Regardless, when you think Porsche you don’t often think “Hey, let’s load up the kids and head out to dinner!”  Well, that is just what the German auto maker would like you to start thinking when they release the new Porsche Panamera.

This new offering from Porsche is still sporty and can get up and go, but it comes with four doors instead of two.  Don’t get me wrong, Porsche is not trying to get you to buy a boxy luxury sedan so large that your kids can play football in the back seat.  The Panamera, as depicted in the recently released photos, is still a Porsche.

Of course, the new Porsche sedan arrives in America at a time when the U.S. car market is experiencing a meltdown of biblical proportions.  Unfortunately, there doesn’t appear to be a Moses poised to lead the not-so Big 3 into the promised land of profitability.

The release of the new Porsche Panamera is yet another reminder of how long GM and other American car companies have failed to hold the high ground against world wide competitors.  The failure that appears to be a crisis today has been decades in the making.

“Porsche is synonymous with quality and styling.  That is the holy grail for car makers,” reports Ron Sturgeon, the owner of a Dallas, TX exotic car rental company.  And Sturgeon is uniquely poised to provide expert advice on the subject of exotic cars.

“We operate several businesses designed to expose people to the finest luxury and sports cars the world has to offer, even if their budget doesn’t have countless zeros in it.”  Sturgeon’s businesses run the gamut from an exotic car club to an exotic car tour company and even a toy car museum in Fort Worth.

DFW Elite Car Club (www.dfwelitecarclub.com) offers memberships (starting at less than a thousand dollars per month) which allow car enthusiasts to drive dozens of exotic and luxury cars.  The latest addition to the Dallas exotic car sharing club’s paddock is a brilliant red 2009 Audi R8. No need to call a mortgage broker to start enjoying drive time in a fine collection of elite vehicles.

DFW Elite Auto Rental (www.dfweliteautorental.com) is Sturgeon’s exotic car rental agency that offers many exotic cars for daily rent.  Everything from Ferraris to Porsches is available at weekday and weekend rates.

Finally, DFW Drive Your Dream (www.dfwdriveyourdream.com) is an exotic car driving experience company that offers full and half-day tours in Dallas, Houston, Austin, and San Antonio. Participants drive five exotic cars back-to-back on some of Texas’ most scenic highways.

“We are committed to bringing the finest cars in the world to the people who most want to drive them,” says DFW Elite Auto Rental GM Tom Warren. “We’ll certainly be taking a close look at the new Porsche Panamera.”

  Written by G.D. Gregory.  If you are interested in having me write stories for you or seeing my web copywriting portfolio, please contact me at ggpsu@yahoo.com.

How about a magnetic air car?  I know, it sounds like something you run out and buy your kid on Christmas Eve before the toy stores close, but its developers in California want you to think of it as a reality for you future garage. 
And forget about distant future, the developers want it in your driveway by 2010, or sooner.  So how exactly does the magnetic air car work?

It’s simple.  According to the company flier:
“A battery starts a magnetic motor… which in turn drives a small but powerful on-board air compressor. The air flow is then tubocharged and multiplied to where the resulting horse-pressure smoothly powers the car to incredible speeds… without ever getting hot and without ever having to be stopped for external recharging or refueling. And automobiles are just the beginning. How about vans, SUVs, trucks, boats, trains… even planes! You’re about to witness the birth of a whole new mode of transportation. Just imagine the possibilities! So sit back, believeit will happen, and then… watch it happen. It’s inevitable.”

Uh, yeah.  For us less technical types, I think that the basic thing to know is that doesn’t run on any fuel and doesn’t require any recharges or fill-ups.  I think I could get used to that. 

Add to that the fact that the concept car is definitely on the exotic/sporty side, and you could have a potential winner here. 

Without a doubt, this car will be very expensive when (and if) it is eventually produced.  Some manufacturers have sought to get around this problem by leasing their exotic offerings to make the cars a little more accessible. 
Renting exotic cars is nothing new. 

www.rentexoticcars.net offers a directory of exotic car rental agencies around the country.  “We allow customers of all different financial backgrounds to access our fullgarage of hard-to-find exotic cars,” states Ron Sturgeon of DFW Elite Auto Rental (www.dfweliteautorental.com).  “Whether it is a once in a lifetime experience or a test drive to determine if they would like to own the car they are renting, all types of exotic car fans use our services.” 

If customers want a little more access to exotic cars, Sturgeon also offers an exotic car club (www.dfwelitecarclub.com) that permits members to access the club’s garage of exotic cars for a fraction of the cost and hassle of owning and maintaining exotic cars. 

Also, Sturgeon offers exotic car tours (www.dfwdriveyourdream.com) that allow participants to tear up the roads in five exotic cars for 4-5 hours. 

To date all exotic cars use good old fashioned gasoline.  But once 2010 rolls around, it could be a different story. 

Written by G.D. Gregory.  If you are interested in having me write stories for you or seeing my portfolio, please contact me at ggpsu@yahoo.com.

“The trick is finding the right job that earns a decent living and is something that you enjoy doing and that gives you a sense of satisfaction,” says Ron Sturgeon, the entrepreneur author of How to Salvage Millions from Your Small Business. “Not everyone can find that,” says the speaker and small business consultant.

Watching trends for jobs with critical shortages can help students find careers that will pay well. Dental hygienists are in the category right now.

As one of the most in-demand jobs in the United States, dental hygienists can expect to see new positions in the profession rise by about 30 percent by 2016.  And, there simply are not enough qualified applicants to fill all those openings.

According to the labor department, the median salary for a dental hygienist is about $60,000.  Some hygienists make a bit less, but many make more.  Salary depends on the experience level of the applicant, the cost of living in the area where the opening is, and the skill of the applicant at negotiating compensation.

“One of the best investments a job seeker can make is in themselves by having a professional prepare their resume,” says the DFW luxury car rental company owner.

“Don’t try to save yourself a few hundred dollars by doing a resume yourself if you are not trained and experienced in writing resumes. A good presentation can mean having the bargaining power to get a higher starting salary. The difference can be thousands of dollars extra every year in an in-demand profession,” insists the entrepreneur.

Kate Miller-Wilson is a freelance writer living in the Twin Cities.  Visit her website or email her for information about her freelance writing services.

Yahoo.com recently shared its picks for the top 10 hotels in Dallas. Here they are, along with some of the distinctive features that make each of them so memorable to visitors.

Renaissance Dallas Hotel: Dallas is known for its sophistication, and so is the Renaissance Dallas Hotel. This centrally-located luxury hotel features large guest suites and spectacular views of the city. This four-star accommodation is priced around $110 per night.

The Adolphus: Founded in 1912, this historical beauty offers convenience and luxury. Located about 20 miles from DFW International Airport and right in the middle of the downtown arts district, this hotel features several amazing restaurants and a helpful staff. The four-star establishment offers rooms for about $170.

Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek: This five-star hotel is situated in a sophisticated and fashionable Dallas neighborhood and was once the home of a Dallas cotton magnate. Because it was once a private residence, this hotel offers an intimacy and romance unavailable in other accommodation choices. Rooms are typically around $235.

Hyatt Regency Dallas at Reunion: This downtown hotel has all the sophistication you could want and features several great restaurants on site. Located right next to Dallas’ Reunion Tower, the setting is perfect for exploring the city or enjoying the nightlife. This four-star hotel offers rooms starting around $85 per night.

Hotel Zaza Dallas: Located in the center of uptown Dallas, this hotel is the perfect luxury accommodation for a day of sightseeing or shopping. A long list of amenities add to the Texas-style sophistication of this establishment. The Hotel Zaza Dallas has a four-star rating and room rates in the neighborhood of $255.

Marriot Suites Dallas Market Center: Perfect for business or vacation travel, this hotel, which opened in 1998, offers high-rise, luxury accommodations. Every room in this hotel is a suite, offering separate bedrooms and sleeper-sofas. Rooms in this three-star hotel are in the range of $130 per night.

Westin Galleria Dallas: This high-rise hotel offers four-star accommodations and access to over 200 fun shops, dozens of restaurants, and even a movie theater – all just outside your hotel room. The guest rooms are luxurious, and the beds are very comfortable. This hotel has four stars and offers rooms for about $160 per night.

Embassy Suites Dallas: This all-suite accommodation serves up Texas-style luxury at an affordable price. The eight-story building offers spectacular views of the city, lots of helpful amenities, and a great location for enjoying the city. This hotel has a rating of three stars, and rooms are around $100 per night.

The Fairmont Dallas: The four-star, European-style Fairmont has a great location in the middle of the Dallas arts district. The luxurious hotel is also close to restaurants, night life, fun family activities, and shopping. Room rates are in the range of $110.

The Hilton Anatole: Just a few minutes from some of the best entertainment in Dallas, the Hilton Anatole is a four-star hotel that offers luxury, sophistication, and fun. Amenities are plentiful and include two swimming pools, meeting facilities, and spacious guest rooms. Prices are in the range of $90 per night.

Whichever hotel you choose, driving your dream car is a must for a fun vacation. Auto enthusiasts can enjoy their Dallas vacation to the fullest with exotic car rental and a room with a view at one of Dallas’ top luxury hotels. Make the most of your vacation by renting a luxury car in Dallas.

Kate Miller-Wilson is a freelance writer living in the Twin Cities. Visit her website or email her for information about her freelance writing services.

“The economy of India is growing at a rate far faster than the mature economies of the West,” says Ron Sturgeon, owner of a Dallas exotic car rental business. “Toyota is smart to bring a redesigned Corolla to India right now,” says the Texas business consultant and author.

Toyota Redesigns Corolla for India

Launching today, the Corolla Altis is a redesigned version of the popular Toyota Corolla Sedan. Toyota, which currently sells about 50,000 automobiles each year in India, is anticipating that the new Altis will help them get a larger share of the market.

By 2013, Toyota hopes to expand its Indian market share to ten percent of all cars sold. With a current market share of three percent, this is an aggressive goal, but if projected sales of the new Toyota Corolla Altis are any indication, this goal is achievable. The automaker anticipates that it will sell an average of 2,000 of the new Corolla’s each month.

“Toyota has a great reputation as a reliable and high quality carmaker,” says Sturgeon, who also owns an exotic car club in Dallas and a business that provides automotive dream tours in Texas. “Although slightly tarnished lately in the United States by less than top marks from Consumer Reports, Toyota’s reputation for quality will certainly help draw buyers in India and will certainly help Toyota India hit their sales figures in India.”

Toyota India Builds Second Plant In India

Toyota, which is currently building its second Indian automobile plant, plans to begin production of a new small car for the Indian market in 2010 or 2011. Images courtesy of Toyota India website.

Kate Miller-Wilson is a freelance writer living in the Twin Cities. Visit her website or email her for information about her freelance writing services

Hyundai must be relying on this premise to introduce the Hyundai Genesis.  Introduced as a concept car in 2006, the Hyundai Genesis will hit showrooms in 2009.

Hyundai has grand expectations.  With the Genesis, Hyundai expects to take on Lexus, Infiniti, BMW, and Mercedes.

For its part, the Genesis will give buyers three engine options with horsepower ratings ranging from 264 to 368.  Add to this the exterior styling and interior appointments that a car buyer would expect of Lexus, Mercedes, or another top tier luxury carmaker, and Hyundai may have enough to get in the luxury car game.

Perhaps the best feature on the Hyundai Genesis is its sticker price.  At around $40,000, it is priced well below competitively equipped luxury cars from top makers. They are about 20k higher.

Perhaps the biggest drawback of the Genesis is its brand name.  Although America is a land that allows people a great deal of upward social mobility, the same principle may not hold true for economy car makers.
 
Many commentators predict that despite the overall quality of the Hyundai Genesis, Hyundai will have a tough time convincing luxury car buyers to shell out $40,000 for a Hyundai, regardless of what they get for the money.

“The luxury and exotic car markets are the toughest segment of the automobile industry to break into,” claims Fort Worth-based small business consultant Ron Sturgeon.  “It is even more difficult when a car company starts out in the economy segment and then tries to make the leap.  Even Toyota, Honda, and Nissan had to establish new brand names for their luxury lines,” stated Sturgeon.
 
Sturgeon knows a thing or two about luxury car brands as the owner of an exotic car rental company in Fort Worth, TX. His DFW Elite Auto Rental.com is famous as the best place in DFW to rent a Dodge Viper or rent a Lamborghini Gallardo.
 
Among recent arrivals at the DFW exotic car rental company are a Venom Red 600 HP 2008 Dodge Viper Convertible and a pair of 2008 Lamborghini Gallardos.
 
“When people come in to rent an exotic car, the WOW factor plays a major role in their decision.  Many folks want the exhilaration of driving a dream car, but they also want to be noticed.  That’s what driving a Ferrari, Bentley, or Aston Martin gets you,” continues Sturgeon.

Time will tell if Hyundai can change consumer perceptions enough to join the elite car makers with its Hyundai Genesis.

Written by G.D. Gregory.  If you are interested in having me write stories for you or seeing my portfolio, please contact me at ggpsu@yahoo.com.