Environmental & Energy

There has been a recent push by both public and private sectors to introduce new initiatives to combat and adapt to climate change; however, adapting to climate change involves more than simply changing a light bulb or buying a more fuel-efficient vehicle. Climate change is affecting the way in which we do business, particularly as industry braces for new environmental legislation, shareholders demand greater action on climate change, and more stringent disclosure standards are introduced. A heightened awareness of climate change issues is generating increased interest in how organizations manage their carbon footprint, which is leading to increased interest in the opportunities and risks associated with climate change.... .



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Gulf blazing a trail

MANAMA: The Gulf is leading a revolution in the motorsport industry which will see high-profile new race circuits go hand in hand with hi-tech initiatives in areas such as energy conservation, the chairman of top luxury car brand Aston Martin said yesterday.

In a keynote address on the first day of the Motor Sport Business Forum Middle East in Bahrain, David Richards praised the countries of the region for the billions of dollars they have spent on infrastructure in recent years and hailed countries like the kingdom for realising the challenge was to build sustainable automotive industry to accompany their new circuits.

"The business model of a race circuit that could stand on its own and just be isolated and run a motor race without anything else around it is gone forever," he said.


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Smaller cars and bigger savings

While smaller, more fuel efficient cars are a hit in the U.P, trucks aren't going anywhere just yet. By Heather SawaskiPosted: Tuesday, April 01, 2008 at 10:24 p.m.

MARQUETTE -- As gas prices continue to soar and budgets are tightly squeezed, many of us are starting to steer toward more economical ways to get from Point A to Point B.

"Small car sales are very strong right now without a doubt," says Jim Grundstrom of Frei Chevrolet in Marquette. "They're actually very challenging to get from General Motors, because the demand is high across the country."

However, Grundstrom says don't write off the larger vehicles just yet. He says 57 percent of his monthly sales are still trucks and SUVs and attributes this to consumer needs here in the U.P. Many motorists tend to want vehicles that can haul things, like trailers; and with such long winters, the four-wheel drive does come in handy.



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One-stop service for accident claims - good move?

Former F1 champion Mika Hakkinen took a Mercedes McLaren F1 car for a spin down St Andrew's Road during the launch of an anti-drink driving campaign on Sunday. He said later that Singapore's street circuit night race would pose unique challenges for drivers. -- PHOTO: AP » Full Story .



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Article Of The Week | The War Against Scientology

I wanted a new car equipped with all the bells and whistles. Tod needed something more practical for his wife and new baby. Dwayne wanted a more fast and furious car. And Mauricio needed something a bit more rugged and roomier. With this in mind, sales associate Fermin Trompeta at Pearson Honda in Midlothian assisted us in determining which Honda would best suit our very different lifestyles. Framin took us one by one and asked us questions that helped narrow down his search. We were then allowed to test-drive a car that Framin specially selected for each one of us. I test drove a Civic Coupe; Tod drove an Odyssey; Dwayne, a Si sedan and Mauricio, an Element. Continue reading and find out what we felt about our rides. —Isabel Ramos

Isabel's Civic Coupe I volunteered to be the first potential buyer; mainly, because I was eager to test drive the upgraded Civic Coupe.



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Dealerships go extra mile to sell cars Smaller, fuel-efficient vehicles draw buyers

In this tight economy, it now takes a little more to seal the deal for a new or used car.“I'm getting the same amount of people in the door, but there are less people buying on impulse," said Jason Johnson, co-owner of Desert Wind Auto and Cycle. “They're looking for deals, and doing their homework."A slowing economy — nationally, statewide and locally — has consumers watching their wallets more than ever before. And while people are still buying cars, many consumers appear to be gravitating toward smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles to offset big jumps in gasoline prices. Others are choosing used vehicles over new.“Some of our customers are looking to downsize," said Rick Roberts, managing partner of Anderson Chrysler Dodge Jeep. “I would say that there's more customers that are coming in that gas mileage is a priority to them."Roberts also said that his certified pre-owned vehicle sales are up.



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OUTLOOK Halfords seen reporting solid full-year sales

LONDON (Thomson Financial) - Halfords Group Plc., the car parts and bicycle retailer, is expected to again illustrate its defensive qualities in a tough UK trading environment when it updates on full-year sales on Thursday.

For the year to March 31 2008 analysts at Citigroup are forecasting total sales growth from the 450-store group of 7.3 percent, with like-for-like sales up 4.7 percent and gross margin down 10 basis points.

For the second-half period they expect like-for-like sales growth of 2.5 percent, excluding Easter.

Analysts at UBS expect full-year total sales of 800 million pounds, up 7.5 percent, with like-for-like growth of 4 percent and gross margin flat. For the second half they also expect like-for-like sales growth of 2.5 pct.

"We view Halfords as a relatively defensive stock within the retail sector, mainly due to its 30 percent exposure to car maintenance products," they told clients.


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