First half of 2009 year do not bring almost any fundamental changes on used heavy goods vehicles market. Polish carriers considerably limited shopping equal new as well as used vehicles. Supply of used truck accrues more and more, however demand significantly decreases. Everything it behind case of economic and financial crisis, which significantly has effected not only market of cargo vehicles. In addition, prices of fuel still growing. Transport sector stops be profitable cost-effective.

Market of used semitrailer is placed in similar situation. Their prices in last months very fall, but they still wait for new users. Sale of low under-carriage semitrailers has fallen very soundly, equally poorly are sold silo and semitrailers for transportation of bituminous mass. Unfortunately, nobody can forecast for when situation will be permanent. With certitude at ameliorating economic situation interest of this type vehicles will grow. Conservative projections predict revival of transport market in 2010 year.

International carriers also recede from shopping of cargo vehicles. They represented the vast majority of recipients. Everything it behind case of PLN., which value in last year significantly has been strengthened. It has caused very big financial losses and decrease of wage he conversion of on PLN. Some small transport enterprises have declared insolvency, because balance of profit and loss became in enough fast rate negative.

Stagnation in sale, but properly decrease of price of new vehicle it has enforced importers of used trucks for considerable lowering of prices. Construction vehicles cheapen also from the point of view of continuous delays in case of road investment. In this case also semitrailers take note smallest price from the point of view of limitation of investment in construction sector. On secondary market vehicles cheapen independently of mark and popularity among purchasers. Used vehicles, waiting for owners still arrive independently of production this new.

In Poland, to a great extent, interest purchase of new commercial vehicles falls off. Small demand on new cars is rearranged to a great extent on boosted interest of purchase used vehicles. Statistic say that about 70% of all commercial vehicles sold in Poland are used cars, older than four years and in addition 40% of them have more than ten years. Additional, on boost of import of cars used from west have influence information that it will be possible to register cars on base of technical research carried in the area of European Union.

Market of used commercial vehicle, just as in case of transported cargo cars, presently survive crisis however much minor. This segment spreads out still, however already liquid not so, as year ago. Used commercial vehicles cheapen, just as new cars. But, secondary market survives considerable siege still. Request grow, especially on cars for transport of ice-cream, deep-frozen foods and other products requiring low temperature. They are furnished with under-carriage with box and cooling buildings. Construction of this vehicles in each firm is similar.

Firms, sales commercial vehicles, intensively sell off fetch last year and unsold vehicles. They offer them in very attractive prices, firms use with that supplies occupying. Secondary market spreads out still, because it arrives cars used. Fall in transport sector touch only in small degree section of commercial vehicles. While that, this industry can not threaten factors, which have lowered demand on trucks.

Among importers very widely is spread leasing of vehicles. More and more firms has is offer also commercial vehicles renting. This is perfect solution for less wealthy firms which do not have money for buying car. Leasing doesn’t take advantage excessively budget of firm, allows to maintain financial continuity.

From several years on polish motor market grows demand on used municipal vehicles. Hard be surprised because prices of new vehicles very differ from prices of these used. In Poland biggest request is on clean vehicles. Majority businessman does not have enough funds to invest to new vehicles. So they choose about over half cheap and used cars.

They are mainly imported from Germany. Beyond big vehicles with rear loading, mainly adapted to handle larger vessels, more and more popular are the vehicles much smaller, with lateral loading, built on deliver cars. The interest of this type of clean vehicles is increasing due to the fact that more and more is housing of detached houses where that vehicles are checked best.

Beyond westward vehicles, a large popular are also used cars imported from Italy. The great advantage of Italian companies is that they have a very large gamut of vehicles used both to built on small-deliver cars and also big-trucks. A similar situation can be observed in case of used street sweepers. Here the leader leading Foreign importers.

Import and repair fetched from Germany vehicles deal with several polish firms. The most know of them are: Army from Gorzow Wielkopolski, Imprex from Szczecin, west Pomeranian center of municipal equipment from Slawno or Komunal Full from Kielce. Permanently in offer all of them are placed several vehicles with German buildings of firms Haller, Faun or Meiller.

In Poland still request is higher than financial capabilities. Some municipal firms not stay up yet to shopping used vehicle, not saying already about new. Perfect solution seems be leasing. In our country capabilities of leasing municipal vehicles from year to year grow. Importers leave opposite requirements of small firms. Leasing is usually unlimited time. It is possible to rent vehicle for example only on two-three months. This is perfect solution because isn’t significant load for budget of firm. Client can be acquainted in practice with capabilities of vehicles. Part of agreement of leasing is finished sale.

Consecutive months do not bring a fundamental changes on heavy goods vehicles market. This confirms the view of about deep fall in branch related with economic and financial crisis as well as too large investment in previous years. Uncertain future and not real basis for the development of transport market goods astringencies carriers before shopping new or used camp. Departed months allow formulating conclusion and designation of this year trend market.

First of all, shows, how much polish transport market is coherent with markets of western Europe, writes in report EurotaxGlass’s company. The market follows the same trends and exactly the same way, reacting to the economic situation. Polish carriers drastically reduced their purchases of cars, new and used. A sole positive signal is relatively big interest of Euro vehicles 4/5. Introduction of new charges on German highways promoting the most ecological cars, does not leave choice. Besides, Euro 5 norm becoming obligatory for all new vehicles in October this year. Interest in the Euro 3 vehicles comes almost exclusively from country market and is very limited. All this makes that the difference between the value of trucks Euro 4 / 5 and Euro 3 is constantly growing. While the value of Euro 4 / 5 has stabilized, the Euro 3 are still declining, although not as fast as few months ago. This trend is expected in the near future.
Prices of used cars in Poland has not reacted to changes in the euro exchange value.

Cars in commission sales is so many, that value has fallen below level of other European markets, and import practically is dead. Western European carriers take advantage situation and willfully buy cars in Poland. Similar is with semi trailers market, which prices also very fall. Nobody can forecast by when this situation will be permanent. Only positive signals streaming from economy can give impulse for intensive shopping. In recent years, good prosperity for trucks purchase covered with introduction next ecological standards (Euro 3 in 2001, Euro 4 in 2006) This time, the introduction of Euro 5 standard rather will have no impact on the market. Especially that vehicles which granting this standard are available as a serial from 2006. Cautious calculations assume revival the market in 2010. Not only truck markets have problems. Bus industry also survives troubles. Uncertainty concerning the economic situation does not promote supply to new busses. Contrary to trucks, this market is more a lot sensitive on fluctuations of Euro rate. Production on slope is small and present, high rate has caused growth of their price 30%. It additional holds carries before shopping. In last year in Poland became sold about 1600 new buses. As EurotaxGlass’s serves- this year with whole certitude will be worse. Particularly in segment of touristic coach. Rather will not be repeated last year’s shopping of luxury and expensive busses advantageous due to strong złoty. This year importers define as year of surviving. This situation causes, that national producers and importers diversify offer and trying to hit to market niches. Majority of they puts on inter-city market introducing to their offer new models ( Euro leader Autosana, Futura FLD Bovy, new Solaris bus). However all are consistent, that drop of Euro rate and stabilization of economical status can can positively influence the demand.

Looking from the point of view o value, in last year cheapened touristic busses and inter-city with Euro 2 engines so seven years old and older. Still wanted are young busses, several years old, but their availability is very limited, and prices quite high. Most often they come from linear movement, but they are not chosen willfully. From the point of view of huge course, they require additional financial edition. Shows also certain interest with 810 meter long coaches. Until quite lately seldom met in Poland

In June, last year brought to the Polish record number of used personal vehicles – 107 181 units. It is almost 30 percent more than in the first half of 2007. Almost twice increased number of carsimported from outside the European Union, mainly in the USA. Import of vehicles UE country exceeded 103.5 thousand in June pieces and was 5.4% higherthan in the previous monthand about 27.2% higher than a year ago. Brought from outside the EU in June 3 640 vehicles, i.e by 29.7% more than in May and about 94.8% more than a year ago. The dynamic pace of growth of imports in 2008 shows the comparison of quarterly results: brought in the first quarter of the Polish 247.8 thousand cars, in the second it is almost 315 thousand. cars, an increase of 27.1% more.

During the first half-year 2008 year brought together 562 780 cars.

This represents an increase compared with the corresponding period of the previous year by 20.8%. Traditionally, most cars reported in the customs houses Wielkopolskie province, Mazovia, Silesia, Małopolska and Kujawsko-Pomorskie.

Still continue to “rejuvenated” imported cars. After the half age structure of the import of used cars is as follows: cars of the period of operation of more than 10 years represent 46.5% of the total (47.3% a month earlier) cars aged 4 to 10 years – 43.1% (42.8% in May), and vehicles in the youngest age of 4 years represent 10.4% (9.9% a month earlier). The average age of imported car to the Poland is 10 years.

According to the Ministry of Finance estimated the average value of cars imported into Polish in the first half of this year amounted to 16.6 thousand. gold. In the case of most imported cars, annual production from 1995-2000 price amounted to 3.1 thousand. gold, while in the case of cars manufactured in the years 2001-2008 several times more – 22.1 thousand. gold. The most popular imported brand remains Volkswagen- from the beginning of the year imported 113 148 cars of this brand. Subsequent entries in the popularity ranking are traditionally Opel (76 669 units), Ford (48 725 units) and Audi (45 283 units). Then Renault (41 860 units), Mercedes, BMW, Seat, Peugeot and Toyota.
So you can see, imported cars from year to year, are becoming more.

The U.S. Senate has passed a proposal to give Americans a voucher, worth up to $4,500 toward the purchase of a new car when they trade in an older, less fuel-efficient model. The measure has already passed the House of Representatives and has the support of President Obama, so it is expected to become law this summer. For a detailed explanation of the program, read our Cash for Clunkers Q …

Read more of this story at U.S. News Rankings and Reviews

Filed under: Motorsports, Economy, Sports/GTs, Etc., Euro, Commercial Trucks, Supercars, Ferrari, Citroen

This is surely one of the most original/bizarre/impressive/controversial hybrids we’ve seen in quite some time. In fact, it’s likely to be so controversial as to single-handedly effect Franco-Italian relations. After all, how does one explain away the melding of one of Italy’s favorite sons (F355) and a variant of France’s iconic people’s car, the 2CV fourgonnette?

In any case, while we’re not sure as to the condition of the Fezza before it received its Tin Snail conversion, we’re just going to hope that it was a write-off and enjoy the metalwork madness that has resulted. Far from a cut-n-shut operation, this conversion looks to have taken some serious craftsmanship and man hours, as aside from the basics (four wheels, an engine, headlamps, etc.), there isnt exactly a whole lot of commonality between the two vehicles.

Admittedly, our Italian is on the rusty side, but from what we can gather from the various websites linked below, this is also likely the costliest 2CV ever built, having apparently tallied 180,000 Euros to build (in excess of $250,000 USD). Why a Citroen? Our Italian is a bit shaky, but judging by the car’s website, it appears to be some sort of amusement/promotional tool for the Nimik Rally Team, which runs (what else?) Citroen racers.

High-res gallery below, video of the build (complete with a howling Janis Joplin soundtrack) available after the jump. Thanks for the tip, Daniel!

[Sources: Nimik.it; TheAutoUnion.net | Images: SwissCarSightings]

Continue reading Franco-Italian Relations: Ferrari F355 – Citroen 2CV hybrid [w/VIDEO]

Franco-Italian Relations: Ferrari F355 – Citroen 2CV hybrid [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 May 2009 12:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Concept Cars, Commercial Trucks, Lamborghini, Rendered Speculation

Lamborghini Toro concept – Click above for a gallery

Most automakers try desperately to hold on to their roots. Just look at all the anniversaries we’ve been celebrating lately and you’ll know what we mean. Lamborghini, on the other hand, seems keen to leave them behind. That’s probably because Lamborghini’s roots are actually in agriculture. As any sportscar aficionado worth his salt will tell you, Ferruccio Lamborghini started out building tractors and only got into the sportscar business to piss off Enzo Ferrari. The gap between its tractors and sportscars was bridged only by the LM002 sport-ute, known as the Rambo Lambo. But one aspiring designer is keen to resoil Lamborghini’s past and present into one vehicle, and you’re looking at it right here.

Called the Lamborghini Toro, it’s the brainchild of aspiring Canadian designer Jason Battersby. Taking cues from Lambo’s own agricultural equipment and its supercars, the Toro cuts a mean profile to envision what an integrated product would look like. Of course it’s just a series of conceptual renderings, which you can view in the gallery below. But a small town farm boy can dream, can’t he?

[Source: JBDesign via eGMCarTech]

Remember your Roots: Lamborghini Toro tractor concept originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 06 May 2009 12:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Commercial Trucks, Ford, First Drive

After relying on full-size E-series vans for commercial cargo carrying since the dawn of time, Ford is finally ready to offer North American businesses a more practical alternative. The Transit Connect is a compact, purpose-built van that’s been available overseas since 2002, and Ford has sold more than 600,000 of the squat little haulers to businesses abroad over the past seven years. The company hopes that what’s good for Europe is good for the States, so the first batch of U.S.-spec models are on their way to dealerships as you read this.

While the E-series vans are more than capable of carrying out their prescribed duties, for most, it’s like using a sledgehammer to push a tack into a cork board. The Big-Es were simply more vehicle than necessary for most small businesses, especially those operating locally, delivering flowers, catering and plumbing. That’s where the Transit Connect comes in.

Photos Copyright (C)2009 Sam Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading First Drive: 2010 Ford Transit Connect, the right size for a smaller economy

First Drive: 2010 Ford Transit Connect, the right size for a smaller economy originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 19 Jun 2009 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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