Auto Show

At the 2011 world Auto Show, Toyota introduced the Fun Vii, a car that looks like a cross between a giant computer mouse and a smartphone. It can display images and text on its touch-screen exterior and has a dashboard that features a friendly character called the navigation concierge who gives advice to the driver. Think you'll see this car in a Toyota showroom anytime soon? It's possible, but don't bet money on it.

All of these vehicles are concept cars -

- a staple of auto shows the world around. And while concept cars generate lots of news and buzz, the truth is that they rarely become production vehicles. In fact, they aren't intended to become production vehicles. A concept car is exactly what the name implies: a car designed to demonstrate a concept. They serve many purposes. Concept cars can be used to test the feasibility of new technologies. They provide a useful gauge of public interest in new automotive features. They generate publicity for the automaker when they appear at auto shows or in magazine photographs. And they allow automotive designers free reign to explore out-of-the-box ideas that could either revolutionize the automobile industry or disappear into the dustbin of automotive history.

In most cases, concept cars aren't fully functional and may not even be full size. That's why they're often displayed where onlookers can't get close enough to look under the hood or get an idea of how big they are. When concept cars are called on to do more than sit on a display pedestal at an auto show, they may use a drivetrain borrowed from an existing production car.

While concept cars themselves may not make it to market, they provide the basic DNA for cars to come. Many of the features in modern cars, including the hybrid-electric drive train, showed up in concept cars first, sometimes decades before these features made it to market. When automakers are ready to roll out a new production car, they don't make a concept car first. They make a production intent vehicle, which really works and is actually intended for the marketplace. But concept cars rarely get beyond the auto show circuit.

Auto Show

At the 2011 world Auto Show, Toyota introduced the Fun Vii, a car that looks like a cross between a giant computer mouse and a smartphone. It can display images and text on its touch-screen exterior and has a dashboard that features a friendly character called the navigation concierge who gives advice to the driver. Think you'll see this car in a Toyota showroom anytime soon? It's possible, but don't bet money on it.

All of these vehicles are concept cars -

- a staple of auto shows the world around. And while concept cars generate lots of news and buzz, the truth is that they rarely become production vehicles. In fact, they aren't intended to become production vehicles. A concept car is exactly what the name implies: a car designed to demonstrate a concept. They serve many purposes. Concept cars can be used to test the feasibility of new technologies. They provide a useful gauge of public interest in new automotive features. They generate publicity for the automaker when they appear at auto shows or in magazine photographs. And they allow automotive designers free reign to explore out-of-the-box ideas that could either revolutionize the automobile industry or disappear into the dustbin of automotive history.

In most cases, concept cars aren't fully functional and may not even be full size. That's why they're often displayed where onlookers can't get close enough to look under the hood or get an idea of how big they are. When concept cars are called on to do more than sit on a display pedestal at an auto show, they may use a drivetrain borrowed from an existing production car.

While concept cars themselves may not make it to market, they provide the basic DNA for cars to come. Many of the features in modern cars, including the hybrid-electric drive train, showed up in concept cars first, sometimes decades before these features made it to market. When automakers are ready to roll out a new production car, they don't make a concept car first. They make a production intent vehicle, which really works and is actually intended for the marketplace. But concept cars rarely get beyond the auto show circuit.

ever dreamed of owning your owncar?

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How to Buy a Car,How to Buy a Car

How to Buy a Car,

Have you ever dreamed of owning your owncar? Imagine driving down a tree-lined ­street with the windows down on a sunny day, a warm rush of air streaming through your hair... OK, snap out of your reverie. Before you start mapping out the route to the nearest beach, you just might want to learn some valuable car-buying tips.

Buying a car, whether it's a first-time purchase or not, can seem like a daunting task. You've probably seen your share of car commercials on TV and recall hearing phrases like "down payment" and "APR." Although some of the terminology may seem confusing, once you break it down, buying a car is pretty straightforward. There is certainly a lot of information you need to understand before you run off to your local dealership. But once you know what the acronyms mean and how car financing works, you'll be ready to get the best possible price on the car you've chosen.

In this article, we will discuss used and new-car purchasing, what you need to know before you decide to buy, how to avoid common pitfalls, getting the best price and what to do if you have a problem with your purchase.

The first thing you must decide before you begin your automobile research is whether you want a new caror a used car. Of course, there are benefits and drawbacks on both sides. If you decide to buy a used car, there are sev­eral things you need to keep in mind.

First of all, there are more than 2 million car accidents annually and chances are if you are in the market for a used car, you will come in contact with at least one automobile that was in an accident. The most important thing about buying a used car is that you know everything about the history of the car, including:

• the number of previous owners
• if the car was ever involved in an accident
• any previous mechanical problems
• the maintenance history of the car

One of the largest benefits of buying a used car is that you can often get a great deal and in many cases, the car you buy may even be relatively new. Successful used car buyers often are just as happy with their used car as new car buyers are with a new vehicle. But remember, the most common car-buying horror stories do involve the purchase of used cars. When you have a good idea of what kind of car best fits yourneeds and budget, you can begin your research on used cars.

Read on to find out where to look for a used car.