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Dream cars and luxury defy the economic gloom in Geneva

Despite the crisis, automakers have not given up on selling dreams at the Geneva Motor Show, which opened this week with an array of eye-catching cars that are always shinier, faster, and ever more expensive.

“Geneva has always been a bit special, somewhere between the provincial and the chic,” said Carlos da Silva, analyst at Global Insight.

Garish colours help to highlight the array of concept, sports and luxury vehicles, which are still one of the principal attractions for the 700,000 visitors expected during the show until March 15.

As the doors opened to the public, overcrowded trains were spilling visitors from around Europe into Geneva while roads to the

exhibition hall were jammed.

Sports cars with prices above 100,000 euros (125,000 dollars), such as the new Lamborghini Murcielago LP 670-4 Super Veloce, inevitably capture minds in search of escape from economic gloom.

Crowds already pressed around the low slung, yellow sports car during the press preview, trying to imagine the effect of being slung by 670 horsepower to 100 kilometres per hour (62 mph) in 3.2 seconds.

The Murcielago is “more extreme and more exclusive than any other car,” Lamborghini’s chief executive, Stephan Winkelmann, claimed.

Not to be outdone, Aston Martin unveiled the One-77 sports car with a price tag of 1.0 million pounds (1.2 million euros, 1.4 million dollars).

Only 77 will be built and the company claims to have received queries from about 250 potential customers.

Aston Martin also revived the luxury Lagonda name with a brash four wheel drive vehicle on show in Geneva, to try to appeal to new markets in the Middle East, India and China.

“The Lagonda is the luxury car of the future,” said Aston Martin Chief Executive Ulrich Bez. It might not be available for another five years.

Porsche claimed that its new 911 GT3 — displayed in an evocative bright red — is “more powerful” and “more efficient”, while Ferrari sought some of the thunder with ever more sporting engines.

Meanwhile, young men with feather dusters toured the stands to ensure the cars never lose their shine and wipe off finger marks, while “hostesses” handed out brochures or simply posed by the cars.

“They make us dream,” said Marcello, a young Swiss visitor whose gaze was fixed intently on the vehicles.

Amid the dominant theme of fuel economy and environmentalism, the carmakers freely admit that they are trying to stir emotions as well.

“Cars are very important part of the human psyche, because they are symbols of pleasure and prestige,” explained Simon Rochefort, the sales manager of US newcomer Tesla.

The Californian company was presenting its electric-powered convertible sports car in Europe for the first time, trying to combine the zero emissions of an electric motor with the thrill of a Lamborghini or Porsche — and a 99,000 euro (124,000 dollar) price tag.

During a crisis “it’s even more important to dream,” said Frank Rinderknecht, owner of specialised Swiss firm Rinspeed, which presents a new and generally more outrageous concept car every year.

But this year Rinderknecht also sought to capture the mood of the moment by showcasing an array of environmental technology.

Even the elite end of the market is tentatively reaching out to the “ecologically correct”.

Bentley is trying out biofuels, which pollute less but are controversial because of their impact on crops, food prices and the amount of energy it takes to produce them.

Bentley’s chief executive, Franz-Josef Paefgen, admitted that the dreams might have reached their limits.

“It is a crisis that affects luxury cars as much as it affects other sectors,” he remarked

Source : http://www.livemint.com/2009/03/06220936/Dream-machines-come-alive.html?h=B

Luxury Car Rental New York – Exotic Car Rental New York – Rent Exotic Cars – Luxury Car Rental

 Buying a luxury car can be worth it if you care about the latest technology and comfort.

The luxury car market is hurting along with the rest of the auto sector, with sales at record lows. But luxury automakers are still hoping their history of solid engineering, performance and brand cachet will convince tentative buyers it’s worth it to shell out the extra thousands to buy their cars.

Like any other vehicle purchase, however, it depends on what you need–and on how much you care about your image, of course. Not everyone who owns a Porsche 911 or Audi R8 cares about their superior handling–some just want to be seen driving them. In Depth: 10 Reasons To Buy A Luxury Car

“It’s about emotional connections that people can make with a brand and how it makes you feel,” says Wes Brown, a principal consultant at Los Angeles-based consumer-research firm Iceology.

But there’s more to luxury cars than prestige. Premium cars offer the most advanced safety options and best entertainment technology on the market, not to mention some of the plushest interiors and most options for customization. It’s not that vehicles from midrange brands like Ford Motor (nyse: F – news – people ) and Honda

Tough Times for Luxury
Despite the appeal, it is not the best of times for luxury carmakers. Last month, Acura’s sales dropped 29.7% from January 2008; Audi, 26.4%; BMW, 15.5%; Cadillac, 42.5%; Land Rover, 34.4%; Mercedes-Benz, 42.9%; and Porsche, 36.1%, to name a few. Ultra-premium brands like Bentley and Ferrari fared even worse, down 74.4% and 52.4%, respectively. It’s the first time a downturn has so deeply affected America’s luxury segment, says BMW North America President Jim O’Donnell.

“This is the first time, I would say, since 1931 there was such a recession, because there were always areas of the country that [kept luxury cars] popular,” O’Donnell says. “Now, everywhere has been affected.”

O’Donnell says luxury brands will rebound quicker than the rest, however, thanks to financially healthier dealerships, better leasing and certified pre-owned programs and loyal customers. In some respects, he’s already being proved right: Jaguar posted a surprising 17.6% sales gain last January from the same period a year earlier. And Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz each gained 0.1% of market share in 2008. “I think that in the bad times, people go to authentic and credible brands,” says Geoff Day, a spokesman for Mercedes. “That’s why we benefit,” he adds, where the non-luxury market does not.

More Luxury, More Safety
Luxury cars also benefit because the brands excel when it comes to safety–and have enough credibility for consumers to splurge on new innovations. Electronic stability control, blind-spot warning systems and anti-lock brake systems (ABS) all found their way into the general car market after their introduction in luxury vehicles.

These days, 71% of new vehicles that come standard with stability control, traction control, ABS, side-front airbags and curtain airbags cost $30,000 or more (luxury cars, essentially), according to Consumer Reports. Forty-four percent of the vehicles chosen as top safety picks by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety have an estimated base price of at least $30,000.

Premium automakers also differentiate themselves by focusing on high performance. Of 353 new models evaluated by Consumer Reports, only six with at least 300 horsepower cost under $30,000. Fifty-two have at least 300 horses under the hood and cost more than $30,000. Leading them are BMW’s M line, which includes models offering 400 and 500 horsepower.

“I think [luxury automakers] have to differentiate with something that is really, truly functional or safety-oriented,” says Jake Fisher, senior automotive engineer from Consumer Reports, “rather than the argument that ‘I’m buying this kind of car because I really want it.’ “

Image Counts for Something
Raw performance and safety aside, the intangible value of status does add to the worth of a luxury vehicle. Researchers at Consumer Reports may not put any stock in brand names, but anyone concerned with keeping up with the Joneses does.

“Some people want the latest and greatest of whatever,” says Jeff Bennett, an automotive marketing professor at Northwood University in Midland, Mich. “It’s about having the money to buy it. It’s about being able to say, ‘Hey, this is how successful I am.’ “

With conspicuous consumption seen as gauche at the moment, many in the luxury auto market say buyers are focusing on their core models, however mundane they might be when compared with the higher end. BMW’s 128i coupe, for instance, does not have the standard adaptive xenon headlights, high-performance brake control and V8 engine of the much more expensive M3 coupe. The price difference between the two is $30,000.

Fortunately, however, this is what forces luxury automakers to offer down-to-earth amenities like all-wheel drive in order to remain distinctive and practical, Fisher says. And that is what makes luxury cars worth more than just the prestige

Coming through Miami International Airport with your Miami exotic car rental will bring you to southern Florida’s hot spots. However, traveling here can be a bit confusing, so it is best to allow plenty of time to navigate the airport. When you are not sure of where you are going, ask. There is a lot of changes taking place and you wouldn’t want to have to drive home in your Miami exotic car rental!

The beaches are hot, but the nightlife is hotter in sunny Miami Florida!  These neighboring locations offer first-class shopping and top-rated performing arts. Dream Rent A Car provides Luxury car rentals in the Miami Florida area. Traveling to South Beach?  Dream Rent A Car Miami services the Miami International Airport (MIA), and provides exotic car rental in the Miami area. Book your next Exotic car rental in Miami with Dream Rent A Car Miami or Dream Rent A Car Ft. Lauderdale and save!

Greater Ft. Lauderdale Conventional & Visitors Bureau

Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau

Greater Ft. Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce

Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce

Miami International Airport is the main airport that services Miami-Dade County in southern Florida. It is located between the cities of Hialeah, Doral, Miami Springs, Virginia Gardens, and Fontainbleau. It is easy to get to your destination with your Miami exotic car rental. This is a hub for airlines such as American Airlines, American Eagle, Executive Air, Arrow Air, Fine Air, UPS, and Federal Express. Many international flights for great distances are serviced here, with flights to Europe and many other international destinations. However, many of the low-cost and domestic carriers use Fort-Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and Palm Beach International Airport because they have lower fees.

Miami is an important gateway to Latin America and the American south and has been important in the transportation industry. In 2005, more than 31 million people traveled through the airport.

Using the airport

When you are here with your Miami exotic car rental it may be a little confusing because the airport is so large. The main terminal is semicircular and has seven pier-shaped concourses (A – H). The concourses are labeled in a counter-clockwise direction. On the upper level you will find the ticketing counters and departures.

On the lower level there is baggage and immigration. When arriving, you will either be routed to the main level for domestic flights or to the lower level for international flights. A parking garage for your Miami exotic car rental is found inside the terminal’s curvature and is connected to the terminal by walkways.

Some of the concourses are being altered to make the airport a little more simple. Concourses A – D, mainly used for American’s flights, are being merged into a linear concourse. When the renovation is completed, Concourse B and C will be demolished and the new complex will be called the “North Terminal”. Following this, the remaining concourses will also be expanded in the same way and will be called the “South Terminal”. Another new concourse, J, is under construction and will support Star Alliance and SkyTeam carriers.

Not only is the airport used for transporting people, but it has also been featured in films such as Casino Royale, the new James Bond movie. In the film James Bond foils an attempt to destroy an aeroplane.

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