In an effort to crack down on drivers without insurance, the Government has introduced a law that means all cars must have cover - even if they're locked away in a garage with no engine.
Under the old rules, cars didn't need their own insurance if they're not being driven on the road. For example, if you're going on holiday or working away for a significant period of time, and the car will be sat on your driveway or in your garage for weeks on end, then there was no need to renew that pricey policy.
Since the new regulations - called Continuous Insurance Enforcement - came into play, this is illegal, and you could face a £100 fine. The car could even be clamped, towed away or destroyed.
Owners have to apply for a Statutory Off-Road Notification (SORN) from the DVLA if they want to avoid paying their next insurance bill and steer clear of the crusher.
Applying for a SORN is a simple enough process, but the big issue here is that drivers who forget to renew their car insurance, or are away from home when the renewal is due, could end up with no car at all.
Read on to find out how you can avoid falling victim to the strict new regulations. We've even included some largely unknown hints and tips to help you keep your car insurance premiums to a minimum.
The new rules: how to avoid the pitfalls
Don't forget your renewal date. Insurance companies will usually send a letter or email to remind you of this, because it's very much in their interests to do so. However, if you think you might be away when the policy expires, then make a note of it. That way you can take action before you go.
Apply for a SORN. It only takes a few minutes and costs nothing. Either ring up the DVLA or to do it online. You must be the registered owner of the car to make the application and it has to be parked on a private driveway or in a garage for the SORN to be valid. Cars parked on the road could still be involved in an accident and therefore require insurance. You will also need to return the existing tax disc to the DVLA.
Set up a direct debit. Paying your car insurance by direct debit on a monthly/yearly basis ensures that you'll never miss a payment. The downside is that if your premium goes up then the provider will continue helping themselves to your cash, and potentially rinse you for some extra funds. Again, if you're not around at renewal time, this is a worthwhile option. Otherwise, we'd recommend keeping a close eye on your premium, and making sure you shop around before each renewal.
Five top tips to lower your premiums
1. Ask for third party and fully comprehensive quotes. Most people assume that third party insurance is always cheaper than fully comp' - but that's not always true. The latter sometimes costs less, and even if it turns out slightly pricier, it's often worth paying a little extra for the additional cover.
2. Add a second driver to the policy. Young drivers with high premiums can see massive savings by adding an older, more experienced motorist as a named driver to their policy. A middle-aged female with a clean driving licence and plenty of no claims is usually a good bet. The same goes for those with jobs that insurance companies deem risky - they assume that people like journalists and musicians are more likely to have an accident, even if the reality is untrue. Adding someone like a teacher or an NHS worker to the policy can reduce the price. Note that the main driver of a vehicle cannot be insured as a named driver on somebody else's policy unless the insurer is explicitly told.
3. Reapply to your existing insurer. Insurance companies can be slippery and will often increase your premium year-on-year. Many people don't notice and end up paying much more. If you reapply for the same policy, with the same company as a new customer, then it may turn out to be cheaper.
4. Drive somebody else's car. Make sure you check the small print, but most fully comprehensive policies allow you to drive other cars with third party cover. The vehicle in question needs to have its own insurance, and obviously you should get permission from the owner before you drive it, but this can reduce your annual mileage and, as a result, your own insurance premiums.
5. Don't be fooled by gender-specific insurance. Female-only insurance companies are common enough, but they don't necessarily offer cheaper premiums than conventional firms. All insurers base their prices on risk assessments, so gender is always taken into account when the quote is drawn up.
Minggu, 04 Desember 2011
Memories are made of this (Volkswagen Beetle)
FOR some, only Mini has come the closest to harnessing the power of ‘old’ to sell new cars. Even then some might say that its line-up is more of a caricature than homage to the original small car. Certainly, the modern iteration is no longer small.
Volkswagen, on the other hand, has chosen to look forward in its pursuit of promoting its third generation new Beetle. More a family car than simple pastiche of the original, it’s bigger and more powerful too.
At a recent launch for the car, the queue to sample an original item was disappointingly long. Us hacks, you see, are rather partial to classic automobiles. When you’re fed a diet of new metal it’s nice to be able to cleanse the palate every once in a while.
By way of compensation, when a recent opportunity to drive Volkswagen UK’s very own classic Beetle came up it was hard to say no.
It was certainly worth the wait. Originally purchased for the company’s press fleet, it’s stayed in the family ever since. A sympathetic restoration programme conducted in recent years has seen the car return to its original silver and chrome glory. And with a little over 22,000 miles on the clock, the car’s interior looks like it could have come straight from the factory.
A no frills 1.2-litre version, this original Beetle is as simple and straightforward as they come whether it’s the engine’s modest 34 horsepower or the thin sliver of a key that only works when slotted in the door lock or ignition one particular way.
The simple approach to motoring continues inside, with a plain steering wheel and a fascia sporting the least number of controls to get you motoring. Volkswagen’s stubby, rubber-trimmed rotary controls will be a familiar sight to those who owned this or a Fastback or Variant from the same era. The Beetle’s equally simplistic speedometer is partnered by thin slivers of metal doubling a column stalks.
Still, part of the Beetle’s charm is the way it drives. There really is nothing else like it on the road today. At the car’s inception its rear engine, rear-wheel drive layout was believed to offer the best compromise in terms of packaging, handling and space. This side of a Porsche you won’t find a car with a ‘boot’ in its nose, while the Beetle’s flat-four engine is only trumped by, again, Porsche’s range of performance motors.
Turn the key and your ears are met with the Beetle’s trademark ‘chug-chug-chug’ as the engine stumbles into life. Engage first with the spindly gearlever and you’re soon in motion with surprising ease. Progress isn’t rapid but, even when in the company of more modern machines, it’s pretty easy to maintain a sensible pace. Stick to the posted limits and you’ll be fine; something that’s easy to do thanks to the accurate gearshift and responsive throttle.
Braking is less scary than you might think in a car of this age. Attacking the high-mounted pedal requires a little planning as it does require a hefty push, but the car stops without fuss. What is a surprise is the Beetle’s supple ride on urban roads. More supple and controlled than some modern cars, it’s only when you leave the city limits and wind on a bit of speed do you experience a slight lack of straight-line stability. That’s the only obvious tradeoff for having the engine in the boot – just ask owners of old 911s.
That’s never going to be enough to write-off the overall experience, though. This particular Beetle is a fine example of what was good about the long-running automotive icon. More refined than that other car from the swinging sixties but lacking nothing in terms of character, to many fans this car is fitted with the ‘correct’ engine and the modest output is no barrier to enjoyment.
Being realistic for a moment, a brand spanking new 2012 model year Beetle is no match for this old timer as a day-to-day proposition. But as a low maintenance classic, it’s hard not to be attracted to this charming 1977 car or any first generation Beetle.
It is simple to drive and uncomplicated to run. Sure, there are few quirks to accommodate but that’s part of its appeal. Offering such a rich and tactile experience, it’s hard not to have fun. Let’s hope the new car is fit to follow in its footsteps.
Volkswagen, on the other hand, has chosen to look forward in its pursuit of promoting its third generation new Beetle. More a family car than simple pastiche of the original, it’s bigger and more powerful too.
At a recent launch for the car, the queue to sample an original item was disappointingly long. Us hacks, you see, are rather partial to classic automobiles. When you’re fed a diet of new metal it’s nice to be able to cleanse the palate every once in a while.
By way of compensation, when a recent opportunity to drive Volkswagen UK’s very own classic Beetle came up it was hard to say no.
It was certainly worth the wait. Originally purchased for the company’s press fleet, it’s stayed in the family ever since. A sympathetic restoration programme conducted in recent years has seen the car return to its original silver and chrome glory. And with a little over 22,000 miles on the clock, the car’s interior looks like it could have come straight from the factory.
A no frills 1.2-litre version, this original Beetle is as simple and straightforward as they come whether it’s the engine’s modest 34 horsepower or the thin sliver of a key that only works when slotted in the door lock or ignition one particular way.
The simple approach to motoring continues inside, with a plain steering wheel and a fascia sporting the least number of controls to get you motoring. Volkswagen’s stubby, rubber-trimmed rotary controls will be a familiar sight to those who owned this or a Fastback or Variant from the same era. The Beetle’s equally simplistic speedometer is partnered by thin slivers of metal doubling a column stalks.
Still, part of the Beetle’s charm is the way it drives. There really is nothing else like it on the road today. At the car’s inception its rear engine, rear-wheel drive layout was believed to offer the best compromise in terms of packaging, handling and space. This side of a Porsche you won’t find a car with a ‘boot’ in its nose, while the Beetle’s flat-four engine is only trumped by, again, Porsche’s range of performance motors.
Turn the key and your ears are met with the Beetle’s trademark ‘chug-chug-chug’ as the engine stumbles into life. Engage first with the spindly gearlever and you’re soon in motion with surprising ease. Progress isn’t rapid but, even when in the company of more modern machines, it’s pretty easy to maintain a sensible pace. Stick to the posted limits and you’ll be fine; something that’s easy to do thanks to the accurate gearshift and responsive throttle.
Braking is less scary than you might think in a car of this age. Attacking the high-mounted pedal requires a little planning as it does require a hefty push, but the car stops without fuss. What is a surprise is the Beetle’s supple ride on urban roads. More supple and controlled than some modern cars, it’s only when you leave the city limits and wind on a bit of speed do you experience a slight lack of straight-line stability. That’s the only obvious tradeoff for having the engine in the boot – just ask owners of old 911s.
That’s never going to be enough to write-off the overall experience, though. This particular Beetle is a fine example of what was good about the long-running automotive icon. More refined than that other car from the swinging sixties but lacking nothing in terms of character, to many fans this car is fitted with the ‘correct’ engine and the modest output is no barrier to enjoyment.
Being realistic for a moment, a brand spanking new 2012 model year Beetle is no match for this old timer as a day-to-day proposition. But as a low maintenance classic, it’s hard not to be attracted to this charming 1977 car or any first generation Beetle.
It is simple to drive and uncomplicated to run. Sure, there are few quirks to accommodate but that’s part of its appeal. Offering such a rich and tactile experience, it’s hard not to have fun. Let’s hope the new car is fit to follow in its footsteps.
Drive Down Vehicle Transport Costs
uShip saves you time and money by quickly connecting you with auto, heavy haul, and motorcycle shipping providers. uShip helps you get live quotes that you can compare and book online. We also help you by not selling your contact information to a list of companies that will call you all day looking for a sale – we don’t think that’s very nice.
We believe getting car shipping quotes should be free and painless – so it is. Listing your shipment takes minutes and you may get quotes instantly with competing prices from movers coming within hours. Sit back, respond to any questions transporters have posted, and watch the prices go down.
uShip thinks it is important that you know who is transporting your vehicles and emphasizes honest feedback from real customers. Jump in, learn a little about the transport industry and post your shipment. Compare transporter quotes and research their feedback. They care about their reputations and you should too!
To get started, list your vehicle for transport to get quotes in the uShip marketplace. If you need more information about service types, deadlines, expectations, insurance, or choosing a car transporter, please read our “How To” articles below. These will explain the pros and cons of different services: door to door shipping compared to terminal to terminal shipping and enclosed car transport to open car transport.
If you’re ready for the next step, but need a quick estimate, check out our Auto Shipping Calculator. Using our shipping calculator, you’ll be able to get a general price range of your shipment, allowing you to plan ahead.
We believe getting car shipping quotes should be free and painless – so it is. Listing your shipment takes minutes and you may get quotes instantly with competing prices from movers coming within hours. Sit back, respond to any questions transporters have posted, and watch the prices go down.
uShip thinks it is important that you know who is transporting your vehicles and emphasizes honest feedback from real customers. Jump in, learn a little about the transport industry and post your shipment. Compare transporter quotes and research their feedback. They care about their reputations and you should too!
To get started, list your vehicle for transport to get quotes in the uShip marketplace. If you need more information about service types, deadlines, expectations, insurance, or choosing a car transporter, please read our “How To” articles below. These will explain the pros and cons of different services: door to door shipping compared to terminal to terminal shipping and enclosed car transport to open car transport.
If you’re ready for the next step, but need a quick estimate, check out our Auto Shipping Calculator. Using our shipping calculator, you’ll be able to get a general price range of your shipment, allowing you to plan ahead.
Used Cars for sale, Second Hand Cars & Sell My Car Free
A great place to find a used car, sell cars or read car reviews
Selling a car is made easy at Just Good Cars! Browse our huge selection of second hand cars and new cars for sale. We make it possible to sell used cars online free of charge. We are one of the largest car related networks with over 1000 model specific websites aimed at giving traders and private sellers free classified advertising for their vehicles worldwide. Search car model specific sites using our quick search facility to find new & cheap used cars for sale, read car reviews, car news and browse our directory of parts, repairs, servicing, insurance and lots more.Best Car Deals: December 2011
It’s the time of year when car companies try to entice shoppers into their showrooms with big bows in hopes of landing some big sales. And if you’re looking for a new car discount, those sales can be pretty tempting. With car makers promoting their “best deals of the year,” it’s easy to get dazzled by the new car incentives and offers.
But you may not want to get your sleigh ready to trade in just yet. New car sales in November were very strong, reflecting a lot of pent-up demand. And, as any economics 101 student can tell you, when demand rises, prices tend to rise too.
But you may not want to get your sleigh ready to trade in just yet. New car sales in November were very strong, reflecting a lot of pent-up demand. And, as any economics 101 student can tell you, when demand rises, prices tend to rise too.
While December new car deals don’t show that new car prices are going up, for the most part, they’re not any better than the new car discounts and incentives that car companies offered in November – and October, for that matter. If you’re looking for a good deal on a new car, you’ll probably find one. But, amid all the holiday promotions, don’t forget to do your homework. Not all holiday sales are created equal, and you’ll do better if you look out for your bottom line by looking for the best price (while still taking advantage of financing and cash back offers), and comparing December new car incentives.
If you’re looking for a deal on a new compact SUV, you can get a 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan with 0.9 percent financing for up to 60 months. The Tiguan is one of the most fun-to-drive compact SUVs you can buy. If you’ve been dreading giving up a sports car or sporty sedan for something more family-friendly, the Tiguan is a great way to go, especially since financing through Volkswagen can get you such a low rate now.
Choosing between a cash back offer or a low interest financing deal can be tough. For example, the Ford Fusion is available with zero-percent financing for 60 months or you can choose to take $2,000 cash back and get financing from your bank or credit union. If you finance for 60 months at 4.5 percent, you’ll end up paying about $125 more over the life of the loan than if you went for the zero-percent financing deal. In this case, the deals are about equal.
We strive to keep this list of the best car deals up-to-date, but they can change without warning. In many cases, the deals available to you depend on where you live. The best way to find out if you can take advantage of these deals is to contact a dealer near you by using the form next to the car you’re interested in below.
Our best car deals for December cover purchase deals for Toyota, Nissan, Ford, Honda, Chevy, Hyundai, Kia, Mazda, Buick, GMC, Subaru, Lexus and Volkswagen vehicles. We also feature this month’s best lease deals and best deals on used cars. There’s a great deal out there for you, and we’ve done the research to help you find it.
Book cheap car hire at Malaga airport online with Goodcarhire.com
We are a car rental company based at Malaga airport. We take care of all your needs leaving you free to enjoy your holidays.
Check our car hire special offers for our best deals and our itineraries and golf pages for additional information on what to see or what to do while visiting Malaga, the Costa del Sol or Andalucia.
We have a large fleet of new cars for hire with a very good price and no hidden extras. We have a dedicated team of professionals 24 hours to make your hire as smooth as possible.
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Our representative will meet you at the airport and will drive you (with a free courtesy minibus) to our office, just opposite the airport building, at 150 metres far away from it).
Check our car hire special offers for our best deals and our itineraries and golf pages for additional information on what to see or what to do while visiting Malaga, the Costa del Sol or Andalucia.
We have a large fleet of new cars for hire with a very good price and no hidden extras. We have a dedicated team of professionals 24 hours to make your hire as smooth as possible.
We don't have any counter inside the airport, so that you will not have to wait for 1 or 2 hours in a long queue.
Our representative will meet you at the airport and will drive you (with a free courtesy minibus) to our office, just opposite the airport building, at 150 metres far away from it).
Senin, 07 November 2011
Global commercial vehicle big guns set to scorch Indian roads
NEW DELHI: The Indian commercial vehicle industry is revving up for some fast-paced action. Long dominated by Tata Motors and Ashok Leyland, the market is set to witness a cut-throat competition as global players make a beeline to get a slice of one of the world's fastest-growing economies that is also seeing a surge in road infrastructure development.
Those looking to make a cut in India include Daimler and MAN of Germany, Volvo of Sweden, Nissan of Japan and Navistar and General Motors of the US. While rising interest rates are having an impact on the market in the short-term, it is forecast to grow manifold in the coming years as roads become better and economy booms further. According to figures released by domestic industry body Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), a total of 6.76 lakh commercial vehicles were sold in the domestic market last fiscal at a healthy growth of 27%. The money-spinner medium- and heavy-duty category accounted for 3.22 lakh units (32% in FY11) while light-vehicle market stood at 3.53 lakh units (up 23%).
However, in line with the slowdown, SIAM forecast, the industry is likely to witness a moderate growth in 2011-12 of 14-16%, which analysts say is healthy considering the high base. The worrying factors for the industry are expensive vehicle financing (almost all vehicles are financed) and increasing commodity prices that SIAM says are retardants.
Except for Daimler, which could not manage to keep a partnership with the Munjals of the Hero group, all the new entrants have been successful in forging tie-ups with local companies that give them an edge in sourcing at low cost and also in setting up the all-crucial sales, distribution and after-sales network.
Volvo has joined hands with Eicher Motors while Navistar has partnered Mahindra & Mahindra, which already was expanding in the commercial vehicle space. MAN has formed an alliance with Force Motors while Nissan—sensing an opportunity in light vehicles—joined hands with Ashok Leyland. And not to be missed is Beiqi Foton, China's largest commercial vehicle maker, which plans to invest about $380 million for a 1 lakh-unit annual plant for light, medium and heavy trucks.
To beat Tata Motors and Ashok Leyland, the foreign-local joint venture is very crucial, companies say. Vinod Aggarwal, CEO of VE Commercial Vehicles, (the 50:50 joint venture between Volvo and Eicher), says both partners drive in individual strengths. Eicher, already a strong player in the light vehicle market (5-12 tonnes), brings in a deep understanding of the Indian market, while Volvo chips in with its strong technology and processes. Daimler, which does not enjoy the benefits of a local partner, has decided to unveil an all-new Indian brand for the market in "BharatBenz".
Bringing in a big billion-dollar-plus investment, the company's products (trucks from six to 49 tonnes) will hit the market in 2012. "We would have liked to come to the country earlier but there was a slowdown," Daimler chairman Dieter Zetsche said after unveiling the brand earlier this year. "We are very clear that we want to take a leadership position in India. We have chosen a very promising product for this market."
Nalin Mehta, MD of Mahindra Navistar, says that the two partners will invest close to $225 million at their Chakan factory in Maharashtra.
"It is a synergistic relationship and while we bring in the local strength and know-how, Navistar gets in process, validation and other techniques, apart from its trucking experience and engine technology," Mehta
says. However, Tata Motors and Ashok Leyland are also padding up for competition. Both have been modernizing their fleet and have launched new products. Tata Motors has beefed up its strong portfolio with the Prime range.
source:http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Those looking to make a cut in India include Daimler and MAN of Germany, Volvo of Sweden, Nissan of Japan and Navistar and General Motors of the US. While rising interest rates are having an impact on the market in the short-term, it is forecast to grow manifold in the coming years as roads become better and economy booms further. According to figures released by domestic industry body Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), a total of 6.76 lakh commercial vehicles were sold in the domestic market last fiscal at a healthy growth of 27%. The money-spinner medium- and heavy-duty category accounted for 3.22 lakh units (32% in FY11) while light-vehicle market stood at 3.53 lakh units (up 23%).
However, in line with the slowdown, SIAM forecast, the industry is likely to witness a moderate growth in 2011-12 of 14-16%, which analysts say is healthy considering the high base. The worrying factors for the industry are expensive vehicle financing (almost all vehicles are financed) and increasing commodity prices that SIAM says are retardants.
Except for Daimler, which could not manage to keep a partnership with the Munjals of the Hero group, all the new entrants have been successful in forging tie-ups with local companies that give them an edge in sourcing at low cost and also in setting up the all-crucial sales, distribution and after-sales network.
Volvo has joined hands with Eicher Motors while Navistar has partnered Mahindra & Mahindra, which already was expanding in the commercial vehicle space. MAN has formed an alliance with Force Motors while Nissan—sensing an opportunity in light vehicles—joined hands with Ashok Leyland. And not to be missed is Beiqi Foton, China's largest commercial vehicle maker, which plans to invest about $380 million for a 1 lakh-unit annual plant for light, medium and heavy trucks.
To beat Tata Motors and Ashok Leyland, the foreign-local joint venture is very crucial, companies say. Vinod Aggarwal, CEO of VE Commercial Vehicles, (the 50:50 joint venture between Volvo and Eicher), says both partners drive in individual strengths. Eicher, already a strong player in the light vehicle market (5-12 tonnes), brings in a deep understanding of the Indian market, while Volvo chips in with its strong technology and processes. Daimler, which does not enjoy the benefits of a local partner, has decided to unveil an all-new Indian brand for the market in "BharatBenz".
Bringing in a big billion-dollar-plus investment, the company's products (trucks from six to 49 tonnes) will hit the market in 2012. "We would have liked to come to the country earlier but there was a slowdown," Daimler chairman Dieter Zetsche said after unveiling the brand earlier this year. "We are very clear that we want to take a leadership position in India. We have chosen a very promising product for this market."
Nalin Mehta, MD of Mahindra Navistar, says that the two partners will invest close to $225 million at their Chakan factory in Maharashtra.
"It is a synergistic relationship and while we bring in the local strength and know-how, Navistar gets in process, validation and other techniques, apart from its trucking experience and engine technology," Mehta
says. However, Tata Motors and Ashok Leyland are also padding up for competition. Both have been modernizing their fleet and have launched new products. Tata Motors has beefed up its strong portfolio with the Prime range.
source:http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com
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