Happy New Year from Carmoza!

Have fun tonight and be safe!

Eco-sports car, schmeco sports car

AutoGuide's Derek Kreindler noted this week that, according to a BMW source, BMW's "newly trademarked “i” Series will be used to denote the new range of “green” cars, with the i8 acting as the range-topping halo vehicle."

But the BMW Blog casts some doubt on that, arguing that the EfficientDynamics launch is still 3 years off, and that they haven't even decided on a name for the car yet.

Is it wrong that the thing I noticed the most is the crazy pattern on the car? An exotic car like that would definitely demand enclosed transport if it was being shipped, don't you think?

The Auto Industry in America: California

The Auto Industry in America is a Carmoza series highlighting the history of the auto industry in each state and their contributions to the industry as a whole over the years.


CALIFORNIA

• QUICK FACTS
  
  
• California is the 3rd largest state in the United States and home to more people than any other state.
• Its geography ranges from coastal forests to dry arid deserts to the Sierra Nevada Mountains.
• The state has the highest and lowest points in the U.S.
• California was relatively unpopulated for many years, but an influx of settlers and explorers arrived in the mid-19th century after gold was discovered. The California Gold Rush caused small villages of tents and shacks to grow exponentially into the cities we know today.

THE AUTO INDUSTRY IN CALIFORNIA

There are several automobile manufacturers in the state of California that have built production facilities for various car models.

Toyota owns a factory in the Bay Area that produces Corollas, Tundras and, until the recent abandonment of the brand by General Motors, the Pontiac Vibe.

This factory is one of the larger facilities in the state of California and is responsible for the production and distribution of hundreds of thousands of vehicles in the United States and worldwide.

The plant recently came dangerously close to being closed, but state legislators are currently fighting to keep one of the state’s last remaining automobile production facilities open.

PHOTO CREDIT: PosseList.com

How to look for a used car

If you're on the hunt for a new used car like me, finding the right one with relatively low mileage that's good on gas and that's not too costly are just some of the things you're looking out for.

Used Cars Online's Blog, the official blog for used car enthusiasts, offers some solid tips on how to go about your used car search.

Here are just a few. For more details, check out the article HERE.

• Figure out what cars are on your list on car websites, like Edmunds, for specs and valuable user reviews. (Those'll give you a good idea about problems the model typically has.)
• Figure out a price range given the mileage. (A well-maintained 100,000-mile car is better then a 40,000-mile car that's been poorly maintained and roughly driven.)
• Become familiar with trim levels. Some makes offer all inclusive options while other makes option every component or offer "packages" with sets of options.
• Don't judge a book by it's cover. A dirty car can often be a good deal; it's easy to make a lemon pretty clean.
• Test, test, test. Test drive a car at all speeds, stop and go, highway speed et al. Take the transmission through all gears, test the brakes etc. Examine the frame of the car; bends are bad. Look closely at the paint, are some spots a little different in gloss or color?
• When making an offer, always start low. There might be reasons to justify your price (bald tires, power windows slow going up, near term repairs you'll have to do).
• Factor in car transport. If the car's in another state, it might be a good idea to ask the seller if transport is included in the sale. If you're arranging it yourself, having the car shipped to you might be a better bet than picking it up and driving it home yourself. For a free quote from Carmoza, call 1-888-708-0880 or visit our website today!

Photo Credit: BMW Towson

Is There Really Such A Thing As Last-Minute Car Shipping?

If you need to relocate your family and possessions unexpectedly due to a military relocation, you’ll have to act quickly to find a car shipper to transport your vehicle to your new station on time.

Car transportation usually requires a couple of weeks of scheduling and preparation, but there are instances where companies can accommodate car transportation at the very last minute.

Of course, if you’re looking to go to, say, Miami in early December, there might be a waiting list, but in the off-season, car shipping can be quickly and conveniently arranged for military personnel.

The best way to find a company that can accommodate car transportation at the last-minute is to call around to a number of car shippers that regularly cover your area.

For example, if you call Carmoza to enquire about car transportation at short notice, our excellent customer service representatives will do their best to meet your needs and answer all your questions about last-minute car transportation.

Even if you’re pressed for time, it’s important to remember all the important details about car transportation, such as liability policies and insurance coverage.

Photo Credit

Merry Christmas from Carmoza!

Peace, love and happiness this season and always!

Photo Credit: wdexpo.org

Considerations for international auto shipping

Military families often have to move to a foreign country because of military relocation.

It can be a daunting task to move your entire life overseas and when it comes to automobile shipping, it’s a good idea to contact some auto shipping companies with extensive experience in international automobile shipping for military personnel.

International automobile shipping companies have sound contracts with companies that run freight ships to transport cars across the ocean. They know which companies to trust when shipping any type of car and how to provide extra service for military families.

International auto shippers instruct you how to prepare your vehicle for international transport. In addition, international automobile shipping companies understand the process of importing vehicles to a foreign country and help customers with all necessary paperwork and procedures.

International automobile shipping companies can get your vehicle through customs, but it’s essential to know that you, the owner of the vehicle, are responsible for meeting all requirements and providing the necessary documents.

Automobile shipping companies charge more for international automobile shipping than national car transport, but it’s well worth the costs to have a professional take care of everything for you.

Car buying made a little easier

Back in 2008 when I was on the hunt for a new-to-me car, I looked at magazine listings, on auto listing websites, and checked out dealerships for certified used cars. (I ended up buying one from a dealer.) But I did a lot of the searching and monitoring myself.

Since I'm on the hunt for another new-to-me ride, I stumbled on Car Buyers' Markets' Ad Watcher* e-mail alerts. (Where has it been all my car hunting life?)

It's only available to registered users, but it's a genius of convenience. You fill out your search criteria, click on Ad Watcher, and when new listings are added daily, the ones that match your criteria are sent to your inbox. No need to monitor. How cool is that?

Car Buyers' Market operates in the tri-state New York area, but we all know the Internet changed the car buying game: You can search anywhere in the country online, from private owner to buyer, and then have it shipped to you.

The search continues...

*This is not a paid Car Buyers' Market endorsement

Kari Cobham is the vice president of media and communications for Carmoza--a full service auto transport company founded in 2010 by a team of successful business executives with more than a century of combined experience in the technology, service and automotive industries. Carmoza provides timely and cost-efficient auto transport with unparalleled customer service to both consumers and dealers. Call 1-888-708-0880 for a free quote today.

Auto Industry in America: Wisconsin

The Auto Industry in America is a Carmoza series highlighting the history of the auto industry in each state and their contributions to the industry as a whole over the years.

WISCONSIN

Did you know Carmoza's headquarters is located in Brookfield, Wisconsin. Yeah, we're biased to the state. :-)

QUICK FACTS

- Wisconsin is home to about 5.6 million Wisconsinites.
- Wisconsin was the 30th state admitted to the United States on May 29, 1848.
- The largest and best known city in the state is Milwaukee, but its capital is Madison.
- Wisconsin is famous for its cheese.
- It's second only to California for the production of milk and butter.
- It's also a leading producer of oats, potatoes, cranberries, ginseng, carrots, cherries, and snap beans.
- Food processing companies that have taken up manufacturing in the state: Oscar Mayer, Tombstone Pizza, and Johnsonville Brats.
- Wisconsin is historically a major beer producing state. Miller Brewing Company used to have headquarters there.

THE AUTO INDUSTRY IN WISCONSIN

In Kenosha, American Motors opened in a plant 1902 and continued production until 1988.

Vehicles produced at this iconic plant included the Gremlin, Hornet, Concorde, Spirit, Pacer, and Eagle. Now the plant is called Harborpark development.

The plant today produces Chrysler engines, which is fitting since it is Chrysler that acquired American Motors.

PHOTO CREDIT: Schurmanscheese.com

Winter Driving Safety

Those of us who live in areas with extreme winters know exactly how dangerous the roads can get, especially if you haven’t taken proper winter driving safety precautions.

It’s a hard but true fact that hundreds of people are badly injured or lose their lives each winter because they didn't practice sound winter driving safety precautions.

It might seem intimidating, especially if you’ve just moved to a cold climate, but winter driving safety is more a matter of common sense than anything else. When you take your car for a tune-up, ask your mechanic to prepare your car for winter driving safety.

This includes:

• Getting winter tires
• Testing brakes, motor, transmission and lights to see if they’re functioning properly
• Making sure antifreeze and coolant levels are adequate
• Also look at fluid levels for brakes, steering, and windshield wipers

When you’re on the road:

• Always bring an emergency kit for maximum winter driving safety
• Drive slowly on slippery roads or when there’s low visibility
• Listen to all weather alerts and if there’s a storm, don’t go out unless you have to.

For more information on shipping your car during the winter--a cheaper alternative that'll let you avoid driving on uncertain roads--check with Carmoza on enclosed transport and get a free quote.

Photo Credit: AutoNewsBlog.org

When dealers enroll with Carmoza, dinner's on us

Carmoza Auto Transport is offering dealers a $25 Restaurant.com gift card just for enrolling with Carmoza this holiday season.

With no registration fees or contracts and 30-day net billing terms on all auto transports for approved dealers, enrollment allows dealers to redeem their Restaurant.com gift card at over 15,000 participating restaurants nationwide, as well as premium online partners like LobsterGram, Mrs. Field’s, Boca Java, and many others.

“We really wanted to reward dealers for their business this holiday season and beyond,” said Jeff Sorg, vice president of strategic partnerships at Carmoza.

Dealers can enroll with Carmoza by:

1. Contacting their Regional VP directly HERE

2. Calling 1-888-708-0876

3. Registering at Carmoza’s Dealer Portal HERE

Kia Soul: The new way to roll?

Since October 2008, I've put close to 100,000 miles on my 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse. (120-mile daily commute.) Roughly translated? It's almost time to get a new ride.

The dealership-to-dealership hunt alone will be fun!

Anyway, I'm a sports car, two-seater kind of gal, but for some reason the Kia Soul has caught my eye. It's like a more aesthetically-friendly version of the Element, right?

Rzcars.com's Chris Peterson offers a pretty good breakdown of the Soul's features. But I can't wait to physically sit in the driver's seat and take that baby for a, well, roll.

Time will tell if it'll be enough to lure me away from the two-door, Me Ride...

Kari Cobham is the vice president of media and communications for Carmoza--a full service auto transport company founded in 2010 by a team of successful business executives with more than a century of combined experience in the technology, service and automotive industries. Carmoza provides timely and cost-efficient auto transport with unparalleled customer service to both consumers and dealers. Call 1-888-708-0880 for a free quote today.

Winter Tires or Snow Chains?

When you move from Florida to New England, you’re probably not used to driving in the snow.

And if you’re like the rest of us, you’ll want to take the best precautions to ensure your winter driving safety under any weather conditions.

One of the most frequently asked questions about winter driving is whether it’s better to use winter tires or snow chains. The answer isn’t that simple, but there are a few things to consider when making this important choice for winter driving.

Snow chains are much cheaper than winter tires, and provide great traction in all kinds of winter driving conditions, like snow, ice and slush. However, they’re difficult to put on, and can’t be used when winter driving conditions change to dry roads.

Winter tires on the other hand, though more expensive than snow chains, can be used in all types of winter driving—dry or wet. All you have to do is make sure to put them on your car before challenging driving conditions become a problem, and you won’t need to do anything until spring.

No matter which you choose, make sure to make winter driving safety a priority when you’re on the road. Consumer Reports also had a good article today on winter driving.

If you're going far on the road, auto transport is also an option that will help avoid having to drive in snow at all. And in that case, Carmoza would be your best bet. :)

PHOTO CREDIT: Autorevolution.com

Daytona Turkey Run spikes auto shipping to--and now from--Florida, weeks later

Over Thanksgiving weekend, thousands of vendors and visitors gathered in Daytona for the annual Turkey Run—the largest car show and swap meet in the Southeast.

With even more attractions than last year, including a live auto auction, Sebring Raceway’s Racecar Display, and an all new Motorcycle Showcase, the run on auto shipping to Daytona spiked in the weeks leading up to the long awaited event.

And with many vintage car collectors looking to find used parts for their vehicles and even buy entire vehicles, auto shipping companies expect higher than normal demand in the months following the show, too, as buyers rely on auto shipping to get their cars to their locations.

Vintage car dealers and collectors know that auto shipping by a reliable auto shipping company like Carmoza is well worth the money. Rare and often irreplaceable vehicles can be safely transported thanks to dependable auto shipping companies.

Some auto shipping companies also offer sufficient cargo insurance on classic car transport, so your valuable investment is covered while it’s in transit. If you need reliable, dependable auto shipping with the highest quality customer service and classic vehicle expertise, contact Carmoza for a free quote.

Photo Credit: Rendition/Flickr

The Auto Industry in America: Florida

Exciting things are happening in Florida by way of alternative fuel. Keep reading!

The Auto Industry in America is a Carmoza series highlighting the history of the auto industry in each state and their contributions to the industry as a whole over the years.

FLORIDA

QUICK FACTS

- Located in the Southeastern United States, Florida is known for its warm weather and tourist attractions.
- It was admitted as the 27th state after hundreds of years of exploration and colonization.
- The Sunshine State has the longest coastline in the contiguous United States that extends into the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico.
- Florida is a prime target for hurricanes every summer.
- It is also home to the Everglades National Park and many animal species, including alligators and leatherback sea turtles.

THE AUTO INDUSTRY IN FLORIDA

Florida hasn't been a main player in the world of automobile manufacturing, but there've been some auto-related development recently of special interest.

Agri-Source Fuels bought an unused orange juice production plant from Pasco Beverage and has converted it into what will be the nation’s largest production facility for biodiesel.

The alternative fuel will be made from chicken fat and cottonseed oil and converted into as much as 125 million gallons of biodiesel per year.

Agri-Source plans to sell off their product to petroleum distributors, who will in turn blend the biofuel with conventional diesel, making diesel fuel cleaner burning and safer for the environment as well as allowing diesel fuel reserves to last longer than previously possible.

PHOTO CREDIT: Weblantis.org

Vehicle Transport Companies Report that “False Economy” Due To Recession Has Reduced Family Vehicle Moving

According to one of the nation’s leading vehicle transport companies, the demographics of vehicle moving have changed dramatically over the past three years due to the recession.

Though many families are moving to other regions for economic reasons, many aren’t using vehicle moving companies because they believe that driving is cheaper than using vehicle transport.

This unfortunate trend is actually “false economy,” as vehicle transport prices actually work out much lower than the costs of a long road trip with all of its hidden expenses.

Families who drive themselves rather than using vehicle transport often make a “gasoline versus shipping quote” calculation where the price of vehicle transport appears to be higher.

But driving has many hidden costs that can add hundreds of dollars to a relocation estimate, like the days of lost productive time while you’re on the road, the costs of food and lodging, and in worst case scenarios, the costs of out-of-town mechanics.

With these factors in mind, vehicle transport can actually be much less costly for families looking to relocate for economic reasons.

If you’re looking for affordable vehicle transport, request your free quote from Carmoza today. And don't forget to ask about special discounts.

Sports Celebrities Define New Niche In Corporate Vehicle Shipping

Until recently, businesses and corporations were one of the biggest markets for vehicle transport companies. But that's been changing.

More and more sports stars are looking for vehicle transport companies to provide them with high quality services for auto relocation.

Other celebrities like movie stars and musicians employ a reputable carrier company when they need to relocate. But they don’t move around as much as sports stars.

Vehicle transport companies are beginning to recognize the seasonal patterns when their services are in high demand by sport stars.

Because of the regular seasons of soccer, football, basketball, hockey and baseball, sports stars hire vehicle transport companies as they move from place to place for training and competitions, until they have downtime to relax and return home again.

According to a representative of one vehicle transport company, the differences between shipping cars for corporate clients and sports stars lie primarily in the practical details.

Whereas most corporate executives send a delegate to pick up their car after vehicle transport, sports stars most often send somebody they trust, and that can be anyone, from their manager or agent to their chef or maid.

The Auto Industry in America: Texas

The Auto Industry in America is a Carmoza series highlighting the history of the auto industry in each state and their contributions to the industry as a whole over the years.

TEXAS

QUICK FACTS

• Texas was the 28th state to join the United States on December 29, 1845.
• Texas is ranked second in the U.S. in size and population, behind Alaska and California, respectively; just under 24.8 million residents call the state home.
• As a result of its fight for independence from Mexico, Texas adopted the name, The Lone Star State.
• Texas leads the country in livestock and cotton production. Other large industries in the state are fishing and mineral resources.

THE AUTO INDUSTRY IN TEXAS

Arlington Assembly, a General Motors Company plant, has been in production since 1954. The plant currently produces the Chevrolet Tahoe, Chevrolet Suburban, GMC Yukon, GMC Yukon XL, and the Cadillac Escalade.

Toyota Motor Manufacturing is located in San Antonio. The plant manufactures the Tundra full-size pickup and the Tacoma mid-size pickup truck. The plant was built in 2003 and employs about 1,700 people. This plant is Toyota’s newest assembly plant and is currently a $1.5 billion investment.

The Toyota plant in Texas is currently the only one manufacturing the Tundra, since the Toyota plant in Indiana has closed.

Top Tech Innovations in Automobiles

MSN Autos' Jeff Voth is right: Less than 20 years ago, we couldn't imagine dictating directions to our car's navigation system.

But car technology has come a long way in just a short time. Check out some of the latest advancements that are available now if you're thinking of buying a new ride.

Our favorite? Accident avoidance.

Photo Credit: Volvo City Safety

The Auto Industry in America: Pennsylvania

The Auto Industry in America is a Carmoza series highlighting the history of the auto industry in each state and their contributions to the industry as a whole over the years.

PENNSYLVANIA

QUICK FACTS

• Pennsylvania was the second state to join the United States. It became a state on December 12, 1787.
• It has the 6th largest population in the country with 12.6 million residents.
• The Bank of North America in Philadelphia, founded in 1781, became the first nationally chartered bank in the U.S.
• Pennsylvania ranks first in the U.S. in the production of mushrooms and third for Christmas trees.

THE AUTO INDUSTRY IN PENNSYLVANIA

In response to vehicles becoming more reliant on ethanol fuel, Coskata, Inc., opened a plant in Madison, Pennsylvania in 2009 with plans to grow significantly by 2012. As of 2010, the plant produces 50,000 gallons of ethanol per year.

In 1978, Volkswagen opened a plant in Pennsylvania, but the plant closed down in 1988. At this plant in New Stanton, they built Rabbits, Golfs, and Jettas. Volkswagen opening a plant here led the way for Nissan and other Japanese manufacturers to set up assembly plants in the U.S.

The Top 10 American Cars Sold Abroad

American cars aren't just sold domestically. They've been exported all over the world since the early 1900s, while some are built in foreign countries.

MSN Autos' Marc LaChapelle says that's because American cars are associated with "the land of the free and home of the brave."

And he dug up overseas sales numbers to pinpoint which American autos are the most popular abroad.

Is your car on the list?

Photo Credit: General Motors

Audi jumps on the luxury EV market

Many EVs slated for manufacturing or already in the works seem to be targeted for urban driving.

But if you're looking for an alternative ride without sacrificing the luxury, it's good to know that Audi's trying to corner the luxury EV market.

"By 2020, we want to be the leading premium seller of electric vehicles," Franciscus van Meel, Audi's manager for electric mobility strategy.

We're watching EV developments with interest. This kind of new technology? Tres cool.