Leaving Panama s Casco Viejo

Casco Viejo is by far the preferred place in Panama City. Old world charm directed its mix of classes and cultures to liquidate open, plazas and streets. It is easy to lose yourself in the wonder of all this, and imagine yourself to be in the French quarter of New Orleans, or some side street of Havana. Once you are drawn to the magic of everything, and the fact that it was difficult to leave. Literally
there only one, that the street is an exit from the Casco Viejo to the rest of Panama City. On my last visit, which coincides with that was Good Friday of Easter week, a friend and tried to leave about six p.m., only to find that this is one way at a standstill because of a religious procession ahead.
to even begin, in taxis Panama is Generate all its own. They want your business, but only when convenient for them. I have in many cases where the taxi driver will pull, and ask where I& 39;m headed, and immediately the car. Does not wish to stop this trend, and three different taxi drivers refused pleas to take me away from my Casco told el Viejo cangrejo.
finally, and as I said at the footpath on the ironies at a faster rate than traffic, I have come to an unoccupied taxi that welcomed my business. Obtained in non-air-conditioned vehicle to wait and religious Parade with my new friend. As I watched by older men sensible people with cane, and young children in adolescence and old age, I grew up afraid that I would never get out of there. The narrow street on both sides under a number of high buildings and the story, and I could feel the exhaust of Panting red devils (the name given to the city bus (enter my lungs and pores.
we passed by side street in the rate of one kilometre per hour that Allowed me to see Taunting street name " salsipuedes " - " out if you can. & Quot; my fear turned to terror as we got to turn that led us away from the procession and quicksand for the corner of the Panama. Sigh of relief escaped from my lips also filled the air around the car fumes expelled by me.
when packaged and come to my apartment, and after 25 minutes of the start of the entire episode, I was responsible for the typical $ 1.50 for the trip. With a renewed love for the city, I went to my After images on the Internet Casco Viejo and reaffirms to the world that life here is good.

claire saylor who has lived in Central America since June last, focusing now and then write about the culture of Panama as well as general information Panama.



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New Car Launches in India in 2005

The Indian car industry has gathered steam only in the last decade. Just imagine - 15 years back, there were only two cars being manufactured in India, the vintage Hindustan Ambassador and the venerable Premier Padmini. The Ambassador was the Indian version of the Morris Oxford, while the Padmini was based on an ancient Fiat model. Compare that to today, when every major automobile manufacturer has its cars on the road in India. 2005 is the year when India is poised to see more automobile launches that before. Let s take a look at the vehicles that are expected.
Toyota Innova
Toyota has three vehicles in the Indian market - the Toyota Qualis, Camry and Corolla. The Qualis is the most outdated of the lot, with the looks of a breadbox. However, this model was extremely succesful in India due to its reliability and was used by many taxi operators in the country. Toyota has just withdrawn the vehicle from the market, and is about to introduce the Innova, a much more modern MPV in the minivan mould that can hold its own amongst the latest international vehicles. The pricing is expected to be around that of the now-extinct Qualis, making it approachable for the Indian middle-class.
Skoda Fabia
Skoda will be launching its small car Fabia in India by mid-2005. While the ocompany has yet not decided on whether the model in India should be a sedan, hatchback or estate, this car is bound to have a following. This is partly due to the tremendous reputation Skoda enjoys in India due to its highly succesful Octavia range. The power unit too is still undecided, but what we believe is that it will be priced at the same level as Honda s highly succesful small car, the Honda City.
Chevrolet Aveo
Maruti Suzuki Swift
Maruti is India s most succesful automobile company, and Suzuki recently acquired a controlling stake in it. The Swift will be Maruti s first radical, contemporary vehicle. The company has always preferred to play it safe, and has introduced tried-and-tested vehicle models from the Suzuki stable. The Swift is based on Suzuki s famous Concept S design unveiled at teh 2002 Paris Auto Show, and will be launched in India with the reliable Maruti Esteem s (an older Suzuki Swift version) 1300 cc petrol engine in India.
Toyota Fortuner
The Fortuner will be launched in the later half 2005 in India. It is a small-SUV which should give a run to the Honda CR-V which rules th SUV market in India now. The Fortuner is based on the same platform as the Innova. Excellent styling, car-like interiors and slightly cheaper pricing that its competitors will see it doing well in the Indian market. This ladder-on-chassis, common rail diesel engine (CRDI) seems to the perfect recipe for the penny-pinching but power-loving Indian.
Ford Fusion
The Fusion has already been launched in India. It is a small car, but with SUV style. The car is positioned in India as vehicle for the active young driver who has a family. The car is powered by a 16 Valve, 1600 cc light-weight alloy engine that is good enough for around 100 bhp. The reviewers have loved it, and the market seems to be falling for it too, though it is too early to tell.
There are some other cars too - such as the Chevrolet Aveo and the Hyundai Tucson - but details are still not forthcoming at this point.



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Toyota Reports Record Quarterly Profit Sales, Eyes Number One Spot

In Tokyo: After taking the number two spot from Ford, Toyota is now hot on the heels of General Motors. The giant Japanese automaker now has its eyes on the number one spot from the largest automobile manufacturer in the world. After recently reporting a 7.3% jump in quarterly profit as a result of its booming sales in North America and Europe offsetting the sluggish demand in Japan, Toyota Motor Company is getting closer to achieving its goals.
Toyota a group net profit of 426.8 billion . Yen, or $ 3.6 billion U.S. dollars in three months (until 31 December), an increase of 397.6 billion yen the same period the previous year.
The car manufacturers & 39; s quarterly sales rose a solid 15.2% to 6.15 trillion yen, or $ 51.2 billion U.S. dollars from 5.33 trillion yen a year ago. The remarkable sales, which Toyota was the result of a sudden influx of demand for its converted RAV4 sport utility vehicle and Camry mid-sized sedan in North America. The strong demand for the Yaris compact in Europe has also significantly contributed to its increase in sales.
According to Koji Endo, auto analyst at Credit Suisse First Boston Securities in Tokyo, Toyota & 39; s " Figures are super, super strong. To be honest, it& 39;s hard to find what bad at this point. "
Senior Managing Director Takeshi Suzuki said that the high sales figures back that Toyota wins in each quarter is the result of the company& 39;s unwavering efforts in the areas of marketing quality products.
With the increasing demand for Toyota products in the United States, it is not surprising if the car manufacturers are planning to build another factory to keep with the strong demand. According to American newspapers, the sites tested by ToMoCo for its next factory site are Chattanooga, Tenn.., Marion, and Ark. The automaker has not released an official statement on the matter.
Toyota is known for reliable, fuel-efficient cars and the rise in oil prices has continued to increase its sales. It is also a leader in the production of hybrid vehicles which use electricity and gasoline. In terms of profitability, Toyota has long beaten General Motors Corporation, but in the form of annual worldwide vehicle production ToMoCo only second to GM.
Last month, Toyota reported that the global automotive production in rank 9 million in 2006 to 9018 million Vehicles marking the fifth continuous growth. On the other hand, General Motors and its group of car manufacturers have 9.18 million vehicles worldwide in 2006 approximately 162000 vehicles more than their Japanese rival.
Toyota along with its Lexus luxury line has been able to surpass DaimlerChrysler AG as the number 3 auto seller in the U.S. for the first time in 2006. The company holds its vehicle sales forecast for the fiscal year ending 31st March to 8.47 million vehicles. The car manufacturer & 39; vehicle production increased by 9% to 2.09 million units in the quarter.
ToMoCo has also explained that the weak yen increases the value of overseas earnings adding 30 billion yen or $ 250 million U.S. dollars compared to the third quarter, the result of car manufacturers. The measures to reduce the company have also contributed another 20 billion yen or $ 167 million U.S. dollars to the company results. Toyota is also its forecast for the fiscal year to March with its forecast profit of 1.55 trillion yen ($ 12.9 billion U.S. dollars) or 23.3 trillion yen ($ 193 billion) sales.
The question is: Will General Motors, the world & 39; Numero Uno and producer of the popular brand of car parts such as GM door handle Toyota can take away his title?



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