Archive For June 2019
Mazda's development and use of the rotary engine in the R100 and the RX Series increased the company's exports a great deal. The increase in exports was eventually followed by Mazda's expansion in other areas of the world. In 1968 Mazda started its formal operations in Canada. Two years after, Mazda began its operations in the American market and became very successful. As a result of its success in America, Mazda produced the Mazda Rotary Pickup, which was offered for North American buyers only. The success of Mazda in the American and world markets, brought about by the growing demands for the rotary engine, suffered a major setback in 1973 when the "oil crisis" occurred. Fortunately, the company did not fully abandon the production of vehicles equipped with piston-powered engines. These vehicles saved Mazda complete collapse. As a result, the 4-cylinder powered models, such as the Mazda Familia and the Mazda Capella series, became very important during those times.
Correct. Just like 80s driving video games--press away from you to down shift, pull towards you to upshift. I played a lot of Turbo and Pole Position, so it's pretty logical. Correct. Just like 80s driving video games--press away from you to down shift, pull towards you to upshift. I played a lot of Turbo and Pole Position, so it's pretty logical. Yes, I know Bimmers did the bump-shifter that way for years (I test-drove some of them). But I have not sampled the latest version of their joystick, in the last couple of years, so do I didn't know if they are still like that. That's why I didn't include it in the write-up. Mazda reps argue that it is done that way because racing cars with shift-levers have a similar pattern. For street vehicles, though, it is definitely against the norm. Correct. Just like 80s driving video games--press away from you to down shift, pull towards you to upshift.
The blame often goes to the brand itself, but rarely to the buyer. GM bought Saab and has lost money ever since. It may cost it much more to divest itself of the marque. BMW bought profitable MG Rover and quickly got it into red ink. It blamed MGR, calling it the English Patient and got rid of most of it in such a way to ensure its demise. The arrogance shown by BMW masked its incompetence in ruining a good company. Ford bought a few brands, calling them its PAG Group. Ford rarely made money on any of them and is now trying to get rid its last PAG brand Volvo. Now Tata has acquired two of those ex-Ford PAG brands (Jaguar & Land Rover) and everyone expected this to be another failed venture. It didn't help when the world's economy went into a tail spin just after the purchase. Yet while the world markets are still struggling, JLR has suddenly turned losses around and is starting to make money! Even Toyota can't do that presently. How has this happened? Well the Birmingham Post stated that "JLR posted a profit of 拢22 million for the September quarter compared with a loss of 拢49 million in the quarter before, thanks to slimmer operating costs". JLR for a strong set of results.
Photographers can now put away their long-lenses, and the speculation can end, A. Kahn Design has released a styling package for the Range Rover Vogue and autobiography models. And here are the first official pictures and details of the new A. Kahn Design 2011 Styling Systems for the RS450 4.4 Diesel and the RS 600 5.0 Supercharger Petrol. From exterior styling to performance and lifestyle accessories, the 2011 A. Kahn Design Range Rover exudes craftsmanship and performance enhancing features. These supreme products are what real motoring enthusiasts yearn for, as opposed to a plethora of superficial products currently flooding the market. 鈥淢any a great British institution is no longer in business because manufacturers, nowadays, simply do not invest appropriately in research and product development,鈥?said Afzal Kahn. 鈥淲hat they tend to do is develop decorative tail finishes and go for an artificial look, which in reality, is bling and customers end up with something which I can only describe as sub-standard, cheap and decorative. This is detrimental to the car in terms of performance and product enhancement.
