Posts Tagged ‘Vans’

12 July

A Career in Automotive Design

Brenda Williams asked:




Probably every neighborhood from New York to California and Maine to Florida has a kid who likes to draw cars. And maybe those kids will proudly announce that when they grow up they are going to be car designers. For many, that dream will fall by the wayside but for a select few it will become reality. In the early mid-forties, Giorgietto Giugiaro and Marcello Gandini were a couple of Italian kids who like to draw cars. Today, they are Italy’s top designers.

The vehicle designer is responsible for creating the exterior and interior appearance of over the road vehicles. Generally, these are automobiles but trucks, vans, coaches, and motorcycles are also included.

The designers usually work in teams. One person does the exterior, another the interior and a third works with colors, materials and trim. The working environment and working conditions are pleasant. It is a risk-free career that does not usually require overtime or weekend work.

A design begins with a set of digital or manual sketches. Once these are approved by management, more detailed drawings follow. Then clay models or digital models are developed. The same procedure is followed for exterior, interior, and color and trim design.

However the road from car sketches to the design studio is paved with hard work beginning in high school. Auto design is one of the most competitive careers in the design industry. Consequently the competition to gain admission to the colleges that offer transportation design classes is fierce.

Prospective designers need to begin in high school with all the two-dimensional drawing classes they can fit into their schedule. But it isn’t enough to just be able to draw a car. They also need to understand aerodynamics, engineering concepts and ergonomics. They will be working with figures so knowledge of math and physics is required.

And throughout high school they need to work on building a drawing portfolio. All colleges require a portfolio. And it goes without saying that the better the portfolio, the better the graduate’s chances of being accepted by a prestigious institution.

While many schools offer majors in industrial design only a few specialize in transportation design, which is the recommended career path for future vehicle designers.

It is important to make a wise choice of colleges. One needs to examine the credentials of the faculty and the reputation of the courses. Most important, the institution should have a strong industry connection. Part-time faculty members who work in the industry are of immeasurable help, in guiding students’ work to meet industry’s demands and assisting them in finding employment upon graduation.

Once in college, the students will pursue a four-year design major. During the first years they will study drawing and design theory. In later years they will concentrate on computing and model making. Some schools provide an internship in a design studio during the third or fourth year. These are valuable since internships are often a direct path to an entry-level job upon graduation.

However, the job market is much better for engineers than designers. For every vacant design position, there are twenty engineering jobs. In spite of this, the student with outstanding talent and creativity will always be recognized and find a niche in the industry.

2 December

Is An Automotive Franchise For You?

Raymond Lawrence asked:

Have you always had a passion for cars? And often thought of having your own business? The time is now to check out the many automotive franchise opportunities available with little start up investment and plenty of rewarding benefits. The number of franchises is increasing as more consumers realize the great earning potential and appeal of becoming a business owner. There are many automotive franchises available catering to various kinds of car maintenance, repair and sales depending on your individual preference and interest.

With franchise opportunities ranging from windshield repair, oil changes, auto parts and even automotive insurance, there is sure to be one that is right for you. While there are several considerations in determining which automotive franchise would be the most suitable, the benefits of purchasing your own franchise are clearly favorable. Just imagine how satisfying it would be to go to work each day knowing that you are your own boss and the business that you operate is your own.

Which Automotive Franchise is the One for You?

There are many factors that might be important as you decide if an automotive franchise is the kind of business that you want to purchase. If you enjoy the busy shop atmosphere and have a special interest in cars and the many aspects of the automotive industry, a franchise in which you can invest and build a solid, long-lasting business that is car-related, may be the one you are looking for.

As well as the general type of franchise, you may also want to know what kind of investment and initial start-up costs are associated with purchasing an auto franchise. Many of the top car franchises available require minimal up front costs. For example, a Novus Glass Windshield Repair franchise has initial investment costs starting at only $14,900. This is very affordable and provides limited risk when you consider the popularity of this kind of franchise and the potential business and profit as it grows over time. If you are more interested in automotive accessories, you could purchase a Millennium Plus franchise in which you become a GPS distributor with an initial investment of just $10,000 and you can even run your business from your own home!

While there are many automotive franchises available at very reasonable investment costs, there are also plenty of other franchises that offer solid and proven earning potential with the added assurance of owning your own business and boasting a brand name service. The initial start-up costs may vary but the decision to become a franchise owner puts you in a very advantageous position from day one. Since todays consumer often seeks businesses with familiar names and a good reputation, a franchise may be a wise investment since the brand name provides an immediate client base. Although there is definitely a great deal of work and determination necessary to build your franchise into a strong and thriving venture, you need not start from scratch as you would with a non-franchise business.

Other Important Considerations

Deciding on the particular auto franchise may be one of your first considerations but learning about various other aspects of having your own business may be just as important. Being a franchise owner has a number of benefits. From taking advantage of the franchise name, to the potential income potential, the benefits are many.

When you purchase an automotive franchise, you automatically access a complete and proven business operating system that covers virtually all aspects of operating that particular franchise. Essentially, the framework is already in place and the franchise will provide extensive instruction and support before, during and after your purchase. After all, it is their name and reputation that comes with your franchise and all legitimate franchisors want to ensure that your business represents their company in a strong and positive way. Their ongoing interest and training keeps you on top of the latest franchise information and up-to-date with any changes or new company initiatives.

Franchise owners pay pre-determined royalties to the franchisors depending on the size and income related to the car franchise. Before purchasing your own, make sure that you discuss all these operating details and get it in writing. Reputable franchisors will have no issues in providing this information and will be very willing to explain the system fully and answer any questions that you may have about any of the business aspects of your auto franchise. There are also some legal considerations as well and these should be reviewed carefully as you decide whether your own automotive franchise is the business for you.

Location is another consideration that may be crucial in determining if a car franchise is feasible as well. Some of the current franchises available may be operated from your own home. So you must decide whether you have adequate space and if it would be possible to run your own business with your home as central base. Some of the bigger franchises require a larger location that would not be appropriate as a home based business. Automotive franchises such as a Meineke Car Care Center or Eagle Transmission involve greater space requirements and significant amounts of equipment that would simply not be suitable for a business at home.

Something to Think About

Is an automotive franchise in your future? The benefits are clear as the strong base and proven potential for success in franchise ownership in the industry gains attention worldwide. Making the decision to purchase your own franchise is indeed a huge responsibility but it may also be the answer to your desire to experience business ownership and the ability to work for yourself.

Ultimately, an automotive franchise has many attractive features and it is definitely a franchise that could generate a significant amount of business since most consumers own or operate vehicles. So, the need is there. An automotive franchise may be a great way to tap into that earning potential. If becoming a business owner in the automotive industry appeals to you, a franchise may be exactly the way to a bright and profitable future!

5 November

Suzuki Van Servicing

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Suzuki Van Servicing
Howard Thomas asked:

Suzuki servicing is now much cheaper, for those in the know. Thanks to European legislation, you no longer have to be tied to high Suzuki service costs, dictated by your local dealer.

In October 2003 new European legislation affecting the motor industry came into force called Block Exemption Regulation 14002002 (BER), and this now means that you can book your next Suzuki van service online and save up to 50% on what you might pay at your local Suzuki dealer.

Before the law changed it was difficult to have new vans within their warranty period serviced outside a franchised dealer. If you wanted to shop around for the best prices on Suzuki van servicing, your hands were tied. The change in the law now gives every van owner the freedom to service their van away from the main dealers, and still have their warranty protected.

Thousands of Suzuki van owners have now taken advantage of their new right and reduced their Suzuki serving costs, whilst benefiting from the convenience of booking with national van service providers such as Service A Van.

Service A Van is a leading online van servicing network that prides itself on the quality of its Suzuki servicing, their customer service and transparent pricing. Because the company is not tied to any particular van manufacturer, they are able to service any make of vehicle and compete freely in the market, on a like-for-like.

Every vehicle is rigorously serviced according to the manufacturers servicing schedule, using genuine recommended parts fitted by qualified technicians. This means that every Suzuki van service fulfils the warranty criteria and there is no compromise on the servicing standards of a main dealer.

Companies like Service A Van, who fulfil the warranty criteria when servicing your Suzuki, are able to maintain your service book, just as main dealer can thereby protecting your warranty and helping you to maximise the resale value of your Suzuki van.

Of course, booking direct with a national van servicing network has its own advantages:

You no longer have to do all the running around. Service A Van collects your Suzuki in the morning and delivers it back that afternoon, free of charge

You pay a fixed Suzuki service price, which can be up to 50% below the price at the Suzuki servicing desk of your local dealer

No additional work is vanried out without your agreement, which means no nasty surprises when it comes to paying the bill

Trained Customer Advisers are on hand throughout the day to keep you informed of progress, and report back on problems you asked to be investigated as part of your Suzuki service e.g. knocks and rattles

Your Suzuki service includes a free wash and vacuum clean

You simply pay with your credit or debit vand and your van is delivered back to your home or work address.

Our advice for saving money on Suzuki van servicing is to contact a national van servicing network, who is not tied to any one particular van manufacturer, like Service A Van.

So, before you book your next Suzuki van service, why not ask your local dealer to tell you the cost of the service (plus parts, oil and any extras) and then compare it with a fixed price quote from a national servicing network, like Service A Van?

Happy motoring,

Howard.

Chairman Service A Van

Tags: Compromise, Course Booking, Suzuki Dealer, Vans, Warranty Period

This entry was posted on Thursday, November 5th, 2009 at 5:58 pm and is filed under suzuki. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

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5 November

Suzuki van service

Howard Thomas asked:

Suzuki van servicing is now much cheaper, for those in the know.

Thanks to European legislation, you no longer have to be tied to high Suzuki van service costs, dictated by your local dealer.

In October 2003 new European legislation affecting the motor industry came into force called Block Exemption Regulation 14002002 (BER), and this now means that you can book your next Suzuki van service online and save up to 50% on what you might pay at your local Suzuki van dealer.

Before the law changed it was difficult to have new vans within their warranty period serviced outside a franchised dealer. If you wanted to shop around for the best prices on Suzuki van servicing, your hands were tied.

The change in the law now gives every van owner the freedom to service their van away from the main dealers, and still have their warranty protected.

Thousands of Suzuki van owners have now taken advantage of their new right and reduced their Suzuki van serving costs, whilst benefiting from the convenience of booking with national car service providers such as Service A Van.

Service A Van is a leading online van servicing network that prides itself on the quality of its Suzuki van servicing, their customer service and transparent pricing. Because the company is not tied to any particular van manufacturer, they are able to service any make of vehicle and compete freely in the market, on a like-for-like.

Every vehicle is rigorously serviced according to the manufacturers servicing schedule, using genuine recommended parts fitted by qualified technicians. This means that every Suzuki van service fulfils the warranty criteria and there is no compromise on the servicing standards of a main dealer.

Companies like Service A Van, who fulfil the warranty criteria when servicing your Suzuki, are able to maintain your service book, just as main dealer can thereby protecting your warranty and helping you to maximise the resale value of your Suzuki van.

Of course, booking direct with a national car servicing network has its own advantages:

You no longer have to do all the running around. Service A Van collects your Suzuki in the morning and delivers it back that afternoon, free of charge

You pay a fixed Suzuki service price, which can be up to 50% below the price at the Suzuki servicing desk of your local dealer

No additional work is carried out without your agreement, which means no nasty surprises when it comes to paying the bill

Trained Customer Advisers are on hand throughout the day to keep you informed of progress, and report back on problems you asked to be investigated as part of your Suzuki service e.g. knocks and rattles

You simply pay with your credit or debit card and your van is delivered back to your home or work address.

Our advice for saving money on Suzuki van servicing is to contact a national car servicing network, who is not tied to any one particular van manufacturer, like Service A Van.

So, before you book your next Suzuki van service, why not ask your local dealer to tell you the cost of the service (plus parts, oil and any extras) and then compare it with a fixed price quote from a national servicing network, like Service A Van?

Happy motoring,

Howard.

Chairman Service A Van