Mobile Auto Services Should Look Into Hybrid Work Trucks and Vans to Stay Green

Okay so, it obviously costs more to own a hybrid work truck or van, but sometimes it can pay dividends in more than just the fuel economy saved. Generally, when business people make a decision to invest in business equipment they consider many factors such as; tax depreciation, reliability, cost, insurance, maintenance, operational expenses, performance, capacity, and most of all will it do the job they need it for. Now then, I'd like to discuss a mobile auto service type business and the decision to buy a hybrid vehicle over a regular vehicle.

Besides all the criteria in the decision matrix above, one should also consider the advertising and marketing value of being a "green company" when it comes to customer and client perception because if you have a hybrid it speaks volumes about your business and beliefs, thus, it could very well add business to your book. Most US citizens and therefore, most of your customers do care about the environment or have bought into the whole environmental movement.

If they see your company as one with their beliefs, then you win, and you have a better chance over the competition if your delivery or service vehicles are hybrid. Still, it's getting rather hard these days to find a superb choice for a hybrid van, even though there are several available if you do some checking around. Still, there are fewer choices than there once were, even at a time when fuel prices are once again near an all time high.

According to CNN Money Online News (March 1, 2012) there was an article titled; "Hybrid maker Bright Automotive goes bust," by James O'Toole, which stated;

"Hybrid vehicle maker Bright Automotive has announced plans to close, blasting the Department of Energy for failing to finalize a loan that the firm says would have kept it afloat."

Apparently, the CEO of the company stated that "they were withdrawing their application for a $314 million loan and winding down their operations, as they had been strung along for the past few years as the government insisted on increasingly stringent loan requirements. "The actions -- or better said 'lack of action' -- by your team means hundreds of great manufacturing and technical jobs... and thousands of indirect jobs in Indiana and Michigan will not see the light of day," the letter said."

This is quite problematic, because these are awesome little vans, and if you go to their website, you will see just how state-of-the-art these vans really are. As a former franchisor of automotive service businesses, if I were still running the company today, I would have seriously looked into these vans for our company. You see, they would save in fuel, they look cool, and they are hybrids and green-friendly meaning it would attract more business. It's therefore unfortunate that they will not be available in the future, or that the company is cutting production presently.

Indeed, I hope you will be able to find an alternative choice for a company work truck or van in your automotive service business, and that you will consider some of what I've noted here today. Please think on it.

Why Learn to Drive????

For many, learning to drive is an unnecessary expense - something that takes away from the fun that they could be having with their money when they are a teenager. But the fact is that, although driving lessons can be costly, they are vital if you want to make your way successfully in the world. Below are a few reasons why this is truly the case...

The first reason why learning to drive is very important for a teenager is because it provides freedom from having to rely on parents for lifts everywhere - something that they won't be able to rely on when they fly the nest and head to university, or move out on their own. Many people without driving licenses are forced to use public transport, which has a couple of massive drawbacks in comparison to cars - it is notoriously unreliable and also it is incredibly expensive. A bus ticket for a 5 minutes journey, for example, can cost as much as £2.50 in some areas! This is far more than the cost of petrol for this distance!

Employment prospects can also be incredibly limited if you don't have a driving license. This isn't just for jobs that require them, such as the police or ambulance service, but also for jobs that are situated away from your home. In this current economic climate more and more people have to commute longer distances, and if you don't have a driving license you will be restricted to hunting for jobs in your immediate area, which will often be a fruitless exercise.

The final reason why learning to drive is worth the money for a teenager is the social life that it will bring! You'll be able to go with mates on daytrips and stay out past the time that parents will agree to pick you up, and you'll also be the envy of many of our friends too! Although this isn't the most important reason to learn to drive in the long term, many teenagers use it as their main motivation for getting their driving license!

As can be seen, the number of reasons for learning to drive should make it something that every single teenager should aim to achieve. Even if there are some short term sacrifices in what you can spend your money on, it will certainly be more than worth it in the long term, when you are fully independent and not having to rely on anyone for your transportation needs

3 Things to Do When You Have Your New Car

Purchasing a new car is one of the most exciting times in a person's life. I'm sure everyone has a story to tell when they bought their first car. Many would agree that we live in a time where our economy is up and down and buying a car is now a major personal investment. With that knowledge you want to keep your car looking its best as long as you can. There are some inexpensive methods that you can do without the help of an outside company to keep your car looking brand new. Like anything that is made it will lose its original look over time; however, you can slow the process down with a few helpful hints.

The first method for protecting your car is purchasing a traditional car cover. Depending on where you live, the outdoors can be inviting to some, but it can be very harmful to your vehicle's exterior and interior finish. Using a car cover helps maintains your vehicle's appearance and at the same time keeps all of the attention on how good it looks. The sun plays a huge factor in how long your car looks good. Just imagine going to the beach or pool and not wearing sun screen lotion. Our skin will start to peel and lose its smooth touch. The same goes for a car. Due to the intensity of the Sun you must protect your car from blemishes and minor cracks. When a car is affected by this, you often see a break in the paint as if it was painted in layers. The cover helps prevent dirt and dust from penetrating the vehicle's paint, and the hard to wash cracks and crevices.

Car covers will also help maintain the "just washed" look between washes, prevent scratches, some door dents and people's prying eyes. Although it attracts unwanted attention, it's still a great option. The covers for your car will also help keep birds from pooping, animals from jumping on and off leaving claw stretches and tree debris from leaving their marks on your vehicle. They also work well in your home garage or parking garage at work.

Keeping your car washed on the regular is another thing you can do to maintain your vehicle. Most people wash their cars at least once a week depending on where you live and if it rains there often. Car wash companies recommend you washing your car at least twice a month, if not more. More and more people make Sunday mornings to wash the car a family tradition. Others prefer to wash their cars on a Saturday. If you avoid washing your car, things like bugs, dirt, bird droppings and dust can damage the paint over time and leave permanent stains. Not to mention the feeling of driving a dirty car not being good for personal confidence. There's a popular saying that your car and trunk is sometimes a reflection of someones life. A clean and fresh smelling car gives a person a renewed energy or power.

One of the last things to do is stopping people and yourself from eating in your car. This is probably the biggest factor. It happens all too often where you start by snacking on chips, candy or other little foods in the car and then it progress to burgers, chicken and other finger foods leaving stains from spilled food. It's always the little foxes, better known as crumbs, that destroy everything from seats to mats to the carpet. You can see them in all of the little compartments, crevices and pressed into the interior. Since we live in an era where the best thing to eat is fast food, it always leaves behind crumbs. Take the time to eat prior to getting into your car.

There are other ways to help keep your car looking new. Depending on where you live, you must decide what will work for you to protect your car.

Making Driving a Little Easier

As we age, our physical condition naturally starts to decline. It's said that between the ages of 30 and 70, our range of motion declines by 20 to 30 percent. After age 70, this declination accelerates to around 50 percent less spinal mobility. This might not seem like a big deal at first, but it really is, especially when it comes to driving. Poor spinal and neck movement ranges can increase the risk of getting into an auto accident. Lessened mobility in the neck can more than double the risk of a car accident amongst these folk. Luckily the majority of these accidents are not fatal. Still, the risk is high enough that something needs to be done to help the elderly maintain their independence.

Advances in automobile technology have come up with a solution to this. Automatic car parking systems can help to eliminate the need for an elderly driver to keep turning their head. If the driver truly has poor mobility, this feature in a car is undisputedly a huge benefit for them.

These systems can detect if a parking space is large enough for your vehicle to fit inside. If you are in search of a parking spot, you simply push a button and the system does the looking for you. A message will sound for you to stop the car once the system has detected that your car will fit within a space. The machine walks drivers through the parking process; you just need to follow the commands that are prompted. When the car tells you to put the car in reverse, you do so and the rest of the work is basically done. The car can sense where obstacles are such as other cars and the curb. The steering wheel will spin on its own and park the car with minimal effort on your behalf. You just need to put the car in gear and follow directions. The driver still maintains control of the accelerator and the brake, so you can still use these functions of your car if you wish.

While all of the kinks are not yet worked out of these parking systems, they provide a huge positive service for the elderly. They can help minimize the amount of mobility necessary for city driving. Still, it is important that the person driving be in good enough physical and mental health for them to get behind the wheel. If you feel like your elderly relative is unable to drive, it's still important that you have this difficult conversation with them. But if the amount of hindering factors is minimal, a smart parking service within their car might be just the thing they need to keep driving themselves.

Tow Truck Services and Car Lock Outs

Being locked out of your car is not only a stressful obstacle, but it can be scary (and dangerous!) if you are in the wrong part of town. Do you have a plan "B" if you find yourself on the outside looking in? It is always smart to have a backup plan in order in case you end up in this situation. If you need help with car lock outs or roadside assistance, a tow truck company can help. That's right, not only are they your worst enemy when illegally parked, but they are your best friend in time of emergency.

At some point in your life you are bound to have an experience with a tow truck. Businesses and homeowners are two examples of people who personally appreciate their services. People who are illegally parked or taking up parking spots that are assigned for customers or guests SHOULD be moved. This is why there are blatant signs for areas that are protected by towing companies. If there is a sign, that company can legally tow your car. Homeowners have rights to call tow companies too! If there is a car blocking a driveway or in a paid/assigned parking spot, then the illegally parked car can expect that they will be removed with just one phone call to a tow company.

Another time when these services are crucial is when you have a break down and are stuck pulled off to the side of the road. A tow truck can come safely transport your car to wherever you need it to go...whether that destination be home or an auto repair company. These services are available 24/7 in case of emergency. This is why it is smart to have a local tow company's number stored in your phone so you aren't forced to leave your car unattended.

The same company that can take your car away from a scene, can help you get inside of the vehicle in case of a lock out. When you call them for assistance they are prepared for all car makes and models. You have to show proof that it is your car and before their arrival they will ask you which year, make, and model you drive. This is so they know the correct tools to bring to help unlock the vehicle.

In order to be safe, consider storing a local tow and lock out company's number in your phone. Not only are they ready to help keep businesses happy, but they can help bring you and you vehicle to safety.

The Best Hybrid Cars - Why You Should Buy Them

The recent Political unrest in the Middle East have had a cascading effect on the global fuel supply and prices. The rising fuel prices have only added to the average consumers' woes, compelling them to resort to the use of fuel-efficient vehicles. To provide respite to consumers, the auto industry has introduced several hybrid cars, which are not only fuel efficient but environmentally friendly as well. These cars come equipped with a gas as well as an electric engine that allows you to alternate between the two. This unique trait makes it a very cost effective proposition for the average consumer. In this article, you will find 5 reasons why you should choose hybrid cars over fuel-powered vehicles.

1. Decreased expenditure - When you invest in a hybrid car, you no longer need to deal with the burden of fuel expenditure. These cars come fitted with two engines fueled by gas and electricity. When the gas supply in your car gets exhausted, it automatically switches to its electric power backup. The presence of an alternative source of energy in your car significantly cuts down on your fuel expenditure and you are able to save a lot of money in the process.

2. Better mileage and performance - Hybrid cars were designed with the objective of delivering a better output and mileage for the consumer. This is made possible by the use of a combined propulsion system in the steering mechanism of the cars. These cars are especially useful if you commute less than 40 miles a day, in that case you could save immensely on your gas consumption by utilizing the electric engine instead.

3. Safe and durable - One of the most notable features that is common to these cars in the market is that they rank high in terms of safety and durability. They are conceived using cutting edge technology that renders them extremely safe for travel. Additionally, the small size of these cars make them easy to maneuver, thereby reducing the risk of accidents.

4. Efficiency plus - Hybrid cars come equipped with the latest technology that makes them highly efficient vehicles. All such cars have on-board computers, which regulate and monitor the efficiency of both engines. Depending on your fuel levels, the inbuilt computer would alternate between gas and electricity at an increased efficiency that is not common to conventional fuel empowered vehicles.

5. Environmentally friendly - Another compelling reason to choose a hybrid car over a fuel-powered one is that it is safer for the environment. Global warming and climate change are a real and impending threat today. These cars are a greener choice as they come equipped with zero-emission features. This significantly reduces the combustion processes of gasoline and prevents the formation of toxic pollutants that are harmful to the environment.

Some of the best hybrid cars that are highly sought after in the markets today include the Toyota Prius and the Chevrolet Volt, which have earned rave reviews on account of their versatility, fuel efficiency and utility.

Fuel Prices Steer Consumers Toward Compact Cars

In Australia, the Holden Commodore was dethroned in 2011 as the continent's top-selling car for the past 15 years by the Mazda 3. And in the U.S., Ford announced that their world car, the Ford Focus, had become one of their top-selling vehicles. These are both fuel-efficient cars. It's apparent that people who buy a car nowadays have fuel efficiency foremost in their minds. Coinciding with this is the news that in the first quarter of 2012, fuel prices have breached record levels all around the world. A recent news article even revealed the results of a study which showed families eating less at mid to upscale restaurants just to accommodate their fuel budget.

Consumers are not abandoning their cars yet, and most cannot just switch to lifestyles that take a car out of the equation. We are too dependent on cars for that. Fortunately for people who need to buy a car, manufacturers from Toyota to Mercedes, even Porsche, have responded by offering much more fuel-efficient cars and, in Mercedes' case, even hydrogen-powered cars. So, we can rest easy that cars are here to stay. What is clearly evident though is that big thirsty V8s will disappear as a mainstream engine and that alternative fuels and technologies will combine to make gasoline a less critical factor in a car owner's budget.

Although people who buy a car for everyday commuting couldn't care less, it's noteworthy that even BMW, has downsized the engines on all their flagship performance cars like the new M5. The 2012 BMW M5 now has a V8, compared to its predecessor which was equipped with a V10 derived from the company's Formula 1 racing efforts. While having an output of 500 horsepower, the V10 was not one of the more fuel-efficient cars. Most owners described it as being a pig when it came to guzzling fuel. The latest M5 sports 560 horsepower yet consumes 40% less fuel. Even the Ford Explorer, which had an average fuel consumption rating of 17 MPG when it first came out is now rated at 28 MPG. At the other end of the spectrum, diesels are making a comeback and giving electric vehicles a run for their money. The benefit of the newest crop of diesel over EVs is that you don't need to hunt for charging stations and the performance of the latest diesel variants rival that of gasoline engines from just a decade back. As a fuel-efficient car, diesels have a lot going for them nowadays.

So there is hope for car enthusiasts, as well commuters, who want to buy a car. Cars aren't going away anytime soon, and the convenience, necessity and enjoyment that we have enjoyed since the first Ford rolled off the assembly line will be with us for the foreseeable future. As consumers of mass-produced vehicles however, it is your responsibility to buy fuel-efficient cars and promote technologies that reduce the global dependency on volatile fuel supplies.