Business Drive

Volvo S80 Seden launched

The all new Volvo S80, which will be presented for the first time in Geneva in spring 2006, will also be launched during the year as a prestigious Executive model.

Unique details and a very rich content are indications of the ambition of Volvo Cars to reinforce its position in the prestige segment. The all new Volvo S80 is the most exclusive Volvo sedan model to date.

The Executive model represents a very competitive alternative for customers who value refined, Scandinavian elegance in combination with contemporary engineering - and who are looking for that little extra to enhance the experience.

They are car purchasers with strict demands for a sober design, sophisticated comfort and intelligently designed functions and details.

“It is our aim that the Executive customers will appreciate the extra thought,” says Karin Falk, President Special Vehicles at Volvo Cars. “We really have made an effort to strike the right balance between attractiveness and functionality in order to provide a high-class experience that satisfies the senses.”

The Executive badge is discreet indication that this is an S80 beyond the norm. Among the exterior details that give the all new Volvo S80 Executive a more exclusive character are the uniquely coloured grille and the chrome sections on the air intake and around the fog-lights.

Four of the seven alternative exterior colours are so-called pearl finishes with a very elegant Iustre the

 exclusive, turbine-like eighteen-inch Balius wheel is an option and adds yet another dimension to the feeling of exclusivity.

As an option, there is an advanced entertainment system for rear seat passengers (Rear Seat Entertainment - RSE). An integrated DVD player, 7-inch screens built into the head restraints, wireless headphones and a remote control are included in the system. An extra socket makes it possible to connect a further DVD player, a computer game or a video camera. The two 7-inch screens can be used independently of each other.

The engine range for the Executive model includes the powerful V8 engine as well as Volvo’s new six-cylinder in-line engine and the latest generation of D5 diesel engines.

A highly attractive range of powerful, energy-efficient engines. All are extremely compact and transversely mounted in the engine compartment for optimum safety and a spacious passenger compartment.

Consumer Reports’ rating says:

Toyota most reliable brand, Honda second

Japanese automakers again dominated Consumer Reports’ ratings of the best vehicles, claiming every spot on the closely watched “Top Picks” list for a second consecutive year.

Honda Motor Co. and Toyota Motor Corp. captured seven of the list’s 10 categories; only three American vehicles have been named top picks since 2000.

“The Japanese automakers, particularly Toyota, Honda and Subaru, tend to make well-rounded vehicles that score well in our tests,” said Rik Paul, automotive editor at Consumer Reports.

Consumer Reports’ annual auto issue, which goes on sale, includes its list of recommended models and is considered one of the most influential automotive reports.

While Japanese vehicles ranked highest in nearly every measure, Detroit automakers are making progress.

Seven domestic models rated among the best in customer satisfaction, up from four last year. And the Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln MKZ sedans, the Pontiac Vibe small car and the Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon SUVs were among the most reliable in their classes.

Of 54 models that earned a top recommendation, eight were built by a Detroit automaker or one of its foreign units.

And of the 84 vehicles that got a standard recommendation, 39 were built by a Detroit company. But all Honda models were recommended, along with most Toyotas.

Among Detroit automakers, Ford Motor Co. fared best, with the most recommended models. Overall, however, Detroit is still playing catch-up.

To qualify as a top pick, a vehicle must test favorably in a number of categories, including reliability, consumer satisfaction and crash test performance.

New vehicles named as top picks for 2007 include the subcompact Honda Fit, Toyota’s RAV4 small SUV, Infiniti’s G35 luxury sedan, Mazda’s MX-5 Miata convertible and Toyota’s Sienna minivan.

A 10-year reliability study showed that Japanese vehicles generally age more gracefully than their American and European counterparts.

On average, a 10-year-old Toyota will have fewer problems than a 4-year-old vehicle from Detroit automakers.

A 10-year reliability study showed that Japanese vehicles generally age more gracefully than their American and European counterparts.

On average, a 10-year-old Toyota will have fewer problems than a 4-year-old vehicle from Detroit automakers.

A hit or miss in Consumer Reports’ annual survey is extremely important to automakers, said Erich Merkle, the director of forecasting at IRN Inc., an automotive research and consulting firm based in Grand Rapids.

Courtesy. Detroit News

AMW hold blood donation campaigns

The 21st annual blood donation campaign of the Associated Motorways PLC was conducted at company head office Colombo 2 recently where 129 persons donated blood.

Deputy Chairman and Managing Director of Associated Motorways Thilak de Zoysa and other officials participated.

This blood donation was held to commemorate the death anniversary of former Chairman of the company late Chulaka de Zoysa. Employees of Lion Shipping Company who work on the same premises and some members of the public, employees of Associated Motorways workshops in Peliyagoda, Borella, Rajagiriya donated blood on the occasion.

A similar blood donation campaign has been organised at the company factory complex at Nagoda, Kalutara.

India may become Asian base for Hyundai “World Car”

Hyundai Motor Corp. is now proposing a world car project using India as a base, which may have DaimlerChrysler and Mitsubishi on board too. Suzuki Motor Corp. and General Motors Corp once mentioned India as an Asian production base for a much-touted small car project.

“Having already established a strong brand in the country, Hyundai could make India the production base for (its) world car,” said an official of Hyundai Motor India, a fully owned subsidiary of South Korea’s largest carmaker.

The project, however, is not without controversy. German-U.S. car giant DaimlerChrysler and Japanese group Mitsubishi have denied Hyundai’s claim that the three companies have reached agreement on developing the world car.

But Hyundai Motor Corp., the world’s ninth largest carmaker, maintains that it has reached an agreement with the other two for the project. Hyundai Motor says the three carmakers have agreed to jointly develop a new car with a 1.0-1.5 liter engine, based on a model being developed by Hyundai.

Hyundai Motor India already sells a 1-liter small car in the country, called Santro, which is a revised version of the Atoz small car in South Korea. “We have already established a strong presence in India with the Santro. PTI