Wednesday, 21. May 2014
As I write this on a beautiful bank holiday Monday I see out of my kitchen window several neighbours with their hosepipe, bucket and sponge to hand doing that most tedious of jobs, washing the car. Well if the experiments being carried out by Nissan are successful this mundane weekend job may well be a thing of the past.
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They are currently testing a ‘self clean’ paint on a prototype Nissan Note which the makers claim is resistant to rain and dirt. The coating is sold by Florida based company, UltraTech International Inc. It works by repelling water and oils, creating a protective layer of air. Yes you did read that correctly they claim to create a layer of air.
For me that is one step too far, how on earth does it create a layer of air? Confused the hell out of me but no doubts someone will get back to me with an amazing answer based on chemical reactions or the pull of the moon against gravity. The real test will be whether at the end of the trials the car is still clean or not.
So far the tests have gone well, according to Nissan, the only manufacturer to apply the nano-paint to date. According to reports Nissan will make this an aftermarket option should the tests go well. What?
How to you make paint an aftermarket option? Carpet mats are an aftermarket option, a tow bar is an aftermarket option, things that the dealer can fit once the car is built are aftermarket options. Are they considering re-spraying the car with Nano Paint after the car has arrived at the dealership? Is it my age???? By Graham Hill
Friday, 14. March 2014
Talking about Nissan and their love of cameras they have just launched at the Geneva Motor Show a smart rear view mirror. It replaces the glass with an LCD display.
Thinking of a change but unsure as to the best way to finance your car? Then you need a copy of my car finance book, Car Finance – A Simple Guide by Graham Hill. Click on the link below to buy the best car finance book on the market, available as a Kindle Book and Paper Back.
In normal use it acts as a normal mirror but it can be switched to project a view from a rear view camera instead. This gives a clearer view behind especially when it is dark or raining. It also lets you see behind even when the driver’s normal view is impaired by a load that they can’t see by. Another clever idea. By Graham Hill
Thursday, 13. March 2014
When Nissan launched the Qashqai 360 that featured all round cameras (360 degrees – get it?) they probably didn’t realise that the cameras could be adapted to record accidents. Whilst Nissan and others started to mount cameras on their cars to assist with parking others were developing in car cameras that would record the bad behaviour of other drivers and record accidents for use in claims.
Thinking of a change but unsure as to the best way to finance your car? Then you need a copy of my car finance book, Car Finance – A Simple Guide by Graham Hill. Click on the link below to buy the best car finance book on the market, available as a Kindle Book and Paper Back.
Camera provider Smart Witness said that they have seen a 40% increase in sales of cameras to those wanting to avoid losing their no claims discount in crash for cash cases. The cameras automatically record everything that happens and can be switched on manually or activated by sudden braking such as in a crash.
Simon Marsh of Smart Witness said ‘It takes all the stress out of a road traffic accident. Liability is quickly established and claims can be settled much more quickly and without disputes.’ But this is likely to change as car mounted cameras, fitted by the car manufacturer, could be slightly modified to do the same thing with the recorded evidence sent via the driver’s smartphone to his or her insurance company.
With cameras mounted all round the car, as with Nissan they could even record damage being inflicted on the car by vandals – now there’s an interesting thought. By Graham Hill
Sunday, 13. November 2011
I’m forever making up excuses for cars such as Skoda, Seat and Chevrolet. All three makes are extremely good considering their roots and the long held view that in their previous existences they were, well frankly – crap! Take the Skoda, the butt of many a comedian’s joke, but now, under VW ownership with VW parts and German build control the Read more »
Saturday, 5. November 2011
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Renault have now launched details of their new electric car, the Fluence Z.E. It will be sold for £22,850 down to £17,850 after the £5,000 government incentive. However, the difference between the Nissan Leaf and the Renault is the fact that when you buy the Leaf you also buy the batteries, with the Renault you buy the car and lease the batteries. Read more »
Monday, 31. October 2011
You have to have some sympathy for Honda after our hearts go out to those that died in the Tsunami then over the last few days those that have lost their lives in the Thai floods. But talk about bad choices of location, Honda shut down production for most of the summer following the tsunami and we now hear that following the severe floods on 4th Read more »
Tuesday, 27. September 2011
There are some encouraging signs coming from the Japanese manufacturers with regard to recovery following the tsunami. Toyota and Nissan are working close to capacity now to fulfil orders and to replenish inventory of cars and parts depleted as a result of the March 11th disaster. Whilst car production was ready to roll very quickly it was a Read more »
Friday, 23. September 2011
Years ago stand up comedians like Bernard Manning could fill a complete stand up slot with jokes about Ladas and Skodas, you didn’t measure their speed in miles per hour but feet per week etc. Nissan was called Datsun and called cars after flowers and birds, like Primrose and Bluebird. In those days they simply didn’t get it in the same way as our Read more »
Friday, 26. August 2011
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We know that the cost of the battery pack that will be fitted to the new electric vehicles will be more than a pack of 12 Duracell AA’s but up until now we have all been speculating as to the true cost. £1,000, £5,000 or even £10,000? If Read more »
Friday, 12. August 2011
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Who is the biggest UK car manufacturer? Nope not Vauxhall or Ford, it’s Nissan! Yep, their Sunderland plant has broken all production records in the UK and produced over 400,000 cars in 2010. Considering the current economic climate that is absolutely amazing but, in my opinion, not surprising. We have seen some aggressive marketing of the Read more »
