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GREY IMPORTS SHOW TRUE STICKING POWER, SAYS SWINTON

Swinton Specialist motor insurance experiences 18% increase in enquiries for non-standard motors in the last 12 months

Yesterday’s boy racers are growing up, but instead of ditching their beloved Japanese imports, like the ever-popular Nissan Skyline, and opting for something a little more refined, they’re sticking to their beloved motors.

The UK’s largest high street motor insurance broker, Swinton, is launching Swinton Specialist, a dedicated team to handle the upsurge in customers seeking quotes for non-standard motor insurance. Swinton believe that this boom is due to the reluctance of drivers over 30 to give up their modified cars.

In the last 12 months Swinton has seen a 18% hike in demand for specialist motor insurance quotes and the new division will handle enquiries for all modified, high performance, imported and other non-standard motors.

Grey imports – cars not available in this country – are remaining massively popular, with exclusive Japanese motors more desirable than ever. Far from being a passing phase in the performance car market, as speculated by some, following the release of films such as the Fast and the Furious, their popularity has soared.

The car’s high specification and excellent value given the strong UK pound is coupled with the trend for short-term car ownership and low corrosive driving conditions in Japan – leaving them in prime condition for UK owners.

Neil Ackinclose, head of Swinton Specialist, commented: “Performance cars have never been more popular in the UK and we are launching Swinton Specialist to provide motor insurance for this growing market. The internet has become THE market place for car sales, and this has opened up the international car market to UK buyers.”

But it’s not just yesterdays boy racers who are snapping-up Japanese imports according to Swinton, who have seen a resurgence of men and women in their 20s making the most of low interest rates to buy specialist cars.

“We continue to see growing interest from the younger end of the market, where customers have high disposable incomes and credit is easily obtainable,” says Swinton’s Neil Ackinclose. “Japanese Grey imports lend themselves excellently to this market, especially when prices can start for as little as £2k!

“We also believe that high house prices have barred many twenty-somethings from getting on the property ladder, meaning their money is freed-up to spend on nice cars. Importing is now extremely popular as it offers excellent value for stylish, individual machines.”

Swinton has also seen a steady increase in the number of modified and high performance cars on their books.

Swinton Specialist searches through specialist schemes from top motor insurers and offers low premiums to owners of modified and performance cars – with great deals on modified cars, performance cars, grey imports, and penalty pointed drivers. Value-for-money premiums are also available for cars with limited mileage, for owners belong to car clubs, as well as those with good security and tracking devices.

Swinton’s Top-10 grey imports:

1. Nissan Skyline (Japan)

2. Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution (Japan)

3. Subaru Impreza (Japan)

4. Toyota Supra (Japan)

5. Mazda RX7 (Japan)

6. Mazda MX5 Eunos (Japan)

7. Honda Integra (Japan)

8. Mitsubishi Pajero (Japan)

9. Cadillac EXT (USA)

10. Ford Mustang (USA)


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The Los Angeles Auto Show is one of the most popular auto shows in the industry. In fact, many auto manufacturers and many car aficionados do make sure that they attend such an event where almost every car you can imagine can be found. After all, this is one great event where the producer meets the market all for the love of one thing automobiles.
Now, for this upcoming LA Auto Show, there would yet be an event within the event. Did that confuse you? Well, this just simply means that within the LA Auto Show, there would be another occasion wherein many car lovers would certainly want to be part of. That is, if they have the knack for designing cars and styling them out. Such a thing may look pretty easy but it may just be the opposite. If you would imagine, you do have to integrate each and every part of you can find in an automobile. Like if you were to design a customized Toyota Supra, you would have to make sure you have the right kind and style of Toyota Supra performance parts plus the right engine and transmission system parts to make the new one a complete vehicle.
The event within the mentioned auto show would be the Design Challenge. One of the sponsors to the mentioned event would be ICEM which is known as one of the top suppliers of automotive design software throughout the world. Whoever wins the Design Challenge would then be able to see and let everybody else see his (or her) creation once it is unveiled come November 30th at the mentioned auto show.
Michael Check is the General Manager of ICEM for the Americas and with this sponsorship of theirs to the Design Challenge, he says, “ICEM is pleased to be a part of the Design Challenge. We understand first hand the importance of creativity and innovation in automotive design. Creative designs are the ultimate success factor in drawing the consumer to the product in the marketplace. ICEM strives to provide the most comprehensive software toolset, which provides the designer with the most flexibility and enhances the creative process.”


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Honda, Toyota quality manufacturers of parts such as tie rods such as Honda’s S2000 at the recently concluded 2007 Tokyo Auto Show (presented 12-14 January). The Honda S2000 by Mugen to create was that Open-Top Pure Sport Concept. The car looks as if it was designed just for race fans. The S2000 has an interior fitted with black / red Mugen bucket seats, while his body had been placed for a unique to the vehicle a sporty look, but waited in the process of cara?? S famous smooth lines. The use of depleted impressive on the back is a further demonstration of the potential of this car, but unfortunately no HP or torque figures though the S2000 is available. S2000 classic roadster Before it was modified by Mugen, was the classic Honda S2000 Roadster sports car than a style and an icon for the Honda brand performance. The S2000 combines uncompromising racetrack performance with practicality. Honda S2000 has built based on this premise. Further improvements have been made for the S2000 including the addition of electronic DBW or drive-by-Wire Throttle Systema? ¢, Vehicle Stability Assist (VSAA ®), maintenance minder, standard headrest speakers, an outdoor temperature gauge, revised seat and console designs, a unique new alloy wheel design, and the addition of Laguna Blue Pearl as color. According to John Mendel, Senior Vice President of American Honda Motor Co., Inc., a ????” never content to leave well enough alone, we are committed to maintaining the S2000 performance and technological leadership in its segment. It is a car designed by enthusiasts for enthusiasts, and it represents the ultimate expression of fun-to-Drive feature found in all Honda vehicles. “ The S2000 is powered by 2. 2-liter DOHC, VTECâ? ¢ / min (Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control) 4-cylinder engine that this is the highlight of the ft / min suction performance technology revving 237 PS at 7,800 rpm and 162 lb torque at 6,800 rpm remains. To complement the engineâ? S output is a compact, longitudinally mounted, close-ratio 6-speed manual transmission that features a direct linkage for precise shifting and short throws. Also new in the S2000 is Hondaâ? S Vehicle Stability Assist system that is more stable and easier to control especially during street driving or in inclement weather. VSA is working with the drive-by-wire system for continuously monitoring the yaw rate, steering input, throttle input and the braking pressure to determine if the car is the proposed route by the driver following. Standard features of the S2000 include: â? ¢ Power retractable roof â? ¢ 17-inch alloy wheels â? ¢ tirmmed Leather Seats â? ¢ High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlamps â? ¢ Aluminum Hardtop â? ¢ XMO Satellite Radio â? ¢ Power windows â? ¢ Power Door Locks â? ¢ Keyless Entry â? ¢ Outside temperature gauge â? ¢ less maintenance system


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