There are approximately 600 million cars in the world today and each year, around 50 million new automobiles are produced. The biggest car producer is Toyota, who is also the world’s largest automobile company in terms of sales. Behind them is General Motors and both of these companies produce a wide range of automobiles.
Most car sales are made in passenger cars. These are available in different body styles to appeal to different markets. In Europe, the Ford Mondeo is sold as a sedan, hatchback or station wagon. In North America Honda sell the Civic and Accord models as in sedan or coupe shape.
Aside from body styles, there is also a choice of fuel types. Due in part to the price of fuel, Diesel powered cars are popular in Europe but in America strict emissions requirements in some states and the price of diesel in comparison to gasoline, make diesel vehicles a small segment of the market place. In the USA hybrid cars like the Toyota Prius are providing economical motoring. The Prius has a conventional gasoline engine that produces 98 hp and an electric motor that brings the car’s total power to 134 hp. This produces a combined cycle of 50 miles to the gallon.
At the opposite end of the scale are supercars. A supercar is a high-end very exotic automobile. Like a sports car, these will usually have two seats and little luggage space. They are made to a limited production run and cost hundred of thousands of dollars. Revered names like Ferrari, Lamborghini, Porsche and Bugatti make supercars as well as smaller specialist companies like Pagani and McLaren.
Supercars makers often sell a convertible version of their car to provide the thrill of open air motoring. But you don’t have to spend big money to enjoy a convertible car. Car makers in all categories make convertibles. Mass market manufacturers like Ford, Chevrolet and BMW also sell open top cars.
Ford’s Mustang range are available as convertibles, Chevrolet’s Corvette and Camaro models also offer that choice and BMW offer this across a wide selection of their range. The 1 series, 3 Series, 6 Series, the Z4 and the M3 are all available with convertible roofs.
Car engine technology also crosses car categories. Turbo charging, for example, is used in sports sedans like the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo range and the Subaru Impreza. Porsche’s versatile 911 range also includes a turbo model and the Bugatti Veyron would not be able to reach the 1,000 horsepower mark without turbo chargers.
Not only are automobile available as sedan, coupe or station wagon, with gasoline, diesel or hybrid engine, but they are also made with either two or four wheel drive. Automobiles as diverse as North America’s Ford Fusion, the Toyota Tundra pickup truck and the Porsche 911 are sold with either 2 or 4 wheel drive. Most cars are made to appeal to diverse markets across the world. They are made to work across assorted terrain, under disparate weather conditions and to do different jobs. Most mass market automobiles are made to varying specification to cope with this.
About the Author:
Formula Honda Toronto offers Honda new cars, used cars, trucks, SUV’s, minivans and commercial cars. Offering a large inventory of both new and used Hondas in Toronto and the GTA.
Formula Honda 2240 Markham Road, Scarborough, On M1B 2W4 (416) 754-4555
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