For a long time, I’ve been a big time proponent of diesel technology. Why does Europe still get all of the good diesels and we’re only getting gas/electric hybrids?

Diesels are now clean (burn much leaner than Gasoline engines), emit low soot and nox levels, and make tremendous amounts of torque. On top of this, they get superior fuel mileage, modern technology makes them quiet and they offer impressive power gains with aftermarket tuning. Wide power curves make them smooth, ideal daily drivers. They also tend to last longer than gasoline engines and can often be rebuilt and driven for several hundred thousand more miles.

Go to your local track and you’ll see diesel trucks running 12’s, 11’s, even 10’s in the 1/4 mile.

Alternative diesel fuels are available too, including biodiesel, blends, and “veggie fuel” so why are we getting diesels mostly in trucks? Why did Volkswagen drop their diesel models in the US, and what should we expect when they come back?

How about the huge amount of Audis, BMW’s, VW’s, Nissans, Ford cars and small SUV’s available throughout Europe in diesel versions? 67% of the BMW’s sold in Europe are diesel powered. When will we have them here and when will the public truly be ready for it?

The BMW 335d sold in Europe makes 286 HP and 427 FT LBS of torque, bone stock! Mileage? How about 35 MPG in MIXED driving?! In comparison, the highly touted 335i sold in America has a 300HP, 300 FT LB twin turbo gas V6, making a combined 20 MPG. The diesel version makes significantly more torque and is more fuel efficient!

I ask again: “Why aren’t we getting these diesels here?” I, like many others, would buy one and drive it 5-10 years.

Part of the problem is fuel. Without getting into the political reasons (what would the oil companies do?), the diesel fuel in the US does not meet the standards of many European diesel engines, and as a result, they were not available to the US market.

Another issue is Education and consumer perception. Americans were left with a bad taste in their mouths (and smell) due to the horrible diesels available in the US market in the 1980’s. Does anyone remember the 350 Olds converted diesel? The smoke, the clatter, the anemic acceleration. No wonder many Americans are slow to open their minds to new diesel technology….the old stuff was just too embarassing!

It has all changed for the better. Diesels are now fun, fast, efficient, quiet, reliable and run for a long time.

With the US due to finally meet Euro diesel fuel specs, expect to see more diesels coming into the US market. Expect clean emissions and less trips to the gas, uh, FUEL station =o)

AS they arrive in the US, instead of turning your nose, take a peek, or take a drive. Many of you may get hooked on all the torque =o)

Performance Manufacturers, Shops and Online Stores:

There has been a lot of talk about the “new wave” of advertising media: The Internet.
Of course, the Internet is nothing new, and advertising on the Internet has been around for years.

So what IS new?

When you’re looking for a company to do business with or researching products before purchasing them, where do you begin your search?

For millions of people worldwide, the number one answer is THE INTERNET.

75% of Americans have Internet access and use it in their daily life.
With online social networking at an all time high, and 20 to 40 somethings now making their buying decisions on the Internet, it’s important to gain exposure where people make these decisions.

In the “old days”, it was a paper catalog. Times have surely changed!
The Internet offers more dynamic, up to date information, and the ability for users to interact and ask questions.

Once you decide you need more online exposure, the questions pour in:
What are your options?
Where can you gain the best online exposure?
How can you track the effectiveness of your online advertising?
What is “Search Engine Optimization” and what should you know about it?

Here at The DDD Directory, we not only provide online exposure, we offer complimentary Internet consulting services.
Feel free to call us and ask how to gain better position in the search engines, why blogging is important, or how to read Internet traffic reports.

We’re here for you!

The DDD Directory home office is open 9-6 EST, Monday – Friday
888-443-4634
info@dddracing.com

Blog. Such an odd word.
Odd enough, in fact, that your computer still tries to flag it when you run a spelling check.

This little word can mean massive traffic gains for your website, and many more sales.

But why?

Search engines like websites with new content and lots of it. Google works like a giant calculator, applying word counts, content crawlers, link counters and keyword loggers to determine who should be “first” in the search listings.
“Pay per click” can be effective, but in the long run, natural (often called “organic”) search engine presence is needed to create consistent web traffic.

How can you be #1 in Google? How do you make your website show up under many different keywords and gain an edge over your competition?

There are many answers to this question, and it also depends on which type of customer you’re trying to capture.

Blogging is one of the best ways to drive more search engine traffic to your website.

But how can you blog if you don’t know what it is?

Blogging is basically a constantly updated chronological account, on the Internet, of company news, operations, press releases, etc….anything relating to the operations of your company deemed safe to be viewed by the public.
Blog actually comes from the phrase “Web Log”, and is much like keeping a public business journal.

It’s important to choose blog topics that contain key words you want to show up with in Google and other search engines.

In other words, If you’re a machine shop, its important to use the words “machine shop” frequently in your blog.
Sooner or later, Google will recognize it and start sending people searching for “machine shop” your way.

Naturally, there is a a fine line between using keywords properly and “keyword stuffing”.

Keyword stuffing is the practice of deliberately and excessively placing keywords in your blog to the point of creating awkward word structure, in an effort to make google “notice” how many times you have a particular word or phrase in your blog.

Google’s “robots” are smart enough to recognize this, and keyword stuffing can actually get you banned from the search engines!

Not to worry, if you create a quality readable blog with relevant content, the search engines will reward you for it.

We’ll address blogging further in the next DDD Newsletter, or you can call us anytime with your questions.

Remember, The DDD Directory is your resource for online exposure!

Sincerely,

Jim Ferraro
Operations
The DDD Directory

DDD Manufacturer News December 2007

Please click above for our latest DDD news.

As this year comes to a close; now is the perfect time to let us know about your new product additions and

plans for new products in 2008.

Please direct all submissions to press@dddracing.com     We’re looking forward to another record-breaking year!

We had the pleasure of meeting with many manufacturers , shops and online stores again this year, and many faces are becoming familiar.  It’s nice to come to a trade show and get stopped by friends or total stangers who have heard about DDD and want to learn more or to give us stories about how DDD has worked for them.

For the manufacturers that took time out of their show to talk with us, thank you for asking questions and getting involved.  We aren’t just an “advertising company”, we’re here to help free up time for your internal resources and take the task of gaining you online exposure upon ourselves.

Many companies asked about our project and other complimentary services our clients enjoy, and with good reason: it saves time and money for the manufacturer.  If you’d like to build a project vehicle, let us make the phone calls to the shops, consumers and other stakeholders for you.  We’ll create a presentation and offer editorial for the project when it’s done.  This is a free service to DDD clients!  The Directory alone is already a massive value, but we feel any advertising company should also offer free services to benefit the way you do business.

We’d be honored to help you.

Special thanks to: JC Flugger of Flowmaster, Lee Thompson, Scott Stutler of Dynomax, Brad Reich from RPM Automotive Services, Rick Head from Team Performance Products, Lynn from Fluidampr, Vivian and DJ from DJ’s diesel performance, Larry Knight from DHRA, Scott Main from Forgeline, Gary from Eibach Springs, Michael Drew and Brian Herron, Russell from HKS, Dan Maslic from Masport Sheed Shop,  The up and coming Steve Harrison from Turbogod’s Toys,  Lars Mord snd Scorpion Race Engines, Marcello Canitano from Silverhorse and a heck of a freelancer who whote an article about my 03 cobra, Dan Maslic from masport Speed Shop, Geoff Skorupa of Next Level Performance, APS Turbo, Jody and Diane Tipton of DP Tuner,  Jay Meagher, Justin and Rebecca Starkey with 10 second Rick Kaknes =o), and the MANY others (both clients and non-clients) that took time to speak with us.

To those who are already working with us, thank you!  We look forward to working with you and continuing to work for you.

Jim Ferraro, Operations

jimferraro@dddracing.com