3 Key Ways Automotive Careers Have Changed in the Past Few Years

Are you interested in auto technician training or auto sales college? Before you settle on a course of study, take the time to familiarize yourself with some emerging industry trends.

Compact used cars are appreciating

As most graduates of auto sales college will have learned, tradition has it that a used car should decrease in value by an average of 15% per year. But according to some figures from 2011, five-year old small cars like the Honda Civic and Ford Focus actually increased in value between 2010 and 2011.

There are several reasons for this change, which may be of interest to those considering automotive careers. The decline of the North American car industry has affected the used car market, which in the past was partly fed by the surplus of North American-made stock. Also, the Japanese tsunami has led to an increase in prices of Japanese cars, leading some consumers who would have otherwise opted for a new car to seek a used alternative.

Takeaway: You may have gone to auto sales college to learn how to sell SUVs. But more and more of today's car buyers are looking for fuel efficiency. Many consumers are trying to trade in their larger vehicles for more efficient models, and finding that they have to sell at a loss.

Introduction of public charging stations: electrification of transportation

As major car companies bring out electric and hybrid cars, and as power companies install public charging stations to accommodate them, issues arise for graduates of auto technician training, who may not, for instance, have encountered a lithium-ion battery pack as they were pursuing their schooling.

This trend towards electrification may actually present an opportunity for students of auto technician training with the foresight to specialize in electric vehicle repair - a field that is expected to continue growing.

Some graduates of auto technician training are using their skills to convert gas-powered vehicles to electricity.

Some schools that specialize in automotive careers are also treating this new trend as an opportunity, for instance, by specializing in teaching low-carbon vehicle development and maintenance.

Takeaway: If you are interested in this kind of green niche work, look for auto technician training that offers training in electric and hybrid vehicle systems. Although electric vehicles are expected to require less frequent maintenance than conventional vehicles. mechanics can charge more for this kind of work.

Auto careers of the future will require more training

In the past, when one in seven working Americans were employed in some aspect of the automotive industry, people could go straight from high school to a career on the factory or sales floor. But today, automotive careers are beginning to require more training. More and more, industry aspirants will need to seek out auto technician training or auto sales college to increase their chances of finding and keeping a good job.

Good luck choosing from the rapidly evolving choice of automotive careers.

Car Fires and Auto Liability

Car fires occur in just over two percent of all fatal vehicle crashes in the United States. It is estimated that there are three hundred and ten deaths annually due to car fires that result from collisions. The main cause for these deaths is rear end crashes. These types of crashes make up about forty six percent of the fatalities, or about one hundred and forty three deaths. On top of the deaths, there are numerous other types of injuries that result from car fires. (Statistics courtesy of the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration)

While many automotive manufacturers have updated their safety standards to address this issue, and to further help prevent car fires following a crash, not all manufacturers have done so. This is because there are no specific regulations that require fuel tanks or fuel systems to be located in a specific area, and manufacturers are often allowed to simply post a safety warning on the vehicle rather than implement any changes.

Add to this mix the possibility of a fuel leak following a collision, and you greatly increase the chances of a car fire. Fuel leaks are often the cause of a tank design defect. This defect can be the result of the tank being located in an area that can fold in to puncture the tank, a tank that is improperly welded, or a tank that is not adequately protected. On top of a tank defect, fuel lines can also be defective and lead to a fuel fed car fire. Poor construction, improper fuel line location, and designs that allow electric fuel pumps to continue to pump fuel through the lines following a collision all increase the chances of a fuel leak.

Car fires substantially increase the potential for serious injuries to vehicle occupants. Crashes that are quite severe, or fatal, in nature experience seventy to eighty percent more fatalities when fire is involved, as opposed to other types of fatal collisions. Nonfatal collisions also become much more serious when fire is involved. Vehicle occupants have a three to four times higher chance of experiencing a serious injury when there is a car fire. Moderately severe crash victims double their chance of serious injury in a crash that involves fire.

Car fires are not only extremely dangerous for obvious reasons, but also because they exert a great deal more force on the vehicle and the passengers. This can be attributed for the following reasons:

• For crashes that resulted in deaths, those that also involved a car fire were thirty percent more likely to happen in areas with higher speed limits. Crashes that occur at higher speeds have more force.

• For all reported crashes, those that involved car fires were two and half to five times more apt to have very high damage levels.

• For all deadly crashes, those that also had car fires were seventy to ninety percent more likely to be singular crashes that did not involve other vehicles. These crashes were with stationary objects, which resulted in more severe impact.

Impact and collision direction also plays a very large role in car fires. Front end crashes make up about sixty to seventy percent of all fires resulting from collisions. These crashes may be fatal or non-fatal. Rear end crashes account for lesser numbers overall, however they are three times more likely to be fatal. This is most likely due to the location of the fuel tank.

Automotive manufacturers must stay ahead of these dangers and understand all possible risks of a fuel system, in order to avoid car fires following a collision. This is done by adding safety measures to substantially lower the risk of fire, and make various types of collisions more survivable. Automotive manufacturers who fail to make the proper changes may be held liable for their negligence should injury or death result from an accident involving their product.

Because the rules that govern automotive manufacturers relating to the issue of fuel tank placement, or fuel tank and line safety vary, manufacturers are given a bit of leeway to make necessary changes themselves. As previously stated, some fail to make any changes at all. In fact, intentionally not correcting vehicle fire safety issues and not issuing recalls promptly has led to a high number of lawsuits. These suits have allowed juries to award high settlements for victims, as well as hefty fines as means of punishment for companies. One of the best known cases of car fire dangers that went ignored was the case of Grimshaw v. Ford Motor Company in 1981. This case centered on a 1972 Ford Pinto that caught fire from a rear end collision. The jury found Ford liable for damages and issued substantial punitive damages. Ford appealed the decision, however the court found that the company knew about the issue and could have corrected it for a minimal cost. It was determined that Ford chose not to address the issue as a means to save money thus putting public safety in danger. This "conscious disregard" resulted in many serious consequences for Ford.

Not all cases are as blatant as the case of the Ford Pinto. That being said, any time a collision has resulted in a car fire it is a good idea to contact a personal injury lawyer that specializes in product liability. These attorneys have in depth knowledge of such issues, and know exactly how to investigate your case to determine if the fire was due to unnecessary dangers, or defective products on the part of the manufacturer. In many cases your attorney will request your vehicle be preserved as evidence, and will conduct a thorough investigation of the accident scene.

It is important that you seek professional assistance promptly and document any and all injuries resulting from the accident. In the event that you have lost a loved one due to a car fire, your attorney may be able to file a wrongful death suit on your behalf. Compensation can be awarded for lost wages, medical bills, pain and suffering, as well as punitive damages. Do not risk your future, or the future of your family. Personal injury attorneys will work hard on your side to help you recoup some of what you have lost.

How To Find All The Parts You Need For Your Vehicle At Discount Prices

Many of us are do it yourselfers when it comes to working on our cars and the reason many of us do it is to save money on the cost of labor and high priced parts that repair chops charge. I know when I was a teenager my brother and I were working on our old muscle cars all the time. Those were the days when you could work on a car with a wrench and a screwdriver if you had to!

Now cars have gotten a little more complicated but finding discount auto parts is easier than ever thanks to the internet. There are so many sources from which to find parts that it doesn't matter what type of vehicle you have you will probably be able to find the parts you need at a good price. From online parts houses to eBay the internet has definitely made parts shopping a lot easier and a lot cheaper.

You will find millions of parts for any make and model online. It may take a little searching if you truly have something rare but in most cases you can simply put in the type of car and the part you are looking for in a search box and get multiple pages of results from your favorite search engine. You will be able to find anything from tail light covers to entire engines and everything in between and all at prices far below that of your local auto parts store.

With the internet finding replacement parts and aftermarket items for almost any vehicle has been made easy. Just for curiosity I typed in GTX Pistol Grip shifter which is what came on one of my favorite Chrysler muscle cars and there were numerous choices. So you can see that it really doesn't matter how rare the part you will probably be able to find it online. Just remember that the rarer the part the more you can expect to pay, you will find great bargains on normal cars but the price for parts on rare cars will be determined by the market.

In most cases even the recyclers online will offer guarantees and warranties so you don't have to be afraid to order online. Just be sure they have a good reputation for quality service and product delivery by checking them out with the BBB both online and off and you will be assured of a good experience.

Auto Magazine Redesigns Itself To Bring In More Readers

It is not a secret that to actually bring in more customers to your product, you should first be able to know what kind of competition you do have and what kind of thing are you really offering. That way, you can specifically pinpoint what would you be offering and where you should target the product.

It seems like this kind of technique is being put into action by Car and Driver magazine. In previous years, Car and Driver magazine was mainly targeting the automotive enthusiasts audience. However, today, they are redesigning the magazine so as to bring in not only that specific audience but a broader range of readers.

This week, you would now find the new December issue and the new kind of design that this automotive magazine has. In fact, editors from the magazine do say that this redesign of theirs is actually one of the very first in twenty years. However, the changes just do not end where the magazine ends. You see, even the Car and Driver magazine website has been redesigned. You see, you now can find a buyers' guide. Advertisers can also put in and announce their wares and products. Visitors to the website can also select and do their research on vehicles that they are interested in.

"Csaba and his team are viewed as the leading authorities about all things automotive, and their independent expertise is respected by consumers. Enthusiasts like to be knowledgeable about the newest models, how they are designed and how they drive. People who are getting ready to make one of their biggest purchases want advice in order to make a solid decision, and they value the third-party, unbiased tests and reviews from Car and Driver editors. Hachette invests millions of dollars in this area - more than any other automotive magazine brand - and now we can monetize this investment by serving a greatly expanded new audience through our various digital media," says Jack Klinger. Klinger is the president as well as the CEO of Hachette Filipacchi Media in the US. This company is behind the changes in the Car and Driver magazine's website.

If you are in the market though for vehicle add-ons like APC lights, Bestop Jeep tops, or Bosal exhausts, the magazine has yet to announce if they would be including such products in their magazine or on their website.

Thailand's Automotive Industry Recovers and Prepares for Export Growth

Thailand is ASEAN's Automotive Hub, with the largest vehicle assembling capacity and the highest quality parts manufacturing capability of any nation in the region.

Rebounding from last year's flood crisis, Thailand's hard-hit automotive industry including auto parts and accessories sees potential growth in the export market through increased production and innovation.

Manufacturers such as Honda, Toyota and Chevrolet have been rapid in their recovery, which is ultimately improving investment and demands from the global economy.

Innovation and New Product Development

As there has been speedy growth, new products are being launched by car-makers with attention towards Eco-friendly or hybrid cars in support of Thailand to be an Eco-car production powerhouse. The top 5 companies taking part in this initiative are Honda, Toyota, Suzuki, Nissan and Mitsubishi.

Current popular hybrid or Eco-cars are:

• Nissan March
• Honda Brio
• Suzuki Swift
• New Honda Jazz hybrid

Also just recently this year, Mitsubishi launched its first and new global compact car - the Mirage with were exported to Japan in July this year and then to the ASEAN, European and other markets successively.

Auto-parts

There are approximately 1,800 automotive parts suppliers in Thailand, of which about 700 are available as OEMs.

For exports, the auto-parts industry is a bit tricky and difficult. Many automotive manufacturers in Thailand already have exclusive contracts with their customers and cannot produce for their competitors also. Also small manufacturers cannot cope with large and specialized orders.

However, the Thai Department of Trade, just this year hosted the Thailand Auto Parts & Accessories 2012 (TAPA 2012) trade fair featuring auto parts & components (OEM/REM), auto accessories, petroleum /lubricants/maintenance products, tools & machines and even vehicles focused on promoting items to buyers and importers from around the world.

Some of the major products and services that were on displays included:

• Fuel injection pumps
• Transmissions
• Injection nozzles
• Anti-lock braking systems
• Electronic systems to support mold and die technology
• Research & development Centers
• ECUs, sonar and central locking systems

Some Statistics

At the beginning of 2012 (between January to March), Thailand's automotive industry produced close to 191,000 auto units of which 47% were exported to Japan, ASEAN, US and European markets. Of the automobiles, the majority of the cars produced were double cab pickups followed by passenger cards. The SUVs were the least produced and exported this year so far.

In regards to the OEM auto-parts, the exports valued up to over US 36.6 million Dollars in January.

Looking at the trend since 2005 and expected export till 2015, sales have been progressively increasing, except for 2009 and 2011 due to economical and flood crisis during those years.

Hubcaps and Wheels: Easy and Economical Ways to Customize Your BMW

Automobiles are essentially built to serve a purpose, to facilitate transport from one point to another. They are machines manufactured solely to perform their function. However, for most people, a car is more than just a machine but a work of art as well. Consider a BMW, with its solid engineering, sleek lines and exceptional quality and you will see a marriage of art and technology. A BMW commands respect in the automotive world. Renowned for its innovative engineering and technology, a BMW is made to perform. There is a reason why a BMW is called the "Ultimate Driving Machine". It is because the BMW experience elevates driving to the level of pure pleasure.

Yet, there is more to the BMW than its legendary engineering, responsiveness, precision and agility. A good look at any BMW and anyone can understand why these vehicles have captured the hearts and minds of many car lovers through the years. A BMW's design is classic and timeless, with clean, sleek lines and distinct details. BMW is always forward-looking in its designs. It has established a standard, which other carmakers follow. Because of the BMW's excellent design quality, it has earned a special place in the hearts of car lovers all over the world.

Car lovers also enhance the looks, elegance and functionality of their BMW's by customizing their vehicles. Car customization is a good way for the car owner to express his individuality and personality through his car. However, creating a completely new look for a BMW or any car can be very expensive. There are a many customization parts and accessories available. The possibilities are endless as to what appearance your BMW can take. It is only limited by the imagination. Body kits, spoilers, wings, decals, bumpers and other accessories are commonly used to customize a car.

However, an easy and economical way to customize a BMW without spending too much is by installing a new set of BMW wheels or BMW hubcaps. BMW wheels, like all BMW Parts, are engineered according to the highest standards. Nevertheless, these factory wheels are similar to thousands of other BMW wheels. Thus, you can introduce a sharper and sportier image to your BMW by installing a new set of good-looking Hubcaps. They are easy to find in the auto parts market and there are dozens of design options. Hubcaps and wheels are common auto products available in auto parts stores.

Used Parts From the Salvage Yard - Should I or Shouldn't I?

Let's face it; the cost of everything in our daily lives is going up, including car parts. The days of cheap and quick fixes are long gone in an automotive world dominated by electronics and computers. What used to be a $50 fix just 20 years ago can cost hundreds of dollars now. So when it's time to have the car fixed one of the questions many consumers find themselves asking is whether or not they should buy used parts from a salvage yard.

On the positive side, parts from a yard can usually be had at a price averaging half what a new part costs. Also, in an attempt to compete with new parts stores and other salvage yards, a large percentage of modern used parts sellers have gone the extra mile to be the best in their area. That includes pre-stripping cars and warehousing parts, computerizing inventory, and even linking up electronically with other yards around the nation. While the old pick-and-pull salvage yards still exist, their numbers are shrinking. That's good to the extent that it usually means higher quality parts for the buyer.

If you're looking for body parts like bumpers and doors, the salvage junk yard is an excellent place to go. Non-mechanical body parts are really "what-you-see-is-what-you-get"; there aren't usually many failure issues with them. If you're purchasing mechanical parts, or those directly linked to car safety, be very cautious about using salvage part yards. As an example, it's probably not a good idea to buy used parts for your braking system. Water pumps and radiators also deserve caution.

Finally, if you're restoring an old classic, a salvage junk yard may be the only place you'll be able to find parts. In this case you don't much have a choice. But if you're mechanically inclined enough to do a complete restoration, you probably also possess the knowledge and skill to make sure any used parts you buy are up to the task. At the end of the day, the yard can be a gold mine if you know what you're looking for.