Archive for August, 2009

Top Five Travel Tips for Safe Travel

When you’re going on vacation to get away from it all, you don’t want to leave safety behind. Whether you are traveling abroad or driving cross country, there are some things you can do to help ensure a safe and happy trip.

1. Prevention and preparation are worth their weight in gold.

Plan ahead in order to minimize problems that might crop up while you’re away from home. Some of the steps you can take to be ready for emergencies include:

- Putting together a “medical envelope” for each member of your family. It should include a brief medical history, notes on any allergies, copy of your insurance card and proof of other medical insurance, as well as copies of prescriptions for regular medications and an extra prescription for eyeglasses just in case.

- Make copies of your passport, a list of the credit cards you are carrying and the phone number and instructions for notifying your credit card company if your cards are lost or stolen.

- Bring along a first aid/emergency kit that’s geared for your trip. Depending on your plans, it may be as lightweight as your favorite pain reliever and some adhesive bandages for a trip to a metropolitan city, to a full-fledged first aid kit for car travel.

2. Keep your money safe – and discourage thieves.

Pickpockets often target ports and other tourist areas. You can keep your money safe with some common sense precautions.

- Only carry what you’ll need on your person. Leave the rest back in the hotel or in the cruise ship safe.

- Wear your money next to your body – under shirts and jackets.

- If you carry a ***** pack, thread the belt through your belt loops.

- Tuck your purse or bag under your arm, next to your body.

- Carry as little cash as possible – and don’t flash it around.

3. Be prepared for auto travel.

If you are traveling by automobile, whether your own car or a rental, there are precautions you can take to be sure that you travel safely.

- Get your car thoroughly checked before you set out – fluid levels, tire pressure – the works.

- Carry drinkable water with you in the car.

- Pack an emergency kit that includes first aid supplies, a flashlight, a blanket and other emergency necessities.

- Opt for roadside assistance insurance, whether in your own car or in a rental.

- Stop at least every two hours to get out, walk around and stretch your legs. It will keep you alert.

- Bring entertainment for the kids if you’re traveling with the children. Entertained children are far less likely to be a distraction while you’re driving.

4. Keep abreast of travel and health alerts.

There are many events and conditions that can compromise your safety while you’re traveling, a lot of them outside your control. Political happenings, outbreaks of disease and unexpected severe weather can create unsafe conditions for travelers. The U.S. Department of State issues regular travel advisories for destinations around the world on their government web site. In addition, you can sign up for travel advisories and alerts on a web site that tracks alerts issued by many different governments, along with weather advisories and health alerts. Knowing political, weather and health conditions at your destination and at stops along the way can let you make plans to either avoid them or be prepared for them.

5. Be knowledgeable when traveling abroad.

Knowing the customs of the country you are visiting can keep you from making dangerous mistakes. One of the best sources for information when you’re traveling abroad is the U.S. Department of State. The State Department issues regularly updated Consular Information Sheets for each country in the world. In them, you’ll find entry requirements, currency regulations, information about the security and safety situation, unusual health conditions, areas of instability, the political situation – even road and driving conditions.

In particularly dangerous situations, the State Department may issue a Travel Warning, suggesting that Americans defer travel to a specific country of area. It may also post Public Announcements where transitory dangerous situations exist. Among the situations where the State Department has made Public Announcements are political coups, anniversaries of terrorist events and pre-election disturbances.

Travel advisories and Consular Information Sheets are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week online at www.travel.state.gov. In addition, you can get the latest information by calling 1-888-407-4747 during the hours of 8 am to 8 pm Eastern U.S. time, or in person at any regional passport agency or U.S. Embassy. Finally, you can write for the information sheets on the countries you plan to visit at Office of American Citizens Services, Bureau of Consular Affairs, U.S. Department of State, Washington, DC 20520.



By: Megan Hazel

About the Author:

Megan Hazel is a freelance writer who writes about topics concerning travel and vacation planning including Discount Travel | Air Travel

Vehicle sales Growth Pushing Auto Parts sector in Top Gear

David Parks asked:

Although some industrial sectors in the Indian economy continued to post negative or flat growth in August 2009, manufacturers of passenger vehicles have finished the month with a positive note.

net profits of manufacturers and car dealers rose in volume sales of the domestic auto industry continued to grow for the seventh consecutive month in August. Consequently, increased domestic sales of automobiles in the month also brought joy to the domestic sector of automotive components, raising the hope of witnessing even better performance in subsequent quarters of 2009-10.

Starting from the end of the recessionary trends

The fifth month of the current financial year saw the domestic auto industry after an 24% jump in sales strong despite volatile global market movements and persistent recessionary pressures. The steady increase in domestic sales of automobiles from the past few months clearly indicates that the worst industries for the car and its allies is over.

"The upward trend in car sales in August 2009 has lifted the mood of SMEs Auto part makers, struggling against lower sales because of Falling demand in the last year. This is a positive sign, indicating that the auto industry is regaining its lost momentum, "said Vijay Sarda, a midsize distributor of IC engines in Nanded, Maharashtra.

The monthly data published by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) revealed that sales of passenger cars increased 25.59% in August, while sales of motorcycles increased by 25.94% in the same month. About 1,008,702 vehicles were sold in August compared to 811,341 units over a period of a year ago. If domestic demand for automobiles and motorcycles in August are anything to go by, the automotive component sector can expect more orders to come your way in the short term.

"Increased sales of vehicles will result in increased consultations for small-scale auto part dealers. Furthermore, the continued sales growth will also give a boost to vehicle manufacturers and automotive component manufacturers to add more capacity in the coming quarters, "says Kumar, Head of Yash Auto, a small auto parts dealer in Kolkata .

current sales trend has also led to SIAM for an upward revision of growth forecasts for the automotive industry. With increasing sales momentum expected to continue in the coming months, the component of automakers again SMEs can expect to see the good times.

B2b For more details on http://www.bizxchange session. in /



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Fresh, Up-to-date Automotive News

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The US Auto Industry’s Worst – is It?

Freddic asked:


The carnage of the automotive industry continues, with each passing week of throwing in a host of surprising news removed. Toyota is leading GM's car sales reached the car, or deeper nosedive of action? s of? of Daimlerâ since 1998, or the job cuts? s of? Ford 200 unpaid work to achieve a reduction in manpower by 15% by August 2008. Each is indicative of the excitement which prevails, and has repercussions. While consumers choose smaller manufacturers of auto parts for cars up to provide support more small car parts. And auto makers have begun to contemplate mergers as more creative way to navigate safely through the storm. In June 2008 has seen the worst performance for the U.S. auto industry since 1993 based on Y-on-month and comparisons, JD notes a press release of energy. ForecastsEarlier Harrowing, projections for light-vehicle sales for 2008 was about 14.95 million units, but now stands corrected forecast at 14.2 million units per year. Take a look at sales of U.S. light vehicle during the past 11 years. Compared to 2007, a decrease of 12 percent is expected for light vehicle sales in 2008. Furthermore, the decline would spread differently across segments. For example, while retail sales are projected to decrease by 10 percent to 11.6 million units, sales of the fleet would experience a decline of 21 percent to 2.6 million units.TrendsAlmost double the expected decline in fleet sales when compared to retail sales. The trend is indicative of the notion that manufacturers reduce fleet sales, while profits continue to save retail sales during the low phase. The incentives are also presumed to be moderate. Another obvious trend is that? of? of consumers is switching to smaller vehicles since concerns about increasing fuel economy and gasoline prices skyrocketing fueled more concerns than ever. While sales? s of? Suva have declined for sure, only the simultaneous increase in sales of a? t smaller? the car hasn been enough to compensate for losses due to sales of new to the SUV segment. Consider this, compared to the first half of 2007, the 2008 sales figures for SUVs plummeted by 26 percent during the corresponding period, sales concurrent compact car segment were up only 28 percent. Not enough to offset the decline in the SUV segment. A lack of a sustained rise enough sales in the compact car segment can be partly attributed to inefficient sources. For example, the number of days these cars reclining with dealers (those days? Of?? Of the measurement â? Of? Shift) was an average of 57 days from January through June 2008. But showed an improvement from May to June by an average of 47 days. The reasons but the rise in gasoline prices is often cited as the prime reason affecting the automotive industry, other factors such as weakening economic conditions (inflation rising viz, higher unemployment), and side effects long-term credit crises are by no means less important. The worst is yet to ComeEvery time things worse I wish that this is the nadir of it all, but an overwhelming majority of experts agree that this is to last until at least one year. And now even the earlier forecasts for lower sales have fallen further. Realistic expectations are that the worst is in fact yet to arrive, and that? t all kinds of sad? ISNA's performance? s of? of June out of the ordinary. In fact? s of? itâ just one page in the book of industrial decline. A set time? s of? the year is less? s of? of that necessary before things start to look up. But even a year later? t? Would not be like rush of awakening from a nightmare. As in 2009 also, a? t sudden? ISNA awaited recovery. Only the small rise to 14.3 million units in sales is forecast, with most of it blamed on retail sales. So until the last of the storm, the manufacturers of car parts and automotive industry as a whole have a tough time then.

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Auto Industry Turmoil – How Long Will it Last?

 

This year has been tough on the auto industry worldwide, for the most part due to rising fuel prices. The North American automobile industry has been especially hit.

The biggest buzz seems to have sprung form the Meryl Lynch report, and the idea that they couldn’t rule out bankruptcy for the world’s largest automobile manufacturer, General Motors. At the same time the company’s stocks fell to a 54-year low. And all of it ocurred at a time when GM reported uninspiring sales figures (i.e. 265,937) in June this year.

In order to avoid bankruptcy, GM would need to raise $15 billion in cash as has been said. While the company hasn’t responded to the report, but it thinks that it’s got enough cash for 2008 and that it would take the required measures if needed.

However, it’s not just GM that took the hit, Toyota’s sales also came down by over 21%, while Ford’s figures showed a drop of 28.1%. For the most part the mechanism seems to be the same, that is lower demand for gas-guzzlers owing to high fuel prices.

Meanwhile in Canada the trend has been replicated with the auto sales plummeting by 5.7 percent from last year to reach 159,500 vehicles in June. The drop is significantly higher than the 0.5 percent fall in May.

So How Long is it going to last?

Predictions were made earlier as well, wherein it was said that things could begin to look up for North America by 2009. However given the present trends, some experts feel that for the North American auto industry revenues could decline in 2008 and 2009. And that we could see increasing losses as the year-end approaches.

To learn more about challenges before the auto industry worldwide and for other insights, kindly visit my blog, Automobile Hotspot.



By: Freddic

About the Author:

I am a journalist with 7 years of experience. Though, as a professional I’ve reported on myriad topics, my favorites remain to be the medical industry and the automobile industry. I blog at Automobile Hotspot.

The Disadvantages of Owning a Hybrid Car

Anthony Bradley asked:


It might not be what you want to hear, but there are some negatives to owning a hybrid car, but then again some of them are fairly insignificant. Even so, you might want to know about what disadvantages there are to owning a hybrid car. But don’t get too worried. The disadvantages are not that bad.

Hybrid cars are more expensive.

Only a small percentage of consumers say they will buy a hybrid for their next car purchase. That’s probably because hybrid cars are comparatively expensive. Another reason is that many people are a little concerned about buying a car that depends so heavily on a battery pack like a hybrid does. Why are they so concerned? They are understandably nervous about what would happen if the battery pack failed. You can’t really blame them as hybrid car battery packs are usually very expensive, and would cost a lot to replace if not covered by a good warranty.

There’s some doubt about the value of hybrid cars

Some people think hybrid cars are good for the environment and that everyone should have one, but some people beg to differ. There is lots of research being done out there to see what people really think about hybrid cars, and its easy to be swayed by the latest opinions but you need to weigh up the pros and cons for yourself. Buying a hybrid car is just like buying a normal car. There are pros and cons to every type of car whether it is a hybrid or not. Don’t expect all hybrid cars to be perfect as there is no such thing as a perfect hybrid car yet because it is still fairly new technology.

Are hybrid cars just a trend?

Called the “wave of the future,” it may seem like hybrid cars are really cool cars to have right now.  And it’s true. Although they are now on the cutting edge of automotive technology, hybrid cars may soon be outdone by something better. Car manufacturers are constantly working on creating more fuel-efficient cars, so who knows what’s around the corner?

Hybrid car manufacturers say their battery packs will last a lifetime, but will they?

Ever bought a warranty and then had something happen to your car that wasn’t covered? Even though a hybrid’s battery is supposed to last a lifetime, chances are, something unforeseen might happen that will negate this warranty. How much does a hybrid battery cost? A lot. Of course, there’s risk involved when you make any car purchase, but with the hybrid car, there are risks you never thought of. Just make sure that you are aware of this when thinking of buying a hybrid car.

The bottom line is this. Before buying a hybrid car, you should understand that you are buying into a new technology that is still passing through a teething stage. Therefore, who knows what surprises this new technology might throw at us? Nobody really knows if hybrid cars are the future of motoring but at least they are a start. After all, you don’t see many people driving a Model T Ford around nowadays but they did jumpstart the age of the motor car so who knows where hybrid cars will lead us?

Once thing is for sure though. The gas-powered combustion engine will one day go the way of the Dodo, especially with the rising cost of oil, and hybrid cars are a step towards that day.

 

 



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