Published: Wednesday, August 5, 2009 12:00 AM CDT
(ARA) - With gas prices soaring and the emphasis on preserving the environment, more and more people are becoming eco-friendly. From the influx of hybrid cars, energy-saving appliances and even more efficient light bulbs, Americans are taking notice of the environment and saving money in the process. Here are some trends in transportation that are helping save the environment.
For years, the gas and oil industries have been challenged with providing more environmental-friendly vehicles. Several car manufacturers have introduced fuel-efficient or hybrid vehicles which have been positively received by consumers. With some vehicles hitting 50 mpg, consumers are conserving fuel, saving money and helping the environment.
Scooters have become all the rage with their ease of use and incredible gas mileage. Available in gas, hybrid and electric models, scooters come in a variety of sizes to fit each individual's needs. Smaller cubic centimeter (cc) gas scooters are great for city dwellers staying on local roads and do not require a motorcycle license. For longer commutes on highways, the larger cc engines are needed with a motorcycle license.
One of the trends seen in many retirement and gated communities is the use of electric vehicles known as "neighborhood vehicles," in lieu of cars to get around. Many of these vehicles are your typical golf cart that gets around 35 miles between charges and can hold multiple passengers, making them great for a trip to the store or around the community.
The use of electric power also is expanding to the off-road community. Known traditionally as gas-and-oil machines, all-terrain vehicles and side-by-sides are starting to go green. Recently, Polaris Industries introduced their new Ranger EV, a side-by-side built specifically for clean and quiet operation. With a 50-mile range, the electric vehicle operates at about $0.035 per mile versus $0.09 per mile on a comparable gas vehicle, making it not only more eco-friendly, but more economical.
With the continued consumer demand for alternative-powered vehicles, the use of electric and hybrid vehicles should continue to grow which is good for the consumer and great for the environment.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
Thursday 19 November 2009
Sunday 15 November 2009
Yamaha U.S. Retail Sales Drop 40% in 3Q
Posted: Monday, 9th November, 2009 : 11:15 AM - - 2618 Reads -
After reporting how bad sales had dropped in the USA as a result of the Global Financial Crisis Yamaha have released their third quarter figures and they are just as dire as Honda's
US Dealer News has reported that in the third quarter, U.S. retail unit sales of Yamaha motorcycles, scooters, ATVs and side-by-sides fell 40 percent compared to the same period last year. But the decline was an improvement over the 54 percent fall recorded for the second quarter.
The numbers were released today by Yamaha Motor Corp. in its financials for its third quarter ended Sept. 30. The company approximated retail sales in the U.S. by unit type:
>Motorcycles and scooters: 22,000 units retailed in 3Q, a decline of 41 percent compared to the same period last year. In the first quarter, 21,000 were retailed (down 30 percent). In the second quarter, 32,000 (down 59 percent). This sharp 2Q decline likely reflected last year’s spike in small-displacement sales due to gas prices, which provided a high summit from which to fall. For the first nine months of 2009, Yamaha dealers sold 75,000 units, a drop of 48 percent.
ATVs: 14,000 units retailed in 3Q, a decline of 33 percent compared to the same period last year. In the first quarter, 17,000 units were retailed (down 26 percent). In the second quarter, 19,000 units (down 32 percent). For the nine months, Yamaha dealers sold roughly 50,000 units, a 31 percent fall.
Side-by-sides: 4,000 units retailed in 3Q, a decline of 56 percent compared to the same period last year. In the first quarter, 4,000 units were retailed (down 56 percent). In the second quarter, 2,000 units (down 78 percent). For the nine months, Yamaha dealers sold roughly 10,000 units, a drop of 63 percent.
Yamaha’s sales to U.S. dealers fell greatly in the third quarter. Yamaha wholesaled 5,000 two-wheelers, 6,000 ATVs and 1,000 side-by-sides, which correspond to year-over-year declines of 78 percent, 74 percent and 91 percent, respectively.
At the end of September, U.S. motorcycle inventory (at Yamaha warehouses and dealerships) stood at 101,000 units. Last year at this time, Yamaha reported 96,000 units.
ATV inventory was 13,000 units at the end of September, a sharp fall from 28,000 last year.
For the nine months ending Sept. 30, Yamaha Motor Co. had net sales of 859 billion yen ($9.04 billion), a decline of 33 percent. But here’s the kicker: During the period the company suffered a net loss of 159 billion yen ($1.67 billion), or about 19 percent of net sales. In comparison, the company posted a slight profit of 43 billion yen during the same period last year.
The large net loss led to the resignation this month of Yamaha Motor’s president. The company’s chairman took over the position.
Reduced sales led to Yamaha’s operating income to decline by 45 billion yen. But even more important to the bottom line was an “extraordinary loss” of 74 billion yen attributed to “business structure improvement expenses.” Through Yamaha’s ongoing “Urgent Action Program,” the company has been aggressively cutting expenses, and has temporarily suspended production at its Japanese factories to reduce inventories in the U.S. and Europe.
After reporting how bad sales had dropped in the USA as a result of the Global Financial Crisis Yamaha have released their third quarter figures and they are just as dire as Honda's
US Dealer News has reported that in the third quarter, U.S. retail unit sales of Yamaha motorcycles, scooters, ATVs and side-by-sides fell 40 percent compared to the same period last year. But the decline was an improvement over the 54 percent fall recorded for the second quarter.
The numbers were released today by Yamaha Motor Corp. in its financials for its third quarter ended Sept. 30. The company approximated retail sales in the U.S. by unit type:
>Motorcycles and scooters: 22,000 units retailed in 3Q, a decline of 41 percent compared to the same period last year. In the first quarter, 21,000 were retailed (down 30 percent). In the second quarter, 32,000 (down 59 percent). This sharp 2Q decline likely reflected last year’s spike in small-displacement sales due to gas prices, which provided a high summit from which to fall. For the first nine months of 2009, Yamaha dealers sold 75,000 units, a drop of 48 percent.
ATVs: 14,000 units retailed in 3Q, a decline of 33 percent compared to the same period last year. In the first quarter, 17,000 units were retailed (down 26 percent). In the second quarter, 19,000 units (down 32 percent). For the nine months, Yamaha dealers sold roughly 50,000 units, a 31 percent fall.
Side-by-sides: 4,000 units retailed in 3Q, a decline of 56 percent compared to the same period last year. In the first quarter, 4,000 units were retailed (down 56 percent). In the second quarter, 2,000 units (down 78 percent). For the nine months, Yamaha dealers sold roughly 10,000 units, a drop of 63 percent.
Yamaha’s sales to U.S. dealers fell greatly in the third quarter. Yamaha wholesaled 5,000 two-wheelers, 6,000 ATVs and 1,000 side-by-sides, which correspond to year-over-year declines of 78 percent, 74 percent and 91 percent, respectively.
At the end of September, U.S. motorcycle inventory (at Yamaha warehouses and dealerships) stood at 101,000 units. Last year at this time, Yamaha reported 96,000 units.
ATV inventory was 13,000 units at the end of September, a sharp fall from 28,000 last year.
For the nine months ending Sept. 30, Yamaha Motor Co. had net sales of 859 billion yen ($9.04 billion), a decline of 33 percent. But here’s the kicker: During the period the company suffered a net loss of 159 billion yen ($1.67 billion), or about 19 percent of net sales. In comparison, the company posted a slight profit of 43 billion yen during the same period last year.
The large net loss led to the resignation this month of Yamaha Motor’s president. The company’s chairman took over the position.
Reduced sales led to Yamaha’s operating income to decline by 45 billion yen. But even more important to the bottom line was an “extraordinary loss” of 74 billion yen attributed to “business structure improvement expenses.” Through Yamaha’s ongoing “Urgent Action Program,” the company has been aggressively cutting expenses, and has temporarily suspended production at its Japanese factories to reduce inventories in the U.S. and Europe.
Monday 9 November 2009
Oh, scoot! Vespa sting in the city
By MELISSA KLEIN and REUVEN BLAU
They may think they're too cool or famous for the law, but that's not going to keep them from putt-putting right to jail.
Cops are cracking down on hipster Vespa owners who've taken to removing the vehicle-identification numbers from their rides in a bid to thwart traffic agents from slapping them with tickets for parking on the sidewalk.
Scooter owners have long tried to avoid tickets by removing their license plates, often attached with simple plastic fasteners. Even celebrity scooterers like Matthew Broderick and Liev Schreiber have been spotted holding their license plates.
Cops are cracking down on hipster Vespa owners who've taken to removing the vehicle-identification numbers from their rides in a bid to thwart traffic agents from slapping them with tickets for parking on the sidewalk.
Scooter owners have long tried to avoid tickets by removing their license plates, often attached with simple plastic fasteners. Even celebrity scooterers like Matthew Broderick and Liev Schreiber have been spotted holding their license plates.
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