AC Cars - A British Tradition

By Fei Lim

AC Cars, more formally known as AC Cars Group, Limited, is the name of an automobile manufacturing company based in the United Kingdom. As a matter of fact, AC Cars is one of the most old and established automobile manufacturing companies in the world. The first AC car to ever be shown was at a motor show in 1903, under the pseudonym Weller Brothers - another automobile manufacturing company.

In 1904, AC Cars was officially introduced as Auto Cars and Accessories. From the three wheeler that the company originally came up with more force in 1911 after they started to call themselves Auto Carriers, Limited and shortened that to the AC brand name.

New Beginnings

In 1913, the very first four wheeled sports car was put out in 1913. It was immediately a hit, but not many of these cars were made. The first World War emerged around that time and put a serious halt to construction of these sporty little cars. They were what people were looking for at the time, but with war times come hard times and more expensive labor as there is much less of it, and for that reason AC Cars had to put a halt to the production of their first little two seater.

However, by the year 1920 there were more things in store for AC motors. For example, they were working on a six cylinder engine by 1919 and they even had some of them running that same year.

After the war ended, the AC Car company picked up a contract that helped to pay the bills but didn't really advance the AC brand name too much. They manufactured carriage cars for the handicapped and invalid and these cars had small engines in them that AC also manufactured. This contract went on for some time, for about 30 years after the contracted was initiated in 1947. The contract that AC cars had with the government paid the bills, and many of them at that. The fact that it lasted so long gave jobs to a lot of people and it kept the economy somewhat functional.

AC Ace in 1953

The AC Ace is one of the more popular models of AC motor cars. The AC Ace was first introduced in 1953, midday through the government contract for the small engine vehicles. The AC Bristol was later introduced in 1957, a cross between the AC Ace and a Bristol car with the AC cars chassis and the Bristol engine to create the AC Bristol car. The AC Bristol car was a true winner, blowing racing fans away at Le Mans two years in a row, both in 1957 and 1958.

The Implementation of the AC Cobra

In the early 1960s, the AC Car company received a proposition that would change the face of their company. While many people probably think that the Cobra was always a product of the Ford company, that is just not so. A car was needed that could rival with then-champ Chevy Corvette in motor car racing in the United States and the new AC Cobra model stepped right up to the plate. The Cobra wasn't always the fastest, sportiest thing out there, either. As a matter of fact, the car topped out at 70 miles per hour after speeding in bad conditions was leading to accident after accident. In consideration of the safety of their passengers and probably the security of their assets as well, the AC Cars company reduced the limit to 70 miles per hour so that the car could go no faster.

At first this quick little car was getting left in the dust by the Ferrari so Carroll Shelby and the AC company decided to step their game up a little bit and they boosted the size of the engine, giving it extra speed and power on the track. Eventually Shelby sold the Cobra name off to the Ford Motor Company, who then modified the Cobra idea into the Ford GT sports car.

AC Cars is and always has been a legendary car company. It is one of the oldest in the world and is often overlooked for their critical role in the Shelby Cobra vehicle.

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Auto Air Conditioning Repair 101

By Darell L. Rains

When your car or truck A/C is not blowing "cold air", the first thought is to panic. $$$$ signs are going through your mind. Your A/C is broken and the repair is going to be expensive. This article takes the mystery out of automotive air conditioning and serves as a primer so that you can make common repairs yourself and save MONEY on professional repairs.

A/C Principles

There are books and publications that contain volumes of information on the subject of air conditioning repair. This information is often too technical for the you to learn how-to fix your auto air conditioning system.

In the nutshell, here is all that you need to know about the fundamentals of refrigeration so that you can fix your auto air conditioning system yourself.

Air conditioning is the process in which air inside the passenger compartment is cooled, dried, and circulated. Heat is removed from inside the vehicle and transferred to the outside air.

All air conditioners whether, it is an auto A/C, household refrigerator or home HVAC, work on the same principles. Namely, a liquid refrigerant is changed to a gas and then back to a liquid. If a change-of-state of the refrigerant is to take place, heat transfer must take place. The two (2) rules that apply to refrigerant are:

1. Refrigerant in a gaseous state collects, absorbs, and holds heat.
2. Refrigerant in a liquid state releases that heat.

A/C Operation and Components

For your auto A/C to blow "cold air", R-134A refrigerant must pass through and change state in three (3) components, one (1) receiver-dryer, and one (1) expansion valve that makes up the closed auto air conditioning system. The components of the system are:

1. Compressor - A device that pressurizes the heated refrigerant..

2. Condenser - A radiator for refrigerant that transfers the heat that was absorbed in the passenger compartment to the cooler air.

3. Evaporator - Is a small radiator located under dash in the passenger compartment. Liquid refrigerant entering the evaporator creates a pressure loss. The liquid refrigerant absorbs heat from the air blowing across the evaporator. It then boils and changes state to vapor before it enters the suction port of the compressor.

4. Receiver-Dryer - Is a canister that stores the liquid refrigerant when the compressor is not running. It contains a desiccant that removes moisture from the system.

5. Expansion Valve - Is a metering device that controls the amount of refrigerant to the evaporator.

A/C Quick Check

A check that can easily be made to check the health of the A/C system is the "feel check". With engine running, turn the auto A/C control to "ON" and the blower on "high". Take a test drive to warm the engine until the A/C system pressures stabilize. Raise the hood. With the A/C "On", locate the large tubing connected and routed from the compressor (low side) to the expansion valve (inlet side) of the evaporator. Next, locate the small tubing that is connected to the discharge-side of the compressor and routed to the outlet side of the evaporator. When you feel these two (2) lines, you should observe these results:

1. The low-side line should feel "cool" to the touch.
2. The high-side line should feel "warm" to the touch.

If the high-side tubing is not warm and the low-side is not cool, further tests will have to be made as the system is not doing any work. There is an internal problem; such as, a defective component or a leak in your A/C system.

Testing A/C System

Before system temperature tests can be made, a checklist should be followed (below) to setup for testing the A/C system:

1. Set the A/C "ON-OFF" switch to "ON".
2. Set the temperature control to "maximum cooling".
3. Set the blower on "high" or the highest number on the control switch.
4. Temperature inside passenger compartment should be stable and getting cooler.
5. Engine speed must be a minimum of 1500 rpm's.
6. All windows should be be in the "UP" position.

Check Temperature

Your compact car or truck has a small capacity A/C system and a loss of "cooling" would be more noticeable than a larger capacity auto A/C system. If a noticeable loss of "cooling" capacity is noticed, a temperature check at the vent registers should be made. This check can be made with an instant read or digital temperature thermometer.. The discharge air from the vents in the passenger compartment should range from 38 to 42 degrees F.

A/C System Diagnosis

Assuming that the discharge air test measured at the vent registers is out-of-range, a system pressure test will have to be made. Professional A/C technicians connect a tool known as the manifold gauge set to the "low" and "high" side service valves of the system. For you to diagnose and look inside the A/C, it will be necessary to become proficient in the use of the manifold gauge set.

A manifold gauge set that is suitable for the needs can be purchased at most auto supply stores and Internet A/C tool and supply store fronts for less than $50.00. TIP: Look for a gauge set that has a built-in sight glass.

Locate the "low" and "high" side service valves.. Connect the hoses (they are a snap connector fit) to the service valves in the following manner:.

1. Connect the blue hose of the gauge set to the "low-side" service valve of the compressor.
2. Connect the red hose of the gauge set to the "high-side service valve of the compressor.
3. The yellow hose of the gauge set is connected to a vacuum pump or a refrigerant can to add refrigerant to the system. The yellow hose is not connected to the system at this time.

Static Test

If you find an out-of-range temperature reading, the manifold gauge set should be installed on the "low" and "high-side" service valves. With the engine "OFF" and the compressor and clutch not engaged, the blue "low-side" and red "high-side" gauges should show equal readings of approximately 80 to 120psi. These readings would indicate that there is a refrigerant charge in your A/C system. If the readings were 50psi on each gauge, this would indicate that there is refrigerant in the system but a LOW CHARGE. If the readings were 10 to 20psi on each gauge would indicate that there is little or no refrigerant in your A/C system.

Engine Running Test

Start the engine,.turn the A/C switch"ON" with the blower on "high" and run for a minimum of fifteen (15) minutes. Observe the reading on the manifold gauge set. TIP: A manifold gauge set with a built-in sight glass (mentioned above) will save you diagnostic time as most A/C systems do not have a sight glass built-in the receiver-dryer on the high side of the system.

With this feature, you look for bubbling refrigerant oil and refrigerant in the sight glass on the manifold. Oil moving through the glass would indicate that the compressor and clutch are engaged. Refrigerant is being moved from the low-side throughout the A/C system in the refrigeration cycle.

Low Charge

With the engine running, A/C switch "ON", and the manifold gauge set installed, a "low-side" pressure reading of 20psi over 150psi would indicate that your A/C system has a LOW CHARGE. The low reading of 150psi on the "high-side" gauge would be the tell tale that the system is doing very little work. A LOW CHARGE usually is an indicator that there is a refrigerant leak from a component on the "low" or "high-side" of the A/C system. A refrigerant leak in the system would have to be repaired for the A/C system to blow "cold air". TIP: REFRIGERANT DOES NOT WEAR OUT, IT LEAKS OUT. Some symptoms to look for a LOW CHARGE condition are:

1. Compressor clutch short cycling.
2. Clutch will not engage.
3. Little or no cooling.
4. Oily residue on hoses and components.

Leak Checking

For your A/C system to blow "cold air", refrigerant leaks will have to be found and repaired. Usually, leaks in an A/C system are minor and can be fixed with a screwdriver or hand tools. Most A/C systems use schrader valves for easy connection of the manifold gauge set. That said, these are no more than overgrown bicycle valves that use a valve core. When you are checking a system, the valves are the first place check for a leak. Other targets; such as, oil residue on hoses connected to the compressor is the second place that should be checked. TIP: When tightening the bolts to the suction and discharge ports of the compressor with hand tools, do not over tighten. Rubber 0-rings are placed on the suction and discharge ports of the compressor for sealing. The seals will create a leak when over tightened. Only tighten snug.

When your A/C system has a LOW CHARGE, a refrigerant charge will have to added to check for the leak. Refrigerant that contains a dye for leak checking a system is used for this purpose. The manifold gauge set, refrigerant, and a can tap valve will be needed to add refrigerant to check for a leak in the system.

Connect the manifold gauge set as discussed above. Connect the yellow hose to the can tap valve and front seat (turn clockwise) the valve. Close the blue gauge on the manifold gauge set. Open the valve on the can tap valve. Slowly open the valve on the blue or "low-side" gauge and let the refrigerant flow from the refrigerant can into the system until you see a reading of 60psi on the "low-side" gauge. TIP: Placing the refrigerant can in a pan of hot water will allow the vapor refrigerant to enter the A/C system quicker. WARNING: Do not invert the refrigerant can. Doing so will allow liquid refrigerant to enter the system resulting in a ruined compressor.

Professional A/C technicians use an electronic leak detector to find leaks in an system. Use a battery-powered UV leak detector kit and special UV glasses. This kit can be purchased at auto supply stores and Internet A/C supply store fronts.

The UV glasses should be worn when checking for leaks. Simply place the tip of the detector on a fitting or connection to each component to be checked in the A/C system. When a leak is found, a light greenish color will be seen through the UV glasses.

Air Flow

An often overlooked cause of your A/C system not blowing "cold air" is debris that clogs the condenser. Bugs, plastic bags, and leaves from city and highway driving will prevent air from passing through the fins of the condenser. The condenser should be cleaned with a cleaning solvent. Bent fins on the condenser should be straightened with a fin comb.

Restrictions

A restriction is a condition that is a blockage. Usually, it is traced to the outlet side of the condenser. Some form of debris has formed causing a restriction of refrigerant flow through the condenser tubes.. The passages in the tubes of most condensers that are used in compact cars and trucks are very small. An effective way to diagnose a restriction in your A/C system is the manifold gauge set. The "high-side" (red) gauge would move into the DANGER zone, over 300psi.

System Repairs

When a system has been opened, and a component removed, moisture has entered the system. For your A/C to blow "cold air", that moisture will have to be removed with the aid of a vacuum pump.

At this stage of the repair, you have two (2) choices to finish the repair of your A/C system. The first choice is take the car or truck to an A/C professional. At their shop, they will evacuate the system, check your work, and recharge the A/C system for a fee.

The second choice is to repair your A/C system yourself. You will need to borrow or buy a vacuum pump to finish the repair. A small 2-stage vacuum pump that is designed for automobile refrigeration systems is available for less than $100.00.

After replacing a component, moisture has entered the system during the repair. For the A/C system to blow "cold air" the moisture will have to be removed. Install the manifold gauge set to your car or truck service valves as described above. After repairs, your A/C system is evacuated and recharged by applying the below steps:

1. Blue hose to the "low-side" service valve.

2. Red hose to the "high-side service valve.

3. Yellow hose to the suction port of the vacuum pump.

4. Close the hand valve to the vacuum pump.

5. Back seat (open) the hand valves on the blue and red gauges of the manifold gauge set.

6. Connect the electrical power to the vacuum pump.

7. Open the hand valve on the vacuum pump.

8. Run the vacuum pump for three (3) minutes.

9. The needle on the "low-side" gauge (blue) show should be in a vacuum at 28.3hg.

10. A system with no leaks will pull a vacuum of 28.3hg in three (3) minutes.

11. If the needle of the blue gauge did not fall to 28.3hg, the evacuation will have to be aborted as there is a leak in your car or truck A/C system.

12. The leak will have to be found in the A/C system using the UV detector and UV glasses.

13. Once the leak has been found and repaired, continue the evacuation steps as described above for 25 minutes.

14. Front seat (close) the hand valves on the blue and red gauges and observe the needle on the blue gauge.

15. The needle should hold steady at 29hg, indicating a tight system with no leaks.

16. Any needle movement toward "0" on the blue "low-side" gauge would indicate a leak in the system and the evacuation would have to be aborted and conduct a search for the leak.

16.Look in the owners manual or service manual for the factory recommended refrigerant charge. It is usually from 16 to 28 ounces.

17.Attach the can tap valve to a can of refrigerant Make sure that the tap valve hand valve is front seated (closed).

18. Turn the A/C control switch to the "ON" position and blower switch to "high".

19. Start the engine and run at 1500rpm's.

20. Place the refrigerant can in a pan of hot water. Warning: Do not invert the can for this process as liquid would enter the system and ruin the reed valves of the compressor.

21. Continue this process until the factory charge (approximately 2 1/2 cans) has entered the system.

22. Shutoff your car or truck engine and let the A/C system stabilize. When the readings on the red and blue gauges are equal, remove the blue "low-side" hose from the service valve.

23. Restart the engine and remove the red "high-side" hose from the service valve.

24. Close the hood and take your car or truck for a three (3) mile test drive.

25. Place an instant read or digital thermometer in the vent register in the passenger compartment.

26. The temperature should range from 38 to 42 degrees F on a 90-degree day.

Tools and Materials

1. Manifold gauge set
2. Vacuum pump
3. Hand tools
4. Battery powered UV leak detector
5. Can tap valve
6. 134A refrigerant dye
7. 134A refrigerant
8. Instant read temperature thermometer
9. Digital temperature thermometer

Darell L Rains is a technical writer, and author of two (2) Appliance Repair Manuals titled (1)"The Common Sense Approach to Appliance Repair" and (2) "Major Home Appliances A Common Sense Repair Manual".
He is the Webmaster of Darell's VW TDI Maintenance Page. For additional information on this subject URL: http://www.vwtdirepair.com

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AC Cars - Pre WW2 - History

By Andy Webbed

Two brothers, the Wellers, produced a 20HP touring car for the 1903 Crystal Palace motor show, with further ideas to produce more advanced versions of the 20hp. Deterred from the plan and guided by their funder, Portwine, to produce a more economical three wheeled vehicle, named the Auto Carrier. A year after producing their original 20HP car, the new Auto Carrier went into production and became a big success. The company also changed named during these times, now named Autocars And Accessories, and three years later embarked on a new passenger version of the Auto Carrier. The successful business renamed again in 1911, now become Auto Carriers Ltd, using the AC logo on production cars.

Now with the company located in Surrey, the company produced a two seater car with four wheels. Like most car producers, the company had to cease production due to the onset of World War One, switching production to military means. Shells and fuses were produced at the factory for use in the war, and Auto Carriers were also responsible for the designing of a vehicle for the British government war office.

Expanding its premises post World War One into the Thames Ditton High Street factory, AC began a run of very successful cars. A testament to the Weller brothers design skills, the six cylinder engine which was designed by John when on production and ran for a total of 44 years. A turbulent era began at Auto Carriers, when Selwyn Edge bough a share in the company, instantly taking a dislike to both Weller and the person who has funded the company from its birth, Portwine. After Portwine left the company it had changed names again to AC Cars Ltd, with Selwyn Edge purchasing all of the company shares for one hundred and thirty five thousand pounds. Changing the company name once more to AC Ltd, Selwyn Edge had appeared to have purchased a company which sales where declining at an alarming rate, and was about to get caught up in the economic storm which rained down in late twenties, resulting in the company going into liquidation.

After the company had been put into liquidation after the 29 market crash, the company was bought by the Hurlock family. Although the premises were now used as a warehouse due to the family being in the haulage trade, a car produced for William Hurlock saw him give the thumbs up for the production of a limited number of automobiles with the stock left over at the premises. With a new transmission and chassis supplied for car production, a new range was produced in limited supply, until the production had to cease in 1940 due to the onset of World War Two.

Classic Cars For Sale has AC cars for sale, and more AC Car information.

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Car Power Inverters! An AC Outlet on the Road

By Jason Miller

In the past, people had to choose between the utility of home technology and the convenience and enjoyment of travel. Even when needed for important business, certain devices such as computers, televisions, and video players functioned only in the office or the home on AC outlets and could not function on the DC power of car batteries. Vector Car power inverters have solved this problem with technology that converts DC electricity to AC electricity that can power virtually any electronic device whether it be on a business trip or an outing for sheer enjoyment. Typically shaped like small rectangular boxes, car power inverters house one or more standard electrical outlets and plug directly into the car's cigarette lighter. Occasionally, a car power inverter will come equipped with jumper cables that directly connect to the battery. These power inverters are especially popular with campers, and can safely provide electricity provided the engine runs frequently enough to prevent battery drain.

Car power inverters come in a variety of wattages to accommodate different electronic devices. A simple rule of thumb applies when choosing the right wattage in a car power inverter. Multiply the total wattage of all connecting devices, and add another 50% to accommodate for any fluctuations in power draw. Generally, smaller devices on a single outlet function well on 300 watts. Larger devices on multiple outlets may require up to 3000 watts when plugged into the car's power inverter. Campers, hunters, and fishermen especially value Vector power inverters for their cars, trucks, and SUV's when they find themselves in idyllic settings and no electrical outlets, or when the regular campgrounds are full. Many of our customers frequently use Vector power inverters to power electric grills, televisions and stereos, and even laptops with satellite Internet uplinks.

Vector car power inverters also offer a wide range of wattage outputs and features to accommodate virtually any need. Not only do they offer convenience by combining technology and mobility, but they also prove highly reliable in emergency situations. For example, during a power outage, one of our larger 1500, 2000, or 3000-watt Vector power inverters can direct electricity from the vehicle to the home through an extension cord. This should only be done while the engine runs to prevent battery drain, and we strongly recommend that if you garage your car that you open the bay door to vent the carbon monoxide. In many emergency situations such as blackouts and storm advisories, the right car power inverter can literally prove itself a lifesaver by maintaining power to essential home appliances.

In light of the many uses Vector power inverters offer owners of cars, trucks, SUV's, and RV campers, it serves well to think beyond convenience and immediate need when making a purchase. Especially when one considers possible emergency usage in life or death situations, it is best to err on the side of larger wattage and more outlets than to limit options based upon the occasional use of only one or two appliances in the car. As travel becomes more demanding and frequent, power inverters in cars and other vehicles may well become a standard feature. Until that day, comes, however, trust Red Hill Supply to continue to supply the very best designs and latest technology today's market can bear.

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

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AC Electric Car Conversion

By Bill Temple

You've decided to do your own AC electric car conversion. You have the choice of installing either DC or AC electric motors in your conversion car, but AC is definitely the way to go. The advantages far outweigh the one small disadvantage.

AC motors are lighter for the power output; they come with motor controllers, and have regenerative braking installed in most models (more on this later). They do, however cost a bit more because of these benefits, this being the only disadvantage of AC over DC motors for your electric car conversion.

What do you need to start?

· Detailed plans on AC electric car conversion

· A workspace- garage, shop or some similar place, or even your laneway.

· Common tools available in most homes

· A reliable helper for holding parts and lifting some heavy objects.

You will first need a vehicle to do the conversion on; a good list of the best cars and trucks to use is available in the plans. We have done 3 AC electric car conversions now and feel that small trucks are best. We used an older model Toyota for our last conversion and it worked out very well.

It is light and there is quite a bit of room to place batteries (you need 20 or so) in the frame or in the box of the truck. After locating the vehicle you want to use, you will have to remove all of the gas engine and exhaust parts. It really doesn't take long, and you have the option of purchasing a car without the engine at some wrecking yards. This saves a lot of time and expense for you.

You can then start your ac electric car conversion. The AC motor is attached directly to the transmission with a simple adaptor kit. Battery placement is probably the most difficult part of the project and the detailed plans show you many options available. It's important to balance the weight of the batteries with your carrying capacity. More batteries means longer range between charges but also reduces room for passengers or cargo. The choice is yours depending on your driving habits.

After your AC electric car conversion is done and you take your first drive you won't be able to stop smiling, especially when you drive by a gas station and don't have to stop. With a range of over 200 miles and top speeds of 50 mph your electric car will drive just like any vehicle on the road, except- no gas!

Did you know that gas prices are expected to rise to $7 per gallon by next year?

Isn't it time you did something about this situation for you and your family? Let's get started.

Learn AC electric car conversion is the best place to start to do your own conversion and start saving money and the environment by not using gasoline in your new electric car.

Our family has been living off the grid since last year, and loving every minute of it. Doing our first AC electric car conversion has really helped us tremendously, saving money and we don't produce any toxic fumes anymore either.

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Nissan’s Market Slumps Result to Job Cuts

Author: RyanThomas

Amid the shrinking market, the Nissan Motor Co. has announced the slashing of up to 1,500 blue and white-collar jobs in Japan through a voluntary retirement programme for its employees. The scheme, set to begin this coming June, will be open to workers aged 45 and above in non-managerial posts, a Nissan spokesman said. It will be the very first job cut Nissan will be entertaining in its hometown.





Japan's third-biggest automaker has seen its domestic sales of non-mini vehicles dropped in the middle of tough competition thus forcing the company to announce a cutback in production at two domestic auto plants from April to June. Additionally, Nissan also closed down one of three lines at another factory in southern Japan just last September. The closure was attributed to the slow sales of the Nissan Teana high-end sedan.





The Teana, a front wheel drive mid-size car, was introduced in 2003. The car is exported as the Maxima and the Cefiro to specific markets. It shares the same platform with the North American Maxima, Altima and the Presage. Under the hood of the Teana is either the 2.3 or 3.5 liter engine which blends well to the automatic transmission. It is also equipped with trusted auto parts like the Nissan AC condenser, engines, suspensions, brakes, radiator, and more. The car is offered in four trim levels - the 230JK, 230JM, 230JS, and 350JS.





"The program will probably cost Nissan about 20 billion yen ($169 million) and we don't expect much of an impact on earnings," said Koji Endo, a senior auto analyst at Credit Suisse Group in Tokyo, who rates Nissan shares as "neutral."





"The program is part of the number of actions to boost performance," said Simon Sproule, the Nissan North America Corporate Communications Vice President. Nissan will also release 11 new or redesigned vehicles this fiscal year.





The automaker has offered a similar program in the United States, where more than double the expected number of employees accepted the package. A total of 775 workers agreed to leave the Smyrna, assembly plant and Decherd engine and transmission factory, both in Tennessee, the company said last month.





Nissan turned to buyouts after U.S. sales of its cars and light trucks dropped 5.3 percent last year to 1.02 million and that is its first annual decline since 2001. Nissan's U.S. sales increased by 3.2 percent during this year's first three months. The U.S. accounts for almost 30 percent of the automaker's global sales.





Nissan, held 44 percent by Renault SA of France, introduced a few new models last year. Moreover, it endeavors to produce new product lines soon. Also, the automaker recently cut jobs in the US, where its sales slumped last year, where it said 775 workers at two Tennessee plants had accepted voluntary retirement last month.





Chief executive Carlos Ghosn had promised last month to draw up additional measures to help Nissan meet its targets, but the company has missed the targets. Nissan slashed its annual profit forecast after seeing a 22 percent decline in earnings in the October-December quarter. The backtracking forced Ghosn to declare his company in a "performance crisis."





Earlier this month, Nissan said it may miss a key sales target it aimed to hit next fiscal year, in another blow to Ghosn's comeback plans. The Japanese automaker is aiming to sell 4.2 million vehicles worldwide in the fiscal year ending March 2009 as part of its three-year revival plan.





But weak performance in 2006, blamed on a dearth of new products in North America and slow sales in Japan, may mean it might take longer to meet the target, said a Nissan spokeswoman who spoke on condition of anonymity.





The company is due to announce full-year results and updates to the "Nissan Value-up" business plan on April 26.

About the Author:

Ryan Thomas is a native of Denver, Colorado. He grew up in a family of car afficionados. He now resides in Detroit where he owns a service shop and works part time as a consultant for a local automotive magazine.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/automotive-articles/nissans-market-slumps-result-to-job-cuts-138382.html

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Toyota Prius Hybrid Extended Review

Author: Thomas Jones

Handling and Performance

Now it's time to take a look at what makes the Prius tick. With a 1.5-liter engine, the Prius uses both the engine and battery pack under the very seats of the car to create an eco-friendly, fuel-efficient vehicle. Before you start getting too excited about the Prius's features, though, understand that this car is not a vehicle built for speed. While it is luxurious and convenient, this isn't the kind of car you want to take out on your weekly street race.

The Prius is able to hit its top speed at around 106 mph, and in accelerating, the vehicle takes 10.9 seconds to hit 62 mph. The vehicle will keep up on the highway, but this is not a precision instrument. The handling prowess isn't bad, yet if combined with a need for speed, you may want to reconsider. The tires are also fairly skinny, but the tread on them attempts to keep an overall strong grip while saving on fuel. The car clings to the road very well, but there is nothing of specific notability about the handling or speed in the car.

The quality of the actual ride, however, is wonderful. While at lower speeds, the vehicle runs smoothly, while quickly, utilizing the electric motors to generate enough power. Then, stead ling accelerating, the gas-powered engine begins to give more clout to the vehicle while still charging the batteries. Another positive feature of the hybrid engine is the silent driving feature, although, it's still important to be extremely alert and cautious on the road, as the silent driving may lull you into a false sense of security.

Because of its main feature as a hybrid vehicle, the gas needed for this vehicle is greatly reduced, and the engine shuts itself off during traffic stops. To be fair, accessories such as air conditioning and your radio do get their power from the battery pack, so while the engine will move the car and recharge the battery, it is important to note exactly the kind of power consumption you are looking at.

Finally, the Prius is a very light vehicle. The hybrid has a gasoline tank made of resin, and instead of the heavy steel used in conventional vehicles, aluminium is used to maintain a lightweight vehicle.

Fuel-Efficiency and Eco-Friendliness

The Toyota Prius hybrid was developed specifically to be an eco-friendly vehicle, and with so much time to perfect the design, don't be surprised that this particular vehicle can boast to be one of the best vehicles in low consumption of gasoline. The car is also able to claim that the production of other greenhouse gases is extremely low, and the emissions are near negligible.

As for the fuel consumption for the Prius, you can expect to get around 65 to 67 miles per gallon in urban areas. The EPA has stated that the car can get up to 45 miles per gallon on the highway. Why is this the case? The light weight of the vehicle, as well as the drag coefficient is able to make the car much faster and more efficient.

Initially, there was concern that the batteries of the Prius hybrid would be an environmental concern, which prompted Toyota to begin a program where in they recycle the old batteries. The fears of environmentalists allayed, dealerships are paid anywhere up to $200 in the event that they have consumers turn over used and old hybrid batteries.

The important thing to remember is that the main reason that the Prius is so popular is because of the impact it has as an eco-friendly and green car. This car has every reason to be popular for that reason, too, seeing as how by using this vehicle, the contribution to improving the environment is amazing.

Other Features

Now that you've had a chance to look at the different features of the Prius's exterior and interior, it is important to note that there are even more new and different features that make the Prius unique. Not just for the efficiency of the vehicle, there are new technological features that are, quite frankly, pretty cool. Let's take a look at some of them:

1. If you're not going to be travelling on the highway, there is a new mode for the Prius that allows you to completely move to electric motors. The EV mode can allow 1.25 miles while at a speed of 30 mph. Using this mode, the car would produce zero emissions and would be nearly silent, which is a nice change when driving in a noisy city.

2. While not only removing that gross engine smell that some older conventional cars have when you use the air-conditioning system, the hybrid has an AC system that's completely powered and run by the electric motors. There is an electric-inverter compressor that has been built into the system and allows the AC to run completely independent of the engine, on top of reducing the amount of gas you use.

3. It wasn't just a cute catch-phrase to call the Prius a "Smart Car". There actually is an electronic brain in the core of the vehicle that is used to coordinate all of the systems in the vehicle, which increases the reliability of the vehicle while you're driving.

4. Once again, the car keeps getting smarter and smarter, as now the newer version of the hybrid uses a voice recognition system that can control your GPS, air conditioning and audio system. That way, when you're trying to change your
CDs from The Strokes to the Rolling Stones, you won't have to look away from the road and shuffle around to do that.

5. There's always a concern about safety with hybrids, seeing as how they are smaller and lighter, but be assured that from the EuroNCAP crash test program, the Prius snagged a five-star rating, which is the maximum. The airbags are located on the driver, passenger, front side and curtain of the car, and the stability control in the vehicle keeps the balance steady.

6. I'm sure you're curious about the price of the Prius as well, and there's no worry there. The Toyota Prius is sold at around $21,000 to $27,000, which is around the same price range internationally for hybrids, if not cheaper. It is also one of the most affordable hybrids on the US market.

The Toyota Prius Hybrid has the unique position of having been one of the precursors to the rest of the hybrids that we see on the market today. Not only is it the first and foremost hybrid, the most well-known, Toyota has continued to promise that the future models of the Prius will continue to be even more sophisticated, efficient, functional and enjoyable.

About the Author:

To learn more about hybrid cars visit hybridcarchat.com and check out the hybrid forum.

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