Automotive News by Autobulbs Direct Ltd » Car Headlight News

Autoquake: Men wash car lights more often than women

Autobulbs Direct — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Posted by Fiona Birkwood

Car lights are more likely to get cleaned if the vehicles owner is male, a survey has suggested.

Conducted by online vehicle retailer Autoquake, the survey questioned more than 1,000 motorists on their car-cleaning habits.

Some 56 per cent of the women questioned said they leave their vehicles unwashed for six months or more, compared to 44 per cent of men.

Just over a third of those quizzed said that they only wash their vehicles both inside and out twice a year.

More than one in ten, however, only clean their cars thoroughly once a year, while four per cent admitted to never doing so.

Dermot Halpinm, chief executive at Autoquake, said that letting a car get dirty is a bad idea.

“It doesnt just look shabby, nasty deposits like birdlime can damage a cars paintwork, while salted roads in winter can corrode alloy wheels,” he said.

Earlier this month, Auto Windscreens advised motorists to make sure they are using proper washer fluid to clean their windscreens, stating that this prevents the glass from being scratched.

Toyota Aygo and Yaris top for satisfaction

Autobulbs Direct — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Posted by Tom Benjamin

Toyota has been celebrating after its Aygo and Yaris models, which each feature front fog light bulbs, came top of sub-categories in a customer satisfaction survey.

This years J.D. Power and Associates/WhatCar? Vehicle Ownership Satisfaction Study saw Toyota maintain its fifth place ranking from 2009, with an index score up by nine points.

In addition, Aygo achieved the top ranking in the City Car category, while the Yaris was named the top small car.

Jon Williams, Toyota commercial director, said the study results are all the more important as they are based on the "real-world experiences" of vehicle owners.

"Toyota is committed to delivering quality, reliability, durability and owner-appeal in all its models, supported by competitive low running costs. These fundamental qualities are backed up by first-class customer care," he commented.

It follows an announcement from the manufacturer that its new Auris hybrid with swept-back headlight bulbs will be built in the UK.

Scottish firm buys fleet of Corsavan Sportives with dark-style car lights

Autobulbs Direct — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Posted by Tom Benjamin

A fleet of Vauxhalls Corsavan Sportive model, which has dark-style car lights, has been bought by Scottish solicitor estate agents firm Aberdein Considine.

The company has received a delivery of 24 vehicles, which were supplied by Vauxhall Commercial Vehicle dealer Belmont Aberdeen.

Mike Sinclair, senior property partner at Aberdein Considine, said that one of the reasons the company chose the Vauxhall Corsavan Sportive was because of its "proven green credentials".

The model features a 1.3CDTi Ecotec (90PS) diesel engine, which has a combined cycle figure of 58.9 mpg and can deliver in excess of 70 mpg with just 127 gms/km in emissions.

"At the same time these stylish vans will present a good image for our company when our staff visit clients and when they are out on Scotlands roads," Mr Sinclair added.

As well as dark-style car lights, the Corsavan Sportive boasts two-coat metallic paint, body-colour detailing and 15-inch alloy wheels.

Virtual software allows buyers to explore Audi A1

Autobulbs Direct — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Posted by Fiona Birkwood

A new type of virtual software has been created to allow potential buyers to view the features on the Audi A1, ranging from the front rear headlight bulbs to the rear window.

The German manufacturer has revealed that Audi centres nationwide have taken delivery of Augmented Reality kiosks that enable customers to closely examine the A1 before physical showroom demonstrators arrive in the autumn.

According to the company, by downloading special software from www.audi.co.uk and printing out a MagicSymbol, the same special effects can be replicated at home on webcam-equipped computers.

Audi stated: "The technology will enable customers to get a real feel for the A1, which has been designed to deliver all that the Vorsprung Durch Technik brand stands for in a concentrated form."

Recently, the manufacturer launched a new version of its R8 GT, which has many impressive features such as LED car bulbs.

New Peugeot 207 to have extra car fog lights

Autobulbs Direct — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Posted by Richard Sinclair

Peugeot has unveiled a new limited edition 207 range which has additional features including front car fog lights and 15-inch alloy wheels.

The manufacturer announced that the 207 Millesim will come with a choice of petrol and HDi diesel engines and is intended to celebrate the French firms 200th anniversary.

All of the new models are based on the current S hatchback and SW versions but benefit from a range of extra standard equipment such as Peugeot Connect USB and Bluetooth, front fog car lights, a sports front grille with chrome detailing and aluminium roof bars (SW only), along with unique Millesim 200 badging.

The 207 Millesim range will be launched in the UK in June priced from £11,995.00 on-the-road for the 1.4 8v 75 petrol hatchback version.

In addition, all models bought in June will also come with a free Nokia 5230 smartphone with in-built satellite navigation featuring free future updates and an in-car mounting kit.

Unichip creates performance upgrade for Toyota Hilux

Autobulbs Direct — Tue, 25 May 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Posted by Fiona Birkwood

Owners of the 3.0-litre D-4D 4×4 Hilux, which has chrome-surrounded rear car lights, can now improve the performance of their vehicle thanks to a new product created by Unichip.

The 1,830 kg car has a zero-to-60 mph time of 12 seconds, a top speed of 105 mph and peak power of 155 bhp at 3,500 rpm.

With Unichips new U-connect plug, play and drive away fitment, however, the Hiluxs power increases to 184 bhp and its peak torque increases by 40 lb/ft from 254 lb/ft to 295 lb/ft at just 3,000 rpm.

The U-Connect package can be applied to all Toyota Hilux 3.0-litre D-4D models that carry the part number PPTOY15.1 and were produced from 2005 onwards.

It is available now from Unichip Europe or from one of Unichips 28 dealers across the UK for £465.30.

The Hilux boasts front lights specially designed for use during foggy conditions, an electronic headlamp levelling system and variable front windscreen wiper blades.

TheWash.biz cleans Seat Leons at Scottish Motor Show

Autobulbs Direct — Mon, 24 May 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Posted by Fiona Birkwood

Waterless car wash company TheWash.biz was on hand to clean a fleet of Seat Leons, which are available with Bi-Xenon car bulbs, at Motorfair over the weekend.

The annual Scottish motor show took place at Knockhill Racing Circuit in Fife and as well as cleaning the Seat fleet, the company was asked if it could clean a rather rare vehicle.

Alfas supercar, the 8C Spider, was set to go on display straight away for the press to photograph.

The firm cleaned the £174,000 vehicle to a show room finish in just 30 minutes and saved as much as 200 litres of water in doing so as they used 150 ml of their PermaClear Waterless Car Wash Product instead of a hose.

Seats Leon comes in seven different trims, including the Leon S, Leon S Emocion and Leon Sport.

The latter comes with tinted rear windows, body coloured door handles and electric folding wing mirrors.

New Match added to Volkswagen Golf range

Autobulbs Direct — Wed, 19 May 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Posted by Tom Benjamin

A new model has been added to the Volkswagen Golf range – the Match, which has car lights that turn on automatically when required.

Replacing the SE trim level, this new variant has over £1,600-worth of extra equipment but costs just £300 more than the outgoing car.

Similar to the SE, it has seven airbags, climatic air conditioning, cruise control and multi-device interface for connectivity to an iPod or mp3 player.

However, the Match has 16-inch Croft alloy wheels, a leather multifunction steering wheel, DAB radio receiver, Bluetooth system, front and rear parking sensors and an RCD 510 touch-screen stereo with six-disc CD auto-changer.

In terms of lighting, the Match comes with range adjustable halogen car bulbs in the headlamps, front footwell illumination and reading lights in the front.

Last month, another of Volkswagens vehicles – the new VW Touran, which has LED car bulbs in its rear lights – made its debut at the Leipzig Motor Show.

GMA Warehousing and Transport buys fleet of Volvo FH-460s

Autobulbs Direct — Wed, 19 May 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Posted by Fiona Birkwood

GMA Warehousing and Transport has invested in a dozen Volvo FH-460s, which have LED car bulbs and lights especially for driving in foggy conditions.

The Ipswich-based firm bought the fleet of trucks to mark the launch of a new venture in Felixstowe – GMA Trading Ltd.

This new company will focus on short sea trailer work and deep sea container business.

New static cornering lights are present in the vehicles, providing better all-round vision in the dark.

Of the new FH-460s, two will go to work at GMA in Ipswich, while the other ten will be operated from the new Felixstowe base.

Robin Hatt, director at GMA Trading, said: "Weve looked after the drivers for sure, but weve paid very close attention to operating costs too by adding the Volvo Dynafleet telematics system."

This system allows haulage firms to obtain detailed information about driver times, vehicle location, cargo content, fuel consumption and much more.

Toyota Auris Hybrid to go on sale from Â£18,950

Autobulbs Direct — Tue, 18 May 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Posted by Richard Sinclair

Toyota has announced that its Auris Hybrid will go on sale from £18,950 on-the-road, offering features such as LED car bulbs and electric windows.

The vehicle, which is the first full hybrid model in the European C-segment, is available in two grades – the T4 and T Spirit.

Both are powered by a 1.8-litre VVT-i petrol engine and electric motor, generating a maximum 134 bhp which allows for nought to 62 mph acceleration in just 11.4 seconds.

It can also reach a top speed of 112 mph, matching the performance of many conventional 2.0-litre petrol or diesel hatchback models.

As well as having LED car bulbs, the vehicle has a six-speaker audio system with a CD player, radio and mp3 file player.

Built exclusively by Toyota Motor Manufacturing UK at its Burnaston factory, the Auris Hybrid is to go on sale in Britain from July 1st.

Earlier this month, Toyota launched its updated range of RAV4 models, one of which features automatic car lights and windscreen wiper blades.