General Motors Inc. goes on overdrive at the 2006 Geneva Auto Show with seven World and European premieres. One of the most anticipated attractions in GM’s Geneva exhibit would be the futuristic Saab Aero X Sport-Coupe concept. The Aero-X is purely a design concept but it has already generated considerable buzz with its style and design which is said to be inspired by the Sonett, as well as Saab’s origins in aviation. The Aero X is meant to give focus to Saab’s future design direction. Saab is one of GM’s brands in Europe including Chevrolet, Opel and Vauxhall.

Meanwhile, two vehicles from Chevrolet will be introduced at the show: the Epica and the Captiva. The Epica is Chevy Europe’s newest midsize car and the first with a six-cylinder engine, featuring sporty and stylish contours. Meanwhile, the Captiva is the first all-new product to be designed and developed by Chevrolet for the European market. This is the latest SUV in Chevy’s lineup offering not just good lucks but practicality as well. We wonder if these new models will also be introduced into the American market.

Other world premieres in the GM exhibit include the Opel GT, a convertible sports car offering excellent dynamics and plenty of open-air driving fun. The Opel GT is dubbed as the European equivalent of the highly popular Solstice. General Motors will also unveil three new European premiers including the new Cadillac Escalade, the two-mode hybrid Chevrolet Tahoe, and the 310-hp Saab 9-5 Aero BioPower Concept which can run on E85 (bio-ethanol) fuel. All in all, there will be 13 new model variants on display this year representing six GM models.

“This impressive product initiative clearly shows that our powers of innovation are not affected by current economic challenges. On the contrary, intensive global development cooperation within GM is yielding more and more tangible results. Our position in Europe is stronger than it has been for a long time” says, Carl-Peter Foster, president of GM Europe.

Have you always been amazed by how Ferrari drivers in Formula One races would drive and maneuver on the race track? Well, be amazed no longer for you might just learn their techniques when you enroll in the Ferrari Driving School. And you won’t even have to go to Italy to learn so much, because on May this year, the Ferrari driving school is coming to North America. And where exactly in North America? At the Mt. Tremblant race track in Quebec, Canada.

The Mt. Tremblant Ferrari Driving School would be the first Ferrari-backed driving school outside Italy. Its opening in May is expected to take some pressure off the original school in Italy, which have been accepting a lot of enrollees for 13 years now. On the part of the driving school participants from the U.S., they won’t have to fly all the way to Italy just to learn how to drive their vehicles properly. And while traveling all the way to Quebec, Canada may not be their definition of a short trip, at least they won’t have to travel off to another continent.

Here’s a hitch, though: the Ferrari Driving School is not for everybody! Yes, you’ve read that right. And what are the requirements for you to be able to enroll at the driving school? First, you must be a Ferrari owner, or at least a “serious prospect” for the company. Then, you must be willing to spend $8,200 for the training, and that won’t include your plane ticket to and fro Mt. Tremblant. If you can’t satisfy the two requirements, too sad for you because you won’t be able to enroll at the driving school.

The Ferrari Driving School in Mt. Tremblant, Quebec, Canada will begin having 2½ day driving classes beginning May this year, which will run up until the month of October. The driving course would be divided into 20% of class theories and 80% hands-on driving. Participants would be able to drive 1 of 12 factory-owned Ferrari F430 coupes at the open track of Mt. Tremblant for the entire duration of the course. For registration and more information, you may visit the Ferrari Driving School’s website

Is America ready for Europe’s ‘little’ Smart car? DaimlerChrysler, makers of the Smart car, thinks so, according to German newspaper Handelsblatt. The German-US automaker is considering launching the Smart car in America and is currently in the process of studying the market as well as assessing the brand’s chance of success in the US. Dieter Zetsche, DaimlerChrysler head said that, “Right now it’s more probable that we’ll make a decision in favor of the U.S.A. rather than against it,”

Ever since it was introduced in 1998, the tiny Smart cars have had considerable success in Europe, where its cute looks and excellent mileage are well-received. However, this 60-mpg, two-seater car, has yet to break in to the American automotive market, long known as the bastion of big and brawny SUVs and Pickups. Prospects might look rosier for the Smart car this time with the increased awareness for hybrid cars and fuel economy as well as the success of other small cars such as the highly popular MINI Cooper.

As yet, Smart USA is planning to offer a smart SUV called the formore, anytime this year. Importers are anticipating various obstacles for the Smart car’s entry into the US including changing the perception of American buyers about the safety of these “tiny” cars. Smart claims that the car is indeed very safe; owing to its high-strength beams that reinforce key areas much like a walnut’s shell protects the nut as well as other key safety features. Smart cars might come at a price range of $12,000 for the cheapest model to $20,000 for a convertible with additional features.

Three days to go before the Palexpo convention center opens its doors once again for the international automotive community. The 2006 Geneva Salon International de l’Auto or Geneva Motor Show is all set to open on March 2 and run until March 12. This is the 76th annual motor show held in Geneva and is one of the most important international auto shows held in Europe.

This year, we expect to see some exciting new models, especially from European auto makers such as BMW, Audi, Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Mercedes-Benz, Opel, Porsche, Renault, and Volvo, as well as other international brands such as Honda, Hyundai, Mazda, Toyota, Suzuki and Kia. Notable new models slated for a Geneva debut include the Chevrolet Captiva and Epica. New versions of the Jaguar S-Type and the Audi A5 Cabriolet will also be introduced.

Concept vehicles to watch out for include the Dodge Hornet concept, the futuristic Nissan Terranaut, Toyota’s Urban Cruiser and Fine-T concepts, the Kia Cee’d and many more. The auto show will also showcase advanced technology with companies exhibiting new technologies that will improve the driving experience such as holographic brake lights, voice controlled music systems and Web-based diagnostic services. We will feature these hot, new advancements as the auto show progresses.

Are you longing to drive a hybrid vehicle but only have enough cash for a $12,000 car? Well, your wish may no longer be light years away! Nihon Keizai Shimbun, a Japanese business daily, revealed last Wednesday the plans of Honda Motor Co. to develop a hybrid version of the Honda Fit. According to the report, the Honda Fit hybrid would start selling as early as 2007. Honda executives, however, declined to confirm the report.

The Honda Fit is a new entry-level compact car that the Japanese auto manufacturing company has recently introduced in the 2006 North American International Auto Show. The vehicle is actually a North American version of the Honda Jazz, a best-selling vehicle model being sold by the company in most of their Asian and European markets. When the vehicle goes on sale this year, it will be equipped with a standard 109-hp, 1.5-liter VTEC four-cylinder engine mated with either a five-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmission.

Now, based on the hybrid versions of the Honda Civic and Accord, Honda adds a premium of about 300, 000 yen ($2,525) for its hybrid vehicles. By using a smaller motor and battery, however, Nihon Keizai reported that the premium for the Fit will be reduced to about 200,000 yen ($1,600). This means that the new Honda Fit hybrid, if sold, would only sell around $11,790*! Well that’s definitely a lot more affordable than the hybrids being sold today!

At a price below $12,000 and with a fuel economy of some 50 mpg, the envisioned Honda Fit hybrid would definitely be a true value car. But just as Honda still won’t verify the reports, we can do nothing but wait and hope that the Japanese auto manufacturer would eventually confirm the said new… or wait for the vehicle to be introduced in next year’s major auto shows.

*Price estimate based on the cost of Honda Fit (or Jazz) in Japan. North American prices are expected to be a higher.

The race is on for the World Car of the Year award for 2006. The initial entry list of twenty seven qualified vehicles from all over the world has already been narrowed down to ten finalists.

The 2006 World Car of the Year finalists were chosen by a jury of forty six international automotive journalists from Asia, Europe, North America and other parts of the world, based on their respective experiences with the vehicle entrants.

The jury will reevaluate the top ten finalists for the final voting in March. The criteria for rating each vehicle include the vehicle’s overall merit, value, safety, environment responsibility, emotional appeal and significance. The top three finalists will be announced in April 1, 2006. The 2006 World Car of the Year will be declared on April 13, 2006 at the New York International Auto Show. Aside from the World Car of the Year, other awards categories include World Performance Car, World Green Car, and World Car Design of the Year. Finalists for these awards will also be announced by March.

The Top Ten finalists for the 2006 World Car of the Year are:

1. BMW 3-Series
2. Honda Civic / Civic Hybrid
3. Land Rover Range Rover Sport
4. Lexus IS
5. Mazda MX-5
6. Mercedes-Benz M-Class
7. Mercedes-Benz S-Class
8. Porsche Cayman S
9. Suzuki Swift
10. Volkswagen Passat

The Audi A6 was the recipient of the award in 2005. The World Car of the Year program is initiated, organized and conducted by automotive journalists from all over the world and is intended to complement, not to compete, with existing national and regional car of the year awards.

In 1999, Ford began improving the compatibility of its large vehicles such as SUVs in collisions with cars by introducing an innovation called the BlockerBeam. This is Ford’s unique frontal enhanced underride crash protection system. The BlockerBeam is designed to make contact with the frame rails, in the event of a frontal collision with a car, and prevents the car from sliding under the higher-riding front bumper of the Ford vehicle. Upon impact, the L-shaped brackets bend to disperse the force of the crash. This reduces further intrusion into the passenger compartment of the car as well as reduces the risk of serious injury to the car’s passengers.

This invention proved to be successful in reducing the number of fatalities in front and side impact collisions between cars and SUVS or Pickups. Lowering the ride height of an SUV or pickup also reduced the passenger-car driver deaths in similar accidents. This was the result of the study conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Meanwhile, in an effort to further reduce fatalities in collisions between SUVs/Pickups and cars, Ford pledged along with other automakers to lower their SUVs and full-size pickup trucks or install energy-absorbing beams underneath the front and rear bumpers of the vehicle.

But Ford already made headway into this safety measure by introducing the BlockerBeam underride protection system in the Excursion model. The Ford BlockerBeam is basically a hollow cross member hat is attached to the frame 2.5 inches underneath the bumpers and 6.5 inches behind the conventional front bumper. The system allows the large Ford vehicle and a car to share the energy during a collision, instead of the smaller car absorbing the most of the crash energy.

The BlockerBeam is currently available in the Ford F-250 and the Ford F-350 Super Duty models as well as the Volvo XC90 and the Land Rover Range Rover and LR3. Meanwhile, Ford chose to lower the frame rails and improve compatibility with cars on other SUVs and pickups such as the Ford Expedition, Explorer, Freestar, F-150, Mercury Mountaineer, Mercury Monterey, Lincoln Navigator, Lincoln Mark LT, and the Volvo XC70.

Consumers have chosen the best of the best among the vehicles and exhibits at the 2006 Chicago Auto Show. Voters honored the favorites in five categories for this year’s auto show. The Ford Shelby GT 500, the high-performance Shelby version of the new generation Mustang, drove away with the Best All-New Production Vehicle award garnering over 42 percent of the vote. The car was the clear winner in the field with the Porsche Cayman S and the Dodge Caliber SRT4 a far second and third respectively.

Meanwhile, the Dodge Challenger concept, still fresh from a critical success at the Detroit Auto show last month, snatched the Best Concept Vehicle Award with a 35 percent share of the votes. It bested the other hot new concept, the Chevrolet Camaro by only 3% of the votes as well as the Dodge Rampage concept. However, the Rampage concept was adjudged as the Best Chicago Auto Show World Introduction.

The Jeep display, complete with a waterfall and a test track was honored as the year’s best exhibit with over 32 percent of the vote besting other spectacular displays from Ford and Dodge, Finally, the Chevrolet Camaro continued to draw raves as it was announced as the winner in the “Vehicle I most want to see in my driveway” category.

This is the first Best of Show balloting held at the Chicago Auto Show. “This show is renowned for its consumer impact and it focuses on the buying public, who express their opinions with their dollars at dealership showrooms. Best of Show voting gives consumer another method to express their opinions on the direction in which our industry is going.”, said Arthur Kelly, 2006 Chicago Auto show Chairman.

Honda has once again reaffirmed its supremacy in the area of fuel economy and low fuel emissions by claiming 4 of 12 spots in the “Greenest Vehicles of 2006” list of the American Council for Energy Efficient Economy or ACEE. The Honda Insight and the Honda civic GX were at the first and second spot respectively. The Honda Civic and Civic Hybrid also made it to the top twelve greenest vehicles of this year. This is the sixth consecutive year that a Honda vehicle has received the number one rank ACEEE’s study. Other vehicles that made it to this elite list include:

1. Honda Insight (gasoline electric hybrid)
2. Honda Civic GX (natural gas)
3. Toyota Prius (gasoline electric hybrid)
4. Honda Civic Hybrid (gasoline electric hybrid)
5. Toyota Corolla (gasoline)
6. Hyundai Accent (gasoline)
7. Kia Rio/Rio 5 (gasoline)
8. Honda Civic (gasoline)
9. Mazda 3 (gasoline)
10. Pontiac Vibe/Toyota Matrix (gasoline)
11. Chevrolet Cobalt
12. Saturn Ion

ACEEE analyzed and ranked all cars and passenger trucks for the model year 2006 according to fuel economy, health-related pollution impacts, global warming emissions, and estimated fuel expenses. Each car gets a “Green Score” which ACEEE uses in its ranking of each vehicle’s total environmental performance. The top twelve are the greenest vehicles of the year while the bottom twelve are the year’s meanest. Some of the meanest vehicles cited were the Dodge Ram SRT10 pickup, Lamborghini Murcielago, Bentley Arnage, Dodge Durango, and Dodge Ram 1500 pickup.

Honda is already widely recognized for its leadership in environmentally-friendly vehicle technologies. This year’s top greenest vehicle, the Insight, was the first hybrid vehicle introduced in America. Meanwhile, the Civic GX is known as the cleanest-running internal-combustion-engine vehicle ever tested by the EPA” ever since it first drove into the market in 1998.

“This ACEEE acknowledgement speaks directly to the commitment Honda has made to lead the industry in lowering emissions and increasing fuel economy. Combined with our ‘Safety for Everyone’ initiative, Honda continues to set the standard for socially and environmentally-responsible automotive products”, said John Mendel, senior vice president of American Honda Motor Co.

Mechatronics - those who come across the term for the first time are oblivious to what it is all about but are actually already using the products of this technology in their everyday lives. Mechatronics has made hybrid and hydrogen fuel-cell technologies possible. The technology has also developed complex fuel injection systems, sensing devices, and performance communication. Innovations in vehicle infotainment such as navigation systems and audio-visual entertainment are products of mechatronics. And as consumers’ demand for better performance, personalization and application, new innovations on all aspect of the automobile will emerge – thanks to mechatronics.

What is Mechatronics? It is the meeting point of four fields of technology: mechanics, electronics, computers and controls. Mechatronics synergizes the latest techniques in these four fields in an interactive way to improve functionality, flexibility and control. It is not a new technology; in fact it has been around for several years. The term was coined by engineers at Yaskawa Electric Co of Japan 35 years ago to refer to computer controlled electric motor to make mechanical devices smarter. As the years pass, it has slowly made progress especially in vehicle design and applied technologies.

Mechatronics is changing the automotive industry. Mechatronics applications have introduced vast improvements in the actual cars and its components, as well as the equipments needed to build, diagnose and repair them. The application of this technology have made auto mechanisms ‘smarter’ because of enhanced efficiency, control, speed, and system interaction. The many innovations found in vehicles today such as navigation systems, telematics, sensing devices, audio-visual entertainment systems are the outcome of advancements in computer miniaturization, design, makeup and memory.

Because of these new developments in automotive applications and technologies, the aftermarket industry, especially the suppliers of parts, service, entertainment and communication systems, will experience a dramatic change. To remain competitive in the industry, those in the aftermarket must be able to catch up with the latest technology and have a balanced background on mechatronics. As cars become more mechatronic in nature, the aftermarket needs to keep pace.