Tires

Reuters report, General Motors has contracted a deal with Zastava automaker for the production of Opel vehicles. Production will transpire at Zastava?s complex in Kragujevac in central Serbia.

According to the source familiar with the agreement, "They will sign on Thursday. The production of the first Opel Astra vehicles is expected to start in 2008."

Another source familiar with the negotiation has also confirmed the deal. Last year the state-owned Zastava, exporter of Yugi cars to the United States was only able to produce 15,000 cars which is less than its annual capacity of 60,000 vehicles. Zastava also caters to Italy?s Fiat producing the Punto cars.

These Punto cars are marketed in Serbia and the rest of the neighboring Balkan countries under the brand ?Zastava 10?. Zastava was also given by Fiat the authority to distribute the cars on the Russian market.

Reuters has quoted a government source saying, "The deal with General Motors will enable Zastava to work with modern technology, raising its chances of fully benefiting in the coming privatization process."

Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Bozidar Djelic said that the Serbian automaker is aiming to produce around 10,000 vehicles by 2010. He also said, "This contract is good for Kragujevac and domestic car industry, because we thus join the trends of technology and business operation of the international automotive industry."

And the latest development on this issue is that the Serbian government has already approved the import of around 8,300 duty-free Opel Astra cars of which 3,300 are to be imported by the end of this year while the remaining 5,000 by 2008. These imported Opel Astra cars will cost 10,800 euros or $14,900 for the basic version which was previously sold at 12,800 euros or $17,700.

Opel Expands Antara Range
Speaking of Opel, it has recently announced the expansion of the engine range of its Antara Sports Utility Vehicle with a diesel version that will come equipped with a particulate filter and an Opel catalytic converter. The two liter motor produces 110kW/150hp and can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in a matter of 10.3 seconds.

The fuel consumption is at 7.5 liters per 100 kilometers while carbon dioxide emission level is at 198 grams per kilometer. The integrated Flex-Fix bicycle carrier is currently the optional offering for the Antara. This special feature can be pulled out just like a cupboard and can accommodate two bicycles. It is priced at 650 euros or $900.

You can normally purchase previously owned trucks at any local dealer. They are also available in any classified ads and related sites that allow someone to find and purchase a truck on the web.

Ordering a truck is already an important asset to most people. Whether if it is a brand new or previously owned truck, you still must pay up a neat amount in order to purchase the truck you really need.

Before ordering the truck, it is recommended to think about the kind of truck you want to purchase and the options that go along with it. You should do some web research and visit many dealerships. In this manner, you are able to find the best price and have a great transaction.

There are many reasons why most previously owned trucks are not pricey. First, previously owned trucks easily break down. Every year, trucks like this come down 20 % of its initial price that makes it simpler for the driver to purchase a previously owned truck.

The second reason is that it is somewhat difficult to purchase a truck and pay the whole sum available. By using the services of a financial organization like a bank, a driver can pay their loan through monthly bits. Unfortunately, some customers failed to keep that obligation which gives the financial organization no option but to reposes the truck.

For the bank to end collecting the several trucks that they have repossessed and add up to their lost cash, these trucks are made available to the public as soon as possible which makes it easier for a few people to purchase like new trucks and avoid being taken advantage of by some truck dealerships.

It is also better if you research the past of the truck. This is mostly available online. All you need to do is type the truck identification number or VIN. This should help you confirm the repairs the truck has required, if the truck was stolen and know the former owner of the truck.

Usually, trucks have a service history. The orderer should ask for the seller to present it and if it is not available, inquire about the place where the majority of the work was done. In this way, you may know if the inexpensive previously owned truck you bought is still good to use.

Bear in mind to test drive the truck on the road in differing situations and let it be seen by a reputable and highly though of auto mechanic to be sure that the truck you will purchase is street ready.

Finally, you should inquire about the warranty. If there are things not included under it, it is nice to purchase a service plan to be secure. Inexpensive trucks specifically the previously owned trucks are merely a good option to those who can't afford to purchase new ones.

If required, be careful in selecting a truck model and a dealer. Do your homework. Make some comparisons. You hopefully realize it is worth all your work when you purchase the greatest inexpensive previously owned truck in your town.

However, don't just purchase trucks because it has a low price. Sometimes inexpensive trucks are recommended, but they can also be not safe especially if not inspected completely. So, if you have a dream to purchase for an inexpensive one, be sure to research its suitability.

Bear with me as I step back in time to formulate what I believe are three terrific American built performance cars: the Ford Mustang, the Dodge Challenger, and the Chevrolet Camaro. Currently, only the Mustang is in production with the Challenger coming back by 2009. GM hasn?t committed to building the Camaro just yet, but the company is likely to make a decision in favor of the car and its sibling, the Pontiac Firebird, by this summer. So, what is it about American performance cars that set them apart from the rest? In one word: muscle. Read on as I compare and contrast these three vehicles and share with you my feeble attempts to explain the culture behind the cars.

So, you think I forgot the Chevy Corvette and Dodge Viper when talking about performance cars? No, I did not. Both models are performance cars as well as race cars. On the other hand the Mustang, Challenger, and Camaro are mass produced performance cars with muscle. There is a difference in the way a typical race car handles, rides, and performs vs. a muscle car.

Typically, a muscle car was a coupe version of some of the larger cars that were pervasive on U.S. highways in the 1960s and 1970s. The Mustang and Camaro, however, were designed separately [although they both heavily borrowed parts from other models] and these ?pony? cars were a category all to themselves. For comparison?s sake, they join the Dodge Challenger, a performance version of Mopar cars of its time. All three were compared by critics of that time and all three will once again be compared in a few years when production has been ramped up.

Ford Mustang -? Step back in time with me to April 1964 to an era when America was heavily involved in the space race, Lyndon Johnson was president, and General Motors ruled autodom. Ford, for its part, had been nipping at GM?s heels for years, but the failed Edsels of the late 1950s had cost the company dearly. Still, it was the time of the New York World?s Fair and Ford used the fair and television technology to promote its newest offering, the Mustang. A 2+2 coupe borrowing parts from the Fairlane and Falcon, the 1964 ? model was the first one sold and is widely credited with being the best introduction of a new vehicle ever. With a V6 engine standard and V8 optional, the all new Mustang quickly broke sales records and has been a hot seller ever since. Indeed, with the introduction of the ?retro? look Mustang in 2005, the car once again has spawned interest in the muscle car segment as both DaimlerChrysler and General Motors craft competing models of their own.

Dodge Challenger -? After the success of earlier muscle cars including the Dodge Charger and Plymouth ?Cuda, the Dodge Challenger was launched as a 1970 model. The car borrowed heavily from the ?Cuda although the sheet metal was somewhat different and the wheelbase was stretched by a couple of inches. Because the muscle car era was in decline at the time of its introduction, the Challenger lasted only five model years before it was cancelled. The concept Challenger currently on display at many auto shows is based on the 1970 design and is the talk of message boards and blogs across the nation. Look for Hemi powered engines as being favored by many owners; the car is likely to share some technology with the current Magnum wagon and Charger sedan.

Chevrolet Camaro -- GM was asleep at the wheel when the Mustang came out. It took nearly three years before the company could respond and when it did the Camaro and Pontiac Firebird were the result. Although both cars sold well over the years, neither one could match the Mustang?s sales levels and by the time the last cars were sold in 2002, production dropped to a trickle. Still, the end of the Camaro after 35 years has stirred renewed interest in the name and thanks to the retro Mustang, the entire muscle car category is growing once again. Look for a 2010 Camaro to be the first Camaro since 2002; a ragtop version is also being considered.

So, just who can be expected to purchase a muscle car these days? People just like me: middle aged men who grew up with the original models. In addition, a whole new generation of younger drivers tired of the ?me too? look of so many of the compact cars out there. Muscle cars of today are so much different from earlier era cars as they incorporate the look of the originals while harnessing today?s technology. Thus, fuel savings will be decent without sacrificing performance: a true win-win situation.

No, I cannot wait to see a Mustang, Challenger, and Camaro lined up at a traffic light waiting for the light to turn green. A new muscle car era is upon us and for that I am very excited.