Sneak Peek: 2013 Honda Accord

You can't blame Honda for holding its next generation Accord close to the vest. The popular Accord is one of the longest lasting and most recognized model names in America, a five passenger midsize sedan or coupe that is also a best-seller. For 2013 the Accord is all new, a model that is slightly smaller on the outside, larger on the inside and offers fresh styling for a design in much need of an update. Honda has released more details about this model, information that we'll share here with you.

Long-Lasting Name

There aren't too many midsize vehicles that are sold in sedan and coupe configurations with Honda having one such model and Nissan, with its Altima, another model. The Accord nameplate goes back nearly 40 years to when the first model was introduced stateside. That vehicle was a compact model, the second Honda automobile sold in the U.S. after the Civic. Today, the Civic is a compact and the Accord is a midsize model.

Seating five passengers, the ninth generation Accord seeks to build on the strengths of the earlier models. This vehicle will come in slightly smaller and lighter than the eighth generation Accord, in a bid to deliver improved fuel efficiency in a segment dominated by fuel efficient sedans such as the Toyota Camry, the Nissan Altima, the Hyundai Sonata and Ford's Fusion. What Honda hasn't said yet are what engines will be offered, but it has said that a continuously variable transmission will be available, a first for this line. A CVT should help Honda enjoy improved fuel economy, perhaps matching the Sonata's 35 mpg highway or even approaching the Altima's segment-leading 38 mpg highway.

Sneak Peek

Four new images of the Honda Accord were released, showing us a model that is stylish, sporty and elegant. The 2013 Accord features a bold, new grille with a sporty hood and sweeping body lines. The coupe has the sportier look with side skirting and color-keyed side mirrors flowing back to a tapered rear deck with a built-in spoiler. Dual chrome exhaust tips give this vehicle a premium look and will likely appeal to sporting enthusiasts.

The Accord's athletic stance is certainly a change for a vehicle that was long on quality and value, but short on handsome good looks. Honda paid much attention to detail when crafting its next generation Accord, bringing in tapered fenders, flowing C-pillars and contoured rocker panels to suggest a car that is always on the move.

Unknown Amenities

What we can't tell you about just yet are the engine choices this model will offer. A four cylinder will be standard and it seems likely that an optional V-6 engine will also be offered. Technological enhancements may include safety updates as well as improvements to its audio system, navigation package and Internet connectivity. Those details should be released just as the 2013 Honda Accord goes on sale this fall.

With a new Accord in the mix, Honda has strong competitors in each of the three main car selling categories. Its Fit is a leading subcompact and the Civic is one of the best selling cars in America. In the Accord, Honda hopes to recapture some of the sales this model has lost in recent years; judging by the look of the new Accord it seems that it'll succeed in this endeavor.

Matthew C. Keegan is a freelance automotive writer. Matt is also a contributing writer for Andy's Auto Sport and affiliated websites, an aftermarket supplier of quality auto parts including Holley Carburetors and Koni Shocks.

Courier Work Tips - Sitting Comfortably in your Office

Gloomy decades

Nobody in the courier business needs to be reminded that the nation's (and global) economic troubles started way back at the tail end of 2007. Over the years since, things have staggered from an occasional flicker-of-hope to new despair. Economies around the globe have stagnated with tiny growth rates or even drifted back into double-dip recessions. There appears to be little prospect of an end in sight and even the more optimistic forecasters (and there are precious few of those) see this continuing for perhaps several more years. Historians and economists are still arguing about definitions and measures, but many people are now saying that this series of economic disasters and stagnation are as bad as the 1930s, even if their social effects are not as severe - at least so far.

What's causing it?

Economists and politicians work themselves into a frenzy trying to say what exactly is to blame and the usual suspects are regularly wheeled out including:

• the Euro;
• the banking crisis;
• the commercial and personal debt crises;
• other political parties;
• banks not lending to businesses.

These 'experts' haven't yet got around to blaming astrological configurations but no doubt they'll get around to it in due course! Yet what is rarely if ever discussed is just how big a factor a total loss of business and social/consumer confidence is now playing in the continuing economic stagnation. It is possible to find some voices in business who are now starting to sound a little bit more positive about the future over, say, the next 1-3 years - though they are still more than offset by those who are negative or at best, guardedly neutral.

Unfortunately, the position is even worse when speaking to consumers and 'the public'.

Here confidence about the future of the economy continues to bump-along at rock bottom. Given that ultimately it is the consumer, here and overseas, that drives the economy, extreme pessimism in this sector is arguably the biggest factor that is suppressing economic growth.

What can be done?

Much intellectual effort and money continues to be invested in macro-economic attempts to "get things going". Examples include quantitative easing and business investment plans. Laudable as those are, they may be doing little or nothing for consumer confidence. Knowing that a given bank's balance sheet now looks healthier following an injection of government cash is hardly likely to get Mr or Mrs Average clicking their heels with joy and rushing out to buy that new car or washing machine!

In fact, the dire and gloomy warnings from government about "yet more hard times to come" coupled with tax increases, benefit reductions, a very shaky housing market and ever-increasing job insecurity, are all likely to push people even more towards battening down the storm hatches and putting their wallets/purses away.

That has a direct negative effect on everything - including the humble and hard-working courier. What is needed to re-ignite the economy may be rather less macro-economic theory and manipulation but more injection of optimism (and cash) into the sharp end of the economy - the consumer. That would then benefit everybody across the board - including those in the business of courier work.

Norman Dulwich is a correspondent for Courier Exchange, the world's largest neutral trading hub for same day courier work in the express freight exchange industry. Over 2,500 transport exchange businesses are networked together through their website, trading jobs and capacity in a safe 'wholesale' environment.

The Economy - What It Means For the Courier

Gloomy decades

Nobody in the courier business needs to be reminded that the nation's (and global) economic troubles started way back at the tail end of 2007. Over the years since, things have staggered from an occasional flicker-of-hope to new despair. Economies around the globe have stagnated with tiny growth rates or even drifted back into double-dip recessions. There appears to be little prospect of an end in sight and even the more optimistic forecasters (and there are precious few of those) see this continuing for perhaps several more years. Historians and economists are still arguing about definitions and measures, but many people are now saying that this series of economic disasters and stagnation are as bad as the 1930s, even if their social effects are not as severe - at least so far.

What's causing it?

Economists and politicians work themselves into a frenzy trying to say what exactly is to blame and the usual suspects are regularly wheeled out including:

• the Euro;
• the banking crisis;
• the commercial and personal debt crises;
• other political parties;
• banks not lending to businesses.

These 'experts' haven't yet got around to blaming astrological configurations but no doubt they'll get around to it in due course! Yet what is rarely if ever discussed is just how big a factor a total loss of business and social/consumer confidence is now playing in the continuing economic stagnation. It is possible to find some voices in business who are now starting to sound a little bit more positive about the future over, say, the next 1-3 years - though they are still more than offset by those who are negative or at best, guardedly neutral.

Unfortunately, the position is even worse when speaking to consumers and 'the public'.

Here confidence about the future of the economy continues to bump-along at rock bottom. Given that ultimately it is the consumer, here and overseas, that drives the economy, extreme pessimism in this sector is arguably the biggest factor that is suppressing economic growth.

What can be done?

Much intellectual effort and money continues to be invested in macro-economic attempts to "get things going". Examples include quantitative easing and business investment plans. Laudable as those are, they may be doing little or nothing for consumer confidence. Knowing that a given bank's balance sheet now looks healthier following an injection of government cash is hardly likely to get Mr or Mrs Average clicking their heels with joy and rushing out to buy that new car or washing machine!

In fact, the dire and gloomy warnings from government about "yet more hard times to come" coupled with tax increases, benefit reductions, a very shaky housing market and ever-increasing job insecurity, are all likely to push people even more towards battening down the storm hatches and putting their wallets/purses away.

That has a direct negative effect on everything - including the humble and hard-working courier. What is needed to re-ignite the economy may be rather less macro-economic theory and manipulation but more injection of optimism (and cash) into the sharp end of the economy - the consumer. That would then benefit everybody across the board - including those in the business of courier work.

Norman Dulwich is a correspondent for Courier Exchange, the world's largest neutral trading hub for same day courier work in the express freight exchange industry. Over 2,500 transport exchange businesses are networked together through their website, trading jobs and capacity in a safe 'wholesale' environment.

Transmission Repair in Your Small Town

Living in a small town has its perks. You can get up in the morning, drive to town, and know most of the people you see. You can go to the local coffee shop and catch up on the latest town info while you drink your coffee. In the big city, you probably will not have this luxury. When you drive to town, you might not see one person you know. At the coffee shop, perhaps you can catch up on the latest news by reading the newspaper, and you are pretty much able to keep to yourself.

People in small towns will often extol the benefits of their communities, but undoubtedly, the conversation will find its way to the limitations of not living in a city, including lack of businesses. Living in a small town, though, you often have options when it comes to things like transmission repair and other things most people will need. Perhaps there is the local mechanic that everyone knows, but there also may be a local franchise transmission repair shop. You might feel obligated to go to the mechanic owned by people you know, but you should go with the one that has the qualities you are looking for.

You might not know what to look for in this type of mechanic. You should definitely look for someone who has done numerous transmission repair jobs; some shops even specialize in these parts. You should also look at the prices they charge compared to other shops in the area. Also be sure to look around the country at the franchise represented in your town. Find out what their standards are, whether their prices seem fair, and what others have said about the franchise as a whole and the shop in your town.

After you have done your investigations, you should have enough information to pick the right place to take your vehicle for basic mechanical and transmission repair work. If you are ever not satisfied with your choice, you can always choose another. So whether you choose the big franchise or the small local business, you will probably find both to be a good option for your car's issues.

If your car is showing signs of needing some transmission repair done, ask around town or call a few shops to see which car mechanic will fit your needs. Hopefully you will make the right choice and be able to drive away with a car that is in top shape. Small towns may not have all of the huge shopping centers that you find in larger areas, but there should still be numerous options when it comes to auto mechanics and transmission specialists.

Innovative Cost-Cutting Ideas for Courier Jobs

Even if you have been doing owner driver jobs for some time, you may not be fully equipped to make the most of every day you spend on the road. A little advance planning can make all the difference between struggling through the day and enjoying every moment of it.

So with that in mind, here are some pointers you can think about when you are out and about doing owner driver jobs.

Always pack snacks

Owner driver jobs mean you can drive for miles in a single day. You can't do that without eating something, but there is no reason to resort to unhealthy snacks such as chocolate bars. If you want a mood-enhancing snack to rely on, make sure you pack easy to eat fruit and vegetable sticks, as well as healthy nuts.

Have an in car charger for your mobile phone

There is nothing worse than realising you forgot to charge your phone the night before and having it run down on you while you are on the road. Make sure your forgetfulness never gets in the way of a job well done - get an in-car charger that slots into your cigarette lighter socket. This means you can charge your phone while you are driving.

Carry spare change

You never know when you might need cash for something when doing owner driver jobs. It's fine to carry a note or two, but there is no substitute for a few odd coins. This is particularly true if you live or work near a toll road of some kind. Always make sure you have some in the car, but don't keep any of it in plain sight.

Always have a collection of spare ballpoint pens

One pen is never enough. There are always occasions when a customer signs for an item and then walks off with your pen without even thinking about it. If you only have the one pen and you don't realise it is missing until half a mile up the road, you'll be stuck. So be prepared.

Always have a bottle of water on hand

You need to keep hydrated if you want to maintain a good attention span and alertness - important if you are driving for much of the day. Pop a bottle of water in the freezer overnight and take it out to take with you the next morning when you leave for work. This is the best way to ensure you have a cold drink on hand to sip all day. Coffee and tea are fine too, but you'll end up with headaches if that is all you drink all day.

If you employ these few tips to ensure you are prepared for most things, you'll have a much nicer day behind the wheel than you may have otherwise.

Norman Dulwich is a correspondent for Courier Exchange, the world's largest neutral trading hub for same day owner driver jobs in the express freight exchange industry. Over 2,500 transport exchange businesses are networked together through their website, trading jobs and capacity in a safe 'wholesale' environment.