the way the world is today, and how we can live as a reflection of who we really are, allowing our magnificence to shine through.

As I share with you what I've learned from my experience, I'd like to clarify that I'm not claiming to know any universal or scientific truths or to be anyone's spiritual guru. Nor am I trying to start yet another religion or belief system. My only aim is to help, not convince.

I especially wish to emphasize that you do not need to have a near death experience to heal! My intention is to share with you all the emotional and psychological triggers that I believe contributed to my getting cancer, in the hope that in identifying these factors, you can reduce or possibly even eliminate your chances of getting sick in the first place. At the same time, if you or someone you know has cancer or any other serious illness, please know that there are many paths to healing. I would only suggest that you follow what feels right for you and resonates with you personally.

If you're looking for step-by-step instructions or a set of tenets to follow, then I'm the wrong person for you, because I don't believe in creating any "one size fits all" dogma. It would only limit who you are. Even when I speak of loving myself, my intention isn't to draw attention to me, but for you to experience that same feeling within yourself. In sharing the insights of my experience, my only purpose is to ignite the spark of magnificence that lies within you. My desire is to awaken the dormant guru within you that guides you to find your own place at the center of the universe.

It's my hope that you find joy in each and every day of your journey and come to love life as much as I do these days!