Auto Parts Magazine 

Famous Cars on TV

ForbesAutos.com compiled a list of vehicles from trusted online sources like epguides.com, TV.com and the Internet Movie Database to come up with the top 10 vehicles which appeared on TV shows. They ranked the vehicles according to the show's longevity, by counting the number of episodes broadcasted by various TV stations.

1. Ferrari 308 GTS
TV Show: Magnum P.I.
Cast: Tom Selleck, John Hillerman
Number Of Episodes: 162
Years It Aired: 1980-1988

2. The General Lee (1969 Dodge Charger)
TV Show: The Dukes of Hazzard
Cast: Tom Wopat, John Schneider, Catherine Bach
Number Of Episodes: 147
Years It Aired: 1979 to 1985

3. The Batmobile (1955 Lincoln Futura concept car)
TV Show: Batman
The Cast: Adam West, Burt Ward
Number Of Episodes: 120
Years It Aired: 1966 to 1968

4. Volvo P1800
TV Show: The Saint
Cast: Roger Moore, Ivor Dean
Number Of Episodes: 118
Years It Aired: 1962 to 1969

5. Ferrari Daytona Spyder/Ferrari Testarossa
TV Show: Miami Vice
The Cast: Don Johnson, Phillip Michael Thomas
Number Of Episodes: 114
Years It Aired: 1984 to 1989

6. GMC G-Series van
TV e Show: The A-Team
Cast: George Peppard, Mr. T, Dirk Benedict, Dwight Schultz
Number Of Episodes: 98
Years It Aired: 1983 to 1987

7. Ford Gran Torino
TV Show: Starsky & Hutch
Cast: David Soul, Paul Michael Glaser
Number Of Episodes: 93
Years It Aired:

8. K.I.T.T. (Pontiac Trans Am)
TV Show: Knight Rider
Cast: David Hasselhoff, Edward Mulhare, Patricia MacPherson
Number Of Episodes: 90
Years It Aired: 1982 to 1986

9. The Munster Koach (1927 Ford T-frame)
TV Show: The Munsters
Cast: Fred Gwynne, Yvonne De Carlo, Al Lewis, Beverly Owen, Pat Priest, Butch Patrick
Number Of Episodes: 70
Years It Aired: 1964 to 1966

10. Black Beauty (1966 Chrysler Imperial)
TV Show: The Green Hornet
Cast: Van Williams, Bruce Lee
Number Of Episodes: 26
Years It Aired: 1966 to 1967

Anti-Theft Devices

The guys at the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) conduct evaluation and studies to determine what are the most common car models usually being stolen in different states in the U.S. They also evaluate the numbers of car theft.

To prevent car theft, NICB created a list of anti-theft car devices. They came up with the “layers” of protection of various devices to ensure your car’s safety from thieves. Car manufacturers made these devices standard in all models or can be installed optionally.

See if you got one of these in your car.

Layer #1 – Common Sense
Ignition Keys
Door Locks/Closed Windows
Park in a Well-Lit Area

Layer #2 – Warning Devices
Audible Alarms
Steering Column Collars
Steering Wheel Locks
Steering Wheel/Brake Pedal Lock
Wheel Locks
Tire Locks/Tire Deflators
Theft Deterrent Decals
Identification markers in or on vehicle
Window Etching
Laminated Glass

Layer #3 – Immobilizing Devices
Smart Keys
Fuse cut-offs
Kill Switches
Starter, ignition and fuel disablers

Layer #4 – Tracking Devices

CHEVROLET Launches All-new and Affordable 2007 Aveo

After waiting for more than a year, Chevrolet has finally launched the all-new 2007 Chevrolet Aveo Sedan to the public through a webcast from Seldom Blues restaurant at General Motors’ Renaissance Center in Detroit.

The webcast also featured comments and remarks from Chevrolet officials. Ed Peper, Chevrolet General Manager said:

"Just as we no longer operate in a one-size-fits-all vehicle market, we are adapting our marketing strategies to reach our customers in the most effective way. The target audience for the Aveo sedan has grown up with the internet, and 75 percent of this audience spends at least two or more hours each day online. To reach this digital generation, we need to go where they are."

TOYOTA Withdraws its Membership from GPMA

The GPMA (Grand Prix Manufacturers Association), the group of car manufacturers that participate in Grand Prix motor racing, has lost one of their members when Panasonic Toyota Team withdrew its membership from the group with an immediate effect.

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The main reason why Toyota left the group is that they feel GPMA is more focused on
"Operational details rather than the long-term strategic outlook for the future technology of Formula One" said Toyota Chairman Tsutomu Tomita.

Meanwhile, the four remaining members of GPMA including BMW, DaimlerChrysler, Honda, and Renault, made their own responses to Toyota’s withdrawal from the group.

“The Grand Prix Manufacturers Association respects Toyota’s decision to leave
the GPMA and wishes to thank Toyota for the support and dedication it has
shown to the other manufacturers and the sport.” -BMW Grou

“During Toyota’s tenure, the GPMA has agreed a Memorandum of
Understanding with the sport’s commercial rights holder and made progress in
its discussions with the governing body.” –DaimlerChrysler

“The GPMA will continue its efforts to address the long term strategic issues of
Formula One, and the manufacturers and their teams remain dedicated to
establishing a satisfactory regulatory structure and finalizing a new Concorde
Agreement.”–Honda

“The GPMA already cooperates with car manufacturers who are not formal
members and Toyota will remain an intrinsic part of that process. Toyota will be
welcome to rejoin the manufacturers’ alliance at a later stage.” -Renault

Top 10 Ten Cars for the Family

Settling down and having a family is among the goals of most people.

That’s why cars.about.com compiled a list of ten family-friendly, safe and affordable vehicles for a growing family.

Check them out!

1) Chevrolet Cobalt
2) Honda Odyssey
3) Hyundai Sonata(pictured)
4) Kia Spectra/Spectra5
5) Mazda 3
6) Saab 9-2
7) Subaru Legacy wagon
8) Suzuki Forenza wagon
9) Volkswagen Jetta
10) Volvo V50

INTRODUCING: The Ford F-150 Harley-Davidson Edition

Ford Motor Company ha recently unveiled the 2007 F-150 Harley-Davidson edition pickup truck which Ford says was inspired by enthusiast events such as the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in South Dakota.

The 2007 F-150 Harley-Davidson edition features a monotone piano black exterior with a customized stripe running along the beltline. To match the glossy black exterior, the new 2007 F-150 is equipped with 22-inch polished aluminum alloy wheels. Other exterior features include chin spoilers, dark-tinted headlights, and taillights.

Ford designers also match the glossy black exterior with the interior features including black leather seats, instrument panel, center stack, and console.

Equipped with a 5.6-liter Triton V8 engine, the vehicle is able to produce 300 horsepower and 365 lbs.-feet amount of torque. Customers will have a choice between the all-wheel-drive and 4x2 versions.

Pricing for the new 2007 Ford F-150 is yet to be announced, but Ford said it would be available in the market in September.

Chrysler Group’s Newark Plant to launch ’07 Aspen Production

Chrysler Group has recently begun production of the all-new 2007 Chrysler Aspen at the company’s Newark Assembly Plant in Delaware, following a $180 million retooling and body shop renovation. Along with the 2007 Aspen, Chrysler will also be manufacturing another SUV in their assembly line, the Dodge Durango.

Chrysler said the launch of the Chrysler Aspen was completed within 24 months through the implementation of the company’s Flexible Manufacturing Strategy (FMS), which allows them to produce high quality vehicles faster at no cost.

The new 2007 Chrysler Aspen is equipped with two engine types that you could choose from: the Next Generation 4.7-liter Magnum V-8 engine or the 5.7-liter HEMI® Magnum V-8. Both engine types produce 335 BHP (250 kW). Compared to other full-sized SUV’s, the 2007 Chrysler Aspen is more fuel-efficient and easy to handle. The 2007 Aspen also features a wide interior passenger space and cargo room for additional storage.

HONDA soon to take on the air

Who says car companies ought to stick to the road?

Well certainly Honda has other plans -- like teaming up with Piper Aircraft to sell the lightweight HondaJet in the United States starting next fall.

The automaker has already reportedly begun the FAA certification process with the goal of completing the steps within three to four years. The HondaJet prototype was first unveiled at last year's Experimental Aviation Association event in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The small aircraft seats up to 7 and features an all-composite fuselage, an all-glass flight deck with a high-resolution digital flat avionics display and, according to Honda, "a higher cruise speed than conventional aircraft in its class."

Hyundai unveils updated Tiburon

In this age of revivals and tough competition, you have to know when not to tamper with a good thing.

Korean automaker Hyundai has unveiled an updated version of their popular coupe the Tiburon at the Guangzhou Motor Show. Known as the Coupe in many export markets, the Tiburon has carryover running gear and features a modest face-lift front and rear, but the car’s sheet metal remains largely the same.

Hyundai continues to offer a base model with DOHC 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine and a choice of 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission. The updated Tiburon comes with a 2.7-liter V6 and a 6-speed manual gearbox.

A full redesign will arrive by 2008-'09.

Fiat to revive Abarth line

Looks like it's the age of revivals. It seems that car long dead are now coming back to life.

The latest automaker to join the car revival craze is Fiat, which announced that it will relaunch its famed Abarth performance brand at the Paris Motor Show in September.

Autoweek reports that the move is part of a brand-building exercise ahead of the launch in January 2007 of Fiat's crucial new European C-segment hatchback, which goes by the internal code name 198. word is that the 198 will be badged the Bravo — another old Fiat name the carmaker is bringing back.

The Panda and the Punto are two current models that are expected to get the Abarth treatment.