Top Gear Live 1: 2012

05 April 2012

Top Safety Vehicles for 2012

Top Safety Vehicles for 2012

The list of winners of the 2012 Top Safety Pick award for vehicles with the highest levels of crash protection is longer than ever this year.

2012 Honda Accord on the crushing device to test roof strength for rollover protection: In the Institute's roof strength test, a metal plate is pushed against 1 side of a roof at a constant speed. To earn a good rating, the roof must withstand a force of 4 times the vehicle's weight before reaching 5 inches of crush. (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety)

On Thursday, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, a nonprofit financed by the insurance industry, released its 2012 list of vehicles with the best crash test ratings, and some in nearly every size category evaluated earned accolades.

The award recognizes vehicles that do the best job protecting people in all four of the most common kinds of crashes. According to the institute, automakers strengthened roofs to meet the rollover performance requirement it added in 2010.

“For the second year running a record number of models qualify,” Adrian Lund, the institute’s president said in a statement. “It’s tough to win, and we commend auto manufacturers for making safety a top priority.”

This year, 115 vehicles made the list: 69 cars, 38 SUVs, 5 minivans, and 3 pickups.

Every major automaker had at least one winner, as was the case last year. Subaru, the institute noted, remained the only manufacturer that earned awards for every model it built in 2012, for a total of five awards.

Toyota had the most vehicles of any automaker, earning top ratings for 15 models, including Lexus and Scion. The Camry made the list for the first time since Toyota redesigned the 2012 model’s seat/head restraint design for rear impact protection. General Motors has 14 models on the list, followed by Volkswagen/Audi with 13. Ford/Lincoln and Honda/Acura each earned 12 awards.

Ten of the 18 new vehicles added to the list for 2012 are Honda/Acura models, including the midsize Accord sedan.

“Honda/Acura deserves credit for most-improved status,” said Lund. “The automaker buckled down and upgraded roofs on 10 models that missed winning last year because of rollover protection. Now, the automaker has winners in the minicar, small car, midsize car, small SUV, midsize SUV, minivan, and large pickup categories.”

The institute said that vehicles that received good ratings for rollover protection had roofs more than twice as strong as required by the current federal standard, and estimated that such roofs reduced the risk of serious and fatal injury in single-vehicle rollovers by about 50 percent compared with roofs that met the minimum requirement. A new federal standard for roof strength will phase in beginning with 2013 models, according to the institute.

There are also more green choices this year

Fifteen winners are hybrids, including the Toyota Prius v. The plug-in electric Chevrolet Volt and Nissan Leaf, winners in 2011, are also on this year’s list.

http://www.forbes.com/

Automotive industry in Italy

Automotive industry in Italy

The Automotive industry in Italy is a quite large employer in the country, with a labour force of over 196,000 (2004) working in the industry. Italy is the 5th largest automobile producer in Europe (2006). Today the Italian automotive industry is almost totally dominated by Fiat Group, in 2001 over 90% of vehicles were produced by it. As well as its own, predominantly mass market model range, Fiat also owns the upmarket Alfa Romeo and Lancia brands as well as the exotic Lamborghini and Maserati. Over the years it has also been involved in numerous enterprises outside Italy, many of which have involved the production of Fiat based models, including Lada in Russia, Yugo in the former Yugoslavia, FSO in Poland and SEAT (now part of Volkswagen) in Spain.
Italian automotive part industry covered over 2,131 firms and employed almost 250,000 people in 2006. Italy's automotive industry is best known of its automobile designs and small city cars, sports and supercars. The automotive industry makes a significant contribution of 8.5% to Italian GDP.

History

Beginnings

The automobile industry in Italy started a little bit later than in France. The Stefanini-Martina of 1896 is thought of as the inaugural vehicle of the industry. However, Enrico Bernardi had built a petrol fueled tri-cycle car in 1884. Fiat SpA was founded in 1899 and built its first car in same year, the 3½HP (or 4HP), with a 679 cc engine. It was capable of 35 km/h (22 mph). Isotta Fraschini was founded in 1900, at first assembling Renault model automobiles.
The automobile industry grew quickly and soon many companies were founded, including Zust, Lancia, Aquila Italiana, Diatto, Itala, SPA and Società Anonima Italiana Darracq.

Production figures

Year																				1										2										3										4										5										6										7										8										9										10										11										12										13										14										15										16										17										18										19
Italian motor vehicle production 1997-2006
(100,000 units)
1997																																																																																				1827592
1998																																																																																				1692737
1999																																																																																				1704326
2000																																																																																				1741478
2001																																																																																				1581908
2002																																																																																				1429678
2003																																																																																				1324481
2004																																																																																				1145181
2005																																																																																				1038352
2006																																																																																				1211594

Year																				1										2										3										4										5										6										7										8										9										10										11										12										13										14										15										16										17										18										19
Italian motor vehicle production 1961-1996
(100,000 units)
1961																																																																																				759000
1971																																																																																				181700
1981																																																																																				143300
1991																																																																																				187800
1994																																																																																				153400
1995																																																																																				166700
1996																																																																																				154500

Year	3
Italian motor vehicle production 1913-1935
(1,000 units)
1913	2
1924		35
1928				55
1935			44

Italian automobile manufacturers include:

Defunct manufacturers:

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Automotive industry in Japan

Automotive industry in Japan

The Japanese automotive industry is one of the most prominent industries in the world. Japan was the world's largest vehicle manufacturer in 2008 but lost one rank in 2009 to current leader China (although the automotive industry in Japan still remains unrivalled by quality standards). It is home to a number of companies that produces cars, construction vehicles, motorcycles, ATVs, engines, etc.
Japanese automotive manufacturers include Toyota, Honda, Daihatsu, Nissan, Suzuki, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Subaru, Isuzu, Kawasaki, Yamaha, and Mitsuoka .

History

Early years

In 1904, Torao Yamaha produced the first domestically manufactured bus, which was powered by a steam engine. In 1907, Komanosuke Uchiyama produced the Takuri, the first entirely Japanese-made gasoline engine car. In 1911, Kwaishinsha Motorcar Works (later to evolve into Nissan Motors) was established and later began manufacturing a car called the DAT. Most early vehicles, however, were trucks produced under military subsidy.

Cars built in Japan before World War II tended to be based on European or American models. The 1917 Mitsubishi Model A was based on the Fiat A3-3 design. (This model was considered to be the first mass-produced car in Japan, with 22 units produced.) In the 1930s, Nissan Motors' cars were based on the Austin 7 and Graham-Paige designs, while the Toyota AA model was based on the Chrysler Airflow. Ohta built cars in the 1930s based on Ford models.

The Ford Motor Company of Japan was established in 1925 and a production plant was set up in Yokohama. General Motors established operations in Osaka in 1927. Chrysler also came to Japan and set up Kyoritsu Motors. Between 1925 and 1936, the United States Big Three automakers' Japanese subsidiaries produced a total of 208,967 vehicles, compared to the domestic producers total of 12,127 vehicles. In 1936, the Japanese government passed the Automobile Manufacturing Industry Law, which was intended to promote the domestic auto industry and reduce foreign competition; ironically, this stopped the groundbreaking of an integrated Ford plant in Yokohama, modeled on Dagenham in England and intended to serve the Asian market, that would have established Japan as a major exporter. Instead by 1939, the foreign manufacturers had been forced out of Japan. Vehicle production was shifted in the late 1930s to truck production due to the Second Sino-Japanese War.

For the first decade after World War II, auto production was limited, and until 1966 most production consisted of trucks (including 3-wheel vehicles). Thereafter passenger cars dominated the market. Japanese car designs also continued to imitate or be derived from European and American designs.

1960s to today

During the 1960s, Japanese automakers launched a bevy of new kei cars in their domestic market; scooters and motorcycles remained dominant, with sales of 1.47 million in 1960 versus a mere 36,000 kei cars. These tiny automobiles usually featured very small engines (under 360cc, but were sometimes fitted with engines of up to 600cc for export) to keep taxes much lower than larger cars. The average person in Japan was now able to afford an automobile, which boosted sales dramatically and jumpstarted the auto industry toward becoming what it is today. The first of this new era, actually launched in 1958, was the Subaru 360. It was known as the "Lady Beetle", comparing its significance to the Volkswagen Beetle in Germany. Other significant models were the Suzuki Fronte, Mitsubishi Minica, Mazda Carol, and the Honda N360.

The keis were very minimalist motoring, however, much to small for most family car usage. The most popular economy car segment in the sixties was the 700-800 cc class, embodied by the Toyota Publica, Mitsubishi Colt 800, and the original Mazda Familia. By the end of the sixties, however, these (often two-stroke) cars were being replaced by full one-litre cars with four-stroke engines, a move which was spearheaded by Nissan's 1966 Sunny. All other manufacturers quickly followed suit, except for Toyota who equipped their Corolla with a 1.1&bsp;litre engine - the extra 100 cc were heavily touted in period advertising. These small family cars took a bigger and bigger share of an already expanding market.

Rapidly increasing domestic demand and the expansion of Japanese car companies into foreign markets in the 1970s further accelerated growth. Passenger car exports rose from 100,000 in 1965 to 1,827,000 in 1975. Automobile production in Japan continued to increase rapidly after the 1970s, as Mitsubishi (as Dodge vehicles) and Honda began selling their vehicles in the US. Even more brands came to America and abroad during the 1970s, and by the 1980s, the Japanese manufacturers were gaining a major foothold in the US and world markets.

With Japanese manufacturers producing very affordable, reliable, and popular cars throughout the 1990s, Japan became the largest car producing nation in the world in 2000. However, its market share has decreased slightly in recent years, particularly due to old and new competition from South Korea, China and India. Nevertheless, Japan's car industry continues to flourish, its market share has risen again, and in the first quarter of 2008 Toyota surpassed American General Motors to become the world's largest car manufacturer. Today, Japan is the third largest automobile market and, until China recently overtook them, was the largest car producer in the world. Still, automobile export remains one of the country's most profitable exports and is a cornerstone of recovery plan for the latest economic crisis.

Timeline of the Japanese car industry

1900-1970

1907 - Hatsudoki Seizo Co., Ltd. established

1911 - Kwaishinsha Motorcar Works established

1917 - Mitsubishi Motors' 1st car

1918 - Isuzu's 1st car

1920-1925 Gorham/Lila - auto production established (merged into Datsun)

1924-1927 Otomo built at the Hakuyosha Ironworks in Tokyo

1931 - Mazda Mazdago - by Toyo Kogyo corp, later Mazda

1934-1957 Ohta begins auto production

1936 - Toyota's 1st car (Toyota AA)

1952-1966 Prince Motor Company (integrated into Nissan)

1953-1967 Hino Motors starts auto production (merged into Toyota)

1954 - Subaru's 1st car (Subaru P-1)

1955 - Suzuki's 1st car (Suzulight)

1957 - Daihatsu's 1st car (Daihatsu Midget)

1963 - Honda's 1st car (Honda S500)

1966 - One of the best selling cars of all time, the Toyota Corolla, is introduced

1967 - Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA) is founded

Since 1970

1981 - Voluntary Export Restraints from May limit exports to United States to 1.68 million cars per year; redundant by 1990 as production inside US displaces direct exports; similar policies in several EU countries

1982 - Honda Accord becomes the first Japanese car built in the United States

1982 - Mitsuoka 1st car (BUBU shuttle 50)

1983 - Holden and Nissan form a joint venture in Australia

1984 - Toyota opens NUMMI, the first joint venture plant in the United States with General Motors

1986 - Acura is launched in the US by Honda

1988 - Daihatsu enters the US making it the first time all nine Japanese manufacturers are present

1989 - Lexus is launched in the US by Toyota

1989 - Infiniti is launched in the US by Nissan

1989 - United Australian Automobile Industries (UAAI) founded in Australia as a joint venture between Toyota and Holden

1996 - UAAI joint venture dissolved

2003 - Scion is launched by Toyota

2008 - Toyota surpasses General Motors to become the world's largest car manufacturer

2010 - 2009–2010 Toyota vehicle recalls

2011 - Tohoku earthquake affects production.

Production volumes

The following are vehicle production volumes for Japanese vehicle manufacturers, according to the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA).

Passenger cars

Trucks

Buses

Manufacturer	2007	2008	2009
Toyota	3,849,353	3,631,146	2,277,426
Honda	1,288,577	1,230,621	729,804
Nissan	982,870	1,095,661	702,071
Suzuki	1,061,767	1,059,456	691,435
Mazda	952,290	1,038,725	627,517
Daihatsu	648,289	641,322	507,638
Mitsubishi	758,038	770,667	320,690
Subaru	403,428	460,515	318,714
Other	25	30	0
Total	9,944,637	9,928,143	6,175,295

Manufacturer	2007	2008	2009
Toyota	291,008	271,544	163,092
Suzuki	156,530	158,779	135,724
Daihatsu	138,312	151,935	121,291
Isuzu	236,619	250,692	104,387
Nissan	188,788	189,005	100,507
Mitsubishi	88,045	83,276	56,895
Hino	101,909	101,037	55,295
Subaru	72,422	64,401	46,098
Mitsubishi Fuso	131,055	115,573	44,462
Honda	43,268	33,760	24,803
Mazda	43,221	39,965	22,119
Nissan Diesel	44,398	45,983	16,738
Other	2,445	2,449	489
Total	1,538,020	1,508,399	891,900

Manufacturer	2007	2008	2009
Toyota	85,776	109,698	63,178
Mitsubishi Fuso	10,225	10,611	4,619
Nissan	7,422	8,416	4,130
Hino	4,984	5,179	4,044
Isuzu	3,668	3,221	1,804
Nissan Diesel	1,595	1,977	1,479
Total	113,670	139,102	79,254

January–November 2009

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

1	You see a car on the hard shoulder of a motorway with a HELP pennant displayed. This means the driver is most likely to be (mark ONE answer) Knowledge and Understanding If a disabled driver’s vehicle breaks down and they are unable to walk to an emergency phone, they are advised to stay in their car and switch on the hazard warning lights. They may also display a 'Help’ pennant in their vehicle. a disabled driver first aid trained a foreign visitor a rescue patrol person
2	You are going through a congested tunnel and have to stop. What should you do? (mark ONE answer) Knowledge and Understanding It’s important to keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front at all times. This still applies in congested tunnels even if you are moving very slowly or have stopped. If the vehicle in front breaks down you may need room to manoeuvre past it. Pull up very close to the vehicle in front to save space Ignore any message signs as they are never up to date Keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front Make a U-turn and find another route
3	You are on a motorway. A large box falls onto the road from a lorry. The lorry does not stop. You should (mark ONE answer) Knowledge and Understanding Lorry drivers can be unaware of objects falling from their vehicles. If you see something fall onto a motorway look to see if the driver pulls over. If they don’t stop, do not attempt to retrieve it yourself. Pull on to the hard shoulder near an emergency telephone and report the hazard. You will be connected to the police or a Highways Agency control centre. go to the next emergency telephone and report the hazard catch up with the lorry and try to get the driver's attention stop close to the box until the police arrive pull over to the hard shoulder, then remove the box
4	You arrive at the scene of a motorcycle crash. The rider is injured. When should the helmet be removed? (mark ONE answer) Knowledge and Understanding DO NOT remove a motorcyclist’s helmet unless it is essential. Remember they may be suffering from shock. Don’t give them anything to eat or drink but do reassure them confidently. Only when it is essential Always straight away Only when the motorcyclist asks Always, unless they are in shock
5	Which of the following should you not do at the scene of a collision? (mark ONE answer) Knowledge and Understanding Keeping casualties or witnesses calm is important, but never offer a cigarette because of the risk of fire. Bear in mind they may be in shock. Don’t offer an injured person anything to eat or drink. They may have internal injuries or need surgery. Warn other traffic by switching on your hazard warning lights Call the emergency services immediately Offer someone a cigarette to calm them down Ask drivers to switch off their engines
6	At an incident a casualty is unconscious but still breathing. You should only move them if (mark ONE answer) Knowledge and Understanding Do not move a casualty unless there is further danger, for example, from other traffic or fire. They may have unseen or internal injuries. Moving them unnecessarily could cause further injury. Do NOT remove a motorcyclists helmet unless it’s essential. an ambulance is on its way bystanders advise you to there is further danger bystanders will help you to
7	Your tyre bursts while you are driving. Which TWO things should you do? 9mark TWO answers) Knowledge and Understanding A tyre bursting can lead to a loss of control, especially if you’re travelling at high speed. Using the correct procedure should help you to stop the vehicle safely. Pull on the handbrake Brake as quickly as possible Pull up slowly at the side of the road Hold the steering wheel firmly to keep control Continue on at a normal speed
8	Which TWO safeguards could you take against fire risk to your vehicle? (mark TWO answers) Knowledge and Understanding The fuel in your vehicle can be a dangerous fire hazard. Never use a naked flame near the vehicle if you can smell fuel or smoke when refuelling your vehicle. Keep water levels above maximum Carry a fire extinguisher Avoid driving with a full tank of petrol Use unleaded petrol Check out any strong smell of petrol Use low octane fuel
9	Your car catches fire. What should you do first? (mark ONE answer) Knowledge and Understanding If you suspect a fire in the engine compartment you should pull up as safely and as quickly as possible. DO NOT open the bonnet as this will fuel the fire further. Get any passengers out of the vehicle and dial 999 immediately to contact the fire brigade. Lift the bonnet and disconnect the battery Lift the bonnet and warn other traffic Call a breakdown service Call the fire brigade
10	You are in a collision on a two-way road. You have a warning triangle with you. At what distance before the obstruction should you place the warning triangle? (mark ONE answer) Knowledge and Understanding This is the minimum distance to place the triangle from the obstruction. If there’s a bend or hump in the road place it so that approaching traffic has plenty of time to react to the warning and slow down. You may also need to use your hazard warning lights, especially in poor visibility or at night. 25 metres 45 metres 100 metres 150 metres

Top Gear Live 1

05 April 2012

Top Safety Vehicles for 2012

Automotive industry in Italy

Automotive industry in Japan

1960s to today

04 April 2012

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Applying for a provisional driving licence

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