Several carmakers were threatened by predictions given by automotive analyst that this year, for the first time in a decade, yearly new passenger cars and light truck overall sales will decline below 16 million. That's why, these aggressive auto manufacturers didn't waste any time in bringing up the best promotions and marketing strategies are mostly intended for the upcoming Presidents' Day weekend.

"We at Edmunds.com anticipate that fewer than 15.9 million new cars and light trucks will be sold in 2008. This makes for a very competitive marketplace, as automakers will do whatever it takes to maintain or grow their market share even as the market shrinks," says Jessica Caldwell, an analyst for Edmunds.com.

"This weekend is a great opportunity for car shoppers to walk into a car dealership and get a good deal. But, especially when shopping on major sales days, it's important that consumers do their research on each element of the deal, including the average transaction price of both the new car and their trade-in as well as the interest rate for which they qualify, so they are sure to save money," says Edmunds.com Senior Consumer Advice Editor Philip Reed.

Here are the list of vehicles with great incentives and best deals offered during Presidents' Day weekend:

Convertibles
2008 Audi A4 2.0T 2dr Convertible
2008 Volkswagen Eos Turbo 2dr Convertible
2008 Mazda MX-5 Miata Sport 2dr Convertible
2008 Saab 9-3 2.0T 2dr Convertible
2008 Chrysler Sebring Touring 2dr Convertible
2008 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class SL550 2dr Convertible
 
Coupes
2008 Mitsubishi Eclipse SE 2dr Hatchback
2008 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class CLK350 2dr Coupe
2008 Infiniti G37 Journey 2dr Coupe
2008 Mazda RX-8 Sport 4dr Coupe
2008 BMW Z4 3.0si 2dr Hatchback
2008 Volvo C30 T5 Version 2.0 2dr Hatchback
 
Hybrids
2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
 
Minivans
2008 Mazda MAZDA5 Touring 4dr Minivan
2008 Nissan Quest 3.5 S 4dr Minivan
2008 Chrysler Town and Country LX 4dr Ext Minivan
2008 Toyota Sienna Limited 7-Passenger 4dr Minivan
 
Sedans
2008 Hyundai Sonata GLS 4dr Sedan
2008 Mitsubishi Galant Ralliart V6 4dr Sedan
2008 Volvo S80 3.2 4dr Sedan
2008 Honda Accord EX 4dr Sedan
2008 Chrysler 300 LX 4dr Sedan
2008 Saturn Aura XE 4dr Sedan
 
SUVs
2008 Saab 9-7X 4.2i 4dr SUV AWD
2008 Lexus RX 350 4dr SUV
2008 Mazda CX-7 Sport 4dr SUV
2008 Nissan Xterra SE 4dr SUV
2008 Chevrolet Equinox LTZ 4dr SUV AWD
2008 Volvo XC90 3.2 4dr SUV
 
Trucks
2008 Honda Ridgeline RT 4dr Crew Cab AWD SB
2008 Nissan Frontier SE 4dr Crew Cab 5.0 ft. SB
2008 Nissan Titan XE 4dr King Cab 4WD LB
2008 Dodge Ram Pickup 1500 Laramie 4dr Quad Cab SB
2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LTZ 4dr Extended Cab
2008 Ford F-150 Lariat 4dr SuperCrew Styleside 6.5 ft. SB (5.4L 8cyl 4A)
 
Wagons
2008 Jaguar X-Type 3.0L Sportwagon 4dr Wagon AWD
2008 Dodge Magnum 4dr Wagon
2008 Audi A3 2.0T 4dr Wagon
2008 Volkswagen Passat Turbo 4dr Wagon
2008 Toyota Matrix XR 4dr Wagon
2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser 4dr Wagon
 

In purchasing a used car, it is best to choose a dealer with Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) used car program. These programs, which are operated jointly by the manufacturer and the dealer, guarantee the vehicle's quality, condition, and future long life of the car, pickup, crossover, or sport utility you like.

AOL Autos has provided salient considerations in choosing a used car:

Inspection and warranty
Although the content and extent of each brand's certified pre-owned program varies, one of the constants is the complete vehicle inspection offered by every program. Though the number of items - or points - inspected on the vehicle varies from 100 to 300, as a consumer you should feel comfortable knowing that everything important on the car was inspected by the dealer, under the guidelines of the manufacturer, and the worn or bad parts were replaced, if necessary, before the vehicle was put into the program.

Aside from the inspections, the length and coverage of the certified-vehicle warranty also varies from program to program, and the buyer should make absolutely sure that the original manufacturer is offering the warranty, as opposed to a third-party or extended-warranty company. Depending on a vehicle's age, condition and mileage, it may in fact be cheaper to buy an uncertified used car from a dealer and then purchase a separate extended warranty for the vehicle.

The CPO bumper-to-bumper warranties can be a bit complicated so be sure to do your homework and become familiar with all the ins-and-outs.

You also get perks
Beyond the usual vehicle inspection thoroughness and the length of the certified-vehicle warranty, the various manufacturers and dealers offer a large menu of extras on their certified pre-owned vehicles as enticements to a deal.

Is it worth it?
Due to the costs involved in the inspection, certification and warranties process, a certified used car will almost always be more expensive than a normal used car or one from a private party out of the classifieds. How much more? From 2-8% higher, according to Kelley Blue Book research.

Actually, you can have the best used car deal with all the perks and significant auto features and offers at a much cheaper price. Just do your homework.

[credit: CNN]

How would you feel if old cars are banned? Would that be a blessing or a curse?

There has been mixed reaction regarding government's plan to prohibit the import of used cars more than 10 years old from next January.

The move is an effort to improve air quality. The government is quoted as saying the pollution from older, smokey cars is a slow killer.

Dealers claim the expected changes will mean a decline in imports of used cars and see citizens holding on to older cars in the territory.  But the Automobile Association disagrees. The association calls the changes practical.

"Not only do you get a safer car if the car is newer, but you also get a car that actually is going to be friendly on the environment and is going to have lower emissions. So this addresses both of those issues," said Mike Noon of the AA.

Older imported cars already registered in New Zealand as well as classic, racing and military vehicles, are exempt from the new law.

The Land Transport Vehicle Exhaust Emissions Rule sets out a range of new standards the government hopes will clear up air quality.

Associate Transport Minister Judith Tizard said the move is necessary. "We know the cost of a lot of things but we've forgotten the value of human health," she said.

People will be left with no option but to keep cars longer, according to Andy Cuming from the Motor Trade Association. Currently there are 2.6 million vehicles on NZ roads, with an average age of 12 years. "There will be some casualties within our industry. We hope that a lot of those are some of the rogue importers bringing cars in willy nilly and only looking for a quick buck in it," Cuming said.

The test will be shouldered by the importer, which Tizard expects will be passed onto shoppers. She said she hopes it won't be much, but with scientific research showing kiwis are dying early because of air pollution it is a matter of balancing the health and economic costs.

"The price of children getting sick and old people dying early is pretty high too. It's time we moved," Tizard concluded.

Credit: TVNZ

Subaru is known for its high quality vehicles which are more often than not, turbocharged. That means you will be getting more power than a vehicle with the same engine size but without the turbocharger. Hood scoops are also common among Subaru vehicles making them a favorite of many performance enthusiasts.

Subaru's team in the WRC and their high-flying cars are also reasons why thrill-seekers love Subaru cars especially the Impreza.  Recently, the Japanese automaker unveiled the 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI at the Los Angeles Auto Show.  Although it had a tough fight with the Nissan GT-R in attracting attendees, it is still proclaimed as one of the winners at the event.

Mike Hanley of Cars.com had this to say about this Subaru:  "It's interesting to see Subaru's burliest Impreza shift from a sedan to a hatchback body style for 2008, but the change looks good to me. Even though it has largely flared fenders and a gaping hood scoop, I wouldn't call the STI gaudy. I'm still not sold on the Impreza interior in general, but here it has a purposefulness that seems fitting for a performance car."

David Thomas, also of Cars.com added:  "Hubba hubba. I don’t like the looks of the standard Impreza hatchback, but in STI trim the little hatch looks menacing, especially in dark colors. Add the fact that the newly redesigned Impreza steps up the interior, and the STI snazzes it up even more with Alcantara, and I’m sold."

And Joe Wiesenfelder made it three for three saying:  "The styling doesn’t set my hair on fire — especially the silver taillights. Why do some fads take so long to die? But I’m glad to see the tall, vibrating hood scoop replaced by a more subtle and integrated one, and also the improved interior and the solid sound of the door slamming. Without driving it, any other commentary is moot."

The Los Angeles Auto Show may not be as large as the Tokyo Motor Show or the North American International Auto Show but it is prestigious in its own right.  Thousands of visitors flock to the event to see what automakers have to offer.  It is usually during these events when good-looking concept cars are showcased.  I for one is looking forward to see what the event has to offer.

And I am not alone in this as members of the media are also hyped up about the upcoming event.

Mike Hanley, a reviewer for KickingTires, has this to say:  "The hype for the L.A auto show has grown as it has distanced itself from Detroit's annual soiree in January, so it'll be interesting to see whether or not it can live up to its billing. More importantly, the show will be the first opportunity to see the Jaguar XF and Nissan GT-R in the flesh."

The unveiling of the XF and the GT-R are just a couple of the many reasons why you should go and see the event.  Jaguar in my opinion does not fail in delivering cool vehicles and I think that the XF will not be an exception.

For environmentalists, the event will be a good one as automakers are expected to unveil green vehicles there. But David Thomas, the editor of KickingTires, is looking for performance. He said:  "L.A. is just as much about being quick as it is about being green. Hybrids and fuel cells are nice, but in an area home to some of the country's best driving roads 'traffic notwithstanding', I'm looking forward to the faster stuff like the Nissan GT-R and BMW M3."

Don't take their word for it though.  You can also visit the event as it is open to all.

If there is a color to describe the trend in the auto industry, it would be green. Automakers are outdoing the competition in developing vehicles which can be considered as eco-friendly.  Recently, Mazda announced that they will be collaborating with the government of Norway to develop hydrogen fuel and vehicles powered by the said alternative fuel.

H.E. Mr. Ã…ge Grutle, Norwegian ambassador to Japan had this to say:  "I very much welcome the agreement between Mazda Motor Corporation and HyNor. The agreement illustrates that HyNor’s efforts to contribute to the development of hydrogen-based technologies are recognized by Mazda as a major global actor in this field."

"The partnership between HyNor and Mazda is also very encouraging for Norway’s broader efforts to strengthen its cooperation with Japan in promoting research and technologies within the context of climate change mitigation, including a hydrogen society. For the Norwegian Embassy it is a top priority to support these efforts, working in close collaboration with Innovation Norway and the Research Council of Norway."

HyNor is an initiative of different industries on Norway.  The goal of said initiative is the implementation of a hydrogen highway.  Refilling stations which offers hydrogen will be built across the country so that hydrogen-powered vehicles will become widely used in the country.

Ulf Hafseld, chairman of HyNor said:  "HyNor is very pleased to sign this agreement with Mazda and we think this cooperation will speed up the process of introducing hydrogen as a zero-emission fuel.  By using the Internal Combustion Engine as a feasible technology to accelerate realization of the real hydrogen world, we can develop a hydrogen infrastructure much faster. HyNor is focusing on a carbon neutral infrastructure, and using hydrogen in the Mazda cars will ensure a complete carbon free line of fuel."

Even if you do not drive an Audi, I am sure that you want to improve your driving skills.  And if you are living near Infineon Raceway, I think you might want to visit Audi's Sportscar Experience at Sonoma.  At the said raceway, you can develop your skill while you are behind the wheel of the stylish and high-performance Audi R8.

Scoot Keogh, chief marketing officer of Audi had this to say according to The Auto Channel:  "The Audi Sportscar Experience allows drivers to experience the thrill of speed while challenging themselves in Audi's high-performance vehicles.  The Audi Forum Sonoma not only gives visitors a taste of the Audi brand, it also provides the ultimate venue where drivers can really test Audi's full line of sports cars including the all new Audi R8 and S5 Coupe." These cars are known to have the performance that can make grown men weak on their knees and the reliability of Mazda MPV parts.

There are different programs offered by Audi and here are some of them:

RS 4 One-Day Program
Designed to develop driving fundamentals, this program puts drivers behind the wheel of the Audi RS 4. Concentrating on braking, accident avoidance, car control and slalom, drivers develop their skills in a controlled manner and graduate by putting them to the test on the slalom course. ($1,295)

RS 4 Two-Day Program
Drivers will experience first-hand the remarkable capabilities of the RS 4 on one of the most exciting racing circuits in the world. ($2,495)

R8 One-Day Program
The One-Day program splits the driver’s time between the Audi R8 on the track and the Audi TT and all-new 2008 S5 coupe for fundamentals training. ($1,895)

R8 Two-Day Program
Drivers will enjoy ample seat time and instruction from professional drivers who are experts in their fields, all in one of the most beautiful destinations in North America. ($3,495)