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The Big Three (GM, Ford, Chrysler) of the American automotive industry have dominated the US market for a long time. Foreign automobiles made by Toyota, Honda and Nissan have been giving the Detroit manufacturers a run for their money. This has led to aggressive regrouping, massive downsizing and management shakeups.
The trend began with the merger of Chrysler and Mercedes-Benz in 1998. Mitsubishi has also now joined the group. Ford Motor Corporation has bought Jaguar, Volvo, Aston Martin and Land Rover and is partnering Mazda Motor Corporation.
Ford Automobile
The Ford automobile is the result of one man’s dream to produce products that would meet the ever- changing needs of the global community. Henry Ford began assembly -line techniques and standardized interchangeable parts in the production of the Ford automobile. The moving assembly line was one of the biggest contributions to the automotive industry. From 1908, when the first Ford automobile Model T was initiated to the 1930s, the company led the US in the production and sale of automobiles. In 1925, Ford Motor Company acquired the Lincoln Motor Company and began diversifying into luxury cars. 1930 saw the creation of the Mercury division to focus on mid-priced Ford automobile. In 1950, with the introduction of the Thunderbird Ford automobile, the company went public. The Volvo automobile and Land Rover have been added to the Ford automobile stable. The Ford automobile models for 2009:
- Escape (SUV)
- Escape Hybrid
- E-Series Wagon
- Flex
- Focus
- Fusion
- Mustang
- Shelby GT500
- Taurus
Honda Automobile
The Honda automobile company was established in 1948 in Hamamatsu City in Japan. In 1959, the America Honda Motor Company Inc was established in Los Angeles. In 1974, the first Honda Civic cvcc automobile was produced. The year 1982 saw the assembly of the Honda Accord automobile in America. The Honda automobile -Prelude became the first passenger car in the world to employ 4-wheel steering. By 1989, the Honda automobile - Accord became the best-selling car model in the US.
The 2003 Honda automobile Odyssey as well as Accord Coupe have earned the 5 star safety rating of the Federal Government. This rating was given to the Honda automobile for its safety to driver and passengers in front and side impact crash tests. Other Honda automobile models that have earned this safety rating are Civic Coupe, CR-V, Pilot and Acura MDX. New Honda Odyssey and Accord Coupe models have advanced features like dual-stage airbags that deploy at two different rates based on the severity of the crash. Structurally, the Honda Odyssey automobile is designed to deform progressively so as to absorb the energy of a collision and reduce the likelihood of injury to occupants.
Honda released new 2010 Hybrid car aiming the Toyota Prius. The overall design mimics the Toyota's popular hybrid and is influenced by the shape of the company's FCX Clarity fuel cell concept. Honda is planning to sell 200,000 units at entry level in which half will be sold in the United States. With seating of five, 4 door front wheel-drive is expected to give 40 mpg at an estimated price of $19,000 which arrives in USA in late 2009.
Saturn Automobile
Saturn Automobile Corporation is a wholly owned subsidiary of General Motors Corporation. The Saturn automobile product line has grown considerably in the past decade. The S-Series compact Saturn automobile range has seen new and larger cars. The midsize L-Series Saturn automobile range cars are more luxurious. The VUE is the new sport-utility Saturn automobile that has been launched. This Saturn automobile is designed with sufficient room and offers all-wheel -drive capability.
Jaguar Automobile
The Jaguar automobile came into existence in 1935. Vehicles under the Jaguar automobile range are limousines, convertibles and sports cars fitted with 1.5 liter, 2.5 liter and 3.5 liter engines. The fastest pre-war Jaguar automobile was the 3.5-liter SS 100 model with a speed of 100 mph and acceleration from rest to 60 mph in about 10.5 seconds. In 1988, the Jaguar automobile company became a subsidiary of the Ford automobile company.
Chrysler Automobile
The first Chrysler automobile was produced in 1924. Walter Chrysler founded this automobile company. The leading Chrysler automobile models at that time were Plymouth, Four and DeSoto Six. In 1998, Chrysler automobile company merged with DaimlerBenz forming DaimlerChrysler. The merger of Daimler with the Chrysler automobile range led to the production of new models. Chrysler automobile models of 2008:
- Chrysler 300
- Chrysler Aspen
- Chrysler Crossfire
- Chrysler Pacifica
- Chrysler PT Cruiser
- Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible
- Chrysler Sebring Convertible
- Chrysler Sebring Sedan
- Chrysler Town & Country
Mercedes Benz Automobile
The Mercedes Benz automobile has been the hallmark of luxury. The Mercedes Benz automobile is the product of the Daimler Benz Company. The Mercedes Benz automobile has always been in the conservative luxury sector but it is making an entry into other sectors too.
The Mercedes Benz ES automobile has a 2 liter 120 HP engine with 5-speed manual transmission. The latest versions of the Mercedes automobile models come with electro-hydraulic brakes and the corner conquering abilities of ESP - Electronic Stability Program. The E-Class Mercedes wagon automobile offers luxurious comfort as well as third row seating with ample room for 7 passengers. Premium leather upholstery and standard 4-zone climate control are some of the other features of the Mercedes automobile. To prevent accidents, the Mercedes E-Class wagon automobile comes with Automatic Traction Control and emergency-sensing Brake Assist monitor. There are curtains that automatically release the moment an impending rollover is detected. A Mercedes Benz automobile comes with Tele Aid - the in-car communication system that allows you to connect to a variety of services. The multifunction display of a Mercedes Benz automobile allows control of vehicle settings like night security illumination.
Rolls Royce Automobile
“Strive for perfection in everything you do “ is the official line of introduction from this company co-founded by Sir Henry Royce almost a century ago. Cars bearing the legendary ‘Flying lady’ are almost lovingly hand crafted using the finest technology and resources available. The current flagship - Phantom has this impressive features: A massive car of 5834 mm length propels from 0 to 60 mph in about 5.7 seconds using a direct-injection 6749 cc Engine developing a massive 453 bhp.
Humvee: " Humvee" comes from "HMMWV", a military term for "High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle". The US Military worked on incorporating the functions of different military vehicles such as the M151 MUTT and M561 "Gamma Goat" into a unified design. The vehicle to be designed for durability, superior off-road handling and versatility was the HMMWV or the Humvee.
Humvee Features: An aluminum body reinforced with a sturdy steel frame mated to a V8 diesel engine capable of 150 HP output with an advanced 4WD system, automatic transmission and power steering. The civilian version - Hummer the like of which is owned by the Californian Governor Mr. Arnold Schwarzenegger - a V8, 6.5 Liter turbo-charged diesel to propel this monster weighing 10,800 lbs.
The Humvee entered into US Military in 1985. It could serve as a cargo or troop transport Vehicle, armament carrier, TOW anti-tank missile or ground-to-air missile employing vehicle, troop support vehicle or a rescue vehicle.
Infiniti Automobile
The Infiniti automobile was launched in 1989 after years of study and planning. The Q45 and M30 Infiniti automobile models were the path breakers. Infiniti Models of 2008:
- Infiniti EX35
- Infiniti FX35
- Infiniti FX45
- Infiniti G35 Sedan
- Infiniti G37 Coupe
- Infiniti M
- Infiniti QX56
The Infiniti automobile has been a combination of technology-driven performance and customer satisfaction. The Infiniti automobile scheduled for a launch in 2004 is a full-size SUV that is V8 powered.
Lexus Automobile
1989 saw the introduction of the first Lexus automobile setting a new standard for luxury cars. The Lexus automobile was a product of Toyota’s luxury division. Sakichi Toyoda founded the Toyota Motor Corporation nearly half a century ago.
The LS 400 Lexus automobile had a V8 250 horsepower engine. At the same time, another Lexus sedan automobile ES 250 was launched. The Lexus automobile has seen many additions to its range - LS 400, ES 250, SC 400 and ES 300. The Lexus automobile coupes have been given additional features like revised front grille and tail lamp combination. It is expected that the Lexus automobile range will carry forth the Toyota legacy.
Lincoln Automobile
The Lincoln automobile captures the spirit of unparalleled comfort and luxury. A Lincoln automobile has been a fine driving experience since 1921. Leland, who formed the Lincoln automobile company, was originally from the Cadillac division of General Motors.
After some financial troubles, the Lincoln automobile company was bought over by Ford Motor Company. Till the late 1990s, the Lincoln automobile was the best-selling luxury brand in the US. But subsequently, the advent of Japanese, European and other American competitors has surpassed the Lincoln automobile range as no new models have been launched.
Mazda Automobile
The name for the Mazda automobile came from Ahura Mazda, the highest Zoroastrian God. Coincidentally, the name closely resembles the name of the founder of the Mazda automobile company - Jujiro Matsuda. Mazda automobile company forged a partnership with Ford in 1969 in setting up an automatic transmission manufacturing joint venture. Since then, Ford automobile company has acquired a 25% stake in Mazda.
Mercury Automobile
The first Mercury automobile was launched in 1939. Edsel Ford chose the name Mercury for the automobile, as it was representative of the winged messenger god of Roman mythology in the hope that the vehicle would reflect dependability and speed.
The first Mercury 8 automobile was among the most aerodynamic of the cars of the time with its styling innovations. In 1945, the Lincoln- Mercury automobile division was established. The trend-setting Mercury automobile took to the silver screen in the 1995 movie Rebel Without A Cause.
The 1990s saw the redesign of the popular Mercury automobile Sable as well as the Grand Marquis. Then came the launch of seven new entrants to the Mercury automobile range - Capri, Tracer, Topaz, Cougar XR7, Sable, Grand Marquis and Villager. The Mercury automobile entered the SUV range with the Mountaineer.
Mercury automobile range stood in between the Ford and Lincoln automobile products. The Mercury automobile products are an important part of the Ford Motor Company’s portfolio. 2002 was the year of the Mercury automobile at Ford. New and refreshed products were added to the Mercury automobile range. Four new Mercury automobile models are slated to be introduced in the coming years - minivan, small SUV and two distinctive new cars. With the Ford automobile company entering its centennial year, the Mercury automobile brand is slated for a redefined purpose.
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