The results of the test was very exhaustive. The Mitsubishi i-MiEV is the first mass produced electric vehicle that has been made available in Germany.

In a positive response to the rising global concern on global warming, more and more automakers are starting to incorporate electric energy into their car concepts. Our Japanese automakers are not ones to get left behind. Most of them, including Honda, Nissan and Toyota have a car that capitalizes on this noteworthy objective.

Nissan’s commitment to cars powered by clean electric energy is best reflected in its new car concept, the Denki Cube. The concept car has an electric motor and lithium-ion batteries strategically placed under the floor and seats.

While there were very little changes made in exterior designs to differentiate the car concept from the Cube unveiled in 2004, the fact that it will hit production soon and get marketed as an electric car that is supposed to reduced CO2 emissions make it a good car of choice.

Image Source: http://www.automobilemag.com

Nissan Maxima, dubbed by Nissan as “one of the best-performing front-wheel drive cars in the world, far above other FWD vehicles in its class,” debuted in the New York Auto Show last month. It is not yet on sale in the United States but soon it will be. Apparently, it’s one of the much-anticipated cars in the market today.

While a lot has been said about the car, I know most of you have not yet seen a Nissan Maxima in action. As I was researching on a health-related issue, I stumbled upon a driving footage of Nissan Maxima at WorldCarFans.com and I thought of sharing it with you.

Now is your turn to know and see why the car is creating so much buzz among Japanese car lovers. Enjoy!

Image Source: http://www.thecarconnection.com

Automakers have long been working to improve the fuel efficiency of their cars. In fact, innovation after innovation has emerged in the automotive industry to please car owners. As a car owner, you too can help improve the fuel efficiency of your car using some easy-to-follow and do-it-yourself tips.

For one, be aware that small cars use less gas. So if you don’t have a big family, then there’s no need to use a big car. Another important thing to remember is to change the gears (up) without maximizing the car engine’s power (high RPM).

Last and yet the most effective, keeping away from traffic by driving on alternative routes is very helpful in lowering your car’s fuel consumption. It doesn’t matter if you’re living and working in the city, as long as you listen carefully to traffic news then you’re on the right path.

Image Source: http://www.ecofriend.org

In the recent years, we have seen the admirable growth of Toyota car sales. Not only that, because recently, Fortune magazine included Toyota in its “Most Admired Companies” list (third on the list, just after General Electric and Starbucks, two non-automobile companies). The trend shows that Toyota has been continuously dominating the US market when talking about car sales. GM, Ford and Chrysler had been experiencing a downward slope while Toyota is experiencing the opposite.

Toyota has also been a part of the Fortune magazine’s “Most Admired Companies” for two years in a row. The reason for this, according to American consumers, is that, Toyota has been doing very good in listening to what their customers want. Toyota never gave in to the “hottest car in the world” competition. They made cars based on what the consumers need, and this style of marketing surely paid off.

Photo taken from http://money.cnn.com

While the U.S. auto industry continues to show signs of weakness, Japanese car dealers are looking at the Japanese auto industry in a different perspective. The Japanese Automobile Dealers Association (JADA) has announced in a press conference that Japan’s car sales are likely to increase this month as a result of an improved economic condition, renewed consumer appetite for cars and the rise in gasoline prices that prompts people to replace their old vehicles with fuel-efficient, new cars.

After experiencing its fourth year-slump last year, the Japanese auto industry is back into the business again. I hope this bright outlook that is seen to benefit Japanese car makers come true. It’s about time they regain their losses in the past years.

The Super GT event, known before in the past as the JGTC (All-Japan Grand Touring Car Championship), has been dominated by the three Japanese-based car manufacturers (Nissan, Honda and Toyota) ever since its conception in 1992. The race includes 9 circuits, and Nissan’s Xanavi Nismo GT-R grabbed the 1st place for the second time in a row. They have won Round 1 at the Suzuka Circuit and Round 2 at the Okayama International Circuit. The race is still ongoing, as they have only finished the 2 round, but surely, Nissan Motor Company will be happy with the performance of their car.

The remaining rounds are as follows:

Round 3: Fuji Speedway
Round 4: Sepang International Circuit
Round 5: Sportsland SUGO
Round 6: Suzuka Circuit
Round 7: Twin Ring Motegi
Round 8: Autopolis
Round 9: Fuji Speedway

Photo taken from http://www.autocult.com.au

Who wants to drive a hydrogen powered, zero-emission vehicle (ZOV)? We all do. This summer, several lucky Southern California drivers will have the chance to realize that dream with Honda FCX Clarity as limited units will be available for a three-year lease at $600 monthly.

The new 2008 Honda FCX Clarity is a sleek sedan with aerodynamic shape for greater speed. It has spacious seats and a decent-sized trunk. I think the minor problem falls on the fuel source. There are limited refueling stations available in the United States today. It must be the reason why Honda has decided to settle in Southern California first since it is where several refueling stations that serve pressurized hydrogen gas are already in place.

The specifications for the 2008 Honda FCX Clarity are clearly explained and enumerated at the company’s website.

Aside from car insurance and maintenance, the skyrocketing price of gasoline gives additional burden to car owners. Today, each dollar spent on gasoline is worth a day’s meal for some people. That is why conserving energy becomes a topic of importance among car owners. They find ways to save gas and in the process, save money.

Here are some tips to save gas and money without cutting your trip or losing those precious miles:

1. Always keep your car in check. Remember that when your car is in a poor state, the more it burns fuel.
2. Use your car air conditioner sparingly. Air conditioners use up additional energy so make sure they are on a lower setting. Never use air conditioner when your windows are open.
3. Plan your trip carefully so you don’t use up more gasoline than usual. You can avoid unnecessary driving by checking for directions before your trip.
4. Read your car manual to know the kind of gasoline suited to your vehicle. This will keep you from using a pricier gasoline that is not designed for your car type.

Targa Tasmania is an annual race held in Tasmania, Australia. In 2008, the said competition included cars from all over the world—Ferrari, Lamborghini, Renault, Fiat, BMW and Peugeot to name a few of the European cars that participated in the race. Also, Japanese cars were present—Nissan, Mazda, Toyota and others.

The outcome of the race surprised everyone. Mazda 3 emerged as the champion, brushing aside other well known sports vehicles such as the 997 Porsche GT2 (second placer) and another Japanese car, the Subaru WRX STI (third placer) made by Fuji Heavy Industries.

The Targa Tasmania rally is not just about speed. It’s a five-day non-stop race that requires the cars to prove that they can endure the whole competition.

Photo taken from http://www.mazda-3-mps.co.uk