Bahrain students design black box for cars

A Black box for cars - containing basic information about its motion, function and features - similar to those found in airplanes, has been invented by two Bahraini students.

Bahrain University College of Infor-mation Tech-nology students Fatima Al Ansari and Latifa Jamal came up with the device aimed at providing vital information to crash investigators.

However, the equipment also has a built-in GPS system. 'We depended on our practical experience and created a special programme to design the device, which is a first in the country,' said Jamal.

'Over time, we plan to perfect it and add more features,' she added.-

Qatar to create millions job to its citizens by setting up car plant in the country

A newly launched automotive investment firm in Qatar has announced plans to set up an automotive cluster in the Gulf state by 2020, the Peninsula has reported.

The new company, Qatar Automotive Gateway (Qatar Ag), expects its automotive cluster has chosen a number of automotive sub-segments to develop including the design and manufacture of Lithium Ion batteries and components and automotive aluminium components - die castings, forgings, and extrusions.

Qatar Automotive Gateway (Qatar Ag), a newly launched automotive investment company, targets the establishment of an automotive cluster in Qatar by 2020, officials said during the company’s launch yesterday.

“Qatar Ag’s objective is to establish a fully operational automotive cluster by 2020, while leveraging Qatar’s resources and financial and operational synergies across Qatar projects,” said Ghanim bin Saad Al Saad, Chairman, Qatar Ag.

The automotive cluster is expected to generate thousands of technical and management jobs in Qatar, thus supporting the knowledge based economic vision of Qatar which will deliver high returns for future generations, according to Ahmed M Sorour, Chief Executive Office, Qatar Ag.

Al Saad said Qatar is an ideal and competitive location for the industry with its fast growing infrastructure, low energy costs, financial investments and attractive business environment and that Qatar Ag has started executing its strategy having already chosen a number of automotive sub-segments to develop.

“One of the opportunity areas is in the design and manufacture of Lithium Ion batteries and components. As the demand for electric and hybrid vehicles ramps up, and xEVs become a standard product offering, it is expected to create a new value chain worth approximately $250bn by 2020, of which more than $65bn will be for Lithium Ion batteries and components, grow from today’s demand at a dramatic 65 percent growth rate,” explained Sorour.

Another area is automotive Aluminium components – die castings, forgings, and extrusions –where the global market is expected to grow significantly from $38bn in 2010 to $73bn by 2020.

Due to the increasing use of Aluminium components experts see a significant shortage of global capacity by 2016, creating an opportunity for Qatar Ag to produce hi-quality automotive aluminium components while leveraging Qatalum’s significant aluminium capacity and capabilities.

“We took the initiative to start Qatar Ag after two years of research and analysis, during which we sought inputs from executives from the global auto industry, industrial companies in Qatar, and global financial, industry, and technical experts. We confirmed that the auto industry offers multiple industrial investment opportunities, including the manufacture of components in Qatar,” said Al Saad.

The vast opportunities in the automotive industry is being driven by its dramatic shift and restructuring globally such as on the technical side where hybrid and electric vehicles are now being adopted for their fuel efficiency and environment friendliness opening up a huge market for vehicle components such as Lithium-Ion batteries.

Iran to create million jobs to its citizens by mass production of powertrains locally

Iran Khodro Company (IKCO) has taken a step closer to total self-sufficiency in its vehicle production after acquiring the technology to produce its own powertrains. The company has acquired cylinder block and cylinder head machining equipment, which will enable it to produce powertrains for 680,000 vehicles by the end of the current Iranian calendar year (March 21 2010). In the next full year, IKCO aims to supply 800,000 powertrains.

The new equipment will also enable IKCO to diversify its powertrains. According to IKCO's Powertrains deputy CEO, Ali Sheikhzadeh, the carmaker is now in a position to move into supplying diesel engines for passenger cars, which will enter mass production in 2011. He added that the new equipment will 'put an end to Iran's dependency on foreign companies'.

IKCO has a partnership with French company PSA Peugeot Citroën , through which it assembles vehicles under licence. It also based its Saman 'national car' on the Peugeot 405 platform. However, as the threat of further international sanctions against Iran loom, the carmaker is seeking to reduce its dependence on other companies, particularly from overseas, for vital parts and components.

What Should You Look Out For When Getting Cheap Auto Insurance?

When shopping for auto insurance, it is important that you seek out the best deals for your money. Many are under the impression that car insurance rates are determined by the overall quality of the automobile insurance that is provided.

However, there are many companies out there that offer cheap auto insurance and offer quality benefits, and services. Here, you will be introduced to a few things that you should look out for when it comes to getting cheap auto insurance. Whether you are shopping for rates that will cover a used vehicle, or a new one, these helpful techniques will assist you in your endeavor.

One of the very first things that you should do when searching for the cheapest auto insurance rates is to make a personal commitment to shop and compare. It is important to not just compare the prices of the coverage that is offered by various insurance companies. It is equally important to compare the services and the benefits that are associated with the coverage itself. Many times, you may find that a higher costing insurance coverage may not offer as many benefits to you as a low costing insurance can, or vice versa. However, if you take the time to shop and compare every aspect of the coverage, you are sure to find out some things that catch your interest.

The next thing that you should look out for when it comes to shopping for car insurance is discounts. Yes, many car insurance companies advertise discounts for safe drivers, and similar discounts but did you know that many companies have discounts available that they do not advertise? When calling about your potentially new policy in car insurance, you should ask about discounts, like:

• For keeping your car in a locked yard

• Keeping your vehicle in a garage

• Safe driving discounts

• Driving course discounts

• Discounts for military personnel

• Senior Citizen discounts

• And, similar discounts!

You will probably discover that you qualify for more discounts than you ever imagined. However, you must understand that most auto insurance companies will not advertise these discounts. It is important that you inquire about these when you call to establish your rates for coverage with that particular company.

There are many features that can add additional discounts to your auto insurance policy. When inquiring about and seeking out cheap insurance plans, you should research these features to determine if any of them qualify you for additional discounts. You will be surprised to find that items such as certain brake systems, and airbags can prove to be beneficial when it comes to lowering the cost of your insurance.

In conclusion, there are many different things that you should look for when it comes to your car insurance. The items mentioned throughout this guide can lead you to save hundreds on your car insurance each year. If you are looking to obtain cheap car insurance, you must know and understand the basics behind the prices that are charged for car insurance.

What to Look for in an Auto Insurance Company

Choosing an auto insurance company is a decision that can either save you, or cost you, several hundred dollars per year. You would think that finding a car insurance company would not be too difficult.

After all how different can they be? It turns out they can be very different as many drivers would be happy to attest.

The automobile insurance company you choose should have competitive rates, responsive customer service, and an efficient claims process. Finding this information is easier than it has ever been due to the wealth of information that exists on the Internet.

Finding this information online can be done by most people fairly easily. It is easy enough to find the price for auto insurance from each company by visiting an automobile quote web site. The prices will be displayed in a few minutes after answering a few questions.

The level of customer service is also easy enough to gauge just by making a few simple phone calls. By calling a prospective auto insurance claims department you will get a good feel for how the company does business. Feel free to ask them any questions you may have. After speaking to each company you will have a very good idea on what you can expect from the company after you purchase a policy.

The last piece of information can be a little bit harder to find, but it is definitely out there and worth finding. The claims process is the hardest thing most people will do with their insurance company. If the process goes smoothly and the car is repaired quickly you will be very satisfied, but if there is a problem it will sour your experience with the auto insurance company that you do business with.

As you can see shopping for auto insurance can be a difficult process. By using the above mentioned tips you will save the most money and have the most peace of mind after purchasing your auto insurance policy.

Lincoln Continental to return? Depends on who you ask…

There’s some word that Ford is seriously considering resurrecting the Continental name. The internets are buzzing with both confirmation and denial of the rumor depending on where you look. Over at Automotive News, a report suggests that dealers have been told that the Conti will resurface as part of an upcomingLincoln renaissance that includes the introduction of up to seven new or significantly reworked models in short order. Those dealers have supposedly been shown a handful of concept-level renderings of what the new models will look like.

Meanwhile, Motor Authority is reporting that Ford is trying to silence any speculation that the big Continental will return to the Lincoln stable. The site quotes Lincoln spokesman Christian Bokich as saying that of the seven new models headed to the showroom soon, none of them are a new take on the Continental.

That would seem to make sense for a number of reasons. With Lincoln fully embracing a terribly confusing alphabetic naming system, a nameplate like Continental would stick out in a big way (though perhaps Ford is reconsidering this nomenclature strategy). Throw in the fact that the MKS is currently tucked into the slot that the Continental traditionally held, and there’s less and less room for resurrecting the nameplate.

So what does Lincoln have planned for the near future? The crew over at Pickuptrucks.com seems to think that the brand is going to take another swing at a luxury pickup, even though the Blackwood and Mark LTmodels before it have failed to move the sales needle. Of course, all of this is just well-intentioned speculation at this point. Chances are that with today’s dealer meeting proceedings underway, Lincoln won’t be able to keep its real plans under its hat for long.

GEC: First UAE made car in production

For the first time a 150-horsepower, double cabin pick-up, produced in the UAE, has been launched in the market by Gulf Automobile Industry Corp priced between Dh36, 000 and Dh60, 000, reported Gulf News. The automobile has about 40 per cent local component, sourced from GCC and Arab countries and is being manufactured in a factory in Abu Dhabi.