IMPORTED CARS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD

World Import Challenge had plenty for everyone this year. From the amazing Hooligans Motorcycle Group to the Miller Lite and Tecate Girls to the fastest front wheel drive car in the World. Because of this we are able to provide an incredible amount of high-resolution pics, over 600 in all! Movie highlights will follow shortly. We had a blast in sunny, windy Texas.



Import Car

Tips and Guidance
Global opening of economy has led to a boost in automobile industry, especially cars. The world as one market has made sourcing anything from anywhere possible. In some countries, importing cars can be an expensive proposition while, in others, it can be quite a reasonable proposition.

Importing cars is very region specific. There are separate, detailed guidelines and rules laid down by different governments to import cars to their region.

Tips To Buy An Imported Car:


The original cost or real cost of the imported car should be determined. Imported cars are generally priced higher, as the buyer is not familiar with the true cost.
Buyers of imported cars need to research a lot about the car before purchasing. It is essential to find out about the availability of spare parts, performance, insurance, and depreciation rates. Websites like Topimportsite provide forums to discuss different models of import cars.
It is advisable to use the services of an expert mechanic, who is not employed by the dealer, to get expert feedback about the quality of the car.
It is crucial to do a thorough check of all the required paperwork for imported cars to avoid nightmares later.

There are valuable business directories listing dealers who specialize in import cars. These sites list the various available models, spare parts, accessories, and even insurance for the imported car. It is essential to spend time and research through these search engines and directories to gather as much information as possible before making the final decision.

There are country and company specific websites listing models for sale. B2B directories like Masterseek have a separate category listing of imported cars. Car insurance shopping is never fun and shopping for insurance for an imported car can be no better. However, careful research would yield insurance products that do not pinch pockets. Directories like Masterseek provide information about import cars and their markets apart from listing various contact details of dealers.

With many companies ready to source the automobile you need, choosing the best car bargain could be an overwhelming task. Nevertheless, importing a car can provide some of the best deals on new or pre-owned and vintage cars that make the effort worthwhile.

Salvage and Store Import Auto Parts
The idea of import auto parts, either brand new or used, from another country, where they are more readily available and competitively priced is gaining ground. Certain markets like Canada has fewer or no trade barriers thus promoting the auto part industry. And one of the most cost effective ways of exploring your options is to consider Masterseek’s MasterListings and MasterAds.

Salvaged Auto Parts

One of the sensitive issues today, in auto body shops is the use of used and remanufactured parts, which insurance companies have promoted and many shop owners are reluctant to support. Many auto repair shops deal with parts obtained from salvaged vehicles. A salvage vehicle is one that has been damaged or wrecked beyond repair and declared a total loss by the insurer. The insurance companies encourage the dealers and repair shops to use more recyclable or salvaged parts to reduce costs.

Automotive recycling facilities can vary in size from small warehouse to major manufacturing facility. Most of the automobiles are stored in a salvage yard before being recycled. Since, these salvage yards store used cars and parts, they need to be compliant with the local environmental rules. In general, these facilities tend to specialize in one activity, thus reducing the environmental compliance burden.

In auto salvage industry, the parts are traded between dealers. The tariff on auto part import varies from region to region. Governments use differential trade tariffs on auto part imports to protect their domestic markets. For example, importing auto parts between the European countries would attract fewer tariffs than from North America.

Auto Part Stores

With the Internet, auto dismantlers have changed the way they do business. The salvage dealers can now trade with fellow dealers hundreds or thousands of miles away. There are many online stores specialized in salvaged auto parts. These stores list detailed information about the parts being sold. Canadian Used AutoPart Network Assists is a good electronic information service designed to promote trade by bringing buyers and suppliers together. However, in the B2B segment Masterseek is renowned as the one stop shop for businesses to approach other businesses.

The integrated nature of auto industry in North America has helped Canada in its import auto parts business. There are numerous stores in Canada, specializing in sales and service of used auto parts. However, as the used or salvaged auto part market is cluttered with fake dealers, interested customers should have a good knowledge of the product. It is always recommended to buy from reputable dealers, who take responsibility for what they sell.


Scene: Tokyo Motor Show; Makuhari Messe, Japan
Every two years, Japan has this little car show called the Tokyo Motor Show. There, every major manufacturer brings out its Sunday best, as it relates to the Japanese automotive market. 2007 marked the 40th anniversary of the Tokyo Motor Show and also a pivotal time for enthusiasts in Japan and around the world. TMS takes place at Makuhari Messe in Chiba, Japan-the same place we visit for Tokyo Auto Salon. Henry happened to already be in Japan to get his helmet polished in Kabukicho, so we figured, what the hell-might as well get some work done on the company dime and have the guy shoot while we hit on hot Japanese chicks.

On a serious note, more so than years past, the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show proved to be a who's-who of high-horsepower, factory-tuned machines, including the Nissan GT-R, Lexus LF-A, Lexus IS-F, Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution and Subaru Impreza WRX STI. Each and every one of these vehicles would have been considered a highly-modified car 10 years ago, and soon you'll be able to purchase each one of these as a showroom-stock vehicle.\




'09 Nissan GT-R
Nissan President Carlos Ghosn introduced the '09 Nissan GT-R, but didn't spend much time on the numbers that define the new monster. He was more interested in talking about the Pivo-2. Good thing we went to the GT-R Seminar days earlier (more on this elsewhere); now, if only we had taken notes. God bless overachievers; we managed to steal Sport Compact Car Editor Joey Leh's Hello Kitty notepad-he was busy hitting on the GT-R's data acquisitions engineer. The red crayon was difficult to read, but we got the gist of stuff. The '09 GT-R is powered by a 3.8L twin-turbo (VR38DETT) that isn't related the VQ37. Nissan has chosen Borg Wagner for its twin-clutch system (similar to the new Evo X) and the new GT-R is the first vehicle in the lineage to use a transaxle (with integrated diff and clutch assembly).




'10 Lexus LF-A
While Justin conned his way into Lexus' IS-F driving event at Laguna Seca, the much manlier LF-A was on display at Tokyo Motor Show. The word is that this will be the Lexus answer to all the European supercars and Nissan's own GT-R. The vehicle looks like it's all concept, but with the current trend of other design studies like the IS-F becoming reality, we can expect this one to appear in about two years as a 2010 vehicle. Nothing is confirmed, but we hear it'll be powered by a super high-revving V-10 powering all four wheels.




All Access: 2009 Nissan GT-R Seminar`
Against better judgment, Nissan invited 250 of its closest friends to an abandoned underground parking structure to see the unofficial unveiling of the '09 Nissan GT-R. We weren't invited so, naturally, we crashed, sneaking in as the hired help. And good thing we did. While the official unveiling would be days later, Nissan gave select media not only a look under the skirt of the new Godzilla, but the proverbial reach-around. The garage had no less than a dozen GT-Rs, both Black Mask and unmasked production models, as well as full cut-aways of the engine, transaxle, suspension and unibody.

By far, this was the most informative event Super Street hasn't been invited to. A GT-R fanboy's dream, the seminar was five solid hours of information with every person on the GT-R development team, including access to engineers, designers and GT-R suppliers. We wouldn't be exaggerating if we said that every piece of the GT-R was disassembled for the sake of having it on display. Nissan also had new, not-yet-leaked footage of the GT-R testing, as well as the G35-esque test mules we saw at Nrburgring in early '07. We have a boner just thinking about it all again.