The Isuzu brand is one of the least known of the Japanese car brands sold in the North American market. Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Mitsubishi, and Subaru are all well recognized and respected Japanese makes while Isuzu lives perpetually in their shadow and underneath the wings of world auto giant, General Motors. Let’s take a look at Isuzu and what makes this car company tick.

In 1981, Isuzu followed competing Japanese automakers and entered the US, the world’s largest automobile market in terms of annual sales. Getting a late start, Isuzu had some catching up to do as each of its Japanese rivals had already established themselves in the lucrative American market. Indeed, it has always been perceived by automobile experts that if an automaker was going to be successful in the world, then they needed to establish a foothold in the highly competitive U.S. market.

Earlier models from Isuzu included the I-Mark, a compact four door sedan; the Stylus, which replaced the I-Mark; the Trooper, a compact SUV; the Impulse, a sporty two door coupe; and the P’up, a compact pick up truck.

Unfortunately for Isuzu, bad publicity and a small marketing network have limited the brand in its quest to grow. A report completed by industry watchdog, Consumer Report’s, alleged that 1995 and 1996 model year Troopers, “have too great a tendency to roll over in certain situations.” Consumer Report’s also gave the vehicle a rare “not acceptable” rating, something very few vehicles have ever received by the group over the years. In a previous negative report during the 1980s for the Suzuki Samurai, sales of the Samurai plunged. Indeed, Suzuki is another Japanese make with limited appeal. Could Consumer Report’s findings adversely effected both companies? Some experts believe this to be true, judging by their respectively small market shares.

Eventually, many of the original models in the Isuzu line up were replaced to give the automaker a better footing in the U.S. During the early 1990s, Isuzu decided to stop importing cars, concentrating solely on pick up trucks and SUVS. An overhauled Trooper joined the Amigo and Rodeo in the Isuzu line up followed a number of years later by the VehiCross.

Isuzu’s thrust into the U.S has all but stopped and, for now, they do not import a single vehicle into the U.S., relying instead on their relationship with GM, who owns 12% of the company, to sell rebadged GM vehicles as Isuzus. At last count, Isuzus sales were averaging about 1,000 vehicles per month, certainly not a sustainable figure for any car producer.

So, what keeps Isuzu going? A few things: diesel engines and GM. As a world class manufacturer of diesel engines, Isuzu provides engines for - you guessed it - GM trucks. Filling a glaring void in the GM line up, Isuzu has turned from an automotive importer to an automotive supplier; at least as far as the North American market is concerned. GM, in turn, has invested heavily in Isuzu and together they have joint ventures around the globe including a shared stake in an Australian operation.

The long term strategy for Isuzu is unclear, but it does appear that the North American market is unsustainable at least as far as the passenger car market goes. The company does have a line of commercial vehicles that are sold in the US which are favored by companies needing an economical, but compact commercial truck in their fleet. Couple that with their relationship with GM, Isuzu’s future may well lay in the areas of engine supplier and commercial vehicle provider, two niches that have been successful so far for the Japanese company.

About The Author

Copyright 2005 — Matt Keegan is a contributing writer for the Auto Parts Warehouse: [http://www.autopartswarehouse.com], a wholesaler of fine Isuzu accessories and Isuzu parts: [http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/isuzu~rep.html] for your vehicle.

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Choosing the parts that your custom chopper will be made of can be very confusing, considering the large numbers of custom chopper bike kits available on the market today. Chopper innovators like Biker’s Choice, Phantom Cycle, Paul Yaffe and many more sell chopper-in-a-box kits available for chopper enthusiasts. Thanks to these kits, custom choppers have become quite affordable and are no longer necessarily toys for millionaires or master mechanics.

Custom chopper kits provide the future chopper owner with all the instructions and just about every component necessary to create a perfect chopper of ones dreams. Jesse James, famous for his Discovery series “Monster Garage”, offers a Big Book catalogue loaded with individual parts and accessories needed to create a fully custom bike with truly unusual frame configurations and groundbreaking metal sheet parts as seen on his TV show. However, the most exquisite details, such as an unusual tortoiseshell finish of the gas tank, can be obtained in your custom chopper only if you have your chopper built from scratch by Jesse himself.

Before you start building your custom chopper you need to ask yourself what kind of chopper are you interested in building. Then you have to set up a budget for parts, labor and inevitable cost overruns. The price of the parts has scared many chopper enthusiasts from building a custom chopper of their own, but if you have exact specifications and the time and skills to invest into the project, then parts can be fairly inexpensive. If you choose the parts for your kit at the lower end spectrum, you will still end up with bike that will look like a Jesse James creation but will still have enough money left to throw a party when your new chopper leaves the garage.

When you select the parts for your custom chopper kit, try to use the most genuine parts available on the market within your price range. Sometimes even if you have a beautiful design in-mind, you can end up with poor-looking chopper, due to a lack of attention to detail by different suppliers

Complete custom chopper kits typically consists of an engine, chassis kit, exhaust pipes, tires, steel tanks and other metal parts, taillights, various controls, a seat, headlamp and many more. The extras supplied with a chopper kit would vary depending on the brand of chopper chosen. To finish your project, you will need paint and sometimes battery acid. Most chopper kits do not provide mirrors, speedometers or other accessories. These you can buy separately according to your taste.

To avoid unpredictable result, experienced chopper builder recommend waiting until you can afford buying all the accessories from one manufacturer. Waiting may not be easy when it comes to building your dream come true. But when you finally complete your custom chopper, you will be really glad you waited.

About The Author

Kathryn Whittaker writes articles on a number of different topics. For more information on Choppers please visit http://www.choppers-guide.com/ and for additional Chopper articles please visit the following article page http://www.choppers-guide.com/chopper-articles/.

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The venerable Buick Park Avenue is no more, having been replaced by the all new Buick Lucerne, a down market version of the Cadillac DTS. With a 275-hp Northstar V8 engine, the Lucerne becomes the first Buick car in nearly ten years to arrive equipped with a V8. The entire Buick line up is in the process of being overhauled, so let’s take a look at this make’s newest flagship and see how it plays a part in GM’s overall strategy.

If you are a fan of the Buick brand you have witnessed your fair share of changes over the past five years. Gone are the Park Avenue, LeSabre, Century, and Regal, and in its place are the Rendezvous, the Rainier, LaCrosse, Terrazza, and the Lucerne. All the changes are the result of General Motors’ broad realignment strategy in the wake of retiring the Oldsmobile brand, lifting Saturn into the fold, and setting strategy to compete against the nonstop onslaught of foreign brands including Toyota, Lexus, Nissan, and Infiniti.

One look at the Buick and you will notice a strong resemblance to the Cadillac DTS. The Buick’s oval grille sets it apart from the Cadillac’s firm nose, but a cursory examination of the body lines tells you that these cars are in fact twins. In the past, Buicks were essentially “stripped down” versions of Cadillacs, while Oldsmobile and Pontiac were more luxurious or sportier versions of Chevrolet models. Clearly, GM is repositioning Buick to have a more distinct “near luxury” look without stepping on Cadillac’s toes, while giving the Buick division a much needed replacement for the aging Park Avenue.

For the car shopper, the Lucerne is value priced, arriving at in showrooms at just under 27K. With a standard 3.8 V6, the automaker can claim decent fuel mileage of 19 mpg city and 28 mpg highway. In these days of hyped up gas prices, favorable fuel economy is a keen marketing tool, but expect many buyers to opt for the ultra powerful Northstar V8 instead. Why? Because, if they want to purchase a Buick, they likely will want the power to go along with the luxury. It remains to be seen how well the V6 operates in a car that is 203 inches long and weighing in at nearly two tons.

Standard equipment for the Lucerne includes the following: power windows, door locks, and mirrors; side curtain air bags for the front seat; theft deterrent system; OnStar; keyless entry; and more.

The optional equipment list is expansive and can easily drive the starting price of the top of the line CSX to over 35K. For that price you receive heated power seats with lumbar support; a memory package that adjusts the seats, mirrors, radio, and climate control to each driver’s specifications; sport leather steering wheel with built in controls; and more.

A fully loaded Lucerne is still several thousand dollars less than the DTS, making the Lucerne a value leader in the luxury car category. Still, Buick has its work cut out for it as competition from foreign brands including Acura, BMW, and Lexus continue to hammer away at GM’s “near luxury” division. Fortunately, quality levels for all Buicks remain very high so combining that level of success with a strong price may help the Lucerne compete admirably.

About The Author

Copyright 2005 — Matt Keegan is a contributing writer for the Auto Parts Warehouse, a wholesaler of fine Buick Accessories:

http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/buick~rep.html

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The auto warranty is something everyone thinks about when they are purchasing a car, but few of these people realize that they need to think about it after that as well. You go into a dealership, which convinces you to purchase an auto that is perfect for you. What seals the deal, in many cases, is the fact that the auto has an auto warranty on it. You think that they could not or would not offer a warranty on a product that wasn’t up to standards. So, you purchase your car and get your auto warranty.

Regardless of the car, the make or model number, you simply shove that auto warranty into the glove box and call it done. But, what you need to do is to know what is covered on that warranty, what you need to do to get those services, and what you need to do to keep that warranty up to date.

Getting the information that you need to make a decision about your auto warranty is also important. For many people, they may not even realize that they should read the thing! You would be surprised at what is and isn’t covered in that warranty. If you have one and you haven’t read it, dig it out and get going.

What you will want to know first of all is what things it cover. Does the auto warranty cover things such as parts and oil changes? Does it cover the tires, brakes and the body work?

Now that you know that, do you know what to do to get the services that it covers? Read on. Learn where you will need to go to get these services, if there will be any fee and what happens if you don’t go to the right location.

Lastly, you also want to know about the auto warranty expiration date if there is one. In some cases, you may actually be able to increase that amount of time by purchasing a warranty extension. The auto warranty can offer many things after all.

About The Author

Matthew Noel

For more information please see http://www.auto-warranty-help.co.uk.

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So, you need a new car, do you? Have you considered Honda? Not too long ago your choices were the Civic, Accord, or Prelude. Today, Honda has expanded their line up to cover just about every segment going. Let’s take a look at their current line up and see how Honda stacks up against the competition.

Accord - Soon after the Civic entered the North American market, the Accord was introduced. The car has been so well received that it routinely battles with the Toyota Camry for the top spot in the American market. Every few years the Accord receives a complete makeover; today’s Accord is available in three models: coupe, sedan, and hybrid

Civic - When Honda entered the US market in the early 1970s, it was the Civic that led the way. The reason? High fuel economy. At that time, Detroit was primarily building gas guzzling behemoths and the American market was ripe for an affordable and economical compact car. Despite being derided by some - pregnant roller skate was one of the terms given to the Civic - the car proved to be the toehold Honda needed to get established in the North American market. Today’s Civic bears no resemblance to the original and it is available in three models: coupe, sedan, and hybrid.

CR-V - Available in either FWD or 4WD, the CR-V is Honda’s compact SUV with seating for as many as five adults.

Element - The Element defies easy characterization. Some call it a bread box on wheels. Available as a FWD or 4WD vehicle, the Element is targeted to the youth set and is an alternative to Toyota’s Scion brand.

Insight - The first gasoline-electric hybrid sold in the US was the Insight. Five years later it still commands an important part of the Honda line up.

Odyssey - The new benchmark for minivans is the Honda Odyssey. In just a few short years, Honda transformed a Plain Jane people mover into a van with pizzazz. The Odyssey routinely competes with the Toyota Sienna for top honors in the North American market.

Pilot - A 7 passenger SUV, the Pilot is Honda’s first large SUV. Competing against the Ford Explorer, Chevrolet TrailBlazer, GMC Envoy, and Toyota 4Runner, the Pilot has performed well and has gained respect in the tough, competitive American market.

Ridgeline - A four door AWD truck, the Ridgeline goes where no Honda has gone before: off the road. Sure, other Hondas come equipped with AWD or 4WD, but the Ridgeline was built expressly to handle hill as well as highway. The unique five foot long bed has a trunk built into it; certainly the Ridgeline defies easy comparison.

S2000 Roadster - Honda’s race car capabilities are displayed with the S2000 Roadster a two seat coupe that compares favorably with the BMW Z4 Roadster. Ranked as one of the best wanted car by consumers with several leading automobile magazines and web sites including Edmunds.com.

Honda’s top competitor is Toyota and both now have luxury brands from which motorists can purchase more upscale versions of their vehicles. Toyota’s Lexus division and Honda’s Acura division offer to consumers vehicles that go beyond their standard brands. Still, you can’t go wrong if you buy a Honda, an automotive line which continues to expand and grow because of high quality and consumer loyalty.

About The Author

Copyright 2005 — Matt Keegan is a contributing writer for the Auto Parts Warehouse, a wholesaler of fine discounted Honda parts and Honda accessories:

[http://www.autopartswarehouse.com]

[http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/honda~rep.html]

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Buying a new car is the dream of many Americans; as a result many are sold each year, that is after financing is obtained in order to pay for them. While you might think going and picking out a car and then receiving on the spot financing is relatively easy it is not always so. Before you head to your local dealership to buy the car of your dreams, consider these tips on automobile financing.

Tip #1 Credit Score

Your credit score has everything to do with whether or not you receive automobile financing as well as the interest rates and down payment requirements you will receive. Because of this it is incredibly important for you to know your credit score before you ever head to the dealership. If your credit score is above 600 then you should be able to get financing without too much trouble, however if your score is below 600 you should spend a few months lowering your bills and focusing on increasing your credit score so you can not only qualify for financing, but also for a great interest rate in order to buy that new car.

Tip #2 Compare Rates

Different lending institutions from banks, online lenders and the dealership will be able to finance your vehicle. However, each of them is likely to have different interest rates, fee structures, and general requirements for you to meet. As a result, you should evaluate as many financing options as possible in order to find the best deal for you. Because, when it comes down to it, you don’t want to pay a single cent more than you have to for your car financing needs.

Tip #3 Get Pre-Approved

If there is any way you can get pre-approved for auto financing then you should do so. The reason for this is when you are pre-approved and head to the dealership you will be able to negotiate as if you had cash in hand. This will allow you to qualify for all the rebates and discounts the dealership might be offering and you can negotiate the price of the vehicle down as well.

Following these tips will help you get the best financing available to you considering your personal credit score and financial situation, not to mention the car of your dreams. So follow these tips, save money and finally put that new car in your driveway.

About The Author

Dennis James is the “Average Joe” you might pass daily in the street, except that he has a vision he is striving to complete. After being burned time and time again on his trips to the car dealer every couple of years, he has decided “it is time that we the people stand up and declare we will not be overtaken by the car dealers, but rather we will take the car dealers by storm. Researching the cars is not enough; we need a way to research the dealers themselves.” Dennis believes that by overcoming the common obstacles we are faced with when car shopping, through proper education, we will then be able to use our newfound awareness to make the choices we want to make and leave the dealership fulfilled, driving our new dream car home.

At http://www.cardealercheck.com you can read independent car dealer reviews written by car buyers for car buyers.

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If you are a car fan you know that part of the fun of following the market is examining new models as they enter the showroom. There is just something special about a new car: the smell, the look, the price tag! For some 17 million American drivers a new car is in their future, while many others opt for the used car market. Some of the cars on the market today are hot, hot, hot! Let’s take a look at several new and future offerings from Dodge.

Thanks in part to new ownership [Daimler Benz purchased the Chrysler Corporation in 1998] a fresh infusion of great looking Dodge models have hit a showroom near you. Additional models are soon to appear and the makeover that Dodge has been receiving is nothing less than astounding. Here are some of my favorites:

Magnum - Who said that a station wagon should resemble a family hauler? The Magnum sure doesn’t. With an intimidating grille and a rakish exterior, the Magnum is a true man pleaser while also giving women a bit extra room in the back to haul stuff. Throw in a Hemi and the Magnum truly rocks!

Charger - Okay, so the new Charger has four doors. Well, you can’t have everything. You can have macho looks, a powerful engine, and a car that is certain to compete with anything that Japan or Germany throws its way. Word has it that DaimlerChrysler is considering a coupe version. Now, wouldn’t that be cool!

Caliber - Bye, bye Neon. The Neon served Dodge well, but it isn’t in the same caliber as the Caliber. Pun intended. To be introduced in Spring 2006 as a 2007 model, the Caliber will have three engine choices: 1.8, 2.0, and 2.4 I4s, a continuously available transaxle, and all wheel drive. In addition, 2.0L diesel engines will be available outside of the North American market - why not here? - as DaimlerChrysler sets to introduce the Dodge name into new markets.

Other Dodge vehicles that are getting noticed include the Ram and Dakota pick up trucks, the Durango SUV and the soon to be introduced Dodge Nitro, the division’s version of the compact Jeep Liberty. Oh, yeah, who could forget the 510-hp V10 Viper? Can you say, Corvette beater?

One word you can’t associate with Dodge anymore is the word, “boring.” Exciting cars, trucks, and SUVs for a market craving these types of hot vehicles. I guess the “ram” insignia really does befit the name.

About The Author

Copyright 2005 — Matt Keegan is a contributing writer for the [http://www.autopartswarehouse.com] Auto Parts Warehouse, a wholesaler of [http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/dodge~rep.html] discount Dodge parts and accessories.

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When dirt bike racing was in it’s infancy riders wore whatever was available to protect themselves. Open faced helmets, Jofa pants, leather protection as the protective equipment was not specifically made for dirt bike racing, riders looked more like confused hockey playing bikies than dirt bike racers!

As the sport (best sport in the world mind you became more popular, the growth was then able to sustain ‘parallel’ or complimentary manufacturing industries. Companies like JT USA, Sinisalo etc. could now focus primarily on making only motocross gear.

More money was now being pushed into research and development of motocross gear, sponsorship of riders and marketing programs

More emphasis was being placed on style so colour was added to gear to match dirt bike colourings or just to be outrageous and different. Pink was big mid eighties (I did not say it was always in good taste).

Body armour moved to be worn over the top of race jerseys therefore they became more stylised to appeal to users. In itself becoming a fashion statement, but was researched and tested to also be practical and offer maximum comfort. Today’s body armour has ‘floating’ shoulder cups as well as flexible back and side panels to cater for both sitting and standing positions when riding. Can come in a range of colour options including clear as well as built in kidney belts on some models.

Race pants received there own special treatment made out of heavy duty nylon with doubled stitching, extra room in the butt to cater for the crouched/sitting riding position as well as cordura, kevlar and leather panels in high wear areas such as the seat and knees. Spandex panels are used to allow for movement where necessary. A quality race pant will offer extra room in the knee area to allow for knee braces that more and more riders are wearing.

Jersey material went from cotton to sweat/moisture wicking polyester/cotton blends to offer greater comfort for prolonged periods of riding. Vented panels were placed in ‘hot spots’ and even little touches like rubber strips in the tail to hold them into the race pants on even the roughest ride.

Boots were being designed to deal with high impact landings and ultimate ankle protection. Replaceable soles and buckles prolonging their use. They are now carefully constructed to avoid the damaging lateral and hyperextension movements around the ankle area.

Dirtbike gloves - choose them wisely and make sure they fit correctly. Some gloves are better suited to certain types of riding than others. Motocross gloves offer better feel for the rider with less padding in the palms. Enduro gloves can be the opposite with more padding to give greater comfort for longer rides.

Elbow protection can be found in a “sleeve” that also covers the forearms. Knee/shin guards are lighter as well as stronger and some hinder ‘lateral’ movement of the knee (gone are the days of using skateboarders protection). Although with the onset of lightweight, composite materials it is possible to have the ultimate in protection with knee braces.

All this protection would mean nothing if you cannot see. So it is very VERY important to properly protect one of your greatest assets (as well as one of the five senses) in your sight. Different goggle manufacturers have their own registered names for their lenses, but they basically mean the same thing - scratch resistant, shatterproof protection for your eyes.

So next time you go for a dirtbike ride, dress in the latest motocross gear and be comforted in the knowledge that you have minimized risk to your body as much as possible. That will allow you to focus on what you are there for enjoying the ride!

The old saying is still as true as ever - “dress for the fall, not for the ride”

About The Author

Mark Sturge is the webmaster at http://www.dirtbike-action.com, a site where visitors can find information on motocross gear such as the motocross helmets as well as useful hints and tips for dirtbike enthusiasts.

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The sale of SUVs has slightly abated recently due to rising prices of fuel but GMC seems not daunted by this phenomenon. Just last October 5, 2005, GMC unveiled the 2007 Yukon and the flagship Yukon Denali full-size SUV at the California International Auto Show in Anaheim. In GMC’s words, these new Yukon editions are the most powerful, agile, fuel efficient and refined among GMC’s sport utilities. Inside and out the new GMC Yukon and Yukon Denali models offer the best that you can ask for from a full-size truck.

The Exterior

Both models feature sleek and brawny body. The wraparound front and rear fascias give the two distinct look, obviously different from the previous models. Yukon and Yukon Denali exude a more contemporary look and stands more confidently this time. Its finely styled GMC mirrors, crystal clear GMC lights, doors extending over the rockers, integrated running boards, and perfectly aligned GMC wheels are some of the most exciting exterior features to look forward to in these new SUVs.

The GMC headlights are noticeably larger and taller. They use halogen bulbs that emit stronger and brighter beam. Aside from enhancing the vehicle’s styling, these lights also significantly improve these SUVs’ safety. The new GMC taillights give the rear end a different look as well. They have superbly designed crystal clear lenses that further enhance illumination.

The Interior

What you see is what you get. The 2007 Yukon and Yukon Denali’s interior are just as excellently designed as the exterior. Buyers can choose between cloth and leather-trimmed versions with rear or four-wheel drive. These new models are roomier than earlier models. Cargo space has also improved. Expect thinner sculpted seat designs with very detailed trims. The seatback recline angle of the second row seats is increased so you can comfortably move them as you please.

Upscale styling and superior craftsmanship is revealed by every interior detail of these SUVs. All interior GMC parts [http://www.fastbodyparts.com/parts/gmc] are designed with precision, giving the interior a luxurious feel. Softer and low-gloss materials are used for the instrument panel and other trim pieces. The uniquely designed center console has wood trim that cover cupholder pockets. Your ride will surely be comfortable with the standards automatic Tri-Zone climate control. A superb audio, entertainment and info system are also provided to add comfort to the occupants.

Performance

Powering the Yukon is a Gen IV 5.3L small-block V8 engine that delivers 320 horsepower and 340 lb-ft of torque. Standard on the 4WD models is a Flex-Fuel E85 version that runs on E85 ethanol fuel or a mixture of E85 and gasoline. Two-wheel drive models also have this in its option list. The 5.3 engine features a Displacement On Demand technology that allows up to 25% gain in fuel economy.

The Yukon Denali on the other hand is powered by a 6.2L engine that features super light parts that add to its efficiency. It generates a whopping 380 horsepower and a generous 415lb-ft of torque.

With the Yukon and the Yukon Denali’s heavy duty powertrain, you can expect more exciting ride even off-road. Suspension components are likewise perfectly engineered to give you superb handling and very responsive driving experience.

While you wait for these extraordinary vehicles to go on sale by the first quarter of 2006, you can upgrade your old GMC SUV’s performance and style. By doing so you get a more satisfying ride with your old driving buddy while you increase its resale value. You can find OEM-quality GMC parts at Auto Parts Fast [http://www.fastbodyparts.com/]. Featured in this auto parts store are thousands of GMC lights, GMC alternators, GMC wheels, GMC mirrors and so much more.

Check out the Auto Parts Fast’s other auto parts including the best quality Ford parts, Chevy parts, Jeep parts, Honda Parts and Toyota parts.

About The Author

Stacey Wilson

As a former news correspondent for an auto-related website, Stacey has gathered extensive knowledge and experience in the automotive industry. This 34 year old mother of two from Memphis is a genuine car lover.

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