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The BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo is an upcoming car and was first displayed by BMW in 2009 at the Geneva Motor Show as a concept car. It is the first production-destined rendition for BMW's Progressive Activity Sedan (PAS) series of cars, its development code was F07. The 5 GT serves as a combination of a sport sedan, an SUV, and a Gran Turismo.

The F07 platform provides a vehicle length traditionally found in a BMW 7 Series, but with the headroom found in a BMW X5. The F07 also features a unique "bi-modal" trunk, similar to the Twin Door concept on the Skoda Superb, which may be opened in a traditional car like fashion, or the entire hatch may be open in a traditional SUV fashion for larger objects. The F07 is a derivative of the F10 platform that will underpin the sixth-generation of the 5 Series.

On January 30, 2009 BMW released a video "BMW Concept: Scribble Video". The video was the first public introduction into the thought process behind the design of the progressive activity vehicle series and the upcoming 5 GT.

It will launch as a 2010 model, with an expected price between $65,000 and $70,000, during the fourth quarter of 2009

The Audi R8 is a sports car with a longitudinally mounted mid-engine, and uses Audi's 'trademark' quattro permanent four-wheel drive system. It was introduced by the German automaker Audi AG in 2006. The car was exclusively designed, developed, and manufactured by Audi AG's high performance private subsidiary company, quattro GmbH, and is derived from the Lamborghini Gallardo.

The fundamental construction of the R8 is based on the "Audi Space Frame", and uses an aluminium monocoque which is built around a space frame. The car is built by quattro GmbH in a newly renovated factory at Audi's 'aluminium site' at Neckarsulm in Germany.

In 2005, Audi announced that the name of the successful Audi R8 race car would be used for a new road car in 2007, the Audi R8, based on the Audi Le Mans quattro concept car, appearing at the 2003 International Geneva Motor Show, and 2003 Frankfurt International Motor Show.

The R8 road car was officially launched at the Paris Auto Show on 30 September 2006. There was some confusion with the name, which the car shares with the 24 Hours of Le Mans winning R8 Le Mans Prototype (LMP), and also the 1989 Mk2 Rover 200, codenamed R8.

The Audi R8 is used as a safety car in Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters and British Superbike Championship racing series.

The Aston Martin Rapide is a four-door, high-performance sport saloon, which British luxury marque Aston Martin plans to introduce in early 2010 to compete with the Maserati Quattroporte and Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class, along with the upcoming Audi A7, Porsche Panamera, and Lamborghini Estoque. It was first presented as a concept car at the North American International Auto Show in 2006.

The Rapide name is a reference to the Lagonda Rapide, a saloon car produced by Lagonda, now part of Aston Martin. The car is based on an Aston Martin DB9. The estimated price for the Rapide is around $260,000 US Dollars, although it is too soon to predict its price on the US market, the Rapide should be in full production in the US by Late 2010-early 2011.

Aston Martin has announced that the Rapide will be built at a dedicated plant at the Magna Steyr facility in Graz, Austria. Production will start in 2010 and the factory plans to build 2,000 per year. The production version will feature a full-length glass roof and LED light bars on the rear end, two firsts for Aston Martin.

The production version of the Rapide was shown at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show.

A production version of the Rapide has been spotted on several occasions in Kuwait in July and August 2009, where it is undergoing weather and performance testing.

Some recent Saturns are virtually identical to certain Opel/Vauxhall models. For example, the 2008 Saturn Vue was a rebadged Opel Antara, while the Opel GT was based on the Saturn Sky. The Opel Astra was imported from Antwerp, Belgium as the Saturn Astra . On the other hand, the Saturn Aura, while sometimes compared to the Opel Vectra, is a unique model for the North American market similar to the Pontiac G6.

The company offers two sub-lines of vehicles: "Red Line" Saturns are performance-oriented, while "Green Line" cars are more environmentally friendly hybrids. The Vue and Ion Red Line models, launched in 2004, have been joined by Vue and Aura Green Lines for the 2007 model year and a Sky Red Line the same model year. Saturn's Green Line vehicles utilize mild hybrid technology.

The 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid is a gasoline-electric hybrid powered version of the mid-size Fusion sedan launched to the U.S. market in March 2009, with an initial sale price of US$27,270. EPA ratings for the Ford Fusion Hybrid are 41 mpg city and 36 mpg highway. In city driving a full tank delivers 700 miles. In April 2009 editors of Kelley Blue Book named the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid to its 2009 list of "Top 10 Green Cars".

The Fusion Hybrid qualifies for a hybrid tax credit of US$3,400 if purchased by March 31, 2009. The credit drops to US$ 1,700 if purchased by September 30, 2009, and to US$850 if purchased by March 31, 2010. This credit is scheduled to phase out by April 1, 2010.

This model gets better fuel economy than the Toyota Camry Hybrid, the Nissan Altima Hybrid, and the Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid, viewed as its competitors in the mid-size sedan segment. However, the Toyota Prius 5-door hatchback still has the best fuel economy in vehicles considered mid-size by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, though it has less interior room and is packaged as a shorter, narrower, but taller hatchback.

Hybrid Synergy Drive, (HSD) is a set of hybrid car technologies developed by Toyota and used in the company's Prius, Highlander Hybrid, Camry Hybrid, It is also used in the Nissan Altima Hybrid. HSD technology produces a 'full hybrid' vehicle and allows the car to perform on the electric motor only as opposed to other brand hybrids which cannot and are considered 'mild hybrids'; it also combines an electric drive and a continuously variable transmission.

The Synergy Drive is a drive-by-wire system with no direct mechanical connection between the engine and the engine controls: both the gas pedal/accelerator and the gearshift lever in an HSD car merely send electrical signals to a control computer.

General Motors and DaimlerChrysler's Global Hybrid Cooperation is similar in that it combines the power from a single engine and two motors. In contrast, Honda's Integrated Motor Assist uses a more traditional ICE and transmission where the flywheel is replaced with an electric motor.

In the "standard" car design the alternator (AC generator) and starter (DC motor) are considered accessories that are attached to the internal combustion engine (ICE) which normally drives a transmission to power the wheels propelling the vehicle. A battery is used only to start the car's internal combustion engine and run accessories when the engine is not running.

The alternator is used to recharge the battery and run the accessories when the engine is running. HSD replaces the gear box (transmission), alternator and starter motor with a pair of powerful motor-generators[1] (designated MG1 and MG2, ~60 Hp total) with a computerized shunt system to control them, a mechanical power splitter that acts as a second differential, and a battery pack that serves as an energy reservoir. The motor-generator uses power from the battery pack to propel the vehicle at startup and at low speeds or under acceleration. The ICE may or may not be running at startup.

When higher speeds, faster acceleration or more power for charging the batteries is needed the ICE is started by the motor-generator (acting as a starter). These features allow the ICE to normally be turned off for traffic stops—accessory power (including air conditioning if needed) is normally provided by the battery pack.

When a moving vehicle operator wants the vehicle to slow down the initial travel of the brake pedal engages the motor-generator(s) into generator mode converting much of the forward motion into electrical current flow which is used to recharge the batteries while slowing down the vehicle. In this way the forward momentum regenerates (or converts) much of the energy used to accelerate the vehicle back into stored electrical energy.

(See regenerative braking) Harder braking action engages standard front disk and rear drum brakes which are also provided for faster stops and emergency use. This wastes energy which could have been recovered and is discouraged for normal use.

In August 2008, official SEAT designs of the production model were submitted to the World Intellectual Property Organization and subsequently leaked. Several car magazines were quick to turn these official gray-scale pictures into computer generated images that show the Tribu in near final form. Unsurprisingly, the concept car has been changed somewhat, and now has five doors and a more conventional boot opening.

The Tribu is expected to be a rebadged version of the Volkswagen Tiguan, and shall be produced in SEAT's main plant at Martorell, Spain, next to the upcoming Audi Q3

In September 2009 the manufacturer announced a postponement of the Tribù’s launch because of economic pressures affecting SEAT. The priority had become to ensure a reasonable return on the company’s existing recently launched or updated models such as the Exeo and Ibiza. The introduction of the Tribù would not take place until after production of the Audi Q3, scheduled for 2011, had been successfully implemented at the company’s Martorell plant.

A few days before its official debut at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Salon, Toyota exposed its new Mark X that has been redesigned for the 2010 model year. The Mark X is a mid-size sports sedan that shares the same rear-wheel drive platform with the JDM Toyota Crown and Lexus GS models. It is obtainable in Japan and certain Asian markets. In addition to the refreshed exterior that gains newly styled front and rear ends, Toyota has also updated the interior with a revised instrument panel and center console.

Furthermore, Toyota claims that shoulder portion of the entrance trim for the front and rear seats has been pushed outward by 25 mm (total for left and right), while the distance between the front seats has been increased by 20 mm, resulting in a roomier interior.

The Mark X is offered in Japan with a choice of two engines, a 2.5-liter V6 that makes 203HP and 24.8 kgm aof peak torque, and a 3.5-liter V6 with 318HP at 38.7 kgm. Both engines are coupled to a six-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters on the steering wheel. The 2.5 V6 model can also be joint with an all-wheel drive system.

Other highlights include a new Radar Cruise Control system, equipped with a brake-control function that can maintain a fixed distance with a car in front, an Adaptive Front-lighting System and the Hill-start Assist Control.

In Japan prices range from 2,380,000 yen for the basic 250G with the 2.5 V6 and rear-wheel drive to 3,800,000 yen for the top-spec 350S L-Package. Buyers can also opt for factory-customized versions of the Mark X

A turbocharger, or turbo, is a gas compressor that is used for forced-induction of an internal combustion engine. a form of supercharger, the purpose of a turbocharger is to increase the density of air entering the engine to create more power. However, a turbocharger has the compressor powered by a turbine, driven by the engine's own exhaust gases, rather than direct mechanical drive as with many other superchargers.

The turbocharger has four main components. The turbine (almost always a radial turbine) and impeller/compressor wheels are each contained within their own folded conical housing on opposite sides of the third component, the center housing/hub rotating assembly (CHRA).

The housings fitted around the compressor impeller and turbine collect and direct the gas flow through the wheels as they spin. The size and shape can dictate some performance characteristics of the overall turbocharger. Often the same basic turbocharger assembly will be available from the manufacturer with multiple housing choices for the turbine and sometimes the compressor cover as well.

This allows the designer of the engine system to tailor the compromises between performance, response, and efficiency to application or preference. Twin-scroll designs have two valve-operated exhaust gas inlets, a smaller sharper angled one for quick response and a larger less angled one for peak performance.

The turbine and impeller wheel sizes also dictate the amount of air or exhaust that can be flowed through the system, and the relative efficiency at which they operate. Generally, the larger the turbine wheel and compressor wheel, the larger the flow capacity. Measurements and shapes can vary, as well as curvature and number of blades on the wheels. Variable geometry turbochargers are further developments of these ideas.

The center hub rotating assembly (CHRA) houses the shaft which connects the compressor impeller and turbine. It also must contain a bearing system to suspend the shaft, allowing it to rotate at very high speed with minimal friction. For instance, in automotive applications the CHRA typically uses a thrust bearing or ball bearing lubricated by a constant supply of pressurized engine oil.

The CHRA may also be considered "water cooled" by having an entry and exit point for engine coolant to be cycled. Water cooled models allow engine coolant to be used to keep the lubricating oil cooler, avoiding possible oil coking from the extreme heat found in the turbine. The development of air-foil bearings has removed this risk.

The Ford Fusion Hybrid is a gasoline-electric hybrid powered version of the mid-size Ford Fusion sedan developed by the Ford Motor Company, and launched to the U.S. market in March 2009 as a 2010 model. The Fusion Hybrid is manufactured at Ford's Hermosillo Stamping & Assembly plant, located in Sonora, Mexico. Ford set a modest sales target of about 25,000 vehicles a year for the Fusion hybrid and the similar Mercury Milan. In April 2009 editors of Kelley Blue Book named the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid to its 2009 list of "Top 10 Green Cars

The hybrid electric version of the Fusion was announced at the 2005 North American International Auto Show, along with the public introduction of the original 2006 Fusion. At that time Ford announced that the hybrid version was scheduled to be introduced in early 2009 for the 2010 model year, for a suggested retail price of US$27,270. The new Fusion Hybrid and Fusion Sport officially debuted at the Greater Los Angeles Auto Show in November 2008

The Fusion Hybrid was made available for press testing in December 2008 and launched to the U.S market in March 2009. During the same month two other new hybrid models also came on sale, the Honda Insight and the Mercury Milan. During the few days that were available to the public, Ford's new Fusion and Milan hybrids sold a combined 451 units, representing 3.0% of all Fusion and Milan models sold in March 2009.
According to Ford, the vehicle was built to have a fuel efficiency of 41 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway by EPA standards. On December 2008, Green Car Congress staff reported they had obtained in-city mileage of 43.1 mpg on the streets of Los Angeles. In addition, a Los Angeles Times reporter informed in December 2008 that he had obtained 52 mpg in mixed city-highway driving with little difficulty.

The Fusion is the first new hybrid vehicle the Ford brand offered in five years, and is the second hybrid vehicle after the Ford Escape Hybrid. The Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan hybrids join the Saturn Vue Green Line Hybrid for Mexican-built hybrid vehicles

A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) is a hybrid vehicle with batteries that can be recharged by connecting a plug to an external electric power source. It shares the characteristics of both traditional hybrid electric vehicles (also called charge-maintaining hybrid electric vehicles), having an electric motor and an internal combustion engine; and of battery electric vehicles, also having a plug to connect to the electrical grid (it is a plug-in vehicle). Most PHEVs on the road today are passenger cars, but there are also PHEV versions of commercial vehicles and vans, utility trucks, buses, trains, motorcycles, scooters, and military vehicles. They are sometimes called grid-connected hybrids, gas-optional hybrids, or GO-HEVs.

The cost for electricity to power plug-in hybrids for all-electric operation has been estimated at less than one quarter of the cost of gasoline. Compared to conventional vehicles, PHEVs can reduce air pollution, dependence on petroleum and fossil fuels, and greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global warming.[ Plug-in hybrids use no fossil fuel during their all-electric range if their batteries are charged from nuclear or renewable electricity. Other benefits include improved national energy security, fewer fill-ups at the filling station, the convenience of home recharging, opportunities to provide emergency backup power in the home, and vehicle-to-grid (V2G) applications.

Chinese battery manufacturer and automaker BYD Auto released the F3DM PHEV-68 (PHEV109km) hatchback to the Chinese fleet market on December 15, 2008, for 149,800 yuan (US $22,000.) Toyota, General Motors, Ford, California startups Fisker Automotive and Aptera Motors, ] Volkswagen,and Volvo have scheduled the introduction of production PHEV automobiles. The PHEV-6 (PHEV-9.7 km) Toyota Prius will be offered beginning with commercial fleets in 2009. The luxury Fisker Karma PHEV-50 (PHEV-80 km) sports car is slated for late 2009, and GM's PHEV-40 (PHEV-64 km) Chevrolet Volt and Saturn Vue and the Volkswagen Golf PHEV-50 km plug-ins are expected in 2010. Ford's PHEV-30 Escape SUV is already being used in utility fleets, and due out to the general public in 2012.

As of 2009, most PHEVs on the road in the US are conversions of 2004 or later Toyota Prius and Ford Escape models, which have had plug-in charging and more batteries added and their electric-only range extended.Several countries, including the United States and several European countries, have enacted laws to facilitate the introduction of PHEVs through tax credits, emissions mandates, and by financing research and development of advanced batteries and other related technologies. Introduction of PHEVs also benefits from laws and regulations enacted for hybrid vehicles.

Volt's propulsion system will be based on GM's new Voltec (formerly known as E-Flex) electric vehicle platform, which differs significantly from GM's earlier BAS Hybrid and Two-Mode Hybrid systems. The first pre-production test car based on the full Volt design was built in June 2009 in Warren, Michigan[6] and by October 80 Volts had been built and were being tested in various conditions.

For up to the first 40 miles, the Volt is powered by electricity stored in its on-board lithium-ion batteries which are charged by an electrical power outlet. The Volt's 16 kWh (8.0 kWh usable) lithium-ion battery pack can be fully charged by plugging the car into a 120-240VAC residential electrical outlet using the provided SAE J1772compliant charging cord.

No external charging station will be required.Unlike most current commercially available electric hybrids, the actual propulsion of the Volt is accomplished exclusively by the electric motor.

With fully charged batteries, enough electrical energy will be stored to power the Volt up to 40 miles (64 km). This distance is capable of satisfying the daily commute for 75% of Americans, whose commute is on average 33 miles (53 km).

After 40 miles (64 km), a small 4-cylinder gasoline internal combustion engine creates electricity on-board to 53 kW (71 hp) generator extend the Volt's range to over 300 miles (483 km) The electrical power from the generator is sent to either the electric motor or the batteries, depending on the state of charge (SOC) of the battery pack and the power demanded at the wheels. The distribution is controlled by the electronic control unit (ECU) of the vehicle

Subaru claims to have implemented advanced policies which include recycling, reducing harmful emissions, educating their employees, and continuing their efforts have helped them in their environmental initiatives. The Subaru plant in Lafayette, Indiana (SIA) was the first auto assembly plant to achieve zero landfill status, nothing from the manufacturing process goes into a landfill.

The company has also developed energy efficient hybrid vehicles as well as a recycling plan for their "end-of-life" cars. Most of their modern products use aluminium throughout the vehicle, in the engine, transmission, suspension and elsewhere in each vehicle, that can be recycled when the vehicle is no longer servicable.

An excerpt from the Subaru website stated "In 2006, SIA was awarded the United States Environmental Protection Agency´s Gold Achievement Award as a top achiever in the agency's WasteWise program to reduce waste and improve recycling." The website also stated that "It also became the first U.S. automotive assembly plant to be designated a wildlife habitat."

Subaru currently offers a Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (PZEV) certified Legacy, Outback, and Forester models which are available for sale anywhere in the U.S. Other car makers limit vehicles certified as PZEV in states that have adopted California emission standards. Subaru PZEV vehicles meet California's Super-Ultra-Low-Emission Vehicle exhaust emission standard.

The new Bentley Mulsanne is the recently launched luxury car produced by Bentley Motors Limited. The name is derived from Bentley's famous history, which included five victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans the Mulsanne Straight being the stretch of the Le Mans racing circuit where cars reach their highest speeds.

Bentley's new flagship model which brings back the Mulsanne name, and will replace the Arnage, was unveiled at the 2009 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, on 16 August 2009. The car is expected to go on sale during 2010. Coupe and convertible variants are expected to follow at some point as replacements for the Arnage-based Brooklands and Azure respectively.

Though the car has been officially unveiled, very few details are available in public domain. However it has been confirmed that the car will retain the iconic 6.75 L (6750 cc/411 in³) V8 engine, albeit heavily redesigned. Further information is expected to be released at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show.

The Mulsanne is also notable as it is the first flagship car to be independently designed by Bentley Motors in nearly 80 years; the last being W.O. Bentley's iconic 8 litre model in 1930.

While the price of the car has yet to be announced, the first vehicle to be produced has already been sold at an auction at the Pebble Beach event for $550,000

A stock car, in the original sense of the term, described an automobile that has not been modified from its original factory configuration. Later the term stock car came to mean any production-based automobile used in racing. This term is used to differentiate such a car from a race car, a special, custom-built car designed only for racing purposes.

Today most stock cars may superficially resemble standard American family sedans, but are in fact purpose-built racing machines built to a strict set of regulations governing the car design ensuring that the chassis, suspension, engine, etc. are architecturally identical on all vehicles. Ironically, these regulations ensure that stock car racers are in many ways technologically less sophisticated than standard cars on the road. For example, NASCAR (the largest stock car organization in the U.S.) requires carbureted engines in all of its racing series, while fuel injection is now universal in standard passenger cars.

The closest European equivalent to stock car racing is probably touring car racing, though these are raced exclusively on road courses rather than ovals.

Stock car racing is a form of automobile racing found mainly in the United States, Canada, New Zealand, Great Britain and Brazil. Traditionally, races are run on oval tracks measuring approximately ¼ mile to 2.66 miles (about 400 meters to 4.2 kilometres) in length, but are also raced on road courses[citation needed]. The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) is the world's largest governing body for stock car racing, and its Sprint Cup Series (named for its sponsor, Sprint Nextel Corporation) is the de facto premier series of stock car racing.

Top level races are 200 to 600 miles (320-1000 km) in length. Average speeds in the top classes are usually within 70-80% of comparable levels of open wheel racing at the same tracks. Some stock cars may reach speeds of in excess of 200 mph (320 km/h) at tracks such as Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Lowe's Motor Speedway. For safety, devices such as restrictor plates may be used at Daytona International Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway that limit top speeds to approximately 187 mph (301 km/h).

Toyota has delivered proof positive that not only can the new full hybrid Prius meet its official fuel consumption figures, it can do even better.

Results from its participation in the FleetWorld MPG Marathon, Britain’s leading independent test of fuel economy, show Prius sipping petrol at a rate of 84.05mpg, 16 per cent better than the official combined cycle figure of 72.4mpg.

This exceptional tally was achieved by the driving team of Andrew Andersz and Richard Seymour, who piloted the Prius over a 350-mile route made up of the kind of roads encountered by ordinary motorists every day. The real-world driving conditions showed beyond doubt that Prius can deliver excellent economy on the open road, as well as in urban areas where its ability to run on electric motor power alone comes into play.

New Prius, which went on sale in the summer, is not only exceptionally fuel efficient, it also achieves the lowest CO2 emissions of any family car, at just 89g/km. At the same time it is more powerful than its predecessor, thanks to a new, highly efficient 1.8-litre petrol engine in its Hybrid Synergy Drive powertrain. Improved aerodynamics also play a key role in its cleaner and more fuel-frugal performance, with its drag coefficient trimmed to a best-in-class 0.25.

The MPG Marathon, which took place over two days last week (30 September and 1 October), also saw the Toyota iQ and Yaris models in action and both outperforming their official consumption figures. The one-litre petrol iQ finished with an average 78.69mpg and the 1.4 D-4D diesel Yaris achieved 86.18mpg, both cars much smaller than Prius, highlighting the unique abilities of the world’s best selling hybrid.

The Auto Expo is a biennial trade fair of automobile and auto component manufacturers organized at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, India. Organized jointly by the Automotive Component Manufacturers Association (ACMA), Confederation of Indian Industry (CII)and Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM); it is the Asia's only and the largest Complete Automotive Show

The 2008 edition of the Auto Expo was the first auto trade fair in India to be accredited by the Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs d'Automobiles (OICA).

The 10th Auto Expo 2010

The 10th edition of this premier Auto Exhibition is scheduled from 5th to 11th January 2010 at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, India.The 10th Auto Expo 2010 will be focusing on the theme “Mobility for All” with special emphasis on the need of environment friendly fuels/ vehicles, technological advancements, innovative designs.

As always, Auto Expo 2010 will continue to provide the platform for joint ventures, generating enquiries, one to one interaction, brand promotion, industry surveys, promoting exports, etc.

Toyota revealed the refreshed seventh-generation 2010 Camry at the 2009 North American International Auto Show. Visual changes include an updated front fascia unique to each grade, larger headlamp lenses, LED tail lamps (previously hybrids only), and new wheel/wheel cover designs. Audio systems with USB connectivity are offered, and a backup camera is integrated into the navigation system.

Two newly designed 2.5 L 2AR-FE I4 engines replace the previous 4-cylinder in non-hybrid models, which are now mated to either a 6-speed automatic or 6-speed manual transmission. The more powerful 179 horsepower (133 kW) version is exclusive to the Camry SE, and Toyota's Smart Key System is now available for the SE (while it was previously only available to the XLE). Toyota's Vehicle Stability Control becomes standard on all Camry grades. All Camry grades receive standard auto-up/down power windows for all passengers, and the dark green Spruce Mica replaces the Sky Blue Pearl exterior color.

The Aloe Green Metallic color replaces the Jasper Pearl exterior color on the Hybrid. The SE models are available with a host of new performance upgrades, including a limited-slip differential and sport exhaust system. The facelifted Camry began production in January 2009 and went on sale in March 2009 in the United States

The seventh-generation Toyota Camry is the first generation in which the Camry has been available as a gasoline/electric hybrid. The Camry Hybrid utilizes Toyota’s second generation Hybrid Synergy Drive and a 4-cylinder engine with 147 horsepower (110 kW) in conjunction with a 40 hp (30 kW) electric motor for a combined output of 187 horsepower. The Camry became the third Toyota model sold in America to be offered as a hybrid after the Prius and the Highlander Hybrid.

Camry Hybrids were initially built solely in Japan, though the majority of production has since shifted to Toyota’s Georgetown, Kentucky plant, which is projected to produce 45,000 of the vehicles per year. In June 2008, Toyota Motor Corporation has announced that the Camry Hybrid will also be built in a Thailand plant in 2009 and in Melbourne in 2010 with an annual production capacity of 9,000 and 10,000 respectively.

The 2009 SRT8, while still equipped with the 6.1L Hemi V8, is virtually identical to its 2008 counterpart, with the main difference being the choice of either a 5-speed automatic or a 6-speed manual transmission.

Standard features include Brembo brakes, a sport suspension, bi-xenon headlamps, heated leather sport seats, keyless go, Sirius satellite radio, and 20-inch (510 mm) forged aluminum wheels in addition to most amenities offered on the lower R/T and SE models such as air conditioning and cruise control. In addition, the 2009 will have a true "limited slip" differential.

A "Spring Special" SRT8 Challenger was also offered in B5 Blue, but thanks to rolling plant shutdowns, just over 250 Spring Special Challengers were built before the end of the 2009 model year. For 2010, SRT8 models add Detonator Yellow as an available color (at extra cost), and only with the optional "Special Edition Group".

Yellow Challengers will only be built for a limited time (October/November 2009). A retro color, Plum Crazy Pearl, is scheduled to be available during Spring 2010 production, perhaps as the new color, offered exclusively in the "Spring Special" package.

he Toyota Prius (pronounced /ˈpriːəs/) is a full hybrid electric mid-size car developed and manufactured by the Toyota Motor Corporation. It first went on sale in Japan in 1997, making it the first mass-produced hybrid vehicle. It was subsequently introduced worldwide in 2001. The Prius is sold in more than 40 countries and regions, with its largest markets being those of Japan and North America.[1] As a top seller in the US market, the U.S.

Toyota Prius made up more than half of the 1.2 million Prius sold worldwide by early 2009. us as among the cleanest vehicles sold in the United States based on non-CO2 toxic emissions.[5] The UK Department for Transport reported the latest Prius is the second least CO2-emitting vehicle on sale in the UK with 89 g/km. now based on a shortened Subaru Legacy platform. the new chassis represents a departure from some Subaru traditions with full framed doors and a hatchback body style for the STi and WRC versions.

Subaru made an effort to control the weight of the new chassis. Despite the increase in size, stiffness, and safety equipment, the car's weight is similar to the previous chassis at 3,142 lb for the 5 speed manual and 3,208 lb (1,455 kg) for the 4 speed automatic.

The engine used is still the EJ25. The front suspension uses a MacPherson strut setup with steering ratio of 15:1, while the rear is a new double wishbone suspension. The US-spec WRX reverts back to a 2-piston/1-piston sliding calipers (dropping the 4-piston/2-piston fixed caliper setup), but have grown to 11.6-inch in the front and 11.3-inch (290 mm) in the rear, the same as the BL5-chassis US-spec Legacy 2.5GT and Spec B.

MGs have been used in competition and from the early 1930s a series of dedicated racing cars such as the 1931 C-Type and 1934 Q-type were made and sold to enthusiasts who received considerable company assistance. This stopped in 1935 when MG was formally merged with Morris Motors and the Competition Department closed down. A series of experimental cars had also been made allowing Captain George Eyston to take several world speed records. In spite of the formal racing ban, speed record attempts continued with Goldie Gardner exceeding 200 mph (320 km/h) in the 1100 cc EX135 in 1939.

After World War II record breaking attempts restarted with 500 cc and 750 cc records being taken in the late 1940s. A decision was also taken to return to racing and a team of MGAs was entered in the tragedy-laden 1955 Le Mans 24 hour race, the best car achieving 12th place.

Prior to the use of the Toyota Tundra in the Craftsman Truck Series, MG was reported as the last foreign brand to be used in NASCAR. It was driven in 1963 by Smokey Cook. In 2001 MG re-launched their motor sport campaign to cover the 24 Hours of Le Mans , British Touring Car Championship , British and World Rally Championships and MG Independent British Rally Championship .

The Le Mans team failed to win the endurance race in 2001 and 2002 and quit in 2003. MG Sport+Racing raced in the British Touring Car Championships with the MG ZS between 2001-2003 as a factory team. In 2004 WSR raced the MG ZS as a privateer team and still race in the series today with many wins to date. After three years without a major sponsor, WSR teamed up with RAC in 2006 and the team was called Team RAC. The MG British Rally Challenge still runs today despite the liquidation in 2005.

In 2004 plans to race in the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters with a heavily modified V8 powered ZT supertouring car were cancelled due to MG Rover's liquidation in April 2005. In 2007, a surprise announcement was made that a Super 2000 rally car has been prepared in conjunction with rally experts MSD, who used to manage the Hyundai works World Rally team. This is the first sporting step the reformed company has made. Testing has been carried out on the MG ZR based car & it is expected to enter competition in 2008.

The Roewe 550 is a car produced by the SAIC Roewe in the People's Republic of China launched at the April 2008 Beijing Motor Show. It is reported to be derived from the MG Rover RDX60 project which was under development when MG Rover failed.

The car, codenamed W261 during development, is the work of a joint Anglo-Chinese collaboration with ex-Rover experts at consultancy firm Ricardo 2010 and SAIC's own car development team. The 550 was previewed at the 2007 Shanghai Auto Show in the form of the Roewe W2 concept car.

The drivetrain uses either a 1.6 or 1.8 litre 160 bhp engine based on the Rover K engine with 2.0 litre turbo diesel forecast to join the range and a choice of five speed manual or five speed automatic transmission.

The car features a high-technology interior with digital instruments and the RMI (Roewe Multimedia Interface) digital multimedia interactive system, a multi-functional audio and video entertainment system with Bluetooth hands-free system, USB interface and GPS.

The Nissan Skyline GT-R is a Japanese sports car based on the Nissan Skyline range. The first GT-Rs were produced from 1969-1977. After a 16 year hiatus since the KPGC110 in 1972, the GT-R name was revived in 1989 with the Skyline R32. This car was nicknamed "Godzilla" by the Australian motoring publication "Wheels" in its July 1989 edition, a name that sticks to this day. The R32 GT-R surprisingly dominated the motorsport in Japan, winning a 29 straight victories out of 29 races. The GT-R proceeded to win the JTC Group A series championship 4 years in a row, and also had success in the Australian Touring Car Championship winning from 1990-1992, until the GT-R was outlawed in 1993.[1] The Skyline GT-R (R33) was also the first production car to lap the legendary Nürburgring in under eight minutes.

The Skyline GT-R became the flagship of Nissan performance, showcasing many advanced technologies including the ATTESA-ETS 4WD system and the Super-HICAS four-wheel steering. The GT-Rs remained inexpensive compared to its European rivals, with a list-price of ¥ 4.5 million. Today, the car is popular for import Drag Racing, Circuit Track, Time Attack and events hosted by tuning magazines. The GT-R actually is the winner in the 2007 Tsukuba Time Attack held in Japan-- the M-Speed GT-R . Production of the GT-R officially ceased in August 2002.

The Skyline GT-R was never manufactured outside of Japan, and the sole export markets were Australia, in 1991.Despite this the car has become an iconic sports car, including in countries from the Western World (mainly the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and Canada).It has become notable through pop culture such as cinema and video games like the The Fast and the Furious series and Gran Turismo.

Mercedes-Benz has also produced a sports car with McLaren Cars, an extension of the collaboration by which Mercedes engines are used by the Team McLaren-Mercedes Formula One racing team, which is part owned by Mercedes. The 2003 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren has a carbon fiber body with a 5.4l V8 supercharged engine.

This is the same block as featured in SL55 AMG and the CLS55 AMG, though modified to give 460 kW (630 PS; 620 hp) and 780 N·m (575 ft·lb) of torque. The SLR has a maximum speed of 337 kilometres per hour (209 mph) and costs approximately US$500,000. Due to European pedestrian-protection regulations, McLaren has decided to cease production of the SLR in 2009.

The most recent new joint-venture model, expected to reach production, is the mid-engine P8 sports car. Based around a unique carbon fiber monocoque, manufactured by McLaren, the P8 was originally predicted to receive the new naturally aspirated 6.2L V8 from Mercedes-AMG, but insiders say that the engine will be modified for the car and will probably be twin- turbocharged to produce in excess of 600 bhp (450 kW).

The car is still in development, but likely to reach production to go on sale in early 2008, and have a price tag less than that of the SLR.

Car buyers will be able to find the most environmentally friendly vehicles for their needs from today, as Transport Minister Jim Fitzpatrick launched the Department for Transport's 'Best on CO2' car rankings.

The rankings system - compiled in association with What Car? magazine - is the latest part of the Department's ACT ON CO2 campaign to help tackle climate change.

People considering buying a new car can now visit the link below, search for the type they're looking for by What Car? category, transmission and fuel type and automatically be given a list of the lowest CO2 emitting models according to their requirements.

Climate change affects everyone and everyone can make a contribution to tackling it. By choosing the car with the most fuel efficient engine in its class, drivers could reduce their engine CO2 emissions by 24 per cent and potentially save a quarter on fuel costs. So the message is simple - the car you choose can help reduce your impact on the environment, and help save money."

Steve Fowler, Editor of What Car?

"These car rankings are exactly what consumers need to make an informed choice about the type of car to buy in order to minimise their fuel consumption, save money and help tackle climate change. Car buyers are making increasingly difficult choices about the cars they buy and these rankings will help them to include environmental factors when making that vital decision."

The Best on CO2 rankings were developed using emissions data from the Vehicle Certification Agency, the DfT Agency responsible for conducting the official tests to determine CO2 emissions from cars.

The 14 car categories were developed by What Car? magazine, based partly on groupings used by the motor industry to classify cars and partly on their expertise following extensive reader research about perceptions of the market.

Last week in Frankfurt Motor Show Fiat has officially introduced the Punto Evo, which is an evolution of the Fiat Grande Punto. The Fiat Punto Evo expected to go on sale in early 2010.It is expected that the new Fiat Punto Evo is destined to repeat the success of its predecessor.

I t has more stylish looks with number of safety features. It is built to please the most demanding customers.

It has number of number of engine options but highlights include the a 1.3 liter Multijet diesel as well as a 1.4 liter MultiAir petrol unit, but unfortunately the auto maker did reveal power figures. Punto comes with 1248cc engine with four-cylinder. It gives about 75 bhp@4000 rpm. Punto gives a great riding experience. Fita Uno is no doubt Fiat’s flagship for excellent riding experience.

But Yes, It has the Fiat’s Start&Stop system which switches off and restarts the engine in stop-and-go traffic, and the Blue&Me–TomTom system which is portable satellite navigation unit that lets you manage telephone, navigation and information functions on a practical colour touch-screen.

The Evo is near about 3 cm longer than the Grande and comes with checkered grills look absolutely MultiJet badged. Its tail lamp cluster is well researched. An over all design is pretty worked out. It has 14-inch alloy wheels.Other features include ABS with EBD, ESP, Hill-holder function, adaptive cornering fog lights, a total of seven airbags

The Evo has heavily revised interiors with a renewed fascia, seats, storage compartments and instrumentation. The Italian auto maker has given a hint that two alternative fuel engines will find their way into the Fiat Punto Evo soon, including a methane and an LPG version.

And Frankfurt was bursting at the seams with awesome new supercars that mean several firms will be praying the recession really is over. The new models were planned up to five years ago when manufacturers, like all of us, thought the good times would never end, so they had no chance but to go ahead with the cars. It means a heavyweight battle for customers as Aston Martin, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Mercedes and Audi battle it out with new models.

The list will eventually include the new Mc Laren that wasn't at the show plus established models from Porsche and Maserati. ablished models from Porsche and Maserati.

But whatever the opposition, the Ferrari Italia is the car to beat because it is the best-looking Ferrari for years and will go like a rocket thanks to a 5.4litre V8 engine and 562bhp. That means 0-62mph in 3.4 seconds and in excess of 200mph, which should guarantee a queue of customers when it goes on sale in the UK next year for £155,000. Aston Martin open the doors to new supercar customers with their first four-door model, the Rapide. Unlike its bulky rival the Porsche Panamera, the Aston manages to make four doors look sexy and elegant, even if the rear space is tight for adults.



It will go on sale early next year for around £150,000 and Aston believe they could sell 2,000 a year. Sadly, it won't be built in the UK but under contract in Austria.Audi have become serious players in the supercar world with the instant success of the R8 and Frankfurt saw the debut of the stunning convertible Spyder version that will hit the UK next year with a price tag of £111,955.
Mercedes join the supercar scrap with their exotic SLS. It comes with dramatic gullwing doors inspired by the legendary 300SL Gullwing. The SLS is a replacement for the SLR McLaren. Its £155,000 price is a bargain in comparison, especially with 0-62 in 3.8 seconds and a top speed of 195mph. Mercedes are working on bringing out an electric version within the next few years. If you like your supercars raw and wild, try the Lamborghini Reventon Roadster, which looks as if it will suck in and spit out the opposition.

Car sharing is generally not cost-effective for commuting to a full-time job on a regular basis. Most car sharing advocates, operators and cooperating public agencies believe that those who do not drive daily or who drive less than 10,000 kilometers annually may find car sharing to be more cost-effective than car ownership. But variations of 50% on this figure are reported by operators and others depending on local context. If occasional use of a shared vehicle costs significantly less than car ownership, this makes automobile use more accessible to low-income households.

Subaru Rally Team Japan led by Noriyuki Koseki ran Subaru Leone coupé, sedan DL, RX (SRX) and RX Turbo in the World Rally Championship between 1980 and 1989 a few rallies per season. Drivers for individual rallies included Ari Vatanen, Per Eklund, Shekhar Mehta, Mike Kirkland, Possum Bourne and Harald Demut.

Mike Kirkland finished 6th overall and won the A Group at the 1986 Safari Rally. That year Subaru was one of the only manufactures combining 4WD and turbo. Subaru changed the rally model to Legacy RS for the 1990-1992 period and took part in the first complete season in the World Rally Championship with the same model in 1993.

Modified versions of the Impreza WRX and WRX STi have been competing successfully in rallying; drivers Colin McRae (1995), Richard Burns (2001) and Petter Solberg (2003) have won World Rally Championship drivers' titles with the Subaru World Rally Team, and Subaru took the manufacturers' title three years in a row from 1995 to 1997. Subaru's World Rally Championship cars are prepared and run by Prodrive, the highly successful British motorsport team. Several endurance records were set in the early and mid-nineties by the Subaru Legacy.

Subaru was briefly involved in Formula One circuit racing when it bought a controlling interest in the tiny Italian Coloni team for the 1990 season. The Coloni 3B's 12-cylinder engine was badged as a Subaru and shared the boxer layout with the company's own engines, but was an existing design built by Italian firm Motori Moderni.

The cars were overweight and underpowered and the partnership broke down before the season finished.[14] With the rise of rally racing, and the Import scene in the US, the introduction of the highly anticipated Subaru Impreza WRX in 2001 was successful in bringing high performance, AWD compact cars into the sports car mainstream.

On the 16 December 2008, it was announced that Subaru would no longer be competing in the World Rally Championships,[15] due to the issues with the current global economic crisis, combined with the prospect of a car which still needed development for the 2009 season and a change in regulations for the 2010 season.

The TSX would also eventually replace the Acura RSX (which in turn succeeded the Acura Integra coupe). As of 2008, the TSX is the smallest vehicle in the Acura model line, other than the Civic-based CSX sold only in Canada. All TSXs are built in Sayama, Saitama, Japan.

The TSX is badge engineered from the CL-series Accord (also known as the European Accord or JDM Accord) sold in Europe, Japan and Australia . The TSX initially had a restyled interior and different suspension tuning than the European Accord when it was introduced, however since 2008 the interior is now standardized for all three markets.

In the Australian & New Zealand, the CL-series is sold Accord Euro, a smaller mid-size car, where the USDM Accord is sold in the large car category. In North America, the TSX is sold alongside the mid-size luxury Acura TL, which is based on the USDM Accord, which in itself is a rebadged JDM Honda Inspire.

The Opel Vivaro – sold in the United Kingdom as the Vauxhall Vivaro – is a medium-sized light commercial vehicle (LCV or PKW) originally launched in 2001, and is available in panel van, minibus, combined bus/van and platform-cab configurations. Two wheelbases and two roof heights are available, as well as three diesel engines and a petrol engine.

The vehicle resulted from a joint venture between General Motors (owners of Opel and Vauxhall) and French manufacturer Renault, and is also sold as the Renault Trafic and by their ally Nissan as the Nissan Primastar. It is primarily manufactured at GMM Luton Vehicles (previously IBC) in England, and also by Nissan at their Zona Franca facility in Barcelona.

The vehicle is distinguished by its somewhat flamboyant and unconventional front design, compared with its more traditional competitors such as the smaller variants of the Ford Transit and Volkswagen Transporter.

There was a mild facelift in 2006 during which the front indicators were moved from the front bumper, up into the headlight housing.

A hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) is a hybrid vehicle that combines a conventional internal combustion engine propulsion system with an electric propulsion system. The presence of the electric power train is intended to achieve better fuel economy than a conventional vehicle. A hybrid electric vehicle is also a form of electric vehicle; a variety of types of HEV exist, and the degree to which they function as EVs varies as well. The most common form of HEV is the hybrid electric car, an automobile driven by a gasoline internal combustion engine (ICE) and electric motors powered by batteries.

Modern HEVs make use of efficiency-improving technologies such as regenerative braking, which converts the vehicle's kinetic energy into battery-replenishing electric energy, rather than wasting it as heat energy as vehicles equipped with conventional brakes do. Some varieties of HEVs use their internal combustion engine to generate electricity by spinning an electrical generator (this combination is known as a motor-generator), to either recharge their batteries or directly feed power to the electric motors that drive the vehicle.

Many HEVs reduce idle emissions by shutting down the ICE at idle and restarting it when needed; this is known as a start-stop system. A hybrid-electric produces less emissions from its ICE than a comparably-sized gasoline car, as an HEV's gasoline engine is usually smaller than a pure fossil-fuel vehicle, and if not used to directly drive the car, can be geared to run at maximum efficiency, further improving fuel economy.

By following the tips below you could save one month's worth of fuel over a year and reduce your emissions.

Drive smoothly and slowly

* drive smoothly and at a slower speed to reduce fuel consumption
* check the road ahead, anticipate traffic and avoid harsh acceleration and braking
* stick to the speed limits - at 70 miles per hour (mph) you could use up to 15 per cent more fuel than at 50 mph

Change gears at the right time

* correct gear changing will save fuel and reduce your emissions
* shift up a gear at 2,500 revs per minute (rpm) for petrol cars and 2,000 rpm for diesel cars
* a vehicle travelling at 37 mph in third gear uses 25 per cent more fuel than it would at the same speed in fifth gear

Stop and start less

* keeping the engine running or pumping the accelerator wastes fuel, increases engine wear and increases emissions
* get in and go - modern engines are designed to be most efficient when you do this
* switch your engine off if you won't be moving for a while

The benefits of car sharing

Car sharing schemes allow people to share vehicles for some journeys. The benefits of car sharing include:

* improved air quality and fewer carbon emissions due to reduced traffic
* reduced travel costs for each person
* less congestion and shorter journeys due to fewer cars being on the road
* an increased chance of finding a parking space, because fewer cars means less competition for spaces
* increased personal security if your car share means you walk to and from the car with somebody else

Car clubs

Car clubs give people access to a car for essential journeys without the need to own one.

Belonging to a club allows you to hire a vehicle which is parked in a reserved parking space, close to homes or workplaces. Vehicles can be used and paid for on an hourly, daily or weekly basis.

Using a car club can be less expensive and less hassle than owning your own car. You don't have to buy a vehicle or pay for expenses like maintenance, an MOT or car tax, and the system is usually simple:

* a car is booked through a central office using the telephone or internet
* cars can be hired 24 hours a day for as little as an hour at a time
* cars are left in parking bays close to homes or workplaces
* keys are either kept at a nearby safe, or in the car, which is accessed using a smart card
* drivers usually pay a monthly or yearly fee, and are billed for hours hired and miles driven
* servicing and maintenance is taken care of for you

The domestic auto industry posted a robust over 24 percent jump in August sales, fuelling hopes of an even better performance in the coming festival season. According to the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), the industry sold 10,08,702 units in August as against 8,11,341 units in the same month last year.

Passenger car sales continued to grow for the seventh straight month for August, up 25.59 percent while sales for motorcycles soared by 25.94 percent for the same month, SIAM said.

In terms of units sold, domestic passenger car sales rose to 1,20,669 from 96,082 units in the same month last year, while bikes increased to 6,11,173 units against 4,85,270 units in the corresponding month a year ago.

"During the last few months, sales were consistently growing. Of course, in last month it was fueled by some stock build-up at the dealer level for the anticipated festive demand," SIAM Senior Director Sugato Sen told reporters at New Delhi on Tuesday.

The low-base effect during the same period last year also had a positive impact on sales, he added.

Asked about the expected demand in the festive season, Sen said: "Government has announced that the last installment of the pay commission (revision) will be released, this will help people to fund their purchases... Also lot of activities in the infrastructure sector are going on... The growth trend is expected to continue."

Buying and adapting a car can be expensive. The Motability Scheme - run by the independent not-for-profit organisation Motability - gives disabled people the opportunity to own or lease a car at an affordable price.

You must pay for parking in most controlled parking zones and car parks. Parking without paying or exceeding the period allowed means you may be issued with a penalty fine.

There are two types of parking controls:

• restrictive parking - for waiting and loading only
• designated parking - identifies where vehicles can be left and under what conditions and includes residential parking zones
  

There are also areas where parking or waiting is banned:

• double yellow lines - parking is banned, although there may be specific exceptions for loading
• single yellow lines - parking is banned at specified times
• red routes - a single red line usually bans stopping and parking during working hours, while a double red line bans stopping and parking at any time
  

While the automobile is a commonly used product, it is an extremely complex and technologically sophisticated one. Manufacturing new cars requires state-of-the-art technological methods and processes. In addition, supplier industries of the automotive manufacturing industry, such as steel and other parts as well as electronic instrumentation, are vital in providing the necessary supplies and components for assembling motor vehicles.

To improve product quality and efficiency in production, automakers invest a large amount of time and money into developing and improving the manufacturing process, and rely heavily on research and technological innovation. Over the last 75 years, significant technological development has taken place, changing and reinventing how motor vehicles are produced.

Technology has increasingly altered the manufacturing process for motor vehicles. While cars are produced at faster rates, automakers must continue to balance increased productivity and efficiency with quality and innovation. Modern technologies used in advancing manufacturing for the automotive industry include:

Over the last 25 years, automation technology has become an essential part of automobile assembly plants. A typical assembly plant uses several hundred robots to build and paint the vehicle frame. 2 While robotic technology continues to grow in assembly plants, the technology does have limitations, especially in performing more delicate tasks. The advent of Intelligent Assist Devices, in particular Cobots (Collaboratiave robots), aided in reducing ergonomic concerns, while also improving safety, quality and productivity. Cobots, developed by Northwestern University and General Motors Corporation, are designed to work in collaboration with human operators to move objects and perform physically demanding tasks on vehicle assembly lines.

Led by a smart recovery in developed sector, industrial production enlargement accelerated to 7.8 per cent in June compared to 2.7 per cent a month ago.developed sector, which accounts for two-thirds of the industrial production, recorded a growth of 7.3 per cent in June indicating return of consumer demand in the market.

Consumer durables and capital goods grew by 15.5 per cent and 11.8 per cent, respectively - the strongest expansion in several months.The trend in the first district, however, remained subdued at 3.7 per cent mainly due to lower production in the first two months of the period.

In the same month last fiscal, the industry grew by 5.4 per cent. However, the growth was 5.3 per cent in the first quarter a year ago.Commenting on the recovery of the industrial sector, Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia said, "I always expect the positive trend (in industrial growth) to continue. However, weak monsoon could have some negative impact on the overall GDP."

According to the IIP data, 12 out of 17 industrial segments during June recorded positive enlargement compared to the corresponding month of the previous year.