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North American motorists have gotten used to paying $20-$25,000 or more for their new vehicles. Long gone are the days when sub $10,000 cars ruled the highways, with few cars available for under $15,000 these days. All of that will be changing as the pending introduction of cheap cars from China as well as imports from Mexico and other third world nations will reshape the automotive landscape. Will you buy one of these bargain brands or will you stick with one of the trusted names? Let’s step forward a few years to look at a radically changed automotive market and just what it may have to offer to you, the value conscious consumer.

If you follow automotive press reports then likely you have heard talk of cheaply priced cars from China being imported to the US and Canadian markets. At prices reported to be as low as US$ 6500, these cars have created a lot of buzz and have raised concern about the entire automotive industry, domestic and foreign. One big question asked includes this: how will domestic manufacturers be able to compete price wise? Well, prices won’t be quite as low as first reported once certain safety and anti-pollution measures are added in; instead the final starting price will likely be in the neighborhood of US$ 8500.

Regardless of exactly where the final starting prices are set, an economic tsunami could hit in short order.

Two of China’s top brands, Chery and Geely, are reportedly preparing to export cars to the US in 2008. Both manufacturers produce several lines of vehicles, but current manufacturing output is limited. Expect no more than 200,000 of these vehicles for the first few years, but maybe millions more once additional capacity has been brought online.

In India, several manufacturers have been quietly expanding capacity to serve the burgeoning Indian market. One manufacturer, Tata Motors, even has pledged to build a car starting at US$ 2000. That’s no typo - two thousand dollars for a new car! The last car that sold at this price in the US was the VW Beetle. Of course, you have to go back to the late 1960s to find a new Beetle at that price.

Will Tata and other Indian automakers export their cars to the U.S.? Given the current state of the Indian auto industry, likely this will not happen for some time. Capacity is expanding, but it is barely keeping up with domestic demand. Plus, each model would have to undergo extensive upgrades in order to conform to strict U.S. emissions, safety, and quality standards. Yet, the possibility of a car that will greatly undercut Chinese models in price is intriguing.

Don’t think for a moment that leading world automakers will take these challenges lying down. Ford is proposing to build a sub-$10,000 vehicle in Mexico; GM is tapping its South Korean arm Daewoo for additional low cost models; and DaimlerChrysler is shopping around for a partner to help build it own super cheap people mover for around the same price.

Toyota, Honda, and several other Asian manufacturers will be sure to respond. With factories scattered across the globe, each company can pull a model from one factory and ship it to the U.S. to compete. Already, Honda and Toyota are offering cars at around $12,000 or less and each of these models could retail for much less if they are built in countries where wage levels are very low.

So, what does all of this mean for consumers? Well, you aren’t likely to see an across the board drop in automobile prices, but you probably will see the end to “sticker shock” the phenomenon that has stunned new car buyers for the past generation. What you may find is this: $60,000 Lexus‘ and $6000 Scions being sold side by side. A huge difference in price, but something that the North American auto enthusiast may find to be commonplace.

Copyright 2006 - Matt Keegan is a freelance automotive writer covering the classics, new models, and industry trends. You can maintain your car - domestic or foreign — with the help of high quality auto parts from Crane, Painless, and Taylor Cable.

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Honda cars are widely known for their staying power. Many of these cars continue to perform well, long after you buy them. This is probably why they retain such a good resale value. That’s a great incentive to own on, since eventually, everyone will want to sell their existing car to get a new one. If you are a Honda owner, you have the privilege of driving an award winning car. Recently, Honda was given the JD Power & Associates award for being the car with the most customer satisfaction ratings.

Honda’s Customer Insight Manager for the United Kingdom stated that it was Honda’s priority to make every customer a satisfied customer, and to enhance the customer experience. That is why the JD Power & Associates Study was a crucial implement. It allows automobile companies quick access to the customer, and knowing what the customer wants. Honda is a company that has greatly benefited from their success, especially this past year when Honda took steps to significantly reduce consumer car costs.

When you find that perfect Honda car, you feel like the fates have dealt you a winning hand. You know that you and your car will be happy for a long time to come. Unfortunately, the unforeseen happens and you end up needing Honda parts in order to fix your car. To ensure that you are getting quality parts, you can’t go wrong by going directly to the source (Honda) for any part you need. But if the manufacturer price is too high, you can definitely find the parts you need, for a lower price, at any number of automotive stores online that sell these types of parts.

Many of these web stores have everything you could possibly need for your beloved Honda. They can offer you headlamps, emissions parts, transmission parts, pumps, hoses, and filters, coolant system parts, engine parts, suspension parts, and more, all at amazingly practical prices. You don’t need to go anywhere else but one of the many online automotive stores, for all your Honda parts.

For years, Honda has been the leader in technology and customer service, which is why their cars are rated so highly. This is why it’s important to use an online automotive store that carries the parts that are specific to the vehicle. This way your Honda will keep running for years to come.

Since there are so many online automotive stores that offer an impressive selection of Honda parts, you will certainly find what you need for your Honda. The best part is, you can do all of your shopping without ever having to get into the car.

Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Beach, Florida. Find more about this as well as honda car parts at http://www.car-parts-plus.com

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Honda customers are among the most satisfied in the car industry is revealed this week in the latest J.D. Power and Associates Automotive Customer Satisfaction Study published in the June edition of What Car?
Achieving high customer satisfaction is a top priority for us and we are firmly committed to enhancing the customer experience,” says Honda (UK)’s Customer Insight Manager, Jane Nichols. “To this end, the J.D. Power and Associates Study is an important measuring tool, enabling us quickly to identify the things that really matter to the customer. We are greatly encouraged by our success, especially since this year’s study reflects steps we have recently taken to reduce ownership costs.”

Finding the right Honda car for you feels pretty good and so is finding the right car parts. You simply can’t go wrong with the safe and reliable Honda car parts from Partstrain.

Partstrain has a wide array of Honda car parts from headlights, filters, hoses, belts, condensers, catalytic converters, transmissions, engine parts, Honda Altezza lights, radiators, suspension, chassis parts, interior parts & accessories, and just about everything you might need for your Honda vehicle.

Honda is synonymous to innovative technology and social responsibility and so is Partsrain, which has served its clients for more than 25 years with impeccable track record. Partsrain gives you the most cost effective Honda car parts for its models like the Accord, Civic, CRV, CRX, Del Sol, Pilot, Odyssey, Insight, Passport, Pilot, S2000, Element and Prelude.

Only a few car parts manufacturers can match the quality that the stock Honda has according to Partstrain and the company boasts of an impressive array of Honda replacement and Honda car parts. Only the finest in the industry at extremely low prices that beats the automotive industry standard is the company’s commitment to its customers. Partstrain has a certified secured online store http://www.partstrain.com/ShopByVehicle/HONDA that ships your order right at your doorstep in the soonest possible time.

Like Honda the car manufacturer whose foremost concern is fulfilling the needs of its customers worldwide, Partstrain is strongly committed to the utmost satisfaction of its customer base.

Jenny McLane is a 36 year old native of Iowa
and has a knack for research on cars and anything
and everything about it. She works full time as a
Market Analyst for one of the leading car parts suppliers
in the country today.

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