Happy Holidays from the AskPatty Blog Carnival! We've been so busy compiling weekly holiday gift guides, we've gotten a little behind with our regular female friendly carnival! There's so much happening in the automotive industry, whether it's informative stories about winter car care and gadgets, exciting reports about amazing women in the automotive industry, or other female friendly car information, we've got something here for everyone. Have you got female friendly news or interesting automotive tidbits to share? Email Ask Patty at info@askpatty.com or use the form to include your own blog bits in next week's carnival! 
We like Carsforgirls.com! The site is always full of useful, female friendly automotive articles, including this one, which gives six tips for getting your vehicle out of the snow. Because she lives in the Midwest she understands the situation and shares some very helpful tips to make the job a little easier and less time consuming. She also posted another cool article full of fun automotive sites, including the Walter P. Chrysler Museum & Gift Shop, Vespa Scooters, and the Cost 2 Drive road trip cost calculator.
If you live in snowy areas, then you'll want to check out these MirrorMateMitts made of durable, water-repellent nylon material that fit over your side mirrors to save you time, eliminates effort, and best of all, protect your car, truck, minivan and SUV side mirrors from scuffs, snow, ice, and frost. A variety of colors, including red, yellow, green, and blue, provide maximum mirror visibility for passing motorists when your vehicle is parked on the street or in a lot. Available in two sizes to fit most vehicles, the MirrorMateMitts are sold in pairs for $20, and can be personalized with a monogram, high school and college logos, or even Greek fraternity or sorority letters.
The Car Care Council Women's Board recently awarded Lauren Fix-- the Car Coach(R) and a spokesperson for the "Be Car Care Aware" consumer education campaign -- the fifth annual "Aftermarket Woman of the Year" recognition. The announcement was made during the 2008 Women's Board reception during the Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX) in Las Vegas, Nevada. Lauren was chosen by the Women's Board membership and special programs committee, based on her longevity in the aftermarket, her career accomplishments, her leadership capabilities and dedication to the automotive aftermarket industry. As an ASE-certified technician and engineer, Lauren is an expert in all areas of the car world, from experience in the driver's seat to expertise under the hood. She learned how to maintain and work on cars when she was 10 years old, and has been a leader in positive consumer awareness in the automotive world for over 20 years. She is a nationally recognized TV automotive expert, frequently-quoted authority on automotive culture and issues, a journalist, author of three books, most recently "Lauren Fix's Guide To Loving Your Car," several service manuals and a contributor to numerous technical and consumer articles. Congratulations, Lauren!
If you're a lady who loves flowers, then you'll want one of these "Spirited Corsages" for your car. Spirited Corsages are the original flower corsage seat belt protector / seat belt cover that adds a touch of beauty and fun to any car! Spirited Corsages are a fun, way for women to express themselves in their car, or girls to decorate their backpack, with beautiful, long-lasting flower corsages.
According to this article at the New York Daily News, Shiro Nakamura thinks creating cars is like making music, and as chief creative officer for Nissan Motor Co. and an active cello player, he should know. Since he began heading up design at Japan's third-biggest automaker nine years ago, the 57-year-old has transformed the company's image as a technologically savvy but generally form-challenged outfit into one known for its design flair. One of the biggest challenges car designers face is creating a uniqueness that is evident across the line-up and at the same time, appeals to the masses. "Nissan draws hints from contemporary Japan -- things like animation, and manga (comics)," Nakamura said. Cool.
Female Friendly Dealers in the News! 
Special Events at Checkered Flag
Would you buy a car from a Rock Star? Check out this special event held recently at Checkered Flag Volkswagen: Everyone on the sales staff was dressed up as their favorite rock celebrity and there was so much going on in the spirit of charity and Rock & Roll. Checkered Flag donated $250 from each vehicle sold to raise more than $5000 to support St. Mary's Home for Disabled Children in Norfolk and the United Way. One participant in the Guitar Hero contest (co-sponsored with a local radio station) won a $500 prize, XBOX 360 and flat screen television. Watch the video to find out more about this rocking event.
While you're perusing the Checkered Flag site, be sure to check out this blog posted by a satisfied Checkered Flag Customer in which she shares the details of her recent service appointment.
Welcome to Larry's AutoWorks to the AskPatty Certified Female Friendly Dealer network
Larry's AutoWorks is a woman-owned, team-operated, 11,500-square-foot Automotive Service and Repair Facility located in Mountain View, California. Larry's AutoWorks maintains a clean, organized, first-rate facility and keeps up with the rapidly changing technical aspects of today's vehicles through advanced training and obtaining the most up-to-date equipment to service and repair your vehicle. Larry's AutoWorks became green certified by Santa Clara County in November 2006, the first Certified Green Business in Mountain View, and has been voted Best Auto Repair by local residents for the past 5 years. They also hire and train individuals that are head-and-shoulders above the industry average to assure superior customer service. Larry's insist that each of their technicians specialize in specific makes of vehicles and continues to take at least 48-hours of advanced training in their specific specialty areas each year. And, they employ five ASE Master Technicians and an Automotive Engineer.
Prestige Auto Sales Photo Album
Prestige Auto Sales in Ocala, Florida, says they know that buyers have high expectations, and as a used car dealer they enjoy the challenge of meeting and exceeding those standards each and every time. To demonstrate how important it is for them treat the needs of each individual customer with paramount concern, they have posted a gallery of dozens of their happy customers -- and their new cars! Are you looking for a used car in the Ocala area? Then stop by Prestige Auto Sales and ask to speak to Lisa U. for a certified female friendly buying experience.
Boardwalk Volkswagen's Fall Fashion Clearance Event
Boardwalk Volkswagen in Richardson, Texas, recently gave their female shoppers an opportunity to escape from the lipstick jungle by offering a special two-weekend Fall Fashion Clearance Event. During the event, Boardwalk invited local ladies to strut down a fashion catwalk and offered exclusive deals on their inventory with special promotions and 30-second and 60-second radio commercials promising their listeners "There's nothing more attractive than intelligence."
Dave Mungenast Lexus Leads Girl Scout Car Care Clinic
More than 40 enthusiastic St. Louis-area Girl Scouts recently joined the Dave Mungenast Lexus team to explore a variety of learning centers focused on topics like car care and safety, air bags, anti-lock brakes, how to change a tire, and how to check a vehicle's oil level. The girls really enjoyed this hands-on event that helped girls break barriers and learn to be comfortable performing basic tasks on vehicles. One Girl Scout said she couldn't wait to show her dad her newfound ability to change a tire on her own. A troop leader, whose teenage daughter just started driving, expressed relief and appreciation, saying "I feel more confident about my teenager driving now that she knows more about car care safety." Environmental issues were also an important topic of the event: the girls learned about the Lexus Eco-Challenge, as well as about Dave Mungenast's soon-to-be-constructed environmentally friendly building, making them the first such "green" Lexus dealership in the country. Girls left the event with tire pressure gauges, and parents learned about the entire Lexus lineup.
Continue reading "Ask Patty's Female Friendly Blog Carnival: December 13, 2008 " »
AskPatty Holiday Gift Garage, Part Three
Wondering what to get the young race fan, driver, or gear-head in your life this holiday season? Our friends at Bridgestone/Firestone have sent us a list of gift ideas that will not only put a smile on their faces but a few of them may even save their lives. We've also added to their suggestions with a collection of other appropriate items we've been gathering during the season! These gifts are sure to help you indulge the automotive passions of the young drivers and car fans on your holiday shopping list!
Continue reading "Perfect Holiday Gifts for Teen Drivers " »
As we move closer to the holidays, AskPatty thought it might be nice to offer you some fun gift choices for those car-loving folks in your life. Whether you're looking for fun and frivolous, inexpensive and practical, or simply fantasizing about those luxurious and aspirational items you WISH you could give, we'll share it with you here in the second installment of our holiday gift guide. (In case you missed it, here is a link to last-week's edition ) And be sure to watch for next week's edition, which will focus on gifts meant especially for the young drivers in your home!
It's holiday time again, and while it means family, friends, and togetherness, it can mean overindulgence as well. Which is why the blogger over at Carla's Corner has created a special line of clothing to help you honor a very important person--your designated driver. She's created three humorous t-shirts for designated drivers: "Team Designated Driver" and men's/boys ("I Take The Pretty Girls Home") and women's/girls ("I Take The Handsome Men Home") for those who want to recognize the designated drivers among their co-workers, friends, and families. Consider giving one as a gift this holiday season. It may cheer up a person who isn't always recognized--and maybe help support that person as they keep you and yours healthy and safe.
If you can't fit a new Mercedes-Benz under the tree, consider giving Mercedes-Benz-branded luxury accessories. The Lifestyle Collection features unique collectibles for home or office, high-quality apparel for him and her, highly sought after Seatbelt Bags, his and hers watches designed by Tourneau, the Mercedes-Benz luggage line by Samsonite and much, much more, all designed exclusively for Mercedes-Benz. The Classic Collection includes meticulously designed model and novelty cars from across the historic vehicle line, and an assortment of plush and die-cast toys for kids. The Accessory Line is full of genuine Mercedes-Benz products that will allow you to customize your automotive experience -- choosing from interior & exterior appearance, and utility & care accessories -- while maintaining the finely-tuned integrity of your Mercedes-Benz.
Make her drive to join the rat race a little easier to handle by immersing her in the healthy aroma of VIM Essential oils while she drives. Nothing synthetic here! Morning or evening, just flip open the embossed sunglass-style case, to choose a hand-crafted blend. She can jump-start her day with a refreshing AM wake-up combination of crisp, minty tangy citrus, or calm and revive her end-of-day drive with a warm and grounding bergamot and ginger PM blend. Put a few drops of the genuine and authentic essential oils on the handy felt pad, pop it into the sleek black and silver auto diffuser, plug into the car power outlet, and start the engine. As she drives, she will be enveloped in natural and healthy aromas that blows away those other chemical-filled air fresheners. (What's in those things anyway?!) She can actually look forward to her commute, because her car is now a sanctuary!
According to a recent study by British-based luxury car insurer Hiscox in which participants were asked to listen to the sound of a variety of cars from exotics to economy models, the sound of a Maserati engine was shown to spark a biological response among women -- in fact, 100% of the women studied had shown higher testosterone levels after listening to the exhaust of a Maserati than any other car! Proof is here at GQ, so gentlemen, if you want a ringtone that will make your lady's heart beat faster whenever you call her, text "Maserati" to the number 707070 and get the Maserati engine ringtone* on your mobile phone. (There is some fine print with this offer: Your carrier's MMS & standard message rates apply. Data and other charges may apply, so check with your wireless provider. Program available on AT&T, Alltel, Sprint, T-Mobile, & Verizon carrier networks and in the U.S. only. (ARV $2) Program ends at 10:00 AM ET on 1/18/09 or when 2000 downloads have been downloaded.)
Wish you could surprise a friend or loved one with a new car for the holidays? Even families on a budget can give their favorite car guy or gal a beautifully detailed ride this holiday season for around $20, with a little help from Meguiar's. Meguiar's new Complete Auto Care Kit is available at most Wal-Mart stores this holiday season and includes four fantastic surface care products -- NXT Generation Tech Wax 2.0, Ultimate Quik Detailer spray, Hot Shine Tire Foam, and Quik Interior Detailer Wipes -- to keep your car looking great, even through harsh winter weather. As a bonus, Meguiar's will also include a limited edition stainless steel travel mug with the kit to keep you warm during cold winter nights in the garage. Meguiar's Complete Auto Care Kit is a great gift for everyone from diehard car guys to moms and dads that want to give their trusty car or truck a little extra shine and protection this winter.
How about something practical, like a Jiffy Lube gift card? Any person who drives a car must also perform basic maintenance like oil changes. They can be bought in-store or online at www.jiffylube.com using most payment methods, and they offer several shipping options for online purchases for last-minute holiday shoppers. Gift cards can be filled with any dollar amount from $5 to $300, and can be redeemed toward any Jiffy Lube preventive maintenance service including the 17-point Jiffy Lube Signature Service(R) Oil Change. The card has no inactivity fees and no expiration date. Also, from now through the end of the year (and again from January 28 through March 16, 2009), for anyone who purchases a Jiffy Lube Gift Card online or at their local service center, Jiffy Lube will donate $1 to the American Heart Association's Go Red For Women movement, as part of the Jiffy Lube Maintenance Partners for Life campaign.
Gear4Gearheads has created a collection of gift ideas at CafePress that includes cute items for Baby's first Christmas: handmade ornaments, keepsakes, tee-shirts, bibs, and onesies, and other cute little automotive gifts ideal for the musclecar baby's first Christmas.
Any Mom or Dad who spends a lot of time in the car with kids will appreciate these items that will keep the little ones comfy during travel. Jeannie's Kids Club has this cute car-shaped window shade, perfect for protecting your little back seat passengers. Side shades stick to the windows with two suction cups and are made of see-through mesh for blocking heat, sun, and glare of the sun. Leaps and bounds 
offers an exclusive handy ultimate backseat organizer to help keep kidstuff neat and within reach. It features 15 pockets in various sizes, including one big enough to hold 8" x 11" books, as well as a detachable activity case for bringing special treasures along! Holds toys, gaming devices, crayons, books, DVDs, drinks, snacks, and more.
If your loved one doesn't already have one in the trunk, then a car emergency kit is a great way to show them how much you care about their safety. Consider this suede-style ultimate car kit from BatterySavers.com with multiple compartments packed full of such heavy-duty auto accessories as 8-foot 10-gauge booster cables, 15-foot 4500-pound capacity tow rope, non-flammable tire inflator, emergency water bag, flashlight with krypton bulb and signal cone, emergency blanket and poncho, and knit gloves. A 50-piece first aid kit contains adhesive bandages, antiseptic towlettes, gauze dressings, and first-aid instruction card.
If you're a do-it-yourselfer who likes to create handmade items, we found this link to a collection of images at boingboing.net shared by a user who says: "Here's a lovely little gallery of space-age illustrations, perfect for collaging into Christmas cards or other crafty projects." I'm not sure what rights are reserved on these photos, but as long as you're not profiting from the use of these images by reselling the items you make, you should escape the wrath of the copyright cops and be able to create some fun, fanciful, and faux-futuristic greetings and crafts.
Just because I live in sunny California doesn't mean I don't have sympathy for our readers who live in colder climates. If you fight winter snow and ice you'll appreciate this sleek, heated ice scraper: Just plug it into your vehicle's cigarette lighter, and the snow scraper's U-shaped heating element will soften and melt snow and ice, so the built-in non-scratching scraper and squeegee can easily wipe it away. And since the cord is 15 feet long, you can use the heated snow scraper to clear side and rear windows as easily as the windshield. The Heated Ice Scraper includes a nylon heat shield over the heating element for safety, and an LED lights up to easily indicate when you have switched it on.
And don't overlook your own favorite website! AskPatty now offers Certified Female Friendly apparel and merchandise through the CafePress custom product site! If you're a fan of AskPatty.com, CLICK HERE to order AskPatty clothing and other fun items, including buttons, clocks, shirts, hats, tote bags, and coffee mugs. Order today to receive them in time for your holiday gift-giving festivities!
Don't forget to check back next week for out collection of Teen-focused automotive-related holiday gift ideas! We've got plenty more where these came from! Regardless of the holidays you honor this time of year, AskPatty wishes the warmest blessings of the season to you and your family
Jody DeVere
President and CEO
http://www.askpatty.com
http://www.carblabber.com
As we move closer to the holidays, AskPatty thought it might be nice to offer you some fun gift choices for those car-loving folks in your life. Whether you're looking for fun and frivolous, inexpensive and practical, or simply fantasizing about those luxurious and aspirational items you WISH you could give, we'll share it with you here in our holiday gift guide.
Busted Knuckle invites you to consider more than 250 exciting Busted Knuckle Garage products starting at just $2.49. Busted Knuckle will let you put a wrench in your holiday plans with 20% off your entire purchase -- simply enter the code "GREATDEAL" at checkout -- and also offers FREE ground shipping on all orders over $50.00. They've got a great line of herbal skin care products, salves, and moisturizers that are excellent for both men and women; cool baseball caps, tee-shirts, and jackets; collectible figurines, mugs, pub glasses, and novelties; and garage and home decor items such as chairs and pub tables, fun metal wall signs, neon clocks, and art. Their slogan is "unique gifts for wrench twisting car guys, bikers, and wannabe's," and their site really has a fun retro theme - plus they're just plain nice people. Be sure to tell them Patty sent you!
If you're feeling really generous, you could give your loved one a new Volvo -- or if you're not feeling so generous, you can give Volvo-themed items from their collection. Start your little ones on the car path early with comfy baby moccasins ($25) to a Volvo C70 Pedal car ($240 in retina-searing-red) or teach them about safety with their very own crash test dummy doll ($18). The Volvo collection also offers grown-up selections, including a selection of more than two dozen watches for him and her, women's polos, v-necks, and sweaters; a line of outerwear that includes fleece and microfiber jackets, down vests, caps, and beanies; golf accessories, luggage, and much more.
Maybe you want to put a truck in the driveway, or if that seems a little overboard, how about some Red Truck wines on the holiday table? Just in time for holiday celebrations, Red Truck is offering free shipping on 12 bottles (just order 12 bottles from the wine shop, then type FREESHIPPING in the promo code box) and an online-exclusive new Organic Zinfandel ($11.99) that promises to taste perfect with turkey or roasted meats. (I happen to be a fan of the Pink Truck California Pink ($8.99) which features a pink 1939 Chevy truck on the label.) If you like the lovely truck-inspired labels as much as you like the wines, you can also buy them as full-size 24x32-inch posters ($15) in their gift shop along with Red Truck-branded tee-shirts and caps.
Just in time for the holidays, Infiniti is selling the Premier Edition of its all-new 2009 G37 Convertible exclusively through the 2008 Bloomingdale's Holiday Catalog. Bloomingdale's much anticipated annual holiday catalog features an eight-page reveal of the Infiniti G Convertible and reservation program for the exclusive Premier Edition which boasts a unique Monaco Red leather-trimmed interior with hand-crafted, red-stained Maple Wood Trim, and a special grille and 19-inch aluminum wheels. This special offer isn't available online, so if you didn't get your Bloomies catalog, then you can still get a sneak preview of this fabulous car which won't arrive in dealerships until spring. From December 10 through January 10, four Bloomingdale's stores will feature the all-new Infiniti G Convertible, allowing the public to catch a glimpse of the vehicle before it goes on sale. These locations include Tysons Corner in McLean, VA; Lenox Square in Atlanta, GA; Mall of Millennia in Orlando, FL; and South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa, CA. Product specialists will be on hand to answer consumer questions.
What car-loving woman doesn't also love a Harveys Seatbelt bag? Among the fabulous bags in their product line are a new collection of 100% recycled seatbelts called "Treecycle": Fully lined with hemp fabric imprinted with eco-friendly inks, the Treecycle line includes small wallets ($78) and messenger bags ($134), full-size totes, and satchels ($148). The brand-new Disney Couture collection offers a colorful assortment of similar products, as well as a smaller baguette bag ($128) or cosmetic pouch ($64) and a large carriage satchel ($268), all featuring a comic-strip story about Mickey and Minnie Mouse. I adore my cranberry red messenger bag, and love the attention it gets from others who are attracted to its lovely but durable appearance! Plus, Harveys bags are handmade in the USA and come with a lifetime guarantee.
Those who spend a lot of time in the car - commuting or road tripping - will appreciate the in-car yoga experience offered by DriveTimeYoga! No pretzel poses here! Drivetime Yoga is designed for drivers and passengers to do easily and safely while on the road, regardless of whether they are already familiar with Yoga techniques. Also, the 'Rolling Namaste' is a simple way to enhance, not replace, on-the-mat classes or whatever exercise program you follow. Designed by Yoga teacher, Elaine Masters, with contributions from Physical Therapist/Ergonomic Consultant Julie Garner, the program features adapted poses, breathing techniques for clarity and stress release, plus driving ergonomics to keep you injury-free behind the wheel. The book and CDs feature body specific suggestions including low-back exercises, neck stretches, and shoulder moves to address common chronic driving pains, avoid bad driving habits that hurt, and discover relaxation techniques to ease freeway frustration. You can read the book ($9.95), listen to the audio book in the car ($18.95), or get them both! ($26)
Our friendz at Ridemakerz have a special offer for Black Friday Shopperz: you can get a free radio control upgrade with any purchase made in a store or online on Friday, November 28. Just Pick out a body, add some custom paint, wheels, and accessories and you’ve got a made-to-order ride. Or receive a free 2009 calendar with any purchase made between December 1-31. “Building custom RIDEZ is an interactive challenge to everyone’s imagination and the end result is a one-of-a-kind, personal expression," sez Chip Foose, legendary car customizer and host of TLC’s hit show Overhaulin’. "RIDEMAKERZ has captured the authenticity necessary for the true adult collector and combined it with the simplicity necessary for kids as young as six years old.” We dig 'em, even if they can't zpell.
And don't overlook your own favorite website! AskPatty now offers Certified Female Friendly apparel and merchandise through the CafePress custom product site! If you're a fan of AskPatty.com, CLICK HERE to order AskPatty clothing and other fun items, including buttons, clocks, shirts, hats, tote bags, and coffee mugs. Order today to receive them in time for your holiday gift-giving festivities!
Look for more automotive-related holiday gift ideas next week! We've got plenty more where these came from! Regardless of the holidays you honor this time of year, AskPatty wishes the warmest blessings of the season to you and your family Jody DeVere President and CEO
http://www.askpatty.com
http://www.carblabber.com
Continue reading "AskPatty's Automotive Holiday Gift Garage" »
Welcome to the AskPatty Blog Carnival, where we share a refreshing assortment of female friendly news and interesting automotive tidbits from around the blogosphere. Whether it's informative stories about eco-friendly people or green cars, care care tips or safety, exciting reports about amazing women in the automotive industry or female friendly car reviews, we've got something here for everyone. Have you got something to share? Halloween is just around the corner, so we scared up some especially spooky carnival items as well. Email Ask Patty at info@askpatty.com or use the form to include your own blog bits in next week's carnival! 
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, so before the month runs out, we wanted to draw your attention to StandUpToCancer.org Working with the top experts in cancer research, Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C) is a groundbreaking initiative aimed at raising funds to accelerate cancer research and end cancer's reign as a leading cause of death. In November more than 50 of the most renowned personalities in TV, film, sports and music came together to make history in an unprecedented television event in which NBC, ABC, and CBS simultaneously devoted one hour of commercial-free prime time to raise funds for the fight against cancer. If you missed it, you can watch the entire hour here and make donations here. As a contribution to SU2C, singer Ingrid Michaelson has created a benefit album called "Be OK" which contains previously unreleased songs, covers, and live recordings that are favorites from her set list; Ingrid is donating a portion of the proceeds from the project to SU2C, so click on the button to download her album for yourself, and make a contribution to SU2C!
Women influence well over two-thirds of all consumer purchases in the U.S.--and perhaps even more when the economy tanks and households tighten their budgets. Simply put, women wield incredible purchasing power, according to Yvonne DiVita. Read the fascinating profile by Bulldog Reporter Brian Pittman, and find out what our friend Yvonne DiVita, President of Windsor Media Enterprises; Author of "Dickless Marketing: Smart Marketing to Women Online;" and Blogger at "Lip-Sticking" has to say about "Economic Crises, Twitter, and How to Communicate with Consumers Who Control $5 Trillion."
This year's TIAW Annual Global Partnership Forum 2008 will translate insights on women's economic empowerment into action in four critical areas: micro/macro entrepreneurship; governance and corporate careers; political and personal influence; and technology. In addition to these four important streams, TIAW Global Partnership Forum will offer thought leadership sessions to stimulate ideas and debate on important aspects of women's success. The intense two-day event, being held in Toronto November 9-11, will have some amazing speakers including Maureen Kempston Darkes, who is President of General Motors for Latin America, Africa, and Middle East and is considered the most powerful woman in the automotive industry.
Ford's "MyKey" is a new system that parents can use to assist their freshly licensed teenagers drive more safely. While most parents can only lecture their children on the importance of staying within speed limits, Ford owners will have the option of programming their young driver's keys to impose a number of restrictions -- including top speed and maximum radio volume. While most of us parents believe this could be a positive feature, the blogger over at WebRides.tv has a different opinion. Do you agree?
With the 65-and-older population in the United States expected to double to 70 million - that's one in five people! - by 2030, Nissan an other automakers are researching safety and comfort design changes as a way to reach for aging baby boomer's wallets. Watch this informative Associated Press video at Yahoo!news!
According to @DavidMoll at New Millennium Motoring,
General Motors and Chrysler have sharpened their fiscal axes and are taking drastic steps to ensure their continued survival. Upon unanimous approval by the board of directors, GM announced it has cancelled Project CXX, a $2 billion program to replace the aging Cadillac Escalade, GMC Yukon and Chevrolet Suburban sport-utility vehicles. Layoffs at GM plants are set to continue, with Janesville, the firm's oldest and most reliant on sport-ute production, set to close by Christmas. Meanwhile, Chrysler has announced it will close its Newark, Delaware, plant nearly a year ahead of schedule. As a result, the Dodge Durango and Chrysler Aspen Hybrid sport-utes will be culled before they complete their first full model year. A thousand Chrysler employees will be laid off when the final shift is completed on Dec. 31, 2008. If the rumored Chrysler merger goes through, further layoffs are expected.
Those chicks over at Cars for Girls are really looking out for your best interest! They've assembled a collection of some wacky traffic laws readers should be aware of: "Sure," she says, "some of them may be outdated and so odd that it makes you wonder what people were thinking when they thought these up, but believe it or not, some of them are still on the books." I read them all, and hereby offer myself up to the law for my own wacky infringements. I confess: I HAVE driven my car in my housecoat. It's a long story, and has something to do with being locked out.
Already battered by the stock market collapse, automakers announced dismal sales figures for September, and consumer surveys show that fewer and fewer people are planning to buy a car in the near future. Dealerships are in serious trouble. While that's a lot of doom and gloom for automakers, it can mean great deals for savvy buyers. Jamie Page Deaton at U.S. News and World Report has assembled an excellent collection of October deals and incentives, so if you're shopping be sure to review this list to save on your car purchase!
Harveys, makers of the original seat-belt bags, has debuted its newest collaboration with Disney: A Harveys Disney Couture collection that features authentic Harveys seatbelt webbing with a comic strip in which Mickey is affectionately showering Minnie with roses. The adorable bags feature splashes of color with a commercial pop-art look, and as with all Harveys bags they're handmade in the USA and come with a lifetime guarantee. Prices range from $20 for small accessories to $330 for larger bags. I'm putting this one on my Christmas List!
Do you believe in ghosts? We dug up some spooky car-related videos at Youtube.com that will make you believe ghostly spirits do haunt the earth, or at least seem to hang around surveillance cameras!
This one displays kind of ghostly shape caught on security tape at a gas station, and in this one, highway ghouls interrupt this tranquil drive. Scarey. Don't say we didn't warn you!
Female Friendly Dealers in the News!
The DCH Paramus Honda automotive dealership in Paramus, New Jersey has received the esteemed J.D. Power and Associates Dealer of Excellence recognition. The Dealer of Excellence Program recognizes dealers who provide an outstanding customer experience during the new-vehicle sales and service process. Paramus Honda is a member of DCH Auto Group, which is one of the largest new-vehicle retailers in the nation, and is also an AskPatty.com Certified Female Friendly Dealer. Way to go!
And that's it for this week's AskPatty Cars Around the World Blog Carnival! Make sure to submit your article for next week's "Automotive Advice for Women Blog Carnival" using the online form or by emailing Ask Patty at info@askpatty.com.
By Brandy Schaffels
AskPatty.com Editor
Continue reading "Ask Patty's Female Friendly Blog Carnival: October 29, 2008" »
Welcome to the AskPatty Blog Carnival, where we share a refreshing assortment of female friendly news and interesting automotive tidbits from around the blogosphere. Whether it's informative stories about eco-friendly people or green cars, care care tips or safety, exciting reports about amazing women in the automotive industry or female friendly car reviews, we've got something here for everyone. Have you got something to share? Halloween is just around the corner, so we scared up some especially spooky carnival items as well. Email Ask Patty at info@askpatty.com or use the form to include your own blog bits in next week's carnival!
Last week, NASCAR drivers helped spread Susan G. Komen for the Cure's NASCAR creed: Go Pink or Go Home! at the Bank of America 500 race at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Charlotte, N.C. While it is uncommon to see drivers in pink during a NASCAR race, Susan G. Komen for the Cure knows these drivers and their corporate sponsors, will help will help raise awareness of breast cancer within a very important audience. "Breast cancer is the number one health concern for women and women make up about 40 percent of NASCAR fans. It makes a lot of sense for us to pursue this kind of initiative through our great partners," said Katrina McGhee, vice president of marketing for Susan G. Komen for the Cure. "We are committed to seeing a world without breast cancer and work to educate women and men everywhere about the importance of breast self-awareness and the early detection of breast cancer. Our sponsors are helping to make this possible." Want to make a donation? Virtually anyone with a mobile phone can make a "Go Pink or Go Home" $5 donation to Susan G. Komen for the Cure simply by sending the text message KOMEN to 90999.
M&M'S Brand is making a $650,000 guaranteed donation to Komen for the Cure through the sale of limited-edition dark and light pink M&M'S Chocolate Candies nationwide -- available in both Milk Chocolate and Peanut varieties. In addition, 10 percent of the sale of its My M&M'S "Promise Blend" of pink and white M&M's Milk Chocolate Candies available exclusively online at www.mymms.com and 10 percent of the sale of its co-branded merchandise at M&M'S World Stores will benefit Komen. The brand has been a Susan G. Komen for the Cure partner since 2003, raising more than $4 million to help discover the causes and cures for breast cancer.
Consumer Reports will reveal brand-new reliability data on Thursday, October 23. Their annual survey tracks 10 year's worth of reliability data and details future trends for the most and least reliable cars on the roads, while their in-depth data enables them to predict how this year's models will fare. If you're in the market for a new car, be sure to stop by Consumer Reports and do your research!
We love the folks over at The Busted Knuckle Garage! They've got a great lineup of car-related products for ladies to buy for their favorite carguys, including amazing lotions and healing salves, but in recognition of how many of us cargals are out under the hood ourselves, they've given us our own "Automotive Femineering" cap to broadcast our automotive interests. They've altered their traditional "Busted Knuckle" logo with a nicely manicured female hand on the side of the cap they've embroidered "No Car, No Story" so that you can tell everyone about your own personal wheels, and on the back it reads "Let A Woman Do It" -- advice to take to heart eh? The cute hat is sized for women and available in chocolate brown with pink accents, and has a slightly frayed distressed look on the bill. They say it's their "way of saying thanks to putting up with us guys hiding out in the garage and under our cars, motorcycles, trucks...."
"Change. It's such an in word these days that it's almost lost its meaning," says Toby over at Diva Marketing Blog, in which she shares her reflections on change and how Ford's Model T can help us learn about the many changes happening today because of new social social media marketing techniques.
Looking for some - er - unusual jewelry? How about this Oil Pendant collection? Each inch-long handblown glass piece is sealed with recycled silver or gold and contains a drop of recycled oil. Hmm.
The economy is changing and consumers are caught in a tug of war: Car dealers, most of whom already are facing hard times, need to increase their profitability -- just as car buyers are trying to spend less. This affects the entire car-buying process, from vehicle availability to new car financing and incentives to lease deals and the price of used cars. Joanne Helperin over at Edmunds.com shares an excellent look at what you can expect and how to best take advantage of the slow economy's impact.
Have you ever noticed that many new cars look suspiciously alike? On closer examination, you may be able to differentiate one from another - the badge, a grille, the unique hood design, etc. With auto show season upon us, another model year of new cars will soon hit the streets. In this article at the Los Angeles Times, Joni Gray discusses 12 vehicles that most influenced current popular car trends.
Situated along the 405 Freeway in Los Angeles County, this Carson car dealership's displays -- often set to the backdrop of the Carson oil refineries -- are sometimes quirky, and usually eye-grabbers. Expressing up the fiendish joy of this Halloween season, they've got four full-size mummies standing chained to a new Corvette, while skeletons straddle the hood of another Corvette suspended from the air by a crane. Creepy!
SAMACLEOD over at The Car Hangar has posted a photo of the Halloween Robo Car car he bought last Halloween. Has anybody seen whether Hot Wheels has released any special editions for this Halloween season?
If you live near Dearborn, Michigan, then you won't want to miss this special Halloween event at The Henry Ford Museum. Offered every half hour between from 6:30 p.m. until 9 p.m. from October 24 through 26, The Henry Ford presents a turn-of-the-20th-century Halloween activity promising frightful fun for boys and ghouls of all ages! Admission includes a free treat bag. For more information or to purchase tickets call (313) 982-6001 or visit www.thehenryford.org.
Does your little one want to dress up like his or her favorite NASCAR driver for this year's upcoming trick-or-treat outing? Your junior driver can choose from four Jeff Gordon or Dale Earnhardt, Jr costume variations. Vroom, Vroom!
It's not a trick: Nissan Motors will recall more than 204,000 U.S. vehicles from its 2007 and 2008 model years due to the possibility that a passenger side airbag could fail to deploy properly in an accident. According to a release at Yahoo! news, the voluntary recall covers 2007 and 2008 Nissan Altima, Altima Coupe, 350Z, Murano and Rogue; and Infiniti G35 Sedan, G37 Coupe and EX35 built from March 12, 2007, to May 27, 2008.
Do you believe in ghosts? We dug up some spooky car-related videos at Youtube.com that will make you believe ghostly spirits do haunt the earth, or at least seem to hang around surveillance cameras! You can observe a ghostly girl caught on surveillance camera in a parking lot, or watch an ethereal apparition hovering in a car impound lot. Let us know what you think!
Continue reading "Ask Patty's Female Friendly Blog Carnival: October 22, 2008" »
Welcome to the AskPatty Blog Carnival, where we share a refreshing assortment of female friendly news and interesting automotive tidbits from around the blogosphere. Whether it's informative stories about eco-friendly people or green cars, care care tips or safety, exciting reports about amazing women in the automotive industry or female friendly car reviews, we've got something here for everyone. Have you got something to share? Email Ask Patty at info@askpatty.com or use the form to include your own blog bits in next week's carnival!
According to theipodnation.com, about 39% of 2008 vehicle models carried some type of iPod connectivity. But with the new 2009 vehicle models coming, it is expected that the figure should increase to 58% percent of all 2009 models.
October is Car Care Month, so here's an article on winter car care full of answers to your antifreeze and coolant questions. What products should you use in your cooling system? Does the color matter? Why do you do have to flush and change your coolant? Find out in this comprehensive guide to winter |
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