Merry Christmas!

Transcription

Merry Christmas!

Newsletter
No.3 | 2014. december
ALD Automotive Newsletter
Contents
Letter of the Editor-in-chief
1
Results of the client satisfaction
survey
2
5000 2
Tips for winter
3
ALD Test - BMW 218d
4
BLUEFLEET6
An interview with Orsi
7
LYBRA – 8
Power generation with cars
Children on board
Merry Christmas!
9
No roles mixed up –
The vehicle administration team
11
Crashing under the tree – Christmas stress
12
Christmas gift ideas for drivers 13
BMW
14 Letter of the Editor-in-chief
Dear Readers,
Here we are at the end of the year with holidays and rest and this year’s last
edition of the ALD Newsletter. December is penetrated by the spirit of
Christmas and the entire month is about this expectation.
This is the time of the year which revives the children in us. We are making preparations for
a short winter break when we can rest and look forward enthusiastically to what we will find
under the Christmas tree. Our increased sensitivity to social inequalities inspires us to
make donations, help or host animals.
In our holiday edition, we too tried to present you with Christmas-worthy articles and tips for
the winter travels. I wish all of our esteemed readers a wonderful feast and a pleasant time.
Ági Farkas
Impress:
Editor in chief:
Ágnes Farkas (ÁF) Editorial:
Béla Bana (BB),
Andrea Bincze (AB),
Zoltán Borbély (ZB),
Krisztina Farkas (KF),
Eszter Harmat (EH),
Tímea Kötél (TK),
Árpád Meskó (ÁM),
Nóra Novák (NN),
Ferenc Schalk (FS),
Published by ALD Automotive Magyarország Kft.
ALD Automotive Magyarország Kft.
Capital Square – 1133 Budapest, Váci út 76. 5. torony 5. emelet
Postacím – 1441 Budapest, Pf. 45.
Tel. +36 (1) 802 5800 | Fax.+36 (1) 802 5830
www.aldautomotive.hu
ALD Newsletter
2
Results of the client satisfaction survey
AALD Automotive is committed to high-quality client service; therefore, one of our
important tasks is to measure your satisfaction every year. Respondents had the
opportunity to evaluate ALD Automotive’s activity and ability to meet expectations in
2014 on a scale of one to ten using a new set of 67 questions. The total answers averaged
8,25 which we deem to be a positive result. To our esteemed clients: thank you for
participating in the survey!
We believe that we can maintain this result and even raise the quality of service through the
well-coordinated processes of our activity, in-process controls and a high level of service.
We are looking forward to hearing about your opinions next year, too!
(ÁF)
5000
5000
The end of July marked another milestone in our company’s development. The fleet managed
by ALD exceeded 5000 pieces.
”The 5000 cars is an important milestone for all of us, which would have been impossible
without our clients’ loyalty and our staff’s commitment”, Zoltán Borbély, Commercial Director,
reported in the 25 September edition of business journal Világgazdaság. He added: ”I am
assured that together with our clients we can successfully meet future challenges. This is why
we continue to work on numerous innovative solutions, extend our web-based systems and
make mobility the focus of the next years. We also follow with great interest the new technologies
such as electric vehicles, establishing the most efficient communication between smartphones
and vehicles or even microdot parts marking. There is always a solution, and whether we can
find the way to our clients’ satisfaction depends on our flexibility and openness.”
We celebrated the 5000 car milestone with 500 ”ALD colour” balloons on the ALD Family Day,
now at its seventh edition. We were delighted to see many of our partners accept our invitation
to the event, where we spent a pleasant day in a wonderful environment outside the city, in the
Budakeszi Hunter’s Lodge in the Pilis Park Forest. (AB)
The end of the
year is nearing!
We would like to draw your attention to
a few issues that will become relevant
at the end of the year and, in any case,
early next year.
The motorway vignettes purchased
for 2014 are valid until 31 January
2015. By this date, a new vignette
must be purchased or ordered centrally through ALD.
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ALD Newsletter
3
Tips for winter
Tyres:
Use good quality winter tyres with at least 4mm tread depth. Check tyre
pressure at least once a month measured in cold condition; please see the
required values in column B next to the driver’s door, inside the tank cover or
the operating instructions. Please remember the spare wheel, too.
For cars equipped with tyre pressure gauges: if the signal led is on, please set
the required pressures first, then reset the system according to the operating
instructions.
Windshields:
In the winter, at dusk, in slush or rainy weather, we will have to turn on the
windshield wipers often. If they leave stripes or stains, please replace the
blades before winter. If the car is covered by snow, wipe the snow from the
driver’s door frame before opening, to avoid snow entering the cabin. Before
inserting the key, please make sure that all wipers are turned off. Then start the
engine (clutch pressed, but no throttle!), set the heating to maximum, direct it
to the windshield and turn on full electric heating, too: mirrors, front and rear
windshield heating, seat and steering wheel heating.
For practical reasons, the snow brush and the frost scraper should be kept in
the left front door pocket or nearby. Once the engine is running, get off and
thoroughly clean the rest of the car, starting from top, progressing through the
windshield, rear-view mirrors, side and rear windows, bonnet and lamps, first
with the brush, then with the frost scraper. Only turn on the windshield wipers
after the frost or snow covering it has melted.
Windshield washer:
Only use the fog lights if visibility is less than 50 metres. If you have better
visibility than this or followed by a long trail, turn them off.
Fog lights:
Only use the fog lights if visibility is less than 50 metres. If you have better
visibility than this or followed by a long trail, turn them off.
In case of danger:
Don’t take risks with fuelling, always have at least a quarter of the tank filled!
Be ready for emergency situations, too: have blankets, warm clothes, a shovel,
functional flashlights, some snacks, phone charger in the car. Keep a bigger
than usual safe following distance and remember: ABS, ESP may help a
skidding car, but neither is a silver bullet: the laws of physics cannot be
bypassed.
(ÁM)
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ALD Newsletter
Test
4
BMW 218d test
From a man’s point of view: BMW as a family car?
Does this headline raise your
eyebrows? Let us then start from
the beginning. We have a frontwheel diesel „MPV”. Let us take
one step at a time.
Where are we? - The ”true BMW fans” could
ask. In 1978, the diesel engine was nowhere on
the same page with the BMW image. But what
happened? I’ll tell you! Diesel engines steal the show in
today’s world. Whether you like it or not.
MPV? Yes, but not in the traditional sense of the word! It can do
everything an MPV can, but the shape is not quite clear. It is
somewhat taller, somewhat smaller, but still fairly spacious inside.
It features all the existing BMW lines. It is stylish, but not ostentatious.
Front wheel drive? What the hell? BMW = rear wheel drive! Well,
not anymore! Remember, there was an advertisement saying that a
wheel driven is not a wheel steered. Well, not true anymore either!
So, here’s a brief opinion after a few days of testing. Take it as
a test article with a twist.
My first impression about the car is that it is nice. It is not
conspicuous. BMW lines, BMW look, but still, as I was driving, other
drivers never told me what I would have been told in another BMW.
How merciful of fate. The car was highly equipped and nice. Overall, the best term to describe it is “elegant”.
Its interior is almost all leather covered. The stitching is nice.
The arrangement is convenient, almost everything is at hand. I say
almost, because the cup holder is not. Seats are comfortable, yet it
is strange that fine-tuning is electric, while main settings are
traditionally „lever-based”. For a father of young children and
owner of a vizsla dog, the cream-coloured interior does not evoke
too many thoughts of practicality. Everything is very fine, precise
and elegant. The numerous extras can take up a lot of time (in the
good sense). But once we’re through the first steps, it feels very
homey. An aspect I’d like to point out is the interior lights. They are
not annoying at all, they provide sufficient light and also have
adjustable subdued lights. The central console has a very
pragmatic storage - for phones, keys, etc. - which can be locked,
but its rough, poor-quality and simple-design plastic cover acts
according to its unpromising look when you open it or close it.
MPV design is as known. Driving position is high. This helps
when getting on and off, which is an important aspect for a twometre chap like me. Visibility is helped by the all-glass arrangement
(front door windows with a small triangle glass). The trunk is big
and can be enhanced easily by pressing two small buttons. The
bottom is plain, but has hidden options. Not to mention that the
rear seats are adjustable. The luggage compartment door opens to
an appropriate height, of course, electrically. As an extra, you could
open it with your leg! You can carry big and heavy items in it, if you
need to. However, I’m really curious what it would be like to pack
the defect washing machine from the summer house in the back,
after folding down the leather rear seats, then hop on and drive to
the dumping ground, then buy a new washing machine and take it
home.
The engine is very good. It behaves according to the setting
possibilities. It has an economical operation, and you can alternate
the normal and the sport mode. It hasn’t only changed in terms of
the different values shown on the dashboard. This piece of
technology really does bite in sport mode. But then, it really takes
it slow in very economical mode. The shifter is excellent. The test
piece had an 8-speed automatic shifter. What I found missing was
the possibility to shift from the steering wheel. This would come in
handy in sport mode, when we high-pressure the ride. Engine
noise is properly isolated. And albeit it is a diesel, it doesn’t sound
like a tractor, you can’t hear it. Not even during the morning cold
start. Consumption is also excellent. The car is „big”, the areas are
big, its use is multi-purpose, but still the consumption is low. The
carriage is pleasant. Properly comfortable and handles road
problems well.
A real dealer could speak for hours about its variability in all
aspects. And I’m not doing that for a living, so let’s just everyone
stick to their own knitting. One can tell that there wasn’t enough
time or attention paid to a few things, perhaps because it would
have been disproportionately costly. Such is the case with the
Head-Up-Display which was hidden in the dashboard.
For me, a non-BMW fan, the car was a really pleasant surprise.
Perhaps because it defies everything that BMW has been so far,
but still it remains a BMW. Front wheel drive was perceptible only
occasionally, for example in roundabouts, the diesel engine is
good and economical and MPV design is great. Its harmony is
unique, but sometimes excessive and unpractical. The car is easy
to handle for everyone who regularly drives something with four
wheels. Its appearance is OK. I can recommend it. It’s not an
average vehicle, but it’s not snooty either. It can be practical for
many drivers and you can keep up a good appearance with it
anywhere! The target audience is obvious and it has everything to
inspire the purchase.
(FS)
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ALD Newsletter
Test
5
BMW 218d teszt
From a woman’s point of view: BMW 218d, a nice lil’ beast
I’ve been using an MPV for a year now, so I do have a point of
reference for this category. Obviously, as a female driver I look at
things differently than male drivers. The car has a solid appearance,
an unostentatious exterior, but its lines betray the exclusive brand.
The lights and the car nose definitely reveal the signs of sporty
elegance featured in other BMW makes. It has a large interior space,
it has a real MPV feel both in terms of interior height and leg space.
Leather seats provide all the convenience and elegance, but if we
include families with young children in the target group, the creamcoloured upholstery can easily stain. However, the variable rear row
and manufacturing quality satisfy every demand. It would be a pity
for these nice seats and interiors to be subjected to a child and his
toys. In terms of its luggage compartment, the car has probably the
rear storage space with the best arrangement I’ve ever seen in its
class or other makes. Trunk arrangement satisfies the requirements
of practicality; so, there are no unnecessary protruding „things” to
obstruct loading and placing larger objects or baggage. Back seats
can be tilted easily by pressing a button, which was a very attractive
feature for me as a woman, as converting the interior of a car with all
my physical might was not my cup of tea. Restoring it was not done
as simply; here I was overcome by technology a few times, but once
you get the hang of it, it can go rather smoothly.
Driving this car is the embodiment of comfort and
convenience. The automatic gearbox and the engine are in
perfect harmony to support acceleration, cruising and when
needed, the brakes are strong and powerful. Smooth shifting
between the 8 gears is almost always a requirement in automatic
transmissions; at the same time, one does really not feel the need
to „oh I would just shift here”, which would hold back the car from
a better performance. Steering wheel grip is quite comfortable
and can control the vehicle easily, perhaps with a circumference
a bit too large for female hands. The interior dashboard reflects
the subdued elegance I expect from a BMW; you don’t get the
“spacecraft” feeling with so many buttons you don’t even dare
press, and the dashboard inserts blend in perfectly with the overall picture. Perhaps some aspects of the marriage of elegant and
decent workmanship with 21st century state-of-the-art technology
was a bit too sharp for my taste (for example, in the radio and airconditioning arrangement). In terms of extras available, the car
surpasses the expectations of an average driver (e.g. Head-Up
display), but I can safely say that driving the BMW 218d becomes
a special event in day-to-day traffic.
(NN)
A BMW i8 hivatalos fogyasztási adatai: átlagfogyasztás 2,1 l/100 km, CO2-kibocsátás 49 g/km, legnagyobb teljesítmény (benzinmotor) 170/231 kW/LE, legnagyobb teljesítmény (elektromotor) 96/131 kW/LE, átlagos energiafogyasztás (súlyozott kombinált energiafogyasztás) 11,9 kWh/100 km, maximális hatótávolság akár 600 km (opcionálisan rendelhető, megnövelt
kapacitású üzemanyagtartály esetén). Maximális, tisztán elektromos üzemmódban elérhető hatótávolság kb. 35 km.
A BMW i3 (Range Extender hatótávnövelő rendszer nélkül) hivatalos fogyasztási adatai: átlagfogyasztás 0 l/100 km, CO2-kibocsátás 0 g/km, nominális teljesítmény (elektromotor)
75/102 kW/LE 4800/perces fordulatszámon; legnagyobb teljesítmény (elektromotor) 125/170 kW/LE, átlagos energiafogyasztás (súlyozott kombinált energiafogyasztás) 12,9 kWh/100 km.
Maximális hatótávolság: akár 200 km, átlagos hatótávolság: 130–160 km.
A Range Extender hatótávnövelő rendszerrel felszerelt BMW i3 hivatalos fogyasztási adatai: 0,6 l/100 km, CO2-kibocsátás 13 g/km, átlagos energiafogyasztás (súlyozott kombinált
energiafogyasztás) 13,5 kWh/100 km. Maximális hatótávolság: akár 340 km, átlagos hatótávolság: 240–300 km.
BMW i3
BMW i8
A vezetés élménye
A VÁROST
ÚJ ENERGIA JÁRJA ÁT.
Az első BMW i modellek, az új fejlesztésű, teljesen elektromos BMW i3 és az új, plug-in hibrid BMW i8 a városi
mobilitás újjászületését testesítik meg. Igen alacsony (a teljesen elektromos BMW i3 esetében zéró) károsanyagkibocsátás mellett teszik lehetővé egy hamisítatlan BMW vezetésének élményét. A szuperkönnyű és extrém
erős karbonszálas karosszéria minimálisra csökkenti a tömeget, így segít a maximumra növelni a hatótávolságot.
Mindeközben pedig az új BMW i3 és BMW i8 minden eddiginél fenntarthatóbbá teszi az autózást – egy olyan jövő
érdekében, amely már ma megérkezett.
BMW i. BORN ELECTRIC.
bmw.hu
A BMW i modellek kizárólag a hivatalos BMW i Partner márkakereskedésekben rendelhetők. További információ: www.bmw.hu
Tel. +36 (1) 802 5800 | Fax.+36 (1) 802 5830
ALD Newsletter
Blue
COUPÉ
6
BLUEFLEET
ALD Automotive continues to attach particular importance to the ALD Offsetting Programme launched together with
WWF; in this programme, you can redeem your company car’s CO2 emissions by forest planting in the DanubeDrava National Park. We are closing a successful year; indeed, this year the forest planted with indigenous trees
was extended by new areas.
In 2015, ALD Automotive is committed to pursue its actions in this direction, as this year, the fleet managed by ALD Automotive
exceeded five thousand vehicles; so during the next tree planting period, in spring 2015, ALD Automotive will enrich the area of
the Danube-Drava National Park with another 5000 saplings at its own cost, with indigenous species dictated by WWF.
Is your company involved already? Do you have a sticker on your vehicle attesting to this?
Our colleagues would be glad to make the calculations for your fleet; reserve your corporate social responsibility contribution
for 2015 already in your annual budget for 2014. (ZB)
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ALD Newsletter
Stars in cars
COUPÉ 7
An interview with Orsi
In our winter edition, we were lucky to get an interview with the lead singer of the bands Design,
Bionic and Akt. Orsi’s songs and voice may sound familiar to us from many places. Let us just think
of the title songs of the Hungarian TV shows „Barátok közt” (Among Friends) or „Meglepő és mulatságos” (Surprising and Funny), or the popular country-style song „Gyűrött levél” (A Crumpled
Letter)… Orsi’s face has recently been shown on commercial television, too, while acting as the
singing teacher for a popular talent show. The eMeRTon-award singer, also familiar with musical
production and music video direction, spoke with us about her car driving habits and of course, the
upcoming holidays.
ALD: What’s the end of the year like for you, in terms of work?
Do you have any current projects or do you have some
time for rest?
ALD: You spent a lot of time abroad; have you experienced
anything interesting in the driving habits of people in other
countries, something that you liked or surprised you?
Orsi: From August to December during the last 4 years, I’ve acted
as a singing teacher for a talent show, among other activities.
It was a very enjoyable, but hard work. Especially in terms
of time management. Almost every day was without any rest
in that period. You just had to go and do things. Almost night
and day. Sometimes singing classes were in progress even
at 10 PM. This year, I decided I would take care of myself
and would not accept the job again after 4 seasons. I made
this decision after a lot of thought. I did love to do it, but
when I started having health problems because of the
stress and the fatigue, I decided it was time to put the
brakes on and slow the pace. And when I am involved with
something, I am involved quite intensively, because that’s
how I feel I am doing my best. Of course, there’s no time for
rest now either, as my private tutoring and performances
leave none; but this is a healthy pace and what matters is
that it leaves me time for myself and my family. I feel I am in
balance now.
Orsi: Driving habits in Korea, Egypt and France were quite tough.
6 cars flanking each other on 2 lanes. I never saw any intact
bodies. Cracks and dents everywhere.
ALD: Can your fans enjoy any of your live performances these
days?
Orsi: Yes. I had many invitations especially during the summer. In a
musician’s life, the summer and December are the most
intensive periods in terms of concerts.
ALD: With the concerts, I assume you spend a lot of time in
cars. Do you ride more as a passenger or as a driver?
Orsi: A while ago, I never let anyone drive me. I felt safe if I drove. Of
course, like so many things change in life, I changed too, in this
regard. For example, a ride between Miskolc and Budapest and
back after a performance was strenuous even in my twenties.
These days, we are driven by others.
ALD: Do you like traveling?
Orsi: Very much. But after a certain distance, perhaps teleportation
would be a better idea.
ALD: What cars do you like to drive? Small ones, large ones,
sportier ones? What do you consider to be important in
a car?
Orsi: Reliability and comfort. Right now I drive a compact car. I am
very much content with it in all aspects. Acceleration is not
among its strengths, but considering my wild driving habits,
this is not such a problem.
ALD: As Christmas is getting closer, one can expect intensive
traffic on the roads, especially around shopping centres.
What type of a shopper are you: do you purchase your
accessories and gifts for the holiday months before or are
you a real last-minute buyer?
Orsi: I’ve purchased 90% of the gifts already. I don’t like the bustle.
During the holidays, I don’t drive downtown, as I would
spend hours in jams. And I rarely drive downtown during
weekdays, perhaps sometimes in the evenings when the
traffic is over. Somebody’s always digging somewhere.
Closed roads, detours... I really don’t like it.
ALD: Many people travel to their families or somewhere to
take time off during Christmas; do your plans include
travel this year or do you have any old traditions you
follow this time of the year?
Orsi: Yes, I spend each Christmas Eve with my parents in the
country. There we spend a few days together. I love it, this is
the real gift for me!!! No matter what gifts I get, nothing
compares to the time I spend with my family.
ALD: Do you usually relax on New Year’s Eve or has it become
an occupational „disease” for you to spend the last day
of the year working?
Orsi: Of course, we do accept invitations. I discuss the issue with
my background vocalists and if everyone is OK, then let the
show begin. My performance is a spectacular show with
several costume changes. And of course, 3 women look
better than one. :-) But this is a free extra only.
ALD: What are your expectations for the new year? Orsi: I want everything good which is for my best; that’s what I
wish everyone, along with good Health, Peace, Happiness
and a lot of LOVE!
ALD: With Orsi’s Christmas song, we wish a Merry Christmas
everyone!
(NN)
Please click here
to play song
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ALD Newsletter
Tech
COUPÉ
8
A few important points
about traffic fines:
•
If you wish to pay spot fines by electronic
transfer, it is mandatory to indicate the following
information in the explanation box:
- licence plate
- file number
- ALD Automotive Hungary
If these data are not indicated, the companies
cannot identify the payment and the event
cannot be closed. If the payment is made by
cheque, please do keep the payment confirmation
– you may want to digitise it in a clearly visible
way (scan, photo) to avoid losing it.
•
It is important that the time limit for paying fines
is always set in calendar days, not business
days.
•
When purchasing motorway vignettes, it is impor
tant to check before leaving the cash desk
whether the correct licence plate was recorded.
If the licence plate number is not accurate, the
car may incur a fine and any related costs shall
be borne by the user.
LYBRA – Power generation with cars
One of the major sources of air pollution which affects our
environment globally is the public road vehicles, which could
become pure energy generators owing to a revolutionary
invention.
LYBRA is a special road cover made from a material similar to car tyres,
which is capable of converting the kinetic energy generated by the cars in
motion into power.
The idea and the project are the brainchild of an Italian business called
Underground Power, whose CEO, Andrea Pirisi, made the following
declaration:
„What we propose is an innovative and smart system to recover and absorb
energy from the movement of cars, increasing road safety and producing
green energy by using energy that the car would disperse anyway through
its brakes.”
The LYBRA system is designed to slow down cars wherever the speed limit
requires it.
The technology uses the car’s own energy to compensate for its CO2
emissions. That is why Pirisi plans on installing his invention near
roundabouts and pedestrian crossings, at motorway tollgates and exit
ramps, and in shopping centre car parks.
Wear and tear tests must be carried out before the product can be
commercialised.
The device must withstand the weight of thousands of cars and trucks every day.
”Energy is collected from this surface and transferred to generators, which
are set in motion and turn kinetic and mechanic energy into electric energy,”
- Pirisi explained.
LYBRA’s creators say one bump located in a zone with heavy traffic, such as
a supermarket car park or at motorway toll booths, could produce as much
as 100,000 kWh per year, which is exactly the quantity of energy produced
by 19 tonnes of oil. In the same period of time, an average family consumes
approximately 2,700 kWh.
(BB)
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ALD Newsletter
Child
COUPÉ
9
Children on board
I have been following the evolution of company car fleets for
12 years: the low-category sedans with mandatory white base
colour were first supplemented by hatchbacks, then metallic
shine, then the „car policy” literature embraced compliance
with basic security requirements and diesel mode.
And then, something unexpected happened...
Company cars were no longer work tools, but panaceas with
workforce-retaining power in HR.
The user-chooser concept was implemented, and the first roundish
urban monospace vehicles and minivans came along with it; these
are family favourites well-utilised by dads who work 9 to 5, and then
they excel during the second shift as well while Dad picks up his
offspring from school or nursery, then they head to the gym and
private tutoring; and the voluminous trunk hosts gym equipment,
and the cooled glove compartment carries survival sandwiches and
water. And then once at home, the careful drivers clean up the signs
of the tiny hordes in the passenger area, so that Mum’s pantsuit does
not get stained with biscuit fragments the next morning. I admit that
the only thing I envy my American fellow women for is the built-in
vacuum cleaner of the car! Yes, you read correctly. They invented a
thing like that. Of course, we still have to wait a bit until it gets here,
but who would have thought a few years ago that today even the
lower middle class cars would feature family-friendly options which
were only available in luxury cars before. The domestic market offers
Teflon-based upholsteries, which repel water and oil-based stains
and allow an easy and quick cleaning of the seats.
Families have high expectations when it comes to their car: it must
be reliable, safe and must include all the new technology which
makes driving easier and more fun, keeps the backseat passengers
occupied, and of course, all this must not come in a sluggish and
low-performance design.
Besides the numerous airbags, there are many extras one would not
even think of as important accessories to a family car.
1. Practical storage options are never enough: under-seat cases
and in-floor or in-seat storages are commonplace today, and
can carry the toy cars, the plush rabbits, as well as the
emergency nappy changing equipment. Besides the luggage
compartment nets, now we have grids and baskets which
transform the luggage compartment - turned quite spacious by
now – dividable from several directions, preventing the torrent
of unsecured items to cause any trouble.
2. In addition to the child locks, manufacturers today have already
thought about systems which warn you about any seat belts on
the back row unfastened from start or during the ride.
3. For babies transported in infant car seats, the passenger-side
airbags must be disconnected, so infants seated on the
passenger seat will be much more likely to bear with the ride, as
we can engage with them every now and then.
4. In some makes, all three backseats are ISOFIX compatible. In
others, the built-in child seats make sliding seat risers
unnecessary, and you can discreetly hide them in the back seat
platform after use. For older children, backseats can be heated.
5. And I praise memory driver seats twice every day, as both my
husband and I drive the car and I no longer have to spend a few
minutes trying to adjust the driver cabin.
6. The sliding door is my other best friend, especially if it is
electronically remote-controlled, as I don’t even have to press
the remote while I carry two full bags plus a sleeping child on
my shoulder; a touch of the handle will let the car sense the
contact key located in the depths of my bags, opening even in
a narrow shopping centre parking place, letting me slide to the
waist-high (!) child seat and just plop the little one down on his
ISOFIX throne.
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ALD Newsletter
Child
COUPÉ 10
7. For users who find the sliding doors less elegant, I can
recommend the 90-degree rear door opening which still lets
one enjoy the aforementioned benefits, provided that you have
about 1 metre of free space near the vehicle to accommodate
the fully opened door.
8. I am not much of a fan of the backseat mirror, because the all-in
wrestling that takes place there distracts me exceedingly from
driving. Of course, it wouldn’t be so if my car had the triple ride
safety arsenal (lane departure and blind spot warning, collision
prevention assist or emergency braking), which is default even
in the lower middle categories. And if we add the optional active
ride and trace control with adaptive cruise control and driver
fatigue detection or traffic sign warning, we can safely start
preaching to the backseat passengers, even getting our points
across with both hands, while on the road or in dock jams. And
all this without our spouse on the passenger seat having heart
attacks while visualising the possible negative outcomes of our
outburst.
9. Once all the tempers of our kindred have calmed down owing to
the soft humming of the car and the cradling of the excellent
road, not at all suspension-friendly, the rear sun shades
supplementing the tinted glazing come in very handy, because a
combination of all this can simulate the relaxing dusk of a nursery
room, making sure the precious one does not wake up with
hunger and a dirty nappy before reaching destination. As in that
case, we would march in Granny’s village with the sirens on.
10.Meanwhile, the elder siblings can be captivated by the built-in
armrest USB, or, if we are lucky, the earphones combined with
full control of the multimedia unit.
11.Let us not forget about ways to relieve our offspring from their
excessive energy: roof rails provide a good service when it
comes to fixing the skis or baggage to optimise interior space
and of course, we would not really want to transport the bikes
on the roof. Luckily, drawbar bike racks with licence place
holders have become accepted in our country too, so we have
a convenient and safe solution even for homes with underground parking.
12.Family health must not be ignored these days. The air filter with
maintenance monitor is a direct help in health preservation,
while the start-stop function alleviates CO2 stress in the
environment. You too want to see more and more cars that do
not puff unnecessarily at the red lights, don’t you?
Of course, none of the cars combine all the extras above, but some
makes have come quite close to perfection. Of course, all these
extras come at a price, which is often not a small one; but just think
about it: making a smart selection of 3-4 extras that meet our lifestyle
requirements is affordable, while silence with kids on the backseat is
priceless.
(EH)
Annual parking permits can be requested or renewed until the end of January 2015. We can issue the necessary
motor vehicle weight tax certificate only after 1 January 2015, so please report to our customer service as soon
as possible if you need this document.
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ALD Newsletter
Inside
COUPÉ 11
No roles mixed up – The vehicle administration team
Takes kids to school, places orders, fixes things, is a mum, sells, sends, goes to pick up, takes
responsibility, cooks dinner - only a few of the activities of the three ladies. They perform their tasks
in numerous roles every day without ever mixing them up. I hear them often laugh out loud, without
any laziness, of course, and everything is ready when it needs to be.
Our vehicle administration team consists of three mothers who
provide background support to our staff. To me, they are very
much like Santa’s helpers... our clients cannot see them, but they
invisibly do everything to satisfy them.
Our colleague, Judit Szőke, is another avid reader; she keeps
order even in this activity: she likes to read Paulo Coelho, Gabriel
García Márquez and more recently, she ventures into Miklós
Vámos’s world.
Their tasks include not only ordering new cars, sending packages
for putting them into service or procuring parking tickets, but they
help purchase the toll stickers and coordinate the post-contract
life cycle of the vehicles delivered. They are also mothers who
keep their children’s drawings and paintings on their desks,
showing that creating a balance between work and family is
important to them.
After the stressful weekdays, she rests with her grown-up
daughters during week-end trips and vacations in Siófok, but she
won’t mind being surprised with a good Russell Crowe movie
either.
The team is led by Mariann Szilágyi, a busy bee in our office
working from early morning. Besides raising two young children,
she still has time to devour books. Her recent reading experiences
include the Game of Thrones volumes, but she reads German
novels as well to maintain her language skills acquired in highschool. Jigsaw puzzles with thousands of pieces are another
source of relaxation for her (and they can be used as decoration
in Bori’s or Beni’s room later), as are the summer getaways such
as the Legoland adventures in Germany.
The road to our colleague Szilvi Tallum’s heart goes through
cookies; to be more specific, through punch and chocolate
mignons and poppy sweets, as well as Ceylon black teas (we
score extra if the tea is bergamot flavoured). But if, for some
reason, we cannot succeed with the cookies, we can confidently
turn to her, after all she is a professional pastry-chef. Evening
scented candles are part of her daily routine, while week-ends are
enriched with chestnut baking with her sons or trips to the
surroundings of Dobogókő or Biatorbágy.
We hereby thank them for their daily efforts.
(TK)
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ALD Newsletter
Soul
COUPÉ 12
Crashing under the tree – Christmas stress
Will all the work be ready for Christmas? When will I have
time for cleaning the house? Have I bought gifts for everyone?
What should I bake for the holidays? What should I cook for
Christmas Eve? Who visits me and when? I should decorate the
house... And again I will just crash under the tree...
The feast of love is often perceived as a duty and even as a
burden. Instead of intimacy and peace, the feast days are
surrounded by a need to meet expectations and tension. Christmas
stress is an increasing phenomenon and is growing into a popular
disease today.
Most people tend to run into the error of planning more than
they can realistically handle. This excess applies in money matters,
too; many people spend more they can afford, simply to please
everybody. At the same time, little time and energy is left for holiday
preparations. Moreover, after all this, there is no time for the most
important thing: paying love and attention to those around, causing
one to experience disappointment quite frequently, too. This leads
to a lot of tension, conflicts, and unnecessary stress.
Ten tips to fight stress and depression
Accept your feelings!
Missing our loved ones can be the most painful at Christmas time,
but you do not have to force yourself to feel happy simply because
there is a holiday. If you cannot be together with those you love or
you recently lost someone, accept the fact that being sad on such
occasions is very natural and feel free to just experience your grief.
Get out of the house!
If you spend the holidays alone and feel lonely, seek some social or
religious event. Albeit voluntary work is not well-established in Hungary, it is worth seeking out such opportunities, e.g. at charity
organisations; you will not only have company, but it will also make
you feel useful.
Be realistic!
Christmas does not need to be perfect no matter what, and it does
not need to be like the years before. People and families change, as
do their habits; you do not have to stick to the established rituals.
Of course, some are worth keeping, but you can initiate new ones.
Disregard the differences!
Try to accept your family with their defects and try to ignore the wrongs.
Attempt to accept that others may lose their temper when something
does not go as it should - probably it is caused by Christmas stress.
Do not overspend!
Before shopping for gifts, calculate how
much you can spend and stick to this
budget. Do not try to make others happy
with abundant gifts - especially if you
cannot afford it. Be creative, try new
opportunities, e.g. make donations in the
recipient’s name, give homemade gifts or
organise a gift exchange with your family.
Plan ahead!
Schedule the days for shopping, for cooking and baking, or for
cleaning. Plan the holiday menu and write shopping lists, which
can help you avoid forgetting something. Arrange for help for the
preparations.
Learn to say no!
Accepting programmes or work you would actually want to say no
to will only cause you nuisance. Think about what you can say no
to and what you can refuse: you probably cannot say no to overtime,
but you can refuse the company Christmas party. If unexpected
events occur, give up on a less important one of your tasks - e.g.
instead of baking, buy the cookies - so that you are still on schedule.
Do not give up on healthy habits!
During Christmas, many people tend to indulge in food and later
fret over putting on weight. If possible, continue your exercises; if
this is not feasible, try to get physical activity e.g. take walks with
your family. Before going to dinner to others, try to eat something
healthy at home to avoid being hungry and gorging. Get enough
sleep!
Have some ‚me’ time!
Especially parents with young children tend to be overloaded in
this period; but even spending fifteen minutes alone can be helpful.
Take a walk, a long bath, listen to music! What matters is for you to
find an activity which clears your head and reduces your stress.
Seek professional help if necessary!
If you continue to be depressed and hopeless for a longer time in
spite of all efforts, if you experience anxiety, insomnia, irritation and
you feel you cannot keep up with your duties, you may want to seek
professional help.
(ÁF)
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ALD Newsletter
XMAS
COUPÉ 13
Christmas gift ideas for drivers
As Christmas nears, we often hear people fret over not knowing what gifts to buy, which ruins the
holiday preparations for them. Here are a few ideas to help them.
Let’s start with the cheapest things! You can find imaginative or
funny small items to surprise car drivers for as little as a few
hundreds of forints. Various-colour LED valve caps, anti-skid
nanopad, water boiler, coffee maker connecting to the cigarette
lighter or a thermos. The favourite decorations for women’s cars
are eyelashes. Most brand logos are available in the form of
cufflinks, so gentlemen can carry a token of their car even outside
of it. A practical gift is the digital breathalyser, which comes in
handy after a night of fun, helping you decide when you can
safely drive. Among the most popular car gifts of the last years
were navigation tools and DVD players. They keep their position
on the market this year too, but now on-board cameras have
joined them.
If the driver has all the gadgets possible, pay them an adventure
ride as a gift. There is quite a rich offer in that. You can choose a
road or race car, on or off road. You can drive yourself or you can
sit next to a professional car racer. Those who want more adrenalin
can choose from drift, off-road or collision car rodeos. If you want
something heavy, try military vehicles or driving an armoured car.
And finally, a tip for lovers of extreme car experiences who can
afford them too. Ice driving has become a popular experience in
Scandinavian countries. Racing along a frozen icy-snowy lake is a
real bomb of adrenalin. Offers vary on a quite wide scale from
programmes for a few hours to several days, but regardless of what
you choose, you can be sure to have the time of your life. (AB)
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ALD Newsletter
History
COUPÉ 14
Few automakers have such a history of their logo full of unexplained
legends as BMW. First of all, the matter is difficult to settle because at
the time of its establishment in 1913, BMW had nothing to do with the
car industry; similarly to Saab, they originally manufactured aircraft
engines. The original Rapp Motorenwerke name was changed to
Bayerische Motorenwerke after four years; that was when the company’s
logo, still current with small changes, was designed. Golden BMW letters
were placed on the black roundel, while the middle circle was divided
into four sections with the colour white and blue.
According to a more romantic explanation, the four
sections represent the dark and light sections drawn by the
rotating airscrew, which the pilot can see in this two light,
because of the airscrew metal and the blue colour of the sky.
However, a more down-to-earth explanation correlates the
choice of colours with the colours of the Bavarian flag, due to
the geographical connection of the company, whose name
also includes Bavaria. The real explanation is probably
somewhere between the two; indeed, it is plausible that the
shape was inspired by the rotating airscrew, while the colours
were suggested by the flag. The company never changed its
emblem, albeit it had to abandon the aircraft industry
because of the peace treaty following WWI.
The original company - today known as Knorr-Bremse shifted to manufacturing braking equipment; however, an
investor called Camillo Castiglioni changed sides in favour of
the Bavarian Aircraft Plant and took the brand name with him.
From 1924, aircraft engines could be manufactured again, as
demonstrated by their famous placard. They entered the car
industry in 1928 after acquiring the Eisenach auto plant. That
was the birthplace of model 328, which established the brand
as a sporty one. After the war, in Eisenach, which was attached
to the Eastern region, car manufacturing was re-launched;
however, because of the indignation of BMW which had
moved back to Munich, later they continued production under
the name EMW (Eisenacher Motorenwerk) with a red and
white emblem until Wartburg was born. (FS)
One should stick to what is working
and BMW’s logo does work
The 1929 placard which inspired the romantic legend
International green cards for 2015 will be posted as early as this December. As the new cards
are valid from 1 January 2015, please report immediately if you haven’t received them in December.
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Merry Christmas!

Transcription

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