Army, Car Makers Push Ahead With Driverless Vehicle Research
23.02.54
When it comes to concepts for vehicles that can drive themselves on highways or city streets, the military and automakers have been working on similar paths for several years. The Army has looked into trucks that move autonomously as soldiers keep watch for roadside bombs or ambushes.
Japanese, German and U.S. car manufacturers are investing research and development funding into the same idea, but for everyday life.
Self-driving vehicles is a technology trend that has largely been out of the general public’s eye. But there are signs that this is about to change.
Already some of these capabilities are making it into luxury cars. Vehicles that can parallel park themselves are being advertised on TV. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency sponsored the DARPA Grand Challenge in 2007, where driverless cars navigated a closed course on a military base in California. The X Prize Foundation — with great fanfare — offered $10 million for suborbital space travel.
Auto dealers see minor growth despite multiple obstacles
10.07.11
Spokane area vehicle dealerships have embraced a new survival plan. It’s called Hold On – It Should Get Better.
Area dealers say their 2011 business plan is to make a bit more money on vehicle service and repairs, keep hunting for good used cars to spur visits to their lots, and wait for the rebound.
Since the mid-2000s, new car and new truck dealers in the region have had to survive factory bankruptcies, a painful, job-sucking recession and, for import sellers, a sudden disruption this spring in getting new cars from Japan.
Now, most dealers say the business climate looking ahead is much the same as it has been for the past half-year – OK but nothing to rave about.
“We’re not sure what ‘normal’ business is anymore,” said Shayne Goff, general manager at Wendle Motors in north Spokane.
“The one good thing about the market is we’ve seen the highs and lows taken out of the picture. It’s now a more steady business plan. … We’re seeing small growth, and not every month. But it’s nothing like it used to be, in boom times.”
Africa: Oumou Sangare - Vinci Paris Presents Nuit Africaine 150 Musicians at Stade de ...
afford expensive Japanese cars and unfamiliar with Chinese cars, Oumou Sangare negotiated with the Chinese to create a specific affordable vehicle ...
Which Japanese car maker makes performance 4 cylinder cars?
Dec 08, 2007 by jelouse2 | Posted in Other - Cars & Transportation
I, mean naturally aspirated engines. I know the WRX STi or Evo, but I mean an affordable performance car. Something that's good on gas and insurance, but has performance.
Dose it have to be a Japanese four banger, or do u just want a sports car with decent fuel mileage. Dodge use to make the SRT-4 it turbocharged, and has plenty of power. hare are a few others Ford Focus SVT, Mustang, Chevy Camero, Mitsubishi Eclipse, 3000GT, Dodge Stealth, Eagle Talon, Mazda RX-7, RX-8, Toyota Celica etc.
GearHead318 | Dec 08, 2007
Mazda or Nissan
cameron greene | Dec 08, 2007
Honda's S2000 has 240 HP from an I4. It's low on torque though. The Civic Si has 200 HP.
Chad D | Dec 08, 2007
You named the two best and truthfully... they're far from anything close to performance. A performance 4 cylinder is like bigfoot or the yeti, there is no such thing!
If you want something that is fast and affordable, buy a motorcycle.
G T | Dec 08, 2007
In my opinion, Mazda makes the sportiest affordable cars. They have 4 cylinder cars that are practical and great to drive. They aren't as good as Toyota or Honda in terms of gas mileage, but they have good build quality. Mazdas, like other economy cars, are easy on the insurance. The Mazda3 and the Mazda6 are both excellent cars, and both are available as either hatchback or sedan. They're definitely worth a test drive, as the handle like none other in their price range. Some Hondas and Nissans are practical and sporty, but Mazdas, in terms of fun-to-drive (zoom-zoom) are at the top.
Ashigaru | Dec 08, 2007
which is in your opinion the most durable and affordable japanese car (if possible, mention with model)?
Jun 30, 2008 by jimmy | Posted in Toyota
Toyota Camary. I had a 1988 Cam that had 380,000 miles on it and it still ran!
Lexi | Jun 30, 2008
Toyota MR2, Mitsubishi Lancer, Nissan Silvia!
thetigr15 | Jun 30, 2008
Mazda3
zoom zoom
Will not ever buy another make of car................
Blue Rose | Jun 30, 2008
any Honda (except Passport)
any Toyota (except 5.7ltr V8 equipped trucks)
any Nissan (except Titan and Armada)
any Subaru (no exceptions...)
D stir fry | Jun 30, 2008
Toyota Corolla, any year any model.
pbleek | Jun 30, 2008
For a new car I'd say a Toyota Yaris 2 door hatchback, my mother has one and it is a great little car. For a used car, any Toyota Corolla, its the world's best selling car and is well built and not a problematic vehicle.
shadasious | Jun 30, 2008
Toyota Corolla! It might not be the fastest on the road but who really cares? It will easily reach the speed limit.
You can't have a car with a powerful motor that is good on gas, this is a trade off, more power or better gas mileage.
The Corolla is also the most inexpensive car in it's class.
I'm a mechanic and many of my friends drive Corolla's.
Saddly, I don't see them (in my shop) very often!
Josh B | Jun 30, 2008
Why isn't anyone producing affordable and sporty cars for young people anymore?
Sep 15, 2009 by sumduud | Posted in Buying & Selling
In the 90's there were the Saturns, and some Japanese cars like the Eclipse, etc.
But now you have cheap costing pieces of crap like the Aveo. What happened?
inflation, they still make an eclipse, its just as sporty as ever and in the same target price range. just about every car company makes cars for that demographic. do think they should cost $12k or what?
you can get them for 15-18k no problem.
spacemonkey1958 | Sep 15, 2009
inflation, thats what happened.
Srt-4-Life | Sep 15, 2009
A Saturn is a "sporty" car????????
Well, my daughter bought a brand new Scion TC, ($18.5K VERY affordable) and that little car is a
"pocket rocket" compared to any Saturn my friend.
Good luck.
Paul | Sep 15, 2009
Affordable FR Japanese new car?
Oct 05, 2007 by Chikita | Posted in Honda
Hello, I am looking for a car for my husband as a surprise gift.
He once told me he wanted to have a FR sport car such as Honda Civic. I don't know what FR mean. Could somebody tell me the list of FR japanese sport car which I can get as a new car? My budget is less than $50000. I guess he loves Honda best, but it can be toyota or mazda or subaru or anyother japanese car compnay.
if your budget is 50,000, try looking for a nissan skyline, or a silvia, or toyota supra, mazda rx7, nissan 350z, these are japanese, and they are rear wheel drive, except the skyline, which is all wheel drive.
jerry h | Oct 06, 2007
American Muscle Cars vs. Japanese Rice Burner. Which will you pick to drive and why?
Jan 01, 2009 by Rizwan | Posted in Other - Cars & Transportation
With the new Fast and Furious movie coming out in 2009, many are hyped about it. As some fans already know, the movie is going to contain both muscles and riced cars. So which will you pick if you got the chance to drive one, and why? Also, what car will you pick?
The New Fast and Furious (2009) Car pics,
http://www.fastandfurious4.co.uk/2007/09 /14/fast-and-furious-4-movie-cars/
Muscle Car Definition
"Muscle car is a term used to refer to a variety of high performance automobiles. The term principally refers to American, Australian and to a lesser extent South African models. It generally describes a 2-door rear wheel drive mid-size car with a large, powerful V8 engine, and at an affordable price". http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muscle_car< br />
American Muscle Cars
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2320/2174 829323_0f8b88079f.jpg
http://www.supercars.dk/images/products/ dodge-viper-sports-cars.jpg
American Rice Burner
http://memimage.cardomain.com/ride_image s/2/4666/4821/24164910261_large.jpg
Italian Muscle Cars
http://www.allfordmustangs.com/articles/ uploads/giugiaro_mustang1_500.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b243/N ortad/terras%20maia/IMG_0184.jpg
Rice Burner Definition
"Rice burner is a pejorative used initially to describe Asian-made — particularly Japanese-made — motorcycles and automobiles. Many variations have also been used, such as rice rocket for Japanese sport bikes.
More contemporary use of the term rice burner, along with the prefix rice, has taken on an alternate pejorative meaning for an automobile that has been modified to give impression of high performance, but does not necessarily have any high-performance capabilities. This practise is in direct contrast to the 'stealth' or 'sleeper' style of automotive modification, where a vehicle may have major performance modifications, but the appearance remains similar to that of a stock model. In this manner, the appellation can apply to any vehicle regardless of country of origin". http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rice_burner
Japanese Riced Car
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f292/b ilalkmazhar/Cars/2Fast2Furious-NissanSky line.jpg
Japanese Muscle Car
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i166/f 430spiderv8/Spyker%20C12/Nissan%20GT%20R /nissan_gt_r_proto_2005_01.jpg
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