In the automotive industry, there is little doubt that electronics growth will continue. To remain competitive, it is crucial to seamlessly integrate the new technology. Whether it’s an entertainment system, keyless entry, a back-up camera or touch screen navigation, the role of the automotive manufacturer is increasingly becoming that of a system integrator working closely with its suppliers.

There is a long tradition in the industry of working with suppliers, and a number of suppliers that exist deliver similar systems to vehicle manufacturers. Automotive suppliers are more than happy to fill the needs of manufacturers, and the ever increasing importance of electronics in automobiles brings with it a growing challenge and need for low-cost, reliable electronic systems. These systems are not isolated and must communicate with each other.

Historically, automotive electronics have relied on proprietary, dedicated wire communication schemes (at least for many sensor systems) and directly wired power outputs. This has led to excessive wiring, and wiring consumes space, adds weight and expense, and can be difficult to maintain.

Fortunately, advances in vehicle-networking standards are addressing these issues with the wide adoption of Controller Area Network (CAN) and Local Interconnect Network (LIN) architecture. These network standards are providing a balance between performance and cost optimization across automotive systems. CAN provides a high-speed network for chassis, powertrain and body-backbone communications, while LIN answers the need for a simple network for sensor and actuator subsystems that reduces cost and improves robustness through standardization. Together, the vehicle networking standards and advanced mixed-signal processes provide an opportunity for automotive manufacturers to introduce affordable new electronic systems as well as reduce costs. They also improve maintenance and reliability while providing advanced convenience and safety features, like collision avoidance.

The widespread adoption of CAN and LIN standards is an important development for automotive electronics and becomes much more significant in conjunction with recent advances in mixed-signal semiconductor processes.

Adopting standardized vehicle-networking architectures and using more highly integrated mixed-signal ICs bring several advantages at the system level. The first is an improvement in a system’s robustness and diagnostics. By adopting standardized networks for two-way communication, diagnostic and failure information can be obtained when there are issues with the system.

The second is a reduction in wiring requirements. Using standardized vehicle-networking architectures, it is possible to build a feature- and diagnostic-rich system that requires only three wires. Reduced wiring requirements have less cost, less weight, will be easier to install at the factory, and will help reduce the potential for failure.

Integration also leads to other advantages and savings. Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs) and housings can be smaller, allowing for improved and more flexible placement in the vehicle, with less concern about where and how to run the wires. Through the use of fewer components, there are fewer items to keep in inventory, qualify and monitor. Some of these factors also lead to a reduction in weight and space consumption, factors that are always important in vehicle design.

This advance is another step in increasing the intelligence and capabilities of automotive systems. We’re already witnessing this increased intelligence and capability with complex navigation systems, Internet access, passenger entertainment, ABS brakes, engine management systems and advanced stability control. The next generation of mixed-signal automotive integrated circuits (ICs) will integrate even more performance and processing power. It will provide programmable features and added flexibility that will be used to address the automotive electronic system needs of tomorrow. As these systems become more advanced, the possibilities are limited only by the applications that vehicle designers can imagine and that the end customer is willing to purchase.

Competitive Advantage
According to a 2008 iprospect research study, 39% of search engine users believe that company websites that appear in top search results are the leaders in their field. Therefore, the effective utilization of search engine marketing gives a competitive advantage to automotive businesses. Search engine marketing is most helpful in intense competitive business like the automotive industry. By effectively using search engine marketing services like search engine optimization, Pay per click, and local search marketing, it is possible for automotive businesses to get ahead of the competition.

Local Search Marketing:
‘Local Search’ is method of submitting business details to a structured database of local business listings to reach users who search on specialized Internet search engines. Local Search Marketing allows businesses to target local customers. The advantage with local search marketing is that it allows automotive businesses to not only to reach online local target customers and to list on search engine results, it also allows to reach mobile Internet users very significantly.

Appeal to specific interests
Automotive businesses often have difficulty making their marketing campaigns appeal to different segments of customers. Different customers focus on different aspects while buying cars like cost, features, equipment, luxury, service, etc. It is possible for automotive businesses to target specific customers with definite intent only through search engine marketing. Search engine marketing allows automotive businesses to identify, define, and target customers in different marketing campaigns.

24/7 advertising
Search engine marketing allows customers to access businesses whenever they want. It makes business services available 24/7. While automotive businesses are not available offline round-the-clock, search engine marketing makes it possible to market their services online 24/7.

Cost effective
Search engine marketing is a cost-effective marketing method especially compared to print or television media. Automotive businesses can save excessive marketing cost by investing in search engine marketing, which leads to a better ROI.

While search engine marketing is important for any business, it is more significant for automotive businesses due to the intense competition in their field. Search engine marketing helps businesses succeed and helps automotive businesses to increase their return on investment.

All the units in your car from keyless entry to power steering wheel, chrome alloy wheels to power windows, cooling system and engine adjustment all together form automotive systems. And upkeep of automotive systems is not an effortless thing. Today’s car is not a object of big machineries and parts; it is more or less like a computer; fine, fitted with smaller and brainy units. upkeep of it requires intelligence and knowledge. Without suitable knowledge and intent about the systems one cannot just cover the job of maintaining an engine perfectly. Hence it is very strategic for you to give an extra eye to upkeep of automotive systems.

Maintenance of your automotive systems must be done according to standards mentioned by manufacturers. Besides going for the proper upkeep of automotive systems, you can also cerebrate of certain enlistment in your car for improving automotive performance. Such enlistment and installation of parts in your automotive system will raise the performance of your vehicle and gain gas mileage. Given beneath are few accessories which can upgrade the performance of your car.

Reusable Air Filters: Reusable air filters are one of the good units you can buy for your car. It not only saves a favorable deal of money, but such filters have been found to amount acceleration of your vehicle. The use of reusable air filters have also a favorable outcome on environment. Such reusable air filter lasts longer for your car and keeps on keeping the performance uncastrated.

Performance Chips: Most brand new cars are operated by computer chips and those chips terminate the torque and h.p. to be displaced. Recalibrations or performance chips are highly in use these days to improve automotive performance. Installing performance chips will help you amount the torque and h.p. of your vehicle significantly.

Performance Exhaust Systems: This is another way to take care of automotive performance. The catalyst back exhaust system is a extraordinary way to free cornered force and loose the h.p.. This automotive system incorporates larger width exhaust pipe and low restriction muffler tips into your vehicle which lowers the exhaust back pressure. Another favorable gain of this system is a sound impression of your vehicle which is really awesome.

Cold Air Intake: This upgrade system is under the bonnet mod which is utilised to reduce the temperature of air entering the car to amount power of engine. This installation enhances your engine looks besides increasing its power. This object too makes the sound of engine appealing.

Tip #1 – Figure Out How Often You Need to Use It – First of all, when looking for the best automotive GPS systems, figure out how often you are going to need to use it. If you aren’t going to need it very often, consider one of the inexpensive automotive GPS systems available. Many are very small and plug in to the cigarette lighter in the car. However, on the other hand, if you need to use it often, you’ll want one of the better automotive GPS systems that is user friendly.

Tip #2 – Consider Your Car’s Layout – When trying to choose automotive GPS systems, consider your car’s layout. Many GPS systems have monitors that displays directions and maps on them. Usually the monitors are placed in the dashboard or on an attachable pedestal from the dash. You’ll find in some vehicles, that certain automotive GPS systems can block important vents for air or make it difficult for a person in the passenger seat. So, you want a system that works with the layout of your car.

Tip #3 – Look for Multiple Ways to Get Where You’re Going – Choose automotive GPS systems that allow you to use multiple ways to get where you are going. Many automotive GPS systems allow you to get directions by an address back, an address you type in, a location you select on a map, or even by the nearest intersection.

Tip #4 – Ensure You Get Vocal and Graphic Directions – Having both vocal and graphic directions in automotive GPS systems is definitely a wonderful idea. When choose a system, this is important. It allows you to see where you will be going, but the benefit of the vocal directions is that you don’t have to take your concentration off the road to get the directions you need.

Tip #5 – Find Automotive GPS Systems with Great Features – If you’re shopping for automotive GPS systems, make sure that you find a system with great features. Consider looking for features like Bluetooth, 3D maps, real time updates, or even data on points of interest.

Tip #6 – Keep the Installation Time in Mind – Last of all, if you’re choosing automotive GPS systems, you should keep the installation time in mind. This is especially important if you are on a very tight budget. The longer automotive GPS systems take to install, the more it will cost. So, keep this in mind.

If you are interested in buying a car, you should definitely check out some car reviews. What car dealers tell you is one thing, what you get might be quite another. We are referring, of course, to customers who have insignificant experience in the field of automobiles and who may be easy to trick only by using some words which may sound to the like belonging to another language. After all, it is well known that, for most people, the purchase of an automobile is the second largest in an expenses top. Because of the vast market and the lack of experience or knowledge on some of the consumers’ part, purchasing a car is also considered a very challenging sales experience. And when buying a car is such an important expense to many people, most of whom do it for a long period of time and some of them even for a lifetime, whom can you trust? Automotive reviews offer a great deal of information such as comparative tests or consumer investigations.

When it comes to informing the consumer, bigger isn’t always better, especially when the readers are deprived of getting honest advice because of some interests that a particular business or company holds. When you read automotive reviews, what you should look for are the skeptical journalism and critical comments which will guarantee that your best interest as a consumer comes first. Car reviews should offer a whole lot more than just the photos and specifics of a car. Automotive reviews can be found in newspapers or auto magazines, but they will rarely jump at the chance of pointing out a particular flaw of a car. The internet – this is the place where you can find the most recent automotive news, but also the honest critics who are more than willing to inform you, in their automotive reviews, of possible flaws of a particular car, flaws that the manufacturers probably already know about but have chosen to conceal it because it’s in their best interest, and certainly not the consumer’s.

When discussing a car flaw, some consumers choose to see for themselves rather than take the reviewer’s word for it. This is where the internet car reviews may come in handy. With the aid of new technology in multimedia, the user can actually see for himself what the car reviewer is talking about. With so many options when purchasing a car, and especially with the financial effort that this step is for many people, the negatives aspects in car review are those that can make the difference, because such flaws will bring upon the consumer a even greater expense over the years. The internet is reliable as far as automotive reviews are concerned, since there’s no pressure from any manager or editor to cut down on the criticism because it’s bad publicity for that car brand.

The internet is also a reliable source for automotive news, from car insurance and maintenance, used vehicles, safer driving, buying and selling cars to new releases and celebrity cars.

Nissans decision to move to the North east has prompted over 150 automotive companies to relocate or start up in the region and the industry now has a combined workforce of 18,000 skilled people. Companies in the car or car component industry can take advantage of the regions large and skilled workforce with great employment skills in the automotive industry.

In addition to the employable skills enjoyed in the region, the industry is also supported through the Institute of Automotive and Manufacturing Advance practice at the University of Sunderland which is recognised worldwide as a one of the leaders in its field. Its research includes materials and structural analysis, manufacturing systems and ergonomics. There is also Durham University’s Centre for Automotive Research; here they have expertise in vehicle aerodynamics and hybrid vehicles.

Located in nearby Newcastle upon Tyne is Northumbria University. The design school contributes to the industrial design of automotive products.

The North East of England also boasts a wide range of specialist industrial support. This includes the NEPA programme which looks at lean automotive manufacturing; The Regional Centre for Manufacturing Excellence; The Automotive Academy; and the Automotive Centre for Excellence. These resources are made available to businesses that are looking to set up in the region. The regional development agency, One NorthEast, have a dedicated team who help businesses from all over Europe and around the world to look at the opportunities available to business looking to relocate and take advantages of what the North East has to offer.

So the North East of England is a region that can support new and existing businesses that are looking for expansion opportunities or relocation opportunities in the Automotive industry. With a highly skilled workforce and support and collaboration available for the regions local Universities the North East has established itself as one of Europe’s prime locations for the Automotive industry.

If you would like to know more about these business opportunities then the best place to get advice is through the Invest North East England team at One NorthEast.

The auto component segment is equally robust, supplying the entire range of parts required by the domestic automobile industry and currently employs about 250,000 people. Although small by global standards, this segment is growing rapidly as a result of its low costs and rising quality. Sales turnover of parts is estimated to have reached US$8.7 B in 2004/05, 29% higher than the previous year. Noticeably, auto component manufacturers supply to two kinds of buyers – original equipment manufacturers (OEM) and the replacement market. Over 300 small and medium companies directly service the OEMs assembling vehicles in India. Downstream, close to 5,000 other micro firms are working for these Tier 1 suppliers, as well as for the replacement market

The sector can be segmented into 2. One is the automobile segment. The other is the auto parts segment. The key manufacturing areas for these 2 segments are well spread across the country.

The growth of India’s automotive sector is driven by the key forces below:

Import

Automotive related imports are largely in auto parts, accounting for a lion’s share of 85%. These imports will feed the manufacturing plants, producing vehicles for domestic market as well as export market.

As the demand from the domestic market increases with rising affluence, production will increase in tandem, hence requiring more imports of parts, especially those of higher precision which still cannot be done in India. Global players in India still need to import fairly large amount of auto parts for their automobile assembly as quality and technological standards of auto parts sourced from within India may not meet their high standards. The expected Increase in exports of India-made vehicles will also contribute to import growth of auto parts.

Export

Automotive related exports expanded rapidly in recent years. Automobile exports grew at a compound annual growth rate of 46% between 2001 and 2006. Export share of production increased from 3% in 2001 to 8% in 2006. The growth is boosted by these several factors such as India’s cost competitiveness in terms of labor and raw material; established manufacturing base; economies of scale due to domestic market; potential to harness global brand image of the parent company, as well as the global hub policy for small cars like Hyundai, Suzuki, etc

Most automotive exports go to developing countries in Asia, where inexpensive cars can find a market. Egypt, Kenya and Nigeria are important destinations for India’s automotive exports. More recently, as the quality and technology of India-made automobiles have improved and met stringent requirement of the international market, some cars have found buyers even in Western Europe.

Similarly for auto parts, exports have been growing at a compound annual growth rate of 25% over 2000-2005. Share of exports in total production increased to 18% in 2005 from 10% in 1997. Foreign carmakers in rich countries are increasingly turning to India for parts, as low costs, relatively good technology base and access to cheap raw material make India highly competitive in its auto parts exports.

The main export markets are the USA, Germany, Japan, Sweden, the UK and Italy. Asia, Africa and the Middle East together take up 44% of India’s auto part exports.

Regulatory/Government efforts

Government efforts and regulatory frameworks are also key driving forces to the automotive industry in India. Currently, 100% foreign direct investment in the automotive industry, with no mandatory minimum level of investment is allowed. No local tie up is necessary since the sector has already been fully de-licensed and deregulated. This provides a strong impetus for global auto players to set up shop in India. Further, excise duty and custom taxes have also been kept competitive in order to make participation in the automotive industry conducive

On top of these, an Automotive Mission Plan 2006-2016 is also being drafted to develop the domestic sector, as well as the export market. It aims to develop India into a premier automotive hub. Moving forward, India targets to become one of the top 5 automotive economies by 2025

International Agreements

Trade/economic co-operation agreements between India and the region or other international markets will boost India’s exports of both automobile and parts to the region/international markets. Going forward, the potential agreements are: TVS Group’s plan to invest in Indonesia to manufacture 2-wheeler; FTA between India and ASEAN (negotiation in progress) would also offer opportunities for direct trade and investment between India and ASEAN countries; FTA with countries like China, Korea, Japan, Chile, etc

Automotive light bulbs are very useful to be placed in your automobile. They light up the dashboard in your automobile. This helps you to keep a track of the amount of gas you have, your speed as well as the RPM levels. The automotive lighting bulb was developed a long time back in the 1960’s. These bulbs immediately also became a part of the digital watches, calculators and many such types of equipment that are used for testing. The new inventions in technology added many new colors to these bulbs and thus its use extended to pedestrian signs, auto industries and traffic lighting.

Generally, the automotive light bulbs are avoided in use the headlights for the automobiles. Xenon bulbs are the standard light bulbs that are used worldwide in headlights of an automobile. The xenon bulb uses the xenon gas and an unfluctuating arc of electricity for the production of a bright light.

The automotive light bulbs are always superior to the halogen lights. This is because:

* The production of light by an automotive light bulb is always double than the regular halogen bulb.

* Better visibility is provided especially at night and when the weather conditions are not good.

* The level of concentration that has to be used by the driver for focusing on the road ahead is decreased by using these light bulbs. Thus, it also lays a major role to decrease the feelings of tiredness and stress that arises because of increased concentration.

* Only about 60% of the energy is burnt as halogens.

The automotive light bulbs are very easy to find out. The newly available automobile in the market consist of bulbs that can be replaced easily and can be purchased either in replacement kits or separately. These replacement bulbs have 2 filaments for preventing the escape of light in the wrong direction. For high beam lights, the cars light is directed straight ahead by the filament; whereas for the low beam lights the filament is placed in such a way that headlight of the automobile face downwards towards the road.

Now, onwards whenever you drive your vehicle at night, just have a look at the lighting system of your automobile. You will get a first hand experience of viewing how these automotive light bulbs function to help you.

Everyone wants an automotive light bulb for their vehicle headlights that will last for a long time. These bulbs are available in different size and style to fit in your motorcycles, cars, trucks and SUV’s. It is advisable to carry replacement bulbs always in your vehicles that may be useful during an emergency. Driving with a burned out automotive light bulbs is very risky and dangerous especially at night. It is always better to use high quality automotive light bulbs in your automobile. This is so because your safety to some extent depends on it.

Automotives have been a natural target for burglars. They cost a lot of money, can easily be stolen and transported and may relatively be easy to resell.

Statistics show that 1 out 4 reported crimes are automotive-related. Out of all automotive crimes, 40% occur on the road just outside the house while 30% occur in public places, most often in parks. 40% of these stolen automotives are never recovered by the owners.

Most at risk are older car. New cars already come with appropriate automotive burglar alarm systems. Therefore, it is no wonder that more incidents of burglary occur on older automotives, accounting for almost 80% of all automotive-related crimes.

Due to these statistics, more and more people have realized the necessity of investing in car security measures. Majority of these people will not think twice in going for the more expensive automotive burglar alarm systems.

A less expensive security measure is with the use of steering bars or locks. However, these do not offer enough protection as these may be sawed off by determined and experienced burglars. The steering wheel can also be bent forcibly, making the steering bars or lock easily removable.

To provide more protection, a reliable car security alarm system should be installed. Millions of people have invested in expensive but sophisticated automotive burglar alarm systems. Why not? These have been proven effective in preventing automotive theft or stealing of valuable possessions left inside the vehicle.

How does an automotive alarm system work? Simply put, this is device with a bunch of sensors connected to an alarm. In its simplest form, the switch is placed on the driver?s door, which is then wired to an alarm. When the door is opened, the alarm then goes off.

The automotive burglar alarm systems nowadays are more complicated than this. Aside from simple sensors, they now include switches and even detect movement. This motion detector is why we often encounter alarms going off with just the slightest movement or with nearby noise. The type of alarm can also be chosen such that the sound is distinct and can easily be recognized by the owner even from afar. Modern automotive burglar alarm systems can also be wireless and can be controlled remotely and can also have a supplementary battery such that it still works even if main battery fails. All of these added features come with a price, but it is all worth it considering the added security and protection for a prized possession.

With the high incidence of car-related crimes, it is definitely worth the investment on modern automotive burglar alarm systems.

Few of the world-class automotive companies who have spread wings in many countries include the followings.

Toyota
Toyota is one of the most reputed Japanese automotive companies that have developed world-class cars in economy, mainstream, and luxury segment. Few of the most popular models of Toyota are, Betla, Camry, caldina, Corlla, Crown, Dyna, Prius, Inniva, Porte, Qualis, and many more.

General Motors
General Motors (GM), the USA car manufacturing giant has so far manufactured many world-class automobiles. Few of the most successful brands produced by GM include; Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Daewoo, Holden, Hummer, Opel, Pontiac, Saab, Saturn, and Vauxhall.

Volkswagen
Volkswagen, the famous German automotive company owns nine other active automotive companies, such as Audi AG, Bentley Motors Ltd., Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S., Lamborghini S.p.A., SEAT, S.A., Škoda Auto, Volkswagen Passenger Cars, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, MAN AG, and Scania AB.

Ford
Ford, the USA automotive giant is the industry innovator that manufactures some of the best and finest models of cars, buses, trucks, and tractors of the world. Depending on the local and regional preference, climate and geographical conditions, Ford designs and develops different varieties of automobiles.

Honda
Honda is a famous Japanese car manufacturing company that has spread its wings to all most every parts of the world. Honda is known to produce few of the best automotive products of the world.

Hyundai
Hyundai is a South Korean automotive giant that offers some best cars in the world. Some of the most successful cars manufactured by Hyundai include; Accent, Santro, Azera, Dynasty, Elantra, Genesis, Getz, Sonata, i30, i20, and i10.

Suzuki
Suzuki is another Japanese car and bike manufacturing company, which has earned god name and fame in the domestic as well as international automotive market. Swift, Esteem, Vitara, SX4 A Star are some of the best models designed and developed by Suzuki.

Tata Motors
Tata Motors is an Indian automobile manufacturing company that has recently created sensation in the automotive industry by acquiring Jaguar, one of the most famous brands of Ford. The company produces, cars, trucks, three wheelers, and other heavy vehicles.