ResourcesForLife.com

Effective Living > Life Mobility

“Sometimes big problems are best solved
using small solutions.”

Summary. Generally speaking, little tiny micro small mini cars have many advantages. They offer better maneuverability and easier parking. Better fuel efficiency, and fewer resources used in production make small cars environmentally friendly. Small cars are inexpensive to purchase, insure, and maintain. Finally, they look cute, happy, youthful, and are fun to drive. For these reasons and others, intelligent and thoughtful people are trading in their old cars, and purchasing small cars. Isn’t it time you considered a small car? For yourself; For the planet; Drive a small car.

The Best Cars At Any Price. Small cars are stylish and smart, and that’s why cars like the Smart Car are featured in movies such as DaVinci Code, Pink Panther, Scoop, A Good Year, Legally Blond 2, Just Married, and Agent Cody Banks 2. When other larger and more expensive cars could have been featured, producers choose smart, small, and stylish instead. Why own a mundane and average large car when you could own a small car just like the Hollywood movie stars drive?

Safety. While misinformation about small car safety abounds, the fact is that small cars  actually offer many safety benefits such as:

• Accident Prevention Technology. Many small cars offer anti-lock breaks and specialized handling packages that allow the driver to avoid accidents. Smaller cars are made with fewer materials, so more money can be invested in safety features. For example, the Chevy Aveo includes three separate traction and maneuvering safety technologies (antilock brake system, stabilitrak, and traction control). The Honda Fit features Vehicle Stability Assist^™ (VSA^®) with traction control (Fit Sport with Navigation).
• Impact Countermeasures. The Honda Fit offers six airbags as well as other safety features. Most small cars utilize high strength materials that are light weight.
• Improved Control Through Reduced Mass. Small cars are light and nimble which means they can maneuver quickly and easily. Large cars are sometimes referred to as boats because they handle sluggishly since they have so much mass and weight that nees to be navigated. There can be a delay in the response time from when you turn the wheel and when the car starts to turn — not so with a little car.
• Improved Stop Distance. If you’re trying to stop a big heavy vehicle, you’ll need plenty of breaking power to slow down such a large and massive pile of metal. If you hit a patch of snow, ice, or wet pavement, your chances of slowing down in time to avoid an accident are minimal. Since many collisions are with objects such as railing, poles, cement, telephone poles, ligth posts, and similar road size hazards, safety isn’t a question of one car versus another. Instead, true safety is a matter of the effective maneuverability of your vehicle.
• Safer For Everyone. If you’re simply concerned for your own safety and not that of anyone else, the above facts would be reason enough to get a small car. However, most of us are concerned about the well being and safety of others. For this reason, smaller cars make a good choice because they have a reduced likelihood of inflicting injury to other people (or property). Big cars present the most danger to everyone.

Manufacturers. Because of the numerous advantages and safety features of small cars, forward thinking and progressive auto manufacturers are designing, building, and promoting them. Here are a few of the more popular tiny little micro small mini car models and their respective manufacturers:

• Audi A3. Although the Audi A3 is among the most expensive of the tiny cars, and it’s top fuel economy is about 30 MPG, it’s one of the most powerful small cars available with up to 250 horsepower of propulsion.
• Chevy Aveo. With an estimated 34 MPG highway fuel efficiency and plenty of included technology, the Chevy Aveo is an economical and enjoyable car to drive.
• Ford Fiesta. The Ford Fiesta has long been a favorite among domestic tiny cars. The European ECOnetic Fiesta achieves fuel economy up to 65 MPG in some models.
• Honda Fit. Offering up to 35 MPG fuel efficiency, six airbags, iPod audio interface, ten beverage holders, and Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation^™ with voice recognition^†, you’ll feel like you’re flying in first class.
• Mazda Miata MX-5. The Mazda Miata is one of the best known tiny convertible cars. The Mazda 3 offers greater fuel efficiency and a lower purchase price.
• Mercedes SLK 300. If you don’t have the half-million dollars needed to purchase the Mercedes 617 horsepower McLaren Roadster, the Mercedes SLK 300 is a relatively economical alternative.
• Mini Cooper. While the Mini Cooper isn’t the least expensive small car around, it may be one of the most stylish. With high performance and top speeds in excess of 120 MPH, the Mini Cooper still offers fuel efficiency of up to 37 MPG.
• Smart Car. Small cars are definitely smart cars, and the Smart Car brand is one of the cutest and smallest available, and one of the most efficient by offering up to 41 MPG.
• Tata Nano. “Tata Motors has won the Wall Street Journal Technology Innovation Award in the ‘Transportation’ category.” (source) [Tata Nano on Facebook]
• Toyota Yaris. The excellent quality of Toyota vehicles is universally accepted and acknowledged even among their competition. The Toyota Yaris is no exception. With up to 36 MPG and a plentiful list of options, luxury and economy are combined in one.
• Volkswagen VW Beetle Bug. The VW Bug is one of the cars that started the tiny car revolution back in the 1960s. Through innovation and creative design, VW impacted the automotive industry around the world. At 29 MPG, the VW Beetle isn’t the most fuel efficient. However, what it lacks in fuel efficiency it makes up for in style and quality.

Video. The video below includes an excerpt from An Inconvenient Truth, and makes a compelling case for small cars.

Five Small Efficient Cars. Here is a list, courtesy of Bob B., of five inexpensive, small, fuel efficient cars. These are less than $15,000 and can get 35MPG or more.

• Hyundai Accent – 26 city, 35 highway, 29 average – Starts at $9,970
• Smart For Two Coupe – 33 city, 41 highway, 36 average – Starts at $11,990
• Kia Rio – 26 city, 35 highway, 30 average – Starts at $12,145
• Toyota Yaris – 29 city, 35 highway, 31 average- Starts at $12,205
• Honda Fit – 28 city, 35 highway, 31 average – Starts at $14,705

Effective Living > Mobility

Summary. Kingfisher Airline of India is perhaps one of the best airlines in the world for the reasons described below. For those involved in the industries of hospitality, air travel, hotels, or any similar business, it would be a good investment to fly to India and travel with Kingfisher to learn about high standards of customer care. In fact, any entrepreneur or business person who has an opportunity to fly with Kingfisher should do so. It’s a great way to learn about business excellence. The cost is about $100 US for a domestic flight. In addition to the official website for Kingfisher, Wikipedia has more information about Kingfisher Airlines. There is also a special KingfisherHolidays.com website for planning vacation travel.

Review. This review, by Gregory Johnson, is based on three separate flights using Kingfisher Airlines in India from October 2008 to January 2009. The following aspects of service are outstanding, unique, and worth mentioning. “After flying American Airlines, Air India, Continental, Delta, El Al, Northwest, Southwest, United, and US Airways, I found that Kingfisher had the highest level of customer service.” – Gregory Johnson

• Attention to Detail. Upon boarding the flight, it is apparent that much care and attention is given to presentation. All seat belts are identically folded very meticulously in each seat. Toilet paper rolls are inserted so that the toilet paper rolls from the top out which is proper according to some etiquette guides. In addition, both corners of the next sheet are folded into a point (as would be done in a fancy hotel). Toilet paper is a small item. Yet, those who are responsible and careful in the small things are generally responsible with more important items as well.
• Attitude. There’s something consistently professional, friendly, competent, and pleasing about the flight crew. This is presumably the result of picking quality people and training them well. “The attitude of each member of the flight team seems to convey a sense of pride, ownership, personal interest, and belonging. This attitude seemed to be consistent among all employees including flight attendants, ticket desk workers, and baggage handlers.” – Gregory Johnson
• Branding. Branding is the practice where a company will have their name and logo placed on products that are manufactured to their standards. On a Kingfisher flight, just about everything is branded including the water containers, food boxes, gift pens, gift headphones, and even the tissue boxes in the restrooms.
• Feedback. At the end of each flight, no matter how short, passengers are given a feedback card and an opportunity to join the King Club.
• Five-Star Hotel With Wings. Kingfisher Airlines is considered a 5-star airline. The best way to understand this is to imagine staying in the nicest hotel in the world, and then imagine it can fly.
• Food. Many airlines are wanting more from travelers and giving them less. It’s common to see meals replaced with snacks, and snacks replaced with nothing. Kingfisher doesn’t compromise in this regard. “On a short one-hour domestic flight, we spent about 30 minutes in the air. Yet, the flight crew served a full meal to everyone, and the food was top quality, offering nutrition and flavor. On longer flights with other airlines, it’s common to receive only a small bag of nuts.”
• Gifts. Each traveller is given a pen and headphones, as well as a fresh lime juice drink upon boarding. A fresh copy of the daily paper of New Delhi is found in the seat pocket of every seat.
• Going to Extremes. Kingfisher goes to great lengths to see that each person receives personal attention. “I flew Kingfisher in October 2008 and decided to join their frequent flyer program. A few weeks after returning to my home country, I received an airmail courier package with membership information. It must have cost a considerable amount to send that packet overseas. Yet, my membership and loyalty as a frequent flier was apparently that important to Kingfisher that they would spare no expense to get the packet to me half-way around the world. You can be sure I chose Kingfisher at the next opportunity.” – Gregory Johnson
• Online Ticket Purchase. The process of purchasing tickets online is quite simple through the Kingfisher website. Anyone involved in website design should spend some time exploring the Kingfisher website to learn how a website should be designed for ease of navigation and fast page loading. The website is an example of how to do things right.
• Personal Service. The flight attendants take special care to offer personalized service. “Upon leaving the flight, the flight steward greeted me by name, although I’d not provided my name. I presume the flight attendants read the seating assignment and remember all passengers who are traveling with them. This was a fairly large flight, so I’m surprised the flight attendant could remember our names and faces as we were leaving.” - Gregory Johnson
• Quality Management. Kingfisher Airline was established by by Vijay Mallya, a businessman with success in many areas. Mallya takes a personal interest in assuring that those flying Kingfisher are treated as guests in his home.
• Quiet. Air travel is expected to be noisy and unpleasant. As a result, we now have an industry of noise canceling headphones such as the Bose Quiet Comfort for $300. However, something about the Kingfisher airplanes is different. The engines or cabin or both have apparently had some kind of sound dampening technology installed.
• Travel Map. A real-time video travel map is found on each seat back with additional information such as air speed, outside temperature, and estimated arrival time. This is the same display where videos can be viewed.
• Value. The cost of traveling with Kingfisher is remarkably low, and typically costs less than airlines of lesser quality.
• Video. The video and media are exceptional. Movies are pre-selected to be suitable for all audiences. The pre-flight welcome message, from Vijay Mallya himself, is produced with excellent quality graphics, as are the pre-flight instructional videos that have a flight attendant in video against a backdrop of animation. Some portions of video are in black and white with the Kingfisher logo in full color for dramatic effect.