Some of you may consider buying a new car in 2008. There are a lot of wonderful models that are about to be rolled out in the coming year. But, prior to putting your attentions to them as you want to buy one, you might need to think of the best way to privately sell out your old car. Here are a few tips from startribune.com:

Good luck!!!

Fiat S.p.A., an Italian automobile manufacturer, just ended a money-losing Chinese joint venture, with Nanjing Automobile (Group) Corporation, one of the oldest Chinese automobile manufacturers. The firm will still keep working with Nanjing in making vans and parts. But, analysts say, the break-up casts doubt on the capability of Fiat to meet its target of having 300,000 units sold in China by 2010.

Separately, Fiat merged with Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC), also a Chinese automobile manufacturer. But, the company is considered bigger than Nanjing Automobile. In fact, it ranks the third among the ‘Big Five’ Chinese automakers, where it joins the First Automobile Works, Dongfeng Motor Corporation, Chang’an Motors, and Chery Automobile.

Fiat sees the rapid growth of the Chinese market. China is currently the world’s fastest-growing auto market, with 8.5 million sales forecast this year. Now, Beijing invites foreigners to import their cars, provided that they also make cars in China.

SAIC Motors in Shanghai says that it desires to be one of the world’s top six auto producers by the end of this decade. So far, in 2006, Fiat sold far fewer cars than it expected to in China – a far fewer than SAIC and its US and German partners: General Motors and Volkswagen.

Chery Automobiles, the largest independent Chinese auto manufacturer, appeared to be the most probable successor to Nanjing as a partner for Fiat in the passenger car segment in China. That would mean we might expect something better from Fiat in the coming years.

Volkswagen AG, the world’s fourth largest car maker, is gearing up for an integrated campaign. The campaign is aimed to promote the German auto maker’s first junior 4x4 Tiguan to the market.

Created by Proximity London, the drive intends to highlight the Tiguan’s compact SUV status. It is also part of the company’s plan to build consumer interest prior to the vehicle’s launch on February 1, 2008.

In the initial stage, the campaign targets the ‘hot’ prospects. It will include a direct mail pack that comes with an interactive USB stick.

The creative part of the drive builds an aerial cityscape out of the word ‘TIGUAN’, of which letter ‘I’ is a branded USB. The letter ‘I’ aims to illustrate how the Tiguan is at home in the city.

The USB stick and CD provides the recipients the chance to enjoy a virtual test drive through their PC. The digital content gives an interactive 360-degree view of the Tiguan. It comes with information hotspots for the recipients to discover the car’s features from all angles. A mailing will follow and will be sent to provide the information when the Tiguan is available in retailers for actual test drivers.

According to Sally Chapman, communications manager for large cars at VW, “The Tiguan introduces VW to a new sector in the market and it is important that we showcase the cars ability to potential customers in the launch communications.”

Looks like this campaign will make the showrooms packed with test drivers.

Kia Motors, South Korea’s second largest automobile manufacturer, is introducing a sedan version of its popular Rio small hatchback – to meet the demand of the market for down-sized large and medium sedans as fuel costs surge.

According to Jason Groube, sales and marketing manager for Kia Motors New Zealand, “Hatchbacks have ruled the small- car segment in recent years, but we are now getting inquiries from people regarding sedans in this size of car. These are buyers who like a more traditionally-styled car with a separate boot to securely store luggage and shopping.” “Fortunately, Kia already has a Rio sedan in its product range, which was designed at the same time as the hatchback and has been available in other countries. We’ve been able to secure a number of four-door Rio automatic sedans to gauge the reaction of buyers as an alternative to the five-door hatchback,” he added.

The Rio looks equally good in sedan and hatchback versions – a rare circumstance. Both models have the same front styling and passenger doors. But, they have different rooflines and rear-styling treatment. In result, the models are considered two very well-balanced and nicely proportioned versions of the same vehicle.

With added boot, the new Rio sedan measures 4240 mm in overall length. That makes up approximately 250 mm longer than the hatchback.

The sedan boot has a decent amount of space measuring 337 liters, though not as great as the luggage height as the hatchback. Both models have similar folding rear seats that maximize the vehicle’s carrying capacity.

In other aspects, the Rio sedan is basically the same as the hatchback. That includes the drive away prices: $21,500 for the LX automatic model and $24,145 for the EX automatic.

The Rio is powered with a 1.6 L engine that uses the latest continuously variable valve timing technology to maximize performance on city and highway driving. It also reduces emissions. This engine generates a peak power output of 82 kW at 6000 rpm. It has 145 Nm at 4500 rpm of torque. The Rio sedan has fuel consumption identical to the automatic hatchback with combined EU figures of 7L/100km (40 mpg).

Standard features include:

The EX equipment package gets additional features, including:

Looks like Kia ready made it that good for us.

Honda Motor Company Ltd., a Japanese multinational corporation, has been creating impressive engines that make its model cars powerful. One good example is the Accord 2.4, an engine that is as smooth and as powerful as BMW’s six cylinder 2.5.

Even though the Accord 2.4 only has four cylinders, the kind has been the smoothest and most refined on the market for years. In fact, it took the other competing auto makers a long time to catch up. Some like ones from Mercedes, a German automobile manufacturer, did not even manage it – a proof the Honda units are really good.

The Accord is indeed a strong and imposing machine. There is almost no need to push the engines as they are able to pull hard from very low revs.

The handling comes with a little roll, wonderful balance, vast grip and sure but safe roadholding. It matches the engine’s verve perfectly, eventually making the whole car feel much smaller if pushed hard. The vehicle even becomes greatly enjoyable with either short or long travels. Though it may seem quite jittery at low speed in town, it definitely rides beautifully at speed.

In addition to the powerful engine, the Honda Accord has been equipped with excellent touchscreen sat nav, full climate control and an electric sunroof. It also comes with automatic lights and wipers, lovely light-colored wood veneer and traction control.

Overall, the Honda Accord with the 2.4 engine is one of the best cars in the market you would love to own.

Yesterday, the four finalists for the Dodge brand’s “Are You Tuned-out” challenge was announced. The contest was created for certified gearheads and customizing fanatics all over America.

According to data, Americans spend almost 18 billion hours in tuning their vehicles every year and the finalists represent all the Americans who are really tuned in on their rides.

Out of the 952 contenders, the four finalists getting the chance to win a brand new 2008 Dodge Caliber SRT4 are: — Anthony Baroni of Brentwood, Calif.

- According to his wife Tiffany, Baroni is a "huge car nut." He spends countless hours researching cars online, in magazines and on TV, and is obsessed with the Dodge Caliber SRT4. He is so tuned in to tuning that he has even tried to teach his 3-year-old son to say, "Mommy, daddy needs a new Dodge."

– Zach Madrid of Colorado Springs, Colo. - Not only is Madrid "completely tuned out … he’s a Mopar freak," according to his fiancee Tricia Champagne. He has a passion for cars and customizing, and has a sketch book full of visions, concepts and customized versions of his favorite cars.

– Paul Martins of Canton, Mass. - According to Brenda Posipanko, she’s lucky. She has a wonderful boyfriend who is faithful and loyal; the only problem is she never sees him. In addition to filling her dining room with a "gazillion assorted car parts," Martins spends all of his free time under the hood of his project car.

– David Mayo of Philadelphia, Pa. - Mayo spends more time with his car than any member of his family. He’s so tuned out his family told him that cars are the reason he’s not married. He’s addicted to tuning and admits that his current car is killing his social life. If there’s a rehab clinic for tuning, Mayo is the first to confess that he needs help.

"The four finalists in the ‘Are You Tuned Out’ contest represent the millions of gearheads who live, breathe and dream about vehicles everyday," said Ralph Gilles, Vice President - Jeep(R), Truck, Advance Interior and Component Design, Chrysler LLC. "With the holiday season right around the corner, we’re going to award one lucky tuner a Dodge Caliber SRT4, a vehicle that comes ‘performance tuned’ straight from the factory, so they can spend less time in the garage working on their vehicle and more time with their friends and family."

The winner will be voted by online voters via www.DodgeRUTunedOut.com. Voting starts yesterday until December 10. The votes will be mixed up with the verdicts of the judges and the winner gets the new 2008 Dodge Caliber SRT4.