Iran unveils 3rd solar car

Iran has unveiled Iranian Gazelle 2, the country's third solar vehicle completely designed and developed by Iranian scientists and experts.

"The vehicle weighs 150kg, which is 100kg lighter than its predecessor Gazelle 1,” project manager Dr. Karen Abrinia said during the unveiling ceremony held at Tehran University on Sunday.

Iranian Gazelle 1 and Iranian Gazelle 2 were designed and produced in 2004.
Head of Iran's Fuel Management Committee Mohammad Rouyanian, managing director of Iran's Fuel Optimization Organization Abbas Kazemi and Tehran University Chancellor Farhad Rahbar participated at the ceremony.

"The Brushless DC engine used in this car gives it a 97 percent efficiency, which means that the vehicle wastes the minimum amount of energy," Fars News Agency quoted Abrinia as saying.

"Road tests showed that Gazelle 2 can reach the speed of 120km/h, but we believe that it can be increased to 150km/h," he added.

The veteran mechanics expert also said that the solar cells used in the car have 22 percent efficiency enabling Gazelle 2 to travel a distance of 600km at the speed of 80 km/h if the weather is sunny.

Iranian university students also unveiled a solar car earlier this month which they claim can travel at more than 130 kilometers per hour.

Designed and made by the students of the vehicular research department at the University of Qazvin, the car is named 'Havin' meaning 'shining sun'.

Havin is five meters long and two meters wide and is another example of attempts made by Iranian scientists to reduce energy consumption by producing more environment-friendly devices in all sectors.

Iranian Gazelle 2 is due to compete in the 2011 World Solar Challenge competition in Australia this October, according to Rahbar.

The competition challenges over a hundred of the world's best Technical Universities and Colleges to design and build a car capable of crossing Australia on the power of the sun.

The Challenge, which begins on October 16, crosses the center of Australia - stretching 3,000 kilometers from Darwin to Adelaide.

Turkey unveils new electric car mabe by Os Car

Oscar, Turkish electric car manufacturing company unveils new design of its electric car. See the detail here..

Saudi, Isuzu plan $133m car factory

Saudi Arabia has signed an agreement with Japan's Isuzu Motors to set up a car and truck manufacturing factory, costing around 500 million riyals ($133 million), state news agency SPA said.

Production will begin in the fourth quarter of 2012 with initial output of 600 trucks, the project manager was quoted as saying in the statement. The plant will be located in Dammam.

"Expansion in the project will raise production to 25,000 trucks annually by 2017. The company will work to export 40 percent of production to international markets," Qusay Al-Abdul Kareem said.

Saudi Arabia imports around 600,000 cars annually, SPA said.

Top Opec producer Saudi Arabia, the largest Arab economy, is heavily dependent on oil and is trying to diversify its revenue to other sources.

In December, King Saud University in Riyadh signed a memorandum of understanding with a South Korean car manufacturing firm to set up a new company with a capital of about $500 million.

A prototype of an economy model car designed for local use will be ready within two years and may later be exported to Gulf and North African countries, the university's president said at the time.

Iran unveils mass production lines of tactical vehicle, mortar system

Iran unveiled mass production lines of 3.4 tone tactical vehicle dubbed "Kaviran" and 120mm mortar system of "Razm" as the country is marking the 4th day of its Holy Defense Week on Saturday.

"Kaviran can be used in uneven paths and it increases operational power of armed forces in ground battles," Iranian Defense Minister, Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi said in the unveiling ceremony of the defense projects.







The vehicle can pass across river with 70 centimeter depth and is able to work as troop carrier, ambulance, 107mm rocket-launcher and 120mm mortar carrier, he added.

Vahidi continued, "120mm mortar which is of long-range class has already been produced with the range of 6200 meter, but the range is increased to 16 kilometers (the range is doubled) with efforts of Iranian Defense Ministry experts."

The system is very powerful and agile and can be placed on Kaviran tactical vehicle, he noted.

Iran hybrid car ranks third in 2010 EHI

A hybrid car designed and made by Iranian students has ranked third in the 2010 Formula Electric and Hybrid Italy (EHI) held in the city of Turin.

Hakhamanesh H.V., made by Iran's Sharif University students, took part in the event's class 2H categories and stood third after mecc-H2 and PicoFarad Racing Team by Italy's Polytechnic University of Milan and Turin respectively.

Iran's four-wheel automobile has a composite body, weights 600 kilograms and can travel up to 90 kilometers an hour, ISNA reported.



The vehicle's eight batteries can be charged by urban electricity; it is almost noiseless and does not pollute.

EHI is an international competitive and sports event found by the Assiciazione Tecnica Dell'Automobile in 2005 in an effort to promote innovative activities in academic institutions across the world, which can improve the energy efficiency of vehicles supplied by different energy sources.



International teams from universities and technical institutions take part with vehicles completely designed and made by them. Their products are tested for endurance, acceleration, energy consumption, autocross and climbing abilities.

The teams are then evaluated and awarded by the Technical Committee, based on the characteristics and performance of their vehicles, their level of innovation and industrial potentials.



The 2010 edition of the Formula Electric and Hybrid Italy (EHI) was held from October 7 to 10.

First flying car wins permit in US

A light aircraft that can convert into an automobile has been allowed into US skies to help a long dreamed-of "flying car" come true.

Whether it is to avoid a traffic jam or just get to a destination faster, the idea of combining a car and plane or having a flying gear has always been appealing.

A private aircraft manufacturing company based in Woburn, Massachusetts, has blended the two modes of transport quite well in its roadable Terrafugia Transition.

According to Terrafugia Inc., the vehicle can fly a distance of up to 640 kilometers (around 398 mile) on a single tank of gas at a cruising speed of 185 km/h. Upon landing and with its wings folded up, it can also drive highway speeds on the road.

It is also permitted to take off a maximum weight of about 650 kilograms, which is 50 kilograms above the limit for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) light sport aircraft category.

Terrafugia won a key federal approval for its flying car which has already completed flight tests to become the latest manifestation of a long-running fantasy.

The significant innovation now fills a blank in humans' life which existed almost as long as there have been automobiles.

The company will begin production later this year with about 20 vehicles.

Terrafugia said it has collected $10,000 deposits from more than 70 potential buyers for the $194,000 craft with the first flying car expected off the production line in 18 months.

Half-owned by Bahrain, the supercar offshoot of Formula One giant McLaren is gearing up for the launch of a spectacular new model

IN MARCH, when Formula One world champions Lewis Hamilton and Jensen Button unveiled the supercar (picture above) which the McLaren Group hopes will see them take their motoring success off of the circuit and on to the road it was hailed as a display of the best of British.

But the McLaren MP4-12C, the high-performance road car that the new McLaren Automotive marque will begin to produce in 2011, has been put together with strong support from within the Gulf.

Sinad Khodro: Another Made in Iran's Car

This car is one of the best Iranian built cars (that's right, Iran does build cars) on the market there. It comes in two body styles: hatchback and coupe. Only a couple of years ago, the only cars seen on Iranian roads were the ancient and unrefined Paykans.

Rivers of these rebaged Hillman Hunters (remember those old 70's cars?) flowed through the country. Now, things are starting to improve with the new Samand on sale and the Sinad. The Samand is a car that was built with the help of French corporations. It is much better than the Paykan, but it can't compete with American autos. There are other cars sold in Iran too, like Renaults and Nissans. For more info, go to www.irkhodro.com or www.kishkhodro-sinad.com.

Signalauto.net ready to support "mobnas project"

In their release in "mobnas" facebook, signalauto.net express their support and readiness to take part in the building of "mobnas project".

signalauto.net or SIGNAL KUSTOM BUILT was found in Bandung, Indonesia. Opened in 2005, They became the leader in auto modification and custom painting in town. They had rebuilt and won many contest cars, especially well known by the extreme transformation of ‘97 Panther Pick Up into Hummer H2 SUT. With their product quality, team creativity, and variety of design, they could transform any vehicle into a unique work of art.

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Mobil Texmaco Macan MPV

Macan, Kendaraan sejenis MPV dengan kapasitas mesin 1.800 cc dari PT. Texmaco, dengan menggandeng Mercedes Bens PT. Texmaco mengeluarkan kendaraan ini, dan satu unit prototype sudah dipamerkan di arena pekan Raya Jakarta pada pertengahan tahun 2001

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This is a Veniran tractor

The town of Calabozo lies south of Caracas, on the hot, flat plains of Venezuela. Mud spattered pick-up trucks rattle along the streets. It is cattle country, a region dominated by farming.

Veniran tractor

Agriculture is just one sector where the two countries have partnerships

Inside the entrance to the Ministry of Agriculture compound, a brand new tractor is displayed.

It was created with Iranian know-how in a Venezuelan factory - a potent symbol of co-operation between a Persian nation and South American.

Alberto farms rice and livestock. "My very first tractor was a Veniran model," he says.

"I bought it at a discount with a cheap government loan. Things have really changed around here because of the agreements with the Iranians."

"Before I was just a hired hand, I couldn't even aspire to being a farmer. Now I have all the machinery I need, thanks to the government of President Chavez."

Fraternity

Agreements between Venezuela and Iran cover a wide range of industries

In the past five years Iran and Venezuela have signed dozens of agreements in all kinds of sectors - banking, construction, food processing, engineering, transport, and, of course, oil.

Joint investments total around $20 billion (£12bn).

Training

Calabozo is reaping some of the benefits of that fraternal hug.

On the edge of town, a huge housing complex rises from the rust-coloured earth.

An Iranian company is providing the expertise and engineering skill.

Andre Bandari, an Iranian, is the site manager at the new Veniran maize-processing plant. He says this is one of 10 planned across Venezuela.

The Iranians who have built the factory stay for anything from six months to a year.

For the first time our young people are being trained properly

Maria Cristina Rodriguez, one of the workers from President Chavez's United Socialist Party, is proud of Calabozo's association with Iran.

"For the first time our young people are being trained properly," she says.

"The Iranians are teaching them how do things. They are bringing their knowledge here, and building up the industrial base of the region."

Even her elderly father has a Veniran tractor.

The relationship's just got stronger, and we don't know where it's taking us
Onofrio de Nino Garcia.

See here and here

What Does the Success of India’s Auto Expo Mean for the Industry?

That sentiment was driven home during India’s Auto Expo 2010, held in New Delhi January 5-11. With 
2,100 exhibitors and 25 new models on display, the event drew more 
than two million visitors

In December 2009, the Indian automobile industry stepped on the gas. Sales of passenger cars were up a whopping 40.27 per cent, from 82,174 units (in December 2008) to 115,268 units, according to data released by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM). Add sales of two-wheelers (up 77 per cent) and commercial vehicles (up 172 per cent) to this number, and overall vehicle sales saw a 67.5 per cent jump. “The Indian auto industry has been the showcase of the resurgence of the Indian economy,” says Pawan Goenka, president of SIAM.

That sentiment was driven home during India’s Auto Expo 2010, held in New Delhi January 5-11. With 2,100 exhibitors and 25 new models on display, the event — now in its 10th year — drew more than two million visitors. On the second-to-last day, police had to stop music shows and public performances at the Expo as the crowds had become unmanageable. “It is clear that the Auto Expo is rapidly emerging as one of the key events of the global auto industry,” Jyotiraditya Scindia, union minister of state for commerce and industry, said at the closing event.

“The wide participation, the impressive line-up of cars for India, the rather quick launch of variants into India with very little gestation time in other markets, and the not-so-conservative price tags are all indicative of a market [undergoing change],” says Harish Bijoor, brand-strategy specialist & CEO, Harish Bijoor Consults, and a member of the faculty at the Hyderabad-based Indian School of Business. “The India story of a 7.9 per cent year-on-year GDP growth has been taken seriously.” Sandeepan Banerjee, project leader (auto & engineering), Tata Strategic Management Group (TSMG), agrees: “The huge participation in the Auto Expo is a metaphor for India’s GDP growth and, most importantly, its consumption growth.”

Despite the turnout and media attention, some observers question the degree to which the size and success of the Auto Expo can be considered to represent the health of India’s auto industry — and by extension, the country’s economy. Moreover, they say, many of the models introduced at the Expo have more to do with Western automakers’ ideas about Indian consumers than on-the-ground realities.
Small Cars are Big

The big thing at Auto Expo 2010 was the small car. Two years ago, Tata Motors chief Ratan Tata had wowed the crowds at the same venue with the $2,000 Nano. This year, Japanese automaker Toyota unveiled the Etios, which will be priced below $10,000, and Honda had an offering dubbed the “New Small Concept.” The latter, which will be built with 80 per cent local components, will be on the roads in 2011 and will also be in the $10,000 range. Suzuki announced it was revamping some of the models of its Indian subsidiary Maruti Suzuki. Italian auto group Fiat said it was developing a small car along with its joint venture partner, the Tata Group. General Motors (GM) launched the Chevrolet Beat. Volkswagen unveiled the Polo, which will be available beginning in March. Even Ratan Tata had a new small car to show — a modified Nano for the US market.

“The Auto Expo underscored two key trends,” says Banerjee. “First is the importance of small cars: India is essentially a compact car market. It is also a good base for manufacturing such small cars profitably and exporting them worldwide. Hyundai has shown the way for the past couple of years, and Maruti has joined the bandwagon. Hence, global manufacturers are making a beeline for unveiling small cars for the Indian and emerging markets.” The second, he notes, “is the development of 16- to 49-ton trucks. With increasing focus on road infrastructure, scale of operations and maturity of fleet operators, this segment is expected to give huge growth opportunities. Domestic manufacturers have responded splendidly by launching multiple products at the Auto Expo. Also, global players have displayed their expanded portfolio offerings to cater to Indian demand.”

According to Bijoor, the major trend at the Auto Expo was “the ‘small big car’ for India — small cars that are loaded with features and priced high. Apart from this, [the rest was] clutter ... of brands, of variants, of features and of bells and whistles.”

Still, while small and economical seemed to be the order of the day, none of the automakers had offerings priced as low as the groundbreaking Nano; instead, the average price for their models is around $10,000. And luxury brands were not totally eclipsed, either: German major Mercedes Benz showcased two cars — the Desert Gold, priced at $500,000. It also launched a multi-axle luxury bus, priced at $184,000. BMW, which has recently overtaken Mercedes in the Indian luxury car market, launched the X6 M, the 760 Li and the Gran Turismo — all priced higher than $200,000. Audi showcased its Sportback Concept and the A7 ($120,000). Market leader Maruti launched the luxury Suzuki Kizashi. Even Tata showcased the $85,000 Jaguar XJ.

“The Indian luxury car market will double in five years,” Peter Kronschnabl, president of BMW India, told journalists at the Auto Expo. That may not amount to much, however: Total annual sales of top-end vehicles number only about 9,000 in India.
Western Mentality on Display

According to some industry observers, part of the problem with high-priced vehicles like those on display at the expo is that they are not tailored to the Indian market. “Western manufacturers have not understood the Indian mentality,” says Shombit Sengupta, international creative business strategy consultant and chairman of Shining Consulting. “Sophisticated auto companies think Indians who have money will flaunt it.” But Indian consumers — even wealthy ones — have other considerations when it comes to selecting a vehicle, he notes. For example, “in developed countries, the [luxury] car was designed for the pleasure of a long drive. But with India’s pathetic infrastructure, this charm does not exist.”

Some of the other pricey offerings at the Auto Expo seem to underscore Sengupta’s sentiments. Harley-Davidson India used the occasion to announce that it will bring 12 motorcycles from its 2010 model portfolio to India. On display was a custom-painted Harley-Davidson Fat Boy. These bikes will be priced between $15,000 and $77,000. For that price, a consumer could buy 37 Nanos and still have some change left. Another exhibit that has raised eyebrows is the Trek Equinox from Firefox, a bicycle that carries a $5,000 plus sticker price. (That’s more than two Nanos, if you do the math.)

“Western manufacturers are trying to implement Western success in India,” Sengupta says. “It will not work.” After World War II, he notes, vehicles were tailored to various cultures. Americans were attracted to large-sized, Hollywood-style cars. Italians had macho luxury vehicles as well as small cars to navigate the narrow cobbled streets of their ancient cities. Germans favoured sturdy, well-engineered cars. For the Japanese, quality was paramount. Today, only 3 per cent of the world’s automobiles are sold in India, he adds. “That’s why there is an opportunity to get huge volumes here. But nobody is thinking of what India wants.”

The Bolero, an SUV manufactured by home-grown automotive manufacturer Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M), is a vehicle that is right for India, Sengupta says. It can be used for both livelihood and lifestyle purposes. “It suits India’s rough roads, and it gives great mileage. It’s a value-for-money buy.” After dropping her husband off at the office, a wife could use the vehicle commercially as a school bus, for home delivery services or other purposes. “This way, [the family] can afford to pay the bank [installments] as well as enjoy the vehicle for family outings in the evening or on weekends.”
The Export Market

Meanwhile, some Indian manufacturers are taking the lead in modifying their own cars and trucks for international markets. The Tata Nano Europa was unveiled at the Geneva Auto Show last year. In commercial vehicles, M&M launched the MN 49 and MN 40 at the Delhi Expo. These trucks, the products of a joint venture with Navistar of the US, will be exported, too. Maruti Suzuki expects to export 20 per cent of its production this year, mainly the A-Star (the export version of the Alto) to Europe.

The export market is an area of increased focus for the government. From April to December of 2009, overall automobile exports grew by 10.45 per cent. The Automotive Mission Plan 2006-16, prepared by the Union Ministry of Heavy Industry, puts strong emphasis on exports. “The automotive industry genuinely believes it can become a world-beater,” says the document. The vision of the mission plan is “to emerge as the destination of choice in the world for design and manufacture of automobiles and auto components, with output reaching a level of $145 billion accounting for more than 10 per cent of GDP and providing additional employment to 25 million people by 2016.” According to advisory firm KPMG’s Global Auto Executive Survey 2010: Industry Concerns and Expectations to 2014, more than 50 per cent of auto company executives believe that India will export one million-plus vehicles in the next five years. According to SIAM, India exported 335,739 passenger vehicles and 42,673 commercial vehicles in 2008-09.

The KPMG survey predicts that green technology will be a big draw. That was also reflected at the Auto Expo: Toyota launched the Prius hybrid for the Indian market. It already has the Altis CNG, the Innova CNG and the Camry hybrid. Hyundai showcased the i10 Electric; it has already launched alternate-fuel vehicles such as the Santro LPG and CNG, the Accent LPG and CNG and the i10CNG. Maruti displayed its SX4 hybrid. GM offered a full selection of similar vehicles under the Chevrolet marquee — including the highly anticipated hybrid Volt, the Electric Spark (which operates on an all-electric drive train), the Aveo CNG and the well-established Spark LPG. “Hybrids, alternative fuel and low cost vehicles lead in all regions,” the KPMG survey notes.

According to driveinside.com, a web-based marketing services company, Tata Motors displayed 37 vehicles at this year’s Auto Expo (including Jaguar and Land Rover models), and it, too, picked up on the green theme. “Tata Motors chairman Ratan Tata said that the company is focused on meeting the full range of customer needs while being conscious of the environment,” the website reported.
Some Caveats

The Delhi Auto Expo was undoubtedly a grand show, but it is difficult to predict what its success means for the larger industry. “Don’t make a mistake about Indian crowds,” says Sengupta. “When [legendary soccer player Diego] Maradona came to Kolkata, the whole city became a traffic jam. [A high number of visitors at] the Auto Expo does not mean the auto market will flourish. Take the retail industry as an analogy: Retailers thought people would spend money in the big malls they created. But for the past nine years, no retailer has been making money. People throng the malls, enjoy the air-conditioned ambience on hot summer days, but they leave with no shopping bag in hand.”

There are other caveats to consider. The recent uptick in auto sales looks very positive, but it came on the back of a poor 2008-09 sales year. The global recession had an impact on several automobile categories, too. According to SIAM, domestic sales of passenger vehicles rose a meager 2,000 units in 2007-08. Commercial vehicles slumped from 490,494 to 384,122. Sales figures for three-wheelers also fell, while there was only a marginal increase in two-wheelers (around 70,000).

Also, industry observers note, the government’s recent stimulus plan has likely had a significant effect on the numbers. “[The government] chipped in at the right time with numerous incentives,” says Banerjee of TSMG. According to SIAM’s Goenka in an interview with the business daily Business Standard: “A combination of factors like the three fiscal stimulus packages, low interest rates on vehicle financing made possible by public sector banks, cash infusions from the 10th pay commission [a salary award for government servants] and new models from manufacturers have helped December sales to rise.”

Still, there is demand that helps to fuel the optimism: Union minister Scindia pointed out at the expo’s closing session that India has only nine cars per 1,000 persons, versus 27 per 1,000 in China. (The US has around 750 per 1,000.)

On the penultimate day of the exhibition, Delhi-based morning tabloid Mail Today reported: “More people visited the Auto Expo, leading to traffic snarls all over the capital. People were stuck in jams that stretched for hours on roads leading to the venue.” In the absence of adequate infrastructural development, what will happen, some may ask, when the automakers’ newest models are unleashed on the roads.

Knowledge @ Wharton is the online journal of the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. It provides insight into some of the top business minds on issues ranging from finance and marketing to human resources and business ethics.

Onuk Sazan - Turkish supercar

It seems like the world of one off super cars has just received a new member hoping for a production vehicle future.

We have already seen the Spanish Spano GTA and the latest true American super car, the Devon Motorworks GTX->http://www.topspeed.com/cars/devon-motorworks/index668.html]. However this new Turkish speed machine does away with the three letter moniker and instead caries the nickname of its creator’s late offspring, much like Enzo Ferrari did with the Dino. The Onuk Sazan is in every aspect a bona fide super car, the body is made from intricately worked composite materials, each pony only has to lug around about four pounds and the asking price is a cool €200,000.

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Onuk Sazan, Mobil Sport Asal Turki Dibanderol Rp 2,7 Miliar

Di penghujung 2009, sebuah perusahaan pembuat perahu di Turki yaitu Yonca Onuk mengumumkan akan memproduksi varian sedan sport yang diberi nama Onuk Sazan. Meski belum disebutkan kapan persisnya mobil ini akan diproduksi, namun prototipe mobil ini telah ditampilkan.

Adalah doktor Ekber Onuk - pemilik Yonca Onuk - yang merancang mobil tersebut. Seperti disebut motorauthority, Ekber merancang mobil itu untuk dipersembahkan kepada almarhum putranya, Kaan 'Sazan' Onuk yang meninggal dunia karena kecelakaan lalu lintas pada 1996 lalu.

Prototipe yang ditampilkan Ekber itu menggunakan mesin Corvette LS7 yang mampu menghasilkan tenaga hingga 512 daya kuda dengan torsi 635 Newton meter (Nm). Mobil sport yang menggunakan sistem transmisi manual dengan lima tingkat percepatan itu diklaim mampu melesat hingga 300 kilometer per jam.

Namun, ada kemungkinan untuk memproduksi tipe lain yang menggunakan mesin milik salah satu varian Nissan yang berkapasitas 3.500 V6 turbocharged VQ34DE. Mesin tersebut diakui dapat menghasilkan tenaga hingga 485 daya kuda dengan torsi 588 Nm. Tipe itu dibekali sistem transmisi enam percepatan gearbox XTRAC 6.012.

Ekber Onuk mengaku mobil yang akan diproduksi hanya lima unit saban tahunnya itu, memiliki bobot yang ringan karena menggunakan sasis dari serat karbon. Para insinyur di Yonca Onuk mengklaim berat mobil bisa ditekan hingga hanya berbobot bersih 1.000 kilogram (kg) saja.

Tetapi Ekber Onuk menyebut, dirinya optimistis berat mobil yang akan dibanderol 200 ribu euro atau sekitar Rp 2,7 miliar itu bisa ditekan sehingga bobot bersihnya hanya 920 kg.

Chinese auto giant set to enter UAE

Haima, one of the largest Chinese automobile manufacturers, is set to enter UAE and has tied up with Abu Dhabi based - First Motors a subsidiary of Bin Omeir Holding Group (BOHG).

Haima will be introducing 6 new models during the Dubai International Motor Show being held from December 16 to 20.

BOHG has diversified business interests in the UAE, Middle East and Africa, across many sectors including automobiles, commercial and military vehicles, car rental and leasing, logistics, banking, insurance, real estate developments and construction among other industry segments.

“We believe that UAE has a lot of potential and are looking at the mid income segment. With 21 years’ of development, Haima Automobiles has established complete supply chain and sales and services framework in line with international standards,” said Fred Huang, general manager, Haima Automobiles.

“As per published reports it is increasingly apparent that the UAE automotive market is mature, with vehicle ownership rates of over 540 per 1,000 inhabitants, a rate that exceeds most of the developing world. We are positioning our vehicles in a particular segment and we are confident that we will further boost the automobile sector in the UAE,” he added.

FAW Haima Automobile Company, one of the vehicle production bases, is located in Haikou city in South China covering an area of 2 million sqm and achieves an annual production capacity of 150,000 units of passenger vehicles. FAW Haima has two factories and one engine factory with complete manufacturing facilities and process of stamping, welding, painting and final assembling, and the third factory is under construction now, after completion, the total annual production volume will be 300,000 units.

Having started its strategic cooperation with Mazda in 1992, Haima has built its own R&D technical system and quality control system benefiting from the cooperation with Mazda for 15 years. With the newly developed engine and mature under body components, Haima collaborates with professional R&D institutions worldwide for joint design and development of complete vehicles.

Haima started exporting its cars in 2007 and now the sales network covers Middle East, North Africa, East Europe, South America and Southeast Asia. The countries the company covers currently include Egypt, Algeria, UAE, Syria, Jordan, Libya, Venezuela, Peru, Moldova, Philippines and so on.

Till now, nearly 10,000 units Haima cars and matched spare parts have been exported to the overseas markets

Cambodia: ‘Telepathic’ Car Symbolises Auto Industry

The gold-coloured convertible turns heads on impoverished Cambodia’s roads — not least because of creator Nhean Phaloek’s outlandish claim that it can be operated telepathically.

“I just snap my fingers and the car’s door will open. Or I just think of opening the car’s door, and the door opens immediately,” says the 51-year-old as he proudly shows off the homemade car, named the Angkor 333-2010.

Onlookers gasp as he demonstrates the trick, and with the fibre-glass vehicle having cost him $5,000 and 19 months of labour he is in no mood to reveal the remote control system behind it.

But as with a handful of other Cambodians who make their own curious cars, he dreams the two-seater will help foster an automobile industry in the country, still poor after decades of conflict.

“I am very excited and proud of this car because many people admire me and keep asking me about how I can make it,” he says, adding that it reaches speeds of up to 100 kilometres (62 miles) 
per hour. Kong Pharith, a 48-year-old former maths and physics teacher who has also produced his own car, says an auto industry is about to blossom in Cambodia.

“Our works will be part of a motivating force for the next generation to access new inventions and show the world that Cambodia has an ability to do what you think we cannot,” he says.

The inventor, who first came to national attention in 2005 for building a solar-powered bicycle, thinks he has now hit on a truly unique product with his orange, jeep-like vehicle with solar panels on its roof. Kong Pharith says it took him four months to design and put the final polish on his “tribrid” car which operates on solar energy, electricity and gasoline, hitting speeds of up to 40 kilometres per hour with its 2,000 watt motor.

“I’m really happy about my achievement but not very satisfied with it yet,” he says, adding that Cambodia’s lack of modern technology and materials are a minor obstacle to efficient manufacturing. The dream of building cars in Cambodia may not be far-fetched. Officials have announced plans for South Korean automaker Hyundai to open a plant in southwestern Cambodia, assembling some 3,000 vehicles per year.

Cambodia did actually assemble cars in a factory during the 1960s, before the country was caught in the maelstrom of the Vietnam War.

The Angkor 333-2010 is the third he has built, and his first to talk. When Phaloek slams the door a voice out of the dashboard moans: “Why do you close me too strongly?”

“Dozens of local and foreign guests have come and seen my car,” Nhean Phaloek says with a smile. “One British man told me that it is the Cambodian James Bond car.”

Pof. Dr. Bambang Sudibyo: Bapak Mobnas SMK Indonesia

Di masa Bapak Prof. Dr. Bambang Sudibyo, SMK Indonesia bangkit menjadi pionir pembangunan dan penciptaan mobnas SMK yang diproduksi SMK-SMK terbaik di Indonesia

Greased Lightning: 100MPG biodiesel hybrid blasts from 0 to 60 in 5.9 seconds

Tiny car company Lightning Hybrids showed it means business at the Denver Auto Show this week, rolling out the first prototype of the LH4, a 100MPG speedster with a hydraulic-biodiesel hybrid drivetrain that can zip the tight four-seater from 0 to 60 in 5.9 seconds.

The ambitious Colorado company with a staff of 12 says the car will be ready for production in 2011, with a three-wheeled version rolling out even sooner, in 2010. The 100MPG cars are expected to sell for between $39,000 and $59,000, and are candidates for the Automotive X-Prize, with $10 million going to the winner of a stage race of 100MPG vehicles.

This is one wild-looking ride, with its split rear window and lift-up door hatch for easy entry. Its three-cylinder turbo biodiesel is augmented by a hydraulic pump/motor, whooshing an additional 150hp into the wheels of this pocket rocket. Amazing. Click Continue to take a look at the video.

Crazy looking Honda Zeppelin features swiveling front seats

Figure out which direction this thing drives yet? In the image above, the Honda Zeppelin would zip off to the left. At glance, you might be tempted to say that designer Myung Jin Jung's creation's most interesting quality is its asymmetrical design, but the real weird stuff is actually going on inside.

The front seats of the Zeppelin swivel 180° (when the vehicle isn't in motion, or that's the plan), so that the occupants can interact with one another as if they were in a living room instead.

Supposedly the glamor of air travel inspired both the curvy, crazy exterior and the more personal interior thus the Zeppelin. I don't want to sound like a downer, but when I think of flying on a plane lately, I don't think of having space to stretch my legs or wanting to talk to the folks around me. Still, pretty car.

Sultan Bin Tahnoun opens Saadiyat Art Cars Expo

Sheikh Sultan Bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) and Tourism Development '&' Investment Company (TDIC), inaugurated yesterday the Art Cars exhibition held in the grounds of Manarat Al Saadiyat, the new 15,400 square metre dedicated artistic venue on Saadiyat Island - the cultural and tourism destination lying 500 metres offshore the UAE capital.

Running until 30th November, Art Cars is open daily from 10am until 8pm and features an intriguing mix of European and American classic cars which have been given 'pop art' makeovers by local and international artists and a line-up of vintage models which trace the motoring development of Abu Dhabi through the 50s, 60s and 70s.

"Art Cars is a very timely initiative coming as it does in the run up to this weekend's 2009 Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix," said Sheikh Sultan.

"It is part of the visitor enhancement programme undertaken by ADTA and when viewed alongside the Grand Prix demonstrates this emirate's love of all things automobile while serving to track the emirate's motoring history from the 1950s until the present day.

"Some of the vehicles have been kindly loaned to the exhibition by His Highness Sheikh Tahnoun Bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi's Rulers Representative in the Eastern Region and several of them were personally used by the late UAE President and Ruler of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan during his many tours of the emirate's Eastern region.

"This remarkable fleet includes some iconic models which, combined, present a snapshot of motoring history and evolution." Visitors to the free-to-attend exhibition will see cars transformed into works of art by a gallery of local and visiting artists from France, China and Singapore. All designs have been inspired by the visual, mass pop art movement of the 50s and 60s, made famous by US artist Andy Warhol.

Manarat Al Saadiyat can be reached via the new Saadiyat Bridge accessible from Abu Dhabi's Mina Zayed area, where visitors will follow a beautifully landscaped route to the centre. From Dubai, visitors can reach Manarat Al Saadiyat by taking the new Yas Island highway and following the road through to Saadiyat.

The fabulous fleet line-up of motoring masterpieces includes Cadillac LaSalle 1939, Ford T 1920, Chevrolet Independence 1931, BMW Z8 2000 , Mercedes 250SL 1968, Ford F-Series 1950, Chevrolet Bel Air 1956, MINI Cooper 1996, Aston Martin DBS 2009, Rolls Royce Silver Shadow 1976 and Chevrolet Impala 1959.

The exhibition artists include Abdul Qader Al Rais - UAE, Jalal Luqman - UAE, Li Jikai - China, Maisoon Al Saleh - UAE, Mohammed Al Mubarak - UAE, Noora Al Suwaidi - UAE, Vincent Leow- Singapore and Wasel Safwan - UAE.