There are approximately 600 million cars in the world today and each year, around 50 million new automobiles are produced. The biggest car producer is Toyota, who is also the world’s largest automobile company in terms of sales. Behind them is General Motors and both of these companies produce a wide range of automobiles.

Most car sales are made in passenger cars. These are available in different body styles to appeal to different markets. In Europe, the Ford Mondeo is sold as a sedan, hatchback or station wagon. In North America Honda sell the Civic and Accord models as in sedan or coupe shape.

Aside from body styles, there is also a choice of fuel types. Due in part to the price of fuel, Diesel powered cars are popular in Europe but in America strict emissions requirements in some states and the price of diesel in comparison to gasoline, make diesel vehicles a small segment of the market place. In the USA hybrid cars like the Toyota Prius are providing economical motoring. The Prius has a conventional gasoline engine that produces 98 hp and an electric motor that brings the car’s total power to 134 hp. This produces a combined cycle of 50 miles to the gallon. Read the rest of this entry »