Automotive History

It's almost impossible to imagine what the world would be like without automobiles. Not only do the facilitate travel, vehicles also have an immense effect on trade, our medical and emergency system and society in general.

The first steam powered vehicles were built as long ago as during the 1600's by Ferdinand Verbiest. This vehicle was not used to carry people but rather goods. It wasn't until 1885 that the first fuel powered vehicle was actually developed.

The ability of vehicles to actually transport passengers as well as goods definitely revolutionized travel and trade; the world hasn't been the same since. It was Nikolaus Otto who invented the first gasoline powered engine; this is the engine that is generally available in most cars in the world. The diesel engine was named after its inventor; Rudolf Diesel. Diesel engines have a very high efficiency rate and are available with either two or four strokes.

Many American inventors worked on developing steam powered vehicles during the late nineteenth century. Many competitions were held were inventors presented their designs. Competitions were held where inventors displayed how fast their vehicles could travel.

Panhard et Levassor and Peugot were the first two companies to start automobile production for mass consumption in France. Peugot is still one of Europe's most popular vehicle brands to this day. The Duryea Motor Wagon company was the first company in the U.S to start mass production on a large scale.

The petroleum industry was developed in response to the needs for fuel. Companies had to learn how to manufacture large quantities of gasoline due to the high demand. The automotive industry is still evolving and progressing. The 21st century has brought with it technology such as Bluetooth technology, pedestrian safety sensors and vehicle systems which can be controlled via voice command.

The automotive industry is far from stagnating; it's constantly developing and new technology and discoveries are being made every day. Hybrid cars are also becoming immensely popular due to gas prices and environmental concerns. Auto makers are pushing the envelope when it comes to efficiency; many traditional cars are now averaging over 35 mpg. Ford is currently developing cars that will be able to communicate with one another and possibly avoid car accidents. We have also seen the advent of self-driving cars where the driver can actually sit back and relax while the car is able to maneuver itself in and out of traffic. Looks like the best is still to come when it comes to the automotive world.

Launch Your Career With an Apprenticeship - Automotive Industry

You've been thinking about getting into the automobile service industry for some time now. You have the passion. You have the drive. Now all you need is to get your hands dirty.

The tricky thing about launching a career in the automotive industry is that going to school and earning a diploma or official certification isn't always enough. Most dealerships, garages or auto shops won't hire novices that have little or no experience. But how do employers expect you to gain any hands-on experience if no one is willing to hire you?

The answer, my fellow career-chasers, lies in the almighty apprenticeship. Apprenticeships are ideal for a variety of people who want to become trade specialists. Whether you're fresh out of high school and are ready to step into the workforce, or if you're a veteran and have suddenly decided to turn your career in a completely different direction, apprenticeship programs really help jumpstart your expertise in your chosen trade.

Many apprenticeships are offered alongside school training, so your time will be split between taking classes and clocking-in hours at a shop. How it works is that employers will agree to train students who are enrolled in an academic apprenticeship program. The main advantage to this sort of set-up is being able to gain both theoretical and practical knowledge simultaneously. So, it isn't uncommon for you to read about car alignment one day, and be standing under the lift the next day.

Before you enroll in an apprenticeship program, you'll need to decide what exactly you want to do. There is no shortage of career prospects within the automobile industry, including:

    Automotive Service Technicians
    Automotive Mechanical Installers and Servicers
    Motor Vehicle Inspectors and Testers

Keep in mind that some automotive apprenticeships will provide a general overview of the trade, while others will zone in on a particular specialty within the automotive industry. So, if you want to pursue a career as an Automotive Service Technician, you may want to consider participating in the Automotive Service Educational Program or one similar to it. These programs are quite broad and cover everything from major automotive assemblies and engines to electrical and fuel systems.

But if you are looking to concentrate your expertise, you will have the option to narrow your focus to a specific sector of the automotive trade. For example, there are Ontario apprenticeships that offer students the Auto Body & Collision Damage Repairer program, which provides a detailed curriculum on auto repair practices, including repairing dents in fenders and skirting, as well as stretching metal panels and welding breaks in body panels.

Regardless of whether you'd prefer a general or specialized focus within the automotive industry, completing an apprenticeship program will be a distinguishing feature of your future candidacies. You will have already gained enough work experience that you can hit the ground running, and prospective employers will recognize that you understand the ins and outs of your future career.

Automotive Marketing Helps Car Dealers Sell More Fast

If you are looking to attract customers in today's automotive market, you can no longer rely on the tools of the past. Successful automotive dealers today have learned to use a variety of innovative tools in tandem to reach their buyers. Here are some useful tips to help you better reach your customers and increase your sales and gross profits on a more consistent basis.

In today's fast-paced information age and with the prevalence of easy-to-use, readily available digital cameras, more businesses are turning to the use of video to get their messages in front of potential clients. With YouTube.com and other Internet-based video hosting sites, video production "quality" has become less important. With "Flip" video cameras and other digital recording devices, it's relatively easy for anyone to create a simple, straight forward message that can be consumed quickly on the Internet by prospective customers. Because it is so easy, you should make video part of your every day arsenal of marketing tools.

Crafting an informative newsletter is another marketing approach that is effective at capturing your customers' eyes. Over time, a simple one- or two-page newsletter with helpful information geared to your customers' interests puts you in a position of authority and leads to increased trust and eventual sales.

There has been a lot of talk recently about the use of social media as part of a business' approach to marketing. Facebook.com, Twitter.com, MySpace.com, and a host of other social media sites used on a daily basis will allow you to quickly and easily reach millions of people in a very short time. With more people than ever using mobile devices, cell phones, iPods, iPads, laptops, and even e-book readers, nearly everyone is reachable via social media.

Targeted, innovative direct mail is another marketing approach that should be worked into your marketing mix on a regular basis. Often, dealers overlook the power that direct marketing can have on their business. When used properly with a strong message and a unique approach that is different that what others are doing, dealers are able to realize huge increases in sales in a relatively short period of time.

As you can see, there are a host of automotive marketing techniques that are each effective in bringing new or existing customers to your dealership. What is key is to maintain a consistent, targeted approach and to work at it every day. When you do, you will see big success over time.