TCR Auto Insurance Blog

Texans are known for lots of things – the hot weather, their love for ranches, and football. You can also add to the list their love for pickup trucks which is not very surprising. After all, pickup trucks are very useful in their everyday lives – from their home duties to work responsibilities. What makes pickup trucks unique among all vehicles is that this type is very flexible and could handle various duties.

And now, the Ford Motor Company is using this Texan love for pickup trucks and football to show off what the company has got to give. The company is actually planning on sponsoring awards that would be given to the Texas high school football player for the week. Indeed, this would be a good way to give back to its customers and at the same time advertise the products that the vehicle manufacturer has to offer. After all, Texas owns up to a huge share of customers who patronize Ford truck parts, accessories, and Ford pickup trucks.

David Mondragon is the general manager of the Ford Motor Company for the state of Texas. He reveals, “Nearly one out of every five F series trucks we build is sold in Texas. So it’s important for us to keep giving back to the community, as we have for more than 100 years.” And with the threat of other companies, like General Motors and Toyota, ready to offer the market with bigger, better, and more flexible pickup trucks, Ford would sure be keeping the loyalty of these Texan pickup truck lovers through this football awards sponsorship.

And using the high school football sponsorship in Texas would surely maintain the Ford logo and brand in the minds of many Texans. After all, football is very popular in the state. And Ford sponsoring the said awards would be an additional advertisement for the company.

In the news: The Chevrolet Camaro concept was one of the vehicles that received high praises during the 2006 American Auto show. And for this year, it is expected that the Camaro will once again reign. This time however, it’s going to be the Camaro convertible.

The Chevrolet Camaro convertible concept is to debut on the eve of the North American International Auto Show at GM Style which is an exclusive fashion-splashed event that combines celebrities, couture and automobiles. Chevrolet is optimistic with its new Camaro convertible and announced that they already made production plans for it. They further stated that if things will go smoothly with the production then the US auto market can expect it by 2009.

The Camaro convertible concept was derived from the original Camaro concept with little changes to make way for the convertible body style. In terms of exterior dimensions, the Camaro convertible and the original Camaro concept basically are the same L/W/H: 4,730/2,022/1,344 mm. Their only difference is the windshield since the convertible concept’s features a bright anodized finish and altered slightly to make room for the convertible top. The Camaro convertible concept is going to be equipped with a potent V-8 engine that powers the rear wheel via manual transmission. It will also feature a four-wheel independent suspension system and a four wheel disc brakes.

The convertible will also feature sophisticated Chevrolet Camaro accessories with some additional design details that include: tonneau cover, “Halo” headlamps, LED tailamps, rear spoiler with LED-lit CHMSL, racing-inspired fuel filler door, front-inlet hood scoop (inspired by the Corvette Z06), and a heritage-inspired rear fender grills. The Hugger Orange pearl tri-coat color of the Camaro convertible was more of a contemporary update of the classic hue offered in 1969.

The twin gunmetal gray sport stripes together with its classic color accentuate the Camaro’s heritage and help it in portraying a contemporary look. The Camaro convertible is equipped with 21 inch front wheels and 22 inch rear wheels that have a deep-dish, five spoke design with charcoal center sections with bright outer edges and an orange outline on the wheel edge.

According to Ed Welburn, GM Vice president, Global Design, “The best follow-up to last year’s award-winning Camaro concept is a Camaro convertible. The Camaro convertible concept instantly evokes an emotional response – it’s a vehicle that you want to make room for in your garage.”

Honda Motor Europe Ltd., the Japanese automaker’s European arm has recently stirred the crowd at the 2007 International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt, Germany with the display of Accord Tourer Concept. According to a Honda official press release, the premiere of the Accord Tourer Concept at IAA Frankfurt showcase the design characteristics of the all new Accord Tourer production model that is scheduled to hit the European market starting in 2008.

The Honda Accord Tourer Concept presented at IAA Frankfurt features a wider, lower, and sportier look compared to other Honda Accord models. The aggressive and sporty exterior styling of the Honda Accord Tourer Concept is complemented by the car’s comfortable and functional interior with spacious cabin. This offers a “strong degree of versatility and practicality,” according to the Japanese automaker.

At the heart of this new Honda concept comes a 2.0 or a 2.4-litre two i-VTEC petrol engine. Honda is also planning to include the newly developed 2.2-litre i-DTEC next-generation diesel engine in the powertrain lineup. All engines comply with the EURO 5 emissions standards. Other details of the Honda Accord Tourer Concept will be revealed at the upcoming 2008 Geneva Motor Show when the Japanese automaker unveils the production model for this concept. Probably standard Honda parts like Honda cornering light will be included in the production model.

Meanwhile, Honda Motor Europe Ltd. is also poised to present other production and concept models, as well as new powertrain systems at the IAA Frankfurt. First off is Small Hybrid Sports Concept that was developed at Honda R&D in Offenbach, Germany. This environmental friendly concept model features the advancement of hybrid technology combined with the aggressive driving characteristics of a sports car model. European car fans should expect this new concept to have these features like IMA petrol/electric hybrid powertrain system, two-door sports coupe design, short front and rear overhangs, accentuated arrow-like nose, one-piece glass roof, additional vertical window, good power to weight ratio, and 2,350 mm.

Also on the Honda stand is the Civic Hybrid 24H Race. This model will be on the “Sports” section at IAA Frankfurt and will join the Honda RA107 F1 race car. The Honda “Sports” stand will also feature the other high performance Honda vehicle models and will showcase the company’s heritage in motor sports. Other models include the 1967 RA300 race car, and the production models of the Honda Civic Type R and Honda S2000. In addition, Honda will also present the Repsol Honda RC212V 800 cc motorcycle that currently competes in MotoGP.